Dear Friends,

The words "Thank you" and "blessing" do not even come close to covering what we feel for all of you.
How do you begin to say thank you for visiting us, praying for us, holding us, cooking for us, caring for us, babysitting for us, worrying over us, cleaning under our bed, bringing us several of anything we've asked for...etc., etc., and ETC.?!
The fact that you all take the extra time and effort involved makes our hearts swell with gratitude.
The fact you care about and want to show us your friendship makes our hearts swell with love for you.
The fact we have the greatest friends on the planet is overwhelming us at the moment!
So truly, all we can say is, "Thank you. You are more blessing than we deserve."
We love you Friend. Every one of you.

Update and Love Note for today are in post below.

Encapsulated

We have had many inquiries as to Big Shooter's diagnosis so we figured a kidney cancer explanation was due.
This is how a surgeon friend explained it to us shortly after all was said and done.
"Imagine the kidney being inside a layer of denim, only even stronger and thicker. It is called encapsulated because the kidney is in a sort of capsule. People can rupture, break or tear their kidney inside the capsule. So as long as the cancerous mass or tumor is encapsulated or kept inside the thick layer the cancer cells cannot spread."
Makes perfect sense to us now.
The morning Dr. Kangaroo told us the Good News, he shared a little info that instilled God's mercy in us just a tad more, if that was possible. He said, "The tumor was bulging at the top, trying to come through."
Wow. God is good.

Update: The Big Shooter had most of his staples removed today. I say most because some had to stay in where hehasagaping3inchholethatifIlookattoocloselyIwillpassoutandbeofevenlesshelp. Shoo. So glad I got that out okay. Trust me, it is ewwwww. I had to take a picture of it with his Crackberry to show him an up close version. I promise to not post that. Double ewwwww. He had a very active day so he is back in bed and I doubt he will see the light of day tomorrow. Healing is tiring, tough work y'all! I would sooner have wanted another brain surgery than what he's been through that's for sure. Keep him in your prayers please. He needs continued strength and stamina. Thank you Prayer Warriors!

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I feel at times my heart is encapsulated. It has been filled to over flowing, torn, squeezed, re-filled, broken and bursting with love for you all in the same day from watching you go through this. Yet, it always stays in tact. Encapsulated by your love.
gag...sputter...cough.

I hate, hate, hate ironing...but I love, love, LOVE the blog Rocks in my Dryer.

I have read some stinkin' fantastic tips over there on Works for my Wednesday.

(Skip on over, browse through til you find something interesting and click on that link.)

So I finally came up with a tip I could share...on a Wednesday...when I actually remembered!

I bought the Big Shooter a Nice New Iron for Father's Day last year - and he loooooved it!

I do not like to iron. I will do anything to get out of it...blech! Soooo, a former bachelor friend of mine told me this little tid bit a few months ago...

Spray "Spray Starch" on the offending wrinkles then throw the garment in the dryer for a few minutes and Wa-La! No more wrinkles!

Now it is by no means pressed and starched. But, it serves it's purpose fabulously! Woo Hoo!

I do it all the time.

Do you have any little hints to pass on today?

P.S. I already put a Wordless Wednesday post up earlier with a Big Shooter Update on it for those of you who come to find out the scoop... sorry about my lackadaisical ways in that regard. Really. I mean it. He is always on my mind. (Ringing his little "I need something bell" may have something to do with that...I may take it from him. Just kidding. I would never take it. Misplace it maybe, but never take it...)

Kinda, Sorta Wordless Wednesday...okay, not

Rocket Launcher

See ya on the moon Boy Child.

Update on B.S. - Sorry. I know many of you read this to find out how the Big Shooter is doing...I'm blaming it on the fact I am an Only Child and it's all about me...will that fly?

In his words, "There are good days and bad days." He visited Sashi's farm with me on Mother's Day, her husband Taco Bandito was doin' guy stuff, BS was feelin' gooood on heavy narcotics, he thought he'd just supervise...he's been in bed for two days now.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thanks for passing on that Imagination Gene! I love it! Because of you, our hacienda is never dull!

Party Napkins + Percocet = Fun Time

The last day my mom was here Big Shooter was doing well enough to be left alone for an extended amount of time. Thank you Percocet. So my mom and I ran a few girl errands. At one stop we found ourselves smiling, then giggling, then guffawing & snorting over a rack of party napkins with sayings. I am curious to see if y'all think some of them are as funny as we did...or if it's a case of You had to be there?

1. I don't repeat gossip, so listen carefully.
2. Don't confuse my tolerance with hospitality.
3. I'm still hot, it just comes in flashes.
4. Born free...now I'm expensive.
5. I may not be totally perfect, but parts of me are excellent.
6. Stupidity got us into this mess...why can't it get us out?
7. You can't make everyone happy, so let's concentrate on me.
8. The nice part of living in a small town is when I don't know what I'm doing, someone else always does.
9. I'm not a nag. I'm a motivational speaker.
10. You have to believe in something. I believe I'll have another drink.
11. I'm not a housewife, but I'm desperate.
12. If you can't say anything good about someone, come sit next to me.
13. If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
14. You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without hanging on.
15. Every time I hear the dirty word "exercise" I have to wash out my mouth with chocolate.
16. Seen it all, done it all. Can't remember most of it.
17. Countless people have eaten food from this kitchen and have gone on to live normal lives.
18. Oh, I heard you - I just don't care.
19. Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out, but I can usually shut her up with cookies.
20. To save time, let's assume I know everything.
21. You can't scare me, I have children.
22. Go braless, it pulls the wrinkles out of your face.

and my fave...
23. Do you want to talk to the man in charge, or the woman who knows what's going on?
Now, please tell me if you read through with a straight face, a grin, a smirk, or a belly laugh...
Love Note to my Big Shooter: For you to pick #21 as your fave shocked me! You've come along way Baby Cakes! My grandparents used to be "the only old people you could be around" and my 3rd graders? No way Jose'! They scared you more than having rabies! It is true though. Once you had Crumb Snatchers - you became Joe Fearless.

Shooter Speak

• Girl Child (8 yo) and I were having a girl talk about boys when she laid this one on me. "It's bad enough Daddy knows I have a huge crush on Logan... We can't let him know I might have a little one on John because, let me tell ya, it'd be the end of his world."

• Last year we studied ancient history which included polytheism within many cultures. Both Crumb Snatchers have asked questions extensively on this subject. So I found it particularly hilarious today after Boy Child had watched a video Grampa sent of two teens dancing in a 50s style and asked, "Did they believe in Gods back then?" So Dad, how's your chariot holding up since you apparently are ancient?

• While taking my mother to the airport I was contemplating how much the weather was changing and how close summer was around the corner. I was ticking through all the items spring brings each year like tornadoes, gorgeous flowers, out of control allergies and kite flying when I realized a huge one was missing! "Hey, it's already May and we haven't had any June Bugs yet!" I'm going with the lack of sleep excuse thank you.

• We start each school day with a little nature trivia and a riddle or two. Today's riddle was, "What did the girl octopus say to the boy octopus?" Before I could blink, Girl Child yelled out, "Suuuucker!"

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I'm so very glad you were a suuuuucker...

Dear Mom,

Thank you is inadequate.
How do I make sure you understand the depth of my gratitude.
I was able to take care of my husband , while you left yours to take care of himself.
I did not worry about my children, because you were doing that for me.
I did not have to look for something clean to wear because every item in my house was laundered.
I did not have to remember little tummies were rumbling because they weren't, thanks to you.
I did not have to reach over a stack of dishes to turn on the water. In fact, I didn't recognize the sink as my own.
My children's faces were lit up with smiles and their bellies shook with laughter. Those were missing for far too long. Thank you.
Each time my stress or worry level reached a new high you listened, sympathized or offered gentle advice.
You endured Pug hair for us...lots of pug hair.
You put your very hectic and busy schedule on hold for me so I could care for the Love of My Life...and for that, I cannot find the right words to say how grateful I am.
Other than, Thank you Mom. I love you.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Okay, so we both know you've always been the very worst at being taken care of when you're not feeling well...so thank you for letting me take care of and baby you through this very serious process. (I'm sure the heavy narcotic sedation helps. But thanks just the same!)