I hope it rains really hard tomorrow night...

...so people can't set off fireworks. In their backyard. Which I thought was illegal. I have nothing against big "official" displays, but hearing my neighbors do this is really annoying. My dogs and cat absolutely freak out. The dogs bark the entire time. They even get agitated when they hear fireworks on TV. And usually the next morning there is a bunch of fireworks litter all over everyone's lawns. Makes me wish I was living out in the middle of nowhere!!!!!! So, anyway, I am hoping for a torrential downpour after dark. So there.

It's also annoying when you respond to a job opportunity online and you get a bunch of spam as a result. And once again, I got the blue screen of death on my PC. Running anti-virus and anti-spyware software on a regular basis isn't doing the trick. Not happy.

I'm trying to plan a trip to Pennsylvania at the end of this month, beginning of next. I need to know when I'll receive my compression sleeve, because I can't fly without one.

I've been writing a lot of crabby posts lately. I swear my frame of mind is worse than it was while I was undergoing treatment. The boredom is getting to me!

My dog is really a pig

The dogs and I spent yesterday afternoon at my bro's house. We had burgers and hot dogs on the grill. I brought a hot dog home with me to have for lunch today, but Stella had other ideas. I brought them and my stuff in the house, put my bag on the floor, shut off the alarm and took them outside. Stella didn't follow me so I figured she was trying to eat Levi's food. She wasn't, to my amazement. Instead, however, she was sitting in my chair near my PC (where she sits most of the time when I'm using the computer) chewing on something. "Something" turned out to be a piece of hot dog. I looked in my bag and an empty bun in plastic wrap was sitting there. She ate the whole thing and very quickly! AND it was an extra long Nathan hot dog. I could not believe it. Then she expected me to feed her. Don't think so! She knew I was mad and stayed away from me for awhile. She's a piece of work, I tell you.

Last night I saw a new E*TRADE commercial. Hilarious:

New Kitty

I saw my surgeon on Friday and everything is cool. She wants to see me again after my next mammogram in 6 months. I went to lymphodema therapy on Friday and I don't need to go back unless it flares up. The therapist is ordering a compression sleeve for me that I'll need to wear when I fly. The cabin pressure can cause tissue to swell, and with lymphedema, that's not a good thing.

I've been job hunting. Nothing so far. I need something soon....I'm bored and I need to make some money.

My brother's family has a new kitty. His name is Rambo. He's pretty cute. If Rambo is a play on "rambunctious," it fits, trust me. The dogs are freaked out by him. I hope they get used to him soon. Levi hasn't met him yet.

La de da...

I am bored, bored, bored, but don't feel like doing anything. Does that make sense? It's very hot and humid, so working outside is out of the question!

I don't have to go to lymphedema therapy again until next Friday. My forearm isn't tender anymore and it's hard to tell that it's ever so slightly swollen. Hope it stays that way.

I've been reading screenplays of movies I have recently seen or have seen many times over because it's one of my favorites. I'm trying to get accustomed to the format and trying to follow the films in my head. I've had an idea for a script for years, but have yet to put pen to paper. Maybe reading this stuff will motivate me.

When Jeff, Lili and I went to New Smyrna Beach earlier this month, we came across a lot of jellyfish. Apparently I've never seen one before because I thought the first one I saw was the bottom of a bottle broken off. I amaze myself sometimes.

Here's Lili holding one:

Mammo all clear!

After my lymphodema therapy, I dropped off my mammography films at the Imaging Center. The radiologist reviewed them and everything is okie-dokie. No ultrasound needed. Thank you, God! I'll see my surgeon again to review everything with her. Next up: PT scan mid-July.

The Bright House tech was here for over 6 hours yesterday! He had to rewire everything the DirecTV tech did. He also put in a new jack on the wall where my PC resides. I'll miss the satellite, but this is saving me money. Glad that's all done.

Hot today. I wasn't in the yard for 10 minutes and I was sweating. Nice and cool in my house. Staying here the rest of the day!

I'm stupid!

I'm spending the day waiting for Bright House Networks to come and install digital cable and phone. I already have BH Internet. I have to say goodbye to DirecTV and NFL Sunday Ticket. Can't afford it and I'll save money with the BH package. I'm hoping that a lot of the Steeler games are on national TV and those that aren't will have to viewed at one of the bars/restaurants in the area that broadcast them. ;-)

I have spent the last week trying to track down my mammography films. I had my first post-op mammogram this past Friday and they need the previous ones for comparison. So prior to that, I had called the 2 locations where I used to go for mammograms, my radiation oncologist, my surgeon, my medical oncologist and the hospital's breast care coordinator. No luck and I started to get frantic. Then I thought, maybe I should make sure I don't have them, although I don't why I would. Well, I started looking around this morning and OF COURSE, I DO HAVE THEM!! Geeeeez. I can't stand myself. Tomorrow I'll bring them to Florida Hospital's Imaging Center and hoping they can read them all at that time. And that will be their permanent home from this point on. At least now they are using digital mammography so all future ones will be stored on their system.

My arm is doing much better. I go 3 more times this week for therapy, then I should be okay barring any flareups. I'm trying to use my left arm more, but it ain't easy. Try picking up a watermelon with your non-dominant arm and hand.

I had a great time while Jeff and Lili were here. They flew back to Pennsylvania on Thursday. My energy level was better than expected, but it caught up to me this weekend. I was a little melancholy after they left. I've had a string of company since early May. I really have to find a way to spend more time in PA, especially during the summer. I'm having a tough time with the Florida heat and I miss everyone there. My dream is to sell my house, buy a condo here and a house in PA. I'm not asking for much, right?

While Jeff and Lili were here, we went to Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Sea World, Ocala and West Palm Beach. Lili made Pancit and Lumpia for all of us. I love that. I've made Pancit before and now I'll try to make Lumpia. Her stuff tastes great, so I'll have to practice a few times to get it right I think. Joe, Lili, Jeff and I drove to West Palm Beach a week ago Sunday to visit our aunt, uncle and cousins, including our cousin Jo Ann, visiting from Austin. She made Tutilles (not sure I'm spelling that right), which are an Italian bagel-type thing that my mom used to make. She found a recipe on the Internet. I have my mom's recipe and made them yesterday. Brings back many fond memories.

They were also a big help to me. Among other things, they reorganized my garage and did a lot of weeding. Now my tomato plants and herbs have some room to breathe. Not sure how well you can tell, but the cherry tomatoes (in the 2nd picture) have been doing well, but the plums were attacked by fruitworms. We are finally in the rainy season, so everything should finally green up and take off. And we should be out of danger for wildfires at this point.

I have an incredible amount of important things to do, and I really can't procrastinate anymore! I also need to find a real job. I could use some prayer in both regards. And I will try to post here more often than once a week.

My high school's 30th reunion was last fall. I never go. High school was not the most pleasant time for me. They're having a picnic this summer. Let it go, already! LOL. I went to the website to look at pics from the 30th and my first thought was, "Who the heck are all these old people?" It was a bit shocking. I guess I still think I'm 21.

Speaking of being 21, Happy 21st Birthday to my niece, Marissa!! Her sister, my youngest niece, turned 17 in May. Another reality check!

Ciao!

Hey everyone....I'm doing fine. I'm really enjoying spending time with Jeff and Lili Rose. Will catch up with you later this week.

Happy Birthday, Patty!!