Happy New Year 2013 and the grandpuppies...

Happy New Year everyone! Hope 2013 brings lots of love, joy and happiness your way! :>)

We had great holidays with Catherine, Matt, Nick, Andy, Diane, Elana and Chloe, Sarge and the wee girls. Just have to share what Santa has brought to Andy and Diane's house:

Peaches and Penny, the newest grandpuppies! :>) They are ADORABLE and bring so much fun and pure sweetness. THEY are great therapy dogs!!

Christmas was wonderful and far too short. New Years passed in a flash. Mixed in with  holiday celebrations was a grand retirement party! Such an amazing gathering that filled my heart with so much love. It was great affirmation that I have had an incredibly blessed career! I am so grateful for all the wonderful people who have participated in this career journey with me. I have learned so much from ALL of you. Still hard to wrap my arms around what it means to be "retired" :>)

Starting to pack for a little road trip. Off to California on Sunday to visit Matt and Catherine in Grover Beach, Peter and Clare in Oakland and John and Coralee Munro (friends from New Zealand) near Sacramento. Was planning to spend an extended time on the road (maybe 4-6 weeks), but now having to limit it to 2 weeks. On Thursday got news that my tumor markers are starting to climb again...not news we were hoping for. I'll be back for another CT scan on January 21. We'll see if tumors have reactivated and are confined to the liver or have moved on to new territory. Options for treatment will be explored after determining where things are active. Not exactly looking forward to more treatments, but will march on and take whatever medicine is needed. Would appreciate your continued positive prayers, support and energy directed toward stopping these unwelcomed visitors in their tracks! I'm certain that's why the treatment worked so well in the beginning and I'm confident that they will make a huge difference again. I appreciate each and every thought and prayer.