Proud Mama...

JoJo was elected to Homecoming Court for the sophomore class, so this weekend was a huge deal... in the parade, at the game, and then at the dance last night. Super busy around here, and everyone is exhausted today. However, so proud of my girl- for so many reasons. She is such a good kid, she works hard, she is polite, she had a heart for others, and she always does the right thing.  Here is a picture...

Representing in the band uniform...of course!

And her pretty dress for the dance!

The theme was "Southern Nights", so what more reason do you need to wear your boots with your dress?? Boots were popular last night. Since I teach at JoJo's high school, we always chaperone (have for years) and of course, JoJo does not mind- because she is so awesome! So, we had a busy weekend full of making signs for the parade cars (trucks!), decorating for the dance, hair appointment, etc. She thanked me about 100 times for helping. She is on Student Senate, and they put on the homecoming, so she was involved in several projects. Glad we could help, and just so glad that she is so amazingly sweet, kind hearted, and genuine.

And, of course...here is Raye with JoJo....my girls!!

The 2 of us...19 years into this thing...  xoxo

Busy Weekend...

And so it goes...super busy (just like everyone else) and feeling like I'm too old to be doing all this running around!

Pouring rain at the game Friday, but the band was awesome! They were soaked! One lightning delay of 30 minutes, and then they were out there again!

Saturday was the 5K, which was fun. Scott saw our oncologist, but said he was talking to someone, so he didn't go up to him. I didn't see him, or I would have gone up to him!

Here we are:

Had fun, and was good to be there to support our friend and his family! Got to meet Deanna, my friend's sister, who is also a melanoma girl. They are all on board to come to the melanoma 5k in May through the Andy Caress Foundation!

Last week, JoJo won the groove belt, which is awarded to the band person who "grooves" the best during the performance. Our band is a little unlike others around here, as they are quite "dancy", if you will? Our director went to OU (Ohio University) and apparently, this is how they do it there. Anyhoo, it's a big deal to get the belt...

 

So, very happy about this!

 

Also helping out preparing for a benefit tomorrow at a volleyball game. Proceeds go to the scholarship that is being set up in the name of our school nurse that we lost in July to liver cancer.

Made a Diet Coke themed basket for the silent auction, and making over 100 green ribbons to pin on our shirts in support.

Don't judge my messy kitchen table, I know it's messy! We are working like crazy around here on homework, laundry, a sick doggie, school work, etc. It's crazy! But, glad to be able to do my part. 

Reminded of an old Ozzy Song....

No, I'm not a fan of Ozzy. I am a fan of Sharon, however. Loved her on AGT...Back in the day, Ozzy had a song and the lyrics went something like this:

"I'm going off the rails on a crazy train..."

Yes, my work life is crazy. People have referred to our building as a "train wreck." The situation there is a bit crazy. Morale continues to plummet.

What is one to do?

Overwhelming at times. Then add in all the other normal life stuff and it's becomes very overwhelming. I am so glad, though, that I work with folks with whom I can be honest. Lunch time is a venting time, but bouncing thoughts and ideas off these women is amazing. I am thankful to work with such awesome people.

You have to worry about what you can control. This is hard for me to do. I want to control everything.  And always around the corner is the thought of melanoma. Again, I know I'm in the group of folks with great numbers and great chances. But, you cannot help but think of it. I think of it every day.

I think of it when I stand up and my leg still hurts; when I put on sunscreen and my big hat  to walk across the parking lot to pick up Raye from school; every time I see my scar (read: go to the bathroom or change clothes); and every time one of those shooting pains strikes (several times a day).

It's never far from my thoughts. Yet, I have no control.

I have no control over the crazy train either. But, it's my world from 7am-2:30.

All I can do is try to make my stop, Room 101, be a good stop on the train ride for these kids every day.

Toot, toot!

Cancer is Everywhere...

Today at school, I heard from the Guidance Secretary that the dad of on of our custodians was diagnosed with melanoma. She told him that he just had to come talk to me! I gave him a call when I got home and left a message for him to feel free to contact me.  That initial diagnosis can be so scary.

Saturday, the 4 of us will participate in the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Power Teal 5k here in Cincinnati.

A colleague of mine lost his mom to ovarian cancer last year, and his family is getting a team together. We've been good friends for a while and I really enjoy working with him. His sister is also a melanoma girl. So, there is a connection there. I've not met her, but will meet her on Saturday. I'm looking forward to making a melanoma friend while honoring and remembering women who are fighting the teal beast.

 

Tanning Bed Shut Down

I went for a pedicure and hair color today (I needed the color. The pedi was a splurge!) and when I got to the door of the salon, there was a sign that said:

Tanning beds closing October 1

I talked to my pedi person about it. She is the daughter of the owner of the salon.  She said that new laws and regulations are making it too much of a hassle to keep them. She also said they aren't much of a money maker for them. They are putting massage tables in their place.  We discussed tanning by minors, and she agreed that it should be regulated.

The bad thing is that the owner is taking one bed to her house and another stylist is taking the other to hers. Neither of them can be convinced that they should have their skin checked.

At least one salon here is banning the indoor tan.

Did Someone Say 70 Degrees???

Holy Moly a cold front is approaching! High of 70 tomorrow- whatever will we do? I mean, it's been 95 all week. Geez Louise. Most of us in my building are heat and humidity overloaded, so I'm hoping for some giddy craziness tomorrow! It will be a beautiful night for football...I mean for marching band!  Our band is 100 times better than our football team, so it's the highlight of the night!

Had an interesting experience this week. There is an organization here in Cincinnati called Melanoma Know More. They offer free skin cancer screenings once a month at local hospitals. The hospitals and physicians donate their time/space. It's super cool. So, I copy the dates that are on a nice little flier/flyer (how do you spell that word??) onto bright yellow paper and put them into everyone's mailbox at school with a note saying that there is still time to schedule their free screening this year. I also send it via email with an explanation of why it's so important to me and that I was diagnosed in April. I attach Giada DeLaurentiis' PSA. I love how the email looks and sounds. I send it to the elementary and middle schools, and to the admin office.

Guess how many responses I get? From the entire district?

2

2 people say thank you for sending me this.

I know, I know. 2 is good. I just wanted more people to be interested or to care.

But, I guess if I'd gotten that yellow paper in my mailbox a year ago....would I have said anything?

Causing Quite a Stir...

Well, not really, but generating some questions and odd looks. Yes, that's me wearing my hat around our campus. Yes, that's me applying sunscreen in my classroom before I head outside.

I got to meet a colleague's best friend, who lives in another part of Ohio today. She is a breast cancer survivor. My friend is an cervical cancer survivor. They were talking on the computer (I am still stuck in the 80's...I talk on the phone...) and I could see her face. She was like, why are you wearing a hat? My friend told her I was part of the cancer club...I had melanoma. Ah, she says. OK, I get it now. I'd just come in from a grueling walk with 2 pals. Grueling because it was hot out there on the track, it's black and it was sunny. And it was about 80 degrees. And I was wearing a navy blue shirt. No humidity, though. So, I wear the hat to walk over to Raye's school to pick her up, too.

I've had several people ask- what's with the hat? All you have to say is "melanoma" and everyone's like..."Oh..." then silence. "You wanna see my scar???"  "Uh, no, thanks..."

Chicken....  :)

Just registered today for the Ovarian Cancer awareness 5k here in town in a couple of weeks. Another colleague lost his mom to this disease, and he's put a team together. Yep, I'm in.

Your fight is my fight...  Cancer is a moron.

Days Like Today...

I guess I must have been addicted to tanning, or something like that. Days like today really get me. The sun has been out all day and I still long to be lying in it in the pool. I miss the smell of the tanning oil and the coolness of the pool water while baking in the hot sun. Those memories are my first thoughts always on a sunny day.

Then, the panic sets in.

On days like today I have little anxiety attacks in the car- the sun is coming in on my legs; walking from the car to the building...and there is still that longing to be out in it. I guess because I did it for so many years. I'm even tempted at times to just lay out once. But, I think I'd barf with guilt if I did.

Most people don't understand and have no clue the changes that we have made since melanoma set up shop at our house. 

Heck, I don't even understand it half the time. But, it's just what we do. And we hope that we never see it again.

How do you keep those thoughts away? No hat, shirt, or sunscreen can do that.