Jet lag

Okay, so we got back 4 days ago and my body clock is still totally messed up. Already been to bed and tried to sleep... I have been TOTALLY useless this week!

I've been working on my *LONG* TripAdvisor reports and thought I'd go ahead and post them here. These were written and posted on forums for fellow travelers to Oahu and the Big Island (hence all the prices), but they also tell what we did, albeit in a little more detail than most others would really care about. So here they are, in all their glory:

OAHU TRIP REPORT:

So it helps you to know our perspective... I'm 26, my husband's 30, no kids, more interested in great experiences than living in luxury! We're not into shopping or blowing tons of money on expensive activities. And we had a blast!

Friday 10/14... My husband Don and I arrived by Delta flight in Honolulu at around 7 pm. During the flight, we did get a hot meal, a sandwich and chips toward the end, pillows, and blankets (for those of you who are wondering). No seatback TV's on this plane... we'll fly Continental next time! My ticket was free (Delta skymiles, booked in January), Don's was $600 from Knoxville, TN.Took the Waikiki airport shuttle bus to the Queen Kapiolani, $14 for round trip ticket.No problems whatsoever with our room at the Queen. I posted a review on the room, dated 10/24 and titled "we loved it, but some people won't"... so check it out if you want more details on that.

Saturday 10/15. Beach day, since we're not officially on vacation until we've spent a full day lounging by the water! Don took surfing lessons ($35) from the guys located right by the Waikiki police station. He was successful at surfing and thought the lesson was worth the $35. Had lunch at Joe's hamburgers in the food court of the International Marketplace... spent $10 for a large coke, giant order of fries, and 1 burger. We split it, and it was enough for us... very good Hawaiian burger, I might add. Before dinner we walked around a bit... wandered into King's Village on Kaiulani... randomly found the Art in Motion gallery. Spent awhile talking with the owner, who's also the artist, Wayne Gabaylo. He's the guy who paints with spray paint and has a show several nights a week outside at King's Village. This guy was one of the friendliest, sweetest, happiest people I've ever met! Go say hi!! Don and I actually stopped by his show the next day and he came over to us like old friends, remembered our names and everything. Anyway, had Duke's at the Outrigger for dinner...was about $50 for 2 entrees, 1 cocktail, and a beer. Got there right when they opened for dinner (around 5?), had about a 5-minute wait.

Sunday 10/16. Went back to Duke's for breakfast because Mom keeps telling me I have to try it one of these days. Why did I wait so long? That was by far the best breakfast I've ever had in my entire life!! $12.95 for adults, and it's a buffet, but it's out of this world! On my plate: scrambled eggs w/melted cheese, sausage, guava bread, fresh pineapple, grapes, rice, french toast with coconut syrup, and passionfruit orange guava juice (juice included in buffet price). My husband had entirely different things on his plate, and he was very happy with his meal as well. Just go, you really won't want to miss it! After this, we caught the bus ($2 pp, one-way) to Kawaiahao Church, located downtown near Iolani Palace. This was one of the most special experiences of the trip for me... if you are a Christian used to attending church then this is a must-do. The service began at 9 am, and is conducted both in Hawaiian and English. Music is glorious, message was even better, and there's nothing like singing songs you know and hearing them in Hawaiian, too. The regulars there were extremely welcoming! We stopped in the church bookstore after the service and picked up some church cookbooks for souvenirs, $2 each. Mmmmmm... Hawaiian church ladies' favorite recipes... this little cookbook is my most treasured memento of our vacation!

Took the bus back to the Queen Kap, then called a cab to take us to Diamond Head for the hike. Cab was $10 one-way, then $1 each into the park. The stairs at the end are rough but doable. Great views and definitely worth the time. After a dip in the ocean, we didn't have much time for dinner, so we stopped back by the International Marketplace at the Mexican place in the food court, paid $16 for 2 dinners. Good portions, decent food, but SLOW service!

Finally, we had tickets for Creations: A Polynesian Journey, showing at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. We had tickets for the cocktail show, $33 each. This is a good show to attend if you really want to see good hula dancing but you don't want to shell out $60-90 dollars each and commit half a day to a luau. We enjoyed this show but for us it was the kind of thing you see once and that's enough. You have a cocktail included in the price, and they had a decent selection with standard sizes. You can also see this show and have dinner beforehand, but we didn't really want to pay $15 - $60 more (per person) for a buffet only to be squashed in a large conference-type room for 3 hours, at long tables shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, many of whom didn't speak English. We were happy to get there 20 minutes early, have our cocktails, and watch the show. I got pulled onstage by a hunky Hawaiian dancer... he was trying to teach me to hula. Were any of you there to witness that? I hope not... I'm sure I disgraced the natives!

Monday 10/17. Walked down the street (Kapahulu Ave) from our hotel, a 20 minute walk to Leonard's Bakery. Apparently this place is a local legend... is very busy, and for good reason! Had malasadas and other assorted pastries... yum.

On the walk back, we stopped at Snorkel Bob's on Kapahulu to get equipment for a day at Hanauma Bay. It was about $25 for both of us... I got the prescription lens set, and neither one of us got the cheapest stuff. You could go cheaper if you wanted to, but we didn't. Walked back to the Queen Kap to catch the 9:30 bus to Hanauma Bay... and we were standing there... and it just rolled on by, the driver giving us the "hang loose" sign. They were completely full since the bus only runs hourly to Hanauma Bay, and our hotel's the last stop in Waikiki. I was mildly concerned about that happening. Oh well, no problem... we trotted inside and whined to the bellman, who chuckled, then called us a cab that was more like a limo, for a $30 ride to the Bay. $5 each to get in. Eat before you go, take food/drinks with you, or get something at the stands at the top of the hill, because there is NOTHING at the beach area! Even the water fountain wasn't working! We brought snacks and drinks with us, but if we hadn't, we would not have been too happy. Took the bus back to our hotel.For dinner, we enjoyed the Cheesecake Factory, for our first-ever visit. Got there around 6:30 and had an hour wait. We both were in a Thai mood for some reason... I had a Thai linguini dish, and Don got a Thai steak salad. His bowl of food was about the size of our sleeping cat. It was huge! For 2 huge dinners, 2 waters, and a slice of cheesecake, our meal was $37 (not including tip).

Tuesday 10/18. Up early to catch the 6:15 bus to Pearl Harbor. Got there at 7:30, already a huge line but it moved quickly. We were at the front of the line by 7:50 am, and beginning our tour by 8:45 am. Worked out perfectly because we had just enough time to explore the grounds and check out the museum. We had lunch in the mess hall area by the Bowfin, ate at Aloha Pizza (giant slice of pizza with drink for $6 each). Checked out the Bowfin, $10 each. We were done in time to catch the bus at 11:50 am to go to Iolani Palace for our 12:45 tour. I loved the Palace... if you have any interest with Hawaiian history, then you won't regret going. It was sad but beautiful. Must make reservations for the grand tour, $20 each which we thought was fair. From there, we walked to Chinatown. It was around 3 pm when we got there, which is when the shopkeepers are beginning to clean up the day's market mess, but it was still fun. Bought an orchid lei for $3, stopped by a Chinese pastry shop for lots of little delicacies for under $10. Took the bus back the hotel.

Wednesday 10/19. Off to the Big Island!

Random notes:

- Prices were a bit more expensive than what I'm used to paying in Tennessee, but we never really felt gouged. That was nice.

- Pack a small carry-on suitcase full of snacks, pop-tarts, candy, etc. Bring a cheap pitcher and some Kool-Aid or other drink mix, and pack a few water bottles to drink then re-use. If you bring these plus a small fabric cooler with ice packs, you can pack drinks and snacks for the beach, or have breakfast on the run, and save MUCHO moolah! Plus, it's just convenient. When you're hungry or thirsty, you don't have to keep stopping or leaving the room to buy stuff... you already have it. After you eat all of the food, you have an empty suitcase to fill with souvenirs!

- Zip-loc bags are highly overrated. They don't hold sand very well. They also don't hold more important things, like a driver's license, a credit card, a room key, or $40, should you put those things in a Zip-loc bag. Even a Zip-loc bag in a Velcro pocket in a man's swimming trunks. Really.

- Should one's ID and other assorted personal effects decide to go swimming in the Pacific, the guys at the Waikiki police station are really nice and helpful.

- Should a person fret about not being able to get onto a plane with no ID, have no fear. Just take your copy of the report from the nice aforementioned police officers, show it to the ticket agents and TSA, and you can still get home.

- If you want to ride the bus to Hanauma Bay, catch it on the WEST side of Waikiki!

- Go on Budget Travel magazine's website, and print out one of their Honolulu snap guides. It's brand new, and has lots of useful address, phone numbers, and other info!

- I realized as I was on the bus to Pearl Harbor that I'd forgotten to schedule my airport shuttle pickup to leave for the airport for the next morning. Didn't have the phone number, didn't have my phone either... oops. When we got to Pearl Harbor, I saw some empty Roberts Hawaii buses and a bus driver hanging out, waiting for his people to get back. I went up to him, gave him my best smile, and asked him for the Roberts main phone number so I could call from somewhere and schedule my pickup. He whipped out his cell phone, called a buddy at the Roberts office, and set it up for me, right there in the parking lot! The van arrived at our hotel promptly at 5 am the next morning, with a smiling driver who presented me with an orchid. Now THAT'S service!

Hope this was useful... I took notes as I went along. Check out my other report on the Big Island... hope to have it posted by tomorrow! Thank you all SO MUCH for your help in making this trip the best ever, and let me know if I can help you!


BIG ISLAND TRIP REPORT:

Wednesday 10/19 - arrived in Hilo via Aloha Airlines at 8:30 am ($158 each, round-trip). Rented a full-size car (a Sebring) through Expedia at Dollar Rent-a-Car for $32.99/day. I have seen prices all over the board for cars, but I think we did OK. Stopped by the Hilo Farmer's Market to gawk at the fruits and crafts and stuff. Mmmmm... fresh pineapple for $2.50! I was expecting a bigger market for some reason, but it was mighty fun anyway and worth a stop to meet some locals and pick up some of the freshest fruit out there. After this we headed for Volcanoes Nat'l Park and did not stop again until we got there. $10/vehicle for a week's pass, and make sure you don't lose the receipt if you plan on going back into the park!! Did the Crater Rim drive and pulled off at the usual suspects (visitors' center, steam vents, fault, etc.). After lunch we hiked the devastation trail, Thurston Lava Tube, and marveled at all of the people in tour buses and vans who rarely got to get out and actually see anything up close.

For lunch, we ventured into Volcano Village and stopped at the Lava Rock Cafe. We DO NOT RECOMMEND this place as it was our worst dining experience in all of Hawaii. Here are a few examples why: we never had the same person come to our table twice, I got to sit and watch my husband eat for nearly 10 minutes before my meal came out, no one ever came back to our table to see if we needed anything after I finally got my meal (with no apology, BTW), never got refills, never offered dessert, had to get up and find our own napkins, had to get up and chase down our bill, and the food wasn't all that great (2 very bland plate lunches for $18). The service was literally nonexistent. I can make allowances for a server who's new or if the place is packed, but it was 2:30 pm on a Wednesday, there were about 10 customers in the restaurant, and 5 employees piddling around near the bar and register. It apparently is the standard "work ethic" at that restaurant, and as long as there are tourists they'll still have business so why work hard? But don't waste your time too...the Lava Rock Cafe really was THAT bad. I just wish someone had told us!

After our day at the Park, we drove about 45 minutes south to Waiohinu for our first of 2 nights at the South Point Banyan Tree House. Since I couldn't find an area to review this elsewhere on TripAdvisor, I'll discuss it here. It is built up into a banyan tree, sorta like a airy tropical studio apartment with one big room featuring a bed, sofa with TV/satellite/VCR, a fully equipped kitchen, large bathroom, balcony with an outside table for 2, and a private hot tub. The roof is partially translucent so you can see up into the tree while you're laying in bed. This place is just right for couples, and the owner, Greg (super nice, by the way) is a great help if you have any questions about things to do. He thought of everything to make it homey! There was a bottle of wine waiting for us, fresh fruit on the counter, juice, beer, and watermelon in the fridge, a stash of toiletries in the bathroom in case we forgot something, a closet full of movies and CD's, Hawaii books and magazines to read, and beach towels, floats, etc. Plus a cabinet full of condiments, which was useful. We loved to come home to the hot tub at night, and to wake up to birds chirping in the morning. We only paid $150/night, but since we made our reservation, it's gone up to $165. Still, it's a pretty good deal. The only negative we saw about this property was that it was right next to Hwy 11, so if you're an extremely light sleeper then you might not be too happy about that (but then again, there are earplugs next to the bed for that purpose).

Thursday 10/20 - Back to Volcanoes Park for more exploring. Spent quite a bit of time meandering along the Kilauea Iki Trail. This is a 4-mile loop that takes you down and across a volcanic crater, and we really enjoyed this hike! The park's hiking guide said this was a moderate to challenging hike. I thought the only moderately difficult part was climbing back up out of the crater, but then again, I hike all the time in the Smokies so I might not be the best judge of this! We took our time in the crater. One fun thing we did was pack MRE's and cook them in one of the steam vents. I enjoyed hot spaghetti and the hubby got an enchilada, and we both got some weird looks from passers-by, but hey, we were having fun!! It was a great hike... so otherworldly down there. After this we drove down Chain of Craters Rd to see about the lava flow. All we could see was steam plumes since the lava was flowing in underground tubes, but the drive down to the sea was beautiful! On our way back to the treehouse, we stopped by the Punaluu black sand beach. Was a small beach, nothing amazing, but we did see a sea turtle.

Friday 10/21 - North on Highway 11, stopped by Place of Refuge park ($5/vehicle). Seeing this only took about an hour, but it was interesting and a worthy stop. It is sacred to the native Hawaiians and I could understand why after learning some of the history. Headed on to Kona to pick up gear at Snorkel Bob's (about $25 for 2 snorkel sets, including one that had prescription lenses), then had lunch next door at Huggo's ($25 for 2 meals). It was good, but not spectacular... nice waterfront dining, though. Get there at 11:30 am when they open to get a good table! We then spent the afternoon at Kahaluu Beach Park. The beach itself wasn't that beautiful or impressive, but underwater... WOW!! It knocks Hanauma Bay off the map! We swam in the midst of large schools of fish, with so many different varieties, with sea turtles swimming by very close, beautiful bright coral. Another great thing was that the water was calm and shallow. Plus, there are bathrooms and concessions available for those with large stomachs or small bladders.

On this night, we drove back down south to Captain Cook to stay at the Manago Hotel. We decided not to stay in Kona since I couldn't find anything that really interested me enough for the price, but that was fine since Captain Cook really wasn't that far, and was a pleasant drive. I have already posted a review about the Manago, but I'll briefly say here that it was a lot of fun and our favorite place that we stayed on our entire trip just because it was so different! If you're adventurous and want to experience old Hawaii, and you don't mind a no frills environment, then this is the hotel for you. Get one of the Japanese rooms! ($70/night)

We enjoyed both dinner and breakfast the next morning at the Manago. (The restaurant closes at 7:30 pm and reopens at 7 am for breakfast, keep that in mind.) We had heard that the restaurant was a local favorite and we now know why. I think we were the only tourists in there... we watched a Hawaiian guy working the room, he knew someone at every table except ours! The food was home cookin', Hawaiian style, very tasty, and cheap! $8.75 for giant pork chops and several side dishes, served family style. $5 for breakfast including eggs, breakfast meat, rice or toast, papaya or juice, and coffee. Great food and great prices!

Saturday 10/22 - After that terrific breakfast, we settled in for a long drive up the coast, stopping once at Hapuna Beach just to check it out. It is indeed pretty, but we weren't in the mood to swim... off to Pololu Valley! Pololu was definitely out of the way, but it was, for my husband, the highlight of our entire trip! I don't think we've ever seen so much beauty anywhere! You can stop at the lookout and take pictures, or you can also hike down a switchback trail to the ocean (a 15-20 minute walk if you're in shape). We hiked down and just gawked. If you go, check out the hills parallel to the beach... there's a rope swing up there! And don't plan on swimming... the surf is crazy! I got in up to my ankles and was nervous. After we wistfully left Pololu, we stopped in Hawi on the way back out and grabbed hot dogs and shave ices at Lolo's, a stand on the corner of Hwys 270 and 250. Spent $12 for 2 hot dogs and 2 shave ices, but everything was excellent! We're glad we took Hwy 250 to Waimea, what a gorgeous drive!! Waaaaaay up in the mountains, with more beautiful views. When we got to Waimea, we intended to stop at Cook's Discoveries and and Waimea General Store, but we drove thru town twice and couldn't find either one. Oh well.
We then stopped at Waipio Valley, and while it was pretty, but we thought it had nothing on Pololu. Just our humble opinion, though. If you're hungry in Waipio, Honokoaa has a few places to eat. We got a pizza at Cafe Il Mondo on the main drag, and it was really good. But please note this: order your pizza TO GO!! If you eat inside the restaurant, they will only sell you a small for $13/each. But if you order it to go, you can order mediums and larges. We got our medium for $16, which was just right for the two of us. Isn't it goofy that you have to do that? Guess they need to make their money somehow! On this night, we stayed in Hilo at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls ($109/night). We had an odd experience there. Most people would probably really enjoy it, but we can't really give a favorable nor negative opinion on it. I posted a long review about the Inn which should be up anytime now, so check it out if you want the details.

Sunday 10/23 - Our last day on the Big Island, and it was pouring! Surprise! We wore our rain jackets but got drenched anyway. Shopped at Hilo Hattie for chocolate macadamia nuts and all those other souvenirs that we didn't want to melt or break if we'd bought them sooner. Saw Akaka Falls, which is hard to view through the rainy fog, but we weren't the only crazy people there traipsing through the downpour! Drove through the 4-mile scenic route near Hilo, and through the Liliuokalani gardens on Banyan Drive. Our last stop was the Kuhio Grille in Hilo, located behind the mall. It appeared to be mainly a local haunt. Lunch was under $20 for both of us, and it was OK. Lots of local specialties on the menu.

Random notes:

- We used the Frommers Hawaii 2005 guidebook extensively, and it served us very well! Even though I did lots of research on the Net, that got to be overwhelming at times, and this book helped me to narrow things down. Every place we stayed on the Big Isle was one we found only through that book. Likewise, most of the places we ate, I found them after the fact in the book, and it turns out I actually agreed with most of the recommendations. It was indispensable, especially for the maps!

- Ladies, if you're going hiking off the sidewalk, spare yourself the misery and change out of your gold jeweled flip-flops with kitten heels! And we actually talked to a 40-something couple pretty far out on the Kilauea Iki trail who had on flipflops, no water, no backpack, with no map, and no idea where they were going. I am curious if they made it out alive, but shame on me, I didn't stick around to find out.

- Rental car agencies always try to rip you off with their "prepay for your return tank of gas" offer. They try to get you to buy an entire full tank of gas at "their" price which they say is lower, so that supposedly saves you from the inconvenience of having to fill it up before you bring the car back. We found much lower prices the same day than what the agency quoted... plus, what are the odds that the car will be completely out of gas when you bring it back? Not only do you pay more, but you're also paying for gas twice. Unless money's no object to you, you will more than likely come out a loser with that "deal".

- We saw a cruise ship anchored out in the middle of the Hilo harbor... apparently they couldn't dock at all because of the rough water during Sunday's storm, according to the employees at Hilo Hattie who were expecting them. Ugh. Tough luck for those cruisers! I guess the moral here is to make sure that whatever shore excursions you book have a workable cancellation policy!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone here who helped me plan our trip!

If I can clarify anything for you, I would be more than happy to.

THE END

From paradise to...

Post-vacation life adjustment is a killer, let me tell you!! Coming off the experience of nine totally amazing days in Hawaii, back to home where it's currently 40 degrees, our furnace isn't working, we're suffering from major jet lag, and we're broke, well... we're a bit wistful at the moment.

I had the time of my life and am SO GLAD that we splurged on ourselves and took this trip. Having spent so much time working in nursing homes, I've learned from other people how important it is to have fun while you're young, because you can't count on being healthy if you wait until you retire. So carpe diem we did! We hiked through volcanic craters, swam with sea turtles, snorkeled through schools of exotic fish, saw the most beautiful sunset ever from Waikiki beach, bathed in a Japanese furo tub, slept in a treehouse, kissed in the jungle during a rainstorm, and worshipped in a Hawaiian church. And that's just the beginning! I'll be working on some reviews that I'll post on TripAdvisor (my favorite website), so I'll copy them to the blog, too.

I have so much to process from this trip. So much that it will probably be annoying, but why not expound on something good, for a change? My best vacations are the ones that challenge me, push me a bit out of my comfort zone, and teach me more about the world. And this one did all three, and I thrive on that! I feel totally refreshed, like new life has been breathed into me, and strong again, like I can tackle anything.

Counting down the minutes!

I'm all packed! We leave for Hawaii tomorrow morning. I can't believe it's finally here! For the last nine months I've been spending a lot of my free time researching cool stuff to do for our trip. Let's hope it all pays off!

I LOVE living in Tennessee! It's mid-October, 80 degrees, and sunny! And we only get a good snow every few years, which is just the way I like it.

Off to paradise!

Blessed

For all the complaining that I did yesterday, God was more than gracious in reminding me today of how much He has given me. Funny how a good night's sleep and good prayer can clear a confused mind. For one thing, I can't BELIEVE I ever expressed any discontent about my home! I have always loved this place... yes, it's small and not luxurious compared to what I saw yesterday, but it's cozy and comfortable and MINE, because God so generously gave. I thought about that today as I opened the windows to let in the light and the breeze, as I marveled at the begonias in the flowerboxes (the flowers that I haven't managed to kill yet), as I baked a pie this afternoon in the kitchen I fell in love with the first time I walked into this house, as I napped in the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.

I thought about Him again... as I watched my sweet elderly neighbor struggling to make it up the stairs into his house, as I opened the surprise no-real-reason gift that our Aunt Joanie sent to us today, as I observed Don fighting the hiccups while I'm laughing hysterically watching him trying to drink water upside-down, as I discussed my dreams with my mom over the phone, as my cat wrestled with her toy mouse and I'm giggling because she looks so stupid.

He gave this to me. GAVE it. Every gift, every little bit of joy in my life is there because my Father loves me.

I am rich, indeed.

What I don't have

Don and I went on the City People tour through downtown today, which is when people in different buildings open their loft apartments to allow hundreds of total strangers to traipse through and be nosy. It was actually kind of fascinating and gave me a renewed appreciation for downtown Knoxville. These lofts I was seeing reminded me of DC, not Tennessee... I never really considered how cool urban living actually was, even in our town. However, I didn't expect to walk away feeling so... poor. And unsophisticated. There we were in these beautiful, art-filled spaces, with style I could never come close to and money spent that I wouldn't know what to do with. And some of these people were around my age! Where are they getting all of this money?!?

Today was the first time in a LONG time that I have felt more than a twinge of jealousy, along with some insecurity thrown in. I'm disappointed with myself for even feeling that, but at least I'm honest. Today took me to a world that I'm fairly isolated from now that I've left the singles scene, that strange life where I always had friends over at my place, where I was always looking to meet glamorous people like the ones I met today, when I always had to have my hair highlighted and my nails done and trendy clothes in hopes of catching some guy's eye (and looking better than the other girls I was with... let's face it, we dress to outdo each other). What was sad, though, is that I enjoyed that life while I was in it. Does that make me shallow? Today reminded me that I've changed so much, and I'm not sure exactly why. Maybe I've lowered my standards, or maybe I've just grown up. I have a rather plain house. I don't work out as much and I rarely treat myself to new clothes. I quit my job and have stopped worrying about impressing everyone back in my hometown. I stay home more now than I ever thought I would. And my hair and nails? Yeah, like I'm going to blow money on that!

I KNOW in my heart that all of those material things don't, or shouldn't, matter. I KNOW that I have been blessed by God beyond what I deserve. I have found ways of dealing with this temptation before. This may sound crazy, but I consciously forbid myself to read Cosmo magazine and kill time at West Town mall simply because I haven't liked what they did to my spirit. It all made me feel like I don't have enough nice things, and that my job must suck because I don't make enough to buy the things I want. Then I would be discontent and miserable. I know that those feelings are not of God. He tells us not to worry, that He'll always provide, and He does. I guess this is just the first time I've had to deal with this struggle in awhile. And, I'm having to face that my life isn't where I thought it would be five years ago. I'm not sure how to process all of this... if my feelings of restlessness are a positive force meant to inspire me to push myself harder in my career, or if Satan's trying to plant seeds of doubt in my mind about God's goodness. I don't know. All I know to do is to turn it over to my ever-patient God.

Yom what?

It looks like things are rolling right along with Ida. The lawyer's drawing up the papers and should have them done by the beginning of next week. I have to take her to the eye doctor on Monday (LOADS of fun!). Last night at McKay's, I bought "Judaism for Beginners". This Baptist doesn't know much about Jewish culture, but for Ida's sake I'm thinking I better learn what Yom Kippur is since it's coming up on Thursday!

Yesterday, I kept a 2 year old, and on Wednesday I watched a 3 year old and a baby. HOW do people do this?!? These kids wore me out! I mean, maybe it'll be easier when they're actually mine because I won't worry about having to answer to somebody if they break something or get a bruise. But sometimes I worry that I'm too selfish to be a good mom. Don and I aren't in any hurry to have any, obviously.

Don met some people when he was volunteering with the Red Cross, and we may be going mini-golfing with them tonight. They were evacuated from New Orleans and were living in the shelter until it was closed, and now they're living out of an extended-stay hotel in west Knoxville. They've had a pretty rough time from what I hear. I'm really looking forward to meeting them.

Guess I'd better go start packing... only 6 days until we leave!

A desperate housewife

Ugh. My days have fallen into a predictable pattern. Eat cereal and read the paper. 3 laps around the Adair greenway, then to tan. Shower, then clean the house or work on a project. Fix dinner. Make some phone calls. Back to bed.

I need a job!

On a slightly more interesting note, I'm going to see a lawyer on Thursday to draw up power-of-attorney paperwork for one of my former residents. Ida asked me to take over her affairs for her; she has a son who's in a mental institution in Michigan, and the other one's dead. No grandkids, no nieces, nobody. She really breaks my heart. She used to be drop-dead gorgeous, and a successful attorney in Chicago to boot... apparently she and her husband used to be "high society" in their day, and I don't know what happened but somehow they lost everything. Now she's stuck in a nursing home with nothing at all to her name and no one to love her. Ida has an extremely sharp wit for an almost 93-year-old woman... it is obvious that her intellect has not totally abandoned her. Sometimes I'm not sure if that's a blessing or a curse since she is so aware of her losses in life. Her daily life is what most of us would consider to be a nightmare. I guess I shouldn't really be complaining about anything because even in my wandering, I still have more to be thankful for than Ida does at this moment. We'll see how this all plays out.

Misplaced priorities

I never would've thought that a chiropractor could make such a difference, but I am such a believer now! The first time I went was in August after my back injury (I will never get on one of those amusement park slides again!), and I quit going for awhile because my insurance ended, but my neck's been killing me so I went back and just paid cash for it. Today was my first time getting adjusted in over a month, and I'm not hurting at all today, got more energy than I've had in weeks! It was sorta scary the first time I got adjusted, though. He grabbed hold of my neck and threw my head in this impossible angle until the whole thing creaked. Now I wish that Don knew how to do it.

Still not working, but we're leaving for vacation next Friday so I'm not going to worry too much about a job until I get back. I'd just like a little something to do to make a bit of money before I go, but I'm overqualified for what little I've applied for, and no one wants me, of course. I'm pretty sure that I smell more schooling in my future if I want to get anywhere in this career change.

I am SO ready to go to Hawaii; I am practically bouncing off the walls! We still have over a week but it really can't get here soon enough for me. Don's excited, but he's never been so he's not as bad as me since he doesn't know what he's missing. We're spending half our time in Waikiki and the other half traveling around the Big Island. I've been trying to plan our trip so that it won't be a repeat of my last trip 3 years ago, even though I would happily do it all over again. Like biking down Haleakala and parasailing in Kaanapali... those were a blast but I want to do something else now; maybe we'll go back sometime and I'll get to share those experiences with Don. We have so many places we want to go that we'll probably be grandparents before we make it around to Hawaii again!

We had a pretty good weekend. On Friday night, we ended up at Krispy Kreme, so obviously I was very happy about that! Saturday afternoon, we went for another walk and ended up hanging out on Big John and Betty's porch again for about an hour (they are so hilarious!). I guess we didn't really do a whole lot that was too exciting, but that's okay. It's funny how much things change once you get married. (I'm still trying to get used to it... maybe I never will, who knows?) I used to be soooooo busy, always going out, meeting up with friends, going to shows and the newest restaurants and on road trips. Then my friends started getting married, and I met Don and changed jobs and bought my house, all in less than a year, and somewhere along the way I settled down a bit without even realizing it. It's nice, though... I guess it's a good thing I'm happy because I couldn't afford to spend the time or the money doing all of that stuff now! We do get out, but (upcoming vacation excluded!) what we do isn't as lavish as what I was doing a few years ago. Dinner and play tickets don't seem so expensive when you're only paying for one person, but it sure takes a nasty bite out of the budget now. C'est la vie!