Author: Peg

Our apartment is having a little photo contest. I didn’t feel good enough to go out and take a new one – so, I dusted off one from the archives. The rules are “Show us what you like best about the apartment?” Heck, I love everything about the apartment. Except the snail internet. And snail internet is because I am too cheap to get FIOS. No, I am not too cheap. I hate dealing with Verizon too much. Carlton had to get phone service (and DSL) setup when we moved to this apartment. I kept getting mad at them.

Carlton’s taxes have been filed. My taxes have been filed. The lease has been renewed for another year. The weather is delightful. All should be excellent. But Carlton and I both seem to have gotten a respiratory virus – AKA – The Common Cold. Most likely on the plane. At least neither of us can blame the other for spreading germs around. So, we are enjoying poor health.

I took a little camera out with me this afternoon. And found a picture of jack-o-lanterns. Took a picture of a daffodil. Sort of illustrates how long I was in Hawai’i.

Finished (95%) my taxes and Carlton’s taxes. Being lazy, I decided to stop using TaxAct – which I have used for decades. Staying with TaxAct requires a Windows machine and it doesn’t go around and suck data down from various banks and brokerage houses. So, I decided to shell out the big bucks and go with TurboTax. It is still cheaper than hiring a CPA.

Also, got the lease settled for another year here in the apartment. We really have zero leverage since there is only one 2 bedroom unit available and it is on the second floor. So, we just smiled and signed on the dotted line.

Finally, organized enough to take the last photo from Hawaii out of the camera.

We had 3 very uneventful and on-time flights home. It was 70 degrees when we landed in DC. The apartment was in fine shape. No complaints.

I did pick up a little cold/respiratory virus somewhere along the way. Or maybe it is just a massive spring allergy attack. As a result I have been lazing around enjoying poor health and jet lag. And, I started sneaking up on the income taxes.

About the New iPad: I was going to get one for my birthday. But, I decided that I don’t care how ‘cool’ the iPod is. It really doesn’t do anything that I need doing. So, yet again I will pass on an iPad. Still enjoying the Kindle.

About the war in Afganistan: (1) Declare Victory. (2) Leave. (3) Repeat as needed.

A couple of broom fish from the dock. I decided that it is prudent to continue staying out of the ocean. But, broom fish are big and easily attracted with chunks of white bread. Not whole wheat. They like white bread.

Got my USPS box in the mail today. It will get home before I do. Tomorrow – wash the clothes that are staying behind, charge up all the electronics, work on my tan.

About getting old: I always planned on having lots of birthdays. But, I didn’t plan on being old.

This man has been in Kona for at least 19 years – and he has always looked the same. He hasn’t aged (I sure have). He hasn’t gotten fatter (I have done that). The local homeless community call him Fred and think that he is Fred MacMurray’s son. I think he is like the cockroach and will be unchanged by direct nuclear bomb hit. He seems to have some source of income. The word is he has a trust fund.  He is a surviver.

 

This fine little beach house has been for sale since we got here.  I like the idea of buying it. Of course, for what I’d have to pay,  I can stay right here in my cosy hotel for the rest of my life and have some left over. Not to mention maid service. And Carlton would go crazy worrying about a wooden house on a beach where the house next door got washed off it’s pillars during last year’s tsunami. It would surely accelerate my widowhood.

I got my new crown installed this morning. So far I am a happy camper with my local dentist. And, I don’t have a big dental project  waiting on me back in Arlington.

One week from today, we start the trip home. Not looking forward to the trip. Nevertheless, I am in serious trip mode. You know you have a serious case of wanderlust when you start investigating the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

I am suffering from a serious case of “jack rabbits in my boots”.

 

A very Kona send off.

A couple of times each winter, the Full House Band performs for a couple of hours on the street outside our hotel. They play old time rock and roll. I do enjoy slack key and all kine local music, but this old haole woman still likes rock. If you doubt it, check out my iPod.

Speaking of slack key – sound track from The Descendants is a great intro to slack key guitar.

It is some sort of argiope spider. It is about as big as my hand and is a female. The males are much smaller and are sort of drab brown. We call them “Hawaiian Garden Spiders”.

Just finish watching the Republican Dustup in the Desert. What can I say? Wonder if I can seek political asylum in Norway?