Fishing

My Mom taught me how to fish when I was a little girl.  We had a small creek that ran through the back of the property.  I loved the rare opportunities I got to run out and grab my fishing pole and dig up a couple worms  and head to the creek.  I learned quickly where the wily little brook trout loved to hang out in the deep pools and under the cut outs in the bank.  I had no style of course, I just dangled the worm in until I got a bite and yanked!  Most of the time I got nothing, but sometimes a fat little trout would come flying out and land in the bushes behind me.  The even got stuck in trees sometimes.  I bet those trout wondered what the heck happened!  I would run home with the fish to show my Mom most of the time.  We kept and ate the bigger ones and the little ones we put in the pond that my stepfather  had made.  I would love to go fish in that pond now, I bet it is full of trout!

Strange life

I was thinking the other day about what a strange life I have had.  I've been places and done things and experienced so much.  I know a lot of things in my life are and have been unpleasant but I feel like writing about them sometimes.  Not to place blame or to shame anyone but just to maybe help myself reflect and figure out why I am the way I am.  There is no way I can put things in chronological order.  So I will just put down memories and try to remember when these things happened.  I will mix the happy with the sad.  The bad with the good.  I have done many shameful things but many things I am proud of also.  I think it would be redundant to start with, I was born and try to recount things in order.  My memory is not that good!  I don't remember being born.  I know we were poor.  My Mom told me how poor we were and how my Dad and her struggled to raise three kids.  My Dad built our house we lived in.  It had tar paper on it as long as I could remember.  He dug the well himself.  I don't remember much about living with my Dad because we left when I was very young.  I can really only remember a couple of things that happened living with my Dad.  I am not going to start remembering things in this entry.  I guess it is just going to be a start.  An introduction of sorts.  This picture is of me and my sister.  I am in red.

Summer time

I haven't posted in such a long time!  Things are going along as usual.  Travis got a job at Wal-mart and his first night was last night.  He took the bus to work from the train station.  Which reminds me that I want to hide a cache there!  There are some pretty interesting works of art and I think I will place a cache under one!  I found it ironic that the pieces were created at Salem art works where I just went caching with my Dad on Father's Day!  

I have really been enjoying the birds this year.  There has been numerous species with babies this year and I feel like I've been a part of that happening with my feeders.  

The garden is going along.  We have only harvested lettuce so far but the church garden has produced zucchini, beans and peas for the first time yesterday!  I was pleased to give one of our church members the first harvest!  

I just went out and checked my trumpet vine.  I have had it for 5 years and I think it is going to bloom.  I found buds on the ends of 3 vines!  I need to put a trellis up for them.  They were growing over the  top of the shed but Rich got upset over it saying they would rip off the tiles so they are draped over the side.  I need to rig some support up for them.  

I have finished my A/C portion of chemo and will start on the Taxol tomorrow.  The Dr. thinks it will be much easier on me.  I hope so.  The Rochester Air show is next weekend and I would like to go.  I am not going to book a room until I am sure of the weather.  It is a 4 hour drive out and back.  Rich is hesitant to take the car due to the transmission problem.  I know that most of the miles will be highway miles so I think it will be ok.  The kids would be free to get in.  I think if we take turns driving we can do it in a day, there and back and save on a hotel.  We can decide when it gets later on in the week.  Besides Rich and I are planning a trip to Atlantic City to see the Airshow next month.  If it rains we will spend the time touring casinos I guess.  No gambling however!  Or we can just cancel the trip.  Next month I am also going on my Casting for recovery retreat!  Very excited about that!  It is free too! 

I have a few entries for the fair this year.  Flowers, antiques, veggies.  Hope the veggies get going soon!  Might have to Miracle gro them!  I am also entering culinary with a chocolate cake.  So that is what is going on in my life right now.. not too exciting. 

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Happy Mother's Day!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day today.  I wish I could give my Mommy a gift today, but I will be sending her a package soon with some old family photos and a surprise!  Myself.. I received a bleeding heart plant, solar lights, a gift card and flowers and a cake! 

I was feeling pretty depressed and sorry for myself yesterday.  I didn't go to the Mother's Day tea at church because I just didn't feel like sitting around and smiling and trying to be happy.  I will go to church today and be happy there.  Maybe during the sermon we can get the bigger kids outside to start the garden.  I will see who is in charge of the class today and ask them.  Or we can do it after during fellowship.  Need to get those seeds in the ground soon! 

I am having a hard time dealing with being bald.  I am having a hard time dealing with only having one breast.  I feel very self conscious.  I try to project a positive appearance on the outside but inside I'm cringing.  Not that I'm a supermodel to begin with but I don't want people to look at me and feel sorry for me.  I have been getting the pity smile occasionally in public.  I just smile back and go on my way.  No one asks questions.  I just had one lady approach me out of the blue and tell me to stop by her spa and get some cooling gel for when I start chemo!  I haven't worn my wig.  I feel like that will make me stand out even more.  It is too tight anyhow.  I am supposed to go to look good feel good at the Cancer center on Monday and I will take it with me and see if they can fix it.  I'm hoping to get a prosthesis soon too.  Waiting for insurance approval.  Those light weight puffs don't cut it.  I look lopsided!  Maybe I can put a rock in it!  LOL  Anyhow I am trying to enjoy spring and my birds and the sunshine.  Blessings to all!

Big G cereal and giveaway!

Big G cereal and giveaway!

Pain and more pain...

Ok I am going to whine just a little.. My back has been killing me!  Ok that is enough.. LOL  Spring has finally arrived here in the Northeast and things are just beautiful.  I really enjoy this time of year.  It is not too hot and we are finally seeing leaves and flowers.  The migratory birds are coming back.  I had my first hummingbird three days ago!  That is early for me!  I have pansies out in the boxes on the deck.
Chemo has been easier this time except for some strange pain in my shoulders and my back of course.  I have a little bit of numbness in my fingertips.  I need to get to the store and get some seeds to start soon.  Also bedding plants for food, cabbage, broccoli etc..  It is too early to start tomatoes but we can get some cold weather stuff going. 
Here are a couple spring pictures!  Red trillium and skunk cabbage!