Definitely Not On Maui

One easy way to tell that I'm not on Maui is to look at the prices - pretty much anywhere. 

Last Laugh

Everyone laughed at me when I ordered a roll-off dumpster for my home renovation project. How could I ever begin to fill it?

Well, I got the last laugh. In fact, I'm wondering if I should get another. 

Visqueen Queen

Forget about Abba's "Dancing Queen" and let me introduce you to Tampa's "Visqueen Queen". 

I only wish I had discovered this thin (0.3 mils thick) plastic sheeting earlier. I now put it over everything, sealed with strips of blue painters tape. Cleanup has never been easier. 

Loss of Innocence

How is it that perfectly innocent activities now have a dark, insidious side?

My house was measured by a young lady for new carpeting this morning. And in this new world I felt suspect for having put up plastic sheeting to protect my floors while removing popcorn ceilings. After all, isn't that how Dexter might have prepared to commit a hideous murder? 

What a world!

A New Day

My favorite part of every day is sitting on our dock, drinking my coffee, and watching the sun rise. Magically, everything then comes into focus. 

What Happened?

I am just about the least masculine guy you'll ever meet, so what the heck happened? When I amble into Home Depot these days, I actually feel like I belong there. In fact, I am there so often that their employees ask ME where to find things. 

The popcorn ceilings are slowly coming down, but I'm getting the hang of it and am coming to believe that I may even finish some day.

Waiting

iPhone photo taken sitting on my dock waiting for the sun to rise and another day of hard labor to begin.

Partner in Crime

One of my two partners in crime doing this house remodel/demolition is 74 years old, yet he does at least as much physical labor as us younger guys. Maybe I really do still have a few years left in me. 

Hardest Day of My Life

I did more extreme physical labor today than I have ever before done in my life. 

Along with my brother-in-law, Mike, and his buddy, Tom, we tore up five hundred square feet of glued down hardwood flooring. 

It was torture, but was also exhilarating. 

Last One for a While

I saw lots of Green Sea Turtles on my ocean swim this morning, and a fair number of visiting snorkelers too.

This was my last Maui ocean swim for a while - I'm off to Florida for a month of hard labor. Hopefully, I'll manage to squeeze a swim or two in while I'm there.

Positive Spin

I went to a presidential debate party last night which got me out of the house around sunset time. As a consequence, I got to witness a spectacular light show in the western sky. So there is at least one positive thing that came out of last night's debate.

Happy Birthday Laura & Paul

For their BIG birthdays today, Laura & Paul decided to do a 7 mile swim along the shore. We were lucky to see them as they zoomed past us on our usual Sunday morning ocean swim.

Click HERE for more photos from this morning's swim.

Great Life

I have a great life.

Repent Repent Repent

This little white boat (center photo) must have seen what I saw this morning, because it motored along the shore loudly broadcasting that we all need to repent for our sins. I'm sure he meant you, you Brown Anoles.

Good Choice, Jen

 Jen made the right choice this morning when she opted to celebrate her birthday with a "memorable" swim rather than a safe swim. We braved crashing waves and wind-lashed spray, but got a close swim-by with a big Manta Ray and saw lots and lots of fishies.

Happy Birthday, Jen.

Click HERE for a few more photos from today's ocean swim.

Happy Birthday DB

 What a treat, having clear, clear, warm water for our ocean swim this morning. Wow. What a difference from the past few weeks of poor visibility.

We got to celebrate DB's upcoming birthday and Rachele's visit from the deep south - new accent and all.

Click HERE for several more photos from today's fun times with the Maui Pink Cap Swimmers.