Seeing Dr. P

We had an appointment with Dr. P this afternoon at 3:45.  It was just a routine checkup where Dr. P looked at Steve's incision.  It was really quick visit.  In fact, we were out of the office and in the elevator by 4:00.  Dr. P said his incision was healing nicely and to keep up the wet to dry bandages.  He told Steve that when he felt well, he was to get out and move around more.  Steve told him that when he was really active his side hurt and had a cramping feeling.  Dr. P told him that was normal and he still needed to be more active when he felt better.  He thought the fall would be better for him to get out and about.  We do not have to go back to see him until the last week in September.

While in Springfield we went out to eat.  We ate at a Japanese Steakhouse called Hinode.  It was excellent.  The girls have been there many times, but this is the first time we have gone.  We had the works and believe me, we are stuffed like dog ticks.  I suggest if you get the opportunity, you go and eat there, but make sure you are really hungry or you will be bringing home a take home box stuffed with tomorrow's lunch and supper.  He slept all the way home and went straight to bed.  Aubree was home and wound up so he did not get his nap right away.  In fact, I think it was probably 7:30 or so before he actually got to sleep.  I think he will sleep the rest of the night.  He will be up late tomorrow because we have an MRI tomorrow at St. John's

My mom came by for a visit today.  She got here at 10:30 and left at 11:00.  It was a nice visit and a nice meal fixed by Steve aka Chef Boyardee.

Sunday night already?

Just when you start enjoying the time at home, BAM it is Sunday night and back to work in the morning.  Well, that is how I feel this evening.  I can't believe how fast the weekend went.  I guess I think it went so fast because it was a wonderful time.  Steve felt great both days, which is wonderful.  We went to church this morning.  There was a guest pastor that Steve liked. This pastor explained the background of the readings so we had a point of reference and new what was happening when it was written. We stayed for communion and then left.  It is difficult for him to sit on those benches for more than an hour.  We do not stand and sit because that wears him out.  After church we went to Family Restaurant for a brunch and then it was nap time.  He was hungry for Mexican tonight so off we went to the local Mexican restaurant.  We are back home now and he is wiped out.  He will sleep all night, but he needs the rest.  It seems like when he feels well he wants to run, run, run.  We have some appointments this week so that will wear him down at the beginning of the week.

My mother is in Aurora babysitting my brother's kids.  She is stopping by for "lunch" tomorrow.  I am off from 10:15-11:22 so we are going to eat and visit.    It will be rushed but it will be nice to see her.  Even though they only live 3 hours away, we don't see each other very often.  They are constantly on the go with their travel trailer and well....we don't go places so much anymore.

Koleen thought she might get to come home this weekend after the Illinois-Missouri game in St. Louis.  She will not be able to because she has to work on Monday.  It is Labor Day weekend so they are thinking they might be busy.  I think it is great that she is going to see the Mizzou game.  I loved going to Mizzou games and sure think the football atmosphere is something that all students should experience again, again and again.  This will be a special game because it will be at a dome stadium and it is a be rivalry game.  MIZ-ZOU!!!!!!  Got to love the tigers!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Doug's team, Republic, also won their game on Friday.  Good for them!  I hope they have a wonderful season and have way more wins than losses.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Well, yea I am!!!!!!!!  I live for this time of the year. Until January, Steven is an angel to put up with me.  I will watch every football game I can, only college, not NFL.  I have to be careful at the evening and night games.  I get pretty excited and into the games and sometimes wake him up if he has fallen asleep.  He is a big fan, but not a out of control as I am.


 I went to McDonald County last night to watch the Monett Cubs play.   I am the proud aunt of number 56, Kyle Doss.  I even wore purple and caught some flack from people that I know.  But believe me, I will proudly wear it again!  The game was touch and go for a long time.  The Cubs came close to scoring several times and then BAM...in the end zone they went.  Boy, was there cheering from the packed guest stands.  I think Monett fans outnumbered the Mc County fans.  They also scored a field goal. They won 10-0.  A nice W to start of the year.  They will have some issues to address this week in practice, but in my expert opinion, they are fixable issues.  My throat is sore from cheering and yelling throughout the game. Kyle had a great game. He played on offense and defense, which means he spent more time on the field than off the field.  His right leg cramped late in the game, and they iced it for several plays, but in no time he was back in the stance ready to kick some Mustang butt.  I think he did so well because he has a new haircut... a mohawk.  It looks intimidating.   Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of him without his helmet.

Steve is doing well.  He and Amelia went to Grandma's and Grandpa's during the game.  They listened to it on the radio.  Today, we went to Joplin, ran errands, and ate lunch at Olive Garden.  He really likes it there.  When we go places like that, it really wears him out.  He is resting now.  While in Joplin, he and Amelia helped me go clothes shopping.  I needed some new fall and winter "school" clothes.  They both have much better taste than I do.  Of course, I ended up with browns, greens, white and black outfits.  Luckily, the place we went was having a sale and then I got an additional 15% off for being a Mary Kay customer and then I got another 10% for using their card.  Big deals for me.

We have no big plans for the evening...only Mecum Auto Auction and crocheting.  Relaxing evenings are best.

Chemo IV one week

It has been one week since Steve's Chemo IV.  All in all, I have to say he is doing well.  Yesterday, was very hairy.  He had problems with his stomach in the evening and couldn't keep his supper down.  This really upsets him.  I think he thinks I am blaming my cooking.  I know my cooking can be touch and go at times, but I believe that this nausea is strictly caused by the treatment.  Now, if his nausea was a constant battle, I might question my cooking.  I know what you are thinking.  Janie, his nausea is pretty constant at times.  I have to say to you...constant AT TIMES...not all the time.  HA.  He ate Raman today for lunch and had beef tips and noodles for supper.  He kept all that down tonight so hopefully, the nausea has passed until next treatment.

He had a nice time with Aubree this evening.  She sat next to him in bed playing the computer games.  They were playing slots.  She loves to play.  She says, "I'm kicking butts and saving money for college."  She has actually made quite a bit of "money" in the last couple of days.  I think Opa is counting the days until they can go to Dowstream together.  I only hope we haven't created a monster.  She also likes to play games that are matching and tracing numbers.  Of course, they are in no way as exciting as hitting the jackpot or free spins.

While I was at school today, Grandma and Grandpa came by for a visit.  They brought Cowboy Coffee cake, which is always a nice treat.  The leftovers will not last long.  Steve loves the company.  It is always nice to see your mamma and dad when you are not feeling well.  Somehow that makes things a little better.

I'm getting ready for bed, but I am a little concerned.  Apparently, I snored last night and made it very difficult for Steven to sleep.  You might be saying that this can't be true, but I am sad to report, it is not the first time I have kept someone awake.  When the ice storm hit, Amelia and I shared the bed and she complained.  I personally think they are exaggerating.  I know I snore sometimes, but please, it can't be that bad.  I only hope I don't do it again tonight or I might be camping on the couch.  Wish me luck or should I say, wish Steve luck!

Tuesday Tales

It is is already Tuesday after supper.  Steve has been visiting Grandma and Grandpa the past few days.  They have been taking very good care of him.   He has been resting quite well there.  He is very tired still.  We were talking this afternoon and he has been more active this round than any other round.  Usually he does not even get in the car until day 7 or 8.  He has been eating well, but tonight just felt like Raman. They are his old standby meal.  I think it is his comfort food.  Hopefully, tomorrow night he will feel like a complete meal.  He is staying at home tomorrow.  Going to try to make it on his own.  I think he will do GREAT.  I will come home at my break time, check on him, and fix him lunch.  It will be a nice break for both of us.

As a whole, everything else is going fine.  Koleen and Amelia started classes on Monday.  Amelia likes her new job.  I think it is a little different than she thought it would be, but it enjoys it nonetheless.  She works with the really young kids.  Aubree loves school.  She came home tonight and showed Opa her work papers and he "Hubba, hubbaed" her.  She did a good job on the worksheets that were working on preschool skills like marking the ones that are different and the same, drawing lines and Xs.  She traced her ABCs and her name.  They are having her do her name in all caps, which bothers me.  It is very difficult to unteach that when they get to school.  Her fine motor skills are improving.  I think she will be ready for kindergarten when it is her time.  She is really eager to learn and get the approval of the teacher.  She informed us at the supper table that she did not sass her teacher.. she's got that going for her.  Samurai went to his groomers after school and got a bath.  He is sure one sharp looking little warrior.

Top Chef

You will never believe our day today.  I am titling this Top Chef because Steve was the main chef at our house today.  He was feeling good this morning and suggested he make omelets for us for brunch.  Aubree and I chopped all the ingredients and he cooked them for us.  He as always been the Omelet King at our house.  It was so nice to see him up and do something productive.  After brunch, he went back to bed and took a long nap.  He woke up just in time for dinner and once again, he wanted to be a part of it.  He grilled the steaks for us.  He did an excellent job and as always cooked my steak perfectly.  I hardly ever order steaks out because no one can match Steve's steaks.  He has a special marinade ( I'd tell you what was in it if I knew myself).  It is a top secret.  After supper, he went back to bed and is still resting.  He will go back to Grandma's tomorrow.  She already told him that she would make him homemade bread and gravy for breakfast.  How do I compete with that?

I was not really busy this weekend, but I was productive.  I finished another purse.  I am really proud of this one.  It is a little whimsical.  It has cherry fabric lining because the girl that I made it for loves cherries.   My friend, Mona, came over this AM to help me with the button placement.  She has a give for things like that.  I am trying to be outside the box, but I am not quite there.  I think she did a great job in helping me.  I am lucky to have her to lean on when I need to be really creative.

 I have been getting several requests for purses.  They ask me what I can do, and I say what measurements do you want and what colors do you want?  And off I go.  Basically, there are unlimited options so anything is possible.

Tomorrow starts the first full week of school of the 2010-11 year.  I know that all the sixth graders are so excited to start the week off with reviewing sentences:  subject, predicate, and the four types. "WEEEEE," they say, "Let's do grammar!"

Saturday Night Fever?

You can tell by the way I use my walk I'm a woman's man, no time to talk..... I believe that is how the song goes with John Trovolta strutting in those tight pants and silky shirt.  Let me tell you, we have the "fever" here.  Life is good.  Steven had a good day.  He ate an excellent lunch and dinner.  I am so proud of him when he eats even though he doesn't want to.  He stayed in bed most of the day.  Still dizzy when he gets up so he will not be strutting in tight pants and silky shirts yet, but I know it's coming!  He did go outside today and help Amelia hook-up the trailer.  She took the lawn mover over to her friend's to help him mow his yard.  I think it did him good to be outside, but it wore him out and he took about a 4 hour nap afterwards.  I think when it cools down, he will be out and about more.  This heat, just kills him.  He told me tonight that he did not think he would make church tomorrow.  I agree with this wise choice.  I actually think this is his best Saturday after his chemo.

I did not do a lot today, just worked on a couple purses and cleaned house.  Mercy, it sure needed it.  Who would believe that we could get a house so messy in such a short time.  It seems that even though we are not on the farm, we still have farm dirt.  Maybe it is because we are not really in town.  Also laundry needs to be done.  Since school has started I now have "school" clothes to wash as well as bumming around clothes.  It is a shame teachers don't wear scrubs like nurses.  We could just put them on at school and leave them for the laundry service.  We could color code like the hospital:  administration is black, math teachers in red, science in orange, social studies in blue, language in green, PE in yellow...you get the picture.  That would save me time washing as well as deciding what to wear.  Scrubs would be so comfortable.