Some Explaining...

Hello Everyone -

I've been missing and I don't really know how to explain myself. I haven't posted in a little over a month. Some of you know what's been going on in my life, but most of you don't.

I was hoping to have a fun, witty way to explain myself because I didn't want to put up an "oh woe is me" post. The reality is? I've even been missing from Twitter too! I mean, you know your life is a bit confusing when you don't even tweet!

So, here is a long story, well...long...

First off, I am very active in my son's school. I am the President Elect of the PTO and was also in charge of the school's only major fundraiser of the year, our Fall Festival - aka the Hullabaloo. I was a little nervous at first to take this on, but I got to work with some of the most amazing women! We were an eclectic little group, but we put on a kick-butt festival!

For the first night, we decided to switch things up from previous years and have a pep rally to cheer our football team on! (Ft Thomas seriously loves their football, people). We invited the Cincinnati Bengals (would you believe 13 of them showed up) to sign autographs for our folks!!!! We had an DJ, dancing, and great food. In only 2 hours, we made a lot of money.

On Saturday, we returned to our traditional Fall Festival. It was the school's 30th Anniversary of this fun fund-raiser, so we went retro! Brought back some great stuff from year's past! All in all, we made about $5000 more than the PTO even hoped we would. It was a success!!

Warning, the story will take a turn here...

Unfortunately during all of this craziness, I lost my Uncle Denny (my mom's brother).

I really really struggled with this (and I can't believe I'm putting this in writing), but our actions have consequences....dire consequences. When your doctor tells you to stop smoking, lose some weight, stop drinking, get up off the couch....DO IT! For years, my uncle laughed at the doctors. The doctors said he would die early. And he did. I struggle to find it in my heart to forgive him. I really hate what he's done to my mother, my aunt, and my precious grandmother (who had already said goodbye to two of her children). I will get over this. Please don't judge me. Sometimes our families are the hardest people to love.

Also during all of this, my mom's cancer has returned. She has survived Breast Cancer twice now. Once in her early 40's and once about 5 years ago. The second time she had a double mastectomy. She has had many complications since then and many surgeries to fix these complications, but she was always my feisty, opinionated, beautiful mom.

The Breast Cancer has returned. Kind of questions your paradigms, huh? I always thought that with my family history, that at the first sign of breast cancer I will have a double mastectomy. Apparently, it's rare that cancer comes back after this surgery, but definitely not unheard of.

This time my mom is going through chemo. It's not the traditional harsh chemicals, but a hormone-based chemo. We were hoping for not a lot of side effects, however she's been quite sick to her stomach, very very sleepy, and now has a sinus/chest infection. I've been cooking for her and helping her with her exercises, and want nothing more than to have her healthy once more.

Her prognosis is good. Please pray for her.

She doesn't like to have her picture taken, and she'd get upset with me if I posted a less than attractive picture of her (trust me though, she's beautiful...and i'm not saying that because I look just like her). Here is my son honoring his Grandma as a Cancer Survivor at this past year's Relay for Life. I know that he will be doing the same thing next year.

Thanks for your time, I know this was long!

Love,
K