tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173488652024-03-13T10:41:22.890-05:00My BlogSongLinda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-19699406947685688012012-05-02T18:28:00.001-05:002012-05-02T18:28:45.586-05:00Not the day I thought it would be....I know that cancer isn't easy...it's not supposed to be. It's ugly and mean and unfair. But I just wish it were a little more definite!<br />
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Throughout this whole ordeal, nothing about my cancer has been definite! First we thought we were just removing simple calcification, and then it turned into an invasive cancer. Then we removed lymph nodes, but they disappeared! Now we've done a genetic test and it comes back iffy!<br />
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This test (OncoType) takes the cancer and slices it down into microscopically thin slices. Then these slices are tested for their genetic make-up. The result is a prediction of the chance of recurrence within the next 10 years. High risk: treatment with chemo, then radiation and then oral medication. Low risk: Radiation and oral medication. Medium risk: you get to toss the dice and make your own decision. Of course you can guess which category I fall into! I have a 19% chance that my cancer will recur within the next 10 years. Being the glass half full type of person, I see that and an 81% chance that it WON'T recur. If I have chemo, the chance of recurrence could be cut in half, which is pretty encouraging. (Later addition: the 50% prediction came from my doctor. According to the book they gave me when I was first diagnose, it would be reduced by 1/3). However, I have always been a firm believer that chemo is so toxic (some of it is made from mustard gas!) and destroys so much more than just cancer cells, that I wouldn't want it unless it is a life-saving event! My oncologist (whom I really love and respect) said that the chemo would have only 2 components: Taxotere and Cytoxan. The 3rd component, which she referred to as the "red devil" is only given to those with higher stage breast cancer. From that, I thought that this might not be so bad. I could spend 4 days out of the next 12 weeks having chemo if it weren't that invasive and if it boosted my chance of non-recurring to 90%. So I came home and researched this treatment, commonly referred to as TC. Here are some of the things I learned:<br />
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<strong style="line-height: 1.4em;">Side effects of Cytoxan</strong></div>
<ul class="condensed" style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/low_white_blood_cell.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Low White Blood Cell Count">low white blood cell count</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/hair_changes.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Hair Changes">hair loss</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/nausea.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Nausea">nausea</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/vomiting.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Vomiting">vomiting</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/appetite.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Appetite Changes">loss of appetite</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/mouth_throat_sores.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Mouth and Throat Sores (Mucositis)">sores in mouth or on lips</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/diarrhea.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Diarrhea">diarrhea</a></li>
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<strong style="line-height: 1.4em;">Side effects of Taxotere</strong></div>
<ul class="condensed" style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/low_white_blood_cell.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Low White Blood Cell Count">low white blood cell count</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">susceptibility to <a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/infection.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Infection">infection</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">fluid retention</li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/allergic.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Allergic Reactions">allergic reactions</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/hair_changes.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Hair Changes">hair loss</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/neuropathy.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Neuropathy">numbness in the fingers and toes (neuropathy)</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/nausea.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Nausea">nausea</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/vomiting.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Vomiting">vomiting</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/constipation.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Constipation">constipation</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/taste_smell_change.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Taste and Smell Changes">taste changes</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/fatigue.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Fatigue">fatigue</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/muscle_pain.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Muscle Pain (Myalgia)">muscle pain</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/bone_joint_pain.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Bone and Joint Pain">bone or joint pain</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/nail_changes.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Nail Changes">nail changes</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/mouth_throat_sores.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Mouth and Throat Sores (Mucositis)">mouth or throat sores</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.breastcancer.org/Images/New/css_images/bullet.png); background-position: 0px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/vision_probs.jsp" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.4s; -webkit-transition-property: all; -webkit-transition-timing-function: initial; color: #773b93; line-height: 1.4em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" title="Vision and Eye Problems">watery eyes</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">One article also talked about short term memory loss which could last for several years! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I was devastated when I read these articles! All the things that I don't want to happen and that I believe are so toxic that I question the necessity for me! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Now I have to wrestle with this decision. And the questions I have to answer are difficult ones. Am I being unnecessarily frightened by these side-effects. I know that thousands of people have gone through them and survived. But do I want to lose 3 months or more of my life when things are just starting to look a little sunnier (Lucas is turning 3; Gary's in remission). Am I being selfish? Am I being fair to my family? Am I strong enough to take other measures to lower my future risk factors (mainly tackling the nutrition issues)? And if I do, will they work? And I don't know anyone else who has been through this to talk to. I know there are support groups out there, but I'm not a support group type of gal. Too damned independent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">So...I don't know what I'm going to do. First I have to stop crying so I can think rationally...then I have to just decide. I'm giving myself a week at the most...we'll see...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">PostScript: I composed this yesterday to get everything out of my head and in front of me. I didn't want to post it till I'd had a chance to discuss it with Karen. After discussions with both her & Gary, I've decided not to do the chemo. I don't see the point. I'm not sick now. My invasive tumor is gone and the rest of it is "in situ". I feel fine. Why should I feel worse to chemically attack something that I don't even know is there. Sort of like bombing an uninhabited island because there might be people there some day!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Thanks, as usual for listening.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-16749538849668573992012-04-17T11:06:00.002-05:002012-04-17T11:06:50.451-05:00Past due...just like a library book!Well, I should have written some of this a while ago. But you know what a procrastinator I am! So...on the cancer front...<br />
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April 5th, I had a 2nd surgery, this time to look at the sentinel lymph node & to get more tissue to clear up the margins of one of the tumors. It wasn't a bad surgery...I had a little deeper anesthetic, but once again, they listened to my concerns, calmed me, & gave me lots of anti-nausea medicine. I had the same nurse & anesthetist that I had in January, so that was a comfort in itself. I came home groggy and cranky, with a drain in my armpit where they took out the lymph nodes. That was a real PITA! But I dealt with it. It was uncomfortable and awkward, but I had little pain, so it was okay. (Some really interesting stuff came out of there, but I don't want to make anyone gag before they read the whole thing!)<br />
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Went to see the surgeon to have the drain removed a week later. I found out that she is baffled by my condition. Everything came out benign. To quote the report: "Focally hemorrhagic benign fibroadipose tissue showing no evidence of lymph nodes. When she went in for the nodes, she couldn't pick up any radioactivity (I had been given a radioactive injection which should have landed in the sentinel node. She used a Geiger counter to find it, but couldn't). And she couldn't see any nodes. Apparently between my "adipose tissue" (so much nicer than saying "fat") and a lot of fibrous tissue (this probably has something to do with the lymphedema), they're either non-existent, or really buried. She thought she got 2, but there weren't any in the sample!<br />
<br />
The breast excision showed "margins...free of invasive carcinoma". There is "ductile carcinoma in situ". She tried to explain this to me, but I still didn't understand. However, the oncologist explained it to me clearly. Apparently there are cancer cells sitting in the ducts in my breast. They're harmless now, and will remain so as long as they don't try to come out. That could happen...or not!<br />
<br />
The next day I had an appointment with my oncologist. Between my appointment the day before and this one, she & the surgeon consulted. They are sending off the tissue for a genetic test (I think I explained that in an earlier post). I'm still looking at the possibility of radiation, chemo, or "simple" mastectomy. I told Dr. Awaida the words "simple" & "mastectomy" don't go together in my brain. So she explained the 3 levels of mastectomy. All I ever knew about was the radical one. Apparently with a simple one, they leave most of the muscle, and just sort of slice off the breast tissue. That would put everyone's mind to rest, because all the problems would be gone. But I'm still not sure it's the way to go.<br />
<br />
I see the surgeon again next week & the oncologist May 1. Hopefully by then I'll have a clearer idea where I'm headed. Nothing is simple...is it...?<br />
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I have lots of other things to write about. I went to a crop & did some pretty cool (IMHO) layouts. And Lucas has some exciting things pending in his little future. I also have a new addiction - indie nail enamel! But I'm thinking if you've made it this far, you've done it by benefit of caffeine...so I'll wait for another day to share those goodies with you!<br />
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Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers and encouraging words you sent my way. They help so much!<br />
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Enjoy the sun!<br />
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<a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-52209616465868974612012-03-08T09:16:00.007-05:002012-03-08T16:16:21.317-05:00Medical Reports and A Cute Little Boy<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">First, I'll get the latest report from CancerVille (Zynga's newest game?) out of the way.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Went to the Oncologist Tuesday...at the unholy hour of 7:30 AM! I am so amazed (though I probably shouldn't be) at how much things have changed since I last had cancer, 20 years ago! After the next surgery, they will send a specimen to a lab in California (if my insurance approves it). There, they will test the cancer genetics. They will put it into 1 of 3 levels:low, medium, or high. Each denotes the chance that the cancer will recur within the next 10 y<span style="font-size: 100%; ">ears. If it's a low chance: no chemo. If it's medium, we look at all the factors and d</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">ecid</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">e</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">. And if it's high, of course, we go the chemo route.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Also, my cancer is hormone dependent, as was the other. When I was being treated 20 years ago, </span>tamoxifen<span style="font-size: 100%;"> had just hit the market, and of course I took it, along with Lupron, thereby suppressing all my hormones, so the cancer had nothing to "depend" on. I was wondering how that </span>would<span style="font-size: 100%;"> work this time, as I haven't had hormones since 1999! Well, I forgot that other parts of my body produce hormones </span>also<span style="font-size: 100%;">! They have recently developed drugs that are specifically for post-menopausal women, which I will be taking.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">So...it's definitely radiation & oral drugs; the chemo to be determined.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">I have to say that I feel </span>about<span style="font-size: 100%;"> 110% better just having this information! Now if the physician's office would just call to schedule that surgery! I know they're going to schedule it on a date that isn't convenient for me & they're going to have to change it! Just wish they'd do it!</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Now...enough ugly. Let's have some cute! And you know what that means! LUCAS PICTURES!!!</span></span></div><div><div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">He's been binky (or "B" as he calls it) free several weeks now. It was surprisingly easy, and to celebrate his graduation to "big boy" status. He got a cool, grow</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">n-up hair cut! Actually, it was more of a present for Dad & Mom, but still...something for him to look back on. </span><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><div style="font-size: medium; "><span><span style="font-size: 16px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvo4bPmttrkWMACclBNvJwE9KhdRsWzgmAd50zbdAyc91sRzgoSIJL6xSC7WNym6WsF-sRV1GFhXdU72fsYGAoCOYLtenyzPATqu722r3uFd6ctmL7W_0r-Nup-sv8qeg2yZ0/s320/DSCF0476.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717637733302204962" style="font-size: medium; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><div style="font-size: medium; "></div></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> And, of course, I had to take 10 pictures to get a "good" one. Most of them were like this! He's so ornery!</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu89CLJXT0tuySz2I1X3b9bmTRN5bLlLwECMxF5pd3nYD6mWiWHEL11_sZqIyVqliwIEosuF-GeVY93Zo2mUt7oFqw6R6JvtqNA0_WY_s5_f6JmViCqxFweLLL51NVkdkXenax/s320/DSCF0473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717633793989711394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I could go on, but I won't. Suffice it to say, he is the love of heart, the light of my life, and what gets me up in the morning! He has no idea the burdens he has eased during his sweet little life so far!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" /></a></div></div>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-5848129818536023982012-03-03T15:22:00.002-05:002012-03-03T15:37:42.088-05:00Things are looking up...<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">My surgeon called today. Yes, on a Saturday afternoon! She could have waited till Monday & had her assistant call, but she didn't. She called me today to tell me my MRI was...are you ready?...CLEAR!! FINALLY! Some good news in this situation. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">She still wants to get some more breast tissue, since one of the cancers had a close margin. (The cancer cells are close to the edge of the tissue, but not right at the edge.) Also, she'll do a </span>sentinel <span style="font-size: 100%;">node </span>biopsy<span style="font-size: 100%;">. So another surgery. When I had the lymph nodes removed 20 years ago, I was in the hospital for a week and I was miserable. So I asked her if I could wait till spring when school is out to have it done. I'm not about to leave Karen without someone to watch Lucas if I can help it. The doc explained that it will be out-patient again. She said if I have the surgery on a Thursday, I'll be able to care for Lucas by Monday. Things have really changed!</span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">We discussed </span>mastectomy<span style="font-size: 100%;">. Most often when there are 3 cancer sites, a </span>mastectomy<span style="font-size: 100%;"> is the norm. However, mine were all close together, and she got them all out; so she's leaving that decision up to me. After the research I've done, there's a 1% difference in survival rates between</span> lumpectomies<span style="font-size: 100%;"> & </span>mastectomies<span style="font-size: 100%;">. And if the cancer does spread or re-occur after the lumpectomy, it's usually within a year. So I'm giving it the year. I don't see the point right now of having that major invasion of my body if there's a possibility it's not necessary.</span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">Tuesday I see the oncologist. I'm going to the same one Gary has been seeing for 2 1/2 years. She's young and very straight-forward & I like her. She explains things in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">layman's</span> terms and answers every question you may have. She also keeps up on all the current treatment protocols.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I'm hoping for just radiation therapy, but we'll see what she has to say.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">So that's the journey so far. Looking up for now!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-57718554507690179742012-02-18T08:14:00.003-05:002012-02-18T09:14:39.578-05:00Next step...<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><div>Since my recent diagnosis, today is the 3rd day in a row I woke up well-rested & without my waking thought being, "Shit! I have cancer!" </div><div><br /></div><div>The next step is an MRI, so I've been "trying on " machines. They are built for people who aren't overweight, so it was recommended that look around to find one where I'll be comfortable. However, upon looking at the first one, I remembered I won't be comfortable even if it's the Lincoln Tunnel of MRI machines! Immediately upon stepping into the room, I feel utter panic. (It reminds me of the feelings they talk about on Ghost Hunters, when they measure EMF's!). However, I did find a roomy one and it's nearby. Of course, it's at a Cleveland Clinic lab! Fortunately it's in my insurance network. And I'll ask the doc for a few valium to take the edge off!</div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Speaking of insurance...the downside of Gary now being on Medicare is that I no longer have a secondary insurance. So I'm being hit with some rather hefty bills! However, once I've paid $2750, the insurance kicks in 100%. That doesn't sound like much...unless you know that my monthly pension is just a whopping $21 more than that! And I'm refusing to tap into savings! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Well, that was boring. Sorry! Wanna hear Lucas play his harmonica? This is his debut </span>performance<span style="font-size: 100%;">! We were watching him Thursday evening, and he finally figured out how to play it. He was so thrilled he was willing to take it to bed and let me hold the "B" (binky). Of course that didn't last, but still...</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dypkvHorlEAwqZDtSrXulQZQ3Yv1pu7MIQ6KqJ6XqYyQa7j4wqyto4VYjfm7MpWTXVdDYC3SRGBQDk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>On the creative side, I've been working feverishly to finish a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lafayettes-afghan">Lafayette afghan</a>. It's a replica of the afghan on Lafayette's couch in First Blood. I'll post of photo when I'm done. </div>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-19238817209071197242012-02-07T11:26:00.002-05:002012-02-07T14:58:53.984-05:00Breasts Behaving Badly<div>In March of 1991, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last month, I was diagnosed with breast cancer once again. 21 years later....here we go again.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've decided the best thing (for me) is to just blog it out. I need to put it all somewhere, so I'll start here. Hopefully, the journey won't be so long that this will be an ongoing theme. I know that some of you just may not want to hear it. I'll try to make the titles obvious enough that you can skip them if you so desire. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I first found out that my mammogram was wonky, the surgeon said that 80% of these types of tumors are NOT malignant. So I sort of felt kicked in the gut when I found out that mine WAS malignant, not to mention the fact that she got in there & there were 3 tumors instead of just one! Ordinarily, 3 or more tumors = mastectomy, but she (Oh..."she" is Dr. Nancy Gantt, the best damn breast surgeon in these parts!) decided to try to get them all anyway. And she did. BUT one didn't have clear margins, so she wants to go back in and see if she can clear out some more potentially cancerous tissue. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because of the unclear margins, she wants to be certain that nothing else is lurking in there that she may have missed, so my next procedure will be an MRI... that is if they can do it with my knee replacement. So that should be scheduled in 2 or 3 weeks, as they need the inflammation from the first surgery to go away. </div><div><br /></div><div>The MRI will tell us if I need a mastectomy...not a word I wanted to hear! But I guess if there's more little cancer cells dancing around in there, that's the only way to wipe them out. </div><div><br /></div><div>No matter what the MRI shows, I will definitely have to have some lymph nodes removed. Had that done 20 years ago and it was awful. But I'm counting on the fact that it's been improved over the years. (After all, I had a similar lumpectomy 20 years ago and I was laid up for weeks! This one is almost healed and I never took a pain pill! So the lymph node surgery should be better, too. Right?) And if I don't need the mastectomy, she will likely still want to get more of the tissue surrounding the naughty node that didn't have the good margins.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a lot of stuff to read, including the lab report. The Breast Navigator (I'm sorry, but there HAS to be a better job title than that!) gave me a pamphlet with all the medical jargon in plain English. She went through and highlighted everything that applies to me, so I can refer to it while I read the pathology report. I haven't had the energy to look at it yet. And I probably won't for a day or two. I'm really good at denial & procrastination...</div><div><br /></div><div>I also chose an oncologist. I'm using the same one Gary has, Dr. Awida. We both really like her and the surgeon says she goes to all the breast health seminars and keeps current. </div><div><br /></div><div>So far this experience hasn't been that torturous. I'm attributing that to the fact that I watched Gary undergo a stem cell transplant the summer of 2010. That, my friends, is torture! Also, I've had a Total Knee Replacement. Although it wasn't that bad, that's pretty major surgery. You know...severing muscles, chopping up & removing bones, etc. So putting those 2 things in perspective, I can do this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, so far the personnel part of it has been exceptional. The hospital staff were so nice. They listened, they comforted, they were upbeat. And I got a card after my surgery hand signed by all the nurses who took care of me while I was there! Dr. Gantt is wonderful! She's the type of person who can give you bad news, and make it sound not so bad. And she has such confidence, that some of it can't help but rub off.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that's where I am right now. I'm imbued in the clinical aspect right now. Later I'll allow the emotional aspect to seep in. Not now though. I'm too tired...</div><div><br /></div><div>Cancer sucks...but shit happens...and there are those (Gary) who have suffered far worse and survived...so I guess I can do this...even if I'd rather it hadn't turned out this way...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-60530379234704742132012-01-19T09:31:00.002-05:002012-01-19T10:03:03.269-05:00A Book Recommendation<div><span >You know(or maybe you don't) that I am so excited about the movie,<a href="http://disney.go.com/johncarter/"> John Carter</a>, coming out in March. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >If you are a true sci-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fi</span> geek, Star Wars lover, Ring enthusiast...or just curious...you really need to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1587156164/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=23211053&ref=pd_sl_9gd2pp49yy_e">A Princess of Mars</a>. If you have a <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/a-princess-of-mars?keyword=a+princess+of+mars&store=ebook">Nook</a> (and probably Kindle, too), be sure to do a do a search. I was able to download it for $.99. If you want a book, look around. You're sure to be able to find used copies of it. AND it is on audio book, if that is your preference. I recommend the <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_5?asin=B002UZZ6G6&qid=1326984413&sr=1-5">one narrated by John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bolen</span></a>. John Carter is a confederate soldier. Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bolen</span> reads in a mild Southern accent, adding a bit of authenticity to the narration.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Written in 1912 by Edgar Rice Burroughs (better known for Tarzan), it is really the beginning and inspiration of modern science fiction! It is so hard to believe that it is 100 years old! It is part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Barsoom</span> Series (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Barsoom</span> is what we call Mars), 11 books chronicling life on Mars. Only 3 of the series are John Carter books: A Princess of Mars,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1587156199"> Gods of Mars</a>, & <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1587156229">The Warlord of Mars.</a></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >It's been a long time since I've written a book report, so I'm lifting a paragraph from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Princess_of_Mars"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wikipedia</span></a> entry. There are spoilers, so if you don't want the plot spoiled, skip down to the video.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter_of_Mars" title="John Carter of Mars" class="mw-redirect" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">John Carter</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">, a</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_States_of_America" title="Confederate States of America" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">Confederate</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veteran" title="Veteran" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">veteran</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">of the</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War" title="American Civil War" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">American Civil War</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">, goes</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospecting" title="Prospecting" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">prospecting</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">in</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona" title="Arizona" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">Arizona</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">immediately after the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">war's</span> end. Having struck a rich vein of gold, he runs afoul of the</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apaches" title="Apaches" class="mw-redirect" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">Apaches</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">. While attempting to evade pursuit by hiding in a sacred cave, he is mysteriously transported to</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars" title="Mars" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">Mars</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">, called "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barsoom" title="Barsoom" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Barsoom</span></a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">" by its inhabitants. Carter finds that he has great strength and superhuman agility in this new environment as a result of its lesser</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity" title="Gravity" class="mw-redirect" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">gravity</a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">. He soon falls in with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tharks</span>, a nomadic tribe of Green Martians, as the planet's warlike, six-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">limbed</span>, green-skinned inhabitants are known. Thanks to his strength and combat abilities, Carter rises to a high position in the tribe and earns the respect and eventually the friendship of</span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tars_Tarkas" title="Tars Tarkas" style="background-color: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; ">Tars <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Tarkas</span></a><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">, one of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Thark</span> chiefs.</span></span></div><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tharks</span> subsequently capture <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dejah_Thoris" title="Dejah Thoris" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Dejah</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Thoris</span></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess" title="Princess" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Princess</a> of Helium, a member of the humanoid red Martian race. The red Martians inhabit a loose network of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City-states" title="City-states" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">city-states</a> and control the desert planet's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal" title="Canal" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">canals</a>, along which its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture" title="Agriculture" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">agriculture</a> is concentrated. Carter rescues <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Dejah</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Thoris</span> from the green men in a bid to return her to her people.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Subsequently Carter becomes embroiled in the political affairs of both the red and green men in his efforts to safeguard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Dejah</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Thoris</span>, eventually leading a horde of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Tharks</span> against the city-state of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Zodanga</span>, the historic enemy of Helium. Winning <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Dejah</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Thoris</span>' hand, he becomes Prince of Helium, and the two live happily together for nine years. However, the sudden breakdown of the Atmosphere Factory that sustains the planet's waning air supply endangers all life on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Barsoom</span>. In a desperate attempt to save the planet's inhabitants, Carter uses a secret telepathic code to enter the factory, bringing an engineer who can restore functionality. Carter then succumbs to asphyxiation, only to awaken on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth" title="Earth" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Earth</a>, left to wonder what has become of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Barsoom</span>.".</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left; ">I have high hopes for the movie. Disney considered stopping production when they were having some budget issues, but it was too far along, so they kept it. I'm hoping it will be worth it! If you clicked on the link about, you saw the trailer. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left; ">This is the test footage for the movie. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left; "><br /></span></p><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RcO6NRm8o3Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" />Photobucket"></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-70850207747620881042012-01-15T16:03:00.009-05:002012-01-15T17:34:19.488-05:00Pasta, Chocolate, a new shawl and an adorable little man...Winter has finally arrived, but not really settled in yet. There are still patches of green & brown poking up through the snow, even though there is ice on the steps. Rather ambivalent for Ohio.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I whipped up a few more good dishes this week, the best of which was <a href="http://www.wholeliving.com/131836/mediterranean-pasta-artichokes-olives-and-tomatoes">Mediterranean Pasta with Artichokes, Tomatoes & Olives. </a> Healthy, tasty and pretty! (excuse me while I install PSE on my new computer)...</div><div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc0N923Yt2y4YrUf90ts63jdZ95YbRvf5IB2yOfZFyhRLfBbsSY4j9ukWp-IipuyTm5cUjhisb-twIGiJmuCCDIDADb3D17upegBbPMEWKWfMOYEEm0U7behFJdCcIWiPR5s9/s320/DSCF0446-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697973263496223554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>I've also become interested (obsessed?) with Mexican chocolate of late. I've heard a lot of buzz about how good it is, and then I saw a recipe in my Zoku book for pops made with it. So I went online to <a href="http://www.mexgrocer.com/">MexGrocer</a> to order some. I've never ordered food ingredients on line, so wasn't prepared for the fun I would have just browsing through all the merchandise. I ended up with 2 brands of Mexican chocolate (Abuelita & Ibarra), a disc of chile chocolate, and one of salted almond. Also a vanilla blend & some Agave syrup. I tried the first cup of chocolate and it was definitely good. Well, if I'm going to make something special (especially if it's a traditional ethnic dish), I need the right tools. I read about canella, cinnamon sticks made from the bark of a West Indian tree. Also I was assured in my research that I couldn't make really authentic Mexican hot chocolate without a special whisk, a Molinillo. A search for both of these brought me to the <a href="http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Unique-Cooking-Tools-641/molinillo.aspx">Gourmet Sleuth</a>. Well, the rest is history...</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6weWvX72RLvxGCHM_TouiabmeRl_DOLzI8ucqTpOua0Grhy68zoKN_P5yho4gnIny83eHgx56VMRXehdSvBmcLfD6KTOahEdaqKRiL9yGAol0ybM3RHIwtQ6mbxb7N1fLqTB/s320/DSCF0449-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697976478298290882" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px; " /></div><div>I haven't tried it with the new tool yet, but I'll report when I do!</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>You may recall that I want to be more creative (just make stuff!). I dug out a crochet pattern for a shawl designed by one of my Facebook/Ravelry friends,<a href="http://www.yarnsandmusings.com/"> Deneen StAmour</a>. It's called <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Hippie_Chick_Crochet_Shawl__D11002220.html">Hippie Chick</a> and I've loved it since the first time I saw it! The best part is that it was a stash buster! I didn't have to buy one thing for it! I had the perfect yarn & of course the hooks...which is all it took. It's perfect because it's long & warm & makes me feel like I'm back in the late 60's!</div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1iI8UYgTadNIr1_NPB8qdq4Dki-tTzNsCNvWInS7RYsefsTadHGtGn2Tmb9tsyVYdOlmDBk9KhxrR_KI4wmqDmYZF3lsSk6XB7II6_Ti86CTGUwh5_-M8SlKdDqzuN6P5gdC/s320/DSCF0467-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697982853517152450" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px; " /></div></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLP5wxnWx3scjJwfsMCkqB1IaQCpImH4d5Of0SWbOcS3tdrPA4jtNB8FFuaUTAQBvRBOLI2lFd8QfqnDKJ3CauutG1kFfEiatMHWtvxE8MmRp5Qck1HDtc4hdFapFIDIoM3h0/s320/DSCF0469-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697982855319391874" style="text-align: left; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And of course there have been the best days, playing with Lucas. Needed a better storage solution for his tiny room (which he has to share with Grandma's clothes, dresser & yarn stash), so got one of these. Karen & Josh found it at Target for their place, so I got one, also. It is so nice to be able to just lift out a bin with all the pieces together in one place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4BEQlzplggagF8KtyTlORrUK4vDpq_fQbgYu-8Gb2EFxFk4u4wVP5rmxdz65zvSEzt9jL1bybg3KQP9hxfFLH0LAdKIR-eHBUO6zAlpVvdM8fuepWiWxo1fVq6SKNYnN9TqD/s1600/DSCF0451.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4BEQlzplggagF8KtyTlORrUK4vDpq_fQbgYu-8Gb2EFxFk4u4wVP5rmxdz65zvSEzt9jL1bybg3KQP9hxfFLH0LAdKIR-eHBUO6zAlpVvdM8fuepWiWxo1fVq6SKNYnN9TqD/s320/DSCF0451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697986426791956434" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div>I'll end with a few shots of the little guy at work...a joyful sight, even when he's on his head!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboaZmFi8qPMWvTAKfBlv7rUmzdfsDxBWB8wVDYULhHKxoigUmPX_C8Pl9nriZMIrzz3ID8xYH9yxtHkOFELpf96rH_X-ezv5OfuO8HPmOYKQnRmWvpuvmpaYDxiYZj8PLyarD/s1600/DSCF0458-b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboaZmFi8qPMWvTAKfBlv7rUmzdfsDxBWB8wVDYULhHKxoigUmPX_C8Pl9nriZMIrzz3ID8xYH9yxtHkOFELpf96rH_X-ezv5OfuO8HPmOYKQnRmWvpuvmpaYDxiYZj8PLyarD/s320/DSCF0458-b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697988881691851778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF7w0c2QVsbXD1034NLV-QtQMYF1R1MfglqsRMLK-47s1EDGgoscD_h00rNs-EXMtQ-bg_7m5CmeZYSZMyCzzGO-R5bj972PhmPJj9vzxuaIAC2-WVnWacK5DTL1doyP4qp50/s1600/DSCF0463-b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF7w0c2QVsbXD1034NLV-QtQMYF1R1MfglqsRMLK-47s1EDGgoscD_h00rNs-EXMtQ-bg_7m5CmeZYSZMyCzzGO-R5bj972PhmPJj9vzxuaIAC2-WVnWacK5DTL1doyP4qp50/s320/DSCF0463-b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697988874992685922" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhByY58IH3ualORFySRch-gCV9FHVhi2RLXXQeIuI3TjlJJqMd80DF-DznOHf5UPGB8btTq3Gckx_sogMLNb3fqnKm9t78ZegQTjh0A3jBwRMSWTc75c19Ywm9ZtV_v8SeLvuI/s1600/DSCF0465-b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhByY58IH3ualORFySRch-gCV9FHVhi2RLXXQeIuI3TjlJJqMd80DF-DznOHf5UPGB8btTq3Gckx_sogMLNb3fqnKm9t78ZegQTjh0A3jBwRMSWTc75c19Ywm9ZtV_v8SeLvuI/s320/DSCF0465-b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697988871083734786" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>See ya later!</div>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-20727297316769169112012-01-04T19:06:00.003-05:002012-01-04T19:35:14.617-05:00Beans, beans, the musical fruit...<div>This time of year, I always get on a cooking kick. It goes with the whole healthier eating thing, I guess. And lately, for me, I've realized it's just another form of creativity. Over the past few years, I've stocked my kitchen with handy appliances, wonderful pots, and wicked knives. And my Microsoft One Note is full of recipes culled from the web. There are lots of good blogs out there. Maybe later I'll write a blog about all the gadgets that have made cooking soooo much easier and more fun and maybe one featuring some of my favorite culinary web sites.</div><div><br /></div><div>So New Year's Day, we did our traditional sauerkraut & kielbasi. I, of course, eat only the kraut & smashed 'taters. That was followed the next day by <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/12/29/earlyshow/living/recipes/main7194146.shtml">Hoppin' John</a> . I figure we have all our "prosperity" bases covered for 2012. I did forget to burn my bayberry candle on New Year's Eve. But I did burn one on Christmas Eve, so we should be good to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I made<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=86602&origin=detail&servings=2"> Korma</a>. I was introduced to this by my lovely neice Nicole who writes the blog <a href="http://kbfos.blog.com/">Killer Blog From Outer Space</a>. I've played around with it several times, so this recipe cited here is just sort of a guideline. Like Nicole, I used coconut milk and the creaminess is unbelievable. No beans in this one, but lots of brown rice...so the effect's the same. I'm not much of a fan of most brown rice, but this was really good. It's called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rice-Select-Organic-Texmati-Brown/dp/B004LL474O">Texmati</a>. It's an American grown (Texas, to be exact) long grained brown basmati. It takes about 30-45 minutes to make, but it is well worth the wait. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight is was Rachel Ray's<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/veg-head-three-bean-chili-recipe/index.html"> Veg-Head Chili</a> from her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Veggie-Meals-Rachael-Rays-30-Minute/dp/189110506X">Veggie Meals</a> book. Now, Rachel's a little too "cute" for me (I would rather hear Lucas scratch the black board than hear her talk about "makin' sammies"). But this is a really good Chili. And there's enough left over for <a href="http://www.texascooking.com/recipes/fritopie.htm">Frito Pie</a> for lunch tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I've been very satisfied with my efforts thus far, and Gary cleans his plate (sometimes twice), so that's always a good sign. Now tomorrow is his turn. Then I want to try <a href="http://www.simplyscratch.com/2012/01/vegetable-pad-thai.html">Vegetable Pad Thai.</a> I went crazy at Whole Foods and bought all these sauces & spices for stir fry and such. Actually, I had delusions of making lettuce wraps! So anyway, I have the ingredients for the sauce, so it won't be that much of an investment.</div><div><br /></div><div>So...what have you made good lately?</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-5025479301446934712012-01-01T11:44:00.003-05:002012-01-01T13:25:21.366-05:00...and miles to go before I sleep...<div>I've made some fairly easy resolutions to bring in 2012. Oh, I'll be trying the usual: eating better, losing some weight, exercising more, being more financially responsible...but those are things I should be doing anyway, and that I try every year. They no longer merit resolution status!</div><div><br /></div><div>You see, the last 2 years have been rather difficult. I mean, I hate to complain about my life, as it's a damn good one in general! But we've been through a difficult pregnancy with my daughter (which resulted in the 2nd best thing that ever happened to me), my husbands diagnosis, treatment (stem cell transplant) & remission of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, my total knee replacement, and now I have something growing in my breast that shouldn't be there. So I've tried to keep things on an even keel here, but one thing I know suffered! </div><div><br /></div><div>Being creative! I used to always be making something, whether it be on the needles or hook, or being slathered with glue and glitter. Now I don't do that all that often. This Christmas, I made a few cards and realized how much I miss it!</div><div><br /></div><div>So that's going to be my resolution this year: being creative in some way every day. That includes taking pictures, sewing something, finishing an afghan, knitting a new shawl, take some classes somewhere, catch up on some scrapping...whatever. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that in turn means spending less time on my computer...unless it's for some type of creative pursuit. Perhaps I should say "staying off FB", the greatest time suck ever introduced to woman-kind!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll also be making a goal over on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/challenges/207-2012-reading-challenge">Goodreads</a>. Last year I had the same goal (to read 50 books) and made it to 43. So I'm trying for 50 again this year. That's book a week, with some wiggle room for the really long ones, like<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6320534-under-the-dome"> Under the Dome</a> (1072 pages, and I have the hardback copy!) or <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1215032.The_Wise_Man_s_Fear">The Wise Man's Fear</a> (that comes in at a whopping 994 pages!). </div><div><br /></div><div>Last but not least (and perhaps the most difficult to do) will be to blog again. You can see by looking back at my "archives" (my piddling posts hardly deserve such a lofty word!), that I've tried that one before. But, I'll find a new design, get some cutesy widgets, and start linking it to Facebook so maybe a person or 2 will read it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-63017403016063708582010-01-13T12:28:00.002-05:002010-01-13T12:30:06.296-05:00Win some Shimmerz Pearls!Wow! <a href="http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com/">This is pretty cool! </a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-59553748876656545162010-01-04T12:01:00.005-05:002010-01-10T10:31:24.285-05:00So much happened......in the brief 3 1/2 months that has passed.<br /><br />Many of my regular readers may follow me on Facebook, so you know that Gary was diagnosed with cancer (lymphoma) and is enduring chemotherapy, and I had a total knee replacement and am enduring PT (Pain & Torture). The baby is wonderful. Christmas was nice...low key but a wonderful time of family & friends. And it's cold!<br /><br />I always say I'm going to try to keep up with the blog a little more. That's all I can say...I'll try... I'm feeling a little more creative lately, so maybe that will inspire me to share my time a little more with my readers. (There aren't that many!)<br /><br />Following are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...<br /><br />Evidence of my latent geekery - The Tardis. It's a USB port that Gary got me for Christmas. I love it, as it makes Tardis-like noises when you plug in a cord! Oh, and for those of you who don't know about Dr. Who...well...I'm sorry! And for those of you who do...can you wait for the new Doctor?! David Tennant will be hard to replace, but I'm open-minded! Russell Davis hasn't failed us yet!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPUx-xC3uK4PQNBafd8Iw0AsBfEKXh7uBFWxD2ei1LAbha2yZO3Q9KJnjTTcUxART2vQhX6oglYQnh1BlsVQSIdzWQzmucmxuiFtUs6YfE1-8LqbcRlYhylIzY615utIKzIXb/s1600-h/DSCF9674.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPUx-xC3uK4PQNBafd8Iw0AsBfEKXh7uBFWxD2ei1LAbha2yZO3Q9KJnjTTcUxART2vQhX6oglYQnh1BlsVQSIdzWQzmucmxuiFtUs6YfE1-8LqbcRlYhylIzY615utIKzIXb/s320/DSCF9674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422935918919472386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Himself...getting so big...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl48Bc06TQz9gB-__yJ7WXV5_KRN9_HFCf7HFBI7Fd3nfRl8esh0OLuW2ySXYtj6keUv98SbvblZhuWsfzvI64Jb6EGSICkoZCztv8ea47YnSmH9YTabdUrSrdEPkLjkZMauhF/s1600-h/elf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl48Bc06TQz9gB-__yJ7WXV5_KRN9_HFCf7HFBI7Fd3nfRl8esh0OLuW2ySXYtj6keUv98SbvblZhuWsfzvI64Jb6EGSICkoZCztv8ea47YnSmH9YTabdUrSrdEPkLjkZMauhF/s320/elf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422935917164956082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Me...opening a total Christmas surprise...a nifty little Netbook! It will be so great for crops...and I can surf in bed! LOL! And off to the side you can see a portion of my newest "best" friend...the walker...odd that I haven't named it yet!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGzbVyRrJt9gcbYCyGx7JX85R6WNpXnxAWT05WBK_exTVQZzW58cvodu5bySm1UoFhPforLgKJ6F60wBjF9G4VoyzkXC8i0otuG6TDxd9UwBnmpJm-6XXsvQscHsy1nc2dH_S/s1600-h/DSCF9656.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGzbVyRrJt9gcbYCyGx7JX85R6WNpXnxAWT05WBK_exTVQZzW58cvodu5bySm1UoFhPforLgKJ6F60wBjF9G4VoyzkXC8i0otuG6TDxd9UwBnmpJm-6XXsvQscHsy1nc2dH_S/s320/DSCF9656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422935895847745106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lucas loves his Grandpa! (note the lack of beard...and if you see close enough...eyebrows)...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PMY4EZJQgl6CiO7pphJ8cZ3jXk4q7It1HSY5OOuVxX0RG6w3oaFlkXnHHEaSoeTJdJc4WanxeypomFZiyrTAWOeFHsMU5Id3uH4q6TYzRefKo_kI6aa5HlxLJeHWnqk9qbZn/s1600-h/DSCF9660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PMY4EZJQgl6CiO7pphJ8cZ3jXk4q7It1HSY5OOuVxX0RG6w3oaFlkXnHHEaSoeTJdJc4WanxeypomFZiyrTAWOeFHsMU5Id3uH4q6TYzRefKo_kI6aa5HlxLJeHWnqk9qbZn/s320/DSCF9660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422938055951855426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-hKp786vOPEtSxMgy_YD9JBHCJ2UJ-3N7WfdiNeldi6_3Y1RLoZxqK9RSyd3vy018ZR8XXXfOgIATdUv4rFHjwqB6xl9X3BPkWTsWkkb-3n6UCOtqEFUTNAfy56xxDZn8hE6/s1600-h/DSCF9657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-hKp786vOPEtSxMgy_YD9JBHCJ2UJ-3N7WfdiNeldi6_3Y1RLoZxqK9RSyd3vy018ZR8XXXfOgIATdUv4rFHjwqB6xl9X3BPkWTsWkkb-3n6UCOtqEFUTNAfy56xxDZn8hE6/s320/DSCF9657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422935906761196786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Karen & Josh cuddling their other baby...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FIG2wqRwv6s4TZ6P5aLzJvZhr7VeS9ubdulMdQjINmcjJhdvzeeH6WxzqI1KS0hJcxLsHDv9KBt93ibuEUCL9EVysrfRFeVA_hyxAOOVul3yGc60LkZNOI9ONl3HETL7rj52/s1600-h/DSCF9665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FIG2wqRwv6s4TZ6P5aLzJvZhr7VeS9ubdulMdQjINmcjJhdvzeeH6WxzqI1KS0hJcxLsHDv9KBt93ibuEUCL9EVysrfRFeVA_hyxAOOVul3yGc60LkZNOI9ONl3HETL7rj52/s320/DSCF9665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422935911979101890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-34109021004910462922009-09-14T10:22:00.004-05:002009-09-14T14:42:14.784-05:00Bits and Pieces...Just checkin' in to say hello and catch up a little.<br /><br />We had a little scare with Lucas, as he lost weight from the time he left the hospital to his first check-up. So Karen started (sadly) supplementing with formula. The lazy little guy! He just loves to cuddle and sleep! They have to wake him up in the middle of the night to get all his feedings in! But he gained weight and all is well! He's such a sweet little guy! Here are some recent photos.<br /><br />Nakey is good!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALyzRMDUKScQL1GOIColFCsfdOh5oKuF1Q46i4p6C5B_ACDHB2IrSU9kzchIWA6i2uKuyPUqE9N_YUlTN3N9K2jWWN7SFaWXLc73BDNeaJD7MFGykIVb2X1tbmixWRWEGSXJr/s1600-h/nakey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALyzRMDUKScQL1GOIColFCsfdOh5oKuF1Q46i4p6C5B_ACDHB2IrSU9kzchIWA6i2uKuyPUqE9N_YUlTN3N9K2jWWN7SFaWXLc73BDNeaJD7MFGykIVb2X1tbmixWRWEGSXJr/s320/nakey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381345495638346034" border="0" /></a><br />I love this one!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezXdgbo1EnbpAvBdas0Smb_UnYFq3NuY-kMEQejZAZHqitQn31m4JzUu7nxBZ4sKp6P2J0AndS0kdSyTEpVIQb9PK4TSiFN_sp3FdzmflfsOrMRYpvKLlTEtwNpORsne2mKpN/s1600-h/DSCF9326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezXdgbo1EnbpAvBdas0Smb_UnYFq3NuY-kMEQejZAZHqitQn31m4JzUu7nxBZ4sKp6P2J0AndS0kdSyTEpVIQb9PK4TSiFN_sp3FdzmflfsOrMRYpvKLlTEtwNpORsne2mKpN/s320/DSCF9326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381345491476695458" border="0" /></a><br />Karen's caption for this one: "Concerned baby is concerned because he is only a week old and already wearing old man pants!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMNc2w5YqVCy8G6ZHdhSIe6J-ThdBYaIVFaORghYt6Lr9lrVV1wnHO7BYDi9mIiKqxB9pAZbRsl00ZP4ObRteay_5atdjYM6vzUZAGld6sim2-aczSiFYA6XoUDLz09GPczCO/s1600-h/old+man+pants.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMNc2w5YqVCy8G6ZHdhSIe6J-ThdBYaIVFaORghYt6Lr9lrVV1wnHO7BYDi9mIiKqxB9pAZbRsl00ZP4ObRteay_5atdjYM6vzUZAGld6sim2-aczSiFYA6XoUDLz09GPczCO/s320/old+man+pants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381345483031524018" border="0" /></a><br />Big eyes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRA4HUK_ctNJ-IqLVOnM3HujbosGZrC5WfhY_Z7MUj3eoIjPpglqk7MbPPeriekNp5Wg-RGTrMZbicVgA8q3WvrO-YiqhFBNpbkC8JpXvcBnzyGXOXpdvAgmQqIRFzfTM7RZv/s1600-h/awake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRA4HUK_ctNJ-IqLVOnM3HujbosGZrC5WfhY_Z7MUj3eoIjPpglqk7MbPPeriekNp5Wg-RGTrMZbicVgA8q3WvrO-YiqhFBNpbkC8JpXvcBnzyGXOXpdvAgmQqIRFzfTM7RZv/s320/awake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381345480135290322" border="0" /></a><br />He loves his bouncy chair!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPul_36nqqfKTfERuIoPfOiPH9nRboXoI9JQ5_UIZSlyoEakydwCHsslQs90quZTTqV3WVwi2-XXYgIgNCHmZiSuzfCInr4bbudLg5rZ9yk-Yd6OQyb7bUtJ3yPxHH0pnWb117/s1600-h/bouncy+seat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPul_36nqqfKTfERuIoPfOiPH9nRboXoI9JQ5_UIZSlyoEakydwCHsslQs90quZTTqV3WVwi2-XXYgIgNCHmZiSuzfCInr4bbudLg5rZ9yk-Yd6OQyb7bUtJ3yPxHH0pnWb117/s320/bouncy+seat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381345470477243810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Found this on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/index.php">Etsy</a> and had to buy one for Lucas! Can't wait to see him in it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.86267714.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 535px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.86267714.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Make it so!<br /><br /><br />Gary had his first chemo session last week. 3 days worth! It went well. No side effects yet. Three more weeks till the next session.<br /><br />Do you buy an <a href="http://www.entertainment.com/discount/?linkName=GOOGLE">Entertainment Book</a> every year? Would you like to win a free one? Click on the 5 Minutes for Giveaways button in my sidebar and sign up! Good luck!<br /><br />A few yarny creations - <br />This is a baby size afghan made from 9" squares received in a swap on Ravelry. I love it and I think Lucas will too. I did another one that is a big bigger - 12" squares...big enough for a floor blanket for him to play on. But Karen accidentally took it home before I could photograph it. It's all different bright colors and textures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70w1ni4Ux0jzuRa1Q5kjoi9y5I7pjKLhgxzCSoyD3AS56sQSAt4FoSCACp9faYEOzIBvAkaUmIhIq8Fopb13aI8jgfvD3JeqEYDSjBmoZVGBkDl6tjbB7Ve8zfLE-LOO4yl97/s1600-h/DSCF9339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70w1ni4Ux0jzuRa1Q5kjoi9y5I7pjKLhgxzCSoyD3AS56sQSAt4FoSCACp9faYEOzIBvAkaUmIhIq8Fopb13aI8jgfvD3JeqEYDSjBmoZVGBkDl6tjbB7Ve8zfLE-LOO4yl97/s320/DSCF9339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381407308525599570" border="0" /></a><br />A pumpkin hat. I hope it fits! If not, though, it was easy enough to make, so I can donate this one and whip up another one for him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCCcyHpg0_vwqkgktDRdB3hiHvIYrWvbhjS3fogoSvhMwStkAe5fn8XV2gbA45oM7GGPWtweHTfjqpZNyKvEFZBiT_B72wyuUDvKQMHZ6YMm92J9-tufAe6ElLdmsh91lF4VX/s1600-h/DSCF9341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCCcyHpg0_vwqkgktDRdB3hiHvIYrWvbhjS3fogoSvhMwStkAe5fn8XV2gbA45oM7GGPWtweHTfjqpZNyKvEFZBiT_B72wyuUDvKQMHZ6YMm92J9-tufAe6ElLdmsh91lF4VX/s320/DSCF9341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381407301309744274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And while you're here...go <a href="http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=38BFD06B40038A37D0A77BE0B50BD7DD&page=1">here</a>...and vote for Alphie. You'll be voting to win money for <a href="http://www.aplacetobark.com/">A Place to Bark</a>, which you know is one of my favorite places to donate. If Bernie wins, she'll be able to hire someone to help her with all the awesome work she does! It just takes a minute. And he is a cutie!<br /><br />Well....till next time...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-36808765644330455752009-08-19T08:53:00.004-05:002009-08-19T09:00:35.027-05:00It's a boy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Dxygv0Nl2Wog-wUwO__gVdxpUOmfVws8pk99U-jIY9l_phSXA0Pa7sQUV7cschj9boGNgFAGvm38Ez5giLxakVsp3bHEGjBU6rjW-BcLX7drsUIT21pIx0ZT1DU-rjeS9Zc7/s1600-h/DSCF9263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Dxygv0Nl2Wog-wUwO__gVdxpUOmfVws8pk99U-jIY9l_phSXA0Pa7sQUV7cschj9boGNgFAGvm38Ez5giLxakVsp3bHEGjBU6rjW-BcLX7drsUIT21pIx0ZT1DU-rjeS9Zc7/s320/DSCF9263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371674029335632066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He's finally here, and beautiful he is! Since many of my readers have already seen him, I'll make this short and sweet for now.<br /><br />Lucas James came to our world at 8:08 pm on 8/18. He weighs 6 pounds 13 ounces and is 20 inches long. And he is absolutely perfect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SOHLnL2Sz-o6WdiFLTuM17V1DufcVea5knvpTxmCvCUjRubEmPZOAAB_YwR8S-Vfm2P7P_SC6h91E1edUP4tyxGJF4pr2D617F3wUB47NhqLiQQ3sdwai8KDTEL-Aui1R4Vs/s1600-h/DSCF9265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SOHLnL2Sz-o6WdiFLTuM17V1DufcVea5knvpTxmCvCUjRubEmPZOAAB_YwR8S-Vfm2P7P_SC6h91E1edUP4tyxGJF4pr2D617F3wUB47NhqLiQQ3sdwai8KDTEL-Aui1R4Vs/s320/DSCF9265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371673690952181058" border="0" /></a><br />We are, of course, all totally smitten!<br /><br />And now that I'm done worrying about him & Karen, and Gary is on the mend, maybe Scrapbook Mojo will return! I miss him!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-86026034392896040112009-08-08T14:27:00.002-05:002009-08-08T17:13:25.424-05:00Wow! I don't think I've gone this long without a some kind of post! Those of you who know me, know that things have not been the best around here. Bad things happening: Gary had major surgery & has been diagnosed with lymphoma. How do a healthy, sports-loving, active man go from being vital and alive to one have Parkinson's Disease & lymphoma? And he's lost 35 pounds so is so...thin.... It breaks my heart! But we're dealing with it. I've become the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">housewife</span>/cook I once was as well and a nurse maid. I must say though, that for a week and 2 days post-surgery (consisting of having alien things removed, and part of his bowel sliced & re-sectioned), he is doing amazingly well.<br />The good thing is that we are on baby watch. The last few month it appears that both Karen and the baby are much more healthy. She finally gained some weight...a whopping 9 pounds! I think I gained that my first month! And the baby, although small, is still in the safe range. Measurements say he is verging on 7 pounds, but they say these can go 2 pounds either way. Once she hit 36 weeks, they took her off all restrictions, which has done wonders. As it stands, if he doesn't make an appearance on his own by the 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>, they'll induce. Her due date is the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> and they don't want to go past that. So in approximately 10 days, our status will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">elevated</span> to Grandparents!<br /><br />All my creative abilities have been channeled to knitting and crocheting little sweaters, hats, and burp cloths. And I'm in 6 different blanket square swap groups! These are perfect though, because they're all small, uncomplicated, and can take my mind away for a while. I haven't scrapped or stamped. I try. But it just won't come. I'm sure when I have new baby pictures, it will all click again!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A little hat made from bamboo yarn<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/10877007/DSCF9031_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 210px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/10877007/DSCF9031_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is called Baby Yoda. How could I not knit this?!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9590887/DSCF8945_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 205px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9590887/DSCF8945_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Another sweater. I have little sailboat buttons to put on it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/11584407/DSCF9197_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 236px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/11584407/DSCF9197_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Something I made for myself. I haven't used it yet because it really should be lined. But here it is!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/11213927/DSCF9150_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 191px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/11213927/DSCF9150_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And an "upstairs" blanket for the babe.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3763872087_0ab7880ae3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 206px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3763872087_0ab7880ae3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So that's it for now. Sorry it's not more exciting...but there it is. I'm off to make some orange <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">roughy</span> for dinner!<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-31669393460764636022009-06-26T13:42:00.003-05:002009-06-26T15:05:20.760-05:00Shout-out to Tombow!Not to long ago, I participated in a blind study for some adhesives. I don't even remember how I got involved. But they sent me several different shipments of adhesives. I used them for several days, sent back what I didn't use, and then filled out some on-line surveys. They said they would send me something in return for my assistance. I didn't expect much, and when a month passed by, I figured I really wasn't going to get anything. It didn't' really matter, though, as I hadn't invested anything but a little bit of time.<br /><br />Then yesterday a box came from Tombow. It had all this in it:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0LrWBMpuimg/SkUo1i28_gI/AAAAAAAACXU/P6o42tK7eqk/s1600-h/DSCF9019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0LrWBMpuimg/SkUo1i28_gI/AAAAAAAACXU/P6o42tK7eqk/s320/DSCF9019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351728632555175426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There was also an envelope, revealing that the products I had used were from a new line by Tombow. AND...in the envelope was also a Visa gift card for....are you ready?!...$75.00! I was totally shocked and very, very impressed! Never did I expect to get such a generous gift!<br /><br />So thank you to <a href="http://www.tombowusa.com/Default.aspx">Tombow</a>! I am truly impressed.<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-76238076513002670082009-06-20T14:12:00.004-05:002009-06-20T14:40:45.059-05:00Here it is...Another rough week (for me...everything's fine with Karen!) But finally here are some shots from the shower. Some of the photos are a tad blurry because I didn't have the flas on, so my apologies for that! And the place was sort of dark for photography. None the less, some fun memories were preserved.<br /><br />The happy parents-to-be. Josh attended the shower and was such a big help to Karen. She said she never would have been able to get through all the packages without him. He even managed to intercept a card that he knew would make her cry!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSmWC8q8YAyfO-xog3v52WKE6Kc0PzEJBKGERxlAjB4-odgRQi4JzCV4lZUFuf3r31eHpB-DzUxznHUcVKAV4b2nGWTUB3yla3Sumxti7HrzbZl-5h_PAzoxc5cYcsPDwBE7U/s1600-h/DSCF8947.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSmWC8q8YAyfO-xog3v52WKE6Kc0PzEJBKGERxlAjB4-odgRQi4JzCV4lZUFuf3r31eHpB-DzUxznHUcVKAV4b2nGWTUB3yla3Sumxti7HrzbZl-5h_PAzoxc5cYcsPDwBE7U/s320/DSCF8947.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349492872121921666" border="0" /></a><br />Ginny & Nicole came early from Pittsburgh to help me set up. That was much appreciated, as I wasn't feeling 100%!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GvKkbSY9Tt9HhUKq_qCDiUNf7EijvfTIIiaCkWbUC_rZt7Y70tnW6RgF6lrmyP_ll54VLnrvog7gCRn2tbt2CEYDEHlv2pbTOq4RwJXcj99rSeRRHkY3UGtaI-e7y6rbpzX5/s1600-h/DSCF8946.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GvKkbSY9Tt9HhUKq_qCDiUNf7EijvfTIIiaCkWbUC_rZt7Y70tnW6RgF6lrmyP_ll54VLnrvog7gCRn2tbt2CEYDEHlv2pbTOq4RwJXcj99rSeRRHkY3UGtaI-e7y6rbpzX5/s320/DSCF8946.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349492864613621410" border="0" /></a><br />The decorations looked good. A fun, different theme for a baby shower!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvJ2xS9NEMeF-6eJbbMf5cLfpQOrCE0Tv88QLzF1ISu4a1-AHrt74BYSQ18mc_Yz02zW9F1M52XXJoPQKA2Kk9HnK1FGLrzSMi4KXMz7e0bQlWgilHaRSnNadPKp068FElqR0/s1600-h/DSCF8943.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvJ2xS9NEMeF-6eJbbMf5cLfpQOrCE0Tv88QLzF1ISu4a1-AHrt74BYSQ18mc_Yz02zW9F1M52XXJoPQKA2Kk9HnK1FGLrzSMi4KXMz7e0bQlWgilHaRSnNadPKp068FElqR0/s320/DSCF8943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349494087332783554" border="0" /></a><br />There were lots of guest, but the best were friends and family!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtdQLq8e2d-5Ko1kxHjvZBf-BpIRFHLDBcDDdAW5CCRP-gbDQhLvl0kEK9dt9FZh646-bJYRdkHeOPqyvlKFBe-vHc6oLfkkpc5ZHcr0W-K9f-UQZvuJw33lPi8SxoD0ptNaZ/s1600-h/DSCF8962.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtdQLq8e2d-5Ko1kxHjvZBf-BpIRFHLDBcDDdAW5CCRP-gbDQhLvl0kEK9dt9FZh646-bJYRdkHeOPqyvlKFBe-vHc6oLfkkpc5ZHcr0W-K9f-UQZvuJw33lPi8SxoD0ptNaZ/s320/DSCF8962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349494077644387618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10Qsp5hh2uDxw4D2IDCgAjxRdIKnepT7qVuhkj1MntwJfi24Lr7fdkhjgYdDksA9z_c7qhfL7GYTy9O48DlhjIzHWLZp1YvTIw6xzuaYDDAij0cQKu2c4SgH-Fek_aqoO76c_/s1600-h/DSCF8963.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10Qsp5hh2uDxw4D2IDCgAjxRdIKnepT7qVuhkj1MntwJfi24Lr7fdkhjgYdDksA9z_c7qhfL7GYTy9O48DlhjIzHWLZp1YvTIw6xzuaYDDAij0cQKu2c4SgH-Fek_aqoO76c_/s320/DSCF8963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349494072911753106" border="0" /></a><br />And thanks, Kelly, for taking the pictures during the "opening"!<br /><br />Lots of great gifts! And enough money and gift cards to finish up the nursery!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBODbFVS_iNr943T02kavFNhMS-fUpfn0PmTF3xZOeDNWem7FA8gcbY0W-JJe1rRX7GKtRJ8Frxc4vIc7wVkUqXHcijHXORv5kNY6Yf8YXW_vcSnpkJozP9F0UsRaFsTzlPlc/s1600-h/DSCF8988.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBODbFVS_iNr943T02kavFNhMS-fUpfn0PmTF3xZOeDNWem7FA8gcbY0W-JJe1rRX7GKtRJ8Frxc4vIc7wVkUqXHcijHXORv5kNY6Yf8YXW_vcSnpkJozP9F0UsRaFsTzlPlc/s320/DSCF8988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349494092068844258" border="0" /></a>Karen asked Josh to pick out their diaper bag, as she figured he'd be carrying it most of the time! So it's a nice Eddie Bauer! No man purse for him!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ra6i29buvHum5bRlwBLv50H8FV52kmCJrkHe66zk7wEtHecXbMlaQHz2rJV5ZIP7ilILHj_EVjG_lb2BUvSoOHkhRnkWUkIQg3q5um-gZbE0dGK7X4TXtjFSZHdhSWcNJeBA/s1600-h/DSCF8987.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ra6i29buvHum5bRlwBLv50H8FV52kmCJrkHe66zk7wEtHecXbMlaQHz2rJV5ZIP7ilILHj_EVjG_lb2BUvSoOHkhRnkWUkIQg3q5um-gZbE0dGK7X4TXtjFSZHdhSWcNJeBA/s320/DSCF8987.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349492885781716306" border="0" /></a><br />And of course, the obligatory belly shot!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgQwhla_xtd8agTbFNkQByGCStO6D7-MrupPj0ZrTHf8n_SUoV4_f1BVodAtrbzb662dLXPb3-OncEr-NzntR9rYPIz69O8DPGZzw00do8-X22yOXhRS1gXeXrPgSQpJXShfI/s1600-h/DSCF8953.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgQwhla_xtd8agTbFNkQByGCStO6D7-MrupPj0ZrTHf8n_SUoV4_f1BVodAtrbzb662dLXPb3-OncEr-NzntR9rYPIz69O8DPGZzw00do8-X22yOXhRS1gXeXrPgSQpJXShfI/s320/DSCF8953.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349492875312223426" border="0" /></a><br />It was a great time, but I think we're all glad it's over. Now it's just waiting for the baby to arrive! The doc thinks it could be by the 2nd week in July, but Karen doesn't think so. We're hoping he holds on a few more weeks! She's almost through week 31. Just a few more, Baby!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-40628750541611700182009-06-12T15:20:00.004-05:002009-06-12T16:15:13.772-05:00Friday's Favorite Five...It's been a rough week for me: migraine w/ER trip Saturday; back spasms Tuesday; servere bruise on my leg; Gary's not been himself on the new meds...all the more reason to think back on 5 good things that happened this week!<br /><br />1. Going to the La Bella Vita with Karen.<br /><br />But for the first time since her wedding, we had a girls day at the salon: manicures (I did the hot wax dip); facial waxing (I no longer have Andy Rooney's eyebrows!); hair cuts; new polish. Unfortunately, neither of us had our cameras, but G. says we look good! And he is totally unbiased!<br /><br />2. Making the centerpieces & favors for the shower.<br />Click on the picture of the treasure chest so you can see the treasure map under it. I love the way they all turned out! What do you think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXw21SSCd4JhMg695_SeL2HTLFXGO0YFeY8bep5GsuN1szqM8Skrs1PS20AT3DatXOyM6bfTkiSp8Kr0QUmNzXlJgs7Tq9o0zlizIOUJVQIb5m9JEYnP1lOxNCLGw3IKVrVto/s1600-h/DSCF8926.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXw21SSCd4JhMg695_SeL2HTLFXGO0YFeY8bep5GsuN1szqM8Skrs1PS20AT3DatXOyM6bfTkiSp8Kr0QUmNzXlJgs7Tq9o0zlizIOUJVQIb5m9JEYnP1lOxNCLGw3IKVrVto/s320/DSCF8926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346540703251433858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRXXKYMMwDVI8_Osok8mqWPqB-M8Ri8F54KdiLlLByzsCSGvwI2ZZq5ceRXoAJVI1HoDFz4dkIp-z196r76BVMIunmCnlRXFn5k4xGC-pbd1Kivd2sDdt8EL84xJn1hWLv7fe/s1600-h/DSCF8931.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRXXKYMMwDVI8_Osok8mqWPqB-M8Ri8F54KdiLlLByzsCSGvwI2ZZq5ceRXoAJVI1HoDFz4dkIp-z196r76BVMIunmCnlRXFn5k4xGC-pbd1Kivd2sDdt8EL84xJn1hWLv7fe/s320/DSCF8931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346540701711155778" border="0" /></a><br />3. A garden on my porch.<br />I physically can't garden anymore, but this year I've put a little patch on the little porch! There are 3 tomatoes (Italian Plum, Bush, & Hillbilly), 2 peppers (Best Belle sweet green, and chocolate pepper), and lots of herbs (cilantro, chives, rosemary, basil, oregano, parsley, dill...and more I can't recall right off).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmmOPEgzANXNxQ1CF-b-L7ClxzCdNGbPWVAPmJY_7tbORd25xabOVnJ0IXtyzJ_47N1wCS6AB2LG9N_SYD1CnXfz9tFvt3axM5VYyeNmcRxUrQDt5u53Hx06GfQcQ6XlCqqUo/s1600-h/DSCF8935.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmmOPEgzANXNxQ1CF-b-L7ClxzCdNGbPWVAPmJY_7tbORd25xabOVnJ0IXtyzJ_47N1wCS6AB2LG9N_SYD1CnXfz9tFvt3axM5VYyeNmcRxUrQDt5u53Hx06GfQcQ6XlCqqUo/s320/DSCF8935.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346551280147418370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfftnJ953Ye9fJYqKFF4OAS9WjN_JHzcQjPdI7PycLsRN-QbFQr_jzUGrXEFHO9HFko6R0vPXvBry0jq-aTAjlbqNfGM2ipa5PSHnS0s7aVm5UGtpIIGcbDIExXAiGCoWcKkWT/s1600-h/DSCF8938.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfftnJ953Ye9fJYqKFF4OAS9WjN_JHzcQjPdI7PycLsRN-QbFQr_jzUGrXEFHO9HFko6R0vPXvBry0jq-aTAjlbqNfGM2ipa5PSHnS0s7aVm5UGtpIIGcbDIExXAiGCoWcKkWT/s320/DSCF8938.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346551266150810610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB_WlnIcebuOguj0x_3Y_EaOEUlZqOGOJvou03wG4GxlqboMy7pz95FMnxEUVm3fcCq4zJ06zKrcuQd_FQvJyzhKv8bmFpKDTneiub1Y05Ohsu0eRW0mR40MO92_swPzZautU/s1600-h/DSCF8939.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB_WlnIcebuOguj0x_3Y_EaOEUlZqOGOJvou03wG4GxlqboMy7pz95FMnxEUVm3fcCq4zJ06zKrcuQd_FQvJyzhKv8bmFpKDTneiub1Y05Ohsu0eRW0mR40MO92_swPzZautU/s320/DSCF8939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346551260151061618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. A creative mess.<br />Although I hate the cleaning up part, the mess is a sign I've been creating a little this week, and I love that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOrPBFZW0yvOwwdPDM-mvx4MA3IKSfIRiX22fhKhF-WYllXAp1MWR4xVYM6dH04MgGq_GY4N2ut0_N7ADDY0SPUA-yRwDmjl1gxndu9PNdcw-d-E1K1JfbPoJCFIbkTrLaqAK/s1600-h/DSCF8942.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOrPBFZW0yvOwwdPDM-mvx4MA3IKSfIRiX22fhKhF-WYllXAp1MWR4xVYM6dH04MgGq_GY4N2ut0_N7ADDY0SPUA-yRwDmjl1gxndu9PNdcw-d-E1K1JfbPoJCFIbkTrLaqAK/s320/DSCF8942.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346551246834750242" border="0" /></a>5. Blue sky, sun in the clouds, warmth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoco4KA5vWIdDbKc_Wkgb8LJ5pjXyl5irFUplZ2egWlvBinFzwczdqG1EdnX1WiBDWBxF_ttauWoySLVWzRvbeoxlFZXXxSST3lhGeiiK_0LnIlly6U-Im659LtA0MWXf_qlqH/s1600-h/DSCF8940.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoco4KA5vWIdDbKc_Wkgb8LJ5pjXyl5irFUplZ2egWlvBinFzwczdqG1EdnX1WiBDWBxF_ttauWoySLVWzRvbeoxlFZXXxSST3lhGeiiK_0LnIlly6U-Im659LtA0MWXf_qlqH/s320/DSCF8940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346551252504324578" border="0" /></a><br /> "God's in His Heaven and all's right with the world."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-59319066417562964622009-06-10T08:27:00.004-05:002009-06-10T09:14:58.623-05:00What the f*&# happened?!So I'm sitting here yesterday, minding my own business, feeling fine. I was planning to head out to Bath & Body Works for prizes for the shower Sunday. I stood up and my back was a wee bit stiff. No big deal. I have a glitchy back...we all know that. So I started getting ready, performed a "necessary" task (use your imagination...I was about to leave the house), stood up...and my back really hurt. It was on the opposite side from where it usually was, so thought maybe I should do the pain-relieving yoga exercises. Well, long story short....I can barely walk! I've been hobbling around since yesterday afternoon with my cane, all bent over like Baba Yaga! What the h-e-double hockey-sticks?! One of the few weeks out of 52 I have things to do, and I'm a cripple?! I have a doctor's appointment today. I was hoping for a cortisone shot (I'm a big fan!), but I did my Google research and see that because the SI joint (where, I am pretty sure, lies the problem) is so deep that they have to be done with an x-ray. We'll see...it may still be possible. I have 2 days to spare, but I must be at least able to get around by Friday! I've been dosing myself with a combination of Darvocet and Advil, but that doesn't seem to do the trick. It takes the edge off, but I still can barely walk.<br /><br />HOWEVER...the shower is Sunday and I'm pretty excited. Karen and I were laughing last night. We're going to be quite a family table. She's on Level 2 restrictions (which means she probably shouldn't even go to the shower, but just try to keep her away!), Josh was riding his bike and bruised the bone in his leg, his mom fell at work and bruised her shoulder, and I can't walk!<br /><br />I've been working away on centerpieces, favors, and some decorations. I'm pretty happy with the way all of them came out. I'll take pictures when they're all finished. I still have to go to B&BW for the prizes, Hallmark for wrapping paper, and Dollar Tree for bags. Oh and to Pat Catan's to pick up the last of the centerpieces that they had UPS'd from Wooster for me! I have to paint them, but that's no biggy. Just time consuming.<br /><br />Karen's still having some difficulty with her pregnancy. The latest is possible gestation diabetes. Also the baby's head and femur measurements are at 31 weeks (2 weeks ahead), but the abdominal measurement is at 27 weeks (2 weeks behind). However that happened in a week; the last sonogram he was right on target, so he'll probably catch up this week. However, school's done and they're moved into their new place, so she has lots of time to rest and let Josh & Mommy & Daddy take care of her.<br /><br />Gary's continuing to have more medication adding to his PD regimen. He seems a little out of it, but that could just be my imagination. Or he could just be ignoring me...<br /><br />Now for some works of creativity: (usual disclaimers about everything looking better IRL apply)<br /><br />I already scrapped this picture, but felt compelled to do it again, when the Product Pizazz assignment was to scrap a picture showing action.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSDqmlPHlk7YWcALl-H_m-H6b39UjuxPqw8CwNAB0QVPi4nkXXDdCZKasEJo5LpWqDXsTFA_IchgzHGRRGIYIQdmm0OltYOwU58E6EefW0_tbARhmPDtl2mnITN91n_y9b-cF/s1600-h/Bubbles-0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSDqmlPHlk7YWcALl-H_m-H6b39UjuxPqw8CwNAB0QVPi4nkXXDdCZKasEJo5LpWqDXsTFA_IchgzHGRRGIYIQdmm0OltYOwU58E6EefW0_tbARhmPDtl2mnITN91n_y9b-cF/s320/Bubbles-0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345699021145130994" border="0" /></a><br />The obligatory cat layout -<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8XolZhuOhogIqsPiH3HR-ct-RZuacPkj1gEkFksqdAhT4zHHmeyWumA3iIXL-rHEpzzFXuHoId2J52-ye8JB2xpoFvUAKTa2p3Yc9e9Web1w0dWz7zBa8CjhO4iAfecm1cOW/s1600-h/Please.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8XolZhuOhogIqsPiH3HR-ct-RZuacPkj1gEkFksqdAhT4zHHmeyWumA3iIXL-rHEpzzFXuHoId2J52-ye8JB2xpoFvUAKTa2p3Yc9e9Web1w0dWz7zBa8CjhO4iAfecm1cOW/s320/Please.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345699013360363938" border="0" /></a><br />A summery baby blanket; it's much more sagey than it looks in the photo -<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/8415777/DSCF8827_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/8415777/DSCF8827_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Wristlets & a Queen Anne's Lace Scarf I'm sending to a swap partner -<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9258354/DSCF8887_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9258354/DSCF8887_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9315261/DSCF8893_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9315261/DSCF8893_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>My very first sweater. It's called Baby Yoda and really is cute in person! (Really!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9590887/DSCF8945_medium.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4cf.ravelry.com/uploads/celtictrek/9590887/DSCF8945_medium.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And finally, a creation in that I planted the bush ages ago. I'm so glad that some things still bloom in spite of the fact that I no longer can garden.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3604309459_4d3e46d9eb.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 376px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3604309459_4d3e46d9eb.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Thanks for looking, and have a great day. I hope to be back soon with a Baby Shower report!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-38666887442687888932009-05-22T11:18:00.002-05:002009-05-22T11:36:56.576-05:00Horror at it's best!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XH6kNzL9L._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XH6kNzL9L._SL500_AA240_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Those of you that know me, know that I love a good vampire novel. And none of this blue-eyed vegetarian vampire adolescent love story stuff! I want a horrible, frightening, disturbing vampire story! One that, although your rational self tells you it's fiction, there is a part of you that is afraid to go out in the dark for a while after you read it!<br /><br />Well, my dears, I found one!! I got hold of a pre-publication copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strain-Book-One-Trilogy/dp/0061558230">The Strain</a>, by Chuck Hogan & Guillermo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth). It was stunning! I was repulsed, frightened, amazed....and I couldn't out it down! This book is definitely NOT for the feint of heart!<br /><br />It starts out with a plane landing at JFK. Suddenly it goes quiet and dark; all the shades are pulled; there is no sound or sign of life. An alert goes out to the CDC and they send Dr. Ephraim Goodweather to investigate. He becomes the reluctant protagonist of this mystery/horror. He & his assistant discover everyone but 3 passengers are dead. They take the bodies to various morgues and soon they all disappear.<br /><br />On the Amazon site, is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2FNUKOV96DN4A">little video</a> of delToro talking about his book, and there is also a pretty good synopsis.<br /><br />So, if you really enjoy being scared, get this book when it comes out!<br /><br />Oh...and did I mention this is the first novel of a trilogy! So more frights to come!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-85931961716119169742009-05-15T17:18:00.002-05:002009-05-15T17:26:45.836-05:00Quickie Friday Fave 5's...Sorry...no pictures!<br /><br />1. Learned today that Karen probably won't have to have a c-section! YAY!! She's still high risk, but should be able to deliver naturally. She's thrilled, as this is what she has wanted so badly! I'm pretty happy too! I'm pretty "granola" when it comes to childbirth: I believe in no drugs, or only enough for safety. The way it was meant to be, kwim?<br /><br />2. We're hiring a company to move the furniture to Karen's apt. I was dreading the thought of Gary helping to carry all that heavy, awkward furniture up to a 2nd floor apt! So today, I found a company that is giving us a decent rate and actually had the date open! I'll have to use next month's scrap & yarn money, but it's so worth it!<br /><br />3. Saw the Star Trek movie last night. Gary & I went with Karen & Josh and we all LOVED it! So pleased, because there were some really BAD Star Trek movies in the past!<br /><br />4. My lilacs are blooming! We planted the bush the spring after Karen was born. It has grown old and gnarly, so we severely chopped it back last year. I was pleasantly surprised that, although not full & lush, it produced enough lilacs for some nice, fragrant bouquets!<br /><br />5. I redeemed one of my Mother's Day presents and got a massage Tuesday. Oh my! It's been a long time! I can only get back massages, but that's okay. It was perfect! I think that as my budget allows, I'll be adding it to my other self-centered indulgences (manicures, good hair cuts & professional color!)<br /><br />So...what good came of your week?<br /><br />Have a great week-end!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-34077088852649087262009-05-11T17:27:00.008-05:002009-05-11T18:41:07.088-05:00Wow! So much has happened since I've updated here. Of course, a few of you know most of it, so I'll keep the gory details to a minimum.<br /><br />Let's see...<br /><br />We've set up the baby shower. It will be at the same restaurant where we had the bridal shower. The people who want it there far out-weigh the people(person) who don't! Hopefully it will be small, intimate, with guests who love Karen and are happy for her good fortune!<br />A friend on Ravelry referred me to a site where I found the most adorable, perfect invitations. The baby's room will be a little pirate theme, so these are just right!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aG1w0Xa_3tG-r2uzDl9odaPQhOW1WqgWh4P95d2lhpdYO_9QsqTAuaiPxXoF1aXeE92Epkza2XpTWu-ZK6gpbLteK3cWhGGRx2DL5NyLN-Zmjoi9lYspu5oOLqNLwxlvDKiI/s1600-h/DSCF8881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aG1w0Xa_3tG-r2uzDl9odaPQhOW1WqgWh4P95d2lhpdYO_9QsqTAuaiPxXoF1aXeE92Epkza2XpTWu-ZK6gpbLteK3cWhGGRx2DL5NyLN-Zmjoi9lYspu5oOLqNLwxlvDKiI/s320/DSCF8881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334702539757193858" border="0" /></a>Karen & I attended my niece's wedding shower at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Pittsburgh. She's not getting married until October, but her maid-of-honor lives in Dublin, so they had the shower while she was back home for a while. Nicole is just so lovely and the nicest young lady! And Justin's pretty cool too! They are a perfect couple!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwxcS7xWA0J0TciaJ1bk-_K6HlRfLYkKOF7w60T5tABAxvHq48rZdGuvfIVKko_aAMR64ACLWRQwJVXWJHOs_E5JPm9uhlacecr3qpRNX2s7UoQJpiTpz3pdF_y7lRqcQYwtD/s1600-h/DSCF8715-0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwxcS7xWA0J0TciaJ1bk-_K6HlRfLYkKOF7w60T5tABAxvHq48rZdGuvfIVKko_aAMR64ACLWRQwJVXWJHOs_E5JPm9uhlacecr3qpRNX2s7UoQJpiTpz3pdF_y7lRqcQYwtD/s320/DSCF8715-0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334704924270977458" border="0" /></a>Pretty Nicole<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDNPW3HJiOQyWzvBfiW0ZdvFtOPQWQwdepyowZvYPKhWIbFTHgOgwycZ5UPmnpmVuj3RMOdGB6yZR9xZt7OlkoBpU7TycjQllciSY-FmBx2A3EhNHvlaR-zcbQrOvir448IZq/s1600-h/DSCF8711-0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDNPW3HJiOQyWzvBfiW0ZdvFtOPQWQwdepyowZvYPKhWIbFTHgOgwycZ5UPmnpmVuj3RMOdGB6yZR9xZt7OlkoBpU7TycjQllciSY-FmBx2A3EhNHvlaR-zcbQrOvir448IZq/s320/DSCF8711-0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334704924063725794" border="0" /></a>Karen & me with all the Pittsburgh SIL's<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My husband has been officially diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Sort of a shock, but consider his father & grandfather both had it, not as surprising as it otherwise might have been. We have an excellent doctor at Cleveland Clinic, though, so I know he will get the best and newest treatment. There is so much more going on with it now than when his Dad was alive.<br /><br />I drove to Michigan for MegaMeet last week. It was a great get-away! I met up with my friends Gina & Carolyn and we had a great time. The meet was nice, and I got lots of nice stuff (Glimmer Mist & Anna Griffin booths got lots of my money, as well as the Archiver's in Novi); but even more fun was the Lifetime Moments Warehouse Sale. So much fun to find great bargains that you didn't know you really needed! I bought home quite a packet of goodies for $16! But best of all was getting to see Gina & Carolyn again! We see each other once a year, so I really looked forward to this! We went to Gus O'Connor's for Irish food, beer, and conversation. Good Times!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ9WfqhUpXDrAA98Qums__L_ZTDpXS0D6n8LZY40l7e9vp71UqBOR0tvb1LfnYQiS9HJ5F8MvzQwgruoAEO_1g7hbjGiXfWCMc3hHPR7NVgbUiQrtQMlyawSlE7QFlui2528X/s1600-h/DSCF8855-0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ9WfqhUpXDrAA98Qums__L_ZTDpXS0D6n8LZY40l7e9vp71UqBOR0tvb1LfnYQiS9HJ5F8MvzQwgruoAEO_1g7hbjGiXfWCMc3hHPR7NVgbUiQrtQMlyawSlE7QFlui2528X/s320/DSCF8855-0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334707120128002754" border="0" /></a><br />And finally, Mother's Day was very quiet, but very nice. The kids came over in the evening after spending some time with Josh's mom and moving some boxes into their new apartment. We ordered and Italian feast from Rotelli's and it was really, really good. Although I love going out for those nice buffets, it was nice to eat at home where we could talk and spill stuff and laugh and play with the cats! I have a gift certificate to Lush for some Karma scents! Yum! Patchouli/Orange! And I'm getting something else that had to be special ordered and should be here by August! All I know is that it's not the baby! LOL!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz46naY1zuIDhhW_IgH5973-jG3vTFcU4IF1l8bjLhMTP07ZkIMucJnB8xdM0gxebaQQxqU3ePOsbamfYDuobbBC8dziPsn5YwaHEm5t6VaqraTQ1j8e_2fPo3rrfIhq7c_M63/s1600-h/DSCF8849-0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz46naY1zuIDhhW_IgH5973-jG3vTFcU4IF1l8bjLhMTP07ZkIMucJnB8xdM0gxebaQQxqU3ePOsbamfYDuobbBC8dziPsn5YwaHEm5t6VaqraTQ1j8e_2fPo3rrfIhq7c_M63/s320/DSCF8849-0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334709458245125554" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79cyenBGb5DDRgYJahef8-c2wNZOKkmY0ulQssRwtf7T1OcFy-Umw7Xqp1bVNo_zd0cxqNSePRHZgwEm96VMvS0Ihtg1B4rcZHkk8yNYwgiOVarVP-548yZuFI6Dc9ocw-kgc/s1600-h/DSCF8847-0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79cyenBGb5DDRgYJahef8-c2wNZOKkmY0ulQssRwtf7T1OcFy-Umw7Xqp1bVNo_zd0cxqNSePRHZgwEm96VMvS0Ihtg1B4rcZHkk8yNYwgiOVarVP-548yZuFI6Dc9ocw-kgc/s320/DSCF8847-0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334709449942083378" border="0" /></a>Look at that baby bump!<br /></div><br />Gary's been doing some "rehab" on the house. It's been years (decades?) since we've done anything to improve it, and it looks it! Old and shabby...and not the good shabby! So he decided to replace the dropped ceiling tiles in the livingroom. This is a huge task: 60 huge tiles have to be removed and new ones put in their place. One at a time. Dust! Yuck!! And he's been doing it all by himself. He's been doing it in pieces, though as it's a very tiring job. Then, while I was away, he decided to put a new floor in the bathroom and install a new toilet! Things are looking a little better!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnncqqFZF3aehyphenhypheno_IMs0xAjapoDpKP2nmL4ZCcclStNHVn96CyflZs-gTNP7rwYu5ZO7OAAX70B2dZ_hqTPJgoz4Q_PR3UXdUH6RyHsmqmDm9o7QG_yzF1tf7F1XKnMCdonEIs/s1600-h/DSCF8840.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnncqqFZF3aehyphenhypheno_IMs0xAjapoDpKP2nmL4ZCcclStNHVn96CyflZs-gTNP7rwYu5ZO7OAAX70B2dZ_hqTPJgoz4Q_PR3UXdUH6RyHsmqmDm9o7QG_yzF1tf7F1XKnMCdonEIs/s320/DSCF8840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334709445034030802" border="0" /></a>I had to take this picture so you could see the immense difference the new ceiling tiles are making!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And I have been scrapping a little. Here are some recent layouts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJio8jhkOmF0E6eAy8yilgmksMoCwGS-RTSjKyXtAOvUz_i-masBaZMJEnydkggGNT6djMW21HIKONW54oAliSstF56uD3P6jNHrWQ3r9N2bsgEYG23tg1wxufo0EnWX651RwZ/s1600-h/DSCF8872-9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJio8jhkOmF0E6eAy8yilgmksMoCwGS-RTSjKyXtAOvUz_i-masBaZMJEnydkggGNT6djMW21HIKONW54oAliSstF56uD3P6jNHrWQ3r9N2bsgEYG23tg1wxufo0EnWX651RwZ/s320/DSCF8872-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334713853637091554" border="0" /></a>Mother & Father to Be<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8me-k5tp3VQttYIl9CEupQvnJg6Us3rl-9pxWaYKeG89BfKJfES6NrWw9xJDJ2xlHBzRREFir0XK8LRj5fHAWx33QKowKQPhaNR8idUTjQF7sdR8lpZhreVFWFTV9N_Pt7H6M/s1600-h/DSCF8875-9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8me-k5tp3VQttYIl9CEupQvnJg6Us3rl-9pxWaYKeG89BfKJfES6NrWw9xJDJ2xlHBzRREFir0XK8LRj5fHAWx33QKowKQPhaNR8idUTjQF7sdR8lpZhreVFWFTV9N_Pt7H6M/s320/DSCF8875-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334713860440845170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7HhHdfqB9XM7Yq79tq2c1vBS2ORa5k1b18xyNtZUsC53G53Id2coG85cfPyq6tIwClL0A_h1HcI84FT9mmDIX3Ezi-ef_G2tu4Xly8N4bLaEwfBzmuFhWgPQCDkSwbq6gZId/s1600-h/DSCF8879-9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7HhHdfqB9XM7Yq79tq2c1vBS2ORa5k1b18xyNtZUsC53G53Id2coG85cfPyq6tIwClL0A_h1HcI84FT9mmDIX3Ezi-ef_G2tu4Xly8N4bLaEwfBzmuFhWgPQCDkSwbq6gZId/s320/DSCF8879-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334713859329022802" border="0" /></a>Lots of cutting with the Slice and some Distress Stickles by Tim Holtz!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPJJDsOoc5NDZDRffOtiXn_8QAlIRl-5zSFx6x8GJL0DvOJtFWWXI1Bv9U5F4cGmEny_JOxAjE7jfW5oImeOzD5dLQIsRV2AFaFFKdgCRBnGOV0BjGYY3_V8oTKEBLgBtMgx7/s1600-h/Holiday+Finery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPJJDsOoc5NDZDRffOtiXn_8QAlIRl-5zSFx6x8GJL0DvOJtFWWXI1Bv9U5F4cGmEny_JOxAjE7jfW5oImeOzD5dLQIsRV2AFaFFKdgCRBnGOV0BjGYY3_V8oTKEBLgBtMgx7/s320/Holiday+Finery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334714522859656914" border="0" /></a>Any wonder she bites me!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I think that's enough! Till later...<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-20022117165213934682009-04-27T10:09:00.002-05:002009-04-27T10:15:01.974-05:00Stamp WinnersI picked these Saturday night (aka: Sunday morning) and could have sworn I posted them. But...I guess I didn't...<br /><br />So the winners of the stamps are:<br /><br /><br /><dl id="comments-block"><dt id="c3030908090984739080"> <img src="https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" class="comment-icon blogger-comment" alt="Blogger" /> <span dir="ltr"><a href="profile/04999114433810548107" rel="nofollow" onclick="">Alex</a></span> said...</dt><dd><p>The best thing all week for me has been the negative result on the biopsy at the dermatologist. I haven't gotten a 'negative' in YEARS. Actually, ever since they started doing them. I get to go an entire four months with no one cutting out parts of my skin!!!!</p> <p class="comment-timestamp">10:07 PM</p></dd></dl><img src="https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" class="comment-icon blogger-comment" alt="Blogger" /> <span dir="ltr"><a href="profile/11821316949318242330" rel="nofollow" onclick="">Kaytee</a></span> said...<p>Those are great stamps! <br /><br />So far the best thing that happened this week is just this little random thing my niece said the other day. She is two but her vocab is amazing. We were playing with the bigger lego blocks and she wanted me to build a robot. I am not good with legos at all but I built this robot that actually looked more like a tower with legs. But she looks at it and takes a deep breath and says "Aunt Kaytee it's perfect! I love it!" I was just stunned. She honestly makes everyday I see her so much better!</p> <p class="comment-timestamp">11:46 AM</p><p class="comment-timestamp">and</p><p class="comment-timestamp"><img src="https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" class="comment-icon blogger-comment" alt="Blogger" /> <span dir="ltr"><a href="profile/08485448859799399653" rel="nofollow" onclick="">Jill</a></span> said...</p><p>I can't wait for NSD! <br /><br />LOVE those Prima stamps...<br /><br />The best thing that happened to me this was finally being diagnosed with bronchitis. I know, sounds like a crazy "best" thing, but I've been coughing and wheezing for weeks and trying all sorts of meds. Finally, my doctor started treating me for bronchitis, and I'm getting better.</p> <p class="comment-timestamp">3:51 PM</p><p class="comment-timestamp"><br /></p><p class="comment-timestamp">Congratulations, ladies. Be sure to e-mail me with your choice of stamps and your address. Give me all three choice for your stamps in the order of preference, and I'll do my best to get you want you want. Alex gets first choice, etc.</p><p class="comment-timestamp">Thanks everyone for leaving me your thoughts on the best thing that happened to you during your week. It was great to read them and to see how different our lives can all be!</p><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-87815422731249338142009-04-11T12:03:00.006-05:002009-04-21T21:23:19.810-05:00Happy DayA lot going on to make my days a little brighter lately! I've been missing my FFF's (Friday Fave Fives), but maybe this will help make up for it a little.<br /><br />Off we go...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jim-butcher.com/pics/turncoat-400.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 154px;" src="http://www.jim-butcher.com/pics/turncoat-400.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Harry's back!</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Dresden">Harry Dresden</a>, that is! The 11the book of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dresden_Files">Dresden Files</a>, <a href="http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/11/">Turn Coat</a>, was released early this month, and I was first on the library reserve list! I'm always happy to have Harry back to spend some quality time with!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(insert pic of very tall yellow house here)</span><br /></div><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Karen's moving "home"!</span> Since a baby is arriving in August, their apartment in Boardman is woefully lacking! Not only is it way too small, it's just...bad! They finally found a place that they both love, and would you believe it? It's here in Hubbard! Not that they lived that far away before, but it will just be so nice not to have to plan an hour out of the day for getting to her place and back! It's the really tall (3 stories) yellow building on the main street. They will have the top 2 floors! The owners totally refurbished it, so everything is in new, good working order, and they won't be moving into someone else's mess! We got to see it Sunday and it's great! Pretty colors; wood floors; distressed wallpaper! The steps will be a challenge for me, but they are sturdy, new and have a double banister, so I'll be able to make it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tomnidesign.com.au/store/images/MM31060%20%20starter%20kit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 170px;" src="http://www.tomnidesign.com.au/store/images/MM31060%20%20starter%20kit.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">My <a href="http://www.whyslice.com/">Slice</a> is back in working order</span>. Sent if off to Making Memories to see if they could fix it and apparently they couldn't because they sent me a new one! I have to say that MM has some of the best customer service around!<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">We still love to shop!</span> Karen and I went to the outlets to shop Friday. So much fun! It was different watching while she modeled maternity clothes, though! But I managed to pick up a nice pair of brown pants and some real shoes...not Crocs!...for Nicole's shower this Sunday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Bad%20Girls/Bad-Girls-NSD-flair-2.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Bad%20Girls/Bad-Girls-NSD-flair-2.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">NSD</span>. It's that time of year again! National Scrapbook Day is May 4th. Be sure to visit us at <a href="http://www.badgirlskits.com/">Bad Girls</a> for a fun party!<br /><br />So, do you want some more purged stuff? How about some stamps? I have 3 sets to give away.<br /><br />1.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Karen Foster Snap-Stamps</span>. These are the big ones in the Casual font. Very cool! They are interlocking, so you can spell out a word and stamp it in a nice, straight line.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3463788927_d64ce7a3e4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3463788927_d64ce7a3e4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />2. <span style="font-style: italic;">Prima Crenee Alphabet</span>. These are really awesome...as is everything Prima! It's an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet and every letter is beautiful and unique. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3463772039_7734339d97.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 409px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3463772039_7734339d97.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />3. <span style="font-style: italic;">Making Memories FaLaLa</span> calendar stamps. 25 holiday stamps on a storage folder.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3463759231_8cef2bc52f.jpg?v=1240366103"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 399px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3463759231_8cef2bc52f.jpg?v=1240366103" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If you'd like one of the sets, leave me a comment and tell me what the best thing was that happened to you in the last week.<br /><br />One comment per poster. Ends midnight Saturday EST. I'll post the winner Sunday when I get back from the shower!<br /><br />TTFN!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17348865.post-34912942820684907452009-04-11T11:12:00.003-05:002009-04-11T11:31:23.271-05:00The winner...Just a quick note to announce the grunge board winner! There were 28 comments, and it appears that Mr. Holtz has quite a fan club! Of course, that's not a surprise! Running the numbers through random.org, the winner is<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0LrWBMpuimg/SeDE4OXZ6RI/AAAAAAAACS0/fmOdPfCxdhE/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0LrWBMpuimg/SeDE4OXZ6RI/AAAAAAAACS0/fmOdPfCxdhE/s320/untitled.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323471229759908114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(You really can't see that, can you?) Number 3 - Sherry B.<br /><br /><img src="https://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" class="comment-icon blogger-comment" alt="Blogger" /><blockquote> <span dir="ltr"><a href="profile/05184817287675428951" rel="nofollow" onclick="">*SHeRRy B*</a></span> said...<p>Happy Anniversary to you and Gary <3!! I would love to play with some Tim Holtz grunge board! My wish is to someday own every single thing he makes! Did you see his studio in Cloth Paper Scissors Studio?<br />http://quiltingarts.com/cpsmag/cps_studios.html</p></blockquote><p></p> <p class="comment-timestamp">Congratulations, Sherry! Send me your address and I'll get your grunge board goodies out to you!</p><p class="comment-timestamp">Thanks to everyone for playing, and especially for your kind comments and anniversary wishes!</p><p class="comment-timestamp">Be back soon with some alphabet/monogram stamps to give away!</p>Have a blessed holiday! Or just a blessed day!<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/?action=view&current=siggy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/celtictrek/Signature%20Tags/siggy.png" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Linda F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18277779129381805969noreply@blogger.com0