January 31, 2011
Sparkling Firefly
When undergoing Chemotherapy, I do not get pedicures because of the possibility of infection due to my lowered immune system. Over the last two years I have probably had only two or three pedicures. The other day, I decided that my immune system was strong enough for this foot pampering!!! Besides I had gone long enough without pretty toes and I like pretty toes! Now I have Deep Rose Red toes with sparkles. Totally befitting Sparkling Firefly!!!!
January 28, 2011
Fog in the Valley of Memories
Here in Portland, we have had a rather mild winter compared to the rest of the country. Yes, we did have some bitter cold during December, but with the lengthening of the days (so important at Northern latitudes – you in So Cal have no idea!) and the promise of a week of no rain, our Portlander spirits are rising!
And then what happens? The wind stops blowing and all the moisture that has accumulated in the ground begins to move upward and evaporate. And then with the night-time cool down we have been experiencing a LOT of fog the last several mornings. Mind you, I am not complaining…. Daytime temps are in the 50′s and one almost doesn’t even need to wear a jacket when you go out. Well, maybe a lightweight jacket, but not the necessary heavy coats of November & December!
I do not remember this type of fog occurring in the Midwest. Yet is is familiar to me and brings back memories of long ago. When I look out my bank of windows, I am reminded of foggy mornings at my Southern California High School. We wore uniforms. A beautifully styled grey straight skirt with 4 kick pleats (2 in the front, 2 in the back) and the omnipresent white uniform blouse which was topped with a navy letterman sweater. On especially cold mornings we would not even wear a coat, (it was southern California after all!) but would put another sweater under our uniform sweater for added warmth! That way we still had the required ‘uniform’ look, but were still warm in the morning and would be able to shed the under sweater as the day warmed up. And so those high school mornings are what I see when I look out my windows at the fog today.
PS: I always thought adding one sweater under another was a really cool trick! Or should I say a really ‘warm’ trick! Tee Hee!
Portland Firefly is in a great mood today! For those who are wondering I am feeling well!
January 26, 2011
Portland International Car Show 2011
The Portland International Car Show 2011 starts this Thursday at the Oregon Convention Center. The show runs from Jan 27th -30th. The doors are open from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm daily except Sunday (10:00 am - 7:00 pm).
It actually sounds really cool! The America’s Got Talent finalist bike rider will be there and they will have a special ‘Kids Zone’ and ‘childcare’ (?) available. I’d be careful about leaving my little ones, but it sounds like there will be something for everyone at this show.
For information on Discounted tickets, click here: http://www.portlandautoshow.com/special.html
For more information on the show: http://www.portlandautoshow.com/
January 24, 2011
Chiron
Today I was trying to read through some correspondence – mostly magazines that have been accumulating since last April!
I picked up one old issue and glanced at my horoscope. I do not read my horoscope and do not put trust in it. It was just a matter of curiosity.
When it said “with Chiron in your sign”, I immediately wondered if there was a new planet that I have not heard about. It turns out that Chiron is a comet.
“
Chiron is a comet with a unique and erratic orbit. In the natal chart, Chiron is symbolized by the “wounded healer”. It represents our deepest wound, and our efforts to heal the wound. Chiron was named after the centaur in Greek mythology who was a healer and teacher who, ironically, could not heal himself.
Chiron in our natal charts points to where we have healing powers as the result of our own deep spiritual wounds. We may over-compensate in these areas of life. Chiron, as a wounded healer, first must face issues of low self-worth and feelings of inadequacy and learn to rise above these issues. Because the wound goes deep, and we may work hard to overcome the wound, healing powers are potent.”
Recently, I wrote a post titled Love Letter Walls about the wounding of my loving heart. One of my readers wrote that perhaps this has been brought to my attention because God wants the healing to begin in this part of my life. I don’t disagree.
But I was amazed at the coincidence of the meaning of this comet (which I have never head of before today) and the deep emotional work that I have been doing.
January 19, 2011
January 19th Birthday
Today is my Aunt’s 89th Birthday. She deserves to be acknowledged because she is a true survivor. She took care of her Alzheimer’s afflicted husband. She survived breast cancer, lung cancer and many other minor ailments. Her mind is still very sharp and she has a will to live that is envied.
So Happy Birthday to you, Auntie, Happy Birthday to you!
January 18, 2011
Love Letter Walls
I was just reading over some old love letters that I had written several years ago and I was amazed at the depth of passion that I had conveyed in them. A depth of passion that I had even forgotten existed.
Is it possible that I have been so hurt that the walls I have built have erased even the memory of the depth of passion I once felt? I think that is exactly what has happened. The pain that was inflicted on my sweet, tender, giving, loving soul and heart was so brutal and unexpected. I built up such strong and massive and tall walls against the hurt of painful love that I am taken aback by the strength of those walls.
I am moved to tears. I am moved to tears for the loss of love in my life. I am moved to tears by the unfairness of it all. I am moved to tears by the realization that years of protecting walls may have now become permanent and unmovable. I am moved to tears by the loss of that beautiful, open, willing, trusting person I once was. She is gone, Perhaps she is gone forever. And for me, that is the saddest thing of all. That sweet, loving, forever young woman is not to be seen with joy and love dancing in her heart.
Sometimes life seems so unfair. The tears flow, the facade has cracked, but the walls stand secure and strong as ever. Because that is only what allows this woman to carry on daily.
January 17, 2011
Today is Shred Day
Today, Jan 17, 2011, is Shred Day at the KGW Studios at 1501 SW Jefferson, Portland, OR. Remember, you can bring up to two boxes or two paper bags filled with documents to be shredded for free. Hours are from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm. It is usually a drive up situation with no parking required.
January 14, 2011
Shred Day Jan 17, 2011
KGW is having another shred day this coming Monday, Jan 17, 2011. Up to two (letter sized) boxes of documents may be dropped off for free between 5:30 am and 7:00 pm. You may bring up to two paper grocery bags full of documents instead of the two boxes.
All paper will be recycled. A tree is saved for every 600 pounds of paper that is recycled.
The Shred Day will be held at 1501 SW Jefferson in Portland.
January 13, 2011
Portland Bridal Expo 2011
The Portland Bridal Show will be held at the Oregon Convention Center on January 15 & 16, 2011. This is Portland’s premier Bridal Show and they have some specific rules. Also they suggest that you purchase your tickets ahead of time.
For more information, please go to : http://portlandbridalshow.com/info.html
For a coupon for the show go to: http://portlandbridalshow.com/coupon.html
January 12, 2011
Portland Boat Show 2011
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The Portland Boat Show begins today. It runs from January 12th – 16, 2011.
Portland Expo Center
2060 North Marine Drive
Portland, Oregon 97217
Wednesday: 10am – 9pm
Thursday: 10am – 9pm
Friday: 10am – 9pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm
PRICES : $10.00 ADULTS ; UNDER 12 : FREE
$2.00 Discount Tickets are available http://otshows.com/shows/pbs/attendees/discount_coupon.htm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://otshows.com/shows/pbs/
ONE OF OUR REGIONS LARGEST INDOOR BOAT SHOW; IT WILL BE FUN FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY!
January 11, 2011
Bathrobe Coat
I enjoy watching the evening news. For the last several days, the lead story has been the shooting of Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson.
Well, last night (1/10/11) Katie Couric was on location in Tucson doing her interviews. The first interview was held inside and she was wearing a pale pink scoop neck sweater. She looked fine. The longer interview however was done outside.
Katie looked pale, as though she had on minimal makeup and no lipstick. She also was wearing a completely buttoned up coat with 3/4 length sleeves and leather gloves. Everything was in black or very dark grey. She would have looked right in place in Manhattan, but … this is Arizona. Southern Arizona at that, almost to Mexico. She could not have looked more out of place.
And her coat…. her coat was some sort of fuzzy thing; it actually looked more like my toasty warm bathrobe that has served me so well this winter than a high fashion coat. The coat looked like one that Jackie Kennedy would have worn. And even though I applaud the sense of fashion portrayed by the coat & gloves, appropriateness is a major component of fashion. In this area the outfit was a complete failure as was the coat fabric.
Every other person in the scene (and there were at least 20 of them) was appropriately dressed for the Arizona temperatures. Even the woman being interviewed was appropriately dressed with a casual suit jacket over a stylish blouse and skirt.
I usually enjoy watching what Katie will be wearing on the news every evening and she usually gets the highest marks from me. But for last night in Arizona, she gets a worse than failing grade….whatever that would be.
For those of you who have been reading my blog, you know that it is uncharacteristic of me to say something unkind, but that coat was a disaster! In retrospect, even my beloved bathrobe would have looked better! At least it is a pretty color! Hummm, I just might have to try it on with a pair of long gloves ala Jackie Kennedy!
January 7, 2011
Portland Build, Remodel, & Landscape Show
This show starts today January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 9th.
Oregon Convention Center
Friday 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tickets:
Adults $6.00
Children Under 18 FREE
But if you go to this website and give them your email address, they will give you a ticket discount! http://homeshowcenter.com/visitors/ticketdiscount.aspx?show=portland
For more info: http://homeshowcenter.com/Visitors/HomeShow.aspx?show=portlandhomeshowportlandmemorialcoliseum
January 6, 2011
Shhh, I’m sleeping
One of my great joys in life is putting my precious Grandson down for his nap or bedtime. The other night, was one of those special evenings for me. He looked so precious in his little blue and white striped footed jammies with his blond curls bouncing. I took him into the bedroom and he drank his milk in his sippy cup while I read him two books. He interrupts constantly asking a hundred questions ~ all of which he already knows the answers! Then I start singing to him. I have about 6 or 7 songs that I always sing and then over Christmas I started adding in some Christmas carols, too. I always finish up with the same song. Then I tell him (again) how much his Nonni loves him and I put him in his crib. Don’t forget the kisses!!! And then he has to be covered up with his three blankets. One more “Good night, my precious. Your Nonni loves you so much” and then I quietly close the door behind me.
His parents and I were visiting in the living room and I could hear him talking. My son went over to his bedroom door to better hear what the tiny voice was saying. “People should be quiet when someone is trying to go to sleep.” Then a little bit later on we heard (in a little bit louder voice) “People should be EXTRA quiet when someone is trying to sleep.” I guess we were keeping him awake…..
I could hardly keep from laughing loudly, but of course I had to “be EXTRA quiet.” And he isn’t even three years old yet!!!
January 5, 2011
2010 in review
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.
Crunchy numbers
The average container ship can carry about 4,500 containers. This blog was viewed about 17,000 times in 2010. If each view were a shipping container, your blog would have filled about 4 fully loaded ships.
In 2010, there were 227 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 596 posts. There were 50 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 90mb. That’s about 4 pictures per month.
The busiest day of the year was January 6th with 297 views. The most popular post that day was Ultimate Survivor Casting Call Today.
Where did they come from?
The top referring sites in 2010 were inspire.com, en.wordpress.com, search.aol.com, centurylink.net, and en.search.wordpress.com.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for flamenco, kgw raptor cam, this portland movie channel, flamenco shoes, and riptide.
Attractions in 2010
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
Ultimate Survivor Casting Call Today December 2009
Flamenco! OLE! October 2008
1 comment
KGW Raptor Cam March 2009
Flamenco Dance Terms October 2008
6 comments
THIS Movie Channel July 2009
January 4, 2011
New Year’s Resolutions
I know, it is nearly a week into the new year of 2011; but that is Ok, it is never too late to begin positive changes.
I have some things that I hope to accomplish in the new year.
Movies. I was reminded of my love of movies at a New Years Day party and how I have not ‘rewarded’ myself with that simple pleasure very often the last two years. Too much chemo sickness, I think. Anyway, I am going to try to attend at least 12 movies this year. I am very picky about the type of movie I enjoy, so it might be sort of difficult, but I am going to go to the movies more often!
Organize. I have a very good girlfriend who is a professional organizer and she has offered to help me. Well, I don’t want to impose on her, so I have started taking little tiny baby steps in organizing my house. Just the fact that she offered to help was an inspiration to me and now that I am feeling a bit more energetic, I can tackle some projects that I have been unable to even think about for the last three years.
Write. I will publish at least one book this year. My photographer is in place and we will be taking the photographs for my Scarf tying book for chemotherapy patients soon. Then I’ll be doing a lot of revising as we set the photographs into their position in the book. I’m very excited about my ‘authors photo’. It is a candid photo of me taken during one of the workshops at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Convention in Washington, D.C. last summer. I was still wearing turbans as my hair had not grown out yet, and I was unaware as the photo was snapped. I will continue to write my weblog. And I will continue to work on my other book.
Travel. I will probably take a few trips this year as my health allows.
Stuff vs Things. I have so much stuff and so many things. I think that I’ll try to eliminate some of the stuff that is inside of some of my things. It is part of organizing, but I wanted to give it it’s own ‘stage’.
Live & Love. I plan to live my life and love deeply the people in it.
G. K. Chesterton
The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
January 3, 2011
Contrite Firefly
I know … I have not written very much these last several months. I know that many of you have been asking for more … more information about my health ….. more stories…. and more thoughts.
Portland Firefly apologizes. I hope that I have not let you down, but at the same time I am sure that you understand that I have been pretty ill. When my first recurrence was confirmed the end of September by my blood tests it was no surprise to me. I had suspected something was going on for several months; it just took that much time for the blood test to confirm what I was already pretty sure was happening to my body.
When I did get the blood test results and sat down and thought about it for a few minutes, it was as though I had been hit in the chest. It knocked the breath out of me and I physically felt that some one had hit me hard in the chest! This is a phrase that I have heard used by others in different situations, but this is the first time that I had experienced it for myself. It literally knocked the wind out of my sails.
I know that this cancer ~ Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma ~ is very rare and very deadly. I know that the possibility of recurrence is very high. But at the same time, my doctor wanted me to focus on the fact that there are those who are cured after the first round of Chemo. And she wanted me to be in that cured minority ~ and I wanted to be there, too!
But, I wasn’t.
I had that first recurrence and the subsequent chemotherapy with remarkable results though. I have to say that I am looking forward to my next conversation with my doctor. I will be asking her the probability of my now having a cure after this last go around of chemo. Why would I even think of asking that question? It is because of the way that I am feeling. After all of this chemo ~ 29, I think~ I am feeling very well. I have a lot of energy – more than I had last time. Yes, I get very tired easily, but in general, I feel much better than I have felt in years! How can that be, I wonder? The only answer I have is that possibility this last round of chemo killed many more cancer cells than it had before. And consequently, my body is not as dragged down as it had been.
Nowadays, I still find that I must pace myself in order to prevent extreme fatigue, but my strength is steadily increasing. Not on a daily basis, but certainly weekly. The effects of the chemotherapy are cumulative and so every time I have chemo, I will experience more fatigue and more chemo brain. The longer that I am off of chemo, those side effects will diminish and I will eventually return to my normal self… but in the meantime….
January 2, 2011
Brrrrr…It’s Cold!
It is freezing here in Portland! It has been down in the 20′s ( and even in the teens) at night and only in the 30′s to low 40′s during the daytime. Brrrrr! And I thought all that was behind me when I left the midwest! The good thing is that it is so cold when I go outside that my house feels very warm when I come back inside!! So, I guess if you are cold, then go outside for a few minutes and then when you come back inside, you will feel warm!! And I hate to say this, but it ‘feels’ like it might snow here soon. If you live in the midwest, you know what I mean.
January 1, 2011
A Happy New Year to All!
Wow! It is 2011 already! I want to thank all of you for checking in and reading my blog this year. I also thank you for the many prayers, thoughts, and comments that you have made on my behalf. Lets go and enjoy 2011!
Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland
