I hate to say it but the last two weeks have been off the charts.  If it comes in threes…I’ve had double trouble.  And for once…I’m innocent!

Last Thursday was my boob MRI.  My yearly “I hate this more than anything” appointment.  The guy that started the IV was an ex-Navy dude.  The needles to inject the dye are a bit larger than the regular IV needle.  Mind you, I have great veins…the nurses tell me that all the time.  So how did Mr. Midshipman miss mine?  They couldn’t use the port for some reason…I guess needle size…so I suffered as he stuck it in and proceeded to probe around.  Said it’s in but something is blocking it.  My right arm is still all the colors of the rainbow and then some.  I asked for another nurse and she came in stuck, the left arm, got blood and started the IV all in one sweep.  Now that’s what I’m talking about.  Then we get to the MRI.  Tech gets boobs in their boxes and we start the test.  45 minutes in the tube…on my tummy looking into a mirror so I don’t have to look at the floor.  OMG!!!!!  I’ll get results today.

Then, on Friday, I head to the church office to help with the church bulletin.  After leaving, I run to the grocery store to pick up some tomato sauce because Bill and Dusty wanted chili.  I’m leaving the parking lot and a pick-up truck of massive proportions backs right into my Jeep.  Not just backs into…plows into! Now how can I get into a wreck when I’m not even moving?  Well…I did!  This dude was trying to get out of the way of another driver pulling into the parking lot.  The adjustor came out yesterday and we are waiting on a quote.  Mame, my Jeep, is drivable but lost a fog lamp and a blinker light.  Several nicks in the bumper where the entire back end of the pick-up landed.  A couple of dents in her armor.  Fortunately, the Navasota Fire Dept. was at the grocery store’s gas station and helped separate the vehicles.  At least ladies… the scenery was excellent.  I got a bird’s eye view of the cute little butts jumping up and down on my bumper.  Got to hand it to my little Wrangler, she didn’t look as bad as the 2015 huge pick-up.  Although receiving quite a jolt, I had no injuries.  The cop asked for everyone’s info and of course I had to give him my Concealed handgun license with it.  He asked me if I was carrying my gun and I said yes.  He asked me where I carried it.  I said, today it’s in my purse.  When I asked him if he’d like to see it …he laughed..and said NO.  Can’t understand why he didn’t want a menopausal ole gal showing off her pistol.  

Dusty was back over chopping wood and while taking logs out of the back of his pickup he ran across a snake.  Turned out to be a Texas black snake.  Looked like a young one but it’s dead anyway.  You know my rule…only good one is a dead one!  While Dusty was doing that …Bill was filling up the horse trough.  No, Bill was overflowing the horse trough.  The horses thought it was great.  Most fun they’ve had since they moved in.  Just like a couple of kids playing in the disaster.  Getting water everywhere.  Bill’s face was priceless.  Dusty and I were on the floor!  So funny!

I need to ask for prayers for some friends of mine, Pam and Dick, who lost their son, Kurt, this morning.  The young man was 34 years old and a daddy to a two year old.  The young man’s dad was one of my bosses at Kroger about 14 yrs. ago.   Please pray for their hearts to heal.  Blessings to the Habada family.  And prayers out to all that are hurting for one reason or another.  Congratulations to my friend Pat who just got a negative cancer test back.  You go girl!

Hugs and love,
Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

What a great day.  Woke up this morning to cooler weather and we get to honor all our soldiers.  So to start off thank you to all our country’s protectors.  Bill and I spent Sunday after church at the steak and seafood place McCormick and Schmick’s.  Enjoyed the food and of course the wonderful attention they gave all our service men and women past and present.  Bill enjoyed the complimentary beef medallions with mashed potatoes and green beans, one of the many free choices for our vets.  I enjoyed my filet mignon …cooked to perfection. It was another fun outing that gave me the thought…”give me one good reason to act my age”. 

Sunday was also the anniversary date of my mom’s passing.  Bill was good at keeping me occupied as to not think so much about the past.  Hard to believe it has been 17 years.  But knowing she is in Heaven with Our Father is all that counts.  Do not know if you have been listening to the news lately but several amazing things have occurred.  The lady who was pronounced dead after a C-section and after 45 minutes started breathing again.  Saying that a voice kept telling her that it wasn’t her time.  The 5 year old girl abducted from here home in Utah at 4 in the morning and the mother waking up to a voice that told her to go check on her.  The dad went out and confronted the dude in their front yard and got her back.  He was caught and arrested soon afterwards.  The young nurse that was kidnapped right off a Philadelphia street and was returned a couple of days later.  The two Korean hostages that were released from North Korea…very puzzling.  The lady that went to the Garth Brook concert after her 19TH round of chemo to fight off stage 3 breast cancer and Garth stopped the concert to wish her well and signed and gave his guitar to her for her strength and faith.  I’m telling you miracles are happening everyday.  God is talking..we had better be listening!  We are blessed beyond belief!

Good luck to my editor, Tyler, who lives in Marquette, Michigan.  The arctic blast has them going nowhere.  Looks like 2 to 3 feet of snow on the way.  I asked him if he had any of his Halloween stash leftover to keep him from going hungry.  I’ll be glad to send a Snickers care package.  So prayers to those who need to stay warm.  Don’t forget about the pets.  They depend on you.

We are all thinking about tomorrow.  What will it bring?  Just remember to learn from yesterday and apply it to your life.  If you didn’t learn anything yesterday…you had better rethink.  It is through our past that we develop our future.  Don’t forget the knee-mail.  When life gets too hard to stand…kneel!!!!!

Breast MRI on Thursday.  So pray for great results.  It is part of my participation in the MD Anderson BRCA trial to nail cancer by heredity.  I tell all of them at the center, be careful what you say and do, you might wind up in my next book! 

Counting down for Lani’s visit.  Getting all the Thanksgiving hoopla ready.  Bill almost had a stroke when he saw the $450.00 grocery bill.  And that’s not counting the ham from Honey Baked Ham.  Groceries went up about 50 bucks from last year.  It’s amazing how each year it creeps higher and higher.  I’ve kept track about the last 3 yrs.  Scary! 

Love you all.  You are the angels that keep me going.  Have a wonderful week.  And be sure to thank a vet. 

Hugs and love,
Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Well, saying goodbye to another Halloween and hello to another Thanksgiving season.  And with the days after Halloween come putting up the Halloween decorations and retrieving the turkey related totes.  And with all of this hustle and bustle comes the dreaded trip to the “holiday shed”.  So named for the contents of the totes it houses.  Every time I go to that shed for a holiday exchange I feel like an archaeologist digging through the ancient relics of Egypt.  I pray each time that I do not uncover Cleo’s asp!  Or for that matter any other creature that decided to make “holiday shed” it’s home.  I shudder at the possibilities. 

Bill and I went to the Texan game yesterday.  So disappointing for all the fans.  JJ and a few of his defensive company did their job but we need an offense….a whole new offense.  Also could use some help at defensive backs but it seems we just can’t get it right.  Our friends that have season tickets as well, were venting much more than usual.  But the home game fun still exists and plenty of spirits were consumed.  Go Texans!  Please!!!!!

After the last week, with son Dusty’s help we have cleared a lot of land and have collected lots of firewood.  The cooler weather has sure helped the project.  We can now work most of the day, rather than a few hours at a time, without getting too pooped.  As my dad, Magoo, used to say …too pooped to pop!  And speaking of Magoo, I ran across a tote of things that I kept from his house.  Among them a picture of the two of us as he is running behind me teaching me how to ride a two-wheeler bike.  So funny…I actually remember how scared I was when he took those training wheels off.  And after a couple of disasters to the knees, and scars to prove it, I remember him making homemade ice cream on the back porch to celebrate.  Mom’s favorite …peach.  Everyone taking their turn churning the handle.  Oh my, what great memories. 

On Sunday, November 9TH, will be the anniversary date of my mom’s passing.  Hard to believe it will be 17 years.  Bill always takes me out to eat that day.  Either lunch or dinner in celebration of her beautiful life.  The day is also special because it is my sis-in-law Libby’s birthday.  I think she is going to be 37!  Love ya Lib! 

Another busy week.  Of course voting tomorrow.  Dinner with friends on Tuesday, port cleaned on Thursday, and breast MRI on the 13TH.  Not my favorite thing to do but it has to be done.  Another date with the famous “boob box”.  Always fun to lie there motionless for 45 minutes while the tata’s hang in all their glory to be nuclear imaged for the world to see.  Always my idea of a to-do on my bucket list. 

Bill had his skin cancer surgery.  All went well.  Took out a chunk of the lower cheek and has 8 stitches that show…a few more underneath.  Not a Frankenstein face yet.  But we should be getting results of tissue removed tomorrow.  It has not slowed him down and all-in-all makes us enjoy every day we have together even more.  His rib is doing much better and only gives him trouble every once in a while.

Had a good rain today.  Lots of tree limbs down. But around here that is very normal with a good rain storm and a little wind.  I was in College Station when it hit.  Ran errands and made the last stop the grocery store.  As I was leaving the storm hit.  Needless to say I drove back to Navasota soaking wet.  But challenges make you stronger and there are no complaints here.   Grabbed pumpkins and fall decorations at Hallmark Store.  Love that place.  Lots of wonderful smelling candles and other goodies to make the home festive.  Bought the coolest windchime.

Enjoy the fall everyone.  Lots of festivals going on.  Remember God just wants you to have fun.  Don’t worry what will happen tomorrow…live for now.  We all fight life’s adversities…so make your life count.  Let’s go prayer warriors, lots of work to do!

Hugs and love,
Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!

It has been a wonderful week.  Bill had his 74TH birthday.  The Big Brothers Big Sisters had their huge gala.  We booked Lani’s flight to come home over the holidays.  And….I get to have lunch with an old friends tomorrow and  Friday.

The Big Brother Big Sister Gala was wonderful.  So many nice people donating time and money to such a terrific cause.  The new executive VP is Pierce Bush.  Yes, of the famous Bush family, of which his dad Neil and family were on hand.  Pierce was the MC for the evening and added a special touch to the festivities.  Plenty of auctioning, dancing, flowing wine, a delicious dinner, and casino tables.  Bill and I bought two footballs at the auction.  One was signed by “cutie pie” JJ Watt and the other was a cougar football signed by Coach Bill Yeoman and Coach Levine.  We also donated to a sidewalk square at the new buiding being built for the BBBS.  We will have dad’s name engraved on it.  So, it was a wonderful evening.

I have lunch with and old high school buddy tomorrow.  Haven’t seen this lady since our 40TH reunion.  Really looking forward to it.  We really had some “kick ass” times in high school.  Then Friday, after helping with the church bulletin, Bill and I are having lunch with good friends Linda and David.  They are getting ready to leave on another cruise.

Bill has taken on a new exercise program.  Haven’t had to call the paramedics… yet.  His routine is now walking 20 minutes a day on the treadmill.  I’m waiting for the yell when he puts it on too fast and winds up in the next county.  I was lifting weights yesterday and he came in to ask me a question.  Then he informs me that he might want to start doing weights too.  I need to make sure his life insurance policy is up to date!  Scares the hell out of me!

Can’t believe it is almost October.  Casey is staying with us for a couple of days to help Bill with a load of hay and build a cover for the gas generator.  Hopefully we won’t have an emergency but when we do it will be easy to get to and ready to go.  It has been in the shed.  It is so heavy, even on wheels, so closer to the house is better.  We keep a couple of window units stored too.  As long as I have air and toilet, a bottle of wine and snuggled in…I’m good.

Have a great week my friends.  Hugs to all of you.

Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Okay…I have nothing against poodles.  Afterall, they are supposed to be one of the smartest dog breeds there is. My mom got two little minis when my brother and I were kids.  Pierre and Toushay.  So nothing wrong with the little dogs.  But… after taking Chico to get his shots the other day I have decided that the “standard” ones are creepy.  Have you ever met one of those things face to face?  OMG, there is something not quite right.  Chico thought so too.  The look on his face was…what the hell is that?  And keep it away from me!  When we first walked in, there was a huge cat sitting in the middle of the lobby.  The cat saw Chico and froze.  Chico didn’t.  He dragged me across the floor and was within feet of the kitty.  I told the girl she’d better come rescue this cat.  Bill was laughing his ass off.  Chico was looking like …oh goody…something to toss around!  But after the poodles arrival, Chico needed a tranquilizer.  No, he did fine.  Just excited about getting out in the world and taking in new things.  It was a hoot!  Total bill $35.00.

The next day we took Starr for her check up and returned with “no worse for wear”.  Only an empty wallet and Bill needing CPR after getting the bill.  Starr is 15 now and really slowing down.  But she will have her teeth cleaned next month if all her blood work turns out good. Also, xrays of her heart to make sure she can go under the “toothscraping”.  It’s so hard to watch your four legged family members get old.  Total bill $650.00.

I’ve been ordering things from catalogs to get ready for the holidays.  Found some really cute stuff on sale.  I have always liked to get a head start, much to Bill’s dismay.  Although we were out running errands yesterday and he actually pointed out a SteinMart store to me.  Thought I was going to have to take him to the emergency room.  Usually he has me look the other way at something bogus so I don’t see it.  It took me a moment to reorient.  Will wonders ever cease?

We have been timing Bill’s poop sessions.  No falls to record.  I did have to help him up the other day. (Just call me the “toilet whisperer”)!  His feet fell asleep again.  Just love being the “toilet police”.  I think a camera in the bathrooms are becoming more of a reality over here.  I have not hit the ground lately either.  My bruise healed with no side effects.  Other than that not much in the field of physical disasters.  I do have a big month coming up in October as far as rechecking the CA125 and Dr.Bevers appt.  So now is the time I start getting nervous again.  Bill will have to have a skin cancer taken off his face in a few weeks.  Biopsy came back positive.  Not a big spot and should be easily removed.

We have the Big Brother Big Sister Gala coming up.  Always lots of fun.  Also, a get together with BBBS at Minute MaidPark.  I wish daddy was here to go with us.  Big Brother Big Sister was his most rewarding accomplishment.  It is an honor to be invited to the events as the founders daughter.  I appreciate their efforts in making me part of their events.

One of my chemo nurses lost her daughter unexpectedly.  Please send out prayers to their family.  And a big request for all the prayer warriors out there for continued support of those who need our love and hugs.  A shout to new friend from Iowa who sent me a beautiful thank you note.  I am here for anyone who needs me.

Hugs!!!!!

Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

I know …don’t panic…it’s been way too long to wait for a silly post.  Kinda hard for an old woman to say but we have not stopped in the last 3 weeks.  If it makes you feel any better, I finally did a major cleaning of the house too.  Not just a half ass cleaning like the last couple of weeks. 

We have had doctor appointments, gatherings with friends and family, church events, Texan games, port cleanings, and final touches on the house to get ready for fall.  But I must say that karma did get me.  I was kidding Bill so much about falling and breaking a rib that the gods in charge of falling down got even with me.  While out watering the lawn, I slipped and fell right on my butt.  The water hose got tangled up around a tree and I gave it the good ole college pull and my wet tennis shoes went right out from under me.  Chico, my granddog, came running to check on grandma.  Nothing hurt except my pride and a bruise the size of a softball on the butt cheek.  But Bill is healing nicely and can actually do some of his chores again.  Dr. Bevers said that I should set an egg timer for Bill when he poops.  He can’t be on the throne for more than 10 minutes at a time.  Dusty came by and helped weed eat and throw hay. 

Had three wonderful lunch dates.  Bill and I met with Linda, David, and Linda’s lifelong friend Pam in from Arizona, at Applebee’s and had agreat visit.  I met with ovarian cancer fighter Olivia at Willie G’s for lunch.  Olivia is also a patient of “the Bev’s” and recently had a CT scan that shows she will once again have to put up a good fight.  But we fight like girls and we will be winners.   Also, had lunch with my friend Betsy and her sister Mary Sue at BJ’s Brewhouse.  Another wonderful visit.  Betsy used to be one of my chemo nurses and has retired and moved to College Station.  I really appreciate the purchase of the books.  It gives more money to my research fund which will help so many in the future.

Went to the Texan pre-season game with good friends Linda and David.  Only bad thing was a loss.  But Sunday was our season opener and we knocked the crap out of the Washington Redskins.  JJ Watt and crew did a real number on them.  Keep it up Texans.  It was a game where my middle finger did not have to answer every play.  Last year was such a disaster.

Did some fall shopping.  I made the mistake of going when the whole world was headed back to school.  Sometimes you just have to close your eyes, take a breath, ball your fists up, and remind ones self that you wouldn’t look too great in prison stripes and just smile at the dumbasses and leave.  I mean…really…where do these people come from?  There has to be a dumbass planet out there somewhere that produces and houses these people.  Oh well…I don’t need anger management …yet, I just need the dumbasses to quit pissing me off!  And life goes on.

Have a great week.  Tomorrow is hump day and that means Friday is around the corner.  Prayers to all that need them.  Blessings!

Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani