Mile Stones......

....when I showed up with cancer, one of my big worries was that I would not see my Granddaughter growing up, but also that she wouldn't know me enough to remember me! Thus, one of my big goals was to live long enough to see her grow and know that she would remember me! When we took her to Kindergarten this week, I felt like I had reached those goals, now to continue!

Evie will have a good school life. She is going to the same school the her mother, Lili's soon to be husband, Colin, Anne, even Anne's mother and many others went to. It is located about a block from Lili's house and a very short block from our house. A great place to grow and learn. She met some friends there immediately and all us parents and Gparents were happy and proud.

I am doing OK health-wise, but I am quite worried about eating and weight (I guess they do go together). A year ago I weighed about 205 and this morning I weighed 184!. This week I ate whenever I could and I will continue to try that, but my appetite just doesn't seem to be there.

I find the words of my oncologists and nurses ringing in my ears, "eat whatever, just don't loose any weight." I never gave it much thought, but now those words loom large since I have lost weight and seem to have an upset stomach much of the time. Scary! Very scary! But certainly no reason to give up!!

Of course, passing the 2 year cancer survivor time is also a big mile stone for me. I think my next long-term goal will be to make it another year and go to my 50th high school reunion. 50! Gosh, time sure flies when you are having fun. In the short term, we are looking forward to Lili and Colin's wedding next month and then I hope to make it to Michigan before the bad weather sets in.

One final comment. Even though I promised Anne no more bird stories, I feel I need to comment that none of the birds I "plunked" were hurt in any way. I did hear from one disgruntled person and to her and any others, I apologize for scaring the birds off my roof with all their noise and bird dung!

I love you all--even the garbage eating birds.
wil

....end of summer doldrums

I think this is a strange time of year. The summer vacation months are almost over--Anne is back to school and my shining light Evie starts Kindergarten this week! My bday has come and gone with much excitement--thanks to lots of people. ...nothing until Lili's big wedding next month!

So, into our lives to add some excitement comes these Vultures. In fact, one day they were lined up along our entire ridge line of our house. So I got out our rusty (a better word than "trusty") BB gun and one at a time plunked each bird with a BB. No, it did not hurt them, just caused each individual to say, "what was that?" and then fly away.

The disappointing thing is I had no pics of that, you just have to trust my story--after all you can trust me, I'm a Realtor!! The interesting thing is that when one bird got hit and flew off, none of the others flew off or even got excited until their individual BB hit them. At least they have not returned to my house although they are still in the neighborhood. .....end of bird report.

Health-wise I am doing pretty good. Although people still ask if the cancer is "stopped". Unfortunately it is not stopped and doctors tell me it has spread a little. I still take the one Tarceva pill a day along with lots of fish oil, calcium, B100, etc. I also go to one mild yoga session a week with concentrates largely on improving my breathing. I have a goal to be able (slowly, I am sure) to make it back to the top of the hill above our house by winter. It is really beautiful up there--especially when it snows.

I took a nap yesterday and then went out last night to hear our favorite rock-n-roll band cause they don't play much anymore. I wish they would realize that they are all over 50 and ought to start sooner for us old farts! Anyhow, I was out until 1 am and I am quite tired today.

So, rest a bit and then I am off to a party on the "Red Neck Riviera". That is the Ohio River.
"Life is Good" love to all, wil

Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me.........

...."well it's my party and I'll cry if I want too, you'd cry too........." Wait. That's not the right song at all. I have felt quite ill since last Tuesday--y'know, unable to keep food down, nothing looked or tasted good! But this morning, I guess cause it is my Bday I felt much better.

So we all trooped up to the place we call the CASA for brunch. A good time was had by all. I even wore a t-shirt that I don't remember ever wearing because it was too small. However, since I have lost so much weight, it now fits! The "little Joshua" made it way back when! I don't think one can read the shirt photo but it says "8/15/82, love Josh." A wonderful time was had by all.

I have included pics showing all the Bday participants in front of the CASA. Also some "chickens" that weren't invited to anything. Wow. We decided to have Roxie clear these not-so-pretty, but big birds out of the neighbors garbage!
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So, to summarize my big 67. Two years ago they as much as told me I wouldn't make two years. I am sure glad I left that oncologist. I may even be sad I just left instead of "firing" him, but that is just not my style. I think I am feeling better as the day goes on and we are going to try to make it to another "gathering". Tomorrow Anne goes back to teaching and I need to organize my days. It sure is easy for us "retired" to "fritter" away our days. Maybe that's why we oldsters think about and complain about the government so much. I just don't have the time for that and I need to keep doing positive things.

I have received many well wishes (literally) from lots of old friends, new friends, and others. I really appreciate your contacts!

Love to all, wil

"they" are after me, but I am not going yet!!!

So, I have returned from my travels with no others planned at the moment. And what do I find, a backyard full of Vultures (Turkey Buzzards). They are coming down from the hills above Athens to find me! As one can see, they are roosting on our roof and were also on the neighborhood houses--damn vultures all over the place! But....I ain't done yet. I have lots to do.

I now have a UW Oshkosh shirt picked up on my trip. It's so patriotic, I thought in front of our flag would be good! When I got out of the army I spent 2 1/2 years there getting my undergrad degree. I had a great time and often have wondered why I left there so soon--it was fun. I love Athens, but do miss Wisc--it was so clean and crisp. Also full of beer and brats.

I am not sure whether it is being home for a while; the Tarceva medicine; my working to get more exercise (still only a pitiful amount); or maybe because I have decided that I WILL feel better, but I do feel better! Last week I was feeling kinda down and I had an appointment with my local doctor friend Mark. He pointed out that I am doing pretty good for 2 years with this thing since originally the prediction was 6 months. Still getting tired, but my daily nap seems to help a lot. with that.

Anne's sister and her family were here this weekend with the grandchildren too. Fun. Lots of stuff to look forward to. Many things happening in Athens and the area (like Stuarts Opera house). I do hope to make another car trip this fall somewhere to the north. And finally eliminating "stuff" is my continuing mission. The medallion picture is is me on my way to Lili's to give her some more valuable items that she cannot live without!

I have a birthday this week and all I ever want is something I can go to or eat--no more stuff for me!

Still taking Cruises!

Ok, Ok, several people have asked me where the blogs went....well, they just didn't go for several reasons: 1) I sent the last one (or thot I sent) before the Bob and John cruise. But upon my return to Atown discovered I blew it--so sent it late.

2) I have not felt well the past few days--more on that here.

3) Too much traveling has gotten to me and I can't seem to keep up with anything. I do plan on staying at home for at least a few weeks now.

As mentioned in last blog Bob ("not from Alabama" and not wanting his pic taken) and John and I were off for a fast trip to Wisconsin and Michigan. It was too short 5 days, 4 nites and wish we could have seen more sights and people, but when you don't feel well and have 2 volunteer drivers it is time to go! I think we did well: a Fireman's Picnic; the Plymouth Wi large cow (who wouldn't like Plymoutt?);
quick visits with a few old friends; showing the boys the lakes; my undergrad campus at Oshkosh; Kohler toilets, etc; a few(!) beers in Sheboygan and elsewhere; and the Steamship Cruise across Lake Michigan on the "Badger". Now, how many people have 2 "cruises" in one summer?

If we missed anyone in Wisconsin or Michigan, I apologize. I hope there will be other times.

Now a little bit about my health. I guess there are two things wrong here: one, I just don't feel very good and I continue to lose weight, it was great to ride along in the back seat on the trip; and two, I have really grown short of breath! I can barely take a 4 block walk with Roxie behind our house where I used to go way up on the hill with her. It is pretty scary! I am trying to force myself to get out and about. To walk more and exercise more--even though I really don't want to.

I do know it is not good to end anything on a negative note. So, let me say that I am happy to be alive after having passed my 2 years point with cancer and I really had a good time traveling. Now I look forward to "good times in Athens"! Please join me when you can if only via this blog or email.

goodwil