It's Friday

Today is always Frank's day off. It is always a weird day because I always think in the back of my mind it's Saturday. I always seem to get up before he does because I walk at 7 am. So, because I had Chemo at 8:30 I woke up at 6 am, did a load of wash and put it in the dryer. Breakfast was old-fashioned oatmeal with raisins, blueberries and half a banana. I knew if I didn't eat early I wouldn't get breakfast and I'm a person who is big on breakfast.Then I put this creme that deadens the port so they can access it 2 hrs. later.

Walked my 2 1/2 miles with my walking partner, gathered up reading books and packed some cut up watermelon, and left at 8:05 for my 3:30 appt. They have to test the blood to see how high my creatine (kidney) counts are. If they are too high they can't give me the bone strengthening drug called Zometa. Well, today it was the highest it has been since I started Chemo, 1.8. They cannot administer the Zometa as it is hard on the kidneys. So I tried to find something positive after the disappointment. ( I really did drink a lot of water before 8:30 am, but I don't understand why it is so high) I had a pity party for about 10 minutes and then did the self-talk. "At least I get to go home early today. I was out of there in 45 minutes!

Then it was off to the Marysville Travel Agency to pick up some brochures for a friend who decorates a window in the Senior Center where she lives. They asked me if I was planning a cruise for this year or next. I said next because I really didn't know what to say. I thought I could sneakily go in and take some and leave. No, that wasn't the case. She proceeded to take me to a overly large map on the wall and show me all the different routes. She also reminded me that hurricane season in July through September.

So 20 minutes later I am at Winco to pick up some things for lunch Our bishop and the elders are meeting over lunch to discuss a new plan for missionary work in the ward. My husband is the WMLeader and I am a ward missionary. I forgot that I promised a student I would stop by and pick up a check on the way home.

I got home around 11:30 and decided to fix Thai stir-fry with fresh ginger and oyster sauce and Thai rice noodles. I got out my Wok and for some strange reason could not find my plug-in for it so I cooked the stir-fry in my regular big fry pan. I added some frozen broccoli from last summer and lots of fresh grated ginger and garlic. I cut up a mini watermelon from Costco and added Costco green grapes to the bunch. Dessert I whipped up quickly and put in the fridge to cool; instant chocolate pudding with no fat cool whip. There was plenty of stir-fry left over because I always make so much, but none of the green grapes. The chocolate pudding was scarfed down quickly.

I took copious notes on what the men said so Frank and I could review it at a later time. Luckily my loving Husb. did all the dishes while I ran downstairs to rest and read my book. I have fallen in love with a new author, Diane Mott Davidson. She writes clean novels with a baking flair about a caterer. The one I just finished is called Fatally Flakey. All her novels have something in the title to do with baking which I love. some of the other books she has authored are "Sweet Revenge, Dark Tort, and Double Shot." She is quite a prolific author and most of her books I can check out from the library. Yeah!

Frank took a short nap while I finished my book and we took off with leftovers from lunch to eat while we were babysitting little Ben, Michele's son. Dave and Chelle had a temple wedding to attend and reception and went out to dinner.

We watched "The Lightning Thief, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Both movies were very entertaining. Both of my 10 year old nephews recently read "The Lightning Thief, " so it was fun to see what they loved about it.

10:00 pm Dave and Chelle arrived home and we called my piano student's parents who allowed us to drop by at 10:25 pm and pick up the check.

Now it almost 1:15 and I'm whiling away the time 'cause I can't sleep. I think I sort of feel a teensy weensy bit tired, cause I've got to walk at 7 am. I usually can get up after not much sleep because I'm still wired with energy from the steroids in the chemo.

How's that for a busy day. Whew, it makes me tired just reading it!

Weekend at Lagoon Amusement Park, Utah

This picture is of all the kids sitting and waiting to leave after a long and tiring day. I think they are waiting for cotton candy to give them some much needed energy.

I didn't realize when I took the picture but it has a sign saying "Lagoon" in the background.

Wednesday of last week Eric asked us if we wanted to go to Lagoon in Utah to help with the kids. Two days later we caravaned with Eric, leaving after my chemo. It was a 13 hr. trip on Friday and a 14 hr. trip on Monday. Heck of a lot of driving, but the kids all had a lot of fun and will be talking about their vacation trip clear into the school year!

We stayed at David and Rachel's home which they let us use even though they were on a trip to Montana. They left Friday afternoon and we arrived that night at 10:30 pm.

Camron off to adventures with his tube at the waterpark. It was so hot that day that they announced the waterpark was at capacity.
Colin, 7 yrs. said he went really fast by walking under the water. The water was very shallow.
One of the last rides Eric took the kids on before they headed to the coolness of the waterpark.
Ady trying out her tube without water first! It was 96 degrees that day and we felt it. Thank heavens we had seats in the shade most of the day.
Colin waiting for his Dad to come so they could ride in the water.
A quick snapshot of Eric with the kids. Only Ady is visible. Owen is out of the picture to the left.
All three, Ady, Colin and Owen are holding foot long corn dogs. Ady's, unfortunately didn't get in the picture.
Frank's tired already and Terrin is raring to go.
Sweet pensive Adyson.
Waiting to get on one last ride. Camron 14 yrs , Ady 4, Owen 5 in the protective arms of their Dad.
Terrin in the back seat of our car.

My Tomato

I left that beautiful tomato on the vine to ripen while I was gone for 4 days to Utah. When I came back the side had been munched on by probably a slug! I was livid. But we live in slug country. I guess I should have put slug bait around it. They usually leave the tomatoes untouched. Maybe it was even the starlings that eat my cheeries. So I cut off the side and ate the rest.

Now, I noticed there are aphids eating away at my Flemenco Cha Cha plant in a container on my front step.

I looked on-line for a natural spray. Here it is:

Natural Spray to Get Rid of Aphids.

1 and 1/2 c. water

1 c. vegetable oil

2 tsp. dish soap

Spray every couple of days until they are not visible.

Harvesting Veggies in July

The biggest tomato so far, but not the first to ripen. I've picked two before this one.

Stupice tomato.
Sweet 100's
Bush peas.
My front porch chair I inherited from the Leonards' move. I plan to refinish it and install an updated seat.

Summer Flowers

No explanation needed, just fuschia teardrop beautiful.
Beautiful Phlox. The bees are loving my front porch.
Flamenco Cha Cha on a chair on my front porch.
Bee Balm.
I had two hummingbirds yesterday eager to feast on these flowers. They were so fun to watch.
Crocosima; beautiful red blossoms coming out on top of long stemmed leafry.

Petunias
Daisies and Crocosima. You can see the long stalks. It almost looks like gladiola stems.

Ice Cream Making at Cindy's Lake house.

Rolling the can to make ice cream. Adyson is on my right and to her right is Owen.
Pouring on the rock salt.
I'm pretending to do a commercial explaining,"the can is now officially sealed with DUCT TAPE!
Stirring the milk, sugar and Instant chocolate pudding mixture. Owen is watching Brandon mix.

My Baby Boy has Flown the Coup

My baby boy has been married for six and a half months now. I miss him. My, how the time has gone by so fast raising our children. Frank and I find ourselves as official empty-nesters. We love the freedom we have to go and do when we want.
We actually have seen them about three or four times since January. We love our newest daughter in-law and she fits very well into our family. We will see them again when we travel to visit David and Rachel the 21st of August. Eric and his 5 children will also be going for vacation to Lagoon. Hopefully we'll get to see Jay and Dana then as well. Our newlyweds will be coming to SLC to fly out to Florida for their delayed honeymoon cruise.