Life in the Fast Lane.....

A visit to the hospital, and a haircut....What? A Haircut you say? Indeed!!

So, we'll go back a couple of days.....about a week ago, Mom F. had to go in and have an Endoscopy.....she had been losing blood. Got that done, and then last Friday, we went in and talked to the surgeon. Life gets interesting here! We got her in, and got all settled...Theresa took her BP. I was glancing around, and my eyes landed on the BP stuff. (Like those technical terms?). Anyway, I am watching and waiting for the little tick.....which was not appearing. So, I watched and watched and when it hit 100, with no tick? I lost the view of it, Mom's head was in the way. So I watched Theresa, whose eyes were getting larger and larger....bottom line? 77/42!

So out she went, in came the surgeon who informed us: Didyourscope, didn'tfindanything, makingyouanappointmentwiththeTriagedoctorattheclinic,outyougo.Talklater.

And out he went. In came Karen, who informed us we would need to go to the clinic. Mom was feeling fine. But we went to the clinic, did some blood work, and waited. Turns out that they needed to get rid of some meds, which we did.

Now, they also discovered that she needed another couple of units of blood, (still losing blood), so yesterday morning, we got the call and out to the hospital we went. This was at 1:00, so once we got her settled, I ran out to get some lunch. As I passed Radiology, I decided to pop in and say "hi" to Laurie and Lisa. Hugs all around then some catching up...then, I said, "Cut my hair"? (middle of the day here, and I like to live life on the edge). Not one to pass up a challenge, out came the rubberbands, and scissors...(we're talking office scissors here...). Into the film room we went, where with several snips, off came my hair....19" of it. Into a baggie it went, and today, it went to "Locks of Love".

It needed to be done ages ago.....but I just couldn't. Every time I decided, someone would say "Your hair is so beautiful" or "Love your hair".....so I would back down. AND, I hate going to the salon. (okay, mostly, I am vain....I admit that!). Luckily, Laurie is always up to a challenge, and Lisa donates regularly to "Locks of Love", so she has a hairdresser that will mail it off. Then, I discovered that you can do it yourself, online.

This is something that I feel strongly about! My hair grows so fast, and it is so needed! There are so many people who lose their hair during treatments for cancer and other diseases. My hair is now scheduled for a yearly cut....yes, probably in Radiology, at the hospital...in the film room......with Laurie, scissors in hand, and Lisa, standing around, making comments...("it's okay Laurie...she won't be able to see that bald spot in the mirror....). So, if you have some extra hair that you don't need? "Locks of Love" will take it right off your head!!

Mom was finished at about 6:00...it was a long day for her. We capped it off with Chinese, and all of us hit the bed early!

Other than that...life is just cruising on. Mom F. will be getting some meds for ulcers..they have decided that she must have a bleeding ulcer in her small intestine, so hopefully, that will solve the problem. She went through this about five years ago. She has been afraid that she had cancer, and has not been sleeping. We are trying to convince her that she doesn't, but for some reason, she has that in her head, and it is taking some work to convince her!

Well, just got a phone call...we have friends coming from the Valley. It is nice here - 61*, and going to be over 100* out there...so they are coming to cool down. Now I need to get the couch cleaned off. Why is it that when you start going through stuff, and putting it in piles, that invariably you have company? Hmmmm....wonder if they have a Grant for that....?

Whine, Whine, Whine...........

I am horrified to discover that it has been TWO months since I last posted!! I cannot believe that! And I do believe that I pledged the LAST time I missed so much time, that I would do better! I need a keeper!!

I really have several good reasons why I didn't post, so will list them below for you:

1. I was busy whining about the rain.
2. I was busy whining about the wind.
3. I was busy whining about the fog.
4. I was busy whining about missing the kids.
5. I was busy whining about the fact there was NO chocolate in the house.
6. I was busy whining about the fact there was NO Pepsi in the house.
7. I was busy whining about the fact that I was whining.......

and on and on and on. Now, I can see that there is a definite pattern to the last two months. I knew I had been busy...but couldn't remember exactly what it was that I was busy doing. I asked Max? He said he couldn't remember......and he looked me straight in the eyes when he said that. Didn't blink, turn red, or choke on that lie.....Lord I love that man!

It truly has been a busy couple of months. Even with the whining, I managed to get quite a lot done. We have the new bathroom finished.......it is wonderful! As soon as I get the camera back, I will show the before and after photos......Still have to take that After shot!

I have been busy emptying out the fifth wheel....Craig is about ready for it, and he seems to feel that he doesn't need all the fabric, sewing machines or scrapbooking goodies that are in there now.......I'm not sure that he really thought that through too well........I find that those items are totally indispensable, and am sure that they should be within reach at all times (along with the afore-mentioned Chocolate and Pepsi....). I am a firm believer that one should have priorities......and I am thinking that he might need to work on that.....

Brenda came home a week ago, and was up here for lunch the other day. She took us out to the Firehouse on Bay Street, where she and I gorged on Garlic Fries. They were so good, and so very effective......I am able to report that when it got dark that night, Max and I were not bothered by Vampires. While I haven't talked to Brenda since then, I feel that it is safe to say that she was able to protect her folks as well.....

She is actually home to help her folks' with the haying. Then she and Jeff will be in California for the next couple of years.....Jeff was transferred to Beale AFB....it is amazing how things wrap around....I was born in Grass Valley, lived in Penn Valley, which is right down the road from the Base. In fact, my Dad worked at Beale! And to make it a smaller world yet, Don, one of the guys I worked with when I was working for the Airparts co. was born when his Dad was stationed at Beale! I just love how things come to be!

Well, I don't want to put your systems in too much shock, so I think I will close for now....(okay, Max is hungry and is making growling sounds......he says that it is his tummy.................)

What is it about 13 year old boys.............?

Today is the second day of sun, and my aches and pains are almost gone, and I feel ALIVE again!! I will be spending the weekend catching up on all my favorite people and blogs! Yess!!!!!

I thought I would share some photos with you..(I threat..no......warned, yeah, that's the word.....my nephew that this could happen......silly boy, he doubted me!)

We spent the afternoon with Mom and Dad several weeks ago, and I, of course, had the camera with me. I just wanted a photo of Jamey and his Grandma. Surely not too much to ask? Right? Apparently it was.....silly me, I had forgotten that he was 13 now. Life changes at that age. Obviously. Check these photos out......

Grandma gives me a beautiful smile......
So, we try again:
Grandma still has a pretty smile.....hmm....Jamey? Okay, we try again:
Notice, Grandma's smile....but Jamey, he gives me one....well, more or less. So, one more photo:

Grandma is tired.....but finally, he's not being toooo silly!

Thirteen is a cool age...as Jamey reminded me the other day. The family was together and he was being him....Jamey informed his Dad: "I'm Aunt Janet's favorite nephew". To which his Dad replied, "You're her only nephew". Jamey's comeback? "Yes, but I am her favorite only nephew". He is right! I love the logic!!

Peg Looms Are Coming!

Hello! It has been a while! But I have been busy...making plans, (changing plans..), creating things, (changing things), pretty much just busy!! And to top it all off, we are in the process of remodeling (Halleluja!!).....right now, we are doing the bathroom (THANK YOU, Craig!! It is unbelievably great having a brother who can and will do a remodel job)!

And, while all of this has been going on, I have been busy with the site, though you won't see much of a change for a bit...I have been deciding how I want to re-vamp the site, and that is something that has been keeping my mind whirling about!

One awesome item that we are adding is: PEG LOOMS! I have searched and searched for these, and the only places that I can find to order from are in England...which I really didn't want to do!

Now these looms are not the Knitting Peg Looms, or the ones that you used to make pot holders as a kid....but the looms that you use to weave rugs and wall hangings. And I have wanted one forever!!! (okay...maybe a couple of months...but sometimes I am like a little child, and a little while can seem like FOREVER!). And Craig, after listening to my whine......(okay, WHINE), about not being able to find one, said "Send me the directions, and I will make one....then after talking to him again, and pointing out that I was not the only one in the country looking for these, he is going to make them, and sell them!! I simply cannot wait!!! So, if you have ever wanted to make a rag rug.....well, check the site!! I should have them listed this next week!!!

Other than that, not much has gone on here. The weather has been awful...just like the rest of the country, though yesterday was absolutely gorgeous!! And, my baby....(taking some poetic license here...), Jamie turned 33 yesterday!!! I cannot believe it. How that happened I have no idea..at the rate he is aging, he will pass me up before too long! Here he is with Alex and her PawPaw Max, when we were last back there!

Now, his wasn't the only birthday this month...nope, Jordan turned 7! I cannot believe that either!!

And Lauren turned 5 on March 31st! She shares that day with her Grandpa Max!

Deanna, turned....well, I won't say...but her birthday was on March 30th....

And Dad turned.....well, he had a birthday too in March!
Well, I guess I had better close this for now...I have masses of "blog catching up" to do!

Hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

As quiet as a Mouse...........

My house...really! And I am not sure how to act...should I jump and shout? Should I sit quietly "in the zone"....???

Today was a busy day...we spent it on a run! After getting up and getting my coffee (trust me, NOTHING, NO ONE, moves far in this house, until I have had my coffee....I'm just saying.....)

It was "D" Day. Or, actually "E" Day....we got up and headed to Roseburg to the VA so that Max could get his ears. We have been waiting forever, and finally, today...it was time!!!

Now, for background? Max was in the Service, and between jumping out of planes, (parachute on, or so he says), and training and driving tanks, (pulling up between two tanks, and having their "cannons" go of simultaneously, causing his helmet to "leave" his head and fly out the thingy ma jobbie, like my technical babble?), causing his eardrums to blow...well, his hearing was a bit bad...and it was getting worse, and driving him nuts. (I am not saying a word here). So, after much paperwork, Dr. appts, and trips hither and yon......he got his ears!

Our drive home? It was a marvel of hearing! He has always been picky about his rigs, as a truck driver, and his life depending on the shape and condition of the rig (nothing like hauling 11,300 gallons of fuel down the narrow twisty highway that is known as "101", cruising behind all those Motorhomes driven by people who have never seen the Coast...not to mention the fact that the road turns on itself....and they just don't get it). But the car? He heard every sound! It about drove him nuts!!!!! (notice, still no words coming from my mouth?). The restaurant? Noisy as all get-out.......the clatter of silverware? The birds? The women BEHIND me?

When we got home, I stopped at his Mom's house...then came on in....and.... it.... was...... quiet. The TV? Hardly making a sound! Now, should I confess? I can hardly hear it! And the newspaper? It is making TOO much noise!!!! He just said: (and I quote), "If you can hear as good as I can right now? No wonder I drove you crazy".......Yep, Music to my ears!!!

So, should I confess something else? Yes? No? Maybe? No, really, I need to get it off my chest......the other day, I was talking to Brandi...and I gave her a "virtual" tour of the house. Walking through, describing everything that was everywhere. The couch? Scrapbooking and Cardmaking supplies.....Max's guitar.....Quilt pieces.......by my chair? Note paper, Penny Rug in progress.....basket of yarn...purses waiting to be felted. Scarves, (the cold weather is over...but, they'll be ready for next year!), my Country Sampler magazine, waiting to be read, Family Sheets to be added to the Genealogy.......on to the table? Are you brave? Early 1900 photos, card blanks, more felt....picture frame, punches...and on and on it went......Well, it suddenly occurred to me last night that we would be leaving today....on a trip...(three hours one way..so not a HUGE trip, but still......), and what if something HAPPENED TO ME???? And I died?????? And the kids came to help Max......and the girls saw the house? Then they would KNOW.....their MIL IS A SLOB!!! So, before bed last night, I ripped around the house, grabbing, stacking, hiding, stashing.....and then I went to bed, and got up, grabbed my coffee, and continued with the stashing.....I was BREATHLESS....and still the house was a MESS......and still, the worry...what if? HUH? Brandi and Livvy have never seen my housekeeping.....I am a clean person, but I am a cluttered person....I try...but the house is small, and I need to have a LOT of different things.....my attention span is short sometimes, and I swap things out.....of course, doing that this way means that when I finally finish things...well, I LOOK like I am terribly productive...and I just don't share that it has taken me yea......no, a LONG time to get to that place.....I believe that ignorance is bliss...it is my world..what more can I say? Now, this makes me remember my ex-MIL....I went to visit one day before they left for their vacation to AR....and she was SCRUBBING the stove....with all of her muscles...with all of her energy. And she had done that to the entire house! In a space of a couple of days. Now the funny thing was....she was a spotless housekeeper. When she saw me staring at her in awe.....she told me, in all seriousness...that it had to be clean. Because if they had a car accident? And she died? She didn't want the neighbors to see the house until it was SPOTLESS....didn't want them talking about her bad housekeeping ....(HA!)....I never understood that...but now, I do.......and it scares the holy heck out of me!!!

Well, it is late now, and I am exhausted.....and tomorrow is another day. And I can guarantee that by day after tomorrow, the house will be back to normal.....and the panic will begin again at a later date....such is life in the Franklin House.....

The Katie-Cam

I've missed you all!!!

My goodness....I just looked at the post below....I have been off for a month and a half! I am so far behind!!! I have missed everyone, and I am SOOOO behind on my blog reading...guess what I have planned for this week?

I really am not sure what all has gone on around here...(okay, to be honest, I am pretty much at that particular place all the time.....but....in my defense, I live on the Coast, and the fog I generate seems to just blend in......)

Life has been hectic lately, or rather, a bit muddled, or, I guess a bit of both!

One of the girls was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in January, and that had us going...and still does....but she is doing fine. She had her surgery and they are doing genetic testing on her to see what the future looks like. Now, you would think that after my years in the medical profession...(an administrative assistant, receptionist and secretary, so no medical degree for this chickie...but I still fend conversations asking "I have a headache, what should I do? Should.......{insert problem}.......or maybe.....{insert a suggestion}...and no matter how many times I slap my hands in the air to ward off the questioner, they still ask), now where was I? OH! One would think that I would not jump to the panic mode so quickly...but I did. There is something about the "C" word that just scares the heck out of a person the first time. It did me, but right after that comes the knowledge that they have done wonderous things in the medical field towards healing cancers. And she is doing fine, like I said. It just is that she is one of ours, and we have had her for a LONG time! (Thank you Bob, for marrying her! Or maybe I should say "Thank you Christy for marrying Bob?!!!)

Then, the weather has been ICKY!!!!! Yes, I know, we have been and are sending it straight Eastward to you all, but I do so love to share...you did see on the news tonight that "giving" makes your brain feel happy? No? Well it was and they said it shows....sooooo, long story short? I want my brain to feel happy, and if this is the way to do it...well, I'm so on that!

Well, while the weather has been ICKY, Max has pretty much been bottled up in the house. Usually it is only for a few days, and he keeps himself occupied. However this time, he sent his eyes roving over the living room and kitchen. I hate when that happens....but this time, I actually am happy with the end result, which is/are:

My kitchen is now "U" shaped, and I finally have room to cook. Yes!!! One of the favorite places in the house for me is the kitchen, but since we have moved into the Park Model, I had NO kitchen. Really. Not kidding here. I could reach all my cabinets with one reach, and I can stir something on the stove while I wash dishes, and not even stretch the arm muscles....(which would maybe explain why no one is EVER going to see my upper arms again? Really, the breeze that is made when I swing my arms, well, it is just....well, remember that saying that a butterfly flaps its wings in Africa and a storm starts? Well, I'll just leave you with that image, why don't I?) So, now I have more storage, AND almost twice as much counter space. Cooking is actually becoming fun again!

And along with that, we moved one of my hutches, and while we were waiting for it to go to its new home....(my brother Craig? Well, I called and asked "you don't happen to need a hutch do you? His immediate comeback? "Looking for a place to store your hutch"? How well does he know me?!!). Anywhoooo, the hutch was sitting top half in the living room, bottom in the kitchen. Well, I hit my toe on it while I was cooking dinner.....and I, after yelling at Max, loudly, and receiving no response...(was he REALLY outside? hmmm? BEFORE I yelled?), I dragged that sucker out of the kitchen (the bottom of the hutch, not Max) and slapped the top on it....I can move when I have to, let me tell you........and well, we LIKED it. So, another call to Craig, (Did you REALLY want the hutch? huh? Did you get a place ready for it yet? Huh? Maybe I'll just keep it.......). The greatest thing about it, is that it blocks the Kitchen from the Livingroom. And I really like that! If I had my way, every room in the house would have its own doors....and be totally separate rooms. The cool thing is that now, Max can have his Antique Car Collection out. He is quite pleased with that. They have been packed away forever! I promised that I would NOT add any moss, or grungy-stuff to that particular hutch...but sometimes, when I walk past it, I just feel the need to.....well, you know....make it more homey? Maybe a bit more personal? But, I have been good....it's just that sometimes I just twitch.............

Along with all that, he has offered to "wax all the oak", He has to be busy, and I had forgotten how long a day can be...........and it is supposed to be rainy all week.....if this rain lasts much longer, I won't recognize the house!

I also spent several days looking for my fabric squares for my quilt.....turns out, I "Stored" them in the kitchen drawer....if I hadn't needed that potato peeler, well, who knows WHEN I would have found it!

We received another "Katie-Cam....check this out...(right above this post), she is just so darn cute! And, I have to say, Olivia made my day...she said, (and I quote)..."She is so funny!! I think she has you in her all the way! Brad and I both agree on this! Its a mini YOU and we love YOU! lol". I need to get all the new pictures saved, and then I will share them with you! This blogging business is even nicer than a "Grandma Brag Book"...of course, when a Grandma hauls out that book, her audience is captive...you all can run and hide!

Well, I am tired, and things are blurring! I will talk to you tomorrow (or the next day...we'll see how I do)!!!