We had a blast hanging out at Dave & Buster’s on a July day, playing a zillion games, laughing and enjoying ourselves.  We almost had the place to ourselves in the morning.  Having worked up an appetite, we sat down at D&B’s but the waitstaff couldn’t deal with the volume of customers, so we jumped in the Explorer and headed a few exits North to our all-time favorite, Fuddrucker’s, for a delicious lunch of burgers, shakes and fries.  Then back South to D&B’s for more game playing.  Emma had the hot hand, winning seven giant balls to take home and share.  Our favorite was the Jurassic Park virtual reality; it felt like we were walking through Dino-Land.  You guys earned so many points by the end of the afternoon everyone went home with arm-fulls of swag.  A good time was had by all, including yours truly, who battled the Rockin’ Sockin’ Robots and won.  Check off another classic 3M Adventure. 

Grammy has a lot of pride so when she had to resort to a wheelchair and electric scooter to get around Disney World in February, it was a clear sign how much pain she was in.  She’s only 62, but has endured 3+ years of chronic pain from a bad left hip that made walking a painful daily experience.  The fact that she never complained and kept it to herself is all the more amazing. She’s way too young (62) to live this way!

Good news!  She finally got the hip replacement surgery she needed June 4. It was a big operation, replacing a worn-out hip loaded with arthritis where bones were hitting bones… for a new one made out of polished ceramic and metal alloys. 

The hand-made cards she received from her grand-kids meant the world to her – you can see them on the flower photo below.

Grammy has now become…the beautiful bionic woman!

After a month or so she’ll be able to get around pretty well. This will get her back to a healthy state of body and mind.  We’re so happy for her.

It’s always a long wait between Labor Day and Memorial Day to reach the beach – nearly nine months.  So when the Scoop Deck reopens, it’s cause for celebration. We are more than happy to obige!

Seven mothers were in the house @ 30 Shore Lane on Mother’s Day 2018.  The oldest was 99-1/2 years old!  The others were much younger!  Happy Mother’s Day to them all and thanks for making our lives special every day of the year. 

Happy birthday Ben!

One of the highlights of my life has been watching you grow up, from a tentative, shy little kid to a smart, fun (young) man.  “Watching” isn’t the right word to describe our relationship and what you’ve meant to me over these 15 years… because it’s passive.  What we’ve had is an active relationship.  I’ve been by your side from the beginning, not literally every day, but there for all your important life events and a whole bunch of other ordinary life moments that were special every time I was with you.

You were grandchild #1.  I spent more time with you than any other grandchild.  You lived with us at the “big house” on Waterloo (a couple times), you lived at our beach house one summer (2016) and Grammy and I have helped your family get to a better place.  So rewarding, so fulfilling.

Along the way we’ve done some such cool things together, including…

Ziplining. Beaching. Laughing. Walking. Vacationing. Riding. Swimming. Eating. Traveling. Playing. Learning. Going. Talking. Sharing. Being.

It’s sometimes hard & frankly a little weird going through life changes.  From first born to little kid to older kid to young adult – that’s a massive leap forward!  The spontaneity of childhood transforms as you (not just “you” literally but all the you’s and we’s and us’s out there) grow older and leave some stuff behind.

Now you’re in high school ( how can that be) with your own friends, interests and ways of doing things.  As you leave some of the past behind, you’re zipping forward, shaping a new life that will become YOUR life, especially once you reach college (so close already).  As the new you takes shape, you’ll find the important things – the things that make you who you are – will continue to shape Ben Clickman.  The closeness of a very loving family.  Knowing how to laugh and make others laugh.  Using your impressive brain to learn new things.  Helping others by being kind and caring.

It’s cool watching you grow up.  Every time I see you – and are with you – I’m instantly happy.  The best thing of all is getting a hug and a “I love you Papa” from grandchild #1.  There’s nothing better.  I could cry when you do this, but I don’t want to embarass myself!  Don’t ever stop because it feeds my soul and lights up my life. It will never get old, even if I’m lucky enough to grow wicked old, all my hair falls out and my back bends toward the earth.

I’m proud of you and unbelievably proud of who you are.  Always believe in yourself, even when you feel like you don’t know exactly where things are headed.  Believe in yourself –  and never compare yourself to others.  There’s only one Ben Clickman and that’s a wonderful thing.

Always listen to the little voice inside your soul – always follow the gut feel, it will never steer you wrong.  You just have to keep listening, it’s always there, and will be all the days of your life.

I love you Ben, with every fiber of my being.  I’m so darn lucky to have you in my life.

Happy 15th!

In my January blog I told the story of how Grammy and I worked hard to build a better life for ourselves and our family.  The blog ended with my new company – Soulful Advantage –  and how I would work hard to see if I could visit New Zealand.  Good news!  I made it happen by proving and convincing my new client they would benefit by me being in New Zealand in person vs. having meetings over the phone or via the Internet.   After much back and forth discussion, they agreed it would benefit their company and offered to pay my way.  It’s a great example of making your own dreams come true vs. waiting for them to magically happen.  Work hard and you will find a way!!

My April adventure included three bucket list dream destinations:

1. Stepping foot on Australia, my fifth continent. Africa & Antartica remain!
2. New Zealand – the North & South islands
3. The Sydney Opera House, the #1 “Wonder of the Modern World”

In addition, I also stopped in Las Vegas and spent time in Oahu, Hawaiii (my fourth time on that island) on my journey Down Under.

My journey:  Left April 11, returned April 23.  9 flights; four different airline brands; 30 car/taxi rides; three islands; two continents; 20 time zones!

“I’m off on an adventure!” (Bilbo Baggins, the most famous Hobbit)

Here are photo highlights:

boring a koala bear at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia

I was amazed at how this golden guy floated on air – Sydney waterfront

beautiful light on Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii. Love how the outrigger framed the beach and sky.

passing through Las Vegas at midnight on my way to Australia – have been to Vegas many times and it’s always a beehive of activity. It was weird seeing it so dead.

early morning view of famous Diamond Head on Waikiki Beach

overlooking the #1 Wonder of the Modern World, Sydney Opera House

greeting at 2am @ airport as I stepped foot in the land of Kiwis – my #2 bucket list dream destination

very cool hot pink bike path, as seen from Auckland Sky Tower, 1,076 feet high

Auckland Sky Tower @ dusk

my favorite photo – the famous lone tree of lake Wanaka, with the Southern Alps behind it. Such an incredibly unique and beautiful setting.

I thought Glacier National Park in Montana had the most waterfalls in one place, but New Zealand’s famous Milford Sound had a LOT more. Here’s one amazing example.

even though I was in New Zealand in April it was their Fall. Here’s a shot of pretty Arrowtown in the autumn.  Our cold January is June in New Zealand!  February is July and March is their August!

overcast and about to rain but spectacular – Eglinton Valley, Fiordland National Park, South Island. Could have stood there forever

Mirror Lake, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand

Coronet Peak with Queenstown in distance at base of the mountain V

stunning vista outside of Queenstown with golden poplar trees. Poplars are Popular in the south island!

Milford Sound within Fiordland National Park

Hobbiton, New Zealand, North Island – home of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. This amazing landscape is in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.

Wai-0-Topu geot thermal hot spring in North Island – about an hour’s ride from Hobbiton. Sulphur smell is disgusting; colors amazing.

gorgeous late afternoon light looking at the Remarkables mountain range – on way to Queenstown airport

Papa Bear in front of Bilbo Baggins hobbit hole at Hobbiton, North Island

where the Hobbits threw a big party

crazy green water pool at Wai-O-Topu geothermal

amazing attention to detail at the Hobbiton movie set included hobbit clothes drying on clotheslines

view of movie set when you walk in – Bilboa Baggins’ hobbit hole is below the first tree on the upper left

looking down at the Hobbiton village wiht Green Dragon Pub (where I drank a Stout beer and ate a meat pie)