reading .... what a "novel" idea !

well ... not a novel by any stretch of the definition- but I did start a book yesterday afternoon. I subscribe to numerous magazines at home and I sift thru the newspaper most days but I don't consider that reading. anyway ..... I am about half thru My Sister's Keeper and I am enjoying the read. There was a time when I wanted to be a journalist. I never got around to determining the type, as I was not focused enough or encouraged to pursue in any way. But from time to time I will read a passage or description that I really like (and wish I had written for that matter) and I did just that in this book. check this out - "Her hair is longer now, and fine lines bracket her mouth, parentheses around a lifetime of words I was not around to hear." very kewl!

So today we will restock groceries, perhaps check out the pool here at the resort (it sits atop the hill, overlooking the ocean) .... then head off to Kapa'a for a couple of items we've been looking for. A stop at Hilo Hatties is likely- not necessarily to purchase anything, but just for the atmosphere and nostalgia of it all- ending up at our dinner show at the Kauai Hilton.
aloha for now.

tsunami not withstanding .....

We spent much of the day at the beach but kept to the sand today. Although not much was said about the tsunami warning (which we didn't even know about til we'd been there a while) ... but in watching things (over the edges of the books each of us were reading) we did notice some drawing out of the water and a significant raising of the tide (more so than would have been the norm for the #'s forecasted). From personal experience ... there are hidden dangers that would not necessarily be noticed until it's already a concern.

Not much of it really shows in this picture ... but the drawing of the water, followed by a slightly higher tide brought in twigs, branches & such.

The Captain and I attended a short timeshare presentation today .... but ONLY because we knew it would be short - and the fact that it would save us over 100.00 on a dinner show we have reserved for tomorrow evening. That made an hour of our time worth it!!!

it didn't take long for the birds

to go back to their usual routine. Checking out what has been left on the

beach by the ocean or the humans !

and there are BIG critters here tooooooo

Let us not forget the most facinating of all the critters around here ....the Captain and pops ..... hanging out at Kalapaki Beach :o)

CRITTERS OF KAUAI

OK, OKAY so the critters may not be "pretty" like a flower, but they

can be interesting & even facinating at times !

I'm not sure you will be able to detect this ... depending on the

resolution of your monitor .... it was a spooooooky looking web

attached to a lava rock wall.

geccos are plentiful & pretty easy to find (particularly at night, since they are attracted to the porch lights) and we have seen all sizes. BUT, more fun yet are

the chameleons - Harder to spot after all !!I saw this on when I was looking at

the spider web. ..... and then another later that day as we made our way up the steps to our unit. pretty groovey. he was green when he first hit the step and then as I approached ... he startede turning brown right before my eyes!

& ... odd as it sounds ....... everybody can be seen taking pictures of the chickens/roosters.

this year there seems to be a lot more chicks out & about. (like they need more chickens) PROBABLY what we tourists find interesting is how many colors & combinations of colors they are. Seems like no two are alike!! very diverse.

TODAY is our 1st REAL beach day

we got our chores done

we are settled in

the day of the week no longer matters

so ..........

LET'S HIT THE BEACH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This guy probably had the same idea (I wish I had his energy!)

and this one.... says it all ! It's been a good day :o)

It's my fav job (and I do it well)

m-o-r-e lovely flowers .....

I teased Pops when we went to Costco ... that he would want to pick out
a tropical bouquet for his favorite dtr-in-law that was in Hawaii. He
agreed (but of course) and here it is !! These tend to last for over a
week so it is very groovey.
We went thru Hanapepe today & being
Sunday ... most of the sidewalks were rolled up. BUT, we stopped
to walk across the swinging bridge and this shower tree was right
at the parking lot. most delicious looking !
lastly .... the inspiration for my
very own tattoo. The yellow hybiscus with deep orange-red center :o)

and the day was yet to be over .... but my energy is - for now. ALOHA

and then ...

no trip to Kauai is complete without our visit to the Spouting Horn.
You don't have to wait long before she shows off & sometimes it's
pretty awesome!
Legend has it that the sound that
accompanies the geyser is a sea lizard (mo'o) that is stuck in
the lava tube. He was angered when local fisherman were around
& a young Hawaiian boy fought with him & escaped thru the tube,
but the mo'o got stuck chasing him !

THIS would be a "typical" view dozens

of times all over the island. Pretty much the POST CARD thing don't

you think?

The tunnel of trees here was

totally destroyed in the hurricane (1992). This is the first year that

it looks close to before Iniki. We'll be traveling back thru this a few

times during our visit. (to get to Lapperts, the farmer's market, etc)

let's go to the south shore today !

Our outing BEGAN with a stop at the Kauai Humane society.
YES .... we miss our kitty kats but that's not all there is to it.
This is a magnificent organization and this particular facility
has figured out how to do it right. They probably have about
50 volunteers (that says something itself) .... and ALL the
animals look sooooooo well cared for. We started a monthly
donation to them 2 years ago and are proud of how it's used.
the ONLY difficult part
of our visits is leaving. We go in and play with the kats- large &
small. Petting, cuddling, talking .... it's great! tons of space for
running & playing (for both dogs & cats) and any interaction is
V-E-R-Y welcome (yay)
We'll be back in a couple of days!

this weeks' "helpers"

THANK YOU to my (ever-giving) sister
LouLou for taking mom & dad over to
Pismo to house & kitty sit for us. kats!)
LOVE TO ALL OF YOU
you always seem to be there when we really need you !!
XOXO

flora flora flora (twice the thrill)

yeah, yeah, yeah .... so poi is not
your favorite staple but ..... the fields are a beautiful mosaic of colors from
above. THIS PIC does not do them justice. From an airplane, it looks like
a patch work quilt. The shades of green are wonderful.
this heliconia is right outside our unit, alongside
a yellow one. I took a pic of the yellow one but it was heading out of it's
prime. So I will watch for a new one to appear before we leave.

As for the hybiscus ... sooo many colors - every day, a new variety or size. There are so many combinations. It is a
very groovey flower. This one was a soft peach hue with deep orange
center.

and the day didn't end there .....

This is the St Regis - formerly the Astin
Resort. Some changes have taken place but the gorgeous view
remains. Right in front & to left of Dad & the Captain is are pools
of water that give you the illusion that they go right off the edge of
the cliff into the ocean. The 26th was their soft opening. They
dooooo have a ways to go but they already had quests checking
in. I imagine they got discounted rates because of the continuing
work. Ocean view rooms ..... 2000.00 a nite.
I prefer the price we paid
just to come take a look!! It's a nice drive & photo ops along the
way are numerous.
The state flower is the hybiscus
and upon returning from my first trip to the Islands with my Captain-
I got my first tattoo ... of this very distinctive flower. BUT mine is yellow
with the red center! My inspiration was a bush that was at the pool
here in Kauai. If it's still there- I will post a pic this week.

just another day in paradise

AT THE END OF EACH DAY in Hawaii, mom used to say "another rotten day in paradise" - now that's my job.
and so it was ............. we set out today to take a look at some things we knew had changed since our last trip. In doing so, we made a few stops for scenic views
and a lengthy stop at the Kilauea Lighthouse. As luck would have it, it was Nene awareness day and admission was free (yay). It made it a little more educational, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the awesome views from the grounds.

The Nene (pronounced nay-nay) is the Hawaii State bird.
The water is such a beautiful, deep blue.

Onward we traveled to the end of the road at Ka'a beach and we took a short hike- hoping to come out on the cliff edge for additional pics, but part of the trail was closed - possibly because of the high surf that was supposed to last thru this afternoon.

note to readers

if you pay ANY attention to the times I post .... be aware that Hawaii is 3 hours earlier than California - so don't think I am up or about at crazy hours (not to say that I won't be !!) my computer is on CA. time. MY HEAD is already on Hawaiian time ... which translates to doing whatever I want to, for whatever reason I choose to, whenever I darn well get around to it !! ALOHA
much of this morning will be spent stocking up with groceries & supplies and even a stop at the local DMV to get a temporary handicap placard (we forgot the one we carry in our car for dad). THEN we will finish our day with a beach picnic for supper I think. Gotta get my tootsies in the sand r-e-a-l soon!

we have arrived in paradise

let the pictorial saga begin ......

I lay my head against the window
& watched the entire time! Nice welcome I would say.

This was the first time (or certainly since I can remember) that we took an afternoon flight over to the islands. The major plus so far ..... I got pictures of the sunset from the window of the plane & that was a new experience for me :o)

The captain ALWAYS lets me have the window seat, even though he often

books it in his name and tells me that HE is getting it!

wiki-wiki (Hawaiian for hurry up)

alrighty then .....

plants are watered

instructions given to the "helpers"

emergency numbers to family

mail on hold

prescriptions filled

packed and repacked

pooped

and leaving you with this picure that - as of 10/17 - will be EXACTLY 10 years old. We will be "updating" it this year. stay tuned. Next post will likely be on Saturday. ALOHA

I remember it as if it were yesterday! It was an amazing day .... and has been an amazing life ever since. This r-e-a-l-l-y is the Captain & his princess :o)

comin' in to the HOME stretch!!

I'm organized.

I plan ahead.

I can get do 3 things at once.

BUTTTTTTTT .... I ALSO prioritize. Which just might mean I don't get a blog in before we leave on Thursday morning. Therefore, given the moment I have right now ...

2008 (as mentioned before) was a different but terrific trip. Oahu & only 2 weeks- which (maybe) explains why I am sooooooooooooooooo anxious to get over to Kauai & Maui this year. Back to the Hawaii that we feel is our second home :o)

just as my sisters routinely take a self portrait of themselves together wherever they are .... so do I with the "footsie" pictures. This is me & my best buds LuLu & Smurf. We spent (a lot) time together out at the sea wall of the house. singing, laughing, dreaming. Like old times.

a couple of doors down was beach access where the turtles came out every afternoon to sunbathe. The were very tolerant of our presence! The record for us was 4 at one time.
It was so amazing to be able to walk out the back door to the ocean. THAT is paradise! They got pretty big a couple of days & sometimes there were turtles IN the waves.
the Captain and LuLu sat out there on

this particular day for over an hour. And they got splashed a couple of times.

The 3 Amigos having morning coffee (probably vanilla macadamia nut with cocoanut cremor!) THIS made getting up early sooooooooooooo worth it!!

baby-mama par-tay part 2

so .... in conclusion of our gathering for Rebbeca (ha-ha .... Rebecca)-
I had to include some pics that were
indicative of personalities (but of course).

an amazing new discovery since my BOYS were born!!
I HAD TO INCLUDE
THIS ONE- if for no other reason .... THIS is such an example of Kitty's affect
on all of us. She is laughing so hard (and providing us with reason to), that
the camera captured her movement leaving a "halo" along her face. She is a constant kick in the pants!
don't ask.
Sometimes I just have a sick sense of humor!
Our resident green girl.
hmmm, maybe this baby thing CAN be worked out?! according
to the direction .... insert one tush .....

a letter to Mom ....

Aloha sweet Marie Elizabeth ....
ALOHA with all my heart. I have felt you this last week, particularly
the past couple of days. There are soooo many things we would be
talking about right now. Planning, packing, reminiscing about trips
past. I miss you more today than yesterday. It hurts a little more
today. I wish you were here to share with, to dream with. I wish,
I wish. But most of all ...... I wish I had said everything I wanted to.
I wish like I felt I had. You meant the world to me and I hope you
are able to look down upon us and feel like WE are doing for dad
what you would have done .... just not quite as good. I love you mom,
I miss you - I always will. Rest quietly & watch over us on our trip
to your beautiful Hawaii.

Hawaii 2008 - different but WONDERFUL

Last year we decided to "tweak" our Hawaii plans to put us there
at the same time as the Sweet Adeline International convention.
It meant a different time & a different place .... BUT it also meant
some G-R-E-A-T companions. It was only for 2 weeks
(and it felt even shorter) - but we had soooooo much fun together.
We rented a house on
Oahu along with friends. It was a wonderful place with a
magnificent view 24-7 Everyday was as beautiful (or more so)
than the previous !

(JUST A SAMPLE)

EVERY NIGHT ..............................................
we had a NEW sunset to marvel at !!!!!!!!

da baby-mama par-taaay!

YESTERDAY was a break from the typical weekend chores to
celebrate the coming event of a wee one. So I share with you
here some of the celebration!

the HONOREE of the day!! Rebecca

Due the latter part of October but looking like she is ready next week.

The baby mama's fav

cake is good 'ole yellow with chocolate frosting (none of that icky bakery stuff)

so THIS was the result of my search of what to present to her for dessert!

They are supposed to look like a baby rattle ?!

I think this means we did good!
Looking pretty and ready to celebrate.
LOTSA aunties!!

congrats REM .... we're already planning to close the office the day we get the call !!!!!!!!