Being domestic today

After breakfast this morning I felt like cleaning the house.  Sometimes it just feels good to clean...clears the mind, don't you think?  

It's overcast and a gray day ~ seems the perfect day for cleaning....dusting the furniture and vacuuming the floors.  Of course if you can write your name on your end tables, it's obviously time to clean.  The pollen has been terrible this year, but with all the rain we've had recently, I think the yellow dust is over.  

I find that cleaning not only clears my head but also lifts my spirits.  It's been a rough week to get through with the passing of Riley.  

Gardening does the same thing for me.  I can get lost in thought as I dig in the dirt.  

I baked a cake today, too.  Probably shouldn't have, but Galen was glad I did.  

So it's been a very domesticated day.  Clean house, laundry done, and cake for dessert tonight.  And Otis watches it all from the back of the sofa.  

I want to say thank you for all your thoughts and kind words for the loss of Riley.  It means a lot, and we're doing ok.   I planted a white Bleeding Heart over his grave.  

A year ago today.....remembering

A year ago today...  

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on February 10, 2012.  A very long year I would like to forget, but will always remember.  

It's hard to say what gets a person through something like this, maybe faith, determination, love of family and friends, hope.  I would have to say all of these, for me anyway.  It's a good feeling to know the ordeal is over and life is looking brighter.  

Happy times are ahead and I intend to enjoy every minute.  Not being able to enjoy spring and summer last year, I am looking forward to planting the garden this year and putting in lots of flowers everywhere.  I have so many plans.

Galen and I would like to take some trips this year, too, which we put off.  It seems like everything was put on hold.    

So I want to say thank you again to my dear family, Galen, especially, and to my daughters that were always there for me.  
And thank you to all of my blogging friends for your love, concern, kindness, and understanding.  You kept me going.    

I now move forward with a happy heart.  

I know I still have a few more years before I am in the clear but I am staying positive and I know I will make it and be just fine.  

I am a survivor.  

Hello sunshine! I did it!

Yes, I did it!  

It's been a long journey.  
Now I plan to get on with my life   
finally....
My last day of radiation was Friday.  Jen, my daughter and my granddaughter, Maddie, came along.  Galen was with me too, as always.  By the way, I got to hit that gong behind us!  Then I was officially discharged.  

My family has been with me and supported me through all of this and I know I couldn't have made it without them.  

We had a nice celebration afterward at a nearby restaurant with more family (that's my sister and me and Galen in the photo).  Check out that piece of chocolate cake!  

After a few days and time to settle in, 

I have found that little things mean more to me than ever before....like my old routine.  

I have a new appreciation for life.  

I'll have more time to spend with these guys.  

And to all my dear blogging friends that followed me during these last ten months of this long journey, I want to say thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers that kept me going.  I appreciate and love you all.   

Good Morning, Everyone.....

I woke up early this morning, poured myself a cup of hot coffee and walked outside on the back porch.  What a lovely morning.  

The trumpet vine is so heavy with blossoms they are hanging way down over the pergola.  The hummingbirds love the sweet nectar and I love watching the hummingbirds.  

  

I am feeling really well since my last chemo treatment.  My very last chemo treatment, by the way (forever and ever)!    

I still have a bit of neuropathy from the chemo but that will eventually go away.  My energy is slowing returning.  My appetite is back.  I really have no complaints.  

Surgery is next, and that is scheduled for August 20.  I am very anxious about surgery.  Every time I think about it I have to take deep breaths and tell myself everything is going to be fine.  I've made it this far and I can surely make it through surgery.  

After surgery, then comes six weeks of radiation, every day, Monday thru Friday.  I've heard that radiation is not all that bad.  

The end is in sight.  

I've been spending time in the garden and reading lots of books while my body heals.  

Oh, and one more thing.  My hair is finally starting to grow back!  Yea!  

Thank God for small miracles.  

And thank you, my dear friends, again, for all your thoughts and prayers.  

I know they are helping me.  I love you all.  

Thank you

Thank you so much for all of your support during this difficult time. Your kind words, thoughts and prayers are a great comfort to me. Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment, I truly appreciate it.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

A rusty project

For a while now, our patio chandelier has been rusting. I kept telling myself that I must get to working on it, get it sanded and then repaint it. Well, I finally got around to it. A bit of sanding, then wiping it clean, and then spray painting it with black rustoleum paint.

I spread out an old sheet in the back yard for spraying. My little helpers were around, as you can see, but not for long since they didn't like the fumes.

It's all finished now and once again, hanging from the pergola on the patio. That wasn't so bad and should be good for several more years.

And while I was hanging the chandelier, I noticed another dove nesting quietly in one of the corners of the pergola.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also want to mention, and thank all of you for your concern, good wishes and positive thoughts for Galen on finding another job. It means a lot. We are working on this together and hopefully good things will come.

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.

~Lorraine Hansberry

I'm home from PA and trying to get back in the swing of things. It's been an emotional few days but everything went well, and it was good to be with the family.

Being home now I feel a bit of emptiness inside, so today I will take time to sit and think while I catch up on piles of laundry.

And while I sit and think, my wonderful friends and family come to mind. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words and support. It means so much. You are all so special to me. I will be around soon to visit you and catch up on all I've missed.



So I will refill my coffee cup, fold some laundry, and then sit awhile with Otis and Riley.

I think Otis and Riley have the right idea!

I'm back...

and still trying to hang in there.

My dear brother is stable and doing about the same. Hospice is treating him very well, and now,..... we just wait.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your wishes, thoughts and prayers at this time. You can't imagine what it means to me. You are all so very, very kind. Many, many, many thanks to you.

And so, I will try to stay busy to occupy my mind.

Painting sure helps and Galen and I are getting ready for an artisans show here in March. I've been painting up a storm, and he's been busy in the shop.

I'll be around to visit everyone real soon. I'm anxious to see what you've all been up to.

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Many, many thanks to all of you for your kindness and concerns, your thoughts, prayers and wishes for my family, my brother and the new year.

We had a safe trip and a good trip. My brother, Steve, is doing better than we expected. He was very happy to see us and we spent Friday morning with him. He has such a determination and will to live. He showed us around the lovely facility and we took some photos and met some of the wonderful caring people that were there with him. When it came time to leave, it was hard, but I knew he would be ok.

That same afternoon, we also visited my husband's father who was in the Brethren Village in Lititz. He has been ill and recovering from a stroke and some surgery. He was very happy to see us too, and we spent the afternoon with him and my husband's great grandmother that resides at the home. She is 101 years old. We had Otis and Riley along and they brought smiles to the faces of everyone.

We enjoyed a delicious New Years dinner at my mother in law's of pork and sauerkraut (for good luck), and it was so good to be with all the family.

Otis and Riley were played out till the weekend was over.

One thing for sure, Otis and Riley love a road trip and enjoyed coming along with us.

We saw the most beautiful sunset on our trip.

And now we are safely home and ready for the new year. Hopefully we will all be blessed with joy, happiness, health and prosperity in this new year. Best wishes!