For you Austin Peoples - Don't be skeered. Donate blood or convince someone else to and go with them to hold their hand.

This is why I love Sis #3.

While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister
heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt.
Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin.
Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small
box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of
the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers
and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his
father always said: "Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn,
and into the hole he goooes." (I want this line used at my funeral!)

It's been really nice here in Seattle. I'm finally getting a little more used to the weather and we've had sun nearly every day. With a good dose of sunscreen, I've been enjoying watching Tim umpire baseball games. Some of the fields are just so gorgeous with trees and mountains as backdrops. I love watching sports in person, but especially baseball. I worked a summer league in college keeping the books, so it's nice to watch a sport that I sort of understand pretty well. I also like to watch Tim work because he seems to enjoy it so much.

We've mostly been hanging out with his two girls this past week as their mom has some teacher testing to do. Tim's lucky that he can work from home on occasion, and he takes them biking to the park in the afternoons. I spend my time reading, listening to music, watching television and sleeping. I feel pretty good but still have a few days where I wake up unbelievably sore. Yesterday was so bad that I didn't want to get out of bed.

A vicodin and muscle relaxer later, in addition to the delicious iced coffee Tim brings me each morning (I've said goodbye for now to Sixbucks as he makes it himself and it's wonderful), I finally got up and moving. Watched a pretty boring game in the evening, but it was so pretty out that it was very relaxing. I usually listen to my iPod and watch the game since I generally sit by myself.

[aside] you know someone truly loves you when they make you perfect coffee and purchase the Bravo channel just for you - yay!! [aside over]

I am really missing Zoe, but I know she's having a blast with her dad. Lots of swimming, reading and other activities. But I miss her cute face, silly jokes, little hands and hugs and squishes.

I got to spend Sunday afternoon over at Jeanne Sather's casa for her son's birthday/graduation party. She is just the coolest and her friends are hilarious and fun. Tim and his girls came too and we all had a great time. I think we will get to see her again next week before we go roadtripping for some tournament games in Spokane and Bremerton. I love seeing more of this part of the country as it's so beautiful.

Most likely we will get to see some of Idaho and maybe Oregon this summer too. I'm pretty excited, but it's hard to pack for this weather - cold in the morning and hotter in the afternoons. Then you have to break out the hoodie or sweatshirts at night. I never thought I'd see this kind of weather in June. I hope we have more of it, but I think it's going to start getting pretty hot. Upper 80's this weekend. I bought a lightweight, long-sleeved men's shirt to wear to the games. Sometimes sunscreen just isn't enough.

Ok. Just wanted to check in. I'm sucking at the summer blogging here, but that's probably because we're having such a wonderful time. Still working on the NYC story. Was lots to tell.

I can do this. My iPod is loaded and my sweetie adores me.

Your assignment today is to tell me how your summer is going.

I'm Alive Lyrics
Willie Nelson

It's so damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me, I'd like to thank my lucky stars
That I'm alive and well

And it'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
You were on, on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see?
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well, God, I'm alive and well

Stars are dancing on the water here tonight
It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight
This boat has caught it's wind and brought me back to life
Now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see?
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well, God, I'm alive and well

Today is my lil' sis' birthday. Unlike most of the other kids in our family, I clearly remember the day my baby sis was born.

Sis #1 and I were in girl scouts that year and our troop had raised a ton of money so we could take a cross country bus from Myrtle Beach, SC to Wyoming to camp at this girl scout site. I don't remember how many states we saw, but it was a ton and was a great trip (even though the can broke down on the bus and we all had to cover our noses with our handkerchiefs ~ peeyew!).

[aside] Happy belated birthday to my friend Cami from SC. She was along on that trip and is now one of my blog readers. Haven't seen them in nearly 30 years, but I still think so much about all those great gals! [ aside over]

That year mom was a leader, but wasn't going with us because she was pregnant with my baby sis (and probably wouldn't have gone with that gaggle of crazy girls anyway) We joked that she'd go into labor when we were about to go to the bus station at 4:30am. Ok. No joke. She did. So our leaders had to swing by and pick us up. We then kept calling home (collect) to find out if Sis #3 was born yet only to have our grandmother refuse the charges. We finally found out days later that Sis was here. She was cute as a button and was always *my* baby.

Now she's all grown up. She's always been pretty damn amazing, but she's always up to something interesting. Right now, she's helping a group of Burmese refugees in Austin.

During the SXSW conference, she attended Frank Warren's keynote speech (from postsecret) and started tearing up when he asked for secrets; she told him about me and how sick I was. She had wanted me to come to the conference, but I was having some pretty bad graft vs. host and couldn't make it. I could barely speak from such a sore throat. He mentioned this on his blog too, which was kind of cool.

I will forever be indebted to her mostly because when I got sick, she took a few weeks off (and then some) to come to Houston and be my caregiver. She lifted my spirits even when I was having a horrible time. She held my hand the day I finally gave up and shaved my head. And when I was feeling punk, she brought me Wolfgang Puck Tomato Basil soup. I will never forget her wheeling me around MD Anderson, hauling ass in my BMW of wheelchairs. She cried and cheered for me and donated blood even when her tiny body could barely give any. She let me rest and chill at her casa in Austin last summer. She just kicks some major ass. I adore her.

It's been a rough past year for her - enduring the breakup on a long-term relationship (with a total jackhole) and some craptastic jobs, but I'm hoping that things will turn around for her as she has such winning ways. She's smart, gorgeous, and has a heart bigger than Texas.

I love love love you, Sis #3. You are totally my solid.

I can do this. Today was a great day to be born!

Your assignment today is to wish my wonderful baby sis a superfantastic birthday!

Not much time to blog. Been unpacking and trying not to overload Tim by all the huge amounts of stuff I brought with me. Seattle is still awesome. Tim is still awesome. I'm having a great great time.

I am still in the process of writing up my NYC blog.

Feeling pretty good. I love Seattle.

I'll be checking in soon once I get some stuff taken care of.

Biopsy results say the same thing - atypical cells in my cervix. Mild dysplasia, which shows some abnormal cells, but nothing too serious according to the PA. They are going to keep an eye on it and I have to come back in six months and get another check and another colproscopy and biopsy.

Thyroid is good and hormone levels fine. Very happy about that. No mammogram results yet, but I'm still sore as heck from that mangler mammo technician.

Ok. Off to lunch with Tim.

I can do this, I'm in Seattle woo!

I didn't bring my blog login info with me to NYC, so I wasn't able to update. I have a hectic day and won't be able to write about our trip just yet. (Maybe at the airport tomorrow while I have a layover at LAX) It deserves a proper write up (Mark Wahlberg, Sangria, fantastic food, horky cabs, Africa hot, shopping, awesome hotel).

It was great, but hot. Way too much fun.

I'm so tired I can barely sleep though. I can't wait to get to Seattle to see my debu_sweetie, Tim, and enjoy some cool weather for a change.

Ok. Promise to catch up soon.

Packing.

First we drive to Houston tomorrow
Then I fly to NYC with Z & spend the weekend with my Sis #1 and our friend
Then I fly back to Houston
Then I drive back to SA
Then I pack for Seattle
Then I fly to Seattle the next day (June 11)
I don't get back to Texas until July 25th
Zoe gets back on the 26th
Then a week in New Braunfels

Paperwork.

Filling out financial aid application for MD Anderson. Very time intensive but I have to finish today.

I think this calls for a Sixbucks iced latte with an extra shot!

I can do this. I think. (looking forward to my trips, so I know I can do this!)

Your assignment today - what? Does no one have travel plans?

PS I've updated my flickr account. So if you have a flickr, please add me as a contact. Would love to see the photos of my friends too.

I remember once when Zoe was in first grade she told me that she wished all the people she loved were in the same city. I know just how she feels. Most people do. Even though my immediate family is all in Texas, most of them are in other cities, and I have cousins and aunts and uncles that I miss from one end of the States to the other. My sweetheart is across the country in Seattle. My readers, my lovely e-friends, are all over the world.

I was goofing around on my myspace page (no, Helga's not me in a Halloween costume) and re-watched this video:

It just never gets any easier. I loved that woman. A woman I never met in person, but a woman to whom I could relate entirely. We shared secrets. We shared laughs. And many many nights we shared our fears. Never. Gets. Easier.

We are kind of lagging on our fundraising. Just have been a little busy. I think I will try to spend a few hours every week trying to find new resources for fundraising. Most everyone I know is either raising money themselves, or are in too much of a pinch right now ($4 gasoline doesn't help). But I'm sure there is someone who might be interested. Working on expanding resources via Twitter (way too fun, way too addictive) and possibly getting corporate sponsors to add links or advertising on our Team Zoe site. I'm sure we can do some fundraisers after the summer. Zoe wants to keep having them at fun places.

Missing you. And you. But mostly you, Goobertox.

I can do this. It's nearly summer.

Your assignment tonight is to plan to eat some salad tomorrow. When it's 95 out with a 105 heat index and 36% humidity, there is nothing better than a summer salad. What is your favorite salad combo?

Will write soon. Got a haircut today and she straightened it. I sort of look like me again. Still too short for my taste, but I dig it. And... the whole, yay for having hair again thing.

95 here today. 101 heat index with 36% humidity. Um. GROSS!!! Two weeks to Seattle. They better not suddenly get some huge heat wave when I get there ~ at least we have air conditioning. Heat in Seattle would be tragic.

I can do this. I feel like passing out, but I can make it.

Your assignment today is to tell me your summer plans.

Mom: "Oops, excuse me." (I say as I ... er... well... cut the cheese.)

Zoe lets one rip as well; "I'm with you, sister."

Thanks Natalie Dee. A cartoon for all occasions.

"Mom, did you know that when you get to be a teenager, you get wise teeth."

Three weeks from today I will be on a plane to Seattle. I am so thrilled and wish I could just pack everything up and go and not come back (except to visit my fabulous family). Today it is in the 90's and I hate even walking outside. I feel like my skin is burning off. I miss my debu_sweetie, but I know we will have so much fun. He's totally dorktastic like me and I like that I don't have to explain stuff to him.

Also, he's been doing the Body for Life Challenge (which I've done and LOVED); when we were there last time, we were constantly on the move. His house is near a bike trail that runs along a river. It's been a while since I've been on a bike, but I used to ride all the time in Austin. And when I was doing the BFL Challenge, I'd ride about 16 miles a day. I swear they all drink so much coffee because no one wants to sleep. They are too busy enjoying the active stuff. I'm looking forward to some non-stress too. I feel kind of overwhelmed lately with end of school activities.

Zoe's class had a class first communion. During mass, the kids sang a song and did some hand gestures with the song. I wish I had a video, it was so sweet. I totally teared up. My girl is getting so big and I know that she will be gone again for the summer. I miss her like mad during the summer because she hates to talk on the phone, but I know that she is having a great time. Lots of swimming, kiddos and activities. She loves to spend summers there, but usually by the end of the visit, we are near tears from missing each other (sometimes there are lots of tears).

I love that my dad is the deacon for the mass. All the kids now shout in unison with him (he's known for it) at the end of mass, "GO IN PEACE TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD."

Ok. Near time to pick up my Z. I love you internets.

I can do this. I'm practically indestructible. (and according to the school nurse, so is Zoe. Got another call today. She always is bleeding somewhere or getting yet another killer bruise. Zoe on the goey.)

Your assignment today is to call a loved one. No distraction kind of phone call while typing on computer, watching tv, reading, getting interrupted by kiddos. Schedule it in if you have to. But it's so important that your loved ones know that you love them. I hope that mine know.

Thanks Allison. Sometimes when I can't say it, you do so perfectly!

Zoe and her awesome Godparents

My dad serving Zoe wine