Arghhhh matey!

Here is Tessa in her pirate attire earlier this month. Jessie had a pirate party, and all the kids dressed up. This may be the last time Tessa wears a goatee - we'll see! I asked if she wanted to be a boy pirate or a girl pirate, and she looked at me like it was a foolish question and said "BOY!" She's moved to a stage where not everything is princesses and pink any more - the other day she and her friends were playing dressup and one was a princess, one was a mermaid, and Tessa was a "mean witch." It's fun to see her develop this other side of her imagination, taking on various roles, playing with ideas, and getting creative with her costuming.

(But she still wants to be a princess sometimes, and this makes me glad, too.)

Slogging

Well, today I feel the opposite of yesterday...grouchy.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I have a UTI. I went to the doctor this morning after a particularly sleepless night and discomfort/pain. I got the first symptoms last Friday, so this is day six, and it was time to get antibiotics. Ugh.

I was busy running around, like usual, but today I have a bad attitude.

The Lexapro is working!

Today I went to the gym again (yeah for me) and I happened to be running on a treadmill positioned near two mirrors, so I could see myself from both the front and side views. I was wearing my hair pulled back in a barrette from the front, and long in the back, and as I ran, I could see my brunette waves bouncing up and down in rhythm to my steps. These small facts - that I could run, that I had long hair, that it was long enough to bounce - filled me with joy. I found myself smiling and just feeling happy, remembering how far I've come. It wasn't that long ago that I was bald and could barely imagine looking or feeling normal again...and yet here I was, running my heart out, with bouncing hair.

And then it struck me - I haven't felt that kind of happiness in months. Honestly, I don't remember the last time I just felt smiley over a small thing like that, and it has occurred to me that this is how I used to feel most of the time, smiling over little things, and it feels so damn GOOD. I really think that the Lexapro is working - it was the first time I've felt like myself in way, way, way too long.

Thanksgiving pics

Our house has nearly recovered from Thanksgiving, and after a relaxing weekend, I have too. I went to the gym yesterday and took my first proper yoga class in a couple of years, and it was relaxing and wonderful (despite my inability to do everything due to range of motion yada yada yada).

My lovely sister-in-law Kerri celebrated five years since her diagnosis at Thanksgiving. I am particularly thankful for that. I really enjoy Kerri's company and we have much better things to bond over than breast cancer treatment, though we share that experience. It amazes me to think that there were three cancer survivors at our table(s): Kerri, myself, and Josiah (nine and a half years out from diagnosis). I hate stupid cancer, but I am grateful that our family has - so far - survived it.

Here are a few pics from the day. Thanks to Scott & Susan for sharing them with us.