Winter in Minnesota Jan 8 2020

2019 Started with record snowfall crushing the old record. Most of it fell from 4 February~ 15 March 2019. Nacho and I walked a record setting low for any month. February walking 13 miles on 6 walks, time it took 6 hours that's 2.16 miles per hours! Nacho walked more mile's than I did. Because I had to lift my walker over mounds of plowed snow, 3 feet high and 4~6 feet wide in many places. This year I've gotten a compact shovel to knock down some of the hight of the mounds.

Was running out of room.

Nacho needed a path to run around.

Going for walks  came down to walking around the block 5 times.

                                We still had snow in the backyard until late May!!

                                                                            

A lot of snow that year.

The older I get, what matters most is the love shared.

The earliest memory of my Mother was hearing her being asked "Who do love the most?" her answer was always "I've loved them longer, what all!" One day I asked her "How long have you loved Me?" Her answer was, I loved you before you were born!

I Didn't mind Ma calling me her baby girl, cause I was. The best part of being the youngest was, watching what happened when the older kid's got busted for breaking her rules. I learned the rules and worked within them. With two older brothers, me being a pest. As I walked away, saying I'm telling Mom! Funny part was Ma didn't like tattletales. I knew better so I never did tell her.
  
Ma was a "yes" or "no", as I got older I tried to get her to change her mind, never worked her answer was "What part of "NO" do you not understand the N or the O!" No answer needed. After that she gave that look of don't push it missy!

One summer I was feed up with all the rules Ma had only on me! So I asked if I go live with my Dad & Ellie, youngest daughter was also staying there at first it was great no rules! By the second night the no rules was not, a safe place at all. All mom said was "Next time you want to live with your Father there will be no coming back!" I understood her rules kept me safe. Years later we talk about just once.

The year Brian & Mary got a chandler for the dining room, all the needles fell off her Christmas Tree. Drove Ma over to Nancy's so Ma could help Nancy and I took home the artificial tree. I got back the boy's put up the Chandler, I put up Ma's Christmas Tree. 

After celebrating Christmas Eve with Family, time head home for Ma to see her Chandler and Christmas Tree. The boy's were waiting inside, ready to get a picture! Ma stopped short because, she couldn't see the red knitted bird cage, on the the back wall. As Brian turned up the lights I tried and failed, to push her into the room. We all sat in the living room talking about our younger day's,  the boy's said I tattled on them all the time! Ma was shocked before she said anything I said "Ma, doesn't like tattle tails! I told them I was going to tell Ma! I never did! Instead I asked her questions about growing up at "2932" Ma and I talked about her growing up with her sister's and her Mom and Dad, her memories never changed, always full of love for them all. 

My one regret is I wrote her stories in my journal's l've kept since 5th grade. Had to see a mental health therapist. He taught how to hide my feeling and put on my happy face. I told him "I hated my dad!" He told me to call if I felt I needed to see him again. I told Ma I'm fine now, I don't need to see him again. Thankfully I found writing helped. In 7th grade I started drinking. In high school, starting working, also found drugs helpful. Been clean and sober for over 30 years.

The summer before my senior year at North high school in1979. I worked for The Youth Conservation Corps of Minnesota near Hinckley, MN. It was awesome, making trails in Minnesota State Park's. Learning why conservation was so important, to the health of our planet as a whole. The program lasted 6 weeks at the end we took a test, on what we learned. The program leader asked if would, like to take a free class in South Minneapolis to learn more about the work The U.S. National Park Service does? I said, Yes but why me? Your answer's showed, how much you learned. In just 6 week's. Ma signed the form. At the end of the class, we all took an hour long test. Only three people passed me and two guy's. Now we needed to write an essay about why we wanted to be a national park ranger. The winner would get cost free training as a park ranger 6 months out in the field then 6 mouths in a state parks in your home state. At the end of your training of 3 years, you will be a U.S. National Park Ranger. The dropout rate is over 50% in the first year. In May I got a letter telling me I was 1st runner up. Told Ma about it, she said lets wait and see you never know, give it some time! I told her Okay it's worth waiting for. The day's turned into weeks, I really wanted it to happen. My bother John wasn't helping I never told him about it. A few day's later John started in on me again, telling me "I'd never make more than minimum wage!" What was I wait for, no-one would be dumb enough to turn down the chance like that. A  short time later, Army recruiter called, came over went took the test and the physical passed them both! I got a job, only took 3 hours and I was going to make more money than John! Telling my Ma I joined the Army and I'm leaving for boot camp the next day! Going to Fort Jackson, in South Carolina. I wasn't able to call Ma until 2 weeks later, she told me they called she told them I joined the army. Never told her the real reason why, it was the only choice I felt I had at the time. The best part is, I've never had a minimum wage job since.  

The journal I started in 5th grade, continues today it's a tool I need, to separate my feeling from action's taken or my reaction's. When I decided to put the lessons I learned, into My Written Reflections. I Had been writing since 5th grade over 4 thousand pages into 5 box's safe in the blue bedroom closet at "2932" Only moved them out because Brian was going to put shelves in there for Ma. 

 I've finished by adding them on to my Blogspot "it is what it is until it isn't what it once was"

After Jane, Honey Girl and I moved back to Minnesota from Wisconsin 12 year's ago. It's time wasted so I kept the good, the rest is history. 

On the fun side, this year I turned 58 on May 8. Had my golden Birthday when I was 8 years old. Guessing that's not a thing? Haha 😊😜 

I've been away too long.

 It's been a long time, since I posted any thing on here. Last year, spent a lot of time walking with Nacho everyday. It's been hard getting back into posting. Putting my feeling into word's, that look back at me from the screen. At this point I've always stopped.

Cancer in all it's forms, has taken away too many people we love.  

Putting my feeling into words, is harder. Been holding them in for so long waiting for the other shoe to drop. Haven't felt able to put into word's my feeling.

Now it's 9/3/19

I've spent the last 3 years,  Walking Nacho Man, for 2543 miles. Watched my Nephew get married, even danced with him. On September 17 2019, I'll see the oncologist for the last time I hope! The result from the last test's for cancer are done, no red flags, good news. My Doctor isn't happy about the amount of weight I've lost. I'm not it's 60 pounds in 3 year's, going from a 44 inch waist to a 34 feels great, I can see my feet for the first time in years. My energy level is better, stretching out more often, helps with flexibility. Making better choices of what needs to be done now and what can wait. The most important part for me is taking care of Jane and Nacho. The same way they take care of me.

Now about that other shoe to drop

I've finally stopped worrying

About it!

Nacho and I enjoying spring

    Not looking forward to the HEAT of summer. We've only needed to use the Cooling Towel once, thankfully the tree are starting to offer more shade. Here are a few from Spring,  to clarify April smashed the record of snowiest month ever. May also broke a record of earliest 100 degrees day in history

Yes this picture was taken in May

Nacho and I have been enjoying, morning and Sunset walk's. Finding way's to beat the heat.

I enjoy winter, I draw the line at a Blizzard in mid-April

Winter in Minnesota

Is our longest season

Once the blanket of snow covers the ground, our neighborhood goes into dark and white. Thankfully the holidays are full of bright colored lights after New year the Christmas decoration are taken down, many of the lights stay up and on at night. Until the blanket of snow is no more. Nature wakes from it's winters sleep, to show us all the wonders and colors it holds. Happens twice a year.

This is a slideshow of our three day Blizzard 52 hours of snow.

Our forth longest winter also, the most snow fall in April on record.

Had the Super Bowl here, show casing all the winter stuff we do, outside even if it's -20 below.

A few of the Eagles fan's learned Minnesota nice only goes so far.

Some got to spend a night or two in jail.

Some even took out seat's, most got caught camera's all over the place. Most of the Eagle's Fans were nice.

Nature, Mother Nature! Is the most powerful force on Earth.

It's the only home we have.

My walk's with Nacho

 In 2017

 In March of 2017 Nacho and I started walking almost every day. I had finally healed enough, I was sick of too many limitations because of the double mastectomy. Mainly because my forearms hold my weight as I'm walking.  Finally was told I no longer had limitations. Nacho loved it our first walk over 4 mile's, I was wiped out it felt great I missed those long walks!
     Chemo was every 3 weeks, slowed me down at first. Nacho loved going for a walk everyday, helped me too all that fresh air, living in the city not real fresh. Summer came and went so fast, the miles really started adding up. 

I've been keeping track of the amount of time and distance for 4 year's on Map my Walk. 2017 was a recording setting year, for Nacho and I. We walked a total of 872 miles taking 356 hours 0r almost 15 day's, taking 294 walks. I'll admit, walking was and is really the one active thing I can do without increasing pain or wearing myself out. Without Nacho and my walker, don't think I would have made it through to recovery. Nacho and I walking got me out to see all the reasons to continue being positive. Almost fell into that old trap of looking backward, at everything I lost. I did glance behind me and saw the tall grass hiding the nay sayers I left behind, the rocks and boulders that littered the pathway to where I am now. Too many have been lost to cancer, Thankfully the number of survivor's are growing. 

I'm sure if you took a glance behind you would likely see what I saw as well. We are all fighting, battles not many can see. Only because we put on that  smile  with  eyes  bright,  sadly can be held for a time, long enough to hold back the looks of pity we see. Those near and dear to us understand, we are where we want and need to be. 

Hope this works adding video of Nacho and my walk's

of 2017

  

A over due update on cancer

I've been putting off writing this update, waiting for the other shoe to drop, I've tried many times. I'm feeling stronger my last chemo treatment done in October. I still have the port, have a follow up with oncology I hope the port can be removed. Dealing with Lymphedema I had 5 lymph node's removed a long with my age, it became a problem getting fluid out to help I use compression sleeves and gloves are working good, happy about that.

The good news is Nacho and I have been walking almost every day, Nacho loves it. As of December 9th we have walked 793 miles in 219 workouts.  Walking with Nacho has kept me going, it's hard being negative around him. Nacho is easy going and friendly he's just looking to make more friends.

Last colors of fall

Nacho Man

Sun sets

Fall ends

Winter Arriving early

  

Here to stay? Maybe

 Sorry it took me so long to finish this.

I learned in August I have Cancer.

2016 started out great! Nacho and I were doing a lot of walking, on track to walk over 600+ miles. On August 11th I learned I have "HER2" positive infiltrating ductal carcinoma with insufficient inflammatory components. The Nottingham grade 3 of 3 with a score 8 of 9. It's a fast growing form of cancer. Nacho and I spent time reinforcing his training. Before my scheduled surgery on September 16th for a Bilateral Mastectomy. The recovery was slow, walking with Nacho was the best therapy for me. We started out walking around the block, on the 25th we walked our first mile, I was even happier then Nacho Man was! By the time I started the infusion process, on the 20th of October. Nacho and I had walked 42 miles starting to feel good. 

Started the generic form of Herceptin Trastuzumab that uses a chemo-drug for delivery on October 20th. This will be done every three week's for one year. Normally this is used along with up to 4 other Chemo-drug's because of my m.s. doing that, would likely activate my immune system, causing a worst outcome. Very little research done on doing it this way, it was my only option  Being stage 2 and fast growing it's worth a shot.

Asked how would we know it's working? Doctor the cancer doesn't come back, the flip side is, if it comes back, there nothing else we can do. After Thursday I'll be half way done, have a few side effects drinking a lot of water helps. Doing blood test making sure my numbers are good. After my third treatment the vein's in my arms could not be used, so I had to have a port put in.
Nacho and I did walk 600 Miles in 2016, hope we can match that again this year.

Nacho the Santa dog!

I've found staying positive, is easier. When I look forward instead of looking over my shoulder. I don't want to trip over a small stone in front of me now!

My second Birthday to fall on Mothers day.

This time I spent it here at home, walking Nacho and just hanging out at home. It was a good day, many people wished me a Happy birthday on Facebook, that was nice. One friend put a nice looking cake, another had a bit of fun with a cake with candles on it burning in a way that looked like huge fire. Sad part was the Fire in Canada, it gave us some colorful sunsets, I did take some pictures.

Didn't see the smoke until after the sun was on the other side of it, last I heard it's under control not sure if it's out or not.

Nacho loves the nice long walks we've been taking, not a fan of having his picture taken. He is a sweet dog being a big black dog does not stop him from making new doggy friends. Nacho still points at the rabbits he see's, I say "leave it" most of the time we move on our way. 

At this point Birthdays are reminders of the history I've witnessed. My goodness how things have changed, not all for the good or bad. Life is so different now, in someways it's harder to tell what's real.

Reading the label on a loaf of bread at the store, should it still be called bread, when flour isn't one of the first 4 ingredients? Did my own test on a loaf after 2 weeks passed it's use by date, didn't show any signs of mold, another 2 week later no change. Week 5 the bag was wet still no sign of mold! Sorry that's not bread, Now I get bread where it's made fresh every day!  

    Spent most of last year walking with Nacho, taking a few photo's along the way. Nacho and I walked 553 miles taking 247 hours in 176 walks, replacing 3 sets of wheels on stand up walker, 3 pairs of walking shoes. For the first time walking all 12 months of the year! Nacho  loves walking it's good for me also. 

2015
The year in picture's

Taken March 2 a 5.72 mile walk.

Frozen Minnhaha falls

Minneapolis skyline April 7.56 mile walk

The east bank of Mississippi River

Nacho having a relaxing breakfast.

Spring showers

May Flowers

May day

Nacho's late night playing ball!
 Brings on a cool spring night Nap time.

Taken on June 8 2015 a 7.13 mile walk

Dinner after another 5 mile walk

Mississippi River locks closed for at least 3 years
Using some of that time, to find ways to deal with the invasive, Asian carp!

The tree that shaded our backyard died from Dutch elm disease

Two hours later all gone

Late July fall color's starting early on the Mississippi River

A wider view

August spots of color show up

 By September the Mississippi River bank in bright color's

October did not disappoint fire on top

Mississippi River Sunset
On the Ford Parkway Bridge

Minneapolis, Minnesota Sky line

Golden color

Fallen colors

Color gone shades of white and black

Mississippi River,

Mississippi river Overlook Park 

Nacho doesn't mind the snow

Not in black and white.

Looking North Mississippi River

Oak trees hold on to leafs until spring

The end is near

 The Mississippi isn't so mighty here 

Last picture of 2015

      It's Already March 2016, Nacho and I have walked every month this winter, putting in 118 miles so far. Walking is the easiest thing I'm able to do without my standup walker and Nacho, don't know where I'd be. The good thing is I only think about that then I can't open the bathroom door because, my hands are to weak to open it. Nacho saves me from thinking too much, about the abilities I've lost. Nacho makes friends with most dogs and humans effortlessly. When he senses danger he goes into guard mode, we make a good team and keep each other safe. Nacho and I spend much of our time outside when we can, the weather this winter has been mild. Getting out is nice, stuck in the house not a problem so far.

Learning a few lessons, so rolling is faster than walking. Losing balance, let go of walker  regain balance, pick up walker roll on.

I'm doing good having Nacho is my bright spot everyday.