Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

Trip to Cancer

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Last year was an awesome year of travel; 22 weeks away from home and on the road!  The sights and tastes of the journey were incredible, awesome, priceless.  From Barnoldswick, England to Pisa, Italy,to Orland, Sweden the adventure far exceeded all expectations. And the people; oh the kindness of Raymond, Alessandro, Gunner and Dieter, Miranda, Giovani, Father Piernino, and many many others.

We returned home with some inklings that all was not normal, so doctor appointments started lining up. Sonagram, pap,biopsy, specialists, waiting, and then the day you have a date with an oncologist. How do you be cheerful as you walk in that door, the one at the very end of that long hallway?

But just like the adventures in Europe, the doctors, nurse-practitioner, staff and volunteers at Scripps-Mercy Hospital, Scripps-Green and RB joined with all my friends and family to hold me up in prayer. Betty and Mary and Andy babysat me after surgery, Donna cooked and Steve e-mailed updates. I was so loved and cared for that fear NEVER had a chance to take hold. Radiation zapped some strength, but not the knowledge that God loved me and had placed me amongst the most wonderful people in the entire world.

I need to get a map with some bright pins to mark all those special destinations I hold in my heart. Just not sure where to put the trip to cancer pin, cause  I don’t want to forget it…it too became a good memory.

Family Time In Daytona

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

mtvernoncoupleWe were so warmly welcomed in Janet’s home  and happyt to spend a few days with she and my dad and celebrate his 85th birthday with he, Janet, Aunt Marilyn and lots of cronies.

We particiated in their Friday night get together (karaoke and all) a wonderful homecooked meal at home, and dinner at Outback, guests of Marilyn. I have had the priviledge of seeing Dad 3x in the last year. Maybe with the new baby coming there will be another visit this summer.

Then we headed back to Orlando and the flight home. Five weeks, two Pfizer conventions,  monuments, museums, friends, family, a BIG birthday, Disney, new sights and tastes…..priceless!

Nightmare On Shoal Summit

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

We were about to have the time of life, when we got word that  KC’s and Jonathan’s cars were towed by the police.  Despite a “non-operational permit” from the DMV which allowed us not to register it, and permission from the immediate neighbors, the officer cited us for having a non-registered vehicle parked on city streets.

Despite the pleadings of our dear neighbor, Helena, the cop had the cars  impounded.  After numerous calls to any one we could think of, and lots of help from Andy, we came to the conclusion we could do NOTHING but pay up when we get back, in excess of one thousand dollars.   So much for the spirit of Thanksgiving and for our Christmas budget! grrrrr

Post Script:  $1300, plus smogging, and registering them. Don’t get towed.

Free Mickey

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

mickeytopiaryWe escaped the Pfizer work at the American Heart Convention and are ready to play! On our own, we have reservations at “Shades of Green’; a military resort on the disney properties.  There are 5 military resorts worldwide and we have been fortunate tostay at 3 of them:  Disney, Garmish, and HaleKoa(the other two are seoul and virginia beach). 

Shades of Green has all the amenites of  any Disney resort and cheaper. When we checked in, we  found out that every  active duty or retired service person was intitled to a free five day pass to the Disney theme parks and a reduced price for anyone with them!!!!!  

Our original plan was to spend one day at Epcot and then head to my Dad’s. Change of plans:  add one day at Disney Studios and be a day late to Daytona (they understood)!

The BIG 60

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

60I have been known to tease my “older” friends about me being younger….the south side of 60. So, when it came my turn to hit that landmark number, I thought I would sneak out of town, and no one be the wiser.  Could I get away with it? Nooooooooooooooo. A heavy package was delivered bright and early on the big day FULL of cards, gifts, and jabs at making the big turn into this new decade. To Betty, Andy, and Nikki…and all their other partners in crime, thank you, thank you! It’s great to feel loved. ..so many nice things said and special thoughts shared. The birthday I sought to avoid became the blessing I will never forget!!!!!!!!

Capitol Idea!!!

Monday, October 26th, 2009

WashingtonDC 025We traveled across the Delaware Bay  on a car ferry.  It was a very inclimate crossing, and yes, I lost my lunch over the side.  Never throw up into the wind!  We have made our way down to our nation’s capitol. We are amazed to see our national monuments once again in all their incredible glory.

Sunday we went to church to hear my cousin Jeff sing and play the sax, as well as a visiting acapella choir from N. Carolina, who were all amazing. Then we did some walking around the area and sighted some of the key spots in Dan Browns latest novel, The Lost Symbol. ( I am trying to visit all the places he mentions in the book) We found the 33rd Masonic Temple….amazing edifice. Then on to the National Cathedral for another service and to check another site off my list. After all the televised church services from there, I finally got to visit it. It is the third largest Cathedral in the world after the Vatican and Notre Dame.

Buie Cousins

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

What a joy to be in Stone Harbor, N.J. and be able to gather with 5 of the 10 Buie cousins. We have not seen some of each other since 1969 and before. We range in age (gulp) from 70 to 59 of those you see here, but our time together reflected much younger spirits! And with all of our visiting, it certainly reminded us of the 5 sibling Buie’s who were the true originals! (and our parents) Carolyn and Jeff Serfass, Debbie and Steve Morales, Kathy Bauer, Linda Kress, Don Serfass and Siddy Serfass on the end. Cousins are Jeff,Debbie,Kathy,Linda,and Don!

Buie Cousins

Phreezing In Phillie

Monday, October 19th, 2009

peoplemagPhiladelphia; City of Brotherly Love – not judging by our first taxicab driver. And don’t think that pedestrians have the right of way either!  The seasons are starting to change, but not as far along as I thought they would be, tho’ our time in the countryside has been minimal .  The cold and rain of the first few days have just served to remind us how challenging , and fun honest to goodness weather can be. Steve has had to put in 9hour days working the Rheumatology Convention(20thousand attendees) while I get to play. I went to Constitution Hall and enjoyed a live presentation of “We the People” and other displays. And then I did the female thing, and went to the Princess Diana exhibit…her dresses and bridal gown,etc.  It was the reliving of a tragic fairy tale. Lots of walking and then an evening with the senior Wilts. The city has Phillie Phever too! Great Phun!!DSC03836

Home Again, Home again, Giggidy Gig

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

stonecherubWhat I missed while gone…hmmmmmm,

My bed, my grandbaby’s hugs, my fuzzy bathrobe, my kids, knowing my way around without a GPS, and those who couldn’t join us in Montalcino. that’s all! 

Everything else was just stuff and habit, and since we are rediscovering what and who we are without jobs, there is still a spirit of adventure lurking just below the surface!  So watch out!

Happy Father’s Day

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

K.C and Jonathan sent us this father’s day card.  I thought you would enjoy it too!

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Hope you have a high flying day! :)

Love,
KC and Jonathan