Okay, I admit it...I think I'm getting some chemo in these new sessions. My blood pressure is still up, I still have the diarrhea (despite being on Lomotil); I'm very tired today and I just feel "different." Sandy is now sure I'm getting the Avastin. I'm getting to that point too.
I did well yesterday, once again I drove up and back. Lynne is a trooper, she shows up at 8am and comes with me. She helps me remember what I need to ask about when I'm there.
Oh, that's another symptom I had yesterday afternoon, I got all "fuzzy in the head," and I don't mean my hair...even though that is quite fuzzy! No, I mean I coudn't think straight. Sandy was asking me something and I couldn't remember, concentrate and respond appropriately...for awhile. She let me be for a bit and then we got the conversation started and finished later.
I'm nibbling on the matzos that Lynne brought for me...she says it will help with the diarrhea. I hope so.
Anyway, it was a short session yesterday. Met a nice 80-something year old who was getting one med like me. She has ovarian cancer but they can't operate because of her heart. So they are giving her chemo.
Jason (Dr. Lachance) came in to say goodbye. He felt bad about the way I had found out about his departure for Maine. He was going to tell me some time back, but because my treatment schedule got out of whack so much, he missed the opportunity. It's okay. I will miss him, but I think he came into my life for a reason--to do the surgery that would help me get rid of the cancer. He did that and now it's time for him to move on to do things to help other people. I'm not saying he didn't help anyone else, but I do believe things happen for a reason and there is some special reason why he needs to go now.
I brought my camera, hoping I would see him yesterday. Lynne took a picture of me with him and I took one of her with him. Then last night, neither picture would download to my computer! I'm going to take the picture card out and try to download it with Sandy's camera. It figures though, doesn't it?
I made Lynne a breakfast/lunch to thank her for going with me. She has done so much to help me and Sandy....I can tell another lobster dinner is in the future!
I'm waiting to hear back from my cousin Phyllis, I emailed her to see if we could meet at IKEA next week. I hope so...it has been so wonderful meeting ALL my cousins thus far, the ones here and the ones in Sweden. I can't wait to meet her...and take her around IKEA. She lives in New Haven and hasn't been to IKEA!! Man, I'd be there every week!
Rocky had the pin removed from his femur and he is back home now "resting." He is so sweet, I had him on my lap and Bubbles came up and licked his wound, where the stitches are. He leaned over and kissed her! He's still dopey from the anaesthesia...poor thing. I guess he had a ball playing with Patty's dogs and a baby pug (8 weeks old) who was at the vet's...it belongs to one of the techs. Patty said he was good with the puppy.
Today is his birthday. Sandy says she thinks he would be a good therapy dog...I was telling her about the terrier mix they had at the Cancer Ctr. yesterday...going around with his hospital ID badge around his neck! I agree, Rocky is the type of little love who would be a great therapy dog.
He has to be "quiet" for two more weeks...and then he can run free in the back yard. I hope that Truman gets over himself and starts to play with Rocky. If Truman does, then Bubbles will too. If they don't, we will bring Rocky to other places so he can play with other dogs. He deserves to have that kind of fun activity.
Sandy slept for a couple of hours and then she took off for Wrentham with Truman. Bubbles was supposed to go too, but we agreed that since she was going alone on little sleep (I was going to drive her today) it was best that I keep the other ones at home today. Tomorrow Jean will go with her and all the dogs will go---I have to stay home for the Sun game at 4pm.
Did I say how I got Sandy to go to Russell's Ribs Thursday on the way home from my appointment? She got a HUGE beef short rib and I got a dinner item--spare ribs and a split chicken. She and I had it for leftovers yesterday and I'll be eating more today and tomorrow...a lot of food. If you go to Russell's, don't bother getting the potato salad--it says "egg base" but there was no egg in it...tasted like something they got at a store, not something they made. Their fries aren't that great either. I did like the onion rings that Sandy ordered. They are HUGE so you don't get that many...but the ones you do get are very good. Next time I'll try the barbecued baked beans and the sweet potato fries. The corn bread is very tasty.
So ends my latest restaurant review. If I ran the place, I'd have better potato recipes....I'd have fresh cut fries--like you get at Ray's at the Woodstock Fair; and I would have great potato salad. No store bought stuff.
I've been watching "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" too much....and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares--I insist on fresh, homemade and local!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROCKET aka ROCKY!!! You are a little LOVE! Been with us for only a short time, but I'm already crazy about you.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Busy week. Tuesday I went to Meriden and met cousin Barbara and her husband Harvey. Interestingly, we pulled into the parking lot beside each other at the same time. We went out to have lunch and Barbara brought lots of pictures of the family, including pictures of my great grandparents in Sweden, pictures of the island where they lived, their house, and all of my grandfather's sisters! It was so cool, seeing those pictures.
It was especially cool seeing the pictures of the family home, which we visited when I went to Sweden, but the house itself wasn't there any more. We had our picture taken (Lilian, Birgitta and I) standing next to the where the well was...and I saw the well in one of the pictures Barbara had!
We went to the convalescent home to visit Jerry and Ruth, Barbara's brother and sister. We took Ruth out for dinner and then they dropped me back at the hotel to get my car, I was starting to fade.
I stayed up too late (excited I guess) and I was absolutely ill when I finally went to bed around midnight. But it was all worth it to meet Barbara, Harvey, Ruth and Jerry....what a day! They are wonderful people and it felt so comfortable being with them, just as I felt comfortable when I was with Birgitta and Mats and Lilian.
Yesterday we slept late...YAY! Got up, had breakfast around 11:30 and then it was off to pick up Pixie and take her to the airport. Dropped her off and took a nap when I got home...everything was catching up to me. Got up and went to the SNEAK meeting at the barn with Sandy. We brought Rocky, who had a great time socializing with everyone and their dogs. He was soooooo happy to see Patty and Todd, I thought he would wiggle right out of his skin!
Today we went to Providence to see Dr. Lachance...got there and found out that he wasn't there! They had messed up in scheduling me for the appt. So, I saw Wendy the nurse practitioner who has been working with him. She did a pelvic exam on me and said she can't feel anything that would be a concern. I asked her about my last CT scan...it came out clean as a whistle! YAY!
Then I asked about the value of having another surgery to have the rest of my "works" removed, prophalactically (Sp?) She called Dr. DiSilvestro in and he explained to us that studies have found no redeeming value in doing further surgery. If, down the road, there is some reason for concern, then, yes, it may be good to do the surgery, but it is not necessary now.
Before he came in the room Wendy said something to the effect "you will get this again" meaning the cancer, "and when you do, it will be treatable, we know what you respond to". I know the odds are very high that I will get it again, but it's still a shock for me to hear that. I have to continue to remind myself that I am not "home free" yet. I can never say that I am cured completely...unless in the coming years they find a sure-proof cure.
I know that I will have to go for frequent checks and this doesn't bother me at all. But each time I will have to prepare myself that the news may not be good. I do feel confident though, due to how I responded to chemo, that if I do get it again, I will be able to 'beat it" again.
Then, Dr. DiSilvestro says something about Dr. Lachance "flying the coop" and first I think he means he's going on vacation, but I slowly realize he means for good! Yep, Jason is leaving tomorrow to go work in Portland Maine! I can't believe it...the last surgeon I had who was fabulous, Dr. Hemholtz, also "left me" to go to Maine...and Sandy thinks he went to Portland too! This is the second wonderful surgeon I have lost to Portland...I'm thinking there is a conspiracy here!
So, hopefully I will see Jason tomorrow and get to say good-bye and thank him once again for saving my life. I'm going to bring my camera so we can get another picture taken of him and me.....me with my new hair.
I will really miss him, but I like Dr. DiSilvestro too and I trust him as I trust Jason. I am so lucky that things worked out the way they did and I got Jason as my doctor when I needed him most.
Tomorrow Lynne reports here at 8am and we head off to Providence...the fourth time since Saturday that I have been to Providence! Chemo and then we come home.
Sandy is at agility class now and she brought Rocky. He will be going home with Patty tonight, getting x-rayed tomorrow and if all looks good, she will take the pins out of his leg tomorrow when she has free time between calls. I'll go get him if he's done by midnight, after that, Sandy will pick him up on her way home from work.
I miss the little guy already...he is such a sweetheart. It will be interesting to see how Bubbles acts with Rocky gone and how she will react when he comes back.
Gotta check the Sox game....
Nighty night!
It was especially cool seeing the pictures of the family home, which we visited when I went to Sweden, but the house itself wasn't there any more. We had our picture taken (Lilian, Birgitta and I) standing next to the where the well was...and I saw the well in one of the pictures Barbara had!
We went to the convalescent home to visit Jerry and Ruth, Barbara's brother and sister. We took Ruth out for dinner and then they dropped me back at the hotel to get my car, I was starting to fade.
I stayed up too late (excited I guess) and I was absolutely ill when I finally went to bed around midnight. But it was all worth it to meet Barbara, Harvey, Ruth and Jerry....what a day! They are wonderful people and it felt so comfortable being with them, just as I felt comfortable when I was with Birgitta and Mats and Lilian.
Yesterday we slept late...YAY! Got up, had breakfast around 11:30 and then it was off to pick up Pixie and take her to the airport. Dropped her off and took a nap when I got home...everything was catching up to me. Got up and went to the SNEAK meeting at the barn with Sandy. We brought Rocky, who had a great time socializing with everyone and their dogs. He was soooooo happy to see Patty and Todd, I thought he would wiggle right out of his skin!
Today we went to Providence to see Dr. Lachance...got there and found out that he wasn't there! They had messed up in scheduling me for the appt. So, I saw Wendy the nurse practitioner who has been working with him. She did a pelvic exam on me and said she can't feel anything that would be a concern. I asked her about my last CT scan...it came out clean as a whistle! YAY!
Then I asked about the value of having another surgery to have the rest of my "works" removed, prophalactically (Sp?) She called Dr. DiSilvestro in and he explained to us that studies have found no redeeming value in doing further surgery. If, down the road, there is some reason for concern, then, yes, it may be good to do the surgery, but it is not necessary now.
Before he came in the room Wendy said something to the effect "you will get this again" meaning the cancer, "and when you do, it will be treatable, we know what you respond to". I know the odds are very high that I will get it again, but it's still a shock for me to hear that. I have to continue to remind myself that I am not "home free" yet. I can never say that I am cured completely...unless in the coming years they find a sure-proof cure.
I know that I will have to go for frequent checks and this doesn't bother me at all. But each time I will have to prepare myself that the news may not be good. I do feel confident though, due to how I responded to chemo, that if I do get it again, I will be able to 'beat it" again.
Then, Dr. DiSilvestro says something about Dr. Lachance "flying the coop" and first I think he means he's going on vacation, but I slowly realize he means for good! Yep, Jason is leaving tomorrow to go work in Portland Maine! I can't believe it...the last surgeon I had who was fabulous, Dr. Hemholtz, also "left me" to go to Maine...and Sandy thinks he went to Portland too! This is the second wonderful surgeon I have lost to Portland...I'm thinking there is a conspiracy here!
So, hopefully I will see Jason tomorrow and get to say good-bye and thank him once again for saving my life. I'm going to bring my camera so we can get another picture taken of him and me.....me with my new hair.
I will really miss him, but I like Dr. DiSilvestro too and I trust him as I trust Jason. I am so lucky that things worked out the way they did and I got Jason as my doctor when I needed him most.
Tomorrow Lynne reports here at 8am and we head off to Providence...the fourth time since Saturday that I have been to Providence! Chemo and then we come home.
Sandy is at agility class now and she brought Rocky. He will be going home with Patty tonight, getting x-rayed tomorrow and if all looks good, she will take the pins out of his leg tomorrow when she has free time between calls. I'll go get him if he's done by midnight, after that, Sandy will pick him up on her way home from work.
I miss the little guy already...he is such a sweetheart. It will be interesting to see how Bubbles acts with Rocky gone and how she will react when he comes back.
Gotta check the Sox game....
Nighty night!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
Got my flags flying out front.
Yesterday started out slow and ended with a bang. Went back to bed after breakfast..didn't feel well at all. Had a weird thing happen the night before and I still haven't figured it out. Sandy thinks I may have passed out in the recliner...not sleeping passed out, but passed out-passed out.
Whatever it was, I slowly came to...and realized I didn't know what had happened to me. I was soaked with sweat from head to toe and was roasting...like a huge hot flash. I was VERY confused about everything. I was also very weak. I didn't think I was going to be able to get up from the chair, let alone shut the house down for the night and get upstairs to bed. Sandy had left for work and it was almost midnight! The last I knew it was around 11:15 and I was going to get up from the chair and go to bed.
Anyway, I got upstairs and stripped my clothes off...although it seemed to take all my strength to do so. I got a facecloth, wet it and put it on my head...that cooled me off. Then I collapsed in bed and fell asleep.
So, yesterday I didn't feel well and went back to bed. Got up around noon and got busy cleaning the house for our guests who were coming for dinner. Took plenty of breaks and didn't clean everything...realized this AM that I didn't wipe Murphy's paw prints off the window sills in the living room!
Linda, Ted, David and Lynne arrived at 5pm. Lynne lead the guys on the tour of the yard and house for me so I could get the mussells cooked. We finished off the last of the stuffed mussells...as Lynne says, "poor planning" on my part...now we have no mussells left for the summer months! I'll have to get Carol to bring her's over.
We had a nice meal, nice conversation and then we all tried our hand at "Rock Band"....even Ted gamely tried the drums. David is a rebel and wouldn't stop banging on the drums....which was a riot---everytime he banged he set something in the program and when we would try to undo it he would bang on them again, making something else happen! It was like dealing with a two year old...made us laugh and yell at the same time.
Lynne acquitted herself well on the bass....showing that she never wants to repeat her famous "One Percent" performance of before. Linda did well on the drums, saving our butts at least once when we were crashing.
Then we put the toys away and chatted about dogs, life and other things. It was a nice night...the only thing that would make it nicer is if we had be able to eat outside and then have a fire in the chiminea. Maybe soon we can do it again.
After everyone left we went right up to bed, we were both exhausted. Sandy read for awhile and I fell asleep immediately, waking up about forty five minutes later.
Then I couldn't get back to sleep....maybe it was the caffeine in the coffee I had with dessert, or maybe it was the combo of wine, steak, cheesecake, etc., but my stomach was very upset. I ended up getting out of bed, going downstairs to get a glass of milk and later, my anti-nausea medications. I came back to bed and sat up for quite a while, before I dared lay flat. Then I slept fitfully the rest of the night.
I have to clean out the pond a bit...especially the water fall pump and the filter...not looking forward to that dirty task.
I have to admit that I have been having some "symptoms" lately that are a bit of a concern to me: some abdominal pains--shooting pains--like I had before; some bloating; and frequent trips to the bathroom to pee. All signs I need to be wary of. Good thing I'm going to see Dr. Lachance this week. I may just have a URI...I'll ask to be tested. I'm hoping, of course, that it's not the tumors coming back again. We'll see.
Sandy thinks maybe I am getting the Avastin and it made my blood pressure drop and that's what made me have that "incident" the other night, whatever it was. I think she may be right...I may have passed out....it didn't feel like when I fall asleep in the recliner---it was different. I'm not used to passing out so I don't know how to recognize when it's happened...not like Sandy. She's almost a professional at passing out! LOL!
Tonight Jean, Pixie, Carol and Mark are coming over for dinner. Mark will eat and go home...to escape "the women"...that's okay. We'd love to have him...he's such a great guy. But we understand. Sandy is making her famous swordfish. YUM!
Now I have to get outdoors in the beautiful weather and get myself absolutely FILTHY cleaning out that pump and filter. Think I'll wear my apron.
Yesterday started out slow and ended with a bang. Went back to bed after breakfast..didn't feel well at all. Had a weird thing happen the night before and I still haven't figured it out. Sandy thinks I may have passed out in the recliner...not sleeping passed out, but passed out-passed out.
Whatever it was, I slowly came to...and realized I didn't know what had happened to me. I was soaked with sweat from head to toe and was roasting...like a huge hot flash. I was VERY confused about everything. I was also very weak. I didn't think I was going to be able to get up from the chair, let alone shut the house down for the night and get upstairs to bed. Sandy had left for work and it was almost midnight! The last I knew it was around 11:15 and I was going to get up from the chair and go to bed.
Anyway, I got upstairs and stripped my clothes off...although it seemed to take all my strength to do so. I got a facecloth, wet it and put it on my head...that cooled me off. Then I collapsed in bed and fell asleep.
So, yesterday I didn't feel well and went back to bed. Got up around noon and got busy cleaning the house for our guests who were coming for dinner. Took plenty of breaks and didn't clean everything...realized this AM that I didn't wipe Murphy's paw prints off the window sills in the living room!
Linda, Ted, David and Lynne arrived at 5pm. Lynne lead the guys on the tour of the yard and house for me so I could get the mussells cooked. We finished off the last of the stuffed mussells...as Lynne says, "poor planning" on my part...now we have no mussells left for the summer months! I'll have to get Carol to bring her's over.
We had a nice meal, nice conversation and then we all tried our hand at "Rock Band"....even Ted gamely tried the drums. David is a rebel and wouldn't stop banging on the drums....which was a riot---everytime he banged he set something in the program and when we would try to undo it he would bang on them again, making something else happen! It was like dealing with a two year old...made us laugh and yell at the same time.
Lynne acquitted herself well on the bass....showing that she never wants to repeat her famous "One Percent" performance of before. Linda did well on the drums, saving our butts at least once when we were crashing.
Then we put the toys away and chatted about dogs, life and other things. It was a nice night...the only thing that would make it nicer is if we had be able to eat outside and then have a fire in the chiminea. Maybe soon we can do it again.
After everyone left we went right up to bed, we were both exhausted. Sandy read for awhile and I fell asleep immediately, waking up about forty five minutes later.
Then I couldn't get back to sleep....maybe it was the caffeine in the coffee I had with dessert, or maybe it was the combo of wine, steak, cheesecake, etc., but my stomach was very upset. I ended up getting out of bed, going downstairs to get a glass of milk and later, my anti-nausea medications. I came back to bed and sat up for quite a while, before I dared lay flat. Then I slept fitfully the rest of the night.
I have to clean out the pond a bit...especially the water fall pump and the filter...not looking forward to that dirty task.
I have to admit that I have been having some "symptoms" lately that are a bit of a concern to me: some abdominal pains--shooting pains--like I had before; some bloating; and frequent trips to the bathroom to pee. All signs I need to be wary of. Good thing I'm going to see Dr. Lachance this week. I may just have a URI...I'll ask to be tested. I'm hoping, of course, that it's not the tumors coming back again. We'll see.
Sandy thinks maybe I am getting the Avastin and it made my blood pressure drop and that's what made me have that "incident" the other night, whatever it was. I think she may be right...I may have passed out....it didn't feel like when I fall asleep in the recliner---it was different. I'm not used to passing out so I don't know how to recognize when it's happened...not like Sandy. She's almost a professional at passing out! LOL!
Tonight Jean, Pixie, Carol and Mark are coming over for dinner. Mark will eat and go home...to escape "the women"...that's okay. We'd love to have him...he's such a great guy. But we understand. Sandy is making her famous swordfish. YUM!
Now I have to get outdoors in the beautiful weather and get myself absolutely FILTHY cleaning out that pump and filter. Think I'll wear my apron.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday of Long Weekend
Last night I went to the Sun game...sat with Sharon for the last time...boo hoo... She is moving to Louisville this weekend. The Sun beat the Liberty and one of the rookies did really good. Amazing for her first game in the pros! Came home, wrote my article, posted it on the site and then crashed in bed...it was around half past 12.
I could not sleep....my knees were hurting, my legs were hurting...everything was hurting and I couldn't figure out why. Then I remembered that it might have something to do with the fact that I "jogged" a mile and a half in 10 minutes on the Wii! This morning I remembered that I didn't do my stretches after exercising...whenever I skip that step I hurt later.
Today I couldn't figure out why my rib cage and abdomen were sore. Finally remembered that I did the boxing game on the Wii yesterday also...probably used muscles that I haven't used in ages.
Oh well...no pain....
Went to get Terry at Green Airport this afternoon. Carol came with me. We had fun gabbing on the way up and once we picked up Terry, we really yacked...all the way back to Griswold. Took Terry to her son Jim's house in Lisbon, dropped her off after we got the tour of the house. I had Jessica, Terry's daughter-in-law, check out my hair. She is a hairdresser. She says it is good quality hair, no need for me to shave it down. She told me about a fellow hairdresser who had breast cancer who's hair came in fuzzy like mine is. She said that her friend's hair is still short, but it is curly now instead of fuzzy.
My hair grows longer every day. Sandy and I are amazed at how fast it is growing. You can almost see the difference from day to day, I swear. Sandy looked at my hair this morning and said she can see that it grew longer overnight.
It is very fuzzy and I love the way it feels. I keep rubbing it...I can't help it, I love it!
Oh, I saw Scott last night at the game. His friend John has had two season's tickets for ages now and Scott and another guy, Barry, take turns using the second ticket. Got to say hi to John too. He gave me a ticket to see the Huskies, years ago, when they were playing in the regional finals at the Hartford Civic Center--back in 2004, Diana's last games in Connecticut. I'll never forget that.
Scott looks good. He's thinking about retiring...went to the information session they had at UConn. I think he should do it...I recommend it to everyone. He will have no problem finding another job, if that's what he wants to do. I'm sure he'll enjoy the free time to play golf too.
Lots of folks have decisions to make. I say to all of them...go for it! Richard called yesterday---he's going to put his papers in...wise decision. I told him he and I need to go kayaking. I'm looking for kayaking buddies. I want to get out on the water.
Rocky continues to recuperate nicely. He insists on going up and down the stairs when you aren't watching. Silly dog. He and Bubbles are getting closer and closer to being best pals. She is getting used to him. They lie on my lap...he puts his head on her back. Yesterday they were kissing each other...so sweet.
Tomorrow night, Lynne, David, Linda and Ted are coming for dinner. I hope they are up for some Rock Band...I'm going to have Sandy bring it down from the spare room. So tomorrow I have to clean the house and then get the supper prepped for their arrival. We're going to eat good and have lots of fun! Too bad it's supposed to rain...I was hoping we could eat outdoors.
Damn, the Sox just lost again to the Mets...Pabs blew the save--gave up a two run homer in the ninth with two outs. They end up losing by one.
Monday Pixie will be coming up for dinner with us. Jean is coming too....and we've invited Carol and maybe Mark will join her. Sandy is going to make her famous swordfish. Yum Yum and Double YUM!
Now I'm going to enjoy the feeling of having a little doggie asleep on my lap.
Happy 30th Birthday Audrey!
Love you!
Nighty night
I could not sleep....my knees were hurting, my legs were hurting...everything was hurting and I couldn't figure out why. Then I remembered that it might have something to do with the fact that I "jogged" a mile and a half in 10 minutes on the Wii! This morning I remembered that I didn't do my stretches after exercising...whenever I skip that step I hurt later.
Today I couldn't figure out why my rib cage and abdomen were sore. Finally remembered that I did the boxing game on the Wii yesterday also...probably used muscles that I haven't used in ages.
Oh well...no pain....
Went to get Terry at Green Airport this afternoon. Carol came with me. We had fun gabbing on the way up and once we picked up Terry, we really yacked...all the way back to Griswold. Took Terry to her son Jim's house in Lisbon, dropped her off after we got the tour of the house. I had Jessica, Terry's daughter-in-law, check out my hair. She is a hairdresser. She says it is good quality hair, no need for me to shave it down. She told me about a fellow hairdresser who had breast cancer who's hair came in fuzzy like mine is. She said that her friend's hair is still short, but it is curly now instead of fuzzy.
My hair grows longer every day. Sandy and I are amazed at how fast it is growing. You can almost see the difference from day to day, I swear. Sandy looked at my hair this morning and said she can see that it grew longer overnight.
It is very fuzzy and I love the way it feels. I keep rubbing it...I can't help it, I love it!
Oh, I saw Scott last night at the game. His friend John has had two season's tickets for ages now and Scott and another guy, Barry, take turns using the second ticket. Got to say hi to John too. He gave me a ticket to see the Huskies, years ago, when they were playing in the regional finals at the Hartford Civic Center--back in 2004, Diana's last games in Connecticut. I'll never forget that.
Scott looks good. He's thinking about retiring...went to the information session they had at UConn. I think he should do it...I recommend it to everyone. He will have no problem finding another job, if that's what he wants to do. I'm sure he'll enjoy the free time to play golf too.
Lots of folks have decisions to make. I say to all of them...go for it! Richard called yesterday---he's going to put his papers in...wise decision. I told him he and I need to go kayaking. I'm looking for kayaking buddies. I want to get out on the water.
Rocky continues to recuperate nicely. He insists on going up and down the stairs when you aren't watching. Silly dog. He and Bubbles are getting closer and closer to being best pals. She is getting used to him. They lie on my lap...he puts his head on her back. Yesterday they were kissing each other...so sweet.
Tomorrow night, Lynne, David, Linda and Ted are coming for dinner. I hope they are up for some Rock Band...I'm going to have Sandy bring it down from the spare room. So tomorrow I have to clean the house and then get the supper prepped for their arrival. We're going to eat good and have lots of fun! Too bad it's supposed to rain...I was hoping we could eat outdoors.
Damn, the Sox just lost again to the Mets...Pabs blew the save--gave up a two run homer in the ninth with two outs. They end up losing by one.
Monday Pixie will be coming up for dinner with us. Jean is coming too....and we've invited Carol and maybe Mark will join her. Sandy is going to make her famous swordfish. Yum Yum and Double YUM!
Now I'm going to enjoy the feeling of having a little doggie asleep on my lap.
Happy 30th Birthday Audrey!
Love you!
Nighty night
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday--long weekend ahead
Feeling much, much better now! Crashed last night and woke up feeling energized. Did my Wii Fit--"ran" 10 minutes...did 1.555 miles! Not too bad! My Wii Fit age has dropped down to 51--it was 69 last time. I have a ways to go to get it back down in the 30-45 range.
Maria wants a full accounting of our purchases...I'll try.
First of all, we found a new shop in the same shopping center as Reny's...it's a discount clothing place--that has stuff from Coldwater Creek, Ocean Pacific, Lee, Minnetonka, etc.
I think it was closed when we went in January...the woman said "no, we're open all the time" but I doubt they were open when we went, Maria, Anne Marie and I would have been ALL OVER that place!
I got two long-sleeved "Life is good" jerseys. One has a jogger on it, the other has a golfer. I like the feel and fit of them. I also like having long sleeved tees--they are great for early morning and late afternoon-evening in the summer. The only other long sleeved tees I have is one UConn one with a rip in the seam and a Patriots shirt. Those shirts cost $10 each.
I got a jeans jacket with wild colors on the collar, cuffs and breast area. Sandy says "I can see you wearing that jacket." That was a whooping $22!
Then I found some great silk pedal pushers in a nice black on white pattern. Birgitta would love these...great for traveling and in her favorite colors. I think I paid $18 for those.
THEN I found some really nice brown tooled leather clogs (well...more like slide-ons) made by Minnetonka. They are interesting and different! $22
At Reny's I got a dutch oven for $40-comparable to ones I had been drooling over at Kohl's--KitchenAid--for $90...on sale. I got a "chicken frying" fry pan, with cover for $9.99. I got two black short sleeved tops...to go with the new white and black pedal pushers and other outfits--one for $3.99 and one for $5.99. I got a pair of Lee "comfort waist" jeans--I think that's what they are called--they have a wide elastic strip in the waist--size 10 petite.....$22.
I got a glass vinegar dispenser; a disposable sea salt grinder and another glass butter dish. All cheap.
Happy Maria? Jean got some great sweaters at both places and some odds and ends. She was very pleased with her purchases. Oh, she bought some very nice coffee mugs with bird pictures on them--very nice. Oh, and she got us a beautiful runner for the front hall.
We stopped at this Home Goods store that is right near Reny's....we weren't going to but we just went on a spur of the moment. Good thing we did. I found some new bath mats to replace our ancient blue mats. Sandy wandered over to the carpet section. She called us over to check them out. We found a beautiful area rug for the living room. Jean had told us about a month ago that she wanted to buy us a new rug for the living room for our birthday presents. We were supposed to go looking for the past few weeks and didn't. Good thing...I don't think we would have found anything this nice and this cheap if we had bought something around here.
Somehow we managed to fit all of our purchases into the car--along with our overnight bags. Sandy is great at packing things in--she got the carpet to fit, it stuck out through the front seats to rest on the console all the way home. Sandy packed herself in the back seat too....leaned her head against the carpet and went to sleep.
I wanted to go to the Maine Diner--but for some reason I thought it was on the road to Freeport from Ogunquit....we couldn't find it, I stopped at a gas station and asked an old guy about it...turns out it was 8 miles away in Wells! I didn't know that! I could have sworn it was down near where we got on 95 to go home.
So, the Maine Diner continues to be a quest of mine. We did go to the newly reopened and remodeled, Egg and I....and had great breakfasts. I love that place. This winter we were so nervous that they had closed for good...it looked abandoned. But no, they were remodeling. And it looks very nice. Great, fast service as usual....great food.
We had dinner at Jackie's Too....right on the water in Perkins Cove. Again, great meals...but I had the seafood alfredo and should have told them to cut the pasta in half. It was just too much. If I could have taken it "to-go" it would have been different...but I really couldn't take it "to-go."
When we left the place where we bought the carpet---oh...and the women who worked there were horrible....no customer friendly stuff going on there...Jean realized her cell phone was missing. Sandy called every place we ate/stayed in Ogunquit--no soap. Then she called the 99 Restaurant where we ate on the way up to Maine--sure enough, they had it. So the question of where we would eat lunch yesterday was resolved for us...we drove to Lowell and got the phone and another good meal at 99.
The ladies at the Home Goods shop. First I ask, "do you have soap dishes?" "Yeah in the back with the BATHROOM stuff" she says, very sarcastically. Okay....
Later, Jean brings all kinds of purchases up to the counter and the other woman says "I need you to take those off that counter, that's our workspace counter...we are limited in our workspace area." HELLO!!! How about YOU take it off the counter! It was the way they said things.
After she rang up the carpet, she announces in a loud voice, "That sale is FINAL!" How about asking before you ring it up, "do you understand that all carpet sales are final?" There was a sign saying that near the carpet. Instead, she announces that it's final....like they have just been successful in pulling one on us. Even Sandy said, "they are sadly lacking in the customer service department."
We had a wonderful time...the Meadowmere is beautiful in the Spring--have never been up there at this time of year before. The Roman Spa was just what we needed Wednesday night to relax after the trip up. It was nice sitting out in the sun first thing in the AM. Didn't see Jack, but Sandy did and I did talk with him on the phone.
We found a place that had great cheese--Mediterranean (feta, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic) which we bought, put on crackers and I added kalamata olives which we also bought. Jean bought a bottle of wine and I a little bit of that...not too much as I was driving.
The weather was wonderful...we walked on the beach at Ogunquit and at Wells...we went up to Kennebunk beach...looking for W Sr. Didn't see him. We enjoyed seeing all the wonderful houses and cottages in the area.
All in all...a wonderful time and we are talking about maybe returning in September--after Labor Day...Jack says they have great end of season sales.
A good time was had by all....but we were happy to come home to our puppies...who had been well-cared for by Jessica. It is such a relief to have her taking care of the pets. She enjoyed her stay here--so it all went well.
Tonight I'm off to the Sun game. Tomorrow should be a quiet day--Sunday Lynne and David and Linda and Ted are coming for dinner. Monday we rest.
Be Safe everyone....there are a lot of nuts out there on the road!
Maria wants a full accounting of our purchases...I'll try.
First of all, we found a new shop in the same shopping center as Reny's...it's a discount clothing place--that has stuff from Coldwater Creek, Ocean Pacific, Lee, Minnetonka, etc.
I think it was closed when we went in January...the woman said "no, we're open all the time" but I doubt they were open when we went, Maria, Anne Marie and I would have been ALL OVER that place!
I got two long-sleeved "Life is good" jerseys. One has a jogger on it, the other has a golfer. I like the feel and fit of them. I also like having long sleeved tees--they are great for early morning and late afternoon-evening in the summer. The only other long sleeved tees I have is one UConn one with a rip in the seam and a Patriots shirt. Those shirts cost $10 each.
I got a jeans jacket with wild colors on the collar, cuffs and breast area. Sandy says "I can see you wearing that jacket." That was a whooping $22!
Then I found some great silk pedal pushers in a nice black on white pattern. Birgitta would love these...great for traveling and in her favorite colors. I think I paid $18 for those.
THEN I found some really nice brown tooled leather clogs (well...more like slide-ons) made by Minnetonka. They are interesting and different! $22
At Reny's I got a dutch oven for $40-comparable to ones I had been drooling over at Kohl's--KitchenAid--for $90...on sale. I got a "chicken frying" fry pan, with cover for $9.99. I got two black short sleeved tops...to go with the new white and black pedal pushers and other outfits--one for $3.99 and one for $5.99. I got a pair of Lee "comfort waist" jeans--I think that's what they are called--they have a wide elastic strip in the waist--size 10 petite.....$22.
I got a glass vinegar dispenser; a disposable sea salt grinder and another glass butter dish. All cheap.
Happy Maria? Jean got some great sweaters at both places and some odds and ends. She was very pleased with her purchases. Oh, she bought some very nice coffee mugs with bird pictures on them--very nice. Oh, and she got us a beautiful runner for the front hall.
We stopped at this Home Goods store that is right near Reny's....we weren't going to but we just went on a spur of the moment. Good thing we did. I found some new bath mats to replace our ancient blue mats. Sandy wandered over to the carpet section. She called us over to check them out. We found a beautiful area rug for the living room. Jean had told us about a month ago that she wanted to buy us a new rug for the living room for our birthday presents. We were supposed to go looking for the past few weeks and didn't. Good thing...I don't think we would have found anything this nice and this cheap if we had bought something around here.
Somehow we managed to fit all of our purchases into the car--along with our overnight bags. Sandy is great at packing things in--she got the carpet to fit, it stuck out through the front seats to rest on the console all the way home. Sandy packed herself in the back seat too....leaned her head against the carpet and went to sleep.
I wanted to go to the Maine Diner--but for some reason I thought it was on the road to Freeport from Ogunquit....we couldn't find it, I stopped at a gas station and asked an old guy about it...turns out it was 8 miles away in Wells! I didn't know that! I could have sworn it was down near where we got on 95 to go home.
So, the Maine Diner continues to be a quest of mine. We did go to the newly reopened and remodeled, Egg and I....and had great breakfasts. I love that place. This winter we were so nervous that they had closed for good...it looked abandoned. But no, they were remodeling. And it looks very nice. Great, fast service as usual....great food.
We had dinner at Jackie's Too....right on the water in Perkins Cove. Again, great meals...but I had the seafood alfredo and should have told them to cut the pasta in half. It was just too much. If I could have taken it "to-go" it would have been different...but I really couldn't take it "to-go."
When we left the place where we bought the carpet---oh...and the women who worked there were horrible....no customer friendly stuff going on there...Jean realized her cell phone was missing. Sandy called every place we ate/stayed in Ogunquit--no soap. Then she called the 99 Restaurant where we ate on the way up to Maine--sure enough, they had it. So the question of where we would eat lunch yesterday was resolved for us...we drove to Lowell and got the phone and another good meal at 99.
The ladies at the Home Goods shop. First I ask, "do you have soap dishes?" "Yeah in the back with the BATHROOM stuff" she says, very sarcastically. Okay....
Later, Jean brings all kinds of purchases up to the counter and the other woman says "I need you to take those off that counter, that's our workspace counter...we are limited in our workspace area." HELLO!!! How about YOU take it off the counter! It was the way they said things.
After she rang up the carpet, she announces in a loud voice, "That sale is FINAL!" How about asking before you ring it up, "do you understand that all carpet sales are final?" There was a sign saying that near the carpet. Instead, she announces that it's final....like they have just been successful in pulling one on us. Even Sandy said, "they are sadly lacking in the customer service department."
We had a wonderful time...the Meadowmere is beautiful in the Spring--have never been up there at this time of year before. The Roman Spa was just what we needed Wednesday night to relax after the trip up. It was nice sitting out in the sun first thing in the AM. Didn't see Jack, but Sandy did and I did talk with him on the phone.
We found a place that had great cheese--Mediterranean (feta, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic) which we bought, put on crackers and I added kalamata olives which we also bought. Jean bought a bottle of wine and I a little bit of that...not too much as I was driving.
The weather was wonderful...we walked on the beach at Ogunquit and at Wells...we went up to Kennebunk beach...looking for W Sr. Didn't see him. We enjoyed seeing all the wonderful houses and cottages in the area.
All in all...a wonderful time and we are talking about maybe returning in September--after Labor Day...Jack says they have great end of season sales.
A good time was had by all....but we were happy to come home to our puppies...who had been well-cared for by Jessica. It is such a relief to have her taking care of the pets. She enjoyed her stay here--so it all went well.
Tonight I'm off to the Sun game. Tomorrow should be a quiet day--Sunday Lynne and David and Linda and Ted are coming for dinner. Monday we rest.
Be Safe everyone....there are a lot of nuts out there on the road!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Home from Maine
I could have sworn I did a posting already this week...just looked and the last one was about Saturday! And so much INTERESTING stuff has happened! And I have FORGOTTEN it!
Just kidding. Monday I went to the Sun Media Day and left early....I got wiped out. I don't know what it was, but I got pooped fast. Maybe it's allergies...like now I have a headache just from taking a whiff of the miniature lilac bush outside by the garden pond.
Tuesday I went down to visit Mary Anne at Bridebrook---I picked up Diane at her house and brought her down with me. MAFO looks good, for someone with a broken leg! She looks healthier than we do...but a lot of that is the great tan she has from wintering in Florida. We look all pasty-faced and ill compared to her.
She has a great attitude...doesn't know yet how much damage was done and doesn't know what they will have to do to fix it. She broke her femur, above her knee replacement!
On Wednesday, we left mid-morning for Maine. Sandy slept a couple of hours before we left--so I drove. I ended up driving the whole way, did all the driving while we were up there and drove all the way back.
We took Jean up for her birthday. We stayed at the Meadowmere, our favorite place in Ogunquit. Jack got us a nice quiet room, right across from where Maria and I stayed in January.
We had a great time, ate some great food and made some great purchases.
I will write more about it tomorrow. I'm not feeling that good tonight...stomach is queasy, head is hurting and eyes are burning...it's a combination of being too tired and allergies.
So, I just took all my pills, I'll fall asleep soon, so I better toddle off to bed.
Nighty night!
One thing before I go....wasn't today just the most BEAUTIFUL DAY??? I loved it!
Nighty night....
Just kidding. Monday I went to the Sun Media Day and left early....I got wiped out. I don't know what it was, but I got pooped fast. Maybe it's allergies...like now I have a headache just from taking a whiff of the miniature lilac bush outside by the garden pond.
Tuesday I went down to visit Mary Anne at Bridebrook---I picked up Diane at her house and brought her down with me. MAFO looks good, for someone with a broken leg! She looks healthier than we do...but a lot of that is the great tan she has from wintering in Florida. We look all pasty-faced and ill compared to her.
She has a great attitude...doesn't know yet how much damage was done and doesn't know what they will have to do to fix it. She broke her femur, above her knee replacement!
On Wednesday, we left mid-morning for Maine. Sandy slept a couple of hours before we left--so I drove. I ended up driving the whole way, did all the driving while we were up there and drove all the way back.
We took Jean up for her birthday. We stayed at the Meadowmere, our favorite place in Ogunquit. Jack got us a nice quiet room, right across from where Maria and I stayed in January.
We had a great time, ate some great food and made some great purchases.
I will write more about it tomorrow. I'm not feeling that good tonight...stomach is queasy, head is hurting and eyes are burning...it's a combination of being too tired and allergies.
So, I just took all my pills, I'll fall asleep soon, so I better toddle off to bed.
Nighty night!
One thing before I go....wasn't today just the most BEAUTIFUL DAY??? I loved it!
Nighty night....
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Big Week ahead
We had a good time at the Russell games yesterday. Bubbles wouldn't go into the tunnel at the "go-to-ground" event....she wanted to cut straight across and go directly to the rat! Suffice it to say, no ribbon for her.
Truman, on the other hand, went right into the tunnel, raced to the rat faster than he ever has in the past....and then turned around and came back...I think he wanted to take the short cut to the rat too!
Bub did pick up a ribbon (third place) for the "barn hunt"....they put a rat in a cylindrical container and hide it in between bales of hay..the dogs have to find it. She found it in three seconds! And she "found it" again as we were leaving and walking by the area....she tore a hole in the fence trying to get at it again!
That's my dog.
Rocky had a ball at the trial....he met lots of new people, including kids....a first for us...we have NEVER allowed strange people or children to pet our Russells...too risky. Rocky, on the other hand, loved it all...and they loved him. He even met new dogs and there was no shenanigans going on between them! UNBELIEVEABLE!
I sat up for a bit last night after I took my pills, watching the Sox...but did make it upstairs for 10:30. Sandy went up a lot earlier...as she had operated on only two hours of sleep all day.
I awoke in the middle of the night and either it was thundering somewhere in the 30 mile radius or the wind was blowing hard--because Lily was lying on top of me...panting so hard and shaking...the bed was shaking too. I managed to doze on and off under these conditions---I opened the bathroom door so Bubbles could go to her "safe room"....the walk-in closet. That kept her quiet. Not a peep out of the two boys--Truman and Rocky.
This morning Sandy came up to tell me she was going to take Rocky to Waterford, pick Taylor and Ryan up and take them out for lunch...it was 11:30!! I was shocked! But then I realized I have been doing this lately....sleeping until 11....this was the third day this week.
I have been busier--physically and maybe that accounts for why I am tired. I dunno. Will have to watch this.
Tomorrow I go to Media Day for the CT Sun....will get to see a bunch of players--including the ones they drafted this year. I'll take pictures and have to write some sort of article. If it comes out decent, I'll post a link here.
Tuesday I'll rest. Wednesday we leave for Maine--staying at the Meadowmere. Love that place! We'll do some shopping, eating and walking I'm sure. We are bringing Jean for her birthday. We'll come back later on Thursday...wish we could stay an extra day...but alas, it is not to be. Friday I have the Sun's first exhibition game, they host the Liberty at 7pm and then BAM! We are right back in basketball season! YAY!
I still have a craving for barbecue. I will have to go back to Jason's or to Russell's or maybe check out Chester's...I read a good review of their stuff. Have to find someone to go with me.
Now I'm going to recline, watch the Sox and doze a little...maybe dream a bit of barbecue.
Truman, on the other hand, went right into the tunnel, raced to the rat faster than he ever has in the past....and then turned around and came back...I think he wanted to take the short cut to the rat too!
Bub did pick up a ribbon (third place) for the "barn hunt"....they put a rat in a cylindrical container and hide it in between bales of hay..the dogs have to find it. She found it in three seconds! And she "found it" again as we were leaving and walking by the area....she tore a hole in the fence trying to get at it again!
That's my dog.
Rocky had a ball at the trial....he met lots of new people, including kids....a first for us...we have NEVER allowed strange people or children to pet our Russells...too risky. Rocky, on the other hand, loved it all...and they loved him. He even met new dogs and there was no shenanigans going on between them! UNBELIEVEABLE!
I sat up for a bit last night after I took my pills, watching the Sox...but did make it upstairs for 10:30. Sandy went up a lot earlier...as she had operated on only two hours of sleep all day.
I awoke in the middle of the night and either it was thundering somewhere in the 30 mile radius or the wind was blowing hard--because Lily was lying on top of me...panting so hard and shaking...the bed was shaking too. I managed to doze on and off under these conditions---I opened the bathroom door so Bubbles could go to her "safe room"....the walk-in closet. That kept her quiet. Not a peep out of the two boys--Truman and Rocky.
This morning Sandy came up to tell me she was going to take Rocky to Waterford, pick Taylor and Ryan up and take them out for lunch...it was 11:30!! I was shocked! But then I realized I have been doing this lately....sleeping until 11....this was the third day this week.
I have been busier--physically and maybe that accounts for why I am tired. I dunno. Will have to watch this.
Tomorrow I go to Media Day for the CT Sun....will get to see a bunch of players--including the ones they drafted this year. I'll take pictures and have to write some sort of article. If it comes out decent, I'll post a link here.
Tuesday I'll rest. Wednesday we leave for Maine--staying at the Meadowmere. Love that place! We'll do some shopping, eating and walking I'm sure. We are bringing Jean for her birthday. We'll come back later on Thursday...wish we could stay an extra day...but alas, it is not to be. Friday I have the Sun's first exhibition game, they host the Liberty at 7pm and then BAM! We are right back in basketball season! YAY!
I still have a craving for barbecue. I will have to go back to Jason's or to Russell's or maybe check out Chester's...I read a good review of their stuff. Have to find someone to go with me.
Now I'm going to recline, watch the Sox and doze a little...maybe dream a bit of barbecue.
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