Monday morning kicked off with a trip to Juliana’s to send my dad off on his flight. Dave had to bolt for a class, so my dad hitched a ride with the airport shuttle instead of us bringing him to the airport. Work was surprisingly smooth, until the weather decided to throw a tantrum. A severe weather warning had us all scrambling to unplug everything before 5 pm. Safety first, folks!
The real excitement started after work. I ventured into The Bottom (yes, that’s the actual name of a place here) for a meeting about grants for journalists on the island. I’ve got a few story ideas simmering, and the thought of someone actually paying me to pursue my side projects is incredibly appealing. The meeting was fascinating, and I left with a solid idea that just needs a bit of polishing before I submit it for approval. The potential reward? A cool 7,350 euros! Plus, they’ll pair me with a “sparring partner,” which, in Dutch terms, is basically a wise mentor to bounce ideas off of. Score!
Once I got home, I dove back into planning my dad’s 80th birthday trip. The cruise we had originally booked was a no-go, and finding a suitable alternative has been a challenge. Considering his mobility issues on Saba, I turned to Google for “trips for seniors.” I think I found a great option, and I’m hoping to discuss it with him soon to get his thoughts.
Tuesday morning was all about pitching birthday trip ideas to my dad, but he’s playing the waiting game. Said he needs a couple of weeks to mull it over. Since I was at a standstill with his trip and my May trip is already locked in, I shifted gears to planning my company’s team-building outing up north in September. I even figured in a quick visit to New Jersey before heading down to Florida in time for my dad’s birthday trip, whatever that may be. Victory!
I also spent some time brainstorming ideas for that grant-writing project, focusing on the furry friends of Saba. I think the local pet scene could use some attention. I need to refine my pitch and run it by a few people to make sure it’s solid gold. Later that night, I chatted with my mother-in-law, Janet, to thank her for the birthday card she sent via my dad. She always has a knack for picking out the most beautiful cards.
Wednesday brought a harsh reality: my lunch and breakfast options were dwindling fast. A grocery run to Big Rock Market was imminent. The proof? I tried to make a grilled cheese for lunch, only to discover the bread had turned a lovely shade of blue on one side. Yuck! The downside of fresh bread with no preservatives…lol.
That night, after Dave and I tackled the grocery shopping, I headed to Colibri with Anise and Jennifer. Darren joined our little crew for the evening. Dave, ever the social butterfly, was on the lookout for a gentleman he’d been chatting with about energy improvements on the island. He happily caught up with him while we soaked in the beautiful weather and excellent company.
Work on Thursday was good. I even received a nice compliment from a prospective client. I had spoken to him a week prior, and he called back to say that I was the only person who took the time to actually speak with him at any of the companies he contacted, and then I followed up. He decided to bind his coverage with us.
On a completely different note, we’re still adjusting to Albus’ new look after his recent haircut. He’s rocking the chihuahua vibe now, and we miss his shaggy appearance. He definitely needed the groom, but we’ll dial it back next time.
Friday was productive, and after work, Anne trekked up the hill to our place, and we headed to Colibri. The place was buzzing, and we ran into tons of friends and acquaintances. I was hoping to catch my cousin, Michelle, on the phone for her birthday, so I bailed around 7 pm, but sadly, I didn’t manage to connect with her.
Saturday morning, I woke up in time to catch the sunrise, but it was overcast, so the views weren’t particularly great. I had a nice chat with Jenn, and then Dave and I headed down to Island Favorites to satisfy my craving for a Belgian waffle. It was just as delicious as I remembered, and Dave enjoyed some kind of cinnamon roll with peaches on top. Yum! I was on the hunt for coffee filters (I swear, it’s always some obstacle to my coffee!), but neither Big Rock Market nor Big Rock 2 had any of the flat-bottom filters. Only the cone style were in stock, and they don’t work in my coffee maker.
Before heading home, I popped into Bizzy B for soft rolls and a bacon & cheese flatbread. I spent a relaxing afternoon at home, prepping for a late night out at bingo. Dave had actually been approached by one of my bingo buddies, who gave him a flyer to be sure I knew to attend, so I made a point to go. I headed to bingo around 6 pm, stopping at the ATM on the way. Predictably, it started a little late, and after the first few games, it was around 8 pm, and they called a 20-minute break. Since Dave had decided to hang out in town while I played, I wandered over to Swinging Doors to catch up with him. Anise was there too, and I decided I’d had enough bingo for one night. I went back, rehomed my bingo card, and returned to Swinging Doors. Jennifer had arrived by then, and we all enjoyed an unexpected night out together.
Sunday morning started with a leisurely breakfast on the patio, where I shared some of my apple turnover with a friendly pearly-eyed thrasher. It was all fun and games until i went inside for more coffee and the bird tried to steal another bite…lol
I also did some reflecting on my blog. I feel like the blog has told the story I wanted to tell, beginning with my injury, continuing with my move to Saba, and ending with my settling in on the island. I also have a few ideas for other creative endeavors, but I lack the time to commit to both the blog and my other literary pursuits. In an effort to make a decision on the future of my blog, I decided the best place to start was by giving it a complete read through. So far I’m up to the day before Dave leaves for Saba. Reliving my injury and recovery was quite the trip down memory lane! It also reminded me of all my amazing friends and family back in the United States who stepped up for me in all kinds of ways when I needed it. I’m really looking forward to visiting with many of them on my upcoming trip back to the United States.
So, there you have it – another week in paradise, complete with blue bread, bingo bailouts, and a whole lot of life in between. Stay tuned for more adventures!