Title? What Title?

I did it - I have a 12 week agreement with a well established cleaning service. This service has been a long-time agency in this area and has an exceptional track record. In some ways it makes me feel guilty to pay someone to clean my house and even a bit ashamed that there's so much dust to clean. Not guilty and ashamed enough to keep me from looking forward to having a clean house once again. I believe at the end of 12 weeks I should be able to manage the house.

We have a new family living across the street. The couple who owned the house moved to a smaller place when their 4 children left home. The house was on the market for several months. I think we will really enjoy having the young family in the neighborhood. They have three children (7, 5, & 3) - two girls and a little boy. Potential playmates.

James was my playmate this afternoon. I wouldn't give up my time with the boys for anything. It won't be long before they are busy with their friends and individual interests. I know they'll always love me but I'll cease to be a viable playmate. Does it make me sad? Yes, a little.

Kitty is "licking-up" for bedtime, Harry is finishing up some computer work and will go beddie-bye before long. Guess it's time for this old gal to wind down the day. Night-night to everyone.

Facing Reality and Laughing

I may as well admit it - don't want to - gonna do it anyway. I'm admitting that I just can't manage to do the things necessary to keep this house in half-way presentable order. Harry is already doing most of the cooking, dishes, and laundry. He's also doing the daily cleaning and dressing my as yet unhealed surgical site. By the time evening is here he is worn out. It isn't fair to put the total load of this house, the yard, the reefs, and his business on his plate. Where is this going? Well, I've finally faced the fact that I need to have a cleaning service take care of the house for the short term at least. I have an 11 a.m. appointment with the first candidate for the job tomorrow morning. Let's hope she doesn't run screaming to her car. It would be embarrassing if the neighbors saw that.

Many years ago the occasion arose that I needed to learn to use a stop watch in order to time line workers. I practiced by timing every chore that I did around the house. It's an experience that I didn't enjoy and had forgotten about until I found my practice sheets among some old school papers. In 1985 I could strip a bed, put on clean sheets and pillowcases, and totally dress the bed in 8 minutes 15 seconds. Today, just for comparison, I timed myself putting on a bottom sheet, top sheet, and 3 pillow cases. Just under 14 minutes. A cleaning service seems to be my solution - at least for the next two or three months. As a side note: Those times, recorded so long ago, are in the trash. No reason to beat myself up. I'm not a young chick anymore.

I hope I don't sound depressed because I'm certainly not. As a matter of fact, I'm feeling better every day. I had Jesse with me yesterday afternoon and James will be here tomorrow. I love having playmates. We can giggle and plan the next school year which begins next Monday morning.

The new picture (above) was made yesterday. It's a Yellow Leather soft coral which grows in Fiji. It's my current favorite coral and its home is my reef tank.

That's it for now. Hope everyone is enjoying a peaceful evening.

Dog Days of Summer

Today: Clear blue sky, bright sun, lush grass, humidity somewhere around 500; just a typical day during the dog days of summer. On the inside looking out it's a beautiful day and inside with air conditioning is where I prefer to spend these days. From my vantage point the birds and chipmunks are love'n nature's steam bath.

I haven't mentioned our reefs for a while. The new set-ups are fully operational. Harry's are doing great and my smaller reef is coming along. Harry's reefs are high-end coral that grow for really experienced reef keepers. My reef has smaller, easier to grow 'stuff' which is as it should be. I have to admit that I do little to care for my tank because all the new tanks are connected to the same water/filtration system which Harry maintains. I'll try to make new pictures and post them later in the week.

Nothing new and exciting in our world. Harry and I have settled into a daily routine that's quiet and slow - for the most part. I have cabin fever - better days are ahead, though, and we're looking forward to making them more interesting. To that end, I believe it's time for me to move away from this keyboard and get into the day's routine.

I hope everyone is having a good day. Do one fun thing or have a big belly laugh today. And when you do, think of me. My best to everyone.

It's Been A While . .

. . since I posted. I imagine that everyone has forgotten me. It's only natural. I'm still here, though, and promising myself that I will post more often.

I'm still waiting for the second surgery to heal completely. When that happens I'll begin radiation. Healing has been slow and I'm learning to be patient. Maybe that's the lesson I was meant to learn from all this. For the most part, I intend to take the cancer issue out of my blog. It doesn't make for happy writing or reading. I'll be just fine during treatment and sometime around the end of October I'm sure I'll be able to post an all clear message.

Sunday gatherings are still on-going. Last weekend my doctor asked me to come in to see him on Sunday and I was afraid we'd not have a gathering. As you might guess, the kids sacrificed their Saturday afternoon to move gathering day to Saturday. Below is a video of the kind of action we have here on gathering day. On this particular day, Keith drove his off-road jeep so the boys could ride to Nana's in style. After watching the race that afternoon here's what happened:

Of course the kids came from third place to win the race!

Speaking of James and Jesse. How do you think two fine young men would solve a neighbor's problem with a loud tree frog? Bottom line: Everyone involved is lucky the boys had an environment kit that was tree frog friendly. They even caught a cricket for the frog's dinner. They brought it to show Nana and Papa what a tree frog looks like and explain that the little pads on his feet were there to let him stick to whatever he lands on. Nana is extremely thankful that there was no occasion to witness the jumping and sticking.That's all for now. If anyone stops by - thanks for remembering me and my crazy blog.

Out of the Fryin' Pan

So far as my prognosis related to the cancer - it couldn't be better. Just have to do the seven weeks of radiation. The medical oncologist is not recommending chemo based on my particular situation. He sees a five year regimen of drug therapy following the radiation. His statistics based on a 10 year survival rate and my personal statistics gives me really good odds. All went well with the appointment.

However: Out of the fryin' and and into the fire. Seems to be my story. Late in the day after my appointment (above) I began having hard pain - the first during this whole situation. Shortly after I felt that the top I was wearing was wet and sticky. Sparing the details, enough fluid built up to open part of the incision from the second surgery and pour out. Pour is the key word here. Harry was able to contact the surgeon's office and we were met there about 20 minutes later. They extracted even more fluid, wicked the site, patched me up, and prescribed more antibiotics. Harry opted to be instructed on how to change the dressings and wick over the weekend rather than have home health care come to our house. I'll be back in the surgeon's office on Monday morning to evaluate progress.

This wonderful man who I'm privileged to share my life with has gone above and beyond to take care of me. He makes sure I have home cooked meals, keeps the house going, never lets me go very long without checking to be sure I'm OK and don't need anything. Now, this man who almost faints at the sight of blood, has managed to take care of a really nasty situation with confidence. He is gentle yet firm about what needs to be done. Along with my children (my daughters-in-law and son-in-law included) Harry is truly a gift of God. I can only hope and pray that I am worthy.

This is just a bump in the road to full closure of this chapter in my life. Maybe God's purpose was to show me the meaning of honest deep love. I'm humbled.

Update

It is much cooler here today along with a bit of rain. We really needed both the temperature break and the rain. The view from my window (in front of my computer) is lush and green. No sunshine but still almost perfect.

Jesse came to play with me yesterday and James will be here tomorrow. It's the highlight of my week to have the boys here. Since I've been a bit under the weather I'm home most of the time. The boys keep me up to date their progress in both swimming and music. We watch Netflix On Demand movies and play Noggin games. I've been reintroduced to Scooby-Do, Batman, Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny, and Transformers (kids versions) just to name a few.

Harry is a busy, busy fellow these days. He waits on me hand and foot. I can't tell you how much it means to me that he and the children are so supportive. I've also been contacted by long time friends that I haven't heard from in years. Blessings are delivered in unexpected ways. I'm thankful for everything and everyone.

My appointment with my surgeon went well yesterday. The new margins are clear. Next step is a visit to my medical oncologist (tomorrow) and another to the radiation oncologist (23 July). One thing is for sure and certain - I've been scrutinized, examined, and probed. I have to say that I'm pleased with my medical team - I just never knew it include so many medical experts.

Well, folks, I believe it's time to watch the reefs for awhile. They are always moving and I can spend time just enjoying the coming and going of the reef critters.

My best to all along with thanks for your concern and prayers.
Mary

Out For Dinner

How is your holiday week playing out? Ours will be quiet which - given the circumstances - is good. Sunday will be gathering day here at our house and we have no real plans until then. Of course, this is a NASCAR at Daytona weekend. Races are Friday night and Saturday night. Sunday can be devoted to our family antics.

Last evening was "Nana's Night Out." (It just wore me out but was worth the effort and all I have to do here at home is rest and wait.) We - includes all local kids - went to a casual steak house for a fun dinner. It was just what I needed to clear my mind. We ate peanuts, appetizers, salads, steaks - well most of us ate steaks. James had a big dilemma - steak or mac 'n cheese. The steak lost out but he did clean up his Caesar salad. James and Jesse are model citizens when we eat out - credit to parents for helping the boys learn restaurant manners. Harry took his camera and we made lots of pictures. I didn't realize how bad I look until I saw them.

I'm going to try to upload a video of a few of the pics from last evening. If they don't load, I'll try again sometime.