questioned if I was going to make it through the week.
And yesterday, while writing a report at work on my computer,
I totally did the head nod thing where my head fell down
and I had to jerk it up and act like I hadn’t just fallen asleep.
Good times.
Well. you are going to love them even more when I tell you the story behind them.
Meet my friend Tracy.
She is one of the most awesome people I know!
She is an inspiration to me, and I know she will be to you too!
Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 29.
She is now 34, and she has had it 3 times.
I should probably give that a minute to let it sink in.
After the first diagnosis, she had a double mastectomy and went through chemo.
She was declared cancer free!
We were all so thankful.
Then just 1 short year later, it came back.
She had the tumor removed, and she went through chemo and radiation this time.
They thought they beaten it again.
But it came back.
In November of last year, they found out it had metastasized to one of her lungs.
She then underwent her 3rd round of chemo in 4 years.
Can you even imagine?
I can’t.
All I know that anytime I get sick for 1 day and am feeling sorry for myself, I think of Tracy.
And each time I call her and go on and on about how I don’t know how she got through those days.
There is no way around it……
Tracy is AMAZING.
In the face of such adversity, she remained an awesome mom, friend, and wife.
She is going to be mad at me for saying that, but it is absolutely true
Shut it Tracy.
It’s true! 🙂
We are SO grateful to God that not only is the tumor in her lung not growing….
it has (AGAINST ALL ODDS) shrunk to NOTHING.
Thank you Jesus! 🙂
So where to the bracelets come in?
Well, after her last round of chemo, Tracy was battling some pretty serious neuropathy in her hands. Basically, pins and needle pain (think how much it hurts when your foot falls asleep) in her hands pretty much 24/7.
She started making these bracelets as a way to keep her hands active.
Well, she found out she enjoyed it and her neuropathy seemed to be decreasing.
That’s what I call a WIN-WIN.
So, now she sells these bracelets!
AND LUCKY YOU…
She is giving away one of them this weekend!
All you have to do is simply leave a comment saying which of the 4 bracelets you would choose if you were to win!
*the turquoise and zebra breast cancer bracelet
*the pink and black love bracelet
*the silver and black cross bracelet
*the silver and turquoise feather bracelet
Imagine what an AWESOME gift the breast cancer bracelet would be to a friend or family member that is battling cancer herself!
Tracy also takes special orders, so you can e-mail her directly at ooosparklyinfo@gmail.com and make a request.
Or you can go to her Ooo Sparkly website to see some of her other pieces!
She can make just about any type of “awareness” bracelet that you can think of, and she can also make bracelets that are sports team oriented. Or, if you just have a special something you love, she will find a charm to represent your request and include it in the bracelet. For example, if your daughter loves dragonflies, she will make you a dragonfly bracelet! Or, if you son’s football team colors are blue and yellow, she can make a pretty bracelet for the team moms!
(Bracelets typically run anywhere from $10-$40 depending on the type and size of the beads as well as the type of charm that you choose.}
SO….go leave a comment right now and Good Luck! The contest closes Sunday at 10:00 p.m., and I will announce the winner on Monday morning!
And remember, just shoot her an e-mail if you would like to order one of you very own!
2)
Okay…my next obsession has to do with my friend Shay.
Are you guys jealous of my friends yet?
Cause you totally should be.
I’ve got some seriously awesome friends. 🙂
{Shay and lots of my other friends cooked 3 meals a week for Tracy for several months during her chemo after her last diagnosis. Some of them had never even met Tracy before, but they prayed for her and cooked for her and her family. It made me love my friends even more than I ever thought possible. I will never be able to thank them enough for that. }
Well, Shay has a personal blog that many of you might be interested in reading (especially come January when she will be doing weekly posts on the new season of The Bachelor featuring her little brother!)
Shay also has an AWESOME food blog called Mix and Match Mama,
and I am totally obsessed with it.
I pin one of her recipes every single morning.
Her post yesterday was one of the best things that has ever come out of her kitchen.
Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes.
HOLY FALL BATMAN!
They were DELICIOUS and PERFECT for the season!
She has the yummiest recipes that are all super easy and family friendly.
What about her Sour Cream and Chicken Enchilada Stack?
Or her Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings?
Or perhaps you would like to try what she’s known for, one of the
62 bundt cakes she has featured to date.
I have friends that read her blog now that text me a pic every time that they make one of her recipes, and they are always a hit.
3)
Thought I would end with something fashiony.
I will do so by introducing you to a blog I found just this week.
It’s called WINE TASTE GIRL, and her tag line is “Shopping With Wine Taste on a Beer Budget“.
Cute! And you all know how I love a good bargain!
I also LOVE a good trench coat, and she happened to have a post devoted to trenches on Wednesday.
Isn’t Shannon super cute with her trench and her bun?!?
She features 4 trench coats that range from $50-$90.
She also has this post on ankle booties for under $100!
Go check Shannon out!
Hope everybody has a wonderful weekend!
Remember you still have time to shop my Stella and Dot catalog show if you’re interested!
Just click HERE to shop.
And please, let’s just hope and pray that the hubby doesn’t check the credit card statement to closely after all the damage I did. And if he does, pray that I can convince him that Stella and Dot is a hunting equipment store and I was just doing some early Christmas shopping for him.
Yes. That’s what I’m going with.
🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Eeks! There is too much goodness in this one post! I'm supposed to be working but I'm too consumed with your top 3 things! First, I want all of Tracy's bracelets…but if I have to pick, I want the turquoise and zebra one! Yay for Friday! XOXO
Jim and Shannon says
I would want the turquoise one with the leaf! Beautiful story!
Shannon Norris
Stacy says
They are all beautiful but I would choose the turquoise and zebra one.
Stacy Y
Christine Gottemoller says
Wow! Tracy's story is just amazing!
I love all of the bracelets but I think my favorite is the turquoise and silver feather bracelet.
Sassy says
There is nothing about fun beaded bracelets that I don't like! I would want the turquoise and zebra I think!!! If I had one made I would want our baseball colors-maroon and black!!!! So fun!
Sassy says
Couldn't see on my phone but the turq and zebra has the breast cancer awareness ribbon on the heart-EVEN better! I love that! What an incredible story!
Amy says
I love the silver and black cross bracelet! What a beautiful story!
Kelly says
I love the one with the cross charm. What an amazing girl she is!!
Allison says
I would pick the breast cancer one for my step-mom who was diagnosed this year.
Mrs. Crazy says
turquoise and zebra breast cancer bracelet, in honor of my Mom, who is a survivor! 18mo cancer free!! Woot Woot
Nikki Dargatz says
I bought the turquoise and zebra one for a friend with cancer and love it. I would want that one for myself. Tracy is an inspiration.
Emily | Recently says
I'm so inspired by women like her, who remain positive and productive through such trials. Amazing! I would loooove the turquoise feather bracelet if I won. All of them are adorable!
Christy says
What an amazing, amazing story and a very special woman! I love the black and silver cross bracelet!
Tracy says
Sheaffer, you are making me blush! Thank you for everything you've done to support me through all of this! The girls that fed me during chemo will always have a very special place in my heart…especially Shay who would leave sweets on my doorstep because she knew I was having trouble keeping my weight up. I was surrounded by love!
Right now I'm feeling good! And thanks to your blog I'm not wearing pajama pants and slippers everyday. My family thanks you!!!
Sarah Tucker says
You have SUCH sweet friends! Praying for Tracy! What a strong women!
Hines-Catch-Up says
I love all of those bracelets, but I would have to go with the feather one. Long story short (sort of)…when my dad passed away 3 months ago, I was told by several people to look for pennies on the ground and that those were pennies sent from Heaven. I had been reading stories about different people's encounters with pennies after their loved ones passed away and came across stories about feathers as well. These stories were touching and while I believe in God and in "signs" so to speak, I wasn't sold. The next day I was telling my husband about the feather stories and then we went on about our day. The next day which was a Saturday (4 days after he passed), my hubby said we should go to my dad's favorite place to eat which happened to be a pub I had never been to. My dad spent a lot of time eating lunch there and became friends with all the staff….he even had a burger named after him on the menu! 😉 Well, we sat down and ate and visited with several people that knew my dad. They shared stories and it was a nice time. We finished up and went to leave and my 4 year old daughter looked down right by our booth and said, "look mom, a feather". I almost passed out! This place was very dark, no windows and had a set of doors you walked through to get in, then you had to go through another set of doors, so it would have been odd for it just to blow in. I picked up the feather and still have it to this day! I have researched the topic more and several people consider a feather as a sign that the person has made it to Heaven and they send a feather down to let you know!! Sorry for the novel, but know you can see why I would pick the feather!! Love it!
Lindsay
http://www.hines-catch-up.blogspot.com
Jenny says
What a miracle Tracy is!! I'm so inspired by her! I'd have to say that your friends are very blessed as well though because, although I don't know you, you speak so highly & sweetly of your friends and that is definitely a wonderful friendship characteristic to have. 🙂
I'd have to choose the zebra/breast cancer bracelet. I have a very very healthy love for all things zebra print, I lost my great-grandmother to breast cancer, and my aunt is a survivor. Breast cancer support & research are very near and dear to my heart. <3
Blessings,
Jenny
http://www.fearendswherefaithbegins.blogspot.com
Steve says
Gorgeous bracelets, with a wonderful story behind them! It would be an honor to wear one made by Tracy. I would choose the turquoise and zebra.
Rachel says
Oops! The Steve comment above was actually from me, but I didn't realize he was signed in. I don't think my husband is interested in the bracelet, but I am 😉
Michelle Morphis says
I have been friends with Shay FOREVER and due to following her blogs have found yours. I love your blog & check it everyday! Tracy's story is an inspiration and I pray God continue to touch & bless her! I would love the zebra & turquoise breast cancer bracelet (although they are ALL great!) to wear in honor of my mom, grandmother & aunt who have all battled & won the fight against breast cancer!
Anonymous says
I love the turquioise & zebra bracelet. Thanks for the chance to win!
jennifer.ewc09@yahoo.com
Helene says
umm what a great post!! love it!
Andrea {blonde ambitions} says
Such a great post Sheaffer! What great friends Tracy has! I am also a follower of Shannon's blog and love her posts on all of the affordable clothes and shoes!
jen says
What a post! I come here each day for the fashion and funnies- you are hilarious and stylish…but today's post, wow. I read it 3 times while holding my sleeping baby boy. Life is precious. God is great. This story gives me perspective too. You are blessed with awesome friends. I am also. They have helped me tremendously in dealing with my new baby's health issues and upcoming surgery. Good friends are the BEST! If I win the bracelet from your friend, I love the turquoise zebra. Praise the Lord for Tracy's healing!
Lorraine says
What an inspiring story! God bless her and her family. I think I'll have to go to her site and order some bracelets for my girlfriends this holiday season!
I would choose the silver and black cross bracelet.
Camden's Corner says
Love the story and love that zebra turquoise one! Thanks for your great blog!
winetastegirl.com says
So I'm just now getting to read my blogs today!!! Thanks for the shout out girl. That first story is such an inspiration and makes me so thankful for a healthy family. I can't wait to work with you in the future:)
http://www.winetastegirl.com
Team Seghs says
Love the feather #1 choice, The cross #2 choice
I'm soooo emailing tracey to make bracelets for my sisters/sisters in law for Christmas. I have tears down my face. I wish I'd supported her more then, and I'm excited to support her more now
And one of the comments said something I need to elaborate on…Sheaffer and I haven't known each other for years. We don't see each other often. Our families aren't close– I've never even met her husband. But I consider her one of the most special and loyal and meaningful and uplifting friends in my life. She is hilarious. She is supportive. She is darling. And she is godly. Seriously? What more do you need in a friend?! Oh wait— Shes affordably ashionable (although my hubby- who adores her- would disagree with the affordable part!) honestly, people, be glad you know her through this blog. Cause she's greatness!
Ps- I've met the mix and match mama too and although normally I'd kinda hate someone so cute and funny and talented (like Sheaffer) I kinda love her too! And the chocolate hazelnut bundt cake has made my mother in law think I'm something special so winners all around here!!
Team Seghs says
Oh!!! I totally rocked the sock bun today because of the wine beer girl. Love her. Loved my bun. Can't wait to find my perfect trench and Im coveting the leather wrap belt. Sigh
Ellie says
Wow!! Great post!! Breast cancer runs in my family. My mom had it and her mom. My mom went to the city of hope for a month long treatment. Shes been cancer free for years now 🙂 thank you Lord!! Since my house and every thing I own is done in antiques and africian decor I like the zebra and tourquoise bracelet. It's beautiful done by a beautiful lady:)
Lisa Jones says
Tracy is such an amazing person! Love all of these bracelets. If I must choose I would say zebra/turquoise. Also love Shay's blog. I her recipes all the time and love them.
Pamela Grossman says
i love the "love" bracelet. but most of all, i LOVE tracy!!! xoxoxo
Kellie cleveland says
I love the bracelets and Tracys inspirational story! I may need to order some as gifts. My fav is the one with the cross charm. Kellie cleveland
Casey Hayes says
What an inspiring story. Thanks for sharing. I like all of the bracelets, but my favorite is the turquoise and zebra one.
eyelash serum says
nice list!