Super Sunday

I really miss Fabulous Friday and feel like I am not recording the things that I want to and should since dropping it.  You know it was kind of like my friend that I wrote to every week.  So I've decided I'm going back to it, except we are going to do Super Sunday.  Only positive, wonderful things about my week will be reported.  So here goes:

1.  Tuesday my friend Janelle accompanied me to Dr. C's office.  He is a Radiation Oncologist that Dr. D works with.  He was amazing.  He thinks that he can radiate the tumor on the posterior iliac crest, only 4 treatments in 2 weeks.  He needs to look at my prior radiation treatments and if he feels it is safe we will do it.  I hope so, because the pain is slowly creeping back.  He said that if he can't do it, meaning if it is too risky with the bowel having too much radiation exposure, that I could have it surgically removed.  Dr. D said she wouldn't surgically remove it, but he said he knows other surgeons who will.
2.  Wednesday I met with Dr. S the research Dr. regarding the biopsy I had a month ago.  There were no genomes matched, but he also said a part of the test wasn't done correctly.  In a few months I'll have another biopsy.  They will by then be able to take some of my tissue, grow it and see what meds react to it.  In the meantime, he said he wouldn't change anything anyways because the Tamoxifen is SHRINKING the tumors!  This is so exciting.  I pray that it continues and especially to shrink the ones on the ureter.
3.  It is warm enough here in Phoenix, that it is actually like Summer.  I mean when it's 100, it's Summer.  I spent Friday morning at my cousin Laura's in her pool with her and her kids.  It was super fun and the perfect time for a pool party.  We also had lunch at Gecko Grill, where they have the best salsa. Oh and my cousins have a snow cone machine, like the real deal shaved ice.  I'm totally getting one with the amazon gift card I won way back when.  I LOVE shaved ice.
4. Friday night I went with my Aunt Leslie, cousin Autumn and my friend Barbra to the Millennial Choir and Orchestra.  It was the most powerful performance.  It is now something I do twice a year and look forward to each performance.
5.  We had Stake Conference this weekend.  The talks and music were all so uplifting.  I feel like I need to listen more to the spirit and obey its promptings quickly.  My friend Jennifer's sister wrote the music to this song Does the Journey Seem Long and a lady in my ward sang it.  Oh my, it was absolutely beautiful!
6.  I had a delicious dinner with Deborah and her family and Gordon and Leslie today.  It was to celebrate Gordon and Dallins birthdays.  Dallin got his mission call this week.  He is going to the Guatemala Guatemala South or East I can't remember Mission.  Anyway, my brother Tyler when to the central one 20 years ago.  Dallin is such an amazing guy and will be a fabulous missionary.
7.  This week I got my new Favorite Cookbook in the mail, What's Gaby Cooking.  Oh, I love it.  The recipes are simple and fresh.  Will definitely get plenty of use from it this Summer.  These wonton strips were at Winco. Yummy!

8.  And one more thing...I got 2 pounds of delicious strawberries from sprouts this week for $1.88.  Hello cheap! 

A CLT FF

1.  I had a great 72 hours in Charlotte.  It was very quick and full of fun.  I wish I would have had time to see all of my wonderful friends, but I just didn't have enough time.  Friday Nick picked me up from the airport and we went to my house.  It is empty of renters.  It looked just like it did when I left 3 years ago, but the feeling of "my home" is gone, which means I'm ready to sell it.  I met up with my friend and realtor Noelle while I was there.  Hopefully I can get it sold quickly.
2.  We had a few hours to spare before dinner so we spent it with my friend Katie and her darling kids.  I love that girl and miss her as my neighbor.  We then went uptown and met Lauren and Chris for dinner at this fantastic restaurant called Vapiano.  I highly recommend it.  It is Italian and isn't like any other I've been to.  They make your pasta and pizza in front of you and all of it is homemade and very fresh.  It was so delicious!  The atmosphere was pleasant and we had fun catching up.  I loved the quotes they had all over.  Instead of mints at the end, they give you gummy bears.  Kind of fun!

3.  Nick and I have a tradition of attending the Charlotte Symphony Christmas Concert.  Ok, well maybe this was only the second year that we attended, but this is a new tradition that I love.  The conductor is so entertaining and they do such an amazing job.  It always helps that we have great seats too!
4.  Saturday was a very busy day.  Nick made breakfast, which we had with his grandparents.  They are the sweetest people.  I sure love them! 

That afternoon I attended the Teal Diva's Ovarian Cancer Survivors' Luncheon. This is always such a fun time.   I love that I can spend time with women who have experienced the hardship of both going through the diagnosis and treatment of Ovarian Cancer, as well as what it's like to be a survivor and the feeling that go along with "what if it comes back."  I won a pair of teal ribbon earrings and we all came away with a teal painted horse shoe in the shape of a ribbon.  It is so cool.  It was so fun to see the girls that I met last year! One of my favorite parts of this lunch is the warm gingerbread cake with lemon sauce.  I'm bound and determined to find a recipe.

I then went to Talbots where I bought a cute skirt for Christmas.  The new Harrisburg ward had their Christmas Party which I went to with Lauren and Nick also came along.  It was fun to see my friends and to surprise people, given I had only told a few people that I was in town.  We then headed to the mall where we went to the Vera Bradley outlet!  I was in Heaven.  Of course I have so many purses and bags, so I only bought a few wallets to match a few purses that I already have that didn't have matching wallets. 

Before going home and because the power was out at their house, Lauren and I tried the new Soda Splash at Sonic.  It was yummy!  I highly recommend them.  We finished our evening watching BSU win another game!
5.  Sunday we went to church, watched Home Alone 2, met up with Noelle, had some delicious crock-pot minestrone soup (which I need the the recipe for Lauren) and then watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  It was a rather relaxing day and so fun to see my church friends.
6.  Monday Angela, Karen, Emma, Lauren and I went to Amelie's French Cafe for lunch.  I love this place, mostly the baked goods and the atmosphere!  It was then back to the airport and the warmth of Phoenix.  I was cold the entire time I was in CLT. 
Don't you love Laurens Craft Corner?  I love how organized and simple it is.  I'm surely going to copy this when I get my own place!

7.  The rest of this week was occupied by swimming, working and getting things ready for my credentialing.  By the way, I am not only working at the Urgent Care 9 days a month, I also am working for the company I interviewed with in SLC, but in Phoenix, which is Family Practice/Employee Health.  I'm excited for the opportunities before me and the people I have yet to meet.
8.  Today I spent my entire day apartment hunting in Ahwatukki which is right in the middle of the places I will work.  It is a darling community, close to the freeway, the airport and my favorite grocery store Sprouts.  I have even found a cute little library.  The hard decision is figuring out which place I want to live.  I'm pretty sure it will be the most expensive one, with more luxuries than I even imagined or need, but would be so fun.  We shall see.  I'm going back down there Monday to decide between the top 4.   I'm so excited to finally take my goods out of storage!
9.  We have had non-stop Christmas shows going around the clock here and Aunt Leslie has stacks of Christmas presents ready to go out the door this weekend for her drive to Utah.  We are totally in the Christmas Spirit and I'm loving that I can still walk outside in my bare feet and not be freezing.  This coming week I'll get myself ready for Christmas...meaning I'll make my one and only batch of Peanut Clusters to dispense to my friends, wrap a few presents and then pack a few things before going home in a week for 2 whole weeks!
10.  I had an enjoyable walk and visit last night with my friend Ofa.  I'm so grateful for her and her friendship.  She is beautiful, an amazing mother and a sweet, sincere friend. 
10.  Our tangelo's are ready, delicious, sweet and juicy!  And they look so beautiful on our lone tangelo tree.  Hooray for Citrus Season!

Homage FF

1.  It was so good to be home last weekend, to be around my siblings, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephew's and my parents.  It is always crazy loud when we are together, but we always have a great time together!  Look at this hair!  It's coming in!  I'm so ready for more of it!

Aidree and Bridget's way of watching General Conference.  We do a lot of dancing and putting on makeup when we are together!

2.  Saturday after the first session of conference we had a girls lunch with Grandma Betty, Grandpa Randy's sister, Tanner's girl and her mom. We always go to Cafe De CoCo which is in downtown Nampa, where Grandma Betty and I always get the ever so unhealthy, but delicious oatmeal with gelato!  Tristen ordered us desert, 5 different ones and we passed them around so all could partake.  Grandma Betty is the best and we always enjoy our time with her.  We went around the table and said one thing that we were looking forward to.  I of course said I was looking forward to my trip to Europe and the future.  Mom said she was looking forward to a wedding.  I wonder who's wedding she was talking about.  I sure love these women in my life.  I'm so grateful for the relationships that we have.

3.  Saturday afternoon I made Gumbo!  It was yummy, even though I wasn't really hungry.  That evening I spent time with my swimming sisters.  One will be moving to Texas this Summer which will be so sad, but we will stay in touch of course!  It was so fun to sit and chat for over 2 hours!
4.  While I was in Idaho Mr. J and I skyped for 3 hours.  I can't get enough of that handsome man, even when I'm in Idaho!
5. I have always loved rain boots and was so happy that all of my nieces and nephews got a pair this season.  Had to take some pictures with them!

6.  Monday evening I was so happy to be home after work to spend time with Mr. J.  I really did miss him.  How we will be apart this Summer for 3 months is beyond me.
7.  Yesterday when I got home from the gym I had a text from Mr. J asking me if I wanted to do lunch (We had to forgo our Wednesday hike and lunch because he had some work to do). Of course!  I was ready in 20 minutes. We only had an hour, but we made the most of it!!!!
8.  I love Pandora Radio.  I put in Philip Philips this morning because I like him.  It's a great station.  I also like Today's Country.  I'm always looking for new songs to add to my workout regimen.
9.  Speaking of working out, this morning I ran 4 miles because I woke 10 minutes too late for my cycle class, which means I'll do cycle at 8am tomorrow.  It was super hot outside, but at the park that I run in the sprinklers were on, so I cooled down by running through them!
10.  As I type I'm sitting in my bathing suit in the backyard getting some rays...It's April folks and it's in the 90's.  I love it!
11.  I'm so excited for this weekend to spend with Mr. J and his Little A's.  I'm falling in love with these 3 people and I couldn't be happier!  I feel like I'm smiling all the time because of them!

Finally Working FF

1.  Saturday was another busy day here in Phoenix.  We left early to head to the Farmers Market that I love so much.  Then we went to my cousin Laura's son's soccer game.  For lunch we went to Tia Rosa's which I had heard so much about.  The fish tacos and pinto beans were delicious!  We then went to Deborah's daughter's volleyball game.  She is one good VB player.  We met up with our friend's Matt and Janelle.  Matt served his mission in Nampa and has kept in touch with our family.  They have darling 2 year old twins.  They took us to Liberty Market where I had the most wonderful cuban sandwich.
2.  Sunday was church and then we went to Laura and Jesse's for dinner and the Super Bowel.  Jesse made pulled pork which he smoked and was just as good as in the Carolina's.  It was fun to sit around and chat with my cousins.  We brought dessert...I've always wanted to try the chocolate mousse cake from Costco.  It was AMAZING and $2 off and so worth the calories, even though I only had a 1/2 piece.

3.  Monday was the big go to work day.  I am so loving my normal life.  I missed it so much.  I picked up everything as if I was only gone for a week instead of 8 months.  I love what I do and the people I am working with.  And I admit I'm loving working the afternoon/evening shift so much that I asked to do it again next month.  I love having my mornings open to go to the gym, study my scriptures and not fight traffic.
4.  I love the gym that I'm going to.  The cycle classes are awesome and the salt water pool is too.  I am loving working out with kettle balls.
5.  Mom and Dad left Tuesday to go to Disneyland for a day.  It was fun traveling with them and having them here.  Of course mom had to have some grapefruit, a very large one too!

Hooray For Phoenix FF

1.  Such a great week which started with pedicures, sushi, and massages on Saturday!
2.  Monday we left SLC towards PHX and on our way there I was able to check off a few items on my bucket list...blog post coming.
3.  Wednesday morning we toured the Gilbert Temple as it hasn't been dedicated yet.  It is absolutely beautiful!  We then had lunch with my cousin Deb!  Oh it was so good to see her and to take my parents to one of my favorite restaurants in the area Oreganos.

4.  I have picked tangelo's and grapefruit off the tree's in the backyard every day and am quite enjoying them!
5.  Yesterday I got to go to work for the first time in 8 months!  I only worked the morning but most of it was getting my passwords working, visiting and then I saw 3 patients.  It was so exciting.  It was just like riding a bike, even the computer program.
6.  Yesterday I talked to Dr. Z in Martha's Vineyard! After Europe and through September I'll be working in MVY; can't wait!
7.  Today I bought a new dress from Ralph Lauren.  It is darling; blue with cream colored polka dots and cream edging.  I love it!
8.  I have already joined a gym, which I'm excited about; all with a pool, cycle classes and weights!
9.  Today we went with Deb to an olive oil mill and had huge snow cones!  We celebrated mom and dads anniversary tonight.  Best of all we have had enjoyable conversations with Deborah, Aunt Leslie and Uncle Gordon!  We have also played a few hands of cards and of course I've lost.

Another Amazing NYC Vacation

NYC was wonderful.  Mom and I had a fabulous time.  It was relaxing and enjoyable!  Of course I can't imagine going to NYC without having great friends and family to stay with, because you know they make the vacation even better....
***DISCLOSURE: Even though it sound like all we did was eat, keep in mind, we shared everything. We even shared our little waffle, each of us having only 2 bites.  And Tuesday when I had to get on the scales at Dr. C's, I hadn't even gained any weight; thank goodness.
Travelogue:
November 19:  Woke way to early like 3:30AM to catch a 5:30 flight after 2 hours of sleep you would have thought I would have been able to sleep on the plane.  Maybe a little, but not much.  We had a short layover in Minneapolis and then onto NYC.  We arrived around 1:30PM.  We got our week's metro pass for a mere $30 which is the way to go if you will be there for a week, totally worth it.  We boarded a bus, then the metro and then walked the 2 blocks to Shelley's apartment.  Oh, it was so good to see this dear friend of mine.  I have been so blessed to have the McConkie's as my friends.  They are the kind of friends that you can go without seeing for a good while and pick up just like you had seen them a week ago.  They have the cutest little family ever.  Being the gourmet cook that Shelley is, she made us a delicious taco soup for dinner.  After dinner my cousin Kyrie came over and she then took us to Cafe Lalu, which is the cafe where Meg Ryan waits for her email friend to visit her in You've Got Mail and then he doesn't come, well he does, but he doesn't.  I love that show and I loved this cute cafe.  I had the best chocolate mouse cake ever!  Of course every night we talked late into the evening with our friends and cousins.

November 20:  We met Kyrie bright and early at the Katie Show!  I am a huge fan of the Katie Show so we of course had to go.  We had great seats in the 4th row.  The studio was much smaller than it looks on TV.  Today they were taping segments from 2 different shows.  The first segment was fantasy for a day, which Katie's was to be a beautician.  She actually cut someone's hair, with the help of Tabatha Coffey hair stylist of the stars, who was darling as ever.  The next segment was how to get the best holiday deals...we got a book out of it.  The last segment was Angelica Houston, we also got her book.  The entire morning was a lot of fun and went by so quickly.  Kyrie got a singing opportunity during  a commercial break thanks to me.

We then met up with my cousin Taylor.  We tried to get tickets to Broadway, but were unsuccessful.  For lunch we went to Ellen's 50's Diner where the waiters and waitresses sing for you.  They were so good.  We visited Rockefeller Center, The NBC store, saw the Crystal Star with 25,000 crystals that they will put on top of the Christmas tree, tried some delicious dumplings (where Taylor use to work), walked 5th Ave, spent time in Grand Central Station and Lincoln Center.  Inside of Grand Central Station is the whispering wall.  One person stands in one corner and the other in the opposite corner and you can carry on a conversation; it's because of the architecture.  Pretty Cool!   We tried some delicious waffles from a waffle truck and then ended our evening with Shake Shack and the best pumpkin pie concrete ever.  Yes, by the end of the day our feet were tired of walking, but our tummy's were full of delicious food.

November 21:  I woke early for my conference.  It was so well done and I learned a lot more about Diabetes treatment.  Mom spent the day at the MET and time in Central Park.  Shelley is a gourmet cook and made the best butternut squash soup and apple muffins for dinner.  Mom and I then went to see Annie on Broadway.  It was pretty good.

November 22:  I again went to my conference where the entire morning was focused on narcotics.  Again I learned a lot of different things that will be useful when I go back to work.  Speaking of work, I've decided to go back Feb. 3.  I will definitely be ready by then.  Yes, today was my birthday!  I had lots of sweet messages from all of my wonderful friends and family, totally made my day.  I walked by the giant Macey's, which had this great Believe sign.  Shelley and her kids made me a birthday banner which I loved!  Let me tell you about these kids, they are the cutest ever, just like my nieces and nephews.  We met up with Taylor and Kyrie, had dinner at Tai Market and bought some delicious French pastries from some random shop.  We stayed at Shelley's the first 3 nights and at Kyrie and Taylor's the last 3 nights.

Kate

Isn't this the sweetest Melanie ever!

Spencer

November 23:  We met Shelley at one of my most favorite spots in NYC; Alice's Tea Cup.  We had delicious scones and tea and a great conversation.  Have I mentioned my new love for herbal tea?  We then did a little window shopping before Shelley had to make her way home to take kids to birthday parties.  The rest of us went to China Town and Little Italy where we of course spent some well earned money.  We had lunch in Little Italy at Passeno's of Mulberry and Gelato at Farrero's.  That night we went put our names in for the lottery for Newsies; which every one who put their name in won.  Between the lottery and the show we had dinner at New York Beer Company...no beer just good flatbread sandwiches.  I loved Newsies,  the music and acting were wonderful.  The weather up until this evening was wonderful, but then we had some snow flurries and it turned bitter cold.  The apartment was freezing that night and so were we.

November 24:  It was super cold and windy this morning.  Mom and I went to church in our pants under our skirts and I wore a hat for the beginning, it was that cold.  We spent the afternoon and evening with Shelley and Matt.  Shelley made a delicious gourmet dinner for my birthday.  Lots of vegetables and sausages. She also made a delicious angel food Birthday cake.  I love this family!

November 25:  We met Shelley and the kids at Absolute Bagels, which had the best sun dried tomato cream cheese.  I'm totally into bagels and cream cheese thanks to NYC and my cousins.  And not just bagels, everything bagels.  Never thought I would like them, but I love them.  It was also so very cold, so we had to stop and get tea at Spices and Teases.  Super yummy.  We then had to say our goodbye's and headed back to Kyrie and Taylors to catch our super shuttle to head back home.  Oh, what a fabulous way to celebrate remission!  Sad to leave, but hope to return again someday soon.

Good By NYC, Until Next Time!

PS. We also had Levaines Bakery chocolate peanut butter cookies which I brought home and were still delicious a few days later.  Had tea at Jocque Torres, a cupcake from Sugar Plumm and a bagel with sun dried tomato cream cheese from 72nd Bagels.  Kyrie had also bought Thompsons everything bagels with vegi cream cheese from the supermarket which were delicious too and can be found at your local supermarket; check them out, yummy toasted!