Worst News EVER

Our mechanic is moving to the mainland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rest of the Gang

Michelle is home today - sick.

Hannah just bounced off to the school bus.

Jacob worked til 1 a.m. at the movie theater.

I just talked to Susan and asked her to ask George if he'd cook the turkey for Sunday.

Everything is going well in the Wright family!

HONK!

The name of the play Gabe auditioned for.

Manoa Valley Theater.

He got a call back!

Triple Threat

Yup. That's what they're calling him.

I was offended at first.

Then I found out it means he's an

"acting-singing-and dancing threat".

Awesome at all 3.

Now if he would just keep his room clean...

Last Weekend

Final performances of Anything Goes.

Tonight, Saturday & Sunday.

Ron Bright Theater

James B. Castle High School

Starring - Gabe Wright as Billy Crocker

Nicole Enos as Hope Harcourt

(These two played opposite one another in last year's Brigadoon)

Rain

Seems like its been raining for weeks and one of the results of it (besides beautiful waterfalls along the Koolaus) is that our church sustained damage (it was in the process of getting a new roof when the rains came).

We have not been able to meet there for 2 weeks. Last week we went into Honolulu for church. Today we were assigned to go to Kailua and join the Kailua 3rd Ward. It was really great meeting. I went to help in their Nursery - they have some cute kids but our little Nursery kids are cuter :)

Not sure how long before we are back in our own meeting house.

And it's still raining.

Gabe' TV Performance This Morning

Click Education Week to see Gabe's mini performance this morning on Hawaii News Now.

Karma - no

Some call it Karma some call it luck some call it destiny.

I call it God. I believe he has a plan for all of us. Sometimes we might not understand it. Sometimes it might not be exactly what we think is best for us. But it always is.

He knows the beginning and the end.

Trust is the key.

Always has worked for me.

Gabe

Got accepted to Chaminade!

And got a partial scholarship.

Not sure if he'll go...but it was an ego booster for sure.

Growing Up

I had a GREAT meeting withe Michelle's school staff regarding her transition to HIGH SCHOOL next year. Can you believe it???? High School!

She is reading at an 8th grade level - can spell 8th grade words - she is doing so well!

She loves being a teenager - and when she think no one's watching, you can spy her dancing to tunes on her ipad. So cute (and funny).

Tomorrow

This one turns 18!

Renewed Sisterhood

So I have a friend whom I've known 20+ years. She now lives on the East Coast. She's one of those that even though you haven't seen them in years, you can get together and pick up right where you left off.

She was here on vacay and we had lunch yesterday.

It is such a BLESSING to have her in my life. Even though we only talk once a year - if that.

I can tell her anything.

LOVE her.

More Great Wall

Gene and his old men friends on the wall.

I am so proud of them - only one flashing the shaka.

Re-Admit

Elvis goes back to his hotel suite at the Kaneohe VCA Hospital today for a 2 night vacation.

I am sure Elvis is excited to live in the lap of luxury even if for just 48 hours.

Surely a bath and manicure were included for the price we were charged.

Oh - and real dog food - not dried stuff like he gets from his owner's (read abandoner's) parents.

Your Wish is My Command

My cousin was nagging me saying I never change the banner photo on the blog. It is hard to get everyone together to take a photo these days.

So...this new photo banner is for her...so she'll stop nagging.

Of course Gene will choke when he realizes HE'S the focus of it all - haha!

That's him on the Great Wall!

We're Back

And have been for more than a week but my cousin reminded me I'm not keeping up!

We had a great time in the Bay area. We stayed near San Jose - did a little hiking and saw some sights - mostly out of the city - we hate cities.

It was great spending time together for our 36th anniversary.

Here is a photo of us on the little walk to Point Bonita lighthouse. Unfortunately the lighthouse was closed for renovation so we could not go across the scary bridge.

Notice Gene's fine european handbag (aka my purse).

Here's a photo of us taken 2 years ago in about the same spot!

I even have on the same clothes ;)

Bound for the Bay

36th Anniversary.

Leaving Thursday night - back on Monday night.

Thank goodness I was able to farm Hannah out to Jill and that Jacob and Samantha will watch Michelle and, most importantly, Brandi will be controlling Gabe's leash.

Heard my cousin Cliff Ahue died. He was a year younger than me at Kamehameha. Really a nice person. Services on Feb. 22

The King is Back

The King (Elvis) is back from his stay at his Presidential Suite at the VCA Hospital. He must have had the Presidential Suite - cause it sure was expensive.

He's now on more medication than Hannah.

And in 1 month he has been invited back for another 2 night stay.

Wish they'd give hotel points for it.

Another $100 tonight for his meds.

Dog & Drain

So Elvis (the dog) has been coughing. And I, the dog lover (NOT), told Gene he should take him to the vet.

$1,063 later, Elvis is in the hospital recovering (hopefully) from heartworm.

I am at home NOT recovering from poverty.

P.S. He's not our dog. He's Susan's.

And now a word from our sponsor

Gabe has a radio commercial gig!

Brown Bags

Gabe is competing in Brown Bags to Stardom at Castle tonight. If he wins then he goes on to I think island-wide competition.

He's doing a crazy song - about Irish things - I never heard of it.

Ms. Meyer (his teacher) told him that he and Rachel (another girl from theater who is in the competition) should have done Love and Honesty as a duet - then they would be sure to win. But neither of them wanted to do that because they don't want to split the $5000 state level prize!!!!

Anyway - I don't think he'll win - not because he isn't good - he is - but because the sponsors of the competition is a Hawaiian radio station...

But he is going for it - with talent, confidence and a blessing from Gene. A good combination I'd say.

Lingering

So this illness has been hanging at this house for too long.

I'm almost rid of it - after 3 weeks.

Gene's got it - and got it bad. Slept all day today.

Michelle's nose is raw.

Hannah hacks all night.

And the vog is still in the air.

Glad when it leaves! The vog AND the illness!

May Day

Hannah's teacher emailed and asked in what way I would want her to participate in the school's May Day Program (a HUGE deal - like a school pageant here in Hawaii). They have a May Day King and Queen and island princesses and escorts in the May Day Court. Every grade performs a dance and song. Hundreds of people attend the program which is held outdoors.

The teacher said she could:

• Begin practice with the other 6th graders - they are doing a dance or
• Not perform but pass out programs instead (Michelle did this when she was a 6th grader) or
• Not participate at all but just watch the performance.

I responded to his email and said

"I want her to be a May Day princess."

If she weren't in Special Ed I know she'd be in contention for a princess. So I figure "Why Not?"

After all, he did ask what I wanted her to do. But I don't think he expected my response.

Can't wait to hear back from him.

Weekend

Going to a funeral today.

Both boys working - though Gabe's taking off a few hours to sing at the funeral.

Tomorrow is Susan's birthday. We were going to have a little family gathering for her - but she got a better offer from friends.

Maybe Monday.

Heroes

Jacob bought a 42 inch flat screen t.v. from a guy off of Craigslist for $300.

Four days later - it stopped working.

He called the guy to see what could be done.

Last night the guy came over to look at the t.v.

Yup it was broken.

The guy gave Jacob his $300 back.

Jacob turned around and gave the guy back $100.

My Heroes - both of them.

First Week of 2012

We had a quiet New Year's Eve. Gabe and Michelle went out at midnight to do some poppers - then had to spend about 2 hours the next day cleaning up their paper mess in the street.

Everyone got back in school this week. Yay!

Susan's birthday is Sunday so having a little family get together for her. 24 years old!

Question

How the heck did I get another cold?

Not a Kid

Michelle had a cold last week and Gene gave her some cold medicine. I saw the bottle on the counter - it was Children's Dimetapp.

She's almost 15 years old and weighs about 115 pounds.

I told him try the adult stuff next time.

For some reason he still thinks of her as a baby :)

For My Children

Click on the picture for better reading view.

Holidays

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with George and Susan coming over - Jacob had to work - we had leftovers from Thursday.

Susan and George came back early Sunday and we opened presents and had brunch (Steve and Azeema and Brandi joined us) then went to church. Gabe sang in the choir and I gave a talk.

Came home and just relaxed. Most enjoyable, stress free and peaceful Christmas in recent memory.

Monday was a work holiday so Gene was home - both boys went to work. We had a nice day - I didn't worry about the mess from all the girls' new toys and stuff. Just let them enjoy themselves.

Hannah has a cold so she stayed home from school today and we put all the new toys away, got rid of the boxes and threw out old stuff. Very productive day!

Unfortunately, she had a big seizure tonight, hit her head on the dining room table and started bleeding bad. So ended up rushing her to emergency where they put 3 staples in her head and sent us home. She's such a trooper!

She'll have to stay home tomorrow and has to see the Dr. on Thursday. Wish we could get these seizures to stop. They are much more intense now then they have ever been before. I wish we could get another neurologist...