Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[Pea-n-Me]

Great pics, everyone! I will have to add in some of my own!

I love NYC, snappy. DH and I used to visit a lot pre-kids. It's only about a 4 hr drive for us, and Amtrack is kinda fun, too. It's been a while since we've been. Brings back memories.

Love the CA pics, smiley.

Congrats, ols!

Thinking of everyone and sending prayers to all who need them.

GAGWTA

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We'll start with this little guy. We just love him to pieces, and he is incredibly photogenic!

And of course, my girl enjoying a game in the warm sun (on a chilly day).

This was how I spent much of the spring and summer.

A little R & R on vacation. (We let the kids take friends for a few days. Fun with 5 teenagers! )

 

[snappy]

You get the best pictures, Linda!

My DD16 took some pictures of her self with the timer by the window in our room in NY. She bought a bright blue beret and looked like a French doll.

Something about that city inspires creativity.

I have been several times to NYC to, but in the midst of work stuff, short day trip when my parents lived in Hartford CT, and the 4 day theatre going trip Mom and I took 6 years ago.

This was special with DD22 living nearby, my brother available to guide us throughout, DD16 having gone last year and itching to go back, being able to have dinner with Dd22's boyfriend and his parents, having time to spend buying work clothes on tremendous sale for DD22.

Speaking of her, she got her first post college paycheck over the weekend, it is still just and internship rate, but you gotta start somewhere.

My baby bird has left the nest.

I think I am finally in a place where I am more comfortable trying new things, even on my own without DH. I was nervous that I can figure out cabs, subway, restaurants, but guess what I am capable. It was kind of self affirming, and I guess a good example maybe for DD16 who is very reserved. She too ventured out on her own the last day we were there as one of her best friends was in the city too. The friend got turned around and could not find our hotel, but DD16 figured out her location and met up with her. They shopped and had coffee. She too is more independent and worldly than I was at 16.

My sister calls NYC the new Disney for me. I will tell you it cost far more for this 4 day trip than any Disney trip we ever took, including a 3 week stay in a 4 bedroom pool home. Made some grown up memories though.

It helped me relax about DD22's place of work and commute. Compared to New Orleans, I think it actually may be safer, just so much farther.

I guess I am still having an afterglow from the trip, I was inspired last night by posting some pictures here to organize my pictures and set up an album that I synced to my ipad. I will enjoy looking at it while doing payroll today!

Thanks for listening to my gushing. I am enjoying all the other pictures posted here very much.

This is a wonderful thread. Keeping everyone in mind here, especially Lisa.

 

[ols386]

Your "girl" is beautiful, Pea.

 

[Dancind]

Lovely pictures, what wonderful memories! Snappy, your older DD is a beauty too. And Smiley, what an adorable grandson.

We are also planning a trip that just seems to be getting longer and longer. A week in Napa had grown by three nights in Healdsburg, and now we are adding on to the front end. Looks like we will be visiting Big Sur and Carmel too, and Monterey.

Good thing it looks like we have a good offer on our commercial building that's been for sale for 8 months.

Guess the "I deserve mode" is taking over for a little while!

Ols, so glad you got good news. Was starting not to believe the benign statistics I was told when at the biopsy.

Pea, what is that little guy? So cute.

 

[smiley_face2]

Lovely pictures, what wonderful memories! Snappy, your older DD is a beauty too. And Smiley, what an adorable grandson.

We are also planning a trip that just seems to be getting longer and longer. A week in Napa had grown by three nights in Healdsburg, and now we are adding on to the front end. Looks like we will be visiting Big Sur and Carmel too, and Monterey.

Good thing it looks like we have a good offer on our commercial building that's been for sale for 8 months.

Guess the "I deserve mode" is taking over for a little while!

Ols, so glad you got good news. Was starting not to believe the benign statistics I was told when at the biopsy.

Pea, what is that little guy? So cute.

we have only been home a week, and I am jealous of your upcoming trip!! I so wish we could move there, or win a lottery and buy a part time place there. Have you been to those places very often? do you have favorite places to stay or eat? I would love to have any hints and tips you have if so.... We've been through that area a few times now, each time staying a little longer and discovering more things and favorite places. I can not wait for Oct/Nov to come now so we can be on our way down there again When are you going?

 

[Sha]

Great news!!! YAY!!!!

And love the photos! Laurie I want to go to that museum and I want to soak in that tub! Unless I go and soak in the one in the presidential suite

photos from the event are on the FB page for the team if you want to see.

I am doing a fundraiser but need to contact me to get info for this one. Its Thirty One products. I close on Thursday 5pm. They have LSU colors Laurie Doing Pampered Chef next month.

 

[snappy]

Ooh there is some nice stuff with Thirtyone, I just checked their website. You are on your way with the fundraising. wow!

Can you email me some info?

Sha, can you come down to Orlando the first weekend of F&W?

Would love for you to meet my NOLA friend and her SO.

She has not signed up for the race, but she said she plans to.

 

[snappy]

Linda, I looked at the picture of your precious hamster again. What a great job with the focus on him in the picture. I need to have you as a photography teacher. I just never seem to have the time to really play with the closeups. I am frustrated I did not have more pictures of us from our trip when we were eating out. Always seemed hectic and I got tired of lugging the camera around. I get so caught up in the moment, but I wish I had take pictures of my brother's dogs when we visited his place. Their antics were precious, he has a Chinese Crested and a long haired chihuahua. Spending time with them made our trip more family oriented, and less touristy if that makes any sense?

Nice to have family in the big city. I felt at home to the extent I started playing New Yorky music while there. I bet that sounds strange.

GAGWTA!

Oh, by the way that acronym means greetings and good wishes to all, coined by our poster Ann who stopped by a few weeks ago I think. Miss you, Ann!

It is a good shout out to everyone here as when we post it seems impossible to reply to or comment on everyone's recent posts. It is an all inclusive kind of thing.

Thanks Ann!

 

[snappy]

First day of school here today for DD16, and she is starting at a new school for junior year. She has a car (DD22's old one) now and left early to navigate the streets and locate her parking space.

First period is starting as I type this, and i am so hoping she has a good experience on her first day.

She has to change her schedule a bit so I am praying that goes well for her today It is daunting to change schools like this, but she has a number of good friends there, so I am hoping the transition goes well. This school has been under construction for two years so I am praying things are not too chaotic this week.

Has fall started? Ugh.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon sistas

ols - wonderful news!

Laurie - loved your pics. Looks like you had an amazing time. I am glad you loved the city. I smiled what you said about your dd finding her way around. My ds are the same.

Linda - love your pics and glad you had a good vacation. That is why I asked about the hamster. Ours is a dwarf one and he is either sleepoing or on steroids. never will sit still if they try to hold him etc.

smiley - loved your pics and looks like you had a wonderful time too. I love the carmel pics and it looks like Jacob loved the cars theme and had a great time too.

Sha - loved the cake pics. Too cute!

Diana - sounds like you have a great trip too to Ca plus the food and wine. We will probably be there the 25-30. I think Linda (pats Mom) different Linda might be there then?? Maybe she will post soon., I cant remember

Minniejeannie - hope you are enjoying your trip

Lisa - Sending you good thoughts and prayers

Well 3 more days until dh comes home, good because the dishwasher just died, someone let the air out of 2 of ds20s car tires etc. etc. Why does everything happen when he is gone?? I had to make 2 trips to take care of some of ds22 stuff this week with him and had a meeting yest. for the school. Now I guess I will be busy washing dishes besides cooking Oh well, I think the dishwasher was at least 20 years old, so it served us well. Now to do some online research.

I need to make the bone scan appt and the dentist too.

Linda - saw your white appliance thread, hmm, I am getting stainless

GAGWTA

 

[ols386]

What does GAGWTA mean?



Thanks Mary Poppins!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Your "girl" is beautiful, Pea.

Pea, what is that little guy? So cute.

Linda, I looked at the picture of your precious hamster again. What a great job with the focus on him in the picture. I need to have you as a photography teacher. I just never seem to have the time to really play with the closeups. I am frustrated I did not have more pictures of us from our trip when we were eating out. Always seemed hectic and I got tired of lugging the camera around. I get so caught up in the moment, but I wish I had take pictures of my brother's dogs when we visited his place. Their antics were precious, he has a Chinese Crested and a long haired chihuahua. Spending time with them made our trip more family oriented, and less touristy if that makes any sense?

Linda - love your pics and glad you had a good vacation. That is why I asked about the hamster. Ours is a dwarf one and he is either sleepoing or on steroids. never will sit still if they try to hold him etc.

Thank you! The little guy is a teddy bear hamster. He is really amazing in personality. He sits out with us for a long time each evening, no trouble at all, just likes to hang out. He even sits on DDs chest and watches her do her iPad. It is so funny! (Have to get some pics and video of that!) He is a big part of our household believe it or not. More like a cat or something, lol.

Laurie, I'd love to work with you on photography. But really, the secret is just practicing. Did you read Understanding Exposure? (Can't remember; thought you bought it.) That will help piece it together. Low light shots in restaurants and such are tough, especially if you only have kit lenses. Maybe it's time for another lens for you? Do ask if you have questions.

GAGWTA = Greetings and Good Wishes To All

ETA in thinking about it, I took that hamster shot with my 50-200 f/2.8 tele lens. I was clear across the room when I took it. It's the same lens I use for most of DS's baseball games (with the exception of those I posted here as I was traveling light that day and used our Mirrorless with kit tele lens). The 50-200 is my favorite lens. I can shoot games through fences and you can barely see the fence. It also yields great bokeh - that out of focus background. You won't believe it, but that little bit of red and white is DD's shirt! I'll show you a couple of other shots I took of him that I love as well.

 

[snappy]

What does GAGWTA mean?



Thanks Mary Poppins!

Also check my post 869 on the prior page!

 

[Sha]

Ooh there is some nice stuff with Thirtyone, I just checked their website. You are on your way with the fundraising. wow!

Can you email me some info?

Sha, can you come down to Orlando the first weekend of F&W?

Would love for you to meet my NOLA friend and her SO.

She has not signed up for the race, but she said she plans to.

I will email you the link... the show technically closes today BUT she cant actually close it out until tomorrow night because of a meeting she has tonight before seeing me and it will have been a long day. I am $110 shy from a level which of course increases the commission.

What is the first weekend of F&W?? I probably can get there. that would be really great if she signed up

 

[snappy]

Sept 28 is the Friday F&W starts. Wish R could go.

enjoy your weekend, BTW

 

[ols386]

GAGWTA

Ah, ok. Just wondered. Thanks!

I've always wanted to go during Food & Wine. Have never been during flower & garden either. Bet it's beautiful!

 

[snappy]

Food and Wine is nice, especially with a group or meeting friends. Each year I attend seems different to me. I guess this year will make my third year, but twice I combined it with the central Florida RFTC.

This year I am skipping that one and doing the New Orleans one with Sha instead.

I like the food offerings, and just the general "vibe" of the event. It is best to stay at one of the EPCOT resorts with easy access to the back of EPCOT. However, it can be done from other locations.

My DH and I did one of the special events in 2008, a hour and a half interview of the chef at Commander's Palace (arguably the best restaurant in New Orleans) named Tony McPhail. He was interviewed by a local Orlando news host on a raised dias using top of line kitchen appliances, the cooking of the duck entree all filmed and displayed on large screen tv's. The chef had prepared a duck entree for 100, only about 30 guests were there, so instead of a taste we all were treated to a full plate of his entree, along with great beer from a south Louisiana brewery (one of the VP's from the brewery was there, and he too was set up to serve 100 guests).

We also received the chef's cookbook, actually two copies, one for me and one for my DH for $75 each. It was nice way to spend the afternoon, since it was not crowded, we sat at the first table, which was covered with a tablecloth, fresh flowers and a table decoration as I recall.

We were happy.

It is very enjoyable talking to the natives from the different countries, much the same way as it is in the regular EPCOT country pavillions.

We enjoyed some music, at least at the Louisiana pavilion that year, but the Louisiana were sub standard.

we have been a number of times during the flower and garden time as well. I have enjoyed meeting some of the artists. And seeing all the extra plantings is wonderful. It is hot in May though and October can be very nice in Orlando. September is not ideal, but I have had several good stays in September, but I think October is really idea, warm enough to swim but not as hot and humid as September can be.

GAGWTA!

 

[Sha]

Had a very nice weekend! Thought it was going to rain Saturday so I didnt straighten my hair... wish I had, it never rained on us LOL

We went shopping some on Saturday afternoon... R bought me my first pair of crocs. I got flip flop style with the material between the toes and not the rubber. They are pink and brown and I am pleasantly surprised that I do like them.

Going to take another fun chair dance class... will have fun and maybe R will get to see that one!

I have to see what the next weekend works for R and I. We were suppose to get together for LD weekend but his work may get in the way. They took on a big project that evidently got messed up by a newby. I think the newby is out of work today, but not sure.

 

[slg]

I have my breast MRI on Monday as a routine check since I have the brca1 mutation, but last night I found a lump. I just went hot and cold all over. NOw I'm so scared...its round and smooth, like a hard pea.

My cousin is visiting me for my birthday tomorrow and I have a wedding to go to on Saturday and a family reunion. Everything feels pretty lousy now.

Just need some virtual hugs and hand holding.

S