tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84663058470412130562024-03-05T02:58:45.391-05:00My Life In BytesTorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-75732536409684848952011-02-09T05:00:00.000-05:002011-02-09T05:00:01.642-05:00Revisiting an old thoughtIt's been a long time since I've posted. It's been a long time since I've thought of anything I thought was post-worthy, and the past few months have been rough. I am feeling much better now, and so I am back.<br />
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Between cancer, chemo, menopause, and aging in general, I've noticed a lot of changes. My skin is wrinkling, my hair dry, crispy and breaking. I've developed crow's feet, age spots, dry skin, etc. For the past month or so I've been fighting these things with a vengence. Retinol, hair treatments, eyelash-growing serums, and an obsession with user forums with tips to arm me for this war. I've crushed up asprin to create facials, squeezed lemons, experimented with glycerin and learned makeup tips for "older eyes." I've spent countless hours reading product reviews, home remedies, and slathering various products on my face. I've learned what "milia" is, what causes it, and how to fight it. I've learned that years of bad habits (going to bed without removing makeup, brushing my teeth too hard thinking it would get them extra clean, etc.) are catching up to me. I've exfoliated, peeled, and spent more money than I should have on "age-defying" products. I think, perhaps, maybe, my wrinkles may be slightly, a little bit, possibly, less noticeable than they were; it's probably all in my head.<br />
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Tonight I began thinking about a post I wrote a while back about aging. I preached how we should embrace each wrinkle and gray hair... how each one is a representative of years we were given and experiences we were blessed with. Tonight I wondered what happened to that attitude. Then I realized I do still feel that way. I am proud of my age and will tell anyone who asks I am 42 (of course their response of disbelief probably helps). I hope to say someday that I am 45. Then 50, 52, 55... I am grateful that I am aging. That doesn't mean I can't try to do things to look my best: looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand. It only means that I accept that I will never look 20 again. I am not 20. I am wiser, stronger, more experienced, calmer, and where I am supposed to be. Every age has its benefits. <br />
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While I'll try to keep my crow's feet at bay, I'll remember that I got them from all the beautiful, bright, sunny days I've been able to enjoy. I'll try to hide my laugh lines as best as I can, but will also know that they came from years filled with joy and hysterical laughter. I'll slather numerous products on my lips trying to fight those tiny lines around them, but will keep in mind that they got there from my often-present smile. I'll do what I can to my hair and lashes to counteract the effects of chemo, but will also appreciate the extra time that chemo is giving me. I don't have frown lines to fight, and never will. <br />
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Tonight I concluded that I'm trying to grow old gracefully; I am hoping to grow old. Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-11322071922022336262010-10-11T16:55:00.000-04:002010-10-11T16:55:05.784-04:00Back in the hospitalWow! Almost two months with no blog entries at all. Let me catch you up. First off, I am currently in the hospital again. I was having such a hard time breathing that my doctor ordered a CT scan which revealed fluid in my lung and around my heart. I had the lung fluid drained this morning (750 ml) and then this afternoon's heart sonogram revealed that the heart fluid was stressing my heart so my doctor decided to admit me. They will remove the heart fluid tomorrow and then do something to help prevent the lung fluid from coming back. Also my chemo will be reevaluated as there has been some growth in the lung tumors. My doctor has told me not to plan any travel for a while. <br />
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Luckily I did get up to Maine recently, and then down to Florida. Both trips were great. The weather in Maine was beautiful, and it was great seeing my dad and Diane. Florida weather was not very good but Joss and James came with me and we had a wonderful time.<br />
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It's been a rather boring few months so that's all I really have to report.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-80590686240313452142010-08-06T16:44:00.000-04:002010-08-06T16:44:16.966-04:00This just inJoss reports that James said "basket" the other day. He has apparently inherited my intelligence, tackling two-syllable words first. He asked what it was and Joss told him. He repeated "basket" and then put the basket on his arm and walked around the room putting things in it.<br />
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On a much sadder note, my son-in-law, Dominick, lost his grandfather this week. He was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. Here is the news article:<br />
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SOPHIA, N.C. (WGHP) - A 57-year-old was killed in a motorcycle accident near Sophia on Wednesday afternoon.<br />
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According to the Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 5 p.m. on Level Plains Road near Mount Gilead Church Road.<br />
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Troopers said Michael Carroll Lewis, 57, of 4161 Mt. Gilead Church Road, was headed west on Mount Gilead Church Road when he was struck by a Ford Explorer.<br />
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Lewis died in the accident.<br />
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Investigators said 17-year-old Casie Baker, of 4600 Pliney Farlow Road, Trinity, was driving the Ford Explorer north on Level Plains Road when she struck the motorcycle.<br />
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Troopers said Baker is charged with failure to yield right of way and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Baker told investigators she looked before pulled onto the road but did not see the motorcycle.<br />
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Investigators said neither alcohol nor cell phones were a factor in the accident.<br />
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Please keep Dominick and his family in your thoughts.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-44438343416591890292010-08-05T07:51:00.002-04:002010-08-05T08:13:47.286-04:00UpdateWell, I have been in Greensboro for several weeks in a row now. I am definitely getting antsy but mostly because, I have recently realized, I have been traveling so much to escape what I am facing. Running away in a sense. Is that bad though? What is the harm in avoiding thinking about things?<br />
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When I found out I would be going in a pill form of chemotherapy for a few months, I had considered going back to Europe, it may be my last chance to. I decided against it and it is probably a good thing that I did since I ended up in the hospital last week. But now I am really wishing I were there.<br />
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My hospital visit lasted 5 days. I had a lot of swelling in my face and neck, and could not breathe well. I went to the emergency room at 3 am Tuesday because I thought it was congestive heart failure. Turned out I have a blood clot around the port that was implanted for chemo. The port goes into my heart but the risk was that the blood clot would reach my lungs, not heart. I don't really understand this, but whatever. They took the port out and put me on blood thinners.<br />
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I have not started the chemo that I was supposed to start last week because of the blood clot incident. Now my doctor wants to wait until the blood thinner level is regulated properly before starting me on it. This concerns me a bit because this means at least seven weeks off of chemo, and last time I went twelve weeks, tumors came back pretty bad. <br />
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In other news, James is becoming quite the clown. He does this silly thing where he puts his head on the floor and crawls around smiling. Every few seconds he looks up and laughs, and then puts his head back down and does it again. I don't know what the heck that kid is thinking but it is so funny. He has also learned to say "that" and points to EVERYTHING and says "that."<br />
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That's it for now.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-16669752558574678122010-06-25T04:53:00.003-04:002010-06-25T08:02:24.459-04:00Gently...<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why is it OK to hurt people? I think the intuitive response for most is “it’s not.” But how true is that? I thought at one time that we are never supposed to hurt anyone. That if life came with a rule book, that would be Rule #1. Yet it is not possible to never cause anyone pain. I would imagine that certain, more spiritual, deeply religious, or Zen societies strive to never cause pain, but even Jesus certainly hurt people. Leaving behind people who loved him to move on and do what he was meant to do surely caused pain to many. Is it ok to hurt people if your intentions are good? Regardless of intent or reasoning, pain is still pain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If, perhaps, we are supposed to endure pain ourselves rather than hurting others, how far should we go with that? Where would we draw the line? Should someone stay in an abusive relationship because it would hurt the other person to be left? I guess this would never even happen if we all lived by the same rules of conduct, but we don’t. How much responsibility, then, should one take on? Do we have more responsibility to endure more pain ourselves just because we’ve considered this topic? That hardly seems fair. Maybe ignorance is bliss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many levels of hurt, and so very many situations that are hurtful. We can hurt someone’s feelings simply by saying something that they take differently than it was meant, or by, say, leaving them out of plans for one reason or another. We are hurtful through misunderstandings, and by having different needs. We hurt others by making choices that do not necessarily coincide with what someone else may want. We hurt others out of anger, retaliation, fear, need, desire, hate, and love. I’d venture to say that there is not a single emotion which has not at times caused pain. We are social creatures, yet it seems the only way to try to avoid hurting people would be to remove yourself from society -- never develop relationships, and never even speak to others. Yet if we were to do that, that act alone would hurt those who love us and are left abandoned. We simply cannot escape hurting others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obviously we are meant to hurt others at times. It seems cruel and wrong, but it must be so, and there must be a reason for this. We learn a lot by being hurt. Our personalities probably develop more so based on our emotional injuries than on any other experiences. Our painful life lessons are a huge contributor in how we develop and what choices we make further along our path. Is there a black and white answer to what is acceptable to do to others and what is not, or is that line within each of us? I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what is truly right, and the thought that keeps entering my mind is “tread gently.” I know there will be situations when I will hurt someone. I think the best way to handle these situations is thoughtfully and empathetically. I don’t always do that. I think most of the times I’ve been hurtful, it’s been a quick, knee-jerk reaction where I just don’t reflect on all perspectives of a situation before I act. There are times when someone pisses me off and I react by saying hurtful things; at these times I need to let go of anger, as it doesn’t benefit anyone. There are times when I hurt others just because I don’t think about how they would feel; I need to reflect more often on how I would feel in other peoples’ shoes. And there are times when I hurt others because I have to do what is right or best; these times I need to handle carefully and with forethought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Alas, we cannot avoid causing others pain always, but we can at times avoid it, learn from it, or do so more gently.</span><br />
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</div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-72305004590222373982010-06-17T06:33:00.003-04:002010-06-17T12:39:04.114-04:00People, Meet Chemo<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another chemo day, so again I am up all night. Maybe chemo nights will be the only times I get around to blogging. I’ve learned a lot about my chemo the past few weeks, and how it’s affecting me. A lot of things that I thought were happening just because I’m getting older, are actually side effects of chemo.</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eyes have changed color from dark brown to light brown</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eyesight is getting worse</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eyes water a lot (very messy if I don’t use waterproof eyeliner)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eyelashes have gotten super short, thin and brittle </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hair has thinned significantly and changed to the consistency of thin straw</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mouth is so sensitive that I have to use non-minty toothpaste (this really sucks!) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot eat or drink anything even remotely cold and sometimes even room temperature is too cold, so I am unquenchably thirsty every other week (this is by FAR the worst of the side effects)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foods that are too hot, or too cold hurt my mouth</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tan very easily (bonus) but it fades very quickly (bummer)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hands and feet are very sensitive to pain</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My toenails will split and practically fall off with the slightest stub</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have hot flashes and night sweats daily </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I walk barefoot in my house I get pins in my feet but if I put socks on, I get hot flashes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been forced into premature menopause, and all the joy that goes along with that</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My feet hurt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My arms and legs often ache (this one is not actually from the chemo but from the shot I get after every chemo to up my white blood cell production)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sometimes get so weak walking even short distances, that I have to sit down and rest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get extreme headaches and eyeball aches that no drugs will touch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned that there is an extreme difference between queasiness and nausea. I teeter between both of them – most often queasiness</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I severely crave carbs: bread, pastry, pasta, bagels, potatoes, oatmeal. On chemo weeks, that’s about all I eat</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a port implanted in my chest last year that they use to give me the chemo. They push a needle that is about an inch long into it. That is not fun. Then they pull on the syringe at the end of a tube that is connected to me to see if they get blood, meaning that it’s in right. This grosses me out so I don’t look. Then they “flush” the port by pushing into it, a syringe of saline. I hate that part. It’s disgusting. I can’t really distinguish if it’s a taste or a smell that it causes, but I try to keep some gum in my mouth and when they flush I chew it fast to try to avoid it. Next they hang a plethora of bags from my IV pole and start pumping them in through the newly-accessed port. At the end, about 4-5 hours later, I get a “push” (a huge syringe full) of one of the chemicals called 5-FU. I kinda like the name of it. When I leave the cancer center, I have a pump tethered to my port, which pumps 5-FU for the next two days. On Friday afternoons, I go back to get the pump removed, and get a shot of Nulastin, which will increase white blood cell production. They do this because chemo will severely lower immunities. It’s a very thick shot that I get in my upper arm and it hurts. It’s a relief walking out of there on Fridays without the pump though. Unplugged. I do this every two weeks, forever. I may get an occasional one-month break, which basically means skipping one treatment, but for the most part, I will do this for the rest of my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still get queasy at the mere thought of chemo, and whenever I walk into the Cancer Center. It’s disgusting and depressing. One day my little sister Al came with me on a Friday for pump removal, and found the atmosphere so sad that she immediately had to leave and waited outside for me. I try to look at it from different perspectives, but it rarely helps. At first I would concentrate on visuals of the chemo battling to kill the tumors. This helped make it less gross for a day or two but soon stopped working. I tried looking at chemo days as my “job” that I have to do so that I get to travel on my good weeks. This didn’t really work either though. I bring all kinds of stuff with me: blanket and slippers, computer, movies, games, books, crayons. I get comfy, chat with friends, and even had a pizza delivered today. It helps the time go by, but does not distract me from the fact that some seriously nasty poison is being pumped into me for about 5 hours, and will make me sick for about 5 days. As the day goes on, I can immediately start feeling the effects: cold sensitivity, queasiness, and a cloudy-headedness. I start dreading chemo Wednesday on the preceding Monday. I hate it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a brighter note, I leave Saturday for Cancun. I will be there through the next Friday the 25th. I will then be home in Greensboro for a week for chemo, and then leave again on July 3 for a 7-day cruise with my girlfriend Cynthia to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize, and Honduras! Can I get a "hell yeah!"? Cyn is awesome and super fun so it’s really going to be an amazing trip, AND... this gives me a reason to wear some of my more formal dresses that I never get to wear. I should try to find a tiara! Or a boa! Yeah!!! Joss and I were going to play dress-up that way on our January cruise but we never got around to getting them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the cruise I am home again for another chemo week, and who knows after that. Soon I am planning to get back up to Maine to see my Dad and Diane, to P-town (MA) to see my sister Christine, back down to Florida to hang out with Neil, Al, and Don & Jeannie, and also to some more local beaches. My doctor says I look well rested, and she is glad I am not working and am traveling and visiting family. It’s funny that one week I feel so crappy and the next I feel pretty good and am able to get away. I am not sure how long that will last, so I am trying to cram as much living in now, before I get to the point where I cannot. Usually the first few days I am away are not great because they are so close to chemo day, and I just rest a lot, but by the Monday after chemo I start feeling better. I know that’s it’s made a huge difference in my attitude, sense of serenity, and health to be able to relax with family, hang out poolside, or on the beach, and just not worry about anything. I tend to totally forget about cancer when I am away from Greensboro. Maybe that’s why I never stay here that long. I have stopped checking my work emails several times a day like I was, because it stresses me out so much. Everything seems to be under control without me anyway. I really just want peace at this point. Peace… but adventure!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know I still owe blogs about Florida and Philly, but this is what was on my mind right now. Hope to get the others down at some point, but, let's face it... I may never. I will at least put up the pics of James and Oliver buried on the beach up to their necks. Priceless!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(here is a link to the Florida pics on my facebook:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038593&id=1365674995&l=e882acd35d"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038593&id=1365674995&l=e882acd35d</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy every day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Go home by 6:00... don't let work be your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Spend time with your family and tell them you love them. They <strong>won't</strong> always be there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Plan a vacation, or even a day trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">DO FUN STUFF!!! You will NEVER regret it, but you will regret it if you don't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I love you all.</span>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-23127242792133834692010-06-03T05:38:00.001-04:002010-06-05T11:24:18.328-04:00News From Philly<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a rather entertaining hold up at the airport which resulted in my trading a half full 4 oz bottle of baby oil for a personalized TSA report, I arrived in Philly. The Center, CTCA, met me with a limo, and a chauffeur holding a sign with my name. (I always wanted to get picked up that way.) He took me to CTCA and I started my day there with lunch before my appointments, which started at 1:00.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was directed to the dining room where I could choose, buffet style, anything I wanted for free. I have been on cruises with worse food than CTCA. The food is amazing!! Plus everything is nutritionally enhanced and geared towards helping the issues that cancer patients face. I had an organic, sugar free lemonade, some gilled tofu and vegetables thing, olives and peppers from small olive bar, some other yummy grilled vegetable thing, potatoes in like a casserole, bowtie pasta with feta, and a chocolate-cream cheese cupcake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After lunch I started appointments. I met with a nutritionist and a naturalist. Both asked about what side effects I suffer and such, so that they could offer me suggestions on foods and supplements to help. I met with nurse who verified my cancer history and asked about more side effects. Apparently some things I’ve been experiencing are from chemo and I had no clue. They address everything here, on a very personal level, and try to make everything better, not just treat your cancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next I met with my doctor, Dr. Klimant (Kle-MONT) who is from Germany. He told me a few things different from my oncologist back home (Dr. Odogwu). First thing, which I was glad to hear, is that one of my current chemos, Oxolyplatin, or something like that, which is the one I hate the most because it gives me the problems with cold, would only be given to me for a total of 12 treatments (tomorrow’s is #10) and then never again because it’s found to be ineffective after that. This is very encouraging as it would make remaining on chemo far less uncomfortable. I am not sure if Dr. Odogwu had that same plan because she is vague and limited in what she tells me, and mentioned just staying on this regiment until it stopped working. Mostly what I hear from her is “I don’t know” and “we will see.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also asked Dr. Klimant about my expected time left. Although they are very hesitant here at CTCA to put a time on anyone (they are quite against that) I asked, statistically speaking, what he’d expect and he said that he would guess that I’m likely to have between 1 and 2 years. He said I am not a candidate for directed radiation since my tumors are so splattered, but may potentially be, down the road, for some other type of chemo or something that unfortunately I’ve forgotten all of the details about except that it has something to do with genetic testing they are doing. I was rather bombarded with information. He also said that the other 3 of my 4 current chemos, I would stay on for a while. Lastly, we talked about my desire to spend a month or so in Europe, and he said he could definitely work that in. Overall he is much more optimistic and informative than Dr. Odogwu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While two years may not seem overly optimistic, it’s twice as long as one year. It means seeing James turn 3, and hearing him call me Gramommy. It means several more visits to my Dad and Diane in Maine, and several more visits to Don, Neil and Al in Florida. An extra birthday and an extra Christmas. More stamps in my passport. Two is definitely better than one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I had my chemo. The infusion room here is so much better than home. The center at home is dreary and sad. Here it’s bright and happy with TVs for everyone and snacks all around. The patients even talk to each other and laugh. At home they just sleep. Here they bring you a menu to order the amazing food from the dining room, and bring it t you. At home you can have a half of sandwich with a slice of turkey on it, or cheese and crackers, both of which are cold so you better get them before the Oxolyplatin. Here they give you many more pre-meds to avoid nausea and neuropathy, and they tell you everything you get and what it’s for. At home I get a mystery mix with some steroid for nausea, and I think that's it but I am not sure. And here everyone comes to you for tests, information, or just to check on you. At home they sent you here and there to get this test, pick up those results, bring them to this doctor, etc. Everything is easy and pleasant here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have the option to move my treatment here, and am considering it, but there are a few things I need to think about. First, travelling every two weeks could get old. Although I do like travelling and it seems as though there is some fun stuff to see in Philly. And while CTCA pays for flights and feeds me delicious foods, the hotel is still $45 a night on return trips and 8 nights a month of that is not really feasible. You’d think that since they cover everything else, they would cover that too. I am meeting with a financial counselor tomorrow so maybe they will have an alternative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, the center also offers free massage and reiki. I tried to get a massage scheduled but they were full and were going to call me if they can get me in Thursday or Friday. And the dining room will make fresh juices with whatever you want, smoothies, and soy shakes! They keep warm drinks on hand for those of us on Oxolyplatin. They give you ginger candies to take for nausea, and they work so well I was able to do the Pat’s vs. Geno’s challenge tonight….steak and cheese on a chemo night!! (Blog on that to follow soon.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow/today (Thursday) I have a free day and plan to look around and play in Philly. Or may just stay in this bed for half the day, as it’s super nice and I’ve been up all night. It’s a sleep number bed and I’ve found it to be even more comfortable tonight than last night. I have more blogs to write so check back.</span>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-83809753183223824052010-05-19T16:22:00.002-04:002010-05-21T00:53:10.318-04:00Yo quero Santo Domingo!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just came back from the Dominican Republic. Specifically, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Boca</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Chica</span>, which is a nice little beach town on the other side of the airport from <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Santo</span> Domingo. Jet Blue had a flight deal, so I booked it Monday, and left Wednesday. I just got home last night.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had a great time there, but did not take many pictures. Since most of my time was spent on the beach and snorkeling, and my camera does not take pictures underwater, I did not have a lot of photo opportunities. I wish I could take pictures under water because I saw some amazing fish and these jelly fish like plant <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">thingys</span> that are beautiful but sting if you touch them. And I did. Not on purpose, of course, but when swimming near the coral reef, in very shallow water, and not realizing the wiggle things next to me were <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">stingies</span>, I brushed against them and got affected ("stung" is not really the right word) on my arm and thigh. One of the locals told me to put vinegar on it, but the bar didn't have any. They did, however, have tequila. I drank a bunch of margaritas in a short amount of time, and was proud of myself for finding a solution to the stinging pain, until I woke up sunburned and realized I had passed out in the sun.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stumbled to the shade (it was a pitiful sight) and slept off the rest of my stupor and then went back to my room for the night. Now, however, the sting is gone, and the red has turned brown so I got a nice tan out of the ordeal. Gotta love Italian genes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the town of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Boca</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Chica</span> to be very charming, though very poor. There are a lot of orphaned kids around sleeping on benches and the like. It's very sad. But the people there are super nice and welcoming, and I made several friends who told me of life there in the Dominican Republic.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stayed at a cheap "all inclusive" hotel, and found that "all inclusive" does not include soap, washcloths, a remote control, or room cleaning. The food was borderline bad, and being that I am really not picky, that's pretty bad. I was able to find something edible at each meal, and supplemented the rest with free but tiny margaritas. The one time I had a great, sizable drink, was when I went to the bar and found it unattended. After waiting a few minutes I went behind the bar and put my <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">mixology</span> skills to the test, filling my water bottle with margarita ingredients. The bar keep came back just in time to give me a dirty look and hear my</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">heart-felt "<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">gracias</span>!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did take a couple of pictures, and will post them as soon as I get settled and get them off my camera. I still have pictures from James' birthday party that I need to download from the camera too.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am sitting in chemo right now, and just booked a flight to Cancun for June 19. Can't wait for that! Before that trip, though, I will be going to the cancer center in Philly, and taking a drive down to Florida with <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Joss</span> and James to see my family. I am also considering a local beach trip, to help me keep the bronze goddess look I've recently acquired, and am still looking into Honduras and <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Puerto</span> Rico. I'd like to stay with host families at those places, so if you know anyone there that would like to host an American, please let me know. I am also considering attending a Spanish school in Honduras for a week. You stay with a host family, get one-on-one lessons each day, and they show you around and introduce you to the culture. It's like $250 a week for all that, and they feed you too! I was able to stumble through some conversations in the DR with my limited Spanish, and found myself wishing I knew more.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I am still hoping to get back to Europe soon, but still don't know if that can happen. Will keep you all updated. Go somewhere soon!!! It seriously makes life so much more fun. </span>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-8103594543150323812010-05-02T22:32:00.000-04:002010-05-02T22:32:12.757-04:00What you are about to read is a true storyReturning to Greensboro inspired by the peace and beauty at my Dad's place in Maine, I decided to take on some projects in the yard. I will pause here for you to compose yourself, and re-read the last sentence in disbelief. <br />
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It's true... I did yard work. Busted my ass too! I've got pictures and a body full of scratches to prove it. I don't know where this energy came from, but I spent the past four days on this project. I am now sore everywhere and exhausted, but I hope to get motivated to do someting in the back yard next, before it gets too hot. Well, it's kinda already too hot. <br />
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So here we go:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've still got some work to do, but I'm happy that it looks so much better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and while working, I found this: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-8168947200447334592010-04-20T00:01:00.003-04:002010-04-20T00:03:59.074-04:00I'd like to take this moment to bitch<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah, this sucks. I have a horrible headache, I’m queasy, and I am having hot flashes. My days and nights are mixed up so I am sleeping all day and up all night, and I’m thirsty and cannot drink. I had forgotten how crappy chemo was during my 3-month break. Plus I’m feeling blah, bored and lonely, yet I keep bailing out on my friends when they try to get me out of the house (sorry gals). My house is a mess and I have no energy to touch it -- not even from the chemo yet, just a certain percentage from my normal laziness and the rest, from feeling down. I’m worried about work, my health, and numerous other things that I can’t really mention (the downside of sharing my journal with the entire world), like specifics about work, my daughter, income/debt, and my dear friend who has this psycho, prison warden roommate that I am not supposed to mention, as it would make said friend’s life harder. I’m not one to be stifled, so this is difficult, and I only oblige because, wel, I love said friend. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was going to start this post with “I try to stay positive, but…” and then I realized I have been saying that a lot lately, so maybe I really don’t try to stay positive anymore. Not sure why it was so much easier for me up to now but it seems I’m starting to wade in self-pity. Thankfully it’s been low tide. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things could be so much worse. I try to keep that in mind. I have a lot of blessings, I know that, but some have things so easy. I used to be one of them. I believe strongly in Karma, and cannot imagine what I sent around that has brought this back to me. It doesn’t seem fair. “Life is not fair” would be my Mom’s response. I wonder a lot about if I will see my Mom when my time comes. I mostly believe so, and that makes facing death a WHOLE lot easier. I miss her so painfully, and I still have not gotten over my hatred at the suddenness and finality of death. I hate it with a very ugly, seething hatred that literally changes my expression whenever I think of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know what you’re thinking. My blog used to be fun, and somewhat entertaining. Since I’m in danger of losing my massive “fan base” (all 41 of you fine folks) I’ll work on this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been fortunate to be introduced to some amazing people lately. Friends of a friend who have been more than kind in so many ways, and renewed my belief that there truly are a few genuinely good people in the world. (Thanks N & T!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am very eager to get to Maine Thursday and see my family! I miss them. And I am also looking at going to Honduras for 2 weeks between chemo days when I return. I’ve been looking into it and there’s a lot there I would like to experience. Plus it’s cheap! Hotels are like $25 a night. I am looking for hostels or host families though, which would be even cheaper, and more the way I like to travel. I found a host family in Peru for $10 a night, and would LOVE to go there (it’s near Maccu Piccu… did I spell that right?) but the flights to there are outrageous. Of course I still hope above all to get back to Europe for like 2 months, but I’m not sure if that will ever happen for many reasons…one of them being the fact that I am going to be on chemo for the rest of my life and may never get a 2 month break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I downloaded the movie “The Blind Side” on my netbook and watched it during chemo today. It was really good, except it made me cry practically the whole time. I’ll try to find some funnier ones for next time. ‘Course there were a couple of funny moments in it, and I wondered if the other patients thought perhaps I had gone mad sitting there in the chemo chair (with headphones) suddenly bursting out into laughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow’s agenda: Pick up duck food. Poor little "Girl Duck" is sick of crackers, stale bread and ice cream cones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-29315169871055106682010-04-18T02:09:00.002-04:002010-04-20T00:09:14.608-04:00I can't think of a title for this post<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, “remission” was short lived. I have tumors back in my lungs. My liver is good right now, but my doctor said the lungs are worse than before, and she is starting me back on chemo Monday. Oh joy. I will not be able to have 3 month breaks anymore; just one month, or possibly two if I do okay on one. That especially sucks because it keeps me stuck here in Greensboro most of the time. I’m fairly determined to get back to Europe though, and am really going to try to make that happen as soon as I get some things worked out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bad news is that my doctor now says I probably have about 18 months left. The good news is that she seems to flip-flop a lot so if this round of chemo does good, she’ll probably say I have 3 years again. It’s still hard to believe. That’s such a short time, and I feel good right now (at least until Monday when chemo starts kicking my ass again). I keep bouncing among shock/disbelief to being scared, to being angry, to even feeling a little relieved. It’s tiring dealing with all the back and forth. Plus the thought of chemo alone makes me sick, and now the thought of the rest of my life on chemo is rather depressing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am curious about what will happen if the lung tumors don’t shrink from the chemo. Will I have a hard time breathing? Need oxygen? Cough up blood? Just stop breathing one day? I’ve asked my doctor and she doesn’t seem to want to answer me. She just keeps saying “I don’t know” which I find hard to believe. I wonder if I’d rather have the liver tumors back than the lungs. I am rather fond of breathing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m finding it hard to stay as positive as I was several months ago -- partly because it’s just darn tiring. I’m out of work for the next two weeks for chemo and then for a visit to Maine to see my Dad and Diane, so I’m hoping that time will get me back in balance. I can’t wait to see them!!! They got a new puppy and some bunnies that I am eager to meet too. I will be sure to blog about them and post some pictures. It’s very pretty where they live, and peaceful. It will do me good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was supposed to go to West Virginia with Lulu this weekend, but decided not to because I’ve been a bit depressed. I’m kinda wishing I had gone because I know it’s better to push myself to do thing, and also because I would have had a blast with Lu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The J’s and I went out today to get some supplies for James’ upcoming birthday party. I can’t believe my little grandboy is gonna be one soon. It’s always really nice seeing them, but today I found myself extra happy to be around James. I wanted to hold him more and such. He’s such a joy. Joss had on a summer dress she just bought and she looked beautiful. We got some stuff for the party, and then went back to Jocilyn’s house and put together goodie bags for the party. I cannot think of any way I would rather have spent the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James amazes me. He's starting to get interactive now. It's amazing to see how his little mind works and how he learns. Now if he does something that makes you laugh, he will do it again. Even minutes later, he'll remember and do it again. He is also matching things. Joss says he will dig in his toys for a particular type of block, and then dig again until he finds the other one. And if you play with him, like tickle his feet, he'll laugh and then put up his foot for you to do it again. I know these things sound simple, but it just amazes me to see his little brain grow like that. Plus I'm easily amused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I got James another birthday present today too. It’s one of those pop-up play tent things, but it’s a spaceship. It says on the front “Fits 2 astronauts.” I think he’ll really like crawling around in it and taking off to the moon. I’m also going to get him some pants. He wears little pants. It cracks me up. To cover those little chunky legs and that little butt. I love it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will probably go back to blogging a little more often than I had been, since I’ll be out of work a lot more, and also have long chemo days coming up. I’m usually there for 6 hours, and rarely get one of the private cubicles that has a TV. I am usually in the common room, which is rather depressing. It’s a large room with like 20 chairs. The nurses try to make it as comfortable as possible, offering drinks, pillows and magazines, but it’s long, boring, and reeks of illness. It’s a good place to nap though… the chairs are rather comfortable and there’s not much better to do. I think I’ll bring a coloring book this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s all for now. Hug someone today!</span>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-60091449408653356882010-03-13T12:10:00.000-05:002010-03-13T12:10:25.641-05:00Yeah, I'm still here...Not a whole lot of fun going on lately, so my posts have been few and far between. I did, however, finally have my reversal surgery, and am healing up very well. I went in the hospital on a Wednesday, was sneaking down to the cafeteria by Friday, came home on Saturday, and was at work on Tuesday. <br />
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The rollout of new computers at work is going well, and I hope to be done within a month. The project has kept me quite busy since returning to work, so I've hardly seen the J's at all in the past two weeks. I did, however, catch a glipse of James standing on his own, while the kids were over last weekend. It was the cutest thing; he looked like an old man in his stance. Joss reports that the whole household was sick last week, but they all seem to be better now. <br />
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I am very eager to see the new Alice in Wonderland movie, and hope to do that this weekend, or early in the week. Anyone wanna join me?? Seriously - let's have a movie night. That would be fun! Call me...392-6788.<br />
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I received sad news from Maine this week. Sadly, my Dad's goat Lucy died. :( There are some pictures of Lucy in my posts from Maine in December. She was sweet and super cute, and my Dad, Diane and I are sad about this. This has been an especially hard few months for my Dad and Diane, as they also had to put down their sweet black dog, Shadow, whom they loved very much. Have a drink for Lucy and Shadow.<br />
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Joss made me the most delicous chocolate-mint cake last week! Thanks Joss! It was a little late for "chocolate mint day," which my last post informed you was on February 19, but it was super yummy!<br />
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A few other interesting days that are coming up are:<br />
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Today - 3/13 National Open An Umbrella Indoors day<br />
3/16 Lips Appreciation day<br />
3/18 Awkward Moments day<br />
3/25 Kick Butts day<br />
3/26 Make Up Your Own Holiday day<br />
3/30 Pencil day<br />
and my favorite: 3/31 National She's Funny That Way day<br />
Be sure to celebrate these, and every day! <br />
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Alas, this is what my posts have been reduced to: News of chocolate mint cakes, and random days from a quirky calendar. Might as well throw in my shock at Lily being eliminated from Idol, and mention that I'm hoping for Crystal Bowersox to win. But I promise, betters posts will come. As soon as the work project is done, I plan to take a couple more trips, and will be sure to find <em>something</em> to tell you about.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-51820731360113994092010-02-24T19:44:00.000-05:002010-02-24T19:44:52.061-05:00Even more cruise pics - Jamaica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she lovely??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLP_yG4SkjwtvqeHLEVTkXs8-r5r1KYTQLC3_m2ih01SuncVSv2ACe5CRqJ0uoc5rZcvIM0C3iiD1o3FiHauJ6JNMKEon7WuhPuf5ZkUeNHdGnF4d1Wy85PY8Cgic4FY1ptDnagTxmm0/s1600-h/DSC00156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLP_yG4SkjwtvqeHLEVTkXs8-r5r1KYTQLC3_m2ih01SuncVSv2ACe5CRqJ0uoc5rZcvIM0C3iiD1o3FiHauJ6JNMKEon7WuhPuf5ZkUeNHdGnF4d1Wy85PY8Cgic4FY1ptDnagTxmm0/s320/DSC00156.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The shelf you may have read about -- at the beginning of our decorating<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv9BaRsLvx0K57Ka26P79Ct0462sSYaxdFW-W6aT7i6oKLuDqm5X3I4Ig2ctsWMRiAnRbyMZRG8gk4NGpZDq4ajNdhnPQwNDYnN6b7M7wqbEKk0h_kvYK_2peu0UH_WyoeOWzC3ACHi4/s1600-h/DSC00166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv9BaRsLvx0K57Ka26P79Ct0462sSYaxdFW-W6aT7i6oKLuDqm5X3I4Ig2ctsWMRiAnRbyMZRG8gk4NGpZDq4ajNdhnPQwNDYnN6b7M7wqbEKk0h_kvYK_2peu0UH_WyoeOWzC3ACHi4/s320/DSC00166.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trees have toes in Jamaica!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNSOkEDv_O2W80Tnk2Imcwk8T5YI_MPdt9HyNsWppuWwVD01aZAzdDck1pGHNiEJH1NRcXwQfqN9sUU7GWyQqG8kw-RCNn7CReMS2Y2ucCs1Qns7W4X347sAKVeMtGbAlbdG9sLQ_678/s1600-h/DSC00223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNSOkEDv_O2W80Tnk2Imcwk8T5YI_MPdt9HyNsWppuWwVD01aZAzdDck1pGHNiEJH1NRcXwQfqN9sUU7GWyQqG8kw-RCNn7CReMS2Y2ucCs1Qns7W4X347sAKVeMtGbAlbdG9sLQ_678/s320/DSC00223.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dunn's River Falls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKbVlROM3tBVXcR7ftDtFi1hacRbmXrMwK-9FX_IfYEIC414CxcW0aLLnjb6spv8o4enphbwc-ykkeAwAmfWc3Tz1vogq3iWKMncBFTSSiu895i6xI5KYXCnw-q0IkETiCdfDe_CvXnE/s1600-h/DSC00230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKbVlROM3tBVXcR7ftDtFi1hacRbmXrMwK-9FX_IfYEIC414CxcW0aLLnjb6spv8o4enphbwc-ykkeAwAmfWc3Tz1vogq3iWKMncBFTSSiu895i6xI5KYXCnw-q0IkETiCdfDe_CvXnE/s320/DSC00230.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG2pPyTnLpxdevRjPQ5ekk9kTiDBBAQ8PsDoIkO5mk7sU7QHdl6w0KRht8eDV8WuUe5i4mvpvbPLVHXt0Kff8EWmpI-SP8zcO45VcDgOL3Mq9PtlWxITeIERY9iXh6daEg3SKSCXb6EM/s1600-h/DSC00231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG2pPyTnLpxdevRjPQ5ekk9kTiDBBAQ8PsDoIkO5mk7sU7QHdl6w0KRht8eDV8WuUe5i4mvpvbPLVHXt0Kff8EWmpI-SP8zcO45VcDgOL3Mq9PtlWxITeIERY9iXh6daEg3SKSCXb6EM/s320/DSC00231.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sitting in the falls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIeokSZJMWadgSiK-U07k1weNrCRQ6DiuQDhJhHisbSW2OyCuOuf_KcmGgyLprXz-cUaKGGrIqd8X-j8eUlGWoEsCrQJ-R7RxI2KxWXkPbQ_qhdlsvOuIF9z6JITNYSRjGTLpR-jwIj8/s1600-h/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIeokSZJMWadgSiK-U07k1weNrCRQ6DiuQDhJhHisbSW2OyCuOuf_KcmGgyLprXz-cUaKGGrIqd8X-j8eUlGWoEsCrQJ-R7RxI2KxWXkPbQ_qhdlsvOuIF9z6JITNYSRjGTLpR-jwIj8/s320/DSC00237.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she wonderful?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokIahT6NlNVnP1Vs_JhyphenhyphenhmZ7v_fc9ULBQh1mF5MPnsobJOee_oyYa2572Gr2BwcZIRW8ehyphenhyphenfbgNd124m4RVmJcQ8MNlrXc75hd37HasRobyR3VG_Nl8jODPGLmFrrQFcaZLGFfXoa7N0/s1600-h/DSC00239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokIahT6NlNVnP1Vs_JhyphenhyphenhmZ7v_fc9ULBQh1mF5MPnsobJOee_oyYa2572Gr2BwcZIRW8ehyphenhyphenfbgNd124m4RVmJcQ8MNlrXc75hd37HasRobyR3VG_Nl8jODPGLmFrrQFcaZLGFfXoa7N0/s320/DSC00239.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDEzGV9InrrR02nA-bTIhi6Nps_xoPlZAtlWj3J-H4WjOdJm7AznuLQgQpA_oLIJDRKiqNe9xnOnwDdDN1Z33gVa1Av2jlXuFLVxDXvp5AFK_jathciQnhHw4AjBLMSbM6yW2L8xR0V0/s1600-h/DSC00240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDEzGV9InrrR02nA-bTIhi6Nps_xoPlZAtlWj3J-H4WjOdJm7AznuLQgQpA_oLIJDRKiqNe9xnOnwDdDN1Z33gVa1Av2jlXuFLVxDXvp5AFK_jathciQnhHw4AjBLMSbM6yW2L8xR0V0/s320/DSC00240.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she precious? :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love waterfalls!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc56Qq_hcL2ZeWY0CbEJrk8UJ72MFdU0kyo4MOI2B6amaH19iBogMvl9k5AWM6opDeykMxGEJa5r64AHOitS8aTrvuzXAuAdP_M60Fi6U0SFyvt8iXtFCKHvMnBjXHgArRuxD0rBoa47U/s1600-h/DSC00241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc56Qq_hcL2ZeWY0CbEJrk8UJ72MFdU0kyo4MOI2B6amaH19iBogMvl9k5AWM6opDeykMxGEJa5r64AHOitS8aTrvuzXAuAdP_M60Fi6U0SFyvt8iXtFCKHvMnBjXHgArRuxD0rBoa47U/s320/DSC00241.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS4F_T4rw2yujNJPfYrT2d7Xtn3o3Rj62KpsXLFd3x_aT8YNPyNBKlfjSdhORcbE9Wc71lZOgkKA782WB6zYErKQuF0q-Wt2CH_gNxaihFcEUvCm4UiU1EAJYnql9E3T3qydq4ZBjKHg/s1600-h/DSC00247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS4F_T4rw2yujNJPfYrT2d7Xtn3o3Rj62KpsXLFd3x_aT8YNPyNBKlfjSdhORcbE9Wc71lZOgkKA782WB6zYErKQuF0q-Wt2CH_gNxaihFcEUvCm4UiU1EAJYnql9E3T3qydq4ZBjKHg/s320/DSC00247.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnY4YisWqT-pOkGh7fJ6o4CC-6ov7i9ZYlCAaXow_lBMTQ2Qzr4Ny7V392CXDrEg0DKlIUPpMhEwViu3ILAf30ieOBDmY6hpqJV1mTsAFPw-LsZIgQHL9tskEZZqvtitn5l1U5CV0BxY/s1600-h/DSC00253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnY4YisWqT-pOkGh7fJ6o4CC-6ov7i9ZYlCAaXow_lBMTQ2Qzr4Ny7V392CXDrEg0DKlIUPpMhEwViu3ILAf30ieOBDmY6hpqJV1mTsAFPw-LsZIgQHL9tskEZZqvtitn5l1U5CV0BxY/s320/DSC00253.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We seriously did not plan to both make the same cheesy face. I guess we really do look alike.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHe3YYCpgw-GpI0JCBO4qloQuCyEd7Yf9nCLTQMB53iRKiZujYCJFw-fXob9KJ6VG0zccVcd-mskm6SnzX4r-wGJPZGqK3qWtMDkYAPj_cyAdhyphenhyphenz1mjGMbTB1B4jqjWRoXRns8n2vEWk/s1600-h/DSC00259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHe3YYCpgw-GpI0JCBO4qloQuCyEd7Yf9nCLTQMB53iRKiZujYCJFw-fXob9KJ6VG0zccVcd-mskm6SnzX4r-wGJPZGqK3qWtMDkYAPj_cyAdhyphenhyphenz1mjGMbTB1B4jqjWRoXRns8n2vEWk/s320/DSC00259.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, you KNOW I love you when I share a pic with you where I'm looking so geeky!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdwlMipl0mZ_HfyHHaG3BGwueHYpLD2y1n-EzapIDcHwTYZ_avKTIEdHWVrRQZHaroRGhY12R35ziug4SE7F9JUJS1CoVeFsud7T_X-cVcE-SQLDz5u6kTtC8tpBa_EHOwX_ALg1P4Xk/s1600-h/DSC00260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdwlMipl0mZ_HfyHHaG3BGwueHYpLD2y1n-EzapIDcHwTYZ_avKTIEdHWVrRQZHaroRGhY12R35ziug4SE7F9JUJS1CoVeFsud7T_X-cVcE-SQLDz5u6kTtC8tpBa_EHOwX_ALg1P4Xk/s320/DSC00260.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The shelf is growing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdeajYuYO7AFrnCTa-6uINoRl8TDRIOjpN4KdMsU7D_FjV7gh37XH57XmBT-YGmKVY1TUDj-xtKI5C596pzDqU0M6aSebCr479QR1gTzlDWQRrfUYZ3vrqtzoJbQd4hAwbt_rrtDeZZE/s1600-h/DSC00268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdeajYuYO7AFrnCTa-6uINoRl8TDRIOjpN4KdMsU7D_FjV7gh37XH57XmBT-YGmKVY1TUDj-xtKI5C596pzDqU0M6aSebCr479QR1gTzlDWQRrfUYZ3vrqtzoJbQd4hAwbt_rrtDeZZE/s320/DSC00268.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">IT'S BOB!!!!!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjxqGjDGMskb9Lh_vImlXsDMFRhOZaYR6GSJ2GNRL-H1Tapq1joLe20ys-3c6gQ1MHGssXIdgI4IdT6X_dnQK_cSrzMH-5MW6B2fX1AyKMYHrPAcLREXh5z4Jr1rOadHOWun19HqeNQo/s1600-h/DSC00281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjxqGjDGMskb9Lh_vImlXsDMFRhOZaYR6GSJ2GNRL-H1Tapq1joLe20ys-3c6gQ1MHGssXIdgI4IdT6X_dnQK_cSrzMH-5MW6B2fX1AyKMYHrPAcLREXh5z4Jr1rOadHOWun19HqeNQo/s320/DSC00281.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cruise ship parking lot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBqDqcI91TOy0E7OMjIt8rKohBaYrYlPYI9mg0ZTjHpck6byX_FHNp_0bloG8ScZUhlBIuRFIGIQcNBzuyFwWG7QTCGLevswXIlamsa7Hm_uUmOBq2h7Seh7BSmodESOU-cQ6BksNZA0/s1600-h/DSC00343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBqDqcI91TOy0E7OMjIt8rKohBaYrYlPYI9mg0ZTjHpck6byX_FHNp_0bloG8ScZUhlBIuRFIGIQcNBzuyFwWG7QTCGLevswXIlamsa7Hm_uUmOBq2h7Seh7BSmodESOU-cQ6BksNZA0/s320/DSC00343.JPG" /></a></div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-59255049138416811702010-02-24T17:59:00.000-05:002010-02-24T17:59:21.533-05:00More cruise pics- Haiti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fall in!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVoXdeyN-xIPN9z664y68ugDCVeUlG4pOS7Bl749kITsarL9MRwEC_u79l53OzRNeu51XNFuDMI-pckq4jQ1ECrikPHklOn9PuP0Jj71ITbm8Dkqoxpn62_Z3BquTBeXV-WRT6cnLX64/s1600-h/DSC00155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVoXdeyN-xIPN9z664y68ugDCVeUlG4pOS7Bl749kITsarL9MRwEC_u79l53OzRNeu51XNFuDMI-pckq4jQ1ECrikPHklOn9PuP0Jj71ITbm8Dkqoxpn62_Z3BquTBeXV-WRT6cnLX64/s320/DSC00155.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two Js<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUpnxUAabwAnbvA_hg7fZrkb9Uoe4S9qOF2OP0VtLbyELF2wfzkOOm0J5zUqLbhQfcf9h2mk_teGJ2T4DfgQRhQlcQYjA3N-npKP6mwtE9xDqr6Ipi4oOoBiAqi5koATkkzBia9ZMBxE/s1600-h/DSC00035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUpnxUAabwAnbvA_hg7fZrkb9Uoe4S9qOF2OP0VtLbyELF2wfzkOOm0J5zUqLbhQfcf9h2mk_teGJ2T4DfgQRhQlcQYjA3N-npKP6mwtE9xDqr6Ipi4oOoBiAqi5koATkkzBia9ZMBxE/s320/DSC00035.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't know who these folks are. They posed, so I took a pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9VQmgJd-c2gnMJiZ41jBFYxSaY7oxoah8dnZ8W6dWFRSPVWgEsWyRxYtTe8HAYWbuIwYFONE9Bwz7ecz5dnejmEPt9JeR8pxvQwJFs9PnJBdM1jiLn5MFrSCaBsPDw97wu2KdV2ef8A/s1600-h/DSC00051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9VQmgJd-c2gnMJiZ41jBFYxSaY7oxoah8dnZ8W6dWFRSPVWgEsWyRxYtTe8HAYWbuIwYFONE9Bwz7ecz5dnejmEPt9JeR8pxvQwJFs9PnJBdM1jiLn5MFrSCaBsPDw97wu2KdV2ef8A/s320/DSC00051.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first and last taste of caviar. Yuck<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBfBgnwe197vxVi5rysqvdDi6CGSUuLHhKCpKIZouQaXXu1FX3UJGCW5vgjKf_JR9TzK8t-3kjWI3e4csGHrEV1zBy8Oev5d4phs306__B4FKOBN4zSRI1wn6QQGMoPyWlVwcBrxnUQU/s1600-h/DSC00046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBfBgnwe197vxVi5rysqvdDi6CGSUuLHhKCpKIZouQaXXu1FX3UJGCW5vgjKf_JR9TzK8t-3kjWI3e4csGHrEV1zBy8Oev5d4phs306__B4FKOBN4zSRI1wn6QQGMoPyWlVwcBrxnUQU/s320/DSC00046.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Security around Haiti<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMWLtpyUqGMRuyGDfnGfpov5tcv0ljfC8-nCUy9Ag-y67Yl1ava5cKZaE-uGYxV_g25J30LHOUMrISdnuP-oBn51juDuTsXRsQHV2FqeKQw5RM7HiTqribszGvhgpOArOQ5rwb_DWYSI/s1600-h/DSC00083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMWLtpyUqGMRuyGDfnGfpov5tcv0ljfC8-nCUy9Ag-y67Yl1ava5cKZaE-uGYxV_g25J30LHOUMrISdnuP-oBn51juDuTsXRsQHV2FqeKQw5RM7HiTqribszGvhgpOArOQ5rwb_DWYSI/s320/DSC00083.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some nasty bitter thing I picked up from the ground and was told by a local is called something like "almond juice"???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPrCyNtOrvsuG7kFbaBJg8hHYvzlvgrN7GNIUZfgnYQUT-tBT3g20KVvaOBe0ukR59Wiis6tGTv4TgSNjlo3aelV2EFoYaa7eGZxuGP-5JjFiUx7JEdI89K5IqyvDaW0IrrllM3OYtQQ/s1600-h/DSC00113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPrCyNtOrvsuG7kFbaBJg8hHYvzlvgrN7GNIUZfgnYQUT-tBT3g20KVvaOBe0ukR59Wiis6tGTv4TgSNjlo3aelV2EFoYaa7eGZxuGP-5JjFiUx7JEdI89K5IqyvDaW0IrrllM3OYtQQ/s320/DSC00113.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joss kicked sand in my face</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoChAUJihZQJxjwlWGrhY6_LlwIsxUmhEQLR1R16rGnDFsURc6LQgp9mBEYxCjU9eXdHsJKb0rTSqoQpYXpC9K6FKHaJ8EfMbE-Ttd7TZslUJcyFqlzM1BzeOvO-PDKu-2Wv9ABqdN_HI/s1600-h/DSC00125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoChAUJihZQJxjwlWGrhY6_LlwIsxUmhEQLR1R16rGnDFsURc6LQgp9mBEYxCjU9eXdHsJKb0rTSqoQpYXpC9K6FKHaJ8EfMbE-Ttd7TZslUJcyFqlzM1BzeOvO-PDKu-2Wv9ABqdN_HI/s320/DSC00125.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then she apologized and hugged me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAPBUtFo0cguIdGM4Yu3wQUae_Qbnby-SBzTgjqdN26pMLM7LOtdM-UnuUvXeAh-J14vpvzbyAIPTDZw59A5deUrR8ojbR8koNJWWIMCjOiN4ig5rahWR9KHPZEizcjoTaI5nQSVytrc/s1600-h/DSC00126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAPBUtFo0cguIdGM4Yu3wQUae_Qbnby-SBzTgjqdN26pMLM7LOtdM-UnuUvXeAh-J14vpvzbyAIPTDZw59A5deUrR8ojbR8koNJWWIMCjOiN4ig5rahWR9KHPZEizcjoTaI5nQSVytrc/s320/DSC00126.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAoAxor9zV8WxtHaWhulobifJCqVraM0JvfewQc5C715sLQe4Eg4AeTIdu3DXlFCmAcvw05FjGh__1nBksvr2J6uZH3AKx6nN5yLNuURHy0LlEWZ6KWgxgcZCf6qQZB-E4CV0-UEfnSQ/s1600-h/DSC00122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAoAxor9zV8WxtHaWhulobifJCqVraM0JvfewQc5C715sLQe4Eg4AeTIdu3DXlFCmAcvw05FjGh__1nBksvr2J6uZH3AKx6nN5yLNuURHy0LlEWZ6KWgxgcZCf6qQZB-E4CV0-UEfnSQ/s320/DSC00122.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Haitian earthquak relief</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-A6imKh0QiXcsHTx5o2ILvJ-bcUsieeaEYKLnWYzZR4WLrdYnOfXY6_q0u67tYSkdIOuAn3-fvGfhxBZnoMVbJtYTccCXJTC81Atp9FL7ECBhG1wiznHJLqy_ozX7JOUYyQ4yvSKhTc/s1600-h/DSC00145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-A6imKh0QiXcsHTx5o2ILvJ-bcUsieeaEYKLnWYzZR4WLrdYnOfXY6_q0u67tYSkdIOuAn3-fvGfhxBZnoMVbJtYTccCXJTC81Atp9FL7ECBhG1wiznHJLqy_ozX7JOUYyQ4yvSKhTc/s320/DSC00145.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey!! They said they brought the Haitians "water"</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">More security around Haiti<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI68FLo-gse1DAuVghyphenhyphengDtRHdg9IlptQ188SUrBG3LtC6G68OyT_GsTqH21t0_lORmek8ZQf2voKWLQ5cgbanGBYzcXX4QLJSSfw9m29fAKzcVVXndHfR9zO4NbOAXuxXWyJ9hGxzNu54/s1600-h/DSC00005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI68FLo-gse1DAuVghyphenhyphengDtRHdg9IlptQ188SUrBG3LtC6G68OyT_GsTqH21t0_lORmek8ZQf2voKWLQ5cgbanGBYzcXX4QLJSSfw9m29fAKzcVVXndHfR9zO4NbOAXuxXWyJ9hGxzNu54/s320/DSC00005.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What?? is she drinking again??</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiJLq_NQK6bZfuDf6py9ngZCc8OTsufeeABRPb-OwpchZLRDxSzGkkqSj8HZXlBG5xpfRL4wfTCEX3RghWaiH8v2IglVUazGJHZtok5IJ-Gm-8hVJ9QX51zn6_YoeDSHGwVSLqQcLTQg/s1600-h/DSC00124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiJLq_NQK6bZfuDf6py9ngZCc8OTsufeeABRPb-OwpchZLRDxSzGkkqSj8HZXlBG5xpfRL4wfTCEX3RghWaiH8v2IglVUazGJHZtok5IJ-Gm-8hVJ9QX51zn6_YoeDSHGwVSLqQcLTQg/s320/DSC00124.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKEibwBDIIQ7fZERvLVrbINeC0GTNDlDj6SgV2uC2tPiA2FMPTjKNB1H1VzMABl-fN9YunKSGadZ4Z16Nj7WAzfIoKfcycicYZynFp3fzCoG09utCHQQY7FCnY_wOxR1tlPt3JOGs72o/s1600-h/DSC00092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKEibwBDIIQ7fZERvLVrbINeC0GTNDlDj6SgV2uC2tPiA2FMPTjKNB1H1VzMABl-fN9YunKSGadZ4Z16Nj7WAzfIoKfcycicYZynFp3fzCoG09utCHQQY7FCnY_wOxR1tlPt3JOGs72o/s320/DSC00092.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">More coming soon. Well, depending on your definition of "soon." Mine seems a little loose.</div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-74193544583996515412010-02-24T06:51:00.000-05:002010-02-24T06:51:16.098-05:00Cabin fever!!!I gotta get out of Gso. I have been stagnant too long. :(Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-66944394924335038732010-02-19T07:01:00.000-05:002010-02-19T07:01:44.147-05:00Boring....To avoid the impending threat of losing my fan base to the boredom stemming from my lack of posts and lack of adventures (but mostly because of insomnia) I decided to write something. Anything. <br />
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First, next week I should have a date for surgery. I will finally get my long-awaited reversal and am fairly certain a portion of my liver will be removed. Will know for sure after meeting with the liver doctor next week. I have been off chemo for about a month now, and it’s a nice break! Cold drinks ROCK. My doctor is eager to get me back on, and as soon as I am healed enough from surgery, they will start it again. Yuck. <br />
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For several months now, I’ve been somewhat consumed with the desire to return to Europe. This time for longer. We are in the last phases of a huge project at work, and when that is completed, I am hoping to find a way to get back there. The majority of my chemo will be in pill form, so I am thinking maybe I could go then (when I am back on chemo) but am not real sure about traveling while nauseas, weak, tired, and not eating. Yet otherwise, if I’m not feeling sick, I am unsure about justifying the time out of work. Except for the fact that my Oncologist actually did order that I keep traveling and doing things (seriously… she did. Does that mean I can deduct travel expenses from my taxes as medical expenses?) and I still do need to pack like 30 or 40 years of experiences into the next 3-5 years… and if I wait until I am too sick to travel, I’ll be… well… too sick to travel. I dunno; I’m really hoping to work this out somehow.<br />
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I also have been wanting to get to South America. Peru maybe. Or Ecuador. Or maybe Honduras (is that South or Central?) but Peru is flooded, and I’ve not look at the other destinations enough to decide specifically where I’d want to go. I found this website where you can find host families in lots of other countries. I think I’d like that… staying with a host family, learning their culture, eating their food, and paying like $20 a day. That interests me a lot more than the normal touristy travel type of trip.<br />
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Jamie Jame is getting bigger and cuter and smarter. He has just started the phase where he is afraid of strangers. We’ve learned though, that he’s quite gullible and if you give him a toy, he assumes you are trustworthy. He’s getting a little bit more hair, but not much. I swear he’s more of a baldy than my little sister Al was. She didn’t get hair until like… last year-ish.<br />
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My alarm is buzzing so I guess I’ll start my day. Have a great one!<br />
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Oh... today is "Chocolate Mint day."Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-36435911064335807782010-02-12T19:49:00.001-05:002010-02-15T12:08:32.653-05:00Cruise ShenanigansDay 1<br />
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We boarded the ship, had dinner, and then explored the HUGE ship for hours. Didn't get into too much the first night, but did go out on the deck at night, where it was REALLY windy, since the ship was moving very fast. Joss and I had a ball playing in the strong winds, trying to walk, standing at angles, and practically falling all over the place. It was fun until I tried brushing my hair that night!<br />
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Day 2 - Day at sea<br />
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We attended an art auction, where they had several pieces by Picasso, and a sketch by Rembrandt!!!! Wish I could have bought one. The auctioneer dude said it would go for around 80k.<br />
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Dinner was awesome! It was formal night and Joss and I had fun sauntering around in our pretty dresses. After dinner we attended the Marquis show. They are very talented and we enjoyed it a lot. <br />
We brought a bag of little green plastic army men with us, and have been leaving them around random places. We also used some to decorate our room. It's rather drab.<br />
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Day 3 - Haiti<br />
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Haiti is beautiful! And hot. We visited "Laberdee." We walked through the market area where we were bombarded by toothless Haitians trying to sell us stuff. There are tons of them and they keep telling you to look at this, look at that. The prices are highly negotiable. I wonder if anyone ever pays the first asking price. I bought a wooden mask for "the wall" at my house, which is a wrought-iron looking free-standing decorative divider/wall thingy that I got at an auction for $15. I hang interesting things on it. Will post a picture of it sometime. The mask was $4.00, but the asking price was like $12.00. Joss and I also got some woven bracelets with beads and stones (3 for $5), and Joss bought a hand-carved turtle for her Dad. Her Dad (Mark) loves turtles, and Joss tries to bring him one from every place she visits.<br />
I rode a sort of roller-coaster that has individual sled-like carts for each person. You have a break handle, and have to make sure you don't bump into the person riding before you by using the break. The track goes really high and the views are stunning, but you can only see it for a second. I didn't use the break much and was laughing and screaming the entire way down. <br />
Joss and I went off the beaten track and found some HUGE shells (will take pics of those too, sometime). Lots of them. The largest one is like maybe 8" long! I've never found such large shells, but always wanted to. <br />
We spent about an hour at the beach. It was so beautiful with it's blue water. Haiti is very mountainous so the views are beautiful. We were so exhausted when we got back to the ship, we both took a nap. When we got up we went to The Crypt (a really cool gothic bar) and did some people-watching. We gave names to some of the people there, like "Jacket" "Wiggle" "Miss Quon" "Douche bag" and "Hookup man." It was fun spotting them again over the next few days.<br />
On the way back to the ship we saw many pallets of relief supplies being loaded onto trucks to go to the earthquake victims. There was quite a lot of it, and a lot of workers loading it. We talked with an apparent American volunteer and learned a little about the relief efforts. It was interesting, and cool to see.<br />
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Day 4 - Ocho Rios, Jamaica<br />
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Jamaica was my favorite spot!!! It is gorgeous, and the people are so chill and happy. They, as the Haitians, also bombard you with requests to look at their market, ride their cab, let them braid your hair, or sell you drugs, but somehow they are much more likeable when they do it. One of the merchants was named Bob. He was so sweet and showed us how to get to this market we were looking for. I kept saying "Thanks, Bob. Is it this way, Bob? What's that, Bob?" and Joss told me "stop saying 'Bob!'" We liked Bob. Bob was friendly. Bob sold wooden carvings, and I really wanted to buy one because I liked Bob, but he didn't have anything I wanted. I should have got a picture of Bob, but I didn't think of it. <br />
When we were done looking around the market, we decided to go to the Dunn River Falls. The entire time at the market and walking around we were constantly hounded by cabbies to take their cab. When we were finally ready for a cab to go to the falls, I said to Joss "Gee, I wish we could find a cab!" and we were immediately surrounded by like 5 cabbies. We went to the waterfalls and had a great time. First we went off the main path and found that the ground was covered with pretty shells. Not the beach, just the normal ground, where trees grow. It was weird. We collected a lot and then went over to the falls. It was so beautiful. We climbed around on the rocks and played in the water. I used my snorkel mask (yes, I looked very geeky) to look into these kinda caves in the rocks and saw crab houses and all kinds of little critters. Of everything we did and saw on the trip, I loved the falls the best. <br />
We went into a little convenience store to get a drink and the sodas were priced in Jamaican money. We didn't know how much it would be, but we bought two 20 oz sodas and it came to $1.30!! I couldn't believe how cheap! So I gave them $2 U.S. and asked for the $.70 change in Jamaican. Joss got... get this... a Fifty Jamaican dollar bill, and about 3 or 4 coins, to total SEVENTY CENTS. <br />
When we got back to our room on the ship and were washing off the shells we gathered, Joss discovered one was still inhabited by a snail. She named him Bob and ordered him a Caesar salad from room service. She set him up a habitat in the shower, with his salad, and some other shells, and a note to the maid to not move him. We thought he might be OK because he ate some salad and pooped, but he died the next day :( Poor Bob. I like Bob. Bob was a cool snail.<br />
We added the things we bought in Jamaica to the shelf in our room. It's starting to look very nice. We contemplated hanging up a Led Zeppelin poster, but the gift shops didn't have any.<br />
Lastly we had dinner at Johnny Rockets and then hung out in the cool air on the deck for a while. <br />
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Day 5 - Grand Cayman<br />
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We did a little shopping, got a free rum punch at Hard Rock Café (where I got a picture of Elton John’s glasses, Mick Jagger’s coat, and some other cool stuff). <br />
I went snorkeling at this coral reef area. It’s not a beach, but like stairs down into 4’ water right where the coral reef is. Right there where you get in, there were these two huge fish like 3’ long! They swim right next to you. It was amazing! I spent hours snorkeling and looking at all the beautiful fish of all different colors. I dove for a few shells, but there weren’t many there. This was my second favorite part of the trip. I absolutely loved the snorkeling. <br />
Back at the ship we added a few more things to our shelf, which is now getting quite pretty and brightens up the room. We had lobster for dinner! The evening show featured a huge star! I got to meet him, and even went on the stage and hugged him. I was so excited when I heard he was on the ship, I was constantly looking everywhere for him. Later I got his autograph, and several pictures with him. Are you dying to know who it was??? Ok, are you ready??? It was…BOWZER!!!! Yes, seriously! (For all of you who are under 40, Bowzer starred in the very popular 80’s TV show, “Sha Na Na.” It was a very exciting evening.<br />
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Day 6 – Cozumel, Mexico<br />
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Holy crap it’s hot in Mexico! Also, the police carry machine guns. We had Mexican food (there they just call it “food”) at a placed called Tiki Tok. I had a burrito and Joss had nachos.<br />
Joss bought a beautiful chess set and a set of stone dominos. We each got some cigars for Dominick (my son-in-law). I got an Ed Hardy bag for $40, and a silver and coral bracelet for showing some Mexican my boob. The left one. I also got a Mayan plaque type thing for the Wall.<br />
There was SO much shopping that we didn’t really get to do anything else. We walked for many hours and then returned to the ship sore and dirty.<br />
The ship’s show was “Once Upon A Time” which was a musical song and dance thing themed after fairy tales. It was really good! We went to the casino for a few minutes after dinner, and I lost $20. Earlier in the week I had made $10 by putting $5 on red (roulette) (I also had a $5 play credit coupon) but gave $5 of it to Joss because I felt bad that she lost her roulette bet. <br />
The shelf is now overflowing!<br />
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Day 7 – At sea<br />
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Joss and I rearranged the furniture in our room. It’s a lot roomier now! <br />
Joss made a fort with blankets and when the room service guy came to bring us tea, she yelled “ATTACK” and threw a bunch of army men at him. <br />
We also put luggage tags on a few favored items and put them out in the hallway to be checked with everyone else’s baggage. A chair, a roll of toilet paper, and a life vest. Sadly they were ignored and not taken away with the rest of the luggage. However our housekeeper did find it quite funny, and came into our room to tell us about it (after knocking for about 10 minutes and hearing us laughing but not answering the door.)<br />
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Day 8 – It’s all over now <br />
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We got off the ship at like 6 a.m. It was freezing in Florida. Like in the 20s, and windy. We had no coats, and were in flip flops. We rented a car and drove to Orlando. We got pedicures and manicures, and then went to the airport, where we missed the plane by like 10 minutes. That’s a story for another blog though. We got home at midnight.<br />
I'll post more pictiures soon.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-32182463165790362212010-02-12T18:44:00.000-05:002010-02-12T18:44:23.801-05:00Some pictures from the cruise<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Joss at the airport. We were trying to avoid airport security.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5x_0IYUC_P5eWw4hQh6A-MC_1BnmNRapDW3k-TVtv2FoP04abXyqvEXvJWd-Jc3rqOErnnxHv0orbR0xYqh3GZXeJC52jqJ3nU23klO0LHHWV8fqsxhBlxpJ7qsZvD4W1APb9sIQmVs/s1600-h/DSC00003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5x_0IYUC_P5eWw4hQh6A-MC_1BnmNRapDW3k-TVtv2FoP04abXyqvEXvJWd-Jc3rqOErnnxHv0orbR0xYqh3GZXeJC52jqJ3nU23klO0LHHWV8fqsxhBlxpJ7qsZvD4W1APb9sIQmVs/s320/DSC00003.JPG" /></a>Apparently our disguises were not sufficient, as airport security scoped us out for about 10 minutes before finally coming over and asking what was up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Actually, it's not really THAT big:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2kKjjueDVonhvxpJpzYsioVCk-_iTQ6Mfi6D_dU6smIgX7aA1WErGr5g_MQRWKjCORs-8Yp6HGA1ccCMh4uaWyKiEw8H_naDtAObt-CIcSo-AOuNpugXU1cSClMaHQ05JnZOQgwpPEw/s1600-h/DSC00138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2kKjjueDVonhvxpJpzYsioVCk-_iTQ6Mfi6D_dU6smIgX7aA1WErGr5g_MQRWKjCORs-8Yp6HGA1ccCMh4uaWyKiEw8H_naDtAObt-CIcSo-AOuNpugXU1cSClMaHQ05JnZOQgwpPEw/s320/DSC00138.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Promenade!! A happenin spot every night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikPweLWAQPWtYuIWmrIhrLvHgqswX-8RDKcWbEsYJr6EbnyjKV0-tua_NTYIUwCn33FWpOW5VSOjhs0RHnnhF3YGnglFT1-1J64LOzMzPgDmYxXKA28ijFrJC4puCzzdBqVxuKgWzpUE/s1600-h/DSC00041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikPweLWAQPWtYuIWmrIhrLvHgqswX-8RDKcWbEsYJr6EbnyjKV0-tua_NTYIUwCn33FWpOW5VSOjhs0RHnnhF3YGnglFT1-1J64LOzMzPgDmYxXKA28ijFrJC4puCzzdBqVxuKgWzpUE/s320/DSC00041.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who does this chick think she is??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyhgJV5I8hV0BfchgQ4FElcs6LhAAmLiU3v5bKIhnSE8h3vpoOBYsSrx3CfrzJ3UJjA-oLaksr6bABlNOXhbkxlaSNygH4CazXIeKREn8_zUZosY43GDqNRmCdBathrVjlzs-hsRiaJQ/s1600-h/DSC00029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyhgJV5I8hV0BfchgQ4FElcs6LhAAmLiU3v5bKIhnSE8h3vpoOBYsSrx3CfrzJ3UJjA-oLaksr6bABlNOXhbkxlaSNygH4CazXIeKREn8_zUZosY43GDqNRmCdBathrVjlzs-hsRiaJQ/s320/DSC00029.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joss with the WCSR mascot. Wow, some law firms are really free with vacation time. Hey, does that child have a drink in her hand??? Where's her mother!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGzq4iPHH87b9UOFx2NWrqd6nPVWjFRy9TaohuMtcGEwyJpex1JdFXXnogxEhgqXuXbygflDrr3eD6Rs2AP8BM49KAbAyKdYIMlG06cVwxRKF_dQ8aqtujwGo33Ixv7HIp41qdw0MJvM/s1600-h/DSC00057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGzq4iPHH87b9UOFx2NWrqd6nPVWjFRy9TaohuMtcGEwyJpex1JdFXXnogxEhgqXuXbygflDrr3eD6Rs2AP8BM49KAbAyKdYIMlG06cVwxRKF_dQ8aqtujwGo33Ixv7HIp41qdw0MJvM/s320/DSC00057.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm wearing my Heart of the Ocean necklace. Luckily, there were no icebergs in sight</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOqhr6wmT_3VmOX9UIGA3FusutDYcVdgLYEJMV8oJl8SfhNaoeQPbV_Ru5ewzND3Knt8OXhU3yCK8k8PHSVB0hatVz-U_OkBeZdculsdtNlSbOw2LmQLuldR5Lg_z7C0g5jVQN8JBedA/s1600-h/DSC00060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOqhr6wmT_3VmOX9UIGA3FusutDYcVdgLYEJMV8oJl8SfhNaoeQPbV_Ru5ewzND3Knt8OXhU3yCK8k8PHSVB0hatVz-U_OkBeZdculsdtNlSbOw2LmQLuldR5Lg_z7C0g5jVQN8JBedA/s320/DSC00060.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOqhr6wmT_3VmOX9UIGA3FusutDYcVdgLYEJMV8oJl8SfhNaoeQPbV_Ru5ewzND3Knt8OXhU3yCK8k8PHSVB0hatVz-U_OkBeZdculsdtNlSbOw2LmQLuldR5Lg_z7C0g5jVQN8JBedA/s1600-h/DSC00060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOqhr6wmT_3VmOX9UIGA3FusutDYcVdgLYEJMV8oJl8SfhNaoeQPbV_Ru5ewzND3Knt8OXhU3yCK8k8PHSVB0hatVz-U_OkBeZdculsdtNlSbOw2LmQLuldR5Lg_z7C0g5jVQN8JBedA/s320/DSC00060.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO1ePa3UqNiPsWVank76g4fAwXtsVHRfBpkgixzsGR_PYB2TpYforho4EPb1NYi3n2kFlNGgY4hXsdkGajUC95wxp3cVxFlx_hAzBGS3qmWwnoMN3MmjHOBiW6r-_nvDaGnfJcJqk2Js/s1600-h/DSC00066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO1ePa3UqNiPsWVank76g4fAwXtsVHRfBpkgixzsGR_PYB2TpYforho4EPb1NYi3n2kFlNGgY4hXsdkGajUC95wxp3cVxFlx_hAzBGS3qmWwnoMN3MmjHOBiW6r-_nvDaGnfJcJqk2Js/s320/DSC00066.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO1ePa3UqNiPsWVank76g4fAwXtsVHRfBpkgixzsGR_PYB2TpYforho4EPb1NYi3n2kFlNGgY4hXsdkGajUC95wxp3cVxFlx_hAzBGS3qmWwnoMN3MmjHOBiW6r-_nvDaGnfJcJqk2Js/s1600-h/DSC00066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO1ePa3UqNiPsWVank76g4fAwXtsVHRfBpkgixzsGR_PYB2TpYforho4EPb1NYi3n2kFlNGgY4hXsdkGajUC95wxp3cVxFlx_hAzBGS3qmWwnoMN3MmjHOBiW6r-_nvDaGnfJcJqk2Js/s320/DSC00066.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At The Crypt: A very cool gothic-themed bar.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtY6LLpUdchP02ZGcUlcog2lTeMNXYQ70CBDXAR1UXMof_NdfTohPuXDDY_iLmbhcFejhrIANNjxHsqkOYHxZP8jCUa88dDm4sdcn2R-IJyOsF42NRfqTI7RwXc08qvimAHWCSSTpQTE/s1600-h/DSC00067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtY6LLpUdchP02ZGcUlcog2lTeMNXYQ70CBDXAR1UXMof_NdfTohPuXDDY_iLmbhcFejhrIANNjxHsqkOYHxZP8jCUa88dDm4sdcn2R-IJyOsF42NRfqTI7RwXc08qvimAHWCSSTpQTE/s320/DSC00067.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My photo shoot. I took what I learned from the model in Paris back with me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cZtEy2xg1vWy1dPEhq1M8Lhvys-XNzgwmpU4pLcce3V97odoYV0CLNzej-pQdmQqgpTwR6gpkLlE5066o73FIsBK2jjoe-h5elLbe4GPIqwvzxn4znGmD-UZBvW1uH0nBbzTrDJ-Kpk/s1600-h/DSC00071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cZtEy2xg1vWy1dPEhq1M8Lhvys-XNzgwmpU4pLcce3V97odoYV0CLNzej-pQdmQqgpTwR6gpkLlE5066o73FIsBK2jjoe-h5elLbe4GPIqwvzxn4znGmD-UZBvW1uH0nBbzTrDJ-Kpk/s320/DSC00071.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8k_bB17WutMticnaxOy9YLm_HvuxWLy75RE5diDywmzb9ly1Q8kD4hFnYO0CPifMvGq_kCMkwzP6EvizIdjbcO9SivUXtfIezvFa3t5UMSye5xTVINoyHWjpU3ZYoQNvGqyr1vPGXFo/s1600-h/DSC00072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8k_bB17WutMticnaxOy9YLm_HvuxWLy75RE5diDywmzb9ly1Q8kD4hFnYO0CPifMvGq_kCMkwzP6EvizIdjbcO9SivUXtfIezvFa3t5UMSye5xTVINoyHWjpU3ZYoQNvGqyr1vPGXFo/s320/DSC00072.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WV5QyOmE67VPMeLqzMNdo5IoGUSdFsCzi6W8FALOlIAWWWaz9b6RsGugnBisglmgiJ5G9g5N2VpV39uKfwv8KzrIDuaosUVUVS9wpZyY_eqVs_St8eMrebGL1K5sL8nZ-PRKgC_3-ss/s1600-h/DSC00073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WV5QyOmE67VPMeLqzMNdo5IoGUSdFsCzi6W8FALOlIAWWWaz9b6RsGugnBisglmgiJ5G9g5N2VpV39uKfwv8KzrIDuaosUVUVS9wpZyY_eqVs_St8eMrebGL1K5sL8nZ-PRKgC_3-ss/s320/DSC00073.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-7331836366133074852010-02-04T00:21:00.002-05:002010-02-04T03:05:47.067-05:00Good news from scan resultsI haven't posted in a while, and was planning on my next several posts being about the cruise Joss and I just returned from, but got news from the doctor today to share.<br />
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I had a CAT scan yesterday, and got the results today. My doctor said "someone has been praying for you." It appears that all of the tumors and splatters of cancer in my lungs are no longer visible. Apparently this means:<br />
- The chemo of the past 3 months has had a good effect<br />
- I am currently considered "in remission"<br />
- I still need to remain on chemo for the majority of the rest of my life<br />
- My 5 year survival changes have increased from 4% to 15-20%<br />
- There is now a higher chance that I have more than the 2 years that was my previous prognosis<br />
- I can take a break from the nastiest chemo and remain on two of the lighter ones for the next 6 months<br />
- I can take my chemo in pill form for the next 3 months so will not need to go in as often<br />
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I'm confused about why I am still considered "terminal" if they can no longer see any cancer. I asked about this, but got confusing information that sounded something like this: "I wish I had a crysal ball and could tell you it won't come back, or when it will and how long you have. The fact that you responded so well to the chemo is a good thing. Your genetics, however, will re-create cancerous cells, and they change and get immune to chemos."<br />
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So my confused interpretation of this is that I will have some more time "healthy" than thought, but need to stay on chemo to keep it away as long as possible. I have learned that this journey will be a rollercoaster, and at some point I will get bad news again, but for now this is good news. <br />
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Although it is a bit frustrating to have circumstances constantly change, and not know what is going to happen, and when, or how long I have, I realized this evening that life is supposed to be that way. I'm not really supposed to know how long I have. Yet having a slight insight into the method of my demise, but not full information is still frustrating. <br />
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Lastly, although there are no words to adequately express my appreciation, I want to thank ALL of you for your concern, and prayers. My doctor said that a reaction to chemo this good is VERY rare, and I know that I got this gift because of the many people (some I know and some I don't) who have been praying for me. I am a more spiritual than religious person, but I do believe in a Creator, and I do believe in the power of prayer, and thank you all deeply and humbly. And, of course, I thank God! <br />
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I will, of course, continue to post updates as I get new news, and will be posting about the cruise soon, and the shenanagans that Joss and I got into. How do you spell shenanigans, anyway? <br />
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Love you all!<br />
Do something fun today! Play a game, buy new shoes, get a facial, have a shot of tequila with lunch, or nibble on baby toes (my favorite activity).Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-47779327507640095302010-01-02T18:49:00.004-05:002010-01-04T11:46:47.305-05:00Welcome 2010!!My recent posts have had a bit of a different tone than those from a few months ago, when I was actively shifting my priorities and being more inspiring. With the New Year upon us, and many of you surely making some resolutions, I figured it is the ideal time to revert back to sharing some of what I am learning and hopefully inspire some new outlooks for your new year. <br />
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My journey since diagnosis has crammed a lot of reactions, emotions, adventures, attitude changes and enlightenment into less than a year. I've made a conscious effort to make things happen in my life, and to change my priorities and the way I look at things. This has worked out well and led to the following highlights and changes over the past few months: <br />
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- Europe trip!<br />
- Skydiving<br />
- Seeing many new places<br />
- Trying to see old places with new eyes<br />
- More frequent visits with family<br />
- Hugging more<br />
- Letting things go quickly<br />
- Seeing more beauty in the world<br />
- I've banned the word "someday"<br />
- Saying "why not?" as often as possible<br />
- I actually want my picture taken now <br />
- Looking for new things to experience<br />
- I booked my upcoming mother-daughter cruise with Joss<br />
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Most importantly I've begun actively living, after realizing that this is my life and not a dress rehearsal; it's already begun and this is the only shot we get. I spent the last 40 years waiting for things to happen -- things that I would say I’d love to do "someday" -- and then one day I realized these desires don't just come. You have to make things happen, and making things happen is a big part of the fun of the whole adventure! <br />
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I think that many people in my position develop the same sort of attitude. Once you know you have limited time left, people make changes. Yet the reality is that we all have limited time left. It’s sad to see people who are simply existing through their time, not particularly happy, but making no effort to change what they are not happy with, or people with dreams of doing something or going somewhere, that never make it happen. We hold grudges, procrastinate, and put work before family. These are the things that we regret on our deathbeds. “I wish I had made up with my mother,” “I wish I had spent more time with my kids.” These are the things that are really important to us in the end, and we realize them too late. I am fairly certain that in the history of deathbed regrets, no one has ever said “I wish I had skipped my son’s baseball game to get that contract done.”<br />
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Therefore I am welcoming 2010 equipped with this motive: live life the way I would wish I had if I were on my deathbed. This looks different to everyone, but to me that means loving, hugging, sharing, letting go of anger, not taking for granted the preciousness of my friends and family, and seeing and experiencing the world.<br />
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So, if you are working on your own list of changes to make 2010 better, I hope you will consider dropping from your list “lose 10 pounds” and replacing it with “hug someone every day.”<br />
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I love you all<br />
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.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-72841462340949878372009-12-27T22:37:00.002-05:002009-12-27T22:51:57.609-05:00Big FishI love the movie "Big Fish." If you haven't seen it, a man recounts the stories that his dying father has told him of his life and the people he's met. The son doesn’t believe any if it, but at the end, when the father dies, all of the characters from his stories (albeit a more reality-based version thereof) gather to remember him. They did exist; pieces of his different lives. They all come together in the end and authenticate him, his stories, his history, his life.<br />
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I've been feeling rather nostalgic lately, and felt drawn to contacting several people from my past: old friends, old boyfriends, people who have made a significant impact in my life; people whose relationships with me made up all of my different lives; people whom I missed; people whom I felt I owed an apology, or wanted peace with; people whom I loved. <br />
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For a few days after making some of these contacts, I was overly emotional. Every email or call with someone made me cry. Every picture I looked at, every memory that surfaced saddened me deeply. I wanted to figure out why I was so drawn to reconnecting with my past, and why it was so sad to me... and why I was still so drawn to reconnecting with my past, even though it was so sad to me. I concluded that there are two reasons I felt this need. The first one came to me rather quickly: I'm being robbed of my future, so I'm holding on to my past. I guess it's a sort of defense mechanism, or reflex or something. The desire to live is ingrained in us. Knowing that it is going to be taken away, I grasp for what makes me real: my history. While I can understand my own desire to want to hold onto life in any way I can, I also know that it won’t work. I cannot spend the rest of the time I have holding on to the past, hoping that doing so will keep me alive... I still have more living to do, and I have a whole lot of it to do in a little bit of time. I don't have time to waste. I’ve pondered our “earthly time” a lot lately. What is my time here for? What is my purpose here? Do we all even have a specific purpose? Have I contributed to the world in any way? If nothing else, there is one thing I’ve accomplished, that I know affects the world positively. I helped bring to life one of the most beautiful and amazing women I know. What an honor.<br />
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The second reason for my trip down memory lane came to me the other day when I was talking with Joss about the time to come when I am no longer here, and I said to her “don’t forget me.” Of course I know she will never forget me, but my feeling that I needed to say this to her made me realize what really scares and saddens me. The same fear that freaked me out while filling the time capsule: disappearing. Sometimes I try to picture what the world will be like when I am no longer around. People going about their days, proceeding with their lives – everything the same except without me. I know that some people will never forget me, but the idea of being just a memory is disturbing nonetheless. No matter how vividly I am remembered, the fact remains that I will go from being a real, living person, to nothing more than memories. Memories fade. Will I fade the same way? Had I begun fading already, since to the people in my past, I was already just a memory? <br />
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When I started finding people I went to High School with, I would always ask if they remembered me. All did, and for some reason it surprised me every time. Perhaps because I, myself, have forgotten the person I was then. In finding these people, I’m refreshing memories of me so that they may remain vivid a bit longer. I’m gathering the characters from my life, like the characters in Big Fish gathered, proving the storyteller’s reality. I’m hoping that my existence affected something. I’m striving to leave proof that I was here… that I was real. I’m carving my name in the Tree Of Life.<br />
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It brought up lots of old memories, revisiting my past, and left me with such a deep yearning to go back to those times, that I felt misplaced for a little while. I remembered a story my Mom once told me about a girl who grew up near a big mountain. She loved this mountain. She’d climb it all the time, and would have picnics on the top. She planted flowers on the mountain. She went there to think, to laugh, and to cry. It was a very special place for her. At one point, she moved away. For years and years she thought of this mountain, and how she wanted nothing more than to go back there. One day she finally did go back but when she got there, all she found was a simple, bare little hill. Nostalgia tends to warp our memories. Romanticize them. Much like the characters in the stories of Big Fish were exaggerated: Siamese twins were really just normal twins; the giant was actually just a very large man; and the witch was, in reality, just a woman. Mom told me the story of the mountain one day when I was feeling homesick for Rhode Island. All of my family had since moved away, and there was really nothing significant left there for me, except the memories. Had I gone back, I would have found just a bare, little hill. She’d remind me of this lesson from time to time by presenting, where appropriate, a line I have heard a hundred times: “You can’t go back to the mountain.”<br />
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I’ve moved on from seeking my mountain. I’ve renewed some special friendships, and let go of some that were lost and should have been let go of a while ago. I’ve touched what were previously just memories, and confirmed their existence – and my own. I’ve put back my romanticized versions of my life stories, because I like them better that way. Then I spent some time remembering everyone I’ve known who has died, so they won’t disappear.<br />
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.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-54372119681696402412009-12-18T22:09:00.000-05:002009-12-18T22:09:29.719-05:00Some new pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-11855479971320718662009-12-18T21:56:00.001-05:002009-12-30T08:21:55.636-05:00Back to the Earth I’m FallingThere is a bunch of stuff I've been meaning to blog about, but haven't been feeling well. Last week in St. Pete I went skydiving! It's something I've always wanted to do, and decided now is the time. I have a video from the jump, but my cheeks are flapping in the 120 mile an hour wind so much that I decided not to post it. <br />
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The jump was amazing! First I donned a very geeky looking “jump suit” and immediately wondered if this was the origin of the term “jumpsuit.” I was given a very quick lecture on what to expect, and what to do, and then boarded the plane with Randy, my tandem dude. There were maybe 10 jumpers in the plane, most licensed and jumping alone. I think we got up to about 10,000 feet when some of the lone jumpers started stepping out the door, with absolutely no hesitation. It was a bit scary seeing them through the windows, jumping into nothing and then falling. I actually said “holy crap, they are nuts” and then realized I was about to do the same thing. I kept waiting for the fear to come, the butterflies, the hesitation, but it didn’t. Until I got to the door! I was strapped very tightly to Randy and it was difficult to maneuver to the door. Once I got there, I was immediately terrified! I looked down and could not see the ground because of the clouds, and I think that may have made it even scarier. Jumping blindly, knowing the earth is 13,500 feet below me, but jumping into a cloud. A CLOUD… as in, in the sky. I panicked and started yelling “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” to which Randy very appropriately responded “Shut up!!” I quickly did, since he had the chute, closed my eyes, and a second later, was falling. The fear only lasted a few seconds. The wind was intense. Much more than I thought it would have been. I had to consciously start breathing, and concentrate on holding my arms out like I was instructed. I guess I kept wanting to look down because I remember Randy kept tilting my head back. The wind was loud and strong, and the feeling amazing. Then suddenly – quiet. Randy pulled the chute, and immediately everything changed. The intense noise quieted. The cold rushing air became soft, warm and gentle. Suddenly I could see everything as I calmly floated down towards the ground. It was beautiful, and serene, and lasted several minutes. I landed, as instructed, with my legs straight out, landing on my butt. The touchdown was so gentle, I was amazed. <br />
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When I landed, the camera guy asked if I would do it again. My response was “Hell yeah!!!” The freefall part was so intense, and fast, and new, that I don’t feel like I fully experienced it. I definitely do want to do it again, and may do so in January. When I was given my video, I also got a roll of film that was taken (how antiquated, huh?) I plan on having it developed and hopefully then will be able to post some pics of the jump.<br />
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When I got home from Florida, I happily checked off “Skydive” from the book.<br />
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.Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-4620744951003343322009-12-10T05:40:00.006-05:002009-12-30T08:24:24.119-05:00Snow dayI looked out the window like a kid on a snow day, eager to see what the winter would bring today. "It's snowing!!" It was the light dry kind of snow that is not so great for making snowmen but is easily blown around by the wind, creating snowdrifts with ripples that resemble a white desert. It was coming down fairly hard. School and business closings flashed along the bottom of the television and brought the familiar line "no school Foster-Glouster" to mind. I piled on gloves, a coat, and layers of socks and headed outside.<br />
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Dad and I visited the goats, who didn't seem to mind the cold at all. They stuck their snow sprinkled heads through the fence to greet us, hoping we had a treat for them. Dad pulled a pine tree branch to reach them and Lucy and Ricky quickly devoured it. We fed them a few animal crackers from a large coffee can and Ricky's entire head soon disappeared into the can. We had only been out a few minutes but the harsh winter air was stinging my face. With a red nose and snow stuck in the fur around my face and wrists, I went back inside. The house smelled wonderfully as Diane prepared lunch: home-made turkey soup, which was not only delicious, but also suited the day perfectly. I had two bowls!<br />
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After lunch, Dad, Diane and I sat down together and played a card game. The snowfall, and our game, continued until dark. Diane and I looked at some pictures of my last visit to Maine, in 2004, and of my two favorite Js and then we watched some television. Soon the house again began to fill with the aroma of Diane's cooking. She is a great cook and made us pasta with meatballs and sausage for dinner. We had cheesecake for dessert, and then settled in to watch a movie. Before I knew it, it was time for bed. I crawled into my comfy bed and drifted off.<br />
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I love snow days!Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466305847041213056.post-3390664965667821622009-12-08T17:49:00.000-05:002009-12-08T17:49:22.738-05:00MaineI traveled up the entire east coast in 3 hours and arrived in Bangor! It was great seeing my Dad waiting for me! He and Diane took me to Hollywood Slots, a casino in Bangor, where we had a delicious buffet dinner, complete with piles of crab legs! After eating we played penny slot machines for a while, and Dad ended up hitting big for $75!! I lost $10, which was a bargain for the hours of entertainment it brought. It started snowing on the drive home, and that reminded me of my childhood, and growing up in RI. I had forgotten how beautiful it is up north.<br />
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Tuesday morning I met the goats, Lucy and Ricky. They are so friendly and cute! We fed them animal crackers and tried to keep Lucy from knocking Ricky out trying to get more than her fair share. <br />
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We went for breakfast and then to see a movie. I loved riding around the little towns. It’s wonderful here – quiet and quaint. Nature everywhere. The snow, the trees, and the lakes all working together to create amazing landscapes. The buildings fit into these scenes perfectly. A general store, a small town church, or a town hall the size of a bedroom, add to the charm and make me smile at the simplistic beauty.<br />
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There is another snow coming tomorrow, and I plan to go out and throw a few snowballs. I haven’t done that in years! I am also eager to play more with Lucy and Ricky.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucy and Ricky<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's my Dad!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Dad and Diane walking into the movie.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Parking lot at the movie's that Dad and Diane thought was "crowded"<br />
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</div>Torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00648337183105044269noreply@blogger.com0