2013 July 25 Clinic visit and Phoenix

This busy month has been flying by. A wonderful Sabbath afternoon visit with our nephew Ryan, his wife Shanna and their darling little boy Asher, was a delight. They are on their way to assignment in Alaska-a real switch from southern Texas!

Mark and Tina were here the same weekend, so we were all able to visit with Ryan, Shanna, Kathy and Dan, Kevin and Charles, as well as Kathy's brother and sister-in-law. We enjoyed Mark and Tina's visit, and appreciated Grant's help as Leland finished the retaining wall in front of the garage.  It looks great;  now to find some deer resistant plants for full sun-

That same week, we took Grant home on Tuesday evening, then went to Cher and Todds so we could care for Phoenix for two days, as the regular day care provider was on vacation.  We enjoyed every minute of our time with him.  He is so much fun, smiling, laughing, learning to grasp small things-including his toes.  Of course we have lots of pictures!

Sunday evening of this week, we were off to Seattle again.  We spent the evening with Chaunda at Dash Point Park on the Sound.  It was beautiful, and she had fixed a lovely picnic.




 Then it was off to the hotel, and Leland's appointment on Monday morning.  His blood work looked good, except for a small rise in his PSA, which did not worry Dr. Chen, but it did worry me!  He said it could be a difference in machines, as we had had it done at Portland Adventist last week while we were there.  Dr. Chen ordered another PSA done to confirm, and on their equipment, the PSA showed a drop to 4.3!  That does not seem like much from 4.71, but we celebrate every drop in that number! Especially after a long conversation with Dr. Chen regarding  the next step if the PSA continued to rise.  Another drug, or possibly chemo again. I am so very glad we are not facing that just yet.

We left Seattle for Portland and another day of caring for Phoenix.  What a pleasure and a privilege it is to be able to spend time with him.  We love every moment.

Leland just finished making a new small cupboard for our trailer.  He spent a lot of hours on it, which I will really appreciate when it is time to load up for our trip in a week or so.

We will be gone most of the month of August, so I will not be posting here until we return, and have gone to the next appointment on the 22nd.  We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the family reunion on the second weekend. 

2013 July 5 47th Aniversary and Baby Birds

Friday night and it feels sooooo good to sit down!  We have been attempting to catch up with our outdoor work which has included building a small retaining wall in front of the garden shed, which can be  seen out the kitchen window. We still have some finish work to do around the edges, but it is a huge improvement over a small bank covered with wood chips and perennial weeds always a step ahead of us.

It has been hot by mid-day, so we have been arising by 5 or 5:30 am, pulling on our clothes and dashing outside to get as much done as possible before it gets too hot. Leland has also been working on a larger retaining wall by the driveway pad in front of the garage; a much larger project.  He has the gravel foundation done, the first layer of block down, and the ends nearly done.  I assist him in these project by driving the tractor and little trailer after more materials, then unloading at the job site.  It is wonderful to be able to work hard and accomplish goals once again.

Wednesday  was our 47th Aniversary.  We worked outside for a couple of hours, then cleaned up and drove to Hood River where we had a very nice lunch at the Big Horse Brew House.  We had a table on the balcony 3 stories up with a very nice view of the Columbia River and Gorge.  The food was really good.  Then it was off to Mt Hood and Timberline Lodge.  We spent some time there, then decided to find the Alpine Slides.  We took the the ski lift up, and the little cars down the track-something new for both of us, and a lot of fun.  We drove back to The Dalles where we stopped for supper at Water's Edge Bistro, then headed for home;  a completely enjoyable day.

We had  a little family of juncos move into a basket on the wall under the breezeway and right outside the back door.  The adults made a nest, then laid 4 eggs, all of which hatched.  Within 2 weeks, one of the babies was sitting on the side of the nest, and by the next day they were all out and fluttering around. They were so cute, we hated to see them go so soon.  The parents were very anxious every time we used the door and must have been very glad to get the babies out and away. It was a charming experience, and one we will always remember.

Leland's next appointment with the Cancer Clinic is July 22, after which we will have the pleasure of caring for Phoenix for a couple of days. His day care mom will be on vacation, both Cherilyn and Todd need to work, so we will stand in.  We are looking forward to it!