I missed out

Each of us takes a turn to stay behind with Elle and Kent. Of course the day I get stuck in the villa they see this. And not just one nurse shark but three of them. Oh well, life goes on and on.

St. Kitts in November

 

We arrived safely on Friday morning after flying through the night into San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Then a short flight to St. Kitts and the adventure began.  Friday was spent getting settled which proved to be a challenge with twelve people(two of which are under age 1), sixteen pieces of checked luggage (plus a bunch of backpacks and carry ons), and three rooms scattered all over the property.  We ate pizza for lunch poolside and a late dinner of KFC.  The first nights rest was rough for everyone.   But that didn't stop, Dylan, Howard, my Dad, and I from diving first thing Saturday morning.   Diving with ProDivers proved to be as good as we remembered.   The boat ride was smooth (no seasickness), the equipment superb, and Austin was an excellent guide.   My favorite part of the dive was seeing an octopus ink us. We also enjoyed seeing eels, sting rays, barracuda, lobsters, and lots of colorful fish.  Howard and Dylan were able to hold a sea cucumber and I touched the outside of a jellyfish for the first time.  The afternoon was spent moving from our hotel rooms into the two villas we rented for the week.   Some swam and played at the beach.   Elle, Krissy, Howard, and I went to the whirlpool after dark and it was impossible to get Elle to get out.  A trip to the grocery store for perishable items that we couldn't bring with us rounded out the evening.  

A perfect fifty out of one hundred

Syndy Rains had this fun get to know you post on her blog.  Red= I've done it.  Green=I haven't done it.  Black= It will never happen! 

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (when I was 8 years old before they closed it to tourists)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight 
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (in my dreams)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (bought and eaten plenty)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (I hardly ever write a check anymore) 
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100.Visited Italy

Serging 101....next Sewing 101

Thanks to my calling as the Relief Society Enrichment counselor, I have become involved in our ward's humanitarian efforts.  Marilyn Hyer convinced me that I could make a receiving blanket in ten minutes using a serger and I believed her!  So about two months ago, I went online and ordered a serger.  Marilyn gave me a crash course and I have officially completed serging around the outside of 17 flannel receiving blankets.  The first few I did definitely had "beginner" written all around the edges.  But to my amazement, I am actually getting the hang of it.  Knowing that I still need to sew a square in the middle of the blankets to keep the fabric from shifting, I purchased a sewing machine from a garage sale just up the street from my parents.  The machine was still in the original cardboard box with all the packing and the owner said she had used it only a couple times.  So far, I have figured out how to thread it and wind the bobbin. Who would have ever guessed that I would take up sewing.    

Practically in Our Backyard

After all the airlines miles we have logged in over the past three years, Kelly and I decided it was time to visit a natural wonder that is practically in our backyard.  Yes, I am embarrassed to admit, it was my first time to walk the Trail of 100 Giants.  Wendy Adams joined us for the day.  Politics was the topic of discussion on the hour long drive to and from the trail, so Wendy may be regretting joining us after all.  I am happy to report that the weather was a cool 53.    The trail was almost completely accessible but a little off-roading provided for better photo opportunities.  The grove of Giant Sequoias was an awe-inspiring sight.   On the way back we stopped for lunch as the Kern River Brewing Company in Kernville.  I have to admit the food was pretty lousy, the fresh brewed root beer wasn't palatable, but the company was great!   Thanks Wendy for being such a great friend!