KITCHENS, TREES, TIMESHARES

Where has this month gone?  Can it be I have written only one blog post?  Yes, I guess it can.

Well, we are project managing a kitchen update.  And when I say "we" I mean Hub, mostly.  He has floor refinishers, granite fabricators, skylight installers, sink and faucet manufacturers, and appliance salesmen on speed dial, getting bids and scheduling deliveries, installations, and work dates.  I've gone along on multiple trips to select from a dizzying array of choices for granite, sinks, faucets, windows, and outrageously expensive appliances.  Do not EVER decide to have a built-in refrigerator, since forevermore you are required to replace the thing with another built-in unless you want to reconfigure your entire cabinetry to accommodate a free-standing model.  Built-ins, these days, are about three times the cost of a free-standing!  Ouch!

We've also been doing the annual spring yard clean up, which this year included having some huge trees and dead/dying limbs felled on our property.  One shed a goodly sized limb in the last windstorm, impaling itself through the roof of our big outbuilding.  The arborist declared both Big Leaf Maples on either side of the this building essentially dead, and disasters waiting to happen.  We sort of knew this, but the expense of downing huge trees is on par with with a built-in refrigerator, with a lot less to show for it.  The entertainment value was worth something, however, as we got out our lawn chairs and watched the crew of five "tree pirates" work for two full days performing death- defying feats of chain saw magic, sometimes 60-75 feet in the air!  I am in awe of this profession now. And I get the expense -- lots of heavy duty equipment, bucket lifts, chippers, and guys in bandanas swinging from ropes above the forest floor, Tarzan-like.

Having done all the shopping and scheduling, weeding, raking, mowing, planting, and Granny & Grandpy Nannying that has been our life this past month, we are now enjoying a brief respite at "home" at our timeshare on Kauai.  Regular readers know this is an annual trip and are likely tired of the same old photos of the same old places, but Hub and I are fans of the familiar.

We LOVE being in comfortable and familiar surroundings.  Well, when I say "we", I mean "me".  Hub is more an adventurer, but even he will admit that when he wants to just kick back and chill, it's best done in a place he doesn't have to learn to navigate.  We both find being lost and confused stressful, which likely explains why we come back here year after year -- for like 16 or so years now.

Our timeshare purchase, a rare "impulse" buy in the late 90's, has proved to be a good one.  No buyer's regret.  We loved bringing our sons here, then allowed them to bring friends along on occasion, then when they grew up, it became and remains a getaway for just the two of us - which is best because actually the "unit" could be better.  It's not "purpose built" condo, but a hotel conversion.  The full unit is basically a huge hotel room and adjoining sitting room, where there is only an

"efficiency-kitchen" -- a microwave, sink, small refrigerator, small dishwasher; service for four dishes, silverware, etc.  It's fine for us; not that great for a crowd.  There are grills in the courtyard and Hub grills fresh fish every night for dinner.  We have to shop every 3 days since the 'fridge doesn't hold much.  It's a little inconvenient; I'd prefer a full-sized kitchen.   But, the Marriott is not exactly camping -- the rest of the amenities are fabulous.  We have a balcony overlooking the ocean and the open-air Terrace where I sit each morning to sip my coffee, people-watch, and write, overlooks the largest pool in Hawaii.

We arrived yesterday, exhausted and jet-lagged.  We were in bed by 8:00 p.m. (three hours behind home time, so not that early, really) and up at 6:00 to see the sunrise here.  Now a full day of reading at the beach awaits, with intermittent strolls over to the pool for a quick cool-off.   I completely get how blessed I am.  I just wish I could have all the people I love here with me -- in their own unit.  :)

At least, that's the view from here....©