Hi everyone --

Gee, so many questions to answer! I have to tell you, for unknown reasons my brain really doesn't function quite normally right now. I forget the most obvious things even when they're just recently fresh. So please forgive me if this doesn't answer everything.

MUSH -- as fun as it would be, especially to meet many of you, it isn't likely. Back when I made an honest living, I travelled to Alaska quite frequently -- the State of Alaska was a major customer of my company plus there were oil companies in Anchorage. Then Al and I took an Alaska cruise with his siblings several years ago. Considering the budget -- ROAR plus all of this episode that is not likely to be covered by any insurance -- we're not likely to book that.

Why go to Florida ??? Wouldn't you rather walk (exercise) on the warm beach than in the cool/cold waterfront in Seattle? We really love our home in Florida. The major downside of the world cruise was missing the winter there. Even in the livingroom there, we can watch the dolphins, egrets, pelicans, herons ....... it's just plain wonderful. We really have two magnificent places to live! Here in Washington we have mountains, trees, saltwater and fresh water. It's ironic that every time we go from one to the other, we're sorry to leave the one and thrilled to return to the other. I'm a water addict to the depths of my soul -- I've no doubt that it's somehow genetic. I guess that's why I love cruises (especially sea days!) so much.

One of the options for the arrhythmia is an implanted defibrulator. But they're hoping drugs will do the job. I'm becoming a junkie! Unfortunately, none of these drugs so far has had any 'kick' that might be fun -- doesn't pot cure heart disease????? Masaki, can't you help me out here????

And for those of you that have missed the 'baby picture' -- I had really missed the baby!! Only that picture is not a baby anymore, he's now six years old! I love that picture, though. But the very best medicine has been him (Matthew), his sister Rachel (who's 4) and their newest cousin Jasper who was born on my birthday, Thanksgiving Day. I absolutely adore all three of those kids, and seeing them frequently since I've been back has been better than I can describe. Of course it's nice to see their dads (my sons), too, but as the boys and their wives tell me -- they're just 'chopped liver' now that the grandkids have arrived!

I really am being a model patient -- I have a future world cruise, ROAR, and grandkids as incentives.

I so hope to meet all of you on future cruises. We'll be there -- we just don't know when right now!

Betty