February 27, 2010
Rose Festival Clown Auditions
The Portland Rose Festival is looking for clowns!!!!
A. Applicants 18 & over will undergo a background check.
B. Upon selection, participants are required to pay a fee to cover their makeup, costumes and
background check:
February 26, 2010
Chemo Once More
Portland Firefly had Chemo on Monday. This was the fourth in my scheduled yearlong maintainance chemo sessions.
Last month, my doctor asked very pointed questions about the side effects that I have been experiencing with this round of chemotherapy. When I stated that “I am completely committed to the year-long completion of this maintainance chemo.”, she reminded me that I am not the only one that can take me off the chemo. As soon as I recovered from her statement, I realized that, yes, of course, she can stop my chemo any time she thinks that it isn’t being helpful or any time she believes that the side effects are becoming too intense. Some of them like the peripheral neuropathy that I have continued to experience can become permanent, even resulting in a person becoming wheelchair bound.
There are some side effects that have become increasingly intense for me. One is the fatigue. it used to be that I’d have about 10-14 days of energy (just prior to my next chemo session), but this last month I only felt like I had a few energy filled days. Of course, I was travelling and I had two presentations, but I still feel that the fatigue was more intense than it should have been.
Also the peripheral neuropathy has continued to present problems for me. I experience numbness in my feet daily even taking the L-Glutamine and extra B-Complex vitamins that have been recommended. This numbness in my feet is the reason that I cannot wear high heels and also is one of the reasons that I have not gone dancing for almost a year.
A minor side effect, but one that deserves consideration is that of hair loss. I have continued to lose any little remnants of hair that had returned while on my trip to Spain. The few hairs that remain will certainly fall out in two weeks. I was really excited to have my cute curly hair for 8 weeks and I’ll really look forward to seeing it again whenever that time may come!!!
And so, I will be keeping careful track of my side effects this month so my doctor and I can make a decision about whether to continue my chemo or to stop it at this time. I have done a lot of thinking about this issue during the last month and it will continue to be on my mind the rest of this month. Any decision that will be made will be made with careful consideration and consultation with my family as well as my doctor. But if you ask me for my ‘gut feeling’, I will tell you that I think I had my final Chemo last Monday. And I am perfectly fine with that!
February 25, 2010
Lost Theory
OK!!! Of all the TV shows that I have watched during this illness, Lost was one of those that I skipped over while channel surfing. Until one night a few weeks ago. I actually watched most of the show. And slowly a theory evolved.
I believe that everyone who has “blood” on them is one of the ‘lost’. I believe that the lost people are people who are in comas after some disaster. It can be a common disaster –(ie: the plane crash) or new ones as new people come into the series. When shown with blood on them, they are in the hospital. Without blood, they are in their real life outside the hospital.
I believe that this entire show takes place in a hospital or medical facility. And therefore words and phrases are euphemisms that lay people, hospital workers, visitors and medical staff use when speaking in the room with these comatose patients.
People who never have blood on them are in these comatose patients subconscious one way or another. I believe that this entire series has been a way for these comatose patients to try to ‘make sense ‘ of the world around them through dreams, flashbacks, phrases that they hear spoken near their beds. This why they know about other patients. They are all in one big room, one big ward. It is possible that most of them are on life-support.
I believe that knives represent pain and or surgery. The bigger the knife, the greater the pain. (ie: knife-like pain, cutting pain, surgery) . The more knives, the greater number of surgeries.
Guns represent medicines– specifically pain medicines. Little guns for pain killers, medium guns for medium pain and ‘big guns’ for excruciating pain.
We ‘drown’ when we are given too many pain killers. We ‘drown’ when our lungs fill with fluid.
I need to watch at least one more episode in order to go farther with my theory, but I’d be interested to hear what other have to say about this fascinating series.
February 24, 2010
Portland Home and Garden Show
And available at www.OTshows.com.
MORE INFO:
February 23, 2010
Free Pancakes Today!!!
Today, Tuesday, February 23, 2010 is National Pancake Day. IHOP is offering Free Pancakes all day today until 10:00pm. They do ask that you consider making a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network in exchange for your free short stack of three buttermilk pancakes. Sounds like a ‘win-win’ situation to me! Miss Oregon is helping out at the Portland Southeast IHOP this morning! Beauty, Breakfast and Philanthropy!!!
The Portland IHOP is :
| IHOP #675 |
| 4931 SE 82nd Avenue |
| PORTLAND, OR 97266-3103 |
| 503-771 1582 |
Since this is a national event you can click here to find the IHOP nearest you : http://ihoplocator.com/.
February 22, 2010
Found Money?
Every state has procedure for citizens to claim money that is rightfully theirs. Usually the money has been ‘forgotten’ in a bank account, an IRA, an unclaimed insurance policy or a refund of some sort.
You can go to the following website to see if your state is holding any unclaimed money for you. I have not thoroughly checked this website myself, so that is your responsibility. www.missingmoney.com
The residents of other states, or if you EVER lived in another state, you should check to see if there is any money that is due to you from each state that you have lived in.
Be sure that you do not pay anyone to claim your money. Do not give anyone your personal information unless you are absolutely sure of the website. involved. You should go to a government approved website or call your state Treasurers office for more information in this matter. Good Luck!!!
February 19, 2010
Runpee.com
This website is sheer genius. For those of you who do not know of this site, let me tell you about it. It tells you the best time during a movie that you can ’run and pee’.
For those of you who are techies, there is even a free App that you can download onto your phone.
The website even gives you several options for each movie; it then gives you the movie cue when it is the best time to leave the movie; it tells you how long you have; then it gives you a synopsis of what you missed during your ‘bathroom break’.
Go to www.runpee.com for for information.
February 18, 2010
5 Second Rule Debunked
The 5 second rule has been debunked!!!! You know the rule … if it drops on the floor and you pick it up in 5 seconds or less, its still OK to eat it??!!
Well, it seems that if the food or item falls on the floor, germs attach to it in less than 5 seconds. Bummer!!!
The thing that Portland Firefly wants to caution you about is who funded this study. The study was funded by Clorox. And of course Clorox wants you to use their produce to disinfect your household surfaces. And, of couse, chlorine is one of the best germ killers out there so there is probably some truth to this study.
But, on the other hand, I am sure that we all ‘ate dirt’ as a child. So it might be helpful to build up a little immunity as well. Use your best judgment.
Here is the weblink so you can read about this yourself www.simpleandsurprising.com .
February 16, 2010
My Speech
Portland Firefly was very busy last week. Not only did I experience computer problems, but I was refining my speech on Primary Peritoneal Cacinoma, the deadly aggressive sister to Ovarian Cancer.
I had two speaking engagments and I was very excited to be able to educate women about this difficult to diagnose disease. I spent a small fortune at Office Depot and Staples on printing and laminating so my presentation would look professional.
At both groups, the women gave me their undivided attention and even though the presentation went longer than I had hoped it would; they said they needed to hear what I had to say so they didn’t mind the length.
Since much of the information is medically technical I felt good when the nurses present said that they learned something new too.
My mission is to present my program as often as I can so that as many women as possible will be educated about the subtle symptoms of this disease. Hopefully this will increase the probability of early diagnosis which also increases the probability of survival.
My title? ” How Can I have Ovarian Cancer? I don’t have any Ovaries!”
February 14, 2010
Winter Olympics 2010 Vancouver
I hope you had the chance to see the beautiful opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics at 7:30 Friday night. I do have to say that the stadium crowd seemed to be cheering very loudly for the American team as they entered the stadium. And I love their uniforms. White pants, White sweaters, Dark blue jackets (with the Polo logo) with red accents, and very winter olympiceey looking cute knit hats with the American flag embroidered into the side of them!
If you decide to take a quick trip to Vancouver BC don’t get it mixed up with Vancouver, Washington which is just north over the border from Portland, Oregon.
The Government has a website dedicated to the necessary travel documents for these Winter Games at www.getyouhome.gov . Have fun and take your hat and mittens!!!!
Good Luck to all of our Winter Athletes!!!
February 13, 2010
Valentines Day is Sunday!!!
Valentines Day is Sunday, February 14th!!
The following day Monday February 15th is Presidents Day, a national holiday.
I know some couples who are making it a romantic evening and taking a little Bed & Breakfast getaway.
If all else fails — get flowers at Costco or Trader Joes!!!!
February 12, 2010
Portland Yard, Garden & Patio Show
The Portland Yard, Garden and Patio Show is currently at the Oregon Convention Center.
About the Yard Garden and Patio Show
The Yard, Garden & Patio Show was founded in 1988 by the Oregon Association of Nurseries Inc. (www.oan.org) as a way for the OAN to highlight the significant accomplishments of its retail and landscape members. It also provided a forum for the gardening public to experience what’s new in the bright, beautiful world of ornamental plant material, as well as to learn new skills and techniques from gardening experts worldwide.
The largest consumer gardening event of its kind
The show spent its first four years at the Memorial Coliseum, before moving into its current home at the Oregon Convention Center in 1991. It has grown into the largest consumer gardening exposition of its kind in the United States that is produced by a state association using member volunteers. Most large gardening and flower shows are produced by professional organizations with staffs devoted exclusively to organizing those events.
Highlights of the 2010 Yard, Garden & Patio Show include:
The event, which kicks off the new growing season, will feature seven grand garden displays and many garden vignettes, hundreds of exhibitors, outdoor cooking seminars, a huge recycled garden art section, unique Oregon wine and beer gardens and dozens of giveaways, including a Hawaiian Dream Vacation, a trip for two to Butchart Gardens and the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria B.C. and a Pandora’s Bracelet from LaRog Jewelers.
Display Gardens Seven stunning display gardens with exciting new plants, landscaping ideas and the latest in outdoor living accessories. Whether looking to create an entertaining oasis at home or simply stroll through the gardens and admire their beauty, this is an experience not to be missed. Additionally, members of the Association of Northwest Landscape Designers will showcase their talents in small garden vignettes and container displays by local nurseries and design professionals will line the boulevards.
Cracked Pots
A new partnership this year brings even more local art to the show. Cracked Pots is an environmental non-profit organization completely nuts about recycling. The group works with talented regional artists who teach waste reduction through the creation and sale of custom garden art made from recycled materials. More than 20 of these cleverly crafty folks will be on the show floor showcasing some “old” art for the garden!
Free Seminars and Demonstrations
Top speakers include Northwest favorites and national stars, including Lucy Hardiman, Ed Hume, Mike Darcy and this year’s main attraction, Dan Hinkley, sponsored by Monrovia. This year the show will have more than 40 hours of free seminars. There is something for everyone, from the novice gardener to the most seasoned green thumb.
Kids Dig In at the Kids Digs Area
All ages are welcome, and the Kids Digs area offers fun activities for kids to help them build enthusiasm for healthy, family-friendly activities. Native plants, hiking safety and camping basics will be provided by the Cascade Pacific Council Boy Scouts of America. Face painting, fun learning activities and even Rainbow Play Structures will be there for the kids.
For $7.00 tickets, stop by any Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Stores.
Go to this web site for more information… www.ygpshow.com
February 11, 2010
Computer Glitch
Portland Firefly apologizes for not writing sooner, but I have had a computer glitch. It is still not worked out yet, so I am using an alternate computer. More to follow soon……
February 4, 2010
Shred Day Monday
KGW in Portland, Oregon is offering to shred up to two boxes of paper for you free of charge. Bring your paper filled boxes to the KGW studios at 1501 SW Jefferson on Monday, February 8th, 2010 between 5:30 am and 7:00pm.
Each 600 pounds of recycled paper saves one tree. You can also ‘save a tree’ by practicing good recycling habits at home. Portland makes recycling so easy by providing roll cart bins, so please use them.
Here is a little recycling hint: Keep a paper bag next to your home shredder (or at a designated place in your home) and toss all recyclable papers into it on a daily basis. This includes clothing garment tags, all newspapers, envelopes from junk mail (shred anything with your name and address on it), etc. Kleenex boxes, toilet paper inserts, paper packaging from purchases can also be recycled.
