(I meant to post this yesterday, but my mom was here in town, so things got away from me!)

It’s October, and that means that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month! As many of you know, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2000 - she found the cancer through a self-exam, and it NEVER showed up on the mammogram (so do your self-exam!). She has been in remission since August 2000, and she is an incredible woman!

There are so many things that we can do to help prevent the risk of breast cancer - exercise, watching what we eat (somethings are good for us - others not so much), and maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes breast self-exams (BSE) and mammograms. Throughout the month I’ll be posting things that will help us be more aware!

Here are some links to national sites about breast cancer: FitSugar

Don’t forget to stop by The Breast Cancer Site to click - this helps give free mammograms to underprivileged women, and it’s so easy to go click once a day: The Breast Cancer Site

Here are my other posts about breast cancer: Breast Cancer Posts

Here is one post that I want EVERYONE to read: Inflammatory Breast Cancer

If you have any questions about breast cancer or my family’s personal experience with it, I am VERY open about this topic, and will answer any questions you may have - please don’t take this subject lightly!

Breast Cancer Awarenss Ribbon Gifts originally uploaded by The Taif Healthy City Programme.

I got invited out with Living Parables for a 1/2 birthday celebration for one of the members who was abroad last semester. It was great to get to see them all again - Parables is by far the thing I miss the most about being in college. It was good to see the Parables who were still there from when I was there, and it was fun to get to know the new Parables a little better (even Marcus, the weird one ;-)). Thanks guys for a fun evening!!!

Also, I just found out a that a childhood friend of mine who got married last year is now pregnant . . . and I’m a little freaked out. I’m 22, and it’s a little strange to think that I’ve got a friend who will be a mother soon (she’s my age). I’m super excited for her. She’s going to make a great mom. But I was just getting used to the idea of buying wedding gifts. Must go find cute pink something for the new little Greystone girl!

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas! We had a very nice time. As our family changes (my grandmother passed away 2 years ago, and we have lots of new babies), our family traditions for the holidays are changing as well.

This year was the first year that my immediate family was at home for Christmas Eve. Usually we are with my dad’s family for Christmas Eve, but this year we visited with them on the 20th or so. That way everyone could be with their individual families for Christmas Eve (the next generation is getting too big!). So, for the first time in the 33 years that my parents have been married, we had Christmas Eve at home.

It was very nice. We opened our family gifts together, then we all went to the Christmas Eve church service at our church. We have always gone to Christmas Eve church at the little Baptist church that Daddy grew up in, so going to church at home was quite different from the small town candlelight service we are used to. We have a WONDERFUL choir at our church, and they really outdid themselves at the Christmas Eve service. And the place was PACKED! I’ve never seen the sanctuary so full! It was interesting to see the different people who were there - the church regulars were there for the service, and the people we didn’t recognize were obviously there for socializing. It was kind of odd to see so many unfamiliar faces, and it was quite clear who was just there because it was Christmas. A little sad, but at least they were there! I guess that’s better than not at all!

The service began at 10:30pm, so it ended right at midnight for Christmas! How neat! The next morning we got up, at our cinnamon rolls that we always eat Christmas morning, and then drove up to Georgia to my mother’s sister’s house. We had Christmas supper there with my aunts, uncle, and cousin and exchanged our presents. The big present? A Kitchen Aid mixer!!! I am soooooooo excited! Now I can make all kinds of things!

Now we’re back to pulling things back together. I definitely have a big case of the post-Christmas blues . . . Christmas just doesn’t last long enough for me! How was your Christmas? Any big plans for the new year?

Because you can never have too many . . . or can you?

You Are the Furthest Thing From Grinch

You love and live for the holidays. You even love the Grinch! You’re in the holiday spirit year round… because you’re all about celebrating and giving.

Your Holiday Personality is Caring

You like to reach out to people all year long, but you’re especially giving during the holidays. Make those you love homemade presents (like cookies or scarves). Call someone who might be feeling a little down. Give to your favorite charity.

You Are Prancer

You are the perfect reindeer, with perfect hooves and perfect flying form. Why You’re Naughty: Because you’re Santa’s pet, and you won’t let anyone show you up. Why You’re Nice: You have the softest fur and the sweetest carrot breath.

You Were Nice This Year!

You’re an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa’s list. You probably didn’t even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you’re a Mormon, you’ve probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

You Are a Practical Gift Giver

Your gifts are useful, appropriate, and custom tailored to each person. In your opinion, the best gifts are gifts that someone will actually use. Your gifts may not be the most glamourous, but they are always appreciated.

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

Your Christmas is Most Like: Miracle on 34th Street

Sweet and caring, Christmas is about helping for you. While Santa may not exist, you try to share his spirit.