Happy Birthday Jack!
Conventional or Alternative Medicine?
It is a hard decision, but you should be proud of yourself for knowing to ask the question at all.
We all have a different path in life, both in wellness and in illness, yet we still can and do walk together. You must collect as much information as you can and make the best decision you can for yourself. Some will choose to do conventional medicine only, some prefer conventional and alternative, some only alternative...only you know what your commitment level is and what course you are comfortable with taking. Embrace your decision and do not second guess it. Ever.
This is another reminder that life is full of decisions and therefore inherent risks. The best part? You will be loved no matter what you decide to do.
Be well,
Tina
Riley - My Artist
The beautiful art of Riley, 5 years old. Note the wonderful, warm sun and the super aircraft. He even labled each of us with the initial of our first name, and signed it "Love Riley" (well sort of). I will post more soon...
Artist - Riley, Age 5, July 2008
Artist - Riley, Age 5, July 2008Happy Fourth of July to you all!
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
(actual photo from Friday night "at home" fireworks, thanks Brian!)
God Bless America!
Florida Vacation - June 2008
Riley on North Florida Beach...maybe Crescent Beach?
Another shot of same beach with me and Riley...
The Pruitt/Campbell Clan (minus Randy, Deana and Cindy)
Randy and Me
Jack and Riley at New Smyrna Beach
Jack, Riley and "Bruce" at Epcot
The Campbell family and Piglet!
Jack, Riley and me in dinosaur fossil pit at Animal Kingdom.
Buzz, Riley and Mommy at the Magic Kingdom
One of my favorites...this is Riley on the Haunted Mansion ride - he is literally smashed behind our arms on his own accord. Too cute...
Riley giving a thumbs up with his new astronaut friend!
Father's Day 2008!
A big shout out to my dad, and all the wonderful dads, for Father's Day! You are great and I just want to say thanks. The first thing that comes to mind is that my dad taught me to always look for the good in people, even when they may not deserve it - thanks!
Love ya and have a great day, Tina
Tina (me) and my Daddy - circa 1964
National Race for the Cure - June 7, 2008, Washington DC
June 7th 2008 - This was the day of the National Race for the Cure in DC. What a fabulous (and quite warm!) day! I was part of the Postal Team at HQs and due to the wonderful support of friends and family was able to raise a total of $1375 for the event - thanks everyone!
A small group of friends, along with Jack and Riley, made the foggy trek into the nation's capitol for the 5K walk at 6am. As it turned out, Lisa, Chris and I ran the event and made it to the finish line in about 39 minutes. It was blazing by the time we finished due to the humidity.
Then, the staff in the Survivor's Tent asked me to participate in the "Best Costume" because of my t-shirt and guess what??!! I came in second place! What a hoot! I also had more pictures taken of my chest (and back) than I have ever had in my life...too funny. I handed out some little cards with my blog address, so if any of you lovely ladies are checking this out - hello to you!!!
So I have posted some photos for your viewing pleasure!
Oprah Does Green Smoothies!
Check out Oprah's site for a great smoothie recipe that Dr. Oz makes for breakfast: Oprah With Dr. Oz's Green Smoothie. I have also posted an excerpt below.
This is the Oprah show that Kris Carr is part of also. Kris is the author of Crazy, Sexy Cancer and also of the documentary with the same name that airs on TLC. She is an awesome person who has had a tremendous impact on so many people. Check out my archive for September 2007 when I met her at her first book signing in VA!
An excerpt from 0prah.com:
"What's in Dr. Oz's green drink?
* 2 cups spinach
* 2 cups cucumber
* 1 head of celery
* 1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root
* 1 bunch parsley
* 2 apples
* Juice of 1 lime
* Juice of 1/2 lemon
After everything is combined in a blender, this recipe makes 28 to 30 ounces—about three to four servings. Oprah takes a sip and is pleasantly surprised. "It's a glass of fresh," she says."
I love that - A Glass Of Fresh.
Check It Out - Today I Won the Tim Ferris Editing Competition!
Tim Ferris, the author of the NY Times bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek recently had an editing competition for his book because he plans to publish an “expanded and updated edition in 2008 or early 2009". So I came, I read (again because I love it), and I edited - and guess what?! I got an email today - I won the editing competition! How cool is that? I get roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the world, my name in the Acknowledgement section of the new edition, and help with planning the "mini-retirement" (that is what he calls trips). Wow, wow, wow. The announcement is at the end of his blog post today: The Blog of Tim Ferris.
I am certainly doing the happy dance today!
Fake what?
Well, after some time I decided
to design a t-shirt that says it all:
fake?
of course they are fake! the real ones tried to kill me!
I know the audience is limited for this tee - and thank goodness
for that - but I just had to do it.
I plan on wearing mine at the
National Komen Race for the Cure on June 7th!
See box at right to order...
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and all the other wonderful moms in the world. It is a big job and I just want to say thanks to my Mom for all the intangible gifts you have given - they really are the best!
Love and hugs,
Tina
Randy, Mommy, and Tina (me) circa 1964 Cafe Gratitude
I recently came across a recommendation for a book called I Am Grateful by Terces Engelhart and Orchid. Wow, what a great book and insight into the lifestyle of the abundant couple, Terces and Matthew. This book includes recipes from their San Francisco based cafes, along with lifestyle tidbits. I love the names of the dishes on their menu and in the book, such as "I Am Passionate", I Am Ravishing", and "I Am Grace". Isn't that fabulous? When you order your food in the restaurant you ask for them by this name and when your server brings them to you they proclaim as the are sitting down your desired dish that "You Are Passionate", "You Are Ravishing", and "You Are Grace". I love that.
Prior to the epiphany of the cafe concept, they came up with a board game called The Abounding River that, based on my reading, explores the mind/eye opening experience of how abundant we all really are. They also have a workbook to further encourage that way of thinking, and ultimately of living that lifestyle. The illustrations throughout the game, workbook,and their cafes are by artist Frank Riccio and are awesome. After developing the board game and book, the idea came to Terces and Matthew to open a cafe serving plant based foods that would continue to uplift and inspire, and from what I have seen, I think they have succeeded. It is uplifting to read about it all in their book and on their website: www.cafegratitude.com.
They have several awesome cafes in the San Francisco area, which just makes me want to go out there for a raw cuisine visit even more. My mouth waters as I read through the recipes - "I am Hoping" to be able to enjoy their abundance in the future. Thanks to two more people striving to make a positive impact in the world!
Meet Up in NYC - Campbell's Were Absent
Okay, so Jack and I weren't able to go to NYC for the meetup with Kris Carr and the Crazy Sexy group this past weekend like I wanted - but I felt like we were there in spirit. We were completely bummed, but that is the way it turned out.
It is such a bummer to get laid off. What a contrast...in the same week I get a 25 year federal service pin* and Jack gets a severance package. Have a nice day.
All is good though. We went out to play tennis tonight, or should I say hit some balls around. I actually could hit a tennis ball. This is pretty big news. I have been working hard on my strength and I think it is paying off.
Hugs to all,
Tina
*What?! Can you believe that? And yes, I REALLY did start out as a teenager!
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Let's Talk Straws for a Minute
Plastic straws made with petroleum are so yucky for the environment and potentially you, especially if you drink hot fluids from them. Please, if you do continue to use them STOP using them for hot stuff. Double yucky.
For alternatives, the following links are for "better" straws for you and the environment:
For biodegradable straws made from corn (only for cold drink) - these work great!:
Green Home
Green Earth Office Supply
World Centric
or for (very cool) Glass Straws that you can use for hot or cold:
Living Nutrition
Slurp it up!
Tina
RILEY'S 5th BIRTHDAY!
April 20, 2008
The Whole Birthday Gang!
A Present from Memaw
Riley and Patrick
A Present from Memaw
Riley and Patrick
Riley in his new Booster Carseat!
(he is so practical in his gift selections!)
Riley and Mommy putting the candles on the cake!
The following two photos were taken by Jonah's Mommy, Mia - very cool! 
Riley and Mommy putting the candles on the cake!
The following two photos were taken by Jonah's Mommy, Mia - very cool! 
5K Walk - The Black-Eyed P's!
April 16, 2008
Postal Stampede - 5K Walk on the National Mall
Postal Stampede - 5K Walk on the National MallHere we are, the Black Eyed P's. Yes, that is a black eye we all have and yes, that is a "P" on our shirts. Get it? It's funny, folks.
April 1, 2008 - Nats New Ball Park
Here are some pictures of our recent tour of the Nationals new ball park! 
This is in the dugout!
Jack and Riley in the bullpen!
Riley on the plate in the bullpen!
This is in the dugout!
Jack and Riley in the bullpen!
Riley on the plate in the bullpen!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Random Thoughts I recently shared with Jack:
I think we get a taste of the meaning of life when we are faced with a situation of immediate and/or intense fear - diagnosis of suspicious lump, a catastrophe, etc ...it is that moment of pure clarity that has so much life vitality. If I could bottle that feeling it would be the most wonderful gift I could ever give to anyone. The goal would be to live with that feeling right in front of you as often as possible. I can only describe the clarity like this - for brief moments you give yourself to the universe, everything feels connected, and anything seems possible.
The majority of us move through life with mediocrity - that's not to say we are unhappy with our lives, but it is to say humans tend to only do what needs to be done instead of making our dreams possible.
- Tina (me), March 19, 2008
Did You See the Article About Me?
Hi all,
In case you didn't see me in the Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine, here is the link to the article about Me!
Tina in the Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine!
I am bringing this to everyone's attention because the lovely author and President of St. Conti Communications, Donna St. Jean Conti, was honored this month as a member of the team that produces the magazine. The Missouri Association of Publications (MAP) awarded the fall 2007 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine the 2007 Dan Ranly Award for “Best Issue” in the consumer category.
The St. Conti Communications News Release says, "Breast Cancer Wellness is a division of ONE Health Institute, an IRS qualified 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit foundation (ONE Health Institute). The mission of Breast Cancer Wellness is to help empower the healing journeys of breast cancer patients and survivors by providing education and support how the mind, body and spirit affects the overall well-being of a person. Breast Cancer Wellness provides the only free magazine in the country for breast cancer patients and survivors that embraces holistic health and wellness."
The magazines link is: Breast Cancer Wellness.
Congratulations Donna!
St. Patrick's Day Wishes and Otherwise
Happy (early) St. Patty's Day!
Waking (late) on this glorious Sunday morning! My smoothie this morning was fresh young coconut water (right from the shell), 2 fresh organic mangoes, frozen organic strawberries and raspberries, 4 Tbs hemp protein powder, whole vanilla bean, and an organic banana! Yum, keeps me going for hours! Lunch was a superb kale salad with red peppers and pine nuts doused in lemon, olive oil, and sea salt (left over from the annual St Patty's Day party last night!) - yummy!
Yesterday was my "official" one year anniversary. I meant to get up to the jewelers and get a a new Pandora Charm for myself, but time got away from me...perhaps tomorrow!
Here's to another exceptionally green St. Patrick's Day to all!
Tina
March 11, 2008
Me and my baby (yes, he got his bangs cut tonight). We went on a field trip today to see the Butterfly Exhibit at the Smithsonian!Celebration!
Happy CAN-ceversary!
One Year Cancer Survivor!
Please share in my celebration this week and leave a comment here!
March 7, 2008
Happy Friday All,
Well, I just had my one year appointment with the surgeon that gave me my diagnosis last year (Edmiston), and all is good. All is fabulous! In one week I will be technically be considered a "One Year Cancer Survivor"! Wow, I can't believe all this craziness started a whole year ago. Oh, the mountains we can climb. And it is amazing what you can see when you get closer to the top.
Love and green veggies!
Tina
ps - Interesting - she said with a smile that it was time to "get on with life", and I replied with a smile, "oh yea". But of course, I did "get on with life" beginning March 15, 2007. And the climb continues...
March 4, 2008
Wow, what a month this has been....cruise, surgery, work, reading, getting energized to make some life changes, reading, enjoying family life, making edit suggestions to 4-Hour Workweek book, joining up with a patient advocacy group, volunteering to be the webmaster of a non-profit group, working out, trying to find more time to whip up some new raw recipes, producing a 1000+ photo presentation....whew, the list goes on. I love it.
Stayin' raw (but are you eating your greens?),
Tina
February 14, 2008 - Bunco!
What a great group shot of the Bunco Girls! I had to share it on this blog!
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