Thursday, May 29, 2008

What a Week

Saying that fatigue hit me would be putting it mildy. Sunday and Monday I literally slept most of the days away. We figured I probably slept 20 out of 24 hours each day. There was just nothing else I could do. What a weird feeling for the fact there is nothing you can do about it. Tuesday and Wednesday were a little better and today was much better. At least I have been up and doing things.
One thing my dr. told me is he can cut back my last doasge of the Adriamycin/Cytoxin mix I am taking right now. That will help a lot with the fatigue. I get the last dose of that June 6th. I will then start on the Taxol after getting back from Seminar. There will be a little break because of Seminar which will help build some strength up.
I still consider myself lucky and know that things could be much worse. I can't believe I am actually going into my fourth treatment already. I can't say time flies when you're having fun because it is in no way fun but the time has flown. I guess losing a week every other week to be sick kind of does that.
I will say I am so looking forward to Seminar and am working on trades and stuff as I can. It keeps me going. I do think I need to step it up a notch...LOL
My little dog, Myrtle, is doing great. She is a stinker though. She has some issues we need to work on but frankly some days it is just easier to let them go. I hope it all works out in the long run with her. She sure is a lot of company.
I want to thank everyone for the nice comments on my blog and the emails. It means so much to me to know people are reading and thinking of me right now. I wish I could take the time to answer everyone individually but I just don't have that much energy right now. You guys are all so great.
I am hoping to get to feeling better and maybe even play a little bit besides stuff for Seminar. It has been so hard to be creative right now and I miss it so much. I hope that part comes back soon.
I wanted to keep this short and sweet so I will sign off now. Everyone have a good weekend if I'm not back before then.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Much Needed Update

I know a lot of people check my blog for updates on my health issues and I haven't done that lately. I just had my third chemo treatment Friday. It has really left me with a lot of fatigue this time. I slept most of today away. I usually push myself more to stay up but today was not one of those days. The last chemo treatment also left me with a lot of fatigue and mouth sores. That was not fun either. At least the mouth sores are gone and that feels so much better. I did have a good week despite the fact of mouth sores and fatigue. My Tuesday night class ladies came over Tuesday night with snacks in tow along with stuff to work on themselves. We had a great time and it was so much fun to see them all together. We all miss our times together. Wednesday my friend Pam and I went and got a pedicure and out to lunch. It was nice...she drove me around and we got some pampering done to us and we also did some bead shopping for our Troll bracelets. Thursday I had a dr. appt. with my liver dr. My friend Ginger and I go to the same liver dr. so we make our appts. at the same time and go together. We went out to lunch after the dr. appt. and then walked through the new Ikea store they have built close to us. I had a long nap after that excursion. Friday was chemo which my sister took me to and then we went out to lunch. As you can see...I do eat. Sometimes not too much but I do tend to get out with friends and not to mention my family too. Tomorrow being Memorial Day.....we don't have plans as we didn't know how I will feel. If the fatigue is like today I will be laying around and I'm sure my DH won't mind a bit.
In between all of this I am trying to work on things for Seminar. I can't believe how close it is approaching us. I can't wait to see all of my TAC Angel friends and meet some new ones also.
I hope to post more this week but if not....I will be around when I can. I am in great spirits and this Cancer Crap won't get me down.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

My Nomination

I finally came down to check my email and found out I was nominated for the Kreativ Award by my really good friend Char. Thanks Char...I needed this today since I am having a very "tired" day.

Now I have to nominate THREE people.
They are:
Percy
Angela
Stacey

Friday, May 16, 2008

AngelHood 2 & Update

I wanted to let everyone know that we now have AngelHood Blogging Sisters which is created at Paper Wings. There is a total of 10 Angels in each AngelHood. Check it out and join if you are a TAC Angel. Also be sure to check Paper Wings out. It is a place for all Angels to gather and talk about their business, life in general and also to share ideas. There is a lot of stuff there and you won't be disappointed.

The links to my AngelHood Sisters are to the side of my post. Go and check them out! Everyone is so awesome.
Now for my update. I haven't talked a lot about me in the last couple of posts. I am holding my own. The chemo is going okay. I have had some extreme fatigue but that is to be expected. At least I didn't have the nausea this time around. I think it is because we changed the meds around a little bit. Hopefully I am on the upswing and will have a good week before I go back for my next treatment next Friday.

I am going to go with my sister tonight to her church. They have a scrapbooking night once a month. Sounds like fun and I really want to get out amongst people that love to do what I do. I may not get a thing done but I sure can socialize and visit....LOL

I thought I needed to share something so I went and found this cute little tote I made with the Scor-Pal. Actually my very good friend, Avis Anderson, had made me one when she came to visit about 1 1/2 years ago. I finally made one when I got the Scor-Pal. How cute is it? It holds 3" x 3" cards.
Here are the directions for the tote and cards: Hope you try them out!

Avis’s 3” x 3” Card Tote:

Tote Directions:
1 piece of cardstock 5 ½” x 7 ½”
2 pieces of cardstock ½” x 6 ½”
Scor-Pal

Lay your cardstock on the scor pal with the 5 ½” going across the top. Score at 1 ¼” and 4 ¼”. To score at the 1 ¼” move your paper to the ¼” mark and use the score line at 1 ½”. Move back even with the side to do the 4 ¼” mark.
Turn paper so the 7 ½” is across the top. Score and 3” and 4 ½”. Cut the tabs in the small section to the scored lines and tape inside the sides of the box. Stamp the handles and bottom of the tote. Fasten handles to the tote with mini brads.
Make 3” x 3” cards by cutting cardstock 3” x 6” and folding in half for card and decorate to your desire.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

An OLD Idea

Here is a card that I used to teach a long time ago. It is done using a quilt ruler and black permanent marker. I call them Marker Grid Cards. Below are the instructions on how these cards are done. They are fast and easy and you can change the looks of them by where you put your grid lines.

The first thing you will want to do is decide what size cardstock you want to work with. I usually work with 5 1/4" x 4" or 5" x 3 3/4". That way I can mat the design when I'm done. Use the ruler and set it on your cardstock so you can mark in 1/4" from the edge of the cardstock. Do that on two oppposite corners and then connect with a line. Finish doing that around the piece of cardstock until you have a blocked outline.


Decide on what images you would like to put in your grid area and stamp one of the images in the outlined area. At this time you can also stamp another image if you have an idea where you want it or you can continue to the next step and then come back and stamp another area.


Using the ruler again; you will draw lines around the stamped images and place them in "grid" boxes. Outline the boxes with stitched marks to make them pop a little. Color your images and decorate as desired. Good luck and I hope some of you get a chance to try this!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Bye Bye Hair

Yeap!!! I got up this morning and my hair was falling out. Just like that! I was able to run my hands through my hair and it would come out and I felt like a dog shedding. I don't have to worry about that now. I have NO HAIR! My DH and grandkids took care of that. We did manage to get a lot of pictures. I let my two oldest grandkids do the honors of shaving my head. My grandson was really getting into it. At one point he had my hair really lopsided and he said I looked like the Mayor of Whoville in The Grinch. LOL After we got done with the hair bit and my darling daughter took the vacuum cleaner to my head we had cupcakes and ice cream. I think it was good for the kids to be part of it. I will admit that I cried today as I was rubbing my head and making a mountain of hair on the arm of the couch. Life is no fun when realization hits you square in the face! I got over it and didn't shed a tear while they buzzed away on my head. I am fine now and don't care much about what anyone thinks of my bald head. That's life and we are going on! Here are our before and after pictures. I'm sure you don't need captions to guess which is which....LOL
My grandson has that silly 8 year old look on his face in the later picture....why do kids do that? I guess I will break out the hats now.
Tomorrow is my second Chemo treatment. I am sure it will go well. I'm not looking forward to not feeling well a couple of days but hey it will be one more treatment down.
I hope everyone has had a good day and hopefully I will feel good enough to be back this weekend sometime for a few minutes anyway.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

MAY Special at TAC



Here is the current May Special from TAC. What a great special!!! Please email me or go to my website to order.

Your Memories Have Met their "Match"...The Angel Company™ Matchbook Kits really measure up to the quality of your memories. Constructed of premium-quality cardstock complete with double-sided printing, the TAC™ Matchbook kits are generously-sized, have easy-to-punch-out pieces, coordinating tags and tabs, and are easily “do-able” in an evening.In celebration of special photographs waiting to be showcased, we’ve paired our exquisite Pemberley Bay™ Matchbook Kit with the specially-created “True Wealth” Limited Edition stamp set (shown below).

Available only for a limited time and as part of this special memory-keeping promotion, this unique stamp set features heartfelt quotes and phrases that will perfectly fit a variety of photographs.PLUS, completing an entire album in an evening is so rewarding.


WE ARE GOING TO INCLUDE OUR ROCKIN’ ROXIE MATCHBOOK KIT FOR FREE!!!TAC™


Time-Saving Kits and Your Special Memories…A Perfect Match!

PB-08 Pemberley Bay™ Matchbook Kit $28.90 Limited Edition True Wealth Stamp Set

Free Rockin’ Roxie™ Matchbook Kit True Wealth • set of 91 1/2" x 4", 2" x 2", 3" x 3"

*No other special offers or discounts apply.*

Available only May 9 – June 16, 2008.*

The Matchbook Kit promotion is commissionable and counts toward FUNshop™ Totals.*

Price does not reflect shipping/handling and applicable taxes.*

Retail price of True Wealth stamp set is $19.95.*

The True Wealth stamp set will not be available after June 16, 2008.*

The True Wealth stamp set is not available for individual purchase.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Meet Myrtle and her friend Jack

MY NEW LOVE!!!!!

That's right! You can look at the picture and tell what I'm talkin' about!!!!! I know it has been three weeks since Tanner passed away but I needed a furry friend to cuddle. I thought I would wait until Chemo was over but I have never lived without a dog and I'm too old to start now. My DH and I talked and we decided on a Chihuahua. We have had a few in our lifetime and we absolutely love them. I found this little one on the internet last night and just happens she was only about 25 minutes from me. I went to see her this morning and the rest is history. Now let me tell you the story.



First of all let me introduce you to MYRTLE!!!! She might be a very tiny girl but she is named after the Big City.....Myrtle Beach! Last night I decided to look on the internet at Chihuahua's and looked at our local paper's classifieds and found a website for some little puppies. I found two Chihuahua's on there so I called this morning. I could tell by the phone number it should be pretty local. It was so I called my really wonderful Ginger and asked her if she could skip out of work and go look at a puppy with me. Ginger by the way is one of my closest friends....she is technically a sister to me without being blood related. Anyway....lukily ginger works for her brother and he had already told her if I needed anything not to worry about taking off work to help me out....SO Ginger told him that I called and wanted her to take me somewhere. She neglected to say it was to look at puppies. Anyway we had a wonderful country ride and a nice talk on the way out. There were three Chihuahua's to look at. How was I going to decide? It was hard and at one point I told them they may have to put them all three in a big brown paper bag and let me pick out of it. Ginger and I played with them and I then decided on the black one. I loved the white one but I have had two white Chihuahua's and the other one was beautiful. She as called a Blue and Tan but looked like she was going to get a little bigger than I wanted. I asked the lady if she would take a check and Ginger jumped up and said "No...I got it!" I was like "No way Ginger....You are not buying me a dog!!!!!". She said she wasn't that "All the Myrtle Beach Gang was". I cried right then and there. The lady must have thought what a bunch of loons. She did ask me not to cry because she gets emotional...LOL Anyway that is why my puppy is named Myrtle....it is after the Myrtle Beach Gang.

Now I guess I need to explain that. They are 10 of us (All women from different walks of life) that get together once a year and rent a beach house for a week. This will be our FOURTEENTH year. It is those ladies that had already planned on buying me a dog right after Tanner died but hadn't said anything. They waited until I was ready. Ginger was just lucky I felt the need to call her...LOL and she got to go. No wonder she was so darned excited.

Was it enough that they bought the dog......NO!!!

After we left the ladies house getting the dog Ginger wanted to know if I wanted to go shopping at the pet store since I needed some puppy food and all. Off we Go!!!!!!! I called another good friend Joyce...who is also part of the MBG and she left her work and showed up at the pet store within 5 minutes. Let's just say that Myrtle came out of that store wearing the dress that she is in in her picture. Aunt Joyce had to buy that. She also got a pink sweater, toys and treats from Aunt Joyce. The MBG bought the rest........a pink bed, pink crate, pink harness, pink bling bling collar, pink bling bling leash, pink retractable leash, pink water and food bowl, more toys, pet shampoo, dog food and poop bags to clip on the leash. OMG can we say spoiled or what?

Oh...did I say I have wonderful friends? Not only are these guys my wonderful friends for what they have done but for the friendships we have made over the years and how suppportive we have all been for each other. I only wish everyone could endure the friendships I have. I am so blessed.

Before I go I do want to thank all of you that read my blog and also send me comments. I cherish it all more than you know. I tell you what I don't know what I have done in this dull life of mine to be so blessed with friends near, far, old, new and anything in between but I hope I can keep up the pace and continue what it is.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

I FEEL like a PERSON!

That's right! The last couple of days I have felt like a person. I am 9 days out of my first chemo treatment and I am feeling good. I still have some nausea and some fatigue but hey......I feel good! My DH and I cleaned out (he is such a sweetie), did some shopping, went to see my granddaughter play softball, took a walk, grilled hamburgers and I even sat down and made a card. Right now life couldn't be better!!!!

I also went to Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's Friday before I went to my dr. appt. It sure helped inspire me some. Not to mention I spent way too much money. I did buy a packege of 3D stickers (which I never do) and made the card that is showing here. It was fun to mix my stamps with some sticker stuff. I so enjoyed doing it. I hope you enjoy seeing it. I did ink the 3D flower with my VersaMagic Ink pad to give it some color to match the cardstock. I also used my white gel pen to do some doodling. For the saying I curved my stamp a little bit to make it fit to the scalloped circle a little better. I got out my old Clickit and did the holes in the scallop.


I am hoping for a good week this week as I don't have any dr. appts. until Friday when I get my chemo again. I think I will start on my Seminar trades and see what I can get done.


I hope everyone has a great week! I am really going to try to post again soon!