A Verse to Live by

"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength;
but with the trial he will also
provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it."
1 Cor 10:13

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Comin' Round The Mountain


Day 2 -- the Journey continues - a recount

Provisions purchased and stowed away, Sedona and I headed out of Wytheville, crossing into North Carolina just one hour later. Morrow Mountain State Park, that day's destination, was east of I-77 in Albemarle, not too far off of SR 52. Despite the uneventful drive, butterflies nevertheless jumped into my stomach as I made my way through the state park. I’d never been here before or, for that matter, to any NC state park, so I had no idea of what I was getting myself into. Blessedly, my worries were all for naught. It was a lovely campground with tall pines and oaks that gave good shade. 

Set up was a snap and soon enough Sedona had her nose to the ground exploring the little square of land we’d be calling home for the next two days. Before settling in, we went back up to the park office and bought a couple bundles of firewood. Despite the promise of a warm evening, camping wouldn’t be camping without a campfire. After a simple dinner of grilled cheese and soup for me and a bowl of Purina One for the girl, I started the fire and kicked back; Sedona, totally worn out, lay sprawled on the ground at my feet.  Mesmerized by the flickering flames of the campfire, I took stock of the last two days and smiled. I’d done it. I had safely and successfully trailered the Turtle out of Ohio and through the mountains. Simple as that may seem, it gave me a great sense of accomplishment.

A couple of hours later, tucked snuggly inside the Turtle, we were being lulled to sleep by a chorus of night-singing. I remember very clearly, too, my last conscious thought of the night was: “Life is Good.”



Monday, August 11, 2014

Road Trip!


Now that I've reemerged on Bosomundheit and explained myself, I'm going to backtrack and chronicle the events of my journey from Ohio to FMB. 
Bon Voyage! 

DAY 1 and part of DAY 2: July 13 & 14
The rain fell in buckets as Sedona and I began a five-day road trip that ultimately would end at my parent’s home in Fort Myers Beach. Tagging along close behind the Xterra was my Teardrop camper, aka “the Turtle.” Our first stop was Wytheville, VA, located just off I-77 in the western tail of the Dominion State.

The next morning brought sunshine and blue skies. We left the hotel (a Best Western that, sadly, I cannot recommend!) with the intent of picking up provisions for Days 2 & 3 of our sojourn: Morrow Mountain State Park in Albemarle, NC – just three hours away. However, I took a wrong turn and was soon headed down a ribbon of country road in the opposite direction of the grocery store. Looking for a place to turn around, I came upon a tiny, white wood-framed church and, wow, it had a pull through driveway --  just what God ordered for this girl-errant and her camper! The storybook house of worship was perched on the edge of a picturesque hayfield that rushed up to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. More charming still was a delightful congregant named Don who was working industriously in the yard out back.
Don invited me in to see the sanctuary and then left me alone to, well, be alone. The unexpected detour was a soul-replenishing, peace-filled pause for me. There are only 28 members of this humble little house of worship (Bethel United Methodist Church, founded in 1856.) Before I left that holy ground, Don invited me to come back some day for worship and Sunday school. I’m thinking that’s an invitation I can’t pass up!






Saturday, August 9, 2014

South of the Ohio River

Sedona and I have been in Fort Myers Beach with my parents since July 18, and what a blessing it is to be here. With two more sets of three infusions, my mom is half way through her second round of chemo -- that's just eight weeks until she closes the books on what her oncologist calls her "double-barreled" treatment for uterine cancer.

While I'm here to offer whatever support I can during my mom's battle with the CBitch, I can't help but feel that the one receiving the most out of this extended stay is me. It is a gift to be part of my parent's daily routine, to experience with them the ordinary, the unexpected, the sweet, the melancholy. Being with them is also a kind of glorious mind/time bender. I frequently find myself  subsumed by rich family memories then pole vaulting into thoughts of the "way" future -- as in what am I learning here that can impact where I'll be in 20-30 years. The tick of the clock keeps me firmly rooted in the now, however, and I thank God for every second spent in the presence of my beautiful parents.

Pics o' the Day
The quintessential golden retriever!
Had our first morning beach walk today.

A glorious sunset.



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

What the?...

So, am I ready to be a steady blogger again? Get back to a regular diet of e-flection? Rededicate myself to offering up the mundane or unexpected paths my life takes? I don't know, but at least for tonight I am writing.

My friend, the CBitch, bestowed another of her gifts on me this past Sunday, one that took advantage of my compromised lymphatic system. Something caused an infection in my right arm, which resulted in a high fever then me being admitted to the hospital. No big deal, very treatable. As the ER doc said, "The good news is it isn't MERSA and it's not flesh-eating bacteria." Yay for me! After several bags of antibiotics I was in, out and home all in a 24-hour period. 

It really wasn't a big deal (albeit I got all of two hours of sleep). What truly pisses me off is the CBitch's second attempt on my sister. Then, not content with that failed attack, She went after my mom. What the hell?! Well, all I can say is that She's picked on the wrong chicks. The Schneider women do not know the word defeat. The CBitch can take her bag of b.s. and stick it.

As I sign off, I will leave with this little bit: Life doesn't last that long. I am going to begin yet another phase of my life. Transitioning into something that I've wanted to do for quite awhile -- something that I know Ron would appreciate. What? Well, that illumination will come once things are finally in the works. When is that? By my calculations, the week of July 1. 

Stay tuned. 

Pic o' the Post



Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Answered Prayers

She is home. Did "outstanding" according to her surgeon. Stopped for a chocolate malt on the way back to Oxford -- how awesome is that?! My sister. She is home.

With my brother and little big sister.
May 2013

Monday, February 10, 2014

She's Angry. I'm Pissed

Sixteen years after being diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer, my sister is again facing the CBitch. Being an equal opportunity bitch of a disease, the cancer has appeared in the other breast. I know it's ridiculous to say that this is unfair, so I won't. It is, however, bullshit.

My sister's surgery is today, Monday, and she is having the "Full Monty." Off with both so as not to worry year-after-year about having to deal with a possible "round three." My sister is rightfully angry. Angry that the CBitch is back, angry that despite going through painful annual mammograms the technology of today was just as undiscerning of the invasion in her breast this time as it was 16 years ago, and angry about, well, o.k., I'm going to say it after all, the unfairness -- my word choice, not hers.

At church this evening, during the Lord's prayer, I got stuck on the part about "...thy will be done..." I am sincere when I say I am o.k. with His will being done to me, regardless of the challenges, but not so much when His will includes challenges for those that I love.

My sister is angry, so I get to be pissed. I am pissed that she has to be angry and pissed that she is going through the uncertainty, anxiety, and pain that the CBitch has created.

I want to say that the angry (and pissed) goes away, but it doesn't really -- it only recedes enough so that it doesn't rule your every thought.

My sister is angry, but my pint-size sister is also tough. She, with her mighty heart, loving family and caring friends, will get through this, again.



Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Baby Girl's Big Birthday

She's now in the double digits. Today is Sedona's 10th birthday. We had a good time celebrating with a photo shoot then some yogurt and special dog treats followed by some lovin'. She is an extraordinary companion. Yes, I know that's what all pet owners say about their four-legged pals, but in this case it's of course true.

My intent was to do a photo homage to her royal goldenness, but it's getting late and I must settle with sharing this much simpler approach -- I don't think she'll mind.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SWEET SEDONA!

Collage o' the Day
Top right pic is of 10-week old Sedona sitting snugly in the "safety zone."
Bottom right pic is Sedona (background) with her sib Abby, circa 2005
Main photo was taken tonight with Sedona already for the frightful weather!

Monday, February 3, 2014

Ms. Plumber

Out with the old...
Yep, I'm feelin' a little smug these days. Just before I left for Florida the flush valve in my main bathroom's toilet tank went belly up. I didn't do anything about it at the time since I was going to be gone for three weeks. Soooo, I return from FL and of course the issue had not resolved itself (darn). I pondered the problem, considered and discarded the various options, finally settling on the obvious: I am the daughter of a long-line of accomplished and talented HVAC technicians (members of Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 189) and should be able to figure out how to do this simple swap-out on my own. Sure enough, my heritage did not fail me. In fact, not only did I replace the flush valve, I went a step further and installed a water-saving feature. Maybe I've found my next career.

...in with the new.
P.S: the only cracks allowed on my pink toilet are those sitting on it...


Friday, January 31, 2014

(S)He Who Laughs Last...

I've been quiet on the subject of weather, but then what is there to say other than I now know how the rest of you felt during the first Arctic blast. Great Scot, glad to see we have balmier temps on the horizon, I'm tired of wearing a damn knit cap to bed! ;) Sedona has been a trooper through it all despite the near paw-freezing she endured because I foolishly exposed her tootsies to single digit temps on the annul Winter Hike at Hocking Hills. I tried to make it up to her by hanging out the rest of the day in a cozy state park cabin and rubbing those abused paws.

Within the last two weeks I had one of what I call my "mega check ups." What that means is I made the rounds at the Spielman breast center for the dreaded mammo, blood draw, cardio inspection, intro to a new surgeon (God forbid I ever need one again), the person who oversees the clinical trial I am participating in and, last my oncologist. End result? 1) According to a letter I received yesterday, the mammo "showed no malignancy." Of course, I put little faith in that procedure since it didn't find anything the last time, even after the medical folks knew exactly where the lump existed. [Side Note: For those of you ladies who get squeamish about self breast exams, all I can say is "get over it" and do them, they are life savers.] 2) While my white blood cell count is still low they think that's just my normal, but want to retest in three months [ugh]. 3) The ticker is ticking just dandy. 4) A 30-minute wait for a five-minute nice-to-meet you with the surgeon. 5) Oncologist says all looks good and, finally, 6) the clinical trial peeps gave me a big jar of pills that will last me through the next six months. Nothing like missing nearly an entire day of work to remind you that the cancer beast is ever-lurking and it wants to rule your life. Well, sorry, CBitch, not mine.

Pic o' the Post 
Can't share photos yet from the Winter Hike as my computer is having issues with downloads, etc., so sharing a different snowy visage of "the girl" in her backyard.

My snow angel

Saturday, January 4, 2014

A World of Difference

A New Year's Day rainbow
We are not cold. Well, I am not cold. For my parents, anything below 65 degrees is cold. My dad says he needs to move south. ;)

After a day of putting away Christmas decorations, we met up last evening with several of my parent's friends at the VFW for fried shrimp, prime rib and live music. My folks left just after the start of the ill-fated Buckeye game. I stayed behind with some of the gang and danced. What fun! And, conveniently, the VFW is just across the street from my parent's community. Walked home with my mom's friend, Betty, watched the second half of the game and hit the sack. Woke up around 8:30 and bundled up to take Sedona out into the frigid 54-degree weather. Ok, I'll quit rubbing in the temperature difference between here and the rest of the Midwest.
Sedona's suggested panacea for the weather
up north: earmuffs 
My suggested panacea for the weather
up north: sun & a cuba libre!