Day 7

Today was the aftermath of the storm. Windy and rainy all day. We started the day with a 4+ mile walk. We walked along the coast, through beautiful wooded forests and past a horse farm. It was raining and we had a 30 to 40 mile wind to deal with. Before we left 30-40 mile wind doesn't sound like much, but when you are in it, that is a different thing altogether. Made for a bad hair day.
Halfway though our walk we found an old World War II bunker. Really cool.

Since we were soaked and cold by the time we got back we tried to remember what people who don't like the beach do for fun. So we spent most of the rest of the day in the town of Haleiwa, walking through cute stores and mostly looking. We went to Killer Tacos for lunch, very good with tacos made from Kalua Pork. On the way back we stopped to watch the wind surfers. That was really amazing. They must have been going a hundred miles and hour. It was the perfect day for wind surfing. We finished the day reading and taking it easy. Finished my book. It was OK but nothing to write home about.

Day 6

This is the day that started out like a lion and ended like a lamb. We found a paper under our doors when we woke up telling us about the Tsunami warning. We turned on TV and heard about the earthquake and the severe warning for Hawaii. The people were scared and taking no chances. We were told it was several hours away so we decided to go to the beach and see what was up. We spent some time sitting on the rocks and walking along the coast. It was a little rough but really beautiful.

After a while the police came in 4 wheel drive and had a loudspeaker ordering everyone to get off the beach and return to their hotels. We slowly worked our way back to the hotel. Most of the staff did not come in to work so they offered everyone a half price breakfast buffet which was nice. After that everyone was told to go to the 4th, 5th or 6th floor and stay in the hallway or lobby area. They brought in water, blankets, pillows and glow sticks. Since we were staying on the 5th floor we just stayed in our room, where we could see what was going on.

Of course, I didn't want any damage, but I was hoping for a little bit of a show. All the tsunami did was cause a really low tide, followed quickly by a moderate high tide. That was it. No big deal. However the roads were still closed and the officials were afraid there could be another surge. So we had to wait several more hours for the roads to open.

When we were finally able, we took a drive around the windward side of the island. It was beautiful, very tropical and green. Nothing was open, no gas stations, no 7-11, no grocery stores. Hardly any cars on the road. Everyone took the day off. We returned to the hotel for dinner and an evening of walking around the hotel grounds before calling it a night. Could have been a lot more exciting. But few people can say they witnessed a tsunami first hand!

Day 5

Whoo Hoo!!! Today was the day! We took our first flying lesson in an ultra light glider. It was beyond description. We absolutely loved, loved, loved it! It was a little scary at first. We had to sign papers saying no matter what happened, no matter whose fault it is, you can not sue them. It also said it can result in death. Makes you stop and think, "Am I crazy?" Also it is a little scary taking off, bumpy and very fast. But we quickly became comfortable with the entire process and even began flying ourselves.

The view was of course, spectacular. We went over the mountains, up to 8,000 feet and then swooped down to the ocean. It was very cold above the clouds, but fun. We even created a rainbow in the clouds with our shadow in the middle of it. My favorite thing to do. We saw waterfalls, whales and the set of Lost. it was wonderful flying like a bird. I would love to do it again. I am the one in the pictures with my legs dangling, and Jim is usually doing the flying on his slideshow. You can see when we flew side by side.
>



After our flight we went to a soap factory the pilot told me about. Homemade soaps using Hawaiian oils and fragrances. I bought both soaps and oils. Really great stuff. Then we went to eat Haleiwa Joes( also recommended by Denise), a wonderful restaurant on the harbor with the best coconut shrimp. It was very reasonable and everything on the menu looked great. We will go back again before we leave.

The afternoon was spent on the beach where we laid out, swam and snorkled. We saw lots of fish, but the weren't very big. A good variety though.

For dinner we decided for another romantic dinner at Ola's on the beach. They had a musical group singing that were great. The music, the tropical breeze and the food were the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Day 4

Another gorgeous day in paradise. No walk today, we are going whale watching. We get up early and travel about a half hour to Haleiwa to get on a catamaran to head out for a whale watching trip. It is skippered by two young guys in holey T-Shirts and hair that doesn’t look like it has been combed in days. They love what they do. It is worth it just for the catamaran ride.

We have great luck with sighting whales. We come across about 3 pods and see many more in the distance. Our favorite was a mother, baby and escort who were very curious about us. We turned the engine off and just floated. They came closer and closer, less than 75 feet away. The entertained us for quite a while with tail wags and flipper waves. We could see them very easily. It was a great trip.


On the way home we stopped for lunch at a shrimp shack. It was called Romy’s. It was really good. We ordered the sweet and spicy. It came with shrimp and rice. The shrimp farm was right beside the shack. You had to peel them yourself and with the sauce it was messy, but worth the effort.

I was a little queasy before the whale trip so I took a Dramamine, big mistake since I never get sea sick. All it did was make me extremely tired after the trip was over. This made the afternoon nap time. I totally crashed. It did feel good.

To tired or too lazy to get dressed so we had room service tonight.

Day 3

Wow! I really love sunrises! Who knew! Started with a gigantic walk with Jim. We started along the beach, went up through a forested area with windows opening to the ocean and then the golf course. About 5 miles altogether. I didn't know I could walk so long. It is so pretty at this time of day. Quiet and peaceful. We don't see hardly any other people, it is like we are here by ourselves.

After the walk we are starving so sweaty and all we go to the Palm Terrace for breakfast. This is a restaurant on the terrace overlooking the pool and beach. I had french toast with macadamia nut butter. So delicious. I need to do this again.

We were back at the beach by 10:00 and will spend most of the day here. Snorkeling, swimming, reading, sleeping and trying not to get sunburned. If I was a millionaire this is how I would spend my entire life. I don't think it would ever get boring.

I had to leave at 2:30 because I have a spa appointment. Yeah! I am having a massage. One of my favorite things. 2 hours of pure bliss. The massage was wonderful, I think I was in a trance. So completely relaxed. I followed it with the steam room and left fully relaxed, softened and rejuvenated. Why don't I do this more often?

For dinner we went to the fancy restaurant 21 degrees. It was so good. I had fish, Jim had lamb. Again, it was out of this world. Really an elegant top notch setting with impeccable service and amazing food. Couldn't have enjoyed it more.

Went to bed with the doors open listening to the sounds of the surf.

Day 2

I love, love, love waking up to the sound of the ocean. I lift my head and the sun is just rising and I can see waves from the bed. Heavenly! First thing of the day is a long walk, along the beach. The sun is barely up, I don't think I have ever walked at this time of day. It was beautiful. I walked for over an hour. Jim went east and I went west. My walk was both along the water, by the golf course and exploring the property. Fun but worked up a hunger.

When we got back we decided we need to go on a fresh fruit run so we drove a few miles to a little stand and returned with fresh apple bananas, papaya and some weird fruit that I have no idea what it is. Also stopped at the market for water and juice. The hotel charges $3.50 for a small bottle of water, not going to pay that! On the way back we stopped at Pipeline for a while. There was a body boarding contest going on, really a big deal, some big championship tournament with the top body boarding surfers in the world competing. Kind of our version of the Olympics. Fun to watch.

After we got home (yes it is feeling like home) we changed and went to the beach. Since we start at 6:30, it is still only 10:30. We found our spot under an umbrella and this is where we will spend the day. For Jim snorkeling and swimming, for me reading and getting my feet wet. I will snorkel but not today. I love my new Kindle and love reading. It is slow reading because I keep stopping to look at the scenery. I just want to take it all in and remember it.

Once again we watched the sunset, waiting for the green flash but no green flash today. Sometimes if it is really clear in Hawaii right before the sun sets at the last minute there will be a green flash before the sun completely disappears. Not clear enough today, still a few clouds.

While waiting for the sunset we watched some surfers being towed by a jet ski out to the huge waves. There were two of them with the jet skis and it really made a difference in the rides they caught. The waves were enormous and the rides like something you would see in a movie. It was just awesome. I loved watching them in the tube. I wish I could still surf. I should never have stopped. It is sad to think of the things I could have kept doing if I would have tried a little harder. I was just so busy with babies many things took a back seat and now my balance is so bad I can hardly walk on rocks. We staying until dark, loving every minute of it.

Decided to do room service tonight and go to bed early.

Day 1

Woke up at the crack of dawn, but not to worry I packed last night and just need to shower and get dressed. Mike will be here at 7:00 to take us to the airport. I think I have everything. Can't wait to get on that plane to Hawaii. We will be staying at Turtle Bay on the North Shore, think I will like it.

Oh my, I nearly froze on the plane. Here we are heading to the tropics and it must have been 40 degrees in that plane. I had 3 of their wimpy blankets, long sleeve shirt and a sweater and was still cold! It was fantastic getting off. Warm breezes at last.

After getting the car we headed out to the North Shore and stopped by the Dole Pineapple Plantation, really just a big tourist trap, but time for a pineapple smoothie and some coconut-mac cookies. You could spend a fortune in this place, everything you can imagine from food that has pineapple somewhere in it to every trinket that could be possibly identified as Hawaiian (many made in China) is here. You also have to fight the bus loads of people from the tours, but we kind of like it.

We took our time and stopped at some of the beaches to enjoy the big surf. It was so beautiful. I feel the stress falling away.
We checked in and love it here. It is just magnicificant!

We spent the afternoon walking around, sitting on the edge of water and watching the sunset. So beautiful. I really think Hawaiian sunsets are the very best.

For Dinner we walked to a restaurant on the sand, open walls so nothing is between you and the ocean called Ola. The food was absolutely fantastic. Both of us almost licked our plates clean. We will go back there again!

I had a great Valentine Day!

One of my best Valentine Days ever! No candy, no flowers, not card, but...... Jim got me a Kindle! This is the most amazing gift ever! I am really excited and have already downloaded several books. I actually found 489,000 free books on Amazon, so now I have to be selective and pick just the right ones.

I am going to go to the bookstore and decide which titles are going to be on my top 20 list. I also love the selection at the airport. For some reason they always have the best books there. I like fast paced books so I should be able to get quite a few read while we are on vacation.

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

We had so much fun at the beach we decided to do it again. Friday was both the highest tide and also the lowest tide. The high tide was not as impressive as the other week because we didn't have any storms, so the waves were not as big as before. Still fun but not as good. However, the low tide was amazing. It was a minus 1.8 tide and it seemed like it went on forever.

We started at Sunset Cliffs and went from there to La Jolla. We walked out on the ramp by the children's cove, which is now taken over by the seals. It was fantastic with the waves crashing on the wall behind us and the seals in front of us. We stayed for quite a while and then worked our way up the coast to Carlsbad.

We took a break for brunch. We found a cafe that had great reviews, but our opinion was it was just OK, nothing special. Still after our diets, it tasted wonderful. We took our time and then it was almost low tide so we had to leave since we really came for the low tide.

Our next stop was Carlsbad where we took a long 2 mile walk along the beach. We stayed just out of the water, which required careful attention to the waves. I don't know when the beach was more beautiful. It just went on forever. After our walk in the sand, we were exhaused (at least I was) so we went to Noah's Ark and set up our chairs and took a little nap. Thought I might read, but the book was boring and I couldn't keep my eyes open.

We spent the entire day at the beach. Really a perfect day.

52 Blessings - Week 4

This week I am grateful for the rain. What a treat we have this week. It has rained almost non-stop. I love it when I crank up the heater to 80 degrees, turn on the fireplace and find a good book. Pure heaven! I love the smell after a rain, the fact all my plants are properly watered and even the sound of it hitting the skylights. I don't think there is a more beautiful sight than the earth after a rain. We went up to one of our favorite places, Twin Peaks Park, where the view is just spectacular, panoramic and 360 degree. It was so crystal clear, no smog. We could see forever.

52 Blessings - Week 3

This week I am grateful for my country. After the horrible earthquake in Hati I realize how fortunate we are to live in the United States. I so often complain about all the red tape we have to go through to get builing permits, how nasty the city is when a violation is discoved, and how much time is wasted on these things. But, without it you have crumbling cities and since we are in the heart of earthquake territory, it is reasuring to know our houses probably will still be standing in case we are hit. This has also renewed my committment to have an adequate supply of food and water and basic first aid on hand.

I am also grateful for the goodness of the American people. Whenever there is a need hearts are softened and as a nation we are willing and eager to help others. As I watch the horrible pictures I can't help but say a prayer of gratitude that my children and grandchildren are safe and sound. We are truly living in a county that has been blessed by God.

Storm Watch

This is 1 of the wettest storms we have had in years.. we need rain but is causing havoc everywhere. We have had unbelievable wind and non- stop rain.

Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Subject: Storm Watch 2010


The picture below is not for the faint hearted!
With all the news on TV lately about the sub zero weather and snow that the mid-west and east coast areas are experiencing, we shouldn't forget that Southern California has its share of crazy weather also.

I've attached a photo illustrating the damage caused to a home from a west coast storm that passed through the San Diego area a couple of hours ago. It really makes you cherish what you have, and reminds us not to take life for granted!!!

52 Blessing Project - Week 2

This week I am grateful for Relief Society. I don't think there is a better influence in the lives of women than Relief Society. We had been working for a couple of weeks for our theme and we decided it would be, "Expand Your Horizons". Mainly in 3 key areas: Increased Knowledge, Service to Others and Yourself and Spiritual Growth. If you think about it, that just about covers most of the key areas of a persons life. This is the presentation we started the lesson with. Angela made it. Turn up your speakers and enjoy!

52 Blessings Project - Week 1

Once again I am going to try to stay on top of the 52 Blessings Project. I love the idea of finding something that I am grateful for each and every week. It really is not hard since there is so many blessings in my life. I just get lazy and don't take the time to write them down. So for my first blessing - I am grateful for new beginings. I love the new year, love to put the old year behind me and start over again. I think it is extra special starting a new decade as well.

I am setting new goals, in both my business as well as my personal life. I am really excited about 2010 and think it can be a great year. I want to make it as outstanding as possible. Attitude is supose to make all the difference, if I can just maintain my attitude throughout the year it should be an exceptional year. I can hardly wait to see what it brings.

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

Friday we decided to do something we haven't taken time to do in a long time, spend a part of Friday getting away and just enjoying what San Diego has to offer. We really didn't plan on it, but we were talking about the big waves and decided to forget everything else and just go. It was a little after high tide but we went anyway. It was so much fun. A perfect beach day, overcast and foggy. It was almost like being in a cloud. The waves were still magnificant. We started at resturant row and went south all the way to Sunset Cliffs, stopping at every good spot along the way.
We had such a good time we decided to do it again at the end of the month. The last Friday in January there is a really high tide and a minus low tide, so we are going to spend the entire day at the beach. I think it will be neat to see the two extremes. I will post the photos.

Ditch Your New Years Resolution Day

Ohhhh my! Yes there is a Holiday set a side for us called
"Ditch Your New Years Resolution Day." This Holiday is always on January 17th. The reason for this holiday is so you can ditch all those resolutions that you made on New Years Eve because by now your going to know if there going to fly or not. You know.... all the ones you've already broken.

Weight Loss Blues!

We now have a family and friends biggest loser contest going. Anyone who wants can join us for the entry fee of $25.00. So Jim and I are going to be participants. We both started back on our diets on Monday. I am losing at my snails pace, but Jim is going like crazy. He is dropping so much weight it is amazing. His stomach is already flatter. How can that be? My butt is the same size. I do not think this is fair. There must be a product on the market that lets girls lose as easily as boys, but I don't want to get a hairy chest in the process.

The good news is he bought a George Foreman grill which makes really good chicken and even fish. It also doesn't mess up the stove. Send me any great recipes for dieting. But I only want them if they are great! Nothing mediocre. I get no carbs, no sugar and no dairy. I'm not sure anything good tasting exists without butter. But I am staying with it. At least until we go to Hawaii, then we'll see.

Welcome California January!

Oh, it is so gorgeous today. It is just amazing, blue skies, temperature around 76, just feels good. This is a picture my friend and old neighbor sent from Wyoming. Beautiful as it is I think I'm staying in Escondido!

Classic French Chicken in White Grape Sauce

2 TBS butter
3 or 4 bone in chicken breasts
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1/2 rib celery, finely chopped
2 oz prosciutto or country ham finely chopped
3/4 cup white grape juice
3/4 cup low salt chicken stock
3 TBSP heavy cream (at room temperature)
Chopped fresh parsley

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook it in the skillet on the skin side to brown it and render the fat from the skin about 15 min. Turn chicken over and cook on the bone side for about 5 min. Remove and save the chicken. Pour off all but 2 TBSP of the fat from the pan. Add the onion, carrot, celery, prosciutto or ham and saute until the onion is browned and the vegetables are softened, 8-10 min. Add the juice and chicken stock to the pan and stir to combine with vegetables. Put the chicken back into the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the skillet with a lid and simmer the chicken in the sauce until cooked through 20 to 25 min. Remove the chicken from the pan, turn the heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the volume of liquid by half, about 5 min. (6-7 min. for a thicker sauce). Add the cream, stir to combin and remove the pan from the heat. Pour sauce over chicken and sprinkle with the chopped parsley. Great served with mashed potatoes.

Going Back to the Place We Love!!

Jim and I are beginning to get excited! At the end of February, we are going to Hawaii for couple of weeks. We are going to stay at Turtle Bay on Oahu, one of our favorite places. I plan to spend most of my time laying by the beach and reading, drinking virgin pina coladas, and sleeping. However we are going to try something a little different this time. Check out this video to see what we are going to be doing. We're super excited!