A Busy Day today!

Today was a busy day at Shearwater Resort! First I had to check on the hot tub to ensure the chemical balance was good and that it wasn't leaking any water. Next,

I jumped into some painting on the cottages and the main part of the building.

After that I had to check on the tennis court to find out why the net was losing its tension.

After that I had to sit down and take a break from all this hard work!!

Only a few more days until Christmas. Happy Holidays from Saba.

Winter Wallop 2009

So, I've been watching this Blizzard of 2009 approaching and slamming into our Nation's Capital with anticipated snowfalls expected of upwards of 2 feet!! And I have to say that I feel just a little bit jealous that I'm not there to enjoy all of it.

Then I see these pictures of the accumulation and the drifts of snow piling up and then I talk to my Mom and she said the drifts are pushing almost 3 feet.

Then I thought of my afternoon spent by the pool today (here) and realized that I'm really NOT all that jealous.

Stay warm, stay dry, stay cocktailed, stay Holiday Merry today and greetings from Saba.!.!.!.!.!

Paul's Birthday & King's Day - All in one!

December 15th was Paul's birthday but also happens to be King's Day here on Saba which is a National Holiday.

Paul's Birthday - King's Day - Same Day??? Well how about that?

He wanted to go diving which I think was a good thing. The last time Paul went scuba diving was the Friday before Easter and the last time I went was on my birthday, July 1st. Now that's just ridiculous given the fact one of the top ten reasons for moving to Saba was to dive!!

We had 2 really nice dives, the first one to about 110 feet and the second, more shallow one at around 65 feet. One of the great "finds" on the dives was this cute little Pink Frogfish.

He's a tough one to find since he stays nearly motionless and you could swim right by him and thinking it's nothing more than part of the coral.

Happy Wednesday from Saba. Off to St. Maarten tomorrow for a day's full of errands for the new venture.

Poinsettias

For me, living on a tropical island it is always hard to "get into" the Christmas spirit without the weather being cold but our Poinsettia in the yard has just bloomed so that is making me feel a little more Chrismas-y.

The "blooms" all of the sudden turned bright red and the bush looks great!

Only 13 more shopping days left until the big day. Merry Christmas from Saba.

The People of Walmart

OK, so everyone laughs about the people of Walmart! So I went on their website www.thepeopleofwalmart.com and found these "winners"

The first photo I saw was this one and I almost fell out of my chair. I swore that she spun her head around and was facing the wrong way when she wore this "frontless" blouse!!


The first runner up was this delightful woman who had cellulite so deep that you could eat your cereal out of the craters. My God!

All in all, the winners of the People of Walmart provided a happy chuckle from me today.

Happy Friday from Saba.....

Saba Day Triathlon

So bright and early this morning we woke up and participated in the Saba Triathlon which started in Wells Bay. Once we were offered the opportunity to be a part of it we insisted that our "booth" be at Wells Bay where the swimmers came out of the water.

Is was NOT a bad decission. My main goal was to make sure the athletes got their "hydration" once they got out of the the water. Someone asked us "Why didn't YOU participate in todays' event"??? Ummmn, If we can't be an athlete, at least we can be an athletic supporter !!!!

By the way, we called our booth the "jock straps"

The boys made it out of the water first and we made sure they were well hydrated before they got on their bikes for the next stage.

We had plenty of water and Elecrotyte Water (we were drinking Bloody Mary's, btw)

but we still cheered them on towards the finish!!

Once the bike ride was finished the poor schmucks had to run this trail to the finish of the race. MY GOD, why would anyone do this during a Sunday Champagne Brunch I HAVE NO IDEA!!

The first fellow finished the race in under 2 hours!!

AND Paul finished with his cigararette and Bloody Mary still in tact in before dark!! (NOT)

No, seriously we had a great time and enjoyed being a part of this great event.

Happy Sunday from Saba!

Our Final Day At Tropics Cafe

We finished our final day at Tropics Cafe today and needless to say it was emotional for me. Many of our favorite customers wished us well and said they were sorry to see us leave. Good thing is that we had a sold out crowd and I was too busy to chat too much!!

I told them that we "would be back soon" while running to the kitchen to wipe the sweat off my brow and tears out of my eyes......

I feel as if I had been given this "CHILD" to care for and nurture over that last 12-14 months and now it's time to give it back to its parents and that makes me a sad and pathetic slobbering mess.

Regardless, I'm sure that they will take good care of my "little one" and we can move foreward with next chapter in our lives.

Goodbye Tropics Cafe. I will miss you dearly.............

Santa Baby

Paul is busy updating his Holiday music collection on his IPod so we can play Christmas music at Tropics Cafe. Yesterday we played it all day long!!

So by next week I will be sick and tired of it and ready to throw the IPod in the ocean.

Jingling your bells from the Caribbean!!

I've never understood Black Friday

There's something about Black Friday, the shopping extravaganza day of the year, that I've quite understood.

The very idea of camping out overnight after stuffing yourself full of turkey and vittles on a cold November evening in a Wal Mart parking lot just to be "the first one" in to snatch and grab whatever piece of crap toy that's on sale.

I mean, REALLY!! What's the point when you can just go online from the comfort of your home and order it and have it wrapped, shipped and sent??

Well being on Saba we don't have shopping malls, outlet stores and other venues for wasting your hourly rate so I've come up with my own version of Black Friday...........



It's Black, it comes in a bottle AND it's 100 proof........

A "Non Traditional" Thanksgiving

Even though this is my 2nd Thanksgiving on Saba it still feels a bit weird to NOT have a smell of wood burning in the fireplace, a comfy turtleneck on and Mom's homemade marshmallow sticky rolls.

Regardless, we made the most of it in swimming suits and flip flops on the beach and swimming in the ocean.

We did enjoy a meal of turkey and all the fixings and ended our Turkey Day early and I was tucked into bed by 9 o'clock.

Happy Black Friday from Saba!

Sinfully Delicious!

So we have tried out some new recipes for the dessert menu at Tropics and the first one, a Chocolate Turtle cheesecake is guaranteed to add a few inches to the waist line by just looking at it!

It is served on a drizzle of warm dark chocolate ganache, homemade caramel sauce and whipped cream. It is SOOOO rich it actually makes your teeth hurt.

Another new one is this Banana Cake with a vanilla cream cheese frosting. I learned this new technique where you put the cake layers in the freezer as soon as you take them out of the oven and all the "heat" goes back into the cake and makes it really dense and moist. This big guy towered at almost 12 inches high!!

We used local Saba Fig Bananas which are super sweet.

Happy "Sugar Coma Day" from Saba.

So I was thinking

Today's big news events on the world wide web are talking about Oprah's plan to announce the end of her show after 25 years and Sarah Palin's sell out book going Number One and I started to think about what may come of this and decided that the perfect solution is to have Sarah Palin take over Oprah's slot at 4 O'Clock on weekdays.

I mean if all these fools would actually stand in line in chilly weather to get their books autographed then they would probably watch her show, right?

I've even come up with the starting line up of topics for the first episodes:

1. Teenage pregnancy and how to capitalize on it
2. Wrongful termination of State Police officers and how to capitalize on it
3. Soccer Moms teaching pit bulls how to wear lipstick and how to capitalize on it
4. Sexualizing the political arena and how to capitalize on it
5. Publicizing a messy divorce and how to capitalize on it
6. Calculating how many little red dresses you can buy with an $11 Million dollar book deal and how to capitalize on it
7. Real world politics and how to .... no wait, that wouldn't fill a whole hour for the show.......

Happy Friday from Saba!

A Moist Day here on Saba

We've had some torrentials rains over the last day or so here on Saba. And living on a rock/mountain that means the water follows gravity.

Fort Bay at the bottom is the recipient of it all and these shots show the "mud slide" that resulted. Literally a wave of water came rolling down the main road carrying pebbles, rocks and boulders with it.

Glad I don't have to do the clean up on that one!

Sorry to have been slow lackluster in my November postings so far. I promise to catch up.

Happy Wednesday from Saba.

Back on "The Rock"

I arrived back on Saba last night on the final flight onto Saba.

I spent the last 3 weeks back in the Mid-Atlantic spending some quality time with family and friends.

Back into the swing of things already today with Tropics Cafe although we are down to our last 2 weeks there. We gave notice to end our one year lease and are on to "greener pastures".

More to come on what's in store.

Happy Friday, the 13th from Saba.

D.W.O.

So I was reading the msn.com home page and clicked on this link that tells of a woman in Korea who just successfully passed her exam to get her driving license after 950 attempts.

That just gives a whole new meaning to D.W.O. - Driving while Oriental.......

To Marry or Not to Marry??

With the many elections around this past Tuesday discussing who is going to be the new governor or mayor or delegate or, well who really gives a shit anyway I always pay attention to whatever "gay related" theme is going on.

This week's hot button item came from Maine with the repeal of the same sex marriage law.

I chuckled when I saw this poster from an "advocate" in favor of the law.

I wonder if the conservatives are thinking that the ban will curb the sexual aspect of same sex marriage. It that's the case they should LET them (oops, I mean US) get married and the sex will stop right away!! See how easy that was??

I know I should be more concerned about issues of equality for all but really feel that it just cuts into my drinking time so why bother.

Bad Homo, Chris. You're a BAD HOMO.

Images from Maryland and DC

While I've been here in the DC area I have gotten some decent photos but didn't think I brought my "down-loadery-thingy" for my camera but was happy to see that I had packed it afterall and found it this morning in the bottom of my suitcase!

So here are some shots of Maryland and DC for you. The first one is at sunrise from my sister's deck in Annapolis.

Another is here in DC which was really beautiful with the late afternoon rays of sun gleaming through the clouds and sunset on November 2nd.

and the final one showing the November full moon overlooking the city.

It has been nice to spend time here with my family and friends although I'm down with the flu/cold which makes me cranky.

I met with my real estate broker recently and he told me that the market has seen signs of a rebound but the lending community is making things really hard with underwriting and appraisals issues that arise on almost every case! And most every buyer and seller is looking to the real estate agent to "kick in" monies to make transactions go through.

It makes me think of a patient that goes to their doctor and says "I'll go ahead and have the surgery but only if you rebate a chunk of your fee to do so"!! It seems that only in the housing market will clients try to dig in your pocket. Nasty stuff!!

And the website said "How does Alli work"???

Another thing I learned today is NOT to take Alli (the new rage in weight loss aids) before going to see a show.

Their website offers these helpful hints:

Undigested fat cannot be absorbed and passes through the body naturally. The excess fat is not harmful. In fact, you may recognize it in the toilet as something that looks like the oil on top of a pizza.

These are known "as treatment effects" and are only referred to as GI side effects.

They go on to say:

Anecdotally, many users have told us that their "treatment effects" (translation: squirting oil out of a fire hose from your backside) served as a signal to adopt healthier eating alternatives.

My thoughts are:

Number One: I'm NOT a big fan of recognizing anything in the toilet after I've had a seat.

Number Two: Oil on top of a pizza? Perhaps more like the oil out of the 50 gallon drum in the alley!

Number Three: If these are treatments effects, than I think I'd rather be FAT!!

Number Four: I think any intelligent adult human being doesn't need a pill to "signal them" to have better eating habits.

More lessons learned: Don't use Alli before being seated in the middle row, get an aisle seat whenever you can in case of emergencies and don't let "Madison Avenue marketing" convince you to lose weight.

Tuna Does Vegas

This afternoon I found out that tickets were still available for tonight's show;

Tuna Does Vegas

and jumped at the opportunity to get a little levity in my day.


I have always enjoyed watching Joe Sears and Jaston Williams in their hilarious acts direct from Tuna, Texas.


So off I go to the Warner Theater tonight to watch, laugh and take a break from the last couple of days of stress.

Halloween Ideas

In preparation for Halloween in the DC area this week end I started to think of various costumes that were affordable and fun at the same time.

What I've come up with so far is this: Chia Obama!!

A little clay colored face make up, a green afro wig and a box decorated with an American Flag.

Now if anyone has any better ideas I am definitely open for suggestions. Just do it soon since I'm running out of time.

Happy Thursday from a chilly and rainy DC.

Allergies, Rashes and other things that go itchy, sratchy

My sister Molly was telling me about our niece's school who has placed a moratorium on bringing homemade goods into the schools because of food allergies of some children that attend there. No more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or brown bagging it anymore.

And ONLY store bought "baked" goods at bake sales and PTA fundraisers............ WTF???

Now my younger sister tells me that her kids cafeteria has a Peanut Butter ONLY table for kids that can eat these types of food.

I never remember having to deal with these issues when I was younger but that was something like a half a century ago.

I think that Americans are so caught up with keeping things clean and hygienic and are the ones who are making kids more succeptible to allergies, colds and other sickness.

Just today we were at Target and this guy in front of us was buying about 2 dozen containers of anti-bacterial wipes and proudly proclaimed that he keeps one in his car, on his office desk, at home in the kitchen, bathroom and garage. The check out lady was completely agreeing with him and my mind started to wander.

I glanced over to the next counter and saw the name tag of the young lady of Pacific Rim"ian" decent and started laughing when I saw her name tag: Duk Pu

Now if anyone NEEDS those wipes is the one with a name - Duck Poo!!

Puerto Ri CO-NO-NO

It seems as if every time I travel something silly, stupid or downright ridiculous happens to me. Yesterday was no different.

I arrive at the Saba airport just before the 11am flight was coming in and I notice that it was about to land from the wrong direction which I've never seen before. The security guard told me he had to land this way because there wasn't enough "draft". (my word, not hers) Now it always makes me nervous to fly in & out of Saba and when something out of the ordinary happens it does not help my anxiety.

Needless to say we took off right on time, had a quick layover on St. Eustastiuas, and then headed off for St. Maarten.

Once there I got through Customs and waited patiently for my bag which never came. The conveyor belt stopped and my bag was not there. I went out to the main terminal to check with WinAir. She called to baggage and said my bag WAS there and someone would bring it out to me.

They DID and IT wasn't. Mine, that is. While being similar size & red, it was NOT my suitcase which is filled with cold weather clothes for the trip home. I headed back over to the WinAir counter to discuss my situation and passed this young lady pulling along a red suitcase. I stopped her and asked if she had the right one... She didn't, I did and we swapped. Problem solved!!

Now we're off to Puerto Rico. We landed right on time, got through customs, immigration and collected my "correct" red suitcase and then rechecked it with TSA so they could send it on to my final destination, BWI.

While walking towards the security check points I see this guy in a wheelchair spinning around and doing little wheelies barking out things. He sees me and yells

"HOLE-AHH SEEN YOUR, DOO JEW WAN CHOO CHINE?"

Now I'm thinking (again, dangerous for me) I know he wants something but For the Love of Christ, What the Hell is he saying? I gave him a dollar just to make him go away and as I'm at the security counter taking my "CHOOES" off I realized he wanted to shine my shoes.

Now I get angry at myself because they are matte finished loafers and never would have been shined in the first place.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't carry such a "girly" looking suitcase, Never trust a guy in a wheelchair doing wheelies and accept that my lack of proficiency in Spanglish will cost me every time!!

Ah, Tourists! Gotta Love Them

I saw this cartoon that read:

If there is a "Tourist Season" then why can't we shoot them?

and it got me to thinking (which is a dangerous thing sometimes) about some of the crazy comments and questions that I've heard since I've been here.

Some of these I heard directly and others were shared with me so I'll take some liberties:

"What are those dark spots on the water?" - Ummn, those are shadows from the clouds

"Can you stop the boat on the way back to the harbor so I can collect some of the different colored water?" - Yeah but only if we can stop at the store on the way to buy some more food coloring!

"Does the island go all the way to the bottom?"- No, dipshit - it's on an anchor

"The top of the mountain has snow on it" - Ummn, that would be clouds

"Those crickets kept me up all night"- those are native tree frogs - "Can't you spray for that?"

"Do you catch the lobsters yourself?"- Yeah, I get up a 3 freakin' o'clock in the morning and catch them and then work a 12 hour shift to serve them to you!

"The TV only has 112 channels" - Well, you're on vacation in "paradise" but you're upset because you can't watch Judge Judy???

"Do you offer a local/native wine from Saba?" - Why yes we do, let me run right up to the winery and grab you a bottle

"I'd like to sit outside for dinner but only if there aren't any bugs" - No worries, we quarantined the entire area just for you

To another group member "You can get your drinks out of the honor bar (SHHH) but they don't check so you don't HAVE to write everything down" - That's theft, you crook!

We have a new code name for certain tourists that come through. We call them "Baby Chickens"

CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP............................

It may be a wise decision that I'm flying out today for a little break from the rock...........

Sea and Learn at Tropics tonight

I awoke yesterday morning to find that another one of our orchids had bloomed in the yard. That is always a nice way to start the day!

and today I awoke to find that the little heat wave that we've been having seems to have finally broken and temps are back in the warm range rather than the "Hot as Hell" range which is a good thing because we're hosting today's Sea and Learn program at Tropics.

After serving our normal Sunday Brunch we will get prepped for tonight's movie and dinner poolside.

We are featuring The Cove which is winning awards all over the map. The movie is a documentary detailing the slaughter of Dolphins.

As part of the month long educational series, Sea and Learn discusses many topics relating to nature and the sea not just on Saba but around the globe.

Check out The Cove and become an activist!!

http://www.thecovemovie.com

An Opportunity!

In yesterday's Herald from St. Maarten I found this article about an upcoming Pageant.

Thinking as I do I thought I may enter myself given the fact that I haven't lost those few extra pounds yet.

My main competitors will be Tanique and Natacha but I'll give them a run for the money since it's an all cash prize.

Look out girls, here I come!!

Omar, a year later

One year ago today Hurricane Omar blew through town and messed things up a bit. I remember that we had just arrived on Saba only a few weeks prior and spent a lot of that time helping the hotel owners put up shutters and secure everything.

The Hurricane hit us in the middle of the night so I really slept through much of it and only awoke when it really started howling.

A year later the harbor is pretty much back to normal with the pier rebuilt and in use and the whole thing feels like a distant memory.

Happy Friday from Saba.

A VISA/MASTERCARD Moment!

Paul just forwarded this quote to me and all I could think of was the credit card commercials.

Here's what they "offered" to us for renishing the pool:

Prepare pool surface, apply bond coat and finish $17,775.00
Provide accomodations for 5 men, for 5 days $3,125.00
Provide 3 meals a day for 5 men, for 5 days $500.00
Provide rental car for 5 days $325.00
Provide airfare to and from Saba $590.00
Pay for shipping of all materials & equipment to Saba $500-1,000.00
Drain and refill swimming pool $85.00 per 1,000 gallons

LAUGHING MY ASS OFF AT THE LUDICROUSY OF THIS QUOTE:

PRICELESS!!

Finally some Moisture and "potty" talk

Over the last several evenings and early mornings we have FINALLY been getting some much needed rain!

It has been so dry over the last couple of months everyone is conserving water, taking "military" showers, using the rinse to water the plants, etc.

Just last week we had to put 4 truck loads of water into the cisterns at BOTH the restaurant and house. And adding an extra $700-800 worth of expense doesn't bode well for the bottom line. Ugh!

Running a business on a tiny little island when High Season hasn't officially kicked into gear makes me chew the end of my pencil off especially when "The Man Upstairs" won't send a little moisture my way every now and then.


On another note we had a funny little incident at Tropics last night.

The evening was winding down and I had just seated a table of four for dessert and coffee. Next to them was this nice couple who had their little daughter with them. She is probably 3 years old.

Mom had just brought her back from the restroom and the little girl runs across the dining room and exclaims very loudly to her Dad,

"Daddy, I made BIG Poopy"!!!

Everyone burst into laughter. Ah, good times.