Music Therapy.....Monday

I have quite a collection of musical instruments that I have tried to master at different "stages" of my adult life.  I definitely have a gene for musical talent however when it comes in contact with my adult onset Attention Deficit Disorder- then I move on to other "passions".  Practice, practice, practice...requires sticking to the process.  Not easy for someone like me.


In 2002, I was taking lessons from one of the best hammer dulcimer guys in the area, Rick Thum, but I quit taking lessons when Dave and Songzi moved back from China with baby Dylan and they moved into my basement for a while.  I haven't touch it since then....I think it is time to dust it off and see if I still "got" it.  All the music was memorized - so it may take a little effort to relearn what I knew.
     One instrument that has brought me a lot of fun and laughter is my bright red Ukulele.  I will be playing for ladies holiday luncheon in a week with my sister Judy and friend Sr. Leonette.  We had our second "band" practice last night and we have potential to be a fun addition to their event.  We have found a away to eliminate tough chords so we don't stress out - and we'll bring some holiday cheer to the group.  (Day before my Chemo #3 of 4).  

Senior Lady Having Fun with her Ukulele

   Shout out to my Xavier High School classmate Jane Godfrey (we are FB friends) - who has produced her own musical CD.  I went to hear Jane last month at a coffee house in  south St. Louis and bought her CD for my Nano playlist to listen to during my chemo.  She's an inspiration to me and my musical talent - thanks Jane!
So my message is enjoy the passions that God has put in our hearts and make it fun!

Kill them with Chemo Kindness......

A few of the side effects of chemo that have popped up this round are numbness in my finger tips - feels like I'm playing with dried glue on my fingers, a slight rash on my hand, and a definite decrease in my taste buds.  The whole turkey dinner was not the same WOW this year - all the starchy stuff tasted the same- the vegetables tasted the most pleasing.  So it is time to choose my foods carefully - one of the side effects is also weight gain.
If I am going to "enjoy this journey" - I want to pick foods for myself that increase my enjoyment.  I ordered a side order of Mac and Cheese yesterday at our Snodgrass Picadilly Thanksgiving - and it was darn good!  Also got dessert of Blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.  Also a great choice!

Thought for today.....life is short.....eat dessert first!  Happy Sunday - it's rainy and cold here, a great day to get some sewing projects finished.

Black Friday Causing Stress

One of the benefits for me of blogging is to tell my story and add real life to my breast cancer journey, so when I look back on this time - I will see it was day to day, step by step events and "WHA-LA" the turtle crosses the FINISH line with a tired by happy grin! (i'm the turtle).

Thanksgiving Day was power packed with Family Fun - mixed with two new grandbabies to cuddle and pass around - We took our turkey dinner to Melissa and Jeff - and filled their hospital room with the awesome smell of Turkey Day.  Great Grandpa Bob got to hold Sammie - and get a nice 4 generation picture of baby, dad, grandpa and Great Grandpa.  Priceless!  Quote from GGBob,  "Take it before it cries."  I'm going to guess those words may have been said a few times raising the seven of his children!

Now today is black Friday, and all the TV hype has caused me more stress than my Chemo Treatments!  Living across the street from Walmart's parking lot - adds to further document what TV is telling us - GET OUT THERE AND SPEND MONEY FAST AND FURIOUSLY!  No, NOW!  After I take a little pill to calm me down and make my sails sail smoothly, I'm going to settle in to home crafts - making two twin bedspread from a queen for my bunks - and possible going to knitting store for help with a scarf that I have the yarn, but need a little help with the instructions.  I'm feeling calmer already - Be Safe out there Shoppers, and I do like the campaign - Shop Small on Saturday to support small businesses - looking for a Small Ice Cream Shop!Publish Post

Thanksgiving blessings to all!

No other words are needed today............Mary

Maria and Sammie Hanging out- hospital-side


Double Happiness for sure

Welcome, Maria Rose, Granddaughter #3

New Mommy Mel and Maria Rose - just Chillin out!

A week has gone by since the birth of Samantha Mae, and exactly one week later plus 21 minutes, we are blessed with the arrival of Maria Rose Snodgrass - daughter of Melissa and Jeff.   We were thinking all was progressing even though it seemed slowly,  but the nurse said Maria didn't like being pushed - so a c-section was the next option.  We left the hospital after 10 pm and I'm sure that Melissa and Jeff both needed a very good night's sleep.  I hope it was had.  Can't wait to see little Maria tonight - after her first day of just hanging with mommy and daddy in the hospital.  Yesterday she looked more like Melissa - we'll see if she's changed overnight!  What a wonderful Thanksgviing we will have - filled with more blessings than I can even count!
Mary

Middle of the night posts -

OK , Insominia is not a terrible thing- lots can be accomplished in the silence of the night....(can't think of anything right now).

 Yesterday was my dad's 85th birthday and we hosted his party of "BOB's"  There were 12 at his lunch table of some of oldest friends - with a 4 course meal served by his daughters at Joanne's house.  Five of the guys are names Bob, two John's, Nic, Leonard, Charlie, Don, and Phil.   Mr. Westrich said he wished his kids would do this for him for his birthday- that's a nice compliment!  This is the 4th year they've gotten together for Dad's birthday, thanks to Joanne who has been named "king of the family" by my Grandson Dylan for pulling this off.
Every plate of  food was consumed, lots of wonderful conversation and friendship!  Happy 85th Dad and many healthy happy more!
:) Love, Mary

Friday - Gone Fishing! (not really)

Things I love about Chemo........

1. Chance to read a good book - I read one Chapter.

2. Chance to show off my new grandbaby brag book to lonely nurses

3. Chance to sport my pretty knit cap from anonymous knitter

4. I love the warm blankets!

5. Good time to visit with my BFF Jill Marica Conway.

Let's do this again in 3 weeks.

Mary

Why am I excited today?

This is going to be the craziest thing that I write.....I am excited for my Chemo tomorrow.  Here is my thinking...... I have decided that I will have very few symptoms and after it is over...my chemo is 1/2 over!  I'm going to bring one good fiction book that my sista Judy gave me called, Honeymoon.  Maybe I'll finish the whole book in the 4 1/2 hours of having my "Cocktail" - (that's BC lingo for Chemo juice, FYI).  If they give me the Benadryl again, than I can also be flexible and take a nice long nap underneath my heated blankets.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Other exciting news - Samantha is coming home today - she is going to seem very small in her Loft!  They've been letting her doggies get use to her smell by sniffing on some of her hospital items she's been wearing.  Scarlet is very curious and Cuba says in dog attitude...."Whatever, not my problem!" and moves away.

Can you see from this photo of my and my sisters, we have a lot of  musical talent?

Tonight I have band practice for an upcoming "gig" at a women's luncheon.  Ukulele practice with Judy and Sr. Leonette is guaranteed to be a lot of laughs.  We all love to play and sing together, and we must not care that we are truly are average or less.   We plan on practicing 3 times before our luncheon - these are supposed to be really nice, fun ladies we are playing for and they get to sing along.

New Mommy Monday

Congratulations, Dan and Maribeth - welcome to our crazy family, Samantha Mae.  "Sam" is going to get a brand new play cousin in a week or so.  We were hoping that being around the new baby vibes would bring on labor for Melissa.  What a miracle to see such a calm and peaceful baby with a full head of dark hair - checking all of us out last night as we passed her around to her new grandparents Barb and Papa Joe and Uncle Jeff and Aunt Mel and also "Papa John" (that's what Papa Joe wants him to be called -that name has a ring to it?) and me.
I decided that I should introduce myself to Sam with my Meredith on - but she is going to love my brightly colored turbans that I learned to make yesterday at the "Look Good, Feel Good"  class.  I'll give her something to look at!  I got up early today and downloaded yesterday's pics to Facebook and Walgreens Photo.  Dan's got the really good camera, but my Sony did a nice job too!

So without further ado (a due?)....here is Samantha Mae Snodgrass - 7lb.10oz. 21" long- AKA Sam, Sammy.
Miracles do happen,
Mary

Countdown to Grand Baby # 3.......

I am planning on becoming a Grandma for the 3rd time tomorrow....Maribeth and Dan have to be at the hospital at  eight in the AM - and she is scheduled to be induced then.  I know what you may be thinking.....sometimes it doesn't make the baby be born.   But let's not forget some positive thinking and prayers - all will be well.  I told  Maribeth to enjoy her last day of being a DINK - must be an old term because she didn't know that it used to mean "DOUBLE INCOME NO KIDS".   She also heard several stories over the weekend at Deer Camp - about inductions that didn't lead to a child, or maybe it was many, many hours later.  I hope she gets a good night sleep tonight and doesn't think about the negative stories.  She is a very strong girl, so I know she'll do great and her and Dan will be great parents, for sure.

I was able to get two nice walks at Forest Park this weekend, thanks to some nice warm but windy weather.  I will try to keep up the walking, but I have to say I need a couple Tylenol tonight for a tender back.

Very excited for all that is happening this week - even my Chemo on Thursday because I will be 50% done with Chemo after Thursday.

Blue Eyed  Baby Girl - coming soon!

Mary

Dylan-isms

I spend a lot of time on Skype staying in touch with my grandkids in Beijing - and Dylan who is 9 years old, always has the most amazing things that he says.  I always wish I was recording him - but here are just a few of his thoughts from this week

I revealed my shaved head to them - and then put on Meredith and used a Mrs. Doubtfire voice - "Hello, Children" - he said, "That is so cool that you can have fake hair.  I want one so it can cover my bad hair cuts."

He also said, "I'm so glad you have some hair (I'm not bald yet, but it is not far off.).  I'm sure he'll probably think my bald head is cool too.

Then I told him that I can wear the wig or wear a scarf or a baseball cap or just go with my short hair.  I said they are all optional.  Well the word optional triggered this in his brain -" I HATE OPTIONAL, whenever a parent is told something is optional it ends up in my backpack and it gets so heavy!"  LOL to his thinking.

Then he asked what are we going to do to celebrate Grandpa Bob's 85th birthday on the 19th of November - and he actually said that whole sentence.  I started to say that JOANNE is going to have a dinner for him and his friends at her house......and he interrupted and excited exclaimed...."JOANNE IS THE KING OF THE FAMILY!"  He thinks she is amazing!  He always cracks me up with his deep thinking and wise answers!

Enjoy your Saturday - just got one of my guest beds ready for my Chinese family in December -- (I gave them a touch of the bed comfort like I gave myself...hope they enjoy it when they are here!

Mary

Opening of "Dear" Season......

Just want to let you all know that you are all very DEAR to me - and what better day to let you know this than the very special 11-11-11.  I am not sure why these numbers make me think that the day should be special - I've always felt that number eleven was one of my lucky numbers.  How about you?  Are you going to mark the day in a unique way?  I would LOVE for one of my two  granddaughters to be born today....that helps this G'Ma remember the date more easily....I know that would mess with Dan's DEER hunting plans, but he knows those plans are definately subject to change.

My weekend plans include getting my guest bedroom ready for Dave, Songzi, Dylan and Sofia's  visit for the Christmas break- they arrive in 30 days.  I have a lot of energy and need to take advantage before next week's chemo #2 of 4 which may slow me down for a few days.

Enjoy 11-11-11 - Be Safe!

Mary

Veterans Day Salute to my Dad!

11/8/11 Dad goes on Honor Flight- this picture was
at the Welcome Back Ceremony that got my dad "emotional".
P.S. Last picture of me with MY hair, too.

Release in Progress (Hair falling out)

Like clockwork.......saw a few low hanging hairs and gentle escorted them to the trash.  John decided he was curious and gentle touched a few non-hangers and they too got escorted to the trash....Called Dan.....he is a daily head shaver...woke the poor sick baby up.  He would be happy to shave my head - I would like it done before me and Meredith go for our hair cut so they can truly fit me in my "cranial prosthesis" - This terminology gets the insurance company to pay for it.  The fact that I will be drop dead gorgeous is just one of those perks of this journey! .......A song is ringing  in my soon to be bald head from the Jersey Boys....."Oh What a Day (really Night in the song)....late December back in '63".

I know I can do this........just need to get a new lipstick~!
Love to all,
Mary

Step 2. Dan is a "specialist" in Head Shaving= 2on top, 1 on side

Step 3. I am holding my Souvenir Hair - My Shirt says it all.."UNSTOPPABLE"

Step 1.Melissa cuts off my "pony tails"

Here's Meredith - or is she that chic on the Cooking Channel?

Dinner and White Noise

Not your typical dinner and a movie post........Last night I assisted Melissa (my due-on the-20th daughter-in-law) and Connie her mom - with making meals at Time For Dinner on Manchester.  This is the greatest concept - in less than two hours time - we prepared 24 meals.  Melissa can use them after she comes home from the hospital and has  my new granddaughter to take care of day and night.  I personally purchased 3 meals and 2 sides which were already prepared.  This is a little more expensive than do it yourself - but not much at all.  I would recommend this to anyone who has to bring meals to someone.  Also they have marked the "weight watcher points" on all the meals as well.

So after I came home, I settled down to the movie-The Road to Perdition - really good movie that I need to watch again - missed the first hour of it.  It is a violent "Godfather" type movie. but a very touching underlying story of a father and a son.

I excitedly went to bed around 10:00 to my heavenly fluffiness - however around 12:30 I was awaken by strange noise of someone on a microphone or speaker system outside.  I really don't know what it was - maybe coming from the TV's at Buffalo Wild Wings.  I got the police involved......you all know how John and I were regulars calling the police when we lived in our loft downtown.  OK - but not I am awake - I googled WHITE NOISE and found a free white noise SIMPLYNOISE that I ran on my laptop and put it in my bedroom.   I guess you have to get use to white noise - and still get your snoring husband to settle down~!

Right now I am listing to "A Tropical Rainforest" - may have to try that tonight.  I'll try to not be too crabby today -   ALL WILL BE WELL.............Mary

PS. I picked up Meredith yesterday, but she needs a haircut.  She's not ready for primetime yet, however I did wear her home, just to get her use to me.

Rain, Rain Go Away, Come on Momma's Wash Day (was that Monday?)

My energy this weekend was off the charts for me~and the result was a great Saturday Spa Day and many hours of yummy sleep in my new bed creation.  I wanted to show you the finished product, both for my bed and my latest hair cut.

I am expecting my hair to "release" at the end of the week - maybe it won't - there are no hard and fast  rules with my treatment - so I dare to be different, but I will also embrace the change.

Heavenly Bed...There are 6 perfect pillows behind my vertical shams from China.  The shiny bed coverlet is one of my silk purchases on my last trip to Beijing.  John has dubbed it a slip and slide.  It gentle falls to the floor during the night and then when he gets up he slips on it.  I'll work on that, but this project was about ME sleeping through the night!  This looks like a fancy Hotel - doesn't it?

Mary

Standard Time - Love the Early Morning Extra Hour!

ANNOUNCEMENT: This little girl (ME) slept through the night! (and it only cost me $400 dollars versus $1210.00  for the Westin Heavenly bed system and that does not include my super soft MINK-Like Blanket)  I asked some of my followers their secret formula for a "heavenly bed"  that will keep me sleeping through the night.   And the winner of this challenge is Adrienne Alvis (Melissa's sister)......love, love, love my new bed environment~

Honorable Mention goes to ReRe Noelke for taking me shopping on      Friday night to Bed  Bath and Beyond. Also   another honorable mention  to Joanie, my neurotic hair cutter, who told me about Kohl's pillows that she likes...and it sounded like what I was looking for - limp and very pliable into what ever shape I desire ( and only $5.50 on sale).  I could not be happier with this project!

I need my sleep, I'm going to be  a new grandma  x 2 verryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy  soooooooooooon!

Enjoy  Standard Time,  Everyone- 

Love ya, Mary

I'll take a picture of my bed, waiting on some pillow cases to get out of the wash.

5th of the Month Fairy.....

Just a gentle reminder to do your breast self exam today.  This is not how my breast cancer was discovered, but consider it to be one of the tools in our "girl" tool box.  The more we know about our self, the better our decisions are for health.

 I have an update on my "heavenly" bed - that I will post later.

 I am going to get my full head of hair cut shorter today in preparation of my hair "release" (fall out).  Meredith (my wig counterpart) hasn't arrived yet - she is more shy than I realized!

Have a silly Saturday!
Mary

No crazy dreams - but need your help!

I believe my sleeping environment needs to be altered.  I would like to sleep in a "heavenly" bed as advertised by the Hotels. (I can't pay the price of pure heavenly however.)  Many of my followers are great decorators, and I have slept in some of your beds - and they were very heavenly - I'm going to call some of you out.  Connie, Judy P., Lisa (I'm just guessing), Julie.   Can you give me your recommendation for your sheets, top covers, whatever you've done to make your guest bed or main bed so yummy!  I want to redo my bed this weekend so I get in bed and stay there or at least should want to stay there!

Last night's dream, I was planting in a community garden.  Yes, still, work, but fruitful!

Thanks soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ  Mary

Crazy Dreams....I'm not refreshed in the AM.

If any of you have seen the disturbing movie "Man on Fire" with Denzel Washington, there was a very tense scene  where someone is executed and that was a part of my dream....   The dream started out very innocent as  a very Big Fishing trip.  We needed a lot of big bait - in fact I must have been an important client to somebody, because different hospitals and other Doctors were dropping off big bags of expensive bait which I added to all the other bait I purchased and was cutting into nice size chunks which I think would catch some really big fish.  Most of my dream I was working very hard processing all this bait, and then it had to get to the top of a mountain and I had no idea how that could happen, but all this was interupted by this execution - and I was trying to make sure the children didn't witness it.  When I roll over and realize I'm dreaming, I don't want to go back to sleep and rejoin the chaos.  I'm noticing every night I am working very hard in my dreams for the whole night - I know there is a theme here.  I'll keep logging the night craziness for my own records.  - Sweat Dreams!

My Sleeping Brain!

Mary

One step at a time....

Beautiful sunny day in St. Louis - I need to mentally soak it in.  I don't have any appetite - so I bought a bag of trail mix - sweet and nutty - that seems to call my name.
  Prayers today for All Souls who have gone before us and left us their footprints to follow.  Specially my Mom who I know will be a continual inspiration for my journey and to Sarah Hock -  I wish I asked more questions a year ago, but I didn't know I would love your answers.

Each step today is filled with hope.....
Mary