I called home around 4:30 to tell H. that we were having turnips and fish for dinner. He actually had no reaction to the turnip part - perhaps he wasn't sure what they were? And then I added fish and he was like 'uh, oh, oooooooookkkkkkkkkkkk [really slowly with a 'tone'].
I said 'just kidding. I'm craving pizza so we're ordering Mountain Mike's'.
And a cheer was heard across the land.
The pizza was delicious. Cleanup was a breeze. First day back at work was good....but I'm glad it's over. Tomorrow will be the 2nd day back at work and it will go infinitely more quickly, I hope.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Small Steps
I implemented my plan and did make progress. Filled up the 'recycle' tray in our office a few times, culling through the mail stack. Cleared out the newspapers. Filed some bills. Paid some bills. Gave myself a manicure which I desperately needed - sun, surf, wind and salt are hard on your nails. Also gave myself a facial and felt my face was clean for the first time in a week. Picked up the floor of the garage, including moving things onto the 'new' shelves and off the floor.
I did not treat myself to a gingersnap cookie at Starbucks - so I gave myself 15 minutes of computer time. I also did not buy a Key Lime pie at Costco - another 15 minutes. I really should have given myself close to an hour for NOT buying that pie 'cuz I would have had more than one slice, but I'm trying to be 'fair' in my allocation of time as a 'treat' for not eating something I shouldn't. I cooked dinner, made strawberry shortcake for dessert; worked in the kitchen, unpacked, grocery shopped with J., went to the pet store, paid our property taxes (ouch!); worked in the yard a bit (so much to do back there).
I did NOT check work email nor get out my work laptop - which I should have done. But I just can't. Tomorrow will be here in just a few short hours and I'll have to just buckle down and work manically the next few days to get things done. Have to do what I have to do - and I refused to work on my vacation. There was consideration that I should work - but I didn't. We took two laptops with it as it was - and adding a third would have been ridiculous. Anything I wanted to do, I could have done had I hauled the paperwork with me to work on budget, etc. But I decided it was to be a TRUE vacation - and it was. Now, it's over.
It amazes me how just small, baby-steps of 'progress' make me feel so much better. I just 'dug in' - did not leave the computer on - turned it off and closed it up and left the room and worked somewhere else. There IS always plenty to do and I've got my 'list' going so I'll know where to start. It felt really good to be more productive - and to get some things DONE - I hope to stick to this new 'plan'.
Next phase is to add in some exercise time - and I will. As soon as possible. I ordered 'The Bean' - the same 'principle' as an exercise ball and the added benefit of flipping it over and using it to stretch out my back. The Bean has far more 'support' and stability than an inflated ball - and I never feel 'secure' on the ball - The Bean is going to help with that, I think.
We took Chloe to the groomer today for 'the works' - she's got her summer trim now - she looks so incredibly different with all of her long curls trimmed off. She's had a wash, a condition, nails trimmed, teeth brushed, etc. She looks great and smells so much better - the week at the 'dog camp' really had her looking pretty 'doggy'. She's been sleeping a lot - I think she's exhausted from her week of frolicking with the big dogs.
I'm heading upstairs shortly to start my pre-bed routine. The upstairs pets (cats and bird) need attention. Also need to get the 'gifts' I have for my co-workers ready for morning. And figuring out what to wear. And check on the kids - B. had a bunch of homework which he didn't start on until late this afternoon - he assures us he won't be up too late but history has shown he does not judge time very well so I expect he will be up fairly late.
OK - one more thing I keep meaning to comment on. The 'promos' for 'Deal or No Deal' are all hyped up again. We watched last week - the episode that was 'the one to watch'. We were SURE that episode would be a million dollar prize episode. The contestant DID have the million in her case but she stopped with an offer in the mid 300K - yes, a lot of money. But no, not a million. And therefore, not the episode to watch. So now, when they make it sound like THE NEXT episode is THE ONE, I'm kind of like 'yeah, right - I'm not falling for that again'. It would be a hard game to 'go all the way' - I mean, if you have a mid six figure offer as a 'for sure' vs. the chance - even a 50/50 chance at some point, if you can hold out that long - your instinct would be to take the sure thing. I know I would probably want the sure thing myself. So it's not likely anyone will EVER win the million. But it's getting kind of boring watching people NOT win over and over and over. So I don't think I'm going to watch again. If there's ever a winner, it will be on You Tube within a few days and we can watch it there.
Have a good week. To my friend J: I know tomorrow will be hard. It will all be OK. There's always a reason - and you will realize that somewhere down the road in the not too distant future. Hang in there. Get in, do what you need to do and get out. I am at work at my desk all day tomorrow - no meetings scheduled at this point, just plowing through my in basket, my emails, voice mails, etc. I'm available and can easily shut my door if you want to talk. Don't hesitate. I'm giving you a hug via the world-wide-web and wish I could see you tomorrow to give you a hug in person.
I did not treat myself to a gingersnap cookie at Starbucks - so I gave myself 15 minutes of computer time. I also did not buy a Key Lime pie at Costco - another 15 minutes. I really should have given myself close to an hour for NOT buying that pie 'cuz I would have had more than one slice, but I'm trying to be 'fair' in my allocation of time as a 'treat' for not eating something I shouldn't. I cooked dinner, made strawberry shortcake for dessert; worked in the kitchen, unpacked, grocery shopped with J., went to the pet store, paid our property taxes (ouch!); worked in the yard a bit (so much to do back there).
I did NOT check work email nor get out my work laptop - which I should have done. But I just can't. Tomorrow will be here in just a few short hours and I'll have to just buckle down and work manically the next few days to get things done. Have to do what I have to do - and I refused to work on my vacation. There was consideration that I should work - but I didn't. We took two laptops with it as it was - and adding a third would have been ridiculous. Anything I wanted to do, I could have done had I hauled the paperwork with me to work on budget, etc. But I decided it was to be a TRUE vacation - and it was. Now, it's over.
It amazes me how just small, baby-steps of 'progress' make me feel so much better. I just 'dug in' - did not leave the computer on - turned it off and closed it up and left the room and worked somewhere else. There IS always plenty to do and I've got my 'list' going so I'll know where to start. It felt really good to be more productive - and to get some things DONE - I hope to stick to this new 'plan'.
Next phase is to add in some exercise time - and I will. As soon as possible. I ordered 'The Bean' - the same 'principle' as an exercise ball and the added benefit of flipping it over and using it to stretch out my back. The Bean has far more 'support' and stability than an inflated ball - and I never feel 'secure' on the ball - The Bean is going to help with that, I think.
We took Chloe to the groomer today for 'the works' - she's got her summer trim now - she looks so incredibly different with all of her long curls trimmed off. She's had a wash, a condition, nails trimmed, teeth brushed, etc. She looks great and smells so much better - the week at the 'dog camp' really had her looking pretty 'doggy'. She's been sleeping a lot - I think she's exhausted from her week of frolicking with the big dogs.
I'm heading upstairs shortly to start my pre-bed routine. The upstairs pets (cats and bird) need attention. Also need to get the 'gifts' I have for my co-workers ready for morning. And figuring out what to wear. And check on the kids - B. had a bunch of homework which he didn't start on until late this afternoon - he assures us he won't be up too late but history has shown he does not judge time very well so I expect he will be up fairly late.
OK - one more thing I keep meaning to comment on. The 'promos' for 'Deal or No Deal' are all hyped up again. We watched last week - the episode that was 'the one to watch'. We were SURE that episode would be a million dollar prize episode. The contestant DID have the million in her case but she stopped with an offer in the mid 300K - yes, a lot of money. But no, not a million. And therefore, not the episode to watch. So now, when they make it sound like THE NEXT episode is THE ONE, I'm kind of like 'yeah, right - I'm not falling for that again'. It would be a hard game to 'go all the way' - I mean, if you have a mid six figure offer as a 'for sure' vs. the chance - even a 50/50 chance at some point, if you can hold out that long - your instinct would be to take the sure thing. I know I would probably want the sure thing myself. So it's not likely anyone will EVER win the million. But it's getting kind of boring watching people NOT win over and over and over. So I don't think I'm going to watch again. If there's ever a winner, it will be on You Tube within a few days and we can watch it there.
Have a good week. To my friend J: I know tomorrow will be hard. It will all be OK. There's always a reason - and you will realize that somewhere down the road in the not too distant future. Hang in there. Get in, do what you need to do and get out. I am at work at my desk all day tomorrow - no meetings scheduled at this point, just plowing through my in basket, my emails, voice mails, etc. I'm available and can easily shut my door if you want to talk. Don't hesitate. I'm giving you a hug via the world-wide-web and wish I could see you tomorrow to give you a hug in person.
Resolutions
I came home from Hawaii with a lot of 'resolutions' I want to implement. I know I'm already one quarter into the year and therefore, am 'behind' on things, but that's OK. It takes me awhile to reach the 'breaking point' on most things - but when I do, THAT'S when I can finally put things into action. And ACTION is what is needed. Serious, sustained action on a variety of things that are wearing me down and making me somewhat 'unhappy'. That unhappiness is nothing terribly overwhelming. It's just that I end up getting 'down' on myself. Thinking negative thoughts about myself. And it's not healthy. And I don't want to feel that way.
I am not a perfect mother. I know that shocks you (not). I mean, there really is NO perfect mother - we are all a muddled mass of confusion and mistakes and things we wish we could do differently. I have lists a mile long of things I wish I could re-do. There are many, MANY parts of my kids childhoods that I'd like to try again. But even as I say that, I think 'but they are relatively great kids (knocking on wood frantically) so I know I'm doing OK'.
I am a better mother than my mother was - and I know there are people reading this that will think 'what a horrible thing to say'. And it really isn't meant that way - it honestly isn't. My mother was an amazing woman who was widowed in her early 40's and found herself with 4 kids to raise - two teens and two under the age of 7. No job skills. And she picked herself up and moved forward, day after day - and did an amazing job raising 4 responsible, thoughtful, wonderful people. We are all great people. We are not close to each other - not like many 'families' are - and that hurts me in ways that I can't write about here. And there's a part of me that feels that SOME of that separation between us was fostered by our mother - not consciously, but yet it existed and persisted. Age has a lot to do with some of it - there is a 9 year age difference between me and my older sister - and a 13 (or 14? I'm not actually sure) year age difference between me the oldest sibling, our brother. So by the time my younger sister and I came along, the two of them were pretty much 'out of the house' and not in our daily lives as much. But losing a father affects all kids, no matter what their age. And I don't think the environment was there to create the 'bonding' that would normally happen in that situation. We all sort of retreated to our separate corners, where we stayed for most of our lives. And some of us still 'stay' there. It's safe. And easy. And I mean that about myself, as well.
So, I've made it my life's mission to be a 'better' mom. To be there more for my kids. And I have succeeded. We express love in this house all the time. We also express anger, disappointment, expectations and laughter. Not things that were present in the house I grew up in very much - we pretty much expressed NOTHING because that was easier. In this respect, we are doing 'better' with the kids.
But I am a selfish person - I am. It is very, VERY hard for me to be 'present' for the kids 24/7. It is a constant struggle. It's helped that they are older now and don't really want me 'present' all that much. But I wish I was doing things better for them. Small things - like cooking. Spending time organizing things. Etc.
And most importantly, I want to be healthier for them. I am overweight and completely out of shape. That was never more obvious than in the paradise we just returned from. Walking is hard for me at this point - my joints all hurt and when you're carrying around a bunch of extra weight, you just don't feel like walking - or swimming - or [insert physical activity here]. And I really, REALLY want to change that.
So, I'm creating a 'computer log' and allowing myself a set number of hours on the computer. I don't know what my 'limit' will be weekly - I do all our household finances on the computer, including tracking investments, bill paying, retirement modeling, etc. And I use the computer for news, weather. And I read blogs. And I write this blog. And I LOVE computer games - I LOVE them - Virtual Villagers, many, MANY bigfishgames.com games on my PC. They are my 'down time' from a long work day. My 'veg time' when my head needs a break. So I'm going to try to limit all those things and fit in what I have to do - with a small amount of time for things I want to do (like games) and then be up and moving around the house. There's always plenty to do - but I sort of 'lose track' of what needs to be done. I mean, we do dishes and laundry and grocery shop and cook and tidy up. But we have a cleaning crew that makes the day-to-day cleaning basically unnecessary. Still, there's tons to do. Lawn work (the gardener basically mows and edges - I want to fire him but J. doesn't) - so there's plenty of weeding and planting and pruning to do. And we have a 'cement pond' (ala Beverly Hillbillies) that I enjoy and should use more.
So I'm resolving to be more 'active' in this household. It is going to be hard. REALLY hard. The computer 'beckons' me and I honestly feel like I have no idea what else to do when I'm not on the PC. But change needs to happen and it has to start NOW.
This does not mean I won't be updating - I love to write and I will keep doing so - this is something I will not 'cut back on' - if anything, I'll probably write more because my days will be more purposeful and therefore, more things to update about. I hope.
I am hitting the 'publish post' button now before I chicken out. I figure making this resolution 'public' will help me stick with it. I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing. I hope I can move more. Do more. Exercise more. Spend more time outside in nature. I hope. The desire to do these things is not new - but the Hawaii trip was a huge eye opener for me - and so I'm hoping that by the time we go again next year, my psyche and my body will be in a completely different place.
I am not a perfect mother. I know that shocks you (not). I mean, there really is NO perfect mother - we are all a muddled mass of confusion and mistakes and things we wish we could do differently. I have lists a mile long of things I wish I could re-do. There are many, MANY parts of my kids childhoods that I'd like to try again. But even as I say that, I think 'but they are relatively great kids (knocking on wood frantically) so I know I'm doing OK'.
I am a better mother than my mother was - and I know there are people reading this that will think 'what a horrible thing to say'. And it really isn't meant that way - it honestly isn't. My mother was an amazing woman who was widowed in her early 40's and found herself with 4 kids to raise - two teens and two under the age of 7. No job skills. And she picked herself up and moved forward, day after day - and did an amazing job raising 4 responsible, thoughtful, wonderful people. We are all great people. We are not close to each other - not like many 'families' are - and that hurts me in ways that I can't write about here. And there's a part of me that feels that SOME of that separation between us was fostered by our mother - not consciously, but yet it existed and persisted. Age has a lot to do with some of it - there is a 9 year age difference between me and my older sister - and a 13 (or 14? I'm not actually sure) year age difference between me the oldest sibling, our brother. So by the time my younger sister and I came along, the two of them were pretty much 'out of the house' and not in our daily lives as much. But losing a father affects all kids, no matter what their age. And I don't think the environment was there to create the 'bonding' that would normally happen in that situation. We all sort of retreated to our separate corners, where we stayed for most of our lives. And some of us still 'stay' there. It's safe. And easy. And I mean that about myself, as well.
So, I've made it my life's mission to be a 'better' mom. To be there more for my kids. And I have succeeded. We express love in this house all the time. We also express anger, disappointment, expectations and laughter. Not things that were present in the house I grew up in very much - we pretty much expressed NOTHING because that was easier. In this respect, we are doing 'better' with the kids.
But I am a selfish person - I am. It is very, VERY hard for me to be 'present' for the kids 24/7. It is a constant struggle. It's helped that they are older now and don't really want me 'present' all that much. But I wish I was doing things better for them. Small things - like cooking. Spending time organizing things. Etc.
And most importantly, I want to be healthier for them. I am overweight and completely out of shape. That was never more obvious than in the paradise we just returned from. Walking is hard for me at this point - my joints all hurt and when you're carrying around a bunch of extra weight, you just don't feel like walking - or swimming - or [insert physical activity here]. And I really, REALLY want to change that.
So, I'm creating a 'computer log' and allowing myself a set number of hours on the computer. I don't know what my 'limit' will be weekly - I do all our household finances on the computer, including tracking investments, bill paying, retirement modeling, etc. And I use the computer for news, weather. And I read blogs. And I write this blog. And I LOVE computer games - I LOVE them - Virtual Villagers, many, MANY bigfishgames.com games on my PC. They are my 'down time' from a long work day. My 'veg time' when my head needs a break. So I'm going to try to limit all those things and fit in what I have to do - with a small amount of time for things I want to do (like games) and then be up and moving around the house. There's always plenty to do - but I sort of 'lose track' of what needs to be done. I mean, we do dishes and laundry and grocery shop and cook and tidy up. But we have a cleaning crew that makes the day-to-day cleaning basically unnecessary. Still, there's tons to do. Lawn work (the gardener basically mows and edges - I want to fire him but J. doesn't) - so there's plenty of weeding and planting and pruning to do. And we have a 'cement pond' (ala Beverly Hillbillies) that I enjoy and should use more.
So I'm resolving to be more 'active' in this household. It is going to be hard. REALLY hard. The computer 'beckons' me and I honestly feel like I have no idea what else to do when I'm not on the PC. But change needs to happen and it has to start NOW.
This does not mean I won't be updating - I love to write and I will keep doing so - this is something I will not 'cut back on' - if anything, I'll probably write more because my days will be more purposeful and therefore, more things to update about. I hope.
I am hitting the 'publish post' button now before I chicken out. I figure making this resolution 'public' will help me stick with it. I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing. I hope I can move more. Do more. Exercise more. Spend more time outside in nature. I hope. The desire to do these things is not new - but the Hawaii trip was a huge eye opener for me - and so I'm hoping that by the time we go again next year, my psyche and my body will be in a completely different place.
Cousin
A big HELLO to my cousin Debby who has re-found my blog! She said she felt 'guilty' that it was anonymous but she knew it was me - hey, I'm FINE with people knowing this is my blog when you KNOW me. This town is a 'small' town in many ways and I work in the 'public sector' where every facet of my life is subject to public scrutiny. Seriously, you feel strange when people who 'know' you through your job peer into your grocery cart - God forbid, it's the day we're restocking the wine or the alcohol cabinet - which we do once in a blue moon. But you realize that people pay attention to things you wouldn't think they would....hence I try to lie low under the radar in things related to my opinions and feelings. It's just not something I 'broadcast'.
A few of my coworkers know I have a blog but I don't give them the address. In fact, our local paper actually linked to my blog for some time - I saw a few comments from people I didn't know and wondered. A couple weeks later, I received an email from the editor of the paper thanking me for 'allowing' the paper to link to my blog. I wrote her back and politely said that I thought it was 'amusing' to be thanked for granting permission to link when in fact I had never been asked nor given my permission. The link was down within an hour of her reading my email.
I WANT people to read - in some small way. I write because I love to write - and it's good 'therapy' for me to express my thoughts and hopes and fears somehow. But writing has no value if there's no one reading - so there's a part of me that WANTS people to read. And hopes they keep coming back to read day after day. If they're inclined. Heck, there are blogs out there that are now supporting entire families - that's the 'job' of the writer - to keep writing things people find interesting and generate revenue from ads, etc. I'm not going there - and probably never will, but wouldn't it be lovely to have a job that just involves staying in your PJs all day and writing about your life? That would be great fun!
Any readers out there: you are welcome to link to my blog on yours, if you're inclined. And you are welcome to pass on the web address to other friends and family you think might enjoy it. It's OK. 'Anonymous' will still be maintained 'cuz I'm not using my 'name' - if I'd married a guy with the last name of 'Smith' (and I dated a guy with that last name in college), then I'd have no worries. But I married a guy with a fairly unique last name - and every other person in the US with that last name are all related to us. EVERY SINGLE PERSON. So I try to NOT use my name - any of my actual names - and that helps keep me below the radar a bit. And the uniqueness of that name, combined with the small bit of knowledge of what I do for a living would make it VERY easy for a Google search to find me - and it's THAT I'm hoping to avoid. I don't want to be 'known' as in really KNOWN. But I LOVE that people are reading and hope they continue to read - and hope more people read, as time goes by.
Debby, thanks for writing me. It was great to hear from you and I do hope you'll send me YOUR blog address. I'm honored you read and glad you enjoy it! It's a great medium for 'getting to know' people - and the fact that you're family and we haven't spent much time together over the years makes your reading very, very special to me. Thank you very much!
A few of my coworkers know I have a blog but I don't give them the address. In fact, our local paper actually linked to my blog for some time - I saw a few comments from people I didn't know and wondered. A couple weeks later, I received an email from the editor of the paper thanking me for 'allowing' the paper to link to my blog. I wrote her back and politely said that I thought it was 'amusing' to be thanked for granting permission to link when in fact I had never been asked nor given my permission. The link was down within an hour of her reading my email.
I WANT people to read - in some small way. I write because I love to write - and it's good 'therapy' for me to express my thoughts and hopes and fears somehow. But writing has no value if there's no one reading - so there's a part of me that WANTS people to read. And hopes they keep coming back to read day after day. If they're inclined. Heck, there are blogs out there that are now supporting entire families - that's the 'job' of the writer - to keep writing things people find interesting and generate revenue from ads, etc. I'm not going there - and probably never will, but wouldn't it be lovely to have a job that just involves staying in your PJs all day and writing about your life? That would be great fun!
Any readers out there: you are welcome to link to my blog on yours, if you're inclined. And you are welcome to pass on the web address to other friends and family you think might enjoy it. It's OK. 'Anonymous' will still be maintained 'cuz I'm not using my 'name' - if I'd married a guy with the last name of 'Smith' (and I dated a guy with that last name in college), then I'd have no worries. But I married a guy with a fairly unique last name - and every other person in the US with that last name are all related to us. EVERY SINGLE PERSON. So I try to NOT use my name - any of my actual names - and that helps keep me below the radar a bit. And the uniqueness of that name, combined with the small bit of knowledge of what I do for a living would make it VERY easy for a Google search to find me - and it's THAT I'm hoping to avoid. I don't want to be 'known' as in really KNOWN. But I LOVE that people are reading and hope they continue to read - and hope more people read, as time goes by.
Debby, thanks for writing me. It was great to hear from you and I do hope you'll send me YOUR blog address. I'm honored you read and glad you enjoy it! It's a great medium for 'getting to know' people - and the fact that you're family and we haven't spent much time together over the years makes your reading very, very special to me. Thank you very much!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Home
First, I have to admit that somewhere between my previous post and heading home, I was hit with an overwhelming sense of melancholy over the vacation being 'over'. It hit me when J. and the kids were out of the condo at Poipu beach that this might be the 'last' family vacation we take. This time next year, B. will be looking at colleges - and who knows if our schedules will ever coincide again? Who knows if he'll WANT to be home and with us as an 'adult'. I was a teary mess when they got home - and wished I had gone with them. I didn't feel like going in the water and since I didn't want to swim, it just didn't seem to really 'matter' if I went or not - and you know me, I can always use some quiet time. But while they were gone, I was so sad I hadn't gone with them. I told B. when he got home 'I really don't want this to be our last vacation as a family' - he reassured me that he fully intends to accompany us wherever we go for years to come. But I know how it might turn out - I moved away from home at 18 and never went back. Though I did visit my family pretty often, my visits became more and more infrequent and I certainly 'outgrew' going on vacation with my mom.
We managed to pack up and leave on Friday morning in record time - though the morning was a rushed madhouse. Had to fill up the rental van ($75 for the entire week - not too bad); drop off the van, check in, etc. It was crazy. And so incredibly hot and humid - I wore long pants 'cuz I knew I'd be chilly on the plane so shorts were out.
Hawaii airports aren't like other airports. First, most of the baggage claim area and check in areas are basically outside - in the scorching heat and humidity. We lug 7 pieces of luggage onto the rental car shuttle, into the check in area - and made a couple wrong turns so lugged it back - it was hot and humid and gross. Then, ATA takes an average of TEN MINUTES per customer to check in. We kid you not - we timed them. After standing in line for close to an hour just to check in, we get to the counter and the agent very quietly asks 'would you be willing to spend another night in Hawaii on us and we'll get you on a flight in the morning out of Honolulu?'. I said 'how will we get to Honolulu?' And she replied 'we'll take care of that also - and your hotel, meals, etc. And give you each $300 towards the purchase of your next ATA flight'. THAT was the really tempting part, since that's 2/3 of a ticket EACH back next Spring. She kept insisting they weren't 'overbooked' - just too many passengers and something about 'over their limit because of the weather'. Huh? Anyway, I wanted to say 'well, if you had reached us this morning BEFORE we'd schlepped everything here, returned our rental car and waited close to an hour to get to this point, we might consider it.' Instead, we just said 'No, we want to go home'. And so we did.
It was a 5+ hour flight but we did get to see the movie Ratatouille - cute! And I tried to nap a bit but the gentleman next to J. was a maniac about folding his newspaper - over and over. We were seated middle, window in two rows - boys in one row, me and J. in the other. It was nice to just have time with J. 'alone' - and have his shoulder to snuggle up with.
We arrived in Oakland at 7PM and waited close to an hour for our luggage. One of our bags was the last to be offloaded - and it had clearly sat in the rain on the tarmac for some time. Yes, we arrived home to rain - as if the dismal reality of returning to our 'regular lives' wasn't enough, we had to be hit with cold, rainy, dreary weather to boot. Lovely. We stopped at a Taco Bell on the way home because we hadn't eaten anything much on the plane - the snack boxes available for purchase weren't appealing and we nibbled on the snacks we had. But two teenage boys and a long flight equal starvation. They (and us, too, admittedly) scarfed down $24 worth of fast food - the new 'Fiesta Platters' are GREAT - in a half hour. We were actually glad to have paid less than $50 for a meal since that had been our average daytime meal price. Dinners were many times more than that.
We commented on how strange it felt to be on a 4 lane freeway, vs. a 2 lane non-divided road. How odd all the lights were - street lights (Kauai has none, basically), billboard lights, city lights. Pulling over the Dublin grade and seeing the valley was incredibly bright - nothing like that on Kauai. Towns are teeny-tiny and spread out and the roads are lit only by your brights (when permitted) and other cars. So different.
Pulled into the driveway around 9:30 and unloaded just the bare essentials. I headed for bed around 10 to try to get back to 'normal'. Watched some of my taped shows from the week - Ace of Cakes! Then went into a great sleep - quiet, no surf noise.
We managed to pack up and leave on Friday morning in record time - though the morning was a rushed madhouse. Had to fill up the rental van ($75 for the entire week - not too bad); drop off the van, check in, etc. It was crazy. And so incredibly hot and humid - I wore long pants 'cuz I knew I'd be chilly on the plane so shorts were out.
Hawaii airports aren't like other airports. First, most of the baggage claim area and check in areas are basically outside - in the scorching heat and humidity. We lug 7 pieces of luggage onto the rental car shuttle, into the check in area - and made a couple wrong turns so lugged it back - it was hot and humid and gross. Then, ATA takes an average of TEN MINUTES per customer to check in. We kid you not - we timed them. After standing in line for close to an hour just to check in, we get to the counter and the agent very quietly asks 'would you be willing to spend another night in Hawaii on us and we'll get you on a flight in the morning out of Honolulu?'. I said 'how will we get to Honolulu?' And she replied 'we'll take care of that also - and your hotel, meals, etc. And give you each $300 towards the purchase of your next ATA flight'. THAT was the really tempting part, since that's 2/3 of a ticket EACH back next Spring. She kept insisting they weren't 'overbooked' - just too many passengers and something about 'over their limit because of the weather'. Huh? Anyway, I wanted to say 'well, if you had reached us this morning BEFORE we'd schlepped everything here, returned our rental car and waited close to an hour to get to this point, we might consider it.' Instead, we just said 'No, we want to go home'. And so we did.
It was a 5+ hour flight but we did get to see the movie Ratatouille - cute! And I tried to nap a bit but the gentleman next to J. was a maniac about folding his newspaper - over and over. We were seated middle, window in two rows - boys in one row, me and J. in the other. It was nice to just have time with J. 'alone' - and have his shoulder to snuggle up with.
We arrived in Oakland at 7PM and waited close to an hour for our luggage. One of our bags was the last to be offloaded - and it had clearly sat in the rain on the tarmac for some time. Yes, we arrived home to rain - as if the dismal reality of returning to our 'regular lives' wasn't enough, we had to be hit with cold, rainy, dreary weather to boot. Lovely. We stopped at a Taco Bell on the way home because we hadn't eaten anything much on the plane - the snack boxes available for purchase weren't appealing and we nibbled on the snacks we had. But two teenage boys and a long flight equal starvation. They (and us, too, admittedly) scarfed down $24 worth of fast food - the new 'Fiesta Platters' are GREAT - in a half hour. We were actually glad to have paid less than $50 for a meal since that had been our average daytime meal price. Dinners were many times more than that.
We commented on how strange it felt to be on a 4 lane freeway, vs. a 2 lane non-divided road. How odd all the lights were - street lights (Kauai has none, basically), billboard lights, city lights. Pulling over the Dublin grade and seeing the valley was incredibly bright - nothing like that on Kauai. Towns are teeny-tiny and spread out and the roads are lit only by your brights (when permitted) and other cars. So different.
Pulled into the driveway around 9:30 and unloaded just the bare essentials. I headed for bed around 10 to try to get back to 'normal'. Watched some of my taped shows from the week - Ace of Cakes! Then went into a great sleep - quiet, no surf noise.
This morning, J. is working on loads of laundry - thankful to have a 'giant' sized washer and dryer at his disposal vs. the smallish 'stackables' we had at the condo. Took forever to wash and dry there and I finally convinced him to just give up - leave it for home. So we'll be plowing through laundry over the next couple of days.
We picked up Chloe this morning and she had a blast. Made friends and was whining as we pulled out of the driveway, already missing her friends. But she's also glad to be home - has been sacked out near my feet after running through the whole house at full speed. We have an appointment with the groomer tomorrow 'cuz she's looking and smelling like she just spent a week out on the 'ranch' with a bunch of friends and they did a lot of carousing. She needs to be cleaned up a bit.
It's great to be home. It's always wonderful to come home, even if the vacation was just great! We had a ball and are already booking the same condo for next year - arriving April 10th and leaving April 18th. That way, I'll be SURE this wasn't the last family trip - and be sure to make the most of every minute of the next trip. J. has a slide show already formatted on the PC and I will work on getting some pics posted here - have tried it in the past and couldn't get it to work but will keep trying. There are some great shots I'd like to have you see.
Thanks for sticking through the 'vacation travel blog' of this past week - we'll be resume normal programming beginning Monday.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Chess Update
H. beat B. sometime last night. Not sure when - they didn't wake me up with their celebrating. So B. paid up his $2 and now they're doing 'double or nothing' that H. will win again before bedtime tonight. They've been playing every spare minute - though they're on the beach at the moment. But they'll play again when they get back.
We have a ton of packing to do. I need to get started on tidying up a bit. Though if I repack the way I packed for the trip, it will basically involve just literally 'tossing' stuff into the suitcase. When J. opened my suitcase upon our arrival, he was stunned - just 'piles' of stuff. Why fold it, etc. when it's just going to be wrinkled anyway? And I packed for the entire week in 5 minutes flat. Seriously. Hoping I can repeat that this evening, times 3 since I'll need to urge/help the boys.
Chloe is doing really well at the 'new' kennel. She's having a ball, I hear via email updates. She's had tons of 'friends' to play with and is enjoying lap time with the owners husband while he watches TV, much like she enjoys at home with us in the evenings. Can't wait to see her and we're picking her up on Saturday AM by 10.
We have a ton of packing to do. I need to get started on tidying up a bit. Though if I repack the way I packed for the trip, it will basically involve just literally 'tossing' stuff into the suitcase. When J. opened my suitcase upon our arrival, he was stunned - just 'piles' of stuff. Why fold it, etc. when it's just going to be wrinkled anyway? And I packed for the entire week in 5 minutes flat. Seriously. Hoping I can repeat that this evening, times 3 since I'll need to urge/help the boys.
Chloe is doing really well at the 'new' kennel. She's having a ball, I hear via email updates. She's had tons of 'friends' to play with and is enjoying lap time with the owners husband while he watches TV, much like she enjoys at home with us in the evenings. Can't wait to see her and we're picking her up on Saturday AM by 10.
Hawaii Trivia
Only in Hawaii do you see the rescue squad vehicles from the Fire Department with surfboards tied to the top. I assume for water rescue. Or maybe just a quick surf now and then if time permits?
We also saw one of those orange 'road repair' announcement signs - dated March, 2005 - so that 'project' has been going on now for 3 years? Yet we saw no visible signs of any work crew or other tell-tale signs of work. Think some project works director forgot to remove the sign? Or perhaps it is still in the works - just not on any part of the highway we drove on. It's possible. The highways are very long here, circling the island.
Surfers surf because they love the ocean and being out in nature. We have seen the same people surfing day after day - out before we get up in the morning and not coming in until darkness forces them to acknowledge that you can't catch a wave you can no longer see, even by moonlight. There are dozens of them out in the surf, all day, everyday. All ages, shapes and sizes. Some of the kids surfing look so incredibly 'small' against the waves - but they move like they are experts. Surfers catch relatively few waves compared to the time they are out on the water - waiting for the perfect wave. They wait and wait - and then catch what they can. They make it look so easy, though we know it's not. They are the definition of dedication to their sport. It's a lot of waiting around for a 10-20 second ride.
Whale spouts do not look like the white water crest of waves. Once you've mastered this concept, you stop thinking every cresting wave on the horizon is a whale. When it's a whale, you'll know it. Whale spouts look just like they do in cartoons - an 'ice cream cone' shape of water, wider at the top, narrow on the bottom. Trust me, you'll know it when you see it. Most whales travel with a 'friend' - and this time of year, it's usually mama whales and their babies. So if you see a spout, you'll likely see more spouts. It's so incredible, even when it's far off shore. They are just amazing creatures.
There are lots of wild chickens running around this island. They are everywhere - wandering the streets, in parking lots, nesting under shrubs. We can't figure out why they are 'around' nor why they stay - but they are here. J. thinks he read somewhere that there are no mongoose on this island, so the chickens have a much higher survival rate. It is funny to see them all day, everyday, wherever we go. And the roosters apparently have no concept of time - they crow all the time, whenever the mood strikes them. It's funny. Thankfully, there aren't any wandering too near our 'home' or they'd be annoying crowing all the time. We just see and hear them when we're out running around.
We are on our last day and I'm finally just now feeling like I'm on vacation. And finally just today 'used' to the time difference. And sadly, we are going home tomorrow. And back to work on Monday. It's sad. Very sad. But it is what it is.
I didn't get a lot of sun today and I'm going to have to 'fake it' by getting sun in the backyard at home. I'm sure I'm just a bit 'more tan' - but the water is a bit too cool for me and hence, I haven't spent hours on the beach. It's OK. I'm sitting here watching the waves break on the rocks, with a zillion surfers out today. It's beautiful and still 'beachy' even if I'm not sitting down there frying at the moment.
I bought some Kauia coffee and some Kona coffee for home. Would have loved to have given THOSE as gifts to everyone but that's a bit pricey. We still have a couple kids gifts to get for friends of the boys. We'll head to Honolulu Surf tonight before dinner. Not sure where we're eating - our last night here. Feels like we should make it 'special' but most of the dinners, while great, have been hugely expensive. It's hard for me to spend $200+ on dinner - it's just not 'us'. But we'll see what we can find and enjoy it, whatever the cost.
I am dreading going back to work on Monday. I have no reason to 'dread' it, but I am. And I do. I hate that. I hate that I feel that way about the place I spend 50+ hours each week.
We also saw one of those orange 'road repair' announcement signs - dated March, 2005 - so that 'project' has been going on now for 3 years? Yet we saw no visible signs of any work crew or other tell-tale signs of work. Think some project works director forgot to remove the sign? Or perhaps it is still in the works - just not on any part of the highway we drove on. It's possible. The highways are very long here, circling the island.
Surfers surf because they love the ocean and being out in nature. We have seen the same people surfing day after day - out before we get up in the morning and not coming in until darkness forces them to acknowledge that you can't catch a wave you can no longer see, even by moonlight. There are dozens of them out in the surf, all day, everyday. All ages, shapes and sizes. Some of the kids surfing look so incredibly 'small' against the waves - but they move like they are experts. Surfers catch relatively few waves compared to the time they are out on the water - waiting for the perfect wave. They wait and wait - and then catch what they can. They make it look so easy, though we know it's not. They are the definition of dedication to their sport. It's a lot of waiting around for a 10-20 second ride.
Whale spouts do not look like the white water crest of waves. Once you've mastered this concept, you stop thinking every cresting wave on the horizon is a whale. When it's a whale, you'll know it. Whale spouts look just like they do in cartoons - an 'ice cream cone' shape of water, wider at the top, narrow on the bottom. Trust me, you'll know it when you see it. Most whales travel with a 'friend' - and this time of year, it's usually mama whales and their babies. So if you see a spout, you'll likely see more spouts. It's so incredible, even when it's far off shore. They are just amazing creatures.
There are lots of wild chickens running around this island. They are everywhere - wandering the streets, in parking lots, nesting under shrubs. We can't figure out why they are 'around' nor why they stay - but they are here. J. thinks he read somewhere that there are no mongoose on this island, so the chickens have a much higher survival rate. It is funny to see them all day, everyday, wherever we go. And the roosters apparently have no concept of time - they crow all the time, whenever the mood strikes them. It's funny. Thankfully, there aren't any wandering too near our 'home' or they'd be annoying crowing all the time. We just see and hear them when we're out running around.
We are on our last day and I'm finally just now feeling like I'm on vacation. And finally just today 'used' to the time difference. And sadly, we are going home tomorrow. And back to work on Monday. It's sad. Very sad. But it is what it is.
I didn't get a lot of sun today and I'm going to have to 'fake it' by getting sun in the backyard at home. I'm sure I'm just a bit 'more tan' - but the water is a bit too cool for me and hence, I haven't spent hours on the beach. It's OK. I'm sitting here watching the waves break on the rocks, with a zillion surfers out today. It's beautiful and still 'beachy' even if I'm not sitting down there frying at the moment.
I bought some Kauia coffee and some Kona coffee for home. Would have loved to have given THOSE as gifts to everyone but that's a bit pricey. We still have a couple kids gifts to get for friends of the boys. We'll head to Honolulu Surf tonight before dinner. Not sure where we're eating - our last night here. Feels like we should make it 'special' but most of the dinners, while great, have been hugely expensive. It's hard for me to spend $200+ on dinner - it's just not 'us'. But we'll see what we can find and enjoy it, whatever the cost.
I am dreading going back to work on Monday. I have no reason to 'dread' it, but I am. And I do. I hate that. I hate that I feel that way about the place I spend 50+ hours each week.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Luau
We drove to Hanalei Bay this morning. Visited the Kilauea Lighthouse. I can't really describe how pretty it is up there. The view down to the surf and rocks and cliffs below is just gorgeous. Check out the website here :
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/Kauai/html/sites/kilauea_lighthouse.html
The lady on our sailing trip (Barbara) had visited there also and they saw many, many whales just off the shore. Sadly, we did not see any whales. But the birds and plants and the view were just beautiful and well worth the drive. We also had lunch at Bubba Burgers - there are a few of these along our routes this week and they always have lines - ALWAYS. Today, we waited in line and enjoyed teriyaki burgers and 'frings' (onion rings and fries combined). Even J., who isn't a big fan of onions in general, said they were the best onion rings he's ever had. We followed it up with shave ice - delicious and unlike 'Mainland' shave ice, the flavor stayed on the ice, bite after bite. They are very patient in Hawaii - and they shave the ice very carefully. REALLY SHAVE IT - paper thin. Not chopped, not crushed. SHAVED into teeny tiny bits that really hold the syrup. AND they don't 'pre-shave' - they only fire up the ice shaver when there's an order so the cups of ice don't sit and 'freeze' into solid balls - which also helps keep the syrup in each bite. It was delicious!
Dinner this evening was a luau at The Smith Family Luau on the Wailua River. I wasn't too sure about a luau on a river - seems like it should be near a beach. But the setting was beautiful. And the luau was good. The online reviews are so-so but we enjoyed it very much. The food was good - not a huge selection, but enough variety that everyone found something they loved. There was the traditional pork - we watched the 'Imu ceremony' where they removed the whole pig that was roasting in the fire pit all day - along with teriyaki beef and a sweet and sour mahi-mahi. An assortment of salads, breads, mashed potatoes, fried rice and desserts completed the meal. The open bar served delicious mai-tais. We did a tram ride around the grounds (30 acres of tropical plants, birds, etc.) then the Imu ceremony, then dinner. Dinner was followed by the show which was also very good. Our only 'complaint' was that they seem to be looking for material to 'extend' the show a bit by including a Japanese fan dance, a Chinese dragon dance and some other non-Hawaiian dances that we thought they could have skipped. But, the dancers were talented and traditional and 'true-to-life' - all different shapes and sizes and all dancing their hearts out. I liked that. They were 'real' people doing what they love.
The patriarch of the family explained that his father had named the family business 'Smith' because it was easier for people to remember. Their last name is actually a traditional Hawaiian name and as the grandfather said (as relayed by his son) 'no one will remember our last name but they will remember Smith'. He was right, since I can't recall their true Hawaiian last name. They are 5 generations of the same family who have run this business for decades. Their website is: www.smithskauai.com/luau.html
We had a nice time and arrived home sleepy. The boys are playing a couple games of chess while waiting for me to have a little computer time before I head to bed.
Tomorrow, we have no 'firm' plans - all we really want to do is one final 'day at the beach' for some 'sun color' and maybe some last minute souvenir shopping. We need to be packed up and ready to leave the condo at 7:45ish on Friday morning to make our flight home which means a good chunk of the day tomorrow will involve attempting to get things put in suitcases and 'packed'. It helps that my 'souvenir' includes a cute rolling small suitcase and a 'tote bag' from the Honolulu Surf shop - a cute Billabong flower pattern. Santa had brought me a purple set of Swiss Army suitcases that we didn't end up needing - so we'll take those back and I splurged and got a really cute set of 'luggage' which is definitely mine (flowery) and definitely easy to spot on a baggage claim carousel. It's not something I 'needed' but something I saw that kept 'calling' to me every time we went to a surf store that had them. So I got them - a long lasting 'remembrance' of this great trip.
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/Kauai/html/sites/kilauea_lighthouse.html
The lady on our sailing trip (Barbara) had visited there also and they saw many, many whales just off the shore. Sadly, we did not see any whales. But the birds and plants and the view were just beautiful and well worth the drive. We also had lunch at Bubba Burgers - there are a few of these along our routes this week and they always have lines - ALWAYS. Today, we waited in line and enjoyed teriyaki burgers and 'frings' (onion rings and fries combined). Even J., who isn't a big fan of onions in general, said they were the best onion rings he's ever had. We followed it up with shave ice - delicious and unlike 'Mainland' shave ice, the flavor stayed on the ice, bite after bite. They are very patient in Hawaii - and they shave the ice very carefully. REALLY SHAVE IT - paper thin. Not chopped, not crushed. SHAVED into teeny tiny bits that really hold the syrup. AND they don't 'pre-shave' - they only fire up the ice shaver when there's an order so the cups of ice don't sit and 'freeze' into solid balls - which also helps keep the syrup in each bite. It was delicious!
Dinner this evening was a luau at The Smith Family Luau on the Wailua River. I wasn't too sure about a luau on a river - seems like it should be near a beach. But the setting was beautiful. And the luau was good. The online reviews are so-so but we enjoyed it very much. The food was good - not a huge selection, but enough variety that everyone found something they loved. There was the traditional pork - we watched the 'Imu ceremony' where they removed the whole pig that was roasting in the fire pit all day - along with teriyaki beef and a sweet and sour mahi-mahi. An assortment of salads, breads, mashed potatoes, fried rice and desserts completed the meal. The open bar served delicious mai-tais. We did a tram ride around the grounds (30 acres of tropical plants, birds, etc.) then the Imu ceremony, then dinner. Dinner was followed by the show which was also very good. Our only 'complaint' was that they seem to be looking for material to 'extend' the show a bit by including a Japanese fan dance, a Chinese dragon dance and some other non-Hawaiian dances that we thought they could have skipped. But, the dancers were talented and traditional and 'true-to-life' - all different shapes and sizes and all dancing their hearts out. I liked that. They were 'real' people doing what they love.
The patriarch of the family explained that his father had named the family business 'Smith' because it was easier for people to remember. Their last name is actually a traditional Hawaiian name and as the grandfather said (as relayed by his son) 'no one will remember our last name but they will remember Smith'. He was right, since I can't recall their true Hawaiian last name. They are 5 generations of the same family who have run this business for decades. Their website is: www.smithskauai.com/luau.html
We had a nice time and arrived home sleepy. The boys are playing a couple games of chess while waiting for me to have a little computer time before I head to bed.
Tomorrow, we have no 'firm' plans - all we really want to do is one final 'day at the beach' for some 'sun color' and maybe some last minute souvenir shopping. We need to be packed up and ready to leave the condo at 7:45ish on Friday morning to make our flight home which means a good chunk of the day tomorrow will involve attempting to get things put in suitcases and 'packed'. It helps that my 'souvenir' includes a cute rolling small suitcase and a 'tote bag' from the Honolulu Surf shop - a cute Billabong flower pattern. Santa had brought me a purple set of Swiss Army suitcases that we didn't end up needing - so we'll take those back and I splurged and got a really cute set of 'luggage' which is definitely mine (flowery) and definitely easy to spot on a baggage claim carousel. It's not something I 'needed' but something I saw that kept 'calling' to me every time we went to a surf store that had them. So I got them - a long lasting 'remembrance' of this great trip.
Movin'
J. is up and showered and piddling in the kitchen. He has that look - the one that says 'I'm living with a bunch of sloths'. Which is true. But it's only 8AM here and I've only been awake for just slightly over an hour. He wants to go, go, go. He offered breakfast at Burger King or McDonald's and we all vetoed that. Seems our days of fast food breakfasts being a key in getting the boys moving are also over, as are so many other things that were true with younger kids and not true with teens. Apparently, if a meal doesn't cost at least $50 on vacation, it's not worth eating. I kind of had a vague interest in going to Burger King if for no other reason than they will make all their breakfast sandwiches with SPAM - only in Hawaii. And I love SPAM, though I don't admit it publicly very often. But we'll skip fast food.
I've just munched some delicious fresh cut pineapple. And eaten dry Frosted Flakes. And will head to the shower shortly since J. appears to be growing impatient.
We vacation differently - he and I. He wants to have a 'plan' for each day and the plan always involves going somewhere and doing something. I just like to veg on vacation - having NO PLAN is my idea of the perfect day. So we try to balance the two styles - some days are veg days and some aren't. Today is a 'go and do' day. So I'd best get going and doing.
The boys are playing chess - and it's fun to observe them with each other. They are competitive but in a 'nice' way. They have a friendly wager going on - H. has bet $2 that he will beat B. at least once before vacation ends. B. was so confident that would not happen, he upped the wager to $5. H. said 'no' and kept it at $2. Not too confident, is he?
H. is begging me for the computer. Seems his My Space friends are 'online now' and he needs contact. His social life is pretty 'important'. Guess that's normal for a teen. We need to invest in another laptop someday since the one we have seems to not be enough during these 'high traffic' vacation days.
I've just munched some delicious fresh cut pineapple. And eaten dry Frosted Flakes. And will head to the shower shortly since J. appears to be growing impatient.
We vacation differently - he and I. He wants to have a 'plan' for each day and the plan always involves going somewhere and doing something. I just like to veg on vacation - having NO PLAN is my idea of the perfect day. So we try to balance the two styles - some days are veg days and some aren't. Today is a 'go and do' day. So I'd best get going and doing.
The boys are playing chess - and it's fun to observe them with each other. They are competitive but in a 'nice' way. They have a friendly wager going on - H. has bet $2 that he will beat B. at least once before vacation ends. B. was so confident that would not happen, he upped the wager to $5. H. said 'no' and kept it at $2. Not too confident, is he?
H. is begging me for the computer. Seems his My Space friends are 'online now' and he needs contact. His social life is pretty 'important'. Guess that's normal for a teen. We need to invest in another laptop someday since the one we have seems to not be enough during these 'high traffic' vacation days.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Dinner
Dinner was great. Even the boys enjoyed it, which considering there was no 'pasta alfredo', or pizza or burgers on the menu, is an amazing thing.
The presentation was awesome and I wish I could have gotten pictures of the dishes. I had a watermelon salad - and I was expecting pieces of watermelon mixed with greens. But they cut the watermelon into triangles and then arranged them like a starfish on the plate, put an assortment of colorful greens and oranges and reds in the center, sprinkled with Gorgonzola cheese and a light dressing. It was beautiful and delicious. I ordered pork chops - they were at least an inch thick. They'd been 'carved' into a pineapple like shape with the bone at the top like the stem. And then expertly 'grilled' with a criss-cross pattern that also looked like a pineapple. Served with steamed baby bokchoy and garlic mashed potatoes. Delicious. J. had a seafood assortment. The boys had stuffed chicken breast which they carefully de-stuffed (mushrooms. Ugh to teen boys). For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Molten Desire - a flour less chocolate tart baked in a ramekin, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel and hot chocolate sauce. It was fantastic!
At sunset, everyone left their tables to go watch from the lawn. We stayed at our table mostly - and the waitress came over and said 'you're welcome to leave the table and go to the lawn'. We pointed to our condo window just next door and she laughed and said 'oh, I can see why you are OK with missing it'. We did meander over for a brief moment - it was beautiful.
J. bought me a flower lei from the lady as she walked by - so I can officially say I've been lei'd on my anniversary. It's beautiful and smells so incredibly great! I hope it lasts a day at least.
Tomorrow we are going to Poipu beach and also driving up north to Princeville. We are also going to a luau tomorrow evening.
We're already feeling the 'sadness' of realizing we'll be leaving in a few days. It's gone by so quickly. Vacations always do.
The presentation was awesome and I wish I could have gotten pictures of the dishes. I had a watermelon salad - and I was expecting pieces of watermelon mixed with greens. But they cut the watermelon into triangles and then arranged them like a starfish on the plate, put an assortment of colorful greens and oranges and reds in the center, sprinkled with Gorgonzola cheese and a light dressing. It was beautiful and delicious. I ordered pork chops - they were at least an inch thick. They'd been 'carved' into a pineapple like shape with the bone at the top like the stem. And then expertly 'grilled' with a criss-cross pattern that also looked like a pineapple. Served with steamed baby bokchoy and garlic mashed potatoes. Delicious. J. had a seafood assortment. The boys had stuffed chicken breast which they carefully de-stuffed (mushrooms. Ugh to teen boys). For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Molten Desire - a flour less chocolate tart baked in a ramekin, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel and hot chocolate sauce. It was fantastic!
At sunset, everyone left their tables to go watch from the lawn. We stayed at our table mostly - and the waitress came over and said 'you're welcome to leave the table and go to the lawn'. We pointed to our condo window just next door and she laughed and said 'oh, I can see why you are OK with missing it'. We did meander over for a brief moment - it was beautiful.
J. bought me a flower lei from the lady as she walked by - so I can officially say I've been lei'd on my anniversary. It's beautiful and smells so incredibly great! I hope it lasts a day at least.
Tomorrow we are going to Poipu beach and also driving up north to Princeville. We are also going to a luau tomorrow evening.
We're already feeling the 'sadness' of realizing we'll be leaving in a few days. It's gone by so quickly. Vacations always do.
Time Change
Today is the first day I have been able to 'sleep in' until around 7ish. Which is 10AM at home. It's been incredibly hard - almost impossible, really - for me to sleep in. I have been up as early as 3. Then made it until 5. Finally, today until 7. I come into the 'dining room' in the main room and get on my laptop but then the boys [who are sleeping on the futon and the couch in the main room] complain that my 'mouse clicking' is too loud and wakes them up. I'm a loud clicker. What can I say?
Things I've realized this trip -
First, my dream of living 'on the beach'? Scratch that. I want to live near a beach. Maybe within sight of a beach - like from an upstairs window or something. But living ON THE BEACH? No, that dream is over for me. Surf is loud. ALL THE TIME. You cannot shut it off or turn it down. It is non-stop 24/7 pounding and while it sounds lovely much of the time, there are plenty of other times when you just want it to be SILENT only you can't make that happen. This condo is about 15 feet from water. Lots of water. And rocks and sand and waves. And it is breathtakingly beautiful and certainly a perfect 'vacation spot'. But live here? No, not this close to the water. We took J. to and from the golf course today (so the boys and I would have the rental car which we used for shopping and going out to eat lunch) and the quiet of the parking lot was so pleasant. I miss quiet. So I'm glad I've had this experience because I have a new appreciation for quiet and a new realization that living this close to 'on the beach' is NOT a retirement dream. Maybe 'very near but not on' the water will be my new dream. There are some beautiful houses being built on the golf course J. played today - if we can scrape together a couple million, I'd considered living there. We could just drive to the beach when the mood struck us and we needed a little sand between our toes.
Teens will figure out how to entertain themselves. The purchase of the $4.89 cent chess set was a great investment - they have been playing for two days. Even B. and I played a game - he trounced me, primarily because it's hard for me to remember which piece can move in which direction and I get 'flustered' and can't think my moves out quickly enough. That leads to asking for help which 'tips' my plan. He would have trounced me anyway 'cuz he's been playing since 4th grade (they both have) so I took my loss and went to take a nap. I am glad they are enjoying some 'brotherly interaction' over a strategy game. While swabbing their newly hole punched ears.
Speaking of ears - H. had to have his right ear redone late yesterday. The back of the hole was considerably lower than the front - causing the back of the earring to 'show' from the front. So J. returned to the jeweler and had it redone. H. now has one in the front of his lobe and two in the back - one of which will close up eventually. They are diligently swabbing and twirling. And taking their own pictures pretty frequently with their cell phones. And looking at themselves in every mirror they pass. Just like I did when I got mine pierced 22 years ago. I have to admit - they look a lot better than I thought they would. Helps that they're both pretty darn handsome. But the earrings do add a certain 'style' to their faces.
The Starbucks card with the Hawaii theme is so popular that they keep them behind the counter. If you want one, even with no 'value' on it, you have to pay $5. If you load value on it, then it's 'free' - meaning you don't pay extra for the card. They said they used to have them out but everyone was just taking them as a 'free' souvenir so they stopped doing that. I bought a couple today (with value on them) for the lady taking care of our house and me. And I'll return again in the next couple days to get another couple for current and former coworkers. They are better than a coffee mug 'cuz everyone ends up with far too many mugs. And on a good note: this morning, Starbucks was mobbed. The girl who rang up our order (iced tea - big surprise, I know- for me and a java chip frapp for B.) rang up my tea wrong. I mentioned it to the lady making the drinks - pointing out that the receipt said a 'lemon iced tea' and I only wanted an iced tea. She checked the cup and said it was just a black tea. After she made the drinks, she said 'please follow me over to the register and I'll correct that error - you were overcharged $1.' I said 'I'm not worried about it - it's OK - it's crowded today'. And she insisted. And she didn't just credit me the $1 - she credited the entire drink. I thought that was really great service. And she didn't make me wait in the long line again to get the credit. Classy. They really do employ great people who really want the customer's experience to be stellar. I like that about them!
Tonight, we are having dinner here - http://www.the-beach-house.com/ . The view they have on their website of sunset on the beach (look under the 'parties' tab). That's the view outside our living room window. The tiki torches are right outside our living room window. The picture of the restaurant on the website has a slightly 'taller' white building just behind the place on the right. That's our building. We are walking to the place - it's right next door. We will celebrate our wedding anniversary with some fine food and dessert. And watch the sunset we've been watching every night from our condo window.
Aloha and ma halo for reading!
Things I've realized this trip -
First, my dream of living 'on the beach'? Scratch that. I want to live near a beach. Maybe within sight of a beach - like from an upstairs window or something. But living ON THE BEACH? No, that dream is over for me. Surf is loud. ALL THE TIME. You cannot shut it off or turn it down. It is non-stop 24/7 pounding and while it sounds lovely much of the time, there are plenty of other times when you just want it to be SILENT only you can't make that happen. This condo is about 15 feet from water. Lots of water. And rocks and sand and waves. And it is breathtakingly beautiful and certainly a perfect 'vacation spot'. But live here? No, not this close to the water. We took J. to and from the golf course today (so the boys and I would have the rental car which we used for shopping and going out to eat lunch) and the quiet of the parking lot was so pleasant. I miss quiet. So I'm glad I've had this experience because I have a new appreciation for quiet and a new realization that living this close to 'on the beach' is NOT a retirement dream. Maybe 'very near but not on' the water will be my new dream. There are some beautiful houses being built on the golf course J. played today - if we can scrape together a couple million, I'd considered living there. We could just drive to the beach when the mood struck us and we needed a little sand between our toes.
Teens will figure out how to entertain themselves. The purchase of the $4.89 cent chess set was a great investment - they have been playing for two days. Even B. and I played a game - he trounced me, primarily because it's hard for me to remember which piece can move in which direction and I get 'flustered' and can't think my moves out quickly enough. That leads to asking for help which 'tips' my plan. He would have trounced me anyway 'cuz he's been playing since 4th grade (they both have) so I took my loss and went to take a nap. I am glad they are enjoying some 'brotherly interaction' over a strategy game. While swabbing their newly hole punched ears.
Speaking of ears - H. had to have his right ear redone late yesterday. The back of the hole was considerably lower than the front - causing the back of the earring to 'show' from the front. So J. returned to the jeweler and had it redone. H. now has one in the front of his lobe and two in the back - one of which will close up eventually. They are diligently swabbing and twirling. And taking their own pictures pretty frequently with their cell phones. And looking at themselves in every mirror they pass. Just like I did when I got mine pierced 22 years ago. I have to admit - they look a lot better than I thought they would. Helps that they're both pretty darn handsome. But the earrings do add a certain 'style' to their faces.
The Starbucks card with the Hawaii theme is so popular that they keep them behind the counter. If you want one, even with no 'value' on it, you have to pay $5. If you load value on it, then it's 'free' - meaning you don't pay extra for the card. They said they used to have them out but everyone was just taking them as a 'free' souvenir so they stopped doing that. I bought a couple today (with value on them) for the lady taking care of our house and me. And I'll return again in the next couple days to get another couple for current and former coworkers. They are better than a coffee mug 'cuz everyone ends up with far too many mugs. And on a good note: this morning, Starbucks was mobbed. The girl who rang up our order (iced tea - big surprise, I know- for me and a java chip frapp for B.) rang up my tea wrong. I mentioned it to the lady making the drinks - pointing out that the receipt said a 'lemon iced tea' and I only wanted an iced tea. She checked the cup and said it was just a black tea. After she made the drinks, she said 'please follow me over to the register and I'll correct that error - you were overcharged $1.' I said 'I'm not worried about it - it's OK - it's crowded today'. And she insisted. And she didn't just credit me the $1 - she credited the entire drink. I thought that was really great service. And she didn't make me wait in the long line again to get the credit. Classy. They really do employ great people who really want the customer's experience to be stellar. I like that about them!
Tonight, we are having dinner here - http://www.the-beach-house.com/ . The view they have on their website of sunset on the beach (look under the 'parties' tab). That's the view outside our living room window. The tiki torches are right outside our living room window. The picture of the restaurant on the website has a slightly 'taller' white building just behind the place on the right. That's our building. We are walking to the place - it's right next door. We will celebrate our wedding anniversary with some fine food and dessert. And watch the sunset we've been watching every night from our condo window.
Aloha and ma halo for reading!
Monday, March 24, 2008
18
On the way here, I listened to my iPod a bit on the plane. Came across a song that made me grin from ear to ear and I knew that this would be my anniversary post.
This song makes me think of J. and only J. That's the great thing about being married 'this long'- the history of the past is replaced by memories of the now and the person you are spending the rest of your life with until you have your own 'songs' that are just yours. This song does that to me. And when I listened to it on the plane, I felt so serenly happy.
BUY A DOG (Luce)
I had a dream, it was a good dream
you were there and so was I
we were so happy I did not want to open up my eyes
and we were driving down a road it was a long one
there were signs all over saying
the signs said "welcome to your life"
I looked over and you were smiling
you had a great big smile going you turned to me,
you turned and you said "all your life, all your life, I got your back"
so if you want to try we'll make it you and I
we'll never be alone we'll buy a dog and bring him home
he'll jump up on the bed we'll be the best of friends
I think that we should try I picture you and I...
I had another dream I know you think, "how convenient"
but I swear it's the truth we were there,
yeah, I was me and you were you,
we had a good long life on this planet
when we died we went to heaven,
saw that god was really Elvis!
anyway, our souls were in the right place
our souls were in the right place..
and we'll take him on walks with us everyday
underneath the summer sun)
he can ride in the back of our car when we go away
with his head outside of the window frame
and his tongue out (chorus)
it's a miracle that we're even here and alive
let's buy a dog and bring him home.
We have the dog AND two kids. And it's all a miracle.
Happy Anniversary, J. You are my love and best friend. Even when you play golf on our anniversary. :-) (it really is the only day that golf 'fit' into the schedule and he's deserving of a little time of his own for one of his favorite activites).
This song makes me think of J. and only J. That's the great thing about being married 'this long'- the history of the past is replaced by memories of the now and the person you are spending the rest of your life with until you have your own 'songs' that are just yours. This song does that to me. And when I listened to it on the plane, I felt so serenly happy.
BUY A DOG (Luce)
I had a dream, it was a good dream
you were there and so was I
we were so happy I did not want to open up my eyes
and we were driving down a road it was a long one
there were signs all over saying
the signs said "welcome to your life"
I looked over and you were smiling
you had a great big smile going you turned to me,
you turned and you said "all your life, all your life, I got your back"
so if you want to try we'll make it you and I
we'll never be alone we'll buy a dog and bring him home
he'll jump up on the bed we'll be the best of friends
I think that we should try I picture you and I...
I had another dream I know you think, "how convenient"
but I swear it's the truth we were there,
yeah, I was me and you were you,
we had a good long life on this planet
when we died we went to heaven,
saw that god was really Elvis!
anyway, our souls were in the right place
our souls were in the right place..
and we'll take him on walks with us everyday
underneath the summer sun)
he can ride in the back of our car when we go away
with his head outside of the window frame
and his tongue out (chorus)
it's a miracle that we're even here and alive
let's buy a dog and bring him home.
We have the dog AND two kids. And it's all a miracle.
Happy Anniversary, J. You are my love and best friend. Even when you play golf on our anniversary. :-) (it really is the only day that golf 'fit' into the schedule and he's deserving of a little time of his own for one of his favorite activites).
Piercings
Mission accomplished. Though it took some doing. We headed to Eggberts for breakfast where I enjoyed delicious Eggs Benedict (to my friend J.: I thought of you the entire time 'cuz I know that's your favorite!) and pancakes. It was great! We then headed to a 'local' tattoo parlor which was closed til noon. And then we also noticed the sign that said 'no piercings for anyone under 18 even with parental consent'. Which B. read as 'without parental consent' and we had to point out 'no, they are refusing to do piercings for any 'non-adult' even IF they have their parents OK'. So we headed to the mall where there was a Claire's - but that was too 'girly' for them. Thankfully, the Zales store recommended another jeweler just down the way and we were successful. It was quick, apparently painless and done. They look good, though it's a bit 'strange' to see them with earrings in both ears. It's what they wanted and have wanted for a long time, and like my mom did many, many years ago, we made it as close to an 'Easter' gift as we could. They are happy. We headed to longs to purchase hydrogen peroxide and Qtips for the required cleaning - and got some more bottled water, jelly (we have peanut butter) and chips, and got the kids a $4.89 chess set. They are bonding over games of chess while we try to decide what to do next. We will leave the chess set here as our 'contribution' to the condo - would have bought the game of Life but the kids weren't interested in playing it with me.
We were planning to head up to Princeville but H. and I are both having 'stomach trouble' so we are sticking a bit closer to home for the moment. The kids might try to wedge in surf lessons today and then we can rent them boards and they can surf out in front of the condo all day. Tomorrow, we'll take a drive up further north and see the sites.
I logged into work email briefly to send a quick response from our county office that I saw on Friday and didn't respond to. That's it. Not looking there again for a couple days, at least. I promise. And I didn't end up bringing any work with me at all, which feels strangely good...though a bit guilty.
The beach is sunny and gorgeous today and even I am tempted to head out to the water. It's HOT today - thankfully, we're getting a good breeze off the ocean and have all the ceiling fans going non stop to draw in the cool air. Otherwise, it'd be a sauna in here with all these glass walls.
We were planning to head up to Princeville but H. and I are both having 'stomach trouble' so we are sticking a bit closer to home for the moment. The kids might try to wedge in surf lessons today and then we can rent them boards and they can surf out in front of the condo all day. Tomorrow, we'll take a drive up further north and see the sites.
I logged into work email briefly to send a quick response from our county office that I saw on Friday and didn't respond to. That's it. Not looking there again for a couple days, at least. I promise. And I didn't end up bringing any work with me at all, which feels strangely good...though a bit guilty.
The beach is sunny and gorgeous today and even I am tempted to head out to the water. It's HOT today - thankfully, we're getting a good breeze off the ocean and have all the ceiling fans going non stop to draw in the cool air. Otherwise, it'd be a sauna in here with all these glass walls.
Waves
During the planning stages of this trip, we each made a list (small list) of the top things we wanted to see and do while here. For me, there was only one thing: a sailing day. We took a sailing trip in Maui a couple years ago - and while the day itself was amazing, the aftermath was horrific - I have never been so badly sunburned in my life. It took months to fully recover - and I'm not exaggerating. I had many 'spots' that I watched for a long time thinking 'so this is what a skin cancer looks like'. Thankfully, all is well and I learned my lesson.
Yesterday was our sailing trip and it was GLORIOUS. We left Port Allen at around 8:30AM and returned at 3PM. Our journey took us up to the Na'pali coastline. We saw a mama whale and her calf so incredibly close up - and then dozens of spinner dolphins, too. It was glorious. The water was crystal clear and changed in the blink of an eye from greens, to deep blues, to turquoise. We saw two sugar mills - one working, one closed (and for sale). We also learned about the "Forbidden Island" - Niihau, privately owned and inhabited by native Hawaiians. The history is fascinating. The Robinson family has owned the island since 1847 when they purchased if for $10,000 gold from King Kamehameha IV. It has been in the family ever since. The Robinson family also owns much of the island we are on - Kauai. Only 15% of this island is 'developed' - and while it seems like there's construction everywhere we look, it is in fact just a couple small recently developed housing tracts. With homes starting at $1.9M.
Niihau is also for sale - for $1 billion. A bunch of us on the boat talked it through and decided if we pooled our next paychecks and a couple of paychecks after that, we might be able to buy a rock or two on the beach. The family has said they will only sell to someone who doesn't plan to develop the island and who will allow the native families that have lived there all their lives to remain. There is no running water, no electricity anywhere on the island. They just recently built a solar powered school - only our boat guide said there was no information on exactly how or when the solar panels were delivered to the island. There are supply barges that arrive and leave about once a month. So it's going to be hard to find someone with a billion dollars lying around that they want to spend to support an island community of less than 250 people. But if I had a billion, I might consider it. The beauty of the island is that addictive. They say if a resident of Niihau leaves for an extended period, they are not allowed to return. Guess that keeps everyone honest and maintains the isolated culture as it's been for centuries. They only speak the Hawaiian language on the island, and they don't want folks leaving and returning with new ideas, new language, etc.
I spent the day with my newly purchased rash guard (SPF 50) [which was purchased at a little surf shop and I was sure it would be overpriced - it wasn't - $36 - a bargain] and capri pants and slathered every exposed part of my body with SPF 50. It worked. I have a bit of a pink forehead and a pink nose - but I'm fine everywhere else. I'm actually a little too fine 'cuz you'd never know I'm on vacation on the beach - but we still have four full days to go and I'm sure I'll get some color in those 4 days. Just a bit of color - no frying allowed.
We met some really nice people on our trip including a wonderful lady named Barbara from Chicago. She was visiting the islands with her cousins. They were a great group - in their sixties, probably, but you'd never know it. We talked and talked and while everyone around us was diving off the coastline, we struck up a conversation about our kids. She has three boys. She asked where B. wanted to go to college and I told her he was thinking about the Musician's Institute in Hollywood. And she told me she had a cousin who was a very successful studio musician - his name is Barry Goldberg and he has a blues band. She said 'I'm encouraging you because he can make a living at that if he wants to - and I'm sure my cousin would be happy to talk to him about it. He lives in Southern California'. So we exchanged names and phone numbers. And then we came back to the condo and looked him up on the Internet and it turns out it isn't just that this guy has eked out a living - it turns out he's quite well known, has quite a following and has been in the industry for many, many years. So he's a great contact to know. B. listened politely to Barbara when he returned from his dive and seemed intrigued.
But later, on the ride home, when we were being pounded by waves and surf - literally got drenched at one point from water coming up over the bow and we were on the top deck of the boat - those below had been drenched long before we were - B. told me that he's pretty sure he just wants to go to a 'state school' for four years and still pursue being a musician but not necessarily a studio musician. Huh? When did that happen? That revelation was a good distraction from the water pouring onto the lower deck and the pounding we were experiencing from hitting surf at a cross angle. We were all really glad when it 'calmed down' a bit and I was particularly thankful that we weren't under sail power 'cuz if we had been, I'm pretty sure we might have tipped over. It was not really 'stormy' weather but the ocean didn't seem to care about that - she was all white caps and surf.
Kids. They change their minds every three seconds and I can't keep up. So now he has this incredible 'contact' in the music biz and no need for it. I'm keeping the number just in case. And I told B. if Barry is anything like his cousin Barbara, he's going to pick up the phone and call B. - so I told B. 'you'd better think of what to say and listen to the man. He could help with that dream, whatever it may be'.
We ended the day with a delicious meal at Brenneke's. Had prime rib and the kids FINALLY found a place that served pasta alfredo. Only it came with sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and broccoli, which they asked to leave off. The portions were small-ish (for the boys) though they both seemed full. And the Easter Bunny left some treats for them so that was our dessert. J. had mahi-mahi and I had prime rib. Delicious!
Today, we are having an American breakfast and then the kids are getting their ears pierced. We had a talk with H. and told him 'you can get your ears pierced in exchange for extending your grounding for another few weeks'. He asked 'so you mean I can't hang out with friends when we get home if I get my ears pierced'. I said 'yes, that's what we mean'. He did give it a two second thought and then bagged his friends and said 'I want to get my ears done'. And I'm OK with it 'cuz it will be 'done' and we won't have this ongoing conversation about when he can get it done for the next umpteen months of my life. I know it's sort of 'giving in' - but he does realize he screwed up badly and is seriously grounded. And is subject to us getting him an AM bus pass to match his PM bus pass.
J. is planning to play golf tomorrow and hopefully, we'll find a place for the kids to take some surfing lessons and then they can spend the day in the water. I will also try to get a bit of beach time in for some 'color', hopefully. And we need to do laundry and tidy up the condo a bit today.
Aloha, everyone. Wish you were here.
Yesterday was our sailing trip and it was GLORIOUS. We left Port Allen at around 8:30AM and returned at 3PM. Our journey took us up to the Na'pali coastline. We saw a mama whale and her calf so incredibly close up - and then dozens of spinner dolphins, too. It was glorious. The water was crystal clear and changed in the blink of an eye from greens, to deep blues, to turquoise. We saw two sugar mills - one working, one closed (and for sale). We also learned about the "Forbidden Island" - Niihau, privately owned and inhabited by native Hawaiians. The history is fascinating. The Robinson family has owned the island since 1847 when they purchased if for $10,000 gold from King Kamehameha IV. It has been in the family ever since. The Robinson family also owns much of the island we are on - Kauai. Only 15% of this island is 'developed' - and while it seems like there's construction everywhere we look, it is in fact just a couple small recently developed housing tracts. With homes starting at $1.9M.
Niihau is also for sale - for $1 billion. A bunch of us on the boat talked it through and decided if we pooled our next paychecks and a couple of paychecks after that, we might be able to buy a rock or two on the beach. The family has said they will only sell to someone who doesn't plan to develop the island and who will allow the native families that have lived there all their lives to remain. There is no running water, no electricity anywhere on the island. They just recently built a solar powered school - only our boat guide said there was no information on exactly how or when the solar panels were delivered to the island. There are supply barges that arrive and leave about once a month. So it's going to be hard to find someone with a billion dollars lying around that they want to spend to support an island community of less than 250 people. But if I had a billion, I might consider it. The beauty of the island is that addictive. They say if a resident of Niihau leaves for an extended period, they are not allowed to return. Guess that keeps everyone honest and maintains the isolated culture as it's been for centuries. They only speak the Hawaiian language on the island, and they don't want folks leaving and returning with new ideas, new language, etc.
I spent the day with my newly purchased rash guard (SPF 50) [which was purchased at a little surf shop and I was sure it would be overpriced - it wasn't - $36 - a bargain] and capri pants and slathered every exposed part of my body with SPF 50. It worked. I have a bit of a pink forehead and a pink nose - but I'm fine everywhere else. I'm actually a little too fine 'cuz you'd never know I'm on vacation on the beach - but we still have four full days to go and I'm sure I'll get some color in those 4 days. Just a bit of color - no frying allowed.
We met some really nice people on our trip including a wonderful lady named Barbara from Chicago. She was visiting the islands with her cousins. They were a great group - in their sixties, probably, but you'd never know it. We talked and talked and while everyone around us was diving off the coastline, we struck up a conversation about our kids. She has three boys. She asked where B. wanted to go to college and I told her he was thinking about the Musician's Institute in Hollywood. And she told me she had a cousin who was a very successful studio musician - his name is Barry Goldberg and he has a blues band. She said 'I'm encouraging you because he can make a living at that if he wants to - and I'm sure my cousin would be happy to talk to him about it. He lives in Southern California'. So we exchanged names and phone numbers. And then we came back to the condo and looked him up on the Internet and it turns out it isn't just that this guy has eked out a living - it turns out he's quite well known, has quite a following and has been in the industry for many, many years. So he's a great contact to know. B. listened politely to Barbara when he returned from his dive and seemed intrigued.
But later, on the ride home, when we were being pounded by waves and surf - literally got drenched at one point from water coming up over the bow and we were on the top deck of the boat - those below had been drenched long before we were - B. told me that he's pretty sure he just wants to go to a 'state school' for four years and still pursue being a musician but not necessarily a studio musician. Huh? When did that happen? That revelation was a good distraction from the water pouring onto the lower deck and the pounding we were experiencing from hitting surf at a cross angle. We were all really glad when it 'calmed down' a bit and I was particularly thankful that we weren't under sail power 'cuz if we had been, I'm pretty sure we might have tipped over. It was not really 'stormy' weather but the ocean didn't seem to care about that - she was all white caps and surf.
Kids. They change their minds every three seconds and I can't keep up. So now he has this incredible 'contact' in the music biz and no need for it. I'm keeping the number just in case. And I told B. if Barry is anything like his cousin Barbara, he's going to pick up the phone and call B. - so I told B. 'you'd better think of what to say and listen to the man. He could help with that dream, whatever it may be'.
We ended the day with a delicious meal at Brenneke's. Had prime rib and the kids FINALLY found a place that served pasta alfredo. Only it came with sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and broccoli, which they asked to leave off. The portions were small-ish (for the boys) though they both seemed full. And the Easter Bunny left some treats for them so that was our dessert. J. had mahi-mahi and I had prime rib. Delicious!
Today, we are having an American breakfast and then the kids are getting their ears pierced. We had a talk with H. and told him 'you can get your ears pierced in exchange for extending your grounding for another few weeks'. He asked 'so you mean I can't hang out with friends when we get home if I get my ears pierced'. I said 'yes, that's what we mean'. He did give it a two second thought and then bagged his friends and said 'I want to get my ears done'. And I'm OK with it 'cuz it will be 'done' and we won't have this ongoing conversation about when he can get it done for the next umpteen months of my life. I know it's sort of 'giving in' - but he does realize he screwed up badly and is seriously grounded. And is subject to us getting him an AM bus pass to match his PM bus pass.
J. is planning to play golf tomorrow and hopefully, we'll find a place for the kids to take some surfing lessons and then they can spend the day in the water. I will also try to get a bit of beach time in for some 'color', hopefully. And we need to do laundry and tidy up the condo a bit today.
Aloha, everyone. Wish you were here.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Creatures
We have only been here 6 hours and we've already seen turtles playing near the rocky shore and whales! Lots of whales! And the best part is: we haven't had to leave the condo. We are able to see plenty right from the balcony of the condo. It's great!
It's a bit overcast and has rained once already - but it's still nice enough that there are lots of surfers and lots of snorkelers. H. and J. went to the beach and H. did get in the water, though it is chillier than it was when we were in Maui in June a couple years ago. It's 'Spring' in Hawaii, and it's warm but not hot. Still very humid. Water a bit on the 'coolish' side which means I won't be too inclined to get in a lot unless it's really scorching.
It's a bit overcast and has rained once already - but it's still nice enough that there are lots of surfers and lots of snorkelers. H. and J. went to the beach and H. did get in the water, though it is chillier than it was when we were in Maui in June a couple years ago. It's 'Spring' in Hawaii, and it's warm but not hot. Still very humid. Water a bit on the 'coolish' side which means I won't be too inclined to get in a lot unless it's really scorching.
Arrived
We are here, in paradise. Yes, we are. J. was right. Traffic was fairly light. We didn't leave the house until 4AM and we still made it all the way to OAK airport by just after 5. Even parked at one of the various parking locations off airport property and shuttled in and STILL were at the check-in counter by 5:20. Well ahead of many of our fellow passengers. No time for a leisurely breakfast so we opted for expensive airport food instead. It wasn't very satisfying but it got us through. The flight was fine though a bit bumpy. And long. Boring. Slept a little and was appalled to find myself waking up with my mouth hanging open - but I can't breath through my nose at the moment so my options are suffocating or breathing through my mouth. Wished I had a sheet or something to hide the peak at my molars and then I could have really slept more soundly and longer. Embarrassing but sleep overcame me after the movie - we didn't go to bed until close to 10 and were up at 3.
It is beautiful here. The condo is SPECTACULAR - all glass walls in the main room that look right out on the ocean. We have all the windows open to hear the surf and know why the rental place called this unit 'Surf Song'. It is RIGHT on the water - I'll try to post pics soon.
It is 4PM at home but just after 1 here. We found a little burger joint to grab some lunch - we were all absolutely famished. And then headed to the little local market to get supplies - $100 later, we have fixing's for a couple breakfasts and lunches and some snacks. Milk was $7.89/gallon. Other things similarly expensive. It's nuts. But we just ignored the prices and bought what we needed and can get through a few days. The burger and fries lunch we just consumed was $58 so I guess $100 for a couple days of meals isn't all that bad. All things considered. H. asked for some corned beef hash 'cuz that's always one of his favorite 'weekend' breakfasts. I had thought for sure the price of that item would be over the top - and yet, it was only $1.49/can which is less expensive than home. Go figure. And we bought the teeniest box of Frosted Flakes and it was close to $5. It's so 'cute', I sort of hate to open it - and with H. being the primary consumer of those flakes, that tiny box will probably not last much past this time tomorrow. But it's still less expensive than eating 'out'.
Tomorrow is just a 'hanging at the beach' day - no plans, really. Sunday we are sailing all day. And snorkeling. And J. and the kids are going to scuba dive also from the boat like they did in Maui a couple years ago. Monday is another 'free' day. Tuesday is our anniversary and we have reservations at The Beach House restaurant which is right next door to our condo building. Wednesday we go to a Lua. In between all those days, we'll be just driving around, seeing the sites, enjoying the scenery and the 'on vacation-ness' of the time. It's a nice feeling to be 'free' of work for awhile. And we found we have wireless Internet (we're getting a signal here from somewhere) but it's not a secure connection and apparently, my work email will not allow me to connect. Isn't that sad?
The 'town' is surprisingly devoid of 'tourist' stuff. A couple galleries and shops - but hardly any 'food' places. Unlike Maui which was wall to wall food joints, stores, ice cream shops, etc. This place is scant on the 'hoopla' of 'tourists'. We did find one Starbucks but it's quite a drive away and will not be a daily event. Most definitely not.
Bye for now. I'll update more later.
It is beautiful here. The condo is SPECTACULAR - all glass walls in the main room that look right out on the ocean. We have all the windows open to hear the surf and know why the rental place called this unit 'Surf Song'. It is RIGHT on the water - I'll try to post pics soon.
It is 4PM at home but just after 1 here. We found a little burger joint to grab some lunch - we were all absolutely famished. And then headed to the little local market to get supplies - $100 later, we have fixing's for a couple breakfasts and lunches and some snacks. Milk was $7.89/gallon. Other things similarly expensive. It's nuts. But we just ignored the prices and bought what we needed and can get through a few days. The burger and fries lunch we just consumed was $58 so I guess $100 for a couple days of meals isn't all that bad. All things considered. H. asked for some corned beef hash 'cuz that's always one of his favorite 'weekend' breakfasts. I had thought for sure the price of that item would be over the top - and yet, it was only $1.49/can which is less expensive than home. Go figure. And we bought the teeniest box of Frosted Flakes and it was close to $5. It's so 'cute', I sort of hate to open it - and with H. being the primary consumer of those flakes, that tiny box will probably not last much past this time tomorrow. But it's still less expensive than eating 'out'.
Tomorrow is just a 'hanging at the beach' day - no plans, really. Sunday we are sailing all day. And snorkeling. And J. and the kids are going to scuba dive also from the boat like they did in Maui a couple years ago. Monday is another 'free' day. Tuesday is our anniversary and we have reservations at The Beach House restaurant which is right next door to our condo building. Wednesday we go to a Lua. In between all those days, we'll be just driving around, seeing the sites, enjoying the scenery and the 'on vacation-ness' of the time. It's a nice feeling to be 'free' of work for awhile. And we found we have wireless Internet (we're getting a signal here from somewhere) but it's not a secure connection and apparently, my work email will not allow me to connect. Isn't that sad?
The 'town' is surprisingly devoid of 'tourist' stuff. A couple galleries and shops - but hardly any 'food' places. Unlike Maui which was wall to wall food joints, stores, ice cream shops, etc. This place is scant on the 'hoopla' of 'tourists'. We did find one Starbucks but it's quite a drive away and will not be a daily event. Most definitely not.
Bye for now. I'll update more later.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Bustling
I am on the cusp of being 'officially on vacation', something which I have not said since this time last year when I took off Spring Break week - and then a coworker died during that vacation and that week pretty much was the end of that short vacation. It was a bad week - a bad memory that still haunts me to this day....
I left my desk fairly straightened and organized. I have a bulging folder of 'stuff' that requires my immediate attention upon my return on the 31st - but there isn't anything 'looming' too badly. And the great thing about working for the schools is: when you're off during Winter or Spring break, so is everyone else - so there's not going to be too much happening anyway and therefore, you can leave without too much worrying.
I am taking work with me - budget stuff that I do need to work on and hope to sneak some time in on while the kids and/or J. are out playing golf, etc. Hoping I can wedge a bit of work time in - and if not, I'll try to work a bit the weekend we're home before we return to the regular world. This job never, EVER ends - and that point was driven home when I was called on Monday during a 'non-work' day by my boss and asked to call back our local newspaper who was working on an article related to the effect the State budget crisis is having on the 'rural' districts in our town. I called the reporter back, gave her my answers - being very careful to NOT state a firm number related to what 'cuts' we will be making. Repeatedly said when she tried to put words in my mouth 'no, I'm not going to be able to give you a firm number'. So first thing Tuesday morning, I go online and read the paper and what does she say? She says '[xyz District]....will be cutting x%'. Which is NOT WHAT I SAID. My boss said 'welcome to the world of the misquoted'. Pissed me off. On a good note, though, I did, really, finally feel like a 'real' CBO. Like I'd joined the club of realizing that it doesn't matter what you say - the paper will print what they like. The are known for that. I don't trust them, would prefer to never have to talk to them but I don't have a job that allows for that. I work for a public agency and when I'm asked direct questions, I reply as best I can being very careful how I structure my response. Sneaky buggers! I'd stop my subscription in protest but the paper is free - they haven't charged for delivery in years. And they wouldn't care anyway.
I have a class all day tomorrow and my current plan involves staying up all night and sleeping on the plane. J. thinks we will breeze to the airport - I think there is no such thing as breezing through what is known as one of Northern California's worst commutes. Two hugely congested freeways with hellish interchanges. But he thinks we're leaving early enough (our flight leaves at 7AM, we're supposed to be at the airport by 5 and we're leaving at 3:30) that we won't have any trouble. And it is Good Friday and many people will take the day off. I told J. 'if we end up getting to Oakland seriously early, we'll head to a Denny's and have a nice breakfast before heading to the plane'. I hate early flights - I picked our evening flight time specifically to avoid what we are about to do: getting two teenagers up and in the car at 3:30AM with bags and bags of stuff. But the airline changed our flights and now we're stuck - and they have only one flight per day so we're stuck again. If we don't make the flight, we'll have to wait until the next day. SO we ARE going to make the flight. And then sleep most of the way there, I hope. I just hate to think of arriving in paradise and needing a nap. But it could happen. Just sayin'.
The kids continue to make me absolutely crazy - and I can only assume they will continue to do so even in paradise. But hopefully, it'll be easier for me to handle. I'm not doing to well on the 'mommy' front these days - they just piss me off on a regular basis and I feel like I don't know either of them. I don't feel like I'd choose to know either of them - and yet, they have my DNA and I gave birth to them. Shocks me lately. Not sure if they're just 'boys'? and I'm certainly not an expert on boys, since I didn't have many around growing up. They just test and test and test - and screw up...and somehow, no matter what the transgression is, it ends up being about one of us - me or J. Something we allegedly aren't doing for them, or with them, or because of them. It is exhausting to try to keep up with the crap that's been going on around here the past few months. But I'm trying. It's not like I have any choice. They live here; I live here. They're staying; I'm staying. Maybe a week in a new environment will help. At the very least, it will be a family vacation and we always have fun on vacations - ALWAYS. Here's hoping.
Aloha for now and the next time I write, I will hopefully be on a balcony watching a sunset with some sort of umbrella drink in my hand.
I left my desk fairly straightened and organized. I have a bulging folder of 'stuff' that requires my immediate attention upon my return on the 31st - but there isn't anything 'looming' too badly. And the great thing about working for the schools is: when you're off during Winter or Spring break, so is everyone else - so there's not going to be too much happening anyway and therefore, you can leave without too much worrying.
I am taking work with me - budget stuff that I do need to work on and hope to sneak some time in on while the kids and/or J. are out playing golf, etc. Hoping I can wedge a bit of work time in - and if not, I'll try to work a bit the weekend we're home before we return to the regular world. This job never, EVER ends - and that point was driven home when I was called on Monday during a 'non-work' day by my boss and asked to call back our local newspaper who was working on an article related to the effect the State budget crisis is having on the 'rural' districts in our town. I called the reporter back, gave her my answers - being very careful to NOT state a firm number related to what 'cuts' we will be making. Repeatedly said when she tried to put words in my mouth 'no, I'm not going to be able to give you a firm number'. So first thing Tuesday morning, I go online and read the paper and what does she say? She says '[xyz District]....will be cutting x%'. Which is NOT WHAT I SAID. My boss said 'welcome to the world of the misquoted'. Pissed me off. On a good note, though, I did, really, finally feel like a 'real' CBO. Like I'd joined the club of realizing that it doesn't matter what you say - the paper will print what they like. The are known for that. I don't trust them, would prefer to never have to talk to them but I don't have a job that allows for that. I work for a public agency and when I'm asked direct questions, I reply as best I can being very careful how I structure my response. Sneaky buggers! I'd stop my subscription in protest but the paper is free - they haven't charged for delivery in years. And they wouldn't care anyway.
I have a class all day tomorrow and my current plan involves staying up all night and sleeping on the plane. J. thinks we will breeze to the airport - I think there is no such thing as breezing through what is known as one of Northern California's worst commutes. Two hugely congested freeways with hellish interchanges. But he thinks we're leaving early enough (our flight leaves at 7AM, we're supposed to be at the airport by 5 and we're leaving at 3:30) that we won't have any trouble. And it is Good Friday and many people will take the day off. I told J. 'if we end up getting to Oakland seriously early, we'll head to a Denny's and have a nice breakfast before heading to the plane'. I hate early flights - I picked our evening flight time specifically to avoid what we are about to do: getting two teenagers up and in the car at 3:30AM with bags and bags of stuff. But the airline changed our flights and now we're stuck - and they have only one flight per day so we're stuck again. If we don't make the flight, we'll have to wait until the next day. SO we ARE going to make the flight. And then sleep most of the way there, I hope. I just hate to think of arriving in paradise and needing a nap. But it could happen. Just sayin'.
The kids continue to make me absolutely crazy - and I can only assume they will continue to do so even in paradise. But hopefully, it'll be easier for me to handle. I'm not doing to well on the 'mommy' front these days - they just piss me off on a regular basis and I feel like I don't know either of them. I don't feel like I'd choose to know either of them - and yet, they have my DNA and I gave birth to them. Shocks me lately. Not sure if they're just 'boys'? and I'm certainly not an expert on boys, since I didn't have many around growing up. They just test and test and test - and screw up...and somehow, no matter what the transgression is, it ends up being about one of us - me or J. Something we allegedly aren't doing for them, or with them, or because of them. It is exhausting to try to keep up with the crap that's been going on around here the past few months. But I'm trying. It's not like I have any choice. They live here; I live here. They're staying; I'm staying. Maybe a week in a new environment will help. At the very least, it will be a family vacation and we always have fun on vacations - ALWAYS. Here's hoping.
Aloha for now and the next time I write, I will hopefully be on a balcony watching a sunset with some sort of umbrella drink in my hand.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Screwdrivers
Yesterday, my Lion's club hosted our annual Corned Beef and Cabbage fundraiser dinner. I worked from noon until 9PM non-stop. I did get about 15 minutes to eat with J. and the kids, though honestly, the kids didn't eat. $15 each for a dinner they wouldn't touch - they ate a bit of salad and some dinner rolls - but no meat, no potatoes, and most definitely no cabbage or boiled onions. I don't even think they ate cake. CAKE. When did they start passing up sugar?
It was an incredibly long day. We lightened the mood during the cleanup by having 'cocktails' and I had two Screwdrivers which was preceded by a glass of white Zinfandel while I was manning the drink ticket booth. I didn't feel even 'buzzed' - but 'happy' (J's description). Returned home after massive cleaning up, loaded with leftovers. And I went to bed. And stayed awake all night long. Really. This same thing happened a couple weeks ago when I had a glass of wine with dinner. COULD NOT SLEEP. I knew part of it was related to the excruciating pain in my hips - I am most definitely not used to being on my feet for hours on end and I was/am so sore. I still, 15 hours later, can barely move. I ache. I've taken every pain reliever in the house, with the exception of the stuff I have leftover from my kidney stone episode - and I'll take that this afternoon as soon as I'm home from schlepping H. home from school. I need pain relief and sleep, not necessarily in that order. I hurt. It's time to get cortisone shots in my hip joints again - yes, that is as painful as it sounds, but thankfully, once done, it brings long lasting relief from this daily agony. So that's also being added to my list of 'Majah needs a tuneup' items. Anyway, this morning, I researched a bit on the Internet (love Google) and found a brief mention that when your body is metabolizing the alcohol, it can cause 'wakefulness'. Perfect description of my night.
Thankfully, it was a fun day. We are a great group and we all work well together. Both of the kids and J. (oh, J., you are my hero) helped out tremendously and while it wasn't exactly like a 'recreation' day, it was pretty close. We made a lot of money for Tracy Interfaith Ministries and had a good time doing it. I'm already looking forward to next year....but I'm planning to book the 'day after' off. In advance. I ended up taking today as a 'non-work' day - I didn't call in sick since I'm not using sick time for today - I'm paid by the day and therefore, am just not working today. Had intentions of slipping back to bed after the kids left, but there's plenty to do around here to get ready for our trip - cleaning crew comes tomorrow and we have a lot of 'house' things to get ready. That and moving like I'm 100 years old.
I visited the 'new' kennel this afternoon and LOVE IT. Chloe is going to have an absolute ball there for a week - there's a sweet little dachshund named Mikey there and the two of them are just going to have an absolute blast! She will just love every minute of the time there and I'm so happy we found that place and they had an opening for her. I feel so much better about the trip!
It was an incredibly long day. We lightened the mood during the cleanup by having 'cocktails' and I had two Screwdrivers which was preceded by a glass of white Zinfandel while I was manning the drink ticket booth. I didn't feel even 'buzzed' - but 'happy' (J's description). Returned home after massive cleaning up, loaded with leftovers. And I went to bed. And stayed awake all night long. Really. This same thing happened a couple weeks ago when I had a glass of wine with dinner. COULD NOT SLEEP. I knew part of it was related to the excruciating pain in my hips - I am most definitely not used to being on my feet for hours on end and I was/am so sore. I still, 15 hours later, can barely move. I ache. I've taken every pain reliever in the house, with the exception of the stuff I have leftover from my kidney stone episode - and I'll take that this afternoon as soon as I'm home from schlepping H. home from school. I need pain relief and sleep, not necessarily in that order. I hurt. It's time to get cortisone shots in my hip joints again - yes, that is as painful as it sounds, but thankfully, once done, it brings long lasting relief from this daily agony. So that's also being added to my list of 'Majah needs a tuneup' items. Anyway, this morning, I researched a bit on the Internet (love Google) and found a brief mention that when your body is metabolizing the alcohol, it can cause 'wakefulness'. Perfect description of my night.
Thankfully, it was a fun day. We are a great group and we all work well together. Both of the kids and J. (oh, J., you are my hero) helped out tremendously and while it wasn't exactly like a 'recreation' day, it was pretty close. We made a lot of money for Tracy Interfaith Ministries and had a good time doing it. I'm already looking forward to next year....but I'm planning to book the 'day after' off. In advance. I ended up taking today as a 'non-work' day - I didn't call in sick since I'm not using sick time for today - I'm paid by the day and therefore, am just not working today. Had intentions of slipping back to bed after the kids left, but there's plenty to do around here to get ready for our trip - cleaning crew comes tomorrow and we have a lot of 'house' things to get ready. That and moving like I'm 100 years old.
I visited the 'new' kennel this afternoon and LOVE IT. Chloe is going to have an absolute ball there for a week - there's a sweet little dachshund named Mikey there and the two of them are just going to have an absolute blast! She will just love every minute of the time there and I'm so happy we found that place and they had an opening for her. I feel so much better about the trip!
Crashing
Is anyone else besides me completely NOT comfortable with our President attempting to 'reassure' us we're not in some kind of economic free fall? I mean, I don't trust a single word out of the man's mouth. Do you? Who is he kidding? This is a recession. No doubt about it. It may, may be heading for something much worse. I don't know. I'm not an economist (though I'm thinking lately I wish I'd pay more attention in my various college Econ courses).
I asked J. this weekend 'why don't they just get OPEC to release more oil?' - this comment offered when he handed me the receipt to put SIXTY DOLLARS worth of gas in the van. He said 'honey, it's not a shortage of oil. It's the dollar. It's crashing. It's not worth as much and the world markets are pretty shaken up and therefore, everything is going to get more expensive'. Huh? I think I harrumphed or something - because honestly, THAT being the cause of gas approaching $4 a gallon had never occurred to me. Now I know what it feels like to live in Europe.
I am a bit 'scared', I admit. We have a life's savings issue here that is scaring the crap out of me - because my husband is less than 10 years away from NEVER WORKING AGAIN IN HIS LIFETIME. And I'd really hoped to retire right along with him. But if this market doesn't turn around and we start earning 2% or less on our investments - or worse, keep losing as we have this past year, there will be no retirement party in either of our futures. And really, it's getting to the point that I'm even worried beyond the 'steadily declining net worth' point of the issue. I'm just scared. What is happening to us? And more importantly, what can be done to stop it? THIS point in this thought process is about the time I wish I'd pay more attention in Econ. Maybe then, I'd have more to contemplate than just the constant 'red' print and 'down' arrows on my Yahoo market watch section.
Me and the rest of America.
I asked J. this weekend 'why don't they just get OPEC to release more oil?' - this comment offered when he handed me the receipt to put SIXTY DOLLARS worth of gas in the van. He said 'honey, it's not a shortage of oil. It's the dollar. It's crashing. It's not worth as much and the world markets are pretty shaken up and therefore, everything is going to get more expensive'. Huh? I think I harrumphed or something - because honestly, THAT being the cause of gas approaching $4 a gallon had never occurred to me. Now I know what it feels like to live in Europe.
I am a bit 'scared', I admit. We have a life's savings issue here that is scaring the crap out of me - because my husband is less than 10 years away from NEVER WORKING AGAIN IN HIS LIFETIME. And I'd really hoped to retire right along with him. But if this market doesn't turn around and we start earning 2% or less on our investments - or worse, keep losing as we have this past year, there will be no retirement party in either of our futures. And really, it's getting to the point that I'm even worried beyond the 'steadily declining net worth' point of the issue. I'm just scared. What is happening to us? And more importantly, what can be done to stop it? THIS point in this thought process is about the time I wish I'd pay more attention in Econ. Maybe then, I'd have more to contemplate than just the constant 'red' print and 'down' arrows on my Yahoo market watch section.
Me and the rest of America.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Friends
I had lunch on Friday with my friend J. - from two jobs ago. We have kept in touch all these years since I left there. We have kids in common, and work/life experiences in common and she's one of my closest friends. There were other 'friends' from that former job long ago that I've lost touch with - when I realized that the effort was entirely one-sided (mine) and decided to let it go. It's not nor has it ever been like that with J. If we don't email each other for awhile, it will be one of us that quickly realizes 'it's been forever' and we reconnect. We get together for dinner or lunches when we can and like all great friendships, we pick up right where we left off - without hardly skipping a beat. We are the most unlikely of friends in many ways - completely different life experiences. Yet, we've always just 'clicked' and she is on my top 5 list of friends - and I don't have many really, truly close friends.
You know how you have a friend that you can say anything to? And I do mean anything? J. is that friend. You know how you have a confidant that you say 'if anything happens to me, please be sure it's YOU that goes down and cleans up my desk before our boss realizes what I left 'unfinished'? J. was that friend. I have no close work friends at the moment, which sucks and which I miss - and J. was that 'go-to, count on it' friendship through a lot of really hard years at our (now both of our) former employers. I was blessed to have a person that was such a wonderful, caring safety net and only since I've transitioned to my current job have I realized how lucky I was to have that. You never know what you've got 'til it's gone, as the song says. It's true.
J. has been a huge support to me over the years. She is like my best cheerleader and reminds me (when I need it) how great I am. That sounds 'bad' written in a blog - but when I have moments of self doubt and am full of 'not sureness' related to life or work, she steps in an reminds me of the great qualities I DO have and helps me not focus so much on the great qualities I might be lacking. She's a great encourager and when I need a listening ear, she's who I turn to most frequently. My emails to her border on novels more than not and when we get together for our infrequent face-to-face visits, everything comes pouring out of me as fast as I can talk. I hate that about myself - I intend to listen intently and also encourage her. She doesn't need encouragement because she's one of the most self-confident, go getter of a woman I've ever, ever known, and probably ever will know. Still, there are times when I know she needs someone to listen.
I always intend for that to happen. But we spent years and years talking to each other everyday - every morning, as soon as I arrived (she was always there before me, no matter how early I tried to get there), we'd head to the cafeteria (in the building we were in, there was one - not anymore but back in the good old days, there was) and get a latte and share about our kids, our family, our work, our lives. She was the first person I called when they told me they were laying me off. She supported me through my mom's illness and death and I tried to do the same for her when her beloved mother-in-law (also a friend of mine) died. That's what we do. That's what we are - friends through and through. And these months of this now not so new job create all these 'things' I save up to tell her, and get her thoughts on - and they come pouring out of me like a broken well pump - you give it one little push and it all comes streaming out in a never ending downpour. I work in a strange environment where 'discomfort' is a daily norm. And I just have so many things to share with someone - and it's typically J. who listens and encourages and reassures and laughs - reminding me that not all women are thoughtless, rude and hurtful like the kind I work with. Some are actually quite extraordinary. J. is one of the extraordinary.
J. is going through some hard stuff at the moment - nothing she can't completely and totally handle on her own. But I want her to know I am here for her. I want her to know that at a moment's notice, I will drop everything and get to where she is and listen, support, talk, help in absolutely anyway I can.
I don't think I did a very good job of being her friend on Friday. I didn't mean to not be the listener - honestly, I didn't. But I realized on the way home that I spoke more than I listened and her quietness was obvious and should have triggered a 'hey, what's up with you' - only I knew what was up with her. I was just so wrapped up in myself that I left a lot of things unsaid. It was selfish of me and I've spent the entire weekend thinking about that. Realizing that I can't forget to listen...as much as she's supported me these years we've known each other, it's the least I can do.
I know she will read this post in the next day or two - and I just wanted her to know from the bottom of my heart that I'm sorry. I am here and listening and whatever this is that's going to 'be' in your life, you are not alone and you are and will be well supported. I mean that. Distance and time and life haven't separated us and all these upcoming changes in your life won't, either. We're not the kind of friends that camp with each other or travel together - but we are the kind of friends that stick together like glue - we always have and I hope we always will. So whatever is needed, count me in. Whenever you need it, I'll be there. I'll be the same friend you've been to me over the years as I transitioned careers and faced other life challenges. I promise. Cross my heart.
You know how you have a friend that you can say anything to? And I do mean anything? J. is that friend. You know how you have a confidant that you say 'if anything happens to me, please be sure it's YOU that goes down and cleans up my desk before our boss realizes what I left 'unfinished'? J. was that friend. I have no close work friends at the moment, which sucks and which I miss - and J. was that 'go-to, count on it' friendship through a lot of really hard years at our (now both of our) former employers. I was blessed to have a person that was such a wonderful, caring safety net and only since I've transitioned to my current job have I realized how lucky I was to have that. You never know what you've got 'til it's gone, as the song says. It's true.
J. has been a huge support to me over the years. She is like my best cheerleader and reminds me (when I need it) how great I am. That sounds 'bad' written in a blog - but when I have moments of self doubt and am full of 'not sureness' related to life or work, she steps in an reminds me of the great qualities I DO have and helps me not focus so much on the great qualities I might be lacking. She's a great encourager and when I need a listening ear, she's who I turn to most frequently. My emails to her border on novels more than not and when we get together for our infrequent face-to-face visits, everything comes pouring out of me as fast as I can talk. I hate that about myself - I intend to listen intently and also encourage her. She doesn't need encouragement because she's one of the most self-confident, go getter of a woman I've ever, ever known, and probably ever will know. Still, there are times when I know she needs someone to listen.
I always intend for that to happen. But we spent years and years talking to each other everyday - every morning, as soon as I arrived (she was always there before me, no matter how early I tried to get there), we'd head to the cafeteria (in the building we were in, there was one - not anymore but back in the good old days, there was) and get a latte and share about our kids, our family, our work, our lives. She was the first person I called when they told me they were laying me off. She supported me through my mom's illness and death and I tried to do the same for her when her beloved mother-in-law (also a friend of mine) died. That's what we do. That's what we are - friends through and through. And these months of this now not so new job create all these 'things' I save up to tell her, and get her thoughts on - and they come pouring out of me like a broken well pump - you give it one little push and it all comes streaming out in a never ending downpour. I work in a strange environment where 'discomfort' is a daily norm. And I just have so many things to share with someone - and it's typically J. who listens and encourages and reassures and laughs - reminding me that not all women are thoughtless, rude and hurtful like the kind I work with. Some are actually quite extraordinary. J. is one of the extraordinary.
J. is going through some hard stuff at the moment - nothing she can't completely and totally handle on her own. But I want her to know I am here for her. I want her to know that at a moment's notice, I will drop everything and get to where she is and listen, support, talk, help in absolutely anyway I can.
I don't think I did a very good job of being her friend on Friday. I didn't mean to not be the listener - honestly, I didn't. But I realized on the way home that I spoke more than I listened and her quietness was obvious and should have triggered a 'hey, what's up with you' - only I knew what was up with her. I was just so wrapped up in myself that I left a lot of things unsaid. It was selfish of me and I've spent the entire weekend thinking about that. Realizing that I can't forget to listen...as much as she's supported me these years we've known each other, it's the least I can do.
I know she will read this post in the next day or two - and I just wanted her to know from the bottom of my heart that I'm sorry. I am here and listening and whatever this is that's going to 'be' in your life, you are not alone and you are and will be well supported. I mean that. Distance and time and life haven't separated us and all these upcoming changes in your life won't, either. We're not the kind of friends that camp with each other or travel together - but we are the kind of friends that stick together like glue - we always have and I hope we always will. So whatever is needed, count me in. Whenever you need it, I'll be there. I'll be the same friend you've been to me over the years as I transitioned careers and faced other life challenges. I promise. Cross my heart.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Eyes
I am on a mission to get all my physical/medical appointments DONE. Went to the eye doctor today for the first time in years.
I don't like going to the eye doctor much...never have. I always feel like I'm making 'mistakes' when he does that 'better 1 or 2? Now better 1 or 2?', over and over and with every click, I'm convinced I've just contradicted myself and goofed. And the doctor is secretly chuckling thinking 'moron'. I mean, some of those variances between 1 and 2 are pretty darn subtle - and hard to be sure of in a brief 'click'.
Things have changed - I stopped going to my old eye doctor because he insisted - absolutely insisted - that dilation was the only way to see all of the retina, etc. Yet he still charged extra for the 'Optiscan' machine - new at the time that scanned your eye and let them see the full picture with no dilation needed. And I HATE having my eyes dilated. It triggers a huge headache for me and takes me FOREVER to see properly - so I've avoided it. Combined with switching jobs and rarely driving over the Altamont anymore and certainly not to Pleasanton, it's been a long time since I've had my eyes checked. My glasses were still OK - I knew there was some adjustment needed but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't see with the glasses I had. And I had a decent pair of prescription sunglasses, too. This doctor doesn't see a need for dilation and I was relieved - because it makes me put off going to the eye doctor. And now, I don't have to. I'll go every year. AND, it's in town - so another 'service' I can now get done right here in our home town vs. driving 20 miles.
I ordered new glasses AND new sunglasses and the bill was staggering - and that's even WITH double insurance coverage. But, I need the 'trifocals' transition lenses with the progressive darkening -and glare protection. AND, of course, I didn't like the less expensive frames - I gravitated toward the high end items and finally found a pair of Coach brand. And then used J's coverage to also order a new set of sunglasses - another not inexpensive frame choice. And, we have a flexible spending account for health care and we have to use those dollars on something so I don't feel too badly about that.
J. is ordering two pairs of glasses also and having new lenses put into an old frame - and his total bill for his first pair was less than 25% of my bill. But guys frames ARE less expensive - and he doesn't get the anti glare nor the transition lenses - he just has different glasses for different activities instead.
I don't feel badly about the money - it's taken out of our paycheck before tax and we have to spend it on medical items. And unlike the FSA I have through my employer, which has no debit card feature (and I have a huge stack of receipts to put through against my account that I have no idea when I'll get around to submitting all of them), J's plan does have a debit card which makes it so easy. Done.
They will try to get them in by our trip, though it's doubtful. And I only scheduled the visit on a whim and really don't want to hassle with a fitting appointment next week - I'll have a zillion other things to do both at work and home. So I'm fine with waiting until we're home.
Next on my list of medical things is the annual boob smooshing - which also thankfully can be done in town AND they are not requiring me to drive to Hayward to pick up my old films. They said if the detect any issues needing further consideration, we can get them then. So that will be a relatively easy appointment which I will try to schedule for the Monday I have off after we get home from Hawaii. I'll make that scheduling call tomorrow.
OH - and we found a new kennel IN TOWN for Chloe to board at while we're away. A co-worker recommended them and they keep little dogs inside, with them. The lady said 'my husband loves dachshunds and she'll probably end up on the couch with him much of the time'. I am so happy about that. She won't be kenneled all day (like she would be at our vets office where we were going to take her) and she'll have plenty of attention and other dogs to play with. I'm sure she's going to love it there - it's near our home. I am so happy to have found a 'home-style' kennel - I will feel a lot better about leaving Chloe there for our week away.
I don't like going to the eye doctor much...never have. I always feel like I'm making 'mistakes' when he does that 'better 1 or 2? Now better 1 or 2?', over and over and with every click, I'm convinced I've just contradicted myself and goofed. And the doctor is secretly chuckling thinking 'moron'. I mean, some of those variances between 1 and 2 are pretty darn subtle - and hard to be sure of in a brief 'click'.
Things have changed - I stopped going to my old eye doctor because he insisted - absolutely insisted - that dilation was the only way to see all of the retina, etc. Yet he still charged extra for the 'Optiscan' machine - new at the time that scanned your eye and let them see the full picture with no dilation needed. And I HATE having my eyes dilated. It triggers a huge headache for me and takes me FOREVER to see properly - so I've avoided it. Combined with switching jobs and rarely driving over the Altamont anymore and certainly not to Pleasanton, it's been a long time since I've had my eyes checked. My glasses were still OK - I knew there was some adjustment needed but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't see with the glasses I had. And I had a decent pair of prescription sunglasses, too. This doctor doesn't see a need for dilation and I was relieved - because it makes me put off going to the eye doctor. And now, I don't have to. I'll go every year. AND, it's in town - so another 'service' I can now get done right here in our home town vs. driving 20 miles.
I ordered new glasses AND new sunglasses and the bill was staggering - and that's even WITH double insurance coverage. But, I need the 'trifocals' transition lenses with the progressive darkening -and glare protection. AND, of course, I didn't like the less expensive frames - I gravitated toward the high end items and finally found a pair of Coach brand. And then used J's coverage to also order a new set of sunglasses - another not inexpensive frame choice. And, we have a flexible spending account for health care and we have to use those dollars on something so I don't feel too badly about that.
J. is ordering two pairs of glasses also and having new lenses put into an old frame - and his total bill for his first pair was less than 25% of my bill. But guys frames ARE less expensive - and he doesn't get the anti glare nor the transition lenses - he just has different glasses for different activities instead.
I don't feel badly about the money - it's taken out of our paycheck before tax and we have to spend it on medical items. And unlike the FSA I have through my employer, which has no debit card feature (and I have a huge stack of receipts to put through against my account that I have no idea when I'll get around to submitting all of them), J's plan does have a debit card which makes it so easy. Done.
They will try to get them in by our trip, though it's doubtful. And I only scheduled the visit on a whim and really don't want to hassle with a fitting appointment next week - I'll have a zillion other things to do both at work and home. So I'm fine with waiting until we're home.
Next on my list of medical things is the annual boob smooshing - which also thankfully can be done in town AND they are not requiring me to drive to Hayward to pick up my old films. They said if the detect any issues needing further consideration, we can get them then. So that will be a relatively easy appointment which I will try to schedule for the Monday I have off after we get home from Hawaii. I'll make that scheduling call tomorrow.
OH - and we found a new kennel IN TOWN for Chloe to board at while we're away. A co-worker recommended them and they keep little dogs inside, with them. The lady said 'my husband loves dachshunds and she'll probably end up on the couch with him much of the time'. I am so happy about that. She won't be kenneled all day (like she would be at our vets office where we were going to take her) and she'll have plenty of attention and other dogs to play with. I'm sure she's going to love it there - it's near our home. I am so happy to have found a 'home-style' kennel - I will feel a lot better about leaving Chloe there for our week away.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Pansies
First thing this morning, upon commiserating with a coworker, the subject of 'what did you do over the weekend' came up. It was a lovely, lovely weekend - sunny and clear. I took full advantage of the 'buy one get one free' plant sale at OSH and left there with 36 Pansies and Violas (six per pack) and two African Daisies and all for only $17, tax included. SUCH A DEAL. Sure, they were a bit 'frail' looking - I had visions of getting there when the doors opened but instead, slept in and didn't actually get there until mid-morning. But once crowded into the patio pots that were sadly in need of replanting, they look great. Will finish up the planting this week, after work. Anyway, in this conversation I had to confess that sometimes, because of my close proximity to two teens, I miss work, she laughed and said 'I can imagine'. She was a middle school teacher for many years and while she has no kids (yet) she recalls those days of swirling hormones, angst filled days, etc. Still, it was a relatively peaceful weekend as weekends go - and it was thoroughly enjoyable. AND, I DID NOT WORK - which I put in caps because that is a rare and wonderful thing of late. J. got his bonus last week and we celebrated as we usually do by eating out all weekend. It's silly, but it's fun and the kids enjoy it. And J. and I even managed to have a dinner alone - sushi (!) for me and teriyaki for J. It was a nice evening sans children - and if nothing else, the suggestion of sushi (Japanese) usually has both of them running for the hills. It's not that they wouldn't like teriyaki - basically chicken, rice and salad - it's just the thought of me enjoying raw fish in their presence that sends them scurrying for any other option BUT dinner with their parents. I'm fine with that and grateful I've acquired a taste for the finer things in life.
The only 'negative' to the weekend was the darn time change - and as much as I want to moan about it, I have to say that the shortness of the duration of this thing called Daylight Savings Time - a mere three months, basically - it feels like the easiest transition ever. Sure, it was a bit strange to wake up at 5 this morning and realize it was really 4 - but that feeling happens every year. Yet, I didn't feel all that tired, unlike years past when I always felt like that Spring forward time change was going to kill me. And that's what made me realize: why did we even bother? What was the point of making the change in the fall later and now in the Spring earlier? I don't get it - what did we gain? It just seemed incredibly short to have been worthwhile at all.
Made it through a typical Monday - although this one involved a monthly staff meeting (thank goodness it's only once a month) that lasted SIX hours. Thank goodness we have food - and it was my turn (along with a coworker) to bring 'snacks'. It's pretty hard to think of snacks that encompass breakfast AND lunch - we started at 8 and finished at 2 with only two 10 minute breaks. Had creme brulee french toast with strawberries (delicious and made by my coworker). I brought turkey sausage links, fruit, yogurt, string cheese, juice, Starbucks coffee (LOTS) and an assortment of 100 calorie Kudos bars. Got us through with our sanity and brain cells intact. That was the longest of these monthly meetings in my history here but I was told they have gone literally until the end of the day. Wow. Something to look forward to?
We are T minus 11 days until our departure for Hawaii. I'm starting to get excited, though still feel completely overwhelmed at everything I have to do both at work and home to be 'prepared' for the trip. We already made reservations for our sailing/diving trip and a luau. We're planning a nice dinner on our actual anniversary - with kids, since that's also a 'tradition'. Thankfully, the cleaning crew comes the Tuesday before we leave so at least the house will be fairly 'tidy' - as long as we don't trash it in preparation. I am not off at all before we leave - had thought I'd have a day to get ready but the airline switched our flights - so I will have to rely on J. - leaving copious lists in my wake as I trudge off to work that Thursday (a class in Stockton, thankfully, because it will go by quickly and I should be done by 4 hopefully) and we will spend the next weekend and all the evenings in between starting to get ready. Much to pack, though I know from past experience that I over packed last trip and will spend most of our time there in a bathing suit with a 'cover up' over top. That and a couple pairs of shorts and one or two pairs of slacks for dinners out.
Finishing up "New Adventures of Old Christine" and heading upstairs for the night. Fofy (miniature parrot) needs attention as do the cats. Tomorrow is a Board meeting and that will be an incredibly long day. Will TRY to discipline myself to not go in until 8 - which is 'late' for me and feels strange. But I'm going to try - an extra hours sleep will do me a world of good.
The only 'negative' to the weekend was the darn time change - and as much as I want to moan about it, I have to say that the shortness of the duration of this thing called Daylight Savings Time - a mere three months, basically - it feels like the easiest transition ever. Sure, it was a bit strange to wake up at 5 this morning and realize it was really 4 - but that feeling happens every year. Yet, I didn't feel all that tired, unlike years past when I always felt like that Spring forward time change was going to kill me. And that's what made me realize: why did we even bother? What was the point of making the change in the fall later and now in the Spring earlier? I don't get it - what did we gain? It just seemed incredibly short to have been worthwhile at all.
Made it through a typical Monday - although this one involved a monthly staff meeting (thank goodness it's only once a month) that lasted SIX hours. Thank goodness we have food - and it was my turn (along with a coworker) to bring 'snacks'. It's pretty hard to think of snacks that encompass breakfast AND lunch - we started at 8 and finished at 2 with only two 10 minute breaks. Had creme brulee french toast with strawberries (delicious and made by my coworker). I brought turkey sausage links, fruit, yogurt, string cheese, juice, Starbucks coffee (LOTS) and an assortment of 100 calorie Kudos bars. Got us through with our sanity and brain cells intact. That was the longest of these monthly meetings in my history here but I was told they have gone literally until the end of the day. Wow. Something to look forward to?
We are T minus 11 days until our departure for Hawaii. I'm starting to get excited, though still feel completely overwhelmed at everything I have to do both at work and home to be 'prepared' for the trip. We already made reservations for our sailing/diving trip and a luau. We're planning a nice dinner on our actual anniversary - with kids, since that's also a 'tradition'. Thankfully, the cleaning crew comes the Tuesday before we leave so at least the house will be fairly 'tidy' - as long as we don't trash it in preparation. I am not off at all before we leave - had thought I'd have a day to get ready but the airline switched our flights - so I will have to rely on J. - leaving copious lists in my wake as I trudge off to work that Thursday (a class in Stockton, thankfully, because it will go by quickly and I should be done by 4 hopefully) and we will spend the next weekend and all the evenings in between starting to get ready. Much to pack, though I know from past experience that I over packed last trip and will spend most of our time there in a bathing suit with a 'cover up' over top. That and a couple pairs of shorts and one or two pairs of slacks for dinners out.
Finishing up "New Adventures of Old Christine" and heading upstairs for the night. Fofy (miniature parrot) needs attention as do the cats. Tomorrow is a Board meeting and that will be an incredibly long day. Will TRY to discipline myself to not go in until 8 - which is 'late' for me and feels strange. But I'm going to try - an extra hours sleep will do me a world of good.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
1000 Days
I've been following the journey of Reid and Soanya - the goal being to sail 1000 days nonstop out of sight of land. A challenge, for sure. Don't know how I stumbled upon the website - but I've been following since about the 4th month of the journey.
Reid has attempted this before - and had a marriage end in the course of the journey - prior to that journey ending. He returned to land and somewhere along the way, he met Soanya. She had no background in sailing - but somehow, decided that attempting the longest continuous sea journey was a cause she had to be a part of. That, and she and Reid apparently fell in love along the way.
I checked the website daily at the beginning (www.1000days.net) but sort of tapered off the past few months. The posts were uninteresting and not very 'feeling filled' - seemed to be kind of vague and sparse of inspiration. Not that their journey isn't inspiring - takes guts, that's for sure. And it's admirable that Reid built the schooner by hand - he and his family - and she is a good ship and is serving him well. But I sort of lost interest. When last I checked in a couple months ago, Soanya was seasick a lot and I felt badly for her.
I got around to checking again this past weekend - and oh my gosh! Soanya has jumped ship. Not literally. But weeks of seasickness turned into months - and she's lost a lot of weight and is generally miserable - so she left the trip. She was picked up by a boat off the coast of Perth - and sadly, the seas were so rough that Reid had to bring the schooner in close enough to the shore that land was visible - so there goes that record. She is back in New York now and on the road to recovery - and while the blog certainly implies that all is well between the two of them, I sort of wonder. Again, their writing style is not very revealing - so it's hard to tell for sure.
Reid is quirky - no doubt about it. And a web search of his name reveals all sorts of 'past issues' that some folks allude to - he's spent his life working toward pursuing this dream of a journey and that's certainly not a main stream way to live. But he has corporate sponsors and individual donors and enough supplies on board to make it another two year solo. And that scares the crap out of me - the schooner is a BIG ship and I can't imagine being on a ship that size all alone. When will he sleep? How will he tend to all the things that need tending to? The sails, the ropes, the wood - not to mention feeding himself. I just don't know how he'll do it. And I worry about him - not like I'd worry for a family member, but sort of. That's the strange thing about blogs - you get attached to the people you're reading about, even though you've never met them and probably never will.
I will keep checking back - hoping he does OK. I don't think two years alone in the middle of the ocean is healthy for anyone - even for someone who has been a 'loner' most of his life. I don't think it's safe for him to travel alone - but I have no say in it. It's his decision. He is in touch with his crew (based on land, of course) on a constant basis and he does blog almost daily. So he'll be in touch.
If you call sailing around the oceans with no particular plan or goal in mind 'in touch'.
As for Soanya - I want to know how it turns out for them. If she left really, truly because physically, she had no choice? Or if she got tired of it - woke up one day and realized 'heck, I want a cheeseburger [she's a vegetarian so she'd probably think of a falafel burger instead] and off this ship NOW, MAN' (which I can see myself doing if I were in her shoes). Or maybe, just maybe, she will wait for him to come home. And they'll have a life together.
I always like to know how it turns out in the end. That's my criteria for a good story - you have to know how it all turns out. Short of that, it's just a novella - and if it's a good one, you're willing to wait for the ending. I'm willing to wait. And watch...and hope.
Be safe, Reid. Come home if it means saving your life or your ship. And Soanya, be well. Enjoy being on land and with your family. You already surpassed the record for a woman at sea the most consecutive days - something to be proud of.
I'll keep watching. And praying for the good ship Anne and her captain and crew. All one of them.
Reid has attempted this before - and had a marriage end in the course of the journey - prior to that journey ending. He returned to land and somewhere along the way, he met Soanya. She had no background in sailing - but somehow, decided that attempting the longest continuous sea journey was a cause she had to be a part of. That, and she and Reid apparently fell in love along the way.
I checked the website daily at the beginning (www.1000days.net) but sort of tapered off the past few months. The posts were uninteresting and not very 'feeling filled' - seemed to be kind of vague and sparse of inspiration. Not that their journey isn't inspiring - takes guts, that's for sure. And it's admirable that Reid built the schooner by hand - he and his family - and she is a good ship and is serving him well. But I sort of lost interest. When last I checked in a couple months ago, Soanya was seasick a lot and I felt badly for her.
I got around to checking again this past weekend - and oh my gosh! Soanya has jumped ship. Not literally. But weeks of seasickness turned into months - and she's lost a lot of weight and is generally miserable - so she left the trip. She was picked up by a boat off the coast of Perth - and sadly, the seas were so rough that Reid had to bring the schooner in close enough to the shore that land was visible - so there goes that record. She is back in New York now and on the road to recovery - and while the blog certainly implies that all is well between the two of them, I sort of wonder. Again, their writing style is not very revealing - so it's hard to tell for sure.
Reid is quirky - no doubt about it. And a web search of his name reveals all sorts of 'past issues' that some folks allude to - he's spent his life working toward pursuing this dream of a journey and that's certainly not a main stream way to live. But he has corporate sponsors and individual donors and enough supplies on board to make it another two year solo. And that scares the crap out of me - the schooner is a BIG ship and I can't imagine being on a ship that size all alone. When will he sleep? How will he tend to all the things that need tending to? The sails, the ropes, the wood - not to mention feeding himself. I just don't know how he'll do it. And I worry about him - not like I'd worry for a family member, but sort of. That's the strange thing about blogs - you get attached to the people you're reading about, even though you've never met them and probably never will.
I will keep checking back - hoping he does OK. I don't think two years alone in the middle of the ocean is healthy for anyone - even for someone who has been a 'loner' most of his life. I don't think it's safe for him to travel alone - but I have no say in it. It's his decision. He is in touch with his crew (based on land, of course) on a constant basis and he does blog almost daily. So he'll be in touch.
If you call sailing around the oceans with no particular plan or goal in mind 'in touch'.
As for Soanya - I want to know how it turns out for them. If she left really, truly because physically, she had no choice? Or if she got tired of it - woke up one day and realized 'heck, I want a cheeseburger [she's a vegetarian so she'd probably think of a falafel burger instead] and off this ship NOW, MAN' (which I can see myself doing if I were in her shoes). Or maybe, just maybe, she will wait for him to come home. And they'll have a life together.
I always like to know how it turns out in the end. That's my criteria for a good story - you have to know how it all turns out. Short of that, it's just a novella - and if it's a good one, you're willing to wait for the ending. I'm willing to wait. And watch...and hope.
Be safe, Reid. Come home if it means saving your life or your ship. And Soanya, be well. Enjoy being on land and with your family. You already surpassed the record for a woman at sea the most consecutive days - something to be proud of.
I'll keep watching. And praying for the good ship Anne and her captain and crew. All one of them.
Tidbits
You know it's early when you are up and online before Starbucks has reloaded your auto-reload card. Their process of loading first thing in the morning has caused issues, since on at least one occasion, I have been at Starbucks for my morning dose of tea before their reload process has occurred. They're west coast, as am I. Personally, I think they should do their auto reload process around midnight but that's just my opinion. I carry cash or a backup card now just to be safe. Just received the confirming email so I can head to work shortly. Before 6. Yes, that early.
Things I keep meaning to mention and then forget:
Chloe loves mandarin oranges. We've been getting a box of the 'Cuties' a week at Costco - B. has been eating fruit for breakfast. The mandarins are delicious - incredibly sweet. And Chloe just loves them - they are a favorite 'people treat' and her tail wagging enthusiasm when I get one out of the bowl is just another cute thing she does. That, and breathing. Yes, she's THAT cute.
We noticed an older picture of the boys yesterday - actually, it's on my work computer as a background so I see it everyday but really noticed it yesterday when J. sent it to me as an attachment. Clearly shows the changes in the boys since the first day of school - B. is about 40 pounds or so lighter - he's eating better (fruit for breakfast vs. something sweet and gooey is just one example of the sweeping changes he's made to his diet) and exercising daily. He looks great. H. is clearly close to a foot taller. He's all 'manly' now. Deep voice, hair everywhere, and attitude to go with it all. Still, I can't help but notice they are both incredibly good looking. How did that happen? They are hunks, for sure.
B. is going to his Junior prom in April. It's turned into a big mess - the group he was included with realized they were one couple over and B. and his date were the couple bounced. Which left us footing the bill for a limo....and I was more than happy to do that because I felt so bad for them both - their best friends are in the group that did the dumping and apparently, the cost factor was more important than friendship - to split and form a new group left fewer couples to split the costs and so the friends stayed. Leaving B. and his date on their own. But it looks like, for now, there's a possible new group forming - and that's what prom is all about these days. It's a group activity - the more, the merrier. Thank goodness it's not for 7 weeks....tux, limo, flowers, where to go for dinner, etc. all have to be worked out. B. visited his dates home on Sunday evening to 'meet the parents'. He survived - said they were very nice. He was pretty nervous - but made it through.
B. also made a(nother) very stupid decision last week which had me so mad at him I could barely function. Just plain stupidity and not thinking. Neither J. nor I can figure him out - so incredibly smart and responsible in some ways and so completely stupid and thoughtless in others. They say you shouldn't discipline teens in a way that makes them feel they're 'in a hole they can't get out of' - but that's what it's been turning into - restriction upon restriction upon restriction. How restricted can one person be? So we've been trying to make the consequences fast and harsh and then move one. But as I told J. last week 'I feel like I'm in a hole I can't get out of - when does this crap end? When does he stop doing things that are just so incredibly stupid? How long do we wait for THAT?' No reply, because there is no answer. We wait until he grows up, I assume. I hope.
This time three weeks from now, I'll be blogging on a beach in Hawaii. If I live that long. Work deadlines loom larger than life and I'm up early and trying to get to work as early as possible. Attempting to stay late but I like to leave before they lock the gates at 6 - just something about being 'locked in' that I don't like. Much to do, much to do.
OK - heading to work via Starbucks - just after 6. Another long day ahead.
Toodles, my peeps.
Things I keep meaning to mention and then forget:
Chloe loves mandarin oranges. We've been getting a box of the 'Cuties' a week at Costco - B. has been eating fruit for breakfast. The mandarins are delicious - incredibly sweet. And Chloe just loves them - they are a favorite 'people treat' and her tail wagging enthusiasm when I get one out of the bowl is just another cute thing she does. That, and breathing. Yes, she's THAT cute.
We noticed an older picture of the boys yesterday - actually, it's on my work computer as a background so I see it everyday but really noticed it yesterday when J. sent it to me as an attachment. Clearly shows the changes in the boys since the first day of school - B. is about 40 pounds or so lighter - he's eating better (fruit for breakfast vs. something sweet and gooey is just one example of the sweeping changes he's made to his diet) and exercising daily. He looks great. H. is clearly close to a foot taller. He's all 'manly' now. Deep voice, hair everywhere, and attitude to go with it all. Still, I can't help but notice they are both incredibly good looking. How did that happen? They are hunks, for sure.
B. is going to his Junior prom in April. It's turned into a big mess - the group he was included with realized they were one couple over and B. and his date were the couple bounced. Which left us footing the bill for a limo....and I was more than happy to do that because I felt so bad for them both - their best friends are in the group that did the dumping and apparently, the cost factor was more important than friendship - to split and form a new group left fewer couples to split the costs and so the friends stayed. Leaving B. and his date on their own. But it looks like, for now, there's a possible new group forming - and that's what prom is all about these days. It's a group activity - the more, the merrier. Thank goodness it's not for 7 weeks....tux, limo, flowers, where to go for dinner, etc. all have to be worked out. B. visited his dates home on Sunday evening to 'meet the parents'. He survived - said they were very nice. He was pretty nervous - but made it through.
B. also made a(nother) very stupid decision last week which had me so mad at him I could barely function. Just plain stupidity and not thinking. Neither J. nor I can figure him out - so incredibly smart and responsible in some ways and so completely stupid and thoughtless in others. They say you shouldn't discipline teens in a way that makes them feel they're 'in a hole they can't get out of' - but that's what it's been turning into - restriction upon restriction upon restriction. How restricted can one person be? So we've been trying to make the consequences fast and harsh and then move one. But as I told J. last week 'I feel like I'm in a hole I can't get out of - when does this crap end? When does he stop doing things that are just so incredibly stupid? How long do we wait for THAT?' No reply, because there is no answer. We wait until he grows up, I assume. I hope.
This time three weeks from now, I'll be blogging on a beach in Hawaii. If I live that long. Work deadlines loom larger than life and I'm up early and trying to get to work as early as possible. Attempting to stay late but I like to leave before they lock the gates at 6 - just something about being 'locked in' that I don't like. Much to do, much to do.
OK - heading to work via Starbucks - just after 6. Another long day ahead.
Toodles, my peeps.
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