Day Two in NZ

One of the things I did on Sunday was go to a bilingual Mass. The mass and songs were in Samoan and English. I just love new experiences and this was cool. I think hearing it in a different language made me focus on the prayers even more and the music was very moving.
After church we had all sorts of fun, including a visit to a garden nursery. The moss was one thing that caught my eyes. I don't think I have ever seen so many different shades of green as I did in New Zealand. They tell me anything can grow there.

Loved Ones in New Zealand

These are the beautiful and loving people I visited my first week in New Zealand.

Friends and family are such a treasure.

Happy Mother's Day

Yum Yum and fun!
What a great mother's day. Great food and even better friends.
This is what the cake looked like after the first round!

Texas Tea Party

Well Tom and I had another adventure last night. We started out about 3 p.m. to head downtown. We had some problems finding a place to park, but we did (and I got my power walk in for the day). By the time we got to Alamo PLaza there was already a huge crowd so we had trouble hearing much of the Glen Beck show that was airing from the Plaza. Slowly though the evening we worked our way up to about 8 deep from the (side) stage. So for the actual Tea Party speeches we had a fair visual. It was fun. Of course I love doing things I never have done before, so that usually makes me happy. But this was like being part of something. I was alive and kicking in the 60's, but have always been part of the silent majority, so this was my first shot at mass meeting for a message. Like I said all new stuff. It was great reading the signs, some were so great, people can be so creative. There were people dressed up like some of the fore fathers, and you have to know they had to be dying in the heaving costumes. It was hot and sunny and people were packed elbow to elbow. Everyone was well behaved (some more polite that others) but it went well. I am not a fan of big crowds but I am proud of myself for sticking it out.

A Good Bye and a Hello

OK, so my trip to New Zealand starts with packing. All of the packing experts tell you to wear your heaviest, bulky clothes on the plane because it save space in your luggage. Now I knew I was going to do lots of walking/hiking in NZ and would need to take my trusty hiking boots, so I wore them on the plane. We are on the way to the airport, I am in the back seat of Walt and Judy's car and I cross my foot over a knee and notice a puncture in the side of the heel of one boot. I looked on the other side of the same shoe and saw a little separation in the sole. I felt bummed but oh well. I figured whatever air was in the sole had escaped, might not be as smooth a ride. Well by the time we got to Pheniox to change aircrafts, the entire sole from the toe to the arch of the other shoe had come loose. I was flapping as I was walking like a clown or a duck or a crazy person. I had to go into one of the little shops and beg for a rubber band to lash the sole to the shoe for the rest of the trip. As soon as I arrived in Wellington, I told Susan, "I have to go buy some shoes!." What else could I do but laugh. When we were in the shop buying shoes I was leaving a little trial of disintegrating rubber. Pretty embarrassing.
My faithful traveling shoes have been with me for about ten years and have accompanied me on so many of my adventures. I had to say farewell to them after arriving in New Zealand.

After a Wonderful Vacation...

Yep, no matter how wonderful your vacation was, you still end up with this.
p.s. It was WELL worth it...

The Red Elvises

Hello my sweet blog friends. I hope you didn't think I fell off in to cyber-space. Actually I have been too busy. I don't understand it, I am retired, I am not suppose to be so busy. Some where, some place, some one, didn't get the memo.
But, if I am honest, I am having a ball. I am so grateful for my life. Tom and I did something extra fun last week. On a Tuesday night (wow a week night!) we went with two friend to Sam's Burger Joint to see the Red Elvises You HAVE to check out their web site! They are a music group, all of the members except the drummer, are from Russia. The bill themselves as a Russian, folk, surf, rock band, but I say they are a HOOT! The members dress in animal print clothes, wild wild clothes and shoes. Their songs, which they write are in English but they are crazy crazy. It is so hard to put them into words. I laughed and laughed. One of my very favorite things to do is do something I have never done before. You know an adventure? Well this was an adventure.
I wish all of you, my friends, many fun adventures.