NANA NOTES

SERIOUS LACK OF BLOGGING TOPICS--Plus Update

Wow, it's been over a week since I blogged.  Our trip to the beach was very uneventful. Abby enjoyed herself and made some friends. She got some sun and enjoyed the food. We even went out one night and totally enjoyed it. [Not a usual thing for us.]

I've been reading a lot--something I couldn't do early on in my treatment. My attention span was very short. Now I am enjoying some books that I have had waiting for a while.

All the Mom's are getting their children ready for school to start--totally unfair I think.  It's still summertime with lots of time to swim and play.  School supplies, uniforms [everyone has grown a size or two], backpacks--the list is endless.  I remember when a friend and I used to go for our children and we always bought those metal lunch boxes.  How I wish I had them all now.  They'd be worth a fortune!!

Chemo this week was VERY interesting!  On the way over to Natchez, I got a call asking why I was late.  I responded that I wasn't late, I would arrive on time.  I had Janice fax my calendar over to them so they could see that I was telling the truth. It seems that a girl had been let go and had screwed up all the appointment times.  I was supposed to get both types of chemo meds that day and was unable to since the doctor was leaving at 11:00 AM.  One of the "good ole boys" had doubled up on his steroids and was very vocal.  We kept the banter going and Vanessa acted as a referee--she was throwing punches after every sentence. I wish I could have videoed the whole morning.  We have to laugh or we'd all be crying. :)  My friend Donna cannot have chemo for three weeks. She will be having surgery on her brain next week.  Please keep her in your prayers.  My treatment is going well.  Next week I have a shot on Tuesday and treatment on Wednesday.  It will be a long day [having both meds at once].  I keep the nurses happy by taking them some kind of cake.  I think I'll try Lemon Gooey Butter Cake this week.  They loved the Chocolate Chip Pecan one.

Ben and I have an adventure coming up so I should have some good blogging material soon.  Don't abandon me.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. . .  Phil. 1: 3-4

ROAD TRIP

 

Does this tell you where the road trip was?  You guessed it!!  The MS Braves game in Jackson--all 16 of us--Herring's, Cowart's and a couple of tagalongs!  What fun we had.

We were there early and got team playing cards. The kids enjoyed watching the teams take infield practice. 

The boys got to see the famous "Crawling Coach" [in the camo shirt].  He got thrown out of the game after we left.

Shelby was up for the game--her sign was ready!

The Braves didn't fare so well that night due to a home run by the NC Mudcats but we all enjoyed the "big league" atmosphere!  The "eyeball" race deflated but the "human bowling balls" were right on target. We left for the beach after the 7th inning stretch and missed the fireworks but everyone said they were awesome!  Thanks, Papa for the fun night at the park!

AT A LOSS--GOT ANY THOUGHTS?

TINY LITTLE UPDATE

This has been a full week for me.  We came home from the beach on Monday; Tuesday was blood work; Wednesday was doctor's appointment [everything is going well; doctor was pleased; starting a new drug]; Thursday a four hour treatment; and Friday, the new drug; another four hour treatment.  Needless to say that today I have rested, read, played in the pool, taken a nap in the swing and rested some more. There was no walking for me today.  My treatment is going well and is working.  Fatigue and a little peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands are my only side effects so far.  Nothing I can't handle with God's grace.  I am blessed.

The people I meet at treatment have such amazing stories.  You might say that I'm the "instigator" in the group.  It might be the medication but I just refuse to let everyone sit there and not talk or act like there's no one else in the room.  Three people had reactions to the meds on Friday.  Their treatments had to be stopped.  One lady had been in a coma nine years ago for three months and 17 days with doctors wanting her family to unplug her.  Her story was incredible and now she's fighting cancer like a tiger.  We laugh together, cry together and others are thankful to have someone to listen.  Some people come alone; others have family to bring them.  I'm thankful to have wonderful friends who volunteer to take me.  This is not a journey I wanted to take, but I will make it to the end.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.    James 1:2-3;12 

SHE'S GOING TO KNOW ME WHEN SHE'S FAMOUS!

The Second "Anna Grace and Friends" Fund Raiser for the Meadville United Methodist Church was Thursday night.  It had been a very long day for me [starting at 4:30 am] including a five mile walk, a four hour treatment, grocery buying and getting to the church by 7:00 pm, but I was determined not to miss the concert.  And boy am I glad we didn't!

Anna Grace, Tyler Bridge, Marvin Curtis and Susie Kimbrough were wonderful.  Anna Grace played and sang some original "tunes and songs" [there is a difference!] accompanied by the others.  Someday you'll pay big bucks to hear that---and she's going to know ME when she's famous! 

SUMMER BABIES and "UNCLE DOOLEY"

Tuesday was a good day.  I cooked a good lunch with Jennifer's help and the boys came over.  Dooley had missed his playmates and they were glad to see him as well.  Sam came running in calling for "Uncle Dooley".  We ate lunch and the boys rode me to the back barn to see my new longhorn baby.  "Cookies and Cream" delivered while we were at the beach and she had a beauty.  Graham has even picked the baby up!!

While we were at the barn they showed me a kildee nest and the mom and a baby.

The baby peacock is doing well and growing.  We didn't see it but I had taken a picture a day or two before.

On the way back to the house we happen to find a blue bird house that had the door opened. This is what we saw---

 I don't know if these will hatch out but we have had lots to do so and we have watched them learn to fly and go out on their own.

And now for the BIG news---our latest addition to Cotton Branch is "Frank".  He's compliments of a HGC serviceman who found him and rescued him.  It's known around the county [and SW MS] that we are a raise and release family. He'll be raised, protected and released after deer season in the fall.

Someone said maybe if we get a girl we can name her "Lin"!

Life on CB--never dull!

I LOVE THAT MAN!!!

He takes me to the beach to recover from my weekly treatment---

He cooks me bacon [unless he zonks out and forgets!]---

He walks with me [or is that, makes me walk with him?]---

AND---He walks Dooley regularly and does the most "unmanly" thing!!  Something he said he WAS NOT going to do.

How can I Not love that man!!!!!!

 

HAPPY HOLIDAY

FREEDOM ROCKS!!!

HAPPY

JULY 4th!!!

 

JUST GETTING TO THE FRIDAY POST

Friday was so busy around here I forgot to go get my shot.  I actually just did not remember to get it--it was my fault.  I was excited about all the company we were having and what was going on.  Friends were coming from Clinton, Josh was returning from Costa Rica and Ed had friends coming to help collect honey.  Therein lies the "post".  HONEY!!  If you look back to somewhere [there's a post about Ed becoming a bee keeper]! Well, the day finally came to get the reward. Mr. Wesley came with two of his helpers and the honey process was in full swing. They collected the frames and carried them to the "honey house".  There Marvin used a hot knife to "uncap" the frames and give them to Ed.

Ed then put the frames in the "slinger" and spun the honey out of the frames. I know there is a technical name for that thing but it escapes me now--slinger will have to do.

The honey is spun off the frames and is strained into a bucket.

Somehow I missed the "bottling" part but the finished product is beautiful and delicious.  My friends Vicki and Crimsom happened upon the very first jars.  What a lucky day to visit!!

Cotton Branch Honey--it just doesn't get any better!

Great job, Papa!! :)

 

A GREAT SURPRISE

Jennifer has been avoiding me like the plague lately.  She always had excuses why she couldn't come for lunch, etc.  "I'm busy, I'm working on a big project", and on and on.  Well, on Monday I found out what the "big project" was.   The sewing machine that we gave her about three years ago has come out of the box and she made me a "chemo quilt".  She took quilt scraps from my Mom's fabric boxes and put them together.  She did picture transfers of all the family and put them in some of the squares. She even had my favorite scripture monogramed for the center.  Never have I been so surprised or pleased!!  Jennifer has never even sewn on a button.

She wanted me to be warm when I was taking chemo--the room is usually cold and I had mentioned that.  Now I have a wonderful blanket with all my family on it to surround me while I'm getting my drips.

Thank you, Jennifer, for every stitch and every piece of love in that blanket.  I love you.