Norma and Kelly

My friends from work, Norma and Kelly came to visit on Friday.  Again, they came with special gifts and food.  We enjoyed lunch and then sat down to catch up and spend a little time together.

They both brought gifts for me, too.  Not sure how I can be so blessed to be showered with so much love and attention.

Norma brought an autographed copy of The Frazzled Female, (30 days to finding God's peace in your daily chaos).   The book is by a speaker her church recently hosted and I could tell by her excitement, she really enjoyed what she heard that day.

Kelly brought a prayer shawl she made for me.  It was especially touching, as this was the first shawl she had made.  She is a member of the Greenville First Presbyterian Church Prayer Shawl Ministry, and she told me it was blessed during a service at her church.   I was moved to tears when I saw it and she told me how her family had watched her each day as she made the shawl.  I could tell in her voice how proud they were of her and what she was doing to help me.  It is beautiful, and my colors too.  I've already used it quite a bit in this continuing cold weather and I don't pick it up without thinking of the time and love in every stitch.

Staying warm in my wagon.
PCQ

Lemon Chess Pie - PCQ Approved!

When my angels, Rhonda and Mary Jo, came this week, they brought arm loads of great food and all homemade.  The dessert they brought was one of my favorites, Lemon Chess Pie.  Rhonda was kind enough to share her family recipe.  (It's from her cousin Cindy.)


And...it is PCQ approved! 

Lemon Chess Pie

1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 Tablespoon lemon extract
1 Tablespoon vinegar (apple cider)
2 Tablespoons milk
Dash of salt
1/2 stick butter, melted

Mix ingredients together.  Pour in unbaked pie shell (regular size).  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.


Yummy!
PCQ

Leslie's Running with the Pig!

Leslie is the oldest daughter of Tony and my red headed (with blonde highlights) girlfriend, Watusi, a.k.a. Paula.  She has been a joy to anyone fortunate enough to have her in their life and I don't know if I have words to tell you how much I love her and how much richer she has made my life  A wonderful wife and mother, she is truly a gift to us all.  

Received an email from her a while back and she told me she was entered in the Crystal Coast 1/2 Marathon and wanted to run the race in honor of her Aunt Libby who has breast cancer and me. 

Of course I was thrilled she was thinking of me, who wouldn't be?  But I wanted more information on the race.  Here's what she said.

"I can't believe it is this week. I have been nervous about the training but it really has been fun and  I am so excited to be running for two very inspirational people. The race is called the Crystal Coast 1/2 marathon. I have been training with 5 girls from Greenville. There are six girls that I know running the 13 miles and a few extra supporters coming from my Bible study to run the 5K. One of the girls running is my age and is a cancer survivor, Allyson. I think I am going to wear a hummingbird pin for Libby. I have only run one 1/2 marathon in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2003. I ran that one in memory of Millie (her grandmother), Aunt Jean, and Aunt Nick. My time won't be impressive but my motivation is...... I ran 10 miles on Friday and 11 miles the Friday before, so i hope i am ready. We will go down to Sea Spray near Fort Macon and back over the bridge and finish on the Morehead City waterfront close to Beaufort."

Love you-

Leslie

She asked if I had anything I wanted her to wear during the race.  Didn't take me but just a second to say, "Yes!  You can wear my Tiffany Pig!" 

If you are new to my blog, you can look in the archives on the right (October 2009) and read about the birth of my pig.

My party in a box friend, Kay, got it for me in NYC in honor of the Porkchopqueen.  And though she put it in a Tiffany & Co. NY, box, it really didn't come from Tiffany's. But it did come from the streets of New York and I understand she was actually 'near' Tiffany's when she bought it, so that's why I call it my Tiffany pig.

Well, this little piggy is going to be in a race on Saturday(see map below) and I hope piggy squeals the whole race, encouraging Leslie to run with the wind.

Oink...oink!

PCQ

www.ncraces.com

View Larger Map

Circle

A dear friend recently called me, she was looking for suggestions.   She is in a Bible study class and it was her turn to have the program.   Like all of us, we always want our words to speak to someone in a special way.  While we spoke she mentioned she had found a feather on her daily walk.  As soon as she said that, it brought back a seminar I attended many, many moons ago in Arizona.  The speaker was promoting the art of writing and he spoke of Native Americans and the Feather Circle.  I don't remember all he said, but what really stuck with me was the feather.  When the tribe would have their meeting, a feather would be passed.  When you held the feather you could talk and no one could interrupt as you tell your truth.

The act of holding the feather fostered his thought on the promotion of writing.  Writing, he said, allows you to tell your story.  It comes from deep within and flows through the 'feather' to the paper, and, as you read your words, the circle is made.

I thought about that speaker again tonight.  Our Forever Young Circle met.  My church buddies have been so kind in supporting John and me in every way they can since I have been ill and I wanted to make sure I could be there and tell them how much it means to us.  I wanted to hold the feather and tell them what was deep in my heart.  Sometimes that is hard, or, you just feel you didn't say enough.  But I do know, we have to try.  Try to let them know every hug, little wink, or gently whispered "I love you," is falling on a heart that does truly appreciate it all.

It was a good night.  A night that allowed me to say thank you to "my circle".  And yes, we really did sit in a circle.

PCQ

Angels or Fairies

"Are we angels or fairies?" Mary Jo said as she lugged an armload of food up the front steps.   "Which do you feel like?" I said.  She just smiled.  Mary Jo is good at making other people smile.  She is a great speaker too.  Anyone that can hold the attention of a gaggle of children each week during children's church, has to be good.  She manages to get the children, and the the adults engaged, and somehow, she always makes us smile. 

Rhonda was helping Mary Jo and they came in with smiles and plenty of food.  It was misting outside and and beginning to turn cold, but as the food arrived, the smell of homemade chicken pot pie, pear salad,  lemon chess pie, sweet potato casserole, and fresh rolls filled my kitchen with warmth and love.

All of us have been friends, in and out of church.  Rhonda's boys are about the same age as my girls and we traveled down the halls of grammar school together with them.  Mary Jo's son, is training to be in rescue, and a fine one he will be.  

First time I remember meeting Mary Jo many years ago, she was landing in a helicopter.  She was one of those special nurses that fly in medical helicopters transporting trauma patients from vehicle accidents or some other major incident to the nearest hospital.  

But tonight, they were both angels, doing what a church family does best.  And John and I were very thankful for it.  We had a long day.  We had an appointment with our attorney earlier in the day to update our will, living directives, health care power of attorney and a few other documents and to get originals just in case they are needed with my upcoming surgery.

None of these things are issues we want to think about, but if you love your family, you want to make sure you are doing everything you can to make difficult times easier for them.....and for me, just in case.  I feel much better now knowing everything is up to date and John knows what I want, and I know what John wants.

Our attorney is also a friend and he told jokes all the while we were signing our documents.  One joke was about a hospital room filled with patients on respirators.  Every Monday, the patient in the first bed on the left died.  After several weeks, the staff became suspicious and started watching to see what was happening.  The following Monday, the cleaning crew came in, unplugged the respirator by the first bed on the left  and plugged up the vacuum cleaner.

After we finished, his wife joined us and we had lunch together.  He and his wife both went to Carolina, so it always opens the door for the Carolina - NC State rivalry, but with both teams struggling, we could only wish for next year.  Lunch was fine and soon it was time to go.

As Mary Jo and Rhonda were leaving tonight, I thanked them for coming out on a cold, wet night to bring our dinner.  "That's what a church family is for," she said, "that's what we do."

That is what we do.  And I am ever so thankful for it.

PCQ

Another Baby Step

The phone rang this morning and when I looked, the caller ID showed, Mayo Clinic.  Instantly, I thought, they are calling to tell me there is nothing they can do, or schedule an appointment.  Either way, I had to answer the phone to find out.

It was Madonna, Dr. Nelson's office assistant.  She gathered additional information needed and then told me Dr. Nelson had scheduled a visit for me soon.  I would need to be there several days for additional tests and then the final decision would be made about surgery.  All I could think was.....YES!!!  YES!!!  we have moved one more step closer.

Madonna told me to have my radiation information faxed to Dr. Nelson A.S.A.P.  She needed dates, dosage, etc. so all could be used in the decision process.  Yes, I would get that done right away.

Got everything done as requested.   Now we wait and hope.  My wagon has moved another baby step.  John's checking ebay for wagon snow tires!

PCQ

One Step Closer

Dr. Brillant's office assistant, Melanie, called just after lunch today.  She was checking in to let me know all the information Dr. Nelson requested had been assembled and was being sent overnight to the Mayo Clinic.  Apparently, they had spoken several times this morning.  Dr. Nelson said it would be a tough surgery, but after a talking with Dr. Brillant, she thought she could help and was anxious to review my scans.

Melanie said Dr. Nelson's assistant will be calling within the next few days and let me know if it will be beneficial for me to visit the Clinic.  "I know you have had a difficult time and I certainly hope everything works out well for you.  Good luck," she said.

After I hung up the phone, it hit me, she may say no too.  Not mentally prepared for that just yet. 

PCQ

Went Home Today

Went home to see my mama today.  We tried to get together this past week, but with all the doctors' appointments and drama, it just didn't work out.

Could not have asked for a more beautiful day.  Sunny and warm with a bright blue Carolina sky.  Mama cooked lunch for my brother, sister, and their families.  And when I say Mama cooked lunch, it was a spread.

Fried chicken (she cooked 3 chickens and my mama cooks the best fried chicken hands down, in the .....well anywhere!)
Country style steak with deadly good gravy
Mashed potatoes
Green beans and butterbeans cooked together and seasoned to perfection
Home grown Silver Queen corn
Chicken pastry
Biscuits
Oven corn bread (this is the sleeper....way too good)
Deviled eggs
SWEEEEET  Tea!

Pig Pickin' Cake
Pecan pie  (Both desserts made by Mama!)

We had a fine time catching up and just enjoying a little family time together.  Sometimes, you just have to put your eyes on someone and your arms around them.

Thank you Mama for a wonderful meal and and wonderful day!

PCQ

One Fine Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe!

Chocolate Chess Pie

(Angus Barn Recipe)

1 unbaked pie shell (regular, not deep-dish)

1 stick butter (margarine does not work as well)

2 squares semi-sweet baker’s chocolate

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten well

1 teaspoon vanilla

Dash of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Melt butter and chocolate together (to microwave:  slice butter into a microwaveable glass container; break chocolate squares in half & put on top of butter, cover with paper towels or plastic wrap, microwave on high for 1 minute).  Or, melt butter & chocolate in a double-boiler on the stove.

Mix the other ingredients together well.

Stir the chocolate/butter mixture until it is completely melted and blended.

Add the chocolate/butter mixture to the other ingredients.  Mix well

Pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell and bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.  Store in refrigerator.  It cuts better if you chill it first.

PCQ Approved!

Breaking News!

Called Dr. Mahajan, my oncologist, and told him we needed to talk about the distressing call I had received from Dr. Sharts the previous day.  Arrived at his office around 9:30 Friday morning.  Austin, his nurse, greeted us, and I teared up as soon as she spoke and asked me how I was doing.  She is such a sweet young lady, and always so kind and caring. You don't want to know what my blood pressure was when she took it.  Scared me too!

When Dr. Mahajan came in the examining room, thankfully, I kept my composure and we discussed the situation.  We can't stop here, I must have options, second opinions, I won't give up.  Dr. Mahajan has a wonderful bedside manner and he was very concerned about all I had been through the past 24 hours.  "I want you to look at this as a positive," he said. "Maybe not having surgery here was best.  We have to focus on getting the best care for you."

He was right.  I could have gone through the projected 10 hr. surgery and had everything I was warned about happen and still be left with cancerous cells that were not removed.  And without them ALL being gone, we would be no better off than I am right now.  Actually, much worse.  Where this tumor is located on my spine and nerves, it was very possible, I could lose my legs, lose use of my legs, have limited use....and the list goes on.  So maybe I should say thank you Dr. Sharts for being so cautious and bowing out.  Dr. Mahajan assured me there were other options and he was going to contact his cohorts at Duke to discuss them, so I left expecting a call from him before the end of the day.

Next, we moved to Dr. Brillant's (gastro-colo-rectal surgeon) office, one hall over from Dr. Mahajan.  Dr. Brillant was running behind due to emergencies and scheduling problems, so we sat waiting till after 1 o'clock, but not having an appointment and being worked in, it was somewhat expected.  Dr. Brillant was clearly concerned about all I was being subjected to physically and emotionally.  After discussing our situation at length with him, he asked were we willing to travel?  I told him I had done everything I had been asked to do and traveling was not a problem.  Dr. Brillant trained at the Mayo Clinic and he said he was going to contact his colleagues there and see if they would take my case.  He left the room and was back in a few minutes.  A phone call had been made and they would be back in touch.  It had been a long day already for us, so he told us to get lunch, rest a bit and he would call as soon as "his people talked to their people".  We left his office with a glimmer of hope.

Dr. Brillant called not long after I arrived home.  He had talked with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and Dr. Heidi Nelson had agreed to accepted me as a patient.  My info was being sent to them and his nurse will be in touch with me on Monday for travel dates.

Shortly afterwards, Dr. Mahajan called.  He had contacted Duke and sent my info.  Surgery looked like it could be a possibility.  I told him about the contacts with the Mayo Clinic and he said he would coordinate with Dr. Brillant and discuss the best options for me.

A long and tiring day, but at least it was a day that offered a glimmer of hope.  Yesterday, hope seemed to be just out of my reach.  So now again, we wait.

As Dr. Brillant said, "Just because it can't be done in Greenville, doesn't mean it's not possible.  But if the Mayo Clinic says no....then it can't be done."   With that said, if we get turned down for surgery, then we will just have to get turned down by the very best.

Looks like this wagon may be headed north.....head 'em up and move 'em out boys!  Put on the snow tires.
PCQ

Thursday

Received a call from Dr. Sharts, my neurosurgeon, Thursday afternoon.  Never good when you get a call from your doctor. After reviewing the MRI, CT and PET scans, he had decided he did not feel comfortable doing the surgery.  Apparently, the nasty little cancer had inched up my spine just enough to cause him to pause and rethink his position.

Needless to say, I was devastated.  What I was hearing....we can't save you, this surgery can't be done.  Prepare.

I asked him, "What do I do now?"  "Get in touch with Dr. Brillant and Dr. Mahajan," he said.  I hung up the phone and stared at my birds outside.  They were jumping around on the feeder, the sun shining especially bright on a male cardinal feeding on the sunflower seeds.  What do I do now?  I felt so alone and hopeless.   I was right back where I started.

Remarkably, I kept my composure and called John.  He immediately came home and we called our preacher. Martin was at the parsonage, so John and I went right over, hugged, shed tears, and talked with him about what we were experiencing.  Martin is a kind man, with a wonderful gift of making you feel better, feel loved, no matter how intimidating your circumstances may be and he has been a good, loving shoulder during this whole process.  We held hands and prayed together for healing, however that healing may come. With the sun shining through the tall oaks, we left, still worried, but with comforted hearts.

When we arrived home, our friend George, had delivered food for dinner.  Chicken tetrazzini, homemade by his wife, Willa, a wonderful cook and in her past life a teacher.  She taught what us old people used to called Home Ec., so you know it was 'fine vittles'.  Another one of those great timing dinners.  I was too tired to think about preparing food and from heaven it appeared.  Thank you George and Willa, you had no idea what was going on in our life when you shared your blessings with us.

After dinner, John and I reviewed our options. We are not people that give up easily.  Many tears and hugs later, exhausted, I fell asleep in John's arms.

My wagon's still moving, just not sure what direction right now.
PCQ

Cooking Peanuts - Really Good Peanuts!

Last weekend, we visited my party in a box friend, Kay and her husband, Bill.  One of the main things John wanted to do while he was with them other than have fun.... was get Kay's recipe for making fried peanuts.  She had sent a jar full home with us last time we saw her and they were addictive.  So John, my peanut loving boy, couldn't wait to learn how she does it.

Here Kay shows him the process. Raw freshly hulled Greene County peanuts were used.  She put vegetable oil in a cast iron pan and cooked them over medium high gas heat.  When they get the "right" color, she takes them up and puts them on paper towels and salts them well, and allows them to cool.  Afterwards, she puts them in jars to give to friends.

Wow, they were so good.  Of course, I couldn't eat more than just a few due to the radiation treatments. But they were so fine.  Try them at home!  Or if you are lucky, a friend will give you a jar full!

PCQ

Perfect Timing

Monday was a very stressful day as I related earlier on the blog.  What I didn't finish telling about that day, was the wonderful food that was delivered for dinner by Kim and Sheila.

They arrived promptly at 6 with smiles, flowers, and enough food for an army!  You know what they say, "Life's short, eat dessert first."  So John did exactly that with the lemon pie....still warm.

Homemade bread with specially made butter!

It was a wonderful dinner, and just what I needed after a long and stressful day.  Homemade vegetable soup, homemade sourdough bread, homemade pimento cheese, homemade lemon pie, homemade peach and mixed fruit cobbler....do you see a pattern here.  HOMEMADE!  Our wonderful visit with friends, beautiful potted plant, and did I say it was all delicious.  Just what I needed to distract me from the thoughts of the day and warm me up with love.

Thank you again Kim and Sheila.  It was a perfect meal for a weary day!

PCQ

Another Long Day

Wednesday was another long day.  Met with Dr. Brillant, my colon surgeon, to go over final arrangements for the surgery.  He told me the results from my MRI and PET scan showed the center of the tumor had been killed by the radiation treatments, but they also showed "activity" around the outside.  The activity means there is still growth of the cancer.  He said one side had also enlarged.  After we discussed the tests, he said he would like to talk with Dr. Sharts again to make sure all was on go for the surgery.  I still need to get papers signed and tests done at the hospital but he told me to wait till he spoke with Dr. Sharts.  When he told me to wait, it gave me a very uneasy feeling and I asked him if this was good or bad.  "It is what it is," he said.  I had just recently read that statement in an online meditation site that helps people deal with health concerns, so it caused me to pause and take a deep breath.

My next appointment for that day was with Dr. Zeri, the reconstructive surgeon.  He will try to fix whatever the others leave in disarray.  He is very good at what he does and seemed to think all would be okay.

After I left his office, I got a call from Dr. Sharts' office.  He wanted me to get a CT scan done right away so he could check the new growth.  So off I go and sit and wait.  CT scans are rather simple, just have to be stuck and poked again.  They did two scans of my abdomen, and then injected a tracer and then did two more passes.  The cells that are active cancer cells will bind with the injected solution and "light up like a Christmas tree".  

All of this was really taxing me emotionally and physically.  Didn't get any lunch because I had to hurry over for the CT scan.  But that was okay, because I had an evening dinner engagement with my P.O.E.T.S. Investment Group at Annie's house.  It was actually my turn to host, but given my situation, Annie and Karen volunteered.  And what a wonderful meal and fun time we had.  Don't know what I would do without this fine group of women.  They lift me up and make me feel strong.

We put on our "POWER UP" rings we got several years ago in Ocracoke (more on that in a previous blog, so look through the archives) and did a POWER UP chant.

Pulling my wagon seems easier when I been around such vivacious, warm and loving friends.

POWER UP!
PCQ

Stressful Day

My day started early with an MRI.  I needed this to be used in conjunction with the PET scan that was done a few weeks ago.  It is my understanding, the doctors can see some things on the PET scan and other things on the MRI.  The "things" are my parts and very important in the process.

Here's a photo of the SIEMENS MRI machine.  Luckily, I could go in feet first so part of my head was right near the opening you see in the picture.  If you want to know why that is important, look in the archives on the right and find the one about the St. Louis Gateway Arch.  Anyway, with a little smooth jazz playing in the earphones, a blindfold over my eyes and a little medication, being in that little tube wasn't so bad today.  Not that I am a wimp, just prefer the great outdoors!

Amazing how you don't forget the sounds you hear when you are in a stressed situation.  Think our bodies give off adrenaline that helps us remember stuff that we think may be harmful.  All the thumps, grinds, and bumping of the MRI came right back to me.  It's been six months since I had the first one and once it started it seemed like yesterday.

Anyway, made it through the MRI, with contrast injections too.  Also had blood work done for the surgery.  So I have several new poke holes.

Afterwards, had an appointment with Dr. Sharts, my neurosurgeon.  Won't go into all he said, but very proud of myself for sitting there and listening without saying, "YOU ARE GOING TO DO WHAT?!!!"

Here's a mock spine he used to demonstrate.  Dr. Sharts is showing where he will saw off the base of my spine to "hopefully" remove the cancerous growth.  Now, if that's all he had to do....we could stop here, but, it's not....so more to come later.

My brain went into shock at this point.  Even though I knew all of this was going to happen, just hearing it AGAIN dusted it off and put it in the front of my wagon so I must look at it, right square in the eyes!

Can't worry but so much about all of this or I will be paralyzed with fear, so, I will be brave and remember the quote (not sure who said it), "A coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man dies but once."

When I got home, weak and weary, I had another band of angels bring food.  Given all that had happened today, it made dinner taste ever so much sweeter!

The countdown begins.

PCQ

Busy Week

Busy week coming up.  Wagon gonna get pulled and pushed all around!

Have an MRI tomorrow at 10:45, so no food after midnight, Sunday.  Then off to an appointment with Dr. Sharts, my neurosurgeon, and a very important person in this procedure.  Next, I go to Dr. Reeves, the urologist who will be on standby and available if needed during the operation.

Wednesday, Dr. Brillant, gastro and lead surgeon, and Dr. Zeri, reconstructive surgeon.

I haven't gotten any results from the PET scan I had a while back.  Decided not to call and check on it, "No news is good news."  When you are in this type of situation, you realize, most of the time, bad news comes fast enough.  No need to call and get it any sooner.  So....I have been living life and trying to have as much fun as I can while I can!

PCQ

Happy Valentine's Day

"Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver, the other gold."

We can never have too many friends!  Had a busy weekend, making new friends and enjoying the old ones too.

PCQ

Chalaron and Judy

Another band of angels from our church came Wednesday night.  Judy and Chalaron swooped in with flowers, a wonderful dinner of pork chops with mushrooms and rice, green beans, sweet potatoes stuffed with pineapple, golden raisins, cinnamon and butter, fruit salad.....and fresh pineapple cake!  Is your mouth watering yet?  If not, let me add, it was still warm and smelling wonderful.

John and I had a fine visit with them, catching up on their families and life in general.  Chalaron and Judy have been long time friends with each other and when Chalaron and her husband sold their restaurant on Hatteras Island and retired, they hopped around a bit but finally landed in Snow Hill to be near family and friends.  Don't think Chalaron and Judy have missed one minute of having fun together since they moved here either.

Judy, a retired Director of Exceptional Children, that still finds time to work with and develop young teachers, is a wonderful cook and always does it with a special flair.  Chalaron, having owned and run a successful restaurant for many years, can work magic in the kitchen.  How lucky we were to have these two fussing over us.

But soon, they were gone, leaving behind a table set with fine food, beautiful flowers and lots of love.

Getting harder to pull my wagon....with all this extra "love" I am carrying around!

PCQ

Super Bowl Party

Had a wonderful time during the Super Bowl this past weekend.  Just had too many places to go, but that is a good problem to have.  Since my Steelers weren't playing this year, I really didn't have a favorite team.  I'm so old, I still think the Colts belong in Baltimore, but I understand they have moved and Johnny Unitas is no longer the quarterback.

For several years, we have gone to George and Debbie's Super Bowl Party.  It is a meat lover's dream.  George had meat cooked about every way possible and it was grand.  My favorite were the 3 bite shrimp...that means they were so big, it took at least 3 bites to eat them.  Yummy.

As usual, all the girlfriends stayed inside, the men all congregated in the man cave building outside where they cooked and watched the game.  

Debbie's girls are grown and far away now.  So she pulled out the girls' old Cabbage Patch dolls for Caroline, the granddaughter of my friend Paula.  Caroline had a fine time with them, playing school.   She brought this doll to me because she was acting up and causing problems with the other dolls.  We had to put this baby in Time Out till she could behave properly.

As we were preparing to leave for a party in Walstonburg and another in Snow Hill (I'll talk about these later), I looked around and saw that Caroline had all of us holding a Cabbage Patch doll.  Couldn't let that pass without getting a photo.  Debbie, holding real baby, Sarah Ruth, is in the middle!

What fun we had.  Gracious hosts, wonderful friends, and fine food.  Doesn't get much better than that.

WHO DAT?

PCQ

Sheila

My old friend Sheila came for lunch today.  With her she brought sandwiches, cookies, and chips.  And it was a wonderful visit.  We haven't seen each other for almost two years.  Far too long.

Sheila and I go way back, you know, one of those friends you had when you were student poor and hardly had two nickels to rub together.

First met Sheila when I was working for a small up and coming computer company in Raleigh.  At that time, processing anything on a computer was a really big deal.  The computer room that housed the main frame was huge.  My iPhone now does way more than that old machine could ever think of doing.

One day a new girl came in.  It was Sheila.  She had been hired for a temp job and we hit it off right from the start.  I was talking with her that day and realized she didn't have transportation, and, no place to live.  Well, that would never do, so I put her in the car with me and home we went.  All of Sheila's belongings were in one bag so she was pretty easy to move around.  I already had three other roommates, never thought that it might impose on anyone and don't remember anyone ever complaining.  That could have been because Sheila was so endearing to anyone that met her.  And I think to this day, I have never heard her say an unkind word about anyone.

Sheila stayed with us till she got back on her feet and then moved into her own apartment.  But timing is everything.  While sleeping in our crib, she met Pete.  Pete was a geology major at NC State and a good friend.  On occasion, (insert big smile here) I would either have a party or attend one,  so Sheila went with me and met Pete. They hit it off right away too.  Pete and Sheila have been married over 35 years.  As I said, timing is everything.

During our visit, we reminisced old times, shared pictures and stories of family and friends and just generally had a wonderful visit brushing away all the time we have missed.

Her children are grown now, and like mine, live too far away.  She has one granddaughter and another on the way.

Here's a photo of Sheila with her prayer book.  She has a list of everyone she is praying for and their needs.  She decided to write them down in her book because she woke up one morning and realized she had forgotten someone.  That's my Sheila.

Wish I had time to tell all of my Sheila stories.  Maybe later.  They are way too good not to share.  Sheila was always a good one to play tricks on because she was so trusting, not just of me but everyone.  Sheila always sees the best in people.  Once, when she and her family lived in Utah, her children took a photo of her standing in front of a road sign.  Sheila never thought to look at what it said.  They told her to stand in front of the sign so they could take her picture and she did.  When it came back, there's Sheila in front of a big sign that says, "Dense Fog".  And she laughed along with them.  That's my Sheila.

A few summers ago, Sheila and Pete invited us to spend the weekend at the lake house to celebrate her birthday.  My "party in a box" friend Kay and husband Bill went too.  We had a wonderful time and when we were leaving, Kay and I decided as a trick, to put one of the extra jumbo cucumbers, with a little face carved in it, in their bed so they would find it that night when they went to bed.

Several months went by.  Kay called and told me we were going to have to replace the mattress at Sheila's.  They had left the lake house that night and never found the big "baby" cucumber in their bed until later and the mattress was ruined.  We were horrified, especially since Sheila didn't find it....her mother-in-law did.  After several phone calls of apology, Sheila finally said, "Gotcha!"  She had been playing a trick on us for a change.

Touche Sheila....guess we taught you well.

PCQ

Feeling Better Now!

Didn't feel well today.  Not sure how much can be attributed to being sick and what part I can blame on the weather.  But my wagon's been going a little slow.

Had a little accident the other day and it has caused me to whine a little more than usual.  Went to get the trash out of the trash can in the pantry and when I was backing up, pulling on the garbage bag...it was very heavy,  and I backed right into the door.  Maybe "backed into" isn't the proper description, it was more like "crashed into" the door and KNOB.  And, you know right where it hit, Kaboom, the very spot where I have the growth at the base of my spine.  Oh man, it did really, really hurt!  Since then, I've had to do a little more to keep pain at bay.

Anyway, it was raining and cold today, the snow and ice still hanging around.  Since bumping my butt on the door, I have been even more worried about slipping on the ice and being jolted from another angle.  Amazing the thoughts you have when you are scheduled for major surgery.  No one ever wants to get hurt, but I have been being even more careful recently.  I don't need any more bumps on the road this wagon is traveling!

Just then, Nick starts barking and I look outside.  It's Kay and Phyllis, dear friends from my church family, smiling from ear to ear, and gingerly walking across the ice with an armload of food and flowers.

In they came with a wonderful Italian spread; fresh garden salad, a loaf of crusty bread, spaghetti sauce and pasta, homemade pie and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  They even brought a loaf of cranberry orange walnut bread to have with my coffee tomorrow morning.

"We are not worthy!" I said, but in they came and spread it all out for our dinner tonight.  Sometimes you just don't know what to say other than "thank you".  We chatted for a bit and they prepared to leave.   "Everyone's signed up for a night to bring you food," Kay said.  "No, no, you can't do it now.  Wait till I have my surgery, that's when I will really need you."  "Oh we're going to do it then too," she said, "everyone's excited about helping you and we already have it all taken care of, so don't worry, just enjoy."

I guess you know at this point, I almost cried.  Sometimes we just don't feel worthy of all the love and attention we get.  I'm supposed to be the one doing things for others, not the other way around.  Did I tell you they had big smiles on their faces?

Soon they were out the door, sliding across the ice to their car and gone.  (Don't see how they both got in with those big angel wings:-)

John and I sat down and had a wonderful dinner together.  And you know, I am feeling much better now.

PCQ