Brrr; cold in Branson, but warm inside!

Tonight’s picture is one that Gretta sent since we’ve been here in Branson. I don’t know what the circumstances were, but I can just imagine Elena is thinking, "So, I’m looking for the cool thing here . . . the colorful circle is okay, but have you got some corduroy or something I can FEEL? In a minute I’m going to have to pull this clippie out of my hair; it’s just too bright in here." I could nearly never get a head on shot of her before she got her clippie pulled out of her hair or turned around so that I got the back of her head. I’ve got a million shots of the back and top of her head. Thanks to the digital people for the digital camera, so I can take all those shots until I get a good one. Thank you Gretta for sending me the ones you get!

Brrrr it’s cold outside. They said the wind chill factor is 1. YIKES! That’s why we’re INSIDE! We did go out to church this morning and it was good to see people we see here when we come every year. It’s been 3 years since we’ve seen them, so it was good fellowship for us. We didn’t go back out tonight, though. It’s just too cold to go drive in the dark and unfamiliar places. They’ve redone lots of roads here, so lots is new to us. We’ll stick to day driving until we’re more familiar with all the changes.

My preparations of the last couple of days paid off. We ate all our meals at ‘home’ today and it was good. The fridge and freezer are full, so we don’t have to go out until it gets warmer. We don’t have anyplace we need to go. I’m able to get all my exercises done here, including the walking.

I thank God for this opportunity for us to get away and have a place as good as home to be. It’s a good relief for us. Soon we have family and friends joining us, so we look forward to those days, too. God blesses us so richly. I continue to feel really good. Wow; what a blessing!

Big brothers are even cooler than horsies!

Today’s picture is Elena riding her horse with big brother Garrett overseeing her. He sure is a good big brother and she keeps him busy. She keeps whoever is with her busy! He tells me she’s better when someone is there because if nobody is there she gets into all his stuff. He is such a delight to her. I remember growing up with a big brother who was 8 years older than me and I thought he was just the n’th degree. I guess that’s how it is for Elena, only I really think Garrett pays a lot more attention to her than Jim ever did to me. I was just in awe of him. Probably Elena is in awe of Garrett, too.

Today has been a more relaxing day. We got up and ate breakfast at Denny’s since we had to get out and go to Wal-Mart, anyway. We needed just a few things from Wal-Mart so that we can be holed up here when it gets cold. We’ll go out for church tomorrow if it doesn’t snow, but we’ll stay in except for that. The halls here are very wide and long, so I can walk inside. I’m going to go do that when I finish this post.

We came home and I made the chili for this weekend. I cleaned the turkey breast and put some in the freezer for later. I enjoyed being able to stand and do such a thing, but it was tiring to stand there. I’m looking forward to my walk in the halls. It’s better than just standing!
I talked to Ruthie and we were recalling last year when we were here. I wasn’t really able to do much at all. This time is so different. It feels so good to feel good!

Thank you, God! Last year I couldn’t go to church, either because I couldn’t get exposed to germs. Man, I thank God for freedom and for feeling good!

First day is busy in Branson!

The picture on the blog tonight is Raynie, sitting beside her Mommy, Trish, when we stopped by their house yesterday. I usually get pictures of the grandkids and their parents don’t get in the pictures much. Trish was relaxed when we came through the other day, as all the other kids were at school. We hated to miss them, but it was fun to see Trish and Raynie.

Today had been fun. We got to move into the condo a day early. We were early, but nobody was in it, so they let us move on into it. It’s good for us to stay in a motel every now and then because it really makes us appreciate the condo when we get into it! We went shopping and got groceries, so I’ve been cooking to get things ready to fix quickly the rest of the time. When we were at Ruthie’s after Thanksgiving, she spoiled us with turkey breast she had cooked, so I’m cooking a turkey breast in the oven. On top of the stove a pot of beans is cooking, so we can have chili when it turns really cold this weekend. I made hamburger patties and put them into the freezer, so I can fix a quick burger. It feels good to get organized. I washed veggies for salad, too. Now I’ve got to do some exercises and get to bed. There’s a ‘Jacuzzi’ tub, here, so I’m going to get a good bath tonight, too. I’d better get busy or I’ll be up till midnight.

We had a beautiful day, so we got to walk, too. I needed that stretch! I sure thank God that I’m feeling so good and am able to do all this. It is way fun and I know that I am so very blessed!

Safe and sound in Branson.

This is a picture Don took today of Raynie in ny lap. How sweet it was to see her and Trish!

The trip went well. We had heavy fog the WHOLE way, so we didn't get to see much scenery, but the sun wasn't in our eyes! If it had been just a few degrees colder we would have been stuck in a winter storm, because it drizzled all they way. We were blessed to have an easy trip.

We are blessed again because we're supposed to have WIFI in the common areas, but our room is right next to a common area and we can get it in our room! That's nice!

We went to eat supper at the Cracker Barrell, so we're happy. I've got to jiggle and get a bath and then we'll be ready for bed. Almost nobody is in Branson at this time of year. We love it like that! We'll drive around tomorrow and see what's happening, but we were too tired tonight.

I'm thanking God for a good trip!

Looking for a volunteer!

This picture was taken at the retreat when we had the chuck wagon dinner. I climbed up into the wagon and Don is in the back on the right. We had such a wonderful time! This is all of the patients and caregivers and all the staff who was there with us. What great memories we have. I thank God for the wonderful staff who wrote the grant that made this possible and for their creative love that made this retreat so wonderful.

We are all packed and ready to leave in the morning! I have a few exercises to do and then a bath before I go to bed. It’s nice to be done.

Jane, who is the daughter of Dot, who posts from time to time on this blog asked me to do her a favor. A friend of hers has a grandson who is in the 6th grade and has a school project going. Each student sent out a journal asking those who receive it to write in the journal and then send it to someone else. I accepted the challenge and am writing for the journal tonight. I need to put my writing into the journal and add some postcards and information about Hobart and then pass it on to someone else. I’m looking for volunteers! Anyone out there who would like to add to this 6th grader’s journal and make your town known to this group of 6th graders in Indiana (or is it Illinois? I’ll have to check that!). It doesn’t take long to do and I think it’s a chance to touch some lives you might otherwise not touch. In May the journal is to go back to Ian’s school and the class will read all the journals. In the meantime each person sends a postcard from their town to Ian’s school and they find us on the map. I think it’s cool. If you’d like to be a part of this fun journal, please let me know. I’ll be glad to send it on to you. I need to send it to someone in the next couple of days so it can move right along. I picked it up right after Thanksgiving, so it’s time to move it. Someone please volunteer!

I thank God for Ian and his grandma, who is also a breast cancer survivor. 6th graders are so cool; we have two grandchildren who are 6th graders and 7 more who have been 6th graders before; they turn into 7th graders and keep on until they graduate like two of our grandkids are doing this year. We are blessed and I know that Ian is a blessing to his family, too. I want to add some sunshine to his life and I hope someone out there wants to help get this journal moving.

Another day closer to Branson!

The picture tonight is more examples of the paintings we did at the retreat. Isn’t it wild how we perceived the directions differently or how differently we produced what was instructed? I think that is so wild. I mean, you tell someone something and you assume that they get it just like you said it. Duh. As if we were all on the same page. I think we have a lot to learn about communication, patience, and flexibility. I know I SURE DO! I learned so much from this painting exercise!

I am so DONE with all I’m doing for Christmas! Tomorrow we’ll get the last ones mailed. Then we’ll take Tricia’s family’s things to them on our way Thursday. Tonight I’m washing and finishing up my exercises, getting a bath and falling into bed. Whew.

I’m tired, but I feel so great! I thank Linda Rose so much for releasing me from the antihistamines! I love this being awake! It was freezing cold here, again, today, so I didn’t walk. That saved me some time to get the gifts ready to mail. I did everything else, though. Maybe I can walk tomorrow; I think it’s going to be warmer. I’m not bent out of shape over it, though. I’ll get plenty of exercise while we’re in Branson. There will be fitness rooms there, so I won’t have to freeze.

I learned today that a good friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer is only going to have to have a lumpectomy and radiation; no chemo! What a blessing for her! I so thank God for this relief for her. I had my hats all packed to send to her, but she won’t need them. Woohoo for her!

I thank God to be able to be so busy and so tired. I love being tired because I DID a lot! This time last year was sure a different picture for us! I was counting down for my last chemo treatment and praying that my numbers would be good enough so I could do it. We were looking forward to going to Branson, but only for a week. I’m so ready to go for 8 weeks! Woohoo! Thank you, God!

She didn't get it from me!

This is Elena and Ashby. Elena chatters a lot but we have no idea what she’s saying. There are a few things she says very clearly and one is, “AAAW!” That’s what she says whenever she sees a dog and right before she gives them a big hug. She didn’t get that from me! It’s precious, though!

Today has been really busy. I got up at 5:45 just because I woke up and didn’t feel drugged! I was so excited to get up and get busy with all I have to do before we can leave Thursday. It feels so good to be ‘on’ the neti pot instead of antihistamines! I don’t feel sleepy all the time. I wake up ready to go. It’s wonderful!

I got all the rest of my herbs and vitamins done today. That was a big project. Now I’m working to get all the Christmas stuff ready and mailed. I’m sending mostly money, but the few things I’m doing seem to take me forever. I’m still foggy; just not sleepy.

It’s so cold here. I didn’t walk today; only an idiot would walk in this weather! I did everything else, though. I thank God that I can walk most days and that I still have the sense to stay in when it feels like 10 outside! I also thank Him for His son, who is the reason for this season; it’s a wonder for us!

Thank you, God, for so many blessings.

Today’s picture is of our Thanksgiving Tree at the retreat. I loved that concept and modified it to my thanks box in my kitchen. It’s one of the wonderful things I brought from the retreat.

It was SO windy here today! I went out to walk and got about a block and came back! I was on my way to visit a friend in the hospital, but I came back and got the van! I still did some walking into the hospital and back to the van. That’s not much, but in this wind it was admirable, I think! I’m patting myself on the back with my good arm; ha!

I learned today of a fellow breast cancer survivor who was given a clean bill of health on November 8th (my last good report was on November 4th); less than 2 weeks later she went to the doctor with a fever and what they thought was pneumonia was the cancer again. It’s also in her liver. She is already back on chemo. So, that’s how it works. I pray for her strength to fight this as she did with the first round of chemo. God’s timing is the best; we have to believe that. I mention this so that you know this is part of the breast cancer experience. This ‘girl’ is my age and she was going through the whole ordeal about the same time as I was. She is from a little town near here, but she lives in Amarillo. I met her last fall at the Mexican restaurant when she was back visiting her family and before we were both homebound due to low blood counts. We were both very hopeful. God bless her. I will be writing notes to her, hoping to help her keep her spirits high and I will be keeping her in my prayers. Her name is Lana if you want to pray for her, too.

Again, I thank God for the strength He has given to me. I thank Him for Lana’s support of me as well as all of you. I ask Him to bless Lana, me, and you.

Oops! THIS is Randal's painting!

Oops! I thought that picture last night was Randal’s but this one has his name on it. I didn’t know anyone else did butterflies. Man! I’m going to have to go back to the retreat again and learn how to paint butterflies! See how much fun we had! I wonder whose picture that was that I thought was Randal’s on the blog last night? Some other precious person, no doubt! Man, we had fun and have great memories.

Today I’m exhausted, again. We got up early and met David and Dorothy at the Kozy Diner for breakfast. Then after we got home Dorothy called to say they were going to Altus to buy a new heater for their living room and did we want to go with them. We were thinking of getting a Slingbox, so we went with them. They left me off at Wal-Mart to check out the Slingbox while they went on and got their heater. Altus is the ‘big’ town around here, but they’d never heard of the Slingbox. The Slingbox is a ‘gadget’ we could attach to our router here at home and program our TV at home into our laptop as we travel. That sounded good to us, but the message came loud and clear that we aren’t supposed to do it. Wal-Mart is one of their retailers, so the fact that they didn’t even know about it told me that it’s out of our league. We’d better put those dollars onto the new laptop that we need, I think.

While we were in Altus we ate at the Western Sizzlin buffet, so we all came home stuffed. We sure enjoyed the day with David and Dorothy, though. We took the back roads and it was a beautiful day, so it was wonderful. We also stopped to see Don’s second cousin, who lives in Altus. She’s a long time friend of Dorothy’s, so it was a good visit.

We’re watching the Heisman Trophy awards and then falling into bed. I didn’t get to walk today, so I had to come home and do exercises to compensate here in our ‘gym.’ They aren’t so fun, but there was little time to walk today; I did walk after I learned that there was no Slingbox at Wal-Mart, but that wasn’t my hour. Anyway, I’m worn out and will go watch the rest of the Heisman show from the tub. Wow! I just saw they announced Sam Bradford from OU won the Heisman! A proud moment for us Okies.

I thank God for the opportunity to be exhausted from activity rather than ailment. I am so very blessed. This time last year I was exhausted, bald, and missing social times with people I love. This year is wonderful and I thank God for it.

Thank you, Linda!

The picture on the blog tonight is one painted by one of the guys who so impressed me at the retreat. Bless his heart, he even did butterflies. In our class we never got to the butterfly instructions. This guy had leukemia and had either a stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant. I’m not sure how all that works, but I know he had a transplant and is very weak. He has such a wonderful attitude, though! I loved him and his wife, so much. He said he is a handyman and he’s gone through life making people happy because he fixed things for them. Now he isn’t able to fix anything but his challenge is to make people smile. He’d go in for chemo and look to see who looked dreary and do his best to cheer them. I was so impressed with that because I always went to chemo so self absorbed I barely even noticed the other people. Most of them looked pretty gloomy, but I figured I should leave them alone and not bother them; it didn’t occur to me that I might cheer up someone! Duh. He met one girl who was so down in the dumps and he cheered her up; they got to be close friends. She got better and even invited him to her wedding and even to the rehearsal dinner. He was a special guy and I love this painting because it is so like him to go the extra mile. Isn’t it amazing how different our pictures look (mine was on the blog a couple of days ago), and yet similar.

Tonight we’ve got the card group coming to play cards, so I’m working to get ready for that. I want to have the blog done already, so I can just go to bed when we finish. I’m baking cookies (ordered some frozen dough from a kid in the band) and popping popcorn for snacks while we play.

Thank you, Linda Rose for suggesting the neti pot for my allergies! I used it this morning and haven’t had an anti-histamine all day, nor a coughing fit! I’ve been alert and things are working smoothly for me. I feel so much better! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I thank God for old friends and new friends. Today my old friend, Linda, sure came to the rescue. Today I am recalling my new friends Randall and Anne from the retreat. God blesses us with family that is awesome and then the opportunity to make and keep good friends, too. Tonight our good friends are coming to play cards with us. We’re richly blessed.

Cousins are the best!

The picture on the blog tonight is Elise, holding Elena and Ethan joining them. Elise and Ethan belong to Gina and Elena belongs to Gretta. This was taken the first night we got to Gina’s and Gretta brought Garrett and Elena for a quick visit and dinner. We were way surprised and it was fun to see the kids play together.

Today has been a day of confusion for me. It seems like everything I did I got confused. I stumbled through the day, but I hate it like this. I was sleepy all day and finally took about a 20 minute nap. That helped. I was so sleepy because I’m taking anti-histamines to keep allergies from making me cough. It’s the lesser of evils. I don’t like coughing, so I have to settle for sleepy. Mix sleepy with chemo fog and it’s not efficient! Oh, well, nothing was critical today.

Tomorrow night we’re playing cards here. I’d better get THAT right! Ha! I’m feeling fine and plugging along. I’m ready for a couple of months in Branson. Well, mentally I’m ready, but I’ve got a lot to do to get ready to go. We moved our leave for Branson date up two days, so we’re leaving a week from today. I’d better get in gear and get ready! I did do a couple of loads of laundry today and didn’t turn any whites pink; that’s a thing I got right! I thank God that I’m able to do anything around here and even have company to play cards! This time last year I had to avoid everyone because my immune system was so low. I really know that I’m blessed.

Sons-in-law make me happy.

Tonight’s picture is Elena, in her daddy’s arms. Son-in-laws are important because they make daughters complete and they are the daddy’s of the grandkids. I thank God for great sons-in-law! Joe is an awesome guy; we love him and thank Gretta for bringing him into our family.

We made the trip to Oklahoma City today with David and Dorothy. It was a wonderful day. Yesterday Oklahoma City had lots of weather problems with freezing rain on the roads and lots of accidents, but today it was sunny and we had no problems! David had a good visit with his heart doctor and then his pulmonary specialist was able to work him in, which saved them making another trip on the 31st of this month! Both doctors were pleased with his status and say that he is doing as well as they could hope, considering he has COPD. We ran into some other good friends in the doctor’s waiting room, so we got to have another good visit. Dorothy, David, Don and I visited with each other all the way there and back, so that was a really good time for us, since we miss them so much when we’re gone so much.

We got up at 5:45 this morning to get ready in time to leave, so it’s way past my bedtime. I got most of my exercises done today, but I’m going to finish them and go to bed. I thank God for a wonderful day of visiting and for our safe traveling.

Yeah! We love haircuts and big brothers!

Tonight’s picture is Gabe holding Raynie as she claps in delight. What would we do without these babies? They delight us all. It seems like just yesterday when Gabe was Raynie’s size, and here he is 14! Time sure flies!

Today was way too cold to walk, so I did exercises in our ‘gym.’ It works, but it’s no fun at all. I like walking outside lots better, but it was cold AND windy. I had to wimp out, but I did plenty inside.

Tomorrow we’re going to Oklahoma City with David and Dorothy. David has a check up with his doctor to be sure his pacemaker is working like it’s supposed to work. As far as they know it’s fine, but they can’t take any chances with David. COPD is not the least bit simple or fun! He has a sleep test to complete tomorrow night at the hospital, here, so we’ll be back in time to check him into the hospital here. It’ll be a long day, but I’m so glad we’re here to go with them.

I got most of my taxes done today. I only have a few more details to do and I’m done. I’ll take my Christmas list with me tomorrow and work on it. Hopefully I’ll everything ready to mail this week. I’m not doing Christmas cards. I just can’t go there; it’s too big a project. I haven’t done them for the last two years, so I think I’m just done with Christmas cards. I’ll do my best to keep up with people through the year, but Christmas is too hectic a time to take on a major card project.

I thank God so much for the energy that I have and that I feel so good. I think back to this time last year, and it makes me so grateful for what I have. I got a quote today that said:

You can’t have a light without a dark to stick it in.

~Arlo Guthrie~

So, I thank God for the dark to help me appreciate the light, and I sure thank Him for the light. I thank Him for your dark and light, too.

Raynie has a haircut!

Haircuts are running in our family. Trish saw the pictures of Elena with her little bob haircut and decided Raynie needed a haircut. She’s always had so much hair, but she decided it was time for a cut. I’m amazed that someone could do such a good job on a little 17 month old, but I think it looks so cute. I wish we could get the girls together. Maybe they will all join us in Branson, but that’s a dream. In this picture her older brother, Mason is holding her.

We had another great day for walking and Don walked with me, again. It was 70 in Hobart, today! Of course, we had winds gusting at 50 mph, so keeping our balance was interesting; it helps to hold hands!

I worked on taxes today. Don wants me to be ready except for the last month’s numbers before we leave for Branson. Things are looking pretty good. I did a good job last year, so it looks like I can do it pretty quickly. I had worked on it some before we left on our Thanksgiving trip, so there’s not that much left to do. It’s just details and I hate details. I can’t believe I did such a good job last year; I thank God for Don’s patience in pulling me through it. I’m so thankful for his patience in everything; I’m blessed with a wonderful husband.

We are taking David and Dorothy to Oklahoma City for David to have his pacemaker checked on Wednesday. Dorothy needs to stop by J.C. Penney’s and we may shop for a new laptop, so I’m doing research on what I need and what’s available. We’ll see. It’ll be so nice to have computers that are up to date and working. If I can’t get my research done we’ll keep limping along with what we have. More details. Ugh. I thank God that I can at least keep up with the computer age and that I can read and think even if it’s hard to do.

Artist? I don't think so, but it was fun.

The picture tonight is me holding my painting from the retreat. In case you’re wondering, it’s flowers. It was good for all of us to have that experience. One guy even learned to do butterflies and he really did beautiful ones! We didn’t get that far in my class. Ha!

Today was a beautiful day here. It was so warm that even Don walked with me this afternoon. After church Dorothy and David ate with us at the Mexican Restaurant. Jo Ann and Frank were at their daughter’s house visiting their grandson, Jacob who is home for Christmas. He is stationed in Germany after doing a year in Iraq and they were so thrilled that he could come home for Christmas. He’ll be here until the first week in January. We had a baby shower at church and then there was the tour of homes that a sorority in town does each year. It was a great day for all of that! It was 62 when we went to church tonight. The weather man is threatening us with snow for Tuesday, so this weather won’t last.

I’ve got 10 stalks on my rebloomers, though! I’m so excited to think I might have irises even in December! Woohoo! I think I’ll have to cut them before it freezes, again, but it’s already frozen, so maybe they don’t mind! I’m so pleased with them!

I thank God for flowers that will bloom even at this time of year! A lady in town was impressed with a project our ladies Bible class has done for new mothers in town, so she bought poinsettias for all the members of the class. I haven’t been active in our class for the last couple of years because of my cancer and treatments and I haven’t started back lately since we’ve been traveling so much. They had an extra poinsettia, though, so the preacher’s daughters came bringing one over to me tonight! I love poinsettias, so I’m delighted. I thank God for poinsettias and generous people who brighten my life with one, too. I’ve tried to keep them alive before, but I always manage to kill them. I sure enjoy them through the season. The poinsettia was one of my mom’s favorite flowers, so I’ll think of her as I enjoy this one. I thank God for a wonderful mother and treasured memories of her, too. I’m richly blessed.

Memories from our retreat.

The picture on the blog tonight is from the caregiver/patient retreat that we were able to attend when we went to Houston for my last check up. That retreat was so wonderful! The people were so wonderful! The staff was awesome. They even took pictures and made a cd for us which arrived in today’s mail. This picture is one from that cd. We had a painting class and they actually made our paintings look pretty amazing! We scratched out some stuff and then the wonderful teacher made a few strokes and made it look decent. Then she stamped a seal on there and glued a mat onto it and it really looked amazing for a bunch of absolute amateurs! Someday I’ll have Don take a picture of me with my painting and you’ll see that it’s pretty amazing what a real artist can do with someone as clumsy as me. We were all amazed and it was good for us to do such a thing.

The women in the picture with me are a really amazing women. The one with the really short hair had leukemia and had bone marrow transplant in April. They say when they have those transplants their life is really starting all over because they may have different tastes for food, etc. It’s like they wake up from the surgery feeling much like someone else. Her caregiver’s brother died the morning they were to come to the retreat, so she had to come alone. We first met her when she was asking for someone who could give her a shot. There was nobody around who felt comfortable doing it, so I told her I had given myself allergy shots years ago, so I could do it. What an introduction! I don’t even remember when I gave myself those shots, but I think it must have been over 40 years ago. I guess it’s like riding a bike; one of those things on never forgets? Anyway, we built a quick trusting relationship!

The girl right next to me was such an example to me! 4 ½ years ago she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. The prognosis for her was 3-6 months, but she is still alive and doing beautifully. She now has cancer in her bones, her adrenal glands, both lungs, her lymph glands, and her brain. Those are all the places that breast cancer tends to metastasize, so her attitude and behavior was such a boost to me since she has everything that I could face. She looked at everything and loved it; I shake my head in awe just recalling her. Every time I face any challenge I remind myself that she faced everything with love and looked for the good in it. I thank God for making that weekend possible for us and for giving us the opportunity to meet those awesome people.

Gretta can straighten my curls.

Gretta really worked to get this hairdo out of my curls. She blew it dry and got it this straight. It felt so good, but I can never do that much twisting of the wrist to straighten all that curl. It was fun to wear, but it curled up a bit every day. She and I went shopping one day that it rained and that gave it a good boost of curl. HA! It’s fun to know that it can be straight, but it’s real to know that I can’t make it that way! When I washed my hair, I washed off my eye makeup, so the hairdo was on it’s own to make me look alive in my pjs.

Today I had the house in order so that the cleaning lady could come and clean. I keep thinking, ‘Surely I could do the cleaning,’ but, my back would kill me if I did the rest of it. It’s all I can do to get it all in order for her to do the rest. I still thank God that someone else can do it and I don’t have to do it all.

We’re going to the Rule’s house tonight to play cards. We haven’t played in what seems like forever, so it’ll sure be fun. I’ve got all my exercises done except for the jiggling and I’m going to go do that as soon as I post this blog. Then we’ll eat and be ready to go play. It’ll be bedtime when we come home.

I thank God for some ‘normal’ time. I love it when we travel, but home is sweet and our routine feels good, too. We’ll be in Branson long enough to have a routine, there, though. It feels like home away from home when we go there. We leave the 20th, so I’ve got a few things already packed for that trip. I’ve got to face Santa and work out some deal with him for gifts for everyone before we go. That’s a big job. I’ll get it done soon.

Keep on celebrating, Garrett and Joe!

The picture on the blog tonight is Kyle (Gina’s oldest and he’s 11) and Garrett, (Gretta’s oldest and he turned 12 the day before yesterday). Garrett and Kyle are great buds and cousins. Gina and her family live barely into Indiana, across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. Gretta and her family used to live in Louisville, but they’ve moved to Lexington, Kentucky, so they are a couple of hours apart, now. It’s not too far; they can still get together plenty. When we arrived at Gina’s Gretta, Garrett and Elena surprised us by coming out for dinner and a visit. It was a great surprise!

Garrett shares his birthday with his step dad, Joe. Joe will be 30 something until he decides to be something else. 30 something is good; that way I don’t have to be so old, right? I hope he and Garrett are still celebrating.

It was cold today, but the wind was only 15mph versus yesterday’s 50mph, so I walked my whole hour in a wind chill that felt like 32. It was still cold, but I did it. I woke up several times last night with my arm hurting, so I was determined to do all the exercises today. My arm didn’t bother me any more than common today, so I hope tonight will be better. Maybe I just didn’t sleep as deep as usual, so I noticed it hurting and I usually sleep through it? I don’t know. All I can do is do all the exercises and wear the sleeve. It’s not any bigger than usual; I just felt it. I’m not complaining; I just want to report how it really is.

Besides that I’m really tired. Besides all the exercises I went through all the mail that came while we were gone. Don did his already, but my stack was haunting me. I put too much into the shreader and jammed it. UGH. Haste makes waste. How many times did Mom tell me that??? So I spent a couple of hours this morning taking the shreader all apart and putting it back together. Daddy would be pleased that I could do that. It works and I learned another lesson that I should have already known: don’t put too much into the shreader! At 60 you’d think I’d know these lessons, but I’m getting them real clear, now!

1. Always check SNOPES.
2. Don’t overload the shreader.

I thank God for letting me live to learn these lessons and I thank Him for His patience with me. I shouldn’t be so hard headed and need so many opportunities to learn, but God is so good to give me chance after chance. I thank Him for wonderful family and their patience with me, too.

Don't break into a 6 volt battery!

The picture is what I found when I stupidly opened up a 6 volt battery, believing there would be 32 AA batteries inside. DUH. I know to check everything at SNOPES, but I forgot this time. It’s a good lesson for me; don’t you fall for that battery thing! Don says the people who make 6 volt batteries sent it out; they also make AA batteries, so they win big on dummies like me.

Well, I fall for some dumb things, but I thank God that I find good things to read, too! A dear friend sent me a link to Weyman Tisdale‘s story about cancer today. I think it’s one of the best things I’ve read about attitude and cancer. I love basketball, so Wayman Tisdale is a hero because of basketball, but I sure love his attitude toward cancer and loss.

“You can never give up because quitting is not an option. No matter how dark it is or how weak you get, until you take that last breath, you must fight.” Wayman Tisdale

If you want to read his story and see a video about him, use the following link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?page=tisdale-081203

Work is never done at home!

The picture tonight is one of Don and Elena doing one of their favorite things: reading a book. Precious memories of a wonderful visit!

Today has been so busy with all the exercises that I'm really supposed to be doing plus all the unpacking and washing, etc. I did three loads of clothes, but I still have all the clean stuff to unpack and put where it belongs. I made a pot of chili because it's getting cold here. Today was a nice day, though, so Don walked with me. It felt good to be able to get all the exercises done. I've still got to jiggle, though and the tub is calling me. We rearranged furniture in the living room because we'd taken a couple of chairs to Gretta and the room was all off balance. It never seems to be easy here!

I'd better get with the program so I can get to bed soon. God is so good to me. The least I can do is get the rest I need! I sure thank Him for the ability to do 3 loads of clothes and all my exercises! What a difference in this year and last! God is great!

Home!

This is a picture Phil took in their kitchen while we were visiting; you can tell I was so at home there! It's great to be home, though. My memory foam on the bed is calling me!

We left at 7 this morning and got home at 10 tonight, so that's a 15 hour trip for us. We stopped to eat 3 times and stopped at Tricia's house for a couple of hours, so it wasn't all driving time. The visit with Trish and her family was great. Rob was home, so we got to visit with him, so that was nice; often when we stop he's working. We got to see all the kids and that's unusual because someone is usually off visiting or working or at school. Gabe made my day when we pulled up and he said, "Hey, Poppy, who is that pretty woman with all the hair you've got with you?" He's such a charmer and it works for me!

We're headed to bed, but I wanted to post right quick. I so thank God for this trip and for safe traveling. All the people we visited are such blessings to us and it was wonderful to see them!

Don is smelling home, I think.

These are Deanna's boys, with Phil. Alex will be 10 in January and Phillip is 14; Blake will be 2 in January. I was working hard to get a picture of Phillip with his eyes open, and his mother sent one to me, but I can't get it downloaded on Ruthie's dial up. We were up until 2 this morning getting that picture of Alex and me and still couldn't get it to post until after church today. Now I've been working for over an hour to get this one on and I'm too sleeping to be effective! I'm posting with this one and going to take a quick nap. When we get home and I can work with high speed I'll get a better picture of Phillip on the blog. They are wonderful boys, so I really wanted them on the blog. They are just the next best thing to grandkids for us!

It was wonderful to see lots of people at church this morning who we love from years ago when we lived here. This is such a fun visit. Ruthie and Phil bought the house we owned when we lived here and they've fixed it up really pretty. We love to sit and watch all the great birds who we loved when we lived here. As Don says, this is the best view we ever had, anywhere. Everytime we come back we're tempted to move back. We resist the temptation, though. Home is good.

We'll leave for home in the morning. I think Don is about done with living out of a suitcase. He wants to get up and leave really early, so I'll bet that means we'll drive all the way home. That's okay. It's been a wonderful trip and I thank God for giving us safe travels and lots of people to see. It's been WOW all the way. I really need to get home and get back to my full exercise routine. I can do it all here, but the walking is hard because I'm such a weenie over barking dogs and the cold. Between the two I can find an excuse to come inside!

Too much fun!

I have fun like this all the time, but we don't get pictures of it. Of course I don't always have Blake for my play buddy, like this, but I have fun a lot and we don't get pictures of it. Don used to never take pictures, but he knows I need pictures for the blog, so I hand him the camera and he takes two or three pictures, so I'll get one with my eyes open and a decent smile. They're always so posed, though. I love pictures like this one where it is so real. Deanna (Blake's mommy and Ruthie's daughter; my niece) got this picture of Blake and I last night. When they first came over Blake kept his eyes on Don and I and I wondered if he'd ever warm up to us. Sure enough he got to running around and I was sitting on the hearth. I eased down onto the floor, got closer and closer to his path, and reached out and grabbed him and tickled him. He loved it and we did it several times after that. He totally trusted me, then. Don did his rendition of a bird until Blake was in his lap, too. What a precious little guy he is! All of Deanna's boys are really awesome guys. I'll have pictures of all of them on the blog soon.



Today was a fun day. We rode into Paris, the 'big' town about 15 miles from here in Springville. Don and Phil dropped us off at the nursing home to see a couple of our friends who are there for rehab, one after breaking a hip and the other after radiation treatments to a brain tumor. Ruthie and I enjoyed visiting while Don and Phil went to the co-op to do some shopping. After they picked us up we made a quick stop at Lowe's and then came home the long way seeing some old sights that brought back memories from when we lived here. We really enjoyed it. Then David, Ruthie's son, came over this afternoon; it was good to see him!



I got all my exercises done today, including a short walk. This is a great place to walk, but the dogs get so stressed over me and they make me uncomfortable. When I got the 20 minutes the doctor ordered done, I came on inside. Ruthie loaned me a pillow for my arm last night and my night was much better. She has one just like the one I use at home, so it was perfect. My arm has been much better today. I also go to do the pulley exercises that I haven't done since I left home, so that might have made a difference, too.



It's been football all afternoon for the guys and it's topped off with OU playing OSU. I'd better go watch; there's only 2 points difference!



I thank God for such a wonderful trip. It's so wonderful to see lots of people we love.

Made it to Ruthie's!

Woohoo! We made it to Ruthie's! Then Ruthie and I went over to see Dot, Frazier, and Janie (who comment on the blog from time to time) for a bit. We surprised them, so we caught Janie in her fantastic Crocks. Is that the right way to spell it? Those great shoes I lived in last winter and wear all over, still; she's discovered their comfort! I read last night that they are great shoes for people who have lymphedema in their legs, by the way. (I don't have it in my leg, but I thought that was interesting.) Janie sent me a bird picture last year because I was so crazy about the birds building a nest on our door. It was fun to meet her today.

Then tonight Deanna and John brought their boys Phillip, Alex and Blake over for a visit. What fun! I got some pictures of them that I'll post soon. It's great to be here! I thank God for our safe trip and for all the folks we're getting to see.

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and that your thank-you box is full! Thanks for checking on us.

I feel great. My arm is bothering me at night, but that's because I forgot to bring my pillows to keep it propped when I sleep. I had some in the car I should have been using and I brought one in to use tonight. Of course, it'll help to get back to doing my exercises like I should, too. I've done about half of them today and I'll finish before I go to bed. I've got to be diligent with the exercises if I want to manage the lymphedma and I DO want to manage it. I sure don't want it to get away from me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to download the pictures on the camera, but the batteries died on me today! UGH! So, I didn’t get to take lots of pictures of the fun day and I’ll have to wait until I get new batteries to download the pictures I did get. Oh, well. I’m thankful that I can get them once I get batteries.

This picture tonight is one of Elena with Poppy about to get her with his hand. She loves that game. Boy, she had a big day today! We all did. One couple who came lived in the apartment where they lived before moving into this house. They adopted them for her ‘grandparents on campus,’ since all their grandparents live states from here. Their son and daughter are grown but not married, so they adopt other people’s grandkids. I love that! Another couple from the apartments who have a 5 year old daughter and a 3 week old daughter came, also. Boy did all the grandparents have fun with those two! All the kids were in heaven. They all brought food and we all hurt ourselves eating!

I am not getting the exercises I’m supposed to be doing done, but I am getting plenty of exercise. I’ve carried kids and carried wood for the fireplace, not to mention lots of chopping and washing of pots and pans. It’ll be good to get back into my routine, but for now it’s a breakthrough for me to not get it done perfectly. Sometimes time with the family and friends is just more important; especially when it’s freezing outside. (Terri, if you’re walking and freezing, I’m proud of you!) I didn’t eat any sugar and that was hard!

We leave in the morning to go to Ruthie’s house. I hate to leave here, but I’m excited to go there. Woohoo, and Thank you, God for all of this!

Thanksgiving eve.

Woohoo! They installed Gretta’s Internet today and I’m able to login with the laptop. This is great, but we’ve got so much email to sort; we’ll have to do that when we get home unless it’s something really important; please be patient with me and if I don’t answer you, remind me!

The picture on the blog tonight is one of Elena clapping during the OU/Texas Tech game last weekend. She loves football! She’s so funny! She claps every time the crowd yells and she hollers, "AW!" She does the same thing with "The Price Is Right." She yells when the people yell and claps all through it. She’s a hoot. She LOVES it when we read to her; it’s so sweet when she brings a book and backs up to your lap to make it easy for you to pick her up to your lap.

Gretta had won a free night in a hotel suite in Lexington, so she and Joe celebrated their anniversary yesterday and went to Louisville for a date night and we kept the kids. Garrett and I played cribbage and I read Green Eggs and Ham to Elena about a million times. It was GREAT!
Gretta and Joe came home today and we started the turkey and dressing. Yum! The house smells great and we’re counting the hours until the folks come for dinner tomorrow. Gretta and Garrett did deviled eggs and the other folks are bringing the rest. Well, we made Zelma’s ham/cheese ball, too, and THAT we already tasted! Gretta has the tables all set already! I think there will be 17 people here; something like that. Gretta is so excited because she hasn’t had a big Thanksgiving dinner since we used to all go to Hobart for Thanksgiving with Don’s family when our house belonged to his parents. We were recalling those great times as we cooked today. Precious memories!

We’ve had a fire in the fireplace every day and night since we’ve been here. I’m so enjoying that! What a wonderful Thanksgiving this is. We have so much for which to give thanks. This is so much better than last year. I was content last year, but I look back now and realize how dull it was to be in the middle of chemo and sequestered from everyone! This is like a dream come true. Thank you, God, for so much!

In Lexington!

We are at Gretta's and gone to McDonald's for a quick WIFI session to collect emails and make a quick post. I downloaded the pictures from the camera and will edit them and have more for the blog later. This one is one I took of Garrett while we waited for the WIFI to connect. Garrett will be 12 in a couple of weeks. He knows more about this stuff than I do; he's a very patient helper!

I just wanted to check in quickly in case anyone looks. We're doing just fine, although it's freezing cold here, too. I think I'm a snowbird and need to go south! We'll head to Ruthie's the day after Christmas and that's a little bit south.

The Oklahoma win against Texas Tech last night was too cool! Elena LOVES football and we loved it when we could win so well! She was quite the entertainer. I'll have pictures of her on the blog soon. She's such a dolly with a bob haircut!

I sure thank God for this trip and the family and friends to get to visit and love. We know that we are so richly blessed. (Sorry about the paragraphs running together; the blog isn't cooperating with me and it's hard to do it here in McDonald's! It just has to be how it is.)

Life on the tree farm.

This picture is Brian with Ethan, Kyle and Elise and a little baby deer he found out in the field. This is some of the fun life on the tree farm. Brian is a pilot for a living, but he has a black walnut tree farm on the side. He also plants, bales and sells hay on the side. He works hard when he works, but he has lots of time at home and he works hard then, too. Imagine everyone's delight when he finds a little deer out in the field! This was back in June; we just missed this because we were here in June. Wouldn't I have been delighted to be in on this!

Today was a fun day. We got to go to Kyle's awards ceremony at school. He was in the top 10% in his class and also was recognized for being on the tennis team. We don't get to get in on much of the recognition our grandkids get, so we really enjoyed it. Then we went out to dinner at the Cracker Barrel tonight, so we didn't have to cook or clean up. After dinner Kyle played the trombone for us; that's his instrument in the band. Again, we were impressed.

Tonight will be our last night here, then we'll leave in the morning for a few days with Gretta. Gretta is in her new house and does not have Internet access, yet. Neither does she have a landline phone since they all have cell phones. They live out in the country, so I may not get in everyday for WIFI. If you don't see a new post on the blog until Friday, don't worry; it just means we're too busy to drive in to the WIFI. I'll get lots of pictures and post them later when we get home. I'm sure we'll be able to post from Ruthie's, so enjoy the holidays and check in with us after Thanksgiving.

I thank God for all our many blessings, family and friends being the best. I thank Him so much for our safe travels, too. We are so blessed.

This is a picture I found in Gina's collection of Brian and Gina with Elise, Kyle and Ethan. We are at their house this week in south Indiana.

Man, is it ever COLD here! The family is warm, but my walk was COLD! It's been snowing for the last couple of hours, but it's not sticking. I met the kids at the school bus this afternoon, so that gave me the motivation to be out there in the cold. Then we came inside and Elise set me up on the treadmill to finish my walk. I cut my walk short today; I'm turning into a weenie, I guess. Kyle is no weenie, though; he shot some arrows wearing no coat (it would have gotten in his way) and he's an excellent shot. He got his first deer (with a gun) just last weekend and he got his first turkey this season, too. I guess he's going to be the great hunter like his dad.

Gina just realized I should have gotten the mail on one of my trips to the road, so I might be going back out there. Burr. I need some incentive to make me do it and that will do. Dinner's almost on the table, though and I don't want to miss THAT! I thank God for wonderful family, great food and a warm coat and house! Are we ever blessed!

I thought Don was tall!

This blog is going to say this is posted on the 18th, but that's because I saved this picture of the guys last night. I'm really posting on the 19th, but I don't know how to make the blog cooperate with me. Anyway, it's Wednesday night and I'm posting from Gina's house. This picture is of Don with Michael and Samuel, two of Peggy's sons who we saw last night. Those guys are so cool; we were so thrilled to catch them at home. They have another brother, who we missed, but we'll catch him another time.

Our trip continues to be a WOW because we got here today expecting Gina to be gone on a field trip, but she was here! Then she took off to take the two older kids to the dentist and we stayed home. Don and Brian visited and played with Ethan while I walked up and down their driveway to get in my walking. They live in the country on a farm, so the driveway to the road is a good little walk. Their dog wasn't too happy with me swinging my cane; I know she thought I was some kind of intruder with that cane. I'm scared of dogs, so I had my work cut out for me. She is a GENTLE white lab and has never barked at me until I was walking and swinging the cane. She was really confused; she'd bark and then wag her tail and walk a bit with me. After I got all my walking done GRETTA came zipping in the driveway with Garrett and Elena! They live about 2 hours from here and we're going to their house on Saturday, so we weren't expecting her at all. What a great visit we all had, then! Gretta and her kids just stayed for dinner and then left, but it was sure fun and a sweet surprise.

Everyone's in bed except me, now. Brian has to get up in a couple of hours to leave. He leaves tomorrow and will be home Saturday morning. (He's a pilot with UPS; at home he's a tree and hay farmer, hunter, carpenter, jack of all trades.) I'm thanking God for our safe travels and Gretta's safe trip, too and also for all this healthy family and the chance to be with them. We're out of cell phone range out here, so I didn't talk to Dorothy today, but I learned from Bill's e-devotion that David got to go home today! I know they are so pleased with that improvement! I thank God for that, too!

I didn't save anymore pictures to the blog, so I doubt if I'll have a picture on here tomorrow. Maybe I can swipe something from Gina to use!