Snorkel

I almost drown snorkeling once.  A lady at work said "why doesn't that surprise me Marna".

Another one of those nights...

Its 2:30 am and my mind is spinning faster than the ceiling fan with thoughts and now a raccoon is outside my window.

                           Well.  At least the Rangers won....

Today at Dollywood

Good times with my nephew Colton at Dollywood!  (I forgot my Rangers play tonight in what could be a sweep for the Stanley Cup or I'd probably have shafted Colton.)

Breakfast.   Thought I'd splurge on some donuts since I'd be walking it off at Dollywood.   I did manage to only buy a two pack! 

Colton and I listened to Dolly all the way to the park. I lip sync  except when "9 to 5" and "He's Alive" played.  I whisper sang then.

When we got to Dollywood Colton said we'd park at Tram stop C.  I told him we should drive on up to see about closer spot.  Colton said "The tram is the first official ride at Dollywood. "

Colton wanted selfies at the main Dollywood signs.

Ugh backpack.  I would have never taken one but it was supposed to rain....

Waiting on a show.   I'd have been in trouble if I'd drank the whole thing!

My favorite at Dollywood. 

'Nuther selfie

More selfie...

Dollywood casualties.  I sent pictures to my sis-n-law and she said "bless it. Blisters".   I told her I fell. She texted back "over your own feet??"  I asked her, "yes, tripping over my own feet is more believable than blisters when it comes to me isn't it?"

Colton is like me when it comes to rides.  Soooo I like going with him to Dollywood.   We watch shows and ride a few rides.  We're on the same page as far as rides go.  Although he said he gets sick on the "Dizzy Disk".   I was going to ride by myself but Colton said he'd try.  We ended up riding three times!  By the third time we were quite "dizzy" and not thinking, walking or talking quite right and I badly mispronounced the name of the ride!

One thing we aren't on the same page about?  Water rides.  I hate them.   Colton absolutely loves them. 

He talked me into riding the River Rampage at the very end of day while promising I'd not get very wet. I told Colton I attract water.  If anyone on a ride gets wet it's always me.  In fact kids on the water rides give me the stink eye when the ride is over.  I'm wet. They're not.   

Well after probably, oh, at least ten years of no water rides i thought I'd give it a whirl.  Knowing I'd get wet.  But for a niece or nephew I'll give most things a try.   Tradition held strong-I was drenched....and at the end of the ride a little boy gave me the stink eye while saying "I didn't get wet at all".  Earlier in the day a little girl held her nose, jumped in a pond and I was still more wet than her! (Well not really.  She was more wet.  Well not really There was no little girl. But well, you get the picture,  right?)

Started raining after the water ride but just walked to the entrance.  We were already soaked!  This selfie is after we changed.  I had to peel my now three inch longer pants off.  They were stuck to me.

The umbrella I had gotten last week at the TN Trustee meeting came in quite handy after I had changed and was dry.  Now...if I can keep up with it. I have this thing about keeping up with umbrellas. It's true. 

We stopped in Pigeon Forge for supper.  Colton asked if I wanted to ride the giant ferris wheel.  I looked at him and rolled my eyes.  Um. No.  Why did he even ask? 

Biggest problem of the day is happening right now. I forgot the NYR are playing tonight in what could be a sweep for the Stanley Cup.  We watched some of the game while eating.  Before first period ended I told Colton we had to leave so I could get home to see most of game.  Well we are stuck in traffic in Knoxville.  I told him we should have driven through Maryville and Townsend.    

How could I have forgotten this was the big game night?!  I need therapy. 

Well.....at least I managed to finally get my Dollywood season pass today.  A gold one.  

Here we go...

Dollywood bound with one of the nephews.  I hope Dolly has issued a no rain policy today or else it's going to be a miserable.  But I love my nieces and nephews so it makes it worth it.

Who knows. Maybe Colton will let me shop for a minute at the outlets.  I hate shopping but to be an irritation to two of the nieces I'm going to find something, anything and buy two of it.  Maybe in the same color!  That would drive them over the bridge!!

I'll give a full report of our Dollywood escapades tonight.   I do LOVE Dollywood!

Tomorrow

I'm afraid I'm in for a miserable day tomorrow.  Dollywood with my nephew and his friend......in the rain.  But I'm a good sport and said I was going.  As long as I have a Dollywood dip dog everything will be just fine.

Mileage

Okay.  I know it may be a little bit weird but I love to keep up with my car mileage. Today I had almost 400 miles before filling up.  Corny I know.

weather

Weather in Nashville nasty to be driving in today.  I am ready to be home.

Nashville

My next appointment with Dr. Maxwell wasn't until the 16th.  The office called late yesterday to see if I could come Tuesday or Thursday.   Thursday was going to be a not so good day so here I sit.  My doctor's appointment is over and I don't have another until September 15!  Yea for me!

My mind is already racing about the next appointment.   I'll not sleep tonight.  What will happen in September?   I believe Dr. Maxwell is determined I have a good, positive outcome. Is being alive enough of a good, positive outlook.

Chris will be adamantly against any more surgery. December and January's surgeries about did us both in. (Hey. There's another Southern Slang phrase-did us in.)  I'd say many of my friends and family will feel the same.

I've never been a worrier. The past seven  months have made me worry and fret. Worry and fret over my family and friends and what my illness and subsequent problems has done to them.  Put them through!

But.....but.  What do I want?  How will I know what I want? When will I know what I want?  Will what I want be right?  Who will help me know what I want especially since those so close to me have strong feelings for or against or others who give well meaning answer of "your beautiful no matter if you have breasts or not."? How will I comfort those I love with whatever decision I make should it be one which upsets them?

Yes. No sleep tonight....

Freak Show

Back in the 70's and 80's a traveling circus stopped in Monroe County.   Mom and Dad would usually take me and my nephew Jamey, who is my age.

One of my most vivid memories involved the "freak show".  I was probably between ages 4 and 6. Momma and I were walking by and I was looking at the hideous cartoon posters strapped on the side of the dirty trailer.  While peeking around one of the windows my mother said as she led me away, "Marna.  We aren't going in there.  It's not right to stare at or make fun of others."

Being a curious little girl I peeked once more over my shoulder as we walked quickly away.   I saw some of the "freaks" walking around behind a drape.  They didn't scare me but rather stirred a pity deep within.

A sadness still exists in me when confronted with situations resembling that night.  A deep resonating voice rises to remind me there are less fortunate than I.  A memory of a voice which taught me so very much about life and people and respect.

As I grow older, and harder, I sometimes wish I had that voice here, in flesh, to teach me new life lessons. The "freaks" in my life have changed from those people in childhood to something totally different throughout adulthood.

New advice is heard from others during the few times I try to open up and share, however, it's not the same guidance of youth from a great lady.  Her guidance was worth ten fold of anything a self help book or even friends try to provide.  Sooo...I usually don't seek help.  Figuring things out on your own while seeking help from above, is a better idea than to receive unwise council.

None can compare to my mother's guidance.  A mother's guidance which is needed more and more as years go by to deal with the, I call them freakish situations,  that crop up.

Risk Factors

During my six month oncology appointment Dr. Charles once again drilled things I should do and should not do to reduce risk of reoccurring breast cancer.  (Who would've thought after having breasts removed you'd have to worry about breast cancer ever again?  Strange huh?)

Here are a few of the things Dr. Charles always emphasizes every visit:

The most proven common denominator in risk of developing breast cancer or have it reoccurring is drinking alcohol.   So while drinking a glass of red wine every night may be good for your heart Dr. Charles said that is a no-no for me.  No drinking! Keeping risk of secondary cancer low is more important than my heart at this point I guess. Funny.

Vitamin D needs to stay around 30.  Mine has fallen to 21 which is much better than the 15 it was last year. So back on the 50,000 iu per week for three months.  Vitamin D very, very important in trying to keep cancers away.  I've several blog posts on that topic.  If you type Vitamin D in search box for this blog it will pull up those links if you're interested. Those posts contain links to some great research articles.

Exercise is helpful in reducing risk for cancer coming back.  Hmmm...I gotta get motivated! Maybe Dr. Charles needs to write me a prescription....

Healthy diet.  Hmmm...I gotta get motivated! Maybe he should write me a prescription for that as well....

Genetics only account for less than 10% of all breast cancer.  Good to know.  I'm negative for genetic.  But never worried about genetics anyway for many reasons.

New research is showing taking Tamoxifen for ten years instead of five much more decreases risk of redevelopment of cancer returning.   Final report from research out next year which is my fifth and final year of the pill.  Dr. Charles is going to be very insistent on my continuing Tamoxifen for another five.  I told him MAYBE the research will be wrong.   He smiled and said we would revisit this next year. I love, love, love Dr. Charles. He doesn't always "get" my sense of humor but I always "get" what he is saying.


I'll add more later.... I'm tired and may actually get some sleep tonight.

Cutest Picture Ever

Well.  It's actually one of many cutest pictures ever of my nieces and nephews.  In this photo my nephew Tanner is playing with his new IPhone.   Tanner's niece, my great niece,  Mallie Belle is wanting to lend some advice.

Because it's the Cup....

Because it's the Cup I've decided to NOT watch Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals.  I'm hoping that will change the momentum of series and pull the Rangers through to a victory.

No couch coaching tonight....

Collection of Words to Live By

There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will. So don't worry about the people from your past, there's a reason they didn't make it into your future. Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. A sharp tongue will cut my own throat. If I want my dreams to come true, I must'n oversleep. Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important. The best vitamin for making friends....B1. The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts. The heaviest thing I can carry is a grudge. One thing I can give and still keep...is my word. I lie the loudest when I lie to myself. If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished. One thing I can't recycle is wasted time. Ideas won't work unless "I" do. My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open. The ten commandments are not multiple choice. The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! It is never too late to become what I might have been. Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the one's who don't. Believe EVERYTHING happens for a reason and is controlled by God. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Friends are like balloons, once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away. Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and what's wrong. There are two sides to every story.  Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late. In order to keep mistakes and wrongs from happening again, remember the past but don't let it consume your future. Don't waste your life wallowing in the past, or dream of a future that may never be, but live today.

Turn Down for What

I laugh my head off every time I watch this video!!!

Southern Speak

More Southern Speak.  I keep writing down when I hear others say the phrases or when I actually say this stuff-or text to someone.  It's kinda scary how much I use Southern Slang in my everyday life!

• Piddle/piddling = killing time, wasting time, unproductive
• Family coming in = your family is visiting from who do not live locally
• Lands sakes alive! = exclamation
• Holy Moly! = exclamation
• Geez Louise = exclamation
• Country belief = When it's raining and the cows run for the trees for shelter the rain isn't going to last long.  If the cows continue eating or laying down in the field the rain is here to stay for a few hours.
• Take it = Guess.  "I take it we aren't going to go to the movies."
• Fiddle/fiddling = killing time, wasting time, unproductive
• Hob Knob = mingle with people of influence
• High flu-looting = people who think they are better than others
• I'm so hungry I could eat a sow and run a boar ten miles = hungry
• Hey honey buns = a greeting to a woman
• Doozy = big lie, big anything
• I'm as poor as Job's turkey = poor
• Quiet as a church mouse = someone who is shy, being quiet (I am often called this)
• Stick in the mud = no fun (I've been called that too.  Hopefully in a joking way!)
• I grew up there = church or community where you were raised
• Real go getter = hard worker
• Quit your nagging = stop complaining 
• Nag = complain
• Don't harp on me = stop complaining
• Loafing = killing time, wasting time, unproductive
• Out of it = asleep, drunk, crazy
• Great day in the morning = exclamation
• Plum give out = exhausted
• Don't need to rush off = stay a while
• Spitting snow = barely snowing
• Drizzling rain = barely raining
• Pouring rain = raining hard
• Really coming down = raining hard or snowing hard
• Neck of the woods = where you live
• Clean up = shower, getting ready to go someone
• You're welcome to it = you can have it
• Someone asks: How did you manage that?  The person replies: it wudn't easy.
• How on earth did that happen? = questioning exclamation
• Quite a few = a lot
• Y'all = you guys
• Don't be a stranger now = keep in touch, come see me again, visit
• Y'all come back now ya hear = visit
• Let me speak at her = let me speak to her
• Can't handle it = stressed out
• Don't let the screen door shut on you on the way out = get out
• Figured = thought
• Old fart = don't do nothing you tell him, his way or no way at all
• My way or the highway or your way or the highway = do it the way I want 
• Tan your hide = spank, discipline
• Dufus or dufus head = derogatory comment about someone
• Yes Sir E Bob = yes or agree
• No Sir E Bob = no or disagree
• Fussing = arguing
• Wore smack dab out = very tired, exhausted
• I'm so hungry my stomach is touching my backbone! = hungry
• Starving to death = hungry
• I'm so hungry I could eat my right arm off = hungry
• Wore to a frazzle = tired, exhausted 
• Wind is blowing leaves inside out on trees means there is rain on its way
• Turtle back in his shell

Attitude of Gratitude

I need to wake up with....

Clothes

I had only planned to tag along with my niece and nephew today on their shopping trip to Elliott's and Old Navy in Maryville.   I resisted buying anything at Elliott's,  however,  at Old Navy I found a blouse.  In three great colors!   Amber immediately said NO! Choose one color!  I told her that I loved all three. Amber text my other niece Jessie (who in the past said I could not shop without her.)

Jessie sent a message to Amber and told her to make me put one of the two back.  Amber replied that there were three.   The middle blue blended in. Jessie sent another message telling Amber to get two and only let me keep one.  Now.

I....ended up with all three.  Jessie wasn't there to forcibly take them away.   However I did allow Amber to pick two scarves.  That'll mix things up a bit.  Along with the pants I have.  (Same style pant. Different colors. We'll not let Jessie know.)

Amber then talked me into trying on an outfit that which was out of my comfort zone.  Yuck.  There are some pants that do not go with 42 year old knees!  I think Amber realized and agreed when I walked out of the dressing room.  All I was thinking was "where is the Loft"! 

I hate pink so I should have put that one back in order to appease the nieces.

Amber's joke outfit.   Kinda cute for a young girl.

Sunday Afternoon

Tagging along with my niece and nephew on
their shopping trip to Murrville.

The Fault in our Stars

My great niece Chelsea and I went to see "The Fault in our Stars" yesterday afternoon.  It was an okay movie but to me a wait till Redbox type.  (I'm picky about movies.)

If you are going to see the film thinking it's a cancer movie you'll be disappointed.  "The Fault in our Star" only scratches the surface of someone battling cancer.  If you go to see it thinking you're going to see a teenage, star crossed lover type movie you'll not be disappointed.  You'll love it.  (The fault in our stars.  Star crossed lovers.  Intended correlation?  I dunno.)

Reasons not to see "The Fault in our Stars":

• Being surrounding by 100 teenage giggling girls.
• Being surrounding by 100 teenage crying girls.
• If you don't like to cry in public.
• If you wear a lot of makeup.  Specifically eye makeup.
• You forget your tissue.
• If you'll feel guilty your don't use your tissue.
• If you don't like to be disappointed.
• If you're looking for a good soundtrack.
• If you're looking for a deep cancer/life motivation type movie.
• If you'll feel guilty you aren't crying as much as you "should".
• If you'll feel guilty for judging those around you who are sobbing uncontrollably. 
• Will leave wondering about many things.......for example why the characters went to see the Anne Frank house if it wasn't going to be fleshed out more than Hazel, or Hazel Grace as Augustus liked to call her, struggling up stairs to only be kissed at the top of the stairs.

Reason to see "The Fault in our Stars":

• You want to join 100 teenage girls giggle at times and ball their eyes out at other.
• You're looking for a movie about love.  Star crossed love.
• Want to watch a "cute" movie.
• You need a good cry but just don't have anything to cry about right now.
• You like movies that are just deep enough to not make you think, but deep enough to make you feel.
• You think the girl playing Hazel, or Hazel Grace as Augustus insists on calling her, is a great actress and you want to see everything she plays in. (I think she is great!  Had another actress played the part I may have not enjoyed the movie.)
• You like to not have all the parts of a character laid out.  You like to be the deep thinker and not have a movie lead you quite that far.  You want to wonder why Augustus insists on calling Hazel, Hazel Grace.  Maybe because she feels she is just a Hazel.  She is just Hazel.  Maybe Augustus feels she is more than just a Hazel.  She is Hazel Grace.  I dunno.  One of the mysteries of this movie.

The best line in the movie, and having been a cancer patient a very profound line, is at the end of the film.  Hazel, Hazel Grace as Augustus insists on calling her, talks about the pain scale.  The pain scale asked in emergency rooms and recovery rooms and hospital rooms of those who are experiencing horrible things.  Hazel says she would always tell the nurse she had a pain of nine on the scale of 1-10.  The reason?  She was saving the ten for the time she knew would be the worst she could feel.  I loved that.  It made me wonder about how I always, always say six.  I'm not quite sure why.  Maybe I want to be strong or tough or not cause much concern or problem or complain too much.  Being one point over the half way mark to ten may be perfect for those reasons?  Maybe I'll just never figure that one out.....

Another interesting observation I found was the way the movie ends.  The movie ends just like the book that Hazel, or Hazel Grace as Augustus insists on calling her, is obsessed about.  The book she has read over and over ends in a sentence.  Ends in a way that she does not know what happens to Anna. (I think that was the character of the book's name?)  Hazel, or Hazel Grace as Augustus insists on calling her, experiences the end of her story in the exact same way as Anna.  And you the audience of the movie as Hazel the reader of the book do not know what happens to the lead character.   I'm not sure if the young girls will grapple with that in their mind.  Chelsea hadn't noticed when we talked about the movie afterward.  She said, "Marna.  You just read too much into stuff."  Ha.  Funny Chels.

I wish the cancer/dying aspects of the film had been flushed out more in the film.  The parts of Hazel and her parents fears and thoughts of parting through her future death.  Afterlife.  Fear of death.  Her mom's views on her very own future-which I found very profound but only touched on within a few sentences.  But this movie I'm afraid isn't meant to flush those issues.  I think it's only meant to be a movie of love and what comes between.  And what comes between?  Not fighting over money or time or silly things like where to eat dinner.  What comes between is life and death.  I am glad that cheap grief scenes weren't used to make you cry.  The scenes in which people were crying in the theater were very commendable.  Chelsea looked at me at one of those points and asked if I were crying.  It was one of the few times I let a few tears out or felt like letting a few tears out.  She said laughing, "wimp".  I replied laughing, "cold hearted".

All in all most who see will like.  And I did too.  It's what it should be and intended to be.  And I'll take the deepest parts with me-the pain scale and the book correlations.  And I'll take the biggest thing I learned through cancer.  I'm glad I DIDN'T go to that support group........

(Oh, a final note, I'm very glad Jennifer didn't let me take Bella along.  I'd have been very uneasy about some of the lines in the movie watching with a 12 year old.  A 12 year old that isn't my child.  I was nervous about some of it with a 20 year old!  Probably because it was my great niece.  Family.)

Loss Number Two

New York Rangers lose in second overtime of game two of Stanley Cup finals.  What a game.  This series is going to drive me crazy.  

I had originally wanted to go out to eat somewhere and watch the game.  Everyone was busy so I stayed home and my great niece Bella watched along with me. 

Bella has probably never, ever watched a full hockey game.  She laughed at me the whole time because the game kept me riled up.  She's asleep now.  Couldn't make it past the beginning of the second overtime.   My excitement more than likely wore her out.  

On to Monday night.....

Game Two of Finals

Game time!

Movie Line

Okay.  Waiting in line to go into the theater to watch "Fault in our Stars" is like standing in line waiting to go on a scary, giant, roller coaster ride at Disney World.  Everyone you see coming out is crying.

One of those nights...

Do you ever have one of those nights where it's 2:30 am and your mind is spinning as fast as the ceiling fan above you?  I often have those.  Mostly my head is buzzing and racing about things which have to be done.  Decisions to be made. Sometimes it's just irritated at the great niece cutting logs beside you while her phone vibrates from text messages from friends. 

Tonight, or this morning rather, I believe I'm just so tired that I can't sleep.  Ugh.  Wait. Another text....

The Trustee's conference in Murfreesboro was nice.  I rather like traveling.  However the air wasn't working well in my room and the bed was horribly uncomfortable so sleeping alluded me there as it is right now. Plus the toilet wasn't working at check in. Maintenance guy had to fix.  I hate having to have a maintenance man in my room when traveling alone!

My biggest reason for not sleeping?  The real reason?  Guilt.  I was unkind today to someone I should have been overly kind to. I don't know why. Well, I do but it's no excuse.  Perhaps being tired brought my ugly side to light this afternoon.  But again, that's an excuse. And excuses I hate.  Like the excuses criminals made on that stupid COPS show Chelsea made me watch tonight.  (For revenge I forced her to sit through three episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress".)

Ugh.  Another text.....and more snoring.  Maybe I should just get up and try sleep again later.  But. Oh wait. I have to work tomorrow.  I'm already feeling a good long nap tomorrow.  I hope.

Jack and Mallie Belle

My great niece Mallie Belle and great nephew Jack.  Mallie is wearing a dress I wore as a baby.  My sister revamped the 40 year old dress.  Vintage is "in" I reckon.  

The Whole Story

The whole story about going to the movies came out tonight while Chelsea was spending the night.  I asked Chelsea about Bella texts about going and then not going.

Chelsea said that she was home with Bella and her mom and friend Morgan. Bella told Chelsea she was going to see the movie, "The Fault in our Stars", with me.  Chelsea told their mom, Jennifer, Bella didn't need to until someone else watched it.  (She and me is what she meant.) Bella said "Mom said I could watch it".  Chelsea said "Mom, PG13 movies aren't what they used to be.  Bella doesn't need to see it."  Back and forth they went.

Chelsea left with Morgan.  On their way to Morgan's house she googled the movie and called her mom about all the bad stuff google had listed.  Jennifer then told Bella no, you can't go see it.  And that is when Bella texted me that she couldn't go.

Bella, the 12 year old, thinks Chelsea, the 20 year old, enjoys ruining her life.  I think they are both out to drive everyone nuts..........

I guess I'll just go by myself to watch the movie tomorrow afternoon.  That'll put a stop to all the fussing.

Prank

It took my niece Chelsea a few days to find her gift from me.  She was sitting in her car at her nanna and papaws house.  She pulled down her visor and ....  down came 1,000s of tiny pieces of paper.  I wish I'd seen her face!  Her papaw came out and saw the paper on the ground.  He asked Chelsea about it and all she said was "Marna...."

I have no idea how she immediately thought it was me..............

Ugh....they kill me......

Two of the great nieces. Sisters. They kill me when Chris is out of town.  Both want to spend the night with me.  But not together.  Never together!

A couple weeks ago Chelsea and I made plans to see the movie "The Fault in our Stars" when it came out this weekend.   Last night was Bella's night with me and I took her to see "Maleficent".  (Which was great btw.)  Bella asked if I would take her to see "The Fault in our Stars" next.  I said probably not because it's PG13.  Bella said "Marna.  I'm almost 13."  I said well you're not yet.  (I'm thinking to myself...did she hear Chelsea and I talk about the movie a couple weeks ago and is trying to beat Chelsea to the punch on this???)

Today I got a text from Bella: "Mom said I can go see fault in our stars."  I didn't reply.  I thought shoot.  I've not heard from Chelsea and I betcha she'll not want little sister tagging along on our aunt/niece time.

When I left work I text Bella and asked "Really?"

Bella replied "Mom said yes in the car but Chelsea changed her mind."  Bella had a little devil face smiley at the end.  I replied "ok".

Just about an hour ago Chelsea called me.  "Marna.  I'm coming to spend the night with you."  I said "well, ok".  No mention of the movie.  I bet I'll hear about a sister war later!

Ohhhh how my heart will break when the nieces discover I'm not cool enough to want to hang out with anymore.   Well when that happens maybe I'll not be to old and can trick Mallie Belle into wanting to spend time with the ole auntie when she's a big girl.

Zac Efron

Watching the movie "Neighbors" reminded me once again that I'd NEVER dance with Zac Efron.

Tie Dyed Maleficent

Bella and I watched "Maleficent" tonight at Turkey Creek.  I must say I really liked it.  I'm not an Angelina Jolie fan but I can't imagine anyone else playing the part as well as she.

Afterwards we ate at Wasabi where we examined Bella's blue hands.  She is volunteering at art camp for MACA and got some paint on her.  Bella is staying the night with me and we've been trying to find something to take off the paint.  No luck at the moment.

Tonight I gave a lesson to the great niece about how to roll change.

Books, Books, and more Books...

I cannot do it.   Cannot.   Cannot not buy books. Chris bought a Kindle for me couple Christmas' back.  I have about 100 books on it.  But I miss actually holding a book in my hands.   I miss dog-ear'ing the pages.  And breaking the backs.  And mostly I miss reading a great book, or at least a book I think is great, and loaning it to someone to try.

This afternoon in Murfreesboro I had some free time after our classes and went to Barnes and Noble.   After much soul searching about purchasing a book (or more) or waiting to order on Kindle I grabbed three of the 1,000 or so I'd love to have.

Here are the three that came home with me:

"Not Cool"

"The Hipster Elite and Their War on You"

Greg Gutfeld

"One Nation"

"What We Can All Do To Save America's Future"

Ben Carson, MD

"Strange Fire"

"The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship"

John MacArthur

Quite a range of topics and writers.  But I think I'll get much out of all.  I love the authors, however I've never read Ben Carson.  Only heard him speak.

Now....to the reading.  In my olden days I could have all three of these books read by the end of the coming week.  I'm not as good of nor dedicated reader as in the past.  So....it may be a while.

Local friends.  Let me know if you wanna borrow one after I've finished.   I may share.   :)

Tennessee Trustees Spring Meeting

I'm in Murfreesboro for the annual TN Trustees Spring Meeting.   Always much to learn as each year brings new regulations.   And networking ties are created and old are strengthened.

Trustees in attendance are asked to bring a door prize.  I have not been able to attend many meetings, state wide or region in the past four years due to illness.  This is the first time I have brought along a door prize.  I'm a bit nervous as I can't remember how the prizes are, elaborate or simple.  And I'm not the type who wants to stand out!

Julie our Monroe County Tourism Director gave me many nice things from her department.  Tsali Notch Vineyard donated a bottle of Muscadine juice and jelly.  I bought a cooler instead of a basket.   I felt a cooler helps represent our county lifestyle of camping,  boating and picnics.   Jennifer in our office did an amazing job of wrapping the gift all together inside the cooler.

Here is a photo of the final project.  I'm excited for Wednesday's drawings and hope whoever wins is as tickled with it as I am the way it turned out.

LA will face the New York Rangers!

After LA beat Chicago to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals tonight Chris said, "uh-huh.  Who are you going to be for now? Both your teams made it to the finals."  As if he had to ask......

New York Rangers 2014

The New York Rangers are going to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals!!!

My New York Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup license plate.

Dream come true last year. NYR game in.NYC!

Long but full day...

The courthouse closes at noon on Wednesday so I thought this would be the perfect afternoon to finish up my carry permit.  No.  Taking a class and a written test and a shooting test doesn't give you a gun carry permit.  You must also apply at the DMV and have photo taken. Then onto another place for fingerprinting and paperwork for background check. Now it's a 60 to 90 day wait to get my actual permit.

My great niece Bella wanted to tag along so I picked her up after I got off from work.  First and foremost on our afternoon agenda......lunch of course! Zaxby's it was to be.  It's not on my list of favorites but Bell likes it.

After we got our belly full off to the DMV for an almost three hour wait.  Then a phone call for questions to get an appointment for fingerprinting then off to complete looong process to carry.

Poor Bella.  She was a trooper and didn't complain.   I think she actually enjoyed the day.  Found the experience interesting.  

Since we were both worn out from doing nothing except sitting in a chair we stopped at Mayfield Dairy's ice cream parlor for ice cream cones.

COOP and Walmart and gas station finished the day.  A good day...

Six Month Checkup & Vitamin D

My six month oncology checkup went great last week.  Blood work was perfect.  Well.  Nearly perfect. My Vitamin D is low again.  So back on 50,000 iu a week for three months.

Only advice I freely give about breast cancer?  (And even if you haven't had cancer.)  Watch your Vitamin D levels.  Especially if you are high risk for re-occurrence like me.

However,  also remember you CAN take too much Vitamin D.  Just like all supplements you should consult your doctor first.  A simple blood test can tell you if your Vitamin D level is okay or if you need a supplement.  

I've several blog posts on the importance of Vitamin D and the prevention of cancer and in also reducing risk of cancer returning.  Maybe those will be informative if you want to research more.  I've posted several links to studies concerning Vitamin D and its relation in fighting cancer.

Another great thing on Memorial Day weekend.

Gun permit class.  Scored 100 on target.

Memorial Day weekend 2014

Chris had family in from Texas and Virginia.   Took a few to lake on Saturday.

The Beach Memorial Day 2014

Great end to Memorial Day with burgers, hot dogs,  and ice cream at The Beach.