Category Archives: Hawaii

Surfer Ty

January 14, 2010 · 84 comments

Surfer Ty’s back in Hawaii where he’ll be until the end of the month as he’s trying to get his new shop open.  It’s a busy time for him, but also exciting. I was asked just on Tuesday how I handle weeks without seeing Ty, and the truth is, I’d rather be without him, then have him without his passion.  He loves the water.  He’s happiest surfing and teaching surfing.   When I met him he was a surf instructor.  He inspired a book.  He inspired me.  Why would I ever want him to be anything other than himself?  And happy? With that said–I’m crazy, wildly in love with him and absolutely adore our baby that is beginning to show the Gurney dare-devil side.  … Continue reading Surfer Ty →

Surfer Baby

December 31, 2009 · 33 comments

Mac loves the water.  He’s always loved his baths but now he’s discovered the ocean and thinks its pretty awesome.  He’d never been all the way in until yesterday–just dipped up to his chest before–but in Waikiki while Jake and Krysia surfed with Ty, Kathy, little Ty and Mac and I hung out on the beach.  Kathy read.  (I’m so jealous….haven’t read a book since I arrived in Hawaii!)  Ty played in the surf.  And Mac and I chilled. And then we went swimming. Mac wasn’t sure about the waves at first.  But after a bit he enjoyed Mom holding him,  jumping around with him and helping him float on his back.  A couple times he drank some sea water, … Continue reading Surfer Baby →

Sun, Sea & Sand

December 28, 2009 · 89 comments

The boys are here now, as is my sister Kathy and her daughter Krystyna.   The remodel on the beach house last year appears to have been a success as Kathy and Krysia (Krystyna’s nickname–her father’s from Poland, thus the spelling) love their little suite and are enjoying their visit very much. I love having my sister here.  Never get to see her enough and my favorite vacations include her.  Two and a half years ago we took the kids to Europe for two weeks and five and a half years ago we took them on a Caribbean cruise after four days in Puerto Rico.  My sister and I grew up traveling quite a bit and it’s been important that we … Continue reading Sun, Sea & Sand →

Christmas in Hawaii

December 24, 2009 · 21 comments

It’s Christmas Eve morning and I’ve got Kona coffee brewing and Mac playing with toys on the couch next to me.  President Obama and his family are supposed to be arriving on Oahu today, staying at a beach house over in Kailua which isn’t all that far from here.  Hawaii is so excited about its president coming ‘home’ for Christmas.  Can’t say I blame them.    Hawaii is a small place and pretty isolated.  It’s wonderful to have a president that comes home to Hawaii. This year I gave up on buying real Christmas trees for the beach house.  Real trees are so expensive in Hawaii and they’re usually small and dead before you even get them decorated.  Instead I ‘invested’ … Continue reading Christmas in Hawaii →

Romance Reader Luncheon on Oahu

December 22, 2009 · 69 comments

It’s a gorgeous Tuesday morning in Hawaii and Christmas is just days away.  I spent yesterday doing nothing but relaxing after the hectic weekend of preparing for the lunch I hosted on Sunday for Kellie Chang’s Romance Reader Group. We were supposed to have our lunch outside on the deck but it poured all night, cleared up in the morning, and then started to come down again about an hour before the lunch was to begin.  Surfer Ty’s good friend Tucker had agreed to act as my bartender for the party so he and I frantically (well, I was frantic, he wasn’t.  He is a surfer after all…) moved the big sectional against the ‘living room’ wall, carried out all … Continue reading Romance Reader Luncheon on Oahu →

Holiday Fun

December 17, 2009 · 25 comments

We’ve had a fun first half of the month in Bellevue–shopping, ice skating, taking in the parade at Snowflake Lane in downtown Bellevue.    But now it’s time to pack up and head to Hawaii for Christmas. By the time you read this we’ll be at our Hawaii home… Wearing a heck of a lot less.  And Mac for one will be glad. Happy happy holidays to all.  More soon from Hawaii!

Mac & Misc

August 26, 2009 · 93 comments

I told Mac today’s our last day in Hawaii until December so he’s decided to do some sun bathing of his own on the living room couch. He’s a nature baby, that’s for sure.Nude and naked are his favorite states of dress, although he’ll settle for a diaper when we have to go out and about. My book is now in and my editor is reading. I know I’ll have some tweaks so I’ve just finished mailing all my research books and materials back to Bellevue so I’ll be ready to get back to work as soon as I get the revision letter. In the meantime I’ve got some events coming up–a Bellevue library book signing with three other authors … Continue reading Mac & Misc →

One Week Left

August 20, 2009 · 73 comments

Can’t believe a week from today I return to Bellevue. Can’t believe I’ve been here in Hawaii almost two months already. Even harder to believe I’ve only been to the beach once!! What have I done all summer? Write. And write. And nurse Mac. And make sure boys were happy. And, well, write some more. Yesterday I turned my book in to my editor but the ending still isn’t what I want so I’m continuing to work with it until I’m happy–which might be another few days–and then on Saturday afternoon I have another military base signing here on Oahu, this time at Schofield. But fingers crossed that on Sunday I can take Mac to the beach to see his … Continue reading One Week Left →

Hello from Hawaii

August 10, 2009 · 71 comments

Apologies for not posting sooner but I’ve been pouring all my time and energy into baby and book. Both are wonderful and interesting and very demanding! I love having Mac here but don’t ever want to have a baby and a book due at the same time again, and considering I’m 45, I probably won’t. But still. So many wonderful authors manage to do both, two talented author friends immediately spring to mind, Mia King and Beth Kendrick. They’re fabulous writers and moms of young children who’ve delivered babies and brilliant books on top of each other. My question is…how do they do it?!?! My brain honestly feels different. The writing is different. Not necessarily bad, just…different. Last week I … Continue reading Hello from Hawaii →

Little Bits

July 9, 2009 · 8 comments

I’m writing in little bits, hoping they’ll add up to big bits and trying to stay calm (and cool!) as kids run wild and temperatures hover in the high 80’s to low 90’s–not hot if you’ve air conditioning but sweltering if you’re at a computer without a breeze. Fortunately I’m feeling more and more settled here, but not so settled that I won’t be going back to Bellevue end of August for my kids school year. That’s right.  For those of you worried that I’ve moved to Hawaii permanently, that’s a no, not happening, not possible until son Ty goes to college which is 7 years from now.  So until then, Baby Mac and I will be making lots of trans … Continue reading Little Bits →