Tiny Theater Thursday --- Special Christmas Edition!

Here's a special Christmas Edition of TTT!!

Another Hubby Update

Hi all! Well things on the cancer front are going pretty well. They started CarGuy on a new chemo and he's done great on it. We are still waiting for the final donor to be identified but it shouldn't be too much longer until we have a date set for the transplant. I think it will really be a stress reliever to have everything set up to go. Isn't there a song about the waiting is the hardest part? I'm pretty sure they weren't talking about the cancer road but it still fits.

Yesterday CarGuy had a temp of 101.0 so I had to call the doc. He didn't feel icky just feverish. So....we got to entertain the ER folks for a few hours yesterday. He has what they are calling an "unknown origin fever". I wonder if it bugs them that they spent all those years in school just to end up calling something "unknown"? Anyway...while he was waiting for this earth shattering diagnosis, CarGuy was getting kind of ancy so he nearly escaped the ER before they could release him. It took all my strength to strap him to that bed and keep him in place! I can only imagine what it's going to be like once we are down at the transplant hospital...eek!

So...now he's on a mega antibiotic until the "unknown" grows into something "known" and they decide the best way to treat it. In the meantime he has permission to take tylenol if the fever bothers him. He didn't take any tylenol last night other than what they gave him at the ER. He had chemo this morning so he had to take tylenol as one of his pre-meds for the chemo but knowing him he wouldn't have taken it willingly. He did however ensure that I needed to wash sheets tonight...ugh! I probably shouldn't complain since sweating all night is probably way worse than me having to break a little sweat stripping the bed and throwing them down the stairs and pushing them into the washer and transferring them into the dryer and lugging them back upstairs and wrestling them back on the bed -- oh, wait, that really does sound like a lot of work! I think I need one more cherry cordial for strength!! ;-) Ahhhh...much better now! I'm off to tackle the bed...anyone want to come over and do it for me?

Comfortable?

I was able to snap this picture of Perdy laying on the stairs (her head popped up the second she heard the camera power up but originally her head was hanging over the stair with her nose crunched into the carpet) -- she looks absolutely uncomfortable:
I figured Peanut must be more comfortable than she is so I went on the search for him and this is what I found:
Now I'm just not sure who is the more uncomfortable! Although CarGuy looks very comfortable!!

What a slacker!!

I've really been slacking on this blog lately! I think I've just gotten so busy that I haven't taken the time to sit down and write about all the stuff making me so busy. Ever felt that way? So here ya go....

I've been trying to get the decorations up around the house. Half of the Christmas village is done and so far Peanut hasn't massacred anyone yet. I'm fully expecting at least one massacre within just a few days of the final touches being placed. I'll be sure to photograph the evidence for all to see. Peanut is now 2 years old so he's supposed to be out of that puppy stage but I think he's holding on to his childhood as long as he can. I don't think we are going to put up our outside lights. We will have enough going on in January without having to deal with taking those down.

Speaking of January...we are getting closer and closer to CarGuy's transplant. Next week he will be getting a new chemo regimen to try and get those nasty leukemia cells to vacate those premises. Steve the spleen is still causing problems but the docs haven't been able to agree amongst themselves what to do about it. I think the local onc is getting exasperated with everything. We saw a little of his temper flare at our appt last week. Can you can uncomfortable? I think I'll be glad when we are under the care of just one doc. CarGuy is doing pretty good and still working part time. With the new chemo next week he will have to take the whole week off. We're hoping that he does great on it but there are some side effects that might happen. He will have to go in everyday next week for IV fluids and the new drug which will be administered in his tummy with a shot. He's really not too hot about the needle in the stomach but they assure us that it's a really small shot.

SwimBoy's new job is going well. It's at a GMC/Buick/Pontiac dealership so we're watching the whole money from the government thing really close. I try not to discuss political stuff since I really don't feel like I know as much as I should but I will say there are a lot of jobs at stake so I sure hope something can be worked out.

I also realize I've missed a few Tiny Theater Thursdays so here's a make up one. Our church is taking part in this wonderful mission to provide a clean water well in Africa.

Twilight the Movie Review

Today I went to see Twilight with 3 of my girlfriends. We are all huge fans and we were not disappointed. One of my friends, we'll call her Hannah (and she knows why), really didn't like Rob Pattinson being cast as Edward but even she was convinced by the end of the movie that he was perfect for the roll. The cinematography was breathtaking and the music fit perfectly. I really thought they cast it great -- I even ended up liking Jasper who I thought was a little too weird. I left the theater feeling so wonderful after it was over even though the last scene gave you a peek at a possible problem. They changed very little from the book and the stuff they did change didn't really seem to make a big difference. There is one thing they did that might cause a problem in the next movie if they stick exactly to the book -- which they never do. I won't elaborate since I don't want to ruin anyone's experience. There were a couple things that seemed a little goofy - Edward's running was one of those but the glittering effect in the sun more than made up for that. Stephenie Meyer even had a cameo appearance at the cafe! I even think the few men in the audience enjoyed it too -- the scene in the ballet studio and the baseball game were awesome and action packed so I'm sure that helped their enjoyment.

My favorite scene was the first kiss and I think my favorite character (besides Edward of course) is Charlie. He was perfect and there's this one scene where he's getting ready to meet Edward for the first time (well, formally anyway) and he's cleaning a gun. He clicks it back together and tells Bella to go ahead and introduce him. That just cracks me up! Carlise caused some shuddering in a seat near me too! My favorite line was "you are my life now" -- gosh that tingled me all the way to my toes!!

You must go see this movie! I might even go see it again and you can bet I'm buying this DVD the day it's released. This one might even get more playtime than any of my HPs!! And that's saying something!

Tiny Theater Thursday

Hi all! Sorry I've been MIA the last few Thursdays. Life has been crazy and I didn't realize until last Friday that I didn't have any TTT's set up!! So....just so you know what I'm doing this weekend I'm bringing this very special TTT to you today! I'm mega-excited and if you aren't, you should be!!

Twilight Trailer

100th Post!!

For my 100^th post I was searching for something fun to do. I came across an idea to post 100 things about yourself and thought that could be interesting – well at least interesting to me. And…since it’s my blog I’m going to do it! So here it goes, in no certain order, 100 things about me!

My favorite color is green.

I was a cheerleader in high school.

My favorite holiday is Christmas.

4. My second favorite holiday is Halloween.

5. I love playing Sims on the computer.

6. I always wanted 6 kids.

7. I only have one child.

8. My first job was as a lifeguard at a KOA.

9. I hate to talk on the phone.

10. I’m the oldest child.

11. If I were a crayon, I would be a purple one (go to http://www.blogthings.com/ to find out what color you are)

12. I hate wearing shoes.

13. I like watching shows on TLC about physical differences.

14. I love going antiquing.

15. My favorite scent is roses followed very closely by cheapo musk perfume from the drug store.

16. I am a Harry Potter fanatic.

17. I hate, hate, hate whistling.

18. I love how coffee smells but I can’t stand the taste of it.

19. I met my husband at a bar.

20. I almost failed typing in high school.

21. My most wanted super hero ability is flying.

22. My favorite scripture is Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

23. I love to read and would do it all day long if left to my own devices.

24. I’ve used the TV as a babysitter.

25. I’ve dressed my dog in a Halloween costume.

26. Growing up I wanted to be a famous singer.

27. I prefer silver over gold.

28. I’m addicted to Pogo.com games.

29. I tend to procrastinate.

30. I used to teach needlecrafts through a home party business.

31. I once sold magazines over the phone – yes, I was one of “those people” – I quit after one weekend.

32. I watch a DVD nearly every night.

33. I’m addicted to chocolate chip cookies dunked in milk.

34. I have an aunt with Alzheimer’s.

35. I could sleep for 10 hours straight if left alone in a dark and quiet room.

36. I used to drink 10-12 Mountain Dews a day – I quit cold turkey in April 1998.

37. I can barely draw stick people.

38. I must use hand lotion several times a day – preferably Breathe Romance from Bath and Body Works (even though they have discontinued it now…grrrr).

39. I’ve lived in over 20 different homes.

40. I’ve owned a Pinto Station Wagon…with wood grain siding even!

41. I passed my driving test on the first try.

42. I waitressed for over 14 years.

43. I’m extremely forgetful.

44. I long to live in the country.

45. I can eat pizza hot or cold for any meal.

46. I’m afraid of heights and snakes.

47. My favorite song (right now anyway) is Give Me Eyes by Brandon Heath.

48. My greatest prayer is that my husband will be cured of leukemia.

49. I’m a sucker for puppies.

50. I love all things Disney.

51. I had a Partridge Family lunch box in school.

52. I can’t remember my first kiss.

53. I detest using public restrooms.

54. I cry easily.

55. I love buttered popcorn Jelly Bellies.

56. I’m very impatient.

57. I love Panda Express Orange Chicken.

58. I’m really good at Yahtzee.

59. I hate green beans with a passion rarely reserved for vegetables.

60. I’m a spelling whiz.

61. I made all the curtains in my house.

62. I’m a recovering perfectionist.

63. I’m not a very contemporary decorator – more country casual I guess.

64. I wish I wouldn’t have decided to do this because it’s really hard to think of 100 things!!

65. I’ve worked for the same organization for over 18 years.

66. I’m a verbal driver but the other drivers don’t listen very well.

67. I take a multi-vitamin every day (and so should you!).

68. I can drive both a standard stick shift car.

69. I can also drive a column shift vehicle.

70. I dream in color.

71. I am a scrapbooker.

72. I love to sew.

73. I’m horrible about folding laundry and will let it sit on the guest bed for days (or weeks!).

74. I sang at BeeGee and Pepper’s wedding.

75. I got married in Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day.

76. I hate pantyhose.

77. I’ve personally changed the oil in my car at least once in my life.

78. I have over 25 pairs of shoes – please don’t tell CarGuy!!

79. It took me over 20 years to finish my college degree.

80. I collect porcelain thimbles.

81. I also collect welcome signs.

82. I haven’t personally mowed a lawn in more years than I can remember.

83. I’m a professional singer.

84. I love candles.

85. I haven’t used my WiiFit in weeks – I promise to rectify that situation soon!

86. I’ve never traveled anywhere outside of the US except to Mexico.

87. I hate cold weather.

88. I love summer rain storms.

89. I don’t like to swim in water when I can’t see what else is swimming with me, i.e., lakes, ocean, etc.

90. I have driven in excess of 100 mph on several occasions.

91. I have artificial nails.

92. I do color my hair – gasp..choke..shock!

93. I sunburn easily.

94. My purse weighs 12 pounds.

95. I’m easily distracted.

96. I’m bad about remembering to pick up my mail.

97. I hate cleaning the house!

98. I will have a new niece soon….did I mention that already?

99. I nearly always forget the punch lines to jokes.

100. I LOVE MY BLOGGY FRIENDS!!

99 Things List!

Ok, so the latest thing in the bloggy world it seems is this 99 things list. It’s pretty simple, you take this list and then bold all the stuff you have done. So here goes my list!
As usual I couldn’t leave this list alone so I’ve added some commentary.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars – not willingly I must say!
3. Played in a band – and still do.
4. Visited Hawaii – 2 times now and I can’t wait to go back
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain – oh, please, they are to look at not climb!
9. Held a praying mantis – and I won’t!!!
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped – another thing I will not be doing!
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch – does drawing stick people count?
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – I saw it from an airplane once
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked – not a good thing to do by the way!
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill – who me?!?!
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping -- oh, no, way to self conscious for that!
27. Run a Marathon – HAHAHAHA!!!!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run -- nope but I did break my PE teacher's hand with a bat trying to just simply hit the ball! Note to self -- don't let go of the bat mid swing.
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language – not very well though but I can surely find a bathroom in any Spanish speaking country if I need one. I can also tell people I love them in about 5 languages -- very useful skill I must say!
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing – this I have done but again not willingly!
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant – in a drive through but I’m still gonna count it!
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance – same day as I hitch hiked…see, I told you it’s not a good thing to do!
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason – but it was a from a creepy stalker like guy I worked with so it’s not as great as it sounds!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving – again, one of those things I will NEVER do!!
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check – eeek!
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – I still have Googles, you squeezed his tummy and his eyes rolled around!
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar – gross!
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades – and I had over 100 skeeter bites to prove it!
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible – still working on this one
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox – when I was 14..ugh!
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury – I’ve testified before a jury though
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

If you want to play along, let me know in my comments section so I can come check out your list!

It's a girl!!!

Woohoo!! BeeGee and Pepper's baby is a girl! Not that I don't love my nephews to death but I've definitely got a bunch of them and it will be really nice to have a new niece. I'm pretty sure this will be my last one (unless BeeGee forgets what a pain in the patootie it was to bring this one into the world) so I'm glad to add another girl to the mix. That will bring my total to 6 nephews and 3 nieces once the newcomer makes her appearance at the end of February. The only bummer is that CarGuy will be going through his bone marrow transplant in late January or early February so I won't get to see the new little bundle until she's a few months old. Unless of course CarGuy recovers from his transplant in record time -- he's says he's going to be the "anomoly" -- I've really got to stop letting him read all those big words if he's going to throw them at me like this!

Halloween 2008

Tiny Theater Thursday

When I was a kid we would get so excited when Charlie Brown's Halloween would come on TV so I just had to use one of my favorite scenes as my final TTT for Halloween. Enjoy and I hope you get full candy bars in your trick or treat bag!!!

Tiny Theater Thursday

Continuing on our Halloween tribute -- this one is really good - I can only imagine how long it took this person to find all these clips and match up the mouth motions with the music:

Just a little rant....

Ok...so we now know that CarGuy's middle brother and sister are not marrow matches. So his mom calls the younger brother to tell him the news so he can go get tested. His response...you just will not believe this...he'll think about it! WHAT?!?!?! I'm still in shock at his callousness and downright meaness. I'm trying to keep a Christian attitude about this situation but I'm really having a hard time with it. I just can't believe he would stand by knowing that he might be the difference between life and death for CarGuy and he can say he'll think about it?!?!

I've prayed and prayed that God would take this malice that I am feeling out of my heart but I still feel just as ugly about the situation as I did before. I want to yell and scream at him and ask him how he can be so horrible. How can he live with himself for treating his own flesh and blood this way? I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he doesn't understand the ramifications of his actions on us. But I know logically that the middle brother has explained it all to him and I'm sure the mom cried her ever-lovin' eyes out while she was talking to him. The stress of the unknown is enough to pull you into a deep crevasse of depression that you can never get out of. I'm hoping that as soon as we know we have a donor that some of this blackness will lift. Whether it's him or an unrelated donor - just to have someone lined up. We need some peace about this.

Between these issues and CarGuy being a bit of a snot today I'm at the end of my rope. I'll probably regret writing this tomorrow but when I started this blog I promised myself that it would be a real and open place for me and not somewhere else in my life that I have to pretend to be someone else. This is not a place for the mask of having it all together with little birdies singing sweetly at my shoulder while I put a pretty dress on. It's ugly, it's real, and it's me!

Tiny Theater Thursday

Another Halloween fav of mine!

I continue to amaze myself...

Yep...my clumsiness reigns supreme!! I have now sprained my ankle and scraped up my knee. You wonder how this happened? Well...let me tell you - I was just walking and boom down I went. I have a theory...wanna hear it? Ok...well it goes something like this:

For months now I've been developing a love/hate relationship with WallyWorld (you know who I'm talking about right?). They love my money and hate to give it to them. Unfortunately when your money belt is being tightened sometimes you have to let go of your high and mighty ideals and walk in the door. Besides...my vanity got in the way and I really needed some of this:
I know, I know, but it's the greatest stuff ever and doesn't require me to take out a home equity loan to keep my skin soft and supple - well, as soft and supple as 40 something skin can be when it's been abused for the first 25 years with excessive tanning, mega make up, and little to no cleansing regimen.

So, anyways...I am walking along minding my own business when this stupid curb decides I must step down and my ankle says it prefers not to do so. The one good thing is that it happened between 2 cars with no witnesses so I was able to wrench myself back up without people asking me if I'm ok. The pain of the injury I can take but the embarrassment is the killer! I hobbled back to my car with blood pouring down my leg (well really it was just a little bit of seepage but this is my story so I'll embellish wherever I like...thank you!) and drove myself home. Yes, without my beloved face cream!!

I got the ankle x-rayed and it's not broken and I've doctored my knee through a little bit of an infection this weekend. I'm actually doing really well now and decided to try my soiree to the dreaded mega-store again. I did go to a different location though -- no need to rile up the curbs again! I finished my shopping in record time and without nary a scratch but....can you see this coming? I forgot this!!!!!!!
So my theory is that Wal-Mart is the source of all my clumsiness!!! I don't think that logic is flawed at all!!

Update on the Hubster

I just realized that I haven't updated you all on CarGuy's continuing battle with leukemia. I'm feeling a little pooped so this probably won't be too witty or entertaining but here's the scoop. He's doing pretty good. He finished up his 3rd chemo this week bringing him 1/2 way through his planned treatments before his bone marrow transplant. We're still waiting to find out if his brother or sister were a match. He has one more brother but he refuses to get tested until the others are ruled out. In a way I sort of hope he doesn't match. He holds a grudge against CarGuy and I would be terrified that he would be the match and then change his mind at the last minute. It makes me really sad that someone could hate someone else so much that they are willing to let them die. I try not to think about it too much or else I get really depressed....so...moving on...

CarGuy had a blood transfusion today -- I was with him and it was kinda creepy. It was amazing though that I could see the color returning to his face as the transfusion happened. The transfusion center was great. The rooms were pretty much private and you had a TV in your room. I wish the cancer center had that. Although I'm getting a lot of reading and cross stitch done during chemo since I'm not being hypnotized by the TV.

I'm still trying to get CarGuy to let me take a pic of him -- he's got this cute little headful of chicken fur. I love to run my hand over it! I don't think he likes it as much as I do.

Tiny Theater Thursday

Carrying on with the October theme I started last week...

Moving Music

I’m singing a solo with our church choir on Sunday and while I always love the opportunity to sing with a great choir and an awesome band, this particular song has gripped me more than most and believe me that’s saying something!! I’m deeply moved by music and nearly everything in my life has a soundtrack to go along with it. In order to explain why this particular song means so much I need to take you back in time….

Over 15 years ago I heard a sermon on the hole we have in our hearts. That sermon has always stayed in my memory (I bet it takes up the space that was supposed to be for my PIN number to my credit union ATM card!!). Anyway…the gist of the sermon is that we all have a hole in our heart and we spend our lives trying to fill it up. Most things we try to fill it up with only last a short while and we end up feeling emptier in the end. This song talks about all those things we try to use as a filler and that we really aren’t that different from each other. Some of us use drugs, relationships, money, food, etc. but in the end they are all just things that really don’t satisfy. I think this song talks to me so much because I’ve been there. I’ve tried all those other things only to be left either with an addiction or huge disappointment or other trouble to show for it! I’m not saying I have it all figured out and that sometimes I don’t try to fill my life with stuff that doesn’t matter – oh, believe me, I still do that!! What I am saying is that if we stay cognizant of those things trying to weasel their way into our lives that maybe, just maybe, we might be better at keeping them out.

So….that brings us back to today and why I even started this post. I know I ramble but sometimes I really need that in order to get where I really need to be. Anyways…I like to type up my words for Sunday mornings because it helps me memorize them and I can set them like a little security blanket on a music stand “just in case”. I’ve learned that most lyrics can be found on the internet which saves my little fingers from having to type every single word – yes, I’m lazy, you are too so just admit it and stop looking at me that way! ;-) While I was searching for this song I found that Mandisa (of America Idol fame) recorded this song. I really like her version and I was able to find a video to go with it! Have I mentioned before that I just love Youtube? How in the world did I exist before the internet?!? I listened to some of the other snippets from her album and they are great! I will definitely be adding her CD to my Christmas list! Enjoy this video even though it's not Tiny Theater Thursday -- think of it as a bonus!! See how much I love you all?!?

Tiny Theater Thursday

You just have to start October this way!



This is from one of my favorite Halloween movies - Hocus Pocus with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimi, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Tiny Theater Thursday

If you missed the Emmy's on TV the other night, you've got to see this!! I love Josh Groban and his performance is amazing!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

A blog I absolutely love Farm Fresh Jessica takes part in this meme. I think it's wonderful! If you want to take part too, just surf on over to The Simple Woman and she'll tell you all about it! Here's my Daybook for today:

Outside My Window...the sun is shining and my dogs are romping around
I am thinking...about our appointment at the bone marrow transplant center tomorrow
I am thankful for...my family!!
From the kitchen...I keep looking for the cooking fairy but she's not there so I guess I'm gonna have to go figure out something for dinner
I am wearing...black pants and a multicolor comfy top but I'm getting ready to go put on some sweats
I am creating...ideas for my scrapbooking bible study page that I need to work on during our Friday night meeting
I am reading...Twilight...again
I am hoping...that the news tomorrow is amazing and that we are able to attack this cancer and put it way behind us!!
I am hearing...SwimBoy watching TV, CarGuy puttering around the porch, and Peanut & Perdy playing
Around the house...laundry to fold, mail to sort, vacuuming to do, dishwasher to unload, garden to tend, and family to love on
One of my favorite things...garlic macadamias!! (Thanks for bringing those in Ms. T!)
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Finish up the uniform order for the restaurant, shred and freeze zucchini, jar up some pickles, attend choir practice, go to my scrapbooking bible study, and shop for fabric for the halloween costumes at work.

Here is my "picture thought" I am sharing...

I still can't understand how those cute little baby feet turned into these size 13 flippers that SwimBoy walks around on!! Don't worry, I've apologized for giving him the DNA for finger-toes although they do come in handy when you drop stuff!

If you decide to participate, leave me a comment so I can come check out your Daybook!

Tiny Theater Thursday

I have no idea if this is true or not but it's hilarious all the same!! Thanks to my sis BeeGee for the video!!

Another day hanging out with nurses!!

Hi everyone! Today was chemo and while we hoped it would get done in one day, that was not to be. CarGuy had the very same reaction to the first drug as he did the last time but it was not even as close to as severe as it was before. I guess he's getting that mouse protein built up although I haven't heard him squeak yet!! ;-) We were there at 9:15 this morning for both an appointment with his doctor and for the chemo. We finally made it home around 5:00. Quite a long day for both of us! His reaction started about 2 hours into the infusion (nearly exactly like before) and once they were able to start it back up he went along great with no problems. He actually kept laughing because he couldn't stop shivering -- I'm sort of surprised we didn't get kicked out for all the commotion we were causing! His laughing started my giggling and as the ladies who went to retreat last year know once I start it's hard to stop me! But, really, that was all the girl in the bunk above mine's fault last year not mine and today was all CarGuy's fault so really I'm not as disruptive as everyone thinks I am!! ;-)~ I just hang out with the wrong crowds!

We get to hang out with nurses again tomorrow morning!! Actually, they are the greatest people and stay so upbeat and nice. I really love them!!!

He has another appointment to see how his levels are doing in 2 weeks. His WBC levels did not improve but they didn't get any worse either. His platelets are doing better and his hemoglobin is better as well. They are considering removing his spleen and will make that decision when they see how he does after this treatment. Our insurance has approved the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center for the bone marrow transplant assessment so we are going to make an appointment with them sooner rather than later.

Speaking of our insurance....I do have some icky news on that front and that also leads me to a big prayer request. Our co-pay for each chemo treatment is over $4,000 -- yes, that is a 4 with 3 zeros! We have awesome insurance so I have no idea how people without that luxury handle this. Our maximum out of pocket is $5,000 so after we've spent that, everything else (chemo, hospitalizations, surgery, doctors for all of us, prescriptions for all of us, anything) is paid 100% for the rest of the year. We are already at about $900 this year so the hospital and chemo have brought us to that maximum. We are applying for some co-pay assistance money from the Leukemia Society to help. They have $5,000 in co-pay assistance they can award so that will take care of our expenses for this year. Our local chapter also has $500 a year they can award that you can use for anything you need. That will come in handy for all the gatoraid I've been having to buy! ;-) CarGuy has to drink about 2 gallons of fluid a day for the first 5 days after chemo to flush the chemo and dead cancer cells out of his system. The doc wants us to try and make 1/2 of that fluid in gatoraid. So if you could pray that we are awarded that assistance money, we would so appreciate it.

We really want to thank everyone again for all your care and concern and most especially for your prayers. We serve an awesome God who is using this challenge in our lives to bring us closer to Him and to enable us to show His grace and mercy to those around us. We both are holding tightly to Paul's words in Romans 8:28 - All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

God bless you all!

Back by popular demand......

Garden Update!!!

Well...maybe not by popular demand exactly but I do like doing it. So without any further interruption....

The zukes continue to take over the world. I think people are starting to avoid me for fear I will put a zucchini in their hands! Here's a baby just itching to be made into some yummy bread! Knock, knock...is anywhere there...
The green peppers are coming along nicely. I don't think they are going to get big enough to make stuffed peppers but maybe some nice fajitas will be on the menu here shortly.
The cucumbers are just about done so I'll be making some pickles soon.
My tomatoes have really been a disappointment this year but so have nearly all my neighbors so I'm gonna blame it on the weather. Here's one that's red and I'll pick that one today for lunch. I tried picking some that were just starting to turn and then ripening them on the counter but I wasn't real pleased with the results. Darn Mother Nature!
I'm really excited for the acorns to finish up. This is the biggest one so far.
The corn is ready and I picked one this morning and cooked it in the microwave in a zip and steam bag. It was pretty tasty! I'll pick more later today and cook them on the grill. SwimBoy is mowing the grass at church so don't tell him that CarGuy and I shared the first corn -- I think he wanted the first one...shhhh.
Oh, yea, and we have some corndogs too -- hehehehe -- I just crack myself up!
And for the finale of this update...here is the newest member of the flower garden. I won this beautiful mum at the ladies luncheon last week for having the most unique item in my purse at my table -- Peanut's harness! Don't ask me why I have been carrying the darn thing around for nearly a month but it paid off in the end now, didn't it?

Tiny Theater Thursday

This is an oldie but a goodie and never fails to entertain me...or maybe I'm just easily entertained lately!!

Human Trafficking

I interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you something disturbing...

On Saturday I went to a women's luncheon with the ladies from my church. Part of our activities included watching a short video put out by our denomination regarding human trafficking. I was quite shocked when the video opened with the story of a an American woman abducted in Chicago while she was being interviewed for a nanny position. I knew this kind of thing happened in other countries but right here in the US? That really did bring it home and opened my eyes to the bigger problem overseas. The statistics were pretty staggering. It is estimated that each year 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders. 80% of the number are female and 50% of those are minors! The majority are enslaved in the sex trade. A notorious center of this trade is in India. You can view this video for yourself at www.covchurch.org/humantrafficking
as well as learn more about this issue and what you can do.

I'm not writing this to get you to donate to my denominations work in this area but rather just to get you thinking. Also to encourage you to let the women in your life know not to go to private homes for interviews but to stay out in the public areas.

Tiny Theater Thursday

I love Japanese game shows and this one is hilarious!!!

Updates and Creepy Habits

CarGuy's appointment went great today! His levels are getting where the doc wants to see them and he even released him to go back to work. CarGuy is really excited about that! I went back to work today and actually found it comforting to think about something other than mutant cells invading my husband's body. I know, I know, couldn't I possibly find something more comforting than work? Give me a bit and I'm sure I'll find other diversions but for now it will have to do. I'm blaming this temporary deviance in my brain on all the cleaning products in the hospital. That place is waaaayyyy clean! I guess that's a good thing for the patients but for a homey person like myself it was a bit unnerving. I kinda sorta wanted to track mud in and leave some dust bunnies in the corners. But...don't worry, I didn't -- CarGuy would have been mortified! I'm being especially nice to him right now, you know, due to the cancer thingy, so I restrained myself!

So that got my little deviant mind to thinking...I wonder if the ladies that did all the cleaning while we were there actually clean their own houses like that. I used to work at a restaurant and we had to clean the ketchup bottles outside and inside the neck down to the label as well. One day I found myself cleaning our ketchup bottle at home like that. I had to break myself of that creepy habit real quick like! CarGuy said he doesn't think they clean their house like that. I'm not so sure -- creepy habits can sneak up on you without you even realizing it! My creepiest is probably my habit of running my hands over the tops of things to dust them. I will run my hand over the top of the fire extinquisher box at work several times a day even though I know dust has not had a chance to form on top of it yet. I just can't help myself....I think I need some professional help! So that made me curious what kind of creepy cleaning habits you all have. Share so I don't feel so, well, creepy!

He's Home!!!

What a wonderful morning!! CarGuy is home and I was able to finally get a good nights sleep! Peanut is still jumping and woofing at every little noise but I'm sure he'll get back to his "I just can't be bothered" attitude very soon. Perdy's already back to her old self and snoring away on the floor. It's nice not to spend all day at the hospital on an uncomfortable plastic chair and bundled up like a Russian peasant in the middle of winter -- I think I forgot to mention that the room was equivalent to the arctic!

CarGuy's blood levels are ok in some respects but leave something to be desired in others. His WBC is really something the docs are happy about but his platelets and red blood cells (RBC) are lower than they want them to be. Not unexpected they say but still lower. That means I have to be very diligent about disinfecting stuff and chasing off stray visitors (sorry -- I'm not really this mean normally). I'm sure CarGuy and SwimBoy are sick of the "sanitizer Nazi" squirting them with the smelly stuff every time they move and wish they could go visit someone else for a while. Speaking of, I need to go to Sam's and buy the industrial size barrel of the stuff today.

Also, now that I am home I can start shredding and freezing some the 3,000 zukes that showed up in my garden this week! My tomatoes are really leaving something to be desired. By the time they are ripening up they split open and get all gross. I might start picking them while they are green and seeing if they can ripen on the counter without growing any larger. Any advice anyone? The peppers are looking great and the acorn squash is putting out fruit that look reconizable. I'll try to bring you all a full blown garden update tomorrow.

But, for now...I need to go disinfect something and force CarGuy to drink another gallon of water. He needs to flush those icky dead cancer cells out of his body -- I'm on a mission!!!

Thank you and Update

Wow...you really know how to make a girl feel great!! This has been my largest day by far and it's so fun to read where everyone is from. Give me a few days and I'll come repay the love!

I also wanted to update everyone on CarGuy's continuing evil plan to get out of gathering with large crowds and cleaning up dog poo! Yesterday he had a really long day! It started with his first step of the chemo (Rituxin). He had a bit of a reaction during the infusion so they had to stop and then start back up again at a slower rate. They started the infusion at 9:30 am and finished it at 4:00 pm so it did take longer than we thought it would. They think it will go faster the next time. This particular drug has a mouse protein base so that was probably why his body flipped out a little -- the nurse told him he might start squeeking too, which with my sense of humor I thought was hilarious and I may just have to start squeeking everywhere I go! I love that nurse!!!

Then at 5:00 pm they took him down to surgery to have his port put in -- we've started calling it the teleport. He hasn't started using his Scotty impression but I'm sure it's not too far away. He's kind of doped up so you have to give him a little bit of a break -- he's kind of slow right now. He did great in that surgery and was even ready to eat shortly afterward. All the nurses say the port is going to be his best friend. Hey, wait, I thought I was his best friend!! ;-) I'm sure Peanut and Perdy thought they were his best friends -- I don't think I'll tell them what the nurses said.

This morning he had the rest of his chemo cocktail (Adriamycin, Cytoxin, Vincristine, and a mix of anti-nausea and steroidal drugs). It went really easy and there were no reactions in the house! Woot-woot!! He wasn't feeling much like dinner tonight but I made him get a dinner anyway. I told him to get what he wanted off the menu (if you haven't eaten in a hospital lately, it's definitely improved!) and not to worry about it being a normal meal. So...he had chicken noodle soup, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, and chocolate milk. The nausea hasn't hit yet from the chemo but the doc said it would probably start up over the next couple days so I'm sure that's when I'm really going to have problems getting him to eat.

Tomorrow he gets the last little bit of the drugs that go with the chemo (Benadryl injection to help with side effects of the chemo and Neulasta which will help him make more good white blood cells (WBC) so he can fight infection.) His WBC count on Sunday was 151,000 (normal is around 10,000) and this morning it was 51,000 so that is really encouraging!! His platelets are very low due to the chemo so we have to be really careful that he doesn't get cut or injured - I told him he will have to give up his dream of becoming a world class cage fighter for the time being! He also bruises really easily right now so I've got to lay off the beatings he usually deserves. ;-) He's very susceptible to germs right now too so we've got to be really careful to disinfect everything and stay away from lots of people. I know he's just heartbroken that he can't go to the mall since he just looooves the mall! If you believe that, I've got some swampland in Florida to sell to you!

Thanks again for coming to visit and I promise that soon I will get back to more garden updates and funny dog stories! I'm missing normal life!!

WELCOME TO COLORFUL COLORADO!!!

If you read my post from a couple of days ago, I think you'll understand why I wasn't able to clean the place up or bake anything yummy for you. But come back after we get this cancer thing down to a routine and I'll be sure and spend lots more time with you. However....I do have some time right now in my "less-than-8-hours-of-sleep-over-the-last-50+-hours" state of mind to give you a taste of my Colorado!

I grew up on the Eastern Plains of Colorado in a tiny farming town (pop. 847 on a good day). It was pretty flat and we had an inkling there were some mountains out there in the West. On a clear day we could see an indication that the ground did not stay flat forever! I love the plains - you can see forever and the fields really do wave at you when the wind blows. It's one of the most beautiful sights I know except maybe a buffalo grazing in that grass. Yes, we have buffalo there -- not wild, mind you, but they do exist and remind you of days gone by. The baby ones are especially precious.

When I graduated high school I thought I wanted more than this little town could offer and off I went to the big city of Denver. Denver really is an amazing place. You will find all kinds of areas in town that range from pretty hoity-toity to down home suburban America. I hear tell there is this big convention going on downtown right now but since I now live way north I'm really not sure.

About 8 years ago we had had enough of the big city and longed for something smaller -- not 847 type smaller but something around 50,000 might be good. We moved about 1 1/2 hours north of Denver and we are deliriously happy here. It's a wonderful place within just minutes of all kinds of outdoor activities. You can whitewater raft, hike, waterski, tube, mountain bike, or just enjoy the serenity of the crickets during the summer. Of course in the winter you have your skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, ice fishing, and my personal favorite, sitting in the lodge drinking "hot chocolate" (wink, wink). Sometimes it's hard to believe that I live where people save to take a vacation to.

It is truly God's Country around here!!

I hope you enjoy your stay and will come back real soon!!