having fun while we wait

Just in case you were affraid that it is all drama around here....be comforted by the fact that we are having fun while we wait. We celebrated a late birthday for Stewart by going bowling. We haven't been for a while and it is a far stretch from bowling on the Wii where I do a pretty good job. In real life...well let's just say I don't think anyone is going to be recruiting us anytime soon! It was fun and we hope to do it again soon.

The sunsets here are never ugly. It can be a miserable windy and wet day and by evening, the big man turns on the gorgeous solely for my benefit I do believe. Even the dogs get out and enjoy the view.

I know we sometimes get a little crowded around here if a few things are out of place but it is fun having a few four legged creatures aboard...and the dogs aren't bad either!

We have decided to let the scooters go...I know, I know, I said I would never buy another car...and well we didn't. We bought a future Baja grocery getter. It should get us around the dirt roads and mountain ranges, not to mention it is just plain fun. Katie is also in the process of learning to drive a standard, which was what I first learned to drive and so did Neil...so here's to not blowing up the clutch!! Only teasing. She is a real natural and much better than I was if I must be honest. Stewart is also working on getting sponsored by a local skateboard company. I tell you what, these kid's are well amazing and I (we) are ever so proud!

Tomorrow I go in for an hour and a half long liver test followed later this week by my first IVIG treatment. I just had another chest x ray and am also going to see a Hemotologist next week. My datebook has never been fuller...but I would have liked for it to be because of something a little more fun...but we are making the most of it.

 Speaking of which...Stewart caught one heck of a Flounder the other day and it is definately worth the bragging rights...Neil spends a lot of time sitting in the hammocks with a pole in the water...not a bad way to spend the afternoon especially with these odds!! (see below)

As you can see above and below, Neil is not the only one who enjoys those hammocks!!

Lately we have had a lot of bioluminescence in the water and a local article written stated:

"Red Tide gets the name from the color of the water during the daytime. The color of the water is due to the Algal Bloom, in which large numbers of aquatic microorganism accumulate rapidly in the water. This causes a discolored surface

The waves truly are 'Spongebob's aurora' at the top of the sea. So surfers in the region are grabbing their boards and heading out to surf the brilliant 'blue' ocean at night.I for one would not touch the ocean at night ... pitch black night ... 'Red Tide' is awing people in San Diego County"

We are hoping to go over and see if we can catch the wave show tonight. I know that when we are taking the dinghy to and from shore at night we leave a trail of over 10 feet of blue magic and even splashing your toes in the water make for a very "trippy" show...so put on the Floyd (or Roger Waters...uh thank you Barry) and splash them toes!

When it rains....

Here is the latest update on the two older crew aboard Hand Full.

Neil is going to have to have surgery. They are trying to get all the details and "permission slips" worked out. We are not sure when this will start but are hoping it will be before the end of the year. The good news is that it should provide a lot of relief to Neil and hopefully he will be rid of a lot of unnecessary pain. The down side: each surgery (three in total if all goes smooth) will require some serious down time. We are looking at all our options and may lean towards getting a flat somewhere down south here. There is a lot to think about but not to worry as nothing will be sprung on us and it all has to be planned far in advance.

As far as for myself....

Well it turns out the reason why I got sick so easily is because my body makes no antibodies, at least not right now, nor do they know for how long. This makes me 100% vulnerable to everything.

Solution: I will begin taking IV antibodies once a month. A sort of super solution of antibodies from thousands of individuals...as noted in a previous blog. My first big day is October 6th. I am excited and nervous but more excited to get some "good stuff" in me.

I will also be undergoing several tests, some invsive, some not that will clear up any other questions or concerns the doctors may have. I now have my very own set of "house" doctors at the Immunology Division at UCSD.

So there you have it.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, we are enjoying ourselves and each other, as always.

When it rains it pours, but I don't mind a little "singing in the rain."  I just don't like hail! :o)`

It's a Boy!!

If feels like it was just a few years ago that the doctor was exclaiming "It's a boy!" Neil and I were so happy.

 We have a boy and a girl both healthy and close together...."I hope they are best friends" and that is how it came to be.

Today Stewart, my little man, is 15yrs. old! Can you believe it?

He is just as handsome as the day he was born! Big bold hazel eyes and so happy go lucky. He has accomplished a lot in so little time and over the years he's added skilled sailor, skateboarding and several electronic experiments. (homeade fans and cucumber choppers, rocket and rubberband launchers). Not to mention he will kick your butt on X box live!! haha.

We are sure proud of him, and also of Katie. God blessed us with amazing kids and I have loved and continue to enjoy every minute spent with them.

So altogether now: "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Stewie, Happy Birthday to you, and many more!"

                                                      
 Now, for the spankings! haha!