My Bad

This post is the result of being up way too early and thinking anybody even cares about half this crap.

KAUAI - Just our kind of vaca. A different beautiful beach each day. Lots of amazing Mother Earth attractions. One of my favorites was Wailua Falls. Just a short easy drive from our condo leaving plenty of time for one of those beaches later in the day. The warning sign posted at the falls was truly a no brainer. Someone must have sued at some point for them to have to post this sign. You have to be a complete moron if you choose to go beyond this fence. And what's with the bullet holes?

And there was Waimea Canyon which was just freaky. Not a big fan of heights. Struggled at a few of the "scenic overlooks."

And then there was the helicopter tour that I was never, ever, ever going on. After a few drinks one night Rick finally talked me into it with a little long distance help from my brother Bob who told me it would be "life changing." Bob has always been dramatic and the accident has only made him worse. (I say that with only love in my heart.) I wouldn't call it life changing but I am glad I did it. Once. Don't need to do it again. I just kept telling myself that thousands of people do this shit every single day. So can I.
That is my life jacket around my waist. Not a fanny pack. I don't do fanny packs. Not a good look for me! This photo was taken after the tour. We went straight to the bar from here. I sooooooo needed a drink!

We took a ton of pictures and if you really want to see them all click here. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Lauren returned to U. of I. on Easter Sunday after a week long spring break. She didn't go away for spring break, poor baby. Maybe next year. When Lauren is home I can never find my cell phone charger or my Burt's Bees lip balm. I suppose there are worse things in life but my next cell phone will not be identical to hers.

After 4 months J & J finally moved out of our basement and into their newly renovated digs. While Rick and I really love living alone and having our space back, we do miss the kids. Happy hour is a little less happy. And I was just starting to get some weight on Justin. Ozzy is certain that each time he goes down the basement stairs he will find those bad kitties. It's hysterical to watch him, nose to the ground, frantically casing the perimeter of the basement. I miss the kitties too.

We are still a nicotine free household. I have lost track of the number of days but it's since Jan. 15. I remember the date only because it's tax day. Never a good day in our house. Some days are tougher than others but we trudge along.

Off to Puerto Vallarta on Saturday. A bit uneasy leaving all the ailing parents but we think we have it covered. This is our last trip of Lauren's freshmen year. What a year. Colorado, Italy, Mexico, Kauai and Mexico again, all for fun. Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Nashville and Providence for IllinoiSkating and more fun. Time to chill at home for awhile. I know Ozzy thinks so. He had it made when we were gone and J & J were living here. Not this trip Oz. Back to Sammi coming three times a day. Ozzy loves Sammi and vice versa but Ozzy would love Sammi more if she lived with him.

In The News

Bobby Brown, the loser druggy husband, or maybe ex-husband by now, of Whitney Houston was recently arrested somewhere out east and charged with possession of a small amount of cocaine. He was found guilty at his trial and the judge actually sentenced him to be a mentor. Are you fucking kidding me? A mentor to who? I don't know about you but I think that is effed up.

Also in the Chicago news, they have taken away Drew Peterson's gun permit. Now there's a concept. Ya think?! What took them so long?

I have too many things to rant about regarding Governor Blowjobavich and not enough time. Some other day.

Anderson family news update:

• Hawaii was absolutely fabulous and I will post more about that soon, I promise.
• IllinoiSkating took 5th place at Nationals. Their best showing ever. Maybe a medal next year.
• Today is day 49 and still no cigs. Rick has been off the chew for 42 days. I've been off the meds for the last 7 days and feel great. So far we have saved $350 on cigs and chew! We're setting that dough aside for one of our sun-filled vacations. Much better spent on that.

This Could Be My Family

My friend Sue sent this to me today and I must share. Except for nobody getting one upside the head with a wooden spoon I think this could be me and my siblings. Enjoy!

Our Travels Continue

After a blissful week of sun, beaches, good food, lots of cool refreshing cocktails and some much needed "alone time" with my hubby, we are off to Providence for the Synchro Nationals. For the next 18 hours or so we will be flying from Lihue, Kauai to Providence via Honolulu and Chicago. What a bitch to have a layover in your home city. Oh the cost of being a world traveller.

I don't know a whole lot about Providence except that they have good lobsters for cheap. Is there anything else a girl needs to know? Lauren is already there preparing (along with her team) for competition on Saturday. Then it's an early flight home to the Windy City on Sunday morning. Once home I promise to blog all about our great Hawaiian Adventure.

COCK-a-doodle-doo

We had read about the wild roosters on the island of Kauai and we were told/warned of them by our timeshare, but quite honestly, you cannot believe how annoying they are! Not only do they "COCK-a-doodle-doo" in the wee hours of the morning, it goes on pretty much all day and night. I think they know exactly when your head hits the pillow then the party really starts. It is 4am now and since I got out of bed I have not heard a single rooster. As for Rick, he can sleep through anything. God bless that man. Perhaps a nap on the beach is in order today. Or by the pool. For now I'm just going to kick back, try to enjoy the wildlife and have a mimosa! Aloha!

Day 31

That's right. 31 days and no cigs. I can't even believe it myself. There are so many things that I have noticed/realized since quitting smoking.

• I can now purchase sweat pants and pajama pants without pockets.
  
• My cute little "dress" bags have much more room in them without the cigs.


• I don't smell like an ashtray anymore and neither does my car or house.


• There is more to most restaurants than just the bar area.


• My purses no longer have to have an inside pocket.


• My sense of smell is incredible.

These are just a few. Today when we fly to Kauai (woooohoooooooo!!!!!!) I won't have to rush outside to smoke while Rick waits for our luggage. And I won't have to worry about stashing my lighter before going through security. This non-smoking thing gets easier and easier. I think vacation will be a challenge. Cocktails, beach, good food. All of those things used to include my cigs. Should be interesting.

Off to Kauai then on to Providence to see IllinoiSkating whoop some ass at Nationals. And to eat some yummy lobsters. Thanks to Al and Mary Ann for the lobster recommendations!

OOPS!

After entering our subdivision (I hate calling it that because unlike most subdivisions the houses are all different and our lot sizes are quite large, ours being over 3 acres) one must travel down a big hill (like the one near Grandma's house in Jay, for the NY readers) before turning left at the bottom of the hill to get to our house. For years we have joked with the neighbors about the fact that nobody has ever run into the guy's house at the bottom of the hill when the roads are snow covered. Until a few years back when our good friend and neighbor Sue took out the guy's mailbox with her Explorer. Needless to say some good-natured teasing ensued.

Well Sue, you are no longer alone. The kids came home from work last night to inform me that there was a car stuck on the berm of this home. Turns out the car belongs to another of the neighbors. When will they learn?

I, for one, will always drive an Escalade, or the like, as long as I live here. I will also go slow down the hill in the snow!