Our Cancer Year

Now that I have told the kids I think it's okay to write about this. Two months ago I was diagnosed with a stage two cancer in the soft tissue in my mouth. They found this when I went in to the dentist to have a tooth pulled and luckily I had a really nice, concerned dentist. Not like the first one I went to who sent me home with a massive lump on my face. I was really lucky that they removed all of it and with the exception of high risk for recurrence, it looks good. The worst part has been my low white blood cell count and the medication to boost that. It has been a really surreal experience that I don't think has really felt real yet. I told my mom, I have always had a feeling that this would happen to me. It almost feels like vindication, now I can get on with it knowing I was right all along. I think it has made some big changes in my life and maybe Petes as well. I am really glad that I have him and that he has been so good to me and patient. I wish I was really creative and could turn this all into something like this. I like Harvey Pekar.
So, onto something happy and fun. I may have bad luck in health but thrift shopping is my forte. I have really good luck for the most part and Pete and I have had some awesome vacations courtesy of ebay. My kids have some awesome European clothes and shoes that I LOVE to look for. I look for certain things for them, Pete and I. A few weeks back I was reading about these water bottles but I'm cheap and so I didn't buy one. Well, that same day I went to the thrift store and found one for a dollar! And, it really is the best water bottle I have had. It stays super cold. I also have been looking for some clogs like these. Alex and I were talking about them, she was looking for a pair also. I have found, in the last month, Dansko boots, sandals and lace ups. But yesterday, when I was looking for something else I found these. Brand new Dansko clogs in my size. $2.50. I also got a new pair of Ultra Tall Ugg boots. $9.99. I live for these deals. There are so many cool things to be found. Pete does not like thrift stores so they kind of are my domain. The kids are bargain hunters though and are often helping me search for the regulars. Like people for our sweet collection....
Since I've already posted a novel I am going to finish up with our latest after dinner game. We are Cash Cab junkies. Pete started this the other night using M and M's. He asks us general knowledge questions tailored to our level. There are $25 questions(plain m& m), $50 (peanut m&m) and then there is the red light challenge ( the favorite). This is for the ogre size peanut butter m&m. We have had so much fun playing this and I think this is going to be played most of the way to California. I wish I could rig the lights and sounds in the van. Part of the game is three strikes and you are kicked out of the cab. Pete is all business and if you miss you don't get your m&m. Unless you are Olive and you have the ability to lay face down on the table and kick and scream. I am going to start trying this.