Oncologist Checkup

I saw Dr. Brooks yesterday and was told once again that I am boring. Everything looks great, my blood sugar was low but he said it was OK. I have to see him every 3 months for a while, I guess. David & I talked about it because I thought maybe I could just skip him and save the $35, but he's the only doctor who does the blood work on me and that's a necessity. Everyone at work gets excited when I tell them I'm going to see my oncologist. But when I get back, they are always thrilled with the boring news.

Happy 8th Birthday, Nikita!

Look really close at this chair. . . . see the little boy sitting there? That's Nikita sitting in this huge rocking chair at The Big Texas steakhouse in Amarillo. Elena's mom & dad came to Texas from Kiev to visit in 2002 and spent one week with us. We took them to eat there and Elena's dad, Pyotr, was just thrilled. That was what Texas was supposed to be about to him. Nikita was a little tyke then. Now he is 8 years old and is no longer little! He can tell you all there is to know about racing cars----on the computer, that is. Happy birthday, Nikita! We love you!

A Walk in the Park That Keeps on Giving

We took Sandy to a really neat park here in Rowlett this afternoon after the Mavs whupped up on the Spurs. We love this park and so does he, because it is just like walking in the mountains. There are huge trees, curvy trails to walk and bicycle people to chase. But we've already found 2 ticks on us, so we won't be going back there. I got Sandy down with the Furbuster and checked him over and didn't find any ticks on him. That's the bad thing about warm, moist weather.

CASA Banquet

David & I went to the annual appreciation banquet for CASA volunteers tonight. It was very nice, the food was good and it was good to get to meet the other volunteers and their spouses. The office workers really did a wonderful job with the decorations and made everyone feel welcome by introducing each person as they arrived.

Happy 1st Birthday, Ashlynn!

We called Ashlynn Faith this afternoon to wish her a happy first birthday. We talked to her, but she didn't say anything to us. Kelly said she was really looking at the phone and then wanted it in her mouth. Ashlynn (the -lynn part is from my middle name Vickie Lynn) is growing like a weed. We are looking forward to seeing her in May when we go to San Antonio for the piano recitals of Kora & Aubrey. I'm going to have to take LOTS of pictures then, because Granny hasn't taken nearly enough pictures of her!!! So I include here one of my favorites of Ashlynn & Kora that TAMI took. Happy Birthday, Ashlynn!

Sandy & Alvin

We have an over-abundance of squirrels on Huntington Drive. But never fear----Wonder Dog is here. Sandy stations himself every day at the front window or the back window so he can scope out the yards and alert us of trespassers on HIS street. He will start whining and going back and forth from the door to the window, keeping an eye on the critter outside.

We have managed the art of quietly opening the doors to let him
out to sneak up---no forget that---to let him out to chase the squirrels. This little guy in the top picture climbed up one of our trees last Saturday morning and he was hanging on for dear life. He even stayed there while I went inside to get my camera. It drove Sandy nuts, having that squirrel up in his tree. The second picture shows him barking at Alvin up in his tree! There were actually 2 squirrels in our backyard that morning and another 2 out front.

We don't want him to ever catch one of them. But these guys need to speed up some. Sandy has gotten dangerously close to some of them! Sandy is always so proud of himself after the chase.

Happy 8th Birthday, Brynna!

When Brynna Nicole was born, we went to San Antonio and kept the 2 older sisters while Kelly went to the hospital to get Brynna and Tami to come home. This picture was taken that day and big sister Kora & Aubrey are taking a look at the new sister at the front door. It's just hard to believe that was 8 years ago---but then you look at this picture and see how the girls have changed (and so has their daddy) and you see how fast time flies and how quickly they grown up.

Happy birthday, Brynna! Granny & Granddad love you!

Reach to Recovery

When I was in the hospital after my mastectomy, this nice lady came to visit us from the American Cancer Society. She had a little bag with goodies in it and just came by to see if we needed anything and to tell us about the ACS. Ever since then I've been interested in becoming a volunteer like her. I knew they had a 'waiting' period after your treatment & surgeries. Tuesday I called to see about the process. They have changed their requirements for the year waiting period and interview you and get a recommendation from your primary cancer doctor to allow you to volunteer. I got my application today in the mail and have it completed. Dr. Laidley, my breast surgeon, will get to put her blessing on me doing this.

The Reach to Recovery program is specifically for breast cancer survivors helping each other. The lady who called me yesterday said that they have opportunities for you to visit by phone, in homes & in the hospital. I told her that I could do all of those, given that I am so close to Medical City Dallas at work, that would be easy to do visits during lunch. And I signed up for home visits here in Rowlett and Rockwall.

There is an 8 hour training class given by the ACS on a Saturday, the next one is April 25. In order to volunteer at MCD you have to attend a 3-4 hours training there also. I am so excited about doing this! Yes, there will be challenges and tears. But there will be blessings and laughs, too. More as I learn more!

And here's the kicker: I'm filling out the application tonight and I can't remember when I had my reconstruction surgery!!! I thought those dates would be engraved in my memory forever. God is gracious --- and the brain is going!

The #1 Movie

We watched the animated movie "Bolt" one night this week. It is about a super dog named Bolt, who is a movie star, except he doesn't know he's a movie star. Bolt thinks he really, really is a super dog. He gets separated from his young girl actress Allie and has to get back home to save her. It is cute and funny and OK for adults & kids. (Bolt is voiced by John Travolta and Allie is voiced by Miley Cyrus.)

But it is PERFECT for dogs to watch. Sandy watched about an hour of this 96 minute film. We were amazed and laughed at him as much as at the movie. Something about that dog connected with him and he just watched and watched it. It's his #1 movie of all time.