10 Years

I remember it like it was yesterday. 10 years ago she called us into her room and told us to sit down. I sat nervously as she struggled to speak. She finally blurted out probably the worst thing a mother could say to her two children.  

" I have cancer." My mom was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma 10 years ago, my senior year of high school. 

She fought Hodge round after round after round. The fight went on for a while until she was the last one standing. I've tried to erase most of the fight from my memory. It was too scary to face. There was a time I wasn't sure who was going to win. 

10 years, cured and I talk to her everyday. I'm so lucky to have her in my life and to call her my best friend. 

love you mom.  

odd about aud

I've decided to steal Tania's recent blog idea and do my own.

here are 25 random things about me.

1. I once won a cheeto cheeseball contest by stuffing 32 cheeseballs in my mouth.

2. I've had both eardrums replaced using the cartilage "flaps" of my outer ear.

3. I used to wear bows on my head that looked like paper airplanes.

4. Dad and I accidentally cut the tip off of popo's tail and I've never seen a dog in so much pain.

5. I've had both thumbs ran over by rollerskaters. Ouch!

6. my first job out of college was working for a Spanish newspaper y no hablo espanol!

7. I've had my car shot and stolen from me.

8. I've never broken a bone.

9. In elementary school I married David at recess and everyone came to the ceremony.

10. I was voted most athletic in high school.

11. I can't remember anything to do with numbers.

12. In elementary school, Brad said I ate like a vacuum cleaner, so I broke up with him.

13. In college, on a soccer road trip I had to pee in a gatorade bottle while my teammates were in the same 16 passenger van. ( I have the worst bladder around )

14. I've been to MC Hammer's church.

15. I've lived in over 20 different houses, apts, or dorms.

16. in middle school, I cut my neck on the string when I won the 100 meter dash.

17. I once kicked a hole in my brother's wall and covered it up with his poster.

18. I was an extra in 8 seconds.

19. In college I woke up on the floor by the salad bar with people standing around me. I had fainted from giving blood a little earlier.

20. I went to mardi gras and didn't show my boobs.

21. I ate a fried cow ball once at NIOSA.

22. I'm terrified of public speaking.

23. I fantasize about being a mom all the time.

24. I secretly wish I was a hip hop dancer, a ninja or an FBI agent.

25. If I like you, I won't talk to you.

tapose

random doodles I've done lately.

40 watt energy saver.

All alone, with the exception of the brown blur in the distance, I found silence despite the cold air. Surrounded by darkness and a neon rain jacket, I sat and stared as the planes flew in the distance.

I envisioned suburban families surrounding the dinner table as kids spit out the peas. I could smell angel hair accompanied with fresh garlic bread. Something smelled good last night.

100 watts burned throughout the hills as I played up scenarios in my mind. In unison, the 100 watts made up for the lack of stars in the november sky.

I sit in the cold waiting for the shooting star. I wait longer. My watch beeps and the court lights shut off. Complete darkness in the park and scenes from law and order enter my mind. I stand up jiggle the keys and the brown wet blur returns to my side.

In search of warmth and light, we make our way back up suburban hill staring into windows along our way.

We enter and I flip the 40 as the box of 100 sit in their box waiting to flood the hills with hope and garlic bread aroma.

nostalgia: you fight like a girl.

*We were in summer camp at the time. We had just finished our skittles and made our way to the dodgeball game on the far side of the court. She pedaled backwards as I gripped the ball with my tiny hand. She did her best but I did even better. The ball hit her face so hard I could have sworn it made the rubber pattern on her forehead. I soon realized I was in trouble. I had a knack for hitting moving targets.

She ran and I pedaled backwards. Her fist hit my face and it stung. We were pulled apart by the counselors pretty quick and I stood in shock. I had just been given my first punch in the face by my best friend at the time who also happened to be my cousin.

* I was dating David at the time. We were fifth graders in love. Luckily, we both lived in the same apartment complex so it made for good times after school. Things were going great with David and I until Summer moved in. She had long brown hair, blue eyes and a style no 5th grader should have. She also smelled good. This I know because I could smell it on David's shirt. As any 5th grader would do, I demanded an explanation. Around 5pm, I made my way to the playground. I could see Summer hanging out on the monkey bars with another girl. I approached and she started getting weird. I confronted her and the next thing I remember, we were rolling down a hill. We rolled and rolled down the green hill wrestling for David's love.

upon entering the front door, mom looked up in disgust "what in the world happened to you!?"Hair moving in all directions and grass stains all over, I replied " nothing mom, I fell in the grass."

To this day, her face is ingrained in my mind. I'm looking for a rematch.

* the game was tied and we needed a win. Like most forwards, she was pretty cocky. She was also bigger than I was. Two reasons why I wasn't letting her get by me. I made it my mission to let her know I was there every time she touched the ball. As dad would agree, I've always been good at being a pest. The game was getting physical and I was wearing on her.

I remember the ball was in the air and we both went up. Elbows flying and egos butting...I won the ball and she had enough. She turned around fist clenched tight, swung and hit me smack in ear. OUCH!!! As the ringing grew louder, the ref ran faster. She was handed a red card and left the field.

*while out last weekend, I ran into a teammate of mine in the never ending line at the bar. It took her a while to recognize me, possibly due to one too many vodka tonics. She introduced me to her friend as "the studly fullback on her team" and without hesitation her friend replied " I bet I could kick your ass!" I laughed in confusion and replied back "well it's nice to meet you too!"

duck hunt

It was a beautiful fall day today, so I treated maddie to a trip to the river accompanied with not only a red frisbee but an orange for back-up.

Unfortunately, both frisbees are still floating down the river because my dog is easily distracted like the rest of us.

here is a clip of the orange one floating on as maddie is distracted by the loud ducks.

Oh how I've changed throughout the years...