We started out cold this morning, but by the time I had to leave the house, it was all the way up into the 50s.     Yee Haaw.    I feel better today too.    The cold really bothers my chest area.

I was busy today with bookwork stuff.   Am starting to gather for tax returns.    I shredded the 2012 documents as I don't need them anymore.   I am trying to get stuff OUT OF THIS HOUSE>    Since I have been sick I have been just piling things up.   As I stow what little I put our for Christmas, I will get rid is things and reorganize in the garage.  

This afternoon, I went to the funeral of my neighbor and friend, Luther (Lee) Smith.   I went with Mr.  Wilson (Ron) who lives accross the street.    The three of us had just gone to lunch last Thursday so this was a shock to Ron and me.

Lee was a dear.   He even came to visit me in the hospital when I had the surgery and I barely knew him then.    I found out from his tributes, that this was very HIM.    He had a kind and gentle soul and helped anyone or everyone that he felt needed help.     I will miss him.     He used to call me every Tuesday even if we had talked during the week.    He laughed about.   I will be a bit more lonely on Tuesdays now:(

We are to have warm weather for the next few days.    Will be very good for my body.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was bitter cold this morning, but seems to be warming up a bit.    We are supposed to be in the 50s by Friday.

Had my scope today.   He found a couple of polyps, a couple of other small things, but nothing that is serious.   He took some biopsies to be sure but feels that I just need to be healing from the surgery and radiation.   I am not the most patient person in this world.   Don't know if you all noticed that:)

So it is just an aggravated nervous stomach and I will continue treating it as such.

Got to stay home the rest of the day.    Actually, had to.    Can't drive until tomorrow late morning.   Restricted everything for 24 hours after the scope.   It was one of those magic treatments.    You go to sleep in one room and wake up in another remembering nothing.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It is Cold still.     BUT we are supposed to be getting into the upper 40s and low 50s by the weekend.    I am sure looking forward to that.     We were at 11 degrees this morning an now all the way up to 23.    Whoop!

I know, I know.    It is colder in Wisconsin, but if it is below freezing, It is COLD and I moved south to be warmer - poor me.

Except for going to the grocery store this morning, I have been able to stay home in my nice warm house for the past two days.    Thank the Lord.    And Nicky is not thrilled about walks which is a good thing because I am not taking him on any,   So there.

Tomorrow I go to the Clinic to have my endoscopy (I think that is what it is called).    I hope they find something that can be fixed and/or healed.   I had a miserable night and morning because of my stomach today.   I have to be there at 6:45AM to check in.    Wow.   Am showering tonight and laying everything out, so I just have to get dressed and take care of Nicky.   Bart is taking me.   I could drive myself, BUT one cannot drive oneself home from this procedure.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got home from Bart and Barb's where I had dinner with them, Marlies and Bart's school friend, Scott, who came to visit for the holiday.      Scott is such a joy to be around.   He and Bart have been friends for 40 years or so and still see each other whenever and always keep in touch.   These are the BEST  friends.

I want to wish all of you the happiest New Year.    I am going to try to stay awake or arrange to wake up to see the new year in but don't have much hope.    

Anyway.    A happy and Blessed New Year to each and every one of you.    May 2018 be full of joy and prosperity and health.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

We had snow - again.   Actually twice today.   I woke up this morning to a lovely snowfall.   It even covered the grass a bit but was gone by noon.    Then we got a bit more this afternoon - late, but it did not stay on the ground.

I was home all day and did some sewing.  I am feeling like doing creative things again.   Am glad of that.   For months I have felt rather empty.

I called Suzi tonight and we had a really nice long talk.

Tomorrow I will go to see Dr.Toy, my chiropractor.   I am a bit sore in the neck and have a sore hip.   Perhaps he can help.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It was COLD today.   In the low 30s to upper 20s.   I know, I know, you friends and family in Wisconsin consider that spring, but I am COLD.

Went to lunch today with two of my neighbors at the Cracker Barrel.   We realized we are all widowed and it is nice to have a meal and visit with others sometime.    We all enjoyed it and decided we would do it again when it is a bit warmer.

Aside from that, it was a totally quiet day.   The kind that Nicky likes a lot.   He really prefers if I don't leave the house at all.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got home from a lovely Christmas Eve Secret Santa Exchange at the Adam and Alexia Benoit's home.    We had a super spread of good food (I brought candy).

It was fun and nice to have children around opening presents and playing.   Not an unhappy one in the group.

I got a Pioneer Woman tea kettle, lazy Susan and measuring spoons.   Really pretty.   I am going to relegate the old black tea kettle to the cupboard and have a pretty one instead.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The smattering of snow was all gone by 2PM this afternoon.    The ground is still too warm to keep it.   I can't say I am unhappy about that.    Took Nicky for a walk about 3PM and it was really quite pleasant as the sun was out and the wind was down.

It was a quiet day.    Sometimes I get sick of quiet days.   I will gradually as I get stronger DO things.   Dick used to laugh because I wanted to be "doing things".    He was perfectly content just being.   (As long as I was there:)

He loved family and close friends around but really loved when it was just him and me.   What a compliment to ME>

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It is early morning on December 23.     WE HAVE SNOW ON THE GROUND. 

Nicky was not thrilled.

Dia Dhuit

Merry Christmas

Mary

Two quiet days.    I did some baking both of them.    I decided that if "Why do we have Christmas without Buckeyes" then why would we have Christmas without Lizzies, my Mother's fruitcake cookie.   Nobody else, except Deeley's make them so I made a batch today.   Maybe I will share, maybe I will not:)   Ask if you want them.

I just have to make a coconut cream pie on Sunday and then I am done.

Nothing else exciting.   Packages are arriving and I am trying to keep up with Christmas cards.

Tomorrow and Saturday, I won't be going anywhere

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Just got home from a spectacular Christmas event, featuring my great granddaughter, Abby Benoit in a featured, speaking role,    as Kid 1.    Barbara, Marlies and myself drove to Geronimo to the school to see the program with the rest of the family.   

I loved it.   

Children's singing, is mostly yelling, but their enthusiasm is contagious and their director picked wonderful music for them.

Anyway.   Time for bed now.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A nice quiet day.    I spent most of it at home, BUT was invited for a taco casserole dinner at Bart and Barb's.     Always good to eat a meal with someone.

Bobbie and Bill's packages arrived today.   I am set on soap AND her special candies.   Yum Yum.

Til tomorrow

Dia Dhuit

Mary

It is chilly today.   I asked my friend and neighbor, Jarrod, to help me replace the lights on the garage that have been out for a while.   I felt well enough and am confessing that I did try myself, but I forgot how.

It is Sunday and I am being VERY lazy mostly.    I went to the 8:30 Mass and then to a pancake breakfast that the KC's were having in the gym.    God knew that I have been hungry for pancakes.   They even had blueberry pancakes and I ate two - plus bacon and eggs.

I am all caught up on Christmas cards.

The coming week is very quiet.   I have only one doctor appointment and no other scheduled events.  Now, as I am feeling better, I need to start DOING things again.    I am sick of feeling like a sludge and want to be useful.   Can't believe that Christmas is one week away.   Can't believe even more that it has been 5 years since my sweetheart went to heaven.    I miss him more every year.    I imagine that this is how Mom felt.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Another day of moderate dry temperatures.  There is a fire on the base, but they have that under control and actually do occasional burns to keep their skills up and to control the dry conditions.

I had an appointment with Dr. Aiku, my GP today.    She is as pleased as she CAN be with the way I have responded to treatment and will not need to see me until April after my PtSCan.  

I also got a haircut today.   Not as short as I used to but as Kandi says, Blow and Go Cut.   I also don't have the hair blocking my vision.   A bit of a bang and I feel a hundred pounds lighter in my head:)

I filled my gas tank and got a couple of groceries, so I should be able to stay home all weekend, except for church.   Ran in to Debbie from Bible Study at the store.    I will be able to go back to bible study when we resume on January 17th.    I have really missed that group and the people in it.   They are one of my strongest prayer groups.   I know those prayer groups are what have helped me survive and heal.

I am truly blessed.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

The temps were in the 50s today and if the wind hadn't been blowing, it would have been quite comfortable.

Bart went tot he post office with me today to mail all the candy and presents out.   I got some Christmas stamps too as I will have to get to the Christmas cards next.

This afternoon the Lawton Celtic group met at the Shamrock.   I was able to EAT.   I ordered a corned beef sandwich on a pretzel bun and was able to eat quite a bit.    I was proud of me anyway and didn't gag even once.   I even ate some French fries.   Yea for me.   We always have such a good time and the Donaghe's brought a guest Pastor James Mc Dowell who hails from Belfast.   I had baked a loaf of Barm Brack for the celebration and was assured by Pastor James that it was like the Barm Brack his mom made for him when he was little.    I am sharing the recipe by request with the Lawton club.

So lots of excitement and things to do today.    Tomorrow, I see my general practitioner at 9:30AM and am getting a haircut at 11:30AM.    Boy will I be happy to get this hair out of my face.

Then except for mass on Sunday,, I will be home and able to regroup.   I feel that the house and Christmas have gotten away from me.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I'm keeping myself busy these days and still have very little Christmas around the house.   Today, I put up the little Christmas tree that I have been using since Dick had so much trouble getting around the house in his wheelchair.    I put the local presents on the floor under it and have half of the packages that need to be mailed finished and ready to go.    Will do the last three tomorrow and Bart said he would go to the post office with me on Thursday to mail them.    Then it is downhill all the way to Christmas.

Nora called today.   We had a great visit.  

I am getting a haircut on Friday after my appointment with Dr. Aiku.   I look like the Shaggy Dog these days and want the hair out of my face.  Guess I must be feeling better.   Up til this week, I dreaded driving to get the cut.

Tomorrow is my final, I think, visit with Dr. Smith, my radiation oncologist.   I have a few questions.   Hope I have written them all down.

Guess that catches up.   

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I mixed and rolled buckeyes today.   Tomorrow I will dip them and then will be able to get my boxes ready to send.

I was able to be home much of the day.   It started out cold but the wind was down and temps were in the 50s which is quite comfortable for this time of year.

My Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas cactus is blooming.    For the FIRST time in my life.    I guess the sunroom is a comfortable place for it.   When I get more blooming, I will try to send a picture.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I wrapped presents today.    The ornaments.     This weekend, I will make the Buckeyes, then I can spend the week getting packages ready to mail.    I want to get them out by the 15th or the 18th at the VERY latest.    That way I can send them just plain express mail.

Anyway, it was VERY cold, 19 degrees when I woke up.   I was glad that I did not have to go anywhere today.    Bart stopped by at lunch time so I got to eat with somebody.   I had my soup and he had picked up a burger.    Just SO good to have company at a meal.  

I fixed a pork chop for supper and ate half of it.   The first cutting meat that I have had in quite a while.   It tasted good too.

Dia DHuit

Mary

It is a red letter day.

I had my blood test then saw Dr. Aye, the chemo oncologist.    She said that my white blood cell count is up.    She also said that I do NOT have to do the 6th chemo treatment which was supposed to be next Tuesday.   Yeaaaaaa!    That means that I should be pretty much over the chemical and radiation induced ickyness by Christmas.    Yeaaaa!

I will see Dr. Aye in early February AND have the Petscan to be sure that the cancer is all gone.

I am sure that it will be.   After all, 2018 is going to be a great year.    Has to make up for 2017:)

Tomorrow I will go with Bart to the Center for a CT Scan for him.

Glad my day went so well.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Well,  it has been two weeks since my last radiation treatment and almost two weeks since my last chemo.    I still feel like I have been run through a wringer but am sure that as time passes, my body will start healing itself.

Tomorrow I see Dr. Aye and hopefully will hear that I don't need any more chemo.    Please pray that this is so.  I have lost the weight I regained and would like to get an appetite back again, so I can get some strength and start feeling better.

Nice warm day today.   Temps will drop 30 degrees tomorrow.   Talk about a roller coaster of a weather ride.

Dia dhuit

Mary