Two weeks in the tropics - it's over.
Back to work, back home, back in the fracas.
The effects of the vacation are definitely gone.
Tuesday
Palapa #16
Choosing where to sit at the beach can be confusing, so I always pick a favorite number, today it was #16. I pulled the beach chair into the shadiest portion to protect my pearly pale pegs, draped my sarong over the headrest, pulled out my Kindle, and settled in for an hour or so of vacating. (Isn't that the verb for vacation?) After a bit, I glanced down and spied two eight-legged neighbors... One welcome, the other, not so much. Perched on the leg of the plastic table, where my umbrella drink was also perched, was a small spider.
He looked very much like the ones at home we call 'jumping spiders,' so I watched him carefully, daring him to come closer. He crept down a few inches, to the right a few inches, down a little more. I think he was trying to avoid the brisk sea breeze. Suddenly, he did indeed jump away from the table leg... Toward me! Fortunately, the sea breeze caught him, and he landed in the sand and scurried off.
I thought perhaps my other visitor would chase him down for a snack, but he was unperturbed. Wedged in between the post of the palapa and the ash can, the crab was busy watching me watch him (her?). This was not a little ghost crab or a fiddler crab, not sure what type it was, really. Slightly smaller than a Dungeness crab, I suspect he was of the tasty variety, hiding from the shore birds. Just as I was wondering how to tell where he was looking with those 'eyes-on-a-post,' he started walking. Slowly, he crept out (sideways, of course) and made a circuit of the ash can. He stopped and stared at me for a few moments, ducked under the shade of my lounge chair, then took up post again - literally. At the base of the post again... watching me with those round, black eyes.
We peacefully coexisted until the sun started creeping up on my toes, threatening to scorch them. I took my leave of my friend from Palapa #16, and dunked my grateful toes into the Caribbean, followed swiftly by the rest of me.
Ah, vacation...
He looked very much like the ones at home we call 'jumping spiders,' so I watched him carefully, daring him to come closer. He crept down a few inches, to the right a few inches, down a little more. I think he was trying to avoid the brisk sea breeze. Suddenly, he did indeed jump away from the table leg... Toward me! Fortunately, the sea breeze caught him, and he landed in the sand and scurried off.
I thought perhaps my other visitor would chase him down for a snack, but he was unperturbed. Wedged in between the post of the palapa and the ash can, the crab was busy watching me watch him (her?). This was not a little ghost crab or a fiddler crab, not sure what type it was, really. Slightly smaller than a Dungeness crab, I suspect he was of the tasty variety, hiding from the shore birds. Just as I was wondering how to tell where he was looking with those 'eyes-on-a-post,' he started walking. Slowly, he crept out (sideways, of course) and made a circuit of the ash can. He stopped and stared at me for a few moments, ducked under the shade of my lounge chair, then took up post again - literally. At the base of the post again... watching me with those round, black eyes.
We peacefully coexisted until the sun started creeping up on my toes, threatening to scorch them. I took my leave of my friend from Palapa #16, and dunked my grateful toes into the Caribbean, followed swiftly by the rest of me.
Ah, vacation...
Sunday
Don't hate me because I'm on vacation and you aren't.
It's our annual holiday in Mexico. We arrived at our fabulous resort yesterday, after driving all over Cancun trying to find Costco. (To pick up a few essentials to stock the villa.) So hilarious... Driving in circles, not sure if the Oxxo on the right is the same one we passed on the left twenty minutes earlier... Passing the Chedraui on each of the bordering streets... Finding ourselves stuck on a dead-end in a sketchy neighborhood... Getting hungry... Not arguing really, but not agreeing on which way to go either. I would love to see our track from overhead, like a gps cartoon view or something. Finally stopped at a farmacia for directions to the airport, since that was on our way out of Cancun to the resort, and we were pretty sure we could communicate that much in Spanish. The kindly gentleman used register paper to make a map of sorts, drawing stoplights and arrows. Wasn't too complicated, fortunately we only had to make one turn to get on the right road. The funniest part... You can guess... We finally found Costco!
After picking up coffee, crackers, cheese, salami, bacon, eggs, wine, etc, we headed south to Playa del Carmen. Driving through the pouring rain in the dark was not exactly the journey we had planned, but arrived safe and sound. So good to be back! The little store on premises supplied us with juice and milk to round out the sparse larder. We like to cook a little when we are here, and eat out a lot! After all, it IS vacation! Polished off the first bottle of wine and called it a night.
Spent some time on the beach this morning and enjoyed our favorite grouper sandwiches for lunch. Lazy afternoon spent sleeping off the day of travel and reviewing the resort activity schedule, then a visit to the spa to schedule massage time & pick up a pass for the gym. Finished the book I started on the airplane, and we're off to dinner at La Palapa! I'm starting to unwind :)
After picking up coffee, crackers, cheese, salami, bacon, eggs, wine, etc, we headed south to Playa del Carmen. Driving through the pouring rain in the dark was not exactly the journey we had planned, but arrived safe and sound. So good to be back! The little store on premises supplied us with juice and milk to round out the sparse larder. We like to cook a little when we are here, and eat out a lot! After all, it IS vacation! Polished off the first bottle of wine and called it a night.
Spent some time on the beach this morning and enjoyed our favorite grouper sandwiches for lunch. Lazy afternoon spent sleeping off the day of travel and reviewing the resort activity schedule, then a visit to the spa to schedule massage time & pick up a pass for the gym. Finished the book I started on the airplane, and we're off to dinner at La Palapa! I'm starting to unwind :)
Politics, Black Diamond style
We had a local candidate forum at the Lake Sawyer Community Club this week. All of the candidates for the local election came out, along with over a hundred local voters. Since I am a board member at the LSCC, I got to help with the planning, set up, and running of the meeting.
There was social time with glad-handing before the meeting got started, complete with coffee, tea & cookies. Folks greeted their neighbors and the candidates amicably, and some of the city council members whose seats were not up for election this term also came to join the group.
We had prepared four questions ahead of time and provided them to the candidates, and the Q&A proceeded at a good pace. With eight politicians answering each one, we allotted three minutes each for each topic. Then we had a few questions from the floor that were also presented, all targeted at the mayoral candidates. You can learn a lot about someone in a series of sound bites... For instance, (and of course, these are just my observations) the incumbent mayor barely looked up at the crowd or the rest of the panel when someone else was speaking, but was diligent about making eye contact when it was her turn. She gave the impression that the paperwork in front of her was filled with official business and much more important than the proceedings at the clubhouse. This was just another meeting on her calendar, another blip on the radar. Her opponent was well-prepared also, but in contrast, was constantly in touch with his eyes and face while the others spoke, allowing his expression to play around the room and show exactly what he thought of what was being said, almost in a comic way. Switching from smug to shocked to that sadly disappointed shaking of the head, he was using theatrics to communicate his opinion of the candidates. At one point he actually waved papers at the incumbent mayor and raised his voice over the issue. It seemed childish, and I was disappointed, picturing his posturing in the same manner at business meetings and during official functions.
The other candidates displayed their personalities on stage also, from seedy doofus to over-the-top slick, elderly, long-time resident to young, fresh faced newbie. They all had one thing in common- they purported to know what is best for our little community, and had answers to the big issues we are facing: How do we assimilate over 6000 new residents when the big PUD subdivision gets underway? How can we preserve the water quality of Lake Sawyer for our enjoyment and maintain the property value of those living on the water? What can be done about traffic control when there are thousands of new commuters making their way from the foothills into the cities? What are our options for preserving open spaces and how can we balance that with the need for parks and recreation services?
Our little town is going to grow - that is unavoidable. How that growth is managed will be critical to the health of our community. We have a long history of budget shortfalls, overspending, and non-responsiveness to the community. All of the residents deserve to have their voices heard, and each opinion matters. I pray for our city leaders, and hope that they will move forward as representatives of the voters here in this little slice of heaven we call Black Diamond.
There was social time with glad-handing before the meeting got started, complete with coffee, tea & cookies. Folks greeted their neighbors and the candidates amicably, and some of the city council members whose seats were not up for election this term also came to join the group.
We had prepared four questions ahead of time and provided them to the candidates, and the Q&A proceeded at a good pace. With eight politicians answering each one, we allotted three minutes each for each topic. Then we had a few questions from the floor that were also presented, all targeted at the mayoral candidates. You can learn a lot about someone in a series of sound bites... For instance, (and of course, these are just my observations) the incumbent mayor barely looked up at the crowd or the rest of the panel when someone else was speaking, but was diligent about making eye contact when it was her turn. She gave the impression that the paperwork in front of her was filled with official business and much more important than the proceedings at the clubhouse. This was just another meeting on her calendar, another blip on the radar. Her opponent was well-prepared also, but in contrast, was constantly in touch with his eyes and face while the others spoke, allowing his expression to play around the room and show exactly what he thought of what was being said, almost in a comic way. Switching from smug to shocked to that sadly disappointed shaking of the head, he was using theatrics to communicate his opinion of the candidates. At one point he actually waved papers at the incumbent mayor and raised his voice over the issue. It seemed childish, and I was disappointed, picturing his posturing in the same manner at business meetings and during official functions.
The other candidates displayed their personalities on stage also, from seedy doofus to over-the-top slick, elderly, long-time resident to young, fresh faced newbie. They all had one thing in common- they purported to know what is best for our little community, and had answers to the big issues we are facing: How do we assimilate over 6000 new residents when the big PUD subdivision gets underway? How can we preserve the water quality of Lake Sawyer for our enjoyment and maintain the property value of those living on the water? What can be done about traffic control when there are thousands of new commuters making their way from the foothills into the cities? What are our options for preserving open spaces and how can we balance that with the need for parks and recreation services?
Our little town is going to grow - that is unavoidable. How that growth is managed will be critical to the health of our community. We have a long history of budget shortfalls, overspending, and non-responsiveness to the community. All of the residents deserve to have their voices heard, and each opinion matters. I pray for our city leaders, and hope that they will move forward as representatives of the voters here in this little slice of heaven we call Black Diamond.
Thursday
Saturday Morning Thoughts
Saturday morning... We were planning to sleep in. No alarms, nothing scheduled early. Why is it always these days the cats decide to complain loudly about breakfast? It wasn't even time for our weekday mornings to start. They were up before six, scritching and mewling at the door. (Why is it that Scott can sleep through this, I wonder briefly?) so to let my hardworking hubby get a little more sack time, I struggle out of the fuzzy dream-state, don robe & slippers, and sneak downstairs with my kitties. I expected to find a empty food dish... But no!
Apparently, they were just lonely. So I grab a cup of tea and create a lap for my babies. Now they are snubbing me and just staring out the window at the paling sky. Birds are starting to chirp. ( I was going to say twitter, but that word is now taken!)
So, the thoughts in my head this morning: busy day today. Puyallup Gun show this morning, house inspection this afternoon, dinner with friends to discuss Africa trip tonight. During all this time, Erick & Liz will be continuing the empty their apartment into our garage. The sleep-over started on Wednesday night. The little house is still on track to close before the end of the month, which leaves just a bit of cleaning and a few repairs before the kids can move in.I still find it hard to believe that we are actually going through with this. It's risky enough to purchase a home in today's market, let alone one intended for rental. Then to rent it to one of our kids - and one who has proven to be less than a perfect renter in the past... This may just be a new definition of insanity.
Happy Birthday to me?
Yesterday was my birthday! Happens every year, just like clockwork... another year ticked off the list, and a fresh one to grow into. I'm starting this year ten pounds lighter (yay!) and plan to end it with at least another ten gone. This middle-aged thing seems to have settled around my middle ;)
We treat ourselves with a house cleaner coming out every other week, and yesterday was her day. I love that feeling, coming home to a sparkling home that smells fresh and clean. I was looking forward to that, especially since it was my birthday. She came, she saw, she tried... Did I mention that I now also have my son, his wife and their five- and two-year-old girls living with us? Did I also mention that my daughter-in-law is a stay home mom (in MY home for now), and also babysits another little girl who is three years old? And of course, all moms know how difficult it is to clean around the chaos that little kids create. I guess my expectations were a little too high, thinking that everyone would put out a little extra effort to keep it tidy since it was my birthday. No luck...
So, I need to focus on the positive things in life to pull myself out of the post-birthday funk I find myself wallowing in. It's a familiar feeling, unfortunately. But God is good, and the world - my world in particular - is filled with a multitude of blessings, many of them generously laid right at my feet. Like my beautiful granddaughters, and the extra time I get to spend with them while we are hosting them at our house. All I need to do is open my eyes to see the wonders that God has created for us in this world - the beauty of nature, the warmth of friendship, the love of family. I am blessed with a good job, great co-workers, wonderful clients, pleasant office, and rewarding work to do. My agile brain, quick wit, charming disposition - all gifts from my Maker. (Even my humility!) The list goes on and on.... Praise God for the ability to shift my focus from negative to positive!
We treat ourselves with a house cleaner coming out every other week, and yesterday was her day. I love that feeling, coming home to a sparkling home that smells fresh and clean. I was looking forward to that, especially since it was my birthday. She came, she saw, she tried... Did I mention that I now also have my son, his wife and their five- and two-year-old girls living with us? Did I also mention that my daughter-in-law is a stay home mom (in MY home for now), and also babysits another little girl who is three years old? And of course, all moms know how difficult it is to clean around the chaos that little kids create. I guess my expectations were a little too high, thinking that everyone would put out a little extra effort to keep it tidy since it was my birthday. No luck...
So, I need to focus on the positive things in life to pull myself out of the post-birthday funk I find myself wallowing in. It's a familiar feeling, unfortunately. But God is good, and the world - my world in particular - is filled with a multitude of blessings, many of them generously laid right at my feet. Like my beautiful granddaughters, and the extra time I get to spend with them while we are hosting them at our house. All I need to do is open my eyes to see the wonders that God has created for us in this world - the beauty of nature, the warmth of friendship, the love of family. I am blessed with a good job, great co-workers, wonderful clients, pleasant office, and rewarding work to do. My agile brain, quick wit, charming disposition - all gifts from my Maker. (Even my humility!) The list goes on and on.... Praise God for the ability to shift my focus from negative to positive!Wednesday
Continuing Insanity
So, just to continue the insanity, we had the kids go ahead and give notice at the apartment complex and start packing up their stuff. What this means is, if the house is not move-in ready by the end of October, they will be moving back in with us. (Was it only two years ago that they moved out? Yikes!) Of course, anybody who has purchased a house can tell you there are numerous things that can go wrong to delay a closing or completely derail the deal. We will try to circumvent those, of course, but need to be mindful that Erick, Liz and the little girls could end up staying with us for anywhere from two weeks to another two years! Well, probably not more than a couple months, really. Even if this deal goes sour, there are lots of cute little houses on the market in our price range right now, and it will just be a matter of choosing one in a good location in reasonably good condition. Or at least, with the price adjusted to cover all possible repairs that the place needs.
Sunday
Real Estate Magnates
Been looking for a house to buy that we can rent to the kids. All insanity aside, we really feel like this could be a good long term investment for us, and help the kids get on their feet again. I mean, as long as they are paying somebody rent, why not us?
So today we found a cute little house in Black Diamond, not too far away from us. It's in a small development where we had considered buying when they were new construction, several years ago. It's a small neighborhood of what I call matchstick houses - they are built townhouse style, but are individual homes. There are sidewalks winding between the cozy (ok, small) yards, and everyone gets a garage plus parking. When they were first being built, we could see that they were set up perfectly for a young family, and this one has three bedrooms with a bath and a half.
What set this one apart from the dozens we have looked at in the last several months is the price, condition and location. It's an amazing deal, even though it is a short sale. The price was already approved by the bank, so we're pretty sure that the offer will be approved. Then it's just a few weeks of cleaning, etc. and they can move in.
We'll sweep what happens!
So today we found a cute little house in Black Diamond, not too far away from us. It's in a small development where we had considered buying when they were new construction, several years ago. It's a small neighborhood of what I call matchstick houses - they are built townhouse style, but are individual homes. There are sidewalks winding between the cozy (ok, small) yards, and everyone gets a garage plus parking. When they were first being built, we could see that they were set up perfectly for a young family, and this one has three bedrooms with a bath and a half.
What set this one apart from the dozens we have looked at in the last several months is the price, condition and location. It's an amazing deal, even though it is a short sale. The price was already approved by the bank, so we're pretty sure that the offer will be approved. Then it's just a few weeks of cleaning, etc. and they can move in.
We'll sweep what happens!
Saturday
Progress?
Ok, so it's been over a week and not much progress. I've lost a total of one pound, and reduced my waist zilch. I guess it's going to take more commitment to really see some changes. Although last night's jambalaya was delicious, I should have stopped at one serving!
I'm finding the hardest part is to let go of those high glycemic carbs... Grains, potatoes, etc. Scott is finally willing to go along with the program starting in October. Maybe together we can triumph!
I'm finding the hardest part is to let go of those high glycemic carbs... Grains, potatoes, etc. Scott is finally willing to go along with the program starting in October. Maybe together we can triumph!
Friday
Diet?
Well, I've decided to try a new diet plan, but not totally commit to it. Is that cheating? My friend and encourager says that it's the effort that counts, and committing to changing habits. So far all I have been able to accomplish is to reduce my carb intake a little. I'm supposed to be replacing grains with greens. Sounds catchy, but I do love my grains!
So far I have lost zero pounds and zero inches off my waist. Stay tuned!
So far I have lost zero pounds and zero inches off my waist. Stay tuned!
Sunday
Time to get writing again...
Yes, after a hiatus of over a year, it's time to get back to my writing. (And just as a follow-on, 2012 was a better year than 2011.) I know there aren't many folks out there following my blog, but so what! Thanks to you who do, and if you find anything interesting, feel free to share.
Yes, 2011 was a horribly difficult year for the Sherer family. With the passing of first Walt, then Darlene, then the cancer diagnosis for Scott, we had the triple whammy. Truly though, the year was filled with blessings. We were able to spend lots of time with Scott's folks, Walt and Darlene, while Darlene struggled with her cancer. The kids and Grandkids all got to know them better and spend time feeling more connected to the family's elders. Walt's dementia turned him into a kind, gentle old grandpa, and the little ones just loved cuddling with him. The day he died, it was swift and without warning, a brief hour of suffering before the Lord welcomed him home. It will always stick in my mind how tenderly Darlene took leave of him in the hospital, after all the years of violent temper and abuse she suffered through. Such a testament to the enduring power of love and true commitment to her spouse, and the Grace that God bestows on those He loves.
Once Walt was gone, the desire to fight the cancer left too, and Darlene asked that the painful treatments stop. Forty days later, she joined him in death as she was truly joined to him in life. But before that, all of her siblings came to visit and share memories. One of the hardest things was to watch Darlene's family give her permission to give up the fight. Shortly after the funeral, we learned that grandchild #6 was on the way! Discovering Scott's cancerous thyroid lump while on vacation and the amazingly fast diagnosis, surgery and treatment seems like a whirlwind of emotions, looking back. Could have been so much worse - we know many people who have had long, drawn out treatments. Praise God this was over quickly, and the threat of recurrence is teeny. Another blessing - understanding employers who gave us the time we needed to take care of family and each other.
A little more catching up:
As I mentioned, grandchild #6, little Isys, joined the family in March 2012, bringing the count to 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson. Looks like Griffin will have to hold out a little longer for a boy cousin!
Storm, another rescue kitty, joined the family in 2012. The shelter had named her Farrah, for some reason... She was a dainty little fluff ball with amazing markings. We couldn't resist her charming smile. Storm is a fluffy ball of energy, skittish even now, but a real cuddler once she is comfortable. I call her Stormcloud Gingerpants, for short. Scott calls her Runaway, which seems to suit.
Gypsy took to mothering her right away, and the two of them love to scamper about the house raising all kinds of havoc. When they run down the upstairs hallway, it sounds like a herd of stampeding buffalo. Not sure how two little kitties can make so much noise, but obviously, it is exhausting for them - I am frequently "Catatonic" in my recliner...
So I have decided to spend less time playing meaningless games on Facebook (maybe...) and more time writing - I once had a teacher tell me never to stop writing. Thanks to all the encouragers in my life, and to God who has been so generous and kind.
Check back later!
Yes, 2011 was a horribly difficult year for the Sherer family. With the passing of first Walt, then Darlene, then the cancer diagnosis for Scott, we had the triple whammy. Truly though, the year was filled with blessings. We were able to spend lots of time with Scott's folks, Walt and Darlene, while Darlene struggled with her cancer. The kids and Grandkids all got to know them better and spend time feeling more connected to the family's elders. Walt's dementia turned him into a kind, gentle old grandpa, and the little ones just loved cuddling with him. The day he died, it was swift and without warning, a brief hour of suffering before the Lord welcomed him home. It will always stick in my mind how tenderly Darlene took leave of him in the hospital, after all the years of violent temper and abuse she suffered through. Such a testament to the enduring power of love and true commitment to her spouse, and the Grace that God bestows on those He loves.
A little more catching up:
As I mentioned, grandchild #6, little Isys, joined the family in March 2012, bringing the count to 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson. Looks like Griffin will have to hold out a little longer for a boy cousin!
So I have decided to spend less time playing meaningless games on Facebook (maybe...) and more time writing - I once had a teacher tell me never to stop writing. Thanks to all the encouragers in my life, and to God who has been so generous and kind.
Check back later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)