Just Married!

Dear Friends;

The Boyfriend and I tied the knot!

We were married in San Francisco on June 12th. At 12pm. It was truly an auspicious day!

We did not plan what we were going to wear. (The day before I tried on most of what I brought up here with me, and nothing thrilled me. Having left 40' of clothes hanging in my closet down south, I was a little bummed, but not overly so.) We figured that we would go casual with flip flops and Hawaiian shirts...

The night before the *big day* I dreamed in black and white. I had on a classic black sheath dress that always makes me think of Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Boyfriend had on a traditional black suit and tie. It was a wonderful dream. It was filled with romance and adventure and I felt as if Bogart and Bacall were going to step into it at any moment. When I woke up, I was so convinced that this was the dress I was going to wear that I leaped out of bed and wiggled into it. (And that is how The Boyfriend woke up...) And being the good sport that he is, he donned his black suit, crisp white dress shirt and added a white silk tie. He looked exactly how I had dreamed. (And so did I. I felt so beautiful and timeless. A pair of black patent leather pumps and a faux tiger striped swing coat and my Nona's gold bracelet were the finishing touches.) We looked as if we really were in an old black and white movie from the 50's...


I made us traditional breakfast, and we hopped into the car for the drive into the City.

I was very surprised to see City Hall. I had no idea that it was so beautiful! Or so gigantic! (The Boyfriend laughed and said that he thought that I had planned it, that he thought I knew that it was that cool... Really, I had no clue.) It is more beautiful than many of the Cathedrals that I have seen and is truly awe inspiring. What a great place to get married!






With plenty of time to spare, we found the room for marriages and marriage licenses. There were so many happy couples waiting for their turn to become legally bound. It was fantastic! From young to old, formally dressed in full wedding gowns to jeans and shorts, they were all there. (Some were very, very old, and some were very, very pregnant...) There was even a whole Asian family there with a *film crew* that took videos and snapped photos of every single second while the Bride and Groom looked as if they had been plucked off the top of a wedding cake and Papa held the bright pink purses with pride...

We applied for the license and then took a break to sit on the grand staircase and wait for noon when it would be our turn.


Two beautiful ladies were our witnesses. (They had happily answered my call for help, and I am so thankful that they did. It made the day so much more than I had thought... And having such wonderful women there really bolstered me in a way I had not imagined.) And our Judge was exactly as I had envisioned. He was elderly, as if he had sat on the bench long before we were both born, and had married countless couples over too many days to count. He wore the traditional black judge's robes, and had a great voice that carried well in the rotunda where we officially became husband and wife.


The ceremony was short and sweet. Quite to the point. No special vows, no rings exchanged, just the same *I do* that so many thousands have said before us. (It was rather reassuring... I mean, if you are going to do something traditional like get married in the first place, why not really go all the way with it...) We held hands, and I did not cry. Almost... But I held it together. And The Boyfriend looked so proud and happy. It was perfect. And then faster than a 90 second quickie, it was done. And we kissed twice because we are in California. Once for real and once for the camera. (Though happily all of the snapshots came out grainy and blurry. Which is what I had wanted. To be able to remember the day the way our hearts saw it.)




I gave my new Husband, my Beloved best friend, a small little box that contained 12 shiny new pennies in it as a wedding present. (You remember when we were little and the world had so much magic and wonder in it? When we used to toss pennies into fountains and wells so that our heart's desire, our wishes would come true? Somehow, this remarkable man has managed to grant every wish I have wished. So much so, that I have nothing left to wish for. So I gave him the rest of my wishes... I don't need them anymore. I have long been happy with myself, but now I am content. And while I know that we must each find our own contentment, and that pennies may only be pennies, there is still something that inspires the magic of life when I am with him.)


Afterwards, we stepped out of City Hall, our hands clasped and giggling like the whole world was ahead of us... (Because it was... It is... And I love that.)

We strolled down the street looking for a place to get a drink. (The weather was hot and sunny, and for the City, that is saying something...) I played in a fountain, but my Beloved would not take his shoes off to join me... And then we had iced tea and a white frosted, rainbow sprinkled donut! (What a great wedding cake! It was the best donut I have ever eaten, it was confectionery heaven.)


As we walked back to the car, we came to a flea market. Something in one of the stalls blinked out shiny and I had to go see... It was from the sparkle of rings... Winking and blinking in the light. We laughed and I tried one on... And it fits, we'll need to size it a little later, but it does not fall off, which never happens with my super skinny fingers...








And that is how I ended up with a ring that looks like it came from Harry Winston... On our wedding day... Where for the first time in my life, I planned nothing, expected nothing, stressed over nothing, worried about nothing, and came away with everything. And more.


Later on, after we had changed into shorts and flip flops, we went to our little Italian restaurant that we love so much, and had a lovely dinner and tiramisu... It was the perfect ending for the perfect day... (And the night I am keeping to myself. After all... Not everything gets Blogged...)

I'm Pregnant!

I'm PREGNANT!!!

How is that for something incredible!?!

And of that is why I have not been Blogging for awhile now... Every time I went to write something, all I wanted to do was spill the news...

I'm PREGNANT!!!

We were planning on waiting until the second trimester to say anything, but how can we not share something so totally fantastic?

I'm PREGNANT!!!

Besides... This has always been a place where I have shared my ups and downs, along with a funny time or two... So how is it that I can withhold my funny conception/ future Mother-in-law story longer than I have to? I can't... So now you all get to laugh along with me... And feel my pain... (Trust me, this whole pregnancy thing is great, but there is pain... Much more than I ever imagined...) Who else to better share my educational experience of a lifetime with? (And if you have been reading my Blog since the beginning then you will recall that I have always been the one to dread anything baby and baby related... You will know that while I do know HOW babies are made, and HOW babies are born, I know absolutely NOTHING of pregnancy... So this really is a huge learning experience for me.)

Mmmm... And how far along am I? Just a little over 6 weeks... And when did we find out? Just a little over 2 hours after we were told that the offer on the house had been accepted. YUP. We found out on the same day! (See... I really meant it when I said it was going to be a day we would never forget.)

And for those of you who said that the pitter patter of little feet were soon to be heard. You were right! Right now the estimated due date is January 29th. (I got the Aquarius that I wanted so badly... And The Boyfriend got his birthday wish. He had asked for a baby... Tall order, but we managed to pull that one off... (But that is part of the funny story to be coming down the Blogging road in the very near future.)

Oh thank goodness!
I'm PREGNANT!!!

We got the house!

Yesterday will be a day to remember for the rest of our lives... So much shock can only be delivered to a person before the brain gets addled and things like leaving the keys in the door and walking halfway to the car before you notice start to happen.

We got the call just late enough in the morning from Derrick, that we had figured that is was not going to be coming for several more hours. So I had traipsed off to the store with a very Dear Friend who was waiting to pick up the keys on her totally cute new house. (She'll be moving a coupe of hours away, we needed supplies for the trip and a few other things...)

She and I were standing at the counter, having just purchased our (loot) things, when The Boyfriend called.

Are you in a public place?

Yes. We're just getting ready to leave the store...

Good. Derrick called... He said that... Wah-Wa Wah-Wawa Waaaw-Wa...

(I'm not sure what Derick said. My heart started racing the second The Boyfriend uttered the words "Derrick called". All I heard in my brain was "Ohhh please...Oh please...Oh please...Oh please" like a train keeping rhythm to the blood pounding through my brain. Everything else that followed was like the teacher speaking in the old Charlie Brown comics...)

Wah- Wa Wa... counter offer, but basically it means WE GOT THE HOUSE!

(It is a good thing that I had headed out to the front of the store while The Boyfriend was telling what Derrick said because at that moment, I started jumping up and down like a Mexican Jumping Bean and screaming like a Chihuahua in a purse at the mall.)

Eeeeeeeeeeee! Really? (Reallyreallyreally?) Really? Eeeeeeeeeeeeee! WE GOT THE HOUSE!

(You should have seen the gianormous man walking into the store at just that moment jump about a foot off the floor and look at me like he had never heard a person being told that they just won the lottery or the Superbowl or gotten the house of their dreams before. He was totally startled. The old man that followed into the store right after just shook his head.)

Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Oh my god!
Really?
Really?
Really?
Really?
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
(Hop up and down like a bunny on some really good speed.)
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Ohhh!

Okay... We'll be right there! You can tell me when we get back...

(WE GOT THE HOUSE!)

Hawaii Day Five...

-Hawaiian morning rush
-Kilauea Iki crater walk
-Lazy afternoon
-Nighttime tradition

Walkin' on the Moon... That was what stepping across the crater's surface was like... Belches of sulfurous steam and gaseous smoke filled the air, leaving your throat lasting vaguely like strike-anywhere matches had been scraped across it. It permeated everything and it was inescapable.

We walked through what seemed like a pre-historic jungle and arrived at a sudden view, startling for it's vast starkness. Here and there tiny plants struggled for a crack of life to sustain itself. And for almost as far as the eye could see, was the hole of the crater, like a gaping maw, waiting to swallow you whole.

Down into the crater we went, step after step. My head pounded from the smell and the glare. (Only halfway across did it cross The Boyfriend's mind to tell me to put on my sunglasses. Which helped my eyes, but did nothing for my poor assaulted nose and throat.)

Sound travels differently in the crater. Birds in the surrounding jungle seem as if they are right in front of you. Your spoken words sound blunt and buffered. And the crunch of the lava beneath your feet is almost ominous as you realize that about a mile below you lava still swirls. In places you can feel the heat through your shoes and warm your feet uncomfortably.

About halfway across, it seems as if you have been walking forever. And that you still have forever to go to reach the other side. The unbidden thought that the earth COULD shift and open up below you is pushed from your mind again and again as you tell yourself that this IS a safe thing to be doing, crossing the cooled surface of a volcano's crater. You can almost feel the nervous laughter escape your lips, and you walk on.

Light-headed, you finally reach the other side and begin the ascent back up and into the jungle. Back to where there are living things, and green, and cooler breezes, and (hopefully) fresher air.

It is not until you are back in your car, bumping along the highway, many miles past the volcanoes that you can finally such in a sweet breath of air. And you gulp it in so quickly that you start to choke on it. And THAT is when it clicks into your brain that you really did it... You really just spent the afternoon hiking across the huge crater of a volcano (and lived to tell the tale). Your next thought is that you really would love to sit out on the lanai, look out onto the ocean, and sip on a cool beer.

And that is what we did. (Well... I had a juice spiked with 7UP, The Boyfriend enjoyed a beer, but in the end, it's really all the same thing.)

Hawaii Day Four...

-Hawaiian morning rush
-Off roading in Na' alehu
-South Point
-Flying kites
-Tide pools
-Scaring the cows
-Nighttime tradition
-The Boyfriend ill

Somewhere during the vacation, and not too many days in, both The Boyfriend and I lost a day. Or rather, we thought that we were a day ahead of where we were. Talk about being on local time... We took that to the extreme. Forget about hours having no meaning, days no longer had a place either. It was either daylight or dark. We were either going and doing, or just chilling out. There was no more pressing need for anything. Even yours truly, the poster child for type-A planning, tossed aside the list of things to do and just “went with it”.

And that was how Day Four went... We gathered up our packed lunch and camelbak, along with a truly beautiful kite and went in search of a grand location to fly it. This was found along the cliffs in the soft, tall grasses at South Point. The air was as soft as the grasses, and as warm as the ocean spray. It was breathtaking. The sky was glorious and the butterflies danced along the miniature orchids in the expanse of fields.

We napped on the grass, The Boyfriend and I. It reminded me of the nursery rhyme of Little Boy Blue... Just one of those lazy days where the rocking of the Jeep over the sandy bumps in the grasses felt more like a massage and less like the jolts of typical off roading. I was so relaxed that I was all but asleep before we got there. Awake just enough to snap a photo here and there of all the pretty sights that caught my eye.

If you ever want to fly a kite, this is THE place to do it. Wonderful breezes that pull at the string and dance the kite along. And the colors of the kite stand out like the flowers in the surrounding jungle... Even the streamers swirl better here.

Then we hopped back into the Jeep, which The Boyfriend decided needed a Hawaiian name, henceforth known as Eep'ee Ele' (The jeep, not The Boyfriend.) and did some more off-roading to get back to the house. On the way, we passed the road that goes to nowhere (Unless the more daring of the Hawaiians would like to dispute that a road that leads off a cliff and then suddenly disintegrates in mid-air about a 150 feet in the air above the ocean really does go somewhere...) and took some photos... And then a pretty herd of cows... Of which I saw a cute calf nursing and wanted to get photos of. So The Boyfriend stopped Eep'ee Ele' on the side of the road so that I could walk back to get my shots of the cows...

That is when the biggest cow in the bunch decided that I was a horrible scary being that must be run away from. And it mooed to the other cows to join it. It ran about 50 feet away, literally jumping over a couple other smaller cows to get away from the terrible mainlander who so selfishly had thought to snap a few photos... The other cows scattered up the little hill after the big cow, the mother cow ripping the tit out of the calf's suckling mouth with a loud pop in her haste to join the others.

There they stood all huddled together. I could almost see them shivering in fear. I have never felt so badly in my life. I was laughing because I felt so bad. (Why is that? When emotions run so deep, all I do is laugh. And that is not at all what I wanted to do. Really I felt terrible, but there I was trudging back to Eep'ee Ele' laughing like a fool...)

The rest of the day was good, but after the cows, it took a slower and more quiet pace... We went through the Hawaiian vacation tradition, cooking, showering, eating, passing out cold in bed, totally ready for another start and another day on the island...

Later that night... The Boyfriend woke up ill... Really ill... Sick and shivering and all clammy... After a bit of apologizing for being ill (Yup, always thoughtful my sweet boyfriend is... Like he CHOSE to get sick...) about a hundred times, The Boyfriend finally settled down for the rest of the night in a fitful sleep...

Hawaii Day Three...

Day three was a slower day. (For me, but I rallied.) We did the Hawaiian rush, and were out the door by 9:15. (It is great coming from California, we get to sleep in, go at a leisurely pace, and STILL have the whole day ahead of us.)

The Boyfriend drove. We headed the jeep toward South Point and away we went for a tour of a coffee plantation. Kona Joe's, the only growers to use trellises for the plants. In fact, they have the whole thing patented. The result in a highly decorated, profusely awarded coffee. The best in the world, currently served in the White House, and simply the best coffee I have ever had. (And at $5.00 and ounce, or $250.00 a pound for a lower grade that is still the best I have ever had in my life, The Boyfriend agrees with me on this too, it is well worth the expense. Mmmm... As the Hawaiians say: Ono!)

We toured the plantation for about a half of an hour. And as a wonderful bonus, the owner, Deepa filled in and gave us the most wonderfully narrative about the process of the plantation, the plants and the local growers. We tasted chocolates, mac nuts dipped in chocolate, and coffees. I shopped. (Of course.) And we sipped our large cups of coffee on the lanai overlooking the plantation and ocean. (And since we both rarely have caffeine, and I almost never, we zinged along for several hours afterward.) It was so wonderful, and Deepa was so gracious and beautiful, that I am naming the Ti plant I hope to grow when we get back home after her. A true Hawaiian Goddess.

After the coffee plantation, we saw downtown Kona, had a picnic lunch at a little beach side park, saw the Heiu for surfers, took a ton of photos of the Little Blue Church, more photos at the Painted Church, and mistakenly found what we need to find for Thursday's adventures. The launching place for kayaks across from the Captain Cook Monument. A local, Regina, walked right over to us, introduced herself, and chatted. She is happy to rent us a double kayak at 7:30 on Thursday, just meet her right there. (Perfect!) She gave all sorts of local information and then pointed us in the right direction to get to the Point of Refuge, which we had been trying to find.

We spent quite awhile “burning film” as my Mother used to say. We saw the old Hawaiian village and tons of Tikis... We watched the sun start to set... It was beautiful.

Wary of driving the winding and twisting roads in the dark, we left before the completion of sunset. We did pause along the road so that The Boyfriend could snap a few incredible shots of the reds and golds of the sky... Just before reaching our main road, we avoided a huge black pig in the middle of the road... (Yes, we did feel like we should be looking for John Locke to be following along after it...)

And of course, we performed out Hawaiian vacation tradition. Cooking, showering, eating, passing out cold in bed.

Day Two of Hawaii...

I woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing. It was dark. It was very early. There was no sign of daybreak anywhere. But the rooster thought there was, so he notified all within earshot that dawn was upon us every few minutes, like an alarm with a snooze button that you can't toss across the room to finally get it to stop. So I dozed until the sky lightened, jolting wake at every crow of the cock. (And in this context, I can say it that way and get away with it. No matter how you read that sentence, you will get my accurate meaning.) That's when the other island birds joined in the morning's chorus. Twitters and chirps and squeaks and squawks... Bird song in earnest. And the bugs joined in, humming and clicking and tapping the rhythm of the day. A few dogs, mostly little ones in the distance, participated. I swear I heard a monkey call out, but I don't think that's possible. There were several sounds that I could not identify... Perhaps they were the flowers? The breeze picked up and the trees, bushes and tall grass joined in with rattles, whispers and jingles...

You would think I would be annoyed at this point, and for the rooster part I was. The rest of it though, was the sounds of the island coming to life. Rearing up to greet the rising of the sun that was turning the whole sky pink and orange and red outside my windows. From the bed, I watched the morning shift into focus. Like a great watercolor streaking before my eyes to a grand symphony. (And then I realized that I was being selfish, so I nudged The Boyfriend awake so that he could bask in the glory of what is referred to as morning on the island. All I got for my troubles was a “shergggrrrmmpphhh- ohhh” before he rolled over and went back to sleep.)

After that we did the Hawaiian rush. (I have decided that this is the performing of tasks back to back, with no great hurry until all the things that need be done are completed.) Breakfast, showers, brushing of teeth (The Boyfriend forgot his, I offered to let him use mine- which he did, he offered to get me a new one- which I accepted.), getting dressed, making and packing lunch and snacks, and so on.

At 9:30 we were in the jeep and bopping down the bumpy dirt road. (I was driving with a wicked look of glee plastered on my face. The Boyfriend was hanging on for dear life and muttering something about letting me drive.)

I pointed the car towards Hilo and started out for the long journey to the opposite end of the island. (It was the starting point for the Adventure that I had planned out for The Boyfriend.) We stopped in Hilo for gas, a trip to Walmart for toothbrushes, and plate lunch. (Which was very good. We were offered four veggies, three scoop rice and a beef dish that was wonderful. We shared, it was huge, and we eat often.) Back on the road, The Boyfriend and I decided that I really am the one to be driving here. I drive like everyone else here. In no particular hurry, with no road rage, happy to pull off to the side to let others pass if they like, ambling along, and prone to stop in random places without warning or indication.

We drove past waterfalls in Waimea. We found the lighthouse. And searched without success for the Heiu. We saw Maui looming off in the distance. We saw the original statue of King Kamehameha. We walked along Banyon Drive and took photos of the gigantic trees. We found the tree house from the guidebook (Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed. The BEST guide book I have ever read for any location, ever.) We ate sandwiches watching the sunset. (It was beautiful.) We drove through a part of the Kohala Lava Desert. We made coral graffiti. (A giant heart with S+ A, it was The Boyfriend's idea. I love The Boyfriend.) We saw the signs for the Kona Nightingales. And then it was dark. Really dark. We stopped at the Walmart in Kona (For the water we had forgotten to get, again. A few souvenirs fell into the cart as well.) And I continued to drive.

I drove, and drove, and drove. (I let The Boyfriend drive for a short bit when we were looking for the lighthouse and the Heiau.) Down around Kona, Around South Point, and back to the house, I drove. In one day, we had driven around the whole of the island. (No small feat, I assure you. I have driven from one end of California to the other in less time.)

And, in what has become our Hawaiian Vacation tradition, I made dinner, we showered, and collapsed into bed, exhausted and blissfully happy.

Hawaii Day One:

Day one was travel... A cab to the airport in Northern California. A plane to Honolulu Another plane to Hilo. A rental jeep to the house in Naalehu. It was a long day. By the time we got to our “part” of the island, it was dark, we were tired, grimy from the trip, famished, and lost.

We drove around and around and around. I counted three ambulances and five garage parties. (Note to self: be careful driving. Question for later: what is behind the parties in garages?) We did find a grocery store before we left Hilo. The traffic cop was wearing white gloves. (I love that) a white short sleeve shirt and dark blue/ black trousers. He looked very sharp. We did not think to buy water, ours is not potable. (It is a new house that is in the final phases of being put together and does not have the filters installed yet. The water gets collected from the runoff of the roof and stored in a huge tank. Really cool, but wow, that's a lot of rain.)

As we wee nearing the final miles of our long journey, we became very lost. The road we needed was not marked with a sign, so finding it in the dark was difficult. And I do mean dark. There are few street lights. When there are lights, they are yellow and our part of the island does not have any at all. So it really was very dark. And there we were, driving along on dirt and partially paved roads we had never been on looking for a street sign that was not yet there.

And then...

Right in front of us was a dog. An earnestly barking dog in the middle of the road. It was German Shepard, small by breed standards, huge by barking dog in the road at night standards. It came out of the bushes and came down to the jeep. It wanted us to go away from there in a big way. It corralled around the jeep and continued to bark at the doors as we turned around and headed back the way we had come. We figured that we must have gotten onto someones driveway, rather than a road.

So back down the road we drove. We made another turn, and there was the dog again. Barking and herding the jeep again. I was a little on edge by this time and The Boyfriend was thinking that this was a little odd. But since the dog was in no way going to let us pass, we turned around and continued to look for the road to the house.

And then suddenly, we were on it. We were not really sure how we found it, but there was a sign saying that we had found the second road we were looking for. (We never did find the first road, we just got lost enough to find the second road, thanks to the dog...)

So we started to look for the house. In the dark. Late at night. There are only a couple of homes near ours, and of course, they were all in bed for the night. So we drove up and down looking for house numbers trying to figure out which one was ours. None of them were. We were starting to think sleeping in the jeep was a good idea.

And then...

There was the dog. In the middle of the road. Barking urgently now. It started trotting to the jeep and barking at the doors. It circle the jeep and kept barking. It was decidedly herding us back down the road. So we turned around again, and started down the road. The dog barking it's escort along the way. The Boyfriend was driving ever so slowly, trying to not hit the dog that was determined to heel at the front right fender of the jeep. And then the dog stopped at what was a break in the tall grass. We looked to make sure it was no longer at the side of the jeep, and there, just past the dog, in the shadows, was the house! The dog had taken us right to the driveway of our house! We drove onto the driveway, and parked the jeep in front of the garage. Looking around, we did not see the dog, so we carefully got out of the jeep. There was no dog. Not a single sign of a dog anywhere, not even a bark. The dog had taken us home when we were lost, and then vanished. The Boyfriend said Mahalo to the island and we quickly unpacked the jeep.

(Of course we still had to hunt around in the dark for the key, and then hunt around in the (still dark) house to find the breaker box, but for the sake of the story, day one had reached it's close. The rest is all just dinner and showering, unpacking, and collapsing into bed...)

Oh, how could I have left out the part about eating dinner at the best restaurant in Hilo? My birthday dinner was at The Hilo Bay Cafe. It was TO DIE FOR!!! Great service, beautiful presentation, incredible food. The Boyfriend had the special fish of the day, a kind of pink snapper on a bed of spinach with a burre blanc and topped with mac nuts. Mmmm... I had the pork chop with asparagus and red onion mashed potatoes, a red pepper coulis and demi glace. Mmmm... We shared a pineapple cake with a whiskey butter sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream. Mmmm... Heaven on a plate. (They also serve local beer. The Boyfriend had one, to which he said: Mmmm...)

Made it home...

... safe and sound and a little tired. But happy. Very, very happy. There is lots to share... But I have photos to sort through and then I'll begin the mass of backdated Blog and photo postings... Loved the island, really missed having the internet. Had a really great time, but ohhh is it good to be back...

Guess where I'll be tomorrow?

I'm going on a visit. To speak to a Senator, if possible.

In an article written by Alicia Lanier, "Free Health Screenings at Feb. 9 for Women's Health Forum in Santa Clara Sponsored by Senator Alquist" it states that: "Senator Elaine Alquist, California Senate District 13, is holding a free Women’s Health Forum, Thriving with Change, in Santa Clara from 9 a.m. to 1:30 on Saturday, February 9, 2008. This is a great opportunity for women to obtain several free health screenings, including bone density, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index (BMI), and breast cancer prevention screening."

"You’ll also learn about health care programs and services provided by the state as well as health care issues being considered by the California Legislature. Keynote speaker will be former State Senator Jackie Speier. The event will be at the Santa Clara Senior Center, 1303 Fremont Street, in Santa Clara. For more information and to sign up (space is limited), call Senator Alquist’s office at 408-286-8318."

And yours truly just called the number above. I was told to "just walk on in". So please, come join me! I was also told that they will be taking down contact information for future events. (I love mailing lists! It takes so much digging out of trying to find out what is going on and making changes...)

Here is the link to the original post: Free Health Screenings at Feb. 9 for Women's Health Forum in Santa Clara Sponsored by Senator Alquist

And the link to Senator Alquist's site: Senator Elaine Alquist . She is the the State Senator representing the Heart of Silicon Valley. The 13th senate district covers much of Santa Clara County including the cities of San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, and Gilroy.

Need to go pack...

So it has been a whirlwind year thus far my Dear Friends!

With so many people visiting and moving, the coming and going has taken up a monumental pace of entertaining dinner parties mixed in with socializing while moving things like beds and dressers from here to there. (Thank heaven Superbowl was one of the most boring and dull games in football history... It enabled me to squeeze in a few more hours with friends that I had been missing quite a bit... Well, the last three minutes were good, so it was not a total waste of pigskin, and there IS always next year...)

And in what is quickly coming down to days, we will soon be off to a wonderful tropical island in the Pacific... (Bring on the Mai Tai's and the Poi, let me see waterfalls for days and hike through volcano forests until my legs beg to be separated from my body and left behind to rest... Bring on the black sand beaches and the kayaks... Hawaii, here I come!)

I'll be sure to post up photos... That is, if I remember to pack the camera... (With all that has been going on, who knows WHAT I'll remember to pack...)

Hope you all are having a blast doing what it is that you do... I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your interviews go well, your jobs don't drive you insane, that school doesn't leave you without at least a little time to find a party and let it lose for a night... I hope that your endeavors are fruitful and your road trips are calm and without upset. Here's to all of my loved ones that are moving to far away places; may you settle in quickly, make wonderful new friends, and be ready for my visit sometime in the not too far off future...

And for those Dear Friends that are near to me, I'll be back in Mid-March and ready to bore you to tears with home movies, slides and photos of what has got to be the best birthday trip ever!

Day two of elbow sex... Um... Rubbing...

It has been a long time coming... What I have been up to... But there is just no spare time when one is trying to save the world... Or at least young women with breast cancer... Or at least myself...

But at least I am going places... And fast... With possible funding for my Foundation through grants... And the offer of being recommended for intensive training for lobbying and pushing for legislative changes... Things are moving forward. (And I am very excited about all of the things that are going on... All of the incredible people that I have been meeting...)

Day two of the trip to the State Capitol went even better than Day one... (How IS that possible?) I took so many notes... (And with the help of the best interpreter I have ever seen, a little go-juice- okay... so it was three cups of coffee, and a great table-mate also taking copious notes, I think I actually got every word. Did I mention that there were handouts and power point presentations? Information rules!)

We participated in a Discussion Board that was filmed... As well as many of the top specialists in the breast cancer ares speaking, answering questions, and passing along the latest information.

The key note speaker brought tears to my eyes more than once. What an incredible woman!

And just like that, it was over as quickly as it had started...

But I go back soon to continue to make waves... Make changes... Make awareness... Make a difference... Make something... (Perhaps the something is more than a few Senators and Assemblymen go off running in the other direction because they are tired of my petitioning face...)

So there you have it... So much more to get done before I get to bask in the sun on the black sand beaches watching the lava flow in the near distance while I sip on a mai tai...

Ohhh yeah... Don't forget the umbrella baby...

Rubbing Elbows...

Day one of rubbing elbows with officials, aides, and other activists went wonderfully!

I met some really incredible people... An inspirational pair of young women from the Young Survivors Coalition, courageous leaders willing to share their wisdom, officials that really WANT to make a difference, officials that don't and a 13 year old girl from San Diego who, along with her young sisters started a foundation called "You Go Girl". (You should check it out... She is going to be among tomorrows leaders...)

I am heading back for a one on one with an Assemblyman to follow up on the legislature that we are trying to get passed. (And I cannot even BEGIN to tell you how very, very excited I am over that prospect...)

So... All in all, Day One went so much better than I had hoped... And to think that I was having Eleventh Hour Reservations... I am so glad that I came.

I have a ton of photos that I took and when I head back into the real world, I will upload some of them... (It's just not possible from a Hotel computer...)

I have a day of training and symposium ahead of me... (I love learning, s this is actually going to be FUN! Just watch out... I ask LOTS of questions...)

So much to share with everyone about the great things I have learned, the information that I have been given, the discoveries that I have made... But later... Promise!

Well... I am off to be the poster child (eh... young woman... um... un-insured/ under-insured woman) that we are actually representing... (I have told my story so many times that I am beyond tired of telling it. But, I am not alone in this, and changes MUST be made... So tell and re-tell I do... (Thank goodness that I don't embarrass easily...)

Wish me luck! (Thanks for the well wishes yesterday! I did kick butt... I did take names... Actually, I really did...)

Turning the Capitol PINK...

Tomorrow is going to come very early for me. I leave in the dark to head up to the State Capitol. I am joining forces with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and their Community Challenge. We are spending two days lobbying and in lectures, training seminars, and press conferences.

I am very excited! I am on my way to making changes in yet another forum. (And it is my hope that I will be able to take what I learn, and the contacts that I make and be able to forward awareness for younger women affected by Breast Cancer...)

If you have the next two days off, and want to join us, it would be great to see you there!

I am including some of the information below.

Wish me luck! I am off!!!!!!! (Yea!!!!!!)




Komen Community Challenge:

"This is the war on breast cancer. We’re bringing it to Capitol Hill, and then we’re heading clear across the country. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is taking its special brand of pink ribbon activism on the road in a powerful grassroots effort to “Close the Gap” in access to quality health care, research and information. Over the next 25 years, five million Americans could be diagnosed with breast cancer – and because there are gaps in our system, this diagnosis will be deadlier for some than for others. That's wrong."

"So as we mark our 25th year, the Komen Community Challenge is hitting 25 cities, reaching tens of thousands of people at town hall meetings, roundtables, lobby days, and summits. We’re rallying to make breast cancer a national priority, to help “Close the Gap” in funding that keeps thousands of women from receiving life-saving breast cancer care. In order to do this, we extend the Challenge to draw 25 million new people into the fold. We must - because in the next 25 years, 25 million people worldwide could be diagnosed with breast cancer."

"Come One. Come All. We are the face and voice of the global movement. As local activists and global citizens we will mobilize millions to put an end to this dreaded disease – forever."

Sacramento, California

"The California Komen Community Challenge is coming to Sacramento, California on Thursday, January 17, 2008 – Help us turn the State Capitol PINK!"

"This January 17 and 18 is the first Statewide California Komen Community Challenge. We hope that you will join us and Californians from every corner of the Golden State at the exciting events we are planning!"

"In the lead-up to the February 5, 2008 presidential primary election, the whole country will be paying close attention to what California has to say. Join us as we restore the sense of urgency to the breast cancer movement on January 17 and 18 and help put breast cancer in the national spotlight so that we can end breast cancer forever!" Here are the details:

"Close the Gap!" Rally and Lobby Day

What: The California Komen Community Challenge - "Close the Gap!" Rally and Lobby Day

When: Thursday, January 17

* 10:30 a.m. - Press Conference at the State Capitol
* Noon - 1:00pm - Legislative Training Lunch at Sheraton Hotel
* 1:30pm - 4:00pm—Legislative Office calls
* 5:30pm - Rally & Lighting the Capitol Pink / West Steps of State Capitol (join us and get a free Komen T-shirt!)
* 6:00pm - Concert at Crest Theater in Downtown Sacramento

Where: Sacramento, California

California State Capitol ~ 1303 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Sheraton Hotel ~ 1230 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Crest Theater ~ 1013 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Who: You and all your colleagues, friends, family along with breast cancer survivors, co-survivors and advocates!

How: It’s easy! RSVP today!

Community Educational Symposium

What: The California Komen Community Challenge - Community Educational Symposium

When: Friday, January 18

* 8:00am - Breakfast
* 9:00am - Symposium

Where: Sacramento, California / Sheraton Hotel ~ 1230 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Who: Breast cancer survivors, co-survivors, advocates, stakeholders and community leaders.

How: It’s easy! Email info@komenchallengeCA.com to RSVP today!

"Susan G. Komen for the Cure is re-energizing and amplifying a call to action for the breast cancer movement. Pink ribbon activism will take hold of California’s State Capitol in January 2008. We need ALL breast cancer advocates to help us make lots of noise in Sacramento as we challenge decision makers to "close the gap" in policy and funding that keeps too many women from receiving lifesaving breast cancer care.Help us turn the State Capitol PINK!"

"For more information about the California Komen Community Challenge, email info@komenchallengeCA.com or call 888-247-5319."

Going Wherever my Feet take me...

I am not sure if I have posted this album up yet... But it keeps getting bigger and bigger as time goes on... So I am posting up a slide show of it...

Fuego de los Muertos...

So we went...
We saw...
We participated...
In what seemed like almost everything...

A bite of this...
A taste of that...
A hug here...
A dance there...

New friends...
Net friends...
Sibling bonding...

It was all good...

And then the wind kicked in...
And picked up...
Picked up my tent too...
Like a giant breathing monster, heaving in and out, puffing up billowing clouds of dust and dirt...

So we packed it in...
Then packed it out...

And were home in time to take a shower...
And then another...
And crawl in between clean sheets...
Dreaming of food we were too tired to fix...

And then the fires came...

And I was glad for the niggling need in the back of my scull telling me to toss in the towel and go home...
I would not have made it there otherwise...

So there is something to be said for that gut reaction, instinct and intuition thing...

And in the end...
There are happy memories and photos...
The photos I'll share...
The rest...
Well...
You just had to be there...

FDLM 2007

I went, I saw, I committed TREE...

Yesterday was a strange day... It was bound to be... It was SF DECOM...

Yes... We made it... A few hours later that I had planned... But you know how it goes when nothing is what you want to wear and all you can think of is chocolate... I need chocolate... Must have chocolate... Can't have chocolate...

But arrive we did... In our Playa-wear, ready to see and be seen... And see we did. It was an orgasmic eye-candy extravaganza to behold... Finery and frippery everywhere... Smiles and hugs and more hugs... I waffled between a tourist with my camera glued to my face, snapping away at everything, and a participant laughing and dancing with the best of them...

There are tons of photos... I posted some in my photos if you want to take a gander... Please... Leave a comment... It's like a verbal hug, or a way of saying that you came and saw... Also... If you would like to see the full album of things that caught my interest at the DECOM yesterday... If you feel like playing a Burner version of "Where's Waldo"... Feel free to take a peek at my Picasa album.

San Francisco DECOM 2007

In there you might find:
a polar bear
a pair of penguins
too many tutus
a bevy of bees
escapees from gerlach county prison
a handful of hoopers
flags a flyin'
a tiny twirler
several stilters
endless enjoyment plastered on happy faces
a couple of kisses
a few lookie-loos
and of course... me... committing tree

Yup...

Yesterday was indeed momentous... The Boyfriend and I did the unthinkable... Caught up in the moment, and with heartfelt thanks to the Tree Huggers Camp, The Boyfriend and I committed TREE together. And there is a photo to prove it... And you can tell by my huge grin that this is a good thing... It is a huge step for us... A gigantic leap in the whole commitment arena... Who knows what may happen next? Babies, marriage, equity, dogs, other plants??? Well... Let us not put the cart before the horse... That stuff is still so very, very, very (did I say very?) far off... We'll leave all of those things to our friends. With a new announcement of : We're getting married/ having a baby/ had a baby/ bought a house/ got a puppy/ said "I love you"/ flying to the moon... that has been going on, there have been plenty of good things in the air. (And I am really, really, really (did I say really?) happy with OUR new tree...)

So...

Life is moving forward... And it's TREEmendously spectacular!

Meeting the Parents...

So I am off... TOO MEET THE PARENTS... The Parents of the Boyfriend... For the first time...

And I am officially nuts...

(Between missing the wee wiggle worm and re-packing my suitcase three times to make sure I have the "right" clothes for any possible parental situation, I am indeed nuts...)

As my closest friends and family keep telling me... I will do fine... (They also say that I am wonderful and irresistible and that it will be impossible for them to feel anything but love for me... I sooo love my support group network...)

And I will do fine... As soon as I am on the plane tonight, and there is no backing out, I will be fine... (Until then, I will wonder if silly things like the color of polish on my toes or the dress I wear to dinner, or if I happen to look like I love basking in the sun too much, will be some sort of signal that I am all wrong for their beloved son...)

LoL... Then I will of course worry about the important things... Like compatibility and if I fit into the family. Or if I possess nine-million other traits of importance, like kindness and integrity and humor and so on...

Or perhaps I won't... (Worry that is...) After all, the Boyfriend adores me... And I have loved his Mother's e-mails and phone call, and meeting his Aunt and Uncle... And those are telling things...

So... I am off... To go spend one last time basking in the "sun" at the local salon... (It's better than drugs... 20 minutes of total, utter bliss while baking from the inside out... Ahh... Relaxation...)

Cross your fingers...

Thanks for the HUGS!

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful hugs and support... I feel so much better!

Everyone was so incredible with their comments and messages... The Boyfriend came through with the perfect dinner and evening laughing to the antics of the poor Inspector Clouseau in the original Pink Panther movie... (I love how laughter makes things better, especially since he is a bigger klutz than I am... Who knew?)

So...

My travels are starting up (yet again) and I have just six hours between flights... Just enough time to check the e-mail, postings, do a load of laundry, water my beloved plants, take a nice cold shower (It's HOT here in Southern California...) and head back to the airport to fly away into the blue again... (Here's to sleeping on the plane... Cross your fingers...) Then on to the second of my scheduled Road Trips this summer... (I am not counting the drive from SF to BM as a Road Trip. That will be the start of the Burning Adventure Tour 2007... Good Name huh?) This time we are to hit Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam... Should be very entertaining as my sister-in-law and I will be out-numbered by the kids two to one, and they are all small... (Hooray for juice boxes and goldfish crackers!)

Well my Dears, I am off...
MUAH!!

Boston's Children's Museum...

I wanted to dash this out to you before we left for the road trip in the dark of the morning... I have no idea where my next internet connection and web "fix" will be coming from or when...

I have been in Boston this past week... Taking things easy and hiding out from the locals and the rain. I usually love the rain, but I had enough of it this past spring and really did not want to try to figure out how to dry out my shoes... (I only have two pairs with me, so you know how that would go... And wet feet that cannot get dry are no fun...) It was actually nice though... I enjoyed the hibernation... Even more yesterday when I finally figured out that I could turn on the little radiator and huddle next to it on the floor... I was seriously happy... I was warm, it was quiet, there was much smiling and being a silly goof ball alone with the music on my laptop and the internet to keep me company...

Today there was sunshine... So I went on an adventure in the city, as I have been staying in Cambridge... I took the T and guessed at a good place to depart the train... I stumbled out into the daylight and right into a block party... Complete with a little stage and guys singing and freebie give-aways and food and vendors and tons of people milling about... Then onto the harbor to see the boats and the Children's Museum... Which was really cool. I would say it has to be the best one I have ever seen... I do admit that I must have looked strange in a Children's Museum without a child, but it is not as if I could rent one for the afternoon in a strange city... And something tells me that Boston is just not that sort of place... They had a real Japanese House from Kyoto... That was by far my favorite part of the day. I must have talked to the docent for 45 minutes about all the different things that they had inside... I loved it all... And it made me rally glad that I was not any taller than I was, if I were even just and inch or two more, I would have hit my head on the door frames... I think I could easily say that I would be happy living in a home like that... It would be interesting for sure, but it was somehow reassuring too...

I had an interesting experience on the train ride back... Or I should say, rather, waiting for the train... It is a delicate thing to discuss... Let us just say that I think this poor guy was afraid that a part of his anatomy might fall off... He was holding himself for dear life... At least that was all he was doing... Needless to say, I did not sit in the same car on the way back...

And that would be the excitement that I have had...

Tomorrow we get in the car and drive to Delaware... I think we might get to go to Atlantic City... For that I am very excited... I will have to let you know... All I know for certain is that it will be an adventure...