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!