1) I made a decision to stop taking Tamoxifen. I did this after much research. I made an informed decision all on my own. I'm pretty proud of taking control of my health.
2) I organized my living space making it easier to take care of daily household chores. I am an awesome house keeper.
3) I stopped spending money on clothes. I'm lucky enough to get Janie's hand me downs. One less expense in my life.
4) I made a to do list that lets me set realistic expectations for what I can accomplish each day.
5) I started a new job. Back in the classroom.
6) I have become really good at using our school district's new progress monitoring system. I have most of my lesson plans loaded already.
7) I have made plans for remodeling my house, and I have already begun researching how to do most of the work myself.
8) I have started my own online store.
9) I make art daily.
10) I've learned how to make jewelry, and I am learning new techniques on a regular basis.
11) I have started painting with oils.
12) I write weekly.
13) I am cancer free.
14) My reconstruction surgery is done.
15) I have learned how to relax and let others take care of me.
16) I am no longer obsessing over my housework.
17) I started making monthly meal plans and sticking to them.
18) I ran my second 5K in April. Pictures of our team were featured in the Visalia Times Delta.
19) I cut my alcohol consumption in half.
20) I was honored by the school district for my work with new teachers.
21) I saved up enough money to buy Ian a project car to work on.
22) I started re-landscaping my front yard, and my plants are thriving.
23) I became the writer of the H.O.W. Lindsay chapter's newsletter.
24) I pulled Christmas off even though we had very little money.
25) I hiked Little Baldy.
26) I went to two concerts.
27) I made my bucket list and started working toward several of my goals.
I'm feeling pretty bad ass. For being sick most of the year, I did quite a lot of really important things. Yay me!
I think you should make your own list of accomplishments. Then, make a plan to celebrate your awesomeness, and actually do it! Tomorrow, I shall be baking myself cookies, because I rock. I like cookies. Cookies are good.
Just a little side note. Last night, I got to see Alice Cooper and Motely Crue perform. What an amazing night! My wonderful friends/family rented a limo. We rode up to Fresno and home in style. This is only the second time in my life I've ridden in a limo. It was so much fun to spend time enjoying each other's company on our way there and reminiscing on the way home. The music was absolutely amazing, and the show was completely exciting! We were so close to the stage that other than the large Samoan security guard standing directly in front of me, I could have reached out and touched Nikki Sixx or sexy ab boy guitar player in Alice Cooper's band. Ab Boy pointed at my lovely friend, Sarah, and me. We squealed like 17 year old girls. So much fun! I am hurting a bit today, but oh my goodness! It was worth it! I wouldn't give up the memories or that experience for the world! And I was a good girl. I never lifted my arms above my head. This is hard to do. You know how 40 something women like to dance with their arms in the air. I rolled in at about 2 am this morning. Although I was feeling like a teenager last night, today I'm totally feeling every one of my 46 years.
I know. I know. I told you I would tell you about recovery after reconstruction. I think I'll let you anticipate that one more week, if you don't mind. Since, I'm still in the midst of it, I need a little bit more experience in order to give you an informed picture of this part of the journey. Until then, happy holidays, my amazing readers!