Happy Fall

 It's that time of year!

I pulled this mug out of the China cabinet and filled it with my pumpkin spice coffee so that means it's time for me to wish you all a HAPPY FALL!  Summer is over.

I've always been a summer girl but this year was a doozy for me.  I guess it's a sign I'm getting older and hormones are changing because if I spent too much time in the heat I felt as if I would pass out.  As much as I love summer I always enjoy fall too.  It's a season filled with beautiful scenery, the start of holiday preparations and now I can say I'm looking forward to slightly cooler temps.  

Fall is a beautiful transition into more cozier days.  

I never wanted to begin decorating for a season until the calendar told me the season has started but this year I began just a smidge earlier.  I could not wait.  The pumpkin had been given to me by my mother many years ago and the pillow covers are a recent purchase from Temu.  Yes, I'm a Temu shopper and I know some will criticize that but it is what it is.  

These scarecrows were also given to me by my mother.  The M pumpkin I believe is from Dollar General but I cannot remember.  

So, I'll welcome fall with a positive attitude and an anticipation of everything that is to come.  Enjoy and be thankful!

6 Month Dermatologist Checkup

 Good evening!  I don't typically blog this late and especially on a Friday night when I should be watching my daughter perform her band routine on the football field but instead I am home on the couch.

And I might as well take advantage of this time by doing my own little Bible study.

And the reason I am home like this is because I look like this.

Not a pretty sight.  5 spots of skin cancer removed from my face and 1 on my chest.  You can look up on my bio for my condition called Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome and why I repeatedly get skin cancer.   

It's not fun and there's no worse feeling than missing something my kids are doing but I'm covered in bandages and don't feel like explaining myself when people ask me why.  It's also slightly painful at the moment.  I'd rather spend the weekend hiding but I'm brave enough to share this experience on the internet.  Who knows, maybe someone out there just got this diagnosis and is feeling scared and unsure of what to expect.  

These cancer removals and surgeries add scars and those scars may make me look and feel uglier but there's one thing Basal Cell Carcinoma won't do, and that's end my life.  It's not terminal and I can feel grateful for that.  What I experience is much more severe than Carcinoma, as it's a hereditary disease that I will experience for the rest of my life but it won't be the reason that my life will stop going on.  I will live on ... I just have to find a better brand of makeup.   

I can't tell you how many spots have already been removed from the seven years of experiencing this but I can tell you I'm going to be okay.  A little emotional, but okay.  

Monday

 Here we are at the start of another week in the middle of September.  I had an exciting moment on Friday when a nearby orchard picked the name Dawn for free ice cream.  I've been walking/running on the treadmill every day and trying to watch what I eat but when you have an opportunity to get a free scoop of ice cream ... oh, that devil is so tricky.  

It was just Rob and I on this adventure since Bri was on her way to the away football game.  We made the stop before the game and made it to the game just in time for the start.  Since it was September 11 the team wore special jerseys and honored our local police department.  To think that tragic day for our country was 25 years ago ... I still feel heartbroken.

My son came home from college on Sunday and joined us for church and then he snuck off to help a friend set up a surprise birthday party for Bri.  Wasn't that nice?  Some of the kids from the cross country team were there and considering her birthday was back in August she was really surprised ... and happy.  This girl has been going through a lot of struggles so to see she has friends who care enough to throw a party for her was just so sweet and heartwarming.  

Last night Rob helped me to get the box of fall decoration down from the attic and this week's plan is to get it all set up after I clean and organize the house.  The weather today feels like fall and my dog kept insisting that I go outside with her.  It made her happy.  

Well, I guess that's all I have for this Monday.  I'm busy with the usual laundry, dishes, vacuuming and everything in between.  

Labor Day Weekend

 

Happy Tuesday!  I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend.  My daughter had a four day weekend and I only had a three day weekend.  On Saturday we went to watch a cross country invitational which both of my kids participated in.  It started with the high school races and then the college.  I was so excited that both of my kids had that opportunity to be there together and all the high school team was happy to see Matthew.  He's settled into college very well and is having fun.  

Sunday was morning and evening church services, which always contains an amazing sermon.  My parents wanted to come over on Monday for a barbecue and my dad supplied the meats.  My husband cooked the meat and I made the sides.  It was all so good.  Matthew came home on Sunday night and stayed until Monday evening and it was so good to have him with us.  

Aren't my parents cute?  You can tell we were having a wild time.  

Today it's back to school van driving and getting through a huge pile of chores.  We have plenty of leftovers from yesterday so that's what we will eat after Brianna comes home from her cross country meet.  The morning weather has been cooler and I see the autumn season sneaking its way in.  Are you ready for fall?