Eli and I are working on doing some stop-motion movies with Playmobil, here is our first stab. The Music is courtesy Howard Shore from 'Lord of the Rings:Return of the King'.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Still here.
I know, I know...its been about four weeks since I've posted.
Rather than dwell on the fact that I've been MIA, lets marvel in the fact that I was able to keep it up as long as I had. I mean seriously - I was averaging about 12 posts per month for a pretty long stretch.
All is quiet.
I'm feeling pretty good and have mostly forgotten that I am living with cancer. Certainly I have my moments of fear (and hypochondria), but by and large I am controlling my own destiny and living life.
We had a great vacation about a month ago and we have been going full steam ahead since then. Kristin is in the process of opening a new shop (target of early November) so I've spent most of my weekends building cabinetry for her cash stand, shelving, etc. I enjoy the building - the staining/sealing...not so much. We are going to employ my mom in the next couple weeks to help with painting, assembly and more.
It's great having them in town and it even afforded Kris and I an adult night last week. We had some old neighbors over for a dinner party. It was our turn to host so Kris and I picked up a free-range, grass fed standing rib roast which was just awesome. We purchased it from a local market so we felt good supporting a small business with local meats/produce. I'm all for a global economy, but I like to keep my money in the state if I can.
Kids are doing great and growing like weeds.
Better go. More. Soon.
Rather than dwell on the fact that I've been MIA, lets marvel in the fact that I was able to keep it up as long as I had. I mean seriously - I was averaging about 12 posts per month for a pretty long stretch.
All is quiet.
I'm feeling pretty good and have mostly forgotten that I am living with cancer. Certainly I have my moments of fear (and hypochondria), but by and large I am controlling my own destiny and living life.
We had a great vacation about a month ago and we have been going full steam ahead since then. Kristin is in the process of opening a new shop (target of early November) so I've spent most of my weekends building cabinetry for her cash stand, shelving, etc. I enjoy the building - the staining/sealing...not so much. We are going to employ my mom in the next couple weeks to help with painting, assembly and more.
It's great having them in town and it even afforded Kris and I an adult night last week. We had some old neighbors over for a dinner party. It was our turn to host so Kris and I picked up a free-range, grass fed standing rib roast which was just awesome. We purchased it from a local market so we felt good supporting a small business with local meats/produce. I'm all for a global economy, but I like to keep my money in the state if I can.
Kids are doing great and growing like weeds.
Better go. More. Soon.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Three reasons to keep fighting.
Been feeling really great the past couple weeks...which in turn means very few posts to the blog. I have story to tell about the dentist, but it will have to wait until tomorrow...I need to log off for the night.
Monday, September 15, 2008
STATUS
Health, good.
Family, good.
Home, good.
Had a nice vacation last week. I went back to the homeland (Michigan City) and enjoyed a carefree week including visits to the beach, zoo, Redamaks and Swingbellies.
Kris the kids and I were able to catch up with a lot of family while still having some downtime for just the four of us. We staying a in a resort community called Beachwalk which is essentially a bunch of cute, colorful homes nestled in an amazing streetscape. I should also mention that its only a 10 minute walk to a very private part of Lake Michigan.
We can't wait to go back and even talked about buying there someday (very, very far down the road).
I started editing all the video last night - I expect that will take the better part of the week to get trimmed down to the highlight reel.
Family, good.
Home, good.
Had a nice vacation last week. I went back to the homeland (Michigan City) and enjoyed a carefree week including visits to the beach, zoo, Redamaks and Swingbellies.
Kris the kids and I were able to catch up with a lot of family while still having some downtime for just the four of us. We staying a in a resort community called Beachwalk which is essentially a bunch of cute, colorful homes nestled in an amazing streetscape. I should also mention that its only a 10 minute walk to a very private part of Lake Michigan.
We can't wait to go back and even talked about buying there someday (very, very far down the road).
I started editing all the video last night - I expect that will take the better part of the week to get trimmed down to the highlight reel.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
It was a fair day (pun intended).
I took the kids to the fair with my mom and dad yesterday morning. We figured getting there early on the last day of the event would probably make for the best trip. It was nice, small crowds, cooler temperatures and limited amounts of rednecks. Sadly, Maris was too small for most rides but Eli seemed to really enjoy the three he could go on.
I'm a better dad because of it...
So I picked up our new car today...a minivan. I guess its kinda a parental right of passage...one that was a little tough to stomach. As it turns out - I love the damn thing...Kristin on the other hand is more than a little embarrassed.
Since diagnosed, I started nesting a little more. Protecting things around me with a renewed vigor if you will. I certainly never threw any caution to the wind in the past, but now I like the idea of holing up with my family in our home and spending time together. The van is just an extension of that - side curtain airbags, lower chances of roll-over, four wheel ABS and traction control. Its like driving your sofa clad in armor.
It certainly is not cool, but a nice vehicle at a fair price. I was sad to see the Yukon go, but more in a sentimental way. I was delighted to unload that thing before anything else went wrong with it (and its 12mpg average fuel economy) Admittedly, I'm a little curious how Maris and Eli will respond when I pick them up from school today in a different vehicle than I dropped them off in.
Since diagnosed, I started nesting a little more. Protecting things around me with a renewed vigor if you will. I certainly never threw any caution to the wind in the past, but now I like the idea of holing up with my family in our home and spending time together. The van is just an extension of that - side curtain airbags, lower chances of roll-over, four wheel ABS and traction control. Its like driving your sofa clad in armor.
It certainly is not cool, but a nice vehicle at a fair price. I was sad to see the Yukon go, but more in a sentimental way. I was delighted to unload that thing before anything else went wrong with it (and its 12mpg average fuel economy) Admittedly, I'm a little curious how Maris and Eli will respond when I pick them up from school today in a different vehicle than I dropped them off in.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Whole damn family.
Been a while since I've added any artwork to the site. In this photo we have Grandmother, Grammadaddy, Bubby, Poppa, Eli and Maris on the front stoop.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
whewww!
Had a really busy weekend. Lots of projects around the house and for the first time in quite some time...we got most of them done. The biggest job on the agenda was remulching our beds and putting in an edge border. Normally I'm not a huge fan of the borders because they're always cracked, kinked and otherwise unsightly. In spite of this - I purchased 160' of said border and went to work.
My mom and dad came down and helped me plant about 20 perennials in a bed just off our back deck. Kris and I are really happy with the outcome which was capped off with an evening water courtesy of our rain barrel.
Here are three pics from the weekend festivities. I'm just happy that I was able to keep my energy up enough to be a useful helper.
My mom and dad came down and helped me plant about 20 perennials in a bed just off our back deck. Kris and I are really happy with the outcome which was capped off with an evening water courtesy of our rain barrel.
Here are three pics from the weekend festivities. I'm just happy that I was able to keep my energy up enough to be a useful helper.
Friday, July 11, 2008
hemo update.
Apparently the Gleevec is still working (maybe a little too well).
Whities - 3,300 (down from 3,400, this is a little low but ok for Leukemia folks)
ANC - 1,600 (down from 1,700, but still in the low normal range)
Platelets - 158,000 (up 8,000 and in the normal range)
Hemoglobin - 13.1 (down from 13.2)
Hematocrit - 37.9 (up from 37.3)
So, even though I'd love to have a few higher counts, I'm ok with this. Only a small drop in fighters and total whites.
I took Eli to Dr. Yancy this morning for a quick physical before he starts his new school tomorrow. He went with me to my blood draw first and I think he felt like he dodged a bullet when we got up and left after only I had my blood done. Little did he know that he was going to get a tetanus and polio shot in his legs 30 minutes later. The appointment was fine and aside from a little eczema, he's a healthy boy. I think he was 48 pounds, 42 inches and all boy.
Kris looks like she has strep throat and sadly Maris may have picked up a touch of it as well. On top of this, Mar and Eli often share a water bottle - it may make the rounds in our house before the weekend is over.
Whities - 3,300 (down from 3,400, this is a little low but ok for Leukemia folks)
ANC - 1,600 (down from 1,700, but still in the low normal range)
Platelets - 158,000 (up 8,000 and in the normal range)
Hemoglobin - 13.1 (down from 13.2)
Hematocrit - 37.9 (up from 37.3)
So, even though I'd love to have a few higher counts, I'm ok with this. Only a small drop in fighters and total whites.
I took Eli to Dr. Yancy this morning for a quick physical before he starts his new school tomorrow. He went with me to my blood draw first and I think he felt like he dodged a bullet when we got up and left after only I had my blood done. Little did he know that he was going to get a tetanus and polio shot in his legs 30 minutes later. The appointment was fine and aside from a little eczema, he's a healthy boy. I think he was 48 pounds, 42 inches and all boy.
Kris looks like she has strep throat and sadly Maris may have picked up a touch of it as well. On top of this, Mar and Eli often share a water bottle - it may make the rounds in our house before the weekend is over.
Monday, July 7, 2008
I know what you're thinking...
What kinda of parent allows their four-year-old to run around the yard with a lit incendiary device...
ANSWER: the same kind that allows their two-year-old to do it.
Had a nice 4th weekend. I felt pretty good almost the entire weekend and got a lot of family time in.
An impromptu party erupted in our yard about an hour before the municipal fireworks show. Two additional downtown families and their children showed up and mayhem ensued. I put up our tent in the front yard and all the kids piled in for the show (bribed with popcorn) I'm guessing no less than six fireflies gave their life that night as the kids tried to capture them in the 'bug corral'.
Just one more week until I get my blood work back. I'm anxious, but in a good way...I kinda have a good feeling about it (don't ask me why). It's my first one so the results are just what they are. During the subsequent tests we will hope for something called Log reductions (a logarithmic count of the Leukemic cells).
On the home front, I am currently working on a yard project and Kristin is in the midst of revamping her office. Stay tuned!
ANSWER: the same kind that allows their two-year-old to do it.
Had a nice 4th weekend. I felt pretty good almost the entire weekend and got a lot of family time in.
An impromptu party erupted in our yard about an hour before the municipal fireworks show. Two additional downtown families and their children showed up and mayhem ensued. I put up our tent in the front yard and all the kids piled in for the show (bribed with popcorn) I'm guessing no less than six fireflies gave their life that night as the kids tried to capture them in the 'bug corral'.
Just one more week until I get my blood work back. I'm anxious, but in a good way...I kinda have a good feeling about it (don't ask me why). It's my first one so the results are just what they are. During the subsequent tests we will hope for something called Log reductions (a logarithmic count of the Leukemic cells).
On the home front, I am currently working on a yard project and Kristin is in the midst of revamping her office. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
mud creek.
The family and I went up to see my mom and dad this past weekend. About 500 yards deep into the woods behind their place is a large creek that Eli has decided is his. We packed up his Scooby Doo fish pole and went angling.
Friday, June 13, 2008
weak-end
Menergy is low, but feeling much better than last weekend.
Made a lot of progress on Maris' new bed this week. It has been assembled and dry fit. I hope to get it primed and painted this weekend for a midweek roll out. I'm 90% happy with it - there are a few things I wish I had done differently, but I think she'll love it. I also need to build a matching one for Eli's room since it has more storage built into it than his current bed. I am going to turn his current bed into a big play table for either Rokenbok or Playmobil.
I'm probably going to pack up the kids and head to my parents crib tomorrow morning for some family time and get back by lunch to start my shop work.
Sunday, my Dad and I are working in the Herron-Morton lemonade booth at the Talbott Street Art Fair. We worked the water booth and trash duty last year and its a nice way to help out without a huge commitment. Admittedly, my favorite part of the fair is having the food trucks parked just one block away. I intend to have corn dogs for all my meals this weekend.
Made a lot of progress on Maris' new bed this week. It has been assembled and dry fit. I hope to get it primed and painted this weekend for a midweek roll out. I'm 90% happy with it - there are a few things I wish I had done differently, but I think she'll love it. I also need to build a matching one for Eli's room since it has more storage built into it than his current bed. I am going to turn his current bed into a big play table for either Rokenbok or Playmobil.
I'm probably going to pack up the kids and head to my parents crib tomorrow morning for some family time and get back by lunch to start my shop work.
Sunday, my Dad and I are working in the Herron-Morton lemonade booth at the Talbott Street Art Fair. We worked the water booth and trash duty last year and its a nice way to help out without a huge commitment. Admittedly, my favorite part of the fair is having the food trucks parked just one block away. I intend to have corn dogs for all my meals this weekend.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
as promised
I'm trying to concentrate on getting more photos up on the blog...starting today. Take a look at my support group. From the left, me, Kris, Sasha, Mom, Dad, Mike and Irene.
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