Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Happy Birthday Lynne!

Today is Lynne's birthday...we're going to go out and celebrate it next week. So her birthday celebration will go on and on....

Tomorrow they come to hook-up the Direct TV...which means tonight I'm trying to watch all the shows that I have saved on the DVR. Went through the "Rescue Me" and "The Office" episodes, now working on the last chapter of the HBO special on Alzheimer's. It is the second most feared disease in the US, after cancer. I can understand that.

Robin gave me a great massage today, complete with guided imagery that was wonderful! My neck "popped" once and I swear that I felt it "give"....letting go of tension. I think I need at least one more massage to really get it all cleared up. I have to work on not letting my anxiety and tension go to my shoulders and neck....a lifetime habit.

I felt really tired and slightly ill before I went to see Robin...felt good while I was there and then that feeling returned as I drove home. We were supposed to go to Jean's...but I stayed home instead. Bubbles didn't want to go either so the two of us are keeping each other company. However, now she regrets not having gone with Sandy...she is lying on the carpet by the back door, whining. Next time I won't listen when she tries to stay home...she's going.

I called down there and heard that Rocky is busy playing with Nami...they charge at each other and Rocky is so small he can scoot under Nami. I wish I was there to see that. So funny.

MAFO developed an infection and had to go back into surgery. She's back at Bridebrook now, on antibiotics for the next two weeks....then she'll move in with Robin. I'm going to bring down the toilet seat and the grab bar for her to use when she goes to Robin's. Judy called tonight to report all this and let me know that the toilet seat needs to be delivered...so I'll bring it down next week. She said MAFO's spirits are high. I'll call her tomorrow.

Katie and I have been conversing about the tickets. She's trying to deal with the airlines about the seating assignments. She can't be separated from the kids as they have done on the reservations they sent us. I still don't understand why they did this when they knew the ages of the kids! STUPID!

Suzanne St. Denis called tonight. She is coming tomorrow and will be dropping off two vouchers for six weeks of obedience classes, for our Relay team to donate to the raffle table at the Relay for Life this Saturday. I'm going to put a lot of tickets in to win those vouchers! That's a big prize. I'll be taking Rocky to Obedience classes when she starts up the Beginners class in August, I could use those vouchers. We are also putting together the Doggie Theme basket to raffle...that's always a huge draw at the raffle table. they have lots of great baskets....the Red Sox basket--with tickets to a game in it plus other Red Sox stuff; the spa basket; the scrapbooking basket, etc.

So, if anyone's around NFA on Saturday---drop in and say hi. We'll be in the tent with all the Husky paraphenalia on it...right next to the track. Bring some $$ and buy some raffle tickets...or buy a chance to win a Station 56 (or whatever they call those collectibles) of the Disney Christmas Village collection. We'll be selling chances at the Relay.

Well, I have to concentrate on this Alzheimer's program...it's very interesting.

So I'll say:

Nighty night.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Tuesday and again it rains!

Okay, it's official...I am SICK of this weather! Good thing it's going to change soon, otherwise I'd have to beat the weatherman senseless!

Yesterday I just sort of collapsed from all the action from last week and the weekend. I know that I'm getting the Avastin when I go for chemo...I have all the side effects back again. They come on strong for a few days right after the chemo and then slowly fade the further away I get from the chemo day...then it's time to get the chemo again. The side effects are manageable...but they are definitely there. The one that gets me the most is the fatigue...but when I look back on it, I was able to do alot despite the fatigue...so it is getting better!

This AM I got out of bed at 10:30 and took the two Sweethearts...Bubbles and Rocky...for a walk. We stayed in the neighborhood...saw only two cars the whole time we walked. Another reason to love this neighborhood...it is so nice for walking. The two of them walked very nicely together, with Rocky out ahead all busy busy busy and Bubbles hanging back next to me, happy. They both spotted a star-nosed mole as we were heading back home--it took all my strength to keep them from pouncing on it....I had pity on the poor thing. It finally figured out how to get back up on the lawn (not MY lawn) and took off. It was a big 'un and I praised the two Russells for spotting it.

We walked for a little over a half hour and it left me tired...not pooped, but tired. I have a ways to go.

I made airline reservations for Katie and the kids to come home next month. Bob and Mike are putting them up at the King's Inn...the little house in Ballouville can't handle three kids and Mom. I can't have them here because of the dogs, so the hotel is the next best thing. I was ticked off to see that the airlines didn't give them seats together. For crying out tears they know that it's a mother and three children! Don't they use their heads? Katie will have to call the airlines and get that straightened out.

We're switching from cable to satellite dish. Metrocast is too expensive and we don't get a lot of what we used to get when we lived in Norwich, yet we're paying more than what we paid there. So, we are switching to ATT--Direct TV and to them for our internet connection too. They sent the new modem and I tried to hook it up. Of course it hooks up to a phone line--not the cable line--and of course, the phone outlet next to the computer doesn't work for some odd reason. So now I have to have ATT come out and activate that outlet. There's always something!

I am thinking about getting us I-phones...the new version. I look on the ATT site and we are eligible for "special rates" on them because we are eligible for upgrade. So I look at their rates---$299! Then I look on the Apple site...they are selling them for $199! Then I check out Walmart's site....$197! What the hell???? Some special rate ATT has....

I got two surprises in the mail this week. First Cathy Deleware sends me two editions of the "Downeast Dog News" a newspaper her sister sent her. You can check it out at downeastdognews.com. It's from Maine, of course, and it has all sorts of articles and information about dogs. I wish we had that much interest in dogs down here...although I hear that the dog park continues to be packed. I think we need another dog park in the immediate area...to help reduce the crowded conditions at the Norwich park. Thanks Cathy and sister! Cathy's sister has dogs and 10 cats! WOW! The most we ever had was six cats and three dogs. Although when I was in high school or college we once had five adult cats and something like 12 kittens! We didn't keep them all though. That was back in the day when people knew nothing about spaying and neutering....

The second surprise arrived in the mail box today...and I have no idea who sent it. The return address said it was from a "sneaky friend" so I THINK it might be someone from our agility club...which is called SNEAK....but then again my first thought was that it was from Sue. The package contains a bag of ginger slices (I eat these just about every day for my stomach); a candy bar of crystallized ginger in dark chocolate---a combination of two of my favorites and a rubber chicken on a key chain kind of thing...it's called the "chicken and egg"....when you squeeze the chicken an egg bulges out of it's butt! So whoever sent this to me knows I eat ginger, love dark chocolate and appreciates crudeness more than the average Joe. I think I'll put the chicken on the strap of my dress purse!

OMG...I just looked closer at the chocolate/ginger bar and it says, "Chocolove" and "a love poem inside"...hmmmmm.......

Tomorrow I have an appointment for a massage with Robin at L&M. It's free because I'm a patient of the clinic there. My neck is still bothering me, although if I take the muscle relaxer before I go to bed, I'm able to fall asleep with no problem. Before, it was so hard to get comfy on the pillow. I know the massage is going to help break up the tension that is in there. I'm going to ask Robin to really lean into it!

We're going to Sandy's Mom's for dinner I think. Actually, I think we're going to be making dinner. And I think I remember Sandy saying something about the kids...so maybe they will be coming up too. I hope so. Ryan graduated from Jr High tonight....it doesn't seem possible.

Okay...I just broke down and tried the chocolate bar. It's VERY good...but the ginger taste doesn't come through as much as I thought it would. There is a love poem inside the wrapper....it's by Theodore Roethke and it's from "The Dream" whatever that is....it's nice.

The plot thickens.

Nighty night!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Father's Day and Family Get-togethers

Went to Boston yesterday to pick up Maria. I picked Bob Miller up in Putnam, then we went to Phil's, got him and he drove my car up to Boston. After a brief "pit stop" at Maria's apartment we piled back in the car and headed over to Cafe Polonia....a place where Maria and I had pigged out last fall....just before I got sick.

I remember that I was so tired that day we went to eat there...I thought something was wrong...but I thought it was allergies, or something else. Ever since I've been thinking about going back when I felt healthy. Last night was the night.

We all ordered different things and we shared everything. Maria had pickle soup (delish!); Phil had cabbage soup I think--I didn't try that. I had something called white borscht---it was fabulous! We split a plate of mixed pierogies--cheese, meat, cabbage--it was great. Then for our entrees I had half of a fresh kielbasa-with mustard and horseradish; Bob had one of the specials--a big potato pancake with stuff inside--and a sunny side up egg on top; Maria had a veal cutlet I think and Phil had goulash with a bread thing baked on top.

Suffice it to say we left gorged and happy...after we split two desserts. Bob Miller ate everything on his plate and even finished my soup for me!

We headed home to CT...dropped Phil off and drove to Griswold. Bob went right up to bed right away (it was after 9:30)...trying to ignore Bubbles who was snarling at him and trying to lunge out of my arms to bite him. Poor guy.

Maria and I stayed up a bit late...didn't go to bed until after 11:30. I slept with Rocky at my back and Bubbles behind my knees. Nice.

Bob had to get up at 6:30 this morning...of course. He said "I get up at 7:30 every day." I said, "why the hell couldn't you do that THIS morning?" Of course, Bub is barking like crazy--I had to put her in her kennel.

We multi-tasked in the kitchen, feeding the dogs; searing the meat and getting the barbecue sauce made; and getting breakfast ready for Bob and Maria. Thank goodness Maria helped with the whole thing....we managed to get the pets happy; the ribs cooking in the crock pot and the breakfast served and eaten...in time to get Bob to church.

We dropped him off at church and we snuck over to the flea market at the Slater Mill...I haven't been there in ages. Bought some paperbacks--mystery stuff and a "true tales from the US Submarine Service" book--and some prized framed photos---the Sports Illustrated cover that has Diana Taurasi and Emeka Okafor on it---from 2004--when both teams won the championships. The other photo is that famous picture of the Three Stooges, dressed in their knickers for golf. I put both up on the mantel and waited to see if Sandy would notice. She did.

Steve and Phil arrived...Austin came with Phil, a nice surprise. We watched the Sox...Bob had fallen asleep in my recliner before they arrived. Then we all had lunch...the ribs were very tender; Steve brought some good cole slaw and Maria had put together a big pasta salad.

Now, if you have managed to stick with this posting to this point, you will be "rewarded" with your second invitation to our house on Saturday, August 8th. We're having an open house that day from 1-5pm. Nothing fancy, we'll be serving hot dogs and hamburgs and related items. Come by...say hello, visit with old friends for awhile and then leave! HA HA! It would be great to see you.

If you stuck with this and know someone who didn't, but who would like to come to the Open House...feel free to let them know about this. I'm not sending out invites...just going to post it in various places and we'll see who shows up.

Here is the address: 60 BMW Drive Griswold CT It's not far down Rte 138 from Ocean State Job Lot...heading towards Voluntown. As a matter of fact, it's the first right after you pass OSJL. About a quarter mile down the road on the right---there will be no street sign....they keep stealing it.

So there...I did it. I invited folks over.

Regarding Father's Day...my Dad's memory is failing fast now. He has trouble remembering his grandchildren and I know that it won't be long before he doesn't remember who we are. I got out old pictures from when he was in high school---going to St Mary's Camp--and he loved that. He remembered the people in the pictures, where it was taken, etc. That's how it goes...the old memories remain, but he couldn't remember what we did yesterday today. It's all good. He's happy and that's all that matters. And he finished all that ice cream cone we got him for dessert up at Buttonwood Farm.

Nighty night.