Hmmmm So where have I been?

11 years ago

I wish I could remember how long it's been. Probably since I signed up with Face book.

My two little boys have both graduated high school. The youngest this past May. We've had some definite highs and lows over these few years. The biggest was my oldest son's diagnosis of testicular cancer just after graduation. He turned 18 in April, graduated in May, and was diagnosed with cancer in June. He had just moved away for school and was only four days into the summer football program when we had to bring him home for his urology appointment. If it hadn't been for the physical exam for football they wouldn't have cought it. He had the initial surgery to remove the tumor four days after his urology appointment. We took him to UCSanFrancisco to see a urology oncologist. Because of his age and otherwise good health, and our obvious diligence, we all agreed to have him go on active surveillance. Regular blood tests, xrays, and CTs. He took that football season off but went back to school in the fall. He did have a very difficult time emotionally and physically re engaging, but he is 100% back and then some. He just celebrated two years cancer free, and this year he will be the starting quarterback for his team. We realize deep down that he could have a recurrence at any time, but we are staying very positive and we are absolutely not sitting around waiting for bad news.

My youngest? He's staying home and will be attending our local city college. He's in luuuuuuvvvv so basically he's a walking, glassy-eyed blob of jell-o. Fun :/

So, Hi all :)

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kris_zone6

11 years ago

My father had testicular cancer at about the same age. He went on to father 4 children and was 83 when he passed.

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Comments (10)

nanny98
11 years ago
Gosh.... what a way to begin college for your son. Totally glad that he's cancer free now and grateful for that early diagnosis. I'm trying to remember where you are located....I'm transplanted from Central and Northern Ca to Southern Oregon. Good to have you back here at the table....come often!
danihoney524
Original Author
11 years ago
I've been in Stanislaus County for 13 years now, but I'm originally from the East Bay. I spent 9 years in the Santa Cruz mountains, and I think that's where I was living when I first started visiting garden web & the Kitchen Table.
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You all are so kind Mary- that huge shrub is a rhody.. starting to bloom right now- let's pray all this rain doesnt dash it all to bits this year! I hate that. Gotta Garden.. yes- I am goign to try the larger rocks when i get a chance :) You all can notice the difference? I look at these pics and think- gosh for all that work- it doenst show much of a change! :( Msscarlet- thank you for thinking my home is pretty. It's a little hosue- but i think it's kinda cute.. and i hope i get the cottagey feel across. I hear what you're saying about that blue spruce that blocks the view. it will only get bigger too... but here's the thing.. getting rid of that ONE might not make a difference- as you cna see in the pic- there is a HUGE one next to it and and even bigger one next to that one!!! haha. at first i hated them but I am rather attached to them now.. and this small one is the only one i can attempt to decorate for christmas. haha PLUS- there is actually a VAST amount of space betwee that spruce and the first corner bed by the house.. the angle the photo was taken at it straight one.. but coming from the other direction yu can actually see th ewhoel house.. i'll try to take different shtos for you guys and you can tell me what you think. Now Gladno1.. yours is the silliest question..hahahakeep bermuda grass out of my beds? You make me laugh!are you kidding me? what do you think i do all spring- march to may!! I dig out all the bermuda grass and re-edge my gardens.. it's horrendous. if anyone knows any trick- please tell me.. but i'm with you gladno.. this stuff is eveil. the only good thing is that it requires no water and stays short in summer and crowds out the weeds. however- it is EATING my driveway too.. can you believe it??!!! now you know why i need hired help right? all my energy goes into keepig bermuda grass out of my beds. haha
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It's going to be lovely, M! You are taking your time and doing it right, and it will pay off in the end. I have some Indian hawthorne along one wall of my house that was there when I moved in. I thought it was boring and planned to take it out, but it has now filled out nicely, and looks pretty, and best of all, it has had not one shred of maintenance or care from me. That tells me it is a plant it and forget it kind of shrub, and in some areas, that's just what you want. I think you'll be happy with yours. Keep us posted with new pics as things start filling in. It will be fun to watch it all grow! Marcia
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love your work! and you are one lucky lady, to have taken a workshop with Isaiah...how did that happen? was it a full class, with a waiting list? I wish I could just do something that bold at my own house and maybe the day will come that I will I have a feeling things won't be the same, once I come back from this much anticipated together in Canada!...lol check out the thread on "Vancouver Island Get Together" and scroll down to see the pictures of the house that Calamity posted, of a place near where she and Klinger live.... it's not mosaiced but is sure something to get the artistic blood running through your veins!! I haven't been to etsy for a bit but am sure that I've seen the pieces you have there.. cool ideas and all that you have. Becky .(*_*).
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sjerin
11 years ago
I knew there was a reason I remember you--I'm in SJ. :) I'm sorry your son had to go through that as such a tender age and glad to know he's doing just fine now.
danihoney524 thanked sjerin
nanny98
11 years ago
Almost neighbors....from Calaveras and Merced counties. I miss both places...even the heat of the summers. I dread winters here in Oregon, and we try to go to Arizona for part or most of the winters. Again, Glad you are back!
danihoney524 thanked nanny98
lynn_1965
11 years ago
nanny98,

I,m also from so. west Oregon. I am just a "lurker", have been for many years.

Lynn
nanny98
11 years ago
Hey Lynn...pull up a chair and join us more often. BTW, I live near the new South High School, if you would like apricots or plums email me here.
danihoney524
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh Kris, those are exactly the kind of stories I need to hear. Thank you.

We're a few years out from retirement, depending on Dh's temperment. Could be 3 or 8 or 13. You never know. I've been shopping around for locations, and southern Oregon has come up a couple times. As much as I want to stay in California, I really worry about it being affordable. I really like the Grants Pass area. I love Ashland and Bend, but it seems pretty expensive. I dread the idea of snow though. I didn't grow up with it, and I don't like to be cold. We told the boys we were going to sell everything and buy an RV. Then we'd just spend retirement parked in front of where ever they lived. They only sort of smirked at that.
nanny98
11 years ago
Dani... That is almost what we have done. Real Estate prices are going up (as the Ca folks sell their McMansions and move to Medford). Our summers are perfect and we love sitting on our patio every day as a pleasant breeze cools down any high temps. Rainy season just keeps going on, and the valley here with the lovely snow capped mountains (closer than in the central valley) brings cold temps that I just don't remember even up in the foothills. (well, I'm older, too). We travel with a RV (Winnebago) club, even meeting up in Arizona during the winter. We have noticed that RV parks are charging more these days, and we see lots of mega (size &$$$) RV's on the road..... but it is a lifestyle we like and being 80+ now, we realize our travel days are numbered.
Alisande
11 years ago
Thanks for the update, Dani. I'm so glad your son is doing so well. (Yeah, the one in luuuvvv too!) I hope you'll stick around. We're all a little older now, a little wiser. (Maybe, maybe not.)

Hmmmm So where have I been?

kris_zone6

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