It's Officially Unofficial

I received my invitation in the mail today. My son is getting married. I knew it was coming up fast and furious, but this makes it official. These Six weeks will go by so fast that my head is spinning.

I do have my dress and the alterations are going to be done this week. The rehearsal dinner is set. Now, it seems like all I have to do is show up and look good.

This time last year, I wanted the Fairy Tale and it will take place in 6 weeks. I guess Miracles really do happen --- if you believe.

Double The Pleasure - Double The Fun

No, this isn't an advertisement for Wrigley's Gum. When you have 2 Yorkies, what could be more fun?

The weather has been September-like the past few days and we enjoyed an evening in the Garden just Grillin and Chillin.

When I'm grilling, the dogs are usually sitting right in from of the grill praying to the altar of St. Weber that something on that grill will be for them -- they are never disappointed.

If you think it's easy to get two high-strung independent Yorkies to sit still long enough for a photo shoot - you're dreaming. I had to promise them that St. Weber would have a hamburger waiting for them when this was over.

Bailey wants to know how much longer until it's time to eat or do you think he is asking for his hamburger to be cooked medium-rare? I don't usually take requests.

Toby is the newest addition to the family. He was my Mom's dog and now he has been adopted by us. Toby is 18 months old and I'm hoping that one day he will grow into his ears.

He is just too cute and loaded with personality. Both Bailey and Toby were used to being an only-dog, however Bailey is trying to get into being a big-brother and is trying to teach Toby what nap time is.

As you can see Toby really likes to mug for the camera. Uh-oh, it's dinner time - so the photo shoot is over.

Quilting, Mexican Food and Baseball

I know that you're probably wondering just what these three things have in common? She's really lost her mind, but that was my day yesterday.

I started the day at the local quilt shop for the monthly Quilting Demo. They showed us this nifty new way to make Half-Square Triangles (HST's) by taking two pieces of fabric (right sides together) and placing the Star Singles paper on top, then pinning together and sewing along the dotted line following the arrows, cut along the solid lines, tear away the paper and viola - a perfect HST. It was like they cast the line and reeled us in hook, line and sinker. Not only did they demo the technique, they showed us samples of what you could do with them. Take a look at these cute placemats that incorporate a panel and piecing.

I was hooked as were my other two quilting buddies. Now the challenge will be to see who gets them done first.

These placemats are definitely on my wish list to get done for Christmas.

After spending the morning at the Quilt Shop, I met up with some friends for lunch at a local Mexican Restaurant for a Gab Fest. Good food and good friends is the perfect recipe for a good time. After lunch they were heading over to see Mama Mia.

Even though I really wanted to see the movie, I bidded them good-bye. I was heading home to let out the dogs and pack up the cooler for a little tail-gating before the Phillies Game. I just love a baseball game.

Why is it that hot dogs taste so darned good at a ball park? Do you think it's because you're washing it down with an ice cold beer?

My son had scored some great seats for the game and I couldn't pass that up. I can see the movie any time. I took this picture from my seat of Jason Werth on third base -- how often can you get up close and personal with a baseball player, without leaving your seat.

Trains, Phones & Emotional Baggage

I've been keeping busy this week while on vacation, or should I say "Staycation". I heard that "Staycation" is a new buzz word for staying home while on vacation. Man, I've been in vogue for years. I was never one to pack up all of my earthly belonging to trek to a remote location, only to find out that I've forgotten something. I'm one of those people that packs light -- only what you can carry with two hands.

Anyway, I'm digressing. I've been packing up my Mother's house. It seems weird going through her things when she's not there, but I know it has to be done. Hey, I have to make room for all of my stuff! I really thought that I could breeze through this chore like a freight train. I came armed with boxes and an organizational plan on how to pack things up to inventory. I sure wasn't prepared for the emotional baggage that went along with it. I must have this strange fascination with trains -- I'm always comparing things to a train ride......

Just as I would go into a melt-down, the telephone would ring and the person on the other end would cheer me up. Thanks, Bob and Judy -- you don't know how much it meant that you knew the precise time to make that phone call and ease that burden, which made the emotional baggage a little lighter.

What's In A Name?

I was doing a little blog-hopping early this morning and I stumbled across this on Mrs. Goodneedle's blog http://strawberrypatchquiltworks.blogspot.com/ and I had to give it a try. I'm such a sucker for these blog quizzes and such and I'm always so [dang, what's the word I want?] skeptical that these things can really have any authenticity. So lo and behold, imagine my shock to see how my name really fits me to a "T". Now, you know me better than I knew myself -- Go ahead and give it a try! I double-dog dare ya!!

What Kim means

People see you as a complete enigma, and only you truly understand who you are. You spend most of your time introspecting and seeking truth. You're a very interesting person... but not many people know you enough to realize it. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

A New Beginning

Today was the one year anniversary of when I started chemo - and one year later I am embarking on a new jourey in my life. I truly believe that life is a journey -- not a destination.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with the number 7. My son was born in '77 and I love him more than life itself. However the single "7" is always a challenge. '07 was a difficult year for me, but I survived it and hopefully, became a stonger person in spite of it. The zodiac sign, Cancer, occurs in the 7th month and I lost my mother in the 7th month to cancer. I now see that I was the lucky one and overcame it, I only wish that she could have, too. She told me more than once that "Miracles Do Happen".

On the last day of July (yes, in the 7th month), I decided that I am going to move to my Mother's house. I now own two houses and I can only keep one. A new beginning. The house is located in a quaint, colonial town with a gorgeous view of the river and a beautiful garden. The larger fenced-in yard will allow the dogs more room to run around and it will give me more space to play in the garden. It's time for me to move away from the city. I will miss my garden the most.

The prospect of the move is giving me something to look forward to. I will have to do some renovations to the house to make it my own because I can't live in my Mother's shadow. Since I have both houses, I won't have to live with the renovations and the dogs won't torment the contractors. The thoughts of downsizing and getting rid of stuff is a bit overwhelming, but this is the opportunity of a lifetime and I'm going to grab it. I have to now look at things with a critical eye and ask myself - do I move it? Or lose it? This should make my son very happy -- he thinks I'm a pack-rat.

Now that I have returned to Blogging, this should give me lots to talk about. I've already mapped out where my sewing room will be..

A Sad Return

It is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I am returning to the wonderful world of blogging. I don't even know why I picked tonight to start blogging again, but I received an email from a fellow-blogger, Ann "Ancient One's Place - so I thought that it was time for me to return. I have been away long enough.

The last time that I was here, I was ending chemo and I was Oh-So thankful for that and the way everyone spurred me to go on - even when I felt like giving up. Many things have happened in my life since I took that hiatus. My son got engaged right before Christmas and the wedding is coming up so fast - October 10, 2008. Lesley will make a wonderful wife to my son as well as a Dear Daughter-in-law. I was also happy that my son does not share his mother's fear of commitment.

I thought that 2008 would be a year for New Beginnings. I was so happy to see 2007 end as it was not a banner year for me. However, I did attain remission from NHL and I thought that I buried that box so deep, that I would never have to open it again.

In January, my mother was rushed to the hospital with pneumonia. In February, I had my three-month check up and everything was fine. In March, Mom went back to the hospital with Renal Failure. In April, she went back to the hospital again and this time they diagnosed her with lung cancer -- my heart sank. I spurred her along and told her that she would have to be a warrior because the wedding was coming up and I didn't want to sit in the front pew at the wedding by myself. In May, I went for my six-month check-up and remission continues. I have put this so far behind me, that I goes days and weeks without thinking about it. On June 24th, Mom went back to the hospital with pneumonia again and a Sepsis infection and she was admitted to ICU. I brought her home from the hospital on July 5th and she seemed to be doing rather well. She was spunky, cheerful and happy to be home.

On July 19th, my entire world changed -- My Mother passed away in her sleep. I know death is an inevitable part of life and the natural progression of life is to bury a parent. It closes the Circle of Life, but we are never really prepared for it to happen. It's one of those things that will happen someday, and we hope that someday never comes.

She passed from this life peacefully in her sleep with a smile on her face, in her own home without any monitors, IV tubes, or interference of medical science. It's the way that anyone would dream of going, but I wasn't ready to say good-bye to my mother. Deep down, I know that she is in a better place, forever young and hopefully, running free.

It seems hard to believe that it was only 5 days ago that we buried her. It seems like a lifetime ago. I have taken comfort in the heartfelt condolances and I hold onto my memories like a lifeline to help me get over the pain of losing her. Life as I knew it will never be the same again.

Last year, when I was battling my own demons, I vowed to end every phone call with "I Love You". I also take comfort in knowing that those were the last words I said to Mom before she died.

To fill the void, I hope to get back into quilting. My quilt shop offeres monthly demos the second Saturday of each month and I have attended a few this year with my quilt buddies, Susan and Deb. My DGD, Kylie, has also joined us and she has quite the eye for picking out fabric. The demos seem to really suck you in and I've performed a lot of "Retail Therapy", but not much else. I have worked on a few embroidery projects that I made into pillows -- you can never have enough pillows, in my humble opnion.

I also have another Yorkie, Toby. Toby was Mom's dog and he is now living with us. Bailey is now a big brother and he thinks that Toby is the itch you just can't scratch. I promise to have some pictures next time, too.

If you have made it this far into my blog posting, thank you for listening to me ramble on. I promise to have something for show-and-tell next time I'm here.

Getting Back in the Saddle

What could be a better way to celebrate than getting together with my Quilting Buddies and visiting the our local Quilt Shop.

The Quilter's Hive (http://www.quiltershive.com/) just moved to a bigger and brighter location and we had a great time checking out all of the new stuff. We were there for hours.

Did we buy anything? Is the Pope Catholic?????

We left the shop loaded with ideas, patterns and fabric. It felt so good to fondle fabric again.



On Halloween, "The Garden Buds" got together for our annual Halloween Party Luncheon in the cafeteria. It's hard to tell which Witch was which (if you think that's hard to say - it was really hard to type!!)


I'm in the final countdown to the end of chemo (3 days, 11 hours and 45 minutes). Did you think I was kidding about counting it down? I am so ready for this to be over and behind me.


I have been so extremely tired this time. I have gone from an insomniac on steroids to someone who just cannot stay awake. I'm OK as long as I keep moving, but as soon as I sit for any length of time, I'm sound asleep.

COMPLETE REMISSION!!

The words are finally starting to sink in. I'm almost afraid to say them out loud, but I wanted to share the good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I feel like dancing and crying (tears of joy) all at the same time. The PET scan came back clean. My doctor declared me in Complete Remission - No Evidence of Disease. The 5th cycle of chemo is a memory and only one more to go! The timing could not be better - this will be the most thankful Thanksgiving that I will ever have -- and my wonderful son is cooking dinner. I have a bottle of red wine chilling and I think tonight is the night to crack that sucker open and chill it and kill it!!

I also want to thank each and everyone of you that read my Blog, for your prayers, good wishes, support, and a good swift kick in the behind from time-to-time (you know who you are, LOL), and I appreciate that, too. I couldn't have done it without all of you, the support of my family, my circle of friends, and my good buddy, Bailey.

I just love Queen and I've been playing "We Are The Champions" over and over.....

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and
fortune
and everything that goes with it
I thank you all

But it's been no bed of roses -No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I aint gonna lose...

We are the champions my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions -We are the champions
No time for losers
cause we are the champions of the world

Indian Summer

I thought that I would update my Blog today, when I'm not in that snarky "Predni-Zone".


The weather here has been just gorgeous - almost summer-like with temperatures in the high 70's during the day and cooler Autumn-like weather in the evenings. I felt like I was robbed of summer, but I'm just loving this weather. As a matter of fact, I have been enjoying sitting in the yard with a good book on the weekends and my bottle of Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen and working on my tan. I'm fortunate that I don't burn - and the chemo drugs make you very sun-sensitive, so hello good tan. I, also, love it when you can throw open the windows and air out the house.



Bailey and I went to the Pulaski Day parade on Sunday, 10/14, since the parade route starts about 4-blocks from our house. Bailey really seemed to enjoy the String Bands.







I did survive Hell-Week last week. Both the CAT and PET scans were relatively uneventful. Chugging barium is not my idea of a nutritious breakfast, although, I used to be pretty good at chugging when I was younger. This was not a skill that I ever thought that I would be calling on again! I won't know the results of the tests until Cocktail Time at the Chemo Bar on Wednesday.





I did a little bit of piecing on my "Some Angels wall-hanging. I think I muffed up the bottom wording -- so I'll be ripping that out and redoing it -- or maybe not. Perfectionism is so overrated. I'm anxious to start on the embroidery portion.

Four Down - Two to Go

WOW - As I was just checking my BLOG, I see that the last time I posted was right after Cycle 3. I received this beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friend, Connie and her husband, at my half-way point. Connie has gotten me over some rough hurdles through this whole ordeal, especially when I was being a brat (I know you find that hard to believe.)

Now Cycle 4 is a memory and I only have 2 more times to belly-up to the Chemo bar where all of the cocktails are infused. Once again, I was the first one there and the last to leave. I felt like the greeter at Wal-Mart. I lost count of how many people I said hello and good-bye to.

My doctor actually displayed a sense of humor this time when he delivered the Good News/Bad News - The good news was my blood counts had all jumped back up -- the bad news was that I had to stay for treatment (like he was really going to cut me loose!!) I know this isn't really ha-ha kind of funny, but it was an attempt at humor. I smiled to be nice.

I do have to go for a CAT scan and then the dreaded PET scan on October 17 and I was able to convince the doctor that there was no reason why my head had to go under the machine. I was real persuasive. Once he agreed, I asked if he would write that on the order, and then I would follow through every step of the way (he rolled his eyes as he said he had no doubt that I would follow through). The hospital called today to confirm my appointment and the scheduler wasn't sure if they could do that - so she went to check with the technicians. She came back to the phone laughing and said that the technicians remembered me from last time and YES, they WOULD do it. She also said that she wrote CLAUSTROPHOBIC across the top of the order, highlighted it in yellow and then drew stars around it - so there would be no mistake. I think I like this person. I may have to take her a box of candy.



This was a gift from my friend, Jenny, at The Stitchery. She must want me to get my quilting mojo back as bad as I do. I can't wait to make something with these cute patches and ultra-cute buttons. Any suggestions?


The weather here has been gorgeous. Summer-like during the days and a nice autumn nip in the air in the evenings. I'm still working on my tan. Thanks to chemo, sun-sensitive drugs, and my bottle of Hawaiian Tropic dark tanning lotion, I have the best tan that I've ever had. Hopefully, next summer, I'll only need the Hawaiian Tropic.

WHAT'S ON YOUR SEWING TABLE?

If you are one of my quilt buddies and have made it this far down in the posting, I do have something on my cutting table. The "Some Angels" wall hanging that I traced 3 weeks ago now has the first border sewn on. I have finally turned on my sewing machine and sewn a few seams. I know this doesn't sound like much but I have another little chemo curve ball, peripheral neuropathy, caused by the Vincristine and all of my fingertips are numb down to the first knuckle. This really sucks. I did treat myself to another manicure, so I can at least type with my nails rather than my fingers. Oh, I just can wait for this to be OVER!


I need to get my sewing machine warmed up to work on my granddaughter's Halloween costume. We went to Joann Fabrics last week and picked the pattern and fabric for her costume. She is going to make such a cute gypsy. Then, we went out for dinner. Her father (Sonny Boy) told us that we had a 10 PM curfew. I told sweet granddaughter that I never made a curfew in my life. She kept looking at her watch through dinner, wondering if we would make the curfew. Just to torture her, I said that if we were cutting it too close, that I would ride around the block a few times just so we would be late. She was horrified. Like, Sonny Boy could punish me (he-he). She was determined to make curfew. Her father laughed the next day when I told him the story. You gotta love a kid that respects her father that much!



Just in case you were wondering, Mr. Bailey is doing just fine. He's a little on the tired side here - too tired to even play with his tennis ball. He was probably waiting for me to fetch it.







Here he is waiting for dinner. He likes to watch the carousel in the microwave as it goes around.

Mid-September Already???

I can't believe that it's already the middle of September and over two weeks since my last posting. I must have really been into that Vacation spirit.

Before I get to how much fun I had on vacation, I want to give you an update. I just finished Cycle 3 of Chemo (on 9/12/07) and the doctor has declared me in a "Partial Remission". I'm on Cloud 9!! Please keep those prayers and/or good wishes coming for a "Durable Remission" with Cycle 6, followed by the dreaded CT and PET Scans.

I had a wonderful time vacationing - no set plans, no alarm clock, I enjoyed my garden, worked on my current embroidery project, treated myself to a French Manicure and soaked up lots of sunshine (hey, it's Vitamin C, right?) The weather was picture perfect everyday.

I think Bailey was glad to see me go back to work, since I interfered with his nap schedule. He did get a day at the spa -- a grooming appointment -- and he looks so cute with his new haircut, and just a little bit tired, too.

The "Garden Buds" got together for a birthday celebration at a local tea house and we had a wonderful time at lunch. I was the lucky one, I didn't have to go back to work afterward.

Black-eyed Susan vine

My garden is thriving with the cooler temperatures and a little bit of rain.

The Hyacinth Beans are taking over -- there is actually a chain link fence behind them.

I'm hoping that my "Quilting Mojo" comes back with these cooler temperatures, too. I have actually washed and pressed some FQ's in the hopes of embarking on a new project -- "Some Angels" by Cinderberry Stitches. I have the design all traced and I'm ready to start piecing the patchwork before I begin stitching. I ordered this pattern from my friend, Jenny at The Stitchery in New Zealand. Jenny offers great service with a personal touch. If you get a chance, check out her shop http://www.thestitchery.co.nz/?x=21&y=14.

Saturday In The Park

The next part of this song should say, "I think, it was the Fourth of July". In actuality, it's Labor Day. Where has the Summer of 2007 gone? In my eyes, the summer is officially over on Labor Day or when children go back to school, which is kind of sad. Well, Labor Day Weekend is here and the children started back to school this past Monday.



I don't know if I'll look back and fondly remember the Summer of 2007. Or will I? I have made many life-style changes this summer. I'm perfecting the art of kicking back and relaxing - it's really highly underrated. As I sit on the front porch with my feet propped up, I watch other people acting like moths beating themselves against a flame and I remember that I used to be one of them. If I don't get something done today, it's still going to be there tomorrow or the next day. Is this the "new normal" that they talk about?


My Dear Granddaughter started Middle School this week. When did she grow up to be such a beautiful young lady? Doesn't she look like she should be a model for "Back to School" shopping? It seems like just yesterday that she was just a child. When I look at this picture, I am just filled with awe.



I had a rather unusual visitor in the yard. I was sitting in a lawn chair with my feet propped up on the brick wall (yes, relaxing again), when I thought a twig had blown through my legs. Imagine my surprise, when I bent down to pick it up and saw this guy, just mugging for the camera.


Physically, I showed up for work last week - mentally is still debatable. Sleep still does not come naturally - I have to will myself to sleep. This has my doctor puzzled, so I'm going to let him worry about it. I have a week of vacation scheduled for this coming week and I'm feeling pretty good, too. Time off for good behavior??? I don't have any plans, per se. No alarm clock, no watch, and a nap in the afternoon with Bailey -- he knows all of the coolest spots in the house. Then, it's back to work for two days and my 3rd round of chemo -- the Half-Way point!! Woo-Hoo!

Ooh Child Things Are Gonna Get Easier

Yesterday's Chemo treatment was a lot easier than the first, although not any shorter. It was a little hairy at the beginning when the vein in my hand blew and it is a beautiful shade of turquoise, but that was the only set back. Turquoise is my favorite color. Once again, Sonny Boy stayed with me, which made the time pass rather quickly and he even went on a chocolate-run to the vending machine. God, I love that kid!!

Yes, I really did wear my "Doesn't Play Well With Other's" T-shirt and it got a lot of chuckles from my medical team. They felt duly warned.

Since the prednisone regiment has started again, I was up at the crack of dawn this morning. Mr. Bailey got up with me, but wasn't too happy to leave his nice warm spot on the bed, however, he was so afraid that he would miss something - so he came downstairs with me and proceeded to pace around the kitchen table.


At 5AM, there really isn't much to do, so I decided to paint my fingernails. When I went in search of the nail polish, Mr. Bailey decided that he needed my cup of coffee more than I did, if we were going to get up at these ungodly hours. Doesn't he look bright-eyed and bushy tailed now?

Having a Great Week

Sorry that I haven't been posting, but I have really been having a whirlwind of a week and feeling great, too.


Well, last week started off kind of traumatic. Needless to say, bandannas and baseball caps are now a few new accessories that I've added to my wardrobe. I don't recognize the person that I see in the mirror, so the new accessories really help.

Part of the MAGIC is that I get to decide what illusion of me that I want people to see. I'll have plenty of time to perfect my craft. I'm also glad that I'm kind of artsy - so I can perform some more magic with make-up. Now, where is that handsome prince? Or, doesn't he get up as early as I do? I still want the fairy tale!!!

Enough said. I'll just move on to the fun stuff.

My Mom, Granddaughter and I had a "Girls Day Out" last Wednesday. We went to lunch at the Macaroni Grill and made a toast to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". I don't think we ever stopped laughing the rest of the day. We had a great waiter that insisted on singing to us from our salad order to the progress of our meal and every time he went passed the table. He even sang to us as we were leaving.


Then, we went shopping at the Christmas Tree Shop, which just opened here a few weeks ago. We had a cartful of stuff that we didn't know we needed. This is a great place to separate you from your money. Then, it was like Christmas when we got home and started unwrapping all of our treasures.




On Saturday, I spent the day with my very best and dearest Friend, Judy. We went shopping, had a nice leisurely lunch, more shopping, and then we sat in Starbucks having coffee and talking about everything under the sun. The greatest part of having a best friend is the freedom to let Me be Me. No pressure to say what people want to hear. And, boy did we talk.....




Judy gave me this beautiful basket which is perfect for holding my embroidery project. It makes me smile because Judy knows what a "Basket Case" I have been these past few months - so this basket means so much. Thank you, Judy.




On Sunday, Sonny Boy, came over for dinner. It was just the two of us and it's so nice to have him all to myself at times. He also brought me the first two cucumbers from his garden. I had started the plants from seeds and insisted that he plant them and now we are reaping the rewards.


Today was supposed to be Chemo Day (can you believe it's been 3 weeks already?), but they didn't have a nurse to do the infusion, so I have a day reprieve. Any good thoughts coming my way will be greatly appreciated.



Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my friend and fellow-blogger, Mrs. Staggs http://ahappymiscellany.typepad.com/ for all of her kindness and good wishes that she has directed my way. I'm going to be dancing in those new shoes really soon, Lena - just like Cinderella.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

"The only thing constant in life is change."

—Francois de la Rouchefoucauld, French classical author

I feel like in the past few weeks that I have had to make numerous changes in my life - some good and some I would not have made had I not been backed into a corner. I've had to cut out caffeine and I actually eat breakfast now. I can't have any salad (and all of that produce just begging to be eaten). Thankfully, we've been getting quite a bit of rain, so my garden still looks pretty good since I've been neglecting it. Everything I try to do takes so much longer than it used to. I've had to change how I brush my teeth and how often , however, my dentist should be happy about that. The baking soda rinse is doing wonders for my mouth, I might add. I can't have any spicy or salty foods (bummer), but I'll save that up for when all of this is all over. Thanks, Ann (Ancient One) for the tip on slathering Miracle Whip on everything -- not the Miracle I was looking for, tho! I almost feel like I have been dropped into someone else's life, but everything looks so familiar.

Sleep still eludes me - I can only sleep for two hours at a time. I'm 11 days into this "commitment" and I thought I would "crash and burn" by now. Poor, Mr. Bailey, he has given up on me and just stays in bed while I do my middle of the night rendezvous'. I came home from work the other night and Mr. Bailey was not sitting in the window waiting for me. I couldn't find him. I searched the downstairs, even looked in the backyard (I've been a tad forgetful but I couldn't imagine forgetting him), back through the house, called upstairs. No Bailey. Finally, I walked into my bedroom and there he was still sound asleep on my bed. I scared him - he jumped straight up in the air; then started jumping around like he was so glad to see me. Some watchdog he is!!!!

I did manage to stay all day at work this week and this was a nice diversion. I can't seem to multi-task like I used to - I have to concentrate on one thing at a time, otherwise, I'll forget. I used to be a finger-popping, can't wait an extra second kind of gal. I think "they" killed off some of my brain cells, along with the cancer cells; or else I have a small pinhole size leak in my head. I seem to have a thought on each side of my brain, but when it tries to come together...pssssst, it leaks through the hole. Then, every once in a while, I have an brainstorm - and damn, I'm astounded.

I am still being showered with gifts - and I kind of like it, she says guiltily. I'm amassing quite a collection of angels, but these Angels with Attitude are my personal favorites. I also received a T-shirt from another friend that knows me soooo well that says "Doesn't Play Well With Others" and she wants me to wear it to my next chemo appointment - so everyone will be duly warned. LOL!

Being an adult, you learn to buffer your thoughts. You are thinking one thing and saying what the person wants to hear is usually what comes out of your mouth. I think I lost that buffer (hopefully, this is only temporary), because whatever I'm thinking comes right out my mouth before I can stop it. WOW, you should see some of the reactions that I get. (he-he) Ooops, must be the chemo!!

I'm going to try to have some sewing kits ready for when I can't sleep. Spending time in my sewing room has been non-existent. I think maybe I don't want any part of sewing/quilting related to chemo. That's mine and cancer is not going to take that, too.