One of the top 10 reason why I like living in the Cayman Islands is because right off the shore you can just jump in and find some beautiful reefs where you can swim and snorkel with tons of fish.
Yesterday after work that is exactly what we did, but instead of going to one of our usual spots, my husband suggested another reef close by call Schoolhouse reef, it was so beautiful.
lots of blue tangs (Dorys) around
juvenile damsel fish (moves fast, that's why it's blurry)
porcupine or puffer fish
the infamous lion fish- invader of our reefs :(
So, while we were coming from a relaxing swim and wrapping up our day, others like the fishermen where just getting ready to start...
Isn't this a wonderful way to finish or even start your day. Snorkeling is very relaxing and fun, highly recommend it if you've never try it before.
Once again I've been doing some web window shopping on Etsy and today is about all things wood.
Here are some awesome items that I would probably like to own one day...
Loving this cat puzzle. In the first picture it shows it not solved and then solved, isn't it delightful? I cat lovers must have...
lovin' the little mouse on the top!
How about them spoons? Those would be great around my kitchen, so when I make soup it will feel more like it's some kind of magic potion!!!
I'm loving this Turtle night light...
The vintage cloth pins are so rad!
And all these animal bookends are pretty cool too!
And at last my favorite wood made item (for today).
What a clever and nice idea to decorate your garden and feed birds. Check out this wonderful feeder to use with toast.
Cool, uh?
Disclaimer: All picture are from Etsy Shops, if you would like information of where to find any or all of the above items, please feel free to contact me via comment or email and I will be happy to direct you to the right store for each item.
It looks like we are winning the battle against those annoying geckos in my house and I am super happy about it.
We live in a two story house, so most of the time there is really good breeze coming in through the windows and doors, so we keep them open as long as it's not raining.
The windows have screens on but obviously the door don't so this allows those white common house geckos to come in as they please.
At first we didn't really care if the geckos where around, (as they help by eating the bugs - including mosquitoes). After a while there were everywhere; behind each picture frame on the wall, and in corner where we it's not easy to get to them. Sometimes we were watching tv at night and we can see them running around chasing each other to mate, they we will find eggs in potted plants.
But the worst part is that once you get a few inside the house, they leave their droppings everywhere... Yuck, simply disgusting and dirty...
But, we don't really want to kill them, we just want them out of the house and into the wild, but in a natural way...
Well, finally after months of doing research on the subject of "how to get rid of geckos" and finding nothing,. About a week ago a Jamaican lady that gave a facial the day we went to the "staff appreciation day", said to try Eucalyptus essential oil on a diffuser... well, guess what? It works!!!!
I've been burning on an off for about a week now and we see less geckos now, maybe one of two, so it looks like victory is mine!!!
The thing with my dogs is that they are a endless source of enjoyment and happiness, they bring so much to my life that I know for sure my life would be completely different and dull without them around...
If I call them for a treat (not even tell them about it), they already know they are getting something, so they sit and act like they are little angels... just like this:
Ditto
Sheba
And then it's treat time!
I give them love, care, food and a safe place to call home...
They give me so much more back, so I know that a treat a day makes they go hooray!!!
Yesterday wasn't such a good day, there are lots of things going on in my life, and at times I just feel like I'm barely making it to the surface to get some air.
From when I came back from vacation in late July I've been having some issues with my lower back, at times it hurts pretty bad and it makes me feel old. I am in for a CT scan of my lower back on Monday, we'll see what happens.
Besides my back issues, working with only women is getting on my nerves, sometimes I feel like they are very double faced and I really don't feel like having to deal with that. My manager is going away for about 2 weeks and I will be in charge during that time, I am confident that God is going to give me the wisdom to accept how they are and deal with them in the best possible way but always putting the business first and the personal after.
But... I will not play games, I am a pretty straight forward person and when I don't like something or somebody I tent to address it as soon as possible so it doesn't build up... I think I am in for some bubble bursting soon!
source www.jesad.com
In other news, I am happy to announce that in the year 2010 I have a new lucky number and it's 33. First is because I turned 33 back in Feb. and now I have reached 33 followers on my blog, yey! Thanks to all of you 33 official ones, and those that follow "incognito" as well, you guys rule!
Tomorrow Sat. I will be working and the same for the next two Sat. after that. On Sunday we are going to my brother's Housewarming Party BBQ, so that should be fun.
I guess it's pretty common for most people that have kids to take them to camp during summer.
Here on the island there are all sorts of summer camps; some go for days in a row, others are just 7 to 6 (while the parents are at work) and there are also others that are just a few hours or just a 1 day thing.
Yesterday while browsing some news on the internet I stumbled upon a very different Summer Camp that really made me smile. And just like many parents love their kids, some of us that don't have any human kids do have some wonderful "furrkids", and that is the kind of camp I am talking about, a Doggy Day Camp!
As their website explains: Totally Dog® offers the perfect outlet for active, social dogs.We were the first dog day camp to offer a true resort experience for Miami’s canines and we remain the only one of our kind! With over five acres of supervised entertainment, dogs are able to run, swim in our 35’x70’ bone shaped pool, romp in our Pine Rockland and play with their camper buddies completely off leash, completely FREE!
Pictures "bark" louder than words..
riding in the bus to camp (photo source www.totallydog.com)
they have their own bone shaped pool (photo from Totallydog.com)
After an exhausting and joyful day, it's time to get back.... (photo source www.totallydog.com)
How fun, isn't it? I would love to have a place like that and be surrounded by doggies all day!!!
If you are a woman reading this, I am sure you have been window shopping before. If you are a man, I am sure you've been with a woman that was doing window shopping or at least wanted to go window shopping.
Well, living in an island that is about 22 miles long x 8 miles wide, you can image there is not much of a retail world around here.We have mostly souvenir shops, jewelry shops, cigar shops and the occasional clothing stores, but after living here for a while they all seem like the have the same stuff all the time.
So, what does somebody that likes window shopping can do about it? Well, nothing else but "cyber" window shopping on the internet, so today this is what I found on the window at Etsy (one of my favorite online -all thing hand made- place)... Just a few items I like.
Lots more to see so I will keep on sharing my window shopping Wednesdays.
Today is already Sept. 1st and so far so good with the Atlantic Hurricanes heading our way. My thoughts and prayers are with those that as I write this are being affected by bad weather or have a storm close by, stay safe and God Bless you all!
I am back after 3 days off, yesterday was my 3rd day and I didn't do much but baked my husband a "freedom cake".
Today is my husband's last day at work after working for the government for more than 13yrs. A huge step for him, but I am very confident that he's going to do so much better, now that he is "free" (hence the "freedom cake")... God is in charge and because of that I have no fear.
Here are some pictures of the "Freedom Cake" process. I used an old family recipe and it was very good, unfortunately I think I left on the oven a little too long so it was kind of dry. I am sure I will do better next time, still it's super tasty!
ready for the oven
ready for eating
Also on Saturday we had our "staff appreciation day" and it was awesome, the massage was good but the facial was probably the best I've had in a long time.
the picture to thank our boss for such a treat
Now it's Monday for me, so to make the best out of it, hope you out there reading this will do the same.
Have a wonderful week!
The weekend is almost here and for me it's going to be a long one.
I am off on Monday because my manager is going away for 2 weeks, so I will be working 6 days in a row during that time.
But besides a 3 day weekend to look forward to, I have another reason to be very happy and thankful for, something that would make anybody appreciated.
Our company requires that we have 2 staff appreciation activities during the year (every 6 months). Well, every year for the past 3 years we have been going out to dinner with everybody and our spouses, and that is always treat but kind of always the same thing.
Well, this year we have a new manager, a lady that is very nice, very proactive and has a lot of new fresh ideas, and besides for the first time ever our whole staff is all women (besides my big boss, the artist, that is a man). So she has put together an afternoon of pampering at Hibiscus Spa at the The Westin Hotel.
We are all getting an hour massage of our preference, a facial treatment and a pedicure. But besides those treatments they have a steam and sauna that we can all use for the afternoon. The whole heavenly experience starts at 2pm and ends around 6pm. Isn't that a wonderful treat? Makes you feel really appreciated.
Can't wait 'till tomorrow afternoon, will share my experiences in the next couple of days, meanwhile enjoy your weekend, otherwise I'll make sure to relax and enjoy it for y'all!!!
Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment.
When the island was almost sinking…Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, “Richness, can you take me with you?” Richness answered, “No, I can’t…there is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you.”
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, “Vanity, please help me!” “I can’t help you Love,you are all wet and might damage my boat,” Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked for help. “Sadness let me go with you.” “Oh…Love …I am so sad that I need to be by myself!”
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her!
Suddenly, there was a voice “Come, Love, I will take you.”It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder his name.
When they arrived at dry land, the elder went his own way. Love, realizing how much he owed the elder, asked Knowledge, another elder, “Who helped me?” “It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “Time?” asked Love. “But why did Time help me?” Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”
Isn't this a lovely story? I was able to share thanks to my cousin Mariam that send to me by email. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.
Have a wonderful day! <3
Yesterday after work I stopped at the post office to check my mail.
Oh what a great surprise, I got a beautiful package all the way from Greece.
It's such a wonderful feeling to get mail, I love it! The thought of something travel so far to find me, that somebody was thinking about me and that they even made the special effort in sending me something, makes me feel very appreciated, fortunate and blessed.
beautiful Geek Kitties and a lovely post card
Thank you Joan, your packages are always beautiful and very well appreciated. I feel sad that the one I sent you last is still not there, so there's another one coming soon as well...
I loved the kitties she sent me. Last year when I visited my mom she had one like those I received yesterday, (but that one has a longer tail to hold rings for when you are doing the dishes). Well, that one kitty is been pretty lonely, but not anymore, now he was company, only thing, he needs to learn to speak Greek or teach them some Spanish!!!
3 is company
How exciting was to receive this yesterday, it was like Christmas in August!!!
My weekend was very enjoyable, we got some good weather during the day but also some nice and heavy showers for the plants, so we are all happy!
Yesterday we went to see my brother and sister in law and did 2 boat dives on the North Side Wall with the company they work for, they took us to some amazing dive spots.
First one was Babylon (named after the hanging gardens of Babylon because of the coral formations that literary hang from this huge coral pinnacle), unfortunately my camera was not cooperating with me so the pictures came out quite blue, here is my favorite and possible best one of that site.
my husband cruisin' along
Now, on the second dive site, we visited a place called Dragon's Lair, and we had one of the most unbelievable underwater encounters, but this time it wasn't with a big fish, but many, many tiny ones.
Here's a video I took of the Silver Sides on that dive.
Isn't it amazing??? while you are going through them, at times it's a very thick "cloud" and you can barely see the person right in front of your, in fact during the whole video my brother was leading the dive but I can't see him most of the time... Here's a picture of what it looks like.
It was an amazing sight and a one of a kind experience, I really enjoyed the dives and spending time with my brothers, now I am fully energized and ready to take on another work week.
Hope your weekend was also nice, have a wonderful week!
It's pretty amazing to me, how somebody can find art in ways like Terry Border, how in his case he manages to tell "the secret life of everyday objects", gives them life in ways that we cannot imagine...
Here are some of his pieces (the captions on the pieces are by me, not by him!).
the Trojan Horse
mani pedi walking ready!
taking a dip into the color pool!
hot tea tub
Dragon
watch out for Zombies
don't be a jerk
the drama is mine!
Are those very unique an awesome? Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did... Have a wonderful weekend!
It's been a while since I've given an award and there are so many wonderful blogs that I have the pleasure to read (when I have the chance) that I feel right now it's the right time to come up with something extra special.
I hope you out there feel the same way too, because I mean it from the heart.
The people and blogs I want to honor today are:
1. Joan @ Gods Little People... I really don't remember when I found you and your blog, but I've been a faithful follower ever since, your words touch my heart and soul, and although we are so far away geographically speaking, I feel very close to you because of the love we share for all Gods Little People...
2. Wild Magnolia is a blog that I have been following for a while, Randi is going through some major changes in her life, but still her posts are very nice, nice images that make me realize that we are all going through something and having a little space to talk about it's a blessing, you have an awesome blog and even though I don't know you personally I know you are a great girl, keep up the good spirit and God Bless!
3. Kat @ Heart 2 Heart is being following my blog and leaving amazing comments for a while, I have been reading her blog for a while as well, although just very recently I am an official follower of hers. Thanks Kat for the bringing your insight and specially your love for God and your family into my life.
4. Sitka and his Mom Andrea are wonderful bloggers @ All Gods Creatures, I love their blog and I am grateful to her and all her comments on mine, thanks for coming every now and then.
5. Caroline @ Absolutely Unique has a wonderful blog, even though I am not much into fashion the pictures she posts are so glamorous and unique that just looking at them makes me feel pretty stylish, she obviously has great taste and I live that part of life's fashion through her blog!!!
6. The blog "50 iglesias en 50 semanas" (which translated to english means: "50 churches in 50 weeks") is a blog that belong to somebody very close to me from blood and life, she is my first cousin more like my sister. She started this blog as a woman that desires to be a mom, and in this little space she is being sharing her pilgrimage of visiting 50 churches in 50 weeks. As she explains herself in her own space: Being that the churches are the house of God, I made the purpose to visit 50 of his houses in 50 consecutive weeks (I hope!), pray to him and ask that he sends my husband and me the baby that we long for so much.
Today I want to give her this award because I love her and I pray with her that soon her wish to be a mother and have a bigger family with her husband comes true. (unfortunately the blog is in Spanish for those English speakers!)
7. Maggie @ *Moonstruck has such a great blog, she always has great and interesting topics. Sometimes when I don't get many comments in a couple of days and I get kind of down, she is there with a nice word, thanks for your friendship and your blog!
8. Last one but definitely not least, my favorite blogger, man, husband, friend and "my muse", Mark @ First Time (he is probably going to think this is such a girlie award with birdies and all, but oh well!). He is the reason why I ever started blogging in the first place and now I can't stop, but for him, I will go to the moon and back, and his blog will always be my #1. I love you babe!!!
Now, as far as the award goes, you can do whatever you want with it; post it on your blog, not post it, print it, frame it, delete it, pass it along or just smile when you read about it. All I want to accomplish with this is to tell people how much I enjoy their blogs and that they share their life and thoughts with me, we are all miles away but with this blessing that is the internet we are so close in this big blogger family.
