It's starting to look like somebody lives here...

Photo 190 - March 31

There is furniture in the living room! And I mean stuff you can actually sit on! On top of that, I am proud of myself that I was able to rehook up the surround sound system, and my CD player, and everything works. The next project is to get the interior doors framed inside the bedrooms and get the baseboards done in there so I can bring in the dressers - well at least the dressers in our room. I got a new can of stain today so work can continue!

Military Pride

Photo 189 - March 30

It still surprises me that there are people who don't know what the flag in my window is all about. Blue Star flags hang in the windows of military families - one star representing a member of the Armed Forces. For me, the flag shows my immeasurable pride in my military men...one star for Dale, one for James, and one for Kenn.

Close up flowers

Photo 188 - March 29

I had high hopes of getting my grass cut tonight, but the 40 degree temperatures pretty much helped me decide to wait until it was warmer. So instead I decided to break out my macro lens and do a little playing with flower closeups. I am excited to see how much is starting to grow. I just hope the weather stays warm enough and doesn't freeze it out.

See what the wind did

Photo 187 - March 28

This is my front screen door. We have actually had problems with it for a while, since the Boy Scouts were picking up food donations and didn't close it tight, and the wind sprung it open. Last night the winds were howling again, and about 4:30 a.m. I was treated to squeaking and banging as the door, which apparently was not closed tightly, was again grabbed by the wind. When I went out to close it, I found that it wouldn't close, although in the dark I couldn't see quite why. When I got home, I could see that the core of the door was actually broken through, and that popped the aluminum into a bulge that wouldn't let the door close. I told Dale that I thought a big hammer could take care of it - he told me I should call Jeff and let him look at it first. Guess what, Dale - he used the big hammer, and now it closes.

Oldie but goodie

Photo 186 - March 27

There is a great story that goes with this flower. When my parents bought their house in Grafton back in the late 60s, the landlady of the duplex they lived in gave my mom a clump of her irises to plant at her new house. When Dale and I bought our house, Mom dug up a clump of the irises for me to plant at my new house. We have lived in this house for over 20 years, and Mom has lived in her house for coming up on 50 years, so these irises have been hanging around for quite a while. They are one of my early bloomers, and a beautiful welcome to spring every year.

More Spring Flowers

Photo 185 - March 26

It didn't feel much like spring this morning when I took Trinka out to walk. Considering the fact that it was in the 80s when I was gone, the 30s this morning were a little bit cool. I'm still enjoying playing with my wide angle lens...the perspective it gives is totally different. And yes, those flowers are growing in the middle of the grass. No worries, Dale - when I cut the grass they will be all gone.

Back Home

Photo 184 - March 25

Wow did the nice weather make things grow while I was gone! My grass even needs cutting! But my own flowers are blooming, too, together with sprouting rose bushes, clematis bushes and just about everything else in my garden. The next couple days will probably be an overview of my newly blooming gardens.

Whale Watching

Photo 183 - March 24

Our last day in Hawaii started with an 8:00 a.m. whale watch cruise. This is one of those money-back kinds of things - if you do not see whales they offer you a free opportunity to get out there and try again. The problem was that we were leaving that night, so we were really hoping that we would see some whales, and we were not disappointed.

While it would have been really cool to see one breach and come all the way out of the water, we were treated to some blows, and a couple tail slaps and fins poking out of the water. I was pretty excited to see that my tail picture was pretty much the same as the professional photographer on board - he just had a bigger lens.

Last night...

Photo 182 - March 23

I guess tomorrow is technically our last night, but since we will be in the air by 9:00p and on the way home, this was our last full night here.

Today was another beautiful day, even though the forecasters predicted lots of rain. We tried out the pool and hot tub today, both of which were immensely warmer than the ocean. A very nice retired National Guardsman from New Hampshire told Bow and I about the Shore Bird restaurant down the beach that lets you grill your own meal. Plus he told us where to find some awesome coupons. Dinner was a lot of fun and the best steaks we had since we arrived. I'm sad to see this time with Dale coming to an end.

Luau time

Photo 181 - March 22

The weatherman said today would be rainy, so we were happily surprised when the day turned out to be absolutely beautiful...not even a drop of rain. We started the day with some shopping and walking, plus some time on the beach and a little in the very cold ocean. I need a thermometer to prove to Dale that the water isn't as cold as thinks.

Tonight we attended the luau held here at the Hale Koa, compliments of Ray and Bow. It was a great evening, filled with good food and wonderful entertainment. Thanks to them for a very memorable evening.

Another day in paradise

Photo 180 - March 21

Today started with a nice relaxing morning on the beach, interrupted a couple times by a few sprinkles, but highlighted by a rainbow. Bow and I ventured down to Chinatown in the afternoon, where I was surrounded by fruits and vegetables I could not even identify. And finally, a sunset! I even included a picture of Dale and I that Ray took for me...so we could both be in it.

I'm seeing that posting through my phone tosses my pictures out of order. I will have to fix that after I get home. I gave up on trying to use my computer and the wifi downstairs. My pictures might be out of order using the phone but at least they load.

Pearl Harbor

Photo 179 - March 20

When Dale and I talked about our visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona, the one word we could agree on was humbling. There are very few words to describe the feeling of hovering over the graves of so many men, especially knowing how they died, and the pride that I have for my military men.