Little Bits of this and that

We leave Hawaii for home tonight at 9:30 PM Hawaii time, on a red eye flight. In a few short hours I lose the internet connection that has enabled me to continue to read your comments on my survey post. Which by the way were alll fantastic! It’s going to make it difficult to pick one over another.

We have been so busy frantically trying to jam as much fun and sightseeing as we could for the week we have been in this paradise state! So much so, that time to write any type of post has been non-existent. Our meetings with the Hawaii Bloggers Coalition were nothing short of fantastic! Much more to come when we arrive home Friday! Wonderful, warm-hearted people, that I feel honored to have gotten the opportunity to spend some time with! With lots of potos to share when I’m back on my pc in my home office.

If I am due to send you an email it should go out tomorrow after we catch up on a little sleep. Sleep being the main thing missing from this week.

We are really going to have a hard time leaving for home this vacation. It has been the best vacation we have ever taken by far! As we love being in our home, it is amazing to the both of us that we don’t want to leave yet. If you get the opportunity to visit this paradise, take it!

I need to quickly thank Rachel again for my beautiful new summer skin on Stumbling/Grace! She surprised me late last night, and I haven’t had the opportunity to really let her know how much I appreciate her talents and her giving spirit! Thank you Rachel, you are a wonderful friend, and I love you! I love this summer skin too!

More to come late Friday! I hope everyone had a great week! I look forward to catching up with all of you, and sharing our vacation adventures! As well as picking a couple survey winners! I did start sending out BE credits before we left for Hawaii, and am discovering I don’t have all of your user names for BE. Please send me an email, or leave a comment with your exact username on BE, so I can credit you with my little gift of appreciation, as well as the bigger ones for the comments that stood out for Kevin and me!

Aloha All!

Love,

3T

PS. No editing, so forgive my mistakes on this post. 

This morning Kevin and I got our hedonistic asses out of bed, gulped down a cup of coffee, and hit the pavement, at a brisk (brisk for us, that is) walk. We have been talking about and hem-hawing around the topic of exercise for well over three years. During a lazy hedonistic day of nothingness on Sunday, we decided it was time to quit talking and planning for it, and just do it.

I am coming off another bout with a bulged disc, and I decided it will continue to flare up as long as I continue in my slothful, hedonistic state of being. Thanks Dad, you’re never one to mince words!

Saturday night we had another charity event to attend for the Child Crisis Center, held at The Gainey Ranch Hyatt resort. This was our fourth year attending this particular event, having skipped one year to attend the Desert Botanical Gardens fundraiser one year.

Of all the events we attend, this one is hard for me to muster up the courage and confidence to attend. It just seemed every year around the time of this event, I have either been out of sorts, or as in last year, in much pain from the bulged disc. One year I sat in something (yes that was fun in my new dress). Another year I spilled a whole drink down the front of my dress. Last year, besides being in pain, we were seated at the channel 12 table with two of the news anchors who are well known, thus intimidating me even further.

This year, add a major case of PMS blues and stress and not having “a thing to wear” and having to ice my neck every few hours due to the disc flare-up.  I did manage to go out at the last minute and procure a kick-ass dress, which aided in a little motivation. With trepidation, I prepared for this completely worthwhile charity event.

By the time we left, I felt I looked my best, so if something “went awry” this year, well at least I looked great! We stopped at the bar in Gainey Ranch Resort for our prep drink. They make a smooth Cosmo, with Grey Goose vodka. Two Cosmo’s and some people watching later, we were ready to “check in.”

By the way, has any one from Arizona noticed just how many beautiful knock-out women there are in Scottsdale? I saw more silicone and real double-D’s on display in that hour than I have in a year in Mesa! A point I know my husband enjoyed. (Although he won’t admit it. Smart man.)

Off in the event, I managed to put away a dozen cold jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce. Their food usually isn’t to my taste, but the shrimp cocktail works for me! We perused the silent auction, where my husband did pick up a lovely opal ring and necklace set for half the retail value, we had another cosmo, and then had dinner. By this point I was well over buzzed, and, in my husband’s words, became chatty Cathy at our table. And I had one more drink. Now being well over my two drink limit, when the band started playing, we were there! We danced for well over an hour, and had a wonderful time.

This did not, however, make for a wonderful time come Sunday morning. Both of our hips and legs were sore, as if we’d ran a marathon, and although not a full blown hangover, neither of us had the ambition of a bum. Which led to the decision that we need to start walking. So Monday morning marks turning over a new leaf together, hopefully to a more healthy lifestyle for the both of us. (Yes it’s a baby step, but then Rome wasn’t built in a day.)

Speaking of exercise, my 60 year old father did a 10K walk/run for the American Heart Association this weekend. He came in first place! I couldn’t be prouder of him if I tried. I only wish I could have been there to see Dad, in his lace up cowboy boots, levis and cowboy hat cross the finish line ahead of all the perfectly outfitted joggers!  This man discovered he had diabetes a few years back, and through diet and exercise has managed to maintain his sugar level in range, warding off the need for the pills or insulin shots. My goal is to gain even half that discipline. And quit feeding him foods that aren’t good for him when I go to Washington to visit. Congratulations Dad, on all counts!

It’s Monday and the beginning of another rugrat week with all it’s needed routines. I hope everyone has an enjoyable day. I’ll be around to catch up on your weekend today and tomorrow.

This week has been busy with the many tests that Kevin went through to make sure there was no metastasis. Although the chances were slim, just the nature of the tests brought on their own brand of anxiety for the both of us. They gave rises as well to many feelings and emotions for the both of us. We each had our own perspectives on the cancer and the changes we were experiencing and this added stress to day-to-day life. As far as the tests went, all came back negative for any metastasis (the spreading of the cancer to other areas of the body).  So we celebrated by going to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Houston’s. The next step will be a round of blood tests, an EKG and a chest X-ray as a prep before he will undergo surgery to remove his prostate at the beginning of June. Thank you again for all of your prayers and support.

Caught up in Kevin’s diagnosis, and all that this entailed, I let slip by a momentous occasion for my first-born. Something I hope Robby will take into consideration and understand that the circumstance and my (imaginary) ADD kept me from acknowledging in a timely manner. And I apologize to my son, and hope he will forgive me. Robby and his high school sweetheart Cheryl took a fun-filled and romantic vacation to Las Vegas and San Diego over their spring break, and he asked Cheryl to be his bride! I offer up to my son and my new daughter-in-law-to-be my heartfelt congratulations, as they plan their wedding and the start of their lives together as husband and wife.

I could not be happier with my son’s choice for his bride! Cheryl is a smart, beautiful young lady with a warm and caring heart. As they have been together now for well over four years, I feel confident that they know each other well and have made an informed and love-filled decision about their future. I welcome Cheryl into our family with open arms, and thank her for making Robby happy by choosing to be his bride. May God Bless their union and their lives together. Cheryl and Robby, Kevin and I love you dearly, and could not be happier for the two of you!

Now, on a blogging note, I would like to thank one of my readers,(whoever it was) who nominated me for a Compassionate Heart award, on the site that goes by the same name, Compassionate Hearts. From the looks of the blog it is a brand new one, with a concept that I find completely endearing. Recognizing bloggers within our blogging community for a caring and compassionate heart. So if there are bloggers out there that you would like to nominate for their kindness and their caring, click over and check out Compassionate Hearts. With all the ugliness and nastiness in the world it’s an idea that I believe deserves our support, encouragement and recognition. So, thank you to Compassionate Hearts and whichever reader who saw past some of my bitchiness to see some good in me! I appreciate you, and would love to know who it was. (BLATANT hint hint!)

This weekend is going to be another busy one for Kevin and me. We are off to see the musical Funny Girl at the Broadway Palms Dinner Theatre tonight with Kevin’s boss and his girlfriend. Tomorrow night is the Tempe Diablo’s Casino Capers event. Although I am not sure which charities this event sponsors, I know the Tempe Diablos are a civic-minded group devoting their energies to promoting, organizing and supporting community-based programs. Their focus is on youth, the city of Tempe and education.

I hope everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable weekend!

Love,

3T

Our weekend was a busy and unique one. We had two charity events on the weekend agenda that made it fly by a little too fast. Saturday night was the annual Governor’s Ball, which we have attended for the last five years, and is usually the highlight of the Season’s events that we participate in. This year was no exception. Kevin and I look at the assortment of community events we attend as a unique opportunity to spice up our date nights. Not the usual dinner and a movie out, in jeans and sweatshirts, they provide us an opportunity to dress up, look our best and experience things a little differently than we would left to our own devices.

I did recycle the gown that I wore to the AIDS Benefit in February, so prep work was cut in half not having to hunt for a new dress. Kevin wore a taupe (or dark champagne) colored vest and ascot with his tux for this one. And I do believe it was the most striking additions to his tux he has ever made! The color brought out his eyes, and he was stunning! (I may be slightly partial, but I do know what is hot.)
The Governors Ball is the perfect backdrop to a special and romantic date night. Being a person who is practical (OK, maybe the right word is lazy) I like to kill two birds with one stone in almost all that I do. The Governors Ball kills several birds with one stone. Romance for date night, dressing up, aiding charities and Kevin’s career are tied to many of the community events. With the added bonus that the food for this charity event is usually some of the best we have enjoyed.

The Governors is a 201(c)3, non profit, volunteer organization that was originally established in 1984 by Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital. Initially named The Tempe St. Luke’s Governors in honor of Governor Howard Pyle, one of the founding members, it was renamed The Tempe Governors in 1997 when the Hospital became a for-profit institution. In early 2004, the membership reconfirmed its mission of supporting agencies that seek to improve community health through education, prevention, outreach and direct health care services. At the same time, it increased its service area to better accommodate the Valley’s expanding population. As a result, the organization was officially renamed The Governors.
This year was the 20th Annual Governors Ball and the theme was Crystal Ball, A Reflection of Caring. Held at Pointe South Mountain Resort Grande Ballroom, the evening began with a Champagne Reception at 7:00 PM. Dining and dancing started at 8:00 PM and the music continued through the night. When it quits I haven’t a clue, since I’m always yawning and heading for the exit by 10:30 or so. But we get an opportunity to dance to a quality band that plays music my children have never heard before. (Which means it’s quality music) From the Righteous Brothers, Frank Sinatra and various Motown Artists.

Another attraction of the evening is the extensive silent auction, which offers weekend getaways to various resorts, airline tickets, artwork and too-many-to-count gift baskets, golf packages, and jewelry. This years raffle was for a trip to Ireland for two. This year we walked away with a gourmet brunch, an overnight getaway to The Pointe South Mountain Resort, a gift basket of hair products, and hair style, (yay for me!) and another night at a resort that I can’t remember the name of. The proceeds go to the beneficiaries of the event, which include Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center, Mountain Park Health Center and the Tempe Fire Department.

I would put last night’s menu at the top of the four previous years. The first course was a mushroom strudel in sherry cream with roasted pepper compote. I could have easily made a full meal out of this dish, as tasty as it was. The salad was baby spinach with Pancetta lardoons, gorgonzola, candied walnuts, pear tomatoes and balsamic dressing. Then they served a delicate lemoncello ginger sorbet, with the perfect amount of tart to it. For the main course was a spiced fillet mignon and roasted sea bass that was mouth watering. Served on top of a creamy herb polenta that admittedly reminded me of cream of wheat without the ton of sugar I scoop into it. (I didn’t eat more than two bites of the polenta.) As well as only two bites of the carrot souffle. Served along side Madeira reduction and braised red cabbage with currants and yellow pepper drizzles, the dinner was presented like art work designed on the plate.(I wanted to take a picture of it, but then my redneck roots would have been obvious) The grand finale was the best dessert I have ever experienced anywhere. A chocolate marquise with an orange creme brulee filling and kumquat gelee. Truly orgasmic, I would have eaten Kevin’s if he hadn’t finished it as fast as he did! Dining at the Governors Ball is an experience in and of itself.

Sunday’s event was the annual Bon Vivant - A Celebration of Fine Food & Drink, presented for The Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley. This years Bon Vivant was held out at the new location of Rawhide in their Pavilion tent. With too many restaurants to remember participating, as well as some of the gourmet food stores, you enter with a wine glass and plate in hand, and wander from booth to booth experiencing some of each restaurant’s signature items, and a wine list that would make your head spin. Many exotic alcohols from scotch to flavored vodkas topped it off. I don’t think any one human could taste them all if they tried. With a couple of different stages and bands playing, and another silent auction, by the end of this evening we were exhausted! And luckily were outbid on all the items we bid on. We did our damage at The Governors Ball, it was someone else’s turn at Bon Vivant, although we certainly aided in driving the prices up.

Both events were unique, and ones I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an evening out that doesn’t include popcorn and dark theatres, but does benefit our communities on several different levels. If food is something you like to experience, these two particular events would appeal, as rubbery dry chicken is never on the menu!

We had a fantastic time! Thanks for asking. I apologize for not writing sooner, but I had a major case of PMS, that had my outlook, attitude and actions bordering on the psychotic. No, seriously. It has been a harsh three days of just trying to function on auto-pilot without damaging my personal relationships, and running off anyone who sees me as a likable person. Although we have overcast skies this morning, the birds are chirping, the kids are cute and Teri is smiling. Sometimes being female is one tough bitch! I have come to the conclusion, that from here on out, I will not write during those special days that make me a woman. I am better off getting my mind and emotions off of myself, and reading about all of your worlds on those days..

The traveling was uneventful. We arrived in Seattle with no mishaps, checked into our hotel and met Mom and Dad for dinner at Anthony’s, which happens to be one of my all time favorite restaurants. To sum up the weekend, we ate like kings and queens the whole time! From filet mignon to bananas foster, prime rib, fresh salmon, Steak Diane, crab cocktails, Crème Brule, pasta, wine cake with pudding sauce. Topped off with liberal amounts of wine and cosmopolitans. We ate and ate and ate, enjoying every moment of it!

Saturday my brother and sister with their respective spouses made their way to Olympia to celebrate dad’s 60th Birthday with us. We surprised him with his very own top-of-the-line treadmill for a birthday gift, and of course took him out for dinner again. Kevin and I did our best to help spoil him for the weekend, and I hoped we succeeded. Since dad is a diabetic, dad you need to get on that treadmill and run like hell to work off all the horribly sugar laden foods we fed you all weekend. (I have got to find another way to spoil my diabetic father, other than feeding him all the foods that are not good for him.)

By the time we made it back to Phoenix, we had completely relaxed, giving only seconds to the thought of cancer and treatments, and were ready to deal with the onslaught of doctor appointments this week. Kevin has a few more tests to go through, before any treatment or surgery can happen. Thank you again to all of you who are praying and sending your positive energy and thoughts our way.

Well, sort of. Someone close to me has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Because he kept up on all his preventative testing, it has been caught early and the prognosis is very good. Prostate cancer, by my understanding, is slow growing and highly treatable, if they catch it early.

If you’re a man approaching 50 or older, have your PSA levels checked annually through a blood test. And of course, make sure to get your yearly physicals, you know the ones you all hate? (Bend over, and relax.) Ladies, stay on your husbands to get their PSA level checked out ANNUALLY. I would also suggest around 50 going in and having a colonoscopy that checks for colon cancer as well.

Just as with breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer have a much better prognosis when caught in the early stages.

That’s all. As it’s Monday and the rugrats’ spring break has jumped out at me, that’s all I got for today.

3T

The sky is finally taking a leak all over our desert dryness!!! After over 140 days, we have rain folks! Obviously much needed rain. So while our desert paradise gets a good refreshing soak, hubby and I are off to play at the mall and have a nice dinner out. A no-kids weekend means just relaxing and enjoying each others company. I wish each of you some of the same relaxation this weekend!

Thank you for all the encouraging comments you gave me on venturing out to volunteer! I am looking at the different options this week, and will not make a rash decision on what area they may need help in. The tour was wonderful. The organization is a well oiled machine set up to make the most of their volunteers and donations! I see myself there, although I’m not sure yet in what capacity. Of course I will let everyone know.

This week has been busy on a few different levels, and I haven’t got to spend as much time catching up with all of you as I would have liked. But I’ll be coming around hit and miss over the weekend, and in earnest come Monday morning.


Have a great weekend!


Love,

3T