Sunday, April 29, 2007

Faux La La


Happy weekend, everyone! It is a beautiful sunny day here in Ohio. After church I stopped at the store, then came home and made dinner - roasted chicken, baked beans, pasta and potato salad.


I got some summer things out of the shed to put on the patio - chimes, garden figurines, things like that. I would do some more yard work and mulching, but I do my best to honor the Lord`s day and not work, so I will get that done later in the week.


By the way, here is a picture of my faux flower arrangement that I said I was making a few entries back:



It`s rather large and simple. I`m happy with the way it turned out, though.


Last night I had breakfast for dinner. I met an old friend at iHop and we chatted forever. Her and I met back in grade school .... 3rd or 4th grade. Wow! I saw her for the first time in years about 2 years ago. Then the other day I received an email from her asking if Id like to get together again. I`m glad I did, as I really enjoyed it!


I finished reading vinegar Hill by Manette Ansay. She`s a very good writer although the book itself was somewhat dysfunctional and disturbing. Now I am reading a new book by one of my favorite authors, Maeve Binchy. The book is called Whitehorn Woods. I love her! All of her books are good. I signed up for this thing at the library where I list all my favorite authors - then when they come out with a new book, one is automatically reserved for me. How cool is that?!


This is a picture I took of Mandy that turned out weird. I am standing outside looking in through the door at her, which is why you see reflections of the patio table and chairs. Mandy looks almost surreal, like a ghost dog.



Cute as a button, that wittle face. Muah. Muah.


Did you hear about these peaceful protests that were going on in cities across America this past weekend where people camp out in parks to protest about people takenout of their homes and forced to live in camps in Africa?  My daughter participated in this in Pittsburgh this weekend. They slept in a tent that they made out of cardboard and tarps. She said it was cold and muddy from Saturdays rain, but they had a good time.


Anyhow, I`m off to read journals


Love & God bless,


    


Thursday, April 26, 2007

Shopping, Changes, and a Cool Band

Hello again. I`m sorry I blinded all of you with that last entry. It wasn`t intentional. I would have changed it if I could but heck if I could figure it out!


Last night I went to bed early and skipped American Idol. I watch it to see how they sing and who gets voted off, not for a fundraiser. Not that I have anything against that ; it just wasn`t what I wanted to watch.


 Today was my day off so I slept in late until - -  well, until embarrassingly late.


I had lunch at Friendly`s and did a bit of shopping. I desperately needed bath towels. I don`t know how exactly bath towels come up missing, but mine have seemed to be dwindling. So I found some on sale and bought mostly pink ones.  :0)  I was also looking for kitchen towels in red or with apples but didn`t find any of those. I didn`t buy a purse. Not because I didn`t find any I liked ( because believe me, I did look and did find )


After a stop to the bank and the dry cleaners I stopped at the auto store to buy a car vacuum. As often as I wash and clean my car, I`m figuring this will definitely save me money in the long run. When I came out of the store a guy was parked next to me in a pickup truck and he said hello, so I smile and say hi. Then, I`m not really sure how, but we ended up having like a 10 - minute conversation.


Then I was on my way to Walmart. By this time I`m sort of tired. I suppose it`s  caused by all the meds and treatments I`ve had over the past two years. I`m wondering how it will feel to be completely off all of them. As usual, I`m standing in the check out line all in a hot flash. Does this happen to any of you ladies? Ugh, it sure is a nuisance!


Anyhow, I was thinking today how many ways I have changed over the years. I have always been sort of a neat freak, but not with the frenzy that I used to be. So much more mellow now. I mean, I still keep things clean and tidy, but now if I can put off vacuuming for a day  I will - or if the dishes don`t get done by bedtime, that`s okay.


When I was going through my divorce I wanted very much to start dating again. So I did meet a few guys here and there and dated a couple of them. It`s hard to believe I`ve been single for over six years now. I guess you could say my bout with leukemia put a cramp in my social life for a (long) while, but I find that I`m happy being single. Don`t get me wrong, I`m always on the lookout for that Christian gentleman ( where IS he, anyhow?? ) , but I don`t mind not dating. It has to be someone special because I`d just as soon sit home with John Grishom <wink> than to just go out with someone for the sake of going out. Not to mention that most of the guys I see who are good looking and that I find appealing are - oh, half my age. LOL


Anyhow, I was bopping along in my car today to a really cool band.


>>>> TheAcademyIs <<<<


Tomorrow I have another day off, so I`ll be taking my mom to lunch and then to get her hair done. I didn`t mention that she fell down the other night. I hear her yell, "Help!" So I go into the back bedroom and there she is, sprawled out on her back. It seems that some little Cocker Spaniel, Mandy ( with that wittle face that Mama wuvs so much - muah, muah! ) was chasing a tennis ball and how that ball ended up under one of my mother`s feet just as she was walking into the bedroom is beyond me. To make matters even more hysterical ( I mean worse. Worse. ), Mandy thinks she wants to play. Why else would she be down on the floor like that? So with tail wagging and body wiggling, she`s all over her. LOL  It`s funny now because my mother wasn`t hurt, thank God. But I could not get that woman up. Had to call 911. Mandy had to go in her cage for a little while because the excitement was just about too much for one little puppy.


 


 


Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Nothing Much

It`s been a whole week since I`ve posted an entry. Sometimes I just have to stay off the computer and get things done. 


                                                


The weekend brought with it some gorgeous weather. On Saturday I met a friend for lunch. We`ll call him "M".  M and I used to date each other a few years ago, around my divorce time. Then we had a big fiasco. ( his fault ) Seriously, he would even tell you it was not cool what he did. So we didn`t talk for a while. Then we did. Then we started hanging out again. Long story short, I stopped talking to him and told him not to call me. Anyhow, Saturday we got together for lunch and talked and caught up with each other`s lives. And that`s pretty much it. ( and no, I will not date him again. )


                       


Sunday after church I came home and had lunch and slept most of the afternoon. I felt so out of it from the mega dose of steroids I had been on. Thank God I am done with them!! By Monday I was feeling much better, which was good because I had to work all day.


Today was to be my day off, but I got a call at 9:00 this morning asking me if I could come in at least to cover lunches. One of the girls couldn`t make it in because her husband was in a car accident. So I went in and worked from 11-5:30. I figured once I was there, I might as well stay. I still have Thursday and Friday off, so it really wasn`t any great sacrifice AND as my asst manager so aptly put it - " Just think of the extra money you`ll have on payday to buy a couple new purses with! "


I just finished reading a wonderful book by W. Dale Cramer called Summer of Light. It`s about a man who loses his job and stays home to look after the 3 kids while his wife works. So between doing laundry and side projects and all the adventures he has while keeping an eye on 3 kids, their dog, goat, and chickens, etc, he also finds a new hobby and draws closer to God in the process. It`s funny and inspiring.


I just started another book which, by contrast, has started off rather depressing. It`s called Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay. I`ll let you know how it is.


                         


American Idol is on and I`m not watching it. I`m just bored by it and don`t particularly care who wins.


After work tonight I did some yard work. I have bags of mulch in the trunk of my car that I have been itching to get to. I did some weeding and got one of my small flower beds done. Looks good. I was happy that I`m feeling so well that I can come home from work and still feel like doing some gardening.


I will try to get around to your journals soon.


Have a great night!~


  


Ugh, I can`t figure out why this entry turned out this way with the blue highlights. Oh well...


Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Tuesday`s Tidbits

 " Ain`t  nothin` ever as good or bad


                   as you think it is "


 


From W. Dale Cramer`s new novel Summer of Light.


 


I forgot to mention yesterday that I have lost 2 pounds. Weight has been a real issue for me, esp with the steroids that have been part of my leukemia treatment. So losing 2 pounds was nice to hear! I hope to lose more since I will soon be free of the steroids!!!


I have been walking some and today when my mom and I went to lunch I ordered a salad. <patting self on the back. >


I bought a cute peach shirt and a pair of pajamas while we were out shopping.   :0)


I was reading the news online about the whole Virginia Tech ordeal. It makes me cry. Such a tragic and senseless waste. The young man who went on the shooting rampage was  very disturbed and showed many signs of just how troubled he was. I wish something could have been done sooner. I read that the school had even suggested counseling. Then again, hindsight is always 20/20. Horrific. I just don`t know what to say.  I am praying for all of these families involved.


Also, to my dear friend, Patty. I know she`s probably not reading this in her time of grief, but her mother passed away on Sunday. Patty and I have been friends since grade school. Her mother went on to a better place where she is free of pain.


Well, I am off to clean the kitchen. I actually cooked today! Then watch American Idol. Everyone seems bored with it, myself included. I find myself channel surfing through it more and more. A lackluster season this time.


Thank you for all the wonderful comments lately.


Love,



 


Monday, April 16, 2007

Surprising News

  


 


Who couldn`t wuv this wittle face???


Mandy has been groomed since this picture was taken and got all her hair cut off for summer, but she`s still cute as a button!


So I go to Cleveland Clinic today for what seems to be - or maybe was -  my millionth treatment. I had my bloodwork done as usual and then met with my doctors before my chemo. We start talking and looking over my schedule. I was diagnosed with leukemia in March of 2005. I underwent 7 months of intensive treatment. Then I went on maintenance, which consisted of treatment once a month. This was when my hair started to grow back in. There were some bumps along the way, but eventually I started to look and feel normal again.  Maintenance lasts for 18 months.


Guess what?


It`s been 18 months!!!


I officially got my last dose of chemotherapy today.


Give me an AMEN!


Praise the Lord!


Whhoooo - hoooooo!


I have to finish my meds ( one month ) and then I will be off them too. After 2 years and 2 months ( in May, when I will finish all the meds ) - I`m done!


Please take a moment if you`re inclined to do so and pray that the leukemia never ever comes back.


I know there are many throughout J-Land fighting their own battles and I pray that they, too, will have their day when the treatments are done and they are well again.


Thank you for all your prayers, support, and words of encouragement along the way. It means so much.


Love you guys!


Saturday, April 14, 2007

The Mall

        


Greetings from rainy Ohio! I hope your weekend is going well. I had a fun day. I got up early to run errands and got back home around 11:30 because that`s when my friend, Janice, was meeting me.


We had lunch at Olive Garden, which is always a yummo experience. Our waiter was like, 


 "Hey, I remember seeing you two in here before!"  lol, really?


Our next stop was some out of the way mall that I rarely go to. Lookee what I bought :


  


This purse just caught my eye and it came with the 3 little zipper bags. Fortunately, it was 40% off. I wouldn`t have paid full price for it. Too cute! :)


Monday is my day to go to Cleveland Clinic again. It seems like my monthly treatment sure comes up fast.     :/


Have a great weekend, everyone!


Thanks to Donna for the rain graphic.


Thanks to Chris for the sig tag.


     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\


         (You ladies rock!)


 


God bless,         


 


        


 .... And a big WELCOME BACK to  


  ***         Sugar     ***    !!!!!!!!!!!!! <3


Thursday, April 12, 2007

More New Technology For Me to Fumble My Way Through

 


 


Thanks, Donna, for this beautiful tag. Wishful thinking, I guess, as Ohio looks nothing like this at the moment. It`s still cold and dare I say I saw snow flurries today?


Work went well, then I was off to see about upgrading my cell phone. I spent the better part of this evening trying to figure it all out. lol, I can just hear Chris over at A Day in the Life laughing at me already as I struggle with yet another piece of technology that makes my life 'easier!' I must say, I do love the phone. It looks sort of like a red iPod and even holds music like an iPod. The feature I love best is the navigation, where I can get directions, find local resataurants, etc, anywhere I go. This is great for me since I seem to be on the road a lot.


  


Dinner was at TGI Friday`s tonight. Bruschetta Chicken with tomato and basil sauce over angel hair pasta. Yummy.


Tomorrow I work again then have four days off. Happy, happy. Saturday I`m going out to lunch with my friend, Janice, and then shopping. I`m enjoying the single life, working part time .... and best of all - being in REMISSION!!!!!


I know there are many throughout J-Land who are struggling with many things, esp health issues. My prayers are with you guys. I have been there and I understand that it can be a long road to recovery.


To those of you who are healthy, please don`t take it for granted. One day you can be healthy, and the next you never know. Hug your kids, kiss your sweetie, give your pet a special treat and a pat on the head, forgive someone, listen to a special song, dance and sing and enjoy the feeling of the sun on your skin.


Thanks for stopping by.


 

Monday, April 9, 2007

My Post Easter Posting

                           


Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven but...
they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

 

 

 

I came across the above quote and really liked it. It`s funny how so many people just sort of 'expect' they`ll get into Heaven without giving much to God during their lifetime. We have so many blessings here in our lives! I would like to encourage you to give something back to the Lord.

 

I hope you all had a lovely Easter. Church was very intense yesterday. After the sermon, a robed man, portraying Jesus, struggled to the front of the sanctuary carrying a large cross.

 

We had each been given a small card, which we wrote our names on, and a nail.

 

We then lined up to go to the front of the sanctuary where the cross had been placed and one by one we were given a hammer and we nailed our names onto that cross. Let me tell you, it really made the whole death of Jesus become so real. It was very moving. There weren`t many dry eyes.

 

I believe the fact that He rose from death is the single greatest event in the history of the world. So Happy Easter.

 

It`s still cold out. What happened to spring?

 

I have to work today, so I better get going. I just wanted to leave a quick post and to update MySpace. I will change my sidebar soon.

 

Have a great day!

 

Thanks, Jenny, for the bunny tag. lol Too cute.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Love my J-Land "Peeps"

    


Hi everyone and Happy Easter weekend.


I had to work today and it was a s-l-o-w day. It`s the first Saturday in a long while that wasn`t crazy busy.


Everywhere else seemed very busy, however. I stopped by Walmart and thank God I didn`t have to buy Easter candy, as you couldn`t even get near that aisle! My gosh, people were ravaging  through it as though their very lives depended upon it.


I bought a very cute/comfy pair of white terry cloth capris and a pair of terry cloth shorts. And a lavendar T-shirt. This is mostly to wear when I`m home lounging around the house ( which is often. ) I`m addicted to pajamas but I can`t exactly be out in the yard with my dog wearing pink lady bug pj`s, ya know?


I also purchased a large glass vase, glass stones, and some very large faux flowers. Don`t you just love that word - faux? I could say fake, but faux somehow makes it seem more romantic. Anyhowwww ..... I wanted to create a large floral design to place at my large living room window. Lately I`m into decorating BIG - large pieces of artwork, and now my large setting of a FAUX flower arrangement. Once I get it the way I like, I will take a picture and post it.


So, let `s see, what else. I said I was going to meet Cathie for lunch at Panera, which I did. It was fun, except she has a bad cold. I had a Greek salad and broccoli cheese soup with a French baguette >>>> another cool word. Then we went to Target and I bought 2 Cd`s by a band I found recently called The Academy Is.


Tomorrow after church I`ll come home and make dinner for my mom and I. My daughter will not be here since she already had spring break, but she does have plans with a friend - church and dinner - so I`m happy she won`t be alone for the holiday.


So, to all of you - my favorite J-Land Peeps ....


               


( These particular two are Chris and Lisa Jo, I think. )


Or is it Missy and Mary? Missie and Phil? Jenny and Bella?  Pam and Sugar?  Or maybe it`s You and Me ?


Anyhow, be sweet.


Friday, April 6, 2007

Honoring Good Friday

     


 


 

Jesus Dies on the Cross

   Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”


 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”  Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”


 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 


 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying,


“Truly this was the Son of God!” 

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Droopy Daffodils

"I`ve wondered why it is that some people


come through difficult times bitter and broken


while others emerge stronger and empathetic?


I`ve read that the same breeze that


extinguishes some flames just fans others.


I still don`t know what kind of flame I am."


 


This quote comes from a wonderful book by Richard Paul Evans called Finding Noel. I highly recommend it. You won`t be disappointed.


 


So you know what`s sad? What`s sad is seeing that the snow and bitter cold have made all the daffodils that were just days ago blooming and boasting with color droop to the ground. What a strange sight, seeing the green grass with snow scattered in between the blades and glorious yellow flowers just laying down.


I bought some scrumptious goodies at Bath & Body Works today. Pink Grapefruit body spray,  Cherry Blossom perfume, Apple bath gel, and Peach bath gel.


Hey, a girl`s gotta smell good.     :0)


Tomorrow I am meeting my friend Cathie for lunch at Panera. Which is right beside Target. Hmmm..... It doesn`t take a psychic to see that there may be more shopping in my future.  lol


 


 


 


 


Monday, April 2, 2007

Checking In

  


Hi everyone. 



 

I haven`t been online much lately and I am so behind with mail and journal alerts.

I`m doing just fine, but have been very tired.

Par for the course.

My treatments will be continuing through the summer, so resting will continue to be part of my lifestyle. But that`s okay - as long as I keep feeling well!

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. Sunny and warm, but breezy. Tomorrow I`m off and I`m hoping for more of the same.

I just uploaded some photos from my camera.

Here`s a pic of the Indianapolis Museum of Art that I visited while on vacation.


This is the entrance and shows only a small part of the museum. It`s very nice. It was raining the day we went.

Here`s my car :

 


 


 

I have over 11,000 miles on it already, since I bought it in August.  Geesh.

 

I will try to get around to journals tonight or tomorrow.

By the way, my dear friend, Betsy, has finally started her own journal. ( `bout time, girl! )

She lives in Connecticut and is a wonderful photographer. If you could visit her and help her to get started here in J-land, I know she would appreciate it.

Thanks so much.

 >>>>   visions   <<<<

 

Love and God bless,

 


thanks, Angel!

And thanks, Chris for the spring tag!