Back to soccer

Tim is back on the indoor soccer field. I've always enjoyed seeing him play. Tonight was his first game since playing outside soccer in the fall. And honestly it looked like he had never left the game. I really enjoy watching indoor soccer. Such a fast paced sport. A lot of fun.

Steelers week at work

This week, if you want to wear jeans to work, is Steelers week. So, guess what I bought today? Yes, a Steelers t-shirt. Actually don't believe I did it. But I love jeans and I'll do about anything...

Tim had two classmates over this afternoon to work on a class project. Always nice to hear the sound of kids and laughter.

A quiet Saturday

Yesterday Barry had chemo again. His next PET/CT scan is Feb. 16th. And results should be known the next day. I'll be going to the appointment with him, even though he said I don't need to.

Tim's at a school dance this evening. Had planned on going skating, but remembered at the last minute about this dance. He certainly is more sociable than I ever was. Am glad for him.

It's been a quiet couple of days here. No complaints about that.

Maureen is home

Am glad to report that my sister Maureen was discharged from hospital this afternoon. But the events are strange, one day the doctor is ready to operate on her gall bladder and then another day says you can go home. But even as of this morning she had been nauseous for a couple of hours. Quite upsetting considering she was in the hospital where she is a nurse. I'm not sure that the doctor or physician assistant are that great. And I've always said, it's the not knowing what ails you that is hard to take. Maureen had to actually request some pain meds in case she has an attack this evening. It is a shame. But I know she's strong and can handle anything. She's from good blood!

These are the candles that my sister bought for me. The one on the left is the new one I got today.

 
 

A beautiful candle

My sister Eileen had told me to expect a package this week. I had no idea what it was going to be. She said it was something she uses every day. So I thought... a vacuum of some kind. Was I wrong. I came home to a very nice smelling UPS package. And inside was a beautiful Yankee Candle with a porcelain Antique Scallop shade. They are beautiful. You know me, I've already taken a picture of it. Soon it will be posted you know where. The candle's fragrance is lemon lavendar. My house smells wonderful. You see, Eileen has always been a candle lover. Her house is full of candles of every shape. Now I'm getting a good collection of candles. I had just told Tim a week or so ago that for my birthday in March he could get me what Eileen just sent me. I told him he doesn't have to now, but his reply was "you can still have another!"

So once again Eileen, THANKS! That was so thoughtful of you.

Update

Today was a nice relaxing Sunday. Just what a Sunday should be, a day of rest. I cooked sirloin tips on the grill, mashed potato and cooked up some shredded carrots in butter. Mmmm.

I talked a couple of times with Maureen today. It looks like they will not rush in to operate on her now for gall bladder surgery. I'm not clear on all the medical talk. Since she had hernia surgery last May which included some kind of mesh work, to operate on near this area for gall bladder is tricky. Usually needs to heal for about a year before going near it. What brought her to the hospital was constantly vomiting, which finally ended today. She did not have the "attack" like she previously had with the severe pain, so therefore she's been advised to wait. She is hoping to go home within a day or two.

As soon as Barry went to work at 3 p.m. and I got in my jammies for a little nap. The little nap lasted 2 1/2 hours. When I got up I found Tim sleeping on the couch. Good minds think alike.

After I had some dinner tonight, I did two miles on the treadmill. I've been doing 1 mile each evening and on the weekends I do two miles. I know that compared to some people this is not much, but it's 1-2 miles more each day than I had been doing. As of today, I've lost 6 lbs. with 7 lbs. left to go as my goal. Mostly I've stopped drinking soda, drinking water instead. I've also cut back on the sweets. I'm such a lover of sweets, especially chocolate. Have been eating lots of oranges when the urge for chocolate hits me.

Get well soon

Got email from my father this morning saying that my sister Maureen was admitted to hospital with gall bladder problems. She's been having rounds of pain from gall stones. Just got off the phone from talking with her. Looks like she may be having the gall bladder out this coming week. She's had tests before today and also while in hospital. Geez, what the heck is happening to this family! But we're tough people and we can take what is given to us. Does make us stronger and I can vouch for that. So, as she has previously asked for me I am asking for her: send some good vibes and prayers her way for me.

Went shopping this morning and got Tim another pair of ice skates. You would think it would be easy to find skates, but it wasn't. He's always enjoyed skating so I'm glad he wanted another pair. Hopefully he'll go tonight to skate.

Well, Tim do go skating with 3 of his friends tonight and of course had a good time.

TGIF

Even though I was off Monday for the holiday, this has been such a long work week. Others have said the same. But alas, Friday is here.

It's actually a good Friday for Barry. No chemo! Every so many weeks he has one week without. His blood counts have been so good that he hasn't required Procrit which is a blessing. He won't know what to do with his time today. He does enjoy "visiting" with his nurses and dr. though. They're such a kind group.

Well, it's 50 degrees out now at 7 a.m. and it's almost end of January. Love this kind of winter weather.

This is why I love living in God's country..

It was a last mintute decision, but Tim and I decided to take a drive this afternoon and take pictures. The theme: why I love living in God's country. I have posted a few of the pictures so you can see the reasons. Besides being calm and peaceful, it's just beautiful countryside. For once the sun was shining, even though it was under 30 degrees. Just a great day for a short ride around the area.

Amish time-out doll. Eileen, I'm sure you would love one of these to go along with your time-out doll. He would be good company.

 
 

Guess who? Just me.

 
 

Tim decided to capture this swing in a photograph. Pretty stunning picture.

 
 

This is an Amish schoolhouse.

 
 

Another Amish buggy thanks to my favorite photographer.

 
 

Hey, what are you lookin' at?

 
 

You can't beat the Amish countryside.

 
 

Eileen, this is Rudy's barn. Doesn't it look familiar?

 
 

When my mother comes to visit, these are two of the horses she likes to feed.

 
 

An Amish buggy on a Sunday afternoon is never in a rush.

 
 

I took this picture last night to show the clear countertop. Tim is in the background. I must have known someone would like to see proof.

 
 

Proof

Well, the counter did get cleared. And just to prove it, I took a picture of it. Can't say how long it will stay that way but I can say it made a day! It's nice to know that people are reading my blog, especially when you take the time to post comments on my house "cleaning." And to the "anonymous" person who said to post on my bulletin board, I'll do this instead: post it on my blog. The one thing showing on the countertop is Barry's gift to me: a marble stone so I can "make bread". He's such a joker. But then as TimBa said, I seem to have lots of time on my hands. Ask Barry and he'll tell you that I will never be named House Cleaner of the Year...

I hate paperwork

Am continuing to do "spring" cleaning of paperwork. And my goal for tonight (after I post this small blog note) is to have my kitchen countertop bare! And if you've been in my house, that's going to be a miracle... But miracles do happen.

It was also great seeing my "bosom" buddy Aileen today at her store. It was the first time that I saw her with real hair. Like me, her hair grew a different color and is curly. Previously I had only seen her in a wig.

Well, back to paperwork...

A pretty good weekend

Yesterday we went furniture shopping most of the day. We ordered a bedroom set for Tim, no more twin/bunk beds for him. Growing up. I think his room will be roomier with a double bed. I don't think he'll know what to do with a real mattress though. The mattress on his bed (no boxspring) is probably as old as our marriage of 25 plus years. We also bought a new light for the livingroom. The house is really coming together.

It's been a nice quiet day today. Directly after church today we had a roasting chicken. Mmmmm. And baked potato. Already made chicken noodle soup with the leftovers.

Right now I'm in the middle of finally filing away about 3 months of receipts/bills that I've put off doing. So therefore, a very quick blog. My floor is covered with little piles now. Wish we could live in a paperless time.

One of my better days

I went to work today and got so many compliments about my hair style and color. Truly made me feel so good. Even got a couple of emails from people who had seen me in building and wanted me to know. As the title says, one of my better days. I now know short hair is for me. Barry likes it because it's redder than usual. And he's hard to please...

Barry had his weekly chemo today. Was greeted by his nurses singing "Barry"...Royal treatment at the cancer center. But for some strange reason, there was a lot of Steeler shirts being worn!

Tim's playing in the band at the local basketball game tonight. I was able to go visit Meg and show her my hairdo in person. She had already sent me an email telling me that I looked mahr velous..... She may not blog but she keeps up to date with my blog and emails me directly. Thanks.

Off to do treadmill. Yes, I've been keeping up with it. And drinking lots of water, no soda. Or should I say "pop".

A beauty day for Jane

Saw new dentist today after over a year. And guess what? No cavities. That's a miracle.

Also got my hair cut and colored, nails done. I'm all set now.

I got the full treatment tonight. Nails done, hair cut and colored. Aren't I special!

 
 

After many months, I am back to being strawberry blonde!

 
 

All is calm in God's country...

Well, I've done a second day on my treadmill. Hoping to continue for at least a week! I've gained about 15 lbs. these past few months. Probably due to medication for night sweats along with an appetite for sweets. So I'm trying to do some walking each night.

Tomorrow I'm going for my nail appointment and for the first time in many months a hair appointment. I'm going to get my hair colored like it had been. I do like this new chemo color I have but not as much as my bottled color. And of course, will get it trimmed up. Geez, look at all the money I saved with hair appointments!

If I don't blog daily it's due to nothing new happening. Don't worry. It's just because there is nothing new to report. Barry continues to have chemo weekly. Next month he should be scheduled for his scans again.

Am thankful that Barry's wheezing/cough is better today. Said there was no need to see doctor today. I slept in today. Getting ready for my first day back to work. Tim returns to school tomorrow, also.

The venison stew cooked all night in crock pot. Tim's already had a bowl full. Me, I'm a different story. Tim did feed me one piece of the meat. I just have a mental blockage and have trouble with eating it. Maybe if I get drunk!

Happy New Year!

I have to congratulate Bonnie as being my first blogger of 2006. Leave it to the Arizonian! Sorry I hadn't posted myself. Shame on me....

Barry and I toasted in the New Year last night, along with Tim. No, Tim did not enjoy any champagne but we did. We stayed up until 1:30 a.m. It was a nice quiet evening, a time for Barry to "bond" with Tim.

Barry was up most of the night with wheezing and cough. It seems that most of his crew have been sick with bronchitis this week. He sounds terrible. Hopefully he will be able to see his oncologist tomorrow for some medication. We've been so good in not getting sick and he doesn't need this right now. This time of year can be so nasty with germs. I will go with him to the doctor since I'm off tomorrow.

Today we took down Christmas tree and put it away for another year. Our welcome lights stay up all year so it almost feels like Christmas still. I love them.
Tim took his first bike ride of the year today. He wanted to try out the new Under Armor leggings that he bought with Maureen's check while on the Cape.

PS. I'm cooking a venison stew in crock pot overnight. Tim's treat! Not sure if I'll actually eat it. Call me silly...