50 is the new 30

I made it. Big goal number 1. Live to be 50. I've lived. I'm 50. Now what? I'm choosing my next goal. Around the world in 80 days? No, someone else has already done that. Invent wireless internet? No, that's been done too (thank goodness). Oh, I know...Keep living every single day...while I wait for a cure. That may have already been attempted by some, but that living part...I'm going to do it up in style.

I didn't' write on the blog last night because I had a HOUSEFUL. At one time I counted 13 of us in the kitchen alone...Bonnie and the family arrived last night around 7:15 then all the kids showed up, Shannon and Melana, 2 sister in laws, my father in law, Jake...Oh, there were probably more but I lost count. The evening was full of love and laughter. Bonnie and I stayed up after everyone else had gone to bed. We talked a little more, had a little wine and reminded each other that we would never have met if not for lung cancer. When I count my blessings, Bonnie is one of them.

I'm really looking forward to the next couple of days. Not that I want it to all be over, but to watch all of our hard work pay off. The committee is full of fun, hardworking people so it's not a chore to go to meetings or do the work. But, anyone of us would tell you that Relay
stuff is an everyday event.

Rick is getting a little more strength everyday. This won't be a year that he walks the most laps but he is the highest fundraiser for a man so he's definitely doing his part.

I'd better go, the house is starting to fill up with people again and I need to get in the shower.

Dreaming a little older and bigger,
Dor

My Birthday Present Arrived

Besides the new house at Desert Aire, Rick bought me a new computer for my birthday. It's "spring green", fast, loaded with good stuff and it has "Onstar" on it. Well not really Onstar, but if someone steals it...LoJack, the computer God will find the culprit who stole it. If I drop it, step on it, run over it with my car, spill coffee in/on it, I can get it replaced. I feel a little spoiled, but you only turn 50 once. I may choose to keep this age for a couple of years, so... I may turn 50 more than once, but you get the point.

Rick is feeling a little better tonight. Not great. Not good. Not "pretty good". A little better than crappy, but that's better than yesterday. Improvement. That's what we're after.
The oncologist called today and said I was giving Rick all the right drugs. He might feel better if he tries marijuana but he lives with a lung cancer patient, he can't stand smoke and he's already goofy enough. I would make him try it if it gave him the munchies but there's no guarantee.

Our house is covered with Relay for Life stuff. I keep loading things in the SUV but if I don't stop soon I won't be able to see out the windows. I can't wait for the house to be clean of boxes and bags, and paperwork....

I really need to think about getting a couple good nights of sleep before this event gets here. There's nothing worse than a tired "old" grouchy woman and I may resemble that very soon if I don't get to bed.

I've been keeping it a secret...but Bonnie Addario (my best buddy from San Francisco), her daughter and granddaughters are coming here tomorrow to join us for our big day. We are all looking forward to her visit. It will be a short one (she has to go back on Saturday) but even a minute with her is so VERY SPECIAL. I can't wait for you all to meet her. She is the Susan G. Komen of Lung Cancer. Remember this name: Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation. It is changing the way people think about Lung Cancer.

Until tomorrow (my last day in the 40's),
Keep Dreaming Big~
Dor

Bad Day

Chemo is poison.  Today was a sure sign of that.  For the past 16 months, Rick has been having treatment with very little side effects.  He's been fatigued, has pain in his hands and feet, had a little problem with low blood counts, but always says he's "pretty good".  This afternoon I left Seattle Cancer Care with a sick husband and a puke bucket.  We didn't make it home before he was throwing up along side the freeway.  Since we arrived home at 2:00pm  he's been in bed.  Tonight he finally ate a little something and was able to keep it down.    Today, I really hate cancer.   Hate is a strong word, but cancer is a strong disease.

My appointment went fine.  I'm going to have an MRI of my hip in the next week or so, then a scan next month.  For now, I have my work cut out taking care of my honey.

This evening Pam met me at my house where we worked on Relay stuff for a few hours.  Rick's cousins Jennifer and Andrea have been helping us behind the scenes and tonight they brought over adorable gift bags and Wizard of Oz prize tags.  I'm amazed at how generous people are.  I can't wait to share their goodies with all of you.

This afternoon when Angie left work, she came to the house and worked for hours doing jobs around the house that I really needed to do.  I really appreciate her help and love....more than she'll ever know.  :)

I've got a birthday party to attend tomorrow morning with my fellow secretaries.  The party starts at 7:00am...Are these girls crazy?  Who has a party at 7:00am?

Dreaming Big,

Doreen

Happy Memorial Day

I never like being on the road during a busy holiday like Memorial Day, so we always try to leave pretty early in the morning to come home from wherever we are. Sometimes we extend the holiday and stay one extra day to avoid the traffic all together. This time, chemo stopped us from doing that. That's ok, we have plenty of work to do before the weekend.

I've had lots of e-mails from many of you regarding my garage sale find. The photo I attached doesn't do justice for the house. It really is a great fit for us. I can't wait to finalize the deal. Someone asked me to attach a photo of our house that we'll be selling. I've attached a photo, but if you're interested in being our next door neighbors... you might want to let us know soon as it seems others are interested as well!

Perhaps it's from riding in the car so much, or the weeding we did over at Desert Aire...whatever the reason, my hip is really aching tonight. I've found as long as I keep moving, it feels better.

Last night Rick's aunt, uncle and cousins gave me a little birthday party, with cake, pies and a BBQ. It was a perfect evening except for the part when the sprinklers went off and everyone was sitting in the yard. It was pretty funny to see how fast everyone moved when they were next to a sprinkler head. It was REALLY funny now that I think about it because I was standing on the porch and never got wet.

Tomorrow will be another long day in Seattle. I'll do my best to write a blog and let you know how things went.

Dreaming Big,

Dor

Garage Sale Find....

We're over at Desert Aire right now enjoying the beautiful weather and the company of our friends. Yesterday morning we decided to go to some garage sales in the neighborhood (not so much for the stuff to buy but to say hello to the neighbors). Instead, we visited our next door neighbors, Don and Shirley and learned that he was currently battling cancer and not doing very well. They came over for the weekend to put their house on the market because it was just too much for them to care for. We were NOT looking for a new place because we love ours, but the house is a little bigger and we really like the layout. As Rick and I walked through it, we looked at each other and smiled...then Rick said, "we'll take it". It had only been on the market for 20 minutes. They are really happy we are getting it. Our view is as spectacular and now we have a house to sell. I don't think we're going to have any problems selling it because it's in the best neighborhood at Desert Aire. So, if you're looking for an investment property, this is the place for you. We would be next door neighbors. I'm attaching a photo of our new house (I'll be painting the trim in a couple of weeks).

This upcoming week Rick has chemo and I have a doctor's appointment so we'll keep you posted on how things go. I'm a little worried about Rick during Relay since chemo will be fresh, but he says he'll be just fine.

I'm down at Pat and Suzie's house writing this blog because I can't get very good wireless service at our house and Pat goes crazy when I don't' write daily. So, this one's for you Pat!

It's about 80 here with a nice breeze. Wish you were all here!

Dreaming Big and Sunny,
Dor

Thursday Updates

The blog has been at the bottom of my to do list lately.  I wish I made it a priority but I've got so many other things going that by the time I sit down at 10 o'clock to write something, my brain is mush.  Ok, let's face it, my brain is mush most of the time.  I'm going to blame it on my age :)  As a matter of fact, in a few days I'll be blaming anything that goes wrong on my age.  

Please check the "Give a little, take a lot" website where you'll see an adorable little face that's looking for a new home.   Even if you don't need a puppy, perhaps you can pass this information on to someone who does.   http://www.takealittlegivealot.blogspot.com  

Before we got to the Relay meeting last night, we hit our goal.  We're now at $20, 300.  You've gotta love those Dream Teamers.  I sure do!  

Reminder...The deadline for ordering a bracelet is Tuesday the 27th.   I still haven't ordered mine yet so I guess I better follow my own advice. 

As I reflect on my life (all 49 years and 11 & 3/4 months) I can't believe how fast time has flown and how much time I had while it was flying by... It was nearly 34 years ago when I went on my first date with Ricky Schmitt.  He was so shy and quiet back then and I was the loud, social butterfly.  Hey wait, it's still that way.  Time doesn't really change anything does it?

Dream Big,

Dor

Bracelet Order Form!

The deadline for ordering bracelets is just around the corner...so if you were thinking about ordering one, now's the time! Just right click on the order form below...and print it off!

RFL Order Form - Upload a doc

Read this doc on Scribd: RFL Order Form

Less than $200 away from our TEAM GOAL

Since tomorrow is our last BIG meeting before the Relay for Life, I got on line tonight to check out my team's progress. Much to my pleasure, I discovered that the Dream Team is 167 dollars away from hitting our $20,000 dollar goal (and that is only one of the two dream teams...we've exceeded our goal when you add both teams together...and we still have 10 days to go). I am the proud team leader of some of the most amazing women I know. Thank you ladies....

I've got to arrange my schedule a little better because I missed another Taco Tuesday with my buddies. Instead, I took Rick's dad to the doctor for his 2 week check up (I took him to Costco for the first time on the way to his appointment...he was a little overwhelmed). He is actually feeling better and the doctor said his heart rate seems to be stabilizing. In a couple of weeks they are going to do a procedure at the hospital where they will do an echocardiogram from inside his body. They can get a good look at his leaky valve and see if it needs repairing. Let's hope it will be fine with meds and not surgery.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to the San Juan Islands with my friend Crystal where she will accompany her 5th grade daughter on her Outdoor Education Program. I will be attending as the the mom of a 5th grade teacher who will also be on the trip. We're going to make a fun day of it (hopefully without too much rain). The ferry ride, the laughter and the friendship will be a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Tomorrow I'll be heading into the single digit countdown to 50... I can feel the wrinkles forming as we speak. I promise to wear those smile lines with pride :)

Dreaming Older and Bigger Every Day,

Dor

Not much happening...

I had so much I wanted to write about today, but it has all slipped my mind (what's left of it, now that I'm almost 50). Everything is great here at the Schmitt house (except for the cancer but we're working on that too!)

My sheets are in the dryer and it's time to go to sleep, so I have to say good-bye now so I can get the bed made.

I think this is what publishers refer to as "writer's block".

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Endless Weekend

After what seemed to be an endless weekend...I'm finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. We've all had our plates full...Amy and Melana went to Desert Aire to study and not be interrupted by phones, tv's and garage sale shoppers. Angie and Shannon didn't study anything, instead...they sold garage sale items until they were blue in the face (actually they were red in the face from the 90 degree weather..) The garage sale was a hit and they made lots of money. The Dream Team is approaching their $20,000 mark and we still have 12 days to go. Jake spent the weekend in Seattle with the Bride (Megan) and her family. After preparing for the garage sale, I've been motivated to throw away more STUFF. I have other names for the junk I've been finding but this is a family website so I'll refer to it as STUFF. Today I feel like I made some progress. Rick, "pyrotech man" has been burning a pile of stumps with our neighbor for the past 2 days. They get their big machines and push the stuff around until the flames get higher...Hey, doesn't that sound like a song?

The concert I went to last night was amazing. It was a late night, but well worth it. I'm not sure why, but I woke up earlier than usual, so Rick and I went to the Duck In for a fundraising breakfast. If I keep going to fundraising events, I'm going to have to have a fundraising event for groceries. :) Just kidding...

Honestly, we're doing well around our house. It's funny how staying busy takes your mind off all the things that would otherwise make you crazy.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but if our health is still good as we approach January, I'm hoping to leave Rick for a couple of weeks and go to Haiti on a missions trip. I've wanted to do it for a long time and there is no time like the present. Truth is, sometimes we don't have a future so why not do whatever we want whenever we want to? Like Dr. Eaton says "if it brings you joy, do it". Or was that it Dr. Nike who said "just do it"? Either way, I'm hoping to journey to a land very different from the one I reside. I'm sure I'll learn more about life in those 10 days than my first 50 years.

Until tomorrow...Surround yourself with people you love....

And don't forget to ~
DREAM BIG!

Dor

P.S. Don't forget to place your order for a "There's no place like Hope" bracelet. I tried again tonight to put the order form on the blog. I'll keep working on it, but if you're interested in ordering now, go back in the blog a few weeks and get the information on a day I called "bracelets for hope". If you have any questions, call me at 360-629-4398 and I'll direct you to the right person. Cindy Cutforth who designed and is making these has sold over 50 already. Keep up the good work Cindy :)

Heat Wave

I woke up this morning...stepped outside and thought I was in Hawaii. Well maybe not Hawaii (I didn't see blue water and palm trees) but the weather has taken a complete u-turn from our usual rain and wind. At 10am here in Stanwood it was 81 degrees. I believe we may have a summer after all.

Since I haven't been home much lately, I had great intentions to get lots of things done today. So far, I've disappointed myself. I did go to town and have my car washed at Eagle's Nest for their fundraiser, picked up lunch for Rick and I (it's too hot to cook), paid some bills, went to the bank and now I'm going to get started on productive stuff around the house.

But first, I want to share a little story. Yesterday, Angie's dear friend (and ours too) Shannon had a present sent to Angie, for me. It is a device called Keyfinder. Since I've been losing my keys so frequently, Shannon thought this would come in really handy. I hook one little remote in my purse and one on my key chain. When I can't find my keys, I push the button in my purse and it makes my key chain beep. It's actually really helpful. Except, this morning when I was at the bank, I stepped outside, looked for my keys and couldn't find them so I pushed the button to see where in my purse they were located and I didn't hear the beeping sound. When I looked back inside the bank, people were looking all around (as though a bomb had just been detonated) and I realized I'd left them on the counter in the bank. Long story short....it really works but you should look a little harder for them before sounding the alarm. Thanks for my present Shannon. I hope it never gets me arrested.

I'm going to a concert tonight (Steven Curtis Chapman) with my sister in law tonight so this will probably be the only blog I write today. Enjoy the weather and don't forget to wear sunscreen.

Dreaming Big,
Doreen

Garage Sale Update

Did I ever mention how much I dislike garage sales? How... when other people look at your "treasures" that are marked a dollar...they insist they only have 50 cents left? Are you kidding me? You come to a garage sale and only have 50 cents to your name? You need to go home. That's what I want to say, but instead, I shake my head and smile and say "oh sure, you can have it for 50 cents.". Again, I keep reminding myself that this is for a good cause...Relay. The first day went pretty well. Angie is hoping to sell out tomorrow so she can close the doors on Sunday morning.

Rick is starting to feel better now. Once he's back on the mend I start to sleep better. I'm pretty sure as tired as I've been these past few days, I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight anyway. So, until tomorrow...

Love you more than all the "junk" at garage sales across America.

Dream Big,
Dor

Celebrating Livestrong Day

Yesterday was the "official" Lance Armstrong ~ Livestrong Day. I e-mail Angie from SCCA to tell her about it and she took it one step further. She cut yellow strips of paper and took them to every classroom for the kids to decorate to celebrate someone they love with cancer or someone they've lost. (Some of the kids wrote amazing things about Grandparents & Parents - I can't wait for you to see them). She collected over 500 strips and attached them like a chain of Livestrong bracelets. They are hanging in her gym at school and the kids are very excited to know they were a part of it. I've asked Angie to bring them to Relay to decorate our tent. I'm attaching a photo of Angie with her amazing project. Look close and you might notice a black eye. She took an elbow to the eye socket while playing basketball last night. Ouch.

I spent hours at Angie's house today and helped get ready for the big Garage Sale happening this weekend at GlenEagle. I've decided that garage sale preparation is my least favorite thing to do (besides cleaning bathrooms). I didn't mind doing it today though, because I know the proceeds go to a good cause.

Rick is completely exhausted from chemo this time. I called to check on him (at work) a couple of times today and he sounded drained. Each treatment has been a little worse than the last. The neuropathy in his hands and feet continues to worsen and is lasting a little longer each time. He never complains, but I know he hates the constant fatigue. Like any of us, we don't want to be held back from doing all the things we love to do. Chemo doesn't always cooperate.

I'm heading to bed early as well. It's been a long (but productive) day.

Happy BELATED 40th Birthday to my dear friend Kelly Lloyd. I guess I've had too many things on my mind lately to remember she would be joining me in the 40's..... Hope you had a very happy one, Kelly. You deserve it!

Dream Big & Livestrong,
Dor

Update from SCCA

It just dawned on me that my blog from yesterday didn't post. Apparently, it wasn't news worthy. So, I'll just give you a little update today.

I got lots of little jobs done yesterday. Took it easy like I promised to do. Then Rick and I headed down to Seattle to spend the night for Chemo today. He's currently upstairs being "infused" with some poison that will help him stay well. I wonder if it's anything like infusing a chicken with garlic? Probably not.

The oncology/anti-coagulation pharmacist just told Rick he gets to stop the shots in his belly. He's very excited since his tummy looks like he's been to battle. I don't think he planned on being a stomach model anytime soon, but just in case, the bruising and knots should go away soon.

Rick was resting when I came downstairs to use the computers. These first couple of days wipe him out and it starts almost immediately. He has chemo the week of Relay so we're keeping our fingers crossed that he's feeling ok by Friday.

I'm missing Taco Tuesday with the girls, but Pam said they would order lunch and eat it for me as though I was there. I love those girls.

Time for me to head back upstairs to check on my honey. I've been feeling about the same. The respiratory infection seems to be better, still a little cough (nothing I haven't dealt with before), and my daily backache but after a while you get used to that.

Happy to be ALIVE and Dreaming Big,
Dor

Happy Mother's Day

We've been at Desert Aire for the past few days celebrating Mother's Day. On Friday afternoon, 7 of us piled into Mom and Dad's van and drove over for the weekend. I was in my element because I was cooking for everyone, and I had the kids following behind me, cleaning up. That's when I do my best work...when I don't have to clean up after myself. (I'm one messy cook) We played games all weekend...Sequence (a board game that we all love) and a horse race game that my dad made. It's a good thing we weren't playing for real money....Rick would have cleaned our clocks.

On Friday night the kids gave me my mother's day gifts. The first thing I opened was from Amy. She knew how much I loved the movie Juno so she brought it for me along with the soundtrack and some dark chocolate. She also bought me a HUGE card (the size of an album cover) because she said "size does matter" (when it comes to cards for your mom). Angie (and Shannon & Fuzz) got me an adorable Life is Good sweatshirt (that was originally on my birthday list). I loved it the moment I saw it! I'm sure you'll all get sick of me wearing it, but it's my new favorite. Then came Jake's gift. It was a mother's day letter he had written me as a 3rd grader (he'd framed it) and this is what it said. " The best mom today is Doreen Schmitt because she taught her son a lot of things. Like how to clean up his room and to put soap in the dishwasher and she goes to every game of her dautuer's and sons games. But she is a good cook and the best mom because she sniggles with her son. Love, Jay" We've been teasing Jake all weekend because I don't remember sniggling with him. I did however SNUGGLE with all of them. I'm a little concerned that he thought I was a good mother because I taught him how to clean. No wonder he's always picking up after me...

It's 7:00pm and it's time for the busy schedule to begin again. I'm going to try to slow down a bit this week. I know I always say that, but this week I'm actually going to work on it. Friday is the beginning of Angie's neighborhood garage sale and I'm going to help with it. I'm going to stay close to her house and not buy too much. I know the money goes to a great cause "Doreen's Dream Team" but I don't need more junk in my house.

Love you more than all the mothers who've ever sniggled with their children :)
Dreaming Big,
Dor

Chemo Eve,

I followed my own advice today and just did things I needed to get done.  We are down in Seattle for the night since Rick has an early morning chemo.   It's so nice to stay at "Hotel Melana" (that's what I like to call it). 

This week is the big garage sale in Angie's neighborhood.  I'm hoping to go over to her house on Wednesday and help her get pricing done, make signs, price tags....It may seem like a big pain in the patootie but after looking at some of the items that have been dropped off this is going to be one successful Relay Fundraiser.  While Angie is at work on Friday, Shannon and I are going to sell anything that isn't nailed down.  If you see Angie, please don't mention it :)

I'm very sleeping tonight and I really need to get some sleep for tomorrow.  When I get home from Seattle; Megan, her mom and I are going to meet our friend Judi who is a wedding consultant and go over some ideas for December.  I know it seems like a long time away, but I know better....we'll turn around and it will be here.

I'm so sleepy tonight I'd better to bed.  Tomorrow morning at 6:00am comes very early.  Ugh!

Dreaming Big,

Dor

Another exhausting day

I found my keys.   On Tuesday, I planned on stopping by the dealership to have a new key made (for only 100 dollars) but I got to the dealership late.  Later that evening, the restaurant I lost them in, called to say they had found them.   Is that considered a divine intervention?

Today was another very busy day for me.  It started with making soup for a fundraiser for Jake's school, then I went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting with Pam and presented the award for the 2007 man of the year.  The winner was Randy Heagle, a dad of one of my former cheerleaders.  The woman of the year was Pam Lindahl, but I told her I would not be handing my crown over.  She would have to get her own.  After the luncheon it was off to the grocery store with my mom and aunt (my Aunt hadn't done her major shopping in over a month...so my SUV was loaded to the top), then to dinner with our friends the Gums.  We don't get together often, but when we do we always have a great time.  (Bill and Jane, I'm working on a menu for that pub/restaurant we're going to start some day...you keep working on the venue).

I met some great people today at the luncheon I was at.  A man introduced himself to me and said he had just been diagnosed with lung cancer in December.  Another woman from Hospice was a speaker and she talked about Hospice and how most people think it is for people who are dying.  Instead, she reminded us that it's for people who want to Live.  She introduced herself to Pam and I and we made an instant connection.   My day was filled with lots of hugs and well wishes so it was worth every exhausting moment.

I know it might seem early for me to feel the effects of acupuncture, but honestly, tonight I feel better than I have in months.

Until tomorrow,

Dream Big, Live for the Moment, Dance in your underwear...and hope no one is watching.

Doreen

Successful Relay Meeting

Tonight, teams brought in over $30,000 towards our total. We've now broken the $110,000 mark. We also learned tonight that we are ahead of our goal from last year. If we keep it up, we're going to break more records and set new standards. What a great community we live in!

Dor

Happy Hump Day

We had a pretty good day yesterday when it came to Rick's dad. We got him out of the hospital, met his new cardiologist (who was fantastic), had a couple of doctor's appointments and got him on his new schedule. It has to be hard when you're 83, independent, and still want to be active ~ for someone to say, you need to take all these pills (which is our biggest battle with him), don't push yourself, change your diet, etc.... We're working on a game plan to make this new lifestyle as easy as possible for him.

I had a wonderful massage yesterday before I started the rest of my hectic day. Today, I'll be trying acupuncture for the first time. I've been reading up and by the sounds of it, acupuncture is good for overall health. I could use a little of that.

While doing a little lung cancer research over the past few days, I discovered a darling little 10 year old girl with rare childhood lung cancer, and a 32 year old new dad who had stage 4 lung cancer (like mine) who moved so he could be close to a transplant hospital in case some lungs became available to him. (I've been told that cancer patients don't make good transplant patients...but he fought hard for what he believed in). He now has a healthy set of lungs in his chest and looks like he's doing really well. From the onset of my diagnosis, I've read some horrific stories about how grim lung cancer can be...but the truth is...we need to show the world that there is HOPE no matter what kind of cancer you have. Which brings me to relay (again). We only have 23 days until the big day (and I do mean big). So, if you're not involved yet, put on your ruby red slippers and slide down our rainbow...we promise, you'll have a great time.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Happy Cinco De Mayo

After what appeared to be a long drawn out day waiting for new prescriptions, Rick and I met his sister and brother in law for a Cinco De Mayo celebration at Amigos. We had a great time...until Rick, Vickie and Tom left and I stopped to say hello to a bunch of kids who graduated from Stanwood over the years. When I got to my car, my keys were missing so I spent the next 45 minutes emptying my purse, backtracking my way through the restaurant, taking the booth apart, to no avail. I believe the keys have been abducted by aliens. Rick had to come back over to the restaurant and bring me his keys. Hopefully, I'll get a call tomorrow from someone at Amigo's after they were turned in. Keep your fingers crossed. Otherwise, I'll have to lock and unlock my car with a key. Ugh!

Happy Anniversary to Jeff and Dawn (my brother in law and sister in law). Just remember, love makes the world go round. So keep spinning :)

I'm on an antibiotic to try and get rid of this crud in my chest. Hopefully, I'll be feeling better by tomorrow when I take Rick's dad to the Cardiologist. He's still in the hospital, but Vickie and I are hoping to pick him up and take him to his appointment so we can learn what's really going on with his health. I'll keep you posted as we learn something.

Keep dreaming big,
Dor

P.S. Best of luck this week, Carolyn. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Successful Team Meeting

For those of you who are not on my Dream Team...Watch out. We had a meeting tonight and we're a team to be reckoned with. Many women. One Reason. This year's relay is going to be so much fun. If you're not signed up but you want to participate...we'd love to have you stop by the Stanwood High School Stadium on May 30th...you won't be disappointed. Please e-mail me at dreambig@wavecable.com if you are a survivor and want to join us. You don't need to be on a team to participate in the survivor ceremonies.

Rick has more energy today than he has in a week. I hope this next week treats him well. I'm still not feeling up to snuff (what does that really mean?) but tomorrow will be a new day and I'm expecting great things from my body.

The internet has been down most of the day which is why I'm writing so late. It's way past my bedtime so I'll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet Dreams. :)

Sleep well,
Dor

I've finally planted flowers :)

Most of you know I'm a sunflower fanatic. But for some reason, I have to plant these daisies every year. When I look at a daisy (of any kind), somehow the corners of my mouth turn up into a smile. I hope they do for you as well. In between rain spurts, I went outside and planted a few flower pots. I also bought a huge fuchsia (named Angel Dream). Beautiful foliage, but no flowers yet. The one that was blooming however was beautiful. This one was just bigger and greener. I can wait for flowers (it gives me something to do with my time) Sometimes I buy things for their names. Like today, Jake picked out a geranium with the name of Lavender Grand Slam. I said, go ahead...throw it in my wagon, we're a baseball family. We left the plant farm with a variety of blooming beauties. Give them a few weeks and we're sure to have overflowing baskets on the porch.

My father in law is still in the hospital. Still running tests. Still no definite answers. The good part is, he's being taken care of by great nurses, and if he has a problem he's in the right place to receive care. We'll be checking in on him tomorrow after church.

Tomorrow we have our team relay for life meeting. I'm excited to see all my team mates and help get them excited about the next 3 weeks. So far, the dream teams have raised over 15,000 dollars. I'm so proud.

Rick took it easy most of the day. The fatigue he's having is a little more than he bargained for. My respiratory "thing" is feeling about the same, but I'm hoping for some improvement by tomorrow.

It's bedtime for people who are 49 and 11/12ths. Hey, that's me. Talk to you tomorrow. I'm predicting sunshine so we can mow our lawns.

Dreaming Big,
Dor

Dreary Saturday Morning

I have still not planted any pots for my porch yet because the weather has been so terrible. When I woke up today it was raining (no surprise) but I'm still motivated to do it.  So today, Jake and I are going to purchase some potting plants at Jordan's Nursery.  They are a little nursery close to our house and they sell out so fast if you don't get there within the first few weeks everything is gone.  They just opened last weekend, so I think I'm still safe.

Rick's dad went into the hospital again yesterday.   With Rick feeling so fatigued from this last round of chemo, and with my cough and respiratory stuff going on, we stayed away from the hospital yesterday.  If we're feeling better tonight we may go down and visit.  I think the best thing for Rick's dad is REST right now and with a room full of visitors, it defeats the purpose.  The problem is trying to get his heart beat regulated.  It's just seems to be working overtime, all the time.  I hope the doctors can get this figured out soon because he's not very good at being a patient.  He's a much better farmer. 

My hip aching again today...it must know I'm slowing approaching 50.  Isn't that something that aches on old people?  I don't know, I'm not there yet.  :)  But, I'll soon find out.  

I'd better go now and get some work done around here.  You'd think with all my time off I would be organized and have all my wifely duties completed by the weekend.  Not!  

Only 27 days 'til Relay..."There's no place like hope"

Dreaming Big,

Dor

Happy Belated May Day

Most of my time yesterday was spent with Rick's dad at the doctor's office. He still isn't feeling well since his hospital stay. It's always a little draining to sit and wait for answers . The doctor said what he's experiencing is side effects from his new medicines. When you're 83, German and a little impatient it's even harder to sit around and wait for results.

I found a May Day basket of flowers on my porch after my busy day yesterday. What a wonderful way to brighten an afternoon. We should encourage Hallmark to make that a new holiday (because we don't have enough reasons to buy a card as it is). "Happy 1st day of whatever month it is.

When I got up this morning I had a raspy voice and a deep cough. I'm going to lay low today and rest. Well, that's my plan...but you know how plans change?

Rick's sensitive hands and feet have been the worst they've ever been during this round of chemo. As long as they stay warm he can tolerate it. With my hot flashes and him needing heat...we're a great combination.

Happy Friday :)

Dreaming Big,
Dor