Hello all! I'm going to try to revive this blog.

Duh...tapping my fingers on the table...I'm not sure where to start this blog again after having been away for so long, but I'll try. 

I see that we still have 74 followers, so a big thank you to all of you who didn't stop following...and I hope that those people that we lost (certainly understandable, due to my own fault of non-posting) and even more people (as word gets out that I'm back to give it another try), will return to follow this blog again.

So much has happened since I last posted. I've been agonizing over where and how to start again, but I just don't know. It is something that I want to do, not that I feel obligated to do, so at least that is a good thing. Chronological order seems impossible after all this time, so I've decided to just go with the most important and/or biggest news from the past year or two and then randomly post about what is going on in our lives now and along with that formula, probably very random posts with photos of trips we've taken and events we've been to. (Sorry, no photos this post, but those of you that read this blog before will know that they are coming...yes indeed...LOL).

I'm glad to be back and even though I have come here sporadically to read the main blogs that I follow, I know that I have a lot of catching up to do!

- Mary Ann

This newfangled technology is pretty cool, but sure is difficult to try to keep up with! How about you?

So, we have Direct TV at home (satellite, one on the RV too, which is why we switched to it last year or so)...anyway, called them a few days ago (ask for their "retainment" center...actually with ANY cable, internet or phone or whatever...those are the people who will move mountains IF they want to keep you as a customer) because I thought the bill was way too high (it was) for what we were getting. Long story short, got a BIG chunk knocked off the bill without losing any services and they sent a couple guys out Wednesday to upgrade the receivers (for FREE) and the guys hooked up another little gizmo, can't remember what it's called now (SWIM?), but they told me and showed me that I can play the radio on the TV and SEE telephone calls!, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc., etc.,etc. Goodness gracious! Technology is moving along MUCH faster than my old brain can keep up with it!...but I'm giving it a good try! LOL! How about YOU?- Mary Ann

Sold our bicycles yesterday evening...

Took me longer to post the ad on Craigslist than it did to sell both bikes!  The phone was ringing within SECONDS of posting the ad (I think we didn't ask anywhere near enough for them, but my heart went to mush when I saw the college age kids that bought them for their regular transportation to get to work because they cannot afford cars or fuel in this f****** up economy...(makes me SO angry!)   William wants to buy a couple of folding bicycles to save on space (in the RV)....there ARE some really nice ones out there....I'm a bit skeptical, but definitely game....and my bike was difficult to ride.  William has had his Schwinn since the early 1970's and got a LOT of use out of it....and as you can see, it still looks (and rides) great.  Mine was a "whim" purchase a few years ago, but never "knocked my socks off"...and due to fairly recent health issues, I haven't ridden it much anyway (but, I WANT to).  Anyway...the bikes went to good homes for a song and we're both happy about it.  I'll post pictures of the new bikes when we get them (SOON).  
Meanwhile, Dad is still at home (thank God!)....and thank you all again for your kind thoughts, prayers and words.  I'll fill you in more, soon enough. - Mary Ann

Prayers have been answered. Dad is in his own bed.

Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts everyone.  Dad is resting at home with Lorraine (my wonderful stepmother) willingly and lovingly at his beck and call (and battling her own cancer, but in much better condition than Dad...they met a few years ago in a cancer treatment waiting room, he is 81, she's79...and he loves that she sincerely laughs at his corny jokes...believe me, they're not that easy to laugh at after the 150th time you hear them...hahaha!...on the other hand, they're so corny, you just can't help but laugh,...and the doctors and nurses love him!).  We (all of us "kids") call her Dad's "Angel".
He is very weak and on more morphine and other things, but in fairly good spirits and of course happy to be in his own bed.  We were all quite surprised, since we weren't supposed to hear any decisions until sometime Monday....but, if  we stop and think about it...maybe it's not such a surprise, but rather a kind gesture on the part of his doctors?....time will tell.

Still hoping for more time (along with my three siblings),
Mary Ann

P.S. - There are a couple of pics of Dad and Lorraine on my FB page...I don't have the patience to transfer them here right now.

Update: More readable? About my Dad and this blog...

To those of you who posted kind words regarding my Dad, and to those of you who read about it and thought kind thoughts without posting, THANK YOU straight from my heart!......I do that all the time (not post comments), even when I know I should say something but just can't bring myself to, because sometimes reading about the imminent or recent death or dire illness of someone else's loved one often brings thoughts of our own mortality and that of those we love and care for, too close to the surface for our own comfort...that's ok...I understand that all too well.  We all must deal with illness and death at various times during our lifetimes, and on top of that, more often than not, we are juggling all of the neccessary things and events of daily living at the same time.

Dear Blogger Pals, Please Pray for my Dad...

(copied from my FB page):

Many of us ask for prayers from time to time for various reasons, which I think is a good
thing....so now I'm asking all of you for prayers for my Dad. He is in the hospital
tonight...the cancer that is throughout his whole body is trying to take it's final toll. He's been fighting this like a warrior for years now, and he's still fighting an amazing and inspirational fight. He would of course rather be at home, so we're praying that he will gain enough strength and stabilization to do that. Right now, only God knows...but I am sure hoping and praying! I know that this is something that we all go through in life with our parents, so I certainly do appreciate your time for good thoughts for my Dad.
-Thank you, Mary Ann

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We're (I'm) still here reading all of your blogs (and not commenting, so sorry)....much has happened since I last posted, both good and bad (and some so bad that it's funny now), but I just haven't had it in me to participate here for along time...and I have never let go of the intention to get back to it...some of you I know will understand, some of you won't...I know that, which is why I hardly feel that I even have the right to ask for your prayers for my Dad....but, I'm doing it anyway, hoping for a miracle. I'll be back when I can. I feel like I've come to "know" many of you. Thank you for that.


P.S. - We are back in Michigan, no more Texas winters (ever, I think), Florida (Clermont area) next winter.

Lot's of catching up to do, eh?

P.P.S.- I'm having a heck of a time trying to post this so it's readable, I guess Blogger must have changed things again, so sorry until I figure it out.

What a great attitude! :-)

In a previous post, I said that I would share this note from my Dad with you.
Here it is...


Note from Dad - June 16, 2011:

I'm back from Dr. Worden's, and the news is not too good. The cancer has spread to a number of areas including both of my lungs and to my liver -- but I am feeling no pain except what I had already been experiencing in my right arm and in my two legs. I am coping with those pains by using Morphine and Norco, and I am enjoying life on a daily basis.

The blood work shows that my liver and other organs are working as normal, and the cancer that shows up in my lungs and in my liver is quite small. There is a lot more good liver than bad, and the portion of lungs that is affected is still small.

This news just makes me want to do more fun things faster -- like go to the casino more frequently, take an ocean cruise, get the book selling faster, and finish writing my sentence-diagramming book. I want to have everything set right for Lorraine so that she won't be left with a lot of unfinished projects. I am still very positive about everything, and I want to enjoy life with even more zest.

Instead of 115 years, I might have to back down to 113.

I'm tired and am going to take a nap right now.

Love Ya,

DAD