Cancer is No Laughing Matter...

Unless you happen to be Mrs. India Pale Ale. Me (and to some extent, him) spent most of the day yesterday laughing like idiots!

Remember that a few days ago, I had rented what they call a transport chair (kind of like a push chair for grown ups) because his Lordship can't walk very far - even with his walking frame. Yesterday, I decided that we would give it a trial run on a trip down to the World Market where I needed to get some of that wonderful Barrie's Irish Tea, tins of Ambrosia Rice Pudding, and other of life's necessities.

I was able to get the chair out of the back of the car without too much trouble - it only weighs about 19lbs - and I got Mr. Indi in and situated and ready to roll. I had parked very close to the store, in a handicapped parking spot, and just had to push him across the road and up a slight slope onto the pavement and into the store. Off we went. Hmmm - I thought - this isn't as easy as I thought. Mr. Indi is a big guy (240 lbs) and I was finding it hard to push him and when I got to the slope - well! I thought I was going to die! I puffed and panted and finally got him in through the front door where I had to stop and rest. "See" he said, "I told you that you wouldn't be able to do it!" I'm a bit of a stubborn old bugger and insisted that I was OK and just needed to catch my breath.

After about 5 minutes of looking at Christmas ornaments, I felt strong enough to continue but by the time we got to the back of the shop where they keep the tea - I was afraid I was going to collapse of a heart attack! I couldn't go any further. I stopped and let my head fall forward to relax AND it was then that I noticed that I had left one of the brakes on the rear wheel! Stupid woman! Here I was - a 110lb stick insect who had been pushing a behemoth about with the break on! I burst out laughing and couldn't stop! Himself was not so amused! But - once I let the brake off - it was amazing how easy it was to push the chair!

Now that I had got the hang of the thing, it was easy to push Mr. Indi over to his favorite section - the beer and wines. Of course he can't drink because of his morphine etc - but he likes to look at all the different beer from all over the world and hopes to try some when he gets better. The trouble with the World Market is that it is not wheel-chair friendly and the aisles are jam packed with stuff that I had to maneuver - AND - don't forget that I don't have a license to drive this thing! Well, I got the chair stuck between the beer shelf and a huge case of wine. The thing wouldn't budge! I tried pushing and pulling and sideways and backwards but his leg got squashed up against the wine bottles and I was afraid I would break either the wine - or his leg! I finally gave one mighty tug and broke him free! He called me some very unpleasant names - of which his mother would not have approved! So, I pushed him into a wide open space by some crappy looking furniture and left him there while I had a wander around!

The whole time, I was wiping the tears from my eyes because I couldn't stop laughing! I could see the headlines Woman Abandons Handicapped Husband in Chair with 4 Boxes of Tea Bags and 6 Tins of Rice Pud! But it all ended well and I got him back to the car and put the chair away without further incident. I bet me poor old arms will be sore today though!

The picture is one I took in October of 2006 at Morro Bay. Mr. Indi peering out to sea!

A Restful Day - NOT!

I really have to stop getting up in the morning with any intention of having a bit of peace and quiet and a day free from worry! It ain't going to happen! Yesterday started off OK but when I was counting out Mr Indi's drugs for his 8 a.m. dosing up - I realized that the morphine stash was running low. No problem - just call the clinic and get one of the docs to write a prescription and I would drive up there and get the paperwork and take it to Larry's while I was out doing some grocery shopping . Piece of cake ! Haha!

Who would have known that both the cancer center and the radiation clinic would be closed on the day after Thanksgiving - making it a 4 day holiday! What cheek! I managed to get through to a central answering service who put me in touch with the doctor on call - a nice young chap. He understood my predicament - Mr. Indi only has enough morphine to last until 4 am Sunday morning! I offered to drive to wherever he was located and get the prescription - but he was 45 miles away. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll be coming to a hospital near to you and will drop the prescrip off at the drug store near the hospital. I'll call you back in a couple of hours and let you know that I have dropped it off." Right - that was that sorted! NOT! 5 hours went by and he hadn't called. I hate to be a bother but I was afraid he'd forgotten about me. I had him paged at the hospital and when he called me back, BOY - did I get an earful! He was in ICU with very sick patients and he would go to the drug store when he got the chance! (He was probably in the doctor's lounge watching football on the telly!)

He called me at 5:30 in the evening but as I hate driving in the dark and the drug store is about 12 miles away - I shall go and get the pills this morning. As Ma would say "What a bloody palaver!"

Now to the good parts of the day. We have found a fabulous Mexican place for lunch - it is a true Mexican joint - and most of the time we are the only gringos (white folks) in there. The chef and waitresses are just wonderful and treat us so well. They are very caring for Mr Indi and always help him to his seat. Yesterday, when we walked in the door, I got some lovely hugs from Hannah - a beautiful and charming Mexican waitress. She was excited to see us as her sister had made extra tamales (at home for Thanksgiving) and Hanna had bought some in to give to us to take home. Now, how kind is that? The food at La Joya is wonderful - I had talapia in a spicy red chili sauce - Mr Indi had a soup (can't remember the name) that was like menudo but with pork and lots of white corn. He said it was delish.

Here are a few more things that you don't know about his Lordship:

31) His favorite dessert is a slice of apple pie with a lump of sharp cheddar cheese on top!

32) He loves to ride trains

33) His favorite TV station is the Discovery Channel

34) His favorite cologne is Paul Sebastian

35) His favorite actor - at the moment - is Tommy Lee Jones

36) His favorite rock group is Rolling Stones

37) He is 6'2"

38) He never, ever wears sneakers - trainers - whatever you call them

39) He dislikes snow

40) He loves the desert

Today's picture is one I took the other day on the way back from the radiation clinic. I have often wondered what it was. Well, it's a sculpture by the artist James Rosati and it is called "The Tripod" and it honors Riverside firefighters who went to New York to help after the 9/11 attacks. Neat, eh?

Gobble has been gobbled!

Our Thanksgiving Day was lovely. Dinner at M and D's house was super - lovely turkey - smashing stuffing and a nice wine to wash it down. After dinner I had a couple of glasses of port - Wow! That is something that I haven't had in donkey's years and I'd forgotten how good it is. Yummy stuff - I think I might have to buy myself a bottle. Mr Indi really enjoyed his dinner and washed it down with O'Douls - a very nice non-alcoholic beer. Mr. Indi's back started to give him some serious discomfort and so we were back home by about 7:30. He has no more radiation until next Monday so we shall be spending a very quiet weekend catching up on resting, reading and watching the tube!

Yesterday, the weather was lovely, too. Lots of clouds - the big puffy kind - a few showers and some sun peeking through. The day was cool but not cold and last night was perfect for sleeping. Maybe the horrible heat of summer has finally gone away.

Today is the "official" start of the Christmas shopping frenzy. Some of the stores opened at 4 o'clock this morning and there were people (who obviously need their head examined) waiting outside the doors! I mean, I'm an early bird but I'm not about to stand in line, in the dark, bundled up in coat and gloves just so that I can buy 3 pairs of knickers for the price of 2! I'd rather go without! Ermmm! You know what I mean!

Here are a few more things that you don't know about Mr. Indi:

21) He is left handed to the max - but learned to play golf right handed.

22) He would love to go back to Pensacola, Florida for a vacation

23) His favorite color is dark green

24) He is a fabulous touch-typist. He can type a note to his boss while watching the telly!

25) He gets sea sick on boats

26) He is daft with money and will buy me anything I want - but doesn't buy himself anything.

27) If he had to live on one kind of food it would be Mexican

28) He will try any kind of food - dead or alive! - but NOT beetroot!

29) His favorite comedy group is Monty Python. He adores John Cleese

30 His favorite movie is Lawrence of Arabia

Today's picture is of a water wheel that is an architectural feature of a new shopping center on the main street of town. It's kind of nice - I think - maybe - or not!

Gobble - Gobble

Today is Turkey Day and we have been invited to have dinner at my son and daughter-in-law's house. This will be a real treat for me as I have done the "bird thing" for many a long year. Mr Indi is feeling a little better this morning and looks forward to a visit to a house where he can look at some different walls! He's getting a bit housebound here! D has never done a turkey before - but I know that everything will be quite delish.

Yesterday was a check-up with Dr B after Mr. Indi had his zapping session. We asked lots of questions - got some answers. His restless legs could be caused by many things - but radiation is not one of them. One reason could be a low red cell count from his many chemo sessions and as he had forgotten to give himself his Procrit jab last week - naughty boy! - she suggested that he get back on that routine. The exhaustion is part and parcel of chemo - radiation - and cancer being a pig! The best solution is a multi vitamin and plenty of rest. As regards the constipation, which is causing his Lordship great angst, Dr. B suggested that he stay on the Senokot S AND take Milk of Magnesia at bedtime - cor struth! Watch out!

Something happened at the clinic yesterday which answered the question, what happens if you are in prison and have cancer and need radiation?- Well! they bring you to the radiation center. We were sitting in the waiting room when in walks a sheriff's deputy armed with her baton and gun and asked to see a nurse. Seems they had a patient outside in a paddy wagon! All operations ceased for about a half an hour while they locked the doors, escorted the prisoner into the radiation room and did a zapping. We all sat in the outer waiting room. I don't know for a fact but I think it was a woman prisoner and I couldn't help but feel a little bit sad. I'm so soppy sometimes - but cancer is a bastard - I don't care who has it.

We got back home a little later than usual and had a light breakfast and took all of our meds. Mr Indi had a lie down while I managed to get a couple of loads of washing done but then it was time to run out and do a few chores - put gas in the car - pick up more drugs at Larry's - etc. Mr Indi decided to come with me but we only got as far as Larry's when he was overcome, started sweating profusely and was in terrible pain. It seems his constipation had reached critical mass (pardon the pun!) and he needed to sit NOW! I drove home as fast as I could and awaited the results.

I am not going into any detail except to say it was a world record breaker AND the next place I found myself was in the local grocery store buying a toilet plunger. The staff at American supermarkets are almost always very pleasant and the young lady at aisle 10 was no exception - even on the day before Thanksgiving when the store was heaving with folks pushing dead turkeys around in shopping carts. "Hello" she said, "Are you having a nice day?" I looked at the toilet plunger on the conveyor belt - I looked back at her - and I said, "What do you think?" She just smiled and said, Oh - Well -Happy Thanksgiving!" I wonder what she thought I was going to do with the plunger! Hehehe! The mind boggles.

I cleared the blockage in the toilet - finished the laundry - did the kitchen floor - put the gas in the car - made a nice celery soup for dinner - fed Mr. Indi all his drugs AND 2 large tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia and went to bed! They don't call me Wonder Woman for nothing! BUT - the trouble with being WW is that I am too tired to read my book in bed and that is most annoying as I am dying to find out what happens!

A Big Ted!

I normally don't post pictures of living relatives except me and him, of course, but I got this pic in the mail today and I absolutely, positively had to show everyone. This is the latest addition (age 4 weeks) to our family and I had to show the world how gorgeous, lovely, sweet, precious and adorable he is. And, he has a BIG teddy!

I woke up at 1 a.m. to the sound of rain - YES - real honest to goodness rain. It was wonderful to lie in bed and hear that tinkling on the roof. It has stopped now (5 a.m) but thunderstorms may pop up later in the day - either way, my plants must be loving it!

Yesterday was not good for Mr. Indi. His back was giving him a terrible time and when he tried to lie down his legs would start acting up. I'm wondering if he is getting RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). A condition where the legs won't stop twitching and moving. My son had that for many years and it is truly miserable. We see the radiation oncologist this morning after the 7:30 a.m. zapping session and we shall be asking her about the leg issue - as well as if there is anything that Mr. Indi can take or do to combat his exhaustion. He spent most of the day yesterday in bed. He didn't have the strength to do anything. We know that radiation is tiring but he is getting to the point where he wants to sleep all day. It's probably the morphine but I will ask some questions.

I spent yesterday trying to catch up with some skivvying and laundry - but didn't get very far as the phone rang all day! I'm not complaining - it's lovely to talk to family and friends and know that people are caring about us. I didn't even cook because we had leftover dead sheep bits in the casserole dish which I reheated and served with lovely crusty bread - Yum!

I watched Barack Obama give a news conference on the telly yesterday morning. Isn't it wonderful to watch to a man who is articulate, intelligent and doesn't have a smirk! A real pleasure.

Well, it's time to get ready for another day at the coal face and I will report back on the doc visit later - if I have the oomph to do it!

Early Birds!

So, just as I predicted, yesterday was go - go -go! Phew, I'm getting a bit old for this lark. So, when are one of you lot coming over to give me a day orf? - Huh? Huh? I can't quite hear you! Did you say a week from next Friday? Oh good!

We got back from the radiation center at about 8:30 - it's a 22 mile round trip - and had another enjoyable breakfast of forest floor droppings and decaying vegetable matter. Yum! Followed by handfuls of pills and 2 glasses of water! Do we live well or what? Mr. Indi went for a lie down and I set off to do the grocery shopping - I needed the ingredients to make the braised lamb shank casserole. Will write the recipe out if anyone wants it. While out, I decided to look for his fleece jogging pants that he wants. I found them at Kohl's - a quite good clothing store that has lots of name brands on the cheap. I also picked him up some new underpants - he seems to have blown some holes in his old ones! Maybe it's the Senokot!

Back home just in time to think about lunch. Mr Indi was still sleeping so I did get a few minutes on the computer and found an email from a cousin on father's side who is doing the family tree! Weeeee! I will reply to her with info as soon as I get the time. She also posted a pic of my lovely (and very handsome) Uncle Sid!- long dead, I'm afraid. We went to a local Pizza place for lunch - never been there before - AND - would you believe that they don't sell beer! WHAT! Who ever heard of such a thing - pizza with NO beer! Pfft! We shan't be going back there again! Although Mr. Indi is always happy with iced tea or water - beer doesn't mix well with morphine!

Mr. Indi went back to bed after lunch and I yacked for a while to my sis on the phone. She keeps me sane by telling me her escapades as a carer to 2 invalid women and her trials and tribulations as an arthritic golfer! I also did all the prep for the dead sheep leg dinner and got that in a slow oven at 2:30 pm.

After Mr. Indi got up, it was off to the Medical Supply place to rent a wheelchair. He can only manage with his walker for a little while and his legs start to give out completely - so he is unable to come to the shops or anywhere really without fear of falling. Well, we got what they call a transport chair. I chose it because it only weighs about 19 lbs and I am able to lift it in and out of the car. I do hope that I can push him - he's a great big chap and I have the build of a praying mantis! I think it will be OK as long as we are on a smooth surface - no carpet. The chair is bright red - MY fave color - and I already have some ideas for Christmas decorations to suit it!

We have a weather warning for the Los Angeles area today and tomorrow. A large storm approaching from the Pacific. That usually means 7 dribbles of rain and one clap of thunder! Seriously though - hope it's nothing too bad as it could spell disaster for the burn areas - mud slides are the fear.

Here are a few more things that you didn't know about his Lordship:

11) He is the youngest of 4 children

12) He plays the piano - although not for years as we no longer own one! Boo Hoo

13) He would rather drink tea than coffee

14) He doesn't like sports - but will watch golf or motor racing if I put it on the telly

15) His favorite author is Robert Louis Stevenson

16) His favorite composer is Chopin

17) He loves to be around people from other countries and to learn their culture

18) His favorite place to go fishing is Campbell River, Vancouver Island, BC

19) His favorite place to visit in England is Brighton

20) He is a tinkerer and can fix anything - well, almost anything - except stinking cancer!

Today's picture is one I took yesterday morning - about 6 am - if you look closely, you can see that the birds are already up.

ps - the lamb shanks were delish!

My Wildlife!

Remember a few weeks ago, I mentioned that a Mommy Kitty had laid her eggs in the woodpile and the babies had hatched and were leaping about the garden? Well, here you can see one of them has made friends with a ceramic bunny and tortoise that live on the patio. Awwwwwww! The picture isn't the best but I was taking it through the window screen - the kittens are too skittish to stick around if I try and photograph them in the garden. But, this is the wildlife outside my window! Hehe!

Mr. Indi was not well yesterday; the radiation really wears him out and he spent most of the day either in bed or lying on the couch. We were going to watch a movie but he fell asleep and I just wanted to see him rest. Part of his problem seems to be that his plumbing isn't working regularly and the effort of trying to go is causing him even more back pain. I have upped his dosage of Senokot and hope to see some results today - if that fail then I will try the next step - dynamite!

A blogging acquaintance has put a list of 100 things about herself on her blog! What a neat idea. I thought I would start a list of things about Mr. Indi (and maybe me!) just a few at a time. Things that you may (if you are my family) or may not know about him.

1) His father was a master ship modeler and Mr. Indi inherited the talent and loves model making - not so much ships as airplanes.

2) His favorite musician is Eric Clapton

3) He will eat anything except beetroot (beets in the USA)

4) His favorite beer is BJ's Jeremiah Red Ale

5) He doesn't like gardening and wouldn't know a petunia from a parsnip!

6) His favorite magazine is Military History - a total history buff - especially the US Civil War

7) He was born in Pasadena, California

8) He likes both dogs and cats and loves horses

9) He likes to drive a stick shift car

10) His favorite seafood is a big bucket of steamed clams

Today we have a 7:30 appointment at the radiation clinic - we will have to leave the house early as it is very foggy outside and of course we will have to fight the Monday morning traffic. Afterwards, Mr Indi wants me to go and get him some sweat pants (jogging pants) as regular trousers and jeans are becoming too uncomfortable for him. So - I see another busy day ahead.

X Marks The Spot

For those of you who have been waiting with baited ( or is it bated? - I looked it up and am still confused) breath to catch a glimpse of Mr. Indi's breathtaking physic - here it is! In all its glory! The tattoos are what they use to line up the lasers on the radiation equipment. They don't come off - and he is allowed to shower ever day - to which I say - Thank You! He used to have a very manly hairy chest until the chemo took it away - the hair not the chest! But, amazingly, he still has a little hair on his head - well, it's not really hair - it's what one might call bum fluff!

The tats are similar to the type of gang tats that they use in East Los Angeles! SO, we shan't be going there - or if we do - we shall make sure that his Lordship doesn't flash his shirt open! Oooops!

We went to the clinic at 6:30 this morning and were amazed to find that there were a couple of people in front of Mr. Indi! Wow, I though that we were the only crazy people driving around at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning! But, we were in and out in less than half an hour and stopped on the way home at the doughnut shop to pick up some yummies for our Sunday breakfast - chocolate coated with custard centers - yum! We have been very good all week - sticking to our regimen of bran cereal, yogurt and fresh fruit (cantaloupe) for breakfast each day so on Sunday it's time to cheat!

Today, I have some work to do - The lasagna that I made for dinner last night (a frozen one) somehow flew out of the oven and landed on my new jeans! Grrr! So I have laundry to tackle - also must go to the Home Depot store to buy a length of PVC pipe so that Mr. Indi can attach it to his walking frame in order to stick his walking stick in it! Don't ask! He's an engineer and is coming up with a prototype for a combination walking frame - walking stick - coffee cup holder and computer table! Good luck, I say! But, when he's finished with it, I shall decorate it with dingle balls and Christmas lights!

The Green Machine!

I WANT one of these! Isn't this little scooter the coolest thing? AND I think I would look perfect riding around town with Mr. Indi on the back - holding the bags of groceries - look at all the money we would save on gas!

Isn't it funny how we change as we get older. All my life, I hated the color green but I woke up one day about 2 years ago and saw how beautiful green can be. I now wear lots of green and think this scooter is a marvelous shade of green. Green is in!

We got to the clinic at 7:15 a.m. yesterday morning and the gate was locked. I felt like a convict trying to start a prison riot as I shook the bars and yelled - Oi! Let us in! But it was only a few minutes before Teresa came with the master key and it was Open Sesame! Being the first in, Mr. Indi only had to wait a few minutes before he was taken into the radiation room and given a darned good zapping! I can hear the machine as it throws it's rads into his back - it zaps for 45 seconds - a long time in terms of radiation. A typical X-ray takes about 2 seconds. But he was soon back out and we were back home by 8:30 and able to sit and have some breakfast in peace with nothing else of any importance on the day's agenda.

Today (Saturday) is a day off from radiation, but, because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday coming up on Thursday, they will be operating the clinic tomorrow so that patients don't miss any treatments. Mr. Indi signed up for the first appointment - 6:30 a.m. The nurse came into the waiting room and asked me if this would be OK. "Of course," I said. "I have nothing else to do at 6:30 on a Sunday morning." EEK! Oh well, truth is, I'm an early bird anyway so might as well get it over with and have the rest of the day to loaf around.

Thanks again for all the lovely messages and emails - especially from Joseph in Japan - lovely to hear from you.

A Confession - I Have Sinned!

OK - This has nothing to do with Mr. Indi. It has to do with me!

I did something the other day that I despise in other people - in fact, I think people who commit this sin should be hung up by their toe nails over a steaming vat of melted pork innards!

While I was sitting in the doc's office with his Lordship, I was reading some mindless magazine (as one does!) and I came across a recipe that I had to have - so - guess what? I tore it out of the magazine and hid it in my purse........OMG .......the guilt is killing me...but wait till I tell you what the recipe is....and then maybe you will all forgive me!

This is for a dinner party for 12.

Watercress Endive Salad with Blood Oranges and Pomegranates

Braised Spiced Short Ribs of Beef in Sherry

Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

Ginger Creme Anglaise

I know that I can cut the recipe down to 6 and we could eat it for 3 days!

Is that yummy or what?

p.s. Truth be known the magazine was the Jan 2008 issue of Sunset ( a GREAT magazine put out by the Auto Club) and if anyone wants the recipes for any of it just drop me a line.

Am I forgiven?

The picture is of the beautiful stained glass window in the foyer of the Magic Lamp restaurant. It dates from 1953 and I think it's lovely - AND - where is Aladdin when you need him?

One Day Down - and Peace!

First, I want to say that I cannot find enough words to express my thanks to Southwest Airlines, Alamo Rental Car, and Best Western Hotels. All of these businesses allowed me to cancel our reservations - without penalty - and with a full refund. They were kind and caring and they will all be getting my business in the future. So, that hurdle was cleared by 7:00 a.m. yesterday morning and it was then time to begin Mr. Indi's first visit to the radiation clinic.

Upon arrival at the center, the first order of business, as per usual was the mountains of paper work. One of the questions was "What medications are you taking?" Ha - What medications isn't he taking would be easier! But, me being the brilliant and psychic person that I am (ermmmm) had just spent a couple of hours, 2 days ago, typing up a complete drug usage sheet that included everything I could think of including some very personal items for soothing one's bum! (It's an old age thing!) I couldn't imagine that he would be prescribed anything more - he already has pain-killers, steroids and gastric disorder medicines and I think that Larry (the druggist) wonders if we are selling stuff on the street! But, I was wrong - the doc has prescribed yet another steroid. This one is to help shrink the tumor.

So - we finally got a read-out of the MRI. The bone cancer (a result of the prostate cancer) has invaded all of his spine - from top to bottom - every bone. But of particular concern is an area between T-7 and T-10 where there is a large mass that is the source of Mr. Indi's agony. For those of you who have never had radiation treatment, there is a lot of prep work to do on the first day so that they can get all the data loaded into the radiation machine's computer and make certain that all measurements are accurate down to a gnats behind before that do any zapping.

The Radiation oncologist ( a lovely lady) needed a copy of the actual MRI pictures before finalizing his radiation regimen. The pictures were on a CD at the imaging place in Cucamonga - and even using a courier, they couldn't guarantee that the CD would get down to Riverside before 5p.m. - too late for Mr. Indi to have a treatment. SO! They asked me to go to Cucamonga and get the CD - "Sure!" I said - I mean, it's not as though I'm a 65 year old lady with high blood pressure, arthritic elbows and trying to recover from cancer - ooops Yes I am! But, what the heck - it's only a 65 mile round trip and I love driving with all the nut cases on the freeway in LA! Keeps me young! It took me 90 minutes - pretty good driving for lunch hour in LA - and when I got back, his Lordship had had his CAT scan and we were allowed an hour off to go for some lunch.

Lunch was good - a crab stuffed avocado at an Irish pub called Killarney's. I know - sounds weird. He had sausage and mash and we were feeling full and fighting fit as we made our way back to the clinic. Mr Indi got his first zapping at 3:30 p.m and then we were finally able to come home. He was shattered and I was feeling a bit frail myself! It felt so good to sit on the front porch with a cold beer - heaven! Poor dear Mr. Indi crashed into the bed - done for the day!

Thanks so much to all the kind people who wrote and called yesterday - and especially to my sister who woke at 1a.m. (England time) and called me to check up on us. After several buckets of tears, she started to make me laugh - and I ended up in hysterics talking about chicken fillets! I'll explain one day!

Mr Indi has to be at the clinic at 7:30 this morning so I must away and chuck some clothes on.

The picture is of a rose growing outside the Magic Lamp. I think it's Peace.

UPDATE!

Just got a call from the radiation clinic - must be there before 9a.m. Will be there most of the day. Think of him please. Thanks to all my kind friends.

Who Know's What is Next!

Before I start to tell my tale, I'm going to use an expression that my Ma used - "I'm so damn mad, I could spit." I'm not sure who I would spit at - but I would!

We called the cancer center yesterday morning and left a message asking them if there was any news of Mr. Indi's MRI as we have airline and hotel reservations to attend Renilde's funeral today - AND - we would need to know if it was OK to go out of town for 2 days - because - if not, all reservations would have to be cancelled by noon yesterday. Noon came and went - as did the rest of the afternoon without a return phone call - so we assumed (silly) that our arrangements were safe. At about 4:00 p.m.ish, me and him went out to do a few chores - bank - grocery store - get gas etc. His Lordship wanted to come with me but sat in the car as I ran around like a blue - a*rsed fly! (Another one of Ma's gems!) When we got back at 5:00 there was the phone message to say that he has to be at the radiation clinic first thing in the morning. No explanation - but it is urgent that he call first thing today - 8:00am.

So, we have probably lost a bit of money on our reservation - but - worse than that - we have had a terrible night with very little sleep and lots and lots of worry! The only thing that I am comfortable with is that the radiation clinic is the same one that I went to so I know where it is and who the staff are - lots of lovely people.

Before me and him went on our sojourn to the shops, I had been talking to my sister on the phone and we were laughing like a pair of hyenas! My sister is deaf and one of her hearing aids had fallen to bits - so she had been to the Audiology clinic at the local hospital to be fitted with a new hearing aid. They informed her that they no longer make new aids for patients - they reuse previously owned instruments! Well, you can imagine the kinds of things we talked about! Most of them too gross to mention here. It reminded me of the episode of Steptoe and Son (for those of you who are 100 years old) when the old man came home with the horse and cart and the cart was full of old broken National Health spectacles. What a deal! He reckoned he could make good specs out of all the bits and pieces of old ones. Hehehehehe! My sister said, "Hey, don't laugh, that's what they do now!" Anyhow, after rummaging around in a large box of used hearing aids for half an hour, the audiologist found the perfect fit and sister is now back in business! Universal Health Care at work!

We don't know what today will bring - we hope that, in whatever way they are going to treat Mr. Indi, it he will free him from this terrible pain.

The picture is of the Magic Lamp restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga - and, as you can see it is a Route 66 landmark! Woo - Hoo - Get your kicks!

Not Good - Not Good!

Got a phone call late this afternoon - Mr. Indi has to be at the radiation clinic early in the morning. No-one has told us anything yet!
Will write more in the morning - we both need to get a bit of a cuddle - and a lot of rest.
I am so sorry Renilde - we will not be able to make it to the celebration of your lovely life. I promise I will come and visit you as soon as I am able xxx

A Terrible Tuesday!

If life was easy -ha ha! I wouldn't have the strength of character that people say I have - I also wouldn't cry so much - yesterday it was a river!

We got a phone call at about 9:00 a.m. to say that the MRI machine at the Corona facility had gone belly up - (Gosh - I hope there was no-one inside at the time!) They were frantically trying to reschedule Mr. Indi at another facility and after much toing and froing on the phone, we were told to show up at a facility in the city with my most favorite Southern California name - Rancho Cucamunga. We were to be there at 11:00 which gave us half an hour for the 2 of us to get ready! We made it, 5 minutes late but that was because at a medical complex with at least 200 parking spaces, there are only 6 for handicapped people and they are miles from the front door! Pfft!

The technician said that it would take an hour and a half for Mr. Indi's test and after I sat and did a few rows of knitting, I decided to go for a little drive in the neighborhood and see what I could find - maybe a knitting shop! I got up to the main road, turned the corner and WOW - I was right outside of a restaurant that I have driven past about a gazillion times and always wanted to go inside - it's called The Magic Lamp and is a wonderful old building.

I had my camera with me, as always, and took quite a few pictures including the one that I have posted today. It's of one of the stained glass windows in the bar. I sat at the counter and had a nice cold beer and struck up a conversation with the lady bartender, Jean. What a nice lady and a breast cancer survivor - 10 years cancer free! Well done. I was going to have lunch -lovely menu - but decided to wait until Mr. Indi was through with his MRI and we could come back and have lunch together - a decision I later regretted.

I went back to the MRI lab and sat and watched I Love Lucy on a television that was old enough to be a prototype of John Logie Beard's creation! Still, it was an episode of Lucy that I hadn't seen before and me - and 6 other people in the waiting room - laughed so hard the tears were rolling down our faces! She was a brilliant lady.

At 2:00 p.m (almost 3 hours after they took him in) a technician came out and asked if I could help dress Mr. Indi as he was in too much pain to dress himself. Oh dear. The poor, dear man. I went from laughing to crying in a matter of minutes. He was in absolute agony from lying on his back for so long. He's couldn't move and was leaning up against the dressing room wall afraid to budge As I have said before, Mr. Indi is a large fella - almost 250 lbs - and for me to dress him is a bit of a struggle - but I managed. Luckily, we had some extra Vicodin in the pill box on his key chain so I found him some water and shoved the pills down his neck. I was able to help him out to the car and drove straight home - where he curled up on the bed and cried. No more MRI!

So - no lunch - lots of tears - but a nice picture of a stained glass window!

A Piece of Cake!

When I was working as a Project Manager, some very complicated and seemingly impossible tasks landed on my desk. I would always tell my staff, "No problem - A piece of cake!" And, somehow we always got things done! Well, I am trying to keep that same motto, but, as Mr Indi's carer, the cake ain't so easy to cut anymore!

I dropped him off at the clinic at 9:00 for his Aredia IV and swung by the grocery store before heading to the men's department of one of the local discount stores. I was looking for a shirt to go with his navy slacks and blazer and I found the perfect combo - navy, white and purple! I also found a purple tie that coordinates perfectly! Sounds 'orrible - looks lovely!

While at the chemo clinic, I had picked up the paper work to fill out for Mr. Indi to apply for a handicapped parking placard. I had just got back to the house and was starting to fill out the forms when his Lordship called to say he was almost finished so get my bum back up there and pick him up! I managed to get the forms completed and as luck would have it, Dr. J was there when I went into the chemo room and I was able to get him to put his John Hancock to them and Viola - I was ready to venture to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) - but first LUNCH!

We went down to Chili's and saw our two favorite waitresses - Cindi and Marika. Cindi showed us pictures of her darling little boy - what a beautiful child. And, after a nice meal, I drove his Lordship back home and he flopped into bed for a nice rest with the heating pad on his back. While he snoozed, I mustered up the nerve to take the handicapped forms down to the DMV and stand in line with the great unwashed (it was 98 degrees - and I'm certain they were unwashed) masses! Fortunately, they have a special numbering system for people with handicapped applications and I only waited about 15 mins. I was well pleased as I drove home - placard in hand.

However, nothing is easy! When I got home, Mr. Indi had rolled over in bed, while asleep, and squashed his reading glasses! What a doofus! So, it was time to get the car out again and drive to the drug store for some specs! I think I put 150 miles on my tires yesterday - but he's worth it! He found a nice pair of aviator style glasses and is now happy that he can get back to the New York Times crossword puzzle that he has been working on since Sunday!

The appointment came through for the MRI - 2:45 this afternoon. This works out well as I made beef for dinner last night and we will have cold meat and salad for dinner when we get back from the imaging place. No cooking - that'll make a change!

The picture is one that I took at the Los Angeles County Fair. It won a 2nd prize for cake decorating but I think it should have got a 1st. I couldn't make a cake like that if my life depended on it! It was made by a chap and I bet he thought it was "A Piece of Cake!"

Tinkle - Tinkle!

On Saturday, we bought Mr. Indi a walking frame. He is so unsteady on his legs and is getting even more nervous of falling down. We found a really nice frame that will hold up to 300lbs - so if he feels the need to lean on it - he can without fear of the whole thing collapsing. It's a lovely metallic blue and I already have some ideas for personalizing it - hmmm - racing stripes, tassels, a few decals - the options are endless!

The wild fires are now somewhat under control and the wind has died down - although still breezy. The air quality is awful and I have a hard time going outside as it starts my throat going in spasms. The heat is still with us - twas 95 degrees yesterday - but a sea breeze is forecast for the end of the week - can't come soon enough for me!

Today is Aredia day and I will take his Lordship to the clinic at 9:00 a.m. While I'm there, I'm going to get the forms to fill in to apply for a handicapped parking placard. It is just too difficult for him to walk more than about 50 feet without resting - and if fat people can get a placard and park directly in the front of the shops because they're too lazy to walk more than 10 feet - why shouldn't Mr. Indi.

We might go back to the Indian joint today - after Aredia - Mr. Indi fancies a bit of goat. He told me he's tired of the old goat that he married and would like to try some of that new stuff again! Cheeky!

I found another huge pile of Christmas cards! I used to save them so that my granddaughter could cut out the pictures and make collages on coloured paper - would keep her amused for hours. Anyway, I found a card with a photo in it of a family - none of whom I have spoken to in ages. I put the photo on the coffee table to be filed away and 15 minutes the phone rang - and it was the Mom of the family in the photo! How weird is that - am I psychic? or just plain barmy?

The picture is of a little waterfall at one of our local shopping centers - a nice place to rest for a while on a hot day - although the sound of the tinkling water always brings on a tinkle!

Found In The Junk Pile!

Amazing what you come across when cleaning out the junk drawer!

Me and Him and Ma - circa 1998 - in a pub in Hay on Wye - I think it's the Rose and Crown. (Please correct me if I'm wrong)

Memories are made of this!

Earth - Wind - Fire!

A few of the pictures that I took yesterday of the fire burning near Corona and Chino Hills. I took the pictures from a spot about 500 yards from my house. The fire is about 10 miles away and is still burning this morning. My DIL's parents live very close to one of the fires and we await word to hear that they are safe. The wind has died down some from yesterday but is still breezy. We are all hoping for better weather conditions today with a little more humidity. The firefighters are doing a GREAT job.

Tuesday Will Be The Day - With Luck!

As you can see from the previous post, yesterday was a sad day.

I continue to clean out my little baskets and as of this morning, I have chucked about 400 Christmas and Birthday cards in the recycle bin! I have sat and read all of them - some going back to 1999. They have made me laugh and they have made me cry and some of the bloody things are a complete mystery and have made me scratch my head! Who in the heck are Barbara and Edward and their kids? If you are in the audience, will you please stand up and identify yourselves? You sent us a beautiful Christmas card in 2004 but I don't think I have ever met you - or maybe we were on the Bailey's?

After several phone calls, Mr. Indi finally got through to the "insurance authorization representative" re his MRI. The test has been OK'd and they called at 3:00 p.m. and asked if he could be at the MRI imaging clinic at 3:30. - WHAT? Do they think he is just sitting around waiting to dive into the machine! Pfft! Anyway, we couldn't get there by 3:30 even if we wanted to because his Lordship was having trouble with his afternoon constitutional - don't ask! He can't go on Monday because he has to go to the chemo clinic for an Aredia treatment so it will have to be Tuesday.

I turned on the telly at 5:00 a.m to find that there is another wild fire raging here in Southern California. It is so sad to see people's houses engulfed in flames - so many memories lost. I do worry about all of my family photos and other treasures and am thinking of getting another fire box to keep some special things safe. We already have one small fire box were we keep important documents - insurance papers, our birth certs, passports, etc - but it's quite small so I think I need a bigger version for some of my family history clobber.

Mr. Indi is still having trouble with walking and is very nervous of falling down. We may have to start looking at walking frames. Or at least something that he can hold onto in the shower. Any ideas? (I know some smarty pants will say that he could hold on to me!) Kidding aside, it really is a worry as he is a big chap and if he goes down, I would have to leave him lying on his back with his feet up in the air until I could get some help - which might take several hours if I stop by Brian's place first for a couple of pints and a game of trivia!

I took the picture of the dahlia last September - outside of a flower shop in San Clemente. I love the dahlias with ragged edges.

Dear Sister Renilde...

We were so sorry to hear of your death. We shall surely miss you. You were one of the sweetest, kindest and gentlest people we know and your loving nature radiated from your warm and pretty smile.

We shared your love of books and we were always interested in your latest read - and I was so happy to have introduced you to Alexander McCall Smith and his Mma Ramotswe stories. I know that you loved them. Thank you for being a kind and thoughtful book-loving friend.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to all who knew you and were touched by you - and especially to Diane. We love you D. xxxx

The picture is of a painting called The Angel's Message by George Hillyard Swinstead. I think you would have liked it.

Pam and John

By The Light....

Oh No!, I woke up this morning - 4:00 a.m. - to a howling wind. Those devil Santa Anas are here. At 4:30, I put on the early news to find there has been a terrible wild fire in Montecito - a rather lovely area of Santa Barbara. At least 100 homes are burned to the ground but thank goodness nobody has been killed. We shall all be on alert today for any sign of fire.

Yesterday, there was a massive earthquake drill throughout Southern California - The Great Southern California ShakeOut. A major earthquake was simulated and the announcement of it came over the radio as I was in the bedroom getting ready to go shopping. It was very realistic and very well done - AND - made me think about all kinds of earthquake related things. I must get the book cases bolted to the wall so they don't topple over and bean somebody. I must buy a good supply of batteries for flash lights and radios. I must recheck my earthquake food supply - canned goods - dry cereal - powdered milk -granola bars etc. I asked Mr. Indi what he thought I should buy to stock up the food supply - his answer - POTATO CHIPS! He says that when the "Big One" hits, he will sit in a corner and eat potato chips (crisps) and wait to be rescued!

Mr. Indi's knee is badly bruised from where he fell when trying to tie the fence to the tree. He had a lot of trouble walking yesterday and had to resort to 2 walking sticks - his own super-duper streamlined racing model with dual dipsticks - AND - my old cane with the wobbly ducks head and a flat tire! Still, he managed to come to the grocery store with me and pick out some cookies, anti-flatulence pills, stool softeners and bran cereal! The necessities of life!

We are still waiting for the OK for the MRI - hopefully today!

I took the picture of the full moon at about 5:30 yesterday morning. I don't have a camera that is powerful enough to show the little green men! - or is that Mars?

If It Isn't One Thing - It's The Tree!

We had a good visit with Dr. J who was duly impressed with our folder of materials including pictures of naked men! No - not those kind of pictures! Anatomy pictures that I found on the net and where Mr. Indi was able to draw in where his pain lives. But, doc was much more concerned with the numbness in Mr. Indi's legs and bum as he thinks that this might point to a tumor in his ribcage or spine that is causing nerve compression and thus numbness. He has ordered an MRI (stat) and we are just waiting for insurance approval which should only take a couple of days. If the results of the MRI are positive it will mean radiation for Mr. Indi - bummer!

The weather forecast is calling for more Santa Ana winds today and through the weekend - winds up to 70 mph. Why do we care? - well - here is the story. We have a very wobbly fence on the one side of our back garden and it is in danger of blowing down if the wind gets too strong. Our solution to the wobbly fence problem (rather than pay money to get it fixed, of course!) is to tie the fence to the very large ash tree with a heavy duty rope. Mr. Indi - with his wobbly legs - went out to take care of this chore yesterday afternoon while I sat on the front porch talking on the phone, laughing, having a cold beer and enjoying some relaxation.

Unfortunately, Mr. Indi's wobbly legs met up with the wobbly fence and, as he was wrapping the rope around the tree, he fell! I, of course, was totally oblivious to this calamity and went and got myself another beer! After a while, I finished my conversation and wandered into the back garden to check on my washing that was drying on the clothes horse. There was his Lordship groveling around under the ash tree calling me some rather choice and unaffectionate names! How was I to know that his knee had blown a gasket? Poor old chap. SO, he is home from work again today with legs that are even wobblier than yesterday! Grrr!

I am still going through my baskets of treasures and yesterday found a train ticket from Hereford to Worcester! It was when we went to Worcester Cathedral with Mrs. Banjo. What a lovely day that was. - Ahhh!

Today's picture is of a very amazing plant that was growing at the Mission at San Luis Rey. As you can see, it has the prettiest and most delicate little flowers and leaves - BUT - if you look closely, you will see that it has these wicked stems with killer thorns - a horrible menace in disguise! I don't know what it's called.

And The Yellow God Forever Gazes Down!

The other day, when me and him were having lunch at Chili's, we were watching a darts match that was playing on one of their many tellys. We looked at each other and said, "Let's play darts!" Well, easier said than done! We do have a dartboard on the wall in the garage, HOWEVER, one would have to stand back about 50 feet to throw a dart at it because of all the woodworking clobber - saws, routers, lathes, etc, that he has amassed in his so-called workshop - i.e.garage! So, we have been doing a bit of re-arranging - and - for two hobbled old folks it's not easy! Me with my arthritis and he with his wibbly wobbly legs and bad back - it's like a Laurel and Hardy movie! But, give us a few more days and we should be able to have a game of 301 - that's if we have any strength left!

Yesterday, I had to make a run over to the English shop to get a few odds and ends - including some real nice Irish sausages - yum. While over in that neck of the woods - about 20 miles from here - we decided to try a new Indian restaurant that I had seen a few weeks ago. The food was wonderful. They had a lunch buffet and his Lordship had to try everything, including the goat curry. I enjoyed the Chicken Tika Masala and the Dahl but the best part was the Garlic Naan - the best I've ever had.

The chap who waited on us spoke very little English and me and Mr. Indi got into a discussion as to where he might be from. We both agreed that he wasn't Indian but he was from that part of the world. I guessed Sri Lanka but his Lordship was certain that he was Nepalese. "Oh, don't be daft." I said - or words to that effect. "You wouldn't know a Nepalese if one bit you in the bum." So, when lunch was over, I politely asked the nice waiter where he hailed from -------NEPAL! Arggg! I hate it when I'm wrong! It seems the lovely chap was from just outside of Kathmandu near Base Camp 25. Isn't the world an amazing place? A chap from Mount Everest serving Indian bread to an old lady from Birmingham in a restaurant near Los Angeles!

Today's picture is one I took in September of a tile mosaic on a wall in Ventura Harbor. I like the fishes.

Paint by Numbers!

Yesterday, we spent more time on turfing out some of our worldly belongings - well, actually some more old junk that has been cluttering up the place. We have started on the kitchen cupboards and drawers where there are lots of dishes and glasses that have not been used since LBJ was the president - and I figure that if Mrs. Obama is going to get new dinnerware then so am I!

In one of my cupboards there are some little baskets where, for the past millennium or so, I have been keeping old birthday cards and letters and frankly - unless there is money in them - it's time for them to meet the inside of the bin! So, I sat reading through the cards and notes with the intention of shredding them - and - to the most part, I did. BUT, I came across some treasures that will have to go back in the basket for a few more years! There were some lovely photos - inside of ancient Christmas cards - of beautiful nieces and nephews. There were also lots of letters from Ma, who has been dead for over 5 years. It was fun to read that she was knitting a nice little cardigan for baby Christopher - Yes, that baby, Christopher who is now a big strapping 19 year old. Made me smile!

We were very sad to hear that one of our sister sisters -dear Renilde - has had a nasty fall and is in the hospital in Tucson in rather serious condition. We are both holding her closely in our hearts and send all our love and kisses to her and Dee. Renilde is one of the kindest, sweetest people on this planet and we await better news.

Mr. Indi's wobbly knees are not getting any better and in fact the wobbles have gone down his legs to his ankles. He is very unsteady on his feet so it's a good thing that he's got his cane. I just wish he would stop poking me in the bum with it every time he wants something! Today, I will be typing up a synopsis of his Lordship's condition to give to Dr. J tomorrow - along with a multitude of questions. Hopefully there will be some answers!

Today's picture is an oil painting that I did yesterday. Not! Actually it is a photo of the chrysanths that my San Diego buddy gave me last year. I re-potted the plant and it has done quite well - it just started flowering last week. I played around with Paint Shop Pro and I like the oil painting look.

In the Shade of...........

Poor old Mr. Indi didn't get any sleep and spent most of Sunday morning wandering around like a zombie - tap - tap - tap with his cane! It seems that one of the painkillers, or maybe the muscle relaxant, has made his knees go a bit wobbly - so by the afternoon it was tap - wobble - tap - wobble - ! Pretty soon, I'm expecting to hear - tap - wobble - thud!

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We got some of our treasures in the garage cleared out. I was able to palm some tatty old junk off on my neighbor, Delores. She is Fred, the fisherman's wife and I thought it only fair that I donate to her a bag of old bits of lace, some buttons, several scraps of brocade material and some sequins to show how grateful I was for the lovely tuna that Fred gave us! She was delighted!

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We went to Marie's for lunch. We haven't been for ages and I had forgotten that they do an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch. We didn't fancy that so I had shrimp in pasta with a nice cheesy sauce and his Lordship had a big crock of chili with a huge slab of cornbread - Yum! And, while we ate, we were entertained by watching the 500lb people making numerous trips to the buffet line and staggering back with plates of food that would feed most of Bangladesh - and all the while reminding the waitress that they need a refill on their DIET COKE!!!!!! Diet coke? Why not just wash down those 8000 calories with a double chocolate malted milk shake - what's the diff?

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Mr. Indi will not be doing chemo today and he's not going to work because he's unsure about driving while on his morphine pills - AND, I sure in heck ain't driving him to LA at 4 in the morning! So, he is now tap - tap - tapping away on his lap-top. Not with his stick, you understand!

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The picture is one that I took when we were at the Mission San Luis Rey. I like the shape of the tree.

Excuse the lines between paragraphs - stupid blogger won't let me double space again!

OOOOOOPPPPPPSSSSS! - I forgot to say a big THANK YOU to all the people who sent me cyber hugs - they were lovely xxxxxxxx

Roses are Pink

OK - I promise not to snivel today!

Yesterday, we had a very productive morning. Not only did we sort out some clothing for both the drug rehab clinic and Goodwill - but we also started on the toys and games in the spare bedroom. I really hate to get rid of the things that my lovely granddaughters played with but - they grow up, don't they? And, I'm sure there are other kiddly winks out there who will enjoy doing those jig saw puzzles and playing with Battleship and Clue!

We made a run out to the Goodwill collection place and were happy to learn that they will also take our old telly - the one that lived in the living room before we got the new BIG telly. I was afraid they wouldn't take it because all old tellys will be obsolete in February when all telly signals will switch to digital. I thought that all the old tellys would have to go to the big telly tip! SO, I'm happy that we can donate it and get a tax write-off - Hmmmm, how much do you think it's worth?

Today, I'm going to try and get rid of some of the old clobber - errr, I mean lovely heirlooms, that are in boxes in the garage. Some of those boxes have not been opened in at least 15 years and so it will be like Christmas! I wonder what I shall find?

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Indi developed some very severe pain in both his back and his chest. He took 30mg of morphine plus some Vicodin but even that didn't help. I can't understand why the drugs work some of the time - but not every time - there seems to be no pattern to it. He has decided that he is just not feeling well enough to do chemo tomorrow (Monday) and I shall call the clinic at 9:00 in the morning and let them know.

I took the picture yesterday morning. Isn't it lovely to have roses in November?

Just a Quick Note!

This is not to worry anyone - it's just to say that Mr. Indi has had an awful afternoon and I'm not doing much better......I wish there was someone here with hugs - but there isn't.

Some days - life is bloody hard!

I'm off to open a can of soup - don't have the ooomph to make dinner.

Cancer stinks!

A Friday Fish Day!

I never seem to get a minute's peace anymore - well, I suppose I do but I just don't take advantage of those moments. Yesterday morning, I took an inventory of his Lordships drugs and determined that he might not have enough pain killers to last the weekend. - SO........ We had to call the cancer clinic and get Dina to write a couple of prescriptions. This is the trouble with opioid drugs - the doc can't phone in a refill to the drug store - I suppose to guard against abuse - so I had to drive to the clinic to pick up the prescripts and then drop them off at Larry's. My car drives to the clinic and back on automatic pilot!

My next project was to get the ingredients that I needed for dinner. My neighbor, Fred the fisherman, has just returned from a few days of deep sea fishing off the coast of Mexico. He presented me with several slices of fresh albacore tuna and I wanted to try a new recipe - so it was off to the market with a list in hand. Isn't it funny that you get free fish but then spend $30 on ingredients to make a yummy dish?

I had decided on a recipe that I found on the web - (one of Emeril's) - Tuna with Tomato, Caper and Parsley Brown Butter Sauce. It was very good and even though Mr. Indi isn't a big fish fan he really enjoyed it. I served the tuna over jasmine rice with buttered peas - a nice mellow accompaniment. There is enough tuna left for Mr. Indi to have tuna sarnies for his lunch on Monday and I still have about 4 more hunks of fish in the freezer - Yum.

We have decided it's time to clear out our closets - the rules are: If you haven't worn it for 5 years or can't get the zipper up- Be Gone! My DIL is a counselor at a drug rehab center and tells some very sad stories of folks who have been released from prison and are trying to get their lives together - BUT - have nothing to start with. We shall be donating some of Mr. Indi's sports jackets, trousers and shirts to the center in the hope that it will help someone who needs clothes for a job interview or in looking for housing. I will give some of my clothes too - in the hopes that there is a very short, flat chested woman with no bum who is looking for some nice, nearly-new jeans!

Today's picture is of a lovely bronze statue on the main street in Palm Springs. It's called Standing Woman and is by the Mexican sculptor Felipe Castaneda.

Free Beer!

Our doctor visit to see Dina was good - and bad! The good thing was that most of Mr. Indi's numbers are at least as good as last month with the exception of his PSA which has crept up from 72 to 88 - not a huge increase but going in the WRONG direction - Grrr! His hematocrit is 29.0 and his hemoglobin is 9.9 and that means that he will be able to have chemo again on Monday - another Grrrrr! His alkaline phosphatase is at 235 which indicates no significant increase in the bone cancer activity from last month - and Dina doesn't understand why he would be having so much pain if the bone cancer has not increased - a bit of a mystery that maybe Dr. J will be able to answer when he gets back from tripping around the world like a big time jet-setter!

Dina was not at all happy with the pain management schedule that we have devised. Too much Vicodin - sigh! So - she wants him to try the Dilaudid (another morphine based drug) instead of the Vicodin which is acetaminophen based and very hard on the liver. So that's what he did last night - AND - hasn't slept a wink because he's in so much pain - Grrrrr! The Dilaudid is a stronger pain killer than the Vicodin so I just don't understand why it doesn't work. I expect it can't find the part of his brain that needs to be dulled! Not surprised, really! I've long suspected that he's half brain dead! - Don't tell him I said that!

So - he's going back on Vicodin in a couple of hours because it is the only way he can get relief - I can't bear to see him in so much pain - and - he will be looking forward to more chemo on Monday - NOT!

After we got through with the docs, we went down to the shops to find his Lordship a new pair of slippers. His old pair of slippers met with a very unfortunate accident which I won't go into except to say they ended up wrapped in several layers of newspaper and stuffed at the bottom of the rubbish bin - they probably should have gone to a haz-mat site!

On our way back home from the docs, we stopped in the pizza parlor and saw Brian. He is very pleased that his lease has been extended for another year - he was in the throes of finding a new building but now has some breathing room. In celebration, he bought me and him a drink on the house - of course, Mr. Indi can't drink while on morphine so I had to drink his share. I tell you, being a primary carer, one has to make great sacrifices!

Today's pic is of a Cosmos that I took in San Diego.

Mutton Dressed Up As Lamb!

His Lordship stayed home yesterday - and I was happy for that. He had a terrible night and really needed to get some rest - although we ended up going to the local shopping center, spending pots of money, and then having lunch at a nice restaurant - Some rest!

He has wanted one of those man shoulder bags (purse) for quite a while but I haven't been able to find one until yesterday. It's quite nice - looks like a dispatch case from an outrider with the Butterfield Stage! Now all he needs are a pair of chaps and a Stetson - Hmmmm more ideas for Christmas presents!

For lunch, we ate at "The Elephant Bar" - a nice place with a jungle theme! ( Not the menu - the decor!) We have eaten there before and last time I had a delicious braised lamb shank with a lovely tomatoey gravy and nice fresh veggies - So!!! I ordered it again. Well, of course -tis never the same - this poor lamb was no spring chicken! It was chewy old mutton but it probably had a good life as it must have lived to be at least 103. Mr Indi had a stir fry sesame chicken concoction - he really enjoyed it.

Our waiter, Evan, was a sweet chap but he was more interested in my knitting - (I always take my knitting to lunch with me) - than in getting my glass of beer from the bar. He went on at great length to tell me about his Mom's many crochet projects. I was getting ready to stab him in the eye with my number 4.5mm needle when he remembered that he was a waiter and scurried off to get my drink. Cor - I was parched - shopping makes me thirsty!

Today's picture is one that I took of the rain falling in our garden on Tuesday morning. It may be the only rain we see for a while so I might frame the original!

p.s. Mr. Indi has docs this morning and we shall get the results of the latest blood tests. Fingers crossed!

Dawn of a New Day!

I just took this picture about 10 minutes ago. I thought it was apt to show a new day dawning and with any luck it is also the dawn of a new era. There are many reasons why I'm happy that Barak Obama won the election. The number one reason is that he doesn't smirk! I couldn't take any more smirking! After 8 years of watching the smirking Georgie, I was afraid we were going to get the smirking John - Arggggggg! But common sense has prevailed and the smirkers were trounced - good riddance!

I think Barak Obama will have a difficult job for the next couple of years and I don't envy him the task of cleaning up the horrible economic mess that the country finds itself in - but I think he is bright and eloquent and I do believe he cares about the nation and will bring together a team who will be well qualified to tackle the problems. Good luck to him.

Mr. Indi came home from work at about 10:00 a.m. yesterday and couldn't even carry his briefcase from the car to the house. He was doubled over with pain in both his back and his chest. He thinks that part of his problem is constipation from the morphine -(a notorious bunger-up) - and even though he has been getting plenty of bran and fruit down his neck, his visits to the loo are less than satisfactory - in fact a rabbit does a better job! So, last night he drank a half a bottle of Magnesium Citrate - a fruit laxative - in the hopes of having a good....errr.....you know what! AND, that reminded us of a very funny story.

Several years ago, my elderly uncle and his lady friend (both now gone to join the choir invisibule) came to visit us. We didn't know it but they were both chronic alcoholics (yes, even worse than me!) and used to start on the vodka at 8 in the morning. We didn't realize this as they mixed it with orange juice and drank it out of a Tupperware juice glass! At the time, my Mom was also visiting us and had been having irregularity problems. I had bought her some Magnesium Citrate to help matters along. The stuff comes in a bottle that resembles a 7-up bottle. You can guess the rest.........Uncle's lady friend ran out of orange juice and used the laxative to mix with her morning vodka! We were supposed to go to San Francisco for the day but the poor woman was stuck on the loo for about 6 hours! Let that be a lesson!

I got my car back - tis much better and I am $496 poorer. Ryan loves me!

Finally!

After 2 years of having politics for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we have finally reached election day! Phew! I am so sick of it all and will be celebrating the end of the race with a couple of beers or three later this evening - I would like to say that I don't CARE who wins - but that isn't true. I do care and I hope it's Barak Obama. John McCain is a nasty, shrivelled up, forgetful old man who thinks that because he was once a POW that he is qualified to be President. Well, if his choice for VP is any indication of his judgement BWAHHHHHHHH! Silly old George Bush clone. Go back to Arizona where you belong - the country doesn't need any more Republican damage.

Here in California, we have been bombarded with propaganda against the law that made gay marriage legal earlier this year. Most of the hate is coming from the so-called religious right. They want to repeal the law and SAVE MARRIAGE. What a load of crap. There is nothing wrong with my marriage or anybody else's marriage - my marriage isn't hurt in the least if gays marry. I think people who love each other should be allowed to marry and if these so called religious folks can spout so much hate in the name of the Bible - then I'm happy to be an atheist. I don't have time for hate.

Mr. Indi has gone to work today - sometimes I just despair! I can't keep him at home. He seems to have got a fairly decent pain control schedule working and he wanted to test his ability to drive and function properly while taking morphine and Vicodin. Fingers crossed! I think he will be OK.

I have just been down to the end of the driveway to get the morning paper and it's RAINING - It is wonderful and wet and drippy and I'm so happy for my poor gasping plants. As soon as it gets light, I will take some photos of the rain!

I got word yesterday that a very kind friend of mine has just learned that her husband, who is already an invalid, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Jan, I will hold you and Tony in my heart xxxxxx

The picture is of a hanging basket I grew a couple of years ago - a pretty begonia.

She Sells Seashells......

Yesterday, the clocks went back. I got up as usual at the crack of dawn. The clock said 4:25 a.m. but as we hadn't reset the clock it was actually 3:25 a.m. Hmmmm! No wonder it was so quiet! I didn't hear a sound coming from his Lordship's room and was happy that he seemed to be getting some sleep.

So, at that time in the morning, what is a girl to do? Well, I did what any true blue knitter would do - I worked on my latest project - a lovely pink cardigan for my granddaughter. The yarn is a beautiful color called "seashell" and it has that pretty iridescence that you see on some seashells. I passed a peaceful couple of hours knitting until I heard the ghoulish tap -tap - tap coming down the hallway and I knew it was time to make him a cup of tea!

Our day was fairly quiet but I did take the rental car out for a drive down to Temecula for lunch. It's a nice little car with plenty of zip and even though I was averaging 80 mph, there were idiots passing me at 100. Must be bloody barmy! We had a nice lunch although Mr. Indi seems to have lost his appetite (probably due to the drugs) and he only wanted tortilla soup. We were back home at about 2p.m and Mr. Indi spent most of the afternoon in bed resting his back.

Today he has blood tests and I'll drive him down to the clinic at 8 a.m. He will be working from home for the rest of the day and I hope to get a bit of gardening done in this lovely cool weather ...70F today!

Today's picture is one I took last Juneish of the pier at San Clemente - as taken from behind a plastic barrier - hence the ghosts!