How We Do Snow Down South

Received the message below from a friend in Virginia and I inserted Greene County in some places....but it works for almost any place down South!

Love it!
PCQ

 In case you're new to the area, let me tell you how we do it here.

• Someone somewhere says snow is coming to eastern NC
• We start paying attention.
• Someone says it's coming to Greene County.
• We Greene County folks really start paying attention.
• Someone (weatherman) brandishes the word "accumulation." 

Done. Finished. Over. We who call Eastern NC home all-out lose our minds. 

In the case of this snow, it happens like this: 
Tuesday morning: The word "accumulation" is first used. 
Tuesday afternoon: Accumulation confirmed. All weekend plans put on stand-by or out-right canceled. 
Tuesday evening: First trip to supermarket for bread, milk, wine, beer and cookie dough. 
Wednesday morning / afternoon: Calls around town for sleds begin
Wednesday evening: Local news does a story about the run on supermarkets for bread and milk. Second trip to supermarket for extra bread and milk, plus frozen pizzas and non-perishables, because you never know. 
Thursday morning / afternoon: Spend workday obsessively checking the forecast. More calls for sleds. Search online for sleds, but decide against them because you can't believe how much sleds actually cost. 
Thursday evening: Meet friends out for dinner because you never know when you'll get out again. Realize you forgot to buy bagels. How could you forget bagels? Third trip to supermarket. 
Friday morning: Alternate staring out window for snow and consulting forecast for exact snow start time. Cancel the rest of weekend plans. 
Friday afternoon: Weather.com reports that it is snowing in your area. Run to window. Spend at least one hour yelling at weather.com because it is clearly not snowing. Ask boss about company inclement weather policy. Complain about said policy. Wait an hour; ask boss if company is closing early. 
Friday evening: Fourth trip to supermarket on the way home for last-minute necessities, like chocolate and fancy hot cocoa. Alternate staring out window and watching local news for exact snow start time. Watch the Closings scroll to see if your work is closed on Monday, because you never know. 
Friday night: Snow finally begins. Call/text all of your friends and family to see if it's snowing in their area and to make sure they're OK in the storm. Update Facebook status to reflect snowfall in case you missed anyone. Order pizza so you don't have to break into rations too soon. 
Saturday morning: Marvel at snowfall. Fling pets / children into the snow so they can marvel and so you have pictures for your Facebook page. 
Saturday afternoon: Drive or trudge to nearest hill and attempt to sled on a cookie sheet/shower curtain/trashcan lid/pool float. 
Saturday evening: Meet friends out for drinks or dinner to celebrate snow. 
Sunday: Eat leftover pizza and stare out window, watching snow melt. Obsessively watch Closings list. Feel happy when the county you live in announces closing and then sad because you never became a teacher and now you have to go out, clean off the car and then go to work tomorrow. Plus you've got all that bread and milk to eat.

Snow on the Ground

Click on the link below to check out the YouTube video John and I made.  This was the first try as you can tell.

Maybe I need to reduce my medication.

Snow on the Ground

PCQ

Lunch with Mama

Had lunch with my mother on Friday.  And I went by myself.  First time I have driven any farther than Greenville alone since last July.  I was okay, though probably not something I should do very often given my current situation, but I made it.  Having been so limited in what I am able to do, each new independent step is greeted with a smile of success.  Never been too many things I couldn't do if I wanted them badly enough, but this has been different and I don't accept "no" real well.  Often I am tempted to accept an invitation by friends, but ultimately realize that I may be able to do it, but I will be miserable the entire time.  So I weigh each opportunity and make a decision.

My mother, who celebrated her 80th birthday in November and retired from Johnson & Johnson many years ago, still works part time making flower arrangements at Carolina Pottery in Smithfield. She says it's like being with family there.  And they are so very kind to her.  Always checking on her, offering love and support when she has been sick, and making her feel wanted.  And isn't that what we all need?  So, if you buy a flower arrangement there, it just may have a little of my mama's love in it.

While waiting for Mom to finish up, I walked around the Pottery for a bit looking at all the stuff I really don't need but would like to have.  January and February are their slowest months they tell me and they use that time to rearrange and restock for Spring.  My personal decision tree for whether I really want something comes down to two things; how long did I have to work to pay for it and would I rather have the money or the object.  Sometimes the decision is easy, sometimes not.

We decided to have lunch at Ruby Tuesdays, just down from the Pottery, because Mama wanted a baked potato and they have good ones.  But once she got there, the baby back ribs were calling her so we split a rack, ordered an extra potato and drank enough sweet tea to float a boat.  But it was ever so good.  We talked and ate and caught up on all the family and friends.

One of her friends has a new beau, "He's a Yankee", she said, as only a Southern woman would say it.  Another one of her friends is under going cancer treatments and she is distressed about that.  We talked about my upcoming surgery and being a mother, she wanted to know if I have proper bed clothes, robes and the like....and did I need anything?  A wonderful mother is always a mother, no matter how old their children are.  And I am so very thankful to have such a caring mother, wanting to know what she can do to help.  Oh how I wish all children, young and old, could be blessed with that love.

Soon it was time to go.  Snow was predicted and we were both tired and ready to get safely home before the Friday work traffic makes driving even more stressful.

Before leaving, I returned the Pyrex dish she left with me at Thanksgiving, full of her wonderful sweet potato casserole that I adore.  In it I had placed a large slice of coconut-pineapple pie a dear friend had brought the day before.  Mama loves coconut and it was a delicious pie to share with her.   We hugged and said good-bye one more time.

It was a good day.

PCQ

Out of the PCQ Office - Be Back Soon

Sorry I haven't written recently, getting tax info together.  (Yuck!)

Be back soon, hopefully, new and improved and better than ever!

PCQ

Dancing in the Sand

Receive a lot of wonderful emails from friends and family.  Thought you would enjoy the message below from my friend Lauri, with her blessing to share.

The email reads:

I finally had time to sit down and read your blog.  Kathy keeps me updated, but I wanted to check for myself.  What a sight and sound those birds must have been!  Wow!  And I know Nick was happy with peanuts falling from the sky! 

When you talked about pulling your wagon, it seems to me that sometimes our wagons get so full, we can barely pull them.  But isn’t it a blessing to know that you have help pulling your wagon.  And, when it gets too full to pull, Jesus is right there pulling with you.  Kind of like the footprints in the sand – sometimes two sets, sometimes one set – and sometimes many sets.  And sometimes the steps are heavy, sometimes light – and sometimes they dance! 

Always praying,

Lauri

PET Scan

Got to the hospital around 12 today in pouring rain.  Of course the parking lot was full so I had to walk a good distance to get to the Out Patient area.  Luckily, when I got there, the first person I saw was one of my dear friends, William.  He has retired and is a volunteer at the hospital.  He helps by ferrying people through the maze of hallways to their proper destination.  William was happy to escort me to the Nuclear Medicine area of the hospital.


The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan I was having today was to see if there is any new cancer growth detected.  If I light up like a Christmas tree...or even a night light, it's a game changer.  No surgery will be done and we will go to Plan B.  But, back to the test, basically, the scan is a nuclear medicine imaging machine that will show three dimensional pictures of my body.  Always thought I would make a good fold out, just never thought of it this way.  


First, I was given an intravenous tracer medication that apparently emits some type of special rays (probably enhanced my natural aura!) that can be detected by the machine in areas like a cancer growth.  The machine in turn, will make images in 3-dimensional form to be read and analyzed by computer and the doctor. 


In doing my research, I thought it interesting that the first place this was first done was the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, then at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, way back in the 50s.  Both cities we know well due to my daughter Lauren getting her master's degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and now teaching at Washington University in St. Louis.  


Then, I had to sit for one hour and do nothing.  I say that, because I put my earphones on to listen to a little funky music on my iPhone.  The hospital has a camera monitoring the room and the nurse came in and told me I couldn't listen to music cause it would induce too much brain activity and the glow in the dark stuff might all go there.  Oh well...Sam Cooke can certainly stir up some good brain activity!


Afterwards, I was taken to the PET machine and locked in.

My head was put in a holder so it wouldn't move during the procedure.

My arms were strapped in and legs elevated.

The test took about 45 minutes.  I was tired by the time it was over.  Couldn't eat anything for 6 hours prior to the procedure, so that meant last night's dinner was my last meal.  Of course, I can miss a meal and it probably won't hurt me.  

Hopefully, I will hear from the scan next week.  I will let you know when I do.  Until then, we can only hope and pray that all will be clear and no new growths have appeared.


Here's to good sleeping till then and another good pull on the wagon.

PCQ

Peanuts from the Sky

We have had an unusual occurrence at our house.  This past Sunday afternoon it was so nice outside, I opened the sliding glass doors at the back of our living room.  As I opened them, I heard birds.  Not just a few birds, thousands, and they were so loud, we couldn't hear the movie playing.  I walked outside to look and they were flying toward the peanut field next to our pasture.  There were so many, when they flew over, the sound of their wings and undulating motion was awesome.  I stood and watched and listened.

Click the link below to hear the birds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnn_EVc9deI

But as they were flying over, peanuts were falling from the sky. Yes, peanuts were falling from the sky!

Here's Nick, our dog, checking out the peanuts that fell on our deck.  Guess he thought that was pretty sweet cause he loves peanuts.

Peanuts are all over the place, and here's more beneath the pine trees out front.

Our farm covers about 27 acres and right now it is littered with half eaten peanuts and shells.  The farm next to us harvested the peanuts last fall.  I am amazed at how many were left for these birds.

Guess when they found the peanut field, trees, and our pond, they thought life is good here.

PCQ

Simply Good!

My taste is finally coming back from the chemotherapy treatments and that is a good thing.  During the holidays, when I cooked, I would always have someone taste the food along with me just to make sure it was seasoned right.  I didn't trust my taste buds.  Christmas is always a time for special food and drink and I sure missed smelling and tasting all of my favorites.

Guess that's why I have enjoyed Simply Apple so much.  Hate to say it, but I succumbed to their advertising and bought a jug.  I will preface this and say, I am not a real apple juice person.  I like apples and applesauce, but apple juice?  No, I prefer orange juice.

But that was before I tasted the Simply Apple.  It is so good, when I drink it, I only take a little sip and taste every little bit.  Has the flavor of Honey Crisp apples and if you've had one of those pricey but tasty apples, then you know what is dancing around on my tongue causing such delight.

Ahhh...certainly enjoy having my taste buds back from their chemo retreat and I guess that temporary absence just makes everything taste better.

And as they say, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!"  Let's hope so, and Simply Apple sure makes it taste simply good.

And no, I don't own any stock in this company, but may look into it!

PCQ

Pound Cake

Had a wonderful visit on Friday.  Jake, Kelly, and Norma came from work to bring lunch and visit the sick and shut in (that would be me).  But what a surprise, they not only brought lunch and flowers, they also brought a meal for us to have later... salad with all the fixins, lasagna with Italian bread, green beans, tea.....and yes, a pound cake.  And it wasn't just a pound cake, it was a darn good "Grandma style" pound cake.  And you can take it from me, I've had pound cakes cooked by some of the best.  Thanks Kelly!

The extra food could not have come at a better time.  During the previous night, John had run a high fever and had congestion with lots of coughing.  He didn't sleep well and was feeling like a sick puppy.  Didn't know if he was contagious and thankfully he wasn't.  The doctor prescribed meds for him that have certainly helped.  

John has been my "cook" helping me in any way he can since I have been sick.  Of course, he likes to cook, but even those of us that like to cook, are very thankful for occasional time off, especially when we don't feel well.

How blessed I have been to have such fine people at work to care enough to take time to visit and bring all the wonderful food and love.  Makes life pulling this wagon so much better.

PCQ

Night Noises

One of the curses of having pain is waking during the night.  As you may notice, many of my blogs are composed during the dark of night.  Maybe I am more creative then.  Thankfully, the pain is not nearly as intense as it was initially, so time and medication usually help ease me back to into dreamland.

Many times when I awake, I lay quietly listening to John breathe and it comforts me.  Tonight, he sounded like a duck quacking and in my sleepy fog, it took me a few minutes to realize it was him.  He has been sick and went to the doctor Friday morning after running a high fever Thursday night.  Seems he had an infection and congestion in his lungs and sinuses.  Doing better now, but I think it will take a little more time for the congestion to go away.

There are other sounds too.  Our new refrigerator just dumped a batch of ice.  If I didn't know what it sounded like, then I would swear someone was breaking in.  Yes, it is that loud.

My rooster, BoBerry, with his sweetheart, Henny Penny, sleep on the back porch.  Sometimes he will crow during the night.  Most nights he regularly starts around 4:15 a.m. (He is big and very, very loud, guess that's why roosters aren't allowed in town limits.)  If I hear him before that time, then something has startled him and that is his "alert"crowing sound.  Maybe a possum is meandering through the yard and munching on the salad scraps I put out for composting.  Possums can be very mean so I do understand his alarm.

Our furnace makes a thumping noise when if comes on.  Guess it is the air pressure causing the metal to pop.  I've been hearing it a lot lately, with the bitter cold, it has been popping more often.

Tonight as I listen to "my sounds", most of them comforting sounds that are part of my world, I think about all the sounds the people of Haiti are hearing.  The wailing of injured and sick people.  The sobs of those who are afraid.  The sound of help coming by plane, helicopter, and truck.  The sound of creaking, broken, buildings.  The rumbling of the ground.  Sounds that many of them will never forget.

Night noises, to every one of us they bring a different meaning.

PCQ

Magic - Learning to Read

I was checking Facebook this morning and saw a video of my grandniece, Sydney, realizing she can read.  It is magic!

Can't look at this video without smiling.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Just click on the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/video/video.php?v=1324323474621&ref=mf

PCQ

Update

I was anxious to talk with Dr. Mahajan, my oncologist, about my surgery being rescheduled to a later date.   After a long talk, I felt better.  He explained that we were still within the window for surgery, the few additional weeks should not make a difference one way or the other.  (Insert big sigh of relief here.)

Also met with Dr. Semer, she will be removing a few of my female parts that seem to be in the way for all the other stuff they have to do.  Being the good doctor that she is, she wanted to feel around and make sure everything was okay.  All the women reading this know what I am talking about.  And, she wanted to "feel" the tumor to see if it had decreased in size.  Too much feeling going on, but after a while, guess you just get used to it.

Met with Dr. Brillant, the lead surgeon today.  He had called and left me a long message yesterday about the surgery change.  His feelings were like mine.  We can't change this so we have to adjust our sails for what we have.  I told him I was over my hissy fit and now that Dr. Mahajan said the extra time shouldn't impact the growth, I was okay.  Of course, I have the option of going to another hospital for the surgery, but by the time I go through all the preliminary stuff, we would be right back where we are.  So, I decided to stay the course.  Dr. Sharts is a very good surgeon, just happens to be the only one capable of this surgery in the area.

Being the good doctor that he is, Dr. Brillant, after talking to Dr. Semer about the tumor, thought it would be good to "feel" things too.  As I said, too much feeling going on, especially when you are the "feelee"!

We now have a PET scan at the hospital scheduled.  It will check for additional cancer growth and if I don't light up like a Christmas tree, then I will have an MRI about 2 weeks prior to surgery.  If there are any additional cancer growths noted in the PET scan, then the surgery is off.  No need to go through all of that if I can't possibly be cured.  Lot of ifs here, but that's just the way it is.  And when you can't move those rocks, you just have to pull your wagon around them the best you can.

So that's what I am doing.  And you know what, I listened to Sam Cooke's greatest hits this afternoon on my iPod and he sure made pulling my wagon a little sweeter!

PCQ

Roller Coaster Ride

Tuesday was not a good day for me.  I received a call early that morning from Linda, she works with Dr. Brillant, the lead surgeon, and handles his scheduling.  "The surgery date has been rescheduled for February 26th", she said.  WHAT? No, that can't be!  This wagon is already in motion, everyone agreed, we have already signed papers!  She understood my confusion and frustration and suggested I call Dr. Sharts, he was the doctor that requested the change and since he plays such a pivotal role in my surgery, and has the most demanding schedule, he has to make that change.

I hung up the phone and tears rolled down my face.  I have been focused on January 29th, that was the date.  People have been contacted, plane flights have been made. But even more important, would the extra time allow the tumor to grow.  I felt like I had just been given a death sentence.

The phone rang at Dr. Sharts' office, but their answering service picked up. I kept trying.  Finally, after speaking with Christa and Melissa, I spoke with Jenny, she works with the surgery schedule.  "Nothing can be done," she said, "Dr. Sharts made the decision.  He had a situation arise to cause the change and nothing can be done.  February 26th was the next date he had available.  He is very aware of your situation."  I tried to make her understand this couldn't be changed, but realized I had hit a brick wall, she was just the messenger and could do nothing for me.

I called Linda at Dr. Brillant's office and told her I wasn't able to get any changes made either.  She was very apologetic.  "Please have Dr. Brillant call him," I pleaded, " maybe he can intercede, we have to do something."  I was scared.  She told me she would have Dr. Brillant call me with any information, but it would probably be the next day, he was in surgery and we hung up the phone.

After a few minutes of anguish and tears, I sat back and assessed my situation.  Would the extra time be a bad thing?  Maybe I was seeing ghosts that really aren't there. I needed to speak with my oncologist. I called Dr. Mahajan's office and asked to speak with him or his nurse, Austin.  Austin called me back in a few minutes and I explained my pitiful plight. She was very understanding and said she would speak with the doctor.  I had an appointment with him the next day, but I couldn't wait.

The phone rang in about 30 minutes.  It was Austin, she told me Dr. Mahajan would discuss it with me the next day, but not to worry, it probably would not make a difference.  By this time, my hissy fit, tears, and feeling that I had lost control of my situation, were starting to seem more manageable.  Maybe the extra few weeks wouldn't kill me.  And besides, it looked as if there was nothing I could do to change it.

I was okay until John came home for lunch and I had to tell him.  All the frustration came rolling out again.  He hugged me and said it appeared I had done everything I could do.  We'll just have to talk to Dr. Mahajan before we can run around yelling, "the sky is falling".

What will Dr. Mahajan say?

PCQ

Yellow Roses

What a wonderful day.  Had friends to visit, just so they could 'look at me' and make sure I was okay.  We shared a cup of hot apple cider and had a great catch up on the years that have passed since we last talked.

Their children are grown now and both doing well.   They visit their place at the lake as often as they can.  The quiet there suits them just fine.

Penny and David have a long history with us.  David was one of John's roommates back when we ate Hamburger Helper without the hamburger at NC State.  Times that were lean financially, but rich in memories.  We have stayed in touch, but not as close as we should have been.  Sometimes, there are bonds that time and distance just can't erase.  David and Penny fit in that group.

We talked and laughed about all the times we had way back when.  Life is good for them.  And you know, it is good for me too.  Having people like David and Penny give their time and love....and they brought a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses for my wagon, means more than I can say.



Love you...and thanks for caring about me.

PCQ

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Got a call from the lead surgeon's office yesterday afternoon.   The surgery date is now official, Friday, January 29th.  The ball has now started its descent and the plan is in motion.  Have an appointment with the lead surgeon on the 14th for final wagon pulling instructions.  Other procedures must take place too, but I will let you know as they happen.

Stay strong....Power UP!
PCQ

I See You

We went to see the new movie, Avatar, last night.  I really liked it and must say it is one of the few movies I would go back to see, just for the visual effects. If you go please see the 3D version and pay the extra $3.50, you will not be disappointed.  Avatar probably puts you as close as you will ever come to visiting an alien world. The beautiful scenery and exotic creatures, and really tall incredibly lifelike 'people' of Pandora will have you engaged visually, and for me, emotionally. 


The love story is fairly predictable and the bad guys are easily disliked. You will find yourself pulling for the underdogs and hoping their world will live on.


This is a truly unique film visually and I understand it is one of the most expensive films ever produced.  They wanted to produce it 10 years ago but the technology was not advanced enough to move forward.  I am glad it was done now.  


I would say it is a mix of "pick a war and insert here", tree huggers, Trail of Tears, and sprinkle in a large helping of Disney-like effects and you have a wonderful movie.  It is nearly 3 hours long, but I didn't get bored or check the time. 


Caution!  Make sure you go to the bathroom before going to see the movie if you plan to eat popcorn and drink large quantities of beverage.  Just about the time you think you must get up for a break, an exciting fight starts and you will not want to leave your seat and miss a single special effect.


Go see it and leave the real world behind for a bit. (And BTW, "I see you," is a very sweet quote from the movie.)


PCQ

John's Girlfriend

Guess some of you didn't know John has girlfriends.  At least that is what I call them.

But let me back up a bit.  About 3 years ago, John was told he must stop smoking or face immediate medical problems.  My thoughts are, that should be said to anyone that smokes, but most of us think we are invincible, we will be different from all those other people that had bad habits and their bodies succumbed to them.

The doctor told him of a new medication that could help with the process.  What did he have to lose other than the cost of the medication?  Our insurance, in its infinite wisdom, didn't cover the cost and this was expensive and no generic available.  But logic would tell us, spending money for help should trump money being spent to slowly kill yourself.  So he began.

John's friend, Charlie, had stopped smoking and we both thought he would be a good mentor and resource in this process so he called him.  "Get on the internet, get all the information you can.  You just have to find what will work for you,"  Charlie said.   And that's what John did.  He found a stop smoking website and starting reading.  Listening to the successful quitters and even the ones that weren't successful and still struggling.  The website had clubs and offered all types of opportunities to interact with other people, just like you, that are struggling through the dreadful withdrawal.

John finally settled into several small groups that seemed to fit like an old shoe.  One was  the June quit club (since he quit on my birthday and it was the best birthday present he ever gave me!) Another was the CCC club, which used the medication as a premise.  He was quickly taken under several people's wings and he listened to every thing they said.  NOPE (Not One Puff Ever!) became the mantra.    Don't even think about it.  Their stories were real, some of them inspirational and some heartbreaking.  But it worked.  He hasn't smoked in nearly 3 years.  How proud I am of him.

And that is where the "girlfriends" come in.  The "angels" on the website watch for newbies and offer suggestions, encouragement and praise.  While struggling through all of this, you become friends.  You learn about the other person's DH (dear husband) or BF (boyfriend), or DD (dear daughter).  The social engagement with people you've never met becomes an important part of your quit.  When you hurt they rush in, lift you up, and try their best to help you.  They tell stories,  tell jokes, have online parties, give out "keys" for special anniversary dates like first week, first month, etc. and as you learn and succeed, you start to pay forward and help new people too.  Just knowing someone, somewhere cares that you made it through another day can make a big difference in your quit.

John quickly developed a great group of friends, male and female.  Though most of them were women and that suited John just fine.  What a great group they are and oh how much they helped him.  He became their 'Brother John' and 'John Boy' on the site and he had little sisters all over the world, struggling and walking along with him on their journey to a smoke free life.

The group always bantered about getting together sometime if anyone was ever in the same area of the country, but the stars just hadn't aligned for that to happen until last week.  We were on our way to a funeral and one of his 'girlfriends' mentioned she and her husband would be traveling south down I-95 from Connecticut to her Florida home on Sanibel Island for the winter.  Could we make it work out?  With a little coordination, John finally got to meet Sister Kitty and she got to meet Brother John.  She had always been one of his favorites and luckily, it just worked out.

They hugged and chatted, all the years of internet communication, hand holding and encouragement had made them dear friends.  Dear friends that had never formally met until today.  You can tell by the smiles on their faces, they were happy to finally be able to look at each other and say, "Thank you!"  But soon our time was over, we had a funeral to attend and that couldn't wait.

One last look, a long sincere hug and another thank you for the help and support, and Kitty and John said goodbye.  Two people brought together when they needed one another's help to rid themselves of the Nicodemon, as they fondly named their habit.  Two people who succeeded with the help of many people they may or may not ever meet.   But people that changed their lives in a very important way.

And from my side of this equation, I can only say, "Thank you Sister Kitty, you have been an inspiration not only to John but to me as well.  On your  beach walks you have lifted me up to the 'ocean spirits' for healing during my illness and that love and caring comes through my computer strong and true."

Thanks to all again....we can never have enough "girlfriends".

PCQ

Happy New Year!

Being warmly welcomed by good friends!

Can't look at this without smiling....

(Names and faces have been changed to protect sterling reputations!)

Being entertained at midnight - Happy New Year!

By a New Orleans style "band in a truck" with drums, trumpets, cymbals, horns honking, and green laser lights.  What a treat!

Welcome 2010!

Hoping for a wonderful New Year for everyone.

PCQ