Category — Random

I’m a bit tardy in getting today’s post up… yesterday was a looong and somewhat painful day on the Big Island. I don’t want to focus on that today, since I’m looking back at Maui. I’ll tell and show you (show and tell) about the painful but extraordinary experience in the days to come.

In the previous post, I told you about our drive down the Road to Hana. On the way back, we stopped at the famed Mama’s Fish House.

We were told that if there was one place you Must eat in Maui, it was Mama’s. Thank you to everyone who directed us there!

Not only is the food outstanding, fresh, well prepared, and expertly presented, but somehow the atmosphere is upscale without being at all stuffy. It is relaxing and laid-back. The decor is so eclectic, that it’s a true feast for the eyes.

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Yesterday afternoon, I stopped in for a last-minute pedicure, before hopping on a plane for our first vacation of the summer.

So, to get myself in the vacation mood, I did what most women do and went for a pedicure.

We’re going to a location where pretty toes are a must.

How about a little guessing game as to just where we are jetting off to?

Hint #1 – It’s one of the 50 states.
You have a 1 out of 50 chance to get it right.

Hint #2 – It is bordered by an ocean, gulf, or bay.
1 out of 23 chance

Hint #3 – It’s the Pacific Ocean that this state borders.
1 out of 5 chance

Do you really need me to narrow it down a bit more?

OK…

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I bought a ton at the May Sweet Salvage sale. Wanna see it all?
Yes?
YAY, I’m excited and happy to show you!

Let’s begin with some of the more fragile finds.

There were two lovely Ironstone brown transfer-ware covered dishes. I couldn’t decide between them – so I got them both.

I researched the markings on the bottom of each and found that they are from the late 1800’s.

I further found a match to the second one for sale at an auction site online. Trust me, I paid nothing close to $150 for my two dishes!

The three little Ironstone hotel creamers are adorable. Two of them have markings, I haven’t had a chance to look them up yet.

The creamer on the left is from the New Southern Hotel in Jackson, Tennessee – you can read about the hotel’s storied history HERE. The center creamer came from the Hotel St. Charles in Winnipeg, built in 1913. The one on the right is from The Belmont. There are many Belmont Hotels all over the world, I have no idea which one this creamer is from.

I actually purchased two of these little gems at the April sale, but since I didn’t post about it, I thought I’d share them with you now.

I especially love the Ironstone brown transfer-ware butter pat dish. Sheila picked up four of five of these cuties too. The adorable flower thing is about as big as my thumb. That is the marking on the bottom of it. I think it’s half of a salt and pepper shaker pair.

The small square dish is from the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, a 5-star hotel in Paris, France that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Looking at the little hotel dish every day, makes me long to be back in Paris!

The rectangular dish has the image of THIS on it.

Ready for more?  This batch is mostly metal stuff.

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Today is Sloane’s birthday. She is my baby sister by 5 1/2 years. I may have mentioned before that all four of us siblings are adopted. I vividly remember the day we brought her home.

I had an older brother and a younger brother but I wanted… no, I Needed… a baby sister! I was so proud and excited to be getting a baby girl, of my very own! As you can see in the picture above, with the whole family standing in front of the Catholic Social Services building, I was all business and raring to get my baby home. I can’t tell what all I’m holding there, but it looks as though I’m taking the responsibility designated to me quite seriously!

Before Sloane turned one, we had new puppies too!

There’s nothing better than a new baby and new puppies!

At least, not when you’re the six-year-old big sister! Pictured L to R: Dennis age 7 1/2, Andy age 2 1/2, Linda age 6, and Sloane age 6 months.

I love you, Sloane!

Then, now, and forever!

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I haven’t been cooking much lately.

Connor is at school. Dave has been working until all hours of the night.

Tax season ended Monday but now I’m working these first few nights of this week.

On Thursday, we’ll be taking my dad to Durant’s, a Phoenix institution, for his 82nd birthday dinner.

Maybe I’ll cook again on Friday.

Until then, I want to share something with you. Something I think is very profound for us women. Something to make you rethink the way you think about yourself.

Please take 3 minutes to watch THIS VIDEO. Then, please share how it made you feel.

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continued from yesterday….

When we arrived in Chicago, I went to the gate and found that our connecting flight to Detroit was delayed from 2:15 to 3:40 pm.

I noticed that there was another flight to Detroit that had been delayed for several hours and it was about to begin boarding. I got in the long line at the counter and was able to get us both on the stand-by list. We hung around the gate, waiting and wishing that our names would be called.

After they had called several other stand-by passengers, I was about to give up, but then they called Bill’s name! I went up to the counter and said that there were two of us. The agent said that this was the last seat available.

So I had to say, “Thanks anyway, but give it to the next person.”
She said, “That’s you.” I smiled and said, “Well, I guess I meant the next person after me.”

She called out another name and it belonged to a young man, maybe 30 years old, standing right next to me.

He said, “I’m sorry you couldn’t take it, but I’m grateful to get the last seat. My best friend is dying of cancer and I really need to get there before it’s too late.”

I touched his arm and said, “I’ll pray that you make it in time.” And off he ran to the gate.

See, things work out exactly as they are supposed to.

I wheeled Bill off to get lunch. He wanted a hamburger and vanilla shake from McDonald’s. He barely eats a thing and may have a total of 2 bites. But as he nibbled at his lunch, a Southwest pilot walked by and commented on his tasty-looking lunch. I told Bill that the gentleman was a pilot. Bill is a WWII vet. He was a Navy fighter pilot and loves to talk to other pilots or veterans. They had a nice little conversation.

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I learned a lot about myself and about humanity on Wednesday when I escorted/transported, Bill, my mother’s 90-year-old husband, to Detroit via Southwest Airlines.

If you didn’t know I did this or why, please read THIS before proceeding.

Since I taught children to cook for the last 18 years, many people incorrectly assume that I have an abundance of patience.

I Do Not.

As a matter of fact, I am a most impatient person. All who truly know me will confirm this. What I do have is fierce determination. I am very strong-willed – in the typical Irish Redhead sort of way! I also know that I am blessed with deep empathy.

Sometimes all this serves me well, other times… not so much.

On Wednesday, strong will, determination, and empathy are just a part of what got me through a long, exhausting, and difficult day.

It also took true patience, empathy, understanding, and the kindness of strangers to get me through it.

Here is the story…

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First of all, THANK YOU for all your kind, thoughtful, generous, and loving emails, direct Facebook messages, voice-mails, text messages, and especially comments left here. I feel the love and I could not appreciate each and every one of you more! Thank you for your Kindness.

All I can say about the day is that I let God know, and I believe he confirmed back to me, that those hours yesterday have been counted and tallied as double time and a half against my penance for past and future sins!

Love these words of wisdom too!!!

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Since we moved our Mom and her 90-year-old husband, Bill, into assisted living, things have been swiftly going downhill for Bill. I’ve had him in the ER and Sloane receives dozens of phone calls a day from him, as he repeats the same concerns, problems, and fears over and over again. I should also preface all of this by letting you know that Bill and I do not get along. He doesn’t like me and I don’t like him. Honestly, from day one.

Sloane stops by to check on them every single day after work (and sometimes before). Every Day! On her way home from a full day’s work! She’s been doing this for months! I know… she is amazing and I try to tell her so!

Anyhow, Bill is extremely unhappy, completely confused, and very anxious, and his health is rapidly declining before our very eyes. It was decided last week (when I had him in the ER) that he would go back to Michigan to be with his family, at least for the time being.

Sloane has a demanding full-time job, I volunteered to be the one to get him there.

As a result, I shall do my best to repeat the Dalai Lama’s wise words to myself for the next 20 hours! You will understand why when you see my itinerary for today:

Arrive at my sister’s home at 5:30 AM. Leave my car there. Sloane and I pick up Bill and she’ll drive us to Sky Harbor International Airport.

Bill and I depart Phoenix on Southwest Airlines at 7:40 AM
Arrive in Chicago Midway at 1:00 PM

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