Halloween

I love Halloween!  I especially get a thrill out of seeing my grandkids get excited over the whole thing.  I re-live my childhood through them.  We had a little party for the fam.  It's a good thing, too, cuz it started pouring rain when it was time to Trick or Treat so they weren't able to stay out very long.  We all just hung out together and had a cozy, fun time at home.

Another Version

Here's Jessica's wreath.  She did it a little different.  All the paper she used comes with the kit.

Next Item on the Agenda

Here's the next project from ScrapWood.  This can be used as a wreath or set on the table holding a candle.  Everything you need to complete the project will be included in the kit.  The kit is $15 plus shipping of $4.95.

Melanoma

Last Saturday our family went to a fund raising event for a cute gal who has stage 4 melanoma cancer which has moved to her lungs.  Her cancer started out as a tiny mole on her thigh.  See iwillwinthisfight.com.  We especially wanted to go to support the Melanoma foundation.  Breast cancer is talked about all the time but not much is known about this terrible cancer.  So, I've made it a goal to spread the word.  The theme for the event was "Run from the Sun" which says it all.  I beg all who read this to do everything you can to avoid the harmful effects of the sun.  I say this because of these two beautiful women in my life, both of which have suffered and endured Melanoma.  My daughter Jessica and my sister Whitney have undergone surgery and treatment in the last year. We pray daily that it doesn't spread.

Melanoma is the worst form of skin cancer.  It can manifest itself in the smallest of moles.  You will want to look for any mole that looks different than any others in the area.  It may have uneven lines or be a different color.  Both Jessica and Whitney's moles looked small on the outside but had gone deep into the layers of their skin.

This event has been on my mind all week and I appreciate your time in reading this.  Please be careful and stay on the lookout for anything that looks strange on your skin.  The above picture is after my daughter's surgery.  They had to take a "shark bite" out of her leg for just a small cancer area.  She also had lymph nodes removed from her knee and thigh.

ScrapWood

Just wanted to tell you about a business idea I have and that is coming to fruition.  There's still more to do, like working on a website, etc. but the idea behind it is a kit club containing wood items and scrapbooking supplies to decorate the wood with.  I am planning on coming up with a new kit every month.  This month it is has a Halloween theme.  Each kit will be $28.00 plus shipping.  I've looked and looked and am not finding a kit club of this kind.  I would love it if you would spread the word for me and I will post updates as things progress.

Portland

This last weekend I went with Jessica and her family to Portland to help with the kids at a family wedding.  Can I just say that I love the Northwest.  I want to live there again.  We were stationed twice in Washington and I miss it there.  Other than spending time with my grandkids and seeing the beauty of Portland the highlight of my trip was visiting the bride's parent's house.  I didn't have my camera with me when we went because I didn't know it was going to be a beautiful Victorian home set on a hill.  They still have many of the original fixtures, hardwood floors, etc.  I was in heaven.  I love seeing and hearing the history of beautiful old homes.

30 Years

Has it really been 30 years since I've graduated High School.  I don't believe it.  Going to my reunion will be a fond memory the rest of my life.  I had connected with many through Facebook but it was so fun to actually see and talk to them in person.  I felt that the minute I walked in our bonds were immediately rekindled.  What a blast it was!  I would have to say that most have aged so very gracefully and are still the beautiful people I new 30 years ago.  I learned one thing, though, that will stick with me forever....Everyone has a story....I was so intrigued by hearing what their lives have brought them.  Some sad....Some great.  I realized that even though all of us have experienced some very hard things we all were stronger because of it and living very fullfilling lives.  I also realized that many of us were or are going through the very same things.  How theraputic it was to just talk.  I could have stayed for hours longer.  The attached picture are some of the friends I was able to visit with.