The Times They Are A Changing

I mean the weather up here.  It's 87 one day and the next it's 66!  Sunshine followed by rain.  After seeing so much damage over the past few weeks, it's a nice change.

My heart goes out to all those in the Carolinas who suffered so much with Hurricane Florence. I have two friends who I kept in contact with to make sure that they were ok.  They were both far from the coast but loss of power and high winds with rain still made a few scary days.  Luckily they and their family are all ok. I hope that any of my readers are also ok from this storm.

In Massachusetts, there was an underground build up of gas and a explosion happened, killing 1 and damaging 60+ homes.  Power is back on but no gas for those remaining homes  still standing and surrounding areas.  Peoples have been displaced from their homes as well.

Here in NH we are just starting fall clean up.  We put away summer and embrace fall and dread the onslaught of winter.  I love the colors of fall.  I love the burnt oranges, and dark yellows.  I love the smell of fires burning and ovens on cooking a roasting chicken or a roast.  I love sweat pants and sweaters.  I don't like the cold temps and frozen feet.  I don't like cold hands and snow up to my knees.  I don't like driving on snow covered roads and feeling like I'm trapped in the house for the next 5 months.

Do you get ready for the fall/winter season?  Do you have a list of what you do?  Do you and your "other half" each take part of the list or do you do it all?  Do you have pets? Do you get them ready for the seasonal change as well?

Over the next few posts, I'll tell you our routine and if you feel like sharing, you can tell me  your routine.  This should be fun.

Last Day of Spring Hodgepodge

1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list.

1. Reclaim the grass!  Hubby has done the mowing for the past few years, which was wonderful of him to do since I couldn't but I love working on my lawn.  He didn't feed the lawn much and so over the past few years, the lawn looks neglected and now looks terrible!  Now that I'm feeling stronger, I have taken back the job of lawn care and am starting over to reclaim it and make it look FABULOUS!  It will be better next year because of all the work I'm going to put into it this year.  

2. Arcadia National Park in Maine!  I love this place and want badly to go back to it for a day, or better yet a weekend.  It's just beautiful up there.  

3. See more Baseball games.  We have a local team ( New Hampshire Fisher Cats) up here and the ballpark is nice.  We have gone to one game, but I would like to go a few more times for a Date Night.

2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime?

There was a local pond that we could walk to and go swimming.  There was a life guard on duty of course and a place where you could change your clothes and get a hot dog, chips and even ice cream if you wanted.  My girl friend, Sue, and I would walk down, spend the entire day (without adult supervision) and stop on the way back to get a soft serve ice cream from the small stand on the walk home.  It took us just a few minutes to walk there and back and we stayed the entire day.  Both of us were blond, light skinned girls so we never tanned - we burned - but loved swimming all day.  

3. Rooftop or backyard? Why?

 I can't remember ever going to a rooftop party but have been to lots of backyard parties.  I love being at those.  It gave me a chance to sit in the sun, visit others and even stick my feet in the kiddy pool to cool off.  I guess I could do that on a rooftop party but something about walking barefoot on the grass is just so soothing to the soul. 

4. Do you read food labels? Place importance on them? Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from?

For foods that I always get all the time, no, I don't look at the label.  But new things? Oh Yes I do!!  I need to know what I'm putting in my body for lots of reasons but mixing "things" I can't pronounce and Chemo drugs can be a real probblem so I look at labels.  In this day and age, knowing what is going into my body is very improtant.

5. A song you'll have on repeat this summer?

Well one song will not do.  It's the whole album!  ABBA!  Need I say more? Why yes, yes I do, It's not Summer without the Beach Boys!  So these 2 play over and over all summer, and fall!
 
6. Insert your own random thought here.


My mind is full of random thoughts today so here is part of the list running through my head today - and of course it's all the same time:
- This is week 2 of a new very strong Chemo infusion.  Last week went great and this week should be the same.  
- Did I put the lawn mower away after I mowed yesterday? - why can't I remember?
- That apple muffin was good, haven't had an apple muffin in a very long time.
- Boy, poor Hubby is going to have a long day today as this infusion takes a long time and he is just sitting here all day with me.
- A year ago I was back to work for a few hours each day, this year I am no longer working and sitting here getting premeds to protect me from the drug that I will get in about an hour.
There's more, but you get the point.  My poor head!!

A Hodgepodge of a Hodgepodge!

Good Morning all!  I hope you are enjoying the beautiful day we are having and enjoying the questions Joyce has for us today.  Come join us as we answer them.

1. What happens to the mail at your house?

Most of it goes right into the trash.  It's just junk after all.  I'm tempted to send it back by marking "Return to Sender" and having the company pay for postage for both directions but I don't.  That seems to just take too much time to do that.  

2. Something you always splurge on? Any guilt associated with the splurge?

I don't splurge on much, I'm pretty simple but I do like Jiff peanut butter and that is the brand that I spend money on.  I know that there are other brands that are more healthy but I like Jiff, so I buy that.  I feel no guilt at all.  

3. There are many, but what are two important questions you think every bride and groom should ask/answer before they plan their walk down the aisle?

WOW, after being married for so long it's hard to remember what we should have talked about before  we got married but I think the conversation about children (do you both want them and how many, how far apart, who will stay home with them or are you both going to work and have a sitter or use a daycare etc) and plans about where to live (which state, near parents or not, house, apartment, condo, etc) are the questions they should talk about.  I know that is most likely more than 2 questions, but really, important  questions.  

4. What's the best advice your father ever gave you?

Swing as high as you can on the swing but make sure you can jump off safely if you need to.  

5. Your favorite movie where a father features heavily in the storyline?

3 Men and Baby.   

These 3 men who know nothing about babies learn to raise one and learn to love someone else beside themselves.  Babies don't come with directions after all do they. 

 
6. Insert your own random thought here.

I was out with some friends on Tuesday and as always we were sharing some of our past.  I discovered that I am surrounded by very strong, determined, brave women who have faced tough times or are currently facing tough times but they do it with laughter, a smile, conviction to do the right thing, and a strong belief in a God who loves them and cares for them.  I can learn a lot from my friends.  I love my friends.  I hope you all love yours.  Have a great week.  

The Official Start of Summer is Here Hodgepodge.

These questions always make me think which is something that really takes time.  Thank you Joyce. 

1. The last place you visited/patronized where you felt like you were given 'the royal treatment'?

This is easy.  Last Sunday Hubby brought home flowers for me.  I'd been grounded for a week and couldn't go to worship.  I love going to worship, and singing with all my "brothers and sisters." The sound is so beautiful.  The sermon is always so meaningful.  I was pretty sad about being stuck in the house with no one but the Littles to hang with.  The flowers really picked me up.

2. The last task you completed that was a 'royal pain'?

WOW this one is hard because there is really nothing that I can think of that is a real 'royal pain' to do.  I guess paying bills.  It's a necessary evil I guess. 

3. How have your strengths helped you succeed? How have your faults hindered you?

Living with cancer can really create times of depression, but I refuse to go there. I keep looking for the things that I can still do and really try to not think about the things that I can no longer do.  

As for my faults, I tend to go to the dark side of things fast.  Example: I have a doctor's appointment Friday with one of my oncologists and my mind wants to think "Oh No! We're out of options and he is going to tell me that I'm out of time?"  See...the dark side!  I really have to yell at myself and say "NO! He's going to me tell me what the new plan is and that it will all be OK.  That I'm strong enough to tackle this."  

4. If you found a remote that could rewind, fast forward, stop and start time, what would you do with it?

Well it sure wouldn't be 'fast forward'!  Time goes by too fast as it is. I'm sure not going to help it along.  I think I would like to rewind and relive some of the great times we had when our kids were little but I wonder if I would still make the same mistakes.  Maybe I'd just toss the remote because I'm not sure you can relive the past without changing it which would change the present. I like the present. 


5. Any special plans for the Memorial Day weekend? Will you in some way honor or recognize the meaning of this day (remembering people who died in service to their country)? Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery? Does your town do anything special to mark the day?

 We will most likely lay low.  Nothing special although I would like to go the beach and walk around if the weather is nice.  I've not been to Arlington National Cemetery but it's on my bucket list.  Our town does have a cute parade which is always fun.  Of course there will be tv movies about WWII that we will most likely watch and remember.  My dad was not in the military but my Father-In-Law was. So we will watch and thank all of the military for their sacrifice. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Well my white count came up so thank you all for the many prayers.  I still can't start Chemo however, because in the 3 weeks we waited for the white count to grow, the cancer grew very fast.  So on Friday, we see my oncologist to create a new plan.  Not sure what that plan will be, but we'll talk.  
There is a shingles vaccine that is a dead vaccine and one that my primary care doctor said I can have.  So we are going to talk about that with our oncologist and see if I can get it.  It will mean that I can stop taking the pill that I now take 2x a day to prevent getting the shingles!  That is huge!  I can now stop taking the drug to lower my cholesterol as it is down.  I love not having to take so many drugs.

Happy Memorial Day to you all and Thank you to all those who have served in the past and continue to serve today.  

A SMALL STEP BACKWARD HODGEPODGE

Thank you Joyce for the questions this week.  These are a challenge for me!  

1. What would you say is your biggest day to day challenge?

WOW! This first question really hit me hard.  I would have to say that my biggest challenge is finding "Normal".  There is not really a normal anymore when you live with cancer.  Everything and anything can become hard.  I feel as if I live in a bubble that will pop at any time and I will end up back in the hospital.  Push too hard, do too much, visit too many and I'm stuck in the house with some minor bug or too tired to continue with my chemo.  Not sure what is normal anymore.  


2. May 16th is National Biographers Day. What's a biography you really enjoyed reading? Is this a genre you read regularly?

This is not something that I read regularly so I had to really think about this.  I think it was the Diary of Ann Frank.  Hearing her side of life and knowing the ending was interesting.  

3. How important is keeping a clean house? Do you need to de-clutter your life?

I love a clean house.  Now, not the hospital clean mind you, but the kind that says come on in and kick your shoes off, relax, here is a glass of iced tea.  Since there are only 2 of us here most of the time, it's pretty easy to keep things tidy.  Hubby helps a lot and often finishes what I start when I run out of steam. Examples?  He will do the dishes when I cook.  He will bring up the laundry from the laundry room when I run out of steam and put them away.  He will cook if I can't -good thing I married a man who knows how to cook. As for de-cluttering my life, my life is not cluttered at the moment, it's pretty simple, which I love.  

4. You're the 8th dwarf. What's your name?

Grateful. I have a God who loves me and died for me.   I have a hubby who loves me and takes care of me.  I have friends who love me and pray for me.  I have grandchildren who make me smile and laugh.  I just learned that our oldest grandson is content with his life and wants nothing for his birthday.  If only we all could learn to be content with what we have.  What a great boy he is!!

5. What's surprised you the most about your life or life in general?

How time flies!  Really, you blink and your kids are grown and gone living great lives and being productive members of society.  You look at your husband and realize that soon your 46th wedding anniversary will be in a few months and wonder "when on earth did that happen?"


6. Insert your own random thought here.

Well last week I told you that I needed to grow white cells and so I was grounded.  I'm still grounded, as I didn't grow them, in fact my numbers went in the wrong direction.  My white count went down even more, not up.  I'm stuck home and grounded again.  Can't go out in public at all.  Stuck at home.  We'll try again on Monday.  See, Frustration is my name right now.  

Project Hodgepodge!

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. It finally feels like spring up her in the upper right hand corner of the USA and it may feel like summer by the end of the day.  Thank you Joyce for the questions.


1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Is there a flower you associate with a particular memory? Explain.

I love Lillies and have planted them in just about every house we have lived in. They start to pop up out of the ground while there is still snow on it and it reminds me that Spring is coming after such a long cold snowy winter and that life does does begin anew.  It makes my spirit glad to see life coming  from such cold and bleakness.


2. Last time you helped someone? Tell us how.
Hubby and I went to a few stores yesterday and so I helped him with putting things into the shopping cart.  That counts right?  These stores were new to us so navigation around the store involved a lot of walking since we would inevitably in the wrong part of the store for what we were looking for. It made for a fun morning of laughing and having fun while we shopped. 

3. It's National Salsa Month (the food, not the dance) so tell us, do you like salsa? Hot, medium, or mild? Homemade, store bought, or from your favorite restaurant only?
No, I'm not a huge fan of Salsa. I guess that is something that I never learned to enjoy in those years when we lived in the southwest. 


4. When I was twelve years old...

I was in the 7th grade at a Catholic grammar school (yes they were called grammar schools back then and not elementary schools)  I didn't like the school.  I rode my bike to and from school as we didn't have a school bus.  We lived 2.5 miles from the school so walking was out of the question. In the winter, when it was too hard to ride my bike the local city bus driver would pick me up at the bus stop and get me as close to school as he could without leaving his designated route.  He didn't charge me as I think he took pity on me. I was tall and skinny which made me the butt of many jokes.  7th grade is a hard time of life for a girl anyways so I think a lot of us feel that we were awkward and trying to find where we belonged in life.  


5. It's the first of May so let's run with it-first things first, don't know the first thing about it, first dibs on something, first impression, first rate, first cousin, first string, first come first served, at first light-which phrase can best be applied to something in your life currently or even recently?
I'm such morning person that At first light suits me perfectly.  I wake up when the sun comes up and I jump out of bed and get going on projects all over the house.  I sleep like a log and so I'm up and ready at 5:30 easily   Don't ask me my name at sun down however because I will be sound asleep on the couch with my bifocals on my face.  I run out of gas and come to a crashing halt fast!!


6. Insert your own random thought here.

I have a new project that I'm working on.  It's these dinning room chairs.  After looking at them for 42 years in dark mahogany stain it's time to freshen them up.  They are all (6 of them) becoming this dark red that I love to bits. Some of the chairs need to be fixed but then they are all getting a coat (or maybe 2) of this wonderful barn red that will just make them pop.  Still deciding what to do with the table but I'll keep you posted.  

Spring has Sprung Hodgepodge

I'm joining Joyce again for this weeks Hodgepodge questions.  She comes up with them, we answer them.  Can't get much easier than that!

1. They say you learn something new every day. What did you learn yesterday?
I learned that Hubby had a fun childhood. I always knew that but hearing some of the places he played as a child was fun.  Even after 45 years, I'm still leaning things about him.

2. Have you ever had a now or never moment? Elaborate.
Sometimes on Facebook I'll see an amusement park ride with the caption "Would you?"  It usually involves a whole lot  of elevation and some spinning, twirling, falling sort of contraption that you are locked into.  There is no way I'm doing that!! So that is a definite NEVER moment.  But traveling, or time spent with the grands is a NOW moment.  

3.  April 25th is National Telephone Day. Do you still have a land line or have you gone mobile only? When you receive a text message do you respond immediately? Last time you turned your phone off?  In two or three sentences share with us a story/memory/incident from your childhood (or something current if that's too hard) where the telephone is featured.

We have a land line but rarely use it. Mostly we use it for the caller ID function.  If we don't know the caller, we don't answer the phone.  I'm so sick of the robo calls.  I guess the Do Not Call function that we signed up for does absolutely nothing.
I don't always respond to a text message right away, it depends on the text.  Some are about what the other person did for supper or what their dog is wearing that is cute or funny.  Those types of text can wait.  My phone goes off every night and when I'm at church.  It only rings if someone on the VIP (very important person) list calls me.  Everyone else goes to voice mail till I'm awake.
Growing up we had a "Party line" where 3 of us were on the same line and you could listen in to others if you were so inclined. If you needed the phone for an emergency you needed to first get the others off the phone and then you could call for the emergency.


4. Close call, at someone's beck and call, call the shots, call a meeting, call it quits, call in sick, call on the carpet, wake up call...which call have you 'heard' recently? Explain.
Call it quits fits me this week.  I quit trying to gain weight -yes I'm one of those who is underweight - don't hate me, it really is an issue. I quit running around trying to get so much done in one day. I quit getting the yard raked and ready for spring in one week.  I just plain quit.

5. What subject do you wish you'd paid more attention to in school?

Math.  Especially the type of math used to figure out long term finances.  Do we have enough to live on, how do we get more, how can we invest better - that sort of thing.  It would have been much easier to learn those skills then, it's harder when we get older (well for me at least)

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Spring has finally shown up in the Northeast.  I'm so happy to sit outside and watch the traffic go by with a nice cup of tea and have the sun shine on me.  The yard will still be there tomorrow to work on.

The Sun Came Out on Hodgepodge Day!

Welcome to the Hodgepodge.  Joyce creates the questions, we answer them.  Come join us for fun. 

1. Three things on your spring bucket list? If you don't have an actual list that's fine, pretend you do.

My spring bucket list is : Garden,  Rake, and Visit the beach with the Hubby and the Littles (the dogs) 

2. Where do you find rest? What restores your soul? When was the last time you did whatever it was you answered here?

I find rest at home. It's quiet here and it's loving here, and Hubby is here.  That gives me rest.  Home also stores my soul.  I can do my Bible reading here and reflect on all my many blessings. 

3. April is National Celery Month. Who knew? Do you like celery? What's your favorite dish made with celery? On a veggie and dip platter which would you reach for first-carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes? 

I do like celery but mostly in soups and stews.  If it's in the veggie platter, it will not be the first thing I take, peppers will be.  

4. I read here eight things to do before 8 am to make your day less hectic-Start one load of laundry, drink water, empty the dishwasher, read your Bible, know what you're having for dinner, get dressed, brain dump (two lists-one what you're thankful for and one what's weighing on your mind), and after the brain dump make your to-list for the day

My list is for the day, it's not a list to get done before 8am.  I'm retired and have all day to get it done! 

My to do list for today is: 1-Get dressed, 2-read my Bible, 3-feed the Littles (dogs), 4-get Littles to doggie daycare, 5-start a load of wash, 6-take a nap, 7- Be thankful for my health, 8-make sure I am ready for another medical test on Thursday.

5. Describe the view from your window.

A picture is worth a thousands words.  I love living in the country.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Barbara Bush has left this earth and she leaves behind a story of love, caring, determination, and standing by her husband.  The news has been all good about her and her love of her husband and children.  She was looking forward to seeing her daughter who had died many years ago of cancer.  I hope she got her wish.  Rest in Peace Barbara and may peace also surround your family.  

Another week, Another Hodgepodge.

Once again it's Hodgepodge time and once again I'm thanking Joyce for great questions.

1. What's a word that describes your life? A word you wish described your life?
My life is Blessed!!
A word I wish described my life?  Healthier. 

2. Back in my day we___________________________________?
...had to get up and walk to the tv if we wanted to change channel.  Or have a kid do it for us.

3. When it comes to takeout are you more likely to opt for Italian, Mexican, or Chinese food? Does a typical week at your house include takeout?
Italian, more specifically - Pizza.  We like pizza (well who doesn't really).  We don't have takeout every week but at least once a month.

4. Think about the people you most respect. What is it about them that earned your respect?
It would be the way they treat others.  I love seeing how they treat others with love, kindness, gentleness and without judgement at all.  We should all strive to treat each other that way.

5. What's something your friends might see and say is 'so you'?
Anything having to do with summer, warm weather, sunshine, dogs, gardening.  All of that is so me.  

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday was my birthday.  In the past, I never wanted it announced at restaurants because I hated the whole "gather around the table and sing some silly song to me."  This year I didn't care at all.  It's been a tough year getting to this point and I'm thrilled that we made it.  Hubby spoiled me with taking me out to eat twice  (breakfast and dinner).  I didn't care who knew it was my birthday and I enjoyed being spoiled all day.  Even the car got a nice wash - yes it's suppose to rain today and that is on me.  It was a blessed day because I was alive to enjoy it with Hubby.  

SPRING OF A HODGEPODGE!

Oh what a beautiful Hodgepodge that Joyce created for all of us to enjoy.  

1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year.

I want to try gardening again this year.  Last summer Hubby planted a few veggies in containers for us to have a container garden.  However, my health was not very good and we didn't keep it up. This year, I feel better and really want to see if we can keep the plants alive.  So gardening is what I'm looking forward to this year.

2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?

I love to spring clean!  I know it sounds funny, most people want to get the cleaning done, but I really do enjoy opening the windows and letting the winter muck flow out and the spring air come in.  I would rather clean out the closets, dust celling fans, wipe down the patio furniture outside and none of these are done.  We still have snow on the deck and the pellet stove is still running.  So we wait. 

3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?

I guess I'm a simple person, toast with cream cheese, baked potato with sour cream and hot coco with whipped cream.  

4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?
Just about any of my cancer drugs!  I don't know why the powers that be can't name drugs "Sue", "Charles" or something easy to say but they don't. The drugs have several syllables and odd sounding names.  

5. What's a song you love with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics?

"Singing in the rain."  I love that song! And the dance that goes with it. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I love having it lighter in the evening but I still can't get use to waking up to darkness.  I really like waking up to a sunrise or better yet, the sun already shinning into the bedroom. I'm happy that winter is in the past and that Spring is here.  Hello There!!!

Transitions

This is our front yard at the moment, part winter and part spring. If you enlarge the photo, you can see both snow and plants popping up on brown dirt.  This is the perfect photo of my life at the moment.  Part in the past, my mind becomes filled with the memories of working outside of the home with lots of things to do after work - and part in the present, retired, easy going, trying to find my way with the talents and gifts that I have been given by God.  

There have been lots of transitions in my life, after all Hubby was in the Air Force for 8 years and we moved a lot.  Then of course we had children with all the after school business that comes with kids.  Add a full time job, church functions, friends, moving a few more times and don't get me started on the aging process and what surprises cancer drops on a person and there have been a lot of transitions.  With each change, with each transition, Hubby and I took it one day at a time.  This retirement transition is the same thing.  

Are you in transition? How is your transition going?  What is your transition?  Don't panic, just take it one day at a time and remember that you have had other transitions in your life.  So far you have overcome them all.  That's a great record!! 

Have a great day!