Mulch -- Word for the Day -- Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Mulch

Definition: a protective covering (as of sawdust, compost, or paper) spread or left on the ground to reduce evaporation, maintain even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds, enrich the soil.

Gosh, I love this word, Mulch... Why? You seemed surprised.

On Saturday, ChemoSabe and I threw 12-1/2 yards of mulch in our flower beds. All the way up to the top of the landscaping bricks, which would be about 5-6 in. deep. I love it because we were able to do it. Well, I was more proud of the fact the ChemoSabe was able to do it and didn't miss a lick. Myself, on the other hand, just about died! ha

We began our day by taking the Tahoe for service and then going for the mulch -- one load at a time. He and I started throwing at 11:00 and worked alone until 1:00 p.m. Around 1:30 p.m. some friends of the son came to help us. We all (four of us) worked until 6:00 p.m. One was G.P. and the other was Tyler (17).

Tyler was the most pleasant young man and he was a hard worker. Had some good ideas on how to get the mulch to the back yard and dump it. I truly enjoyed his helping us.

I fixed a pot of chili in between the mulch runs and we all had our fill and hugged at the end of the day.

Since my last writing about the 'stress'... we have made a bike trip to Eureka Springs with Stretch and Rainman. I noticed while we were there that Stretch had a boo boo on her rear tire. It was so bald in the center I could see the tube, almost, through the cords. Rainman left early that Sunday morning and picked up their trailer at home and hauled her bike back.. Better safe than sorry.

ChemoSabe began his '1st Year Maintenance' today. It is a 28-day process and then it begins again for three months. At which time we will have a doctor's visit. He also began his Dexamethasone (steroid) today. It is five pills a day for four days this week and then the same next week. Look out for the mood swings, mama! He really thinks when he gets that extra boost he will feel like moving mountains around the house. I just dread the day after he comes off them..

We lost our Research Nurse that treated us like babies. We could even call her cell phone after hours and on the weekend and she gave us advise. She has transferred to another part of UAMS.. We hope she decides she made a mistake! ha

Our doctor tells us that ChemoSabe will be extremely tired after the Velcade injections. We will see... Nothing has stopped him, yet, has it? He gets the Velcade twice a week for two weeks and that process is an every 28-day cycle, too.

You guys, listen up!!! Insurance is a joke. If you remember, we had so much trouble last year when we met the annual max in September. It was to start up again in January... Well, it hasn't paid a dime. I finally turned it over to ChemoSabe. He has gotten promises that the insurance company would send letters to our creditors that he is covered... That was about two months ago. Since then, they have given him all kinds of excuses why they are not paying. One, if you can believe it, was he had met his lifetime max of $1,000,000. Yes, that's right -- one million dollars. Let's get real! That's all I have to say. I don't trust myself to go any further.

We have been doing some late Spring cleaning. You would think we are getting the house ready to sell. Hmmmmm, that might not be a bad idea. But, we wouldn't be able to find something for the dogs, birds or us, for that matter. We like being on the hill and being private in a neighorhood.

As we were throwing mulch, we had a visit from our neighbor that called code enforcement on us last year for the tree we had that fell on their two cars. It was a good time to mend. We talked and laughed. Now we wave. That was a time that was bad for us because that was when ChemoSabe fell off the roof. God heals us and our attitudes.

ChemoSabe's labs came back good this morning. They are all sitting very well. His cholesterol, of which we were very concerned, came down drastically. Two weeks ago it was 245 with 199 being a very high factor. Today it was 160. Must be that good cookin mama (Pepper) is doing.

The spa is crystal clear and setting is 101 deg. I feeling the urge to get in... Think I will..

Good evening and Love -- Pepper