She Won.

More than likely, you are on my blog via the link on my Facebook, which means that you probably know two things:

1. I recently started selling MaryKay 

2. My mother was diagnosed with, fought, and beat breast cancer.

Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 31, 2012, following a physical examination for a new job. She was told that the lump was nothing to worry about...until they did a mammogram. The mammogram showed a growth that was likely cancer, but she was again told not to worry...until they did the biopsy. Two lumpectomies later, they determined that she had not one, but two types of cancer - the first being a more mild form, and the second being an aggressive form. The lumpectomies caught it right before it entered the closest lymph node and blood vessels. We're talking millimeters. My mom's new job literally saved her life.

Now, here we are, one year later. Mom has had check ups and has been deemed "cancer free" at them. Literally days away from the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis, she will walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (October 26-27). What you may not know about this walk is that participants have to raise money to participate. 

I've talked about #2 on my little list above, but here is where #1 comes into play. I want to help her finish raising the rest of the funds with the help of my Mary Kay business. (Does anyone else find it ironic that I am using Mary Kay to raise funds for an Avon walk? Haha.)

From now until her walk, I will not keep a penny of any of the profit that I make on my sales. I am going to give it to her. I'd also like to give her a card with your name on if you can help by placing an order with me. Every little bit will help.

Here is the link to my site:

http://www.marykay.com/katielivengood/en-US/_layouts/MaryKayCoreCatalog/ProductsAndShop.aspx?dsNav=N:2000040

Seriously, anything will help. It's such a cliche fundraiser thing to say, but it is so true. I would hand her the remaining money that she needs out of my wallet if I could.

Also, if you are able to place an order of $75 or more, I will give you a quilted cosmetic bag trio as a gift! Any orders that I receive will be placed at the end of the calendar month that you order in.

Starting down the exciting path that is motherhood, I cannot imagine doing it without her. I am grateful every day that the cancer was caught in time, and that I get to have her guide me through this special time in my life. 

Is there any reason why you can't help me help my mom take her well-deserved victory lap?

Mom

Mom only has one more chemo treatment to go! :):):):)
If you'd like to read about her battle with breast cancer, please visit her CaringBridge website:


https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dianejordan/
The password is: GoGators (case sensitive)

Pups

Obi

Chewie

The puppies are getting so big! When we got them, Obi was 7 pounds, and Chewie was 9 pounds. Now, Obi is 27 pounds, and Chewie is 38 pounds!

They had that horrible boy-puppy surgery on Friday, and have been forced to rock the "satellite dish" look this week, and have been crated to force them to rest (they just want to play play play!).

I will be glad when their recovery time is over - I just hate seeing them like this! :(

Plywood Flooring

So I found, on Pinterest, a blog where a woman redid her floors using stained plywood, and it was so cute! Since I have such a handyman hubby, and an off-the-bedroom, closet-turned-office, we decided to try it! (By we, I mean Ben of course).

Ben went to Home Depot and got two sheets of plywood, and some stain. He stained the wood, cut them into 6-inch wide planks that extend the entire length of the room (it's small), nailed them down, re-sanded the rough edges, then stained it again. It is still in the works (he wants to put a layer of tung oil on it too), but check out what a great job he did!! I am so excited about it!!

Paint! Paint! Paint!

As suggested by my grandmother, who is a decorating genius, we waited and got settled in the house before we started painting. It is so hard to choose paint colors when you are indecisive! I kid you not, I have 7 pints of sample paint sitting in the garage. Most of which have been rejected. There are paint swatches painted on hidden places on walls (behind doors that typically stay open, behind pictures on the wall). It's also been interesting having TWO architects in the house, both of which have very specific, design school-oriented opinions about paints. I'll like a color because, well, I like it. They won't like it because of how it interacts with the natural light that enters the room.

I did get one room painted though! For our downstairs half bath, I chose Benjamin Moore's "Homespun Charm", and I love it! It is the top color in the photo of one of my many hidden paint test areas. :)

Upcoming projects:
-plywood plank flooring in my office
-wooden kitchen countertops
(Both Pinterest ideas)

Wigs

Mom has completed two of her chemo treatments, and has lost her hair.

To prepare for her hair loss, we spent an afternoon at Tisun's in Charlotte. We had such a good time! Check out some of our looks!