Costume Party

Happy Tuesday to you! I wanted to share a couple of photos of our daughters' families, as they were preparing to attend a masquerade party this last weekend. Our oldest daughter's family dressed up as whacky campers. 

This is our daughter Kim; the girls all choose an international theme-picking a country and dressing in attire that they felt represented it.

Kim's family; the boys were golfers and the girls all did an amazing job with their costumes. 

This is an annual event at their church and everyone gets very involved in deciding what to wear.
Yesterday was very busy~first my dr. appt., he kept me waiting over an hour. I'm sure this didn't help my blood pressure when they took it numerous times.  He fully believes that if I change my eating habits to a more "plant based" diet and start exercising more, my blood pressure will come down.  For now, no medications which I'm pleased about.  I just don't want any issues cropping up; if in three weeks time, my blood pressure is still high I will have to go on medications.  More walks in my future and also potential bike rides. I can say that when I walk with my neighbor, it is a slow pace.  So I will still walk with her several times a week, but also walk another time or two in the same day.   I know I'm heavier than I should be and that also contributes to my elevated blood pressure. After that, I watched two grandsons and one granddaughter and then last night we had Kim's girls here so mom & dad could go birthday shopping for two kiddos.  We played Quirkle-it is so fun that the girls are getting to that age of playing games. 
Today, I am walking with Kam and then have a hair cut.  When I get home, I will need to start housecleaning for our guest who are coming on Friday.  No stitching today.
It is a new day, filled with new blessings; won't be seek them in your life?
Hugs,
Noreen

It is hard to believe that it was just a week and a half ago that we were in Kauai. The days pass so quickly, reminds me we need to savor each moment. On the last day, hubby and I drove to the old Pier near the airport. As many times as we've been to this island, we never had ventured here.

There were some locals fishing-it reminded me of what it must have been like decades ago.

I do love visiting this island, but I love being home. I had such fun with the granddaughters sewing this week and watching a movie with two grandsons-it warms my heart.
 The weekend was pretty relaxing~I took my neighbor to a local store that is only open two weekends per month. They have all sorts of accessories and the prices are so cheap.  I bought a necklace and earring set that was marked $11.95, but because I brought a friend, I got five dollars off.  Hubby and I went and toured a new vet clinic that is about 1 mile away from our house.  We were very impressed with the state of the art technology they have; they are big proponents of getting your dogs teeth cleaned annually.  I didn't ask what a new client work up would be, but I'm sure it will be pricey.  Hunter is fine where we go, it is just a bit of a drive now. 
Yesterday I had a pretty relaxed day; hubby had to work and so I've was on the computer, took Hunter for a walk, took a nap-but didn't really sleep, watched the 49'er game and worked on my quilting. 
Today I will see my doctor and see what he suggests about my blood pressure.  I am happy to announce that it has been going down slowly, but is still higher than normal.  Since we will be heading to Leadville this week, I don't want any issues with it, due to altitude.
I hope you had a great weekend and are sensing the changing of the seasons.
Blessings,
Noreen & Hunter

Happy Friday

Happy Friday to you! It is cold and rainy here in Colorado and feels more like winter than fall. A good day to stay in and do simple things-like watching a movie with grandsons and quilting. As promised here are photos from Kauai.

I met with a friend this morning; we were supposed to walk, but I'm still a bit stuffy due to my cold. We sat and had tea and visited.  She is such a blessing to me.  On of the not-so-fun things I had to do this morning was call my doctor's office.  You see, I was taken off of blood pressure meds last April and have been so happy to not be suffering the side effects.  Then hubby bought a blood pressure cuff and so I have been monitoring mine daily.  Shouldn't have been doing it when I have a cold and taking otc medicine.  Let me just say, mine has been high-mainly it is my diastolic number has been high.  So I called in and got an appt. for Monday; however I must say dealing with the receptionist is so frustrating that I know my bp went up.  Hopefully, by this weekend, my bp will be back to normal and I won't need to get on medication.  I'd rather be safe than sorry though.
This afternoon I have two grandsons coming over to hang out with me, while their mom gets together with a friend. 
I hope that your day is filled with all that brings you joy!
Blessings and hugs,
Noreen

Sunrise in Paradise

It's Thankful Thursday and I am thankful that we are healthy and alive, for such a time as this. So much craziness going on in our world, I am thankful that I have the security of knowing the One who holds our world in His hands. I am thankful for many blessings; our trip was such fun, aside from getting overheated and I'm thankful for beautiful photos that can transport me back in time. All these sunrise photos were taken by hubby; he has a better eye for pictures and it shows here.

This is the our timeshare in Kauai.  It is simple, but we love it.  With the forecast for winter being a very cold one this year, I imagine hubby is already thinking of returning.
Yesterday I had fun with the girls; we began with the basics and it will be fun to see how they improve as time goes on.  I want them to enjoy sewing and grow comfortable with it; the four already have a good head start as they've all been sewing at home for some time.  Now, they get to work on the fundamentals-like sewing straight lines; talk about the blind leading the blind-ha!
Today, I'm walking and after will run an errand before the two other grands come over to sew. I like having sewing on two days because it gives me time to add in other things and tweak what I'm doing with them. 
I hope your week has been good and that your day will be blessed.
Hugs,
Noreen

Outdoor Wednesday

Good morning friends, I hope your day has started out well! As promised, here are more photos from Paradise.

The Blowhole near PoiPu

The waterfalls that have been featured in several movies.  We had hoped to do the kayak adventure, but after getting over heated, decided to pass on it.  Maybe for our next trip.

Today it is slated to get to the mid-90's and then tomorrow drop to 70.  I will be running errands this morning and then this afternoon, I will have two granddaughters here for sewing.  Tomorrow, I have two more; truly I am blessed.
Joy to you!
Noreen

Happy September

It seems like just yesterday, I was posting photos of our favorite island Kauai. It is hard to believe it was four months ago; so much has taken place in those four months. Firstly, when we got back at the beginning of May started unpacking at our new home. It takes months to really settle in; by the time we were comfortable, our daughter's move was right around the corner. She's been in her new house now for a month. I'm pleased to say we love our new home and I think Kim's family is settling in quite well. They've had some great learning experiences-an owl or two hanging out in their area and also a resident bat that they have been able to observe. You will be seeing photos of Kauai all week. The first two are the sunrise on our first morning. I joined hubby, but he wakes up earlier than I do, so was able to get early morning photos.

These two Monk Seals were playing at a beach we had never been to before. We started out our morning pretty early, for folks who don't have a time clock to watch and although we couldn't get really close for photos, it was fun to watch them play. The volunteer told us that two were born back in May.

This is the day I had a bit of a over-heating incident. This photo was taken before I started feeling weak. When we left for the day, I thought we were just driving up to a beach and didn't prepare properly for the hike and boulder hopping we did. You can see the boulders we had to climb over. It didn't help that we were both in flip-flops either. WE did have lots of water, but I had totally forgotten to have something like Gatoraid with us. It was so hot and humid and I didn't even think about losing minerals as I was sweating.

Nene's, the official Hawaiian bird.

This is the arch-hard to see, that we were climbing to get a photo of. The next photo is better.  Sometimes, us older adults need to be reminded of our age-I still think I should be able to do things I did in my 20's, 30's and 40's.

This is the side of the hill I had to climb up to see the arch.  It wasn't too bad, but I think the obsidian boulders were so hot, the heat just transferred to my body. 

After we got back to the car, we headed for the condo and I laid down the rest of the afternoon. 
So this was our first day in Kapaa.  Love it there but still love being home; otherwise hubby would probably move us there. 
I hope you had a great weekend, I've got to go meet Kam to walk the pups, so best end this.
A Hui Hou to you friend, or "until we meet again".
Noreen

Happy Labor Day

Good Morning Friends, It seems like forever since I've been able to sit and write. Let's get you caught up. Last Monday, my dear hubby planned a spontaneous trip to Kauai; we would fly out on Thursday and return on Thursday. We've never been that spontaneous and it was pretty fun. For the last couple of years, we've been part of Alaska Airline frequent flyer miles and we are switching back to United, for various reasons. We wanted to use the miles we had left and after a few clicks of the mouse, hubby had our trip planned. One of the drawbacks for Alaska Air is that to get to the islands from Colorado, we have to change planes in Seattle; usually there is a six hour delay as there is only one or two flights per day to Kauai. Well, once we landed, it was around lunch time so hubby decided we'd get a taxi over to Pike's Market and have lunch. We've only been to the market once before and enjoyed it. I will say though that we should have figured out how to use mass transit, because the cost of a cab was sky high. If I lived in Seattle, I would definitely buy all my produce, seafood and flowers there; the flowers I'm showing were $10-15. each.

Amazing prices and too many people!!!  What about you-have you ever been to Pike's Market? If not, if  you are ever in Seattle, make sure to include this on your trip. We had a great fresh crab salad at a little cafe across the street; it really made the time between flights go quickly.  We have also learned that on our return trip, it is easier to get a hotel room near the airport, because the flight from Kauai lands around 10:00 p.m. and the flight home doesn't leave until 6:00 a.m. the next morning.  We've tried to sleep in the airport once and don't want to do that again. 
I will be posting photos of our trip the rest of the week.  It was nice to get home on Thursday!  Of course, we did catch colds this weekend; so today is just going to be lazy today and hopefully beat them. 
Today actually looks like the end of summer, it is sunny and pretty out.  The weekend, we had lots and lots of rain.  Feels like the end of Sept. instead of the beginning. 
I hope you had a great weekend and are celebrating the end of summer.  I'm getting around to visit you all, slowly, but still checking in.
Joy to you!
Noreen & Hunter