What A Wacky Week!

"Writing does not exclude the full life. It DEMANDS it." - Katherine Anne Porter

Its a good thing that our friend Katherine pointed out the demands of the writing life. If not, I might have ...i dunno, thought I was going CRAZY!! These are some of the things that happened in my life this week that will somehow add fuel to my writing fire.

1. I had a tooth removed and have been highly medicated every since,

2. Spent time in the classrooms of my eldest child. Ahhh, the joys of Middle School. Only to hear a student share that for Thanksgiving he was thankful that he knows who his father is. Another was thankful for Lil Wayne on all the rap songs that he likes.

3. I took another trip to the dentist for the kids check up, only for them to inform me that "bad patient" was written in my 6 year olds file. She ran around the office screaming, and foaming at the mouth during her last visit. Thank heavens we redeemed ourselves. She did fantastic!

4.Prepared for the big move...

5. And, threw in some reading for good measure.

I would through in the rest but I might scare you away!

What wacky things happened in your week?

Hugs, Kisses & Best Wishes,

Miss Know It All

What A Wacky Week!

Blessing the Boats...My Welcoming of the New Season

Blessing the Boats by Lucille Clifton

may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence

sail through this to that

I love that poem! This is what I tell myself as I welcome the timely/untimely change of fall. My life at this point is in need of change no matter how resistant I am to it. When I think about it, the changing of seasons is Gods gift to me, to everyone. It's like our personal permission slip to do what we want to do, be what and who we want to be and make no apologies for that change. We don't have to gobble up any trash that is fed to us, we don't have to cook up some nonsense excuse not to explode onto the world and claim the space that is cut out for us. For this season, this moment, this day is new and we can do whatever the hell we want with it! So, I gather up my worries, my illnesses, my heartache, and find all of the resistance that I can. I wrap it in disbelief, regret and fear. I gather all of the tears that I shed for the seasons past and I place all of those things in my life's metaphorical boat and I watch all of it sail away.

This is a choice. Not a promise but a journey. And at the end of the day all I can do is take life one step at a time until my next season. Wish me the best. Looks like its going to be an exciting ride. I'm glad that you are along with me.

What are some of the things that you would put in your metaphorical boat? Or, how do you honor the changing of the seasons?

Hugs Kisses & Best Wishes,

Miss Know It All

Blessing the Boats...My Welcoming of the New Season

Coming Towards the End Of the Annual Breast Brigade

While many of us girls were able to make it through another year, free of breast cancer, many of us were fighting and struggling to make sense of this untimely disease. Although its nothing that you can totally prepare for, one of the best things that we can do is to educate ourselves on breast care and to learn better ways to read and communicate what our bodies are telling us. On my personal journey here are some of the invaluable things that I have discovered.

1. Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book was a godsend to me. It was like the bible of the breast books. It helped to answer the many questions I had about how to read a mammogram, self examination, over coming fear of results, what the results mean, and great questions that you should ask your doctor.



2. It was so cool to have a wonderful support team to get me through all of the rough spots. At times I was so down about my initial results that it really helped for me to have the people that mean the most to me by my side. (sniff, sniff) they were the BEST!



3. All hail the maker of the post surgical bra! After my surgery it was mandatory that I had great support for my breasts. In February 2009, I had a bi-lateral Lumpectomy (that means both breasts ladies), and I'm top heavy (that's BIG boobs) so comfort was an absolute must! Ouch!



4. Belief in God. For my experience, it was important for me to maintain faith in a higher power other than myself. Although, admittedly it was hard for me at times because I often battled with the, "why me's". Through constant prayer and once again my wonderful support system I pulled through just fine.



5. The beauty of the DVD! OMG! The time that I spent sitting, unable to move around alot, and in efforts to maintain my sanity (and everyone else's), I had tons of DVD's to keep me company. Not only did it curb my boredom but it offered many escapes into many different worlds other than my own (which by the way seemed sucky because of the pain and lack of movement). Comedies Rock at times like these!

Although this list is very limited, I hope that it gave some insight as to what helped to get me through my ordeal. By the way, as of September 2009 (my 6 month follow up), things are looking good. My mammogram showed no signs of concern! Woot Woot!

I encourage and challenge you to find out more information as to how you can best care for your ta-ta's. Knowing the status of your breast health is half the battle! Go for it!

Hugs, Kisses & Best Wishes,

Miss Know It All

Coming Towards the End Of the Annual Breast Brigade