February 4, 2011 Friday

Today the weather was perfect again. This is like a broken record. We should have been in the water but work was calling us. Richard got all the ceiling fans installed. We now have new ones everywhere except the bathroom. The fans on the porch are fabulous. Richard the builder came today and we discussed the new bathroom plans. He will build it when we are gone. He does a nice job. He also brought me a few items from his store. Great service. We gave our old fans to the Blue Lagoon as they still work fine and we didn't want to throw them out. Also they have a few that are in pretty bad shape.

We needed a few things from the "hardware" store so off we pedalled on our bikes. It is about 3 miles to the store. Good workout. When we got back I put a pork tenderloin roast on the grill with potatoes. It was very good. Now I have leftovers too. Easy meals ahead.

This was a kind of run of the mill kind of day. I enjoyed the outdoors every chance I got. There has been tons of snow and cold back home so we are fortunate to be here and warm.

February 3, 2011 Thursday

These two photos show Brandon and I at the Wharf Restaurant on the first night on arriving at Grand Cayman on Jan. 26.

Brandon and Richard ate lunch on the "extra day" at The Lighthouse Restaurant at Grand C. The other photo is Brandon at the Blow Holes at G.C.

Here is Brandon getting on the plane to leave Little Cayman. It is a very small plane. I had to say goodby to him here.



This shot is Brandon having a drink at the outdoor rest. at the Marriot. Water in the backgroung.

Thursday I awoke after another night all alone here on the little island. I slept very well again in this fresh warm air. After a quick breakfast and some morning chores I headed to the barge location to pick up our items that we bought at Grand Cayman. There was no one else there so I tried and tried to climb up into the container to no avail. These are the containers just like on a train while waiting at the crossing gate when driving. I was getting my clothes all rust and dirt stained. Finally, Fernando, who works at Southern Cross Club, drove up to get more of their supplies. He was a sweetheart and passed my things down to me. I loaded my vehicle and drove to the new grocery store. It is called the Little Cayman Distributors. They had just received their fresh fruit and veggies on the barge. I bought some nice grapes that cost me $12.42. Yes, that is twelve! Still, I sure had fun buying groceries. I headed back to the house. This car is making life so easy here.

After a nice lunch, I headed to the airport to meet Richard's 1:30 flight. He arrived and we headed home. He got busy installing one of the new ceiling fans in the bedroom as it is very hot at night without it.

At 4:00 we headed back to "town" to return the wonderful vehicle. Perry Mclaughlin (car guy) drove us back to the house. On the way home he took us to see his house. He wanted to show us his mango trees. He has a whole orchard of them. He has a very fruitful hobby! We had to, of course, refill the gas we used in the car. They were completely out of gas so they were expecting new to come in last night. The cost went up 39 cents a gallon CY. so it will be around 45 cents US more. They get the gas here from South America and it is extremely expensive. This is why we will ride the bikes now, I guess. I made supper and then tried to write on my blog but the internet wouldn't work. I had to wait and do it the following morning. That was O.K. as I was ready to sleep anyway. This life of leisure seems to exhaust me.

We got good news that Brandon made it back to the States and is safe in his own apartment again. It is back to work and battling the cold and snow for him. Hopefully, he has some warm and fun memories to get him through. It was sure fun to have him here.

February 2, 2011 Wednesday

It is a hot day here today. I don't want to complain as it is 2 degrees at home with 30 below wind chills. It was 90 degrees in my house today. I had to move slowly. I spent the night alone last night. It was so quiet. I slept good though. Richard called around 7:00 a.m. and let me know that Brandon's flight to Chicago was cancelled. I guess they are getting 24 inches of snow and very high winds. Everything is cancelled back home. Even ISU cancelled. Brandon and Richard are staying another night in Grand Cayman. What a place to be stranded! It is nice Brandon doesn't have to be alone.

I worked around the house and in the yard today. The beach is starting to look pretty good. I don't have a camera right now, so I can't publish new photos. We are going to take pics of the grounds and house when we get some touch ups done.

Today the barge came in. I went to get our stuff but I was a little early so then I stopped at the new grocery store that Richard M. (the builder) started up. He is giving the other tiny store some competition. It has helped bring prices down some. He was there and offered to get my stuff if Richard doesn't get back in time. This is a nice favor as I have to climb way up into the box car from the barge to get our stuff off of a pallet. I got up in the other one that was still there from last week as there were a few things in it. At first I thought I got there late. But no!, I was early.

Today my little gecko friend from last year finally came out to see me again. Right at the bottom of the steps. Same place as last year. Is he really the same one? Hello gecko! It is only 8:30 here but I am going to bed. This perfect life is wearing me out.

We had a beautiful sunset tonight. It was so peaceful and the water was so smooth. I thought about going snorkeling out front of the house today but thought I better save my sunburned legs. They are pretty bad. I stopped at Southern Cross Club today pretty much just to talk to someone. Plus it felt pretty good to get in the car and use the air conditioner.

February 1,2011 Tuesday

Brandon and I getting ready to snorkle.

Brandon and I snorkling.

Brandon with one of his nice catches.

Just a note: I am having trouble with posting photos this year.

This blog is including Jan. 31 and Feb 1 as I got kicked off the internet last night and it destroyed my blog. We had totally beautiful weather here yesterday. Richard went to the store here and picked up a few things and bought valves for the washing machine. Suddenly my washer was leaking terrible. He turned off the water but forgot the hot and flooded the whole bathroom. That floor is nice and clean now. Still, I am very gratefull he is a "jack of all trades"

We had an early lunch and then Richard and Brandon went fishing. They were able to walk on out on the reef and as Brandon was walking suddenly there was a giant 2 foot lobster coming right at him. It was real red with a little yellow on it. The feelers were almost 2 ft long too. He put his paddle out in front and the thing start poking it. What an adventure. He also caught 4 nice fish and 2 barracuda that escaped. It sure was fun to hear him tell the story.

In the afternoon I raked the beach side of the yard. Then I had the hard job of holding down my wonderful teak beach chair and read a fun book. After a dinner of roast beef and potato salad and broccoli the glorious day was complete. This was the day our friends, the Arthurs, headed to Mexico for a week of warm weather. Perfect timing as Ames is getting a bunch of snow and cold temps. this week. Boy are we glad to miss it.

Today, our camera broke. Brandon is leaving his with us to use. What a great son. Thank you Brandon.

February 1, Tuesday

Today was cloudy when we woke up but it cleared up nicely when the sun woke up. This is Brandons last day with us. It sure was fun to have him along. We ate breakfast, did some chores and about 10:30 headed to Bloody Bay on the North Side. Boy did we snorkle. We saw the best of everything. Brandon really loved it. He said he liked it better than Point of Sands.

Unbeknowanced (is that a word) to me, I forgot to put sun block on the back of my legs. I have third degree burns all over the back of my legs. Good heavens! They are on fire. I was out there 3-4 hours! I had the most fun ever though. We had a good hearty lunch after that workout and got clean up. Brandon packed his bag. We took a few photos and a little later headed to the airport. Of course, we went to the Hungry Iguana and each had a fun drink. We sat outside by the water and waited for the plane to arrive.

Richard went along to Grand Cayman with Brandon. He will shop for a new pump tomorrow before coming back to LC. So Brandon will head to Chicago at 8:00 a.m. and hope he doesn't get stuck in the airport. Chicago is getting 24 inches of snow. It is a pretty bad storm. But all one can do is go to get your flight and see if the plane takes off. I just want him to be safe.

So, I am here all alone at the house for the first time. It is super quiet as I have no TV or radio. A tiny island just doesn't have any noise. Good thing I am good at talking to myself. There won't even be any snoring noise in the background tonight.

January 30, 2011 Sunday

Today I woke up and discovered I had slept really well. This relaxed atmospear really soothes a person. Brandon and Richard went diving this morning on the SSC dive boat. They came back telling stories of all the fabulous creatures they saw underwater. I do believe them. I stayed at the house and worked on the yard pulling weeds. It brought back memories of last year. The morning just flew by. Of course it was time to do laundry. It was a beautifuly morning to hang it out on the line. Once again, my line is rigged with a pully so I can stand on the porch and roll it on out.

We had a good lunch, and then got to work again. Mid afternoon we headed over to the Blue Lagoon and had an ice cream drink. We can't do that every day as it came to $25 for three drinks. I do have a blender here (can you believe that) so I could make my own. Might be fun. It is good to get out though. While there, Betty Bau (Boo) came in. We invited her to come see the house. She was gone last year when we were here so it was nice to see her.

Tonight I made speghetti and meat sauce for dinner. I made a spinach and mango salad with it. We had our piece of chocolate for desert. Brandon hasn't had a soda since arriving at the house. Maybe he can break the habit? Poor guy must be going through withdrawal.

There are no photos to post tonight as I am too sleepy. Brandon wanted to go diving again tomorrow but not sure it will work. SSC said suddenly a photographer is coming and he is bringing helpers so the boat is too full. They will call at last minute if they have room. So it looks like the agenda for tomorrow will be fishing and snorkling. What a rough life. I can't wait to wake up and get out of bed tomorrow.

Tonight we sleep without a ceiling fan in our room as I was fluffing a blanket and it hit the fan when turned on. Broke a blade right off the thing. Boy! What a ruckus! Our new fans will be arriving on the barge on Wednesday baring any bad ocean waves.

Tomorrow I hope to have time to do a little raking on the beach sand. We have been able to get things under control here even though some grew back. Some weed things I pulled never grew back at all. Yes!

Richard and Brandon are both snoring so it must be time for bed. Another glorious day in paradise is over.

Saturday 1/29/11

The three of us cannot believe it is Saturday already. We worked in the yard early as it wasn't as hot then. Mid morning we headed to SSC for Brandon to do the pool dive instruction. I went along and walked the beach and read a good book. Talk about relaxing! We ate lunch there too and visited with some people we met there last year who were also vacationing.

Back at the house, I made some potatoe salad and then Brandon and I went on a nice long kayak ride on smooth beautiful water. What a ride! Brandon took a lot of nice photos of some hugh birds and some of the houses here. He seemed to enjoy himself. I think he likes it here. I'm sorry to say Richard worked on the beach while we played. Poor Richard. The beach is taking shape though, thanks Richard.

I grilled some meat and vegees to go with the potatoe salad. This island life is wonderful!

We then headed to the Blue Lagoon for a treat, but they weren't open. Saturday night and not open. Figure that out. Oh well, we went back to the house and ate chocolate. Hard to beat that.

It is off to bed for us. Tomorrow morning at 8:00 we will be at SSC so Brandon and Richard can go diving. I think I'll stay here and do something fun. Actually, I am planning on raking the beach.

I've finally got a few photos to post. Do we look like we are having fun or what!

Here is a photo of the three of us (myself, Brandon, and Richard), getting ready to snorkle at Point of Sand at Little Cayman. We saw the most beautiful corals and fish and a 5 and 1/2 foot baracuda. Excitement! We sure had fun! Perfect weather, I might add.

Here is a pic. Richard took as we were walking at Southern Cross Club today. We were enjoying ourselves as Brandon was doing his pool dive instruction. He will ocean dive tomorrow.

Colorful geckos crawling on the bedroom wall. Next I will find some contempory bright orange colored lamps for the nightstands.

Brandon in the pool with his instructor for the pool dive. He did a great job.

Jan. 28,2011 Friday

Today is Friday 1/28/11 and I am in paradise once again. On Wednesday morning I got up at 4:00 A.M., rushed and left the house at 5:00 so Richard and I could pick up Brandon at his apartment in Ankeny. It was a very foggy trip in 9 degree weather. Burr! When we got to Grand Cayman for dinner, it was 85 degrees and sunny.

It was an adventurest trip this year as our luggage was extremely overweight and cost us tons extra. Better write on my list for next year to buy a scale.

We ate at the Wharf Restaurant again this year and it was sure fun to share the experience with Brandon. The atmosphere couldn't have been more beautiful. We had a good nights sleep and after a huge breakfast went shopping. Boy did we buy. New ceiling fans, microwave, kitchen faucet, bed pillows, air compressor, and tons of groceries.

We got to the house and discovered my new coconut tree grew like a weed. It survived! So did all the weeds and trees that we had eliminated last year. But everything looked great. We are thrilled to be here and get the place back into shape.

The first thing to do on arrival is to turn on the pump and get our water flowing and turn on the electricity. The pump was broken. No water for us. Richard tried everything. The motor had somehow failed. So we headed to Southern Cross Club for dinner and they gave us a 3 gallon jug of water. Very nice of them as water is a treasured item here on the island. In the morning Richard got the new pump installed and we all jumped for joy. We then began working on the yard. Work is fun but we decided snorkeling is more fun. We headed to Point of Sand and it was the best ever. I love it there! I want to snorkle there every day. Richard took his cell phone snorkling in his swim trunks so we had to buy a new one. The phone number stays the same though. Taking a shower sure felt good, as we couldn't the night before.

I made steaks for dinner on our new grill and we are all saying we will sleep good tonight. It is 8:30 here (one hour ahead of Ames) so I am going to bed. Our new bedding looks great but the painted gecko's crawling all over our walls look the best! What fun! They are so cute.

We have been already enjoying our beautiful new porch on the house and tomorrow I will post photos of it and some of our adventures.

The luckiest girl around is signing off.