The Holidays Are Upon Us!

It's November and although the season changes here on Maui are subtle, they DO exist. A little cooler, the sky takes on that "settling in for a winter rest" look. It's still shorts and slippahs, but an occasional sweatshirt in the morning is not uncommon.
Our weight loss/exercise transformation continues - I've lost an impressive 20 pounds, Robert much more but it's hard to pin him down on his actual weight. He's hitting the gym several times a week and I'm doing P90 (trying for everyday, but sometimes I skip). I'm about half way to goal, but it's a journey rather than a race and I'm just trying to make changes that will make us healthier.
John returns to Maui next week for an undisclosed period of time. It's undisclosed because he really doesn't know how long he wants to be here. He's at a crossroads in his life - time to make decisions about a mission, work and/or school. Maybe being here will give him some perspective.
We've continued to work on the farm. I love this place. As a tribute to our second anniversary of buying Apala Farm, I put together a little "Then and Now" album. Pretty impressive when you see it side by side:

Robert cleared SO MUCH cane grass. Now we just mow.

A little love, a few flowers and the back is a Zen garden.

Green  and chandelier was not my deal. The fan really helps in the summer.

The fluorescent lights and storage had to go. Dining here affords an ocean view.

Nearly the end of September. Feels like summer...

It's hard to believe that fall is upon us. Of course in Maui, the seasons are subtle so it's easy to lose track. I've started to notice the advertisements for pumpkin recipes, fall spice latte flavors and the stores have begun their annual Happy Hallowthanksmas campaign. I don't anticipate baking any pumpkin anythings in the near future and hot lattes are about as unappealing as a liver and tripe sandwich when it's tapping near 90 degrees outside.

It's been a warm September. Maui has exceeded multiple high temp records lately. It was a relief to have the Trade Winds return and get a little evening rain. Nathaniel was here visiting when the heat was on but he's used to Utah temps so it wasn't so bad for him. We had lots of fun times together and as always, I felt wistful dropping him off at the airport last night. I don't want to be one of those misty-eyed mommies who cry every time their children leave, so I gird up my loins and stiffen my lip and try to stay focused on how happy I am that they've become independent adults. Still, there's a slightly hollow feeling in my gut when I say goodbye.

The piano is being tuned. First time since we moved here. This won't interest anyone, but it's a good way for me to keep track.

Robert and I are losing weight. Not a lot so far, but we're moving in the right direction. I'm using an app on my phone called My Fitness Pal to track every morsel I put in my mouth. Well, isn't THAT a wake up call! I don't dare estimate how many calories I've been stuffing in my aging body for fear it will cause me to have a coronary. Suffice it to say, things are very different now. Typical day is a green drink with whey protein in the morning, salad at lunch and a (boring) simple dinner of a protein and vegetable. Perhaps some quinoa on the side. Yum. So satisfying.

And I've bought resistance bands. And I use them. Sometimes. I try to get to them every day for at least one circuit of exercises. I want to go on record saying that it's hard to keep the wheels on the wagon as you get older. What fitness and health we enjoyed spontaneously in our youth becomes all-out war when we get older. We fight the fatigue, we fight the calories, we fight the aches and pains. But I count my blessings that I can still muster the strength the fight the good fight.

We had a little flurry of house guests in the past two weeks - Donna and Alex Leever came on a Sunday, Nathaniel on Monday and Hartman's girlfriend Diana came on Tuesday. The inn was quite full for about a week and then they all began leaving - Diana on Friday, Leevers on Saturday and Nathaniel last night. Back to day to day life on Apala Farm. Fixed the windshield washer on the Prius, washed the cars, did some laundry and changed the sheets. Exciting life, eh?

So that's my fall catchup blog. Next report may be more exciting - but it's ok if it's not. Life on Maui is still pretty darn great.

Summer, Birthdays, Parades and Rodeo

      This is going to be a random post. But then, most of this blog is pretty random.

   June was a blur. I don't remember it starting or ending but I know it came and went. We started the month off when what now seems to be an annual event - Robert had surgery. This time it was gallbladder surgery. Last year, as you may recall it was hernia surgery. I'm happy to say that he's given the Maui Medical services a rigorous tryout and so far they've come through with flying colors!

   In the department of other annual events, I had a birthday like I do every year. I was born in 57 and this year I turned 57. It was a quiet birthday - the weather didn't really cooperate as far as the beach extravaganza I had planned for myself. It drizzled in Kihei and when we headed up to the West side, well, it drizzled on us there too. Still, we had a nice cool day at the beach and discovered a new beach to visit. All was not lost. For the big finale, we dined with John and Dick at Colleen's in Haiku. Pleasant, fun company and great food. Couldn't have asked for more! Especially since my gift from Robert was a Macbook. Good job, buddy!

   We had celebrated Dick's 80th birthday five days prior so we were all geared up in the birthday department.

   That man is timeless! I have to admit, turning 57 isn't the milestone that turning 80 is, but then, I'm still upright and feeding myself so I count my blessings where I can.

   Now we begin the month of July. The Fourth is quite the shindig here in Upcountry. We had the 59th annual Makawao Rodeo. Ok, it's not the Reno Rodeo, but our paniolos do us proud up here. Always held over the Fourth of July, the Oskie Rice Arena is the place to be. We went in the morning on the 4th for some roping and then back that night for the Bull Bash.  

    And to wrap up the holiday weekend, we had the Makawao Parade! Americana meets Hawaiiana to da max! My favorites were probably the keikis in the Stickhorse Races and the Piiholo Riders. Being that it is an election year, every other entry in the parade was someone running for office. Next year it won't be that way - I suspect the parade will be drastically shorter.

   So I rushed upstairs to write this post inspired by the beautiful sunset Robert and I watched after taking the garbage out tonight.  I didn't take a picture because there was no way (with my limited photography skills) to capture the salmon pink clouds, the technicolor blue skies, the vivid white moon and the red sun lighting the top of Haleakala. Just channel your Gauguin imagery and take my word for it. Breathtaking. Lucky we live Maui.

It's Nearly a Year...

It was a typical day on Maui. Which is atypical for the last few months. The trade winds have returned, so for you mainland folk, let me explain why that's such a big deal out here in the middle of the Pacific. At the latitude of 20.8, it's pretty darn close to the Equator. That means it can get pretty toasty. We basically get our wind from two directions : the east or Trade Winds (our prevailing winds) or from the south or Kona Winds. When the winds are Kona, it's hot, muggy an  the air is full of volcanic gases -we call it Vog. It's the pits. Your throat burns, your eyes water and it makes everyone crabby. BUT most of the time the Trades blow and its crisp, cool tropical air that is scrubbed by 3000 miles of ocean. Ahhh!!!!
The skies are a blue only captured by Gauguin. Today the Trades blew all day, the sun was sunny, saw two rainbow - one this morning and one this evening. Both were in sunny blue skies. The beach was warm and glorious. And the sunset? Well take my word for it, it was spectacular!
So it was a typical day here in Paradise. I can only say - Lucky I live Maui.

Slacker....

Oh, my goodness....in my usual form of journal writing, diaries etc., my blog has been neglected. Well, slap my wrist! All my followers have been waiting patiently for me to post my typically random, rambling rubbish about nothing of any real importance. So here goes nothing (really, nothing. Nothing is really going on).
So March was our 38th anniversary. Wow, that looks really impressive in print! We celebrated by taking the ferry to the island of Lanai, aka, Larry Ellison's island. A 45 min. trip with lots of whale viewings and we arrived in beautiful Manele Bay. Took the shuttle to the Four Seasons at Manele (owned by Larry) and had a delicious lunch at the clubhouse at The Challenge at Manele Bay. Incredible golf course! Word has it it's only rivaled by Pebble Beach. Robert and John played it in January and absolutely loved it.

After lunch, we shuttled back down to the beach - I should note here that we brought beach chairs with us - the ones you buy at Costco that make into a backpack- and everywhere we went, the beach chairs went. On and off the shuttle, at the restaurant, back down at the beach which was the first time we didn't look awkward with them. It was a lovely, breezy day but the bay was calm. And then the show began! About 50 spinner dolphins came into the bay and stayed all afternoon swimming back and forth with the occasional spinning jump to entertain us. We swam out into the bay and they swam all around us, under us. Big dolphins, baby dolphins, groups, singles - it was absolutely magical!

Afterward, took the shuttle up to Lanai City (not owned by Larry) and discovered other than houses and a small store, there's nothing in Lanai City which is probably why Larry didn't buy that too. Caught the 6:45 ferry back to Lahaina which could have been dubbed the Vomit Comet as nearly everyone was puking, fortunately, not Robert and me. We slept all the way back.
We've had several visitors from Cali: the Ross Hardester family came to stay up in Kaanapali so we got some time to hang out with them. My friend and fellow librarian Teresa came with her husband for a seminar in Wailea and we got a day together which was super fun. Our last guests were Brian and Marsha Taylor who stayed with us for a few days exploring the North Shore and then went to dry out and sunbath down in Wailea. It was their first trip to Hawaii and we had so much fun playing tour guides.

We've got a buy week this week, but next week Amber Munck and her kids are coming for a few days. We love guests!
In just a couple of weeks we head home to Santa Rosa to watch our baby boy John graduate from the Fire Academy. So proud of him - but then, I'm pretty prideful when it comes to my kids. It'll be fun to see Kaylen and friends back on the Mainland. It's a short trip but I'm sure we'll pack a lot in.
Not a lot of new developments on Apala Farm...planted 5 cacao trees and the 15 acai palms are next. Puakenikeni are starting to blossom on the heels of a mega gardenia bloom! I've acquired a taste, no, an OBSESSION for mochi. Can't get enough!
Well, there you have it. If you've dozed off, I completely understand. Just trying to keep it honest with the blogging even when there's not much to write. I know I've said it before but
LIVING ON MAUI IS DA BEST!
Aloha!

February ~ Love, Birthdays and Other Sports...

It's the busy season when you're part of the Aitchison Ohana. Christmas is really the kick-off, then the boys' birthdays, then Valentines, then Robert's birthday and we'll round it out with our anniversary in March. We'll get some down time until June and the girls' birthdays. Whew!
So let's get down to the nitty-gritty of winter in Maui. Yes, we do have seasons here - it's just a more gentle transition. Cooler, yes. Cold, no. More rain, but not as in Seattle rain. We still go to the beach, we still wear shorts but occasionally we wear sweatshirts at night and early in the morning. I even put my pink fuzzy slippers on ONE TIME. The plumerias lose their leaves and bloom  far less. The sugar cane blooms as do the ti plants. (Didn't know that). I made soup and chili. It's even gotten into the 60s  at night. Brrrrrrr.
Had a couple of mainland visits recently - Brent and Donna Leever were over in Wailea and came up for a hike out to Peahi (Jaws) and a dinner at Colleen's. So good to see them! Then Ann and Roger Wong came for lunch - again at Colleen's (I should get a commission). They have a timeshare in Kaanapali and are here for a month. There's something comforting in visits from friends from the mainland. It makes the Pacific a little smaller gap between our new life and our old one.
So what's new on Apala Farm? Well, the fence is almost finished. At the risk of using an already over-used word, it has been an EPIC undertaking. I thought fencing our acre in Santa Rosa was difficult - and that was almost 36 years ago when I was 20 and Robert was 30. True, we had a hillside to do, but try fencing 2 acres when you're 56 and 66!! We've had some help from the ward and John even the missionaries, but Robert has slugged away at it consistently. I've done my part, but I've been in a supporting role rather than the star. Just a 4' piece left and some tying off and WE ARE PAU HANA!
Other news...our little Empty Nester group is a smashing hit. We meet one Monday night per month at rotating houses for potluck and an activity. We have a core of about 25 people that accordians depending on the weather and holidays but it's a lovely group and lots of good fun.
So there's the update. Do I still love it here? Yep, more every day. Do I miss my friends and family? Yep, more every day. Would I change anything? Nope - just my weight, but hey, that's doable. For today, I'm celebrating LOVE. Happy Valentines Everyone!

2014 - Are you sure? Wasn't it just 1986?

Another new year has arrived. I was sure it would, but still it's encouraging that I'm still around to see it.

On New Year's Eve morning, John and Rachel arrived for a visit. So excited to see them both ~ especially my baby boy. Who's my favorite child? Whichever one I'm currently with.

New Years' traditional neighborhood fireworks put the dogs into crazed anxiety allowing me the rare opportunity to sleep on the couch with Toby on my chest and Pearl at my side. At least until 1am and the fireworks stopped and I kicked their furry butts outside.

John celebrated his 19th birthday here with zip lining upside down in the trees of Haiku over at North Shore Zip. Typical.

Then up to Kapalua to attend the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. That would be a GOLF tournament. Out of the four of us, one was thrilled to be there. I'll let you figure out who that was.

We had so much fun with Rachel, I was sad to see her go. She didn't even seem fazed that John wore a dress to church:

Ok, it wasn't a dress, it was a lava-lava and nobody bats an eye if you wear one to church here. Traditional Poly wear.
So, it was a fun-filled, wonderful start to the New Year to have our baby boy visit us in Paradise. I think 2014 is going to be great!