Travel Document Folder and Journal

A few days before leaving on my trip to the Riviera Maya I watched this video from Karla Nathan on how to create a simple travel document folder. It was extremely easy to make, using 1 sheet of double-sided 12"x12" scrapbook paper.

It really helped me keep my reservation confirmations, itinerary, boarding passes, etc well organized. I put in a couple staples, then covered their pointy ends with stickers, but the staples aren't really necessary. Just paper and a bone folder will get the job done. Oh, and ribbon.

I also took along this small journal I had just purchased from AlphaStamps. I couldn't resist the set of 2 journals for the great vintage graphics.

I found this small size easy to stash in my purse, keep at my bedside, or take out to the palapa. This is the first time I used a journal to record my vacation observations. It would have been good to take a set of colored pencils to make drawings, but I didn't (and there was no shopping whatsoever except at the airports and you know what's available there). Neat how some paper made my trip easier and a little more fun. Addendum: The first entry in my journal is "Authentic". I had watched, as though viewing a train wreck, Bob 1st)forget the charger for his Kindle on which was all his reading material for vacation, 2nd)lose his driver's license at the first airport security check, 3rd)leave behind his Kindle at the aforementioned checkpoint...we hadn't even started our trip yet! So as I was rolling my eyes at all of this I had an attitude shift: Bob is the most authentic person I know. There is no pretense, no posing, no airs...what you see is what you get. Immediate, unvarnished Bob. As I wrote that evening in my journal, watch and learn. PSS I knew it was a longshot to find a Kindle charger at the airport, and certainly not at the resort. But, hallelujah, at the Dallas airport is Brookstone, and they had a charger. I scouted the shops, because Bob had given up hope, came back to him and said; "Well, you're probably not interested, but IF you want a charger, there's one right over there". HA!

Apres Birthday Fun

Yesterday I made a bookmark for my S.A.I.L. (stay active in living) senior exercise instructor. Yes, yes, once you hit 60 years old a whole new world of aging opportunities opens up. She is a very fun woman, very competent and kind, too, and I just wanted to give her something that reflected our classes. Meh, this bookmark needed something more... Late this afternoon I put a chicken in the oven and skipped up to the studio for a little more fun with bookmarks. My friend Linda from CA sent me a treasure trove of books for my birthday (she always does!). I wanted a new bookmark to use on the first book in the stack...and thought I shall make a bookmark for Linda, too, to tuck in with the box I am sending her of my latest favorite reads (like "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest", and "The Good Son"). Linda is a bit macabre so I headed for my skelly images. And my brand new stamp from AlphaStamps called Hunnin&Munnin (I think): The 2 crows with the evil eye at the top? That evil eye was JUST the thing to finish off the bookmark for my exercise instructor. On Linda's 'mark, I also used a vintage apothecary label I printed out on inkjet fabric. Well, I was going to point you to the pdf file where I got these terrific labels, but she's changed things around...Apparently you can still go to her main blog and find the images. It's worth it. She has some great images that she gives away. http://www.justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/

Then it was time for my bookmark. This morning Sissy brought me my birthday present, a Tim Holtz embossing "texture fade", wrapped up in paper decorated with several Alice in Wonderland characters Sis had made. This doo-doo bird is just the guy for my bookmark. Along with some old flocked wallpaper, a Tim Holtz die cut heart, various stamps, and Tim's "distress" embossing powder. What fun, but now it's time to pull that chicken out of the oven and prepare the rest of the meal. Fun's over for today.

Hallo! Sixty-Two

Hola! I'm back from my 62nd birthday celebration. This is me posing in front of Freddy's Bar at Maroma, Riviera Maya, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. I'm on my terrace in front of our ocean view room just steps from the beach.

The beach is where I swam, read and relaxed a couple of hours on Monday and most of the day Tuesday. Under the shade of a big canvas umbrella. I would swim in the sea, dry a bit, gaze at the water for long periods, then go for a swim in the sea, or maybe a dip in the nearby pool. I was SO happy. What I didn't realize until later in the afternoon is that the canvas does not protect from the sun's rays. I got a pretty bad sunburn as I hadn't bothered to use sunscreen. After all, I made sure I was fully engulfed in shade except when going betwixt swimming spots. Our waiter that night gave me a bowl of pure aloe gel, right from the plant. I applied it liberally for the next couple of days. Thereafter, I STAYED OUT OF THE SUN. In fact for our morning beach walk I was swathed in my only pair of long pants and a long sleeved tunic, with my ball cap.

So this became my outdoor haven; the lovely, large pool that was shaded by palm trees and furnished with comfy lounges. Oh, and bar service from Freddy's.

We enjoy Maroma's food, always have. I was perfectly happy to have my birthday dinner in the dining room. I had no idea that Bob had plotted and planned with the chef, maitre'd and our waiter to arrange for a private, al fresco, oh so romantic dinner. It was set at the top of a tower with views all the way to Cozumel. Bob custom selected the courses based on what I like. He and the chef got it so right. I think my favorite dish from this trip was the vegetable stuffed chile rellano...or maybe the carrot puree with carrot soup. So delicious. We dined during dusk, then the sun set and a 3/4 moon glowed above. I shall never forget this meal or the happiness of turning 62 at Maroma.

Buenas Dias from Maroma

Hi, peeps. I'm on a tinny laptop in the Maroma library. I don't know why people like these little things. Still, I can say HI!. I spent all days Tuesday under an umbrella at the beach, or swimming in the sea and the pool. Heaven on Earth. Foolishly, I didn't compute how UV rays penetrate a canvas umbrella. Whoops. I am sunburned...not to worry. Nothing some 100% aloe and shade today won't improve. Guess I'll head to the spa...

Hasta La Vista, Baby

Starting on Monday, this is where you will find me. Thirty miles south of Cancun, and nothing like Cancun. This is Maroma, a secluded enclave of luxury and beauty that I first visited around 14 years ago. I went back for my 60th birthday and vowed to return. So, now for my 62nd birthday, I shall.

This will be the view from my private terrace. I will sit here, or under a palapa on the beach, and read or just stare at the sea for hours. That is after a morning walk for miles along the soft sand. Then a cappuccino, some fresh fruit, a swim in the warm water, perhaps a cocktail, or maybe fresh fruit juice. Whoops. Time to clean up and dress for dinner. Oh yeah.

Recovery

Well. That little cavity that I procrastinated fixing? Turned into a root canal. My dentist had given me a tranquilizer to take before I walked in her door. Gave me a double dose of Novocaine. She could tell as soon as she started poking around that there was a bigger problem. Accomplished the root canal without telling me what she was doing...because she knows I would have paniced. The fixing part went well. She sent me home with a "take Tylenol and ibuprofen" right away because "some people feel a little discomfort". Are you kidding me? By the time we got home the Novocaine was wearing off and the pain was taking hold. I would give it a 8 on a scale of 1-10. Vicodin was my friend. Until midnight when I became nauseous. So, here I am trying not to move until the waves of nausea abate. A little discomfort my arse! ps that white stuff on the end of my nose? Milk of Magnesia. Anyone who takes vicodin knows why.

Procrastination

For a year I have been procrastinating the fix for a cavity; one that is under a crown. Yeah, a cavity that is...well, below the gum? How does this happen? For one, the crown came loose. As I said, a year ago! I've made, and cancelled, a fix-it appointment at least once. I am a complete coward when it comes to such things.

Well, here I am 6 days from leaving on my dream vacation, needing vicodin at least once a day for the pain...and I'm going in for the procedure tomorrow. Armed with Valium and something even stronger. Farewell, my friends, in case we never meet again.

Happy Independence Day

Happy 4th of July to y'all. Independence is such a powerful thing. Something that I've always felt defined me. I like this description: "Independence = Direction of one's affairs without interference". Doesn't that sound divine? At least until I'm pulled over on the highway by a state trooper due to expired license tags AND my Tracfone contract has just expired. Then independence is a bit less important than depending on someone to make it all better. Let's go celebrate feeling independent, while knowing that somebody's got your back.