This is my brother and I at our mother's 80th birthday party.

Got a call from my brother this morning saying goodbye to my hair. Cute, huh.  I bet there aren't very many brother's in the world that would say that to their sister, that's what makes him so special. He is one of my very best friends.  I'm a lucky girl.
A good friend came by today with two hats she had made for me, which I really appreciate, since I need to keep something on my head, to help keep me warm. They are very comfortable.  Well, today was the big day, to finish what I started, with my hair.  Dawny came by this afternoon and with her nice big clippers, took it all off, right down to my little pink head.  She said I had a very nice looking round head.  I was very excited to hear that, really, except no one will ever know how pretty and round it is, except, a very few family members and Dawni.  I probably had more hair, than this, when I was born.
I came up with alot of advantages in not having hair, save on shampoo and conditioner, save on electricity (no curling iron or hair dryer), big money saver, no beauty shop (cutting, coloring, perms etc.), no bad hair days (let the wind blow), and the best part, I can get ready in the morning as fast as Bill, well not quite.  So lady's you might think about this, we could all make a new trend right here in the Tri-Cities.  Just think what the headlines in the papers would read, NO BAD HAIR DAYS IN THE WINDY TRI-CITIES. This would really get people's attention.  We would be on the map, for sure. 
I still feel great, no pain or sickness.



What children say:

One day, a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink.  She suddenly noticed that her mother had a few strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.  She looked at her mother and asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time you do something wrong, and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance,
grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.

Bears at the bus stop in Alaska.

I'm glad I wasn't there, she doesn't look very happy.

Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear.
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair.
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy, was he.

This is my introduction to my Blog today, you will see why.
Last night as I was washing my hair and running conditioner through it, I discovered more hair than usual, actually that's an understatement, how about a lot of hair and as I kept rubbing my hair, more and more came out.  Gasp,  I guess this is it, I will become a fuzzy wuzzy with no hair.  I showed Bill and for the first time I had a melt-down.  Now I want you to know, I know where my priorities are, I can have cancer but don't take my hair.  Well, I got through that step and I'm still functioning, so, move on to the next step.  This morning I had my 4th and last injection and I feel great. No pain, no nausea, no nothing bad, so, why am I losing my hair.  Actually I know why, but, it's just too scientific for me so I will just have to adjust.  This afternoon while Bill was gone I decided to take things into my own hands so I got the scizzors out, and grabbed a small amount of hair and cut it off. Now that wasn't so bad, so, I grabbed more and cut it off.  I was having so much fun I ended up with a crew cut.  I put one of my cute little hats on so I could surprise Bill when he came home.   Have you ever been so frustrated you just wanted to pull your hair out, well I advise you to cut it out, it doesn't hurt as much.  I laid my curly locks on the counter, right in plain sight, so Bill would see what I had done, while he was gone.  He came in and said Hi, and went into his office. I was in my office and could see the counter.  He walked into the kitchen, and, I wish I had, had a camera because of the expression on his face, it was priceless.  He looked at me and asked if this was my hair, "sure is" I said.  I really surprised him this time.  He never knows what he will come home to but I think this time I did the best surprise ever.  Tomorrow, a good friend, and is also my hairdresser of many years, is coming over to finish what I started.  Janene wants to take pictures and out of the goodness of my heart, I guess I will let her, but she is not to show anyone or I will scalp her.  Just kidding.




I promised I would finish the story tonight so here goes.  Got your hanky ready?

"Who was that man?" he asked.  The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.  "No, he wasn't," the Marine, replied.  "I never saw him before in my life." "Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"  I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here.  When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."

This is a picture of our oldest son , Phil and our oldest grandson, Todd.

WOW!  I didn't realize I was so special and unique but found this out today while getting my 4th injection.  We had asked the nurse if I could do a little shopping, with my mask on, and not touch anything, I would even wear gloves.  That's when she said how low my blood count really was, so I would think twice about going out into buggy stores, but it was my choice. ( there was one store in particular not to go into)  She stated I was, on friday, O.O and that she has only seen one other person that low and two with a O.2.   How low can you go, well I can now say as low as possible.  Well, you know what Bill said, we are going straight home, no questions asked.  I was also told to go home and rest, which is hard for me since I feel so good. You might think, no shopping at the stores saves money, however, we have the internet and there is everything on the internet. I love it! 




More of the story

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words.  The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.  Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse.  While she did what she had to do, he waited.  Finally, she returned.  She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.

I for sure will finish the story tomorrow.    You might get a hanky handy.

Sunrise in Delta Junction, Alaska

I got a note from one of our grandaughters today and it really touched me, for her to express her thoughts and know she is following my blog.  Hi Sam. 
I got my third shot this morning and so far all is going well.  My little bones hurt a little but I am able to take ibuprofen and that seems to take care of the pain so I don't have to take pain pills,.... "yea".   Just two more to go and then, I think, I will be having my blood checked and anticipating everything to be fine and then I can get out of "house arrest" and go places,... another.... "yea".
We spent a quiet day at home watching conference, eating food, napping and after conference we went over to Janene's and let her dog out so she could play with our Sandy.  We came home and ate some more and then played a couple of games.  One of them was sequence and..... "GUESS WHAT".....   I won the first game so we thought we should play another to make things even but I won the second game also, so thought just one more to give Bill a chance and..... yup.... your right, I won that one also. I really didn't rub it in at all, I just offered to play another game, and I don't understand, but, he said we had played enough.  All I wanted is to give him a chance.  (;    Does anyone want to challenge me at Sequence, expecially those that haven't played it before, then the game doesn't take as long.  I will be gentle,.... ya sure.
So now your wondering, what is conference, I referred to earlier.  Now stay with me, cause I am only going to say this once, and if you have any questions don't call me because I don't have the answers.  Twice a year (April and Oct.) we recieve counsel from the President of our  church (and many others he has asked to speak) on how to better our lives and to live a more Christ- like life.  This is broadcast from Salt Lake, to everyone throughout the world and we can watch this from our homes or go to our church buildings.  It was special this year because it was held on Easter Sunday, which doesn't happen very often.





Yesterday I said I would continue the story so here it is.

All though the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength.  Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.  He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital...the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.

That's all folks for tonight, sorry.  I'll continue tomorrow.




THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The biggest problem with the "Blame Game" is that everyone loses.

Section of the Viet Nam Wall in Washington DC

showing San Francisco's name

This is San Francisco, a class mate of our's and listed as MIA

Well, today I had my second shot to bring those white blood cells out but I still feel fine, no pain.  Quiet relaxing day because I am under house arrest.  Many days I stay at home but when I can't go anywhere I can think of many places I would like to go, bummer.  Oh well it saves money for me to stay at home.  I am anxious to have my blood count checked and if it is high enough, I can go shopping and make up for when I had to stay home.  Our son-in-law came over and put in a doggy door, yea. I have wanted one for years.  Our two maltese went through fine but our cocker stayed outside for a long time.  She would stand outside next to the door and groul.  She doesn't like change.

YOUR SON IS HERE
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.  "Your son is here," She said to the old man.  She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.  Heavily sedatted because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.  He reached out his hand.  The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old Man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.  The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.

I am so tired I will continue this story tomorrow.

This goat was coming right at me as I was taking it's picture.  It just kept coming, so I backed way off.  We saw several that day.

This has been an interesting day.  Now I could end writing right now and you would always wonder what was interesting about my day.  After deep thought I decided that just wouldn't be nice, so, out of the kindness of my heart I will tell you,  (_./**\_./**\_./**\_) ; )  in my next blog.  I hear you, moaning and groaning, complaining, and saying that's just not right.   OK, OK   I will tell you.
We had plans to have our family over for Easter dinner but I needed to have my blood  count checked. So we went to the cancer center and the nurse drew some blood and we waited and waited and waited for the results.  Michelle, my nurse, called me back and put me in cubicle #7.  She said "you have no white blood cells. But, how could that be, I feel so great.  She said, "that happens sometimes".  Not even one little white blood cell, she said "nope, not even one.  She told me I had hit rock bottom, which is expected, however, I felt I was fine,  and thought I would have all of my white blood cells. However, good news I have all my platelets in place so I'm happy. She told me I had to have a series of shots to get the count up a little. And then she told me that the shots might give me flu/like symptoms and make my bones hurt. Then I was really excited to get those little shots. I wanted my count up but not my bones hurting.  I have never experienced my bones hurting. She ordered pain pills for me, then I was really nervouse. I had one shot today and then one each day until I have five. I hate pain pills, it's a pain just to take them.  So I will let you know if the second shot brings on these wonderful side effects, cause the first one didn't.


I CAN'T SEE
Many years ago, when my children were still small, we were returning from some errands, my youngest son, seated next to me.   At one point we were driving directly into the setting sun.  While it was beautiful, it's brightness made me squint. After a few seconds, my son cried, "The sun is in my eyes; I can't see."  Thinking of relieving his discomfort, I replied, "Well shut your eyes silly." This brought a momentary quiet, and I was smug in my adult superiority. At least until my son said, "Daddy, I shut my eyes, but I still can't see."
We often try to help others, but we must be careful that our efforts are directed at the problem, not the effect it causes.

Getting ready to head out to Lake Louise, a very long bike ride.  Donna and Dave Mills are packing up also. It was a very, fun, beautiful trip. Had a great time with the Mills.

Everyday seems to be a great day, for one reason or another. We are truly blessed with a wonderful family and such great friends.  Went to Costco and spent a bundle, well, we had these coupons, and had to use them, to save us money, you know, ....right.  Had an appointment to get my hair cut, which it needed badly, wow, so much better.  Rest of the day, usual stuff, I don't want to bore you with. Or maybe I do.............Just kidding.   BUT  in the eve., we had a wonderful visit from our Stake Pres., Pres. Mickelson, and his executive secretary, Eric Butterworth.  Now it's not everyday that you get a visit from the Stake Pres. Now your wondering, What the heck is a stake, sounds like something to eat, huh. A stake is made up of several wards (I explained what a ward was yesterday so if you didn't read yesterday's, then you don't have a clue what I am talking about, so read it right now and catch up) now where was I???? Oh, yes. I will start over. A stake is made up of several wards and our stake has 9 wards. That means if every ward has between 300 and 400 people or more, he is responsible for.... for.......(thinking) alot of people, you do the math. It is too late to think that hard. We were truly honored by their visit. Pres. Mickelson appoligized for not having the visit more spiritual but he didn't have a chance between Bill and myself.  I just love to talk about anything and then we got on the subject of our vacations, on Bill's  motorcycle.  That was a big mistake, because he loves to talk about our vacations on his motorcycle and to go into great detail. Anyway they brought a sweet spirit into our home and blessed us with a beautiful prayer.


SUCCESS
At age 4 success is...not wetting your pants.
At age 12 success is...having friends.
At age 16 success is...having a drivers license.
At age 20 success is...having a girlfriend that thinks you are really good looking.
At age 35 success is...having money.
At age 50 success is...having money.
At age 60 success is...having a girlfriend that thinks you are really good looking.
At age 70 success is...having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is...having friends.
At age 80 success is...not wetting your pants.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that
damage morals, and undermine the military are saboteurs and
should be arrested, exiled or hanged"

President Abraham Lincoln