Post Surgery Update on Kate - BENIGN!

Since my last post about Kate, I had a chance to talk a little to George. They needed the O+ blood for transfusion. They need a couple days to prep the blood. I can always be available in the future should there (hopefully not) be any more surgeries. I haven't donated blood for a while and I am wondering why. I will soon.

It turns out that they have been struggling this last year with Kate having bouts of vision problems and vomiting. Like George said, "who would put vision problems and vomiting together as a brain tumor?”

They checked in Tuesday night to Primary Children's. The best surgeons in the country are there and I would not feel comfortable knowing she (or any child) would be having surgery anywhere else.

Yesterday the surgery started later than scheduled due to the surgery ahead of Kate's. They did not start hers until 5 pm. It was supposed to start at noon. How nerve racking. Surgery in general you just want to get over as soon as possible. Especially poor little Kate not being able to eat.

An email from their friend who is keeping several of us in the loop.
"Hi Everyone, Definitely a long night for George, Heidi and Kate. Heidi said everything went well. The tumor has been removed and it is benign, great news. All of Kate's vitals are great, clear lungs, good heart rate. She's off to the MRI and they will have more information later today. Again, when Heidi calls me I will send out an email right away. They will let us know when visitors are permitted. It sounds like it will be at least a few days. Talk to you soon. Joie"

I will keep you updated as I hear.

Well, I am off to get ready for my day at the USANA conference doing seated massages (today through Saturday).

Wildlife Weekend

Keith, Shasta, Joe, Ozzy and I went Friday night to Fish Lake. We saw two huge bucks (no really - tall, wide and lots of points) just outside of Scipio.

Saturday the boys prepped the cabin for painting. Ozzy and I went on a short walk. My camera battery was dead so I grabbed Joe’s. At least I had something when the osprey was flying RIGHT over my head. I could have gotten some killer pics, but got a couple of mini videos that will be on FlickR. It flew with us as we walked. It reminded me of when we were in Maui one time and the whales kept jumping as I walked the boardwalk. I loved it!

Then the boys went golfing and Joyce and I went shopping in Richfield. I decided to get Joyce off of the mountain before she really went cabin feverish. We stopped on the way back so I could take pictures of three wild turkeys. Hey! That is a sign that I am going to be a better bowler.

Then we came back and grilled up some brats (Joe and Charlie call them BraCTwurst...drives me crazy), steaks and fresh fish. It was a complete feast with: grapes, blueberries, honey-loupe (a yummy hybrid of cantaloupe and honeydew melons from the farmer’s market), farmer’s market bread from Volker’s, feast with pasta salad made from basil from our yard, farmer’s market tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. We completed dinner with chocolate covered cinnamon bears.

Sunday Keith and Joe painted the cabin then went fishing at Mill Meadow with Charlie late in the afternoon into the evening.

About 5 minutes after they left, a doe and her fawn were in front of the cabin. They were chowing on our tender aspen at Skyliner Diner. I’ll have those pictures and a lot more late today and this week.

Ozzy and I went for a walk that ended up being just under two hours. It was late afternoon most people were gone so there were a bunch of animals out. We saw a lot more deer. There were spikes, does and fawn. They could have been the same 3 we kept pushing down the hill. Besides the deer, I saw: a variety of birds, chipmunks, squirrels, a rabbit, water snake, about 3 water rat things, a beaver in some rocks then a beaver swimming by the dam. I also watched some fish in less than a foot of shoreline water feeding on the bugs. They surfaced like sharks. I think they were just big carp. I also saw a fat – 3 inch caterpillar by our cabin.

They came home so late and with cleaning the fish, we ended up spending the night and leaving early Monday morning. The decision came because a big pretty moth landed on Joe’s shoe. We debated but the prospect of getting home after 1 am and possibly hitting a deer wasn’t what we all really wanted.

Besides, Joe named the moth Bob Jr. Which shouldn’t be confused with Bob the antelope hanging in the cabin. Bob the antelope will be another story another time. The moth hung out on his shoe for a long time. I want to say at least 45 minutes. He had to pry it off to come in the cabin. Although Joe was quite attached to it too. Either it was eating his shoe or laying eggs. Maybe we will have moth babies. At least they will be cute.

I Need Your Help Please Vote!

Either something is up with Blogger or I am just a pure idiot. I have been trying to do a slideshow or copy and paste...arrgggh Very frustrating! Anyhew, see the voting tool on the right?

Or go to my FlickR page http://flickr.com/photos/89746220@N00/sets/72157605886832484/

Thinking of Little Kate

(Domonique left & Kate on Right)
On the way down to Fish Lake, my long time friend Stacey called and broke some bad news. Our friends Heidi and George’s daughter Kate has been having some vision problems. Kate is only 8 years old. They took her in to get it checked out and one thing led to another and then to a MRI. It turns out she has a tumor the size of a tangerine. I believe it is on her brain stem.

My head was just swimming when she was telling me. I cannot believe it. She will be having surgery this week and they need O positive blood. I happen to be O+. They really needed it by last Saturday, I am hoping I can still help out by giving today or tomorrow. Please keep her in your thoughts and pray if it is what you do.

Last Friday - Revised with Punchlines!

Friday morning Ozzy and I walked to Murray Park. We were met by Jamie and the boys at the Farmer’s Market.

It didn’t even occur to me that I would be put in charge of Alex, BY Alex. I knew I would help of course, but he does really well about sticking with you. I told him to hold my hand while Jamie got the stroller, the gear and Max out of the car. He made sure that I held his hand, well except to pick up and throw various round shaped fruits and veggies. He just can’t help it, it is a ball or looks like one!

We discussed how we miss the people from goat farm and their yummy flavored cheeses and the apple truck with the gala apples. Where are these people?! Don’t they know they got us hooked last year?!

We made our route, bought some tamales for lunch. Then we all piled in the mini-van. Ozzy thought it was Christmas! Much to Ozzy’s delight, Alex left a Hansel and Gretel trail of treats on the floor. Needless to say, if you need your car picked up of food, call on Ozzy. No raisins please as they are deadly to dogs.

Immediately when Alex comes in our house he goes for the toys. And Max went straight for boob. After his contentment of boobiness, he hung out on my lap. What a cute thing.

Sitting in the “game” room (the room contains a pool table, bar, big screen, big gun safe, and various taxidermy) with Jamie and the boys:
Jamie – (after a long study of them) do you have to dust those ducks?
Me – yea, but not lately
Jamie – how do you?
Me – just with a duster
Jamie – (after staring at the deer) are those elk?
Me - no, deer the elk are in the garage
Jamie – do you have to dust their nostrils? And how do you dust them?
Me – chuckling, hum, I guess I should but I just dust them regular and I have to get their antlers since the spiders like to make webs.
Jamie – (I can’t remember exactly what else but I am sure it was something to the effect of I don’t know how you do it).

I read Jamie's comment and realized OH CRAP! That was the true punchline! Yes, everyone Jamie asked - Is that a chicken?
Me - no, (laughing)it is a pheasant.
Jamie - it looks like a chicken

Then I gave Alex a nickle.
Me - Do you know what is it Alex?
Alex - A nipple!
Me - (laughing again)no, it is a nickle
Alex - A NIPPLE!!!!!

Catch Up - Update and Miscellaneous

I realized that I have not written about the last 2 weekends. Joe, Ozzy and I went to Fish Lake both times. Last weekend, Christian and Gina went with us, the weekend before Heidi and Doobie went with us. Both weekends we had: great weather, great hikes and walks, great animal sightings (see FlickR).

We are up late every night watching the Olympics EXCEPT at the cabin because the reception is terrible for NBC. You can hear it but it looks like snow on LSD.

Instead of individual comments on family blogs, I am commenting here (I know somewhat lazy):

John, I expected a post on a review of the Star Wars ani-movie.

Jamie, let’s go buy you some pretty underwear! Don’t be so critical of yourself, you are doing just fine. YOU ARE A GREAT MOMMY. I wish I had some potty training advice but in place of, the advice I have is to just immediately jump in the shower each morning. Who cares about doing hair, just comb it, who cares about makeup, you are an au naturale beauty! I have found that if I don’t shower first thing… I don’t until 7 pm…only because I know Joe is coming home!

Stephani, I can’t believe the ABC gum! Yuck!
I meant to tell you after we dog sat, that I think your darling but crazy and very rambunctious puppy is a full time job, throw up or not. You are a super star for being so patient. Just think of all of the additional practice for your future rambunctious Dillier children!

Jen Marie, if anyone can have abs of steel you can, tell Nate to kiss my buns of steel, I mean buns of Jell-O for not believing in you.

Lauri, I have not been there to compare so I don’t know if Goodwood is as good as my favorite BBQ restaurant. Pat’s BBQ http://www.patsbbq.com is the best in my opinion and live music.
I am sorry you had a crappy day yesterday too. I think if was an overall doubt yourself day as I was in the dumps too!

Perhaps it was the remnants of the full moon just making us loony, question ourselves and test us.

Anyhew, kisses to all of the puppies/kids and especially their parents.

My Personality

These sort of things amuse me so I thought I would share it with you.

5%, really? Who programs these? Do it and tell me what yours says. It is only about 20 questions.

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive. Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all men You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/howrareisyourpersonalityquiz/">How Rare Is Your Personality?

Gooey Patriotism

I don't know if I am bragging or complaining...EVERY time hear the national anthem at a sporting event or I watch the Olympics and we win a GOLD ...I get all blubbery and tear up. I think I am just proud.
Go USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Back Farmer’s Market and Rain!

For exercise and saving gas, Ozzy and I walk almost every day to the Post Office to get the mail. The PO is by the park. It started last week but I was working. I didn’t remember about it until this morning. It started to rain on the way over. We got our mail and walked over to the market.

There wasn’t as much for some reason. I missed getting arugula from the Oriental guy. However, the bread guy was there! I got my fav, asiago basil. I didn’t want to carry too much since we were walking so I got a small amount of apricots and peaches.

The walk home I tore off a piece of bread and ate an apricot. My shoes were soaked but I wasn't nearly as wet as the first time Stephani, Molly, Ozzy and I went last year. We get some wet walks!

I miss my Farmer’s Market team; Stephani, Jen, Lily, Jamie & Alex! We need to plan on the next one and I’ll make you lunch after like last year. It isn’t the same eating the fresh stuff alone.

Last Month, Last Week and Weekend Update

Times are hard here sports fans, I just lost one of my massage accounts last week. It was not a huge account, only once a month for a couple hours. I did make enough to pay my monthly student loan. This season isn’t nearly as busy as last year. As Joe says though “I am the yin and he is the yang, he had a good work week”.

Nevertheless, on that same note, I did work at a convention last week. I worked Wednesday through Saturday with Choice and Dave at the Stampin’ Up! Convention. We were extremely busy and very happy about it. There must be something wrong with me not to want to scrapbook. I admire all of the work but I can’t even keep up with digital anymore.

Sunday was a very lazy day to recoup. Joe sawed off half of the metal railing on our back patio deck. He added a long stair, now it has 3 steps instead of 2.

Sunday was also Ozzy’s TENTH birthday. I took him for a walk and cleaned up his poo for his birthday. What else would you get for the dog that has everything and has the best life?

As for my 1Y2OL project progress, well, it looks like I am overflowing last month’s project into August. I am just going about it all wrong and not sticking to the book. I cannot help myself. I have never been one to read a manual before operating anything, nor have I ever been able to get into shape by reading “Shape Magazine” or “Self” Hell, I didn’t even ever really study a book in school.

Well, I am off to procrastinate more now by doing something completely what I am not to do.