Don's new friend on the beach

[Suzyq]

I just can't imagine how wonderful it would be to live in such a glorious place as Hawaii!! Oh my God! All the fresh fruit, , fresh air, sunshine, the beautiful beaches, golly... Life is good for you! Enjoy every day girlfriends!!

[BellasQuilts]

Very cool encounter!

[HandsOffItsMine]

I am curious though as to why you live in Hi. My little sister is there now because her hubby is stationed there. He is a nurse and will be at Tripler Hosp. Also, have you and Aloha Sandy met? Roxanne(little sis) wants me to come visit sometime - they will be there for 3 years - maybe I can meet you and Sandy - if I come out. Love the seal by the way!

Aloha Kathy,

We came from the LA area to Oahu because Don needed to get on the VA medical program and after two years of trying in CA with no luck, Tripler/Hawaii was our best change. Don was laid off the day after being released to go back to work after open heart surgery, he worked for Fluor Daniels for 21 years. We were transfered 2 times, I worked there for 10 years. With the economy as it is, he's been out of work for more than 2.5 years. We lost everything material wise, however we have each other TG, I married him at 20. We've been married 31 years, he's my everything!!

Sold off everything that was left after living on our savings, sold off my business equipment, came with 5 suitcases, sent one 4'x4'x4' crate and shipped Don's stock 72 convertible yellow Mustang with 39000 original miles (his baby). We lived in the North West country of Oahu in Makaha Valley, very rural on the 15th floor, one mile from the beach in the old Sheratan Resort that was converted to condos in the 80s. 680 sq ft - one bedroom, one must really, really love your spouse...or you will kill each other...after living in a four bedroom, 2800 sq ft - 1 acre house with pool. lol

I was able to get Don on the VA Med Admin within two months with Tripler!! Now instead of $2000/mo of presciptions for his heart we pay 3 x $9 and $25 for doctor visits. He had a colonscoptomy $2600 that he should have for his age, $50 co-pay plus a bunch of other blood work/xrays that were due as an annual...free!! Now I don't have to worry about him, I don't have to worry about losing more clients 'cause they are losing their clients, who are losing their clients, etc. It's been a horrible cycle of small and corporate clients losing business these last four years. My stress level has gone done a lot since Tripler's Veterans Admin has helped me processed the paperwork, not like Loma Linda in California, they made my life hell!

I haven't met Sandy yet in person, she lives on the other side of Honolulu about 45 miles (with road conditions, 1 hour drive). After I come back, she's heading to Cali to see her son in Cali. I'm sure we'll meet up sometime in August.

You really need to visit your sister, the Island is a beautiful place. I don't know why you sound so negative about Hawaii unless you are just missing your sister or you don't like to fly. lol If it's because of stories about locals against "haoles" or "whites" that's a bunch of BS. It's only true if your a jerk yourself, if your an ars on the mainland and your an ars on the island, yes your odds are that you'll be treated like an ars on the island. If you're friendly, smile and treat others like you would want to be treated, you have no problems. We haven't had any problems at all, and Don looks like a narc, cop or former military. The locals or Hawaiians tend to address him as "Boss" or "Brother".

Should you visit...you are welcome to come by Makaha Valley and I'll introduce you to Tigger and our other friends with much Aloha.

Huggers, Ruby

[Blondie]

Ah, another weary traveller catching some rays. Great pics, sis!

[Donna F]

Ruby, That is the coolest picture. I wish I could visit. I have dreamed about going there.