Sunday, March 3, 2013

A Monday Morning Chat Over Coffee

Abi of Creating Paper Dreams is inviting people to link up with a chatty post over a cup of tea.  Although I enjoy a nice cup of tea (English Breakfast with lots of milk), here in California we're much more likely to enjoy a good cup of coffee (Peets being my favorite brand). So, come on in, sit down and let's chat over a cup of coffee.
I hope you won't mind the dogs - Gypsy will bark for a while and Aria might climb on you a bit, but they'll both calm down in a minute.  Once they quieted down and we could talk, I would tell you that I'm looking forward to a quick trip up to Oregon at the end of the week with Henry. We're going to visit University of Oregon and Oregon State, even though he hasn't expressed much interest in the latter. I'd tell you that I'm not sure where he will end up going to University, although it will probably be Oregon or Sonoma State.  Gonzaga might still be in this mix, and he hasn't even heard from the University of San Francisco or University of Washington yet.   
When you ask about how Paul is doing, I would tell you that he's doing pretty well. He's officially in remission and just started "maintenance chemo" which means he goes to the infusion clinic for an hour once a month and takes a bunch of pills.  His hair is starting to grow back, and he's starting to walk for exercise and drum up some business for his consulting firm. It's really nice to think about his life being defined by something other than his illness. I'm trying to be optimistic and take life as it comes, but I wish we had a more solid prognosis about what his future holds.
I would tell you that Saturday was my birthday, and I had some yummy German Chocolate cake from Mazzetti's Bakery.  Paul bought me a new ipad and took me out to dinner. Earlier, Clara and I completed a six mile run with our Team-in-Training. I would tell you that training and raising money sometimes feels like a full time job, but it's worth it to be funding such an important cause and that I am grateful for the time spent with Clara in such a fun and productive past time. 
I would tell you that I have the week off from teaching, but I'll be busy. This afternoon I'm going to watch Henry play baseball at the High School and tomorrow night I'm going to my book group to discuss The 19th Wife, which I haven't finished yet! I'd tell you that Henry is having trouble juggling high school baseball and club soccer because both of his coaches want a full time commitment but he really doesn't want to choose. 
Before our chat ended, we might discuss creative pursuits. I'd tell you that I'm really enjoying photography these days and it's taking up most of my time. But that I still want to sketch and paint and art journal. Even scrapbooking and card making continue their siren call. If only there was more time in the day!
Do you want to join in the conversation? Head over to Abi's blog and link up! Or just leave me a comment telling me what you would like to share.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post filled with such optimism. So glad that Paul is on the mend and a belated Happy Birthday.

Linda said...

Great post Rinda! I feel like I'm right there with you in your kitchen! I think I'll hop over to Abi's blog and join in! Glad Paul is doing OK.Good luck to Henry with choosing a university. And enjoy your week off!

Karen said...

It's always great to chat with you, and I'd love another opportunity to do it in person. I'm enjoying some time with Matt this weekend, and looking ahead at a very busy week filled with many volunteer commitments. Squeezing the crafting time in doesn't seem to get easier. I let a lot of projects go for LOAD. Not sorry, but anxious to get back to them.

Jane said...

I would love to come over for a chat and to tell you how pleased I am that Paul is in remission. I would tell you about my trip to see my mum and how I am preparing for a visit from my little granddaughter at the weekend.

Cheri said...

I would ask you how you juggle the competing demands of a legal/teaching career with the siren call of all your creative pursuits. I seem to be having a hard time lately doing either one justice!

Elizabeth said...

Happy belated birthday. I understand your desire to get a firm diagnosis, it's difficult living with the unknown. It's good Paul is starting to take walks and letting those endorphins to do their work.

Beverly said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Beverly said...

How lovely to sit and relax for a few minutes with you, Rinda. I am so happy that Aria was there to greet me, who can resist that face?! I am lifting a praise that Paul is doing well and continuing prayers on the future for all of you. I think I will join in the chat so do drop by later today for a cuppa....coffee ;)

Ladkyis said...

I would listen distractedly and then launch into a five minute rant about stupid internet shopping and how they sell a food processor attachment that is supposed to work with my precious Kenwood Chef but doesn't!!!!
I would then have my brain catch up with my ears and realise that you mentioned Paul and remission in the same sentence and my rant would be forgotten because that is surely a huge step forward and has to be celebrated with another cup of coffee some tears and some hugs

Sian said...

having enjoyed the pleasure of your company in real life, I have had good fun imagining our chat over coffee. definitely coffee for me. That's a great catch up - it's good to hear how Paul is doing and how that training is going. Oh, and Happy Birthday!

Missus Wookie said...

Yeah for coffee, cake and some good news re family. Belated Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

Would love to chat, and am glad that Paul is in remission and wish you a belated Happy Birthday. I would tell you that I am starting my new job tomorrow and moving house soon.

Alison said...

Love this post Rinda! .....good news about Paul, though I can imagine you would like some sort of definitive prognosis. It sounds as if life is busy, as always
Alison xx

The Mann Fam said...

Happy belated birthday. Enjoyed our little sit down together.

Unknown said...

How lovely to catch up with you and hear your news. This is such a good idea. I think the best news is to hear about Paul, hope he continues to go from strength to strength.

I loved the 19th wife when I read it a couple of years ago and have reread it since then. Are you enjoying it?

scrappyjacky said...

So glad to hear Paul is doing well.Would love to sit and chat over a coffee.

Barbara said...

Wonderful post, I am pleased Paul is doing well. Belated Happy Birthday.

Abi said...

I would love to sit and chat with your Rinda. Thank you so much for joining. I would love chatting to you about uni's in the States compared to Uni's in the UK. So glad to hear that Paul is in remission and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! xx

Lorraine said...

It sounds like it has been a pretty good week for you. Even though you have concerns for DH it sounds quite posative. A child off to college, not there yet. These are the things of live that give content to our pages. Thanks for the visit.

Miriam said...

This is such a lovely post, good news about your husband and happy birthday to you. I would ask you how you keep going, how you stay strong and I would tell you that I find your blog so inspiring. x

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I loved reading this, Rinda, and if nothing else I feel like I just received a newsy email from you. :o)

I'm SO glad to hear that Paul is doing well. My uncle has the same type of cancer that Paul has, and he has been living with it for over 10 years now - still goes in for maintenance chemo once in a while.

I'm looking forward to hearing where Henry lands for University. Sounds like you've had a very busy birthday week! Hope it was very happy! xo

alexa said...

Happy Birthday! And it must have been lovely to celebrate with such positive news about Paul. Uncertainty is hard to live with and yet it is all we have.. Your positivity and optimism must be buoying him up too! Very admiring of your running and fund raising in the midst of everything else you do :).

Becky said...

Happy birthday! So pleased to hear about Paul. Hope the trip with Henry goes well xx

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear Paul is doing well. Good luck to Henry whichever one he chooses in the end and a belated Happy Birthday to you.