End of the Road trip...beginning of a new adventure!

Sadly, Erin and I finished our "We survived cancer and Africa road trip" Monday.  So much to see and do in New Orleans! We went to see this awesome brass band the last night - very New Orleans! Great  sound - hope you enjoy.

The Soul Rebels from Lauren Johnston on Vimeo.

http://www.soulrebelsbrassband.com/

We were in Panama City with my Mom and stepfather on the fourth - we had a nice relaxing time - and got to see some fireworks :)

Also, the BP clean up crew was very interesting - there were pairs of people hired by BP to walk up and down the shore all day long.  Each pair was only 10 yards behind the other.  Maybe it's just me, but that seemed like a total waste of money - couldn't BP being spending their money on the people who are really hurting?  Maybe a helicopter once a day to fly over the whole shore and see where the oil is would be good - check this out:

BP's oil clean up fund at work. from Lauren Johnston on Vimeo.

Then, yesterday my cousin, Lydia and I flew to Orlando to visit our Aunt Dixie! 

 Lydia is precious - and I am so glad we get some good quality time together this week.  She is pretty special because she is so full of life - making friends with everyone we encounter - and as she put it best today - she "un-expects people alot!"  While she is only 13, she towers over little me - so have a great excuse to wear heels all week :)

We have been relaxing and made time to pencil in a spa appointment today! Glorious.

We also were able to visit Nemours Chilren's Hospital http://www.nemours.org/  They have a really great art therapy program for the children going through treatment.  An art therapist comes in and the kids can paint while they are receiving treatment - so awesome.  The stories that come out in their art are remarkable - and really help the children deal with their fears and pain.  Many of the paintings were of vacations or other fantasy scenes - to show where the children wish they were - their "escapes."  They just had an art show at the hospital - here is a great article about it:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-artwork-nemours-20100630,0,5432648.story

How awesome is it that these kids come back here all the time - and they can see their paintings and pictures and stories hanging on the wall.  It really makes me want to learn more about art therapy...