Entry for Thursday, August 31, 2006 It's a Small World After All

I had an experience today that made me think "It's a small world".  The reference of course, is to that horrific ride at Disney World in Orlando (located in Fantasy Land).  If you've never had a chance to go on that ride, let me share with you my experience.  First off you are lured in because its a chance to sit down in a boat that is pulled around in air-conditioned comfort; which if you are in Orlando during the summer you are looking for air-conditioning!  Once they have you inside you are sailing past small vignettes of puppet children in their national dress singing "Its a small world after all....." in their language; but one nation's singing overlaps the next and the music is very loud.  Trust me it is total sensory overload and not in a good way.  And it goes on, and on, and on, and on.........  But I digress.  The experience I had today was not like that at all.  It just made me think "Its a small world" and off my brain went to the above.

I started my day by sleeping until 9:40 a.m.  A good start huh?  I had a phone meeting set up for 11:00 with a woman who is my spiritual counselor.  After I spoke with her, I ate breakfast at noon and then got dressed to go see my nutritionist in Silver Spring.  I get to that office and she is standing at the desk with the receptionist and I say hello to them and sit down in the waiting room.  The nutritionist then says to me, there is someone in the waiting room that you know Cheryl, so I look at the other woman there, and she looks at me and we're thinking "huh" we don't know each other.  Then she says her name and we all laugh and I get up and hug the woman that I'd been on the phone at 11:00 with!  I had only met her in person once two years ago.  It was very funny as we'd spoken for an hour that morning and we didn't recognize each other.

After I left Silver Spring I drove back home and went to the grocery store across the street.  My Daughter and Grand-daughter came for dinner.  Megan is spending the night because there is no school tomorrow.

I'm all set to stay home all day tomorrow out of the rain.  My new curtain rods came today so maybe I'll get Warren to put them up for me.  I need to finish up a little housework too before I go get my Mom Saturday morning and bring her down here.

I suppose that I've rambled on enough tonight to make you yawn (even I'm yawning).  Have a peaceful night.

 

Entry for Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - What No Cheesecake?

I met a group of my ex co-workers for lunch today at the Cheesecake Factory.  We were celebrating Grettchen's birthday.  She was my supervisor when I retired and is a genuinely wonderful person to work for.  We all loved her (and still do).  I'd never been to this restaurant but it was quite nice.  The food was good.  I didn't order any cheesecake because I was full but, (note to self - next time just get the cheesecake!).  It was great to see everyone again.

After lunch I drove to my acupuncture appointment.  I got some needles in the insides of my *pinky* fingers today.  Now I must admit that hurt.  Most of the time you feel a little sting and then its over, but the hands are so00000 sensitive.  She said I'm starting to hold more of my treatments from one week to the next which I guess is a good thing, and now we can start building on that.  I always need more tweaking of the pathways for the *emotional* heart.  My poor heart strings have been pretty well battered in the last few years.  I carry a lot of fear there because of Warren's cancer.

Sunday the 3rd is Warren's 73 Birthday so I'll spend tomorrow shopping for his party.  Normally I'd wait until Friday but its supposed to rain all day so tomorrow seems like a better day to be out.  He wants me to make White Chicken Chili for his Birthday dinner.  So now I have to think of what else I can serve, because some people don't eat beans.  I'll post the menu when its finalized.  I don't have to do a cake because my Sister-in-law is bringing a chocolate icecream cake from the Coldstone Creamery (yummy).

Well that was my day.  I hope you had a great one too.  Keep in touch.

 

Entry for Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - A Strange Little Anniversary

A year ago today was the first time we went to NIH.  To celebrate we went to NIH again - go figure.  Even though Warren isn't having chemo this week, they still wanted to see him in clinic to check on his progress.  They've decided they are not going to repeat the PET scan in a month, but rather wait 2 months and then do another CAT and PET scan.  I can't believe its only been a year.  I remember looking at the date on the badges last August and wondering if he'd still be alive when it was time to renew.  The stress of that time shows in the picture of me that they took to put on the ID badge.  Stress seems to be a side-kick of cancer; you just can't get away from it whether you're the patient or the care-giver.  Its not all bad though; you really learn to appreciate the good days and the small gestures.  It can bring you closer as a couple.  I try to etch in my mind all of the things that I love about him.  I don't let things go unsaid anymore.  Every moment is a precious commodity.

The rest of this afternoon I'll probably putter around the house dusting and putting things away.   Hope your day is a good one.  Have some cake.  

Entry for Monday, August 28, 2006 - Something Funny

Change: When the winds of change blow hard enough, the most trivial of things can become deadly projectiles.

My son showed me this website the other day http://www.despair.com/viewall.html that sells *demotivational* posters.  If you have a slightly twisted sense of humor like I do, you'll want to check these out.  I got a great laugh out of them.  The picture today is one of theirs.

I hope you had a great weekend.   I had fun;  I got to see my Aunt Mary and three of my cousins yesterday.  It's always fun to reminisce about childhood memories.  You could feel the presence in the room of those who are no longer with us.

Right now I want to get busy and get some chores done around the house.  Maybe I'll add more to today's blog this evening.......we'll just have to wait and see if anything interesting happens in my life the rest of the day.   

 

Entry for Saturday, August 26, 2006 - Sailor Suits Must be Timeless

If you look back to the picture of two days ago of my children in their sailor outfits in 1975 then look at this photo of my Grandfather Ivan (seated) and his Brother Francis (standing) probably taken about 1903 or 04, you'll see that Mother's having been dressing their children in these outfits for quite awhile.  I see a lot of my Dad in his Father's face.  I just love having these old family pictures.  I also love having family antiques.  I enjoy using plates that my Great-Grandmother used on her table.  It makes me feel connected to her in spirit.  I have the grandfather clock in my foyer that stood in her house as well and came from the farm house of my Great-great Grandfather.  It no longer keeps time, but it does tick if I wind it.  Not many of us would still be *ticking* after all that time. 

I didn't go to my Mom's today because I'm going tomorrow.  My Aunt Mary and three of my cousins will be visiting her tomorrow and I'm going up then and taking dinner for the group.  I decided to make pulled pork barbeque for sandwiches, with cole slaw, potato salad (not everyone likes cole slaw) and chips with buttermilk brownies (iced) for dessert.

Next week is shaping up to be busy for us.  Warren is going to the Dentist on Monday afternoon and I may be watching Megan that evening; Tuesday morning its NIH for clinic but no chemo; Wednesday I'm going out to lunch then on to Silver Spring for acupuncture; Thursday I have another appointment in Silver Spring; Friday I'd better clean the house (Ha!); Saturday I'm picking up my Mom for the weekend as my Brother and his Wife are going to a wedding in Pennsylvania; and Sunday is Warren's 73'rd Birthday and I want to have a family dinner party for him (sans the aforementioned Brother and his Wife).  OK, now I'm tired!  Best just take all that one day at a time.

I hope you're weekend is going well.  I'm hoping for rain, but it doesn't appear forthcoming.