Friday 29 November 2013

Back on Track...
#Ten Things of Thankful

It has been a week since my Woe is Me post. I barely blinked and another week just zipped by. Youza! For those who are new to me…when I get overwhelmed I have a tendency to go offline  underground  running full speed ahead into my cave. Twenty years ago I would have dealt with things head on. Ummmm…maybe. Now at 50-something…I would rather swerve and take the Lala Land exit. *Hoy-dee-doi!* 

Not to worry. This week the sun has been shining, “no news is good news” and my wine glass is once again half-full. (I would prefer it to be more than half-full but that’s what refills are for right??)

Here's a little background music for you while you read:  



Two things happened on Monday that I was most thankful for. 

1.      My sister had a procedure to remove a cancerous tumour from her bladder. Although we need to wait for the pathology report, things went well and we are optimistic she will make a full recovery and not require any further treatment.

2.      Two weeks ago a close friend had emergency open heart surgery to repair 5 blockages. He is two years older than I am. Scary indeed. He was released from the hospital on Monday. It will be a long recovery but he is getting stronger every day and even managed to walk around the block a couple of times.

Not to dredge up the past. But…I will. Last week I made a confession on my TToT post. Thankfully it appeared I was not alone. And yes I am definitely counting this as number 3 for this week. So onto number 4…

4.      My dragon boat team had our year-end party on the weekend. It was an evening of amazing food, lots of laughter and a “Guess Who?” game organized by the social committee. I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful group of women. 




5.      For the past 5 years the team has sponsored a Christmas tree as part as a community Festival of Lights. They make most of the decorations by hand. We got together to create some new masterpieces. Thankfully there are some very artistic people in the group as I am severely craft-challenged. I stuck to maintenance and minor repairs. We will be decorating our tree this weekend.



6.      A co-worker of J2’s gave him a box and a half of Mr. Noodles for Riley. He did not like them. Obviously at age 33 he does not have the sophisticated palate that R has. :)  G said R gave the half box the twice over as…well…you know…it was different…as in half empty. We were down to our last 2 cases so I was thankful.  ;P



7.      Riley and I both needed to get some routine blood done. R has only had blood drawn one other time. He was not happy about this. Neither was I. 

Did you know for some tests a person needs to fast?  I had coffee before I left. I need to read instructions more carefully.

Riley was prepped so we went anyways. When we got to the lab it was empty. I was very thankful and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Did you know for some tests a person needs to go before a dose of medication (or else 8-10 hours after)?  I vaguely remembered the doctor mentioning that. R had his morning meds. I need to listen to instructions more carefully. We turned around and came home.  

Thankfully you can book an appointment online so we went at 8am the following morning. (This would be number 8.)

Thankfully it was empty again.  (Number 9…check!)

The technician was not exactly warm and fuzzy. I explained our ummm situation. R was nervous. By the time she was done R had won her over. She was smiling at him and even tried to make me feel better by saying "some people get stressed more than others...it's no big deal." Thankful?? Indeed!!!  I believe that is 10!  

So there you have it. A week much better than the last couple. Hey…guess what day this Sunday is???  December 1st!  In Riley World this means ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS!!

Let the decorating begin!



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36 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you've had some good and lovely things going on in your life. And that you've come out of your cave to join us this weekend. Thank you SO MUCH for the Johnny Nash - I *LOVE* that song, but never did manage to find out who it was by...NOW I KNOW! Thankyouuuuuuuu *HUGS*

    Hope your sister and your friend heal quickly, and all follow-up reports are clear and promising of good health into the future. Well done for (eventually) getting your blood tests done.

    And YAY! for noodles :D

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    1. A golden oldie and one of my favourites for sure!!! Glad I could be of some help. :D

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  2. I am keeping your sister in my prayers. May she have a speedy recovery. Dragon boating....what fun!!

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    1. Thank you Michelle! We are keeping everything crossed.

      I am loving the Dragon Boating and already looking forward to next year. :)

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  3. I'd say that's a pretty nice list! I especially like the sound of things for the prognosis for your sister as well as your friend. :-)

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    1. Thanks friend!! It has been a much better week for sure. (((hugs)))

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  4. for #7 and/or related medical procedures that do not entail being asleep for, I am a firm believer in the 'towel strategy'. (in all seriousness) I have been know to request a towel (usually a small hand towel will do) and put it on my head, covering my face! totally works….lol

    thoughts with your sister and friend…

    dragon boating? I admit I am at a loss (though it looks like fun, if the expressions on the people in your photos are any indicator)

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    1. Towel strategy eh??? May have to try that next time. :) Personally I look the other way as I would probably faint if I watched. Eeep!

      Dragon Boating...a team sport for anybody, any age. Nothing like being out on the water.

      Thanks for your thoughts Clark!

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    2. I can't watch my blood being drawn, either, although I can watch them take it out of you or anyone else.

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    3. I can't even watch them take it from anyone else! :O

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  5. couple of big health scares but hoping everything works out for both of them. Yeah that blood work stuff it can get nit picky. what sounds like Riley was a real trooper.so all things Christmas starts on December 1st in your house huh aren't you brave souls?! That's awesome fun!

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    1. I will most likely be curled up in the fetal position, rocking in the corner on December 2nd. It can be hard trying to explain to Riley when Christmas decorations start appearing shortly after Halloween! Gah!!

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  6. Best wishes for your sister's and your friend's continued recovery!

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  7. I have my first mammogram on Wednesday. I was told not to put deodorant or any lotion on that morning. Each and every morning, as I apply deodorant, I think, "Don't put this on before the mammo." You KNOW I'm going to forget and put it on Wednesday morning. (Fortunately, they won't make me reschedule if I do.) Stinks you went to the lab before realizing the blood test couldn't be done. I'm glad to hear Riley did well, though, once it was sorted out.
    I will be praying for your sister and friend.

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    1. Good for you!!! I just went for mine the other day and had to keep repeating over and over...no deodorant...no deodorant too! :)

      Yes...R did great once we actually got to the test. The 24 hours before...ummmm...not so much. Let's just say I was avoiding eye contact. Haha!

      Thanks for your prayers!!

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    2. Take a packet of baby wipes with you so you can wipe it off if you forget. Pack them in your bag NOW, then it's done.

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    3. I don't have any baby wipes! I'll just not wear deodorant between now and then so I don't forget. :)

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    4. The upside of that idea for me...only half of me is smelly! Baahaahaa!

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    5. They have special little towelettes for cleaning the deodorant off your underarms before your mammogram. But DO NOT fall for the deodorant wipes they provide for after the procedure. They STING.

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    6. No worries - the mammo places provide these awesome little moist towlettes for removing deodorant. At my place, they're even labeled with wording something like "in case you didn't remember." Mildly insulting? Or pretty amusing.

      Oh, duh...Dyanne already said that about the wipes. :)

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  8. Yeah on the blood draw. I mean, I'm sorry that it didn't work out so well to begin with, but glad it ended up ok! :) Sounds like best case?

    I laughed at the part about the noodle box "looking different" but glad you were able to make them work. I know there's always some weeping and gnashing of teeth at my house if we're out of noodles. :)

    And thanks for sharing about your sister and your friend...I'll be praying for both! Keep is in the loop, as you are able!

    Thanks so much for sharing...have a fabulous week!

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    1. Best case scenario indeed! :D

      Thank you and you have a fabulous week too!!

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  9. I will certainly keep your sister and your friend in my prayers.
    I am not a fan of blood work, but then who is. I normally only have to go once in the year for my routine stuff and I cheat horribly. I drink a half a cup of coffee not only because I need the caffeine but because I hate a change in my routine and coffee is a HUGE part of my routine. It buggers me up for the whole day. I wish I could explain it.
    The dragon boating sure sounds interesting and I'm glad to hear a good time was had by all!
    Have a great week ahead!

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    1. :O *GASP* I...I...I'm speechless. Well they do say it's ok to drink water and coffee is really only coloured water. ;P

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  10. Back in town and HAD to come by and check out your TToT! I missed it this week! :(
    Loving yours - especially the ones about your sister and friend, which I send all the best wishes for continued good health for them!

    Yes, Happy December!! YAY! Happy day!

    Okay, I'm gonna google dragon boating. I'm a huge fan of kayaking and love to be on the water. This sounds interesting. I'm assuming you live close to a body of water ?

    I completely "get" la la land. I go there often. More often than I should.

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    1. Thanks Beth! Funny I haven't seen you in "Lala Land". We must not go to the same places. I'm usually at the bar. :D

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  11. Christmas! Go Riley, let's do this thing!

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    1. It's a good thing I love Christmas too Stacie! Bring it!!!

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  12. Health scares are, um, scary and supposed to happen to other people, not us or the ones we love.

    Is Mr. Noodles a type of ramen?

    You read doctor's orders like I read recipes. Not thoroughly enough before I begin.

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    1. Exactly...my sister was more worried about stressing ME out! Silly girl. ;)

      Yes Mr. Noodles are ramen noodles.

      I wonder if I'll remember to read the instructions next time. I doubt it. Oish.

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  13. Sounds like a pretty good week! Prayers and well wishes for your sister and friend.

    Blood work is annoying, isn't it? And those fasting ones? Honestly, I don't know too many people who don't eat anything for twelve hours. Ridiculous. Glad you and R. both got it done! I can't say I have trouble with blood draws. Probably because when I was pregnant with Kidzilla, they monitored me so many times for so many things I think I just got used to it. Thank goodness, though, because my Husband can't handle it for him, me, or the kid.

    Have a wonderful week! (or, uh, rest of it...)

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    1. Thanks Lisa! Yup...a much better week. My sister and friend are doing good.

      As much as I try to 'distract' Riley, he watches like a hawk even though I can't watch AT. ALL! :)

      Have a great weekend!

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  14. I'll have to go back and catch up -- but I am glad to hear that you had a better week of it this time.
    I subscribed this time - so I won't miss anything! (yeah, I'm that ONE that didn't know Google reader was disappearing and have to find people again!) Seems I should read instructions a bit more carefully too.

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