aah, where to start....paradise here...

And although I brought both my camera and my battery charger, I forgot that magical little cord that Sony cameras require to post pictures. So...I will have to describe things here...

Our flight down....security was a breeze....the first flight, to JFK (new York City) was quick and easy and I sat next to a lady who I would totally be friends with...so nice. She was headed to California. Anyway...the next flight...

It was horrible. I started to get a headache...it got worse and worse, and turned into a migraine....a horrible-please-dim-the-lights migraine....by the time the Dominican Republic appeared from the plane window, I was doing birth breathing, trying not to barf. We exited the plane into a hot parking lot, no air conditioned terminal here....into a thatched roof airport....we went through line and paid our ten bucks each to enter the country, then got the passports stamped...then found our bus to the hotel....I thought I would faint. Then the busride....oh my goodness..no rules of the road, passing and swerving and dogs in the road and motorcycles and exhaust fumes and speed bumps....my head was pounding, the vomit was going to come, no doubt about it....I did everything I could, and was about to yell, "Stop the bus!", when lo and behold, I barfed into my jean jacket, which I was no longer wearing, since it is so hot here. There I was on the bus, with a jacket full of barf....but I did feel a little bit better. I didn't finish barfing until we got to our room, the butler left, and I got into our very own bathroom....to shorten the story, I will just say that I took at least ten ibuprofen all together before the headache subsided....I woke up the next morning and I was fine.

But Paul's cold was going int his chest, and he felt awful....so I prayed and pleaded with God to have mercy on him and let him enjoy some time off....and He heard my prayers, and answered them. By this morning, Paul felt so much better.

I don't suppose anyone wants to hear about the ocean, how blue and warm it is, and how soft the sand is, and how much fun the waves are. Or how brilliant the sunshine is, tempered by the breezes...and the food here....oh my goodness. The desserts are tiny, and delicate and flavorful and yummy....and the coffee con leche (served with milk, hot milk)...it is SO good. And the poolside service....I am getting spoiled.

The nicest part is having this time together....we are really enjoying ourselves. I do miss my kids something awful, and am having a hard time not thinking about the upcoming wedding, and all the things I have to do for Christmas, but I am working at putting it all out of mind and relaxing. Seeing the ever-busy Mr. Paul relax is SO nice. I am thankful that we still like each other so much...

The internet doesn't work in our room, keeps disconnecting, so I am writing this on a computer in the lobby...it was killing me not to write....these funny things keep happening, and I forget them....I probably won't get a chance to post again 'til we get home....

For Cheryl and Kim and my kids, enjoy the snow!!! And yes, I have a slight sunburn...but lots of tan, too. Ooh, it is nice!