Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
'tis the Season - to watch out for Krampus!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus
Ahhh the good old days, when German and Austrian kids had more to worry about that a simple lump of coal in their stocking.
Bet those kids never threw down a scream fit in a the middle of Target.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Happy Birthday to our Darling Daddo!!!!!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
NUFF SAID
A guy is home watching TV. He hears a knock at the door. He opens the door and see a snail standing there. Angry at being disturbed, he kicks the snail off the porch, slams the door and goes back to watching TV.
Two years later, the guy is again home and hears a knock on the door. He opens the door and sees the snail standing there. The snail says, "What the hell was that all about?"
Two years later, the guy is again home and hears a knock on the door. He opens the door and sees the snail standing there. The snail says, "What the hell was that all about?"
Friday, November 22, 2013
The Grassy Knoll...
...about 6 years ago, Brendan was in Dallas for work and had the opportunity to stand on THE "grassy knoll", with the School Book Depository just off to his left. He always said it was very eerie to be standing there. (side note - there was no sign of Keith Hernandez nor Roger McDowell anywhere around)
Remembering a terrible day in Dallas...
Remembering a terrible day in Dallas...
Sunday, November 10, 2013
HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY, KELSEY
NOVEMBER 11
And maybe we can also share a few root beers with old Bill Mauldin. (Happy Veteran's Day.)
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Luke's First Pumpkin Carving
Luke did the Ooogie Boogie pumpkin all by himself (He picked out the form and I traced it, but he did all the carving)!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Newest Addition to the Halloween Display
Complete with glowing red eyes and a strobe inside the crate to illuminate the face.
Built from cedar fence boards (with electrical metal conduit for the bars). Chain is plastic purchased for $10 at the Halloween store.
Built from cedar fence boards (with electrical metal conduit for the bars). Chain is plastic purchased for $10 at the Halloween store.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
VIM (or Very Important Milestone)
Today marks my Five Year Survivorship of Breast Cancer. I can't believe it's been 5 years...sometimes it seems like it just happened but most of the time it seems like another lifetime.
I have nothing really inspiring or dramatic to say about it. Maybe that is a good thing because it means that it is getting far enough behind me that I won't think as much about marking how much time has passed going forward. It's always there, in the back of my mind, but I am happy to say that I usually keep any worries shoved far, far down, not allowing them to intrude on my day-to-day happiness. I've noticed that I've gotten better at this as I've gotten older - worrying about things won't make them happen or not happen, so why waste precious energy on it? If it comes back, I'll deal with it then. (It might also be the Xanax or the booze keeping me calmer).
It's been a good 5 years. Here's to 5 more. And then 5 after that...and so on, and so on, and so on...
I have nothing really inspiring or dramatic to say about it. Maybe that is a good thing because it means that it is getting far enough behind me that I won't think as much about marking how much time has passed going forward. It's always there, in the back of my mind, but I am happy to say that I usually keep any worries shoved far, far down, not allowing them to intrude on my day-to-day happiness. I've noticed that I've gotten better at this as I've gotten older - worrying about things won't make them happen or not happen, so why waste precious energy on it? If it comes back, I'll deal with it then. (It might also be the Xanax or the booze keeping me calmer).
It's been a good 5 years. Here's to 5 more. And then 5 after that...and so on, and so on, and so on...
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Why I fell in love with her...
Yep - 10 years ago!
I was looking through our wedding photos today and this one really says it all about why I noticed Paige across the room at a collective friend's birthday party years ago.
I noticed how easily she talked to people, and when she smiled, it was with her whole being. It was genuine and uninhibited. I still remember that smile and it's how I always picture her. The picture below captures that smile perfectly.
Happy Anniversary Baby!
I was looking through our wedding photos today and this one really says it all about why I noticed Paige across the room at a collective friend's birthday party years ago.
I noticed how easily she talked to people, and when she smiled, it was with her whole being. It was genuine and uninhibited. I still remember that smile and it's how I always picture her. The picture below captures that smile perfectly.
Happy Anniversary Baby!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Flooding in CO
So you've probably seen all of the horrific pictures of flooding around Colorado by now.
Much of the flooding has happened quite a bit north of us, although we've seen our fair share of constant rain and swollen rivers.
One thing that has protected our neighborhood is a large nearby park called Bear Creek. It was actually built quite a while back after a horrific flood destroyed the town of Morrison, which is now on it's western boundary. The park was built as a large catch basin to prevent this from happening again.
Although it's never been used since, it's being used now and has effectively shuttled water away from the neighborhoods in our area. I've included a picture of the park below with the reservoir at 'normal' levels.
I went running yesterday to see how much flooding had occurred there and it was pretty jaw dropping. I've roughed in (in pink) what space the reservoir NOW occupies. I've NEVER seen even standing water in the field just south of the reservoir and now it is one, large continuous lake.
To give you an idea of the depth - if you see the bike path just to the NW of the original reservoir (which is now mostly under water) - that represents a rise in water level (via using a topography map of the area) of about 25 feet to cover that path!! The basin is huge though - water would have to rise another 110ft or so to crest the dam further to the NW above the path. The top of that dam is pretty much the elevation of our house (the little red 'A' marker in the lower right corner).
Gratefully, this week seems to be headed for a more typical dry period - so hopefully the northern areas affected by the flood can recover and repairs can be made. Entire sections of road are just plain 'gone' and rivers have swept away homes and caused loss of life - a count of lost lives has yet to be determined since many are reported missing simply because entire towns are cut-off.
The flight rescue operations have so far exceeded those of Katrina. It's immense.
Much of the flooding has happened quite a bit north of us, although we've seen our fair share of constant rain and swollen rivers.
One thing that has protected our neighborhood is a large nearby park called Bear Creek. It was actually built quite a while back after a horrific flood destroyed the town of Morrison, which is now on it's western boundary. The park was built as a large catch basin to prevent this from happening again.
Although it's never been used since, it's being used now and has effectively shuttled water away from the neighborhoods in our area. I've included a picture of the park below with the reservoir at 'normal' levels.
I went running yesterday to see how much flooding had occurred there and it was pretty jaw dropping. I've roughed in (in pink) what space the reservoir NOW occupies. I've NEVER seen even standing water in the field just south of the reservoir and now it is one, large continuous lake.
To give you an idea of the depth - if you see the bike path just to the NW of the original reservoir (which is now mostly under water) - that represents a rise in water level (via using a topography map of the area) of about 25 feet to cover that path!! The basin is huge though - water would have to rise another 110ft or so to crest the dam further to the NW above the path. The top of that dam is pretty much the elevation of our house (the little red 'A' marker in the lower right corner).
Gratefully, this week seems to be headed for a more typical dry period - so hopefully the northern areas affected by the flood can recover and repairs can be made. Entire sections of road are just plain 'gone' and rivers have swept away homes and caused loss of life - a count of lost lives has yet to be determined since many are reported missing simply because entire towns are cut-off.
The flight rescue operations have so far exceeded those of Katrina. It's immense.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Side By Side...a short story of Gratefulness
Yesterday, September 10th, was the 5 year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. I noted it but since I count my "survivorship" from the date of my surgery (when the cancer was "removed"), I didn't really say much to anyone about it.
Today I ran out on my lunch break to have my nails done. For most of the appointment, I chatted and laughed with my very funny and entertaining manicurist. Toward the end, a girl who looked to maybe be in her mid-20s walked in. Makeup flawlessly done, adorable shorts and top outfit...and a beautiful orange-and-white scarf tied around her head, riding low on her forehead and near her ears in that way we immediately identify as someone who is wearing a scarf not for fashion, but because chemotherapy has robbed them of hair.
She sat down in the chair right next to me, and her manicurist was obviously at least somewhat of a friend, as she immediately asked her how she had been feeling and doing.
"Not so great today," the girl replied. She revealed she'd just had a doctor's appointment and the news hadn't been good. It seemed some of her tumors were responding to the chemo but one wasn't.
My manicurist and I both grew quiet. We weren't smiling or laughing anymore. I couldn't even raise my eyes to look at her and acknowledge what I'd heard, because I wanted to respect this girl's privacy, even though I could hear her every word. And I felt like someone had dropped a heavy rock on my chest. I'd had A tumor. A very small one, at that. This girl had multiples. Chemotherapy had given me an even higher chance of survival. It didn't seem to be doing the same for this girl.
"So what are your next steps?" the other manicurist asked the girl.
"Indefinite chemotherapy," the girl replied. "At least 16 more weeks, then we'll see."
She didn't sound depressed, although she of course didn't sound thrilled. She wasn't weeping She was just stating it as it was, without any real emotion either way. The rock in my chest felt heavier. I remember counting down my chemo treatments. I had 6 total, one every 3 weeks. 6 is kind of easy to count down. "Indefinite"? Not so much.
Then the girl said something that probably most normal working people would hardly ever have a want or opportunity to say.
"I just want to go back to work."
And then - "I just want to feel normal."
The rock crushed my heart. I wanted to burst into tears. I soooooo remember speaking those words when I was going through my treatment. Your life feels like it's "on hold" for over a year....you're diagnosed, then a stream of tests, then surgery, then chemo, then radiation. Then you wait for your hair to start growing back and you wait for those scans to come back "all clean." And you endure what seems like a doctor's appointment every single week for follow-ups. I remember saying "I just want to feel NORMAL again."
At least I had an ending in sight. This girl has "indefinite."
As an added cruelty, the girl then mentioned she was mad at her boyfriend, because she had asked him if they were ever going to get married and he replied "I don't know." Now I don't know anything about this girl and this boyfriend and their relationship. But it seems that saying "I don't know" as an answer to this girl, at this stage in her life, is wrong and cruel. She added "I thought we were going to fight this thing together and then be together."
I thought of Brendan, who was young and just "my boyfriend" of 4 years when I was diagnosed. And he couldn't have been more supportive and loving and tolerant during that whole terrible time. This girl doesn't seem to have that.
My nails were done, it was time to go. I stood up, picked up my purse...but I couldn't just walk away. Should I tell her I was a cancer survivor too? No, that seemed wrong. Because I had been so very lucky, and she didn't seem to be having the same luck. I didn't want to make her feel worse. And it really wasn't about the fact that we'd both had cancer. It was just about the fact that SHE has cancer, and she is facing "indefinite", and she is facing that without the love by her side that I had.
I touched her arm gently to get her attention, looked into her beautiful face, and simply said "good luck to you...I will say a prayer." She smiled a wonderful smile and thanked me.
I said that prayer before I even left the salon, and I'm sure I will say others for her as I think of her from time to time. And I will add a prayer of gratefulness that I was one of the lucky ones.
Today I ran out on my lunch break to have my nails done. For most of the appointment, I chatted and laughed with my very funny and entertaining manicurist. Toward the end, a girl who looked to maybe be in her mid-20s walked in. Makeup flawlessly done, adorable shorts and top outfit...and a beautiful orange-and-white scarf tied around her head, riding low on her forehead and near her ears in that way we immediately identify as someone who is wearing a scarf not for fashion, but because chemotherapy has robbed them of hair.
She sat down in the chair right next to me, and her manicurist was obviously at least somewhat of a friend, as she immediately asked her how she had been feeling and doing.
"Not so great today," the girl replied. She revealed she'd just had a doctor's appointment and the news hadn't been good. It seemed some of her tumors were responding to the chemo but one wasn't.
My manicurist and I both grew quiet. We weren't smiling or laughing anymore. I couldn't even raise my eyes to look at her and acknowledge what I'd heard, because I wanted to respect this girl's privacy, even though I could hear her every word. And I felt like someone had dropped a heavy rock on my chest. I'd had A tumor. A very small one, at that. This girl had multiples. Chemotherapy had given me an even higher chance of survival. It didn't seem to be doing the same for this girl.
"So what are your next steps?" the other manicurist asked the girl.
"Indefinite chemotherapy," the girl replied. "At least 16 more weeks, then we'll see."
She didn't sound depressed, although she of course didn't sound thrilled. She wasn't weeping She was just stating it as it was, without any real emotion either way. The rock in my chest felt heavier. I remember counting down my chemo treatments. I had 6 total, one every 3 weeks. 6 is kind of easy to count down. "Indefinite"? Not so much.
Then the girl said something that probably most normal working people would hardly ever have a want or opportunity to say.
"I just want to go back to work."
And then - "I just want to feel normal."
The rock crushed my heart. I wanted to burst into tears. I soooooo remember speaking those words when I was going through my treatment. Your life feels like it's "on hold" for over a year....you're diagnosed, then a stream of tests, then surgery, then chemo, then radiation. Then you wait for your hair to start growing back and you wait for those scans to come back "all clean." And you endure what seems like a doctor's appointment every single week for follow-ups. I remember saying "I just want to feel NORMAL again."
At least I had an ending in sight. This girl has "indefinite."
As an added cruelty, the girl then mentioned she was mad at her boyfriend, because she had asked him if they were ever going to get married and he replied "I don't know." Now I don't know anything about this girl and this boyfriend and their relationship. But it seems that saying "I don't know" as an answer to this girl, at this stage in her life, is wrong and cruel. She added "I thought we were going to fight this thing together and then be together."
I thought of Brendan, who was young and just "my boyfriend" of 4 years when I was diagnosed. And he couldn't have been more supportive and loving and tolerant during that whole terrible time. This girl doesn't seem to have that.
My nails were done, it was time to go. I stood up, picked up my purse...but I couldn't just walk away. Should I tell her I was a cancer survivor too? No, that seemed wrong. Because I had been so very lucky, and she didn't seem to be having the same luck. I didn't want to make her feel worse. And it really wasn't about the fact that we'd both had cancer. It was just about the fact that SHE has cancer, and she is facing "indefinite", and she is facing that without the love by her side that I had.
I touched her arm gently to get her attention, looked into her beautiful face, and simply said "good luck to you...I will say a prayer." She smiled a wonderful smile and thanked me.
I said that prayer before I even left the salon, and I'm sure I will say others for her as I think of her from time to time. And I will add a prayer of gratefulness that I was one of the lucky ones.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
LII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's right....Fifty Two years ago, these two crazy kids made it official and started the Sheen Family that we all know and love so much today. And we thank them for being amazing role models in too many ways to count. Love you SO much, Mom & Dad. Happy Anniversary!!!!!!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
A Boy and His Dog
It was just a matter of time before she warmed up to him.
I woke up in the middle of the night and saw this.
Although Paige told me the next morning that fireworks had been going off that night and Indy typically seeks refuge in Luke's room (or the basement) when that happens. Still.
I woke up in the middle of the night and saw this.
Although Paige told me the next morning that fireworks had been going off that night and Indy typically seeks refuge in Luke's room (or the basement) when that happens. Still.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Thanksgiving Visit
Arriving 11/23 (Saturday) evening and staying until the next Saturday (11/30).
That is all. We now return you to our regularly scheduled blogging....
-- Kevin
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
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