Moving On......After the Flap

sbelizabeth

Zenful, you have my deepest sympathy.  And yes...damn cancer.  (((HUG)))

Janet_M

Zenful - Such sad news about your brother. I'm so sorry for your loss. 

Janet

Cherrie

Zenful- I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Damn!!

MartyJ

Zen, I am so sorry for your loss.

Zenful

Thank you all for your kind words.  Your words have special meaning to me because I know that you get it.  Many of you have had someone close to you pass away from cancer, and it jolts you for a moment, and then we turn back to thinking positive thoughts and doing all we can to stay healthy, active, and happy.  Love you ladies!

Anonymous

Anybody ever been to Missoula, Montana?

nihahi

bailey....yes....but WHY would you ask? Now you have me curious!

Actually, I think one of movie's daughters went to university there.

Anonymous

Because I think we should set up our first DIEP "reunion" there....I've been researching.

But, having never been there, I am not sure. What say you?

nihahi

I've basically passed through there on the way from Great Falls to Spokane, as Missoula has Interstate 90 going right through there. It is a pretty area.  Once movie recovers from her pneumonia, we'll have to get her opinion.

Anonymous

Sounds good. I am praying for her daily. No fun.

It's impossible to please everybody. So knowing that up front...I was hoping for someplace that would provide something for everyone. 

Actually started looking in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach AL, since I have been there, but it's so darned expensive. So then I was searching to see if there were any places that give discounts to groups and I found a ranch outside Missoula called Camp Mak-A-Dream . They do "cancer camps" part of the year and rent the facility out the other part of the year. Accommodations are not expensive, but they are mostly dormitory style.....so I figure that's probably not going to be what most people would like. 

So I looked at other accommodations in the Missoula area and there are hotels, condos, b&b's....all price ranges. I found a cute little vacation house rental for $135 a night with a big yard and nice kitchen and if I rented that (or something similar) it could be our "mass" gathering place. 

As far as things to do there appears to be a couple of cute boutique type shopping districts, art museums, local eateries, a casino, a beautiful farmers market, biking (rentals available), hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, fly fishing, white water rafting (which is on my bucket list!!!). So a wide variety for the wide variety of people we are

Flights are maybe an issue.....seem a little spendy to me.

Other ideas???

nihahi

Absolutely.....no time or place is every going to be a good fit for everyone who wants to participate. Location also depends on time of year of course. Do you have something in mind....timing wise??? 

Is the weather out your way starting to make you dream of summer????

Anonymous

Omg....brain damage....I was just looking at a b&b and at the end of their chart of amenities for each room it said "floor" and I was thinking, "Well, since when did a floor become an amenity? That's really stupid. Seems like a necessity to me." But they were listing which floor each room was on....1st, 2nd....etc.

Say goodnight, Gracie. Goodnight, Gracie.

nihahi

hahaha.......goodnight, Gracie.....

sbelizabeth

Hahaha...Bailey, you're the best.  I would travel to Antarctica to meet up with all of you.  But I have, in fact, been to Missoula.  Fine with me!

Moviemaniac

Oh my gosh.......I jump on to stay caught up, and Bailey has just made my year!!!!  Missoula !!!!!    I. Love. Missoula......(I can barely breathe, so am not jumping up and down ) I spent five years going back and forth watching DD#3 play soccer for the U of Montana.....truly a beautiful place, and a river DOES run through it.........

I could suggest that (since I would drive from Portland-an 8.5 hour drive through some of the prettiest scenery in the US) if it is cheaper to fly in to Portland....do it...I can carry 3 others in my car.....  

Jeannie57

I wish I could make plans but my life is filled with uncertainties. If I could,  I would love to ride with Movie or I could share driving with whomever flew into Seattle.

Anonymous

Haha! Gracie woke up and can't get back to sleep. 

So glad you guys are excited. Me too! So when works for y'all? I was hoping for later in the year. I don't have any vacation time available (it all keeps getting sucked up for medical leaves ) right now and will take me a few months to accrue 3-4 days. When is the best weather out there?

And no worries, Jeannie....we will get you there and make sure you have a bunk (just kidding about the bunk).

Moviemaniac

Sept. is beautiful there......as is October....but we would want a weekend that the U of M Grizzlies Football team was either out of town, or had no games scheduled.....

And Jeannie, get to P-Town, and you've got a seat!   If we have to pitch in, YOU are coming!

Jeannie57

Thanks, Movie. Are you feeling any better? Spanx at night?

Moviemaniac

spanx 24/7.... Can't handle the Marena right now.......coughing too much......

Jeannie57

I remember that terrible coughing, Movie. I'm glad you're more comfortable, at least.

Anonymous

Ok, so the Grizzlies are out of town the weekend of September 20. (Well, there's a sentence I didn't imagine typing today!) And I can get the best flights out of Grand Rapids to Seattle, rather than Portland. If I drive to Chicago O'Hare (3 hours or so) I can fly non stop to Portland. All under $400 which is ok with me. I used flying in to Portland or Seattle on September 17 with a return flight on September 22. 

What do you think (and Jeannie I hope you know I meant we will make sure you can come and have a place to stay and we'll pitch in....what I was just kidding about was that it would be a bunk bed

ROAD TRIP!!!

Moviemaniac

Road trip!!!!!!

I'm down!  Yippee!!!!!!!!!!

Jeannie57

Thanks, Bailey. Does anybody else snore loudly???? You may change your mind....

Anonymous

Lmao Jeannie.....my DH DOES! I kick hard lol.....they may have to split us up. 

No worries....i'll take  a whole Ativan and bring earplugs. ....I won't know a thing!!!

nihahi

-27C, feels like -38C here.....September in Montana sounds wonderful! It's about the same drive time for me that movie has, plus the "please Mr. Border Guard, let me in" time. hmmmm.....bunk beds, might have to pack the tempurpedic! ROAD TRIP (all things being "copesetic" for everyone,of course) 

jeannie.....we're like the Marines (I think it's the Marines).......No one gets left behind!!!!!

Anonymous

I finally slept....thank goodness I was able to sleep in today. 

Here is a link for a very nice Missoula Visitors Guide that you can order or download     http://www.destinationmissoula.org/guide

And I missed one of your posts last night, Nihahi. YES I am looking for ESCAPE. 

Jeannie that little house I was looking at had two bedrooms. So we could each have a room and I wouldn't hear you snoring

Jeannie57

Haha, Bailey! You still might hear me! I really hate that I snore but there it is.

Nihahi, thanks. Hopefully I can "carry my weight" by September.

Morningsun1

will there be hiking?

nihahi

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HIKING....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And.....biking, walking, talking, eating, and COFFEE!