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.