This morning I get to church early to shop at the Girl Effect sale. This raises money to help girls in developing countries gain access to education. There are so many beautiful things to consider for Christmas gifts here. I make progress with my shopping, and feel good that I have supported a worthy cause.
As I walk with the children to chapel this morning, my feet feel swollen and fizzy. This must be from all the dancing I did last night. I feel like I am waddling across the floor, my feet tender and unstable. I make it though the morning with no other problems until it is time to leave. My feet are throbbing now. Alex has come to pick me up, I walk slowly out to the car. I am feeling fragile and aged.
When we arrive home, my other visiting nurse, Summer, is at the door ringing the bell. I have made it back just in time. She unhooks me, freeing me from my backpack. Even though I have had this pump and backpack twice a month for three days for the past five months, I still forget it is attached to me and try to walk away from it at least once a day. It is a bother to have to dress around it, pump going through my clothing first, then me, and to have it on, then take it off and put it on again every time I add a layer of clothing. I have started wearing it in the car, because this is often where I forget I have it, and leave the pack on the floor as I start to get out, only to be reminded by the tug to the port near my shoulder I have forgotten to pick it up. It is a small, but nagging thing. It grumbles every few seconds as the medicine is delivered to my veins. I need to be aware of where it is all the time, so I don't pull on my port. I have become very good at sleeping on my back, checking to see where my line is before I turn on my side, and remembering in the dark of the night that I need to carry this baggage into the bathroom with me when I go. At one point I thought I had come up with a good substitute to the backpack, a hoodie pocket. This only works if the hoodie has a spacious pocket, which many of my hoodies lack. It may seem at this point it is not worth complaining about, but I am getting tired of it.
Francis stops by to visit just as I finish my lunch. She has found some tea for me with a picture of a fox on the box! Such a thoughtful gift. We sit and visit for a little while, Francis sipping tea, and me finishing the hot cocoa I had been working on before she rang the doorbell.
Having friends stop by for a quick visit has been one of the sweetest gifts this cancer odyssey has given me. Normally I am so busy, and seldom home to enjoy random visits, but I love when people just drop in. They may stay only ten minutes, sometimes more, but each visit is this little cozy point of contact that is precious and appreciated.
I find out later in the day that my Grandma Boyd, my father's mother, passed away early this morning. She was 92.
Monday
My nephew Brian comes to play with the children at daycare. It is fun to have him visit, and nice to have a place he can come and have some fun. It gives my sister Jill the opportunity to get a few things done without help from a four year old, which she seldom has the chance to do in Ohio.
Today we are starting to work on gifts for our parents. We are painting bowls which we will later fill with some kind of tasty treat. I love to see how each child mixes their paints and dabs color on their project. They are all as unique and beautiful as the child who has created it.
It is forecast to rain all week, so we want to get out for a nice long walk today. We take a candy walk to get everyone on board with this idea, and get a red or green m&m when we reach each corner together. We look for new holiday decorations that have been set out over the weekend, and see a few snowflakes falling from the sky.
Kaileigh comes down later in the day so we can go together to visit with a friend who is in the hospital. Ayla, Chauncey and I stopped by to visit last night, and Kaileigh wants to come with me tonight. I had been planning on going out to eat with my happiness friends to celebrate the holidays, but cancel.
Tuesday
There is as nor'easter coming, meaning rain most of the day. It is not too cold out, so we manage to go for a rain walk around the block today. Somehow, we don't get too wet.
This evening I know there are not going to be too many people at knitting, so I decide to cancel. Between the weather and the number of knitters who can't make it, I don't think anyone will be too upset. My friend is still in the hospital, so Ayla go to visit. Things are looking better, tomorrow he will be heading home.
When I get back to my house, I check the basement for water. Occasionally when there is a nor'easter we get a little water down there, just a small stream running from the west to the east. I had checked before I left and all was dry, so I am totally unprepared for what I find when I open the basement door. There must be two inches of water at the bottom of the stairs! Steve and I start in right away cleaning it up, he vacuums, I start throwing away books and papers that have been saturated with water. We can't figure out where the water has come in from.
I help out until eleven thirty and go to bed, Steve is determined to stop when he empties the wet vac twenty times. He empties it at least thirty before he gets to bed.
Wednesday
I get up at six and start straightening. As soon as Sara arrives I descend into the basement to continue the cleanup. I only get a little done before Steve hears me and comes down to help. I go back upstairs to help bake cookies.
My niece Julia is coming by to stay with us today. She has been having a rough time at home, and needs a little time away. Since all of our spare rooms are filled at the moment, we put an air mattress in the upstairs hallway. This is where Josh and Kaileigh sleep when they stay in Providence. It is tight, but we make it cozy with blankets and pillows. She should be comfortable here.
Grandma Boyd's wake is tonight. It is at the same funeral home my dad's wake was held at. It is nice to see all of the Boyd relatives again, the second time this week. The circumstances could be better though.
My aunt tells me that grandma passed early Sunday morning, after Sara's party. She was with family, at home and surrounded by people who knew and loved her. What a beautiful ending to a life that was filled with family, good humor and loving family and friends.
When I get home, I go down into the basement to get more cleaning done. Steve takes a pile of wet clothes to the laundromat. On his way there, he forgets about the huge pot hole on the side road and drives through it. Just as he reaches the laundromat, the tire goes flat. A tow truck comes to take the car away, but he still needs a ride home. My niece comes to his rescue, and picks him up. What a day.
In June 2014, I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. What this means in regular language is that I have colon cancer. It has also spread to my liver. I am currently being treated for stage 4 liver cancer. Here is my story...
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Saturday, December 6
I wake at four this morning which is my usual time the day after chemo.
I love this time of day, and miss having the energy to get up this early more regularly. I love to see the daylight start to creep into the darkened sky, to watch the stars slowly disappear. I appreciate the shorter days for this, it is something I often miss in the hazy, long days of summer.
I wake up with chemo stink. something I haven't had to endure for the past few weeks, thanks in part to a cold, and to having a week off. I am not feeling as tingly this morning, when I wake up there is no buzziness or fizziness. The extra week has been good for my body, mind and soul.
Anna picks me up to go shopping, we missed last week, so it is nice to have this time together.
Allie picks me up shortly after my shopping trip, and we head out to Allie's Donuts in North Kingston. She has been craving a treat from here, and we decide it is a good destination to have to practice highway driving. Even though it is a Saturday morning in December, a time the roads could be crawling with holiday shoppers, the highway is not too crowded, and she does well. We each get a donut, Allie picks up a few extra for home. We agree that these freshly made donuts blow away thosen from Dunkin Donuts.
When I get home, my younger sister Jill calls to see if I can help transport balloons. She is throwing a surprise party for Sara tonight at the Filibuster Club in Cumberland. I am very nervous about this party, since my sister Sara has told me she does not want a surprise party. Jill and I disagree about what this means this, I am trying to be helpful anyway.
Steven and I meet Jill at the party store to pick up one hundred balloons she has ordered as the decoration for the space. When we go into the store, it is obvious that they are not done with the order yet, in fact they are only about half way though. Jill and I wait until they have enough strung and bundled for us to cram into the two cars we are using. I manage three bunches in my car, Jill fits two in hers. We drive to the club, unload and go back for the remaining bunches of balloons. Steven and I drop the balloons off and return home. I need to bake some brownies to bring with me to the party this evening.
Sara has been told that there is a pot luck celebration being held to celebrate my dad this evening. I need to make this look authentic, so I bake brownies that we don't really need. The event is being catered, complete with dessert, as well as a birthday cake. Sara is bringing bakery pizza and calzones to the party. I put the brownies in the oven late, so we won't show up at the party too early. We are supposed to be there at six thirty, but Sara is coming to my house at six. Steven and I timed how long it takes to get to the club from my house, and even though it is in Cumberland, it only takes a little more than ten minutes if we go through Central Falls. The brownies are done just as Sara gets to my house, so I ask her if we can let them cool for a few minutes before we leave. We arrive at the party, with a texted warning to those waiting that we are on our way, just as the clock in the car hits six thirty.
As we walk in the door, Sara spots the balloons and slows down. Everyone yells surprise as she makes her way through the second set of double doors. I believe she is! The biggest surprise comes when Jill sneaks up behind her with her son, and taps Sara in the shoulder. Sara didn't know that Jill was in town yet, she was expecting her later in the week.
The room is filled with family and friends. It is lit with icicle lights, and there is a Christmas tree. Each table has a white tablecloth on it with a balloon bouquet in the center. There are other balloons scattered around the club. It looks very festive. Jill has hired DJ's for the event, Phil and Dave, who were good friends with our Dad.
The night turns out to be a nice party for Sara, and a joyful celebration of my dad as well. We eat delicious food, mingle with family and friends and then the dancing and karaoke begins. Singers of all ages line up to karaoke.: young cousins, teens, twentysomethings and beyond. Since many of the people at this party knew my dad and spent time with him here, Phil and Dave play music from his personal playlist. My dads friends sang some of his favorite songs, and the DJ's played a compilation of songs he loved too. It was a touching tribute to our dad, and made it feel like he was with us, joining in the celebration for my sister.
Once the music a started, I quickly realized why Dr. Safran didn't think running would be the best exercise choice for me. Every step I danced sent a sudden intense fizziness through my feet and up my ankles into my calves. It probably would have been better if I had stayed on the sidelines and just enjoyed everyone else as they danced, but that was not what I chose to do. I got up with my children, Steve, and Filipa and danced. We were joined by other family and friends, and we had a blast. It was so much fun to let go and move to the music. We even tried the line dances that we didn't know. My nephew, Will decided to help with the music and chose some tunes just for us. We were all psyched when they played What Does the Fox Say?
By nine, it is late for this dancing chemo girl. As I go around the room to say my goodbyes, Filipa gets up to sing a karaoke song, Don't Stop Me Now. What a good way to end the evening.
I love this time of day, and miss having the energy to get up this early more regularly. I love to see the daylight start to creep into the darkened sky, to watch the stars slowly disappear. I appreciate the shorter days for this, it is something I often miss in the hazy, long days of summer.
I wake up with chemo stink. something I haven't had to endure for the past few weeks, thanks in part to a cold, and to having a week off. I am not feeling as tingly this morning, when I wake up there is no buzziness or fizziness. The extra week has been good for my body, mind and soul.
Anna picks me up to go shopping, we missed last week, so it is nice to have this time together.
Allie picks me up shortly after my shopping trip, and we head out to Allie's Donuts in North Kingston. She has been craving a treat from here, and we decide it is a good destination to have to practice highway driving. Even though it is a Saturday morning in December, a time the roads could be crawling with holiday shoppers, the highway is not too crowded, and she does well. We each get a donut, Allie picks up a few extra for home. We agree that these freshly made donuts blow away thosen from Dunkin Donuts.
When I get home, my younger sister Jill calls to see if I can help transport balloons. She is throwing a surprise party for Sara tonight at the Filibuster Club in Cumberland. I am very nervous about this party, since my sister Sara has told me she does not want a surprise party. Jill and I disagree about what this means this, I am trying to be helpful anyway.
Steven and I meet Jill at the party store to pick up one hundred balloons she has ordered as the decoration for the space. When we go into the store, it is obvious that they are not done with the order yet, in fact they are only about half way though. Jill and I wait until they have enough strung and bundled for us to cram into the two cars we are using. I manage three bunches in my car, Jill fits two in hers. We drive to the club, unload and go back for the remaining bunches of balloons. Steven and I drop the balloons off and return home. I need to bake some brownies to bring with me to the party this evening.
Sara has been told that there is a pot luck celebration being held to celebrate my dad this evening. I need to make this look authentic, so I bake brownies that we don't really need. The event is being catered, complete with dessert, as well as a birthday cake. Sara is bringing bakery pizza and calzones to the party. I put the brownies in the oven late, so we won't show up at the party too early. We are supposed to be there at six thirty, but Sara is coming to my house at six. Steven and I timed how long it takes to get to the club from my house, and even though it is in Cumberland, it only takes a little more than ten minutes if we go through Central Falls. The brownies are done just as Sara gets to my house, so I ask her if we can let them cool for a few minutes before we leave. We arrive at the party, with a texted warning to those waiting that we are on our way, just as the clock in the car hits six thirty.
As we walk in the door, Sara spots the balloons and slows down. Everyone yells surprise as she makes her way through the second set of double doors. I believe she is! The biggest surprise comes when Jill sneaks up behind her with her son, and taps Sara in the shoulder. Sara didn't know that Jill was in town yet, she was expecting her later in the week.
The room is filled with family and friends. It is lit with icicle lights, and there is a Christmas tree. Each table has a white tablecloth on it with a balloon bouquet in the center. There are other balloons scattered around the club. It looks very festive. Jill has hired DJ's for the event, Phil and Dave, who were good friends with our Dad.
The night turns out to be a nice party for Sara, and a joyful celebration of my dad as well. We eat delicious food, mingle with family and friends and then the dancing and karaoke begins. Singers of all ages line up to karaoke.: young cousins, teens, twentysomethings and beyond. Since many of the people at this party knew my dad and spent time with him here, Phil and Dave play music from his personal playlist. My dads friends sang some of his favorite songs, and the DJ's played a compilation of songs he loved too. It was a touching tribute to our dad, and made it feel like he was with us, joining in the celebration for my sister.
Once the music a started, I quickly realized why Dr. Safran didn't think running would be the best exercise choice for me. Every step I danced sent a sudden intense fizziness through my feet and up my ankles into my calves. It probably would have been better if I had stayed on the sidelines and just enjoyed everyone else as they danced, but that was not what I chose to do. I got up with my children, Steve, and Filipa and danced. We were joined by other family and friends, and we had a blast. It was so much fun to let go and move to the music. We even tried the line dances that we didn't know. My nephew, Will decided to help with the music and chose some tunes just for us. We were all psyched when they played What Does the Fox Say?
By nine, it is late for this dancing chemo girl. As I go around the room to say my goodbyes, Filipa gets up to sing a karaoke song, Don't Stop Me Now. What a good way to end the evening.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Chemo # 11
Friday, December 5
My appointment is early this morning, eight o'clock. I am in and all hooked up by eight thirty. My white blood cell count is good this morning, in the fifteen hundreds, yay! The extra week off has been good for me.
Steven and I have walked in this morning and I am in a pensive mood, not in the mood for talking or listening.
Carolyn is my nurse today, and since I arrived so early, I get my choice of pods. They are expecting a busy day, so I am in the Mega Suite, where the rooms are larger than where I usually am. I choose the one in the corner, which has lots of light. It is like the penthouse suite of pods here, extra window and floor space. There are two visitor chairs here, and it is just big enough that I can't toss my trash into the basket from my lounge chair. This is something I usually have no problem with in the other pods.
I got up late this morning and barely had time to get everything ready before I left, never mind eat breakfast. It was a chilly walk over, so I am hoping there is hot chocolate mix and something breakfasty to eat in the snack area. Steven goes to see what is available, while Carolyn and I talk about holiday plans and how we are doing with our shopping and wrapping. There turns out to be nothing for me in snack land, nothing that would pass for breakfast.
Steve decides to go to Seven Stars and get me a hot chocolate, with whipped cream. He also surprises me with a pecan sticky bun and a chocolate croissant. I take the sticky bun and let him have the croissant.
It is a quite day for us at chemo, I knit, and Steven tells me what has been going on in the world of face book and on the internet.
I am not excited about lunch today. The thought of the food cart makes me feel a little nauseous. This is one of those conundrums where the solution to the problem also becomes the problem. I need to eat to keep the nausea away, thinking about the food I am offered to eat makes me feel nauseous. In the end, I get an egg salad sandwich, and eat it very slowly.
I have forgotten to bring my backpack which contains the pump I need for receiving my infusion over the next few days, as well as my psi bands. Steve goes home to get them for me while I am eat. By the time he returns, I have managed to eat my sandwich, but that is the best I can do. I put on my psi band and get ready for the chemo induced stupor to begin.
I am hooked up to my pump by quarter to two, which means I will finish getting my infusion by quarter to twelve on Sunday. This will be before I get done at church, so I should remember to call Sandy on Sunday morning.
This evening Allie is in a play called Harvey. I have been invited to see it with her mother and grandmother. Steve usually comes with me to her plays, but has a story to cover this evening, so I accept the invitation.
Allie has been telling me she doesn't have a big part in the play, but I have learned from past experience that our definition of importance of parts differs. It turns out she is on the stage for the whole first scene, part of the background action, but on the stage never the less. She is also in another entire scene, playing the doctor's wife, which may not be the lead role, but is certainly substantial. Her humbleness is so sweet.
I have never seen the movie this play is based on, but I enjoy it very much. I appreciate how quaintly dated it is, and how it is still relevant to today. It has been fun to watch it with Allie's grandmother, who is an avid theater goer, and hear her opinions about the performance. Along with Allie's mother, we discus things we liked and disliked about the play and how it was presented. In the end, we all agree it was well done. Our little fan club/theater discussion group has had as pleasant a night out as we would have had going to a well known theater.
My appointment is early this morning, eight o'clock. I am in and all hooked up by eight thirty. My white blood cell count is good this morning, in the fifteen hundreds, yay! The extra week off has been good for me.
Steven and I have walked in this morning and I am in a pensive mood, not in the mood for talking or listening.
Carolyn is my nurse today, and since I arrived so early, I get my choice of pods. They are expecting a busy day, so I am in the Mega Suite, where the rooms are larger than where I usually am. I choose the one in the corner, which has lots of light. It is like the penthouse suite of pods here, extra window and floor space. There are two visitor chairs here, and it is just big enough that I can't toss my trash into the basket from my lounge chair. This is something I usually have no problem with in the other pods.
I got up late this morning and barely had time to get everything ready before I left, never mind eat breakfast. It was a chilly walk over, so I am hoping there is hot chocolate mix and something breakfasty to eat in the snack area. Steven goes to see what is available, while Carolyn and I talk about holiday plans and how we are doing with our shopping and wrapping. There turns out to be nothing for me in snack land, nothing that would pass for breakfast.
Steve decides to go to Seven Stars and get me a hot chocolate, with whipped cream. He also surprises me with a pecan sticky bun and a chocolate croissant. I take the sticky bun and let him have the croissant.
It is a quite day for us at chemo, I knit, and Steven tells me what has been going on in the world of face book and on the internet.
I am not excited about lunch today. The thought of the food cart makes me feel a little nauseous. This is one of those conundrums where the solution to the problem also becomes the problem. I need to eat to keep the nausea away, thinking about the food I am offered to eat makes me feel nauseous. In the end, I get an egg salad sandwich, and eat it very slowly.
I have forgotten to bring my backpack which contains the pump I need for receiving my infusion over the next few days, as well as my psi bands. Steve goes home to get them for me while I am eat. By the time he returns, I have managed to eat my sandwich, but that is the best I can do. I put on my psi band and get ready for the chemo induced stupor to begin.
I am hooked up to my pump by quarter to two, which means I will finish getting my infusion by quarter to twelve on Sunday. This will be before I get done at church, so I should remember to call Sandy on Sunday morning.
This evening Allie is in a play called Harvey. I have been invited to see it with her mother and grandmother. Steve usually comes with me to her plays, but has a story to cover this evening, so I accept the invitation.
Allie has been telling me she doesn't have a big part in the play, but I have learned from past experience that our definition of importance of parts differs. It turns out she is on the stage for the whole first scene, part of the background action, but on the stage never the less. She is also in another entire scene, playing the doctor's wife, which may not be the lead role, but is certainly substantial. Her humbleness is so sweet.
I have never seen the movie this play is based on, but I enjoy it very much. I appreciate how quaintly dated it is, and how it is still relevant to today. It has been fun to watch it with Allie's grandmother, who is an avid theater goer, and hear her opinions about the performance. Along with Allie's mother, we discus things we liked and disliked about the play and how it was presented. In the end, we all agree it was well done. Our little fan club/theater discussion group has had as pleasant a night out as we would have had going to a well known theater.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Monday, December 1
This has been a quiet week in my journal. I don't have many details written down, only bits and pieces of what has been going on. At home, life goes on as usual, but there are bigger things in the world to focus on: protests reminding us of how much we still need to learn about how to treat our fellow human beings, news of disease, unrest, and war.
Still there are a bright spots that stand out.
At daycare we start thinking about the upcoming holidays, crafting simple things like paper trees decorated with markers, stickers and circle shaped ornaments. We make paper chains, and look for decorations while we are out on our walks.
It has been a funny fall. The weather has been so warm we still find pumpkins scattered throughout the neighborhood. The appearance of evergreens and holiday lights on porches adorned with pumpkins seems wrong somehow. I remind myself that it is still fall after all and the pumpkins can enjoy their time, as I secretly hope a squirrel will come along and feast on the out of place fruit.
Julie is still in town until Wednesday morning, and before knitting on Tuesday, we go out to dinner at one of her favorite spots, Rue De L'espoir. She has been missing fresh east coast sea food that is not available in her Rocky Mountain home, especially scallops. It is delightful to sit with her and watch her enjoy this food she has been missing. Julie gets a side of scallops and a bowl of cheesy and delicious onion soup. Sticking with the sea food theme, I get fish and chips, something I have been craving for a while. There is warm, fragrant, crusty bread served by the waitperson from a large, woven basket carried over her lower arm. Inside is a large linen napkin lining keeping the bread soft and warm. The waitperson carefully picks out a slice with long tongs, and places it on a plate. It is a treat to inhale the scent of this beautiful bread, and heavenly to eat, especially when it is spread with soft butter that melts into the interior of the bread.
When we get to knitting, we are glad to have skipped dessert. Alison had mentioned that she would be bringing her traditional pumpkin pie in this evening, but we were in for a tasty surprise when Nancy, remembering that I had been looking for a good yellow cake recipe, not only brought in the recipe, but also a sampling of the cake!
It was a full house this evening, some occasional attendees stopped in to spend time visiting with Julie. This was the perfect night for it, and with the food, there was a celebratory.
Thursday it is chilly, so we make pizza to make the house feel warm and cozy.
In the afternoon the weather is drizzly, but it clears up in time for the Hope Street Stroll happening in the evening. Kaileigh and I go to quickly check things out before we head to stained glass. Part of me wants to stay, I know there will be fire juggling and the What Cheer band is scheduled to play along with other enticing entertainment. Many of my daycare families will be there, and it is always fun to run into these friends out in the world. I try to stay focused, there are projects we need to finish, and if we skip tonight, they will not be done on time.
We walk the through the whole festival once, to take it all in. It is early, so there is not too much going on yet. We spot a living dreidel dancing along the street, and a sleigh with singing elves stops to create some mischief. There are so many families out to enjoy the evening, and there are kids everywhere! The air is cool and and the ground is damp, but there is no rain. The reflection of the lights on the damp pavement adds to the atmosphere and makes things look beautiful. The petting zoo is getting busy, everyone wants to pet the small furry animals hopping around the fenced in area in the bank parking lot. The bunnies don't even seem to mind being handled by their young visitors. There are Hanukkah crafts to be made, cookies to decorate, and soon, Santa is scheduled to make his appearance.
Our real goal on this stroll is to grab some dinner from one of the many food trucks that line the street. Steven is out this evening, and getting dinner together on busy nights doesn't always work out so well. The food trucks offer a delicious and quick alternative. After much deliberation, I get a pulled pork sandwich from Noble Knots. It is spicy, but not overly so, and the meat is very tender. It is served on a knotted roll, hence the name of the food truck. Kaileigh gets a vegetarian version of my meal from the Ohh Mommi! vegetarian truck. It is a pulled portobello mushroom sandwich. Her sandwich has coleslaw on it, which makes gives it a satisfying crunch. She declares it delicious. What we really love from this food truck is the fresh made french fries. They are unbelievably good. I have to restrain myself from eating too many.
Things are starting to roll at the festival, so I need to leave before I find I can't extricate myself from the fun. We stop in the parking lot of the bakery to watch a short children's animated film presented by the Providence Children's Film Festival. They have set up an inflatable movie screen with hay bales to sit on and scattered some heaters around the area to keep the chill away. Kaileigh has never seen this theater set up before and thoroughly enjoys it.
We manage to leave after one short, and make it to stained glass just a little later than we had planned.
Still there are a bright spots that stand out.
At daycare we start thinking about the upcoming holidays, crafting simple things like paper trees decorated with markers, stickers and circle shaped ornaments. We make paper chains, and look for decorations while we are out on our walks.
It has been a funny fall. The weather has been so warm we still find pumpkins scattered throughout the neighborhood. The appearance of evergreens and holiday lights on porches adorned with pumpkins seems wrong somehow. I remind myself that it is still fall after all and the pumpkins can enjoy their time, as I secretly hope a squirrel will come along and feast on the out of place fruit.
Julie is still in town until Wednesday morning, and before knitting on Tuesday, we go out to dinner at one of her favorite spots, Rue De L'espoir. She has been missing fresh east coast sea food that is not available in her Rocky Mountain home, especially scallops. It is delightful to sit with her and watch her enjoy this food she has been missing. Julie gets a side of scallops and a bowl of cheesy and delicious onion soup. Sticking with the sea food theme, I get fish and chips, something I have been craving for a while. There is warm, fragrant, crusty bread served by the waitperson from a large, woven basket carried over her lower arm. Inside is a large linen napkin lining keeping the bread soft and warm. The waitperson carefully picks out a slice with long tongs, and places it on a plate. It is a treat to inhale the scent of this beautiful bread, and heavenly to eat, especially when it is spread with soft butter that melts into the interior of the bread.
When we get to knitting, we are glad to have skipped dessert. Alison had mentioned that she would be bringing her traditional pumpkin pie in this evening, but we were in for a tasty surprise when Nancy, remembering that I had been looking for a good yellow cake recipe, not only brought in the recipe, but also a sampling of the cake!
It was a full house this evening, some occasional attendees stopped in to spend time visiting with Julie. This was the perfect night for it, and with the food, there was a celebratory.
Thursday it is chilly, so we make pizza to make the house feel warm and cozy.
In the afternoon the weather is drizzly, but it clears up in time for the Hope Street Stroll happening in the evening. Kaileigh and I go to quickly check things out before we head to stained glass. Part of me wants to stay, I know there will be fire juggling and the What Cheer band is scheduled to play along with other enticing entertainment. Many of my daycare families will be there, and it is always fun to run into these friends out in the world. I try to stay focused, there are projects we need to finish, and if we skip tonight, they will not be done on time.
We walk the through the whole festival once, to take it all in. It is early, so there is not too much going on yet. We spot a living dreidel dancing along the street, and a sleigh with singing elves stops to create some mischief. There are so many families out to enjoy the evening, and there are kids everywhere! The air is cool and and the ground is damp, but there is no rain. The reflection of the lights on the damp pavement adds to the atmosphere and makes things look beautiful. The petting zoo is getting busy, everyone wants to pet the small furry animals hopping around the fenced in area in the bank parking lot. The bunnies don't even seem to mind being handled by their young visitors. There are Hanukkah crafts to be made, cookies to decorate, and soon, Santa is scheduled to make his appearance.
Our real goal on this stroll is to grab some dinner from one of the many food trucks that line the street. Steven is out this evening, and getting dinner together on busy nights doesn't always work out so well. The food trucks offer a delicious and quick alternative. After much deliberation, I get a pulled pork sandwich from Noble Knots. It is spicy, but not overly so, and the meat is very tender. It is served on a knotted roll, hence the name of the food truck. Kaileigh gets a vegetarian version of my meal from the Ohh Mommi! vegetarian truck. It is a pulled portobello mushroom sandwich. Her sandwich has coleslaw on it, which makes gives it a satisfying crunch. She declares it delicious. What we really love from this food truck is the fresh made french fries. They are unbelievably good. I have to restrain myself from eating too many.
Things are starting to roll at the festival, so I need to leave before I find I can't extricate myself from the fun. We stop in the parking lot of the bakery to watch a short children's animated film presented by the Providence Children's Film Festival. They have set up an inflatable movie screen with hay bales to sit on and scattered some heaters around the area to keep the chill away. Kaileigh has never seen this theater set up before and thoroughly enjoys it.
We manage to leave after one short, and make it to stained glass just a little later than we had planned.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Sunday, November 30
There is an ornament workshop after church school today, and I have suggested that we could make, rather than buy pizza to feed the attendees. After making pizza dough and helping children roll it out for over twenty years now, I am somewhat of a pizza making expert. Mine are not perfect in presentation, but they are tasty. Once I think about what I have volunteered to do, I realize I don't have the time to make the pizza at church, so I bake them early at home and plan on reheating them before the event.
In Sunday school we introduce the children to Henry David Thoreau. We read a book called Henry Walks to Work (Thanks to Valerie, this book has served many children well!) It tells the story of how Henry takes a walk into the world surrounding his home, and uses the things he finds and learns there to help his neighbors. There are herbs and berries to share with friends, simple tasks to help make travel easier for others, observations about the world to help advise people to prepare for the awakening day. I love this book and this lesson because it teaches children that some of the most simple tasks they can perform can be a help to the world around them, and they take nothing but a small amount of time and kindness. Henry does all of this as walks to work, which happens to be writing in the very cottage he has left from. Simple doable tasks which help us to be superheros. I like to think we all have a bit of Henry in us.
Instead of going to chapel with the children, I join my co-task force friend, Michael in the basement speak with the youth group to see how they are doing. They are enthusiastic and excited about their up coming coffee house on December 13th to raise money to help send some of them to GA in Portland, Oregon this coming summer. They are also interested in being more involved with the congregation in general, something I really want to help them with.
I get back to my class just as they are having sharing time, which means I only missed chapel, and little else. Sharing time is something that seems to be intergral to our Sunday school experience at 1st UU. I am not sure where or when it started, but it has crept down from the older grades and I think almost all of the classes do this at some point during the morning. In our class, we pass around a talking stick, and each person shares something from their week or something coming up. Only the person holding the stick is supposed to talk, and for the most part the children understand this. It is so amazing what they will share. Sometimes it is something like an upcoming visit, party or celebration, other times it could be the death of a beloved pet or relative.
We continue to talk about Henry and how he observed nature. From our second floor window, which is city close to the neighboring building, I think there is little hope of finding nature there. With observant eyes, the children find plants which have sprouted though concrete, and bushes in back of the house next door. We see slivers of blue sky, clouds and birds. We think about these things, and what we see in our own backyards, and draw pictures in our nature journals.
I leave the class a little early to heat up the pizza. Erin and Dan find me in the kitchen, and return some dishes from Thanksgiving. Dana also manages to find me there, amazing since this is not where I would usually be found on a Sunday morning.
I am delighted, because I think these three will get along, and I have been thinking about how to introduce them. This is perfect. They help me bring the pizza up to the ornament workshop, which seems to be very explanation intensive. The four of us had considered making something, but before it gets started, Dan and Erin need to leave, and soon after Dana needs to leave too. I walk with Dana to her car, and decide I should also head home.
I want to drive with Allie today, but I also need to rake my leaves. I tell Allie to pick me up in an hour, and this gives me just enough time to get the front in good shape. It is very mild out today, so I am glad that I put this task off. Allie comes just as I finish, and we practice highway driving on 146, parking lot navigation, parking, and end up at Target. Of course we need to stop in and look around while we are here!
Steve is out for most of the day, wrapping gifts at Barnes and Nobel, so I don't see him for most of the day. It is nice when he gets home, and we can share stories from our day.
In Sunday school we introduce the children to Henry David Thoreau. We read a book called Henry Walks to Work (Thanks to Valerie, this book has served many children well!) It tells the story of how Henry takes a walk into the world surrounding his home, and uses the things he finds and learns there to help his neighbors. There are herbs and berries to share with friends, simple tasks to help make travel easier for others, observations about the world to help advise people to prepare for the awakening day. I love this book and this lesson because it teaches children that some of the most simple tasks they can perform can be a help to the world around them, and they take nothing but a small amount of time and kindness. Henry does all of this as walks to work, which happens to be writing in the very cottage he has left from. Simple doable tasks which help us to be superheros. I like to think we all have a bit of Henry in us.
Instead of going to chapel with the children, I join my co-task force friend, Michael in the basement speak with the youth group to see how they are doing. They are enthusiastic and excited about their up coming coffee house on December 13th to raise money to help send some of them to GA in Portland, Oregon this coming summer. They are also interested in being more involved with the congregation in general, something I really want to help them with.
I get back to my class just as they are having sharing time, which means I only missed chapel, and little else. Sharing time is something that seems to be intergral to our Sunday school experience at 1st UU. I am not sure where or when it started, but it has crept down from the older grades and I think almost all of the classes do this at some point during the morning. In our class, we pass around a talking stick, and each person shares something from their week or something coming up. Only the person holding the stick is supposed to talk, and for the most part the children understand this. It is so amazing what they will share. Sometimes it is something like an upcoming visit, party or celebration, other times it could be the death of a beloved pet or relative.
We continue to talk about Henry and how he observed nature. From our second floor window, which is city close to the neighboring building, I think there is little hope of finding nature there. With observant eyes, the children find plants which have sprouted though concrete, and bushes in back of the house next door. We see slivers of blue sky, clouds and birds. We think about these things, and what we see in our own backyards, and draw pictures in our nature journals.
I leave the class a little early to heat up the pizza. Erin and Dan find me in the kitchen, and return some dishes from Thanksgiving. Dana also manages to find me there, amazing since this is not where I would usually be found on a Sunday morning.
I am delighted, because I think these three will get along, and I have been thinking about how to introduce them. This is perfect. They help me bring the pizza up to the ornament workshop, which seems to be very explanation intensive. The four of us had considered making something, but before it gets started, Dan and Erin need to leave, and soon after Dana needs to leave too. I walk with Dana to her car, and decide I should also head home.
I want to drive with Allie today, but I also need to rake my leaves. I tell Allie to pick me up in an hour, and this gives me just enough time to get the front in good shape. It is very mild out today, so I am glad that I put this task off. Allie comes just as I finish, and we practice highway driving on 146, parking lot navigation, parking, and end up at Target. Of course we need to stop in and look around while we are here!
Steve is out for most of the day, wrapping gifts at Barnes and Nobel, so I don't see him for most of the day. It is nice when he gets home, and we can share stories from our day.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Saturday, November 29
It is forecast to be cold and I want to rake leaves today. My plan is to do something else until it gets warm enough to stay outside for a while. I bring all of the Christmas gifts I have accumulated to this point downstairs to the kid worktable that is in my living room, find all the necessary accessories, put on some Christmas music and start wrapping gifts. I do this with a bird perched on my shoulder. I am bird sitting two little parakeets for the holiday weekend, and they need to spend some time out of the cage. I split their time, and wrap accompanied by the chirping and the occasional fluttering of wings.
It never really gets warm today, and early in the afternoon I have an engagement gathering to go to for some close family friends. Maybe I can rake leaves tomorrow.
Kaileigh and Josh have stopped in today hello and bring me some lunch. This is so appreciated after sitting and wrapping all morning. They are on their way to Pastiche to pick up some cakes for the party we are going to this afternoon.
Julie and David are in town for the Thanksgiving holiday, and while they are here, they are celebrating the engagement of their son Ben. He and Helen are both in for the holiday from California, so it is the perfect time for everyone to come together and celebrate them. It is hard when families start to spread out across the country and distance makes it difficult to share in life events. It is really nice that Julie put together this gathering, not only for Ben and Helen, but for everyone invited as well. We get to gather and enjoy cake, celebrate a happy event, all in the company of friends. What could be better?
The party is at the First Unitarian Church, which has a lovely space for celebrating in. There are large, colorful Persian rugs covering the floors of two of the rooms, antique sofas and a fireplace adding ambiance to the space. David greets us at the door with a big hug and guides us to the gathering. The first thing you notice when you walk into the room is a long table filled with cake. They look beautiful and smell delicious.
The there are tables in an adjoining room to sit and enjoy the cake, although many people stand and eat their cake close to where they will go to get their next taste. I could list off each of the cakes, but it would make you too hungry, so I will just tell you my favorite. The chocolate mousse cake is heavenly. It is light and fluffy, with such a dark intense chocolate flavor that is not too sweet nor bitter. It is a rather plain looking cake, not as fancily decked out as the others, but this is only to fool those who don't know better. This is the most heavenly cake of the bunch.
It never really gets warm today, and early in the afternoon I have an engagement gathering to go to for some close family friends. Maybe I can rake leaves tomorrow.
Kaileigh and Josh have stopped in today hello and bring me some lunch. This is so appreciated after sitting and wrapping all morning. They are on their way to Pastiche to pick up some cakes for the party we are going to this afternoon.
Julie and David are in town for the Thanksgiving holiday, and while they are here, they are celebrating the engagement of their son Ben. He and Helen are both in for the holiday from California, so it is the perfect time for everyone to come together and celebrate them. It is hard when families start to spread out across the country and distance makes it difficult to share in life events. It is really nice that Julie put together this gathering, not only for Ben and Helen, but for everyone invited as well. We get to gather and enjoy cake, celebrate a happy event, all in the company of friends. What could be better?
The party is at the First Unitarian Church, which has a lovely space for celebrating in. There are large, colorful Persian rugs covering the floors of two of the rooms, antique sofas and a fireplace adding ambiance to the space. David greets us at the door with a big hug and guides us to the gathering. The first thing you notice when you walk into the room is a long table filled with cake. They look beautiful and smell delicious.The there are tables in an adjoining room to sit and enjoy the cake, although many people stand and eat their cake close to where they will go to get their next taste. I could list off each of the cakes, but it would make you too hungry, so I will just tell you my favorite. The chocolate mousse cake is heavenly. It is light and fluffy, with such a dark intense chocolate flavor that is not too sweet nor bitter. It is a rather plain looking cake, not as fancily decked out as the others, but this is only to fool those who don't know better. This is the most heavenly cake of the bunch.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Dear Friends,
I am writing to let you know that I am doing fine. Last week was a busy one, and left little time for sitting at the computer and writing. This week also looks as if it may be a little less busy, so I will try and get some computer time in.
Thanks for your love and concern,
Love and hugs,
Kathy
I am writing to let you know that I am doing fine. Last week was a busy one, and left little time for sitting at the computer and writing. This week also looks as if it may be a little less busy, so I will try and get some computer time in.
Thanks for your love and concern,
Love and hugs,
Kathy
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