I love LOVE love sharing photos but occasionally I gotta throw in a post about what’s going on in my head. This one’s it, so if you came for photos just scroll down and you’ll find a posse of them.

I don’t think I can totally blame the weather, although we’re predicted more snow (probably nothing that will stick), but I have just had the blahs. You know I’m a chemo angel, well I lost my buddy a couple of weeks ago and I feel lost. I hope they give me a new buddy soon, but I just keep thinking about the one I lost and their family, how hard this must be on the family.

I also send cards to another person being touched by cancer, although not through the program. A lady I’ve never met, but a friend of a friend’s spouse kinda thing. She is doing great! Much better than expected and it’s awesome. She sent me a nice card a few days ago thanking me and hoping someday we’ll get to have lunch. I look forward to that.

I got another card last week from my Aunt (by marriage) that her mom was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and this whole cancer thing really gets me down. Sometimes I want to throw in the towel and say, “I give!” Sometimes, I just don’t want anymore tests and want to just keep living like everything’s fine and just forget all about fricking cancer. You know? Honestly, I don’t know what I’ll do if it comes back, I just figure I’ll cross that bridge when it gets here. And it totally burns my butt that even if you have insurance, the bills are so outrageous that if I think I want to prolong my life and go through chemo again or whatever, then I croak, my dear hubby is still stuck paying for those extra years I got out of it. That sucks! I ended up being much more expensive than he probably ever thought I was going to be. I wanna scream, “No fair!”

So these feelings about the cancer thing messes with my exercise routine. I wanna get in shape but there are moments, well, a lot of them actually, that I think, “Why?” Who cares if I’m exercising, it’s not gonna win the battle. Ok, enough pity party.

So, where was I? Ranting, oh yeah. I don’t want to go back to my oncologist. I wanna find a different doctor for my testing but hubby has been so busy I haven’t even had a chance to talk to him about that yet. Don’t you think a regular doctor could do any tests required to make sure things stay at bay?

For those of you with hormone issues, what have you found that helps? I know my hormones have always played a huge part in my moods and I have contemplated trying some herbs, but will they help when I have no ovaries?

My head keeps hurting and I’m afraid I’m working on a sinus infection. It sucks! And when the sun does manage to peek out I feel like a vampire trying to hide from its bright beauty!

Hubby has been gone working a lot lately and I will talk to him about the doctor thing eventually, but for now, the little time he’s had home has been spent celebrating Haden turning 16 years old, playing with the grandson and talking about all sorts of other trivial, household type stuff.

Where do all the hours of the day go?! I never have enough hours to get everything done that I want to get done and honestly there have been a few days here that I have just felt overwhelmed and crummy and spent an hour of the day just laying here. And when I get on my computer, I don’t feel like messing with photos, and it keeps giving me some troubles. I’ll be trying to read blogs and it will start acting goofy and sometimes when I’m commenting I’m not sure they are getting saved, or they end up going twice! Maybe I’m getting senile.

Khristiaan (18 yo) moved out last week. I seem to have a hard time with each one leaving. Yeah, it’s great to see them spread their wings but my nest is getting rather roomy. I spent so many years identifying myself as mom that I’ve been having to figure out who else I am. Khris only moved a little over a mile away, which makes me feel better, but I’m a mom, I worry. And he is following the same path as his older siblings, once they leave you don’t hear from them much for a while. But once they get settled you see them more, hope he follows that part too.

In amongst everything else you may have noticed my “buy photo” link is down right now. I’m looking at another way of doing things. That just seemed a little too impersonal and complicated so give me a few days and I should have it up. Thinking about trying the etsy thing, Whatcha think?

I’m still trying to get a photo of that Canadian train car with the kangaroo logo.

We’ll be making a trip to Missouri next month, and thought we’d have a little vacation along the way but not so sure that’s going to happen. We’ll be photographing a wedding in Missouri and visiting family. I’m really looking forward to see Marissa (my step-daughter), she should be getting pretty big with our grandson - yep, she found out today that it’s a boy. She texted me and said, “You were right, it’s a boy”; she’s due in September.

Then I got some awesome news yesterday. Tristan will be getting a baby brother or sister sometime in December. This one slipped by me, no dreams on it yet, but Britney said she told the baby to shhh until she told me. Now she’s given it permission to send me vibes and hopefully soon we’ll know the sex. So by the end of the year I will be a grandmommy times 3! Well, at least I ended on a happy note.

Can you believe I’m 41 and just went to my first baby shower? It’s not that I’ve never been invited, I just have never went.

We met Team Honeybunnies through geocaching and their first baby is due in May. I know the baby bunny is due around the same time as Karmyn’s and I am anxious to see if either baby decides to enter the world on May 24th, my anniversary.

While I was out and about I caught stuck waiting for a train and while I still have not been able to get a photo of what I'm going to ask, I am hoping someone knows what I'm talking about.  We get a lot Canadian rail cars up here and one in particular has given me pause.  Why do some of the cars have a kangaroo carrying a Canadian flag?  What company is that and the story behind it?  I hope you guys know because I am puzzled.

A few of you are much better than I am, I would have never guessed correctly. The name of this art is, The Sound of Music and Heavenly Horns

Here’s the card I made my mom (close your eyes mom). See, it’s not horrible! I am working on getting those photos ready from Oshkosh and they should be up later today. Busy last few days! While I miss you guys horribly (the next few days will calm down and I will have tons of free time to play at your places), I must say that the business has been fun. Ok, back to uploading photos. . .

We finally went out geocaching last weekend. We hibernated most of the winter but there was a really nice day (It’s raining and snowing again now!) and we couldn’t resist. We were walking through a marsh when we discovered the little snake I showed you a couple of days ago.

Haden loves any creature and is not afraid of any of them. He has been bringing me all kinds of things for years. One morning, when he was two and woke up before me, he went into the backyard with his older sister. It wasn’t long before he was at my bedside and I was waking up to a scratching noise. He had a tiny mole in a cardboard box and was tipping it towards me to ask what it was.

Another morning he woke me up to tell me (around his pacifier) that a baby kangaroo is a joey (He watches the Discovery Channel). When he was four the whole family went to White Water in Branson and as we were leaving we lost him. We all split up looking for him, in a panic and he had no clue he had even been lost. He was too busy pointing at the ants he was hunched over, watching on the sidewalk.

We have had our share of frogs, snakes, bees, lizards, etc brought into the house in some sort of container. So you would think I would be used to it by now. But still, when the snake was doing things like this:

And this:

His tongue is out, and he looks perturbed pissed! I happily handed the camera over to Dennis.

Even though he was very well contained by my gentle-handed son.

Waiver: No snakes were harmed in the taking of these photos and while said snake slithered happily away when released, I quickly dashed the other way. Thanx for all those crunches guys, I think they helped me run faster.

Now on to more pleasant things. Anyone venture a guess as to what this is?

Mother Nature is busy weaving an April Fools for us, tricking us into thinking Spring is here then sending us more snow.  Come on, it's April, enough snow already.  Probably, the person being feeling the most tricked right now would be the Sandhill Cranes, who thought it was safe to return.  I bet they wish they had stayed south a little longer.  It's wonderful to hear their unique sounds again but I hope they find some warm place to wait out this weather.

In other news, my mom and dad had a tornado touch down about a mile from their home (Neosho, MO) yesterday.  Their nearest convenience store was demolished so I guess mom will have to drive further for an emergency loaf of bread.  I don't know if anyone was hurt.  I just know my parents are ok.

Did you know that February is National Bird Feeding month? February is one of the most difficult months, nutritionally, for wild birds. In 1994, Congressman John Porter read a resolution in the Congressional Record making February National Bird Feeding Month. In part, the resolution says, "During this month, individuals are encouraged to provide food, water, and shelter to help wild birds survive."

This makes him very happy!

How appropriate that the Great Backyard Bird Count happens February 15-18th . It’s easy to get involved, let’s count the birdies.

Alison thinks I’m yummy! And gave me this cute award so all the world can know how yummilicious I am. She just finished telling the adoption story of her daughter and it’s a read with a happy ending. You’re not too late to catch the second story - the adoption of her son. I would like to take a minute to 1) thank her - THANX! *kiss* and 2) pass it on . . .

• Beccy
• MJD
• Jenni
• Dallas
• Aimee
• Jeanna
• Beth :)

Leanne loves my blog! I love her’s right back. I popped over to her site, thanks to Christine, to wish Leanne a happy birthday and have been hooked ever since. She is extremely artistic and not stuck-up at all (hey, some artsy people are a little aloof). Try her, you’ll like her! So, “Thanx, Leanne!” *wave* and I’d like to pass it on to. . .

• Joy
• Pamela
• Angela
• Jeannie
• Nikkipolani
• L-Squared
• Holly

Andrea passed this award to all of her readers and while I normally don’t snag awards that way, this one seemed different to me. I want to continue to spread the love so I am hoping that everyone reading this post will take it, with love, from me. What a perfect month to pass it along too. Hey YOU, come on, take it, then continue to spread the love!

I have admitted, repeatedly, that I cannot type. I spend more time backspacing than I do creating words, I swear it’s true, and now I have proof:

Touch Typing online

Searches that have brought people to my blog in the last month:

Duct tape on flat tire OR what's kind of bubble gum will blow bigger I don’t think the duct tape will help any more than gum will.

how can i be sure that im being stalked OR signs being stalked OR Lisa is being stalked Why specifically “Lisa”?

shit su You might have more luck with Shih Tzu.

How do I know that ice is frozen enough to walk on I use the rule that if fishermen are on the lake, or vehicles are, then it’s probably safe for me to walk on, although I still get really nervous about it. Like I think my weight might just finish it off and we’ll all sink.

how long have you got left with cancer of the major organs Email me if you need to talk.(((hugs)))

Ola hello OR cute guy pics These guys are the cutest!

broken finger stories I’m sure this wasn’t the most exciting story, but how many kids break a finger twice in one summer?! I actually ran across his x-rays while cleaning out some boxes. I should scan them in.

why can't i say... again? I dunno, why can’t ya?

any variation of chicken george, roots, bertha, alex haley, etc I have even helped a couple of folks via email

I can feel my heart in my ear and I have blood in my stool I wouldn’t think the two are related but maybe you better call your doctor. You can come back and read my blog when you get home. And let me know that you’re ok.

my parents made a porn I assure you that my parents did not make a porno, nor did my friends. I promise. End of story.

I like pee my pants Why?!?!? I hope you wear a diaper and don‘t walk around with it dribbling down your leg.

starbucks cookies chocolate chip secret Oh, I want one! If you find the secret, will you share it?

Why foods look boring If you live with me it’s because I cooked it. Sorry.

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Thanks Christine for the blog buddies award! I’m glad I bring a smile to your face everyday. Back at ya! And I would like to pass it on to:

• Mp @ My Second Journal
• Nan @ Life is Like a Lunchbox
• Jessica @ Got Milk? (Seth and . . .)
• Holly @ Anglophile Football Fanatic (. . .SD had a similar problem)
• Jeanne @ Bermudabluez
• Lisa @ the Lisa Show

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A little while back Joy gave me the Bloggers with Integrity award and I’d like to take this opportunity to pass it on

• Tiggerlane, the Neophyte blogger
• Sauntering Soul
• Nekked Lizard Adventures
• Myanderings
• Ms Cellania
• Sallad

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I’m feeling full of linky love and if you want a little of it here’s another opportunity. I have been tagged for a couple of memes, Kitten’s Homeschool and from Talbots to Target tagged me with 7 things about me, you’ll find my secrets here and Lifesong high-fived me for the 5 post meme, which is over here. If anyone wants to do either one of them let me know and I’ll link up to you.

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If you scroll down you can enter for a chance to win an 8x10 nature photo or click a link to transport you to a list of about 500 blogs giving something away.

Haden is staying at their house tonight so that he, hopefully, doesn't get us sick.  My grandson, Tristan, is feeling better and is able to keep some food down, now his mama is sick. 

It seems some of you weren't aware I had a grandson.  He was my 40th birthday present.  Well, almost.  My birthday is February 8th and his is the 24th.  I have a blog written for him over here.  I always kept spiral notebooks for my kids, journals of their lives and decided to move with progress and give my grandchild a blog.  I just wish I could get him mama to help me keep it current.

Now that I will be getting a second grandchild I may move to posting in Tristan's once a month.  I'm not sure if I should just add the other grandchild into that same blog or open up another one for him or her.  Originally, I thought I would talk to all of my grandchildren there but now I just don't know.  Any thoughts?

I wonder how Marissa's tatoo will look after being pregnant. . .

I wish I could type, actually type, like x number of words per minutes.  It sure would cut down the time I spend posting and commenting.  Can you believe for every 20 keys I hit forward, I have to hit at lease 3 backspaces to correct my errors and I think I average 2 words per minute on a good day. 

I promise I'll be posting about my new lens on thursday, just trying to play a little catch-up here.  And I have some surprise photos for you tomorrow, Wordless Wednesday.

Have you ever wondered if possums look the same everywhere? While we were out eagle watching we came across this little guy. From what I’ve read the poor little Wisconsin possums run the risk of losing their cute little ears to frostbite. I think this guy has been in the cold too long. Aren’t his little pinks toes/fingers/claws precious!

My son, Haden, is still in Missouri with his grandparents and he caught this guy one evening. Not literally caught, like he did the crow last week, but caught with the camera. I love his BIG ears, the possum’s, not Haden’s.

I wonder if the two possums would be able to talk to each other if they met. Would they giggle at each other’s accents or would they speak two totally different languages?

New Year’s Eve we decided to run up north to Woodruff and watch the fireworks. These are my favorite shots (they actually look really cool BIG). I had never seen fireworks over a frozen lake with a blanket of snow everywhere.

For these shots I used manual mode, set @ f/13, and I played with it a bit but most were at 2 seconds, also I took the lens off auto focus and focused manually to infinity. Of course with that long of an exposure a tripod was needed.

Christmas has started.  Mikal and Amy got here last night, Dennis is busy in the kitchen and soon the rest of the kids will be here.  We'll have dinner and present opening.  I'm sure I will take a million photos; it is Tristan's first Christmas.  In amoungst playing Pictionary and Taboo (having adult kids is great!) I'm hoping to entice everyone outside to make our own Frosty.  We have a pretty good amount of fresh fallen snow - It's BEAUTIFUL!

BTW - did you have trouble accessing my blog yesterday?  I couldn't get on it last night at all.  Just wondering if it's my computer or actually blog-city.

She bounced around, playfully. Hopping and grrrrring, running, circling, play biting at hands playing with her fur. She wagged her tail - wiggle, waggle, wiggle. She barked happily. Then all of a sudden she stopped and retrieved her bone from under my butt.

The missing pieces:

1. I can count on one hand the number of times she has wagged her tail.
2. She wasn’t playing with me, I was on my computer.
3. Brodi was outside and no one else was home.
4. I could not see who she was playing with. . . But she could.

 So, I posted today's entry over at Tristan's blog and am now pasting it here in it's rightful spot. :)

 I’m still ticked and miffed and ok, Tristan cover your ears, pissed that I cannot get on my main blog over at blog-city! So for today this post will be here then transferred over as soon as I can get it to the rightful spot.

As I tried to open our sliding glass door yesterday morning (about 7:30 am) to let my cute little dogs out to do their business I discovered it was frozen shut! I had to result to plan B and take them out the front door on leashes. They were quickly done and when we got back in I set the hairdryer on the back door. Hey, it worked after about 20 minutes.

I then got on yahoo and the weather channel to see what our temperature was. You’ll never believe it. It was -13° (Fahrenheit) and we tied the record for this day, set on December 6th 1955. My question is how? When the predications for the day are:

How are we at -13° ?

Side note: Last year I told you about an annual event here in Wisconsin (and other places) but did not get a photo of the sign. This year I present you with a written invitation, or uh, photographic proof.

Today will be spent uploading photos, cleaning out the van, unpacking and laundry and yes, today is the day I see my oncologist so I have to go to Wausau too.  Hopefully, this evening I'll be able to catch up with you guys. 

Happy Monday!

I told my husband, “You do not want to mix them together. They taste bitter that way.”

He gave me a look.

“Try it”, I suggested.

He gave me a new look. You know the look, the one says, ‘I cannot believe you said that! Are you nuts?!’

Why do we (humans) do this? We not only want to share the good with each other but also the bad. If you smell something good, like a flower, don’t you say, “Wow that smells good. Smell it.” On the other hand if you think your car stinks don’t you say something along the lines of, “You should smell my car, it’s horrible”? If you take a big gulp of sour milk I bet you want to share that too. “Is this milk bad? Can you taste it for me?” When you know dang well it’s bad, you just spit a mouthful of it all over your shirt. Unfortunately, my husband is too smart to fall for any of these bad shares.

Maybe if I sat on those spikes I would be more awake during the day. Since the time change I am just dragging butt. I’m awake early, going to sleep early and still am accomplishing nothing. My brain just doesn’t feel with-it. I can’t believe it’s dark by 5 pm now. That sucks! In another month it will be dark by 4 pm. Our days are just too frickin short.

The time is fast approaching that we will be making our trip to Missouri and I am flipping through the pages of my brain trying to make sure I accomplish everything I need to before we leave. I know I will forget something, and I think of lists but they never make it to paper, so thoughts will fall out and be forgotten until I’m a few hours from home and realize I left my phone charger at home, or I forgot to pack underwear or something. I just know it.

I will be posting while I’m gone, I may have to play catch-up on the blogs I read when I get home cuz my mom has dial-up, but I‘ll at least still have a post each day. Get ready to see the sights along our path, there will definitely be photos to share. We are taking two days to get there so we have some time to explore and two days coming back. I’m not even going to tell you our path yet, but I think we’ll (you and me) like what we see.

Speaking of path, I think my husband is ill. For as long as I have known him, he has never made hotel reservations. We always load in the car, stop when we get tired and try to find a place. We don’t typically have much trouble finding a place. But three days ago he made reservations in the four towns (each in a different state) we will be staying in. Does spontaneity leave with age?

Haden enjoyed standing in it. As the clouds moved in quickly, the pellets changed to actual flakes.

Literally two minutes later:

Yesterday many people questioned Old English Cheese and since I could not find a photo online I just went out and got some.

We simply mix the Philadelphia Cream Cheese and the Old English Cheese (generally found near the Velveeta), then dip a cracker and enjoy. Put leftovers in the fridge.

This time change is really messing with me. I generally sit here in the evening and write my post for the next morning and the last few days I am feeling wiped out by 8 pm! It’s nuts!

Oh by the way, I got my package from the Autumn Swap. Thanx Expat Mom!

By now you’re probably wondering a.)Why do I need a cow? And b.)What kind of cow do I need? Let’s answer “a” first. A few days ago Dennis and I went to this neat little shop in Sheboygan, Stones ’n Water, and I found this neat journal. It’s 6x9 and handmade by Lisa Richey of Cheap Therapy. . .handcrafted paper art that celebrates life and she has MS (my younger cousin has MS). It’s really neat that in the back of the book is a special hand written note, “I found the stick that binds this book in Savannah, GA. I love finding sticks!” There is wire holding some little beads on the stick and the green cover behind the stick makes me feel like I’m in the woods. I knew what I was going to use this book for the moment I saw it. So now you are also wondering c.)What am I going to use the book for?

What kind of cow do I need? I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate me bringing home a live cow, although it might be fun. What I want is a cute little - 2-3 inch - chubby metal cow. I want his back side flat so I can attach it to the cover of my new book.  All I can find are itty bitty 1 inch or smaller realistic flat sticker cows.

I got my first moo minicards and have been swapping some of them. I wanted a neat book to put the minimoo's in and this book is perfect. I just need the cow now. Cow - moo cards. . .