Shaved Ice Super Sunday

1.  If you have forgotten, let me remind you that I love shaved ice and the sun.  So when you put them together, it makes for the greatest day!  Twice this week I spent the afternoon in the Sondrups pool and after eating shaved ice.  Remember in the Fall when I won a $300 gift certificate from Amazon?  Well, I finally used it on this amazing shaved ice machine.  It's seriously the real deal!  If I'm not already the favorite aunt, I'll surely be when I bring it home next week!

2.  I had an MRI on Thursday and Dr. D called me a few hours later with the results.  We finally have an answer to the back pain, which actually was shown on the MRI last year, but it's worse this time around.  And it's totally non cancer related, well it sounds like it, but I'm sure the chemo and radiation have helped cause it.  I have a narrowing in the spine between L5-S1 which is making me crazy.  I seriously can't do anything without pain...that is until yesterday.  Since learning of this news I've been doing specific stretches daily; basically Dr. D said I needed to go to physical therapy, but I can do my own, plus I went to one in February.  Yesterday I went and had a massage at the massage school.  The guy was totally new, but did a fantastic job.  And for the first time in literally 6 months, I can lay on my back without pain.  I even tested it today again when I took my nap.  No pain with laying on my back, side or abdomen, well maybe just ever so slightly during my nap.  And I can even stand a little longer than the 2 minutes it takes to brush my teeth, even though I totally have to lean into the sink to take the pain away a little.  Spinal Stenosis is actually an old persons disease, but it makes since, since my body feels like I'm at least 80.  I considered not taking pain meds today and I've actually only taken 1, but I'm pretty sure the massage, prayer and the stretching have been my answer.  I'm probably going to get a steroid injection with the hopes that it takes all of the pain away.  If the pain continues, there is always the option of a little surgery, but hopefully that won't be needed.

3.  I actually called Dr. Dan's nurse earlier this week and told her I needed a prescription for a wheel chair.  I mean, I will be traveling a lot this summer and I certainly haven't been able to stand long, let alone walk.  But after a steroid injection, I just might be back to my normal...well that is if I didn't have this stent pain.
4.  Speaking of traveling; I've booked an Alaskan Cruise for mom, dad and I and also a trip to see the Boston Red Sox play on the East Coast and to visit Philadelphia, which I've never been to.  I'm leaving this week to go to Tristens in Spokane, then to Boise for the stent exchange, (this stent is going to be the death of me.  Although I did read this week that I they can do reconstruction on it, take out the tumor and the stricture and then I'd be good as new.  I just have to find someone who can do it.)  Then it's off to Marne's Beach house in Seattle and then back to Boise.  Oh, and lets not forget my return to visit Martha's Vineyard the end of August for a week of beach fun with my MVY friends!  So many places to see and only so many Summer Days!
5.  Have you read, 1000 White Women?  I'm reading it as the start to my Summer reading program and it's so good!  I have a stack of books to read this Summer and a few lists to read in my lifetime.  There are so many good books, that when I'm reading one that isn't so good, I've learned to stop reading it and not waste my time on a bad read. Oh, summer reading how I love thee!
6.  I had a lovely lunch date with my girlfriends this week!  Even though I still can't eat much, I still enjoy a lunch date.

NOLA For Ben and Angela's Wedding

Last Wednesday at Midnight really on Thursday, I met mom in NOLA.  She has never been there, so this was fun to show her around.  I actually usually don't go there to be a tourist, but since Kirt was away on business most of the time, I decided that we would be tourists.  It was super fun, the weather was fabulous and the wedding we went there for was probably one of the best I've ever attended!

I rented a car and drove it around like I new my way around, which basically by the time I left I did!  Thursday we took in a city tour, listened to some jazz music, ate delicious beignets and walked around the French Quarter, where I sat every few minutes. 

Friday I took mom to the first restaurant I went to my first time in NOLA 15 or 16 years ago.  Camillia's Grill, which is this tiny place with the same old fashioned bar stools at the counter and the waiters wear bow ties.  We had hamburgers, french fries and talked some college guys from London, Spain and Ireland.  You never know who you will meet in NOLA.

We also found Angelo Brocato Italian ice cream and where we got the most delicious cannoli.  We really felt bad that dad and Troy and Becky didn't come with us and decided we'd take them with us next time.

Friday evening was the real event!  My cousin got married at the zoo and had his reception at the Tea Room.  It was a beautiful evening!  The ceremony was so well done, the food was top notch, the dancing was super fun and the company was fantastic.  I was so happy that Kirt was able to join us for the event!  It was seriously the best way to represent NOLA!  Ben's wife Angela is such a sweet girl and so much fun!  He was so grateful we were there and I'm so glad we went.  Such a fun memory.

Saturday they had a crawfish lunch (I didn't eat crawfish) and then we went to the St. Patricks Day parade which was crazy awesome!  Kirt spent the day with us before we headed back to the airport.  He is hilarious without trying to be.  I think I laugh more with him than anyone.  Mom and I also hit the Milk Bar before the airport for the best Chicken Satay Salad and Strawberry milkshake.  Until next time NOLA...which we are already planning in the Fall!

Disneyland Again

 We went to Disneyland again last week! Yes, again!  The kids are the perfect ages for it and love all of the magic that it provides.  It was seriously the best time to go to DL.  The crowds were super light and we really didn't have to stand in any lines.  It was pretty much the best vacation we've ever had.  It was fabulous because we stayed at a very close hotel by Disneyland, which meant that people could come and go as they pleased because we were within walking distance.  We also all had our own rooms, didn't have to cook or clean up breakfast!  But we were all next to each other which is fun, especially when I want to snuggle the kids.  We didn't have to wait for the slow people and those who got up earlier than others could get to Disneyland early.  Same with when we were Disneylanded Out if there is such a thing. 

I felt good as long as I wasn't having to stand or walk, which meant I wheelchaired it!

The weather was perfect, except for the last day in the evening there was a little rain, but we came prepared.  I've always had a thing for rainboots and raincoats, especially on kids!   

We all kind of slowly made our way there and were all only there for 2 full days, but it was so worth it!  Life for us is all about having fun and making memories!  My SIL got us all mickey ears and she put teal bows on the girls.  I loved it!

Oklahoma

I've never been to Oklahoma, that is until this past weekend. This means I get to check another state off of my states I've been to list.  It's pretty much up to Alaska, Arkansas, NJ, NM, ND, MS, MN(well I've been to MN, but only the airport) that I haven't been to and really the only other place I really want to visit is Alaska and maybe NM and only because it's only a state away. 

Our reason for going to OK was to visit my dad's aunt Carol who is almost 94.  She is the only remaining sibling from my Grandpa Youngs family.  Her daughter Laverda picked us up from the airport.  I admit, I wasn't so hip on seeing all of the OU and OSU paraphernalia since I'm by far not an OU football fan, if you get my gist from the BSU/OU history. 

You should have seen Aunt Carols face when we drove into the drive way.  It was like a kid at Christmas.  She was thrilled to see us.  She is a jokester and a teaser and sometimes you don't know if she is being serious or teasing.  But she is usually teasing.  We visited all evening and over Chinese Food.  I think there was enough to feed an army.

Mom and Dad stayed at Carols and I stayed at Laverda's, just about 10 minutes down the road.  Sunday we attended church, where we were able to visit with some of dad's cousins children who also live there.  (Their parents are on a mission in Alabama, but they also live in OK) One of them use to be in our ward when I was in my senior year of high school and early college.  And their daughter is serving in Seattle, who I met last year when she was serving in my friend Aubrey's ward.  Small world! 

After church we spent the day at Laverda's eating, chatting and napping and eating some more. 

Monday we had lunch at this super delicious Mexican restaurant Teds.  They have the best cheese sauce and salsa that they start you out with and even warm tortilla shells.  I'm a huge flour tortilla fan, especially homemade. We met Crista and her daughters (Christa is Laverda's daughter).  I remember when I was a kid/teen when Crista would come to Nampa for the summer and Paige her cousin and I and Alisha would spend days out at Aunt Carols.  I have such fond memories of those days.

We visited the OK city bombing memorial which was beautiful and on a beautiful fall day.

Tuesday, since we didn't leave until evening, we drove 2 1/2 hours to the Pioneer Woman's Mercantile.  Oh, wow it was all that I ever thought it would be and more.  Mom and I loved it.  Dad wasn't so into it, but he was a good sport.  I totally splurged on a leather purse, which I've been wanting for a few years.  Vera Bradley, might just be out of my style for at least now.  We had some delicious desserts there, but didn't have lunch there because the line was crazy long.  But we had some amazing BBQ at a place just down from there, that was probably just as good or better. 

All in all, I'd say OK was a hit.  It was so fun to visit with aunt Carol and have her tell us story after story.  One, that I found interesting and that I hadn't heard was that when she was a kid, her parents never bought a house. They moved all the time and always rented.  Her mom would find a better place and they would move.  She said sometimes when her dad would be gone for long stretches he would come home and drive by the house they were living in with the kids on the front steps, not realizing the family had moved while he was gone.