The year started out good. Another trip to California in Jan. Lifetouch winter meetings were in SAn Diego this year and I was excited to check it out---on Prestige's dime. I really liked San Diego. We were in a Marriott on the harbor and in a great location with great views.
After the meeting was over, Carolyn and I went on a cruise. She had never been on one and didn't know how she'd like it, so we did a short 4 night cruise out of Longbeach that went to Catalina and Ensenada. So I rented a car from the hotel and we drove up to Anaheim and spent the night in a WM resort (Dolphin's Cove). Next morning, we boarded Carnival Paradise. Figured for $250/person, we wouldn't have to worry about transportation, accommodations, or food. We both enjoyed the cruise and my sister was hooked.
Catalina with the brown air of Los Angeles in the distance. You don't notice it when you're there, but it sure is visible when you get away from it.
We even did a couple cruise ship excursions. It was a great first cruise for her.
1-29- Kauai
Had to get back to St. Louis so Ken and I could head off on our annual trip to Kauai. This time we went from Jan. 29th - Feb. 12th and Tim and Faith joined us for a week. Dad joined us for part of the time, too---our 5th trip to Kauai, Dad's 3rd, and the kids' 2nd. We arrived the night before Dad on our usual flight from LAX that gets to Lihue about 10pm. After checking in to our resort, we were off to Safeway for our usual late nite grocery stop and sub sandwich for dinner buy. A day later Dad showed up and a couple days later, Tim and Faith showed up.
It was great seeing them everyday, but they still got to bum around on their own. They even rented kayaks and went to secret falls.
It's also the year I started my stacking dolls collection with this hand painted set of Hawaiian wahines.
the picnic table at the top of the mountain.
this was considered an easy hike
After Dad left, the kids did some golfing. We walked the course with them, but having never golfed before, I wasn't going to start now.
Fri. Feb. 10, the kids headed home. Sat. Ken and I went on a 7 hour sunset cruise. Saw lots of whales.
Angie's working again. AFter being unemployed for a month (didn't like the other job's shoddy work), 3 firms offered her jobs. She chose Trivers.
3-10 Ken's work performance review. Another great one, although he's now maxed out on the salary at $90,000. His bonus was $13,000 tinally reaching the 6 figure mark! He also had another restructuring meeting. He no longer works for Ken Offerman, but he's still doing the same job at the same place. Although he's no longer a "buyer", now he's a "procurement specialist"!
4-8-2006 Emma's wedding (our new neighbor. Nice couple. Unfortunately their marriage didn't last very long. But they were the best neighbors we had in the house right next to ours.)
6-20-2006 Brian and Holly's wedding (friends of Rick and Sue's. Wedding at a winery near Washington).
May 16, 2006---I'm 50. Let the senior volleyball tournaments start for me! Played in 4 of them this month. As for my birthday, the girls surprised me with a trip to Lane Bryant and bought me 4 outfits. Then on the 27th they picked me up for a surprise day. First to get facials, then to a hair stylist (for all of us). First expensive hair cut I've gotten, but love the cut she gave me!
Speaking of splurging!---Dad surprised me with another very unique 50th birthday present. He went to the Holyland with David and Jane and their church group. I teased him about getting me some diamonds since they're supposed to be a deal there---and, of course, easy to pack. To my surprise, he did get me a beautiful gold and diamond Roman cross necklace with matching earrings. All in all, I had a great 50th birthday even though Ken didn't get me anything.
Memorial day weekend---Ken helped Tim rewire their kichen and install new cabinets. Tim and Faith redesigned their kitchen and it's looking great! I wish Ken would put as much effort into his own house. At least the kids take care of their properties.
We also got to go to a couple Cardinal games
Trying to make the best out of our time in Oregon.
Took Dad to the coast for a few night.
met up with good friend William on the coast
7-28--back home and the kids are staying with us. Both lost their electricity during wind storms. Tim and Faith were here for 8 days; Angie and Josh for 3.
I joined a senior womens volleyball team and played in a bunch of senior tournaments (50 is considered a senior in sports). We had a really good team and took 1st.
On July 22 we also took out the Mountain Ash tree that Dad had planted when we moved there in 1970.
8-13- Dad turned 75 today. And got more dx. He had a colonoscopy and also has colon cancer. He's also getting injections to try and strengthen his bones that haven't benn affected yet.
I made another trip to Oregon in Sept. to be with him after his colon cancer surgery for a couple weeks. He recovered from that really quickly. He was in the hospital for 6 nights and went 8 days without eating, just glucose IVs. We were surprised, too, that the cancer was larger than we expected. About 7" of large intestinesand a couple " of Dad's rectum were removed. We've also learned the prostate cancer has metastasized to his lymph nodes, too. He was really hurt that his church didn't bother to come see him in the hospital or even send a card, but the Calvary pastor (from the Holyland tour group) came and saw him 3 times. So once he was able, he switched to that church. David and Jane had even requested a prayer chain that didn't happen, so David resigned from the committee.
The past few years Dad had started going to church again. I think it was a comfort for him now that he had cancer. As hard as it was to see him in this condition, we had some good times: watched some old movies; played cribbage; dips in the jacuzzi after the staples were out; even going to the bone Dr. appt with him. I asked if the bone Dr. he could help get him into the oncologist before Oct. 18, to which he was surprised he wasn't being treated yet and he was able to start him on the harmone treatments right then! We also had a big family meal before I went home. Once treatment was started, he got to feeling pretty good. Even back to bowling and vacationing. The Dr. had said for a year or so he'll probably feel pretty normal, then it'll start growing again. But David understood that to be he was going to get well, and CArolyn couldn't deal with him suffering because it "reminded her too much of Tom".
On Sept. 7th, Angie and Josh closed on their first home---in Ferguson, Mo.
It was a really nice house.
9-7-2006 MaryAnn's birthday at Bill and Lena's.
Sept. 30th, Tim and Faith went to TR Hughes Homer Awards, again.
So while Dad was feeling "good", in Oct., Dad wanted to use up his BOGOF Alaska Airline ticket so I joined him on our first trip to Maui.
He was doing pretty well with his cancer at that time. It was another wonderful father/daughter trip.
even in the rain
and getting soaked in a cave. I didn't expect to like Maui and much as I did. It would take me another 7 years to get Ken to finally go there.
Back in St. Louis, Dad came out for a visit. Just as an ice storm hit and the kids stayed here with us again, too. This time Tim and Faith were here 4 nights and Angie and Josh were here 8 nights. An impromptu family vacation---at our house. Before Dad flew home, we took him to see the Mannheim Steamrollers xmas concert.
11-23 and time for celebrating Thanksgiving. This year Angie and Josh celebrated by getting another dog---Murphy. A sweet (soon to be 110 lb) Weimaraner.
Faith was our host this year and did a fantastic job! I never hosted Thanksgiving again!
The Hicks family
Dec. 22---Tim's birthday, but Josh stole the thunder this year. This was the day he proposed to Angie
the happy couple newly engaged
Xmas eve at the Hicks house.
Even our nephew Joe Gagznos was there. He was on a business trip in the area, so we invited him to join us at our crazy LaBeaume xmas parties
and another year comes to an end.
