Meanderings

The Yellow Rose of Texas

,,,,is in my front yard today!

Breaking Resolutions

I am a addict. I am addicted to yarn. I place total and complete blame on one of my good friends. It is all her fault!

Okay, so maybe it's not all her fault. In fact, it's my fault. I must say, though, she's worse than I and I am envious of her stash!!!

I wasn't going to buy any more yarn until I had at least used a few boxes (yes, I said boxes!) of yarn I already have.

I persevered for 18 whole days! Then I opened an email that I knew in my heart I really shouldn't have opened. Yes, it was a yarn sale.

To be fair, I only ordered one hank. The yarn is lovely and I plan to make a pair of socks for MYSELF!!

The yarn is from Lorns's Laces and is called Christmas at Downton. Love, love, love this yarn!!

The Home Stretch

Another year has come and gone; seems like I didn't accomplish a whole lot in 2012.

We did get to go on our Greek cruise, which I'm glad we went when we did! Right after we got back from our cruise I got my cancer diagnosis. Since then it's been hospitals, doctors, radiation and chemo all year.  I think I'm winning!!!

Have to have some maintenance chemo. Smaller doses every 3 weeks. I had my first smaller dose right before Christmas and it made me sicker than a dog! So much for 'not as bad' !!!  I've just started to feel a little better and now it's time for chemo again tomorrow!  Ugh!  2 or 3 more doses after this and hopefully I will be finished for good!!!

We did have company over the Christmas holiday. My youngest daughter, her hubby and two chitlins were here. The younguns thought it was pretty neat to go out in the yard and pick their own fresh oranges on Christmas eve. It was pretty nice.

Christmas Goodies!

It's too bad Christmas doesn't come more than once a year.  

Yes, I now the real reason for the season, don't start preaching at me sis!!

I must say one thing, "I love getting presents!"

Well maybe I'll say a few more things, too. Like, I love getting EARLY presents (I hate waiting!).

Today I got my Christmas present from my hubby. I totally LOVE it!!

A brand new, scarlet Buick Verano (couldn't get gray interior dang it!)!!  Isn't he just the greatest??????????

 

Lovin' the Livin'

I'm really enjoying living in Houston!

My all time favorite guitar player, Eric Clapton, is coming to the Toyota Center in March, 2013. Tickets went on sale last Friday at 10:00 am; I was at the site at 9:59 am. I scored 4th row center stage seats!!!!  I was floating on cloud nine when I snagged them!

My hibiscus bush is in full bloom (still!)

My Mexican rose is still pretty and in bloom

I'm harvesting tomatoes for dinner

and the grandkids can pick oranges at Christmas!

 

 

Progress!!

It's been a hectic few months around this house but we are finally seeing some progress.

The latest scan shows the tumor is almost gone. Still some there but we won't know if it is active cancer or dead until the doctors can do a PET scan. This will take place in a few more weeks. (guess you all know what I want for Christmas, huh?)  I know a lot of my recovery is due to all the prayers that were sent to the Big Guy on my behalf and for that I will be forever thankful to everyone!!

My Hair is coming back in !!!  It's just soft little stubble right now and, sadly, most of it is gray,,,but it's hair!

The doctors did find a vein that is almost totally clogged with a blood clot, so now I get to give myself a shot in the fat part of the stomach twice a day. Good thing I saved a bunch of that fat!!! The shot itself doesn't hurt, it's just the idea of sticking a needle into yourself that's creepy.

Kevin and I are headed to Arkansas next week for Thanksgiving with all of my sisters. We've really got something to be thankful for this year! We'll be thinking of our brother who is in New York helping restore power or whatever else needs done.

I feel so lucky !!  Great friends who've supported me with food and hats, tea and meals, family willing to basically give up their life to stay with me and run me to treatments every day (yes, every day downtown Houston!) sending a silly card to make me laugh or flowers to cheer me up or fruit to get me to eat. Most of all I can't forget the hubby who has plodded on every day to work or keeping up things around the house, listened to my angry rants (yes, there were one or two) and let me cry on his shoulder when I needed to.

I know I'm not done yet with this journey; it's been an eye-opening experience though.

Half-Way There!

This past week marks the half-way completion point of my radiation and chemo.

A scan completed this weeks shows the bulk of the tumor has been reduced by about half!

The doctor was optimistic and I guess I am too. I just don't want to get my hopes up too high. I'm more of a "I'll believe it when I see it" type of person.

But hey, I'll take ANY improvement and be happy with it!

Thanks to everyone who has sent prayers, thoughts and good wishes my way. 

Hats,,,what can I say? I have some of the most beautiful hats in Houston!!  A LOVELY lady who's birthday is this week and is named Lolly sent two absolutely precious hats,,,a scarlet and gray one is a special favorite!! *S* Thank you so much!

Food in the freezer is a comfort. I know that if I or my hubby is hungry we have some of the tastiest food around right at our fingertips.

Now, since the house is still quiet and still, I believe I'll close my eyes and take a little nap!