Quiet Weekend

Max took off Thursday night for her fishing trip with Paul and I stayed behind with the dogs. We have had an uneventful weekend. I made it to the JoAnn's Veterans Day Sale and picked up a couple of things. I played around with my new "Fabric Mover with Stitch Regulator" and have decided it is going to take a lot of practice to get the hang of free motion quilting. Of course if I had done any previously it might be easier (leave it to me to jump head on into something I don't understand). I think I will get the hang of it and will probably start small - like quilting placemats. I finished most of the scarves I need to do and decided to change gears and work on my quilt top. I have my Celtic circles now put together, but I find the real challenge in quilting is actually putting batting, backing and binding on! I am sure the best way to learn is to practice; therefore, I may take on that challenge this afternoon. I am being lazy and have not taken any pictures, but some may follow in the days to come.

Later . . .

Doctor's Appointment

I saw my oncologist today, which gave me the opportunity to ask some questions I have been wanting to ask. I am not very happy with the medication I am taking, but when he plugged all my data into the computer it appears it is definitely to my benefit to continue taking it. I can't relay the exact numbers, but the difference in relapse between those taking Arimidex and those who did not take it was significant. He also mentioned the side affects "should" be less severe as time passes. He reminded me that the surgery and especially the radiation treatments took a heavy toll on me and to take it easy (yep, lighten up and don't be so hard on myself when I am fatigued and sore). My decision is to continue with the medication and see how things improve. I hope after I have my knee surgery that I will be able to become more active and that might help with the joint stiffness and maybe I will be able to take off some of this extra weight. My cholestrol is a bit high (which is a common side affect - hormones and all) and he wanted to put me on medication, but I am going to try to get it down with diet and excercise.

No new lumps or bumps to be found, which is good news. I see him again in February and we will address all the same issues again. I will have new mammograms and blood work done before the visit.

Later . . .

Still Embriodering

I am almost finished with all the scarves I have been making, but decided to take a different turn and do something special for my motorcycle dirt bike pals. I think it turned out really cute.

I received my replacement fabric mover over the weekend and I want to switch gears and play with that a little. As long as I get all the scarves completed that need to be shipped to Ireland, all is good.

I also want to get the opportunity to play around with the software I bought. I have enjoyed the ease of use once I got the hang of sizing and placing things - VERY nice.

I am off to get my teeth cleaned and perhaps do a little Thrift Store shopping since I will be over on the side of the hill with Thrift Town!

Later . . .

Day of Plumbing

We spent the entire day at our neighbor's house moving their hot water heater. They have a mold problem that has to be taken care of and to do so the hot water heater needed to be moved. They wanted to still have hot water; therefore, the sevices of Max the plumber and Donna the apprentice were called for. What we had to do was extend the copper water pipes and the gas line so the heater would function. There was a lot more involved in the project, but it was kind of fun to be an apprentice again and Max really enjoys plumbing when you don't have to crawl under the house.

The best part of the day was that Kathy and Paul brought us dinner. They arrived with a beautiful salad, baked potatoes, green beans with almonds, garlic bread and Paul bar-b-qued some great filets topped with blue cheese. It was such a treat after a hard days work (Max's aching back and my paining joints) to be treated to such a wonderful meal. Max and Paul were planning on tying flies (which they are doing as I type).

Interestingly, Darci has not had any more accidents in the house. Her blood work came back normal and so did her urine with the exception of some blood. They are doing some more checks on the urine, but it could just be that she injured herself in that "big dog" play that her and Kodi do. I know they often end up limping or sore after a good romp in the backyard. I trimmed the hair on Kodi's feet and I hope his new shoes arrive soon. I will definately get a picture of that when it happens.

Later . . .

Kodi

Well here is the "Big Dog" taking care of the "Big Dog". He absolutely hates anyone messing with his feet and this is a twice a day thing. I have to put the socks on him so he does not proceed to completely lick off all the medication I just applied. Not only does it then not work on clearing up his feet - it makes him sick! The fun never stops around here. I ordered him some booties that have velcro to keep them on (needless to say I had to order XX large, which is the largest size they make). The socks work as long as he is laying around, but when he gets up and goes outside they fall off.








My pictures uploaded very quickly this morning - maybe the answer is to post in the morning and not at night with every other person in the world.

Later . . .

Horrible Day

I have been trying really hard not to complain about my health, but I basically am sick and tired of being sick and tired. After I finished my radiation treatment I felt pretty good. I healed quickly and was actually starting to get some energy back. THEN I had to start taking Arimidex, which is the drug of choice for breast cancer patients. The side affects are killing me! Actually I think the worst part is STILL feeling like I have cancer. I guess I was hoping that once the surgery and radiation was over it would be behind me, but I am getting an almost daily reminder of having cancer. I guess on most days I feel like I have a really bad case of the flu. My joints are experiencing a lot of pain. It is hard to get out of bed in the mornings or to get up from my chair if I have been sitting at my sewing machine or my computer. I am hoping that once I have knee surgery it will releive the majority of pain in my right knee. I bounce around the list of side affects, taking part in the misery of most of them. I have an oncologist appointment on November 9th and I am compling a list of questions. I would like to not be taking the medication, but it is a tough call.

Max and I ventured out to a "Craft Fair" tonight to get a look at what people are selling and what kind of prices they are asking. We have been considering making some stuff and giving it a try, but I am not sure that is the way I want to go. After the fair we went out for dinner, but stopped by a pet store first. Max found the "Giant Ant Farm" she has been wanting for ages. She had one as a kid and really enjoyed it and has been talking about getting another one - and there it was! After we took the grandkids to see "The Ant Bully" it has been on her mind.

I do not like to complain about how I have been feeling, but thought it might be appropriate to let people know just how fatigued, pained and depressed I am; which results in not doing a lot of communication or correspondence. i continually try to maintain a good attitude, but I am tired of being tired (I am ready for bed at 8:00 PM and sleep until 8:00 AM). I am getting my most pleasure these day from speding time in my sewing room.

Kodi and Darci have both been sick and that is not making things any easier for me. Darci has been having some urine problems with major accidents in the house. We are working on upwards of a $400 vet bill. Darci had blood and urine samples today and we will get the results tomorrow. Kodi has infected feet and is on antibotics and foot powder. Ahhhhh the joys of parenthood with no insurance!

Later . . .

Pictures

I really wanted to be able to post a picture of a couple of the scaves - so here goes another try. Well I managed to get one uploaded, but the other one seems to be stuck out there in cyber space (where ever that might be). I will continue to give it a few more tries before I post.

We sold the Quads today. Guess it was a good deal because Max had people lined up to buy them. The first person who called and said he would buy them sight unseen drove off with them today. It was sad to see them go, but it is probably for the best. We can park both the cars in the driveway and the garage looks HUGE.

I had x-rays on my thumb and they came back showing some arthritis and a bone spur. I will try to maintain (NO video games and wearing a thumb brace) and see if the pain will let up. If not, I will probably get a cortisone shot in the joint and see if that will give me some relief. Don't mind saying it hurts like heck

Ahhhhhh, here is the other picture!
Later . . .