So much time has passed...

I am really not sure what to say these days. Life has definitely had it's ups and downs this year.

I guess i'll start by talking about how weird it was that my last post was Martina McBride's song "I'm Gonna Love You Through It". That was posted last December. Little did I know that cancer was going to creep into my family and threaten to destroy everything I love. In March of 2012 my mom went to her family physician to try and remedy some issues she was having. He made an assessment and then sent her to an OB/GYN. The OB did further testing and discovered that she had two masses. One I believe was on her cervix and then they found one in the lining of her uterus. They quickly did some biopsies. Then one night as I was headed into the bank I received a phone call from my mom. She confirmed our worst fears. Cancer! At her doctors urging she went to CfAM to get a second opinion. This doctor verified that it was cancer and that mom had a good shot at beating it.

Several weeks later Dad and I sat and waiting patiently while my mom underwent surgery to remove all of her reproductive organs along with several lymph nodes. Thank goodness for good friends and family. The Pastor at their church came in before mom went into surgery and was able to pray with us. Several good friends also came by while we waiting. Thanks Bev, Jim, Shirley, John and Barb! Let me also thank my brother in law Bob for also calling to check on us that day.

After a couple of hours Dad and I were summond to meet with the doctor. It was then we were told that mom would be just fine. As long as the lymph nodes came back clear there would be no radiation and therefore no chemo. It was a weight lifted for sure.

Poor mom didn't have a great recovery though. She was there longer than originally planned since she was unable to keep any food or liquid down. Luckily things progressed and worked themselves out.

Today my mother is cancer free and spending her time outside of work spending lots of time with her grandkids!

Mom - I am so proud of you and how strong you were throughout everything! We love you so much!

I'm Gonna Love You Through It

What a perfect song for those going through a battle with cancer.

Cuddle Time...

This morning there was zero fighting with my youngest to get dressed.

This morning my smallest of six decided he was too tired to fuss and fight.

This morning I saw a glimpse of my little 3 lb 4 oz baby.

This morning that same little boy warmed my heart.

This morning that growing little man decided he wanted to be my baby again.

Those moments in life should always be cherised and never forgotten. Today I was reminded that my youngest is 3 and growing and that even though he can be a little meany he always loves his mommy.

Here is to all moms everywhere...

80's were all that...

Today I thought about all the 80's music I love. I decided that I am going to share them here. Most of you are probably thinking how can you love 80's music when you were only born in 1980. The answer to that is that I have ALWAYS loved music. I listened to just about anything I could get my hands on. My older brother also loved music so he introduced me to a lot of great music! Movies were another great way to discover great 80's music. DISCLAIMER: Some of these songs were written earlier than the 80's but made a re-appearance in the 80's.

Let me start by saying I am not the biggest Michael Jackson fan but I did love some of his songs such as:
Billy Jean
Beat It
Bad
Thriller

When I was young I can remember having the VHS tape to the making of Thriller. I watched it all the time. One night our house was robbed and they took the VCR along with my tape of Thriller.

I guess I will just list my favorites (not in any particular order):

It's Still Rock & Roll To Me - Billy Joel
Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson
Lost In Love - Air Supply
All Out of Love - Air Supply
Fame - Irene Cara
You May Be Right - Billy Joel
Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar
Drivin' My Life Away - Eddie Rabbitt
Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Lady - Kenny Rogers

This next one was from a guy who at a very young age I developed a HUGE crush on.
Jessies Girl - Rick Springfield

Kiss On My List - Hall & Oates
I Love A Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt
Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon
The Tide Is High - Blondie
Elvira - The Oak Ridge Boys
Take It On The Run - REO Speedwagon
Hit Me Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
Who's Crying Now - Journey
Feels So Right - Alabama
Smokey Mountain Rain - Ronnie Milsap
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Hall & Oates
Whip It - Devo
Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
I Love Rock N Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Jack & Diane - John Cougar Mellencamp
Hurts So Good - John Cougar Mellencamp
Hard To Say I'm Sorry - Chicago
867-5309/Jenny - Tommy Tutone
Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson
Shake It Up - The Cars
We Got The Beat - The Go-Go's
Open Arms - Journey
Even The Nights Are Better - Air Supply
Freeze-Frame - J. Geils Band
Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Flash Dance (What A Feelin') - Irene Cara
Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
You And I - Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle
Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
She Works Hard For Her Money - Donna Summer
Twilight Zone - Kenny Loggins
Africa - Toto
Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
Puttin' On The Ritz - Taco
Mickey - Toni Basil
You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins
We've Got Tonight - Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton
Tell Her About It - Billy Joel
Always Something There To Remind Me - Naked Eyes
Goody Two Shoes - Adam Ant
Making Love Out Of Nothing At All - Air Supply
Faithfully - Journey
What's Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Against All Odds - Phil Collins
Jump - Van Halen (David Lee Roth Days)
Hello - Lionel Richie

Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Yes (This is one of the best groups of their time. Unfortunately, this song is one of their only really recognizable songs. Talk is my favorite CD. Please look this CD up and listen to more of their music)

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
Missing You - John White
All Night Long - Lionel Richie
Let's Hear It For The Boys - Denise Williams
Jump For My Love - Pointer Sisters
Stuck On You - Lionel Richie
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - Elton John
Borderline - Madonna
Sunglasses At Night - Corey Hart (This song was sampled recently for a rap song called Stunna Shades.)

Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
Sister Christian - Night Ranger
The Heart of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewins & The News
Islands In The Stream - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Love Is A Battlefield - Pat Benatar
Almost Paradise - Mick Reno & ???
If This Is It - Huey Lewis & The News
Come On Feel The Noise - Quiet Riot
I'm So Excited - Pointer Sisters
The Longest Time - Billy Joel
We Built This City - Starship
The Power Of Love - Huey Lewis & The News
The Search Is Over - Survivor
Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
Kyria - Mr. Mister
How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
Glory Of Love - Peter Cetera
Higher Love - Steve Winwood
Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
These Dreams - Heart
Danzer Zone - Kenny Loggins
R.O.C.K. In The USA - Eddie Money (I think)
All I Need Is A Miracle - ?????
Alone - Heart
I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - From the movie Manniquin
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Always - Atlantic Starr
Head To Toe - Lis Lisa & The Cult Jam
Only In My Dreams - Debbie Gibson
Died In Your Arms Tonight - ???
Is This Love - Survivor
Doing It All For My Baby - Huey Lewis & The News
Meet Me Halfway - Kenny Loggins
Fight For Your Right To Party - Beastie Boys
Faith - George Michael
Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison
Sweet Child O Mine - Guns N Roses
Get Out Of My Dreams - Billy Ocean
Is This Love - Whitesnake
Wild Wild West - Escape Club
Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard
Shake Your Love - Debbie Gibson
Hold On To The Nights - Richard Marx
Hungry Eyes - ????????
Where Do Broken Hearts Go - Whitney Houston
Angel - Aerosmith
Don't Worry Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
Red Red Wine - UB40
She's Like The Wind - Patrick Swayze (RIP)
Kokomo - Beach Boys
Should've Known Better - Richard Marx
Tell It To My Heart - Taylor Dayne
Out Of The Blue - Debbie Gibson
Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown
My Perogative - Bobby Brown
Cherry Bomb - John Cougar Mellencamp
Nothin' But A Good Time - Poison
Every Rose Has It's Thorn - Poison
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
Cold Hearted Snake - Paula Abdul
Girl You Know It's True - Milli Vanilli (Even if they did Lip Sync)
Blame It On The Rain - Milli Vanilli
Right Here Waiting For You - Richard Marx
Heaven - Warrant
She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals
When I See You Smile - Bad English
If I Could Turn Back Time - Cher
Buffalo Stance - Nenah Cherry
Bust A Move - Young MC
Once Bitten Twice Shy - Great White
Express Yourself - Madonna
18 & A Life - Skid Row
Angel Eyes - Jeff Healey Band

I didn't even add in any Bon Jovi songs because I LOVE THEM ALL! Also I think I only listed one Aerosmith songs and there are so many. So what are your favorite 80's songs?

Daily Dose!

One - Yī
Two - Èr
Three - Sān
Four - Sì
Five - Wŭ
Six - Liù
Seven - Qī
Eight - Bā
Nine - Jiŭ
Ten - Shí

One-Ten in Chinese!

When learning Mandarin Chinese it's important to know what sound goes with what tone.

Tone Mark Description
1st dā High and level
2nd dá Starts medium in tone, then rises to the top
3rd dǎ Starts low, dips to the bottom, then rises toward the top
4th dà Starts at the top, then falls sharp and strong to the bottom

When a 3rd tone comes right after another 3rd tone then it's said in the 2nd tone!

Let me just say for the record that NOTHING about learning Chinese is easy. It's something that I am finding that is difficult but rewarding when I can say and understand things my co-workers are saying!

Ni hao ma

Learning to speak Chinese...not an easy feat!

Lately a couple of my co-workers have been trying to teach me their native language.  I find it absolutely fascinating. 

Ni hao ma - How are you?

Ming tian ni de baogua jiang ji chu - Your package will ship out tomorrow.

Sa gua - Silly

Wo ai ni - I love you

These are just a few of the things I have learned to say.  It really is a very neat language and my teacher Tao says I am very smart!

Sunday, Sunday...

I just want to say how much I love Sunday's!