Gulf Shores

We all have new races to walk for the year of 2012. Mine is for health! All of you have your individual races( goals) to accomplish this year. Hopefully we all identify them and we accomplish them! I still have 30 minutes for this year to end. Regardless of what happened, it was a good year. I got to see all my brothers and sisters.
Joyce, I think you started a good thing when you did your girls night out. Lori JO, I expect to see some of the fun pictures.
Happy new year to all!

Bird in bushes

It is midnight your time. Is anyone asleep?? Maybe it is good that I am not there. I am ready for bed and it is only 11:00. I know you are all having fun. We had a good visit with Robin, Kris and Norm today. I don't see anything happening for a few days. I think I will catch up on my rest. I need to look into how my kindle works. I finally got my outside temperature on my Christmas clock to come up. I guess that is why this year went so fast. It was because I was so slow and never caught up.
Have fun!

Kenny and the birds

Alabama was fun! Norma , thanks for inviting us.
Today was a good day. I got some action on the breast cancer and a little break from chemo. I was happy to hear that the breast cancer was only on the skin. Now to see the radiologist oncologist.
Kris is coming tomorrow. I think she has to leave for the airport by 11:00. Robin is coming over at 9:00. Kindra went with me to the doctor today and did the recording. Other than that, I don't think I have anything else going.
I should get to bed soon, so I will be up and dressed by the time Robin gets here. Have fun tomorrow night Joyce. I got a family Christmas card from Becky. It was good.

young turkeys in my backyard

I just realized how late it was getting to be, so this will be quick. I have my new Christmas heater in the computer room. It is nice and toasty in here. I can do so much more when I am warm.
I have my doctor's appointment at 2:00 tomorrow. I have been busy copying things that I want to bring to his attention.
The secret of success is Enthusiasm! Without it, nothing worthwhile was ever achieved.
This is from my other little Christmas book. That is why you are so high in the Avon world. You certainly have the enthusiam.
My computer says it is almost time to shut down.
Have a good night.

Motto for 2012

This Budah was in the garden at Bud's sister's nursing home. Every time I saw it , I thought Be Happy. I got a little book for Christmas called The Secret of Happiness. Day 8 says The secret of happiness is accepting whatever comes with an attitude of calm, inner freedom. I also think of daddy with a song for him--Don't Worry, be Happy.
I don't get to excited about making plans for the future. Right now, May sounds good. I have had to cancel my last 3 airlines but I now have a new motto for the next year?
My white count was down below 3.0 I haven't heard from the doctor so maybe it will be o.k. The blood draw was not a problem this time.
My friends came over tonight for snacks. We worked together for ages. I caught up on the news.

Cousins

Another busy day! house keeeper today.Looked at my Kendle some. Kris and Norm came by. bud and Norm went to eat sushi. Kris and I met up with Marcus at Chevy's and had Mexican food. It has been a long time since I've seen Marcus. It was good. Norm and Kris stayed after dinner and watched a movie. It was kinda dumb but funny.
I liked Tammy's pictures. She got some good ones.
I have to get my blood drawn tomorrow. I hope there is no problem. I have 2 co-workers stopping by tomorrow after thy get off work. I didn't know how I would feel with going out to dinner. Then I went out to dinner in the last few days. So far, I haven't gotten sick.
I need to go to bed now and get some rest. I am tired.

Not a very good picture of the three of us but we had fun. I am glad it was at Kindra's house this time. The house cleaner comes tomorrow and Kris and Norm are coming over. I don't have so much to pick up. I now have a e-reader like you won. It was a good Christmas. Kris and Kindra made so much food. And we all brought over more food. Manuel cooked a big breakfast and we ate at 11:00 then we left there and went to Kindra's. There was a lot of food on the table. I ate more than I normally would but at another year, I might have eaten more. I didn't have sweets tho. I didn't need them.
I forgot about blogging last night. It has been a busy time. Sounds like you might have been busy too.

Mary Ann at Akebanos

Kris and I went out for sushi. Ryan was supposed to go out with Bud but he didn't show up. This is not his first time to not show. I really don't understand him.
I think I got my last Christmas card out, gifts wrapped, and I did some cooking today. I even put on some make up before I went out tonight. I am getting closer to normal.
Have fun at your Christmas eve dinner at your house and Norma a good trip to Green Bay. Are you spending the night at Jeff's. Kris is coming over here, cook soup, help put out the luminaries and take a drive through the neighborhood to see the lights.

Christmas trees in our neighborhood

These trees can be seen from quite a distance. They are up the hill from our house. Everyone in the neighborhood lines the streets with luminaires on Christmas eve. Mason came today and we had a nice visit. Then my neighbor came over, brought us some solar lights. I am anxious to put them out. They are going out of town for several days, so we are going to put their luminaires out and collect papers and mail.
Kris got in about noon and we went over to Kindra's about 1:00. Her house was colder than ours. We finally found out how to turn the heat, Kindra and Tony like the temperature much cooler than Kris and I. They have been so busy getting things put together in the house they didn't realize the heat had not been turned on. The house is very nice. After we left there, Kris and I drove over to a famous Christmas display in a neighborhood close by. We went at a good time. There wasn't a line of cars, so we could take our time.
What are you doing on Christmas day? Are you making plans on what next year is going to be like?? I would have never dreamed that this year could turn out like this. I think I am going with the flow and make it the best that I can.

Not a good idea

Baking 4 dozen cookies is not a good idea when you are cutting out sugar. The aroma of baking and walking past the table! This is day #6.
Mason was supposed to come by this afternoon. I have always baked chocolate chip cookies for him. Mason is Ted's son, is a tennis pro in San Diego. His mother is having a 50th birthday dinner tonight and it was earlier than he thought. She lives a hour away. So he's planning on coming over earlier tomorrow morning. Kris is coming in at 11:00 and he has to be at the dentist at 11:00 back in Davis. So if he makes it, it will have to be early. Ryan (Doug's son) is supposed to go to dinner with Bud tomorrow night. He didn't call or show up last time he said he would. I will be surprised if he shows up this time.
Norma, I got your socks today. Thank you! I am going to sleep in them tonight. We have had lot of cold nights. Not like you get tho. I hope you are feeling better.I went to the health food store today and they didn't have straight ju-jube. I got something to aid sleep that had 50 mg. in it. I think I will wait until tomorrow night to try it. Did you go to your mall today?
Joyce, how did your Avon go today? What can you possibly do tomorrow? I know your house is clean, you are ready for Christmas. Try relaxing!
Lori Jo, everything is probably hectic at your house with Santa Clause coming.
This year is quickly coming to a close and this is the first day of winter. Stay warm!

orange butterfly

Hope you all had a good day. My day was good. A friend from nutrition came over this afternoon. She brought some good chicken soup over and a basket of fruit. Since this is # 5 day of no sugar, I have been eating a lot of fruit, especially oranges. They have a lot of vitamin C and that should help with the cold season. I have a lot of lemons on my lemon tree. They don't like weather that gets down in the 20's but so far they still are good. Norma, I am glad you can talk again.

Tomorrow is your busy day and the next one. I know you will do good. So I am sending you this blue bird of happiness. We get these western blue birds around here every few years. They are so pretty. I have had a good day. I don't have anything planned for awhile and my computer says it is time to shut down soon. Enjoy your open house.
Norma, hope you are feeling better.

Laughing Tree

Welcome back! Stay healthy. What was your blood pressure in Logan? I quit taking baby aspirin when I started chemo. When I asked about cough medicine, they told me any as long as it didn't have aspirin in it. Bud got real upset with the computer about a month ago and then he thought he was having another stroke. He went to bed . I got him a aspirin right away. By the time I got his information and the hospital number, he decided he was feeling better. Stress can really get you!
What we need is a laughing tree. One yard in Tehachapi (where we were vacationing) had a couple trees similar to this.
I hope Dioni is still doing good.

Wildflower class

Another class that I did on wildflowers.I had this in my notebook. I picked the flowers and then scanned them on the scanner. I liked taking these classes. Other than learning something, I had to get out and do something different. It seems that I haven't been doing much lately.
I do feel better tho. So many people around here are really sick, can't talk. I don't know if they have the flu or not. I will stay content to stay away from crowds for awhile. I got a lot of sleep last night and that helps, no added sugar for 2 days.
Joyce, I am glad you are home safe and sound.
Lori Jo, I love your Christmas card. Everyone looks so good, so much spirit and so alive. It really captures the mood.

Windmill

The windmill is done from a slide by a Polaroid transfer. I took a class in that. I don't have the equipment for it at home but I liked the class very much. You copy the slide onto Polaroid film and then separate the emulsion from the backing and put it on artist paper. The details is mainly for Lori Jo's information. I had a good night. I got most of the last minute gifts wrapped. Now I need to put tags and ribbons on them before we take them to Kindras's house. She came over yesterday and got the big tree and the excess trimmings that I no longer needed. I am glad that she is moving back to Sacramento area. Have a good day.

Spider Web

Were you caught in Dioni's web??? I am glad you have kids there to help out. I hope she is doing o.k. now. You needed time away!
Robin and I wen to 3 stores today and then to Marie Callendars for lunch. NO, I didn't have pie! In fact this has been my good eating day. I hope to continue tomorrow. I already started my oatmeal in the crock pot for tomorrow morning. It is late again and I didn't sleep good last night. I am going to bed without a sleeping pill tonight. It didn't seem to do much good anyway.

Christmas

I slept last night. I have been really busy today.I have had company,went to pharmacy, went to Walmart and then to Subway. I was on the phone a lot. I am tired again but it is a good tired. I found my keys, ring and Kaiser memory card. It was a red letter day. Now to bed so I can go shopping with Robin tomorrow. Have a good trip. I will say a prayer for Dioni. I talked to Norma tonight.

yellow iris at Japanese place

How is Dioni tonight? Keep calling Santa Clause.
I got some more Christmas cards written this afternoon and cleaned out 2 desk drawers. Other than that, that was my day. Tonight is Biggest Loser and it won't be over until 11:00 here so I am writing now. I am glad you got your calendar and the books for Dioni are ones she can do. I am surprised that the box got there so quickly. Robin is coming over tonight to watch the biggest Loser.

Deep in conversation

Sometime back I bought a book of old postcards(copied) So I am copying them on cards for our tennis group on their birthdays.We are supposed to give card showing that they are getting old. No sweet cards! The December luncheon was today so I guess I will put it in the mail with the Christmas cards.
I like the pictures you put on for Dioni's problem. I hope she is better today.
The house cleaner came today. She is so good. I wish we could keep it that way.
I hope to get more sleep tonight and I hope you have a good night.

only way I want to see snowmen/women

IT's cold! I am glad we don't have snow.
How is Diani? Did she decide to leave her house?
So funny! Tell her she is getting a present (not wrapped) before you leave this weekend. They can become her new friends! It reminds me of telling my oncologist that he couldn't go on vacation any more. Every time he came back, I had something new that was bad!
I know you must have enjoyed your evening with Lori Jo and Terry and family. I have had a busy weekend and enjoyed having the girls here. I am planning on a good night's sleep tonight.

Christmas cards and wrapping

After the girls did some more shopping and went to the post office for me, they did wrapping and I worked on some more Christmas cards. Kris did dinner. We had salmon. It was good. Robin cleaned the kitchen. Norm was not here but he told Kris to get a portable heater for me from him for Christmas and start using it now. He knows that I am always cold. Kris leaves tomorrow afternoon. Robin went home tonight but she and Kris got to spend a lot of time together. Usually Kindra or Norm is around and Kris and Robin don't get much good time together. I didn't get a good night of sleep so I am going to go to bed.

Andrea and a cat

I am having problems thinking tonight. Where did this LINE COME FROM??? Not only this but other problems! Robin is telling me to go to bed, tomorrow everything will be clearer! CHEMO BRAIN!
I am tired but I don't really feel bad. I can't read my pictures off my photo card.I can't format the cards. Tomorrow, I will get the book out and do some more. The engine light came on in the van. Bud took it in today and it is the transmission. Only $4,500 to fix it. We finally decided it was cheaper than a new car!
I know this is a complaining letter. Might as well complain while I have a excuse. But I am thankful for my family and friends and for feeling better than some people. Kris came in today, Kindra wrapped lots of Christmas presents and Tony taped up my boxes to mail. (You don't need sissors to open it this time). Robin is spending the night again to help keep me calm.
I am going to bed soon.

our tree is shrinking

Little tree easy to put up. Kindra is also going to take the big tree.
Tomorrow is my big day and I still have to print some information that I want to take to the doctor and it is early up in the morning. To bed for now.

Norma and Mary ann and Temple

Our visit in Salt Lake City for overnight. Someday I will have hair again!
Today was the visit with the social worker. She gave me a list of breast cancer support groups near here, no lung cancer support groups close by. I then got my blood work done. I think I will be having chemo on Thurs. I had some low values but I think I am above their levels. My hemoglobin is only 10.4. that makes me pretty anemic.The white count is a little over 3.0 I think 3.o or lower is too low. That means my immunity is really low. Stay away from people who are sick.
I thought I should start and finish this blog now since Biggest Loser doesn't start until 9:00. I don't know if it is 1 or 2 hours long.
Another very cold night! We have a fire in the fireplace. Tomorrow is therapy day at 9:00 am. I drove today. First time in months. So I think I might do a little shopping.
Kindra and Tony came for a short visit this afternoon. I had her to look at my Christmas decorations that I am getting rid of. She wants them all. I am so happy!

old bicycle and wringer washer

Notice the old wringer washer on the left. I doubt that you had to use the wringer washer. Mother seperated the clothes She put bluing in the water to make clothes whiter and of course soap, She put the clothes through the wringer at some ?time, 2 rinse tubs. I had to hang the clothes out on the line. The one time I remember was on a hot humid day at the Arbyrd place near the Atchinsons. I don't do good when I get hot and stand for awhile.I already hung out several baskets of clothes. I was waiting for the next load and fainted over the rinse tub. Mother had to catch me before I hit water. Do you think that got me out of hanging out the wash??? NO WAY! (I didn't expect to either.)
Now to the present. I got 7 hours of sleep last night. My friends and I had a nice lunch today. They had to come to my house last December also. That was after my broken arm surgery. It is very hard to go out to eat and have to cut something up with one arm.
Tomorrow is social worker and blood draw.
Our weather is supposed to be down to 25 degrees tonight. Last 2 nights was 28 degrees.Tonight, I am trying your trick. Microwave that neck warmer and put my feet on it!

At the old gas pump

A good weekend. I am tired since I didn't get much
sleep. It was a good bed and nice and warm. I guess too much excitement. Company tomorrow and still things to do.
Kenny would have loved the place we went to on Saturday.

Christmas centerpeice

I couldn't get my dining room table to look good with what I put on it. . Then I noticed that my Avon package was sitting on the porch. It wqas in 2 boxes. Then as I tore open the larger box, it wasn't Avon at all. My 2 good neighbors (ex) had sent me this wreath fromL.L. Bean. It solved my table decorating! It smells like Christmas. Funny how artifical trees don't have that smell!
How did your open house go? Up early tomorrow too! Good Luck!
Lori Jo your living Nativity sounded great! Our church did that for 2 years. It was mostly drive through and it rained and it was cold! Lots of people came and enjoyed it. I didn't want to do it again, it was so miserable outside. We had llamas for camels, we had sheep and a donkey. It was o.k. to do it once, twice was too much!
It's late again and I have several things to do before we leave tomorrow.
I almost forgot. I got my results back from my CT scan. The size and numbers of cancer have decreased. Yeah! It didn't say much about the breast cancer. I didn't have a problem with it on the previous scan. I have to ask the doctor about that on Thursday.

Mother's creation

Mother is on my door every Christmas! She certainly believed in "No idle hands"I have so many of those little things that she kept busy with. I have started giving them to the girls and the grandkids.
Joyce, if you were a gambler you would be rich. You win a e-reader, a trip to NYC and now for being the OLDEST woman there! The Vaughns never learned to believe in numbers. But congratulations for being the oldest!
Another windy day today. I woke up with a headache so I stayed in today. I also am going to bed early.
Joyce, I hope you got your internet back.