A Wonderful Christmas....

Yep, port came out yesterday! Scottie Pottie is no longer a cancer patient. Once a month labs for a year, 2nd year every 3 months, 3rd year every 6 months and not sure after that. He will get to go on a mission but will need to be state side because of the labs. Having his port out was a bit stressful yesterday more so for his father that worries more than anyone on planet earth. When Dr Thorn his wonderful surgeon came into the waiting room with his thumb up, Jim I can broke into a cry/laugh. Different things can happen with that port being in there so long but it came out perfect. We got booklets to help us with the transition learning how to go from a oncologist full time to a regular MD but I seem to know more about ALL than he, but he is learning. (MD) But the oncologist will still see him while doing labs once a month and I can talk to her personal nurse Mary 24/7, she promised me. I have grown to love those two ladies Dr Angelia Trobaugh and Mary and all the others in the clinic. I so appreciate them not only for their years of schooling and practicing but they actually care, really really care for Scottie and for me. I so appreciate our 3 pharmacists at the CDA Kmart store. They made the insurance and the /Katy Beckett medicaid process actually easy. Costco was horrible and I told them I wouldn't spend one more cent on medicine at their pharmacy and I haven't. (The store a different story) Teena Roberts, Sara McLain and Paula Conley at Canfield, Penny at CHS and our wonderful Patty Humphries and her hubby Mark. Jennifer and Mike James along with their sons Josh and Matt were incredible and nearly adopted Sam during our first two years. Mike helping us get passed red tape and also the help he has given us with our own Josh's kidney issues. They all have gone way beyond their jobs to a lasting friendship. And most of all my other children that stepped right in when mom was living at the hospital to deal with the millions of phone calls, prepare food and remind the wonderful church members we didn't need anymore food that they were adults and could prepare the meals and we were out of room in the fridge. It is amazing how people step in, you really know your friends. To my sister in law Jean that also dealt with phone calls, Gpa Lee for his prayers and blessings. And to Kim Beckman that would just drop off frozen lasagna to go right in to my freezer for those long days at the clinic and Julie Crandall and Emily for those wrapped up tight Papa Murphy's pizzas that would appear in my freezer. When people asked what they could do for us I'd say just bring over leftovers so we can freeze them for our long days at the clinic those two heard my plea and a few others, Kim kept it up for months and months and to this day she drops off her wonderful spaghetti sauce if she hears I even have had a bad day as she is dealing with her own daughters horrible health issues. And for those long conversations Angie my YF friend and I continue to have, for Capri and Judy W and those helpful things they learned down their tiny children's cancer struggles. I so appreciate my good husband and putting up with my psycho person many days and letting me handle things my way. I seemed to know what Scottie needed and begged him to listen. And mostly for my Scottie for pulling thru, he is my superman and just putting up with his mother, I so tried not to go over the top with him, and not letting him see me cry, I tried alway to be softly tough. And to you my family and friends just thanks.

Have a wonderful Christmas, I know I will.

Four days then it will all be over, so sad!

I so love Christmas but it is so sad to think it will be over in a few days. Basically things are in order, just taking it easy and trying to enjoy the days. My mom is here still since before Thanksgiving. She is amazed at the gifts under the tree, parties and busyness of our household. It actually is quieter and slower than when we had a few more at home. She will be spoiled this holiday. We hope it takes her hours to unwrapped her gifts. She has been busy making gifts for her grand and great grand kids for several weeks. Jim and I got each other a new tread-mill for our Christmas to each other. Jim got it all set up and walked on it this morning. Hoping we can bury the old one soon.

Scott's last chemo and doctor appointment were last week. He is totally done with the poison but not with labs. He will go in once a month for a year, then every 3 months for a year then twice a year after that. These are no big deal appointments and hope he doesn't have to miss any school. Jim and I threw him a "I am going to live" surprise party last Friday night. He was very shocked and surprised once he figured out why 15 of his friends jumped up from laying on the carpet after I had counted to 3 took him about 10 seconds to understand what was going on. I invited adults that had been such a influence and help for our family the last 3.5 years. Mostly Scotts first year. They showed up a few minutes after the kids surprised him. His two tutors and their husbands came, his councilor Sarah from Canfield Middle school, and many friends and family came to celebrate, about 50. He got the most awesome gifts and I told people to bring silly things but they didn't listen. I had way to much food and the family is still enjoying the leftovers. Benji and Sarah helped me throw together the salads and trays in about 15 minutes time while Danny kept Scott downstairs, at one point Scott came upstairs and didn't get a clue, took a piece of cheese and went back downstairs. I had things hidden in sacks and cupboards and out in the garage for a week, oh and had my trusty list, it saves me. I had a huge cake made. Karel, Rod, Benji and Sarah cleaned up while I was able to just set and visit friends. Then my family helped put down tables and put things away after everyone left. Something I don't get to do because I am preparing and cleaning up for hours then once it is done everyone goes home or to bed because they are exhausted visiting. Thank you thank you that one of the greatest gift anyone has ever done for me. And it only costs time. Jim had to leave to go pick up Sadie in the middle of the party. Danny had flown in a couple days before. Sadie got in on the very tail end. It was a fun night and Scottie seemed to really love it. We both got hugs and a thank you! I even got more hugs yesterday.

Glad you're still alive Scottie Pottie! Mom

Website for the business!

Check out our dental business website. We now are on superpages. We have finally moved up in the world of cyperspace.

www.cdasmile.net

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Ok it has begun to look alot like Christmas waking up to a inch of snow yesterday AM. Christmas cards have been sent, all pkg sent. Office party behind us, Scott smoked us some delicious chicken.......Christmas parties end this week. Tree and decorations up music blasting thru the house (when Jim isn't home)!

Thankgiving was a success. 22 for dinner. Sadie Danny and Mom came in on Tuesday and Penny my sis and Ben her hubby flew in Thanksgiving day. Spike my nephew returned home from his mission on Wednesday and spent Thanksgiving day with us.

Mom will be with us thru Christmas, hope she can put up with all the noise and parties and fun she isn't use too so much excitement.

Not much to write about tonight. Things are good, Scotts last orals are the 14th, Dr appointment on the 18th and port out on the 23rd. He went to Prom on Saturday. 3 years ago we didn't know if he'd get to go to a prom. Life is full of lots of tender moments sprinkled with miracles.

Merriest Christmas.

Christmas in 47 short days!

So it must be that time of month to update the blog! Not much to report about if we post sooner than a month.

Jim I and two employees headed to San Francisco on Wed. returning last night. They were there for dental meetings I was there to do whatever I wanted. I did go listen to two different speakers. Nice sleeping in, exercising for hours, walking along the bay, reading working on New Family Search in the lobby and watching the news. But all good things must end! When we flew into Spokane and walked off the plane (Horizon) it was one arctic blast and we wanted to turn around.......it is so winter already. We took the BART system into the city, took a cable car to Fishermans Warf. That was something Jim and I have wanted to do since we were small and watched the "Rice a Roni" commericals walked to Pier 39, smelled and listened to those noisy Seals looked at Alcatraz's lights in the distance, ate at a greasy soup but it was quaint. I got the entire cable car people singing "Happy Birthday" to Susie our assistant she loved it and started leading us. It was fun. She has been with our office for 20 years and chose to be at the seminar on her 62nd birthday. Cathy our other assistant started with us 28 years ago, left for a few years to raise a daughter then returned. We don't know what we will do when they retire. They are wonderful, dependable honest and truly kind women. There are few people like that out there.

My Christmas lights have been up two weeks, Dan the light man and son in law does it for me, second year now as my Christmas present. Nothing like perfect lights, only have to plug in one extension cord or find the timer the electrician lost. Cards are addressed, Christmas letter written, can you tell I love Christmas?

Thanksgiving is in 18 days. Sadie and Danny will be home in 16 days. Penny my sis and her hubby Ben are coming in Thanksgiving day. I have never had my anyone on my side come or a holiday before. I am soooooooooo excited. And Kyla turns 3 that week!

My nephew (Pennys son) Breck gets off his mission next week from New Zealand. John got home three weeks ago and Spike gets home the day before Thanksgiving. The next to go will be Scott in 2 years then Sam in 5 yrs. Wow 2 and 5 so strange that it is just around the cornor. It just hit me.

Life is good we are good, Josh said if you want to know how he is, look up Kidney Failure on Whikipedia and you will know. Scott is good, 40 days till his last chemo! neither of them like people asking how they are. It wears on me also, average 10 times a day but I know most people really care, some just are nosy.

So get your lists going for the holidays, don't put things off so you can enjoy the season!

That is it from this keyboard!

Yep Hamthrak has hit!

Hamthrak (name given to me by Josh) has hit yet another person in the family. With 20 days down since being exposed to Jim Gary and Scottie Pottie I became another victim of "Ms Piggie's Flu" I have heard all the jokes and saving them for the day my sons and son in law too become her victim. Has not been a real good week here. When I think I am doing good I shower and wala break into a sweat and back on top of the bed can't stand getting into the bed anymore. 3 days in a row thinking I am better........several friends/sister in law friend came down with it same day or with in hours of when I did. We are connecting on facebook feeling sorry for each other. Ok at least we aren't out spreading it around to all of you! Someone has to feel sorry for us husbands don't. I was prepared tho have meals prepared in the freezer and have used a couple of them. My friend and also sister in law Kim brought us spagetti by, it is so so good.... My family hardly misses me. I am pretty sure I am going to live, rather or not the family likes it............................

One thing I so hate, want to know? that stupid song "Safelight window repair" I hear it in my dreams. I do love the DVR and stopping the show then bringing it back live without the 15 ads in between scenes. Haven't just laid down and watched TV for so long, it is as stupid as it was last time I was sick with something.

Josh is the same, waiting for a match, he is tired of people asking.......Luke and family I think are good, Stone will be 7 in a few days and Janna another year older. Benji's B&B isn't happening, property sold, Sarah and family don't have the flu, Danny and Sadie are coming home for Thanksgiving Sadie Christmas, Danny is being a adult and doesn't have a ticket home. His bike got stolen so he won't be riding it home, and just bought himself two scooters I hear one will be sold, yeah right this family doesn't sell anything we store it for a rainy day......wow he can pay for next semester!!!! Since we can't claim him anymore ...not a tax rightoff anymore big guy! Scott is good, clinic next week then only Nov and Dec and he is done with chemo FOREVER! Can't figure out how to get that last test done tho on his online course so his laptop and phone are laying here close to me just waiting for his return. Sam is a teenager, turned 14, has a cell phone and an attitude but I am curbing it with leverage/cell phone. He is about done with Jr Tackle football just a couple weeks. He will be in high school next year and will play for the school if he wants to continue I will not be sad if he doesn't want to play. Jim is looking for a second hygienist if my sweet nieces have any contacts that need 2 days a week up in God's country.

My nephew John got home from his mission last week, this weekend is the family gathering in Mapleton Utah. Missing out on yet another family gathering not to many in the Blackburn familygatherings sort of things. Happy to have another member of the family born this week "Gage Gatten" born to Dusty and Angie, well born to Angie shared by Dusty.......Why is it in the scriptures the men get the credit for having the kids? Never figured that one out. So thats the updates from a top the sage colored bedspread in this room with 4 walls..........that are getting smaller and smaller!

Love ya

Auntie Piggie!

Frost on the pumpkins!

The pumpkins are orange, apples are red and school has been in session a month today. Boys and parent are in a routine. Seminary starts at 6:30 AM so a 5:30 wake up call is hard on Scott and his mom. Junior year seems to be the hardest on students and throw in chemo in the mix and try getting up at 5 30.....He had his last spinal tap EVER a few days ago and I made his last 3 chemo appointments. The count down is on!

Scott turned 17 and Sam 14 since I last wrote. They are growing up oh so fast. Time seems to be going by so much quicker than when I was in my 30's and 40's.

No new meat in the freezer but not because of lack of trying. I got a Hickory rocking chair for my hunting trip I always get something! Swine flu hit Scott, Jim and Gary while they were headed to the woods. Scott came home and ended up in the ER for a few hours. Jim and Gary spent many hours sleeping it off in the trailer away from civilization. No one else has gotten it in the family and it has been two plus weeks. It didn't seem any worse than the regular flu/cold and there wasn't any nausea. I got my regular flu shot. People are saying the swine flu shot isn't going to be safe, will still listen and figure that one out.

Not so sure anyone reads this blog anyway but just in case I will try updating a bit better than I have been doing it. Nice when life is slower and there isn't much bad news to report. Could you imagine if for just one day all the news on TV/Radio and newspaper and the net was all good news? What a day that would be. With so much good why do we focus on the bad?

I am finally learning New Family Search with the help of Josh. I have a page of names ready to take to the temple something I haven't done before in the family history department. It is very time consuming rewarding and fulfilling.