Best Laid Plans

Well, it has been well over a year since I last posted anything. So much has happened in the time being. I don't know where to start, so I will just ramble...

First, Ben is in great health. WooHoo! He sees the oncologist here now, instead of us having to travel to Houston to MD Anderson. His scans are all clear, and so he only has to see the oncology doc every 6 months, along with his regular MD. He sees him next week.

Ben still is very active cycling whenever he can. He was involved this past year on the search/transition committee for finding us a new diocesan bishop here in KY. Finally, this past weekend, all the hard work culminated in a great banquet, where Ben emceed, and then the next day with the consecration of our new bishop, Terry White.

Ben is now in the process of building the beginning of a new stone path out to the back garden area. The area being covered takes care of the huge expanse of yard where the former tulip poplar met it's maker. Ben is still working as priest in charge at a mission church downtown, and three days a week at the Episcopal Church Home, as a chaplain. All this in his so called "retirement."

This past year, I was involved with the search committee for finding our church a new rector. I travelled to several cities to visit prospects, and we finally called a new rector , and he was installed in September. A very nice young (31) priest, Jonathan Erdman, along with his lovely wife and two young children. By all reports and feedback, we did a great job, and everyone seems pleased by our choice. Hopefully, Jonathan will remain for many years at Calvary. Ben was priest there for 19 years, and I am so happy to be a part of that congregation again.

I took a watercolor class and art jewelry wire wrapping class this past year. Both were a lot of fun. I am making jewelry now in small quantities, and have sold a few pieces. I have them listed along with the baby items I make, on my Etsy site : www.peonylane.etsy.com. I am in the process of having my things listed on a Louisville based website too, so maybe I can sell a few more things.

I haven't felt like doing much the last few months, as I ended up in the ER, then at the gastroenterologist's with severe stomach pain. After several outpatient scans, they discovered I had three ulcers. Several meds later, I then had several more scans to be sure they were cured, then I had tests for liver and gall bladder . All turned out normal. My stomach still is tender at times, but I can eat an occasional spicy meal without pain.

I started an exercise regime last January, and I go workout with friends about 4 days a week. Lots of had work, but good results. I feel so much better and stronger, and have had less episodes of migraines. Usually, I only get those now when the barometric pressure changes.

Last Christmas, all the boys except John were able to come for Christmas with their families. Had a great time, but it was wild with two young grandchildren and Santa Claus coming!. John couldn't get away, but he is making up for it now. He and his girlfriend Larisa have moved to KY and in with us, while they attend Sullivan University Culinary School. Classes started last week, and they are both working too.

They also brought their dog Caigeann, a coon hound, to join in the mix with our Tillie and Barley labradoodles. Never a dull moment! I am so thrilled to have John and Larisa move back to KY from CA. It is so far away, and we didn't get to see much of them in the past 13 years he has lived out there.

Grandaughter Katie and boyfriend Greg, moved from Atlanta to Cincinnati, and they have visited here, and us there. It's only abut 2 hours from here. So nice to have them close by. Katie's Mom, Anna, moved out to Seattle and is living near her sister Amy. Both are leading very busy lives out there. We hope to get out there to visit soon.

This summer has been unbearably hot, with record temperatures for Louisville. We have had no rain in forever! It has finally dropped to the 60's, but promises to go back up in the 80's the end of the week, with no rain forecast. The grass, or what is left of it crunches when you walk outside. I hate to see our next water bill! I had to water all the plants and the vegetable garden everyday.

Talked with Michael and Jeannine last night, and Greg and Megan the other day. Lots of things happening in their busy lives too. Hope we can all get together over the holidays this year.

Not much else happening at the moment. I will try to be better about posting. Love to all!

Cycling Day

Hello!

 Today, Ben and several of his friends are doing a 100 mile cycling circuit around Jefferson County.  They left early this morning from the riverfront downtown, and made it to a friend's home, having cycled 35 miles.  Several spouses and friends were there to greet them as they climbed a monster hill to get to the house.  We rang the cowbell as they each made it up to the top .  We fed them some nourishing goodies, and they refilled their water bottles and took off to do the rest of the trip-another 65 miles to go!

  One of the cyclists planned to only do the first part.  Luckily for him, that was all, because he is a diabetic, and it was so hot out, that the strain of riding was messing with his blood sugar.  Got that fixed, and he and his wife left for home.

 I left for home soon thereafter.  I don't think Ben will make it home until 4:30 or 5.  I know he will be one tired puppy.  Unfortunately, he is on call tonight too, and has to go to the Church Home where he is a chaplain, to pick up the beeper.  I certainly hope it doesn't go off tonight!

More on the adventures later. I have sewing to catch up on! 

Mary

Travel and Rain and Cancerland

Hello again,

  We took a trip last month to Lynchburg,VA to visit my oldest, and his wife.  It was Mother's Day weekend, and they took us out for a wonderful brunch after church.  The restaurant was in an old turn of the century house, with lots of character.  We then went to a concert later in the day.  We only had a short visit with them, but we got caught up on all that they have been doing, and saw all the improvements  they have made on their home since we last saw it.

 I wish all our kids lived closer to us.  They are spread all around the country from CA to WA to CO, and to VA.  Nice places to visit, but far away!

 This past few weeks, it seems that it has done nothing but rain, rain, rain.  We did manage to get the garden in, and the rain has helped that a lot.  We have had some sunny days, but it got so hot and humid that it was not pleasant to be outside.  We have had two absolutely gorgeous days with mild temperatures and no humidity.

 Tomorrow is Ben's 100 mile ride around Jefferson County with a group of friends.  He is doing the ride for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  He has raised just short of $2000!  The money will go towards the foundation's research and educational needs.  The foundation has done a wonderful job of providing cancer centers and cancer groups with lots of info regarding the different types of cancer, and how to live a more healthy life. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the foundation and to Gilda's Club for helping us gain strength and support during our latest journey in Cancerland.

 After the cyclists in Ben's group go about 35 miles, they are stopping at one of our friend's homes, and we are providing them with some nutritious food, water and a potty break.  Some will not go the rest of the way, and do all 100 miles, but will get picked up and taken back to their cars at the starting point. The more avid riders will continue on for several hours before completing the full circuit of Jefferson County.

 The ride has taken on added meaning, as in the past few weeks, we have lost several of our Gilda's Club family to cancer.  Cancer is such an insidious disease, and can be so    aggressive at times.  It totally disrupts everyone's life that have a connection to  the person with cancer.  It brings our own mortality into the forefront, and all sorts of feelings that we didn't know we were having, smack us right in the gut, sometimes not at the best of times.  That is one reason that Gilda's Club has been such a significant part of many lives.  They provide much needed support , through groups for both the one with the cancer, and the friends and families of them too.  They also have kid's groups and teen groups too. There, they can sort out their feelings with others that are going through the same thing they are.  The cancer may be a different type, and may be in different stages of progression, but cancer is the common denominator of it all.

Next week, Ben is being interviewed by one of the TV anchors about his cancer. Last month was Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.  The TV station aired a piece about clinical trials, and happened to have Ben's oncologist at MD Anderson talking about the trials there, that Ben participated in!  He wrote the TV anchor and told her, and she asked to interview him about his melanoma. They are taping it next week! Enough of cancer talk.

  I have been happily fixing up my office/ sewing room.  It now just needs a new coat of paint, and it will be a totally different place.  I put up new window treatments that let in so much more light.  I also made new curtains  that swag across the top .  The former owners had these horrible dark brown shades that cut out most of the light, and the curtain panels on the sides were very outdated.  Not very inspiring to get me into the mood to sew!

Week after next, my youngest (age 31) and his girlfriend are coming from CA to visit.  They are going to check out our internationally famous cooking school here, and transfer from the school in CA.  I can't wait to see them, and hope and pray they will move back here! My son already has a college degree, but he wants to do something new.  CA has gotten so terribly expensive, and their government is in a total mess. It would certainly be much cheaper to live here.  John grew up here in KY, so it wouldn't exactly be a new place!  Louisville has changed considerably since he last lived here, and it as gotten better!

Not much else is happening in my life right now.  I have added some new things in my shop, and I have more in the works!

Later, Mary

Life,Love, and Miracles

Hello!

Once again, I have been remiss in not writing on here. It has been a little over a month, and I really feel bad about this. I have been busy trying to run on fumes in my life, and I have been totally overwhelmed by trying to be busy, yet not accomplishing a thing. Just spinning my wheels. I have now made a promise to myself that I am going to stop all of the procrastination, and get really busy again. I have gotten some really great ideas for rejump starting my Etsy shop, and I intend to follow through on those.
I think my mind set has now been changed, and for good reason. Ben and I have been back down at MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston for most of the week. Ben was here for his quarterly scans and blood work as follow up from his clinical vaccine trial for melanoma. He has been off the vaccine for a year now. The results were that the scans were all clear, and blood normal! WooHoo!!!!! This gives us something to really celebrate. The docs here said that we won't have to come back here again except once a year. The rest of the time, Ben can see his oncologist in Louisville every four months. His oncologist here trained with the one in Louisville, so he is confident that Ben will be in good hands. If anything does show up again on subsequent scans, we will be right back here. We are so greatful and excited about this turn of events. It will also be a wonderful help financially since we won't have to pay for flights and hotels now.

We are headed home today, after a long layover in St Louis. I can hardly wait to get jhome to my own bed, and to see the dogs. I know they will be happy to see us. We are fortunate to have a pet sitter that comes to the house several times a day to feed and let them out. I hate putting them in the kennel. They get totally discombobulated when we leave them, and I would rather have them at home in familiar safe surroundings.

Time to go to the airport. Later, Mary

Mixed Reviews!

Hello again!

Lots has happened this week.  We went to Gilda's Club Tuesday night, and had our cancer support group meetings.  Our Gilda's has gotten a lot of publicity in the media this week.  That is great.  So many people don't know that they can get help and support for themselves, children and family and friends when they are dealing with cancer, or have had cancer or know someone that has. It's difficult to explain things that cancer does to you emotionally as well as physically, and only someone that has been there , done that , can know what you are going through, and can help.

Wednesday, was my mother's 88th birthday.  She never wants anything since she has no space or need for things.  We sent her a big arrangement of spring flowers, that will hopefully last a while.

Wednesday of course, was income tax day. There were still tons of people waiting in line to get them sent in. I know I like to procrastinate, but I don't think I could wait til the last hours to pay Uncle Sam.  Knowing my luck, my returns would be lost in the mail.

Thursday, I met a dear friend for coffee at a local Heine Brothers shop.  Coffee made right here in town.  Great conversation, but much too short a visit.

I came home and started setting up things for a dinner party we were having for a few of our friends on Friday.  I like to have the house and things all ready, way ahead of time.  Good thing I did, as you will learn later down the page!

Friday morning, we got up and took the dogs to the vets for boarding for the night .  They are not the kind of animals you want around at a dinner party.  They would love you to death, because they want constant attention. The more people , the better.

 Barley was due for his yearly physical anyway, so we got two things out of the way.

I came home and started cooking, while Ben finished mowing the grass. Around  1:00, I was slicing onions on the mandoline, and it slipped, and I sliced my thumb instead!  I applied direct pressure, but it kept bleeding.  Sooo, we made a trip to the immediate care center, where they got it cleaned up, and numbed so I could get eight stitches.  Not pleasant.  I had cut a vessel, but not any nerves.  The doc said it almost went to the bone. Yikes!  That would have been a perfect set up for infection. Anyway, they got me sewn up, and bandaged, and we headed home.

  I had to finish cooking, so I had to wear latex gloves over my hand.  Of course it was my right thumb, and being right handed, not an easy task. I finally finished cooking, and the medication for numbing was wearing off quickly, so all I felt was throbbing if I didn't keep my hand elevated.

Somehow, the party managed to get put together, and everyone helped out with the serving, and cleanup.  We all had a great time. The throbbing lessened with a few glasses of wine too!  Got to bed around 1:am.  It was so quiet with just the two of us , and no dogs climbing all over our bed.  Slept like a rock.

Saturday, we got up, and went to get the dogs.  They get so excited when they hear our voices in the waiting room as they are being brought out. I do think you should be able to deduct your animals on your taxes, like  child deductions, since they are your 4 legged children.  We had to pay an enormous amount for a  years supply worth of medicines, for flea and heartworm protection. Wish I had the patent on those.

Got home with the beasts, and I started the laundry for all the dinner linens.  Ben got ready for his bike outing to train for his cycling challenge in two weeks. He and a friend were going to go ride some big hills, since the challenge is a three state , three mountain, 100 mile event, and Ben needs to get more strength in his legs for the long duration of ups and ups before the downhill part comes.

  The weekend Ben will be gone is Derby weekend here in the Bluegrass State.  The Kentucky Derby occurs here every year, the first Saturday in May.  It is quite a celebration that starts several weeks before, with games, boat races, balloon races, parties, lots of parties, and just about anything you can think of.

 Today is Thunder Over Louisville, where there is an air show over the Ohio river, where there are all sorts of hi-tech military planes, stealth bombers, etc.  They come in right over the river downtown, flying really low over the interstate.  Looks like they are coming right at  you. Tonight, is a gigantic fire works display by the waterfront.  People are always jam packed downtown, and traffic is a nightmare.  People arrive very early to claim their spot.  There are all sorts of other things going on, chow wagons, other food, and exhibits. You can imagine what shape some people are in by the time the fireworks start, when they have been drinking beer and standing in the sun all afternoon.  The fireworks don't even start til 9:30 at night. Glad I will not be anywhere near that area tonight.  We will be at home watching it all unfold on TV.

My son in Colorado just phoned.  It has been snowing like crazy, and still coming down.  He said there is a four foot drift in their yard.  He is sending me pictures that I will try to post.  Yesterday, he and my grandson made an igloo in the yard.

Not much more happening.  Guess I should try to press all the linen napkins if I can hold the iron securely with this bum thumb.  I sure don't need a burn too!

Have  great weekend!

Mary

It's About Time !

Well, here it is a whole month since I last posted anything here. I really don't know where the time went, but I obviously was doing something else, or nothing at all!  Since I last wrote, I have made the trip to Nashville to see my neurologist who treats my migraines.  According to the migraine diary I always keep, I have really improved in the number and severity of them, since beginning trigger point massage, and injections.  I was supposed to have been approved to get botox in my neck and back for my migraines, but the nurse didn't get the message to get it approved with my insurance company.  So, that is on hold til the next time I go back.  I did get several trigger point injections though.  That really relaxes the muscles. It is also expensive, but well worth it not to have excruciating migraines.  I checked out the price of the botox injections, and I may just forgo those since that runs into the thousands to get it. I am not sure yet what percentage the insurance will cover, but I know, I don't want to get any huge bills, especially in this day and time.

The day I went down, I stopped by my mother's new room in the nursing home.  She has one of the larger rooms, but still quite cramped.  The closet isn't handicapped accessible either.  Moma uses a scooter, and it won't go through the closet door.  She now has to use her walker to get in there to choose her clothes. She was really upset that the aides there, were choosing her clothes for her, and she wanted to do it herself.  My mother is not the typical nursing home patient.  Her mind is still very sharp for an 88 year old, but her body is failing her, so she needs help getting from place to place.

The staff is not used to people questioning what they are doing, so my mother gets quite upset at them.  She has been sick for almost the past three weeks, and is on her second round of antibiotics.  She was supposed to be getting breathing treatments 4 times a day, but she hasn't gotten any.  Apparently her doctor's orders never were charted in her file, after she came back from seeing him. Hopefully, that will be taken care of today! She gets to see two of her doctors today, and they are going to call the nursing home with the orders again.

Anyway, while I was down there, we all had lunch.  My two brothers and nephew came and joined us.  After they left. I helped  Moma sort out her clothes, and got a big bag to take to Goodwill.  I helped her transcribe her old address book into a new one.  She remembered peoples addresses from way back, and even some of the telephone numbers.  Quite a memory bank. Amazing!

 I spent the night at my nephew's house.  I took him and his wife out to eat at our favorite Mexican place. Yumm!  The margaritas were good too! I got up early the next morning, and they both left for work, and I headed downtown to see my doctor.  I got there very early, but I got in right away, and was out of there before it was even time for my appointment!  That is most unusual.  I got lots of injections in my back for trigger points.  I stopped and got lunch afterwards, and headed back up the road for home. I got home exhausted, but no back or headache.

Later in the week, our Dave Ramsey teacher had our class out to her house for dinner, and then we went to see the Passion that was put on at one of the churches here.  It was a huge production, complete with real animals, camels, donkeys and such. While the actors were onstage, it was also being shown up above, on three huge IMAX screens.

The next couple of weeks were taken up with our Gilda's Club support group meetings for cancer survivors and their family and friends.  We also had more of the Dave Ramsey classes in Financial Peace University. They have been so helpful in keeping us on a budget, and discerning between wants and needs.  I am very impulsive! I needed that!

 We took pizza and beer to a friend's house for dinner, instead of them coming to ours.  They have four little children , and it was easier to take dinner to them, than having the hassle of babysitters.

 I took another serger sewing class later in the week, and that night, went to the ordination to the priesthood of one of our friends.  She will now be the assistant priest at our church.

  I went for a trigger point massage the next day, and the following Sunday, participated in the worldwide "light's out".  Monday, we went to another friend's house for dinner.  She is the chaplain at the Episcopal Church Home, where my husband and two other retired priests have been hired as part time chaplains. Her son, who was friends with my youngest when they were growing up, was there, and joined us for dinner.  He is 30 years old, like my son, and really cute.  I hadn't seen him in at least 20 years, and it was quite a shock to see him all grown up!

  Later in the week, I went to a computer class to learn more about mine. There is so much it can do that I have yet to find out about! On Palm Sunday, our class all graduated from Financial Peace University!  I won the prize for having cut up the most credit cards(11).  I got a t- shirt for that, and a copy of Dave Ramsey's newest book.

 Easter was a beautiful, sunny day, and for our dinner, my husband and I cooked out and had wild Alaskan salmon for dinner.  It was so good!

 Yesterday, we went to Lowe's to get some plants to put in the flower beds, and later on, into the vegetable garden.  After we planted what we could, it started pouring rain, and it really got dark with lightning and thunder, and HAIL!!!!! Fortunately, it didn't damage anything.  We were under a tornado watch, but unlike the week before when there were terrible tornadoes, we didn't get anything that came near here.

Now that I think about it, I really have been busy. No wonder I haven't found time to  post anything!

 Now I have to go feed the beasts, and get ready for Gilda's tonight. 

 Talk later! Mary 

Where Has The Time Gone?

 Hello again,

 As you have probably noticed, I haven't posted in quite some time.  I guess I have  been totally wrapped up in the day to day requirements, that I have neglected some of  the things I enjoy doing. It's not that I have a busy schedule or anything, but I seem to  have committed to doing a lot of things this month that I normally wouldn't be doing.

 So far this month , I have gone to multiple meetings for various things, scored high  school scholarship essays, gone to more Apple classes, gone to Dave Ramsey classes,  and to Gilda's Club.  On top of all this, I have been trying to get things made for my  Etsy shop.  (www.peonylane.etsy.com.)  That has taken a lot of time.  March is only  two weeks old, and I feel like I have been going at this pace for months!

 My mother finally got moved into her nursing home portion of the facility where she  has lived for years.  Her stay in assisted living didn't last as long as we/she had hoped.  This was due to the fact that she couldn't make it down the hall on her walker during  fire drills.  She is very slow.  The fire marshal regulations don't allow her to use her  scooter to get down there, so she had to move.  Her move however, was delayed for  two weeks because both assisted living and the nursing home building were under  quarantine, due to a horrible stomach virus that was rampantly going through the  facility.  She finally got moved in, but her first night there was a horror. The aide was  supposed to help her to the bathroom, but didn't listen when my mother told her she  had to hold onto her, as she walked. She was very rude to my mother too.  Instead, my  mother fell!  She fell on her bad leg, and it started bleeding. It was only a small area,  but her skin is so friable, that any pressure makes it bleed. You would not believe the  hoopla my mother described happening the next day.  All of the management and  administrators came in to check on her, because they were really afraid she would sue  them for negligence. She wouldn't have done that of course, because she needs this  place to live.  The aide has been instructed to not go near my mother, at my mother's  request. Never a dull moment!

 The weather here has been on and off sunny then rainy, with warm temperatures,  then cold. Good for making you sick!  The flowers are poking out of the ground and  the trees are budding.  Spring must be close by! I sure hope so.  I need warmth and  light badly!

 Tomorrow, I am leaving early to go to Nashville.  I will visit my mother and siblings  while there.  I will be spending the night at my nephew's house.  I have a very early  doctor's appointment on Monday morning, so I want to get there early.  Hopefully, I  will be seen quickly, and I can get back on the road to home.

 That's about it for now.

 Hope you all are doing well.

 Hugs, Mary