grocery shopping w/jer

So...I went to the grocery store JUST for a case of water and milk...

Well, I walked in and thought as I was walking by produce, it sure would be nice to have some apples and bananas...and the grapes looked really good so I picked up some of those too. My mom told me on the phone tonight that if I spend a certain amount of money that I get free items, so I looked at the ad and it said if I spend $50 I get a free bag of salad. Well, I wasn't going to spend that much but thought I could use the lettuce anyway, so I grabbed a bag. And for some reason, this morning I was thinking about celery and peanut butter. I don't know why...just sounded good. And celery is healthy...so I grabbed a bunch while I was still wandering around the veggies. Then I picked up the case of water...and on the next aisle over was slim fast stuff. So I decided, eh, might as well try it. But I couldn't decide if I should buy the premade shakes or the mix to make them myself...so I bought both! lol. So then I walked down the back aisle and picked up some tortillas. I'm not sure why, I don't have cheese or beans or meat to make anything with the tortillas...but I threw them in anyway. Then I walked further down that back aisle to get the milk. As I was walking away from the milk section I noticed the yogurt and saw it was on sale, and it's a healthy little snack, so I picked up four little yogurts too. When I passed the bread aisle I thought, I have all that chicken-in-a-can that I bought at Costco a few weeks ago...I could have sandwiches if I only had bread...so I found some whole wheat bread and threw that in my cart. Well, then on my way out of the bread aisle there were marshmallows on sale for only $.89...and the other night I made myself hot chocolate and wished I had marshmallows to put in it--so I figured I'd pick some up just in case. As I was walking towards the front, I was thinking about the tamale casserole I made last night (and put it in the freezer), and I decided I needed some vegetables to go with it--so I went to the frozen food aisle and picked up a couple of those bags that you just throw in the microwave to steam (amazing invention). Then I saw a lady wearing a really cute sweater and remembered that I didn't have any laundry soap and pretty much finished Marks (he does laundry at my place once in a while)--so I ran back to that aisle and found Arm and Hammer to replace his. But I needed something kinda girly, so it's the "mountain fresh" smelling kind. So at this point I'm looking at my cart, wondering how it got to be so full, and decided I better just leave. But on the way out I walked by the stand with those Special K snack bars, and they were on sale 2 boxes for $5, so I grabbed two boxes and threw them in too!

$63 later...I'm home. lol. I think I need to make a list next time.

Well. No other way to say this other than to just say it...

My dad's cancer, once thought to be gone, is back. And it's spread. The doctor here in town didn't do the proper scan after dad's last surgery, he just said they got everything and took him off chemo and put him on shots (the same as chemo, just a lower dosage). So dad went in for another scan at the end of last month, thinking that everything was going to be gone and he would be completely finished with treatments. But instead they found a couple of spots of cancer back in the original location...and a "dark spot" on his liver. After seeing a specialist last week in Los Angeles about the "dark spot", and going through a few more tests, he was told that there are actually FIVE spots on his liver. The good news is that they MIGHT be able to treat it. He has a few options for treatment, and they are all experimental. Basically, the treatment could either dissolve the cancer, or it could cause it to grow. The doctor he has now, the specialist in LA, is known for his work with melanoma...so we know my dad is in good hands. Please keep him, the doctor, my family, and this whole process, in your prayers.

a few pics from my Oregon trip. :-)


the snow, on the way to search for Salt Creek Falls...we never did find it. :-)


a fun waterfall on the side of the road. there were literally hundreds, flowing right down the mountain next to the road on the way home. i just had to snap a picture of this one.


Mark and I at the OR coast on the way home...a LONG day


PRETTY! The OR coast.


Salmon Creek Falls


Portland, OR. Look closely on the left, it's Tiffany! And across the street is Chipotle. Fitting, that my two favorite places should be so near each other. haha.


Mark, ready for liftoff (at OMSI)


This is part of the inside of OMSI...so fun! Science museum for kids, kids of all ages!


Mark and I on our way out...we stayed until close!


This is shorty...one of two dogs living at Mark's parents home.