Sunny Sunday....again!

Up and busy early....feeding the dogs, vacuuming the house and getting the kayak out. Barb came and we loaded the kayak on her truck and then we were off to Hopeville to meet the gals.

We paddled across the pond and got as far as the Pachaug River when the gals got tired so we turned around and headed back. We were out there for about two hours.

Charmine, Pat, Deanna and Lorraine came back to the house and we cooked out. Hamburgers, salad, corn on the cob and baked beans. We had a good time eating on the deck. First time this year we were able to do that! Afterwards we all went up to Buttonwood Farm for ice cream. I can only eat half a cone, if there is such a thing...it's so rich! Then we all went our separate ways. Sandy and I wandered around Pachaug pond for a bit, checking out houses down there.

When we got home we sat out back for awhile, listening to the birds and watching the dogs running around in the yard. Truman was busy with something by the shed....Bubbles got in trouble for eating poop and ran off to the deck to sulk; Lily lay down next to us and Rocky raced around strictly for the joy of running. It was a very nice evening.

Tonight I get to bed early, I hope...and I hope I can sleep. Tomorrow Katie and the kids arrive from Phoenix. I'm going to meet Bob at the airport and then drive back to his place, following them. We can't all fit in the car together I don't think. I'll help them get settled at the hotel and then head home. Tuesday I'll go up to Bob's for breakfast with the kids and Katie....before I have to go to the doctor with Bob Miller.

So...I may not be posting here for awhile...I'll be busy with Katie and the kids and Bob...we hope to go boogey-boarding at the beach one day....and I have to take them shopping for Red Sox and Patriots and UConn gear for everyone. We're also talking about going to Gillette's Castle one day...maybe going on the steam train trip too....we'll see.

Anyway, I'll write when I come up for air!

Nighty night....

Fourth of July

Big day today....woke up to sun shine...nice. Last night, just as I put my book away and rolled over to shut out the light, my glasses fell apart! So, this AM I had to hike down to WalMart to get them fixed. Since they were still under warranty they gave me a whole new frame! Wow! I was hoping for just a new bow.

I got home just in time to get up to Joanne and Mike's and hope on the trailer for the annual Fourth of July "tractor parade" that this neighborhood is famous for. It was a small-ish parade this year, only about six tractors. We went to Amanda Lane for the formation of the parade and met the new people who just moved into the house that Deb used to live in. Surprise! The new people are Karen Lauk and her fiancee....I know Karen from the old Camp Bark. So it was like old home week.

The parade took about an hour, wending our way through all the cul de sacs and waving at all the kids and neighborhood dogs. We threw candy out to the kids. I learned more about the neighbors and met some new people. Linda, who lives across from Carol and Mark, told me that her husband built our house. This info may come in handy someday. Maybe he can explain the mysterious wiring in the house. We have wall switches that aren't connected to anything.

OUCH! The fireworks next door just started with a HUGE BANG! We've been dreading the start of the fireworks all day, ever since we heard about the plans. We considered taking the dogs out for a ride into the Pachaug forest--we figured no one would be setting off fireworks there...but we are too tired to be out riding around.

I turned the volume on the tv up...hoping this masks most of the sounds. Probably wishful thinking. We're listening to House Hunters at 75% volume...deadly.

After the parade I went to Mike and Joanne's for awhile...they had a little cookout. It was nice visiting with them and Joanne's Mom...she of "mussell making" fame. She agrees that we should do two mussell making parties a year...one in Sept and one in April. Joanne has two pans of mussells in her freezer and cooked some up for us. YUM!

Then I went home, collected Sandy, who was having some wheezing problems (first time in a long time) and we went up to Barb and Mary's for another cookout. I went swimming (for about two minutes) while Mary lounged in a blow-up recliner in the water. The kids had water balloons and one of them got her right in the mouth. She handled it well though and then we all watched as she manuevered her way out of the recliner and onto the dock and then into her artificial leg. She asked me to hold her leg and protective sleeve, telling me not to let them get wet--as she was getting out of the water. I got her in line by threatening to throw the works in the pond. She shaped up fast, let me tell you!

Then she let me drive her around in her golf cart. What fun! I even drove the cart down the "nature trail" through the woods, where we spotted trees and even a squirrel!

Barb and Mary have a "party boat"--one of those pontoon boats. I have to go out in it someday. Sandy's chest was hurting so we had to leave early, before we could get a ride. There was a concern that they were going to run out of gas, so I'm kind of glad we didn't go out. Although I did have baked beans...so there would have been plenty of gas, if you know what I mean.

We got to meet Barb's kids and grandsons. Very nice family. We also had a nice conversation with Michael and Doreen, who rent the cottage next door to them every year. Michael is a big UConn fan (both teams) so we had lots to gab about. He is a hotel manager and I would have loved to hear his stories...but Sandy was really hurting so I took her home.

Sandy is okay now. She did a breathing treatment and the air conditioning helped.

I'm going kayaking with Deanna, Lorraine, Charmine and Pat tomorrow. They were making plans to kayak at Hopeville Pond and asked me to join them. Sandy can't go, so I invited Barb to come with us. She met Charmine last week at the Relay and they got along. I doubt there's anyone in this world who WOULDN'T get along with the two of them!

So, Barb is coming at 11:30 to load my kayak on her truck and we'll meet the rest of them at Hopeville. After we're done we'll cook out at our place. Jean and Frank may come up to help Sandy put the doggie pool up...now that the heat is here (we hope)...the doggies will need to swim. It will be good for Rocky's rehab too....wonder if we'll be able to get him to swim. Bubbles and Truman are really "un-Russell-like" in that regard. They love the water and most Russells do not!

I hope I can get Sandy to tolerate, at least, my desire to have company over to cook out. Tomorrow will be fine--her parents will be here after all. But I'd love to have Barb and Mary over, and Mike and Joanne, and Carol and Mark and other folks too....

We'll see. She's grudgingly (is that a word?) accepting the fact that we're having the Open House next month....maybe there's hope that we can entertain at other times.....

The explosions are getting louder...the dogs are barking furiously....but no one is cowering in fear. The fun is just beginning...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!! AND MANY, MANY, MANY MORE!!!!

Nighty night!

Computers in general suck....

Can't live with them...can't shoot them. I finally got the laptops working with the new modem/wireless set-up...but my PC upstair is acting up...horribly! Now the printer doesn't work; I can't get AOL to load...let alone go online; and I can't load my McAfee to see if it's a firewall problem. Guess I'll have to break down and call Dell tomorrow.

We had a hella bad night last night with Lily. It started storming and she went all bull-shit about it....as usual. She paces, panting and drooling all over the place. She climbs up on our bed, shaking the whole bed with her panting. We tried everything, medication, gentle leader, ignoring her, etc. But when she tried to climb UNDER the bed I said "enough!" and went downstairs.

Lily, Bubbles and Rocky came with me. I set up in Sandy's recliner, by the windows with them open so I could hear the rain. It POURED so hard...it was like someone was on the roof with a fire hose, I swear.

Well...Lily didn't stop her shenanigans, as if she would just because she was downstairs! She finally went back up and I was able to fall asleep with Bub on my lap and Rocky at my feet. I went back up to bed around 6am and didn't really sleep well at all. The result is that I felt icky all morning.

In the afternoon, the sun came out and I got back out in the front yard, pulling weeds and trimming bushes. It looks great out there, even though I'm not finished. I did make a big dent in the work. It felt good to be out there working...I managed to work for two hours solid.

I think that we are going to put a big kennel upstairs for Lily. When it storms we'll get her in there and cover it up with a blanket to make it dark in there. That's what Carol and Mark do with Landry and it works. She now goes into the kennel when the storm comes. I hope we can find something that works. It hurts to see her so anxious and scared...not to mention how it robs us of sleep.

Lynne's Mom is in rehab now and Lynne is back home. She is exhausted. I hope she can get some rest...she's earned it!

I did well at work yesterday...doing physicals with three students...I thought it would be two but there was an extra student and I ended up working with him. The doctor I worked with was one I have had problems with in the past...I was bummed when I saw that I was stuck with him again...but he and I had a chance to talk a bit and I like him more now. It also helped that he wasn't on the phone or answering his pager the whole time like he has done in the past to me.

Afterwards I drove up to Enfield to Marie and Don's to deliver the prize they won at the Relay Raffle. Thanks to the GPS I was able to find their house...and dropped the package off...they weren't home from work yet.

Because I had noted an accident in the south bound lanes of I 91 on my way up....I asked the GPS to find me an alternate route. It took me through the fields and farms of Ellington...a beautiful ride which reminded me of the summer I went to stay with my best friend Deb Lovett who had moved to Ellington. Then when I got to Vernon I hopped on I84 and headed home from there.

I got a check from work today...nice. Reminds me of how much I want to get back to work.

Well, I'm going to watch Rescue Me that I have saved on the dvr. Love that show!

Nighty night!

ATT SUCKS!!

So ATT sent me the new modem to use. And it didn't work. Then they had a guy come over to get the phone jack turned on....now (allegedly) my computer doesn't recognize the new modem so it can't connect to the internet. Since my PC is the gateway to my wireless network for the two laptops...we can't connect remotely...we have to bring the laptops upstairs and plug the modem directly into them. IT SUCKS!

Hopefully we will get this straightened out....soon! It's a royal pain in the tuchus!

Lynne's Mom fell Saturday night and broke her hip....she had surgery yesterday...hopes to be in rehab somewhere around here in CT on Thursday. Lynne is staying at her Mom's house (in Brooklyn NY) until that happens...so no Ikea and lobster for us today. Her birthday WILL go on and on, just as I predicted!

The Relay was a huge, if somewhat, soggy, success. Jean, Sandy, Lynne, Mary Anne and Carol joined me in the Survivor Lap and then they held a Caretaker Lap and we all walked in that one...that was a nice touch. They gave me a Survivor Pin to go along with my Survivor T-shirt and also "Caretaker pins" to give to people who helped me most. I gave all of them a pin and gave one to Marie too...when she came later in the day---for knitting all those hats. I'm going to give one to Linda too...she made hats and that fabulous "stitches pillow" with all the covers that go with it.

Our team exceeded our goal of $4,000 sometime last week. On Relay day we turned in another $500 or so. And Maria still has to collect from some people! I think we may get close to the $5,000 mark! WOOOHOOO!

We had so many new walkers this year: Tammy and Emily came from Rhode Island...I had met them one day at a chemo session...Tammy and I shared a chemo room; Russ Boulet and his Mom, Bonnie and Bob joined us...although I didn't get to talk to them very much...it was very hectic when they arrived; Annette came and spent most of the night with us...she walked off andon; Suzanne St. Dennis (the area's best dog trainer) walked and had fun--and really helped by donating two eight week sessions of dog obedience classes for the raffles! AND BARB!! WOW!! Barbara Lukens, our real estate agent---and new friend, collected a boat load of donations and walked off and on all night. She took a nap in the middle of the night, got up, walked again then went home. She came back later in the AM to help me pack up the tent, screenhouse and the rest of the equipment. Janet came back and helped too...they are the greatest!

Special thanks to Jessica, Annette, Barb and Charmine who stayed all night and walked through the night. I walked some, but they really walked! I think we had someone on the track all day and night, until about 7am...when I started packing stuff up.

Big thanks to Russ and Co; Steve; Don and Marie; Anne Marie and Suzanne, for walking in the heat...I can't do it!

Maria, Cathy and Karin showed up at 8pm to walk....in the gymnasium it turned out---as the lightning was so bad, they made us all go inside. This is the first year they joined the team. Maybe next year they will stay over night...at the relay or at the house. It was great seeing them there.

I came home, unpacked my car; took a shower and crashed around 11:30 am...woke up at 6pm. Got up and ate...then crashed again...all night. Yesterday I was all wiped out still and just rested. But today I got up and worked outside...in the heat. I trimmed some bushes out front, pulled weeds and generally neatened it up out there. It had gotten to "jungle-like" proportions out there with all the rain, etc. I was able to do more than half of the front in a couple of hours and then stopped as I could feel the heat getting to me. I'll finish it on Thursday. There isn't as much to do as today's job. It did feel good to be working out there again....like a normal human being!

Tomorrow I go to work in Hartford, doing physical exams with the interns coming in for the summer to St. Francis Hospital. Afterwards I will drive up to Enfield to deliver the raffle prize Marie won...a fabulous vacation package to Mt. Monadnock region. It's got everything in it!

Thursday I hope to be back out in the yard...as long as the weather holds.

So, I may not post again here for awhile....maybe not until the ATT situation gets resolved.

CONGRATULATIONS to all my old co-workers who are now officially retired! You're going to LOVE IT!

Nighty night

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 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!

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.