For me today was a good day, of thanks and reflection, on how blessed we all are for our many freedoms, we enjoy, because so many willingly gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives.

Yesterday I mentioned watching our weeds grow, well today I watched Bill pull said weeds.  He then proceeded to dig some little holes, in the ground, to plant some little....plants....we had purchased from Rite Aid, a week ago.  Actually he spent the entire day doing one little job after another.  Since I can't do 10,000 steps a day, not even over 2,000 I decided that Bill could, that's if I gave him enough little jobs, in the day, to accomplish....which I did   : )   I wasn't able to go to Hillcrest for their celebration today because I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough.  I was happy though the sun was shining, most of the day, so many celebrations were able to take place without a down pour.



Conclusion of Story:
Two days later, Buddy and I stood back away from the tracks as the train slowed down at the crossing.  The fireman waved to us, then disappeared.  Suddenly, out from the engineer's cab came a large scoop of coal and a piece of red cloth.
"It looks like he lost his neck bandanna," I said, running down and picking up the red cloth.  "Wait, there's something tied up in it."
"Well, just look at that," Buddy said.  "Two pieces of bubble gum and a new one-dollar bill.  That angel must be rich."
All that winter, three days a week, we received a bucket of coal, a treat and, sometimes, money.  I never knew the person's full name, but to our family and to my brother and me, he wasn't just a guardian angel.  He was an angel of mercy.

 (Bill's dad was an "O" gauge model railroader and this is one of his engines and coal cars)  His entire basement was a model train set-up.  It was really impressive.

I got attacked by the BIG ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's today.  My day mostly consisted of, shower, sleep, drink a lot, ate a little, read a little, very little, observed the growing of my pretty weeds (some weeds really are pretty) and watched the falling of sparkly dust speckles.  Have you ever noticed how they really do sparkle in the sun light, well they do!  A lot of pillow fluffing, blanket shifting, dog's ups and downs, all day long.  They love a day like this when I am mostly horizontal than vertical.  So you can see I get an A+ for being very good today at resting.




Story continued:
The train's fireman turned and stepped into the cab, and my brother and I began searching for coal again.
"Hey!" a voice sounded behind us.  "You little fellows bring that coal bucket over here; I got something for you."
The fireman took the bucket from us and filled it with clean coal.  We were delighted with his gift, and we knew we'd be able to go home early that day.  "Thank you!  What's your name so I can remember you in my prayers tonight?"  I asked.
He smiled the kindest and warmest smile I had ever seen.  "Just call me Buck; the Lord will know who you are talking about.  Now you two boys stay back from the train when it comes through day after tomorrow and I'll throw off a scoop of coal."
With me on one side and my brother on the other, we carried the bucket back to the house.  Everyone was surprised at the full bucket of clean coal.
"Where did you boys get all this coal with no cinders or clinkers in it?"  Mama asked, putting a few lumps in the fireplace.
"Our guardian angel gave it to us," I answered, winking at my brother.
"And the day after tomorrow, if we are lucky, we might see the angel again."
"Does that guardian angel have a name, by any chance?"  Mama questioned.
"Just Buck," I replied quickly.  "He is a guardian angel for us and the train's steam engine."
Mama let the subject drop and went back to her work.

To be continued:

Baileigh playing with Mia

Robin says she is trying to build up her endurance but overdoing is actually doing more harm than good, because tonight she asked me to type her blog as she is too tired to even think.  I think more rest is the best way for her to build up her endurance.  We went to Phil and Lana's home for dinner.  Also their were Lana's mom, Vickie and her puppy Mia, and Todd, Greg, Amanda and our Great Granddaughter, Baileigh.  She wanted to share this warm hearted story, but it is a little long to put into one blog, so I'll split it up into three, so you'll have to stay tuned.

"Call Him Buck, Angel of the Coal Train"
       written by: Douglas Scott Clark, Maryville, TN
 The winter of 1948 was very difficult for our family of eight living in Knoxville, Tennessee.  We moved from the mountains to the city so Dad could work in a plant.  Unfortunately, Dad became ill and was soon out of a job, and our mother took in laundry to help out.
I was only 8 years old and my younger brother Buddy Earl was 7, but I remember that winter as if it was yesterday.  After school it was our responsibility to gather coal that fell from the coal cars along the railroad tracks near our home.  When the train slowed down for the crossing, we ran alongside the engine waving at the engineer and fireman.  After the train passed, we gathered up the fallen coal.
One day, there was a wreck at the crossing and the train was stopped for a short time.  My brother and I were digging around in the snow when the fireman came to the window of the engine cab and shouted to us:
"Why are you boys digging in the snow?  Are you looking for gold?  He laughed.
"No, sir," I replied, blowing on my hands to warm them up.  "We are finding coal."
"Why doesn't your daddy buy coal so you can stay away from the trains that pass through here?  It's mighty dangerous for two little kids to be running these tracks."
"Our daddy is awful sick and we ain't got any money to buy food, much less coal," I answered.

to be continued tomorrow.

I want you all to know how much I appreciate all your support you have given Robin thru this adventure. Thank-you.

Here I am, all plopped down, with my two companions (Sandy and Pieper) always wanting to sleep with me when I am napping.

Our plans for Memorial day are going to be at Hillcrest.  We went there last year and they put on an incredible program to celebrate our soldiers and all they do in our behalf.  We can never repay them for the joy we have in living in a wonderful, beautiful, free country.
My ultrasound went very well this morning in the fact that we were in and out of there in 40 min. and ultrasounds are so easy, that's the best part.  From there, since it is Fri., we went to the cannery dry pack,  to count money to take to the bank, that's always fun.  Even though I was really tired I wanted to push myself a bit and walk more today and see how many steps I can do in a day, so we went to the mall, what a better place to go for a walk.  Of course while we were there I just had to go to one of my favorite stores, "Bath and Body Works".  They will be having their June sale starting the 11th .  I always stock up for six months until their next sale.  Then we strolled over to Penney's to see if they had any earrings on sale and, low and behold, they happened to have a pair, lucky me.  By the time we got home you could have pushed me over with a feather but I saved you the effort and grabbed a blanket and a pillow and plopped down.  It's a tired, hard to explain, almost hard to talk or breath at times but after a good rest I feel so much better.  After my nap I kept going and I am up to nearly 3,000 steps.  I am going to try and build up some strength for our TRA motorcycle trip for the end of June, to Boise.  We plan to take two days to get there, which works for me.



More of  "What does love mean?",
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries,  without making them give you any of theirs."
  Chrissy - age 6



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"We are each of us Angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another..."
 -  Luciano de Crescenzo

A beautiful butterfly  reminds me of, as we get older, and come out of our shells, sort of speaking, and are able to see the beauty within others.

I can't believe the number of comments from that picture of us, it was great.  Being this is Thurs.,  Kareen and Chandler came for lunch, this is always good.  There won't be many more lunches with my girls because school is ending soon and they both have a lot going on this summer.  Kareen got a job at the new Gold's Gym, working at the front desk, anyway that is the way it is now, may change later.   Carla, I saw Tina today and she told me of how excited she was to see you again and see you doing so well.   I was there getting my last white blood cell booster.  Ran an errand to Target, grocerys at Winco and home.  Very tired but didn't want to nap so maybe I would get to bed sooner than midnight. I am tired in the eve. but it is so hard to go to bed very early when one is a night person, so I combat that, by sleeping in.  It works for me.  Whatever floats your boat, right, and as Nicole (granddaughter) would say, sinks mine.  Such a clever girl.  Tomorrow I will have my ultrasound, but won't know anything, until I see Dr. Droesch, in a couple of weeks.


More of  "What does love mean?"
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on
shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
  Karl - age 5


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."      Edgar Allan Poe

My friends visiting me at the Cancer Center while I am getting my last chemo.  From left to right, Shirley, Diane, and Carla.  Shirley said she was glad to be with me while I got chemo, to see that it wasn't scary, like she had thought it would be.  No scary to it.

Roses from Carla, such a pretty pink.  Thank you Carla, I love them.  I have a perfect spot for them to be happy little roses.                                                          

This is Nicole in the center with two of her three friends, in their dance group.                                           

Today was an amazing, wonderful, busy day.  Cancer center by 9:00 for blood draw which happened at 9:30, wait an hour or so to see Dr. Rado's nurse, who happens to be his wife, she is a wonderful person like her husband.  Saw nurse practitioner, then an hour with her and nurse Rado which ended up to be 1 1/2 hours. I know you are dying to here what happens next, which was a bit confusing at first but have it all straightened out now.  Tomorrow I have my last, day after, injection for my white blood cells to not go so low.  Friday I have an ultrasound to compare with my mammogram and then I will see Dr. Droesch,  the surgeon, in two weeks and we will pick a day for surgery, pretty sure just a lumpectomy, which is very simple compared to what it could be.  I had one done in 1978 while we were living in Montana and I  am sure the procedure is much improved since then.    Then to my little room for chemo, which didn't start until 12:30.  Kristene, Janene, Shirley, Diane, Karla and of course,  my best supporter, my honey, were with me.  Didn't get out of there until 3:30.  Pretty tired by then but nothing was going to stop me from going to our Granddaughter's (Nicole) program that eve.  She is in a dancing class at Kenn. Hi where the girls pick a song,  there own costumes and choreograph their dance.  There were 16 dances and she was in 3 of them.  She made her own costume and helped another girl make her's.  I am so proud of her, for working so hard all year and giving it her all, to help make the dances a great success.  They were awesome.


What does love mean?
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
  Billy - age 4


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"The only way to keep your health is to, eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like and do what you'd rather not."
  Mark Twain

One of my collections.

What a day, what a day, to say the least.  Well, here goes, I will try to spare you the details, but those of you that know me, know I like details.  First we had eye appointments at Costco and all is well, except for one minor detail, seems I have cataracts but not to worry now because it is only in the middle stages and it changes real slow.  His name is Dr. Hansen and he is very good and the price is right.  Then on to Dr. Fischer to find out about my arm and....what I found out was, I have a small tear in my Rotator Cuff that should heal itself, and then he told me I have "arthur-I-tus" in my shoulder but I still can't feel my fingers and my arm hurts and it pops all the time, sooooo, he sent me to an neurologist, Dr. Cancado (wonderful person) this afternoon.  He did a whole bunch of tests, pokes and prods, all up and down my arm and he said I was a tough cookie, whatever that means.  He said he would send the results to Dr. Fischer, for which I have an appointment with next Tues.  He thinks it may be nerve damage, will find out next Tues. My new hobby is seeing how many Drs. I can collect before this is all over.  Now I can add 3 more to my list, pretty amazing.  On the way home we stopped at Taco Bell, just sounded good, and we ordered two taco salads.  When we got home we fed the dogs and went to sit down and enjoy our meal.  I opened the bag and pulled out one salad, thinking Bill had his, so it turns out he didn't and we ended up with one salad, so being the kind hearted person I am   : )   I let him have it.  The good part is we only paid for one so we weren't out anything.  We haven't been there for a couple of years and now it may be a couple more, so when you go to any fast food place make sure you check your order before you leave.
Tomorrow I have my last chemo....YEA...., for now, so I will find out what is next in my journey and I will let you know tomorrow.  I go in at 9:00 but my injection isn't until 11:00 or 11:30.  I never know.


A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.  See what you think.

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.  That's Love.
Rebecca -age 8




THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"The cure for boredom is curiosity.  There is no cure for curiosity."
  Dorothy Parker, American author

I've mentioned the cannery several times, so thought I'd show a couple of pictures. These are our two canning lines at the cannery.  People that come to do dry pack canning form a processing line.  First they put products in the cans then they put in an oxygen packet and then the lid.  Place the can on the canning sealer which seals the lid onto the can.  The cans are labeled and packed into boxes.  Depending upon the size of the orders and the number of people, we may run only one processing line or two if warranted. 

From a different angle.

The processing room isn't very large, so we can only keep seven pallets of different products there and the rest of our products are kept in the warehouse.

Really didn't do a whole lot today.  Being it is Mon. we did our usual banking for the cannery and then came home.  Mostly been pampering my arm, with heat, all day, since I don't like to take pain pills, until I try to sleep.  Tomorrow we both have eye appointments and then I see Dr. Fischer, in hopes of finding out about my arm.  It will be a busy day so I am sure I will come home and take a nap, since I am chronically sleepy all the time.  Maybe I have iron poor blood or something like that.  Other then that I really feel great.  My last chemo, for now, is Weds.  and then I will find out what happens next on my journey. 

TURNING POINT
"I had been running along in my life at a fast pace, when I heard I had cancer, I just stood still.  This turned out to be a very good thing; I got a new perspective.  And once I overcame breast cancer, I wasn't afraid of anything anymore.  I realized there are only two things in our reality, love and fear.  I try to make my choices out of love."  Melissa Etheridge


Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil.  One said to the other, "what do you think about all this Satan stuff?"  The other boy replied, "Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out.  It's probably just your Dad."


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein

More beautiful scenery at Lake Chelan.

Barbequeing steaks, (donated by Bob Zlatich) for our class and were they ever delicious.

It is always so fun to plan, pack and leave on a little vacation and wonderful to return home, refreshed and finding all is well at home.
I just finished reading an amazing story in the Reader's Digest about a young lady that was run over by a train and lost her hands and both legs, one above the knee and one below and how she reclaimed her life and to use hooks for her hands and prosthetic legs.  Humans, she says, "are made to compensate."  Dr. Esquenazi didn't sugarcoat her situation: "You will always miss your hands.  Nothing we do here will ever be like what you lost.  But you have a choice.  You can hide in a corner, or you can rise to the moment and do the best you can with what you have."  Daniela knew that he was right.  And she held onto something else Dr. Esquenazi had said: "Your life will be what you do with it."  "I decided that if there was any limit to my recovery, it would have to be determined by my body - not by my mind," she says.  What an incredible attitude she has.  She went on to be a rehabilitation physician like Dr. Esquenazi and in 2007 married her best friend, of several years.  WOW!!!


A police recruit was asked during the exam,
"What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?"
He answered,  "Call for backup."


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
  Malcolm X

Our wonderful class of  "62" and amazing friends, that are a part of our class family.

A beautiful mountain scene, on Lake Chelan.

Close your eyes and imagine what an incredible day would be for you, a day filled with lots of love, hugs, fun, laughter, warm fuzzys, smiles, good food, good friends, and seeing the beauty that God created for our enjoyment, well, that was my day today.  I could even add a few warm, happy, tears that would be a good part of my day. 

Thank you everyone for this special day.  I hope, in some way, your day was amazing also.

Please have a safe trip home, with good memories of our vacation at Lake Chelan and looking forward to our next get together, which I hope you all will come to. 

Pick a place, any place, and I will be there.  I love all of you so much, my friends.

 Especially, we all need to give a special "thank you" to Diane for continuing to bring us all together, again and again.  What a wonderful blessing in all our lives.

Now last night I told about a little girl's attendance at her first wedding, now about a little boy.

A little boy was attending his first wedding.  after the service, his cousin asked him, "How many women can a man marry?"  "Sixteen," the boy responded.  His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly.  "How do you know that?"

"Easy," the little boy said.

"All you have to do is add it up, like the pastor said,

4..better, 4..worse, 4..richer, 4..poorer."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?"

  Edgar Bergen

The view from our balcony at Lake Chelan

Here we are at Lake Chelan with several of our classmates and their spouses, and having a great time.  This must be like Heaven because it is so beautiful. All rooms face towards this gorgeous lake, with mountains all around, like they are protecting this area from harm.  This eve. we all had dinner at a sports bar, within walking distance, from our rooms.  We almost had too much fun, being silly, laughing, reminiscing, and getting to know some others, that are friends, we just hadn't met yet.  Life is good in the  "fun lane" especially when we are with friends.



Singletasker  =  someone who does one thing at a time until it's finished; the opposite of a multitasker.

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?"  "The mother replied, "because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life."  The child thought about this for a moment then said, "so why is the groom wearing black?"


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by."
  Will Rogers

Some good Samaritan left these pretty flowers at our doorstep.  It was a very welcome sight when we opened the door this morning.  Thank you, who ever you are.

Well, lets see, I went in for my MRI and they tricked me, can you imagine that they would do such a thing to me.  I was told that the MRI machine was open and high like the one I had been in before, but oh no, no open and no high to it at all just this round tunnel that sucks you in and you pray you will get out soon.  The nurse was very nice and so what could I do, throw a fit right there, well I wanted to but I didn't.  She got me very comfortable and put large ear phone on  me and said that it is very noisy and these would help.  She asked if I wanted a wash rag on my eyes, that it seemed to help a lot of people.  I didn't like the word, seemed, at this point I wanted a for sure, definitely, guaranteed to work.  She started the machine to put me in and patted my leg and said I wasn't in very far. She has no idea that even an 1/8th of an inch was too far for me.  At this point I wished I had taken a very strong drug to send me off into La, La, land.  At this point that "La, La land" sounded like a very wonderful place to be wherever it was I really wanted to be there.  Oh my gosh, then the noise started.  Any rock band member would just love this and get a real kick out of all the funny loud, very loud noises.  It would be music to their ears but not to mine.  I started thinking of all the wonderful places I would rather be and that helped me relax a little, very little, then the thought of where I was started creeping up on me, so I could feel a bit of panic setting in.  I then started counting the seconds going by but I knew I couldn't count very fast because then it wouldn't be a second any more.  I had been given this little rubber ball to squeeze if I was feeling like I needed to get out but then what would that accomplish, I would just have to start all over and the thought of that made me more panicky, so I just laid there in pure agony.  This nice male voice announced to me that I had about 5 more min. and that I was doing very good, if he only knew.  So, I started counting again and it turned out it was more than 5 min. because at my 5 min. time I was still counting so he tricked me again. Finally it was over and I was pulled out only to wait another min. until they lowered the bed.  She told me to stand up slow that some people get a little dizzy, I really didn't care, I wanted out of there fast. I would have run out the front door but I had to get dressed first.  Minor details. Now I see Dr. Fischer on Tues. to find out what is going on and I sure hope they got a good reading because, if not, we all may never know what is causing the pain and numbness. 


A 6-year-old was overheard reciting the Lord's Prayer at a church service.  "And for- give us our trash passes, as we forgive those who passed trash against us."


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.

All four sides of the bag Janene made for me

I love all of your comments, a BIG  thank you!
Janene came by this morning, on her way to work, and brought another beautiful gift. She meant to get this bag done by the time she gave me the gifts of the blanket, pillow and eye soother but she didn't have it done yet and I can see why.  The kids all designed a square and Janene did the rest.  The bag is made up of old used jeans, worn by the family, that she has been saving for projects. It has snaps and pockets also.  I really don't know where she found the time to make this bag and all the other things she has made, since she has 4 active kids, all going in different directions. 
We had a mtg. at the cannery this morning and then this afternoon I had an appointment with Dr. Fischer, to find out what we are going to do about my shoulder and hand.  My hand is just as numb as it was two wks. ago and my shoulder is doing a lot of popping, real funny, not a lot of pain though.  I am scheduled for an MRI in the morning and then back with Dr. Fischer next Tues.  When the receptionist was making the appointment, for me, she asked if I was claustrophobic, and I said, "Oh Yea" with a bit of a panic look on my face.  The only way they could get me in one of those little tubes, is to knock me out so I opted for the bigger machine, that is open on both sides.




A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class.  As she ran she prayed,"Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!"  While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress.  She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again!  As she ran she once again began to pray.  "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late....But please don't shove me either!"


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Thanks to the Interstate System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything."
  Charles Kuralt

"Two Jack" Lake in Baniff National Park, Alberta, Canada

I am so proud of you Diane, sleeping in like that.  I am sure that doesn't happen to you very often.

Today I learned of a new way of entertainment for a date afternoon, or if you just want something different to do, or if you are just bored and best of all it's....free.  This afternoon we spent 5, yes really, 5 hrs. in the court room waiting our turn.  Our granddaughter had to go to court because Baileigh's father wanted unsupervized visitation with Baeliegh and more of it, however, not only did he not get what he wanted but he has to pay $35.00 an hr. to have the state hire someone to be with him, because, he didn't want any of Amanda's family to supervize him and he only gets her 2 hrs. a week.  Believe me this is very good, because there is so much more to this story but I don't want to bore anyone.  You just wouldn't believe the funny cases that the judge has to deal with, anyway, take my word for it and make it an afternoon and I promise you won't be dissappointed. 
We bought our new phones today which is good, I guess.  I don't mean to be ungratefull but I would still have my old phone if our dog Sandy hadn't tried to eat it, and now I have to read the instruction book and I never understand them so I guess I will just have to get my grandchildren to show me how it works and they don't even have to read the book.  It works for me!



MY TIMES UP?

A 54-year-old woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital.  While on the operating table she had a near death experience.  Seeing God she asked  "Is my time up?

God said, "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live."  Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants and a tummy tuck.  She even had someone come in and change her hair color and brighten her teeth!  Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it.  After her last operation, she was released from the hospital.  While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.  Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 43 years?  Why didn't you pull me out from the path of the ambulance?" - God replied:     "I didn't  recognize you."


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done."
  Dwight D. Eisenhower

Our Monday night study group

A Morning Dove that makes it's nest on top of this decoration

Got to bed last night before today, in fact well before midnight, a whole hr., in fact.  Now you say, what's the big deal, well for me anything before midnight is good.  It's weird but all day I can be tired and then later in the eve. I perk right up, sort of.  It must be my 5 hr. nap I take, just kidding, it's usually 1 to 2 hrs., in fact today it was one short hr. and I was up and going, slowly that is.  So, if you want to read this. hot off the press, you have to stay up late with me.    :-)
Anybody want a cute, buff colored, cocker, not seriously but I thought about it for a moment.  Today I went to use my cell phone and....shock, the face of my cell phone was shattered and we noticed two teeth marks.  I had left my purse on our bed and she loves to get into it whenever she gets a chance.  I knew she had gotten into it but didn't notice my phone at the time.  Shucky-darn, it looks like I will have to get a new phone and what's amazing, is our two yr. plan just ended, how about that for good timing.  Guess I will keep Sandy after-all.
This eve. we got together with our Mon. night group and instead of a lesson we had dinner, which we do once a month.  This month we met at the Flygare's (Grant and Gladys) and on their back porch, up high, is a Morning Dove,  nesting in a large decoration.  She has had little baby Morning Dove's a couple of times that they can see, right out their living room window.  She has come back a couple of Summers now and since it is such a safe place I am sure she will be coming back every Summer.  Very cool when one can have good old   "Mother Nature"  right in their back yard.


I can really relate to this one.

Our company was conducting free body mass index checkups.  When a stout colleague climbed onto the machine, it spit out a slip of paper telling him what his weight-to-height ratio was and what it ought to be.
"What does it say?" I asked.
He replied,  "I need to increase my height by six inches."


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.  What is essential is invisible to the eye.

Kareen making the salad

Reese & Emilie setting the table

Kevin cooking the steaks

Today was a very good day because....I got to go to Church....YEA.  Came home, had a little lunch, read the paper (why I really don't know, just a habbit), concked out.  Couldn't help it, my nice comfy, warm bed and wonderful, fluffy pillow were calling for me and I just couldn't turn them down.  :-)   Bill woke me later and said Janene had called and we were invited over for dinner, ALL RIGHT, we are on our way over.  They always fix a yummy 10 course dinner and we are never dissapointed.  Kareen made the rolls and I have been sworn to secrecy, never to reveal her recipe....so I won't.  Emilie is doing so good with her reading.  For a long time we all were a little concerned because she just wasn't getting it but all of a sudden something clicked with her and she is doing great.  This eve. she whipped right through "Curious George", (32 pages) with no problem, Yea for Emilie.

Barbara Walters of T.V. 20/20 did a story on gender roles in Kabul, Afghanistan, several years before the Afghan conflict.  She noted that women customarily walked 5 paces behind their husbands.  She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind their husbands.  From Ms. Walter's vantage point, despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to walk even further back behind their husbands and are happy to maintain the old custom.  Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, "Why do you now seem happy with the old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?"  The women looked Ms. Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation, said, "Land mines."  MORAL OF THE STORY:  Behind every man, is a smart women!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"Mistakes are a part of being human.  Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way."

Kristene has been doing a lot of painting for us and here she is painting some cabinet doors.  It's looking real nice.

For those of you reading this, good morning, good afternoon and good evening.  I had the weirdest dream last night....I was at this church and I was frantically looking for my receipt from no other than....TARGET.... because I needed to take something back and I really needed that receipt.  There was a lot more weird stuff going on but I can't remember it that well.  Actually I really did need to take something back.  I got this pair of shoes and on the box there was this number 6 and that is the size I wear so, I figured, I didn't need to try them on, big mistake, always check the size inside the box.  When I got home I tried them on and they were a bit too short so I figured it must be the brand or my foot had grown, which I didn't like the idea of that so I knew I would need to get a 6 1/2. Well today, before we left I spilled a little of my juice on the table and so I picked up the shoe box and took out the shoes to make sure they were ok and to my surprise I happened to see the size of the shoes and....guess what,  they weren't a size six after all but a 5 1/2. Oh, you can't imagine how relieved I was to know my feet hadn't grown. By the way, Bill had the receipt all along. As it turns out we didn't need the receipt after all since we were just making a trade. Oh brother, all the worry for nothing, Oh well!  Just one more thing, it was the last size 6 they had. I am now a very happy camper, TARGET two days in a row. As you can see it doesn't take much to thrill me.  I can't wait to see what I dream tonight, it could be anything, as has been in the past.  
It was a good day, nap and all.



WHO?
The children begged for a hamster, and after the usual fervent vows that they alone would care for it, they got one.  They named it Danny.  Two months later, when Mom found herself responsible for cleaning and feeding the creature, she located a prospective new home for it.  The children took the news of Danny's imminent departure quite well, though one of them remarked,  "He's been around here for a long time....we'll miss him."  "Yes," Mom replied.  "But he's too much work for one person, and since I'm that one person, I say he goes."  Another child offered, "Well, maybe if he wouldn't eat so much and wouldn't be so messy, we could keep him."  But Mom was firm.  "It's time to take Danny to his new home now," she insisted.  "Go and get his cage."  With one voice and in tearful outrage the children shouted,  "Danny?  We thought you said Daddy!"    :-)



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"An idea is salvation by imagination."
  Frank Lloyd Wright

Bill & Eric unloading bark, well Eric anyway.  Looks like Bill is just supervising.

I thought today would be sort of like yesterday, but I was surprised because....it wasn't at all.  Started out pretty much the same but when Janene brought Eric by, to work with Bill, Janene asked if I wanted to go to....no other than....TARGET.  Love that store.  Of couse I do, and I just happen to have a list.  I figured since it was so close to Sat. it would be ok, well sort of anyway, as long as I didn't touch anything.  It was so fun getting out and I kept to my word, by just pointing.  I pretty much conqured my list and then some.
A week from today we go to Lake Chelan with several of our classmates and thier spouses.  I am sooo excited.
 I sure hope we can get to bed tonight, before tomorrow begins.



Just one more health tip
Q:  Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A:  Hey! "Round" is a shape!



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Changing what you have, comes from changing who you are.
And changing who you are comes from changing what you think.

While Bill was working in Alaska, he took this picture of the Alaska Pipeline which transports oil from the North Slope down 800 miles to Valdez.

Today is Thurs. so guess who came for lunch....yup your right, Kareen and Chandler.  They are such sweet girls and....oh....so funny, they keep me in stitches.  Today was basically like yesterday, did a little of this and a little of that.  So that means it was a very good day.  One more day and I'm free to go anywhere, but I really don't have anyplace I want to go.  Just because I can, maybe I will think of some little place to go, like the grocery store so then I can say I went somewhere.  I certainly don't want to pass up the opportunity.



More health tips
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Dream lofty dreams, and as you
dream, so shall you become.

Baileigh (our great-grandaughter) and her mom came by to visit today.  She is a fun little person and cute also.

I am still house bound so...., I stayed home today, but that was ok, because I had many things to get done, which makes it a fun day because I like to organize things and get things done and I am glad I was in the mood to do so.  My goodness that was a mouthful.  What a beautiful day today was, just right like it was ordered that way, not hot, not cold, no wind and that's saying something for the Tri-Cities.  Maybe tomorrow will be the same way, one can hope.  I still don't have the full use of my right hand, which makes writing nearly impossible and also picking up things, but I still try and use it as much as possible, hoping it will get stronger.  I think I just have a pinched nerve....very pinched. 

I read in the paper today where Glacier National Park, in Mont, turned 100 years old Tues.  A bit of trivia for today. 

More health info.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy?  HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

Our friends from Iowa, Dave & Donna Mills that we had lunch with on Monday

Diane, I guess I don't understand about Larry's sister having lung cancer and they will cure it with a needle and no chemo.  That would be great if that was the case.

This morning I got my nails done and they are sooooo....pretty.  Bill drove me because my reflexes are a little slow since I am a little tired most of the time.  This is my time to stay at home for a few days but I knew it would be okay to see Gini.  It was so nice, I got a call from my brother  this morning.  We had a good visit, but I had to cut it short because of my nail appointment with Gini.  I am so blessed to have such a caring, loving, brother.  I really tried to stay awake this afternoon but I lost to a very comfortable, warm, bed and fluffy pillow, not for long though.  I needed to wake up so I wouldn't stay up until 1:00.
WOW, I believe it is thundering and lightening and now the rain is pouring down, oh, how I love a good rain shower, it just smells so good. 



More on health issues
Q:  Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A:  You're not listening!!!... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.  In fact, they're permeated in it.  How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Looking at yourself in a mirrow isn't exactly a study of life."

"The treasures I received for Mother's Day"

Bill gave me that darling Penguin (I love Penguins). The blanket, pillow and eye soother Janene and Kareen made (in their spare time) very spare, that is.  Kristene gave me the cute ankle bracelet.  Nicole made the container and lid, that the pansies are in.  She is very good at making things from a ball of clay. She also made a very cute bracelet that I forgot to put in the picture because I wore it today and when I took it off I put it on our dresser so it was out of sight.  A while back I  mentioned I wanted someone to make me a Zen garden and so, to my surprise, Andrew made me one and to add charm he added an old caboose,  from a train set.  Richard gave me a beautiful plant named Campanula Get Mee and it is a perennial, which I like.  The really cute card is from Phil and Lana.

Did banking this morning and then met some very good friends, for lunch, at China Cafe.  They used to live here and when they retired they moved back home to Gowrie, Iowa.  A small "All American" farming town with good values, that one doesn't see very often.  It sounds like the best time to visit Gowrie is for the 4th of July because they really know how to celebrate, in a good old fashioned way.  After lunch we came home and took a wonderful nap.  It was a very good day.



Q.  Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A.  Definately not!  When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger.  You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with freedom."
-Bob Dylan


I am back to typing, even though my right hand is numb and very weak, so that makes me very slow but then I"m not in any hurry..

Me and my kids

I was pretty tired most of the day but it was wonderful anyway.  Anytime we can be with family makes for a great day.  We had our immediate family with spouses, all of our grandchildren and our two great-grandchildren.  Dinner was at Janene and Kevin's home.  How wonderful for the weather to cooperate and be nice the entire day.  YEA 
Thank you for all of your comments and the wonderful support.  I am doing great.
2-blessed-2-B-stressed.




Should children witness childbirth?
Good question.
Here's your answer.

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call.  The house was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen a 3-yr old girl, to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby....
Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked.  Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born.
The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom.  Connor began to cry.  The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.
Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place....smack his bottom again!"



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"It is possible to fail in many ways...while to succeed is possible only in one way."
Aristotle

Kareen and Sean

Woke up this morning with my pinky and the side of my hand up through my wrist.still numb, feeling like a wiggley, loose rubber band.  Such a weird sensation, but Dr. Fischer said the nerves take longer to heal.  I'm just really, really blessed that nothing was broken.  Bill was on a much needed motorcycle trip with Dick Brown and Dave Mills.  He came home by 11:30, which was sooner than I had expected, but that was good.  I had taken a pain pill before he came home, so I laid down for a couple of hours.
This is the big day for Kareen and Sean, because it is thier much awaited prom night at Southridge.    We all (his parents, us, Janene and Eric) went to "The Manor" at Canyon Lakes for picture taking.  Sean's Grandparents live there now since moving in, last Feb.  Amazing, beautiful, grounds for picture taking.


Q:  What are some of the advantages of perticipating in a regular exercise program?

A:  Can't think of a single one, sorry.  My philosophy is: No pain...Good!


Thought for the day
"Football is a mistake.  It combines the two worst elements of American life.  Violence and committee meetings."  George F. Will

Spring Blossoms

Robin a few years ago

(Since I typed this for her, I thought I'd just add a picture of my sweetheart)

We did a whirlwind of errands this morning.  Went to the cannery to do the banking, then to Richland to pick up the x-rays from yesterday for my doctor's appointment this afternoon with Dr. Fischer to look at my shoulder.  Then on to Macy's for a quick stop and then to the bank to make the deposit from the cannery and then to Rite-Aid to drop of a prescription and back home by 10:15.  I had taken a pain pill for my arm and so by the time I got home I was really tired.  Dr. Fischer wanted to wait a few days before doing an MRI to see how I'm progressing.  I have an appointment for next Wednesday.


Q:  How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A:  Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one.  If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.


Thought for the day
It has been said that a person may have ten years of experience, or one year of experience repeated ten times.

Bill is still typing for Robin as her fingers aren't working properly.

Creek running thru Glacier National Park

Today was a very eventful day.  I started out like yesterday, full of energy, so much so, I started laundry, bleached the entire kitchen, and a maltitude of other cleaning projects.  Took on my shower with the same high energy ratio, so I wasn't being as careful as usual and ended up slipping in the tub with my feet straight out and mack on my bottom and catching me with my arms.  As I went to get up I couldn't move my right arm because the pain was so intense.  I called Bill and he came home quickly as he was only five minutes out and then I called Janene to come over.  Bill gave me a pain pill and helped me get dressed and we drove to Kadlec where they administered a pain and nausea shot which ended up working very nicely.  When the x-ray technician started x-raying my wrist I could barely move it without extensive #10 pain.  By the time he got to my shoulder, I felt little pain as a #1 pain.   I had to twist my arm so the underneath part of my arm was up and I heard a loud pop as if it was going back into place.  The rest of it was smooth sailing.  After reading the x-rays, the doctor came in with very good news, no broken bones....Yea.  However, he thought I might have damaged my rotator cuff which wouldn't show up on an x-ray so he wants me to make an appointment with a Dr. Fischer to possibly  have an MRI.  Right now I am pretty sore but doing great.  Well, that pretty much sums up my day.


Q:  Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A:  You must grasp logistical efficiencies.  What does a cow eat?  Hay and corn.  And what are these? Vegetables.  So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.  Need grain?  Eat chicken.  Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).  And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.


Thought for the Day
I love luxury.  And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness but in the absence of vulgarity.  Vulgarity is the ugliest word in the language.

By the way, I had Bill type this for me because I have no feeling or use in my right hand.

This puzzle is on a table in the waiting room of the Cancer Center.  Bill has been working on it for 6 weeks and finished it today.

Yesterday I was pretty sleepy after the treatment but today, oh no, not sleepy at all in fact quite hyper.  I have been going strong all day long and now I am still going like a ever-ready battery but I have been told my battery will run out tomorrow and I will be like a noodle again.  I had my (day after infusion) shot this afternoon and asked why I feel this way and was told it is the steroids I am on,....WHAT!....I didn't know I was on steroids, no wonder I am gaining weight like never before and am so frustrated because of it, cause my eating habits haven't changed at all, well mostly not at all.  :-) 

May is....

May is more than a month.  In a very real sense, May is a whole season unto itself.
May is open windows and lilac perfume on the breezes and bees humming at the tulips. It is roaring lawn mowers and Little League baseball games and small children reinventing dandelion necklaces.  May is tiny but suculent wild strawberries hiding in the meadow grass and the promise of summer displayed in the blossoms of the apple orchard, violets blooming shyly at the woods' edge and daisies swaying in the fields.  It is long-legged colts in the pasture and fragrant first hay awaiting the baler and furrows plowed straight and deep.  May is rain-scrubbed sky the color of the robin's eggshell now discarded on the lawn, and a hillside of a hundred shades of pastel green that change day to day
May is a boy with a fishing rod walking to the pond on Saturday morning, and young sweethearts strolling along the pond on Saturday night.  It is a canoe trip down the river and the family picnic in the park and toddlers getting their first rides on the swings.
May is surging life all around - life awakened and life returned and life bursting with growth.  It is a time for all things living, a time for celebrating our own existence.



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time.
Oprah Windrey

This is a real needle, used by Bill's dad, when he was in private practice, in Falls City, Nebraska and in Grand Junction, Colorado.  That is a quarter used to show the actual size.

(OUCH)

Jim and Sandie, everyone thanks you for going on that long walk.  I believe this is true sacrifice, walking that far, in the heat.  Thank you for thinking of me.  I am doing great and I know it is due to my family and many friends that love and care about me.  I know I am being truly blessed.

Diane, tell me how Larry's sister is doing, with the testing.

Today was the big day, my third treatment and I will say, it went very well....indeedy.  Yes it is a word in...my...dictionary.  For the whole process, I started at 8:00 and went home around 1:30.  My visitors were Bill (of course) Kristene, Janene and Shirley.  The time does go by very quickly.  After that we went to lunch at Quiznos.  Then home for a very nice much needed nap.  I dreampt I was going to Rite-Aid and when I opened the door it was pitch black inside, which frightened me, and then someone opened the door, to let me know they were open, but the lights were out. At the time I felt that was very normal and then the dream ended.  I really do have very weird dreams and most of the time, I can remember them and also they are in technicolor, except this one.
In the eve. I went to a Relief Society mtg. with Janene and Kareen, in their Ward.  It was a function for Mother's, Daughter's and....the best part, Grandmothers.  We had a great time together.
Everyone have a great day, no matter what kind of day it is, make it a great one.



Q:   I've heard that cardiovascular can prolong life; is this true?
A:   Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it....don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually.  Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster.  Want to live longer?
Take a nap.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,
A medley of extemporanea;
And love is a thing that can never go wrong,
If you spread it ever so freely.

So, what do you think? Pretty cool!

Day 8.....My last day of freedom for a couple of weeks, which is ok.  Started out doing the banking at the cannery, then one more stop at Costco, on to Penneys and the watch shop in the mall.  Needed a battery for a few watches and Bills watch band needed repair.  Had to stop at Winco for a few things, on our list, but as always we ended up getting quite a few things. Another Tri-Cities weather day. A little rain, sunshine and a ferious wind.  When we got home we noticed two of our dogs were in our driveway so we figured the gate had blown open but, oh no, it couldn't be that simple.  Bill went out to check and low and behold part of our back fence had completely fallen down.  Wow, what a shock.  It took him a couple of hours to get the fence back up and secured.  We figure when the wind is so strong at our home I hate to think of people up on the hill.
At the beginning I had a very long list to accomplish and as of tonight I accomplished everything on the list, right down to bathing our dogs.  Wow, that feels sooo good.  Off to bed for my big day tomorrow.




A lawyer opened the door of his BMW, when suddenly a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely.
When the police arrived at the scene, the lawyer was complaining bitterly about the damage to his precious BMW.
"Officer, look what they've done to me Beeeeemer!!!", he whined.
"You lawyers are so materialistic, you make me sick!!!" retored the officer.  "You're so worried about your stupid BMW, that you didn't even notice that your left arm was ripped off!!!"
"Oh my gaaaad...", replied the lawyer, finally noticing the bloody left shoulder where his arm once was.
"Where's my......Rolex???!!!"



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Designing your product for monetization first, and people second will probably leave you with neither.