It's that time of the year....

It's that time of the year....

Friday, May 31, 2013

Rainy Friday…

After a sunny morning it is raining again.  My daughter and I went to a few garage sales this morning.  This was fun for me because I love garage sales.

Yesterday was stressful .  I met one of my oncologists.  It was a 2 hour event which was depressing knowing that my time there has just started.  I will have a PET scan next Wednesday.  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154877.php  This will determine if the cancer has spread.  Then one week from the coming Monday I will see a Radiation Oncologist.  This is the day that I will learn what my treatment will be.  Most likely I will be having radiation. 

Last Friday on our trip back home I noted that the wind farms are more numerous in the area.  http://www.illinoiswindmills.org/index_files/windfarms2.htm

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This is the best picture I could get through my dirty car window going 55 miles per hour.  I think the turbines are beautiful  I would love to get a closer look at them.

I hope you all have a peaceful weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Keeping Busy…

I have been trying to keep busy so that I don’t have time to stop and think.  Yesterday my daughter and I visited the Cancer Center where I will be having my appointment tomorrow.  It is a very nice building.  I needed to find out if they would be accepting my insurances which they will.  Now I have a big pile of paperwork to fill out to take with me tomorrow.  Also a video to watch which for some reason I can’t make myself do this.  I will force myself to sit down after I finish my laundry and do these things.

Thank you all so much for the comments you left for me.  There are several of you that I have known since I first started blogging in 2005.  I cherish the comments from my blogging friends, new and old.  Your kind thoughts and prayers sustain me.

Have a wonderful day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Love,

Beth

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day..

I am so very proud of our military men and women, past and present.  They selflessly serve, protecting our country.  May God Bless them all and keep them safe and may we someday have a world where there are no wars, only peace and love.

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I am sharing some more photos of my trip on Friday.  A couple of weeks ago I posted a video of the Paxton Majestic Theater which burned to the ground in November 2007.  Since I have moved from Paxton the site of the fire has been turned into a beautiful little memorial park.

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The sun was casting a shadow on this sign but I wanted the picture anyway.

The inside of the park is beautiful with stone benches.  Roses and daisies are just starting to bloom.

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I hope you all have a lovely day.  It has poured down rain all last night and is still raining.  About 2 inches is the total so far.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Dear blogging friends…

yesterday afternoon I received a diagnosis of cancer.  I have an appointment with an oncologist this coming Thursday morning.  I will know more then what I will be going through.  This was devastating news for me.  Cancer is not a new word for me.  I lived it with 4 siblings and my husband.  None of those cases had a positive outcome.  I would like you all to think of me with kind thoughts and say a prayer if you are so inclined.  Thank you.

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It has poured down rain most of today.  Yesterday was beautiful though for our trip home to put flowers on Jim’s grave.  I was able to stop by and see some of my old friends which was very nice.

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This is a picture of me taken with with my old beautician Sherri in her shop yesterday.  She is a dear friend that I watched grow up and was her first customer  when she got her license.

Below is a picture of her shop.  I think the picture is really neat as it shows the reflection of the cars parked out front of the shop.

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If you click on the pictures they will be larger.

I am pretty shell shocked today as I am trying to digest everything the oral surgeon had to  say.  I will be around to visit you all when I get myself collected.

Love,

Beth

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A new day dawning…

I have always loved that phrase.  There is a beautiful song with that name sung by many artists.

 

“Thank you, Lord, for a new day dawning

Over our mountains and valleys of green,

Thank you, Lord, for a new day dawning

And shining Your light from above”


 CELTIC THUNDER - NEW DAY DAWNING LYRICS

Our new day dawning here is drizzly and cloudy.  The temp is 64 degrees and  not to be nearly so warm here today.

I have my plans all made to make the trip home on Friday to put flowers on Jim’s grave.  My daughter will go with me.  I will try and stop by to say hi to my old friends.

new day dawning

Have a great day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Devastation…

I am heartsick over the devastation caused by the tornadoes in Oklahoma.  The loss of life, especially the children, is hard to take.  My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/20/us/oklahoma-tornado-developments/index.html

We were lucky here.  My weather radio was constantly going off and we were under a severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado watch until 3 AM.  It all passed to the northwest of here and all I heard was distant thunder.  It is sunny this morning but we still have a chance of  thunderstorms.

The Arias trial fizzled out yesterday as there were no mitigation witnesses to call for the defense.  Supposedly Arias will speak to the jury today and this trial can wind down.  And then, no more trial watching for me.  This one has worn me out.

Have a great day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Monday, May 20, 2013

Rainy Monday Morning…

We are in line for storms here through Wednesday.  The power was off sometime  during the night as everything is flashing here this morning.  It is 66 degrees this morning and to reach the upper 80s today.

I have quite a few errands to run this morning so I will be out and about for awhile.  Then I will settle in to watch the final phase of the Arias trial.

I hope you all have a lovely peaceful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sunday morning…

and things are looking better for me.  I am still eating soft food but I am going to try eating something a little more substantial today.

It has been very warm the last few days.  To reach upper 80s to 90 degrees today.  Storms are to roll in tonight.  Right now the sun is shining at 65 degrees.

I have been reading a book called Maine Brides written by Susan Page Davis.  It is a book I got at a garage sale some time ago.  There were many books by this author, all named after a state and then ‘Brides.’  I am aggravated at myself now because I didn’t buy the one named ‘Illinois Brides.’   The book I am reading is excellent.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3171354-maine-brides

maine brides

It is boring finding something to fill the time when you are feeling tough.I looked through all of my old pictures and videos.  I haven’t fixed a video for several years.  I did find one I think you will be interested in.  The theater in my little town (3 blocks from where I lived)burned to the ground and I was busy taking pictures along with half the town.  Pay no attention to the music.  It is some free music I got from the internet.

 

Paxton  Theater Fire

Have a peaceful day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Friday, May 17, 2013

Feeling just a little bit…

under the weather.  I will be back online in a couple of days.

Love,

Beth

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Expensive Oil Change…

Why is it each time I go to the car dealer for an oil change they find other things wrong?  Granted my car is nine years old with almost 86,000 miles on it and I did ask them to check it over good.  I do not want to get out on the road and have something go wrong.  Anyway, today I am almost $500 poorer.

It was HOT yesterday.  89 degrees with bright sunshine.  My daughter put the new floor mats in my car that she and Mike got me for Mother’s Day.  It was so hot being out in the sun.  And did we ever have a time getting the 4 place mats apart that were stapled together with heavy duty staples.  But they are in the car now and they look really nice.

I have another doctor appointment this morning that I will be glad to get over with as it has been bothering me for some time.  I would appreciate a kind thought this morning at 10AM CDST.

Time to get off of the computer and go and have my breakfast. 

Have a blessed day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Monday, May 13, 2013

Sunny Monday…

Beautiful day!  Although it was quite chilly in the 30s when I got up this morning it has warmed to 61 degrees with bright sunshine.  High tomorrow to be mid 80s.

I have been busy this morning running some errands and doing laundry.  Tomorrow morning I am going to the dealer to get my car checked over and the oil changed before I go back home to put flowers on Jim’s grave.  I really hate it that I can’t go more often.

Nothing new happening here which is good news as far as I am concerned.  I hope you all have a peaceful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Sunday, May 12, 2013

The Red Lobster…

I was treated to Red Lobster yesterday by my daughter and son in law.  It was great.  I had breaded shrimp, crispy red potatoes and Caesar Salad. (I hope I spelled that right,)  And of course the Cheddar Bay Biscuits which were  piping hot and delicious.  Then we came back to my place where we had some of the lovely cake and coffee.  It was delicious.

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Tulips blooming in the parking lot at the Red Lobster.

Following are a few pictures taken on the way home out of the car window in the back seat.

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Thank you to Mike and Marcia for such a lovely day.

I hope you all are enjoying a great day.  It is sunny this morning and cool.  It was 38 degrees when I got up.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

My mother has been gone for a very long time now.  I miss her a lot.  She had a lot to deal with, 8 children plus health problems.  I miss her each day of the year but it really hits home as Mother’s Day draws near.

My daughter and son-in-law are taking me to Red Lobster to eat today for Mother’s day.  This is my favorite place to eat.  I love the shrimp there, so I always have some version of it.

My daughter got me a beautiful little cake for Mother’s Day.  It is frosted angel food which is my favorite cake next to pineapple upside down cake.  It has a heart shaped cookie on top with mom written on the cookie.

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My son sent me a beautiful card and will call.  It is such a privilege to be a mother.

Don’t forget to hug your mother tomorrow and tell her you love her.  Rejoice if you are still lucky enough to have her with you.

Have a blessed weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Remembering a lovely lady…

Jeanne Cooper passed away yesterday after a short illness.  Ms. Cooper was 84.  She had been on the Young and the Restless since its beginning some 40 years ago.  She was a very classy lady and one of my favorites on the show.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/showbiz/tv/obit-jeanne-cooper-young-restless/index.html  Rest in peace Mrs. Chancellor!

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PHIL MCCARTEN / REUTERS FILE PHOTO

Outstanding Lead Actress Jeanne Cooper from The Young and the Restless poses with her award at the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008.

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And HOORAY!!! finally the trial is over and Jodi Arias was found guilty of  1st degree pre-meditated murder.  And even after being found guilty she immediately had an interview with Fox News where she stated that she would rather be put to death than spend her life in prison.  Ask and ye shall receive.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/05/09/jury-convicts-jodi-arias-of-first-degree-murder/

I am going to be quite busy today so I may not be around to visit.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

P.S.  It is raining here again.  Storms predicted.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Up and at ‘em…

early this morning.  I have been waking up a little after 5 in the morning for the last week or so.  I just get out of bed then, no since staying in bed since I am wide awake.

It is a beautiful morning.  The sun is shining at 52 degrees.  The temp is to reach the mid 80s today with more rain coming in tomorrow.

My visit to the doctor was good yesterday.  He had left his God complex at home and was very nice and courteous to me.  He spoke to me as an adult and not as a backward child.  I have so many different doctors, one for everything.  Sometimes I can’t keep track of which appointment I have with which one.  Some of them I like,  A couple of them I tolerate and two of them  I have a great deal of liking and respect for.  Sadly the doctors today have no ‘bedside manner.’

“Bedside manner…

A good bedside manner is typically one that reassures and comforts the patient while remaining honest about a diagnosis. Vocal tones, body language, openness, presence, and concealment of attitude may all affect bedside manner. Poor bedside manner leaves the patient feeling unsatisfied, worried, frightened, or alone.”

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I am doing laundry this morning.  I have changed the bedding and taken off the blankets to wash.  Now watch it get cold again.

Have a peaceful day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Monday, May 6, 2013

Busy week…

I had an appointment this morning with the dermatologist (reminding everyone again how important sun screen is.)    Tomorrow morning is an appointment with my cardiologist. 

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Taken this morning.

Then on the way home a stop at Costco.

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Lots of new building going on in East Peoria close to the Costco store.

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Thank you for your comments on my post yesterday.  Your prayers are appreciated.

Have a wonderful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Asking for prayer…

on this Sunday morning.  My cousin Bryce in south central Missouri is undergoing chemo for cancer.  My dear blogging friend Janice ( who calls me mama Beth) has just finished a round of chemo and is pretty well worn out.  She hasn’t been able to do her blog for sometime now.  My sis’s dear friend Joy is battling cancer and dealing with chemo.  I know what these folks are going through because I lived through it with my husband for 2 years.  Cancer does not discriminate when it chooses its victims.  It is a cruel painful disease and shows no mercy.  All kind thoughts and prayers will be gratefully appreciated.

Love,

Beth

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Rain, Rain go away…

Last summer we were begging for rain here in central Illinois and now we are begging for it to stop.  We got over an inch of rain yesterday.  It is still raining and forecast to last through tomorrow.

The trial is now in the hands of the jury.  The jury has set their hours of deliberation from 9 AM – 4:30 PM (11 AM – 6:30 PM CST) Monday through Friday.  I have 4 months invested in this trial so I have to see it through to the end.  I have mentioned before that I do not believe in the death penalty although if I were to make an exception it would be in this case.  Ms. Arias sat through the whole trial like she was an honored guest at a Royal tea party, smirking occasionally, shaking her head yes or no and flopping her hair around and taking her fake glasses off and on.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/04/us/jodi-arias-primer/     If you click on the link you can find out in just a matter of minutes what took me 4 months to learn.

I have been feeling better so I did a bit of housework this morning.  No need to go out in the rain as I would just spend money buying something that I don’t need.

Have a peaceful weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Friday, May 3, 2013

I was mesmerized…

I could not leave the television for one minute yesterday while Juan Martinez was delivering his closing argument in the Jodi Arias case.  That man was spectacular.  If one was to be murdered in Arizona they should hope that he would be the prosecuting attorney.  He spoke for more than 6 hours without notes.  He had the whole case right in his head.  Genius!  Then at the end of the closing argument he went through the  jury instructions step by step where even I could understand them.

So, needless to say, all I did yesterday was to watch TV and eat.  No computer time till evening.  No blog.  No visiting all of you. Today I will watch Kirk Nurmi defense attorney for Arias but there is no way I will be mesmerized by him.  That guy is a big slouch!!  I hope he can get through his closing argument without burping again.  He is the epitome of unprofessionalism.

e·pit·o·me

[ih-pit-uh-mee] Show IPA

noun

a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class.

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It is raining here again today and forecast to rain for the next 3 days.  Predicted rainfall of 2 – 3 inches.  Of course we don’t need that here as that could put the Illinois River back in flood stage.

I am in my header picture with my daughter and my mom along with my nephew Danny,

Have a wonderful weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!  I will be on jury watch for the verdict.

Beth

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Happy May Day…

I remember the first day of May when my children were small.  They  would make paper cones at school and secretively bring them home.  Then they would scout the yard for violets and dandelions.  I then would be presented with a lovely May Day bouquet from them.

I think you all may have gotten the wrong impression from my time spent in the hospital on Monday.  I was taken immediately to a bed where I had an EKG which was fine.  My doctor had insisted that I go to the emergency room because she thought my pain might be heart related.  I had a CBC and meds (anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant) through an IV.  This was only a temporary fix.  I do have a prescription for muscle relaxant which I probably won’t fill.  So I am resting on my laurels right now.

“rest on one's laurels”

Fig. to stop trying because one is satisfied with one's past achievements. Despite our success, this is no time to rest on our laurels. We rested on our laurels too long. Our competitors took away a lot of our business.”

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So I will…

softkitty
http://youtu.be/sIp77PUvLTE

You all have a great day.  Don’t forget to watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursday night as it is a new episode.  Bob Newhart is a guest star.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth