This morning, I lost my grandmother.

For the last three years, we’ve watched her deteriorate with an unknown ailment.

It started out slow. She lost her balance leaving Walmart and broke her wrist.

Then she started falling more often and was losing control over her limbs. Local doctors couldn’t pin point it.

A trip to Mayo was had. Even those doctors couldn’t figure it out. The best they could find was that her brain was deteriorating in three areas and no one knew why.

She went into a nursing home at the end of 2011. It wasn’t long before she was confined to a wheelchair. It drove her crazy. She hated being in the home and not being able to do what she wanted to. We still brought her to as many ball games as we could and celebrated holidays in her house (my parents just purchased it this year and intend to move there by next year).

When I went home for my grandpa’s memorial service at the end of July, it shocked me how much worse she had gotten. When I left last year for Hawaii, she could still speak to me and give me a hug on her own.  This time, she couldn’t lift her head and could barely answer when asked a question.

My mom texted me yesterday that grandma wasn’t doing well. She’d been increasingly worse early in the week. I called mom and found out that grandma was unresponsive and running a fever. She was sitting with her and the hospice care had given her morphine so she wasn’t in pain.

Mom called me this morning to say she’d passed peacefully. I thank God for that. I’m heartbroken, especially since I am 4000 miles away from the one place I want to be the most.

So now I can reflect on my grandma as I remember her.

In recent years, I had started going to her house in the next town over and hanging out with her as my dad’s mother’s Alzheimer’s escalated.  I often was tasked with her care and needed a break, so I started to drive to grandma’s to sit on her covered patio and talk for a few hours. I’d end up visiting 3-4, sometimes 5, days a week.

We’d sit on her patio and listen to her collection of windchimes. Other times, we’d sit around her table and have a few beers and peanut M&Ms while we talked.  She looked forward to our chats just like I did.

On Husker game days, the extended family would gather at her house and do tequila shots for every touchdown the Huskers made (half shots for field goals). We’d yell at the television and eat party food. Football season was her favorite.

Every Christmas, my mom would force us to all stand in front of her tree and take a photo. Growing up, I’d grudgingly done so, but now…I’m so thankful to have those memories.

Grandma was always known for her dangly earrings.  She’d wear a different pair every day and the holiday ones were her favorite.

She collected angels too and helped me start my own collection.

Grandma didn’t shy away from saying exactly what was on her mind. Her lack of filter got her in trouble a few times at the care center.

We were blessed for her to attend both my graduation from college and my wedding–I’m so thankful the Mister got to meet her. She really liked him.

I am trying to be strong because I know she isn’t suffering any more.  It’s just very hard to be so far from home right now. I hope she is looking down on me with that beautiful smile and knows that I love her so very much.

Save me a spot on that patio, grandma. I’ll bring the beer.

-A. xoxo

The Mister and I played the tourists this past weekend. We went on a scenic green lava flow tour over near Makapu’u Lighthouse (the hike we took the previous weekend). We had to cross the highway and climb down into the lava tubes.  It looked like something out of a horror film!

Once we reached the other side, we were able to see some really unique sights

Didn’t take the pooch this time–we didn’t think the rest of the tour van would appreciate it–but it was probably for the best as we saw a VERY rare endangered Hawaiian monk seal! There are only 1100 left in the world. He didn’t want to look up (he was in serious snooze mode) for most photos, but he did sit up to check out who was approaching. We’re SO blessed to have seen one in the wild!

We don’t have anything planned for this coming weekend yet. Have to get the oil changed in the Dart and that requires trekking out to Kaneohe to the dealership.  Since we’ve already seen Byodo-In Temple there, there’s really not much to see unless we rent kayaks and go out to Chinamen’s Hat island (Mokoli’i Island). We’ll definitely be driving by and making a stop for a few snaps, but kayak rental is pricey and we are trying to get some funds saved to take an inter-island trip when the Mister gets leave. I might get a few snaps of Ulupo Heiau too if I can convince the Mister to drive out there. It’s an ancient Hawaiian site–more details on that should I get some photos. It’s a bit out of the way though, so I might have to wait on that one for when we do the Maunawili Trail hike. We’ll see!

Until next time,

Cheers!

-A. xoxo

September is off and running. Settling back into a routine took about a minute, but such is life.

I can’t believe it’s already a week into the month. August seemed to fly by and September is sprinting.

Since I’ve been back, the Mister and I have been to a few really neat places. Sometimes I wonder if I’m just going to these places to snap pictures and not really experience it. I know I’ll have my photos to look back on, hopefully the memories stick!

The last few journeys have been a little random and with the four day weekend over Labor Day, we were able to see a lot more than our normal jaunts.

Our first trip was to the much anticipated Lanikai Beach!

This is a serious tourist stop and it’s easy to see why. The sand is easily the softest on the island and the water is a beautiful turquoise blue. Plus, it’s dog friendly, so Audie got to enjoy the calm waters too.

Saturday 8/30 was the first day of college football season, so we stayed home and watched Nebraska and Alabama take charge of the 2014 season!

After some unfortunate sunburning, we opted to take in more air-conditioned sights on Sunday 8/31.

So, we hit up Queen Emma’s Summer Palace.

Then the Bishop Museum.

Monday was spent sleeping in and catching up on all the laundry from the prior week. We also celebrated my little baby turning a whole year old! He has gotten so big. Can’t imagine life without him.

This weekend, the Mister and I had a pseudo date night at Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu. He got off work early Friday and we battled traffic on H1 to enjoy some Bubba Gump’s Shrimp.

We ended up bringing home pilsner glasses and t-shirts along with very full bellies.

Saturday 9/6 was an EARLY morning. Kick off for our football games was at 6am. We both ended up falling back asleep at half time.  But we did manage to drag ourselves up to head to Makapu’u Lighthouse trail. Traffic was abysmal. It took us over an hour and a half to drive 31 miles. We passed some great scenery we’ll be stopping at next time.

We brought Audie on this hike too. He is STILL exhausted and I think he bruised his paws because he doesn’t want to put much weight on them. I checked him for burns (it was SUPER hot) and cuts, but his feet look fine so who knows.

All in all it was a great few journeys and I can’t wait for next weekend.  I’m rescheduling our Green Lava Flow tour.  Hopefully, we’ll be able to cross off Halona Blow Hole and other stops along the way.  We will likely go check out Dole Plantation, Kukanialoko Birthing Stones, and the Wahiawa Botanical Garden as well if I can drag the Mister out of the house for more than just Saturday.

Here’s to hoping!

Cheers!

-A. xoxo