Latest News for the Month of
May 2008
It's summer time. OK, not officially, but down here in Florida we are already starting into the HOT season. We have had several days of 80 degree weather and yesterday we hit 90. It has been so dry here lately with no rain to speak of that the brush fire season has started. I believe we have a lot of smoke heading our way at this moment from brush fires on the West side of Florida. I hate to see this as it makes a horrible mess of everything ( ashes and smoke smell ).
May is going to be a busy month for me. First off, the BIG news. I took a coaches position with Ally's high school and started last week. I am the Assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Varsity football team and have already introduced a brand new offense to the guys. I can really now understand why Ally loves this school so much. these kids are awesome. These players are some of the most polite and respectable kids I have ever dealt with or coached. I just cannot believe their manners and respect for adults. I am really looking forward to this fall when the season starts. I am going to do everything I can to make these kids winners. I think sometimes coaches forget that not only are they teaching kids a sport, but they are also teaching lifelong skills as well as people. It is something I took very seriously when I coached in previous years and I work hard at being a positive role model for my players.
Since it is May, I am sure you are probably wondering what's in store for us this summer. I guess the best way to explain it is " Extremely Busy ". We will be pulling out of the resort on June 1st and heading to North Carolina to meet up with Lindy, Kim and Ella to camp together for a few days ( I cannot wait to see them all ). Then we are heading home to Bristol. I need to see Dr. Brockmyre and let him get caught up with me and get me sorted out for the summer. I also need to get orders from him for Oxygen as I am finding I am getting altitude sickness much quicker now and at less altitude. I believe it may have to do with the disease as altitude has never made me sick before. I want some oxygen with me just in case when we head out West this summer as we are going to be in some very high elevations.
From Bristol we will be heading to VA to see Natalia and have a family camp out at a local campground. I have my fingers crossed that Lindy, Kim and Ella can come at the same time so we can have a camp out. Its been a while since we have gotten together as a family and I miss my kids terribly and like them together with me.
From VA we are heading back to Bristol to get ready for the trip. I need to take the coach in for service before we head West and have our friend Billy check it over carefully. From there we will be heading to Santa Fe, New Mexico to explore the area. I have always wanted to see Santa Fe as it is rich with Western history, something I have always enjoyed. From Santa Fe we will be heading up to Denver to pick up Ally's Mum and her friend. They are flying over from Australia to tour with us and we cannot wait to see Mum. After Denver we will be winding up through Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and then over to Montana to visit/explore the Teton Mountains as well as Yellowstone. From Montana we will head back across the States with stop offs in South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. We are hoping to be able to make it to Lansing, Michigan via the UP to see my family, but time will dictate that portion of the trip. We need to be back in Bristol so Mum can catch her flight to Europe. Once back in Bristol we have just a couple days to pack up again and return to the resort in Florida.
Obviously within those three weeks there is going to be a lot of driving, a lot of miles covered ( over 5,000 ) and load's of very expensive fuel. :) But we are really excited to be making this trip. This has been one of Ally's dreams to see the West ( and one of mine as well ) and what better place to show off the United States to foreign visitors then the Western States and the Rocky's. While its going to be extremely expensive because of the fuel prices, we will save some money by taking along our Hotel on wheels ( the Coach ). There is really nothing like sleeping in your own bed and using your own bathroom. :)
On the health front, I am doing OK. Football practice is taking its toll on me, but in some respects its good for me. It gets hard sometimes to hide the pain and exhaustion in front of the kids, but I am determined to make this work for me. I need another triumph in my life at the moment to provide me with the fight to keep going. I am off the chemo and will be back on it this fall so my body right now is going through a bit of a shock while adjusting to some normalcy without the chemo running through my veins. I have had many days of being medicated with pain killers, but I use them sparingly and they are a big help when I do need some relief from the pain. The heat doesn't help my illness much but I am learning to drink gallons of water everyday to stay hydrated. Its amazing how better you feel when you do this. Actually, I just ordered a new " camel pack " and it should be here this week. For those of you not familiar with them, the Marine Corps is using them in Iraq. They hold 3 liters ( almost a gallon ) and strap onto your back like a backpack. There is a hose that comes over your shoulder ( or under your arm ) and it has a valve on it. You simply grab the hose and drink when your thirsty. They are great when out riding on the motorcycle and will be a big help during football practices.
That is about all I can come up with at the moment for new news. Thankfully, everyone in the family is healthy and happy and doing well as are all of our friends. We are very grateful for this. I am going to try and update this site once more before leaving for Bristol so be sure to check back.
Here's to a great month. I hope yours is filled with a lot of laughs and some great times. Please be careful in everything you do and never forget, life is a gift, so get your backside out there and enjoy it. Smile, laugh and live today like its your last.
Sending my very best wishes to all of you,
Chris
Keep up to date on the latest photos ( by clicking here )