Sandals Grande Antigua

This was our fifth trip to Sandals and our second reunion week. Sandals does such a great job of rewarding repeat guests and this trip was no exception.

We arrived a couple of days before reunion week got started. Monday was the welcome parade. Tuesday was the Sandals Select dinner with managers cocktails. That was when we realized we were one day shy of our silver sandals. That will be our reward next year. 

After 35 nights paid, you are rewarded with silver sandals (I think they're plastic but the recognition is most important.) After 70 paid nights the reward is a free week. That will be a sweet day when we get there.

While we were there, there were several light rains. It was nothing too big and didn't spoil the trip in any way. Once we did have to duck into a pool cabana to keep dry. The rain never lasted longer than 15 minutes. 

Wednesday was the offsite excursion. Antigua by land and sea. The trip took us to this gorgeous beach. Apparently Antigua has more than 365 beaches. Nobody has been to them all, not even the Antiguans. (I asked.)

Thursday was the tree planting ceremony for Sandals Foundation. Friday was the final farewell party. The food at the party was spectacular and I wish we had known what was to be served. I'd also like to have known about some of the themed parties. They did the usual black and white but the last night was a retro party. I didn't have the right outfit packed for it.

Blue used this trip as an excuse to get PADI certified. He had to do 8 hours of online work at the hotel business center. Then there was pool work for about 5 hours on Monday. Then after that there were 4 dives over the course of 5 hours on Tuesday and Thursday. I used these days to my advantage at the spa. I used all my spa credit on massages. Now I need another massage!

There were tons of animals there. The resort kitties were well cared for and didn't seem to care about anything. Sampson and Delilah (the two parrots are both guys) would get annoyed at each other and squack loudly. They are adorable and approximately 35 years old. Since they live to about 80, I am sure to see them again. 

The final full day was Friday and we opted to rent a cabana for the day. It was fantastic. The cabana came stocked with drinks and furniture. We lounged, ate, drank, napped and got in and out of the pool all day. It was definitely worth the money. We missed the vow renewal because of the cabana. Next year, we will renew our vows because it's included in the reunion week activities. After all, at Sandals, all you need is love.

**P.S. I have not been compensated in any way for this post. I would recommend going back. Since I am such a huge fan of Sandals, I am going to research how I can be a travel agent for Sandals. I'm hopeful that I can earn extra discounts for selling. Sandals can be an expensive trip but you can trust me that it is worth the money.

*** P.S.S. The next post will be on the food at Sandals Grande Antigua.

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to thankful Thursday. It's better to count your blessings than curses. Meditating on good things is good for your health too! Your heart rate will be lowered and your body will be more relaxed. Today I am thankful for a good home and a sweet family to share it with. My family consists of my husband, who is loving and two Bengal cats, also sweet and loving. It's not a traditional family but there's a lot of love. What are you thankful for this day? Please stay tuned for high five for Friday!

Serious Sunday

Welcome to Serious Sunday. I have goals. For the blog, my goal is to be a big time blogger with tons of followers, readers, friends, fans and the like. This blog is supposed to be entertaining and hope you enjoy my little posts. The photos are meant to be beautiful and intriguing. Finally, I love to link up with you. I am not a big time blogger and do not support myself through this labor of love. But I love to give in little ways. If you get that, maybe we can link up sometime. Send me a message. Please stay tuned for Make a Difference Monday.

Thanks for being my friend and follower.

Thankful Thursday and "Pay it Forward"

  

Dear Chomps and Kirby,

I am so thankful for you. You help me stay happy and positive. Your sweetness melts my heart. 

Dear Kirby,

You are so sweet in your little trusting way. You love your head scratched and you love to preen while getting your head scratched. Your silliness makes me smile. You are very adorable and I'm so thankful that you have been a part of my life.

Dear Chomps,

You're so sweet, especially in the morning. I love it when you're tired. You look up at me with sleepy eyes and start to purr as I'm petting you. Your fur is so soft and I love to pet you.

The stress relief I receive from these two furballs is amazing. It has been work and at times frustrating to take care of the kitties but they take such good care of me. They deserve the world!

Please join me in Thankful Thursday and share what you are thankful for.

Pay It Forward!

I've seen this "pay it forward" idea floating around on several different blogs, and when I saw this on Kim's blog the KO Jewelry, I wanted participate in the fun!
Here are the rules:

• Within a year, I'll create something unique to share with the first three people to comment on this post.

• In order to receive your present, you have to play along. Spread the love on your own blog!

• You get 72 hours (3 whole days!) to re-post, or I'll have to move on to the next person.

• Please Only comment if you're willing to pay it forward!

Doesn't it sound like fun? I'm ready to get started, so let me know if you want in!

Make a difference Monday

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an act of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."
Mother Teresa

Thankful Thursday

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your mercy, grace, and patience. I am not deserving of your love but I'm so thankful you have given to me. I pray for wisdom and patience.
Amen.
E N D

I believe in Jesus Christ who died and rose again to pay for my sins. I believe in love and positivity.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for my kitties. They are a constant source of love, affection, entertainment, and all things good. I have a magnet that says, "my kitty is an angel from heaven with sandpaper kisses." Awe. So true. In times of need, they are there to love me. They never pass judgement on me.

Do you have a furry friend to encourage you?

Weekend letters

Dear weekend,
Why do you speed by so fast?

Dear Kirstin,
Thank you for helping me with the social buttons. Aren't they gorgeous?

Dear Ryan,
I love you.

Dear Chomps and Kirby,
I love you too, but do you have to talk all the time?

Dear bloggy friends,
I have so much I want to do and so much to learn. I look forward to more blog hops and meeting new friends. Thanks for hanging with me as I learn what I'm doing.

END

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Chomps and Kirby. These furry sweethearts have been instrumental in helping me reduce stress. I love their sweet purrs and loving glances.

Several years ago, I was fired from my job and incredibly depressed. I was sitting on the floor and quietly crying to myself. (FYI crying has its purpose too.) Chomps came over and curled up in my lap. He started purring as loud as he could. Animals can be very sensitive to their human companions and they try to help us feel better.

Do you have a sweet story of how your pet rescued you?

END

Covered in fur

I have a purring cat that has my arm pinned with his possibly 15 lbs body. He released me when he was ready for something else. There's fur everywhere. That would be the joy of having a cat.

Hard Work

Tonight, I worked extremely hard after work. It was like I was still at work buzzing away at the computer. I had a really good companion though. Chomps was rubbing his head (and fur) on my arm and sleeping soundly next to me.  At times, I could hear his gentle rumble of a purr.  He is a sweetheart and knows when to give me love. How does he know? He is a very smart cat.

Jus' thinkin'

I'm thinking that it would be great to be back in Australia. This photo was somewhere along the east coast of Australia in 2004.

I'm thinking that was a long time ago and my last international trip was January 2011. I love to travel and see the world. I'm getting back out there in September.

I'm thinking that we are overdue for a wild trip too. Fiji, Tahiti, Turkey, Nepal, Iceland. So many places that I need to visit.

I'm praying and thinking about my work. Hopefully my hunt will yield positive results.

I'm thinking that blogging is so much fun and I gotta get more consistent. I'm working my way towards more writing and posting my photos.

Since I'm still thinking about vacations, tell me about your best trip! I love a good story!

Sleep

Some days, I feel that my cats have it all. Love, food, no responsibility and lots of sleep. I don’t have any scientific accuracy of how much sleep they get. My cats get about 20 hours of sleep a day. They are the sweetest and quietest when they’re sleeping too.

I would never try for 20 hours of sleep in a day but while traveling in Australia I did get 10 hours every night. That is an unusually long time for me to sleep. Clearly our bodies will let us know what we need.

For my friends who can’t sleep, I pray that you will find it. LIfe without sleep is unbearable and miserable. Sleep. Its not just for cats.

Friends

All I want to do is pet Chomps. He gives me love and most of the time he’s not annoying. Kirby is a good kitty too.

Thank you Lord for sharing Chomps and Kirby with me. They are both sweethearts.

Healthy living

Here are my strategies for healthy living.

NUMBER TEN Helping others. It always feels good when I helped someone who needed it.

NUMBER NINE Getting stuff done. It feels invigorating to finish something and scratch it off my to do list.

NUMBER EIGHT Petting the cats. Chomps and Kirby give so much love and its great to give it back.

NUMBER SEVEN Talking to friends. Friends are the best and so supportive. Friends are the family that God gives you. Sometimes emails and texts work just as well as the phone or in person.

NUMBER SIX Talking to family. My family is a very loving family and we stick together across many many miles.

NUMBER FIVE Doing fun activities. I like to do fun things by myself and with my husband. Either way, fun is always good in my book.

NUMBER FOUR Hobbies. I play the piano and I read books. These activities keep me fresh and relaxed.

NUMBER THREE The gym. Its a three letter word that has been good to me even when its hard to be motivated.

NUMBER TWO Eating healthy. It takes discipline to eat healthy but at the end of the day it feels good too.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON IS SLEEP. Sleep is very good to stay healthy, sane, and happy. When we don’t get enough sleep, we can’t think clearly.

Love this week

1. 1 Pastor Herbert from Peoples Church talked about the greatest commandment was to Love God with all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
2. 2 The second critical commandment is to Love your neighbor.
3. 3 There’s a lot of hurting people and many will come in contact with me and you.
4. 4 I’m praying for the wisdom and strength to represent God.
5. How will you be living this week?

Thankful Thursday

Today’s rating is Positive.

I’m thankful for many things. The weekend is around the corner. The move is in two weeks. There are two sweet kitties that give me love and support. My husband is a strong supportive man. I have had good experiences and good friends from my job. I have learned so much about myself and how strong I am.

One of the biggest pieces to my life is Jesus. He saved my life and I am so thankful. I am undeserving as well but somehow God still loves and supports me. God is the reason I find strength to get through each day. Thank you Lord for sending your Son to save a worthless person like me. Amen! Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter!

Pets are good for health

Today’s rating is Positive.

A long time ago, I was having a really bad day and Chomps came over. He curled up in my lap and stayed long enough for me to calm down and feel better. Stroking a furry friend can help elevate your mood. They need you to be comfortable and happy. At the same time, they bring so much joy that it’s not a fair swap. My kitties bring me a lot of love and bed hogging.

I did an interview today and I felt it was too short. In the end, I won’t stop the hunt until I am where I belong. I know this can’t be forced but should feel natural. My time is coming and I am going to continue praying for the patience and wisdom. Thank you Lord for being by my side every day. I need all your love, help, and support! Amen!

Waiting

Today’s rating is Positive.

There’s not much to share right now. I am waiting to hear from a company about a job. I am waiting to see my family and not feel lonely. I am waiting to finalize the details of the move. Thankfully, I am feeling patient and busy. I’ll get through this challenge and move on to the next.

Its helpful to have friends and family that are supportive. I am strong because I have so many good people in my life. They lift my spirit up and I thank God for all the love and support I receive. Amen!

Wonderful Weekend

The weekends rating is Positive.

Friday, my friend came over and we had fun watching tv, playing Yahtzee and having a few drinks. Saturday, I went to another friend’s house. We watched a movie, ate leftovers, and fresh baked brownies. YUM! It was a lot of fun!

As I tried a new church today, I realized that I don’t need church. I need people who love God, who want to have fun with me, and who want to encourage and possibly push me to love others more. We all need people around us to do the very same things. We help each other out and that’s how God created us, relational beings that need to be with others.

I have let relationships fall aside. Possibly for quite stupid reasons. I now ask for forgiveness and if you want to reopen those doors with me, please email me at estherdavison@rocketmail.com. I welcome opening old friendships and creating new ones. Lets walk life together and try to have some fun too.