Memories are made of these:

Today was such a special day!  I got to spend time with good friends in our Later Day Saints group touring Marathon Village in Nashville.  It is in an area that we used to lock our doors when we drove through.  Mr. Walker, the owner who bought and refurbished all the old buildings gave us the tour.  He is in a wheelchair due to an accident he had 3 years ago in Chattanooga.  He is still able to do marvelous things as he is a mover and shaker of gigantic proportions.  He has rented much space to media groups, photographers, and anyone who loves being a part of history and architecture.  Why, even Architctects and Archeology is housed there; we were fortunate enough to see and talk with Mike Wolf, himself:-)  Do I look happy or what!

After Marathon Village, we went to Nashville Farmer's Market for lunch!  What choices we had from Indian to Mexican to Asian to Mediteranean.  I opted for Asian and was not disappointed.  Then on to purchase produce...strawberries from Portland, fresh okra, and brussels sprouts!  Yum!!!

What a fantastic time with wonderful friends making memories that will last for a long time!  Wishing you joyous occassions with your friends!

Empty Next...Again

As of Saturday, my pal, Deb went back to Athens to live at home.  She will be commuting to Nashville to finish her treatments.  I miss her, even though I know she is better at her real home.

Today I am by myself.  No one else to fix breakfast for.  No one to awaken with, "It's chemo time."  No one to look up and see sitting on the sofa.  No one to take on rides.

I did seize the day to paint a table that has been in my garage for over a month waiting for my undertaking the project.  I still have a few more pieces to do which will give me a new purpose.

Saturday afternoon Dennis & I moved our things back downstairs to our bedroom and bath from the guest room and bath.  We then escaped to Montgomery Bell State Park for an overnight get-away.  It was so serene and peaceful.  Our room had a balcony with two chairs and a table overlooking the lake.  We saw geese and ducks as well as families enjoying the great outdoors.  I was able to finish a book that I had been reading piecemeal for several weeks.  Their buffets are wonderful!

On our way back we took the scenic route and stopped at the new McKay's Bookstore on Old Hickory Blvd at I-40.  What a great place!  We each found two books to have and enjoy.

Life is full of changes; we meet each with the grace to carry on and learn new opportunities for God's purpose in our lives.  Wishing you days full of such!

What a Difference a Week Makes

Debbie was released from the hospital Wednesday.  Her pain medications have been decreased.  She is undergoing radiation oncology to lessen the pressure on her tailbone and hence the lessened meds.  Overall she is like a different person from one week ago.  I cannot help but believe that God is showing his marvelous intervention as a result of all the prayers lifted in her behalf.  I believe that they are a sweet fragrance to Him.

Today she began Cycle 2 on the clinical trial.  At the end of this trial, 4 weeks away, the doctor will evaluate her progress and decide whether to keep her going with this chemo or circle the wagons and try another study. 

Today we are very hopeful that all is going to proceed as it should and she will continue to improve so that she will enjoy a long life.  That is my prayer for her.  Won't you join me in this, please.

May you find opportunities to speak with our Lord about things that you deem important.  He is so good and His mercy endures forever!!!

How come...

Today's blog is not very upbeat, I fear.  I am questioning how my dear friend who has been staying with me for a clinical trial at Sarah Cannon has gotten to be in so much pain in such a short time.  How is it that she is now in the hospital with a morphine pump and still hurting so much that unless she improves they can not start the radiation theraphy to shrink the myeloma and lessen the pain?  How did she get such a cough in just a day or so?

Can anyone tell me why her family is at odds?  It has to be the stress of seeing her suffer.  I, too, have been there.  Yesterday when she was admitted to Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, it was a bit like deja vue...she may be in the same room my mom was in; she saw my mom's doctor since hers is out of town.  I came home and cried...for her and for the reminder.

One sister said she thinks they need to take her home for hospice care; I don't think it is fair to Deb to give up her chance of lessening her disease.  If the doctors think she needs to do that, they will tell us.  Meanwhile, we need to share in her hope.  This is not the sister who has been helping manage her medical care all along...that sister agrees with me.  Funny thing is that now she considers our home her home.  She has been with us for almost four weeks.  I am lost without her here to care for.  This morning it was so strange not to take up her breakfast and morning meds.  She keeps saying she wants to come home, to tell Dennis she will be up before long.

Cancer is a horid disease...how come nice people become its victims???????

Wishing you days to enjoy the good things in life with those you love.

Kony 2012

I just sat and watched the impact Facebook and other social media is having regarding stopping world dictator crimes.  This is such a compelling movie.  I encourage all of my followers to watch and act.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F7ruzk4o&h=3AQGFqKSDAQF2ai0Jd-SvGYHoOPRvwnNfYEuy-vADHaj0Uw

A Grand Evening

Well, Miss Elle did come Sunday night for dinner.  I did not forget to make the squash.

She brought with her a new "office" play set that had been recently purchased.  Of course, she was the boss; we were all her employees.  She was pretty generous as she kept giving us several raises.  Maybe corporate America could learn from her.

Louis, her dad, kept trying to quit, but she kept denying that he could.  Finally she told him that he couldn't because he had signed that he would work and showed it to him on her dry erase board.  He immediately declared that he had not signed it which constitutes forgery.  He threatened to call the police and report this.  As soon as he did this, she replied, "You're fired:".  Maybe she has an inkling of the real corporate world...who knew that a 5 year old could be so perceptive!!!

Wishing you glimpses of the mundane through the eyes of a child.

Grand life

It has been a while since I have felt a subject that compelled me to write, but today I viewed a sweet picture of a friend with her new grandson.  Her smile was from ear to ear...maybe her whole body was smiling!  I told her she would portray that smile anytime she was in his presence.

I know this because it is the same smile I exhibit anytime I am blessed to be in the company of Miss Elle.  I am wearing it now even thinking about it.  I wear it a lot when I am around Christian, my 15 year old grandson, too.  It is the mantra of grandmothers.  We come alive as we talk and play with our grandchildren.
Elle left a message on Dennis' phone in December wishing him a "happy birthday, Poppy" and each time his voice mail tells him it will be erased, he saves it once again.

With Laura out of town this week, we have anticipated several nights of having Louis and Elle for dinner; it just did not work out.  However, they are all to come tomorrow!  I will make a squash casserole because Elle always expects to eat that when I cook.  It is one of her favorites.  One time I failed to fix it and she asked where was the squash...I learned my lesson.  Life just does not get much better:-)

My friend, Deb who is staying with us for a while as she does a clinical trial at Sarah Cannon will finally get to meet Elle in person instead of just hearing about her and listening to Dennis' birthday recording.  I am sure she will bring joy to her heart, too.

Wishing you simple pleasures that are grand!