Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day - Cozumel Style

November 26th and 27th

Cozumel, Days Four and Five

David and Spencer arrived this afternoon from their overnight stay at the Westin at the Dallas Fort Worth airport.  And, yes, they did deliver my shoe, safe and sound and none the worse for wear, or travel, I should say.  So, our group has increased to ten, a full house here at Residencia Reef.

Spencer, upon arrival, delivering my "lost" shoe

Kari and Jeff, along with one of Kari’s EPIC Tri clients, Amanda, did another very short workout this afternoon, a very windy day indeed.  As we move closer to the Ironman on Sunday, the weather may not be cooperating, as we’ve been hoping.  The wind today has been very strong and tomorrow’s forecast is for the same; today’s temperature only reached about 70F (21.1C), tomorrow we expect more wind, but warmer.  Sunday’s forecast, at this time, is partly cloudy with thunder, lightning, and possible rain.  Rain doesn’t bother the athletes for the swim or the run, but riding 112 miles on a bicycle can be really unpleasant in the rain.  We’ll just keep on praying for the Great Spirit to make the weather good for Sunday.  They’ve been doing a lot of training in California central valley heat and the Cozumel Caribbean water temp negates the need for a wetsuit; it’s just that bike ride that calls out for pleasant weather.  Oh, I’d add that the run could be unpleasant if the wind continues to be strong.

Cozumel Ironman Animated Course

Alice, David and I, as "chief observers" are beginning to make our plans for where we want to be at various times during the race; covering so much territory makes the logistics of being in the right place at the right time for catching a glimpse of our athletes as they fly by in need of planning.  I continue to be impressed with just how tranquil the athletes seem to be; I’m guessing that Saturday might be a day of self-hypnosis for all the athletes - just getting into that zone they need to be in to even THINK about going the distance.  I love them both and only hope they’ll come through it unscathed and full of wondrous gratitude for the opportunity to accomplish this feat together.

The twins and the triplets are all here now and the attraction during the day is beach volleyball.  All five of them are volleyball players on high school teams, so they really get going with some good competition.  And, Alice is right in there with them; she’s a real sport, well actually, she’s a kid at heart.

Avery and Malia on the volleyball court (sand)

Tate (in foreground) and Malia ready for anything

This evening was my turn to make dinner, so we had a great lasagna made with Jeff’s spaghetti sauce from two nights ago with lots of ricotta, Monterey Jack and Parmesan - not a speck was left in the casserole at the end of dinner.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be grateful for.  First, in this holiday season, I’m thankful for my three children, their spouses and significant others, and 8 wonderful grandchildren who are proudly carrying the torch into the next generation.  And, eleven months from now, we’ll welcome Landon into the family when he and my oldest granddaughter, Quinn, tie the knot in October 2015.  I’m a very lucky person. 

Thanksgiving Day, 2014 

Cozumel, Mexico

Yes, we’re preparing a close-to-authenic USA Thanksgiving dinner: roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, large salad - the works - maybe even a pumpkin pie, if we can find one at the store.  Otherwise, it's going to be Cozumel rum cake, not an all-bad replacement! I got up early and to get the bird in the oven in time to serve dinner about 1pm.  Jeff got the potatoes in to boil and mash (with a fork!), and Kari and I made dressings, without all the familiar spices. After that, Jeff and Kari left to get to race headquarters into town to register and receive their packets of information and numbers, etc.  Later this afternoon, they'll head back into retrieve their bikes that have been transported from UC Davis, where they delivered them two weeks ago.  They’ll ride their bikes ‘home’ to the condo and that will be their Thanksgiving workout, about a six-mile easy ride, taking them less than 30-minutes!  Oh, to be in that .  And, they want to be home in time to get a group to the sports bar in town that will be showing the 49er game, at 7pm our time.

Wishing you and yours a

very happy and healthy

Thanksgiving.

Mary-Pat (AKA Mimi)

Tuesday in Cozumel

Oh, life in paradise. This morning I rolled out of bed really late for me (9 o’clock!), had a relaxing cup of coffee and met the “mujer de la casa," Genny (pronounced somewhat like Henny);” Genny comes with the condo contract and stays most of the day making sure that everything is in order and clean throughout our large abode.  She can also be asked to cook, although we haven’t felt the need - so far, that is.

After the leisurely coffee klatch, Kari, Jeff and I headed to the beach and went for a swim.  Or, rather, I should say that I paddled around inside the buoy line while they swam a short half-mile swim, just to keep those highly trained muscles warmed up and loose.  Although I consider myself a swimmer, I’ve never been really comfortable in “open water” because I can’t see the black line on the bottom of the pool!  But, at least I got in and learned the lay of the land, or sea in this case, and maybe swam a grand total of of sixty yards; now I’m feeling OK to swim by myself in the luxuriously warm and calm water.  Kari and Jeff estimate the water temperature is somewhere over 83F (around 28C).  We’re used to northern California beaches and water, in the neighborhood of a very chilly 53F (11.6C) with terrifically strong surf and current. The lovely, clean, white, sandy beach right outside our condo is strewn with lots of lounges for lazy reading / tanning days. The water is crystal clear and inviting; however, there’re some kelp-covered rocks in the shallow water to get over before one can begin to swim.  Swimming with goggles makes it easy to see tiny up to mid-sized fish darting around nibbling wonderful delicacies off the rocks and seaweed.

While the three of us were swimming, Alice took the four cousins for a walk down the beach to a spot where they could get “henna-ed,” on one foot; it’s supposed to last up to three weeks and they seem excited about their lovely designs, each one different.

Then we all piled into the rental car, eight of us, but that’s nothing compared to entire families riding on one moped!  The drive into town is only about six miles, parked the car and scouted out a real Mexican restaurant for a wonderfully flavorful lunch.

L to R:  Avery, Malia, Samantha, Tate - cousins forever!

Chicken tacos

Mexican style flank steak

Deliciously fresh fish tacos

Sauteed shrimp and vegetables

L to R:  Malia, Samantha (twins), Avery and Tate (triplets)

Kari helping the advertising campaign for the event next Sunday

 After lunch, really dinner, Alice and Kari took the girls out onto the beach-side shopping area, where they, with about a million other tourists, went from shop to shop to purchase the tchotchkes tourists always know they have to have and then don’t know what to do with when they get home!  Believe me, I know all about it, as I’ve done my fair share of feeding the economy in many countries around the world!

What’s so appealing to me about this adventure is how relaxed and non-stressed we all are, even those two very gung-ho triathletes we’re here to watch.  Brother and sister, Jeff and Kari, are both seasoned Ironmen, each will be competing in his/her fourth Ironman event.  And, we’ll also follow some clients of Kari who are members of her EPIC Tri Club.  [If you’re interested in finding out about EPIC, click Here

This evening we’ll roast some hot dogs and have a casual evening, maybe play some Charades, and hit the sack in preparation for another busy day tomorrow.

Just a couple of off-the-subject-notes:  When we got to the airport in Sacramento I found that my luggage was overweight, so I moved all my shoes to Avery's bag.  Then when we stayed overnight in Dallas, I took all my stuff out of her suitcase so she could get to her own clothes.  I guess I didn't get one brand new shoe back in, as it's still there in Dallas.  Fortunately, David and Spencer are staying in the same hotel tonight and will pick up my shoe for me!!!!

Mimi's one shoe in Mexico

And, lastly, I thought I'd include a photo of the newly blond ME!!!!!

Stay tuned - more to come!

Cozumel - Island of the Swallows

From Wikipedia:
Cozumel (Spanish pronunciation: [koˈsumel], Yucatec Maya: Kùutsmil, English: Island of the Swallows) is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatán Channel. Cozumel is one of the ten municipalities(municipios) of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The economy of Cozumel is based on tourism. There are a number of visitors to the islands balnearios, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The main town on the island is San Miguel de Cozumel.

Kari, Avery, Tate and I arrived at the international airport in San Miguel de Cozumel, on the island of  Cozumel, yesterday afternoon, after having flown from Sacramento to Dallas on Saturday and spending Saturday night at the Westin Hotel right outside the Dallas Fort Worth Airport.  Sunday morning we flew from Dallas directly to Cozumel, avoiding having to do the ferry ride from Cancun, on the Yucatan peninsula, to the island.  Jeff, Alice, Malia and Samantha joined us last night; we picked them up at the ferry landing; they had flown fro San Francisco yesterday morning.  Kari's husband and son, David and Spencer, will bring up the rear on Wednesday afternoon, due to inter mural basketball commitments.

David had researched and found this lovely condominium complex, actually outside the real touristy downtown area.  We knew we were going to have a large group of family members, and this condo sleeps 10 - 12 comfortably.  

Jeff and Kari have completed all the really difficult training for their Ironman endeavor next weekend.  This week is for resting and only exercising a minimal amount - to stay in Ironman shape.  And, Cozumel is readying itself for the onslaught of athletes and spectators that either have, or will soon descend on this little bit of paradise.

Cozumel covers an area of about 250 square miles.  I don't have all the facts about the Ironman itinerary planned for the competition; what I know so far is that the 2.4 miles swim will be an out and back course off the western side of the island (between it and mainland Mexico) with its mild conditions as far as temperature and current go; but heck, it's still two and a half miles folks!  

The 112 mile bike ride will be three laps around the circumference of the island, each lap approximately 37 miles!  Jeff and Kari shipped their bikes almost two weeks ago and are anxiously awaiting their arrival on Thursday.  Kari and I went to Ego Gym in town today, she for a light ride of ten miles; and me, a 45 minute walk on the treadmill.  

I don't have particulars about the marathon - will describe the course as soon as I learn what it is.

Today was a take-it-easy day; we all slept in, an adult-style trip to MEGA, the Walmart-like shopping bonanza in town, where, between the four of us, we managed to accumulate a plethora of victuals for the likes of this varied group.  Jeff loves to cook, so he made the Sherman family Spaghetti repast for this evening - it fit the bill perfectly for all of us.  We also bought ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner - with some substitutions for unavailable commodities.  I know we'll love the holiday, and the fact that we're spending it in our little place in paradise will make it all the more memorable.

On a personal note, because I was preparing everything I thought I'd need for my extended adventure, I didn't bring my camera; instead, I'm planning to use my new iPhone 6+, as the camera is supposed to have a higher resolution, etc. than earlier models.  We'll see - I've only snapped a few shots so the jury is still out on how the snapshots turn out - or not!

Happy Monday of Thanksgiving week.  I give thanks for my wonderful family and all the wonderful memories we'll be making this week in Mexico.

¡Viva Mexico!

Hola Todos:

Finally, the day is here!  We're leaving for Cozumel!  For me it's the beginning of yet another wonderful adventure, exploring this great world or ours.

This morning daughter, Kari (better known as "Super Woman"), the triplet girls, Tate and Avery, and I will fly out of Sacramento to Dallas for an overnight layover; then, tomorrow morning a couple of hour flight directly to Cozumel.  My son, Jeff (better known as "Super Man"), his wife, Alice, and their twins, Malia and Samantha, will join us at the large house we've rented on the island.  Wednesday, bringing up the rear of the family will be David, Kari's husband, and Spencer, the third triplet.

Before I say anything about the adventure itself, let me share that tomorrow will be the triplets 15th birthday!  Boy, we surely couldn't have fathomed a trip like this in that November of 1999.  Beginning new adventures is always exciting, hectic, and a little nerve-rackng.  Trying to coordinate all the particulars of a very large athletic event mixed in, as well as the fact that this sojourn in Cozumel is only the start of my own personal wanderings, is quite a feat!

More about all the happenings as they come up.  Right now, I'm trying to get the last "STUFF" in my luggage - Yikes!  Hold on to your hat, there's more to come as soon as we get the first contingent to the airport on time.

Hasta Tarde ('Til later . . .)

PS:  Lacy and Eleanor are safely 'visiting' dog groomer, Tammie, at her house in Lincoln, CA; they have another Standard Poodle, a Miniature Poodle, and a cat to keep them company.  I miss them already!

Finished, But Not Home - Yet

Yes, Kari and her friend, Andrea, finished the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim hike in just over 12 hours!  I talked with her last evening and her first description of the endeavor was, ". . .The hardest thing I've ever done in my life! . ."  I'll drive to the Sacramento airport to pick her up (or scoop her up!) this evening at 8.  We'll see how she feels after 24 hours of "recovery;" I use the term recovery loosely as she predicts that day 2 will be worse than the first 24-hour period.

Hopefully, she'll have a few photos to share; although, she already indicated she didn't take anywhere near what she thought she would because the hike was just too darn hard.  Remember I said it was 26 miles; she said that about 13 of that distance was uphill!!!  The final 6 miles, climbing up to the south rim from the canyon floor took an hour per mile!  At one point she said her whole body 'seized' and she couldn't move for several minutes; the cause was dehydration and sodium depletion.  She took extra salt tablets and drank about a quart of water over around 15 minutes and felt better.  At the time we spoke (about 6pm) she said several hikers were still a long way from the finish.

And, finally she said, "This is my first AND MY LAST Grand Canyon Rim to Rim."

I just thank God she finished with what appears to be no serious or terminal injuries.  Ironman Cozumel will be much more "sane," that's the term I'll use to describe any / all of these extreme athletic events my kids seem to be addicted to conquering!

I'm off to get a little exercise myself; then I'll commence the chief cook and bottle washer duties for a fractured family dinner tonight, before I head to the airport to pick Kari up . . . More (with pix) later.

El Dorado Hills and Lots of Activity

Lacy, Eleanor and I came down I-5 to El Dorado Hills on Wednesday, about 180 miles south of Redding.  I'd volunteered to 'babysit' the triplets, 15 in November, for a few days.  Their dad, David, was in Las Vegas for a business convention until last night. And, their mom, my daughter Kari, and her business partner were left Wednesday afternoon to fly to Arizona, where they are doing another spectacular feat of exercise:  a 26-mile hike beginning on the north rim down to, and across, the canyon floor and Colorado River; then up the walls to the south rim.

Grand Canyon - North Rim (left), canyon floor and Colorado River, South 

This hike used to be a yearly event; but, it's no longer legal due to the number of rescues the Park Service had to make each year.  In order to accomplish this feat, Kari and her friend Andrea, had to apply for a Special Use Permit from Grand Canyon National Park.  As I've mentioned so often in my posts, Kari is an incredible athlete.  She's considering this hike as a long training day in preparation for her Ironman event that will take place in Cozumel, Mexico on November 30th.

Kari and Andrea are now, as I write, hopefully past the half-way mark in this endeavor.  I'll have to post how they've done - when I find out!  I believe they began their trek at about 5 this morning an hope to complete the challenge by sunset this evening.  As I recall they were to begin at an elevation of about 8,000 feet, hike down to the Colorado River, at about 2,000 feet, cross the river and canyon bottom and then hike up to the south rim, which is about a 6,000 foot climb.

Life in their household continues at full tilt, parents here or not.  I feel that babysitting for three almost 15-year old high school Freshmen is more labor-intensive than when they were ten!  They're all very active in sports and extracurricular activities, as well as taking full loads of subjects in school.  And, although they're triplets, they have three different schedules for class hours, etc.  The driving taxi service that I'm providing is very close to a full-time position.  Since Wednesday I've driven close to 200 miles just back and forth to school and activities.  Thank goodness each kid is responsible for his own laundry; I haven't done any.  But, cooking for three voracious appetites, is also almost full-time work; it seems like they're eating non-stop - because they are eating non-stop! Kari and David have always believed that if they keep their kids very busy they won't have time to head down a wrong path; so far, it's worked wonderfully with the three older girls, all of whom are either on their own completely, or in college and living in a dorm.  Certainly as far as I know, there have been no teen problems other than the occasional heart breaks, moodiness and melt-downs that happen to us all inn getting through those teen years!

Earlier today I made a huge pot of minestrone and a large apple crisp. My son, Jeff, and my twin granddaughters, Malia and Samantha, will arrive from Cottonwood this evening to spend the weekend here.  The twins have a soccer game tomorrow in Elk Grove, about 30 miles from here.  Then Jeff and Kari, if she lives through today's hike, will do a long training bike ride on Sunday.  Remember, it's the two of them who will compete in Cozumel - together.  I'm so looking forward to that; all 'my' family will be there, even my ex-husband and his wife are planning to be in the cheering gallery for the brother-sister team.

I am really enjoying the kids and am amazed at how fast they grow up. It just goes by so fast, but other than when all five of the now 14-year olds were still in diapers, they're a really fun group of kids and I'm thrilled to be their Mimi.

Memories of a Special Birthday

I think it was my 4th birthday when an unexpected gift became one of those hallmarks of my life providing interest, practice, and love for literature and music.

As I recall, I opened the package wondering, 'Just what could this be?'  It didn't conform to the perceived measurements of any item on my wish list, at least that I could remember.  But, even at that age, I was beginning to realize that those 'mystery' gifts could be more exciting and satisfying than anything I'd thought I needed,wanted, or just had to have.  In this world, there are some people who possess a special talent for choosing just the right gift you never knew you wanted and hadn't thought of, yet!  My mom had that 'gift;' it started with picking a toy I wasn't even aware of, like my Toodles doll, who could drink from her toy baby bottle - and then tinkle (as Mom called it) into her diaper, giving me the opportunity to be the mother of that plastic daughter.  Those special and unexpected gifts flowed from my mother's thoughtfulness and empathy during all of my childhood - and adulthood, throughout her life.  I love you, Mom.

Birthdays were very important days to me, probably the most anticipated of holidays, after Christmas, that is.  My special day, February 3rd, I shared every year with the wedding anniversary of my parents.  I, the eldest, was born on their 9th anniversary, a fact that didn't mean much to me as a young child, except that I was always aware of the fact that I'd been a 'gift' for them as they'd wanted children from the day they married in 1934.  Military life with the inherent separations, the War, and other unforeseen obstacles had not made procreation possible - until I came along, right smack-dab in the middle of WWII.

Back to that #4 birthday.  Just what was in this flat, square and prettily wrapped package?  It took only seconds to get through the paper and what did I see?  A record album: a group of 78-RPM records, four of them, each tucked into its own cardboard folder (with a circular cutout in the middle to be able to identify each individual disc) for protection of both sides of each record.  And, as the album was opened, there was also a story and picture book attached as an actual part of the album that, I was to discover, coordinated with each of the records.

It was "Peter and the Wolf," Op. 67, a composition written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936 in the USSR. It's a children's story, with both music and text by Prokofiev, spoken by a narrator accompaniment of a symphony orchestra.  I was familiar with the story, as Mom and Dad had read it to me and my brother, Jimmy, previously.  What could be so special about this album? Well, it didn't take long to find out.

I was directed to the combination radio and 'automatic' record player in the living room.  Dad taught me how to insert the 78rpm record into the record slot on the lower portion of the front of the machine.  You had to be careful to insert it exactly in the center from left and right, or the hole in the record center would be cattywampus, not lining up with the little popup that held the disc in place making the needle on the player arm unable to locate itself correctly for playing the music.

Well, I inserted the first of the four records and heard the narrator, i.e. conductor, begin the entertainment by telling the audience, i.e. me, that each of the characters in the story would be played by a certain instrument.  I lay down on the floor in front of the record player and followed along in the attached picture book as the conductor and the symphony orchestra took me on that first magical ride.

I probably played that series of records hundreds of times over the next few years.  I think going along with the story helped me learn to read.  And, most of all, the experience made me aware of the instruments in a symphony orchestra and develop a love of music of all kinds that has remained throughout my life.

Well, I can't say what ultimately happened to that album; I know it was well-worn and loved.  Perhaps it went to another 4 year old girl or boy to enjoy as much as I had.  I went on to take music lessons and play flute in the school band and cello in the school orchestra.   I also took some piano lessons along the way.  I'm sorry that I've not kept up on my instruments; however, I have my flute here in the RV with me and still intend to take it out and practice.

Here is a YouTube video to give you an idea of how wonderful my "Peter and the Wolf" indoctrination into the world of classical music was . . .

   Link

I hope, if you've not seen it before, you enjoy a bit of this symphony. 

PS:  I've tried to correct the type-spacing error; so far I can't figure out how to do it.  Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.