Mood:
sadNow Playing: Day 2636-Next GP Chapter... Turning Lemons Into Lemonade :)
Losing a beloved fur child 
is heartbreaking.
Coming to grips with another cancer diagnosis is not only sad and depressing, but downright FRUSTRATING!
This is what REALLY stresses me out... CANCER.
Cuddles kitty still seems to be living life to the fullest. At a soon-to-be 19 years young, she still never seizes to amaze us nor our veterinarian staff. I credit such a long and happy kitty life to how much we love and care for our super sweet elder kitty. No matter how much her needs and demands might change as she continues aging gracefully. WE will always love her no matter what and do what we must to make sure she lives a super happy kitty life! Same goes for all of our beloved fur children. Even Miss DaisyMae and SnugglyDoo guinea piggy's who will be turning a year old this weekend. There are times though when no matter how much we care and love our beloved fur kids, illness can strike out of nowhere. Of all evils that be... Cancer.
Littleblue was recently diagnosed with mammary cancer only a mere 3 months ago. Sadly and shockingly, we found out today that Littleblue's cancer has become very aggressive. As parents of fur children, same as with parents of human children. I could tell something just wasn't quite right with Littleblue. Lately her energy level has been much lower than just over the past few weeks. Littleblue has also been very guarded with her tumor and a bit more irritable. Fatigue and excessive sleeping is normal when suffering from cancer. It is expected, but what no one can expect nor predict is the progression of the disease within itself. If the cancer will slowly progress or quickly start to spread to other areas of the body.
Today's veterinarian appointment was the most important one yet with regards to finally coming to realize Littleblue's prognosis. 
We most definitely did not expect it to be such a grim one. What we also did not expect to hear was that her cancer has already began to progress as it continues to spread to other areas of her body. Littleblue will be 10 years young within only a few months. Today's very sad and depressing news is another grim reminder of just how much cancer has taken front and center stage in our lives. All of our lives. Of all evils that be... Cancer is the most evil of them all and the most difficult to beat. If even possible to defy and overcome such slim odds.
Littleblue's veterinarian appointment and heartbreaking prognosis isn't about making her suffer. It is about what is BEST for our beloved Littleblue. It isn't about prolonging a life of suffering just for the sole sake of her human parents. It is about allowing Littleblue to continue the remainder of her life as comfortable as possible. I would 100% do the same for human children of my own. To me, there is no difference in how I would treat a fur child or a human child. My heart still beats the same. We have come to a crossroad where there is no turning back. There are no surgical options for Littleblue due to the complexity of her cancer and the affects it is having on her lungs. Our veterinarians were successfully able to stabilize her breathing issues with medication, but it isn't a cure by any means. Her lungs never got any better, just stabilized for now by daily medication. I assume we were a bit naive in believing that there could possibly be some sort of surgical option, but today's new x-rays and blood work show otherwise as we now come to another realization. The inevitable loss of another one of our beloved fur children.
We were briefed on what to anticipate with Littleblue's cancer within the months ahead... It won't be easy, but I vow to make sure that Littleblue's remaining time with us is the most comfortable and happiest as possible. I have done so for all of our beloved fur children. I wouldn't have it any other way as they have always been there for me through out my journey. I vow to remain just as dedicated for them through out their own journey. Sadly, another cancer journey.
What makes me the most stressed? Today's news and grim reminder of another cancer diagnosis and sad prognosis. This is what makes me stressed and very depressed, but WE will carry on! Life will not stop. Not even for our beloved fur children, our unconditionally 
loving pets.
lucky
We just couldn't see literally throwing our money away nor handing it to a distrustful private property owner. I have seen enough lying, deceit and sneakiness from not only private property owners, but also property rental companies. This is where keeping an OCD eye on our credit has literally saved US! We won't be renting, sorry private property owners and rental companies. You won't be seeing a dime from us. Never, ever. Time to get our big adult britches on! 
The Road Before & After Surgery
bright
Grandma Cuddles kitty will be turning 19 years young in a month. With age comes difficulty in keeping up on daily nutrition. Cuddles is slowly getting senile so we had to come up with an alternate way to feed her, nothing that involves needles. While venturing out over the weekend, we noticed a new senior cat food that is mostly chicken broth with tiny pieces of chicken. At $1.99 for a very small pouch of food, 
I decided to try something new for Cuddles. A far better way for her to still be able to eat on her own without being fed through a syringe or IV. WHA~LA! I have now mastered a new and far more reasonable way for Cuddles to still enjoy a variety of canned foods, but at a far easier and healthier way for her to enjoy them! 
YAYYYY! Make that 'THEY' all love it! Mittens and Beary kitty too! Not only will we be saving a lot of money on can food that she could barely chew or eat, but now we have a far happier and healthier Grandma Cuddles! YAYYYY! 
We have also made a change when it comes to cooking our own food. Since our microwave finally saw the light, off to microwave heaven. Heeheeheehee! We decided to take some great advice from my dietician and opt for a toaster oven. For those who remember their parents or grandparents having one of these cooking beauties during the holidays while tossing in a few appetizers. The new toaster ovens are even better and far more energy efficient! They aren't just for toasting anymore! The new updated version not only toasts like a pro, but cooks pretty much anything too! Of course, I need to reintroduce myself a second time around to the new toaster oven settings after my first failed attempt to cook some hamburgers and toast some garlic bread for Eric. I couldn't figure out why the hamburgers were hardly cooking?. Hmmmm?... That was until I accidently put them on broil, walked away for a mere few minutes and set off all of our smoke alarms in the house. HAHAHAHA! First time for everything and that includes burning the first round of garlic bread. HA! Microwaves have been known for decades to not be healthy for cancer patients. The microwave, radio waves over long periods of time show to be unhealthy for anyone, especially those suffering from long term health conditions. My dietician suggested last year to toss our microwave and opt for a much healthier way to heat and cook our food. Welcome to the toasting way of life! 
As for a little friend of mine over in Illinois. Yes, see I was right! Too much caffeinated coffee not only dries you out, due to absorbing water within the body, but it also ages you. I expect a few text messages tomorrow morning once he reads this blog entry while sipping on that darn grande Starb*cks! Heeheeheehee! Join me in a far healthier way of life by toasting, juicing, pureeing and drinking lots of wellness water! Healthy=Happy
special
There is a special place within the country. A place within our little, lazy, quiet, river town. A small area that runs along side the river trails. 
It knows that I will answer it's beck and call. This evening... A special message that needed a little bit of help reaching heaven. 
These are the times that I even have a hard time explaining, but I just know, it's a gift that I have been blessed with as a message anxiously awaited to be saved, along with the very special balloon. 
you always
As I placed the balloon with the message on top of our fireplace (photos clearly show fireplace not turned on) and a few pieces of equipment around it. The energy instantly changed and so did the air that surrounded me as I began to aim the cameras towards the balloon and welcomed the message to be read for their loved one. These are the back-to-back images that were captured as clearly someone was waiting. I could only stand there in sheer disbelief to the point, of even being a bit taken back myself at the image walking up to the fireplace, in front of the balloon. As if... NAH! Let's face it! The message that some how got stuck on the tall light post, along the special area of the river trails, finally got delivered. I answered it's beck and call, but in all realty. Their loved one answered it's beck and call in hopes of receiving their message on a very special day. 
Another treatment...
I remember as a kid my Dad stopping on the middle of the road out of no where! He would do a quick illegal U-turn, look in the backseat at us kids and say, "All be darn! Hold on for a minute. I see a turtle out on the road!" Those were the good ole days. One just never knew what we were stopping for or what would be rescued next, but by golly! My Dad made sure it was rescued! Same with a raccoon that once got stuck in our bird feeder. Talking about a tricky rescue with a thick glass enclosure and one very scared raccoon stuck inside after gorging himself a few extra pounds. Heeheeheehee! I guess you can say, that the turtle rescue has continued onto the next generation. Me.
WINK*
d'oh
No need to heed the warning... HEAR the 
WARNING!
What myself and Eric really need to be concerned with right now is the sound below the ground. Or... As of this morning. The sounds coming from the other side of the couch. Where of course, I sleep. 
Eric had to get on top of the roof this morning, which I wouldn't trust even a leaf to land on, in order to place a large tarp around the chimney that is now cracking, seperating and pulling. With rain in the forecast for tomorrow afternoon, we can't risk a thing. Not even one single raindrop. The contractor dash will be on come 8am, Monday morning as we attempt to quickly find someone to come out and evaluate some very seriously scary issues with the stone fireplace and stone chimney that is now sitting unstable on top of our roof. Below it? The air conditioner. We also have a garage door that would had only taken Eric a mere few hours to replace due to our other garage door suffering damage from the unstable house. That IS... If the prior owners did not do such a half you-know-what job with the original garage door and even laid live wires for the garage door opener against the sensors. BRAVO! BRAVO! Said, no one, ever. 
full steam down upon us, a-head! Our heads. 
Today, March 18th, 2017 marks 13 years since my initial Idiopathic Gastroparesis diagnosis. 
SAN PADRIQ!"
There is so much to be thankful for on this very lucky St. Patrick's Day! Instead of becoming one with overly intoxicated crowds, thanks but no thanks, we celebrated in our own unique way. At home and far away from the large festive crowds due to various reasons, not just those intoxicated. We were all once part of those crazy beer drinking crowds back in the day. 
Heeheeheehee! Talking about the look on Eric's face as festive Irish music was playing on our Comcast music channel as I reached for his hands to dance a few Irish steps! Even Snoreo got into the festive music or more so because we both were laughing so loudly that he also got excited! Heeheeheehee! It was too funny watching Snoreo attempt jumping up while we danced a little Irish Jig and everything else crazy in between! Celebrating all that is good, green and LUCKY! 
Of course, we can't forget wearing of the green and cooking a little something special for St. Patrick's Day which consisted of homemade turkey chili and stuffed peppers. As for myself... A Cocofusion, Molokai Coconut drink and pureed vegetable soup. TASTY! Eric's homemade chili... SUPER SPICY! We like to not only feel lucky, but eat mighty brave on St. Patrick's Day! HA! I miss all the cooking that I used to do back in Ohio, so why not carry on the cooking tradition today? St. Paddy's Day! 
CHEERS~
I was scheduled in hopes of once again, realizing my smile yesterday evening. I am always the last appointment of the evening with regards to needing to stay as far away from the public as possible with continued immunotherapy treatment. What was suppose to be a long-time-coming, a year coming in hopes of smiling again, didn't turn out as planned. Yesterday's appointment had to be cancelled due to my body making the decision of not realizing a dream. Not just yet. Dental appointment... Cancelled. 
Did I make it to my dental teams office? You bet I did! I smiled all the way through the front doors, into the famous dental chair, room 2 and through even more unexpected dental work. I smiled because I made it! I had come to realize a dream and I be damn if it was going to be taken away from me. Not this time. No way! If anyone has any type of prosthesis, then you will easily understand what I mean by saying, that you can only hope that your body will accept the prosthesis. The other part is that no one knows, not even the treating doctor or dentist, if your body will accept the foreign object. The prosthesis. As I was given an introduction, education on the newest material in prosthetic teeth and prosthetic gums to replace what tumors have taken away from me. I was also told that sometimes, the body will not accept the prosthesis. It is a learning process for not just the patient, but as well the doctors and dentists. Still... I remain hopeful. 
It might not be the smile I was born with and there is still another part of the prosthesis that needs to be finished by the lab, but it's my smile. I have decided to share part of my smile with everyone. I am no longer ashamed nor embarrassed. I have learned by a great lesson of pain and suffering that we are only as happy and comfortable with ourselves as WE allow. Not the person next to me, not the neighbors, not Tommy, his wife or his kids at the local store nor anyone else. Who are we to judge a story that we may not understand, whether alone, may not even know. It's my smile and I am darn proud of it! I am beyond PROUD OF ME! I made it through a very long, years worth, extremely expensive and more painful than words can describe, dental journey. I made it and that within itself is nothing but, POWERFUL!
SMILE~
We had absolutely no luck on finding a temporary rental property so this home can go through the proper legal channels. Litigation. Yes, it would had been 'ideal' to get out of dodge in order to allow for the bank, insurance company and other parties to proceed full steam ahead on a property that should had never been sold or listed on the open market in the first place. Just when we think we have seen it all in this new era, day and age way of renting homes via private sellers or rental companies. TRUMPED again! This time it was after a little slip up by another private owner with regards to charging potential tenants, those interested in their rental properties a $40.00 per applicant in each household fee for supposedly doing a background check, etc, etc, etc. The problem was that the private owner wasn't collecting fees for background checks, but instead was pocketing as much money as possible by those whom were interested in their rental properties. We accidently got wind of just how sneaky the individual was being with literally taking application money, yet was never renting the properties, only pocketing the $40.00 fee per applicant, per each individual in the potential tenants household. One call to the wrong phone with a voicemail letting the correct individual know who they should had called in the first place, that the money for the down payment wouldn't be received until they cashed a few other applicant checks. Down payment for a new vehicle which had nothing to do with the rentals. It was for his wife. 
Last weeks unforeseen storms, large hail and 70-80 mph winds took a toll on quite a few homes in our neighborhood. Since we live up on a country hillside, with open areas between houses, it made for a great disaster that was bound to happen! We experienced flooding in our basement, both upstairs and downstairs garage, fireplace, roof, windows and other areas of a home that was already dealing with pre-existing issues. Thanks to the prior home owners! I need not get into continuing to cry over spilt milk, but the nasty storms took their toll on our home and quite a few other homes through out the neighborhood. At least we didn't experience windows blowing out from the wind and large hail like some of those down the street from us. Some experienced a complete loss with roofs that peeled back from 70+mph high winds. We contacted our insurance company a few days after the storms once we realized that sections of our roof were laying in the backyard. The wind was so strong that it knocked over part of our chimney top on the roof and the 5 inches of rain in less than a few hours caused water to pour into our basement, garage and left quite a mess in our crawl space, ducts and around the foundation. 
After we contacted our insurance company, within 24 hours they had sent out their disaster team. These guys do nothing, but evaluate claims due to anything from earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, floods, you name it! This was actually a blessing in disguise because these type of experienced teams can determine the difference between pre-existing damage and damage that is caused by other factors such as last weeks winter storms. More like, spring and summer storms that appeared during the winter months. Our house actually suffered more damage from the hail, high winds and flooding than what we could only see with a naked eye. There was other damage found in the crawl space, duct work, foundation around the garage, gutters, all corners of the roof and the actual garage door. We already had problems with the house due to a fictitious disclosure. Sure... the sellers didn't know anything about major foundation issues. That's why they abandoned the house once placing it with a local realtor, took some belongings and moved in with the agents friend. A few cities over and a P.O. box later. We found this out after concerned neighbors let us know once they saw far too many contractors within the first week of moving into our new home. 
HOPE.