Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Day 882

I've been searching for a description. A way to explain what goes on in my head after the infusion. It's like a headache, but not exactly. Like I'm dizzy, but not exactly. Like I'm about to pass out, but not exactly. Like there's too much adrenaline in my brain, but not exactly. Like my brain is vibrating, but not exactly.

But as I closed my eyes, resting that whatever-it's-called going on in my brain leaving me unable to focus/concentrate/drive safely/think clearly (and unable to attend another conference day), the answer appeared.

Magic 8 Ball.

Remember the Magic 8 Ball? You asked it a question, shook it up, turned it over, and it revealed the answer. Most likely. Without a doubt. Ask again later. Cannot predict now. Don't count on it. My sources say no.

It's like a Magic 8 Ball. But only the shaking-the-ball part. It's like my brain is being shaken inside my skull. Part headache, part dizziness, part lightheadedness, part adrenaline rush, part vibration. An infusion side effect - one that happens every time - one that I'm not yet skilled in managing. One that has interfered with yet another work-related responsibility.

So I stay here at our Boise place with my head on the pillow for the day.

Thank goodness my mom picked a couple of her pot tomatoes for today's picture.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Day 881

Even though the post-infusion side effects still linger, it's time to return to work. I was scheduled today but the icky-ness isn't letting that happen. I'll try again tomorrow.

In the meantime a nap sounds pretty good. But the only one lucky enough to get one is kiddo's cat.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Day 880

Only one way to tell that we're settling in back at home. The continuation of the eating-through-the-menu project at Alejandra's.

A steak served with a cheese enchilada in a dish called Tampiquena.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Day 879

Hubby and I are usually behind the times. It took us years to get hooked up to the Internet. And then it took us just as long to give up dial up. A debit card? Our daughter had one before we did. Online payments? Only started those in the past couple years. Online banking? We haven't yet made that leap.

So it should be no surprise that we've just started watching a show that came out in 2008. We've heard lots about it, but again we're behind the times in knowing what everyone is talking about.

Breaking Bad.

Watching season two is probably not the most romantic way for us to spend today - our 29th wedding anniversary - but neither is what I was doing while hubby was cooking dinner.

Another kids quilt in progress.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Day 878

No matter how much I love that we have a place in Boise close to everything, I still appreciate having a place near the river in Marsing. When I start to come across the bridge into Marsing I think about how many people pass through here and wonder what it would be like to live in such a small town.

I know first hand. I'm one of the lucky ones.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Day 877

I wouldn't necessarily consider sharing a margarita with my daughter over lunch as a suck the marrow activity. But on second thought... after my frustrating visit at the rheumatologist's today it would have been easy to go home and crawl into bed. Instead I met up with kiddo for a visit.

And a shared margarita at a Mexican restaurant in Boise.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Day 876

Thanks to hubby's help it's starting to look more like a sewing room.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Day 875

Have you ever seen such mess? Might as well feature my sewing room on the next episode of Hoarders.

Guess going on vacation when you're ready to start listing things on eBay is a bad idea. Also letting your daughter take one of your bookshelves right before you leave might not be the smartest thing to do. When you haven't a thought about where to put the bunches of stuff that came off that bookshelf? Especially stupid.

Maybe the better word is embarrassing.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Day 874

We may have a tiny cat (remember her bath?) but she sure has some long legs.

Curled up on the arm of the recliner, sleeping away, with one long front leg hanging down. Kind of like the way a teenager might sleep, don't you think?

Monday, July 22, 2013

Day 873

When I saw this sign by the gas station this morning I knew it was speaking to me. But my goal today is small. Get through my infusion. Period.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Day 872

Yep, Lisa, kitty was happy to see us.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Day 871

There is a reason we went out of our way to go through Walla Walla, Washington. It's because of their onions, of course. If you've never had a Walla Walla onion you're missing out. And it just so happens they have something going on this weekend.

How about a huge blooming onion made fresh as you look on? It was yummy.

As we were watching the onion eating contest hubby decided it would be a good time to try a caramel onion. A Walla Walla dipped in caramel. He thought it was delicious.


And Scooter came in handy when we bought a bag of onions to take home. Unfortunately home will be our destination tomorrow. Suck the Marrow Tour Part Two is coming to an end.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Day 870

I might be deemed crazy for taking pictures of elevator doors. But I couldn't resist when I saw the elevator in our Leavenworth hotel, The Bavarian Lodge.
First floor  elevator door
Second floor elevator door
Third floor elevator door
But to prove I'm not crazy I took a regular-type picture of the Columbia River on our way to Walla Walla, Washington.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Day 869 Leavenworth, Washington

Lyrics from a Zac Brown Band song:
I got my toes in the water, a** in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer drink in my hand
Life is good today, life is good today.

Since we started the Suck the Marrow Tour Part 2 hubby has been singing those lyrics. All the places we've been - Hood River, Mt. Hood, Portland, Cannon Beach, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Seattle, Alaska - I never could get Scooter close enough to the water to let me dip my toes.

Until today.

For behind the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, Washington, behind all the shops and restaurants, down a steep gravel road, across winding dirt paths through trees and forest, Scooter found her way. A few steps by me down a little sandy embankment, and bingo!


I even waded out a bit more to get some pictures of the Wenatchee River.

Then I found what I want to try next! But after watching a while I decided it might take too much lung capacity. Dang. 
Then as we were eating lunch at South, a Mexican restaurant (Delicious Mexican food in a German town? Go figure.) I saw what I really want to try next. But I imagine my screams would probably use up all the oxygen. Darn.
As I said to hubby after we walked  huffed and puffed Scooter back up the steep hills that had lead to the river when all else fails, I can take pictures.
The hotel.
 The village of Leavenworth.

Dinner at Muchen Haus.
 All the mustards to choose from.
Yep, life is good today, life is good today.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Day 868

We love the vacation movies with Chevy Chase -National Lampoon's Vacation, European Vacation, Vegas Vacation, and Christmas Vacation. We have the entire collection and quote movie lines frequently. One line hubby uses when things are boring comes from European Vacation. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to take a picture of his family in front of a fountain. His son Rusty says, The Griswolds in front of a fountain...major entertainment.

So today hubby said, Deb riding a bus on her birthday...major entertainment. And yep, it was boring. We spent 4+ hours riding on a bus from Vancouver, BC to Seattle. (Remember last year I swore I'd never drive in Vancouver again? This was the alternative way from the cruise ship.)

Add another couple hours waiting at the airport for the shuttle to pick us up and take us to our car, loading the car, driving to another town to find the pharmacy for hubby's prescription refill, a quick fast food lunch, and a full gas tank.

Technically we should now be officially heading home from our extended Suck the Marrow Tour Part Two. But:
A. I have another infusion coming up on Monday.
B. It's my birthday.
C. I'm just not ready to stop this adventure.
D. All of the above.

D. is correct. I want to squeeze every bit I can out of life right now. The infusion will knock me down for a week. Then the following week I return to work. Full time. So adventures will be over. But not yet.

So add another 3 hours of driving time today. I'm too pooped to go out to eat so it's pizza delivery. Pepperoni and garlic, with a breadstick and dipping sauce. Add in a mini lava cake the hotel sent my way. And I can't forget the nice little note hubby gave me. I love that he recognizes how important living large is to me right now. (Sorry, I hid the rest of what he wrote.)

And where is all this happening? Here.
Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings in this town.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Day 867

This time last year hubby didn't even wish me happy birthday. This year he had a card for me and
candles ready for the Princess cake. And my birthday isn't even until tomorrow!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Day 866

Today while we were in Ketchikan hubby refused to let me take one single picture of flowers. It was probably because when we were in Skagway I wandered the neighborhoods – and dragged him along with me - to find my pictures of the flowers.

So what did I find instead? Salmon swimming up Creek Street. Lots of salmon! Looks like spawning is on their agenda for the week.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Day 865

Remember this tram? I took this picture today. But last year on Day 501 I rode this tram in Juneau.
Back then I was so excited about tackling my fear of heights and was able to ride the tram with no fear and look out the windows of the buildings and take pictures over the edge with no fear.

Unfortunately today was one of my post-chemotherapy medicine days and I'm dragging. Dragging where so much I didn't get off the ship at all. Too bad, too. Scooter was looking forward to riding the tram with me this time.

Although I found something out about the tram today that I didn't know last time. Take a look at where it ends up - hanging off over the cliff. Geez, maybe I should have been scared last time!

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Day 864

Today’s visit into Skagway produced two things.

1. Wildflowers and annuals. Unfortunately I didn't bring my Alaska wildflowers book this trip so I haven’t much clue as to what I discovered.

2. A new house to live in. Pretty as can be.

Don’t worry, we didn't buy it – didn't even look inside – but it made me wonder…how would my mom feel about living in Skagway, Alaska instead of in our place in Boise? She’d sure get to grow huge rhubarb. (That’s hubby’s hand for comparison.)