Saturday, October 21, 2006

Must be a Full Moon Out

Either that or the typepad bug bit everyone. Come check out my new digs. I have had it with globber and don't want to deal with it anymore.

Come see me! Don't forget to change your bookmarks and favorites.

Who knows, maybe I will join the Blogging Chicks next! Just hide and watch!

Friday, October 20, 2006

Mammogram: Peat and Repeat !

I know you have seen this picture before but please keep reading. The text is different. In previous posts, I have urged you to make appointments for mammograms.
You may be afraid of having a mammogram. . . even if you've had one before. . . there is fear. There is no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week, preceeding the exam and doing the following practice exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test, and best of all, you can do these simple exercises right at home.
EXERCISE 1: Open your refrigerator door, and insert one breast between the door and the inside of the refrigerator. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut as hard as possible and lean on the door with lots of pressure for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds. Repeat in case the first time wasn't effective. Insert the other breast and repeat these instructions.
EXERCISE 2: Visit your garage at 3:00 a.m. when the temperature of the cement floor is just perfect. Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor sideways with one breast wedged comfortably under the rear tire of the car. Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is sufficiently flattened and chilled. Switch sides, and repeat for the other breast.
EXERCISE 3: Freeze two metal bookends overnight. Strip to the waist. Invite a stranger into the room. Have the stranger press the bookends against either side of one of your breasts and smash the bookends together as hard as she can. Repeat for the other breast. Set an appointment with the stranger to meet next year to do it again.
They are now properly prepared !
Seriously, if it's time for a mammogram, run, don't walk, to your phone to schedule an appointment. It may be the most important phone call you have ever made. I am living proof.

Here are links to previous Breast Cancer Awareness Posts:

What Cancer Cannot Do (Poem)

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Be Informed)

The Day My World Changed (Black Darkness)

Mammogram (Photo)

Light at the End of My Tunnel (Life Goes On)

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (Video)

Bald is Beautiful (Swampwitch Revealed)

There are many links included in the above posts. If one person's life is saved because of the information read here, this has been worth every single minute of time dedicated to working on this blog (glob). Kathy :)

P.S. Men can be victims of breast cancer, too. Our daughter-in-law's father is a breast cancer survivor. It is important for everyone to do self-exams. If you notice a "bump," "lump," or any change in your breast, please see your doctor.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Rainbows by Brian*

Rainbows. . .
Well, I had a rainbow picture that BloggerGlobber ate. It wasn't nearly as pretty as the one BarnGoddess posted. So, I decided to not let BloggerGoober get me down. Instead, here's another photo from one of our Babes' Fest get togethers. High school friends reunited after 35 years. Our hair reminds me of a rainbow.
And now, for the purpose of this post. Brian was kind enough to write a couple of poems in my honor of being a Breast Cancer survivor.
His comment came from "The Day My World Changed" post.
RAINBOWS - by Brian*
they stretch from side to side
a perfect arc of color
all shades are there
where ever you turn
young and old of all races
men and women dressed in pink
a rainbow of compassion
united in a common cause
Haiku - by Brian*
shaved skull mark of pride
fractured prism streaming waves
defiant pink stands.
This poem was written for the Bald Post.
Thank you, Brian, for always visiting and sharing your talent with us.
*Please visit Brian at Truth is Freedom to enjoy more of his writing.
For a spectacular photo of a double Rainbow, be sure to click on the link for BarnGoddess above.

Stay Tuned for Brian's Poetry



Today's post was supposed to be Brian's poems and Rainbows from BarnGoddess.

But BloggerGlobber decided to have them for dinner. Chomp ! Chomp!

So, for now just enjoy the view from the Colorado National Monument and a bouquet of pink tulips.

Hopefully, the post will be up sometime later. Stay tuned for more chaos from Swampwitch's GlogAsylum.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Bald Is Beautiful / And The Winners Are !

Be Prepared.
The photo below is a little bit scary !
Much worse than any 'moon' you have seen so far.
This is one of those random posts that appear here quite often.



SWAMPWITCH AT THE 'BARBER SHOP'

Top Ten Reasons for Having Chemotherapy and Losing Hair:

10. When driving to work, never have to wonder, worry, or obsess if curling iron was left on.


9. No gut-wrenching decisions about having a perm, getting a short cut, or wearing it long and wavy.


8. Gray hair? No problem. . . it no longer shows.


7. Can take on new personality according to wig and/or hat style and stay in character all day.


6. Fun and exciting to elicit startle responses by appearing in public with nothing on head except a bow taped on top.

5.Have a great belly laugh at being mistaken for Demi Moore (GIJane), Sigourney Weaver (Alien) or better yet, Andre Agassi.


4. Save money on shampoo and conditioners and spend it on hot oil head massages . . . body massages if there’s enough oil.


3. Can entertain people sitting behind you by drawing pictures or writing messages on back of bald head.


2. Get revenge at the hair-stylist who once over-charged for a bad hair cut by telling everyone she is responsible for this “new style.”


1. Have ample time to sit in front of mirror, watch hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows slowly grow back, and get priorities straight.

PART TWO of this Post:

What Is This Man Doing Contest # 3 Winners: DRUM ROLL Please

Here are the contestants:

Pamela

C

Brian

D

Barngoddess

Gayle

KarmynR

Susan

LifeorSomething

MsL

Katie T

Sunrunner

Wolfbaby

Matt

HerIndoors

MSUGal86

I will post the real story about "What This Man is Doing" later this week but wanted to mail the prizes out tomorrow.

Because there were so many wonderful entries, I could not make a decision. I have decided to handle it this way:

The first 3 contestants named above to comment on today's post will receive a Barnes & Noble gift card or the glow-in-the dark commode lid. Name the prize you want to receive.

Please e-mail your snail mail address to:

swampwitch06atgmaildotcom

The other contestants may go here to claim your runner-up prize.

GlOB(e)AWARD

Congratulations and Thank You to all.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

One More Day

Yesterday's two-part post will stay up one more day until Ben has the opportunity to see it. Tomorrow's post will announce the winners of the "What Is This Man Doing" contest #3, and it will feature a bald Swampwitch---10 top reasons for having chemotherapy and losing your hair.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Hello to Our Son-in-Law in Iraq

Please go to this link before reading any further.
Click HERE.
To those who are visiting here today, please excuse the personal post, but it is a promise I made to our son-in-law who is serving our great country and is stationed in Iraq. Please feel free to send him a message.
Dear Ben,
Here are a few pictures for you.
Here is the best picture I could get of the baby.
"It" is still a little shy.
Lucien Charles ?
Reese Elizabeth ?

Window Cleaner
Harrison has found a new way to clean the front window.


"Hi Daddy !"

Thanks to 21st Century technology, we are able to see you from the other side of the World.

The second part follows with a few more pictures because Blogger would not cooperate and upload all of them here.

Part Two: Hello to Ben in Iraq

Please click on the link before reading any further.
Click HERE.
I urge all readers to spend some time at this site whenever you have a few minutes.
Thank You. Kathy :)

Dear Ben,
Here are a few more pictures we thought you might enjoy.

Your new couch.
There is a love seat to match.
Cookie Monster

Cousin Ava


New Paint

Who's Looking Out the Window?

Cousin Parker


Bathtime

Revealed: Julie and McDreamy/Swampwitch's Moon

Several days ago, Julie requested fellow bloggers to post pictures of moons. I have located several of those who responded with their own versions.

Actually, I think Claudia started it. Then, Willowtree , joined in. Let me warn you if you link to WT, you will see a real moon. Put your sunglasses on.
Possibly, Jenny started the whole thing but I can't locate her moon.
I am totally surprised that Marnie doesn't have a moon posted because she's posts about everything else. Including self-portraits in the mirror in which she is quite HONEST.
She also tries to lead us to conclusions that some bloggers might be FRAUDS.
I am unable to locate any more of the moon posts because I think they have ended up in Archives and I have run out of time looking for them. PLEASE, if you posted a moonshot, let me know where it is.

Even though I am late posting my moon, I decided this particular picture was appropriate.




SWAMPWITCH'S MOON
Now, for the unveiling of the residents of Another Chance Ranch.
Drum Roll Please ! There really is a drum roll at this link.
Actually, I've turned this into somewhat of a guessing game. You really didn't think I would just post their picture, did you? That's just too easy. Below, you will find several pictures to choose from. Each column is labeled A-B-C-D and each row is labeled 1-2-3-4. Blogger messed around with me, and I never did figure out how to post these in order. After 4 tries, I gave up. Choose which couple you think is the "Another Chance Ranch Couple" and label it according to the photo's position with a number and a letter.









If there are enough entries, I will tally the votes and reveal who you think is the real couple.

If I have enough bribes, I will post the real picture. I have it. I really do.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Babes' Fest

Here's to you Babes:

We went to high school together.
We went our separate ways.
Some stayed in that small Oklahoma town.
Some never came back. . .
Until our 35th high school reunion.
In that small Oklahoma town
A weekend of laughing, crying, reuniting.
Trying to relive a lifetime in a few hours.
We made a vow to stay in touch.
We did.
We laughed (hysterically)
We giggled (for no reason)
We trusted (without reservation)
We accepted (without condition)
There was understanding.
There were hugs, giggles, tears...
We called it Babes' Fest.
We made new memories.
We made a vow to stay in touch.
We will.
Here's to you, Babes.

Do you have a friend story to share? a quote? a poem?
Today, pick up the phone and call a friend.

"In my mind, I've made a scrapbook. . . a collage of memories formed in the comfort of friendship."

"On the journey of friendship, what we discover in each other opens our eyes of understanding."

Posts Coming up this week:

Winners Announced for What Is This Man Doing Contest #3
McDreamy and McLadyBug Revealed
Swampwitch's Picture with No Hair
A Hello to Our Son-in-Law Stationed in Mosul
Brian's Poem: Rainbows

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Photos from our Trip

MRMules
MRnotMules
MRHorses
SMRHorses
MRClydesdales
MRSomeBigHorses
Some of you may remember Julie's STORY.
Hence, the "riddle."
Besides, Barngoddess always has pictures of horses, so I wanted to post a pictures of horses, too.
(even though they aren't my horses)

-Sunrise the morning we left on our marathon journey-

Mt. Garfield can be see to the far left.


Future Jack-o-Lanterns or Punkin' Pies

After being on the road for 11 days, we saw many beautiful sights. I just wanted to share three of my pictures today. I am certainly not a photographer, but I think you will be able to identify the subject matter of each.

Thanks to all my blogger friends who have visited even though I've not been able to consistently stay in touch. And, also to those of you who are reading my posts that concern Breast Cancer Awareness. I will continue to post more about this subject during October.

Here is a wonderful recipe for these cool autumn days I wanted to share 'again.'

Yucatan Lime Soup with Chicken RECIPE.

Stay tuned for a lovely photo of McDreamy and McLadybug. (Julie-Another Chance Ranch)

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Inflammatory Breast Cancer
















Seattle KOMO 4 News Special Report: Information about Inflammatory Breast Cancer
To view the video, click at the Red Camera below the X-ray on the link.
The Silent Killer: Inflammatory Breast Cancer
The video takes about 6 minutes. The phone numbers given are no longer for IBC. I will be posting other places to find information about this subject as it becomes available to me.
If you have information, please feel free to share it in your comments.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

What Is This Man Doing ? Contest #3

Well, it's time for a little more fun! I had just a few minutes to post something new, and what's more exciting than another contest? Before this marathon cross-country trip, I cleaned out a closet and have many treasures my "globber" friends might just love to have and cherish forever. These include a glow-in-the dark commode seat, a boa that looks like it has a bad case of the mange, various items received at a 50th birthday party. . . and possibly some of those gift cards from Barnes and Noble.
Entries will be accepted until Saturday,
10-14-06, at noon MST.
Winners will be announced Sunday or Monday, depending on when I finally arrive home.
There will be three (3) categories:
1) best title
2) funniest description
3) best limerick
In case of a tie in any category, winners will have to share the prize.
You may enter once in each category.

Monday, October 09, 2006

A Bouquet of Flowers for You

A Bouquet of Flowers for My Blogger Friends

Thank you for visiting everyday. I will be at your doorstep as soon as I have the time to visit.
Until then, just enjoy these flowers I chose for you.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Anniversary Waltz

Since Miss Ladybug (Julie at Another Chance Ranch) was nice enough to post an Anniversary Wish for Swampwitch and Hans, I felt it only appropriate to post a picture of us, the party animals doing the Anniversary Waltz.
Photography by Kelley L.
We are currently away from home, so my daily posting will be temporarily interrupted.
Have a wonderful day.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Light at End of My Tunnel

The light at the end of my tunnel . . . and I certainly hoped it wasn't a train.
It wasn't a train. It was a group of people who rallied around me and helped me through a scary time of my life. It was my light of SURVIVAL !
To any of you who have been diagnosed, who are going through treatment, or who have loved ones who are on this journey to survival, know that there is a light at the end of their tunnel, too. And, it's not a train. It is their light of survival !
For new readers, please scroll down to earlier posts for links that will take you to information about Breast Cancer Awareness and Mammograms.
Because of my schedule, I have to post early today. To my blogger friends, I may not be able to post back or visit you for awhile.
Think Pink !
Wear Pink !
Pink is Power !
To my Sisters of Survival: SOS !!
((HUGS))

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Mammogram and Auction Results

This wasn't the post I had planned to share today, but since so many comments yesterday concerned mammograms, I just couldn't help myself. Besides, I want to add some levity to my posts this month and since yesterday seemed so black, here is a smile. I hope you will schedule your mammograms. It doesn't flatten you quite as much as pictured here.For any new readers, no this isn't an R-rated Blog. Well, it is an R-rated blog. R= Random ! May I suggest you scroll down to the pink picture and start reading there to figure out what's going on here.
There are two links in the text above. (color word/mammogram) Here are more links that concern mammograms:
Now for some more levity, last week I held an AUCTION for a fine-looking young man. It's time to report who was the top bidder. Drum Roll Please !
Anonymous #2, you need to contact me with your mailing address so I can box him up and ship him to you. Your comment read: "Sooo handsome and a Southern gentleman to boot? I know his call sign but for this pictures it will be given "Alabama cowboy with icing on top!" Something awfully romantic about those mountains, too.
Your bid was a home cooked meal and a soft blanket curled up to watch a movie with a Playmate attached to the remote control!
Your call sign for him: Beaves
Congratulations ! He's yours. Now please change his shirt, maybe to one that comes from this shop.
Laughter, which Sir William Osler called "the music of life," makes the unbearable bearable and a patient with a well-developed sense of humor has a better chance of recovery than a stolid individual who seldom laughs.

Monday, October 02, 2006

The Day My World Changed

"There are cancer cells !"

Have you ever seen black just before you passed out?
Have you ever had the breath knocked out of you?
Has your throat ever closed and you couldn't breathe?
Have you ears ever rung so loudly you couldn't hear?
Has your mouth ever been so dry you couldn't swallow?

Have you ever not been able to feel your hands?
Has your heart ever beaten so fast you thought it would jump out of your chest?


If you combine all these sensations, it might give you an idea of what it felt like for me to hear my doctor speak these words, "There are cancer cells."

I distinctly remember my very first thought.

"How do I tell my two daughters that I have breast cancer?"

On the day I turned 39, I wondered what it would feel like to be 40.
I had always heard the expression "Forty and pregnant."
I surely didn't want to be 40 and pregnant. I was in the midst of a divorce.
I just didn't know I would be 40 and bald.

In the amount of time it took Dr. H to say those four words, my life changed.
At first, I thought everything changed. My world seemed to turn black.
I heard words like mastectomy, lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, double-blind studies, support group, and then I stopped listening. My ears refused to hear.

At first, I thought my whole world would change, but it didn't take long to realize, some things never change. The unconditional love for my two daughters and their unconditional love for me would always be there. . . an even deeper love and understanding like we had never known developed. My family was still my family and my friends were still my friends. There would still be sunshine and rain and rainbows. The moon and stars would still glitter the night sky. The flowers would still bloom, the birds would still sing, and the dogs would still bark. My classroom would still be on the third floor at Central Middle School. My students would still be mine, they would just have a substitute teacher for awhile. Yes, life would still go on . . . with or without me. I had to make a choice whether to throw a pity-party for myself, mope, and be miserable or squeeze every ounce of life out of every minute I had and make the most of a bad situation. I chose the latter. Being a teacher, I knew the importance of being a good role-model. My girls needed their mother and I planned to be that role-model. . . strong yet vulnerable.
And so my journey began.

In the length of time it has taken you to read this post, approximately 3 women have been diagnosed with breast cancer (and possibly a man). Every 2 minutes, breast cancer is diagnosed. Of the next 7 women you see, 1 will probably be diagnosed with breast cancer. If you take the time to read the post again, someone has died of breast cancer. The statistics are startling.
Each of my posts have links. Just put your cursor on the colored words and that will take you to more information. Be informed. Be educated. Education is Power.

Scroll down the page to my previous post for more links.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month


Hello,

My name is Swampwitch.
aka: Kathy, Kath, Kats. . . and especially Mom, Gammy, and GaGa
I am a breast cancer SURVIVOR !
Most of the readers who come here, I do not know.
To those of you who post, I have come to know you only through your words and pictures.
In my very first story about Globbing: How Do I Start? I mentioned several reasons for having my own blog.
I had never seen a blog until August.
By the end of September, my objective was to know enough about blogging to be able to share a story . . . . . . a story of fear, hope, love, pain, smiles, tears, and survival.
Many bloggers stopped in and helped me along the way. You have taught me how to post a picture, to add a link, to use Flickr and PhotoBucket . . . you have actually been on the phone with me to help. My blog has taken on a new look because of a blogger friend. She has helped me add my pictures across the top and to the side, organized my stories, and added that pretty pink clock. I THANK ALL OF YOU ! You know who you are. Here is a ((hug)) for all of you.
Some of my posts beginning now will deal with breast cancer.
This is not a ploy to see how many comments I can receive.
It is a sincere effort to reach out to those who lives have been affected or are affected by this disease. You are welcome to ask questions about my experience. Sharing my story is therapeutic.

The statements I make will relate only to my particular case.
My advice to readers who are traveling that journey to survival is to make all your decisions with your doctors and with the support of your family.

When I was conducting in-service workshops for teachers, I made it a point to end each session with statistics, facts and information on how to do self exams. Most of the time I didn’t know the people in my audiences. During that short period of time, two of those teachers contacted me to tell me they had followed my instructions and made appointments for mammograms. Both of these ladies were diagnosed with malignant tumors. Years later, I still hear from those beautiful, healthy ladies.
If you know of someone who would like to spend about five minutes each day to read stories of fear, hope, love, pain, tears, smiles, and survival, send them here. Not every post will be about breast cancer. Some days there may only be a bouquet of flowers waiting here. Some posts will just be random, as that's what this blog is . . . random.
Education is the key to action. Education is power. Early detection is the key to survival. Mammograms are important. Monthly self-exams are important. If only one person is encouraged, uplifted, supported, and instructed, then it has been worth all the time, energy, and effort that goes into maintaining a blog.
"I suppose if I had to choose just one quality to have, that would be it: vitality."
---John F. Kennedy
If you are new to reading blogs, you can click on the underlined/color words which will link you to more information.
Note to my fellow Bloggers: I may not be on your doorstep everyday with a comment as I do have some obligations this month that will pull me away from my computer. I will stay in touch as often as I can. :)