Day 5 - Moorea (& Today)

 Since we were a little sore from the day before, we spent most of the day at the resort. We played in the pool; I worked on my beading and just relaxed. 

I did shop and get a black pearl necklace and earrings. They are really pretty. I didn't go for the most expensive and I didn't buy the cheapest. I also got a 10% discount. Katt and I were talking about how that was the best place to buy them, and not off the side of the road. 

We ate at the bar. I had something close to fried rice for lunch. It had shrimp. The trouble with that was two of them still had the eyes and tail. I wasn't too thrilled to see the eyes. It seemed to have better food. It was funny though. We always wound up sitting at the same table. Since it was our last day there, we wanted to swim more but the clouds rolled in, and it was more humidity than the warm sun. We just relaxed and chatted.  

For dinner, we did ask to be in another area. The wind was blowing, and it got interesting for a bit. 

For dinner, I order the rice with chicken, and it turned out really, really good. Had a coconut cream to it. 

They had "happy hour" and I got a non-acholic drink. Katt and Patrick got an acholic drink. It was really good! Mine had coconut and strawberries. I don't care for strawberries, but this was really good. Almost like a smoothy. 

Today - What a Day! I was playing my games. Then I went down to iron my pants. Once I was done with that, I called the cardiologist to get an appointment. Because I have concerns and some "symptoms" they wanted to get me in soon. It took me an hour to get the appointment. Between waiting in line and talking to the nurse, they finally got me an appointment. By that time it was time to go to Olympia for my Oncology appointment. We chatted for a bit and talked about our trips - she went to Tiwon (sp). She said she got covid one the flight back. I told Patrick he needed to get tested when we got home. He did, and HAS COVID! I tested and was negative. That sucks. So, he let Scott and Katt know. I had to let Kathleen know at the fair and mom since I went to see her. Moms freaking out. I told her not to worry till she gets symptoms. It's a waiting game for me. If I have it, then I need to let everyone else know I have it. What a pain! Told Patrick I didn't want to sleep with him so I would be less likely to get it. He thinks I've already got the symptoms, so we will see. UGH

This is the bracelet I was working on on the trip. I need to add more beads before I can braid it more. I need another inch or two. 

This is the piece that beat my embroidery work. It's really pretty, but it needed to be in another category. Susy Carpenter does a beautiful job. She loves to applique. There isn't a lot of embroidery, but it works. Applique is stitching. And it's framed. She got the grand prize as well. 

I put some of my beads on the table to get started back on Sophie's piece. I will try and get a few stitches in on that tomorrow. Now that I don't have much to do. At least you know, while I was away, I was Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

 

Day 4 - Trip To Moorea & Today

Okay, I got some of my accounting wrong, but you get the idea of what we were doing. We actually tried to go to the Waterfall the first day we were there. It was WAY off the beaten path. We drove through a neighborhood, then a bumpy road that went into a skinny lane of mud. So, we parked like so many others did. Then we hiked about a half mile When it was up a hill on rocky soil. We got halfway up the hill when Kat said it was another mile to the falls. UGH - so we called if off and went back down the hill to the car. Trying to leave was something else too. Many people were going to the Falls, but one family asked how far it was from where we meet up with them - 2.5 miles. We told them it wasn't worth the trek because of all the rocks and mud. 

Same we didn't do the same for the 3 Pines hike. It was about 1.5 miles up a steep hill that was so windy, it reminded me of our hikes in Pullman. Trouble was that those hikes didn't have the mud or the tree stumps all over the walkway. 

We started up and almost called it off, but I wanted to go up there. I ended up paying for it. But we went up and it took over 2 hours to get up there. 

We were hiking through this mud and muck. It was slippery. Guess I'm not as much a hiker as some of the others who passed up. I couldn't figure out how they could go so fast. Some were bare footed. I should have but didn't. A couple had children they were carrying, and Patrick was concerned for them because of the slick walkway. I slipped and fell on my wrist but was fine - GOING UP.  Katt slipped and slid down the path and got even more mud on her. 

This was the root path we had to go through as well. It was up and down. Since it's like a rain forest there, it made for a very slick walk.

After 2 hours of following Katt's directions, we made it to the top. I wanted to give it up about 50 feet from the top. So, I sat and got my breath as well as my legs to move again. 

Between the 2 pine trees, there is a swing. It was fun but high up. Plus a little off to one side. We sat and enjoyed the view before heading back down. There were 2 mice running around as well. 

Was it worth it? Yeah, but if I knew more about it before we went, I would have passed. The reviews were that it was an "easy" walk and not that bad. IT WAS BAD. 

You can see the ocean from there. It's a full view of the island. 

This is what's beside us up on the hill as well. This is where I was going to call it quits. lol 

You can see the farmlands as well. 

In order to get up there and back, we had to use a rope to get us up a steep incline. That is before and after the 3 pines viewpoint. Katt was awesome and helped me get back down. Up was nothing - down another story. 

Halfway back, Katt slipped again. Then she made me follow her footing because it was getting worse with the rain. I did as she said, but somehow, I ended up flying through the air and landing on my back. I lost my breath and it took a good 5 to 10 minutes for me to get able to pull myself up with help. My back was covered in mud. I was LUCKY! I didn't hit the roots and I hit a flat rock. Patrick and Katt where wondering how anyone could come get me if I was hit in the head. Luckily, I keep my head from hitting the ground. I have been paying for it for over a week now. But it's getting better. We talked about how hard it was to get medical on the island, let alone a rescue team to get up that path to bring anyone down. Thank goodness, it felt a lost faster getting down then up. I had Patrick pull my shirt up in the back to my neckline so I didn't get mud on the car seat. I still had mud on my rear, so I used his sweatshirt to keep the seat from getting mud on it - so I thought. We missed the area where my pants bend and that mud got on the back of the seat. ugh. 

We came back and went for a swim, calling it a day. We were all hurting somewhere on our bodies. I had my thighs killing me with all the steps and BIG steps to pull myself up. It wasn't my day. 

Today - I was up and out the door to judge stitchery at the fair. I had to be at the fair by 9. but didn't start judging till 10 because they didn't have everything there. I couldn't judge my pieces, so someone else did. The rose got a blue +. So, it was up for the big prize. When it came down to it, applique pictures was in the same division and Suzy did an awesome job on her applique ship. The judging for the "best of class" was like judging apples to oranges. Of course, because applique is so big and gets a ton of attention, Suzy got the "best of class." I am okay with it, just not okay with having to judge "apples to oranges" and understand why some people don't enter their stuff anymore. There wasn't a lot to judge, and I was disappointed with some of the stitchery because they had them in frames that the glass was dirty. It isn't that hard to wash the glass when entering in the fair. It's not up to us to wash the glass. So, about 5 cross stitch items didn't get into the top judging spot because the glass was dirty. UGH

Stopped at moms and dropped off a quilt for her and picked up another. Came home and crashed! Now I'm done for the day. At least Jo's quilt was a B+ with her hand quilting, and I hope she gets the big prize but probably won't. 

I guess I can say I was Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 3 - Moorea (& Today)

Day 3 - I get confused on the days because I was counting the days of travel. But on day 2 we decided to rest and get ready for the hike the next day to the top of the mountain. That was an interesting trip - I will tell you tomorrow about that. 

We were enjoying the view and swimming in the afternoon. It was trip to find some shopping. I wanted a dress and a shirt. So, we took a ride and stopped at the beach for photos, then to the shopping. This photo is our bungalow pic. We were on the left side. 

Came back to the bungalow and got into our swimming suits. We laid around the pool and even got into the pool. I didn't swim much but I did enjoy the cool water. 

Katt and I were having fun. Patrick has a picture of us jumping in the pool together. It was so much fun. We chatted and joked around. 

I got dressed in my new dress. Then we headed out to eat. My hair was wet because I took a shower, of course. We liked having a day of just laying around. I worked on my beading as well. It was easy to bead while watching others around the pool. We couldn't understand most of them, but once in a while there was someone speaking English. 

I even picked up some black pearls for myself. 

Today was a trip to the church to pick up a quilt and drop one off. Then we headed to the fair to enter the 2 quilts and my 2 pieces - Santa and Rose I just finished. Santa, I finished last year but didn't enter it. Was asked to enter it this year, so we did. 

After that, we headed to Olympia to go to Costco for food. We picked up some for Phil and dropped it off on the way back. I gave Emily her gift we brought back. Phil hadn't looked at his when I came out of the room. Patrick was so beat. He looked bad at Costco, so I didn't linger very long. Came home and he slept for a good 3 hours since he didn't get much sleep last night. 

I kept quiet - but got 2 phone calls while he was sleeping. Then I played on my tablet. I'm not in the mood to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

 

Day 2 - Moorea (& Today)

We all got a good sleep and were up around 7 am. We headed over to the restaurant for breakfast. It was a nice breakfast. One of those buffets that had both American and French breakfast stuff. I don't do breakfast, but I did while we were there. I decided on fruit and their pastries. I love the European pastries. Trouble was, Katt is like Phil and they don't do sweets. I tried to tell her their sweets are a lot less sweet than the American sweets. She didn't believe me.  So, I didn't get as much of the pastry foods as I wanted. lol I had more bread there than I have at home. lol 

We went to the museum on the Island. I'm not sure what's going wrong with the photos. I never had this trouble before. Anyway, I will make them bigger so that they don't look worse than they do now. 

Their museum talks about the Eco environment work they are doing. They tell you of the coral and they tell you which ones are poisonous. Of course, they all are. They do an awesome job of keeping their Island Eco Friendly. I found some American foods, but when you eat them, you find they are different. They removed the ingrediencies that banded in Europe and other countries. Even the food dye is banded. It's interesting and fun to see. I was thrilled to see they recycle what they can. 

The swimming pool is bigger than the others we saw. This is a night view. We had reservations for the performance of the dancers. 

Katt was enjoying it as much as we were. She was doing great. But she wouldn't go up and dance with them when they asked her to. lol 

A couple of them I recognized as workers at the hotel. We watched it till they were teaching how to dance like that. I can't move my hips nearly that fast or at all! But it was awesome to see! Well worth it. 

The sun came down off the deck of our room. It was fun to watch the sun going down. We did do some shopping but not a lot. I bought a dress and a shirt that I can wear that is cool and comfortable. 

Today, I was sleeping in. I think I'm back to our schedule. Jet lag wasn't that bad today as I stayed up all day. I only had a call from my doctor, and we chatted about the stuff going on. Frustrating that I get one problem solved and we get another one in the meantime. I made macadamia nut with white chocolate cookies. They turned out really good. I tried cake flour because Patrick said he saw it on GMA and it makes the cookies a little chewer. I thought I would try it and they turned out really good. I haven't been in the mood to work on my crafts. I need to, but just not there yet. So, not Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

BACK - From Vacation To Moorea (Tihiti Islands)

 Okay, I figure if I do each day, it would be easier than trying to write all four of the days on here. I will also add at the bottom how it went today. 

The first day was Monday, heading to Portland Airport to meet up with Katt and then off to Los Angels. We left around noon. Got to Portland around 2 pm. Katt was a little later as her flight was delayed. We would have made it at the same time otherwise. We sat and waited for the flight to leave around 5 pm to get to LA. The flight went well and we were all in a good mood. Arriving at LA around 7 or 8. Then we waited another 3 hours to leave on the French airline. Patrick was able to upgrade us to Premier. AND I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT! We had a meal before we boarded and then they serviced us another meal about 2 hours in the flight. I was falling asleep but got up to eat. Katt and I ate the meal. Patrick went back to sleep and didn't bother. We tried sleeping for the next 6 hours but the baby behind us was crying the whole time. Drove Katt nuts and Patrick was to the point of asking them if he's doing okay. The parents didn't bother to try and sooth the kid. We finally arrived in Tahiti at 4 am their time. Which is 7 am our time. 

I was beat and so were they. We couldn't check into the hotel till 2 pm. So, we got a taxi to take us to the fairy. When we got there, it was about ready to leave, so we had to hurry and get on the fair. Once we were on, it was a 30-45 min ride to Moorea. It wasn't a fun ride; the water was choppy. Then we had to walk about a half mile to a mile to get to the Hertz rental. Then we had to wait a little longer because they weren't open - yet they were there. So, we sat and waited. By the time we drove around the Island and looked around, we only killed a few hours. We stopped at Le Cook hotel to get breakfast. It was a nice place. 

We killed about an hour there. There was a chicken or two there as well. They roam free around the Island, as well as dogs. 

He even jumped up and took some of Patrick's food while he went to the restroom. We shooed them away of course. 

The it was about noon when we arrived at our hotel. They had us wait in the bar area and have a drink on them. I must have looked like I'd been in a hurricane because I looked BAD. My hair was all over the place. Even I was shocked at how I looked. 

We walked in and found this waiting for us. 

It was all live flowers! Not easy to pick up either. lol But it was really nice! They really did know how to take care of us. We laid down for a while when we were finally in the room at 2:30 pm. I showered and felt a lot better. 

Supper wasn't till about 7 pm, so we got into our swim wear and went out to the pool area to check it out and swim. 

We had this view from the room. They had a coffee table over the glass in the floor. It was fun to watch the fish coming and going. 

Depending on the angle depended on how the photo came out. There was a fish somewhere there but not seeing it. Bet that was the one that got out of camera shot. 

This was off the Fairy dock. It was a pretty day when we arrived. 

This is the coffee table and glass in the floor. 

We finally went to get something to eat. So, I ordered a shrimp salad (more to the name) and it was the best! I didn't care for 2 of the shrimp having the eyes and body, but I did okay with it. Good think it wasn't all of them. 

We ended up calling it a night early. I did work on my beads. Funny though, I didn't take any pictures of my progress. I will take one tomorrow and show it when I can. It was a long flight and a long day. 

As for today, we had to be up at 7 am to get moving to Tacoma for my doctor appointment. Neither one of us wanted to get up because of jet lag. We were sleeping off and on all day after we got home. I had a follow up with my thumb. It was all of 10 minutes. Patrick was going to go to Costco after but as we were leaving both of us decided to come home. I was falling asleep in the car and Patrick crashed when we got home. I played on my tablet while doing laundry. I have it all done now and now I am beat as well. As it went, today was not a day of Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Getting Ready For Vacation

 Today, I was working on laundry and getting ready for our trip. I wanted to work on my "bead starter strip" that can be used to start beading projects. I wanted to get it done so that I could take it with me as well. It's a white and black strip so that I can use either side. Depending on the color bead I start with. 

I was playing games and moving. Between household stuff to do before going and getting ready, it kept me pretty busy. I even picked out beads for the bracelet I plan to make. It will be fun and interesting. We will see if I get anything done. 

I finished another audiobook today. I needed something while making my strip and Patrick sleeping. 

It's going to be interesting how he does on the trip. He hasn't been feeling great lately, so we will see. I hope he can enjoy the trip and not be down with his health. That's the reason he hates leaving so far away from home. He wants to be near the hospital. Fingers crossed he will be fine. 

At least I can say, I was Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Saturday - Before Our Vacation

 This morning, I headed to the museum to get 2 quilts that I needed for the fair. Since they had to be registered by the 3rd, I had to get them in asap. I figured if I got back on Sunday and it had to be done by Monday, I would forget. So, I managed to get it done. I entered 2 quilts and my embroidery as well as my cross-stitch Santa. The Angle isn't done and I didn't get a chance to work on it today either. 

I did 5 laps today. Chatted with Raymond and then came in the house. I made a Babba Cinnamon bread that I wanted to make sure came out. It's funny how the center falls down when it's in the oven. Think it has to do with the toppings. I made it for Scott and Teri. Since they will be watching the house. Scott came over and got it. Then he stuffed his mouth with it and was saying how great it was. Too funny watching him. He does love my homemade bread. 

I got a bracelet pattern out and have everything I need to make it. I'm taking that as a craft to work on, on vacation. Beading is easier to do then the other stuff. 

I did some cleaning and then just played on my tablet. I wasn't in the mood and my thumb got hurt the other day. It's not doing good. Red and swollen. I won't go in, just wait till my appointment in 2 weeks. I know he will give me crap for it. 

As much as I would love to say I did, I didn't even get close to Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Early Morning

I was up before 6 am. I got in my shower, breakfast and then we were out the door for Olympia. I'm not having good luck with my tests lately. I had the Electrocardiogram done today. Results came back, and there were a couple things my doctor wants me to talk to my cardiologist about. It will have to wait till we get back to see if I need to see him soon.

Came home and Patrick went to take a nap. I went downstairs and did a sleeve for my cross-stitch bars. I have my next cross stitch project ready to go. 

This is the one Katt got for me at Christmas time. I have it ready to start. This is a first for me. The aide cloth is marked with what color needs to go where. The design is on the fabric. All I have to do is pay attention to the color it tells me to use. The floss is all numbered and ready to use. There are even needles and a needle threader. The "bag" is the top left. I carry my stuff in that while I work on the piece. Like I said, everything I need is here. 

I then brought my cross stitch back upstairs. I got to work on it for a bit. 

I don't know what's wrong with the photo as I haven't had this problem before. I added the beads on the left elbow area. It's got a ton of beads to add. Trouble is, when the weather is 90* to 100* then it's really hot to try and work on this. I was able to get about 50 beads on it, but that's not near what I need. UGH. At least I was able to take time and enjoy Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Working Day

This morning, we were up and ready to go. I got moving on getting some laundry going. Adding stuff to the luggage for our trip. Really don't need much, but I tend to over pack every time. 

Vacuumed and got the kitty litter taken care of. Then I came in the computer room and got some things done with QOV. I had to update the Facebook stuff. Then I had to go down the list of veterans for our excel sheet. I still have about 100 names to add. It's getting closer to being done. I just need the folder I gave to Debbie to finish up. One thing at a time. I was listening and finishing a book while I worked. 

I thought about working on my beading. But we all know, thinking about it and doing it, isn't Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Casino Day - Still Too Hot! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHIL!!

 Sometimes (more often now) I wish we had air conditioning. We don't. Really can't put one in because this was built in 1977 and has heater boards. So, there isn't a vent that we could use to have air conditioning. It sucks! But at least downstairs is cooler. 

Patrick wanted to go to the casino, which surprised me. I thought we were taking a break. First, I had my list of things to do. We stopped and picked up a quilt from the church. They had one done for us. Then we stopped at Phil's to give him his Birthday Gift. He turned 41 today. WOW!! Anyway, gave him his gifts and a hug. Next was the post office to drop off some papers for Bryan. 

We then headed to the casino. It was quiet compared to other days. We did okay for the 5 hours we were there. We lost about $300. Not bad, considering we have lost more than that before. I had Patrick try a couple new games. One was Texas Tea and that was fun. We did better on that then the others. We played our 88 Fortune type games. That wasn't much fun, because that took the money as fast as one put it in. I go to play for a while, not have them take the money in 10 mins. We had supper there and it was pretty good. I had the Club Sandwich. Patrick had eggs and bacon. He didn't want all the fried grease. I wish they didn't have such big meals. I was going to do the Shrimp Louise, but it was $20, so I know it's enough for 2 people. I don't like to bring that home. 

We stopped at moms to drop off the quilt for binding. She told me Mike McCoy was in the hospital in Seattle. He was the one that worked with my dad in Germany. Diane passed away about 2 or 3 years ago. I do miss her. 

Came home and just enjoyed the thunderstorm while playing on my tablet. The TV reset and we had it off for a while. I didn't listen to my book, just enjoy the weather outside. We haven't had thunderstorms in about 20 years here, so it's nice to have. It wasn't as close to us as the one 20 years ago, and I'm okay with that. 

I really need to get back to being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

WAY TOO HOT TODAY

This morning, Patrick went golfing and I went for a walk at 11 am. I went 4 times around the neighborhood. Then came in the house to find sweat rolling off my face. I TOUGHT I was early enough, but NOPE. 

I played games for a bit. Then came into the computer room and worked on my QOV stuff. It's taking a lot longer than I had hoped. Now I know why Debbie was stalling. I also found a Mandatory email for our program. It's supposed to take an hour, but we will see. I signed up for September so I can get it over with. There is a meeting with Cindy this weekend and I'm not sure if I will be able to attend. 

The weather reached over 100 degrees and I'm sweating! I may have to move downstairs to sleep. When it gets this hot, I shut down. Patrick took a nap this afternoon and said the fan in the living room was cooler than in the bedroom. I can see why. 

I have to go to the post office tomorrow as well as the church to pick up a quilt. I will need to drop it off at moms before we go. 

So, I'm way too hot to do anything worth anything and that includes Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!