Super Week!

Super Bowl week is here...woo hoo!


Chatted with John last night. He sounds pretty good and it seems that, at least for now, the fluids aren't building up too quickly. He has some doctor appointments coming up. It's good to hear him in a good mood!

I feel like I'm getting another cold. Have a bit of a sore throat. And I'm tired. Oh well.

My brother's family's kitten, Rambo, has been sick. He's 9 months old and developed a urinary tract problem. His urethra had to be unblocked a few times. He's on special food and is at the vet's for a few days trying to get his bladder to settle down. Hopefully, he'll be okay, although he'll be on special food for the rest of his life. Poor little kitty. :(

New 'do!

I had a fairly busy week. Monday the pups went to the vet for their shots and Tuesday I took Levi. Once I took all three at the same time and it was quite the adventure. That's why I've only done that ONCE. On the 5th, Stella gets her teeth cleaned, which is also her and Bella's 6th birthday. What a birthday gift.

Wednesday I did my weekly stint volunteering at the Cancer Institute. Thursday I had my car tuned-up, an oil change and rotated the tires. Yesterday I got a new haircut, color and lowlights (opposite of highlights - they are a deep red.) I really like it. I took in a picture of Penelope Cruz with what I wanted only chin length. I was hoping I would leave the salon looking just like Ms. Cruz, but Christine is a beautician, not a magician, unfortunately. Boo. Anyway, beautician is a very throwback term. I think she'd rather be called a stylist.

Today I'm doing laundry, making meatballs and sauce and doing crossword puzzles. I managed to take the dogs for a walk, third day in a row. Tomorrow at my bro's we'll have the gnocchi I brought back from PA with the stuff I'm making today. I also have the delectable parmigiana I purchased for the 2nd time from Whole Foods Market.

I haven't talked to John in a couple of days, so I will probably call him this evening. I know he's happy to be home. I'm still working on finding a place for me and the dogs, so that is the current obstacle. Hopefully, I can work something out in the next few weeks.

One week and 1 day till Super Bowl Sunday! I still can't believe the Steelers are in it again. :o)

Chemo brain strikes again

Once again, I am using my favorite excuse for acts of stupidity. As you can see, my Mexican Petunias are falling over from the weight of ice. We had incredibly low temps last night and my sprinklers were scheduled to run last night. Of course, I forgot to turn them off. Fortunately these plants are extremely hard to kill and in fact, are listed as an invasive species in Florida, so I won't lose any sleep...they'll be back in droves in no time.


It is unusual to see a Crape Myrtle covered in ice. Looks pretty. They are all well established, so they will be fine.

The same cannot be said for the one remaining hibiscus in my back yard. It may survive, but it's dicey. It is currently under cover for the night. My potted plants are currently sleeping on my sunporch, so they are tucked safely away from the cold.

John is back at Greer House tonight and happy to be there. He was discouraged and frustrated this past week, but his spirits sound better already. The staff at AGH didn't want to tap him again for fear of infection and/or bleeding. John said in 2 weeks they'll start evaluating him for a transplant. Keep him in your prayers!

Dick Morris, a political pundit and former advisor to Pres. Clinton, writes about the things we can expect in the next 4 years. It most definitely makes me very uneasy. You can read it at The Obama Presidency - Here Comes Socialism.

Another interception story...

My cousin Cathy wasn't able to post this so I'm doing it for her...

well i have a little story to tell myself. i ve worn the same thing for every game through the playoffs. sunday, i had steeler earrings in, which i hadn t worn before. i was sitting on the couch, watching the game, thinking about those earrings so i took them out. i told my friend mary, and tina, that i felt an interception coming on and then it happened! our boy troy, soft spoken maniac that he is, pulled through yet again. talk about jumping up and down and screaming. it was awesome!

It's me now....the low temp tonight is forecast to be 29 degrees! If there is any precipitation, we'll have snow in central Florida. Yikes.

John Update

John is still in Pittsburgh. Doing okay. They've been boosting him up with platelets, etc. They tapped his stomach yesterday. The hopeful news is that the doctors at Allegheny General feel he is a good candidate for a transplant! A little disconcerting that they don't understand why the VA System rejected him a few years ago, especially since he was in better overall health back then. DON'T GET ME STARTED on the quality of care (or non-care) that veterans receive from the VA System. I have seen first hand on several occasions just how lacking it often is. We should be providing veterans with the best care available. No exception.

Well, as you can imagine, I am thrilled the Steelers are returning to the Super Bowl. Joyce came over to watch Sunday's game. She is a die hard Troy Polamalu fan. In the 4th quarter she was taunting Ravens QB Flacco to throw the ball to Troy (for an interception) and lo and behold, he did!! And Troy ran it back for a touchdown. We were screaming so loud I wonder if the neighbors heard us! LOL...it was a great moment.

Road kill

I've been told that no raven was injured/maimed/killed for this picture. Hmmm....

It's Saturday!

John was moved to Allegheny General in Pittsburgh late Thursday night. He's supposed to have a drain inserted into his abdomen today. I called him last night but he had been sleeping and sounded pretty out of it. I'll try again today.

I'm looking forward to the Steelers-Ravens game tomorrow evening. I guess that goes without saying. ;)