Simple Pleasures

At nearly noon, the sun is shining and the temperature has reached three degrees Celsius. I am looking forward to getting out for a walk.

Yesterday was Alice's birthday. I called her last night and was happy to hear that she had been showered with birthday wishes throughout the day: flowers, kisses, homemade puffed wheat squares, emails, etc. Today my grandson Spencer is six years old. He shares his birthdate with Mom. I would so like to celebrate with Spencer in Peace River. However, that is a long trip from here, at least six hours. As I do not have my usual energy, I am sticking close to home these days. Rebecca just called. She and Jarl and the boys are heading to West Ed this afternoon to spend the weekend to celebrate Spencer's birthday.

It is just over two weeks since my fifth chemo treatment. I have been feeling quite well for several days now, although I do need a lot of rest. I have found the first week or so following treatment to be the most difficult. Treatment has affected my taste buds so it is difficult to enjoy food. That has affected my interest in preparing food, which is not at a high level at the best of times. I usually enjoy strong flavors, but cope best these days with rather bland food. I am using child's toothpaste these days as I find the adult toothpaste too harsh. For nearly a week starting about four days after treatment, the roof of my mouth was very tender and I had difficulty swallowing. Thankfully, those symptoms were short-lived!! I continue to go to Sundre every Tuesday for Home Care. Helge has been coming with me because of the severe cold and often poor driving conditions. I am scheduled for my next and final treatment next Wednesday, January 21st, but I expect it will be postponed a week as my other treatments have been. (If my white blood cell count is too low, treatment is postponed.)

My January outings have been few. I am enjoying the slower pace after a busy December. I have,however, had a couple of spirit-boosting outings. Helge had a meeting in Rocky Mountain House on January 9th so I went with him. I hadn't finished everything I wanted to accomplish by the time his meeting was finished. He was not in a rush and was happy to spend some time at the library so that I could have some more time. I checked out a new medical supply store, the new Shopper's Drug, and then went to my favorite gift shop, Cherubs' Boutique. This gift shop was started in 1995 by a single mom. Her first shop was a small shop across the street from where I used to work in Rocky. After a year or so the vacuum cleaner business next to hers closed, and she expanded to occupy that space. A few years later she made the move to a larger shop on main street. Now she occupies a two-storey building at the end of main street. The main floor has an extensive collection of bath products, jewelry, clothing and games for infants and toddlers, and a coffee/tea shop which also sells fudge, frozen yogurts, and smoothies. The second floor has housewares and kitchen goods. The shop was beautifully decorated for Christmas, upstairs, downstairs, and along the two flights of stairs. I found some delightful decorations to add to my collection. Helge and I enjoyed a supper at the local Co-op Store. They always have good home-cooked meals at a great price.

On Wednesday this week I met my colleagues for lunch in Innisfail at the Flames. Except for the Christmas party in December I have met with some or many of them every month since I took my leave of absence. I so enjoy these times together and always hate to say goodbye. My colleagues bought me an exquisite 100% cotton terry, full-length dressing gown in pale blue. (They know that I'm a natural fibre girl.) I am enjoying wearing this at home, and am happy to have such a nice gown for my hospital visit. I also received an aboriginal calendar and card from Jenny who teaches aboriginal programs. Sadly, the staff told me that she suffered a stroke last week. She is only 38 years old. I must find out how to contact her so I can send her a thank you card and well wishes. Sherry told me that the Aboriginals at the Cultural Center are smudging for me. I am blessed to be remembered in so many ways!! Of course, before I left Innisfail I made a little trip to my favorite gift shop in Innisfail, The Gift Loft. I found a few more sale-priced decorations to add to my silver/clear/mirror/turquoise collection.

Yesterday's walk was around dusk. The winter colors were amazing!! The vast expanse of clean white snow contrasted the black lacey look of the bare shrubs and poplars. In the background was the solid black of the spruce trees, and surrounding were pale pink skies. To the west were the mountains in a haze of deep smokey blue. What a treasure!! Perhaps today I'll get a picture.