Life's A Leech

Okay..back to my rafting stories...Nina's last day of chemo took storytelling priority! So...we rafted on Friday for 6 miles. It was hard to enjoy at first because I was so nervous. When we finally set up camp for the night, we decided to go on a hike. I thought hike meant...trails! But basically we had to fight through mounds of rocks, logs, and uneven terrain. It must have been at least 95 degrees out too! On our way, my feet slipped out in front of me and I hit my head on a large boulder. After the fall, I felt very insecure about trekking the rest, but my pride got the best of me and I continued. I should have called it quits. I fell later down the hike, into some stagnant water. I soon felt something on my back and reached my hand back to swoop up three "small black worms." It grossed me out a little, but I paid no attention, until I found a few more on my arms and felt some on my legs. My friend Melanie had decided to walk with me to make sure I was okay after my first fall. I called her over to give my body a little "check over". She looked straight at me and said way too calm...."Those are leeches babe." I freaked out inside, although Melanie says I was pretty calm. I did not hesitate to strip every ounce of clothing off my body and stand naked in the middle of no where, while my friend brushed leeches off me and washed my clothes in the river. If I was thinking straight..I should have left them on my thighs for a while....cheap liposuction. Needless to say, I was the first to drink Margaritas when we got back to camp! Thanks to Melanie...who I am indebted to...and better never, ever tell anyone about my luscious body.

NINA'S CHEMO FINISH LINE!

It was one of those moments that put you in a fog, but at the same time you could remember where you were, what you were wearing, and what song was playing on the radio. I saw Cindy's name cross the screen of my cell phone and answered it in my normal crazy way. And soon was knocked to the ground when she told me Nina had breast cancer. It was October. And today, it is the end of June. I look back in the middle of it all, and that is where the strength of a woman was born and Nina's boob crew was formed. There were titty pity parties, chemo calls, pink M&M's, bright pink shirts that got many uses, shots of tequila, bottles of wine, tears, prayers, faith that no one knew they had, infamous never ending emails, sisterhood beyond comparison, crazy dances with no rhythm, boob squeezes, dew rags, Relay for Life, Love, and above all Laughter! We rallied around one another, held each other up- for it was better to do it together, then to do it alone! Goodbye Cancer....Hello New Boobies!

I SURVIVED!

I'm back from one of the best trips ever! Can I get a WOOT WOOT for White Water Rafting? Loved it! It was exhilarating and scary, not knowing what to expect. The first 10 minutes when we got into the raft, I immediately wanted to tie an anchor around my ankle and just jump out - kill myself before the rapids got me! Our guide scared the crap out of me. He told us that if we did not work as a team, he would not send us out on the water and he was not comfortable with our rafting skills. Well...what did he know? The very first rapid, one of the other boats had a woman overboard and my friend Tina and I saved her out of the water. Talk about adrenaline rush. Take that...river guide! I loved the hot sun beating down, the rush of the warm breeze in my ears, and the shiver down my spine when the water came over me! I loved to hear Jackie screaming like she was on a roller coaster, Ann giggling like a five year old, Reyna saying funny comments just at the right time, Debbie smiling, and for Tina who was by my side the whole trip! It was funny because everyone called us the "church boat". But what they didn't hear was the "OH SHITS" that spewed out of my mouth, every time I got tossed about! Keep reading this week because I have some more stories to tell!

Scared Stupid

Tomorrow I leave for a great adventure of white water rafting. I have been looking forward to this for months! I believe it is a class four trip. There is 18 women total who decided to throw their lives on the line with me. Some of the ladies are scared to death. And to be honest with you, I haven't been scared one bit. The excitement of it all gives me an adrenaline rush! I can't wait to try something new and out of the daily routine of life. But I do have one fear, that is completely real to me....here it is...true confessions.....can't you hear the drum's rolling?....It's getting my ass in a swimsuit! I hate every part of it! From the walking to the aisle of swimsuits, to the dressing room, to getting naked in a large unfamiliar room with mirrors enclosing around me! I settled on a pair of ugly brown swim board shorts...ugly as the way I feel when exposing my white cellulite legs. Isn't it funny, that I'm scared of stupid stuff like that, but can climb Half Dome, do a zip line, and raft on a class four? But to get me into a suit in public can literally make my heart race!

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall...when we look at you....you tell us all! So, why don't some people actually look at themselves before they go out to a function? I know from personal experience that I do. For instance, this weekend I had a wedding to attend. So...I stood in front of the mirror and busted out my dance moves to the beat in my head. I lifted my hands above my head. Check...shirt didn't ride up. I squatted down. Check...no crack showing.... Bra..holding on tight. Okay...we are good to go! Call me crazy, but I want to be noted for my incredible dance moves...not for my stomach or underwear showing. Apparently, there were other girls at the wedding that did not do the mirror check. And word to the wise.......if you don't do "the check", at least bring an honest and sober friend, that will tell you if your nipple was showing!

MEET DUKE!

Meet our new family member. Justin rescued him from the pound yesterday and surprised me by bringing him home.

Is Honesty The Best Policy?

I was woken up this morning by my husband shaking me quietly. "Rochelle. Shhhhh! I need you to come with me." Why? I asked, still thinking I was in a dream. "I need you to tell me if this is Oscar." What? Where? I was sure I was in a nightmare now. I climbed out of bed in my Christmas pajamas (in June), red tank top, no bra, and slipped on my flip flops. I followed Justin down the street and around the corner, to find our cat laying on the sidewalk. He was hit by a car and I was helpless. Justin placed our black and white kitty in a garbage bag and I walked back sobbing. What am I going to tell the kids? And when? I decided not to tell them this morning, they were just too happy when they woke up. I couldn't wreck that. I thought about not telling them at all and just telling them that he ran away. But I know Brandon would worry his little heart out. Death is a process of life and sometimes you just have to feel the sadness of it all. Although, I find as a mother, it's double the pain to see your children hurting!