Hello Everyone:
It’s been a full and interesting February. The coldest February on record. Has been well below 0 degrees Celsius (less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit) so far all month and we have 3 days to go before the end of the month. In fact, it’s been as low as -40 degrees Celsius – the wind chill is brutal. At least it’s sunny on some days – but not always. L
Other highlights:
- Superbowl 49 – exciting game to the end – Go Patriots!
- “SAD” – Single Awareness Day (aka Valentine’s Day) – I spent the evening watching chick flicks curled up on the couch. Very peaceful. J
- Ash Wednesday February 18 – beginning of Lent – I have become a Pesca-tarian – given up all meat until Easter (April 5th)
- Chinese New Year’s 2015 – Year of the Goat (or Sheep or Ram) –February 19
- Both my nephews’ birthdays – now 7 and 16 years old
- And the most exciting: it’s now been officially 4 years since I finished my Chemo treatments!! February 23 – – Woohoo!!
On that milestone day – I noticed that I had a new white hair – so I immediately plucked it out. After all, I am lucky that my hair has come back as black and dark as it used to be, so why ruin the look with some “salt”. I tried to let my hair grow for 6 months….sadly, according to Brian my super awesome hair stylist, it is still not strong and great. So we’ve cut it down….again. We’ll see about letting it grow again over the summer. In the meantime, I’ll be back to a more regular hair-cut schedule. To be truthful, even though I still have hair envy, I’m not sure I have the patience to grow my hair out long anymore. If I do try, I’ll be “wigging” it again for a while during the unruly growing out phases.
Now – the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Goat – I did some reading up and it is going to be a challenging one for my sign – The Ox. Luckily, I am a Water Ox. (There are 5 elements which have a strengthening or moderating influence on the signs – Wood, Earth, Metal, Fire and Water). And apparently the water sign is considered the most resilient. (Might explain a few things about my personality :o). This is a year of follow up tests. Year 5 since diagnosis. So that will be my battle to face. All will be fine I’m sure. Just a lingering nagging in the back of my mind. I’d like to be done with all of it.
So here is the description of a Water Ox:
“This Ox has a sharp and penetrating mind. She is a good organizer and sets about her work in a methodical manner. She is not as narrow-minded as some of the other types of Ox and is more willing to involve others in her plans and aspirations. She usually has very high moral standards and is often attracted to careers in public service. She is a good judge of character and has such a friendly and persuasive manner that she usually experiences little difficulty in securing her objectives. She is popular and has an excellent way with children.”
(I read it to my Mother – – she thought it was a pretty good description! LOL.)
Tip for the Year:
“Proceed carefully and mindfully. Pay heed to the views of those around you and be prepared to adjust as situations change. This may be a challenging year, but what you undertake now can be of both present and future value. Also, spend time with those who are special to you. Their love and support can be significant.”
(Hence – to all my Warriors – – thank you and I look forward to seeing and spending time with you now and always – xoxo)
I get asked about the compression sleeve I wore for my lymphedema. I usually just wear it now when I travel on airplanes. Although I still get the swelling now and then and feel my right hand and arm getting tingly when I exert it too much, I just am not interested in wearing the sleeve too often, or daily like I used to (every day for a whole year!). It’s a pain and just reminds me too much of the past. And, I just want to keep moving forward! J
Finally, an update on my “work-out & get in shape” task from the last update. Bad news: I haven’t been into or back to the gym. (Yes, I can hear the gasps of disappointment). BUT, I have been swimming, doing yoga – once in a while, and skiing (been out 10 times since the beginning of the year)!! Which in my mind is OK. That, and the fact I’ve lost 5 pounds since that boat cruise wake-up call. (LOL). I’m almost convinced that I have new muscles in my arms and legs from skiing – it’s hard work getting down the hill and maneuvering around the chair lifts!! Besides, it’s only Season Three for me. Since I’m still a rookie ski bunny, I make sure that I can been seen by the other skiers on the hill by wearing bright colours. (See attached – sorry, one of them I can’t rotate properly – technically challenged). :p
And, since muscle weighs more than fat, I think things are looking better! That trainer would be so proud of me!! LOL.
As the Oscars just passed, I’ll close with a quote from James Dean: “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.”
Love and Hugs always,
Winnie xo
