Where Were YOU?

O Canada! God keep our land, glorious and free! Wow! What a feeling!  I hope this is a feeling that I will remember for the rest of my life! The patriotism I felt. Just being 'Canadian' meant more today than at any other time! Emotional? Yes, along with the rest of Canada! Our grandson, Josh, has a favourite player before this all began - Sidney Crosby. He was so excited that he was in the game and that something great was going to happen. I don't think he ever questioned whether or not we would win the GOLD. Not with Crosby on the team! But now, with GOLD in hand, he is even more excited and thrilled to be Canadian as well. How much more exciting can this get for us?

I watched other Olympics but this one has been the most exciting. Perhaps because it was here on Canadian soil? Maybe it was because I was actually 'down in the midst of the people' in Vancouver literally 'feeling' the electricity in the air. The excitment was touchable. I can't say it enough - Vancouver did a super job!

Let's celebrate this win together - as a Country - as a people, as Canadians! Go Canada Go!

Too Tense

I'm watching the Canada/USA Olympic gold medal game and I need a diversion! How exciting is this. Go Canada Go! 2:1 so far for Canada but it is only the 2nd period. How can a game of hockey get your heart beating so fast and your stomach in knots! Competition? or is it just the game? Any other hockey game would likely not be on for me unless I was there in person. But there is something patriotically personal about this one! Can I say it again? Go Canada Go! OK break time. One more period to go.

Slowly getting back into my routine after being away for so long. It was nice to be in church today. Saw a lot of people and got opportunity to chat. A lot of things happened while I was away. A fellow Stephen Minister just lost her father-in-law to a sudden heart attack, another Stephen Minister has been hospitalized with a kidney disease and will be in the hospital another six weeks or more and then transferred to a nursing home. Things can change in a heart beat. A good friend got a diagnosis for cancer and her life will be topsy turvey for awhile now. Another friend just met someone she is head over heels 'in like' with and life is beautiful again! Time is a strange thing. For some of us it went by fast; for others, it was slow and painful. Same amount of time yet so different.

Well, speaking of time, it is time to get back to the game. Hope my time won't be wasted by watching it and that I can say we won! Even if we don't, the Olympics have been excellent and Vancouver, the host city, and all the athletes who participated should be proud of all they have accomplished.

Home Safe n Sound

Well, I made it home safe and sound and surprisingly enough it is sunny and not snowing. The roads are basically clean to the pavement. What a pleasant surprise. Maybe it will be the March weather that will cover us in white again. Now that I am home, it is hard to get myself motivated to do anything of real worth. I have emptied my suitcase, and do have a load of wash going on now. That's pretty good I think. I have gone through all my emails, opened all the mail and cleaned it out. Now, I guess I have to reconnect with friends I have not really spoken to for 4+ weeks. Holidaying has so many good things about it but it is hard to 'get back to real life' once you return. Guess for now I will take it easy and 'ease into life'. Will continue watching the Olympics this weekend and start on life later!

One More Sleep

Well, it's been awhile since I have been home. Actually, I was away to Vancouver from Jan 24 to 31 and returned home for one day before we took off to Hawaii for three weeks. However, I just HAD to see our newest granddaughter so....we organized a continued stopover with a later flite home. It has been great being here during Olympics as so much is going on. There definitely is a 'fever' in this City. I am impressed! We spent the day walking around BC Place, down Robson Street, etc and the streets were filled with people. So many had red sweaters, red hats, scarves, Canada flags, fleece jackets, you name it! It was great. The weather was wonderful too although the last two days have now had rain. That has caused some fog and some delays I guess. Anyway, I am packing tonite as I leave at 9 am tomorrow. Kids will be in school and I will be headed back to my real life. Can't get into the whole thing yet as I am savouring my time here. So close and yet so far. Guess you need to enjoy whatever you are doing - when you are doing it! So, that's exactly what I am doing!

On Canadian Soil

Well, we made it back to Vancouver. Thankfully, it did not take quite as long. Almost an hour shorter in time We had the wind behind us! Met a lady on the plane who sat beside me. She had travelled from New Brunswick to Victoria to take her 21 year old daughter to Hawaii for her birthday! What a gift that is, right?! I'm sure that does not happen all the time. She had some good stories to share so I never did get back into my book. On arrival, we thought it would be a quick trip to the car rental place and I took off looking for it through the crowds. And I do mean 'crowds'. Olympic fever was there. Then I realized we only wanted a taxi not a car rental so we had to begin again in the que to lineup for the taxi. It took us 40 minutes. Thankfully, the weather was ok as I had shorts on with light shirt. Once in the taxi it was only 20 minutes to home. Got in about 1:15 a.m.  Visited with our daughter and granddaughter (3 weeks old) and then went to bed for a few hours. We had a taxi reserved to pick John up at 5:30 a.m. He was up long before that. Via email he told me he slept on the plane but is tired today. That makes two of us. I was up at 7 or so to talk to the grandkids and then we had a bite for breakfast and ready for church. We had to take the bus so that was exciting. We were late for church but it all worked out. Tonite we are watching Canada vs USA in hockey. So far we are tied (again). Anyway, we are back on Canadian soil and I will be here in Vancouver for a few more days to visit the kids and then home to the routine. It's always hard to end the vacation.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Well, today is the day. We are on our way! I am just checking out my internet and in the meantime we find out that checkout time is not 12 noon but 10 am.  Yikes, it is 9:15 a.m.  Thankfully, we are all packed and ready to go except for JD taking a shower! He was all ready to go for a short hike. Not this time! So...here is my final report of Hawaii. It has been great. Today the weather is absolutely beautiful (of course). I hate to put on my long pants but the plane is always chilly to me. Back on go the running shoes and the jacket comes along as well. Oh, Paradise, why for art thou not in my back yard?? Anyway, we had a great time and we are still looking forward to the adventure of seeing and holding our newest grandchild. How great is that! Talk to you soon...back in the humdrum of life. To be continued...

Not Gone Yet

Wait a minute. I re-read my blog and see that I was talking leaving already! Yikes, I really should not even mention the word until I am on my way. so... let's start over. We have a few more days in paradise and we want to take every opportunity to enjoy them! There was a beautiful sunrise today and we even had a rainbow in the sky over the ocean. How great is that? We had some cool weather yesterday (no rain) but lots of wind and cloud. Something about the trade winds?! who knows but it did affect our sunshine. We were on the beach (but bundled in our towels). What kind of paradise is that? Anyway, the sun did come out eventually and we are back on track again. My cries of woe really arose because of the sunshine not being there like it has been for the past 2 weeks! reminds me of that song about the boy who goes to camp and it is raining and he wants to come home but then says ... 'wait a minute.....it's stopped raining....guys are swimming....guys are sailing....playing baseball....gee that's better.....mother, father, kindly disregard this letter!! So....get the idea. I am out in the sun for another few hours! It's not over till it's over!

Counting the Days

Well, I guess it is time for countdown. We leave for home on Sat and that means we will need to get as much Vit. D as we can get!! Hopefully the weather will coooerate. What else does it do in paradise!! I am making a stop on the way home to visit our new granddaughter. Will stay a few days as my hubby heads home to clean driveways and check out the mail, etc. There is always lots to do when you get home after being away for a few weeks. Me on the other hand would rather see what's happening with my 3 week old granddaughter! I know she is growing and they do grow so fast in the first year. She is not a "baby' anymore as she is already three weeks old. She has put on weight and little fat and now looks like a baby. If you know what I mean. Anyway, the time is coming for us to return to our old life. Funny thing. We do have an old life. You don't feel that way when you are on vacation though, do you! Will check in again for another update when we leave. Good-bye paradise.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Having another great day in the sunshine. I wonder if the people who live here (Hawaii) ever get tired of the sunshine? We certainly haven't (yet). I guess you can always get too much of a good thing - just ask the ones with the red and white lines on their body! Someone should have told them to wear sun screen or GET OUT OF THE SUN! However, we always think we have had 'just enough' and that is usually already 'too much'.  I too have had a bit too much. I am thinking once I hit the cooler weather I will be peeling 'fast'. Oh dear. All that time in the sun and it will soon be 'going down the drain'. Memories, memories. Thank goodness we will still have them.

Went to Costco today. They have everything there a person could need and lots we don't need too. Did a little walk around and then were happy to head back to our 'condo heaven' and just watch the sunset over the ocean. Beautiful. It doesn't get much better than this. Hope everyone at home is enjoying the snow. I am trying to figure out a way to get to the coast to see our new granddaughter without losing my job at home?! Maybe I will have to 'retired' again!

New Location

Arrived safe and sound in Makaha but had a few incidents along the way. Thankfully, we were not headed to the airport as our limo broke down. Had to wait in heavy traffic (at a bus stop) to get a new van to us and transfer us. Once there we were the last one to be dropped off as we were going to the car rental place and then the line up there was long. Wow. Anyway, headed out and no problem driving but there was a 3-car accident in front of us and the ambulance had just left. It took about 3/4 hr to get through it. On arrival we decided to go into town to get some staples to start and before we knew it, it was time for supper. A day that went fast! We were eating with friends which made it great as we were not doing the cooking. Oops, I wasn't but John was doing hamburgers. He was happy about it though. Woke up to the waves smashing on shore. Beautiful sight but a bit noisy. I think I may have liked the city noises better but we will see.

Life is good. Especially when you read the paper and see what is happening elsewhere. We almost feel guilty for enjoying ourselves here. But you can't do that either. We have six full days here before we head home. We will enjoy them to the full before the snow is part of our lives again. Will try not to think about tomorrow and just live today. Happy Valentine's Day!

Moving Day

Hello everyone. Today we move from Waikiki to Makaha. It will be different as it is a much slower pace there. Only two condo hotels and the beach! should be good but it will definitely be different. I guess it will be the same as the 'other way around' which we did one time before. Had the slow pace first and then 'picked it up a bit' on our return. Will let you know which one is better in a week or so.

Paradise is a wonderful thing. It keeps you busy doing nothing! Oh, but we enjoy every moment. We will definitely miss it, especially when we read the temperature at -16 with snow. Although if we were home we likely would not find that too bad either. Oh well. Next week will come soon enough.

Enjoy whatever you are doing at the moment.

Another Day

What can I say? We are enjoying another beautifull day in Hawaii. Today is the first day of cooler weather, even a little light rain has hit us. We are taken aback! How can this be on OUR holiday too! actually, it is nice to see and it's a warm rain too. They definitely need rain as I guess it is close to drought conditions though you would not realize it as a 'visitor'. We will be going out to buy a few nick nacks today and of course some t-shirts. What else do you bring home from here? Yesterday was HOT HOT HOT. Wonderful. Although we chose not to go to the beach, just did a walk and relaxed in our 'air conditioned' room. That's OK isn't it? A holiday is whatever you want it to be! Well, enjoy your day wherever you are.

Finally Connected

We were finally able to find a place that was close that I could connect my computer to. It has been giving me trouble since we got here. My word documents kept coming out with numbers and letters and I just found out it was my fault. I must have clicked on the NUM LOCK key and it threw everything off. You learn something every time you go on this machine! We tried to get connection through the hotel we are at but they have problems with the modum in the room so that means a tech has to come. We will just say forget it now that we know where to go. It's only a block away so I think I can manage that!
Weather in hawaii in wonderful. We think a month would be a good thing here. So we can be bored. Guess we should not get lazy though. There is much to do at home and once we get back we will be back into things just as much as before. Oh that is why you go away - to relax.
I am still missing my new granddaughter but time will go by fast before we will be visiting her. Seems like a long time away right now though. What a blessing to have grandchildren. We are so thankful to our daughter and son-in-law for this gift.
Well, important day today. Superbowl. Can't really say who I want to win. It would mean I would have to know who was playing, right? I think Colts and someone else? Oh dear, that is bad. Oh well. May be the best team win!

The Sun is Arising

A new day is coming, full of changes, ain't it beautiful, crystal blue persuasion. I am listening to this old tune while I am typing this blog and am having a hard time concentrating. Crimson & Clover. Remember it? Look to your Soul and Open your mind! They have it right. Crystal blue persuasion, a new vibration! Remember it now?  What a great environment. Being in Hawaii, listening to the 'oldies' music, a cool room, good computer, my low fat latte and a chocolate chip scone. John is waiting patiently for me outside in the sun. Anxious to 'get exploring', 'go walking'. Oh, speaking of ...."he's a walking miracle. That's my baby, talking 'bout my baby, ah huh!" Ok, guess I am doing more listening than thinking and writing so will pass on this blog today. Need to get back to walking with my 'real' husband and not listening to the songs! Enjoy whatever you are doing today, or where ever you are living. Enjoy the day.

Enjoying the Sun

Enjoying the sun in Hawaii is certainly one way of getting the most out of your day. This morning is our second day in Hawaii and we have had breakfast, walked the canal, checked out our email and had a latte and it is only 9:30 am.  What a great day. I recommend it if you have not tried it. Ing Direct lets you use the computer for 45 minutes and you just have to buy something, i.e. water for $1 or latte for $2.50  Starbucks costs $4.50 and it's smaller. I think I will walk the distance to enjoy the better deal. What harm is there in a good long walk. We are off to getting our bathing suits on and going to the beach for a few hours. Just wanted you to know we are alive and well. I had trouble with my computer as for some reason it is typing letters and numbers in random. Cam't make out what I am trying to type. We are not on wii fi as it is too expensive at the hotel. $10 per day. Too much. Ok, got to run. Hope all is well. Lots of love

It's a Girl!

Little Grace is born and that's all that matters. Mother and daughter doing fine. What a blessing when you think of it. So many things can go wrong and yet we think of childbirth as 'oh, that's nice' and move on with our lives. I am so grateful that we are able to say ' all is well ' . I definitely give more thought again to the whole process. Like anything, if you are involved in it personally in some way, all of a sudden you are much more aware of what can go wrong. I missed 'being there' in person but oh... I was there in thought and emotion all night!!! Now I can go to bed and get some real sleep! Welcome to our world, little Grace. May God watch over you and direct your life. "My heart is steadfast, O God: I will sing and make music with all my soul." Psalm 108:1