doing something with my wandering thoughts ....

sometimes ... when I'm stressed or anxious ... I cannot gather my thoughts to even finish a conversation. Other times I go deep within & silence is my solace. Rarely- but fortunately ... I get productive in those times of concern and SOMETHING gets accomplished. Though I'm not done just yet, I have got a hella-start on repainting the entire of my dining/kitchen/living room. (and look at the "capture" of the Christmas tree) .... hmmm, I'm liking it already! (Pa, you can come home from the hospital now- I can still paint when you are WELL!!!)

just because I've never seen it .....

I'm not what one might call a religious person. I have beliefs. I have opinions when others discuss their beliefs. But there are times in my life when I have relied on possibilities rather than actualities, and it comes back to that saying that's heard in a few of the movies this time of year .... just because you've never seen it/him/one ... doesn't mean it doesn't exist. If you are grading on a curve- I'm a really good person.... I take responsibility for my shortcomings or mistakes, I say please & thank you, I perform random acts of kindness. I don't ask for help or favors unless I really need to. And sometimes the "help" I need is more of a spiritual nature. By that, I mean that I am talking/asking/pleading/venting/whatever ... to a higher entity. Someone or something I can't see or feel. I don't expect a voice to answer me, a hand to come down & guide me .... I don't even expect a "sign" of any kind (although I've asked). Most of these times I am really only speaking to myself, my own inner spirit- perhaps flushing out the demons of negative thinking, giving myself a fresh start, allowing myself a good cry to get over or get passed something. Maybe it's really just an elaborate thought process on my part. I don't have the answers and I am skeptical of anyone who claims they do. What I do know is that there are times in our lives when we have to believe in "something" that's not tangible ... beit luck, or fate or destiny or karma or God. It's what gives us hope. (& the rabbits foot thing doesn't seem to be working)

THE finished product ..... My NYC travel journal

It's completed .... and it's BEAUTiful!! My sister, Cindy (who I traveled with) ... put together journal pages & pictorial pockets (and lots of fun embelishments) into a spiral log for each of us. I started it the day I left (while sitting in the airport) and FINALLY came up with a cover page today- that I LOVE. The Capt has been chomping at the bit to see it so we will sit down with a glass of wine this evening and I can share my adventure with him at last!! THANK YOU LOULOU .... with the exception of some belching (private joke), I LOVED every minute of it!!!

a white elephant that's brown & pink

Our chorus recently had a holiday gathering that included munchies, comraderie, and ... a white elephant auction. ALong came a GREEN package smaller than a bread box, bigger than a lunch box, tied up merrily with a sparkly gold bow. After some negotiating, I was the proud owner of said package. I announced that I would NOT be opening it at the party, as it was the Captains favorite color & would be placed under our tree at home, with his name attached. The bearer of the gift laughed & reminded me of the "white elephant" concept, and I just figured it would be good for a laugh come Christmas day. It was not.
IT WAS BETTER than a laugh. There was an ahhhhhh instead! The Captain removed this fuzzy little bear gingerly, wound it's base and set it atop the foot stool. With a stitch here & a tuck there .... she is good as new ... and waiting for Addy. She'll love it! (thanks Debby)

yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

WHILE I didn't get what I actually asked for ... I was surprised by what the ole guy left next to the cookies milk I left for him! I have OFFICIALLY upgraded to the next level of digital photography with my new Rebel T3i ............ It's faster, quieter and I'm sure there are a few more "ers" yet to discover!!

THANK YOU SANTA !!

p.s. I asked for a healthy household .... we're still working on that one.

Merry Christmas ... blah, blah, blah ....

ahhh ... the early AM solace

It's been a while since I was up this ealy, rising ahead of the sun- that is if I wasn't catching a plane! I cleaned the litter boxes, folded & put away the last few things that have been sitting in the laundry basket for a couple of days, then settled here at my design table to go thru 2 days of mail. I purposely have avoided feeded the felines because they would no longer be sitting within reach staring at me, For now, I can choose to believe they just want to be near me! The 46 degree chill has kicked the heater on and it gently sways the chimes dangling from the ceiling. The orchestral melody dances thru the room daintily. A forgotten brandy glass sits aside my keyboard .... filled, not with spirits of alcohol but with that of the holidays. Battery operated lights glow amongst the shiney globes & allow me to see the keyboard I now tap upon. Last year, I actually set the lights of my craftroom tree to be on when I got up to to this very job. Nowadays ...... I usually arise long after the sun has made it's appearance. The very sun that now encroaches on the peaceful slumber of the Captain .... I hear him stirring. As day breaks, the magic that was mine begins to fade and I see 2 options for this moment. tuck myself back between the covers or brew a cup of coffee. hmmmmmm

retiring the red coats for 11 months ....

TODAY marked the end of the 2011 Christmas perfomances for our Celebration Chorus ..... we celebrated a season well represented, and are looking forward to some well deserved time off to spend the holidays with our families. ALL THIS being said ... I can already feel the LSBSH creeping up within me (lack of singing barbershop harmony). In my short lived career with the women associated with the chorus (& Sweet Adelines) .... I have become attached emotionally on some level with each of them! Because of schedules long ago mapped out, I missed out on the first couple weeks of the seasonal festivities- much to my dismay. SO singing with them numerous times in the past few days has been invigorating and lifted my holiday spirits ! But, with the hectic times coming to an end ... it will make the rest of the year a little more relaxed and focused on grandkids (and my hubby)... and allow some time for fun with friends & family. With 2012 's goals & obligations just around the corner, I'm gonna take some time to .... read my Sept-Dec magazines with coffee in the mornings, do some baking, play in my craft room, & sing aloud as if I'm the soloist at the Met!

COUNTDOWN to relaxation .....

I may have FINALLY reached the "gent-ler" side of the Holiday Season today. From the time we returned from Hawaii in October ... it's needed to be WAY more productive than I would prefer. Decorating for fall, Chorus commitments (nearly a dozen songs to learn), decorating for Halloween, undecorating, load up the kitchen, family commitments, NYC, UNload the kitchen, undecorating, decorating for Christmas, chorus singouts, cards, presents .....

BUT, I think all if not MOST of the "timely" obligations are completed and now I hope to enjoy the fruits of my labor!! AHHH

leg aching work!

has a tornado hit my craft room? NO

Just the annual holiday card-elf getting it's mailings ready for take off. I signed, added notes, & addressed 50 cards that will visit the post office tomorrow via the Captain ... and handmade another 20+ that will accompany me the chorus singout & holiday gathering on Saturday. Last to accomplish in the next few days .... more intricate designs for the CDSFEOTS gang. Total time today ... roughly 7 hours, with what I HOPE to be less tomorrow to get the presents wrapped that now crowd my floor! The Captain helped a great deal today by staying so occupied himself that he didn't distract me :o) RIGHT NOW .... I am going to take my aching legs (from walking around the craft table a million times) and put them to bed!!

my sista, my friend, my treasure

My neighbor Julie & I, have long joked about being alike in so many ways, we certainly MUST BE sistas-from-anotha-motha! But more importantly, more precious to me ... is that she is my friend. I love her.

Her personality & sense of humor mirrors mine in so many ways that I feel sorry for our hubbys when it's us against them ... as they ALREADY start off behind the eightball! I adore her attitude toward what life throws at you, her appreciation for our little slice of paradise, her ever-cheery attitude, even when she's pissed off about something .... I get it. I get her. She gets me. She is strong in ways I could never measure up to & supportive of those things I do that are foreign to her. We are not a matched set of book ends ..... we are the pages in between that make up the interesting stories. SO- I was not shocked that she brought me a little pwise (as I call them) from her escapade away ... NOR would I ever expect any thing from her in response to anything I do FOR her ... because I do it without thought. I do it in my own way and I know that is enough for her. She asks even though it's unnecessary, she thanks even though it is not expected, and she gives graciously & generously because it is her nature to do so. She is special to me in so many ways, and not a day goes by that don't look upward and say a little thank you that she is part of my life!! I know it was not the cup- per se, that convinced her that "this one" was for me .... but rather the sentiment written inside of it's rim.

"WHEN WE'RE TOGETHER ... even the coldest day feels warm". To which I say. DITTO JULES!!

Santa already came down our chimney !

and left us a gift FAR too large to get down the chimney!! (?)

oops. we already had the doors off when I got around to taking the before pictures (argh) Keeping in mind that I am NOT comparing myself (in anyway) to a designer ... BUT .... I do know what I like (and it doesn't "usually" make people gag, uh, or laugh) ... so, since I first started making this house OUR HOME ... I have wondered WHO'S IDEA it was to install a gray/black/white patterned corian countertop over golden oak cabinets? To me- mixing the cool colors of one with the warm tones of the other, has been oil & vinegar in my veins for a few years. (to the point that I was entering kitchen makeover contests). SO- imagine my comfort & joy to hear that Santa was bringing me new cabinet faces??!!! The pictures don't do it justice. It turned out just as I envisioned AND ... I no longer HATE the countertop!

forget Chicago ... New York is "My kind of Town"

I can post but a thimble full of info on our adventure in NYC last week (much less the emotion involved) ... because I need to focus my energy and creative spirit on finishing the NYC journal Cindy made me for the trip, along with catching up a weeks worth of Project Life .... but I gotta put something here, cuz people are asking questions!! ****Let me start out by stating that it was an amazing trip, even with the near 3 hr delay out of SLO and missing my connection to JFK and the car that was reserved for pick up. I cannot imagine navigating the city on my own (nor would I even try), but with Cindy & Heather ... that was never an issue! Travelling with 2 gals (each) with a keen sense of direction is the way to go. I found the city to be exciting & exhilarating and ... because of the time of year .... QUITE beautiful! I can say that now because we survived the runaway horse & carriage, & the strange dude that was trying to grab the coat tails of a gal to get onto the subway car as the doors closed. We came home with TIRED feet & empty wallets and a TON of great pictures to revisit the memorable moments! YES- it was mighty cold. YES- it was costly. and YES- I would go again !!

I'm getting airsick from the time flying by!

A week ago from this moment, I was arriving in NYC to spend the next 4 days with my sister. I wish I could do it all over again!! If we knew then, how it would unfold, we might have done things a little differently .... but would we have had more fun?
NO.
We had a magnificent time. Infact, I'm going to spend just about all day tomorrow reliving it, as I FINALLY have the time to sort through all the pictures I took to document it in Project 365!! If I wasn't so tired from everything I needed to do (and go to) since I returned, I would pull an all-nighter just to get a headstart. wooo-hoooo

and so the journey begins!

Papa & Ken ...... ta-ta for a brief time. I'm leaving the 2 of you in charge of kittys, & plants & my beloved castle. I TRUST you will stop "bacheloring" long enough to have a healthy meal if, for no other reason, than to keep up your strength!

Watch over these things AND yourselves and I will see you again before you have a chance to miss me (much). XOXO

making good use of NO TIME LEFT ....

If I haven't packed it yet- it probably isn't going with me !! Afterall- NYC has stores right? IF I forgot it, & Cindy didn't bring it, then I either don't need it, don't have one, or will be getting a new one! In the meantime, besides getting packed today, I ALSO .... put out a few holiday doilies, brought my 365 up to date, charged all my electronics, did the laundry, made a Christmas table cloth, & attended chorus rehearsal. I avoided any form of resting, so that I might sleep tonight. (I don't usually sleep more than 3 hours the night before I travel) .... we'll see how well it works! 12 hours from now, I will be about 2 hours into my flight from LA. NYC .......... here I come!

one to check off the bucket list (soon)

I am sitting on my lanai, in the 65 degree sunshine, enjoying a bowl of fuyu persimmon & blackberries, & a gingerbread latte. The temperature AND the time of day are perfect for this .... and one of the MANY perks of being retired!! I'm especially pleased to be able to enjoy this today, because the opportunity will not present itself again for a few days- BECAUSE, I leave for New York tomorrow morning at O'dark hundred. I am posting the I love NY clip art because I can honestly say, I'm sure I will. My sister, whom I am accompanying, LOVES IT and I pretty much love everything she does, albeit -usually a slightly less expensive version. So I can confidently use my statement of "if I forget to tell you later, I had a wonderful time" ... that I use when I ALREADY know that will be the case. I could ask for no better tour guide & companion for such a place ... as I feel it is best to experience something new with someone who has a passion for it. AND, the 2 of us are going to the Statue of Liberty, which will be new for both of us. The weather seems to be cooperating (as best it could considering I MUST wear shoes for the entire stay!!) and the Capt managed to get me into business class travel as of last night (super yay) .... so I am off to finish packing for my big adventure, & get the butterflies in my tummy into a formation!

PROJECT 265 for the WHOLE story!!

I can use my blog to post a picture of the "man-cave" where football games played ALL DAY LONG. I can show evidence of the beautiful drive we had coming back home .... I can even show you ONE of the M-A-N-Y pictures my adorable grand-niece Delaney urged me to take of her and my grandson Anthony- whom she deemed her boyfriend (even though he said no thank you, he was gracious enough for the foto ops) ..... but ONLY in my Project Life ... will someone be able to look over the pictorial of the weekend, and really visualize the emotion it held. The fact that I used 6 days of pocketing to put in the pictures & journaling that I narrowed it down to- is why I will end up with 2 binders by December 31st. I love it!

turkey coma, self induced

on the eve of our travel to Bakersfield, to join the family for our "real" Thanksgiving meal ...

I ponder in thought of our Thanksgiving weekends of years ago. Originally, as young adults, we didn't all have Friday off work (and I'm not sure the term black Friday even existed) ... so we would all hit the road that night & land on my parents' doorstep around 9pm. By Saturday morning rise-n-shine ... we would already be able to smell the roasting bird. Mom would start up a big breakfast as the noise level began to rise & while dishes were getting squared away afterward, she would be starting on the side dishes. I was always in charge of the ambrosia & the decision would have been made as to the color of the Thanksgiving mashers. Desserts had been made (and guarded) the evening before to free up oven space for marshmellowed yams, extra stuffing & the FRESH home made rolls. By late morning a poker game was well under way, that didn't take a breath until we got the duty call to get the table set. Deviled eggs, cranberry sauce (whole & jellied), winter veggies, & gravy were set out, and we would be staking out seating claims. Usually around 2:30 ..... there would be a call-to-order, the room would fill with silence for the first time in nearly 20 hours, & dad would say grace. And the feasting began. A lot of smiles & laughter came to that table over the years. The faces have changed. Cherubs are now young adults with families of their own. The traditional servings are a little prettier. The surroundings are different as well ... but something, the most important thing, has not .... it's still a time when we all come together as a family. There is more noise & a higher calorie count I'm sure- but the amount of love that fills the house at this time is what I come away MOST filled with. And it's only hours away!!

thankful that I have SO darn much to be thankful about!

Thanksgiving may have deep roots in history but let's all just admit ... it's about the food. Yeh, yeh ... having family gather up to sup together puts the cherry on the top ... but be honest- you say turkey, I say Thanksgiving, and I'd bet that 9.25 out of 10 people would have the same one word response. Don't get me wrong, I'm a very sentimental person and I love anything that brings the family to a common place. But it doesn't take a "food holiday" to do that! HOWEVER, that being said- I want to go on record to say that even though the first thoughts when looking at Thanksgiving involve when the turkey shopping will begin ... when all is said & done ... much of my thought thereafter, involves how THANKFUL I am for the friends & family & good fortune I live- everyday.
TODAY, our "meal of thanks" (so to speak) was spent with an intimate group of precious friends. individuals that we are as close to as any family member might be. friends we see or talk to nearly every single day. friends we love. friends we are VERY thankful to have in our lives. The meal was amazing, the company we shared .... even more so.
AND AGAIN- I want to thank R, L, D & J for their humor, wisdom, expertise, affection, assistance, and for every moment we are blessed with their "intrusion" into our lives!!

an UGLY bug stopped by for a visit!

DUNNO if it was from some food ingested or just the good ole flu ... but I was down for the count, with today (finally) being SOMEWHAT productive. A bug NEVER arrives invited or at a time of convenience ... but with a living room floor covered in boxes, difficulty even getting into the kitchen, and all the stuff in my craft room piled & scattered as well ... this timing was pretty bad. To top it off, the Capt was hit by the bug's other brother Darrell about 6 hours later while do a kayaking tour!! Our symptoms differ slightly but the bottom line is neither of us was of much good Sat or Sunday! Today required some sit-downs (a nap too), but at least we got some things put away. BEST of all- we should be intestinally prepared for Thanksgiving Day. Always a silver lining!!

on my way to the bathroom to get a cup of coffee ...

.... I passed a stack of drawers, a box of cups, a tray of towels, bag of snacks, a kitty water fountain, & a shop vac. It was easy ignoring these things- I've been doing it for a week+. But walking into the bathroom to get a cup of coffee.... THAT felt weird! It wasn't until mid-morning yesterday that I lost total use of my kitchen. I CAN get to the fridge if I am strategic in my timing & approach, but it's not easy. The room is sealed off with plastic sheeting that could (theoretically) be removed by late today ... but we've already pulled our lunch items out & made dinner plans for this eve. A thorough cleaning will be needed before we enter the sanctum anyway. The doors are being fabricated in the carpenter's shop over the grade & we won't see those go up for another week. (which is fine since the hardware won't arrive til then). It will allow me time to clean the floor & inner cabinets & get the shelf paper layed.
We've been putting off grocery shopping, for lack of space in the living room which is festively decorated with boxes, bins, & tubs of many colors & size. I enter this room ONLY to go our to the lanai (mostly) as it's current condition is of great anxiety. I can deal with occassional clutter but the disruptive mess it's in now is difficult to overlook. Stay tuned for further developments (?) or my address if I should be committed.

let us eat cake (and ice cream)

November is a sa-weeet month when it comes to birthday cake gatherings. AND IT AIN'T over yet!!

Last week was a 53 year old cherry chocolate, tonight - a 67 yr old tiramisu & carrot, next week will likely be an 88 year old cherry pie. This CDS gang will all be on a diet come January!! (well after a mound of ice cream & an angel food cake that is)

conveniently .... cluttered (??!)

there is something to be said about having EVERYTHING from the kitchen out & about. There are NO drawers to close, no cabinets to shut when your hands are full .... you can "see" just about everything you need.

HOWEVER- all is not rosy. It looks VERY messy and I avoid the living room as much as I can, so I don't have to think about #1- what it actually looks like & #2 -having to put it all back eventually. I should warn THE BOYS right now- if it looks like this come Thanksgiving Day, I may not be cooking afterall. The atmosphere takes the fun out of it .... no decorations will cover this up!! haha

BEDROOM EYEZZz ... the PG version

In the interest (for whoever should have one) .... of time, & pure, dede-lightful exhaustion, I am posting this

"characteristic" picture of the double quartet that has been monopolizing my time of late. I cannot express how GREATful I am to have belly laughed on a regular basis while in their presence!! Our performance was worth every moment of & and we can be proud of the results!! THANK YOU LADIES :o)

there is ALWAYS time for laughter!

I have spent at least a couple extra hours each of the past few weeks with a group of funny & talented ladies - in preparation of a double quartet contest that will be taking place this weekend. The event itself, is a small part of what will be taking place overall. This weekend is designed for education, introduction, comraderie and of course to remind us all just how SWEET (their new ad campaign) the Sweet Adeline organization is in each of our lives. Often j0ked about as being a full-time hobby, it is truly full-time enjoyment... well, that is if you don't mind the anxiety of competitions where you might be singing in front of thousands of people! I have loved this chorus body from day one ... but over the past few weeks, I have bonded even further with individual members that are just too, too entertaining. NO MATTER how much we remind each other how important it is to use our time rehearsing WISELY- there is always time for some laughter (or you better stay away from this group!!) THX gals .... it's be real.

I am almost too tired to be exhausted!

It has been a whirlwind week and I don't even have the time (or excess energy) to think about what I STILL have to do!! Over the weekend our chorus had an intense coaching session that I really enjoyed & the time flew by, but it was a LONG day and I came home with my doggies a'barkin! By Sunday, my to do list was piling up, but we took the time to pick up a cabinet that I got (almost free) that's going to replace the large, heavy, dark file cabinets that have been in my design studio for at least 3 years. THAT decision is going to add a few hours of tedious work to my retirement schedule- since it will involve 1. cleaning out the existing cabinet, 2. making room for them in the storeroom by getting rid of things taking up space that this will occupy usefully 3. refinishing or ? the new acquisition 4. figuring out the organization adding shelving or purchasing nesting/stackable boxes. (and if memory serves me ... I think I ALSO have to paint the wall behind the filing cabs??!) ALL OF THIS is likely to be taking place while we are having some work done on the cabinetry in our kitchen (which reminds me .... we've not ordered the hardware for them yet). BUT, my DQ rehearsals will have ended by then ... because this weekend is Fall Festival for our Region 11 of Sweet Adelines International. WHICH BRINGS ME BACK to why my time has been "used up" with so much UNfrivilous stuff lately. For the past few weeks, I have had 3 times the normal music rehearsals than usual, and for the past few days I have used most of my free time to pack up all the kitchen cabinet contents in prep for the refacing. TRYING to do so in a way that at the end of each day- I can actually find the things I need to get a dinner on the table. We'll see how well that works out!! It's a 2 week project that will likely take at least twice the time (if it resembles the normal home improvement guidelines). I stacked, wrapped, Goodwilled, stored, the last piece today, but not without "adding" a couple more things to the wish list at a cost! Tomorrow, I have 3 different music rehearsals that I need to review for, along with some web-shopping to decide on the cabinet/drawer knobs & pulls. By Wednesday the laundry & housecleaning needs to be completed in time for a bit of relaxing before I pack up & leave Thursday morning ..... OMG, I hear the clocking ticking REALLY loud!! WHEN will I get to play WWF!!! (maybe right now)

on again, off again .... & the emotional roller coaster of life

WATCHED the SAI competition a couple of weeks ago and OF COURSE, that hypes me up for rehearsing my music even mroe than usual. Sang with some of my Fizzzz mates (pictured) over the weekend and OF COURSE that gets all talking about reserecting the times & sound we had together! But just as the ebb brought the enthusiasm about it to the surface, so has life tugged at the chances of it becoming a reality. To start with- we are short 1 part ... that could be remedied with some creativitive part swapping, but time & logistics are doing their best to anti-allow even an attempt! A hubby in the hospital for one, financial prorities for another ..... a reality check for the third. hmmmmmm (and WHAT did I ever do with that orange bag?? would LOVE to use that for fall!!!) Our roller coaster is spiraling downward at the moment .... but u-s-u-a-l-l-y, there is a curve or climb in the tracks .... time will tell.

in search of that ..... something

sometimes it's the right color ....
it might be the voice, the mood, the time, the design .....
I feel that "search" coming on & I don't know what it's gonna be for (?)
odd feeling.

3rd annual boooooooo-opoly night

AKA ..... Halloween

as we gathered with the O'Briens for our annual game event .... I have no doubt the Francos were SOOOOO envious of the laughter (and good eats) they missed out on!! BUT- we did not have the time to be feelin' sorry for them .... cuz we had spider dip, brain nibs, eyeball pasta & pinkie pudding to devour ... AND the all too UNserious gaming session. AS USUAL ... the Capt bankrupted his competition (I was 1st out) ... but at least Danno gave him a significant run for his money !! We had 100% more trick-o-treaters this year (for a total of 1) ... AND we even got a goody bag of our very own .... as usual, we had a great time together!!

the eve of another event ...

TOMORROW- is Halloween ... and I would rather remember it as just that. But it's more. And because 2morrow is a significant day, it means that today is the eve of said day. For the last week or more, has been "the eve", because it has been on my mind constantly,
October 31st 2011 marks a year since the sudden passing of my mom. AND AS MANY would agree .... diagnosis to death in 7 days is damn sudden! It was not an easy time then, it's no easier now- just different. My dad is declining a little each day because of a sorrow he cannot shake. We all share in that pain... but for him, exceptionally so, because she was a soulmate he never expected to find or cherish as he has. A story came to mind, days ago, that keeps floating in & out of my consciousness, so I want to share it (or "blog it"- to be acurate); Mom & I were sorting through some pictures (YEARS ago) and we were commenting about this one or noting something about that one- and a black & white picture surfaced that I picked up & simply said "I remember this day". Mom seemed puzzled and asked me what I was talking about. "I remember we were sitting out on a blanket having a backyard sort of picnic... you, Steve & me ... and there was an earthquake. I remember the shaking. I remember you rushing us into the house, & you were scared". She had a funny look on her face & sort of laughed ... finally explaining that I was not THERE at the time of the earthquake .... well, not exactly anyway ...... because, actually ... she was pregnant with me at the time!
I miss my mom .... I miss the fact that she is no longer just a phone call away .... and that I could have called her a lot more often than I did. I miss that silly laugh of hers. I miss the closeness we shared when I first became a mother myself and for the decade of years that followed. We bowled on leagues together. We camped together. We canned fruits together. I miss handing over a piece of fabric that would materialize into a shirt for the Captain & I a couple of weeks later. I miss teasing her about silly things. I miss her pineapple chiffon pie. I miss hearing the kids call her granny. I even miss the thrown together casseroles that we weren't fond of, & that she thought we were kidding her when we told her to. MOSTLY, I miss seeing joy on Dad's face ..... every day they were together.
God Bless You mom. We know YOU are safe ... but Dad's needing a little guidence these days .... maybe you could stop by for a visit with him soon. I love you.

the element of surprise (ours)

The Captain was on the phone ... trying to sort out the insurance carriers for Sirbil's 2012 medical coverage. I was in the bedroom, putting away freshly folded laundry. We BOTH heard the thump, signaling that a bird had hit one of the glass sliders- as I looked out, (seconds later), I saw Monkey's tail end going in the house ... followed by the Captain, setting a bird on the outside mat. The bird was stunned by the impact (a sparrow) and she was quick to grab it!! The Capt returned to his phone call & I watched the wee bird for a bit, it's breathing a little labored, blinking it's eyes. (do they see birds circling them after a head injury, like people do in the cartoons on TV?) After a couple of minutes, I gently picked up the slightly less feathered bird & placed it in the shade. I kept returning to see if it was ok. It took about 10 minutes, but it finally took flight & I saw it a short time later on the fence, chattering with some of it's mates .... no doubt telling of it's near death experience !! During all this time (and for another half hour), Monkey sat, layed & paced at the door. She finally gave up on the hope of another hunting expedition I guess!

I, 2 ... 6 (?!!)

OMG .... their multiplying ! (cool, huh?) (&) WITH MY 2 month addiction to all things pumpkin shifts into 2nd gear ... I enjoyed pumpkin pie on my bagel this morning. (actually, fresh pumpkin butter) alongside my pumpkin spice latte. um um good. Our weather kicks off the more appropriate fall weather conditions for our coastal area. MEANING; chilly nights (good sleepin temps), clear, blue morning skies, & warm afternoons. SIMPLY PUT .... paradise!!

I had breakfast with a butterfly this morning ....

this young lady was my guest this morning! I found her on the deck when I went out to have my breakfast on the lanai. In a coma-like state because of the cool weather, I picked her up & first put her on one of the plants. She perked up a bit & I remembered they need the warmth to move freely, so I moved her to a sunny spot where she bathed for about 10 minutes before flying away. (YAY)

spur of the moment perfection

I would have to say that our 24 hour spontaneous sleepover in Cayucos was WONDERFUL.

As a "sorta" late, but not forgotten anniversary celebration- the Capt made all the arrangements on his own and with a days' notice .... off we went with a shower bag & a smile.

I LOVED the B&B he chose and I HOPE it's not the last time we visit with them. It was lovely .... even as brief as it was! We arrived to sunny, blue skies & perfect temps .... only to have the fog monster arrive less than 2 hours later .... and NEVER leave!! It was a little spooky, as I have pictures of my hubby disappearing into the mist just a few yards away from me.

We laughed, we ate, we held hands, we planned ..... and we listened to the ocean from our beachside room .... all night long. It was an easy pill to swallow!

Captain- take me away!

and he's going to ...... stay tuned for the details!

fallin' for FALL

THIS .... was my kind of day. We selfishly took a few hours to wander through the local apple orchards & produce "barns" and found the fall harvest of goods that make

up a landscape of the rich colors this season is made of. We came home with 3 dozen local apples of various varieties & a few seasonal goodies as well.

With our Thanksgiving apple wine purchased (by the holiday it's sold out) & a couple of PUMPKIN treats ..... I feel the warm fuzzies of a family gathering just around the corner!!

now showing ... in our local newspaper .....

The Captain & I were recently discussing the fact that "his" picture had never made it to the newspaper. I just figured it was because it might encourage (stupid) people to get closer to the

local critters- which is against the law!! I blogged about this incident whe it first happened, but seeing the picture reminded us both how unique & special the moment was. The Capt was giving a kayak tour ... and the young sea lion had tried repeatedly to get onto the pier .... being barked off by the big guys. (he just wanted to warm up a little). I guess he saw this as an opportunity! NOW, there will people noting my hubby for more than just his TV commercial :o)

jammies & harmony

after a "pain-staking" few hours following a root canal yesterday (and missing chorus rehearsal- argh) I decided today is a jammie day, while I'm ... 1. organizing my design studio 2. catching up on project 365 3. warming up for double Q rehearsal 4. doing laundry 5. WATCHING/ LISTENING/ DONATING to the international competition for Sweet Adelines! (webcast)

the "ELLEN" experience!

It was a LONG & exhausting day ... but
DON'T tell anyone!! THAT was the instructions by the staff & Ellen herself. DON'T tell anyone who/what was on the show!! WOW- that's like telling you a secret & THEN asking you not to tell. SO UNFAIR (?) The actuality of it was that we were called in for an early recording session that was originally supposed to tape a few days later, but because of a scheduling hiccup- needed to be done on "our" day. We were even present for the promo that was taped to advertise the show.
The set is JUST LIKE what it looks like, no illusions there- & the energy in the room is as it appears on the screen when I'm sitting in my easy chair & watching from home. (and more) It was my exercise routine for the day to be sure. SO- because I am NOT a snitch, and you NEVER know when big brother is watching .... mum's the word!
BUT I WILL SAY ......... we had a great time!! (thanks for the company Shar, Lois, & Joy)

12 years into the 3rd time around .... (it's a charm)

LET ME FIRST DISCLAIM that I am writing this a few minutes before the actual day our anniversary truly arrives ... because by 6:30am tomorrow, I will be out the door- not to return til nearly (if not after) midnight. I believe it may be the first time the Captain & I have spent our anniversary apart. (but no, the honeymoon is NOT over)

I adore this man for so man for so many reasons !! Within weeks of meeting him, I knew we would be great friends ... even though I was yet to consider it "a relationship", since the 6 years prior ..... I had been through an intense marriage & a couple of EYE OPENING year long relationships ... that brought me to the decision not to invest my emotions in anything permanent again. I was becoming settled in my own ways, and circumstances had presented me with some life changing possibilities in the near future. As God was chuckling from high above over my "life plan" ..... THIS MAN stole my heart, & put HIS in it's place!

Our engagement, wedding, & almost every anniversay since our first meeting, has taken place in the same place we met (Maui) .... and we continue to live the "romance" to this day. To the chagrin of those who carry envy within, we are more in love than when we first professed. We also like each other VERY much, so our relationship is respectful & honest. We know how lucky (and surprised) we are to have found each other. SO- even though we will not be whispering sweet nothings across a candle-lit table on 10/17 .... the day will not go un-noticed .... just extended out a bit. I'm pretty sure he knows how much I love & appreciate him. I am very sure I don't tell him as often and I should. And I'm positive that I'm the luckiest wife in the world! I love you Captain. Happy Anniversary.

prepare to LAUGH (my Monday mantra)

THIS is where I will be tomorrow. MANY years ago I went to a taping of the Price is Right .... but this will be different. FOR THIS, I don't have to be anticipating the chance of being involved. FOR THIS, I can sit back & be entertained! She is a fav of mine. Such a hoot!! I'm joining 3 friends on the journey and we find ourselves funny enough already- so being in the company of this icon will be THICK frosting on our cake!! Tune in for my "day after" report!!

tears, fears, & cheers

hard to imagine that 3 weeks ago- at this very moment, I was doing much like I am tonight ... catching up, cleaning up, closing up- but ON THE EVE of our trip to Kauai. It was a wonderful trip and I loved having the Captain all to myself for a short while. It's the first time in a long while that we will NOT be in Maui for our anniversay ... but will make NEXT YEAR that much more special!! In the meantime ... I am heavy with thoughts and hope that a good night's rest will bring me some of the solutions I am searching for. It often does!

the forecast is achey with a chance of bruising ...

I am sitting on my lanai for the first evening since returning from vacation .... and loving it. The moon, although not the full orb I would have appreciated keeping company, is still bright & there is a sky full of sparkles. WE ARE, for the moment, back to a normal weather pattern and boy and I happy about that! Another hot spell like this last one & I will be pushing for some sort of portable cooling system for our castle. What we spent eating out due to the stifling heat may have just about covered the cost of one. BUT- that is over for the time being, which allows me the comfort and luxury of sitting outside in the coolness of the evening. I waited til moments ago to water down the orchids and lanai plants, & I will do the same in my serenity garden first thing tomorrow morning as well.
It's been a little disorganized around here for most of the week, as we had some freshening up done downstairs by way of painting ..... then we sorted a bit, rearranged some furniture and filled up another donation box as a result. Pa is hesitant at first to dig in, as I'm sure it can be a little overwhelming- but then he really gets into it & is a huge help in the clean up process. We've got just a bit more to take care of tomorrow, then we will take the weekend "off" to spend time with company coming in on Saturday morning. For now- I MUST SAY, that I'm glad we have some more relaxing days in our immediate future, before we tackle the next home improvement hurdles :o)

O'limo service with a side of Francos

It doesn't get any better than a posh ride home from our bestest neighbors, followed by an over the balcony invite from our other bestest neighbors for breakfast as we disembarked in our driveway!!
Tired & hungry from our redeye flight home (& did I mention we were tired?) .... the Captain & I had earlier discussed what do do first when once we got home, & the idea of going to the grocery store right away was out of the question. SO, the sleeping part was our priority. Well, that is, until we were invited across the street for some eats, & the word "bacon" was mentioned. I couldn't hold the Captain back (nor did I want to). As Mr O pulled our suitcases from his truck, we greeted Pa- who had brought his Sunday paper out front & was sitting atop his scooter in anticipation of our return. WHAT A WELCOMED sight .... our friends & family in one panoramic visual!!!
SO- we partook (?), we napped, we unpacked, (then) we shopped, we ate (again), I soaked in my tub, we visited a bit with Pa, then we s-l-e-p-t (very well) ......... and I FIGURED the best way to pay homage to being home was to have my coffee on the lanai, heater keeping my toes warm, while I survey the yard & the plants & ......life ............ for today.
Dorothy ... you CAN COME HOME AGAIN!! (and thank goodness, it ain't Kansas)

lemme tell YOU the REAL secret .....

It's called Secret Beach. In the "discover" Kauai book ... it was listed as a hideaway, less travelled, spand of beautiful beach. AND the beauty is true. Being "undiscovered" may have been acurate when the book was first published (and still difficult to find at stores ... 5-6 years ago).... but the secret is out about the whereabouts of the beach, and after our "trek" there ... I have to question if it was the beach that was secret or the JOKE about following the path to get to it! This was no easy task (for me) and in the heat & humidity ... even the Capt was making a comment or two. DOWNHILL in the red dirt with (if you're lucky) roots to help hold your footing. NOT the place to be strolling after heavy rains, I'm sure. It's mostly in the jungle ...uh, I mean shade- & that helps. But I kept asking myself "are we there yet?" and I kept TELLING myself- "you will have to walk UPHILL the entire way back!!" The beach ..... clean, long, and indeed beautiful & scenic. Empty? no- but so large, doesn't matter. The path to get to it ??? That's the untold secret. My suggestions?? Pack a snack, plenty of water, a chair lift, & a patient husband .... ONLY THEN is it worth it!

what wrong with this picture??!

there are no words..... lemme just say- "wassup wit dat?"

the surf was RADICAL today!!

and I don't mean that in a good way (although the Captain does)....... it was POUNDING! It knocked a few people tissel end up (mostly because they either #1 shouldn't have been in it, or #2 had their backs to the waves!) Had Pa been sitting next to me & watching the Capt out on his paddle board, maneuvering the swells and multiple sets of breaking waves ... he would have remarked "how does he do that?" The Capt, after coming in to rest, watched others attempting to do the same as he had acomplished... and soon mumbled "how did I manage to do that?" I, ON THE OTHER HAND ..... said (more than once) "why would anyone want to do that??"

IT WAS a very busy day of people watching ... (I could have made a comedy video many times over)

flora, fawna, & my hunky hubby

we loaded up pur necessities this morning .... and headed out for .... where ever the road & our moods took us. The plan was to eventually have a nice lunch, but other than that... nothing was set in stone. My sweet & patient Captain was flexible and would stop on a dime if I saw a picture opportunity!
AND WITH ME ... one never knows what I find that catches my eye! We ran into a few showers, but it dampened the roads & NOT our spirits. Lunch at the Hanalei Dolphin (with the best lilikoi tea I have ever had!), then back on the road until we found someplace interesting to stop again ... and a coco-ginger cookie for the Captain.
The winds were up today and that brought up some big waves. A couple of spots had some angry looking waves- while others looked like something out of a movie! It was a dede-lightful day!

Mahalo ku'uipo