Day Seventy Seven - the radiologist

1 Peter 4:12-13

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation."

I was really really dreading going to the radiologist. I knew long ago that they would sent me back for a sonogram, and thus I'd be seen by that horrid radiologist, but it was always a dread in the back of my mind.  Would they find out that I wasn't getting any better?  Would the radiologist be just as horrid.  

Riley decided that he would go with me. Partly because it was so hot, and partly because I was dreading it. We go there right on time, and it wasn't long before they came and got me. I told Riley that it would be about a half hour. The first person who saw me was a very pleasant nurse. Of course nothing can really make the process pleasant, but anyhow ... At first she told me to get the gown on and lay down on the table (or what ever it is). I could see that it could recline more, and I was very very sleepy, so she put it down for me before she left the room. I had a nice time relaxing there.

Then she finally came back and did all the sonogramming she wanted to do, and then said she would now go and get the radiologist. He doesn't even have a name for goodness sakes! So I laid there trying to relax. I decided to sing hymns, and that was very comforting. Then I decided that I would put my own words to the tunes, and that was amazing. I couldn't believe how it all just flowed out of me. I was telling God how I felt about all of this. I thing the main tune I used was Be Thou My Vision, one of my very favorites.


Well the radiologist finally appeared, with an intern in tow. The radiologist had to do sonograms on me himself. He did the same thing last time. Why doesn't he just come in the first time? He didn't seem to like the fact that his diagnosis of what kind of cancer I had had been changed by my surgeon. But he did say that the tumor under my arm seemed to be getting smaller.

At least the intern was very nice. The radiologist noticed that the stitches from my biopsy were still in. I explained that no one had tried to take them out, and I wasn't about to do it myself. So the doctor asked the intern if he would like to do it, and he was quite willing. But they needed a sutcher removing kit, which someone had to fetch from the hospital next door. And then they needed to find a disinfectant (I can't remember the name of the stuff). But finally, everything was gathered, and he very gingerly and carefully removed the two stitches. It was a good thing he did that, because if it had been much longer it might have been grown over.

The intern then very nicely told me I was done, and I could go. Much better that the way the radiologist did it last time. When I got out Riley was at the desk wanting to find out what had happened to me. It had been an hour. It wouldn't have been so long except for the stitches bit. I was in a so-so mood, and I was tired. We probably went home and I laid down.

Later in the day I began to get depressed. That radiologist really gets to me. He's so grim. Riley went down town to pick up a computer so he could work at home. He had lunch while down there. I struggled with lunch, I probably had a smoothie. Eating is getting harder and harder.

Because of the heat, we spent the majority of the day in the upstairs room with the air conditioner. I spent time reading and doing crossword puzzles, and you can bet we watched Jeopardy. At some point Stephane and Emily and Parker came over to go swimming. Heidi was at home doing freelance work. I decided to put on my bathing suit this time, and as I did so I accidently scratched my rash and it really hurt. I didn't thing much more about it at the time, but I did later.


I got Emily into a little suit that she had last year. I fit pretty well. Then we went out and got on the stairs of the pool. Riley soon joined us. The kids had a wonderful time, but then spent a lot of the time right by me. Well, actually, Emily pretty much didn't leave my side. It wasn't till later that I realized how close those two kids got to me and my scratch. I hadn't washed my hands, and the scratch was just below the top of my suit. I certainly prayed that they would be okay, and not get chickenpox.

Eventually they left, and we watch Jaepordy, and then some baseball. And then we went to bed. This time I slept in the sunroom, and then Riley could sleep in the only bed in the air conditioned room. But first we both sat in the air conditioning. I sat there all depressed, and Riley was concerned. Then Riley took out his phone and called a dear friend of ours who's a chaplain with the city of Bothell. He's always a good person to talk to when things aren't going well. Shortly after Chuck got on the phone, Riley handed the phone to me, and I talked with Chuck for quite a while.

Chuck, driving his dearly loved sail boat.

I was telling him my struggles and after a while he said he could see one of my problems - I was suffering from a loss, the loss of food. He knows me well enough that this has a lot of different aspects in my life. It's not just eating, but entertaining, and the joy of cooking. He suggested that I might start a diary, not just the blog one, but one that's very personal, just between me and God. That did sound like a good suggestion. Well Chuck was actually in Baltimore, so I knew I was keeping him up, and we got off the phone. I certainly was good to talk with him.

Then after a bit I was off to bed. Luckily it didn't take me too long to get to sleep, at least I don't think it did.

James 1:2-4

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Day Seventy Six - Caleb's first birthday and incredible heat!

Psalm 127:2-4

It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.

Yesterday, when Riley decided to get me out of the house, I decided that we should go get Emily and take her to Barnes and Noble.  I called Heidi, and she said that Tom was supposed to have gotten her.  Well I asked if she knew this for sure, and she didn't.  So we stopped by the day care center and sure enough Emily was there.  She was working at a computer, and doing a very good job, I must say!  What an amazing world we live in, where 2 year olds understand computers.

Emily was glad to go to Barnes and Noble, which she refered to as a library.  She ran right in and then ran straight to the children's book section, where she knew just what she wanted - princess books.  Then I finally convinced her she had enough of them, and we went to find Papa and a table.  Eventually Papa and Emily settled on a rice crispy treat, iced coffee, and a warm chocolate milk (her choice).  Then I went and got a few things to read.  And then Papa got a few things to read, and we all settled in with our breading material.  I had chosen a couple doll magazines, which really got Emily's attention.  All in all, we had a fine time reading.  Then at the appropriate time Heidi showed up to collect Emily, who didn't want to go.  But she was eventually convinced of the necessity of leaving.  


After they left Riley decided we should walk around a bit.  That was a good idea, as I needed to get my blood flowing, or whatever it is.  As we passed Gymboree, by favorite children's clothing store, I suddenly remember Caleb's birthday.  So we went straight in, and back to the little boys section.  As I looked through the clothes, trying to find something without words on the front, I soon picked out a really cute red and navy onesie, and a very cute rugby shirt.  Riley was thrilled with the ruby shirt, and I soon found a pair of navy shorts to go with it.  And there you have it.  Two cute outfits, one from each of us.  Riley was so excited that he got to help pick out the outfit.  He usually gets left out of such things.  But after the shopping I was ready to go home and take a little nap.


So then today I took Riley to work and decided that I needed to buy a small toy for Caleb.  What kid wants to get just clothes?  I called Annie to see if she'd like to go with me, but no answer.  Found out later that she just didn't bother to answer her phone.  !!!!  She would have liked to have gone with me.  So I decided I would go to Grasshopper, the lovely children's store on Alberta, right down from Petit Provence.  I combed the store thoroughly to find just the right toy. Not an easy task. But before I was done I was tired, and I found a chair and sat down for a while. But I eventually settled on a toy with shapes that go into holes in a box - a very mathematical toy I thought. They wrapped it for me, and I headed home.

Caleb finds a first class treasure, a flashlight.

How is it that all children love flashlights?

On the way home Annie called (I think) because she saw that I called. I told her what had happened, and offered to give her and Corey a ride somewhere, as it was getting very very hot for being before noon. They hustled, and were ready when I got there. I took them to the Lloyd Center. Then I went home and took a nap. I don't knew whether it was the heat or the chemo that got to me.

Poor Heidi wasn't doing well in the hear, but Stephane was doing alright.

And Corey was doing alright.

The day just got hotter and hotter, and I stayed in my air conditioned bedroom. Luckily Riley came home on time, or I might have forgotten the party. I'm glad I didn't have to bring anything except the presents and myself. The party was at Green Gables, and it surely was hot there.

Tiah did a lot to help organize the party.

We arrived just as Sarah and Zac arrived with Amalfi's pizzas. There was also chips and dip, friut salad, and a quinoa salad. Now that's only an approximation on that last item. It wasn't long before it was decided we should go down stairs. as it was too hot upstairs.

Caleb really enjoyed his birthday pizza. It was from the exact same restaurant that my 14th birthday pizza was from, my very first pizza.

The basement was better, but when it's 106 degrees outside, nothing is too much better. But the birthday boy was having a good time. He didn't seem to be the least bit bothered about the heat.

He spent a good deal of time practicing his walking.

After eating the presents were opened.

Emily really enjoyed her job as next present picker-outer.

Caleb wasn't too sure of the present he received from Annie and Corey - an animated stuffed baby elephant.

But Emily, Annie, and Sarah were highly amused. Caleb did begin to warm up to the baby elephant.

Caleb and his parents, shortly before they decided he needed to get home to bed.

Heidi and Stephane needed to do some moving (as Heidi still had stuff at Green Gables), so Riley and I took Emily to our house, along with Annie, I think. It was so hot we went out to the pool, where Emily wanted to get into the water. I still haven't been able to find to lovely swimming suit I bought her, so I just took off all but her panties.

She loves being in the water as long as I'm right there.

Annie and Riley also got into the pool. Emily didn't like them to get too close, lest they grab her and take her out into the pool, away from me and the steps.

She had a great time splashing Annie.

Finally I decided Emily was too cold, and I was tired, so I took her out and dressed her in a dress from upstairs, and set her clothes in the front hall for her Mom to collect. They eventually showed up and went swimming - I think. Then they all went home. And it wasn't long before I went to bed. We slept in the room with the air conditioner, as it was sooooooo hot upstairs.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. 

Psalm 4:8

Days Seventy Two to Seventy Five - Exhaustion

Isaiah 35:3-4

Encourage the exhausted, 

    and strengthen the feeble. 

Say to those with anxious heart,
"Take courage, fear not 

Behold, your God will come with vengeance;

The recompense of God will come,

But He will save you."

Started out okay on Friday. They give me steroids on Thursday, so that must be what gets me back to the cancer center on Friday. In the morning, after taking Riley to work, I went to Goodwill, which of course is a terrible indulgence. While there I found four really lovely French dishes, the kind that are sold at Willlams and Sonoma or at my favorite dishes shop in Paris on Alasea. They are called round eared dishes, and they typically sell for about $18 each, but I got four of them for $7. When I can eat food again I want to make coquilles St. Jacques in the dishes, made very simply with mushrooms and white wine. That's one of my favorite dishes.

I also bought a French cookbook that I've always passed up because I thought I already owned it. But this time I said to myself, If I already own it I will give it to Annie. Well it turns out I didn't own it, and it is a very good book. It's called Roger Verge's entertaining in the French Style. He's a very famous chef from the south of France. My copy is the first edition, which could explain some of the confusion as the later editions have a different picture on the front. The author said that this is the cuisine he cooks for his family and friends, not the food from his restaurant.

Lastly I bought two books by Frank McCourt, who died this week at the age of 79.  I had always I might be interested in reading his books, but I was worried that they would be too sad.  But because he died they aired interviews with him on PBS and I could tell his books were sad, but they could be funny also.  So when I spotted two of them on display at Goodwill (they were on display because he died), I bought them, and got right into reading the first on.  'Tis no doubt they're sad, but very engaging.  The two books are Angela's Ashes and 'Tis.  He received the Pulitzer Prize for Angela's Ashes.

I went home and took a nap, and then I ate some lunch, and went to get my white blood cell shot. Then I called Annie, who had called me and wanted to do something. Well of all things she was in a Korean grocery store, which had taken her a very long time to find because she got very lost. So I headed out to 82nd to get her. She was hungry, so we eventually decided to go to MacDonald's, and I had some french fries and spicy mustard sauce and a bit of coke. It didn't taste as good as it did last week. I think that every week the chemo brings my taste buds down a notch. Then we went over to North Portland so that Annie could show me some very interesting shops she had found. That kid really wanders around. And then we went to Sellwood to wander through the antique stores a bit. We also shared a frappoccino from Starbucks. This was probably a big no-no, but it tasted so good.

Somewhere in all of this I had arranged to have dinner with my parents. So I dropped off Annie and headed down town to get Riley and we headed out to my parents place. When we got there my brother George was there. I hadn't seen him in quite a while, and it was pleasant chatting with him. He didn't go to dinner with us, as he wanted to go home. For dinner we went to TeeBows, by Dad's favorite restaurant. I had a little bit of tenderloin steak and a little bit of baked potato with butter and sour cream, and some melon. After eating I was very very tired. We dropped my parents off and went home and I laid down. I think it was too much for my system to digest steak, or should I say beef.

I could not get to sleep Friday night. I finally got up at 3 in the morning and read my book. But when all was said and done I had only about 4 hours of real sleep, if that. I think it was because of all the things I ate on Friday.

On Saturday we walked over to Pete's with Ken and Marilyn and I had a Pelegrino, which Riley bought for me at Starbucks across the street. We had a pleasant time, but Riley realized that I was probably too tired to walk back home, and it was getting very hot. So he and Ken walked home to get the car, and Marilyn and I stayed and did all the puzzles in the paper, and we had a very good time indeed.

When we got home Sarah and Zac and Caleb were there. It seems that Caleb needed a nap, and so did I. But I had only a short nap, maybe 40 minutes, and then I got up to visit. Sarah and Zac ate some food from ChaChaCha, which looked yucky to me. I can't remember what I ate. But I know that Riley went down town to work. Eventually the Enochs left and I decided that I really needed to sleep, so I took an Atavan, and I slept for quite a while.

Saturday night I did sleep better, and I didn't wake up in time for church at 9:15. But we decided we'd go at 11 and Riley made blueberry muffins and I made my buttered scrambled eggs, so we had a nice breakfast. We did make it to church on time. But that was kind of it for me for most of the day. I was tired, tired, tired. We did stop over at Heidi and Stephane's for a while, and they did come over to our house to go swimming in the evening. But even while they were still here I had to lay down. I don't think they really understood. I hope they weren't offended.

We did watch a Miss Marple Mystery before going to bed, and then I slept like a rock. And when morning came it took some effort on Riley's part to get me up. I ate my breakfast and went back to sleep. I slept all morning. Then I got up and made myself a fruit smoothy, and then I went back to sleep again. It's mind-boggling to be that sleepy. And even when I wasn't out I could only lay on the couch and stare out at things, feeling all the while as if I were asleep.

Riley made me some baked custard, but when he decided he needed to go to the pool store the custard was still baking.  So I said I'd take care of it some how.  By about 3 o'clock I woke up enough to get off the couch and come in to the back room and blog. And here I am. I just finished a custard, and it was so good.  But now Riley thinks I should get out just a bit. Never mind that the temperature outside is 100 degrees.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Day Sixty Eight to Seventy One - The Shingles and my last red chemo

Psalm 136:1-3 

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,

For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

Give thanks to the God of gods,

For His loving-kindness is everlasting. 

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

On Monday everything went as normal. I can't remember the details, but I do remember that I had decided to pick up Emily at about 4 o'clock from the day care center so that we could come home to my house and make muffins. I got almost all the ingredients ready before heading out to get her. She was delighted to come to my house and cook. She loves to be able to put all the ingredients into the bowl by herself, so I had most things ready, and she quickly recognized what needed to to in when.



She helped put the muffin papers into the muffin pan, but I put the batter in, as she would have it everywhere if I let her do that task at this time. Maybe next year.



She was really pretty good, and I didn't have to chase after her much, but she was excited to see all of her toys again. But we soon go the muffins in the oven and settled in to putting together one of her favorite puzzles while we waited for the muffins to finish.


The muffins son came out, and I put them on the rack to cool.



At one point she said she had to go potty, but she ran upstairs herself. While there, after having gone potty, she suddenly spotted Corey's old room. This stopped her dead in her tracks. She had never seen the room before without it being completely full of "stuff". She went in and examined absolutely everything, and when she was done she said, "This is my room!" She meant it. It was rather amazing. But then she decided to go and see what was happening in the sitting room, another room with her toys in it.

We had a lovely time, but somehow, when all was said and done, I had a terrible back ache. I didn't think that I had hardly lifted her, but my back, especially on the left side, was KILLING ME! I decided that I should go to the chiropractor as soon as possible. Riley called to make an appointment. At first I had my days mixed up, but we got it straightened out and my appointment was with Dr Doug on Wednesday morning. I usually see Dr Larry, but Dr Doug has a slower calmer manner.

Everyone really liked the muffins, except Stephane, because he hates cinnamon. But other than that he liked them.

That night I had trouble sleeping, and when I got up in the morning I realized that I had a bumpy rash in spots just under my bra line on the left side. So when I drove Riley to work he insisted that we stop at the Pharmacy on Burnside, where Heidi used to work, and where we know the pharmacists. I was able to show the rash to the pharmacist and immediately upon seeing the rash he told me to go to the doctor.

So as soon as I dropped Riley off I headed to the cancer center. I was immediately shown to the nurse, who then quickly got the doctor to look. He promptly told me that I had shingles, something that happens to chemo patients. He explained what it is and how you get it. I was given a prescription for an antiviral medicine, and I went straight to Fred Meyers to have the prescription filled, and then I immediately took the first dose.

But for the whole day I was in misery. The doctor had explained that I was not to expose old people or young people who hadn't had the chickenpox. At some point in the day Sarah and Zac and Caleb came over for a visit. It was so hard, because Caleb had soooo wanted to come over and see his Nana. It's so hard when you can't explain to them what's happening.


So to distract him Annie took him into the pool. He had a wonderful time.


Then, when he came back inside, he did his level best to show me that he can walk. Every time they let go of him he went straight for me, either walking or crawling.





Finally they left, because Caleb wasn't going to give up, and we certainly didn't want him to get the chicken pox.

I was still in terrible pain, and that night I had a terrible time sleeping. I just couldn't get comfortable. Either the back hurt too much, or the front hurt too much. But I had my chiropractors appointment at 9:15. Dr Doug gently ran his fingers up my spine and stopped right at the place that really hurt. It's amazing how they can tell where you hurt. He then worked on me for a while. I still hurt when he was done, but it's always that way. You don't feel really good right away.

I struggled with pain for the rest of the day, but I woke up on Thursday with no pain at all in my back, and only a little pain on the rashes, which definitely seemed to be subsiding. Praise the Lord!!! It seemed that what the chiropractor did stopped the back pain, and the medicine from the oncologist was subsiding the rashes. I read on the Internet that the way to get the upper hand on shingles is to catch it right away. I think if we hadn't stopped at the pharmacy to see the pharmacist that I'd really be in trouble. God is soo good.

So Thursday I had chemo number four. That's the last of the red stuff. Supposedly the next for sessions are easier. We'll see. Riley went with me because I was nervous about the shingles. Thought I was so glad not to be in pain, and my doctor said he thought the chemo was working, and he also told me not to drink raw milk. Now that was a bit of a disappointment. Once you've had raw milk, the other stuff tastes rather bland. But never mind - the most important thing is that I completely get over this cancer, so whatever the doctor says I'll be agreeable.

It turned out that my oncology nurse for the day really likes baseball. I was put into a private room, so that I wouldn't give anyone shingles, and there was a TV in the room. The nurse asked if I'd like anything and I asked if she could get the baseball game on. She had it on in no time. It turned out that she is a big baseball fan. We had a great time talking baseball, and it was a very good game.

Seattle Mariners closer David Aardsma, right, is congratulated by catcher Rob Johnson after recording his 24th save of the season after their 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers in a baseball game, Thursday, July 23, 2009, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

After the chemo session we went home and we both took long naps. I don't know what it is, but after the chemo I'm tired. You just sit there in the lazy boy, so I don't know what it is except perhaps subliminal tension.

Psalm 8:3-4

When I consider Your heavens,
       the work of Your fingers,
       the moon and the stars,
       which You have set in place,

what is man that You are mindful of him,
       the son of man that You care for him?

Day sixty Six - Ian's Wedding

Genesis 2:20-22

The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.
So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.
The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

It was obviously going to be a beautiful day.  The sun was shining brightly, and the air felt nice.  We had purchased the present last night, and it just needed wrapping.  All of our daughters were being to the wedding, and the ones riding with us were to be ready to go at 1:15, as the wedding was a 2.  We had been later for his sister's wedding and ended up sitting in the very last row.

All my girls at the reception

In the morning I was sewing a white scarf to go with something to wear to the wedding.  And Riley was doing wash and probably working some in the garden.  The garden always needs some tending in thing hot weather.  I got the hot finished in plenty of time, and then I went upstairs to try on different outfits for Riley's approval.   Eventually we settled on a red Laura Ashley sailor dress.  The only problem was that it hadn't been worn in years, and really did need to go to the cleaners, but oh well...  Then we each made our own lunch - Riley made a sandwich and I made a fruit smoothy.  

Peter and Ellen, I don't know where Debbie went.

At some point I told Riley we better find out what the girls were up to.  Now this was about 45 minutes before we were to leave.  They were at the Lloyd Center shopping and they thought they needed to have something to eat, and they weren't dress for the wedding yet.  Well I don't know how, but some how we all got in the car to go on time, and that included Sarah, who showed up just in time to run upstairs and change her clothes.  She had driven from Sisters that morning.  Zac was still in Sisters helping his Dad with a wrestling tournament, and he had Caleb with him.

Hien and Quah's families in part.

A far left in Natban, my brother's son,

then Quah and Mimi, and in the center is Jane,

and at right is Tran and Hien.

We arived at the wedding with plenty of time to spare.  We all occupied ourselves wandering around inspecting things.  In the lobby it was set up for the dessert reception.  There was a huge chocolate fountain, with all the things to go with it, and lots of plates of cookies, many of them obviously make by friends of the bride.  But that seemed like a nice touch.  There was not cake, apparently that was for later at the dinner.

Riley and David and Peter.

My brother bill was in pretty good spirits, and told us we were to sit up in the family area.  So when it came time to be seated that's were we went.  At first we couldn't find where our daughters went, but we finally spotted them and had them come down and sit where we were.  Eventually Heidi arrived and joined us.  For Riley and I it was really nice to be sitting in church with all our daughters with us.  

Just Hien's family, Tran, Jane, Hein and Erica.

The wedding was a very nice one.  Not too long, not to cheesy.  But highly orchestrated nonethe less.  When it was over they didn't let our section go.  It seemed they wanted photos.  But then it was realized that we weren't meant to be part of those photos, and we were dismissed.  Out in the lobby we quickly found other family members - my parents, my brothers David and Peter, Peter's wife Debbie, Hien and Quah's families, and my ex-sister-in-law Ellen.  I had a great time talking with everyone.  But eventually Riley wanted me to leave and go home and take a nap before going to the wedding dinner.  It took a while, but he finally got me out of there.



It also too a great while for the bride and groom to finally make their appearance.  The family pictures took a long time. And on the way out more people wanted to talk with me. That's always nice. But we all went home and I did take a little nap. When I woke up I decided that because it was such a hot day i would wear light pants and a tee shirt. I made it look as dressy as I could. It was really hot that day. Riley and I drove out together, Annie and Corey went in Sarah's car, and of course Heidi and Stephane came in his car. The girls all beat us out there.

My Mom chatting with the mother of the groom, my sister-in-law Jill.

The dinner was on what Riley calls a ranchette. It was something. There was a crew for directing parking, a crew for serving hors d'ouvres, a crew for serving wonder non-alchoholic cocktails, a crew for cooking, and a crew for getting out the dinner food. It was quite something. i think there were about 15 tables for 10. When we first got there we couldn't find the girls. It turned out that they were in a lovely seating area with just our family members back there - that includes cousins and such. It was ever so pleasant. At first i turned down the cocktail, but then I had a sip of someone's and i said I'd have one. It was soo good. Eventually i had another one.

My Mom looked great that day. 

She and my Dad and brother's Peter and David did not go to the dinner, 

but went to my Dad's favorite restaurant instead.

Eventually we sat down for dinner, maybe at 7 o'clock. My Dad would have been really really hungry by then. We all hat name tags. Oh, I forgot to mention, by this time it was very apparent that Zac was not going to be able to make it, as his car had broken down. That was unfortunate, especially as there was dance floor, and he and Sarah would have loved to dance. And also,, Zac would have liked the food. But as it was we all had a great time. We were particularly fortunate that our table was in the shade. Unfortunately my camera battery died, so I didn't get pictures. Riley had meant to bring his camera, but forgot it.

Heidi texting Stephane and Sarah calling Zac.

We had three empty seats most of the time at our table. Two of those seats were occupied by two young boys, Christian (Nathan's son) and Austin (Will's son). I quess those boys are second cousins to my daughters, and cousins to each other. I tried to help them join in, by they were socially not up to the task. When the food was brought out they decided that they didn't want to eat it and they wandered off in the direction of the car-park. But their place was soon taken by my nephew Christopher, who is really a one of a kind person, and a delight to talk to. He's the younger brother of the groom.

My dear brother Bill "loving his nieces to pieces"

Eventually Christopher left, but then my brother Bill showed up. He's the father of the groom. He is equally as amusing as his son, and it was really fun to have him sit for a while at our table. He later brought over his grand-daughter Addison, who is not yet one. She sat on my lap for quite a while very comfortably, and i really enjoyed that. Addison was wearing a dress made from the cut off hem of the dress her grand-mother (the mother of the groom) was wearing.

Addison with her mother Merideth at the wedding. 

I got this picture from Merideth's facebook.

There was some theatrics, but then the cake was served, and it was delicious. There were several kinds, and I was given blackberry, with of course I really liked. Then we all headed home. A very pleasant day had been had by all. I never did get tired. That was probably due to adrenalin.

Genesis 2:23-24

The man said,

         "This is now bone of my bones,
         And flesh of my flesh;
         She shall be called Woman,
         Because she was taken out of Man."

 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Day Sixty Three - Riley accidently locks me in the house

"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; 

He will be with you 

He will not fail you or forsake you. 

Do not fear or be dismayed."  

Deuteronomy 31:8

So I started out the day pretty slowly.  Riley left early in the morning to take the car into Beaverton Honda, because he thought maybe something was wrong with the car.  I was doubtful, but that didn't count for much.  Well anyway, when I was finally up, and wanted to go out the front door I found it locked.  So I got my key, and of all things it would not turn.  I could not open the door.  I was locked in.  So I went to find the key to the back gate, but it was no where to be found.  I was locked in.

Our crumby from door locks.

So I tried to call Riley.  He could not be reached, and I just left a message.  Knowing that you can't get out is a very distressing thing.  I tried to be okay about it, but it wasn't easy.  I began to get depressed and stressed about my condition.  I began to think maybe I was just going to die anyway.  It wasn't good.  So I decided I better occupy myself somehow.


I set about trying to make a new head scarf.  First thing, I needed to draw up the pattern.  And then I needed to choose the material.  Then I also decided that I'd watch a movie while doing this.  The first movie I watched was The Blond Bombshell starring Jean Harlow.  At first I thought it an odd movie, which in fact it was, but by the end I was rather enjoying it.  I think Jean Harlow is a female version of James Dean.  

I wish I could have some mirabelles, but you can't find them here.

Then I tried to make something to eat, and I was completely unsuccessful.  I made soup and hated it.  I probably ate fruit instead, and not really enough.  I struggle the whole day with eating.  I need to solve this problem.  

Jean Harlow in The Blonde Bombshell

Then I worked on making a new scarf.  I was actually successful.  It took a lot of figuring, and my fuzzy brain was a bit slow, but I eventually got it.  It was a little smaller than the one I bought over the internet, but it basically came out the same.  I felt good about that.  


Then I decided I'd watch another movie.  I sometimes set a bunch of movies to record on the DVR, and then it takes me quite a while to get them watched.  Actually I'd say that I probably delete 40 percent of them.  I actually delete one today.  It was called The McGuerins from Brooklyn, and I couldn't believe how raunchy it was.  It wasn't long before it was deleted.


A bit later I settled into watching The Kennel Murder Case starring William Powell, who I always enjoy.  It was a Philo Vance mystery by S. S. Van Dine.  The plot was riddled with holes, but I always find Powell amusing so I put up with it.  Van Dyne wrote a huge amount of books, and I wonder if they are all so full of holes.  Ogden Nash once wrote a poem about Vance "Philo Vance, Needs a kick in the pance".  And the author of the Philip Marlowe private detective books said of Philo Vance "the most asinine character in detective fiction."  Luckily, I think that William Powell improved on the character, they just didn't improve on the plot.  

But with the movies over and the scarf made I didn't know what to do with myself.  I did spend some time feeling sorry for myself, which is never a good think.  I even watched a couple minutes of news.  That's also never a good thing.  Riley finally got home just before 7.  He had had to go out to Beaverton on the Max to pick up the car.  Turns out that nothing was wrong with it, but he had them do a bunch of stuff anyway.  He always likes to do that.

Emily on free ice cream day

I don't know what we did for dinner, but we did walk over to Mio Gelato because it was $1 night because of their birthday.  But it was a little hard to get me to be very cheery.  Actually, my mouth has developed a rash on the inside of the gums, and I've got a bad soar throat, so that has not helped.  But at Mio Gelato I had a nectarine gellato and it was really delicious.  It is an absolute joy to me to eat something tasty.   I ate about 1/3 of my dish, and Riley finished it, much to his delight also.  

Psalm 27:13-14

I would have despaired unless I had believed 

     that I would see the goodness of the LORD
     in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
     Be strong and let your heart take courage;
     Yes, wait for the LORD.

Day Sixty Two - Heidi's birthday party at my house

Romans 12:9-13

Let love be without hypocrisy. 

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Give preference to one another in honor;

   not lagging behind in diligence, 

fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

rejoicing in hope, 

persevering in tribulation, 

devoted to prayer,

contributing to the needs of the saints, 

practicing hospitality.

We had told Stephane that he could bring the kids over and we'd watch them while he took Heidi out for dinner for her birthday, and then when they came back we'd all be here for cake and presents.  He agreed to that.  Then all I had to do was get a cake make.  Seemed easy enough.  Not.  I was still very very tired, or should I use the word lethargic.  Except lethargic is from the Latin for "forgetful".  That's not it.  How about torpid.  Or I could use Lauren's word - fuzzy, very very fuzzy.

Emily help set the table for the birthday party by setting up these doll, which represent my four daughters: Heidi, Annie, Corey, Sarah

I think I must have given Riley a ride to work, because in the morning I went to New Season's.  I wouldn't have gotten into the car on my own volition.  It just wouldn't have happened.  To at New Season's I imagined I would buy food, as we were running out of it.  But the only kind of food that interested me in the least was fruit.  Some aisles I couldn't even go down, like the canned goods aisle.  The meat and fish didn't interest me.  Bread is yucky.  So finally I decided I would buy some ice cream for the birthday party.  This took me a very long time to pick out.  I finally settled on Breyer's mint chocolate chip.  This is because as a child Heidi could not eat ice cream with chemicals in it.  And even at New Season's it was hard to find.  I imagined that I would make a chocolate bundt cake to go with the ice cream. But I had also imagined that i might buy a cake. But that is so not me. But I wondered over to their bakery section to see. Nothing was a viable option. Mostly vegan stuff. Eventually I made it out of the store. It wasn't that I so liked being there, but I was just so slow.

Emily and Papa waiting for the party to start

On the drive home I wondered where one could buy a really decent small birthday cake. Only Zupan's came to mind, and I wasn't up for the drive. So home i went, up the critical food away, and took a nap. I kept vaguely thinking that I would get around to thinking about the cake. I had to decide which one. I didn't now what to eat for lunch. The whole day was kind of in a fog. I kept hoping a daughter might show up and help. Finally, at four thirty Sarah called, having just remembered that I had suggest I might like some help with the cake. She said she would be right over, which meant a half hour. Well this was a good thing.

Sarah and Caleb also waiting for the party to start

Buy the time she got here I had decided that we would make the cake part of my traditional birthday cake. No ganache and no whipped cream, just the cake. I had strawberries and mint chocolate chip ice cream. That should be enough. We went right to work as soon as she got here. I sat in the back room at my computer and gave instructions to Sarah. Between the two of us we produced a lovely cake.

Chocolate Birthday Bundt Cake

1/2 cup cocoa, best quality (40 gr)
1 cups boiling water

1 1/4 cups flour (5.5 oz)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup of butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
3/4 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Thoroughly grease and flour a medium sized bundt pan.
Combine the cocoa and boiling water and let sit to cool somewhat.
Combine the dry ingredients.
Cream the butter, sugar, and eggs. Then add the vanilla.
Alternately add the dry ingredients and the cocoa mixture to the creamed mixture.
When you take the batter bowl from the mixer, use a rubber scraper to make sure all the ingredients have been well combined.
Pour batter into the bundt pan and bake for about 45 minutes. When a pick comes out clean it's done.
Let cool 10=15 minutes, then turn out onto a plate or cooling rack.
When ready to serve dust with icing sugar.

Sarah brought out the cake because she's the one who made it.

Well nothing went as planned.  It turned out that someone wanted to buy Heidi's refrigerator, so that needed to be attended to immediately.  The also, Stephane had been waiting for days for an electrician to show up, so this evening he did.  Apparently the electrician had previously crossed some wires, so when they went to turn the heat on, the lights went on instead.  So obviously that's a problem that needed to be attended to immediately.  It turned out that Corey got the job of helping the refrigerator buyers manage to get the refrigerator out of the house.  No small feat.  So in the end she never made it to the party.  :(<

Heidi opens presents while Annie passes around the cake. 

The cake must have been good, because there wasn't any left.

Heidi eventually depostited the kids with a bag of food from MacDonalds.  I have absolutely no idea what the rest of us did for dinner.  And when Riley asked Stephane what they did for dinner, Stephane said "You don't want to ask!"  

Emily having tea with her cake.

Well finally, as about 9 o'clock Heidi and Stephane showed up, and we had all gotten the birthday party ready.  It was of course not a real surprise, but we pretended.  We all had a fun time, and I'm sure Heidi enjoyed herself.  Eventually everyone left and I was glad to go to bed.

Superbaby, or a future circus act.

1 John 5:3-5 

"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.   Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"