My Other Writing
The brief time and energy I have for writing these days goes towards keeping the CaringBridge site for Bundle of Joy's mama updated. But, it's occurred to me that even though it certainly isn't my "normal writing", at least you'd know what I've been up to if I share it here with you, too.
So, with the names tweaked for obvious reasons, here's the most recent "big" (NOT to be read as a positive adjective) news:
And, it’s a decision that seems to suit! H looks GOOD, and I think she’s found much more peace now that she’s taken back the control (as much as one can have in a situation like this) of her own treatment. She’s getting out for a walk almost each day (vs. not even having the energy/strength to hold the twins following chemo treatments!); has an APPETITE again (hip, hip, HOORAY!) and is eating an organic, basically Paleo diet (protein & veggies - no wheat, very few grains, no sugar) with a focus on the new-found regenerative properties of bone broths.
The fabulous oncology team at Mayo will continue to meet with H for consultations, tests, and scans. Their next visit is scheduled for this week. At this point, the plan is to wait for the next (cancer) scan for 4 or 6 months . . . after which we’ll know whether or not the initial chemo followed by her alternative treatments have resulted in any positive changes!
What can you do? Pray like you’ve never prayed before. Pray for peace for H and J. Strength for them both, too. And pray for the miracle we so desperately need. I know I speak for each of you reading this when I say that we’ll all help H ‘DARE to Live!’
So, with the names tweaked for obvious reasons, here's the most recent "big" (NOT to be read as a positive adjective) news:
A New Plan - Nov 3, 2014
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| Mama & her boy. |
It’s taken me a while to write this post. My first version was WAY too emotional.
H’s most recent trip to Mayo (the week of October 13th) did not end well. Not for her and J. Not for their children. Not for their families. Not for you. Not for me.
They spent both Monday and Tuesday in consultations and tests in (the anticipated) preparation for the 4th chemo treatment and five weeks of radiation treatments. Testing went late on Tuesday and they decided to postpone the next chemo due to plain old exhaustion. Ten minutes north of Rochester on their way home Wednesday morning, they received a call from (one of) their oncologist(s).
“How far away are you? Can you turn around and come back to the clinic. We need to talk.”
The scans, the tests showed that the cancer has spread. It is now in her abdominal cavity and in more of the lymph nodes. The three chemo treatments have not made any difference (yet). Upon closer examination and conference within her oncology team, continued chemo and the 5 weeks of radiation would have a less than 5% chance of readying her for surgery. I.e., there would be only a slight chance – AFTER enduring all that – of the tumors shrinking enough for the surgeons to do their work. And, with this diagnosis came a general estimation of (life)time remaining for our wonderful, sweet H of 2 years. (I cannot express to you how difficult that is to write.)
With tears, prayers and time to absorb this worst imaginable news, H has decided that it’s simply not worth it to continue with the ineffective (it seems) chemo and futile radiation. To go through more chemo that her body handles so poorly and to be so weak for so long following each treatment, to be away from her children for 5 days for each of 5 weeks taking radiation treatments that there’s a 95% chance of not even working . . . the decision was almost made for her.
So, they are taking a BREAK from all the icky stuff that makes her so sick and weak. No more chemo for now. No radiation. No long absences from home.
But this does NOT mean H is not being proactive! Just the opposite: she is fighting even harder with a new battle plan based on a well-supported alternative cancer treatment reinforced by diet, exercise, and prayer.
H’s most recent trip to Mayo (the week of October 13th) did not end well. Not for her and J. Not for their children. Not for their families. Not for you. Not for me.
They spent both Monday and Tuesday in consultations and tests in (the anticipated) preparation for the 4th chemo treatment and five weeks of radiation treatments. Testing went late on Tuesday and they decided to postpone the next chemo due to plain old exhaustion. Ten minutes north of Rochester on their way home Wednesday morning, they received a call from (one of) their oncologist(s).
“How far away are you? Can you turn around and come back to the clinic. We need to talk.”
The scans, the tests showed that the cancer has spread. It is now in her abdominal cavity and in more of the lymph nodes. The three chemo treatments have not made any difference (yet). Upon closer examination and conference within her oncology team, continued chemo and the 5 weeks of radiation would have a less than 5% chance of readying her for surgery. I.e., there would be only a slight chance – AFTER enduring all that – of the tumors shrinking enough for the surgeons to do their work. And, with this diagnosis came a general estimation of (life)time remaining for our wonderful, sweet H of 2 years. (I cannot express to you how difficult that is to write.)
With tears, prayers and time to absorb this worst imaginable news, H has decided that it’s simply not worth it to continue with the ineffective (it seems) chemo and futile radiation. To go through more chemo that her body handles so poorly and to be so weak for so long following each treatment, to be away from her children for 5 days for each of 5 weeks taking radiation treatments that there’s a 95% chance of not even working . . . the decision was almost made for her.
So, they are taking a BREAK from all the icky stuff that makes her so sick and weak. No more chemo for now. No radiation. No long absences from home.
But this does NOT mean H is not being proactive! Just the opposite: she is fighting even harder with a new battle plan based on a well-supported alternative cancer treatment reinforced by diet, exercise, and prayer.
And, it’s a decision that seems to suit! H looks GOOD, and I think she’s found much more peace now that she’s taken back the control (as much as one can have in a situation like this) of her own treatment. She’s getting out for a walk almost each day (vs. not even having the energy/strength to hold the twins following chemo treatments!); has an APPETITE again (hip, hip, HOORAY!) and is eating an organic, basically Paleo diet (protein & veggies - no wheat, very few grains, no sugar) with a focus on the new-found regenerative properties of bone broths.
The fabulous oncology team at Mayo will continue to meet with H for consultations, tests, and scans. Their next visit is scheduled for this week. At this point, the plan is to wait for the next (cancer) scan for 4 or 6 months . . . after which we’ll know whether or not the initial chemo followed by her alternative treatments have resulted in any positive changes!
What can you do? Pray like you’ve never prayed before. Pray for peace for H and J. Strength for them both, too. And pray for the miracle we so desperately need. I know I speak for each of you reading this when I say that we’ll all help H ‘DARE to Live!’
The One I Wrote Last Night
The monsoons of summer have finally abated, and we’ve been
blessed with some amazingly gorgeous fall days.
Sun, cool temps and enough wind to shake the yellow leaves off the
popples. It’s gorgeous. If only it weren’t such a short season!
I made a shopping trip to the big city last Thursday in
conjunction with my annual check-in with my shrink. She said that I’m “amazing”. Have I mentioned that I L-O-V-E her? ;)
There are two other things that stick out in my mind from the day as well. First, this in the grocery aisles at Target:
Seriously? WHY, on
god’s green earth, would ANYONE put that into the mouth of their child? I mean, it’s not even the issue that this is
NOT “food” . . . but that much dye?! And
the sugar! The “best scenario” I can think
of would be inviting over the child of your worst enemy, filling them up with
this “cake” and then sending them directly home . . . but giving it to anyone
you actually CARE ABOUT? Crazy. As a cuckoo bird.
Here was my other blog-worthy (and I use the term “worthy”
extremely loosely here) moment. I’ve
needed new bras DES-perately. My bras
look like they belong to an old married woman divorced 4 years who’s not yet
gone on a single date! (Oh . . . wait .
. . .) But you get the picture. ANYWAY, here’s a little visual for all you
women out there who are much younger (in spirit / at heart) than your bodies suggest: you know you’re over-the-hill / past your
prime / old / (insert favorite derogatory adjective here) when you realize that
you are trying to tuck not the side
of your breast into the bra you’re trying on – but your ARMPIT FAT!
For Mollie
From this morning's visit with Mama. I am SO fortunate to be a part of all this love. :)
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| Little Bear (because she growls!) has a fascination with her tongue at the moment. Can you tell?! |
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| "Anything you can do I can do better; I can do anything better than you!" |
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| I'm not sure if this picture is heart-warming or heart-breaking. Maybe both. |
Why I Haven't Written (Lately, Anyway)
I was hoping to be able to continue my story of the chain of events leading from my last post up until now, but it's simply been too busy and I am too tired to be creative.
As I said, I began my new job at the beginning of July. A month into it on August 5th (has it only been 26 days ago???), I was taking care of the three Bundles of Joy while their folks drove down to the big city 2.5 hours south. The mama hadn't been feeling well - both during her pregnancy with the unexpected twins (now nearly 10 months old) and ever since. But, the local medical professionals chalked this strain and constant exhaustion up to the toll the twins took on her lithe body . . . and were still taking (nursing two robust little people was simply expending more calories than she could take in).
Anyway, a more in-depth exam was scheduled for the 5th, and off they went for a "quick trip" (she didn't even take her breast pump: the visit was anticipated to be just an in-and-out one with results to follow).
Immediately upon seeing what the internal camera was displaying on the monitor, the doctors knew what they were looking at: cancer. It was that evident. A biopsy was taken and a CT Scan ordered. This "quick trip" was not going to be one.
The cancer had already metastasized and was found throughout three different organs and in her lymph nodes. This beautiful, most incredible woman - mother of three little children - hardest worker you'll ever find - most selfless, modest creature on the planet has cancer. She who makes all her own family's food, has 7 loaves of bread in the oven at 7:00 AM, never drinks, never had a cigarette touch her lips . . . has cancer. And through ALL OF THAT, while the cancer was already ravaging her body, she grew, birthed, and nursed twin babies. Who are perfect.
So, as you can see, this past month - which seems like 26 WEEKS instead of days - has been . . . terrible. Exhausting. Emotional (ya think?). Filled with so much love. Filled with even more pain.
That firstquick visit to the doctor's office resulted in an absence of 3 days (if memory serves) for the parents during which the daddy/husband's (one) sister and I shared child-care duties of the three kiddos.
I won't even try to encapsulate what has transpired over this past month other than to say that it's been filled with friends and family who are willing to move mountains to get this woman healthy and returned to her family in full-operating order.
The cancer is so far along (stage IV) that surgery to install the chemo port in her chest was scheduled for the very next morning (from that first internal exam), followed immediately by her first round of chemo. So, this woman who left her house one morning - exhausted but ready for answers - returned days later recovering from an hour-long surgery and with a 48-hour chemo bag hanging from her shoulder and IVs trailing from her chest.
Since then, there have been the subsequent chemo rounds and exhausting trips to the hospital 2.5 hours away as well as to Mayo in Rochester, MN. Ultimately, however, they have narrowed the oncology team down to the one at Mayo, and the surgeon for her first upcoming (major) surgery (probably in October once the tumors have shrunk enough to allow for it) is the best in . . . the ENTIRE WORLD! And he feels positive about the outcome of that - which, as it stands now, will be the most crucial - surgery.
We - friends and family - have been divided into different armies for this battle of all battles. There are those working, day and night, on the continued construction of their house remodeling already in-progress when this began. (For now, we have all moved out of that house to allow for the immediate and uninterrupted work needed on it. And that's been a major stress in itself because who doesn't want to be HOME when they're sick??!)
There are those who have moved into nearly full-time child care mode (myself and the aforementioned sister who already has a husband, 4 children and a farm of her own AND home-schools!)
There are those who travel to every single medical appointment - no matter how far away - to act as medical advocate, liaison and support-person. While still carrying their own full-time jobs.
There are those who have become researchers and makers of the foods she eats, no matter the incredible stresses in their own lives.
There are those planning the upcoming benefit for the family, orchestrating donations, organizing silent auctions, trying to find the time to update the CaringBride site (ah-hem, that last part would be me).
There are those who are taking care of ME and Tucker so I can take care of the 4-year old and babies: Mama & Papa Pea!
In short, this entire community has been frozen in its tracks that something like this could happen to someone like her (member of the volunteer fire department on top of everything else she does, for crying out loud!). But the very second after we had our initial breakdowns, sobbing for breath, we mobilized. We wiped our tears, dusted off our hands and asked, "Okay! What can *I* do?"
Thank you for listening, and I'll try to update as I can. Just as soon as I get some sleep and clean this hovel my cabin has become! ;)
As I said, I began my new job at the beginning of July. A month into it on August 5th (has it only been 26 days ago???), I was taking care of the three Bundles of Joy while their folks drove down to the big city 2.5 hours south. The mama hadn't been feeling well - both during her pregnancy with the unexpected twins (now nearly 10 months old) and ever since. But, the local medical professionals chalked this strain and constant exhaustion up to the toll the twins took on her lithe body . . . and were still taking (nursing two robust little people was simply expending more calories than she could take in).
Anyway, a more in-depth exam was scheduled for the 5th, and off they went for a "quick trip" (she didn't even take her breast pump: the visit was anticipated to be just an in-and-out one with results to follow).
Immediately upon seeing what the internal camera was displaying on the monitor, the doctors knew what they were looking at: cancer. It was that evident. A biopsy was taken and a CT Scan ordered. This "quick trip" was not going to be one.
The cancer had already metastasized and was found throughout three different organs and in her lymph nodes. This beautiful, most incredible woman - mother of three little children - hardest worker you'll ever find - most selfless, modest creature on the planet has cancer. She who makes all her own family's food, has 7 loaves of bread in the oven at 7:00 AM, never drinks, never had a cigarette touch her lips . . . has cancer. And through ALL OF THAT, while the cancer was already ravaging her body, she grew, birthed, and nursed twin babies. Who are perfect.
So, as you can see, this past month - which seems like 26 WEEKS instead of days - has been . . . terrible. Exhausting. Emotional (ya think?). Filled with so much love. Filled with even more pain.
That first
I won't even try to encapsulate what has transpired over this past month other than to say that it's been filled with friends and family who are willing to move mountains to get this woman healthy and returned to her family in full-operating order.
The cancer is so far along (stage IV) that surgery to install the chemo port in her chest was scheduled for the very next morning (from that first internal exam), followed immediately by her first round of chemo. So, this woman who left her house one morning - exhausted but ready for answers - returned days later recovering from an hour-long surgery and with a 48-hour chemo bag hanging from her shoulder and IVs trailing from her chest.
Since then, there have been the subsequent chemo rounds and exhausting trips to the hospital 2.5 hours away as well as to Mayo in Rochester, MN. Ultimately, however, they have narrowed the oncology team down to the one at Mayo, and the surgeon for her first upcoming (major) surgery (probably in October once the tumors have shrunk enough to allow for it) is the best in . . . the ENTIRE WORLD! And he feels positive about the outcome of that - which, as it stands now, will be the most crucial - surgery.
We - friends and family - have been divided into different armies for this battle of all battles. There are those working, day and night, on the continued construction of their house remodeling already in-progress when this began. (For now, we have all moved out of that house to allow for the immediate and uninterrupted work needed on it. And that's been a major stress in itself because who doesn't want to be HOME when they're sick??!)
There are those who have moved into nearly full-time child care mode (myself and the aforementioned sister who already has a husband, 4 children and a farm of her own AND home-schools!)
There are those who travel to every single medical appointment - no matter how far away - to act as medical advocate, liaison and support-person. While still carrying their own full-time jobs.
There are those who have become researchers and makers of the foods she eats, no matter the incredible stresses in their own lives.
There are those planning the upcoming benefit for the family, orchestrating donations, organizing silent auctions, trying to find the time to update the CaringBride site (ah-hem, that last part would be me).
There are those who are taking care of ME and Tucker so I can take care of the 4-year old and babies: Mama & Papa Pea!
In short, this entire community has been frozen in its tracks that something like this could happen to someone like her (member of the volunteer fire department on top of everything else she does, for crying out loud!). But the very second after we had our initial breakdowns, sobbing for breath, we mobilized. We wiped our tears, dusted off our hands and asked, "Okay! What can *I* do?"
Thank you for listening, and I'll try to update as I can. Just as soon as I get some sleep and clean this hovel my cabin has become! ;)
An Update - In Stages
Hey, all! I'm going to work on updating you, but it will come in stages so please be patient with me! Life, since mid-June, has been crazy and, since August 5th, downright up-to-your-neck-in-it kinda hellish.
That said, here is the first installment written . . . I dunno, an age ago!
That said, here is the first installment written . . . I dunno, an age ago!
* * * * *
It's shocking, I know, to find me here - actually
writing a post. I can't tell you how
often blog entries are flitting through my mind. Well, sure I can: almost daily!
But, it's a matter of time - or priorities. And this falls a bit further down the list
than most things.
There's a good bit of news, though! A "good bit" as in both quantity
AND quality!
If we go back to the first part of June, things
were ramping up at my retail job for the busy, busy summer months. I was getting my departments (housewares,
books, and the watch case) fully stocked, and things were looking good as we dreaded
anticipated the onslaught of tourists that keeps this little community
rockin'. I work with a terrific bunch of
people, but the management of the store was steadily declining . . . including
the treatment of us, the wonderful staff, who keep the place functioning as the
destination that it is. Truly, it is
extremely uncommon for someone to walk out of the store empty-handed. I would say that upwards of 95% (no exaggeration) of everyone who walks in to the store, purchases something. An unusual statistic, but one that speaks to
the history of the store (begun in 1941) and the items we've stocked.
Unfortunately, particularly in the last year or
so, we WOULD notice customers leaving empty-handed, and this was in direct
relation to some changes the management has been making. Changes that were disappointing not only the
paying customers but also us, the employees.
So, in short, even though I absolutely love the
heritage of the place as well as 80% of the people I work with, I was always
applying for other opportunities (i.e. jobs) in the county when they presented
themselves. I had a promising and
slightly nerve-wracking set of interviews for a position with the local folk
school. "Promising" because I was one of 5
final applicants out of a field of about 26.
So, I was feeling pretty confident because I have a lot of connections
there, including having taught a course there before. However, the first thing I was told in the
final interview after the "congratulations on being one of the 5
finalists" was "every single one of you is a friend or family
member" to the school. D'oh!!! And dammit to hellandback!
I think I flubbed the final interview, too,
because I was lulled into the "friend" part of the equation and
didn't sell myself as I would have / SHOULD have if I didn't know these people
already. I was too honest, saying
"I don't like people - you know
that!" to the executive director.
Dummy. Instead, I should have
said something about what I do so well and leave off the part that I hate it:
"I'm very good with customers and tourists and have a way of making
them feel that I truly care about assisting them." Again:
dummy.
So, whatever, I didn't get that gig.
I also applied for a front-desk position with
the Forest Service, but - it being a government thing - that takes MONTHS
before any action actually happens . . . and I'm STILL on the waiting list of
applicants for that job, even tho I'm no longer interested in it.
Okay,
where was I? I wrote the above yesterday
during a quiet period at work (that's a hint - although, I admit, an extremely broad one!).
Now you have a little of the back-story to what
transpired mid-June. I was at work one
day when a dear friend (Bundle of Joy's daddy) came in and said that he needed
to speak to me - but away from Big Ears.
I took him down a quiet aisle, and he laid it out: his construction business getting busier
every year - and his wife/mother to their three children, two of them twins,
not having the time - he needed a secretary.
A pretty-much full-time secretary!
And would I mind a little baby-watching from time to time? Oh, and the position would pay more than I
was currently making. And I could have
as much coffee as I could drink. WHILE I
work! (We're not allowed any beverages
"on the floor" at work.)
Hmmm, let me think . . . um, YES?! (Well, truth be told, I did have to think about it for a little while - fewer than 24
hours, if memory serves.) Because, it's
not a full-time position year-round due to the fact that construction and dirt
work comes to nearly a screeching halt in this here neck of the woods in the
wintertime - for obvious reasons. So,
I'd have to be frugal and a good budgeter of my monies to stretch the
additional summertime / construction season pay through each winter. But, I'm going to add to my income by REALLY
focusing on my Chicken Mama Designs (the photography) each winter. I'm 43 now, and I figure that if I make a
REAL attempt at it . . . and don't succeed (due to my own laziness or lack of
stick-to-it-iveness), I may as well throw in the towel on that particular dream
of mine. In other words, either "----
or get off the pot", as they say!
Anyway, after presenting me with this new job
opportunity while I was at work, I grinned at my new benefactor and asked,
"I suppose it would be awkward if I hugged and kissed you right here?" ;)
So, I put in my notice at work on June 18th. July 2nd - RIGHT before the big 4th of July
weekend, YIKES! - would be my last day! I
felt bad for my co-workers that I was leaving them "in the lurch" at
such a crucial time: right at the very
beginning of our busiest season. But,
when opportunity comes knocking . . . !
And, down to the last one of them, they all knew this new gig was the
ideal fit for me. When I told my closest
friend at work, she teared up on me, damn her!
Others were "mad" at me - but, you know, in that "we love
you, you CAN'T leave us!" kind of way. So, the morning
after my last day of 2.5 years of HEAVY retail & tourists, I began here on
July 3rd.
The first time I went into the store to shop as a
regular customer felt sooooo strange!!!
It was impossible to take something off a shelf without
"fronting" the item behind it.
;)
Annnnnnnd, sorry to leave you hanging, but that's it for now . . . ! More to come as soon as I have the energy. :)
The Day the USPS Went Postal
I know I haven't posted in a while, but this is urgent . . . and so, SO absolutely insane. But, it *is* the government, after all.
Check out Nano. He's my friend's dog. Fearsome, isn't he?
A mail carrier has accused Nano of biting her on the inner thigh (how?! did he levitate?), causing "multiple punctures". (No photographic evidence has been provided. Perhaps because it doesn't, actually, exist?)
Now, the USPS has suspended mail delivery to the ENTIRE multi-unit complex in which Nano and his human live. Ultimately, the USPS wants Nano killed. Yesterday, if not sooner. At best, they want him and his human to move. Which, ironically, would *not* solve the perceived "problem" because they (the USPS) have said they'll notify the mail carrier at the new location that a vicious hound lives there.
Please read my friend's newly-created (specifically for this situation) blog.
Please also read the article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Peace out,
Chicken Mama & Tucker
-Friends in Arms & Paws-
Lawdy, lawdy . . . a post!
"My" Baby Girl is moving, and this does not make Bopee happy. I *never* considered that one of my families might move: it simply never entered my mind! But, the daddy got a big promotion and has transferred to Wisconsin. When I first heard "Wisconsin" I thought sure it would be a big city and far away, say Eau Claire or Madison. My immediate sadness was MUCH allayed, however, when I discovered that their new home will be only 3.5 hours away . . . and only 1.5 hours past the big city where I have to go, anyway, for doctor/eye/etc. appointments! So, this *is* doable! Still, don't think that tears haven't been shed. :(
The above collage is one I put together for 'C's Special Book' that I'm making her. It's really just a 3-ring binder in which she can save special papers, drawings, etc. for the walls of her new bedroom. See, they are living in their camper this summer while they wait to get into their new house, and I thought this would be a fun way for her to collect her artwork from the summer AND help her look forward to her new bedroom. :)
I took care of Bunny and his big sister (aka The Peanut) a week or so ago, and as we neared the end of the day and time for Mom & Dad to come home, I wanted to do up the day's dishes.
The little man wanted to do the dishes himself, and I could *not* dissuade him short of a temper tantrum. So, choosing my battles, I decided to let him (who turned just 3 in April) "wash" all the dishes . . . and then I would redo them. As he was washing, I questioned him on his insistence re doing the dishes. "WHY do you want to do the dishes?" "'Cause", he says, "it's dangur-wuss!" Hahahaha - melts Bopee's heart! (I wonder if that's the reason his parents give him so that he doesn't try to help each time they do dishes?!)
Earlier in the day, we three had gone on an "adventure" (long walk), and I had the pleasure of finding a Nodding Trillium . . . an early-summer flower I've always wanted to see but had not yet been in the right physical environment to do so!
When we'd begun our walk, we were out in the big field south of the house when Tucker pooped. Hearing me exclaim, "Oh! I'd better get the shovel so I can scoop the poop," Bunny took off and came back carrying the big shovel with a determined stride in his step. I tell ya, we grow 'em right here in the Northwoods! :)
I have a set nannying gig every 2nd and 4th Thursday night of each month - taking care of Bundle of Joy and the twins (already 7 months old!!!) while their folks are at their volunteer fire dept. meetings. It was the dad's birthday this past Sunday, and since tonight is the first time I'll see them since then, I'm making his annual Banana Cream Pie birthday "cake". Back when I was at The Big House (Swamp River Ridge), I made the pie with goose eggs, and those make the richest cream filling you can imagine. I was just thinking about it - and fresh-from-the-farm ingredients - because I just went out to the chicken house to collect the three eggs I need for the recipe. Talk about FRESH! (Too, kind of neat: it's a cool, wet day so I made a fire . . . and then figured "why don't I cook the custard on the wood stove instead of plugging in the hot plate?!" Brilliant. I love being able to do things like that.)
The twins are experimenting with cereal and food: *he's* open to just about anything, but she's a bit more discerning. Perhaps they're falling into stereotypical male/female roles already? ;)
I'll finish with this. The last time I was working in one of the storage units, I came across this: the book I started so long ago! SOME day, I will get back to it! All the same, it was neat to be reminded of the solid start I have on it. I'd forgotten that.
P.S. The new header is of Baby Girl and her BFF when I had them both a couple of weeks ago. I did a little graphic designing and super-imposed on the top left 'Friends Forever' and then framed a print for both of them. You can't tell in the picture, but they were holding hands when I caught the candid moment. :)
I took care of Bunny and his big sister (aka The Peanut) a week or so ago, and as we neared the end of the day and time for Mom & Dad to come home, I wanted to do up the day's dishes.
Earlier in the day, we three had gone on an "adventure" (long walk), and I had the pleasure of finding a Nodding Trillium . . . an early-summer flower I've always wanted to see but had not yet been in the right physical environment to do so!
When we'd begun our walk, we were out in the big field south of the house when Tucker pooped. Hearing me exclaim, "Oh! I'd better get the shovel so I can scoop the poop," Bunny took off and came back carrying the big shovel with a determined stride in his step. I tell ya, we grow 'em right here in the Northwoods! :)
I have a set nannying gig every 2nd and 4th Thursday night of each month - taking care of Bundle of Joy and the twins (already 7 months old!!!) while their folks are at their volunteer fire dept. meetings. It was the dad's birthday this past Sunday, and since tonight is the first time I'll see them since then, I'm making his annual Banana Cream Pie birthday "cake". Back when I was at The Big House (Swamp River Ridge), I made the pie with goose eggs, and those make the richest cream filling you can imagine. I was just thinking about it - and fresh-from-the-farm ingredients - because I just went out to the chicken house to collect the three eggs I need for the recipe. Talk about FRESH! (Too, kind of neat: it's a cool, wet day so I made a fire . . . and then figured "why don't I cook the custard on the wood stove instead of plugging in the hot plate?!" Brilliant. I love being able to do things like that.)
Here's the little man during dinner time just over a month ago.
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| "Mmmmm! GIMME, Bopee!" |
P.S. The new header is of Baby Girl and her BFF when I had them both a couple of weeks ago. I did a little graphic designing and super-imposed on the top left 'Friends Forever' and then framed a print for both of them. You can't tell in the picture, but they were holding hands when I caught the candid moment. :)
Spring is (Finally) Springing
On March 25th, commenter Mollie mentioned my header shot and said that she hoped some of the snow had melted by now (then). Well . . . . Here's the original (taken February 16th). Note the broken stump as your reference point.
And here's the one I took on March 28th in specific response to her comment. Nope, no melting!
Now, here's the one I just took this morning. Yes! SUBSTANTIAL melting!! Finally!
The warmest we've seen so far this spring is 52 in the shade. That was this past Thursday, one of my days off (double bonus)! The snow literally melted before my eyes. My snow-packed path up to and down from my wooded cabin is a slippery one now. With the snow so soft off to the sides, if you don't step carefully, you'll slip off and sink in. First, you'd go in knee-high, then calf-high. Now it's just ankle high.
I was plagued by dreams of my ex all night long last night. In the dream, we were attending a class reunion of mine (perhaps no surprise as this summer would be my 25th high school reunion if such a thing was being organized). And, I was so excited to show off my (what I wanted to be a) happy marriage and terrific husband. Instead, I had to deal with the knowledge of him sleeping with some of my oldest friends throughout the reunion. Debating whether or not I could/should hide it or confront him then and there, blah, blah, blah. YUCK! I don't often have these dreams, but, when I do, the theme is always the same. No big surprise. And I wake up feeling icky . . . needing to shake it off. Most of the time, I wake thinking, "Thank GAWD I'm not having to deal with that anymore!" Other days (like today), it's harder to shake off. It's been 3 years since I've known the truth of our marriage and his infidelities: you'd think that would long enough for the memories to no longer haunt me. But, they still pop up on occasion. Yuck, yuck, YUCK!
Changing subjects (whew!): I went to Bundle of Joy's last night to visit with her and her family. The twins are already 5 months old! They're goobery little creatures, in the throes of teething, and I could just eat them up! The front of my shirt seemed like it was soaked by the time we put them to bed, and this Bopee couldn't be happier! The last time I was there, I (also) helped put them to bed, and standing there with their mama looking at them, I asked, "Have you taken any pictures of them like this?" She hadn't, and so just as she snapped the photo, Baby Boy G smiled in his sleep!
Finally, it should come as no big surprise, to those who know me as Queen of Procrastination, that I'm posting today. After all, today is the day I've set aside to do my taxes! ;)
Second Staycation Post
I'm on day 6 of my 8 day stay(at home)cation, and that makes me SAD! As I knew it would, the time has FLOWN. I had made a list a mile long during the weeks anticipating this break from work, but I've purposefully not looked at it this week . . . I didn't want to put undue pressure on myself. Instead, I've done what I WANT v. what I maybe *should*. But, really, that's only been one thing: working on this wee cabin.
For the first time since the move (13 months ago now), I got my stereo unpacked and hooked up in the cabinet that holds it (which I also had to haul and install). While I *could* have, I haven't been playing CDs on my computer, so it's been great to listen to them AND my old cassettes . . . in particular, Jim Reeves! (Hey, don't judge me: I was born a few decades too late!) I've also been able to make a little more space by removing the radio I had in here on one of the shelves. AND, I realized not long ago that my big computer's screen is larger than the little TV I have upstairs for watching movies, so I was contemplating buying some decent speakers for that computer so I COULD watch movies on a slightly larger screen (via the computer's DVD player). Thank goodness I was still at the researching point and hadn't yet purchased because, as I hooked up my good old stereo, I realized I can attach IT to my computer for good movie sound! (And what a big, fat duhhh! that would have been if I hadn't figured it out in time!)
At work, we're (finally!) dismantling the old office cum employee break room, and so I inherited a terrific shelving unit. I got that put up in here one day earlier this week, too. Pictures of all this progress to follow.
Now, today, I'm getting ready for The Big Project that I really wanted to attack this week: building a sink / counter area. Having no plumbing, this little space had nothing more than an enamel basin for washing, and I've been wanting to create a grey water system for an age! I wash dishes by setting up my "portable table" (ironing board) and spreading an oil clothe over that, but I REALLY want a sink so I can wash my hair here instead of trekking to my folks' each time I need to do so. I got the area slated for that cleaned out earlier this week, and so that's today's focus. Late yesterday, I started shoveling out the tarped storage that holds both the counter top I'm going to use and the sink. Of course, one's at one end while the other's at the other end. I'll haul the counter in, first, and begin there. I'm thinking once I have all the measurements made, I might go see if I can build it in Mama and Papa Pea's heated garage . . . since it's still a wee bit too cold to work out on the deck and there's not enough space inside here to do it.
Finally, I need to give Mollie and my favorite (ex) Uncle-in-Law for giving me the boost to write. Thank you. :) I've been trying to not put any pressure on myself to blog, so that's why I haven't been. And, still, I realize it's "the people thing": I get so much interaction with people from my job that when I get home at night, I'm d-o-n-e! Quite honestly, some nights it's all I can do to be polite to and still incredibly grateful for my folks when I pick Tucker up!
For the first time since the move (13 months ago now), I got my stereo unpacked and hooked up in the cabinet that holds it (which I also had to haul and install). While I *could* have, I haven't been playing CDs on my computer, so it's been great to listen to them AND my old cassettes . . . in particular, Jim Reeves! (Hey, don't judge me: I was born a few decades too late!) I've also been able to make a little more space by removing the radio I had in here on one of the shelves. AND, I realized not long ago that my big computer's screen is larger than the little TV I have upstairs for watching movies, so I was contemplating buying some decent speakers for that computer so I COULD watch movies on a slightly larger screen (via the computer's DVD player). Thank goodness I was still at the researching point and hadn't yet purchased because, as I hooked up my good old stereo, I realized I can attach IT to my computer for good movie sound! (And what a big, fat duhhh! that would have been if I hadn't figured it out in time!)
At work, we're (finally!) dismantling the old office cum employee break room, and so I inherited a terrific shelving unit. I got that put up in here one day earlier this week, too. Pictures of all this progress to follow.
Now, today, I'm getting ready for The Big Project that I really wanted to attack this week: building a sink / counter area. Having no plumbing, this little space had nothing more than an enamel basin for washing, and I've been wanting to create a grey water system for an age! I wash dishes by setting up my "portable table" (ironing board) and spreading an oil clothe over that, but I REALLY want a sink so I can wash my hair here instead of trekking to my folks' each time I need to do so. I got the area slated for that cleaned out earlier this week, and so that's today's focus. Late yesterday, I started shoveling out the tarped storage that holds both the counter top I'm going to use and the sink. Of course, one's at one end while the other's at the other end. I'll haul the counter in, first, and begin there. I'm thinking once I have all the measurements made, I might go see if I can build it in Mama and Papa Pea's heated garage . . . since it's still a wee bit too cold to work out on the deck and there's not enough space inside here to do it.
Finally, I need to give Mollie and my favorite (ex) Uncle-in-Law for giving me the boost to write. Thank you. :) I've been trying to not put any pressure on myself to blog, so that's why I haven't been. And, still, I realize it's "the people thing": I get so much interaction with people from my job that when I get home at night, I'm d-o-n-e! Quite honestly, some nights it's all I can do to be polite to and still incredibly grateful for my folks when I pick Tucker up!
I'll leave you with a couple pictures:
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| This is the alley behind work which the city isn't even bothering trying to keep open anymore. A week or so ago, a semi got stuck trying to deliver, and it took 2 tow trucks to inch him out. |
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| The snow is so deep in the chicken yard that the poor chickens can hardly crawl in and out their coop door anymore! |
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| And this is their coop, my mukluks at the bottom of the shot. The snow is getting pretty close to the roof, and we've gotten another big dumping since I took this picture! |
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