SoapBoxVille 2.0

Newer, Better, Stronger, More Mature

  • About Me
  • About Soapboxville
  • The Cancer Diaries
Newer, Better, Stronger, More Mature

Weekly Winners

The Story of My Week as Told by the Photos, May 29 – June 4

June 5, 2011 by carol anne 28 Comments

~ waves ~ Hey! Welcome back. Thanks for stopping by. I’m so glad you could join me. I love visitors. Make yourself comfortable. It’s been a long week during which I had 3 good days to take pics. I’m using the text from Saturday’s catchup post to pull together this Weekly Winners / Sundays In My City / Straight Out of the Camera post. I hope you enjoy the sunset from Cape May County, the beautiful Morris Arboretum and our local duck pond.

This week’s photos were taken with my Canon Digital Rebel XT and my iPhone 3GS. Some of the Morris Arboretum photos were taken using the Camera+ app, which I’m still figuring out.

Sunday

We woke up early and were supposed to head down to Millville for the Millville Airshow. Unfortunately for us the Blue Angels were grounded for a safety violation the weekend before and just as we were getting ready to shower the power went out at Casa de Soapboxville. By the time the power came back on and we transferred the UPSes we use for our computers back from the fish tanks to the computers it was later in the day than we’d anticipated leaving. By the time we made it to Millville there was only an hour left to the show and traffic was non-existent so Chuck mentioned driving down to Cape May for dinner at the Lobster House. I’m always game for a trip to Cape May so off we went down to Cape May for a good meal. We got lucky and were seated right away. This is a minor miracle at the Lobster House, where the wait is often an hour or better. I had fried flounder and the hubs had sautéed scallops. Yum.

We were going to take a walk on the boardwalk in Wildwood but there was no parking to be had for block and blocks and the paid parking lots were asking $20 to park. For the amount of time we were actually going to stay up there we decided against paying to park. So we made our way to Laura’s for fudge for us and salt water taffy to give to folks in the Radiation Oncology department and Chuck’s coworkers. Everyone’s been so good to us I thought that some salt water taffy would be a nice treat to say thanks.

The ride home wasn’t bad either and I managed to get a few pics of the sun and sunset as we drove home. It was a really nice day and at least 10 degrees cooler in Cape May than it was at home.

Monday

Memorial Day and there was a heat advisory, the sun was strong and I had the day off from radiation treatments so I spent the day watching a marathon of the first season of West Wing on DVD. It was nice to relax, drink iced tea and watch one of my most favorite shows.

Tuesday

Tuesday began week 4 of my radiation treatments. As we were driving to the hospital, Donna, who is one of the radiation therapists called to tell me they were having trouble with the machine and that I should come later. Since dad was already waiting for me at the hospital I told her that I’d just wait it out. As it turned out I didn’t get out much later than I normally do. I seriously love those women. I don’t know how they do it but Donna, and Lauren and Maria and Denna and Jill and the new girl who’s name I have yet to remember are always pleasant and smiling and calm. When I worked at the magazine we’d all be pissed off and grouching and bitching that we couldn’t work if there were the slightest problems with the network or computers. How these women maintain such a good attitude on a daily basis is beyond me but I’m incredibly grateful for their good attitudes and daily kindnesses.

Wednesday

My halfway point!

15 treatments down, 15 to go. It also found me 234 days into my journey, which began on October 11, 2010. I was 4 weeks and 2 treatments days into my 7 week odyssey of radiation treatments. We ate pizza from Pizzeria Pesto for dinner and got ready to spend time at not 1, but 2 hospitals the next day.

Thursday

Treatment number 16 of 30. For the first time since my treatments began the first number was higher than the second number. I also saw my Oncologist, Dr. Hughes. I got a good report from her. She confirmed that the Neutrogena is the best sunscreen to use and added that I should not be out in the sun without a hat. My head still looks good, my vitals are good, my side effects are minimal and I’m feeling pretty good; a little tired, but pretty good otherwise. Everyone from the radiation therapists to my nurses to Dr. Hughes to Chuck all think my scalp is handling the radiation well.

I’d measure my relief later. I was in a hurry to get to Hahnemann Hospital to see my father. He had a heart catheterization and was scheduled to also have the blockage cleared and stay overnight. When Dr. Kussmaul (hope I’m spelling his name right) did the catheterization he said the blood vessel was too far back and the clog was too small and that surgical intervention or putting in another stent was too dangerous. He instructed my parents to talk to dad’s cardiologist, Dr. Victor to have it treated medically. Because they did not put a stent in dad was able to come home that afternoon. He has an appointment on Wednesday with Dr. Victor.

I’m on the fence about this development. Obviously part of me is glad they didn’t do anything that would be dangerous for dad but I’m also worried about the blockage growing or moving. I’m also worried about what exactly they’ll do for him medically. He’s already on at least 2 blood thinners; Effient and a daily aspirin. He bleeds pretty bad now. I can’t imagine how bad it will get if he’s on yet another blood thinner. I can’t do anything right now so I’ll think more about this on Wednesday when he goes for his appointment. If it’s later in the day maybe I’ll go with to listen to what Dr. Victor has to say.

Friday

Friday was a glorious day and since dad was not in the hospital Chuck and I decided to go to the Morris Arboretum after my radiation treatment was done for the day. We stopped in the city on our way out to the arboretum to pick mom up and take her to her weekly hair appointment. It was a long ride out to the arboretum and I was in search of a hat so we stopped at McDonalds for some lunch while searching for a strip mall with a clothing store. There was not a strip mall to be found within 5 miles of the arboretum so I called their gift shop from McDonalds to inquire if they sold hats. They do and so it was off to the arboretum. I was, or course covered in sunscreen — Neutrogena SPF 60 for sensitive skin. I Tweeted last week that I hated the Neutrogena sunscreen because it was too heavy but I did a better job of applying it this time and it wasn’t nearly as heavy, uncomfortable or yucky. I recommend it. I was out all afternoon at the arboretum and am as white as I was when I got up Friday morning.

I bought a straw hat at the gift shop before we set out on the trails. It was a gorgeous sunny, breezy afternoon. The arboretum is beautiful and we had a great day to be there. In addition to beautiful, trees, plants, flowers, fountains and a garden railway I saw quite a few chipmunks, ducks, birds, a spiderweb and a groundhog. The only downside to the day was they are currently playing host to an ungodly amount of gnats. They don’t bite but the swarms are creepy. I’d love to go back in the fall when all the trees are changing color. I bet it’s gorgeous in the snow also.

It took us 2 hours to get home in the weekend traffic. When we got home we took the kitties out for a walk in the beautiful spring sunshine on their leashes. It was a nice half an hour and then in we went to brush them real good and wipe them down from their outside adventures.

I was exhausted by evening and just about barely posted yesterday’s blog. What I wanted to say last night got tabled until today. If you see Chuck give him a hug. If you talk to Chuck tell him he’s a good husband. He took the day of my first radiation treatment off to be with me. He’s taken the last 3 Fridays off to be with me during my radiation treatments then spend the day with me. It’s made the fear and anxiety and worry more manageable to have a nice day to look forward to. Mr. Soapy’s a good egg with a good heart. I’m so blessed that he’s my husband. He’s been with me every step of the way right there by my side. I am well and truly blessed to have him right there by my side.

The next 3 photos are all of the same spot. I’m fascinated by the last photo. I couldn’t have done this were I trying but somehow I managed to capture the reflection of the sky. I actually had to look at it a few times to figure out what it actually was.

Saturday

We never did make it out in time for pretzels in the park. We did however have dinner at Outback, walk to the duck pond, stop for an iced caramel macchiato (me) and a Pop’s water ice (the hubs) for dessert and make stops at Target and Walmart to get some groceries and essentials.

I did something wrong and this photo came out really dark. (I will never make money as a photographer. LOL) However, I really like the way the water photographed in this pic.

You just know the goose is looking at me like, “Get that camera out of my face.”

Isn't this the cutest little kitty nose you've ever seen?

Love

I titled this one love. This is Mr. Soapy with Kupkake and Snöball. I stepped out to take a few photos the gorgeous late afternoon sunshine and as I came around the corner he was heading toward me with Snowy in the buggy and Cuppy in his arms. He’s the love of my life, my husband, my best friend, my rock, my strength, the person I love most in this world. He’s been by my side for almost 20 years now. I’m incredibly blessed.

I didn't even know they still made these

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please come back again next week. For more Weekly Winners, Sundays In My City, and Straight Out of the Camera posts visit …

and       and    

Posted in: Photos Tagged: duck pond, Morris Arboretum, Straight Out of the Camera, Sundays in my City, Washington Lake Park, Weekly Winners

The Week That Was, May 22-28

May 29, 2011 by carol anne 8 Comments

Hey! Welcome back. Thanks for stopping by. I love visitors.

It’s been quite the week around here with not a lot of time to take photos. The sun has returned to the South Jersey/Philadelphia area and so my days of playing outside have been limited.

Sunday — Day 142

Carol Anne, day 142

On Sunday we learned of the devastating tornado that decimated the town of Joplin, MO. I remembered that my problems are small in comparison to those who’ve lost loved ones, pets, possessions, homes and workplaces. I asked those who would pray for me on Sunday to instead offer their prayers for those who’ve lost everything.

Monday — Day 143

Carol Anne, day 143

On Monday I quoted one of my brother’s favorite quotes …

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.

I spent Monday afternoon visiting St. Peter’s Church at 5th and Girard Ave. in Philadelphia. It is where my parents were married in 1955. It is also the shrine of St. John Neumann.

St. John Neumann was the fourth Catholic bishop of Philadelphia and the first American male saint to be canonized. His preserved remains can be viewed in the lower church. For more information about St. Peter’s Church and the shrine of St. John Neumann visit http://www.stjohnneumann.org.

This is indeed the body of St. John Neumann. There is a closer but less focused photo in my Flicker Photostream here.

Tuesday — Day 144

Carol Anne, day 144

On Tuesday dad had a stress test. He did pretty well walking but the technician confirmed his suspicions that the burning he’s been feeling in his chest might in fact be another blockage. Dad already has 9 stents in his heart.

My side effects started to materialize on Tuesday, another blister appeared on the other side of my head. I had a short-lived blister on the inside of my bottom lip as well. The nausea has been sporadic and mostly a dull sort of blah ickiness so, so far, so good.

Wednesday — Day 145

Carol Anne, day 145

As it turns out dad and the technician were right. We found out Wednesday the blood vessel that caused all the trouble last summer is once again blocked and also inflamed. He’ll go in the hospital on Thursday, June 2nd for a heart catheterization and to have the blockage cleared and perhaps have a 10th stent added to his heart.

What’s left of my hair started to fall out that night. I ate ice cream.

Thursday — Day 146

Carol Anne, day 146

On Thursday we found out that my uncle’s lung cancer has returned in the same spot as last year. My poor mother, I’m not sure how much more she’ll be able to take. For the last 7+ months I’ve been sick then this week on back-to-back days she found out her husband has to go back in the hospital to have yet another blockage cleared and that her brother’s cancer has returned.

Friday — Day 147

On Friday I couldn’t access this website so there was no photo and no entry until the next afternoon when I could once again access Soapboxville. Friday was a mostly good day with a trip to Wegmans and a stop at Lens Crafters to pick up Mr. Soapy’s new spectacles. There was a little bump in the road when my head bled a little bit later in the evening but for the most part it was a nice day that included a lovely afternoon nap.

Saturday — Day 148

Carol Anne, day 148

*** Mr. Soapy took Saturday’s photo, but it fit the narrative so I’m including it in this week’s round-up.***

Saturday brought about a day of doing pretty much nothing. There was a quick trip to Target for a few things. Actually we went for mayo to make sandwiches and forgot to buy the mayo. *laughs* There are days we wonder who lets us out of the house in the morning.

Thanks for stopping by once again. I appreciate your company.

With Love,

~ Carol Anne

Posted in: Photos Tagged: Shrine of St. John Neumann, St. Peter's Church Philadelphia, Sundays in my City, Weekly Winners

We All Live On to Fight Another Day

May 22, 2011 by carol anne 18 Comments

Radiation Treatments Week 2, Lots of Moon Photos, at the Playground, A Few Pretty Flowers and the Day the World Didn’t End

Hey! Welcome back, thanks for stopping by again. I love visitors. It’s been a cloudy rainy week around these parts but we got a few good hours every day to take a walk or take some photos

Sunday afternoon after a lousy dinner at Don Pablo’s and a stop at Barnes & Noble I stopped to take a photo of the beautiful somewhat cloudy sky.

I knew that cloudy wet weather was forecast for the coming week so I spent some time Sunday evening taking photos of the almost full moon using my tripod. I was also talking to a neighbor at the same time but got a few photos that I liked.

Almost Full Moon, May 15, 2011

I love that I finally seem to have gotten the blue color of the sky to come out in this photo.

When I finally hit the lottery (though I suppose that means actually playing) I’m going to buy a much bigger, much better telephoto lens to get better moon photos.

I’m extremely happy with this shot.

Another cloudy shot that I like.

I love and hate this shot. I love the way the clouds came out but hate that the moon looks weird. I wish I could combine photo #1’s moon with this shot of the clouds. Practice makes perfect. I’ll get it right eventually.

One last clear moon photo for the night.

After finishing up my moon photos we went grocery shopping and settled in for the night. I took my daily photo and posted my daily blog before heading off to bed.

Carol Anne, day 135

On Monday I took a walk through the playground across the street from my childhood home. I’m working on a playground-themed project and I only got to one playground this week so I’ll share that when I actually get to finish it, which could be any time between now and never. *laughs*

A Walk in the Playground

When I got home Monday night I thought that the overcast skies would prevent me from getting any more moon photos. I lucked up and she revealed herself for a brief moment.

I tried to write my daily post but was distracted by the hot mess that was the first episode of the new season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

I took a walk with mom on Tuesday. One of her neighbors has a beautiful vine of roses covering their garage.

I ended the evening asking folks to tell me their most boring daily life stories. I suppose my readers lead exciting lives as no one replied. *not sure if I want to laugh or pout here*

Carol Anne, day 137

Wednesday, day 138 of 365 Days of Carol Anne brought about radiation treatment number 6 of 30 leaving 24 remaining.

Carol Anne, day 138

The moon was no longer truly full (96%) on Wednesday night but it was still beautiful and bright in the sky so I tried for a few more moon photos for this month.

A Little Less Than Full Moon May 18, 2011

Moon Hides Behind the Trees in Black and White

Thursday and Friday brought treatments 7 and 8.

Carol Anne, day 139

Carol Anne, day 140

On Saturday the world didn’t end.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:36


On our way home Friday I saw a beautiful rainbow after that afternoon’s rainstorm. I remembered from my grade school religion that God gave us rainbows as a symbol of his promise to never destroy the earth with floods again. I took this as a good sign that Saturday was indeed not the end of the world. Saturday dawned bright and beautiful, a new day full of promise.

Tweet Jeebus tweeted …

I have returned … in the form of the poor, the stranger, the sick, and the suffering. How you react is your Final Judgement. Good luck.

I thought this was quite profound.

I really am so blown away by this photo. I didn’t know the bird was there until I downloaded it to my laptop. If this doesn’t mean that God means for us to go on living and basking in his beauty, grace and glory I don’t know what does.

The sun set and another day came to a close. The hubs got new glasses and we all live on to fight another day. It’s up to us to make sure we’re worthy of each day. I read a few cancer blogs, as well as my regular roster of blogs, quite a few folks lost their fights with cancer during this last month. It’s up to the rest of us to be worthy of standing in Lens Crafters’ parking lot taking photos of the sunset on the day our worlds didn’t end.

Thanks for reading.

Love,

~ Carol Anne

Posted in: Photos Tagged: Weekly Winners

Photos from the Journey May 7-14, 2011

May 15, 2011 by carol anne 14 Comments

Hey! Welcome back. I’m happy you’ve chosen to stop by to check out my Weekly Winners. I’m trying to ease back into this again. I’ve missed it very much. It’s not as though I haven’t been taking photos. I have. Like this beautiful shot from April 5 of my pretty tree blooming outside in the front yard.

Or this photo from April 27th. It’s of the side yard tree’s pretty pink blossoms after an afternoon shower.

Of course last week I shared my walk on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with you.

I keep the camera with me every day, even on days I have to go to the hospital for my radiation treatments. I’m eventually going to ask my technicians if I can take photos of the mask they use for my radiation treatments and the radiation machine itself but this week’s photos are of sunsets and of me and of our beautiful day in Cape May.

This is me, tired and happy after a long day at Cousin Natalie’s wedding. I’d had 3 glasses of wine so I may have been a little loopy too.

Took a funny photo of Snowy on Sunday, which I used for a caption contest later in the week. The winning caption was, Got Hugs? The winner won an 8″ x 10″ of any of my photos from Flickr. I’ll be running a similar contest using a photo of Cupcake Kitty later this week.

Tuesday was my first radiation treatment. The hubs took the day off to spend it with me so I wouldn’t be alone waiting until my 3pm appointment.

After my treatment we had to drive over to Philly to return Chuck’s tux from Natalie’s wedding. This is sunset from Rte. 295 on our way home.

The machines were broken so my second treatment was cancelled for Wednesday. This means adding a day to the end of my treatment schedule to make up for the lost day. I hope there aren’t too many missed treatments because I’m ready for this whole experience to come to an end.

There was a beautiful sunset on our way home on Thursday.

It was a long, frustrating, and frightening week and by Friday night I was exhausted.

Because it was such a long and stressful week the hubs took me to Cape May for the day. Our first stop was the Cape May Bird Observatory, where we spotted a baby bunny before even starting down the 1 mile trail.

A crow landed on the walkway right in front of us.

I’ve grown to love birds from feeding our little backyard friends but I’m not well versed in the different species quiet yet. I think this an Egret.

I saw quite a few swans.

The trail itself offered lots of beautiful scenery to photograph. I almost wish I had two cameras; one for scenery and one for closeup photos of the birds. I was quite proud of myself for making it through the whole 1-mile trail. Maybe next time we’ll walk it once looking for birds with the telephoto lens on and once just to shoot scenery with my everyday lens or macro lens on.

The bird observatory also offered pretty magnificent views of the lighthouse.

After our visit to the bird observatory we continued on to Cape May Point, which is my most favorite place in the world. It is the southernmost point in New Jersey and it offers unobstructed views of the horizon and of sunset.

After our beautiful day outdoors in Cape May we headed over the Wildwood for dinner at the Ravioli House. I may or may not be flushed in this picture due to the lovely glass of Chardonnay I enjoyed to end my lovely day. (just to be clear, the girl with skin cancer is indeed not sunburnt. i was back to my pasty self after the effects of the wind, weather and wine wore off.)

Yesterday was a gloriously gloomy, semi-rainy, somewhat misty day and absolutely the best one I’ve had since coming out of the hospital in October. Week 1 of radiation treatments is done and I’m onward toward the end of these 6 weeks of treatments. Wish me luck!

Thank you so much for stopping by to accompany me on my journey. Stop back again next week.

Love,

~ Carol Anne

For more Weekly Winners or Sundays in my City visit …

Posted in: Photos Tagged: Cape May, Cape May Bird Observatory, radiation treatments, Sundays in my City, Sunset, Weekly Winners

A Walk Along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Weekly Winners / Sundays in My City May 1-7, 2011)

May 8, 2011 by carol anne 10 Comments

I’m a Philly girl. Born and raised in South Philly. I live in NJ now but I still love my hometown. It’s the most beautiful place I know of. I think the finest people in the world are to be found there. This Friday I had an hour to kill before my final run through before my radiation treatments start on Tuesday.

I took a walk along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with my camera in hand. In under one hour and in less than 1 mile for free I saw a beautiful fountain, historic monuments, and works of art on a beautiful spring day.

They say man plans and God laughs. Apparently he had a good laugh on Friday. I walked up the Parkway to take photos of the Love Park fountain and it was not on. This photo would be much more interesting were the fountain actually on.

I love shapes. I hated geometry in high school but my love of skyscrarers has shown me its beauty and its purpose.

One of Philly’s newest sky scrapers, the Cira Center may be my favorite. (interestingly shaped glass building)

It’s times like these that I long for a wide angle lens and more photographic ability.  I really wish that I were better able to capture the beauty of this beautiful old cathedral.

Thankfully the Swann Memorial fountain on the Parkway was gloriously alive.

The Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. looking east from the Swann Memorial fountain to City Hall.

I stumbled upon this beautiful old crumbling tiled map of the parkway. I can’t find anything about this anywhere. Does anyone know anything about this beautiful old map?

Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial

It says …

The Holocaust
1933-1945
Now and forever enshrined in memory are the six million Jewish Martyrs who perished in concentration camps, ghettos and gas chambers.
In their deepest agony they clung to the image of humanity and their acts of resistance in the forests and ghettos redeemed the honor of man.
Their suffering and heroism are forever branded upon our conscience and shall be remembered from generation to generation.

General Thaddeus Kosciuszko monument

Thomas Fitzsimons monument

Galusha Pennypacker monument

Jesus Breaking Bread

Kopernik

Three Discs, One Lacking

Three-Way Piece Number 1: Points

The Prophet

By sunset my radiation treatment schedule was set & we were home in NJ again.

This concludes our tour of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. I hope you enjoyed walking along with me.

Posted in: Photos Tagged: Benjaming Franklin Parkway, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Galusha Pennypacker monument, General Thaddeus Kosciuszko monument, Jesus Breaking Bread, Kopernik, Love Park, Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial, Sundays in my City, Swann Memorial Fountain, The Prophet, Thomas Fitzsimons monument, Three Discs One Lacking, Three-Way Piece Number 1: Points, Weekly Winners
1 2 Next »

Copyright © 2021 SoapBoxVille 2.0.

Family WordPress Theme by themehall.com