Beach Day! First time really going outside since the surgery.

It felt so good to be at the beach and feel the water and the

wind. Not many people today because, I guess, the forecast

called for rain but it was really nice.

It wasn't too hot because of clouds and wind.

The above and below were on the way home. I may

use them to do a painting.

Pelicans, it's fun trying to catch them in flight.

Surfer girl, don't see them too much. She was pretty good.

Lots of living shells today.

It was a very relaxing day. Just what the Dr. ordered.

Create for the day

I decided to play with watercolors for my create

for the day. I really don't like painting flowers much

mainly because I lose my place and either add petals

or forget them so if you saw the real flower you'd say, "hmmm".

This is the largest flower I've ever done 11 x 15 paper.

Though I'm not fond of painting flowers I actually enjoyed this one.

Corey gave me a gift certificate for mother's day and I thought

I might get some watercolors. I decided before I did I would see

what I have. These I've had for about 20 years. They're my favorite.

They're german.

The paint on the left is my carry along paints. You can see

they haven't been used, they're German. The others, on the right,

I've started using. They're Italian

These I've had for over 20 years. They're from Great Britain.

I used them today for the rose. The tray is awesome, also 20 years old.

These were some Chuck bought me for a Christmas gift

years ago. I don't know where they're from. They came in

a nice wooden case.

I guess I don't paint enough or I don't think they would

have lasted that long. They are all still good though which

surprised me. Going through them I don't think I need

anymore maybe I'll just get paper to use them on.

practice

I've been looking at some of the practice pieces I've done in the

past, I need to start drawing daily again, or my Create

for the day - try to get back into it. It would probably be

a help in my healing process. I was looking at a blog last

night where the lady draws or paints on a daily basis and

gives herself a certain amount of time, then stops when times

up and doesn't go back and finish the piece later.

This gives her the freedom to create - for practice and improve

her talent - more about process than product.

Yay! Chuck and Jesse sold her Miata saturday and

found her truck on Sunday! Finally finished with

car shopping for a while, yay yay yay!!!!!!!

Look how tiny it makes our SUV look.

Thankfully it's a 6 cylinder, not 8 so a little better gas mileage.

Chuck said he was going to work to rest after Saturday selling

a car and Sunday buying a truck. He threw a fit on the showroom

floor refusing to pay the dealer fees and walked out and left.

They followed him out and said they would take care of it.

Jesse thought he was crazy but it worked. He said the salesman

never would get near him after that -he was afraid....

One of the things that's been helping me

heal from surgery and get through this

cancer thing - all the family - Mom and Dad

- Chuck's Mom and Frank and people from

church, work, and other friends calling, sending

cards, helping with our needs, bringing food, flowers,

books, just all the love shown is such a huge blessing.

Lisa from the CPC brought us flowers, and dinner

from Boston market, and a funny yellow monkey

that makes me laugh, last Friday. Monday, Sherry

made us chicken fajitas with the fixings and banana bread,

that her husband Danny delivered. It was delicious and

the banana bread made for a good breakfast too.

Wednesday, Christy brought us pot roast, potatoes and

carrots, bread, and carrot cake, yum also very delicious.

When she called to say she was coming her little boys

were crying in the back seat. By the time she got here they

were sound asleep - so sweet. Today Susan and Norm brought us

a roasted chicken, stuffing, green beans from their garden, potatoes

and carrots, and strawberry shortcake. I think I've gained 5 lbs.

this week from all the yummy deliciousness.

I can not forget to thank Corey for all she did while she was here,

cooking, cleaning and cheering me up. Chuck and Jesse have also been

a huge help with taking care of anything and everything that

needs to be done while working full time. I have to say I

have felt extremely blessed and very well taken care of.

I am very grateful to God for filling my life with people I love

and who show me they love me back - I feel I have a very blessed life.

Thank you everybody!!!!!!!

Jesse got the dogs doggie ice cream treats!!

It's hot outside dogs want to cool off with ice cream too.

Little dog...

Renny

Esie

She really hangs on tight!

Tuesday treat

Jesse was off and said she wanted to make us dinner.

Chris came over to visit and enjoy the home cooked meal.

It was really delicious!

New potatoes, asparagus, fresh salmon and rolls.

It was really really good. I told her it should be her

Father's day dinner for Chuck because she gave him

his gift last night too, which I will post pictures of

later. She just came in the house and showed me she

busted her knuckles on it because she didn't wear the gloves.

Jill's tattoo

Jill looks a little worried

getting ready

ta-da: This is a Norwegian (which Jill is) symbol, or word

for strength - and what her last name means

I'm going to start another blog about my cancer journey but i can't decide what to call it.

I'm tired of trying to think of a name.

Today I went out of the house for the first time and I think did a little too much because

now I'm extremely tired and I hurt. But it was good to get out.

Getting ready

layout

owie

ford Vickie with cracked left headlight

Just a short update.

Surgery was Tuesday.

Dr. said everything went well.

Slept most of yesterday.

So far so good today.

I don't know what's wrong but my pictures wouldn't load today.

We went to church yesterday and Pastor Coleman prayed for us. Then we went to Mom and Dad's for lunch and cards and had a nice visit. My brother and Mom set up a meeting at their church for my Dad and I to be prayed for. It was a very good experience. They have a cancer ministry at their church and have ladies who make prayer shawls. It was just a very comforting and uplifting experience and I'm very glad I went and it made me feel more hopeful.

We (me, Chuck, Corey and Stuart) went to Chili's for lunch because my bus kids gave me a gift card it was a good lunch.

This evening Chuck's mom and Frank came and visited and blessed us even more. It was a nice visit. Then Corey did my nails and Jesse called and we talked. Good, blessed day.

Create for the day: Just some daily happenings.

Elsie thought she was a queen when she was

allowed on the blow up mattresses. I told her

"no" so she ran and hid under Corey.

Chuck and Corey made dinner yesterday.

They made pot roast, potatoes, carrots,

onions and gravy. I find it hard to not

get in the middle of it all. I did ok.

One of our days spent going to 3 Dr. appointments.

Trying to rest in between because it can really

get exhausting.

The view from my window while trying to rest.

We saw this food truck yesterday.

It just seems a huge contradiction.

Korean BBQ tacos.

Actually going to church today. Should be interesting.

Corey's Home, YAY!

Little dog and Elsie doing time together

This is Renny's bed. Elsie likes it better than hers.

Little dog can't be comfortable

Renny wasn't happy about the other 2 being in his bed.

So he was sulking under ours.

He just gave up.

I'm going to try to go back to Create for the day but it may

be different than before - maybe more writing.

Today I was reading from Streams in the Desert, June 2nd and

it said:

I will never forget the statement which that great man of faith

George Mueller once made to a gentleman who had asked

him the best way to have strong faith; "The only way to know

strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing

firm through severe testings."

How true this is! You must trust when all else fails.

I am trying.

Today I am counting as my first "real" day off because

I had to go get a work physical yesterday, which praise God, I passed.

Got to hang out with Tracy a little which is always a good thing

for the spirit, heart, and soul.

This morning, took my coffee outside, it actually felt decent.

Took pictures of

Little dog, ok his name's Dexter

little dog and Renny

my almost ready tomato

my new live by statement:

Endurance is not just the ability

to bear hard things

but to turn them

into Glory

This journey isn't going to be easy. I'm really dreading

the surgery Tuesday but I know that it's necessary in

my road to recovery.

I know God is with me through this and I expectantly

wait to learn what I need to in this process to possibly

help someone else.