quote:

Originally posted by lbj:

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
Someone tell me why my wife and 2 daughters each have to have 2 large suitcases and a carry on for a 2 week vacation?

quote:

Originally posted by Copefree:
Because if they didn't, it would mean they're men.

I feel certain that half of what they will bring will not get worn.
Those are the "just in case" things.

I am taking one suitcase that will be a little more than half full.

I'm also going to have to rent 2 cars.

It boggles the male mind.....You could offer a "deal" to the girls, limit them to one suitcase and carry-on with the promise of offering to purchase for them a clothing item if needed, but really all they're going to wear is beach-wear and resort-wear. Then ship back anything purchased. Extra suitcases are expensive to fly with! And is there any chance you could rent a suburban or mini-van? You might need to take a logistician along with you to do all this stuff.....

With being still ill, I have to go first class, so the whole family is flying first class.
Therefore, they are allowed the bags at no extra charge.

I think I will do a mini van and a Ford Fiesta or something. The Fiesta will be for youngest daughter and grandson, and hopefully I can get that car with a car seat.

Once we get in to Kona airport and get the cars, we have to go to Walmart for baby things, like a ton of Huggies and things as well as other essentials.

As I say, it's like moving an army.
It's about 30 miles from the airport to the hotel grounds.

The kids are very excited and counting the days.
I will put my credit cards in the refrigerator every night so they can cool off.

We had to book 3 rooms, one for my wife and I, one each for the daughters because of the grandson.
There are some other reasons to this because of sibling rivalries, unfortunately.
I am on vacation in a tropical setting, I need the conflict to be at a minimum.
I doubt we are the only family with such problems.

And then of course, they all need their hair done before leaving as well, not to mention the clothes shopping that was done last week.
It also appears that everyone wants to bring their new hats from Greeley Hat Company.
Hats are big, you know?

This trip is once again like the trip to Cedar Point last year in that this trip should create a good memory for everyone to last a lifetime after I am gone.

Then again, God may smile on me (He already is) and it is possible I will be around for a while longer.
Hopefully a few more years.
All that is necessary is that I live long enough to willingly complete God's plan for me.
I could never ask for more than that.

Tonight is church. I know youngest will be going, maybe even my wife will come tonight, I hope so.
Oldest daughter has to work, but I do not think she is ready for church any time soon.
I am trying my best to live above the snake line. Youngest is too.
A little separation from the world is a good thing.

The beach is calling and the manta rays are waiting for me at the Mauna Kea.
They're my buddies.

Sometimes I can be a bit too thick in the head.

For the last 3 weeks or so, I have been eating a ton of food.
It's like I am catching up for the last year and eight months.
Every night before going to bed I tell my wife:
I think I ate too much.

However, last night I started something awful.
I should know better but I was still hungry at 11PM.
The recipe:
one spicy potato, egg and sausage burrito.
one quart of chocolate milk.
fall asleep within 45 minutes

Results:
Severe sugar/starch hangover all day today.
It feels as bad as a hangover back when I still drank alcohol in my 20s.
I just feel terrible today.

Ah man, I am going to have to sleep this off tonight.
I just have been so enamored with food these days after the long drought, I forgot some of the do's and don'ts here.
As per usual though, lbj has to learn the hard way.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
I should know better but I was still hungry at 11PM.
The recipe:
Eat one spicy potato, egg and sausage burrito.
Add in a quart of chocolate milk.
Fall asleep within 45 minutes

Ooo yeah, no, don't do that.

Did you have weird dreams after eating that so late?

The dreams I had were generically nonsensical.
The problem was that I was in a listless dreaming state all night.
That's not a good place for me.

About 2:30AM I had to head for the kitchen and mix up a little baking soda and water.
About 4 months ago, I abandoned the Prilosec regimen and went with baking soda.
I actually feel better using baking soda.

Hawaii is just around the corner, we leave in less than a week.
With my recent improved physical and spiritual well being, I will be in better shape and feel better than I did last year when we went there.

I could not have said such just 6 weeks ago.

Pretty amazing.

Have a great time over there, T

thats a great update - have a great trip

Last year I went without sunscreen the first 2 days and became lobster like.
That meant I lost beach time for the following 4 days.

I think I will smarten up a little and not do that again.

Plus, I will be eating this trip.
It was almost impossible to do that last year, so I lived on Ensure Plus.

Have a great trip!

Silent

Thanks all, we will.

Here is an old song I like from ELO. Livin' Thing.
https://www.bing.com/videos/se...69151FE5&FORM=VRDGAR

Why ya'll even read me anymore is beyond me, but it is an honor and thank you.

The twists and turns of the last year and eight months and 100 pages have been incredible to say the least.
I had no idea that such a dreaded disease would lead me to where I am now.
Heck, that I'd still be around even.

I have written so many of my thoughts in real time for so long, I have forgotten much of them.
Oh well.

I hope some find what I write useful.
How I got from there to here is a little beyond me at the moment, but there is a fossil record contained herein.

I don't know that I would ever go back and reread this thread.
My youngest daughter will read this at some point, she wants to collate my writings.
In some ways I could use the word posts, but somehow to me, the word posts doesn't quite fit... this thread is pretty revealing in a personal way, so "writings" seems a bit more appropriate.

I am fascinated by the fact that I can so easily sustain such over this period of time.
I always figured that one day I would write something, but certainly not this, and certainly not such a public look into the deepest part of my thoughts.
I kind of wonder what some psychiatrist thinks of all this?
Certified perhaps?

I admit I am an odd duck, so maybe it's true.
But in any case, I sure have a fine time living and stomping on the terra, believe you me.
I have always been this way and I see no reason to change.
I would not want to be any another way, I would not trade a second of the life I have lived for more time, I am not jealous of other's good health, and I would never want to be anyone else but me.

I have been saying throughout this thread that I have had the best life ever.
So how am I supposed to describe my life when my life has gotten even better?
Bestest life ever? That doesn't sound right.
But this does:
Praise God!

Unless we get run over by a bus, we all must hoe that row.

This thread has been and continues to be an incredible learning experience for me. Thank you for all of the time and effort you have put into it. Please continue.

May God bless you, lbj.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
Last year I went without sunscreen the first 2 days and became lobster like.
That meant I lost beach time for the following 4 days.

I think I will smarten up a little and not do that again.

Just about every trip we take to any tropical locale there is one person whose job, it seems, is to be a reminder to all others to use sunscreen. Sorry it was you that time! There is no worse way to ruin a vacation than to get a wicked sunburn the first few days. I, myself, did this once, but it was Acapulco, and I was 8. I can still remember my skin trying to stretch, and cracking instead......
DON'T LET THIS BE YOU, OR ONE OF THE GIRLS, OR MILES!!!!!

Didja pack some sunscreen, like 50 or better??? Huh, didja huh?

quote:

Originally posted by robbiedog:
no worse way to ruin a vacation than to get a wicked sunburn

... on the tops of your feet.

A wonderful trip to you, lbj.

The view from our room here at the Mauna Kea is simply terrible, isn't it?

Wow ! Very nice

Thanks for checking in.

How is the trip going ?

Geez, you can barely see the damn ocean because of all the palm trees! Have a blast!