Dear friends,
Remember I told you the Captain decided to give me something to look forward to, rather than more chemo….(more on that later)….so he brought in several of our sub-contractors from our flip houses to update parts of our kitchen.
in order to keep costs down, I suggested using existing cabinets. Cost and re-habing made more sense to me rather than destroying cabinets and buying new.
PLUS, the old cabinets had the wonderful slide drawers the Captain put in right after we moved in almost 11 years ago.
Which makes searching for a particular pot or bowl so easy using a pull out drawer.
By thee way Home Depot has many sizes to choose from.
I particularly love my stand up mixer on the shelf slide the Captain made.
My kitchen had two islands…one which sorta circled the wagons so to speak. The outer island consisted of a high bar seating 4, as well as a wine cooler, microwave cabinet and a bank of drawer, plus two double bottom cabinets.
I have designed and re-modeled so many kitchens over the years, that I knew most cabinet pieces (frames) are screwed together…and yes they can be difficult to work with and separate, which is why most people do a complete demo.
To further cut costs, I was leaving the wall cabinets in place and working on the outer island to combine with the inner island making one large island.
The difficulty being the different sizes and making them come together under a new countertop. Not easy. A couple home made “dummy” fill in’s made it happen.
Naturally Murphy’s Law reared its ugly head. The outer island had a few places with no tile under them!! Enter the need for new flooring, but not the same flooring…no longer in stock. lol
And now that the new bar is counter height..The existing bar stools need to be cut down by about 5 inches or so. (cost saving again)
I love the size of the new island…A little over 9 feet long and 5 1/2 feet wide. When we have finished, I will show you the end result.
The Captain has pretty much supervised the crew with many trips back to our bedroom, (which has become my “office”,) LOL…..and he has had many questions for my inputs on the new island.
There have been times I was strong enough to go to the kitchen and observe a particular tricky “how do you want to proceed with this little modification?”
Anything is such an improvement, that the decisions seem minor….that and combined with my health condition…any little problem or modification with a kitchen is a piece of cake.
When cancer strikes you…you have a quick attitude change of what is important and what is not.
So now I sequa to my health.
Meanwhile an update on my condition.
I was hoping the chemo was finished with last Wednesday’s 3 day drip …but I was told we had to continue drips for a few months more.
This was due to the ICU stay concerning the blood clot in the right atrium of my heart several weeks ago….and the hospital stay delayed more chemo.
We go back to Tampa and the Moffitt Cancer Center on the 6th of January for all the tests to see if the cancer has shrunk, or the Good Lord willing, gone for good.
I so appreciate all your cards and letters and all the prayers.
I know God hasn’t given up on me and I will never give up either….no matter the circumstances.
I am reminded of the words from a Sports cancer victim, a college basketball coach who encouraged so many with his statement of “Don’t give up, Don’t ever give up”
God is almighty and there is nothing He can’t do, if it is His Will.
“Right now, I am listening to the sound of silence but that is because I am following His teachings.
‘Be Still and Know That I am God” Psalm 46:10
The ICU stay was a bit of a set-back, but I am getting stronger everyday.
I must be strong for the upcoming 5 days of straight radiation treatments, please pray that my body will be able to tolerate this treatment.
Then I have 4 weeks to get off blood thinners and prepare for the Whipple Surgery.
One day at a time sweet friends.
One step at a time.
Please add our Pastor’s wife to your prayer list.
She is dealing with cancer also….the ovarian or colon…more tests needed for her.
Her name is Cindi.
Hey guys, we don’t know God’s plan….Perhaps I am still here to help Cindi and any other person this awful disease has attacked.
But what I can be sure of is His Love within me to give right back to all you wonderful near and dear friends and it is such a comfort.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I love you.
God Bless You!
Praying for you Kari. I know your faith is strong and you can beat this! Sending love and hugs from the East coast.
Hi Kari,
It’s always good to see another update from you. It is wonderful to know that you are resting in Him. Be Still is one of my favorite verses. Praying for you, and hoping you get great news on Jan 6th!
Liberty @ B4andAfters.com
Oh Kari Love…
you are getting a new kitchen! The Captain is sooooo good to you!
You do know that you are in my prayers each and every day! I know God has his loving arms wrapped around you!
Have a Merry and Still Christmas. Sending love to You and the Captain!
Kari, I love what you’ve done with your mixer!!! I have one like that and it’s a beast taking us so much room on our limited counter space. What a sweet surprise from your hubs!
‘Be Still and Know That I am God” Psalm 46:10, is the theme around my book “The Heart That Heals.” I’d still LOVE to send you a copy if you’ll connect with me at InstaEncouragements.com and send me your snail mail. 🙂
I’m still praying for you and hope you have a blessed holiday with friends and family celebrating our Savior’s birth. I will also be praying for your pastor’s wife. Take care! —Patsy
Kari, I have been wondering how you are doing. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Merry Christmas & Happy, Healthy New Year!
After reading today’s blog, I went back to your Journey of July :”My Journey begins”, I am so profoundly moved. Be Still and Know is how I feel. By the way, I also had wonderful treatment by that PA at Urgent Care, so impressed was I that I wrote a review about him and added his name to my contacts. Thank you for all the energy you are expending to keep us in your circle of care.
Aloha Kari! I was just in the cape & only had access to a car for 1 day. I wanted to see you, but didn’t just want to “pop in” as I know there are good days & not so good ones. I’m really glad to read your blog. The only thing missing from your new kitchen is you! I’m sure you can’t wait to start “playing” in it. Prayers to both you & Tom & Cindi. Please keep us informed. I think of you all the time. With much love.
Kari, it is so good to hear from you my friend. Always know you are in my prayers and thoughts. Your courage and strength through this journey have shown your faith in our Lord and Savior and that it is in His strength that you even in your weakness you are made strong. You are a testimony of grace. Your Captain is so loving to remodel the kitchen for you. I pray for a Merry and still Christmas for you, for the days ahead that your will regain your strength for the radiation and surgery. I will also pray for Cindi. I know that God has you in His hands. Sending my love and hugs!
Hi Kari~ So happy to hear from you! Blessings to you and Cindi. As always, you remain in my thoughts and prayers. Merry Christmas. Love and hugs. ❤️🤗
Praying for you..God is good
I’ve really been wondering how you’ve been doing. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and successful treatments to come. Praying for you.
Dear Kari, I’m praying for you, and I will pray for Cindi as well as many others with this dreaded disease. When you were working on the third floor at the overhaul base did you know a Bill Williams who was a Planner? If so pray for him. He has been through 4 different kinds of cancer and two of them were rare. He thinks he’s in remission, and he hopes he doesn’t get another cancer.
Kari, you and the Captain relax and have a good Christmas. You both need some really good things to happen now.
Love you,
Sandy
Dear Kari,
I have been thinking of you and I am sending prayers your way. May the gift of complete healing be yours at Christmas.
Blessings and Peace,
Jemma
It’s a gift to hear from you. I think about you and pray for you. Your captain is so thoughtful to give you something to look forward to.
Praying that 2020 is brighter and healthier.
Still checking in on you. You have been in my prayers constantly since Haven last summer. I hope you have a lovely Christmas day. God Bless!
Kari, you are always in my prayers and in my heart. You amazing faith and attitude has given strength to many, of this I am sure! Nothing like a new kitchen to spur your desire to beat this ugly thing in your life! All I want for Christmas is for your cancer to be a distant memory…wishing you much strength to go through this next phase, Merry Christmas Kari,
Jenna
Kari, I am praying for you every.single.night. I love you too, and I will pray for your strength as you’ve asked in these next few days of treatment. Peace be with you on the Winter Solstice. January 6 is the Epiphany. May your news be that of enlightened hope! Merry Christmas to you and your Captain. XO
Dear Kari, it was kinda nice seeing your kitchen remodel. Like old times. I continue to ask God to hold you on this journey. Keep going – one day at a time. We all only have the moment we’re in. I sound wise saying that but I waste so much time worrying about the future despite knowing that we can only live in the now. May we all try to live the best life we can each day. God bless you and I hope you and the Captain have a blessed Christmas. If you are lying awake and feel like praying for somebody in Ireland, pick me!!
love and may you be healthy and well and graced.
x x x
Wishing you a peaceful, merry Christmas! I think of u often.