All Around the Barberry Bush

Before

About a month ago as I pulled up my driveway I was overwhelmed with the fall task of trimming the barberry bushes. The barberry bushes came with the house when we arrived here three years ago and I have had a love/hate relationship with them since. Being a diligent owner of this new home, I researched the proper care for the bushes which were at the time of move in (November), overgrowing into the sidewalk that led to the house.

The problem with barberry bushes is that the are pokey. We did not want our guests to be accosted by barberry barbs as they made their way to our front door.  It was spring before I really got to the research so when I saw that the best time to trim the bushes was fall, I was a little disappointed. Then I decided that I was just going to trim them in the spring because I couldn't have them "attacking" the people that come to the door because there are a few that we actually WANT to come see us.

After

Once I trimmed them I was surprised at how fast the grow! How in the world do we get by trimming them just once a year? This summer I decided that barberry bushes aren't the best choice for the walkway leading to the front door. That was when we started talking about moving them to the far side of the property where they could be allowed to grow to whatever size they want without hurting anyone.

I started annually trimming the bushes. The first year, dad gave me his electric trimmer to use and I trimmed them that way. I didn't like that much because it was pretty messy and the clean up took a long time. They had the very nice manicured look but I wasn't sure that it was worth all the time it took the clean all the trimmings off of the ground. After that I started to trim with my hand clippers and the time it took was not as much. It didn't have the manicured look but I still liked the results good enough.

The only problem after that was the barbs. I was having to take a tweezer to my hands for about 3-5 days after because the little tiny ends of the barbs were stuck in my fingers and hands. It was then that I looked on Amazon for leather gloves. I found a great pair of rose cutting gloves and put them on my wish list. To my pleasant surprise, last year at Thanksmas, Michelle got the gloves for me!

Stacey tackles the leaves

Having already trimmed the bushes for the year last year, I have waited til fall this year to try out my new gloves. My dear husband has said he would have the kids trim the bushes this year and other friends and family members have offered to trim the bushes for me but this is one thing I have wanted to do myself since last year! So, I made a plan to trim 4 bushes a day (which seems doable on my good days) and before long, the job would be done.

Today was the day! My bushes are trimmed and the front of the house is ready for winter. I got a little extra bonus too. I have been raking out the leaves that keep getting caught it the bushes and stuffing them in the yard waste bags. Today though, Dad was next door working on leaves in his yard with his tractor. He drove on over and motioned me to rake them all into the grass. His tractor sucks them up and makes mulch of it all.

So, today I got the last four bushes trimmed and in the yard waste can and the leaves are all taken care of too. Stacey came out and joined me so we got a whole lot more leaves out of the way than I would have on my own. This will make the spring clean up a lot easier.

It has been a wonderful week and I admit I have overdone the last two days for sure. Getting out and doing this little bit to finish off the yard has been great "normal" life activity and makes me feel good to just sit and rest for the remainder of the day.

Nothing like enjoying the feeling of a completed job.

Friday From the Heart: Sometimes Christmas Makes Me Cry

When I told Stacey it was okay with me if she took the earbuds out and play the Christmas music so we all could hear while cleaning the kitchen I didn't realize what I was saying. She has all of my Christmas favorites in her playlist too. There is a song I always like to start out with when I get the Christmas music out and it is Matthew West and Mandisa singing "Christmas makes me Cry".

It was released not long after my grandpa died and when the first line starts off "I think of loved ones who passed away...and I pray their resting in a better place". But the more I listened to the song, it is the whole message. My favorite (and therefore where the tears flow freely) is the last verse "I think of Mary and the virgin birth...and I'm amazed at how much God thinks we are worth...that He would send His only Son to die...and sometimes Christmas makes me cry".

There is something about Christmas music that we pull out once a year and listen to straight for a month and a half or more. For me it is like going through my journal entries for the last year and looking forward through the lens of the last year. Each year there is something(s) that I never would have imagined we would be experiencing just one year earlier. Needless to say, I have shed some tears as the Christmas songs we love have played in the last week in preparation for our celebrations this week.

There are so many other favorites and I know that I have blogged about them all before because that's what happens when Christmas comes every year. My heart is linked to music that inspires me. I have to admit, most of my favorites are sung by Christian musicians but I also have to admit that one of my top five albums is Chicago's Christmas album and my favorite song is Child's Prayer. When I was little I had always been a little fearful when I heard "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."

As an adult, I certainly would want that but as a small child it was a little morbid and scary. I would prefer just to pray that I would wake up in the morning. So years ago as an adult when we started collecting our favorite Christmas music and are huge Chicago fans we could not pass up purchasing the CD whether we had heard the music or not. Who doesn't love Chicago style Christmas music with the full brass section and harmonies.

I sang "night night" songs to my kids and still do to two of them. When the triplets were babies during December I would always sing "child's prayer" to them and when they grew into preschoolers the girls would beg for it well into January. "Now lay me down before I sleep, pray the Lord my soul to keep. Stay with me Jesus through the night til I wake in the morning light" Now those were lyrics I could sing to my kids.

There are so many other songs that I love and if anyone has some great favorites, I am always open to hearing what inspires others. I will have to share the story on one of the coming December Fridays about the Christmas song that God used to call me to Him. I was five it isn't your typical Christmas or salvation story but as I grow older becomes more and more sweet. It is the reason that at every Christmas Eve service when I watch my children singing "Away in a Manger" there will be tears on this mama's cheeks.

Happy Thanksmas From the Sloans!

Today is the day...

Let the thankfulness begin! Ryan has been playing some piano from his new John Williams piano book. Dawn is decked out in her new "short girl" t-shirt and Zelda lounge pants, Stacey is now doing her annual baking bonding with Auntie Chelle in the kitchen. Matthew has borrowed his sister's DS so he could play his new DS Mario Kart game and is now trying out his new Skylander on the Wii. Zachary is putting together his new Doodle Robot and they have all been playing Apples to Apples and laughing their heads off. David just delivered me a plate of jalapeno poppers to try as I finish typing here. These are the kind of noises that a mother loves to hear in her house as she takes a rest day after chemo yesterday. These are the moments that give me reason to endure chemo for six more weeks. Happy Thanksmas from the Sloans!

Chemo #10

Today was relatively uneventful in the infusion room. It was very busy with Thanksgiving week. Some were moved to other days since no one will be there on Thursday. Michelle has been here to visit and offered to keep me company.

Again I didn't remember to take a picture of myself during treatment but Michelle had her phone and took a picture of me.

Looking at the picture I laugh because I had some knitting with me. The problem with this chemo drug (and I think it is the Benedryl and steroid that I get beforehand) is that I get a little sleepy or zoned out.

I started strong with my knitting needles but seriously only had about 16 stitches to show for my two hours of being there. See the purple gloves? That is the wonderful massage therapist that works in the infusion room in the mornings. She goes around and offers either hand or foot massages while we get treatment. If I would have chosen a foot massage I suppose I would have gotten more done on my knitting but today it was a hand massage and by the time it was done the sleepy stuff kicked in.

Michelle got to meet most of the great people who take care of me there and we had some good conversation too. They got to meet her too after hearing for the last few weeks about how she was coming to visit. It has been a fun visit all around and we didn't let occasion dampen the fun. This week chemo was just on the to do list, there are many more things to do as we enjoy this week together.

My hemoglobin is up in the 11s thanks to the iron infusions. Liver levels were a little up but not enough to be a concern. I should just watch my Tylenol intake while I deal with a sinus headache this week.

I did have a stubborn port. I had to get a special dose of a medicine that breaks down a membrane that sometimes builds up in the port. It is flushing but they weren't able to get blood back out for the blood draw. So I got the medicine and then we attempted a blood draw out of my arm which is always a nightmare. The medicine needs 30-40 minutes to work so with the draw out of my arm we could still get the results back and do the nurse visit while we waited for the port to clear up.

When I got back to the infusion room, all was ready to go and it was working wonderfully. It wasn't even really a delay. They all know what they are doing there and I appreciate that.

Thanksmas is Coming!

Stacey gets to help Dad
with the tree and lights.

I love that I still have one that love
to "play" with our nativity scene.

As some are still debating their strong political views regarding the recent election, we have moved on in our house where the focus is the debate over when to put up the Christmas decorations. It happens every year, Thanksmas with Auntie Chelle. The problem with seeing Chelle for Thanksgiving and not Christmas is that sometimes we decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving.

Stacey gets some help putting the
"snow" under the television.

We would usually travel to celebrate Thanksmas with Michelle. We have celebrated in Branson, MO, Myrtle Beach and many many times at Gatlinburg, TN. Since we were away from home there was no need to decorate, but Michelle has come to our house a few times now for Thanksmas too. The dilemma is always decorating for gift opening because everyone wants to have the "Christmas" experience since there isn't the excitement of a condo or place that is away from home.

Ready for Thanksmas morning!

Each year is a little bit different depending on when Michelle is with us. Last year in Gatlinburg we actually had Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday because Chelle could get a better deal on her condo if she checked out on Wednesday. This year she planned her flight so she could stay here a little longer than she normally does and we are thrilled to share a couple of extra days.

The stockings are hung even with no chimney.

But, she still is flying out on Saturday and there would really be a rush through the "mas" part of Thanksmas (including the decorating of the house) with just Friday to work with. So, we have had the house decorated inside since Sunday afternoon. The pumpkins are still on the porch and the fall wreath is on the door along with the thanksgiving table runner for the Thanksgiving table.


Wednesday morning will be Thanksmas this year because we celebrate Thanksmas when we are together as a family and excited about giving and sharing with the ones we love.

There is really no more dilemma for us, it is just the logistics that we have to work out with each year when Thanksgiving week comes to usher in the holiday season. It always begins with being thankful. Some years in a new and different way, and this year is one of those years.

We take nothing for granted. Life's tough struggles make the times of celebration that much more sweet!

Chemo #9 - Starting Down the Hill

I got out of the shower tonight before I realized that I hadn't taken a "selfie" of myself on this the ninth round of chemo day. I was bummed a little bit because I purchased this great Captain America sweatshirt yesterday when the girls and I went shopping at Plato's Closet.

It doesn't really matter. Today I haven't really had the brain power to write a post but I would like to update. So, maybe in the form of a list so that those who like to pray about specifics for us, you get a little better idea of what is going on.

I found a better picture that I am including from the photo shoot we did on chemo day one because it reminds me of what I looked like before I started seeing the "sick chemo patient" every morning in the mirror. Plus, I always look better with David.

Chemo day number 9 marks the first week on the down hill side of this mountain. Here is what is going on.

• I have been well enough for long enough that I was able to get my flu shot today. I haven't in a few years because it always made me sick. Praise for the good health and prayers that I stay that way!
• I remember the discussions early on about loosing my hair. I was told that many people experience pain on their scalp. I hadn't had any of that until the last couple of weeks. There is a lot of tenderness and some hats/wigs for too long are aggravating.
• Speaking of loosing hair. My eyebrows and eyelashes are slowly becoming non existent. They gave it a good fight, but tonight Zachary said "Mom, I have noticed that you don't have many eyebrows". It hasn't been quite as emotional as the initial hair shaving but it does kinda stink.
• I started a new medication tonight. The neuropathy has gotten a little more consistent and so this is supposed to help. I am hoping to report some good news on that front in the next week or so. The number one side effect is drowsiness so hopefully I type fast! On the bright side, I should sleep well!
• Zachary made the honor roll his first quarter of his middle school career! Woo Hoo!
• I have made dinner for my family twice in the last week. (it is the little things) AND I baked three entries for the family pumpkin bake off contest last Saturday! (I won third place)
• I trimmed five of my barberry bushes last week (my goal is 3 a day). Doing "normal" things in small doses has been very good for my morale.
• Ryan sings at Ames on Thursday in the Opus Honor choir. We have had a representative at Opus in our family for the last three years. I love getting to go and plan to on Thursday. Prayers for strength and health to travel there and back.
• Stacey is deep into basketball season and has been playing incredibly well considering her hernia. Unfortunately so far, the pain has not been helped by the steroid injection last week. Prayers for TOTAL healing of this for her would be great. A successful plan moving forward would be good too.
• Thanksgiving is coming and Auntie Chelle is arriving FRIDAY! We are praying for safety as she travels here and home.

There are a few things that have been on my mind this week. I am feeling extremely blessed this year as I look at all of the things that have become my life, even during this difficult year.

"Prayer and praise are the oars by which a man may row his boat into the deep waters of the knowledge of Christ." -Spurgeon

Fabric Therapy

I would describe how I feel this week as "good enough to overdo it." I am happy to report that because I haven't felt like doing much let alone too much in the last couple of weeks.

By Friday was when I realized I may be doing a little too much. I really can use a nap every day and so I am going to try to keep that in mind moving forward.

I took a lovely trip to Waucoma on Saturday where we had a holiday gathering of sorts. I will have some more to say about that day in another post. As much as the trip tires me physically, the emotional and mental morale boost is totally worth it.

Sunday was a quiet day. I have challenged myself to get down in my sewing room every day that I can, even if only for a short time. It is very good therapy to plan projects, cut fabric, or just straighten up a bit down there. I have so much fabric stashed that I feel it is time to quilt some of it up! I am curious to see how many quilts I can put together using only the fabric in my stash. I started by tagging a few quilts in the magazines I have that look like fun.

Not being a fan of cutting, I started on pieces for one of the quilts last week and I was able to get all of the blocks pieced together on Sunday afternoon. It was fun, it felt like real life and I will do more of this kind of normal to keep myself sane. I can't wait to see how it will look when it is all sewn together. I like what I have so far.

My aunt posted on her blog about our trip on Saturday and I come from a long line of busy handed people. It really is therapy for me to create things and as many people "ooh" and "ahh" over things I have made it is easy for me to forget that we all have our talents that God has given us. I have to realize that my gifts don't come easily for others and as I have gotten older I am more and more thankful that I was made the way I am. God has so many ways to make us "fearfully and wonderfully" and as much as I have a family of people who keep busy with projects of all different kinds, even our talents span across all kinds of interests. I won't take for granted the talents God has given. I sure am thankful for some built in therapy!