Barely Controlled Chaos-Life as I know it!

Grandmother Goddess of the Garden

2009-03-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

A memorial service for my mother, Grandmother Goddess of the Garden, aka Kendra Carpenter will be held on March 29th at 3:00pm at Sanctuary Church, 3101 SE Orient Drive, Gresham Oregon 97080. In lieu of flowers (I swear, she would be cringing at the sight of cut flowers), Mom has requested that donations be made to the Estacada PublicLibrary Children's Program.

Thank you all again for your love and support through this difficult time.

Melissa Marie, First Born Child of My Mother's Loins

Goodbye

2009-03-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

This morning at 7:30am, our mother passed away after a nearly year long battle with cancer. We want to thank everyone who has been so kind to our mother and family throughout this time. This blog was very important to Mom. She enjoyed reading all of your posts and sharing her life with all you. We are in the process of making arrangements for her memorial service and will post information as we have it.

Thank you again to all of you.

Melissa, Jay and Dianna

Quick update

2009-01-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I haven't gotten to posting since December 9th!

Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were joyous and full of family, friends, and good cheer! Mine was! I'll be giving more details of the insanity that ensued here later...

I just wanted to let you know that I'm doing okay...I've undergone "spot radiation". Evidently the rotary cuff has a bit of the CA in there and the radiation is supposed to stop this constant horrible pain, with resulting lack of use...makes you appreciate the little things in life.

Maneuvering the stairs is hard work, sitting here was near impossible without tears, and spelling on narcotics is really quite hilarious! I'm glad to be getting back to normal!

I'll try to return later or tomorrow...I want to thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, e-mails, phone calls, and visits...this past couple of months would have been impossible without them!

In Pain!

2008-12-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving...my shoulder is still causing me lot's of pain and this is the first I've been able to type for a few weeks. I wanted to let you know that other than dealing with constant shoulder and arm pain, I'm still here. Hopefully I should be back to my "normal" chatty self soon.

I can't believe it's December 9th already! Holy moley!

Hopefully, I will be able to get back here tomorrow and catch up with my
self! Until then...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-26T08:40:00.000-08:00

We are within an hour of our departure...hubby and I are driving to the Bay Area to spend Thanksgiving with his Mom, sister, and niece.

I'm very excited...and thankful that I'm able to make this trip!

I'm also very thankful for all of you! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Gobble! Gobble!

Pictures and details when I return...

Take a Moment...lest we forget!

2008-11-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

Veteran's Day!!!

2008-11-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

This has got to be one of my favorite holidays! These characters are two of the many special men that today represents. They truly love their country, one another, and me!

I missed seeing them at "the reunion" this year...each year over the Fourth of July thousands of these crazy Vietnam Helicopter Pilots get together and relive the pain and anguish, as well as the beer and laughter.

It amazes me what they remember and amazes me more that they refuse to forget.

Take a few minutes today and thank a Veteran, any Veteran.

Thanks guys and welcome home!

November 5th is a beautiful day!

2008-11-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

You're probably thinking it's the election, it's not. (I don't want to discuss political issues here)

Today is Melissa Marie, first-born child of my loins, birthday. That half intelligible message in your voice mail was me, my dear...missing you terribly and loving you tenderly...wish I could "sniff" your lovely head...all I could do was sob!

I can't say enough how beautiful my children are. I have a special relationship with each of them. They have given me joy for more than thirty-something years. Don't get me wrong, they all have given me grief also.

It's the same with the grand children...each one the same, yet different.

Last night I had Jay's kids here...Christy brought them to grandma's for a visit. I sat and watched in wonder the little pieces of each of their parents, aunts, uncles, and grand parents emerge. It was really quite fascinating.

Mel, Happy Birthday! YMLY! I heard your voice crackle when you were saying how proud you were of your girls and your brother, for all the hard work they had put out campaigning...you should be proud!

I know I'm proud of them and you! And before I get a zillion emails...I'm proud of all my kids, naturally born, adopted, and collected.

And...Happy Birthday to Jake too!

It's a...kitten!

2008-10-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

Slightly aroused from my sleep (at about 5 am) I heard what I thought were my tortoises mewing. They do this when they have mock sex (both are males). Then I heard Jake make his way to the shower and the water come on. My arm didn't really ache so I drifted back to sleep.

About an hour later I heard Jake turn off the shower and the same mewing could be heard but it was closer and louder...it was not my torts...I fought with my robe and did the potty thing and then followed the noise. It sounded like the carport area. Being it was still dark out I started flipping on lights. I couldn't see anything, so of course, so I open the door and a kitten runs in! He's mewing, I'm saying, "no, no, I can't have kittens, go away...go home."

He didn't and while I was trying to scoot him out, Langdon came to see what all the commotion was about and thankfully assisted me, pushing the little guy out the door. Then we headed back to bed, it is his day off. The kitten kept mewing, and mewing, and mewing!

Jake came down and heard it, opened the door and brought it in. I growled from my bed that he was to put him outside. We can't have a kitten! He did.

When hubby and I finally got up the little guy was still going strong. Now he was watching us through the windows and kept trying to get in. He got in between the screen door and door and climbed it to the top all the time screaming louder and louder.

We're captiives in our own house because of a five or six week old screaming kitten! When I started back up here I didn't hear anything. Then I looked out the back porch and he's curled up in a sunny spot around one of my potted bonsai trees.

I called a friend who is a cat saver...maybe she will be able to help me.

I DON'T WANT A CAT!

Email form China

2008-10-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned earlier, my son is in China on a business trip. The following is a copy of his email, I joyously opened this morning...I'm still laughing!

Hey Mom,

I thought I would email you while I am pooping in China, I know how much you use to love it when I announced I was going poop and now I actually understand because Nathan and Boaz have a similar presentation when they go as well and it drives me crazy (in a fun sort of way).

But enough about them back to my pooper, my toilet has a built in bidet here are some of the feature:
-seat warmer
-heated water with temp. control
-two types of spray 1. is more of sprister, and the other is a pressure washer (i use both it takes both to be really clean)
-a blow dryer with temp control to dry the dirty eye
Anyway this email sounds like I am drunk but I am not just missed you and thought I would send you a silly email. You should forward it to Melissa she loves potty humor.

I hope you are doing well write me and let me know how you are doing.

Love,

Jay

Ouch!

2008-10-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Now I ask you, do I deserve a torn rotator cuff? Pain? Dependency on others to go to my physical therapy appointments? Evidently the answer to that question is YES!

My attempts at dealing with the situation vary according to how tired I am. Last night I was very tired...I had woke up in pain, taken a pain pill, had some coffee, and called the physical therapist to make an appointment...Di had left the days and times she would be available to drive me...having been up most of the night before, she wasn't very pleased when I told her she only had two more hours to sleep...oh well, she'll adjust.

She was up and ready in time to go and by the time we had driven to town was appreciating the beauty of the vine maples in their golden glory. The only thing she worried about was that she didn't know the business, or the people, being it was new. You see, she was tired and wanted to lay down and having lived here most of her life she was used to knowing the business owners by name and has never really thought twice about making herself comfortable.

Of course we had a slew of papers to fill out and being right handed (sore side) it was painful for me to fill out the paperwork so she did it for me. As she answered the questions, she came to "how did this injury occur?"...she says KEG DIVING! The receptionist chuckled. I tried to slap her but couldn't lift my arm to do so, so chuckled as well and we continued to fill out the paper work.

The patient before me was finished and I was called into the exam room. The therapist sat me down and started going through the paperwork...he says (without facial expression) I see this started when you were keg diving, just a hint of a smile was visible because he was loosing it and wouldn't look at me. I burst into laughter and explained my daughter had filled out the forms for me and we were testing him. Up until a few years ago, I didn't even know what a keg dive was! He took it well, passed the test, and I think, no I know, he will be good for me.

By the time we returned to the first room, Di was chatting with the receptionist and came over to the table I was attempting to get up on for the ultra sound. Next to that table was a huge platform like thing which Di basically threw herself on and sprawled while I had my treatment.
The treatment was to stimulte the muscles and loosen things up in there so better circulation was possible.

Whatever it did, it left me exhauted and cranky as evening approached. I tried to be pleasant. My husband said I wasn't bad...I did end up getting stuck in my clothing and had to seek assistance in getting undressed and in bed...that was torture! I fell asleep with tears streaming down my face.

I woke up very early this morning and the pain was there but not as intense, so I took a pain pill, drank some coffee and came up here to update you all.

Now I have a co-worker, Johnni, coming to spend a few hours with me, so I need to go, take my meds, put on some clothes and a smile...have a great day!

Going to the doctor's!

2008-10-24T12:14:00.001-07:00

Because of the temperature fluctuations for the past two or three weeks and everything that has gone whacko with me, I really didn't think the ache in my shoulder was anything more than stiff joints or sleeping on it wrong.

I have now suffered enough and am heading into the doctor's to see what the heck is going on with it and how to treat/deal with it.

Embarrassingly enough I was sitting on the "potty" and of course noticed the paper roll was empty...instead of getting up (because I'm now a clumsy clod) I reached behind to grab a fresh roll from the basket I keep on the tank.

AAAAAARRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! When I finally caught my breathe and was able to right myself, I gimped my way to the sink to wash my hands when I tried to turn the water the pain was awful...I resorted to hand sanitizer...I don't like pain.

I immediately took some Ibuprofen, grabbed the heating pad, and hit the couch. Now, please remember that I am right handed, have used a cane for balance since my brain surgery, and had a house full of guests.

Anyway, as time goes by, I try to manage my chores...dishes, laundry, this blog, e-mail, thank you cards, watering...I'm thinking I did pretty good...and then for no apparent reason the *%^%%* shoulder is killing me again! Soooooooooooo...I now have a 1:15 appointment to try to find out what the heck is going on...I'll let you know when I get back.

I now have the unpleasant task of trying to put on clothes!

Crapitiola!!

2008-10-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

Great, great, great! Blogger is down...why? I don't know, there isn't an explanation. What I do know is it's taken me all morning to warm up and then I needed nourishment and when I finally (FINALLY) got back up here to sit and prepare an update post, I can't. CRAPITIOLA!!

I was going to tell you what I've been up to lately...

Let's go back to the beginning of October when the car died...dear hubby's car bit the dust on the way to work one morning...don't worry, he called a friend and was saved in time for work...how he called is left to the imagination because we no longer have a cell phone...I don't want to hear any comments pro or con; we decided a while ago that it was a stupid expense we could live without and did, and if I have anything to do with it will continue to live without!

After searching the Internet for a car, which was affordable and appealing to dear hubby; I asked where we were in solving the problem...the man drives over 100 miles every day! He tells me his choices; none new, probably not far from being undependable, one a "babe magnet". My response was to call my son, he had recently purchased a new car and helped Di when she purchased her new car. A friend of his was a manager of a dealership that not only won awards for their sales BUT actually treated people fairly and didn't push...they were big on customer service...something lacking today in my opinion.

Dear hubby works 4-10 hour shifts. Wednesday is his only day off where we can fit doctor's appointments, run errands etc. (He also has the weekends off) which normally would satisfy us as an alternative time to get things done.

This time, we had less than a week to buy a new car, pack his suitcase for an eleven day trip to Amsterdam (he had decided to go on when I was still in Las Vegas) and get him to the airport on time.

He called. My son called back. Hubby called the dealership and did a phone credit check (to be worked on while he drove the 35 miles to sign the papers and choose a car. He said he was not only treated like royalty but they had three cars waiting for him to test drive...he drove one home! Whew!! A whirlwind of a day! (I had stayed home and did laundry and packed. Problem solved!

Sunday dear hubby calls his son and finds out that he can't be out here until Saturday, which is fine by me BUT he was under the impression that it would be soon enough to get him to the airport on Tuesday. After some quick thinking and trying to find one of my proverbial lists I said I'd find someone off my "call me if you need anything list".

Sure enough, one call was all it took....my friend Alice came to the rescue...problem solved. Thanks Alice!! So we continue to ready him for his trip, check everything twice, and Tuesday morning we're off to the airport where we left him curbside and drove off. Alice and I did errands in town on the way home and I had a great visit with her!

Meanwhile my Dad was flying into Las Vegas to have a short visit, grab Mel and drive up here to be with me while I was "alone". They left Thursday morning and were here early Friday evening...just in time to join half a dozen or more of my "collected" kids, who also didn't want me to "alone". My Uncle drove down from Seattle as well. We were running out of beds! Super son and daughter in law to the rescue-AGAIN! They brought a trailer up and problem solved! Keith (hubby's son) arrived on Saturday and joined the melee that ensued.

Saturday evening we had probably fifteen or more people for dinner. (geez! I wrote that wrong! we are not cannibals!) My son was about to leave for weeks on a business trip to China, so he and the family were able to join us as well as deliver the trailer. He had recruited his sister to take the three kids home/here with her so he and his wife could have a date before China. The drive way was a parking lot...the house hot and loud...smiles, laughter, tears of joy and excitement, lot's of wine and very travel weary people.

This is how it stayed for the next ten days! So much fun and joy! My Dad, uncle, Mel and I worked on my grandfather's slides by the thousands. This was something I really wanted to do and was very worried it wouldn't get done before I did and would end up in the burn pile. Mel and I viewed the slides, chose what to scan; dad and uncle scanned and categorized on my computer, and the slides are now with Mel in Vegas. Thanks to their hard work and persistence I will now attempt to make cd's for my brother's and nephews, as well as my grand kids.

Saying good bye to them all was difficult...bitter sweet...I cried...I hugged...I sniffed heads...I tried to smile, I really did! The reality of saying "goodbye" is so real now that it bites!

The house was without guests Monday...Jake and Di were here, but sleeping...I fell asleep on the couch, where they left me to wake on my own about 5pm...guess I was tired, slept over two hours, so I must have been tired!

My co-worker from the library, and friend, Johnni came to visit for a few hours Tuesday morning...love it, she brings goodies and somehow knows what I'll be in the mood for...not sure how she does it! We had a nice visit, at least I thought it was nice...she asked if she could come every Tuesday, a sure sign of enjoying herself.

I tried to get this done yesterday but found my self too tired...so there you have it, a condensed version of the past few weeks!

2008-10-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is how my life has changed since March...I'm not complaining, just stating fact.
Diagnosed with brain tumors, not one or two, but seven! One was incredibly large and aggressive and thanks to a remarkable surgeon, to whom I'll forever be grateful to, was successfully removed.

Because I am fortunate enough to have an incredible support system, many with medical backgrounds, I was kicked out of the hospital early because they had a few reported cases of staph and MSR floating around. (Thank you again dear surgeon!)

I was surrounded 24/7 with family and friends, to which I am also forever grateful to. As I recovered from the brain surgery I experienced what is called a steriodal rage at the same time my husband was experiecing a meltdown from finding out his wife was terminally ill.

I was so angry that I demanded my Monster Child(Di)and her wonderful friend, Megan, helped me pack their cars with random keepsakes and daily necsseties and drive me 20+/- miles at two in the morning to my son's house. I knew he and his family were gone for a few days, and that the girls would take turns being my #&^tches and if the house was locked we could stay in the trailer and I would call Mel, and she would just have to come back and help.

This was when it hit me...I was suddenly dependent on my husband, who was not ready or willing to deal with all this, my children, grand children, and friends and neighbors...whew!

Mel was there within 48 hours with Kimberly in tow, eager to be helpful. She of course had researched the internet after the diagnosis and was quite knowledgeable in the signs & symptoms...the kid is an incredible researcher!

Post note: I wrote this several weeks ago and today am not sure where I was going with it except I am so grateful to my family and friends! Let's just leave it at that and I can start a new post later today when my fingers aren't on the verge of freezing.

Doctor's Visit

2008-09-24T14:01:00.001-07:00

For all of you eagerly waiting to hear...the radiation did what it was supposed to do (besides give me "the exhaustion!)...the brain tumors shrunk in size. They did discover a very minute spot in the area of the tumor they removed in March, but are not going to worry about that at this time. I'm not exactly a candidate for the gamma knife treatment, although it might be an option.

I also have that lesion on my lung that has grown a bit. The hoarseness I've been experiencing is the lymph node swelling around that area and some nerve that lives there (the vocal cords, not the lung).

My choices are to carry on, or receive chemo-therapy aimed at getting the lung lesion...but, because the chemo leaves me drained of any energy I might have, it diminishes the quality of life.

I need to think hard and talk things over with my hubby and kids.

So...the doctor's visit went well in my opinion. Evidently, my oncologist said I've gone further than he would have and did imagine. Tomorrow will be six months since the tumor was removed. Hooray for me!

Maybe I will get more of these boxes unloaded and sorted after all!

2008-09-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

I often drag myself up here with my first cup of coffee and read my favorite blogs. Every once in a while there's a surprise waiting. Usually, a new screen saver picture, something dear to my heart that makes me smile, laugh, or spit coffee on the screen.

This morning there was a pile of mardi gras beads from Di's latest trip to Vegas. I must remember to ask what she did to get them! Then again, maybe I don't want to know!

I've taken to hanging beads from the Wisteria that wraps around our front porch. I like the way they sparkle in the sunlight. Yes, I know they fade...but nothing is forever! Things that seem simple, like the beads on the keyboard, give me great pleasure! A photograph of a giant tortoise eating watermelon make me smile.

Crap, waking up and hearing wind and rain make me happy-I made it to another day!

Wednesday I get the results of those scans. I'm really not sure I care. The fact of the matter is, you get up, choose your attitude (hopefully you choose to make it a good one) and you proceed with your day.

My days are full of piles and boxes right now. Remembering children's laughter as I look at old photographs, smiling at "love notes", wishing I could smell Mel's head (I know it's weird...when she lived in town I would go to her house when she was gone and climb in one of the girls beds and breath deeply, always leaving hers for last). I watch and feel my grown kids do the same to me now.

Procrastination aside, I must get some food in me, hang my new beads and finish boxing up the photographs so I'm ready for more when Jake rises.

Piles and Boxes!

2008-09-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

This has become my life. It includes my grandfathers and his mother and fathers also. I have spent the last three days going through boxes of my personal photos and putting them in piles. There's the immediate family piles, the individual children piles, the individual grand kid piles...you get the picture now don't you?!

I can't bend down too low for too long. Squatting is out of the question. I get hubby and Jake the Snake to haul one box downstairs to work on as "down time"...after all we now have a zillion television channels to choose from and dvr (I can't use it until I read that part of the big fat instruction booklet-MY RULE!)

Anyway, the weather has gotten cold and wet here and this is what I've chosen to do with my time. There are several reasons. It's one of those things that one (or I) can put off for a life time and I no longer have the life time I imagined I would have.

I'm having Di and Jay take their individual boxes now. Mel will eventually be back up. If she drives, she can haul it back herself. Otherwise Jay and Christy now have dry, protected space in their barn...thanks to Jake's hard work!

I have no problem making the piles...I have one pile "to fight over"...I really hope they don't fight...they can't really, there's more than enough for each of them to get.

It's been fun though...reliving the day of the picture taking. I can always tell if the smiles are genuine or not. Di snarls quite a bit when caught with the camera pointing at her...I love it...that's who she is...she actually turned her back on the audience at a school performance in first or second grade because she realized it was being taped. All you see of her is her long dark braids...I didn't purchase the tape.

It looks like I made some progress to me. Soon I'll be able to reach all corners of the room. The things I want near me until the end will have some tape on the back with the name of who I would like to give it to. (Yes, Mel, the mountain pics are yours!)

Now that I've taken this time to rest and blog, I'd better get back to work!

Made It! Tests over!

2008-09-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Thank you dear friends for helping keep me calm...believe it or not, I didn't wake up until eight o'clock this morning and I was still wobbly! I barely remember being helped to my husband in the waiting area...I do remember the walls kept getting in the way. I have no recollection of the ride home (it's about 1.5-2 hours)...what I do remember was having to pee and wanting my bed!

I'm not sure how my husband got me from the car to the bed. I'm not sure if I used the bathroom...my pants were dry, so don't think I wet myself (or care). Evidently I wrapped the bed covers over me, because I was woken after dark sometime and told to get under the covers with or without clothes, just do it! I guess it was his bedtime...I started to question him about where dinner was but fell asleep mid-sentence.

Anyway, I survived, didn't abuse anyone, and we'll find out a week from today "where we stand".

Notes from the MONSTER CHILD

2008-09-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, this is what my youngest sent me......can you say AWWWWWWWWWWW!

Mom,
I love you more than pickles and pug dogs put together.
Dianna Amadio

And yes, she always signs her last name; I really don't know why. Her sister and brother always speculate...I don't think I ever asked why she does that...there is no other Dianna here...I don't even call her Dianna unless I'm being stern. (If I add her middle name when I'm talking, it's serious business.) Usually I call her Di, or MONSTER CHILD.

ANXIETY!

2008-09-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year. I have a lesion on my left lung with mets to the brain. I had seven tumors and the largest and most aggressive was successfully removed, six remained, untouchable without destroying me. I have had radiation therapy which left me bald and exhausted, beyond description.

Tomorrow I return to the hospital for a CAT Scan and an MRI to see what the radiation accomplished and what's going on inside my noggin. Neither one of these tests are invasive, but scare the hell out me none the less! I have two little anti-anxiety pills to take, AND WILL, to save the sanity of my husband, the techs, and myself.

What I need from all of you are positive thoughts and prayers again. Specifically because I'm a big fat baby and don't like getting shoved down a bright loud tube head first! We have to be at the hospital at 9:30 in the morning (Pacific Time) and the tests should take an hour or two.

I've been through this before, I know the routine, but I HATE IT! I HATE IT! I HATE IT!

Childhood Cancer Awareness-Act Now!

2008-09-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

I "borrowed" this (with permission, of course) from my dear cyber friend Michelle Kemper Brownlow, most of you are familiar with her blog and her generous spirit.

it's 4 the kids
MY SEMBLANCE OF SANITY

PLEASE READ AND REACT!!

Did you know?
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

This is why...
*Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.

*On the average 12,500 children and teens will be diagnosed with some form of cancer each year in this country.

*One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.

*Although the 5 year survival rate is steadily increasing, one quarter of children will die 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

*Cancer remains the #1 disease killer of America's children - more than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Asthma and AIDS combined.

*In the U.S. almost 3,000 children do not survive cancer each year.

*Over the past two decades, only ONE new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use.

*Currently there are between 30-40,000 children undergoing cancer treatment in the U.S.

*As a nation, we spend over $14 BILLION (that's with a B!!!) per year on the space program, but only $35 MILLION on Childhood Cancer Research each year.

*There are 15 children diagnosed with cancer for every one child diagnosed with pediatric AIDS. Yet, the U.S. invests approximiately $595,000 for research per victim of pediatric AIDS and only $20,000 for each victim of childhood cancer.

*Research funds are scarce as most money is diverted to well-publicized adult forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate.

*Right now, this second, somewhere in America, there are 7 children fighting for their lives who won't live through the day.

If you want to make a difference watch THIS VIDEO. Don't turn your back. They need you. They need you NOW!

FWD this to everyone in your address book and know you may have saved a little life tonight.

A note from my oldest daughter

2008-09-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

Talk about a mother's dream! Over time each of my kids has pleasantly surprised me with their wisdom and kindness...things I've bonked them over the head throughout their lives over and over again, hoping they remember. Below is a letter I received from my oldest, Melissa Marie, First Born Child of My Loins, aka Mel Gyver, Problem Solver Extraordinaire.

If you have the time and want to contribute to her endeavor, please leave a comment and I will forward it to her.

"I was talking to my mom today about how there are so many things that I wish I knew in my twenties. Simple things, like keep a roll of duck tape on hand at all times. Both in your car and at home. Tell people what you need. Stuff like that. Stuff that seems so simple and obvious but somehow, it takes us all trauma and drama to learn. So I got to thinking. I've been making mental lists lately of stuff to teach the girls (how to change a tire, put on snow chains, jump a car battery...)stuff to always have when camping, stuff to stock in my kitchen, things like that. After talking to my mom and then watching Whoopi show her favorite things on The View...I started typing up my lists.

Then I starting thinking even more. As most of you know, my lovely mother has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Everyday, multiple times a day, I do or say something that my mother has taught me. Simple stuff like doing laundry and big stuff like dealing with angry teenagers. Now that I know I cannot take for granted that my mother is always just going to be a phone call away, I desperately try to recall what she would have said or done about common tasks or situations more and more on a daily basis. Almost as though I am trying to chronicle what she has taught me in my life to one day pass on to my girls...but I think that it is bigger than that. One thing my mother always did was surround me with strong women in my life...and I learned from all of them. I really want to try to capture that as a testament to my mother, friends, role models and ourselves as women and how we live our lives.

So now I have this crazy idea. I have attached my free form list in a Word document. Will you please read my list and add anything and everything you feel should be added. Right now it is really just simple stuff like what to keep in your kitchen and the multiple uses of plastic bags, but I want it to be more. Any tidbit of wisdom you've learned in life that you wish you would have learned sooner or that you were just glad you learned at all. Don't be shy, anything goes. My only rule is that you don't DELETE ANYTHING. You can add your two cents to any previously posted item but don't change it or delete it. I've formatted the document to track changes so I can see what has been added and eventually begin to organize it into sections. Please save your additions and send it back to me.

Please send it to women that you trust, respect and feel have something to contribute and have them do the same. I want to see what happens with this. I know that you all are busy and that chain mail shit is obnoxious but that's not what I'm trying to do here. I really want to take these lists and see how they evolve. Eventually, I'd like to work this into book form. Sort of a compilation of things that women learn through life that someone should have told us at twenty.

So I thank you my friends and I hope to hear from all of you!

Love,
Mel"

I think I'll go outside and enjoy the sunshine, smile, and give thanks for another great day!

"The Monster"

2008-09-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

After a bit of rest, I feel somewhat recovered from our trip to the Oregon State Fair on Sunday. Here's the Childhood Cancer site. Please go there and familiarize yourself with it. Sign their petitions. Donate some time or money. You won't be sorry!

Visit People Against Childhood Cancer at: http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com

September is....

2008-09-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

Please remember thousands of children and their families in your prayers and giving...go to Google and type in CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH and take some sort of action to stop this monster.

I once asked my Great Grandmother what was the worst thing she experienced in her life and she responded by saying "burying my babies". Being eight months pregnant with my youngest daughter at the time, I never forgot her words.

Having been diagnosed with cancer with metastatic brain tumors within the last six months, having survived brain surgery, radiation, and all the fun that goes with it; I think of the children that are going through the same thing and their parents and siblings.

Please, please, please...get involved!

Gosh Darn It!

2008-08-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone...sorry to hang you up, or leave you in suspense, but I have had company coming and going for over a week and started the "exhaustion" again...NOPE, not too much activity or too little naps. Last week I had my doctor start up my diuretic because my eyelids were so full of fluid they were starting to flop over themselves. Yesterday I was so tired I just want to lay down...kind of gets tiring being so tired...so I checked the prescription and did some thinking which resulted in taking my blood pressure...it was quite low and made my husband a bit nervous...no pill for me today and no continuation for you! Hopefully, I'll be back to myself in a day or two and continue transcribing my journey.

The Big "O"...otherwise known as Sunday

2008-08-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Me and the campfire...see Dad? I really needed that hoodie sweatshirt you sent me!
Walking the art fair that lined the church yard.

It's 11 o'clock and we are disconnecting the RV...FINALLY we are actually only minutes from arriving at our destination...the Georgia O'Keefe museum! We do the fiddle with the air filter maneuver to start and we're off! The gal in the RV camp office showed Mel where we could park the RV in downtown Santa Fe and then walk to the museum.

Interesting enough we encounter Bobcat Crossing signs on the road. I did not see any, but I could see why the sign was there...perfect Bobcat territory!

We arrived at the RV parking area which is behind the Basillica De Francis de Assissi (the garden saint) and parked under a tree, closed the curtains, gathered our stuff, including the wheelchair and were off!

I actually used the wheelchair as a shopping cart, holding all our various bags, bottles of water, etc. Santa Fe is supposedly the oldest town in the United States and the cobblestones and narrow sidewalks make riding in the chair a nightmare! I tried it, only to literally jump out and refuse to be pushed until I hollered "uncle"...talk about rough! The walk felt good.

After much map turning and silent bickering (one should have only one navigator) we finally found the museum. As we entered Susan stood me in front of the exhibit poster and started taking pictures! This was a big No No! There were signs posted: No photographs, cell phone usage, etc. The guard approached and told her to stop and delete the photos-she did not, she quickly snapped another and shoved her camera deep down in her bag-the guard (who was only doing his job) continued his No No mantra and I guess because I looked like I was about to cry (and I so seriously was) he backed off and started talking into his walky talky thing...we get in line and get our tickets (he's still talking) I can just hear him "group of four; one baldy in wheelchair, has cane-possible weapon, one with big bag that won't listen, one beautiful woman with short, short hair, one teen who has a texting problem about to enter museum...BEWARE!!

Yes! We were constantly followed throughout the exhibit and gift shop! But we had met our goal and I was somewhat satisfied...with the largest collection of O'Keefe paintings, I expected floors of art work...this exhibit, while incredible, was not exactly what I had expected. It was an exhibit of Georgia O'Keefe and Ansel Adams...I love them both and the display of each of their work was well worth the trip...but somehow I had it in my mind that I would see more of a collective display of her work...like the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam (one of my favorites). I am in no way complaining here...I just craved MORE!

I bought Jay's kids a non-fiction book in the gift shop, and called it done.

We stopped and asked a vendor where we could eat that was casual but tasty...she sent us to the Burrito Factory (I may be wrong on the exact name) It was fantabulous!! I had been having "taste" problems the entire trip and was very happy with my veggie burrito!

Back in the RV (we never really decided on a name for the hotel on wheels) we headed back to the campsite, built a camp fire, and roasted marshmallows!

A beautiful ending to a beautiful day!

At some point before bed, Mel and Susan had the road Atlas out again and surprised me by telling me that we were going to Ghost Ranch! I was excited...to see what she saw, walked, painted...her beloved ranch! Goosebumps! So, I went to bed very hyper and very much looking forward to the morning!

Saturday continued

2008-08-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Just prior to the Bluewater Outpost there was a portable flashing reader board on the side of the highway, this is what it said:

100 more days
Cops everywhere!

Evidently there is a campaign going on about increased surveillance or patrols...billboards picturing 100 cops. My question is, is it working? Maybe there's only 2! The area didn't look like it would have a force that big. Maybe everyone is a cop. Anyway, we didn't stop anywhere around there...I wasn't up to a cavity search.

By the way I saw something I had never seen before when we stopped at the Sky City Rest Area. There was a ballot button on the wall next to the door of the restroom, a yes, and a no. I was first of all confused as to it's function and kept going in, removed my sun glasses, and let out a miserable groan...I wasn't hurt or anything...just appalled at the condition of the rest room!! Each and every stall was covered with paper, used and otherwise; it smelled awful...I wasn't going another foot inside...I turned and almost took out Mel as she was coming through the door, she gasped and we all went out and pounded the NO button...we used the RV, for any of you wondering.

About thirty miles outside of Albuquerque we started encountering rough crosswinds, dark skies, and thunderheads building fast. The landscape did not support much more than low sage and scrub oak. Natural "washes" in the landscape intrigue me. I secretly want to step into the damp wrinkled mud and squish my toes around. But it would be a shame if we came all this way and I died from a snake bite while doing so. So I keep my secret to myself and stare out the window.

The Big A - Albuquerque! Yehaw!, the Santa Fe turn off...17 miles...we're climbing nearly even with the mesas...I can't explain how excited I was...LOL...there's a sign Exit 267, WALDO...I am cracking up here, a very good friend of mine and VHPA member is named Waldo...I refer to him as my rake and he calls me his wench...a good sign!

I see it...Santa Fe!! It's been a very long day, it's nearly seven...we are tired and road weary but oh so excited!

We did our routine RV set-up and Mel opened the freezer and it literally exploded it's contents! She pretended she was an airline person and went into the spiel about overhead baggage moving about and proceeded to save our food...the bag of chicken that had been marinating smelled really bad...TRASH IT! With that done we decided on microwave pizza...it wasn't all that good but it was hot and filled the void.

Tomorrow Sante Fe and the Georgia O'Keefe Museum!

Day 3 Otherwise known as Saturday

2008-08-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry! Just found this draft and wanted to get it in before I got any further, it's taken me twenty minutes to determine where I left off and started again (come on! I survived brain surgery!) The following is Saturday morning, which occured BEFORE the post that read "Saturday continued" , which is how I caught my flub...continued from what? DUH! Anyway, try to make sense of it.

Packed up and back on the road it's 11:48 and the Welcome to New Mexico sign sends shivers throughout my body...not because I'm cold but because we are almost there! Duly announced, Mel answers with a hardy Ya *&^%$ Hoo! She and Gen had been playing Yatze, so I'm not sure if that was actually an answer to our announcement or one of their rolls.

After a short stop at the visitors center where Mel and Gen ran in and then out with arms filled with brochures (somewhat like a Chinese Fire Drill) we continued on our journey. With eleven miles to Gallop we watched the thunderheads build, it was a magnificent sky scape!

Once in Gallop we stopped at Cracker Barrel for food (it's one of Susan's favorite places). I ended up putting in my earplugs (over stimulation of light and noise make my brain tumors angry) I ordered the tortilla soup, it had way too much chili in it for me. I went into a coughing and choking fit, scaring Susan, Mel and Gen. Not one person from the restaurant approached me. In fact, in my opinion, they all ran. I suppose I can't blame them. I ended up eating one of Mel's biscuits and getting a little cranky. We finished up and headed out...this time to Wal Mart.

Don't get me wrong but for my own reasons I am not a fan of Wal Mart's. I had choked on my lunch, ended up not eating, was hot and cranky...I opted to stay in the RV and lay down for a while. After a bit of discussion, and pointing out that the flippin' parking lot was full and that meant they were all in Wal Mart and I was exhausted and ready to flip out entirely (I will use my cane for protection or to pound my point across) from the Cracker Barrel experience they allowed me to stay, securing the door as they left. I don't think I really slept, just closed my eyes and enjoyed the quiet. Gen was the first one back...sent ahead to be sure I was okay. I was not, I had gotten up and used the facilities and as I was getting back into my seat I hit my head, very hard, on Gen's bunk (it was over the driver/front passenger area) It sent me reeling and I grabbed onto the chair and just sat down...all I could do was hold my head and cry. Gen reacted fast and furious...dropped her keys, grabbed a baggy with one hand and the ice cube tray with the other, she ran over to me and placed the ice on my "owie". Good job GenRose!! Susan and Mel followed with bags of stuff for the rest of the trip, including some propane for the new BBQ, and some pots and pans (just in case).

We hit the road again...after Susan got on the wrong highway ramp...we went to the next exit and turned ourselves around...Mel said,"oh, Crapper Barrel...potty humor!" It was pretty funny being that she has never partaken of the potty humor (well, it's very rare!)

Heading east again with a full tank of fuel-there's no stopping us now...omg, more detours, down to one lane again. I may have spoken too soon! Thinking positively, I concentrate on the beautiful red hills with a smattering of green-majestic-we follow the highway around this gorgeous mountain and there is a refinery at it's base on the other side...Ugh!

Further along, the formations are starting to resemble castles, people, animals...a truly amazing and breathtaking time for me...I just stared and took pictures through the windshield...I have photo shop...I can crop and enlarge, remove the windshield divider and wipers...keep the shape and color of the mesas and the color of the plants.

Once again, there's rain ahead of us. The mesas are increasing in number and look like red loaves of bread baking in the sun...they increase in size also, which for some reason excites me. We're about to enter the weather cell we've been watching just as we hit the Continental Divide. The rain is heavy.

I miss Oregon's rain. Who would think of missing rain?

Day 2 in photos

2008-08-05T14:24:00.001-07:00

Here are a few photos to go with the last post...my favorites are Gen and I after our much needed shower and of course, the one of Mel driving the RV.

Geronimo! If only I had a voice I would have been screaming it out the window!

Mel first time behind the wheel!

Here we are fresh and clean! I think I dribbled toothpaste down my shirt!

Day 2 continued

2008-08-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

It's 2:15 pm and OMG! Susan just asked Mel to drive! (She had asked Susan to teach her to safely drive the RV during this trip so she'd be able to drive it confidently in the future...but NOW?!!!)

She takes the wheel, starts it up and pulls out and onto the highway...she's staying in her lane, she's whooping and hollering like a six year old who just had the training wheels removed...first merge is successful, first semi passes...it's her virgin voyage. You should see the smile on her face! I was too busy watching to remember to take pictures! We are now 25 miles outside of Williams and Mel is still going strong...it looks like rain ahead of us...Flagstaff turn off has light rain and Winslow is 57 more miles. Mel says, "Look Ma, no hands"...no flinching either! Holy moley! She did good...she'll do fine...she overcame her fears and really did a fine job...didn't even knock over any of those orange comes!

The flat red rock formations are starting to be apparent in the landscape...this is one of the reasons I've come here; to see the rock formations, take photos of them and possibly paint them when I get home...I want to feel the warming sun on my skin and watch and study the changes in light and shadow!

The rest stop we pull into has a huge mound of red rock behind it...I can't climb it and walk around it. No wheelchair use since we got started...using my cane exclusively and a helping hand when the seats/benches are too low!

We're at 5,000 feet, with a fast decline ahead...every mile or two down feels a degree or two higher. MESAS!!! GERONIMO!!! There's a teepee on the mesa ahead! We're definitely getting closer to our goal! (I'm sure that most of what I saw along this stretch of highway was advertisement hype, but it certainly set the mood).

At 4:45 we arrived at the Holbrook KOA (I highly recommend the KOA) Showers, a store, a pool, free movies, and affordable!

Showers are a joy! GenRose and I headed out to the showers as Susan returned...what a sight! We not only carried our personal necessities; but a bath mat, so I wouldn't slip; and a shower stool, so I could rest if necessary...this was a big responsibility for GenRose, she was in charge of her grandmothers safety and welfare. She was very attentive, making sure she helped me set up the mat and stool before she left me some privacy for my shower.

All showered and refreshed, we start dinner preparations, or until Murphy reared his ugly head-news: the BBQ does not, I repeat, does not run off the propane tank we had filled in the RV; we also have no connector! Oh well, sandwiches again! Thanks Murphy!

GenRose picked Happy Feet as our movie for the night but I'm too tired and anxious about tomorrow...I head to be thinking about Georgia O'Keefe and Ghost Ranch.

Friday-Day 2

2008-08-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

We wake up and pack up the beds, get ourselves organized and the RV won't start! It's Murphy, I know it, he's hiding somewhere! Crap! Susan is cranking the key and Mel and I are going over the "are you sure you did this" list.

Gen and I head to the truck stop to pimp ourselves for information...we found a trucker (stood by the door that had a sign that read "truckers only beyond this point). I used my pathetic voice (all I had at this point, barely a whisper), Gen by my side, looking lovely as only a thirteen year old can do! He informed us it was the air filter of water pump, especially if anyone flushed the radiator recently (uh-oh, Abuelo did that last night or the night before) We thanked him and rushed back to the RV to tell Susan and Mel of our success and the RV was running! Mel-Gyver had solved the problem! (I think Mel called her Dad) It had something to do with a butterfly on the manifold and was about to become a ritual each morning...oh well, we were having fun, weren't we?

It's hot @ 10:55 am...Santa Fe here we come!

We climbed up the mountains of Arizona, through GREEN (oh how I miss the many different colors of GREEN!) Rock formations a plenty! We had to slow down to one lane due to highway construction. The landscape was full of scrub oaks, ponderosa pines...datura, salvia, sage, and sunflowers lined the highway naturally...it was spectacular!

Ranch lands, pastures of hay or wheat, fence posts made of windfall branches. These were actually called Wilderness Ranches and were going for $175.00/month...yep! I'm not kidding you, you want room, don't care to hear your neighbors? My notes say Jolly Road, Exit 40...LOL!

The thunderheads are starting to build above the hills, this has been typical monsoon stuff here according to the weather reporters.

I just saw a sign that said "RoadKill Route 66"...oh no! We lost the air conditioner-the generator went out climbing that last hill. We open the windows and get a warm yet comfortable breeze.

We are now passing Ash Fork Exit 146...Kabib National Forest. The terrrain is changing again...I see grass! Green grass!

Williams is only five miles further. We get our first trucker toot just outside Williams. Founded in 1881...we're talking horseback, walking, or covered wagon transportation here. We contemplate the reality...mutter things like, "I'd shoot him" and head to the Route 66 Diner (Mel loves this spot).

Day 2 to be continued...

2008-08-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Outside McDonald's the first night...Mr. Creepy came out right after Susan took this picture.

Ta da! I actually think I am now caught up and can start Day 2! I rock!

2008-08-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

This is me after walking across the street where we were "service station refugees" who parked their sorry butts at a table in Jack in the Box for several hours. We did have drinks and I think GenRose ate something, so we weren't really invading the space, we were customers!

2008-08-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is the lovely Sue Ellen and Mel sitting outside of the service station in Needles...they are used to it, the heat, not sitting outside service stations...I'm not sure who the lady in the pink is, must be asking for directions...Sue Ellen thanks for your hospitality! You made a negative experience into a positive one!

Trouble starts! Murphy!

2008-08-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

Here the trouble started...bad tires! We girls were a bit whiney off and on but this poor guy had a wet towel and a bottle of water! Remember, it was 120 degrees when we pulled into Needles! Thank you Mr. Tire Guy!

2008-08-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Susan, I mention her off and on and she is the reason I blog. I assure you this is not how we looked when we met thirty plus years ago outside the Community College Day Care...she keeps promising me old college photos, but I have yet to see them...hurry up my friend, I have brain tumors!!! Let's not be selfish or lazy! (Long time friends are allowed to talk to each other like that)

And of course, Norm the Gnome...he's Mel's and travels whenever he gets the chance, or remembered.

Hummingbirds and Dragonflys!

2008-08-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

I left to warm myself on the back porch and watch the hummingbirds. I cleaned and filled the feeder, and Langdon rehung it-brain tumors prohibit climbing and dangling from a log porch post-unless I want to land in the flower bed, of course.

I refilled my cup with the last of the coffee and grabbed my pimped out cane and headed to the porch. I set down my cup and turned my head only to be staring at Mr. or Mrs. hummingbird staring at me! I slowly back into my chair, it's actually Lila's chair, but that's another story...

So, the hummingbirds feed and I sip...they rest on the electrical wire that runs to the shop, and they SPIT! Yes, they spit...it shoots in a stream! I guess they eat as much as they can hold and then spit out the excess!

About two minutes later this huge bright blue dragon fly enters the vicinity and both hummingbirds are intimidated by it...they slide down the wire using their tiny little feet, they fly away and come back angry, they are chattering away! Mr. Dragonfly is not impressed and simply stretches his wings out to dry in the breeze and sunshine!

The hummingbirds by this time are quite angry that Mr. Dragonfly has entered their feeding area and start flying at him and then swerving when they get close. He stretched again then seemed to arch his body.

After about three or four of these "scares" the hummingbirds flew to the orchard area and Mr. Dragonfly flew away.

It didn't take long for the hummingbirds to return (I think they were watching). I sat there watching them resume their feeding and they chattered at me as if it was my fault their meal was interrupted!

Must go research now!

Pictures of our pilgrimage!

2008-08-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

I promised some pictures of the adventure, here's some from day one...more to follow...the sun is shining and there are humming birds to watch on the back porch.

Me, Norm, and Lou...husband number 1, Mel and Jay's Dad, he's exhausted from working on the RV day and night so we could make the trip...thanks Lou!

Me, Norm the Gnome, Gen Rose, "Bug" (Mel's youngest), Mel, "First Born Child of My Loins"

Gosh Darn It!

2008-08-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

I didn't put the pictures in the last post...realized I need to put them through photo shop first so you're not staring at one inch of my bald head and Mel's eyeball! I promise to get that done and some photos from our first day up tomorrow, if not later today...I'll use my brain tumor card here...sorry!

Three generations in an RV!

2008-08-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, here it goes...take your imagination and back track to July 15th, I believe. Susan, (one of my longest friendships) arrived in Las Vegas late afternoon to visit and be the official driver (she drives school bus in NYC) of our RV trip to the Land of Georgia O'Keefe.

After RV check-ups, shopping, packing and doing what three generations of woman do we were finally ready for our departure on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Susan had preset her ipod to "On the road again" and we were off...headed to 215 east to catch 95! Yeehaw! Susan, Mel, her youngest GenRose and I were off. We had decided to get outside of Las Vegas for our fuel fill up and as things would go that did not happen...there was a motorcycle in flames at the gas station...quick maneuvering got us out of the turn lane and back on the highway! Hmmmm...we all looked at each other wondering if this was an omen.

We continued on to Needles, CA...thought we'd fill up the tank and throw the generator on so we'd have some air conditioning...the temperature outside was 120 degrees! HOT AS HELL!!! Mel made sandwiches and then went to pay for the fuel. The guy told her we needed all new tires...that ours were baked and just waiting for the opportunity to blow out. After a group discussion, and not wanting to get stuck in the desert if we did have a blow out, it was decided that we'd replace them. We were told it would take a couple of hours and they had an air conditioned waiting area inside we were welcome to use. Gen Rose and I headed in there and Susan spotted a Jack in the Box across the street touting iced coffee and where she promptly headed, Mel was outside eyeballing the tires and talking to the tire guy. She returned a short while later and her phone rang; it was Susan saying the Jack in the Box was air conditioned and not crowded, we should come over there for a while. Of course we did. For a long while! Mel got a bit impatient and headed back to the station to see what was taking so long...Needles is a small town and is one of the first off the desert highway...the station takes care of the gas, food/snacks, and tires...it's a busy little place! Mel is good at being friendly and getting things done and made friends with Sue Ellen, the woman running the food/snack part of the station. We wandered from the Jack in the box to the station several times and generally had a good time visiting with Sue Ellen and watching the comings and goings of others.
At 8:30 pm our tires were changed...we said our thank you's and good byes and loaded up our crazy selves and got back on the road again. We crossed the Arizona State Line at 8:38pm!
Susan and I used to refer to Murphy (as in Murphy's Law) as the one to blame when things would mysteriously occur while we were first friends in college...we were beginning to think he had reared his retched little self and was a stow-away in one of the compartments of the RV.
In spite of everything we left with smiles on our faces...especially GenRose! Sue Ellen's daughter (I think it was her daughter) came running out to catch us as were leaving and said her brother liked Gen and wanted her cell phone number! Mel said not today, maybe in the next couple of years and waved good bye.
On the road again...we went as far as Kingman...it was late, we were tired and hungry...it was time to stop. We ended up at McDonald's where everyone but me ate (I rarely do fast foods and wasn't up to it)...there was a sort of creepy guy there that tried to strike up a conversation with me...started asking if my baldness and cane use was due to chemo therapy or radiation...when I just automatically answered, Mel gave me a kick under the table. We moved outside to eat dessert and sit in fresh air and he followed us. With dessert done we wanted to head back to the RV which we had parked near a Semi and were planning to spend the night in on the generator's power, after all we had a baseball bat, a golf club, and my cane to protect us! So, we headed out to the far parking lot and our home on wheels and the kind of creepy guy turned creepy! He moved over two tables so that he could see where we were going! Now the four of us were totally convinced to hurry and get inside and lock the door, which we did. As I was closing the curtains I got that creepy feeling you get when one is staring at you and looked up and realized that Mr. Creepy was following our movements...gosh it was scarey! Mel promised not to leave the trailer to restart the generator without the baseball bat, it had been shutting itself off for some reason and we desperately needed the a/c to sleep. She ended up going out three or four times during the night and once one of the truckers let her know that he was behind her so he didn't get bashed with the bat...it wasn't a restful night, but we did manage to get a few hours sleep. Friday morning greeted us with that hung over feeling from lack of sleep...to be continued.

Home!

2008-08-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I thought I'd take a little time to tell you that I'm home again, in Estacada! I arrived home late Tuesday, after a two day drive with my husband...lot's of fun! I'll be writing about my trip with the girls to O'Keefe country and then the trip home in the next few days. My computer (with the pictures) is waiting to be reconnected here (I'm told that is a priority for tomorrow). I've been catching up on rest...six days on the road with the girls and two with the hubby, leave a girl very tired. I still don't have my voice back, but I think it's starting-at least that's what Di says...my Dad still can't hear me on the phone...I imagine it is frustrating, but thank God for email! Oregon is chilly! I experienced a fifty degree drop in temperatures over night and this bald headed grandma is cold! My daughter-in-law, Christy, brought her three beautiful children over to pick blueberries this afternoon and have a short visit...it was raining, but we perservered and had a great time! Until later...

New Mexico Bound

2008-07-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hello again! We've been busy getting the RV running and cleaned...ahhh the dust! Desert's produce ton's of dust! Needless to say we're all stuffed up with swollen eyes but are nearly ready to leave. Susan, my oldest and bestest friend arrived from NY on Tuesday evening and will be our driver (she drives school bus in Brooklyn-what better person to be our chauffeur). We've had quite a time getting ready...Murphy's Law...but our determination has over come the obstacles that have come up. I'm still in my "jammies" (my husband's scrubs) they are comfortable and cool, and I can always play the brain tumor card. Mel used it at the RV repair place yesterday and it worked! Georgia O'Keefe Museum here we come! It's always been on my "bucket list"...I'm very excited! Susan has her digital and she takes tons of pictures, so I'll have lots to show when we return. We had planned to leave 6-7 am, but good ol' Murphy raised his head and we were slowed down a bit...oh well. Just wanted to let you know what was going on here in Fabulous Las Vegas. We aren't taking the lap top, so will be keeping a travel journal of our trip and transcribing when I get back to share with you all! Until then....

2008-07-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

I promised to try and get some pictures of my adventures in Fabulous Las Vegas on here, so here's a start. This is Mel and I (I'm the bald one with the beaded headpiece) at the Elton John concert we were fortunate enough to go to (FREE!) A friend of hers ended up with two tickets that morning and we snatched up the opportunity. I'd been staring and praying for the opportunity as I looked out the window every night at the bill board with Elton John and his red piano. I'll tell you another thing, while this wheelchair can sometimes be a pain in the &*#@, it does get you preferential treatment in the casinos and concert halls! I was escorted through the crowds, and basically treated like royalty by the ushers! I'll try to get Malinda's graduation pics up next. I still have to make a trip to the computer store and get my computer hooked up to the Internet...I'm forced to use the kids until then. Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!

I APOLOGIZE!

2008-06-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

I thought that I had published the previous short post. I think when I hit publish I did not check to be sure that it had indeed "run it's course"...(I'm still using the kids computer to post) We just spent a wonderful four days with my son, his wife, and three kids visiting...most of the visit consisted of watching kids in the swimming pool. We did get in a trip to the circus that was in town! It was nice getting to visit with Jay and Christy and the kids...sure was a houseful! My cheeks still hurt from laughing so much! Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they drive back to Oregon.

My friend, Susan, is planning a trip out and we are going to head to Santa Fe and do the Georgia O'Keefe Museum...she has a CDL, and is not afraid to drive the RV! It probably won't be until the end of the month, but that's not too far away...not sure who is coming along yet...plans change and the girls are always changing their plans.

Mindy got her graduation pictures via email today and is busy downloading them....her Dad's camera ended up being the only one that worked that day, so when she's done I'll try to get them up here...it may take a day or so...please be patient!

There's lot's of things going on here...seeing one of George Carlin's last performances was a pretty incredible thing! Mel was sweet and told me of his death like he was an old friend...well, thirty nine years of being a fan can count!

Well, now that I've gotten somewhat caught up, I feel better!

Guilt

2008-06-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

I've been suffering from guilt for weeks, but the exhaustion is stronger! I try like all get out to post and just thinking about it tires me out and I head into the bedroom and sleep for fourteen to eighteen hours. I have over 400 emails to read. Everyone feels like they should be the one I answer, no offense, but making the decision is way too much for me this point...the rash is nearly cleared up, but my hands are still sore and my nails, while lovely, need to be cut...how the heck do people get things done with nails this long? Yesterday, Mindy and Kimberly went to the mall and brought back a pair of "Happy Pants"...they felt the scrubs I've been wearing were too drab and I needed something with a bit more color and pizazz!

Graduation, family visits, and a big surprise!

2008-06-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

Well, Mindy's graduated, the party was a success, Jake and Di have come and gone, and....Mel and I are headed to see none other than Elton John tonight!!! Thanks Paula! I have been lusting for a pair of tickets since I got here, but they are far out of my price range! So every time we drive by the bill board I say a secret prayer for tickets to land in our laps and this morning they did! I'll be letting you all know how the evening went tomorrow morning!

Awards Ceremony

2008-05-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

Last night we attended the academic awards ceremony at Mindy's school...I am not going to name the school as I feel I need to be some what protective of my grandchildren's privacy. I will say that I was appalled at how many people left when their child's award was presented...I'm not talking twenty or thirty but half an auditorium...how does that make the others, at the end of the alphabet and the class valedictorian feel? I used my cane several times to poke and prod my own grandchildren to clap their hands for those on stage...my hands hurt by the time the ceremony was over. I have trouble understanding how one can justify texting and having their phones on vibrate, only to get up and leave seven times during the ceremony, thus disturbing the twelve people in the row is okay...I felt the little devil sitting on my shoulder ready to trip the next person who rubbed their butt in my face because they had to get a bottle of water or answer their phone! I don't usually use this forum to complain, but have others had this same thing happen...or am I just from a more polite small town, where we wouldn't think of doing this?

Las Vegas

2008-05-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

I am presently in Las Vegas with the girls...Mel and I drove down Thursday 15 and Friday 16, we spent the night at Reno...at the old Hilton which was wonderful...I would highly recommend it! Las Vegas is presently having a weather event...yesterday it was 107 degrees, today they predict a mere 105! Right now the skies are cloudy and the wind is howling! Nick and Mindy are both down for the count with tummy problems-I'm staying away from them! Mindy just found out that her paternal grandparents have bought her father a ticket to Vegas to attend her graduation...I am so happy they can manage that for her...she pretended it didn't bother her but you could tell she was deeply hurt by it. My trip to Ghost Ranch and the Georgia O'Keefe museum is still somewhat up in the air as we are dealing with the end of the year and senior events and have to squeeze every thing in. Di and Jake are due in June 9th, which is exciting...I miss them! Sorry it's taken so long to get back to the blog but I've been fighting the fatigue from the radiation...similar to being blasted in the head by a bat, if you ask me. At least I've been getting some sleep since the medication's have been adjusted. I'll try to get back tomorrow.

Kendra

Mother's Day at the Oregon Coast

2008-05-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well. it's almost time...I'm so excited...Mel and I are headed to the Tillamook Cheese Factory! I've never been! You see, there's been an issue concerning the kicker motor on our boat...something that a cable, or perhaps backing in the boat would solve, but my husband tends to get over paranoid about some issues...such as tsunami's...and there's always an excuse as to why we cannot stop and tour the Tillamook Cheese Fatory! So Mel and I have decided we are going to make the time to do this, and I am sooooooooooooo excited! I do believe it is wheelchair accessible and should be a whole lot of fun and we get squeaky cheese at the end of the tour! Actually, most anything is fun with Mel, First Born Child of My Loins...I've taught her well...she knows when to act like Rosey the Rivoter, and when to have fun! We don't actually leave until Friday but are planning out out our drive and what we want to take....like firewood...the house supplies just one Dura-Flame log per day...what's with that?! Also, need to grab all the party chairs for the deck, so we can sit out and enjoy the scenary of the petrified forest that sits like Stone Hedge and I'm hoping we can see from somewhere on the property. Evidently, the outdoor heaters that are at my son's do not work properly, so that will require taking exta afghans and blankets, so we can be comfortable sitting out at night...I have not checked if we can have a bon fire, which would be ideal, especially with several bags of marshmellows...I love roasting marshmellows! It usually takes me half a bag to perfect the perfect roasted marshmellow...I don't know if my son is planning on taking his boat, but Langdon is definitly taking ours and crab pots...he's not sure if he's traveling out on Friday after work or early Saturday morning...I suppose it will depend on his energy level and the tides...he's called Charlie the neighbor and asked him to come over and spot him in getting the boat out of the barn at some point today. We're experiencing what I call "Mountain Mist" today, which is a slow, soft, wettness that is barely visible but constant and will not allow me to practice wheelchairing in the drive like I had planned...oh well! About 1:30 today my friend Laurie, from the library, will be joining me to help me pack up a box for the Nebraska Historical Society of my great-grandparents stuff...they were Homesteaders and my Grandfather was the self-appointed geneologist and did a good job of saving all these things...it's really an incredible collection of items and I'm eager for the collection to get to there...we are just going to fill a box and get it off in the mail, let them itemize it and sort it out...I will write what I think the plaque should say...it will be done, and I won't have to worry about it anymore! If you think you might like to join us for any amount of time...just let us know!

IT'S UP...KIND OF GOOFY!

2008-05-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

WEEK END AT THE COAST

2008-05-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

">" border="0" alt="" />

Oregon Vacation Rentals & Homes US Vacation Rentals & Homes

All Vacation Rentals > North America > United States > Oregon > Neskowin > Lincoln City

#146 NESKOWIN VILLAGE Oceanfront 5 BDRM

Rental Overview
Smoking : No
Pets : No
5 Bedroom(s)
1.5 Bathroom(s)
Sleeps 10
Bed Set Up: 1 King, 1 Queen, 6 Twins
Property Information
#146 NESKOWIN VILLAGE Oceanfront 5 BDRM, 1.5 BATH. 1 King, 1 Queen, 6 Twins. Fully-equipped kitchen including dishwasher and microwave. Kitchen table seats 5. Cable TV/VCR, CD player, Fireplace, Laundry, huge Deck. Nice big yard. Accommodates 10 guests and 4 cars.
Rate Information -
Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
$325/night. Winter: $245/night. $70 non-refundable cleaning fee. $15 booking fee
Property Notes Availability
Oceanfront Oregon Vacation Home - Year Round
Property Amenities

Furnishings/Luxuries
Ocean Front
Ocean View

Recreation/Activities
Boating
Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing Nearby
Golf Nearby
Hiking Nearby
Mountain Biking
Restaurant Nearby
Sailing
Shopping
State/National Park Nearby
Swimming
Property Resources
Reservation Information
Brooke

Day Phone: 888-720-2154

Mention Property #22668 at Findrentals.com Email this Listing to a Friend View My Other Properties Location On Map

Click Here to View Photo Slide Show

Well the link works

2008-05-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

I feel that my good fortune and prayer warriors began with Michelle's "Random Acts of Kindness" Contest way back when...My gorgeous pin was created for me through Heather Rice and God's hands...life since then has been an adventure to say the least...please take the time to visit her. And Heather, if you can spare the time and directions I would be happy to link the proper way...to say I'm suffering from Radiation Fatigue is putting it mildly...I have never felt so exhausted in my life! Thank you all for your constant vigil of prayer! I ask that you hold up my friends Rich and Alice, Rich is now receiving full in home hospice care, Alice's request is that he has pain control throughout the night. Thank you again! I love and appreciate you all! Mel, First Born Child of My Loins has returned from Las Vegas to over see my daily care...Miss Mindy has prom tonight...let's keep her in our prayers also!

Faith Creations, LLC.: Something fresh....a new design

2008-05-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Faith Creations, LLC.: Something fresh....a new design

pimped out cane

2008-05-01T08:49:00.001-07:00

Mel says it's Pimpalicious!!

iT'S mY bIRTHDAY, COME ONE AND ALL

2008-04-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

kEITH IS PREPARING A hAWAIIAN HAM...PLEASE FEEL TO BRING SIDE DISHES STARTING ABOUT FOUR O'CLOCK, CALL FOR DIRECTIONS 7827....

Heather's Post

2008-04-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

Heathers Mucky World

Blog Request/Time/Mask Time

2008-04-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

Evidently time spent with me has suddenly been deemed very important by my husbands daughter, Heather, who isn't so sick after all but very willing to use a mask so we can visit and have some one on one time before she drives back to UC Davis-after all she drove all this way-she understands the germ thing and will use a mask-my husband has tears in his eyes-I give in-knowing he has already given permission-I say no touching, mask, do you realize the chances' I'm taking here? He nods, wipes tears, thanks me and goes outside to tell her. Di looks at me-she says well she is in school that is a long way to drive-I say yes, but why now-she's the only one that didn't show-she says well she was in school-I don't remind her it was Spring Break and of the photos she posted-I just look at these and read and read and read-faces -dates and time. There's Lot's of coughing-lots of discussion of wanting to blog about what's happening-lots of time with Dad upstairs downloading pictures. She wants to blog about what's happening with me and how this is affecting her - she eventually leaves never asking me about my blog-there's the dogs water dish....I will call her in the morning and let her know it's here-leave it out on the porch-Tom Zengel will be my caretaker tomorrow starting about 8am-we can work the greenhouse...I've already sorted the recycle, it's ready to go...

Tuesday

2008-04-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

What was supposed to be a low-key, low-stress day began in a panic...I woke up when my husband got up for work to the smell of coffee brewing...I've gone no-caffiene...can't burn it off, why drink it? Anyway, managed to get myself back to sleep for about hour or so...heard coughing fits coming from the upstairs bathroom...made my way to the bathroom for the morning routine and started going over the day in the calendar...Heather, my husband's daughter came down the stairs with her new foster dog Zoe, an eleven month old, on leash...I said I heard coughing, are you sick? She said, yes, all this yellow stuff is in there trying to come out....I put up my arm and asked her to leave, take the dog, leave...pack her stuff back into the car, perhaps she could stay at Charlie and Emily's the neighbors, but I could not be exposed to germs at this time...I was now in a panic mode! I woke Megan, who was my caretaker for the night and day and had her strip the linens, start the wash, take the pillows out on the porch, and open up the windows upstairs. I then had her bring me upstairs so I could email my husband with the news. Megan and I were scheduled to have lunch at the Redland Cafe, where my daughter and her friend Kristan work, and we did, it was soooo wonderful. I had the Veggie Omelet...it rocked! I ate it all! Thanks Redland Cafe! We did various errands on the way home...I felt really good about the day and my handling of the events. My daughter in law Christy, brought the grandkids over a little after 3pm. I enlisted her services in trying to find a book I wanted to take to Tuscon as a hostess gift, but the more we searched the harder it was to locate...I swear it was here a few weeks ago! By this time I was over stressed and tiring fast...my grandchildren really wanted to sit and paint with me and my eyes were stressed to the point where I could barely see...I conveyed this to Christy, who helped me get downstairs, and semi-settled at the dining room table while she prepared snacks...we called Di to come home because the kiddos needed to get home and get started on their homework assignments. Christy managed to help me get settled on the couch bed, while reading the "Wild Things"...I promptly fell asleep...waking to my youngest grandson, Boaz, kissing me on the cheek and saying good bye grandma! I fell back into a sound, sound, sleep for about two hours and then woke to a screaming stomach, and need to eat NOW! I was gathering food, cheesy chicken bake, that our friends the Jackson's brought on Sunday and stuffing it into a pie tin in the oven when my husband walked in and said I was about to get dinner started..fine, but I really must eat...it was seven o'clock! I had pills to take and knew exactly what I needed to do for myself. I managed to heat up my cheesy rice chicken casserole, eat enough to satisfy myself...wrap up the rest, and lose my husband! He reappeared about 8:15, I asked when he was planning on putting the potatoes in to bake and he said he just got the hell out of my way and was ready to get that started then...so I imagine dinner will be about ten or ten thirty tonight...I'll be hungry again, not a problem! I can't stop talking or eating! Oh, and this afternoon, all the airport work I did, for our trip to Tuscon, and escort through the various airports, was deleted by hubby who thought it was phishing of a threat...he read my email about it all after the fact! So I need to start all over...not sure I'm up to it tonight...might just read blogs instead. By the way, thanks for the continued support...I know it's how I managed to make it through this day! The love you have all shown me daily is unbelieveable! Thanks!

Monday Morning!

2008-04-21T09:52:00.001-07:00

Today at 11:30 a.m. some of my Story Time children will arrive with a picnic lunch...we are going to Pimp Out my cane...it is entirely too utilitarian for my taste! I have beads, stickers, jingle bells, more stickers...and have started the process leaving examples and choices. I am very excited. It snowed like a son of a gun here after hubby left for work...had to wake the kids to fuel the fire. I'm heading downstairs again for a bite to eat and a nap before my exciting afternoon...hope to let yo know later how it went!

Radiation Thearpy Completed!!!

2008-04-19T13:55:00.001-07:00

Hi everybody! Radiation Therapy has been completed! Thank you all for holding me up in prayer, chanting, mediatiation, whatever...it's done...I can't tell you they joy I felt as they unswcrewed my mask for the last time and I was able to carry that out in my arms and know I was done with Radiation Therapy!

I had reserved a table at out local bakery and bought four inch color spots (pansies), I had my Dear Uncle Bruce go to the local art store and have my blog address printed on card stock with thank you printed on another color of card stock (which they made a a bit of mistake on when printing and I failed to notice until we were done-but oh well) then we used/recycled all the tissue paper from my hospital stay and made cute little cozies with rubber bands on each pot...we then used the bbq sticks to hold the card stock, which fit in the pots just perfect and took left over ribbon and curled it and tied the thank-you, blog.spot off...looked really cool! I arrived at my last radiation with a gift for every one that helped me...I think they were awestruck...I love pansies...the seeds spread naturally here...no calories, they can get a glimpse of me, my paintings, etc.

We had various people visit us at the while working on our project and eating a lovely breakfast...thanks Linda and Sandy, waitresses, friends.

We then headed to the library where Rhonda gave my Uncle a comprehensive tour of our lovely new library ...I keep having link problems...go Google my library, it's Estacada Public Library, or send me comment that will help me get this done...take a tour of our beautiful establishment...I am so proud to be a part of it! Sarah, one of my favorie coworkers, that I have known since she was a little girl, helped me into the Children's closet where we filled a bag with stickers, ribbons, bows, etc. to Pimp Out my cane...we grabbed some drawing paper, a Giant Pop Up Book, a Giant Where's Waldo and packed it out to my Uncle Bruce's car...alll this will be for the children to keep busy and entertained that are scheduling short picnic visit with me next week to cover my 24 hour care! Yahoooooooooo! I so miss my little people!
Back track a bit here...sorry!
The crew at the Radiation Therapy was as excited for me and we all hugged at the end. Thank you my radiation crew!
My husband, Langdon, who works in the Main Operating Room at St. Vincent's Hospital, was able to schedule himself to be there for my last treatment...it was an awesome experience!
We were talking so much on the way home that my Uncle and I missed the highway turn-off and took a very unexpected whirlwind tour of the Willamette Valley through and around Wilsonville...it was beautiful but we were a few hours doing it...we ended up calling and letting the household know...I had celebrated with a half of sandwich and an Americana with an extra shot, so I was buzzing...and it all worked out!

One of my collected children, Kim, was due for a visit at 6:30, so I voice mailed her at 6:15 from the local grocery store, so she had updated information for my husband who arrived to find her and Annie waiting and no us. We had a lovely dinner and I crawled into my couch bed and promptly fell asleep! A perfect day!

The mask is waiting for a piece of wood to be mounted on...hubby says he has a great piece of black walnut, and our neighbor Charlie (they once had a protable saw mill business together)...anyway, between them both they will find me a great piece of wood to mount my mask on.

Hubby says it will be the most expensive piece of art work we own!

Just wanted to update all of you! I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of love I have been receiving! Thank you all so very much!

Kendra

That award

2008-04-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

Dawn, Mimi and I wanted you to have this for being WHO you ARE!

See attached, download it and post it proudly on your BLOG!

We love you girl!!

I'm so tired this afternoon, and weepy...and I got this...AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

Look what I got!

2008-04-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

Two extra radiations for Mindy's graduation!

2008-04-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

I will be taking two extra doses of radiation therapy to help insure that I can get to my granddaughters high school graduation...I am doing/tolerating it that well...this was decided yesterday after an impromptu meeting with Dr. Hansen, my assigned radiation/oncology doctor...my body will not tolerate any more than that without degenerative issues. I have bought 4" color spots of pansies to leave with my blog address to the techies as a thank you...they get cookies, candy, and such all the time...I want to thank them with a sign of life and they have been talking to me about lawns, flowers, weeding, etc. So, my warriors, die cancer die, four times, same time through Friday...thanks so much...wanted to post this first and will try to get more up before my busy day gets away from me...you are all awesome!

This is the man who saved my life!

2008-04-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

This is the man who saved my life...who cancelled his Spring Break vacation plans with his family and successfully removed the aggressively growing monster inside my head, did not scramble my brain, and allowed me to live to tell about it! He is my hero and I would like to thank him for this, and let his family know how grateful I am for their sacrifices...I have my own way I will thank his two little guys later...He is looking at a hand made card with the hair post...the meeting with him was incredibly encouraging and he was encouraged by the radiation reports...I have today and tomorrow, 2:10-2:15, Die cancer die! (four times)...no additional necessary...he said it's looking good...I can bend, walk, dig around in drawers, all as tolerated...yeah! Oh mighty warriors, thank you for heralding! Thursday is my first Medical/Oncology meeting which will tell us many thing...it's a scary thing for me...must remember to turn on my digital recorder....have lot's of family support coming along...then palliative rest and readying for my birthday trip to friends in Tuscon, AZ, that has been in the planning for a year...the lady in the pics/mirror is really a stranger to me, but I'm not on the mantle in a box! I have resolved a few issues, or they have been resolved for me that I had been struggling with since 1998, and am going to write a book about this experience and do a pop-up, there are never enough pop-ups, on Unconditional Love...my massage therapist just arrived...my day is about to begin...I love and appreciate you all!

Hair!

2008-04-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

There seems to be some concern about my hair. Believe me my neuro surgeon is the worst...he keeps saying he did not order my bald head and appeared extremely upset over it...after talking to my husband while en route to radiation on Wednesday, I was enlightened, I guess you could say, by the vanity in today's world. He said people's lives are saved, and then the doctors are sued because the small area that they shave to operate is cut crooked or an infection takes place because they tried to keep the area to a minimum for appearances sake. I'm the one who called my husband at home and asked him to call the lovely Miss Sheila, our personal friend and hairdresser to do me the honors. She only lives 10 minutes from the hospital I was in, she loved me, and I felt it would be best to have a bald clean area for the surgeons to work, and hair grows...I knew that I would just donate it to Locks of Love, and there was plenty of it. My hair had been waist length for years because I was lazy and it was easier to grow and twist into a bun at work or outside that it was to style or go get cut every six weeks or so. Miss Sheila gave me a call and said she was on her way. My daughter Mel, First Born Child of My Loins, assisted me in the shower and began the comb out process. By the time Sheila was there, we had called Nurse Becky for the anti-anxiety drug just in case, up until then I had refused it, saying I preferred being coherent in my visitations as long as I could...actually, this was harder on Sheila emotionally than I. Too bad I couldn't share the drugs. The biggest obstacle we faced was waiting for a broom and a dustpan at the end, we'd made quite a mess of the room. I'm about to make my surgeon a thank you card and I really want to alleviate his sense of doom about my hair. It's hair, it grows, I don't understand the vanity issue involved here.

2008-04-11T08:22:00.001-07:00

I realized that those of you who met me through this incredible cyber world have no idea or what I looked like before this crazy event...I had been careful not to use photos or names...now that it has gone informational I thought I owed you a photo of what I actually looked like in real life...this is me and granddaughter, Kimberly Rachel, at the Grand Opening of The Estacada Public Library...champagne in hand, celebrating...sorry, Kim, you're out there and part of this...no privacy...it was the most recent good photo I managed to find this morning...time to go downstairs and have the Lovely Lila Brown assist me with my grooming and wait for daughter in law Christy (who turned 35 yesterday...happy birthday!) drive me to my radiation...set your alarms, die cancer die, four times...thanks...maybe more later.

2008-04-11T00:58:00.000-07:00

This is Rob.

My kids in the elevator, seeing me off to tests...Mel, Shell, Megs, Rob, Brandy, Jake, and Di.

Me, life saver head, I think it was Saturday or maybe Sunday...drugs. Hey, I'm laughing for the camera!

2008-04-11T00:53:00.000-07:00

My dear friends Shelly and Wendy...obviously post op...the dressing, not much memory or time line of actual events...the girls will help me with updating that stuff later.

My bulletin board...notice the wild rumpus...I am the story lady...I kept repeating that.

Beautiful butterflies by the lovely Miss Brandy!

Nurse Steve, I believe, I didn't look so good here...know it's post op, there's a bandage.

2008-04-11T00:51:00.001-07:00

My room post op...never alone...always loved...very confused but grateful!

2008-04-11T00:48:00.000-07:00

She had more hair when she was born...she is so beautiful!

Sheila's reaction to Mel's solidarity!

Beautiful!

2008-04-11T00:45:00.000-07:00

The Essense of Lila...true love and absolute delight! Evidently post op, I see a dressing...I remember saying come, let me smell you!

Request

2008-04-11T00:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! This radiation business is keeping my day full...today's transporter team was my dear friend Julie and her daughter Shina...I hope I spelled her name right...daughter came in adorable outfit with apron ready to "serve"...she did well, got the dust bunnies growing along the upstairs hall...cleaned my shower, toilet, and sink to a sparkling sweet smelling place one can delight in using...it had gotten bad...had it been public campgrounds, I would have opted for squatting in the bushes, the shower would have been cleaner from a garden hose...this child of nine wanted to do this and I let her...she also wanted to support me through the radiation, so she came along, her mother drove...I felt so loved! It was a very special time. My bank locked me out on line this morning so they drove me to the bank to take care of that before hand. Thank you Key Bank for fixing the problems! On the way home we stopped at the Cliff House and gorged on appetizers looking out over the Clackamas River...something we always think about doing but usually end up with pbj's on the porch steps and watching over Julie's six kids as they run and jump and fall...it was a very special time. I have a request, please pray for my friend Rich, and his wife Alice. Rich has just entered Hospice care and was devastated when he heard my news...Alice called this morning and was relieved that she was able to give me his love. Alice requests that being pain free be the focus, especially during the evening...said I'd love to pass it on...so here goes warriors!

2008-04-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

I do know this is me post op on the phone...someone should be filling in my blank spaces here...not sure who I was on the phone with, just glad to be alive!

Mel's sporting Mom's winter hat in her lovely solidarity doo! Miss Lila Brown loving on her! My girls!

Lila's initial reaction (notice the gum on her teeth!) I love all my kids...they were great...I'd open an eye and there would be another...they gave me a bigger room to accommodate my kids! Uncondidtional love rocks...I was lucky enough to experience something most people only think they know about...the story gets better...I'm tired and need to get some sleep...sorry this is disjointed but hey Im dealing with brain tumors...just remember to say die cancer die four times weekdays through the sixteenth at 2:10-2:15 Oregon time...thanks!

Mel's Arrived Home Safely

2008-04-09T18:38:00.001-07:00

Mel, Melissa Marie, First Born Child of My Loins, has arrived safely in Las Vegas...her phone message described her walking to her fathers car...I heard the tears, I felt her pain...she left four teen agers, three her daughters, one her brother and was at my side my morning...she did me well, she hurts so bad...I know her Dad and her boyfriend, her brother, and her daughters will hug and sob tonight...dog pile in the big bed! The lovely Miss Lila Brown will arrive shortly and take over for the next two weeks while Mel buys prom dresses and prepares for my oldest granddaughters high school graduation...she'll be back in a few weeks, probably on my birthday...I know she's got her phone alarm set...she's turned out to be a most amazing woman! Thanks Mel, I love you, get your business done, some rest, and remember die cancer die!

2008-04-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

Treatment #5 is behind me, back for more tomorrow...realizing that this series of events, this increcible journey, is really most amazing...I'm the local library story teller...I was actually told that this monster inside my head was growing so aggressively that I probably would have just dropped dead within a week...imagine doing the hokey pokey and traumatizing half the two year olds in town! I posted some pictures...briefly explained who they were and will try to get more up...set your alarms..2:10-2:15 again tomorrow and Friday, say die cancer, die...four times the treatment is short...there's something powerful going on here...I envision my storytime kids, stopping what they are doing, and shouting die, cancer, die! My granddaughters phone alarms sounding and them giving the world the hand and saying die, cancer, die! I see warriors out there! Kids are starting to mail me things, I'm pimping out my cane! I keep saying if you could take a brain tumor, turn it into it's worst case scenario and then a show...I'm rocking with it! Staying positive here, what choice do I have?

2008-04-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

Di and Jake the Snake...yes, that is her tongue!

My dear friend Shelly telling me to give the "thumbs up"...I see fear...real, fear...thanks to all of you it was short lived...thanks Shelly, I love you!

The lovely Miss Brandy again...she brought sparkling butterflies and decorated my room for me...she always wears that lovely smile, she belongs to Rob and she's wonderful! I love you!

2008-04-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Megan, one of the collection, she's turned out to be not only lovely but one of my dependable transporters for radiation treatment...I travel 46 miles each way for less than ten minutes of radiation...talk about choices, or lack of them...2:10-2:15 pm weekdays, die cancer, die! Told the tech today okay, lets kill em...think I scared the social worker... she suggested thinking clean pink cells, said hell no...thinking die cancer die...

Me, thinking Wow, I may be in big trouble here...and I was on drugs!

Shell, being cute?!

2008-04-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

These panties are the joke...I sent them for granny panties, I wasn't prepared...my son, the preacher, blew up the glove and if you look real close used a plastic spoon to uh, give it some lift!

Shelly asked me to do the bored student pose

Rob, Jake, Brandy

2008-04-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

Crazy life safer head woman on drugs...basically they map out the gerbils inside your head...crazy!

Shell awestruck! Mel in the background...isn't she lovely?! I swear the head shave was like a face lift! Obviously I was feeling no pain and easily entertained by those life safer things!

2008-04-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

These are post op...the lovely Miss Lila Brown, she is my adopted daughter, she needed a mom, she rocks!

She brought me this lovely I'm Rick James Bitch Wig, behind me my good friends Tom and Sheila. Sheila, is the family hair cutter, she shaved my head for me...she said it was more traumatic for her. They live close to the hospital so when Langdon called and asked her to cut my waist length hair off then shave my head, she called and said she was on her way. I called the nurse and the nurse said...here's some anti-anxiety drugs! Sometimes drugs are good things! Brandy and Rob get their first glimpse of Mel's solidarity! I'm telling you, she had more hair when she was born...and the lovely Miss Lila Brown!

2008-04-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

This techie guy is Hazen...he had fun gluing life safers on my newly shaved head...I rang for Adavan, NOT SURE OF THE CORRECT SPELLING ON THAT ONE or some anxiety reducing drug...hell, I had a brain tumor! I must say my doctor kept saying he didn't call for the shaved head...people must be weird about things like that...hell, mine was waist long for decades...I just thought it would be easeir all around to shave my head and be helpful...probably will make two wigs...it's LOCKS OF LOVE HAIR NOW!

2008-04-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

Dianna Rachel, youngest, Monster Child-notice the "M" lip

Melissa Marie, First Born Child of my Loins

Mel, Jake, Shell, Rob, Brandy, Di....my peeps, told ya I collected children

That would be me on gurney starting to be sent down under, already shaved my head-kids were laughing at me-I kept saying Wow! My open door policy sure worked for me...then I told the entire ninth floor where to find my house key!

Bring on the Powers that Be!

2008-04-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

This week, at 2:10 pm Oregon time I will be receiving the next five radiation treatments. To relax I sing I'm a little tea pot, it really is that short...I think I should rally the powers out there that have gotten me through this so far and am requesting that you stop whatever you are doing and say die cancer, die....I think if you say it four or five times is all it will take...because this site is inoperable, radiation is the key...more later...put on your warrior wings! Thank you!

I've survived brain surgery!

2008-04-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

Life is good, and have I got a story to tell...this may take several posts...tonight's is an attempt to finish some business I never got to before Good Friday (the beginning) please bear with me. First, I had been meaning to pass along my very first blog award and never got around to it...it haunted me during this whole experience and I would now like to pass this to Michelle at http://ourfairytalelife.blogspot.com/. She deserves it. She's a good mom. Congratulations Michelle (I do believe you just copy and paste the award onto your sidebar) That being done perhaps I will sleep peacefully tonight. The meds I am on for brain swelling interfere with bad sleeping patterns and restful healing is what I am seeking at this time. My daughter is here for a few more days and will be helping me to "fill in the gaps" and post my journey. If ever there was a story to tell, this is it. To say I survived brain surgery, pain free, never frightened, alone, and at peace is an amazing thing! To the hundreds of angels our there that have led prayer in my name I thank you, your prayers provided a thing of beauty. I have had two days of Radiation and have another eight to go. My family, friends, and community are rallied. My story is truly an amazing one! Please come back tomorrow for the beginning...I'm ready to begin.

Definition of a Good Day...

2008-03-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

...WARNING! This post is not for the weak of heart, or those who are delicately natured...I've been sick...AGAIN...one of your lovely snotty nosed children (or mine) exposed me to the dreaded germs!

Today, my definition of a good day is any day that starts without peeing or pooping on myself as my body is wracked by deep waves of trying to cough! (I have done more laundry in the past five days than when all three of my kids lived at home!) It's not been pleasant, but (no pun intended) I have survived to live and tell about it!

My last post was the start of my demise...I can carry on a conversation without bursting into tears and apologizing through gasps and slobber (*NOTE TO SELF: remember to clean the telephones) I feel like I should mix a big bucket of 10 percent bleach solution and wipe down the house! I know this is a futile attempt at sanitizing, after the fact, but at least it won't be able to make the rounds again.

I don't do down time well...I can with company, but not alone...I've often wondered why as I struggle up from under twenty three afghans on the couch to go get the broom to sweep down the giant cobweb across the living room (Why hadn't I noticed that earlier? Like three feet earlier?) OMG! It extends fourteen feet, across the entire room...my eyes are glazing over...I feel faint...hold on...wait! Where did that chair go?

Oh no! Going to cough...find a concentration point...too late! Make my way down the hall to my bathroom, start the shower, open the door to get in and realize it's so dirty if it was a shower at a campground, I would refuse to use it and take a cold shower from a hose instead...I step in...and cough...oh well, there's a drain. (At this point, it's like being in Labor and Delivery-modesty and decorum go out the window)

I manage to get through the shower feeling somewhat cleaner than when I went in...I put on a clean bath robe (my husband's) and take all the nasty clothes I removed to the washer...and cough...this time I'm surprised by a warm mushy feeling on the back of my legs...OMG! It's now running down the back of my leg...have you ever tried to run to the bathroom while going?! Without having any idea how to control it?

Needless to say, back in the shower...hoping and praying that the kids don't get up and come downstairs and slip with the trail I left in the hall...YUCKO! Shower #2 accomplished...I head to the washer...AGAIN...at this point I could care less if the clothes actually need to be separated...I start the wash and the clean up...it's not at all fun...nothing I care to repeat. (I'll forever be grateful for Thursday mornings and taking the trash to the road!) My slippers, my favorite slippers are full of &*!# in the trash..believe me, it's where they need to be...I would have put them in with the rest of the mess but they surely would have fallen apart before the Rinse cycle and I couldn't bear another mess.

Monday finds me at the doctors office. I'm not sure how I got there...I did...I drove...naughty me. She took one look at me and started to call the pharmacy...mega doses of anti-biotics and prednisone...do I want a sleepy time cough medicine...no thank you...a glass of wine will do me...she smiles and continues scanning the chart...oh no, she's caught me at a weak moment...when was your last Women's Health Exam? I really have no friggin idea, or care today...I mumbled my response...well, T. will make you one while the pharmacy prepares your prescription. GREAT!!! Just what I want to think about now having my boobs squashed between cold metal! T. asked all the vital information and off I went...she'd call and leave me my appointment time...how easy is that? I'll tell you how easy, a whole lot easier if she went to the damned appointment, got half naked, had her boobs handled by strangers and then alternatively squished in a vice...reminds me of the comic who smashes fruit and the audience is covered in plastic sheets...why get all dressed up to end up with water melon dripping off your nose? What's the point?

Anyway, today is a good day, by my definition and as an added bonus the sun is shining and my pants are dry! Even though the hubby is honking and snorttling on the other side of the house...here we go again!

It's later and this grandma is tired!

2008-02-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

Well it's just before six and I'm finally home and trying to catch up with myself. I should have been happy that I didn't step in doggie doo this morning...should have gotten down on my knees and thanked the Almighty for such a good start to a day from down under (and I don't mean Australia!)

I won't go into it in detail other than to say my work day was extended due to being short staffed due to illness...remember the sleeping twenty somethings from this mornings post? There was a wedding this weekend and they spread the love...I mean their germs...we live in a small town! My coworker sat at their table at the wedding reception. She is now ill. I blamed them. They laughed and then they did the dishes I left all over the kitchen and the upstairs bathroom!

I finally made it home, avoiding dog pooh as I retrieved the mail and trash receptacles down on the road. I'm tired! I'd like to retreat into a hot tub and have a drink...we have two hot tubs here...one leaks and the other isn't hooked up...so that isn't an option this evening. Instead I hauled firewood and finished the laundry I started this morning (three loads/it's only the two of us!)

I did have good moments today...friends stopped by to see me on their way back over the mountain...good friends, a couple, the very first people I met when I came to live in this little town. We were neighbors and shared our garden spot and pig pen. It was so good to see them even if it was for a very short while. I miss them in my everyday life.

It's getting dark here. Time for me to tend the fire and get the laundry put away. (Really, I smell pop corn and I am a popcorn pig-must hurry before they eat it all!)

Thursday morning, Garbage Day, and Dog Pooh!

2008-02-28T07:33:00.000-08:00

I so hate Thursday mornings! And I so love Thursday mornings! Like most days, my mornings start with the fused light from the bathroom (fused my ASK!), then comes the man who sits on my side of the bed, sighs deeply and continues on with his morning chantra of "I'm leaving now, good luck with your day...and remember you said to tell you that you had a Staff meeting today"...Staff Meeting! You remembered! I have a Staff Meeting?! Oh dear! It's also garbage day! And Story Time at the library...after the Staff Meeting! OMG! Feet hit the floor running! Mind you it's 5 AM! Laundry! I need clean pants! We have a new dress code to go with the new library (actually the dress code and the library are nearly two years old! Time does fly!)

In between the laundry and the trash gathering, I made some coffee...gotta have something that mocks true energy...may as well be coffee! (Morman I'm not! No offense to those who are.) GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! I'm starting to feel a little grumpy! None of that! Put on your smile and continue...I tend to talk to myself...out loud! In this case, at a whisper, the "twenty somethings" are sleeping upstairs...I keep them around to add humor to my life and haul the wheel barrow of firewood up on the porch! Add humor to my life? HA! They have completely opposite schedules and I hardly ever see them. I still leave notes and look for signs of their being here when I am sleeping. (Why is it we can't sleep until we hear the click of the door and know they've made it home safely?) I seriously thought that would end when they grew up! It's not happening! It hasn't happened!

Talk about rambling! I lost my train of thought! Ah yes! Thursday mornings...trash, laundry, I need pants! Coffee in hand I start to collect the trash. Stupid, I know. With coffee slopping out of my cup and trailing up the stairs I enter the upstairs bath to find the counter filled with empty glasses...dirty empty glasses...oh, I wish MY camera was working! (Picture in your mind a weeks worth of dirty glasses on the counter). I'd go get the dear husbands out if I had the time.

It has started to get light outside by then which is what I had hoped for (you can't see the dog pooh in the light). I don't have a dog...I think about it from time to time...see my previous post on that topic...I'm busy rambling here!

Dog Pooh! Change your shoes you idiot, you know it's down there and you're going to step in it! Be prepared! Accept the fact. Put on a smile and greet your life...stepping in doggy doo on a Thursday morning is part of it, deal with it!

MORE LATER...The buzzer on the dryer just sounded and I HAVE A STAFF MEETING, REMEMBER?!

2008-02-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

Here is the painting my class completed...I put the mat on it to make it "pop"
Once again, I am not really happy with the end result...I know, I know, I'm way too critical of my work.

No One Knows!

2008-02-21T18:25:00.000-08:00

What in Heaven's name is wrong with me?! No one I actually know, knows I have this blog. Oh, I did tell one incredibly intelligent Vietnam Helicopter Pilot. Not my hubby, not my best friend, not anyone knows that this exits (I think). I did google myself and it does come up, but that doesn't mean anyone else has found it. Am I silly? Do others tell their friends, coworkers, etc.?

World Best Friend Week!

2008-02-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

My bestest and oldest friend sent this to me and I'm passing it on to all of you!

Think about this for a minute...
If I happened to show up on your door step crying,
Would you Care?
If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something Happened,
Would you come?
If I had one day left, to live my life;
Would you be part of That last day?
If I needed a shoulder to cry on,
Would you give me Yours?
This is a test to see who your real friends are or
If you are just some one to talk to you when they are bored . . .
Send this to Everybody on your list including the person who sent it to you.
I just Did.....because you are my friend.
Do you know what the relationship is between your two eyes?
They blink together, they move together, they cry together,
They see things together and they sleep together,
BUT THEY NEVER SEE EACH OTHER... that's what friendship is.
Your aspiration is your motivation, your motivation is your belief,
Your belief is your peace, your peace is your target,
Your target is heaven, and life is like hell without FRIENDS.
It's 'world best friends week'.
Who is your best friend?
Send this to all Your good friends.
Even me, if I am one of them.
See how many you get back.
If u get more than 3 then you really are a lovable person...

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate!!!!

Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth...AMEN..!!

I believe people are put into our lives for a purpose. I also believe that we aren't always aware of what that purpose is. There have been many people who have entered my life lately...thank you for doing so...welcome to my world!

Such a Gorgeous Day!

2008-02-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

These two characters are my Russian Torts. I kind of "rescued" them from a daughter of a friend. They live in a childs wading pool in my living room next to the wood stove...they did live in a ten gallon tank but that seemed way too confined in my opinion.

It's an odd sight when you walk into someone's living room and there's a pool next to the wood stove...a pool with these little guys in it. They have a hot rock to keep them warm at night. That's what they're on in the picture. They eat dark greens. They love dandelion greens...we have plenty of those in our yard! They are pretty basic creatures!

I call them Frick and Frack. My youngest daughter calls them Sigfreid and Roy. My middle granddaughter calls them Tater and Tot. It doesn't seem to confuse them at all. As I said, they are pretty basic creatures. Perfect for us "empty nesters".

They don't need a drink but once a month or so. They do eat on a fairly regular basis, but can survive without fresh food for a few days. I only clean the poop out every week or so. I scoop it out with an old slotted spoon. Compared to cleaning out a barn on a daily basis this is a piece of cake!

Today is an absolutely drop dead gorgeous day here in Oregon (it was 65.3 when I checked last)...it's the first day this year I was able to open the door and let the fresh air in and the stale out. I must remember to mark the calendar!

I no sooner opened the door than the torts started stirring. The fresh air woke them up. They are busy now trying to find a way out of the pool. It's truly amazing that they react in this manner! If I were to take them out of the pool, they would scurry (yes, they do scurry!) towards the open door and outside.

Every August we have a huge party to celebrate life and friendship. They escaped two years ago and nearly got crushed by a very large friend on the front porch (they had a smaller container prior to the pool-one of those under the bed Rubbermaid things). They can push my screen or open. I've actually watched them do this over and over again. If I let them wander I always lock the screen door if it's nice outside.

Sometimes I take them out for a walk. They are like children then...they both run in opposite directions! Frick almost always heads towards the greenhouse and the wood shed and Frack goes over and burrows in the lawn clippings that we mulch the Deodora with, or for the front flower bed.

So far they haven't managed to escape from the wading pool. I think it's because the sides kind of slope. Also because they haven't grown enough to get over the sides.

I hear them scrapping the sides of the pool with their talons...I should go out and see if the ground is dry enough for them to be outside. The test is to go barefoot and not get damp. If their shells get wet they can rot.

Bet you didn't think you were going to learn about torts today, did you?!

Sunday

2008-02-17T15:53:00.001-08:00

(I actually wanted to post this yesterday but our dsl was slower than dial up ever was so I got it typed and ready to go.)

I managed to walk today, both with my hubby on his cardio-health conscious walk and then again down to the creek. I just got back. I love walking down to the creek, it's through old and second growth forest. The mahonia and salal look lovely this time of year (about the only time of year in my opinion).

I had to stop and turn around before I actually came out of the forest to the beach at the creek because it was too muddy and I was starting to slip as I climbed over fallen trees and tromped over the moss covered rocks in my way. I hadn't told anyone where I was headed and was last seen on the front porch laying on the couch in the sun like a fat cat. I figured no one would miss me until dark and if I fell I had no way to call for help. I'm not sure how far a walk it is...tomorrow, weather permitting, I will do it again and take the gps with me and track myself.

These are the times I miss having a dog. I almost want to go to the local feed store and see what puppies are available for free. I don't dare. One lick on my face, one whiff of puppy breath and I'd be a goner! We agreed that unless we decide together and schedule a vacation around getting another dog we won't do it.

When we first got together we had old dogs. His died first. Mine hung on until she was nineteen! The dog that refused to die. She had a stroke in the driveway the morning of my grandfathers funeral. I had a pinched nerve and couldn't sit still long enough to make the three hour drive. My brother got me a blanket and lawn chair and helped me put the dog on the blanket and me in the chair where I sat until my sick daughter decided to wake up. She then helped me get the dog in the house and call the vet. We waited all day for the vet to arrive and sat and loved on this semi conscious dog. When the vet finally did call it was to say she wouldn't be able to make it there had been one emergency after the other all day long. Well, I couldn't drive at the time due to the pinched nerve (my arms were literally numb!) My daughter was unable to drive a stick shift, the only vehicle available at the time. So we sat and loved on this dog hour after hour after hour.

Three days later she finally gave up and died. By the time the vet called to say she was finally free to come up and put down the dog, the dog had died an hour earlier.

I miss having a dog. I miss the companionship. I miss having that loyal protection. There are times, like today, when I walked to the creek alone that I feel vulnerable and get scared.

I must remember that in order to have dogs that are loyal and protective I have to put in many hours of training and being with the animal. Neither of us are willing to make that sacrifice at this time. When the right dog and time come we will know it.

Until then I shall stay away from the inside of pet shops and feed stores!

Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

We don't celebrate Valentine's Day in our house...that stopped for many in our "circle" three years ago when our dear friend James died after a traumatic accident at the creek. He was just twenty two years old...my youngest daughter's best friend since JHS and roommate. We do go to the cemetary. This year, for the first time ever, it didn't rain! One year it snowed! Usually we lug lawn chairs, umbrellas, and rain gear. We bring beverages and snacks. We have our own little reunion and sit around James'tombstone and visit. We don't want to forget!

This year my daughter and her boyfriend (who was with James at the time of the accident) decided to go to Las Vegas and have fun. They think it's time to "get on with their lives", and besides James would've loved Las Vegas! So off they went and I promised to go the cemetary by myself...which I did...and there was no one there. I hung around for about 10-15 minutes and decided to come home.

The thing is that most of the circle has grown up a whole lot. They have responsibilities and families that they didn't have when James died. There were signs that many had come...flowers, a note, balloons, a toy that I had left last year. They made me smile, and I know that they make James smile. I could almost identify who had been there already and who had not yet made it. I know his mother had not been there yet...I would have liked to have been able to visit with her a bit, but evidently it wasn't to be. I know I'll see her once a year at our August party. I know she'll know that I was there before her.

I used to love this day. Actually, any day I could decorate and use food coloring in mashed potatoes is a favorite!

This morning came with blue sky and sunshine! The air smelled sweet. The temperature was freezing, if not below, there was a coat of ice on the cars. I actually had to fight with the car door and pry it open and then get in and kick the others open so I could load all the recylables and trash can to deposit down on the main road. Anyway, I just felt good...happy...almost joyous. I made my coffee, threw some laundry in and came up here to check my email. And guess what I found?

I was awarded a Blog Award! My first! Thank you Michelle! Go to her blog http://michellekemperbrownlowwrites4kids.blogspot.com/and read and laugh . Today she did a video...it was awesome to put a face and a voice to a blog. Ha! I just called my new cyber friend a blog! Silly me!

Today was a beautiful day and I just knew good things were going to happen and they did!

Story Time had over 20 kids, the largest crowd in a long while. I had stopped and bought treats for them earlier and had just enough! We had frosting and sprinkles all over the community room, but it all cleaned up nicely! We had no meltdowns. Only one head bumping incident when we twirled around and danced. Everyone left with a smile!

My son just called and asked if I could babysit at his house tomorrow after work so he could take his wife out on a date because he has firefighter class tonight...anyone who knows me knows this is my idea of a Friday night. Whoooo-hoooo!I adore my grandchildren and like nothing better than spending time with them. My hubby will have to fend for himself tomorrow night...I think he'll be okay with it. I have my daughters car while she's gone, so I'll be driving a dependable vehicle (he lives in the next town, about 25 miles away and I don't drive mine out of town)

This day that I was dreading has turned out to be fabulous! I hope all of yours did as well.

The Finished Painting

2008-02-12T22:39:00.000-08:00

...signature and all!

I am very tired and need to get up very early and drive Miss D. and J. the Snake to the airport...they're going to Vegas baby...darned them anyway...more about that tomorrow. Good night cyber-buddies!

The Stinking Butterfly

2008-02-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

So my new friend, Michelle, at My Semblence of Sanity, http://michellekemperbrownlowwrites4kids.blogspot.com/has been promised this butterfly that I recently did in my water color painting class. I am not happy with it, but I promised to post it anyway. Here ya go Michelle!

REFRESHING my "ask"

2008-02-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

My husband teasingly refers to the temperature in our bathroom as REFRESHING! There's nothing refreshing about dropping your pants, or worse yet, getting naked and into the shower when the ambient air temperature hovers around 45 degrees!

Needless to say, showering takes planning during these dark gloomy days and nights. Now, remember that I heat soley with wood, so there is no heater in my bathroom. We have a woodstove in our adjacent bedroom but we only build a fire in there if the house temperatures plummet due to snow or bad winds. To do so makes one want to dress in a bikini and go barefoot.

A shampoo takes more planning (I do not use a hair dryer and my hair is very long). Today I decided that I could no longer be seen in public without a shampoo, even with a hat. I took this venture one step further and decided instead of braiding the hair on my legs I would shave. Not knowing when the little pink disposable was used last, I threw it out. I'm guessing it was before Christmas, or maybe August, I'm really not sure. Judging from the forest, it could have been longer.

I started the water and did some small "fill the time" tasks. (I so wasn't thinking about being wasteful!) After about five minutes I went in to read the indoor/outdoor thermometer...it read 52 degrees. Yipee! That was better than normal, so I quickly disrobed and hurried in. I lathered, rinsed, and repeated. I even used the scrubby puffy thing I always forget about until I turn the water off. I carefully shaved the forest that had grown on my legs...without injuring myself! I thought of a million things that needed to be done outside before Spring actually arrives. That was exhausting!

So here I sit, all squeaky clean, shaved, and shampooed! Ta Da! This is an accomplishment and it's only Monday!

Now to get dressed and to work.

Tagged Again!

2008-02-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged again...thanks to MoM2-2GoodBoys! Check out her blog.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages.)
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Link back to the person who tagged you.
6. Tag five people.

So...The book is: Illustrated Rigging for Salmon-Steelhead-Trout by Robert H. Campbell.

"I'll often go through a hole throwing different color combinations and if I don't get a hit I'll go back through with the black blade. Black also seems to work in a variety of water conditions including glacial or colored water.
Dave continues, "Much of the time silvers will be found in the slack and slower margins of a hole."

I have not been able to get into this book with the enthusiasm that I had when I first found it at the library. The illustrations are great...simple...easy to follow and understand. I think I may scan a few pages and work on my rigs later, which is why it was the closest book at hand.

I've managed to have some kind of stomach flu attack me in the past few days, so I'm really lacking in the enthusiasm department (she says through a mouth full of saltines, while taking small sips of tea).

Now, I have to tag five people:

1. http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/

2. http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/

3. http://thisbearbites.blogspot.com/

4. http://caregivingisnotforwimps.blogspot.com/

5. http://monavoir.com/about-the-family-and-the-friends/

I've stumbled upon the above blogs in the last few weeks and have really enjoyed them...check them out!

I'm going to make more tea and find someone to work my shift tomorrow.

My hubby just called and said he'll bring me some Gatorade after he stops at the Brew Pub and gets himself some dinner! I'm not even going to comment on that one, I don't have the energy.

Blah, blah, blah!

2008-02-04T07:57:00.001-08:00

My granddaughter called me last night. I've been waiting for this call. This is the granddaughter mentioned in a previous post. The one who is grounded for an eternity (I think she mentioned 18 more days). She's going to miss the "Sadies" dance, which is something she's been looking forward to for months.

I listened to her go on and on about how miserable she is...how her mom is mean...how she KNOWS what she did was wrong...how she has learned her lesson.

I let her get it all out and then I said "my turn"...

1. Your mother loves you and she is not being mean.

2. This dance is really a very insignificant event in your life no matter how hard that is for you to believe at this time.

3. Just because you're saying all the right things doesn't mean you learned anything. It just means you're smart, and you're trying desperately to manipulate the situation to benefit you. (I repeated #2)

4. Your life is not over! (Again, I repeated #2)

I then asked her why she was feeling so miserable...she said because she's grounded...cut off from her world, her friends, (and here it is)...her Mom!

This is what I had been waiting for!

She went on to tell me how she considers her Mom her best friend, and she misses her. Once again, I reminded her that her mother loves her and was disappointed and hurt by her actions and she was grounded out of love.

Long story short I basically told her she had to "buck up" and deal with her punishment, earn her mother's trust back, and remember #1-4. I don't know if she got it or not...I can only hope!

I sure do miss my girls!

I Was Gifted!

2008-02-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

When I arrived at work on Thursday I found a book on my desk. I work in a library, so that in itself wasn't so unusual. I also share my work space, but the person I share my space with does periodicals not books. Something about that book had my curiousity, so I went back to my desk and took a look. There was a note sticking out with my name! It was a gift from a friend/patron! This person was instrumental in my painting again! She had been out with a friend at a book sale and thought of me when she saw the book. The friend she was with had a great discount so she grabbed it for me without too much damage to her wallet. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Miss M. happened to be in the library as I was hurrying through and I was able to thank her and get a hug...she whispered in my ear "we women have to stick together and support one another".

She's absolutely right. Often times we put ourselves on the back burner to take care of the daily tasks at hand. It's a mommy thing. We do it all the time. We don't even think about it. I'm learning rather late in life that it's okay to be a little selfish and follow your own desires.

I'm so fortunate to have friends like Miss M.!

I think this was unrealistic of me...

2008-02-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

Two years ago I wrote the following as my "about the seller" for an eBay store I have.

Kendra's Korner Kollectibles

Kendra's Korner Kollectibles is a result of generations of pack rats. All of which landed in my "craft/sewing/computer/guest" bedroom. Out of necessity I began going through boxes that had been stored by my grandparents and great grandparents for close to a century. As I made the piles of keepers and tossers I suddenly looked at my computer and had one of those "lightbulb" moments! I had three gem books in my hand and was headed for the garbage can...I quickly did a "Google" search...Bingo! The first three hits were eBay items! Being a gardener entering the "off" season I put my time and energy into emptying boxes, researching items, and selling them on eBay. It's been a great educational experience and has helped me piece together "gaps" in the family geneology. I've realistically given myseelf three years to get through it all, hopefully I'll make a lot of collectors happy along the way and once again have room for guests!

I just today realized that I'm two years into the store and not nearly through these piles of paper that I seem unable to part with.

I was lucky...blessed...whatever you want to call it; I had a grandfather for close to for fifty years! He was born in a sod house on the plains of Nebraska. An amazing man. I miss him.

Anyway, today I realized that I really haven't made much progress in getting this room in order. I alternate between piles of paper and photos to boxes of same piles of paper and photos. I have progressed to emailing a historical society in Nebraska that might be interested in some of these documents. Basically, not much progress.

My grandfather was the self-appointed family geneologist. I'm talking dozens of boxes of paper here! Birth announcements through obituaries and everything in between. I've always had an interest in the penny postcards so that is where my initial investment in time for research has gone. And that is how the eBay store evolved.

Today I am facing the still monumental task of sorting through all this. It is the computer/craft/sewing/guest room after all, and is constantly in transition for whatever use.

I'm not sure if I should allot a certain amount of time in everyday or week to sit and go through it, or just set a match to it all. I know my grandfather saved all this because he felt it was important. There are scrawled dated notes on some things; something he started doing when he knew his mind was deteriorating, which by the way was sometime around 90-92. He died at the age of 99!

I am pretty much overwhelmed by it all at this time. It's easier to shift the piles and boxes.

Any advice?