Kauai Vacation

Kauai vacation pictures outdoors

Paul and I are lucky enough to go out of the mainland and visit Hawaii's Kauai island. We prepared for this trip with money-saving in mind (we cooked most meals and did not order drinks when we ate out). We also lost weight before leaving. Here is my gratitude list.

1. Losing weight and getting fitter. We tolerated short moderate to difficult hikes to go to the smaller and more private beach to avoid the crowds. 
2. Beautiful beaches we enjoyed for free. The beaches are all public in Hawaii.
3. The beautiful, lush, and shady hikes to complement sunny days.
4. Natural rocks to sit on to watch the waves and enjoy the cool breeze for hours.
5. Jojo's shaved ice with macadamia ice cream on the bottom. We enjoyed the tropical breeze flavor almost daily!
6. Hawaiian feast and show called Lua. That was fun to watch.
7. The company of friends from Colorado. Of all places, we got to meet in Hawaii after many years. How odd but nice. They stopped over from a cruise.
8. The pink sarong Paul encouraged me to get. It is so versatile wrap/dress/top/or skirt! I never had one. It is a must, especially when going to the beach and going somewhere else right after.
9. All the beautiful experience we had on vacation. It made me more resilient facing problems waiting at home. My neighbor "mistakenly constructed a fence" some-20 feet passed her property line into my lot. This is partially resolved. Thank goodness in part for my children 19- and 20- year olds adulting. This issue started the next day after I left for an 8-day vacay. Oh, and also, my daughter slipped driving my car on a snow day days later. My car is still in the shop. 
10. My daughter is not hurt in the car accident. The other party did not get hurt either.

Halloween Gratitude 2019

Halloween 2019

 It is the month of November. Halloween just passed. Next comes Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then the New Year 2020. The year is almost over. I haven't finished my goals this year yet. I still have time. But I should not procrastinate.

Anyway, just as important, I have many blessings to fall back on this fall. Here is my list of gratitude.

1. A moment to enjoy my grandson's Scooby-Doo picture. Isn't he the cutest Scooby-Doo baby this year? All that I asked agrees with me!
2. Just eight years ago, my son, now a father, still dressed for Halloween. You can't see it here but he was a wounded skateboarder. (He had left his costume at a friend's house an hour away. . . ) How can he have a kid already? He is only (still) a/my kid!
3. Snowball was younger then. He is still cute now but he is missing a lot of teeth and his tongue always hangs on the left side. I love old pictures.
4. My daughter dressed up for Halloween this year still. She is 19 and still going to college. I am happy about that.
5. I work last Halloween. I am thankful nothing scary or gruesome happened at work that day.
6. I am thankful for a good talk with my boss last week. It makes me nervous sometimes when bosses make an appointment with me "just to talk." 
7. I am thankful for the reimbursement from work for my expenses obtaining a second nurse certification.
8. I am thankful that so far I am not behind taking two college courses at the same time while working fulltime. I am still alive and not buried with tons of homework. I am keeping up.
9. I am thankful for my health. I remember this every time I hear about another young woman diagnosed with breast cancer. I get sad then cheer up for MY HEALTH. 
10. My presentation went well in nursing education day. Speaking in front of others makes me nervous but I did alright.

May you have a list of gratitude to think about. Have a good week!