Where did the summer go?

Whew!!! Where did my summer go? This year, I felt like summer didn't exist. With my husband's cancer treatment, doctor visits, and chemo, our summer went by all too quickly. When I think back, we spent our time at home hoping for the best outcome of Mike's cancer. What I did accomplish was finally getting my new closet put together with all my clothes hung up in one place. Plus I was able to continue to make cookies for the gun club. In fact, Mike decided we needed to take our vacation trip to Hawaii and the money I've been saving for our trip is becoming a reality. Mike decided he wanted to stay at a Bed and Breakfast the whole time we are in Kona and I gave in (even though I would have loved to spend time on the beach.) So we leave on Halloween and return on November 9th. We are looking forward to just spending time relaxing, reading and enjoying the scenery. The Bed and Breakfast is in the hills (Waimea) near Parker Ranch and has been touted as having the best views in Kona. As for Mike's prognosis, the cancer has shrunk by 60% and the doctor is happy with Mike's progress. He will receive one chemo drug every other month for two years which is called maintenance by Mike's cancer doctor. The cancer won't be gone, but we hope for no growth. The doctor says if the tumors grow by 25%, we will have to look at other options for chemo or transplant. We will cross that bridge when it arises. We have been fortunate to have a doctor who is a Christian and he and Mike get along so well together. Next summer, we will take this doctor plus part of his staff on a rafting trip to thank them for all their help with Mike's illness. Through all the treatments, and doctor appointments, our faith has remained strong and we both look to the future and to spending many more years together. We are excited to see what God is going to do in this next "chapter" of our lives and how God is going to use Mike's illness for His glory and honor. In keeping with the summer fun, I'm going to give y'all a recipe we make in the summer and one that Mike and I have enjoyed on the grill. It's a recipe I developed as a marinade and uses interesting ingreidents. Enjoy Sweet & Spicy Pork chops 4 bone in pork chops 1/3 cup olive oil 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 clove garlic 1/3 cup Worschestire sauce 1/3 cup soy sauce pinch of red pepper flakes Marinade the pork chops in the above mixture and let sit in the fridge for 4-5 hours. Grill the pork chops until done (be careful to not let them dry out). Cover with foil after removing from the grill and serve with your favorite condiments and side dishes.