Miscellaneous and a Dilemma

38/365

Our church meets in an elementary school cafetorium. This past Sunday I noticed this little guy sleeping on one of the tables in the back after the service.  His siblings had put the toys on his forehead and the church bulletin in his hands and he continued to sleep through it.  I couldn't resist the picture.  He's one of 9 children and, as my daughter conjectured, when there are that many kids in a house, you learn to sleep anywhere/anytime.  He cracked us up.

This morning my friend, Betty, my daughter and I went to Disney for breakfast. 

 I think you can probably tell from the look on her face that it was all good.

Goofey goofing with the kids.  (I want that photographer's job)

Crab etched into the rock.

Now for my dilemma.  Yesterday I spent at least 2 hours on the phone with tech support and the virus removal tech to get a Trojan virus removed from my computer for the third time in 18 months.  And yes, I do have virus protection.  A lot of good it's doing me though.  Each episode costs $90.  I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't a conspiracy between the sickos who spread the virus and the Anti-virus companies.  Do I sound just a little lot cynical.

Anyway, my son has been trying to persuade me to get a M...M....Ma.....Mac (there I actually said it, and it wasn't easy, believe me) computer for a couple of years because they are virtually virus free. 

But I'm a PC person and I'm brand loyal.  You know, kind of like Canon (which rocks) vs Nikon, Lays Potato chips vs any other brand, Saab cars vs any other car, Hawaii vs any other state. 

Well today I actually darkened the door of an Apple Store.  It was tough, I almost turned around and walked out, but I persevered.  Then I saw the prices.   Oh.     My.     Gosh!!!  Still, I persevered.  I asked my questions (at least the ones I could remember, because, after all, I totally forgot to write them down as I thought of them beforehand), and I watched as the gear-head showed me a few things on the machine.  I'm still not sold. 

So, what do you think?  I know what one of you will say, but what about the other few who might read this blog.  What's your opinion?

The Wedding

37/365

So.  I'm back from the cruise and finally connected to the internet again.  It's not that I was dealing with "internet withdrawal".  It's just that I was surprised and a wee bit annoyed that there was no free wifi at LAX.  Really???  No free wifi at an International airport.  Oh well.

I'm back home in Hawaii, and even though I should be heading to bed, I wanted to get these photos posted.  The Mexican cruise was pretty amazing.  I had a very difficult time wrapping my brain around being so pampered.  For example--at dinner, the wait staff came around to each person to put the napkins on our laps.  Seriously? 

More about the cruise in subsequent posts.

The wedding in Cabo San Lucas was a hoot.  There were only 8 of us. It took place on the beach of an absolutely gorgeous restaurant.  Honestly, doesn't this look like a photo from a travel poster?  (I'm not bragging about the photo--but the place was amazing!!)

Scott and his bride, Sybil, with the pastor looking on.

Me, Amanda, Leslie, Sybil, Martha

Scott had Mojitos delivered to the beach after the ceremony.

While we were eating dinner, I looked out over the water to see this beautiful full moon rising.

Up

36/365

My friend and I paid a visit to the Kri Dewaruci, an Indonesian training ship docked in Pearl Harbor for a few days.  The assignment for the day is "up". When I saw that and knew that I was going to visit the ship, it was definitely serendipity.

Take note of the Skull & Crossbones flag.  We couldn't quite figure out what that's all about.

Random Facts

35/365

I have nothing of any import to blog about today, so all you get is a few random facts:

1)  I bought a new ipod the other day.  Actually, when I finally decided to bite the bullet and spend the money, it was the day before Valentine's Day.  (clever, huh?) I went to Radio Shack. I wanted the pink one--yes, pink.  I love pink.  Anyway, they only had one in the entire store and it was that boring silver grey color.  The salesperson checked online at every other Radio Shack on the entire island of Oahu and there were NONE!!.  So I bought the boring silver one.

2)  The boring silver ipod that I bought almost sent me over the edge when I tried to figure out how to use it.  The pink one might have softened the aggravation, but not by much.

3)  The boring silver ipod that I bought is great, even though I still don't really understand how to use it.

4)  I keep seeing great vanity plates while I'm driving and can't get a pic of them.  Sigh

5)  I'm currently reading two books.  One is The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.  (there are about 8 in the series, I'm up to #3)  If you want a sweet read, try these, but definitely begin with the first.  You can actually jump in anywhere, but why not start with #1?  The second book I'm reading is Sherlock Holmes.  I've never read it before and it's surprisingly enjoyable.  I got psyched about reading it after watching three episodes of  a modern-day Sherlock Holmes after Masterpiece Theater (which was showing Downton Abbey).

6)  I'm still working on my table runners.  I brought all my sewing supplies (thread, bobbins, scissors, etc., but borrowed a machine)  This one actually looks better in person, but you can get the idea.

7)  It's been raining here a lot, but hey, at least I'm not shoveling snow.

8)  I leave for my Mexican cruise (departing from LA) to celebrate the wedding of my son and new daughter-in-law in approximately 48 hours.  Well, I mean, I fly to LA in 48 hours and then leave on the cruise the next day. 

9)  Once on the cruise, I probably won't have access to the internet.  I hear it's very expensive to buy on shipboard.

That's my life lately.  I'll take it...

Just a Little Catch-Up

34/365

Just a little catch up on license plates from the past few days.

seen on a huge, brand new truck

Seen on a brand new Chrysler Sebring convertible

I was walking through a parking lot when I came upon the vehicle with the plate in the image below.  There were about 5 people standing there, but I really wanted a picture of this plate.  So I asked who the truck belonged to, and the only girl in the group claimed it as hers.  When I explained that I wanted to take a picture, she laughed and said sure.  She told me it was an "ex-boyfriend" thing.  Sweet revenge!

Necessity

33/365

When I was young I didn't understand the phrase "necessity is the mother of invention".  But I do now (well, I've understood it for a long time) and when I see it in action, it makes me smile, even on something as simple as this.

At the soccer games yesterday, we didn't have an extra pen for the parents to use while filling out their order blanks.  I volunteered my .69 BIC pen, but was insistent that I didn't want it to get lost.  (You have to understand that I think they are the greatest pens ever made and I've been looking for them for a number of years)  You know, it's the principle of it--at any given registration table, someone is bound to walk off with the pen, usually by accident. 

So, between another worker and I, we came up with a way to protect my pen.

It worked.  And it made me smile.

These kids are so stinkin' cute!!!

(click on the picture to see what the back of the shirt says--I love it!)

It was a good day.  Not too hot and after a while it clouded over so we all had a break from the sun.

Words Can't Describe

32/365

The other day my friend, Jackie, and I decided to go over to the Disney Resort to do some photography.  It's so beautiful over there, and it's right on the beach.  We wandered around the grounds for a little while...

...then we saw Chip & Dale schmoozing with a visiting family.  They were so stinkin' cute!  The kids, I mean.  Well.....Chip & Dale were pretty cute too and they did a great job hamming it up with the kids for the camera. (not my camera--the Disney Camera) 

Then we headed over to the beach and were irrisistibly drawn by some great music to an area where there was a reception of some sort going on.  One of the waitresses said it was some kind of medical group.  Well--considering the "no expectation of privacy when in a public venue"  rule, Jackie and I just photographed to our hearts content.  Acutally, she shot mostly sunset and I shot mostly lanterns, all the while listening to some fabulous music. 

Words can't describe what a beautiful evening it was and how blessed I feel to be able to be here and enjoy it so much.