HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The carnage!

The last family members left yesterday from the Christmas celebration and were out the door as a good friend entered for a visit. I love this time of year when family and friends gather in a kind of rotating door manner. Reacquainting ourselves with years past memories and professing new exciting adventures for the future.

Christmas brought great gifts of love, entertainment and food. The prime rib was perfect just like Paula Dean for casted. Games were played and football was watched while some snoozed on the couch. Left overs were recycled while the wine was flowing like a river.



Brian and I have decided to stay put for this New Years celebration and if strong enough to keep mister sand man away will watch the ball drop in Times Square in New York. Paqui and Zeyda are planning to join us in this rebirth of a year. The Voss family is heading to the ski slopes to enjoy a few downward runs before school starts.

Even though the Chinese New Year is in 24 days, it will be the year of the dragon.

The Dragon

The Dragon personality The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the Oriental Dragon is regarded as a divine beast - the reverse of the malicious monster that Westerners felt necessary to find and slay. In Eastern philosophy, the Dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, those people born in Dragon years are to be honored and respected.

So in this year of the dragon lets gather up our fortitude and become masters of our destiny. Lets soar with the serpent of the sky and rejoice in our good fortunes! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Wedding Tale

Do we have the wedding blues? Not really, but it was a little sad to travel from a 80 degree tropical setting to the cold harsh reality of snow and temperatures in the teens or below. Our trip out to Marco Island was very hard on Brian sitting in cramped quarters in economy. I made an executive decision and upgraded our return tickets to first class and Brian tolerated the trip better. The plane was full of family and friends both to and from the wedding. Thank goodness for wheelchair disability service it made going through security easier for both Brian and I.

Saturday night we enjoyed a wonderful plated dinner at the Marco Island Yacht Club and viewed the parade of decorated boats out in the harbor. We thank the Voss family for giving everyone that attended the wedding a great meal, free spirits and great conversation!

The next day the stage on the beach was set and the clouds rolled in. It rained earlier in the afternoon but it discontinued before the wedding began.

The sun set while numerous pictures were taken by the photographer as the wedding guests partook in h'orderves and cocktails on the beach as they waited for the special couple.

We then gathered up and headed into the ballroom were we enjoyed our plated dinner of red snapper.

The bride and groom did the usual rituals of cutting the cake, first dance, garter removal and throwing the bouquet.

The day after was rest and relaxation, spent most of our time at the pool and beach.

This was our good bye picture at the Marriott Resort and Spa lobby. Happy trails to all!

Short News Flash

Just a short note to let everyone know we are off today for Denver and then Marco Island tomorrow. We will celebrate Jessamyn and Jay's wedding at 4:00 pm on Sunday. Sunset pictures do not turn out I guess. There will be no postings until I get back next week. I imagine there will be several pictures to post, adventures to relay and anecdotes to be told.

Short Home Visit Then Off Again!

Brian and I finally arrived home yesterday evening after a week of treatments in Boulder and visiting family. We were sidelined to Aurora CO for two nights due to the snow storm so we could visit cousin Bill from California and niece Rita Tetsell who gracious put all of us up. What a wonderful time we had renewing our friendships and sharing memories. They wrapped us up with their love and support, comforting us in their love!

Another thank you goes out again to my brother and sister-in-law Margie for letting us stay at their home in Ft. Collins on our way to Boulder. Jan and Floyd for doing chores around our house while we are gone. More of our friends are heading our way today for a visit from Sterling CO. We appreciate Donn and Vicki and all who journey so far to make our lives so full.

From my observation, Brian is feeling a little better. He has a hard time right after the IV C infusions but seems to shake the side effects off quickly. He has also tried small amounts of liquefied foods or ice cream without mishap. He will go slowly and introduce foods that are easy to swallow first. But wow! This has been pretty encouraging to see. Hopefully, these IV C and mistletoe injections have helped! He continues to take the bulk of his nutrients through gastric feedings.

This is the week before the BIG WEDDING! It will be a busy one for me and the girls. Tuesday spa treatments in Scottsbluff, Wednesday hair appointment and Thursday we head to Denver to fly to Florida on Friday. I am rushing around doing laundry, repacking, taking down Thanksgiving decorations and trying to start decorating for Christmas.  OH MY!!! It will be a challenge for sure.

Happy Couple