Thanksgiving weekend wrap up ~

This Thanksgiving was one for the record books; for the first time EVER we did not spend the holiday with either of our children. I was however blessed to have just spent 10 glorious days with them in paradise, but I did miss them...

Since I am down to one arm, my wonderful husband and his Mom took care of the cooking on Thanksgiving. It was a nice meal and although odd for me to sit back and watch all the activities, I am grateful that I have a supportive family who stepped up and took over!

The rest of the weekend was spent with various activities:

We made jerkey with our new Jerkey Cannon!! Sooo cool...

Attended the annual Dickens Faire in Old Towne with my Daughter & Sister

Made lasagna (well I helped!) The Fireguy wanted to be sure I had food when he went back to work, so we froze a bunch for later...

Today I received this lovely floral decoration from my co-workers!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

Pink Designz...

I would like to share some exciting news! A great family friend has just launched a new website and Etsy shop to showcase her amazing talent!!

Jodi was a softball pal of our daughter, Erin since they were 10-12 years old. The two ended up playing on the EGHS softball team, making memories to last a lifetime!

Jodi is now married and the stay-at-home mother to three little cherubs. Jodi is so talented and has given us all the chance to view her projects. Some of her many; blog designs, digitals kits, calendars, greetings cards and more!!!

Take a few moments and check out her website - www.pinkdesignz.com and her Etsy shop -http://www.etsy.com/shop/jodisnyder

Good luck to you Jodi!!

"Broken" Wing

I say "broken" because it is not broken actually!!!

I have been pushing through 'tennis elbow' for about a year and since all other treatments have failed, surgery was the last hope!!! Never played tennis!! The doc said that 75% of his patients with this diagnosis have never played either!!! Actual cause is definite repetitive motion; data entry, 10-key and typing...

Since this is a slow time at work I chose now for the repair. I tried preparing by practicing using only my left hand/arm for simple tasks; not so easy!!!!

Here is a list of tasks that I have found pretty difficult:

* Brushing teeth (I have since purchased a battery powered brush)

* Cutting meat during meals (thanks to my Fireguy I will not starve as he cuts my meat)

* Using scissors!!!

* Drying your hair; I'm accepting the flat look for now since this task is just impossible!

* Last but not least...blowing your own nose!! I'll be honest... there is no cure for this one! You really need both hands to be effective!!!! Anyone able to prove me wrong??? I welcome your help/comments.

I should only be in the cast for another week and begin rehabbing until the first of the year ~

My amazing family...

Thought I would share our family photo from our renewal ceremony...

We're re-Maui'd!!!!

So amazing... I loved having my family present in this island
paradise. My Fireguy and I are commited to at least another 31 years!!!

Maui Update v1

A.loooo.HA!!!

We made it!!! We are all here and well... Quick update - We are still adjusting to the time change, insert we are awake at 4AM!! Makes for great quiet time on the lanai drinking coffee and checking out the view!! Pretty sweet, right??

We spent our first day acquainting ourselves to our temporary home, shopped for food and drink and walked the beach. We visited Old Lahaina Town which is along the waterfront that has several little shops and restaurants. We popped into Bubba Gump's for a bite of nourishment and to rest our feeties...

Pool and swim time followed by naps in the sun completed our afternoon. Tommy & Lindsey met up with two old teammates of Tommy's at a location that they jump 25 feet from a rock into the ocean. Props to both of them for this YIKES!!!

Here we are waiting for the sunset (minus Lindz the photographer) ~

While we were waiting on the sunset we were treated to this amazing rainbow too! Never a dull moment here folks...

And finally... the moment we had all been waiting for...

That wrapped up yesterday... A day of life, laughter and love!!!

Check back in as I'm sure I will photos from our men folks fishing trip today!

Mahalo for reading...

What Was the First Plane Ride You Took??

Describe the trip – what was it like? Were you excited or scared?

My first plane ride was in a private airplane similar to the photo above ~ My Dad had his pilot's license and had purchased his own plane.

This goes back a few years I had to be around 12-13), but as I recall we as a family flew to The Nut Tree in Vacaville. My Dad, Mom, Sister and me took the short flight for my first plane ride.

The Nut Tree started as a fruit stand, later opening a restaurant, toy shop and the Nut Tree Railroad opened in 1952. The railroad had a quarter-mile track running through the Nut Tree orchards and gardens. When folks arrived via airplane you rode the train from the landing strip through a track running through the orchards and gardens.

I was in awe by the sights that I saw from this new vantage point! Everything seemed so small and I had a hard time locating landmarks, although my Dad was trying hard to help!!

Unfortunately, I had one more flight in a private plane, again with my Dad and my boyfriend at the time (The Fireguy) and got so incredibly sick that I never went up again!

Since then I have enjoyed several more flights on commercial planes, which I much prefer... HA!!

Goooood morning Maui!!!

We are all here safely and settling in fine!

Maui...Here I come!!!!!

I am simply beside myself... The day has finally come; a day that has been in the works for 1 1/2 - 2 years! Our dream family vacation is here!!!


By the time of this post, we should be winging our way to Oahu/Maui... Tommy & Linds are flying direct from WA to Maui while Erin, Chris, Steve & I will stop on Oahu and then meet them on Maui!!!

Keep checking in as I plan to post occasional updates or follow me on Twitter: BEAUTEA97


We have a couple of special things planned, which I cannot reveal just yet but I will be in touch!

Mahalo - Maui No Ka Oi ~