Time Will Tell

Hurt my back. Gotta get better by Tuesday when I leave for 3 days in Washington D.C.

Ending and Beginning

Its the end of November - what a month.

Had a good Thanksgiving - did the annual ward Thanksgiving dinner then came home and had our own turkey dinner. It was nice to see Susan and George, Brandi and Azeema.

Spent the weekend kind of quietly - I hurt my back again so trying to take it easy.

Got a massage yesterday.

Today we went to a funeral for Rachel and Nate Mahelona - an older couple in our ward - they died within days of each other.

Thursday Gene and I will go to our cousin Hawley Manwarring's husband's funeral - he died suddenly last week. So sad. We love Aunty Hawley - she was the HIGHLIGHT and LIVE WIRE on our trip to Scotland.

Friday we have our neighborhood Christmas Party.

Saturday we are going to the italian dinner that I won at a silent auction last January. One of our engineers is a master chef and she's cooking. Nanette and Wayne Judd (she's my Mossman cousin) are joining us. Looking forward to it!

Supposed to be leaving next Tuesday for a meeting in Washington D.C. Back on the 10th.

Glad Gabe put the tree up last weekend. Its pretty.

Dance Concert

TONIGHT!

Service

Everyday I pray that I might recognize service opportunities around me. I am looking forward to tomorrow. I had volunteered to prepare dinner for a friend who is going to the temple. Since going to the temple for the first time is quite a thing to celebrate I told her I would bring a dinner for her and her family and whomever else goes to the temple with her. So right now I am not sure how many people that will be - but I will be ready no matter how many.

Then I found out that a family we know have had a number of tragedies. The oldest adult son died on oct. 29, then the mom had a massive stroke last week and is in a coma and unresponsive, then 11 hours after she went in the hospital the Dad was admitted to hospice (he had been sick for years) and he died Sunday night. So I will provide dinner for their family (7 adults) tomorrow night too.

I have been scouring my recipes to see what I will prepare - it is a bit of a challenge because we are oven-less. We get a new one on Friday.

Am thinking maybe spiral ham (in my big roaster), baked beans (in my crock pot), rice, salad and rolls. Dessert -- hmmm. Still thinking about that one!

Coming Up

Gene comes home from Barcelona tomorrow night then goes straight to Scouts.

Wednesday night he works at the temple.

Thursday night we are both going to the temple.

Then Friday and Saturday is Gabe's Dance Concert - looking forward to seeing him in it. The practices are from 10 - 10 on weekends and 4-9 on school nights so all that work should pay off!

Blessing

My two boys have always liked to wear their hair short.

Gabe's is now maybe and inch and a half and he's asking for $ to get a haircut.

It may cost a few dollars more per year but saves lots of teenager-parent hassle.

Weekend

Jacob's going to the Big Island with Samantha's family.

Gabe's going to a play tonight with friends.

Susan and George are coming over to make a mexican feast for us tonight.

Good weekend I do believe!

Next Week

Is APEC conference in Hawaii - which means the island is on lock down practically and the traffic will be gridlock - so I plan on staying home as much as possible.

Gene is going to Barcelona next weekend.

I won (at a Silent Auction) a gourmet italian dinner for 4 prepared by one of my engineers and served in her lovely Manoa home. Its on the 12th. Gene will be gone so I need a date -r eally 3 - cause its dinner for 4. Looking for my besties...

Learned Something New

So the reason Michelle doesn't get scared from Halloween spooky stuff is because people with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome have damage in the amygdala - a part of the brain which "controls" fear - or rather secretes chemical that increases fear. So hers doesn't work = no fear.

Nails

They did manicures at Young Women on Tuesday. Michelle loved it!

Scary Fun

Haunted Lagoon at Polynesian Cultural Center with Michelle, Susan, George, Jacob, Samantha, Gabe and Lakona.

Ohana

Photo taken at Guyzance Hall, Northumbria, England. Cousin Keith Mossman visited us from his home at Hill House, Hunsonby, England (drove 2 1/2 hours!)

We were supposed to all make a funny face.

The front row didn't get the memo.

Catch Up Still

We had a good weekend - went to Trunk or treat at the church. Michelle pulled together what she called a "dancing girl" costume - a skirt, top and jewelry with a single small braid done at the front of her hair (like with her long bangs). Hannah was a hula girl with pareo, flower in her hair etc. Gabe was Indiana Jones. And I was Blue - just a person painted blue.

Gene and I started working in the church nursery on Sunday with delightful 18 month - 36 month old kids. They are so fun!

One of the downsides to working with them though is picked up their germs - I caught a cold and am suffering right now...

We didn't go trick or treating on Monday (the REAL Halloween) but the girls enjoyed passing out candy.

Cousin Misty posted a Scotland pic on Facebook - its of me and Chubby. I love her so much! I think we are at Alnwick Castle (Harry Potter Castle)

Next Mossman Ohana Adventure

Will be Ireland 2012! With an extension to Wales.

Almost Back to Normal

After 3 weeks!!!

After Scotland then went to Vegas and spent a MOST FANTASTIC time with my cousin Stephanie and Elton John! Sandwiched in a few work meetings in between.

This week has been filled to the brim with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders presentations. On Monday both Gabe and I spoke at the Native Leaders Conference on FASD at the Marriott Hotel. Gabe was simply enchanting!

Tuesday I continued at the conference.

Wednesday I did a presentation for pediatric residents at Kapiolani Medical Center.

Yesterday was 2 presentations to Dept. of Education.

Today I will get around to my real job, my family and cleaning the house!!!! Oh - and figuring out Halloween costumes!

But the BEST part of the week was our Scotland Travelers Reunion on Monday night! So much fun, laughter and food. The house was full - LOVE my Mossman Ohana!

HOmeward Bound

Was supposed to be home right now but we got stuck in LA so spending the night at Holiday Inn @ LAX.

Ohana Trip to Scotland was INCREDIBLE! So blessed to travel with such wonderful ohana! We got so close as a family AND saw and did some INCREDIBLE things. Like find the headstone of my great great great great great father AND saw the HOUSE HE LIVED IN!!! How incredible is that????

Nancy, Mark, Jessica and Megan Clay, Becca Schmidt, Dani Brown, Nanette & Wayne Judd, Cathy & Godfrey Kaonohi, Misty & Puna Sanico, Alex Alba, Chubby Kahapea, Eva Hubbard, Nalani & Hawley Manwarring, Kuu, Shar & Kawika, Rochelle, Brianne, Phil & Leilani Longbons - the BEST family members and travel companions one could EVER have. Love them to bits.

Can't wait to post some pictures!

Aloha 'Oe

Leaving tonight for our ohana trip to Scotland. Very much looking forward to it.

Upgrades came through on the outbound.

One day and night in London - seeing my Alfie Boe on Saturday night!

Then flying to Edinburgh for a weeklong adventure with 25 family members. We will get a sense of where our common ancestor, Thomas James Mossman, came from.

Looking forward to it!

R.I.P.

Steve Jobs.

Genius.

Not Now!

Trying to get ready for our Ohana Trip. 3 more days...

Last night Gabe's car (or rather Gene's car that he let's Gabe drive) breaks down in Kailua - either a tie rod or tire rod - couldn't really understand which. Gene's calling Mike the Mechanic to take a look at it. If its too much to fix then we'll dump it.

The one thing is Gabe is very busy and has a million rehearsals back-to-back. I asked him if he knew how to spell B-U-S P-A-S-S.

Knocking on wood that no other last minute (and costly) details crop up...

Focusing on the positive - only 4 days and a wake up til my Alfie Boe.

Slacking

Yup I sure have been when it comes to posting. But I have been busy.

Last week was tradeshow. This weekend Carly and Lehua came over. Will post pictures later. It was great to have them - but 4 girls with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a bit much ;)

We went out to dinner last week for George's birthday.

Went to see Phantom of the Opera last Friday night. Gene and I both enjoyed it and are so glad that Gabe has the opportunity to be in it and work with such talented performers!

Trying to get ready for next week's trip to Scotland - still some loose ends to tie up.

Feeling very grateful for everything. I am Heavenly Father's favorite.

Helsinki

Here again. For 5 hours.

China Boy is Back

Good to have him back.

Phantom

Went to Opening Night. Gabe does not have a large part - but he does terrific in the scenes he is in - dancing mostly.

The voices in the show are AMAZING! So much talent here in Hawaii.

And like his experience last year with Director Ron Bright, this play stretches Gabe - giving him opportunities to kick it up a notch as he performs with experienced adult performers.

21 performances total for the show of which 20 are already sold out.

Second Email from Gene in China

Have a little time before we head out, so I thought I would talk a little more. You are probably asleep now so you will get this when you wake. Our guide Peter has been very nice, he is very knowledgeable and he speaks very good English. Yesterday Wendell stayed at the farmers house because he over did the hike and sprained his knee. It was a difficult climb, so it was good he stayed back. This morning he felt good enough to go with us up the mountain. There are a lot of people here in Beijing. King's Joy hotel is about a five minute walk to the Forbidden City. We are leaving most of our luggage here at the hotel while we travel to Xi'an. We will only take our backpacks. I think the guys are glad the hiking is over. Our driver, Shao doesn't speak English, but he is friendly. Here in the hotel they have an aquarium with red fish, it is large, very colorful. Last night we had BBQ trout, it was good. We've had an array of food, most I was familiar with. Miss you, like I said I will try to email you tomorrow.

First Email from Gene in China

I am glad everything is going okay and that everyone is safe. The hiking portion of the trip is over, beautiful country. I must admit the hiking was much more arduous than I thought it would be. Monday was Paul's birthday and Gary bought him a wonderful cake. It was very nice of him. Tonight Gary is going to buy us dinner. The food has been fantastic. It is a little different than the Chinese food in Hawaii, but very good. Tuesday we stop at a restaurant for dinner, when we finished and walking back to the car there was a three foot black and red snake at the entrance to the restaurant, a little excitement for the day. The weather has been great. After the hike yesterday, back at the farmers house, it started to thunder and lightening, it rained most of the night. You did a wonderful job scheduling this trip. I thank you very much. We are going to Xi'an after dinner. Will try to write tomorrow night.

30 Days and Counting

Leaving for Scotland on Oct. 6.

Can't wait!

China

So this is a picture of Gene and 3 of his buddies in China. The 4th guy is taking the picture. Looks like they could be anywhere really.

Got 7 emails from him when he was enroute to China but none since arriving. I think they are starting Day 3 of their hike of the Great Wall of China. What an adventure they must be having!

The guy who sent the photo (to his wife who forwarded it to me) - he said lots of steep steps which can make ones knees ache...

Hope all goes well.

Sad

I was so excited the other week when my cousin emailed me telling me she was pregnant. She is already the BEST mom to 2 little girls.

Sadly, she emailed me on Wednesday to tell me she had miscarried :(

Love her lots and am sad.

Phantom

One week til Opening Night. Gabe is busier than ever - rehearsal nightly til 10:30 - almost full day rehearsals on the weekend.

The show has been extended until Oct. 16 AND its sold out on many nights.

I usually try to go to every performance - but this one has steep ticket prices ($45). So I am going opening weekend (2 nights) and maybe 1 more time...if I can get tickets.

Great Weekend

Gene left yesterday for 10 days. Hiking the Great Wall of China. No phone or email contact for 8 days.

I am sure he will have a GREAT time on the GREAT Wall. He is in GREAT shape. He is going with some GREAT friends.

Can't wait til he gets back - can't imagine the experience.