And The Fun Goes On!

 As you probably know already that my big birthday bash was postponed due to Covid. I had the intimate dinner with family on my actual birthday (Jan. 6th) but this one was to include my friends. Shirley outdid herself. I knew she would. It's in her genes!!! 

There were surprises for me and lots of great food, fun, music, a slideshow of my life playing on the tv. It was great and I appreciate my Dietz family so much for such a wonderful celebration.

                                                        The honoree's table! 

My family (daughter Shirley and her gang)

Some of the guests. 

   I'm about to dive into the 'goodies'. 

Grandson Kenny and wife Bethany provided this 'spread'. It was sooo good and looked so pretty.

Granddaughter Brittany did the fruit tray. I don't think I've ever seen one more beautiful or more tasty.

Shirley calling bingo. She replaced the numbers on bingo cards with facts about my life. That was a hoot. 

My request.... a German Chocolate texas-sized cupcake!

Fighting Again

                                           Yesterday was different!! 

I started my radiation treatments for my breast cancer. Didn't know what to expect, it's new ground I am walking on these days. 

My granddaughter brought me lunch then she drove me over to the hospital. It's only about 3 blocks away and I could have done it alone but it certainly was nice to have support. 

Having gone through chemo years ago, I have to say that this was totally different. Easy. Now, it might get harder as I go along but it will be nothing like what I went through before. I did that and I can do this!! 

There's a Ghost In Here!!

When we lived in the big house (before here) it was so  big I was forever losing things. I never knew where I'd find whatever it was I was looking for... was it upstairs? in the laundry room? maybe the living room. To cover up the fact that I was the one who lost it in the first place, I told everyone we had a ghost. 

Myrtle wasn't mean, she was just mischevious. She'd take my stuff and hide it from me. When she'd tire of the game I'd find whatever I was looking for lying in plain sight. She caused me more aggreviation and more steps than I could count. 

I was often heard saying 'Myrtle, you go get (what it was that was lost) and bring it here right now'. Of course the kids thought I was nuts. 

Well, Myrtle hasn't been around in a long time. She doesn't like apartment living evidently. But, at Christmas that ghost was in full swing. I lost a monetary gift I was giving. Never did find it. 

Then my debit card went missing. And, then my driver's licence. 

Myrtle has turned a deaf ear to my plea.. 

So, yesterday I ordered me a new debit card and driver's licence. Unfortunately I can not 'order' another hundred dollar bill I was gifting someone. I hope Myrtle is having a high time enjoying that one!

What is Age? Just a Number!

 Yesterday's dr. appt was interesting. My surgeon sent me to a radiation therapist. 

Having breast cancer has been quite the journey and I did worry about 'what if it came back?' sort of thing. I feel very good about decisions I made during the appt. and am so ready to feel easier about the whole process.

This week sometime I will be given my first appt. to start radiation. I will get 20 sessions (5 days a week for one month). I'm good with that. And, hey, it's wintertime. What else was I gonna do with staying indoors during these cold months. Right? 

Now, on to other things. I felt so good when I woke up this morning. Each morning I write in my journal my thoughts of the previous day. Do you keep a journal? I have for most of my years. 

Anyway, I wrote 'I don't feel 90. I don't look 90. I don't act 90. So, today I am 70!' I think that each day I will choose an age I want to be for that day. Days I might not feel as well I could be 95 or 100. Days I am really 'on my game' I could be 60 or younger. I think this will be fun, choosing my age each morning and acting that way all day. 

We (Shirley and I) have decided that we will do something very special every month this year. Something I want to do and haven't. Or something very different and not usually done by people my age. Oh, I forgot. I am 70 today. This project will be a hoot and I can't wait to get started. Do any of you have any suggestions that I might try. Here are some ideas we are tooling around with.

1. Learn to eat with chopsticks

2. Surf fishing

3. lazy river tubing

4. maybe zip lining (we'll have to see about that one)

5. sledding in the snow

6. a ride in  snow in a horse drawn sleigh

7. Try strange, new dishes

8. Searching for sea glass    etc,, etc. 

Now, don't you all go suggesting I go sky-diving or wind-surfing. That 'ain't' gonna happen. 😁

My granddaughter skydiving. Not me, for sure!

Take care and if you are in this really cold weather most of the U. S. is experiencing, please be careful, stay warm, stay well.. Have a cup of hot tea and think of me. Love you all. 

An Adventure in a Lifetime

 Man, it's foggy out there this morning! And, there is rain coming in soon. I wouldn't mind it so badly if I didn't have a dr. appt this morning. At least Shirley is coming to take me. 

Shirley is so funny. Although I am still very sharp (and can drive myself to the dr.)  she likes to go with me to the doctor appointments. 'Four ears are better than two', she says. And, she's probably right but I didn't invite her to go with me to my wellness check up and a routine followup with my surgeon and she was pouting about it. That girl!! What am I gonna do with her.!

I am still struggling at getting back on my normal routine - after all the visitors, Christmas, my birthday etc. This morning I noticed that all five of the large floral arrangements that I had received for my birthday were shot so I started throwing that out. Now, my floor is covered with bits of dried leaves, stems ... what a mess. I guess I should sweep it up. 😃

I have been looking at my granddaughter and her son's pictures from New York City. Susan, who lives near the city, and her 2 boys went with them. It was D's 13th birthday and his first trip to the City. 

My grandson and my great-grandson (the birthday boy looking out over the city) at the Edge in New York City. 

This photo I got from googling 'The Edge'

If you don't know what the Edge is... it's a platform projecting out of a building with slanted glass walls and a portion of the floor is glass so you can look straight down for 100 floors. I would imagine the feeling would be similiar to floating in space. it's high above the city. You ought to google it. Have any of you been? I was just wondering. It's not on my bucket list. 

My Week In a Nutshelll #2.

                      Here it is... Saturday already and time for                                                                       My Week In A Nutshell.

                                Looking out my window....

Too often I see fire trucks, rescue squads, etc. sitting outside my window and I worry about which one of the residents is involved this time. Sometimes, it is a minor thing and the EMTs are soon on their way, sometimes they rush people to the hospital and ever so often someone passes away. Living in an environment with this age group (55+) there is bound to be problems that are health related. I am so grateful that we have help nearby... firestation and hospital very close. Help is there when we need it. 

Thinking About 

My kiddos who are stuck in Washington D. C. trying to get a flight back home to Oregon. Storms in the Northwest have planes grounded, flights delayed for days. What a trial it must be for them. 

Something New This Week

I have been smothered with love, flowers, food, family and more love. My birthday couldn't have been more exciting. I am so blessed to have such a loving family and friends. 

What I'm Reading

"Last Night" by Luanne Rice. I seem to be stuck on murder mysteries lately. Do you like that genre or do you prefer something else? 

For years I have had a very bad digestive system... it runs in my family! Ugh. The more I find out about gut health, the more I want to do something about being gut-healthy! 

Are you familiar with how bad bacteria in your digestive system can affect your over-all health? Well, I am going to do something about mine. I ordered a book about fermentation of food. Fermention is so good for you... yogurt, sauerkraut, pickles, cheese, veggies etc, etc. So, I read that as well. 

I'm Looking Forward to...

Getting my house back in order. It's amazing how trashed it got during all my birthday partying and visitors coming and going. I hate a trashed house!! I'm making progress! 

Onward and Upward!!

Let The Party Begin!

                                                                                                                           Oh my Word!!!! 

What a birthday. The family started arriving Thursday night and again on Friday.

Saturday came. I had no idea what those kids were up to. Just knew we were going to dinner. I couldn't have been more surprised or pleased. 

Michael and I walked into Harper's Table (which I had never been to) and there was a long table set for all of us. Next to it was this adorable display table... 

My granddaughter, Yvonne, outdid herself with the details of every aspect of my party. 

The cake was incredible... white cake with lucious strawberry buttercream icing. 

Some of the family had not seen each other in years so there was a lot of catching up to do. 

and, of course there was a lot of laughter and fun.

It was an incredible birthday and one I will always cherish. 

And, guess what... Shirley had covid so her family was missing so there will be more to follow.. 

In fact, we have something planned for every month of this, my 90th year! 

My Week in a Nutshell

                                                                                                                      My Week

First of all let me say how much I appreciate all the well-wishes and support during this blasted Covid that's messing up my birthday celebration. I love you all and thank you so much.

                 Looking Out My Window....

I wasn't actually looking out my window this morning but I was standing on my balcony, buck-naked except for a towel wrapped around my wet, dripping body (I'd just gotten out of the shower) and waving frantically to my New York kids that had just flown in. That must have been a sight to see!! And, it breaks my heart that I can't hug them... but I'm working on getting well enough so that I can.

(this is not a picture of me this morning... nobody wants to see me in a towel!! This shot was taken when this Covid mess started back in 2020 and I was isolating myself.)

                     I Am Thinking About....

How life can just throw the craziest curve balls at you when you least expect it. The way I look at it, you better be ready for anything, just in case😁

                   Something New This Week....

Let's see, it is hard to have much new going on when you are holed up in a small apartment. About all I can think of is that my son cleaned off the top of my fridge for me. He said it was in a mess. Since I have 'shrunk' in height, I can't see up there! Glad he could and fixed it for me.

                     What I'm Reading...

Have any of you read 'Carnal Innocence' by Nora Roberts? Oh, lordy. You really should, especially if you are southern bred, love a good romance and murder mystery book. It was my entertainment while I was stuck in bed and I couldn't have wished for better. I can't decide what to read next. Any suggestions? 

P.S. Oh my gosh, I just discovered that 'Carnal Innocence' was made into a movie! Guess what! I'll have to watch it. 

Words on Technology

 13 years ago on this day my husband left this earth for a better place. He's been on my mind all day. 

I miss him so much. Always will.

I feel so much better today. I even packed up all my Christmas stuff... Oh, I forgot ... the wreath is still on the front door.  I'll grab that later. 

I haven't done my covid test today. When I take it, I hope that thing is negative!!  I managed to escape that nasty stuff all through the pandemic to get it right now. Just doesn't seem right to me. But, I wasn't asked. haha. 

I hope all of you are having a beautiful start to the New Year. I am going to catch up on the beautiful part very soon.

My words of wisdom for this Wednesday:

"Technology has taken away the art of true communication. "

The Best Laid Plans of Men or Mice!

 My New Year started off in the most horrible way.

Hope that's not a percursor to what's ahead in 2024. 

I mentioned in my last post that I had gotten sick Christmas night and had been coughing, sneezing etc, etc. My son got it, too and we just thought a head cold. 

Then the shoe fell.... or bucket dropped .... or whatever you want to call it.

Dau. Shirley called to say she had tested positive for Covid and that Michael and I should test as well. 

Michael was negative. I was not. 

                           Now, here's the kicker. 

A huge 90th birthday party had been planned for me for this weekend. I had family flying in from New York and Oregon (tickets already bought, plans made), neices driving in from Tenn. Invitations had been sent out. Balloons and streamers bought, a pictoral slideshow had been assembled as well as a playlist playing tunes I've enjoyed over the years. Friday night was to be an elaborate dinner with family, Saturday a big party with friends and family. 

                                    Guess what!! 

No party. My family will fly in. There will be a lot of mask wearing and distancing. 

I'd planned to dance with all of my grandsons. That won't happen. 

I could just punch a hole in the wall I am so upset. 

                         So, on to plan B.

This year is a monumental one. 90 years on this planet and still going strong! So, I have decided that I will celebrate all year long!