Thanksgiving and Living: Getting There

Balance: an even distribution of………the dictionary says weight, but for me it means work and leisure, rest and exercise, intellectual / emotional/ spiritual / physical pursuits of time. Lately it means virtual world versus real world.

On balance: taking everything into consideration

Off balance: in danger of falling

I took some time off from the virtual world. I was beginning to free fall into that space where the new thing you are enjoying is taking more than its fair share of life. How convenient that it was time for the ritualistic Thanksgiving camping on the North Shore at Malaekahana with 30-45 people. Family friends. We go camping every June and Thanksgiving. Our family friends have been going for 11 or 12 years. Our family joined about 6 or 7 years ago. During the dark years we did not make the time. Now, I can’t imagine what I was thinking or how tired I must have been to miss out on this event. Where time stands still and people connect, children run free, board games are played, and marshmallows are roasted and served up on graham crackers with chocolate.

I pace myself to get there. Tuesday afternoon, after a full day of work, it was hard to imagine being ready to go. Gear out from the rafters and packed. Groceries bought. Food prepared. Most of the families were heading out Wednesday afternoon, but when I got home from work at 4 PM on Wednesday, still needing to prepare my share of the meals, that seemed impossible. Sixteen year old son was like a two year old colt wanting to run his first race. He’d actually gotten all the gear down and ready. So I sent him up on his own with the prerequisite that he set up both tents, blow up the air mattresses, and unpack everything. He took the bit in his mouth and charged ahead. Good for him, good for us. Setting up the tents and blowing up the air mattresses isn’t my fave part.

So I got to prepare food in a quiet home, with my music playing, candle light, and no sense of urgency.

The following morning, we sent daughter up as she could only spend the day because she had rehearsals all weekend and therefore volunteered to stay home with the two dogs. She flew the coop about 8:30 AM.

Husband and I couldn’t leave until after 12 because of Border Collie. At 1 ½ he’s not the age or type of dog that can be kenneled for 10 hours. So we had the morning to ourselves.

Husband burned a CD for the drive up. He used to be completely techno illiterate, but when the kids refused to burn him any more mixed CD’s, he suddenly became the house pro at I-tunes.

Here’s a glimse of getting there.

Swaps and Hikes and Intercession

My package arrived today from Scribbler In San Antonio! I love everything, but that punchy kangaroo is just the cutest. I played my CD all morning. The Fall Swap was hosted by The Claw, where you can go and see more pics of Fall Swaparoo. Thanks Sherri at The Claw for hosting!
After the fun of presents in the mail, I met a friend and we went hiking to Makapu'u Lighthouse. The trail starts like this.

Then there's this.

Finally, you get to look down at the lighthouse. My daughter tells me that this is the lighthouse from 50 first dates.

You get very high above the ocean. Me, I love heights.

And if it was a month from now, we could have watched for whales.

Living Outside the Box - Or at Least Trying To

After work. After errands. It's like 4:30 in the afternoon and we are barely in the door when son says, "Mom, dude, it's breaking on the North Shore! Can we go? Can we, can we??"

It's going to be dark in less than three hours. It hardly seems worth the gas by the time we get up there.

"Wouldn't you rather be taking a walk on the beach with Border Collie than watching Monday football with Dad?"

Ah, the lad knows his audience. Husband is more obsessed with football than usual this year. He's involved in some FANTASY FOOTBALL thingy. And there is money involved.

Screw gas prices! Load the car up gangly teen!

Border Collie in sunset.

One last look down the beach path.

Sunset surfers.

OK. SO the picture and video uploaded in the opposite order that I wanted. But I REALLY need to leave for work. So, if you stopped by I'm sure you can figure it out and enjoy a sunset at the North Shore with me and BC.

Laborless Labor Day, Where Are You?

A shady lanai. A beach read (Gingerbread: my teen daughter's chick lit). And a great view.

Centering into the joy, peace, and tranquility of this moment. Like coming up for a gulp of air. Then it's back to catching up with grades etc....

Laborless Labor Day Weekend Part II

A week ago I was enjoying this sunset with my gals. Ahhhhhhhhhhh...

This weekend I spent a lot of time grading papers and preparing lessons.

Yesterday afternoon the teen boy asked me to go surfing with him (I use the term loosely for me - I body board - the boy is the surfer). The south shore had a swell and I caught many a wave of the its-great-to-be-alive-whoa-nelly-this-is-kick-ass-fun variety. But now I'm off to work.

Sunday Afternoon in Pictures

The trail to the beach.


Passed this guy walking down the beach to our spot.



Entertaining the Border Collie while relaxing.




Last swim of the day.

Sunday afternoon was a mother daughter day as daughter started back at the University Monday. We finished the afternoon with a sunset stop at our favorite shrimp truck. No pics from there; we were too busy eating.