It will haunt me for the rest of my life. Why did I do such an irresponsible act? Why did I feel like I needed to look a certain way in order to be beautiful? I knew the consequences and shrugged them off. Then it hit...
I was a junior in high school (yep, just 17) when I went to the dermatologist for the first time. I was going for 2 reasons: acne and a large mole removal on my mid-back. I don't remember much about the visit other than Mom's main concern was my acne. It was bad (and still is as far as being an adult). After trying every known acne-prevention product, nothing seemed to work so it was time to call in the professionals.
As I was lifting up my shirt for the doctor to see my mid-back, he noticed a place on my lower back. He said that was the one that needed to be removed, but could remove the other as well. Both were sent out for testing. The mole that the doctor found had precancerous cells. Surgery had to be done immediately to remove the roots and surrounding cells. The surgery wasn't too bad, but they did have to give me a double dose of shots to numb my back. And my dad had to sit down because he got queezy watching. He was there holding my hand. I had about 10 or so blue stitches that prohibited me from bending over. If I did, I would have ripped my skin. That scenario didn't sound pleasing so I did not bend over once during the number of weeks that I had stitches.
A few days later the results from my precancerous cell removal surgery came in: they had successfully removed all of it. But I was under strict orders to lather up the sunscreen and beware of tanning beds for the rest of my life. Did I listen? No. Every bride must be tan at their wedding. Bad mistake...
This past week I went to my 2nd dermatologist appointment specifically for a full body checking. And I had another mole removed, but this time from my stomach. The doctor also measured some on my back. That night I was following my cleaning instructions and I took off the band-aid to find another belly button: a gross one at that. My biopsy spot was at least 3 times bigger than my removed mole and the hole was deep. All I could think about was that I hoped the doctor had removed all abnormal cells, because I couldn't go through another cutting. Thankfully God is looking out for me, because the results were as good as they could be. No additional cutting is necessary, but there is a 10% chance that it could return as cancer. I will go back for periodic check-ups.
I want to challenge everyone to go to the dermalogist for a full body checkup. Skin cancer can pop up without warning. I was a 17 year old who was diagnosed with precancerous cells. Ten years later I am a young adult with continued skin problems and my later years don't look promising. Tanning beds are NOT safe. I will NEVER use a tanning bed again and will only be spray tanned in the future. Please know the facts and myths about tanning. Also use sunscreen with at least an SPF 30. Beauty in your younger years will quickly turn into wrinkles, leather skin, and sun spots in your later years. Please watch the video below. It changed my life.
Dear 16-Year-Old Me YouTube Video
http://youtu.be/_4jgUcxMezM
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
3 years
On Tuesday, October 4th Daniel and I celebrated 3 years of marriage. It has truly been a blessing being married to such a thoughtful and caring man. Not every day is a walk in the park, but that is the beauty of a marriage. Some days are challenging, but most are rewarding. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. I love you, Daniel Henry Todd.
October 4, 2008
October 1, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
no pictures, please
Back in August, I shared my determination for shedding some weight. I am happy to inform you that my first goal (of minus 7 pounds) has become a reality. HELLO, WEDDING WEIGHT! Yes, that's right. I am at a weight I haven't been at since March 2009 (post-wedding). Yay, me!
Now for the ultimate goal: minus 10 more pounds to be back at my senior in high school weight. I still think I am crazy to want to be that small again, but if I am losing, then I better shoot high.
Furthermore, I wish that I had taken pictures before this process. Not like I would have posted for the world to see, but just for my satisfaction. If I know myself like I think that I do, then I wouldn't have been as motivated as I have been with those pics. The secret is no pictures, please.
As my weight loss journey continues, I will keep you informed....
Thanks for all of the support!
Now for the ultimate goal: minus 10 more pounds to be back at my senior in high school weight. I still think I am crazy to want to be that small again, but if I am losing, then I better shoot high.
Furthermore, I wish that I had taken pictures before this process. Not like I would have posted for the world to see, but just for my satisfaction. If I know myself like I think that I do, then I wouldn't have been as motivated as I have been with those pics. The secret is no pictures, please.
As my weight loss journey continues, I will keep you informed....
Thanks for all of the support!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge
Well, he did it. And I couldn't be more proud of him. Daniel set a goal and followed through with it. More surprising than accomplishing his first goal, he is actually setting another goal and working hard towards it.
A couple of months ago, Daniel told me that he wanted to compete in a 5k race. I thought he was joking, because he comes up with ideas all the time and they fade within a week. He was determined to prove me wrong. Boy, did he.
The morning of Saturday, September 24th was a chilly one especially waking up at the buttcrack of dawn. He got ready with great excitement while I tried to put on eyeliner half awake. I am sad to say that this race was the first time I had made it into Oak Mountain State Park (that I can remember). It was a beautiful setting for Daniel's first race. So many people are awake and dressed before 8AM on Saturdays as the park was pretty packed. Shocking to me that people get up so early on the weekends.
People from all walks of life, young and old, black and white, male and female, assembled for this great race. Proudly my husband stood as one of them. He might not have finished first, but he sure didn't finish last. He finished in the middle and I am so proud. He was able to follow through with one of his goals. He is currently working on his next upcoming 5k in December. I have started the running process as well, but I have no plans of competing.
Enjoy the moments captured that morning....
A couple of months ago, Daniel told me that he wanted to compete in a 5k race. I thought he was joking, because he comes up with ideas all the time and they fade within a week. He was determined to prove me wrong. Boy, did he.
The morning of Saturday, September 24th was a chilly one especially waking up at the buttcrack of dawn. He got ready with great excitement while I tried to put on eyeliner half awake. I am sad to say that this race was the first time I had made it into Oak Mountain State Park (that I can remember). It was a beautiful setting for Daniel's first race. So many people are awake and dressed before 8AM on Saturdays as the park was pretty packed. Shocking to me that people get up so early on the weekends.
People from all walks of life, young and old, black and white, male and female, assembled for this great race. Proudly my husband stood as one of them. He might not have finished first, but he sure didn't finish last. He finished in the middle and I am so proud. He was able to follow through with one of his goals. He is currently working on his next upcoming 5k in December. I have started the running process as well, but I have no plans of competing.
Enjoy the moments captured that morning....
Daniel's serious race face
I was so proud of him!
Jane came out to support as well! Thanks, Jane!
Daniel and his best friend, Scott.
Both did amazing in the race.
All of the runners and walkers for The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge
Starting the race...
finishing strong at 32:56 minutes
Sunday, September 11, 2011
10 years of change and a lifetime of never forgetting
Ten years ago today, America changed forever. It wasn't by choice and (I like to believe even though there are conspiracies galore) no one saw it coming. Many have given all. What have you given?
I will always remember that day and exactly what I was doing. I will never forget how I felt. I encourage you to relive my 9/11 story as I told it 2 years ago. What were you doing that day? What have you done differently since? Have you thanked those who have given so much in order to protect our freedom?
May we NEVER forget. God bless America.
I will always remember that day and exactly what I was doing. I will never forget how I felt. I encourage you to relive my 9/11 story as I told it 2 years ago. What were you doing that day? What have you done differently since? Have you thanked those who have given so much in order to protect our freedom?
May we NEVER forget. God bless America.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
A-U-B. Way to be!
All of these years I believe I have been lying by saying spring is my favorite season. uh, no. Fall has got to be my favorite season. There is cooler weather and FOOTBALL SEASON! Since attending an SEC school, my love of football has multiplied since I was a wee lad. My favorite part of football season while in college was Friday afternoons. Whether I was living in the dorm or in the apartment, the routine was always the same. The windows were up, the tunes were on, and I was in my element cleaning the place. Life didn't get any better than that until later that night when we got dressed up and we out. ah, memories...
Every year I am trying to celebrate my Auburn traditions by making a craft of some sort before the season starts. Last year it was making "AU" shirts for the Brindley girls: Sis, Mom, and me.
Every year I am trying to celebrate my Auburn traditions by making a craft of some sort before the season starts. Last year it was making "AU" shirts for the Brindley girls: Sis, Mom, and me.
Mom's shirt
Sis and my shirt
So this year I decided to try my creative painting side and make 3 Auburn paintings (one for each of the Brindley girls). Special thanks to Mom's neighbor, Brenda, for the hardwood floor samples. I wouldn't have been able to make this project without her! And I must say they turned out pretty cute especially for free-hand painting each one. I call them Auburn Aubie Art. Take a peek...
painting for Mom and me
another view of the painting for Mom and me
painting for Sis
another view of the painting for Sis
I think Mom and Sis are currently looking for ribbon in order to add a bow. Updates to come....
The projects didn't end there. Not only did I make 3 paintings, but I managed to find a set of navy placemats and turned them into this...
my homemade AU placemats
(Special thanks to my husband for buying me the plates. I love him!)
Hold on, because the crafting isn't over just yet! Mom even got in the spirit of crafting for football season and made me this for our front door...
My very own Auburn wreath. I LOVE it!
Stay tuned for next year's Auburn craft. Who even knows what that will be... And maybe Sis will get in on the crafting action. eh, or not.
War Damn Eagle!
Monday, August 1, 2011
determined
It's not completely unrealistic. I was once that before and actually saw myself differently at the time. Looking back I see where I want to be...
thin.
For once in my life, let me be content with my weight. Back in the day, I wasn't dissatisfied, but I didn't feel thin. Looking back at high school pictures, I was thin...even sickly looking compared to where I am now. I am just 15 pounds heavier which doesn't sound like too heck of a lot considering my senior year of high school started 10 years ago. (10 years!? 10 year reunion is coming up!) <~~~you can see my motivation, or at least part of it.
Minus 15 pounds in my ultimate goal. My more attainable goal is my wedding weight, which is minus 7 pounds. Now that is more realistic. I can live with that. I need to be thankful that I am just complaining about an extra 7 pounds since our wedding (almost 3 years ago). It could be worse. Plus I have already lost an additional 7 pounds since Christmas 2009. It's hard not to pack on the pounds when I am married to a man who loves sweets and will eat at all times of the day and night. I have always been a "social eater". If someone is eating, I feel compelled to eat with them.
I also think to myself: "If they are eating pizza/brownies at midnight and can be thin, then I can too." Being around Sissy during food time is always bad for me. She is always hungry throughout the day and eats all the time. Her secret to being thin? not exercising like you would think. It's called eat until you are full and always save room for dessert. WHAT? Stop eating when you are full? Are you CRAZY? I always eat until I am miserable. There is no enjoying the digestion of my meals. Plus I always eat the rest of Sissy's meal since she "wastes" it. But is it really considered "waste" if she is forgoing those extra calories?
Being thin just to be thin isn't my only reason for losing weight. My migraines are getting out of control as of recently. Not out of control as in they are occurring every day, but it is getting harder to pinpoint the cause. Yes, stress will always be a reason since I am a high-strung person, but I am not high-strung 100% of the time. After some research, I think my diet has a lot to do with it. It is a fact that I eat a lot of junk and carbs. I love bread, pasta, and eggos.
Here's my plan: Workout 4-5 days a week at least 20 minutes. Eat less bread, pasta, and eggos. Focus more on vegetables and fruit. I even discovered some great healthy recipes. One of them is my new favorite dish: eggplant lasagna. I think I like it because it is super easy to make and you can toss in all kinds of veggies. delicious!
thin.
For once in my life, let me be content with my weight. Back in the day, I wasn't dissatisfied, but I didn't feel thin. Looking back at high school pictures, I was thin...even sickly looking compared to where I am now. I am just 15 pounds heavier which doesn't sound like too heck of a lot considering my senior year of high school started 10 years ago. (10 years!? 10 year reunion is coming up!) <~~~you can see my motivation, or at least part of it.
Minus 15 pounds in my ultimate goal. My more attainable goal is my wedding weight, which is minus 7 pounds. Now that is more realistic. I can live with that. I need to be thankful that I am just complaining about an extra 7 pounds since our wedding (almost 3 years ago). It could be worse. Plus I have already lost an additional 7 pounds since Christmas 2009. It's hard not to pack on the pounds when I am married to a man who loves sweets and will eat at all times of the day and night. I have always been a "social eater". If someone is eating, I feel compelled to eat with them.
I also think to myself: "If they are eating pizza/brownies at midnight and can be thin, then I can too." Being around Sissy during food time is always bad for me. She is always hungry throughout the day and eats all the time. Her secret to being thin? not exercising like you would think. It's called eat until you are full and always save room for dessert. WHAT? Stop eating when you are full? Are you CRAZY? I always eat until I am miserable. There is no enjoying the digestion of my meals. Plus I always eat the rest of Sissy's meal since she "wastes" it. But is it really considered "waste" if she is forgoing those extra calories?
Being thin just to be thin isn't my only reason for losing weight. My migraines are getting out of control as of recently. Not out of control as in they are occurring every day, but it is getting harder to pinpoint the cause. Yes, stress will always be a reason since I am a high-strung person, but I am not high-strung 100% of the time. After some research, I think my diet has a lot to do with it. It is a fact that I eat a lot of junk and carbs. I love bread, pasta, and eggos.
Here's my plan: Workout 4-5 days a week at least 20 minutes. Eat less bread, pasta, and eggos. Focus more on vegetables and fruit. I even discovered some great healthy recipes. One of them is my new favorite dish: eggplant lasagna. I think I like it because it is super easy to make and you can toss in all kinds of veggies. delicious!
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