Monday, November 19, 2018

Re-Connecting and Some Projects

Hello Blog Friends, if anyone is still following me I just want to say that's AMAZING considering the fact that I haven't posted in well over a year!
Yes, I'm still here and  I do still pop in on your blogs to see how you're doing.
For those who remember that my husband Toby had been battling cancer I would like to give you all an update.  Just to recap and bring you up to date Toby had been diagnosed with cancer. He had undergone surgery,chemo and radiation but it was a very aggressive cancer and was still growing. Well more surgery wasn't an option and he entered a clinical trial in the summer of 2017 and he is still in that trial. I am so grateful and happy to report that the cancer is 99 percent gone!!! It has been an amazing thing to see the results on the MRI's that are done every 2 months. We have every reason to believe he will be totally cured from this cancer that has taken a devastating toll on his body. I must tell you that blogging became too difficult as we went through this journey and all of my energy was focused on helping him get through the most difficult time of his life. God NEVER left our side and His strength and love is what enabled us to get through it all. He'll be in the clinical trial for another 4 months and then go into maintenance mode.  For anyone who has been given a cancer diagnosis I just want to say NEVER give up hope. New therapies are opening up at a rapid pace such as the immunotherapy drug Toby was on, research clinical trials if the standard therapy of chemo and radiation is not working and trust in God to help you through. We will never forget the love, support and prayers so many of you gave us during the hardest times of his cancer journey and for that we are eternally grateful

So now on to decor stuff....we've been in our home for almost 3 years now and I think I finally have the energy to start doing some serious decorating. I had done up a couple fall planters for our porch and wanted to show them to you before I replace them with Christmas planters.




I also completed a few more projects that I had be wanting to get to....



Here is an arbor I purchased a couple of months ago, I planted a Madison Confederate Jasmine on it as it has a more compact growth than other jasmines and the flowers are more abundant and sweeter orange blossom aroma. You can't really see it in this pic but since first  planted it's put on about three feet of growth in a very short period of time, I'll show you it in full bloom next spring and summer.

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When we moved in the yard was mostly dirt and weeds, I was able to buy some sod squares from home depot and fill in the bare spots in the front lawn as well as spray and dig up the weeds. It's looking much better now.


A group of Limelight Hydrangeas planted along the back fence with blue plumbago in the foreground. The mulch hadn't gone in yet so you still see the drip lines.


A blue Vitex Chaste Tree planted in the corner with coneflowers in front of it.



These Impatiens looked beautiful but our frost last week did them in, boo hoo.



Randomly planted coleus but of course the frost got them too but I did manage to take some cuttings and root inside to plant out again next spring.


I've got a few big projects planned in the near future with the help of my daughter. We plan on putting in new counter tops in the kitchen and putting shiplap up in the master bedroom so stay turned as I hope to be posting on a more regular basis.
Well that's it, I just wanted to share some of what is happening in our lives and reconnect with you all. I hope you are all doing great and are ready for the holidays.




18 comments:

  1. Lovely to see your post and your very positive news today Teresa. So wonderful that your husband was included in the clinical trial. You have made lovely progress in your yard, it looks lush and inviting.
    Joy

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    1. Hello Joy and thank you so much for stopping by. We are so grateful that he was included in the trial, I believe I would not have him with me today otherwise. And thank you for you nice comments about the yard, it was lots of hard work with more ahead but everything is growing really well. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  2. Teresa it is so great to see you pop up in my email that you have a post. I am beyond excited and happy for Toby. This is a miracle in so many ways. God was with you and listen to the prayers and helped you get on this path to free him from Cancer. I bet you are so happy to be blessed with this great news. As a past oncology nurse it gives me such hope that the new treatments being released and study are showing such promise. It is amazing how treatments can be done to each individual and are not as harsh and work so much better now. Hoping these new drugs and advanced treatments will help to eliminate cancer all together someday. Your new home's garden looks beautiful. So good to hear from you. I have thought of you often and wonder how things were going.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Oh Kris it's so sweet of you to still be following me. Yes it is a miracle indeed, the immunotherapy has be a Godsend for Toby and he has had very little side effects, mainly anemia. It's my hope too that one day these new therapies will free us all from cancer, it's looking very hopeful indeed. I want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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  3. God is good! So glad to here your husband is doing better. Your fall planter is beautiful.

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    1. Thank you so much and yes God is indeed good! Thank you for stopping by and leaving such kind comments. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  4. Teresa, this is fate. Just yesterday I was wondering about your blog and how things were going with Tobey. I lost my mom to brain cancer and it thrills me to read this. My heart is overwhelmed for you with joy. Tell him he made feel happiness that he won the battle. You had every reason to stay away from blogging. Happy to see you back and this blogger supports you through it all.

    This will be a joyous season for you.

    Cindy

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    1. Cindy I'm so very sorry about your Mom, cancer has taken so many good people from us. Thank you so much for thinking of us and yes it seems this post was meant to be. It just came to me yesterday that I really need to start posting again and let everyone know the wonderful news about Toby and I will let him know what you've said. Thank you for your kindness and your support. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!!

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  5. Teresa! I was just thinking about you yesterday! I had forgotten that I "met" you through a blog. When I saw this in my email box, I didn't realize it was you. I'm so glad I opened it to read the awesome news about Toby. I'm SO happy for both of you!! I'm still a follower, so bring on the new stuff ! God bless you both with continued healing, mercy and grace. BIG HUGS !!!

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    1. Oh Patty you dear sweet person, how have you been? Thank you so much for sticking with me and for all of the kind things you did for Toby and I, may God Bless you. I hope you are doing well and are planning a wonderful Thanksgiving. Take care my friend.

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  6. What a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas it will be this year as you have so, so much to be thankful for regarding your husband's health - fabulous news! Love the picture of the sod - is that a deer I see in the background?

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    1. Yes it will indeed be a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas with so much to be thankful for. Yes that IS a deer in the background, I never even noticed it until you pointed it out haha. We live in the Sam Houston National Forest and there are deer everywhere here, they have no fear of people and are quite smart regarding cars on the street. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas Margaret and thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. God Bless you.

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    1. Yes to both, God is so awesomely good! Thank you Wendy for stopping by and for the encouragement. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  8. Hi Teresa! It's so good to see you back on the blog and to read the amazing news about your husband! I pray that things continue to get better and better for him. Your yard is gorgeous... is that a deer I see in the background of the sod photo? Amazing!

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    1. Hello Penpen, so nice to hear from you and thanks for welcoming me back. We are so thankful to the Dr's at MD Anderson for everything they have done, it's like a miracle. Yes that's a deer, we live next to the forest and they visit all the time, we get to see the newborn fawn's and watch them grow throughout the year, we are very blessed.

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  9. Welcome back! Wonderful news about your husband, that's something to truly be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you Debbie, yes we are so very thankful for everything God has done. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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