Posting the Lazy Way

Good Gravy! I just got slapped with a wet salmon - really - I have not updated this since you last visited... You would not believe how much more of a drama I could make that. I'm a blogger so I will though!.

I am hopped up on caffeine with setting fire to people wearing Crocs, being distracted by the shiny, just generally being a nuisance to anyone unfortunate to cross my path, my day is passing in a blur from dawn to sun down and beyond. I am putting money aside so I can run away. perchance.

I will try to remember I promised you I will update you with my nefarious activities as soon as I get a chance. Seriously! Don't hold your breath though, you're likely to turn blue..

Courtesy of The Lazy Bloggers Post Generator: http://www.aussiebloggers.com.au/blogpost.html

I'm Not Here...A Travelogue

You may observe me going about my day to day life, but I am not here...here is a portion of my daily travelogue....
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Outside the door of the inn, I pause, squinting in the bright sunlight. First order of business: a big, floppy straw hat. I observe the town; much the same way I watch movies--paying little attention to the action played out before me but watching the scenery behind.

Lush flowers trail from window boxes, colorful, handpainted jugs sit by door steps and hang near doors. Beyond the whitewashed buildings, I see cypress trees their edges black and jagged against the cerulean sky. I follow the cobblestone streets to the market area where there is an eclectic mix of items for sale. Some of the shops are clearly aimed at visitors looking for tourist totchkes to take back to friends and relatives--proof, I guess, that they were actually here in this spot. I bypass these, preferring to delve deeper into the city for the local wares. I do find the perfect hat, so my time spent is not in vain.

I wander through the streets breathing deeply of the sea air. I love exploring a town this way-- peering into windows, taking note of this shop and that. I could stop and leisurely browse through each one but the pull of the sea is strong. I vow to come back soon and shop to my heart's content.

All roads in this town, I discover, eventually lead to the water. The view literally stops me in my tracks.

The sea sweeps out to the edge of the world. the water sparkling like a beautiful blue topaz gem. I walk through sand almost as fine and soft as confectioners sugar, becoming firmer as I reach the water's edge. I slosh through ankle deep water then stop, marveling at how clear the water is. A flock of white birds fly over my head looking for all the world like a ribbon trailing across the sky.

The rest of the world comes into focus as I begin observing people around me. People of all shapes and sizes filter in and out of my view. I feel safe enough behind my dark sunglasses to watch unabashedly.There's a family with a cherubic child of about two years old. I laugh when the squealing child runs straight for the water arms outstretched as if to embrace the entire ocean. A couple of older ladies walk by heads bent in deep discussion clearly working to solve the problems of the world. I raise my water bottle in silent salute wishing them much success. I spot a scrap of white and make out a sailboat bobbing on the horizon. I sit for the next two hours watching and vicariously sharing snippets of other people's lives offering little in return for the privilege.

Finally, the sun begins to sag in the sky and I decide it is time to move on as I have fulfilled my goal...
To see, sit and soak in the sea.

Field Trip

The good news is, my visit with my friend Susan was everything I had hoped it would be. The bad news is, I forgot the camera. I seem to have a penchant for that.

After entering the white picket gate and oohing and ahhing over the big sand pile and play structure outfitted with colorful garlands, we discovered we had a welcoming committee. A Great Dane began lumbering toward us, greeting us in his native tongue which I only hoped was friendly. My girl began climbing me like a tree. Unfortunate, since both arms were full. We made it to the door where Susan's husband rescued us and led us inside.

Delicious fragrances of lunch cooking made me thankful I hadn't snacked too much beforehand. I thought we were having pasta salad (based on prior information), but found instead we were having yellow rice with corn, broccoli and quail. I'd never had quail before in my life. It was quite good!

Susan had a teenage girl named Rachel helping her out around the house and she joined us for lunch. I found out that she has an interest in working in a salon. What a coincidence! I had a lot of information to share about that as did Susan since she is a hairstylist also.

After lunch, Rachel began cleaning up and I just generally looked around at all of Susan's displays. She has a long window over her sink and has suspended red martini glasses above the sink. There are interesting plates leaning against the window and you can see the window box full of silk sunflowers just outside the window. Susan had brewed coffee and as I helped myself to a second cup, I noticed a tray under the machine. I remarked to Rachel how brilliant I thought that was! My coffee machine leaks also and I just keep shoving it around and cleaning under it! Susan puts a tray under it! I made the comment, "Susan really thinks outside the box!" Rachel replied: "She doesn't have a box!" Perfectly describes Susan! I aspire to boxless thinking!

We turned the kids loose (Susan has a 10yr. old downs syndrome daughter) to play together which they did very well. The big girls played beauty shop! It is absolute heaven for a hairdresser to get her hair done in a relaxed way. Usually we catch as catch can. We each luxuriated in having our hair shampooed and getting color and highlights.

I finally decided it would be prudent to leave before I completely wore out my welcome, but I declare, I believe we could talk all night!

I can always guage the success of a trip by how disappointed my girl is because we are leaving. There were tears because we never went swimming. We brought our bathing suits and everything! We just never got around to it. Poor punkin.

We are already looking forward to our next visit!

Snapshots of Summer

Waterpark Survival

For those of you waiting with baited breath to see if I survived the water park...

I did.

My skin is slightly "crispy" in a couple of areas. For some reason I didn't put sun block on my arms. Left to my own devices to cover my back caused me to have strange red streaks on my back where my hands didn't reach.

Muse:
Why did my legs not get any sun? I was not in the water the whole time, I sat on the side, stretching out my legs in an attempt to knock the white off. But it looks as if someone buried half of me. Maybe it's because as I walk around, my shoulders are closer to the sun. :)

My girl, of course, had a fabulous time. I think I tolerate the water park simply because I watch her having so much fun. I truly gives me such pleasure.

O.K. I just want to know how you mom's with multiple children do it?! At one point the coach left me to keep an eye on three little girls (one being my own). One of the children would haul off in another direction, and I, leaving two unattended, would have to run, Baywatch style, across the pool to catch her and bring her back to the fold. I'm a mom who doesn't like to lose sight of her girl for one second and found it impossible to do that with three. Then there was getting distracted people watching too! The coach, who is maybe, 18, was really relaxed about the whole thing. She had about 10 kids in all, by herself. All but three were older and pretty much had the run of the water park. The would come find her occasionally, but otherwise were on their own. I WOULD FREAK OUT! Then, I really thought about it. The whole area is pretty much fenced in. There are life guards all over the place, several in each area. The play areas are entertaining enough to keep the children pretty much in one spot and I keep a life jacket on my girl while she's there.

Doesn't matter.

I still have to see my girl. No sitting on the sidelines reading a book for me.

Maybe when she's older.

Maybe?