When will I learn, why do I do this?  Monday morning arrives too quickly especially after a very fun filled few days!  The beach, girls in boxes (yes, there were coeds pledging a sorority in giant boxes on the beach), wine and sunsets have a tough act to follow now!  Laughing truly is the best and the cure for anything remotely "dislikeable" in one's life.  Laughing is touching your soul, hugging your inner child and allowing yourself to be exposed.  I certainly look at my friends who I have shared moments like these in a whole new light.  More like extended family now.  When you share such crazy and hilarious times with friends and or family; those are the best times you do not forget.

So, Monday is here, I wish I were with my friends and laughing and not at my desk.  Here, I put on a different face, one that is serious, professional and behaving my age!  We do have our moments here, but nothing like Friday night's escapades!  Call me clients so I can put my, "customer service" hat and act on! I wish we could throw ourselves on to the reception sofas and watch TV on Mondays!  I think Monday's should be a day where we all lay around, talk about our days off, eat some junk food and catch up on the football games, news and whatever the "Housewives" were doing.  Seriously and wishing I were being entertained so I could laugh hard like last Friday!  Now that would be a job I could really love!

Missed this, so, I'm back!

Had some time to look back at the "blog" and thought about those moments writing and how happy they made me!  Missing those times, my kids and maybe even Belize; it's time to start again!

So much has changed and so much has stayed the same; kind of funny?!  My hair's longer, my wrinkles are more defined.  My children are older and doing their "thing" on their own.  Steve is a happy camper, scuba diving, and starting another dive shop.  The dogs are great, minus one or two since the last post, adjusting to a smaller house and yard and no glorious beach runs in Belize.  Now we walk, on leashes (??!) around a neighborhood full of strange smells, new faces, doggies to meet and SQUIRRELS!  The squirrels are driving us all crazy, (I do believe my dogs believe, the squirrels are racing across the electrical lines for their entertainment and it is their job to warn these acrobatic wonders, to be careful, not to fall and to do that again!  They love barking for them, cheering them for more!)  Hilarious, but the barking is driving my neighbor nuts!  LOL, too bad, the possum you keep in your yard drives me batty, so there!

Anyway, here I go, rambling on and finding humor in the life around me.  Smiling at what makes my world go round and loving these moments, embracing the gifts placed in my lap.

Art class with the kids

Wow, just looked over my "blog"! Have not posted in a year! I do have much to say, but not a lot of time these days to contemplate these thoughts. I have been too busy thinking up ideas for the school children I have the pleasure of seeing each day. They love to make things and paint, the little ones love markers and glue! Who does not? I have always loved craft shops, art supply stores and hardware mega-giant warehouses. The fun to be had is overwhelming. The creative juices flowing out of every cell, tell me who does not love getting paint in their finger nails, glue in their hair and permanent marker all over their clothes?! Sorry moms, you have to get dirty and make a mess once in a while. Make something beautiful now and then, sit back and enjoy your handy work. The delight in the children's eyes and the pleasure of something they have made is what gives me a big spring to my step.
I am inspired by the students and eagerly search the internet for more ideas and soon run out of time. I drive my "clown car" golf cart to school excited to show the kids what we will do each day and hope they are happy and as pleased as I with their adventure and future masterpiece.
d :)

Blue Ridge Boys arrive!

I had another idea for a "blog" topic. I had written to a dear friend yesterday while awaiting the arrival of my one and only son :) and his four friends. They had taken the longer route to get here; via Cancun. Steve made the trek north to meet the boys flight and then escort them to the island. (Less expensive, but a VERY long couple days of travel). So, the boys arrive and I am ready.
Or at least I thought...
My son is a delight; he's funny, kind and sensitive. He is extremely creative and loves sports; especially football, wrestling, hockey, baseball, lacrosse, rugby, basketball, field hockey, rowing, sailing, yachting, wind surfing, curling, skiing, luge, soccer, basket weaving for the gold, card board surfing, regular surfing, trampball, volleyball, beach volleyball, etc., and etc. You get the idea; ESPN is on 24/7 as of today.
Back to this blog.
Since I thought I was ready; today I quickly found out, I am not! In less than 24 hours, they have managed to consume: 6 pounds of boneless chicken breasts, (carefully prepared by moi in virgin olive oil and white wine; what was I thinking?), 2 pounds of rice, a head of cabbage for cole slaw, a 13 x 9 pan of iced brownies, 2 dozen eggs, 1/2 pound of butter, 1 loaf of bread, 1 gallon of orange juice, 2 bags of chips and salsa (?), lost count, 1/2 loaf of banana bread, 1 box of cereal, 1 box of milk and well, you get the idea. Amazing! Never thought I would be this unprepared. I knew teenage boys could eat, but I truly underestimated their capacity. These are growing young men that just woke up for breakfast, note time, 11:59am. They are anxious to begin their day; grand opening of a new business on another island or perhaps a golf cart ride to the end of the island to see an old friend of my son's. Wherever they go, I am positive they will continue to consume. While they are away, I will frantically head to the little island markets and plan for the remainder of this day, or hope to. ( I am thinking of buying any and everything I place my eyes on; I am about to become hysterical!)
Phew, got a grip and will frost the cake that has been cooling, make my list and get going for "day 2" of this 2010 "Spring Break". (It shall be interesting to see what they do for an encore!) :0

An Ode to Shoes

Me in a few of my favorite outfits! :0
Hello, time to pick it up and begin the "blog" again.  Just returned from a trip to the states and during that time, I found a t-shirt of mine that read, "No one cares about your blog".  I laughed, packed it and thought, why did I buy that?  The understatement of my life.

Back on the island, I find myself in the same pair of shorts and tank tops.  My closet is packed full of clothes I rarely wear.  In the states, in the closet where I have clothes stored, I wore the same things over and over while there too.  So why the urge to have more?  This really confuses me now.  I do love fashion and the feeling you get from a great pair of shoes or a dress that makes you feel like a princess.  I do not walk around like a princess here, the shoes would be ruined in one walk to my golf cart.  When I am back in the states, I wear shoes; my feet ache the first few days and I promise myself to try to wear regular shoes when I am back on the island.  (I haven't done it since my return; it's too easy to slide into a pair of flip- flops and run down the steps to the beach or take the dogs out for a walk).  Oh what to do?

My plan is to donate most of what I do not wear here to the next fund raiser my little group of friends are involved in.  I have a memorial service to attend today and I will try my hardest to come up with a new and improved version of my favorite outfit.  I will wear shoes with heels.  (Try gracefully walking through sand in heels, as it pinches the heck out of your toes and grinds into your skin; not an easy thing to do, but I am up to the challenge).  My plan is to ditch the heels and bring a pair of flip-flops to don as soon as the service is over.  Sorry, I do have my limits.

So fashionistas out there, if you see a great pair of flip-flops, keep me in mind.  I also am quite fond of khaki shorts with pockets that hold keys and doggie treats; draw strings are nice too.  I will try not to twinge when I see a tourist in what must possibly be the "latest" fashions in the rest of the world.  I will smile, stay comfortable and hope I will blend in with the masses when I am back in the states. :)  

Food, glorious food!

Cannot believe another year is coming to an end!  Where does it go?  Amazing!  What a year it has been, glad to be safe, healthy and able to move forward.  We had a wonderful Christmas with very little drama; always a plus in my book!  Both children are here for their breaks, both have brought along friends for a visit.  So much fun, so much anticipation and so much food!  

Not sure what to write about and it occurred to me just now!  Food, glorious food!  We have to have it and having too much is bad and too little is not good either.  Finding that delicate balance between too little and too much is a much held secret and one sought by millions.  Although, I suffer from allergies, some from food, I have also been blessed with a high metabolism.  Do not get me wrong, my butt gets as big as any one's, I do exercise, just not as much as my doctor would like.  My weight has remained pretty much the same since high school.  What makes me write about all this is, Julia Child!  She may change all this very quickly!

I love to cook and I love to try new recipes and gadgets.  When I am in the states, one of my stops is to a Williams-Sonoma or Crate and Barrel store, or both.  I enjoy cooking for my family and friends and have surprised myself many times.  Julia Child was the first chef I ever watched on TV.   My daughter gave me one of Julia's cookbooks for Christmas this year.  Loving cookbooks too, I have been reading and making notes since the day I received it.  Last night, I began trying out some of the recipes!  Lord have mercy, does Julia like butter and more butter.  I am a huge butter fan, unsalted, of course, but what she lists to use in some of these recipes makes my heart flutter.  Delighted, everything I have tried, thus far,  has been delicious and simple enough.  Ingredients I keep in my pantry and now a search for more spices and tools.  The joy of this will keep my very happy and my family awaiting eagerly for what is cooking now and what is to come!  

So, Happy New Year everyone in cyberspace!  I hope you are all blessed with whatever it is that makes you happy.  If you are looking for something to make you happy, I suggest cooking some comfort.  Modify if you must, try what you are comfortable with.  Nothing brings a family together like a beautifully prepared meal gathered around a table with candles and wine.  Made with love and shared with those you love.  Bon appetite!  :)

Ugly Americans

Why is it when people go on vacation they leave their manners and brains behind?  For the life of me I do not understand this!  I consider myself a "seasoned traveler"; I have only been to 50 or more countries and am eager to see as many more before my days are numbered.  I keep a log of these places; what I loved, what I saw, where I stayed, ate and drank.  I always try to buy a piece of art to take back as a souvenir, something that reminds me of a wonderful place and the life lesson that went along with it.   The one thing I have learned over the years, on these journeys around the world,  "When in Rome, do as the Romans."  Easy enough; be respectful, flexible and considerate of your surroundings and local inhabitants, (human and non) and the gift back is usually mutual respect and maybe if you are lucky enough, a new friend.

This leads me to why on earth the guests that rent the house next door,  feel entitled to party like it's 1999 and woot and holler into the night?  You want Club Med?  Go to Club Med (are those around anymore?) or here's a thought, how about visit the local disco or nightclub?  If you do want to carry on like this,  do not rent a house in a very quiet, isolated area on top of your closest neighbor.  You are going to piss people off!  Just because you paid to go on vacation does not give you any rights to act like complete assholes!  My kid gloves are off, I am at war with these tourists, do not mess with me, I will fight for my home,  make your vacation as miserable as possible and make you regret your decisions!  You want to party all night, then be prepared to be awaken to barking dogs, bagpipe music and trumpets before dawn!  I have the loudest Polaris vehicle on the island;  how about full gear "donuts" outside your bedroom window?  I also have a decibel reader and when you hit 70, (which by the way, you flaming big idiot, frying bacon is over 70 decibels),  I will call the police and you will probably get a ticket and risk going to a jail cell for the night!  I am thinking of more ways to make your visit here even more miserable as I sit here and write! 

This house next door has new tourists each week, we endure this idiotic, inane behavior each week!    This owner has no idea what I have up my sleeves now!  Trip Advisor?  Here I come!  BTB?  Get ready for more calls!  SACNW and SP Police; you all might want new phone numbers!  What happened with a visitor visiting and visiting?  When did visiting become a time to piss off locals and disrespect them?  Just because you paid to be here gives you this right?  What has happened to civilization?  If I ever thought I was disrespectful while peeking into a Hindu shrine in Thailand or visiting a museum in Paris or bar-b- q'g at a townhouse rental in Cozumel,  I would did a hole, hide and beg for another chance to be a better visitor!  I tiptoe through lobbies early morning or late at night, I read or star gaze from a balcony sipping wine,  watching the wonders of nature and beholding a view I hope not to forget.   When I travel, I want to leave with a positive experience and hope that my visit was one that made the people I met want to visit me in my home.  Oh well, some say it is in how one is raised.  I was raised to be respectful, an equal and no better than my fellow woman at home or aboard.  (Apparently, the "ugly American" is something some travelers want to be?!)

So, since the I have had a chance to rant, my blood pressure is back to normal, and I will take a walk along the beach to remind myself why I am here and chose this place to live out these"golden years".  The revenge attitude has gone away and I will behave myself!  (I do have children, albeit, almost grown, but I do have to uphold their respect for me and continue to be a good example!  Darn-it!)   I hope my next door neighbor guests will take a page out of my guide to life and try it.  Travel is a wonderful gift and experience, take from it something new to learn, knowledge in a different culture or a new respect for the environment.  Do not litter, disobey laws, expect things to be like they are at home.  You are visiting some one's home!  Take your shoes off, have a local drink, see what a street vendor has for sale, visit the national treasures of where you are a VISITOR!  Delight in the quirkiness, the absurd, the unusual and take home some knowledge of what you were just given a chance to do!  Do not expect any more and know what you are getting yourself into.  Four miles south of town may seem like nothing in Los Angeles, but on sandy, golf cart roads, you might as well be staying on the next caye.  It is real quiet here and that how the locals love it!   Adios...

ICK!

I have a low tolerance of "eeeeeeeewwwwww".  I am not a big fan of grossness, in fact, I can just about start throwing up at the thought of it.  An intolerance to slime, greasy things, blood, guts and the leftovers of what my cat has been snacking on outside.  Huge "icks", do not like it, never have and seriously doubt, ever will!  Yesterday's adventure had a huge "eeeeeeeeewwwwww"ness to it!  Wanting to cry yesterday has lead to laughs today!

My friend, Christine is starting a new job.  I volunteered to accompany her on a trip to the northern part of this island to interview a potential client.  Easy enough, gave me a real good excuse not to attend another function!  So, showered, clean clothes and even a bit of make-up on, off I went to meet my friend.  Minutes later, away we were on our little journey. 

Do-to-do-to-do, we go, chatting along and enjoying the scenery and becoming more and more disgusted by the condition of the road.  For those of you who know, it has rained recently and the pot holes and mud/yuck holes cannot be avoided.  For those of you who do not know; the road north of the cut or bridge is not paved!  The further north you go, the worse it becomes and there is no way to describe it except maybe like; "driving through hell craters on the moon?!"   Christine is doing her best to navigate these horrible, muddy pot holes filled with gross, stinky water!  Doing fairly well, until, we get stuck!  And I mean stuck!  The mud sucks in the back tires like a giant suction cup!  I begin screaming because I know I now have to step out into this water to get to dry land and may possibly have to help push this cart out!  Stepping out into this mud ickyness, my flip/flop immediately is sucked in!  The next one breaks off!  Now I have to navigate back to retrieve these!  OMG, somehow, I get them and make it to dry land!   Not knowing where we are or how close to this,  soon-to-be client's address, we realize we must go into the bush or wade through more water to get some help!  At first the bush/jungle seems okay, except we have these ridiculous flip/flops on and then we find the locals in this area have filled the bush with garbage!  To our knees of garbage!  I am so close to tears and way past my "eeeeeewwwwww" tolerance level, I have to tell myself to suck it up and do this!  I did!  Not happily and shaking with fear of what we may be stepping on or into!  We did it!  

Angels watching over these two little catholic women, we get to our destination, only to find out we were yards away from where we needed to be!  Mud dripping on our legs, dirt and slime oozing between our toes,  sweat pouring off our brows, heads and actually, everywhere, completely disheveled, we find my friend's appointment!  (Another story, but this guy could use a briefing from Emily Post or a slap from Donald Trump!  A complete ass, no common courtesy what so ever!  I doubt he will be getting any recommendations for his resort from my friend!)

After my friend's meeting, we beg for help and after about a half hour, out comes a sweet worker with keys to a Polaris vehicle, some rope and the know-how of getting us out of this mess!  Tugging, pulling and presto, somehow he gets our cart out of the mud and advises us to stay to the "left" all the way back!  Easy enough, once again, off we go!

As we approach our destination, which is a mighty fine bar-b-q restaurant, dreaming of using their hose for our feet and legs, the washroom for our hands and face, we get stuck again!  This time the front end slides in and now the back tires slip and have nothing but muck to try to grip!  The engine dies, we're about to cry, again and my girlfriend is about to blow a gasket!  Out of the cart again, this time I teetered over a wheel and hop to dry land, desperate not to touch this slimy disgusting muck!  No help in sight, wild dogs in an adjacent lot and now no cell service!  But, I see  a golf cart approaching in the distance!  Yes, it is and he is headed right for us!

I am jumping up and down and begging please help us!  This young man and his girl friend are obviously out for a Sunday afternoon drive and know how to navigate these pot holes.  He quickly takes the stick I found that had some rope attached, (I was going to use it on those dogs if I had to),  cuts the rope with the machete he has hidden in his cart, attaches one cart to the other and proceeds, with the help of his girlfriend at the wheel to push and pull us out of this mess!

Another round of "OMG's", we now give this guy the last of our money; we had paid the previous helper and had coins left to give this young man!  He seemed pleased with his bonus and continued on with his date.

When we arrive at the restaurant, our friends are waiting and the looks on their faces about says it all!  We are a freaking mess!  Taking turns to use the washroom,  relate our tale of woe, we drink a few ice cold beers and relax enough to enjoy our lunch, the company and view of the sea!

My friend said she could see a blog coming and all I could think of was a shower in clorox and a tetanus shot!  Thanks for the laughs Christine, but really, eeeeeewwwwww!

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...

The expression, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," pretty much sums up last weekend!  How many times have I said that to myself after reading an article or watching the news?  Or,  going to lunch with a girlfriend and listening to the antics of an ex-husband/boyfriend.  My own ex-husband used this quote when wondering where my rage was coming from during our divorce!  (Damn him and he wondered about this?  What a narcissistic asshole!)

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting girlfriends of one of my girlfriends here on the island.  These women traveled here from Louisiana and Texas to spend 5 days enjoying the caribbean sunshine.  Within minutes of meeting, I was invited to attend a voodoo ceremony to "roast" an ex-husband getting remarried in a few days!  (I am always looking for entertainment, so I immediately said, "sure, and in fact, I'll make the doll!"  I have boxes of art supplies, fabrics and the like to keep me from losing my mind to boredom).  This simple, introductory conversation led to a weekend of laughter, music and a sense of, "getting back at someone that hurt or wronged someone else".

Well, being the sewing nut that I am, I began a mental check list of needs;  my mind going a mile a minute at all the "extras" to add,  to make each doll unique.  My experience in this "craft" is minimal, but I had made one doll once,  truly for big laughs and to release some anger another person had caused.  I am a frustrated artist and truly enjoy creating things.  My mind reeling with where to begin:  the sewing, gluing and designing little people that later would be subjected to all sorts of mayhem.  My girlfriend had music downloaded about the famous voodoo queen of New Orleans, another friend had gone online to find out specifics of the actual ceremony and requirements!

Once the date, time and place were set,  I went home that evening and set out my supplies to begin filling the orders for the next day.  At sunrise, I took the dogs for a quick walk, made my pot of coffee and began sewing  little dolls,  soon to be tortured!  By mid day, I took my small shopping bag of dolls, pins, extra fabric and thread to my girlfriend's condo.  Upon arrival, the wooting and laughter began!  Plans of what to do first were discussed.  Out to the beach we paraded, music blasting, beating a coconut, (we did not have a drum, a prop that is required!), dragging our "dolls" through the sand and pinning them to a coconut tree, the ceremony began!  Rum and corn meal scattered, music playing, coconut drum, now taken away by the condo association's dog who loves to chew on them, we stumbled on our own guffaws.  Apparently, real voodoos, throw themselves to the ground!  Well, we about fell over laughing!  Does that count?  The condo painters stared and joined in on the laughter, I am sure,  praying they were not one of our subjects!  Exhausting ourselves on this, we retreated back inside, poured a cocktail and headed out to the dock to watch the sea.

As the sun began to set, I decided my day was done and headed back home to my dogs and college football scores.  Before going to bed, I downloaded my pictures and posted some more thoughts about the day on "facebook".  What amazed me more than the actual antics and comedy of the day, were the responses I had from my "facebook" friends!  Wow, now the real entertainment!

Most of the "facebook" posts were from our friends being entertained by our activities.  My husband did call and ask if there was a doll for him, as he had a sudden stomach ache!  Of course not, I adore him and he causes his own angst!  LOL!    Amazing were the responses tittering on worries and lectures about fooling with such elements!  Piss haw ya'll, WE WERE HAVING A LITTLE FUN!!  That is all!  If it were this easy, people would dropping like flies all around us!  Are you kidding me?!  Or, could this be the conspiracy behind the swine flu?   Doodoodoodoo!!

Apparently, there are a whole group of worry-wort's out there, and thank you for your concerns, but no thanks!  There are far bigger things to worry about out there folks!  Thank you to those of you out there who enjoy a laugh or two and I will be filling your orders as quickly as possible!  A new business?  Maybe?  If nothing else, it entertains me and beats the crap out of other things to do on this island!  OMG, if it would have been this easy to cause my own ex-husband some pain, imagine the legal fees I would have saved!  I could have walked over to my friendly neighborhood voodoo doll maker and asked for:  "1, short, bald and jewish doll please!"  Lord, I could have been getting back at my louse of a neighbor a year ago!  Think about all the wrongs that could have been made right by the simple purchase of a voodoo doll and a sprinkle of cornmeal!  People, people, lighten up and do not take things so seriously!  It is a good thing to release some stress and anger!  And, it is fun!  My face hurt from the laughing!

So, back to  William Congreve; thank you for putting it so eloquently, as truly, " Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!"  and to Marie Lavauex,  you are the queen!

Tropical Wave

We have a "tropical wave" approaching the area.  I enjoy the changes in weather; they are not what this ex-Chicago housewife is used to!  Changes in weather up north are not subtle;  the trees lose their leaves in the fall.  Rain, ice and snow means winter. Trees regain their leaves in the spring and it is horribly hot and humid in the summer.  In Belize, it's hot, breezy and sunny most everyday!  In fact, I have trouble keeping track of the days, weeks and months.  They are so similar and unchanging, I remember the days, weeks and month, by when guests visit or  when I go back to the states!  Belize is hotter in the summer months and unfortunately, more humid, (this is Central America and rain forests are near by).   In the winter months, we do wear long sleeves, at night.  It remains in the 80's most everyday, cold for us is 60 degrees!  (And trust me, the residents are wearing  jackets, hats and gloves!)

So, back to the, "tropical wave".  Exciting and potentially scary; I explained it like this to Steve when he called,  "If we had "Tarboggin", a sailboat we owned years ago on Lake Michigan, "we could have sailed to Caye Caulker and back a couple times this morning!"  "Wow," says he, "that's great!"  Yes, it is.  I have turned the air conditioning off, the windows are open, no bugs biting me to bits and it is even breezy inside!  The dogs are enjoying this break too!  

The first time I heard the weather term "tropical wave," was from one of my dear neighbors.  A group of us were meeting up for lunch.  She cancelled the day before, due to the approaching "tropical wave".  Perplexed, I did not understand.  I thought "tropical wave" sounded "nice"!  A sort-of parade wave or winds that took the bugs away and nothing more.  Now, I have learned, "tropical wave" means; rain, potential tropical storm development, and possibly, a hurricane.  More than likely, they come and move out of the area, bringing the rain, the wind and some change to the weather.  Looking outside now, it's hard to imagine this "wave" could bring anything nasty!  The sky is brilliant blue, the seas are choppy but the reef prevents the waves from getting too large, the sun is shining and this wind is so refreshing, I am savoring this moment!

For the next couple days, I will keep the National Hurricane and Tropical Underground websites minimized, as well as my own eyes to the sea and sky.  Dock time today?  You betcha!  (God I dislike that bimbo!  LOL!)  Anyway, enjoy your day and stay safe!  d :)

Group therapy

I was on "facebook" this morning and thought about writing or adding to this blog!  Funny that I have this urge, completely unexpected.  (Thank you Lauren for getting me started!)  The dogs had me up at dawn,  being here alone, I do turn in really early.  Pippi has taken my spot on the bed, Pickle is now under the blankets and Toby enjoys his own big bed on the floor.  They are so content, the doggie snoring and cuddling is very sweet.  Pippi, being the toddler of the group, is awake first and literally jumps on the  bed to get me going!  So, after our walk and a pot of coffee made, here I sit, at my laptop,  laughing over "facebook".  A true addict I have become and loving these moments!

I have a few new "friends",  so I have suggested  pictures for them to place in their profile space.  Another friend asked me what, "WDV" meant.  (This is when I felt the need to blog!)   LOL! and OMG!  Of course, I know this is only funny to me, as life on the island lately is, "hum drum"!  It is slow season, not so many tourists, businesses closed for vacations and the rumors/gossip is, "not so much!"  To stay busy and entertained, I began going through photos to post on "facebook".

"WDV",  an acronym, "Wine de Vine".  A small group has formed at this shop on Friday nights and I have to admit, it is a group I look forward to seeing and a spot that is unlike anywhere else on the island!  It is cooly air conditioned, the staff;  accommodating, attentive and delightful, the wine selection is wonderful and their cheeses and pates remind one of trips to europe or at least, a very good deli back in the states.  This small establishment has become a sanctuary of sorts, a place to gather without second hand smoke to inhale, a place where we all know each other's name and welcome new members.  The group is the, "wine group" and the group is my idea of "group therapy"!  LOL! again!  

The group has discussed many topics and has solved many world crisis's !  Anything is up for grabs and we do not shy away from the normal taboo topics of social conversation!  

What better way to get a group all stirred up than to begin a debate about religion,  politics or favorite football team?  We have a healthy mix of the reds, the blues, and a few brits!  I love it and would not trade going anywhere else on Friday nights!

The group is thin these days, due to members being,  "off island"  for various reasons.  But, not to worry WDV, we will rally to larger numbers very soon!  In the meantime, the members here are continuing to enjoy the reds, the whites, the imported cheeses and the SALE!!  Cheers to those of you unable to attend, minutes to follow later!  (NSM!)

d  :)

"Not so much"

Art?
My furry friends!
This morning's sunrise

I do not know what to write about.  For the last couple days, I have thought about this and said to myself, "surely, there is something exciting here to share?"  Well, guess what?  Not so much!, (as my dear friend Tom would say!)  I guess this is what happens at our age, "not so much!"  Wow, I am amazed with myself!  I must admit I really like, "not so much!"  LOL!  A luxury I have really not made time for; "not so much!"  Relax and enjoy the surroundings! 

Steve is on the mainland; he had a trade show in DC and was able to see our son while in that area.  He is back in our hometown now, working on a project, seeing his high school buddies and family.  The children are busy in school.  Both being seniors, (Lauren in college and Colin in high school),  there is plenty for them to do!  I am on the island, "holding down the fort".  Not so much "holding down" to do.  We have had some interesting weather, but "not so much"!  The dogs have been great; another bout of ticks, but the groomer has taken care of that, for now, anyway.  So, that leaves me with looking around for a project to occupy my time.

I have thought about a business to start, art projects to complete, decorating that could be done.  This "semi-retirement" is not what I thought it would be.  I like to stay busy and have plenty to do.  Getting paid for this is also nice!  I look around our house and I see plenty of things I would like to change, but all it would take is money, proper materials and the right contractor!  Now reality sets in and all that's easier said than done!  Buying paint to repaint a bedroom is one thing, (I have a great source for that and enjoy the hardware store employees at this establishment!).  But what I would really love to tackle is the downstairs kitchen/familyroom area!  I want to demolish the whole space; move 2 walls, remove the existing cupboards, replace the countertops, appliances, windows and doors!  (Wouldn't Steve love to come home to this!  Not so much!)  Since this is a major project, I am looking around for something that would not take as much time, money and planning.

So, maybe I will look at some paint swatches or tackle a sewing project?  Maybe, I will head over to the library, volunteer my time and find some inspiration outside.  A bottle of glue, some paint, shells and driftwood!  I am feeling the need to create and get outside!  What I really should do is complete that book I am trying to write!  Uh huh!  The reality has sprung up and I am stalling and finding a reason not to do it and coming up with "not so much" is my scapegoat!  

Today:  writing and being artsy later!  "Not so much" will have to take place another day!

Cheers and enjoy this day!  :)

Busy, busy!

I have not posted lately, been incredibly busy!  My trip to the mainland was amazing and I knew I had a lot to say about it, but as soon as I returned, the re-entry into life has been a whirlwind!  The house needed attention, as well as the dogs. As soon as I took care of them, there was our "wine group" meeting!  Then the "wine group" dinner the following day :) and the next day we had unexpected guests.  All of these are "Good Things", as Martha would say.  Staying busy, meeting new people, making new friends and seeing the world around us, are what make life interesting!  I enjoy all these activities, yet finding a balance is key!

I would love to sleep in for a day or two, but not possible!  The dogs are up with sunrise and I would miss our beach walk!  The sea air and breeze create enough dust to choke anyone with allergies and I have a long list of these and seem to acquire more everyday!   So, housework is a daily activity.  Guests usually enjoy conversation, food and drink, and suggested activities; this takes time too!  Sleeping in would mean I would miss my beloved "wine group" meeting later today!  No, no, no!  There is a limit to being too exhausted!  This group re-energizes me and makes me feel wanted and informed!  (I believe this is the whole purpose of group therapy?!)  Of course, I would really enjoy relaxing over errands!  Just the thought of hot, dusty roads and a list a mile long of "to-do's" leaves me tired.  But, that too needs to be done; we like to eat and the dogs look forward to that all day!  I could never disappoint them!  Those adorable furry faces continue to make me smile through any thoughts of giving in to a nap or hiding from the world!

My company is now awake, I have had 3 cups of coffee, the electrician is here and this day is well on it's way!  Cheers and enjoy this gift of life and look around you; you may be surprised at what you are missing!  

d  :)

The dock, again!

This morning's calm seas.
Mr. Barracuda!
Yesterday, west,
south,
north,
and east.
I have taken my own advice and have taken my camera with me as much as I can! (Still forgetful at times!) Back on the island, I still love sitting out on the dock! It is always a good time to be out there. It is cooler, the bugs are fewer and there is always something new and exciting to see. Yesterday, a storm began rolling in, so, I took pictures from the east, south, west and north. Amazing, that storm blew on by!

Today, the seas were so calm, it was eerie! No wind and crystal clear water. I was able to see my friendly barracudas and sardines, and the pictures actually came out! Wow! Glad I had my glasses adjusted while in the states, I am sure they would have fallen in and there was no way I would have jumped in for them today. Too much wild life for a dip. But, that is the good news! The wild life is abundant and my little mangrove crop is growing! (Do not tell the greedy developers this; I am also staging a protest against those guys as soon as there is someone else going with me!)

Enjoy and enjoy some more! There is always something to see and love outside!
d :)

Back on the island

Okay, ready to get busy again and post! Back on the island Sunday and hit the ground running! Unpacking, reorganizing, cleaning and list making!! My usual. My trip to the states was hectic and packed with seeing family, friends and old neighbors. As hard as I try, I never seem to have enough time to visit with everyone! Between the drive to Virginia and back, seeing only some family, the drive back to Chicago suburbs, doctor appointments and the shopping, I cannot believe I made it back without an event! Two days later, it feels like weeks ago. Only a few days ago, I was shivering with cold! My dear friends had a wonderful dinner party for me and we drank wine around the campfire like the good old days! But it was cold, easily 50 degrees! I had on jeans, a sweater and was wrapped in a blanket next to that fire! It's August, (well, now September)! What's going on?

This morning, back to the routine I have with the dogs, (they are very happy to have me back!), we had our usual walk out to the pier. It was 6:30 am., and it was so dang hot, the sun was beating down like it was noon and no breeze! I thought, once more, what's going on? From one extreme to another, here I am! I still love it here and am happy to be home. It is an adjustment, but one I will happily make. The humidity, bugs and heat will soon pass and the hurricane season is looking like the one they predicted; quiet! And boy, is it quiet! The tourists have left, my flights were almost empty! Driving into town for errands is a breeze and the parking issues are none. No lines in the stores and time to catch up with my friends! Time to relax, enjoy these moments and plan for the next influx of tourists and busy season!