Female in Motion

In my Monday night blog post, I talked about choosing joy and finding it around you every day. Here's a rundown of the little spots of joy in my day...today! 1. The mailman handed me a package this morning with a new pair of shoes in it. Bliss! 2. The Hubster cut up an apple for my snack this afternoon. 3. Buddy, our new cat, climbed onto my lap and let me pet him for 10 whole seconds. 4. I got a whole ton of work done today. 5. The Hubster and I are going to a movie at the Warren Theater's Balcony tonight. Fun! 6. I got to talk to my sister, Donna, and my mom over lunch today. 7. I found a lucky penny under a pile of paperwork on my desk. 8. Viewers of my blog yesterday totaled 57! What are the little spots of joy in your today?   Psalm 32:11 (KJV) Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Almighty God, thank you for pointing out the good things in my life, because they remind me of your love fo...

 While running errands today, I stopped to talk to an acquaintance. She heard I had breast cancer, and wanted to tell me I was in her prayers. We spoke for a few moments, and when we parted, she remarked, "I love how positive you are!" Then there are the others--you know them. The folks who say, "What are you doing out?" They have these pained expressions and say, "How are you... really ?" Like I'm going to burst into flames at any moment. I made a decision to find a little spot of joy in every day. Something to make me smile. The Hubster and I laugh a lot. Cancer can be a humbling experience; there are lots of awkward situations involved. You have to have a sharp sense of humor. People with cancer don't lay in bed all day, eating bonbons and watching TV. We go to work, grocery shop, go out to eat and even clean our toilets. Our church held a revival last week. The evangelist, Dr. Fred Johnson, of Calvary Boys Ranch in Eufaula, OK, w...

I'm packing some items in a backpack to take with me when I have chemotherapy treatments at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL. So far, I have a small lap blanket, a fleece hoodie that zips all the way down front, photos of my favorite people, peppermints, hand sanitizer, my MP3 player and my collection of short stories by John Steinbeck. Am I missing anything? If you think of something vital I have forgotten, please let me know. Because of a scheduling conflict, I won't be able to start chemo for two more weeks (Oct. 10). This has left me feeling a little frustrated and blue. Not that I am so excited to have chemo, but that I just want to get the process moving forward. I don't want to be a cancer patient the rest of my life. After putting this chapter in the past, I want to move forward with my writing and our business. Here is my post-cancer "to do" list: 1. Take a vacation with The Hubster, my mom and the kids. 2. Send query letters to a ...

Proverbs 1:8 (KJV) My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: What is your legacy? I used this as a writing exercise back in 2005, and recently came upon it in my computer files. Writing mostly about my daughters and how I hoped they would remember me after I am gone, I enumerated the things I loved about my life, this earth, and my time here. My main focus, however, was on the hopes and dreams I had for their lives. When my daughters were small, I wanted them to love God, go to college, get high-paying jobs and marry well. Now that they’re both grown and independent, (well, relatively so!), I have changed my outlook. If they are happy and healthy, I won’t quibble about how much they make or whether they married a millionaire. I realize now that the most important feeling in this world is fulfillment, as in doing what is God’s will for your life. Many activities may provide this feeling, like parenthood, working at a career or ...

Here it is, folks! The Picture of the Week! I am sporting my new wool fedora from Target. I have made several hat and scarf purchases in recent weeks, preparing for my new hairless look. Cancer Treatment Centers of America called this morning, and I won't be returning there until October 9. It's tough to get five doctors in the same place at the same time. While I am there, if all goes well, I will begin my chemotherapy treatment. My health and mobility are improving every day. I have lost three more pounds (down to 191 today),  and my range of motion is at about 90 percent. I hit the treadmill every weekday. This week, it was 25 minutes per day. Next week, I'm aiming for 30. Endless thanks and blessings to those who sent cards, gifts, jokes, songs and sweet emails this week. I love you guys!

  (Song: Stand in the Rain by Superchick)   Ephesians 6:10-11 (KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. When young David in the Bible was preparing to go into battle against Goliath the giant, King Saul offered to loan him his own suit of armor. David tried it on, but it was the wrong fit. The brave lad chose instead to use what he was familiar with...a sling shot and five smooth stones. If you've seen the movie Iron Man, you know that Robert Downey Jr.'s character builds a powerful suit that fits him to a "t." This armor gives him the ability to shoot weapons, remain bulletproof and fly. Iron Man goes out and protects the fine citizens of his city from mayhem. When I was younger, I tried on girlie dresses, an athlete's uniform, a performer's costume, and hospital scrubs. Like King Saul's too-big suit ...

Oops! Forgot to post a photo of myself this week! Here I am on Tuesday evening, out for dinner with three of my besties from the old days as a working mom. These girlies and I have kept touch over the last 20 years, even though we've all gone on to different jobs (except one faithful one!). These are women that listen, share, pray and sympathize with me. We've seen each other through all kinds of crises. That's the deal with women. We're like Timex timepieces. We "take a licking, and keep on ticking." I am honored and humbled to call them "friend," and I aspire to be as supportive to them as they are of me. God has blessed me with these women, and a host of others. My cup runneth over. Thank you, precious Savior. (pictured above, from left: Female in Motion, Jacque, Deanne and Dionne.) Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times.

Last Christmas, I was steaming around my mother's house, trying to round up chairs so everyone could sit while opening gifts. My siblings, my daughters, and their families were there. I dashed back to a corner in the basement, picked up two chairs and promptly dropped one. My daughter walked into the room as I was berating myself. "Carol, you stupid idiot, get it together!" "Hey!" she warned, "Don't talk to my mom that way!" Ouch! I was caught. Despite making strides in my journey of self-acceptance, I came up short in a stressful situation. I disappointed my daughter, my Savior, myself. Before I set my head on the pillow that night, I made it right with God. "Forgive me, Lord," I said. And that's when I realized the fight wasn't with myself. The Enemy had a victory that day. I am not the one putting those negative words in my head. When I let my guard down, Satan slithered in my mind with words of defeat and misery. I n...