I am really trying to keep up with this blog, but some days are not so interesting.

Since our last contact, we have had some excellent days for sure.

I have watched more basketball than I care to admit and I mean *really* watched it, my poor Celtics.

A few weeks ago, Cdub and I started to play some tennis. Well, we volley and chase balls a lot;) Cdub had never played or picked up a racket before and in 4 days time we could actually volley for 15 or so strokes. I am super impressed with our progress. I had not picked up a racket in 11 years or so. We bought rackets and 6 cans of balls back in Florida. Kinda nice to get up in the am and play for an hour or so before you die of heat stroke.

There has been some progress on our bedroom wall mural as well. We added more leaves and the buds for the fan like flowers. I have been taking pics, but they are boring to post until its completed.

A week ago, our buddy Jr. called us to come to the point. We crazily assumed he wanted us to come pick up some fish as he had been out fishing for several weeks. Um, No. There was a huge party going on at the fish cleaning station, talking 30+ people in the water, Jr had his boat, with skies & kneeboard. There was loud music being played and food for sale. WTH, you call us at 6pm? Dude!

Cdub races home to get our wakeskate and rope. He is gone for what seems like forever. I am sitting in waters edge holding onto 2 cocktails trying to keep my head above crashing boat waves. In the process I slip on the nasty slime covered rocks and bang up my elbow, note to self you use the elbow in so many ways it will hurt all day long.

Unfortunately, Jr’s boat did not have the horsepower/engine in order to pull Cdub onto water surface. He looked like a kid who’s puppy had just been taken away from him for good. I felt so badly for him, he was so excited to skate and it just didn’t  pan out.

However, ahem, I was able to grab on and pop right out of the water, in front of everyone. I admit I did feel kinda cool! After the first turn is another story. Jr obvis does not pull people all the often behind his boat and about ripped my arm out of socket trying to get me back up. Oh forgot to mention I didn’t have a life jacket on to hold my upper body out of the water. So I was trying to balance my feet on skate, hold my head above water and hold onto moving rope to catch the handle. P.s. this is in fairly shallow waters, but it’s salt and damn does it sting like hell.  

So 2 or 3 tries without jacket, he throws me one of the standard cheapo orange ones that about cuts you in half with the strap. I try once more and have to call it quits. Get back to shore exhilarated and exhausted but giddy. Then the mosquitoes move in and take over. We throw wet towels over ourselves and make a mad dash to the truck. Cdub still looks so disappointed that I suggest lets watch the game at the bar vs the house.

Thankfully the Celtics won the game.

The day after we are to fly to Nassau to start a week long trip/vaca. The trip beyond Nassau was up in the air for several hours. Waiting on emails to determine if we would make the second leg of the trip. Finally around 2pm we get confirmation and actually decide to go. I think this was due to me pouting and then getting pissy, as I really wanted to go to the Abacos.  So we had 2 hours to pack for a week and drop the dog off at Jerry’s. We still got to the airport wayyyyyyy to early and sat for over 2 hours. Made the most of the late day in Nassau which means we ate dinner and went to Indigo for some wine;)

Tues was (to be) the big day. I was getting my braces off! 8 months early.  I wore those damn rubber bands faithfully. We got to dentist/ortho early. There is a musical chairs type of arrangement once you get past the lobby. So after moving from 8 to shotgun I have gotten butterflies. Silly I know but I wanted these damn things off. So I get into my chair, the assistant comes over and starts hemming and hawing around. Not good folks. She keeps asking me to bite down, then as she is pulling out carbon paper for an impression the doc comes over. Whole process starts again. Bite down, bite down again.

I am starting to panic here. I have my ipod on so as not to be able to hear all the other drilling noises. He starts explaining that he does not like the way my front teeth are lining up against the bottom ones. He speaks some doc jargon and then is gone. Wait, wth is going on? It’s now that I realize they are NOT coming off this trip. I turn into a wilted wet flower, I had a cleaning appointment and laser whitening apt upstairs in 1.5 hours……then the tears start to slide out the sides of my eyes as I am practically flat on my back in the chair.

The tech then proceeds to tell me, “You will feel some pressure.” WHAT???? She then pops off one of my front top brackets.  Then the drilling off of glue begins. I have tears and now glue and teeth residue blasting me in the face. Perfect that there is also a huge rainstorm going on. So I get a new freakishly dark new bracket and 2 new wires AND!!!! I have to continue to wear the effen rubber bands, after 8 weeks of duty.  

We then begin the procedure of scheduling my *next* appointment for removal. Um, yeah, more hidden tears as my schedule and his do not coincide the whole month of Aug. and he is on vaca 2 diff times. So my date was pushed back 3.5 weeks. NOT FAIR!!! She didn’t want to schedule removal with out him in the office due to his *concern* this time. Ok, so now my front left tooth is lower than the right wth is that about, I have no idea. But my whole left front side bite is off and everything hurts, feels like my teeth are gonna fall out. Creepy huh?

We managed to find a pretty decent wine lounge on Bay Street, nice atmosphere, decent selection but strange food pairings. Found some vino we liked and bought a few bottles to take to Abaco.

After Nassau we boarded another plane to Great Abaco Island, northeast of Nassau 30 mins by air. Abaco landscape is so different from Cat, the trees especially. The island ‘feels’ like an island, not some half populated sparse rock. It reminded me of the n.e. coastal towns, that I have actually only seen pics of but ya get the idea. Bright colored buildings, tons of palms and flowers. Real Businesses….2! hardware stores, several grocery  stores with tons to select from, more art galleries than I could count, drs. Offices, and a traffic light!

Billy and Dari met us at the resort and we unloaded so we could make our way out for the day. Checked out our rental boat for the next 2 days and set off for Man-O-War Cay (key). This is a small little island/cay that is pretty much all related to one another. They make the most fabulous bags out of sail material. It’s a heavy canvas that they stitch into all sorts of bags, makeup bags, small backpacks. I wish I had taken a pic of the 6 ladies sewing on these ancient old metal (?) machines. From there we loaded back into our boat and head to Scotland Cay to meet up with some of their friends, who have a beautiful home and navigate over to Great Guana Cay to Baker’s Bay Resort and Golf Club.

 Get up to the tiki bar to order drinks and I hear someone calling my name, ??? who knows me here? It was Joe one of the captains that had been at Hawk’s Nest for several months running fishing charters. The guys take off to tour the yet-to-be-opened golf course so us girls hang with Joe and his girlfriend. We did get to walk-thru one of the new townhomes that is part of the development.

Once back at our resort we met up with some more of their friends who were on a boat named the “Big Easy”. Great guys and a gorgeous boat. We all had dinner together and the power went out I believe 3 times during the meal.

Next day was more busy. Billy and Chris had to build the smoker. I have posted pics already, but this thing was ingenious. Built of concrete block and pavers. It was kinda like tetris.  Watching them build it take it down and start over. They finished right before noon and started the fire to cure it. Round this time a 2^nd crew of ours made it in from West Palm by boat. They brought all the meat for the party on Sat.  Cdub had to go out with Frank to find a bunch of firewood. The resort failed to gather any even tho they had been asked to do so weeks ago.

That Friday we make the trek to Lil’ Harbour, where Bahama Pete has his place. It’s part art gallery/foundry/bar. Nice little quite spot, but oh my lord was it hot! And I mean sweltering hot, there was no breeze to speak of and the sand was even hot, something I have not encountered yet. We had a great lunch and got to hear some stories from 20 years ago during all the wild days.

Sat was cooking day. Got an early start and the meat went on round 930am. The guys cooked all day long, pulled the meat off around 7ish. It was hot and smokey. Dari and I were able to do some shopping in the morning, real clothing boutiques that had cute stuff. Disclaimer: there are a TON of people who live in Marsh Harbour that are from West Palm and Florida area, so lots of state folks.

Dari and I got to hang by the pool once we had prepared all the quail, my arch nemeses. Nasty lil suckers. I will spare you all the details but all I can say is I am SURE housekeeping was glad to see us leave. Our room was prep as it was ground level.

The party was supposed to be the cook out for the last night of the Penny Turtle Bill Fish Tournament. The tourney got cancelled due to lack of participation, however there was just too many tournaments going on within a weeks span. So we just had a party with about 50 people. Smoked a lot of ribs and some pork while the resort covered the side dishes.

I have to say I think we were all delirious by nightfall. 2 plus full days in the sun and the smoke with drinks will do anyone in. Sunday am Cdub and I took off early to one of the food stores to get cold items. I had been to the store 3 times before already so I knew exactly what we needed and where it was. We were in, out and packed into coolers in 20 mins! Headed to the airport, which is a crazy mess like here on Cat. Checked in and headed to the bar. Bloodies were ordered and we all sat around chating till our planes came in. Billy, Dari and Frank back to Ft Lauderdale and Cdub and I the long way back through Nassau.

We had enough time in Nassau to leave the airport to get lunch, forgetting that it was Sunday and Father’s Day we got dropped off at a shopping center that was closed. All except for the Chinese restaurant of course;0 So we had a decent Chinese meal, which I pretty love always.

We had a longer flight than usual as we went to San Salvador 1^st then onto Cat. We were so tired we contemplated leaving one truck at the airport, safer than driving while falling asleep. But once we landed we got a second wind and saw familiar faces and woke up a bit.

A trip to pick up the rat took longer than it should as the guys had to watch the last few laps of some race. We finally get back home and start to unpack. Here is where the fun really begins. So Zoe is really interested in the closet, I mean will not come out. I am calling her and she is looking at me like, No you come here. So I do.

Holy hell, I look at the ground and there is a piece of dog food, huh? Then I really look and there is mouse/RAT poop everywhere!!! Like there was an army of them in the house while we were gone. So I start to clean up the closet floor, then notice behind the bed (it was pulled away from wall cause we were painting) I cannot tell you how much there was, all under the bed, the nightstands. So Gross!

We sit down to watch a movie. New Moon, not that great but I am a closet Twilight fan and Cdub gets a real thrill teasing me about it. Movie kinda sucks but I LOVE the books. So anyblab, we are watching the movie when the largest fury creature ever darts from office to our bedroom! I can’t speak and am trying to simultaneously pause the movie and turn on the lights.

Cdub is confused and I yell “huge mouse”! He is so calm is drives me nuts. So he shuts us in the bedroom and I am grabbing for my rainboots, yes folks my wellies/swampers as the last thing I want is this thing running across my feet. Oh we only have a plunger as a weapon/catching devise. So begins the hunt. We only have the bed, 2 dressers and 2 nightstands, not many places to hide.  

We flush him out and sweet jesus this is the biggest RAT I have seen since living in a converted barn in Northern California. The effen thing starts to climb up!!! A board we have with Joan’s artwork, it climbs walls!?!?!?! Then it takes a flying!!?@#$?@ leap into the air and does a back flip, we would have the RAT on steroids in our bedroom. This thing has been living the phat high life on dog food that was under the bed for a week solid and leaving the evidence everywhere.

Sidenote, when we walked in from airport I am standing in the kitchen confused as there are empty water bottles that were on the counter now on the floor, notes next to the phone on the floor and one of Cdubs shirts that was laid out on washer now wadded up on the floor. I did not figure this out till Monday am while laying in bed. I thought someone had been in the house, well turns out yeah, a huge RAT had been gallivanting all over the house.  All I can think of is the rats in Ratatouille throwing a party in our house.

So we catch this thing with the plunger and I leave Cdub to do the dirty work as I reprimand Zoe for being a lazy dog. The damn thing was in her room waiting us out while watching the movie.  A wash of relief comes as the RAT is thrown out back. All is well and I can get back to ogling vampires and werewolves;)

Imagine my disgust and major freak out at 8am the next morning when I am sliding around in bed to a cold spot in the sheets and my hand runs across something hard. At first I was thinking oh, gross it’s one of Cdub toenails, (love ya babe) but oh HELLS NO…….you guessed it freakin’ RAT poop!!!! WTFF!?!?!? What creature does this? He crawled between the sheets, fully underneath the top cover and blanket to be exactly between the sheets. Major disgusting freak out. Did it also run across my pillow, I’m damn sure it did!

Altho I am happy to report I was not sleeping on it like Cdub was-GROSS! He had no clue as he was the walking dead when he fell into bed and slept like a rock. I am putting clothes away and move a hanger and low and behold RAT poop on my hanging clothes. It scales walls and can walk across hangers. I now have to go through every single item in the closet. Apparently RAT only liked my side of the closet. I bet I took out 15 pieces of clothing to wash. I am not talking a piece here and there but multiple. He was feasting for days!!! 

Later in the day I am putting clothes away in the office. I open the drawer with all my swim gear, effen RAT poop! Omfg…..seriously. my stuff must smell good. Out of 6 drawers he was in 3, one Cdub which had all this extra sets of clothing that had never been worn and 2 of my drawers. I am sooooo pissed at this now dead RAT. We go out and buy the sticky traps and set them with, what else, dog food.

I of course have to test the stickiness. Yeah, it’s damn sticky all right. So we put one trap each under night stand and large dresser. A RAT squealing for dear life is not what I want to wake up to in the middle of the night.

We were cooking dinner for Jerry this night and went over early to walk his beach and swim in the pool, which is now down to a cooling 85 degrees. P.S. I forgot to mention that Cdub has taken a strong interest in Tennis, this could have to do with us playing a few times now, but on this day he was watching a marathon match that had been going on for 9.5 hours. I gave up and went to Jerry’s by myself.  

We had 2 trucks and I made it home first. I lug in both bags and Zoe on a leash, who takes off the second we walk in the door. I take off after her and catch her in the hall. That’s when I see it!

My bedside rug has been flipped over in hlf and the sticky trap is overturned on top of it! GREAT! Bring on RAT #2!!!! Little bastards. So I keep Z on the leash and walk around the house checking for more evidence. Cdub makes it in and I proceed to freak out that there is now RAT hair all in my rug, very gross. There were remnants of hair all in said sticky trap that apparently is not strong enough for the steroid RATS we have on Cat.  

I got little sleep last night as I was lying awake waiting to hear the scurry of a large RAT. Thankfully it did not happen. So today after playing another decent round of tennis we bought the real deal traps.

I know this is exactly what all you wanted to read about, right? I mean what else can I tell you about, the fact that we had to go out and check a subs work on getting some land level for a fuel tank site, yeah boring! This was much more entertaining to read, I know you can all imagine me jumping around and sqeeking in a high voice to “catch the damn thing” and “EWWWW my clothes really” and the best “ you have GOT to be kidding” in regards to the bed matter.

I have been writing this blog with headphones on as Cdub has been watching the  draft for 3 hours, my music was Fort Knox Five. A DJ mash up mix that is awesome, altho he tells me I look like Grover bouncing around in my bar stool.  I am just a source of amusement for him all the time.

This was only 13 days worth of excitement here on Cat Island. We have Billy and Dari coming back on the 1^st! Get to do some fishing and in general run like mad. Donna is back on Sat with her Grandkids  Zoe (8) and Scout (6). Yes it gets confusing when calling for the dog. The girls always come for a month during the summer and last year was so much fun, although Z was a puppy that the girls could pick up and carry around.

So many more funny and crazy stories to come, although it may take me a while to catch up once everyone gets back to Cat. Then things pick up and get busy again.