Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 6)

Happy Aloha Friday, friends!

First off, thank you all so much for your kind words in response to my little health scare; honestly, I felt so loved reading your comments and I hope you know that I appreciate each and every one of you. I've been taking it easy and am feeling better today, so thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers. Please consider yourselves hugged by me...and know that YOU top my list of happies this week!

Other blog-worthy things that I am grateful for:

...the piece of driftwood I brought home from the beach; it's pretty and it makes me happy. Despite Phil's initial reluctance, even he agrees that it looks pretty cool up on our shelf:

...this pretty little girl who gives so much and asks for so little in return:

...Tea bag quotes and fortunes. It's almost as enjoyable as the tea itself:

...fresh flowers throughout our home. They're like little bursts of sunshine in each vase.

...my new watch (Rip Curl's Ocean Shell)!

I hope that each of you had a week filled with little things that made you happy! I'm linking up with fellow island-blogger, Lindsay...you should, too!

Reality Check

My life changed in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, I spent three hours in the hospital because I wasn't feeling well and thought it was possible I'd had a mini heart-attack; my chest was hurting, my breathing was shallow and my arms and hands were tingling. Without being all dramatic about the incident, I will simply say this:

When you are sitting in that dreadful, sterile environment, under harsh, fluorescent lighting and awaiting a declaration of your fate, it's interesting how quickly you count your blessings and how natural it is to begin bargaining with God, offering major life overhauls in exchange for a healthy diagnosis...because your mortality is suddenly staring you in the face.

I cried shamelessly in the waiting room in between testing while Phil and I discussed a number of areas in my life that needed changing, many which involve better management of stress and all which contribute to my overall health (seriously, my merciless ability to worry and stress is going to be the death of me). It's ironic that this experience comes at the heels of my most recent post: truly living your life. And now more than ever, I know that I want to be well, because I'm not done living.

They ran an EKG on me, took chest X-rays and drew six vials of my blood to run a litany of tests that might explain my condition. Two hours after checking in, my blood pressure was still a little high and my hands were still tingling but it wasn't until they'd confirmed I did not in fact, have a heart attack and my chest x-rays appeared normal, that I could breathe a tiny sigh of relief. They did discover issues in my bloodwork that explain the metabolic imbalances and it is possible I might have thyroid issues, but I'm still waiting on the results of those tests. For now, I am optimistic and really trying to keep calm about everything.

I spent a lot of time reflecting on this last night, praying about it and taking stock of my life. Cardio-vascular disease may run in my family, but I am too young to be having heart-attack scares and health issues. I've got a whole lot of living to do and a lot more Aloha to share.

But it is just the reality check I needed.

Feelin' Blah

I am TOTALLY having one of those days where I'm feeling overwhelmed and discouraged and really, really bummed; there aren't enough hours in the day for all that I hope to accomplish, my To-Do list is no longer a daily list, but a running list of all things I didn't get to in the last week. I'm spending too much time dreaming and too little time doing (yes, I am officially calling myself out on this one). And I'm watching the calendar with apprehension: how is it almost OCTOBER? I am almost disturbed at how quickly life can (and will) pass us by without so much as a second glance. Whether or not we're ready to participate doesn't matter; we can have the best of intentions and be brewing big dreams, but none of it is gonna happen unless we get out and DO something.

There is a feeling of discontent in certain areas of my life; I am (always) aware of its presence and yet, I still continue to make up excuses for its existence. But I'm done; I'm tired of the same song-and-dance because frankly, it's getting old.

It's funny how something as simple as an afternoon at the beach can bring about a clarity you didn't even know you needed. I've said it before, but the ocean is restorative and this observation warrants repetition; I love how it has the ability to cleanse your soul and bring you back to your core...and I wonder if it's because it is a precise reminder of our time in the womb - where we began. Everything about a trip to the seaside plays a part in this act of renewal; whether it be the methodical waxing of a board, or the repetitive rhythm of the waves washing ashore...it all contributes to the recharging of the spirit.

The tone of this post isn't something I like to hi-light on this blog, but I'm doing it anyway, because it's real. It is real for my life, right now. There is so much LIFE that has yet to be lived and I want to go...do...see. I want to do it all.

I spend a lot of time dreaming. And consequently, I spend a lot of time sharing these dreams with Phil - sharing with him in great detail where I want to be, what I want to do, what I want to see, what I want to accomplish. And after each of these talks, I always walk away from them feeling determined and inspired. And that's not even taking into consideration how supported I feel because sometimes, I think Phil believes in my dreams and sees their potential and possibility more than I do.

I am tired of talking about it. I am tired of imagining it and I am tired of envisioning it. I'm ready for the real deal. I am sure that much of what I am feeling stems from the fact that October is right around the corner and a new season is on the horizon, but nonetheless, I'm ready for change.

(we toasted to health, prosperity and making dreams reality)

I believe that every toast I've clinked glasses over, every wish I've made on a shooting star, every dream I've whispered to myself while blowing out the candles on my birthday cake or acknowledging their existence at the stroke of 11:11 am/pm...I like to believe that these don't go unnoticed. They're there...and they're willing to be brought to fruition, if we'll just do our part.

I started this post feeling really bummed and lacking in hope, but I am ending it on a positive note: Life is short.

Live it.

I mean, really L-I-V-E it. Every single moment.

Post-Beach Bar Food

There is no better tasting food than that which you can find at your friend's bar after spending hours at the beach. With freshly bronzed skin and a layer of hitch-hiking sand on our feet, we stopped at the South Shore Tiki Lounge to wrap up our weekend. The act of eating-out makes me happy, because it means a reprieve from the cooking and the clean-up. And I'm all over it.

We started our evening in the bar, with a backdrop of meticulously displayed bottles of booze and puffer-fish lights that had me standing on my bar stool to photograph. 'Cause I'm shameless like that.

Sitting on the lanai and drinking pre-dinner cocktails amidst an ambiance of tiki candles and live music made our evening that much more enjoyable. We joked and we laughed and we scarfed down fried bar food without a second thought. And it was awesome...

(Watermelon Lychee martini, minus the lychee. It tastes exactly like a Jolly Rancher!)

...so awesome, that it didn't even phase me that Phil went to town taking photos of me stuffing my face. In my defense, I was hungry. And a girl's gotta eat, right? Note: an appetite supercedes dignity.

It wasn't exactly a "date-night" as it was an impromptu visit to cap-off an excellent day together. And with food, music and Phil, I'm not complaining. Even when I handed my camera off to the waitress and had to put it in full auto-mode with the harsh flash just to get ONE photo of the two of us to commemorate the evening.

'Lovin' days like these. Just me and The Hubs.

Weekend-ing

It's been a glorious two days together, just me and my love. As of late, our weekends have consisted of exploration and island memory-making. And I'm loving this season we're in; a season of wonder and adventure and a togetherness that reminds me of the early days when we were just dating.

This weekend I did a little more disconnecting from the internet than usual...and it felt good. We spent time together in the sunshine, on the beach, holding hands, laughing and living in the moment with one another.

And in the quiet, mini pockets of time over the last forty-eight hours, I kept thinking one thing:
Life is good.

How was your weekend?

Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol.5)

Happy Aloha Friday!

Did anyone else watch Grey's Anatomy last night? What did you think? I've been watching this show from the beginning and there has always been a natural ebb and flow to the storyline, but for last night's 2-hour season premiere, I was kind of left wanting a little bit more. But anyhoo, I'm still super excited for the new Fall TV line-up, which tops my list of the little things to be thankful for this week.

This week, I am also happy and grateful for:

...infinite moments throughout each day where The Hubs and I can be silly:

Seriously, folks...sometimes we can both be really immature, but I like to think that this keeps us young at heart and always laughing. Even if that means in the middle of Lowe's on a random afternoon. Clearly, I have no shame.

...blue skies and palm trees:

Photos like these will likely be in every Be-Happy-Tude post, because let's be honest...blue skies and palm trees are universal symbols for living in paradise.

...this little one:

This chubby little girl of ours brings us so much joy on a daily basis. Her silly little antics and her incessant need for loving makes me one proud fur-baby-Momma.

...(double) rainbows and waves at Ho'okipa:

...sunlight spilling in and chiffon curtains that blow in the breeze:

Linking up with Lindsay again this week...come on over and join in!

Want vs. Need

Not too long ago, an opportunity arose that would have meant change for both Phil and I; this opportunity came in the form of a new home. It was a home much larger than what we are in now, with beautiful, cherry-colored bamboo floors, french windows leading from room to room, an alcove and a beautiful bay window in a spare bedroom that I had already mentally converted into my art studio and views of the Pacific ocean from three of the four rooms in the house. The layout of the 1,000 square foot wrap-around porch was so inviting, I'd already watched a thousand sunrises and sunsets on that very porch in my mind. I wanted this house. Badly.

I had fallen in love with all the "extras" and had crunched the numbers enough to know that we could swing it, but just barely. We could manage the extra expenses, but we'd have to sacrifice the luxuries of our current lifestyle in order to make it work. Things would be tight, but it wasn't impossible. I imagined all the decorating we would do. I imagined all the new furniture we would buy to fill up the extra rooms. I imagined what it would feel like to wake up in a bedroom laid out with feng shui in mind. I fantasized about it all.

And I was mortified by how much I had rationalized things in my head simply because of the superficial desires of my heart. This house - as beautiful as it is, has all the things I want, but none of which I absolutely need.

It's very sobering, the realization that much of what I long for has little relevance to my actual survival, but is a result of the societal carrot-and-stick approach to life that so many of us fall victim to. The bigger house. The newer, shinier car. The prettier handbag. All material, no sustenance. And there's nothing wrong, per se, with all that extra "stuff"; I'm not judging. That stuff? It just isn't right for US. For who we are and the life we strive to live.

There are people in this country and all over the globe who have no home, no food, no electricity and no running water. These are people who would give anything for a roof over their head, food to feed their families or clean water to drink. I need to make a conscious effort to remember that this is reality for so many people and that I am far richer in ways more valuable than the size of our bank account. We have a tiny home with zero french doors to speak of and a miniscule deck in lieu of a wrap-around porch...but it's a home on MAUI for crying out loud! We drive vehicles that are older than we'd like, but we have two of them, and they both run. I don't carry a flashy, pebble-leather handbag, but I do have a purse that holds a wallet that has money in it. And what's most important is that I have God, my husband, my family and friends. I have everything I need.

And I want for nothing.

All Creatures Great and Small

We have a soft spot in our hearts for animals; not just for the domesticated variety, but any and all kinds. If we had our way, we'd build our own version of Noah's Ark and save them all. I suspect our affinity for four-legged, furry friends has a lot to do with the fact that we don't have children, but even if that weren't the case and we had a house full of little Angies and Phils, I'm pretty confident we'd still be advocates of pet adoption and PETA.

We are animal-people who buy dog food and dog treats in bulk...and we don't even have dogs (but our neighbors do!). We are animal-people who make donations to our local chapter of the Humane Society...and we've yet to adopt from the Maui shelter. We are animal-people who take our friends' dogs to the beach and fantasize the dog is ours (ok, this is more me than Phil, but you get the point). And we are animal-people who buy fruits and veggies at the grocery store only to promptly feed them to horses that don't even belong to us.

There is no greater joy than spending time with God's creatures, loving on them and filling their deep bellies with food. Phil & I stopped at a friend's house over the weekend to feed their horses; it's something we do periodically if for no other reason than to help fatten them up, because by the looks of them, they're starving. ;)

There is something so calming about hand-feeding these enormous creatures who could drop-kick you in a heart beat; despite their size, they are gentle and sweet and feeling their furry mouths in the palm of my hand is a feeling I've chalked up to one of life's delightful little moments.

I made a special trip to the store to pick up apples and carrots and spent a significant amount of time cutting them up beforehand, because the paternal instinct in me wants to ensure they don't choke on whatever I feed to them. What took me half an hour to cut up, took them a whole ten minutes to eat.

I was feeling a little tentative feeding them and ended up dropping a lot of the apples and carrots; both my buddies were sporting runny-noses. And believe you me, horse-snot is pretty nasty. And huge...there's just so much OF it.. It was all I could do not to take a handful of paper towels to their noses.

My buddy, "Handsome".

...and Your Highness, "Rain".

These sweet things were so hard to say goodbye to.

One of these days, Phil and I are going to buy lots of land and we'll open our home to any and all animals in need. And we'll change the world, one furry being at a time.

Twin Falls Hike

Saturday morning found us up and awake by 6:00 am; bound and determined to beat the tourist traffic to the Falls, we were out of the house and on the road before 8:00am. It was a beautiful day for a hike; the sun was shining, the skies were blue and the day was ours; just me and The Hubs.

Arriving early was the best decision we could have ever made; we had front row parking and hiked the entire trail in solitude. Just us, our cameras and nature for miles.

The first forty-five minutes of our journey wasn't so much a hike as it was a slow stroll of about five-hundred feet, stopping every few steps to take photos...because folks, there's that much to see.

Although it was still early in the morning, the sun was already bearing down on soil that had been drenched overnight, and mixed with the humidity, it created a sweet scent notorious for the tropics. The damp air was laden with a silence so thick, it took the random exchange of birdsong in the trees above to pierce the bubble; and still, we found ourselves whispering to one another in that let's-not-disturb-the-peace by the sound of our own voices kind of way. Because it's hard work to grow this kind of beauty:

With our backs turned to one another as we're bent down taking photos, I was actually startled by the soft mew of a neighborly cat who snuck out from between the fence to greet me:

We eventually made our way deeper into the jungle where we had to put our cameras away temporarily and pay attention to the path; we navigated through brush and hiked narrow dirt trails, we crawled over rocks and streams and ducked under large tree branches that grew parallel to the earth, and passed the enormous bee-hive in between the rocks. But as soon as we had a chance, we unzipped our respective backpacks and pulled out our cameras, because there was so much we didn't want to miss; like the sound of the first waterfall in the distance, and catching a glimpse around the bend:

And with exotic flowers seemingly lining the path to the pool, it's the kind of natural beauty that just takes your breath away.

Wanting to maximize our privacy and stay ahead of the crowd we knew would be coming, we decided to hike up to the second waterfall...and this would be the second best decision of the day.

The waterfall and swimming hole? It was ALL ours. We peeled off our clothes and dove into the fresh water, laughing like kids at the sudden chill on our skin.

...and then I found a rock to dominate:

Phil brought along the GoPro camera, because being married to me, he knows the blog-documentation does not stop simply because we are swimming in a pool of fresh water!

We spent about an hour in the water at "our" swimming hole, enjoying our time together, taking photos and creeping ourselves out by the feel of tiny guppy-like fish nibbling at our fingers and toes (sounds harmless, but it does not feel good). When we could hear voices in the distance, we knew our time was up, so we reluctantly pulled ourselves up onto the rocks, toweled off and got ready to make the hike back down.

Back at the entrance to the hike, we stopped at the bus and paid $4 for a coconut and sipped on its' sweet juice.

We got back to the car only to find that the gravel driveways were filled and cars were lined up and parked along the highway as far as we could see. Clearly, it pays to plan ahead. :)

* * *

I fell in love with Maui all over again this weekend. Just when I think I can't possibly love this island life any more, Maui delivers. Again.