CHANGES

How quickly things can change. I was thinking of getting new verticals or blinds and instead went out and ended up buying two - not just one - but two new recliner chairs. I have been looking for a recliner for a couple of years now. I finally saw one I really liked. When we went to actually purchase it, we decided two would be a good investment for both of us to be comfortable. Since then, I have posted my two swivel rockers which have been in our home for many years. They have served us well but I guess 'it was time'!

I am not sure why I have such difficulty in 'letting go' of 'things'!!! I guess pretty much everything has a 'story' to it and it doesn't seem right to get rid of it. I know I am 'personifying' these inanimate objects. One of the swivels was my mom's. I love sitting in it and each time I do, I remember her. But I really would like a recliner now. I must be getting old! 

Oh well, things change and we all must move on. Here's my new chair(s) which will be coming in a few weeks. Hope I have been able to put my old rockers into a good home by then!

Home

We are home again -  as if we never went anywhere! It's amazing how time flies!

Our drive into Honolulu to the airport was uneventful although we are still amazed at 6 lanes of traffic full,to overflowing at 5:30 in the morning! A sea of headlights and brake lights!

The morning sunrise was not as pretty sitting in the airport and I guess it did rain for the day so no wonder the sunrise was so cloudy!

It eventually shone through ... 

We got home and the temps had been warm with a little freezing rain - above zero conditions for a few days. It snowed last night though so it is back to being winter and John was out shovelling our driveway and the neighbors as usual - just as if we had never been gone!!

Last Day

This is our last day here in Hawaii. I am so not ready to go home to snow! I could get used to this - this...being...sunshine, warmth, palm trees and more sunshine & warmth!

We went on a long walk today at 7:30 am up to the top of the mountain and behind the hotel up there! I kept thinking...for every step forward, it means I have to retrace that step and go DOWN! However, I did it and now I can say, I did it!!

Here's a picture of the hotel/condo at the top of the mountain that we walked to and past! It was about a 6 mile hike in the end. 

Some of the vegetation which was planted...

A view of our hotel wayyyyyyyyy in the distance! The little mountain right beside it is about 16 stories high! Gives you an idea of how far up we are and how far we walked this morning!

This is looking back at the hotel at the top of the hill that we passed by to see if we could get a better look at the valley! We definitely outdid ourselves today with hiking! Nice way to finish off our vacation!

Looking forward to our last sunset of the trip tonite. This was last night's!

Beautiful Day

I am sure I have said this before, BUT, it was a beautiful day today! From early morning until late tonite. Had a wonderful steak dinner on our deck along with good friends and a wonderful evening and beautiful view of the ocean. How does it get any better than this?

Sunset

The sunset was phenomenal and sank into the ocean. Beautiful.

Setting Sun

Rain

We actually had a 'rain day' yesterday. We headed out in the morning for our usual walk knowing full well that it would likely rain at some point but...we didn't get far before it POURED! Soaking wet, we came home and just made breakfast. Inside until about 2:30 pm when we went to town with our friends to do some shopping. The sun had come out by then and things were clearing up but still wet, windy and not overly sunny until we got to the shopping center outside Honolulu. Then the skies seemed to open up and the sun shone through!

John bought a few golf shirts which were 70% off at Ozid or something like that. The stores were full of people. No need to buy here with our Canadian dollar down right now. The same things are on sale at home - more or less.  These were 'outlet' stores so maybe not. Anyway, didn't need anything.

Went to a Sat night church service at a different church as well so came home about 8 pm and made supper - spaghetti and meat sauce. It was very good. We all were heading to bed about 9 pm as it just seemed like a long day - not much activity.

Today would have been John's mom's 106th birthday. I put a picture of her on my screen saver and when John went to use the computer at his usual time... 3 pm or so -- he was reminded of her in a good way! Sad too. Since we have been here and not in routine of any sort, it has not really 'sunk in' yet. Once we get home, things will settle a bit heavier.

At 5:00 a.m. this morning I heard my tablet bling. It woke me up. It was my granddaughter who is in Quebec right now on a student exchange. She was texting me to tell me they were going to the Sugar Shack. When they had arrived there a few days ago from Vancouver she said she was surprised as it was -30 C and cold, cold cold!!! BRRRR. I think she has become accustomed to it now. She leaves on Wed.  She sounds like she has been enjoying herself. The girl she is staying with will be going to Vancouver in May as part of the student exchange exchange. I think she will have a lot better weather!

Here's a few pics of the last few days!

Sunrise

Looking back at our hotel - the tall building on left

lots of big waves today

As I said, it was raining yesterday, and it was the first time we have been here when it rained so much - pretty gloomy - I was glad to see the sunshine....

Rainy day and no view!

Rain in the distance

Later in the evening....a beautiful sunset!

North Shore Feb 11 2015

We made a trip to the north shore yesterday as the winds were up and so were the waves. They had no swimming or surfing as the waves were rough. They didn't look bad but what do I know?! 

North Shore

I see others do this but my arms are short

We also went to the Waianai Falls Park. Beautiful trees and flowers as we walked about the kept property but the falls weren't as good as we expected. They supplied you with free life jackets if you wanted to swim but we declined. It was very pretty overall.

The Falls

We made a special trip to Ted's Bakery on the north shore as well to pick up one of our group's individual favourite - banana cream pie. I actually had just a piece of pie for lunch  - while everyone else got some food. The pie was great! So much for calorie counting!

A beautiful canopy of trees throughout the walk

Different kinds of flowers

Beautiful exotic flowers as well

It was worth our $12 each (as seniors) to walk through it. Unfortunately, a number of the side trails were blocked off so we couldn't get into everything. There was a number of historic buildings set up as well but I forgot to take pictures...just looked!

Beautiful large lily pads that open up during the day and close at night.

All in all the day was beautiful. As usual we finished with another beautiful sunset! It really doesn't get much better than this!

Beautiful!

Walking

We tried walking a different route to the top of the mountain a few days ago. It is about a 5 mile trek return. We tried walking the straight up version before and I admit, I didn't make it. Turned around about 2/3 up the hill and went back down. It is just a winding road and we walk on the side of it. However, the day after, we tried a different route on the outskirts of the town and through the residential area, and up the hill. That had more scenery and things to occupy the time as you walked.

Beautiful flowers...

A much slower, gradual grade to it.  By the time we got to the top, I was tired but felt good about it all. It is about 5 miles round trip and this is more or less at the top, looking straight down to our condo below (the tall one on the left)!

Too bad the tall pole is in the middle of the sight lines!

Going down the other side was more difficult. John doesn't have too much problem with it at all. He just keeps going and I try to keep up (at least a reasonable distance between us). He will stop and wait for me to catch up. Nice guy! 

Just keep truckin'  

By the time I was half way to the bottom, my right hip was giving me trouble. It seemed to want to stick in one position. I admit, by the time I got back to the condo, I was ready to sit in the bath tub and soak for a while. Thankfully, it didn't take long to feel better.

Today, we did the same route again. Two days later! It seemed faster as we knew where we were going this time. Same thing happened again. Good to the top and then going downhill, the same right hip started 'its thing'. By the time I got home, it did not want to move well. This time, I stretched more but did not soak in the tub. Guess practice makes perfect! Need to keep up the walking.

It's a beautiful day, it's a beautiful day....

We sure experience nice weather when we come here. I guess we are fortunate. So many others have told us that it rained nearly the whole time they were here. Not so for us. Guess I will just be happy with that and move on!!

Beautiful day...even when it tries to rain!

We had a little rain cloud arise but it never materialized. We were thankful for the cloud cover! Last night we went out for dinner to the local 'farm' and had the organic specials. I had chicken teriyaki and John had the mahi mahi. Both were good. I think there were a little too many greens in mine but maybe that's what makes it 'healthy organic'. 

A few pics of the 'soon to be' leftovers

Mahi Mahi

Chicken Teriyaki with lots of greens

Waitress said it was corn vegetable soup??

As I said, it's a beautiful day here.  I googled that expression, it's a beautiful day, and found this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9Vu6ASwdKE

Off the Beach Day

The cleaning people were booked to do our condo today so we went for our usual walk and then showered and headed off to Costco. That is a little bit of a drive from here. Not distance wise...just time wise as there are so many cars and so many little towns between us and Costco and the speed limit is 25 mph. So, we knew we could be there and back and the place should be ready.

We also made a quick stop at Target. Not much there really. I got a visor - lt green but I wanted black. Yesterday I picked up a $3.99 visor at Walmart which was ok but it wraps around your head and I wanted it to just slip on like glasses. This one does that. Wish it was black though. Oh well.

We did our run through Costco and spent more $$ on things we really did not need but hey..we are on holidays. Even indulged in a hot dog there and after not having fat these past weeks, it was a blessing and a curse, all at the same time. I don't think I will need another one of those dogs for a month or more!

Weather is a little cloudy but still about 79 F so no complaints here. We were sitting on the beach yesterday for an hour and got red on the back so today is an 'inside' or 'lanai' day!

I got my cough back which I thought was gone. It kinda snuck up on me again. First I was clearing my throat and then trying to cough and just can't stop now. I am having hot tea so that seems to be helping.

Full moon the last two nights. Beautiful but my photos don't do it justice! Sunrises here are spectacular too - so many clouds to enhance the rays!

Full moon over the ocean

Sunrise

The day before we were on the beach and there was this brown lab dog running wild. She was very friendly and only wanted you to throw the ball or the bamboo stick. She must have been a pointer because as you got up to throw it, she would stand in the pointer stance and just 'stare you down'. It was so funny. She was there for two days in a row. She usually picked on the women but the men were the ones who ended up throwing for the longest time. She always brought it back and dropped it within a few feet of you and then just stared at you...begging you to throw it again! Most exercise I've had in a long time!!

I got it, I got it!!!

Throw it! Come on...Throw it!

Beautiful mornings..

We are finally in Hawaii again. The weather is humid and warm. Lots of sand, sunshine and serenity. Things that we needed. We are enjoying doing nothing, or maybe little to nothing of what our routine usually was at home. 

We are eating healthier this year, still drinking black coffee and less of it (simply cause it is black). Usually 1/2 a cup will do me. No bread (for me anyway) and lots of water, fish and vegetables. We are walking at least once a day (in the early morning) and enjoying just 'being' here.

Beautiful sunsets and warm sunrises. It's nice. All pictures taken from our condo, 14th floor facing west to the ocean.