It's just that kind of Sunday

Last week was just odd. I had so much that needed to be done and only four days to do it. I'm not complaining about three day weekends, you understand. I was just feeling frazzled. So, by Saturday, what with CaDiva's mouth being so tender, I only had a few things I could do.

I debugged The Mom's computer. We picked up HRH for lunch at the Cracker Barrel. I stopped at the store for things CaDiva could digest without chewing. And then I listened to a book I have read 5 times on a YouTube audio while CaDiva watched the Royals beat the Blue Jays and the Mets trounce the Cubs.

I see by my computer screen, it is 44 degrees Fahrenheit. I have finished "A Walk In The Woods" after thoroughly enjoying the movie. CaDiva is doing laundry and there is fresh coffee in the kitchen. I should go down to Merle Hay Mall and tour the RVs. (see, some how I was going to get to Travel in this blog)

But, what if there is another game? Ayla has just found Baby. I could possibly work on the departure rating I e-mailed home. And,besides, did I mention it is 44 degrees? So, I think I'll just find chapter 12 and pick up where I left off last night.

Boys of Autumn

I'm married to a baseball fan. Worse than that, I'm married to a NY Mets fan. We were married in a skybox at the stadium while the farm teams for the Cubs and the Mets played. We spent many a happy day in Kansas City during work details. We live in the midwest, so she has been exploring new teams she might enjoy seeing. Now, the KC Royals, the Chicago Cubs, the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays are battling for the World Series.

I'm saying two things. My sister, HRH is blaming her for the fact I know everything I just mentioned. And, if the Blue Jays win, she is not the goat, no matter what she said about being happy if any of the other three won.

CaDiva and the Blind Munchies

First you have to know, CaDiva didn't have any fun in the sixties. She not only didn't inhale, she doesn't even drink. But, in order to get her butt in a dentist's chair, we have to start with what they call oral sedation. Then she gets the Novocain. Not to mention a headset with soothing music. Well, they call it soothing now. When we were young, we called it Rock.

But, yesterday was pretty bad and everything hit her even more than usual. I know this because it is normal for me to pour her into the car after, but she doesn't usually ask to go into the store with me when I'm picking up the "no chewing required" meals she will need between now and when I get home. I slid her into a store wheelchair and handed her a basket. I bought her everything she thought she could eat. Starting with hand-packed lemon orange blast sorbet. Then bananas. Then fruit smoothies. And a cappuccino smoothie. Then Bob Evans mac&cheese. Then gourmet potato bacon cheese soup. Then pumpkin cupcakes.

I got her home and she settled into the love seat while I made some phone calls. She may have dropped off a few times while I talked to The Mom and HRH. Either that or a love-sick moose moved into the house next door. When she roused, she thought one of the cupcakes was a good idea. And shortly after, she decided bed would be an equally good idea.

I woke her up a few hours later to get some pain meds down her throat before the Novocain wore off. But, that was about the last I heard from her before breakfast. She seemed normal enough. At least until I called home later that night. It turned out she didn't remember much after leaving the dentist. She wondered what the orange stuff was in the freezer. She also wondered where the missing cupcake was? She made some Tuscany bean soup because she didn't want to eat the soup in the fridge in case I got it for my dinner.

She is a cheap date, but loads of fun.

She just told me she can't rebut any of this, but only because she can't remember which part I'm making up. BTW, none of it.

Winter plans begin...

Planned Parenthood book sale this week. CaDiva and I went on Sunday (50% off day) before we went to see The Martian. By the way, a great two and a half hours, and I highly recommend both of them. Today, I went to the 75% off Super Monday and laid in 21 mystery books for The Mom for the long winter. Saturday, I also picked up some crochet patterns and basics books for mohrh and the cuz-in-law. They want to learn to crochet during the long winter. CaDiva bought several cook sensibly and craft books to prepare for the long winter.

Sadly, CaDiva and I also had a dentist appointment today. It was supposed to be a few fillings and fitting for crowns. While the good DDS injected one place in the lower right jaw, he hit an encapsulated abscess.  Upon examination, the tooth was lost and the root cracked. She took it very bravely, and not just because we dope her out of her ever loving mind just to get her in the chair.

We will have at least another month of messing with her to get her mouth ready for the long winter. As for now, fruit smoothies and soft food.

I'm cooking for my self and just hanging tight until she is back up and on her feet. Talk to everyone soon.

Two Hours until touch down

Bidding goodbye to the last sunrises and breakfast on the balcony.

 A little history on the way to the airport. Tour of the USS Lexington.

The Corpus Airport to the Dubya Airport...short flight, no reported sugar od'd toddlers. But, they had to take a train between concourse A and B. And the Prince Consort is picking them up at DSM at 11:30 tonight. I'm dying to see pictures and to understand about the red tide cough. 

HRH wishes you an Amazing Tuesday

HRH and SLY had one last full day in South Padre. They fly home tomorrow. But they still had a glorious sunrise and a perfect lunch. 

HRH declared banana, nutella, and honey butter is the Trifecta.

SLY shared one final message on FB, "One last spectacular sunset before heading back North tomorrow." In between, all reports are a wonderful experience.

Some Mondays are just worth it...

The sunsets are golden. 

The showers are straight out of HGTV. 

And before a dolphin cruise, you can have a nice glass of wine.  Although I'm not quite certain what is in that glass on the right. 

So it turns out they were on Osprey Cruise, aka booze cruise and saw more dolphins than they could count. Those are all my details. I'm hoping for more soon. 

On the other hand, that cold CaDiva insisted I had last night is exactly what I said it was, dust from the implosion. 

Sunday kind of day

Still waiting to hear from HRH and SLY how they spent the day. I know she was up early enough for this sunrise photo to make yesterday's blog. 

It looks like they had a quiet day with a picnic lunch on the balcony, I'm guessing.

And she probably didn't know the sun was over her shoulder so HRH did a kind of selfie in the pool.  

HRH did call last night. She is having a grand time. Although she really only want to know where delete was on Facebook. She still needs me. And so ends Sunday in South Padre Island.

Another one bites the dust...

I don't know what HRH and SLY have planned for today, but I momentarily considered getting up early and going downtown to watch them implode the YMCA building down by the river. They were supposed to set off the explosions at first light, around 7:15. The air was soft and cool and it was an autumn Sunday in Iowa, what did I have to do that was any better.

Well, when the alarm went off, snuggling under the blankets and going back to sleep sounded much better. Plus, they set it off like 15 minutes early. And, based on the sneezing I have been doing since then, I probably didn't need the dust.

CaDiva was awake and actually heard the concussion of the implosion. Her bedroom has two windows and one of them faces east. Also, she is a cat princess and can tell if there is a pea under her mattress. One day I should explain how confusing that story was to me as a child. I was very literal and the only peas I knew about came from a Del Monte can. A squished foul tasting vegetable would not have kept me up.

Oh, where was I? Yes, the implosion. I have a few links if you would like to see it. It is sort of a shame since there the building held some wonderful artwork I think dated back to the WPA days.

I should look that up. But still, enjoy the downtown Des Moines skyline at dawn courtesy WHO and KCCI.

WHO, The Des Moines Register, and KCCI own these images. I don't have any right to them so I'm only giving you the links. But, if you ask me, WHO has THE BEST still slide show of all of them. Sorry, KCCI, you know you are my favorite.

Saturday in South Padre

Sunrise, Sunset
Sunrise, Sunset
Swiftly fly the days...

And in between they went to the Sand Castle building workshop and festival. I don't have pictures or stories from their workshop. But SLY sent pictures of the first and second place sand castle winners. I am still fantasizing about twilight on that beach.

Not that they second guess the judges, second place was their favorite.

Regardless of my feelings about twilight, I know HRH's favorite is early morning. A cup of tea with her tablet or tunes, alone before the start of the day. For our benefit, she does take a moment with her phone to snap the sunrise. Her message today, "Happy Sunday."

Good Morning from SPI

I'm waiting anxiously for pictures from the Sand Castle Workshop and Festival. We missed the opportunity to see one when we visited the Oregon coast.

But, HRH is keeping me going with wonderful sun-scapes. HRH reports, "We are on a barrier island. Sunrises from our lanai. Sunset from across the street the Laguna Madre side" 

I might have cast some mild aspersions on one of her sunsets because of the lack of waves. Of course, it was merely to motivate her to get a little more creative.

What a great name for a beach-side restaurant, Wanna Wanna Inn Beach Bar and Grill.

Late lunch, early dinner, who knows but there was definitely something in a long tall glass.

View from the Wanna Wanna Inn Beach Bar and Grill

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Day Two in South Padre

Google Earth shot of the Condo

When HRH gets home, she can show us where her condo was.

Her messages today say today was amazing. Sea Turtles, Bus ride. Sunset. Outstanding.

Ok, so apparently you can have so much fun and relaxation, the fact that your sister is sitting way up where the temperature is falling and we have no negative ions, is not sufficient reason to send more pictures.

Per HRH, "Sea Turtles Rock"

So it is day two of my vicarious vacation.

Yesterday, HRH and SLY drove from Corpus Christi to South Padre Island. This is about a 2.5 hour drive, unless HRH was driving. In which case, they may have gotten there a little sooner except for the stop at King Ranch. I don't know anything about her experience yet. Texting only goes so far, you know? I do remember when I was in school in the 60's they told us King Ranch was the largest cattle ranch in Texas.

Google Map view of the drive to Kings Ranch

I went onto King Ranch website to get some information. It is larger than Rhode Island and has many different tours, special events, and a museum. I'm anxious to hear her stories when she comes home next week.










HRH has been sharing some of the pictures so that we don't have to wait until next week for some of her stories, even if they are only my interpretation of the snapshots.

I can imagine HRH and SLY walking along the beach at sunset. I feel the warm autumn breezes and hear the tide coming in. Then they walk up the bluff to the white lighthouse against the black sky. Dang, does my sister take good pictures or what?











I have no details yet, but according her her Facebook posts, she is at Sea Turtle, Inc.

Her post pretty much says it all. No, not really. I want DETAILS. I'll keep sharing everything she sends me that doesn't involve her eating carb-filled casserole with her eyes rolled back in her head. But, I'm keeping the picture for future blackmail purposes.

Preview to HRH and SLY's tales...

She will tell her own story when she get's home. But, since neither CaDiva nor HRH blog even as frequently as do I, I will share what she tells me so far.

The intrepid travelers departed Des Moines in the wee small hours of Thursday morning, via an airline who shall remain nameless since they lost The Mom in Chicago. It was a long flight to Houston and then a puddle jump to Corpus Christi. The plane she boarded for the hop to Corpus held 49 passengers and a two-year old hyped on sugar who was seated behind HRH as she settled into her 27.3" wide seat. Enough said.

They got the rental car, no description yet, and found the first critical stop - WHATABURGER. It was HRH's first and she was more than satisfied.

Then they found the condo complex and settled in. She shared pictures from her balcony. She has a great view over a parking lot to the ocean. All she needs to do is lean back with her tea and tablet in the morning and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Snagged from HRH's FB timeline

She also shared a picture from the site of the sand castle building festival. I'm still trying to find a way to get them off my phone. She has tickets to attend a sand castle workshop. I am anticipating grand pictures.

The one bad news is red tide warning.

According to channel 4 CBS affiliate in South Padre "The bloom is caused by an algae commonly found in coastal areas. It's back with a vengeance this year, and its toxins are responsible for killing sea life and keeping beachgoers off the sand. In humans, red tide can cause coughing and sneezing."  They assured readers the sand castle festival will go on as planned.