Friday November 7 2008

Sunset at the Ranch

Sorry I haven't even had the ambition to be taking any pictures of the procedure of getting moved into the house. I have been having the terrible pain in my neck, chest and back that I get each chemo for 4 or 5 days. This time seems worse. I think I'll never get over it, but so far each time it has gotten better and then I'm good again for a while. So Thursday night I spent 2/3 or more of the night dozing off sitting up in a chair with hot packs on my back and neck , laying down is so painful. I'm supposing I'm going to have to ask for stronger pain medicine because I have doubled up on the regular stuff like they said I could. Then I slept most of the rest of the day one way or another.

Debbie left before I even got out of bed to get down to Rock Springs and pick up Curtis (her husband) and Beverly from the airport. The flight was good except for the last 10 or 15 minutes during the landing - it was windy. Debbie shopped a little bit more, picked up lamps we had ordered and exchanged the cookware we bought for a different color before she went to the airport, then they ate some lunch at Flying J truck stop. They went to look at the house first, then got here to the ranch about 5 p.m. They said they liked the house. I took one of my long hot showers sitting on the shower stool and letting the water run over my neck and back. They even had to get their own dinner, leftovers, while I slept some more. Some hostess I am. It's not normal that I can't even cook. It was a lost day for me.

Was very discouraged to have gotten a call from Twila. Joe talked to her so I don't know the details. The three cats we took down to her place all got out of her barn and ran off. Traveler might have been from there, she thought she recognized him so he would know the way back here. What a deal. At least we have tried. The other two females left here are refusing to go in the trap too.

Thursday November 6 2008

More from Yesterday

We were going back to town to work on the shelf paper again. But I'm having my usual bad day after chemo. This time instead of so much in the neck it is in the middle of my chest.Ive doubled up on the pain pills and it does help a little.

This morning we went out to the shed to see if we had another cat, but didn't. We took the three we had caught over to Twila's. Bonnie wanted to meet Twila and came over to go with us. We loaded the big cage into the back of the SUV and drove over. Twila had a big enclosed box horse stall for the cats to be turned loose in. She was all set up for them with a heated water dish and cat food. I took a bag of food over and the rest of the canned cat food that I had left. She might as well use it. When she saw Traveler Twila thought he looked a lot loke a cat she used to have. Remember how he just showed up here, and then would disappear and come back. He is the father cat of all the kittens. So if that is the case, he knows the way back home. It's 5 or 6 miles down there.

We still have two more female cats to catch, Smoky and Tigger. Debbie cleaned the big cage up a little, and hung the old rugs that were cat beds onto the line - I had washed them yesterday. There are a few more dirty ones to be washed and I guess I'll just take them over to the new for the dogs to lay on in the garage so if they are in there it won't be on the cold cement floor.I slept for two or three hours this afternoon, and keep dozing off in the chair, but still need the pills and probably will for another day or so. We might get a few more things packed up to take to the house. The white set of dishes is going over there, plus files and things like that. I also have to get the art supplies together that I want to take. That should be about all. Things we ordered on line are starting to arrive too.

While we were gone to Twila's, Home Depot called and told Joe that the new fridge had been fairly badly dented. If I wanted they would give a discount on it, but I called her back and after discussing it with her decided to have them order another one. She said that if it were hers and was in a place that shows (it is) she wouldn't take the dented one. She thinks another one could come in on Tuesday and be delivered with the other appliances on Wednesday, so no deliveries tomorrow. Why is it always something like this.

I was supposed to get the pump off today but will go tomorrow and I can work on the shelf paper some more if I feel well enough by then. I'll call and get Rocky Mtn. to come and measure for the shades. Need to get the estimates for some kind of fence. Also still have to call Dish TV to get that set up, and that should be it for utilities etc. I have been procrastinating those for too long. Debbie goes to Rock Springs to pick up Beverly and Curtis from the airport. It looks like it will be a very nice weather day for them to fly - maybe still cold though.

TAURID METEOR SHOWER: The annual Taurid meteor shower is underway and it could be a good show. 2008 is a "swarm year" for the Taurids. Between Nov. 5th and 12th, Earth is due to pass through an unusually dense swarm of gritty debris from parent comet 2P/Encke. When a similar encounter happened in 2005, sky watchers observed a slow drizzle of midnight fireballs for nearly two weeks. Whether 2008 will be as good as 2005, however, remains to be seen. In 2005, the swarm encounter was more central; Earth passed through the middle of the cloud. In 2008, forecasters believe we are closer to the outskirts. How much this will affect the shower, no one knows. The best time to look is during the hours around midnight when the constellation Taurus is high in the sky.

Wednesday November 5 2008

Hoback Yesterday

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Up and out again this morning, just not quite as early as before. First thing we went out to see if we had caught another cat and YES Rascal the calico mother cat was in the trap and was she mad. We put her in with the other two, and cleaned up their cage and got them fresh food, water and litter. They seem to be resigned to their fate. Rascal jumped right in and curled up in the cube with Traveler. I gave Twila a couple of calls about bringing them over but she wasn't home this morning.

It was very cold and windy today, and never got out of the 20s. We had another skiff of snow in the night so everything was white, but it got less and less as we went toward town. We went to Ridley's - Debbie let me off and got her car filled with gas then came back to the store to pick me up. We got some cleaning supplies and some baked chicken and salad for our lunch and went on up to the house. Boy the wind was bone chilling every time we were out in it. The house looked great, all very clean, even the vacuum marks on the carpet were all in a line.

Our plan today was to begin getting the shelf paper on. We didn't know how far we would get and it seems like were are somewhat less than half finished. Tomorrow we will go back and do the same thing again, and get my chemo pump off in the afternoon.

Bonnie stopped by and was measuring the walls outside. She said Craig is going to make a housewarming welcome sign for us - how wonderful is that?! So I think I kind of twisted her arm when she asked if we needed any help, and she got one of the linen closets in the hall covered with shelf paper so that was a big help.

We got tired about 3:30 or so and started home. We are seeing a few more deer along the roads now, but not a lot. Maybe this last storm will bring them down. We made some french dip sandwiches and fries for a simple supper. We heard how the elections went, not too happy about all that. And I'm ready for bed tonight. Tomorrow we're down to Twila's with at least three cats, maybe we'll catch another one tonight - we finally decided to take their other food dishes up and just have food in the trap and it worked. Bonnie's going to come over and go to meet Twila with us about 9. Then we'll go on to town to work at the house.

It's the birthday of rodeo performer and humorist Will Rogers, (books by this author) born in Indian Territory in Oklahoma (1879). He made fun of all the leading politicians of his day. He said, "There is no credit to being a comedian, when you have the whole government working for you. All you have to do is report the facts. I don't even have to exaggerate."

Tuesday November 4 2008

Our Horses in Winter a Few Years Ago

Horses in Snow - Bondurant

Today we left about an hour earlier than needed to go to Jackson for my treatment. It was the daylight savings time - all our clocks are't set yet so I was an hour off - luckily earlier than later. We stopped at the Boulder Community Center for me to vote, and this was the first time I've seen such a line - not for most places but for here the 20 people in line was a lot. We don't have voting machines now, but its back to being handed a paper ballot and a black pen to darken in the ovals beside your choices. We sat at tables next to each other or their were cardboard privacy screens, white with stars and stripes, on another table, where the other person couldn't look onto your ballot.

When we left home he weather wasn't bad here at the ranch, but as we traveled on up toward the rim we started into a real winter blizzard. Visibility was awful and at the worst had maybe 4" of slush on the road, not slick at this point. Sometimes the snow was coming down so hard visibility was very difficult. We came back out of the worst of it coming out the north end of the Hoback Canyon. We got to Oncology early so they got me started while the room was still empty. Later on the shuttle brought some of the patients from Pinedale/Big Piney. They had to stop on the east side of The Rim because after we had gone through three semi trucks had gotten tangled up on the pass between The Rim and Hoback Ranches road. The highway was closed for an hour and about 30 cars had to pull off in the turnoff east of The Rim and wait until they got the trucks off the road and the snow plows had cleared the way. We didn't see any snowplows when we were driving, but Al the shuttle driver said they had about six of them working when they went through and that it was very icy. Well we did fine and coming home the road was DRY!! There were still some flurries and cold.

I got out of the chair about 2 p.m. which was good time. Debbie soon came back from her shopping and sightseeing and picked me up. We stopped at a store called Home Again and looked at furniture. I saw a lovely turquoise small desk and chair I might think about going back for to put my laptop on. We're still looking for a couple of twin headboards. Then we went to Smith's for prescriptions and some groceries. We had another load of stuff we're moving packed in the car and went up to the new house and unloaded that. The lady who James asked to clean for us was there finishing up so we met her. She was very nice and did a good job with the cleaning up. Then we came on home. Joe had already eaten, and later we had a little dinner, I forget what it was now. Went to bed pretty early and slept fairly good.

You can observe a lot by just looking around. ~ Yogi Berra

Monday November 3 2008

0 Fog on the Field

FEEL WELL,

HAVE FUN,

REMEMBER THE 11TH COMMENDENT

".......LOOSEN UP"

...........LOVE YA, JW

Wind Rivers from the Muddy Speedway

Pyramid Peak From Hwy 191

Left about 7:30 for Rock Springs. There was some ground fog at sunrise. Stopped at the Country Burgers Cafe in Eden for Breakfast. Their hash browns are cubed french fries - different but good. We went right to John Paras and bought the rest of the furniture we needed - dressers, a small desk, a couple of nightstands and I got a nice small round table just because I liked it. They also have a couple of bar stools that I liked but we couldn't really remember the height of the little bar/counter between the kitchen and dining room, so I have to measure it and call Loni back. And she will put a couple of those on the delivery truck too. All the furniture is coming on Saturday now. We may need another small computer desk and a few miscellaneous chairs.

Next we went to lunch at the Chinese buffet again and it was good. Took Joe over to his VA appointment, which is just a checkup so he can continue getting his prescriptions through the VA. Told him we'd be back in an hour to get him. While he was in there we went over to Walmart to return a bedspread and got mainly some storage baskets and clocks, and one more lamp. We stood in line at the checkout about as long as it took us to shop - the R.S. Walmart is notorious for that.

Back to get Joe and I had predicted exactly what he was going to say - unprintable.

Debbie finally talked him in to going and buying himself a new recliner, which he had been declining all this time. So went to Rushmore Furniture where they have his Lazy Boy recliners and they were on sale. He took the first one he sat in - he only tried one other. So if he doesn't like this one later I won't be to blame. It will be delivered tomorrow.

We started home about 3 p.m. and had some ice cream at Farson. So none of us want any dinner tonight. The mountains are spectacular - shining white with new fallen snow contrasted by dark storm clouds. Debbie put another load in the SUV and we will unload it at the house tomorrow afternoon. Things still feel crazy with what is left to do especially arranging for some kind of fence for the dogs, and getting the Dish TV set up.

It looks like one way or another we'll be gone to "town" every day this week. In the morning Debbie and I will go to Jackson for my treatment and Joe will go to the house and be there when the recliner is delivered - he even volunteered! Am not looking forward to getting in that car again in the morning, or the next morning or the next or the .....
.

Lessons
by Pat Schneider


I have learned
that life goes on,or doesn't.
That days are measured out
in tiny increments
as a woman in a kitchen
measures teaspoons of cinnamon,
vanilla, or half a cup of sugar
into a bowl.
.
I have learned
that moments are as precious as nutmeg,
and it has occurred to me
that busy interruptions
are like tiny grain moths,
or mice.
.
They nibble, pee, and poop,
or make their little worms and webs
until you have to throw out the good stuff
with the bad.
.
It took two deaths
and coming close myself
for me to learn
that there is not
an infinite supply
of good things in the pantry.
.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."(Isaiah 40:31)

Sunday November 2 2008

Ravens on every fence post.

I love it when this happens.

Hope you can see it, you might need to click it.

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Rusty in the cage, he is being so good.

Traveller is in the cube.

Another quiet day. We had a little bit of rain showers. After checking this morning to see if we'd caught another cat in the trap and feeding and watering Rusty and Traveler, Debbie and I took a little walk. So I went about 1/2 a mile. I think that feeling like doing even this is a sign that it is the chemo making me sick and that with the three weeks instead of two I have a little more time feeling o.k than before.

Last night Beverly had a baby shower for Andrea and Shane. I sure wish Debbie and I could have been there. They are expecting their baby in December. Not long to go now and I'll be a great grandma. I didn't think I would be here to see him/her, but now I believe I will. That reminds me that it has been just over a year since I had my surgery, and will soon be a year that I've been taking chemo treatments.

Debbie has been here nearly a month now. It's hard to believe, the time has gone so fast. I love having her here, and she is sure helping us out a lot. And she gives good hugs. We packed a small amount of stuff today. The blue bedroom is stacked with probably another car load. Debbie picked up the pile of raspberry trimmings and burned them. I had meant to do that a couple of months ago, in fact half of it has laid there since last year.

We did some more shopping online. I wanted some of those storage organization baskets and found some that will probably work. They would be useful for underwear and socks etc, until I buy some dressers, and the could sit on the walk-in closet shelves. And for potatoes and onions in the pantry. Later I paid a couple of bills and was able to get online with the new Wells Fargo site. It shut me out the last time I tried, but worked good this time. They don't let you look back very far into your account record, or I may not know how to ask to see it, so I couldn't check a week or two of our account around the time the bank was switching to Wells Fargo. It looks like they have lost my list of payees for bill pay and I'll have to do them all over. Betty called this afternoon for our weekly visit. We fixed chicken fried steak for dinner.

Tomorrow we get up early again and go to Rock Springs, mainly for an appointment for Joe to get his annual check up to get his prescriptions from the VA. We had planned to get tires but I forgot to call them. We'll go see if they have an opening for us sometime during the day. We'll go to a couple of other stores again too. We still have to get a couple of recliners down there.

Seems like the stormy days are to continue for most of the week, but only one day - Tuesday - says snow is likely, the rest of the time shows just a slight chance. We will see. They predicted more over this weekend, but we didn't get it.

Cristy has made a blog site of our Mixed Media show showing one painting from each artist in the show. Here is the link if you'd like to check it out. http://mixedmediaofwyoming.blogspot.com/

Saturday November 1 2008

Behind the House

Cloudy but a fairly nice day. I opened the windows in the studio to air it out and it wasn't too cold. No wind either. Tomorrow might bring more of a chance of some snow showers.

It was a very quiet and relaxing day for a change. I nodded off in the chair a couple of times, so know I'm tired out. We shopped for some more bedding and looked at kitchen things online. The list of needs is just about filled. Some more furniture will be necessary eventually. We went through a few closets and drawers looking for anything that we want to take to the new house, and will do some more of that tomorrow. Otherwise we did very little except some laundry, vacuuming and made a nice dinner with BBQ spareribs. The Mixed Media show was hung today. So if you get a chance be sure to go into the Pinedale library and check it out. On December 3 it moves over to Big Piney for a couple of weeks. I'm anxious to see it myself.

,

PLEASE VOTE FOR THE TAX TO BUILD THE

PINEDALE AND BIG PINEY COMMUNITY CENTERS!

,

I'll SURE be glad when the elections are over, But would like to take an opportunity to say: Please vote for the SPET..... the 1 cent sales tax that will build a new community center in Pinedale and a recreation center in Big Piney. The oil companies will pay 97% of this tax. It will go away for good when the needed money is raised. Part of the money will be building costs and part will be invested in a PERPETUAL ENDOWMENT which will pay for nearly all the expenses of running the centers.

I've heard and seen the letters from people who are against the tax and the centers. However they are wrong when they say we don't need these buildings. Even a small group like Mixed Media cannot find meeting space, adequate space to hang our art show (Yes, we are having our art show the library but it is NOT the proper place for artwork to be hung, i.e. not big enough, not secure, not protected when other meetings are held in the same room daily (we've gone in and seen coats hung on the paintings, or in the case of various meetings skis or other items leaning on the artwork, meeting papers taped onto the frames, children with sticky hands handling the artwork and frames, etc. etc.

We could bring many workshops and conventions to the area with the community center. It will bring thousands of people here to attend events held there. There is no place in town adequate to hang our annual State WAA Convention Art Show of 300 paintings, so it's taken to another town. The new theatre would be top notch for many of the community's performances. Other groups, funerals, weddings, receptions, classes and private or business meetings have no place large enough to meet or that isn't always booked. I continually hear of standing room only at many funerals. Unlike only a few years ago, if you try to schedule a meeting now you will soon give up in frustration trying to find an open facility or one large enough. We need to face the fact that, whether we like it or not, our area is burgeoning. This is a wonderful opportunity to build a beautiful state of the art community center that will serve our region well for years to come. Wouldn't it be dumb of us not to take advantage of this excellent opportunity. Please go vote for the tax. !!

To see how the tax will work please visit http://www.1cent4change.com/