Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Sherry & I went to a Christian Women's retreat last weekend and had a great time! The grounds are manicured and at this time of year it was remarkable! Geese were swimming in the lake in the rain. It was actually snowing when we drove in friday night, but it was just a dusting.
There was a big meeting room where us gals gathered to fellowship, so I spent most of my time crocheting and petting "Reggie" the camp cat. He was a real gentle soul. He took to me right away and we were pals for the weekend.


I worked Monday & Tuesday and took today off to get things ready to take to Marysville tomorrow. My sister's daughter Donna is having Thanksgiving at her house. It will be interesting, as she has a house about the size of mine which is SMALL. There will be 13 of us there. I am taking deviled eggs which might end up as egg salad if I slam on the brakes! HAHAHA. I am also taking green bean casserole and cranberry relish. I baked a small 10# turkey today so I can have a sandwich tomorrow night NUM!

You all have a safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I am going to take the rest of the night to reflect on all that I am thankful for, which is alot. I am very blessed!
God Bless you all.

Monday, November 02, 2009

So how was your Monday?

I had to get up an hour earlier than normal today because I had to speak in front of over 60 people applying for work. We have a two hour video test and I introduce the staff and talk about the position that is open and try to give some encouraging words to some very nervous people. It is very humbling seeing so many hopeful employees needing a job.
So here I am trying to look and act the professional person I am supposed to be, and after the test I was going to the dry cleaners, and when I opened the door I looked down and saw that I had two different shoes on! Not only were they different colors, but they were BOTH LEFT FEET!! The shoes did feel a bit weird but I just ignored it as I was dashing about getting things set up. The bad part of this is there were three others with me and THEY didn't even notice!!
I just wonder how many of the people being tested noticed!!
Egads! Ya dress me up but can't take me nowhere! And I am only 60!!!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

The North Cascades Highway

Today Sherry (my sister-in-law) and I took a trip up the North Cascades Highway to get a hamburger at the Twisp River Pub and to see the Fall colors. The colors aren't quite out yet but we did see a few beautiful spots. It is a relaxing 4 hour day trip. We did see a dusting of snow at the Pass which is over 5,000 feet high.
This is Sherry. We left about 10:30AM and got home about 9:00PM. The hamburger was the best I've ever tasted! I had a "Portabello Bleu". They use fresh local beef and cooked it medium rare and piled sauteed portabello mushrooms on it topped with crumbled gorgonzola!! NUM!


This is Newhalem. Newhalem is a small, unincorporated community in northwestern Washington, USA, located in the western foothills of the North Cascades along the Skagit River. It is located within Whatcom County.
Newhalem is a company town owned by Seattle City Light and populated entirely by employees of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, or in local county, state or federal agencies. The town is not open to permanent residents who do not work for these certain agencies. The Ross Lake National Recreation Area surrounds Newhalem on all sides, and the North Cascades National Park boundary is approximately one mile to the north and south of the town. Newhalem does not have an assigned US Postal Service zip code and thus, for postal purposes, uses Rockport, WA 98283 as its city, state and zip code. The name Newhalem has its roots in a local Native American language as meaning 'Goat Snare'. Newhalem has Elementary school students come and camp and learn about the eco-system of the upper-skagit, the other place being the upper baker lake dam. In pre-Colonial times, the site was inhabited by members of the Upper Skagits.
I took this from Wikipedia.



Ross Lake is the highlight of the trip. It is 23 miles long going up to British Columbia, Canada.

Every once in awhile a patch of red would appear, then a patch of yellow. In a week or two it will be in full color, then all the leaves will fall in the Fall storms and then the snows will come.
I love this time of year!

It was getting late and we were losing light for good photos but this was absolutely breathtaking. (Really, I can't breathe very well at these heights). Especially with her danged dog with us!! My gosh, I have never smelled anything so putrid! He farted a few times and It smelled like rotten cauliflower!! PEWIE!!
That's it for now....time for bed!!



Wednesday, October 07, 2009

The best coffee maker so far!!

I love a good HOT strong cup of coffee. Drip coffee makers are just too cold for me. Heating up in the microwave just doesn't do it for me. If I make a pot, then I end up throwing most of it away. It sits there and brews and gets old tasting.
I saw this at Costco and decided to try it. If I didn't like it, I could take it back no questions asked. well I tried it and WOW! I LOVE the coffee it makes! A fresh cup each time. I can have decaf one time and then a stronger cup next time. No coffee to throw away and NO CLEAN-UP!! Just toss the K-cup away and you are ready for the next cup. Three different people can have a different cup (depends one how many different K-cups you have). It only takes 30 seconds to brew.






This is a K-cup. Pop it in the spot and close the lid, when it is brewed, toss the K-cup! I love it so much that I bought a "mini brewer" for the office. The office one doesn't have a water reservoir, so it takes 3 minutes to brew.


I told everyone it costs 50 cents a cup if they want one. (I hide the K-cups). This makes me happy for a few weeks.
Nothing like a fresh brewed cup of hot coffee to start your day out!


Ahhhhh.

Sunday, October 04, 2009

My two neglected undernourished cats!

Yes, Elliott is still with me. Fat and sassy as ever! Punkin died June 10th. Her system just shut down. She was a special needs cat and sure got lucky when I found her on death row in the pound in October 2000. I had her for almost 9 years. My sister says she wants to come back as one of my cats if she dies before I do.
Cindy loves her catnip pouch! It is down to seeds and stems now. I need to plant more next Spring! It looks like she is praying for more catnip!! Maybe she is!! She picks up the pouch and rubs it all over her face. It's the cutest thing!

The sun just went down and it is cooling off fast! It was 63 degrees today and now it is 53 and heading to the 40's. I bet we get an early frost this year. I told Mary Lou we will have frost on the 17th of this month. We'll see.
Well I want to finish my Sunday night chores. It's going to take me awhile to get back into this blogging thing again. But I missed it. I just need more time to visit everyone. Sure wish Anonymous JimBob would open his own post so we can olurk on him for once!! HEE HEE HEE!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Cindy "Stalks" me!

My Ragdoll cat Cindy stalks me! No matter where I am in the house, she is right there. I was sitting at the table doing some paperwork and I looked over and there she was, peeking up over the table, staring at me!


She is a great companion. Her and Elliott are inseparable. He tries to bully her, and she will turn around and swat him, then they roll around wrestling, then throw each other across the room, then they settle down and lick each others wounds and sleep together. Just like being married, huh?

I'm going to try and keep this blog up again, no promises.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Rubber Chicken USA

Okay, here is the entire Rubber Chicken Caper. Click here and then click on them one at a time to get the whole story.
Or go here: http://www.youtube.com/user/rubberchickenusa

weird!! But it makes the dull drum of work tolerable.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Chicken Demand Update

Well there is a second youtube demand on the kidnapped chicken from Dispatch!
Steve put the mony under the table as directed. We checked periodically during his shift and it disappeared. No one saw who did it!! Hmmmmmm.
Also, The Camano Island Supervisor loved my pig nose and borrowed it!! I hope he washed it before using it!! HEHEHE

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

I don't feel good

Man, I don't feel good. I think I'll wear a mask to work in case it is something serious!

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

The rubber Chicken caper

I seem to have stopped blogging.
Well too much was going on and I worked and just did not have anything interesting to blog about.
Ok folks, I am baaaack!!


We at work sometimes have very stressful days. The people in Dispatch are stuck at their desks and have the most stress because they answer the phones, talk with the drivers, call 911 when needed, etc.


One of the Dispatchers (Steve W) has a rather warped sense of humor (as most of us do) and he has a rubber chicken as a desk buddy. DON'T ASK!!



Everyone comments on his stupid rubber chicken. A conversation piece for sure. I think it has been stolen and returned many times. Well I think one of the other Dispatchers got mad at Steve and took his chicken then he found it on his desk in a jello mold. I don't know the beginning of the story, but right now it is getting rather hilarious.
I came to work yesrteday and Steve showed us all a ransom note he found. He is getting frustrated looking for his rubber chicken! These are grownups, mind you.

Well today I came to work and someone had sent an email with a link to youtube Go ahead, click on the youtube.

I can't wait to go to work tomorrow and see what is next!! HAHAHAHA

Monday, April 13, 2009

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

I can only imagine
By Mercy Me

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine

I have been singing this song all week to myself! I can only feel glee that my brother is with Jesus! I don't know how I will hold up for the Services, but so far I feel Peace.

Click on the URL and listen

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Goodbye my sweet brother,


Tonight I went with Sherry to see Mike again and held his hand, told him I loved him and thanked him for being my brother. Sherry hugged him and told him she loved him and thanked him for giving her some wonderful years together. We both told him to look for Jesus and not to be afraid. We both told him we will see him there when we die. We left at 9:00PM and got the call just after midnight.

He is with Jesus now. He no longer needs pain medication! He no longer hungers!
PRAISE GOD, he is at Peace now!

I will miss you, Mike. I love you dearly!!

Thank you all for your prayers and support through all of this. It has been a long hard road, but now the journey is over.

Thank you Lord, Thank you!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

I'm still around.....

My days are just so busy that I have no time to relax and sit at the computer. After work I go visit with Mike and then come home and sleep. Not every day but most of them.
I was with him Tuesday night and he wanted a cookie. The doctor sat at his bedside and held his hand while I held his other hand and she told him that he cannot have any solid foods at all.
Ever.
He goes into excrutiating pain and they have nothing else to give him. I asked if he could have morphine and she looked at me and told me he is on a fentenal which is 80% more potent than morphine. Yikes, I had no idea. I thought he was talking funny and was a bit melodramatic, but now I know it is because he is STONED!!
She said his pump was set at 7 when he was admitted to the Hospice, and it is now set at 28. It only goes up to 30! So he is at the top of pain control.
I drove home feeling so bad for him.
I came back last night and gave them a First Aid/CPR class for the staff there and asked the doctor if Mike got any nutrition today. She looked rather sheepish and said "well...he came in the kitchen this morning and wanted pancakes. I hesitated then he said to make some french toast. So I gave him a pieace of french toast".
I said WHAT?! I fretted all night and you gave in and gave him some french toast? Good on ya!! He did have some discomfort after that, but not much, so we will see how it goes.
They let Mike have a party at the house on Friday Feb 13th. Members of the bands he played in all came and jammed with Mike. He was on top of the world!!
Here are some pictures of it.




Enjoy your friends while you have them folks.
Write a gratitude list of anything you can think of. Look around...you'd be surprised how long that list can get!
I am thankful for my brother. Every minute I have with him.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentines Day!!



I got this in an email. I have no idea where it came from, but I love it!

Friday, February 06, 2009

The next step

Michael went to ENSO House today.
It is a beautiful setting. It is like a hospice in a home in the woods. It has medical staff there, and they do all the work. All Sherry has to do is sit with Mike and have quality time with him. He is quite a fighter, so he may last another week or two or three. Only God knows.
My heart is at peace with it all. I let go Wednesday. Mike looks more at peace about it all too. God is working in him taking the fear away.
Praise God. I stayed away today so Sherry and Galen can have their special time with him. I will go tomorrow to see him.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Brother update....

My life has been consumed with work and brother. No room for anything else right now. Yesterday I turned 60. YIKES!!!!
Tuesday evening my brother went in for a simple procedure. They needed to put a port in his chest for the chemotherapy and other shots. He was coming out of surgery and was getting sick and aspirated some puke. He turned purple and was on the way out and they resusitated him and got him breathing again. He was put in the Intensive Care Unit. Sherry (his wife) called me about 6:30 and told me. I went to the hospital (I am 3 minutes away).It was touch and go all night. I left about 11:30PM wondering if he'd make it through the night. I went to work yesterday for a few hours then came home and sat with Mike a few hours. His breathing is agonal. He is close to death. He can talk with us, get up and sit on the potty chair but he is sleeping the rest of the time. The family decided to not take any measures for keeping him alive. No oxygen, no feeding tube, just pain medications. He pulled out the tube going down his nose. We might get him home tomorrow so he can die at home comfortably. This was so hard for all of us. Yesterday was the letting go day. I had to leave work at noon. I'd go into crying bouts.
It could take up to 2 weeks for him to die. He is a fighter, so maybe longer. Or...he could go any minute. Only God knows when he is to go.

My boss gave me 6 roses for my birthday. 5 beautiful apricot colored ones and one red rose. I took the red rose to my brother and taped it on his bed rail.

Thank you all for the kind words and prayers. I feel them.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

My sister

My sister has been doing a remodeling project here on my blog. Have patience, she will get it done. It's getting there.

My brother was still sick today. Sherry and Galen visited Mike and he was throwing uo while they were there. He was sick when I visited him yesterday. He does NOT have MRSA which they thought he had Friday. They lifted the isolation on him.

Bless his heart.

still working on it

this is better, but I am still fixing it. I still cant find comments, I have no clue why they dont show up...

Friday, January 30, 2009

UH-OH!

UH-OH...what happened here?
What did you do? hahahahaha
Where are the comments??
HAHAHAHAHA

Under Construction....By Mary Lou

Ok, So I am not done putzing with it, as I made the header waaaaaay too big....but Direct TV is here and I have to get off now. Lemme know what it looks like at your end, 'cause I have a huge monitor.

MAry Lou (for Phyllis)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Another update...........

Mike is isolated now. He has an infection and they are needing to go in and operate on his port. Poor guy, all he wants is to go home.
Enough already!!
He has alot of people praying for him now, I guess we need to pray for him to find acceptance to his condition, and the comfort of Jesus sitting next to him holding his hand through all of this and guiding him home to heaven.
That is where my prayers are heading.
Thanks!!
Have a Blessed day.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Update on Mike...........

He is going home from the hospital today. He will call Mary Lou and she will take him home and sit with him.
They found NOTHING in the CT scan of his head! Halleluia!!
He had extremely low pottasium which will make him act weird. So he got through that hurdle. They want him to eat as much as he can. He doesn't eat because he gets sick. A viscious cycle!
But he is still with us and looking and feeling much much better!

Thank you all for the prayers and comforting words.

>^..^<>^..^<

Monday, January 26, 2009

Another day in the life........

I have been quiet because I have alot on my mind. Work is going well, I found a new Church that I like. Not new, but new to me. Sherry and Mike go there so I decided to go there for support for my brother Mike.
That leads me to Mike. He is the man in my life. Or should I say was. He always came over if I asked him to help me on my deck or something that my female brain cannot do. Since his diagnosis of cancer 18 months ago, he has been sick. He cannot work or even do chores around his house. His wife Sherry has had to do everything herself. Bless her heart, she even gets out there to split wood. They have a woodstove for heat in the house. She finally broke down and bought a portable heater for the living room.
This past week Mike has had a tough go of it. The chemotherapy has made him so sick that he doesn't eat any more. They put a line in his port to give him some vitamins and nourishment. So the cure is killing him slowly. He has turned anorexic and he is also hooked on pain pills now. He gets his pain pills, pain patches and injections of oxycodone.
Last week I went over to his house after work just to sit with him and let him know he is not alone. Tuesday I went over and sat on his bed with him and just held his hand for about 1/2 hour. I didn't have much to say, but that was ok. Just being there was fine. He finally got up and we sat in the living room watching tv. Wed night I took over some French Vanilla ice cream and some Reeds extra ginger, ginger beer (non alcoholic) and we had some floats. Now he ate that and kept it down!! My gosh, I will never have a rootbeer float any more. Ginger float is MUCH tastier!!
I sat and crocheted while he watched tv. Sherry needs the break. Just knowing someone is there with Mike is a relief to her. Mary Lou will go over there on Wed during the day to sit with him until I get off work at 4:30, then I will go over and crochet and sit with him. The gals from the Church have offered to go over and clean the house once in awhile.

My gosh, we are never really prepared for this to happen in our lives.

I have accepted that Mike will be with the Lord soon. In fact I pray it IS soon. It is killing me watching him suffer like he is.

Last wednesday we were talking and somehow the subject came up about the stillborn I had in 1970. He said what stillborn? I told him, and he said "well they sure hid that from me"!! No we didn't. He was there. Then Sherry said he was babbling and not making sense on Sunday.
I had a close friend with lung cancer and it went to his brain and he was acting bizarre too. I pray it is not in his brain.
Sherry came by this morning and said she was afraid to leave him alone anymore. She has to work and is gone 12 hours a day. She said Home Health is coming over this morning to assess him. I called the nurse and told her about Mike this past week. When she got to the house she took a blood draw and then called Sherry and said he should not be left alone. Sherry called me and I left work at 11:30 to go sit with Mike. At 12:30 Sherry called me again and said the nurse called the doctor and the doctor told her to get him to the emergency room for tests. So I took him in and they are keeping him over night and doing alot of tests on him. A CT scan of his head is one. I'm glad they are doing that just to rule out.
So, that is where I'm at these days.
Prayers are good.
Appreciate them!

This is killing me slowly!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I'm Hibernating

It is Winter,
It is January,
It is has been dark all day for over a month,
either raining or snowing or foggy.
I am still here but nothing exciting to write about.
I had the Flu in November,
Mary Lou had the flu in December/January,
I'll post later.............ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

P.S. HAHAHAHA I just saw an alert on my weather cast:

ALERT 1 - Non Precipitation Advisory
AIR STAGNATION OUTLOOK IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Issued: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:17 AM PST
Expires: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:30 AM PST

HAHAHAHAHA Only in Washington will we get an alert for clear skies!!!!
Isn't that what non precipitation advisory mean!! I better tell the boss we better close up shop....all the drivers will be blinded by the bright sun!!! HAHAHAHAHA