My tree outside the house.

When my parents first bought their land back in 1972, they moved their house to the property, cleaned off the fence lines, cleared the brush, brought in lots of sand and planted trees. They also had my brother and me plant trees that we chose as well. After they died, I bought the property from my brothers and moved onto it about 8 years ago. The best part about where I live are the trees.

I love trees. I have 'collected' a multitude of trees of all different kinds on one of my Pinterest boards. I love big trees and gnarly looking ones. I think they're peaceful looking and I love the green colors on the one in my driveway right now. A really good friend of mine said once that he saw trees as keepers of the land, the watchers and recordkeepers of the world gone past. And that the old and scary ones look as if they could harness the evil the world holds. I'd like to eventually go the Pacific Northwest and see all the awesome trees in that part of the country. I'm looking forward to the hope of climbing trees, listening to waterfalls and letting myself engulf the flavor of Mother Nature.

Outside my house, this is just a little bit of this tree.

Salty

We have a new member of our family. Well, actually, he's been here a while. We got him last summer as a puppy and it's been fun watching him play as he has so much energy! I had forgotten about life with a dog. I'm more of a cat person. You know, the cat who can take care of itself and doesn't need to be walked. But the excited look and eagerness to see me when I return home from him makes me smile. I automatically have to reach down and rub his tummy and stroke his fur. My hubby had wanted a dog for years but we were just waiting for the right moment. Even my kiddos have wanted one and now they have a new best friend. I'm right now watching him as he's taking a nap and his legs are moving as if he is running in his dream. So sweet!

The End of 2015

The last few months have been full of excitement and change. I've finally completed my breast cancer treatment (radiation) in October. While there are so many bigger issues I've dealt with and will still deal with for many years, one little annoying one is having to not being able to open things with my fingers, like these little butter things I wanted to open for my biscuits.



Just before Thanksgiving, my MIL passed away. The last ten years have been rough for her. From breaking her hip , moving into an assisted living facility and declining in health and mind. I reread my blog entries today and loved to see where I had written here or there about her. It reminds me of how much I loved her. From eating ice cream , spending quality time in the hospital, , taking her to doctor appointments, not recognizing me anymore, celebrating birthdays with her, and all the times in between. I have been missing her for a decade, and still do. I know she's up in heaven looking down and smiling. At her memorial service, my girls and I took a picture.



Christmas preparations were interrupted by another surgery (gall bladder) but it ended up peaceful and festive. I was definitely in a different place than I was a year ago, oblivious of the raging cancer growing within me. I have a whole new perspective on friendships as well. There are those friends and family who don't know what to say so they slip away quietly. And then there are those who have always been there and who continue to shine brightly like SIL Patti. Having been a BC survivor, she was a calm voice in a sea of anxiety and her never ending greeting cards throughout the year were priceless. My brother Mike who lives next door was a huge help especially with picking up and dropping off my kiddos as were my daughters. And then there are those who were acquaintances and then moved up into the friend category with their assistance. My friend Kathy brought lots of food for the entire family probably once a month for the whole year. In addition, the fact that she had to come by the house forced me to get up and clean. It would take a few days in those days when I was really sick with chemo and that was great motivation to remain in the 'real world.' Of course, my hubby stayed by my side the entire time. I had other friends who were very helpful and I am grateful to have a wonderful circle of friends and family. I'm very blessed.