Hawaii has been having a lot of rain lately. It's starting to bother me. I don't want to shove my feet into trainers 'cos they'll sweat. I've become quite fond of my slippahs (flip-flops), but in this rain, they are slip-slops 'cos I'm sliding all over the place in them. I may as well wear the trainers for as dry as my feet would be anyway!
So the kids are back to school and the days are quieter. Of course, Dan's away, too, so the nights are lonely. But, don't feel sorry for me. I'm used to this as a military wife. It's just "getting old".
I've been thinking about not taking on a second tour in Hawaii. Don't get me wrong, because it is beautiful here. Hands down, God made a beautiful spot on Earth when he laid Hawaii down on the map. However, my thoughts and feelings always come back to: I'm just not a beach bum. I can count on my hands how many times I've been to the beach since we moved here. Many will think I ought to be flogged. I don't swim. I do not like to lie out in the sun, because, hell, it's hot! I don't like to be hot and sweaty. I look dead awful in a one-piece, so I can't stay cool by wearing less. If my kids are with me and out in the wild of the ocean . . . I can't concentrate to read the book I've brought with me (presumably to relax), because I'm watching them like a mother hen and ready to throw my life to the restless waves to save one of them if I have to . . . I'd probably knock the damn life guard out of my way. I don't swim, because I can't swim. In a rescue scenario, I think I'd learn pretty quick. Or be dead pretty quick.
No, the beach isn't relaxing to me. It's beautiful and I love it all the same - if my kids stay out of the water.
Other than this torrential rain going on and off and on again these days, the weather is usually pretty steadily sunny and warm with the Trade winds tickling your back and teasing your hair. It's nice. It's perfect lie about weather, actually.
There is plenty to do on O'ahu. But, alas, we are not doing it. The weather over Christmas break prevented us going on hikes (by the time there was sun, the ground was still too soggy to hike or Dan was back to work). We were going to make up for it this last weekend, but Dan had to skip town for work.
Our routine outings are regulated to: grocery shopping (barf!), appointments, eating out, and the Mall (whichever suits). Parking my van is difficult on most of the island. When I pass vehicles larger than mine (and yes, there are some super morons driving Hummers here . . . I just don't get it . . . they must not park . . . or they park ON other cars). . . . how do they park??? I pull into the slip, I can open my door but I have to contort my body to get out. In some cases, I've thought I should have brought Vaseline! I've even climbed back in once through the side sliding door and climbed over the center divider inside.
I have Island Fever. Or a solid defense for buying a Mini.
7 comments:
I spent many of my teenage years living in Florida (near the beach -- beautiful place) and never got past the "it's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there" feeling. You can't change who you are, darlin'.
Isn't it funny..the grass is always greener on the other side..stuff. We all have it, feel it, think it. You know my love for the seaside, but I know to bring up family around that would have driven me bonkers. It is beautiful, however, you have to have a good respect for it and when we're young and sometimes old people..are out there having fun, we forget the power of it and some of the creatures swimming around out there in it.
It almost just seems mostly like a place for old people..like myself! LOL..well getting older. So, I don't think you should be flogged, but I would seem like one that might say that..nope, I get it. We often always don't take advantage of the places we live nearby..once again, everyone says that, does that at times. Really, I've been much the same way. It was priest friend, who said.."Just get in the car and take little day trips! They can be the best kind." That did come true in many ways. Getting off here..but your post had some really funny points and I wanted a good laugh this morning. Thanks! :)
Minnesota is cold right now! But we have a lot of bodies of water also.
I have been running a lot of errands also. puke puke puke..I get-ya. I am one who wants to sit with a lady like you, gab about books and life and drink copious amounts of coffee.
Just got back from Florida (Pensacola - it didn't get warmer than 60 or so - but still - it was warm) and I never cared for the heat either - especially at Christmas time. I love the change of seasons - my psyche NEEDS them! I love Mini Coopers, however, but I think they'd work just as well on the mainland as they would in Hawaii - no defense needed!
I don't lay on the beach, I do swim, but never cared for the unknown bo-diggits that float in salt water - ew! - jellyfish, shells, horseshoe crabs, etc. Gimme a freshwater lake anytime.
:-) Aloha!
When we were assigned to Ft. Ord,CA in the 70's I sorta felt the same way about the weather. Coming from CO we had 4 (well some years only 3) seasons. There it was not like that. There was fog, rain and sunshine on days when the fog forgot to roll in. And it was always chilly. Know I understand and wish I could help, but today there is no sun here either. Perhaps, he's on vacation! ;) Wishing you well! Cathy
GrandmaK, we were also in Fort Ord in the 70's. We loved it there and spent many many days in the California sun on the beach. I was only around 5 at the time(mid-late 70's) but the pics we have at that time show pictures of a happy happy camping/sun loving family. I remember on camping trip, family all tucked into an old 7 person tent and a skunk outside..funny! Thanks for the memories!
My daddy was stationed at Ft. Ord when he was in the Army - waaaaaay back. ;)
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