Wow, it's been a while...

Where do I start?  Let's see....  Mark got home from Montana early enough on Saturday, July 7, for us to go to the 2nd Annual South Sound BBQ at Cabela's.  We got there around 4:00, so the pulled pork with bleu cheese and slaw wraps were gone, but the alder smoked salmon and BBQ'd brisket we got instead were awesome, so it was ok.  The day was really nice.

My cancer yoga class started up again after a two week hiatus while Joanna taught a teacher training.  It was really nice to see everyone again.  We had a fun lunch and catchup session at Hearthfire Grill after class.

I went to my second cancer-girls-night-out dinner.  It was a smaller group this time since some folks were on vacation, but still lots of fun.  We ate at El Serape again, which has been voted the best place to meet because it has big tables for groups, is centrally located for everyone, and has a menu full of corn products for those who cannot eat wheat.

Our truck's window got a crack in it on Mark's way home from Montana, so Leonard (that's his name) got a new windshield.  It's really clear!

Since were were contemplating breeding Ty with Dick and Mary's dog, Lulu, we took Ty to the "happy ending" vet in Lakewood.  He was a bit confused by all the 'commotion.'  Unfortunately, he's still a little 'young' and is now taking supplements and vitamins to help him 'man up.'  We'll check him again in a couple of months.  Maybe he'll be happier about going next time since he now knows what happens when he goes to this vet!

We went to Des and Judy's in Snohomish the weekend of July 13-15 and, as always, we had a wonderful time.  Mark and Des golfed Saturday and Sunday.  Judy and I went antique shopping in Snohomish.  Duncan and Waylen came over for dinner Saturday night, and Shannon and Clint came over on Sunday.  It's always just so fun to spend time with this family.

I've had a dental appointment, several lymphedema treatments, and an endodontist appointment in the last few weeks.  Fortunately, the dental appointment was good and the lymphedema is under control and my arm is back to normal.  The endodontist appointment proved I need three more gum grafts, which will be done on August 6.  Whoopee.

I attended a new support group that started on July 19 with other cancer survivors who have 'issues' now that we're all a little farther out of treatment and moving on to trying to live a life.  It's a nice group, will only have about 12 people in it, and will continue to the end of the year.  Afterwards, Julie and I went to El Serape for margaritas (Julie) and Sangria (me), enchiladas, and some good yakking.  It was fun; lots of laughing.

I took Leonard to Costco last Friday to get his tires rotated, so I got to have a mocha freeze.  Yum.

Last Saturday Mark and I went to a retirement party for John Grettenberger at Millersylvania Park.  It was lots of fun and a beautiful park.  A good time was had by all.  On Sunday we played a great round of golf at Tumwater Valley Golf Club.  We had never played there before.  It is a really nice course.  We were paired up with a nice father and son twosome.  Unfortunately, I came home with a cold, so I haven't been doing much this week.  I did find a new haircutter, though.  Yea!  So, I got my haircut yesterday and so far, so good.

Mark was in Portland all day today for some kind of meeting and is now on his way home.  It's time to feed the puppies and watch the evening news.

So, that's it for now.

A quiet week

It's been a fairly quiet week.  The puppies handled the 4th of July neighborhood fireworks pretty well.  We went to bed early that night (10:30-ish) and that got Brenna to totally settle down.  Of course, having rawhide chew bones earlier helped, too.  The only fireworks I got to see were the ones on TV on the Capitol Fourth broadcast.  It was fun watching the fireworks over the Washington Monument and remembering how incredibly much fun it is to actually see those fireworks live!  Best in the world.

Mark is coming home a day earlier than I thought he was (yea!).  It will be nice to have him back at home.

Our weather has been perfect -- sunny, warm, just wonderful.  It's supposed to get a bit warmer this weekend (into the low 80s).  It's really nice.

Our next door neighbor, Mary, came over this evening with some wine and fresh lettuce from her garden, so we made fun snacks and salad and had a very nice evening chatting together.  It was fun.

And that's it for now.

Day after Day 1

Yesterday was July 1, which I decided to be my new beginning day.  It was the first of a month, a Sunday, a good day to start over/renew.  It also was a special day -- it was Chip's birthday in 1994 and it was the day Sweet Pea died in 2006.  I woke up yesterday ready to re-boot, even though I was very tired.  So, I took it easy, did some office work that needed to be done, paid attention to what I was eating, and generally got some inspiration.  I went to bed early (10:00) and read for a while.  I had a terrific night's sleep (yea!).

Last Friday evening was fun.  Mark and Brian went to a Mariner's game, so Susan, and Wendy and I went out for sloppy burgers and spirits.  We had a great time.  Lots of laughs.

Saturday Mark left for Butte for the week.  I always get really sad when he leaves, and it generally takes me a few days to get around to getting off the couch and stop moping.  I'm trying to be better about that this time.  It's part of my re-booting.

Today I am working my Weight Watchers shift, and also going to my meeting.  This morning I took care of Scampi, our next door neighbor's 16 year old cat.  She likes me when I feed her.  Other than that, not so much.  I've been taking care of her since Saturday afternoon.  She's a black and white cat and very pretty, but a little cranky in her old age (aren't we all!).

I have a small list of projects I am hoping to complete this week, or at least get the long-term ones underway.  I have an appointment with the lymphedema therapist on Thursday, and that's about it.  I don't have a yoga class again this week because Joanna is teaching a teacher training course.  I am looking forward to getting back to that class and seeing the people in it.

Well, I'd better go and get the puppies ready for me to leave and then head off to work.

And, that's it for now!