Pig Roast, McCain & Palin

Saturday afternoon my parents were invited to a pig roast at a nearby neighbors house. They had met the neighbors in their downtown area during the week and were invited to the party. My parents had old cars in common with the neighbors and they were invited to drive their car down for the festivities.



Arriving in town for the Detroit Tigers game, we were also invited to come down. Mind you, I had no idea what the occasion was. I thought maybe it was a party to support McCain and Palin as there were signs everywhere. I even took pictures of McCain and Palin with my parents. I never realized how photogenic Palin is - she didn't blink once!







The party included the pig roast in addition to live pigs in the mud. I felt a little sorry for the pigs that found themselves missing their longtime friend...

















In addition to the pig roast there were a couple of the balloon bounces, face painting and a cotton candy machine! There was horseback riding and hot air balloon rides. There was even a beer trailer. Entertainment included a live band, a magician and a drill team presentation. I was clearly amazed that so much was being provided for a "just because" party or possibly a "work party"!

Football Survivor Pool

In addition to the posting on things happening for a reason with my tire gage, my son's football pick was based on gut instinct.

See, I encourage gambling.

If drinking was legal, I may encourage drinking too. It seems that when things are made available, more often than not, we don't want them. France doesn't seem to have an issue with drinking and they don't have a drinking age. For now my son says that he never wants to try drinking, I'll give him a few years. He has had "beer bread" which he freaked out about initially but later admitted he tried it and "it was good".

Back to the gambling...years ago my son received his first instant lottery ticket. He's even helped pick numbers in my occasional lottery picks. There have been a few times he won with a scratch off ticket, but the losses far exceed. I used to give him the option of getting money or lottery tickets and he quickly learned that lottery tickets weren't worth the risk.

The Survivor football pool is a different story.

This is the third year that my son, now 11, has participated in a Survivor football pool. He loves football and it is a great way for him to follow the game and have fun. The first year he made it to week 6. Tonight he reminded me of that fateful turn of events during the game that knocked him out. Last year, he wasn't so fortunate to make it past the first week. This year, he's survived past week #4. A great feat since he has surpassed 42 fellow gamblers that have all reached their demise.

There are 6 people left in the pool. My son would love to win it and of course with the entrance fee and my fees, he'll be lucky to get even 30%, but the gloating that he's made it as far as he has is pretty cool. He's even decided that if he wins, we should purchase a Wii (afterall it will be great exercise for us both!).

As for the gut instinct, my son decided not to go with Denver or Dallas this week, both favored to win. He said something in his gut said that they would both be upsets, and they were!

Maybe it's luck. Maybe it's talent. But whatever it is, by golly I think he's got it!

Car Woes & Appreciation

Things happen for a reason. Whether the "Earth Moves Under My Feet" or that women's intuition, or that gut instinct or just because, things DO happen for a reason.

Take for instance my recent purchase of a tire gauge this past Monday. I have no idea how to USE a tire gauge, but I felt it imperative that I buy one (and why not on a Meijer 15% sale day to boot?). Tonight, my tire gauge came in handy! I left my mom and step-dad's house a little before 8:30p.m., which is 150+ miles and approximately 2.5 hours. T was all showered and dressed in his pj's to sleep en route.

I stopped at a gas station about 15 miles away to fill up before getting on the highway. A very nice man at the pump next to me pointed out that my tire was "low". Now that was a complete understatement! Low is how I felt all day as I laid low enjoying napping and watching football. Low is my investment in my 401k (Ok, that is beyond low). Low is...well, you get my point. My tire was almost FLAT! Maybe the nice gentleman didn't want to overwhelm me, maybe in the dark he thought that my hair was blond, maybe he really did think it was low. Regardless, there I was on a Sunday night in the middle of nowhere, two hours from home and .5 hour from my parents with a flat tire. Sigh...

I give appreciation to this man and his ever patient and loving wife (I'm assuming she was - since she never once glared at he or I, nor did she beep the horn impatiently). He and I pondered my options. He even verified that my spare (aka donut) had air! He also drove his car over to the air pump and assisted me as I filled the tire with air. He had a tire gauge and when I said I didn't know how to use it, he tested the tire pressure for me. I then proceeded to grab my new one out of the car, opened it up and he used mine too. Of course there was about a 4# difference between the two gauges, but at least I knew what mine read when I ventured back on the road. The man was more than pleasant and we talked about how far I had to go and he asked where I lived and inquired about my son.

I didn't drive over 70mph the entire way home. I even stopped three times to check the tire pressure and added air once. I have since mastered the use of my tire gauge!

It is wonderful to know that there are still good people willing to lend a helping hand. To the nameless man and his patient wife at the Speedway on a Sunday night, Thank You!

House - Loving It

Last night, I pulled up to my house and I'm SPEECHLESS! (It doesn't happen very often, seriously.)



I LOVE MY HOUSE! Mind you, it isn't finished. But E has spent some serious time working on the house, all day. (It helped the progress on my house that he turned his ignition key the wrong way when listening to his radio and found his battery dead in the middle of my driveway! But I'm not complaining - it looks awesome!)



There is something about a vision coming to matriculation. Of actually imagining something and seeing it, the way that you anticipated and sometimes even better. My house has character. My house isn't done, but 3/4th's of the house has two coats of the "weekend getaway" green. Still need another coat on the driveway side and to paint the garage, but it's coming together nicely. Then on to painting the columns, gutters and base with fresh coats of the existing color.



It's so cool to see change. Especially when change is welcoming. We are heading out of town for the rest of the weekend and while I haven't even left yet, I'm looking forward to coming home to see the progress!

Columns or No Columns?????

I swung by the house after a late lunch with JN to see if E was at the house painting. I hadn't heard from him all day and I could only guess what he may be doing. I was pretty thrilled to see the house when I approached the neighbors driveway. I wish (maybe more than once) that my house was bigger and lurking out amongst my neighbors so that I could see it up the road, but I can't. All I can ever see from up the street are my crazy iris and my rhododendron bush that is strategically placed in the middle of my yard.

When I get out of the car, E is there painting. He's made significant progress on the house and I'm ecstatic, until...Until E starts dancing around half mumbling something about "Change". I hear "change" and "embracing" and some "oh's and ah's" which can only mean it's not good. Not good at all.

But from first glance, I don't notice anything that would revel me into a down whirl spire of angst and potential anger. And then I walk to the back of the house.






AND I'M PISSED! I'm livid that I made it very clear, MANY times that I wanted character in my house. I know that E, the painter has these ideas of his own, but after nine years I want to show the character that my little charming house has (or at least make some attempt to show it)!

I try to be rash. I TRY! See, because I think for the most part, I can try to remove myself from the initial shock and see things clearly (most of the time - although sometimes it takes me a few minutes - err days - err years!). And to be honest, the green columns didn't look bad. They actually look good, but IT IS NOT WHAT I WANT.

So, a quick blog to get some opinions and a chocolate peanut butter chip cookie later, I'm dealing. And what I decide is that I LOVE THE COLUMNS A DIFFERENT COLOR. JA likes them green. JN things the off-white/light tan whateveryoucallit color of the house looks pink. E thinks the color looks peach. Maybe I AM COLOR BLIND.

What it comes down to is regardless of all the finite decisions of what trim, corner, column to color what color, I made a decision. I had the image in my mind and while I've made a few changes, I'm not going to concede to another one, five or nine years of a house lackluster in character and in one color.

Not this year, at least.

Dating - "How do you know?"

How do you know? How do you know in relation to dating (or anything else for that matter) that the person you are interested in might be the one? Or how about even the one to date again?

This is a never ending question for me. I seem to ponder it (a lot!) and often ask anyone willing to discuss the topic how they know. I've asked Mr. Date. I'm sure that it's different for everyone and much easier to answer for those less OCD, analytical, hypochondriac, psychotic (err I mean psychic) sorts like myself. See, again I have no answers. The one day at a time thing has absolutely no influence as to actually achieving an answer. Then of course there is the dating with kids. (Yep, I've said it before, how do you know when is the right time to involve kids?)

I received an email from the Ex-BF recently that out of the blue said that he met someone and she has qualities that he's looking for but doesn't know if he has qualities that she's looking for. WHAT??? Of course I jumped all over that one and we resumed the conversation by phone. How can you not know what she's looking for and what qualities does she have that you are looking for? (Mind you, I don't want to get back with Ex-BF call it curiosity or "research" whathaveyou, but my inquiring mind wanted to know.)

To my surprise (and close to the fact that she breathes) he said that he gets excited when she calls. Yep, there you have it...a quality that is highly sought after and not always attainable. Ex-BF further goes on to say that they have now met, twice...in six weeks. Hold on, SIX WEEKS?

Okay, clearly I'm no rocket scientist or genius, especially when it comes to dating, but I'm going to say that two dates in six weeks...She's just not into you.

Even better, when she out of the blue resumed calling him (likely sans the last guy she was dating) she invites him over to hangout and meet her three kids before their bedtime so they can watch a movie.

I have met two of Mr. Date's kids, after two months. He has met my son now three times. Maybe I'm overly cautious. Maybe I'm looking for all the answers without living the questions.

At any rate, based on comparison...To answer the question, "How do you know?" I will never know.

Exterior House Change

I decided that in the midst of change, I wanted to spruce up the exterior of my house. It's consumed random thoughts of pieces of my mind over the last week. See, when I start thinking something, it typically can be consuming so sometimes I just run with it. Mind you, not always a good run - sometimes tripping and falling along the way.

I wanted to add color to my house. I have tried this once in the past, of my nine years of home ownership. I wish I could say that it was a success, but at least it wasn't a complete failure. It worked (in the sense of lack luster moping around the office twiddling your thumbs kind of work) - it just was. The house color was lighter than I had hoped and basically turned into a fresh paint of the existing color. I did get rid of the salmon trim and replaced all the windows and the doors with white. I was hoping to add a cranberry trim, which I did to the garage and the fence, but never to the house as I couldn't decide where to start and where to stop. This issue continues, today.



I think I've settled on a color for the house. A "weekend getaway", honestly the name had me sold although it was tough with the hot pink pepto-bismal color of "secret rendezvous". How cool would that be to say, "Come on over to my 'secret rendezvous'?" Ok, maybe it wouldn't be that cool.




T HATES green, so of course the color that I wanted, green. Not like the Michigan State green that he utterly despises but a warm, softer, darker green. I have columns around my house that I would like to keep the same house color as they are and then add the green to the actual house. I wish painting were easy - as I still don't know where to stop the green and my friend that is painting it fears that I could end up with a striped house. Are stripes really that bad?

Then there are the more than curious neighbors since in the midst of planning for the painting, E and I tore down more than half of my useless fence. I liked the semi-privacy from not seeing the neighbors old truck but the leaning fence with the peeling cranberry paint was serving little purpose. So last week at 7:55a.m. in my long red bathrobe and flip flops, E and I tore it down. Of course that wasn't the plan but once an idea was planted, it began to grow and take on a life of it's own. In addition to tearing out part of the fence, the idea of removing the hastas, flowers and lilac bush to pour concrete to widen the driveway to allow for another car to park came to fruition. So back to the neighbors, last night as I started digging up the flower bed the neighbor across the street came over to be "nosey" to see if I had sold the house sans for sale sign (they have listed their house on and off for three years now!). The next door neighbor inquired about why I took down the fence to which I replied, "I thought I would be more neighborly. But don't expect change to happen over night!"


E said he would paint a small section of the back of the house for me to view to see if I liked it. That proceeded to be the entire back of the house! While I'm still not sure if the sides of the columns should be the white or the green - debate from a structural and a painter perspective. I think...I like it. It looks lighter on the house than I imagined, but I am up for the change.

Maybe just maybe I might paint the columns "secret rendezvous" and freak ALL of my neighbors out!

Housework Humor

She'd been taught, "Housework is a woman's job," but one evening Jenny arrived home from work to find the children bathed, one load of laundry in the washer and another in the dryer. Dinner was on the stove, and the table was set.

She was astonished!!

It turned out that Ralph had read an article that said, "Wives who worked full-time and then had to do their own housework were too tired to have sex."

The night went very well.

The next day, she told her office friends all about it. "We had a great dinner. Ralph even cleaned up the kitchen. He helped the kids do their homework, folded all the laundry and put it away. I really enjoyed the evening."

"But what about afterward?" asked her friends.

"Oh, that? Ralph was too tired."

New car?

I can't tell you how many articles I've been reading about money management and purchasing of new and used cars. I've never been a fan of my current car, not from day one. And that, was seven years ago. Maybe it's the story of my life...living with things far too long although not being happy, but not doing anything to make a change. It isn't like my choices and commitments have been horrific for clearly that would lead me to change, but not ultimately the most rewarding.

As for my car, selling it early on just wasn't an option. We all know how much a car depreciates after you drive it off the lot. So I either had to take a loss or suck it up and drive on. And drive on I did. There isn't anything wrong with my car and like a lot of things, with time and age it has gotten better. I don't hate my car or resent my car, I just don't love it or even really like it. It's a car. Bottomline, it gets me where I need to go. No love lost.

My car has everything I need or want. It runs. It averages about 30 miles to the gallon, so I really don't have any chief complaints. It has been good to me for my commute for the past 10 months. I've managed to add 800-1000 miles every week, outside of my two vacations, during that time and still I just turned 90,000 miles. My initial thought was that I would drive the car for work, save the mileage reimbursement and then purchase a new car.

Now that my commute is abruptly over, I'm faced with thinking about a car. Do I really want or need a new car? I definitely don't need a new car. I definitely don't want a car payment. With gas prices the way they are, I could actually sell my car for a decent amount, but the real question is...Do I really want or need a new car?

If I didn't have to worry about increasing insurance rates and car payments, having a new car would be nice. Although I would likely go with some sort of SUV instead of a car, which I really don't need and I don't need the decreased gas mileage either. So for now, I'll stick with what I have and let my car and possible future mechanical difficulties dictate when I need a new car.

Vacations

I'm not ready to throw in the towel on vacations. And I'm definitely not ready to call it a year before taking a few more. Not that I have anything else international in mind, per se as it isn't completely out of the question, yet.

I'm just not sure that planning vacations is really my thing. Clearly I haven't been the most successful at it this year! I guess I just wish that I could go on a vacation that was already planned. Maybe just be told what the weather will be like to know what to pack and go. Or maybe I just want to jump in the car and drive. Drive and see where I end up and what I happen to see. Maybe that will be more likely now that I won't be commuting, but that's highly unlikely for me, unless I'm the passenger. See because I'm a thinker, I'm a planner. Why even when I don't want to be, do I find myself in that take charge/planning role?

TS and I have been talking about getting away for a while now. She would be great fun to go to an all-inclusive and have a good time. We've even discussed maybe going out west and seeing the sights. I tentatively picked a week, although actually making arrangements for it won't necessarily be all that simple. She's suggesting California or Wyoming.

My brother and wife are doing a house swap in December to Bisbane, Australia. How cool is that? I figure, why not go too? I mean they have a house. Regardless that they haven't had a vacation since well likely they had kids, four years ago, but they wouldn't mind, right? Besides, I wouldn't stay there the whole time, I could venture to find my Australian friends from my European vacation. While it sounds great, I would NEVER do that to my brother and sister-in-law. So this holiday, I think that my son and I are laying low and sticking around Michigan. At least that's my thought for now.

JN and I are planning a weekend to Cedar Point, Ohio in October for Halloweekends. I've never been to Cedar Point during that time. Actually this will be one of the first times that I will be going along for the ride as JN is making the arrangements! I'm pretty excited about that!

Mr. Date was hoping to go away for a weekend. I was finding my childless weekends filling up fast, so I made a weekend switch and we now have a weekend in October to get away. Of course still being rather new in the relationship, I'm finding myself quickly frustrated and taking on old habits and possibly resentments about getaways with a boyfriend. I know that I shouldn't, but some habits are hard to kick. So we picked a time, but actually understanding what he might want to see and do isn't going as well as I thought. He seems to still struggle with having an opinion of his own and I don't want to make all the plans and arrangements of a certain type of getaway to learn after the fact that he wanted something completely different. And in thinking about planning for that weekend, it has me evaluating the relationship, the kids, the future, and ultimately not failing.

Maybe that's what it all boils down to is failing and disappointment of myself and others. Planning things for myself is so much easier as then I have only me to worry about and me to disappoint.

Open House

Today my son and I went through an open house. It was the first open house I've been to in quite some time. I have this thing for open houses, especially those in and around my neighborhood.

I'm always curious to see what other homes look like. How do they fare? How do they rate? How do they compare to mine?

If I could make a career out of going through people's homes, I would. I don't want to go through their personal belongings or affects, I just want to see homes. I want to see construction, decoration, display. It really is nothing personal about the home owner and it isn't a personal fetish of mine. Maybe just another one of my issues.

The house was on the same street as mine. The square footage was similar, but the home for sale was a two-story. I found that the listing listed a garage and two full bathrooms, while the garage was truly a shed and the second bath was a half bath. The home was about twenty years older. I wouldn't have ever considered selling a house in the condition that it was. Not that it was bad, but I would truly be the type to clean and paint and do updates before I sell my house. Maybe it's putting your best foot forward and presenting in the best way possible for the best outcome possible.

It was enlightening to see how much the home was listed. Not that I plan on selling my house during the next decade or anything, but do we really know what our future has in store for us? It truly is a buyer's market; however, if that house sells and for anything close to what they listed it, I would say that maybe in this difficult economic time in Michigan, I might actually be living in an investment. Wow, now that would be a polar opposite from my 401k "investment"!

Reflection

Reflective vs. Reflection...I'm sitting here pondering the difference. I could blog about my random thoughts on both until I'm blue in the face...seriously, I have issues. So fortunately, I won't.

The past couple days I've been quite reflective. In being reflective it makes me think about my reflection. It makes me ponder how true a reflection is to oneself. Likewise, how accurate our thoughts and images truly are to our true self. Maybe they are one in the same, maybe they aren't. I don't have any answers.

No answers...that seems to be a constant for me lately. I don't know the answers. Nothing jumps out at me in black and white. Nothing seems to be an easy answer. I wish it were so simple.

It's pretty much always that I over analyze. I seriously don't know why I am not permanently blue in the face. Friends tell me I think too much. When I think I've thought too much, I think again. It really is that bad.

Maybe there is medication to cure one from thinking, not in an ADD/ADHD type of way or in an illegal drug type of way to forget but in a way to live the moment, to go with the flow, to just be. Maybe that drug is life.

How does one stop thinking and start living without being completely impulsive and incompetent? Maybe I should think about this more.

I have found myself to reflect on who I am, where I am, what I am and where I want to be. I wish my life were like a drive-in movie theater that I could pull up and watch and see what the next scene is going to be. Maybe I truly don't want it that predictable, but it would be nice to know the ramifications and outcomes of actions before making decisions. I still don't have any answers. I even found myself reflecting on this blog and posts over the past six months into feelings and emotions. Almost like a path to the not so distant past of how a mind meanders through time.

While I think a lot on my own, frequent discussions with friends, family, co-workers as well as watching a few movies has me pondering all the more.

If you really know what you want, would you jump in with both feet? How do you really know what you want?

If you really know what you don't want, would you flee at first sight? How do you really know it isn't what you want or need?


I would say in every aspect of my life, I think too much. Maybe I haven't always, which now leaves me thinking more than necessary. Maybe it's the life I've led, the things I've seen, the mistakes I don't want to repeat.

Maybe what it boils down to is...I just don't have the answers, reflections or not.

Fall Sports

I had taken a personal hiatus from blogging for a few days for two reasons: 1) to observe my overly zealous follower's viewing and 2) I didn't have time. My viewer hasn't looked at my blog in a few days, so I'm no longer feeling threatened as to what s/he's intentions may have been. I think they were just interested in following the August vacation blogs due to a personal interest. I think.

It is the full swing of fall sports. My son is playing soccer again this year, after quitting football two years ago. I'm definitely not a soccer fan, especially when the coach does anything but coach! I did coach soccer, once. That was 6 years ago though when parents didn't need to know what soccer was! It was about having fun, despite we had an awesome team that was undefeated! I know better than to try to coach these days, fearing parents far more than kids!

Despite my son giving up football, he still participates in a yearly local football event for kids 8-15. This year, he won! So we are pretty excited about that and in another month or so he will compete at the regional level to see how he does. So we need to get kicking!

Commute No More

Yesterday afternoon I learned that I am officially, tentatively done with my commute to work across the state. No more 184 miles round trip per day! I can't say that it didn't happen at a better time, with the threat of gas prices reaching $5.00 per gallon or higher due to Hurricane Ike.

A friend of mine asked if it felt like I had been fired. I wasn't aware that I wouldn't be returning back to that worksite when I left for the week on Thursday; however, I did pack up all of my personal belongings, just in case. I guess I'm just anal like that. Apparently my local boss had contacted my lead to inquire about me returning at least another day or two per week. The lead mentioned it to me, which I was completely unaware, as she thought I had asked to return due to lack of work. See, I don't do well with boredom and the lack of work was driving me crazy, but I hadn't said anything to anyone about it. I was trying to accept that I was supposed to work where I was told, or at least report to where I was told! So on Thursday afternoon, I thought maybe I would return back to my local office two days per week.

On Friday afternoon I learned that this was not the case. They may call me back when things get busy. I'm not holding my breath. Especially since gas prices will far outweigh the mileage reimbursement and it will likely be the dead of winter when they may need some additional help. Maybe it was just the lead's way of being politically correct. Regardless, I am back to my three mile drive to work, sitting at my desk for eight hours straight, no travel reimbursements and catching up with friends and family after work instead of during the commute. Life really isn't all that bad!

Rain & Power Surge

Yesterday the house experienced yet another brief, although I'm not actually certain, power outing. Again, my computer went on the fritz and I figured this time I would finally be looking into purchasing a new computer. Fortunately as I was searching for a dell phone number, unsuccessfully, in my paperwork and discs (would have been nice to look online!) the computer finally was able to boot!

It's been raining consistently all morning. It's a good thing, here in Michigan as it has been so dry. Despite it being a morning of soccer and standing in the rain to watch dozens of kids get drenched and the onset of colds, it is much more welcome than the severe weather of Hurricane Ike. How devastating and likely catastrophic.

Thoughts and prayers to all those that reside and work in Texas as well as to all those that have family, friends and loved ones there!

Continuation Lies Via Email

Here's my thought for the day - verbatim from email correspondence with staff at Paradise Bay. Some people really do believe their lies, don't they?

XXX,

My mom forwarded me your email response alleging my "very bad review on Trip Advisor". I wanted to email you personally to let you know that again, you are completely misinformed. I HAVE NOT, NOR WILL I EVER put anything on Trip Advisor. I gave my word to James that I wouldn't do so, and I didn't.

You see, if you read Trip Advisor, I don't have to put anything on there - it's already been said, time and time again.

I was born and raised in the United States of America. I have wonderful parents that taught me excellent morals and values. They taught me right from wrong. They taught me truth from lies.

I am not a liar, a cheat or a fraud.

Unfortunately, you and James were not so fortunate.

Damage to business comes from poor business. Had Paradise Bay Resort not false advertised online and with the auction that I purchased, things would be different. My searches on Paradise Bay while I was at the "resort" as well as since my return home have located many additional lies found on numerous websites.

Obviously in the future I shall learn to trust less and research more.

Because clearly from our stay, I've learned what is one person's hell is another's "Paradise".

As for asking questions - I think 15 emails was plenty of questions. I also feel that lies in email correspondence, staged pictures and lies to one's face is clearly unacceptable.

I wish you the best in your "Paradise".


Forwarded message....

Hi XXX,
Thanks for the cartoons.

I am not happy to hear that your daughter wrote a very bad review on Trip Advisor. That can be very damaging to business.

I really know things are not as they should be here, but myself and Vicky tried to make you feel comfortable.

Maybe your daughter should have asked alot of questions before booking. It sounds like a bigger hotel with more facilities would have suited you both better.

Hope that your next trip abroad will be a success.
Regards
XXX

Blog Interest & Followers

What draws an interest to read a blog? What brings you to my blog? Is there a specific interest or a special search?

I was first introduced to blogspot and blogging from a longtime school friend that had been blogging for years. It was months of reading her blog before I decided to write my own.

There are a few random blogs that I will occasionally go back and look at in addition to several friends that blog. I came across random blogs usually from a recommendation by “blogs of note” and then links on those blogs. Most of the blogs I read only post a few times a month, at best. My girlfriend typically blogs regularly except when life takes hold and she misses a few days. I usually check back frequently to see when she has posted next.

Most often, readers won’t make comments on blogs. Some readers are random and will come back, others are friends and family. The random readers usually dissipate quickly finding boredom in the blog after it met a specific need or interest. Others are brought to my blog by Google searches for specific criteria looking for the perfect resource or answer.

It seems that since I’ve been posting about my recent vacation, I seem to have attracted one specific, very intense follower. I have an idea of who the follower may be; however, I’m not positive. Clearly with as many times as this person has returned to my blog, despite my hiatus’ for a few days, it would appear that they are seeking something specific or have some ulterior motive. Even I don’t find myself that entertaining! So, if this person would kindly enlighten me as to your interest in my blog and your need to check it more than a handful of times a day when no new postings have been made, I’d appreciate it.

Otherwise, happy reading!

Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival

This weekend I had the opportunity to check out the Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival. We attended the festivities on both Friday and Saturday night. Friday night we had the fortunate opportunity to see the firework show. Other than the finale, it was firework. I have never seen a firework show be as long and drawn out! There was a single firework shot into the air and dissipated before another firework was set off!

Saturday JN joined Mr. Date and I. We did a lot of taste testing of wines and the Peach and Honey was my favorite - although there were several that were very good including some light reds. After taste testing we headed to dinner when I had the unfortunate experience of my shoe breaking! Not only did it break at the straps, the entire shoe fell apart that I couldn't even wear it! Paw Paw is a pretty small town, so finding a shoe store wasn't an option. We ended up finding a multi-family sale in a building on Main Street and I was rescued by a .25 pair of slippers/shoes. JN said she wouldn't be caught in someone else's shoes, but seeing that I really had no other option - I had to have something on my feet to get into the restaurant and beer tent!

The beer tent was fun and we found ourselves easily amused with people watching. Not that I'm sure people weren't watching us as well, but sometimes there's just somethings that make you go, hmmm.....

Closure

Closure what a wonderful thing. I have yet to hear back from the GVSU auction regarding my concerns of Paradise Bay. It's been over a week, although with Labor Day I knew it could take a few extra days. I may give them a call to inquire tomorrow. I also have never heard back from the Board of Tourism in Grenada.

At this point, I'm ready for closure. I just finished blogging about the trip. Earlier this evening I picked up the pictures that I had developed and already have them in four photo albums. I'm ready to close this chapter of my vacation. I'm ready to try to focus on the positives of the trip and the good pictures. We are safe and healthy and the three of us survived our first multi-generational, international vacation. And that my friend, is a feat in and of itself!

Trinidad - August 22, 2008

Excited about having a gym, I went to workout. Unfortunately there wasn't a television, so I got off the seated exercise bike to grab a book from my room; however, in doing so I managed to walk my left thigh directly into the seated hand rail of the bike next to me. This was one time I wished I hadn't walked with purpose. If there had been more room in the compact gym and I was alone, I would have collapsed to the ground and cried like a baby. Unfortunately, I wasn't alone and I tentatively tried to walk to my room to grab the book. Immediately my leg began to bruise. Sometimes I wonder how I've managed to survive as long as I have in life!


After the workout, I had a terrific breakfast. Only my breakfast was included and T was still sleeping. I think I ate enough for four, I was so excited to see a vast array of fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, yogurt, cereals, juice, tea, coffee and water. There were even made to order omelets and waffles. There was french toast and potatoes and other things I can't even begin to remember. It was rather pricey though at $22 US dollars, so mom and T ate at Burger King when he finally woke up. We were able to get a late checkout of 1:30p.m. and the front desk secured our luggage for us.


After breakfast we went and played around in the pool. Unfortunately the sun had other plans, but the pool was refreshing and I found it great exercise to stretch my ever increasing leg muscle injury. We left the hotel and took the shuttle to one of several malls in Trinidad. I'm definitely not a shopper, but we walked the stores and ordered pizza for lunch. We made arrangements with the shuttle to pick us up at 4:45p.m. to return to the hotel for Alana to pick us up to tour Trinidad. Unfortunately the shuttle man was to pass the message to his replacement and we found ourselves abandoned at the mall. I went back into the mall and mall information personnel called a taxi for us. It's amazing how clueless I felt without a cell phone in a foreign country. It definitely wasn't a welcoming feeling.


We arrived back at the hotel to find Alana and her son waiting for us. I was hoping to take pictures of Trinidad but didn't really have much opportunity. It was almost 5:30p.m. when we left the hotel and time and sunlight were not really on our side. Alana drove us around but struggled with what to show us in Trinidad. She took us to the main part of the city where we saw traffic at its best. What I wanted most was to take pictures of Trinidad with a panoramic setting. Alana showed us houses of cricket players that we had no idea who they were. When I asked about scenic views she mentioned Fort George but it would have been too dark by the time we got there and my camera doesn't take night pictures well. So we decided to give up the sightseeing and find somewhere for dinner.



I didn't realize that making a dinner selection could be so difficult. We were hoping that Alana had a local favorite place that she enjoyed. Mom was hoping to hear a steelpan band. We didn't find either. Alana struggled with finding somewhere unique to eat and we ended up at restaurant that seemed more mainstream. I know in my town there are definitely local places that I take out of town family and friends to, but this didn't seem to be the case for Alana. Dinner took a while and my chicken was raw when it arrived. The food was good, although rather expensive. I was shocked to see a man in all black with a machine gun across his chest walk by the restaurant. Alana said he was police.




After dinner, we decided we wanted to find an ice cream place before returning to the airport for our flight back home. The flight was at 1:30a.m. Alana's son had passed out in the back of the van and Alana was having a difficult time finding ice cream so we told her she could just head back to the airport. While I would have loved to actually have seen more of Trinidad, our experience was a good one, albeit brief. Our flight out of Trinidad was delayed half an hour, so it made things tight with our connecting flight in Ft. Lauderdale.




We had an hour to transfer our baggage, get through customs and security and make the connecting flight. Mom was a wreck and I'm not sure how many times I told her to "stop". We made it to the gate with five minutes to spare before boarding the plane. We arrived back to Detroit at 9:40a.m. on August 23, 2008. How wonderful to be back in the comfort of home. Home sweet home!

Grenada Departure Day - August 21, 2008

Due to the lack of air conditioning throughout the night, the room was beyond muggy in the morning. Seeing that I had spent much time the day before packing and repacking the suitcases, there wasn't much that had to be finished before leaving. I swear that the suitcases were a good 5#'s heavier a piece which definitely was going to cause problems with checking them in at the airport (but I somehow avoided additional charges!).



I left the resort at 7a.m. and hiked in the other direction. I didn't get very far down the driveway before I had a slight mother panic meeting a Grenadian heading up the driveway walking his bike. I headed back to the villa that I left unlocked with T sleeping inside and went back to lock the room. While there was nothing to alert me of concern while in Grenada, I can never be too careful when it comes to my son!



About 10 minutes into the hike, it briefly began to drizzle. I saw several cows and bulls along the path and heading out toward the rocky pier I observed a single man. James had mentioned several beautiful beaches in the direction that I was walking and claimed it was about a 1.5 hour hike. I hadn't a clue what he meant as I was along the shore but didn't observe a single beach. I couldn't find a visible trail so I ventured up a two-track road instead and quickly found myself heading far from the resort. Eventually I hit a paved road that met up at a split street to head back to the resort. I was able to observe the locals and the morning bread delivery man during my walk as well as a variety of animals on the side and middle of the road including chickens, rooster, puppies, dogs, goats, cows and sheep. I arrived back at the resort in under 1.5 hours. I asked James how far it was to the bus stop, where the forked road was, and he became instantaneously suspicious that I was asking as I was writing some review on the resort. I told him that I hadn't yet and that I wanted to know as I had just walked back from there. He estimated it was over a mile.






I almost managed to lock us out of the room, for the third time. Fortunately I had noticed that something in the lock on the door was broken. I had T stay in the room and I closed the door and tried the key, to no avail. I informed James of the lack of air conditioning and the broken lock on the villa. Brian fixed the lock as a pin had broken and the air conditioning was reportedly user remote error (according to James).


T & I headed to the "secluded beach" after lunch to work on our tans and play in the water. I tried to sit at the edge of the shoreline but with each wave I found myself covered in sand and seaweed. I eventually moved up to rest on a rock in the water but when I glanced at other rocks and saw water crabs and scorpion looking things, I decided to give up on getting any sun at all. T and I just spent the next hour looking for ocean life.





I did a walking camera tour of the resort for memory sake of our vacation "paradise". We finished lunch and left for the airport with Vicky and her boyfriend Michael. As blogged about previous the bill and the argument with James at the airport was absurd. It was nice to leave Paradise Bay so that we could officially put that part of our vacation behind us. Vicky graciously hooked us up with her sister, Alana, to pick us up at the airport in Trinidad and take us to the hotel, a Courtyard by Marriott.


The plane was delayed briefly in Grenada and we were rather exhausted when we arrived in Grenada. Alana met us out front of the airport shortly after we walked out of the airport. Despite all the warnings and negativity of Trinidad, I found it to be rather welcoming and comforting. Trinidad is much bigger than Grenada, with over 1 million people. The highway wasn't too busy at that time of night.


The Marriott was more than welcoming. It was wonderful to be greeted at a desk by customer services representatives. I even received truffles as a welcoming gift and there was bottled water in the room. Things that I will no longer take for granted! The hotel offered 24 hour pool, exercise room and internet. I didn't even have to find someone to use any of them! The bathroom was clean and had towels, toiletries and good lighting! Mom was thrilled that the room had a phone, alarm clock, coffee pot and a television! The room also had working air conditioning and running non-smelly water! We couldn't have been happier!


T & I were hungry so we walked over to Movietown and had a sub at Subway. It was a warm night and the sub was wonderful! It was after midnight by the time T crashed in bed, not having to worry about the bed bugs tonight!

Grenada - August 20, 2008

We woke this morning to terribly strong winds and rain. The massage mattress was left folded on the veranda and came crashing over along with the headrest. Much of the belongings on the porch were strewn about. We didn't bother to venture for breakfast this morning due to the rain and a lack of desire for a lack luster crepe. The initial plan was to go on another rain forest hike and to see a bigger waterfall. With the rain, we knew that plans had changed.


About 12:00p.m. we headed to St. Georges. We went to another Crater Lake where we saw a few small carp. We then headed to Grand Etang to look for wild monkeys. Wild in Grenada is far from the wild in the US. All the roaming animals seem tamer than house pets! We were fortunate enough to spot a monkey on the fence and T handed him a banana! It was so very cool. The monkey even decided it was full and threw the remainder of the banana on the ground and walked away!






Next we headed to the Annandale Waterfall. We were able to swim in the waterfall. T enjoyed jumping off the lower ledge into the water. Unfortunately I didn't grab extra batteries and my camera was dead! I wasn't able to get pictures actually in the "power shower". Several locals were bathing in the falls, soap and all.




We headed back to St. Georges and did touristy shopping. We saw a Subway and I was craving a sub, but we went with some ice cream instead! T was even craving a doughnut which is very unlike him, so we split one of those as well. We bought t-shirts and trinkets in St. Georges. We also stopped for a drink at a local bar while mom pleasantly listened to more of James' stories. I had tuned out the stories several days earlier, especially since they were becoming redundant and I was tired of hearing about his known accomplishments and articles he's written about eco-friendly this and that. None of which we saw at the resort! We also stopped at the local smoothie stand and had a banana and mango smoothie. We arrived back at the resort about 6p.m.


We headed up to the "restaurant" about 8p.m. to find the kitchen completely quiet and dark. Cristina informed us that James was napping but would be up. I spent much of the two hours plus waiting for dinner surfing online for Paradise Bay and reading Tripadvisor reviews.


Tomorrow is our last full day in Grenada. T is homesick. We are all more than ready to leave. James continues to try hard and is offering us a catamaran sailing trip from 2-6p.m. although we should be at the airport by 6p.m.! Regardless, if T never gets on another boat, it's likely too soon! The air conditioning again isn't working tonight and the room is a stifling 84 degrees. The plan for tomorrow will be to pack, hike and try to get some sun before we leave.

Grenada - August 18 & 19, 2008

Monday August 18, 2008:


Today was a pretty uneventful day. Mom was still feeling very ill. After breakfast even T didn't feel well, so we all went back to the room and rested. T learned lots of card games this trip and even learned how to shuffle "the bridge". I attempted to lay out at the bottom of the villa. I couldn't believe how hot it was, feeling almost 100 degrees out and yet I still didn't seem to get much sun! Mid-afternoon, mom was feeling up to venturing to the second beach to see the big waves. They were much calmer today than our previous hike. Mom wasn't too thrilled with the rugged terrain and after being knocked down by the holes in the water and the strong waves, she had had enough and headed back to the resort.







Tuesday August 19, 2008 - Carriacou Day Trip:


Today we planned on taking the catamaran to Carriacou for the day. Today I wasn't feeling all that well and felt the beginning of strep throat. Willing illness elsewhere as I didn't have time or desire to be sick, we forged on with our plan. Forgetting to actually turn the alarm on, mom knocked on the door waking us for breakfast. Hoping that breakfast was at least cooking, since we had to leave for the ferry at 8:15a.m. When I went to brush my teeth, I learned that we no longer had water!



Breakfast as usual was not being prepared despite our pre-ordering the night before and announcing a time so that we could make the ferry. Fortunately we made the ferry on time, otherwise I'm not sure we could have handled another day at "the resort". T had a half pill of the less-drowsy Dramamine today which proved ineffective and T found himself ill and heaving over the side of the boat! I really think he's done with boats for a long time!



James had arranged for us to meet Charles in Carriacou for an island tour. Charles was a pleasant man and I found him easy to understand. He took us to destinations that James had suggested. Charles took us to the Fort, where we were able to see Carriacou. This was also the location of the hospital in Carriacou. We went to Belaire Park/Island which is said to be a happening place with concerts and affairs.












Like Grenada, animals are found in the roads and roaming about. Carriacou is a 13 mile island, significantly smaller than Grenada. It offers 5 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, 2 cemeteries, 6000 people and 1000 vehicles. There is ONE gas station on Carriacou and gas was $14.40 per gallon!








After the full tour of the island and occasional rain, we stopped at Paradise Beach. Charles stayed and waited for us in the van even though we still had a couple hours before we needed to head back to the ferry. Our time on Carriacou was about 5 hours. Carriacou is known for snorkeling on Sandy Beach, but due to the weather and the time constraints and T's desire to avoid further boats, we didn't go. Instead we had lunch and T & I played in the crystal clear water. While swimming around I looked down and noticed a large star fish. From about 4' above the water I was able to capture a picture. We then entertained ourselves by throwing shells onto the beach to watch the various sand crabs from babies to bigger ones which varied in colors from white to grey to yellow race after the new found treasure on the beach. Mom struck gold sitting in the restaurant as a traveling bakery came by and she purchased rolls and pastries!







James was waiting for us upon our arrival back at the dock in St. Georges.

We arrived back at the resort at 6:00p.m. Mom decided she was interested in a massage. James wouldn't start dinner until her massage was done, so it was after 7:30p.m. before he began dinner. I left before the main course as I couldn't wait any longer and desperately wanted a shower. When I returned, mom and T were done, but my food was still warm. The pork chop, veggies and potato wedges were the best food we had been served, although mom still pointed out that she wouldn't have served any of it to house guests.

James hooks us up with the IP phone through the computer and we were able to make a few calls home. It was a completely new experience for me. James said there weren't additional charges and making calls through the computer was only pennies per minute! I think I thought making calls home would be good, but it made me melancholy. T lost a tooth today - so he was excited!

Grenada Whale Watching & Tour - August 17, 2008

Today was our catamaran whale and dolphin watching tour. We were informed that we had to go on Sunday and we could get a "make up" 7 course Sunday brunch as there wouldn't be another tour for several days. This of course was inaccurate as the next tour was on Monday. We also never did get the "famous" 7 course brunch either.

I attempted to over drug T by giving him a full strength, original Dramamine before the catamaran trip. This proved to be hazardous as he had difficulty staying awake for much of the three hour tour. Actually, all three of us were rather tired at different parts of the trip. Maybe since the rain had stopped and it was just pleasant being on the water.

We saw 16 sperm whales and schools (are they called schools?) of dolphins. The dolphins were diving in and out of the water. Even a whale jumped out of the water. It was very cool to watch, but capturing great shots with the camera was almost futile.

We left Grand Anse Bay, but didn't bring swim towels to hang out at the beach as we were told there wasn't swimming, or maybe just not time for swimming - as clearly there was water and a beach! We left the beach and headed to grab some lunch at a local pizzeria. Despite the ravishing flies, the pizza and salad were very welcoming. As was our nearby walk to IGA to pick up some snacks and needed staples for the villa.

After lunch we headed to Fort George to see the panoramic view of the city.

We headed to the water reservoir where we walked about 10 minutes or so into a rain forest. Mom was still not feeling well and the walk again proved somewhat challenging for her. T & I went ahead hoping to find some great wildlife in the rain forest and found it rather disappointing. We did locate a small creek at which point we turned around to meet back up with mom and James.

We stopped to get gas on the way back to the resort at $13.28 per gallon! Again, another seemingly long day ended with a 2 hour and 45 minute dinner which still left us hungry, but at 9:45p.m. we were too tired to care anymore!