Keep on the sunnyside of Life

Morning all, another beautiful day….I think I’m getting spoiled!

Yesterday went well, I got a lot accomplished….I set a goal to work outside in the yard at least 1 hour, and I did accomplish that, as well as scrubbing the bottom panel of the garage door that had been turning green…algae?  Anyway I sprayed it down with some 4 in 1 cleaner, and scrubbed it with a scouring pad, and it looks pretty darn good if I say so for myself.  I changed the batteries in my hanging chime that lights up at night, and I cleaned out and trimmed a few shrubs….I’m pretty proud of myself.  Then this afternoon I went grocery shopping and managed to clip coupons and save $23 there, and got 22 cents off each of 15 gallons of gas while I was at it.  Came home and put it all away and watched TV the rest of the afternoon.

The Prilosec I think is working, but I’m still burping after meals, and I did take a Compazine around 10 a.m. which seemed to help a lot…but I can’t say that I was feeling bad, cause I really was feeling good, all day.  We’ll see how it goes today.

This morning I am meeting cousin Judy for breakfast at Panera in St. Louis Park, (halfway for each of us) and then I have a few errands to run and I hope to have the neighbor help load up all the leaves and sticks into my van and take them out to the compost site.  So busy day ahead….Keep those prayers coming, they really seem to be working!  Love and prayers, m

Happy Birthday Phil!

Today my baby brother turns 56......I remember the day well, I was told by my mom, that if I got the message to come home from school, that I should run as fast as I could, so I could take care of brother John while dad took her to the hospital to have Phillip....and that's exactly what I did.  Then while she was in the hospital with Phil, Kathleen made her first communion, and the nun's at St. Mary's snuck her into the hospital to see Mom and baby brother Phil.....the rest of us had to stand outside the hospital and wave through the window at mom.


So happy we have another day of sun....with promises for two more as well.  Yesterday went very well.  I saw the nurse practitioner before my IV drugs, and she analyzed all my side effects that I had experienced and came up with a few solutions (mostly that will be applied next week when I get chemo again), but also ordered Prilosec for me to take now, and hopefully get rid of that gassy feeling I've been having.....however I took it this morning 1/2 hour before I ate my oatmeal and coffee, and I'm still burping as I write this.  Hopefully it will work better, as I keep taking it.


The drug they pumped into me yesterday was not chemo, but a drug that is targeted specifically to aide the chemo drugs in fighting metastatic colorectal cancer   It only took about 1 1/2 hours but I didn't get back home till about 3 p.m.  I stopped on my way in and picked up a Asian salad to go, and ate this while talking to Kathleen on the phone, so even though I was alone, I had company, and then turned the computer on and played some spades online, and checked out stories about Harmon. 


It was a meloncoloy afternoon and evening, as TV covered Harmon's death, the computer and Facebook had tons of memorials, and even the nurses at HHH cried when we were talking about his death.  So many memories filled my head and brought tears to my eyes all day.  Then last night I switched between the Twins game (which we WON) and KARE11 news.   Then after the game FOX did a Spotlight on Harmon, which I stayed up and watched and cried.  Still tearing up today when I think about it.


No big plans for the day, must get out and work in the yard a bit, and need a few groceries....but that's it.  Love and prayers, m

Rise and Shine

more sunshine.....coming our way!  


Woke up feeling pretty well, but had problems with gas and diarrhea all evening, and gas all night.....it would blow my bag up like a balloon and I was up letting out the air every couple of hours.  I did sleep well in between, but doesn't give you the kind of sleep you really need.  I don't know if it was what I had for lunch yesterday, or if it's just results of the chemo.....I'll talk to the doctor and nurses about that today when I'm there.  I've lost about 5 lbs, but I was actually about 8 lbs over my goal weight when I started last week, so I'm not worried about that.  Also I have a small rash....about the size of a dime next to my mouth that appeared yesterday.....think that's also from the chemo.  Luckily it isn't itchy or blatantly obvious.  


Still looking for  someone to keep me company today, several have responded that they can't, and I know I asked a little late.....well a lot late.  I will be fine if I go by myself.


Other than chemo today, I guess I'll be watching "the Biggest Loser" and not much more.  I did get some laundry done yesterday (well one load) and stopped and picked up a few things at Target and Kohls on my way home from lunch, but other than that I spent my time emptying my bag and taking Imodium every two hours.


Must take a shower and get dressed.  Love and prayers, m

Looking for Company

Is anyone interested in going to chemo with me on Tuesday (May 17)  I need to leave about 10:55 and should be done about 2:30, with time for lunch in the middle.  My treat!  Sorry I didn't ask earlier....I don't know what I was thinking. m

Sunny Sunny Day!

I love it!  Yesterday it was sunny, but I was queezy off and on most all the day....that and tired  So day 5 continues to be my roughest day of chemo.  I thought I was feeling great yesterday morning when I first wrote the blog, but signed off and went back to bed instead of going to church, about an hour or so later (after my meds took hold) I took my shower, dressed and went to the church picnic (Sorry God)....I know my priority should have been the other way around, but I just couldn't do it.  After the picnic, I did a quick run through Kohls for a couple of birthday presents, and then came home and layed around the rest of the day.....taking meds appropriately through out the day.  I have lost about 5 pounds even though I haven't had any diarrhea...I guess I am just going more often.

Today I feel so much better, rested, and not queezy at all....at least not yet.  I've already made some business phone calls, and plan on going to lunch with the retiree's and wannabee's.  I think I may run through a couple of stores againn on my way home, and then I'll veg or work in the yard or something like that.....It's so beautiful I need to take advantage of the sun.

I heard yesterday that friend Carol Kline still wasn't in church, so prayers for her too....along with my cousin Louie who is still in rehab from knee surgery and all the others I should be praying for.  Love and prayers, m

Yeah! The Sun is Back!

I've heard it may be for 3 or 4 days straight.  Looks a little windy, but can't complain when the sun is shining.....I'll take it.

My chemo session is going well, was a little tired last night but looked at the clock and it was after 10 p.m.....so justly so.  I watched the news and the first 15 or 20 minutes of SNL ad headed for bed.  Did get up to go to the bathroom a few times, but that is normal for me.  Tuesday will be the interesting day, as I only had chemo everyother week last year, so don't know how this will effect me.  Once I've gotten through these first two weeks, I'll be okay, at least I'll know what to expect.  The pills they gave me work wonders, and I got quite a bit done at the cabin while there, as well as stopping and shopping along the way home.

Church is having a picnic this afternoon, that I may check out, but other than that nothing planned.  Hope you all enjoy the sun, Love and prayers, m

P.S. I spoke too soon, my morning pills hadn't kicked in in time for me to get to church, I actually went back to baed for an hour and then took my shower and got dressed.  Feeling fine now....I'll have to remember to take pills earlier next Sunday, so I don't miss church.  m

Openning Fishing?

I don't see a boat on the lake, and the temp is only 43 degrees in Annandale.  It looks hazy and overcast and cold out the window....Don't think I'll be staying here long today....need some activitiy and life today.  The birds are bringing some of that, along with the squirrels and chipmuncks.  I have 4 orioles thtat arre continuously coming back for more grape jelly and even tried to get some nectar out of the hummingbird feeder.  I've thrown some seeds and nuts on the ground and the squirrels and chipmunks are eathing that, along with a cowbird and some sparrows.  I thought I saw a wren yesterday, but haven't seen him since.  Life at the Lake!

Sad day yesterday hearing that Harmon Killebrew was entering Hospice.  Especially being at the cabin, where cousin Jerry and Mom carried on an ongoing battle of who was better Harmon or Earl Batty. (We won't memtion the framed picture in the outhouse)  Then it carried to Tom and Baseball cards and memoriblia of mostly Harmon that Tom collected over the years, He even got his autographed poster when he was in the hospital the summer before 6th grade.  The neighbor of my folks new a scout for the Twins and managed to get him to bring it to Tom in the hospital, along with the fact that the neurosurgeon was Dick Seabert's son, the ledgendary coach of the Gophers.  Say some special prayers for this great man, he's made lots of great memories for my family and fans far and wide.

My chemo is going well, no real side effects again today or yesterday for that matter.  I'm still feeling strong and hope to fly through this!  Love and prayers, m

Lazy Hazy Day!

Or damp and dull, but I just saw an oriole out in the trees, so I think it’s the first!  I’m at the cabin and I can’t actually post this till the telephone company comes and fixes or replaces my wireless router….but the computer still allows me to type on it and save it…..sounds a little old fashion for a brand new high speed moddle…..it must be the operator that’s old.

I’m really feeling quite well, this first round  is going good.  I didn’t have any ill effects during the day yesterday before or after getting unplugged, and I think I only had one sorta hot flash last night….really mild.

I went shopping on my way up to the cabin, (Costco, Menards and Kohls) drove to the cabin, and then unloaded almost all of it….cept the 40 pound bag of birdfood, that I will leave there till someone comes to it’s rescue.  I’m not completely out yet anyway.  But I did bring in a case of water and bags of groceries and cleaning supplies with out any problems at all.

Work this morning around 7 and forced myself to stay in bed till 8:30 a.m.  Combed my hair and got dressed (sorta) so I would be presentable to the work men who are supposed to show up today.

I think I will stay another day and note to those with empty tanks….Holiday in Annandale is still $3.84 while in Coon Rapids it was #3.94 and I saw it at $3.99 in Elk River.  So wait and fill up in Annandale!

I heard that prayers are needed for Wil Bonine and his daughter-in-law who are both fighting cancer.  Annie ran into his son Bob at a track meet last week, and passed the new onto me.  Love and prayers, m

I stole this from my cousin Louie's Careing Bridge site...He saw a Cardinal....I got a Oriole to come to my feeder:

"Spring rains and a heavy thunderstorm have been watering the thirsty plants and budding foliage in these last couple of days. Weather forecasts promise several sunny days in a row for the coming week. Today I heard the familiar plaintive call of the brilliant colored cardinal from his perch high in the treetops.  One of my favorite scriptures comes to mind at this time:
"Come then, my Beloved, my lovely one come. For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone.  Flowers are appearing on the earth.  The season of glad songs has come, the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land...""

Rainy Days and Thursdays Too!

not...only Mondays.  Seems like they are predicting cooler and wetter weather for the next week....but those 88 degree days were unusual to say the least.  I've had my own hot flashes since getting plugged in, some coming during the day and the rest as night sweats when I throw all the covers off to dry out.  But I guess if that is the worst side effect I can live with it.  I did wake up with the hiccups during the night, so got up and took a Beano and that worked almost immediately.  I haven't lost my appetite,or had any diarrhea either.  Actually it's a much harder marble like in my bag.  (Okay enought potty mouth) But they mostly were concerned about extreme diarrhea...and I haven't had any.  Been eating normally, actually had a large green salad both days, and will probably have another today for lunch.

Phillip came and spent the day with me yesterday.  Mostly working on transferring information from one laptop to the other.  He tried to make my old one run faster, but everything he did didn't seem to make much of a difference....making my decision to get this new one, the right one.  He came around 10 a.m. and didn't leave till the Twins game started at 7:10 p.m.

After I get unplugged today (1:30 p.m.) I  have a few errands to run and then I'm taking off for the cabin, as I have the telephone company and the electric company both coming out.  I think I'll wash some more windows while there too.  I don't know if I'll wash the outside of them as it's supposed to be raining on and off all weekend.  I don't know how long I'll stay up there either, but might stick it out till Sunday if everything is working (like my wireless router for the computer).  That reminds me I should have my mail held till I return.  I think I'll leave the newspaper alone....I like to read the Sunday paper. 

Kathleen is supposed to skype me this morning so I can help her choose a dress or outfit for Blairs wedding in August.  I got my invite last Saturday, and yesterday I got the invite to my first to graduate Jack.  Some great pictures and one of his prom too.  That's some of my excitement for the summer. 

Well I guess I'll jump into the shower so I look good for my Skype!! lol....I'm still in my pjs and haven't combed my hair so anything would help!  Asking for extra prayers for one of cousin Louie's friends and keep them coming for Cathy V. White, Judy's daughter.  Love and prayers, m

Warm and Rainy

All though yesterday was hot and stormy out side....it was kinda like that inside too!  I had forgotten about a few side effects that chemo I had last year.  Hot flashes and night sweats.  There must be something that effects my hormones...also forgot about cottonmouth....so I guess it's back to bioteen mouthwash.  Other than those two things I haven't noticed any diaahrea and that is one they are most worried about as that can lead to dehydration and other problems.  So so far so good.

It was a long day yesterday, I didn't get started till about 10 a.m. or later, and those were pre-meds they were pumping IV...I know saline and Zofran were a couple of the drugs....then after a couple of hours they put on 2 more bags of the chemo drugs that I got last time. Namely Irinotecan (okay this will be a little technical info)  It is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug....it is used for Metastatic colon or rectal cancer.  the common side effects are diarrhea...usually with in 24 hours of getting the drug..this is accompanied by symtoms of runny nose, increased salivation, watery eyes, sweating. flushing, abdominal cramping (This can occur while the drug is being administers.)  Which it did!  So they stopped the IV and administered Atropheen? and within a minute it had reversed...so they plugged in the drug again.  I think this is not a drug I had last time....or I don't remember those problems then.  The other drug I get every 2 weeks is Leucovorin.  Leucovorin is a reduced folic acid.  and is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to either enhance effectiveness, or as a chemoprotectant.
Then when we thought we were done with that they brought in another bag of the weekly drug I'll be getting....it was another two hours to drain that back...which they promise will only be 1 hour next week.  It is called Erbitux (Cetuximab generic)  Erbitux is a targeted therapy.  It is classified as a z"monoclonal antibody and signal trasduction inhibitor by binding to epidermal grouwth factor receptors (EGFR)   It is used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer that over-expressed the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)  and has all the normal side-effects of the others, but includes a acne like rash.....can't wait for that!  So when that was finnally done, they filled a portable pump fanny pack with the 5FU or long name Flucrouracil  it is used along with other chemo drugs to slow or stop cancer cell growth..  Along with the pump, I got sent home with 4 more prescription drugs to keep the side effects at bay.  So along with all you spot removers, I have drugs!!

I finally got home around 5 p.m., after leaving home at 8 a.m.....so a long day, and I was generally worn out.  Just wanted to veg....witch I did.  I'm sure Judy did pretty much that too!  She had to drive up her from Shakopee and then back home again during rush hour traffic both ways.

I've received many well wishes from email and Facebook, and I appreciate all of them....I know I'll get through this too!....my goal is to back in remission by the 4th of July.  Love and prayers, m

Here We Go Again!

First round of chemo starts in about an hour.  Luckily the sun is shinning, which makes me feel better, and record high temperatures are predicted.  I will write more after I get plugged in and know what the regiment will be.  So come back at noon....I'll update this.  m

10:15 Well I've been here since 8:30 and they just now finally started the IV with pre-meds.  But at least I now know more about the plan....1 drug is a weekly hour and a half IV, and the other is every other week where I go home with a pump for 2 days, and return on the third day to get unplugged.  So not as bad as I was thinking.  Diarrhea is probably the worst....a rash may or may not appear for the first couple of treatments, but usually then goes away (that is the part I was worried about....the going away timetable).  I thought it might last for months like this stupid neuropathy that I still have from last year's dose.  They said this one drug that I get weekly might cause some cramping and if it does while I'm here they will stop and give me another drug to take care of that right away.  So that's all I know for now...but am feeling better about the plan....not as disruptive to my social life as I worried about.  Just goes to show that worrying doesn't help.  Love and prayers, m

Thunder and Lightening!

I awoke to that...I think around 5 a.m......sadly I had just fallen a sleep at 4 a.m.....So I made myself stay in bed till 9 this morning.  I don't know what the problem was last night?  Funny I slept great at the cabin both Friday and Saturday nights!

Today I have lots to do....I need to do some shopping for things to take to the lake next weekend, as I don't know how well I'll be feeling with the chemo. I also have to get another set of keys made for the cabin....so I don't get locked out again. 

I need to be back at the cabin on Friday morning, so I hope to go back up on Thursday afternoon, after getting unhooked from the chemo.  I have my new modem being delivered, and I have someone from the electric company coming out to attach something for off peak use of the water heater....they say it will save me $10 a month.  I don't know if that is a flat discount or a percent.....so I hope it works okay.

Nothing else to report, cept request for prayers for a little girl who had an accident at Kick's shoes yesterday....and for me....I hate the unknown.....pray that I handle this chemo well.  Love and prayers, m

Happy Mother's Day

Sorry to all the faithful readers, I went to the cabin on Friday morning, and when I got there the online service wasn't working.  I worked at getting it working all weekend, and by Sunday morning, they decided it must be a problem with the wireless router and modem and will bring me a new one next Friday when I am back up there.  It is so exasperating, I get a new computer and think all my problems are over...thank goodness the router was bought from them....and I better get a credit for the service I didn't have.

Other than that, my weekend didn't start out so well either....when I got there on Friday about 11 a.m. June and Len were already there, but my keys didn't work (I don't know what I did with my new keys I bought last fall) so called Jimbo and he wasn't coming till Saturday, Annie had already left for St. Cloud and none of those thoughts worked.  Judy arrived and had to go to the bathroom, and I had to send her next door.  After that June, Judy and I went to town to buy some paper bowls (June had a crock pot of soup plugged into an outlet on the deck) plastic spoons, a laddle, plastic glasses, napkins and a case of water.  We figured we could picnic on the deck, and it was a beautiful day to do that.  By the time we returned to the cabin, Len has broken into the sliding door on the deck, and we didn't need any of things we bought.  Oh well, we can always use that kinda stuff.

From then on, it was a great weekend.  The weather couldn't have been better, we had a full crew of workers all day on Saturday to get the dock, and two lifts into the water.  Got some of the trees cut up that had fallen last fall, a lot of cleaning done inside, and the girls hung all my pictures I got for Christmas from my family.  So it is really starting to look finished!  Thank You to all of you who helped get that done.

This morning, Jimbo made a great breakfast for all of us mom's, and then did the dishes as well.  The only sad part is that it started raining before I got the car loaded to come home.  But not too hard....it continues to rain and the tree's are budding out and it looks really green!  Hope you all had a great Mother's day, love and prayers, m

Yeah! The Sun is Back

It did come out around noon yesterday and was a very nice afternoon, but still had lots of clouds and a few drips while sitting inn the bleachers watching the track meet.

I started out the day greeting Janet who came to clean my house as a birthday present for me.....what a great gift!  Then I left her to work and I went to the retiree's lunch at the college.  So nice to see all those people you worked with for years.  I got lots of hugs and promises for more prayers.  Then on to the program for the four who were retiring this year, and that was even more fun.  There was singing and laughing and lots of great stories and I loved it all!  Lots more hugs and prayers, and I came away smiling on the inside and out!

From there I went to a Middle School Track Meet and again saw many I haven't seen for a while.  Like Mike Schaaf (our neighbor till he was in fourth grade) who I stood in for his mom for cub scout meetings when his mom was working nights and things like that.  He continued to be friends with Tom and stayed in the area and I took classes with Mike at AR and now run into him at track meets for his kids and my grandkids.  It's so fun.  It makes the track meet so much more interesting when you have someone running in lots of events.  Other friends of my kids sat by me and I just throughly enjoyed the whole afternoon of sitting in the bleachers.  Watching my kids see their children doing well is also a joy.

I had to rush over to Costco to get gas before 8 p.m. and then I went on to Cub for groceries.  I'm leaving for the cabin as soon as I can get out of here....hopefully by 10 a.m. and that means I better get going here.  Judy and June and Len are coming for the afternoon...probably a little eating and hope to play cards with them.  But especially enjoy the great day as it is supposed to hit 70....can you believe that!  Whooohooo!

Judy's daughter Cathy is doing better....so keep her in your prayers.  Love and prayers to you all, m

Rain is Back

I wish we could have a few days of sun in a row.  Looks like there will be rain on everyday this week.....but it is warmer than last week.

I had a great day again yesterday....shortly after I wrote my blog, Bonnie called and invited me to lunch at Baker's  Square (especially cause it was free pie day).  So I had to jump in the shower and get ready to go.....then later in the day I met Rosie, Sandi and Ann for dinner at Biaggi's for dinner.  Only sat there talking and looking at each others pictures etc. for three hours.

Today will be another busy one too!  I'm going to the lunch for all us old retired people...then at 2 p.m. is the retirement celebration for I think six who will retire this year....Cindy Nutter....a good friend and card club member will be doing that this spring....Actually June 7....but they all will celebrate together....it should be fun too. 

Then if it is not raining, I will go over to Coon Rapids HS to see Tommy and Allie run in the Middle School track meet.  It's their first of the year.  All the time I'm gone Janet will be here cleaning my birthday present from her.  How great is that.

Judy asked me to send out a request for prayers for her daughter Cathy, as she was in the hospital with blood clots in her lungs and shoulder.  They don't know what is causing them....so that is really scary.  She has three young children so needs to be well and at home with them.

Love and prayers, m

You Fill Up My Senses

....Come fill me again!  Heard that on the radio yesterday while delivering MOW's and I've had it in my head ever since.  It's so true.  You all do that by sending the Son.

I finally have a start date for the chemo to start....it will be next Tuesday morning bright and early.  My cuz Judy has already volunteered to go with me.  I did check out the first week of chemo from last February in the blog, and I think I felt good till the 5th day or Friday night when I crashed as I had stopped talking the steriods they were giving me....so it was adjusted for the following weeks and that worked.  The other thing that happened was a strong sensitivity to cold, and even had to wear gloves while eating as the silverware was too cold to hold.  I also got this strange pain in my jaw when I took the first bite of food, and then it would go away as I continued to chew....so they adjusted the amount of another drug and that got better.....so I'm not looking forward to the first round.....as it is full of unknowns.  Most everything went well....and the only lasting side effect was the neuropathy in the balls of my feet and fingers....and even that is getting better.  The funny thing is I didn't remember any of this till my daughter Annie said something the other night when she was here.....so I went back and read my blog from that week.....another good reason to keep a diary.

Yesterday I was busy all day.....delivered MOWs, then went to Blaine HS and watched Nicole run at the track meet, then went to dinner with the First Friday group. and didn't get home till 8 p.m.  Just in time to see "The Voice" a new show on NBC which Tim Mahoney from the Twin Cities is competing.  Fun thing is that he is the son of Kathy Leighton who I graduated from St. Margaret s with.  She looked good.  She is a singer too...mostly in churches and piano bars around town.  So a full day....ohhh.... I even stopped and visited the Boes' who just returned from Arizona.  I asked Donny if he could drive his tractor over the lawn and get rid of some of those leaves....and he did, before I got home last night.

Tonight I am having dinner with three women I worked for at the college over the years.  "Three Boss's"  lol  I don't know why but Rosie will always be my boss even if both of us are retired....actually all of them are retired Ann, Sandi and Rosie....and all dear friends.

Thank you all for filling my senses, Love and prayers, m

The Sun is Shining! Again!

....even talking about 60's today....of course it's only 42 right now....but I'm still on a high from yesterday....so I don't mind.  I had such a wonderful birthday, and thank you to all who contributed to making it such a special day for me.  My cell phone was chirping all day announcing facebook well wishes, my phone rang often with singing, the mailman brought cards and the door bell brought presents and family, how can you beat that!

This morning, bright and early the FedEx truck stopped in front of my house again, and low and behold my new computer arrived!  Another present!!  It wasn't supposed to happen till the end of the month....but I'm so glad it's here.  It will take me a while to get everything set up on it.  Phil has promised to come and help me transfer information from the old to the new.  That's exciting.

Yesterday afternoon I finally heard back from Dr. Londer, and I guess we are going with the recommendation from Mayo with the chemo recipe....I guess this will be a weekly thing instead of every other week, and I had thought I would start on Wednesday (tomorrow), but I think when they call me to set it up, I'm going to put it off till next Monday as I have so many things going on this week already, and Dr. Londer said their was no hurry.  Annie said I got sick the first round last year....but I didn't remember that....I can't even remember for sure who was with me....but I thought it was Kathleen.  I'll have to go back and see if I can find those days in the archives of this blog.

I have lots of plans for the day...I'll deliver meals on wheels at noon, then go to Blaine High School to watch Nicole run in the track meet, and then I have a dinner engagement with the First Friday group.  That's also in the area, so I should be able to fit it all in.

Nothing else to report....I have to wait for Londer's office to call to set up the schedule and make a few calls this morning.  Talk to you tomorrow morning!  Oh and pray for Louie having his surgery today too!  Love and prayers, m

P.S.  I just talked to Darcie at Dr. Londer's office, and they can't fit me in till next Tuesday....so I didn't even have to request waiting till next week.  I also went back and read my blog from last February, and it wasn't till two days after I got unplugged the first round that I crashed....I guess they gave me steriods and that was the day I didn't get any,,,,and I was so weak...from the blockage at the beginning of the month, then surgery, and then chemo.....I hope things go a lot better the first round this year!  Janet had stayed with me for the 3 days I was hooked up to the chemo....then went home sick herself....and then on Friday I crashed.  So nice to have this blog to go back and read so I can know what to expect or worn me about next week.  m

Hoping for a Peek of Sun

....for my birthday.  Thank you to all the wishes my mailbox was filled with this morning.  I'm sure it will be a great day....with or without sun....which is hiding behind some gray skies.

Yesterday started out with church and the "Revelation" for our confirmation students.  I had a women come up and talk to me.....a classmate of Tom's.....from Junior High.....a quick reminder of how old I am today....anyway, when she told me who she was....Kelly Grise...I knew Tom would be so interested in hearing about her.....so I came straight home and called him.

I spent the rest of the afternoon talking on the phone, Aunt Loretta, Cousin Janet, and Cousin Elaine (from Hawaii) my daughter telling me that they would all be over tonite after 6 p.m. when all their sporting events were done.....reading the paper....and watching TV and playing computer games.  Nothing too exciting till "the Donald" was interupted by the President!!  Ironic!!!  But then the big announcement that Osama Bin Laden had been killed.  Wow!  does that bring back lots of memories....like the tower going down, worrying about my kids....Tom was in the airport in Chicago....waiting to board a plane....and Bill was supposed to fly into an airport out East for work.  So relieved when they called and said they were home and safe.  I'm sure you all have your own memories.

This morning the TV is filled with pictures and stories and also already some "doubting Thomas's" wanting to see and touch the body to make it real.....another irony as that was the Gospel yesterday at Mass.  I guess this birthday will be one I'll never forget either.

I'm meeting Judy and June for lunch today and then will wait for the kids to come....I hear they are bringing pie!!  Can't wait!!

My cousin Louie's surgery is tomorrow....please pray....Mike Douville needs some too....I haven't heard yet when my chemo starts....but pray for me too!  Love and prayers, m

Finally May but no Sun!

Happy Birthday Uncle John and friend Barb!  Sorry the sun isn't shining for your birthdays.....well maybe it is where Uncle John lives.  Hope so!

Yesterday it rained all morning, and the sun didn't shine till late in the afternoon....but then clouded up and rain during the night.  The rain however, did not hamper our Brunch and our tables won 16 prizes and I won 5 of those.  Albeit our tables spent a lot of money to win.....but it all goes to charity.....so we are happy.  Then when I picked up my mail....it had a couple of birthday cards.....one from my insurance man, and he enclosed a scratch off ticket.....and I won....only a $1....but maybe I can use that to buy another and win bigger! Haha!  Maybe I should just keep the $1.  The other was from my dear Aunt Loretta (mom).  Ann's sister Wendy even brought me a cute necklace for my birthday....so it was really my lucky day!

After the brunch I went to St. Louis Park and watched Nicole play hockey.  Annie and Matthew were there watching Nicole, but Doug and Allie had to go another direction to see Allie play in Maple Grove.  The games were at the same time.....and both had to play again after 8 p.m.....so neither could watch the other.  After Nicole's first game we went to dinner....and then I went home.....I was so tired I didn't think I'd make it till 8:45 when it started.  Lucky cause I was in bed before the news ended.

This morning we have our "Revelation" of secret Angels for the confirmation students at our church....so after church I'll be involved with that.....but after I think I'll just be lounging around.

Special prayers are requested for my cuz who will undergo his 23rd surgery (he counts surgeries like I count CTscans 36 for me) this one for his left knee....the other has already been replaced.  Also for Mike Douville and all the others I've said I'd pray for....I'm sure they all would appreciate your prayers as I do.  Love and prayers, m

April Showers Bring May!

At least today is the last day of April....and we hope May will start well.  But had hopes it wouldn't be another rainy day.

Yesterday started well, but early in the afternoon the cloud arrived and soon after dark it was raining.  The grass is as green as it can get.  I did go help set up for the brunch, but didn't go to the track meet....as Nicole wasn't running, and Annie needed a sitter for Matthew.  He came at 3:30, and we played for an hour and then he was hungry....mostly cause I told him we could go out to eat....which immediately ment McDonalds and the playroom for him.  We spend an hour and 1/2 there, and then came back to the house and played more games and soon he said he hadn't watch TV yet today, so we found some "On Demand" kids programs for him.  Annie stopped in about 7 p.m. and wanted to take Matthew with her to Nicole's hockey game but he declined the offer and stayed with me till she came back to pick him up around 10 pm.  Of course he was sleeping by then.

Today I'm off to the Women's Club Brunch, and then this evening may go along with Annie and Matthew to watch the girls play hockey in Richfield this afternoon.  So big day ahead.  Keep up the prayers for all those on my list and those pesky spots.  Love and prayers, m

Will and Kate's Wedding Day

....and the sun is shining...not only in England....but in Coon Rapids too!  It's a beautiful morning here.  I slept well and got up at 8 a.m. as I like to, and looking forward to a great day.  I already typed this blog once, but something happened and it all disappeared...for some reason.

I didn't get up at 4 a.m. to watch the nuptials live, but I've already seen it replayed several times.  I will be going to the Courtyards of Andover this afternoon and helping set up for the Brunch tomorrow morning, and then I think I'll be going to another track meet.

Yesterday I went to the track meet to watch Katie and Collie run, but only Katie was running.....Collie will be running with the varsity this evening.  I thought the track meet started at 4 p.m. and got their at 3:55 but missed seeing Katie run the first leg of the 4X800 which they evidently started at 3:45....so then had to sit and wait (yet again) for almost 3 hours to see her run in the 800 open.....which she did well in.  Their were about 24 girls running from 8 schools and Katie took 4th overall.  So I think she was happy with her time.

So as Nicole didn't run yesterday....I guess I have plans for this evening....and it is so beautiful....I won't mind sitting in the bleachers.  Unlike yesterday when the sun didn't come out till about 6:45 p.m. and it was cold. 

I have a prayer request from Jimbo.  His friend Cory Douville's dad is having problems fighting his bone marrow which is rejecting his body or vice versa.  Mike Douville was a 6th grade teacher at Eisenhower elementary school when my kids attended there, and was Bill's teacher.....a great guy...please keep him and his family in your prayers.  Love and prayers, m

Waiting for the Sun

For two days I've been "sitten and waiten" for doctors appointments, and today I'm "sitten and waiten" for the sun to shine.  I slept in this morning, as I had to get up and start moving immediately the last two mornings, I decided before I went to bed that I was going to sleep-in.  Not that I needed it...although I didn't fall to sleep till around 2 a..m.....even with 2 Tylenol PM at midnight.

I had my scan yesterday that only took a few minutes after waiting over 45 minutes.  Before going to that appointment, I had my hair done...cut and colored.  So I'll look really good when I start my chemo.  Still don't know when that will start as I haven't heard anything from Londer's office yet.  I'm sure he probably hasn't talked to Dr. Sideras at Mayo yet.  I'll be ready when ever it is....so I'll have help for all you spot removers.  The combination of chemo and "spot removers" should do the trick in no time!

Think I have to do laundry today....I skipped that last week, so have twice as much this week.  Then if the sun comes out and warms up a bit....I'll go watch Nicole and Katie run at a (9th and 10th grade) track meet.  Other than that I've no big plans for the day.  Love and prayers, m

Damp but not Raining!

No sun, cool, breezy but at least no snow like they suggested could happen last night.  I just wish we'd get spring for more than 2 days at a time.

Yesterday I went to see Dr. Londer with high hopes of having a plan for my new chemo regiment, but (the good part) Dr. Londer thinks I look wonderful, and all my blood work looks good, he doesn't know why Dr. Sideras (Mayo) is recommending such an aggressive regiment for me.  So he wants to talk to him personally.  He thinks I can get by with a less aggressive method.  He did have me schedule a CTscan without contrast of my lungs, so they have a baseline up here, and he will beable to tell if it's working or not.  I have that scheduled for today.  So chemo will start soon, but what kind is in question.

I also have a hair appointment for today, and had to move that up a little earlier, so I can make both of them.  I'm hoping when I get the chemo schedule it will not affect to many of my already made plans.

I also went to the Appreciation Tea yesterday for the Meals on Wheels drivers, and (Linda Z. you have to tell Jim to read this) when I got there the entertainment for the afternoon looked kind of familiar and he was holding an accordion.  I went over and asked him if he was "Skeets Langley" and he said he was.  I told him that when Jim and I were about 60 years younger we competed against him at the butchers picnics at Excelsior Amusement park....and beat him a couple of times....also talked about appearing with him on the Toby Prinn Show and the Jimmy Valentine show TV programs of the 50's.  It was so fun, and although he didn't exactly remember us, he did remember all those competitions, and indeed his dad was a butcher, and he did become a musician union member as a young teen as he played in many supermarkets next to a wiener display and got paid for it.  So Jim he was a professional just as we thought!  and shouldn't have been competing with us in an amateur contest!  lol  He was also much older than us....atleast 4 or 5 years.  Lots of fun memories.

I now have to get dressed and run off to get my hair done and then run to Robbinsdale for that CT scan (number 36) for me.  Keep those prayers coming, Love ya, m

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

I woke  up to the sound of rain...they seem like fat heavy rain. I wouldn't mind if I had no place to go....it's the kind of day when you could stay in bed all day....but I have places to go....doctor to see.

This morning I finally will see Dr. Londer the oncologist at North Memorial HHH Cancer Center.  He is the one who will set up the chemo for me.  The doctor at Mayo said he would send up the recipe for it on Friday....so hopefully that is done.  I'm not sure if I will start as soon as next week or not....but when I lleave there today I should have a plan.

This afternoon there is a Appreciation Tea at Faith Luteran for all of us drivers, which I think I will go to too.  So a couple of reasons to get dressed today.

Yesterday I got a call from cousin Karen in the morning....just after I wrote my blog....as she had already read it.  So fun to talk with her...and she told me she'd be thinking about me this morning when I'm at the doctor.  Then yesterday afternoon, Judy and I met with Val a friend from the college for dinner.  We had a $25 certificate.....but just after we finished paying etc....the waitress came back and said she had a problem cause they couldn't read the serial number....my printer wasn't printing the color very dark...,and none of us could make it out either.  So after several conversations with her boss and reporting back to us....I had to go upstairs to the office and log onto their computer and into the site where I bought it to find the number.....well it was my lucky day....cause it didn't take long and I had the information she was looking for. (luckily it wasn't my computer or it would have taken hours)  So we all left full and happy.

I did order a new computer yesterday morning, but it will be another couple of weeks before I get it...but I can't wait.

So I am off to the doctor....I'll fill you all in tomorrow.  Love and prayers, m

Another Bright and Beautiful Day!

If you liked yesterday....you'll love today!  After such a dark and dreary week the sun came out for Easter and today is supposed to be even better.

I had a wonderful day....the food and egg hunt went well....and Matthew decided at his young age of 5 that it was the "best Easter ever".  I'm pretty sure he doesn't even remember that last year he was at Disney World for Easter.  He did however change his mind and reverse that when he bumped his head in the basement playing.  But I'll take the first call! 

I had my cousin Judy join us, and Jim and Ann and the boys came later in the afternoon after the others had left....and after they all left I got to talk to Tom in Chicago.  He proclaimed that it would be a great day if the Black Hawks won....Twins already had....so it was almost complete!  From what the newspaper reported the Hawks won in Overtime forcing game 7.  So it sounds like Chicago Kieckers had a good Easter too.

After the wonderful day, I had a horrid night....I must have drank too much coffee yesterday....cause even after staying up till midnight, I still wasn't sleeping at 5 a.m. had been up walking around, went to the bathroom 2 or 3 times I don't remember, and tossing and turning with my nueropathy and restless leg syndrome driving me crazy.  I even got up and wrote down the names of two I have to call today, thinking that would clear my mind and let me fall asleep but that didn't work either.  I know I looked at the clock every hour till 8 a.m. when I heard some commotion outside and look out the window to see the city flushing the fire hydrant in my front yard.  So when the alarm went off at 8:30 I was still wide awake.  If I ever slept it was so light that I wasn't even aware that I was sleeping.  Hope tonight works better!

Other than no sleep I'm fine, and have a couple of things planned for the day.  I can go to lunch with the group from ARCC, and this evening I'm going to dinner with a friend from the college and my cousin Judy. I have a $25 gift certificate for a local restuarant, which I paid $4 for, and we have to spend $35, so two people have a hard time doing that, so Judy will help.

So till tomorrow, love and prayers, m

Jesus Christ Has Risen Today!

....and the sun is shining brightly to prove it!!  What a beautiful morning.  Happy Easter everyone. 

Just a short note today.....I went to the Easter Vigil service last night.....I figured it would last a couple of hours, but ended up nearly 3.....at least with my arrival before 8 p.m. and not returning home till 10:45.  But it was a great service, and full of prayer and celebration for this Holy Day.

Today the kids are coming plus cousin Judy and a friend of Katie's.  I've everything ready cept the fruit bowl which I will do just before, and the Easter Egg Hunt.  I have to hide all those Eggs.....so I better get dressed and get busy! 

Again hope you have a Blessed Day rich in God's love.  Love and prayers, m

The Son Will Rise

Still over-cast this morning, but as promised the sun and the Son will rise tomorrow.  Along with 60's....can you believe?  I have lots to do today, so I do hope it clears up and brings me some energy along with it.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the "Living Stations of the Cross" that the teens from our parish put on.  It was really done well, along with a meditation for each of the stations.  I teared up during several spots...and did a lot of meditative prayer.  They also had a song between the station meditation that went along with each....and I could hardly sing.  But I came away feeling really good and know that God is with me through my journey carrying my cross.  As I came out it had started to rain, so the day matched the mood or vice versa.

After I went shopping and picked up almost everything I need for the brunch, but still have to hit the liquor store today for some champagne for mimosas.  I then settled in to watch an evening of HGTV when I got a phone call from Janet and she asked what I was watching....wondering if I was watching "Girls Night Out" I said no, and she suggested I may want to turn it on, it was just starting, and it was a program celebrating all the great women of Country Music.  I am so glad she called.....it was really a great show, and Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill did a fantastic job of singing "How Great Thou Art" which again had me in tears. Hope some of you got to see this show.  Gene would have loved it....cause one of the women they honored was Loretta Lynn (the Coal Miners Daughter) one of his favorites.....too bad they didn't have Kitty Wells although they did mention her.

Today I have lots of cooking, cleaning and a few errands to run, and this evening I will be going to the Saturday evening Easter service at church.  It starts at 8:30 and will probably last about 2 hours as they do a lot of things along with the Mass.  Blessing of Candles, Water, and the receiving of the catacumins (I'm probably spelling that wrong) that have been preparing for this day all year. This is the biggest or most important season of the church.  I volunteered to distribute Communion at this service.  It will let me prepare the Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch tomorrow morning before everyone comes at 11 a.m.

I finally talked to Dr. Sideras (the oncologist at Mayo) yesterday.....he called when I was in the bathtub.....just my luck.  So I had to grab my rob and run to the phone dripping.  He explained that the chemo regiment would be similar to that I went through last Spring, and he told me some of the side effects that I may or may not have with these drugs.  No neuropathy this time....but may get a rash....hmmmmm....as long as it goes away....I can handle that.  Diarrhea is also one of the side effects, but I think that comes with any chemo.....and is usually well handled with the other drugs they give you.  I shouldn't lose my hair, but it may thin again....just when it was starting to feel normal!  Anyway, he took the FAX number for Dr. Londer, and said he would fax the recipe to him yesterday afternoon, so when I get there on Tuesday, Dr. Londer will have a plan for me.  He also said that after a few months I should have a CT scan and if my lungs are clear I can just stop and they will watch me from that point on.  I suppose CT scans every 3 or 4 months.  But it sounds like it all can be handled here, and I won't have to go back to Mayo unless I want to see Dr. Nelson for my butt.  As for my butt....it gets better all the time.  Yesterday it barely drained....and I can actually sit fairly comfortably and lay on my back while sleeping.....both are for short periods, but so much better than not at all!   So things are going well, Love and prayers and hope you all have a Blessed and Happy Easter, m

Gloomie Good Friday

I know I'm late....but hard to get myself moving when it's this gloomie out.  I slept in till 9 a.m. and then spent the next hour waiting for my computer to reboot and finally get into my email etc.  Cried thru Annette Haugen's caringbridge entry and just now am writing.

Didn't do much yesterday....spent a lot of time filling plastic eggs for the egg hunt on Sunday.  I filled 105 eggs....put most of them have parts of a clue in them....so they can find their bags of candy.  So a long process.  Then at 4:15 I meet Laurie Lopez who was waiting for John to get off the train from downtown.  I gave her three bags of magazines.  I thought I had only two....but when I went out in the garage to find the one...it was two....plus the one I just filled.  She was so happy to get them, as all her old ones that she keeps at her cabin had all been read several times, and she can now throw them away.

Last night I went to the Holy Thursday church service, and had my feet washed and washed the feet of another.  It was a very nice service, and today I will go to the Living Stations of the Cross that teens from our parish will do.  Then tomorrow I am going to the 8:30 p.m. service instead of the Sunday morning service.  It is a long service....but full of the pomp and circumstances that I love.

Well that's it for today, love and prayers, m

The Sun Has Come Out!

I love the morning sunshine, and miss it when the clouds cover the sky.  I'm afraid that will be the case again tomorrow (according to the weatherman) but I'm going to enjoy today!

I have added the 80th spot remover to my list.  Incase some of you are not on it....or don't know what it is....Last year when I had more spots than the doctors cared to even count....my cousin Karen #1 on the list....came up with the idea that it was so daunting to pray for so many spots to be gone, if each person adopted one spot and prayed for it to be gone it might work better.  Well it worked very well....cept for 2 pesky spots...so we decided I must have had 75 spots as I had only 73 adoptee's at the time.  So I then added more to the list....and low and behold they all disappeared and I was able to have my surgery last October.  Then the focus went to my butt to get that to heal......and now we are back worrying about 2 spots.  My list continues to grow, and I will be happy to add anyone who wants to volunteer to the list.  Obviously it works!

As for me....I'm still waiting for Mayo to contact me as to if I need to return to Rochester for a CTscan before I start the chemo....or if they will just send the "recipe" for the chemo to Dr. Londers office and I can start the chemo working....along with your prayers.

Didn't do much yesterday other than finding the plastic eggs and starting to fill them for the Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday.  I also found the bucket (right next to the door) of the store room....I think someone must have been thinking ahead and put it there for me.....or someone was here while I was gone and put it there for me to find.  It's strange.....I don't remember it being there when I was down there a couple of weeks ago.  I think it was an Angel at work.

Holy Thursday today, so I plan on going to church this evening, and I am meeting my friend Laurie at 4:15 and giving her a couple of bags of Magazines for her daughters to read.  I hate just throwing them away, and I know they enjoy getting them.  I'll take some of the more resent ones that I haven't read yet to the cabin with me in a few weeks.

Nothing new to report, Love and prayers, m

It's Snowing

Incase you haven't noticed!!!  That white stuff on the lawn is snow!  Luckily it will melt fast....they are predicting 60's and sun for Easter....but is looking more like Christmas today.

Sorry I am so late writing today.....slept in till 9 a.m.....and then Janet called and we talked for about an hour....hadn't talked with her since she got back from Arizona where she was taking care of her sister Jean who had a stroke back at the beginning of February.  It was good to talk and laugh with her again.

I don't have much to report on for yesterday....did have a good lunch with my friend Laurie from ARCC.  We went to Acapulco for lunch....it was a favorite for both of us.  Then I did a little shopping and came home.   I did make an appointment to see Dr. Londer my oncologist next week....to get the ball rolling for chemo....put in a call to the Oncologist at Mayo to see if I need to have the CT scan there or if I can have it here.  I haven't heard back from his office yet....suppose I'll hear something today.

I did get to talk to Aunt Loretta yesterday, and she is doing well, and is keeping me in her prayers too.  She says she has a special in with a little Angel (her daughter Dorothy who died of leukemia at a young age) and of course all her brothers and sisters who have gone before her.  So I think she is keeping me in good standing to get rid of these spots!  I have no doubt!

Nothing planned for today...just waiting for the sun to come back out!  Love and prayers, m

 

Out Dam Spot!

Things went well....inspite of getting up at 4:45 a.m.  Judy and I were in the clinic by 7:50 and I got my blood drawn and then went to breakfast.  Then saw Dr. Nelson at 10:30 and she says my butt is doing pretty well, and she thinks I can start chemo as soon as Dr. Sideras wants.  I don't know when yet, but he was thinking last month that if Dr. Nelson gave the okay I would start sometime in May. 
The urologist I met with at 11:15 says I don't have to self catheterize anymore.  I am emptying fine when I go on my own, and my blood work said my kidneys were working great.  So unless I start having problems with voiding, I don't have to worry about that anymore.
But some of the best news was that my Ct scan I had last month, only talks about 3 spots, 2 that are slowly growing and 1 that I've had for at least the last 16 years and has never changed.  So it's only two spots the chemo has to deal with!  I don't know about you.....but it sure makes me feel a lot better.  Each of those spots had grown .4 cm in the 3 months between CT scans the largest being 1.0 cm and the other .9 cm.
So I guess I have to wait for Dr. Sideras's office to contact me now.  If I don't hear anything by the end of the week, I will call them and see if we can get this ball rolling.  I'm anxious to get it over with.  
If you have facebook you already know this news, and have responded with such great enthusiasm, I also emailed my kids with it right away yesterday, so this blog is old news for probably all that read it....but I needed to have it documented in my blog. 
In my cousins caringbridge site this morning, he talks about Holy Week being a reminder that we are not walking through the pain alone.  I am so lucky, cause I have all of you to remind me that God is with me every day.  I hope you all know how much I appreciate your love and support.  Now as for those "2" spots.....get back to work! I'll do my part with the chemo.   Love and prayers, m

Where did Spring Go?

Nineteen years ago today my mom died.  It was then the Saturday before Easter, but even though it’s Monday, it’s Easter week, and it brings back so many memories….some silly,,,some sad.,,all the coffee cans filled with open bags of coconut comes to mind…..and more ham than we knew what to do with.  Also that mom was so worried we couldn’t do Easter dinner with out her….and she proved to be right!  Miss her so much….as if it was yesterday.

Yesterday was a great day; the Sunday morning Mass was well done….great music….reading of the passion and the procession of palms.  Then the potluck with the Lenten group was really delicious, and the conversation and discussion of the weekly readings was very meaningful.  But the best part was the Cantata.  It was also based on the passion and at one point had me in tears….it was so well done.  The orchestra was great and the joint choirs were magnificent.  I think it was such a great way to start out Easter week.

Today I’m headed for Mayo, and I have an appointment with my surgeon who will then consult with my oncologist as to when she thinks I can start chemo….and then off to see the urologist.  Should be done by noon.  My cousin Judy will meet me in Bloomington at 6 a.m. and then we’ll head south.   I have to be there by 7:50 for blood work, and then don’t see surgeon till 10:30, so I guess we will find some breakfast.  So when we are done at noon, we can head back to Bloomington and Judy’s car, and then find someplace for lunch.  The worst part is getting up at 4:45 a.m.  that’s usually about when I finally get to sleep.

Yesterday at the Cantata I talked to an old friend I hadn’t see in ages, she told me she reads my blog every day!  I was really surprised….It amazes me how many people do.  Thank you all for your love and support.  Keep those thoughts and prayers coming.  Love and prayers, m

Sun Returns

....but only for a few hours.  The weather is supposed to be unsettled (what's that?) for the next seven days.  No signs of those 60's and 70's for sure.  Those Easter Bonnets might have to be wool stocking caps.

Yesterday I mentioned that I had nothing planned, and I got this delightful call from Annie inviting me to come and watch hockey for the whole evening.  First I got to watch Matthew at hockey camp (which he calls his game)  they did play what could be called a game but it was one of four sections of the ice set up with little nets on either end and all wearing basically the same jerseys....so hard to even know who was on your team....much less which one was Matthew.  Luckily Annie could.  It was all and all hilarious, as most had a hard time skating much less chasing a puck.  The stands were full of grandparents and proud parents and other laughing viewers.  Matthew had his grandpa Matt and grandma Carol along with me and his sister Nicole all watching along with Ann and Doug.  Laughter is great medicine.

From there we all headed for the Super Rink where Allie was playing in the second game of a weekend hockey tournament, and then Nicole followed with her team.  Both of the girls won their games, and will be playing in the championship games around noon today.  It was amazing to see the contrast of how well they skate compared to those little four, five and six year olds of earlier in the day.  But I guess they started out in a similar fashion.

Today I have plenty to do, church a potluck and a concert....I'm sure I'll be tired when that's all done, and tomorrow I have to be up bright and early to head to Mayo.  Not looking forward to that at all.  I hate getting up in the morning.  Must head for the shower....I'm already running late.  Love and prayers, m