AHHH

Ahhh just a moment to catch my breath after the RUSH of families, holidays and health issues. Life is amazing and I can not believe that this year 2007 is just about over. It was a great year! But my motto for for next year is THINGS will be GREAT in 2008. Rich will have his bone marrow in January and will be in complete remission. Meghan will have to have another type of surgery sometime next year which we pray will put her in complete remission and I have had my surgery and expect complete and total recovery once the rash goes away... (here goes) why me Lord (the rash). Jeff leaves for his OC California to OC Florida bike trip on January 1st. check out his preview for his documentary at http://www.southern-tier.net/
I will be doing my green part to use as many scrap supplies up as possible before the new editions come out in February...

FUN stuff this week doing a little scrap shopping at the Oasis with Meghan and her gift certificate. So nice of them to time it just right to have a sale when she is down from Northern California (you know they do their best to please their customers). She is an amazing artful scrapper. I will have to take some pictures and post some of her pages later. Spent lots of girl time with her at SCP today looking for a New Years Dress. Her and Michael will be staying till at least then... The two of us in a dressing room with about 30 dresses. and the winner is a really cute little black number (aren't they all black). AHHH (different type) I need to go take some benadryl the rash is itching..... AHHHHHHHHH

SomeBody

Somebody please tell Gracie (in doggy language) it is raining outside and there will be no trip to the park for sniffing, chasing and doing doggy business this am. Maybe when it dries out some we will go. Oh if our life were all that simple and we could be so easily amused by chasing a ball and having the park be your giant toilet with someone to clean up after you. UPDATES: Rich had blood work done yesterday and his white counts are really low - he really needs to stay away from sick people and so do I, so I don't bring anything home. Last night was the RED HAT, SWEET TART Christmas Feast-gift exchange. We went to Debbie's house and it was so festive and decorated with all kinds of great Santa's and Snowmen. She had this great sign in her kitchen that said " I only have a kitchen because it came with the house" FUNNY. There was plenty of food and good desserts even though someone forgot to bring her dessert...

Rich and I are really feeling the BLESSINGS, from our friends and family with their phone calls, invitations (although we have had to turn some down which makes us very sad, but we will be back next year), fabulous soups and those great elves that came to help me decorate the house! Time for errands in the rain... Sounds like that should be a song...
Have a wonderful wet, blessed day.

It's Been Awhile

Yes, it has been awhile since I blogged. There are at least 100 reasons why. Why today... A little boredom and not to much to do since I am at the City of Hope watching my hubby take a little cat nap. The Journey has begun and being the trooper he is he is downloading all his new chemo drugs. Things are going pretty smooth except for the one side effect the HICCUPS. He has had them off and on for hours for hours at a time. I think they are wearing him out more than the chemo right now.Praying we get done here by 6pm so we can go home. We've been here since Sunday and I slept in his room last night. Not the most comfortable but when you have been married almost 33 years (we will be as of this Friday), you get used to sleeping with someone every night and the bed at home gets a little lonely even though Gracie takes up half of it. Most of the Christmas cards are addressed. That is good. I keep trying to talk Rich into doing a Christmas letter/note for us since he has this laptop and needs a project (I think he needs a project and what could be more fun than a Christmas year end update from Hyland's Island?)Oh my I hear the groaner down the hall that is a little distributing. All the people fighting cancer are very brave - not sure I could do it. Lots of love to everyone GOD BLESS. more updates to follow.

BACK - BACK - From the Islands

What a fun time we had visiting Oahu and Kauai. Friends, warm water, Mai Tai's, fresh fish on the bbq. Great flights with ALOHA AIRLINES. It was all good. Jimmy Buffett on Saturday after our return. Now it's back to reality. Time to start scrapping the rest of cousin Eileen's book. I wallpapered it, gave it to her in Oahu and she gave it back in Kauai saying can't you please put the pictures in.... SO it came home in my luggage. I was really ready to start something new... SOON.... Enjoy... Those pictres really came out small. Forgot to check a box someplace. Have a good one.

ALOHA

Off to Hawaii for a couple of weeks.... Really ready to leave it all behind and feel some Island Magic. Hope it works... Some one said to me yesterday I can handle the flood - I can deal with the flood... It is the constant drip, drip, drip that I have trouble dealing with... AMEN... I am in the drip, drip, drip part and it is trying to make me crazy! This is a great time for a little break in the drip routine. Take care everyone... and ALOHA

CITY OF HOPE

Appointment next Tuesday at the City of Hope. Not much else to say. Just moving onto the next Chapter. Thank GOD for a creative outlet. Wall papering an 8X8 book for Rich's cousin Eileen who is going to Hawaii with us in three weeks is keeping me some what distracted and occupied. Used a Jenni Bowlin kit and did a page for the first time ever after being a member for a year and half. To say that stuff is backed up is an understatement..... I took pictures so I will have to post some later... Love to all. Does anyone ever read this Blog?

30th BD - Fun- FishTales - Next Chapter

Celebrated Jeff's 30th birthday by going out on a half day fishing boat Sunday. We went on the San Mateo out of Dana Wharf Fishing company they were GREAT and I highly recommend them. Everyone put money in the pot for the biggest fish and guess who won.... Grandma (my mom), she won for biggest, most, last and whatever other category there might have been. That Fish is a 30 to 50 pound Black Sea Bass, it is about 20+ years old and protected so yes, it went back into the ocean. It took mom all of her 71 years and lots of help from the captain about 30 minutes to land this beauty. They even strapped her in that apparatus that you put around your body to hold the pole... You can see it in the picture looks like a fanny pack almost. GOOD JOB MOM. Needless to say it is the biggest fish she has ever caught and at one point the captain said to her "that's no rainbow trout"... Obviously.... It was a great day and all the fisher people came back here after the trip to celebrate with BBQ, brownies and cookies. We celebrated 3 birthdays, Jeff his friend Nelo and our nephew Jonathan who turned 10 on Sunday. I hope he looks back and really remembers how much fun his 10th birthday was someday.

SHE DID IT! Meghan's 2nd time ever scrapbooking and she completed a MAYA ROAD, album this weekend of her and Michael's trip to Oahu from last June. Her technique, texture and arts form was so very cool. She must be a natural cause she just sat at the scrap table and off she went. It was so amazing to see her using so many different techniques (and lots of product, I too need to make room for the new stuff) UNDERSTAND- she has never looked inside a scrap book magazine and as far as I know she has never been on line to scrap sites.

The pink & blue page you can't tell by the picture but she took fabric and rolled it up into a frame and safety pinned it with little pins. So much creativity. The only other time Meghan scrapped was at the Scrapbook Oasis, back in the spring when we took a class. It kind of feels like when your child takes their first steps or makes honor roll or graduates from college.

Meghan and Mike being here for the weekend was so nice. They could not stay for fishing -Not enough time wish they could stay for weeks or months. Michael had to get back to work yesterday and Meghan had yet another round of Chemo. We got to see her in one of her new wigs and she looked like a total rock star. Our news on hubby was not what we expected or wanted last week either... Lymphoma is still there and the treatment he received last May did not work the way it was supposed to or the way we wanted it to. More scans next week and we will meet with the doctor to discuss our next chapter and course of action. Maybe more Chemo and maybe City of Hope for a stem cell transplant... Prayers for Meghan and Rich are always appreciated.

Big Bear Lake - Remission

Swim Grace -Swim. See Gracie Swim in Big Bear Lake. She had such fun even though her human parents stood on the shore a bit worried when one tennis ball throw went especially far out into the water. The breeze came up the water got choppy and she was heading a little to the east in the current. Oh my... We didn't have to jump in (but I was ready if needed) and she made it back safely to shore. I guess we just need to trust in her abilities. She was a tired out of breath dog when she made it back with that tennis ball in her mouth. She would drown before she gave up that ball. That is devotion or stupidity- not sure which description best fits.

We spent an overnighter in Big Bear with our good friends the Archers (Donna has been my friend since we were 10... )We were going to take a TIM HOLTZ class at Collective Journey and when Donna stopped in on Friday and saw the sample she discovered it was the same class we had already taken at Scrapbook Oasis. The class description was a little mis-leading. Oh well such is life, we scrapped at her house and hit the Scrap stores in Big Bear pretty good. They have 3 of them up there on the mountain and it amazes me that there are 3 located in such a small area and they all seem to be doing well. The men played golf - we shopped, walked and scrapped what could be better. Donna is doing the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk (20 miles a day for 3 days) in Arizona this November. It will be her 3rd. I have done two in the past with her and I know how hard it is to train and raise the money so I really admire her for taking on this challenge again. If you'd like feel free to send my best - friend - sister scrap booker a donation (click above on Donna). Her sister turns 50 this year and she is a survivor so Donna is walking in her honor.. NICE.

REMISSION... "You are in REMISSION" - those are the words we want to hear tomorrow or the next day. Rich went for his scan this morning to find out if the treatment he received last May has killed all the cancer and he can again be cancer FREE. Lots of Prayers for remission! I don't want to think about it any further or any more until tomorrow... I just keep the spot prayers going every time I think about it. Remission is a word we would like to hear for Meghan too. We finally talked to her this last week and she told me she had to shave her head since she got tired of seeing all that hair laying on her pillow every morning when she woke up... Seems to be having some fun with it - she said she now has three different style wigs in three different colors. I will have to get some pictures from her I would love to see them on her. Continued prayers for this beautiful girl too. Time to get on with the day. Have a great day everyone.

Life

Time to just enjoy summer and this funny weather we are having today... Sat outside in the rain this morning drinking my Tazo green tea with a little organic milk listening to the rain hit the top of the umbrella, said a little prayer and just enjoyed the smells. It reminded me of the weather they have back east or in Hawaii. I want to go in my scrappy room and scrap but the creative jean seems to be hiding! I have been reading the Scrapbook Oasis blog with interest and excitement at all the new stuff that is coming and I keep telling my self "go use something up so you can buy the new stuff". Okay I have talked myself into it... I am off to go sit and stare at some pictures and paper...

Summer

Vacation Bible School! A summer tradition for my nieces and myself. This year we are doing something different at VBS Avalanche Ranch (theme)... We are doing the WILD BIBLE ADVENTURES for the pre schoolers at Prairie Dog Pre-School. Are they not the cutest little things ever. I think they are very cute since I don't have to bring any of them home. We (myself, Kelly, Cassie and Taylor - Jordan is not yet old enough to volunteer) are having a very fun, high energy and creative time trying to keep these little prairie dogs entertained for 25 minutes... 4 times a day. WE do the happy dance at the 11:30 when it is over for the day for us... RWH leaves for Oregon tomorrow am early and today is his birthday. As he says"just Glad to be HERE". At the suggestion of the nieces we are doing some Lasagna (by Ms. Stouffers) Cesare Salad and Kelly is making a German Chocolate cake his favorite.... The girls are using lots of scrapbook scraps to make BIG birthday cards. Oh these days are long and tiring but so rewarding when you can make it through to bed time. I need my afternoon pick me up... Time for a trip to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf... Double Vanilla Latte Tea here I come... Have a blessed day.

POOPHED

I am poophed for sure... a non stop week and no end in site. 4th of July 13 people plus spending the night and stopping by for the day. We went strong from 9:30am to 10:00pm. Last Saturday party here at Hylands Islands with about 40 people for our friends moving to Colorado - Robin and Jim. Preparation Friday and Saturday before the party. Sunday Church and off to Las Vegas for a couple of days to see Rich's Aunt Liz currently treating for Breast Cancer back here on Wednesday late, Thursday spent the day preparing for the Happy Hour neighborhood party which was last night. Yesterday shopping with my niece and grand nephew from Oregon who left today to go home after TWO trips to JWA (staying with us. pictures above). Tomorrow our other two nieces come for a week of fun at Vacation Bible School. Rich has a birthday in their someplace next week and he leaves for Oregon on a golf outing..... which means of course I can use the bonus room to scrap with the nieces.... I am tired just reading this... I need a nap!

4th, Corn on the Cob and a Toddler

Happy 4th of July everyone.... what could be cuter than an almost 2 year old eating corn on the cob in the summer. My niece and my great nephew (almost two) are down for a visit and what a better time than over the 4th of July. It is a really BIG day in the neighborhood with ponies, bounce houses, beer pong, hot dogs and catering by Stonefire grill a live band and of course the 9:30 parade. We are competing for the best decorated stroller. Lots of company tomorrow all day and then even more for fireworks since our drive way becomes a stadium as the firework show is right over our house. It will be a long hot day but fun. Lots of Love to all and be safe out there....! Thanks to our troops and God Bless all of you too.

Umbrella

Oh what a fun distraction to sit and make some cards! This card was cute, creative, fast and could have been even cuter with a few additional elements...(I wanted FAST when making 14 cards)The paper was summer tropical drinks on card stock -bazzill of course with a "drink umbrella" attached on the side. The inside said HAVE A REFRESHING SUMMER AND DON'T FORGET THE UMBRELLA. I did these in lieu of 4th of July cards - more of a happy summer card. I sent them out with extra postage and a little bubble wrap to keep the umbrella from getting smashed in the post office machinery. We shall see! my nightmare is that the post office will return them and say SPECIAL HANDLING and additional postage required. Cute side note Rich's aunt Jean in New Jersey always sends me a store brought thank you card when I send her a hand made card... Very funny but she loves those handmade cards. Time to go finish Kelly's Journal/Diary/Scrapbook. Pictures to follow... it is so darn cute and innovative for a 14 year old being promoted to 9th grade....

Great Weekend and Reality

Wow what a great fun filled busy weekend.... Friday we had the Auction dinner that was sold at the Church Valentine dance last February... 5 couples for some Blue Hawaiians, Coco Lopez Shrimp, Artichoke dip, Risotto, Asparagus and Filet Mignon with reduction sauce and a beautiful Fruit Tart... Could not have done any of it without the help and love of my very great neighbors Barb and Tom. They went above and beyond the call of Neighborly duty.


Saturday- I kind of sat on my butt a little to much, did work in Kelly's 8Th grade graduation scrap book I am making for her (I will post pictures later it is so very very cool- I like it and most of the time I just think what I do is OK) I would call it an interactive journal/diary. It will be fun for her to look back on when she is in her 20's to see what she thought and felt about her life before she went into high school. It is only a wallpapered book so she can write doddle and add her own pictures. I Wonder if she will let me see it when she is done? Saturday night I could be seen with the other very cool people at Scrapbook Oasis, taking Cheryl's Bloom Book class. IT is a very cool project and those books are so fun with the pull outs.

Sunday- oh what fun, my first Tim Holtz classes. He is so organized right down to the glue. He kept us on task, on time and the projects were completed by the time we left the store. Well they still need pictures but to me that is - completed and having my VBF there to scrap and laugh at my jokes- PRICELESS. I even made the Scrapbook Oasis blog in a picture... I feel like scrapping royalty (not funny).

Reality- Meghan did not have her surgery on Friday as planned. Apparently she found out upon her return from Oahu that the darn cancer has spread to one of her lungs and some of her lymphs. That will bring you down fast from a great vacation. Instead they started her on chemo again yesterday.. PRAYERS and HEALING for her! She has another tough journey in front of her! She is one of the bravest, enduring people I am happy to know and love. Rich's blood count and platelets continue to go down as the treatment gets more into his body and hits his bone marrow.... And silly me keeps thinking we are out of the wood on that one... You just never know when life is going to throw that curve ball at you and you could strike out... we must learn to enjoy the walk and our time sitting on the bench... It is called LIFE.

Aloha & Tahoe

Our Aloha vacation family is back and adjusting to life on the mainland without rainbows, warm winds and that Mustang convertible they so loved driving while in Oahu... Soon we must get together and here more stories and see PICTURES. Time to get Meghan down here to scrap her very own Mini Hawaiian vacation album. Big week for Meghan they told us last week while still on vacation that this Friday she is going back in for more surgery on her liver. She already had the major surgery and this is supposed to be done laproscopy so as not to leave more big incisions and risk of infection. PRAYERS they get all that darn cancer out of her body so she can vacation every year in the Islands if she wants. We are still so excited they were able to make this trip. I think I will email my son and ask him to send me a couple of pictures... He is not the best at emailing or returning calls... Although we did get a nice delivery of tropical flowers yesterday as a thank you! It was a lovely surprise. Gotta love the flower delivery truck pulling up in front of your house.

A few pictures of our quick trip to Tahoe last weekend for Rich's business meeting... Way to long of a drive the way up on Thursday was not so bad but coming home on Sunday - I was ready to jump out of my skin after sitting in the car for over 9 hours and it took hours for the feeling to get back in my rear.... (more than you needed or wanted to know). We stayed in Squaw Valley in Tahoe and one of the events was the gondola trip up to HIGH CAMP at 8200 feet elevation. Needless to say one COSMO (my personal favorite) at that elevation and I was done drinking and walking and talking for the night. It was however very beautiful and one of the pictures is the swimming pool with a little snow on the mountain in the background. The other is that famously cute couple....

Medical update on the hubby - looks like the red and white blood count is finally leveling off but the platelets remain low and went down lower than the week before. Overall the results look to be promising. Prayers for remission! Sometime next month they will do the scan and we will see...

Looking forward to a wonderful week. Love to all.

Aloha Update

What we do know... Meghan has sunburned her knees from riding in the Mustang Convertible. They went to K-mart in Kapalai and purchased Mask and Snorkels. Ko Olina has them on the 9Th floor with a view over both pools and the ocean... Wow can not wait to see pictures. Michael goes for a swim every morning after pinching himself saying "oh heck" (or something like that) I am in Hawaii... Meghan left us a message yesterday and you could hear it in her voice... The "spell" of the islands and the resort is having their effect on both of them. I think all those ancient Hawaiian stories of the Gods probably has something to do with the magic as well. And we thought Disney had the trademark on Magic... not so!!! I got goose bumps talking to them last night knowing they are enjoying themselves so much. Need to go text my son and tell him to get busy taking pictures.. Actually both of them need to get busy taking pictures... Like I need another scrap project... We will just have to have Meghan down to make her own Magic Hawaiian Vacation Book... Or MHV.... Can you fell the tropical breeze...?

ALOHA

Oh my!! They are on the plane (or they should be on the plane by now) winging their way towards OAHU. This is a HAPPY CHAPTER for Mike & Meghan. With all they have both been through Meghan with all her surgeries and more to go later this month and Michael by her side - these two really - really need a break. A chance to be in such a beautiful place, refresh and renew their very essence and be in love. AHHHH! I just pray it is all they want it to be and more. If I could change anything it would be that Meghan was making this trip in remission and cancer free. We talked to her last night and besides being very excited, she spent the day getting her manicure, pedicure and hair done. As it should be for any 25 year old getting ready to take her first trip to the Islands. It was a day, I feel where she could forget what her body was doing, and just enjoy. I want to cry and jump for joy with the excitement I am feeling for the two of them. Do you remember your first trip to the Islands or Disneyland as a child? I remember my first trip to Maui years ago, before the breeze ways. You exited the plane the old fashion way out on the tarmac and the first thing I felt was that warm tropical breeze, saw the palm trees swaying and smelled that only in Hawaii smell of the islands.... All senses were engaged. It was magical. Have a Magical day Mike and Meghan all our ALOHA is with you! Everyone else be sure to enjoy the tropical breeze of your life.

Darn- That is Cute More Pics

A few more and my favorite page.... with the tags

Oh I forgot in the last post to say I also used Jenni Bowlin's papers too... who knows what else I forgot...It is all about the cute RIGHT????

Darn- That is Cute

Went to NCL presents for a good friend and her family last night. Wanted to make a scrapbook for her as a gift and to take to college with pictures of the family and her life back home. I DID IT! It came out really really cute and I finished it... She loved it that is the main thing. I was very happy with myself! Sometimes after looking at all the blogs and web sites your scrapping confidence can go right out the window. Her initials are ALM thus the cover. Used some Daisy "D"'s rub on lots of the new Seven Gypsy tags (they were in the top of the book as pull outs) and paper. Scenic Route paper, Maya Road 6X6 book (love the books just wish the rings were bigger in the inside... very hard to turn the pages once you have added a few embellishments I even took a page out). Mamby and Creative Imaginations overlays. My favorite page is not with these pictures and since I am still figuring out this blog thing I will re post my FAVORITE page. I made it a pocket page and used lots of pre-printed tags... and some of my own! Love it I want to go make another book right now... Darn it did come out cute.

Good Bye Bob Barker

I am going to miss that guy on the Price is Right. He must love his work he has been doing it for so long. I love to watch people win! I love winners, I love watching people being stupid and trying to get their face on TV. I would know I was a PRICE IS RIGHT winner about 24 years ago! I was in the Show Case Show down. I got to spin the BIG WHEEL, I touched it. I did not win the new car but I did win the brass bed, roll top desk, luggage, refrigerator and a few other fun things... It was great fun waiting for the delivery truck to show up. It took a month or more to get everything delivered. Ahhh! what fun it was! I should scrap a page of my experience it was one of those memorable moments that when you think about it you remember all kinds of little details. I remember being told give Bob a kiss if you are a female and you make it on stage. Here is a big kiss Mr. Barker, enjoy your retirement.

Just a Day.... FRIDAY

Friday was the best day of the week way back when I was a working wife and mother. It really met more work just a different type for two days. Wow! I am blessed my life has changed so very much. Yesterday was tennis and the ladies Happy Hour,today is tennis and we are kicking off the neighborhood summer Happy Hour tonight (reminds me I need to buy fruit for my contribution), life is good. It has been a good week, Meghan and Mike are going to Oahu in a little over two weeks. We went to Hilo Hatties and purchased some ALOHA clothes for the luau or a night out on the town and mailed the package to them. Hope they call and let us know when it gets there and share their excitement with us (or non-excitement... WHAT IS IT?)... Jeff, has had three job offers, all independent work but still he is excited. Rich goes for blood work today and praying the results are as good as last week. Last week was almost perfect. My own goal for the week has been to scrap be creative everyday -"just do something". I did scrap a few days for about an hour or so even though I have just been finishing up old page kits from the OASIS. Emptying the box is an achievement right? Did I say the box is one of those letter storage boxes.. fullllll.... as in FULL, can't fit any more in the box! TGIF...

Beer Can Chicken

That was our main mother's day entree and what a delightful day it was, I love seeing a man especially my man in the the kitchen! Our great neighbors came over and besides the chicken we had steak, grilled vegetables, pear salad and my hubby made these mouth watering artichokes... To bad I didn't get a picture of them so neatly displayed on my white platter plate. A thing of beauty I tell you. Enjoyed a Cosmo and fine company, Blake and Amanda our neighbors older kids sat around the table and ate with us and we got to hear stories of college days and about life after college - great kids! Speaking of really great kids Michael and Meghan called and wished me Happy Mothers day and they are really getting excited about their up coming trip to Oahu. We are going to Hilo Hatties at the block tonight to find a dress for Meghan and a Hawaiian shirt for Michael to mail to them before they leave. It is a surprise... Don't worry we are not going to get them in matching fabrics... That is a cute look but I don't think they would go for it. Jeff brought me a card and a 3-pack of the most beautiful strawbeeries while I was still in bed half a sleep so I kind of had breakfast in bed. Hope all the mom's in cyber land and BEYOND... had a great day too! Wow I have been doing this mom thing for 29 almost 30 years now... when do you get good at it..?

Good News

Hubby had his second Zevalin treatment on Tuesday and was for a change a little slowed down, even though he still wanted to hose off the back yard deck, water plants and go for a small walk... Good News he went for blood work to the doc's this morning and it all looks GOOD..... PRAISE GOD. The news so far is no side effects. In about 8 weeks he will have a scan to see if the lymphoma is gone. Time for the waiting game to begin.

We talked to Mike yesterday he called with Meghan news and although it was far from perfect it was good news. The scans showed that on her liver (which is very small since she has had most of it removed) there were three small spots of cancer. After their trip to Oahu in June she will have them removed laparoscopily and be placed back on some type of chemo treatment. Her CTA counts continue to go up and lots of prayers and good medicine and doctors is still needed. I am so excited about them going on their trip to Hawaii that I could almost do the hula (that would not be a pretty sight). Meghan has never been and Michael has not been there in years. Rich, wrote a letter to the GM of the Marriott Ko Olina resort asking that if possible they be given a great villa with a view of the ocean. We have yet to hear anything and will have to wait and see. Do you think you expect more when you write a letter and ask for something special? I do... So we will see what happens. What I do know is that going on a trip like this will be good for the soul.... The islands are one of those places that seeps into your entire body and you come home exhausted but renewed.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY or (HMD) to all the mom's out there! I love being a mom even to my old kids, although sometimes they try and parent me now... Love those role reversals.

NSD Hangover

If having a hangover is a good thing than I have a NSD (National Scrapbooking Day) hangover from a 16 plus hour crop at Scrapbook Oasis. Wish I could say I was so organized and creative that I got every picture from my life scrapped (I would be happy with having the pictures from the last week scrapped). Things kept getting in the way at the Oasis like Bagels, Donuts, Pizza...great Mexican food that really hit the spot for dinner/cinco de mayo and this decadent chocolate fountain with fruit and other delectable goods that were met to be drowned in the chocolate. Oh and let's not forget the wonderful mini massages that Karen had arranged... Loved being with other scrappers for the day and socializing, having my friend Donna there and catching up with Debbie... The funniest thing (besides those crazy, uncontrollable giggles you get after about 12 hours of scrapping) was my hubby in the morning coming down stairs looking at me and Donna and saying... shouldn't we sing the anthem? What anthem, I am thinking and I said what do you mean... and he said "isn't this a national holiday - NSD- and don't you have an anthem you sing"? I am still chuckling. Should we make up an anthem for NSD.... The only tune I could come up with is the flea commercial (which we sang off and on all day yesterday) THERE AIN'T NO BUGS ON ME... There maybe bugs on SOME of you mugs ... but...
Time for a nap... isn't that what you need when you have a hangover.... ? No I did not make it till the 2am closing... I will have to download some pic's later my pillow is calling....

NSD Count Down

Counting down the hours til it is time to pack the car and head to the OASIS (Scrapbook Oasis) that is for NATIONAL SCRAP BOOK DAY. I go to these things more to socialize than to get things done I think... I feel organized and prepared - Fells like I packed all day for my extended day at the Oasis. Yes it feels like a mini vacation is coming - at least for the day... I am so excited my friend Donna is going with me this year and I'm to save a seat for another special friend (you know who you are) if I get their first. Although I have been to so many scrap classes and fun stuff at the Oasis - so many of the faces feel familiar they all feel like friends. I blame it all on the Oasis and those warm tropical breezes...

Good News

Good news today... hubby had his first treatment of the two part treatment on Tuesday and today he had to go have a scan to make sure the radio active treatment is where it is supposed to be otherwise he can not have the second round of drugs..... IT IS where it is supposed to be... So round two on Tuesday... He told me today he did not want to even think about being told he could not have round two... Incredible he is. On Tuesday after his treatment he went for a walk. You would have to leave me in bed for about 4 days. Not because it hurt but because my brain would tell me to rest. Not this guy. Today after work and the scan he mowed the lawn, watered and took Jeff to run an errand... Amazing I just get tired watching him. Off for a little happy hour with the ladies... and let me tell you they keep it to an hour... Counting off the hours till NSD looking forward to a day at the OASIS... Scrapbook Oasis that is... Life is good.

So far this week

it's been great. Angel day game with my friend Karen on Tuesday, just the ladies. Angels won so I will be invited back. Bunco that night came in second in scoring in case someone is keeping track. Love my bunco sisters we've been together along time at least 1o years or more. A couple of good walks with the hubby around beautiful Woodbridge. Yesterday was the two year anniversary of my friend Kristen's passing... MISS HER so much still. She will always have an impact on my life, I learned so much in such a short time from her. Working on my own PHOTOGRAPHS mini album. Played tennis twice and playing again tomorrow (yeah, my bones hurt) and the best news of all.... BLUE CROSS gave us the approval for hubby's cancer treatment today. So next week the process begins. It is such a relief to have that approval and know we don't have to mortgage the house to pay the estimated $70,000. We do live in one of the best places with the best doctors in the world. Praise God. xoxo

Love

They are so in love and so much fun! I love them both so much it was so great to spend time with them this weekend. Time! There is never enough in a life time a day an hour a second. Time is something we pray Meghan will have a life time of to live, love, marry, travel, work. All the things we take for granted. She is so beautiful at 25 and so very ill. Everyone prayed that after her 10 hour liver surgery last fall the colon cancer that spread to her liver would be gone and she would have remission. It didn't happen and now her and her doctors are looking for new and different ways to treat these evil cells which invade that beautiful body of hers. She is so darn cute. I have so many emotions about this unjust outcome from her surgery. They are dealing with issues no one their age should be dealing with, her parents too! UGH! I want to fix it but again I can not. I pray lots and I know God is listening but what is the mighty healer doing about her condition? With out a doubt I find it all very confusing. Love, just keeping loving and supporting Meghan, Michael, Meghan's family. I was so happy when they were here and just glad to see them... As always with me a day later the true reality sits in and the emotions are hard to control... Then I get on my pity pot aka: the soap box and start with the why questions... Why does Meghan have cancer? Why does my husband have cancer? Why does Aunt Liz have cancer? All at the same time.... Why did Kristen (39) die of cancer 2 years ago on April 25th..... ENOUGH... I don't want to be sad of depressed I want to be a happy/life is wonderful blogger.... but I know we all have our life issues.... I want to write about nothing but good news... I want to live an always happy endings TV life...

Happiness

There Here! Yes, Michael and Meghan have come down from Santa Cruz for a weekend visit (after an 8 hour drive)... Does not seem like enough time to just be in their presents and enjoy them but we will take it. They both look fabulous. Looks like a good day with lots of sun to just hang out and look at them like they are a piece of rare art on the wall. Well they are rare art to me. Grey's Anatomy quote from the other night it was all about our history. It ended with this one which is as close as I can remember it from Meredith "the most Important history we make is the history we make today"... I love that... needs to be scraped on a page.

This week?

I wonder what this week will hold... things I know that will happen and things I hope happen... I hope my baby (25) Michael and his girlfriend come down this weekend. I have been moping over the fact I have not seen him since December and have not seen sweet Meghan (his girlfriend) since October. Since that time she has under gone a 10 hour surgery on her liver to get rid of the colon cancer that decided to move in there. She is feeling so much better and can travel some again, we offered to pay for the gas and food (offered to fly them down as well) if they would come for a visit. If they don't we will get up to Northern California to see them after Rich has his lymphoma treatments. The picture is of the four of us last April at Chad's weeding where Michael was the Best Man (and what a toast he gave, I hope it is on tape somewhere it was almost biblical) So that is what I hope will happen a visit with the ones I cherish. Things I know will happen - my brother is coming out from Baltimore Maryland to live with my mom for awhile, should arrive tonight.. He has a BAD addiction problem and said if he did not get out of Maryland he was going to die... UGH not good.

Fun Stuff that keeps me sane.... going through LOTS of Scrapbook Oasis (there blog link is in the side bar) page kits I had put together and just had piled up in the scrappy room. Put pictures on at least 10 of the pages and feel some what accomplished and productive. Even put pictures on a couple of pages from classes I took at the Oasis years ago. Tracy Kyle, Teresa Collins and Karen B classes... I must say it felt great to sit back and look at pages that were done. Other fun stuff last two tennis matches for the season a visit tomorrow with a neighbor from the old neighborhood... I think I need to do some scrappy shopping too! that always gives me a temporary high... must be my addiction.

Better

This week feels so much better than last week. Hubby is recovering and getting some strength back. Blood test on Friday to see where he is at and when the BIG treatment will be scheduled. We actually took Gracie and went for a walk around the lake today after he got home from work... What a lovely evening I love that time of day. I ordered more pictures today from Kodak since they are running this Internet special where 4X6 prints are only 10 CENTS... Yes one thin dime. Now if I will keep focused and get them scrapped once they arrive in the mail. I actual finished a scrap page that I started over 4 years ago... that is progress!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter a card I scrap lifted and one I would say is a combination of others I have seen. Yes, I came up with the "chicken" saying on my own but I am sure it has been done before. The EASTER spelled out letter card was a great way to use that box of a million squares I have laying around.... I should have made more of these... Oh well good idea for the next Holiday. Happy Easter and God Bless...

Good News after 4 days they finally have enough of hubby's stem cell's to place in the bank. So he has been unplugged for now and we are off for an over nighter to Big Bear... xoxo

This is Hard

Day one of Rich's harvest is now turning into day 4 tomorrow. They are almost done with harvesting the stem cells but one more long day to go. To say he/we have seen enough of the Hoag Cancer center is an understatement. Wow there are some really sick people that go there for treatment and it does not feel to me that we are sick like they are so my question is what are we doing there? We both need a really good night sleep and it is just about impossible for him to sleep with that catheter in his right shoulder - has to sleep on his back... Can't wait for tomorrow to be over for my wonderful husband, the harvest should be complete and they will pull the catheter. I get the day off and I am already feeling guilty since I am going to play a little tennis and go to lunch with a friend - late birthday gift...We have logged a lot of together hours over the past three days. The day ended great. Mom and I went to David's Salon in Costa Mesa to get our hair tinted, weaved and cut we look beautiful. Early BD gift for mom since her birthday is on Easter Sunday this year....

Tomorrow's Harvest

Monday April 2, 2007. Big day they will be harvesting Rich's bone marrow/stem cells and putting them in the bank in case they are needed in the future. He has an unbelievable doctor who met him at his office in Fashion Island yesterday at 6:30 am for his shots and he met us there again today at 11:15 on a Sunday so Rich could get the next round of shots... We love this guy and know God has put us in good hands to fight and manage this lymphoma. Rich is amazing and handling this all so well, I feel he handles it better than me. Sometimes it all seems so distant and not real but as tomorrow gets closer it gets all to real very fast. My love my inspiration- I think I have a new saying for a scrapbook page "we each have our own wings - but together we can SOAR". We need to soar together right now to lift each other up... trying times again. Counting the blessings - Counting the blessings - Counting the blessings. Time to go finish those Easter cards I need to get mailed off tomorrow... Creativity helps everything as long as you can put one foot in front of the other and avoid the fetal ball position.

First Shot

Hubby had his first shot today of the medication that is supposed to make him make more blood cells so they can harvest his bone marrow next Monday... He is so brave only five more shots to go...

This Week????

yes ????? what will this week hold and be like...BIG QUESTION! Things I know for sure... I am officially older this week than last and as my hubby would say "are we done Celebrating your birthday yet?" My response and life lesson to live by is this... "the older you get the fewer birthdays you have left... so you need to celebrate them longer..." especially longer than for one freaking day.... REALLY. WE find out about when the bone marrow stem cell harvest will take place this week. Waiting for Hoag hospital to call to confirm. Hubby is ready to go and feels he has settled in on the treatment that will be covered by insurance. Had a scare last week with the other lymphoma treatment drug and a Doctor asking for $30,000. As Rich said not ready to mortgage the house yet. I know it is all in God's hands so I will continue to pray for God's will and guidance. He is ultimate healer... NEXT... I am ready for National Scrapping book day already... Need to know what my favorite store is up too... I won't dilly dally this year I want my name to be first on the list!... Pleasure is a cup of warm TAZO ZEN green tea in the afternoon.... try it..

Birthday Week

Oh my where do I begin and it has only been a few day.... the fog has cleared from my head and my body (thank God)off the antibiotics and finally starting to get some energy back and feel like myself... ahhhhh... Tuesday 1st day of spring and my birthday. Good day and night. Went to Newport Landing in Newport Beach for dinner. What do you say about one of those dining experiences that is at least a 9.5, on the scale. We rode the ferry across the bay (a total NB experience)we arrive at the restaurant with our (or should I say my) 2 bottles of Stags Leap Merlot
and being a Tuesday in the early spring there are not many other diners in the restaurant. The meal was fabulous had Opakapka (not sure if I spelled it right it is a Hawaiian white fish) in Mac nuts with pineapple mango salsa.... YUM - I want more NOW! Finished by a Creme Burlie (not sure this is spelled right either- spelling tutor needed) for the birthday girl, which of course she shared with her hubby and son. The only thing that could have been better was if Michael could have been there. We had a toast for him!

Yesterday had happy hour for the HHH ladies and they showed up with balloons, cupcakes, cards and chocolate... Wow what a nice surprise. I could really feel the love. Just up loaded those pics and forgot to rotate one... hate that! Still on the learning curve with this blog stuff.

Should get the results of hubby's bone marrow tap today. Expecting good new there, but we have hit some other road blocks with the next treatments that are being worked out pray for God's guidance and vision in the weeks to follow. Off to SCRAP and watch Price is Right.. what a beautiful morning.

Bone Marrow

Later today they will be testing my sweet hubby's body to be sure he is making bone marrow before they go further with his next stage of Lymphoma treatment. It will be in the Doc's office so that is good. Says he will just have to wear his Ipod so he does not hear the sound... YUCK. God love him he has a word doc all typed out and ready to go with about 20 questions. The questions have more to do with further treatments and the future than what is going on today. He is brave.

On a lighter note had a great time at my first every St. Patrick's Day party at our new neighbors but long time acquaintances home. Didn't know limericks could be so dirty. Although some were funny. What a great Party and the corned beef and cabbage so very good. Birthday tomorrow and I will finally get to have a glass of wine. Going to Newport Landing in Newport Beach, one of my favorite places and I have a bottle of my favorite wine "Stags Leap" Merlot- being on those antibiotics it's been a long dry spell with no wine.... Oh I take that back had a sip at Communion yesterday... Lord knows I need that time for forgiveness. Almost done with my scrappy room.... I can see the floor and half the table. I will have to post before and after pictures later.... Love

Happy SPD to you!

HAPPY St. Patrick's day to you.... My mom tells me I was due on SPD but decided to show up the first day of spring instead. I think my name was going to be Michael Patrick had I been the joy of being a boy. Can you imagine she was only 18 years old (turned 19 a couple of weeks later). We joke about how we will be old people together. When she is 80 (God willing) I will be 60.... seniors together! We can both get the discounts together at Denny's (YUCK). Have a great day and a Green beer for me I think the only thing around here that will be green is the leftover guacamole.

How Old

does a scrapbooking magazine need to be before you can officially throw it out? Is there some proper scraping rule? I read my magazine's articles but I have never read where this specific problem has been addressed. I know I have read articles about scrapping what is in my purse (like that would every happen and other stuff that makes me fall on the floor laughing)but I am so afraid I might break some rule and never be able to attend a crop or scrap class again. How often should I refer to information on scrapping that is almost 3 years old.... I feel gray hair popping out of my head as I stress over this.... Oh no I just remembered I have a box in the back of my scrap room that I moved here over 4 years ago... I must go look. WE have a winner a Nov/Dec 1997 (10 years old). For old time sake some of the articles are Color-Tinting Black and White photos... before we could do it on the computer, yes I have the photo tint pens do you? Stylish Strips (2000)Tearing your ArtOut (1998) Remember when we would cut the entire person out of the picture (that was dinosaur cropping and stick it on a page?). Time to go hit the recycle bin before the truck gets here.... Hope you had a chuckle! Back to the spring cleaning of my scrap room... I may post some before and after pictures the table is 3 ft. high with stuff... I think there is a table in that room!

COLORFUL

Love the colors of this colorful guy on the photo (can't wait to scrap it). And what would a trip be without the BUG LIFE 3-D glass pic?.. it must be love lets go pollinate something together... Yes you can still pollinate after 32 years of marriage...

Blessed

Lately, when I am feeling down or my meter is full or I feel life should be better or different I try and do that 10 positive things as best I can when sometimes you just want to have a pity party. I am trying not to have a pity party with all that is going on and after my earlier am post sooooo..... I may not come up with 10 but here goes.... thinking, waiting..... I just had a great trip to Orlando Florida with our niece's. The weather could not be better. I am feeling better. Good time to be alive with Medicine and Doctors... for spouse, and me after last week. I have two great adult children. People who love me. Yesterday, was a beautiful day with the "pink ladies" going to take Kristen her flowers... Hubby is home and I am planning a great dinner... Okay feeling better... Now I need that ENERGY BUTTON to do make that great dinner....

Cancel- Delete

Where in life is that button. Wouldn't it be great if just like typing on your keyboard you could hit the button that would delete or cancel a mistake you made, some dumb word that came out of your mouth, or action? How about being able to cancel an entire day that was not good... I know we are supposed to have days that challenge who we are, are beliefs, love, life and our very souls. I have trouble with those kind of days and I had one yesterday. You could say we are in crises mode, the heart is heavy. Received one of those dreaded phone calls yesterday that my brother age 41, with 5 great kids a successful guy married 20 years, has hit rock bottom and is addicted to drugs AGAIN. Not just any drugs the BAD drugs. They live so far away and it is hard to know what to do. I went back there a year ago last January to help his wife and the kids with the same crises and he went to rehab. Apparently 10 days out of his 30 day rehab he started using again. I think drug use is so selfish and I know after just a couple of uses the person inside is gone and the drugs take over their very soul and mind. I want to fix it I want to make it better... I HAVE NO CONTROL. You can not help those that don't want to be helped. Right now he does not want help. Does anyone have any answers? Interventions? I need the cancel- delete start over BUTTON... My meter is full.

It is GOOD to be HOME

Love vacations, had a great time in Orlando including the 8 hours in the emergency room one night (more on that later). The Disney Parks were great and not to crowded the weather cooperated and DISCOVERY COVE was the best I will add a link for it later. Swimming and touching the Dolphins was amazing. Well time to get my day started. Going to have friends over this morning to celebrate Kristen's 40th birthday we are taking flowers to her... just wish she was here on earth to celebrate with us. Damn cancers... She was incredible we miss her very much love her and her family.... SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEN in HEAVEN. Look down and smile for us and yes we BELIEVE!

Orlanda Florida

Counting down the hours... It is finally here by this time tomorrow we will be in Orlando Florida, unpacking and preparing for our next day adventure at DISNEY WORLD. How exciting. Taking the nieces Kelly (a brand new 14 year old) and Cassie (12, 13 in May). I have both cameras packed and my new lens for my Cannon and can't wait to see the place and take lots of photos... We took over 400 pictures in just 8 days when we were in Hawaii in February and we have been there many times. You must admit Hawaii is such eye candy and when you see those great photo's on your computer screen (digital users) the blues and greens - they don't even look like they are real truly, postcard style photos. I am guessing over 1000 pictures for this trip. Love to take pictures of just stuff, lighting, structure, food. I see some mini albums in my future after this trip. Oh and did I mention that I found housing for my little baby NIKON at Ritz camera. Only $39.95 says it is only good up to 12feet and not supposed to leak but I don't know how well I really trust the product. It will however serve it's purpose when we go swim with the dolphins to keep it from getting wet and I should be able to get some great shots since I won't have to use the underwater disposable camera... Blessing to all be back soon....

WINNER

Bunco was such great fun last night. I can not believe I have not been there since October... I have not lost my touch I was the winner with the top score, good wrist action, I guess. Kathy, truly a great bunco hostess. So much good food and she made three cakes this past weekend deciding which one to make for our bunco dessert. Super over achiever if you ask, me but I appreciate her time and effort. I came home with some great recipes and baking dishes and let's not forget I was the winner. Better bask in that for sometime probably won't happen again in 2007. Did I mention I get to host the Christmas Bunco, that is what happens when you miss going to bunco on "sign up for the new year night". It will be hard to compete with what Cindy did last year- Prime Rib Dinner on her good China... I know I can not compete so I am thinking SPAM on paper plates.. tee heee....

YIPPPPEEEE

How darn exciting to see my name under the blogs list on the Scrapbook Oasis site... I feel like one of the cool people now.... Love that store. And another big YIPPPEEE only 4 days tell we leave for Orlando and Disney World with the nieces... any advise? BUNCO tonight with the BUNCO sisters can't wait to see them - the last time was in October.. wow was it really that long ago...

Yesterday

was an absolutely beautiful day. Love waking up to those clear Southern California Blue Skies... uhhh! Since hubby was still not 100% he cancelled his normal Saturday tee time and we spent some Saturday time together. Took a walk up to Ruby's Restaurant for breakfast along with Jeff. Went to Green Thumb nursery, brought some plants, came home planted them and then prepared for some company. Friends visited and we sat outside at Hyland's Island with the fireplace on and some blankets for more warmth, under the clear star filled night skies, talked visited and enjoyed each other company... It was our little piece of heaven right here on earth.

No Longer Gray

Yes, the confirmed diagnosis is in you could say it is definitely black and white and no longer gray. Although the doctor said it was back and he was 95% sure you still hang your hat on that other mysterious 5%.... well maybe it is wrong and we are just going through the treatments, routines and emotions because it is the thing to do for a year. Then you hear the words "test show the current treatment is not working"... UGH! Last year they couldn't get anything from the bad Lymph (inconclusive) Good news bad news this year they got that darn lymph on the needle biopsy and yes it is conclusive the Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma is back. No more gray - no more 5%... We were on the bus going down the road living life and now we must changes buses and go down a different road... Not sure how I feel, although I know deep in my heart and soul I am not feeling what the hubby is feeling... it is in his body not mine. I am attached to it - it has again taken up residence in our home and life, I am beside him and will do everything in my power and ability to help him to help us to fight it and get it back in remission! I want to cry and be emotional and then I hear that voice that says give it to me... I am your God and I will help you both... Then I cry a few tears.

Hoag Hospital

is not a place you want to spend four hours (be there by 6:30 am) but you do what you have to do and the entire time you just pray for good results and conclusive results. Yes, hubby had to have that needle CT biopsy again today. A year ago they could not get enough of that little bugger lymph to be conclusive but doctor was 99% sure the lymphoma had returned... so he treated for a year and the current "manage your disease" routine is not working and again we are trying for some type of confirmation to move onto the next step....

How do I feel... not sure. We have seen tougher times when he was a stage 4 in November 2001. Being a stage 1 in February 2007, not the best news but liveable. And to quote the guy I have been married to for 32 years... LIFE IS GOOD.

So good in fact that we leave for Orlando with the neices in less than two weeks... Something very positive out there in the near future and I can not wait to take pictures, pictures and more pictures and come home and scrap 4ever... Can't wait to use my new lens too.

FIRST TIME AGAIN

Here it is again Hyland's Island BLOG maybe the 8th time is the charm... I so want to have a blog if not to share my fifty (ish) thoughts with the world than just a random place for me to Journal what is happening in our life at the Island. Like most people I so lose track of what I did last week, come to think of it I lose track of what I did yesterday. Does anyone have brain adhesive? Maybe I could get some stuff to stick. Not that I am complaining (although I can) it is just that recently when I tried to look back on some of the detail of 2006, and the many places we went, the great things we did and spending time with friends it all seems a little fuzzy and the thoughts, feelings and emotions I experienced at the time (and the things that made us laugh) all seemed to fade... Being a blogger along with a scrapbooker seems to be the answer at least for now...