It's been a long time since I have posted to my blog. I guess the biggest reason is that things are going OK. I'm on hold for my Multiple Myeloma. Being placed in smoldering has let me just go on with life...as my Dr. suggested.. I'm still doing the things that I need to do to stay healthy. Taking my pills every day. new to me, and staying as active as I can in this cold wet season.

It's still blowing my mind that I have cancer and all is on hold. That I can wait and do nothing right now. My mind understands it but I still have a heart to start doing SOMETHING! I've not lived my life waiting to do things. If it needed to be done I just did it. I have a very good doctor, he came very well recommended and I trust him. I'll continue that trust and follow the plan.

To help me go on and live my life.. we bought a puppy. Lucy is a Brittney Spaniel and is just over 8 weeks old. What a hand full, but very smart and a joy to have around. It took us about 5 days to get her housebroken but that part is behind us. She is now sleeping all night and is getting crate trained as I write this. She has just started, the last 3 days, going into her crate by herself. She gets her toys, plays with her blankets and pads etc... We put in a doggy door and that has been very helpful. She likes the backyard and spends about 1/4 of her waking time out there.

My grand children are also getting use to having her here. She runs and jumps on them and that scares them at times. My oldest granddaughter, Emily is very scared of her. I expect that to pass as soon as I get Lucy trained a little more to follow orders. That will be some time in the future. I don't start formal training until after she is 8 months old. She needs to be a puppy first.

I'm still looking for work. Northern California is higher than the national ave. for unemployment and I can see that as I look for work. Not much is out there that pays even close to what I get on unemployment. Mostly part time work :-( I'll keep positive and keep up the looking every day. Something will come, it always has. On a positive note, we only owe on our home so that is good. We have taken a hit on our savings but we can keep it together with my unemployment and Jenni's job!!

The medical bills are starting to come in but we have been able to handle those as they come. I don't have the final bill on UCSF or my local hospital. I expect a large hit again on savings when they do come in. We have a $2500 deductible so I know we will at least have to pay that. I'm just glad we can afford the Medical insurance because the VA isn't interested in a veteran who isn't living on the streets. They just keep turning me down! So much for government health care! On a positive note: There is a sweet VA employee at the VA regional Office by the name of Beverly. She calls once or twice a month to see how I'm doing. Very kind and caring person who is also frustrated that the VA isn't there for us hard working veterans, so.... I know it is the VA itself not the employees who are the problem. Ok..off the soap box and back to positive...

I feel great! My family is doing well. I still have very high positive feelings that 2010 will be a great year for the Ritter clan.

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Steven