What a year for me to say goodbye to! I have to admit I am so looking forward to 2011.
Pictures do say a lot and as you can see by this one of me that I do need some big changes in my life this next year. A lot of stress and twenty pounds heavier since my accident I am thinking it is time for me to step up to the plate or should I say step away from the plate. lol
I had a long week at the biggest cancer center I believe in the US. Those of you that visit me regular know about my brother Gary fighting throat cancer. It only takes one visit to MD Anderson or another place like it to realize how many people are suffering from the horrible disease of cancer. Some of you my best friends out here in blog land have had it touch your lives this year either yourself or a loved one. Yet you still find the time to write me such kind words of encouragement. I will always be grateful to you!
Gary has three more weeks of chemo and radiation and unless things change quickly for him it will not be a good three weeks. He can not swallow anything solid and is now sick a lot and the pain is at a 9 or 10 most days. Seeing him this way has put my stress level to the top and makes me dread this next month.
I ended the week by going to my pain management doctor yesterday. Nothing has changed with my back and neck. He is leaning toward surgery but according to him it is too much of a risk to operate on my back with my neck so messed up. One problem fixed could only increase another one 10 fold according to him. So another month of pain pills and therapy is all I got yesterday from him.
I fully intended to take my computer with me while at the hospital this week and catch up with all of you but did not. Gary is one of those patients that takes all of your attention so it would not have worked anyway. His girlfriend called me this morning crying about him not wanting to work with her on taking his meds and exercises today and I told her he just had to because I was taking a day off. lol See I can be selfish! Honestly I woke up this morning feeling like I was coming down with a cold. I thought no way am I starting this year off sick. hahaha
Enough on my woes. I had wanted to do a post before the end of year to tell you how even though I am not in any way a savvy girl with computers my jumping on board out here in this world of blogging has been the "Wow" of my life! Everyday it has been the most exciting journey with you. Through blogging I have had the awesome experience of networking with the most amazing people in the world. YOU have indeed changed my world and I can not imagine being without you.
I am grateful that you have kept me somewhat centered (at least as centered as I can be) and you have let me try to be funny, sarcastic at times, crazy for sure but most of all you let me be Me and yet through all of this you still hang in there with me. You are my reminder that People really are Good. Look around at all the creative artful sites and then there is mine. I am truly honored that me with no talent to show you that you chose to be present and to be here. If I had to choose one thing that has truly got me through this past year it would be blogging. Without blogging I would have never had the opportunity to connect and form lovely friendships with all of you.
So with being so fortunate to have found you in 2010 I am totally looking forward to getting to know all of you better in 2011.
Thank you for being a true friend I can always count on and for always leaving me such kind words of encouragement. You always make my day!
Happy New Year and much love to all
Maggie
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43 comments:
Well, Maggie, this past year has been a trial.
However, the best thing any of us can do is take one step at a time.
We've been taking care of the most important things first and plodding through life. We are a very lucky family indeed. All we need to do is take a look around us and see others that really and truly are indeed in need. In need of one thing or another.
So, as a new year begins we will make our commitments to ourselves to make our selves a better person for the future. I'm not certain how committed I am to my resolves. Time will tell.
Love each and every post you make and find it gives me pause to enjoy your company.
Happiest Holiday Hugs,
Gerry
Hello Sweet Maggie,
I think you look wonderful, so stop worrying. You are a very pretty woman and I love your hair!
I'm sorry that 2010 has been so hard for you.
It will get better. Seems as though you are being pulled in many directions and your brother needs you the most. God Bless you for being there for him. But remember to take care of yourself too.
I love you and your blog. It's always fun and inspiring to come here. Ask anyone here in blogland about Pearl and they know exactly who she is! LOL.
Hugs sweet friend and keep those smiles coming our way.
Sissie
I think about the trials that my blogging friends face everyday. I came to blogging about 1 year ago. Not knowing what to expect. Because just who would want to read what I had to say?? Well friends thats who. it is an amazing community. and I count you among my friends. you are funny and wise. you have many trials in your life but chose to face them head on. here is to a new year and a new energy to put one foot in front of the other.
many blessings in the new year
cathy
Dear Maggie,
What a year, last year was for your my Dear.
We can be glad it is over and now I wish you a happy year ahead. It is always so lovely to come and visit and see what fun things you are up to.
My thoughts and prayers are with your brother and I hope that you can get help for the pain in your back and neck.
Sending hugs and love from NZ
Carolyn
Oh, so good to see your Sweet Face today, thanks for that..love reading your blog and I am praying for you and for your brother as well...I hope this New Year will be so much better for you..
hugs
Brenda
I will keep Gary in my thoughts and prayers. I hope 2011 will be a much better year for both of us. Know that I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as well, Maggie. Cancer sucks and it has touched way too many lives and taken so many loved ones from so many. May this year be filled with love, happiness and most of all, good health.
Ah, Maggie, our thoughts and prayers go with you and Gary. I hope 2011 will bring you good changes.
May the Lord bless you!
I'm so happy to see a new post from you. I have been wondering how you were doing. And before I forget - Love the photo!
Sorry you had to spend the week at the Cancer Centre but it must have meant the world to Gary. I have heard from other people that the mid-way point of treatment is the worst so I'm hoping that is true and Gary begins to feel better over the next few weeks.
My hope for you this year is that 2011 will be filled with many wonderful surprises.
Kim
Love your photo..you're just the cutest thing! I love your hair too! I've really enjoyed getting to know you this year and getting involved in blogging has been a blast! So here's to 2011...praying for good health for Gary and you...many fun adventures...new friends in blog world!
Maggie, you look mighty good to me! I'm so sorry about your brother. It must be horrible watching such pain and agony. And about your back too. Mine has been nothing but trouble most all of my adult life. And I'm no spring chicken. You hang in there. Your talent is for sure your wit!
Brenda
Oh Maggie,
I am so sorry to hear about your brother and other trials for you this year. You know, I think you have it wrong though, YOU my dear are very talented and creative and besides, you have the ultimate ability to make us laugh and a lot of days, that is what I need...I love that you are in my life and add such value to my everyday.
I know I can only speak for me, but I'm sure I hear others relaying the same message, We are here for you and will be beside your side no matter what your day entails...I hope you are able to gather strength through us!
love and hugs to you...
Sickness in the family takes it's toll on everyone. Many blessings to and your family in 2011!!
Even though I am 15 years kidney cancer survivor, I read and attend certain seminars. When a member of the family has cancer, the whole family has cancer--it is one of the most all consuming diseases emotionally and physically. My prayers are with you.
If he is at MD Anderson, I cannot think of a better place for miracles, if there are any miracles.
will be thinking of all of you.
Oh, sweet Maggie! I am the fortunate one to have you as my friend. You have been a great encouragement to me more times than you know. You have had a very heavy load and still you found time to blog and keep us up on your life and still brought us smile and giggles.
I do hope and pray that 2011 holds wonderful things for you and that your dear brother Gary's treatments will be a total success. I hope and pray too that they find a way to get your neck and back all fixed up and you will not suffer any more pain.
I am so blessed to know you. Thank you for all those times you prayed for and thought of me and my family when you were going through more than me.
By the way, I think you look lovely in the picture. That awful pain can make one look older and when they get you fixed up and you have no more pain you are going to be amazed how that tired look has left your beautiful sweet face.
Thank you for being my friend and I am praying for a great year for you and your family this year.
Love and hugs!
Nitwit is so right about the whole family having cancer. Gary is suffering horrifically but so are you, his family and the girl who loves him. Feeling helpless to ease the miseries of a loved one is brutal.
As for you lovely lady, I would stay away from the surgeon's knife if at all possible. There has to be another way.
You and Gary are still in my prayers. May 2011 be the turning point for you both towards a healthy year.
beautiful.Belated wishes for the happy and properous new year 2011
Maggie Dear, you are beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen a picture of you. You just need to take good care of yourself. With so much going on with Gary, you need to take a couple moments for yourself. You have had such a rough year. That darn back of yours. I am praying for you and your brother. Just know that I have been so happy to have found you this year. When I say dear friend, I mean it.
Dearest Maggie,
I know you have gone through so much in 2010 but at the same time you have given so much encouragment, love, happiness and joy to all of us!!
I want you to know I think you are a beautiful lady inside and out and most of all your heart is what counts and yours is the biggest...you give us all so much love and I know we all love you back and then some!!
Praying for You and for Gary! Please send your
love to Gary from all of us!!
Blessings and Love always,
Susan
xxoo
I think you look amazing! Happy New Year! I too am looking forward to 2011!
Well, you look pretty good to me, Maggie...! Would that we should all look so good...! And trust me, we are the fortunate ones to have found you.
God bless you and your family, and I hope your brother is feeling well very soon. The big "C" is an awful disease.
Have a Happy and Blessed New Year...!
Cheers,
Jo
Maggie, I'm so thankful for your blogging friendship. You've made me laugh out loud almost on every post. I think that you shouldn't worry about gaining the weight right now as you have enough to worry about.
Three more weeks of daily treatment seems so long to go through. When I was in radiation treatment I had to stay in a hospice in the hospital where I was getting treatments because it was in another city and I made puzzles for most of the day and read. I only went home on the weekend and went back early Monday morning for my daily dose of radiation. It has affected my right lung.
I saw so many cases that were so much worst than mine while there. I read a book that had daily reflections for a dying person as I was supposed to die from it. It kept me grounded in faith as I had no where else to turn to. I since gave that book to a close friend when her husband had brain cancer several years ago.
Sorry, my comments are always too long. My prayers are with you and Gary. Hugs, dear Maggie. JB
So many thoughts going through my head as I read this post, Maggie...first how nice it is to have "met" you! I have enjoyed so many of your posts...you've made me laugh out loud, sigh for you and ache in my heart for some of your trials. I've always been interested in what you've had to say and hope things start to go well for both you and Gary and all your health issues in 2011!
There are many folks in the world but not many as spunky as you, I think! You are a "can-do" kinda gal, so here's to Maggie for the New Year!!!! (Loved your pic!!!)
Hoping for Gary that he will find some comfort in the next few weeks--I know the road he is traveling is miserable and painful. And for you, may you take care of yourself and remember that you are not of any value to anyone if you get down. Treat yourself with special kindness so that you can better serve Gary at his times of need.
Blessings to you both,
Debi
aww Maggie.. your's is the kind of beauty that a lousy 20 lbs. cant find.. It shines through, not matter what...
I am so happy to have met you here in blogland and look forward to this New Year..
I'm sending healing energy to you and your brother and I just know its going to be a much better year for both of you...
In my thoughts and prayers
Sonny
Hi cutie pie!!! Maggie, I know that this year has been so hard for you, but you have kept me laughing, and you have also helped remind me that we each have things to bear that are not always fun to deal with, but that we can choose to be positive and live each day to it's fullest. It has been wonderful getting to know you through your writing. I would wish for you to have a better 2011 than this year was for you.
Sending you big hugs...
Hi Mags!
Been busier than a one-legged man at an ass-kickin' contest and am only now starting to catch up.
I think about you and Gary daily and hope that his chemo is over soon so that he can heal and be back to 100%. I believe that this will happen for him with all my heart and faith.
I'm so sorry that you still hurt. Just doesn't seem fair. I'll continue to pray for healing for you, my dear friend. Please keep me apprised of your plans. Is surgery really on your horizon? Hang in there, kid. It just has to get better soon.
Love your photo, too! Great to see your beautiful face.
Happy New Year to you and Gary.
Love you,
Donna
Oh sweet Maggie.....I don't know what I would do with myself if I didn't have little updates and hissy fits by MS. PEARL....oh....you, too....(O:(O:(O:
Love ya,
Jo
Maggie, wishing you a brand new year of feeling good and happy health!!! How I would love to erase the past troubles and trials you have had.....but we shall look forward to a sisterhood of blogging and friendships that bond!
Hugs,
Mags
xx
Hi Maggie, I really like your picture and you do look like I had featured you from your blog. I know that the year has really been hard on you and your family. What Gary is going through is very hard on everybody. I know that when we were at the Cancer Center getting my husband iron infusion, I watched others that were getting chemo and radiation. It made me think of you and pray for a better 2011 for all. I have back problems and my doctor will not do surgery because he is afraid that I will be in worse shape then I am now. I know that isn't couraging, but surgery is the very last result and I would do a lot of asking questions before I decided to do it.
I know that I have enjoyed our friendship and look forward to reading your post. Take care my friend. We are all praying for you and Gary. Hugs from Your Missouri Friend.
Goodmorning Maggie
I am working on putting my blog on here today. I am nervous about doing it but like you mentioned in your earlier post it will be more of a journal thing for me.
You need a good long vacation. I know your thinking impossible with your brother being sick but when his treatments end please try and take one.
Your welcome to come see me. With my crazy household not sure that would be a vacation. heehee
We are all hoping and praying for you to have a very Happy New Year.
So take care Maggie and write on here when you can because it always helps me get through another day.
See you should not think you are not gifted.
Your blogging friend
Tam
Maggie,
I hope '11 will be a much better year for you and your family.
Thank you for always making me laugh. And reminding me, there's always someone else worse off somewhere.
Hi there Maggie, I do hope 2011 is better for you and your brother..I will put you both in my prayers..actually I put all my blogging buddies in my prayers..:) Take care and keep us posted and thanks for always stopping by our blogs to say hi.;)
Wishing you only the best for the New Year Maggie. x
Maggie, Maggie, Maggie....I think the photo of you is so sweet!!! Don't stress on the weight....you're here, that's what counts!!! And your friendship throughout 2010 was so welcomed in my home!!! You rock.
I do hope that Gary will be strong through all this and come out 100% Miracles do happen.
Thanks for visiting me today.
Happy New Year Sweet Maggie!!
Your photo is beautiful and I hope and pray in 2011 your health will improve greatly, your brother will win his battle and feel strong.
We were very happy to see 2010 end and are very hopeful about this year.
Know you are loved...
~Lynn♥
Hello Maggie aka Grandma Yellow Hair:
I always feel like some things happen for a reason and today I found your blog from your comment on mine. I too follow Donna of Brynwood Needleworks and find her to be an amazing lady. I have read several of your posts now and of course prayers will go out to your brother Gary. As we begin this new year 2011 we all get a fresh start to some degree. I am using my "focus" to live and be in the "now" and get things done in the present. Blogging is such a wonderful community of souls and we all share with one another. May you have a very Happy Healthy Creative and Blessed New Year 2011.
My Dear Maggie,
2010 has been a difficult year for you and your family. Praying that 2011 will be a better year for you, both in mind and body.
Warmest Regards,
Pat
Maggie, I love that picture! I hope you have the most incredible 2011! I am so glad to have found your blog!
Maggie, Don't worry about the weight. You look beautiful. It will come off when the time is right. You're going through a lot right now - you definitely are allowed some wiggle room!
One day at a time. Heck, sometimes it's one moment at a time for me.
Just like you said, I've found it very true that people are good. We all take care of one another.
I hope you have a lovely, pain-free, stress-free week.
Happy 2011 to you and your family.
Sarah
Happy New Year, sweet Maggie! In brevity, YOU my dear, have been a blessing to US. How we all ever enjoyed a day without you in it is beyond me ... after having spent time with you, I wouldn't think of a any other way than a 'Maggie way day'.
Gary, & you, are ever most in our prayers. May His healing hands quickly lift Gary during this time. You are so wonderful to be there for every step of his journey.
My wish for everyone in bloggyville, is that they each are as blessed as are we, to meet you one day. The highlight of our year was YOU, yes YOU!!!
Love you so, Maggie ~
Hugs, Marydon
PS We are having a CSN Giveaway
I will be praying for your and Gary this month. I'll be so happy when you are both through this time (and I do mean both, as I know you are with him every step of the way emotionally).
Many hugs to you and wishes for some great changes in the New Year. I just wish you could get some better pain management with your neck and back!
"/
PS. That fudge was delicious and is officially all gone. Thanks again, so much, for making that for us when you have so much going on.
Ok, so I have a real problem with that "no talent" line sweetie. You are one of the best storytellers in blogland! I always smile when I come here and smiles are sometimes few and far between....
I am praying for Gary and for you and your health issues. Thanks so much for stopping by. I just know 2011 will be great for all of us..
Hang in there!
xxoo,
Rocky Mountain Woman
You have been a ray of sunshine in my life this past year and I for one am glad to see 2010 behind me. Hopefully this year will be kinder to both of us!!!
God bless and know that I pray for both you and Gary every day. :o)
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