I really did mean to write a post last night – honest – but late in the evening I started watching one of the best movies I’ve ever seen – It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. I loved it and I think you might, too.
I’m still working on the Christmas table topper but I think I can finish it tonight and then it’s on to quilting it – not my favorite part of quilting.
A friend from about an hour away brought me soup today – cheesy potato soup in the crockpot.
https://dearcrissy.com/crock-pot-cheesy-potato-soup-recipe/
She also brought beer bread, crackers and almond sticks. what’s not to like here? Thank you, Emily! Your thoughtfulness is beyond measure.
Several people have asked about the path report and I know I have stated this before but it may have been in the comment section which only proves once again that if you want to keep up you need to read the comments. I can’t hold your hand and continue to repeat myself.
The tumor that was removed from my abdomen was indeed malignant but self contained and not hooked on to anything – how can that be? My doctor said and I quote her – “I just peeled it right out.” Originally she was thought it was lying over top of a ureter and a urologist surgeon was there to repair the ureter after it was cut apart to remove the tumor – which wasn’t needed. My doctor said it may never occur again in my lifetime. I haven’t given it two thoughts since.
Reader photos
These two poms are looking for a home – together only. Dad died and Mom is in a mental facility. More info will be sent if you’re a solid serious adopter. located in North Iowa.
P.S. Becky is coming tomorrow to help me give Hazel a bath and record a couple more Christmas songs.
Mary, where can I get more information on the 2poms? I have a friend who would love to help. Thanks!
Doris in Alabama
Doris – I will inquire
Such a relief to get a good path report! Oh, would I love to adopt those little poms. Wish I lived closer. So nice of Emily to bring a homemade soup and bread. I’m still under the weather but getting better. What a pain being sick in December. I’ve only just started decorating! Had to be away for five days at my daughter’s in NH. Felt my cold coming on as I was driving back to MA! I just hope she doesn’t catch it. Rainy and pretty warm here today. Supposed to be windy and pouring rain later this evening. I guess it’s better than snow. Take care everyone. Jan in MA
Jan – yes, I, too, hope you keep your cold to yourself.
Mary, add me to the ones that don’t remember you posting about the pathology report. I did remember reading that the tumor was contained & you wouldn’t need chemo or any other treatment! Prayers were answered! How nice of Emily to bring you soup & the bread to go with it! I make a lot of soup in the winter & keep containers frozen in my freezer. That recipe is almost the same as a recipe I’ve been making for many years. I decided to roast a turkey & fix all the side dishes yesterday. Ron & I were invited to a friend’s home for Thanksgiving so I didn’t fix the turkey I’d bought. The recommendation is to thaw in the refrigerator…well after 5 days in the refrigerator it was still pretty solid. If I roast another one in the future I’ll go back to the way I’ve always defrosted turkeys. Sink full of cold water & a little salt (change often). That’s worked for me for almost 60 yrs & never had food poisoning! Ron did a wonderful job of carving the bird, too! One dish he’d never had was “Sweet Potato Souffle” & he did have seconds of that. After a couple of meals of turkey I’ll make Turkey Tetrazini, it’s a great way to use up the small pieces. Temps are cold here & a skim of snow this morning. So glad you’re recovering so well, Mary! Hope the 2 Pom’s find a loving home very soon! That’s great advice to make plans for our pets if something should happen to us. I know that both of my kids would take any dog that I have & give it a loving home. So I will always have a dog. Since Bentley crossed the Rainbow Bridge recently I will adopt another senior dog in the spring. Life is just better with pets!!
I am so happy your surgery was all you needed, and you are cancer free! And no more treatment. Praise God!!! Heal well. 🙂
I so hope those poms find a good home. Of course they have to go together!
Magnus and Klaus would be so lost without each other so I imagine the dogs would be the same. My two decided that wrestling in bed was the thing to do at 3:30 AM! Let’s just say I wasn’t a big fan.
I’ve been putting up Christmas decorations slowly slowly. My husband usually helps but he is with his mom. She is now back at her apartment but needs lots of help still. I had to do the grocery shopping (he has been doing it since he’s retired). I’m ready for him to shop again! With all that’s going on I’m getting crabby as I haven’t been able to sew my afternoons away. My machine is going to get dusty!
Susan K – oh dear! What did I miss or what did I forget? Why is he with his mom? I simply can’t remember. And grocery shopping – remember the banana story? Rick can never buy just one – if I ask for 1 chicken breast he’ll buy 2 or 3 so that I have to end up freezing the extra.
My mother in law had to have her hip replacement redone back in early November. We were up in Iowa when his sister called and his mom couldn’t get up. She’s been in two different rehab centers and is now back in her apartment. She turned 90 on Sunday. She is totally deaf so that adds to communication difficulties.
Funny story on the groceries. Husband leaves a checklist from the online store site. It has all of the current offers hubby was going to check out. He’s with his mom and it’s transfer day so I can’t contact him. I go and get everything on his list checking it off as I go. It’s lots of cookies and chips and NOTHING to make a meal with. So I go and get meats and such to make meals with. $200+ later I get home. Then he tells me he never gets all of what’s on his list! We have lots of snacks to take us into the new year! And we have food to make meals with. When I used to shop I would shop so I wouldn’t have to go back for at least a week and a half sometimes more. He goes 2-3 times a week and buys lots of snacks I rarely bought before. I would rather sew!
Susan – all men must shop alike!!! Ha!
Mary,
I remember reading your tumor was contained but I kept waiting for more details. You’re usually more…..windy….(said with a smile)!
I am making book pillows for my great nieces and nephews for Christmas along with a book for each. I have 8 done and 3 to go. Need to go get 3 more zippers. I haven’t put in so many zippers since never! They are sooo cute. I’ll send photo of all completed.
I did finish the leather jacket and lining repair. I think it turned out nice. He will pick it up Saturday and I’m glad to have it off my to finish list!
My future daughter-in-law and I are making chicken enchiladas today. It will be fun and good!
It is hovering around freezing here in southeast Michigan with light dusting of snow. Have a great day everyone. 🌻
Sunflower – yes, I am windy and can’t imagine I didn’t write the details about the tumor. Maybe I just thought I did since it consumed my life for months but as I said I haven’t given it much thought since. That’s a good thing.
Children of the Mountains Update: Great news everyone. The local TV News in Asheville are going to interview Laurie (my daughter) and I on Friday afternoon to help highlight our event on Saturday. We will be all set up so they can highlight the items we will be giving away. Earthfare has also arranged for Santa to be there on Saturday to help encourage children to come. Will keep you updated how it works out on this (Mary’s) blog.
Did you see Caitlin made the Forbes number 100 powerful women list?
Dee – I DID see that – my admiration for her continues to grow.
Such wonderful news about the results of your surgery that it deserves to be repeated! Loved the soup recipe, the red quilts and Hazel, the lap dog. Such a counterpoint to her usual antics. You can read the Time article/interview online with Caitlin Clark about her year and selection as athlete of the year. Great read!
Glad to see you getting some quilting in. Always inspiring and encouraging to see works in progress. I’m so slow to do even small pieces as holiday presents that it gets discouraging. Hope the bath goes well.
Karen C. In MD
I’m glad you can have peace of mind about the removal of your tumor. I’m glad the doctor thinks it won’t come back.
Cold and wet here. I’m planning on staying in today.
Those are beautiful dogs. I hope they find a home. I know people deny themselves pets in their later years for just that same reason. They wonder who would take care of their pet. My Buster came from my ex-son-in-law. His daughter was living with me and she wanted Buster here. Now she is away at college. Buster lives a good life with me. I cater to him, but still wonder if he misses the busyness of a home full of kids and cats and dogs. I’d like him to go with one of the grands if something happened to me. He is the best dog ever. He is 11 and I’m 72.
Apparently, I missed your post about the path report as well, put me on the list with the others! But good news is never too late, hurrah!! Prayers have been answered! And hopefully that will never happen again. I remember a veterinarian say that the tumor on my dog that was diagnosed as a fatty tumor was a cancer, simply because it was random cell growth that shouldn’t be there – to which I immediately took offense! There is a big difference between malignant and benign, but both are cells that we don’t need or want. I did learn that I will never have a fatty tumor removed off my dogs ever again, I’ve done that with one of my goldens and one of my labs and both died of cancer internally within six months of the tumor surgery.
I hope you enjoyed the potato soup, everyone loves my homemade potato soup and the secret is just before it is ready to serve I add a jar of cheese whiz. It melts immediately and makes it super yummy. Of course mine is vegetarian, I cook my potatoes in veggie broth then add milk when they are soft.
Hope the Hazel bath went well!!
Good news about the pathology report. I read all the comments too but somehow I missed that one.
I hope someone will adopt both poms together. That’s why it’s so important to have someone designated to take your pets if something happens to both parents. That’s how Angel ended up in the “system.” Her only caretaker passed away and the kids didn’t want her so they took her to the vet to be euthanized. ….. imagine how that poor little dog felt. We were only able to give her four more years but she was the love of our life. So anyone out there reading this – please have a plan in place for your pets if something happens to you.
PS: thank you for the link for the soup–my favorite–and my crock pot goes almost non-stop during the winter months
Dorothy in W WA
I liked “It Ends With Us”, too. I never really look for deep, down messages in a movie. I just either enjoy them or I don’t or it was ‘so-so’. My three classifications. HaHa
Emily is sure a cutie and looks to be a good cook, too.
Your news tonight is wonderful and a huge relief. I missed the first announcement like the others and I have been waiting for word since you got home. Hmmm So happy for you, Mary.
Me, too, Sue. Thank you for repeating, Mary. So happy, happy to hear the good news. An answer to prayer.
I like a lot of other readers, some how missed the post about the pathology report. And I really thought I was paying attention when you said you would post it, I kept reading and never saw it 🙁 So thank you for re-posting it. It has made my day to know that things will be good from now on HOORAY !!
Dorothy in W WA
me tooo. thank you for the repeat. I had been wondering about compllications and just could not make myself ask Hurray for the good news.
Brenda – oh, never be afraid to ask me anything! My life is an open book. Now I’m wondering if I answered the tumor question in an email – I get lots of everything so can’t remember.
I read your daily blog and the comments too. I was wondering if you had learned what the path result was. So, I praise the Lord for answering all the prayers that were said for you. Those two poms are so darn cute. Mary, keep steering your body towards a speedy recovery.
Mary I read the book “It ends with us” and really liked it.
Brenda – the movie follows the book and I loved putting faces on the characters. Watch it!
Well, I’m glad that you decided to hold my hand because I have been awaiting your results, and somehow completely missed them. I’m truly thrilled to know that the surgery was so successful! Thank you God for complete removal!
I have friends in – Altoona Iowa , and Pella Iowa, that may help with dogs. Are either of those near your friend with the dogs?
I read the comments but I must have missed the path report. Thanks for sharing. It’s been cold and foggy here . I hate fog, so gloomy. I will watch a good movie, been watching Black Doves on Netflix. Spy series.
I hope the poms find a wonderful new home. I have to have a needle biopsy and I’m not looking forward to it. I’m tired of doctors but thankful to be able to see one.
Deb – good luck on the needle biopsy – please let us know if you desire.
I’m sorry you enjoyed the movie. It Ends with Us. The movie depicts domestic violence and Colleen Hoover’s books are teaching younger people that love and violence are intertwined. It’s not love unless there’s violence is the message. As a woman and a victim/survivor of domestic violence i don’t support her message and choose not to spend my money supporting that message.
Mary – This is off the subject, but did you hear that Caitlyn Clark was named Athlete of the Year by Time magazine, and is on the front cover? Our cousin in Indy texted me and told us, but I also just saw it online. She definitely deserves yet another honor. We Iowans are so proud of her!
Jeanine – YES!!! I am searching for a copy but I’ll bet here in Iowa a copy will be hard to find.
I would like to send an envelope with money for 30 stars for 30 years quilt, but I am uncertain if you want $12 or $14 dollars for the pattern?
I’ve been wondering the same thing. $12 or $14?
Also, I too missed Mary’s news about the tumor and I read the comments too. So glad to hear the outcome of your surgery is all good! How wonderful to have all that behind you now.
Marty – $14 please. And now I wonder if I explained the tumor results in an email! I get so many that I can’t remember.
Kim – I’d prefer $14 but I’ll accept $12 if you’ve already sent it because it was my mistake.
That’s wonderful news about your tumor. Really a miracle it wasn’t attached. So very thankful no chemo, radiation or further surgery. God blessed you for sure. Glad you are doing so well too. Soup, yum!
Helen – oh, God blessed me for sure and all your prayers were likely the reason so thank you for my good health!
I also am very happy to hear the tumor was encapsulated and no longer need to worry anymore about it! Yeah!
Such a wonderful friend to drive an hour and bring a crockpot full of delicious soup and bread!
Love the beautiful red quilts and pillow on the sofa, Great Job!
I hope those 2 cute poms find the best home after what they have gone through!
It must feel so good to get back to sewing, can’t wait to see the finished table topper!
Mary, thanks for holding our hands! I thought I read all the comments, but I missed the path report. Anyway, hurrays for good news.
I hope the puppies find a great home.
The soup looks yummy, very welcome.
Loretta is going to get a bath, hair cut and teeth brushed tomorrow. She’ll be upset with me all day!!
glad you got to watch a good movie. good for the soul. that soup looks mighty good and they brought bread to go with. yummy. what a nice friend.
yes, your tumor was a one-of-a-kind. glad for that. answers to prayers.
i hope the poms find a good home. they must be dispirited about now with both mom and dad gone. i worry about that with my cat, slinky. how would he be if i wasn’t here. we have discovered that with me here he will let mr. ed feed him. after he checks with me that it is okay. crazy.
i’ve been a might at lose ends, i guess. still going thru the gains from the estate sale. finding lots of goodies. today i found pieces that were made with the ones i posted a picture of. i think i kind of understand where she was going with them. i have pressed the parts that were pieced and will try to play with them tomorrow. she had more started. i really don’t want to work on anything that requires brain power (like the red/green quilt top). haven’t been concentrating well. probably cuz i was going gang-busters to get all the angel stuff done. now it’s rest time. i’m sure the energy will return, it always does.
hugs and best wishes to all, keep resting or whatever, mary. patti in florida
Wonderful news on the pathology report!
Glad you are getting some sewing machine time.
I picked the last of the cherry tomatoes (mostly green) and some jalapeños and 2 very small bell peppers this afternoon – freeze predicted for tonight. I’d rather be hot than cold any day. Still have to go out multiple times a day to take care of critters. Hoping to integrate my 10 three month old chicks into the older flock. I do hate to see them get pecked by the old girls- any advice from more experienced chicken owners?
Rosalie,
I’ve only had chickens for 3 years so not that experienced, but when I got 12 new chickens to add to my 10 older girls, I put a section of wire fencing across the middle of my fenced in chicken yard. The groups could see and hear each other but couldn’t mix. I do have a coop on one end and an old rabbit hutch converted to a coop on the other end so each group had shelter and of course food and water. I kept the wire fence in place for about three weeks and then opened it and they did pretty well. One old girl did try to peck a few of the new ones but I stayed around a bit more that day and shooed her away with the rake I use to clean the coops. My newer chickens were about 19 weeks when I got them and so were nearly full sized. I talk to my chickens all the time when I’m in and around the coop so I did tell the mean old to be better or she’d be gone. It seemed to work! Good luck. 🌻
Rosalie – another reader also suggested this – put a wire “fence”between the two groups so they get acquainted first before you let them mingle together. I’ve done the same thing and arguments are nearly non- existent.
Soup sounds so good! Nice friend Emily is to bring bread too.
I’m thinking of those south of Buffalo who will be getting more snow again. Winter advisories up for their area but we will only get an inch or so. And those horrible fires in Malibu get me so upset when I see the horses left behind. I took a news break and then tonight watched it and saw that. They were okay when the lady returned to the property after evacuating.
We were 52 today and tomorrow is the last of this stretch of warm days.
It’s good you can move ahead without thinking of chemo or radiation. Prayers were answered.
My son and DIL have 2 poms who are such cuties and love to go camping with them. They ride so cute in their seat my son built them for in their truck. I hope these doggies get as good a home as my kiddos gave to their rescued poms.
Thanks to God for answered prayers. Glad to know you are doing so well. Hazel gets to have bonus mom time right when the weather turned cold. Been enjoying the Christmas decor pix, I’m not so art-sy to come up with arrangements & tablescapes. Fun pix of the little poms, hope they find a home.
Good health news Mary, hope your scars heal soon.
Loved the embroidery, although would probably change dogs for cats, but what a lovely pair up for adoption. Hope you find a home before Christmas for them.
I was happy to hear that your tumor was contained and you have no need to worry. I do read all of the comments but i will admit that I don’t often go back to previous posts to see if anything else was added. I will have to remember to do that. I would love to see Hazel’s bath!!! I would guess that she would be rather dramatiic.
Ginger – dramatic you say? Why do you think I need two more hands? Haha!!!
I have also wondered about the report you received from your surgery, and I have read every entry and I also read all the comments. Thanks for that wonderful news.
Today was my day to sew with the quilters at church. I actually was able to do a little sewing today as I didn’t have to find backs for quilts. Then we have a food program at our church once a month, and I help with that, so stayed there until I was done there. It has been a good day.
Looking forward to seeing your new table topper. I love the colors you are using.
Good to hear from you! So nice to get a crock pot full of soup plus bread! Yum! It is definitely going to be soup weather! This cold spell is headed down south to Florida.
I didn’t do any sewing today! And tomorrow doesn’t look real good either, a trip to Sioux Falls for hubby. We will see.
I hope everyone is able to sew like crazy!
Stay warm!
I’m so happy for you that you got such a great path report! What a load off in all ways!