Thanksgiving was peaceful. Spent the morning relaxing, some time in the ocean, checked in at the pool. Leftovers for lunch. Read.
Then Scott and I moved over to our new condo. It is small but upgraded and lovely. We have a great sea view and a hot tub at the pool, a lush courtyard, but not as close to the ocean.
Right after moving in, I went down to read on our lawn which is right by the sea and saw sea turtles. A bunch of them. Several came right up in front of me.
Vicky’s sister arrived and joined us for our cocktails and appetizers at sunset. This time we watched from the water again.
We snorkeled a bit also. When I am snorkeling out by the far reef, my anxiety kicks up knowing that waves are breaking over me. But it is so peaceful and I am enjoying myself so much that I notice my heart rate soaring and just laugh at myself.
This just happened. Scott and I decided to go out in the sea to snorkel. I need the practice for our big adventure.
We waded out and got snorkeling. I mastered my anxiety as I knew there were big waves breaking over my head and my heart rate had to be about 160. But I stayed under and was rewarded by seeing a school of fish, clear ones, about 6 inches long, and blue and black striped ones, and one long up and down one that looked like a ribbon on a needle.
We swam some more and I came up. To my right was a giant rainbow that we had taken photos of before we came down. To my left was the sunset, blue and turquoise above the clouds. We were the only ones in the ocean.
I started crying and pulled him close. What an experience. These are words but the feeling will stay forever.
Now, as I write this, sitting on the lanai sipping a mai tai, the Eagles are playing in the condo. The guys are grilling steaks and burgers and taters on the lawn.
I can only comment about the ocean right outside our condo. I have spent a lot of time in it.
Looking out over the ocean from the lanai, the colors are deep green and blue. When you are in it, it appears clear and lightish green. The waves are impressive, in the afternoons higher and stronger and the ocean is deeper, referred to as high tide. As far as this Kansas girl has gathered, anyway.
There are two reefs protecting our shore. It took us a bit to figure out how to get past the first reef. It requires water shoes which we bought at the nearby ABC store. You wait til between waves if possible, then step about a foot onto the reef. It is very uneven and you can’t tell if the next step is going to be up about 6 inches or down due to the depth perception being thrown off by the water. You take about six careful steps, trying not to have the waves push or pull you and knock you down, and then jump off the other side, about two feet to six feet depending on the tide. The area before and after the reefs are all sand. The shadows look like rocks but mostly aren’t. There is about 20 feet between the first and second reef that we play in. In the mornings, we water jog it about 200 feet across and back, for exercise.
I am not a water baby. It took til this afternoon for me to finally stop watching for the waves to come. Because the waves break on the first reef, they never will break over our heads in between the reefs. If I am watching for them, I take a little jump to lift me off my feet. Today I realized the wave will lift me up and I don’t need to jump. I even back floated. We tried floating on the boogie boards (you can’t boogie board these waves because you can’t get on top the waves due to the reef). My favorite positive is tucked, facing the waves with my feet and floating over them.
I put the snorkel mask on for a bit today to practice and was rewarded with seeing one tiny tropical fish, turquoise blue and black. It got me excited for our upcoming snorkel adventure.
I could still feel the waves when I laid in the lawn chair this afternoon. I’m gonna sleep like a baby again tonight. I love the sound of the crashing waves.
Yesterday we stood in the ocean to watch the sunset.
Woke up this morning with the sound of tropical birds outside my window and the ocean waves crashing on two sides. I didn’t want to take off my sleep mask and wake up so I just laid there and soaked in the sounds til I heard the coffee brewing. Now I’m on the lanai, the waves breaking about fifteen feet below me, all the way up to the sea wall which is five feet past the condo. Truly amazing. Oh! A little bird lands on the balcony near me.
Last night we played in the ocean for several hours until the sun set, out beyond the first reef, just standing on the sandy bottom or floating and letting the gentle waves push and pull. We walked way down the coast in the water and back. It was a bit cool so I helped myself to a couple of shots of screwball (whiskey that tastes like peanut butter) to warm me right up. We had cheese and crackers on the lawn watching the waves, then a hot shower and put on a fun sun dress I bought yesterday and we had dinner at the table just inside the patio doors, dirty rice and andouille sausage.
Yesterday the guys wanted to swim and us gals were ready to shop so Vicky and I walked to catch the bus but decided to stop in the ABC shop and look at t shirts on the way. It had a whole gift shop so I ended up getting gifts galore, for those watching Wilson, Christmas gifts, gifts for the Grandbabies…. I spent so much they gave me two free coffee mugs.
We took our stuff back to the condo then headed out to the bus stop. Had to get a pineapple shaved ice while we waited for the bus of course. My leg burned in the ten minutes we sat.
Lahaina is a quaint shopping and restaurant area that sort of has a key west vibe, right on the ocean. Lots of high end clothes and jewelry, but t shirt and sunglasses shops and art galleries mixed in. I bought a leopard print fanny pack, more gifts, some little flower earrings.
We had the most delicious lunch with two fun friends of Vicky’s at the Lahaina Pizza Place, a famous open air restaurant. I had a pepperoni and meatball calzone that had three kinds of cheese. It was yummy! The conversation was fun also.
We saw the biggest banyan tree in the world in a park in Lahaina. It has 7 sections all attached to each other. Impressive.
Today will be another calm one here at the condo so Scott can watch the KState game. I plan to write and meditate, play in the ocean some more, maybe lay at the pool. We are going to walk to the fish market to get something for the grill. I want to facetime mom and the kids and the babies. I miss them.
We have some excursions planned, one to another island to snorkel and another to an island to explore. We have some hikes in the tropical forest to see waterfalls planned. And lots of hanging out and reading and ocean watching. I have high hopes to see a whale. They are apparently out and about.
An eventful few days. Don’t worry, we are squeezing relaxation in.
Yesterday, we got up, me way too early, everyone else at a reasonable time, ate breakfast we’d grabbed at a mini mart (banana bread, pineapple and mangoes) and went for a walk down to the resort area. We walked on a touristy trail near the most beautiful beaches. On the way back, we grocery shopped then ate lunch in the condo.
The afternoon was spent lolling around the pool. It was perfect, a few small families then the whole pool to ourselves. We blew up floaties and relaxed.
After showers, we walked back to the resort area and ate dinner and dessert at Duke’s cafe near the ocean. There was live Hawaiian music.
Today we woke up at the butt crack of dawn again and went to the very top of a 10,000 foot volcano to watch the sunrise. It was a long drive and a chilly time at the top but lovely. I apparently slept all the way up so the switchbacks on the way down were entertaining. We stopped at a lovely restaurant that played 70’s music and walked in the garden.
We spent the afternoon laying around in the ocean close to the beach, protected by the reef, then on the lawn with cocktails near the condo.
Sitting out on the “lanai”, “balcony” to us Midwesterners, and the ocean is literally right here. The sea wall is maybe ten feet from the condo. We thought last night was high tide. We were wrong. The waves are coming all the way up to the sea wall, crashing. Occcasionallly droplets reach me here where I am sitting.
It is four in the morning. We got little sleep Monday night as we left at two thirty for the airport. It was a long but good day of travel with Scott. We watched movies, read, listened to podcasts, did puzzles, napped.
Last night we settled into our condo and spent time with Eric and Vicky on the lanai. The guys walked to get us food and vicky and I couldn’t resist putting out feet in the ocean. There are steps right into the water ten feet from the bottom of the steps to the first floor. I am spoiled but I have never stayed this close to the ocean.
Oh I love my Grandbabies so so much. They visited here this weekend. It was certainly chaotic and stressful, mostly due to Wilson, but so much I want to savor and remember.
I love the feeling of little squirmy Grandbabies snuggling with me. I got the best snuggles this weekend, while watching a movie last night and then, first thing this morning, I woke up and saw Emmet standing on the trunk at the foot of my bed, Henry right behind. They slept with Scott on the livingroom floor last night and he must have gotten up in the night. They woke up alone and came to find me, braving Wilson. I reached for them with open arms and they came to me, snuggly in their little pj’s. Henry is not super snuggly during the day but first thing in the morning, he is a little sweetie. I can almost always count on Emmet for a hug or snuggle except when he is really playful.
Eleanor’s little smile and personality. She is so so sweet. She played with me , making sounds and giggling when I repeated them, seeking me out. Her little hand in mine walking through the house. She said Papa this weekend. I was sitting next to her on the couch and she reached her little arms in the air toward him and said “Papa” super clearly.
Henry saying the funniest things. Before they came, Leah sent a video of the boys showing off their “pack packs” that they packed themselves to come to Grandma’s house. (Scott does live here too but the boys call this “Grandma’s house”. They got dressed by themselves, too, Henry’s clothes completely backwards. When he and i were playing when he first got here, I pulled on the little ties on his shorts that were hanging from his waistband in back and said they looked like a tail. So he decided to switch them. He pulled them down and said, “I didn’t bring underpants but it’s going to be ok”. They he announced to me that he has a penis. Cracked me up.
Also on our walk, Henry told me he wanted to hold my hand forever. Heart melt.
Oh my goodness, we played. We played ping pong paddles and legos, magnets and paper airplanes. They loved the new couches and put them up and down over and over and almost even tipped them over. By the time they left, Eleanor had even found the operating buttons. They found the punching bag in the basement today.
I always clean up as soon as they leave but something in every room reminds me of them. The little stool near the potty, Eleanor taking my hand so she could climb up on it. Emmet and Henry standing at the toilet using it (Henry peed outside once). And Emmet sweetly inviting Eleanor to go to the bathroom with him so she could see how cool the bathroom is. Henry had to tag along too. The kitchen, Scott and Leah having a good talk, the boys sitting at the island, of course, Henry tipping his chair and kicking his chin on it. He fell off the chairs at the other high table this weekend, too, poor buddy. Eleanor sitting at the high chair feeding Moose. She isn’t the first to do that and she won’t be the last. I’ll find legos and ping pong balls and magnets all over the house for weeks.
We had such a wonderful weekend in Denver. Wilson did great in the car both ways, just laid there and slept. Oscar and Wilson played played played. I was worried about Sierra and Wilson but they got along fine.
We had some great food, ice cream, Pho, pizza, fresh fruit and yogurt, some great conversation, and some great walks. We went to Target twice. We watched two movies, “I’m Your Man,” and “Dune” in Hannah and Kent’s new basement.
Saturday started with Hannah and Scott and I journalling, drinking coffee, and eating fresh fruit and yogurt. Kent joined us and he and I had a great talk. Hannah and I went through all her clothes and I benefitted then we went through the clothes Leah sent and organized Hannah’s new closet.
We rested some then went on a walk with all three dogs to a beautiful nearby park, Bear Creek Park. The fall colors were amazing. We let the dogs play in the water. Of course, Wilson was dog reactive which is discouraging. I saw cute Prairie dogs and took some fun video and pics for Wilson’s tik tok.
Saturday night went to a really fun restaurant called The Happy Camper. It is hip and young (we were by far the oldest there). It has camp fire group settings, picnic tables, cool lighting and fun food. We had goat cheese bread sticks and elotes dip for appetizers, then pizza then fruity pebbles ice cream sandwiches for dessert. I drank two mules. Yikes.
Sunday we rested and took the dogs on another walk and went out to eat at Park Burgers then Sweet Cow for ice cream.
When you have such a great weekend, a 7 hour drive on either end seems like nothing.
I loved Genesis. The old Genesis gym before covid. I knew people in my classes and in the locker room to say hi to, even to have conversations with. We were a community. Covid messed that up and the new gym complicated it further. Now, can go into Genesis and maybe say a short hello to someone I recognize, usually one of the trainers. I rarely see anyone I know. I did step class but I have a conflict now and haven’t gotten back into the classes. I do like the sauna and the hot tub and some of the new machines. But I rarely make it there once a week.
Before covid, I discovered 9 Rounds and was going back and forth between Genesis and 9 Rounds. Now i go to 9 Rounds 5 or more times per week. I love it!
When you walk in the door, the trainers yell hello to you BY NAME! That means a lot to me. You check in and put on wraps and wait for the bell and jump in.
Round One is jump roping which I am improving at. Rounds are two minutes each. Between each round is active rest. The trainers yell out something like plank and hold or squat jumps and the whole gym does the same thing for 30 seconds.
Round Two is weights, usually two different exercises that combine upper and lower body. Another 30 second active rest, put on the gloves and you’re ready for Round Three, the tiny bag. The combos are written on a board at each round but the trainers come over and demonstrate individually. Sometimes they give pointers and help your form but they almost always yell out encouragement, again, often by name.
Round Four is a big, tall bag so there is usually some sort of kicking involved in the action. Round Five is a giant round bag, my favorite, as we usually get to shin kick or knee kick it. Sometimes the trainers yell out punch party which means two or three people go to one bag and punch it out as fast as possible until you about pass out. Also, once or twice, during rounds 4-6, the trainer comes up with the pads and has you punch out combinations with them. They give pointers and help you build up to as many steps as you can handle, “One, Two, slip, knee, three four, elbow, duck…..”. Its challenging but a lot of fun. And hard work.
Round Six is another tall bag. Round 7 is also one of my favorites, a horizontal cylinder bag for shin kicks, knees and hammers among other things. Round 8 are the tear drop bags which are so hard but I enjoy them and am getting better. Then Round 9 are crazy abs.
The thing I like the best about 9 Rounds is the variety. Like tonight. When I came in, they asked if I was ready for Max Out. I had no idea what it was even though I’ve been there for over a year. We kept track of the number of reps we got on each round. My trainer challenged me to 800. I wasn’t sure I could do it as I got 132 jump ropes then 30-50 on each of the other rounds, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, knee is one rep. I got a hundred something on the tear drop bag even with my shoulders screaming and then a decent number on the v sit one leg ups. I ended up with 932. Sometimes we run out the door and down to the end of the sidewalk, sometimes push a sled across the room and back. There are chows when we keep track of reps on one round at a time. And so much more.
The second thing I like about 9 Rounds is that it is 30 minutes in and out. I always burn close to 300 calories and sweat profusely.
Another favorite thing is the positivity and relationships. Everyone is cheerful, all the time. The trainers all know each other and get along. They all work out there, too.
Owners Melissa and Tim are some of my favorite people. They can be seen there training or working out themselves. One day I got to watch Mel training Tim who was working out. She had the pads and he was not holding back punching away.
I just recently got 100 work outs. I got a t shirt and a selfie posted. When I get 400 more, I’ll get golden gloves!
What a great day. I was nervous about how Wilson would do as he hasn’t been to visit the Grandbabies since he was very little and Henry has become nervous around dogs.
We got there about 10 and went through the back gate and let Moose out. The two dogs sniffed each other and then chased each other though the giant fenced yard, Wilson bounding of course.
I went in and said hello and I don’t even remember the specifics of letting Wilson in or the kids came out. It all went really well. Wilson kissed Eleanor many times and she pushed him away with her hand. But she also kept standing about 5 feet away from him with her hand in the air and said, “Ah”, which means, “Hi”. Henry and Emmet got used to him and all was well.
Wilson slept there in the car. His giant muddy feet were a problem but we toweled him off the best we could. He loved the yard. We even took him for a walk and let him play in the creek.
I love my babies and my visits there. Today Emmet didn’t feel well. At one point he hit his head playing hard with Papa and laid on me and just cried.
We took the boys for a walk without Leah and Dave with the boys on their scooter and balance bikes. When we got home, they went in their room to change. I peeked in and they were in there hanging out buck naked. Cute little guys. I go to wake Eleanor up from her nap and she grinned when she saw me.
When we were ready to leave, after everyone had hugged everyone, Henry ran up and said, “Gwamma, you forgot something. A kiss” and kissed me on the cheek.
dianegclark 