Oh hello, NED. I love you.

Well, it has been ages since I've blogged. I'm sorry. I am back and forth between whether or not I will keep updating this. Maybe? Maybe not? My guess is that it will be intermittent and only "when I feel like it" or need to process!

But this blog is to let you know that NED and I are still an item! "He's" my favorite! NED means: "No Evidence of Disease" in the cancer world and we want to keep NED around at all times.
My last set of PET/CT scans, blood work and X-rays all came back clear.

My oncologist says I'm doing great. His plan is to see me every 3 months for the next two years and get tested twice a year. Sounds good to me. I love that my new hospital, Washington Hospital in DC has a Melanoma Center. What's amazing about this place is that I sit in the room and all my doctors come to me! I don't have to go place to place! How delightful. I just sit in my little gown as the interns, residents and doctors (oncologist, dermatologist, surgeon and breast surgeon) all take turns coming in to examine me and talk to me. Two hours for 3 appointments all in one fell swoop. I. LOVE. IT.

Other than that, here are a few other things to update you on:

1. I enjoyed Central Asia a lot. I wish I could show you pictures, but I can't. You're welcome.

2. My sister and I started an art business called Pretty Philosophie!  Check out our blog and our etsy shop.
This is what's keeping me busy these days!

3. I'm going on a cruise. I leave on Saturday. This could not come at a better time. I need a lounge chair (in the shade) by a pool or on a beach (while covered in sunscreen and frequently re-applying) with a drink in one hand and a book in the other stat!

4. Winter is coming and I don't like it. This Florida/California girl despises being cold.

That's all.

Until next time (whenever THAT may be)!!!

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

I'm heading to a part of the world full of countries you've probably never heard of and I've never visited.

Most of them end in "stan." 

I'm excited for new stamps on my passport.

And new experiences.

And new stories.

And new people.

And new places.

Lots of new.

I may blog. I may not. I will almost definitely instagram.

I will most definitely hashtage everything because that's how I roll. 

Prayers for good flights, and ability to sleep on flights would be fabulous.

See you on the other-side.

#travelinKJ

In the mean-time, check out Pretty Philosophie!

Grand Opening SALE!

Now that you know how our little shop got started, be among the first to get something and Pretty Philosophie!!

Enter "GrandOpen10" at check out to get a 10% discount on one of these beauties and more:

Pretty Philosophie

So, my sister and I have opened our own etsy shop.

No, I can't believe it either!

I have always loved to draw/paint quotes and words. It's cathartic for me.

 And whether my sister will admit it or not, she's a pretty amazing artist.

I tried to open an etsy shop once before, but it didn't really work out too well. 

However, I have high-hopes for this one. Well, high-ish!

I was praying one day about ways to earn extra money. I needed a way to make enough extra to pay my medical bills not covered by health insurance each year (At least $4,000 when you add it all up). It also needed to be a way that wouldn't exhaust me as my energy reserves are low as it is!

Some friends came over a few weeks ago, and for fun I pulled out some canvases and we painted for a few hours. I made this:

and I loved it. 

I posted it on my instagram and people started asking me where they could buy it, so I started dreaming about selling it. Unbeknownst to me, my sister (aka: "Didda") was praying about a way to make money too. On the same day we asked God to show us what to do. The next day we started talking and realized we both wanted to do the same thing, and thought we could work together to do it. We sat down for a few hours, over the course of a few days, and came up with a shop name (Pretty Philosophie) and 5 lines, or "themes" that we were going to sell:

Anne Girl---(Anne of Green Gables inspired)

Old Hollywood---(Primarily Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe Inspired)

So They Say---(Bible Verses and Quotes)

Sweet Wes---(Coming soon: Inspired by Wes Anderson)

As You Like It--(Custom Orders)

Didda is much more business savvy than I am. I'm a bleeding heart. I keep wanting to make these and give them away for free, or at cost. However, Kristel reminds me that I'll "never pay my medical bills that way..." So far we have sold 4 and have orders for 2 more. We are considering making a blog with this and perhaps even a twitter and instagram. We shall see!

We are still in the beginning stages and are crossing our fingers that this will take off!

So, check out our shop (and see some of the products below). Like us, follow us, recommend us, re-blog us, link our etsy to your facebook. You know. Help some sista's out. ;)

Please consider us for Christmas gifts and get it over with now!!!

Painting: To Blog or Not To Blog

To blog, or not to blog. That's been my question lately. Don't let this post fool you. I may not be back to blogging yet, we shall see. In the mean time, while I'm deciding if I continue blogging or abandon it all-together here is a little peek into my weekend:

Please ignore the big bag of sugar and look at 3 art projects going on at the same time. Yup, I was bit by the crafting bug again. It's been a while! I was pretty much on a roll all weekend painting canvases! Which one is your favorite?