Twice is Nice Resale Store: Medaryville, Indiana

Twice is Nice Consignment in Medaryville, Indiana is a bargain lover’s dream come true!

This enormous mom and pop business offers a huge selection of stuff–and you will find something you just can’t live without. Consider yourself warned.

Medaryville, Indiana: Twice as Nice

Pulling up into the spacious parking lot in this small Indiana town, you can’t miss all the stuff.

Kids toys take up a whole lot of space: from riders to walkers to trikes and bikes, any kid of any age could probably find something to bring home! Once you head inside, you’ll find even more kid and baby things–starting with a massive rack devoted to clothing and loads of toys.

But it’s not all about the kids. There are racks of name brand adult clothing, shoes, home decor, a smattering of Indiana antiques, and so much more.

Thrifty Fun in Indiana

Twice as Nice Resale Store: Medaryville, Indiana

You may not know it, but I love board games. I mean, I love board games!

We have quite a collection and a day doesn’t go by that I don’t play something with my kids or the kids next door. Whomever I can get.

So when I saw a sign labeled “All games $1″ you better believe I put down the camera and rifled. Oh, and purchased! What a deal.

I just couldn’t pass up the chance to add in a few vintage games to our rotation. How fun is that?

Go There

Twice is Nice Resale Store: Medaryville, Indiana

The owner of Twice is Nice says she receives a lot of traffic from the nearby campground–folks who forgot to bring a certain item and hope to find a gently used replacement.

But I can tell you this: There’s nothing skimpy about this giant shop. At six years old, this mom and pop is going strong!

If shelves, racks, and boxes full of things just waiting to be looked over sounds like a good time to you, then Twice is Nice is the shop for which you’ve been waiting!

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em little Indiana sent you.

Find Twice is Nice Resale Store images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Twice Is Nice Resale Store
14990 W 400 N
Medaryville, Indiana
219.789.6760 or 219.789.6751

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Travel Indiana RED Free Subway Art Printable by little Indiana/Jessica Nunemaker

Since I don’t have a crafting bone in my body (Candie Cooper I am not), this is the closest I have ever come to creating something I am totally and completely in love with since the pet rock I made in Girl Scouts. Just to test it, the red version has been sitting, framed, in my living room for the past month. Yup, still in love!

Keep Calm Free Subway Art Printable

I take great pride in my state. I guess when you’ve been to so many little Indiana towns and met so many incredible people along the way…well, your state doesn’t seem quite so impersonal.

Indiana is not just a farming state. It’s not just an Indy 500 kind of state. No, it’s a friendly state. A place where people still wave, smile, or at least give the head nod while walking past you downtown–if they don’t stop and ask you how you are doing outright!

It’s where Summer nights are spent on porches watching the world go by. Where everyone is so interconnected it can take a lifetime to figure it all out!

So, enjoy. Download these freebie subway art printables on your home printer and give yourself the constant reminder that the state we live in is pretty darn great.

If you need more of a reminder, watch the What is little Indiana video once or twice. That will certainly give you the inspiration you need!

Keep Calm and Travel Indiana Red Subway Art_merged

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

Download Free Indiana Subway Art

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that  little Indiana sent you!

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2. What is little Indiana? Travel Video in Wabash, Indiana
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Best Cookie Recipes: S'mores Cookies

There is nothing easier to make than a S’more–but these S’mores Cookies Recipe, though only slightly more work, don’t require a campfire!

Soft and chewy, they are incredible warm from the oven. It is impossible to only eat one (or two or four, whatev).

What could be more fun to bring to carry-ins or the annual neighborhood block party than these tasty little bites of childhood baked right in? Nothing!

S’Mores Cookies Recipe

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that  little Indiana sent you!

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Indiana Blogs: Don Sedberry

Don Sedberry is an Indiana blog named for its author: Don Sedberry!

This blog covers a wide range of topics, from education to technology, to creative writing and the definition of evil (which takes the shape of Teletubbies, and I so agree)–in a thought-provoking and usually humorous way.

Read it not only because it’ll get your brain thinking, but because he married one of my high school best friend’s sister! So, you know, he’s good people.

Indiana Blogs: Don Sedberry

Why did you start Don Sedberry, the Blog?
When I started my current website, Don Sedberry, I didn’t have the faintest idea what I was eventually going to do with it. I started out with an idea in my head that I would post some course work, graphic designs, and make it an online portfolio/resume. How boring!

In late 2011, I started putting together a list of potential New Year’s resolutions. This list continued to grow until it was no longer a list of resolutions but a roadmap for following my heart. I changed my New Year’s Resolution from a convoluted mess into three simple words. “Just Do It.”

Instead of talking about it, I just started doing. I attended writing workshops, I started writing again and I began the blog featured here.

It is my intent that my blog serve as a voice of both my mind and the other “creatives” in hiding who might need just a little gentle nudge of encouragement to pursue their passions.

I’ve been blogging, off and on, since 2002. My other blogs were mostly personal reflections and anonymous experiments in writing styles. This time, I have decided to share who I am without the guise of a pseudonym.

What about that name? What made you decide to blog under your actual name?
In retrospect, I always wanted my website to be a résumé. What better way is there for people to fully understand who I am than to also allow them to see what I am passionate about through my blogging?

What are three of your most favorite posts?
You know, that is an excellent question! I hadn’t really thought about it before now.

• Fear and the Pursuit of Dreams
  This post is about how tough it is to face down your fears and really do the stuff that dreams are made of. I talk about how I dreamed about being a writer and how I always allowed my fear of rejection to shoot down those thoughts in my head. Also, I discuss taking the chances necessary to make your dreams possible.
• Boredom and the Art of Procrastination
  In this one I write about a discovery made in boredom and how what you do when you’re bored being a good predictor for the things you really should be doing. All that “fun” stuff you do when you do when you’re procrastinating is most likely a good sign of the work you really want to be doing.
• Unleashed: A curious bit of follow up
  This is one of my favorites, but it’s not about creativity as some of my other posts are. It covers some of my thoughts. It’s actually a follow-up to a previous post that in which I didn’t quite get my point across. This was one of my learning moments while blogging. I was too afraid of everyone’s reactions to the first post, It’s a Curious Bit of Culture, to write what I was really thinking and feeling. Instead of writing the post that I intended to write I ended up doing a lot of fence-sitting. In “Unleashed,” I get off the fence. I really loved writing the post and learning the very valuable lesson about my writing.

What keeps you ready and raring to post? Why do you blog?
My wife, Laura, can certainly tell you that I have my fair share of thoughts. I am fairly certain that I drive her crazy the way I constantly process and analyze everything from advertisements to song lyrics. With all these thoughts rolling around in my head, there’s usually enough material for three to four posts at any given time.

I write as a therapy to get those thoughts out, to maybe help someone else, and to save Laura from hearing all about it! A teacher I had growing up told me something that has stuck with me for a long time. She told me, (paraphrasing) “It does not matter to me whether or not I reach everyone in the class. It only matters that I reach someone. That someone is all that matters.”

That’s how I view my blog, if it helps one person, if it makes even the smallest difference, I’m happy. If my readers enjoy the post, I’m happy. I’m happy because I am writing.

Are there any topics rattling around that you feel like you should write but have put off because it’s too hard or too soon?
There is! “Education: Why I no longer care about my degree?” It’s tough to write because there are so many factors in the cost of education and so many theories out there. I am very excited about the challenge.

How did you find writing? Have you always been a writer?
As long as I can remember, I have been writing. My mother likes to remind me that there are a couple of sheets of paper in a cedar chest that suggest I’ve been writing stories for as long as I’ve been able to express myself with words on paper.

Does that mean I’ve always been a writer? I’d like to think so. Have I always been true to what I am? No, and that’s why my blog exists. It serves as a reminder to me and hopefully as an inspiration to others.

If you had to name five authors as your all time faves…who would they be?

• Rainer Marie Rilke – A friend gave me a copy of “Letters to a Young Poet” and I can honestly say it changed everything for me.
• Edgar Allan Poe
• Charles Dickens
• Chuck Palahniuk
• Michael Crichton

Is there anything else that you would like little Indiana readers to know?
I truly hope that each and every one of you are following your passions. If you’re not or you’re curious about the journey, please stop by Don Sedberry. There’s bound to be something interesting! You can also sign up for email notifications of new posts.

Finally, I love conversation and feedback. I’m reachable via the website, @DonSedberry on Twitter and don@donsedberry.com. If you have ideas, suggestions or just want to share your story with me I would love to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me!

Creatively Writing

Do you feel inspired to pick up your pen (or hop on your laptop) and finally start that novel? I thought so! Thanks to Don for stopping by little Indiana today and sharing his world with us.

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This week was a busy one! From a small town art gallery that’s big on selection to a train museum to an Indiana winery, here’s an easy way to get your Summer travel groove on.

little Indiana Week in Review

Monon Connection Museum in Monon, Indiana

Gallery on the Square Artists Co-op in Danville, Indiana – This gallery offers fine art, pottery, wood-working, and more from quite the range of local artists!

Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe – There are chocolate cupcake recipes, and then there are chocolate cupcake recipes! This one really takes the cake.

French Lick Winery Free Wine Tasting in French Lick, Indiana – Embarrassed by your lack of Indiana wine knowledge? Me too! But don’t worry–the friendly folks at French Lick Winery will help you out!

Jasper, Indiana: Dubois County Museum – Allow two hours for this massive museum! From tractors to trains and even a full-sized log cabin, I don’t think they could pack anything else into this amazing attraction.

Monon Connection Museum Images from Monon, Indiana – Considered to be the most detailed train museum in the whole world, this is an absolute must-see! Take it from me, they don’t get much better than this!

That’s a Wrap

Find pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream or on the new little Indiana Tumblr blog.

Just don’t forget to tell ‘em that  little Indiana sent you!

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While the in-article Google maps are helpful, I wanted more. My favorite feature (and the one that took me forever to do) is the smart mapping.

little Indiana iPhone App

little Indiana iPhone App

Let your phone pinpoint your exact location–and show you all the mom and pop businesses that I have personally visited that are right around you!

Toggle between three choices: Stay, Play, and Eat.

Stay equals lodging like Indiana bed and breakfasts or inns that I have personally visited. Eat are the restaurants, bakeries, candy stores, etc. where I’ve eaten. Play is everything else from attractions like Holiday World to old Pioneer Cemeteries to Indiana bridges.

Get more info about a particular place directly from the mapping screen. See any of my suggestions, like a house specialty or little-known tip, and read the original article on little Indiana.

More than Mapping

While the mapping function will make you wonder how you ever lived without it, there are other features!

In case you hadn’t noticed, the little Indiana Facebook Fan Page is pretty busy and full of conversation–and is now easy to access right from the little Indiana App. Twitter, too.

You will also find the most recent articles listed for little Indiana and little Indiana Businesses. Have something to say? Post it on the “Fan Wall” right within the App!

If you are lucky, in the future you may even come across a special deal just for little Indiana readers.

Labor of Love

Since little Indiana frequently travels and updates–so too will this app! You’ll discover updates to reflect the most recent articles on little Indiana once a week.

That means there will always be something new to discover and explore. This is little Indiana’s 500th post don’t'cha know! But you wouldn’t expect any less now, would you?

Don’t miss a moment. Subscribe to little Indiana and receive instant updates to stay on top of everything “little.”

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Indiana Blogs: Boilermarker Ag

Boilermaker Ag is an Indiana blog that shares the agriculture news that you need to know. Think of it as your link between farmer and consumer.

As a non-farmer and someone pretty much clueless about the farming process, Boilermarker Ag covers the relevant topics of the day. Relevant and insightful, she keeps busy dissecting the latest agricultural news!

From a peek inside a packing plant to the truth about pink slime, Chelsea is on it. As a former ag student, she’s got the connections and know-how to get to the heart of any issue.

Indiana Blogs: Boilermaker Ag

Why did you start Boilermaker Ag?
I started Boilermaker Ag as an assignment in a communications class at Purdue. I’ve been blogging for two years and I love it.

What about that name? Why Boilermaker Ag?
In that college class, we were supposed to pick a topic we enjoyed so I decided to cover events and happenings in the College of Ag at Purdue. Thus, Boilermaker Ag was born as a mesh of the two.

Since then, my blog has evolved a little bit, but I still love my Alma mater and the name is unique so I decided to keep it. I still blog on Purdue events occasionally so it still fits.

What are three of your most favorite posts?

• Beef is Red, Right?
• Break out the Blue Jackets-It’s National FFA Week!
• Food Check Out Week

What keeps you ready and raring to post? Why do you blog?
I blog because I like to express myself through writing, I enjoy sharing fun events and happenings with others, and the main reason is because I am passionate about agriculture.

I was an Ag Communications major and as I mention in my “Beef is Red, Right?” blog, there is a disconnect between the consumers and the agricultural industry. I enjoy helping educate people about agriculture and I like to know other people’s opinions about certain topics. That disconnect and people’s questions about the industry is what keeps me ready and raring to post.

If I can help teach someone at least one new thing, that is a success for me. I know more people out there have questions so my goal is to help answer them or point them in the right direction as well as “AGvocate” for the industry.

Is there anything that you would like to set the record straight on, ag-wise? You know, anything that people seem to commonly believe but that is so completely false?
One major thing being misinformed about in today’s world is that farmers and producers don’t care about the land or their animals. There have been a lot of negative articles about farmers being reckless in using their land and chemicals, but the truth is that farming is their living. It’s how they make money.

If they don’t take care of their land or their animals, they won’t produce a quality product. If they don’t product a quality product, they don’t make a profit. Some would disagree with that saying, well, ‘they don’t care what kind of product they put out because they get paid regardless,’ but that isn’t true.

The one common link between all of us is that everyone has to eat. Why would they want to put out a bad product if they have to go to the grocery store and buy that bad quality product? They wouldn’t. They buy the same things as you and I so their goal is to make sure it is safe for everyone, including their own family.

I could go on forever on this topic; it could be a whole blog by itself. And now that I think of it, I will write a blog on it!

The radio is on. What’s playing?
Jason Aldean, “Fly Over States” because I’m from Indiana and I love the song and what it represents.

Is there anything else that you would like little Indiana readers to know?
I have two tips for people if they are searching for great small Indiana businesses. (Shameless plug)

If you are ever in southern Indiana, Selvin, Indiana is a great little place to visit. It is in Warrick Co. right off of St. Rd. 68 toward Lynnville.

It has a cool little “Selvin General Store” with a lot of historic things and GREAT burgers! Also, Selvin’s main attraction is the popular campground Yellowbanks which has a swimming lake, hand-built log cabins, campsites, and soft-serve ice cream that’s worth writing home about.

It’s a popular campsite for people visiting Holiday World in Santa Claus as it is only 15 minutes away. My grandparents own them. Definitely worth checking out!

If anyone has any more questions, feel free to contact me through my blog or Twitter account: @Chelsea_PA

In the Know about Ag!

Is that an interesting read or is that an interesting read! Thanks to Chelsea Nord for popping over to little Indiana today and sharing her world.

Don’t miss a moment. Subscribe to little Indiana and receive instant updates to stay on top of everything “little.”

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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little Indiana Pitch: Produced by JBH Productions

I don’t think big city producer Jesse Harper of JBH Productions quite understood the popularity behind little Indiana.

I know he must have thought it was a good idea (or else why would he want to waste film on it) but I don’t think he understood why so many people were interested.

WHY are there so many readers and such a large ever-growing Facebook Fan Page for a site about Indiana towns? To think of 50,000  people a month reading about small towns by the beginning of Summer…it’s a lot to take in.

But something happened while on location in Wabash, Indiana.

Filming in Wabash

It began at Wabash County Historical Museum and Modoc’s Market, and continued while we visited Eagles Theater, Charley Creek Inn, Ellen’s A Dress Shop, and Market Street Grill. We didn’t even get to some of my favorite haunts, like Jack in the Box Children’s Consignment or Reading Room Books. But I do believe that after touring incredible place after incredible place–he had a light bulb kind of moment! An “aha!” if you will.

Maybe it was the fact that Wabash, Indiana is a beautiful Indiana town—visually, it’s stunning. Or maybe it’s the fact that we bumped elbows at an artsy gallery, reconnecting with folks we’d seen throughout the day, who spoke with us as though we were friends. Otherwise, it could have been that small town attitude. In this Indiana town? Everyone cared.

Of course, since the producer may have made a retail purchase or two, (which I don’t think he expected to see anything worth buying), those small town prices may have helped a bit too! Kidding aside, those heartfelt words of thanks meant a lot.

It wasn’t just little Indiana and JBH Productions working hard filming, it was the entire town cheering us on and ready to step in and help any way they could. Everywhere we went, we were sincerely thanked just for our presence. JUST for being there. That had to make an impression.

The Thank You

little Indiana Pitch

It seems like such a little thing: a thank you. Doesn’t it? But in small towns, it’s sort of what we do–and I think it’s lost in the city. No, I know that the “thank you” is lost in the city. I’ve lived in a few of them. But here? It’s a way of life.

It’s funny. When we got home from shooting the pitch, a man was walking his dog and stopped for a minute so my boys could visit. I have a container to return to a neighbor that she had loaded up with fresh squash. I’ll probably sneak a homemade treat inside as a return thank you.

I can expect a friend to drop off farm fresh eggs before she carries on with her day “just because.” I’m already looking forward to the annual neighborhood circus and block party–and it is months away. A small town is full of meaningful moments in the every day.

Without you, loyal readers, this wouldn’t be possible. Sure, it hasn’t been picked up by a network yet–that’s a bit of a process so we’ll be playing the waiting game, however–there’s a chance. A chance to share little Indiana in a whole new way and to reach more people than ever before! And that just blows me away.

My Thank You’s…

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for sitting down and taking the time to send me your personal emails as though we were neighbors discussing life over a cup of coffee. Thank you for forcing me to slow down and respond and appreciate the small town hub that little Indiana has become. Thank you for becoming such actively involved Facebook fans. But most of all, thank you for creating such a vibrant online community in little Indiana!

little Indiana Pitch: Produced by JBH Productions

Small towns are destinations—not drive-throughs. Stay on top of the pitching process and help JBH Productions and little Indiana get it out there.

Special thank you to the businesses mentioned above as well as Emily Perkins of Wabash County Historical Museum, Jo and Joyce at Artistica Gallery, Lisa Keffaber of Ellen’s A Dress to Impress Shop, Angie and Mike Beauchamp of Modoc’s Market, and Bill Gerding of Market Street Grill (as well as our server for her sense of humor).

A big howdy to Jason and Alison McClure at McClure’s Orchard, Candie Cooper, Terri and Kelley at Dorothy-Ilene’s, and the man on the street with the rose-colored glasses.

Big thanks to JBH Productions owner Jesse Harper for his fantastic direction, Rick Allen of Key Lime Films for his great eye, and Christine Flohr of Wabash County CVB for arranging our stay (and enduring my multiple phone calls)! My opinions remain mine and mine alone (as always).

Find Pilot episode images and other pictures in Wabash, Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Wabash, Indiana in Wabash County

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Consider subscribing via email or RSS feed to little Indiana. Don’t miss a moment!

Sincerely,
Jessica Nunemaker
Social Media Cupcake/Small Town Explorer

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

Targeted. Relevant. Affordable! little Indiana advertising.

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Indiana Blogs: Cindy's Cancer Journey of Hope

Cindy’s Cancer Journey of Hope is all about survival. If ever there was a blog that served to inspire and  cheer–this would be it!

Rather than gloom and doom, Cindy has kept going and kept a detailed record of her experience with breast cancer. April  7 marks the date when this grandma plans on getting a pink ribbon tattoo on her wrist as a permanent reminder of her one year “Cancerversary.”

In other words: She is awesome. Cindy is learning to appreciate life all over again and in my opinion, it is an exciting and fun journey in which to follow along!

Indiana Blogs: Cindy’s Cancer Journey of Hope

Why did you start Cindy’s Cancer Journey of Hope?
When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2011, I knew I would keep a journal, as that’s the kind of person I am.  I have always liked writing and knew I wanted to remember the road I was about to go down and be able to look back and see how far I had come.

Having medical problems in years past, I realized how fast you can forget some things and knew a journal would help me document everything to refer back to.  I also knew I would take pictures along the way.  I have family and friends who would want to keep up with my health progress, so I decided to keep the journal online so they could keep up with my treatments and progress.

This way I wouldn’t have to remember what I told to whom and they could read it as they got the chance.  I was familiar with blogging as I also have a Stamp Blog for my Stampin’ Up business.

What about that name? Why Cindy’s Cancer Journey of Hope?
Well, I’m not good at coming up with clever names…lol…although later I thought maybe I should have called my blog “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”!   I knew from the get-go that I was going to face this life-threatening disease with HOPE.

Many people have told me I was strong, but when I think about it……what other choice is there?  To not be strong would be to give up…and I knew I wouldn’t do that.  I knew God had promised to be by my side and with Him there, I knew there was always HOPE. 

What are three of your most favorite posts?
Oh my….I never thought about that.  Let me go take a look.  LOL!

• Surgery Went Well and I’m Doing Fantastic — Ok, this was a tough one!  I have selected the post about my bilateral masectomy, as this was the day I got that nasty cancer removed from my body! It is a good reminder of the day and the doctors and nurses who were taking such good care of me and my family and friends who were there with me to support me through this surgery.  Having such compassionate doctors and nurses and my family and friends there made a rough day much better.  I had such a peace and knew all was going to go well.

• So Much to Be Thankful For– At Thanksgiving I reflected on all that I have to be thankful for.  This is one of my favorite posts as it reminds me of all the blessings I had in spite of having cancer.  I never want to forget to give thanks for all that God has blessed me with.

• Oh What a Year 2011 Was — This next posting I selected pretty well summed up my year of fighting cancer….in pictures.  I am of so thankful I took so many pictures!  It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come now and brings me special memories of people I met along the way and makes me smile.

What keeps you ready and raring to post? Why do you blog?
At first I began blogging about my cancer journey for myself and to keep my family and friends up to date.  Then after hearing from people across the country….strangers….I realized it was much more than I realized.  I came to realize that God was using my blog to help others.

This has been a driving force to continue to share my journey….and I have prayed for God to use my blog/journey to help others.  Blogging also became very therapeutic for me, as well.  As my treatments were coming to an end, I wasn’t sure if I should continue my blog, but others told me they wish I would, so I continue to blog even though there is less and less blogging about health issues…which is a good thing.

But, now I feel like my blogging can give hope to others that there is “life beyond cancer” and hopefully if someone is just beginning their journey, they will be able to see how I am today and know that they too can make it!

You cover a lot of personal topics and emotional issues when dealing with your cancer experience–was it hard to open up like that?
It really hasn’t been hard to open up….I guess I’m just not a real private person.  I’ve pretty much been an “open book” about my experience….all aspects of it.  I wanted to be open and honest about the journey in the hopes of taking some of the fear out of it for my friends and family and even for strangers who may be reading my blog.

I wanted to give HOPE to others who may find themselves facing cancer someday and show them that they can do it and even find many blessings in the midst of the journey.  I didn’t want to hide the treatments and the loss of hair, etc. as i feel it makes it less scary to be open about it.  A lot of fear comes from the “unknown” and if I could help someone else not be so fearful by sharing my experience, I wanted God to use it.

What has been the most surprising aspect of your journey so far?
I think two things have been the most surprising.  I was surprised by the reaction of some of my friends in the beginning, as I felt like I made them “uncomfortable” when I told them.  I sensed they didn’t want me to talk about it and at first it hurt me….then I came to realize it came from their own fears.

I think personally knowing someone with cancer makes it more “real” that it can happen to anyone.  I wasn’t prepared by the silence at first, but they came around to realizing it was ok to ask questions and talk with me about it.

The other surprising thing was the number of people I would run into that I was so blessed by!  I referred to a lot of incidences as “God moments!”  Complete strangers would gravitate to me and be so kind and caring and I was just truly blessed.  The compassion shown by people was amazing and truly kept me going at times.

My sister (who fought breast cancer the year before me) and I would be blessed by people everywhere we went….waiters, waitresses, sales clerks, just everyone!  You truly have no idea what a small gesture can mean to someone fighting cancer!

Is there anything you want to say to readers who may be dealing with cancer treatments right now?
Be proactive and learn everything you can about your disease! Not all breast cancer is the same!  If you don’t understand something, ask your doctors!   Take notes at the doctor’s office.  If he uses a word you don’t understand, look it up or ask them to explain it to you!  Google became my best friend!

You need to educate yourself about your particular disease and treatments and understand what is going on with you and any treatments, surgery, etc. that is recommended.  Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor anything!  The more you understand about your treatment, the less fearful you will be, plus I believe knowledge about your disease is power.  I also recommend that you get treated at a Breast Center where they specialize in your breast health.

Don’t shut people out!  I know some people are more private about their journey than I am and that is certainly ok.  But, be open to God’s blessings that may come to you on your journey from strangers, as well as family and friends.  The support from others is a tremendous help!

I would also recommend finding a good support group.  Talking with people who have “been there, done that” can help so much!  Surround yourself with positive people and stay away from what I call the “doom and gloomers”.  Cancer is not an instant death sentence like years past.  Never give up hope….be ready to fight it!

Keep a positive attitude.  I truly do believe your attitude will help you through it.  And keep a sense of humor….it can help you a lot!  You don’t realize how strong you can be until you have no other choice!

I also suggest that you keep a journal….even if it’s just notations on your calendar.  You will want to remember certain dates and you will be surprised how hard it is to recall later on.  I also highly suggest that you take pictures!  I tried to get pictures of my sister the year before when she was fighting her cancer, but she didn’t want any.  Later she wished she had that picture when she was bald and looked just like daddy or when she was going into surgery, etc.  You don’t need to show anyone else if you don’t want to…but do the journals and pictures for yourself!

Do you have a life motto or quote that keeps you going when times get touch?
When I was on chemo, my motto of “this too shall pass” helped me through the bad times.  I knew I would feel bad for a certain number of days but I also knew there would be a time I would turn around.  So, I just accepted that I would have a certain number of good days out of the month and when I felt bad I’d remind myself that “this too shall pass”.

Also the promise of God that He will be with me was a great comfort and gave me such a peace.  He never promised that I would not have troubles, but He did promise to be at my side and I leaned on that promise!

My other motto was to tell the doctors before surgery that they could do anything as long as they put me to sleep.  lol!  Now that I’m at the end of my treatments….just finishing up my reconstruction….my motto is to not sweat the small stuff and to enjoy life…to live out loud!

Is there anything else that you would like little Indiana readers to know?
Yes, please get your mammograms.  Never skip them!  The key to less treatments and a better chance of survival is early detection!  Don’t have a false security that you can’t get breast cancer because there is no family history in your family.  The fact is….80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history.

It just so happens that my mom and sister were diagnosed with breast cancer just the year before me…..before that we had no family history….then all of a sudden we have 3 in our family diagnosed within 15 months.   Furthermore, I had the genetic testing done and it was found that I did not have the gene that is known to cause breast cancer.

Before my mom and sister and I were diagnosed, I hate to admit that a really knew very little about breast cancer.  I have since learned that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed and as we age, our risk gets higher.  Also, any men readers….watch for any lumps on your chest area, as men can also get breast cancer!

So, please remember to do self exams and get your mammograms once a year!  And if anyone out there ever wants to talk with me about it, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I want to thank Jessica for this opportunity to reach out and help others and if you find yourself facing this battle, I’m here for you.  I would love to hear from you!

Living Out  Loud

Cindy is living life to the fullest–and loving every minute. Thanks to this Hoosier blogger for sharing her (recovering) world with little Indiana.

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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While plants and flowers normally shy away from me (I’m not so good about that whole watering business), The Flower Shoppe II in  Delphi, Indiana made me feel like I really can do this!

She has such a fantastic selection of plants and flowers in all shapes, sizes, and hardiness, that it brought out the green thumb in me. I think it might just have the same effect on you! You won’t want to miss this Carroll County business for sure.

The Flower Shoppe II Images from Delphi, Indiana

Delphi, Indiana: The Flower Shoppe II

Delphi, Indiana: The Flower Shoppe II

Delphi, Indiana: The Flower Shoppe II

Delphi, Indiana: The Flower Shoppe II

Delphi, Indiana: The Flower Shoppe II

Find The Flower Shoppe II images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

The Flower Shoppe II
102 East Main Street
Delphi, Indiana 46923
765.564.2597

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