It Snows Again.

I woke to 2 or 3 inches of new snow this morning and it is still snowing in fits and starts. This one is very wet Rob says. He would know as he ran Hank early this morning so Tanya could get out to work! The forecast was for a quickly moving lightly accumulating snow event, I think it may have passed that point! At this rate I don't expect to see my lawn until March or April! Shoot, I may not see my street before then. The city plows--which seems to do no good at all--or maybe they are only throwing de-icer and sand at it but the plow is down. I don't mind as I don't have to go out very often. We have a good supply of eats etc so we're all good here.

Taking care of Kolby!

Kolby has been a sick little guy lately and in the interest of getting him really well he's staying with me for a couple of days. So this is his morning nap! The cats were there first and vacated a little while later--they always look at him as if he's a bomb about to explode!

All the latest!

We had a lovely Christmas here, I was spoiled by my lovely children but just having them around is such a gift that I hardly need presents! All I was missing was Steve, Candice and Nora. (By the way kids that does not mean that you can get off without presents next year!) We had a huge snowstorm beginning on Christmas Eve, an actual blizzard, which is very rare for Kansas City. It was still snowing on Sunday. Hank the Hulking snowthrower got a real workout! I finally read a snowfall total of 9-12 inches--considering that we usually get no more than 3 inches in December--that's a significant amount. I have not been out of the house since before it all started. Poor Kolby caught the flu and decided to share--his family got sick on Saturday. Scott, Bri and I got sick Saturday night/Sunday morning and Rob on Sunday night/Monday morning. They call it a 24 hour stomach flu, this is day three for me and I'm not actively sick but still quite weak and with a sore tummy. (On the upside I lost 5 lbs!) So far Tanya and Beth have eluded the bug, may it stay that way!

I have nearly finished the backstitching on Brayden's Christmas stocking, Hallelujah! I think I would be finished but I ran out of thread and haven't been out to get more. Maybe today, I do have several errands to run and more snow is forcast for tomorrow I just have to see if my energy level is up to it!

All ready, just waiting!

I'm all set for the big day. Today I will do some prep work for the Mexican spread we are having tomorrow but otherwise I'm set. There is one more gift I might work on today depending on how things go. The children (read Rob, Tanya, Scott and Bri) are trying to get me to allow them ONE present tonight! I'd swear they were still little instead of adults!

To everyone in blogland a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Blessed New Year!

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE!

Gail

Getting ready....

I've been very busy getting ready for Christmas. Even though I scaled back on the baking and gift-making I am behind, sigh. I feel just slightly off kilter, and it seems like everything takes twice as long as it should! Today will be better, I hope. I only have one errand to run today, the bank. I have to go deposit the check I received for the Van (sold it yesterday) and get a new ATM card--there was weird internet activity on it so the bank called and we canceled it. It's nice to know someone is watching out for that stuff.

I took the boys to see Santa last evening when I picked them up from daycare. Which is exactly what we did, saw Santa. I took them to the Bass Pro shop as that's where Larry and I took Brayden last year and it was empty. Apparently, word had spread as the line to talk to Santa was about a half a block long! Brayden announced that he only wanted to see Santa not talk to him so we did! (I can get behind not waiting in line while holding a 24 lb Kolby! Silly me, didn't think to take the stroller.) They always set up a train, a remote controlled car, some coloring pages etc so we enjoyed those. Kolby was just all eyes taking in everything. After about an hour we headed off to the Cracker Barrel for some food (Brayden thought there might be a toy in it for him--he was right!) I had forgotten how much work it is to take little ones out to dinner! No wonder we ate at home! Well, aside from the fact that we were broke when ours were little. When we finished eating (and shopping) it was already time to take the boys home! It's work but it sure is fun!

Holiday shoot!

No one ever plays with Brayden!

Kolby never gets any love!
Kolby, Granna Gail and Brayden

The "injured bear" a Larry Story

Larry collected Teddy Bears, well I bought them for him he was after all my Teddy Bear. A couple of times each year I take all the bears off the shelf and run them thru the dryer with a damp towel to dust them--they don't get icky that way. A couple of years ago Larry happened on me emptying the dryer of his teddies, oh boy you'd have thought I'd have wounded him personally! He grabbed this bear up and proceeded to tell me I'd broken his arm and quick he needed soft fabric to make a sling for it! So one scrap of a cleaning diaper became his sling--all the while Larry's telling this bear how sorry he is and how he won't let me hurt him again. What a goof! The little bear was never hurt but I haven't the heart to take off the sling.

Catch up on me

As you can tell from the previous posts I've been busy decorating for Christmas! Then cleaning up the mess of decorating for Christmas. I've been working over my finances as I have an appointment with my financial advisor tomorrow, so my least favorite thing to do but I must! Today, I had an appointment with my primary care doctor. Checking out my blood work and getting referrals. My Cholesterol counts made her happy so I guess I'll be taking that medication for a while (like the rest of my life, it could be worse.) She gave me several refill scripts and will take care of some referrals must importantly for the carpal tunnel release on my right hand in January. The cortizone Dr Elton gave me last summer has definitely worn off and I am having strength issues with it--I won't put it off as I want to be sure I don't have permenant damage. I'm keeping very busy doing some stitching and lots of shopping. It finally turned cold (really cold for here tonight's low -3 F), the storm dropped a little snow and the wind dropped the 'feels like' temp even further. I love it when it's cold!

My Tree

For the first time I have a tree in my bedroom. It's only a tabletop as I don't have room for anything bigger! Some of the ornaments I had purchased for the years I used a live Norfolk Island Pine tree in the livingroom and a few are new this year. I think it's fuller than the one in the living room!

Christmas Decorating!

These are the two new North Pole Cottages; Jolly's Jigsaw Puzzle Factory and Santa's Beacon. They are displayed on the top of the bookcase/hutch in the next photo. There are also cottages on the top of the pie safe. I love the way these light up a dark end of my living room and am always sad when I take them down.

It's done! I think.

After spending the greater part of this day working on financial matters all of the paper work relating to Larry's passing is finished (please the gods there will be no more.) It feels good to have that behind me! (Unfortunately it doesn't count as a finish for OPAM!) I have reduce the mass of my mess to a pile of receipts still to be entered and figures to take to my Edward Jones guy next week. Not fun but not more than a couple of more hours total! I'm really have a tough time with this, just putting it back into my schedule is hard. You'd think that being a stay-at-home I wouldn't have that problem but no matter what you do you never have a enough time!

Today, I received the North Pole cottage I ordered earlier--a light house! I'm putting them up on Saturday so I'll take a pic and put it on the blog (using the old point and shoot!) then.

Picked up the backing for Kolby's fleece blanket on Wednesday and got lucky--Hobby Lobby carries Robert Kaufmann solids, so I got a different blue for my Irish Chain! It's all washed, not ironed but it will soon be ready to cut and sew! Can't wait, but I must.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Christmas shop. The hard stuf--stocking stuffers.

Tuesday at home

I returned home on Sunday after spending the Thanksgiving holiday with Bri's parents in St Louis. We had a wonderful meal of all things Thanksgiving-y for Up-state New York. Which isn't entirely like our more southern traditions. I had my very first taste of rutabaga--now I won't be afraid of recipes which call for one! I wonder if they sell them here? The Lennon's are a fun bunch, Scott got very lucky! I also reconnected with a Mizzou friend, Lynda and hubby Max. I seem to manage to see them every few years so we stay relatively connected. Scott and I took in the sites in old town St Charles, very neat, lots of specialty shops inculding one carrying candies etc from Great Britian. We had Chocolates! Yummy, much better than a Hershey bar. It was a great time spent with him just meandering.

I have been feeling dull and boring lately, think maybe Larry's passing is catching up with me again. Ah well, this too shall pass. I haven't begun any new projects and can't seen to get into any of the old ones so tomorrow will force myself. I did order fabric for my Irish Chain quilt, didn't do too well matching colors on the internet (no local shops carried the solids I needed) so now I have to decide if these colors will work or if I need to try again. Urgh. I also got some cute fleece with construction equipment for Kolby a blanket, that's an easy make, maybe I should start there? Still plowing thru all the paper work. Just made a decision to finish that this week and have it behind me. Plus the holiday shopping, I did a bit on line today but stockings are not filling up very fast! Like I said dull and boring!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So here we are in St Louis for Thanksgiving with the Lennons. It's a lot different from what we usually do. I think the last time we were gone from home on Thanksgiving was 24 years ago, when Scott was a baby, he's 24 now. I can't remember when I didn't cook the meal, sometime before 2000. I think I'll be totally spoiled! Missing the California kids but otherwise we are all here. I am staying until Sunday but the others are headed home later today as both Tanya and Lucas have to work tomorrow. A real bummer for all.

I' ve been unusually quiet on the blog front as I've been PAINTING trim again. I've finally finished until Rob and Tanya change locations! Which won't be until after the first of the year. I still have finishing touches to add throughout the house but I get a breather!

I ordered the fabric for the quilt for my bed. Finally decided to do a Double Irish Chain, the chain will be in blues and the large solid block in the Hill Country Spring. With a 6" (or maybe larger) block I should get a big pop of the fabric. I have now declared a moratorium on ordering fabric! I may be followed home from St Louis buy a few pieces. Hoping I'll get to sew a bunch now that I have all that painting done.

Again, wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! If you don't live in the US just be grateful and eat a whole lot!

Pelicans

On my trip to San Diego we ate lunch at Port Loma Seafood Company, yum-o crab cake sandwich! There were so many pelicans flying about, I had never seen one up close. These guys and gals were hanging out on the dock. I thnk Steve said these were this years hatch, thus the white head instead of the all brown of California pelicans. I thought they were cool.

Miss Nora

There seems to be issues with getting these photos on! First, I couldn't get them off the memory card, then using Larry's computer the program that automatically opened wouldn't let me save them to any other program or external memory device (URGH!) After burning them to a cd I can't get blogger to take more than one! I am assuming the files are too large. I'm learning but it's going to be slow! First thing I learned was to take my really old point and shoot digital along for blog photos!

Home, again

So, I got home from San Diego last night after 4 days with my darling granddaughter, Nora. She has her Daddy's eyes and his gorgeous long fingers and otherwise looks like her Mom. She's altogether wonderful, sure to be brilliant, etc, etc. I'm only slightly biased:) As soon as I can figure out how to get the photos off the camera I'll be showing her off! I had a very nice time visiting with them, eating out (I'm still full) and visiting quilt shops etc. Flying has always been enjoyable for me but this trip was not very comfortable so I'm less than thrilled with doing it again. I will but I think I may dread it, a little. I'm glad to be home again even though it means I have to deal with the fallen leaves, again.

Cross-stitch update

I haven't posted my progress on this stocking in quite a while. It's the only sewing I'm getting done right now but I have made really good progress on it. I have only a bit more in the heel and some half stitches then the backstitching. Perhaps I'll finish it before Christmas? I have four more stockings to do after this one so I hope I can move on soon. Trying to decide what pattern to use for my bed quilt. I'm leaning towards a triple Irish chain or hexies--The Irish chain I could machine piece and so would finish sooner. Very indecisive at this point so I'll keep thinking.

I am stiff this evening from raking leaves, I should have started a couple of weeks ago but with the rain I've had to wait so there were too many to mow. I am really out of shape! Next week I'll do it again. Every week until Thanksgiving or longer. The soft maples have completely lost their leaves, but the sycamore, gum and oaks all have a long ways before they are naked. This is the only time I actively wish for snow!

The day after tomorrow I go to see Nora (and of course her Mommy and Daddy!) I'm excited. I will have pictures to share!

Rob's birthday!

Today is my middle son Rob's birthday! Happy Birthday! I love you!

Days Off and trip plans

For several years I have given myself a "Day Off." Since I am a homemaker/historian every day has work and my "Day Off" is no different I just don't plan any housework (except cooking) and allow myself to do what I want. Usually, I go to the library in the morning and perhaps some shopping for fun (not groceries etc). For the last two years anyway I didn't get to take may "days off" but it's a habit I want to get back into now that I'm getting things caught up. All that leads up to the fact that I took yesterday OFF, today too. I did some little chores to finish up the two rooms I've painted and ran some errands but mostly I've been lazy. I even took a nap yesterday and had a long rest today. I think I was getting really tired out again so I've taken some time for me.

Charley has joined Kelsey with back problems--silly dog went heels over head chasing a frisbee the other day! So now I carry two dogs up the stairs!

I'm leaving for San Diego on Nov 5th to hold my little granddaughter, Nora, for the first time. I've seen lots of pictures since she was born on the 12th but I haven't gotten to see her or hold her yet. That's what happens when you live so far apart! She will be three weeks old and I understand is gaining weight nicely. When she's older she won't want to gain weight nicely!

Tuesday, Sick boys and paint

I've had sick boys several days the past couple of weeks; Brayden for a couple of days last week and yesterday and Kolby yesterday and today. Brayden went back to school but I picked him up early--a bribe of sorts to get him to go, he wanted to stay and play with the toys here. Kolby is getting so big (and heavy) that my arms hurt from holding him. He sits like a champ but doesn't crawl yet, soon I think, anyway poor guy has an ear infection so he was cranky! Which is so totally unlike him. I've been painting another bedroom as well the past week and it is finished except for the last of the clean up and some decorating stuff. Not a lot of sewing for this one, praise be. I've decided to wait to paint the hall and living room until after I get back from California in November, will take the time to finish the last of the paperwork, clean house, run errands, and tackle the pile of sewing on my sewing table. I'm making slow but steady progress on all the things that were let go for the past year and it makes me feel good but I miss sewing! I'm generally too tired after dinner to do more than cross-stitch or play around on the computer. Tomorrow, I'm taking hazmat stuff (like RX's and automotive) I hope have to call first, getting an oil change in the van, and many other similar things. There is a memorial service at the VA hospital for those who passed in Sept and Oct and I plan to attend that as well. I have books to deliver to waiting rooms at the hospital as well so two things from the list at once.

Kelsey

This is one of my Sheltland Sheepdogs, Kelsey. She has given me a scare a couple of times in the last two weeks. She has had trouble with her back legs, causing her to be unable to stand or walk. The last one was last night, it was obvious that she couldn't feel her foot at all, she could move it but placed it too close to the other foot so she was off balance. I really thought she had had a stroke. I was terrified that she would die overnight so I let her sleep in my room. (I never do this) This morning when Charley woofed to go out she got up off her pillow and walked out like nothing had ever been wrong! I decided that for my peace of mind she was headed for the Vet. Turns out she has a small bone spur in her back causing irritation and pinched nerves, she gets anti-inflams for a few days. She also gets limited running and no full flights of stairs--too hard on her back. As both she and Charley are 12 years old I was sure it was going to be time to put her down but thankfully no. I don't think I can take anyone else dying this year.

Show and Tell Part 2 take 2

For some reason this top photo didn't arrive at blogspot! This is the sewing table as it would be used.

Show and Tell Part 2

This is a sewing table! It has the inch measurements printed on the top (first photo), it's 36 inches long and it folds up ( 2nd photo). A friend of my Dad's gave it to him he was curious so he wrote to the company stamped on the bottom, they sent a letter with information on the table. It was made by the old Paris Manufacturing Company of South Paris, Maine in the 1920's.

Show and Tell part 1

I said I'd show some of the things I got from my Dad last week so here is one. This quilt was made by my Grandmother, Ora Weddle Hickam, when they lived on the dairy. They moved from the dairy into town when my Dad was 11 or 12 and he's 84 now so it's old and has definitely seen hard use but it's hand pieced and hand quilted and I am thrilled to have it. Dad said she had a quilting club out on the dairy--she said some of the women had no business sewing and was known to pick out some of their stitching! I really needed two people to hold it but Rob was the only one home!

Where has the time gone?

Wow, I had not planned to let this much time pass before blogging again. Naughty me, really busy me. I can't remember what I did last Thursday (must have been exciting!) but on Friday I went to Columbia to visit my Mother in law as she'd had surgery on Thursday. I took her her favorite Krispy Kreme donuts to get her out of bed and moving, took my sister-in-law, Marie, an Apple Crisp as her birthday was last Monday and more donuts to the other Sister-in-Law, Kris (or maybe her husband, Owen .) On the way down I stopped off in Higginsville to check out the marker the cemetery placed on Larry's vault, I wasn't prepared to be kicked in the chest with grief again. It took a while to adjust and travel on. Some retail therapy at the local quilt shop helped, bought some flannel and a really neat book that has quilting information like how many rectangles you can get from 2 1/2 yards of fabric. It's just packed with practical information for quilters. I have to go buy another one for the Mother-in-Law. I rounded out the evening with dinner at an Indian place with Scott and Bri then drove home. I swear that 120 miles gets longer each and every time I drive it!

On Saturday, after delivering some things for my niece to take back to Columbia, I picked some things up at my Dad's. A couple of which will be the topic of forthcoming blogs--I need to take photos. Finally arriving back home I began the process of cleaning up the gardens and around the outside of the house for winter. Rob came out and we trimmed trees, I now have a huge pile of limbs to deal with--think I will soon be the owner of a chipper/shredder as this tree limb thing is ongoing and we aren't finished yet.

Sunday was spent clearing up tree limbs and gardens--blowing acorns out of the garden and grass. Just a small space and probably a bushel basket or more acorns! We could have used a shovel to move them. I don't like leaving them as they roll under your feet and have nearly caused me to fall a number of times while mowing. Not to mention the oak trees I'd have next spring!

Today, I did my normal Monday chores and made a run to the charity place to leave off more things we've deleted from the house and to the grocery. Then I picked up my grandboys. Brayden is showing signs of the bug that is going around so he was a bit cranky and didn't want to do anything but I don't think Kolby has ever laughed so much! He just looked at anything and laughed. Too cute.

Long post, will try for a show and tell tomorrow on at least one thing but now I'm tired, time for rest.

She's Here!

After a very long time in labor and an emergency C-Section our little California Girl joined us at 9:25am PDST! Weighing in at 8lbs 9ozs. Momma and baby are doing well, still groggy from all the pain meds. Daddy went home and took a nap, got some food, etc and was back holding his baby girl when I talked to them. It doesn't get any better than this! Life is good!

Yucky weather!

I'm already tired of the clouds and drippy rain, yet the forecast is for more of the same! The damp makes it seem much colder than the 40's. I have spent the last two days on that huge pile on my desk, sorting and organizing mostly but today I spent some time on the phone and filling out paper work--all that death business again. I promised myself I'd get all this financial stuff done, or at least as done as I can BEFORE I began painting the extra room, really hoping one more day is all it takes. The house is getting cleaner each day--Yeah!--but deep cleaning hasn't really begun. Some of that stuff may get skipped this time, not supposed to skip it more than twice (which I've already done) so I'm going to try. Haven't done anything fun, like sew, so nothing to show. Waiting For little California Girl to be born--Momma's in labor so it'll be soon!

Not "Cat"urday!

Sorry, no cat photos. They were just not doing anything exciting, just curled up trying to stay warm. This cold snap has us all shivering! The trees are still quite green with spots of color--the hard maples are turning red quite spectacularly at the moment and for the first time I've noticed yellow and orange on our pin oaks. Usually, they just turn brown. We must have a zillion acrons, I don't think I've ever seen as many as we have this year! The squirrels, those little acorn eaters, are very busy cutting off leaves and carrying them to their nests, they look funny with leaves sticking out both sides of their mouths! Rob and I put up my closet doors today, well, Rob did all the work I just watched. I bought more window shades had them cut, took them back and had them cut more and they are still just a bit too big. I decided I'd wrap them up tight and use the miter saw on them! Also picked up the foam board so I think I'll cover it tonight then sew. Making a bit of progress on the cross-stitch stocking, I will be so happy to move on to the next one. I got out the Hill country fabric and am trying to decide what to do with it. Scott is coming up tomorrow, Rob is going to put brakes on Bri's car and Scott is going to help Rob with Calculus and Comp Sci--pretty good trade for two brothers! I'm looking forward to seeing Scott. Wish Bri could come but she has HOMEWORK! Those Law Professors keep her busy. California Girl still hasn't put in an appearance, due for sure on Monday but babies have minds of their own.

After--Friday evening

First, here's a picture of the "Tiger's Lair," our collection of MU gear and tv spot. Next is a picture of my new sewing shelves. I still need to get a 4x8 sheet of foam and cover it with batting and flannel for a design wall, it will go in front of the shelves --hiding the clutter and letting me design. The last picture is of my research and sewing area, all squeezed together and alot of work piled up but I think I can work here again. First up, shorten some curtains for Beth! Then on through the pile. All in all I had a pretty productive week. I took five tubs of papers to recycling, hauled out 3 big black bags of trash and have a huge tub of shredding/burning to do. I still have some things I need to find homes for, some go to California or Columbia and some are to be donated or taken to hazardous waste. I'll get it all done eventually. Maybe tomorrow I'll have "Cat"urday photos.

Today, I'm tackling this mess! It might even be worse than in these photos as I unloaded the two white filing cabinets of Larry's over the weekend and there are piles of stuff to further sort all over. I am disgusted with myself for letting this get this way but life overran me! I hope to show "after" photos by the end of the week. I need to get to my sewing machine, see it buried in there?

My newly redone bedroom

These are photos of my bedroom. With the exception of closet doors I've finished painting etc and moved in yesterday. For the first time in over a month I slept on a real bed! Boy did that feel good. The new bed is quite high, so high in fact that a stepstool is required for me to get in it. The poster on the wall is the one we bought in Austin at the Wildflower center, it really pops against the blue (which is, by the way not well represented in this photo.) I still have many things to do in here before I can claim that it's finished, a bedskirt, quilts, slipcover for the chair, runners and rugs. I intend to use the Hill Country print I bought in Fredricksburg in the quilt and will pick up pinks, yellows and greens along with more blue. Blue is my favorite color, as if you couldn't tell. I will need to buy much fabric before it's finished!

The plumber will return on Monday to install the new commode and I will have a fulling functioning suite again! I am happy that one room is tidy again.

I started working at emptying files cabinets this afternoon. I found more paper than I could have imagined in Larry's files--much worse than me and I consider myself a pack rat (9 boxes of fabric, remember?) I am sorting out the things which cannot be recycled due to personal information and then burning that. Sure is a good thing I got a fire pit for my birthday last year!

Last night I sat in my room, watched TV--hello Friday night, NUMBERS, one of the few shows I actually try to watch each week-- and worked on Brayden's stocking. I plan to do that again tonight. It's so restful.

Thank goodness it's hump day!

That's what we always called Wednesday when the kids where in school--halfway to the weekend. I think a weekend might be nice, this week has been a mess. On Sunday, we had water dripping in the basement so a call to the plumber on Monday gave me the news that I needed a new toilet as this one was broken (as in cracked apart and not repairable.) Today when I attempted to turn on the lamps in the living room-----nothing. With further research I don't have power on two walls in the living room/kitchen and the same two walls in the basement. Tomorrow will bring a call to the electrician. I just didn't need any thing more to do, I can't get everything done as it is! I do have the paint on the walls of my room and most of the clean up done to move back in, I can't wait. I also got the truck licensed for another two years. I've gotten through a lot of the paper work, well at least what has arrived and have only a couple of phone calls to make. The finances are nearly in order so I guess I've been making progress. I am feeling much better, this cold has really taken it's sweet time leaving. Of course, the coughing will go on for a while as it always takes the asthma longer to say goodbye. Think I'll go down and bring up some hand work to do while I watch tv, might even bring up the chair that goes in my room!

Cat Saturday

Every time I take the boy's car seats out of the car and set them in the house a cat immediately finds them the most comfortable seat in the house! In this case both cats! How can that be comfortable? That's Mika on the bottom and Simba (the giant dog wanna be) on top. They stayed this way quite a while too. Who can figure cats?

I am feeling some better, it's been a see-saw this week of one day up and one day down. The last two nights I've not been forced to take meds in the night and that helps. This morning I painted the ceiling in my room. Tomorrow I'm hoping for walls as I bought the paint yesterday. I am really tired of living in a disaster area! Hoping to be moved back in by the middle of next week. It won't be finished but I can do the rest while I inhabit that room. Unfortunately, that isn't the only room I need to paint! The stitching area gets finished before I begin any more painting. I need to have something organized and right now nothing is. I'm feeling scattered and braindead and it must stop! On that note, I'm going to have lunch and then work at my desk--mountains of paper work to do there, as well as a good many other things. I really would like to sew with out guilt!

September Sunday

I'm back home from camping with the kids the past weekend. We celebrated the September birthdays (mine on the 14th and Scott's on the 20th--that's today!) I had a very nice haul of gifts, a UMKC sweater from Rob and Tanya along with a garden stone sporting my favorite black and gold M for my MU Tigers, some new CD's from Beth and clan-she teased me as these have been on my wish list for seven years! Scott and Bri had found some lovely glass balls to add to my collection in the kitchen window. Earlier the California kids had given me hand-held lemon and lime juicers as I'd been looking for them quite a while. So I consider myself quite lucky. I was a slug all weekend! The grandboys shared their cold with me so I wasn't feeling tip-top but the weather was perfect for being outside so I mostly sat outside and did nothing! Rob and Tanya brought their telescope down on Saturday and it cleared up enough for us to see something (not sure what but there were plenty of stars above Arrowrock!) I took the trailer out alone for the first and last time as it needed to have the tanks emptied. I had thought I might keep it but the reality is that I can't manage it alone and it really isn't that much fun for the expense. I have three goals for this week: finish painting my room, finish notifications (and paperwork as available), and clean the trailer inside and out. Perhaps I'll even do some stitching, that would be nice!

Paint and paper work.

I don't know which is harder when painting, getting up and down off the ladder and stretching my 5'3" bones to reach the high spots or crawling around practically standing on my head to get the trim along the floor! It's a puzzler. I began painting the trim in my room today, one coat of primer down. Tomorrow it will be one coat of paint down. Someday I'll have all the trim painted, then I can paint the ceiling and walls, add a closet organizer and new closet doors and move back into my room. Sadly, I don't think that will be soon. So this morning I painted and this afternoon I began the rounds of people who need notified for many and varied reasons. I went to the bank, Edward Jones and State Farm Insurance. The bank accounts etc are no longer joint, the Edward Jones is being closed, the insurance changed and the name on the car payment etc. One surprising thing, we had purchased credit life on the van. This is a thing we never do and that we both had forgotten about but now the van is paid off. I was going to sell it and keep the truck because it had lower payments but I may change my mind now. The appeal of a car without payments is pretty strong. I do have to keep the truck until I sell the trailer though so I'll have time to make up my mind. It was hard to do all this, made it all seem new and somehow more real. Tonight, I think I'll just watch TV.

Friday

I spent today, or most of it, digging through the finances. This has never been something I've done happily so Larry (the accountant) took care of it. He showed me how he did it once but there were still alot of questions that went unanswered. I needed to develop my own system and sort everything. I also had to dig through the piles of stuff on my desk, and throughout my house to find everything. Tomorrow, I can balance the checkbook and pay bills. I also sorted out all the paper involving the many institutions I need to notify, urg, so when the death certificates come I can finish with the business of death. The house is a wreck, a total and complete wreck. I've decided that one function a day is all I can manage right now but I think that I will get better. Things are back to the "New Normal" in the house (except for the mess, that's not any normal) all the children have gone home, Rob's back to school and Tanya to work and we are all sleeping better. Every day has moments of sorrow but laughs too. The dogs and cats keep me company and staying busy helps. We've had support from so many people and we can't thank them enough. After I pay bills tomorrow, I plan to work outside (if it isn't raining), get the recycling to the school, and sort more of the fabric I took out before I had hand surgery. Getting that taken care of will allow us to walk through the basement! When I get it all ordered I'll post before and after photos.

This morning my brother, Bobby, brought this home. It's the bench Larry made for me and never saw finished. Bobby did a wonderful job on the finish. I admit I shed a few tears. This bench will always be special and is very comfy.

New Additions at my house!

On Tuesday came this beautiful Waterford crystal bowl in the "Irish Lace" pattern! It is so beautiful, the photo doesn't really do it justice. Scott and Bri sent it to me from Ireland (on their honeymoon) and I love it! I must say the folks at Waterford really know how to wrap a bowl, nine lengths of bubble wrap! Now to find the perfect place for it, Hummm.

And now we begin anew.

The last of the services for Larry were held this morning and we have finished with the ritual of death. I am pleased with the services we chose, I think everyone else was as well. I will miss him everyday for the rest of my life. I will also see him in our children and grandchildren and know that he still sees us for no one who loved as much as he did would ever cease to keep watch.

We now must re-invent ourselves and our family around our missing piece. It is hard but we will make it, we have no choice, but most importantly because he would want us to carry on, to laugh, to love. So now we must begin this hard task, to begin anew.

Larry Fines--1949-2009

Master Sgt. Larry L. Fines, 60, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2009, after a protracted battle with cancer.

A life celebration will be held in his honor on Monday, September 7 at American Legion Post 189, 820 Vista Drive in Lee's Summit from 7 to 9 pm.

Full military honors will be granted Tuesday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 20109 Business Highway 13 in Higginsville at 10 am.

Larry served his country in the Vietnam conflict, the first Gulf War, and then again as a civilian auditor for the Department of Defense.

After his retirement from civil and military service, he continued working as a tax accountant for Sprint and Embarq.

He was a member of American Legion Post 189 and served as American Legion Departmental finance officer for many years and also served in numerous other positions with the American Legion at both the state and local leve.

Those who knew him knew that he was a gentleman prankster who felt that fun was a key component of everyday life. His sense of humor and experience guided him through fatherhoo, military service and civilian life.

Larry graduated from Columbia College with a bachelor degree in business, with graduate work in accounting at Avila University.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Gail; four Children: Steve and Candice, Elizabeth and Lucas, Robert and Tanya, Scott and Brianna; two grandchildren; Braydena dn Kolby; Two sisteres, Kris Snodgrass and Marie Reynolds; his mother, Margaret; many nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, 17 Bethea Dr., Ossining, NY 10562

-----This a ia copy of the obituary to be published in the Columbia Tribune.

Services for Larry

I think this is the schedule of events for Larry.
Monday, 7 August 2009 from 7 to 9 pm. We are holding a Celebration of Life at the American Legion Post 189 in Lees Summit, Missouri.
Tuesday, 8 August 2009 a Full Military Honors service will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri

Larry lost his battle with cancer this afternoon. Services pending.

No stitches, no bandage Wednesday!

Well, the title says it all really. I had my bandage cut off--thank you, thank you I hated that thing! The stitches picked out, only a little owie there, and can do as tolerated stuff. It will be 6 weeks before it's really healed up but I can wash my hands again! I'm not as excited about the dishes.

Larry continues to go downhill, hospice is visiting us every day, sometimes several times a day and occasionally I think I've been invaded. Steve will be in tomorrow for a week-it's been a hard choice for him, wanting to be here, wanting to be in San Diego with his oh so pregnant wife and his mom saying stay home, his sister saying come. Scott and Bri will be here from Columbia from Friday evening until Monday. They are closer so it's easier if they need to come for a weekend--not easy for anyone as the circumstances are horrid and they all have jobs and lives. I will be glad to have them and figuring out where to sleep them all was fun but done. Scott and Bri get the trailer (no cats) and Steve the extra room, I'll sleep on a sofa somewhere which is what I've been doing anyway so it's all good. If Beth and Lucas wanted to move in I'd have to put up nails to hang them from! I'll be glad to have them all here. We are planning a Mizzou football party on Saturday which should be fun even with the saddness attached.

My posts are likely to be erratic for a while, commenting even more so. I'll be back when I can.

Hospice

Well, I called Larry's oncologist today and got him to goad the folks at the VA to contact Hospice. Two hours later, the intake nurse was at our house! Larry finally got out of bed about 4pm stayed up maybe 30 minutes and is back in again. He hardly ate anything today and is having trouble walking down the hall from the bedroom to the living room. Think we will have to use the wheelchair soon. Still not taking pain meds, says he doesn't want to be a zombie. That is his choice to make. There is a nurse on call 24/7 so I feel better as I have someone to call. There will be a nurse come a couple of times a week and also a home helper to give him a bath etc. I suppose I will begin to have better input once they really get started. I knows it just feels comforting to have someone to ask and not have to wonder if I should haul him to the hospital. The worst parts of this are the not knowing and the not being able to DO anything to help him feel better. Rob and I are going to remove and rearrange some furniture in our room so I can put an easy chair in for his company. I just keep shuffling someday perhaps I'll be finished--nah! Not in this house anyway.

Saturday

We had some very nice visitors this morning, Mary (from Embarq) brought her Mom and Sister to see Larry. Mabel, that's Mary's mom has sent Larry so many cards over the last year wishing him healthy and has wanted to meet him, he wanted to meet her also as the cards meant so much to him. We had a nice visit, Larry managed to be mostly present. The morphine is causing him to be more and more out of it and sleepy, dizzy, etc. So much so that it scares me. I just felt that he was taking such a small amount that he shouldn't be so out of it and that maybe he was dehydrated since he hardly ever drinks a whole glass of something so I took him to the er. They gave him iv fluids said his kidney function was good and his blood work good except for his INR--should be a bit over 2 and is 11. This causes a great chance for bleeding if he should fall. The doctor and I talked over admitting him or sending him home, he wanted to come home and I knew he'd rest easier here so I brought him home. The Doc and I also discussed discontinuing all his meds, other than pain, which apparently Hospice will do when they become involved. I think we'll do that and stop the morphine see if hyrocodone will handle the pain without all the grogginess. I also went to the grocery and bought a variety of drinks to try for taste, I did tell him to drink it like medicine even if he didn't like it! Calling his oncologist will be on Monday's list as well. Not much on my list accomplished!

Lunch and Fabric

Larry and I went for lunch with his pals from Embarq today. They are all being moved around or laid off with the Century Tel merger (sorry gang.) We've gone over and had lunch several times, usually we go to the Cheesecake Factory but today we went to Red Lobster. We took the Brown Bear Quilt to Tonya for her baby (we missed the baby shower--Larry was in the hospital.) I think she liked it, she cried! When we got back Larry took a nap and I sorted fabric. I have 9 -11 gallon sized boxes of fabric! Some of it may be from the 60's for sure the 70's and 80's--is that vintage yet? I'm sure I gave away/tossed alot of fabric when we moved from the big house and still I have 9 boxes! I still haven't added the fabric that's on my sewing table either. I do have some more sorting as I want to sort the cotton fabrics by color and fold the smaller pieces to fit into shoe boxes so I'll empty one of the boxes that way. I guess I need to cut some squares and make some scrappy quilts! Then I need to deal with the scrapbooking stuff and figure out how to shelve all this stuff--I have a shelving unit on wheels I had thought to use which I was then going to hide behind a folding design wall. I have to make a much bigger mess before I can finally clean up! I actually like these kind of projects, when I finish I can really say I accomplished something! Right now it's nice to have something I can control.

Wednesday wanderings

I noticed that my blog has become very depressing lately with all the medical stuff, a real life bummer! I will try and tone it down now, there won't be much to report anyway for a while. I am feeling much better today and am typing with both hands--although I keep hitting the cap lock by accident! I don't intend to shout. I have very little pain, just a tug now and again and I'm enjoying the challenge of doing things with one hand! Even though I am very right handed it's amazing how many things take both of them--like doing dishes, or pulling up one's pants! This afternoon I may take a nap on the basement sofa--my favorite napping sofa-- or not. I'll definitely begin sorting fabric. My current arrangement for sewing and research just isn't working well so I'm trying to come up with another, another room would be nice but totally impossible!

Fall is coming soon I think, unusually soon. I can't believe how cool this summer has been, one to remember and talk about! I only hope frost holds off until it's usual time. Fall is my favorite season, except for leaves-raking them that is, I love looking at them in their fall colors.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery

It's evening now and I think the chemical stew within is beginning to subside. Not taking any more pain pills as I don't like the way they make me feel--all wiggly and unable to focus without making myself slightly ill. Surgery was successful, Dr said I had a really thick ligament in there, whatever that means, I'm not to lift with that hand things over a pound etc, ice it, you all know the drill for a week then I go back to have the stitches out. Until then I have a lovely bandage on my wrist. I can still hold fabric and type etc plus I pulled out some boxes of fabric to sort so I shouldn't be bored. I'm trying to organize my sewing area and still bringing in things out of the trailer. Some of that will be on hold now but that's okay! Tonight more vegging and ice.

Report on Doctor's visit

Okay, we're home from the VA, finally, and I've had some lunch so I can tell everyone what's up. The news was exactly what Larry and I expected to hear-he has months, very few months. We saw the CT pictures and his liver literally does look like swiss cheese and the spots in his lungs are larger. Dr Allen found his liver larger than he expected on exam. The Radiology report is still not in nor is the biopsy report. Dr Allen said he doubted he'd have done a biopsy as he is 99% sure it is a sarcoma progression. The docs last week kept saying that a sarcoma wouldn't grow this fast but it can and did in Larry's leg so it can and did in his liver. Chemo is an option but it most likely won't help and could possible have such an impact on his immune system that it could shorten the time yet more or just make the time miserable. Unless the biopsy report comes back as something else we will be talking to hospice in the next few days. The end game is that his liver will fail and he will become unconsious and slip away. I'm not really phrasing this very well and I'm sorry but I can't think of anything better, Dr Allen was honest and I will be as well. I am still not at a point where I can talk about it much but I'll get there and will continue to focus on the next thing while we try to enjoy what time he has left. On that note Dr Allen said he could have all the ice cream he wants!

Today I made this in my front garden for the new bench Larry has made for me.














Then I turned these














into these 7 quarts of tomato puree for the freezer. Boy did they smell good while they cooked.















Then, I gave the dogs a bath. Nothing looks as sad or pathethic as a totally wet sheltie!

Busy Girl

I have been very busy the past two days! First, I have another finish for August. Last night I finished sewing down the binding on this Brown Bear Crib quilt. It seems I sew in spurts! Or perhaps I'm just staying home more?

A whole day at home!

Today I spent the entire day close to home, excepting a quick trip to the grocery for eggs, bread, and melons. I've finished quilting the first of the Brown bear quilts, which I did by machine. I can't say that I'm overly fond of either the process or the result! I am sure the result would improve with practice but I really don't care for sitting over the machine! I am in this case saved by the cuteness of the fabric. Photos tomorrow when the bindings on. It just keeps raining, soon we will need a boat! Perhaps a canoe? Larry is stronger here at home, stayed up almost all day and without more than the long acting pills until supper time. I did some housework getting ready for the visitors to come tomorrow and this weekend. Well, think I'll go cut binding.

At home

I have to say that getting out of the hospital is no easier than getting in! The VA has more hoops to jump through than most but we have finally navigated them. He fell at the hospital this morning, early, and there was talk of a ct scan as he hit his head but apparently they decided no as we are home. He nearly fell coming in the house through the front door but caught himself. He's so doped up he can't remember things and his speech is slurred (he says that's dry mouth, who knows.) Anyway he's resting in his own bed surrounded by his cats! I may have to have a nap as well, migraine today and didn't that make the whole hospital thing fun?

Larry update

This is, I hope, the last post I'll write while Larry's in the hospital-this time. The Doctors want to watch for any complications following the biopsy so he has to stay until tomorrow. He was lucid by the time the doctors came but still had enough pain medication from the procedure to be feeling good. I think when that wore off he probably got hit again. The main concern I have with him at home is managing the pain so the doctor and I discussed it and they will give him a long-lasting morphine and hydracodone, I hope that works. He returns on Monday for a previous appointment with his oncologist, I hope we so results by then.

Laundry etc waiting so I gotta go.

Back in his room

As I typed the last of the other post the elevator doors opened and they wheeled him out! Sleepy from the drugs but back in his room. I really don't know what happens next so I get to practice that new skill and wait!

Monday, post biopsy

As time passed this morning and 11 am approached, I began to wonder if Monday would be a repeat of Friday. I'd already told his nurse that I would be raising a ruckus if he had not gone before 12 noon but shortly after said 11 am the call came and he was loaded up for transport to radiology. After a few minutes wait they came out and wheeled him away and I commenced waiting, one of my new best skills. It seemed like a long time before the tech came out to say he was in recovery and that they had "gotten" the biopsy, I'm not too sure what he meant but I'm hoping it means they got enough cells for pathology to determine the type of cancer involved. Results could take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks depending, largely, on how close the pathologist "guesses" which stain to work with each time. After I saw him in recovery I came back up to the 8th floor waiting area, where Beth and Co, Larry and I, Rob and Tanya sat on Saturday evening for a visit. I'm sitting where they will wheel him by me on his way to his room, waiting. There is talk that he will go home yet today or perhaps tomorrow depending on having pain under control. We have an appointment with his oncologist on Monday, we think we might hear about results then. (As of now there is still not a final report on last weeks ct scan. I may have to be a little fierce, I hope not. It really isn't my nature to create discord and I really hate it so I have to be moved pretty far to stir things up! Course I'm already pretty stirred up so who knows!)

Sunday evening

Today's report: Larry's pain continues to increase daily so today they took away Viocodin and replaced it with both oral and IV morphine, Oral didn't manage it alone and the IV makes him nauseous so then he has to have IV meds for that. The combination just sends him to la la land making little z's! He's scheduled to be first in the morning for the biopsy, one of the doctors said that if they didn't take him early she'd have to put a hit out on the radiologist, to which Larry replied "Or my wife will" doctor said I was just about to say that! They know me only too well!

Had several inches of much needed rain overnight, and the thunder has begun again. Now there are flash flood warnings out. Feast or famine!

I finished one brown bear top and the other is ready for borders. I hope to get one sandwiched tonight and maybe a little stitching but I have some bookwork to do (like paying bills, which I have not done for like YEARS!) To do that I have to clean up my desk, may be a long night! I want to be at the hospital by 7:30 so who knows. Stuff just piles up and has to be dealt with regardless. What a bummer.

Saturday morning update

I'm just back from the hospital, he's doing as well as he can, I suppose. The pain in the liver area continues to increase, so more pain killers are required and they make him sleepy. There was some talk of him coming home as he has an "appointment" at 11:00am on Monday for the biopsy. (Perhaps my crankiness has paid off we shall see. ) However, the main internist wanted him to stay and even though I was not present I agree. They can manage the pain better there than we can here, his port will not have to be re-accessed (unless they keep him longer than Monday), he doesn't have to drive(well ride), wait etc. All around I think it's best. His temperature was down, blood sugar up. Sorry, but I can't get too churned up about the blood sugar thing as diabetes is not what is going to kill him. Too many other things to deal with. I'm taking him dinner later: bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato sandwich and a strawberry milk shake

I have tons to do but will work on the brown bear quilts as one is a gift for a soon to be born baby. I got one top mostly together yesterday so I'd like to finish it and the other then decide which top to quilt first. I'm going to give machine quilting a whirl, nothing more than stitch in the ditch just yet! Got back to my walks today, really felt good even though I missed the heron.

Friday's Larry Update

No biopsy today either. They left him without food, etc all day without telling him they wouldn't get to him today. I was really cranky about that last bit. I understand that things happen in hospitals that cause plans to change. I also understand (although, I don't especially like) this hospital's plan to "work in" the in-patients around the out-patients already scheduled. BUT, I do think some courtesy is required, in that a simple telephone call to the floor nurse with a "We aren't going to get to him today let him eat" would have made life better than our hanging about all day wondering until at 4pm we said, "They aren't coming for him today are they?" I voiced my frustration with this lack of courtesy to most anyone who would listen, including a couple of doctors and a patient advocate. Also considering some email/letters to some "higher-ups." So he will be in hospital until Monday earliest, if he gets the test then. (Which is not guaranteed.) There is no chance of his getting the test on Monday (or any day next week) if he comes home, which the doctor offered, so we decided to roll the dice in favor of his staying in. Also he is now running a low grade temp (and he never runs a temp.) I took him Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner, I've taken him food every time he's been in as their food is awful. This time there are so few things he can eat and I know them better than the hospital so tomorrow I'll fix him breakfast and dinner and take them to the hospital, probably take mine as well to keep him company.
So, after a crummy day, I'm going to go sew small pieces of fabric into strips!

Thursday evening

Nothing new to report, he's just lazing about in his bed (his hot bed) waiting for the biopsy. There is the chance they may let him come home tomorrow for a respite. The report from the biopsy won't be back until sometime next week and treatment won't begin until that's back and maybe not then if they don't get a large enough sample. You'll remember with the leg it took three tries, 2 with needles and one with surgery, I hope they get enough. They give him some very happy juice so he doesn't mind the needles so much except in his head. Anyway, Oncology gets the final say as to whether he comes home or not, it depends on how well he tolerates the procedure and if there are complications.

Thursday noon

Not much happening today, can't get the biopsy in until tomorrow so nothing can be done. Apparently, the liver looks like Swiss cheese (in places) which is not normal for Liposarcomas. So we wait. Larry is feeling much stronger this morning, more his orneriness! Already starting to ask repeatedly when he's going home--I'm for him staying since the IV fluids are the only thing beside pain meds they are doing for him at the moment. I'm afraid if they take that away we'll be right back at the beginning. Still has alot of pain and still can't eat much of anything--we're bringing in contraband! (strawberry milkshakes for one) I'll probably update again tonight but it is doubtful that there will be real news. I've taken to a rolling carry on bag to bring up here as I have so much stuff, my backpack gets too heavy!

Evening update

I left the hospital about 5 pm and a doctor came after I left, of course. The oncology fellow returned to tell Larry that they wished to do a needle biopsy of his liver to be certain it was the same cancer as is in his lungs and was in his leg. They hope to do this tomorrow, a different cancer would mean a different course of treatment. the pain in his back and side (where the liver is) has been treated with pain meds and he is resting better. Makes him sleepy but he can sleep so that's good. The IV fluids had already helped, he isn't so gray colored and has a bit more energy. I seriously doubt he could walk the hall without draining what "go" he has but he can sit up on the edge of the bed. Things look a bit better tonight, or I just have my head around it better. We weren't really surprised and thought we were prepared for the bad news we knew would come one of these days but it was a real jolt emotionally for us both.

I have some housework to do am trying to get just one or two things done in the morning and evening house wise, one thing in the yard and one in the trailer. I cannot live in a pigpen! I'll be heading in again about 9 in the morning and again will take the laptop and data card as it worked well. Am currently charging my phone and will take a charger along (geez, I need a rolling suitcase for all the stuff I take down there!) so it won't die as it did today. I finally got into my email tonight, hoping that doesn't change. This is my last update for today so signing off.

Oncology update

Okay, oncology was just here and the plan will probably be to re-start the chemo he was on last, and that worked, hoping that it will work again to both prolong his life and ease some of the pain. We still don't have a final report on the CT probably won't hear until tomorrow. They are consulting Dr Allen who is out of town but if he agrees they will begin again, probably tomorrow, in hospital as he is already starting out with some of the problems chemo caused for him. There is NO immediate danger to his life. He will probably go home next week. He has asked that you wait to visit until the weekend, he'd like to gain a little strength first.

Morning update

General doctor was just in. Liver enzymes still very high and blood sugar elevated some. Preliminary CT Scans results indicate that all tumors in lungs have grown to dime size, she could not count the number, and that a tumor in the liver has developed and grown. The oncologist will be in later with treatment options and final results. Altogether not good news.

On another note, I can't seem to access my email so please leave me comments here (Scott that's for you)

Will update later, this data card is working like a dream.

Larry's in the hospital again

After several weeks of stubbornness on his part I told Larry last night that if he wasn't feeling 200% better today he was going to the doctor. Well, I said Wednesday latest. If you saw him at the wedding you know how bad he looked and obviously felt, and I've been getting "horror" stories about him from people as well. He's been very tired, somewhat short of breath, has pain in his back and has been unable to eat much of anything-so he's lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks. So, today we took Steve and Candice to the airport and then went to the VA. They did some preliminary tests (blood, urine, etc) and determined that his liver enzymes are completely wacko--should be 40 and are 580. His gall bladder is out of wack as well by about the same. So without further ado they admitted him. Of course, we arrived at 1 and he was finally in his room at 6:30. He is having a CT scan tonight from his shoulders to his knees as it's the most likely to cover all the possibles the quickest. (No one could tell us why everything was out of wack yet.) He had to have a small IV in the arm which took three tries, drink yucky contrast liquid-and that made him sick, and still has to have his port accessed for an IV fluids and bloodwork. He flips from being hot to freezing every few minutes as well. He has had a very bad day.

I'm planning to take my laptop to the VA tomorrow with the data card so I can update this sooner, so keep watch. At the moment, he doesn't seem to be in immediate danger. He's in room 8282 but I forgot to write down the phone number (will blog that later) and his cell is dead so he's sort of out of touch, maybe he'll be able to sleep. I have no idea how long he'll be there at the moment, at least until they figure it out and get him feeling better. Believe me that's everything I know, wish there was more but there just isn't yet. You know what I know.

August sewing, goodies for California Girl

After Months of no craft sewing (only dressmaking) I finally got to play with the machine! I made all of these for our little California Girl. It was fun. Next up: two brown bear quilts and a denim quilt.