TToT - Been Gone Too Long

It’s been awhile since I've posted anything for TToT. Let’s just say it’s been a hard long winter. Al is finally just starting to get back to work after his fall and bone breaking experience. I'm thankful that he is doing much better these days.

I've missed posting with you guys and hopefully I’ll be able to keep up in the future.

This past Thursday I had my second CAT scan since remission and this scan came back clear again! My oncologist also told me that my lymph nodes are showing no sign of cancer in my neck area. All is good even though I am still having chemo as a preventative measure every 3-4 weeks.

The weather is finally starting to warm up and I’m able to get out more walking with Maggie which is really nice. I think she is enjoying all the extra attention she’s gotten since Bruce died in December.

I was thinking the other day that a year ago I was in a deep depression due to the steroids I have to take with my chemo. Then +Charli Mills started a 99 word flash fiction challenge each week. I recall seeing the first one and this broke me out of my slump. I’ll be forever thankful to her for encouraging me to keep on writing.

Seeing so many people breaking up and marriages ending lately has made me feel so sad for these couples. I’m so thankful that I've always had such a good relationship with Al and I feel so fortunate.

I know I've not made it to ten yet but I'm going to stop here for now as I have a huge back yard to start spring cleaning on. Wish me luck as there’s so much dog do do out there J

If you'd like to join in on the TToT please go to one of the following link ups and join us.

Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, The Meaning of Me, Thankful Me, Uncharted, The Wakefield Doctrine

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group

Year in Review TToT

I’ve looked back at all my TToT’s for 2014 and have come up with a list for the last TToT for this year. April and May are missing as I was missing in action back then so to speak.

I would have to say that the best month for me was December although our road trip to Eastern Canada was pretty darn awesome too.

December 2014 Remission

November 2014 Miracles do happen

October 2014 Feeling like wonder woman

September 2014 On the road to Eastern Canada

August 2014 For My Husband

July 2014 the Things We Take For Granted

June 2014 Coming out of Depression

March 2014 Random Stuff

February 2014 I’m an Addict to TToT

January 2014 Not So Thankful

What are you thankful for this year? Link up to any one of the following hosts and join a great bunch of bloggers.

Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, The Meaning of Me, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group

I Thought I Was Going to Die When - Finish the Sentence Friday

Garth, my son, was learning how to drive. He wanted to go on the hwy and I quickly thought about it. "Instead of going on the main hwy, how about we go on hwy 12", I said to him. (This is still considered a hwy but the speed limit is 80 km and hour rather than 100)

The weather wasn't that great and it started to rain. I was getting a little nervous but he seemed to be handling the rain okay.

We'd gotten pretty far away from home and I suggested that we turn around at the next street or driveway off the hwy. Garth didn't realize that I meant the very next one and when I said here pointing, he wasn't prepared.

He turned quickly without breaking enough and we turned, slid, skidded, and I thought I Was Going to Die when everything that was in the back of van shifted back and forth a few times. I remember my fingers hurting from gripping onto the seat so tight thinking the we were going to roll. Finally we came to a stop and we were fine.

I asked Garth what he was thinking and he said, "You told me to turn here and didn't give me enough warning." Fair enough I thought, saying "Just don't tell Dad."

When was the last time you thought you were going to die?

Link up and tell us at any of the following hosts.

Your hosts:
Finding Ninee
Lisa, our sentence thinker-upper (The Golden Spoons)
Jennifer (I’m Dancing In The Rain)

Before I go I wanted to share a $100.00 Amazon Give-Away over at Mail4Rosey.

Wordless Wednesday and Dreaming of Nicer Days

PEI, Canada 

Linking up to ABRACABADRA for Wordless Wednesday.

Ten Things of Thankful and Miracles Really Do Happen

Well today I got the results back from a CAT scan I had done last week. The technicians compared the results with a previous scan I had 4 or 5 months ago. It has been confirmed that all tumors and nodes are clear from not one lung but from both lungs. I'm doing the happy dance and am a true believer that miracles really do happen. I'm not sure how long I still have to go for chemo but will ask my regular oncologist who was at a conference today, in three weeks from now. The doctor that I did see today felt for lymph nodes in my neck (that is how the lung cancer was first found) and he could not feel anything unusual. 

Just over a year ago I was told that I had incurable stage IV lung cancer and that the prognosis was one to five years. Today I asked the doctor if what had happened to me was unusual seeing that all signs of lung cancer had disappeared and his answer was, "Very unusual." 

To read more about my journey with cancer please follow this link. 

I took Al to the fracture clinic this week and the doctor took off the cast and fitted him with an air cast. The air cast is causing him a bit of pain but he is in better spirits since getting out and getting some fresh air. 

Two of my sons helped get Al into the van so that I could drive him to the hospital and then they came back from work to help me get him back into the house. Al is trying to use crutches but since the good foot is sprained and the big toe is badly sprained he has a very hard time putting any weight on the foot. Thankful for having strong boys. 

Thankful that I'm still feeling good and hopefully will continue to. I normally have a few bad days after chemo but am praying that I can breeze through this for another three weeks so that I can take care of Al.

The chemo nurses were all dressed up like witches today for Halloween. They are such a nice bunch of nurses and to them I am thankful for all the awesome care they've given me.

My favorite nurse Jennifer

I'm thankful to the ENT doctor that sent me right to Newmarket to speak and get examined by a group of cancer doctors. He said at the time why mess around sending you to doctors in Orillia when we can send you right to the experts off the bat. 

Managed to get a double batch of dog cookies baked this week and am thankful my dogs love them.

The weather has been awful every time I go out to drive lately so I'm thankful when there is a sunny day even though its usually on a day when I don't have to drive anywhere. I'm really trying to get to 10 ..... can you tell. :)

Oh oh I signed up for the Nanowrimo for November. Like I really need to take on another project. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it. Thankful I feel good enough to take on another project. There that's ten. I did it once again even if a couple were a little lame.

                                HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE 

I'm a cat in case you were wondering.

If you'd like to join in on TToT, please click on any of the following hosts to join in on the fun. You'll meet some wonderful people along the way, and find that you too can easily find at least 10 things to be thankful for each week.

 Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal,I Want Backsies, Mother of Imperfection, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group

Trying to Catch My Breath and Ten Things of Thankful

1.)      It’s been an exhausting week and I’m glad that I made it through it. Some days I'm just trying to catch my breath.

2.)      Al wiped out yesterday and I’m thankful I was there to grab his arm before he fell into the tub. (we were getting ready to give him a shower)

3.)      Sad to say my mother-in-law is returning to Florida on Tuesday. Thankful though that she was here as long as she could be.

4.)      Thankful that the past two days have been sunny. We had quite a few days this week where it rained.

5.)      Thankful for coffee to keep me alert during trying times.

6.)      Thankful for my Ikea serving tray to take meals up to Al.

7.)      Thankful that Maggie and Bruce (the dogs) are so well behaved.

8.)      Thankful that I got to see my ½ brother and his wife this past week.

9.)      Thankful that I can get on the computer still to relax and play Bejeweled and Texas Hold-em Poker.

10.)  Thankful to be alive.

If you'd like to join in on TToT, please click on any of the following hosts to join in on the fun. You'll meet some wonderful people along the way, and find that you too can easily find at least 10 things to be thankful for each week. 

Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, Mother of Imperfection, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group

Ten Things of Thankful Feeling Like Wonder Woman

Last weekend I so wanted to participate in TToT seeing that it was Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. But on Friday night what happened made it virtually impossible to participate. 

My husband had stopped to look at this guys basement. The blocks had been removed from the stairs and when my husband went to go down into the basement the stairs collapsed beneath him sending him falling onto a concrete floor 9 feet below. He broke his ankle in numerous places and broke the tibia bone in the same leg. The other ankle and big toe ended up sprained. 

Sunday Al had surgery to screw his ankle bones back together and he was released from the hospital on Tuesday. I am #1. thankful that he didn't do more damage to himself from the fall than what he did do. 

#2. Thankful that my mother in law is here to help me keep my sanity through all of this. 

#3. For Thanksgiving I cooked a 24 pound turkey complete with stuffing, mashed turnip, mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, veggies, and pumpkin pie for the family. It was different without Al home but everyone enjoyed the dinner. I did take him a plate up to the hospital the next day. P.S. The new stove is wonderful!

#4. Today is my birthday and I'm thankful that I've made it to 57 years old. It doesn't feel like my birthday though. I hear that my youngest son Garth is coming over to cook dinner for me and the family. Can't wait to see what he's making as he is a fantastic cook. 

#5. Always love the weather this time of year with all the colors, and thankful to live in a place where there are four seasons, even though I detest winter :)

#6. I made a seafood linguine this week and I'm thankful that it turned out so good. 

Crab, Shrimp, and Muscle Linguine 

#7. Thankful that I breezed through chemo last Friday morning and didn't stop one day to feel sick or sorry for myself. Normally I have one off day where I sleep all day. There wasn't any time for me to do this, this past week. 

#8. This upcoming week I have an appointment with an oral surgeon as I've been having problems with my teeth from the chemo. I'm hoping to start the process of dealing with the mouth pain. 

#9. Everytime I write or type number nine I think of John Lennon. Anyways I'm always so thankful for ears so that I can listen to music. 

#10. Once again I'm thankful for meeting +Lizzi R and thankful to +Cynthia Calhoun for telling me about this blog hop. 

I'm going to try and make it around to read all of the TToT posts but if I'm slow in doing so please bear  bare bear with me as things are a tad busy around here for me.  Happy Weekend Everyone. 

If you'd like to join in on TToT, Ten Things of Thankful, please follow anyone of the following hosts links and join in. 

Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude,Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies,Mother of Imperfection, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group

Busy Week and so Many Things to Be Thankful For TToT

#1.It has been a busy week and for that alone I am thankful.

#2.We own a family drywall business, Quality
Finishes, and the calls keep coming and coming. We've had to turn down people because of our trip, which we are going on soon. We leave the 8th of September and the closer it gets, the more excited I become.

Only 9 more sleeps to go. Did your kids refer to sleeps when excited over something? I remember my nieces doing this all the time, but not so much with my own boys.


#3. While out shopping the other day I found this beautiful purple wool. I'm making a scarf and not following any pattern Hope it turns out okay, wish me luck.

The start of my crochet scaarf 

#4. Bacon and Eggs. I love to cook but I love to eat too.

Yes that is Ketchup. I like to dip my bacon in it :)

#5. My bestest (I know that's not a real word, or it's miss-spelled) online buds +Kelly Umphenour , +Sharon Smith , and +Susan Holland , who are always are there to cheer me up when I'm down, listen to me vent, or offer me suggestions on how to handle something. Thank you and I love you girls.

#6. I'm getting my ducks in order and it looks like I'll have my children't poetry/story book published before Christmas. I'm so excited about this as it's been such a long journey with this project. I'm planning to donate all proceeds of it to a children's cancer cause.

#7. Most of you know how close I am to my mother in law. For those of you that don't, we're like best friends. Anyways my son Matthew's girlfriend Meghan and I have a very similar relationship as what Claire and I do. We think nothing of going to our favorite pub and having a beer together. We just enjoy each others company and hanging together.

#8. Found something this week to go into my vase that I have sitting on the floor. For most of the month of August I had gladiolas in it. Now I have fake pompous grass and sticks in it. Six dollars at the dollar store!

#9. Feeling thankful and fortunate to live in such a great country. Oh Canada how I Love Thee!

#10. Feeling good all week long.

I leave you with this amazing video from a fellow blogger. We should all be thankful for what we have.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

What are you thankful for this week? Join in on the fun of this blog hop at any one of the following links.

Your hosts are:

Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, Mother of Imperfection, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

Port Severn Ontario on Wordless Wednesday

Port Severn, Ontario

Port Severn, Ontario

Port Severn, Ontario

Linking up for Wordless Wednesday to three places this week. 





Create With Joy







Over at Betsy's on Joyful Reflections


and over at Ruchira's blog at Abracabadra



Wishing everyone a wonderful wordless Wednesday.

Ten Things of Thankful - For My Husband

This week I thought I’d do something a little different and dedicate my post for TToT to hubby, who sometimes I take for granted.

Port Severn, Ontario

ONE:
For sticking with me through all the illnesses I've had over the past 28 years. I know you never signed up for this and hell I was healthy the first 28 years of my life.

TWO:

For the 3 sons you helped bring into the world. They mean the world to both of us and I’m so proud that you’re their father.

THREE:

For all the love and support you give me on almost a daily basis. Hey no one’s perfect right J

FOUR:

For standing behind me (sometimes in front of me) no matter what I decide to do. I know even when you think I’ve made a bad or wrong choice you go ahead with my decision just so you can say, I knew it was the wrong choice so suck it up sweetheart and move on.

FIVE:

For taking such good care of me when I broke my leg a couple of years ago. You’d get up each and every morning and make sure that I’d have my coffee, breakfast, and something for lunch before going off to work. You’d come home and cook dinner (thank goodness you’re such a good cook) and then take care of anything that needed taking care of.

SIX:

For putting up with me on those days where I’ve been a total bitch. (Hey I put up with you when you’re in one of your grumpy moods, so it’s only fair right)

SEVEN:

For not getting mad at me when I backed into that pole at the mall in your truck. (It really was an accident)

EIGHT:

For trusting me all these years with the finances and very rarely questioning why we’re in overdraft all the time. (Just kidding about the overdraft)

NINE:

For never giving up on us, and always sticking by me, even though I know there have probably been a few times you've wanted to walk.

TEN:

For being my soul mate, best friend, and lover all rolled     into one package.

What are you thankful for this week? Join in on the fun of this blog hop at any one of the following links.

Your hosts are:

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, Mother of Imperfection, Rewritten, Thankful Me, The Wakefield Doctrine

Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group