What a Week!!!

Between last weekend, last week and this weekend, I am almost, now I said ALMOST, thankful to go back to work just to get some rest! Its been crazy. An emotional roller coaster, and somewhat physically draining.

Started out by saying Yes to help a friend out by watching her THREE dogs for what started out as one day and ending up being four days. Which isnt' bad, but OMG. That ment, FIVE big dogs, three pissed off cats and a hamster that could care less. The best part was picking up the three dogs. Unfortunately, we had no leshes, no kennels, no nothing but the scruffs of their necks. Now, we were watching the puppies cause my friend was putting tile in her house so her house was full of workers. I thought my dh was handling the pickup of the animals but of course, once again I was incorrect. Finally it was getting too late and I went ahead and ran over there to get them. Of course, I was thinking everyone was gone by this time, so I was dressed in my pajama best. you know, the capri pants that dont match the nasty t-shirt I was wearing (you know, the "Beaver Brand Fire trucks. Connect your hose to a beaver" shirt that didn't match the pants, with no bra, no panties, and my house shoes. I was looking sharp. Only to pull up at her house and everyone was still there. great. oh well. Im here now so I walk up to get the darling dogs and had to tramp through the wet yard to the backyard to get them. Fianlly the dh arrives and I hand him my phone and the key to the house cause I have no pockets in my beautiful ensamble and grab one dog by the scruff of her neck and start leading her to the truck. About this time, the other dog who will listen to no one, goes storming by me with the dh in tow calling his name to stop. Nope. Thunder was having no part of that. He was having a ball. Finally the dh gets him round up and in the truck and goes after the next one. Luckily this one at least has a choker chain on. Now, I asked the dh to hand me the key so we can lock the house and be on our way. He says he doesn't have the key so now I think, oh great. we've dropped it in the back yard. Now, neither of us have a flash light and its pitch dark. Talk about looking for a needle in a haystack! The best we have are the lights on our cell phones. What a sight that was. Trapsing through the grass looking for a key with cell phone lights. Finally, i walk out to the truck and there sitting pretty as she pleases is that darn key. You know, I hate having to admit to the dh that he was right and I obviously never did hand him the key. Oh well. Finally everyone is ready to go and we get everyone home and everyone but the cats are happy.

Then my friend Roger and I started walking. We found this great little walking path not far from the house. But wow am I out of shape. Hey, I've lost 12lbs though, so I can't complain. Although my body sure was complaining after all that walking. Now, if we can only keep it up. We are trying to do it three times a week, so wish us luck!

Wednesday. Wednesday was emotional for a couple of reasons. One, I talked to an old friend of mine, albiet briefly, at least communication was opened. I miss her. You never really realize how much someone impacts your life until they are not in it. Hopefully we will talk more, but I guess that really depends on how she feels as well. I have to respect her feelings on it all. and Second, I went to visit and basically say goodbye, to my second mom, Cheryl. I'm sure I overstayed my welcome, cause I know she was getting very tired, but I so did not want to leave. Its hard to think it may be the last time I ever see her or spend time with her. I have to give her credit though. She is a fighter. She said she is going to fight this cancer til her last breath. She is still praying for a miracle. She is on hospice now and her church is taking turns bringing her and her family food. I hate seeing her like that. And I hate that she is also struggling with her dh. He's is taking it all so hard. People handle grief in their own way, but he is trying the whole "tough love" approach and for her right now, that is not the way to go. She needs help. And she needs his help. I know its hard for her too because she not only worrys about her future, but she worrys about his as well. He's started drinking again. And she worrys about that as well. Please keep her and the rest of her family in your thoughts and prayers. I know they are going to need it. Maybe miracles really do happen.

Then I caught back up with an old very good friend of mine that I have not spoken to in forever!!! I think one of the last times we really talked, her daughter was 2 yrs old. That daughter is fixing to be 21 yrs old!! Where did the time go? That simply amazes me. We hung out through high school and into college and had a ball. It was really nice to catch up with her and of course, we promised we wont let so long of a time pass this time.

Saturday, I actually went to see an actual movie at an actual movie theater. I have not done that in a very very long time. But I really like this theater. its the one that you can sit in nice comfy chairs and actually order food and drinks. its great. of course, we went to see Shrek 3! I am happy to report, however, that we, the dh and I, were not the only couple there without little ones!!! It was actually a very good movie.

Sunday was spent at moms. They cooked, we ate. I love a home cooked meal at mom's!! We also decided this time to bring one of their fur grandchildren. Sebastian. Our new male cat we've had since December. he is NOT a car riding kitty!! but once he got to grandmas, he settled in and actually had a good time. Not as good of a time as grandma and grandpa had though. I sure wish they would let me get them another cat. I know they would love it.

So anyway. Back to work and back to realtiy. Reality sucks ya know????

Hope everyone had a great weekend even though it was very very rainey!!

The Rules........from the Man's perspective

Please note.. These are all numbered "1"ON PURPOSE!


1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat.You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.We need it up, you need it down.You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moonOr the changing of the tides.Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport.And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.Let us be clear on this one:Subtle hints do not work!Strong hints do not work!Obvious hints do not work!Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem.
See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1 If you won't dress like the Victoria 's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of them makes you sad or angry, then we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do somethingOr tell us how you want it done.Not both.If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1 Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1 Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color . Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle, besides we know you will bring it up again later.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation,Or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Very Sad Update

Its with an extremely heavy heart that I write this.

I talked to Cheryl's daugher, Michelle, this afternoon and they will not be doing anymore chemo. Cheryl went in last night to do the chemo and the doctor told her it was doing more harm now than good, so they will not do anymore. The subcutaneous cancer cells have increased and the side effects are getting to be too much. She is on oxygen 24/7 and the cancer is also now in her lungs. They have given her three weeks to a month left to live. Of course, this also came as a huge shock to her since she was actually feeling better and thought she was getting better.

I'm losing my best friend, and my heart is breaking. I know that is selfish and I know she will be better off and in a much better place, but I'm not ready. How do you say goodbye to your best friend? How do you let her go? How do you not break down in front of her? I know I have to stay strong for her sake, but how? How do you do it? I've never watched someone this close to me die. I hate the way you basically sit around and wonder every day when she goes to bed if she will wake up in the morning. And how must that be for her? You know you have a short amount of time, so how would you feel? What would you do if you knew you had a short amount of time left on this earth? I wouldn't know where to begin. How do you see everyone you want to see and do everythign you want to do, in three weeks? I want to be there with her all the time that she has left. Sitting by her side. But you can't do that either. So, now what?

All I can do is make sure she knows how much I love her and how much of a better life I've had having her in it. She's one of the bravest people I know. Always smiling. Always laughing. And OMG, the lives that woman has enriched. She's never met a stranger. And everyone she ever met saw her grandkids. She had more pictures of her grandbabies. She was the proudest grandma I think I have ever met. And she would just beam when she looked at those babies. My heart aches knowing those babies will grow up without knowing such a fantastic woman. They are too young to fully appreciate her.

Anyway. Just wanted to keep everyone updated. I'd better stop typing on my lap top since my tears are soaking the keyboard. And since I've been crying non-stop since 4p today, I think its time to go to bed.

I just truly hope she knows how much I love her.

Prayer Request

I would like to ask for another prayer request. Along with your continued thoughts and prayers for Cheryl, I would like to add my boss, Mary. Mary is about 5 mths pregnant and has now been put on total bed rest. She will probably not be back to work until after the baby is born which is not supposed to be until August. She had to have surgery to help hold the baby in. She was already a high risk pregnancy and it seems to be getting worse. Please keep her and her baby (which is a little girl), in her thoughts and prayers. This will basically be her one and only shot at having a child so it means the world to her. And too many people out there know what its like to lose a baby when you want one so desparately!! Thank you!!

I hope all the moms out there had a great day yesterday!!!

Funny...

I found the funniest card I have seen in a long time! Now, I have no idea on what occassion you would send this, but I think its hillarious!! Had I found it six months ago however, I know exactly what I would have done with it!

Front of Card:

Inside:

"We have to Pee"

I have no idea why, but I think its so funny! Hope you enjoyed it as well!!!

What a Weekend!

Full of ups and downs and great fun.

First and foremost, I went to the hospital Friday night and saw Cheryl. For laying in a bed for days and undergoing chemo, I have to say she looks really good. Other than losing her hair. To cover this up though, she has on this cute little blue hat. The kind that as her daugher Natalie said, almost made her look like one of those newborn babies they send home from the hospital. Only problem was is was baby blue instead of pink! Guess I'll have to see if I can find her a pink one to wear. She's trying to stay in good spirits but you can sure tell its wearing on her. She commented that she thought the "bumps" under her skin, which evidently is a very rare symptom of cancer, which I believe she called subcutenaous cancer cells, were going down some. Which means, if this is true, that its good news. Leave it to Cheryl to do everything uniquely. These bumps are actually on her head. Not the goosebump type bumps I was invisioning. They do have to continue to increase her pain medications. She should hopefully be at home now but unfortuantly they wont know anything officially for another six weeks or so when they can run the tests again and see if the chemo was in fact working. Lets all continue to pray that it is working. I will keep everyone posted as I hear things.

Saturday we got up early and took a road trip. After picking up Michelle and my godson, we stopped for breakfast at Dennys. Now, to start, the breakfast was going really well, until Michelle decided to move the eggs that were on her plate! Out ran an uninvited guest, a little black spider! I don't know about you guys, but we don't normally order spiders with our eggs!!! That was the end of breakfast and it was off to Brenham. They were having what they called a big ice cream social. It was fantastic! So many shops to look in, crafts to look at and rides to ride. We knew it was a bad sign when the very first shop we went into we each bought something! We had ice cream and kettle corn to our heart's content. They also had a little train ride that Andrew just loved. Couldn't get him off of that! He had so much fun. The best part of the day was watching him have so much fun. We spoiled him rotten! I even found the cutest little sign to hang in my entry way. It says "We had to give the kids away. the cat was allergic!" Perfect for those that couldn't have kids. Finally tore ourselves away and took the scenic route home. A little trip through Washington on the Brazos, and Navasota. You name it, we drove through it. What is it about a trip to the country that is just so relaxing? We were all wore out by the time we got home.

Today was spent doing a whole lot of nothing but hanging with the animals and just plain relaxing. I love lazy days like this.

Mistakes or Blessings?

Ever just have one of those days where it seems like everything you try to do just turns out wrong??? Well, its been that way for about a week now! Sometimes, however, that does not necessarily mean a bad thing. Good things can actually come out of mistakes. At least that is what I am learning. (the hard way I might add.) There have definitely been a lot of comedy that has come out of it as well. I haven't laughed so hard in forever!!!

Last week I was trying to look at the new "beta" version of yahoo mail to see what the differences were but I didn't want to mess up my old account so I set up a new bogus one. Well, I had no idea that this would happen, but I guess I clicked the wrong button and an email was sent to everyone in my address book telling them that I was changing email addresses. I had no clue until I got a call from the dh saying, what is this, your changing your email account?? Well dang, good darn thing I was trying to set up a "private" email account that I didn't want him to know because not only did he know, EVERYONE I knew found out! So of course I promptly sent out another email to everyone in my book saying no my email was not changing. Well, that just brought on a whole barriage of emails from people I have not talked to in forever! (Hi Laura!!! :-) ) So It actually turned out to be a good thing. I got to catch up with what was going on in everyone's lives and it was great fun. I really enjoyed it. People I used to work with, my old bosses, old friends I had lost touch with, you name it, I talked to them. I felt so popular! It sure is nice to feel loved!!

Changing the subject, for those of you keeping up with Cheryl, she started this last round of chemo yesterday and I am waiting to hear from her daughter as to how it going. From what I understand, they should know unofficially whether or not the chemo is helping in a few days because of the bumps she has under her skin. If its working, they will start to go away. As sooon as I hear I will post it so everyone can keep updated. Thanks to everyone keeping them in your prayers.