I am reporting today that my mammogram came out clear.  I really wasn’t expecting anything but you never know about little surprises.  The worst part is the 45 minutes to an hour that it takes to do it is that incredible noise. UGH!! So, thanks for the prayers.

I do believe Mother Nature is a little confused.  In our yard this morning we must have had fifty robins.  Does that mean an early spring?  Or are they just passing through?  We are waiting for our turkeys to return.  February or March is when they usually start showing up.  The weather has been beautiful the last few days and Cleopatra has enjoyed going outside for a few hours each day.  She actually comes to the door when she’s had enough. Chico goes barreling out the doggy door every five minutes after a squirrel or rabbit.  Nothing like the pitter-patter of big fat feet.

Good friends Patty and Gerard invited us over for drinks and burgers.  Always fun.  As they used to say “Happy hour is the most important meal of the day”.  And as I say also the most fun.  When your consuming alcohol with friends you lose track of time and sometimes food is secondary.  Hey…I know right from wrong and believe me…wrong is always more fun!   They live on a golf course and we never get bored people watching.  So, as long as your not spilling any …you are drinking responsibly.

Getting ready for Super Bowl, like the rest of the world.  Really don’t have a favorite team.  I guess it’s the kid against the old guy.  I just always pray no one gets hurt.  Bill and I are in a few pools in different places around town.  Always gives you something to root for.   Then after Sunday I will be in mourning.  Have to wait till August for the next game.  We will have to depend on the Astros to give us some excitement. Could be a long summer.

Tomorrow is the birthday of my daughter Lani.  Can not believe she will be 37.  And she will have a huge decision to make by her 40TH.  She carries the same BRCA gene as I do.  Lani will have to decide when to have a total hysterectomy and if she wants to have the breasts removed.  Several of you have asked me about the BRCA test and the best way to explain it is that it is a gene that some women and men carry.  I would suggest if there is ovarian or breast cancer in your family or your husbands family to ask your doctor about getting tested.  A man can carry the gene and pass it to his children.  Remember…men can have breast cancer.   And men can carry the ovarian gene without having the pleasure of having ovaries.  Stay ahead of the silent killer!

Love, hugs and prays.  Special prayer to my friend Joan.  Hang in there.  You are amazing and an inspiration to your friends and family.   Please let me know if you need something.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

Well, it came as fast as it went.  But I’d rather have them than not.  Got too close to that a couple of times.  Not fun at all.  So, turning the big 65 was a well welcomed birthday.  Thank you to all the Facebook birthday wishes.  I am so blessed to have so many great friends in my life.  Bill took me out to eat and a wonderful time at the Cork This Winery.  I look forward to many more great times there.  

Preparing for a very busy week.  My breast MRI is always fun.  Nothing like a early wake up just to lie on your tummy for 45 minutes, with the boobs hanging in boxes.  Getting my hair cut.  Meeting with good friend Velma who cuts my hair, drinks wine and have lunch for an always eventful girls day out.  Bill asked if he could go.  To which I gave him “the look”.  I never heard anymore.  Nothing like “the look” is there ladies?

Heard the worst crash the other day.  I mean it brought me off the floor.  I thought someone had run into the house with a car.  First thought…where’s Bill?  Now, let me think, what were his chores today?  OMG!!!!  He was supposed to be cutting tree limbs today.  He had orders not to use the ladder in any shape or form.  I ran to the side door to look out.  Wait for it……wait for it….Bill was on top of the washing machine reaching for the top shelf to retrieve flood lights for the horse barn.  What was that crash?  The top to the washing machine slammed down and half the crap on the bottom shelf was on the floor.  After I regained my composure and refrained from knocking him on his ass, I calmly asked him to get down and go away for about an hour so I could change my underwear and get things back in place.  When I get through he is asleep in his chair, snoring away.  I will get revenge.  And…the fun part is planning it.   Life is a banquet!!!!!!  And he wanted to go with me on girls day……

Love is a beautiful full moon….planets a lined and an incredible sunset.  We witnessed that yesterday.  Mother nature out did herself.  Sitting out under the stars after the sunset God painted was amazing.  A glass of wine, a block of cheese and some grapes.  Bill and Chico discussing men things and Leilani doing nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  It was Heaven.  The Sunday sermon was relying on God to help you through any tough times.  He sent the perfect get-away scenario in His evening canvas.

Having to type over the sleeping cat now.  Nothing like a new challenge.  So I’m out of here until next time.  Have a wonderful week.  Prayers going out to all.  A new year and and another year to make yourself the best you can be.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
They’re Pistols And They’re Loaded!
Leilani

Do you ever have that feeling that something is about to hit the fan but you can’t put your finger on it?  Well, I have felt like that for a entire week now.  Either some news from the “underworld” or a breakdown of a major appliance…something!  So, it hit.   And not only did it hit …it hit twice.  Bill went to get a load of hay for the horses.  When he got to the hay barn the tailgate handle on the truck..broke.  Have it in the shop now to replace the broken one.  Driving home from dropping off the truck we hear a weird sound coming from the front, right tire of the Jeep.  Not a brake pad sound but an indescribable sound.  So once we get the truck back the Jeep will go in for a once over.  Mom always says things come in threes …gee, I can’t wait!

Last week was my major clean week.  Every room got a major overhauling.  Top to bottom, inside and out,  every piece of furniture moved and cleaned.  But, once you clean you rearrange and put stuff in different places.  I was on a mission that I was very proud of.  Until……I tried to find something I needed and had no idea where I put it.  Is it possible to clean so well that you forget of new hiding places and what was put in what tote or box?  I had to tear up what I had just methodically cleaned and categorized.  Oh well, can’t complain because I found so many things I forgot we had.  

My friend Pat gave me a tip on an antioxidant that might help if you are having problems after chemo or just a neuropathy problem from other ailments.  Alpha Lipoic Acid  is an antioxidant that can regenerate the activity of other antioxidants supporting nerve health and sugar metabolism.  My tingling in my fingers and  toes went away quite quickly.  But I have heard good things about it and it’s over the counter in your pharmacy. 

Been deep in James Patterson’s new book…Murder House.  Like most of his books I don’t want to put it down. It annoys Bill cause I completely tune him out.  But I feel this is divine justice.  Bill can’t hear me 24/7 so I at least get a few hours of complete bliss with James Patterson to assist.  Cleopatra tries to play with me during my reading meditation but when she sees the book some out she goes in her condo and takes a cat nap. 

Had a great time with old swimming friends Donna and Debra.  They own Griff’s Bar and Grill in the Montrose area.  Bill and I met up with them for lunch and a lot of great catching up.  Best Buffalo Wings I ever had and Bill was all in his hamburger and fries.   If you want the atmosphere of a ole time bar, great food, and nice people….go visit Griff’s. Next week we have lunch with BBBS to go over the scholarship fund that is in my dad’s name to help kids to get to college.  It was started before dad passed away and continues to thrive and assist kiddos that make great grades and become outstanding in our community.

Prayers out to my dear friend Patty who lost her brother to bladder cancer.  And to all in need of prayer my daily prayers are sent.  Have a blessed weekend and be safe.

Love and Hugs,
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

Happy New Year everyone.  Our New Year’s Day was filled with football and good food.  Yesterday we attended  the Texan/Jaguar  game.  And were excited for our BIG win.  So playoffs for Texans will begin this Saturday.  All I can say as a season ticket owner for a few years….it’s about time!  So, good luck to our Texans.

Tomorrow is the 12TH Day of Christmas so all decorations come down tomorrow.  My mom was insistent that it was good luck to leave all Christmas stuff up until January 5TH.  So, here’s to you mom…for another tradition that is on your list of many.  The family looks forward to all of them all year long. 

I have a breast MRI scheduled for the end of this month.  Just precautionary ….I get one each year due to being BRCA 2 positive.  It’s just the point that you have to stick your hanging boobs in boxes and lie there perfectly still  for 45 minutes with that horrible noise in claustrophobic conditions.  But it’s one for the ole body …so each year I endure it once again.  Speaking of old body…..January 21ST brings up #65.  Where on earth the the time go?  Not complaining…it’s been 6 extra years this month that God gave me to live.  The surgery seems like it was a million years ago but the chemo’s feel like yesterday and something one hopes doesn’t need to happen again…ever.  Praying for a cure to these horrible cancers that have taken lives and have deprived us of time with family and friends. 

The horses have really enjoyed the cooler weather.  For two old farts they are running around as frisky as 4 year olds.  Hard to believe they are 20.   They had their pedicures done on Saturday.  So nails trimmed and a good brushing has made them feel like young guys again.  The cat is getting big.  Cleopatra is as spoiled as the rest of our furry friends.  Chico is still trying to tolerate a cat in the family but doing so good at it.  Fox family still visits nightly to have dinner and the babies are really growing.  Well I guess so, with a nightly feast of holiday leftovers and daily table scraps.  And I am trying to get used to Bill not hearing a damn thing.  A daily challenge to say the least.  But I’m learning to talk to myself and go find him if I need something. And talking to ones self ain’t so bad.  In fact it gives me an excuse to have a conversation with myself without being interrupted   See, little things make me so happy.

So for 2016 I hope that I will be faithful in my strive to be a better person.  A better version of myself.  I will work on little things to help others and make others happy.  I know that nice things can cause a echo effect.  They will spread for the better.  So…cheers my friends for a blessed 2016.  Love and Hugs to you all.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.  Bill and I were blessed to have seen many family and friends.  Because of the bad weather, several could not make it.  So to Debbie and Jason, Jennifer, Tim, and Braden…we will catch up soon.  

The year 2015  brought many memories.  The year started with one of many trips to Las Vegas for Super Bowl.  April brought on the family cruise to Belize.  Lots of fun with all the kiddos.  Many great memories…some too funny to repeat ..only because of family inside jokes and others ..way too long of story to relate.   Bill’s emergency gall bladder surgery was in July.  And while he was recovering from that our little friend Cleopatra showed up in the back yard. Never had a cat before so the experience has been a game changer.  Especially to Chico (our pit bull).  Poor Chico went from only child to brother to a black kitten.  God does work in mysterious ways.  After several trips to Shreveport for business and pleasure we headed into fall.  Cleopatra was not happy having to deal with female surgery …but recovered nicely.  Then we headed into the holiday season.  Thanksgiving was wonderful.  Friends and family gathered to give thanks for all our blessings and the visit from Lani.  Our mother/daughter outing was a blast.  Went to the Alley Theater to see “A Christmas Carol” and a wonderful dinner.  Which brings us back to Christmas and the beautiful Christmas Eve service at church.

Bill and I would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year.  A 2016 filled with love, happiness and health.  You are always in our thoughts and prayers.  May God bless you with His love and inspiration.

Hugs and Love,
Ride,Baby,Ride! And keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Hi y’all.  The last two weeks have been a whirlwind.  Thanksgiving was wonderful.  Fun with family and friends.  The nippy weather added to the fun mostly because we could fire up the outdoor fireplace.  I survived the “weight gaining” holiday with a mere 3 pounds added to my ass.  My friend Linda from church made her famous “Death by Chocolate” cake.  And it was such a hit, I ordered another one for when Lani came in from South Carolina.  And Lani and I did our annual mom/daughter date to see “A Christmas Carol” at the Alley Theater.  Then dinner at Birraporetti’s.  Got in more trouble than usual.  But it doesn’t take much to get us going.

Got several doctor appointments out of the way.  Eye doctor visit was a relief because it was a re-check for glaucoma.  And thank goodness it was not.  My cardio dude was happy with the results that the blood pressure pill was giving so I was dropped to only 5 mg a day.  So real pleased about that as well.  And then there was a visit to see “The Bev”.  My CA125 was excellent…2.9.  And “the who” exam was all good.   During the exam…while “The Bev” is doing his thing between the legs, my phone rings.  Bill is looking at it and said it’s Patty.  I told him I’d call her later when my legs were together.  But my ring tone for my cell is Dean Martin’s “Amore”.  So Dean is singing…when the moon hits your eyes like a big pizza pie..that’s amore,  I told Dr. Bevers how lucky could one lady be…serenaded by Dean Martin while having the who-who  invaded by my handsome doctor.  Bill was cracking up…Bev was on the floor, the nurse (who was new and didn’t know how I am) was beet red,  and I was in Heaven!  When we got through with the exam I called Patty back to tell her what ciaos she had caused and she was laughing so hard I thought she was going to have a wreak because she was driving between Ohio and Tennessee visiting her kids.  Just another day at the office…he-he!

The foxes are still visiting every night and we are still feeding the family.  The squirrels are so fat they look like steroid critters from a different planet.  We have seen lots of deer and so we have started throwing more corn their way.  Birds must have migrated.  we do have a few cardinals still coming late in the evening.  But lots of hawks.  Chico and Cleopatra are still tolerating each other.  I still get “that look” from Chico every now and then …but all in all…all is well.

Bill has been out burning limbs and leaves.  We had 4 dead trees cut down and Grimes County had been under a burn ban.  So now we are able to burn lots of the limbs.  We had a lot of it cut up into fire wood.  But, since it’s pine, we can’t burn it in the indoor fireplace …but it sure makes the outdoor fireplace smell good.  When Lani was here, our dear friend and second daughter to me, Amy, had a blast.  It was cold, we were hauling wood like Paul Bunyan, drinking wine, and had a blast sitting out by the fire and swinging in the swings. Amy and I also took Lani shopping and out to lunch in College Station.  Went to Willie G’s and then went down the street to the Dixie Chicken…great time.  Linda and David took us to their hang out “Time Out”  and we had a fun lunch with their friends “the funky bunch” right before we took Lani to the airport.  I miss her so much.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Get ready for Santa…which means …BE GOOD…. right!  A shout out to friend Carrie who made the announcement that she and her cutie husband are expecting in June.  Congrats my friends.  Prayers to all in need.  A special prayer request to my friend Olivia who has now receiving hospice for ovarian cancer.  Blessings my dear friend …love and hugs!

Merry Christmas
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

Would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.  May God’s blessings be on us all.  I hope if you are traveling, that your trip be safe and peaceful.  We are in such a confusing time.  Our world has turned upside down and smart decisions need to be made.  Please stay aware of your surroundings.  Bill and I send our love to you all.

I wrote this down shortly after my mother passed away.  I was sitting watching it rain.  The raindrops were so beautiful hitting the window and running down to the sill.  I felt an amazing feeling.  I just started writing not knowing why.  I’m sure many will be thinking of loved ones that have moved on to the spiritual side during the Holiday Season.

“I hear footsteps and they’re not mine.  I feel a heart beating faster…and it is mine.
I look around expecting someone to be standing there.  But they’re not.
The feeling is overwhelming and I get goosebumps. There is someone there!
Someone I love.  Someone so dear to me that I can smell them. 
I sit here watching the rain and embracing this moment of pure love and total peace”.

I knew it was mom telling me she was OK and at peace.  That she was with God.  The raindrops were angel tears of happiness.  And I knew then and there she was with me and we will be together one day.  May all of you find that peace this Thanksgiving. 

Blessings,
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

It has come to my attention that owning a cat adds certain skills to your resume.   The 49er’s panned for gold…..Leilani pans for poop!  The scooper with holes, so that kitty litter falls through and poop nuggets stay in the scooper.  Now, believe it or not, it takes skill not to make a huge mess.  Bill did it once…I fired him.  There was kitty litter everywhere.  Even Cleopatra ran and hid.  Not that this will ever be an Olympic event but wouldn’t it be fun to watch! 

Every morning we let Chico out first then feed him.  Cleopatra watches from her high-rise in the study.  This morning she wasn’t in the window.  I walked over to look in the window to see where she was.  Do you know that little stinker was in front of the security camera monitor watching us on the back porch.  She has figured it all out.  When she is inside and wants to find us …she goes to the security camera.  What a hoot.

Bill and I had four 40ft. pine trees cut down.  Talk about a mastered skill.  These guys climb those trees…anchor a chain…cut them down and they fall right where they say it will.  The trees had died due to beetle destruction.  And where the beetles go so goes the woodpeckers.  Everyday about 6 of them have been very busy.  We are not talking redheaded woodpeckers, we are talking the huge Pileated woodpeckers.  The ones that look like Woody Woodpecker.  They are beautiful and loud!  And they do make a call very similar to Woody’s.  After the removal they were raising all kinds of Hell.  That the crap?  Where are our trees?  Very comical.

Had a wonderful sunday with Dusty, Amy, and Haley.  They came over after church yesterday and we a blast.  Got to fire up the outdoor fireplace with the cool evening and watched nature.  One of the gray foxes showed up.  And was it in heaven.  We had fried chicken, potato salad, and spicy green beans.  Amy takes credit for the Italian green beans.  I made the potato salad.  And the best little homemade eating joint in Navasota made the fried chicken.  It’s right across the highway from our church so it was convenient to pick up on our way home.  It really is the best fried chicken, all of us agreed, that we have ever had.  And I make some good fried chicken but for the price and no mess…I’m all in.  So, the fox got all kinds of yummy leftovers. 

I was on Facebook this morning reading the Teal Mobile news.  Unfortunately we lost another sister to ovarian cancer.  Darla lost her 5 year battle yesterday.  Please send prayers out to her family and ask God to take her in His arms and know that finally her suffering has ended.  I do pray for all that need our support and hope that they find a cure for these horrible different types of cancer.  And to our French friends, God bless you all.  Let’s hope this terror stops soon.  Please to all….be safe!

Love and hugs!
Ride,Baby,Ride! And Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

My mother used to say that to be successful, learn a little something about as many things that you can.  I have done my best.  Knowledge is power!!  So, I went to the store bought a toilet kit and went to work.  Turned off the water….took the tank lid off, took off the broken chain and flapper, replaced it, turned water back on, made sure it worked, and returned the tank lid.  It cost $2.50 for the kit.  I was so proud of myself.  Now, this was after one week of trying to get Bill to fix it.  I finally said to myself…Self, we can do this.  Bill, is forbidden to use that toilet!!!!  It is now mine!!!!  He can use one of the other two or go nature it.  My mom used to call the plumber every time she saw dad head to the bathroom with a wrench.  So, I should be thankful that it didn’t turn into a $200. job.  Bill couldn’t believe that I did it without him….really? 🙄

For a couple of days we were having cell phone problems.  I’m learning but with this phone I have now you cannot take the battery out.  It kept saying something was wrong with the card….so I drove to Verizon and not only did we get it fixed, they dropped our bill by $25. a month.  Will wonders ever cease?  So, now I have saved us about $225.

I think I’m partially responsible for global warming!  Last night I had a hot flash to end all others. Although, I have not had that many lately.  Found out Bill had turned the air off because it was supposed to drop to high 40’s, to low 50’s overnight.  We had the ceiling fans going and my bedside oscillating fan (which I share with Chico) but it didn’t seem to be enough.  I woke up soaking wet.  I took off everything and put a towel under me to soak up the dampness in the sheets.  So Bill wakes up thinking he got lucky and I’m ready to do “the deed” at 2 AM……Bill, you are dreaming…go back to sleep, I’m really not naked.  Do you know… he did!  Boy, did he miss out.  He even asked me about it this morning over coffee.  I said what are you talking about?  I’ll play it as long as I can.  He lost out physically but, I saved him a little electricity cost.  Now, the total is about $235. 

I am now in the market for septic filters for the washing machine.  They are mesh baggies that hang in the filter tank beside the washer so that all the lent and dirt is filtered out before it goes into the septic system.  Don’t know why one really needs them, I mean, does one filter their poop before it heads to it’s final resting place underground?  No one has them.  I have tried Ace, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply.  I have been on line and still no luck.  So, it looks like I may have to make my own.  It doesn’t look too hard.  Although, you are looking at a gal who has a favorite seamstress to do that stuff.  But I’m on a save money kick trend…so I’m ready for the challenge.  Who knows what the price of the filters are but I’m guessing about $20. a piece.  OK…$255. in savings.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving.  Family and dear friends will be here to celebrate all of our blessings.  Lani will miss Thanksgiving Day but will be here shortly afterwards.  We will miss the loved ones that will have the celebration with their families.  Some of the relatives have really expanded their numbers!   Bill and I ordered the Honey baked Ham.   We dug out the roasters to cook the turkey and cornbread dressing in.  Then, Bill and I will take a deep breath and a tall glass of wine and enjoy our home.

Blood pressure is fine.  Pills helped.  Will see the Cardio dude next week to see if he will keep me on them.  Thank you for the prayers.  And, special prayers to all in my prayer jar.  You are loved and have God’s blessings.

Love and Hugs!
Ride,Baby,Ride! And Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Scary moments were more than a Halloween trick around here.  Woke up at midnight on October 21 and felt really strange.  Nothing that I could exactly put my finger on so I took my blood pressure.  As Bill snored like a freight train I was staring at numbers I could not believe.  Number one….I’ve never had high blood pressure in my life.  Number two I have never chewed up a Bayer aspirin so fast.  201/98!!!!  Woke Bill up and poor Dr. Bing and drove to the hospital.  Thank the good Lord the ER was empty.  I had everyone’s undivided attention.  The nurses accessed my port and drew blood and prepared it in case I needed an IV.  They took a chest x-ray and blood pressure was now 205/101.  X-ray and blood work showed no damage to the heart. That didn’t keep me from freaking out!  Turns out that I had been taking some energy pills when I did my daily workouts.  (Something called “Zantrex” (sp). and not to be confused with Zantac).   Thank goodness I only took one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Saw our Cardio dude that morning after promising the ER doctor I would see him immediately if she would discharge me.  Doc put me on some blood pressure pills, low dose, so that he could wean me off of them if need be.  It took a few days to get it down but each day it got a little bit better.  I’m now sitting at 116/68.  Yahoo!!!!!  I go back in one month for a recheck.  Never take energy anything! 

Bill and I got back from a short jaunt to Vegas.  Our friend Pete Valle was in a bad car wreck and was returning to work.  So, we packed up to see our pal start singing again.  If you ever get to Vegas, go see The Big Elvis Show.  Pete sounds just like Elvis.  The best Elvis in Vegas award for many years running.  We love you Pete!  While there, we attended a wonderful cocktail party given by our Caesar’s hostess Melissa.  Received two leather jackets given by Caesar’s Entertainment and played our favorite 3 card poker.  Had a great time and recovered from my scare a few days earlier.

On our return, we had lunch with our good friends Linda and David.  Trying to do clothes and getting the house ready for Halloween I must have misplaced something.  Because on our way to lunch I kept thinking what is wrong with this pair of panties?  Nothing like a dryer sheet up your ass.  Well, at least my bottom smells better than it ever has and my butt is softer! 

Cleo is as crazy as ever.  Bill said the wind must have picked up because the big red umbrella on the front deck was going around and around.  Looked out there and that damn cat had jumped from the walkway railing on top of the umbrella.  You would have thought she was a kid at the park.  Having a blast.   We got her down from there and now she is stalking the Carolina Wren family.  Get her attention away from them and she’s eyeing the squirrels.  I’m tired of babysitting…headed for the wine!  Now, who do you think has her head in my wine?

Peace and love my friends.  Fight like a girl!
Ride,Baby,Ride! 
Leilani