Ostomy and Urostomy pouches

Considering mom's condition, my curiosity about ostomy pouches gets the best of me and is what I found.

Changing your ostomy pouch:

(by Ostomystory)




Emptying your ostomy pouch:


Life After Your Ostomy

All very interesting and I'm feeling more enlightened on the issue. I can't wait to see mom after work and tell her about these videos (maybe she'll want to watch them too). I've picked up her tax documents from her CPA today and I'll be dropping those off with her along with the Kindle Fire she purchased for Aunt Carolyn. A small thank-you gift from my mother for her sister because she has done so much for her during this illness. 

Quick trip to M.D. Anderson

Sunday afternoon I arrived at mom's a tad early. Mom was beaming. She informed me that her beloved Aaron (my son) had "...left in the middle of church service, to drive all the way across town, so that he could sit and visit with (her) before (she) left for the hospital." She was beaming with her tears swelling up in her eyes and it had the same effect for me as well. We are so proud of him. I am so proud of him for thinking of mom and making the gesture to see her. You should also understand that Aaron is very active in his church. He never misses a day, he preaches on some occasions, he attends other church-related activities - they are very much family for him too. He had not gotten the full-911 on mom and, this morning when I woke him for church I let him know that I was going to be gone a while and told him why. So, this was the first earful he got on mom's condition. I suppose it was weighing on him and he decided to surprise her. It was a perfect surprise and she bragged about it to everyone. (I sent him a text to let him know how happy she was and how good it made her feel.)

*

By afternoon, my sisters, mom, and I were headed for M.D. Anderson with the expectations that mom would be taking some pre-op tests, meeting with the doctor, and (hopefully) surgery on Tuesday.  Monday morning we all arrived at the hospital and sat down with Dr. Burke.  His wavy, red hair is well-manicured, and his smile is welcoming.  He has a friendly face with eyes that radiate peace. We like him. He reiterates the sequence of events from mother’s last visit and explains that the team of doctors expected to be in the operating room need to organize their schedules for surgery (date to be determined). He confirms again his expectation that she will come out of surgery with an ostomy pouch and mom informs him about the two new tumors that have appeared since her last visit.  She is trying to come to terms with the idea that she may come out of surgery with two pouches now, rather than one.  After the consult, the doctor leaves and another nurse enters. She is known as “the bag lady” because she wheels around a small metal basket full of bags containing her supplies. She begins counseling mother about life with an ostomy bag.

After lunch, we load up and head home. Brenda receives a call from her daughter, Kaitlyn, who has just had her first fender-bender. Brenda is screaming demands into the phone about what Kaitlyn is, and is not, to do. She is, and always has been, very intimidating; keeping everyone around her afraid to disagree with her. I’m tired of it. Kaitlyn is fine and the car accident is minor.

I’m relieved to finely be home again. 

Ignorance is bliss

Today, I ran into another person who shares my sisters' opinions that one should never google for information pertaining to a serious medical condition.  I don't get it.  Better to be happily clueless, than to worry yourself over ugly truths. This does not resonate with me.

My father died 12 years ago this June.  His heart attacked him and he slid from the seat of the tractor he was driving, then fell to the ground where the tractor and mulcher ran over him. The investigating officer told the family that my father had hit his head on a tree branch, died, and then fell lifeless to the ground where he was mulched. Bullshit. I was the one that was adamant about obtaining a copy of the autopsy report, and after going over the report, it was obvious from the condition of the body that no one could truly know that my dad had died from hitting his head on a tree branch. After revealing this information to my brother-in-law, he confronted the investigator, who admitted that he'd lied to us in an effort to make things easier for us to handle. But here's the deal: my feelings, then and now, are that if my dad had to go through it (whether he was coherent or not), then the least I could do is know the truth - for him (no matter how ugly or painful).

Another example. My son, Wolfie, was born premature and shortly thereafter he had to undergo an eye exam for retinopathy. The nurses suggested that I stay in the waiting room while the exam was done, but I was having none of that. There was no way that I was going to hand my teeny baby over to some stranger (even a medical provider) and let them go into another room to do a test that I didn't understand nor had any idea what was involved. So, baby Wolfie and I entered the exam room together and seated in a chair in the dark. Wolfie wrapped tightly in his blanket to prevent him from wriggling too much and I held him firmly and as close to me as possible (still allowing the doctor to do his thing). Doc put this wire thing into his eye socket that was meant to hold Wolfie's lids open while the exam was performed. Immediately Wolfie began to scream, but it was what followed that truly turned my stomach upside-down. The doctor then put a device into Wolfie's eye socket to pop the eyeball up and out just enough for him to do something (I don't know what) behind the eyeball.  Of course, Wolfie was screaming so loudly I was certain everyone in the building could hear his terror and would run for the door. All I could do was watch, and I just kept telling myself that if my precious babe had to undergo this horrible text, the least I could do is go through it with him. The test of course completed, and I was finally able to hug and comfort Wolfie until he felt safe again. The nurses awarded their compliments to me for handling it the way I had and informed me that most parents can't deal with viewing the exam. 

Ugly is ugly. I'm not going to run from it (unless it's a nasty brown cricket - those I loathe).  But if my beloved family member must endure it - then so shall I !

This is why I had to research mom's cancer. I had to know the ugliest part of it before I was blindsided by something. So, while I spent 24-hours in stressful crying over a possible Stage IV diagnosis when we had not gotten that diagnosis, I still don't regret my investigation because I walked away more informed and I now know some of the things that will run through my head later, when I do have to deal with losing her.

*

My cricket phobia? That began many, many, many years ago (before the discovery of YouTube).  I was babysitting two young boys who informed me that a cricket was jumping around inside the apartment.  Thinking nothing much of it, I grabbed some toilet paper, scooped the bugger up, and dropped him into the toilet - flushed. Later that evening, the boys inform me that the cricket was still in the toilet and that something strange was going on. We went to look. This nasty brown cricket was kicking around (alive) in the water and seemed to be birthing a disgusting wiggly worm that seemed so long that it had to have been the sole life force for this cricket as there would not have been room in him for anything else. Ugh! I was immediately traumatized and sick to my stomach! I had no idea what was going on except that these insects were alien-esque and dirty! From that day on, I have exercised my lungs during the dreaded cricket season. 

And this is how I am. Jumping between topics that have absolutely no relation.  

One day at a time

It's been an exhausting 24 hours. I stressed and cried on an off last night and today. Had a minor break-down when I informed my boss that mom had a cancer recurrence and would be requiring surgery next week. So, besides both my youngest babies being very sick with congestion, and the emotional roller-coaster with mom's cancer, and the complete network "crash" at work (preventing any constructive work from getting done; however, I'm not certain how productive I would have been regardless due to the stress and lack of sleep), today is also our twelve-year wedding anniversary!  

All I want to do is go to bed now.

I arrived at mom's at 4:00p and Aunt Jeanette was there with her. I sat on the bed with my aunt and she reached out to me and reassured me, "we'll just take it one day at a time." She asked how I was, and all I could muster for a response was, "that remains to be seen..." Tears welling in my eyes again - appearing strong at the moment is obviously not an option for me. Mom enters the room and immediately announces that "it is not a death sentence." I break-down. Hugging her, I demand why she could not have given that reassurance earlier by telephone! I had cursed everyone on the road around me on the way here and I was still looking for someone to take out my frustrations on. I jokingly threaten to kick her ass, along with Erica's (since she was the bearer of (somewhat) bad news - kill the messenger, right). My exhaustion kicks in and I sink into a chair in the living room with mom and Aunt Jeanette. Brenda and Erica (who came together) enter the room shortly thereafter, and mom goes into more detail about her "situation" with all of us.

Monday, is a holiday (President's Day) and mom has another appointment at M.D. Anderson Hospital. My sisters, Brenda and Erica, and I will be taking mom to Houston on Sunday and staying with her there until after her surgery (presumably on Tuesday). My Aunt Carolyn will relieve us at some point and stay with mom the remainder of the week until she is able to return home. I got an earful of instructions from mom regarding the apartments, bills, mail, etc. It adds to my stress as I'm worried about forgetting something. However, mom is supposed to be home in a week and while she won't be getting around much, she will be available for further instructions - providing a small semblance of relief.

Mom isn't out of the woods yet. The cancer recurrence is in the same area that received radiation and yet, it survived. This indicates to me that it is a very strong cancer that is, quite possibly, immune to radiation. It is also a very fast growing cancer. Therefore, the plan is to cut it out, and the doctor must cut out not just the tumor, but also a bit of the surrounding tissue to ensure they cut it out completely. The cancer is also in at least one of her lymph nodes - so they will be taking at least four of those. She will not have another radiation treatment, and they will determine later whether or not she will need chemotherapy. The tumor is currently pushing against her sphincter muscles causing a lack of use lately. This is expected to be resolved after surgery as the cancer is (supposedly) not so invasive that they will have to maul her bladder or these muscles. However, the tumor is sitting so close to the rectum that it is expected the doctors will require taking a bit of it in order to ensure they get the complete tumor. This means that she will have to wear an ostomy bag (and for mom, this is the worse-case scenario and what was causing her depression and her emotional withdraw shortly after surgery). I, however, was spending my time worrying about my worse-case scenario - Stage IV - so the bag is a welcome relief - for me. Considering the strength of this cancer, I will continue to worry about recurrence, but should they get it all with surgery - she should be fine. Time will tell.

Waiting for Mom

Just got a call from my sister, Erica, who just got off the phone with mom.  While the biopsy went well, she is going back for surgery next week.  Mom wouldn't elaborate any further with Erica except to say that she was not doing well and wanted to wait until she got home to tell us her news, and that she was trying to hold it together because she didn't want my Aunt Carolyn (who is staying with her at the hospital right now) to know any details yet.  Mom will be getting home tomorrow, although she is not sure what time. 

My over-active imagination has kicked in and I'm certain that I'll be completely useless tomorrow at work. I'm fighting the urge to jump in the car and drive to M.D. Anderson Hospital which, I know, would be ridiculous.  At this point, it would be very easy for me to become a complete basket-case. And then, 

I can see all of us getting together with mom tomorrow to talk about the results and finding out that the news is not as dire as my imagination has made it, and we'll walk away actually feeling better than we do going in to the conversation.

*

Both Wolfie and Drew are sick.  Drew has been running fever since last weekend and now has very tight head congestion and her throat is somewhat sore.  Wolfie too, is congested and his throat is beginning to bother him. I've got a buffet of medications I'm working off of.

Beyond this, I can't even think...

I just needed my mommy

Went to visit mom after work today. 

Walked in and she put me right to work entering the rents into the books and making out the bank deposit. She was "rushing" around the house trying to think of everything she needed to get for me or to tell me (I'm using the word "rushing" very loosely). When we finally finished her To-Do list, we sat to talk in detail over her situation. I let her know about the trials coming up at work and that I would take off for her surgery if she wanted, but she reassured me that it was not necessary at this time. She stated that the cancer is only a skin cancer - it has not metastasized. This means that it's superficial, and not traveling throughout her body - well, as far as she knows. She is supposed to double-check with the doctor on Monday about the possibility that this cancer had been there at the same time as the last, or whether this is actually a recurrence. So, while I'll still worry, I'm feeling a spec of relief; I suppose because I got to see her and talk to her and, well, I a little mommy-time always makes me feel better. 

Mom: Cancer Recurrence

So, I was feeling pretty shitty enough last night, so I had to cover the grey. A small effort to feel better, and while my hair is looking nicer, I'm still stressed.

I'm just completely and utterly depressed. I started my sink into this oblivion yesterday as I sat at work thinking of mom and the cancer. She returned home from the hospital yesterday and I called her that evening. She sounds fine under the circumstances. Brenda and Erica are planning to go to M.D. Anderson Hospital to sit while she has her surgery which is scheduled for Tuesday. Of course, they invited me, but we have a big trial at work that week and after talking to mom, I believe this is one I can sit out. It's not the surgery I'm so worried about - it's the cancer recurrence. However, because I have mom's Medical Power of Attorney, I do feel a responsibility to be there - just in case...

I'm going to wait until tonight, when I go to visit mom, to make a final decision about whether or not I'll go.

In the meantime, I'm sitting here at work again - stressing more. I tried to busy myself with things to get caught up, and then researched "cancer recurrence". From what I understand, when cancer comes back, it's because it was never completely removed. Undetectable cancer cells were left behind from surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, and those cells (likely) remained because they are more aggressive, stronger cells. Hince, the stress. Today, I found this article by the American Cancer Society and it confirmed my worry. Mom's a smart woman, I'm well aware that she knows all of this and knows where to place her worry too. This may be why she has been prepping me to take care of the apartments stuff - Fuck! but I'm not ready yet! I'm sitting here worried about all the what-ifs, and I don't know if I am just being my mother's daughter (letting my imagination get away with me). I've seen and heard of situations where an aggressive cancer can be fast-acting - and I'm so not ready yet!

I just can't imagine...

Then, I came upon this chant and some of the stress melted away. I'll play it again...

Rambling

Aaron left very early this morning for work again. He's not sure when he'll be back (but hoping for Friday).

I'm so freakin' proud of him.

When he got home on Sunday, he could barely walk and his hands were swollen. Now, off he goes again. It's not easy, but he does it. That says so much about his character.

Drew wanted nachos for dinner - so Drew got nachos for dinner. The hamburger at Sam's Club is so much better than any other grocery store we've bought it at. We added some shredded, mixed cheeses to the usual melted Velveeta and it was a nice change to the flavor. I stuffed myself. (Not good.)

I plan to purchase the Teaching Textbook program for Wolfie's math curriculum. I've heard a lot of really good things about it and I think it will benefit him during his high school years when we will need to begin tracking his grades and progress for his final school transcript. Home schools in Texas are considered private schools and the transcript will need a name for our home school. We could also use the name on his graduation diploma (although I'm still on the fence about it). I've got some time, so I'll be getting prepared for all this to come.

Roy went back to work last night after being on vacation for a week.

And! I have ONE more payment on the damn-Jeep! April is going to be fabulous!

*

Mom comes home from M.D. Anderson Hospital tomorrow. I'll need to go see her after work so I can get the complete scoop and surgery date. We also need to get some things straight with the apartment books and bills, etc, etc, before surgery.

I don't know what I think about it. I don't think I am thinking about it. I think I'm avoiding thinking about it. 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

It's back, and mom is at M.D. Anderson Hospital again. They are just running the routine pre-op tests, and surgery will be scheduled for next week sometime. Three different surgical teams will be working away on her (one team for reconstructive surgery).

Kinda worried. 

Super Bowl Sunday

I haven't posted here in a while but I've been busy homeschooling and posting on my homeschooling blog: The ebb and flo of homeschooling: an (un)common education. As I said, I've found so many more resources (can you ever have too many?) and so I've been busy getting a new curriculum together and getting re-organized. 

Me and the hub had date night. Out to eat and to a show (Silverlining Playbook). We are movie lovers.

The cousins hadn't come over the past couple of weekends. That's okay - it was a nice break; although, the kids have really missed them. They returned for a sleepover last night. Love them!

Aaron has been working so hard. A six-day work week last week, he has only Sunday off and then it's back to work again. I worry. I don't want him getting burned out and hope he's excited with his paycheck. (He should be, the last time he worked with WoodGroup - he raked it in! And this time he got a nice raise.)

Jr is still in his room. Roy keeps telling me that he's going to talk to him - suggest getting a job. I suppose the moment hasn't presented itself. But this is always how it goes. Roy has his intentions but he's nervous about confronting Jr. He doesn't want to upset him. Tick-tock, tick-tock....

Corey is working away at his Army base. I have only talked to him via text. He mentioned that he's really enjoyed his iPhone speaker/alarm that we'd given him for Christmas. Makes me feel good.

Mom is leaving tomorrow for M.D. Anderson Hospital again. She has confirmed that surgery must happen again. I believe they are just going to look at it Monday and then schedule surgery. My Aunt Carolyn is driving her to the hospital and staying with her. I'll likely take off of work for the surgery.

To be or not to be

I'm generally a private person. I never put anything too  terribly personal (i.e., an argument or disappointment with a friend or family member) out there (i.e., like on Facebook). On some level, I believe I even (at times) resent that I keep things to myself so much. Everyday I would log on to my Facebook account, and everyday I would read post after post from all of my "friends" sounding off about their own ups and downs. I didn't. I wanted to though... 

I think about my past, and I think about all the crap I wished I would have documented for myself, and maybe even for my conveniently forgetful family. But, maybe its better that I didn't, huh. Easier to leave some of that past behind, right.

And then, 

do you ever find yourself wishing that you could install those little spy cameras all over the house, so you can do a playback anytime you wanted? 

Yeah. 

Me too.

Consequently, this. This blog is my personal sounding board. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And while it's not so private being web-based and all - I haven't pushed it to be too public.  I haven't given the site address to anyone, and when I follow other blogs, I do it anonymously because I don't want anyone to link back to mine. I want to sound off about my life, but I really don't want anyone I know personally to read about it and become upset. It's mine. It's all my perception. Personal. It's all my interpretations. Mine. Obviously, everyone else will have their own perceptions and interpretations which would likely oppose everything I've written. Let them have their blog.

Today, I'm feeling brave. I've changed my settings to follow other blogs publicly now because I don't care if someone reads and writes to me anymore. Well, at least not for tonite. For tonite, a baby step towards becoming a more searchable blog.

I don't Facebook much these days. Too depressing. I don't want to read about everyone else's frustrations and misery. I'm too consumed with my own. <wink>

*

Highlights of my day: 

I've discovered some a-mazing websites to use with our homeschooling, and I am freakin' excited about them! One of the sites (All In One Homeschooling) includes an entire (free) curriculum for all grades along with links to other useful sites (like XtraMath)! While I don't plan to follow their curriculum (we have our own), it's a wonderful resource!

<sigh> 

I am so happy when I've got my movie on in the background. Yes, I have Eat, Pray, Love on again. If only I could live that movie... <sigh again>

My beautiful daughter

lil' piece of virtual space

I like buying web addresses. I've never done anything with one - but I love buying them. (:

Several years back, I purchased:

beyondthebow.com

barefootposse.com

pseudomexicana.com

hoboandco.com

and today, I purchased consequentlyme.net

Would be kinda interesting to actually do something with one of them one day

I woke to prayer this morning. I haven't talked to Him in a long time. ....I miss it.

The hub and I are about to go for a movie date - Django.

Aaron: opportunity knocks

10:00 a.m.

Aaron walks proudly into my room. He's barefoot, shirtless, and sporting nice designer blue jeans. His beautiful curly locks are tousled into a bedhead fro that I am completely in love with. He is so beautiful.

"Guess who just called me."

His grin is smirkish and I'm trying to imagine who's call could result in this reaction - WoodGroup?

"WoodGroup", he seems to bouncing off the walls inside his head but doing everything he can to keep his composure.

"That speaks real highly of you, ya know. Lay-offs happen all the time - they aren't always personal. That they want to bring you back, speaks very highly of you."

He starts feeding me more details of he conversation as if he's mulling it over out loud. It appears he's ready to go back to work and bring in the big money again.

I assure him, "If they like you this much Aaron, you likely have a (promotable) future with them too. But you can always take your college classes online."

"Yeah" he responds.

He continues to calculate things out and mentions finding his old WoodGroup uniforms.

I'm also on Cloud-9 - not just because I'm happy for him and proud of him (and I am - extremely!), but because as soon as he got off that phone call - he came to tell his momma. I live for those little moments of acknowledgement too.

Today, is Aaron's day! I'm so happy for him! (:

Enchiladas!

No, this is not becoming a cooking blog! I used to sort of cook, way back in the day when I didn't have to work and I could stay home with the kids all the time. Once I started working again, I just didn't have the energy to cook and clean so much - so it became a rare occasion when either Roy or I would prepare a meal at home. 

(The rule in our home is: Who ever cooks - cleans too! Sounds ridiculously unfair, I'm aware. But the rationale behind it is this: I am a clean cooker. I cook and clean up most of the mess as I go. I like it that way. Saves my sanity somewhat. Roy, however... he makes a complete mess of everything when he cooks. Grease is splattered from one end of the counter to the other. Dishes are piled in the sink and counter top (dishes that he didn't even need to use are dirtied!) Consequently, my "rule" was implemented - and I think it's fair.)

Today, I made enchiladas.  Corey was down and we had the nephews, Collin and Cameron, over again - so a house full. The plan was for 100 enchiladas, but I didn't get enough cheese so it was likely closer to 70.  

My enchiladas cater to picky eaters. There are no surprise green things or red things in them. They have plenty of flavor from the taco seasoning and enchilada sauce. And they are "kid friendly"! I made these for a Mexican-themed dish during Christmas one year at my sister's. My sister had also made her enchiladas (which were much more "white" and included "colorful" surprises (like those red and green things I was talking about, lol - I'm a little bit o' crazy, I know). I was so proud because my enchiladas were the first to be finished by adults and kids alike.

Okay, so here we go...

I started with about 10 pounds of meat (93% lean / 7% fat) and seasoning (I use 3 packs of the McCormick original Taco seasoning). 

Corn tortillas of choice, but the store was out so I opted for the store brand.

Started getting the cornbread prepared to throw in the oven when ready 

(so I won't have to stop in the middle of enchilada preparation later).

I made four boxes of Jiffy corn muffin just as the box instructs 

except I add a shitload of sugar 

(it sweetens it up and my kids and nephews love it!) 

Specifically I add about 3/4 cup of sugar per box.

The family's yum yum beans of choice 

(I don't eat beans - I'm picky like that).

After meat is cooked, 

turn off the heat and cover while we prepare the other ingredients.

I shred 2 large packages of the Velveeta shown above, 

but as I said early, I was short. So, likely should have gotten three.

My enchilada sauce comes from a can. 

I do not make anything from complete scratch

so this meal is much like my family

1/2 Mexican and 1/2 Anglo.

I used 11 cans this time but, in hindsight, 8 cans would have been more than plenty.

Pour the sauce into a large pan along with about two or three cups of water, 

then bring to high heat.

Throw your tortilla into the sauce to soften. 

Careful, not too long or they will fall apart.

Lose a 3 or 4 this way and you'll quickly learn just how 

long to leave them in the sauce to soften.

Lay your softened tortilla in the pan.....

...enter meat...

I usually make a couple of pans of meat enchiladas and a couple of pans of cheese enchiladas.

I don't like them too meaty - so just enough for some protein and taste, 

then add cheese...

While it doesn't look like it here, I do love them cheesey. 

But, unless I know that I've got plenty of cheese on hand, 

I'll go skimpy on the inside of the enchilada and then,

 when putting final touches on the outside, 

I'll load what's left of the cheese on top. 

Roll it up and repeat...

Top with more cheese, meat, and sauce.

(I actually added a lot more cheese and sauce to it after I took this picture. 

The more cheese and sauce - the better.) 

Stick it in the oven until the cheese is melted....

Then dig in!

My enchiladas are really simple to make - just time consuming - so I make a bunch! This batch made 4 large pans (apprx 70). It fed 5 adults (well, 8 adults because we took some plates for Roy's parents and uncle), and 4 children (ages 9-15). And! I had a tray left over for the following day! I suppose if I am going to spend on my feet make on a dish - I'm going to want to eat it again the next day (rather than cooking again).  Speaking of time, I began at 10:00a and was finally finished by 12:30 or 1:00p.

Monday - carne guisada in the crockpot!

Another day in paradise

Monday is a holiday - Martin Luther King day. The office will be closed and I must say, I never tire of a long weekend. Last weekend we let the cousins know that we were not going to have anyone over to the house (instead, we planned a family focused weekend). They'd been coming over every single weekend for months and I think we were all a little exhausted with entertaining - even the kids. For our weekend, we didn't do anything special really, just hung out together, relaxed, and went to the movie show to see "The Guardians". To my amazement the house did not become a complete disaster area (unlike those weekends that we have the cousins over). It was all really nice and we enjoyed it. This weekend, however, the kids will likely start trickling over Friday evening and stay until late Monday. 

Corey says that Miranda has a doctors appointment on Friday morning so they'll be heading this way. He'll be strolling in Thursday evening sometime. Miranda never stays with us. After all the past drama, and with their relationship hanging by a thread these days, I suppose they just prefer it this way. I do - I prefer to just be "out of it" until they get things figured out for themselves.

Aaron and Jr are still just hanging out. Not working. Not going to college. Just playing games. I'm looking forward to our home renovations and using that time to rearrange our living situation (making them a little more uncomfortable). 

I've piled a lot of work on the kids tonight. I've felt with all the holidays, they've had plenty of time off and getting back into the swing of things has been slow-going. So, this is the repercussions.

Today is day three that Roy has fallen flat on his New Year's resolutions. Sucks. I was really enjoying the change, but I should have known that it wouldn't last too. As Mr. Shakespeare put it, "Expectation is the root of all heartache" and so, it seems, the abandonment of our New Year's Resolutions seem set the stage.

I'm making enchiladas this weekend! One hundred of them! Because I know we'll have a full-house (plan to take some plates to Roy's parents and my mom as well.

I haven't heard the squirrels much lately. Wonder if they've moved on... ?