Today you get a double feature in honor of the Olympics!!
This one is compliments of the one I let get away.
My sis BeeGee sent me this one.
Hamburger Noodle Casserole
18 years ago
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The day our lives changed
On Sunday night I took CarGuy to the emergency room for abdominal pain he had been having for a couple weeks. He's a guy so of course it took some time to convince him he needed to do this. Well...long story short...he has Chronic Prolymphocytic Leukemia. This is a very rare form of leukemia and is even rarer in someone his age - almost 47. It's normally seen in 60 or 70 year olds. For this reason we might be looking at a bone marrow transplant in the next few years. Since it's so rare samples are being sent to the Mayo Clinic so we might hear more from them in the coming weeks.
It's an aggressive form of the less aggressive leukemia. Make sense? I know, it didn't to me either when it was explained about 2 hours ago. I'll try to put down in writing what I figured out. You either have acute or chronic leukemia. Acute is the kind that is usually quickly fatal and chronic is much more manageable and doesn't require quick treatment; acute is more aggressive and chronic is not. With me so far? Now within the chronic area there are types that are so non-aggressive that all you have to do is take a pill a day and you are good for the rest of your life and then on the other end of the scale there is the lovely little bugger that has taken hold of my husband's blood. He will definitely be sorry he's messing with my family!!
So...tomorrow we start the first step of chemo, Thursday it looks like a port will be put in, and then on Friday the rest of the chemo cocktail will be served. Hopefully he will get to come home from the hospital either Sunday or Monday. Speaking of....I need to get back over there. He needs some diet coke, his own pillow, and I'm taking Peanut to go see his dad. Peanut's really been lost without him around so I think it will be good for both of them.
I'm going to try to not let this blog become a downer so I'm going to try and find the funny parts of cancer but just in case I slip into some morose areas, just pat my hand and tell me everything is going to be ok. M'kay?
It's an aggressive form of the less aggressive leukemia. Make sense? I know, it didn't to me either when it was explained about 2 hours ago. I'll try to put down in writing what I figured out. You either have acute or chronic leukemia. Acute is the kind that is usually quickly fatal and chronic is much more manageable and doesn't require quick treatment; acute is more aggressive and chronic is not. With me so far? Now within the chronic area there are types that are so non-aggressive that all you have to do is take a pill a day and you are good for the rest of your life and then on the other end of the scale there is the lovely little bugger that has taken hold of my husband's blood. He will definitely be sorry he's messing with my family!!
So...tomorrow we start the first step of chemo, Thursday it looks like a port will be put in, and then on Friday the rest of the chemo cocktail will be served. Hopefully he will get to come home from the hospital either Sunday or Monday. Speaking of....I need to get back over there. He needs some diet coke, his own pillow, and I'm taking Peanut to go see his dad. Peanut's really been lost without him around so I think it will be good for both of them.
I'm going to try to not let this blog become a downer so I'm going to try and find the funny parts of cancer but just in case I slip into some morose areas, just pat my hand and tell me everything is going to be ok. M'kay?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Diary of a Dog Sitter
I am watching a friend's dog this weekend while she has a romantic getaway with her boy toy. Her dog is a sweetheart and I don't mind at all. But...you knew there was going to be a "but", didn't you? Why would I blog about it if there wasn't a "but" in the story? Ok...so this morning I go over to take care of sweetie-pie; feed her breakfast, play with her, and take her for a walk. It took her forever to eat and she is crazy with her toys so that was an adventure. Then I put my tennies on and decided we would walk as far as we could get in 20 minutes and then turn around and come back. She doesn't play well with others so I didn't use the path that snakes through our town but instead I took her down some dirt roads that are not frequented by anyone.
She's having a ball and I'm enjoying the nice cool weather we had this morning. I let her leash out as far as it will go and she bounding all over the place obviously totally in her element. Then it happens...there are some creatures in this world that I just can't abide. Snakes would be one of them but don't worry she didn't scare up a snake for me to deal with. She scared up thousands, well really like 5, of the bane of my teenage years. GRASSHOPPERS!!!
Gosh, I really hate those things and I am definitely going to ask God what was he was thinking when he put those on the same earth with me! When I was a teenager we lived on a ranchette in an area that was nicknamed Grasshopper Corner and for good reason. I would come out to my car in the morning for school and there would be dozens of the nasty creatures plastered on my car. I would literally be in tears by the time I was done getting them off so I could drive away and hope that when I returned that a grasshopper disease had hit and they were all gone.
So I have to ask why an intelligent person like myself cannot get over her aversion to something that will not hurt her. Snakes...I'm ok with that fear because truly they could hurt me and given that we have rattlers here they could even kill me. But, a grasshopper? What's the worst that could happen? But, no matter how much I tell myself that there is nothing to be afraid of I just can't come to grips with myself. I think I need aversion therapy!! Maybe I should go get myself a furry stuffed grasshopper toy and sleep with it for a few nights. Yea...that's the ticket...I'm sure that will work!!!
She's having a ball and I'm enjoying the nice cool weather we had this morning. I let her leash out as far as it will go and she bounding all over the place obviously totally in her element. Then it happens...there are some creatures in this world that I just can't abide. Snakes would be one of them but don't worry she didn't scare up a snake for me to deal with. She scared up thousands, well really like 5, of the bane of my teenage years. GRASSHOPPERS!!!
Gosh, I really hate those things and I am definitely going to ask God what was he was thinking when he put those on the same earth with me! When I was a teenager we lived on a ranchette in an area that was nicknamed Grasshopper Corner and for good reason. I would come out to my car in the morning for school and there would be dozens of the nasty creatures plastered on my car. I would literally be in tears by the time I was done getting them off so I could drive away and hope that when I returned that a grasshopper disease had hit and they were all gone.
So I have to ask why an intelligent person like myself cannot get over her aversion to something that will not hurt her. Snakes...I'm ok with that fear because truly they could hurt me and given that we have rattlers here they could even kill me. But, a grasshopper? What's the worst that could happen? But, no matter how much I tell myself that there is nothing to be afraid of I just can't come to grips with myself. I think I need aversion therapy!! Maybe I should go get myself a furry stuffed grasshopper toy and sleep with it for a few nights. Yea...that's the ticket...I'm sure that will work!!!
Friday, August 22, 2008
The One I Let Get Away
I promised some time back to tell the story about the guy in high school who was the sweetest most wonderful friend and I did not treat him like I should have and I still regret that today. I'm sure I'm not the only one so feel free to share your stories too -- it'll make me feel better. I beg you don't think too harshly of me after you read this -- I was after all a stupid teenage girl!!
I started a new school when I was a Sophomore in high school. I moved from Los Angeles to a small farming community in rural Eastern Colorado. A bit of culture shock to be sure. One of the people who accepted me (weird clothes and all) was R.J. He treated me so good right from the start. It was an extremely small school -- only 39 kids in my entire class! When you go to such a small school it's really hard. Most of these kids had been in school together since kindergarten so there were definite cliques going on. I did not meet any of the criteria for any of them. I was alone in the surfer girl clique!! I was angry that my parents moved us and I'm sure I wasn't very nice to be around.
R.J. spent a lot of time with me and when we both reached that age where you can date he began asking me out. I would always turn him down -- it was such a widely known thing that there is an unfortunate picture of us in the yearbook with the caption "trying his luck, again" -- I was having an especially bad hair day or else I'd share the pic. (Vanity is one of my most endearing qualities, right?) As time went by I started making friends and even made the cheerleading squad. I really thought I was something else. I continued to turn R.J. down and treat him like dirt.
During our senior year I finally said yes to "meeting" R.J. at a dance after a football game. I was cheering at the game so I had to go home and change and then run back over to the dance. By the time I got there the dance was well under way. I walked in and didn't see him anywhere so I went to sit with some friends. A short while later R.J. was at my side apologizing -- for what I had no idea. I guess it turns out he found someone else because I was such a witch (my word, not his) to him -- I totally deserved for that to happen. When I walked in he was kissing her on the dance floor and I didn't even see it happen. He thought I did and rather than ignore the issue he came right to me to make sure my feelings weren't too horribly hurt.
I didn't have any claims on him and he was free to date anyone he wanted. I could tell he was devasted that he might have hurt me. I should have immediately begged that he ditch her and that he never allow his lips to kiss any other girl than me. That would have saved me from the too numerous to mention mistakes that I would make through the next couple of decades of my life!! He ended up taking this girl to prom and when my own date ditched me (long sordid story there -- another blog for another day!) they gave me a ride home.
Fast forward and he ends up marrying this girl and having a bushel of kids. I guess she turned kind of nutsy and they ended up divorcing. He is now married to a wonderful woman who seems to make him very happy. I'll probably be meeting her in person soon and I'm kind of nervous. Over the years I have become very protective of those that I wronged in my life. Almost like I've decided that I need to be their guardian angel to make up for my snotty past. I've also not seen R.J. in person in probably 15 years or more so I'm a little nervous about that too. We've talked on the phone and e-mailed over the years so it's not like we've lost track completely. I hope he knows how much I regret my past actions and that if I had it all to do over again, it would have definitely gone differently. R.J. is still better to me than I deserve -- I hope he knows how much I love and appreciate his friendship over the years.
Ok...that's my confession for today -- do you all still like me?
I started a new school when I was a Sophomore in high school. I moved from Los Angeles to a small farming community in rural Eastern Colorado. A bit of culture shock to be sure. One of the people who accepted me (weird clothes and all) was R.J. He treated me so good right from the start. It was an extremely small school -- only 39 kids in my entire class! When you go to such a small school it's really hard. Most of these kids had been in school together since kindergarten so there were definite cliques going on. I did not meet any of the criteria for any of them. I was alone in the surfer girl clique!! I was angry that my parents moved us and I'm sure I wasn't very nice to be around.
R.J. spent a lot of time with me and when we both reached that age where you can date he began asking me out. I would always turn him down -- it was such a widely known thing that there is an unfortunate picture of us in the yearbook with the caption "trying his luck, again" -- I was having an especially bad hair day or else I'd share the pic. (Vanity is one of my most endearing qualities, right?) As time went by I started making friends and even made the cheerleading squad. I really thought I was something else. I continued to turn R.J. down and treat him like dirt.
During our senior year I finally said yes to "meeting" R.J. at a dance after a football game. I was cheering at the game so I had to go home and change and then run back over to the dance. By the time I got there the dance was well under way. I walked in and didn't see him anywhere so I went to sit with some friends. A short while later R.J. was at my side apologizing -- for what I had no idea. I guess it turns out he found someone else because I was such a witch (my word, not his) to him -- I totally deserved for that to happen. When I walked in he was kissing her on the dance floor and I didn't even see it happen. He thought I did and rather than ignore the issue he came right to me to make sure my feelings weren't too horribly hurt.
I didn't have any claims on him and he was free to date anyone he wanted. I could tell he was devasted that he might have hurt me. I should have immediately begged that he ditch her and that he never allow his lips to kiss any other girl than me. That would have saved me from the too numerous to mention mistakes that I would make through the next couple of decades of my life!! He ended up taking this girl to prom and when my own date ditched me (long sordid story there -- another blog for another day!) they gave me a ride home.
Fast forward and he ends up marrying this girl and having a bushel of kids. I guess she turned kind of nutsy and they ended up divorcing. He is now married to a wonderful woman who seems to make him very happy. I'll probably be meeting her in person soon and I'm kind of nervous. Over the years I have become very protective of those that I wronged in my life. Almost like I've decided that I need to be their guardian angel to make up for my snotty past. I've also not seen R.J. in person in probably 15 years or more so I'm a little nervous about that too. We've talked on the phone and e-mailed over the years so it's not like we've lost track completely. I hope he knows how much I regret my past actions and that if I had it all to do over again, it would have definitely gone differently. R.J. is still better to me than I deserve -- I hope he knows how much I love and appreciate his friendship over the years.
Ok...that's my confession for today -- do you all still like me?
This is what awaits me. Am I the only one who absolutely hates to do laundry? It's not so much the moving it from one machine to the next but the folding and putting away that I really want to run screaming from. It never fails I run into one or two articles of clothing that CarGuy or SwimBoy put in the laundry that I know for a certainty they did not wear! I'm working at home today so at least I can change the loads during breaks today and get some of the easy part done. But tomorrow....eeek...anyone want to come over for a folding party?Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Gardens, Twilight, and Rain
Well...here is the only garden update you are getting today!! (Grrrr....I hate that stupid tent thing my neighbor insists on leaving up constantly -- it messes with my pictures!)
It is pouring rain and has been since Thursday night. It's raining so much that Perdy won't leave the porch. She just looks around and then looks at me like I could make all this ickiness stop so she can go play. I would, Piddygirl, if I could...I love you that much!
And Peanut won't even get within 10 feet of the door that leads to the porch that leads to the rain. (Yes, those are socks and a baseball hat and stinky running shoes and overflowing diet coke cans by the recycle bin but they are not my things and I refuse to pick them up anymore. The house can become overrun with socks and hats and other miscellaneous stuff that is not mine and I will do nothing about it. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!! Mom's on strike!! Now those muddy paw paths on the floor, I might mop those up because my furry darlings don't have opposable thumbs and can't hold the mop. They get a break that way!)
Now me...I just finished this book about 10 minutes ago...there are no words.....
And I absolutely must go buy this book...even if it means going out in the rain because being the sugary being that I am I just might melt....because....
I cannot go on living another day until I know what happens...please, please, please, don't let the author leave me hanging at the end. Gosh I'm so glad I didn't hear about this series until it was finished...I never could have survived having to wait for the next book. You've got to read this series -- this gripped me more than HP...sorry J.K. but I think this is now my favorite series. But...you were always my first...that should mean something to you!
See you all when I've emerged from my fantasy!
It is pouring rain and has been since Thursday night. It's raining so much that Perdy won't leave the porch. She just looks around and then looks at me like I could make all this ickiness stop so she can go play. I would, Piddygirl, if I could...I love you that much!
And Peanut won't even get within 10 feet of the door that leads to the porch that leads to the rain. (Yes, those are socks and a baseball hat and stinky running shoes and overflowing diet coke cans by the recycle bin but they are not my things and I refuse to pick them up anymore. The house can become overrun with socks and hats and other miscellaneous stuff that is not mine and I will do nothing about it. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!! Mom's on strike!! Now those muddy paw paths on the floor, I might mop those up because my furry darlings don't have opposable thumbs and can't hold the mop. They get a break that way!)
Now me...I just finished this book about 10 minutes ago...there are no words.....
And I absolutely must go buy this book...even if it means going out in the rain because being the sugary being that I am I just might melt....because....
I cannot go on living another day until I know what happens...please, please, please, don't let the author leave me hanging at the end. Gosh I'm so glad I didn't hear about this series until it was finished...I never could have survived having to wait for the next book. You've got to read this series -- this gripped me more than HP...sorry J.K. but I think this is now my favorite series. But...you were always my first...that should mean something to you!See you all when I've emerged from my fantasy!
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