Health, Horses, Lotto & Southern Gents

Hi, friends. Sorry it's been a bit since I posted, but this last round of chemo really kicked my butt. Hate to admit it, but it did. Luckily, this was the last of the super-harsh stuff. Next week I begin a weekly regimen of chemo that's supposedly a little more gentle on my system. Fingers crossed that's true. It'll go for 12 weeks. While that seems like such a long time, it's amazing to think how much has already taken place.

In other news, this Saturday is the Preakness Stakes, so I'm hoping that our Kentucky Derby-winner, Orb, will claim the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Orb's trainer is Shug McGaughey, a Lexington son who is much admired in the horse industry. Orb, bring home that trophy!

So, in a about three weeks, I turn 40. The plans I had for a fun weekend in Charleston, S.C. have been slightly altered since my cancer diagnosis. So, the lovely crowd of ladies with whom I had hoped to escape to South Carolina are coming to Louisville to help me celebrate. Can't wait! 

What do I want for my birthday? Well, first and foremost, a clean bill of health. But, in case the birthday angels are listening, perhaps a winning ticket in the Powerball lottery this Saturday, too? The prize now stands at $475 million. I don't have to win the ENTIRE thing, but a portion would be nice. Believe me, if I won, not only would I take care of my family, but a huge chunk of it would go to cancer research and helping families who are battling cancer. I'm not just saying this; completely serious. And I would hope that anyone else who wins the lottery would consider the same altruism with their winnings. Don't blow it at the river boat casino, folks.

What else? Oh, yeah, a good southern gentleman to sweep me off my feet. Think I could find one? If you know of a good catch, friends, send him my way. I'm not desperate or anything. Just think I deserve a good guy. ;)

It's almost the weekend, friends. Take it easy and enjoy the time off!

Image salon.com, keepcalmstudio.com and Pinterst

The Next Round

My next chemo treatment is this Thursday. Bring it.

Happy Derby!

Happy Derby, friends!

It's been a festive two weeks in my hometown, which will culminate in the Run for the Roses tomorrow.

Yesterday was the Pegasus Parade, a big Kentucky Derby Festival event that marches down Broadway in downtown Louisville. It's broadcast on our local NBC affiliate and about 400,000 people were said to be in attendance. As I mentioned earlier, my daughter is a handmaiden to the 2013 Derby Queen and her court. She had so much fun making appearances at the various events, including riding on the queen's float in Thursday's parade.

Here she is with one of the two young men who served as a page to the court. (These boys are troopers for donning a tuxedo and wearing a pageant-like sash to these events. I'm sure they were more than ready to throw on shorts and a T-shirt afterward!)

Today is another big day at the races, the Kentucky Oaks, which is the running of the fillies.

Over the last few years, Oaks Day has also become a special time to celebrate breast cancer survivors and attendees are encouraged to wear pink to observe this.

And before the running of the Kentucky Oaks, there is a "Survivors' Parade," in which women who have fought breast cancer march on the track and are honored with great fanfare.

It's a very moving sight and I look forward to cheering these women on today. Perhaps next year I'll have the chance to march alongside my "sista survivors!"

If you get a chance tomorrow, be sure to tune into the Derby, raise a mint julep and join us in singing "My Old Kentucky Home." Hope you have a winner!

Images from Churchill Downs, Southern Living and LuluLemon Louisville, Facebook page.

Big Weekend

This past weekend was full of pomp and circumstance for one eight-year old in my life. Shew - what a weekend!

Friday was the Fillies Derby Ball which kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville. The Derby Queen and her royal court are presented at the event. The queen and her court serve as ambassadors for the city leading up to the Kentucky Derby. If you catch a glimpse of any Derby coverage, you may see the lovely ladies.

My daughter had the honor of being one of two handmaidens this year and had the time of her young life. She will also make other appearances at Derby Festival events, including riding on the queen's float in the Pegasus Parade on May 2, just two days before the Derby. 

 

I wasn't going to let silly ol' cancer stop me from staying out late and joining my girl at the ball.

Here's Miss E on the big screen of the ball room with the newly crowned queen, Cameryn Jones. Miss Jones is a senior at the University of Kentucky.

I even managed to get a dance in, although I was a tad winded afterward! Shew! Meanwhile, Miss E. kept spinning like a top all over the room. At one point she ran up to me and said, "I met the mayor!" At another point, she was posing with last year's queen as three TV stations and dozens of cameras shot footage. Yeah, it'll be a while before she climbs down from cloud nine.

Sunday was Miss E.'s First Communion, another big milestone. I was so proud of her that day and found myself getting teary-eyed as she processed in with her classmates in their white dresses and suits.



Happy Monday, friends! Hope you have a wonderful week.

Images property of JMW A Place to Dwell blog

God Bless Martin

Yesterday's senseless tragedy in Boston is weighing heavy on my mind this morning. Little eight-year old Martin Richard was cheering on his dad in the Boston Marathon when an explosion took his young life.

This photo of Martin is featured on CNN.com today. My daughter is Martin's age and she will be making her First Communion this Sunday. It appears that Martin was celebrating his First Communion in this photo, too. Martin's little sister is close in age to my son. She lost her leg in the explosion. Their mother had to have brain surgery.

Our prayers are with the Richard family and all of those impacted by this terrible event.

Image from cnn.com

Where are your manners?

First of all, congrats to the Louisville Cardinals for winning the NCAA championship last night. While I'm by no means a fan, I am glad that the championship trophy remains in Kentucky, since my Wildcats won it last year. We'll let little brother have it for a bit. Looking forward to kicking your butts next year, guys! And congrats to Louisville's women's team who will play UConn for the championship tonight. Bring it home, ladies!

Okay, quick gripe. Not that I'm old, but I've noticed a younger set of employees in my office building over the last several months. That's to be expected. I've been with my company for close to 12 years, so new people are going to join the ranks. That doesn't bother me at all. But something that does perturb me is the young 20-something guys who walk right in front of me onto the elevator or into the building. They don't hold the door for me or any other female in line. It's all about them. The just forge ahead with their earbuds, backpacks and stupid peg leg pants and plaid shirts. Forget everybody else.

Holding the door for someone is not an archaic practice. It's just good manners.

Where were you raised?? Not that I'm Super Mom, but I've been working with my son on this since he could walk. He's 5 1/2 , but when we approach an elevator or door where other people are entering or exiting and he starts to bolt forward, my hand is gently - yet firmly- clasped around the back of his neck to hold him in place. It's right up there with "Please and thank you," and "Yes, 'mam," and "No, sir." It's manners 101, people. And not just in the South. EVERYWHERE. He's quickly learning and I'm proud of that fact.

When I see this behavior, a quote from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" all-too-often comes to mind, "I weep for the future."

Have you experienced this of late? Do you work with your kids on holding doors and allowing others to go first?

Image from Chronicles of Times

Cheers to a Colorful Life

"That's what life is all about: Let's have a party. Let's have it tonight."

-- Lilly Pulitzer

Yesterday the fashion world lost an icon with the passing of Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau. I'm sure the flags are flying at half-mast at the headquarters in Pennsylvania, also known as the "Pink Palace," as well as in Lilly's hometown of Palm Beach.

Many of us in Blogland are Lilly devotees. You know I am just in looking at my blog banner! With the design of a basic shift dress in a bright floral pattern, she managed to create a style that's become synonymous with summer casual chic. When someone says, "Just wear your Lilly," you know exactly the dress code.

In honor of Lilly, let's break out the bright colors over the next several days and salute one of our favorite style icons. We should all live with that much color in our lives!

Image from International Business Times