September 18, 2023 Monday--5am

Good morning!

Well, first of all--this is my first time trying to schedule a post ahead of time.  I know--hard to believe that in 17 years I have never written a post ahead of time.  Actually writing this on Sunday.  I hope it works!  ;)

Last week I did some calling around, got an appointment with Dr. Kessler at Essentia in December, and thought I had my blood pressure pills lined up to be mailed...but no pills yet and nothing taken out of my bank account.  So if they don't arrive soon I will have to do some calling again.  At least I have about 10 days of pills left.

Anyways, I am excited I get to keep going to Dr. Kessler!  That is wonderful--even if it will be a little confusing going to both Essentia and Sanford.  She is worth it.

I decided to take the week off of the P&P or doing anything physical more than I have to.  So, all week I have been working on coloring the fronts of some Christmas cards I started so long ago it was when Leah and I still made cards together--lol!  In other words, there are over 100 cards to make.  Enough now for two years for me.  (You may remember Leah decided to go with the photo Christmas cards.)  So those of you who get my Christmas cards will get this same card again down the road in a few years--LOL!

They had already been stamped, embossed, and I had finished coloring all the green bulbs.  So, I knew they would be easy to be able to do sitting in my chair watching shows.

So, I would take one from the stack on the right side of my chair, color the same one or two bulbs...

...and then pile it on the stack on the left side of my chair.

In this picture the one on the left is the sample I had made up.  The only thing I decided to change was to make the very upper left hand corner one green instead of blue so the colors were more balanced.

Eventually I finished all the blues and then the yellows.

That took me five days--lol!  There are a lot of them.

Meanwhile...Leah dropped off the round organizer that wouldn't spin at UPS,I got my refund from Amazon, and ordered the octagonal one.  

This is how it arrived.  *sigh*  I wouldn't recommend this company.  I am sticking with what I have.

Meanwhile, I have gotten started on the fourth color.  Just endless grabbing from the pile on my right...

...and adding to the pile on my left.  But this color is taking longer because red is the only color I have left so I can color them all at the same time--tada!  Don't have to worry about coloring the wrong ones.  ;)

I am about halfway done with the reds.  Then the last color is silver for all the bulb bases.  Once I have all the coloring done then I will have to move to a table to work on these.  I have the inside pieces cut and the bases cut & folded but I still have to stamp the inside card pieces, add double sided tape to all the front and inside pieces, and finally tape them all together.  (And there are still a couple of optional steps I could do as well if things are moving along really smoothly.)  I'd like them to be done early October, I hope.

Friday I went to see Dr. Failing with Leah.  I had already seen my results online.  Still cancer free!!  Was a good visit!  But I had forgotten I was supposed to see the bladder viewing doctor again in 6 months--which is now.  Nobody called me or anything.  If I recall the computers were down or something at the time I left his office.  Anyways, I will probably get a call about scheduling that appointment this week.  At least I am more prepared this time.  Not pleasant, but at least not a surprise this time.

Also, I had asked about getting my port out.  Had psyched myself up for having it done right there in the office because I had read online they can do that right in the office with novocaine shots and a few stitches.  (Like when I had that lump cut off my head, I guess.)  But Dr Failing doesn't do it and they don't apparently do that in the office at Sanford.  I need to schedule to have it removed...but he wasn't sure they would want to do it at Sanford because they don't like to remove ports other places have put in, I guess.  So I might have to have it removed at Essentia.  He put in for a removal at Sanford anyways to see if they would do it.  I'll likely get a call about scheduling that this week, too.

I was really relieved not to have him cut it out in his office, though!  I had issues with my port getting plugged up several times when it was being used regularly, you may recall.  And it hasn't been touched since last December.  When they pull something out of a vein like that you would think it might bleed quite a bit--or maybe even been in there so long it is a bit stuck?  Those were the things I was nervous about.

Also, when I was searching online about port removal I read that they should be flushed at least every 12 weeks!  Really!?  And Dr. Failing hadn't realized it wasn't being flushed.  I suppose people are usually on a schedule for that at Sanford and he assumed it was being done.  Since I told him about having issues with it being difficult back then he thought it was a good idea to get it out, too.  

Frankly, I very seriously doubt it is working anymore anyways.  And even though some people have them in for years with no problems, they can cause clots or infections, I guess.  To me, though, it is mainly just an uncomfortable cancer remnant sticking up on my chest (likely useless now) that I would like to say goodbye to. ;)

Dr. Failing talked about how lucky I am to be cancer free.  How bladder cancer does not always go well...especially when I had bloody urine several times for over a year before I got diagnosed--and it had metastasized.  Plus he said liver cancer doesn't usually respond well to immunotherapy (couldn't do chemo either).  I told him I read online that the chances of me getting rid of both the cancers altogether was .6 %.  He nodded and seemed almost amazed at my good fortune and quite happy for me.  I do really like him.  I like doctors who are honest with you.  He's got a good sense of humor, too.

Well, I go through the whole double-checking routine again end of Nov/beginning of Dec--but then if all is still well, I can probably go six months!  Nice!

So, all in all it has been a very good week (if I can also get my BP pills renewed--lol!).  I got to cancel that new lady doctor who ruptured the cyst on my head without warning and get to go back to Dr. Kessler!  No cancer.  Dr. Failing is so nice.  It feels good to have two doctors I know are on my side, you know?  And somehow, somewhere I am going to get this port out of me pretty soon.  (Notice I'm not adding any excitement about the bladder jab and search routine--rofl!)  I'm finally making progress on the Christmas cards Leah and I started so long ago.  Feels good to get a lot done on an old project that was started and left way too long.  

Some kind of bummer news was Chuck (D&L's BIL) changed his mind on picking up the Valley Con furniture this past weekend.  Mentioned "before the snow flies".  Well, we have a lot to deal with in there, too, before the snow flies and that ValleyCon furniture takes up at least a third of my garage.  Lots to move about in not much room so that we can get pictures in order to sell stuff before it's really cold.  I hope he can come sooner than later.  But we'll get pictures somehow--regardless.  Might take a heck of a lot of shuffling about--but it can be done.  Where there's a will there's a way.

Oh, I picked out the perfect bathroom faucet and sent a link to Leah--but I'm not sure she is won over.  I never knew there was such a thing as a bathroom sink with a sprayer!  I love that!  Would use it a lot!  Let's see if I can get a picture of it. 

Nope.  It's from Home Depot and you can't copy pictures from their website, I guess.  But it's a Delta Broadmoor...in black, of course.  I don't know about you, but I am always splashing water around on the sides of the sink to clean it off, so I know I would love having a little sprayer in there--whoohoo!!  Could it be more fancy!  Would you use one?

My hours are still off, (Hence the scheduled posting as I've been up for two days with only two 2 1/2 hour naps.)  The weather has been glorious, though!!  I love fall when it is in the 60s-70s during the day and chilly at night.  It came on quite fast, but I'll take it.  Keanna comes on Tuesday to clean.  I also have another apartment inspection on Tuesday.  Leah said she'd come by this week and bring in the bins of winter clothes for me from the garage.  Yup!  It's been that chilly--even during the day sometimes when it's windy.  Rather than close it up I'd like to add layers...but they're mostly in the garage...even my warm socks--LOL! ;)  I have a few items, of course, but only a couple of long-sleeve tops and a couple of button-down sweaters.  You can't live up north and not figure you will need a little bit of "other season" clothing around at all times.  Especially when winter can last a good eight months of the year--lol!  

No specific plans for the week.  Just try to get as much done as I can on the Christmas cards and possibly continue filling up these boxes I've had all over the place since the week before--lol!  It's been good for that creative piece of my soul to be doing these artsy projects lately, though...the Inchie Challenge and the coloring on the cards.  I've been quite content to be just coloring this last week.

I hope you all have a happy week behind and ahead of you, too.  Does it feel like your seasons are changing quickly, too?  Do you have any fun plans?  Till next week!  :) :)

September 11, 2023 Monday--12:05am

 Greetings!  

It is technically Monday--LOL!  ;)

A new rainbow shower curtain started the week. :)

Wednesday: Keanna came to clean.  She said every time she comes it looks different in here--lol!  Later in the day two guys delivered the new wall shelf unit box to my door and even put it inside the door for me.

So, it is here!  Heavier than I expected, but I got it over and up against the wall for now.  Probably either move it to the bedroom or to the garage eventually.  No hurry.  Boxes are my new decor.  ;)

Most of the week was spent searching online for sinks, faucets, and organizers for my lazy susans by my chair and on the kitchen table.  I would sleep 3-5 hours a day for two or three days and then crash for maybe10-11 hours one night--and repeat.  So, pretty tired on the whole.  I discovered HOW tired and foggy brained on Friday morning when the two girls from the office came to my door because I had forgotten to sign my rent check!!  I've never forgotten to sign a check in my entire life!!  That proved to me that I need to just calm down on the P&P--quit pushing myself--and just focus on trying to get some normal sleep back for now.  Rest, you know?

Which I kind of had to do this week because I was too tired to do much else.  

Friday afternoon I had my CT scans.  Leah picked me up.  It is plural scans now since I moved to Sanford.  I get two separate scans.  Have to lie there for seven minutes in-between them, too.  So I am in extra back pain for a couple days afterwards.  Better today than I was.  I'll probably be feeling back to my normal by tomorrow.  :)

Anyways, Leah came in afterwards.  We discussed the shower hardware possibilities and made some final decisions on the choices I had made over the week.  So exciting!  I picked out a black bathroom sink.  Still need to pick out a faucet.

A black kitchen sink.  Since I had to go smaller I picked out a workstation type of sink with a strainer and a cutting board.  I am so excited about this sink.  It is just perfect for me!

Then a black kitchen faucet to go with the black sink.  Even has power surge.  Fancy!

Leah had been to the cabinet makers again and we got the plans with all the measurements!  The kitchen--front view...

...and even a top view!

A front view of the bathroom.

Saturday Trent was over there to work with Dagan and Leah more on the electrical system.  So much!  All the ceiling lights, outlets, kitchen and laundry room...lots to do.  :)

Speaking of lights...lol!  This lamp was up on the folding table and shown right on the TV at night so I put it down on the floor behind my chair...and apparently opened up a new luxury cat spa!!

Every time I turn around I find Miss Allie sleeping under the warm light.

Sunday: Decided to change the shower curtain--

---which has a more fall look to me--

--because I ordered a new liner.  Easier to remove them both and start afresh--lol!

I've always had the big stiff clear plastic liners you can get for like 5 or 6 dollars.  I splurged and got this new kind for 12 dollars.  Probably not "new"--just new to me.  OMGosh!  It is so light and soft!!  I wonder how well it repels water?  I'll find out.

While I finished up--Allie took a moment to check out the toilet before she knew I was going to leave and turn the light off.  Why do cats have a fascination with toilets?  Is it just the water?

Sunday afternoon the organizers arrived!  I at least managed to remove everything from all the lazy susans (four of them) and clean them up, even though I only plan to use the organizers on two of them.  Turned out there was a small round one that didn't spin.  Didn't work at all.  So I have to return it.  But I liked this bigger octagon one, anyways.  I'll order another one of these once I get my refund.

It's tall enough it works even when it is hanging a little over the edge like that.  But I don't know that is where it will stay.  

Then there are two of these non-spinning types on the kitchen lazy susan.

Don't they look like that beautiful ink drop paper I got for my bookcard covers?  

Anyways, they are far from figured out.  Have to wait until I get the other octagonal one later on, but at least they are dust free, scrubbed down, and clean.  I did purge a little, too, as I cleaned them--but the serious reorganization will come after the final organizer arrives.  They are still in need of a bit more purging--lol!  You can't say I don't use them all, that's for sure!  They're a big part of my life actually.

So, besides laundry, doing dead heads & watering on the patio, cooking, dishes, and the rest...what else did I do this past week?  I squeezed all those acrylic tubes of paint and they were all soft and not hard.  Hurray!  I tried the Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha coffee and I can't even drink it without cream.  Not a fan.  And yet I tried the Caramel one and it was really good just plain black.  Haven't tried the Kicking Horse brand yet--LOL!  Been watching Netflix DVDs while I still can this month--lol!  Just taking it easier than I have been...well, for a while, at least.  ;)

This week I have my appointment with my nice, new oncologist, Dr. Failing, on Friday.

Leah told me that I don't have to give up my regular doctor/osteopath I had at Essentia because their computer information is connected.  So I am planning to call today to ask if that's okay--and make an appointment to see her.  Maybe she will renew my BP medication this next time for me.  I always really, really liked Dr. Kessler!  She is the one who caught the cancer, too.  Other doctors just kept telling me I had a bladder infection and gave me antibiotics.  I didn't care that much for the new lady dr that I tried out at Sanford (not that they don't have a whole lot of drs at Sanford) but I would like to see if I can actually stick with Dr. Kessler!  I know she's really booked up ahead of time, but she is worth waiting for. :) :)

The weather has cooled down considerably and I LOVE it!  Having the place open again--both Allie and I are very happy.  With everything going on in the world I am so grateful to have my ordinary, boring (to others) life with a cat purring loudly on my lap.  

Bless you all!!  

See you next week!  :)

September 5, 2023 Tuesday--7am

 Good morning!

I never even got to this extra post yesterday.  My hours were flipped so I was up all night.  McFamily was going to come over in the afternoon.  Dagan and Leah were going to rearrange everything out in the garage so that Chuck (BIL) could easily pick up all the ValleyCon furniture this coming weekend.  We have been setting a lot of stuff on it--been storing it for Dagan and Leah since I moved here, I think.  It was piled with IKEA furniture boxes, potting stuff, etc.  

Anyways, I let them know they could come after breakfast since I was still up, and plus it was supposed to be in the mid-90s.  So they came earlier.  The boys stayed inside with me--totally preoccupied playing a new game Liam had gotten for his birthday--lol!  It went quickly and they were gone.  I stayed awake until 3:45pm and slept till 7:45pm but then slept again from midnight till 5am.  (Maybe the melatonin is doing something, anyways.)  So as a zombie woman yesterday, I wasn't up to doing the blog post.  But now I am awake and fairly alert.  

There are tons of pictures to scroll through.  And some very short videos.  I don't think any of them are even a minute long...more like a few seconds--lol!  They went to the Mega Mall more than once.  (That's what we often locally call the Mall of America.)  It has rides right in the center of the mall, an aquarium, mini golf, and they did make it to the Rainforest Cafe!  They went to The Science Museum with the dinosaurs and some interactive challenges.  I already showed you the trip to the Children's Museum.  What a week they had!

Main floor in the center of the Mega Mall is the Nickelodeon Universe...with all the rides!

Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul

A "live" T-Rex--lol!

Sea Life aquarium at Mega Mall

Watching sharks glide over your head is always thrilling!

Nemo!

Teeny, tiny starfish!

The boys showing the tiny starfish.  :)

Black light mini golf at Mega Mall.

Ian won a free game at the Rock of Ages Black Light mini-golf and Daddy won a free game at the Moose Mountain Adventure Golf.  They have a year to use their free games and hope they will be able to.  :)

Rainforest Cafe!

A giant blob of Silly Putty at...

...The Crayola Experience.  

I didn't know Crayola made Silly Putty!  Did you?

The Lego store is always a big hit!

(Wish lists were started for Christmas here!)

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar at Mega Mall

I love this drink robot!!

Swimming at the hotel.

And finally the Vikings pre-game before the ride home.

Collapsed at home after the vacation.

Summer vacation over.  Time for homeschooling again.  They each have signs for their side of the table--lol!

Mama got the big wooden holder from an Etsy shop.  Makes a pretty cool school table centerpiece!

When she was over here last week, she cut cardstock circles to put down in the bottom of the holes to try to protect them from all the crayons, scissors, and such.

Dagan's checkups went well...except for his pacemaker.  It is only two years old and losing battery power way faster than they had expected.  So he may have to go in for a more extensive surgery pretty soon where they would replace the leads into his heart and move the pacemaker from his abdomen (was put there because he was too small to get it put on his chest when he was 12) to up onto his chest.  

If you may recall, he's had so many pacemakers that he has extensive scar tissue in the "pocket" area where he's had them since he was 12...to the point he didn't even bleed last time when they cut into him and they were afraid it wouldn't heal back together again that time...but it did.  So this would mean a big shift and new leads screwed into his heart.  I'll let you know when Dagan hears.

Meanwhile, I have CT scans on Friday.  Keanna comes to clean today.  And I will continue to work on P&P in the studio.  The weather is supposed to cool off considerably and the Canadian smoke is back.  Stay safe.    Have a great week!  :)