Our Vacation in Kauai-Sheraton Kauai Beach Resort, Pali Ke Kua in Princeville

We went to Kauai from August 1-9.
The first 2 nights we stayed at the Sheraton Kauai Beach Resort in Poipu beach.
This was the view from our room. :)
We were pleasantly surprised to get this upgrade.

We couldn't beat the view, so the first night we had pizza and salad
on our patio, over looking the ocean.

The gardens and grounds were beautiful!

Waimea Canyon

We went to the Kauai Coffee Plantation and learned how it is grown.

Good-bye Poipu beach..........

Hello, Princeville condoHere's the living room in our condo at #118 Pali Ke Kua in Princeville.
We recommend this place!
It has a 270 degree ocean view.
And a front row seat for the most beautiful sunsets!
Here's our breakfast table and we ate outside too.

This was the view from the restaurant where we had a wonderful
breakfast with Lynn and Phil in Kapaa.

Here we are

On our walk down to the beach for Kirk to snorkel, I took this shot.

Fun on the each :)

Love this silver water!

Taro patch in Hanalei.

Too many shots of one beautiful sunset..

We kayaked down the Hanalei River, out around the pier and
picnicked on the beach in Hanalei Bay.

The Wailea Lighthouse was across the bay from where we ate lunch on Anini Beach.

We had a great time!

Pali Ke Kua on Dwellable

 

Woo-Hoo, Today was the Big Day!

Woo-hoo, I can hear better! Today I got "hooked up" to my new sound processor in a 2-hour appointment at the House Ear Clinic.

Here, Dr. Dawna Mills, is talking to me to see how it sounds. It's similar to the first day last time, although people don't sound so "cartoony" this time.

This new technology comes with a remote, which I may or may not use.
For now, it's easy to learn on.
Tomorrow I go back for another 2-hour appt. to have Dawna program my other side to match the new technology. So I'll have the new processors on both ears. :-)

I literally took home a suitcase of cords, accessories, drying-out
machines, batteries, chargers, etc.!

Here we are at the end of my appointment.

Abby took me, so after we left, we went to Alvera Street for lunch. At the end there is a plaza where Native Americans were doing a dance with drums.
Wow, my new implant really picks up the loud sounds!!!

Abby getting ready to eat her tamale

Yours Truly

Cute Abby with her nerdy mother-in-law. I've been wearing these
goofy clip-on shades, because my sunglasses are too tight on my new scar. :{
What a lovely day with a lovely young woman!

Kirk's 60th Birthday

Kirk's 60th birthday was on Saturday, June 25th, so we had a "The Best is Yet to Come" party in our backyard.
Heather & Jeff picked up all of the food at Lucille's BBQ, yum!

Philip & Abby came early.
Philip made a fire for later & Abby decorated the tables.

The Birthday Boy & Wife

Abby did a great job decorating the tables with pictures, momentos, etc.

The Birthday Boy with his wonderful kids!!

We had BBQ chicken, St. Louis ribs & mouth-watering tri-tip
with all of the trimmings.

Family & Bob Taylor (like family!)

Friends from Kirk's men's small group Bible study/accountability group.

Some friends from our Sojourner Sunday School class

The Webers & our Kids

Abby passed out the sorbets while Heather cleaned off the tables.
They were such a great help!

Jerry, Kirk's dad, (age 90 & 1/2) spoke. His talk was so sweet, funny & spiritual.
He did a great job!

Kirk opened his presents and made us all laugh with his added lines
to the cards & funny comments.

Kirk loves M&M's!

Several people sat near the fire and chatted after the party officially ended.

So funny, that Kirk & Bob wore the same shirt!
(Bob was the best man in our wedding)

Our welcome plate

At the beginning, we played the guessing game where we put an invention, event or famous person's name from the last 60 years on a slip of paper on each person's back. (Mom did a great job passing these out). We had to ask yes & no questions and guess our word. You can see Jose's slip on his back still.

The Birthday Boy chatting with friends.
He had such a great time. :-)

My Second Cochlear Implant Surgery

On Monday, 6/13/11 I had my 2nd cochlear implant surgery at St. Vincent Hospital in LA. It's across the street from the House Ear Clinic.
Here I am in my snuggly paper gown. They hooked it up to a warm air blower and I puffed up like a balloon. It's supposed to keep me warm and increase the circulation.

The surgery only took 1.5 hours this time.
And I am not as bruised & swollen as I was last time.

Here I am getting ready to go home.

My goofy turban reminded me of some of those ridiculous hats that were worn
recently at the royal wedding in England!

Kirk stayed home with me on Tuesday and Jerry graciously brought us sandwiches for lunch.
I slept most of that day, except for this brief lunch break.

Later that day, Kirk cut off the turban, carefully.

Mom & Dad brought over delicious homemade enchiladas for us for dinner. Yum!
Here they are looking at the graduation photo book I made Heather & my school yearbook which was dedicated to me this year.
Wednesday, Mina Taylor brought over a wonderful cheesecake which we saved
to share with our kids. Oh my, it was wonderful!!

That same afternoon Pati Gomez brought us salads-to-go from the
Corner Bakery for dinner. So thoughtful!

This is the wound with the tape which I cannot get wet for 8 days.

My hairdresser, Shoreh, washed my hair for me on Friday.
Ahhh, I feel like a new woman!
So many people have helped us and prayed for me. Thank you to ALL of you and to the Lord for directing the surgeon & speeding along my recovery.
I am still goin' kinda slow & taking lots of naps, but each day I feel like
I have a little more energy. On July 7 & 8 I'll get hooked up with my new sound processor. So excited to get surround sound!