Spill. Where are the places you want to visit? Do you have a travel bucket list? Should I start a travel series on the blog? Should I start liking beets? If I eat beets, will hair grow on my chin? Why do pickled beets smell like the inside of a rhinoceros belly button?!
There you have it. My perplexing life questions.
If travel was free, you'd never see me again.
I do think a travel series could be a hoot tho. Should we do this together? You tell me where to go and Michael and I will knock it off the bucket list. This may be your only chance to tell me where to go. *insert big toothy grin*
PS. I have champagne taste and a soda pop pocket book.
Ever since this blog post & video about Michaels terminal cancer, our bucket list priorities jumped straight to the top of queue.
You may remember from a few month ago, my hubbys cancer moved into his central nervous system. What's worse than terrible? It was that.
I was almost speechless. I said almost, don't get too giddy.
It has been a time of leaning, loving and anticipating heartache and change throughout this whole cancer journey. A time to find the light, in the midst of the darkness.
BALI was THAT place for us.
I don't know how else to describe Bali, other than: !!!!!djkfjds;fdjf;dkjfirjefaWOW!!!!!
The people of Bali are the best part. The very best part. They are the happiest souls I've ever met. They are hard working, kind and spiritually grounded. They are full of love.
What happened in Bali ?One day...we drove for hours... deep into the mountains... over hills...near lakes...saw a volcano... spotted wild monkeys ... to meet a Balian healer. There are no words to describe our experience. It was life changing.
This man. I n c r e d i b l e. So full of love, with such a divine gift of healing.
After arriving back home, Michaels cancer in his spinal root nerves had IMPROVED. His blood work had improved, his spinal cord improved. Back flip!!! (excuse the pun) Celebrate!! Wooooohooooooooo!!!!
With the excitement of the upswing came a down swing. Unfortunately, we recently had the crushing news that the cancer is still on the nerves of his brain. Leptomeningeal metastasis. The brain trumps the spinal cord in order of priority and concern. Sorry I said that trump word.
The oncologist has strongly urged Michael to start a daily oral chemo pill.
Still. Hitting the pause button.
Yes, it is only a pill, but it is still chemotherapy. Every day.
Because sometimes what youdon't do is as important as what you do.
We've come to learn that cancer (even terminal) is a similar process to mourning. It doesn't get easier - it just changes.
Our goal is to continue to hoodwink cancer. Sucker punch it. Throat punch it. Brush its teeth with a brick.Who says you have to do that in a hospital? A bucket list fucket list sounds like way more fun. This dreaded disease takes so much; I just hope that the journey continues to give something good in life, even if just a little.
Travel is good. Really good.
Cancer is like having a naggy little jerk in your head going, " Should I really be spending my time doing the things that I really don't want to do? " It's like taking a big twirly straw sucking up your energy until you're a California raisin. It's a real eye opener. It's scary shit.
I suppose travel is a form of escapism. I feel responsible to not be really sad around others. When your world feels like it is coming undone, you just make different choices.
Wanna know why? *smothers cigar with heel*...I've noticed something lately and I'm desperate to know if I'm alone in this and/or drunk. When you travel... your big problems seem smaller. You see life through a different lens. And you don't have to make your bed.
For the win.
And hey, you can have wine during the day, while on holidays. Let's put it this way. Certain alcohol has beneficial antioxidants. And I like to fight cancer sometimes.
Beeeteeedubs, it's hard to find wine in Bali. I stared at Michael with the kind of desperation that usually only exists in times of war. But there were palm trees.
Traveling to Bali also meant that we could indulge in a bit of local beer, enjoy the quiet beaches and the even the bustling streets. I tried to resist bringing home every nook and cranny of the island. I did shop for pretty jewelry along the way!!
Many moons ago, and when I first started this blog... I used to travel to Bali for clients. I bought furniture, home goods and so much more. It has inspired my entire design career. You can see much of Bali in my home here, in our treehouse and in t he cabin.
This time, we really enjoyed meeting Balinese artists and buying jewelry. Nothing is made in a factory. Every bead, every tassel, every pom pom is put on by hand. One by one. Handcrafted. Made with love. I just had to bring some of that home.
They are available here and only in small batches. I only have some styles listed in the blog right now, but will add more in the next few days. There are bracelets, necklaces and anklets. So super duper pretty!!!!
Each one is gift wrapped. Like the knitting needles and door track hardware, the packaging is just as important as what is in the package. I'm a weirdo like that.
My best advice (far better than the time I told my best friend to cut her hair in a mullet style..which turned out to be AWFUL advice) is to remember this...
Miracles happen
Gratitude changes everything.
Guys, I love you and I'm so grateful that you take the time to leave me love notes in the comment section. Legit. I read every word. You matter to me. I would climb a moderately sized mountain for you.
Your words help us to slog our way out of the cancer swamp and live la vida loca on the beach of good health with little umbrella drinks in our hands. ( Thank you Auntie Patch for leaving that comment for me! )
Your words grab my heart. Thank you.
Spill it. What's on your bucket list?
