And the Number is...

398!!! Here's a recap of the numbers...June '08 - 55,000; September '08 - 3,600; December '08 - 600; February '09 - 398. Whoo hoo! Can you tell by the picture how happy he is. Last week Don said he knew his cancer count had come down because he felt so good and he was right. I think he was a little worried this morning because he was very quiet. But not to worry - he's doing great! I asked the doctor if this was normally how the chemo worked, that the number would come way down and then go back up. He said, "No, the number usually does not come down"!!! I guess he doesn't know that Donnie Walker doesn't do anything the usual way!! We are thrilled to say the least! Ya'll keep praying and we'll do the same as well as taking the shakes, hopefully we'll get to zero!

Time Out For a Message to Ashley

I am having trouble getting pictures to Ashley via e-mail while she is gone. So I am blogging these photos to make sure she gets this urgent message.

Ashley...come home. Your much loved lab has taken up with the ill-behaved big, grey, lug. She has replaced your companionship with his. The proof is in the pictures. Here she is scratching his ear and checking his teeth.
Now she is rubbing his head as she listens to his lies.

A little kiss on the cheek. When you return she will only have eyes for him. I guess she likes the bad boys!!

Another Bride, But Where's the Groom???

Our niece Tiffany and her fiance Mark are getting married in April. This evening there was a shower in their honor with a Mardi Gras theme. It was a festive occasion with lots of eating, drinking, visiting, and laughing. There is just one problem with this entry. I failed to get a picture of the groom. I am upset with myself, but I was visiting with family and friends and you know how that is...I get sidetracked so easily!
Pretty invitation and party favor.

Lisa took a little break to visit with Lorie and Maw Maw.
All of the tables were decorated with a festive Mardi Gras theme.
A little love from my niece, Leah.
My brother, his wife, Kathy and daughter, Leah.
Mardi Gras tree.

Lisa made beautiful centerpieces for each table...she really outdid herself with the decorations.
Tiff and Maw Maw Nina
Leon helping Maw Maw down the stairs.
Before we left home Don had to get in a little time with his friends.
While I was cooking I was able to have a nice chat with Don's sister Debbie.
Don always helps me in the kitchen and today was no exception. He helped peel the shrimp and boil the pasta for our Seafood Pasta dish!

And she's off...

Ashley headed off to Miami to board the research vessel out of Miami that will head to the Bahamas. Don got up and made her a yummy breakfast. I know this picture looks like he's asking me what the heck I am doing taking his picture this early in the morning, but I promise he's not. He's trying to smile but he just doesn't have it in him until about 9:00 in the morning.
She was in such a happy mood and it was only 7:00 AM...she didn't even mind having her picture taken during breakfast!
Okay, I made that last one up...she may not really like having her picture taken at the crack of dawn.

What A Day!

Today we went to Lakeview to continue clearing my mother's backyard. Hopefully she will have a yard when the house is completed.
Don did a lot of digging to get rid of stuff buried since the storm.
The boys tearing out the fence posts.
Don making sure they do it right!
Lisa wanted us to save her garden bricks so we dug them all up. Phew...I'll never think the same about a garden brick as long as I live.
Ashley examined each brick that was pulled up to see what was living below each one.


My cousin's son Bobby and two of Bobby's friends, Joe and Mitchell have been working on clearning the lot for serveral months. You would not believe how many bushes grew up in that yard. These boys were a huge help - they had all of the equipment to get the job done!
Dumpster we filled with weeds and bushes that had been chopped down a couple of weeks ago. We alson burned a lot of stuff that would not fit in the dumpster.
Befpre we could leave this morning, Don and Goby had to watch a little duck hunting.

One Smart Cookie!

Ashley's laptop has been giving her trouble so Don decided to run some tests to see if he could get the bugs out. If you have been to our house or read this blog, you know he had a helper. Hooch nicely waited his turn to take a look. Notice how Don is multi tasking...one hand on the computer and the other on the remote control. He can operate that remote like a ten-key adding machine...without looking.

Don put on his glasses to take a closer look - Hooch still waited quietly...

At last he got an opportunity for an up close look at the problem...

He watched closely as Don moved through the programs...

After rendering his opinion regarding the computer, Hooch decided to have a go at Organic Chemistry. Next week, piano lessons and karate!

Family Visit

Saturday afternoon Don's sister Debbie, brother-in-law Deke, and great niece Hannah, came to visit. Hannah stayed busy with the computer, DVDs, and Hooch. Sunday we took a ride to see how Ed and Roxanne's house is coming along, drove over to check out Mom's house and then had lunch at LeMadeline. We had an enjoyable weekend visit with the Arrowoods.
What a beautiful face to wake up to.
Debbie talking to Hannah through the "Listen Up" device As Seen on TV. I thought the whole point was to listen to people across the room.
Douglas and Ed have come along way on the house - the new paint looks great!
Checking out the inside of the house.
I think Hannah is begging me to quit taking her picture.

Kaitlyn and Hannah pretty in pink.

Don with his great nieces from coast to coast. Hannah from Florida and Kaitlyn fom California!