Monday I made a pumpkin pie, Tuesday two batches of rolls and another pumpkin pie. I am so grateful to feel well enough to bake which I love to do.
My kids will be going to their in-laws so Brent and Frank and I and the missionaries that live in our home are going to someone's home in our ward. She is cooking a turkey and I am cooking one also since there will be 20 people! She has the room to seat 20 people easily. So I am just waiting for the turkey to come out at 12:30 then it's off to Robin's house to make gravy and potatoes. You see, Robin is not much of a cook, so I committed to make the gravy and potatoes. It should be a lot of fun with so many people.
Frank gets five days off, not having to work until next Tuesday. He is very excited to not have to arise at 4:40 each morning for the next little while.
We are so grateful for all our blessings especially of renewed health. Our Father in Heaven blesses us so abundantly. I want to send our love to all of you near and far and wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving from the Marchants!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
An Old Man's Wisdom
I have had this attached to my fridge for two years and thought it would be worth sharing.
There is an old saying, "When an old man dies, a library closes." (An older man wrote this to the newspaper).
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU GIVE BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
SAVOR THIS WORLD OF BEAUTY.
HARDSHIPS ARE THE SOURCE OF MOST OF OUR LEARNING.
SOMETHING EASILY WON LACKS IMPORTANCE.
REACHING YOUR GOALS IS ONE OF LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS.
SOMETHING GIVEN TO US WITHOUT EFFORT LACKS WORTH.
IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM AND DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, YOU BECOME PART OF THE PROBLEM.
LESSONS LEARNED IN RAISING CHILDREN ARE THE GREATEST PLEASURES A PERSON CAN EXPERIENCE AND OFTEN TEACH THE PARENT MORE THAN THE CHILD.
DEPRIVATION IS A GREAT TEACHER.
SLEEPING IN A CORNFIELD DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS CAN LEAD TO A GREAT APPRECIATION OF THE FINER THINGS OF LIFE.
PEOPLE MAY WALK THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT CARING, BUT IF THEY REACH OUT TO OTHERS THEY WILL FIND KINDRED SPIRITS.
LONELINESS IS A SPECIAL TIME TO TRULY EXPERIENCE FEELINGS THAT WILL SERVE YOU FOR A LIFETIME.
CARING FOR OTHERS BRINGS JOY, ONLY IF YOU CARE WITH YOUR HEART.
ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH IS A NECESSITY, BUT ACCUMULATION FOR YOUR OWN PLEASURES IS A MISTAKE.
A WISH FOR YOUR FRIENDS - HARDSHIP THEY CAN HANDLE, WORK THAT WILL MAKE THEM PROUD AND FULFILLMENT OF SOME OF THEIR WISHES.
THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS OF THE SOUL.
A MAN WITHOUT PURPOSE IS A MAN WITHOUT DIRECTION.
TRYING TO "PROVE" YOUR WORTH IS A LIFE-LONG TASK.
LIFE IS NOW AND NO ONE CAN PREDICT HOW LONG NOW WILL LAST, SO DO WHAT YOU MUST - NOW.
LIFE IS FLEETING, SO STOP AND ENJOY YOUR WORLD.
H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G!!!
There is an old saying, "When an old man dies, a library closes." (An older man wrote this to the newspaper).
WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU GIVE BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
SAVOR THIS WORLD OF BEAUTY.
HARDSHIPS ARE THE SOURCE OF MOST OF OUR LEARNING.
SOMETHING EASILY WON LACKS IMPORTANCE.
REACHING YOUR GOALS IS ONE OF LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS.
SOMETHING GIVEN TO US WITHOUT EFFORT LACKS WORTH.
IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM AND DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, YOU BECOME PART OF THE PROBLEM.
LESSONS LEARNED IN RAISING CHILDREN ARE THE GREATEST PLEASURES A PERSON CAN EXPERIENCE AND OFTEN TEACH THE PARENT MORE THAN THE CHILD.
DEPRIVATION IS A GREAT TEACHER.
SLEEPING IN A CORNFIELD DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS CAN LEAD TO A GREAT APPRECIATION OF THE FINER THINGS OF LIFE.
PEOPLE MAY WALK THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT CARING, BUT IF THEY REACH OUT TO OTHERS THEY WILL FIND KINDRED SPIRITS.
LONELINESS IS A SPECIAL TIME TO TRULY EXPERIENCE FEELINGS THAT WILL SERVE YOU FOR A LIFETIME.
CARING FOR OTHERS BRINGS JOY, ONLY IF YOU CARE WITH YOUR HEART.
ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH IS A NECESSITY, BUT ACCUMULATION FOR YOUR OWN PLEASURES IS A MISTAKE.
A WISH FOR YOUR FRIENDS - HARDSHIP THEY CAN HANDLE, WORK THAT WILL MAKE THEM PROUD AND FULFILLMENT OF SOME OF THEIR WISHES.
THE EYES ARE THE WINDOWS OF THE SOUL.
A MAN WITHOUT PURPOSE IS A MAN WITHOUT DIRECTION.
TRYING TO "PROVE" YOUR WORTH IS A LIFE-LONG TASK.
LIFE IS NOW AND NO ONE CAN PREDICT HOW LONG NOW WILL LAST, SO DO WHAT YOU MUST - NOW.
LIFE IS FLEETING, SO STOP AND ENJOY YOUR WORLD.
H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G!!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Results of My Surgery
Well, last night was surreal.
I reacted to the Antibiotic causing me to break out in a rash all over my body. I called the doctor who did the surgery and I was advised to take bendryl which eventually terminated the rash. However, I wasn't done yet, I guess. After not eating any solid food that day I really wanted to eat. All that came up three times, even after taking my anti-nausea pills.
I was very dizzy and light-headed and could barely drag myself out of the recliner to get to my bed.
Anyway on the positive side, I hope the worst in over. So today I'm drinking liquids, trying to gain a little more strength and energy!
Brent has a cold and cough so I'm trying to stay away from him. It's kinda hard when he keeps coming in my bedroom saying, "do we have any soup," and later, "do we have a thermometer?" I gave him a steamer and told him to use it. It's funny how he is twenty-two but when he is sick he needs his mommy!
I reacted to the Antibiotic causing me to break out in a rash all over my body. I called the doctor who did the surgery and I was advised to take bendryl which eventually terminated the rash. However, I wasn't done yet, I guess. After not eating any solid food that day I really wanted to eat. All that came up three times, even after taking my anti-nausea pills.
I was very dizzy and light-headed and could barely drag myself out of the recliner to get to my bed.
Anyway on the positive side, I hope the worst in over. So today I'm drinking liquids, trying to gain a little more strength and energy!
Brent has a cold and cough so I'm trying to stay away from him. It's kinda hard when he keeps coming in my bedroom saying, "do we have any soup," and later, "do we have a thermometer?" I gave him a steamer and told him to use it. It's funny how he is twenty-two but when he is sick he needs his mommy!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sleep walking
I just read Tiffany Lowe's blog about Jerika sleepwalking.
It reminding me of two of my boys who had that problem.
When we lived in Spokane we lived in a duplex with a single Mom with 3 kids next door. Eric, my oldest, got up, still sound asleep, walked out the back sliding door and knocked on the neighbors slider and asked her some silly question about money she owed us. (She didn't owe us any money)
Brent, our youngest didn't so much sleep walk but he went through a period of time where he had night terrors or nightmares. But the freaky thing was he would wake up crying, having the nightmare, but he was so sound asleep we could not wake him up for anything.
Tiffany, I hate to tell you this but when you have a lot of kids they are going to wake up and in the process other kids wake up too. It's our personal nightmare as parents!!
All I can say is HANG IN THERE! This too shall pass and they grow up far to fast and they are gone! So appreciate the good and the bad!
It reminding me of two of my boys who had that problem.
When we lived in Spokane we lived in a duplex with a single Mom with 3 kids next door. Eric, my oldest, got up, still sound asleep, walked out the back sliding door and knocked on the neighbors slider and asked her some silly question about money she owed us. (She didn't owe us any money)
Brent, our youngest didn't so much sleep walk but he went through a period of time where he had night terrors or nightmares. But the freaky thing was he would wake up crying, having the nightmare, but he was so sound asleep we could not wake him up for anything.
Tiffany, I hate to tell you this but when you have a lot of kids they are going to wake up and in the process other kids wake up too. It's our personal nightmare as parents!!
All I can say is HANG IN THERE! This too shall pass and they grow up far to fast and they are gone! So appreciate the good and the bad!
Surgery Today
I have mixed emotions about today. As a result of Chemo twice a week I have to get poked with a needle for IV twice a week also. Today I will he having an operation for a port to be put in my upper chest so no more IV's! Yea! Mixed emotions though. After midnight last night I am not allowed to eat any solid food. So this morning, knowing I couldn't eat a normal breakfast, I laid in bed until 9 am and finished a book I have been reading. I figured that would be a great way to make the time go. So now I am enjoying a cup of beef broth. Later this morning I will top that off with an ample glass of apple juice and maybe some water and by 12:30 pm will finish off the can of beef broth. After 12:30 nothing can touch my lips, even water until I have the surgery this afternoon at 4:15 pm. They will install a port under my skin. Ninety mintues before I have Chemo I put a lotion on the spot where the port is buried and kinda like the dentist they can pierce the skin with a needle to give the Chemo or take blood work.
Surgery ends at 5:15 and Frank will be there when I recover. I won't be able to leave until 6:30. So food is going to look really enticing when I get home.
I am nervous about the anethesia but confident the doctors perform this surgery very often. Most of the people at the Cancer Center have these ports.
Wish me well and hope I don't loose too much weight today on a liquid diet!
Surgery ends at 5:15 and Frank will be there when I recover. I won't be able to leave until 6:30. So food is going to look really enticing when I get home.
I am nervous about the anethesia but confident the doctors perform this surgery very often. Most of the people at the Cancer Center have these ports.
Wish me well and hope I don't loose too much weight today on a liquid diet!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Dennis, Julie and Jay (Teenagers)
A rare photo of the three of us at our backyard in Beaverton, Oregon
Leaving the Homestead
February of 1963 we left the only home we had ever known. Dad had an auction to sell all our farm equipment and we packed up what was left in our GMC truck. Remember Jay and Dennis when Jay lost a wheel on that truck in Beaverton and ran into the side of my Elementary School? Dad had replaced a flat tire the day before and we think he did not tighten the lug nuts so the wheel just fell off and rolled in front of Jay as he was driving!!!! That's what I remember about that old truck!
Vacation with our Thelin Family
I love this picture of a rare family vacation. I guess Dad took the picture.
Myra Thelin and Baby Julie
I love these old pictures of my Mom because I do not remember her. I was six years old when she passed away half a century ago!
My Ballerina Fantasy
Thanks to Tiffany Lowe for giving me the idea to delve into the many pictures and files I have on MY computer.
This one is Christmas on the farm at nine years old. I had asked for a ballerina doll and I'm proudly displaying it for everyone to see! I still remember that exhilarating feeling I felt seeing that doll under the tree!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A New Start
Sunday night Kali and Jennifer and Ethan dropped by and brought me some sweet presents for my b-day. One of the special items was a necklace with three medalions that said, "Faith, Hope, Love." Those three qualities are what I need the most right now. Cinnamon candles are scenting my living room thanks to Kali. Also the giant chocolate bar and icing scented lip gloss were not too shabby! Thanks Kali!!!
Monday was my birthday and my friends took me to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch. I had my usual favorite, Super burrito with a topping of guacomole and sour cream." We visited for about an hour and a half. It was so fun and all eight of my favorite people were there!
Then we went to Rite Aid since they had laundry soap on sale, and there they were, all the Christmas items you with which you could be dazzled and only three days after Halloween! It makes me cringe that they put out Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving. I guess most people are not like me. They like to shop early!!!
That afternoon I had one lesson and it was nice to make a new start. I got that enthusiasm for what I greatly love to do and that is to teach!!!
David and Rachel called and it was nice to hear from them too. I don't like that I don't have all my family close by, but phone calls keep us in touch!
That night Frank and Brent took me to Red Robin, our favorite hangout. I had a free coupon. I told the waitress I did not want to be sung to, but they did anyway and brought me a hot fudge sundae, which I could not eat cause I was too full!!! Brent instantly volunteered to eat it for me. Thanks Brent!
Tuesday my daughter Michelle called and she took me to lunch at a local restaurant called the "Chatterbox." It specializes in Thai, Indian and American food. We both liked the food there. Chelle got me a CD that I really liked (Classical). How did she know I needed Mary Kay stuff, Extra Emollient Night Cream and Eye Mask? Thanks Chelle. We really enjoyed our time shopping at Costco and she delivered me to my Chemo appointment.
Eric and Heather called that same day thinking my birthday was the 4th. He had it on his PD for the wrong day! I appreciated their thoughtfulness.
This morning I felt almost normal. I completed two loads of wash, folded and put them away, vacuumed the living room and family room and even had time to get my nails done and load the dishwasher and run it. These are ordinary run of the mill jobs that you all take for granted. These things I have not been able to do for 1 1/2 months! So be continually grateful for what you CAN do. You never know when it may be taken away!!
This afternoon I had four lessons. It could have been five, but she came and said she was sick with a cough and runny nose. I told her I would see her when she got well. I can't afford to come in contact with sick people when my counts are down. I guess it is my "new normal."
But tonight I am a little more tired than usual, but it's a good tired!
Monday was my birthday and my friends took me to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch. I had my usual favorite, Super burrito with a topping of guacomole and sour cream." We visited for about an hour and a half. It was so fun and all eight of my favorite people were there!
Then we went to Rite Aid since they had laundry soap on sale, and there they were, all the Christmas items you with which you could be dazzled and only three days after Halloween! It makes me cringe that they put out Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving. I guess most people are not like me. They like to shop early!!!
That afternoon I had one lesson and it was nice to make a new start. I got that enthusiasm for what I greatly love to do and that is to teach!!!
David and Rachel called and it was nice to hear from them too. I don't like that I don't have all my family close by, but phone calls keep us in touch!
That night Frank and Brent took me to Red Robin, our favorite hangout. I had a free coupon. I told the waitress I did not want to be sung to, but they did anyway and brought me a hot fudge sundae, which I could not eat cause I was too full!!! Brent instantly volunteered to eat it for me. Thanks Brent!
Tuesday my daughter Michelle called and she took me to lunch at a local restaurant called the "Chatterbox." It specializes in Thai, Indian and American food. We both liked the food there. Chelle got me a CD that I really liked (Classical). How did she know I needed Mary Kay stuff, Extra Emollient Night Cream and Eye Mask? Thanks Chelle. We really enjoyed our time shopping at Costco and she delivered me to my Chemo appointment.
Eric and Heather called that same day thinking my birthday was the 4th. He had it on his PD for the wrong day! I appreciated their thoughtfulness.
This morning I felt almost normal. I completed two loads of wash, folded and put them away, vacuumed the living room and family room and even had time to get my nails done and load the dishwasher and run it. These are ordinary run of the mill jobs that you all take for granted. These things I have not been able to do for 1 1/2 months! So be continually grateful for what you CAN do. You never know when it may be taken away!!
This afternoon I had four lessons. It could have been five, but she came and said she was sick with a cough and runny nose. I told her I would see her when she got well. I can't afford to come in contact with sick people when my counts are down. I guess it is my "new normal."
But tonight I am a little more tired than usual, but it's a good tired!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
New Update
This week I decided that it was time to step it up a bit. I decided to walk outside every day, not far but just walk a little distance. I feel like that has toned my back muscles because I don't have as many back spasms. I still have them to some degree but the pain is less.
I had chemo yesterday and saw the oncologist. He told me something very shocking. When people have kidney failure there is a 50/50 chance that the kidneys will come back to normal. He said there are people he is treating with myeloma who are having chemo and at the same time are on dialysis. I am so lucky, no blessed to have a ward family that fasted and prayed for my recovery and so many of your prayers were heard!!!
Yesterday we went to see our grandkids before treat or treat and they weren't dressed in their costumes yet. But we know there was a cheerleader, a ghoul, a character from scream, and a skeleton. So they must have been quite a sight to behold. The family had a bout of the flu go through the family this week but by Friday everyone seemed to be healthy again!!!
Today and yesterday were red-letter days for me. I vacuumed the stairs without a lot of back spasms. This morning at 10 we saw our grandson play flag football and he enjoyed having us there.
Later, until next time
I had chemo yesterday and saw the oncologist. He told me something very shocking. When people have kidney failure there is a 50/50 chance that the kidneys will come back to normal. He said there are people he is treating with myeloma who are having chemo and at the same time are on dialysis. I am so lucky, no blessed to have a ward family that fasted and prayed for my recovery and so many of your prayers were heard!!!
Yesterday we went to see our grandkids before treat or treat and they weren't dressed in their costumes yet. But we know there was a cheerleader, a ghoul, a character from scream, and a skeleton. So they must have been quite a sight to behold. The family had a bout of the flu go through the family this week but by Friday everyone seemed to be healthy again!!!
Today and yesterday were red-letter days for me. I vacuumed the stairs without a lot of back spasms. This morning at 10 we saw our grandson play flag football and he enjoyed having us there.
Later, until next time
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