Catch up and cancer (insert tough guy face)

In November, my two besties - Lori and Brenda - flew out to Colorado to visit. We shopped, we ate, some of us drank :-), we saw The Rouge in concert, we took pictures, we visited my mother-in-law, we facebook-ed, we shopped, we laughed a little (ok, a LOT) and cried a little . . . did I mention we shopped? Mostly, we got to see that we're all so connected at soul level and it's a shame we don't do this more. SOOOOO, we got some hair-brained scheme to do it a month later in San Francisco - which was awesome!!

Sometime after the November visit, we all got totally bombarded with cancer. We think Brenda caught it on the toilet seats in Denver. My sister grew it on her spine and then our other friend and neighbor from 1979-80, Kari, got it. Instead of sitting around crying about it - or I should say AFTER sitting around crying about it, we picked ourselves off, dusted off Denver and got to work. Our friend Kim FN, my wonderful rockstar cousin, Deanna, and many others started fighting cancer with us. We try to keep 'em laughing, shocked, and occasionally use a more scientific approach with Pop Rocks to blow this bad cell crap right outta there!

Thanksgiving at the Chatty-house was nice. Anytime my boys are here, it's fantastical! We ate, some of us drank, but all in all, we got through it without anyone ending up in the backyard singing "Oh Where Are My Pants Now?" Sean had to work (something about keeping the nation secure - whatev) so our dining table included Chatty, the Chatty Husband, The Chatty Baby, Chatty girl-dogs, the Chatty In-Laws, and my hairy nephew, Jakey.

The San Francisco BFF trip was great, may I say? We ate, drank, shopped, laughed, teared up a few times, laughed, computer-ed it up and even got an INCREDIBLE video of BFF Lori doing a very magical rendition of "I'm A Ballerina" with all the dance steps even! This video remains in my *private* collection to only be brought out upon approval of said starlet. Except for the 2 months The Rouge boys had access to it.

Christmas Eve was a plethora of fun at a Chinese buffet in Littleton, Colorado with the Chatty-Step Fam. We enjoyed Beth, Gale, David, Aaron, Amber, Amber's parents and brother, The Chatty In-laws, Chatty (duh!), Chatty Husband and Chatty Baby. (Again, Sean worked. Weird that always happens during family gatherings.) We did a gift exchange and I'm not saying who, but SOMEONE got bike-chafing butt creme from her brother. Hmmmm.

Christmas morning was just the Chatty Fam. We had a wonderful time opening such lovely gifts. Everyone was very thoughtful, but mostly we felt so lucky to have each other for the special Santa-mas Day. The Chatty In-laws joined us later in the day for a nice dinner. We enjoyed a day of movies and music and video games. And we napped. That may have been the Chatty-kid's favorite part!

New Year's brought a great party at the Roger's house. It's one of those places that with enough drinks one could get lost in it. I saw my first game of Beer Pong. I didn't play it tho. It's actually disgusting - but fun to watch! We watched a pool tourney but couldn't tell you who did what or who was best so I cheerlead-ed for both sides. We hung out until about 10:30 pm when the Chatty's were ready to collapse from sheer exhaustion - drinking is tough and tiring! We were asleep before the ball dropped.

Of course January brought some birthday's - BFF Lori, BFF big sis Shelly, Vonda, just to name a couple.

The Rouge boys, of which the Chatty Baby is drummer, continue to succeed in their quest for a great music career! They had a great show in Denver on January 19. They left for tour with Safety Suit and Parachute for SLC and Boise. They were invited to continue the tour through California, which is where they're headed as I write. A combination of huge talent and making great contacts is propelling their career to major success!! GO ROUGE GUYS!!

So, the tumor on my sister's spine has shrunk 70% after 2 chemo treatments. Her 4th chemo (or pole dance, as we call it) is the first week of February. We're crossing everything, hoping for that complete tumor to get knocked outta the block at some point very soon. Enough of this, Universe! I think everyone agrees that hair is over-rated. My cousin Deanna (superstar!) and I already got some hair removed in honor of Jen. She was thoughtful to not request us to shave our heads during winter but we still stepped up to her uh, OTHER challenge.

Brenda's 2nd chemo is on Monday. We're ready. Anti-cancer Ninja's are already at work. Brenda learned last night that my love has no limit. She wanted pictures of me doing cartwheels whether I was dressed for it OR NOT. I believe a few more bad cells died off due to my gymnastic porn. Bring it on, Bren!!

Kari has her first chemo the day after Jen's. It's scary, I bet, that first time. But she's ready. She's taking donuts to her nurses so they like her and give her the clean needle! During my workouts, with each strain I just imagine I'm stomping or pushing those bad cells outta her. I won't go so far to say I'm sweating, but when I GLISTEN PROFUSELY, I know it's for her and how can I NOT push myself even harder?

I'm training for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Run in Seattle in June. I'll be raising about $8400.00 toward the research and cure of blood cancers. The organization says that by 2015, blood cancers will be cured or managed. Wouldn't that be cool? I lost my dad to complications of leukemia and now with baby sister and her stOOPid Lymphoma - she calls OJ; I prefer Scaramunga - I gotta fight this fight!! Anyone in the northwest wanna join me in Seattle? I'd love the support of running this 1/2 marathon with you. But anyone who wants to wait for me at the finish line, I'd LOVE that support too! I think I'll put my sister in charge of preparing my Ipod with just the right motivating music and messages to keep me going. It sounds like it will be very cool and I'm planning on using that day to celebrate her REMISSION!!!

All good, positive, energetic, motivated and determined energy to ya! This year 2010 belongs to Jen, Bren and Kari - I love you each and plan to celebrate OUR remissions soon!!

Chatty Kat