Thanks Thanks and More Thanks!

I'm sorry it's taken me this long to say thank you to the many many friends and family that have been sending me gifts and cards. If you know me, then you already know that I'm a computer idiot...plain and simple. At school, I rely on Suzie Crawford (care to make a home visit Suz?) to get me through the world of computers. I've been known to barge into her room at a moment's notice because I can't even get my computer attendance to print out! And without Carly at home either to "do it for me," I've been trying to figure out how to do everything myself, and it just takes me awhile. (awhile could mean days in my case) So, I've got the pics loaded, re-sized, and ready to go. Are you impressed yet? (OK, I did have to put in one long distance call to Carly in Chicago and she helped via the phone! Thanks Carly!) I'm going to try and add in my two cents along with each pic, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing that. Let's see what happens...

Riverside Racer Plant

This came from my school family. Thanks Racers!The plant is sitting in my family room where it reminds me of all of you every day. It is a privilege to work with each and every one of you, and I can't wait until I'm back at school. I'm sure things are quiet there without any "orange incidents"
but don't worry because...I'll be back! :-)



Tulip Bulbs

This lovely basket was a gift from my dear friend Nancy that retired at the end of last school year. She is currently spending her free time in Florida soaking up the warm rays with her husband Bill. Nancy, the bulbs just bloomed YESTERDAY!! Aren't they beautiful! Thanks so much for sending a little bit of Spring my way!



Cancer Sucks! (why yes, it does!)

This arrived last week from my lovely daughter Rachel. She is busy at Butler University being a conscientious freshman who is studying hard to become a teacher (like her dear old mom), and is spending countless hours as a Kappa Kappa Gamma pledge. Yet, she found time to send me this adorable bear that echoes my sentiments exactly! Thanks Rach...I love you lots and lots! Now, go study! :-)





Just Get Me Through This

The same day that the bear arrived, I also received this fabulous book from my dear friend Tracy in Virginia. Even though we have never met in person (which WILL happen one day Tracy) I consider her a very special friend. She always seems to know just the right thing to do or say. I had checked this book out of the library, and liked it so much that I was going to buy my own copy. No need now! I love the book Tracy, thanks so much for sending it my way. I thought the book and bear were perfect together, so here they are.



Flower Bouquet

Talk about Spring time! This gorgeous bouquet arrived from our friends in Philly, Randy and Irv. Steve and I went back to Philly last summer for their wedding, and had a blast! I only wish that we lived closer to each other so that we could spend more time together. I'm hoping that you will be coming our way this coming summer for that baseball game, and we can hang out, laugh, and have some more fun. Thanks so much for the flowers, they are just beautiful.


Moisture Therapy Gifts

The first gift came from one of my students, Emma, and her family. I was SHOCKED when Steve came home from work the other night with this beautifully wrapped box in his arms. He handed it to me and said, "This is for you." I opened it up, read the lovely card from Emma's mom, Shannon, and saw all of the "goodies" inside. I was VERY excited! For those that don't know, chemo REALLY dries out your skin, and it was such a thoughtful gift. THANK YOU Wikle family!
Your thoughtfulness touched me, and the body butter makes my hands and arms less
"alligator like" (which is DEFINITELY a good thing!) Emma, thanks for the card, and I PROMISE, I'll be back, and things will go back to the way "they used to be."

I also received a tube of Japenese cherry blossom body cream from my friend and fellow teacher at school, Jan A. Thanks Jan...I love it, and it smells DELICIOUS! I put the tube into my purse, and it goes with me everywhere. You never know when a bad case of alligator skin will strike, and now I'm prepared! :-)





PINK bracelet

I had mentioned in a previous post that I met with some school friends last Friday after my check-up. Becky was one the friends at our little gathering. I worked for many years with Becky at Riverside, and lucky for her, she is now retired. She told me that now that she is retired, she has time to "string beads!" lol I just love the bracelet Becky, and I'll be thinking of you whenever I wear it!



What cancer CANNOT do

Apparently, the word is out. "Take it to Steve (at work) and he will deliver it!" lol Steve came home from work last night with another box to deliver to me, and this time it was from another Riverside family, the Stoddard's. I was privileged to have Sean in my class last year, and Nathan is right next door in fourth this year! The card from their mom, Alice, was so touching, and in it she said that everyone always tells you the things that cancer can do, but this is a reminder of all the things that it CAN'T DO. It reads: What cancer cannot do... It cannot...invade the soul, suppress memories, kill friendship, destroy peace, conquer the spirit, shatter hope, cripple love,
corrode faith, steal eternal life, silence courage. Thanks SO much Stoddard family. I plan to carry this with me everywhere I go and to remember each and every day that I am still ME!



Cards Cards and more Cards!

I have enjoyed each and every card that you have sent to me. Thank you for thinking of me and taking the time to send them. I keep all of them in my family room up on the fireplace mantel, but gathered them up for a close-up. I've even put some of them into the front and back cover of the notebook they gave me at the oncologist's office, which goes back and forth to chemo with me. So you can see, all of YOU are never far from my thoughts either. I do have to tell you that yesterday was a banner day for cards. I received THREE HUGE manila envelopes in the mail, and it looks like the students at Riverside have been busy making get well cards for a certain teacher :-) To say that I was overwhelmed is an understatement. I will write a seperate blog on the student cards, but suffice it to say that I LOVED THEM!





I have now spent hours working on today's blog, and even had to S.O.S. Carly in between classes to help. (We will not mention how many S.O.S. calls were made, but she was able to help long distance every single time. Hugs and Kisses to Carly!)

Thanks always seems like such an inadequate word, but for now, it's all I can say. So thank you for everything you've done for me. Sending thoughtful cards and gifts, keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, reading my blog, and sending emails for those that can't seem to figure out how to leave a comment. (I would be ONE of those people myself. lol) I am truly blessed to have all of you.

Lots of Love (today I'm drinking iced tea in case anyone wanted to know)
Joanne

p.s. I'm apolgizing now for any spelling or grammatical errors. Yes, I know, I'm a teacher, but I'm too exhausted to go back and proofread the whole thing. I'm just amazed that I got everything posted where it should be. Let's be happy for small miracles!

p.s.s. Thanks to my husband Steve for my brand new (non throw away) camera. Without it, I'd never have been able to post these great pics. XOXO