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...

Almost Ready

Just gotta wrap a few.

Susan and George coming for dinner. Menu is leftovers from Thursday plus laulau that Michelle made at school and brought home yesterday.

Maybe going to see some lights then getting things ready for tomorrow morning.

I think all will be happy.

Jacob's car is leaking - the trunk part. He's such a nice person I decided we should get him a new car.

Won't he be surprised in the morning!

Sale at Long's - Hot Wheels 99 cents.

Christmas Celebration

Had a party last night. Prepared almost nonstop for 2 days. Forgot to take pictures.

Menu

Ahi Tower

Chips, Crackers & Dips

Chili Garlic Shrimp

Hamburger and Turkey Burger Sliders

Hawaiian Nachos

Caprese Salad on a Stick

Spinach Bread Bowls

BBQ Chicken Wings

Chicken Salad Pitas

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Chocolate Tarts

Mini Cherry Pies

Cornbread Muffins

I enjoyed the evening. The clean up was easy and Gabe's wonderful friends - Jacob H., London and Harm - volunteered to clean up.

48 Hours

In that amount of time I flew to Louisville (total 10.5 hours in the air each way plus 6 hours in airports), attended my sister's wedding, and got back home! Whew...such a wonderful day yesterday. Love my sister. And Ryan, my new brother-in-law, is a great guy.

Ambition

My son Gabe (age 17) went to his first day of training for his very first job - at a movie theater.

After his first 7 hour shift he has decided 3 things:

1) He's the BEST at making popcorn.
2) He LOVES working there.
3) He wants to be the MANAGER.

Wedding

In Kentucky. My sister. 3 more days! Yay!

20 Things You Might Not Know About Me

1. I detest store/bakery bought pies and pie crusts. I only like homemade (mostly by me).

2. I did not attend Kindergarten, 1st or 3rd grades and only attended part year 2nd and 4th grades.

3. I am afraid of mice and rats - as in if I see one I think I might die.

4. I lost 2 valuable hours of my life reading the first half of the trash book Twilight.

5. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 22 years old.

6. I had lunch with Mr. Rogers, Mr. McFeely and Lady Betty Aberlin of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

7. I don't know how to ride a bicycle.

8. My favorite color is cobalt blue.

9. As a child I had an imaginary playmate named Sootey - and when I was confronted about her not being real I explained that she wasn't around anymore because she had to move because her parents sold their house for $20,000...what an imagination!

10. My favorite song/music is Air on G String by Bach.

11. I once won 50,000 American Airline miles thru an online sweepstakes.

12. I sat next to/near Laura Bush and Hawaii Governor Lingle on 2 separate flights within the same week.

13. I've never eaten an oyster - and never will.

14. My favorite Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor is Fresh Goodness Cake.

15. My college minor was Spanish - but I remember nada.

16. I want to take ballroom dancing but can't find a partner who will agree to lessons.

17. I do not eat McDonalds.

18. My favorite book is Ireland by Frank Delaney.

19. We haven't owned a t.v. for about 7 years.

20. I do way more laundry than I should - must be punishment.

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!