Hawaii 2010

OK, it's been too long! We headed out of town on the 10Th of July, and arrived back in town on the 25Th, Sunday of July! It was a long vacation, but a GREAT vacation!

Maui, one word, Amazing! The kids loved Maui for the snorkeling and the atmosphere and activities that surrounded them. They had freedom on this Island and they didn't have a lot of that in Kauai. The ended up snorkeling, going to a Luau, playing a round of golf, and taking the infamous Road to Hana! The road to Hana has also been quoted as "The Road to Divorce"! I now can see why; the roads are not wide, often one lane, and my husband and brother were taking the turns very fast to avoid being there after dark! Good and bad if you are the one riding the edge, which I was! In any case, there was a constant tropical breeze that whooshed over the island at all times so you never felt hot, it was just wonderful. I kept at mere 50 SPF on the body and 70 on the face and no I did not change colors on this trip like I normally do. I read alot and did crosswords and stayed under an umbrella to stay safe and keep within Dr. Orders! I only scared 1 little 6 year old with my bald head, he literally screamed at me until I left his area of the pool; what a little x%&*! JK Any way, we ended the trip on Maui with a celebration of my nephew Alex and his girlfriend Karrie getting engaged! He proposed right at sunset on the beach in Maui! It doesn't get any better than that!

We loaded up the next day and took a turbo prop to Kauai. Now Kauai is lush and tropical but not as accessible as Maui. What I mean is, There is one road but it does not go all the way around the island. For some of the coast line, you can only see by boat or helicopter. We chose boat and it was spectacular to say the least! We took a dinner cruise and my breathe was taken away more than once at the beauty that lie before me. It was breathtaking! The kids had a blast lying down on the boats trampoline up front and riding the waves and getting wet. After we saw the most incredible rainbow from beginning to end, we turned around and the spinner dolphins found us and gave us a delightful show back to Port Allen. We also got to see Venus pop out of the sky as we were arriving back at port. We tried to do something one day ad rest the next. However, we tried to go snorkeling in Kauai, and visibility was not near as clear here as it was in Maui. Did I mention I saw a giant Sea Turtle in Maui? Yep, I did!

In Kauai, the Monk Seals beach themselves here and molt certain times and if your lucky enough, it happens on your trip while your there. Well, not to be disappointed, Mandy the Monk Seal showed up 2 days before our departure to allow us to watch her lay there and roll around trying to rub her fur off! how lucky were we? There are only said to be about 1100 left in the world and they frequent Kauai! There is a penalty if you disturb, annoy, touch or try to feed these animals. We stayed back and the conservation officer did his part too.
We also found our way to Kauai Coffee Plantation, then Waimea Canyon. This canyon was and is dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It was huge and incredible. Beautiful colors and spectacular views of the ocean were amazing!

We loaded up and braced ourselves for the long flights home that awaited us. All and all the flights were great, except the last one out from Phoenix. The take off and landing were incredibly UN-nerving; a little bumpy to say the least.

Its goo to be home! I had chemo Monday morning and actually I am feeling great, a little jet lagged still, but not too shabby!
As for the trip, I was able to do and see everything that everyone else was seeing and doing except the zip line; but this was because of my knees not my other problems!

I am going to try and upload photos, but if not, they will be posted on face book! I'm back and blessed beyond belief!
Aloha and Ma halo

Better late, than never.......

I havent blogged in a while; I've been very busy! I have been getting ready for the Big Hawaii Trip! Along with that, I have been exhausted. I have been purging myself of thing I no longer need and replacing them with new, smaller things. Yes, I am talking about my clothes! It has been kind of fun.

The kids, Paul and I have been running around crazy for last minute things, but we truly know how to pack. We have been taking trips for years, near and far, and have become very effecient at it. Brad wil pack at the last minute, but all of his stuff is clean and ready to go. Curtis packed today and so did Rachel. We have someone staying at the house to take care of the puppies, this gives me peace. I know they will be happy at home!

I am going to go and finish up last minute stuff, but I will be bloggging and posting. If I hadn't worked so much to pay for this trip, I wouldnt be going. This trip has been paid for since around February. I know it will be everything wonderful and I am so excited to share my stories with you upon my return!
Mahalo,
Kathy

What a great day!

I woke up bright and early to send Curtis off to Holiday World with friends. He was out the door at 645. Paul and I are up and about, Brad already left for work and Rachel had spent the night at a friends. I ate, then did a little laundry, then took a little nap. Yep, that's the routine. Do a little, sleep a little, you get the picture.

At 1130 I went to a friend from work's house, and sat poolside while kids swam and we ate, you guessed it, Thai Spice. I'm telling ya, I love spicy food, and there is no getting me away from it. I have to have something spicy everyday; oh and something chocolate! We sat and talked and caught up on current events until I had to go and see my Boob Dr. at 3pm.

I get to the office feeling great. Now mind you, this is the same office where I had many a MRI, my biopsies and my final diagnosis. I do get a little creepy going in to this office, however, this is where my Plastics Dr. does his rounds in Greenwood. I walk right in and they are waiting for me. Must be a slow day. "Please undress from the waist up and put on this flimsy open poncho." Yep, so there I sat, waiting for the Dr. In he walks and he tells me I look great, I look great in my hat, and that he looked at my PET scan and boy was it beautiful! I'm in love with this man! Where else could I go and get that many compliments in under 5 minutes? He reminds me of just how lucky I am, and I nod and agree with him. I remind him of just how fortunate I was to have gotten that last MRI; for had I not, well, you know. So he finally takes a look at his handy work. He says wow, you look great, and you are healing great! I ask him to make sure cause I want to go in the ocean in Hawaii. He says,"Don't let your boobs hold you back! Go surfing if you want!" Best quote of the day, or of the week, or of the year for that matter! We both look at a few spots here and there (I like to be sure and thorough) and make sure my one stitch that I have coming out of my skin doesn't need to be clipped out. He assures me, everything looks great and he doesn't need to see me until September. I feel great! Wish every appt. could be this uplifting.

I got dressed, got in my car, called my neighbors and we went and had an iced tea from McDonalds and then sat at her poolside for about 20 minutes catching up. I love my neighbors and my neighborhood for that matter. It just is one great place with a bunch of great people in it.

No no, the day doesnt stop there. I forgot it was ladies night out at a local pub/restaurant. Well, damn it, I feel so good, Im gonna go. My freind Jeanne stops by first to give me a gift. It was very, very cute. Two doo rags from the Harley Davidson shop! One pink and very cute, and the other a little funky and orange! I loved them both and will wear them with pride! I stayed for about 2 hours outside at the pub, had an appetizer and one martini (woops) and then hit the road. I got to see the girls and listen to their stories and reminded myself that it is good to get out and keep my mind off of bad things and focus only on the good. Ok, now homeward bound!
God blessed this day and gave me strength! Amen