Fingers Crossed

A year ago this month I had Lasik eye surgery (those were my eyes then). On paper I was the perfect candidate. The procedure was supposed to go swimmingly (it didn't) and I expected to a perfect recovery (um, right).

During the surgery, the surgeon lost suction on my eyes 3 times. A record for him, and agony for me because my eyes were not completely numb, even though he says they were. I've discovered that anesthesia doesn't work on moi like it does on others. Anyway, the "procedure" that was supposed to take about 5-10 minutes per eye took an hour and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. Not the worst, but up there. I was supposed to focus on this red light, but I couldn't see it. I also felt much more than discomfort and it was the freakiest feeling to be in pain but not be able to shut my eyes.

After the surgery I gave a big sigh of relief. At least it was over. But the next day I found out it was not over. I had developed "stretch marks" on the corneal flap of one of my eyes and it had to be relifted and smoothed. Not terrible like the surgery, but I was a wreck.

And then my other eye developed a problem too. The edges of the flap scrunched up and the surgeon was really concerned that I would develop epithelial ingrowth. Since then my eyes have been under close scrutiny.

Today I go back for what I hope will be the last appointment with the surgeon, ever. Cross your fingers that I'll be "set free" and I won't have to go back anymore. It's not that I don't like them......but enough is enough. It's been a year. That's not asking too much, right?

P.S. My experience with Lasik is totally unique. I'm just one of those people who "what could happen but never does happen" happens to. Even the way my eyes looked afterwards (popped blood vessels) is not exactly normal. BUT, I have perfect vision now...........and that was the point.

New Breed of Superhero?

Cenote

One of the coolest places I've ever gone swimming was here. This particular cenote or swim hole is located near the Chichen Itza ruins and the dunk was refreshing after sweltering in enjoying the jungle.

This cenote also boasts some of the dumbest humans I've ever encountered. Ever.

Here I am (I call those bad boys my weight lifter arms and I blame them on the twins. Or is it the light? seriously funky addition) waiting to jump in. No one can accuse me of only posting flattering photos. Anyway. Back to the story. Everyone has to jump a minimum of 5 feet into the water from one side of the cenote. The problem here is that some fool decided to float on her back towards where everyone jumps in. That's why I look so grumpy happy. How dare she make me wait to jump? I reserve that face for a very select few.

Here I was ready to grab one of these ladder hogs pictured, and, I don't know. Kick them. I kid you not. They were just hanging out. With absolutely no shallow areas to rest this is about the most inconsiderate thing one can do. By the time I got out and had to walk back up through the cave I was one tuckered out girl. I realize now I was one of the dumb ones. I didn't think to float on my back while I was waiting an eternity to get out, I just treaded water like my little life depended on. Wait. I guess it did.

Thanks for humoring me while I've had a very thorough vacation brag fest. I've enjoyed them, but real life calls, and I can't wait to regale you all with my regular monotony.

Chichen Itza

Ready for a mini history lesson?

The literal translation of "Chichen Itza" is way out in the jungle where it is sweltering "at the mouth of the well of Itza" . Did you know that it's now one of the Seven Wonders of the World? I'm assuming that that is in part because it's one of the most important Mayan culture archaeological sites in Mexico. And it's absolutely amazing. Even if most of the visitors during the summer almost pass out from heat exhaustion. Or maybe that's just me?

This is the restored side of the Pyramid of Kukulcan, which is the focal point of the ruins and is 75 feet high. The pyramid has a square base with steps (now closed to the public) that lead to the top.
This side has not been restored. The pyramid was built for astronomical purposes and during the vernal equinox (March 20) and the autumnal equinox (September 21) the sunlight bathes the western balustrade of the pyramid's main stairway. This causes seven (isosceles triangles if you want to be precise) triangles to form imitating the body of a serpent. The body creeps downwards until it joins the huge serpent's head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. See the head below? Not my head. The serpent heads.

Proof that I was there, trying to catch every square inch of shade I could find.

I believe this is the Temple of the South. But don't hold me to it.

This is inside the Great Ball Court. See the "hoop" upon the wall? The captain of the victors team "got" to be sacrificed. Sounds like a fun game to me. No stress, right?

The walls inside the court tell a picto-story....

There are wild iguana's all over the site. The kidlets would have LOVED this. But not the heat. I think the novelty of stone ruins would have worn off pretty quickly, too.

This is the observatory. The Mayans are known for their knowledge of astromony and because they were the first to use the numeral zero.

This was my favorite. The Group of the 1000 columns.

Oh, and just in case anyone is under the impression that Chichen Itza is a hop skip and a jump from Cancun, let me just tell you it's not. It's a good 3 hour drive inland. But worth every minute.

P.S. Wear your swim suit under your clothes when you visit. Or alone. That would be cooler. Then find the closest Cenote when you are done and go for a dunk.

Giveaways and winnings

The SITS girls are giving out their final prize in the SITS launch extravaganza. The last big prize? An Apple 4G iPod Nano in Silver! It plays up to 1,000 songs, 4 hours of video or 3,500 pictures! I really, really, really want it. So if you go on over to check it out, just enter my name, alrighty? :)

And not to jinx myself, but..........I won the grand prize in the Mega Haagen Dazs giveaway on Fractured Toys site.

Haagen Dazs must really love Mannequin (I do too......go check her out-just click on her button) because the gift boxes they offered her readers are WAY better than the other ones I've seen floating around. Here's what I won:

1 Honey Bee T-shirt

10 Bee-Friendly Wildflower seed packets to plant and share with friends

10 Haagen Dazs Bee Friendly Gift Certificates each good for 1 pint of a bee-friendly flavor flavor!

All this free good lovin' has reminded me that I need to have a giveaway soon. Keep your eyes peeled!

The Royal in Cancun

Remember that I mentioned that this trip was for our 10 year wedding anniversary? We wanted to go some where really nice and relaxing. And all inclusive. It was all of those things, and just to rub salt into the wound of all of you that haven't had any time away in too long, here's about a million pictures of the resort.

This is the back of the resort facing the Ocean.


The main plaza in the hotel.

Hanging beds by the bar. You know, in case you are too sloshed to sit up.

One of the main hall ways.

At the entrance to the hotel.

In a common area.

One of the views from our balcony.

Is this a nice touch or what? Rose petals shaped into a heart.

A double jacuzzi tub in our suite was really nice.

This is just half of the spacious shower in our room.

Our balcony overlooking the pool and Caribean.

The other view from our balcony. The main drag of the hotel zone.

The pool was, in a word, amazing.

The part of the pool we liked to swim in.
At our favorite restaurant.

Would we go back? In a HEART BEAT!

http://www.realresorts.com.mx/The_Royal_Cancun/

Returned...

Just returned home from a week in Cancun. Without the kids. Decided that we'd do a little jet setting before the paparazzi started following me around as a result of my day of fame. Can you hear my laughter?

We had so much fun, and I have so much to be thankful for.

Like:

*Dolly had not turned into a Hurricane when she passed through the Yucatan Peninsula.

*Great times with my husband. We figured that all the dates we haven't gone on in the past 10 years more than paid for this trip. :)







*My In laws who flew into town to watch the kidlets, and my sister in law who woke up at 3 am to take us to the airport.



*Safe transportation. Even though Grace was convinced we were going to die.



*A worry free trip. Except for the tropical storm and delayed flights.



*A clean house when I returned home. Oh yes, a clean home, and you all know how much THAT means to me.



*Healthy, happy children. Who hardly missed me at all.



*A tan. I haven't had one in too long.



*Surprises in the mail:


This one came from Bridget at Everyday Chaos.
Iwas the lucky winner of her blog giveaway.
Not only does she have lovely toes that just peek out from her round, beautiful tummy, she is an exceptional scrapbooker and crafter. I LOVE her blog and always look forward to her posts. I found her through Rachel at Made with Love and Glue. Lots and Lots of Glue. who designed her blog as well.

And this one came from my sister at There's a First Time for Everything. Once I figure out how to work with this, I can do some more in depth photo editing than Picasa allows. Tiffany is incredibly talented with card making and I'm planning on her help developing some skills of my own!

You may recall that I ALWAYS make a return visit to those that visit my blog for the first time. So, as soon as I love my babies up (it might take awhile) and do all the real life things that are required of me, I fully plan on visiting all of the amazing SITS sisters that took the time to stroke my ego. With over 200 new bloggers to visit, who viewed more than 1000 of my pages THAT day, it may take a bit. But I'm not daunted. I have a feeling I'm going to be adding a lot of great new blogs to my blogroll. And to my regular bloggy friends.......I'm looking forward to catching up.

And just so you know, I did not update my blog while I was gone. The posts that appeared were pre-published. LOVE that option.