I am a 53 year young woman living in beautiful Northwest Arkansas. I arrived here with my family, by way of Texas, in 1996. I have been married to David for 30 years and we have two wonderful sons, JC and Sean. We also enjoy our three sweet and often goofy dogs, a 14 year old Border Collie named Cleo, an 11 year old Pomeranian named Harry, and a 3 year old Shih Tzu named Toby. We are dog people (and we like diversity).
I am a Christian and a member of Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas, a very large, regional church, but made up of wonderfully caring small community groups within each city in the area. My faith is a large part of my life and brings me peace and hope during the darkest hours.
I taught art at two of the best elementary schools in town for the past 8 years, worked as a library aide at one of them for 9 years before that, and have had a plethora of precious students. My fellow teachers and coworkers are like family and I thank God for them everyday. Everyone should be so blessed.
I enjoy travel, gardening, music, reading, healthy food, walking Toby, and taking evening bike rides (or any bike rides I can get) with my husband (and now friends, and sons, and anyone who will go with me and make sure I don't run off a cliff). Spending leisure time with family and friends is one of my favorite hobbies.
Sadly, some of these things are now history, thanks to my original TNBC diagnosis. I have had to, heartbreakingly, give up my position as art teacher, as I am now in the battle for my life. My cancer has returned and I now find myself as a stage 4 survivor (yes - STILL a SURVIVOR). Mets have moved into my brain, lungs, liver, and some minor something on my pancreas. See this blog post for the beginning of this nightmare.
My goal is to keep moving, keep breathing (good air in - toxins out) and keep as strong as I can for as long as I can. I have many friends and family who are helping. Praise God for a wonderful support group.
"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But, pity the person who falls and has no one to help him up!" Eccl. 4:10
(Edited 7/30/13)
