Ready or Not!….Here comes 2014!!

How do 365 days go by so quickly?!  It is true what they say….the older you get, the faster the days spin past.

I went back and read my goodbye to 2012.  It was a difficult year for us and I'm glad that 2013 really did bring us the changes that we were hoping for and desperately needing.  Now if that trend will just continue I would be oh so happy!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year 2014!  May it bring you health, happiness and love.  Let's get started on those resolutions!

Isla Mujeres, Mexico 2009 - 2013…a video by Caribbean Casa….

An awesome video made by Cori of Caribbean Casa Caribbean Casa, Isla Mujeres…..capturing all the beauty and spirit of Isla Mujeres!

'Tis The Season!

December brings the beginning of 'THE' season….the season that brings love, joy, family and food…..malls, shopping, credit cards and stress!

Today, December 1st happens to be the first Sunday of Advent.  For the real history of the meaning of Advent….click here…Advent

For us, today brings Christmas calendars, candles and æbleskiver!  Before we begin the fun and feasting though, our family visits the cemetery.  The second Christmas season without Dad.

Then it was off to Mom's place to enjoy a cozy afternoon.  She didn't think she had room for all her Department 56 collection and she was going to sell it when she moved from her house.  I convinced her  to keep it and now she has little displays in every room instead of one large one.  Looks great!

And another family tradition since I was little….a handmade Christmas calendar.  Mom thinks I'm too old for one now but until we had kids of our own, she still made one for us.  Now she makes them for the boys.

One for Jordan…

And one for Josh…he inherited my original calendar which Mom embroidered herself about 50 years ago!…

Poor Jason….doesn't live nearby and doesn't eat a lot of chocolate or sugar…good for him, but his loss!


Her Advent wreath with the first candle burning….

And then it's time for the best part of the day…æbleskiver!  One of my favourite Danish treats.  They are like little round pancakes, fried in a special pan, flavoured nicely with cardamom, and eaten with a sprinkling of sugar and strawberry jam.  Soooo delish!

It was a wonderful family afternoon….a great way to start the season.  Now if we could just hold onto this warm fuzzy feeling while we're searching for a parking spot at the mall over the next few weeks!

Something Hit Me Today….

Something hit me today… Right smack dab in the middle of my face… And I caught it!  What do you think it was? A bug? A snowball?

Nope!

It was a smile!!

Today was a day where I just felt happier than I have felt in a long time.  I saw the smile and I felt the smile. Such a great feeling and something that I just needed to take a moment to fully appreciate.

And what, may you ask, brought on this smile?  A few things actually, but mostly just a realization that life has turned a corner for us and has turned us in the right direction.  The past few years have been really difficult for us…..I know that might not be what my Facebook posts show on most days, but Facebook and real life aren't always compatible!  There have been too many days where my heart was so heavy that it was all I could do to just make it through the day.  But what is it they say?  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger….I should be able to lift a truck full of concrete by now!  But lately, there have been more 'good' days than bad…..


We're grateful that my mom is doing well….as well as can be expected without my dad by her side.  Life moves on.  Also grateful that Vince's mom has recovered from her brain surgery this past February.  Doing so well that she just returned from a 3 week adventure in China.  Also very happy that our 3 sons are doing great right now and their lives are moving forward in positive ways.

And this past week was sooo fantastic….

A few days ago we learned that our favourite Latin band Maná was going to be performing a concert in Mérida, Mexico….on THE day that we are scheduled to arrive in 2014.  We saw them in LA in 2007 and it truly was the best concert we've ever attended.  Stars aligned and with some persuasion from our son Jason, we took the plunge and secured tickets.  Still can't quite believe that we are lucky enough to see them again!  A dream come true.  What an incredible way to start our holiday!  Maná

And then today just started out perfectly….I woke up and my mouth wasn't pounding from recent dental work.  Yippee #1.

Took a look at Facebook and what do I see?  Yippee #2...My dear friend Cori, posting a series of beautiful sunrise photos from Isla Mujeres.  She slept on a lounger on the balcony so she wouldn't miss the sunrise.  She did that for me.  For ME!!!  Such a special, thoughtful gift and I hope she knows how much it meant to me.  She loves Isla as much as I do, and understands how much I miss my special 'happy' place!  Gracias Cori, for the very special gift!

So, today I smile, and hopefully, tomorrow will bring more smiles.  December 1st and the first Sunday Advent.  Our little family will gather to light a candle and enjoy Mom's famous Danish æbleskiver.

I'm just going to keep on smiling!!

Isla Mujeres 2012 ~~ Day 28-29 ~~ THE END!!

Isla Mujeres 2012

Friday Mar. 9

~~Day 28  “LAST is a 4-Letter Word”

Today begins the day of ‘Lasts’…..the last time to sit on the beach, the last dinner, the last sunset.  Sigh…..

But this is not the last sunrise!  I get one more tomorrow!  So I sit back and enjoy…

Not about to waste a minute of this day, we take a walk to centro and then back along the malecon.  We stop to admire our home away from home….

We walk to the end of the malecon and then turn north on Juarez and walk a short distance to our front door…..how we will miss this beautiful place!

A light breakfast, a stop to enjoy the view….

And then we’re on our way to sizzle away on our last day on Playa Norte.  Rueda Medina looking spotless as always….

And for the rest of the day we just sit back and enjoy every moment….memorizing everything until we can return again….

We have a months worth of packing up to do, so we only have time for glimpses of the sunset and another moment to admire the moonrise.

We had a wonderful, delicious and romantic last dinner at Olivia’s….truly one of our very favourite places to enjoy a great meal. 

Saturday Mar. 10

~~Day 29  “THE END”…..until next time!

I don’t think I slept very much….there was no way I was going to sleep in and miss the very last sunrise….

Sweet, yet bittersweet.  Why does the time always go by so quickly!  As lucky as we are to stay for a month, it’s never long enough.  But I’m grateful for every sunrise that I have seen….

Our last moped ride to Chedraui to pick up some supplies that we hope will last until our return….limon mayonnaise, cacahuates, Kahlua.  

Then Vince returns the moped while I finish up the packing.  Our flight doesn’t leave until later today, so we aren’t in any rush.  We can sit back and enjoy the views for a little longer.

Muchas gracias to Cori and Pedro for creating this wonderful oasis.  It truly is ‘Isladise’! 

One more look….

Mr. Iguana says hasta luego….

And then it’s time to drag the suitcases to the ferry.  If I’d known that the ferry terminal was going to be demolished I would have taken more photos!  I’ll miss the rustic simplicity of it….

It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve been here, the colours of the water always takes my breath away….

It just makes me want to jump in!

Suitcases stowed, we hop up the stairs to enjoy the view.  And what can I see?  The balcony of Isladise where I was just sitting a short time ago!

And then the engines roar to life and my heart skips a beat….we’re leaving….we’re actually leaving……it’s hard to hold back the tears.

Isla Mujeres……We will return…….