Follow-Up

So many stories… so little blogging time. For those of you that don’t have anything better to do than lurk my life, it has been an amazing week full of emotion. And in the end…absolutely wonderful. And you want to know the ending of the story.

We finished our CCI training on Friday which humbled me because of the generosity of CCI and the devotion of trainers (Seamus, Todd, Patti, Simi, et al.)… cry, cry, cry.. The day ended with a warning (Patti style) not to take our animals to amusement parks or fireworks, I did. My Mom once called me her rebellious optimist, rule-breaker so I I’ve tried to live up to her expectations (she thinks is my fault, I think it is my strength).

We went to Sea World. And Mr. T was awesome! He pulled like a freight train and we saw every show there was and still had time to buy t-shirts and an over-sized Shamu for a future costume for a granddaughter.

Even before the Shamu show started I had a pensive moment and Kellene caught me crying. GRATITUDE. OMG, they gave me the best gift ever imaginable. I make junk mail and they make happiness. THANK YOU AGAIN.

Patti warned us about fireworks, so I woke Tadaki when they were about to start so he wouldn’t be startled awake. NOT! He was put out that I interrupted his sleep.

Ben LOVED the show and Kellene and I were so grateful that we could spend a memorable night with him and Ryan and Shannon. What a great gift they gave us.

Fast forward to the next day… June 27th. Thirteen years since I spent my afternoon in a mangled airplane and probably the first 27th that I didn’t spend hibernating in bed or hiding a tear-stained face from everyone (especially J.D.).

Another no, no… Disneyland!

Wahoo! We had a lovely lunch at Downtown Disney, but looking back, it was a VERY expensive day. $207 for entrance; olives, sweet potato fries and wine for lunch $100 (the waiter was cute, so that took off about half of the pain), I got to go on Soaring Over California TWICE which is the next best thing to being under canopy. GOD, I MISS SKYDIVING!

Tadaka and I entertained children with tricks as Kel and Kristin went on Tower of Terror. We ended up at California Screaming roller coaster (which I usually hate, but WTF, I’m still on vacation).

Last year, a very handsome fireman evacuated me (and Kristin, Holly and Hollie) from the Indian Jones ride. This year, the SAME handsome firemen evacuated me (and Kristin) from Screaming!

Me: “Geez I need to pee.”

Kristin: “Um, you might want to check.. because I felt a little dampness as they were lifting you out of the car. … and it kind of… stunk.”

SIDEBAR: Now, if any paraplegic or quadriplegic ever tells you that they have bladder and bowel under control, THEY ARE LYING!

It never gets under control.

Me: “Um, yep, POOP.” All over myself (and handsome fireman). I hate my life.

As the next 45 minutes progressed in the public restroom (if you are male, you've never witnessed the melee that occurs over the occupation of a "handicapped stall"), I really wasn’t ok. I went from immense gratitude for the great things in my life to utter self-disdain as I tried to clean myself up. I began the changing clothes effort laughing, and as the 45 minutes progressed, I ended up bawling in self-pity, sittling on a toilet in California. Kristin reminded me behind the closed stall door that I am still alive and enjoying life. That tantrum only lasted 45 minutes. (Amazing kid I have, huh?)

So, Simi, I still cried, but I wasn’t hiding under a pillow in bed.

And AGAIN, Kristin and Kellene went with the flow. They went to the nearest Disneyland store and bought a new pair of shorts for me (which was the best size they could find but they were way too big, but I was so glad to have DRY pants even if I looked like a peas-and-carrots bag lady). Another $58 (Jake now has a really nice pair of shorts.)

But because Kellene is my best friend (as though she hasn’t already proven that thousands of times), and Kristin is still an amazing daughter (who made me realize that life is still worth being here for) we had appetizers and wine and a perfect seat for the electric light parade. $155. Kaching!!!

The next day… finally heading home. By now, I was beginning to feel like I needed comfort food. (Rice and pancakes – but not at the same time.)

We headed to Las Vegas. But before we left, Tadster needed a quick playtime. Kellene took him to the only place to play that had a fence, the pool). Another Patti warning!

Long story short, he dived in and had a grand time playing in the hotel pool with a couple of kids until a grouchy maid yelled at Kel. It was awesome!!

On to Vegas. I needed a break from behind the wheel and rode in the back seat with T. Whew, home soon.

But first, a stop at Dad’s house. He is still 90 lbs but acts like it is no big deal (NBD). He surprises me with a VERY NICE CCI graduation gift and I leave the gated community crying because I think it will be the last time I see him alive. Why does life give you really great things and really shitty things in the same scene?) I want a redo on that relationship.

Deep breath…

Vegas: If you have ever stayed at the Palace Station, Circus,Circus, Excaliber, or New York New York because it was a good deal (all Utahans do)… give it up, you didn’t get a good deal. I found a great deal at the new Wynn Hotel. LOVE IT!

We learned that Tadaki is an anime big dog. (Google it.) and he entertained the casino (Yes, another, no, no) on the way to HURRY (which is hard to find an appropriate HURRY place in Vegas).
By the next day, OMG, the four of us are all so ready to be home (or at least to Beaver to get Cheese curd.) Yes, life comes full circle and always ends up at beaver cheese curd.

And the adventure finally begins (see my Good Cents article about adventure and vacations)… Kellene is driving and loses the brakes coming down Black Ridge Canyon… going 90 mph.

There was some “OMG. OMG what do I do?”.. until we figured out that the hand control on my car was sticking and the accelerator pedal was floored). In the end, we all lived. But we jazzed it up and called Kylie (Kellene’s daughter) with a Chardonnay Moment and a we-are-going-to-die moment. She may have called us bitches when she realized that we really were going to live.

Beaver! Whaoo, cheese curd. Then finally home.

The trip wasn’t one that will be retold and retold at Martini Club (yes, we really do that) but the entire CCI trip was one of the BEST things that I’ve ever done.

THANK YOU CCI! Thank you Kristin, Kellene, Todd, Seamus, Simi, Patti, J.D. Eileen and Ron, Rich, Christine, Ken and TADAKI. I love you all (ILYa).