Doctor and garden update edition

 Got a call from my GI doctor office explaining they had been contacted by my plastic surgeon about my treatments. She asked me how my symptoms were and all that, told her still going about four or five times a day but no bleeding or pain, consistency is variable depending on what I eat. She did note that I was supposed to have had a calprotectin test done before and I told her yes, it was never collected with the other tests that I did. Oh. So she put the order in for that test to be done because that is an indicator of how well the treatments are doing. The timing for surgery is the issue as it has to happen 4 weeks before or after an infusion. My next one is July 6 which means we're already late for 4 weeks before the next one so we're looking at beginning of August for surgery. Was there anything we could have done to speed up this process? Probably not. They were waiting on me 'healing' from radiation treatment and that set the stage for delay and then everything else that happened that was unexpected.

Cucumber alert! Sorry no pretty pictures of trees or flowers this time around.

We needed to go to the store today anyhow so drove over to Santee to the clinic there, apparently there was also a blood lab on order so got that done and picked up the kit for the fecal test. Tried out a Greek eatery in the same vicinity, not as good as our favorite Greek Chicken but this new place had a Tuesday special for BOGO gyro sandwich. We had to get fries as well but only one order and ate it there, it was alright for my taste, not enough garlic or onion but Jon thought it was great (I think he was just hungry). Turned out to be more expensive than Greek Chicken since they charge 6.25 for a single helping of fries. Regular fries... nothing special. So no, we won't be going there again.

So anyway.... I was moaning to CJ about not having all the supplies needed for that shawl project which is why I rarely ever do specific projects. She then sent me some money to get the things that I needed (love her to the end of our days but I was not moaning as a way of asking for help). I needed the right size and length of circular needle for the project and the right type of stitch markers in a quantity I needed. This was Sunday so I immediately ordered the type of needle I needed from Amazon and unfortunately it was not next day but said it would arrive Tuesday. Drat, oh well. I would wait and get the supplies for the markers. 

It is a crafters curse to know how to make something when you see something for sale online. I needed 12 mostly unique stitch markers but not just the keyhole style loop ones I've been using. The yarn I will be working with is a bit heftier and I wanted markers that stood out from the yarn. If I had all my crafting supplies right at hand they would have been done and dusted in an hour or so. But no... I had 'some' beads, no jump rings in quantity and size needed, no findings in same categories. SIGH. Everything I needed except tools was in storage. I went to the local Michael's which is not the same as it used to be decades ago, selection and prices were horrific. I was forced to shop at the Evil Empire Hobby Lobby on Monday since they're not open on Sunday. It's basically the Walmart of crafting stores with religious overtones. Knowing their policies and history is why I don't shop there anymore. Their geek wall decor inventory has shrunk in the past six years as well so even less reason to visit that store. 

(Side note, it is our 6 year anniversary of getting this apartment, YAAY!)

So anyway, picked up jump rings and some dangly charms that were cute, not too heavy and voila! I also bought a small pack of the 'bulb/keyhole' markers in assorted colors as well.  So that got done in about an hour as expected.  Felt good to accomplish something for that project. CJ is looking forward to doing a KAL (Knit A-Long) with me for the first time. I told her she already has a head start on it but hope to catch up. It's not a race exactly just doing the same project together and comparing notes.

Yesterday I decided to wind the first color of the project into a cake/ball with little problems and cast on the number of stitches I needed using a slightly larger needle then put it aside to wait for the expectant package the next day. This morning had an update from Amazon about my knitting needle shipment. Due to a delay in Rockford, IL I won't be getting my circular needle until tomorrow.  I sincerely doubt it would get here in the next 8 hours from that location so, starting on project will be delayed as well goshdangit. Meanwhile, back at the garden, 

This is most of my tomato harvest so far, I've already eaten about four that have been picked over the past few weeks. These are all just from the last three days and there's still plenty that haven't even gotten to size yet on the bush/vine. So they average abut 1" in diameter and are super tasty, I haven't put them in the fridge because I finally am able to keep them on the counter (as per tomato experts saying they taste better at room temp) since they're so small. I couldn't do that with the bumper crop of Roma a few years ago. These are good 'snacking' tomatoes and since the other bush hasn't gotten any of size yet that are slicers I have to buy tomatoes at the store that are more expensive than usual this time of year. Normally they're .99/lb for Romas and they are now $1.49. That's an extra .50/lb that we usually see in the off season. Thanks to the current ::insert multiple expletives and descriptors:: administration.

The cucumber crop is coming along nicely though! That's the same one pictured above, almost two inches long now and I almost missed it. I am totally stoked about something succeeding in the garden, the peppers are still just poking along putting on side growth and not doing much else. Hoping they catch up in the next month or so and we'll have a bumper crop of whatever peppers they are.  Hopefully and statistically should be poblano and jalapeño. Cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers... shrimp ceviche???

As soon as Jon wakes up from his nap I have to head down and water really well. Should have done that yesterday but wasn't feeling up to that kind of energy. I slept better last night which is not what I was expecting since my feet and legs were all tingly/itchy. Will see how tonight goes as my days and nights are so variable lately. 

I think that's all the news for now, updates as they happen and however the wind blows our way.