JUST THE 2 OF US

Monday, January 18, 2010

Desert Drive and History Lesson

A couple of weeks ago on a lazy Sunday we decided to drive out to where the new airport is being built here in our little valley. It should be completed or so they say by 2011. The runway at the top of the plateau has served it’s purpose and so they are building a newer one, not so centrally located above the town. There was not much to see other than a lot of cleared dirt, so we ventured off into the dessert. All of the following pictures are taken with my new Nikon D3000 camera. I love the colors! This is not enhanced one bit, this is how it really looks people! The sand and mountains are this ORANGE! There were a few sports bikers and 4 wheelers tooling around in the sand. We stopped to see what draws so many people here.

As you can see when you enlarge the photos, it isn’t hard to become mesmerized and in love with the beauty of the desert.

The sand is sooooo fine…..something you would see in an hour glass only burnt orange.

Footsteps will soon disappear when the wind starts to blow

we saw a sign that told us we could go a few miles ahead to a historical site, so we did.

I love history. Especially when it is in my own back yard!

The structure at the top of the hill is the fort

Standing inside this structure you almost felt like you had to whisper. I can’t imagine being held up here, peering out the portholes for Indians. I couldn’t see very far looking out, I can’t imagine holding a rifle in this small porthole and keeping my head down so as not to get hit by an arrow. That I will show you in a moment.

All around this fort are small areas to put your rifle through…

Water in the dessert is like gold and Fort Pierce River was a water source these men were not willing to part with so they fought for it.

This is where the water flows, the rock is worn with wind and water flowing from it into a gully below….

Did you mama ever tell you NOT TO LOOK directly into the sun? Well my mama did, but I didn’t listen! I am still playing with my new camera…. Can you see where 3 arrows hit the rock? I can’t imagine from a distance how close this really came. But I am sure if they just shot over the top….arrows were getting in.

The opening where the rifles were poked out of is just to the right of this arrow mark!

This is the side of the building and that is the opening! Pretty cool huh!

Well I won’t bore you with anymore of the Fort, but if you ever come this way, this is a great history lesson not to miss!

The beauty of this desert never ceases to amaze me

Oh BTW today is the first day of my treatment.

The BIG GIRL, I am calling “it” a girl, don’t know why…just am. I have decided to give her a name too. Rada. (Ray-dah) We are going to become good friends for the next 28 days. I will let you know tomorrow how it went. Scared? yeah a little.

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Too a VERY SWEET Lady

I happen to be a fortunate person, you see, over the past year I have had the pleasure of getting to know so many new people! One of which is a VERY SWEET Lady by the name of EILEEN! Her blog is full of love and kindness and she has such a HUGE HEART that keeps on giving….

Eileen always has kind words to say and share. Her deep commitment and love for her family shows in her posts. There is no doubt she adores her grandchildren!

I am so fortunate to have met you Eileen!

I hope you have a wonderful Birthday and you are spoiled to pieces!

Much love…lindalu

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

“THE MASK”

Last week I went to the Huntsman Cancer Center here in St. George. It is a great facility. I was fitted for “the mask” I will be wearing during my radiation treatments. It was a very cool experience! Barb…I know about the metal slab they have you lay on…that is not big enough for ALL of me, I asked “what do I do with my hands and arms…” they were just dangling, not enough of the slab to put them by my side! so they gave me a ring to hold onto across my tummy. They were so wonderful explaining EVERYTHING they were doing to me while doing it. They took a large piece of mesh plaster stuff and dipped it in warm water, when it was pliable they laid the warm cloth over my entire face and some of my neck, then started molding it to my face. It was very easy to breath through. Good thing I am not claustrophobic. The whole time my eyes are closed and mouth opened a tiny bit because the mask will shrink when it is completely dry. Then the radiologist and oncologist screwed and clamped the mask down. They also put a huge rubber band around my feet. It is important you lie very still at all times. This is a very precision type of procedure. I was told that they have to pinpoint the radiation to a centimeter! PHEW that’s close folks! The treatments will not start until the 18th. Friday is a run through. They then took a CT scan of the area so that on Friday this week when I go back, I get to put on the dried mask (which I get to keep…I am so excited LOL) Do I look like (Hannibal Lector?) and they will put me on the table in the room where I will actually be under going the radiation treatment. The machine is ENORMOUS! Huhoney will take a few pics on Friday, they said he could, just to show the machine. Am I nervous?…maybe a little, I will tell you after Monday the 18th.

Please don’t think I am taking this lightly my friends, but whenever I am frightened, I go into a funny-bone mode. I just laugh. I can’t help it, it is my way of coping I guess. I would NEVER make fun of or EVER NOT take this seriously or anyone who has undergone treatment in any way shape or form make fun of anyone…..I just want you all to know….I am OK. Remember….I have a personal guardian angel on my shoulder!

BTW Barb! please take it easy for a few days! NO SKING OR BIKING OR RUNNING for a while ok! PHEW now that is what I call scary my friend. Not what I am doing! um um not at all! LOT’S of love and good, good, good, good vibrations……I am sending your way!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Better late than “never”

I know I know, here she goes again with the family pics of the “little rascals and all, but ya know folks, this is my life and I love it!

Saturday after Christmas, who should arrive at our door step, none other than "the little rascals” and boy oh boy was it a busy 3 days! Come on in and enjoy the ride….I can tell you that you will be exhausted as we were when all is said and done! LOL First off my new camera, that I am taking a lot of pictures with and still am not sure how to use it took a lot of pictures. The night setting, I am still not sure how to use. But I am having a lot of fun! Yes…they brought their new bikes and scooters and YES we let them ride them around the house….they were good not to run into anything….hehehe

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The first night, Saturday, they all climbed into my bed and got all snuggled up to watch a movie, they like our bed because it is adjustable.

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The next morning, Sunday, was blueberry waffle morning with fresh juiced apples and oranges. They all got to help Papa make the yummy juice…

Little missy tried on several of the hats that Oma made for her. Is purple a favorite color for every little girl?

The ducks and geese are very friendly! They saw the kids coming with a sack of bread and pretty much followed them around, sometimes chasing them to get more! Christmas 09 St. George new camera 057

Christmas 09 St. George new camera 042

Ryan had NO fear of them, he chased them back!

Kyler joined us at the pond, both sets of parents left us in charge of the crew for a few hours. We took walks, it was a beautiful day, went to the playground….

There was a lot of spinning…