SOCIAL MEDIA

Thursday, November 5, 2020

First Post




Those of you who followed my blog many years ago know that this isn't really my first post.  I deleted all the old posts and am starting fresh!  None of the old links to the digital scrapbook freebies worked anymore and while I knew I needed to update or delete the blog, I just kept putting it off.  I decided today that it was finally time!  I am not going to write a big long post tonight but wanted to update anyone who may have read the blog 10 years ago on what's going on with my life.

I retired in April 2019 from the police department after 28 years of service!  My first few months after retiring were spent doing things I never seemed to have time to do.  I cleaned the grout in my kitchen, organized the closets, did lots of puzzles, went to the gym... I love retirement!  I picked up a couple of odd jobs walking the neighbor's dog and I worked for the Census in the fall of 2019 canvassing addresses.  I also continued to work on my Etsy shop and it kept me busy enough that I didn't pursue another full time job.  

In February of this year I bought a Glowforge laser and I'm having a blast with it!  I mostly use it for jewelry for my shop but I've also made signs for several family members and friends.  When people learn you have a laser they come to you with all kinds of projects!  I plan to share what I'm making and some free .svg files that can be used with a laser or electronic cutting machine.

Cut to March - COVID shuts everything down! I was scheduled to start back up with the Census but they weren't sending enumerators out because of Covid.  I had kind of forgotten about it when they called and wanted me to go to training in July.  My heart wasn't really in it at that point.  My mom had just had back surgery and I was staying with her while she recovered and driving back and forth to my house 45 minutes away.  But I went to the training and figured I could make a little Christmas cash.  That was a Saturday.

On Monday, July 27th, I had a colonoscopy and woke up to some terrible news.  There was a tumor in my rectum and I needed to have a CT scan right away.  I was escorted from the recovery room across the hall to the CT scan.  I don't remember much of the rest of the evening.  What a shock!  The following weeks I had another CT (chest) an MRI, and multiple appointments with the Oncologist, Surgeon, and Radiologist.  I had 6 weeks of radiation and chemo and had minimal side effects.  I had wonderful care from all my providers.  Now my body is healing from the damage of the radiation and chemo.  In early December I will have surgery to remove the tumor.   Hopefully I will be recovered and feeling good again by Christmas!  

I hope you all will continue to follow my blog and my journey.  Thanks for reading!

Natalie said...

I just wanted to let you know I've always been a fan of your PS shapes on DA. Just wanted to come show some love <3

Patricia Gardner said...

Hi Deb! I found you again through dA, downloading something for a scrapbook I'm making about my grandson, for my daughter in law.
I followed your old posts and downloaded a lot of them... thank you so much for the care and effort you've put in all those years, while still working a full-time job.
I'm so sorry to hear about your cancer, I hope everything goes well. God bless you and your family <3

Patricia Gardner

HezaTags said...

Oh Deb, I've been thinking of you for years. I was mostly a tagger but did a bit of scrapping too. Go by the name of HezaTags. I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was also diagnosed with CRC, Stage 4 in the Splenic Flexure and liver. in March of 2017. Yep, coming up on 5 years with Stage 4. I'm glad to see you're still going strong. Bright blessing and best of healthy wishes to you.

Scrappincop said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your CRC HezaTags. It is a journey for sure! Thank you so much for your support through the years. Best wishes for health and happiness to you!