Beginning of this Blog

I am going to change the profile words, but wanted to save the wording we used when we started our blog: About 15 years ago, we had a mutual mid-life crisis, quit our traditional jobs, and went to Portugal to try n.ew professions. We lived there for 12 years, making life-long friends. Our businesses were furniture making (Tommy) and stained glass (Barbara). Our life in Portugal was full of adventures, but after 12 years there, Tommy was ready for an adventure of a different type. We sold our house put all our furniture in storage, and transplanted ourselves and TwoBaby (our 10-year old cat) to the US for three months. We stayed mainly with Christopher and Kerry (our son and daughter-in-law). We can't thank them enough for their generosity,and for giving us this special time with the youngest Camphs, Travis (9) and Morgan (6). We spent the time in the US getting our US drivers licenes, new passports, obtaining our van (a separate story in itself but with a happy ending, thanks to Cynthia), and making stained glass windows for Cynthia and Tom's house. And, of course, we had Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and The Rose Bowl in between everything else. But now, 1 February, we are on our way!

The other day there was no electricity in the entire region; the blackout lasted about seven hours. Most of our no-electricity supplies were no longer here, since they were packed and loaded into the container. The container left our house last Saturday; still trying to find out when it will arrive at the farm.
Anyway, this is Tommy during the blackout. Notice our candles and the light, which runs on batteries. That's a handy thing to have and we'll be taking that with us.
We will be in our house until Monday the 9th, when we move to a funky hotel here in El Valle. I chose it because it has a pool and I have visions of relaxing by the pool for a week. We leave El Valle on the 17th for a night in the city, and then fly back to Detroit on the 18th. Still have to complete the sale of the little red car...but that's another story...

photo of March 8th, 2012

This is the photo I was trying to add to the text below...I don't do photos too well but I'm learning...

The end of another era...

We sold our house in El Valle de Anton, Panama and are moving back to the US. We will be renting the farm from Donald and Sarah. Big, big changes! Here's a photo of us at the bar at the Bristol Hotel, marking the sale of our house...

First Chemo, 29 September 2011

So, here we are at the University of Michigan Cancer Center. Tommy is having his first "infusion" (sounds like a fancy tea, doesn't it?) and I'm loving the hospital's WiFi. Today is a long day, since a new port had to be installed. Consequently, we are treating ourselves to a hotel in Ann Arbor and tomorrow more treats: a movie! Last week we saw "Moneyball"; we love any movie about baseball but throw in Brad Pitt and a field we know...can't get much better.

The next chemo is 18 October, the third on 8 November, and then a CT scan to see how things are doing. In the mean time, I'll go to Panama on 24 October to get some admin stuff done and bring back winter clothes. A Michigan winter...ugh...ugh...ugh...the last time this chica was in winter was more than 25 years ago...ugh...ugh...ugh...

It is now college football season here. The University of Michigan team has won four straight, but the real tests are yet to come. Since TV at the farm is minimal (until Donald and Sarah spend more time here), we find different locations to watch the games. Last week was the Zukey Lake Tavern; we may go there again this week although the Gregory Pub beckons, too. I have always been fascinated how the Michigan alumni never ever stops rooting for Michigan...despite being out of school for years and years and years.

Speaking of the University of Michigan: when Tommy was in school here, he once visited the hospital for some minor problem. Fifty years later (i.e., this year) when we went to the first doctor, whose office was a part of the University Hospital system, Tommy's records were pulled up immediately! Can you imagine how many old records are in the system?

Time to go...

Bar #4 in Alpena

This was the final stop...our hotel bar...

Bar #3 in Alpena

I was drunk...the IPA's are great...