Pretty Toes

Latest Pedicures for Salley and Grace. Salley went with the alternating black/pink polka dot motif while Gracie opted for a Halloween theme.

Navy Ball 2008

Every October the Navy Ball rolls around. It is a nice way to celebrate the Navy's birthday while getting dressed up and hanging out with good friends. We started our evening with a pre-party at Tom and Kim Zuzelski's house. From there our designated drivers, Mia and someone else (can't remember who), escorted us to the Butler O'Club for the festivities. It is a formal affair with alot of pomp and circumstance. Lots of toasts, traditions and the ever important cake cutting. They also featured 2movies/slide shows. One was about a Navy Seal who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his valor in Iraq and the other was dedicated to all the sailors who have perished while fighting the current war. You know me, I cry at Hallmark adds so imagine my behavior during those presentations. I think everyone was very moved. We had a really nice time and look forward to future events. GO NAVY....

Grand Prix of Japan

The boys had a great time at the grand prix. Lots of loud cars going really fast.....what could be better than that? The weather was very pleasant except for one day which was quite chilly. That is a huge change from Okinawa where is it still in the 80's and humid.

Ode to Gracie

I did a very "Bad Mommy" thing. I missed Adoption Day. So....better late than never. Gracie has been with us for 8 years and 28 days as of today. We adopted her from Krasnoyarsk, Russia (Siberia near Lake Baikal)on 9/12/00. We arrived home after our second trip to see her on 9/17/00 in time to celebrate her 1st birthday on the 18Th. It's hard to imagine what our lives would be like without her. I can't really imagine another child fitting so well into our family. An added bonus to the whole Grace package is that we were also able to make contact with her birth family and are able to stay in frequent contact via letters and a translator. Her birth mother is Lilia and her sister and brother are Anastacia and Slava. Grace is very proud that she was adopted. She calls herself Russia and knows that it was no accident that she found her family half way across the world. Here's to Grace Oksana Lilia Westcott.........YOU ROCK.....

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Each year when October rolls around I straddle the emotional fence between feeling like a "Survivor" and feeling like I am pushing my luck. I have always worried that I would anger the "Cancer Gods" by being too smug and they would really let me have it. "So Salley...you dodged the last bullet, but watch out now", they would say. I was diagnosed with Stage 3a breast cancer in March 2002 at the age of 34. My treatment included 6 months of chemotherapy, 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, 7 surgeries, 5 years of hormonal medication therapy and every 3 month follow ups for 5 years. There was a time when breast cancer occupied my every waking moment. Now I am happy to say that I usually think about other things. I tell you......cancer has a way of knocking you flat on you back and helping you sort things out. I learned alot about myself by having cancer and I call that my silver lining. When someone told me that they would not change the fact they had had cancer I thought they were crazy. Now I understand. My family and friends have been my saving graces and I hope all Survivors are a lucky as I have been. Look......I just called myself a survivor and felt really good about it.

Zoo Trip Okinawa Style

Garth and Grace both had a field trip to the zoo. I volunteered to chaperone and we had a splendid time. I was in charge of 3 kids and it was my job to keep them in line and out of trouble. I think we were fairly successful. We saw your normal zoo animals including a poop throwing chimpanzee, the spraying lion and mating elephants. As you can imagine the elephant viewing caused quite a stir and the kids were beside themselves. I chose not to take pictures as I am sure your imaginations will do the job. As you look at the photos ask yourself what the 2 hand drawn signs would mean to you if you were to wander by a chimpanzee or lion cage. Garth was the proud recipient of "Chimpanzee Poop" fodder after he and the kids taunted the grumpy old thing into action. Great way to spend a school day.