Fun In The Workshop

DeBary, FL

48 deg. light rain, N. wind @ 9 mph
Forecasts = Cloudy with occasional light rain throughout the day. High 51F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

OK, Jim finally took some photos of his new tools.

This first one is of the new Ryobi 7 1/4" circular saw that he bought awhile back.

This scroll saw is from one of the boxes he brought home last night from Harbor Freight. 

And this 18" wood lathe was in the other box. 

At one point, Jim left the kitchen door open, so I decided I'd go out to the workshop and see what these new power tools were all about. 

This saw really zings!!! Zoom!! zoom!!! zoom!!!

I'll bet I could really go spinning around on this thing!!! ;-) 

This scroll saw jiggles when it runs. :-) 

Oh Oh!!!! Help!!!! Help!!!! :-O

I had a lot of fun out in the workshop even though I did get tangled in one of the power cords. Of course, Jim made sure none of the tools were plugged in while I was climbing around on them. I don't think he'll let me be out there when he's actually using them.

Did you know that on this date in 1995 - The San Francisco 49ers became the first team in National Football League (NFL) history to win five Super Bowl titles? The 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers 49-26.

Woof!!!!

Feeling Better and A Trip To Harbor Freight

DeBary, FL.

56 deg. mist, S. wind @ 4 mph.
Forecast = Mostly sunny. High near 80F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

I know, it's been quite awhile since I've posted but it's been pretty slow around here in DeBary.

Linda is finally starting to feel a little better. The bone/joint pain from the injection she had last Friday to help the bones produce more blood cells has been pretty bad this time, but I think she's over the worst of it. That should be the last of those injections until she resumes the chemo treatments, after she completes the 8 weeks of radiation treatments.

Jim hasn't been doing much, he's been mostly helping Linda. When her bones and joints ache, it's very hard for her to move around much, so he's been getting things for her and helping in any way he can so she doesn't have to move too much.

Yesterday evening, he took CLT (Cute Little Truck)  and headed over to Harbor Freight. I knew that he had been doing some research on the Internet, and I guess he decided on what he wanted, because he came back here with 2 large boxes!!!

You see, he's been getting really "itchy" just sitting around here, watching TV, surfing the Internet, reading and taking naps, so he's decided to start procuring some power tools for the workshop. So far, he's bought some hand tools, such as clamps and other small items, a circular saw, (Skillsaw), and now whatever is in those 2 boxes he brought home last night.

I don't know what he has in mind as far as projects, but from what I've seen when we lived in the house in Illinois, he has made some pretty nifty things.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what he comes up with. ;-)

Did you know that today is "National Kazoo Day"?

Woof!!!

Last Chemo Treatment Of This Series

DeBary, FL.

44 deg. clear, N. wind @ 12 mph.
Forecast = Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 53F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.

It's been pretty quiet around here lately. Yesterday, Linda had her 3rd and last chemo treatment of this series.  Today, she'll have to go back and get that injection that helps her bones manufacture more blood cells to help her immune system. Of course that same injection also makes her bones and joints ache for at least 3 days. :-(

Jim has either a cold or his allergies are really bad, so he didn't go into the chemo place with Linda yesterday. If he does have a cold, he didn't want to expose it to all those people in there that are getting treatments and possibly have a compromised resistance to infections.

Linda met with the chemo doctor and she told her that she will be talking to the radiation doctor and they would decide when it would be the best time for her to start the radiation part of the cancer treatment process. She said that she thought it would probably be in about 3 weeks. Once that starts, Linda will have to go in for radiation treatments every day, (5 days a week), for 8 weeks. Then, after a short recovery period from the radiation she will have another series of 3 chemo treatments, again spaced at 21 day intervals.

As close as Jim and Linda can figure, it will be sometime around the end of July or the first part of August before Linda is done with the whole procedure.

It's been fairly cold down here in Florida lately, (by Florida standards). Everyone in the community have been covering up sensitive plants every night so they wouldn't freeze. Even though the temperature hasn't been down much below freezing, there has still been a lot of frost in the mornings, and that would surely damage them.

Don't know what's happening today. Linda mentioned last night that she'd like to do something today because for the next 3 days or so, she'll be very uncomfortable from that injection that she'll be getting this afternoon. Maybe they'll try to get in a little shopping and then go out to eat or something.

Did you know that today is "National Peanut Butter Day"?

Sounds good to me, but it sticks to the roof of my mouth. ;-)

Woof!!!



 

A Great Visit With Good Friends

DeBary, FL.

43 deg. light fog, no wind.
Forecast = Foggy early, becoming sunny this afternoon. High near 70F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Yesterday morning, Linda and Jim did that last load of laundry and then kicked back and relaxed for awhile. About 1:30 or so, Roland and Louise arrived and after h and h, (hugs and handshakes), they talked and talked the afternoon away. :-)

Roland and Louise were one of our first RVing friends. We met them way back in 2002 in a little CG in the panhandle of Florida. Jim and Roland hit it off right away and soon after, Linda and Louise became very good friends too. They weren't full-timers at that time, but soon after hearing about Jim and Linda's adventures, hit the road soon afterwards.

And, as they say, "The rest is history"!!! ;-)

After a nice afternoon of visiting, Jim and Roland headed over to Gentile's and picked up a couple small pizzas. After an enjoyable meal and more conversation they decided that it was time for them to head back home to their double-wide home in Frostproof.

So, after more h and h, they headed for home. :-(

It sure was great to see them again. Both Jim and Linda always enjoy visiting with them. Hopefully we'll get to see them again sometime soon.

Did you know that the average person only has only 4 or 5 "close friends"?

Woof!!!

Laundry and Company Coming?

DeBary, FL.

38 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 67F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.

Yep!!! Just like I thought, Linda and Jim did laundry yesterday. They did 3 loads and there's still another one to do!! (I told you that the hamper was bulging at the seams)!  ;-)

So, today, they'll probably do that last load and then spend the afternoon visiting with our company.

Oh!!! Didn't I tell you?  - - - - - - - Louise called yesterday afternoon and asked if it would be OK for her and Roland to come visit today! Of course, Linda and Jim said that they'd really like to see them, so the plan is for them to come sometime early this afternoon and spend the afternoon and possibly the early evening.

Roland and Louise have been such good friends over the years and it's always great to see them and catch up on what's been happening.

I really don't have much else to write about. It's been pretty slow around here, so I guess I'll end this post. Hope all of you are well and staying warm during this latest cold snap that most of the U.S. is experiencing.

A Point to Ponder : Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.

Woof!!!

Good Test Results and Laura and Lindsey Come For Dinner

DeBary, FL.

44 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Sunny. High 56F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.

Haven't written because there hasn't been much to write about.

Linda's doing fine, but is tired all the time. Thursday, she had her blood test and everything looked good. Evidently that shot that she gets 24 hours after each chemo treatment is working, (its the one that makes her bones ache), because her blood test look real good and her immune system seems to be functioning well.

The last few days, Jim has been putting all the yard/garden items that were in the workshop/storage shed into the new little storage cabinet that he bought the other day. It really holds a lot of stuff and he was able to make some room in the workshop.

A few days ago, Linda put a large roast, some potatoes, carrots, and onion into her crock pot and let it cook for most of the day. (It sure smelled good in here while it was cooking). ;-) She and Jim had some that evening for dinner, but there was so much left over that yesterday she invited Laura and Lindsey over to have some for dinner. With Jim's help, everything was ready for the table when they arrived about 5:30 and in no time at all, there was just a little bit of the pot roast left. :-)

Everyone said that it really tasted good, and Jim made the comment that he thought that it was even better after being reheated for the second time.

Today I think that Linda and Jim will be doing laundry. The bedding needs to be washed and the clothes hamper is bulging at the seams.

Did you know that on this date in 1948 - "The Original Amateur Hour" debuted? The show was on the air for 22 years.

New Hats For Linda and A Trip To Home Depot

DeBary, FL.

50 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 69F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

Not a real lot happening around here. Linda's doing fine but she has almost no energy. Jim did take her over to the American Cancer Society in Orange City the other day so she could look at some of the hats and head coverings that they have. She found 3 hats that she liked and brought them home.

Since they were just laying on the couch, I though I'd try them on to see what they looked like on me. :-)

"Da Bears"

Oops!!!

I think Linda likes this one the best, but it sure didn't fit me!!! ;-) 

Yesterday, Jim got on the Internet and was researching some tools and a small storage cabinet/shed to put in the enclosed area out by the storage shed/workshop. Well, he found what he was interested in at Home Depot, so in the afternoon, he and Linda took CLT and headed over there. Linda waited in CLT while Jim went inside. After a little while he came out with a cart with a large box on it and a smaller box sitting on top of the large one.

The large box contained the storage shed he was looking for and the small one a 7 1/4 inch circular saw.

It was about 3:00 when they returned back here to the house, so Jim decided that he'd see if he could get the shed assembled before dinner. Well, he did it, even though they recommend 2 people for some of the steps. By the time Linda had dinner prepared, (about 5:30), it was finished and sitting in it's spot up against the storage shed/shop wall, next to the entry door.

He plans to use this storage cabinet to store things like a shovel, rake, sprayer, telescoping ladder, and other miscellaneous outdoor tools and supplies. You see, by putting those items in there, it will free up more space inside of the shop so that he can do some small projects in there this winter.

He's also planning on building or buying a cabinet/bench inside of the shop that will be able to hold some more power tools that he will need for those projects.

Did you know that on this date in 1892 - "Triangle" magazine in Springfield, MA, published the rules for a brand new game? The original rules involved attaching a peach baskets to a suspended board. It is now known as basketball.

Woof!!!

A Great Day With Friends

DeBary, FL.

69 deg. overcast, SW wind @ 5 mph.
Forecast = Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 83F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph.

I had a great day yesterday!!!!

I just couldn't wait for Laurie and George to arrive yesterday morning, and as soon as Laurie called and told Jim that they would be here around 11:30, I went out into the Florida Room and waited for them.

A little after 11:30 they arrived and after h and h, (hugs and handshakes), and a tour of the house and yard, Jim, Linda, George and Laurie sat down and talked and talked and talked. :-) After they had talked awhile, they all decided that they would order Chinese for lunch. After ordering, Jim and George, took George and Laurie's big truck and headed over to the restaurant to pick it up.

It must have been pretty good because much of the food was gone when they finished eating.

After they finished, they talked some more and then Jim took this photo of Laurie and George. I was so excited when Laurie picked me up so that I could be in the photo too. :-)

About 3:30, after more h and h, they decided that it was time for them to head back to their 5th wheel trailer near Altoona, FL, where they're work-camping at a National Forest. It sure was great to have them here for the afternoon. Laurie's father who lives in California is dealing with cancer too, and getting chemo treatments,  so she and Linda had a lot to talk about. In fact, Laurie will be flying out there to be with him soon.

It sure was nice of them to come and visit. I think it helped Linda a lot to have someone else to talk to and to get her mind off of her medical problems.

Thanks so much for coming to visit. You know where we live now, so maybe you can come back again sometime. ;-)

Oh, and George, I'm sure there'll be some more grapefruit for you to take home if you come again. ;-)

 Did you know that Macao and Woosung, founded by Chinese immigrant Norman Asing in 1849 is the first recorded Chinese restaurant in the U.S?

Doctor's Visits and Hoping For Company Today

DeBary, FL.

68 deg. overcast, NE wind @ 3 mph.
Forecast = Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

The appointment at the "port" doctor went well. He basically just wanted to see how the incision was healing and asked how Linda felt. After the doctor's visit, CLT took Jim and Linda over to the 4 B's Restaurant where they both enjoyed some very tasty lunch specials.

Yesterday morning, Linda had to go to the chemo doctor to see how her cell count is doing. Everything seems to be going well and after a short doctor visit, they headed over to the Perkins Restaurant for breakfast.

So, both doctor's visits went well, but by the time she and Jim returned here to the house, Linda was completely worn out. Her energy level is really low, especially for a week or so right after the chemo treatment. But, that was one of the side effects that was anticipated, so she just has to make the best of it.

Today, we're all hoping that everything goes according to plan and that Laurie and George can come to visit.  Jim and Linda have been spiffing up the house a little so that it looks presentable when they come. ;-)

A Point to Ponder : Good judgment comes from bad experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

Woof!!!

Weather, Recovery and Another Doctor Appointment

DeBary, FL.

38 deg. partly cloudy, N. wind @ 4 mph.
Forecast = Overcast. High 66F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.

The hot topic down here in Florida is the weather. We had beautiful weather for a good part of the weekend, but then the cold front that swept down over the rest of the United States arrived and it got downright cold. (By Florida standards).  Yesterday was the coldest, we had 33 degrees in the morning and the temperatures never rose over 48 degrees all day!! :-(

After severe deep bone/joint pain from the immune system injection, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, it finally started to ease off yesterday and Linda was able to get a few things accomplished. In fact she felt well enough that she and Jim were able to get a few more pictures hung up on the walls. They still have more to hang, but every time they put more up, the house feels a little bit more "homey". ;-)

This morning, Linda has to go to the doctor's office for a follow-up check for the "port" installation surgery she had about a week and a half ago. Everything seems to be healing up nicely and the port is working, (the last chemo treatment on Thursday was through the new port), so it should be a fairly quick office visit.

Depending on how Linda feels after going to the doctor's office, the plan is to go out to eat someplace and then possibly do a little shopping after that. We'll have to see though, her energy level has been pretty low.

 A Point to Ponder : We cannot change the direction of the wind ... but we can adjust our sails.

Woof!!!

Second Chemo Treatment and Friends Coming?

DeBary, FL.

49 deg. mostly cloudy, no wind.
Forecast = Cloudy. High 72F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday, Linda spent the whole day at the chemo place getting her second chemo treatment. (8:30 AM to 3:30 PM). Then, yesterday, she had to go back for the injection that helps her bones generate the blood cells that help her immune system fight off infections etc. Everything went well and until the injection started doing its thing yesterday evening, she was feeling fine.

She now has bone and joint aches that she says seems to come from down deep inside of her. Pain meds help some, but unless she's willing to take some of that prescribed pain medicine that puts her off in "La La Land", she'll just have wait it out.

Last time, the pain and discomfort lasted for about 3 days and she's hoping that this time it won't be any longer than that.

Not much else happening around here. While Linda was getting her chemo treatment Thursday, Jim went to Lowe's and bought a light to put over the little work bench out in the shed. It's one of those that just clamp on and has a large aluminum shade over it. Now he should be able to see what he doing out there. ;-)

Oh! Friends and followers of this blog, Laurel and George Owen e-mailed Jim and wanted to know if they could get together with Jim and Linda sometime this next week? They're work-camping  over in Altoona, FL which isn't too far from here. Anyway, after a couple more e-mails, Jim called Laurel and arrangements were made for them to come here to the house next Friday. Jim and Linda haven't seen them for quite awhile so it should be fun catching up on what's been happening in their lives in the last few years. ;-)

Don't know what's happening around here today. A lot will depend on how Linda is feeling. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

A Point to Ponder : One nice thing about egotists: They don't talk about other people.

Woof!!!

Happy New Year!!!

DeBary, FL.

58 deg. light rain, no wind.
Forecast = Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. High 68F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

Hope all of you had a great New Year's Eve and are having a Happy New Year's Day!!!! Jim, Linda and I want to wish all of you a very happy and healthy new year!!!

Now much happened around here yesterday. Laura came over in the evening and helped Linda remove the dressing from her "port" surgery area. Then, Jim and Linda watched TV until midnight, when they brought in the New Year with h and k. (hugs and kisses). ;-)

Don't think anything is planned for today. They'll probably watch the Rose Bowl Parade and then some football.


Did you know that one of the most popular New Year custom is to make New Year Resolution? The tradition is said to have been started by early Babylonians who resolved to start the New Year with a clean state by returning borrowed farm equipment. 

Woof!!!