The Unsung Hero, The Woman Behind the Powerful Man, The Legal Secretery or Paralegal, the Baby Sister

What do all these people have in common, they often go unnoticed. By description they are in the background.

Who volunteers to sit at the childrens' table at holidays? Who knows just when to call to add a positive word and conjure up a laugh. Who, although at one time was a bit of a pain in the butt, would fight to the bitter end to save you? Who has always been there to watch over our children? My Little Sister.

No longer little, a grown woman with children and grand children; she will always be my Baby Sister. So why now, when she should be accepting a little help from friends and family, does she insist on doing everything by her self, so independent-so determined. This is just her way, though annoying at times, of dealing with her battle with breast cancer.

All three of us now have had our battles with this insidious disease. This disease that can develop so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent to ourselves or a well trained doctor.

Symptoms

Early breast cancer usually does not cause symptoms. This is why regular breast exams are important. As the cancer grows, symptoms may include:

* Breast lump or lump in the armpit that is hard, has uneven edges, and usually does not hurt
* Change in the size, shape, or feel of the breast or nipple -- for example, you may have redness, dimpling, or puckering that looks like the skin of an orange
* Fluid coming from the nipple -- may be bloody, clear to yellow, green, and look like pus

Men get breast cancer, too. Symptoms include breast lump and breast pain and tenderness.

Symptoms of advanced breast cancer may include:

* Bone pain
* Breast pain or discomfort
* Skin ulcers
* Swelling of one arm (next to breast with cancer)
* Weight loss

These facts from the American Cancer Society are worth reprinting but this is not really my story.

This is a story about my Baby Sister, who took care of herself for the most part, ate all the right things including broccoli, was never overweight and always got plenty of exercise. Sometimes you just can't beat the odds. But early detection and a determined spirit with an uncommon sense of humor will serve her well.

We all have to do things our own way; but Sis, we sure wish you would let us help. All three of us are independent types that prefer to withdraw from the everyday to handle our own problems in our own time and in our own way. So, we do understand you quite well!!!

You are awesome in your determination to work through chemo, I know that makes you feel in control. That is a good thing because we all need that.

However, I am reminded of a conversation I had with my very best non-family man friend when I was complaining that Hubs didn't take care of something for me. My friend quickly reminded me that I am so independent and stubborn-- did I think he knew I wanted him to do this for me. Hummmmmmm Perhaps not. My friend also mentioned that I hardly accept help from anyone and sometimes, just sometimes, If I would; that would make my friends happy to help me.

So, Baby Sis, we are here for you and love you so very much, you stubborn pain in my butt!!!

Workshops at Shandells

Dear Friend,

Since the launch of my new website I have been increasingly getting emails and walk-in visitors asking about how to pick the right size lampshade for a lamp, and how long does it take to make a shade, and can I make “this” (whatever “this” is!) into a lamp.

Starting in May I will be extending my hours (Thurs. – Sat. 11-5 and Sun. 11-3), and will also kick off FREE monthly workshops on the second Saturday of each month, to help answer some of those questions, and more.

MAY 8 AND JUNE 12 are the first two workshops, from 9-11 AM each of those days.

Topics we’ll cover include: how to fit a lamp with a lampshade, revamping a dated lamp with a new shade, basic construction of a shade, and different things you can make into a lamp.

I have limited space so reservations will be needed; please email me at thingsthatmakeyousmile [at] gmail [dot] com, or call the studio at 518.789.6603.

The workshop will also include an inside look to “the Lampshade Lady’s” world. Come see my vintage paper and fittings and trimmings collections, and learn about how I got into this, etc.–and have a cup of tea!

Hopefully those who attend will be inspired to spruce up their decors with a new shade or a new lamp fashioned from some treasure they own.

Look forward to meeting you,

Susan http://shandells.com/about/workshops/

Anonymous said... Timing is Everything

You ever have one of those days, which start out with nothing in

particular in mind to do?

Well, yesterday was just that.

I collect stationary. Mostly blank, but with lovely pictures on the front.

A treasure trove of future messages kept in my head

like eggs in an ovary

never to be used up in one's lifetime.

A picture of an orange and rusted ecru female Northern Cardinal


caught my eye. As it was sitting on my kitchen table

along with other cards to be put away,

the pile of which, had been taken out

for selecting the 'right bird' to escort

a check owed to my sister for purchasing a tree.

This puffed up, cute Cardinal, I thought,

might make a nice Thank You

to send to a manager of a dining establishment

operating at the local Hunt Club

where I had been for a delightful lunch

a few days earlier

with a group of friends.

Fountain pen in hand

my thoughts filled the entire two sides of the

card's blank interior commenting on the food, presentation and staff.

So, done.

I decided to make the 5 minute drive

south of our home

to deliver it in person.

Greeting me at the entrance area

inside the building

was a pair of spring arrangements

on a chocolate brown carved mahogany sideboard.


from local blooms

found everywhere.

The manager,

a woman, I've known for years

who is married to a former

history teacher at the High School

and lives on Stissing Lake

complete with beautiful boathouse,

thanked me for the note

which remained sealed during our visit.

She asked me what I thought of the arrangements

made with flowers from her garden

of lilac and apple blossoms.

We agreed that a little more height

for line and balance was needed.

I told her I had something home

to add.

Back home, in a flash

I picked red-orange tulips, spirea, forsythia branches,

Aluminum greens, monkshood leaves, and hosta

'just for fun' to add to the paired display

as well as the tables, containing pastel green

napkin 'fans' balanced in stemmed wine glasses

and pairs of daffodils in small vases at the center.

The greens would act as a filler ( two per table).

Restaurant manager was delighted.

One of the waitresses, a lifeguard in the summer


was looking forward to our 'time at the lake'

where she watches the children swimming

and I do crafts with them

and tend the town garden there.

So, it was homeward bound.

Still too overcast and cold.

I decided to break with habit and

go to the local market earlier than usual.

Once there..I dawdled and shopped

Mainly for vegetables

the 'positive' part of my diet,

of which unlimited quantities

could be consumed.

Once back in the parking lot

I dawdled some more

bringing in all the shopping carts

patrons had strewn all over

as they do particularly on Fridays as part of the 'weekend rush'.

When out of the corner of my eye

I saw the back of a man with a RED PONY TAIL

Could that be?

Molto Mario Bataglia! (of the Food Network: Freshness and simplicity are the keys to Mario Batali's spectacular Italian cuisine. Molto Mario brings these principles home – it's a culinary tour of Italy with tips and secrets from one of New York's premier chefs.

Slipping back into the store

I spied this culinary king around the corner at the rear of the store

in front of the dairy case for cheeses.

His hand held basket was filled

to the brim with vegetables.

Are you Molto Mario?

'No. I'm Mario Bataglia'

Heh, heh, heh.

Kvelling like an idiot,

I blurted out that I was a big fan of his.

Noting, he had lost a lot of weight,

I told him so

as a question,

'You've lost a lot of weight'

He half smiled and nodded yes, in agreement.

No more 'Molto' to the Mario

As, we were both on the same quest

where lettuce is best.

And we are here………….Savannah. The land of Paula Dean and Spanish Moss……Jim Williams and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"…..….eclectic River Front Stores and where Tybie Island sea turtles meet crab house restaurants….this is the new home of our First New York Goddess. Oh how we’ve missed her!

We arrived about 5:30PM on Friday night after a 5 and ½ hour drive from the Raleigh, NC area. Over a magnificent Double Sail Bridge….through the Historic District, around and through several Monument Squares and Azalea lined corridors of historic homes of all shapes and sizes.

Our #1 Goddess is waiting in the living room and she is gorgeous in every way. The inconvenience of treatments have not dulled her smile or sense of humor. “Hello Rattlesnake” she giggles. Big hugs and sloppy kisses to her daughter and grandsons and me. Our Sister Goddess is an amazing woman!!!

So there we were, (two dogs, two kids and 5 adults) ready to spend a week with each other, camping out style in Downtown Savannah. We had a ball, the kids and dogs were great and we all managed to use the bathrooms when no one else had an emergency.

Easter was upon us and the Big Bunny managed to find Thomas while Heather worked her kitchen magic which revealed a marvelous dinner of all things good an fattening…We concentrated on the good part! And the lemon pudding filled powder sugar topped cupcakes were amazing!!

A lunch trip to Paula Dean's, strolling along the River Front and finding home made pralines and fudge, a Hearse Tour of the Haunted Mansions of Savannah, A trip to Tybie Island and dinner at the Crab House by the Sea…Who could ask for more? We didn’t ask- but we received!!!

Strength and Wisdom and Love and a little Sadness; but not much of that was allowed….. Jokes and Giggles and Warm Memories with a few tears…. Kisses and Hugs and Tickles and Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs……..Watching American Idol and worrying about who would leave next, Oh No, Not big Mike!!!! And though we thought the girl with the dread locks has a great voice, it made us itch to look at her hair……….

More hugs and kisses, we don’t want to leave. We all knew it was time to go but we held on. Has there ever been a family so in love with each other. Of course there has been; but, we act like it’s only us. Sisters and Brother, Nieces and Nephews, Children and Grand Children we gather in druid reminiscent style to share the strength of each other and this much loved Woman Goddess we call Noreen, Reenie, Sis, Mom, Nonnie, Aunt Reenie, our Port in a Storm, our powerful Wizardress able to conjure up a family get together in a moment’s notice and still look Maaaahvelous DaaaahlinG!!!

Our Trip to Savannah

My niece, two grand nephews, Hubs and I and the Dog all piled into the car last week to make our trip South. What promised to be a stressful and cramped trip turned out to be some of the best fun had in a long time. Never a dull moment with a 16 year old and an 8 year old together in loving closeness for 11 hours. Hey Billy, Hey Billy, Hey Billy, Hey Billy--Get off me Thomas, get off me, get off me NOW. MOM!!!

Hey Uncle Ron, did you know I have $63 for my trip. What a coincidence, just the price of gas at the next fill up............Awwwwwwwwwwwww Uncle Ron.

Hey Guys, did you know that I was stationed in the Army down here on one of the most famous Civil War Battle Grounds? Let me tell you about the time...........

What did that guy at the store say? I couldn't really understand him. That's a Southern Accent Thomas. OH.....

Hey Uncle Ron, When I tell my teachers I had an 11 hour history lesson and learned a new language I bet I don't get in trouble for taking an extra week of vacation.....

And then we were there near Raleigh, NC!!! Next day off to Savannah....

The Painter Flynn

http://thepainterflynn.wordpress.com/ A lovely blog written by a Twitter Friend of Mine. David O'Brien a/k/a The Painter Flynn is a very interesting person. He is an exciting artist, a humorous tweet pal and now a heartfelt author. Enjoy!!

Valentines' Day

Valentines' Day, will we receive any heart shaped candy boxes? I'd rather have cheap candy in a gaudy heart shaped box than expensive candy in a square box from the best store in NYC. To receive a Valentines Day Heart from your boyfriend was a coveted prize, but what really did that mean. Bragging rights of course. Look what Jimmy or Johnny, or Davie, or Ronny gave to me. We would keep our jewelry, love letters, school notes passed in the halls, dried corsages (does anyone get them any more?) in that heart shaped keepsake. I received a heart shaped candy box this year, still means a lot to me and we have been married 39 years. WOW!
This is a picture of a Valentine Card (Hallmark Shoebox) I received from my "Sister Friend", Lori. She says I am the one with the skirt split in the front!I wonder why?!She said that the picture represents Lori, Me and my Sister Debbie. Another Goddess to add to the family of Goddesses!! "There might be girls that think they are as hot as we are; but they're wrong!!"