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

I beat the Captain up (& I'm not sorry)

INFACT, I beat him up thrice. There was no malice intended, it wasn't premeditated, & I never even gave it a thought until he mentioned it this morning. "Hey", he squealed, "you beat me up!"
And I don't argue the point .... since there's nothing wrong with beating him up, why wouldn't I? I've done it before at home- not as often as I used to, but several times. It never seemed to bother him before. Maybe he was just surprised this time. I beat him up a few times when we came to Hawaii with Ma & Pa too- but I don't know if they were aware of it. I don't remember talking about it. It's not something I would casually chat with the neighbors about .... I don't FB about it- it seems so insignificant to me. huh .... it's not as if he's never beaten me up! THAT's more common. And the 2 of us beat Pa up nearly EVERY DAY! So wassup wit dat? IF the Captain keeps harping on it- I will tell him that if he goes to sleep earlier, perhaps he'll "beat me up" tomorrow.
HA HA HA HA

legends and liabilities

There is much to see & experience on Kauai. Much that can be revisited every year and still be awe-inspiring. But there is much that has been lost and never replaced in memory ... only by living thru legend. If one has never been to the islands, watching the movie HAWAII (Julie Andrews, Max Von Syedon) is very educational & enlightening. It's authenticity has often been confirmed and it makes one more appreciative & respectful of the traditions that still hold strong here. That being said ... with the national economy taking it's toll on much of us ... Hawaii struggles as well because it's TOP industry is tourism. As little as 4 years ago- there were cruise ships lined up to make port at each of the islands everyday and often MORE than one ship at a time. ONE of the greatest things about that was that NCL had, by that time, 3 US registered flag ships positioned here. The ONLY US registered ships in over 40 years. IT MEANT hundreds of jobs created for American citizens! (and the ships were beautifully outfitted). Every other day, you were likely to see one of them in port, no matter what island you were on. Finances & business could not withstand the pitfalls of bad housing loans, ponzi schemes, & over-stuffed government, and the cruise line had to whittle it's threesome down to a single ship- to "stay afloat". It appears that other lines have done the same- as we have been here a week and only seen 2 the entire time. Businesses we once looked forward to visiting are gone now .... no longer able to sustain on local patronage or the slighted tourism. The beaches are less inhabited, that's nice .... but at the expense of some of the little guys- and that's not nice. Believe it or not (for those of you who understand) .... there even seems to be less chickens and cats!!

HOWEVER ..... thankfully, Mother Nature doesn't abide by the rise & fall of the Dow Jones or a new presidency. She does her own thing. Occasionally held at bay due to the evil presence of a hurricane or tsunami, she is otherwise doing her best to provide the beauty (and my personal allure) to the islands- by way of flowers and waterfalls, wide beaches, etc. Our outing yesterday included appreciation of such natural sights. To me- the most enjoyable times of our Hawaiian retreats. As I sit on the lanai to update my blog this morning, the frequent sunrise showers accompany rooster crows & myna bird songs, as the sun plays peek-a-boo with the clouds to my left. My coffee percolates inside and the smell of macadamia nut is beginning to waft in my direction. I've been up for an hour and I can hear the creak of the floor indicating the Capt is waking now. Cars are sneaking into the landscape stretched out before me, signaling the true beginning of the day ....... and I'm ready.