Early Morning Rising

Well hello there.  4:00 AM here and you know what that usually means......Bad night:(  I need to get my detective hat on and start itemizing all my food again.  I might of been glutened.  What I ate for dinner had no gluten.  But what was different is that Bailey made dinner for her dad and Rett last night.  Pasta alfredo with garlic bread.  Looked and smelled great and no I did not eat any.  But I made my dinner afterwards while there was crumbs and glutened food all around.  But I was careful.

So the other choice is that something I ate yesterday, I am allergic to.  I have two suspected foods, so I am going to have to journal my foods for a while and test things out.

So here I am a bit worried.  Dr. L's office called a couple days ago and moved up my appointment.  Which means I go to Portland tomorrow for my exam.  This isn't fun under the best of circumstances.  But because of my bad week or so, I have open sores.  So the enema prep and the scope exam will bring more than a little discomfort.:( 

So I have had little sleep but after tossing and turning a couple hours, I decided I might as well get up, write a post and watch a bit of news.

Something you might notice in the next few days, I am starting to revamp my blog a bit.  Take some things off, add some other things.  Not getting rid of any posts, just changing it up a little. 

Blogger Bust

Blogger has been down for the last day.  My last blog post is missing.  Blog Hop.  But hopefully everything is fixed on their end and all us bloggers can get back down to business. 

Blooming Kinda Day

Hope any mothers reading this had a good Mother's Day yesterday.  My day was how I like it.  Layed back, slow pace, kids at my beck and call:).

Bailey gave me a sweet trio-vased flowers.

LL gave me beautiful roses.  Very unusual color.

We all end up at Mom's house.

Last year we all visited outside for Mother's day.  This year the weather was nasty, so I am glad Mom's living room is large.

Kane cut some lilacs from my tree and he and I made several bouquets.  We took a couple over to the St. Louis Cemetary, where LL's parents are buried.

The weather was grey and threatening, so we did not stay long, but I wanted one more picture of cherry blossoms.  I know they wont be around much longer.

It was a nice day.  Bailey's friends worked on this computer last night and it is working much better.  So, hopefully I will be back to blogging regularly.  They did a great job and our computer is working great.  Uploading my pictures are still taking forever, but that is more of a internet connection issue that we still need to fix.  I think I am going to owe a couple of Bailey's friends Lots and Lots of pizza:)

Midweek and Can Post

Our internet connection has been very sketchy the last couple days.  If I am lucky to get a connection, uploading pictures take forever.  But I have been lucky to get on today and hope LL has time to research and we can get a new wi-fi. 

A belated happy birthday to my sis, Karen, who's birthday was on the 22nd and my brother Doug who's birthday was yesterday. 

I spent the day yesterday cooking a turkey, freezing the meat and boiling the carcass for stock.  Trying to keep foods as clean as possible so I am no longer adding bullion cubes to flavor stock, but simmering the stock with added vegetables for hours to concentrate the flavors.  Also finding gluten in the most peculiar places.  A lot of turkeys are injected with stuff that include gluten.  So I bought a turkey that was fresh, with no msg and gluten free.  As usual, I over cooked it.  I don't make turkey often enough to get good at it, but that is about to change because eating lunch meat, even deli meat, does not work with my digestion.  So cooking a 11 or 12 pound bird every few weeks will be my plan.

Bad news for me.  Watching the weather predictions, I have been getting excited and prepared for a beautiful weekend at our camping spot.  Which I am naming MILLERS CROSSing.  Because our spot is on cross road.  But LL came home last night and said there is a good likely hood he will have to work on Saturday.  Grrrrrr.  I said "well that's too bad, Bye Bye!  I am still going"  But because of some work that has to be done on Marlin, me going without LL is not going to happen.   But boy, oh boy, when we get those couple things fixed and I learn how to turn on all the gas, well then Bye bye, will really mean Bye Bye!

I took Max to the doctor yesterday to look at a lump on his wrist.  It ended up needing to be drained.  Max handled having two long needles put in him very well.  He also found out he had lost weight since the last time he was in to see the doctor.  This made him happy, as he has been trying to eat less and exercise more.  Today, O. his staff, will be taking him to the salon so Aunt Karen can give him a mohawk.  He is so excited.  Me.......Not so much.  But it is not a tattoo or piercing so I am letting it go.

Japan Is Not Forgotton

I have been reading over the last couple days in blogs, articles and even on Face book, the frustration of some,  that others seem either oblivious or uncaring about what the people of Japan are going through.  Talking about mundane, everyday things like the weather, gas prices and so on.  I have been thinking this over for the last day or so.  I, in the past, have blogged when a natural disaster has occurred.  I talked about my thoughts, horror, and prayers.  But this is the first time since Friday, that I have mentioned the earthquake, tsunami, and the apparent nuclear disaster in Japan on my blog.  Why have I waited till now.  Why did I not talk about the tsunami, small that it was, here in Oregon?  I guess it comes down to processing and compartmentalizing. 

I must say I am having difficulty processing and fully understanding this tragedy.  It is of biblical proportions.  I watched all weekend, the video of the tsunami hitting, earthquake damage, terror on faces.  I have had losses and hurts in my life, but for the life of me, I can not imagine what these poor people are feeling.  I don't think a word has been invented to encompass the magnitude. 

Then there is compartmentalizing.  This is what I think most people are doing right now.  This is why people still make their complaints of small issues, and go about their day normally.  I think when I was younger, I might have felt frustrated and judgemental that people must not care because of life going on as usual.  I don't believe that anymore.  And haven't in years.  I, through maturity and experience, know we must have empathy, we must give, donate, and mostly pray.  But I also know we must continue on. 

I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday.  The first plane hit the tower when I was getting ready for work.  I did not want to leave home, but I did.  I got to the office and learned of the second tower being hit.  At the office, they set up a TV in a room with chairs, so people could pop in for updates.  For an hour, I did so.  But I had 3 different schools who were expecting my help.  So I left the office and did my job.  My job was to teach special needs children and train the adults who were their teachers.  All the adults in the classroom knew full well what was happening in our great country and that things would never be the same.  But we conducted ourselves as if nothing happened the best we could.  Smiled like usual, showed patience like usual.  The last thing children, who had no way to understand and process the tragedy needed, was the burden of fear.  And fear is all they would have felt without the benefit of understanding the context.  I compartmentalized and carried on as normal.  I had to.  And I think that is basically what people are now doing.  I believe most people care tremendously about the people in Japan and when I see life looking like it is just continuing on as normal, I choose not to judge.  Most people's hearts are good, caring and horrified about what their fellow world citizens are going through.  But we humans are good at compartmentalizing.  We can donate, pray, and think often of those who are suffering, but we must continue on.

I'm Already Gone

I know.......I never have looked better:(.  Well, while Beau was being groomed, and LL was doing taxes, I worked on getting Marlin ready for what I hope to be a busy RVing season.

I must say, it is kind of fun putting the new stuff my Aunt Linda gave me into Marlin.  We haven't taken it anywhere since November, so I need to make sure everything is restocked.  Now it is just the waiting.  Waiting for leaving my hermitage for somewhere different.  If I had my way, I would already be gone.

For anyone that might want to know on any given day how I am doing with my elimination diet, I will not be talking much on this blog about it.  But I will be journaling at least once a day about it on KJ's Kitchen Counter that you can find on the side bar under my other blogs.  This way, if you don't want information about my misery, bowels and what I am eating, you don't have to read it here.  If you do, well know that it might get graphic:)

Show Me What I'm Looking For

Over the last couple weeks, I have been watching, like most of the world, the brave citizens of Egypt.  To see real change happen from peaceful uprising is quite inspirational.  While I am so happy to see the people of a nation, hope and make happen changes for a better life, and I am sure, getting rid of Mubarak was a necessary step for the better life; I am nervous for them, for Israel and for us Americans.  I pray for a true democracy there.  I, as a believer of the separation of church and State, have seen glimpses here in our wonderful country, the dangers of Church trying to impose it's values on the State as a whole.  I have also seen glimmers of the State trying to infuse secular ideas into religious institutions.  Whether Christian, Muslin, or other religions, Theocracies are very dangerous places.  I pray that Egypt does not head down that road.

With that said, I find the opposite should take place in my own personal life.  All my decisions should be guided by my Holy Spirit.  But this does not happen.  I, too often feel like I am swimming upstream, beating my head against a wall, finding it hard to make the changes in myself and my life.  But when I really look at what I am doing, I realise, I haven't even asked what changes need to happen, where should I be heading. 

Normally, I write a blog post and then pick a song that either reflects the post or reflects my mood.  For this post, the song, Show Me What I'm Looking For has inspired this blog post.  The song came first.  This is a song I hear often when riding in my daughter's car.  It's one of her favorite songs, and has become one of mine.  It has me thinking, why do I not change, improve, progress?  The line "Save Me!  I'm Lost" is exactly what I have not said in my prayers.  I have not asked to be shown what I'm looking for and where and who God wants me to be.  I just keep trying to be who I think I should be and failing miserably.  But I have hope.  I have hope because I don't have to keep beating my head against the wall.  I can quit swimming upstream.  I do not have to figure any of my life out by myself.  I just need to ask one thing in my prayers.  "Show me what I'm looking for."

Favorite Things

I spent a little time this morning reading web sites on how to have a successful blog.  One thing that kept popping up time and again is that no matter what kind of blog you have, political, decorating, food, photography, religious etc., you have to personalize the blog.  It is recommended the blogger is to share personal likes, dislikes, and opinions on matters.  Well, since this whole blog is of a personal nature, I think I have already answered most of the listed questions on various posts.  When I look at some of the questions, I feel like if answering them, I am enrolling in a dating service.  But I might give it a go.

Favorite color-Blue

Favorite food-Well that depends, sweets would take me to a good truffle or a yummy glazed donut.  But if I am going out with LL somewhere special for dinner, my first choice would always be lobster.

Favorite music-Genre would be Rock/Pop, but favorite song would be Burn Down The Mission by my Elton.

Religion-Raised Catholic, lots of Quaker influences.  I guess I consider myself a Christ Follower.

Politics-I belong to one Party, but don't fall into a strict line of thinking.  I consider myself a populist.

Marital status-Married to my high school sweetheart for 26 years.

Favorite movie-Doctor Zhivago

Favorite TV show-Northern Exposure

Dog or Cat person-Dog, but really like any sort of animal except mice and snakes.

Favorite book-Jane Eyre  Although I love reading Walden

Favorite quote-I would love to come up with a very meaningful quote by Mother Teresa or Gandhi but the only quote that comes to mind is from Steel Magnolias "Do you have a reindeer up your butt". 

Favorite Flower-roses, tulips and lilacs.  I can't pick one

Hobbies-Photography

What makes you the happiest-Spending time with my family.  All my family.

What makes you the angriest-Injustice to the most vulnerable. 

There are many more questions, but some are really too personal like Have you ever tried pot-I would answer yes to a pot of stew, a pot of corned beef and cabbage but if they are talking about marijuana, I plead the fifth:)

The questions above are just a sample of the long list.  So many of the questions do not really ask things I have already shared on my blog.  Like I love polka dots and Tye-dye, I care very much about the environment, I love my animals and wish I could have more.  The most important thing in my life is my relationship with God although I do not blog enough about this.  The second most important thing in my life is my family.  Always has been, but since my cancer, I do not take for granted any time I can spend with LL, kids, Mom, Siblings, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.  When I am physically unable to meet with family, that makes me the saddest.  I am very pro-life, but not just when baby is in womb, but what happens after birth; hunger, health care, education, anti-death penalty, equal rights for everyone.  And I do mean EVERYONE.  I believe in the separation of Church and State.  I would rather be outside doing something then doing anything in the house.  I believe Elvis is dead, Elton is the greatest, and that I really don't care if Big Foot exists or not.  I do believe even though some think it is unrealistic, to quote John Lennon, "Love is all you need!"  My favorite Beatle is George although I think John was the smartest and Paul was the most talented (sorry Ringo).  I believe the best man-made thing on earth is music and I can't live without it.  I miss my dad everyday and will mourn him until I die.  I am so thankful to be alive and don't sweat over little things like I use to and have far more patience with people I disagree with even though I still think they are idiots.  Just kidding.

So I think that about covers things.  I think for anyone who has been reading my blog for a while, nothing new here, but for someone fairly new, this post will save you some time.

Oh forgot to mention four other important things.  I am my sister Kathy's guardian, also my son Max's guardian.  Two exraordinary people who happen to have special needs.  And I HATE shaving and wearing a bra.  Now I think I covered everything.:)

Looking Forward

I haven't quite figured out how to take nice pictures of food.  On other blogs, I see beautiful photos of dishes, but I have not figured out for myself what camera setting or background will get me that same effect.  But will that stop me from posting my pictures?..........No.

Yesterday, before Bailey went to class and work, we decorated the Valentine cookies.  I wanted to make a butter cream frosting for them.  I asked Kris how she makes her frosting, she told me, along with a warning, "don't add too much almond extract".  So what did I do?  I put too much almond extract in it.  I really am hopeless following instructions.  So instead of giving them to neighbors like I planned, (I do have my pride), I gave a little plate to each of my siblings.  I can do that because they don't expect any better from me:(

They are kind of pretty though.

I got a few things done early yesterday.  Including making a vegetarian pizza on a whole wheat crust.  Really trying to be careful with my diet.

Looks good doesn't it?  I also added chopped fresh basil at the end of baking.  It tasted great.  But low and behold, having bad "issues" this morning.  Too bad because I had planned to meet Kris early this morning to go to Mass.  Today is my mom and dad's anniversary and since my dad is gone and it is a hard day for mom, going to church would have been a nice thing.  Kris made it there without me though.

So I am sitting very still right now trying to stop things from getting worse.  But it is not getting my mood down.  No sirree.  Why?  Because I have something to look forward to.  Last summer, after we bought Marlin, even on bad days, I had weekends RVing to keep my mood up.  I haven't had those outings lately, but yesterday, Kris made reservations for the beach in Seaside.  She has a timeshare and we have stayed there before.  Those rooms, or really apartments are soo nice.  We are going in a little more than a week, and just having that up ahead in my life perks me up.  So I look forward to blogging a bit about Seaside in a while.  It is a very fun town to visit.  So for today, I will sit tight:) and look forward to a few days of a different scenery.

Boring Happenings

Getting started a little late this morning.  It's 8:30 and I am still in my jammies.  I am sure my girls are outside squawking and wondering when they will get their morning scratch or scraps.  I'll get to them.........soon.  I need to get some things done here in the house and pack for going out of town overnight.  My mom asked LL and I to go with her to a casino about an hour away.  I am not much of a gambler but look forward to a change of scenery.  When LL or my siblings go there with mom for a few hours, I stay at home.  It is too far away if I start having "issues" and don't want to be responsible for everyone having to cut their trip short.  So having a room there will be nice.

Kane will be here with Max and Bailey, so I don't mind being away overnight and writing about it.  Aunt Leone (my enabler) and my brother David are also coming. 

Yesterday, I was able to go with Kris and Mom to Salem and later Kris came to my house and colored my hair.  Just boring happenings.  My digestion has been OK for the last day or so and I hope I have no problems while gone.  If I post tomorrow, it wont be till the evening.  Have a great day.

Encouragment is sometimes the best Medicine

I know!  Four posts in one day.  Where is this coming from? 

It comes from a phone call I got a little while ago.  My Aunt called.  She reads my blog and she was concerned.  Partly of my not blogging every day and I think because of my tone of the last couple posts.  She voiced her concern and let me vent.  I love my family.  I talked about my frustration with the shootings, I talked about my sadness of needing to delete my P Post because of some nasty comments, I talked about my frustration of not having anything of interest to blog, being stuck at home.  This last point was what she chose to address mostly and encouraged me to keep blogging about my boring life, chickens and all.  But I guess there is still more going on that we did not talk about.

I blog often about my digestion, but probably about only a third of the time that it is a problem and that I am in pain.  I am frustrated about my weight.  I keep gaining.  Part of my frustration is pride, but most is that it contributes to pain in my abdomen and I can't seem to stop gaining.  And for the most part, I am so tired of being alone.  I know, I still go to mom's house, I go to stores on good days, and I get out more now then I did a couple months ago.  But compared to my old life or someones normal life.  I am isolated. 

Every outing has to be well thought out.  If it is an appointment, I carefully plan my eating, sometimes take Imodium, and yes, sometimes give myself an enema.  On fun outings, I am gambling.  Sometimes canceling plans, sometimes risking accidents, sometimes choosing to stay at home.  Part of the reason I am such a Debbie Downer right now is that I am basically a farm girl that doesn't like winter and needs to get out into nature everyday.  Thank you Mom for that trait!!  Sorry.  Anyway.

What you might not be able to tell from this post is that I am feeling a little better.  My Aunt Linda called and gave me much encouragement.  I needed it.  I then went outside and took pictures of the beautiful sky and of course my chickens.  Tonight, I am looking forward to being with LL and my kids and maybe a guest or two to watch the game.  I will take more pictures and tomorrow post the beautiful sky, chickens and maybe Beau's groomed hair and us watching the game.  So hopefully, bye bye to Debbie Downer, Hello to Eddy Upper!  Sorry, couldn't think of a good name to go with upper.:)

The P Word

Months ago, I posted about being in pain and in the title I used the medication name.  Ever since, I have had comments and spam about addiction.  I have two things to say about this.  1. I rarely use the med, and when I do, it is only when I am in so much pain that nothing else will help.  2. I have never deleted any of my posts, even the ones I have regretted............until today.  No longer will you find that one post I wrote in the middle of the night when I was in so much pain and was honest about it.  I thank all of you that understood it for what it was.  and I will pray for all of you who keeps commenting, thinking they are doing good but probably have never battled cancer.  I hope never again having to delete one of my posts.  I prefer to show everyone my flaws in my attempt to be honest in my life.  But I am just tire of reading ugly, uninformed comments from those who have not took the time to read further in my blog.  God Bless you all.

Reflections

Happy New Year's Day! 

What a year it has been.  Looking back and keep in mind that I have a memory problem, I find myself reflecting on all that had happened and what I could have done better, what I did well, and most important, what I have learned.

January, I had a surgery I was looking forward to.  My ostomy reversal.  February, I started this blog.  March, April, and May, I concentrated on my goal of becoming more environmentally responsible, break my t.v. addiction, and dealing with very bad abdominal pain.  June was Bailey's graduation and my unexpected surgery to remove a lot of my small intestines so I would stop having obstructions.  So my garden suffered because I spent the summer recuperating.  July, we bought Marlin our RV.  August was a lot of small trips.  September was the month of celebrating my Mom's 80th birthday.  October, LL and I celebrated our 26th anniversary.  November and December.......the holidays. 

There is so much about my year I could of done better.  I could of worked harder to get in better shape.  I certainly could of concentrated on being a more positive light in other's life.  I definitely could of formed a more rounded life here at home where I am grounded most of my days.  What I did well is my improvement on living greener and look forward to making more progress this year.  I am doing pretty good at keeping my seasonal depression at bay.  What I have learned about myself is my likes and dislikes, what I am good at and what I need to work on, and what is important and what to let go of.

So I welcome 2011.  I am thinking about my goals for the year.  Not resolutions.  When I make resolutions which tend to be short sighted, I never progress and follow through.  But I do like general goals for myself.  And I want whether small or large, for the goals to be meaningful.  So stay tuned for that. 

I want to thank all that read this simple little journal of my life.  My blog is an important part of me becoming a better me.  So stick with me and all my silliness.  Who knows where the year will take us.

M.I.A.

Over the last few days, I have been missing in action when it comes to my blog.  It isn't that I didn't want to blog, it's that I didn't want to be on the computer at all.  Over the last few days, I put away most of the Christmas decorations, dealt with "digestion" problems, researched my "issues" and diet further, and had a fun day on Monday.  Monday, LL, Max, Bailey, Rett, and I went to Portland.  We went to Pittock Mansion, Powell's Book Store and out to eat.  I have truly found heaven on earth.  It is amazing how all my life, I have never been to the downtown Powell's Book Store.  At one time, I don't know if it still is, it was the worlds largest book store.  It is the size of a city block and several stories high.  You need a map when browsing the store.  Max and I felt like it was the most magical place.  We love book stores, and this is the grand daddy of them all.  I ended up buying two normally very expensive vegetarian cookbooks.  They were used but like new and I got them for $13.00 total.  SCORED!!! 

To rewind back to Christmas day.  I took a lot of pictures before dinner, not so much after because..........well you know.  So I have chose some pictures randomly of the family. 

This is Kris's kids.  Kara, Kyle, and Kelli

I took some single pictures of the three of them.  Here's Kara

Bailey and Grandma Evelyn

Max and his Godparents, Karen and David

Bailey and Rett

Here we are waiting to do the gift exchange.  Notice I brought Beau to my sis's house and he wore the antlers most of the day.  What a good boy.  Todie also wore her dress all day.  Strange dogs aren't they?  After that, well I really had "issues" so my celebrating was done.

Today, I am going to Mom's to help put some decorations away.  I am going to try a new recipe from my new cookbook for dinner.  Lentil Roast.  It's like a vegetarian meatloaf.  It looks good.  We'll see.  If not, the chickens will love it I am sure.

It's A Small Blog World After All

First off, I want to apologise for Beau in the previous post.  When I let him write my blog, I did not realise how bitter he was and I failed to let him know that this blog has a NO NAME CALLING policy.  So Todie, I am sorry for Beau forgetting he is a gentleman.

A few days ago, in one of my posts, someone new commented.  If that person has a blog, I try to visit their blog and thank them for their comment.  I visited Kayli's blog and saw she was from Alaska.  I have always wanted to travel to Alaska and since I do not follow anyone from there, I took a little time to read.  In one of her posts, she talks about traveling to Washington and Oregon.  In the Willamette Valley, she mentions a small town that reminds her of Sitka and that she was soon moving there.  I asked her where, since I know all of this valley and was sure I would know the town well.  She told me she was moving to Silverton.  Isn't that something.  She will be my neighbor.  Oh I don't know what street she will live on, but Silverton is not that big.  I am looking forward to meeting her.  This is her blog if you want to check it out.  Sitka

Oh The Humiliation

I have never had a guest blogger write my blog before.  I have been a guest blogger for a couple people, but have waited to find someone who felt they had something to say.  I would give them my blog as a forum.  So today, for the first time I have a guest to write my blog.  He has been featured many times on my blog, but has never been allowed to speak.  Today this all changes.  So please give a warm welcome to Beau.

Well my day started normal.  When I heard my mom get up, I shimmied out from under my man cave and sat with her while she drank her coffee.  Eventually, that guy who's here sometimes came in and sat down.  I put up with the bearded one, because every morning he scratches my back and occasionally gives me some toast.  So the day did not feel any different.  I had no idea what was up ahead.

After awhile, my Mom says, "lets go to grandma's"  Oh how exciting!  It's my favorite place to visit.  So I look over at Rufus who never gets to go since that peeing on the recliner episode.  He looks sad.  But oh well, every man for himself.  On the way, Mom tells me that Aunt Kristi has a surprise for me and that I will get my Christmas gift early.  Oh Boy, Oh Boy!  I find Aunt Kris has superb taste and I am sure it is designer treats that are shaped in all sorts of creative ways, like Cats.  We get there and I have to wait, but eventually Aunt Kris comes and brings my cousin Todie.  I try to be respectful of Todie.  She is elderly after all.  Well all the sudden, Aunt Kris grabs Todie and my mom grabs me and what do they do?  They put these awful outfits on us.  Where's my treats!

Oh the humiliation!


I look over at Todie, and she has this classy dress on.  I want the dress.  Then my mom started snapping pictures.

Oh they were laughing at us........LAUGHING!

Well about this time I started crying and Todie whispers in my ear "Buck up Chubby and quit your bawling".  Chubby?  Well I said "Look Bitch" yes I called her that.  She is a female dog after all but that's not how I meant it.  Anyway, I say "Look Bitch, you would cry too if you had to wear horizontal stripes.  It would even be unflattering on your skinny and I must say far too long body."  I did.  I said it just like that.  Well the look on her face, it reminded me of when LL called Aunt Karen a bitch to her face.  Todie had the same look as my Aunt Karen.  It was priceless.

See, here am I crying and the bitch whispering in my ear.  Just as I described.

So mom took a picture of Aunt Kris and Todie in her lovely dress.  I could wear a pretty dress.  I am in touch with my feminine side.  I am gay after all and Rufus is my partner.  Oh Rufus.  I hope Mom takes this off me before I face my sweetheart.

Even my Grandma betrayed me and took a picture of my mom and the rest of us.

Well after that, Grandma, Mom and Aunt Kris left for a while, and then came back.  Mom put me in the car with the sweater still on.  Oh Please take it off me before Rufus sees me.  Well she didn't.  On the way home, Mom told me she did not want Rufus to feel left out, so she bought something for Rufus.  OH NO.  My stunningly handsome boyfriend.  She wouldn't make him look silly would she?  So when we get home, I rush into the house ahead of mom to yell "Run Rufus Run".  But before I could warn him, he took one look at me in my sweater and started laughing.  Yes, Laughing.  This, from the love of my life.  So what did I do.  I kept my mouth shut.  Serves him right!  So Mom calls Rufus in that baby talk she does sometimes.  "Here Roovie".  And the idiot obeyed.  Next thing I know.  Rufus is looking ridiculous and Mom is snapping pictures.

Sad isn't it?

Well after that, Rufus and I couldn't look at each other.  We were both so humiliated.

After a while, my mom did take pity on me and took the sweater off.  But she did say, "Wait till Dad gets home and we show him your new outfit".  I can only guess she means that guy with the beard that keeps hanging around.  Anyway..........

Even though she is the cause of my embarrassment, I would like to thank my mom for this opportunity to vent.  It has been healing.

Hello World!

Ok, I know that for the most part, the ones checking in to read my blog might be a one shot deal.  But the blog server I use, now tracks who is reading your blog.  Thank you US.  and United Kingdom, New Zealand, Austrailia, but I did not know about Denmark, Russia, France, Canada, South Korea, and Belarus.  Where is Belarus anyway.  Need to get my Atlas out.  So even though I don't get many comments or "followers", btw, can some of you comment so I don't feel lonely, sorry, swore I would not beg for attention, I thank you all for checking out my funky, disorganized, and I must admit, for the most part boring blog.  I appreciate you all!!

Cotton Tails

I am downright stealing my friend from New Zealand Leanne's blog today. This is her blog if you want to check it out.    Cotton Tails  Different song, but same poem.  Oh the time to do it over and better is gone.  But this quote makes me stop and want to still be more attentive to my children, even though they are grown, and make sure I take the time for other family and friends.

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

Id take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the new house later.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd teach less about the love of power,

and more about the power of love.

~~Diane Loomans

I will do another post later today, but really just wanted to let this poem stand on it's own.




A Gift For Marlin

I know, today is Thursday,  It is the day I am suppose to post about a Silverton Mural.  When researching about Homer Davenport, or our local Astronaut, well for some reason right now, my brain is not processing well enough to put things in my own words.  So instead, and a little late this morning I might add, I want to tell you about what LL and I gave each other for our anniversary.  We went to an RV show a few weeks back.  Sure was hard to come home and look at Marlin after that.  But the one idea we came away with, was to buy a small flat screen t.v. to mount on the wall of Marlin.

We found this on sale at Best Buy and because the box was damaged. Got even a better deal.  So for $114 we put a t.v. in Marlin

LL strung the cable so that the hook up will be convenient when we park.

So I am working at getting Marlin ready to take off as early as LL can get home tomorrow afternoon.

We are taking Max.  And not planning on Antiquing or going out to eat (which is what Max likes to do)  So the t.v. will come in handy if the weather doesn't allow Max to be on the beach as much as he would like to.  It also means that the t.v. will most likely be playing cartoons AND horror movies.  Max has a lot of contradictions.  And for anyone that knows him, you know he is high maintenance so the t.v. will be a blessing.

Later this afternoon, my mom is coming over to make her pie dough so I can make Jam Tarts that wont break.  Definitely going to take more notes.  When I make her crust, it tastes the same, but I am not able to roll it out nice like her.  She is also staying for dinner because her house will be getting cleaned about that time.

I don't have posts ready for the weekend because we will be staying at a park that has wi-fi and I am hoping to figure out how to post remotely.  Probably will still post one from home tomorrow though.  So if the weather is bad, I might be posting on line more than you ever wanted to see:)  Have a blessed day.

One Down, Four to Go

How great today is.  Last year on this day, I had my last chemo treatment.  This is the date they start your remission countdown.  With my type of cancer, after 5 years you are cured but with this type of cancer, 3rd anniversary is the big one because my kind of cancer almost never comes back after 3 years.

So Happy 1 year cancer free Konnie!!!!

I wish I had pictures of me during my chemo.  I don't, so you can't see my progress, so I am posting a whole bunch of pictures of me in various stages of recovery from treatments and surgeries since starting the blog.  

I am so filled with joy today.  Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers.  Keep them up because I have a few more years to go.