what could be worse

.....than an old, tired and sick blogger trying to do something with the computer? Especially one that is not computer literate! Above are the pics at Evelyn's bday party for which one would have to see the last blog for the details.

Anyhow another day, another dollar (at least 'til the new legislators erase the social security) and I don't feel very good these days. Luckily no stomach ache and I have a good appetite, but I am headachy and a bit dizzy most of the time.

The big wedding is Saturday and preparations are in full swing! I will feel better Saturday and plan on having lots of fun. More on it all next week!

big doings in sunny Athens......

......Evie had a birthday party with lots of kids and a "bouncy castle". I have enclosed a look at Josh and John and me after we had enough party with the 5 year olds!

So after the "party" I spent Monday in Columbus getting the bad news--although no big surprise here since I seem to be growing more and more out of breath. The news was that the cancer has spread and the Tarceva is not working to control the cancer. So it has been stopped. I will now go on a clinical trial and I was given 3 to choose from. I always thought the doctor told you what to do!

Anyhow, after examining all three and talking to various medical people, I choose one. I am now waiting to hear what happens next---back to Columbus soon, I am sure. Nobody likes to hear that their time might be up soon, but I am preparing in lots of ways for that happening. My spiritual life and feelings have been growing and God has been good to me in so many ways. I hear every day that people are praying for me--and I hope they pray for others too--although I would be very uncomfortable praying for myself. Thus, I find myself praying that the peoples and religions of this earth can begin to be true to their teachings and love and get along with each other.

Enough preaching! As I said, big doings. Lili and Colin are getting married on Saturday and it should be a great event as well as a great marriage! Colin's brother, Gavin, Michael and Annie, and other relatives are coming. I am glad.

My weight is good, even up a bit and except for being short of breath and somewhat dizzy, I am having a good time. This weekend will be even better!

P.S. I have spent over half an hour trying to bring up some pics and it just ain't working so I am going to send this blog w/o pics since I am getting a head-ache from trying. Over and out!

Fun times.......

....but much slower and far less partying. This week was a buy one--as usual. Sometimes I don't like being busy, but I think it keeps me mentally and a little bit physically healthy. Better not to sit around thinking things are bad!

So, I went off to the Ohio Association of Realtors conference in Cincinnati for 2 days. It was a good time, but I must admit that I was very slow and did not do nearly as much as in the many past many years I have been to these meetings--i.e. learning, networking, and--of course--partying.
But it was good, Cincinnati downtown is always quite fun. We ate out, did a carriage tour, went to the Art Deco Omni hotel, and several other fun things. Picture of Doug, Katrina, and me is from the Carew tower, a great place to overlook the whole town and part of Kentucky.

I also had to journey to Columbus this week for a CTscan. Now it's back on Monday to see the oncologist for the results--good thing I learned how to wait in the army. I did my weekly weigh-in and I was maintaining right around 190. That's good, but I really have lost my appetite.

Today is Evelyn's birthday party and it will be a great event--bouncy castle and all. I have also enclosed a pic that I missed on my birthday. It was a carrot cake we shared with Tom and Anne and of course me in my "birthday shirt." My Anne made it and it was delicious! There is also a sunny fall photo of me and Roxie where it becomes more apparent that I am losing lots of hair.

Life goes on and fortunately I am still a part of it! Be sure to join in!

.....Nude Photo!

........I haven't been feeling all that well lately, mostly kinda tired. I also still seem to not have much of an appetite, although I have figured out that to eat lots of times without eating much each time is the way to go.

So, due to my weight loss and lack of wanting to eat lots, I decided to institute a once a week "weigh-in". I am excited to report that I gained back some of the weight that I have lost-- as you can see by the "all nude" photo! The scale now reads 190!

And the weather here, and I guess most everywhere, has finally taken a break toward "cooler". I do like this a lot better than the hot, hot weather we have all been experiencing for most of the summer. However, I guess due to weight loss, I am frequently cold and end up trying to get warm as you can see by the other pic. I do like this better than the heat, I just need to bring an extra shirt wherever I go!

Several people have asked me about my travels. Well....there ain't been any lately so no report on that. However, I am going to Cincinnati tomorrow for a few days and it should be interesting and good fun too. More on that later. The 15th is Evelyn's 5th bday and the party will be on the weekend and big, I am sure. Should be fun. Then in another week, the big wedding!

In the meantime, I have a CTscan this Thursday and a doctor's appointment the following Monday. It has been awhile for both. I sure hope things turn out OK. And OK for me would mean that this damn thing hasn't spread further like last time!

After all the parties and doctors, I do hope to travel some more as it seems to help me forget about my health problems. I am also quite aware that if my health problems get worse, I won't be able to travel nearly as much. So, I will end with one of my favorite sayings: "If you have something that you want to do and you are able to do it--why wouldn't you?"

....been a tough week.

My partner at Athens Realty, Pat Merriell has been on vacation for over a week! Since she is really the managing broker, times can be tough without her there. Come to think of it, who does she think she is that she can take time off?

At any rate, I went out to the Shade Winery, a fairly new local micro-winery, in order to prepare for the difficult challenge that lay ahead. I became very relaxed and happy on the porch of the neat building. I wish I had a pic of the building, but the best I could do is to "crib" a website shot of the owner, Neal Dix, and his really neat old truck. I was very surprised a how good the wine was. This has not been wine country for a long time.

Well, fortified with lots of weekend enjoyment, I went to Athens Realty and dressed in my best Realtor attire in order to get the "troops" out there doing real estate! As evidenced by the pic above, Ron and Brooke immediately "jumped to" and started selling! Even though I haven't been so involved lately, anyone can see that my attire, demeanor, and take charge attitude definitely sent them out working hard.

Health-wise, I am doing nicely for my age and condition. I have not seen a doctor for almost a month and won't go again until the 20th. I do still take a Tarceva pill in the middle of the night and "eat" lots of supplements. I am hoping that my trying to eat everything I can and drinking a mixture of half and half and instant breakfast twice a day will help this weight "problem". I have avoided the scale and will continue to do so for a few more days in order to get a good reading of which direction I am headed. I am disappointed that my hair seems to be falling out again and I need a least on nap per day--sometimes more!

Oh well, tomorrow Anne and I are taking a 2nd pickup load of Athens Paving Block over to her sister and good ole Bob ("bobcat") in Maryland. It might take a long time to explain that, so I won't. I do hope everybody has a fun weekend--remember, if you can read this, you can have fun!