Open House

Dave and I held a small open house for our friends and family.  Everyone has been asking when we were going to invite them over to see the house, so we opened up the calendar and just picked a date - Saturday, October 2nd.  It didn't occur to us until later that it was also the weekend of General Conference and most people go out of town, until we had already sent out the invitations.  But oh well !!  A few people sent their regrets.

 The day arrived and we were a little worried that the weather wouldn't co-operate, we had planned an outdoor B-B-Q.  It called for rain, but  mother nature smiled down on us and it was a glorious day.  The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze, (just enough to keep everyone cool).  We went ahead and set up the deck and prepared the food, (grilled shrimp, pulled pork sandwiches w/ cole slaw, veggie tray, tomatoes from our garden, salad, lots of different drinks, cupcakes, and eclairs).

 Right on time at 4 pm the guest started arriving.  We had friends travel from as far away as Layton and Spanish Fork.  In total 14 guests made the trek to spend the afternoon with us.  We all ate, told stories, laughed, and had a great time.  A few had to start heading out around 5:30 for the evening conference talks and mass service.  A few stayed until 7 pm.  And the weather was PERFECT.  Our table umbrellas came in mighty handy.  Dave had a wonderful time giving everyone tours of the house, explaining how we came up with the design layout.   And at the end of the day, no one noticed that I forgot to put out the cocktail sauce for the shrimp and the eclairs.  As everyone was leaving their comment was, "Let's do this again".                                                   

The Day I Got Arrested

WELL IT FINALLY HAPPENED - I HAD TO GO TO JAIL. A WARRANT WAS ISSUED FOR MY ARREST !!

As a property manager, our department changes vendors from time to time and this year we changed one of our vendors. The last day of service for this particular vendor was September 30th. I will admit that this vendor and I have not always had the most wonderful working relationship, it has been to say the least "difficult at times".

Well - as their last act of defiance against me, they turned me in to the March of Dimes Jail and Bail. And, they set my bail at $1,000. I was called on September 4th and told that I was to present myself on September 30th with my bail in hand, or go to jail UNTIL I could raise my bail.

Everyone I spoke to who has ever participated in the March of Dimes Jail and Bail was shocked at how high the bail was. Most bail is set at $250. No one has ever heard of a bail being $1000. I was scared and nervous of trying to raise $1,000 in only 4 weeks, especially since I was going to be in Maui for 8 days and when I returned I had 2 days of corporate training/meetings. That only left me 2 weeks.

My bail packet arrived while I was in Maui. I started my actual campaign collection for bail money on September 22nd. I set up an on-line web site and emailed everyone for a donation. I talked and emailed everyone I thought would donate, I even posted on face book about my upcoming arrest.



I am fortunate that a lot of people came to my rescue, by the time September 30th came along I had already raised $655. I still needed to raise another $345. I was still worried whether I could meet the challenge.

Then the day arrived. At high noon, I gathered up all my business cards, my blackberry, (with all my contact information), cell phone, and all the courage I could muster. I bid my fair well to my office team members and they wished me well, (behind their snickers).

I arrived at the Hilton Hotel, got checked in, fingerprinted, ID'd, had my mug shot taken, then was shown to a table gaven me a bottle of water and told GOOD LUCK. I started dialing away.

Even though this one vendor and I had our problems, all of the other vendors that I work with graciously make large donations, (from $50 up to $150). My work team members made gracious donations also, from $5 up to $50. After 90 minutes of calling, I totaled up my receipts and realized that I still needed $20 to meet my $1000. bail. In desperation I pulled up the name and phone number of our Community Banking President. I was desperate, (but I figured, heck today's his last day, he's retiring - let's see how much he likes the work I've done for him over the last 5 years). I dialed his number, and HE actually picked up the phone, (not his assistant). I said "Roger, I'm in jail and I'm trying to raise bail money". The other end of the line was dead silent, then a slight chuckle. He said "OK - what ever you need, I'm good for it". I told him about the March of Dimes and that I only needed $20 to meet my bail. He laughed and said DONE - I got you covered. I yelled out, I MADE MY BAIL. Everyone in the room yelled and clapped for me. Most people didn't make their bail. They would only work 1/2 hour and leave, and they only had to raise $250. Only 3 of us there made our bails. When I went to the bail out table, they totaled up all my pledges, checks and cash. My grand total came to: $1,040.00 !! I actually exceeded my bail !! While I was there they gave me prizes also, (an extra large duffel bag, a t-shirt for Dave, 2 t-shirts for me, a car wash kit, a nice warm hoodie sweatshirt. Then they feed me a nice lunch - soup, sandwich, salad, drink and dessert.

The FIRST person I called to inform them that I made my bail was the vendor who turned my in. I let them know that while they thought I couldn't do it, I not only DID IT, but EXCEEDED IT. And they should know better that to give me a challenge. Karl was shocked, especially when I told him that I didn't start working on collecting donations until the 22nd.

Only 8 days and I met his challenge, and helped a lot of babies. 94% of the money collected stays right here in Utah. If you have a polio vaccination, it's because of the March of Dimes. If you know that smoking during pregnancy hurts your baby, it's because of the March of Dimes. 1 in 5 babies born in Utah will require the services of the March of Dimes. Perhaps I have in some small way helped one premie baby.

NOW THE PHOTO EVERYONE HAS BEEN ASKING TO SEE:

Some of the wonderful comments left on my web site from my donors, (friends):!

1.) Barbara, I thought I would try and add some assistance to your cause in the 12th hour. I hope you enjoyed your time locked up!

2.) There's a sucker born every day. Thinking that getting you out of jail would do any good. The world is a better place with you behind bars. But my heart bleeds for Dave being left at home without you.

3.) If you have been a bad girl, then I can not help you, but we CAN help the March of Dimes, and hope you will find your way to goodness and they will let you out.

4.) We're proud to sponsor such a caring and generous gal like you, Grandma Barbara. You're the best and we love you!!

5.) Good Luck you crazy, crazy gal!!

6.) I would pay ten times this much to be there when they arrest you!!! Have fun and don't make the deputy upset by clinking your tin cup along the bars, (they don't like that).

7.) I hope you get along with your inmates. I know you will as you are so friendly and caring. Take care and get out soon.

8.) Barbara Kronenberg just shouldn't be in jail for anything.!

9.) Barbara - You look good in those black and white stripes.

10.) I hope they haul your butt away to jail!! I can't wait to see the pictures !!

11.) Barbara, you are fighting a good cause. I hope you get bailed out, I would hate to have to make my own dinner that night. Love, Dave

I think I need a new set of friends, or else I have to start treating my current friends better!!

Now that I've done it once - That's enough. Thank You to everyone who donated to this worthy cause. You are truly a good friend in my time of need.

September Birthdays

When Dave and I returned from Maui, we had a date with Trevor and Ian to celebrate our birthdays.  Dave and I were treated to Sunday brunch at Ruth's Diner on Sept. 19th.  We both have heard about Ruth's, but neither one of us had ever been to Ruth's and had always wanted to go.  When we closed on our house, the builder gave us a $50.00 certificate to Ruth's but we just never found the time to go.
It was great to see everyone.  We all agreed to meet at 11:00.  The place was packed and we had about an hour's wait.  The menu had anything you could want, and the story about how Ruth started her restaurant is a good read while you are waiting for your server.  The weather was great and being in the mountains was a great location for the  Sunday morning.  The food was excellent.  Dave and I will definitely be back.

Great looking gang

Some people think they look so cool

 

2010 Harvest

Dave and I came home from Maui to the first harvest from our small garden.  When we moved into the new house I didn't have a garden space ready, and being the garden lover that I am - I purchased 6 small tomato plants and 2 small green pepper plants the first part of May and babied them along in the kitchen window of the rental.  Still not having a garden space ready by the 4th of July weekend, on Saturday, (July 3rd), I set the tomatoes out in the front shrub planter bed along with the shrubs, bird feeder and bird bath.  I also planted some old yellow squash seeds that I had.  I told Dave I knew they wouldn't grow, (since they were 5 years old) - but what the heck, I planted them anyways.  For several weeks our neighbors would walk by and wonder what kind of small shrubs we had planted.  The only thing I gave them was sunshine and water.  Then suddenly everything took off the first part of August and started growing and producing.  This is our first picking, and we have had a plastic grocery bag of tomatoes every week since we returned from Maui.  The pepper plants haven't produced but just a couple of peppers, the squash has been sparse, (but it did produce and they were good eating).

We gave about 1 bushel of tomatoes away to friends and family members.  I canned 1/2 bushel and I have another 1/2 bushel ready to can today.  I can't wait until next year to plant in my new raised garden beds.
Last Monday evening, (Oct 25th), I finally gave in and rather than risk the frost of "old man winter", I went out and picked last of the red tomatoes and the larger green tomatoes.  We pulled up all the plants and cleaned up the planter area.  I have about a bushel of green tomatoes in the garage that will ripen over the next month.  Dave and I will enjoy them, and have tomatoes on Thanksgiving Day from our small garden. 

Several years ago we went to Phoenix for a Kronenberg family Thanksgiving weekend.  I took a bag of tomatoes from our garden to share for the meal.  Dave's oldest brother, (Robert), ate one of the tomatoes and commented that it had been many, many years since he had actually tasted a tomato that "tasted like a tomato".  Dave just smiled and said "yea, Barb grows great tomatoes."

So -That's our tomato story for this year.  No zucchini, I wish I would have had some.  People just don't share zucchini like they used to - wonder why??

MAUI - PART II (Tuesday - Friday)

TUESDAY

Today was our kick back and take it easy day. We slept in, had a late breakfast, did some snorkeling outside our condo, then wandered into the old part of town down by the pier just to see the shops. Nothing special kind of day.

For lunch we drove up to The Sea House, (located at the Napili Kai Beach Club). The lady who was selling the pineapples by the side of the road the other day told us about this place. From 2 - 4pm everyday all the appetizers are only $5 and all the drinks are $6. This is the place that all the locals go. So we drove there around 2pm for a late lunch. Order some yummy light appetizers, and a couple of cold fruity drinks. The portions were more than enough for lunch and delicious. And the view are great - right on the beach.

Back to our condo for some more relaxing time - I think is beginning to get the hang of this...

That evening we had reservations for Warren and Annabelle's Magic. It's a nightly comedy / magic show that sells out EVERY night and it is a MUST SEE. We laughed so hard. The theater only seats 78 people and it is very up close and personal with the magician. Before the show they have a small appetizer platter and yummy ice cold drinks / cocktails and dessert. Even though it is billed as an appetizer it is definitely a full meal.

If you only have one show to pick - GO SEE WARREN and ANNABELLE'S - but reserve your seats before you leave the mainland, because they do sell out each night.

WEDNESDAY

Another day of snorkeling, swimming in the condo pool, walking old Lahaina downtown and the Pier. Just a relaxing day in Maui. That evening we went to a Luau, and this Luau featured foods and entertainment from the different islands, (Hawaii, Figi, New Zealand, Tahiti and Samoa). Dave even found a new friend!!

THURSDAY

Today we had reservations on the Trilogy to sail over to Lanai' for a day of snorkeling. Early morning we met at the dock and boarded the boat. We were greeted with a light breakfast, a brief overview of the boat and safety requirements. Then off for our days adventure and landmarks pointed out by our captain. About 1 hour into our cruise, we came upon quite a few schools of Spinner Dolphins, (there were hundreds of them). They were jumping out of the ocean and spinning in the air. They would play with the boat and race with us. Several passengers said the chance to get that close to the dolphins was well worth the cost of the excursion. The dolphins stayed with us for a good half hour.

Next we were treated to a light but filling lunch on the ship. More landmarks and stories from the captain. The ship was in no hurry and in about 1/2 hour we finally arrived. Boarded a small van to the beach. The cove was home to some of the best snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, fishing - you name it. We first went a guided 1 hour tour of the island with a 7th generation tour guide. The island used to be owned by Dole Pineapple and the WHOLE ISLAND was pretty much a pineapple farm and a town for the workers. Whenever supplies were needed you would take a ferry to Maui, or waited for them to be brought over to the store once a week. Then back to the beach for about 2 hours of snorkeling. We saw some fantastic fish, very different that we saw in Mexico and Catalina.

Next we were shuttled to a picnic area and treated to delicious BBQ dinner. Then back on the ship for the return trip home. This time, they hoisted the sail and we quietly sailed home using the cool evening breeze. How nice and romantic.

FRIDAY

Today is our last day on the island and tonight we return home. But we have time for one more excursion, so we book a van trip on the "Road To Hana". The trip takes about 8 hours the complete way around. We had thought about renting a Harley and driving it one day, but we were so glad that we sat in the van and left the driving to a more experienced guide. The road is VERY winding switchback. And in some areas it is one lane dirt road. When you reach the middle of the road, there's a sign that says "If you proceed any further in your rental car, you will void your rental warranty!" At one point we had to stop and wait for 4 cows to leave the road so we could proceed. At another point, there was a dog, and the road was so narrow - we wondered if there was room for both us and the dog :) . BUT, the sights we saw were so amazing. We saw the 7 pools, (one thing you will notice is that the black sand beaches are not sand - but small black volcano rocks).

We saw Jim Nabors home, Oprah Winfrey's home and the 1000 acres she recently purchased, Woody Harrison's home, Kris Kristofferson's home. We stopped and toured the ONLY winery on Maui. Most of the waterfalls were not flowing - they haven't had much rain in almost a year.

We saw wild while ginger, (used for perfume), it grows wild all over the area. And of course we got the "I survived the Road to Hana" t-shirts. Dave always tells people, "it's not the road TO Hana, it's the road on the other side BACK from Hana that so bad".

Finally we it was time for our flight home, but our 10:00 pm flight was delayed until 2:00 am. So we caught up with Dave's oldest brother and his wife, (Rob and Jeanne), who were also in Maui with a group of friends that week. We took a quick shower at their hotel room, visited for a few hours and then off to the airport at midnight to catch our flight.

As we always say after each vacation, it felt SO GOOD to get home to our own bed. Our pets missed up and we missed them. But we brought back many photos and memories to last us.

MAUI - Part 1 (Friday to Monday)

FRIDAY:

This year for my birthday, Dave and I went to Maui, Hawaii for the week. On Friday morning, (9/10/10), we caught a plane at 7:00 am, flew to Phoenix, (with a 2 hour layover), then a 6 1/2 hour flight to Maui, (arriving at 2:00 pm). The weather has been wonderful, in the 90's everyday, abit humid compared to Salt Lake, but wonderful. After renting our car, driving to our condo and checking in, Dave decided to take a quick dip in the ocean, (which is only 20 yards from our condo). Everyday we sit on the patio and marvel at the spectacular view we have, and every night Dave falls asleep on the patio to the sound of the waves hitting the shore.

After unpacking, we went down to a little restaurant deli called The Fish Market. They sell fresh fish on one side, and have a small deli on the other side. We ordered a bowl of seafood chowder to share, Dave had a Mahi Mahi sandwich and I had a Snapper sandwich. Both were so good, very fresh! The salad had a great ginger dressing. We then stopped at a small grocery / farmer's market to pickup a couple of items for breakfast tomorrow. By now it was 8:30,(with the 4 hour time difference, our rising at 4:00 am to catch the flight, and we are going to be picked up at 7:00 am tomorrow for our tour of the two volcanoes that formed the islands), we were exhausted and ready for some much needed sleep.

SATURDAY:

Up early Saturday to catch a tour of the Haleakala and the Iao Needle. These two volcanoes are very different and both very beautiful to see first hand. Our first stop at over 10,000 feet above sea level was Haleakala. From the warm 90 degrees that we left at the base, our tour guide, (Judy), drives up the volcano, (about a 2 hour trip with wonderful narration of sites along the way), to a windy and chilling 40 degrees at the top of the summit above the clouds and all of Maui. But what a site to behold.

Next, across the western part of Maui to the Iao Needle, and the inside of this volcano. A very lush and green volcano with all the tropical plants that you would expect to find on Maui. Beautiful beyond words.

More sites around the western side of Maui and funny little stories about people and places from Judy, then it was back to our condo. Oh my, it's already 5:00 and time for dinner. Why does the time fly so fast in paradise?

SUNDAY:

After a quick breakfast, we decided to drive the Honoapi'ilani Hwy around the west side of Maui and catch the sites. First stop, Dragon's Tooth. There are no signs to tell you how to get here, you have to know where to find the pull off, (it's at the Ritz Carlton parking lot). A short walk along the golf course and there it is! Lava rock that looks like giant dragon teeth, and the ground looks like dragon scales.

Next on to The Blow Hole. Also an area without any signs and markings, you have to know how where to pull off the road and walk down a path to get to it. Alot like the one in Mexico, but this one is on a flat rock and you can actually walk up to the hole and feel the ocean spray on your face. Because the climb down was rather steep and rocky, we stayed a little up on the rocks and watched people down below. None of the sites have guard rails around them and are actually dangerous, but people still flock there everyday.

Next down the curvy, switchback and sometimes one lane road around the west side of Maui. Some of the most beautiful sights and interesting people you will ever meet, (like the lady who has been selling fresh cut up pineapples from her yellow van for 16 years - she used to be a chief), (or the young man who sells ice cold coconuts, that will gladly tell you how they grow as he husks and cuts one for you, and ladies - you will notice he was very easy on the eyes !!), (and don't forget the little farmer stands all along the road, where you can pick out the freshest fruits' and the farmer will tell you how to prepare it and eat it). Everyone has an interesting story and personally to match. We love to talk to people when we travel and get to know them and get tips on sites to see and places to eat.

MONDAY:
Today's my birthday, and I told Dave I wanted a relaxing day. First we did some snorkeling outside our condo, (but the tide was so high and the water today was a little too murky to see anything), so we drove out to the Maui Tropical Plantation to tour the site and see various plants that are grown on the island and harvested commercially, and do some shopping at the local Arts and Crafts fair. Everyone at the little booths where we made purchases wanted to give me something free when they found out it was my birthday. The locals are such friendly and giving people. A little lunch while we were there, then some more souvenir shopping and a quick stop at the Harley Davidson store to get Dave his traditional HD vacation shirt for his collection.

Then home for a nap and our evening dinner cruise on the Pacific Whale Foundation Discovery boat. Before the dinner cruise, we did a little walking tour around old Lahaina. We walked through a park that has the 2nd largest Banyan tree in the world. The whole park was this one tree.

There was a guy on the pier making fresh lais and we watched him make a fresh one that Dave then purchased for me. I had a delicious Mahi Mahi fish dinner, Dave had the Maui Cattle beef dinner. The live music and the lovely sunset make it truly a memorable relaxing birthday. Thanks sweetie - it was a great birthday.

I bet by know you have guessed that I am doing my best to have Mahi Mahi as much as possible while in Maui. Well, it is the local fish, and they prepare it so well so many ways. Stay tuned for Maui Part II (Tuesday through Friday).