tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34553995306892035562024-03-04T20:10:55.934-08:00Better with a BowHow I decorate my life (both good times and not so good times). After all, isn't everything better with a bow?Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-16290161949245545422011-02-21T07:52:00.000-08:002011-02-21T08:03:20.844-08:00A Great MemorySorry no photo to go with this story but I hope you can enjoy my story and make some mental photos to go along.<br />Saturday I went to the Farmer's Market with Carla and Caden. I don't get to see them much since they moved to Austin so spending even a little time with them is a joy. Caden is growing up so fast, he must be at least five now. I love going to our market, it is always and adventure. People bring their dogs, spouses and kids too. There are always fresh goodies and I always get a treat. We had bought our treats, mine was gone already, but Caden was still working on his brownie which had started out being about the size of his hand. We were sitting at a little table and I had my nice "environment friendly" bags on the floor beside me. We had been watching this cute long haired.daschound (I know that is misspelled but the computer won't help me). This little wiener-dog was about the color of milk chocolate. (We later learned that his name was Hershey) Well this dog was cute, and his owners came to a booth near our table and we asked if we could pet the dog. The dog eventually made it under our table and came over near me (at least I thought he was coming to me near me...) Caden and I are petting this "sweet" dog when suddenly he lunged for my loaf of fresh chabatta bread that was sticking up out of my bag! I then had to engage in a tug of war with Hershey over my loaf of bread. Caden is laughing that golden laughter of a child and a beautiful memory was etched to my brain. I hope I will never forget those moments. Of course, the owner was mortified. Tried to buy me a new loaf of bread, I declined, mainly because I was still laughing so much I had to concentrate on not peeing in my pants! Then the lady came over and insisted on my taking a card for a free breakfast at their restaurant. I could not get this woman to understand what a beautiful gift her naughty dog gave me.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-91989580406724222052011-02-07T15:14:00.001-08:002011-02-07T15:16:17.511-08:00Tea Time with my Best Friend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NC1RWvzI3QhNWGVfL1hs4Fdwahis82t4HAdwvVlL96UK6oC81tzsTthPe_X3liRLcI66KDfyWJT5X9qDKfh-1Tt2jMCDC4QlsnuHsfBH4eXVR4n_pcxkC1re-snXRMlIR03yRMV9O3fL/s1600/DSC02365.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NC1RWvzI3QhNWGVfL1hs4Fdwahis82t4HAdwvVlL96UK6oC81tzsTthPe_X3liRLcI66KDfyWJT5X9qDKfh-1Tt2jMCDC4QlsnuHsfBH4eXVR4n_pcxkC1re-snXRMlIR03yRMV9O3fL/s320/DSC02365.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571090433650136978" /></a><br />I cannot think of a better thing to do-----can you?Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-88742694301909810112010-08-13T14:16:00.000-07:002010-08-13T15:30:12.579-07:00Went to my first Hindu Wedding today.I was lucky enough to be invited to help celebrate the marriage of some friends. Actually there will be two weddings. Yesterday was the bridal shower. I got my hand Henna-ed. It was really so much fun.<br />This morning (at 8:30 a.m., was the Hindu wedding and tomorrow night will be the civil ceremony at a hotel.<br />I could never do justice to describing how beautiful everyone and everything was today. The ceremony was very long but everything that is done is very symbolic (we had someone telling us what was going on. The wedding started outside, came inside to this elaborate stage, then ended in the Temple for a blessing. (Then we had a yummy lunch) This was the first time I got to wear my beautiful sari that JJ (the mother of the bride) bought for me some time back. This was a beautiful experience. /Users/marjorie/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2010/Aug 13, 2010/DSC01969.JPG<br />/Users/marjorie/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2010/Aug 13, 2010/DSC01971.jpg<br />/Users/marjorie/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2010/Aug 13, 2010/DSC01975.jpgBetter with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-80742935756660474152010-08-10T13:06:00.000-07:002010-08-10T13:31:29.181-07:00Why I need another vacation.Less than 24 hours ago I was thinking thoughts like: "I can't wait to get home; I miss Tom so much; can't wait to see the dogs, how I miss them, they are so cute and so loving and I love sitting with them etc etc" <br />Well, this is why I need another vacation and am now thinking things too strong to print here. A little steam may be coming out of my ears now.<br />Ok, so Tom picks me up at the airport. As we are slepping my luggage into the trunk he says "We may have a little problem." I am thinking that I am so glad to be home and so glad to see him how bad could a little problem be? I get in the car and ask so what is the problem. Now we are still in the airport in the drive-through filled with car exhaust. He says "Can't you tell?" I take another sniff and it hits me! He has picked me up in my car because it is the one that will hold luggage. It is also the car that will hold the pet taxi, which we use to take the dogs to and from the cleaners (aka groomers). The dogs go to the groomers on Wednesday, it is Monday. Well apparently one or both of the dogs couldn't wait till they got home and pooped in the taxi/carrier. Tom didn't notice (????????????) and so my car sat closed up in the garage, in Texas, in the heat from Wednesday until Monday with dog poop in the carrier. Get my drift?????<br />Obviously the dogs had been left at the cleaners too long, but ...<br />Obviously Tom's head (or at least his nose) had been somewhere other than the car on Wednesday...<br />Oh well, obviously I am important to the successful running of this household...<br />So, ok, next day, Tuesday.<br />I have taken pet taxi out and hosed it down, washed the towels I keep in it and am ready to take a shower to freshen up. I have a big job ahead of me unpacking and doing all of the laundry. (One side note, Tom did do some laundry while I was gone, but he left the ironing for me to do...) So I go to turn on my Ipod which keep in a docking station in the master bath. It won't come on. I investigate and find that SOMEONE has chewed the cord!!! THEN, I notice that SOMEONE has torn the shade on the door in the exercise room! Now it is obvious that the dogs have also been left in the back of the house too long too!<br />I don't know who to be mad at Tom or the dogs!<br />I need another vacation.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-46324419525171194102010-08-10T09:11:00.000-07:002010-08-10T09:14:35.272-07:00First Cruise Post or How I missed my make up mirror.While on vacation, I lined one eye with lip liner. Yep, that happened. Got one whole eye done before I realized what was happening. Somehow the color registered and I took a closer look at the pencil in my hand. Can only guess what it looked like, as I couldn't see---o b v i o u s l y!Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-50755974403833164142010-07-19T07:39:00.000-07:002010-07-19T07:44:27.843-07:00Making memories...and filling our tummies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqWtGmEg26LsP2Ywy4Tpbjsf-XqactemhcRJog_UDKe0fEpU8kMQPbuYvpVz9gLdhzXAWy3pejXEJ-pu6-EK8pEXqDbqk0hd9m3LF6fpi4pTyUXAw5cLcjdjBByHGROafhGNktdIDXehU/s1600/IMG_0169.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqWtGmEg26LsP2Ywy4Tpbjsf-XqactemhcRJog_UDKe0fEpU8kMQPbuYvpVz9gLdhzXAWy3pejXEJ-pu6-EK8pEXqDbqk0hd9m3LF6fpi4pTyUXAw5cLcjdjBByHGROafhGNktdIDXehU/s320/IMG_0169.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495628225261253234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNj6Qb-1HtMzkETfBBUi3I5UXZFpgvSoM9f8USDrtI9uiW9Z1KUSPrDZ_C7GVI7T0ZMdVTtSSOLzMohx_Rac2xyaL1Cpb1CW_pq68VoHqFOyD8t5b-RUNAsvhi9_IOcVtN31El8m17z_g0/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNj6Qb-1HtMzkETfBBUi3I5UXZFpgvSoM9f8USDrtI9uiW9Z1KUSPrDZ_C7GVI7T0ZMdVTtSSOLzMohx_Rac2xyaL1Cpb1CW_pq68VoHqFOyD8t5b-RUNAsvhi9_IOcVtN31El8m17z_g0/s320/IMG_0168.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495628213134184978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jZsmnfpjYUiX4zvGPBHrKyV8BuA8O5W8kJOl2aBmYdi9lmFFZlKOYf5_NErW2Mg4e3R0_NjVWDXq514IVheomD45zuPm9PmKSj2gB_YvREo9SdyIWXa44uqO1p8xaUQVFAH3e-nOjpOP/s1600/IMG_0167.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jZsmnfpjYUiX4zvGPBHrKyV8BuA8O5W8kJOl2aBmYdi9lmFFZlKOYf5_NErW2Mg4e3R0_NjVWDXq514IVheomD45zuPm9PmKSj2gB_YvREo9SdyIWXa44uqO1p8xaUQVFAH3e-nOjpOP/s320/IMG_0167.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495628210889806562" /></a><br />Susan, Judy and I have been trying to cram alot of fun into these last days. Here is a wonderful lunch we shared on a beautiful afternoon together. We got Judy's face and brows waxes, her ears pierced, and got some shopping in as well. We all agree that we would like to go here for lunch again before Susan leaves. We better get GOING!Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-54254571788689041902010-07-19T07:37:00.000-07:002010-07-19T07:39:28.077-07:00Sylvia got a new "do"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovHxQIaTVS-nlBQsdC3wfeEWgGIyBusg4rRueqKY01oNXg8ubyewAp8c-0cl9JGygJJA8VZkUfr8raaso8zcmrzI1zWCdHIqM8FmsM5PF0OxSdVlzp933twwV_xAZS16A-A6weaqDKQ4N/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovHxQIaTVS-nlBQsdC3wfeEWgGIyBusg4rRueqKY01oNXg8ubyewAp8c-0cl9JGygJJA8VZkUfr8raaso8zcmrzI1zWCdHIqM8FmsM5PF0OxSdVlzp933twwV_xAZS16A-A6weaqDKQ4N/s320/IMG_0158.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495626906086614834" /></a><br />Isn;t she lovely! Since Susan has been here she has been fixing Sylvia's hair and makeup. Judy provided the perfect brush and now she is more beautiful than ever.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-16261718392297962362010-05-26T08:55:00.000-07:002010-05-26T08:56:06.452-07:00the BoysJust so you know<br />Sonny is on the left and Boo is on the right!Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-48654561497202172152010-05-26T08:41:00.000-07:002010-05-26T08:49:55.693-07:00New Photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcxFqKUDxOpU1CVcJKbg4lOBTPC9pEkjUvO6PQT35ST76qWNOyDOPjXQjzFd1xk95h0WJfj7voHSwgHHGNudIYIvnlNE4VeI7_mdXQAywSn29mTjJAUQV7H7Jx1ZDktxeDA3vbg-5kflC/s1600/_MG_3532.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcxFqKUDxOpU1CVcJKbg4lOBTPC9pEkjUvO6PQT35ST76qWNOyDOPjXQjzFd1xk95h0WJfj7voHSwgHHGNudIYIvnlNE4VeI7_mdXQAywSn29mTjJAUQV7H7Jx1ZDktxeDA3vbg-5kflC/s320/_MG_3532.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475606502143887922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96P6QxFxmYlRxzYK7-HCtQzkcS-i0t-owjBclfzr6JbYfuV7YWf_gnrSD1lI0Ln1sL1ZPwhE474-rC_rKJNKyt97UTzxb5cDD7g9aXjRhvq0dig5K9PnY-oTLZrRWixxvQT0cWli0K5To/s1600/_MG_3527.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96P6QxFxmYlRxzYK7-HCtQzkcS-i0t-owjBclfzr6JbYfuV7YWf_gnrSD1lI0Ln1sL1ZPwhE474-rC_rKJNKyt97UTzxb5cDD7g9aXjRhvq0dig5K9PnY-oTLZrRWixxvQT0cWli0K5To/s320/_MG_3527.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475606499735478818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99S3h5VtpxnBmnnfMCQ1_W5wHLwD4uwUXfzh6o-W0F-cKV0krSDi3Fz1UIutbpZlg354YEk6JzACWXeUcsKvBrVQVT8kMsM8PubFMzmODlEEgsmkAA2CWw427brzZy9ICMJfWfFIB6bSd/s1600/_MG_3467.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99S3h5VtpxnBmnnfMCQ1_W5wHLwD4uwUXfzh6o-W0F-cKV0krSDi3Fz1UIutbpZlg354YEk6JzACWXeUcsKvBrVQVT8kMsM8PubFMzmODlEEgsmkAA2CWw427brzZy9ICMJfWfFIB6bSd/s320/_MG_3467.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475606481033990226" /></a><br />Now it is not entirely my fault that you are just now getting these Christmas photos. Kristen just brought them to me...she is such a good photographer! I am proud of her.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-33035828065002283632010-05-26T08:33:00.000-07:002010-05-26T08:34:30.930-07:00UpdateEvery time I open my blog, (and yes, I KNOW that is not so often) I see the photo of my poor old Brockett. Guess I need to change that photo, because my new puppies are so full of life and bring us so much happiness.<br />I will go work on that.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-19347982823037298832010-05-26T08:25:00.001-07:002010-05-26T08:32:36.807-07:00I learned something new...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlABtl13Ug5-KeG18ZxSfVewzgaVRsqJNm5lCt_jqq30agtwgyMwLQUK65rHOPLgYP6MwU6aiSTlVyMX320yT1Tfm2mQA10Uv2sv8fLoGPDHxpepQ16GBlV5P1cnYBsGkKCJbx0ZhkwZX9/s1600/Unknown.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlABtl13Ug5-KeG18ZxSfVewzgaVRsqJNm5lCt_jqq30agtwgyMwLQUK65rHOPLgYP6MwU6aiSTlVyMX320yT1Tfm2mQA10Uv2sv8fLoGPDHxpepQ16GBlV5P1cnYBsGkKCJbx0ZhkwZX9/s320/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475601956413793090" /></a><br />Did you know...<br />when you clean an ear of corn and you have all of those strings?<br />Well those silks are like little corn umbilical cords. Each silk<br />attaches to a cornel of corn. That is how each one develops<br />getting its life though the silk.<br />Isn't that cool?<br />I learned that from Walt.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-21521530943335051462010-05-09T15:26:00.000-07:002010-05-09T15:31:56.198-07:00Happy Mother's Day, the dessert was fabulous!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9gHcXgXVwKoGUmQp0SCLu09q2DNJRCZBxDcpvtXElpycRRNr3Zsz2n9B6u7qRg4xDv9S_GgYtd4HOrnl4_9itffZuUph93AHgsMk74n1x_ls5f3yhwOlLR-2kCzDgyU2XTnQKDszzgbz/s1600/DSC01563.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9gHcXgXVwKoGUmQp0SCLu09q2DNJRCZBxDcpvtXElpycRRNr3Zsz2n9B6u7qRg4xDv9S_GgYtd4HOrnl4_9itffZuUph93AHgsMk74n1x_ls5f3yhwOlLR-2kCzDgyU2XTnQKDszzgbz/s320/DSC01563.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469401665318704162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc5CA-_XeKOTx-fpCCjd2gl4zf7Eftv2yceVePHjcCN0eueF1gkOOogrE9bSu40O3ZM_gPISM8OPPgyj96DLsAaF1akcb2RL6mIyJo-ImvN9GNv1-idB6kJIqoUQea7TJar4a0Ne8dba1/s1600/DSC01561.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc5CA-_XeKOTx-fpCCjd2gl4zf7Eftv2yceVePHjcCN0eueF1gkOOogrE9bSu40O3ZM_gPISM8OPPgyj96DLsAaF1akcb2RL6mIyJo-ImvN9GNv1-idB6kJIqoUQea7TJar4a0Ne8dba1/s320/DSC01561.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469401647680978130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfpl6P1-ojxLgxuJKCcnbfU9aAjQFjA7jWJ7O1jDz8HBKUptC_LhxjrUD6rXBTb884-kP1aDVgGeikcOyC5DrYuWkeeg6lFL3T7pKYhVYk9Q6YBxWtfJ_nzr2SDofTIY0toLAGDzhe4lX/s1600/DSC01560.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfpl6P1-ojxLgxuJKCcnbfU9aAjQFjA7jWJ7O1jDz8HBKUptC_LhxjrUD6rXBTb884-kP1aDVgGeikcOyC5DrYuWkeeg6lFL3T7pKYhVYk9Q6YBxWtfJ_nzr2SDofTIY0toLAGDzhe4lX/s320/DSC01560.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469401644766750642" /></a><br />Hope all of you mothers had a great day. tom and I had lunch with one of our favorite moms (Sylvia) who Judy lent us for the day. Our lunch was good but the dessert was out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praline Cake. If you are REALLY REALĂ’Y nice I MIGHt share the recipe...Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-66015188764477852522010-04-25T14:52:00.001-07:002010-04-25T14:56:15.318-07:00Tom's first blooms 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X1WB4zALYmyi5EqPVaMXZ7GmZJcBrv1C2P3TVGAh3DsSe9e2Lz20P2TYFTVDX4MsttBUWrzgpSb-1nZ-48lvdjooCG13V2jSFdMmJxWIGmn3pSP403YQANRaTWeLNvCxsVAqDd2PGCI_/s1600/DSC01554.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X1WB4zALYmyi5EqPVaMXZ7GmZJcBrv1C2P3TVGAh3DsSe9e2Lz20P2TYFTVDX4MsttBUWrzgpSb-1nZ-48lvdjooCG13V2jSFdMmJxWIGmn3pSP403YQANRaTWeLNvCxsVAqDd2PGCI_/s320/DSC01554.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464197271469875794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlpt7FYxggTl5w5u1mJ-SHjehn9xww_nVonjnqKHDAwv4SddLnfqu1sRkovuCI9wVuwFkHYeYZ-DIC-KlaVwITgnS1YOf-TDrWOewci9QLXyx2gnUPWcE3o0v2bHT_u21VZh6i03dthw5/s1600/DSC01551.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlpt7FYxggTl5w5u1mJ-SHjehn9xww_nVonjnqKHDAwv4SddLnfqu1sRkovuCI9wVuwFkHYeYZ-DIC-KlaVwITgnS1YOf-TDrWOewci9QLXyx2gnUPWcE3o0v2bHT_u21VZh6i03dthw5/s320/DSC01551.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464197262633593106" /></a><br />Tom has been working like a madman outside. I thought he was crazy. He has been ripping up stuff that is growing well (he said it is growing too much) and has decided to put in flowers. These are his first blooms. They are happy, aren't they?Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-62305584757602472832010-04-07T08:53:00.000-07:002010-04-07T08:56:26.209-07:00Looking at the Great Grandchilden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdspnuk1CYP5p8wdIONFrTeLftsX0jKvL2YGnB7afKOKtq_34Jwnl6DDSDUtNaHEJlelXkL_aR1ImSSiRwRFw_DhJLZNWl4Q0o1n5hX3xdXcLkR2viz59pO07AIv5YozvNNDNP_koBW8n7/s1600/DSC01520.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdspnuk1CYP5p8wdIONFrTeLftsX0jKvL2YGnB7afKOKtq_34Jwnl6DDSDUtNaHEJlelXkL_aR1ImSSiRwRFw_DhJLZNWl4Q0o1n5hX3xdXcLkR2viz59pO07AIv5YozvNNDNP_koBW8n7/s320/DSC01520.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457425018585170162" /></a><br />Today is Big Grandma's 89th birthday. Brice posted great photos of his crew on his facebook and thanks to my Iphone (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE) I was able to share the photos with Sylvia. Here she is seeing them. I don't know if she is more pleased with the kids or my iphone. I wonder?Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-23000986785925556612010-03-12T09:49:00.001-08:002010-03-12T09:53:03.482-08:00Big Grandma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv0lECYn4rQEFsdNT7BjnkpJIiJdEp4Kiae0OJJ8piEM2LkIWvolcDPly7LoLPF73FAogR5BfhGp2RCnwhyaWO3mbj489d85dWkabzdQ8IV-Yw2oomeeEpRvkEGQs60r219QkQbs3p19C/s1600-h/DSC01509.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv0lECYn4rQEFsdNT7BjnkpJIiJdEp4Kiae0OJJ8piEM2LkIWvolcDPly7LoLPF73FAogR5BfhGp2RCnwhyaWO3mbj489d85dWkabzdQ8IV-Yw2oomeeEpRvkEGQs60r219QkQbs3p19C/s320/DSC01509.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447806287616643986" /></a><br />Wanted to post a photo of Sylvia so everyone could have a visual of how she is doing. Yesterday Dr Marks said she probably will stay in hospital though the weekend, however taking things day by day. They are treating the pneumonia and trying to figure out why she fell in the first place. Most likely will go to a rehab for a while. <br />I doubt she will be able to stay independently in her sweet little home again---but we all know how stubborn she can be....<br />Hope this helps to rest some worries.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-68527376131559160302010-03-09T11:13:00.000-08:002010-03-09T11:15:20.559-08:00Boo and Sonny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TjlqlEFlZz2JvMY4HkSBYVhlUS-KlTusKF9mtPVcOtu74O2dvhlpxb3AxNb6z7hDvR6kXzz8YznOxDUX6d1NGp32B2QmIJFZG5ACVXHh4Z5DuLavRJOD_vJTR-34GmeRnWkkTJWXTAUh/s1600-h/IMG_2896.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TjlqlEFlZz2JvMY4HkSBYVhlUS-KlTusKF9mtPVcOtu74O2dvhlpxb3AxNb6z7hDvR6kXzz8YznOxDUX6d1NGp32B2QmIJFZG5ACVXHh4Z5DuLavRJOD_vJTR-34GmeRnWkkTJWXTAUh/s320/IMG_2896.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446714809998226066" /></a><br />These dogs are just the sweetest things! We have the "Pack Walk" down!!!! Still having some potty training issues, but they are so much fun.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-22847054657209716732010-03-09T11:06:00.001-08:002010-03-09T11:12:29.293-08:00A New-ish Experience<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYA-75vL1__dkiOJd0TvSq_KymhBYWSPxQgrxOkBusagHp4sadFu_Gbd2_Q4v7PMjzeyvzsRJVE2GtTOvDNebUaQuaw5HQPEUtmi9f_rEzQkAodYESTPIYFtu0V-cmyFZCdzPn3-5VNS5/s1600-h/IMG_0048.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYA-75vL1__dkiOJd0TvSq_KymhBYWSPxQgrxOkBusagHp4sadFu_Gbd2_Q4v7PMjzeyvzsRJVE2GtTOvDNebUaQuaw5HQPEUtmi9f_rEzQkAodYESTPIYFtu0V-cmyFZCdzPn3-5VNS5/s320/IMG_0048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446713743037516802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqhrEpVboFjYCjdSm77CnWIHgRSx49Icpa80vE83bE-2mAp4NK3g3G1hmZHRVcvTfKu2GUvisBb6hY1UtrsTAyrfhI2cE7qjV4-vnEliyjh4jeDncmFmHbBg075f-KjVikb2Qoz1Z0fgr/s1600-h/IMG_0042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqhrEpVboFjYCjdSm77CnWIHgRSx49Icpa80vE83bE-2mAp4NK3g3G1hmZHRVcvTfKu2GUvisBb6hY1UtrsTAyrfhI2cE7qjV4-vnEliyjh4jeDncmFmHbBg075f-KjVikb2Qoz1Z0fgr/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446713734862435730" /></a><br />Well I went to Austin to see a concert with Kristen and her friend Danielle. I felt so young and hip and we had such a good time. Taking a little road trip, having lots of laughs and getting the benefit of these girl's experience was great. Last night was their 3rd concert in a row. Friday was in Oklahoma City, then Saturday in Houston (they did have off Sunday night) then last night in Austin. Tonight they will be in Dallas, the last of their wild concert going for the year. Danielle has to get up pre-dawn on Wednesday and drive back to Arkansas for an 11 a.m. class! My, what the young can do.<br />Forgot to tell you, we saw/heard John Mayer.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-19537023610635932092010-03-06T13:40:00.001-08:002010-03-13T16:22:28.196-08:00Lazy Day<br />sortta<br />Weird Day<br />for sure.<br />Tom and I just got back from Florida. (To see his dad and Mary. This is a trip that has its own special concerns, but it was totally the right thing to do and the right time to do it...)<br />But we just got back. We had to leave at the crack of dawn (before 6 a.m. Florida time), drive over an hour to get to the airport in Tampa, then catch a flight, transfer in Houston then get here. So we got her, had our Mexican food fix, then got home. Still lots of time left in the day to get stuff done---that is if you are anyone else but me. I can't get up to speed.<br />I did check my emails, caught up on the American Idol news that I missed, wrote down the 3 books I read while I was gone, and started the laundry.<br />Now I don't want to do anything except put on my p.j.s and watch t.v (or sleep until tomorrow starts)<br />Hohum.<br />Not so much of a late start gal....Tom is outside working in the yard, planting flowers, getting dirty, having fun. <br />I am being a slug...inside....<br />oh yes, worse part <br />we are home but no puppies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Our flight arrived at 11:55 a.m. and the kennel closes at noon! So it will be another whole day, until 4 p.m. tomorrow till w can get them. ugggggggggggg I miss my puppies...........<br />Do you feel my weirdness?Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-2090528164906874392010-02-17T06:20:00.000-08:002010-02-17T06:22:38.161-08:00Paradise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjX7jdU0JH23IvxrsGyVZEBnXIPjAzLUJJbcfOWNe0GfaTIQvRm5E8F7O4iHRyvAcRvwie2Eld2aUsG3bhD3Zc1bLDAw2q41hzMBYnXWUaiTuiChvejShna64LbPMXuv9Lp9jXdLzlDGr/s1600-h/IMG_0027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjX7jdU0JH23IvxrsGyVZEBnXIPjAzLUJJbcfOWNe0GfaTIQvRm5E8F7O4iHRyvAcRvwie2Eld2aUsG3bhD3Zc1bLDAw2q41hzMBYnXWUaiTuiChvejShna64LbPMXuv9Lp9jXdLzlDGr/s320/IMG_0027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439217426403824642" /></a><br />This is the view from the patio at our second hotel in Hawaii. This is where I propped my feet, read my book(s), and drank my Mai Tai.<br />What a life.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-72694609621694443582010-02-17T06:16:00.000-08:002010-02-17T06:19:35.142-08:00Evil ElfI am AFTER you, you rotten sucker!<br /><br />The Evil Elf has been "at it" at my house. I have had enough and have wagered a full fledge war against the Evil Elf. He started before we left for Hawaii by hiding the scissors with the black handles that we keep in the knife block in the kitchen. Then when I got to Hawaii, I couldn't find my cell phone charger that I KNEW I had packed. Then yesterday my pink glasses that I keep in the bathroom were gone! That creep has been busy.<br />BUT, this morning I found my glasses, so surely I am closing in on him.<br />Watch out fellow, I am on your trail!Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-32746141616327389062010-02-16T12:19:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:23:41.430-08:00Hawaii Food<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UZyb0O8kPsoswYoT1SDoJRb0NObkgXTCfirZ1M77dZgmKQc6DJs5mtLbGtEtsJ5A1vnqV6GCdf1FZHdR9Q4vrkzAM6RsfmRq6w2zp26j5rPJgSZY4Zg-nuRU-Iuat_bUsb8iRA3rm0sD/s1600-h/DSC01459.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UZyb0O8kPsoswYoT1SDoJRb0NObkgXTCfirZ1M77dZgmKQc6DJs5mtLbGtEtsJ5A1vnqV6GCdf1FZHdR9Q4vrkzAM6RsfmRq6w2zp26j5rPJgSZY4Zg-nuRU-Iuat_bUsb8iRA3rm0sD/s320/DSC01459.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438939471893445218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddyqlUzxX6kcSui_LEZxSsVdrNDJYNMuSR4VXFIQo5sH6nP-SxeH5kDKlvCJfq5lN-cC_QnqSZ5ruedN4xeMLoE_oaHYtztQG2qheTM_LZ1bmC6PV0eQFXstVRFPHdaD98_AHSo25H4jn/s1600-h/DSC01461.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddyqlUzxX6kcSui_LEZxSsVdrNDJYNMuSR4VXFIQo5sH6nP-SxeH5kDKlvCJfq5lN-cC_QnqSZ5ruedN4xeMLoE_oaHYtztQG2qheTM_LZ1bmC6PV0eQFXstVRFPHdaD98_AHSo25H4jn/s320/DSC01461.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438939464607848818" /></a><br />One word<br />WONDERFUL<br />I gained NINE pounds<br />need I say more?<br />These are photos from my favorite meal<br />cabbage salad with roasted pears wrapped in bacon <br />and vegetable wellington.<br />Yum Yum Yum<br />p.s. you would have thought I would have eaten lots of tropical fruit but the most fruit I ate was the garnish on my drinks!Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-58618321818282502902010-02-16T12:10:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:19:25.432-08:00Hawaii part Three<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhvCOJLyKDLiePkKwoa5MsdIiIDbGAnvmtMLdPIx9M1UympKxP6XiqAi_254Tpk3idqqrRMqpfdybhaPKfTRAEpDBR-zb6PaiJPQHvseBQMaRPK3gOGYcupGJaiPUUTvlffbp9I8OehHh/s1600-h/DSC01470.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhvCOJLyKDLiePkKwoa5MsdIiIDbGAnvmtMLdPIx9M1UympKxP6XiqAi_254Tpk3idqqrRMqpfdybhaPKfTRAEpDBR-zb6PaiJPQHvseBQMaRPK3gOGYcupGJaiPUUTvlffbp9I8OehHh/s320/DSC01470.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438938526167770610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFbn64xAxfmM9UddVHOFGmcNV3vRE5Vw-6aBidqGMNq8t8Tw1zEP_pjtIMTmSEIq4ylUdYpIU-B8uwFTrcCNlukY9DgdfKeZF3NkDvTQ3WkigMiltYPIUI1C51d6PE-Y45HpWM649XvBQ/s1600-h/DSC01469.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFbn64xAxfmM9UddVHOFGmcNV3vRE5Vw-6aBidqGMNq8t8Tw1zEP_pjtIMTmSEIq4ylUdYpIU-B8uwFTrcCNlukY9DgdfKeZF3NkDvTQ3WkigMiltYPIUI1C51d6PE-Y45HpWM649XvBQ/s320/DSC01469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438938521971168370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoP0ii4e4gHn29balVbrSuXbl7NxonfIr1fnILWLb3IvFEBhOOuA78e3QVYLnodF8h2hpbiS9VIlQcKnR8ZmFTZC0H_imRSygz3M2EUZD1TUH_LVKlK7ZyDeBO3moiHgAnOEqMhydz7by/s1600-h/DSC01467.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoP0ii4e4gHn29balVbrSuXbl7NxonfIr1fnILWLb3IvFEBhOOuA78e3QVYLnodF8h2hpbiS9VIlQcKnR8ZmFTZC0H_imRSygz3M2EUZD1TUH_LVKlK7ZyDeBO3moiHgAnOEqMhydz7by/s320/DSC01467.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438938517015541794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-L0i6n5hW7Z9GF7wLFkaQ52PpApamfFMe-9pgrtY8K-Ju1TRpyf6kBCv4C6wGcYuaLdX3W8m5GdFmpTDLuAwE_qnFbthZU3x1Of7lKkp7DHcx7mAmsJK5QXFqhK8glvGV_qR_NjXo_7M/s1600-h/DSC01465.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-L0i6n5hW7Z9GF7wLFkaQ52PpApamfFMe-9pgrtY8K-Ju1TRpyf6kBCv4C6wGcYuaLdX3W8m5GdFmpTDLuAwE_qnFbthZU3x1Of7lKkp7DHcx7mAmsJK5QXFqhK8glvGV_qR_NjXo_7M/s320/DSC01465.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438938505994073234" /></a><br />This is where we met up with Tom's golfing buddies and their wives. We were able to stay in the Hale Koa hotel which is usually just for military folks. (Guess the economic times has opened up the venue there for people with military sponsors) The other three buddies were all retired folks. Two of the couples have been going to Hawaii for weeks-long stays for years so they knew all of the ropes.<br />It was great to have some girl time. We did fun stuff like shopping and going out to girly lunch. Then we would all get together in the evening and have a wonderful meal. (More on the eating later.) (The girls) we went to see Doris Duke's home . Wooa, you just would have to see it to believe it. Have you ever been to Hurst Castle in California? Well imagine, similar except with all Iranian artwork.....whew! What money can buy. I have ordered the made for t.v. movie of her from the library. I saw it years ago now I need to see it again now that I have seen her real house. She was a little like Howard Hughes it seems.<br />So hear are some photos of us ladies when we went to the Doris Duke place. They gave us each a flower.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-37493645789115146332010-02-16T11:58:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:39:47.642-08:00Hawaii part Two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA9ydXU7uYIDT8OIxycWHp02VgXz3gBW1H3bGnncytDoD5NDRbQ9jnQumyqKLEAxBn4bKtOiLEH6IteGQVIE_2zSN0qBt1hFccnWWz5YZRY72FkktTcZ1oO6w1BzeCgcbhk94b_w77Urx/s1600-h/IMG_0032.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA9ydXU7uYIDT8OIxycWHp02VgXz3gBW1H3bGnncytDoD5NDRbQ9jnQumyqKLEAxBn4bKtOiLEH6IteGQVIE_2zSN0qBt1hFccnWWz5YZRY72FkktTcZ1oO6w1BzeCgcbhk94b_w77Urx/s320/IMG_0032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438943488925641858" /></a><br />Paradise.<br />From the big volcano area we drove all around the Big Island. Tom wanted to see where the big triathlon takes place. So we did lots of driving, some more hiking THEN we arrived at our second location and I was in paradise. Even driving into Kona I knew I had landed in pay-dirt! The streets were lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and beach! Now this is what Hawaii is suppose to look like! Our hotel ended up being this big high rise, almost resort type thing. It had this wonderful patio area, covered, with a pool, bar, shops, and restaurant all looking out over this (rocky) beach. I spent a great deal of time sitting on this deck, reading and waiting for 4 p.m. for happy hour to begin. My drink of choice was the Hawaiian margarita, also known as a Mai Tai. I showed great restraint waiting for 4 o'clock before ordering one.<br />By the way, it is a trip to be in a swimming pool looking out at the ocean.<br />Tom and I started going our own way more here, which is more like we do at home. He went golfing and I read, shopped, slept and lounged in Paradise. I read 5 books on the trip total.<br />We went to a few flea markets, toured a coffee farm (saw how they grow, pick and roast the stuff) I forgot to tell you, on the volcano part of the island, we went to the macadamia nut place. Bought many yummys, and spent the next 4 days finishing them off. Once again, I was a trooper. Those chocolate covered, coconut macadamia nuts goodies were heavenly! <br />So we settled in to Kona. Would walk to the "town" to get our meals and to look around. Tom bought a pair of sandals. Our last morning there we shared Pineapple upside down pancakes with macadamia nuts. Can you smell happy?<br />Ok so paradise only lasted 4 days, then we were off to part three of the trip--Oahu.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-61008464204487333692010-02-16T11:50:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:37:20.977-08:00Hawaii part One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqathEzej9OnWTisyahyNhmgErP4Mxusa3Lw9xMimnD9DUMExPxWw_1m59eNXQinDrYAY7ovT8_cnAQ5UBZ_go50HYcD0N_IoIoGrEn-FTNgscDPugyECKitTWeVbjYQcdM34O1MAcBGDW/s1600-h/IMG_0025.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqathEzej9OnWTisyahyNhmgErP4Mxusa3Lw9xMimnD9DUMExPxWw_1m59eNXQinDrYAY7ovT8_cnAQ5UBZ_go50HYcD0N_IoIoGrEn-FTNgscDPugyECKitTWeVbjYQcdM34O1MAcBGDW/s320/IMG_0025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438943154147392530" /></a><br />The Big Island. Funny name, but I didn't name it. That's where we went first. The first four days we did Volcanos. It was interesting, seeing all of the formations and results from deep inside the earth. We hiked and walked, exactly the type of vacation Tom loves! I don't have any photos to show you from this part of the trip. We had a death in the family while in Hawaii, Tom's hard drive died. He was able to get it replaced in the last third of the trip but we lost the photos I had downloaded up to that point.<br />So just imagine black rocks, all sorts, big, little, rough, smooth, tall, short, but all black. That is what lava, dried, cooled lava looks like.<br />We did go to the top of a volcano. The temperature difference was 40 degrees from bottom to top. We were there to use the big telescopes and see the stars. We did and it was ok/neat, but I was so cold. I had taken a coat and a sweater but could have used much more. Also, we had to stay up past my bedtime so this was kindda hard on me too. But I survived. such a trooper.<br />ok one little adjustment<br />I remembered I used my phone to take a few photos.<br /><br />So here is the courtyard of the first place we stayed.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3455399530689203556.post-14824901289875077342010-02-16T11:46:00.001-08:002010-02-16T11:50:26.822-08:00Hawaii<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWForu9TJbqLXr2OllK3V-UOyStnwDFDZ9o5vrq3u3qKhFOeUW_T46aGvL-YndIkGKR8vaYWevC8XuWGwtQWdW5uflvFtxfyO5W7Y9_pv4d63dCKDdeJLJW7lMr_xzBcce4frXZMfKTxo/s1600-h/DSC01503.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWForu9TJbqLXr2OllK3V-UOyStnwDFDZ9o5vrq3u3qKhFOeUW_T46aGvL-YndIkGKR8vaYWevC8XuWGwtQWdW5uflvFtxfyO5W7Y9_pv4d63dCKDdeJLJW7lMr_xzBcce4frXZMfKTxo/s320/DSC01503.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438931006978385026" /></a><br />Sound wonderful?<br />It was.<br />My close friends know I was not looking forward to this trip.<br />How can you explain a gal who has diamonds and wants<br />pearls? What-the-hey?<br />But, being the good sport I am I went and <br />put on my "happy face."<br />You know there really is something to say about the <br />"act happy and you will feel happy" thing.<br />I did and I was.<br />Try it.Better with a Bowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08815571464911530632noreply@blogger.com0