MOTHER'S DAY MIRACLE!

Well I have to say my kids really did it! If ever I needed a pick-me-up it was this year! My home-making skills have been squelched by major back surgery and chemo sludge. The dust kittens have become roaring tigers and try as I might, they are HARD to ignore! I guess the kiddos picked up on that and...gave me three hours of HOUSE CLEANING sevices for Mom's Day! I didn't let any more dust grow under my feet. The miracle workers came today! I will not be furnishing you with any "before" photos, but sufficeth to say the "AFTER" is worth the front page of the New York Times!

You can almost see the sunlight zinging off from all things sparkling!!

Instead of standing there with my moouth hanging open all day...I thought I'd just memorialize this miracle by photo journaling (in udda-woids...PROOF it happened via pix)!

A NEW toaster?! NOPE...just shini-fied by the Polishing Pixies!!!!

Even the LARGE appliances are now officially DE-smudged!

Not even the Salt & Pepper shakers escaped the scrutiny!!

I want to stand here giggling and just BASK in the "CLEANESS" of it all. AHHHhhh...CLEAN! OK that does it! Everyone eats outside from now on!!

RADIATION GRADUATION!!

There is an honor you earn from sticking it out. On your final radiation you get to RING the BELL in the waiting room! Everyone claps and dreams of the day it will be them! Today it was me. I am BLESSED indeed!

I have the BEST Visiting Teacher ever! Tina came to make sure I did it up right! What would a graduation be without refreshments?! Unthinkable , so I brought my JUMBO banana Nut Muffins to pass around the office! I introduced you to Louie and Sam before. Meet my third ANGEL, Pam.

It's BLACKBERRY Time!!

(...and I don't mean that nifty little eletronic device either!) I look forward to the 2nd week of May like Christmas is coming! The whole month of April I have my eyes on our Blackberry Patch (It seems to expedite the mourning process of the citrus trees going bare)!
…first comes the little white blossoms, then the tiny green hard berries which turn to a coral red and FINALLY a dark blackish-purple berry (well named)! These plump big-as-your-thumb morsels are PURE HEAVEN!
There is a dark side to this delicacy beyond their color, however. These treasures are protected by thorns that would put a Jumping Cactus to shame! Wisdom must be used when gearing up for picking. I tell you, the canes will jump out and grab you and they DO NOT let go without a price. In my enthusiasm, I have let wisdom take a back seat and paid that price. I have had them tangled in my hair (it’s true, I used to have some, tee-hee), and glom onto my arms and ankles. Eeeowwwie!
Hint: Never go near the patch in FLIP FLOPS! And ALWAYS wear gloves. Long sleeves are a good idea too. We started our Blackberry Patch about 8 years ago. To see it now you would never know of its' humble beginnings! We actually started with just 5 canes that we transplanted from my dad! It has been thinned many times since!! Our grandchildren have learned that once a ball or toy goes in to the Patch, it is likely never to be seen again.

I guess the fruits of any of life’s labors can be looked at like our Blackberry Patch. We start out small…small steps, small dreams. We nourish those dreams with the faith that they will produce happiness. We learn along the way that there are certain ways to do things to receive the greatest bounty of life’s blessings. Sometimes we learn by watching others (mistakes and successes) and then there are some of us that get impatient and just have to learn the hard way. I have learned from the Patch that shortcuts are usually not the most expedient or painless way to get to life’s prizes. It is only when I go into it with full “armor” that I can reap the joy of its’ sweetest fruits.

I only have 2 RADIATIONS left!!! WHOOOO HOOO!!

EVERY week-day for the past month I have made the morning commute to Desert Banner Hospital...For as excited as I probably sound, I must say I'm gonna kind of MISS it! Call me CRAZY, but this it why...

I have met and daily been aided by some of the NICEST people you'll ever want to meet! I will MISS them terribly...so I thought I'd introduce them AND show you what they do.

They line up the the lazers with 3 little tiny tattos that show them where to go each time. TATTOOS did I say??!! (Not to worry, I haven't thrown my ethics frivolously will nilly! They are about the size of a small freckle).

Meet Louie (on the right) & Sam (on the left). Not pictured is Pam.

I thought I'd pass along this recipe for those of you who enjoy chocolate cake!

THE 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR ONE PERSON........HOW NEAT

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

MAY DAY

HAPPY MAY DAY!!

May 1st...It's May Day. I like it because spring is in the air and the hot weather has not yet invaded. I mostly think I like it because it is another excuse to tell people you are thinking of them AND you do it with FLOWERS!

I don't remember when May Day became a big deal to me. In 8th grade I had a MATH teacher, Miss Laura Coil. I despised math but thought the WORLD of her. She had a rabbit named Crumpet, whom she gave daily updates on. She had a witty sense of humor and told us jokes that to this day I remember some of. Mostly I loved that she loved us. We all knew she did. I remember that year making up my first May Day bouquet. I delivered it to her. Perhaps that is when May Day sentiments were born in me...8th grade Math...and a teacher who really loved me!

Since I can't knock and run a bouquet to each of your door-steps, I would like to deliver one to you just the same. It's May Day...and you are LOVED!!