(43-112) The Glass Is Half Full

When I wrote "BOOBS," on October 27; I told you that I had gotten my annual mammogram done.  The radiology center that I go to always has us complete a self-addressed postcard so that they can send us a quick note to give us peace of mind that all is well.  Or at least those are always the kind of postcards that I'd received from them in the past.

I've been watching my mail, but to date I haven't received a card, so I was starting to get a little worried.  Now my mail carrier is not the best by a long shot and several times I've gotten someone else's mail, so I thought it could be very possible that someone else had gotten my card.  Just to be on the safe side, I called the radiology center and had a rather frustrating experience.

When I first called I got a man on the line.  I said "Hello" and started to say "I was there on October 27 for my annual mammogram," to which he mechanically said "what do you need ma'am?"  And I replied "Well, I was trying to tell you before you interrupted me."  I then went on to explain that I hadn't received a postcard from them, so I was just calling to follow up and he blandly said "hold on," and transferred my call.

A woman picked up the line, and again I stated my purpose for calling, but before I could finish, the woman interjected "So you need to re-schedule your appointment?"  I said "No."  And then asked what was wrong with the listening skills of their personnel.  I re-stated my reason for calling, and the woman was extremely apologetic.  The woman said that she would look into the matter and someone would call me back.

Within about fifteen minutes I got a call back and the woman advised that they'd found my test results, but she couldn't tell me what they were; however, she suggested that I call my doctor.  She also said that the cards were being sent out and she apologized for the delay, and the earlier misunderstanding.

To say that I was nervous, would be an understatement.  I wasted no time and promptly called my doctor's office.  I had to leave a message and the receptionist said that the doctor or her assistant would call me back.  I asked if it would be today, but was told that it might not be until tomorrow.  I tired to remain calm, and didn't want to think the worst.  I ran over all of the possible scenarios in my head.  Maybe she told me to call my doctor because it was bad news.  Perhaps she was trying to be nice and thought the doctor could tell me that everything was OK, quicker than I'd get the card in the mail; or maybe she was trying to worry me unnecessarily for pointing out how rude she and her co-worker had been.  At this point I can't say which reason it was, because sadly I have yet to hear from the doctor or her assistant.

For the most part, I find imagination to be a wonderful thing and I use mine quite regularly; BUT imagination can also be a breeding ground for fear.  If we allow our negative imagination to get the better of us; we can drive ourselves crazy, and that's certainly not what I want; so I've made the conscious decision to believe the glass is half full.  I don't want to dwell on the possibility of a problem; when there might not be one at all. Now taking this stance doesn't come naturally to me, because I'm prone to worrying; but I don't want to waste my energy on that.  Although it would be simple for me to fear the worst; there's also a chance that all is well; and that the woman that I spoke with was trying to help me get the fastest results possible.  Worrying needlessly is a waste of time and energy and since I have neither to spare, I'm going to focus on the fact that  I am surrounded by love and positivity and  I'm going to savor every minute of it.  Please send your love, good thoughts and positive energy my way.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING                                  

(43-111) The Four Seasons

When we were driving back from the lake on Saturday night, I got a text from Michelle M that said "Rock the boat is on 94.5 FM."  I immediately turned the radio on and turned the station to 94.5 so that I could sing along; OK, and dance, to the remainder of the tune.  I've always LOVED "Rock the boat," by Hues Corporation, so even catching a portion of the song, puts a smile on my face; and thankfully, Michelle M knows it.
"Rock the boat" was followed by "Dream Weaver," which I enjoy, but Michelle was none to happy to hear.  I was thinking that 94.5 was playing some good "old" music for a Saturday night, and then they played one of my ALL TIME FAVES, "December 1963 (Oh What A Night,)" by The Four Seasons.  LOVE IT!  Luis and I were both singing along, happy as can be.  Isn't the power of music just amazing?  I mean Luis and I were both in very good moods heading back from the lake, so it's not that these songs turned our moods around; however, I KNOW, that when I'm in a less than cheery mood and I hear one of my "HAPPY" songs, it can definitely lift my spirits and improve my day.

It's been a couple of days since I heard "Oh What a Night," but I haven't been able to get it out of my head ever since.  In fact, I'm actually thinking that a ring tone may be in order, so that I can hear a little tidbit of this treasure a couple of times a day. 

I can't tell you exactly what it is about either of these early seventies songs that I find so appealing; so perhaps I'll just have to quote a standard line from "American Bandstand;"  "It's got a good beat and you can dance to it." 

Although I've never thought of myself as a Four Seasons fan; I guess I really am.  I have yet to see "Jersey Boys," the Broadway show about Frankie Valli and the Four seasons, but I'm sure that I'd revel in it; because when it comes right down to it, I fancy so many of their songs. (Did you hear that sentence with an English accent?  I love to say "fancy" instead of "like" but we rarely do here in the States. Perhaps I need to start a campaign, just like when I wanted to bring back "Keep On Truckin," but I digress. 
Who Loves You," (which of course I had to share the disco version;) "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," and "My Eyes Adored You;" were the Four Seasons songs that I could think of right off of the top of my head; but me being me, I had to double check myself, so I looked up a list of Four Seasons songs to see if there were any others that I'd  want to mention.  I found that they had recorded a song called "Heaven Must Have sent You," and since Bonnie Pointer's "Heaven Must Have Sent you;" is another song on the top of my "Happy"  song list, I checked to see if it was one and the same; but it wasn't.  However, now that I've mentioned it, I feel compelled to share this oldie but goodie as well.

I hope that at least one of these tunes gets your toes tappin, your blood pumping and puts a smile on your face.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-110) Unexpected Happiness

This morning I had my first conversation with my cousin Jackie; since I found her on Facebook on Thursday night.  Just like I told you in "Just What I Needed," even though we're first cousins, I don't know Jackie at all.  But as soon as we were on the phone together, we chatted like we were old friends.  It was strange to speak about other family members and know that they were her relatives too.  I had to stop myself from saying MY grandmother; and just say Nana instead, because MY grandmother was also Jackie's grandmother; even though Jackie didn't really now OUR grandmother.  It was amazing to discuss other family members and know that they were people that we had in common, even though we barely knew them or each other.

Connecting with Jackie has already brought me, such unexpected happiness, and I think that I must have had a smile plastered on my face the entire time that we talked.  There was something about her voice that was so kind, comforting and loving.  And when she laughed, it sounded to me VERY much like my laugh; and she thought the same.  We spoke for at least an hour and a half, and we discovered that we had many likenesses.  Jackie asked me if my wedding bouquet was Sterling silver roses, and when I said yes; she told me that those were her favorite roses as well.   We both have made and sold jewelry as a hobby, and her youngest daughter is an avid scrapbooker.  Jackie told me that she loves to make things with her hands and do crafts; and I felt assured that we were cut from the same cloth.  We revelled in our similarities and were comforted by our commonalities.  We recognized that even though there had been years and miles between us; it's remarkable that we were so alike.  We both told each other repeatedly, how thrilled we were to have found each other.  And we concurred that we never had to long for family again; because now we have each other.

Jackie told me that her heart was now full; and I must say that this is EXACTLY how I feel.  I am exuberant, I am delighted; and I feel loved.  Jackie is the first person in my biological family who has shown any genuine concern for me in the past 20 years; and I feel blessed to have found her. 

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING