It was a good day . . . A good day indeed!

Today was absolutely beautiful in the valley. And I felt good. I had at least 7.5 hours of sleep AND I didn't have diarrhea - thanks to the Immodium. So I had plenty of energy to take Eddie and his cousin - excuse me, I didn't take Eddie, but I joined my son and nephew to the new water park, Wings and Waves, located about an hour north of here. My brother Scott actually drove and supervised the boys since I couldn't go in the water because of my wounds.

I will say that I think ALL the boys had fun. I think my brother surprised himself. I enjoyed watching them, although at times, I was too hot. But it was worth it to see the smiles and to watch all three guys so active.

I actually wrote about 800 words on an article that is due July 1. I am only about 25% done, but it was a great start. The hard part will come next as I need to research some information.

I also worked on some puzzles.

Two strangers asked me about my compression wrap. I just replied, "They took some lymph nodes, so now there is swelling. This wrap is trying to get rid of the swelling." then I didn't volunteer any more info. One man was a Viet Nam vet and his arm was very scarred misshapen. The other man said his wife broke both her arms in three months. I just smiled and said I hoped things were better now.

We came home to a cooked meal - thanks, mom!

I am now officially tired, but it is a good tired from having gone out today. It feels good!

Summer Plans

During my sleepless nights - and after making some decisions about next steps - I have also thought a lot about what I want to do this summer, other than rest and gain strength.

Travel is one thing. We'll rent a place at the coast for a handful of nights. We might stay in a treehouse in southern Oregon. We will go visit my godparents in Omak in August. I may go to Bend to visit Beth sometime. Cathie from high school invited me up to visit her and her mom and stepdad in July. So, the summer seems to have become full of travel plans already.

I have also wanted to do things in my back yard for the past couple of years. I want to make that yard a bit of a haven - maybe a place to meditate and just sit outside and relax in the sunshine during summer. I have either not had money or the time or energy to devote to doing something about it. I want to take care of that issue this summer. Dad wants to create another raised bed. We may start laying out an area to make a deck. We also need to redo the front walk and put down weed control stuff. I also want to work on mosaics to put back there.

I also decided that I want to work on my cancer book - I've thought about it for the past year or more and a couple of friends have wondered. I spent a couple of hours last night thinking about the things I wanted to say.

Next year, while I'm on disability, I would work on my other book manuscript for which I have a contract with OSU Press. It's about King Island and I've already reworked a couple of chapters. I need to update them, though, and that means going to Alaska to interview people. That will be easier if I don't have to worry about my other job duties and after I gain some strength. So that's the chore next year. I mean, it's not a chore as I want to do it. But my head isn't there this summer.

So, there you have it. Seems like a pretty full summer, huh?

Spring has Sprung - Z-feet are back!

I posted this picture of my feet on facebook - and it elicited more comments than usual!  So, I thought I'd share it with you.  So, without further ado, my "Z-feet":

My friend, Heather, said that it reminds her of fun times:  summer, softball, friends, and walking around.

I have to agree!

The End of Summer

Eddie's 4th grade teacher stopped by for a home visit and told us about the major projects and other rules that will be in store for Eddie this year. I think it went fairly well. But what that means is that Eddie starts school next week. Darn! On the one hand, he'll be occupied. But on the other hand, it means that I have to get up EARLY like 7 or a little before. I'm used to sleeping in until 7:30 or 8am. Granted, it's not a big difference .. . but I don't really like rushing around in the morning. I like to wake up gradually and putz around.

So, a few more relaxing days of putzing around are in store for me. Best take advantage of it, eh?

Today - just one phone meeting that got postponed from yesterday. The rest of the day will be spent working on this article! I'm going to miss a tupperware party at a friend's house this evening because I feel like I really really need to use the time to work on it!

Getting Ready to Go to Alaska

Hello everyone!
This will be just a quick post as I have a lot I'd like to try to do today to get ready for my trip to Alaska. Still got to pack and do several other errands!

I'm doing well - I've upped my Xeloda dose up to 2/day beginning on Wednesday the 15th.. Not experiencing much in the way of side effects now. I think my body's gotten used to it and/or my "attitude adjustment" (welcoming what it does) has helped. I'm glad I gave myself a week-end off and then started it over again.

Went to my friend's pool on Wednesday evening and then we grilled burgers for dinner.

Went blueberry picking yesterday morning, Scott and I then ran an errand, and then Eddie, my folks, Scott, and I went to Alsea Falls. It was a beautiful, if hot, day.

Running errands with Eddie today, then to my office to pick up some things, then back home to pack and do several other things like prepare Eddie's invitations for his birthday party.

Have a great day!

We leave at 6:40am tomorrow out of Eugene and land in Nome at 8:10pm. A long day, but worth it. Aunt Becky picks us up at Anchorage for lunch - we have a 5 hour layover. Toni will pick us up from Nome. Yay!

Wow - Already in Summer Mode!

I stayed home Sunday afternoon because of the stomach bug. Then, yesterday, I chauffeured kids to the pool for an end-of-year party. Today, I attended Eddie's end-of-year class party - a luau. There were some tribal representatives on campus today and I visited with them. I met with one of my grad research assistants. I had a faculty meeting.

But in the end, I didn't really get much accomplished in the way of paperwork.

I might normally feel guilty or stressed about it and even work at home to get it done. And, I might even tell myself I should feel guilty.

But, I don't.

I think I'm already in summer mode! Woo hoo!

P.S. Do you think it might have something to do with the fact that I did not actually have class this week? Also, the last time I need to rush around in the morning getting ready is tomorrow ... Eddie's last day is tomorrow. Yay!