Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Hey Sherry, I just got off the phone with Carol, so I know she won't mind that I just ditto knowing how lucky I am to have my dh in the galley and move on.  I do love to cook as well, and have posted on those rare times I do cook. Tonight, it's homemade spinach and cheese ravioli from a great little deli that I'll make the sauce for - garlic, basil from the garden, tomatoes from the garden, squash from the garden, and olive oil.  I may warm up the left over braised pork from Greg's fab meal Sat. night to put along side the ravioli. 

I am so proud of you!  That takes a lot of courage to stick it out in such an uncomfortable situation, and I'm so pleased you've told/are going to tell this guy you aren't interested in dating a drunk. You so deserve better than that, and you can just take your pretty young-looking auburn haired self right into a much better situation.

I know that you are disappointed in him and in yourself for allowing him into your home, but that was a lesson learned, right?  I personally would not want him at the wedding even as friends if he's just going to get drunk to get himself through the event.  You don't need to be worrying about what he's doing when you should be enjoying your daughter's wedding. Just my opinion.

There is nothing wrong with working part time at KMart as a cashier. I know you hoped for more, but if this is all you can find right now, then so be it. Just be the very best cashier you can be and before you know it, you'll be promoted to full-time and moving up in the company. If another job comes along, then that will just be icing won't it? 

Have a great first day of work tomorrow,

Kimberly 

PS Kathy, I didn't even see we were on page 117, I just read 116. So, the beach is treating you well eh?  That would be awesome for you and D1 to meet. Is Paula somewhere close as well?

Hope the kids are just loving their time on the water with friends and family...fishing, swimming, and playing. These are memories they will not forget. Wouldn't it be great if they brought their families to this same place?

Yes, they finally mentioned the "B" word (boosts) to me. They start Thursday. (So ... 6 more Tx to go.)

I'm (evidently) holding up very well, the Rad Onc said "Wow" when I opened my gown to him last Thursday, and trust me, that's not the general reaction when I flash people. I'm still just a little pink, a little itchy once or twice through the day. Some areas are a little tender. The shoulder is f-ing killing me. I'm counting the seconds every day until I can bring my arm down from over my head. I swear the rads is messing up the joint. It was fine when I first started and through half the course of treatment.

KathyL/CathyCA, do you take your Herceptin over 1 hour or over 1/2 hour? They told me I could switch to 1/2 hour infusions a few treatments ago, and that's around the time I noticed more joint pain and weird GI issues. My MUGA is down to about 63. That's 4 straight decreases (started at 76 before treatment began). Onc still says not to worry, but he did decide to order another one just 3 weeks after the last one. I'm concerned but not panicking.

D1, glad you're home safely. We missed that dry, dry wit. 

Hi Jewels,

Just popping in for a minute, I got my test results today. No tumors or cyst. I have radiation scarring and they said that is normal. He said I have a strained pectoris muscle underneath my arm. I'm with you D1 I also think it's LE because my rads doc keeps saying I still have fluid in my breast. I'm going to just make an appt myself with a LE specilist. Cancer free for now, Yeah!

D1  I just love your humor too, you are so funny and I laughed at your whole post. Thanks, I needed a chuckle. against the jewels advice he is still coming to the wedding. He apoliged to me I was hoping he would not want to come, but he does. We are just staying friends nothing more. I'm going to finish taking off my wieght and I'm moving on. I finally slowed down on the eating. I think things have to just balance out with the body and drug. I just don't know what it is, but since rads treatment was over I feel like getting with someone. he he. It must be the tomox. I don't know LOL. Oh I did mention to my date that that other woman liked him at the party. He acted like he did not know. Maybe he will get with her and forget all about me. Let her feel what it is like being his date.

LJ  I also had a sore arm during rads. they took a foam pillow and put under my arm. That worked and it helped with the pain. I'm so glad you are getting ready for the boost you are almost done. Ask them to put a pillow or something to support yor arm during treatment. Glad your skin is going great. I hope your numbers keep going down on your MUGA. I have not had one yet.

KathyL  I forgot to mention I hope your dog's tummy gets better. Enjoy your cation. Sounds nice.

SIS Kimberly  I forgot to mention those pics of Lake Tohoe is beautiful. What a nice place to go and visit. Thanks for the advice I just need to be choosier next time. Yes, i'm going to the best darn cashier in MI. He he Something has to come along soon. The employees are very nice and friendly. Maybe I should of applied years ago. Glad you and Carol had such a great time.

Julie  I hope you are healing up nice and enjoying work. I forgot to mention last time sorry about your son losing their first game. They will win the next one.

Carol  Still cationing, have lots of fun, I wish I had your energy, you look so great.

Dana  I hope you are doing ok, I know you are busy finishing up with school. Let us know how your MRI results were.

Good evening Jewels,

So today my car had to be taken in for some work in Folsom (about 45 minutes away. I like the people that worked on my car when i lived in Folsom, so I drive back there when I need to), so I was with my sis all day. Then I took dinner to a neighbor who just had a baby, and finally stopped to say hey to a neighborgal who is doing her student teaching in 6th grade in Rocklin and just started with kids today.

Tomorrow it's getting the car smoged and off to set up my classroom.

D1- I am so impressed with your catching up on all the posts. Well Done. You deserve a nice cool g and t.  Glad to hear that you at least made an attempt at being harem like with your sheik, and equally glad you could both laugh at the not so perfect execution.  

Sounds like dd#2 is up for a really busy and intense school year with those classes, but with her scores and drive, I know she will do just fine.

College...seems that many of our Jewels are taking kids to college in the next few weeks and/or do college tours for kiddos getting ready for college. What an exciting time for your young adults.

It's late and I'm exhausted, so I'm just going to say hey to LJ13, CathyCa, Sherry, and Kathy.

I've read your posts, but just can't muster up the energy to do shout outs.  Man, I can just imagine what I'll feel like after being in school all day if being out doing what I did tired me out.

Take care all,

SIS KImberly 

Good morning Ladies.  Looks like it's going to be another beautiful day here in NC.  I am loving the warmth and fresh ocean air.

Had to say hi to D1.  I don't even want to read about nails and hair on the thread you mentioned.  I think I'd be upset, too. While my nails aren't falling off (though I wonder about a few...), they look like crap.  Weak, peeling, brittle, and they all break down at the bare minimum or far down on the sides (which hurts).  I can't great them to grow at all despite some great nail strengthener polish.  I used to have fairly nice nails, so this sucks.

My hair is still SLOWLY growing.  All this week I've been dousing it with Sun-in.  It's lightening up OK.  I hope my hairdresser can do something better with it soon. I swear my brows are thinning again.  And my lashes are stubby... it looks like they just stopped growing.  (((sigh)))

 What does everybody think about Christina Applegate???  Guess she's joined our ranks now.

Morning! 

 Kimberly: I'm sure the herceptin is affecting my hair growth.  Just a few more months to go...  You knew much more about Christina A. than I'd heard.  Actually, if she was DCIS... it's 100% curable with surgery/mastectomy, so she is probably right.  That's what they told me when my first biopsy last year showed just DCIS.  I guess her "tx" was surgery and its recovery.  Hmmm...

Hope all the other Jewels are doing well.  It's been quiet on here recently.

May I just say ditto from my last post. Geez....I don't even have kids yet, and I'm feeling like I've been through the ringer. Lots of meetings today. No classroom time at all. I'll get to do that tomorrow.  I have a student teacher, so once she's on board (week 4), she'll take my 1st period class for trimester one and the start of trimester two.  We'll need to have time to plan together, so I'm thinking we'll have early morning get togethers to discuss our lessons.

Kathy - I'm so glad to hear that insitu can be 100% cured and that Christina doesn't have to do anything else. The thread I read where some were upset didn't have anyone there to tell them what you told me.  

About the Herceptin, can you believe you'll be totally done in just five months? Is that once a month?

Enjoy the last days of vacation.

Julie - I don't even want to think about grading papers. I hear you on that being one thing I didn't miss.

Wow, getting the house on the market in just a few weeks is great. Hopefully the house will sell as soon as your dh hopes, but I tend to think you're right about the market being so slow that it may take longer than one thinks. 

Good luck getting through that chapter. You've got new texts this year,correct? 

To all our other Jewels,  I'll check in tomorrow.

Kimberly 

Well, mostly packed, but not at all "ready" to head home tomorrow.  It was so nice doing nothing for a week. We got lucky and were able to reserve both sides of this duplex for next year, but one week earlier in August.  That's rare to be able to get both sides of an oceanfront house here; so I took advantage of it and hope to find takers for the other half before the first deposit is due.  Any Jewels want to rent the other half and hang with us next August?

D1, I DO NOT want to get back to "real life" at all   Luckily, my house should be clean and the ladies come Wednesday anyway.  There's a washer/dryer here, so I did as much laundry as I could here, so very little to wash when I get home.

Carol, glad to hear you're relaxed and refreshed, as well as healing.  Bonus!  I hope to get a 'cation with just dh sometime.  This one was really lacking on "couple's time".  No reconnection at all. 

Gonna call it a night as we have a very long drive home tomorrow.  Back to reality...

Hi JJ's

I'm really stressed out and the wedding is tomorrow I got offended at the rehearsal today. I hope the wedding can go on without a hitch. We had the rehearsal dinner  had about 50 or more people here. Think goodness dd and dear son in law have a huge yard. The food was good and it was a nice get together. I"m tired because I have been working all week and trying to get to stuff for the wedding. I like the job, but It hurts my body to stand. I have not worked in a year. So i'm trying to do stuff for the wedding and I'm hurting all over. I know i'm a whiner.

SIS Kimberly  Good luck with your school year. Your dh founds fantastic.

Carol and KathyCA  be care going home and have a safe trip. Sorry cations are over. Kathy CA I hope your daughter also has a great first year of college, I remember the nerves sending my own daughter off to college and letting her live in the dorm. It drove me nuts!!  but I was a proud nut!!

D1  I also hope your daughters have a great year in college this year. Did you decide on what school yet for the younger daughter?  I hope you r recouperating from your trip. That was one fantastic trip. I have to commend you on your marathon post. You did not miss a thing. Good Job

I have read the post but just too tired to keep on typing. Take care Jewels and I will be back in a couple of days. I'm also sorry to hear about Christina Applegate, at least she will be a survivor.

My friend from the past did not come to rehearsal dinner thank God. He will be at the wedding, I'm still going to have a good time. I should uninvited him. I must not be thinking straight. It should be ok. Have a wonderful weekend my freinds.

Carol  Good luck with the Femera. I'm doing better on the Tamox, I guess it takes a few months t get used to the drug.

D1  Are you back on the Tamox?  What was it like to feel normal again?

I like my new job, it is tiring and it hurts me to stand all day. I'm doing the best I can.

Hey Sherry, you are most likely in the midst of a fabulous wedding day for your dd. Like D1 said, the rehearsal is exactly for that reason, to get all the kinks out. I know you'll rise to the occasion by ignoring anything your old school chum may do that might be annoying and just have a great time celebrating your daughter's big day.

Man, I hear ya on the standing and just being on my feet all day. It is going to take some getting used to after such a long break. The good news is that we are all in the same boat together...getting back to work and having to adjust to that new normal.

D1- Drive careful taking dd#1 back to school, then on your way to check out other schools this weekend. How fun to meet Joan on Monday. I hope you remembered a camera.

Carol - I'm listening to the Cd's you made for me. I love that you put pics of me inside each cover. You are such a sweetheart.

Well, I've got an old highschool friend coming in today. He's a lobbyist in Washington DC. It has been a few years since we've seen eachother. We'll drive over to Folsom to see Kathleen, my twinsis, and do lunch.

 GTG he's here.

SIS 

Evening Jewels,

Oh the joys of being back home ... doing wash, paying bills, washing cars, working in the yard and having a "major" headache with my son.  Seems as if my ds has decided against the wishes of his father and somewhat of myself to get himself a tatoo on each ankle.  Whats worse is that he did it with what is supposedly a "friends" tatoo needle.   Getting all the facts are still pending and an appointment with a physician will be made on Monday by his dad to have him checked out.  He did it two weeks ago, just as I left town, and both have completely healed.   I personally was not so opposed to the whole tat idea, but his dad was adament about not approving him having one.  So needless to say, dad is off the wall upset.  Zach is at my home this evening, but has had to surrender his keys to his car, cell phone, ipod, and Zach even put his tv from his room out in the kitchen.    Thank god for my dh, whom atleast could talk with Zach about his thoughts,  I was too upset, both for Zach doing a stupid thing, but more so for what sounds like is going to be punishment beyond bearable from his father.   Although I know it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but I was touched to what he chose to have marked on his body, (a ribbon with mom underneath), and the other ankle just says HOPE.   We'll be having a pow-wow tomorrow morning with his Dad, I'm really hoping that he may cool down a bit by then.   Zach just says he doesn't have a life anymore, I know that its just teenage talk, but I actually felt a bit nervous that he may decide to leave in the middle of the night on foot.  I had him look me in the eye and tell me that he would not go anywhere.  He informed me he's "not a runaway".     

So who knows what my Femera pill has done to my emotions tonight, here we we're going to go out to a nice dinner out, when the ds arrived home from work and the fireworks began.  My appetite totally was destroyed, in fact I was so spun I ended up taking a Lorazepam to settle myself down.  So when I type here tonight and it makes no sense, I'm blaming it on the drugs!!!

I guess my day didn't start off that bad, I did take time to do a 8 miles walk this morning, for some reason my feet have been a bit sore, I hope it is just due to the fact that I didn't wear my insole with a lot of my shoes on ‘cation.  I'm planning on atleast 10 miles tomorrow.

So what's been happening ... I know that Sherry now has a son-in-law.  I'm really hoping that your daughters day went off without a hitch, and that you we're feeling full of vim and vigor as the beautiful mother of the bride.

Paula, holy moly, your going to be one busy beaver the next couple of months.    I have decided that since we we're not able to meet this month we'll just have to make it another time.  I'm still holding out for a few of us to get-together by next year which is something to look forward to.

Glad you received your CD's, I figure with that much variety, something has to be enjoyable.  I made a set for myself and Sis Kimberly as well, I get a bit tired of listeining to news or commercials in my car, so a mix or two is kinda fun.

Kimberly, what can I say ... first off you beat me to the punch with a thank you note.   Anyway, I believe it was your home I was wined and dined in!  I will probably post a couple pics as well, I'm on the laptop tonight and the pics are upstairs on the other puter, so maybe tomorrow I can come up with some.

So how's the "must" doing ???  I'm sure Greg's nose has been in the pot a few times, he cracked me up with his enthusiasm towards his grapes!  Speaking of wine, you'd be happy to know that we cared for our bottles you shared with us by taking them out of the car whenever we could, as I recall you did the same when you brought your vines home.   By our last stop, in Portland, we had 10 bottles of wine to get out of a hot car and into our hotel room.  We did end up leaving the case we bought at the Ma/Pa winery in the car, I just might have to get a bottle of that in the fridge to sample here in the next night or two.  You know, we would not have ever taken that care with a "box" of wine!!!

I bet you had fun visiting with your sis and friend from high school, you've got that out to lunch thing down to a science!

I saw my sil while out walking today, I mentioned about you going to Ashland as well, seems as if they are leaving this Monday and returning on Friday.  That would have been a small world if you we're there at the same time, but not to be.

Kathy, seems like we we're both wrapping up our ‘cations this weekend.  I don't know about you but I could get used to being on ‘cation full time.  Hope that your 9 hour drive was uneventful, we kinda broke ours up with a couple of stops along the way.  We put 2190 miles on the car.  So maybe your next getaway will be for that reconnecting factor with your dh.  Hmmm, a Jewel outing to NC ???  Probably not condusive to any reconnecting there!!

D1, I really enjoyed your post describing your ‘cation.  Sounds like a fabo time was had by all.  So I'm curious, what was the coverage of the Olympics like?  I must say that I need to get out the ol' atlas to get my bearings on where the heck the "D1" was  !!!

Kudos on the marathon post, I will say right now, I don't have it in me tonight to come close to that one!

So two more Jewels will be uniting, hope you read Kimberly's post and remembered a camera ... if not Joan if your out there and reading this, a pic would be cool.

Julie, wow starting off the school year once again, and trying to ready a house for sale.  Another busy Jewel.   I'm assuming that your foobies have settled right into place with no complications, good news !

Well, I'm fading fast, hoping to have a mellow Sunday, the dh is driving 5 hours each way tomorrow to watch his dd play college soccer.  She made the team as a walk on, ended up starting their first game yesterday, played almost the whole game, so looks like watching some soccer will be in his cards the next two months.  I may venture with him next weekend, will see, I also want to be kinda close to home for my son who is in some tough space.

Night all, Carol

just a fast update.  I thought i had dry skin on my cheek, so I looked in the mirror (up close, big mistake) and noticed right under my eyes and the top of my cheek bone there were little DARK hairs coming out. ARGGGGGGGGGG, thick too.  So what do I do, break out the ol tweezers and pull them out...ouch!  I can deal with the little fuzz going everywhere, but dark thick hairs , hell no!  I do finally have eyebrows coming back in and enough hair on my head to officially have 'bedhead in the mornings.

I get my port out this coming Friday.  I was still contemplating  on getting it out.  What was the final call was it seems on our insurance we are paid up to our catastrophic amount, which means everything after that is covered 100% (for the year) Well, we're still swimming in medical bills from the rest of the year, so I figured now's the time to get it done.    Might have to think about reconstructive surgery too.

Other than that the piggy's are feeling better, and the cankles has disappeared, and I've dropped 10 pounds since stopping chemo. YAY.  Size 10 atm   my 7's are calling for me.

Hot flashes still suck ass :P

Happy Sunday Jewels

Kris

Good Morning Jewels,

I've been having a heck of time staying asleep the past few days in a row. Awake around 3:30 am and up until after 4:30. I didn't get out of bed, just tried to relax...but man I can't keep on doing this once school starts.  Sigh.... Oh, and who said something about a vitamin for neuropathy? What was it? A vitiman B of some sort?

Paula- Man you have got yourself one busy schedule for the next few months. I think you may need more than Wheaties. Wish I still had my SuperGirl cape, I'd send it to you.

Good luck to you this next week as you start with kids. 

So Carol, what a bummer to come home to issues with Zach. Like D1 said, this really is part of growing up and asserting some independence. Zach's sentiment with the tats is sweet and from a good place. I'm sure he figured if he did it without permission it would be done, and he wouldn't have to fight for what he wanted, but really bad judgment on the 'friends' tat needle. I hope he didn't get himself into a health mess not going to a professional tattoo parlour, and I hope that he feels it was worth the trouble he's gotten himself into with Dad.   I agree that a more stable schedule will be good for him. Two weeks at a time sounds perfect.  This too shall pass, Carol.

Zach is a good kid from what you've told me and the Jewels, he's just going through what all young men go through trying to find their place in the world.

Greg has had his nose in the 'must' daily as he punched down the skins twice a day. This morning the sugar levels told him it was time to go from cold soak to fermentation, so Kimberly was up to her elbows in grape skins squeezing out the juices. My fingernails and cuticules are a beautiful purple.  I'll be jumping in the shower right after I finish posting to see if I can get more of this off. We are now in fermentation mode.We put the skins and seeds out in the yard under the vineyard to encourage the good yeasts to grow and to fertilize the vines. So, we've decided to call our winery Forbidden Gate winery and our first vintage ,Second Leaf, and our blend, Merlotah.

Good luck with the talk today. A glass of wine afterwards might be in order, eh? And good job taking care of those bottles of wine...temp makes a huge difference in the quality...keeping a stable temp is best. 

D1- Glad the college girl is back at school and ready to hit it. Isn't it funny how quickly our kids can just adjust to their surroundings like flipping a switch?  Being her second year, she's probably much more comfortable than her freshman year.  Did she have all of her new stuff out and ready before you left or did she want to put her place together on her own?

Have fun going to colleges and visiting Joan on Monday. I know you've already left and hopefully with a camera.

My friend lives in Arlington as well. Maybe your dh knows him, Tom Lehner. We had a great visit. Now I have two people I can come visit in Washington DC. 

Kris - Thick black hairs on the cheek area just below your eye?  Weird...and oh, yeah, so not what you wanted to see. Pluck those puppies!  As far as using your insurance now that you've reached your deductible, I say GO FOR IT!!!! No use in waiting and racking up more medical bills if your insurance will cover it 100%.

The only good news about the bills you had to pay out of pocket is you can deduct those on your taxes if they are a certain % of your income. Do you have someone do taxes for you or do you do them using software?  Either way, don't forget to see if you qualify for the medical expenses deduction.

A Jewels get together early next summer would be great!!!!  I get out of school June 12th. Somewhere not too hot would be a good choice...San Diego or Santa Barbara, maybe? I know we talked about Arizona, but we need to do that in the spring if we're going there.  Or maybe we should meet somewhere in the middle of the US so everyone can travel an equal distance...a nice lake or river area?

Have a great day ladies. To those who have been MIA for awhile, hope all is well.

SP's have been mailed, so expect your new SP for Sept - Nov next week.  If you want to send one last goodie to your current SP, you've got this next week to get that done.

Tootles,

SIS Kimberly 

Me Again,

So Kris, whats up with the dark hairs ???  I have noticed more and more over the past week as well.   My lovely (atleast blonde) "sideburns and beard" are becoming more noticeable all the time. 

I'll be asking my gf at her salon during my next visit as to what the heck should be my plan of attack.  As a gal who has done little more than a little eyebrow waxing and a bit of color to my hair, dealing with this is not really up my alley. Here I thought this was something "old" ladies dealt with ... I'm not buying that statement yet !!!

So Kimberly, I forgot to ask about the hue of your nails after your squeezing ... and I must say the name of your winery is most appropriate.  So I take it it would be bad kharma to use rubber gloves to squeeze the juices ???

I spent the evening at my Dad's with his gf and a great couple whom have been family friends of my parents for about 50+ years.  Their son was recently diagnosed with tongue cancer and will be undergoing radiation therapy starting soon.  We had a very candid conversation about treatments (all the different versions, and varying opinions of oncologists).  I was happy to report to them that 18 days after being totally roasted and raw in my chest, that I am now basically back to my old (new) self.  My chest looks tanned, but has healed so quickly that I'm in amazement what the human body can endure and heal from in such a short time.

It's been another emotional day dealing with my ds.  I picked him up from work (yes he could have walked home in the rain), but I told him we need to learn from our mistakes and continue to move in a positive fashion forward.  It took a few deep breaths, but I did manage to ask him if he would like to chat with a professional that could listen to his thoughts.  He is 16 (Mom has went through a BC diagnosis, and he has a father whom is gay).  That in inself is quite a bit for a teen to swallow.  I'm hoping just opening up the idea to conversation with him will help in moving forward.  As of tonight, he is very upset about not seeing friends, which I told him is not the case, any and all friends may come to our home. 

It seems as if its much more than the tats (although the potential health risk is scary), that we are dealing with, the ex has been able to check out my ds' MySpace accnt as well as another chat line that is totally unsat for a 16 year old to be associated with.  Looks like its time for his train to get on-board another track.  Thankfully there is no evidence of alcohol or drug use, just a few too many unappropriate pics and correspondence with god only knows who.

We've agreed to parenting for a two week period, looks like Zach will be with me at this time, I'm much closer to his work, and I will be making sure he is ready for school come the 3rd.  Looks like he will be taking the bus (definitely not what he had planned on) as his Dad took his vehicle this morning from my house.  We're hoping that he will be able to earn back our trust and for starters his school work will be scrutinized.  He is planning on continuing his work at the local restaurant and I will be taking him to skate practice.  Their will be no social skating (other than his structured practices for the time being).  This is definitely not what I had planned on to finish off the summer months and preparing for the fall school year.  The joys of parenting have been thrown out the window around here of late.

Okay, not that anybody is over interested in my family problem here in lil ol' Poulsbo, but I feel better spewing here before bed ... thanks !!!

Hoping that I don't have the "can't sleep Sunday night blues", its been 3 weeks since I've worked, yet as of tonight I can't remember being on 'cation.  I'm hoping time will heal around our house ...

Carol