tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10032878171270444272024-02-07T05:53:07.181-08:00SlowHomeLocally inspired, not so large, unperfect and ours.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-47553067855180211582009-06-26T14:25:00.000-07:002009-06-26T15:23:43.349-07:00The Uncancery FutureTwo moths since that last post, huh? We've been so busy, in the eloquent words of David Wooderson, 'L-I-V-I-N.'I do intend to keep writing here, but for now I think the best update is more photo-centric.My mom has a new portrait commission. He's a fox. Harvested the Brussels Sprouts! Official Plant Friend Update to come. Nieces & their Mama at Freestone during our first NorCal visit of the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-38889523516935712732009-04-23T22:32:00.000-07:002009-04-23T23:14:03.386-07:00MRI ResultsWednesday morning, Dr. So swept into the room we were waiting in, big smile spreading his chubby cheeks, and said, "Great news!"He handed the radiology report to Mark to read for himself, but he developed a sudden, very damp, optical condition. Strangely, the same thing happened to me, so Dr. So read out this beautiful stanza himself:"Status post bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, no MRI Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-1328165612304120412009-04-18T13:54:00.000-07:002009-04-18T14:18:04.809-07:00Almost ThereSo the MRI is on Monday, and I just want it to be over. Looking forward to this test has been really reminding me of this period of testing last year, which was arguably the worst in this whole process. It's been a challenge to stay in the present and remember that my situation now is very different than it was a year ago. I don't want to waste this weekend, but I really would like it to be Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-86180759752084328152009-04-07T11:37:00.000-07:002009-04-07T12:10:32.676-07:00The Nap Was FantasticAnd if you know me well you'll know that I'm an authority on naps.My appointment was fine. He did a little prodding (all good) and set up my MRI for later this month, the 20th, I think (it's in my planner, not my brain. That's how I work.) So that will be good. I think getting IV contrast MRIs for the rest of my life will maybe get me over my abhorrence of IVs. That would be nice. And I do reallyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-4350137909182012872009-04-05T23:33:00.000-07:002009-04-05T23:52:56.217-07:00Back to Dr. SoOh, it's been a while. I haven't seen Dr. So, apart from a friendly parking lot run-in, since May, after my last radiation treatment. Tomorrow's the day we resume our tumultuous acquaintance. I'm not sure our visit will go beyond the usual armpit poke and a little more scheduling, but we'll see. Surprises abound and all that. Mainly I just need to make sure my follow-up imaging is on-track. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-16083367519590462472009-03-31T10:38:00.000-07:002009-03-31T11:20:48.763-07:00I'm Back! With Salad Dressing!Hi, everyone. I don't know why it's been so hard for me to get over here and write lately. A few out-of-town trips and apparently I'm all wackadoo. I do have lots to write about, but I thought I'd start my comeback with something I know a few of you want, and that I'd been working on for quite a bit. Salad Dressing!I don't have a name for this. It's just the everyday vinaigrette that I use when Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-10481482827992324822009-02-12T12:10:00.000-08:002009-02-13T11:49:32.877-08:00All Good in the Scherensnitte HoodI haven't been working on very many art/craft projects around here. All of this walking & making sure there's always milk in the house, I suppose. I'm not used to doing it all. I have several projects that are sort of stalled right now. Promise to share when they're done. But I was looking around blogland today and found (thank you, Extreme Cards & Papercrafting) a German site filled withUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-3433620448766972902009-02-08T15:30:00.000-08:002009-02-08T15:42:19.204-08:00What It's All AboutA year ago today I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, I'm fighting with the bad sinuses I'm so used to. I suddenly love my bad sinuses! And I'm procrastinating with stuff like this:Now I'm off to play with the plant friends and make today positive, between shower steamings.Also! 100th post! I'm sorry it's not more substantial but I'm happy it's here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-20014568070125988252009-02-06T13:14:00.000-08:002009-02-06T14:39:42.330-08:00Spicy Pumpkin Soup - SlowHome StyleI'm not going to lie, kids. This recipe I'm about to share was adapted from this one, over at Epicurious. But I have to say I like my version better and judging by the several happy dinner guests, you may too.So did I blog about pumpkins last year? Mark and I always look forward to picking out pumpkins in October. We select very carefully, ride in wagons, drink cider, and our pumpkins usually endUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-688002735627780912009-02-04T11:34:00.000-08:002009-02-04T13:17:57.073-08:00An Odd IntervalSo here I am, now. Healthy, able to concentrate on lots of new and exciting things. But my recent past is chockablock full of heavy, scary junk. Stuff that new people do NOT want to hear about. I was prodded to test this by a particularly adorable friend last night and, um, I was right. As funny as I tried to be, those two nice young men were praying for a trapdoor to open under them when I said Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-28067140742977408432009-01-30T11:05:00.000-08:002009-01-30T15:12:14.690-08:00Answers for Steve and Lacey1. What's your favorite color? Orange. 2. Why isn't 11 pronounced onety-one? Too long. Besides, if it were we wouldn't have your favorite number, eleventy-threeve, or mine, eleventeen. 3. Mark - Boxers or briefs? Boxer-briefs.4. What was the best thing before sliced bread was invented? Germ theory and the advent of regular bathing. 5. Can you post that recipe if the super yummy salad Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-64520444552174433072009-01-22T13:30:00.000-08:002009-01-22T13:36:25.042-08:00Open for QuestionsSo, I haven't gotten any comments for a month now, but I know you're still out there. In fact, I'm getting visits from new cities every day. So let's make sure you're getting what you want. Can I answer any questions for you? Do you want to hear more about my plants? Curious about something I've neglected to mention on my new body? Something nagging you about skin transplants, the scintilating Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-5633409584131650312009-01-19T21:20:00.001-08:002009-01-19T21:26:54.283-08:00MLKJ Day of ServiceSomehow I ended up tossing logs up a steep hill today. I'm sure I'll be sore, but I loved every minute of it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-15987393990996775342009-01-19T01:31:00.000-08:002009-01-19T01:52:00.216-08:00What the Body Can DoI've spent a fair amount of the hours in 2008 marveling at the human body.My mom made the doctors' jaws drop when she basically did a pull-up in her hospital bed a few days after her 2nd hip surgery. It was easier to get the linens sorted that way.The men's gymnastics at the Olympics this year had me googling "Iron Cross" late into the night.And by most measures, I've healed pretty quickly. I've Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-56707527968383706252009-01-06T13:38:00.000-08:002009-01-06T14:56:01.425-08:00Into '09I don't think it will come as a surprise that I'm ever so happy to welcome an officially New Year. I'm excited to see what Mark and I will create in the year ahead. What our home will look like, the decisions we make about what's important in our lives, and the experiences we choose this year will little by little create a memory of '09 that is unknowable right now, and that's very fun to think Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-62921783676519355992008-12-23T16:11:00.000-08:002008-12-23T16:28:42.317-08:00Another Photo SubmissionA while back a photo newsletter I subscribe to sent out a list of photo contests to enter. One caught my eye right away because of its theme. Started in 1999, M.I.L.K. stands for Moments of Intimacy, Laughter, and Kinship. My favorite moments, really. I didn't think I had anything to contribute, and am genetically predisposed to Not throw my hat in, in general (the downside of humility). But Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-90756455292778396972008-12-22T09:38:00.000-08:002008-12-23T16:29:20.444-08:00I Guess This Is My Holiday LetterOr really, it's far more informative than any holiday letter I'd send. And I never sent any holiday letters anyway. Interesting. So while this has been a pretty crap year for me, it's been a year of unprecedented Jess access for you! Is that a good thing? Well. As much as I'm pining for '09 I've got a little more to fill you in on before it's over. And one more apology for not posting in so long.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-82178484175644325402008-12-04T16:02:00.001-08:002008-12-04T16:06:23.520-08:00I Took A Decent Photograph I got a fabulous email the other day out of the blue, asking me if I'd mind having a photo I took in Portland considered for the newest Schmap. I said sure and forgot about it. Then I got another great email (see below).You can check it all out by scrolling down and clicking on the orange Schmap badge on the right. This is almost as flattering as having my dad set a slide show of my photos as a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-38155288771230862112008-12-02T21:39:00.001-08:002008-12-02T22:00:42.588-08:00That Would Be A NOLast time I visited Dr. Ls (looks good and I can run) I met his new receptionist. Nice, young man very eager to fetch me water. Frankly, though his last receptionist was very sweet, I wasn't very surprised that she was gone. Mainly because she took 6 weeks to deliver a message of mine to him, which prompted the whole last minute before surgery skin freak-out, medication change, and hive episode. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-43207424941789013562008-11-23T17:28:00.000-08:002008-11-23T19:38:06.752-08:00Four UpdatesWell.My plan was to write several posts each about different happenings of this past week. Now even more is happening, and if I don't get something out, it will all go the way of the mythical "Anniversary Post" and the even greater mystery, the "October Post." At least I'm recognizing these terrible habits and making some sort of a change.Physical TherapyI was scared to go to my first PT Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-55741438670765325942008-11-17T13:39:00.000-08:002008-11-17T14:18:10.206-08:00Pardon My SneezesI have been down with a flu for a bit, so it's been very quiet, sleepy, and sneezy around here. Mark was home to tend to me a bit, but it was a sad use of his week off. We did enjoy several good films and a record amount of beautiful sunsets.Later in the week we made it out to Quail Botanical Gardens and had such a treat in the bursting citrus garden. I took lots of notes and am looking forward Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-3053320466621301222008-11-06T18:12:00.000-08:002008-11-06T18:22:13.892-08:00WINNER!Well, that was fast!Congratulations to Brain-Prism for being the first to donate $500 and winning a flight in a 1943 Stinson. I'm wishing this generous guy a perfect day on which to enjoy his prize, and an unforgettable zip over Temecula.Maybe if we're lucky, he'll let us know how it went.There's still time to donate to the 3-Day, and several more dollars needed to reach the girls' goals. I hope Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-87203172695169768992008-11-04T18:28:00.000-08:002008-11-04T18:32:49.546-08:00Did you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-61600718005881174082008-11-04T12:34:00.000-08:002008-11-05T11:26:41.886-08:00Or We Could Just End This Crap Once and for AllA little while back I wrote about how important it is to be aware, of our bodies, our options, and breast cancer as a whole. But wouldn't you rather not? Don't you wish breast cancer was a little more like, say, polio? A disease with which our kids are going to have absolutely no association, no mental image, save maybe a vague impression that it's probably not good?Every year we learn more and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1003287817127044427.post-88963015316687217652008-11-01T11:22:00.000-07:002008-11-01T11:45:30.905-07:00Where Am I?Hi kids. I'm here. I'm fine. I've been just a bit busy and Mark is off this week, which I'm just realizing usually translates to much less computer time for me. I'm actually okay with that overall, as it also means I'm having more fun than usual. But I do have lots to catch you all up on. Lots of pictures to share. But not today. Mark's parents are here and I just have a sec before I join up withUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0