What are you doing for fun??

Watching football!!! I love college football, and my family is huge Tennessee fans. I won't be able to attend any games this year, but I enjoy watching on TV. We were in Knoxville last weekend at my daughter' house, and although they had 2 extra tickets, there's no way I could go...long walk, fatigue, low counts. A chorus I sing with in Knoxville always works a concession at the games as a fundraiser; of course, I can't help with that, either. Life is a lot different this year. I'm still getting used to the many changes. I've always been so active...lots of changes now. At least I can enjoy the games on TV.

Caryn, my only concern would be that you chicken out...definitely, definitely try it.

Trish, enjoy the games...sometimes it's better to watch on TV than ffight the crowds.  We don't follow a whole lot of college football but are Ohio State fans and of course my side of the family is big Alabama Crimson Tide fans as one our uncles was a coach there years ago.

Thanks for the encouragement, all!

Nancy, surprisingly, from what I've read, it's not as hard as it looks. My younger dd says she wants to do it too. She thinks we should do an "all girls" climb, i.e. just the five girls in our group of eight. I already know that her FIL has said there is no way he will do it.

Ah football, a sport I still don't understand. However, I wish everyone happy viewing and good luck to all your favorite teams.

Caryn

Caryn,

I did the bridge climb and it was really great!  My DH really dislikes heights so he did not come with me but stayed down below & got pics.    I did this about 6 years ago, prior to my Stage 4 diagnosis 3 years ago.  So I was perfectly healthy at the time.  I dont mind heights if I feel secure enough, like not at the very edge of some precipice if you know what I mean.  They have you tehered not only together, but also to the bridge railing. So you dont feel exposed.  You had a choice of when you would like to go, early morning, or at sunset.  I chose sunset and it was spectacular!  They give you a little run through of what to expect and they even had some pictures around of people who had done it, one being a 90 year old lady!  That shored up my confidence! lol.  She did appear to be an amazinly spry 90 year old, but still.  I figured if she could do it!! They go at a slow enough pace so its not exhausting, but you do keep moving. 

It took about 2 hours, maybe a little less. You may want to ask about that because I cant really recall.  Its really something to look out over Sydney Harbor.  Such a   beautiful expanse of water.  Looking down at that amazing white opera house!! wow. I cannot exactly reecall how many were in our group but I guess about  8 to 10 of us.  There is a leader they send up with you, and you just follow his or her instructions and you will be fine. They keep a very close eye on everybody.  I never felt scared or unsafe the whole time. When we got to the top of the bridge on our climb it was just about sunset!  They took some amazing pictures of us either alone or in the larger group. I still look them over tooday!  Very happy memories of when I could do something like that.  It was just starting to get dark on our descent but again, I felt really  safe the whole time. As you can probably tell, I am no big risk taker!  But this was fine.  Just exciting enough but not too scary. 

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.  I just loved Australia.  I have been there twice.  Such a beautiful place with the nicest, most friendly people.  Enjoy!

Caryn, sounds like a go from what everyone else has said. Wow, it will be quite a feat! How exciting!!



Yep, I'm a football fan ... Any team, any game but I root for my alma mater, the Florida gators, and my home nfl teams, redskins and ravens.

It will be great,, Caryn! Early afternoon should be a great time, the views from way up there should be just beautiful. When I was there you had to pay and get your time set up before you actually go. Maybe since that is your last day before leaving, it would be a good idea to get to the Bridge Climb office so you can make your reservation. Would not want you to be disappointed because they filled up on the one tour time you need.



I am excited for you! I had a wonderful time just relaxing when I got down. Anyway, be sure to have fun!

Pillow fight!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=629704920403095

Ebru, that sounds like a wonderful trip!  My children were 9 and 11 when we brought them to Disneyland in Florida.  They were a great age, not too young, and not too old to enjoy.  Although, I love Disneyland, so I guess your never too old!!

We have plans to celebrate our son's 21st birthday at Disney World next May. That's where he has asked to go. May is a long time off, and therefore a little out of my comfort zone for making plans due to this damn cancer. Our previous trips there have been grueling. But I figure Disney is good at making accommodations, so if I'm in a rough chemo treatment or otherwise not in good shape, I'll rent a scooter or whatever it takes.



The actually birthday is a few months earlier, but he will be in school then, so May is the first practical time for us to take a long trip.



DH and I actually wanted to take him to Las Vegas for his 21st, but he says he doesn't want to visit Las Vegas. I'm not sure if it's Las Vegas itself that's a turnoff, or whether it's the embarrassment of being seen there with his dorky parents. We may kidnap him in February and take him anyway for a weekend in Vegas against his will.

Hey MM, your son sure proves it's never too old to go to Disneyland.

Wish I could take DS to Orlando instead, but the looong flight scrared me off.

And know what, it's a suprise for him, for now at least.

We trust the scooters as well btw. I heard from MIL scooters don't wait the long queues, is that right? I was already fine with fastpasses. But that would be even more awesome, as I get sooo tired soo quickly. I don't want to ruin his fun.

DS had a very rough 1,5 years & he has been so understanding for his age. I am happy, in fact soooo happy to still be able to prepare such a suprise for him healthwise & financially.

Hugs, Ebru

Ebru,

I'm so happy for you that you get to take your son to Disneyland!  We took our boys when they were both in elementary school and it's such a magical memory for them still!  (they are in their 20's now). 

This is what I'm doing for fun these days - it's not Disneyland, but it's pretty neat. http://www.artprize.org/

We have this ArtPrize every year.  Art all over downtown - outdoors, in museums, restaurants, businesses, churches - you name it!  Anyone can enter and the public votes (there is also a juried vote, but the big prizes are for the public vote - $200,000 for first place!).  There are artists from other countries that enter it and there is everything from really fine art to statement art to gimmicky stuff - but the city is so vibrant - streets full of people and a lot of really neat art!  If you go to the website, you can see pictures of the art.

Tina,

If you do come next year, let me know!  It would be so nice to meet you while you're here!

Amy

Amy, thanks. I will contact you if we decide to go. If I were not tangled up in too much right now ("It's fall, so let's try to jam a year's worth of activities into two months."), I would seriously consider going next week!

Tina

Artprize sounds so cool!

Ebru, what a treat for DS and you! My daughter never got to go to a Disney park but we managed a few trips (by car) to Gardaland, an Italian amusement park. It was always a big hit. You guys will have so much fun!

Glenna,

I love wine tasting!  The Traverse City area in Michigan is wine country and we went there for a couple of days for a wine tasting trip this summer.  I hope you had fun!

Amy