Dicks Franks, Monsewer

Went to a story hour at the retirement community where Helen lives and listened to stories read by a monotone, droning, Baltimore accented volunteer.  Yes, it is nice of him to put to sleep - I mean read- to the resident's, but sheesh put some oomph into it.  He was reading a story that had french passages in it and foreign words that were absolutely appallingly butchered.  Ian, pronounced Ion by the guy, took a nap with the other listeners.  The story was about the pshaw and his trip to France aboard the vish door.  I didn't have a clue what he was talking about.  After some puzzling,  I deciphered that the pshaw was the Egyption Pasha.  One sentence was the one above, which I interpreted as "dix francs, monseiur."  

Two people this week commented to me that they would know I was feeling better when I posted again.  I think I am feeling better, finding the humor in things again.  I started a book, but it might be too depressing to read.  I was in her bookstore last summer and took a couple of pictures. She has a confessional in the middle of the store with this sign.  Chummi Bear who is still missing took a picture inside.

If the old adage "April showers brings May flowers" is true, then we are going to have lots of flowers.  It is hard to believe it is one day away from May and another school year almost wrapped up.  

Sad, Sad, Sad and More Sad

I have not posted in awhile.  I have not sewn in awhile.  I have not read a new book in awhile.  I have not walked in the park in awhile.  My seasonal funk has become a bout of depression - I think.  I really didn't know how desperately close to my heart I was counting on my vaccine trial being a miracle cure.  I knew rationally that this wouldn't happen, but I figured I would be the one to beat the odds.  The thought of going back on chemo, even the low dose that it is, has been devastating.  I don't usually write cancer stuff on this blog, but on Caringbridge everyone very nicely will tell me things will be okay.  You know what, things are not going to be okay.  I continue to fight a fight that no matter what, I am going to lose.  After I go on chemo again, it is just erosion.  Ned asked me if the bad cells and good cells are really fighting?  I asked if he meant with boxing gloves and he said, "no, swords."  Problem is my good cells have swords, but the bad cells have automatic weapons and rocket launchers.

I got the call today that Sarah had to be put to sleep this afternoon.  She is the same age, same litter as Hoover, but she got cancer.  I still haven't recovered from Riley's death and now Sarah is gone also.  I remember how cute she and Hoover were sleeping together in the baby bouncy seat.  She was the ultimate family dog.  I never met a dog who loved people as much as she did.  She loved everyone and wanted everyone to love her back.  The last few days I was told she only had energy to wag her tail, a sweet girl gone.

Add into this late nights, rotting wood, a cat with a nervous disorder, $4.69 gas, cold rain, weight gain, tired kids, a clogged toilet and it is just a sad time.  "Don't nobody bring me no bad news."

Unglued and Carrot Crack Soup

The boys wore me down into getting BB guns- "with their own money."  I gave them a long list of rules, which for now seem to be holding.  We shall see how long it is until Ellen gets hit with a BB.   She will be contemplating what color the sky is in her world and wander into the target area.  There is something satisfying about hearing the ping of the tin can.

I got quite a bit accomplished on a baby quilt that Teri and I have been working on together.  I added boucoup de embellishments, sticking to my mantra of there never being enough glitter or sprinkles.  Teri does not live by this creed and may groan when she sees what I did.  I used up the cool Swarovski crystals from Houston and can't find more online, I didn't know it was possible to not find something  on the internet.

I made two squirrel quilts, because remember my kids did not want me to make squirrel quilts in 2011.  Ellen has asked me repeatedly where her birthday squirrel quilt is.  This was after she told me she wanted to see dog sled racing for her birthday......what?  As you all know, if you do something for one kid, it has to be done for the others.  Surprise- Ian gets a birthday squirrel also.  I asked Teri if she wanted one, but she declined.  At the quilt show I found really cute precut/preglued die-cut acorns, she might want to rethink her decision.

Speaking of preglued, I got a bad batch of Pellon fusible and think I might lose my mind with it.  I can't get it off the backing paper.  It adheres fine, it just won't peel.  There have been bad words used up in my sewing room.  Why does Joann's keep the fusible behind the counter, do people steal it?  Is it dangerous like epinephren?  The clerk did not take kindly to my request to check out several bolts and then my decision to not buy any.  Odds are I would get the same $%^& bolt.  I am going to pay more and just buy it at the good fabric store, my sanity is worth the extra dollar.

 I make this fabulously delicious carrot ginger soup.  If I didn't make it and know all the ingredients I would think it could be drugged, I crave this soup.  It is a yummy combination of flavors and easy to make.  My last batch was missing basil and it needs the basil definitely.  Tomorrow I am going to make another pot of soup and eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner over the weekend.  Ned told his class about the soup and asked me to make it.  Last time we had it Amanda was over and Ned was so busy chatting that he ate about two bites.  Homemade garlic bread and a salad make a perfect meal.  I also need a homemade chocolate chip cookie - tomorrow!

fire, flood, VOMIT AND BLOOD

Those are the only four things you can use as an excuse if you are going to wake up Mom in the night.  We have had two of these events, fortunately not in the night.  We went to Great Wolf Lodge for three days and had a great time.  We were on 695, fifteen minutes from home when Ian spewed all over the backseat.  I could hear vomit hitting the back of my seat, the floor, basically all over sloshy.  Ellen bursts into hysterical crying, who knows why?  The dog panics and tries to hop over into the third seat and gets stuck. That ninety pound labrador is the biggest wussy.   I burst out laughing.  Ian shouts out, "I feel better, and hey, look at the bacon."  Ned is trying to yank the dog out of the way so he can study the chunks, boys are so gross!  I spent the next two hours cleaning.

Yesterday was not a great day.  I have this cold/cough/sinus/feel like death kind of thing.  We canceled Ellen's birthday party, she was VERY gracious to give up her day of fun.  Ian and I lay on the couch watching the Harry Potter movie marathon, it was pitiful.  I went into the kitchen to clean up slightly and cut my finger on a knife.  I was bleeding everywhere and sure I was going to need stitches, but it sealed back up nicely.  If I keep the band-aid on it stays sealed.  

I made it through work today, but have been resting this afternoon.  I went to sit on the patio to get some sunshine on me, but the couch is a better spot.  I have been just slightly sick since September, I don't know if it is the vaccine trial or chemo, but it really stinks!

Spring and Fling

Signs of spring are: snow drops, daffodils peeking up, hot weather, cold weather, wind, woodpeckers madly tapping and absolutely wild kids.  If it doesn't stay warm sooner rather than later, I will have to fling myself in front of a bus bound for some place far away.  Being picked up or run over will get me away from: repetitive singing, ball throwing, headstands, whining, muddy laundry, stinky shoes and general indoor boredom. 

I had planned on coming home from work and doing all the things I don't like doing all in one fell swoop, instead I cranked the heat in my sewing room and worked on a bird quilt.  I think it will be quite cute.  I still haven't put the sleeve on my quilt for the show and it is next week.  I really need to get some real things completed, not just quilting, but real life thangs. 

Super Bowl weekend we started a jigsaw puzzle that is so hard, today I put together three pieces.  I am on a roll.  The kids declared it too hard and won't help me, it didn't look that hard when I got it.  I wonder how many pieces kittenlove has carried off.  I am about ready to put it back in the box and admit defeat.   I think we will build a fire tomorrow night and I will give them the choice to help with the puzzle or fold laundry.  Nothing like MAKING someone enjoy your interests.  Ian just read this and told me it should read "their interests", so unsuspecting!