Happy New Year!

A former co-worker recently contacted me with a request. He was pretty far into the interview process at my current place of employment and wanted my take on the current culture.....

Hmmm.....

Yeah....

In good conscience, I suggested that, unless he was desperate for employment,  he run - run fast, run far, keep running...

And lest he think I just do not want to work with him again (because why am I still there if things are so bad?), I explained that those of us not actively looking to get out are on the older side - hoping to hang on and ride out the storm.   Maybe after the storm there will be a package that includes some monetary compensation along with a placement service option.

How sad is that?

The ride has been very rough lately.  I am not sure how much longer I can hang on.

I wish I could be more like some of my coworkers who just let things roll off.  They do whatever they are asked whenever they are asked - not caring that the priorities changed 3 times today or that they will probably have to redo what they are doing 5x before it is accepted, or that they have so many priority 0 tasks in their inbox that they will probably not reach a single priority 1 task before the New Year  - 2018....


Sigh....

I wish I would not think about all the things I should be doing on the weekend to make the coming week's workload more manageable. I wish last weekend I would have remembered that the last 4 times I caved to my guilty conscience and worked lots and lots of hours over 40, priorities changed immediately the next work week and all that extra work was put on hold  - indefinitely...

Deep Sigh...

I wish I could get used to power tripping #@@3$ rejecting change requests and submissions for the lamest reasons. I live for the day that someone (anyone)  in management has the cajones to question the #@@3$ actions to their face.   I wish I would learn to just keep my mouth shut instead of telling said power tripping #@@3$ what I think of their f-ing non-value added way of working.

Deep, Deep Sigh...

I wish that this had not happened this morning...

I took my time getting into the office - took the scenic route around all of the construction rather than sitting in it.   Because sitting in traffic on the way to a job that is stressful adds to the stress. 
When I walked into the office, a half hour + later than my usual start time, the first person I encountered was a co-worker who I help quite a bit because most of his team has been pulled onto a special project and he is left with a lot to handle that he does not always understand.  In fact, one of his team members on this special project gave me a directive late last week to put aside my current workload to gather  information that the business needed immediately.  No problem.  I am now 2 days behind with the work I was working on before being pulled away, but whatever...

Yeah, whatever...

But, I digress. Back to the encounter...

Him:  Good morning.  Thank you for your help last week.  I need a bit more of your time when you get settled.
Me: Ok. You seem happy this morning.  Good weekend?
Him: Oh, just happy to hear that they are giving us Friday and Tuesday off to extend the holiday weekend to thank us for all the extra effort we have put in this summer!
Me: Seriously? That is awesome.  Did an email come through this morning?
Him:  Ummm.  Oh, not everyone gets off.  Just our team and the people on that special project.
Me:  ....
Him: Oh yeah, we are suppose to keep it on the down-low.
Me: ....
Him:  ...
Me:   Yeah, so all of us who are doing our work and some of yours and supporting the "special" project whenever summoned.....
Him:  Well, I will stop by later to see if you can help me....
Me: Yeah.  I'll be here....

I left the office early today -  I am not feeling so well.

I have decided I need to consider taking my own advice...

Run!

Run Fast!

Run Far!

I am also considering taking a friend's advice. She sets her New Year's Resolutions on her birthday rather than the first of the calendar year. My birthday will be here in less than 3 weeks.  I intend to be on a beach in Belize on the day. I also intend to have set some goals for the next year by then.     

Career goals...

Life goals...

Happy New Year!

 

Time to End the Slugfest

It has been a lazy summer for me.

Actually, the laziness set in before summer even began.

It was about mid-May when I realized that I was so far behind on my 12750 per day average  step goal for the year that there was no way I was going to catch up.  Ok, maybe I could catch up, but I decided it was not worth killing myself trying.

So I quit counting. Just like that.  I gave up.

And I have been feeling guilty ever since.   Damn that Catholic upbringing.

I have a lot of excuses to ease my guilty conscience. Work is stressful.  Life is not all roses.   The summer heat/humidity plays havoc with my sinuses and gives me migraines.

This morning I was getting ready for work, feeling guilty about not getting up with the first alarm to ride my bike, when something dawned on me.

On mother's day, at the end of the 5k, my son and I agreed to  participate in the Natatorium 5 K this September.

Damn, September is not that far off.

I could opt out.  He may not be available anyway, with his busy schedule  and all- or so I tried to tell myself.

And then I made a decision.  Just like that.

I decided that I would participate in the NAT 5k - whether his schedule allowed or not.

And to be able to finish the 5k without embarrassing myself, I know I need to start walking again, right away.

Maybe not 12750 steps every day -  since that proved to be a bit too much - but with some consistency.

So, I have decided to try for 10000 steps a day, but not getting upset if I do not make it every day.
And not worrying about doing more the next day to make up for the day before.

I have decided to try to walk for 30-45 minutes at a time 3x per week.

And I have decided to try to do 15 minutes of HIIT training on my bike 3x per week.

But most importantly, I have decided to end this summer slugfest that I have wallowed in for the last two months.

Font Meme 

In my (not so humble) opinion....

I am saddened by the tragic killings that took place in a nightclub in Orlando this weekend. 

I am also saddened by the postings on social media pointing the finger of blame... 

...at all Muslims (the killer had ties to ISIL)

...at Obama (he is too easy on ISIL) 

...at Democrats (the killer was a registered Democrat) 

etc., etc.,....

Now for my two cents (you asked, right?)...




The killer is dead. I am not sorry or saddened by that.  I am thankful that he can no longer inflict pain because of his beliefs.



I believe that there is good and not so good in every philosophy one chooses to call their "religion". 

I believe that individuals or groups of individuals, brainwashed as they may be, choose to act (or not) on their chosen interpretation of their "religion's" teachings. 

In my small mind, a radical Christian* is no better than a radical Muslim/Atheist/Democrat/Republican or radical any one/thing. 

Just saying...

 *I used Christian as the premise because that is closest to what I have been most of my life:(

The word of the day: Delay

I am on a much needed vacation.

In Belize...

with palm trees and pool bars...

It was a bit rough getting here.

My flight out of Akron was delayed 6 hours which would get me to Atlanta too late to catch a same day flight to Belize.

Do I rebook for Monday or make an attempt to get out of snowy Ohio?

Larry to the rescue- he booked me on a flight out if Cleveland and got me a ride to the airport.  I was on my way....or so I thought.

First there was a short mechanical delay ( I think the pilot needed breakfast) followed by an indicator malfunction that required a plane restart .  

And the plane needed de-iced.

But even with all those delays I would still get to Charlotte in time to catch my flight to Belize.

But it was not meant to be.

Enter a family with three small children.

Three small unruly children who refused to sit in their seat so the plane could take off.

The crew finally asked the family to deplane so the rest of us could be on our way.

But they refused. Dad physically throws one of the children into the seat but is not able to get said child buckled in.

Enter security.  Family deplaned.

Luggage crew called in to find and extract their luggage from the cargo area. 

There is still a slight chance I can get a connecting flight to Belize.

Enter couple who decides they want to take catch another flight because they are not going to make their connection with this one.  WTF?  Flight crew tries to no avail to change their mind.

Couple deplanes.  Luggage crew called back as I lose all hope if getting to a beach this day.

There are no beaches near the Charlotte airport.

 Airline books me on an early next morning flight to Miami and sets me up in a comfort Inn.  The comfort inn should have to change their name due to false advertising. Not going to say any more about that.

I did get a nice long walk In and I and enjoyed dinner and cocktails at  a local Chili's.

And This morning I made it to Miami in time to run to my connecting flight to Belize.

I am writing this in the air as we are making the descent to Belize City.

Almost there.

Update....

There:)

With a drink by the pool:)

Putting it in perspective...

A reminder from a co-worker today:

This place is not normal. 
Once we are out we will need to purge ourselves of this toxic mind boggling environment...

...and start anew....

Here's to finding a place to start anew!

But first things first.

Two more days of the madness before I head to Belize for 10 days.

I can make it.

Change is good, right?

I got a  new boss this week. 

This is my 6th new direct supervisor since March of 2015.

6 different bosses in 12 months.  

But it may be ok.  This could be a good change; "could" being the key word.

Apparently, the organization is not willing to let me give up the work I have been doing that is not part of the new role so that I can take on the challenges of the new role.

Damn.

I even proposed a transition plan that I felt was reasonable.

But my workplace is not always reasonable.

I tend to forget about their unreasonableness at times. Here are a couple of reminders.

This is the same workplace that gave a lot of us a decent sized surprise bonus in early February and then said oooopps mid March.  And proceeded to take it back over the next two pays so it would not be a hardship.  Not a hardship?  For who???  WTF?????   Way to raise workplace morale. 

And this is the same place that fired several long term employees sans package a few week ago for behaviors that suddenly were no longer acceptable to upper management anymore. Seriously???  I was not sad to see some of them go, but honestly, their behavior was accepted and fostered by the organization for the past few years.   And no package.  Way to mess with people's livelihoods.   WTF???  Way to raise workplace morale, again.  

Yeah, WTF????  That was my question  to HR about both incidents.  Sometimes I am surprised I am still employed.  I do tend to say what is on my mind before I consider the possible repercussions.

But maybe more employees actually expressed WTF sentiments.

And maybe management listened....

Maybe...

Last week at a town hall, management actually did an about face on their "we have more to do" attitude  and suddenly,  supposedly, got serious about employees maintaining a  healthy work-life balance.  To prove their good intentions, we were told  to "just take next Friday off - we do not want to see any of you here or online working."   <Insert controlled, skeptical applause>

Next Friday is today.  I am taking the day off, hoping there is no hidden agenda - reminding myself that change is good.

Right?

 Happy Good Friday - however and for whatever reason you are celebrating!

Lessons learned - or not...

2016 is off to a whopper of a start.

Here is a list of some things I now realize I should have learned earlier in my life that may (or may not)  have helped this year get off to a better start...

When two family members (parents, adult children, adult siblings) are not getting along, DO NOT:

• Listen to anything either of them has to say about the other one as this will be construed as taking sides with the other one by each of them - no matter which one you are listening to at the time.
• Try to get each of them to see the other one's side as this will be construed as taking sides with the other one by each of them - no matter which one you are talking to at the time.
• Try to figure out for yourself WTF is going on (because, are they listening to themselves when they talk???)

When two family members are not getting along, DO:

• Stay far far away.  
• Understand that no matter what you do (including talking, thinking, making faces, coughing, sneezing, smiling, laughing, or nothing at all) will be construed as taking sides with the other one by each of them - no matter which one you are doing this around at the time.

In preparation for the point in time (because it will come) when two people you love with all your heart decide to not like each other and you end up the middle...

• Maintain a spreadsheet that you created at the point when the first contender came into your life (at your birth when the contenders are your parents or your parents vs your siblings; their birth when the contenders are your kids). Each contender needs a tab on this spreadsheet on which you track everything you ever did for said contender including date, monetary value, level of emotional support. Because, when anyone of the contenders decide to accuse you of having done so much more for the other contender than you have for them, the line "I do not keep tabs, I do for each of you what I believe you need at the time" does not fly.  Tabs are required.
• Realize early on that there is an epic fail in the works. There will be no winners and you will be the biggest loser.

Happy 2016!

It is that time of year again....

I am going to make this easy.  My 2015 resolutions have been re-packaged for 2016. Look closely and you will see the subtle differences.

My 2016 resolutions:

• Do not make as many resolutions that I have no chance of keeping.
• Participate in at least three organized 5k events this year.
• Stay active. Average 12750 steps of activity per day throughout the year and 10 minutes of HIIT workout 3x per week.
• Do not worry about getting 25 NAT lap time down to 45 minutes. 
• Continue to work on socializing more; do not give in to that tendency to sit on the couch with a book rather than accept invites to outings that I would feel better about if I had someone to go with.  
• Organize my spare room, including scanning and archiving bins of photos. Hang the art/pictures/items that are waiting to be hung in my apartment.  ALERT: Total repeat...maybe there is a chance this year.
• Continue to foster healthy friendships while letting go of unhealthy relationships.  
• Stay the course on my get-out-of-debt plan: debt free by my 59th birthday! Celebrate with a me-time vacation in 2017.
• Don't worry...be happy. I still tend to worry too much over things I have no control over. 

Yes, most of these are reworked 2015 resolutions.

But it is ok.  These are good resolutions for this time in my life.

2016 is going to be a good year.  There are moves and weddings and vacations happening in our family.  

Make the best of your 2016!

Back to reality...

I have been home from my Belizean vacation for almost three weeks now.

It seems like an eternity.

Life is so relaxing on a tropical island.

I came back to:

Look at me Grandma Mary

My Beautiful Grandbaby - Yes, he was the deciding factor for my return. (Ok, and I have a job I kind of need.) If I stayed on the island I know my kids would visit often, but I am not sure I could handle not seeing that grandbaby in person at least once or twice a week.  He is so cute. And he loves his grandma.

Training Grounds

The Jingle Bell Run- I registered to walk this run in November; I trained for it in Belize by walking to town and around the island and doing laps in the resort pool. It was tough, I tell you.  But it was worth it.  I walked the 5k in 48:51.  A record for me (if I forget about the flat course  I did last May in 47:13).  This course had the most inclines of any I have walked so far - or at least it seemed that way.  






A Wonderful Christmas with Family - I did not start holiday shopping until I returned to the states; so I power shopped, mostly online, for a few things. I held myself back this year, because I am on a good plan to be debt free in 2016 and did not want to undo that.  Besides, my kids do not need presents from me to know I love them.  I came back from that tropical island to be with them - that should be present enough, right?   I do love Christmas time - not for religious reasons. I love family gatherings and giving and sharing the family love. 

Good Friends - I have a few good friends that I cherish so much and would miss terribly if I decided to stay on that tropical island.  Friends I walk with, play with, dine with, share good times with...


A Madhouse at the Office - Of course there are some reasons I wish I could stay forever on a tropical island.  Corporate America is one of them.  Ugh. I love what I do for a living and the people I do it for.  The authors and teammates that I  release documents for are pretty awesome for the most part.  But the bullshit that falls from above is not  pretty.  Enough said.


Cranky Parents -  Apparently I have done something to piss my parents off to the point of them not wanting to see me for awhile  - even through the holidays.  Hopefully they will get over whatever it is soon.   I apologized for what I thought I did. I know they are older and forgetful, so maybe they forgot that I apologized.  Or, maybe they really do not like who I am. I am who I am. Enough said about that, too!

Life is short - and so am I.

Be happy!

Lessons Learned...in Belize...

I learned a couple of things over the last couple of days....

Some of the Grand Caribe Pool Bar Guys
"Another damn picture for the tourists???"

The Grand Caribe pool bar crew are the best around.  They took good care of all my pool bar needs - and were very understanding of my random loss of mathematical skills.  Resort bar/restaurant prices are listed in $USD. They accept payment in $USD or $BZ. Change is almost always given in $BZ.  Figuring out the $BZ cost, or the $BZ tip - because after a day or two you have lots of $BZ money you got in change that you want to use up  - can be fun. Or not.  Yesterday morning, right before morning happy hour ended, I ordered a $7USD drink to go , handed the bartender  $10 BZ, and walked away thinking I gave an ok tip. Ooops.  He did did not bother to correct me until I finished the drink and was returning the pool bar glassware.  Which may or may not  have been a good plan, because after the drink I lost all currency transfer capabilities.

Lesson #1: I should figure out the amount of tip I want to leave in both currencies (just in case  get surprised in the change department) before I consume the drink(s).

In case you missed it, there were drinks.  I went back to the pool bar for afternoon happy hour - because, why not? I am on vacation on an island and drinks are half price in the hot afternoon sun by the pool.  I had intended to have just one LI because I did not want to feel like I had after two earlier in the week.  I do want to enjoy my evenings.  Well, there were a couple of young girls at the bar waiting for their husband/boyfriend to return from a fishing charter.  We started talking and somehow they convinced me that I should try a panty ripper, because, as they explained, we were in swimsuits so there were no panties to rip, so all was safe.  I had just about finished my LI and happy hour would be over in 4 minutes, so I had to decide quick. With a little encouragement from the pool bar boys, I added a happy hour panty ripper to my tab.  Even tho there were no panties to rip, I felt those two drinks well into the night. 

Lesson #2:  Just because the second drink is not a LI....you know the rest.

This is the drink that started it...

This pretty lil thing can be quite dangerous.

By the way, I had a (one) Belikin with my pool bar lunch today.  It is almost 9:00 PM and I am still awake and feeling good enough to walk out to the dock to look for sting rays and barracudas.  Which brings me to...

Lesson #3:  It may be terribly buggy out at night, but nighttime is fun time and I should have been covering myself in bug spray, taking a couple of preventative benadryl,  and walking out toward the dock in the late evenings to see what is happening out there. (Update: Not a lot going on. I was the only human out there.  I did see a few stingrays jumping around and a barracuda that I hope was sleeping, because, otherwise......)

But let's back up a few hours.   I was determined to visit Caye Caulker this trip. Since today  was my last full day here, it was now or not till next year.  So, I took the early morning Coastal Express to town and the Belize Water Taxi  to Caye Caulker.The taxi goes to Caye Caulker and then on to Belize City.  At the Caye Caulker dock, no one was getting up to get off; so I assumed everyone was waiting for the crew to tell us when to disembark.  And then the taxi started pulling away from the dock. Ooops, I assumed wrong.  I jumped up and made it known that I had missed my stop.     How embarrassing.  They crew mates were kind,  redocked, and helped me ashore.  

View of Caye Caulker from the
Belize Water Taxi Dock

And from the other side of the dock...

And then I walked onto Caye Caulker and realized why no one else got off.  It was too damn early in the morning for anything to be happening on that island. I had hoped to have an early lunch at Lazy Lizards, but there was just not enough happening in the town to keep me there for two hours.  So I did some quick math and figured that the next scheduled ferry back to San Pedro could not possibly be the same ferry (crew)   that got me here.  I could cut this trip short and  save myself having to face that same crew again today. And so I did.  The ferry from Caye Caulker to San Pedro was packed - and everyone disembarked at San Pedro - including yours truly.

Lesson #4:  I should attempt to understand water taxi protocol and island time before I make plans that include each.

Early morning at the Lazy Lizard

And finally, I have tried all week to take a beach selfie - just in case someone back in Ohio wants proof that I really was in Belize the last 10 days.  I am not photogenic. I am happy to be here, really - despite what my face is saying in these pics.  Believe me, these are the best of them..

Happy to be in Belize!

Lesson #5: I do not need smiling pictures of myself to prove to myself (or anyone else) that I had a great time in Belize.

Focus on the sunrise...

I've learned my lessons.

Disclaimer: I started writing this last night, but am finishing  now as I am drinking my coffee on the porch, enjoying the morning sky through a light rain...




Much love, from Belize....

I'm on Island Time...

Yesterday morning I woke up bright and early intending to walk to town for breakfast at Estel's.  A quick look at the weather forecast made me rethink that adventure. I opted for a quick walk along the beach instead.


Breakfast was self-made - eggs and a bagel with coffee - and enjoyed on my patio.

Once the rains cleared a bit, I made my way to the pool bar for my morning dose of Mimosa.

I headed inside when the rains returned,  and actually did a little bit of studying for a Project Management Certification I am hoping to test for in a few months. Studying  seemed a better option than watching the Browns lose.


The skies cleared a bit again  again just in time for lunch at the pool bar at the tail end of happy hour.  I held myself to one Long Island Iced Tea with a Mozzarella Shrimp Sandwich. Even one LI kept me feeling good for a couple hours.

There's a bird in this photo - doing a happy dance.

Not so good that I did not feel the bugs biting on an attempted beach walk.  I actually had to leave the beach path and walk along the road because my dance skills are not enough to make constant smacking at mosquitoes and flies appear graceful.

All in all it was a lazy Sunday.


This morning, I did get up early and walk to town.   I had a shrimp omelet with fruit and fryjacks and, of course, a tall Mimosa, at Estel's Dine By The Sea! It was as awesome as I remembered from my last visit. I sat at a table on the beach and enjoyed looking out over the Sea.

The beach at the North end of town

The view from my table at Estel's

I shopped for an hour in town but still had an hour before the 10:30 water taxi back to Grand Caribe.  So I stopped in and visited with Eduardo at the famous Fido's.  Eduardo made me a Bloody Mary just the way I like it - vodka and V-8 and olives - that's it.  No spice...at all. I am a wimp, but I know what  I like. I took a picture at Fido's, or so I thought.  Apparently the Bloody Mary kicked in and the photo I thought I took was a short video of the steps leading from Fido's to the beach.

Back at Grand Caribe, I spent sometime in the lap pool before the rains returned.  

And then I napped, because that walk to town wore me out today.

I intended to revisit the Truck Stop for dinner, but apparently they take Mondays off. So dinner was a lobster quesadilla and a couple of Belikins from the pool bar.


And that's my story  - from my dining room table in Grand Caribe, Ambergris Caye, Belize, CA.

Happy Hour has that affect on me..in Belize...

Yesterday morning started out with a goal of finding  Marbucks Coffee House, I had seen signs pointing from the beach and from the road but was not quite sure where (in between the road and the beach) it could be.  Yesterday, I decided to quit being wimpy and follow the signs. Apparently, there is a road in between the main road and the beach, which I should have remembered from my last visit. It was the less bumpy road Larry took because the unpaved main road was full of ruts.

Breakfast at Marbucks Coffee House

The adventure was worth it.  I enjoyed a delicious breakfast bagel sandwich with coffee and decided that I now have another beach breakfast option.

View from the Boca Del Rio Bridge

I then took a walk (all the way) into town.  I followed the main road to the Boca Del Rio Bridge. After the bridge, I took a left to the beach and followed the beach to the town square.  






From Grand Caribe to the town square it is about 2 miles  - two hot, sweaty miles.  I walked around the square a bit and then hopped the water taxi back to Grand Caribe's dock.

I might should have stopped at 1 LI...

I did a few laps in the pool and then heard happy hour calling from the pool bar.  And what a happy hour it was.  A lobster quesadilla and two long island ice teas later and I was feeling no pain the rest of the day and into the night.  Who knew happy hour Long Islands could be so strong?  

Stella's in the morning

First thing this morning I headed to Stella's Smile Wine bar. Margo told me about Stella's and their bottomless Sangrias.  It is a fairly new place about a quarter of a mile south of Grand Caribe. In addition to the bottomless Sangria in the evenings, they offer a bottomless Mimosa on weekend mornings.  What better way to get over a Long Island hangover than imbibing in a few mimosas?  Oh, and their crepes are pretty awesome,  too. I enjoyed a lobster crepe because, when in Belizin in lobster season, I try to take advantage.







After breakfast, I took another walk into town.  I did a little shopping before returning  via  water taxi. 

Stella's in the evening...

A few laps in the pool and back to Stella's to try the famous pizza night with bottomless Sangria.  I opted for the white pizza with shrimp topping.  It was sooooo good.  I have enough for lunch tomorrow  - or maybe a late night snack tonight because I am getting hungry thinking about it sitting in the fridge. 

After I asked for a box for my leftovers, the staff moved a chair to their dock so I could continue to enjoy my bottomless Sangrias and a good view of the lagoon.  And, a few Sangrias later, when  I was ready to leave, they poured one for the road. Bottomless really is bottomless at Stella's

On a sad note, I am missing the tree trimming party happening tonight  at my son's place back in Ohio; I do love a tree trimming party when it is not my tree to trim.  But on the flip side, I am in Belize.  


Disclaimer: There may be typos, misspellings, bad grammar in this post- it's the Sangria doing the writing.

Belize me....

I started  writing this while sipping on a Mimosa at the pool bar this morning.  But then breakfast came and got in the way. I could get use to this life.

Yesterday, I started the day with a walk North along the beach.

I thought I might make all the way to the bridge leading to town,but about 3/4th of the way, I realized I should have eaten something before I started out. So, back to the pool bar for breakfast and a not-spicy Bloody Mary that ended up being hot n spicy.  

My Favorite Lap Pool

After breakfast and a few laps in my favorite lap pool, I hitched a ride to town with David, during his lunch break.










I walked around town a bit, visited a couple of gift shops and a few landmarks I remembered from my last visit, and then took the water taxi back to Grand Caribe. I hope to get back into town at least once this visit to dine at Estel's Dine by the Sea and take the ferry to Caye Caulker.


This morning, I woke up feeling under the weather.  My head does not like the Belizean humidity any more  than it likes the Ohio humidity.  So after my morning walk, poolside breakfast, and a few water-walking laps, I gave in and took a couple hour nap. I hate wasting  daylight napping, but the clouds and rain made the guilt a little easier to handle.

I opted for the naturally mild Mimosa this morning!

When I woke up, the clouds were still lingering, outside and in my head.  It was not raining so I took a walk to the truck stop for dinner.  I enjoyed Shrimp Diablo and a Beliken on their deck overlooking the lagoon.









It started to rain a bit on my walk back - just enough to create a beautiful rainbow.





And now my head is hurting again, so I am going to  see what I can do to make it stop.  I want to feel like walking to  Marbucks coffee house in the morning.

A perfect vacation day...

I did not get up early this morning.

I did not go for a morning walk, but instead enjoyed coffee and a toasted  bagel  on my porch.

I did spend a lot of time lounging by the pool - until the dark clouds brought showers early this afternoon.  I took the showers as a sign that I should take a nap - and so I did.

I did manage to get in an afternoon walk along the beach.

 I returned to find this guy welcoming me back to Grand Caribe...

...pointing me to the pool bar where they serve those awesome shrimp and mozzarella sandwiches and  funky monkey umbrella drinks:)

Ah yes, a perfect vacation day!

Outtakes from Belize - Part One

In case you have missed my blog...it's back...

What brings it back?

Well, I am on a much needed vacation in Belize and having a totally relaxing and awesome time.

But.....

I am too cheap to pay for International Cellular service so I cannot post to FB like I usually do when I am out and about doing something fun or wanting to share an opinion or two or three.  (Which is all good, because, honestly, I do stop whatever I am doing to share to FB a lil too much when it is readily available.)

And another but....

I expect  the sun to shine longer in warmer weather.  The Belizean sun does not live up to my expectations - it gets dark here just as early as it does back home:( 

And then there's the mosquitoes - lots and lots of mosquitoes - OMG!!!  American mosquitoes do not bother me so much, but these Belizean mosquitoes - they love me tooo much. Tho after retreating indoors and downing a couple of benadryl tabs - all is well.

Rest assured, I am not complaining - just explaining why my blog is back.  Rather than waste parts of my days FBing,   I have decided to try to just post my adventures once each evening after the sun stops shining and the mosquitoes start biting.  (Maybe I can carry this practice back to the States with me.   Ok, probably not - who am I kidding?)

This morning, I walked along the beach to AKBOL for a delicious beachside breakfast of coffee with a ham and cheese fryjack. I was tempted to sign up for the free morning yoga class, but  then I remembered how much I do not like to sweat, so I opted for water walking back at the Grand Caribe lap pool - no class needed:)

Then I sat by the beach for a bit before water-walking  a
few more laps.














The best part of the day so far was the long walk north along the beach 

past Captain Morgan's. I definitely reached my step goal today.

Along the way, I met this guy...

and  revisited this tree...

And then,  back at Grand Caribe, I made myself a tuna steak and enjoyed a beer on the porch.

Now I am thinking of heading over to Rain and having another beer or two...

Cheers!