Hello everyone.  It has been a wonderful week full of all kinds of stuff.  As foretold, I took my trip to South Carolina.  I must say the Carolina’s are beautiful.  Lani had my trip arranged and all was very successful.  We had two speaking engagements.  One at the Rotary Club and the other at the Trinity Methodist Church for the book club.  The Leilani Essary Hurles Ovarian Cancer Research Fund is now closer to our goal.  I am meeting with my friend Kristine who is heading up our fund at MD Anderson Cancer Center next week to turn over the profits gained.  A special thanks to Mrs. Laura Bro who did so much work to have the trip so successful.  A special thanks to the Trinity Church for the beautiful welcome and the huge turn out of love and charity.  The church had lost one of their dear members, Peggy Benson, to ovarian cancer and the hall was decorated all in teal for our “fight like a girl” color.  During the questions and answer session I was amazed to have questions about how Bill was doing and about Magoo.  It brought back so many fond memories.  Of course, they were not shock to know that Bill had broken a rib.

The days were spent shopping and finding neat places to eat.  Downtown Columbia is so cool. Lani took me to a place called the Ale House.  You eat on the roof.  Huge open area with a million tv’s and a bar.  You get to look out over the city.  And great food.  We had a shrimp salad.  Then Lani and TJ took me to Pearlz.  It’s an oyster bar that is very popular there.  Always a line waiting but well worth it.  We also had dinner with TJ’s parents and two couples that they hang with and had a blast.  Went to an Italian place but I had a delicious filet mignon.  We also went to a place called the Arizona Grill.  Best salmon ever! 

While there, TJ had a brthday.  We all met at Laura and Ellis’ home.  They had an ice cream birthday cake for TJ.  We get home late and the next day we are all talking and TJ asks where he’s leftover cake was.  He thought Lani and I had disposed of it in one way or another.  Seriously, I had not seen it since the party…neither had Lani.  We just started cracking up when he ran outside to check in the car.  Thank goodness he had left it at his parents house.  And, before I forget….Laura and Ellis…your home is amazing.  It sits on a hillside.  On the golf course with a beautiful view of the lake.  Swimming pool and hot tub to boot.  And of course we wined in the pool. 

More later.  So much to tell.  A special prayer to my friend Olivia who is “fighting like a girl’ and has a CT scan on Friday.  She also lost her cousin in a tragic family ordeal in Navasota on Monday. 

Ride,Baby,Ride and keep Those Pistols Loaded!!!!!
Hugs,
Leilani

They say it comes in threes.  So far, ours comes in fours.  The first one you know about.  Bill’s fractured ribs.  Now we are dealing with a major power outage in our area.  Which lasted from 6:30 PM to 3AM.  Power company says there was major damage done to the Navasota sub-station.  I have never felt so sorry for our grandparents back in the day.  My only thought was thank goodness it didn’t happen during the heat of the day.  But….what happened in the heat of the day was our air conditioning unit’s fan went out.  Waiting now for the repair dude.  In the meantime, I’m washing clothes and water is coming out from under the washer.  There is no water in the back of it or on one side.  Casey will be here soon to fix it.  But other than that we are just fine.  We love the new place and get to spend so much more time together.  No hussle and bustle of the city.  Even though Fulshear was quiet at first, it seems the rest of the world caught up to it.

Cleaning out closets…again.  I got rid of so much during the move but now I am really seeing what is needed and what is not.  I have been working out again and toning up.  So lots of clothes are fitting different.  Those old swimming muscles are reappearing (which is a good thing) and I feel so much better.  The weight I’m losing in fat is being replaced with firm arms and legs.  Bill and I still have our cocktails in the afternoon while taking in all of the beautiful scenery.  But my diet has changed and for the better. 

I agree I’m a woman with the vocabulary at times of a well educated sailor but sometimes no other words are appropriate.  Bill and I were discussing the way some people over exaggerate situations.  Either for attention or other hidden motive reasons and do it in a way you would think they were trying to win an academy award.  Maybe one for a dumbass!!!!  We have been through several instances lately which we have to just stop, shake our heads and at times completely laugh out loud.  It reminds me when dad was still with us and some of the antics he pulled.  Checkmate dad…we got your number!  But it was amusing and kept us going.  I really miss his award winning performaces. 

I’ve decided old age is just coming at a bad time for Bill.  At least he thinks so.  I think we all are getting to the point in our lives where we used to make fun of our parents and give them black balloons and tease about being over the hill.  Awww karma is hell.  So, stressing with home issues and getting old, what else could one ask for.  At least we have our friends and family.  Good friend Velma, my haircutter and longtime bud, went to lunch at Pappadeaux’s.  Consumed to wonderful salads and two bottles of wine. Had a blast.  A group girls from church went to one of the lady’s houses, a beautiful ranch house, and lunched on cheese, sausage, fruit, crackers, and of course your favorite adult beverage.  We plan to make that a weekly event.  that brings me to what I want to be in my next life.  I want God to put me in charge of the Karma Train!  oh, man…give me a Merlot and let me put some “choice” people on board.  Then let karma tell me what depot to drop their asses off!  I just hope I make it pass the part of being a passenger. 

I want to change the “around the house” job responsibilities with Bill’s.  Since his accident, I have been doing the things on the honey-do list.  I think he’s been fooling me all these years.  He sits on the tractor to mow.  He has the boys do the weed eating.  He stops for a beer… exhausted.  Feeds the horses and now the turkeys too.  Has a beer…exhausted.  Pays bills and piddles on internet.  Has a beer..exhausted.  Goes to recliner catches a movie or two or three.  Falls asleep for power nap with remote clinched in his hand.  And I do the laundry, make the bed, clean, wash my Jeep…and on and on.  Yes…definitely switching lists.  Where is that Karma Train?

Enjoy the week everyone.  We will be working to get all fixed.  Love life and eachother!
Ride,Baby,Ride! And keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani   

Wanted to start off by announcing that my CA 125 was a 2.7 and the physical exam was negitive.  Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.  As everyone knows that has faced cancer in one way or another,  it is a full time stress match.  No wusses allowed.  So, I am now off the hook for another 3 months and then back to the stress match.  Dr. Bevers was pleased.  When the nurse was doing the prep for the exam she asked me what size sheet I wanted to cover up with.  I told her I didn’t need one.  I mean really…the doctor has seen my who-who as many times as Bill.  In fact, Dr. Bevers has seen more who-who’s than the womens bathroom at Yankee Stadium, why would either one of us need a sheet to be comfortable?  But after all the kidding,  the Bev has been instrumental in my efforts to “get the word out” and I left him with a dozen more copies of the new book. 

Have been making headway on trying to get Bill to go get stronger hearing aids.  I’ll probably regret this move when he can hear everything I’m saying behind his back.  Well, actually right in front of him.  As some clever person once said, “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke”.  Well, Bill is only damaged a little in a hearing way.  So my dilemma is do I fix half broken?  Life is so full of decisions. 

I am looking forward to visiting Lani in South Carolina.  We have a couple of speaking engagements set up and the rest will be pure mother/daughter bond time.  Can’t wait.  Bill will be left in charge of the casa.  That means 2 can’t hear and 1 can.  Starr and Bill will be wandering around in their silent world and Chico will have to be the ears of the operation.  OMG…better have “the troops” check on them periodically.  I keep telling myself …they will only be unsupervised for 6 days.  Then, I’m thinking 6 days is a fricking LIFETIME!

Stay cool and pray the summer gets no hotter.  Can’t believe it is almost August.  WOW!  Just think we will be getting into fall and Halloween before we blink.  I wonder when the turkeys stop mating?  Hell, I won’t have anything to watch in the afternoons with my glass of wine.  I’ll have to see what animals mate in the fall.  Nothing like country life. 

Love you all.  Prayers out to those who have contacted me.  Have a blessed week.
Ride,Baby,Ride and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Sometimes Mother Nature goes berserk!  Seriously….she is a little nutso.  Over the past few months, Bill and I have had the distinct privilege of being able to observe the wild turkeys in their “let’s get it on” moments.  I actually looked up to see how this procedure works.  Incredible!  It’s like the males “do it” in “power surges”.  It’s really sad when your new past time activity is becoming an expert in the mating of wild turkeys. 

Which brings me to the dreams I have had lately.  Now we know how the subconscious works overtime at night.  At times we dream about the past and loved ones.  Sometimes we dream about people and places we don’t even know.  I mean, what are you doing in my dream?  And how do our little minds even think up this stuff?  Are the visuals of turkeys screwing mesing up my night time thoughts?  Or, could it just be all the horrible crap happenening all over the globe.  I wake up thinking, thank goodness I’m out of there.  Last night I didn’t know anyone except Bill and my brother leaving me behind in a hotel with no cell phone. 

Had two good friends start chemo this week.  Both first time participants.  You know who you are.  Hang in there and if you need anything…give me a yell.  I totally understand how you feel and what to expect.  My prayers are on going.  Love y’all!  I would also like to send prayers to those veterans that are facing it again and know what to expect.  Too much cancer….let’s find a cure.

Hope everyone stays cool.  Have a great time and be safe. 
Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani

Funerals are the PITS!!!!  Bill and I just returned from Ohio to attend the funeral of Bill’s brotherin-law, Ray.  Ray lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.  He gave it a good fight but God called him last week.  As always, funeral attending makes you think.  Thinking about your life and your time that is left.  As we all know we are on God’s waiting list.  We just don’t know what number we are on that list.  Bill and his brother Harp misbehaved as usual.  They will not sit next to each other at a funeral again.  It was like sitting with a couple of five year olds.  But I’m sure Ray looking down on things got a huge kick out of their antics.

In the Chicago airport…we had a lay-over in Chicago to get to Columbus….sitting at the bar (really…us) I notice a rolled up package of some kind just sitting there right next to me.  We asked the people close to us if it was theirs and they said no.  So we had security called.  Nobody move.  Turned out to be a rolled up yoga mat.  When the TSA arrived I told them don’t touch it until I have my wine and my American Express card in my hand!  If I’m going to blow, I’m going to be ready for shopping in Heaven.  Can’t go to Chico’s without them.  All the gals at the bar agreed with me.  So everyone grabbed their adult beverage. 

We had the hotel room in Columbus that even Captain Obvious wouldn’t approve of.  Seriously, we didn’t find a finger on the floor but I did Lysol everything….twice!  This room should be on the Ghost Adventures TV show.  OMG.  We tried other hotels but all were booked.  Summer vacations and getting close to the 4TH I guess.  I won’t say which hotel but the initials are BW.  I do have to say in their defense that all the personel were extremely nice.

Bill went back to the doctor for his 3 month check up.  Still having problems with what the doctor thinks now is a spastic bladder.  Leave it to Bill to have a spastic bladder.  I heard him yelling in the bathroom a few days ago and he said that when he changed his pad it was stuck to his pubic hairs.  I laughed my ass off.  Bill was so mad at his doctor for putting him through the surgery if it was bladder related and not prostate.  But I told him his prostate still needed open up.  He said he forgot.  Bill has the Italian mafia Alzheimers… I read in a novel somewhere that the definition of Italian mafia Alzheimers is when you forget everything except who pissed you off.  I believe that descibes Bill and his feelings about the doctor.

So, now we are off to my appointment to get my port cleaned.  I do this once a month but I don’t mind at all.  Dr. Bevers said that removing the port is bad luck.  Plus you just have to put it back in if the cancer returns.  God has blessed me now with over 4 years of life.  If you recall I was given 40% chance to make it 5 years.  We are at the 4 1/2 year marker.  Thanks for all the prayers and keep those prayers coming for all of you out there who are in need of them.  Bless you all my friends.

HUGS!!!!
Ride,Baby,Ride and keep those pistols loaded!!!!
Leilani

As I step to the window I can feel the warmth of the morning sun.  I anticipate the view of the front lawn.  It takes my breath away as I scan, not only with my eyes, but with the dreamy recollection of the beauty God has provided for me.  The trees talk by swaying with the light western breeze.  The breeze that I invision the angels create by silently fluttering their beautiful iridescent wings.  One hundred shades of green.  The folage boasting rainbow colors.  The flowers showing the power of God’s paint brush.  How amazing the sounds of Mother Nature are.  Learning the language of many birds.  Each species with their distinct way of communicating.  Trying to imagine how many dialects of bird language there are.  And that God speaks them all.  Cardinals, blue jays, bluebirds, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, titmice, chickadees, sparrows, wrens, and of course, wild turkeys all add there presence at the flying Hurles zoo.  Making their morning rounds to the feeders while the owls are heading for bed.

I feel your love God.  I see your love God.  I know your love God.  Now feeling sorry for those that are so blind.  To the ones that say that You don’t talk to them.  Blind, that they don’t look at You through the eyes of a believer and love life by Your words.  So blind in the spiritual sense.  Open up my heart to Your grace and glory.  For I see the power of God.  Thank you for another day on this earth.  And help me to help others know You too. 

To be continued.
Ride, Baby, Ride! and Load Those Pistols!
Leilani 

Hi all.  Things have been so busy around here it has been hard to sit down and write.  Just about got all the sheds cleaned out to where I can get them organized.  Bill is still driving me crazy with his inability to communicate…as in hearing.  The horses have adapted well and somehow Bud, the paint, cracked his right front hoof and we had to call the vet out.  But we got acquainted and we really like the new clinic.  We can now take the dogs and horses to the same vet.  Makes life so much easier.

I have started to paint again.  Trying to pull all the back log out of my brain on what mother taught me.  I’ll never have her talent but it is so much fun and relaxing.  I will never run out of scenery to paint in these hills.  Mother Nature has truly blessed this area.  Starting with watercolor, which is my favorite, and then move on to the acrylics.

Bill is trying to deal with his hearing.  Actually no, I am trying to deal with Bill’s lack of hearing and Bill is trying to cope with his prostate woes.  The plumbing situation did not improve with surgery.  I feel like he is destined to be the wearer of male pads for the duration.  Life sure does throw some curves.  I was telling him a story of what happened on the way to church on Sunday and got almost the end and he turned to me and said “are you talking to me”?  He’s still in the hospital!!!!!!!!

Learned a lesson this week too.  Even though we have a screened in porch…don’t leave bird seed out.  Not even in a locked plastic bucket.  We are now sporting rat traps around the house and barn area.  The little asshole ate throught he screen and chewed the bucket handle to try to get to it.  Must have given up.  Bill saw one out in the barn under the horse feeders one evening so now we are armed and dangerous.  It’s funny how one spends their time trying to out smart the critters. 

My trip to see Lani is getting close.  Well…kinda.  In August.  But it’s almost June and I’m counting the days.  I have been on a diet of sorts.  Taking the Garcinia Cambogia tablets and watching food portions.  Almost down 15 pounds now.  Lifting a few weights to keep the arms shaped up along with treadmill on some days and sit-ups.  I stay busy so I don’t really think about food.  Still drink my wine or an occasional scotch.  Not giving up LIFE!  But doing it slowly and feel great.

Prayers out to several today.  Especially to brother-in-law Ray.  Losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.  That’s a tough one to win but it is in God’s hands as we all are. 

Don’t forget to follow the books on Facebook.  Both are doing well.  Spreading the word about ovarian cancer is my goal, so please help me with this cause.

Ride,Baby,Ride! and keep those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani 

We all have times when it feels like we do not stop.  Bill and I have had one of those two week time periods where if it was going to happen …it did.  It started with us getting our horses moved from Fulshear to Navasota.  Lots of time consuming stuff.  Not only hauling them but getting all their belongings here too.  The fun part has been watching them get used to their new friends.  The raccoon family got aquited the first night.  Then the turkeys joined in.  The turkeys actually roll in the dirt with them.  Curious deer lurk from the woods.  Have not seen any wild hogs lately, but then again, we put up the hog wire to keep them away.

We did have a nasty snake experience.  If you are friends on Facebook then you have seen the result of that. Two copperheads were hiding between two boards we were moving.  Dusty was the lucky finder.  It looked like the snakes were trying to mate.  It was so disgusting.  But they are now without heads…..but were still trying to bite! UGH!!

The hummingbirds are putting on a show.   Yesterday, I turned on the sprinkler and they followed the sprayer around and around to get wet.  The other birds were going to the bird baths but these little guys knew how to take a shower.  The chickadees take the sunflower seeds and sit in the tree above the sprinkler and find it easier to crack them that way.  The fat-ass squirrels are still at it.  Never a dull moment with their antics.  Pete and repeat…what one doesn’t think of the others will.

Friends Lil and Bill came in from Seattle and stayed with good friends Linda and David.  We all went to the horse track on Saturday to watch the Kentucky Derby.  Linda and David reserved seats with their University of Kentucky alumni group and so we had a nice private room with lots of food and our own private bar.  Lil and Bill leave today for their journey back to Seattle.  Safe trip my friends.

Casey is just about through with the outdoor fireplace and once that’s completed the front deck will be finished.  It looks amazing!  He and friend Scottie painted the house.  It’s now a smokey olive with a forest green trim and window and doors are a burnt sienna color.  Looks great!  We can’t wait to enjoy the beauty of an evening fire.  All the fruit trees look like they survived the winter.  Even the lime tree that literally bent in half with ice.  Dusty came over yesterday and worked his butt off.  Mowed, weed eated, did flower beds (this time with no snakes to entertain us), and elevated the horse trough so Bud, the American Paint, could not get in it.  If it’s too low, he thinks it’s a bathtub.  He also put the new weedeater together.  So lucky to have two talented sons.

Lani and I are planning a speaking engagement in Columbia, South Carolina in August.  A ladies book club event.  Soooo looking forward to seeing her.  I delivered books to Dr. Bevers, Dr. Cook, Dr. Parker and Dr. Odhav.  I am so lucky to have them.  They not only keep me going but help spread the word about the “silent killer” as well. 

Bill is still having some trouble with his prostate.  He is still having to keep pads near in case of an accident.  Never thought I’d be carrying man-pads in my purse!  Although it is kinda amusing.  I know…poor Bill.  But other than that no change in the audio department either.  He still can’t hear crap!  Then he says “why are you yelling at me”?  He’s lucky he’s not saying “why are you throwing that frying pan at me”?

Have a great week my friends.  Praying for all of you that sent me prayer requests.  Jesus hears us.  Keep the faith!  Friends going through chemo…keep those bald heads shining!  We love you!

Ride,Baby,Ride! and Keep Those Pistols Loaded!
Leilani      

I’m way to old for these extremely busy weeks.  I need to be sitting on a beach somewhere with my cocktail, listening to George Strait, watching half dressed men walking the shore, and getting a nice tan.  But there was great news as far as medical issues.  For Bill…getting much better.  Still wearing the pad when we go out just to be safe.  And much improvement on urgency and to empty completely.  As for me, I was told it comes in threes and it did.  My CA 125 was a 1.9, my physical showed no signs of cancer and my mammogram was negitive.  So keep the prayers coming.  God heard them!

Speaking of our God.  Bill and I are going with our church group this week to see the movie “Heaven Is For Real”.  I enthusiastically read the book and thought it was awesome.  With cancer always on our minds, I feel comfort in hearing of others experiences into our next heavenly world. And the church’s Easter Egg hunt was Saturday and all had a great time.  New Hope Community Church provided hundreds of eggs and a hotdog lunch to the community.  Lots of Navasota youngsters visited the Easter Bunny.

Today was cleaning day.  Always an adventure with my new “SHARK”.  I’ve somewhat learned to control the nozzle.  Didn’t lose any curtains or dog parts to the dirt sucking machine.  I did however manage to annihilate one of Casey’s houseshoes.  It took me forever to get the strings out and untangled.  But I’m getting better.  Starr and Chico vanished in thin air when I pulled the “obliterater” out of the closet. 

Bill and I went to the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown Houston for the Texas Swimmers Hall of Fame dinner to induct our precious Dad’s Club into the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.  Olympic, National, past and present swimmers and divers attended.  The club started in the 1950’s and is still making oylmpic champions today.  So much fun to mingle and reminisce with friends, some of which I haven’t seen since the 50’s and 60’s.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Easter.  I ordered a Honey Baked ham today.  So I’ll be ready for the weekend.  Jesus gave His life for us and Bill and I will celebrate His Rising with church and family.  I know Lani will miss the ham.  That’s one of her favorite things to munch on.  A big Happy Birthday to my pal Lindsay Bevers.  She turns 14 on Saturday.  Prayers out to Olivia and Mary Ann fighting ovarian cancer, to my swim buddies Dana and Jimmy who just found out they both have liver and lung cancer, and my friend Donna Thomas who is saddened by a loved one who is terminately ill with the dreaded cancer.  Jesus heals and feels your grief.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani