Newsletter October 19, 2014

Quick recap – Keep in mind that I am a half full person, not half empty, so I share the following with you as friend and family so you can enjoy that there is never a dull moment in my life.

I had a big to do list I wanted to work through this summer since I was going to be out of work, and I was going to be a woman of leisure. There were yard projects and house projects and some little day trips to take. I have a pinched sciatic nerve from a disc that slipped years ago that I wanted to take care of. You get the idea.

It all went by the wayside when my mammogram, now done digitally, was the basis for a diagnosis of Stage Zero Breast Cancer. After over a dozen medical appointments, tests, biopsy, consultations, etc. The first lumpectomy was done July 21. Then the surgeon decided to take a bit more out, which was done Sept 5th and he told me everything came back clean, nonthing had spread, the one lymph node taken out for study showed no cancer. No chemotherapy is called for.

Next step, and I believe I am up to appointment 20 by now, was consulting with an oncologist who is deciding on a course of radiation. He said the type of cancer I had has a 5 percent chance of coming back if I have radiation and 30-50% if I do not. Basically he plans on about six weeks of radiation, five days a week. Those of you that know the San Diego area, I live just west of Alpine and the place for radiation is up in the Rancho Bernardo / Penasquitos area, approx one hour away. He said the actual office time, including prep and treatment, will be about an hour. So about 3 hours each day.

Since I teach on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I asked that the time be scheduled so I can go after the morning class, go home, take a nap and go back to the evening class.

All prayers are welcome. There are people in much worse shape than me. My situation mostly involves lots and lots of appointments, so a time thing. No chemotherapy, no pain, good prognosis.

But I did want you folks to know.

Keep me in your prayers… and if you know any good restaurants or shops I should make a point of visiting in the Rancho Bernardo / Penasquitos area that I might not know about, let me know.

It is Zorro the Mouse here. It looks like I may have to step in and do a bit more of the work on the VacaChat tonight, since the Dude has been under the weather. I really feel so sorry for you two-leggers...you all seem to have very sensitive tummies. I can eat just about everything--if there is a bit of mold on it, or bacteria--we mice just call that "seasoning."

I may have to help finish the latest woodworking project, as that is what the Dude was working on when he got sick. It is a telescope mount for his camera and telescope. All I know is that being in the backyard with the telescope means that in the winter months, it gets very cold when we are out there. So I guess I had better start working on that winter coat! (Of course, I could just be lazy and do what I did last year--just used the Dude's credit card to order a mousie-sized sweater from North Face.

Well, I hope to see you all at VacaChat tonight, and I'll read the story for the day. And I will have my Giants uniform on!

			Chatter News
	A Note from the Dude		Chatter News		Prayer Requests		Vaca Blog

	Sharoot	Sharoot's featured pictures can be found at the end of each newsletter, under Photos of the Week. She says that since they are located at the end, then "Sharoot's the Caboose!" Today Sharoot shares with us a couple of photos from a VERY exciting event!

	ChatterChopz	To celebrate her birthday, CC again hosted a party for all the little ones in her life. This year she took them to the zoo. Two of the littlest had never been there before and it was great fun to see their awe and wonderment as they explored. Even though we didn't have time to see all the animals we did get to see some of the biggest, some of the smallest and some of the most beautiful. LOTS of pictures are now available on our website http://chatterchopz.com/Birthday%202014/birthday_2014.html

	*Elsalynda*	Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the City: Holy Days Inspire Contemplation, is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20141015/NEWS/141019676

	We'd love to include more news of VacaChatters. If you have something you'd like to share (something about you or your family) or if you know of exciting news about another chatter that they're just too shy to share, please send it to us! (We won’t run it without that chatter’s permission, however.)


	VacaDude's Brother-in-law, Duke	I would ask for prayers and well-wishes for my brother-in-law Richard "Duke" Paiz, who suffered a stroke last week, and is currently in the hospital in Roseville, CA. He was nearly gone on Friday, but seems to have rallied on Saturday. Duke married my oldest sister Beverly in the late 1950s. Because my parents were at an advanced age when they had me (Mom was 41, dad was 46), and my dad had a massive heart attack when I was three, they made arrangements with Bebe and Duke that they would raise me until I was 18. So Duke was only a couple of heartbeats away from being my dad. As it was, we were very close, and I did a lot of camping and road trips with them. They never did have children of their own.

	*KSBorn*	KSBorn was in regression for lymphoma and breast cancer. It has since returned and she's going for Chemo now. She and her doctors are attacking it vigorously and she needs our prayers. She needs our prayers for healing, for the Lord to guide her doctors, and for the peace and strength as she undergoes the treatment.

	*VacaDude and his cousin, Kevin*	UPDATE: I also wanted to give an update about my cousin Kevin. He has undergone four sessions of chemo, and according to the latest CT scans, it looks like he is showing excellent response to the treatments. Three of the four tumors have shrunk to near nothingness, and the main one has shrunk from 2.1cm to 7mm in diameter. So I thank you for all of the prayers! The treatments have been a horrible struggle for him, so it is very good to see that the effort has been worth it. Frankly, the hardest part seems to be keeping the spirits up, and the attitude positive. So thank you again!!

	*BugGirl*	BugGirl is recovering well. She's still not allowed to drive, though.

	*Marilyn Crabb*	We received this message this week from a long-time Molly watcher: I don't join the online chats but I read the newsletter and was a Molly watcher from the beginning. Last week, I was diagnosed with stage 2B (or greater) breast cancer and am undergoing lots of further tests and will begin chemotherapy on Tuesday. Please add me to the prayer list. UPDATE: Thank you for your prayers. I'm doing really well after my first chemotherapy treatment. One week down - nineteen to go. Then surgery and radiation. I have more tests scheduled to see if the cancer has spread beyond my armpit but so far it does not look like it has. My screen name was/is MarilynLA on UStream. (Marilyn from Los Angeles)

	*Littleguys*	UPDATE: The latest news from Littleguys: Quick recap – Keep in mind that I am a half full person, not half empty, so I share the following with you as friend and family so you can enjoy that there is never a dull moment in my life. I had a big to do list I wanted to work through this summer since I was going to be out of work, and I was going to be a woman of leisure. There were yard projects and house projects and some little day trips to take. I have a pinched sciatic nerve from a disc that slipped years ago that I wanted to take care of. You get the idea. It all went by the wayside when my mammogram, now done digitally, was the basis for a diagnosis of Stage Zero Breast Cancer. After over a dozen medical appointments, tests, biopsy, consultations, etc. The first lumpectomy was done July 21. Then the surgeon decided to take a bit more out, which was done Sept 5th and he told me everything came back clean, nonthing had spread, the one lymph node taken out for study showed no cancer. No chemotherapy is called for. Next step, and I believe I am up to appointment 20 by now, was consulting with an oncologist who is deciding on a course of radiation. He said the type of cancer I had has a 5 percent chance of coming back if I have radiation and 30-50% if I do not. Basically he plans on about six weeks of radiation, five days a week. Those of you that know the San Diego area, I live just west of Alpine and the place for radiation is up in the Rancho Bernardo / Penasquitos area, approx one hour away. He said the actual office time, including prep and treatment, will be about an hour. So about 3 hours each day. Since I teach on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I asked that the time be scheduled so I can go after the morning class, go home, take a nap and go back to the evening class. All prayers are welcome. There are people in much worse shape than me. My situation mostly involves lots and lots of appointments, so a time thing. No chemotherapy, no pain, good prognosis. But I did want you folks to know. Keep me in your prayers… and if you know any good restaurants or shops I should make a point of visiting in the Rancho Bernardo / Penasquitos area that I might not know about, let me know.

	*Caboval*	Caboval is in need of our prayers for her dog, Joey. You can read more about Joey and his struggles here: http://gfwd.at/1n8NU0h.

		UPDATE on Joey! Caboval writes: “Joey is in remission but the chemo almost killed him. He was in liver failure and the Dr gave him a 50/50 chance to live. He made it through that and we have had 3 really good weeks. He was so happy and acting like a puppy, but now he is starting to not eat again and he vomited today so I don't know… It's a rollercoaster. I have a feeling he is having liver issues again. I do really need those prayers!!!”

	*Elsalynda*	We got this message from elsa last week: Hi all, Thanks for all your prayers. This computer is so hard to type on. I dislike it but will have to use it for now. I saw the MGH sleep specialist today for consult and got some scary news. My apnea is severe and REM behavior disorder is rare and correlated with parkinson's disease. There is not much treatment available for the REM but I will try what there is. Please pray for me again. I am worried. Your elsalynda

	*GentleDoe*	It was great to see GentleDoe in chat. Here is the latest update from her: Dad: My sister has taken him out of the assistive living complex she had put him in. He is now in her home receiving hospice care. My sister is not contacting us or answering my mother's calls so we are only receiving second-hand updates from an aunt. As of last weekend, August 23rd - 25th, my father had a urinary tract infection. There was problems with his medication. They did not get his depression medication ordered before the weekend so he was without his medication the weekend of the 23rd - 25th. Also, since he left the assistive living home, he has been overdosed on his seizure medication. As of last week he still had the UTI & was not lucid. My aunt could not get him to understand who she was on the phone & he kept referring to my sister has his wife. My mother does not know this yet. Mom: She has been doing better with her medication with the latest change of a reduction in her blood pressure medication. Her cardiologist has recommended water aerobics which we are looking into. The lack of communication with my father has her very upset & depressed. Me: I've had some health issues since last Wednesday. My doctor is away until after the Labor day holiday. I'm still experiencing a good bit of pain as well. I'm trying to take care of mom, birds, bunnies & all of the various issues with my father/sister situation. It is so sad that my sister now has complete control over my father & everything in his name. My mother nor I have been able to speak to my father in over two weeks now. I'm concerned that if the lawyer does not get moving that we may not get to spend any time with him or give him our love before he passes. I do not know his medical condition, other than what is told second-hand to me or my mother! Friday, AT&T cut off my mother's phone service. We were told it was an order that the phone service was moving out of the area. I spent several hours Friday evening trying to get it straightened out with AT&T & was told it would be back on within 2 to 4 hours at 8 PM. Saturday morning still no service, called again spent from 9:30 am until after 12:30 PM when we were cut off without it being resolved. Called back & got another customer service person who was no help & could not get a supervisor. Had to rest for a bit & did not get anyone before AT&T was closed for the long Labor day weekend. My phone service has also gotten messed up with AT&T. I had my phone service moved to my mother's since I am now staying with her for now. They installed the Uverse internet & phone service but did not disconnect my home line at my house. Still haven't found out about what is happening with my AT&T cell phone. I may totally stop my AT&T phone services if I can't get this straightened out. Please keep my family in prayer especially that things can be resolved so that my mother & I can have contact with my dad as well as the other issues over my dad's POA (my father put my mother as the person on his POA but somehow my sister has taken over), my mother's health, & me with my health issues, surgery may be in the near future. My big prayer request is that my mother & I get to spend time with my father before we lose him, mentally or physically. Hope to see everyone in chat.

	Shari in Memphis	UPDATE!!! Just received this from Shari: "So kind of you to keep prayers going for me. I was hospitalized in November for an event (that just yesterday my doc said was severe enough that it could have killed me) and have pretty much been sick ever since. I'm trying to be patient as doc said it would take 6 months to a year, to fully recover."
	Shari in Memphis


	Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts for owl our wonderful VacaFamily members! If you have any prayer requests, updates or news of answered prayers, please let us know. Email us with the information so it can be included in the next newsletter.

	A Message from Zorro		StoryTime News		StoryTime Archives
							Recipe of the Week


	*Next StoryTime*	TODAY!!!! Sunday, October 19 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT

	*Title*	*Tauntz and the Intruders!*

	*Invitation*	We need story writers! Please consider dropping in and checking out the fun we have writing the stories. Honestly, it's not at all difficult to join in and you'll surely be glad you did.
	*Invitation*

Black and White Spider Cookies

Owl Cookies

Yarn-Wrapped Owl Frame

http://www.allfreekidscrafts.com/Kids-Decorative-Crafts/Yarn-Wrapped-Owl-Picture-Frame-from-Lion-Brand

Burned Glue Owl

	Hello Vriends,
	I hope you all had a great week. Frankly, I've had better. Mine started with some frantic calls Sunday evening on the YouTube project. I had asked earlier in the previous week what the schedule was, and they let me know that they needed to do integration on Monday. So I worked through the night, getting only three hours of sleep. We had made arrangements on Monday to deliver final files Tuesday afternoon. That's when the project manager called and said that wouldn't work--that they were having the demo for the CEO of YouTube early Tuesday afternoon. He let me know this at 6pm Monday night. So I worked through the night--getting NO sleep this time. I got the files delivered with seconds to spare, and collapsed on the couch to watch the baseball game. The Giants won that game on a walk-off bunt, and I barely stayed awake. Then I went to Old Sacramento to have dinner with my siblings. I'm thinking it was here that I either ate something bad, or breathed something bad, because it was one of the few times I had set foot outside the home all week, and the lack of sleep meant that my immune system was compromised. So I completed some other projects later in the week, but then got some terrible news--my brother-in-law suffered a massive stroke and was in the hospital. Had a photo club meeting on Wednesday night. I had thoughts of going to the hospital on Friday. Thursday night we watched the Giants win the championship, so they were set to play the Kansas City Royals in the World Series. Well, they won! I was excited, then I fell asleep. I woke up early on Friday, and worked in the woodshop for a while, until nausea took over. I had the chills, fever, and horrible nausea. I couldn't keep anything down. I guess it was either stomach flu or food poisoning. Then I learned that my brother-in-law had not eaten all day Friday, and could not be woken by attendants. Unfortunately, there was no way I could go visit, because I had no idea how contagious I was. Well, my sister went to visit Saturday, and the report she gave that night was somewhat hopeful. He had awoken, and they actually got to talk with him for a while. The CT scan they did Saturday afternoon revealed no further bleeding in the brain, so the doctors are cautiously optimistic. So that's where things stand. I'm feeling around 75% energy level myself. I'm still waiting to hear from the YouTube manager to see if I have notes and/or need to do anything in the next few days. I hope he doesn't call tonight and say he needs a whole bunch more work done for Monday morning. I'm not going to put myself through that again so soon. I could do that when I was in my 20s...not so much now. I imagine I will make a trip to Roseville to visit my brother-in-law at some point next week--after I recuperate. I just want to do everything I can to avoid a repeat of this last week. These ld bones are really feeling it. So have a good week, everyone--and hope to talk with you tonight!
	Cheers, VacaDude

	Check out VacaDude's blog! Don't forget to send VacaDude your comments to let him know how much you appreciate him, his time & his talent!
	http://vacadude.wordpress.com/

	Hello there, Everbuddy!
	It is Zorro the Mouse here. It looks like I may have to step in and do a bit more of the work on the VacaChat tonight, since the Dude has been under the weather. I really feel so sorry for you two-leggers...you all seem to have very sensitive tummies. I can eat just about everything--if there is a bit of mold on it, or bacteria--we mice just call that "seasoning." I may have to help finish the latest woodworking project, as that is what the Dude was working on when he got sick. It is a telescope mount for his camera and telescope. All I know is that being in the backyard with the telescope means that in the winter months, it gets very cold when we are out there. So I guess I had better start working on that winter coat! (Of course, I could just be lazy and do what I did last year--just used the Dude's credit card to order a mousie-sized sweater from North Face. Well, I hope to see you all at VacaChat tonight, and I'll read the story for the day. And I will have my Giants uniform on!
	Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro

	Cabbage for Those Who Dislike Cabbage (Even TDB, an avowed cabbage hater, likes this.)
	Ingredients
	2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon oil 8 cups shredded green cabbage (about 1 normal-sized head) 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 4-5 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar Salt Fresh ground black pepper

	Directions
	In a large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat; add cabbage, garlic and brown sugar to pan. Sauté until the cabbage is limp, about 5 minutes or so. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in vinegar. Cook, stirring very often, for approximately 20 minutes; taste and if cabbage is too crunchy for you, continue to cook for a few more minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.


	Cuatro Leches Cake Easy Four Milk Cake
	Ingredients:
	1 Box Butter Golden or Yellow Cake mix, prepared in a greased 9x13 pan according to directions 16 ounces caramel sauce (or dulce de leche) 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk 12 ounces evaporated milk 1 cup heavy cream 16 ounces whipped topping
	Directions:
	After cake has been prepared according to package directions, poke holes all in the top of it. Stir together condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Pour over hot cake. Allow cake to cool slightly and milks to be absorbed. Spread caramel over cooled cake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Ice cake with whipped topping and serve immediately or cover and return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.

	Owl Cams				Other Nature Cams		Video Picks of the Week		Inspiration
			Other Bird Cams

Barn Owls
	Nicassio Owl Box Salt and Pepper	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nicasio-owl

	HOP - MAGC Barn Owls	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/magc-owls

	Owlceanside Mel and Sydney	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/owlceanside

	Felix Neck Owl Cam Martha’s Vineyard	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/felix-neck-owl-cam

	The Owl Cam	http://www.ustream.tv/owlchannel

	Barn Owls in Minden, Nevada	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/barn-owls-in-minden-nevada

	Port of Stockton Barn Owl Cams	http://www.portofstockton.com/owl-cams

	Hosted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology Located in Texas	http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/42/Barn_Owls/

Other Owls


	The Caring Owl in South Africa	http://www.thecaringowl.co.za/

	PPO (Potted Plant Owl) in South Africa	https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pot-Plant-Owl/148721154229

	Alessondra’s Owl Cam in Oklahoma City	http://ustream.tv/okcowlcam The three owlets have fledged.

	Rusty and Iris in Houston, Minnesota	http://www.internationalowlcenter.org/ourowls/rustyandiris/livecams

	Burrowing Owls Tri-Cities, Washington	http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/owlcam/video_burrowing2.html

	Project Snow Storm	http://www.projectsnowstorm.org/

Puffins
	Shetland Islands Puffins	http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/

	Sea Island, Maine Puffin Burrow	http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-burrow-cam

	Sea Island, Maine Puffin Loafing Ledge	http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam These pages also contain links to numerous other nature cams.

Eagles
	Black Eagle South Africa		http://www.africam.com/wildlife/black_eagle_webcam The first egg hatched on June 6!.

	Decorah Eagles Decorah, Iowa	http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

	Berry College Eagle Cam Mt. Berry, Georgia	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/berry-eagle-cam

		http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/index.htm

Peregrine Falcons
	PA Falcon Cam Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	http://www.pacast.com/players/falcon.asp

	Commerce Tower Peregrines Kansas City, Missouri	http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-cameras/peregrine-falcon-web-camera Cam not live now but should be returning soon.

	Pitt Peregrine Falcon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam1

	Gulf Tower Peregrine Falcon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam2

	Emily Falcon Cam Caloundra, Australia	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emily-falcon-cam

	RFalconCam Rochester, New York	http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/

Talking Birds
	Watch the Birdie Bibi, the African Gray	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Watch-the-Birdie

	Disco Talking Parakeet	https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJumpinJude/videos

Other Birds

	California Condor San Diego Zoo Safari Park San Diego, California	http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/condor-cam

	KC Zoo Penguin Cam Kansas City, MO	http://www.kansascityzoo.org/penguincam

	Whidbey Island Back Porch Whidbey Island, WA Rufous hummingbirds and other assorted birds	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/katersch

	Hellgate Ospreys Missoula, Montana Sponsored by Cornell	http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/

	Ostrich Chicks (Live Again! New Chicks!)		http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ostrich-egg-cam-live

	Streaming Bird Cams List of many cams	http://www.beakspeak.com/

Pandas
	San Diego Zoo Pandas	www.sandiegozoo.org (click on live cams) or http://www.ustream.tv/sandiegozoo. Zoo's blogs: http://blognew.sandiegozoo.org/category/animals-and-plants/giant-pandas/

	Twin Pandas at Zoo Atlanta	http://www.zooatlanta.org/1212/panda_cam#ff_s=aDIEl

	Giant Panda Cam National Zoo Washington, DC	http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/giant-panda.cfm

Bears
	Kansas City Polar Bears Nikita and Berlin	http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-berlin-polar-bear-cam

	Brown Bears and Salmon Katmai National Park Alaska (off season- will return)	http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls (lots of other cams at this site, as well)

	Black Bears Ely, Minnesota	http://www.bear.org/website/live-cameras/live-cameras/holly-bears-den-cam-live.html

Other Animal and Nature Sites
	Golden Paw-Prints Classic Golden Retrievers Oshkosh, Wisconsin		http://www.ustream.tv/channel/golden-retriever-puppy-cam EIGHT beautiful puppies!

	San Diego Zoo and Safari Park	http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/

	The Pet Collective (many live cams)	http://www.thepetcollective.tv/livestreams/

	Critter Chat Cams Multi-Critter Site with Chat	http://critterchatcams.org/

	Friends of Felines Rescue Center Defiance, Ohio	www.ustream.tv/ffrc

	Little House Prairie Village, Kansas	http://www.tomnliz.com/Livecam/

	CC's Page of Links (scheduled for updating)	http://chatterchopz.com/links/camslinks.htm

Other Sites of Interest

Some Interesting Information About Someone We All Know Well
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1511369/


International Space Station Links
During a recent broadcast the Dude talked about the websites where one can view the spacestation and the view that the astronauts have. Here are the links: This one has the map, but no chat. http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/HDEV/ This site has a chat room. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iss-hdev-payload

An Old Kansas City Owl
The Junction at the intersection of Ninth, Delaware and Main Streets of Kansas City, MO in the spring of 1906. None of these buildings exist today.

			Fun Animations and Pictures		Photos of the Week				Zorro's Word of the Week
	Just for the Fun of It						Kyle's Jokes of the Week

	Kyle's well known among his friends for his "triple groaner" riddles and jokes. Now he shares them with VacaFamily. Enjoy!


	What is the best time to see the dentist? At Tooth Hurty

	What do you call Chewbacca when he has chocolate stuck in his hair? A Chocolate Chip Wookie

	A fellow was sitting in the doctor's waiting room, and said to himself every so often, "Boy, I hope I'm sick!" After about the fifth or sixth time, the receptionist couldn't stand it any longer, and asked, "Why in the world would you want to be sick, Mr. Jones?" The man replied, "I'd hate to be well and feel like this."

	What did the rabbit say to the carrot? It's been nice gnawing you.