Callie relaxes in the office In between treatments and projects at Faith, we managed to enjoy our first visit from family this year – over Memorial Day weekend with Dave’s mom and sister Diane.
Hibiscus are always in bloom Holiday Time
We were thrilled to have a visit from Dave’s mom and sister Diane. They flew in from Philadelphia for a long holiday weekend that unfortunately had record breaking high temperatures in the upper 90’s. We made the best of it, although most of our time was spent indoors. It gave us a chance to introduce Diane to Whit’s and win another fan of their frozen custard. And on Memorial Day, we grilled out and had a picnic to celebrate the day with Pastor Rigo’s family, Don and Bobbi and Pastor Barry. Very early the next day, we said goodbye, having enjoyed the time together.
It turned out to be a profitable trip for Diane and Mom, since they were offered an incentive to delay their arrival by a day, spending the night in Philadelphia. It went so well, they were thinking maybe this could be a new career – taking full flights over holidays in hopes of being bumped. Hmmm. . . Not sure how that will work out.
Since Cathy wasn’t supposed to eat out at restaurants during the 12 weeks of Taxol treatments, we had become a little anti-social, eating all of our meals in the RV. However, we had one break from the routine, when Lori and Barton from Beyond 90 invited us to dinner at their house on Thursday night before Memorial Day. In addition to enjoying their company, we celebrated our first night out in a long time. They were excited that the house the Nomads had worked so hard to refurbish was about to have its first residents. The family of 6 would be moving in later in June.
We were thrilled to have a visit from Dave’s mom and sister Diane. They flew in from Philadelphia for a long holiday weekend that unfortunately had record breaking high temperatures in the upper 90’s. We made the best of it, although most of our time was spent indoors. It gave us a chance to introduce Diane to Whit’s and win another fan of their frozen custard. And on Memorial Day, we grilled out and had a picnic to celebrate the day with Pastor Rigo’s family, Don and Bobbi and Pastor Barry. Very early the next day, we said goodbye, having enjoyed the time together.
It turned out to be a profitable trip for Diane and Mom, since they were offered an incentive to delay their arrival by a day, spending the night in Philadelphia. It went so well, they were thinking maybe this could be a new career – taking full flights over holidays in hopes of being bumped. Hmmm. . . Not sure how that will work out.
Since Cathy wasn’t supposed to eat out at restaurants during the 12 weeks of Taxol treatments, we had become a little anti-social, eating all of our meals in the RV. However, we had one break from the routine, when Lori and Barton from Beyond 90 invited us to dinner at their house on Thursday night before Memorial Day. In addition to enjoying their company, we celebrated our first night out in a long time. They were excited that the house the Nomads had worked so hard to refurbish was about to have its first residents. The family of 6 would be moving in later in June.
Peeler guestroom after cleaning Church Projects
Since the apartment work was finished and had been occupied for several weeks, our work there seemed to be done. Except, Dave still had a hand in one final task – working with Comcast Xfinity to get internet installed. Although this sounds simple, it became much more complicated than seemed necessary. Was it because it was a new service? Was it because they considered it a business address? Was it because there was already internet at the house that shared the same address? Dave was bounced around between Comcast employees before he finally was able to convince someone to come out to see the apartment. It still didn’t go 100% smoothly, because the installer arrived and said he couldn’t run the wire. It would have to come from across the street, underground to the apartment. After another week, all the wires were run and connected and Fermin and Angelica finally had internet and seemed pleased.
There were a myriad of smaller tasks that we took up. We de-scaled the ice machine in the church’s kitchen. The church’s computer needed a long-overdue software upgrade for its Payroll/Membership software, which Dave took care of. When Herb and Peggy arrived for a short visit, Dave and Herb plumbed a new water spigot by the container for any RV’s that might park there. Cathy changes the street signs each week. There are still supply runs for smaller projects and consulting on possible new ones.
We have also started a project to make a guest room available in the church’s oldest building, Peeler Hall. We cleaned the room, and prepped the walls and ceiling for painting. After several shopping runs, we found a new window AC, which we installed, and researched the best deal on a bed to purchase when the time is right. We hope to keep making small progress so that when fall comes – or maybe sooner – we will have a new place for visitors to stay that still leaves the bunkhouse rooms available for groups.
Since the apartment work was finished and had been occupied for several weeks, our work there seemed to be done. Except, Dave still had a hand in one final task – working with Comcast Xfinity to get internet installed. Although this sounds simple, it became much more complicated than seemed necessary. Was it because it was a new service? Was it because they considered it a business address? Was it because there was already internet at the house that shared the same address? Dave was bounced around between Comcast employees before he finally was able to convince someone to come out to see the apartment. It still didn’t go 100% smoothly, because the installer arrived and said he couldn’t run the wire. It would have to come from across the street, underground to the apartment. After another week, all the wires were run and connected and Fermin and Angelica finally had internet and seemed pleased.
There were a myriad of smaller tasks that we took up. We de-scaled the ice machine in the church’s kitchen. The church’s computer needed a long-overdue software upgrade for its Payroll/Membership software, which Dave took care of. When Herb and Peggy arrived for a short visit, Dave and Herb plumbed a new water spigot by the container for any RV’s that might park there. Cathy changes the street signs each week. There are still supply runs for smaller projects and consulting on possible new ones.
We have also started a project to make a guest room available in the church’s oldest building, Peeler Hall. We cleaned the room, and prepped the walls and ceiling for painting. After several shopping runs, we found a new window AC, which we installed, and researched the best deal on a bed to purchase when the time is right. We hope to keep making small progress so that when fall comes – or maybe sooner – we will have a new place for visitors to stay that still leaves the bunkhouse rooms available for groups.
New generator cover RV Stuff
The new Champion generator got its own custom cover, when Cathy used some leftover material from a grill cover that had worked well for one of its predecessors. We also installed an hour meter, so we no longer have to keep a log of generator hours to know when to change the oil.
And when it came time to refill the propane tanks, we finally installed the replacement tank sensor that Topeka had sent us when one of ours failed. Now our smartphones tell us the propane level in each tank again.
The new Champion generator got its own custom cover, when Cathy used some leftover material from a grill cover that had worked well for one of its predecessors. We also installed an hour meter, so we no longer have to keep a log of generator hours to know when to change the oil.
And when it came time to refill the propane tanks, we finally installed the replacement tank sensor that Topeka had sent us when one of ours failed. Now our smartphones tell us the propane level in each tank again.
Cathy models her cold therapy mitts and socks Cathy’s Treatment Update
Just one more. By the end of May, Cathy had completed 11 of her scheduled 12 weekly infusions of chemo. There would be only one more hour wearing the cold mitts and socks. She was close enough to completion to start the shift to “what’s next”. She met with her radiation oncologist to review and confirm the plan for radiation therapy. It would not start until a few weeks into June, but the doctor was pleased at how well Cathy had tolerated the chemo and saw no reason for any lengthy delay between the final chemo and the start of radiation. Soon and very soon! Thanks again for all the prayers.
Just one more. By the end of May, Cathy had completed 11 of her scheduled 12 weekly infusions of chemo. There would be only one more hour wearing the cold mitts and socks. She was close enough to completion to start the shift to “what’s next”. She met with her radiation oncologist to review and confirm the plan for radiation therapy. It would not start until a few weeks into June, but the doctor was pleased at how well Cathy had tolerated the chemo and saw no reason for any lengthy delay between the final chemo and the start of radiation. Soon and very soon! Thanks again for all the prayers.
