this life of mine

Relay For Life 2010

Lacey — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:46:16 +0000

*This is going to stay up at the top of my blog until after Relay, please scroll down for new posts.*

Many, if not all of you know that I was diagnosed with CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia at age 28 in February 2008. Many of you also know my dedication to cancer research and Relay for Life. If all this is news to you, you can read my story here.

While I am currently doing wonderfully with my cancer, numbers are remaining fairly stable and I am not in any immediate need of treatments, it is not the time to slack off of cancer research support. This year, I am once again the Niceville/Valparaiso Relay for Life Steering Committee (this year as event vice chair) and it has been an awe-inspiring experience to say the least. Relay this year is being held at the Niceville HS track and starts on April 30 at 6pm. 18 hours of fun and triumphant dedication to one cause, eradicating cancer. 18 hours of survivors, caregivers and supporters, trying to change the face of cancer, one lap at a time.

While Bryan will unfortunately not be able to participate this year, I would love if you could come out and join Jacey and I in walking or would be willing to make a monetary donation, every dollar helps to find a cure to this horrendous disease. There are online and offline donation opportunities on my ACS Relay page.

My 2010 Relay For Life Page

There is also a spot to donate on my facebook page if you would prefer to go that route.

Grateful Friday (on a Saturday:-)

Lacey — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:12:01 +0000

1. Bryan made it home safe and sound.

2. Laundry is done and the house is clean (or was until Bryan unloaded his car…LOL).

3. Pantry and refrigerator are stocked (which means the menu is done and I survived the commissary trip).

4. Lunches out with friends.

5. Ice cream.

new specs

Lacey — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:06:28 +0000

I have worn glasses/contacts for oh, gracious, 15 years now (wow, I feel really old). We “discovered” the need when I went for my learner’s permit eye exam. Let me tell you, such fun to suddenly have to start wearing glasses in high school. Thankfully I only *really* needed them when I was driving/reading and for a long time that was the only time I would wear them. Later, wearing them just became habit and then I moved to contacts. The last 2 years, I have solely worn contacts (love my 30 day extended wear ones). The last pair of glasses I even bought, were bought when we still lived in the UK (we have been back in the states almost 4 years now). My eyes hadn’t changed enough to justify buying new ones for the one day a month I wore them. Recently though, I have toyed with the idea of wearing them more again. Glasses are stylish and fashionable and something different. Mind you, I am not giving up my contacts, I’ll still interchange them for glasses but it is nice to have a change, especially on days when my allergies are bugging me.

This is the result.

and the winner is…

Lacey — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:19:26 +0000

Just in case you were wondering :). So far I am really liking the case (and the service, I ordered Tuesday night and had it in hand today, Friday). The red case is my old case and while there was nothing wrong with it, I just wanted a change. The dirt under the case though reminded me that I do need to take the case off a bit more often and clean the phone. I clean the screen and case quite a bit but rarely under the case. Now all I need is my new screen protector (anti-glare this time) that Bryan is holding ransom and I’ll be set!

Case by Unommon. Currently, they only have iPhone 3g/3GS but have iPod touch, iPad and a Blackberry case coming soon.

Grateful Friday

Lacey — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:08:32 +0000

1. Bills are paid, money is in savings, glasses are bought. Now just to wait on my final contact lens RX and all foreseen *bigger* expenses will be taken care of.

2. New makeup (I went back to the mineral makeup I love).

3. 5 hours of free childcare tomorrow (with no where I *have* to be).

4. Naps.

5. 7 more days till Bryan comes home!!

soupy goodness

Lacey — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:25:05 +0000

Well, thanks to Amy I now think I have a new favorite soup. That is saying a LOT since this girl normally doesn’t like soup. It even got rave reviews from Jacey and had Bryan drooling from almost 800 miles away. Luckily for him, I took half the batch and froze it for when he comes home. I altered it just a slight bit, so my version is below. Click on Amy’s blog to see her version.

Creamy Black Bean Soup

1/2 large sweet yellow onion, diced
1 clove garlic, diced
1 tbs olive oil
3 can black beans, drained and rinsed (I use Bush’s Reduced Sodium version)
4 cups chicken broth
1 can Rotel (I used the Mexican version with lime and cilantro)
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat for 4-6 minutes until tender. Add beans, broth, Rotel, chili powder and cumin. Cover and bring to boil. Remove lid and reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Puree with hand blender (or regular blender).

We topped ours with avocado, colby-jack cheese and sour cream with chips on the side, but the possibilities are endless. I think you could take this same recipe, decrease the chicken broth and add corn after pureeing and have a really good dip. Hmm…

Grateful Friday

Lacey — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:51:38 +0000

1. 14 more days till Bryan comes home.

2. One more allergy shot and I will FINALLY be at maintenance level. What was supposed to be only a 6 month journey to maintenance has turned into well over a year.

3. My new P&S camera. It rocks (and at this rate, I’ll never get the 3 inch thick layer of dust cleaned off my dSLR)!

4. Skype and unlimited mobile to mobile minutes. While it sucks for Bryan to be gone, at least we have plenty of communication opportunities.

5. Naps.

tuesday. errr monday.

Lacey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:06:47 +0000

For Amy, by request.

No hating, it has been a long day, I look like crap and apparently can’t keep track of my days. I didn’t realize the error until after it was done and I wasn’t redoing 4 minutes. So deal ;p!

Click here to view the embedded video.

indecisive.

Lacey — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:00:27 +0000

I have never been an indecisive person…till recently, and over the most stupid things at that. I’d like to blame it on stress.

Sigh.

This time, it is an iPhone case.

Really, an iPhone case.

I want a customized one, but can’t make a decision on which image.

Anyone willing to cast a vote?

See below.

Choice 1

Choice 2

Choice 3

Choice 4

Choice 5

Choice 6

These are all pics I <3. Of course, Bryan no longer wears ABU’s but those are some of my fav pics of him. Decisions, decisions.

So, if you are willing to weigh in, please vote below :).

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Grateful Friday

Lacey — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:03:17 +0000

1. 21 more days until Bryan comes home (and a day early at that)!

2. My fill seems to be settling down and loosening a bit, I think.

3. Naps.

4. A fabulous medical team.

5. The ability to walk through the entire Bx while I was waiting today and come out with nothing. Means all my needs are met and then some.