Update on my Kitties

An update on my kitties, Pepper and Daisy:  Pepper is extra loving since her two week adventure somewhere outside. I think she is very happy to be back. Daisy has learned to be a little more independent. She used to follow Pepper to the living room, but she finally comes out on her own starting when Pepper was away. I think she found that it was okay to come out, so now Daisy comes out and Pepper follows.

Pepper has become more loving!

Daisy has become more brave!

I have complained a lot that my nails have become dry, brittle and very week. I hear I'm not getting enough protein. I have not changed my eating pattern substantially, so I don't think that is the problem. I am getting chemotherapy. It is Herceptin. It doesn't make me feel bad, but it could have an affect on my heart. I will have an echocardiogram in a couple of weeks to see if there is a problem. A doctor friend of mine suggested that the chemotherapy may be causing my nail problem. It is frustrating because it breaks even in the nail bed. I have used creams, lotions and oils on my nails. I'm not sure they help. I also have tried pills like Biotin and a multivitamin. I still take those.  That would be long term if it is going to help!  So, I think I have tried all the types of polishes for strengthening my nails. Most don't last well at all and my nails were still breaking!  Well I saw that OPI has this nail strengthener called Nail Envy. When I go for a pedicure, I pick OPI, as it lasts much longer than other nail polishes.  I think I finally found what works!  If you have a problem with you nails, check out OPI. I am really impressed and relieved to find something that works!  By the way, gel does not work for me because they file across the whole nail to help make it stick better. My nails are already thin. I don't need more of it removed.

My daughter Shelley talked about going to the coast for Independence Day. I just thought "hot and crowded".  Ugh. Neither of these are appealing to me. Then she said that there was a concert and fireworks show on the other side of town. I bowed out of this also for the same reason.  I know I would have loved this when I was younger.  I no longer enjoy this. There used to be a fireworks display put on at Bakersfield College three blocks away. We didn't see the ground displays from my home, but we did see the ones shot into the night sky from my front yard. They stopped this because of cost.  I liked when I could see it from my home, because I can go into my home immediately and cool down.

My daughter Ronda in Illinois sent me pictures of their celebration.  Their food sounded great. Here is a picture of Ronda and her partner Tom.

Tom and Ronda

Our Red Hat group met at Dewars, a local well-known ice cream parlor.  This is a once a year event.  My daughter Shelley and I enjoyed it a lot. I brought my own whipped cream because they use marshmallow cream.  Shelley got ........... And I got a banana split.  This is a once a year experience.  I also took a sweater because it can get soooo cold in there. It is okay for a few minutes, but after a bit, I feel it in my bones!  They also have wonderful chews which are addictive to me. I took some peanut butter chews home. As you might notice, extremes in temperatures are very difficult for me to handle!  And, I was not always like this!

Me, Evelyn and Shelley, my daughter

Me and my daughter Shelley

Those of us who came for ice cream:
In back Claudia, Jo
in front Shelley, Evelyn, me and Judie

Judie, one of our Red Hat ladies asked if anyone had given shots and Shelley said "Rachel has".  She needed an estrogen shot in her bottom. I could not draw up the liquid to give the shot, but then this young woman comes in who was an RN. She did it but was unwilling to give the shot. I tried twice and the needle would not go in. We got Evelyn who noted the end was in two parts (a deformed needle) which was probably the reason it wouldn't go in.  I was just imagining how much this was hurting her. I wasn't willing to push harder. So she was going to take it home and put a new needle on it.  That was stressful!  And to think I used to have a terrible fear of needles.  I don't want anyone to hurt from this!  Next time we meet in September,  it will be at the Crystal Palace.

I drew another toad.  We have class on Tuesday.  This six week round we will be drawing a peacock, a lizard and a snake.

Another Toad!

I did have dinner at Mexicali's with my friend Janet and she is doing well.  And that was my week.  It was even a little slower, but that is okay.  I expect to be doing more this next week.  I do hope you have a good week and I will see you next Sunday.               Rachel