Eight years ago today I was diagnosed with cancer. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). At the time I thought my life as I knew it was over. I assumed I’d be sick, bald, dying. But thanks to the miracle drug I take, my experience with cancer was nothing like I’d expected. No hair loss, no hospital stays, no chemo, no need to get sick just to get well. Sure, I may never be cured, but eight years later, I am still here. And I am a wife, a mother, a pregnant lady and (pretty much) cancer free. I could never have imagined all of that when I first heard the words, "You have cancer" eight years ago. Not too shabby, huh?

With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who just announced he has CML too. 

Hard to believe that it's been 4 decades since a group of monsters, a frog, and one big bird changed children's relationship to television.

Thanks, Sesame Workshop, for a lifetime of memories! (Share some of your own in the comments.)

Don't miss:

Sesame Corner at Parenting.com -- printables and more

Celebs: They know how to get to Sesame Street

Elmo joins the fight against H1N1

Book Review of Street Gang: The complete history of Sesame Street

And here's a trip down memory lane...

Every Tuesday, we’ll report exactly how much our families have in their checking accounts -- and what they’re planning to do with it.

"My husband had a four day weekend and we went out and spent money." -- Leah

"The tow truck that came to swap the flat for the spare was covered, but how much the rest was going to cost me and how I might maintain my already tight budget despite this unexpected event had me distracted." -- Lori

"After the break-up with Zac, I might have to move in with my mom." -- Natasha

Click Read More to see their balances!

Remember that scene in Knocked Up where Katherine Heigl finds all the parenting books that Seth Rogen bought still in the Barnes & Noble bag? I think that's fairly typical. What to Expect When You're Expecting sat on my nightstand unopened for months, moonlighting as the world's most well-researched coaster. And most of the books targeted to new dads have an overtly syrupy tone, with book jackets featuring misty mornings on a lake or sepia-toned photos that wouldn't be out of place in the 'Thinking of You' section at Hallmark. Sure, it helps to know what a mucus plug is, but mostly guys need books that offers simple, streamlined, practical info that doesn't get bogged down with a lot of "medical diagrams" or "compound sentences."

Well have I got the book for you, Pops. Anyone out there looking for a fun, helpful read to give a new dad should check out Rules for my Unborn Son. It's written by Walker Lamond, a man whose penchant for Paul Stuart blazers, horn-rimmed glasses and vintage ties make me wonder if he was grown in the same Petri dish as Ira Glass. A TV producer and filmmaker by trade, Lamond started a blog by the name same - rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com - upon hearing that he and wife were having a baby. It grew into a collection of short quotes, tips, and advice items - none longer than a dozen words - that's now in paperback, serving as "the ultimate instruction manual for becoming a gentleman." Even with 212 pages filedl, nary one of these quips sounds tired or cliche. Here are just a few selections:

* Don't underestimate your fertility.

* Be beholden to no one. Pay cash.

*  Have a signature dish, even if it's your only one.

* Don't boast about projects in progress. Celebrate their completion.

* If you've made your point, stop talking.

File this under: What Took Them So Long? A new web site is renting special occasion designer dresses a la Netflix, just in time for your holiday parties!

Rent the Runway is the genius idea of two Harvard Business School grads -- women, of course! RTR loans out the high-end duds for a four-day fling for as little as $50 (or up to $200, pricey by our standards but maybe you'll feel the thrill of wearing a $1,000-plus dress is worth it). The dress is shipped directly to your doorstep with a prepaid return envelope and the price includes dry cleaning (they do it -- one less errand for you).

Not sure about the size or style? Each gown comes with a "fit kit" that includes bra strap adjusters and double-sided tape, and an on-call stylist to help you decide. An extra size of the same dress is provided at no extra charge, or an additional $25 will get you a second style as a backup.

The one beef we have is that there's a waiting list for "membership," though when you sign up RTR promises to "get you in -- and into one of our dresses -- as soon as possible."