Work Of My Hands Pt.2

                                                       Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                       everyday is a journey.

A while back, I wrote about a project I have been working on since last year for both of my children.Talk about working my patience and my abilities. This project has worn out any personal capabilities I may have felt I had. It has tested me beyond measure. I've unraveled and unraveled this project so many times that I've stopped counting after five. The project became more of an ordeal as I struggled with it every step of the way.

Well, I'm glad to report it's done. Finally! Or at least one of them. Will they like it? I certainly hope so. It was one of the biggest projects I have ever undertaken. 

Here it's spread out, hopefully at least a queen size in the popcorn design stitch. It's meant to be for their bedroom as a bedspread. I would love to see it on their bed for the whole effect.

Here is the afghan stretched out onto the couch to see a different effect. At least, one is finished. Now onto the last one for Emily!

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Throwback Thursday

 

                                    Everyday is a brand new day, 

                                    everyday is a journey.

  Here it is another Throwback Thursday in the year of 2013 where we provided an update on where we are now. 

Nothing has really changed since the post below, except that Linda has passed away already a year and a half ago. Chemo is chemo and the symptoms are the same symptoms more or less. This year we've added another surgery, plus fixed the beginnings of a hernia, tried hormone treatments and added radiation to the mix. 

All in all, I'm doing much better than some all with God's Grace. I guess, He isn't done with me yet. Or I should say, I still have more to do here!

 

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

  Chemotherapy: Good ole chemo. There are more varieties and side effects than there are flavors of ice cream. Google any type of chemo and a long list appears of do's and don'ts. I have been extremely lucky with my chemo. During these three times my cancer has come back, I've only been on three different types. That is huge!

  Poor Linda,  she has been on numerous types and I believe that finally this current one seems to be working. Chemo really does a job on your body. I have experienced all kinds of side effects with the three I have had. I can deal with some and absolutely hate the others. I have placed them into three groups: the good, the bad, the ugly. Here are some examples of the symptoms I've had.

THE GOOD:
 Yes, there is good. The cancer itself is the good. How can that be? The cancer brought an awareness and emphasis on relationships that I haven't known existed. The relationships I have with my children, my co-workers, strangers in the world and with Jesus. I am so aware of the precious time I have with all of these people. That is the good. The sleeping all the time is not bad either.
 THE BAD:
  Being nauseous and extremely tired, are standard symptoms of all chemo. Another few are diarrhea, constipation, numbness and tingling in your hands and feet. All of these, I can handle. They are not pleasant, but you can basically take something for it. It's do-able.

THE UGLY:
  I can't stand steroids and what they do to my body. I gain weight and become bloated every time. Not to mention I turn this unbearable red beet color. Next, metal mouth syndrome. It turns everything I eat to tasting like it's spoiled. By the time I'm done with my treatment, I don't enjoy food. Coffee, for instance, tastes awful. I miss that the most. Another one I detest is losing my hair and eyebrows. I'm fortunate that this time around my hair is only thinning out and not going completely bald.

  Believe me, by the time I'm done with it all, I'm usually very glad it's over. Then the side effects from the side effects happen, but that's another story. 

Oh well, Have a Blessed Night everyone.

Growing Pains

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

We all have a daily routine whether we actually acknowledge it or not. We all think we are spontaneous in our behavior, but in reality, we're pretty predictable. When you share a home with others, one develops a routine of sorts dividing the daily chores between the two of you. 

Anytime there is a disruption in that routine, it affects the natural flow of the household no matter how minor. Just imagine a couple of months of disruption and you can be sure tempers will flare. I feel that Emily and I are at that point now. We just have been together too much and need a break from one another.

Easier said than done! How does one try to fit into another routine  after such a long established one?

The month of May was spent in togetherness. I mean, it was only on the weekends that we shared supper together. Suddenly, we were able to enjoy a meal and evening time . . . . every single day. 

The month of June was spent in arguing with one another. Always underfoot at every corner. In a small space, it seemed like we were together everywhere. That same activity that brought us closer, begun to get thin. I mean, we had supper and evening time. . . . every single day. 

The month of July, so far, has been spent in a happy medium with days spent apart and some together. There were times we barricaded ourselves in our rooms and others where we pushed one of us out the door. Right now, I think we're both secretly dreaming of some weekend alone time. I have heard Emily murmuring under her breath about my returning back to work. When she mentioned a possible sleepover at her friends, I literally jumped for joy. 

So when is that sleepover happening?

Have a blessed day everyone.

The Nephew

                                                      Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                      everyday is a journey.

For many years, girls ruled this family. Joey, for instance, was the only boy for over seventeen years before another male was born into this family. I had nieces, but no nephews. 

Since then, it was almost like an avalanche of boys. We went from one (Joey) to Logan, Luke, Timothy, Justin, Ashton, Lachlan and Kai. I hope I didn't miss anybody.They range from 15 yrs. old to 2 1/2 and I'm sure we're not done!

One of these boys, my second nephew, is a miniature of his father (my younger brother) in every way. When he graces your presence, he cannot stop worming nor talking for a minute. He's vivacious, talkative, cannot keep still, ants in his pants Luke! You have to give this boy something to do.

While visiting my mom (his grandma) he came over during his Summer vacation to hang out. It was then that I figured we needed to put to good use his over active and energetic self by having him come grocery shopping with us. We could always use him to carry in the bags, which he did.  It was then that we had an interesting conversation. 

"So what are you going to do with the Durango?" he inquired.

"Well, I was planning on donating it to Willow Creeks Single Mom's Ministry," I replied .

"Why don't you just give it to me?" He's all of 13.

"What are you going to do with an old junky truck?" I asked him.

" I could work on it and practice." Did I mention he loves fixing things, especially cars?

"Okay, but it will cost you a whole dollar so you better start saving now." I said to him, shaking his hand. 

"I think I got that now, Lottie."

And that's what I did when the truck eventually broke down for the last time. I say the last time, because it wasn't worth it to me to keep putting money into it.  Even so, I think I suddenly became the best Aunt in the whole world. How do I know? Well, he kept repeating,"I can't believe it's happening."

Have a Blessed day everyone.   

The Elliptical

                                                      Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                      everyday is a journey.

I cannot do it alone, 
The waves run fast and high, 
And the fogs close chill around,
 And the light goes out in the sky;
But I know that we two 
Shall win in the end--God and I.

--Unknown

When we first moved into our apartment in 2011, we went searching for some sort of exercise equipment we could workout without leaving the place. We finally made a decision on an elliptical machine we could assemble at home. It came in like a thousand pieces which I promptly put together. Yes, you heard me. I put it together. Even now, I cannot believe I did that. It took me several days, but I finished it. 

We used that poor thing or at least Emily did, on a regular basis. For five years that machine stood in my bedroom proudly displaying my technique of putting things together. I was very proud of that machine. 

Alas, just the other day, it stopped working. The pedals no longer  worked, obviously something on the inside broke. As Emily mourned the loss of the elliptical, all I could think about was how in the world we would carry it down to the trash.

Well, you put it together, then take it apart!

And that's what we did. Believe me, it was much harder to take it apart than it was putting it together.  We struggled and struggled to get all of the pieces out. We were covered in grease and oil, but this morning we finally carried it out to the dumpster. 

It seems to me, that things have been breaking (my car) and people moving away almost like a sign of change coming. This elliptical,  another item from the past being put to rest. We like to cling to where we once were, even if it wasn't a good place. We don't want to let go, because we don't know what the future holds. It much better to cling to what is familiar than to the unknown. At least, that's what we tell ourselves. 

As I look to the open and empty space where the elliptical once proudly stood, I cannot help but wonder what new thing will take it's place. Will it better? I'm almost sure it will, even though it's difficult to see right now. I do know, as we move forward, things become clearer and better, don't they?

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

That Embarrassing Thing

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

I cannot do it alone, 
The waves run fast and high, 
And the fogs close chill around, 
And the light goes out in the sky;
But I know that we two 
Shall win in the end--God and I.

--Unknown

I have written on many aspects of cancer, but I've never really written about one of my biggest side effects affecting me during this treatment. It's not a very pleasant topic, actually more of an embarrassing one. 

Ever since my surgery, I'm having much difficulty going to the bathroom. I understand the fact that things need time to go back to normal. I also understand the fact that I'm having chemo, but somehow, I expected things to be better. If it isn't constipation, then it's diarrhea or inflammation of the hemorrhoids. Lord, there is nothing worse!

I can deal with anything and Lord knows I've done so, but this is horrible. There is no relief. One ends, the other begins. Just when one feels a little better, we begin the circle all over again. Is it any wonder that I'm dreading radiation? Daily dosage?

Has anyone else had this problem in regards to cancer treatment? I would love to hear that I'm not alone. Besides, just talking about it out loud makes me feel better. I should say that this isn't the first time I've experienced this issue. I've gone through it every single time. One would think I would be accustomed to it. Instead, I think, I end up dreading it. 

For those of you saying I should consult my doctor, I already did. She has kindly offered to provide a prescription for me, but I've decided to go the natural method. That was then and now I find myself caving in to her offer. Now that I've shared my embarrassing and personal moments, it's time to go. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Interesting Days

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


When you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you till it seems as if you couldn't hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that's just the time and place that the tide will turn.
--Harriet Beecher Stowe.

"Well, here's to another difficult day," I said.

"It's not difficult, just interesting," replied Emily. 

Funny perspective on things, one we should adopt. Somehow, it's difficult to do when things are falling apart. We all know the cliches, "the domino effect" and "when it rains it pours." Even so, I figured I would adopt Emily's attitude toward the current developments around here.  

So how can we turn things around in a positive way? Well, all this provides new material for my blog. Plus, no matter how painful it may be, we do learn from it. We know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

I'm almost ashamed to admit what a cry baby I have become since this ordeal began back in March. For someone who has considered herself a strong, faithful woman, it's a hard pill to swallow knowing I've completely fallen apart. I cannot count the many times I've messaged Joey and Aubs. that the sky is falling! What must have they thought of me?

What has happened to this confident, strong as a bull woman? Where has she gone? That's all I ever hear people calling me. Just the other day, a friend from work said the same thing to me. I know I certainly don't feel like that woman. Even still, apparently people see me in this way. I feel as if my life has been placed on hold, in limbo, until further notice. Or may I just getting tired of it all?  

Interesting days . . . . they certainly have been. I can honestly say  that I don't regret any of these past weeks. I've found out so much about myself and about my friendships with others. Nothing we do here is for naught. Everything serves a purpose, even if that purpose is one we don't care for. Events happen and Seasons change bringing new things into our lives, some of them good and some not. Life is a box of chocolates, you never know which one you'll get. Maybe that's why it's interesting?

Have a Blessed day everyone.