Spending New Year's

How will you spend your New Year's?

Our house guests had to cancel so we shall revel on our own.  Left to our own devices the evening will hold few surprises.  It will be quiet and understated.  Perhaps dinner and a movie.  We may or may not be able to hold our eyes open to welcome in 2012.  But we will do it together, The Kid and I.



However you spend your New Year's, do it wisely and well and most importantly spend it with someone you love.

The Ipad Has Landed

The era of the Ipad has arrived.  It was a long time coming.  Our children are happy that we have finally succumbed and are embracing present day technology.  Our phones they say are outdated.  "No one uses flip phones anymore."  We don't text nor send and receive photos.  What can I say, we're cheap.  We have refused to pay outrageous fees for services we can live just fine without.  What's wrong with the dark ages anyway?

The change of heart began a couple of years ago when e-readers were introduced to the unsuspecting public.  (Even my 91 year old mother has a Kindle.)  I liked the idea that one small light-weight device could hold several books and slip easily into my purse for travel.  Yet still I resisted.  This year The Kid took matters into his own hands and Brown delivered a shiny new Ipad on Christmas Eve.

It is taking over my life.



The number of available aps is overwhelming.  When I finally commit to something there are 12 different versions of that something from which to choose.  Not wanting to waste the $0.99 cost of a down load I sit and sputter.  Analysis paralysis, that's what my friend would say.  Yesterday I spent two hours attempting to download a book from the local library.  At least it was free.  When victory was finally declared I realized that although I had won the battle I had no interest whatsoever in the book that was standing sitting on my cyber bookshelf.



Angry Birds and little green pigs have crawled under my skin and demanded my attention. There is currently a heated game of Scrabble underway with B causing the Scrabble dictionary to be within reach at all times.



I'm afraid I've caught the fever.

Now if only they would come up with an ap that would clean my house and cook dinner.

Saint Thomas

Now that the warm fuzzies of Christmas have passed and the realization has struck that those frigid temperatures outside aren't leaving any time soon, I thought a visit to the sunny Caribbean was in order.  On tap today, the beautiful island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

We pulled into port just as the sun was inching its way over the horizon bathing the island in the soft light of dawn.  There is something magical about turquoise waters, lush green mountains and the first light of day.  I might even consider postponing my first cup of Joe to drink in the scene instead.  It's that beautiful.














Someone rich and famous lives on that hill.... I'm sure of it.





Our home away from home.



and our companionable companions.





Incoming!



The Caribbean at dawn.... magic.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Blessings to you and yours on this Christmas day.

Twas the Day Before Christmas

Santa sends his apologies.  He was unable to be here.  It is the day before Christmas and things were out of control at the North Pole.  The elves were frantic, the sled needed loading and there were a lot of lose ends to tie.  Mrs. Clause put her foot down.  It was time for Santa to hang up his swimwear and head home.

But no worries mates.  He sent someone in his stead.  Someone with little to do on this busiest of days.



Meri Kirihimete

Christmas Cheer & Where's Waldo

Originally scheduled for today was a group of photos from our recent trip.  And then I remembered that Christmas is two days away.  The Caribbean can wait; it's time for some holiday cheer.

The house is decorated inside and out.  Gifts are beginning to accumulate under the tree.  Christmas music permeates the air and hearts are light.

We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of company tomorrow afternoon.  Who knew that the strangers we met a little over one year ago on a Pennsylvania lake shore would become fast friends and agree to share their Christmas with us.  The little red cottage is the gift that keeps on giving.



And while there may not be any snow on the ground and the thermometer may be see the mid 80's today, it's Christmas just the same.

However you spend yours I hope it's merry and bright.

Souksan Van Christmas

Who's the Boss

Yesterday The Kid informed me that he has tired of the Santa thing.  He is ready for a real post.  I informed him right back that as I recall this is still my blog and all executive decisions about said blog are made by the C.E.O.   That would be....  ME.

I started this thing and I shall finish it.

Like it or not,  Santa stays.



Until the 25th.

Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Merry Mistmas

Merry Mistmas

San Juan

Memories were made, food was consumed, tropical islands were explored.  For seven delightful days we  soaked in the sights and sounds of the Caribbean.  There were a few late nights, a little dancing, a lot of music and much laughter.  Our travel companions were companionable (as usual) and we enjoyed ourselves so much that we made plans to do it all again next year.

Over the next few days I will be sharing a few of the sights from our ports of call.  First up....San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It was late in the day when we steamed into port.  Not much time for exploring before the skies darkened.  Instead we enjoyed the sunset and the view from the comfort of our balcony.  A glass of vino completed the scene and all was right with the world.














Santa was in complete agreement.

Bon Nada

Down Time

Even Santa needs some "down time."

Hyvaa Joulua!

Out to Sea

Gezur Krislinjden

Hey There Little Lady

Well hey there little lady.  Can you pull a sleigh?

Sea Day

I don't know where I am right now or what I'm doing.  But whatever it is, I'm certain I'm enjoying myself because it is a sea day.  A time for lounging, reading, relaxing, and casinoing.

In honor of the occasion I thought that you should have a sea day too.  Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and enjoy the sights.  When you're finished......











do a little lounging, reading, relaxing and casinoing of your own.

Doing The Most Good

Feliz Natal

kala Christouyenna

The View from the Top

Every once in awhile the bureaucrats get it right, the men and women sitting on tall, leather chairs in the semi-circles of small town authority.  Sadly, more often than not ambition far outweighs wisdom and common sense.  But this time, this time they got it right.



I wasn't a fan of the project.  It seemed overkill to have four lanes of traffic zipping on and off our little slice of paradise.  But as usual the powers that be turned a deaf ear and the project went forth as scheduled.  Following a year of gnarled traffic and much inconvenience for those living within a block or two of the project (that would be us), our new bridge was christened.  (On budget and ahead of schedule, how often does that happen?)





Now that I'm back on the island and enjoying life in the sun again I see the value.  No longer will traffic on and off island come to a stand still for hours on end when at 4:30 p.m. at the height of season there is a fender bender on the top of the bridge.  But more importantly, the bridge is beautiful.  The landscaping on both approaches is understated and welcoming.  And the best part of all....the walkway.  For the first time ever you can walk from one side of the bridge to the other and not fear for your life.  And someone, somewhere had the brilliant idea to strategically space benches along the walk allowing residents to sit a spell and savor the sunset.





And the view from the top, nothing short of spectacular.





One night last week our dinner guests had the bright idea that we should walk the bridge.  Since none of us had had the opportunity to experience the pleasure yet, it seemed like a good thing to do.  The hour was late, around 11:00, but we weren't to be discouraged. Okay, so maybe The Kid was discouraged but the remaining members of the party were determined.  (Our lovely daughter (in-law) was impressed.  She thinks we still have a little spunk left for our advancing years.  And number one son was concerned we might be arrested.  So glad we didn't consult him prior to the journey.)  At any rate we headed out and were completely smitten with the new structure.  The view from the top was spectacular.  (Have I mentioned that before?)  The island lights sparkled in the night sky and glistened off the water.  We didn't get hauled off to jail and enjoyed the experience so much that The Kid and I walked it the next evening to enjoy the sunset.



And the view I might add..... was spectacular.

Mele Kalikimaka

I hope I didn't miss the boat.