Weekend Getaway

This past weekend, we met up with some good friends for some fun in the sun.  Meeting halfway in Hilton Head Island, SC, we spent precious time with Patrick and friends.  Nearly 200 pictures... these help tell the story...

 I95 is a long long highway.

Patrick entertained himself by reading and playing with his Magnadoodle.

Our exit!

Pretty views on the backroads to the coast.

Pooltime!

Little Ellis grew up so fast!

Owen shows off his svelte body and tattoos!

Heading to "a beach!"

It's private, folks.  That means no outsiders are allowed.  :)

Our first view of HIlton Head Island.

Heading to the shore.

Ellis and I took a nap while the others played in the ocean.

We got everyone ice pops, but Patrick "traded" with me and took my ice cream.  He ate the whole thing!

That night, father and son partook in a great bubble bath.

Old friends are definitely the best friends.

Father and son discussing politics.  Or Mickey Mouse.

On the way home, we made a pit stop.

Can you guess where?

Highlights from Hawaii

I was fortunate to have a husband sent away to Hawaii for work a few weeks ago. *Then*, he called and asked me to meet him there (no way!). Luckily, my MIL was gracious enough to watch Patrick for a few days, while air miles were cashed in and I took a short vacation to paradise.

It was only a few days, and we didn't do much of anything, except well... sunbathe, swim, eat like locals, and people watch.

So thankful everyday for the pleasures of life God had afforded me.

Over 200 pictures, but these are my favorites.

Enjoy!

The Duke

Sheraton Hotel on Waikiki Beach

Sunset

Palm trees and blue skies

Mikey and I

We took a sunset cruise and I snagged this great shot of Diamond Head

Hawaiian Airlines

My Son, Mr. Gigglepuss

Patrick has been all smiles during our visit to Miami, but this afternoon, he was all giggles. I promise to get it on video next time.

Some pics of the last few days:

(I've been inspired by my bestest friend, acb, to play with the different functions on my camera.)

PS - I'm at Barnes and Noble, and there is a group of high school kids studying for their AP European History exam. Nerdy kids sure look different than when I was in high school, that's for sure. One kid's pants are so low on his waist, he might as well not be waering pants. Seriously.

Our Miami Trip (as told via photos)

Even in Miami, a little boy has to have his bath.

Exhausted, after a long day of fun, sunshine, Abuelo, Abuela, arroz, frijoles...

Taking time to chat with Grandma back home.

I asked the woman at the Publix bakery to write "Let's Eat" on this cake. Instead, I got this.

Birthday celebrations for an old lady.

Hanging out with Abuela and Abuela.

Visiting FIU, my old graduate school and place of employment a million years ago.

At a cousin's birthday party. Clearly, Patrick does not enjoy parties.

A semi-dip in the pool. Just to get a taste of what the water feels like. Patrick was unimpressed.

Back from the land of sun and humidity...

This is what Patrick thought of Miami:

"Hey Mama, take me down to South Beach. I'm ready!"

Spending Time in the Catkills Mountains

Mike and I spent a few days in the Catskills Mountains in New York state. It's exactly what we needed - some fresh air, mountains (which I have absolutely NO pictures of), rest, sleep, and of course, goofy pictures.

I told Mike if he misbehaved, he would have to live here.

Yes, that's FeeNo in my belly - me - pregnant at 23 weeks, 3 days.

Mike thinks about where he wants to go for dinner. Think, think, think!

This is what is all boils down to...

Last night, I was clearly upset watching The Amazing Race. I was extremely disapointed to see my favorite guys, Oswald and Danny, be eliminated from the race. All that's left are tree teams that, in my opinion, stink on ice.

I wish I was in Hawaii, sleeping on a hammock on the beach.

That's all folks.

Aloha, Don Ho

Mike, posing with Don Ho (who I thought looked like Yoko Ono but with more personality), in Hawaii, July 2005

"Tiny bubbles
in the wine
make me happy
make me feel fine."

Ah, memories of Hawaii. But also, memories of meeting Don Ho while on my honeymoon in July 2005. It was a complete fluke to see him in Oahu, on our last night on the island. We thought it would be silly, something to remember Hawaii by.

The show was typical dinner theater. Terrible food. Two drink minimum. Many old timers. But we were on our honeymoon - nothing could upset us. Well, except that we had to leave the next day.

Don appeared on stage, playing a keyboard, singing old Hawaii songs, making silly jokes, and showing tourists what good old Hawaiian hospitality was like.

At the end of the show, he invited all servicemen, honeymooners, etc to come see him for a free cassette tape of his music. A cassette tape, he joked, because his fans didn't own CD players.

We met him briefly, and he sent us back to the mainland with a tape for us and another for the mother-in-law, who he was sure would love it. As cheesey and hokey as it was, we had a good time.

Rest in peace, Don. I hope you are enjoying those tiny bubbles in the big wine bottle in the sky.

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Weekend in Pictures

I think I've used that post title before as a copout to writing something lengthy and meaningful. Guess what? I'm doing it again.

Here, in no particular order, photos from our weekend in South Florida:

Turtles at Bal Harbour. My mother thought they were fake, so she threw pennies at them. They weren't fake afterall.

A glimpse of Emeril at his restaurant on South Beach. I'd like to think he cooked my dinner that night. He probably didn't.

The obligatory visit to the tios' house: Dad, Mike and Tio. We watched Scarface.

Heather's Wedding

Back from South Florida and already missing the sunshine and warm weather. We returned late this morning to more snow, slush, and ice. Somehow the humidity we experienced this weekend wasn't *that* bad.

More on the weekend in a future post. For now, I leave you with pictures from Heather's wedding...

Leaving... on a jet plane

My long-awaited trip to Miami is finally here! And while I really don't like Miami, I am looking forward to getting out of the freezing temperatures and gusty winds.

As far as I'm concerned, the stress of traveling began last night. It was nearly midnight when we finished packing, something I blame on myself due to a long week at work. But anyhow, as I was saying, the stress began last night.

Me: Have you taken out all the things you need for the weekend?

Mike: Like what? I have jeans and t-shirts out already.

Me: How about your suit, a shirt, and a tie that doesn't make you look like the biggest Republican in the place? And your square-toed shoes and dress socks?

Mike: Oh yeah, a suit.

Me: I can't wait to see Little Owen. I'm so excited.

Mike: We're going to see Owen and family? I didn't know that.

Me: Duh? Didn't I mention that we were going to a wedding? The wedding of a former college roommate? A roommate that I had when I was a student at the University of Florida and was a bleeding orange and blue gator? A roommate that was also roommates with my bff?

Mike: Oh, I must have not been listening.

Ugh.

The stress continued when I mentioned that we would be bringing my parents presents. Two carry on suitcases! That I got for free! Because if I actually went to Miami and bought my parents two suitcases, they wouldn't like them. But, since I told them I got them for nothing (FREE! GRATIS!), they are excited to receive them. Actually, I told them I had one, but with my excellent packing and organizational skills I was able to pack one into our regular suitcase and use the other one as a carry on for us.

Let me explain this: the thrill of getting a good quality anything is a success to Cubans, namely my parents. It helps even more if the good quality anything was free (FREE! GRATIS! NO TAX!). The other thing is that both my mother and I feel that the gifts we bring eachother are the greatest, most ingenius gifts ever known to man. We never stop to think that the pajamas my mom brought me could easily have been bought in my neighborhood mall or that the shampoo gift basket that I brought her could have been bought in Miami. We've been doing this for years, including the time I regifted my father a Waterford crystal eagle that I received at some charity dinner (I carried that baby on the plane with me, folks!).

But I digress... what was I talking about? Yes, stress. I am sure it will continue through the weekend. I have already heard word of my father cooking for us and packing his home cooking up in containers for us to bring back to Jersey (we can't get food up here, apparently). And there's no arguing with him, so we'll be eating his specialty dish for a few days after we get back.

I suppose I should just enjoy the attention from the family. Afterall, I'm their baby. And Mike, well, he's the greatest gringo they've ever met. I can't wait for my aunt to hug him and kiss him all over.

More on our adventures next week. And photos of us sweating in the hot south Florida sun and doing the white man's overbite to the Electric Slide!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tired

I'm tired. Tired of the same ole boring stuff.

I'm tired of waking up in the morning and going to work. Tired of cleaning up the messes of two adults. Tired of grocery shopping, cooking, and doing dishes. Everyday resembles the previous one: shower, shave, pay bills, go to work, get gas, get stuff in traffic, eat, don't eat, shop for things you don't need.

I need some excitement in my life. The winter can be long and dreary with nothing to look forward to.

Luckily, we have a trip planned for next month. Miami - here we come! It's just a long weekend - a visit with my parents, an old college friend's wedding, some warm weather (hopefully!) - but it might be exactly what I need to get me back to my cheery old self.

Mele Kalikimaka is the Thing to Say

Mike and I have been having a 'discussion' the past few evenings about whether or not we should have presents under the tree before Christmas Day. I say yes; he says no.

My reasons:

1. We don't have any kids that will see the presents under the tree before Christmas.
2. We have to pack them all up on Christmas Day to deliver them to the family.
3. I want to take a freakin' picture of the tree with all the presents underneath it.

His reasons:

1. Santa doesn't come until Christmas Day.
2. He's stubborn.

What do you, faithful readers, do? Do you put the presents under the tree as you wrap them (the way it should be done)? Or do you keep them sitting on top of the guest bed all wrapped up and occupying space until Christmas Day (like stubborn men like to do)?

Please leave your preference in the comments section.

This afternoon, my office closes until the new year. I'm not sure how often I will be posting while on vacation, as I plan to go to as many movies as possible next week. I also have a zillion errands to run (one of them is getting my license renewed, which means a long long line at the DMV).

And so, I wanted to wish everyone a great holiday. As the Hawaiians say, 'Mele Kalikimaka!' May you, your families, and all those near and dear to you be blessed with joy, love, and health in 2007.

On Vacation

Making Lists

I know that everyone does it: those lists.

I keep a list for everything. I have a work list. A grocery list. A wish list. A 'to do' list. I even have a packing list.

The packing list. There's a reason behind this, seriously.

Anyone that knows me understands that I do not like messes. I hate piles of stuff on my counter tops and on the bed and dressers. I have to put the laundry away. I have to put *all* the groceries away. Basically, if there isn't a spot for it in my house, I don't want it.

Simple enough, right?

Nah, it could never be that easy.

Mike is the complete opposite. He can leave a stack of clothes on top of his dresser for weeks without it bothering him. He will take a shirt one day, a shirt another day, and before you know it, his stack is gone and he hasn't opened a dresser drawer in a week or two. On the other hand, if I see that, my skin automatically starts to itch and I *must* put the stuff away.

When it comes to packing, Mike will throw stuff in a corner or on top of an extra bed and then pack it in a bag the night before we are due to leave. I can't do that. It's is physically impossible for me to do that.

So I make a packing list. It looks something like this:

• three bathing suits
• four pairs of socks
• five pairs of shorts
• five t-shirts
• two button down shirts
• two pairs of capris
• two pairs of flip flops
• purple sneakers
• shampoo/conditioner
• deodorant
• toothpaste
• camera
• camera charger
• extra memory card for camera
• aspirin/tylenol/motrin

and so on.

This method has worked for me for years. I've never forgotten anything. Except batteries once. :)

So, today, I start my list for Hawaii.

But first I have to check off stuff from my work list. Tee hee hee.

Yes, I'm sick I tell ya. But don't you (my three faithful readers) have a quirk that identifies you?

Excitement Builds

It's a shame that I don't live in Florida anymore. Not because of the heat or humidity. It's because I can't be there to celebrate like these folks:

As of this morning, the mighty Florida Gators were ranked second in the nation, right after Ohio State. Where is florida state? What? Unranked? Oh, yeah, that's right. So sad for the 'noles.

Not really.

Okay, now that I have gloated, I will say that it's a shame the Yankees didn't have the same luck this weekend. Actually, it's not a shame as far as their playing, but more a shame for me because I spent all day yesterday listening to Mike replay their season and his disappointment in the team. At least now, we won't have to watch the World Series while we are on vacation.

Which, coincidentally, starts in 11 days. I need a pedicure.