I write this all down so I don't forget!

I have figured out that the main reason I write this blog is so I will remember everything...not so much to share it with the world...since I have about 5 followers...hahaha. When good (or bad) things happen in my life I like to think about the events and then make note of them. I never really kept a diary, but I have old calendars with notes in them and an old journal type thing that I have written in from time to time. Big celebrations, momentous occasions , disappointments,life changing moments like deaths, births, starts and finishes....that type of thing. I don't read them often...but when I do I realize how glad I am to have made the effort. And so....the blog goes on.

Today's subject....Hawaii Trip - Day Two

After a pretty good nights sleep...I woke up the way I always do when I travel...feeling like I'm in some sort of time warp. The first time I open my eyes and look around I have to remember that I'm not home in my own bed. Martha and Tony both get an early start (like John)...and while I didn't really fully wake up, I was (on some level) aware of activity. The great thing is...I didn't have to get up myself...so I stayed in bed. Later when I did get up...I literally woke up and smelled the coffee...hahah. Tony has a deluxe coffee maker, that probably costs as much as my stove....haha. It brews one cup of coffee at a time...minus the Keurig cups....; you can choose the amount of coffee you want like .5 ounces to 8 ounces. You choose the coffee strength 1-5.....pretty much a cup made just for you each and every time. Plus...Tony buys the coffee beans and roasts them himself....so it's all very fresh! Once John made a trip to the store for my half and half...I was set! (no skim milk or fat free stuff for me!)

Then we watched the sun rise

Tony worked part of the day then came home and took John and I on a walking tour around Waikiki.Our first stop was the local Elks Lodge. Tony figured out a while back that for the cost of the yearly membership, he would have access not only to the club facilities...but also a prime place to park while enjoying all the amenities of downtown.

The place has a cool,

comfortable vibe. It was great. (we were there early...before the lunch crowd) Martha enjoys the fact that it is right next door to the  more"famous" Outrigger Club...and in fact...they(The Elks) own the property that houses the Outrigger Club.

view out back

We set out on our walk with Tony leading the way

We went through the park...and stopped to pose by the statue of surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku

We past some huge Banyan trees

The palace

the government building

                                            and the statue of Queen Liliuokalani

                 *I like how people leave the leis on the various statues....kind of fun
We walked around for about two hours...1 hour up and 1 hour back....John and Tony wouldn't let me stop in any of the stores we passed....they told me to take note and I could shop on our next trip downtown. Believe me there were a lot of places I wanted to " just take a peek"....but I behaved. They did allow to go into the local ABC store....not the same as ABC here...there it's a drug store or general store. They are everywhere....and most seem to keep busy.
There were still some Christmas decorations here and there

a lot of the stores have these sand sculptures during the holidays...this is the only one we saw

We walked down past some of the hotels along the beach....all the way down to the Royal Hawaiian

....which happens to be the place where Brenna and Josh took surf lessons when they visited in February 2014.
Friday the 9th, we were heading over to Maui for events associated with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. ( pro golf tournament). Martha and Tony had rented a condo for the weekend just down the hill from the Ritz Carlton where the tournament was being held. We had some passes for the event and invitations to a big dinner/concert celebration on Friday night. Hyundai has the event every year for the golfers and their families and from what I understand it's a reward for top salesmen or employees of the company.

Hyundai also makes a donation to the Kapiolani Hospital for Women and Children every year - money towards research for childhood cancer. John and I got to join the hospital group at the event.

Martha and her staff...(note the size of the room)

We enjoyed things like the Hoisin-Marinated Beef Short Ribs With Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and (my favorite) Crab Cannelloni with Lemon Cream Sauce, and Lavender Strawberry Cobbler. Four different  Maui restaurant chefs had stations around the "room"...each one had two featured dishes. Everything was delicious. They also had entertainment...a group of four women violinists were the opening act....it's hard to describe...but they were great. They were there last year and everyone enjoyed them so much they were invited back to perform again this year. Roger Feherty (spokesman for the Golf Channel) and a couple of the Hyundai guys spoke...and then they introduced Kelly Clarkson. I can't say they I am a "fan"...I don't dislike her music...just never really listened to much of it...but she sounded great and I enjoyed it all. Decided I might have to listen to some of the songs again and maybe add one or two to my playlist.

It was not a big auditorium or stadium...so the music sounded great...it was like a private concert. The crowd all seemed to enjoy it. Apparently last year they had a "social hour" first, where the crowd could mingle with the golfers and others...this year when we arrived everyone was pretty much seated at individual tables....which meant you didn't have to look around for a seat...but it also meant that most people pretty much found a spot and stayed put...so not as much socializing was going on.*We did get there a little later than we had hoped...Martha worked that morning and then we caught an afternoon flight over to Maui. Our flight was a little delayed, then we still had to get the rental car and go check in at the condo/hotel. You never saw four people walk so fast...we checked in, told the bellman NOT to do anything with our bags and don't park the car just leave it out front,...since we had to go make a quick change and come right back.We all walked as fast as possible with all our gear. Got to the rooms...threw our stuff down and make a quick change into our "evening wear". Then we quickly walked back out to our waiting car....the staff was looking at us like "Huh??? how they get back out here so fast?" hahah (and manage to look so good...hahaha)
 It looked like they had one golfer and family at each table with the with the  Hyundai employees who were attending the event. It was all very nice....John and I were happy we got to be a part of it all.
Saturday Martha and I and her staff members were participating in a "5k Hope On Wheels" event. We were going to walk and then Hyundai was presenting Martha (the hospital) a check. More on that next time.

I'm trying to catch up

Happy New Year!!!!....and just  forget that it's January 22nd already....hahah. I've done my best to keep up with all my holiday cards, letters, thank-you notes and birthday cards- we have a lot of birthdays in December/January; but I have a nagging feeling that I've forgotten something or someone. Eventually I will straighten out my desk and find a birthday card just waiting to be sent......
Slowly my decorations have gone back into their boxes and have been put away for another year; with one or two exceptions. The odd wreath or candle ring that I have convinced myself can carry over to Valentine's Day...hahah Anyway...I am slowly cleaning up and when I do, I always think more clearly. The more clutter...the harder it is for me to get focused.
I had really wanted to have a New Year's Day party...especially since the TV networks FINALLY got smart and went back to the old routine of having College Football Bowl games...ALL DAY long on New Year's day. I have missed that the last few years! I wanted to have a party...but also realized that we are going to have a party for Brenna's birthday in February...and we were going out of town on January7th.... so it was not the best timing. Luckily for us...our friend Devon decided he was going to have a party that day.

He is a big Alabama fan in case you hadn't noticed...he had his tree decorated with packets of sugar, hounds tooth ribbon and crimson ornaments...so Brenna had to get next to it for a photo. ( after posing by the big A out front). Well...as we all know Alabama didn't make it to the final game...but they had a good year...and we had a good time at the party.
Devon had roasted a pig; and while I'm not too fond of pork...I had a few of the crispy pieces and it was pretty good. Of course there were also lots of side dishes, like homemade macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, salads, fish gumbo, chips and desserts. It was just like I would have done it...hahah

We got to test out the new corn hole set Devon got for Christmas.

After this group played,I partnered up with  another Josh...against Brenna and Josh...and we won.

It was a nice day...kids were swimming in the pool and we enjoyed the afternoon, evening out in the yard playing corn hole and paddle ball, before we sat down to watch the game. It was a nice start to 2015. I had to work on that Friday...and it was a little busy...but not terrible...and there were three of us. Most of the patrons were cheerful, so that always helps.....that and all the treats still on hand...hahaha
The week after, John and I were heading to Hawaii for a 12 day vacation. At the time we made the plans...I didn't really think about how quick it was going to come up after the holidays. I normally leave my tree up for a week or two after Christmas, but knew I wouldn't want to come back after 12 days and then have to pack it up....so I took it down the weekend after the 1st. I am like the guy in the Geico commercial....watching all the neighbors taking down decorations and putting their trees out to the curb...and calling them "Quitters!" as he drags his tree back inside...hahahah that is me! Nothing is sadder than a tree by the curb the day after Christmas! It breaks my heart every time! hahaha
anyway...I worked Monday(5th) and Tuesday (6th) and then finished up my packing for our trip.
I am not the best traveler...I get nervous thinking about the plane ride...especially the 10hr trip from Atlanta to Honolulu!....but I tried not to think about it too much...and I did get some medicine from the DR to keep me calm en route. It makes all the difference...relaxes me enough so that I am not on edge the whole time, and sometime I can even sleep!
I had my list...but still over packed....oh well...I like choices...hahahah Also...since they don't serve meals on the flights, you have to practically pack a picnic lunch. Half the carry-on bag was an assortment of snacks....I didn't want to go hungry...hahaha

We left from Melbourne airport early and had a straight through flight from Atlanta to Honolulu,,,and happily it was smooth sailing for the whole trip. John and I had great seats with a little extra leg room and no one next to us. He watched a few movies....I tried to read, did Sudoku and tried to sleep. All in all, not too bad. We arrived in Honolulu a little after 4pm; and Tony picked us up. It was nice to be back at the house.

When Martha got home from work we had pizza and salad and a celebratory glass of champagne. Martha was working the next day...but Tony got off early. He and John made a plan to go to the country club for 9 holes of golf. I decided to go ride along and enjoy the scenery.

I thought John looked a little like these birds ...hahahah

same colors

After the guys finished golfing, Martha met us for dinner. John, Tony and I made a quick change and met her for the Italian Night Buffet. Everything was pretty tasty. We talked over our plans for the next day. Martha was working half a day and then we were all heading to Maui for the next 3 days. The Hyundai Tournament of Champions was being held there as well as  a big dinner/concert for the golfers and sponsors and guests and a 5K walk Saturday morning. Hyundai donates money to the hospital every year that goes towards research for curing childhood cancer. It was going to be a great weekend...more on that later.