Wednesday, September 2

September 2, 2009

Hello,

Where's the heat. Our summer is nearly over and we never got the long stretches of hot Missouri weather. Fine by me. It has been an awesome summer, and a walk down memory lane for me. One of the things I have wanted to do since I had kids was to someday take them to Alaska. Since I had spent a few years there in the 1980's, I had some favorite spots I wanted to show them. We were lucky enough to spend the last two weeks in July, doing just that . Despite the rainy weather, it was a wonderful trip. We flew into Anchorage, rented an SUV and just went. We got to visit with old friends, fish, hike, see gorgeous scenery and wildlife. I took 400-500 pictures, but since my laptop is at the end of its short lifespan, I am not going to risk downloading them until I get another laptop. The kids and Napper really enjoyed the trip. My last visit to Anchorage was in 1989. Like every city, it has changed a lot in the last twenty years. But once you get out of the city, you can't help but be in awe of the breathtaking scenery. One of my favorite things, when I lived there, was the turquoise color of the rivers. I was so excited to get my first glimpse of that and thankful for the sun that day. h and the smells, I had forgotten about the wonderful earthy smells. I could go on and on, it was amazing how twenty years felt like five and I found myself wondering where did that time go.

A couple weeks after our Alaska trip we went to Indiana for my 30 year high school reunion. What a blast. It was so much fun reconnecting with people from my childhood. I felt like I was in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" going back in time, revisiting my past. It was all very therapeutic and helps me appreciate what a wonderful life I do have. Being that these first few days in September mark the 4th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis, I am feeling particularly blessed and happy.

We are now very content to be homebound. Back to school for Brian and Bonnie. Brian is a freshman in high school this year. Bonnie is in 7th grade. We look forward to an exciting year, with many fun activities.

Peace,

Denise

Thursday, July 9

Good News... July 2009


































Wow, it has been along time since I posted anything. Let me take this opportunity to update you on the Curley Clan. We have all been thriving.... enjoying everyday, working hard, having fun, growing and learning. Since my last post we have completed at least half of the trips that I mentioned. We are very much looking forward to our next two trips, (at least I am) a trip to Alaska and to Indiana for my class reunion. I will definitely post some pictures of that.


Recently, we had fun with friends at an action filled 4th of July party. We had lots of laughs. Today I met with my Oncologist. My chest scans show no evidence of disease. The news brings a perma grin to my face. Sometimes I just can't contain my joy... I guess that is okay.


I don't take my health for granted and continue to take a holistic approach to my well being. My intention is to nurture my mind, body and spirit. I have been feeling great. One of the things I have continued to do is meditation. I have included some pictures of some of the lovely places out my back door where I find peace and solitude.


Hope all is well on your journey through life. The trials of my life continue to open up a whole new beautiful way of living and I am enjoying every step.


Thanks for following along.


Peace, Denise




















































































































Saturday, February 7

February 7, 2009 - Fun Times in Mexico




We endured seven days of glorious weather, wonderful company, beautiful sites, and much appreciated rest and relaxation. We ended each day with the sound of the ocean and woke to it again each morning. It was a marvelous vacation. Once again the kind people of Puerta Vallarto
warmed our hearts. I have enclosed a few images from our trip, and yes I really photographed the breaching whale. I had told myself that I was not taking anymore pictures of fins, tails etc. We had never seen the whales so active. It was truly awesome.
Now we are back in Kansas City with a full schedule. My skin and lungs are missing the humid air. I do not know how February got so busy, it is usually a pretty quiet time of the year. I have been an exercising maniac these past weeks, and loving every minute of it. I can hardly wait to get off work so that I can go exercise, my energy level has been over the moon. I think my lifestyle changes are finally catching up with me and I am thrilled.
We are looking forward to Napper's 50th birthday celebration on the 25th of this month.
Peace to all,
Love, Denise



Wednesday, January 14

January 13, 2009

Hi All,

I visited with my oncologist for my bi-annual check up yesterday. All is well, my lab work looks great! I will have lab again in six months, along with my, now, yearly CT scan of my chest. It just occurred to me that I have my checkups during my kids birthday months. Well... all the more to celebrate.

Speaking of the January birthday... Brian turned 14 a few days ago. He is such a great kid! We are so proud of him. I just can't get over how much he has changed these past few months. We are blessed. What a great start for this new year.

Best wishes for 2009 and beyond.....

love, Denise

Thursday, January 1

January 1, 2009



Happy New Year! Each year I have taken a special picture of Brian and Bonnie for Christmas. This is the image from this year. It amazes me how much they have changed and grown.... my babies no longer look like babies. We feel so blessed to have these two precious gifts in our lives.

2008 was an uneventful, uncomplicated yet very fulfilling year. We purposely keep our daily lives simple and as stress free as possible. Taking care of ourselves and one another remains a high priority in our family, and a way of life. We have had a ball with our new toy, Wii Fit. It has been a fun way to enjoy time together.

During the past couple months we have had the opportunity to get together with our family and friends. During the Thanksgiving holiday, my sister Dee, brother in-law Mike, and their children, Casey, Allie and Chris, as well as, my parents all joined us for a fun filled weekend.
The following weekend we were the co-host of progressive dinner with friends here in Platte City, and then the following weekend we took our annual trip to Minn. to visit the Curley Clan. We packed a lot in those few weeks, but it was awesome.

2009 holds many plans of fun and travel. Towards the end of January we are meeting my sister and family in Puerto Vallarto , Mexico. Yea!! We are also planning a big trip to Alaska this summer. This has been high on my list of things to do for some time and we fill fortunate to have it in the works. We also plan to travel to Minnesota for a family wedding this summer and will make our annual trek to Mishawaka. I think Napper intends to throw in a 4 day father/son ski trip in the spring, which gives Bonnie and I a good excuse to plan some kind of mother/daughter get away. Life is good!!!

Congrats to my brother Dave and wife Tracy on their new home in Mishawaka. Also a shout out for prayers for my brother Dave as he is recovering from a nasty fall while working on his new house. He spent four hours in surgery this past week repairing his very badly broken arm. Fortunately, it was not his dominate arm.

I am very happy, hopeful and excited about the coming year. Many blessings to you and your family in 2009!!!!

Most Sincerely,

Denise