pre-IU fun!

Hey there... I've been back from Inspiration Unlimited (IU) for a week and was so swamped with Aruba's care, catching-up at the lab, car to the body shop after someone scraped-up our bumper in a parking lot (ugh!), etc.... I still haven't finished unpacking (!!), and am just now blogging.

IU was a blast!  It was my 2nd time attending this scrapbooking retreat (in Henderson, Nevada)... and after such a sad summer, I was so ready for fun & friends!  I arrived early to enjoy some down time + recover from the jet lag; it hits me hard!  I was immediately missing Sal & Aruba, but loved how FaceTime kept us connected.

The event is held at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, and I spent a day at their lovely spa.... that jet lag didn't stand a chance against pampering treatments like a brown sugar + vanilla body scrub and a hot stone massage!  

Some time in the steam room & lounging in a poolside cabana under a sun-drenched blue sky perfected the day.  B-L-I-S-S.

I emerged a new woman!  For me, the spa is like pushing life's 'reset' button. Total rejuvenation!

Enjoyed a fun dinner that night at PF Chang's with Lisa & Sandra:

The next day, "pre-IU" festivities began.  A day full of fun optional classes, and I took 2 of them, both by Bazzill.  Had a great time and made an interactive album with Kelli Collins, and layouts with Joey Otlo.  Both are lovely ladies, so sweet & fun!

Also finally met in person Anelsie from Puerto Rico... we had chatted on the IU Facebook group... {waving hello Anelsie!}

I again enjoyed dinner out with Lisa & Sandra, complete with a yummy (virgin) mango-raspberry swirl drink.  And, being scrapbookers, we of course photographed it all !!

Later that evening, IU hosted a 'meet & greet' with the event teachers, plus opened the on-site store... always an exciting moment for the 300 product-hoarding scrapbookers attending!  Of course, I wore my ever-popular special shopping T-shirt... it always gets lots of laughs! :-)

I was caught stalking Thickers & ribbon!

Met up in the 'store' with sweet friends (and fellow Dog Moms) Shannon & Michelle... we shared a group hug.  (Shortly after I lost my precious Buddy, Shannon lost her precious Sassy... shared sadness.)

The next morning, bright & early, IU officially began... I'll be back soon with deets & pics of all the fun!  Thanks for stopping by!

yay for Aruba!

Aruba had a check-up at the oncologist today... exam, bp check, bloodwork, various other tests.  The lab results won't be ready for a couple of days, but so far, so good! The doctor said that she's doing great, and we're all so happy that she's tolerating the chemo so well ... no side effects, and her appetite is strong!!  :-) Despite the good news, Aruba only had one thing on her mind during the appt--- leaving!  ;-)

Her sleep has been restless lately and, altho I've never had an infant in the house, I imagine it's much the same.  Aruba will awaken at 2:00 AM, then often again at 3:00 AM. And at 4:00 AM.  Sal and I have been just a wee bit tired these days!  Spoke with the dr about this, and she suggested giving a low dose of melatonin.  This will hopefully allow Aruba to sleep peacefully.

After her appt, we of course stopped at Sonic drive-in on the way home!  Aruba was licking her lips, but she had her healthy treats and Mommy was the one who had junk food.  Cherry limeade anyone?

Sonic... a special tradition, which started with Buddy on the way home from his chemo treatments.  Missing Buddy everyday.....

I must give a big shout-out to Sal, who so lovingly shouldered all of Aruba's care while I was recently at Inspiration Unlimited (pics coming here soon!).  Thank you, sweetheart!  And when I arrived home, Aruba did the cutest double-take when she saw me.  We were so thrilled to be re-united!

As always, thank you for your concern and prayers for Aruba's health... means so much!  Really.

oh travel, how I've missed thee!

Time to go, my ride is here!

Hello, old friend!

(I am a diehard 'window seat' gal !!)

It feels like forever since I've been on a plane, heading somewhere exciting.... actually, it has been only 6 months (since we went to Costa Rica), but it has been a long and, truth-be-told, rotten summer.   With our overwhelming sadness from the one-two punch of losing our Buddy and Aruba's cancer diagnosis, Sal and I canceled all of our summer travel plans (we were booked to take an epic 3-week journey thru Iceland last month... but we were too heartbroken, not in the mood for travel, and especially didn't want to leave Aruba).  So Iceland went back on our Bucket List.  Some other time. 

But today I'm going somewhere!  Heading to Nevada to attend Inspiration Unlimited, an annual scrapbooking retreat.  Looking forward to inspiring classes... fun with friends... rejuvenation at the spa... plus, a fun day-trip into the desert that I can't wait to share!  A mini-break from life's stresses.  Lately, it has been raining lemons, so I'm pulling out my lemonade pitchers.

Will miss Sal and Aruba terribly tho !!!  Sending out a BIG thanks to my sweet Sal for shouldering all of Aruba's care while I'm gone.  ❤ you!

More from The Silver State soon!

See Jane Lecture

This billboard was spotted in Pennsylvania by The Jane Goodall Institute.  Love it !!

I've had the honor of attending Dr. Goodall's inspiring lectures... twice!  Once in Indianapolis and again when she came to FAU.  And I met her afterwards too, both times, what a thrill for me !!  She is a true hero.... for women, for animals, for our planet.

Her fall 2013 lecture schedule is now available... if she's not speaking in a location near you, her website is now LiveStreaming many of her lectures!  So now anyone, anywhere can "attend" and hear her amazing insights about animal welfare, our planet, the environment.  All the details are here:

http://www.janegoodall.org/see-jane

in remembrance....

Celebrating today all of the heroes---human & canine--- from that tragic day 12 years ago....

(photos courtesy www.dogheroesof911.com)