PACKING UP and SAYING GOODBYES

Packing up, saying good-byes, anticipating final beach sunset (well, for several months, anyway).  The best thing?  I get to return!!

In the meantime, I am sharing with a few of my friends!  Lisa is here starting tonight until March 11.  Freba and her little family arrive March 13 til 22.  Emre and Hannah next.  Gina after that.  It feels better to have someone living here, off and on.

I hope to hop over at least once!

ONE MORE DAY IN PARADISE

Unbelievable.  The day has finally arrived.  Tomorrow is my last day in Maui for many months.  Thursday at noon I get on the plane.  Next Tuesday I become a grandmother for the second time.

What a year I have had.  

Death and life.  

Happy and sad.  

Sickness and health.

Smiles and tears.

Sunshine and rain.

Beginnings and end.

ZINIO - APP FOR MARCH

Am I being nice tonight or what?  Sharing another one of my favorite apps BEFORE the first of March!!  

I learned about this one from another frugal blogger.  Now I can "borrow" magazines each month from the library!  At absolutely no cost.  The app is free and you can use it on your computer or iPad or iPhone.  I have a library card for Portland and for Hawaii ... and they each offer different magazines.  

This app is so much easier than getting an e-book on loan, just a few years ago!  Click, click, click.  You can also buy magazines from them ... although I'm much too frugal these days.

In fact, I did get cable TV disconnected.  Saves $50/month!!

BITTERSWEET

My 14 month sabbatical in Maui is drawing to a close.  There is so much to love and enjoy here, I'm glad I decided to strive to keep the house here.  Snowbird living for a while longer.  I'll be scheming how to be frugal about keeping both places.  I'm even contemplating a roommate in Oregon and Maui.  Stay tuned on that thought process.

Marty and Peter are departing for the other side of the island.  What a fabulous five days we have had!  Perfect house guests!  Every morning when I stumbled out of bed at 7:30 ... the coffee was ready.  We had my nice slow mornings (although they would go for a run or jog while I checked my electronic world.)  Breakfast each morning was my favorite ... papaya and lots of fresh fruits, with a yogurt on the side.  It is SO much more fun to prepare for two or more.  (Peter was a cereal and banana kind of guy).

Every evening we went to a different beach to watch the sunset.  I'm pretty sure they thought I was crazy but seemed happy with my choices.  Secret Beach was where Marty's office assistant got married and wouldn't you know?  TWO ceremonies happened while we were there.  At sunset.  Memorable!!!??

We had a driving day but most days were catching some rays on different beaches.  I'm not a sun worshipper so I could drop them off, run an errand or have an appointment, then pick them up.  Every night we had an awesome (and mostly healthy) meal at home.  Peter did the grilling.  On the day of our whale watch (best ever in 20+ years of going on one), we did Crockpot Thai chicken and coconut rice so we didn't have to worry our little heads.

Although I have lots to do before departing Thursday morning, I hope to catch a sunset every evening!

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

Having a great time with Marty and Peter.  Not enough sitting and playing on laptop to keep up with my blog.  But I'm always thinking about it!

THURSDAY