Mood:
surprisedNow Playing: Day 2617-Next GP Chapter... Turning Lemons Into Lemonade :)
Can't you just SMELL the history!
LOVE IT! 
I absolutely love visiting old historical sites that still hold every single bit of charm about them!
EMPIRE HOUSE HOTEL
We actually ended up staying at this beautiful and quite prestigious hotel a week ago. Talking about a brain-break from the final Duke Energy tree hacking project!. I could not handle one more day hearing several different chain saws all going on at once. NO WAY! At least everyone came to a friendly agreement on giving us a one week, 'heads-up,' instead of a mere two minute warning. It also gave us a chance to secure a room at the historic Empire House hotel. Just a hop, skip and jump! Right down the street, along the river banks of another little, lazy, river town.
What a beautiful and quite mesmerizing historic hotel!
The Empire House was built in 1816 by a well known steamboat captain and owner Daniel Brown. The historic hotel is located along the banks of the Ohio River. The 
Empire House offers guests a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life by blending historic charm and modern convenience. The hotel actually has 3 floors with a porch that spans the entire length of the second floor. It was a perfect way to end the evening while relaxing on a few old wooden rocking chairs. Eric was so relaxed, that he actually ended up drifting asleep while I took a few photos of the barges going up and down the river.
We learned quite a bit of some very interesting history about the hotel. Back in the day there were rumors that the owner, Captain Daniel Brown counterfeited bank notes. While visiting out of state, in New Orleans, he was arrested and imprisoned. He later died before ever going to trial.
During the periods between 1817-1844. The second floor of the hotel served as the first home of the Masonic Lodge. It was later used for balls, club meetings and by the Tippecanoe Club which was found by President William Henry Harrison.
In the 1820's Colonel S.S. Scott operated the building as the Commodore Perry Inn. Over the course of history the three-story building has been used as a hotel and apartment building. During the 1937 flood, it was noted that the waters reached halfway up the first floor of the Empire House. At that time the building was called, Dower Apartments. The apartments were advertised back then with entirely new furnishings and bedding. The cost for renting a room per day was $1.00-$1.50.
Talking about changes within our economy! History certainly does speak for itself. In more ways than one!
Since we stayed during the week. During the hotel's slow season. The owner, Marsha had our room already cleaned, sanitized and ready by the time we walked through the front door. I have to continue remaining, as far away from germs as possible. Marsha was not only very understanding, but extremely hospitable in accommodated us. We were not only taken back by the size of this gem of a historic beauty, but the inside as well did not disappoint! It wasn't overwhelming, but tastefully done as most of the original furniture still remains through out the hotel. We even got to see actual photos of the prior owner, Captain Daniel Brown and many others who occupied the building from long, long ago. It really was like time stood still! A walk back in the day... How life used to be... The good ole days.
We had our choice of rooms, since with it being the slow season, we chose one of the first floor rooms. One of the first original rooms built back in the early 1800's with lots of antiques, a claw foot tub and even a few modern day conveniences such as a coffee maker, small refrigerator and even a television which never got touched. That was because our bed never got touched either. Talking about the thick feeling of history that surrounds you in an old hotel like the Empire House! Even stepping foot near the bed left a really uneasy feeling that we most definitely were not alone. Not in this hotel. Not in this room. Whomever was present, clearly did not want us in their bed or even near their bed.
As soon as the sun began to set... The old historic building began to come alive. In more ways than one! There was certainly something about the bed. A very uneasy feeling that whomever owned that bed, did not want you near it. Eric didn't feel comfortable. I didn't feel comfortable. Even as we tend to always do when visiting or staying over at old historic sites. Even our equipment began to verify that we were not alone nor were we going to be sleeping in whomevers bed. Thick energy led to the most craziest night!
So crazy, that whomever owns that bed, we firmly believe still resides in that bed. Later the next morning, we casually asked Marsha if she knew who owned the bed in the room or if the bed was bought at an estate sale. We were told that the bed and other original contents of the historic property came with it when she bought the building. Minus an old sewing machine and a few other items located through out the hotel. I wasn't sure if the owner believed in such things that we had witnessed, however, we were actually very surprised to find out that we weren't the first ones to experience a very odd feeling of not being alone. We were told that others have had similar experiences, although not in that particular room, but within other areas of the historic hotel.
The Empire House is most definitely one-of-a-kind! Not only is the size of the historic property impressive, but so is the amount of history that still seems to remain active to this very day. An experience not only worth sharing, but worth experiencing on your very own.
A step back in time... 
The GOOD ole DAYS!
EMPIRE HOUSE HOTEL
I predicted that no-way would I get out of not having to visit my dentists for another round of dental issues. Not that last years dental work, dental repairs and oral surgeries were enough to tip the ole wallet and checkbook, WAYY OVER! Looks like I got a mere 3 month break, this new year, in order to start back where I left off last year. Anything dental is downright expensive! Even with dental insurance that barely covers anything past the typical once or twice a year cleanings and x-rays. My dental costs go well beyond the point of any dental plan and it appears that this year will be no exception to the dental rule.
YAYYYYY!
vegas lucky
ME.
A little not-at-fault accident last week ended up with me driving a really nice new car. I highly suggest that when seeking cancer treatments. Always take someone to drive you, because you never know how you might feel afterwards. One oncology appointment turned into a little not-at-fault accident in the parking lot. It also turned into me now driving a new 2017 Ford SUV. A little silver lining from an unforeseen inconvenience and our insurance company making sure we are well taken care of and so is our car. As far as the other vehicle, passing out behind the wheel after an oncology treatment that left them physically incapable of driving? Thankfully, they are also OK, but an unfortunate lesson for them to learn. Don't drive yourself to and from any type of cancer treatment. Especially, if you are not able to exit the parking lot in a safe manner. No worries though... It's just a car and in time, it will be back in our hands again. Repaired. In the meantime...
A no-nausea and no-tremors kind of day, means it's time to embrace this evenings change with the super fabulous and talented, Michelle. NO hair? DON'T care. A really super sporty, cute cut with lots of FIERCENESS kind of change! Time to rid the rest of the nasty chemicals from a years worth of various oncology treatments from my hair. A positive change! Healthy hair=Happy hair! 
celebratory
d'oh
I was able to tag along with Eric, Snoreo and Littleblue this evening for a nice, relaxing walk along the river trails. The calm before the storm. The super scary, high winds, frightening hail, tornado watch, flash flood warning type of storms. A new experience to go through in life, kind of storms. EEEEE~YIKES!!
Once we got home and began our normal daily household chores. The dark scary clouds started rolling into our little, lazy, river town. Generally, storms don't really bother me. That was of course, before moving into our not-so-stable home with a scary foundation. Located on the side of a wooded hill, among other houses on our street in the direct path of a very strong storm system that instantly turned me a firm believer... We need to GET THE HELL OUTTA THIS HOUSE! That kind of firm believer.
I never really understood, flash floods. I assume maybe because I have never personally experienced a flash flood. Not in my lifetime. Maybe I should had said... SO FAR, not in my lifetime. That however, was about to quickly change as I got three warnings, back-to-back on my cell phone. 
Let's just say, that myself and Eric will be doing everything in our power to get into a safe home. The sooner... The safer! Far away from this house that is nothing, but a death trap waiting to happen. This means going back to the drawing board. It won't be easy, trying to figure out what to do next, but it's a MUST. 
chillin'
It's already the last day of February?!? Where does the time go? I have a hunch that this year is going to continue flying on by...
I used to get some really good sleep. Before this next great treatment adventure began, anyways. Lately, getting any type of decent sleep has been virtually impossible and that makes for one very cranky gal! Some days... I can't even handle myself. HA! Another early morning RISE N' SHINE! Time for the second round of outpatient Immunotherapy treatment and allergy shots to help some-what counteract the side effects. Back to the second round of post-allergy jitters and shakes. GRRRRR!
hug me
This blog has been backtracked due to the website and domains being down for over a week. Since the blog has been back up and running. It has taken me awhile to post this entry, due to not wanting to relive the moment, but also due to overwhelming sadness of how cruel and heartless we have all become in today's society. Not only was the sound of the cat being hit and bones shattered to pieces disturbing, but so was watching this all unfold and it's lifeless body being thrown in the air from tires lifting him off the ground. In my book. ONCE was quite ENOUGH. I looked over at Eric and without asking for his blessing. I told him to take Snoreo and Littleblue back to the car. I only asked that he keep walking, get into the car and grab the sheet and blanket that we keep over the back seat. I don't remember anything after that point, nor what Eric was saying. I had a job to do and rescuing that poor, lifeless cat laying on the road was my #1 goal. 
As the smiling gentleman stood at the door. I proceeded to ask him if they had any pets. Specifically, any cats. The gentleman didn't answer, only smiled as the daughter came to the door after overhearing me. I knew at that very moment, this was their beloved Chester. A 17 year old, elderly cat, their beloved fur child that filled their hearts with joy. An indoor cat that was only allowed for a brief breath of fresh air in the evenings outdoors, but always remained within sight of the owners and their daughter. Their beloved feline family member that began just a month ago, with his own early signs of dementia. As I began to ask the daughter, if they had any cats. The smiling gentleman's wife quickly came to the door and asked if I had seen her Chester? As I stood there, in utter disbelief, as my heart sank deeper. The daughter proceeded to ask her parents to stay indoors while we looked for their Chester. Tears began forming in the daughters eyes as she looked at me and said, "Something happened to Chester, didn't it." I could only nod my head as she began to cry and then proceeded to become frightened for her parents as her Mother opened the door and began looking for Chester. It took a bit, before she could safely get her Mother back into the house. She didn't want her Mom to see Chester this way as she began to explain to me that both of her parents are suffering from Alzheimer's. The daughter not only lived with her parents, but as well took care of her parents and their beloved cats. As she told me, "Chester is one of 3 cats. My parents other children."
I believe that God places people in various circumstances for good reason. It's God's will to have me placed in a very hard circumstance today, but I would not have it any other way. I would not change how I reacted in this situation, never, not ever. I also believe that God watches over us. Even those who senselessly did not stop for an elderly pet that died so senselessly by humans who had the chance to stop. They didn't. Lastly, I am a believer. A firm believer that God remembers those who have a heart when they are called back home to Heaven. 
LOVE conquers ALL~ 
bright
lucky
One would ASSUME... A really bad word to use in most instances... That since their Grandmother's own Mother was Sioux Indian. Some where, within your own DNA would be at least a teeny, tiny, smidgen of as well... Sioux Indian.
Have myself, Eric and a few best friends even shaking their heads in utter shock and disbelief. I even contacted the customer service phone number for the lab in order to make sure that I was sent the right results. Hahahahaha!
Not only is this UNREAL, but as well they gave me the name of my first cousin whom shares my Grandparents. 99.9% DNA match. I actually was given the opportunity to send a private message in hopes of connecting to the new first cousin, in which, I found out lives in Wales. He also speaks, Welsh. It just can't get any crazier can it? OH YES, IT CAN! It most CERTAINLY CAN! 
