Hau'oli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year.

ORIGIN: The western Christmas and New Year fell during the same time of the year that the Hawaiian's traditionally honored the earth for giving them plenty to eat. This period of resting and feasting was called Makahiki (mah-kah-HEE- kee). It lasted for 4 months, and no wars or conflicts were allowed during this time. Because makahiki also means "year", the Hawaiian phrase for "Happy New Year" became "Hau'oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)"(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho) - And now you know!

No wars for 4 Months!? What a concept. A 4 Month party instead! Hmmmmm...

SESSION #8 WENT JUST GREAT! IT'LL ALL BE FINE IN 2009!!

"The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it." - Jean-Paul Sartre

The Clock's Ticking...

Only one more day... Only one more day to put our affairs in order before the end of the year. One more day to think about all the things we didn't get done this year. Only one more day to talk to Friends and Family in 2008. Only one more day to make those resolutions for next year, the ones we're likely not to keep. And only one more day until Radiation Treatment #8!


OH, and speaking of TIME. Recently, while wandering around on the Web, I came across this rather entertaining look at time keeping. It's worth a look I think, the HUMAN CLOCK is "interesting" to say the least. Just CLICK on "View the Clock" If you'd like to know more about it, return to the Home page, and click on ABOUT. Turns out this Guy (Craig D. Giffin) seems to be a pretty interesting fellow and I've found him to be a bit inspiring. Thanks Craig. Oh, and I've added his HUMAN CALENDAR as one of my Gadgets here on the "Wandering" Blog.

And in the spirit of New Years Eve, here's a chance to put on your own FIREWORKS show. Ok, so you're probably wondering - "How's he got time for all this meaningless drivel?" Well, I guess it's good news in a way. Kelly had a Notary signing appointment Up-Country this morning, and I've been left to my own devices. It's been raining off and on all day, so pulling weeds has been out, and I'm actually feeling pretty darned good after treatment #7. Dry mouth is increasing, tongue's a little more sensitive, and the taste buds are about all gone. The good news (and there's always "good news") is, my RASH is really doing great. Everyone says so... Truth is, the bigger the rash (read that teenage acne at it's worst) the better the Chemotherapy (read that Erbitux) is working.

"I hope that while so many people are out smelling the Flowers, that someone is taking the time to plant some." - Herbert Rappaport

The Very Best Christmas Day...

Wednesday was quite the busy day. I'd gone back to Lahaina after my Tuesday treatment, so got up early, stopped by Take Home Maui for my favorite cup of morning coffee, the over to Kaiser for an early Blood test, and then off to Kahului to meet Kelly at Amanda's for Radiation. Following that, Kelly dropped me at Amanda's while she went off to run some errands, and I got ready to go with her to Pukalani, to spend the night. Most unexpectedly I got a call from Don, one of Kyle's Crew, who'd broken down on the way to a job in Lahaina. Well, I called Kelly and she followed me over to 1,000 Peaks where we left him Kyle's truck so he and the rest of the Crew could deal with it.



Then it was up to Kelly's in Pukalani, where I would be spending the night. Christmas day began with partly clear skies and a living room full of presents.

CLICK HERE to see Christmas morning photos.

I put on the coffee, and it wasn't long before Grayson was up, then Nanna Anne showed up, and by the time she and Gray had brought up all her gifts, Maddison and Mom & Dad were up too. Grayson got just about every BATMAN toy and game there is, and Madison received everything HANNA MONTANA. I think everyone got a wonderful collection of gifts, but the real capper came as the very last box to open.




More than a bit surprising, it was for me! It was a big box, and it came with instructions. Which everyone made certain I was to follow, to the "letter." I had a set of letters, a board with 5 words, and one letter in each word. One by one I was given a clue to figure out, and move on to the next.

And, I was to be sure it included all the "BELLS & WHISTLES" - to make sure, they'd even included an example to make sure I understood.Turns out this was organized and put together by Anne, and they managed to pull it off without me ever having any idea what was afoot. With somewhat more than $1,000.00 (and $5.00 in pennies - a "payback" from Christmas past...) I was told to get myself a Laptop Computer. Something I've gone without for all these years, figuring I'd get to it "someday...," and had just never done it. Well, I'm gonna do it now! HP here I come.

The following are the Group I have to thank for this wonderful opportunity:

Anne Wall
Amanda Jones
Kelly Maguire
Carl Stephens
Dan Snyder
Jeff Kaiser
Steve Taylor
Bonnie Nelson
John Wilson
Joanne Dennis
Jim & Nancy Killett
Doris Prockette

"Thank You" isn't quite enough, but it'll have to do until I can think of what is. Mahalo!

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect." ~ Oren Arnold

"5 Days 'Til Christmas" or Santa Visits Jones' Family

One of the many curses of the Technical Age, can often be a Blessing in discuise... TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES! Heralded by the "drum roll" ring tone of my Cell Phone, I received a call from Mylessia at the Clinic this morning, informing me that, "... the Machine wasn't working, and it might just not be, until tomorrow!" Well, that news came with mixed blessings, as all I want to do at this point is be done. But, it gives me ample space to share something esle instead, and this is JUST PLAIN FANTASTIC!

I'M SO PROUD OF THIS,

I'M BUSTIN' MY BUTTONS!!!

As I mentioned in the previous post, while at Amanda's on Saturday, December 20th, we were fortunate enough to have a Surprise visit by Santa Claus, as arranged by Dan "the Man" Snyder, as a "gift" to Amanda and the Kidz, Haily (19 months) and Tyler (3 years). Also joing us, and providing the excellent photos and video was Bonnie (Momma Duma) Nelson. Bonnie had brough along her collection of CHEETAH GIRLS music.

OK, that's enough of a lead in. Bonnie's put together a fabulous Jones Family Video, set a song by the Cheetah Girls, "5 More Days 'Til Christmas" which coincidentally was the count from our special evening. When you'll see it, I've no doubt you'll be able to tell why I'm so excited to share it, and also why I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful Family.

CLICK HERE to see the Video.

On a side note... it was a bit sad that Madison and Grayson were unable to join us, as their Mom had an important engagement (which worked out well for her I hear) and they spent the evening with Nanna Anne in Makawao, and also missed were Cody, Brittany, and Chase - Carl & Wendy's "little ones" who besides being in Las Vegas are probably just a wee bit "old" for Santa anyway. Regardless, they're MY GRANDKIDZ and I love 'em all a bunch.

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" ~ Bob Hope

‘Twas Four Days Before Christmas…

‘Twas four days before Christmas
At Manda’s we were
Momma Duma and Daniel
Also were there.

And with Cheetah Girls singing
The Turkey all gone
There was a great big surprise
About to go on.

While getting along gaily
Now who could have guessed?
That our Tyler and Hailey
Would wind up so blessed.

To have Santa Claus show up
His bag full of gifts
His arrival un-announced
His laughter so swift.

The Children were ecstatic
The Adults were too
It’s not hard to be Happy
With such a Great Crew!

Ok, so I’m not such a great poet, but I couldn't’t resist the temptation to pay tribute to Uncle Dan “the Man” Snyder who went above and beyond to make a visit from “you know who” a little bit early, since Amanda and Family are heading to Oregon on Monday, to be with Kyle’s Parents for a white Christmas.

Momma Duma (Bonnie Nelson) was kind enough to bring Dan, his two (wonderful) turkeys, the dancing music, news from the Universe, and a "Tiger’s Iron" Pyramid for yours truly. Earlier, I’d gotten a ride from Lahaina, with the “S” mans outfit and BAG from a Friend from Kula. What a great evening – the pictures should tell it all. Here’s wishing EVERYONE a Great Sunday, and be sure and take a moment or two, to THANK your GOD for our being here. Life is GOOD.

Santa's Visit Photo Album

Again, I'd like to express a special THANK YOU to Bonnie Nelson for the great photos & video of Santa's visit. Please check out her project Website The Cheetah Alliance to Unite the Children of the World, and to help save the Cheetahs, it's really quite interesting.

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. - Angela Schwindt

Just a little quiet time...

I think I can pretty fairly say, the Cell Wars have begun, and not all that unfavorably. The first Radiation Treatment on Thursday ran about 45 minuets, and I don't mind admitting, it was more than a bit "uncomfortable." The "mask," having now had a chance to set, was a wee bit more tight fitting than when we made it. Most noticeable was right below my Adam's apple, and every time I'd try to swallow, it was as if I was being choked. I tried to relax and be calm, which was fine, to a point, but the real problem was dealing with the teeth trays in, and the strained breathing, all I could think about was what's going to happen when the throat's sorer, the dry mouth is worse, and my patience is dwindling... that was what had me edgy. We also had a couple of false starts, which required some repositioning and prolonged things further.

But, finally we were done, the crew was satisfied, I was released, with the assurance that the rest of the sessions would go quicker. One bonus was they had a way lot of "treats" set out. You gotta love the Holidays. Orange chiffon cake, Red & Green Jello cubes, Banana Bread, and a dozen other assorted goodies - which the admonished, "Eat 'em now, while you feel like it!" Well, with encouragement like that, I did. Then it was off to Kaiser for my second (weekly) Chemo treatment of the Erbitux/Benedryl IV. Well, this was now half the initial dose, as will the rest be. Gotta tell you, it went even easier than the first one, which you may recall wasn't all that bad either. The REALLY good news is, that night came and went without the sweats, excessively dry mouth or the pounding headache. I was only up twice, and that was to make room for more water. So, the first week we'll say ended on a high note.

I drove back to Lahaina for the weekend, to tend to some personal business and to try and get further along with setting my apartment to order with my new desk and office arrangement. Dan Snyder pitched in, and together we actually made some progress.

So, at this point, I'm gonna let you all off the hook for a bit, and will be signing off until next week, when I'll report in again. I'll be ready to share the news of my recruiting a Transportation Team of stalwart supporters, to help fill in while Amanda's gone and relieve some of the burden on Kelly - and secretly, it'll provide me with a broad range of diversion and personal enjoyment to have time to spend with Friends who care enough to pitch in and help out this ol' Guy in his time of need. I'll also be intending to interject some of my past "Wanderings" of some of my more memorable adventures or encounters to break the monotony of this medical sh*t, and hopefully there will be a tale or two some of you might find entertaining.

Christmas is almost here. It's always been one of my favorite times of the year, which reminds me, for what it's worth and to anyone who's "listening," I've a request to make... PLEASE, if only where I'm concerned, please DO NOT ever, EVER use the abbreviation of "X-MAS." It is REALLY a pet peeve of mine, and not one I'm prone to lecture about, but it does gripe me, and this seemed a decent opportunity to announce it to the Universe, at least anyone who's listening. I'd encourage you to remember my simple request, and at every opportunity, to encourage each of you to pass it on, whenever you have occasion to encounter someone else doing so. It's CHRISTMAS Folks, and if you take CHRIST out of Christmas, all you have left is "mas" or one big MESS. Heck, after all, it's not about the presents, the cards, the candy or food, it's about Jesus Birthday, plain and simple. And, whether your Christian or not, believe in Santa or not, or whatever, can't we all just be big enough to realize it for what it is, and allow everyone the freedom to believe in as they choose, and not force anyone to not?

To my thinking it's just an extension of one of my stock questions, "Why cant we all just get along?" Give it a try, it doesn't take much, it costs nothing and there's always some way to fit in the other five letters. Give it a try. At least for me. MAHALO (Thank You.) Aloha Ya'll.

Oh hey... wait, what's that I hear??? Out in the back, up on the roof... coud it be? I don't know, I'd better go check.

"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail." - Abraham Maslow

Magical Maui Morning Makes Me Mellow...

Just a quick up-date - as yesterday did mark the begining of our 35 Days of Cell Wars (read that as the next 7 weeks). As you can see, it began as another typical Lahaina day in the Neighborhood. We've even gotten high tech in our Trash collection here now, starting bi-weekly pick-ups with the automated/one can process. The significance of this is, the trucks are so much quieter, one can actually sleep past their 5:30am arrival time!

So, as things turned out, we wound up going for the Radiation Treatment before the Chemo - evidently it doesn't matter all that much which happens when at this point.

Things went well, and the Chemo did too, had a good nights sleep, only woke up once with a bit of a dry throat and a "scratchy" tongue.

But now must dash of for my second Radiation session, at my now regular time of 10:10am. More on all this later.

Peace, Love & Groovey... Ron Wall