I let Tim get in driver's seat

It's been so hot and humid lately. Have enjoyed staying inside after work. Have kept up with spinning exercise. This week I went twice after work. A lot of fun, a lot of sweat. It's about 45 minutes of high energy exercise listening to good music.

This evening Tim and I did head back to the local college track. I walked a little over a mile, he ran for quite a few laps more than I did! That's youth. It was such a beautiful site. There was a boat in the lake with a couple of guys in it. Had a small trolling engine on it. Something you don't see often. Usually only see people fishing there. It's not a large lake by any means. I did hear that a few years ago it was actually a swimming place. One of these days I have to bring my camera and take pictures of it.

Haven't written about Barry lately. He's been feeling some pain in his shoulder and liver area for past month. But you know, he never complains. I only know it because I ask him how he's doing. Takes the alleve and keeps on going. Knowing what he is going through, I try not to complain about any aches I have. One thing that amazes me, he has not lost his hair with this chemo treatment. Even though he's getting same adriamicin that I had. Strange but good.

Oh, one other thing. After Tim and I walked, I let him get in the driver's seat of truck and drive up the driveway! Can't believe that in February he'll be getting his learner's permit. He told me that I don't get out of my comfort zone (or something like that) and be daring. Then I let him back down the driveway. And you know, he did it by using the rear view mirrow. Pretty good. I always have to lean out the stupid window. Kid is growing up too fast.

Next chemo treatment for Barry, which is August 15th, I'm taking Tim with me. He'll be company for me. This way I won't have to worry how he is doing at home. And if there is accomodations for us at the local housing/hotel for patients' families. You don't know until the day of the hospital visit. I've put in a reservation already. And you know, it could be a good boost for Barry to have him there.

Tim heads to band camp tomorrow for the week, and Barry also is heading to a business training seminar all week. Sure am going to miss them both. It just happens that both are at the same time. Good thing is I don't have to cook! (not that I have been doing that much)

YEAH... NEW JOB FOR ME!!!!

Got word this a.m. from Human Resources that I got the job in the other dept! After almost 3 1/2 years I'm moving on. Can't believe it. More to follow....

I start new job on Aug. 17th, my last day at present job will be the 14th. Barry's next chemo is the 15th/16th, and the new department is very accomodating for me.

The job is a lateral move but as you know, money is not everything. I've been unhappy way too long in the job that I've been doing. When I came home from work today, Tim greeted me with a big round the shoulder hug and a smile. Ask anyone, he knows. Life is too short not to be happy. And I need to be in a more positive environment. Now I will be able to focus on one specific department rather than a whole bank's department.

If you get the chance to talk with me directly, understand that I'm not on speeed when I talk: just truly excited! And I'm going to be working for my friend who also left my present department for bigger and better things. Can't wait until Aug. 17th.

WOW what a day...

It's been one of those uplifting days, even though that was not even planned. Today's sermon was about having plans, and how sometimes our plans change. We may have our own plans but God has HIS plans for us. It was one of those sermons that just hits you in the heart, and I get the pen and paper out to write down just a few words to remember later.

In the evening, after Tim and I went to local ice cream store, we went to the college track to do some walking/running. There was a lot of activity at the college. Tim told me that it was Missionary week there. I could not believe all the people walking around the campus. As I was walking I could hear music in the amphiteatre which quickly caught my ear. I'm a sucker for music. After we did our exercise, we headed up in the car to see what was happening. As we drove up, a girl's voice called "hey Tim K". I thought, geez a small world! Not knowing that it was a girl from his school who was attending the missionary event. She talked of a great speaker (Tony Campolo) they had, and invited us to attend the next event. We drove home, I did an online search of the college and the missionary conference and did find out that it was an evening open to the public, and that David Bailey (a Christian singer) was also going to perform. This man's name and story was told to me last year when I was going through chemo. Jody had mentioned to me that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor (now also a cancer survivor for 10 years) and had been told he only had months to live.

To make a long story short, Tim and I changed and went back to the concert and evening of prayer. It was full of Christian singing, the kind I adore. Words to the songs appeared on a large screen so you could raise your hands/clap your hands and sing/dance to the songs. This was followed by a very moving minister. I can't recall his name, but will look it up later. David Bailey was truly moving as he sang . After his performance I did go up to him and state that I was a cancer survivor along with my husband. I'm not ashamed to say that I shed tears this evening, tears that cleanse my soul. I truly get moved by song and do truly enjoy upbeat Christian music. For some reason the Catholics don't have that going, at least in our church. And for me, feeling the faith in song is so meaningful to me.

It's truly been a great day. One not planned at all, but aren't those the best kind of days.

The missionary conference is in town all week and I've been invited to be a part of the evening music whenever I can.

God bless you.


http://www.davidmbailey.com/

http://www.tonycampolo.org/abouttony.php

Tony Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University, is the founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, an organization that develops schools and social programs in various third world countries and in cities across North America. He is the author of many books, his most recent being, "Speaking My Mind."

Nice bloggin'

I would like to thank my new bloggin' person who took the time to post comments by reading archive records of the blog. It's the positive feedback that I get, that keeps us going. This blog was created as a form of therapy for me. Took too much time to write down things in a diary form. Typing is so much easier. There have been times that I have thought of stopping the blog but have told by a few people who read it not to do that. There truly are a lot of caring people in this world.

Had lots of rain last night and this morning. Farmers will truly like that. Not much sun is shining today. But it's a perfect napping kind of day...

Keeping fingers crossed for positive news on job I applied for.

Well, I did take a nice 2 hr. nap this afternoon. Even was able to dream. Felt so good. After waking from my late nap, I got hold of Barb (my new friend whose husband was recently diagnosed with cancer) and arranged to meet her 1/2 way to deliver a meal I had made her. It felt so good making her a nice meal since I have been on that receiving end. So many people made meals for us last year, and now I know how good those people also felt. A great feeling. I also gave her husband a Survivor bumpersticker that I had bought awhile ago. Always knew (unfortunately) that there was going to be another person diagnosed with this terrible disease. A very nice woman has once again entered into my life.

I took this picture as we went over the Bourne Bridge.

  

I have known Mary Lou forever. A true friend.

  

Tim and his cousin fish side by side, but only catch seaweed!

  

Brothers....are special.

  

He may not catch any fish, but he has fun anyway.

  

My parents. Happy 85th Birthday, Dad.

  

Traffic traffic traffic

  

My brother the Chef. Lobsters ruled at the party.

  

Barry enjoying himself at the party.

  

This is Tim's favorite bird along the Canal.

  

The Canal has a 7 mile paved bike path which makes cycling fun.

  

Cape Cod Canal

  

The boys look out at the Cape Cod Canal. Very calming.

  

My 2 sisters and brother, along with me, at my father's 85 birthday party! Family is very important.

  

Friendship

I was so pleased to just read an email from the woman I met while camping on our way home. Her name is Penee and they are traveling in their large RV for a few months. I tell you, there are so many nice people out there. Usually just takes a quick hello and you've made a new friend!

I got an email from Barb (husband has pancreatic/liver cancer). Her husband just got his first IV of Vitamin C megadose. Very interesting way of treating cancer. Barry in fact had found something on internet when he was first diagnosed about this. Am anxious to share this with him.

Cancer touches another family

While on vacation I learned from Jody, that a man she knows was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which has spread to liver and lymph nodes. She had asked that I contact this man's wife to help her out. In fact Jody gave her my blog address. Chemoembolization had been mentioned to him, but recently a doctor said to wait a few months and do some kind of hormone shots right now. I have corresponded via emails with her and look forward to talking with her on the phone. She has her hands full, a mother of teenage triplets. As Jody was to me, I will try to be to Barb. Someone she can vent to. I have told her that good things can come out of bad situations, like friendships! Also told her that second/third opinions are quite OK. Be your best advocate. I wish her and especially her husband the best. Keep the faith.

Today I had an interview for another department within the bank. I left the interview knowing that I gave it my best shot. Am praying to get the job, as I've not been happy where I am. Don't want to get burnt out. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Will know within a week I believe.

I did take lots of pics on vacation. But have to take the time to organize them. Soon I will post some online.

Home sweet home

Woke up to rain this a.m. but the ride home was in the bright sunshine. Got home in about 6 1/2 hrs.

Glad to report that there were no truck or trailer problems. Everything worked just fine.

Trailer has been unpacked, sheets are being washed, and the grass has been cut with Tim's help. Boy, did it grow in 2 weeks. Tim will be weed wacking tomorrow for sure.

Was glad to see turkeys still in the neighborhood when we came home. Also bought some fresh Amish corn! Hope it's tasty.

That's it for now. A great vacation.

Vacation time is winding down...

We're one night away from being home from our vacation. Staying at a beautiful campground in Verona, NY. It's associated with a casino called Turning Stone. We went to the casino and had our dinner there. Did not spend any cash at the casino itself! For the first time this vacation, I had a swimsuit on and went in the pool. While there I spent over an hr. talking with a very nice woman who had pulled into the campground at same time as we did. They are from Nevada and own over 580 acres on a ranch. They are driving a large diesel pusher like my brother owns. Traveling for about 3months and going up through east side of Canada. Really enjoyed talking with her. Why is it that you meet the nicest people on your last day? May give her my email address to keep in touch. They also use laptop to communicate with family. Got to the campsite at about 3 p.m. Such a beautiful campground, no tents allowed. A nice pull through site with the luxury of 99 cable channels and wireless internet service. Life is good.

Hard to remember everything we did while on the Cape. Especially since I didn't blog daily. We had an early 85th birthday party for my father. It was done early to coincide with us being on the Cape. There was so much food there. Lobsters galore. We treated my father like a King. There was about 45 guests there.

Tim went whale watching one day with my sister and saw tons of whales. He really enjoyed that. She packed a nice picnic lunch for the two of them. He's looking forward to doing that trip again. He said it was funny when the whale watcher would stand up top of the boat, tell everyone the location of the sightings, and then all the people would go to that side of the boat and make it lean over.

Barry's cousin Tim and his wife Amy came to see us for two days. A shorter trip for them to see us on the Cape then in Pennsylvania. We were able to go out to with them for a couple of meals. It was great seeing them. The weather was not in agreement, so we were not able to ride the canal with them.

The time went by much too quickly. Did not do all that we had wanted to do, not enough time. But we did spend time with family which was a priority for us. I am certainly going to have to get back to the track for some laps. Had lots of seafood, could have had more ice cream! Didn't make it to Partee Freeze. Next time!

Tomorrow we leave here and head home. Til then....

Have not had luxury of internet while on the Cape. The time is going by too quickly. Not sure if we'll be able to do all that we wanted to do. Tim is actually gone for a whale watching trip with Maureen as I visit with my parents and use their computer. Barry's going to be working on Dad's computer after I sign off.

Weather has been nice. Enjoying the views of the Cape Cod canal. We've been watching a lot of DVD's each evening. The local grocery store rents them from a self service machine like a soda machine. All for only $1.00 each day. Can't beat that.

Well, time to sign off and enjoy family. Looking forward to seeing Cousin Tim and his wife tomorrow who are coming from Ct. Should be a good time.

Lunch at the beach

Since arriving on the Cape, have not had luxury of internet access at our new campsite. Right now I'm online at my dad's house. As they say, having a good time. Tim and I have played scrabble and yahtzee in the evening, rented DVD last night. Yesterday Tim and I rode bikes on the Cape Cod Canal, a 7 mile bike path. Very nice ride. (even though the wind was against us on the ride back). We've been enjoying the seafood, having it whenever possible.

Today we went to see my brother who is camping near Provincetown in his RV. In preparation for a sunny day at the beach, we took bathing suits and suntan lotion. Unfortunately, it rained most of the time we were there. You can never plan the weather. Once again, Doug went all out on cooking us a nice meal. Spaghetti and meatballs, hamburgs and hotdogs served under the awning of the RV.

And we got to experience traffic on the way back from the beach. And we have still some miles to go before we actually get back to our campsite. Have heard on the radio that there is the usual traffic backup. Not looking forward to that. I certainly don't miss traffic. Love my country living!

On our way...

We made it to our first stop at about 2:30 p.m. Staying at a nice KOA campground in Herkimer, NY. Have about 330 miles/5 hrs. to travel tomorrow to reach Cape Cod. Not including what could be heavy holiday traffic. Sitting in camper, using laptop and being online. I know some people, like Cousin Tim, would say that is not camping! Oh yes, the satellite dish is outside so we have cable also. Life is good. Cooked spaghetti (well, heated up jar of sauce Meg) and bratwurst on the grill for dinner. A nice dinner.

Not sure when we will be leaving in a.m. Time will tell. Very hot here. Temps in 80s. Til tomorrow....