michellep

Hi everyone! I too haven't been here for a couple days. Certainly not because I was out enjoying any spring weather. We had over 18 inches of snow and we've been attempting to dig ourselves out! Seems like so many people here have ended up in ditches the past couple days. Russ's daughter went in twice in one day. I got stuck in it, but no ditch thank goodness. This California girl was only taught to drive in rain, not snow I hope all is well and I'll check back again tomorrow. Take care!

Thank you so very much for sharing this great news! I wish your mom continued success

Wednesday's Air is cold again here. We're in the mid 20's today.....oh Spring....please get here soon Was quite productive today. I finally got around to cleaning out several areas of the house. Russ had lived here with his deceased wife for about 15 yrs I believe. I've tried very hard not to venture into many things but I've lived here two years now, so it's time to get some of it done. I don't mess with personal things though. I believe that should be done by him and his daughter. They have filled several totes and such these past few weeks. Still many more areas to work on. They had every nook and cranny loaded in this house LOL Sampson is getting a bit better with his house training. I think perhaps he finally understands that going potty on the rug is unacceptable. I made beef and noodles today for the noon mean (which yes, they call dinner). Russ's son stopped by and between the two of them, it's all gone. His son is well over 6ft tall and loves to eat like his dad. Even though his dad is a shrimp Well, back to work now.....have a good day everyone!

It's almost 5pm and I'm the first one here? Maybe everyone is having spring weather? Not here yet. It's in the mid 30's and weather channel says it will continue for the next few days. Had big plans to be productive today and it didn't quite work out too well. I did go to the market, came home and made salisbury steak for dinner. Everyone here eats their big meal of the day around noon. Not sure I like that idea but I'll get used to it someday. In California the big meal was in the evening. I have several magazines that I've been going thru that are just loaded with spring gardening ideas. I can't wait to get out there and play in the dirt I did notice my tulips have broken ground so that will be nice to see. Not much else going on here.....so I hope everyone is having a great day! Oh and congrats Katie on your new assistant!

Hi everyone! It's snowing here again We did go to the storage auction today I had mentioned in earlier "Air" posts. They only had four left and good grief.....I couldn't believe the junk in them. It was like four huge trash cans. The last one was loaded with broken toys and get this.......brace yourself.....dirty diapers. (puke) Needless to say we came home without bidding. LOL After the storage auction experience we took Russ's daughter out for lunch. I wish she weren't so busy and they could spend more time together, but she is going to school and working two jobs, so busy busy busy I've been in a fog the last couple days. I lost my best friend on Friday. Very sudden and unexpected. I think I need to do all I can to keep busy and I'm sure you all understand that. Anyway......headed out to the shop to start a wood fire and watch Russ work on something called a Bush Hog.....what ever that is????? See ya all tomorrow! ((hugs))

Happy Friday Everyone! Weather here today is nice compared to the past several days. It's in the mid 50's and the sun is shining. Although another cold front is on the way I got to lift Russ up in the scoop tractor today. He needed to cut some limbs off the trees out here. Amazing how he trusts this city girl who never ever heard of a scoop tractor in my life. We're still planning to go the the storage auction this week end. I asked one of the women I know if she had ever gone to one and she said she actually found a bunch of things that she just loves. So......maybe I'll get lucky? I really like the iron wagon wheels to place around the yard. Maybe I'll find some of those Well, off to play outside before we lose that beautiful sun! Have a good day!

Hi everyone! You're really brave Clare! I haven't been ice skating since I was a teenager. I think I could seriously hurt myself if I tried now. It's cold and wet here today. High of 25 degrees they say and rain/snow for the next five days. I'm so tired of being stuck at home. Only time I really go out is for groceries or to the post office these days. I did notice my tulips are coming up in the yard. I can't wait till I can drag home lots of flowers to re-plant this year. Last year many died because I was scared to waste so much water. We are on well water and last year was so dry. I told Russ that this year I don't care cuz he can just order more and fill the well up, right? Geeez men....sometimes I wonder Have any of you watched the tv show "Storage Hunters"? It's where they auction off contents of unpaid storage bins. I really like watching all the fun stuff they can get sometimes. There is an ad in the paper for one coming up here on Sunday. I really want to go see what it's like. But then, here in Illinois they will probably be full of tools Russ would love that but I'll pass. Anyway, have a good day all!

I myself have not experienced this but I'm sure someone will follow that has. Best of luck dear one ((hugs))

Good afternoon everyone! It's still cold today but at least there isn't any snow. Hope it's finally over since I hear we will have temps in the mid 50's this week end. Diane...thanks for the advice on Sampson. Can't take the water away though since we also have an inside cat. He would go totally insane with me if there wasn't any water at night and I enjoy my sleep. Janet....I can't wait to hear about your bird adventures when it arrives. Have you decided on male or female? My son had a female and boy was she mean! Got some sad news about some friends of ours. They are the sweetest couple and have only been married about 2 yrs. (second time around for both of them). Apparently they have decided to divorce. It saddens me because I know they really love each other. What ever happened to the old days when people stuck it out, huh? But, as they say, you never know what goes on between two people. I'm just sad over the whole thing Say some prayers for my friends please? Not much cooking happening here today. I've decided to take it easy and just fix simple things. The idea of a cold beer sounds good too, but much later. If I did that now I would be asleep in no time. LOL Have a great day my friends

Thank you so much for the update on you and your wife dear one. Reading this felt like I was reading my own story. I understand how difficult this is for both of you. Well "ALL" understand here. I was glad to see that the pain management is helping your wife. Pain is not something she should have to endure. I'm concerned about you as well because I know very well how difficult it is being a caregiver. I myself survived on approx 3 hrs a day of sleep. I had no one to help me until hospice came in and that didn't happen until the last 10 days even though I had 9 months of care giving. Please remember that you need to take care of yourself too Please keep us updated ((hugs))

Happy Tuesday everyone Snowing like heck again here today. Weather report says that temps on Friday will be 57 degrees though. Bikini weather? Tomorrow will be Russ's parents 66th Wedding Anniversary. Can you believe 66 years.....WOW! I'm hoping to take them out for supper but ya never know with his dad. At 88 yrs of age he can get pretty cranky so ya can't tell about his moods. His Mom is adorable and has the patience of a saint I think. LOL With all this snow outside I'm trying to decide what to cook today. The cupboards are getting kinda bare. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

So happy your husband agreed on your bird Janet! You'll have endless hours of joy with it! Diane....Glad your doctor gave you something to help with your breathing. What did you end up taking? I have asthma and use a nebulizer and also use Pro Air inhaler. Couldn't imagine being without either one of them. Still cold as heck here. High of about 30 degrees with a lot of wind which makes it so much worse. I'm feeling trapped staying at home so much. I wanna go PLAY Going to start painting a spare bedroom we have. Russ's daughter moved out on her own so I want to get rid of those pink walls in there If pink walls aren't bad enough she has mirrors glued all over the place. It will be a lot of work but no doubt it will be nice when finished. Well, gotta run and start supper. Beef tips and noodles

“How can the future be molded with hands full of baggage labeled “What Was” and “What Could’ve Been?” Where can you go with all that stuff, and how much fun will you have with it when you get there? Leave those bags behind, and hope they stay lost before you get to your next destination. All right, take a few souvenirs if you must, but just nice stuff. No junk.” This is a year of actually loving the lost "bags" of what used to torment me. The bags of dreams unfulfilled, life loathed and seeking answers to the questions that had none. I set them down a while back, but had those residual thoughts of going back and grabbing them. "I'll need them some time later!" "I forgot something inside one that I need to get back!" "Baggage needs company!" And the list goes on to times where the ego tried to tell me that it would starve without the unchangeable circumstances and 'could-have-beens'. But not this time. I took the souvenirs; the love, the memory of his smile and confidence in me, the parts of me that I have had from the beginning of time... And I've left some room in my pocket for the wisdom and attributes I'm curating to take along for the journey. The journey to the fulfilling and amazing life of "What is"... "What will be".

Happy Thursday Everyone Friday is just around the corner! Good news on the scan Diane. Scans are so stressful and having a good one is great! Keep up the good work! Janet...getting the bird cage is the first step. Now I know your husband will agree! It's still cold here. Had snow flurries yesterday and have more coming in today. ughhhh I'm heading out this afternoon to get my hair colored. Looking at those grey roots always reminds me of how old I'm getting. Well, the wrinkles too but coloring my hair is cheaper than a face lift right? Have a good day all!

Hi everyone! Snow is still coming down and apparently it will continue for a couple more days. I too am so ready for some warm weather. Janet...I hope you do talk your husband into a bird. That would be really nice for you. My son had one of those and he just loved her. I myself not so much since he let her leave her cage anytime she wanted and it was ME who had to clean up the bird poop all over his room. Needless to say, she didn't like me too much since I would put her back into her cage, yell at her and lock the door! LOL I had forgotten about that and now I'm having a good laugh Well, we are headed out soon. Going over to Russ's Mom's house to eat. She is a great cook but she fry's a lot and uses lard. So....think I'll stick with the non fattening things. Enjoy the day everyone! Janet?????Today is Wednesday isn't it? LOL

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing

Clare....I myself know what a toll it can take on you when you're unable to talk and vent your feelings. Watching a loved one endure cancer will take it's toll on you as well. You must also think of yourself during this time and please please please talk to anyone, including us how you're feeling. I was so alone and had no one except my friends here at lcsc and I can honestly say, they truly saved me from going insane. Share with us anytime! ((hugs))

I understand and respect your Mom's decision just as you do. It's very difficult to endure the many side effects of chemo for her no doubt. I remember when my husband was undergoing treatment. Sometimes I think the treatment for some is actually worse than the cancer itself. No doubt there are some who will disagree with me but I understand. Best wishes for your mom and yes, I agree with Randy on making sure she has no pain. ((hugs))

I just love hearing good news! I hope you continue to improve

That is such good news! Congratulations!

Hi everyone! It's about 30 degrees here today but we had a LOT of snow yesterday. More than I have seen since I arrived in Illinois two years ago. I never left the house yesterday and just watched through the windows. The highway in front of our house is 55mph and people were driving about 20mph I did however go out today for a few min or so....it is not pleasant out there at all! I have a big pot of chicken noodle soup cooking on the stove and the house smells wonderful. Best thing about winter to me is "soups". I wish I had my camera this morning when I took the dog outside. He slipped a couple times on the icy section outside the door and when he finally made it over to the snow he was running though it like he was insane. His poor little legs were buried in snow and he was trying to find "just the right spot to pee" and had his entire face covered! lol Hope everyone is safe and warm

Yes John...please tell us about your cancer experiences. There are many here who would like to help in any way that we can.

Jody....I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Please read our other forums. You will see many survivors here who proved their doctors length of survival "wrong". Keep a positive attitude and please let us know how you are doing dear one. We care ((hugs))

Hi everyone! Hope your all enjoying the holiday It's so cold and windy here I decided to just stay in the house, do some cleaning and of course play on facebook! Weather report here says that we have a large amount of snow arriving around Thursday. Ughhhh I am really tired of all this cold and not being able to play out side with my flowers. Russ's son and grandson are coming over today for a visit. They are really sweet and little Chase is a joy to play with Sampson is still having his accidents on the carpet. I'm thinking that perhaps when the weather is better he will improve but until then I have the carpet cleaner full and ready at all times! LOL

I'm sorry to hear that your Dad's port got infected. My husband had a port but never had any problems with it. In addition to getting his chemo through the port they had me giving him infusions of antibiotics through it and they stressed the importance of sterilizing each time. Please let us know how things go ((hugs))