Wow...the last 10 months have flown by. My next cancer check is in a couple of weeks...expecting good results. The best news is that my cognitive issues are minimal right now...wasn't sure my brain would ever start working again (ok, all my friends had better stop chuckling!).

I have to admit that having cancer has re-activated the activist in me...pro-organic, real food; pro-guns (that means I bought one long before this recent attack on the constitution), and that reminds me PRO-CONSTITUTION (don't get me started). Ok, I had better stop there or I will get on my soapbox.

A lot has happened in the time I haven't been blogging. My friend Karen and I became Reiki practitioners and started our own business, Elegant Hippy (www.eleganthippy.com) and I began writing a column for a local dog magazine called Urban Paws (www.urbanpawsmagazine.com) and rediscovered how much I love to write. (Gee, maybe that is why I am a technical writer!)

Got a surprise visit from my son at Christmas. Just a day because his connecting flight came through Houston and it didn't connect so well. We got to spend a wonderful day together with Teri and Isabella. Isabella really loves her Uncle Pete!

My daughter, Teri, has been working hard in Medical Assistant school (has made the President's list and received awards for perfect attendance) and will be starting her externship shortly. Wonderful to see that she found her calling.

My Chinese Crested, Abby, has developed some kind of endocrine imbalance. The vet suspects Cushing's disease. That could mean only another 2 years or so for her. I took her off organic kibble and she is now eating REAL food with me...and she loves her veggies along with her meat!

Then there is Mollie -- that's her photo on my blog -- she has suffered with hip dysplasia since she was a pup. Last August she was in such pain I almost had to take that dreaded trip to the vet. Then I decided to try Reiki on her...wow did it work! She went from 6 pain pills a day to none (slowly, of course) and started acting like a puppy. During the last few weeks of December she started acting like she was hurting again but didn't want Reiki...which was unusual. Then, when I got home on the 3rd of January she could barely get out of her crate. I had to help her up the 2-in step at the door, on to the couch, and she could barely lay down. Back on the pain pills she went...but they didn't help. Then she let me know it was time. She was a wonderful companion for 10-1/2 years; but, now she is playing with her old friend Chiquita. I bet they are having a blast!

Back to Abby for a minute...she is still mourning the loss of her friend, Mollie. This is the first time Abby has been an only dog.

Well, that pretty much catches you up on what's been happening with me.

Namaste.