Catching Up

Did you read my Heaven & Hell post?

If not, I hope you'll read the following two paragraphs, it is very important!!!

"The other day when I was finished with chemo and waiting for Kevin to pick me up I was chatting with one of the super fantastic nurses about the end of life. She used to work in hospice care for several years and told me about one experience she had. The patient had a painful cancer and was on whatever pain meds were available. She did not believe in Jesus or the Bible. She invited all sorts of people into her home at the end to attempt to figure this out: from tarot card readers to a Baptist minister. Finally, at the very end, she was given the same thing a surgery patient is given to 'knock them out'. When she passed a terrible, loud, blood curdling, piercing scream could be heard for 3 blocks. I think she had just fallen into hell's fire. How awful. I've never heard of anything like that, I have heard of people saying that  family members are there to greet them, that they've seen a bright light, of smiles. One of the hospice nurses quit right after that job. Now you know why I want you to believe and to be in heaven with me! You can become a believer in the last 5 minutes of your life, but we don't know when the end of life will come and if you'll have 5 minutes to become a Christ follower.
Hell is an ETERNAL fire, not for me!"

the following is a comment from one of my followers. 

"Our friend, Mike, sat with an old friend of his that was dying. He was an atheist and Mike had been working with him for a long time to get him to believe in God and the bible. He said he KNEW but religion wasn't for him. Mike swears that when he died (he was sitting there with him) that there was a dark "fog" that rolled into the room and hovered over him and he died with an agonized look on his face. Now, if it had been anyone but Mike I might have been hesitant to believe it. However, there was a nurse and relative in the room that also saw it. The nurse said she had never seen anything kike it and it scared her badly." 

Did you survive the first holiday weekend of the summer? We had a quiet weekend........... Saturday night Jalen came over and stayed overnight, we went to church Sunday morning.....it had been months since I've been there. Sunday a couple of my friends came over and helped me pull weeds from my flower garden. Monday was very nice, Kevin drove one of the city 'dignitaries in the parade in our convertible. I wanted to plant my 3 tomato plants, but it was too warm for me so I sat on the deck and did some reading. I did get one plant planted....2 more tomatoes and many flowers to go. After Kevin got home from golfing (yes, I was a golf widow most of the afternoon) we took the convertible and went to eat. Kev was nice enough to allow me to choose the restaurant - the new Mexican place in town. Kev doesn't care for ethnic food....but he had tacos with ONLY cheese and beef. I had seafood enchiladas......that just didn't agree with me, I did not feel good when I went to bed. I actually took an anti-nausea pill before I went to sleep. I think I have that place out of my system for a while.

I was good after that. This morning I had a an appointment with the Home Heath care nurse  and then onto my oncologist. Since I have neuropathy and drop foot he decided to change my chemo to an oral pill.  Hopefully the drop foot will go away and I will be able to walk and drive again. It is really hard not to be able to drive myself around!!!! Dr wanted me to walk on my toes (not happening) and my heels next ( that didn't happen either).Today was a free day. I go back next week for a chest x-ray and find out about the drug. Of course, everything has to be ok'ed with the insurance company.

I'll keep you posted on my new chemo journey! 

Come back soon!

Do You Believe In Heaven And Hell? (warning - long Christian post)

I do, I definitely do, and I am going to Heaven.

How do you get to Heaven? Through Jesus, by believing and having a relationship with Him. I am not a very scholarly person when it comes to the Bible, but I know what I believe and to get into heaven you MUST believe in God!

                  John 14:1-6New International Version (NIV)Jesus Comforts His Disciples14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”Jesus the Way to the Father5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Following are some of my favorite verses about heaven and hell. 

Our God is a loving God:
John 4:8-10

8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

John 3:1616For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. He wants us to spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Heaven can not be explained......it is more beautiful than anything we have ever seen....maybe you've heard stories of people who have 'been to Heaven' but it was not their time and they returned to earth. It is very comforting, but I'm not sure how much of that I believe. He wants us to spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Heaven can not be explained......it is more beautiful than anything we have ever seen....maybe you've heard stories of people who have 'been to Heaven' but it was not their time and they returned to earth. It is very comforting, but I'm not sure how much of that I believe.

The other day when I was finished with chemo and waiting for Kevin to pick me up I was chatting with one of the super fantastic nurses about the end of life. She used to work in hospice care for several years and told me about one experience she had. The patient had a painful cancer and was on whatever pain meds were available. She did not believe in Jesus or the Bible. She invited all sorts of people into her home at the end to attempt to figure this out: from tarot card readers to a Baptist minister. Finally, at the very end, she was given the same thing a surgery patient is given to 'knock them out'. When she passed a terrible, loud, blood curdling, piercing scream could be heard for 3 blocks. I think she had just fallen into hell's fire. How awful. I've never heard of anything like that, I have heard of people saying that  family members are there to greet them, that they've seen a bright light, of smiles. 

One of the hospice nurses quit right after that job. 

Now you know why I want you to believe and to be in heaven with me! You can become a believer in the last 5 minutes of your life, but we don't know when the end of life will come and if you'll have 5 minutes to become a Christ follower.

Hell is an ETERNAL fire, not for me!

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

Matthew 25:42 NIV

Mark 9:43-48New International Version (NIV)43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] [a] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] [b] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where“‘the worms that eat them do not die,    and the fire is not quenched.’[c]

Job 19:23-27New International Version (NIV)

23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,    that they were written on a scroll,24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on[a] lead,    or engraved in rock forever!25 I know that my redeemer[b] lives,    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[c]26 And after my skin has been destroyed,    yet[d] in[e] my flesh I will see God;27 I myself will see him    with my own eyes—I, and not another.    How my heart yearns within me!

 15 Therefore,“they are before the throne of God    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne    will shelter them with his presence.16 ‘Never again will they hunger;    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’[a]    nor any scorching heat.17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’[b]    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’[c]”

Revalation 7 NIV

Revelation 21:1-4New International Version (NIV)

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:22-27New International Version (NIV)

22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 22:1-5New International Version (NIV)

Eden Restored

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Cousins Reunion

Oh what a gorgeous weekend! The past four days were sunny, warm, and dry. With the help of a friend (and more to come) I have a good portion of the flowers weeded. I was also able to spend time on the deck relaxing.

Over a year ago I received a phone message from a woman I did not know stating that she might be my cousin. No one had ever heard of her but it sounded plausible. I'm pretty trusting and called her back and agreed that she probably was a cousin. She has at least 3 other siblings....2 brothers she is trying to locate. The baby (and black sheep of the family) is her dad. We've tried to arrange a meeting.......but one thing or another prevented it. She lives about 2 hours from here. Then my cancer came back...............how long would I be here? Would I actually get to meet Lori?

As Grandma Mathison (my mothers's  mother) would say " We are not long livers" Meaning our family doesn't live to be a ripe, old age. Our grandparents and parents have passed away. I am not the oldest cousin, but I'd say the older ones are no more than 5-8 years older. Unfortunately our family has not remained close.

two gorgeous book ends with a sprinkle of pretty (my sister) in the middle

oldest to youngest

You might be able to tell that Matt is adopted....no one else has a beard, 

Finally the day came..............Lori was coming here on Saturday, I invited 2 of our other  cousins to come also. No, I was not nervous or scared. But....my 'cleaning man' AKA Kevin, was going away for a golfing weekend. He'd be home saturday night so we changed the date to Sunday. He got home saturday night and cooked and cleaned Sunday morning. 

My 'new' cousin is worse that my sister, she was here really early. No problem, I was expecting my sister early too. We had a good laugh after I broke a glass and Lori and (her friend) Karen started to pick up the glass from the deck. Lori fell over, on her back. and was laying on the deck....and I didn't get a photo. She had knee surgery in Dec and forgot that her knees don't bend like they should.

We had a good afternoon; looking at photos, remembering, getting to know each other, etc.

Thank you to Pat and Mike, Matt and Jamie, Lori and Karen, Sandy and Lisa, and especially to Kevin for doing all the hard work for this. Actually it was not hard! I really wish we could do this a couple of times a year!!!! I love having get togethers!

Mostly Kid Stuff......Maybe Not

There's not much going on here.......'spose to be spring and end of year school activities abound. It's still so chilly here that I haven't been out. I am trying to get friends over to help me with some outside work....they offered but it's been cold.

Last week my girlfriend and I went to bookmuchers with my grandsons.....but I messed up and had the time wrong. We were too late to listen to them read but we had lunch, the most important thing anyway, right? I brought Cousins for one boy and DQ for the other one.
On friday my son came over and we ate at a local restaurant and then visited a museum. Two Rivers is the home of the ice cream sundae. There are other places to see but I chose this one first.

   the old time bar in the Washington house

They don't charge admission, the only money they make is by selling ice cream, so we each had a Sundae.

I was sooo tired on saturday, friday may have tired me out.

The weekend was quiet and cold. 

This week has been busy. Monday we attended the 5th & 6th grade band concert, it was nice.

Tuesday afternoon we went to the music/chorus concert at school. Their concerts are so neat, they always sing unique songs. Grandson J was happy to see us there. He called me that night and we had a great visit.

Tuesday night I went to  book club, always fun.

Wednesday I had to set my alarm and get up early :-( for an appointment in Milwaukee with my cardiologist. 

I got my arm poked again and more blood was taken. Dr asked how I was and I explained my latest diagnosis to him and he decided to get an Echo to see now my heart is faring this time.

I got the call this morning, my EF is 47% and no paricardial effusion. (fluid around the heart) The percentage is the same as earlier this year, so I am pleased.

In between appointments we had (free) lunch at Noodles & Co, one of the places I like to go. Our lunches were free because one time we were there and ordered a small bowl and received a large one instead, a large is really too big for me. After I was finished we made a couple of stops and then came home. It was nice to have someone to visit with and catch up on 'stuff'.

Today I had more blood-work done, but no chemo. I've never made it to chemo #3.

Tomorrow the Home Health care nurse comes to drain the fluid from my lungs (tues & fri).

In the wee hours of the morning Kevin is leaving for a golf weekend in southern WI. They'll golf all day friday and Saturday and be home Saturday night. 

On Sunday 3 of my cousins (who have never been to my house) and my sister are coming.....sort of a reunion. One of the cousins is our 'long lost' cousin whom we've never met. Pretty exciting, huh? Wish me luck!

I'll try to straighten up the house a bit and Kev will clean Sunday morning. We're going to grill out...the weather is supposed to cooperate! YAY!

Let's Read Some Good Books

For book club I recently read AT THE WATERS EDGE. It is by the same author as WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. I've read both books, good reads.

Book club meets Tuesday night and I am anxious to see what the other women say about the book. I know one said she could not get into it.

One, privileged young woman, her husband, and a friend sail over to Scotland during WWII and are hit with a rude awakening. See how this love affair and their lives change. 

Currently I am reading THE CANOPY by Angela Hunt and finished THE AWAKENING also by the same author.

The AWAKENING is about a woman who cares for her invalid mother for 10 years, there is no other family. When he mother passes Aurora Rose learns who is family, like family, and who are her friends. She starts life almost all over, since she has not left the apartment for years. 

I am just getting into the CANOPY, it is a little difficult because it deals with prions, antibodies, bacteria, etc. Not my usual genre. I am sure it will be worth it though. As I was stalking Facebook I noticed this author was recommended by someone, so I am checking her out....I will read more. 

Keep reading!!!

Just A Few Thoughts On Thursday

*This has been a long, cold, boring spring. We desperately need sunshine and at least 60 degree temps.

*Fortunately this chemo is quite different compared to my last one. In 2014 the chemo was a killer....to my body and to some of the cancer cells. I am fatigued but not totally out of it. So far I have eyelashes and fingernails. I have to be sure to put Aquaphor on my nails to keep them hydrated.

*I finally remembered to talk to dr about my peripheral nueropathy (drop foot in right foot) and he looked at me and the first thing he said was "Don't cross your legs". I, then, remembered that it was what he and the therapist said to me 2 years ago. So I will become the 'uncross your legs' police again and see if that helps. Two years ago I'd tell everyone. So for now, I move in slow motion.

*I've also decided that if I don't want to wear a turban or hat at home, I won't. If others don't like it they can put at blindfold on, agree? It doesn't matter. 

*Time to get dressed for my lunch date with my boys. Today is the last time for bookmunchers (at school) with the students so Deb and I are attending. I have to make 2 different stops for their lunches, but it's ok. They get about 15 minutes to read and then we eat. I can, now, stand and put some make up on. Before it was such an effort to clean up and put make up on. It was nice not to have to wash it off tho.....I'm getting lazy. ha ha ha

Have a good day!!!!

Thanks for stopping in. 

Sometimes I Get Out

To be honest I am a fair weather friend, I like sunshine and warms temps. That means when it's been chilly (like for the past month) if I don't have to go out I don't get dressed.....or is that just lazy???? our deck is very private and sometimes I sit outside in my bathrobe...now, don't judge.

Last friday, while some of my friends went away for the weekend, Carla and I went out for lunch at the new Mexican restaurant in town. It's very popular, our small city needs it!

I felt good, I looked good, and it was warm when we left....cooler when I got home. We had a good time!

 We could have posed with the guy or a gal....I never even noticed the girl until we were on the way out.

Our cute, little waiter asked to be photographed with us. 

the last practice for a few weeks

en pointe

 She got her hair cut (and donated it), Claire didn't want to. The girls like it long for dance.

I still get pretty cards.

The home health care nurse is coming later this morning to empty my drain....so I must get dressed. 

It is 46 and rainy out..............the rain is taking a break at the moment but is predicted for the whole day. We were hoping the rain would hold off for a day b/c grandson J has a Confederate war reenactment today. I was quite surprised when he called last night to wish me Happy Mother's Day. He had forgotten to do so on Sunday....I am impressed and hope I had something to do with that thoughtfulness. He also invited me to a couple of school concerts. I don't get gifts because I teach the children that it is not the gift that counts, but the thought. We had such a nice, long, talk.....all 48 minutes. He likes to talk to me b/c I treat him like a person, not a little kid. He's 11 and growing up so fast. Earlier this year his teacher told me that he has grown so much this past school year.

One of the things he said was that he wished he could remain 8 years old. Why? Because he came over every weekend and that was before my cancer.

the end