Where were you five years ago?

Hope! by DesignsBySyd on Etsy

What did your life look like five years ago?  Do you remember anything specific about the summer/fall of  2006?
Maybe it was just another year in your life -- not too different than any others.  I remember 2006 very clearly.
2006 was not a good year for me.  In June, at a routine doctors appointment, they suggested I have a mammogram to check out a suspicious spot that the doctor found.  By August, I was facing surgery, chemo and radiation and trying to get my daughter prepared for her first year of high school. There was no quick fix -- It would be months of being totally consumed with treatment, and months before I could put it behind me.  I managed to maintain my daily work schedule although, by 7pm I would be in bed.  There was no cooking dinner, helping with homework or any of the other routine daily responsibilities.  I can't even remember how laundry got done.  Every day we were doing fast food or take out of some sort.  My daughter had all sorts of stomach problems that year and I felt like we were in the midst of one of those Mcdonald's fast food studies. Eat fast food for 30 days and see how you feel!   I remember after it was all over being thrilled to be able to have energy to cook dinner again.  By the time my 5 week daily radiation treatments were over I felt like a mouse in a wheel.  Go to work, daily treatment, home, eat, bed - wake up do it all again for 5 weeks.

Greeting card by Mysavior on Etsy

I am fortunate to live close to one of the top medical facilities in the country.  The Mass General Hospital's Avon Breast Cancer Center is a 20 minute drive from my home.  People come to Mass General Hospital  from all over to seek treatments for all sorts of medical problems. I stopped complaining about my daily drive to the radiation clinic when I saw others who traveled 2 hours each way every day for treatment. You realize, as your treatment progresses, that they have made great strides and progress with treatment options and continue to make progress every year.  Breast cancer caught early enough is not the death sentence it once was.

4x6 Digital Collage Sheet by Bottlecapmania on Etsy

Money is what makes this progress possible. The American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser is this weekend in Boston, on October 2.  I have a friend who is raising money and attending the walk.  If you would like to contribute and help to continue this progress in the hope that our daughters will see an end to Breast Cancer - here is the link to her page.

Boston Tickled Pink Team
So here I am - I've hit the five year point, where supposedly the odds are with you that there will not be a recurrence.  I refuse to live in fear as I trust God for my future. Not that the thoughts don't come from time to time but with His help, I got through this and my faith is stronger that I will get through anything.

An Etsy Wedding

If you are planning a wedding and are looking for something to make your occasion special check out some of these handmade items on Etsy. 

How about these handmade stuffed elephants as cake toppers?

Miniature stuffed elephants by Sewfaithful

How about a banner?

Wedding banner by Studio 1621

 

 

 

 

 Handmade soy wedding candles

Candles by Goodneighborscandle

 

Fashion accessories

Woodland Hair Comb by LeahRHood

Tiny white pearl post earrings by SueRunyonDesigns

Annabelle Necklace by dspdavey

These are just a few of the choices on Etsy.com.  Check out my  A handmade wedding treasury or search by wedding for other wedding choices on Etsy. 

Preparing for Fall in New England

I've started to unpack my Christmas stock from last year. Before we know it we will be in the midst of the Christmas rush! Here is an angel that I created last year. I have a few left from last year and although I haven't decided what to charge - I know they will be less than I sold them last year. These angels are each one of a kind. They can be either a table decoration or a tree top angel. They are crafted out of fabric and then finished with stiffy to create a lasting finish.
These angels are a lot of work and I'm not sure I will be making any this year.

It doesn't seem possible that summer is almost over? At this time of year we are never ready to let it go. We never seem to get enough of the summer. Fall in New England is beautiful and the cool crisp weather is refreshing but we are sorry to say goodby to summer.
Here is a fall wreath for sale in my Etsy shop.

Here is the link to my web page, kindly visit to see my other creations http://www.angelsneverlastings.com




I have the good fortune to live on the East Coast so last week I took the opportunity to spend a day at Rockport, Ma. It is one of my favorite coastal spots in this area. I walked the beach and collected some interesting tidbits. Here's a picture of my finds

-- broken seashells, bits of seaglass, and if you look closely you will see there are some bits and pieces of imprinted pottery that washed up on the beach. I will be using these soon in one of my seashell embellished creations.








Here are a few pictures I took while at Rockport. Enjoy!