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

On one of our motorcycle trips, we went to Mt. Rushmore

This was another great day and I know you are going to ask why, so, I won't play around like I did yesterday, I will just tell you right off the bat.  One more thing about Gini that I forgot to say, was, what a great job she does with all her clients.  Pieper, our Maltese,  loves to chase her tail and make loud noises, sometimes so loud we can't hear the T.V.  When I am at my computer she loves to sit in my lap and go to sleep.  And then there is Sandy our Cocker that  is so funnyzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzoops I must stay focused. Now, for those of you who don't know, in our church, we have what's called Visiting Teachers that visit another Sister (that's what we call each other, especially if we forget their names) in our Ward. ( I will explain what a Ward is at the end).  We go by two's ( like myself and my partner) and we are assigned anywhere from 1 to 4 sisters to see each month, like my partner and myself have 3 sisters we visit.  We call and make appointments and spend a short time in their homes and give them a spitual message. 
My visiting teachers came to see me today and we had a great time. Their visits are just a bit longer than a short time, because, I talk  their ears off, only because, I don't want to put on a front when they are here, so I do what I do best, and that is, talk and talk and talk. I am just an open book with some things, not all things. I was telling them about my chemo sessions and Lucy ( isn't that just a cute name) said if I ever needed someone to take me,she would love to, and I said, "are you sure you want to sit with me for two and a half hrs. and listen to me talk".  Well, I gave her an out, and that was, she could always go to the nurse and ask her to slip me something just to make me drowsy so she could have a break.  They were asking me questions about what will be done after my four sessions of chemo and I said I'm not sure but I will probably have a scat can, oops cat scan.  They thought that, slip of tongue, was very funny.  Lucy's partner is Kimmie, a very good listener, sorry Kimmie.
A Ward is a congregation, made up of people, within a geographical area. Our Ward has between 300 and 400 people.



GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT SENIORS

1) Growing older is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Forget the health food.  I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting older when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.



THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Take a 10-30 min. walk every day, and while you walk, smile.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college student with a maxed out charge card.

Dust storm in Iraq

These people were not headed for a great day and yes this is a real picture.

Today was a great day and you ask "what made it a great day"?  I will tell you.  I had my once every 3 wks. appointment with Gini. Now your wondering, who the heck is Gini.  She is one of the most awesome people I know.  I started seeing Gini about 8 or 9 yrs. ago, we are not sure of the exact timing.  She is kind, sweet, ambitious, smart, very non-judgemental, caring, a good listener, uplifting, happy and a very good friend, etc. etc. etc.  At first it was all business but as time passed we began to realize how much we had in common, like, we both had mothers that came from the same mold so we talked a lot, cried, laughed and I always left feeling so much better than when I came in to see her.  I know, who is she, and why is she in my life, I will tell you,  just be patient.  Another amazing thing about her is she raised a (teenage) boy, all by herself and the best part is, he is now 21 and a wonderful young man.  OK, OK, several yrs. ago I decided it would be fun to have my nails manicured but I had no clue who to go to, so I asked a friend, Nancy Ott, who she went to and she highly recommened Gini and I am so happy she did.  Nancy was an Ottley at the time.  Don't laugh, it is no different than Janene Crook to a Law.  When I was getting my chemo, a week ago, the nurse told me of a lot of no, no's and one of them was no manicures or pedicures. I nearly jumped out of my chair, because I just couldn't stop going to Gini, so I asked, if I had my own tools, could I go then, and she said  "YES"   So today I got my own tools, went to see Gini and had a great time.  So that is why I had a great day.  So, if anyone is going to, anyone else, and is not happy, you better think of switching to Gini.  Even if you are happy you would be happier if you switched.
Many other wonderful things happened today also, like, talking to a good friend, talking to my kids, being with grandchildren, playing with my dogs, and feeling very loved by Bill.  Now tell me, what more could a person ask for to make a great day.


THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE
1) You believe in Santa Clause.
2) You don't believe in Santa Clause.
3) You are Santa Clause.
4) You look like Santa Clause.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I copied this from my facebook and it could apply to anyone.

 ¯`*•.¸,¤°´`°¤,¸.•*´¯) IT'S "DAUGHTER WEEK" : If you have a daughter who makes your life interesting and fun, who has been a blessing in your life and makes life worth living just by being around . ♥.Your daughters will outgrow your lap, but never your heart...♥ (¯`*•.¸,¤°´`...°

Two more cousins, Karen in front with flowered blouse, Kevin in back with yellow shirt and their Dad in blue shirt and Mom hiding behind Karen. Picture of Stephen, arms around Karen and myself and Denny behind me. I have three more cousins but I never see them so I only have pictures of when they were little.

This was a very good day in spite of the tri-cities wind. Actually, I am probably, in the minority of people who don’t mind the wind. Good thing since I have lived here most of my life and I always figure the weather here is pretty mild compared to a lot of other places to live and I don’t plan on moving. Kristene came over this morning and started painting our trim and doors which are in dire need of a fix-up. I have wanted this done for quite some time and so this is very exciting. She is good at painting and even likes to, which I just can’t imagine, that’s why it has taken a long time to get the job done. This is spring break so I am taking advantage of her not working and coming to do jobs for us. After reading my chemo information booklet I discovered I am not allowed to clean our cat box or clean up after the dogs (shucky darn) so I am adding that job for Kristene also. I haven’t asked her yet so, no telling, until I do.
Bill and I ran a few errands and, I was amazed, I was able to hold up the entire time until we got home and then I needed to take a rest.

I love the remarks that little children have to say so bare with me.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED.

1) No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats.

2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don’t let her brush your hair.

3) If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the second person.

4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.

5) You can’t trust dogs to watch your food.

6) Don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.

8) You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

9) Don’t wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

10) The best place to be when you’re sad is Grandpa’s lap.

Thought for the day

Every obstacle presents an opportunity
to improve our condition.

On the top is my cousin Stephen (he sings "On and On") and other great songs. Cousin Denny below is his brother. He doesn't sing but he does other great things.  Wish we could see them more often. They both live in the big State of California.

I had a slight fever this morning so didn't get to go to church ):  I was told, seriously, that in no uncertain terms, I was not to go anywhere, if I had a fever of any kind.  I can't remember the last time I had a fever.  I, just normally, don't get sick.  Other then that I had a great, quiet day.  Fever is gone now but I am going into what is called "nadir" which is when my white blood cells get very low, which makes me very susceptible to infection. I will give the right definition now. Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.  You wouldn't believe the number of don'ts, do nots and don't even think about, it's. No caffeine as in coffee or tea but   CHOCOLATE,   come on now a little chocolate every day is good for everyone. I read that all the time and I truly believe this to be true.  I always feel a little better after chocolate.  I will do what I am advised but I don't have to like it, either. (*,*) 

I am really going to try and get to bed earlier, that is also recommended.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jello-O to a tree.

2) Wrinkles don't hurt.

3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

4) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.

5) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.

Thought for today

If all my friends jumped off a cliff,

I wouldn't jump with them.

I would be at the bottom to catch them.

Tulim, Mexico - captured a picture of this little, adorible elderly  man.

I had a lot more energy today due to the fact I didn't have to take the anti-nausea pills. Not much going on today just the normal Sat. a little sky diving, snow skiing, running 5 miles and read a couple of books in between.  Just think, that is all possible, for some people, to do all of this in one day and more. Had to embelish what I did today because what I did doesn't sound like much at all. A little laundry, reading, sudoku, errands, cleaning, clipped my dog and Bill and I made our famous choc. chip cookies. Oh, I forgot my farming, farming and eating cookies, what a deal.

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.  When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Thought for today
Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.

Kennewick High School Drum

Had a great time going to the T.R.A.C, to see the Custer Spring show, with  Janene and three of my good friends. The anti-nausea pills, I am taking,  make me sleepy and a little dizzy so I had to sit down a couple of times. Good thing I don't have to take them after today but was very nice to have since, I hear, chemo can make one very sick and I really don't like to be sick.

Thank you for all your comments. I love them.



A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.  The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal it's throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."



Thought for today

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take
but by the moments that take our breath away.