Four Days til Christmas

This is Doug's High School theatre group after they won the State
Trumbauer competition at Troy University. They will be going on to the S.E. Theatre conference in March.
Their play is about the holocaust and was written by Mr. Tilton their teacher. It is incredibly moving.

Dad is doing remarkably well. He is four weeks out of surgery and climbing stairs. Spain Rehab center was great and now he has in home rehab with Gary, three times a week. Very happy with his progress.

Doug went to Mobile with Ashlyn and her family and they had a great time. We're looking forward to a quiet Christmas but Bruce and I are going to New Orleans for New Years. Our friend Gail is coming to stay with Dad so we'll get to go to the Sugar Bowl for the first time.

UAB Hospital Again

Dad got a clean bill of health on Nov. 12th from the oncologist. We had a great birthday party for him at Superior Grill on the 13th. Lots of friends came and we had fun. He left Bham for Philadelphia, Ms. on the 17th. That night he fell and broke his hip. He was transported to Bham on Wed. surgery on Thur. Today is the 24th and he is recovering in the Orthopedic ward. He has some bowel issues because of the morphine he was on so long so they are trying to get that straightened out. Eventually he will go to rehab for a few weeks and then home to us. I am so grateful that he is here in Bham, I can't imagine spending weeks in Meridian, Ms.

I really thought I was through with hospitals...

Homecoming 2009

Pictures of Doug and friends getting ready for and at homecoming.

Doug was Mr. casual at the game, but put on a tie for the dance!

"Mindless Dating"

Doug had the lead role last night in "Mindless Dating", a play about what happens when the government takes over matching people for marriage. He did a great job! In the first scene he is talking to his roommate about his taste is party guests. In the next scene he has just met the girl on the left and she is having him measured for a tuxedo for their wedding.

Dad's Latest Report

Dad went to the oncologist last Thursday and had blood tests and CT scans. All were Clear! Dr. Foran was almost giddy. He has been rather guarded every other time, but I think that he believes Dad is doing really well.

This is a picture of Bruce and Dad on their way to a Braves game.

Being PTSO president at Spain Park High School is keeping me busy. We had our annual Open House the other night and lots of parents came to meet the teachers.

Doug is doing well, staying busy with theatre, youth activites at church and of course, studying.

News on Dad

Dad is doing so well since he finished radiation treatments the first of April. We talked him into hanging around with us until my birthday. Here is a picture of him and our friend Karl and our favorite Italian restaurant. Everyone sang happy birthday to me. Dad has been back in FWB with his two cute dogs ever since. He came up for his May checkup which was great and will be coming up soon for his August check up. We are expecting and praying for great results.t.

A new "do"

Those of you who know me well realize that I've had the same basic hair cut for years. I finally got it cut the other day. This is a not a great picture but it shows my shorter hair. As I told Marsha while she was in Paris, tres chic?

Another Adventure?

My friend Terri introduced me to making beaded jewelry. I do not consider myself a creative person. Being oriented towards numbers and system designs does not seem creative to me. How could I know that I would enjoy putting glass and ceramic beads together so much? These pictures show some of my work and my display at the local farmer's market. I haven't sold much, but have met some really interesting people and tried to sweat off about 20 pounds (I wish) sitting in the heat. I have introduced another friend to beading and she really likes it too. I keep telling Terri that we're a pyramid marketing scheme, she says no one is getting paid for their "up-line" so who cares. Bruce and Doug help set up, then they disappear til it's time to go home, but I sure appreciate their help. So far, I've sold six pieces. Not taking the world by storm. I enjoy it, so that will have to be enough.

Doug the shootist

Doug went to Orlando last week with the Meadows. They went skeet shooting. This was Doug's first time to handle a gun and seemed to do very well.

Prom 2009

Doug and his friends had a great time at Prom. After golf ball sized hail early in the day, the weather cleared and they had a wonderful night.

Almost Spring

Bruce and I went to Seaside to celebrate our 20th anniversary last Wed. It poured rain the whole time! Not just rain, but buckets with driving wind and tornado warnings. The good news is we ate lots of sushi, drank some great wine and took lots of naps. We spent a lot of time together which is the point, I suppose. We came back to Bham for the blooming of the the trees and the azaleas which are gorgous.

Dad is doing very well. He will finish the radiation treatments on Thursday and has only experienced a little discomfort and some tiredness. The treatments were a followup to the chemo and very targeted to the area under his left arm where the tumor first appeared. He hopes to be going home soon, but I hope he stays because I will miss him when he goes and I think he likes being around us. I don't want him to get home and be alone.

Doug is doing well and got high marks on his ACT practice test so we are encouraged that he will do well on the real test in June.

Dad's Journey

Dad is doing so well these days it is hard to remember the bad ones, thank God. He is getting stronger every day. Eating so well and wanting to do projects! There for a while I wondered if he would ever be himself again, but he is. I cannot express my gratitude enough!