Been awake since 3:30am

Maybe it was that nap I took yesterday but I have been awake for a while and Sarah's guinea pigs aren't helping matters much. Gee whiz. I also have a big toenail that is bugging me too. (TMI?) oh well.
So I finally decided to give in (2hrs later) and have a cup of tea, so here I am.
I start back on Navelbine today and I'm not that worried about it because I tolerate it pretty well, but it is a bit of a bummer. Navelbine is the more traditional chemo I was on before I started radiation. I am trying to have a better attitude about it. I started complaining about my port the other day to Rick and how it sticks out kinda funny, now that I have lost a bit of weight and I sounded so shallow and unthankful. He reminded, nicely, how bad things could have been.
I also started to fuss yesterday with Betty but she put it in perspective for me also, that once I finish this round of chemo I get to o on my trip to Israel.
Hang on, got to go put milk in my tea...
Ah, a lovely cup of Earl Grey. It's not Chai Tea Latte but I am trying to hold off on the caffeine since I am going out to breakfast with my sister in law this morning.
Where was I???
Oh yeah, trip to Israel, right.
Well, I am going to be a little more positive about the chemo and I have a feeling it will go pretty smoothly. I see my Dr. today so i think I will get a good idea of the game plan.
Enough about me. Betty got a new yellow lab, named Molly, and she is a cutie pie. She walked her over last night. I should have got a picture of her. Her family has a dog, Lucky, so this is number two.
My kids all seem to be enjoying school. Both boys are on Robotics leagues, so that should keep us all busy. Jimmy is adjusting to High School and Charlie has found a couple of friends at Middle School, and little Miss Sarah is loving her new third grade teacher and she has got a class full of friends so things are pretty peachy.
Rick and I have been taking walks on the beach just about every night and two night ago we came a cross the coolest looking crab ever! He was so tough looking. He was staring Rick down. We got a great picture of him but Rick has not forwarded it to me yet. as soon as he does I will put it here *******
I was messing with him a bit and he charged at me with his freaky little antennae eyes and big pinchy claw and I let out a very loud, embarrassing scream. I thought he was going to pinch my toe! Lil' stinker.

I still can't stop thinking about my Dad, not that I want to, but I am trying to remember better times with him, when he was not so ill. If any of my friends or family want to remind me, please feel free to in the comments section. I think I was on auto-pilot most of the week that he passed and it's kind of catching up with me. Oh well. Thank you for your cards, friends, and all of your nice thoughts here on my blog. They are encouraging.
My Mom sounds pretty good. My brothers and sisters and her friends are keeping a good eye on her. Please keep her in your prayers. She's a terrific Mom and I love her so much.

Here's a picture of Sarah and I reading last night. I was reading the Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson but Charlie took that one over, so i am now reading David, by Charles Swindoll. I love that guy... David and Charles, but I am talking about David. I don't know that much yet, but I did a Beth Moore study on him and it was fantastic, so i think this will give me a little more info on him. Anyway, it's good reading.

I was obviously bugging her.

That's my little head behind all those pillows

Anyway, I'll sign off now. I have a meeting with Charlie's teachers this morning so I better take a shower so I do not "O"ffend.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Got to go the sun is coming up and guinea piggies are squeaking.

Love, Joann

Lovely Saturday

My Mom and Dad at the little red camp


Our whole family, this July


My Mom and Dad with Scott, Sam, Ann and Dawne at Dawne's camp for dinner


The typical good-bye from my folks on their back porch


pretty flowers growing on the fence post.


My fantastic picture of a bunch of blueberries I picked around my Mom's camp last week

Well, I guess we get a do-over as far as school starting this week. The kids only went in on Monday, then had the rest of the week off. Actually, it's been kinda cozyand quiet hanging around at home after having a bit of a busy and emotional previous week. Still raining out today, but we went to the movies and then later a walk on the beach. I miss my family up north but I love my kids and husband so much. i don't want to leave them. I've got to get my house in order. It's a wreck. Rick did a ton of laundry and reorganized the boys' room, but everything else seems a bit grubby. I'm tyring to get pumped up for a week long cleaning spree but first I need to take my van in. I think I may have done something to the transmission by driving through some deep water last week during FAY.

Boy, I really like to hear from some people who read my blog. I feel kinda lonely. Here's some more picts from Maine. Love ya

These are just a couple of shots from this weekend if you are interested. I uploaded more pictures and a video or two onto Flickr, so you can check those out if you feel like it. My Mom is doing well up in Maine, but it is very quiet at her home. If you would like to send her a warm thought ,feel free to do it on this blog in the comments section as she checks it regularly. My sister has started a fund at the bank in my Dad's memory for a flag pole at the local American Legion.
We are soaked here in Brevard County so I am staying in my jammies all day. Starbucks is closed but I have my own emergency supply of Tazo chai tea latte concentrate.
Feel free to send my Mom or me a note on the comment section. it's always fun to read a word or two from our friends. You can do it easily by clicking the anonomous button so you don't have to sign in or up or something like that. You can write your name at the end. Love to hear from you. have a great day. I'm not spell checking today. Does that make me lazy? Oh well. Love ya,
Joann

PS I added a couple of videos on from the lake, and they are not very good and you can barely see anything. There's a pretty good shot of my hair and throat because I forgot the camera was on. Anyway, they are saved for posterity I suppose.

Unconditional Love

I heard that phrase so many times this weekend. My Dad showed unconditional love for all of us. That was his signature.
As far as Memorial Services go, my Father's was as lovely as I could ever imagine. The day started off slow. The usual coffee , percolating at my folks camp. It was pretty gray and cold. My niece, Alexsandria and I worked on the memory boards for the reception, then we took a little dip in the lake. My mother kept herself busy, putting every thing in it's place, like a busy little bee. Family members popped in for a bit, then before you know it , it was time for the service at the church.
This big gray cloud followed us downtown.(I use that term loosely, Rangeley is your quintessential Maine small-town). The service started just as a thunder clap sounded over the lake. I thought it was like God was saying "Listen up people, pay attention"
My Dad's service was a good one. Beautiful readings, meaningful hymns, loving eulogy and many sniffles. Most of all, I believe Christ's promise of salvation and eternal life was heard. After a wonderful hour or so of recollecting and eating goodies, the sun came out. It wasn't warm or summer-y like this, all season, well, maybe one or two days. Family and friends went to my folk's camp, (that's what you call a house on a lake in Maine), and we had a great time, eating more food and sharing more memories. My brothers and their kids and other family members were swimming in the lake, having a great ol' time. I had some wine and was a little on the goofy side.
My oldest brother went up with a fella ,who lives on the lake, in his bright yellow seaplane. They circled over the mountain and above the lake, then, in the slightly cloudy sky, my brother let my Dad's ashes go free while we all hushed, then cheered. It was so beautiful. Just what my Dad wanted and perfect, just as he deserved! What a great day we had being together.
My Dad loved his family and I hope and pray that we can all grow a bit and be closer and remember that moment. It was so comforting. Every time we look out my Mother' picture window in the camp, we will see that mountain (aka. Jim's mountain),where my Dad's ashes flew to and will remember our special time that weekend and hopefully remember how much we meant to my Dad, how much he meant to us and how much we mean to each other.
I love you Mom. You are so precious and beautiful and a picture of strength and class and unconditional love, just like Dad.
I miss you, Daddy.

Patriot ledger Obit for my Dad

This is the complete obit. for my dad. thank you for reading it and your prayers for my Mom and our family are greatly appreciated. I am heading up to Maine today. I might blog in the airport if I get bored. Talk to you later,
Jo


James Wollaston Gillespie, 78
of Rangeley, ME and Barefoot Bay, FL, formerly of Clive St., North Quincy, MA passed away peacefully on August 7, 2008 at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, ME. He was born in Dorchester, MA on August 26, 1929, the son of Donald F. and Anna (Wollaston) Gillespie. He attended Quincy, MA schools. James was a veteran of WWII, serving in the 7th Infantry Division of the US Army and was a member of the American Legion Post 120 in Rangeley, ME. Jim had a distinguished career in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts serving as President of the State, County and Municipal Workers Union and on the Board of Advisors for the New England Sports Museum. He was appointed Commissioner for the Parks and Recreation Department of the Metropolitan District Commission, serving in that position until his retirement in 1987. While employed by the MDC, he was very excited to initiate many special programs for the disabled. Jim cherished his time in Maine at Beave r Mountain Lake with his wife and family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan; sons, James of Cape May, NJ, Scott of Marshfield, MA and Rance of New Bedford, MA; daughters, Dawne Marshall of Quincy, MA, Gayle Martin of Pembroke, MA and Joann Rootsey of Indialantic, FL; brother, Rance Gillespie of Squantum, MA; sister, Andrea Gillespie of San Diego, CA; 16 grandchildren; one great granddaughter; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, David. Memorial services will be held, 2PM, August 16, 2008 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Main St., Rangeley, ME. Gifts in Jims memory may be made to the Androscoggin Hospice House, 236 Stetson Rd., Auburn, ME 04210. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Funeral Home, Cremation Service & Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.

Sad but happy

Hi all. Hope you are all ok. I am doing well. It has been very busy here. My kids go back to school on Mon, and I am not ready. i just registered my oldest boy for High School and One for Middle school and the othe for third grade.
What a day. They are all going to get haircuts in a bit, then I have to go to chemo. Yikes. I also have nothing for dinner. Oh well. I'll get creative...poor kids. My Dad's Memorial service i this weekend. I am flying back up and I am going to read Psalm 118. It was the psalm the Lord showed my Mom, Dad and me, the day before he died. I have been working on a photoalbum for my Mom. I have a bunch of old photos from the 40's and 50's that my Dad gave me last year, to organize. I am having fun making a scrapbook. My Mom is so beautiful and my Dad is such a smoothy! I will load some pics on this site when I ge my head on straight. I am sad, because I miss my Dad. i loved him so much, but I am doing ok. I am so happy and have a lot of peace about spending time with him, sharing God's word and talking to him about salvation. I will see him again, I know it, but it's very difficult right now. I miss his loud voice and his big belly and his beautiful baby blue eyes, and his scratchy beard. But I am so happy that he is not fighting for every breath or every step and is in the arms of the Savior. thank you Lord, for making a way. I will include a link to my Dad's obituary. My sister is planning to start a fund for him in Rangeley for a flag pole in his memory in front of the American Legion. He was a veteran and was very proud of his country. I will have more details on that if any one would like to help us out with that.
Got to go to the Barber now with the kiddos. Sorry about the typos, I don't have time to spell check.
Love Jo
myDad

on my way home

I am on my way home now. My father passed away on Thursday morning at six am while I held him and my mother spoke softly to him. It has been a very ... Um , I can not think of the right adjective to use. It has not been really tiring or sad ,long or stressful. Is just been the week that my Dad died and I am so thankful that I was there and got to love and take care of him. Thank you Lord. You are so good to me. I would like to tell you more about my dad when I get home.I miss him but I am fine,just ready to see my husband and kids. Thank you for your prayers. Love Jo

leaving on a jet plane

hi guys,
I am sitting here in the airport waiting for a plane to take me up to visit my dear sweet Dad. I am so sad to say that he is not doing well. He is in the last stages of his disease. I am very close to my Dad and this is a tough trip. My sister and Mom called earlier this afternoon and said that he wanted to see me. Rick got a ticket very quickly and I was supposed to leave at 7but it got delayed tip 10pm. Please pray for my Dad and that I can be a comfort to him. I love him very much and I am so thankful to be able to go and see him. My husband is awesome. I do not tell him that enough. RICK YOU R AWESOME!
Please keep my mother in your prayers. She is a very strong woman but she is having a tough time. She has been so resiliant through all of my issues and my Dad's. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'll update later but it's kinda hard on my iPhone...I feel like such a techie! Love, Jo