Bittersweet memories

Today is my friend Julie's last infusion for colon cancer.  She has been battling this since Christmas Eve (merry Christmas...not).  I've not had many chances to see her as her house is tough for me and every time I offered to join her at the infusion center,she told me she was good.  So today I just pushed into her world.  I wanted to go celebrate with her and I wanted to show support because I know first hand how emotional today is for her  I picked up some flowers and a card and headed up to the Huntsman Center.  I knew exactly where to go and my way around because I had been there so many times with John and Mars.

Julie was doing great.  She was hooked up through her port and just kicking back with her hubby and Mom.  I gave her a big hug and we talked for a few minutes.  She looks great.  She has handled this cancer journey like a rock star. We talked about the adjustment coming back to work and getting back into life after cancer appointments.  It is a scary step for sure but I am confident she has the love and support to help her through.

What I wasn't prepared for what the flood of memories of going there with Mars.  There were bald women waiting in the waiting area and I swear I caught Mars out of the corner of my eye only to turn my head and realize it wasn't her.  When Mars was going to the infusion center, I was so sure Mars would beat her cancer.  She just had too!   Sadly, that wasn't the case.  I am hopeful for everyone fighting cancer that they can remain hopeful and beat their cancer.

It was all I could do to control my emotions as I visited with Julie for a few minutes.  We both got teary eyed as we talked. Reaching the end of treatment is a huge emotional relief.  Such a big step.  I don't want to steal away Julie's celebration and I am sure she will beat her cancer.  Congratulations Julie!!

I really miss Mars. No matter how you slice it, cancer sucks!

Interesting airport characters

It's been a little while since I've traveled.  I had some very interesting characters that I just had to blog about.  I only wish I took photos to really go with the description.

Mrs Doubtfire - I was so excited to be on a 2 seat side of the plane and I had hoped the window seat was empty but alas, it was not.  It wasn't long after I boarded that I saw a very tall woman coming down the center aisle.  The flight attendant was carrying her bag.  She was probably 6'2" and petite would not describe her in the least.   Yes, she was my window seat.  She practically collapsed in the row.  She explained that she had broken her hip but was okay to wait to have it fixed because she already had a hip replacement and both knees replaced.  She couldn't reach around to get her seatbelt pieces so she asked me to squeeze my arm around her back and get the part next to the window.  Honestly, that is a little intimate for me but I did it.  I wanted to put the arm rest down between us but she was so large, she was over on my seat.  The arm rest about lined up with her shoulder blade.  Now I am not petite by any stretch of he imagination so I don't really have any seat to spare either but I simply had to make due with about 2/3 of my seat.  I felt like I was riding the Zugspits at Lagoon.  You know the ride that slams you against the person next to you and there is no way you can move?  That.  After take off, she fell asleep.  She kept sleeping off and on and that is when I realized she had some sleep jerking issues.  Not really a problem until after drinks and snacks came.  She had her tray table down with her Coke and pretzels on it.  She fell asleep and her arms fell to her side.  Her legs would jerk in rather scary ways.  Her arms would jerk and elbow me in the ribs.  And her hands would jump.  Pretzels went flying everywhere several times.  I didn't get too nervous until her legs kept jerking upward and sending her Coke flying.  I'll be damned if I am wearing her soda the rest the day.  On top of that, she put her chewed gum on the outside of her pretzel wrapper and left it on the floor...along with her water and phone.  It was a pretty long 2 hour flight.  I couldn't wait to vault off that plane and leave her in the dust.  I'm really wondering if it was a woman.  She had man hands and was man size.  Thus the name.

There were weather issues in Atlanta so we had several hours to kill.  Needless to say when we boarded, the plane was completely full.  I always work hard to get an aisle seat.  It wasn't long after I sat that the window seat guy came.  And then later the middle seat guy.  He let it be known that he didn't like the middle and tried to get us both to trade.  NO THANK YOU.

Mr. Cocky Military Guy - This guy was pretty fit.  In fact, his shoulders were bigger than his seat.  I'm just gonna say he might as well had a spring between his legs that kept his legs permanently spread.  As the aisle seat, you really have a delicate balance because your shoulder on the aisle gets hit all the time.  But when your center seat takes the arm rest and then some, you are stuck with your shoulders rolled in and no back support because you don't all fit.  When I would sit back, he would sit forward with his elbows out in front of me in an exaggerated fashion showing me how inconvenient it was that I was resting my back.  The second I sat forward again, he would snap into the back spot and take over the space again.  He was obviously a high metabolism guy because he was hot and permeating heat to me.  Shoulders over the line, knees bumping over due to the leg spread.  And then he would stretch his arms up and out and fart.  Stinky gross farts.  Over and over and over.  That is just simply unacceptable.  Then coming into the airport to land, he brings out his military experience and starts saying really loud that we care coming in too fast and it isn't going to be good.  Lots of people are nervous flyers and they don't need to hear a flight know it all.  We landed fine and I vaulted out of my seat again.

Airline travel takes lots of patience and tolerance.  It can really bring out the worst in people.  I do love to watch people and airports are a great place to do that.  Just don't take my space because that makes me pissy.

Rhode Island business trip

Much to my surprise, we had training in Rhode Island for work and they wanted me to go.  I wasn't very excited about it and I wasn't sure I was up for it but before I knew it, it was time to go.  I took different flights than my team.  When I got to the airport, I decided to see if I could walk it.  I did just fine.  I also walked the connection in Detroit.  I felt empowered.  It's been a long time since I was able to do that.  Now don't get all excited.  I was leaving Salt Lake from the C concourse and Detroit has a train inside but it was still good.

Training was good. About Consultative skills.  I've done the same class about 10 years ago but it was good to do it again.  But honestly the best part was getting together with the team and seeing people I've not seen for at least 2 years.  We've also grown lots as a team in that time so there were new people to meet!

I can't navigate the parking lot at the office well so Meki, my co-worker was my driver.  It is hard to not feel like "Driving Miss Daisy" getting dropped at the door and picked up the same.  But I appreciated her help.

Besides working all day in training, I had to work back at the hotel too. So it was killer long days with about 14-15 hours a day spent working or getting to and from work.  That is just flat ridiculous. The first two nights, I ate lobby food but the last night, I tossed my arms in the air (with a private bird flying...if I say so myself) and went to dinner with a few of the ladies on the team.  We went to an Italian restaurant and I decided to order a sangria.  It was delicious.

Delicious Sangria

What I saw of Rhode Island - the parking lot at the hotel

Flying out of Providence.

More fascinating clouds

I had a long layover in Atlanta.  So I had lunch/dinner at Cat Cora's
restaurant at the airport.  I loved it and was thrilled I got to enjoy another Iron Chef's menu..

Wax and Wane

Today I  had my follow up with Dr. L.  I swear I could be an Oncologist.  I suspected he would be pleased with what he saw.  He was happy to realize my tumor isn't really growing very fast.  In fact, we discussed that it goes up and down.  Dr. L called that wax and waning.  I like that.  He said we worry about tumors that are steady and persistent.  It most likely isn't aggressive like my eyebrow because it would have grown quite a bit by now.  So we agreed that we don't want to do anything with it right now.  He didn't feel we needed a biopsy or anything at this point.  Too small for scans.  We agreed to leave it alone and I will see him in 3 months.  This means I get to go the entire summer without treatment or dealing with cancer.  Next appointment is mid-September.  I can do that.

So 3 months of ignorant bliss.  I like it and will take it!

Spontaneous travel

Last weekend, I was caught without much I HAD to do (unpacking still available)  so after meeting John for lunch, I decided to call Fritz to see if he was up for a spontaneous visit.  Indeed he was so I tossed a few things in my suitcase, grabbed my work laptop, and headed to Idaho.

I got on the road in time for a gorgeous evening drive.  The only problem with driving in the evening is the bugs are really bad.  By the time I hit Snowville, I could barely see out of my windows because they were covered with bugs so I stopped and cleaned my windows off.   I got back on the road but within 10 miles, I was already covered again.  By the time I hit Rupert, I really couldn't see well.  The prior clean off left some smears and the new bugs were so heavy.  Add in blaring sunset and I was strugging.  There was a huge accident on the freeway so I was required to get off in Rupert.  Probably a good idea because I could find a gas station to clean my windows again.  I delayed me an entire hour!  And when I got to Buhl, I was covered yet again.  What a mess!

This is the 10 miles out of Snowville look.

I did wash the car in Twin Falls before coming home.  I got to wash it again once I got back to Salt Lake.  I've never seen so many bugs!!

Fritz is such a good host and was waiting for me to arrive.  Sunday we got up and did the traditional breakfast with his Mom in Hagerman.  It's been a long time since I've been there and it was nice to go again.  It was great to see Betty too.  We decided to cook at home for the next few days so we pulled out my family cookbook I gave Fritz and made our grocery list.  That night, I made tacos complete with homemade guacamole.  For dessert,we enjoyed strawberries from Fritz' garden!  The next night, I made the family recipe for Mad Hatter Meatballs.Both pretty good.

The sunsets in Idaho are still amazing and I loved the cool mornings and fresh smells outside in the morning. The fields are all busy with activity.  Some of them are on their second planting since the snow melted.

Fritz has 6 horses in his pastures to help keep the grass down.  Three are in the pasture on the side of the house.  I really enjoyed watching them play together, eat, and flick their tails.

Monday came before I knew it and I had one busy work day. It is nice to work at the farm.  It is so quiet and peaceful.  It really is relaxing and helps me recharge my energy batteries.  Fritz and his Mom Betty enjoy me there because I can let the dogs in and out all day.  Here is what working at Fritz' tends to look like.

Gizmo is a big black lab dog.  He is blind and almost deaf.  What a sweetheart though.

Before I knew it. It was Tuesday evening and time for me to head home. Fritz offered to meet me in Twin Falls for dinner before I made the journey home.  Fritz' sister Laurie was able to meet us too.  It was great to see her.

I had a great visit.  Thanks Fritz for entertaining  my spontaneous ideas.

Moab for Memorial....the 2016 edition

Last weekend, I made the annual trek to Moab with my friends.  This year was lots different than past. I brought Fritz with me and Philip had his own cabin with Tiffany!  This year we had about 55 people in the group there.  It has become an annual event for many.

Fritz came down  from Idaho Thursday so we were able to get on the road Friday.  It is always lots more work to pack the car and Philip wasn't here to help me so I did it mostly by myself.  But luckily, we got it done and hit the road just in time.  We got to Moab just in time to get unpacked, say hello, and start our adventure.

This trip is best shared through photos.  So here we go.

One of the traditions is you take a photo of your loaded car
and put it on the Facebook group page to let them know you
are on the road.  Here is ours this year.

We decided to drive into Arches in the evening.  We got there just after
a rainstorm and while the sun was setting.  We had stunning lighting
for photos (none of these use a filter)....and the park felt almost empty!!

Balanced Rock

Windows

It's getting dark

Beautiful sunset

The next day, we planned a "difficult" rated 4X4 Jeep tour.  Luckily, we found a tour company where they drive but they planned Hell's Revenge which is a very challenging course.  We had 12 in our group in 2 Jeeps.  I was so thankful to get the Jeep that had a top on it.  We also found out it had air conditioning which was very nice!

Our Jeep was me, Robert,Stacy, Sarah, and Fritz

Gorgeous day for a drive!

Up the ridge.  Steep on both sides.  I thought this was scary!

Fritz and me ready for adventure

The other Jeep.  Christine giving a thumbs up

Beautiful Scenery along the way

Over hill and dell

The most difficult hill.  This was insane

I put my water bottle between my legs to hold it.  About 45
minutes later, I realized my lap was completely wet and realized
I had crushed the bottle with my thighs!!  How funny is that??

Fresh strawberry snacks half way through

Strawberries and whipped cream

What goes up, must come down

Beautiful scenery from the cliff

This is us. I am in the front seat.  We went down this rock and let
 Stacy out so she could take a photo.  Then we backed up the rock
and went forward again.  I admit I screamed.

The jeep ride was intense.  Very scary parts and I did close my eyes in some places.  I never did feel like we weren't completely safe which made it nice.  I discovered I laugh when I am nervous.  So I laughed alot over the 3.5  hours.

When we got back to camp, it was my team's turn to make dinner. Luckily, we did crock pot meals so everything was cooked and we just need to chop and prep the rest the stuff.  Dinner was good and certainly easy.  I was exhausted and glad to go to bed that night.

Sunday, we were moving pretty slow.  We decided to take it easy in the morning and we ended up going for a drive up the road by the Colorado River.  We ended up at the winery and why not do a tasting?  We drove around and took lots of photos.  Then we had a chance to jump the other way and look at the petroglyphs.  I think Fritz had fun.  We met Philip and Tiffany for lunch in town and then headed back to camp for a nap.  I was exhausted.

Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs

Philip and Tiffany in town

Colorado river

Second night team dinner.  Tacos and Tequila!

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head home.  We had so much fun and I am always sad when it is time to say goodbye.  We already have our reservations for next year. It is nice to have something to  look forward too!

Pretty blooms  on  the tree in front of our cabin.