I'm on the Five Year Plan!

Today was the day for my colonoscopy and I am very excited! LOL All is clear and I am on the five year plan! Please, please, please, if you are at risk or over 50, take a little trip to the doctor and ask about this test. I personally didn't like that I was on a liquid diet for 36 hours, and the prep is a pain in the butt (pun intended) but finding out that you have Stage 4 cancer (and it was too late) is horrible. So, sign up, people... On the vacation front, I've been finishing a chore a day. House windows are washed, truck is washed and waxed, fish tank is cleaned. I am on a roll. I am going to include today's doctor visit in my list of chores, thank you very much. Next week I've got a few more doctor's appointments to take care of and then I'm good for a year. Some people think I'm wasting my vacation, but when you have a family member on hospice, you try to use your time to the best advantage. I have caregivers for my dad five hours a day, so I'm taking the time to take care of myself... I've done a little stitching this week. I've been working on this sampler for at least a year. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long, but I'm on the home stretch, so it should be done by the end of vacation. Here is Prairie Moon, The Red and The Black. I'm using black silk and really like the look, haven't decided yet if I will do the red...hmmm, will think about it some more.

I'm also working on a quilt, but no pictures this time. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend. Be kind to one another.

Can I Have a "V"?

Can I have a V? Can I have an A? Can I have a C? Yes, it is vacation time!! Can I have a big whoo hoo? Because of my job, I cancelled several vacations in the last six months, just taking a day or two here and there. I am so ready and as another supervisor has graciously taken over the afterhours sick calls, I am free for two weeks! No sleeping with my phone, waiting for that ominous tone that tells me I'll be waking up the rest of the staff, trying to cover a shift. I am a lucky girl. I don't have a lot planned, first week is for chores and doctor's appointments. You know, all those tests you need after 40. I have several family members with colon issues, all the way to colon cancer. I did my first colonoscopy at 45. I am on my third, just to make sure there are no secrets lurking in there. For those who think that it is too intimate, too embarrassing, think again. Just consider how intimate it is to have someone remove part of your colon and attach a bag. Get the test, group. Other than that, I think I will have a good vacation! LOL I've got some stitching planned, a little quilting, and maybe a trip to visit my son. And, if I head north, we all know that I'll be taking a side trip to Modesto. After all, it would only be one hour out of my way. I've been working in the yard, little by little catching up on removing all the dead stuff from our freeze last winter. It's tough with the water issues in our area. We've been in a drought for several years, and being on a well, we are extra careful with watering. I've lost several trees and rose bushes, just trying to keep the rest alive until the drought breaks. My dad is still hanging in there. We are one year into hospice. We have caregivers during the week, only 5 hours a day, but I am going to keep them during my vacation. That way, I can get stuff done without worrying about him. It is hard, but I know in my heart that taking care of him at the end is the right thing to do. So, off to start my day. First cup of coffee was pretty tasty, may just have to have one more. Be kind to one another.

Oh My, What Have I Been Up To?

I cannot believe that a whole month has passed. My only excuse is that I was pretty busy most of the month. First, I did my second Miracle Miles For Kids Run/Walk. All walk, no run. LOL I walked last year because I figured if I was going to walk for exercise, I might as well walk for a cause. This group puts on a 10K each spring, from Morro Bay to Cayucos, all on the beach, all for the kids. There were about 4000 people entered this year. I did okay, about a 20 minute mile. Last year was a little better, but I am good with that, at least I finished. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, not too windy. Will I do it again next year? Yes!!

Then, I did a three day stitching/finishing retreat at Elegant Stitch in Modesto, California. This is my very favorite needlework store. Lois and Annie are amazing and always willing to share their talents. This is the first time Lois has offered this kind of retreat and everyone had a ball! You showed up, brought some stitching that you wanted to learn to mount, or stuff, or hang, and the ladies would give you all the information (and stuff) you needed to make that happen. There were about 45 ladies, and every single one was ready to help. I had a great time and before I left, everyone begged Lois to do it again next year. She always does two retreats a year, usually very special stitching and finishing. Think Betsy Morgan. Not really my type of stuff, but I love to learn general techniques that I can use with most of my stitching. I've already painted two boxes and am ready to mount a piece. Here are a couple of pieces, a box and a couple of pin cushions. I have done beading before, but never by using back stitching to connect the beads. I really like how it popped the beads. She said maybe...I'll be stalking her website for the next retreat date. LOL

So off for the evening, dinner is ready and I've got to get up and moving. Be kind to one another.

Now, Where Have I Been?

I don't remember being busy, but somehow a month has slid by... I spent quite a bit of time taking care of my dad. He had another TIA (small stroke) and this has made him even more unsteady and unable to care for himself. Last weekend, I spent some time helping out at a fundraiser for a young cousin. She has leukemia...crappy disease. I lost two cousins in the 1970's to this horrible disease. Now, I find out, my family is one of 10 in the WORLD that carries a special gene that causes a special type of leukemia that hits the young. Doesn't make me feel very special. I helped out with serving and cleaning at the dinner and made a couple of quilts for a silent auction. My extended family did an amazing job with planning and getting donations. The money will really help with costs for travel, lodging, etc. And more good news, a bone marrow donor has been found for my young cousin. She is on her way to Stanford Hospital in a couple of weeks for a transplant. There is hope in her future. Earlier in the month, I spent a couple of days up in the Bay area with my son. I always look forward to our adventures. This time, off to Point Reyes. He has recently become very interested in lighthouses. Not sure why, think it has something to do with the Fresnel Lenses. As we drove through the country side, I started to think that we were heading to the edge of the world. Pretty darn close. Found out that Point Reyes is considered the most foggy and windblown lighthouse on the west coast. We hit on a good day, only 20 mph winds and the fog cleared within a half hour of arriving. And yes, those are steps DOWN to the lighthouse. Three hundred in all and the rangers were nice enough to mark every 10 steps so you can count and be out of breath at the same time.

Amazing view and the whales were on their annual migration. I didn't get any pictures of the whales, considering that they are are so big, they are fast! This is my favorite picture of our visit. We were waiting for the whales. You can't see either of our faces, but I know that you can see how much we love each other.

I can't wait for our next adventure. Be kind to one another.

Rain...Beautiful Rain...

After several years of drought, we finally got a good dose of rain. We had a half inch a few days ago and almost another one and a half since yesterday. The birds are happy. The trees are happy. I'm happy.

We are far behind in rain this season, but there is hope for a bit more before the summer months. Southern California is enduring floods and disaster, but we are desperate in our area and will be happy for whatever rain comes our way. It has been so sad to see the fields brown and crunchy in the middle of spring...I look outside, and even with just this little bit of rain, grass is already growing in the field across the road. I'm happy. Be kind to one another.

Things have quieted down a bit this past week. Dad is doing better, so my heart is not as sad. Woke up early on Saturday morning, not for any particular reason, just because. But it was so worth it! The sunrise was amazing.

Been working on a few projects, but this has been finished for a while. I have been looking for the perfect frame. Found one, and at half off, I was happy to bring it home.

It is called "Red Reindeer" by BOAF. I really like the tiny little deer. I have a cross stitch retreat planned for the end of April. My not-so-local needlework shop is in Modesto, but I love, love, love Lois and Annie at Elegant Stitch. I make the 4 hour trip a few times a year. And if you can't make it in person, they will be happy to ship it to you!! No questions asked! LOL They have planned a "finishing" retreat and I am pretty excited. I have no one to stitch with in my town, so it is pretty special to watch others enjoy the same art as myself. As for finishing, Lois has some unconventional ideas that I cannot wait to try. You can only make so many pillows, wall hangings, and framed items. It will be FUN! Take care this week and be kind to one another.

Been a long couple of weeks. First, some creative stuff. Finished stitching this Valentine's freebie late, late last night. I should know better than to take a 7 pm nap. I think I finally headed towards bed at midnight. Silly me. I think I'll be making this into a little pillow or door hanger. I haven't decided which, but will be using the fabric that it is laying on.

Now to the "trying to get by" stuff. It has been difficult this past week. I had a visit from my dad's social worker. She has gently reminded me several times that I need to make "final" plans. Read into that...I need to take a trip to the funeral home to plan my dad's last wishes. Dad and I had talked about this about 10 years ago. First, he didn't want to be cremated. Then, he said to just dump him out in the field like we do with the dead cows. Lastly, he didn't care. Reminder to all: tell your family what you want done and stick to the plan. I want to be cremated and have told my family this many, many times. Why pay $5000 for a wooden or plastic box that you will plant in the ground? Don't see the point. But my mind wanders....More from Dad: he always said to get him flowers when he was alive, don't bother when he is dead. For many Father's Days, my son and I would plant bulbs in planters for my dad. He would always transfer them to the ground around his trailer. When he moved in with my husband and I, we dug up them up and brought them with us. I will eventually plant them at my house, but for now, the bulbs rest in big flower pots. They are doing well and I expect flowers any day now. So, I must make decisions on my own. Due to Dad's dementia, we aren't able to discuss this anymore. I made the call to the funeral home to set an appointment. I was very calm, but still couldn't discuss this in front of my dad. I had to take the phone to the other end of the house. I am such a big baby....I know it has to be done, but still feel like a traitor to talk about it in front of my dad. I will get it done, but not without tears and sorrow. Be kind to one another.