What's Up

So I tried my hand at blanket stitching. First off, I know I'd enjoy sewing on actual wool felt. This felt is for the birds! Anyway, it's what I have on hand, so I gave her a go. If anyone can give me pointers on how to properly and neatly end a blanket stitch, I would be ever so grateful. Otherwise, I shall continue to search down in internetland a video tutorial . . . I've only ever found how to start and do the blanket stitch, not finish it. And, I also learned that I can blanket stitch the pieces together as I go . . . this example here of candy corn ended up being pockets. But, see, this is how my stubborn arse learns.

I want to learn this felt craft so that I can make ornaments and such. There's a website to order a kit for stuff (all wool felt) and I may order for my upcoming 40th. I like to be, if nothing, exceptionally frustrated with myself the older I get. I just might - might! - learn something in mid-life, yeah?

I had to share this bit of whimsy from Teenie. Last week she was goofing around rather than doing her homework. Actually, she was creating and doing her homework at the same time. I would mind if she wasn't always bringing home A's. She's too clever, yeah? Even the coconut top has fringe. (click on image to enlarge). *uff, don't click to enlarge - I did and it's fuzzy and will make your breakfast come up - quite dizzying*

I'll be spending a great deal of my morning cross stitching more on the British bear. It's coming along nicely. I'll finish his trousers today, I think, and then read more of the 5-in-1 Douglas Adams book. Yes, all that "Life, the Universe and Everything" stuff. It really is clever and funny.

I found some plastic bead rosary stuff so I may take a crack at making some bead rosaries today, too. I got my membership stuff in the post yesterday so I'll send along my dues and order another bag of beads. It's fun and relaxing.

Mama's Little Ditty: More School?

Mama's Little Ditty: More School?

I linked 'cos I think this article a teacher wrote very interesting. Good work, SewMelody!!

St. Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Wren Pics for Fun (JMJ, thanks for the idea)

I can hear my friend, Dawn, saying, "Oh, no! Why did you ask her to share this?????"

Detailing - it was the ribbon work that won my heart on the undergarment.


Teenie and I were having too much fun donning this gear. She's far prettier than her mama. But, that's the way it should be, and, I'm more than alright with that.

Okay, here's me wearing it. I love this gear. Now, it's heavier than an old-fashioned curtain, that's for sure! In merry ole England, I wouldn't have minded too much, I don't think. However, in HI, forget it. Too bloody hot!
I make a fine wench for the Chief. I'm glad he didn't make fun of me for bringing this home with me from the first Maryland RenFest I went to. I've enjoyed wearing it every Halloween since.

Uff Da! the Dust!!!!

I started with this many boxes in the corner of the closet. There are three for Chief to sort through. Papers and his "before me" stuff. Adding to this, I will stack the three boxes from the end of our bed, because it may be a long long bloody long time before Chief ever goes through them. So, while I wait for that "dream" to come true, I can rest easier not banging my toes into them at night. Yes, I get up at night and stub my toes 'cos I'm blind as a bat at night. Bats have radar . . . I do not and my ears . . . fogettaboutit.


The boxes, gone (closet); luggage in the closet; the box of books, trudged (backbreakingly) down the stairs to shelve down there. Oh, my lovelies how I've missed you!! Sorry. The stack of pictures, will remain to be hung some time by the end of the millennium. Kidding. Maybe this month. Maybe October.

Chief's bookcase before:
Chief's bookcase after: w/ a box of stuff he should sort straight away.
Oh, and lookee what I found! My mono adhesive tape refills! For about $40 I got 40 or so of them. For $20 you can get four refills. I have a friend in MD who ordered in bulk and cut us some of the deals. Nice! There's also a pirate quilt kit and a girl's quilt kit (in plastic bag) . . . maybe by winter I'll have done them up.


This was at the top of the box. Ha ha ha! I don't even have a record player any longer. I think I haven't had one since I moved off Bainbridge Island . . . but for an import album, it's good music, as I remember. That's all I have of it is memories. I won't buy a record player just to play this. Yes, it's going in the bin. No point in lugging it around - it's warped anyway.
I used to think Nick Rhodes was such a hottie. Whatever!

UPDATE: Later, I decided to move all the pictures to the end of the hallway by our door (they are all neatly leaned against the wall . . . this will eventually annoy me and put my arse in gear to get them hung up faster, believe me). So, look at all that space! If I stub my toes now there's seriously something wrong with me. Gosh, I feel absolutely fantastic!! I haven't felt this good in a week or so!!

See that cute greenish rocker in by the dresser? My grandparents (dad's folks) had this for us grandkids ever since I can remember. I'll have to verify this "fact" but I believe it was my dad's when he was a little squirt. I have a few old pieces that mean a lot to me so I'm glad they moved here alright.

What the Bloody Hell Was My Problem?

I know, you all think I'm chipper and upbeat all.the.time, yeah? Yeah. Pretty much.

I have down days, too. Usually, though, I can't say "days" as I usually have moments. Just moments. Mind, I was still showering daily and brushing my teeth and being a nice mommy.

I just felt like a deflated balloon (tho' I still look like I have stuffed two big balloons in the back of my trousers - depressing backside!).

I had a family issue that needed clarification. Check.
I wanted to do more for my sibling who needed some dosh. Check. I wanted to do more, but . . . the parents also stepped in. Check.
The hubster was outta town for a week. He's home again. I had to get him from the airport in the dark. I don't drive well in the dark. I found him. We lived. Check.
The youngest needs braces in his gob. We'll find a way. Check.
The Hawaiian school system is having money problems. Who pays? The kids, that's who. Seventeen furlough days have been handed down. Starting 23 October, seventeen Friday's will be no school, no pay for teachers, for a grand savings of about 5 million smackeroos. Yet, Obama wants school hours to be longer, more days added etc., but with what damn money? If he can't keep the HI kids in school for seventeen days that were originally scheduled, what can he really do? Maybe it's a good thing he can't do anything about this at the moment.

I hate big government.

My baby brother (well, heh, he's actually only fourteen months younger than me) spoke no truer words when he said that nothing in the world, let alone our country, will be right ever again until we get FAMILY right.

Family is the buzz word folks.

So, my mind is reeling and I'm praying about what to do. I have home schooled before. It works. The actual education part, that is. What didn't work was the kiddos respecting the use of time. If I am to swim in the waters of home schooling again in the future, "the law" will be very strict. Also, I will not use a packaged program. Before all that, I have to convince the Chief who isn't convinced I have a spine to handle it again. Nor is he convinced that the kids will ever "believe" me when I say "this is the law, folks, whether you like it or not." You know why?

I have trouble keeping a straight face. Unless I'm pissed off. I am rarely that.

I have a hard time being seriously strict about school. I just want to hand them the stuff to do and expect them to do it. Ask me anything, if you need my help, but for the most part, they are 15, 13, and 11 - not stupid - and very self-sufficient. They do lack what I lack though: motivation? Well, I gave birth to three procrastinators. I'm the Queen.

I have a few boxes in my closet . . . a few still.by.the.back.door.downstairs.

I married a procrastinator or those said boxes would be unpacked, sorted, done away with. The moving company would have already been here removing the empty boxes that still remain unflattened in our garage - I'm sure we have a nest of lizards (excuse me, geckos) in there now.

On top of all this stuff going on in my head, I'm emotional, bloated, and eating ridiculous amounts of all the wrong sorts of things! My jeans are super tight and my skin is exploding.

I felt all a mess, is all. For a couple of days.

Thankfully, I continued to pray . . . even if I don't feel like anything good comes from it, I KNOW good comes of it . . . and thank God for that certainty He implanted in this very thick skull of mine. I'm sure He has patience beyond measure to deal with me.

I'm much better now. I'm making good progress on my bear stitchery and making cards . . . and, no, not really tackling the boxes. I'm afraid to touch Chief's stuff - but I will empty the boxes to see if any of my things ended up in there; I will clean off the bookcase by his side of our bed and put his books on there for him. I can do that. I can re-box stuff I think he'll want to go through himself. It will be neater and stacked in our closet then. No longer bothering me.

So, that's what I plan to do for others tomorrow. Love them in the little things and stop being angry at them for not reading my mind about those little things.

Love them where they are at. Love me where I'm at.

When the World Crashes In . . .

. . . Smile, smile, and smile again.

It seems to do the trick and I'm easily convinced that to do something for someone else is the easiest way to shoot rainbows through the black clouds of a storm.

God is good.

Hurrah!

It's been a long week. Chief comes home tonight! Have a great weekend!

Hot Outside

In the intense heat, the walk didn't run the entire time allotted. I am glad. It's too dang hot. The tops of my feet have more sandal tan now. He he he. Crickles got an headache after the first lap. They had music blaring the whole time a gal wasn't yelling in the microphone. I think it was well enough done, but could be a lot smoother! I brought Crickles home with me. When he gets headaches, he needs meds fast or he falls hard. We got home just in time!

Oh, while standing there, I felt a tickle on my left foot. I shook my leg and it stopped. I figured it was a fly, hoped it wasn't a bee. I felt another tickle so I decided to look, because usually a fly or bee won't return up a pant leg.

Oh, shit, it was a cockroach. GACK!

I wanted to update on my ears. They are getting better after twelve hours of stopping all meds. I sometimes think Sudafed can make it worse so I stop taking it and I do get better. I increase my water intake and within a day or two I feel so much better. Oh, and hello Vitamin C.

Volunteering

Today I'll spend about an hour helping out at Crickles' school. They are doing a walk-a-thon for fund-raising money for their school . . . there's no money for "fun" if they don't do these things. I like this "fun" raiser in particular because I get to pay the school for the privilege to exercise in their red dirt field for 45 minutes. Actually, I do not know what I'll be doing. It doesn't matter. I'm just showing my face because I can and I should since I have the time.

I woke at 2 this morning with my TMJ kicking in high gear. I drank a spot of milk to wash down the Motrin. It hurts like the dickens!

I don't dare ask the question, "Haven't I suffered enough?"

You and I both know the answer to that and you should know that I don't want to provoke God nor prove what a complete and bloody wimp I am!

So, now it's 3:52 and Crickles has come in. "Can I lay down on dad's side?" Yup. And, "Will you wake me up at 5:30?" I may, but I think the alarm definitely will.

I hope I'll be able to awaken fully by then!

When You Can't Hear the Phone Ring

Sorry, mum, I'm deaf (again)!
The cold is in my ears and sticking for a while.
I don't know how many days I'll have to "suffer" this one out, but it may be a week and some odd days before I can hear the phone ringing over the din of the telly. Yes, I have to jack the volume up to decibels that would bring down planes . . .

. . . I'm taking as much Sudafed as I can without making things worse (ringing in my ears that also increases the deafness for some reason).

I'm enjoying Wife Swap way too much, whilst I stab my fingers with the embroidering needle as I work the stitches in the British bear.

It is loud, I know, when I have the telly on. But, it's lonely to be here day in and day out without the kids with a content (and quiet) doggy. Even if I do keep busy cleaning and crafting between bouts of sitting. It's too quiet. I do not have a radio so I use the music station some times to hear classical music whilst I stitch.

If it's any consolation, I cannot hear the doorbell either (and this one chimes very weird . . . whatever happened to the obnoxious DING DONG!! "come answer the freakin' door woman!" sound? this one chimes like it's time for some candle lit dinner).

Reflections

We find ourselves on earth as in a tempestuous sea, a desert, and a vale of tears. But Mary is the Star of the Sea, the Solace of our desert, and the Light that guides us to heaven. - St. John Bosco.

I really wish I had read that reflection yesterday . . . but it is still timely today, for the storm soon passes and the Lord is still beside me, I've noticed. Thank God, I notice! My prayer is that I notice just a tad sooner so that I can face things with prayer from the beginning.

Do not be surprised that Mary is said to be a martyr in spirit. According to Paul, one of the greatest crimes of the Gentiles was the lack of love. This was far from the Heart of Mary. Let it be far from her servants as well. - St. Bernard.


Prayer is such a soothing balm.

Swimming In Churning Waters

This morning I took the boys to their annual check-up and cleaning at the new dentist in Kapolei. I really like the sixteen mile drive. Once you get to a certain point nearer Kapolei on H1 you can see Honolulu/Waikiki and Diamond Head in the distance. I told the boys that it is amazing to think that in about an half hour we could be over there from here. Crickles kept saying it was amazing and beautiful.

Crickles is all clear with instructions to brush better and floss regularly! Of course, he also needs to use ACT rinse nightly. He has good teeth, and good enough enamel, but not the best enamel. So, he must be diligent. We also left with a referral to an orthodontist, which I knew was coming - had he not said so I would have asked for one. He has big toofers in a small gob. Got to get it fixed.

Squirrel Boy was handed information we already knew from our prior dentist: very shoddy enamel. The temporary crown must be removed and an adult/permanent one placed. He recommends we use gold as it is pretty much indestructible whereas the porcelain one (like I have) are good, but fragile in a sense. The sense he means is: wear and tear. I still chew ice, just not on that side of my mouth - if I did, I'd likely need my crown replaced.

I need to stop chewing ice altogether, even though I chew so much less than ever.

So, he has a few cavities and a crown.

Anyway, he recommended SB get braces to sort out the mild crowding in his front teeth as it essentially makes it easier to clean and keep the teeth clean and flossed. He will always have problems with his teeth, but the more vigilant he is now, the longer he can keep them and remain pain free.

Poor SB.

Then SB had to return to school and he was so pissed. He hates school. He has no friends. He hates Hawaii. He wants to move back to MD.

It is so awful being in a place where you cannot do much to help your child. I sympathize with him. This move was not easy. I do not want to remind him how many times I heard him say he hated MD and he had no friends there and all that negative teenager angst, too. The angst came along to HI is all. But it's hard. I love this kid with every inch of my being, but he's so negative I could scream and pull my hair out! God forbid I suggest he TALK to anyone at school. God forbid I suggest he rejoin Boy Scouts! God forbid I ask him to get involved at Church - to assist at Mass. God forbid I suggest I'd rather take a pick ax to my skull a thousand times over if it would make the kid SMILE and BE HAPPY! Choose to be happy, damn it!!!!

It's taking a toll on me, that is for sure. And, it does effect his sister and brother. Those two are the happiest kids most of the time. They respond appropriately to life's stimulus or lack thereof. They get it that some days are great, others not, and many are fun and "the same". They are okay with that. SB is not okay with every day just being ordinary. He has to be willing to do for others (he is in theory and will when asked) and put himself aside. Stop thinking about what he hasn't got and focus on what he does have . . . Lately he has been the "glass half empty" guy and I don't know what to say or do any more.

Of course, I'll probably pay for it later, but when Chief gets home we are both standing together/falling together . . . the boys will return to Boy Scouting. The boys will sign up and altar serve at Mass. Teenie has found a niche with drama club at school, whereas neither boy has bothered to find an activity after school. Teenie would altar serve, but I don't believe girl's should be up there unless.there.are.no.boys.or.grown.men.to.serve. Just my opinion, and recently, I learned that it's also the teaching of the Church. Ahem.


(I can't get the italics to go away now . . . c'mon!)

Anyway, so this is what I've been doing between intensive "please, God, help my son" and "Or help me help him."

A British Kensington Palace Guard . . . or Queen's Guard. Whatever. It's a bear. Cute. (pics do enlarge if you click on them).



The Japanese Kokeshi stamps for Christmas. A few designs I've done.



Same design, just showing the other two "dolls". They are so cute I can hardly stand it! They remind me of my friend Joyce. HUGS, girl, massive HUGS!!!


I wanted to use ribbon under the stamped image, but I do not have that fancy half moon punch where I'd feed the ribbon through. *an idea from a Christmas card my friend, Erika, made one year . . . her cards are fabulously rich and delish! She may say it isn't true, but she's being humble. I think she should blog her cards*

Yesterday I made a lot of cards after not doing so in a long while, so I plan on finishing up that Guards red jacket today. Tomorrow, I'll count and recount my way up and start his fluffy black hat. If UkOk (Deb) could enlighten me, I would know what to call this "hat". I'm sure one of you know and will tell me in the com-box.

AND ANOTHER THING that is bothering me: the educational system here is having problems with money. To combat the issue, rather than give pink slips to tons of teachers, they are creating a new school year calendar that will include days called "furloughs" - 17 of them to be added. 17!! to the already "x" obscene amount of days the kids already don't go to school - plus these weird Monday's early dismissal for High Schools and early dismissals for middle and grade schools on Wednesday's . . . insane! I'm glad no teacher will go jobless, but where are they going to make up time lost instructing the kids? Crickles said PE is a thing of the past now . . . I'm not sure he's right, but his teacher was saying how PE would be canceled with the furlough days in place. Those days will be Friday's, from what I gather, and begin October 23rd.

I told my husband about this over the phone last night - he's on the West Coast of the US until this weekend - and he was like, What the wonky chicken legs is this? *we really actually used language not becoming of good parents - even though our concern comes from good parenting. We promise to do better next time.

See, SB? Some days are just like this. You live through them. Then you look back and laugh.

What I've Made

Even though Suz may see these before she gets them in hand and is able to use them, I'm revealing here as per a request from some of you. Here's the eight cards I decided to make on a whim for Suz who called me (and another friend) "you are my sunshines". Suz, they'll be popped in the mail soon with the potholder (separate mailers).



I also picked up a Japanese doll (set of three) Christmas dolls . . . when I make my cards this year, I'll be using them, too, 'cos they are just too dang cute! I did not take a pic of the very simple one I made today because I want to do a post on Christmas cards later.

So, I'm Reading This Book . . .

I really really really love Pride and Prejudice and I came across another blog that is raving about Austen - anything Austen, even if it's not from Austen herself. So, there are many authors out there today penning the continued story of Elizabeth and Darcy. But, it's just not Austen. Poor Jane would likely roll thousands upon thousands of times in her grave for the modern take with her beloved and charming characters.

I knew that once Lizzy and Fitzwilliam were married that they would "do it", you know, but I do not need a good half dozen pages of graphic "how they managed". I'm certain that Miss Austen would also disapprove. Which is why I think that rather than authors take liberty with another author's characters, they ought to be creative enough to invent their own.

Don't monkey with the things that are good and stand alone.

A large part of what I love about novels written in the Austen age is that they were rather proper and polite and things of "nature" were not mentioned at all. I'd rather we, as a society, return to not discussing sex in public. There's far too much of it. Too much of it in modern books, too.

Disgusting.

I hope this book doesn't go on and on and on with their "satisfying sex life". Great, they are married. Great, they waited for each other (both virgins), but that's no excuse to give details that drive people's minds to naught. It is just WORD PORNO at that point.

I hope this book has a real story to it. I will finish reading it so that I can give it a fair review, but so far, although her writing is excellent in style etc., I find myself thinking "OH, Blimey! It's another SMUTTY book they call "romance". Yeah, right!"

Jane Austen had written the best romance books - nothing today really can compare, if you are looking for romance.

. . . So I set the book aside to clear my mind. I need to detox you see.

I turned to making cards. Oh, boy! But, after getting pieces cut out and ready to assemble, I remembered I can't find my Tombo tape (double sided sticky tape on a roller) and I have at least twenty refills. Nowhere to be found! So, tomorrow I must run out to the craft store and pray they have at least four to buy until I hopefully unearth the "lost" ones. Of course, the hardest part is done (the cutting, stamping, etc.). Assembly is really cool, easy, and fun. I hope that the person I plan on giving a set of eight to finds them cheerful, indeed. Hint: you are my sunshine (and that's all I'm saying, except: I love you, too, friend).

In the Midst

Currently, I am working on a stitchery that I bought a few years ago, because it is British-themed. That, along with a book I just purchased (see above), will keep me quite busy for a few days. I also got my Close To My Heart order in the post today so I'll soon begin making/designing my Christmas cards for this year. My order consists of papers and a stamp set (floral type, not Christmas; I have Christmas - you'll see, 'cos I'll share later). But, I need to set aside time to do these crafty things while Chief isn't home. He is TDY (shipped out) this week . . . so it can either be a long week or a long week with things getting done. I get many things done while he's away.

In case Regan reads this, she knows I was going to begin a kit my sister sent me years ago of Mickey and Minnie dancing . . . it was to adorn the walls in my oldest son's room - when he was in his crib. Well, alas! Many years later . . . I began that stitchery to only completely bungle it. It has many many far too many quarter stitches, which was fine until I didn't count correctly. To pull the many many far too many stitches out and correct it would mean wasting the floss. So, I threw the kit away. Hence, the British one coming out and my obsessive over-counting in over drive so I don't bugger this one.

Oh, and one more thing: I did find my missing picture of Mary . . . in the last box, which was also mislabeled. Any time I worry, it's a waste of my time. I'll try to remember that next time I worry. He he he.

By Golly! I've Finished a Project, and, a Thank You

Special thanks to a friend (r) who mailed me these home made with love goodies! LOVE them!! It is a precious gift to me. Thank you.


It took me about three weeks, between all the ruckus here, but it's done. Crickles saw what I was making someone else and flipped through the set of charts and chose this one and asked me if I would make it for him. How could I refuse his total sweetness? I did not, and, he was so cute when I asked him to be patient, "because life around here interrupts." He understood and waited so patiently, especially when I could have set aside the books and just stitched instead. When I showed it to Teenie, she clasped it to herself and said, "Awww, I want it." So, guess what? Yup. I can't refuse her, either. However, she'll have to wait as I have another project already started.

Crickles said, upon receiving it, "Oh, I love it! Thank you!"

So worth the time!

I cheated the design a bit by not adding the two leaves on the bottom. I let Crickles decide how he wanted it to be and he said "no leaves". I will admit I was glad about that. That would have added another hour or two to the project.

The back of the bookmark is dull, I suppose, but at least the stitches won't snag on anything this way and maybe it will last longer. I hope! I sewed the fabric on by back stitching double strands of yellow (that you can see on the front a bit better) and then trimmed down the fabric with those drat pinking sheers. I will make those pinking sheers my friend.one.day.

A Picture of a Picture

I know I'm lame . . . but this is the best I can do . . . I think he's afraid to smile. They took about five pics and they chose the best pose . . . hmmmm. You should see his ID pics: always a scowl and never a smile. He he he. Tough Sr. Chief image thing you know.

Thank you all for your lovely comments and all that gushy stuff. I went with the majority and Chief just said, "Whatever makes you happy." I knew he'd say that.

Have a great weekend! I'm going to be cleaning this house. I've neglected it while I reread the Harry Potter books and The Hobbit.

And, by the way, is it just me or are women just awful some times? More than a few of the white chicks at the ball last night scrutinized me quite harshly. You know, the old eyes up and down with a disapproving pucker of their mouths. Ugh! Biotch. I just smiled at them and said, "hullo!" I mean, there were only a few gels that were dressed a bit off, but I'm not going to let my personal preferences rally on my face for them to see it and feel offended. You know? I just want to say, "Don't you look down your nose at me, lady." Am I just imagining how obviously awful some women are? And, then in the bathroom many of them are congregating to chit chat . . . getting in the way of the mirrors 'cos they have to coif . . . give me a bloody break. They all looked fantastic - who in the hell wants to chat up in a bathroom???? GROSS. At the Hale Koa there are many landings and nooks and lanai's to congregate on/at. I go in the bathroom to do my duty and scat. Do not get in the way of me washing my hands.

Two Dresses Courtesy of Chief . . . (Ahem)

I think this is the one I'll be wearing tonight at the Khaki Ball. Wotcher think?




Coppin' a squat. Those shoes will do me in, I think, in a couple of hours.

If I were to wear this one, I would have to trot out today and find black shoes to go with it. Of course, I have no problem going out and doing so, but I really am not in the mood to shop today. So, please don't chastise me over the white heals in this picture. I know they don't "work".
Chief seems much more relaxed with me in a new dress . . . I keep telling him he's an insecure over-40-something wanting eye-candy that simply no longer exists in me. But, he insists I'm his girl and he's happy keeping me in his arms and by his side . . . and, well, I liked him telling me I looked beautiful. Hence, the two dresses. :)

NOTE: I just got back from the NEX and got black heels, hose (in nude and black), and a white and a black scarf/wrap. I can go with either dress . . . I'll let Chief say so in the end, I think. It's his night . . . but I want to wear the white 'cos it's the first dress I saw and fell for . . . and even Teenie said it was more slimming than the black one (good girl; to say both are nice on me, but. . . ). Plus, Teenie wants those white heels when I refuse to wear them any longer. Geesh. I think by that time she'll be taller and have bigger feet than me. I'm 6.5 or 7. Thanks for all your lovely compliments. I plan on having Teenie snap some pics before we head out.

Is Anyone Else Having This Issue With Blogger?

Since last night I have been unable to upload pictures. Is there something I need to know????

One Last Box

HUR-bloody-RAH!!!
Lookee what I finally found! In a mislabeled box no less! But, thank God!! I can now say that everything we owned prior to our move has made it here unbroken and in tact. I'm so glad! God is so good!
Here's the precious pictures you know we all want to take with us . . . (click on images to enlarge if you want a closer snoop - hey, I don't mind) . . . I was worried about the Divine Mercy picture 'cos I feel funny with it not hanging above my front door.




In this picture, you can see in the back and old old picture of Madonna and Child that was given to Chief by his late paternal grandmother. I really was worried about it, too. Oh, those kids of ours are cute, too. That was so long ago . . . and in the white frame is Chief's parents (just about a month before Rick passed away) . . . and in the center is Pat's wedding (Chief's younger brother).


I can admit I was sweating this recent family picture we had done. I even paid for the frame thinking it would be a nice addition to our blue walls (I am almost ready to buy paint and get on that project) in the living room. I see the wrought iron Longaberger pillar candle holder needs a good dusting off and now I need to go buy some pillar candles. Ahem.
Anyway, it's a material and sentimental happiness I share with you here. Now we just need to locate the hammer and nails (naw, we already have that bit sorted).

LATER: Teenie asked me where my picture of Mary is . . . the one called L' innocence. Crap. I haven't a clue. Well, if it turns up, great, if not, I'll buy it again. It's one of my favourites. I wouldn't mind having more of his work in my house anyway.

More Drivel for Your Merry Thursday

I haven't participated in Small Successes (because . . . I don't know, but I tend to forget I'm doing this group thing and then the linky stuff . . . you know.).

But, I'd like to share this one:

I drove to Kapolei, got lost (went the wrong direction as I read the given directions incorrectly), righted ourselves after a chat with a petrol clerk (thank you, you kind gentleman), got to the appointment a bit late (thanks for still seeing her), and successfully got back to Pearl Harbor w/out much ado. Hurrah!

Teenie just needs to brush and floss better . . . she only had mild inflammation of the gum back there in her gob. So, all is well.

Now, to cut checks for school pictures (Teenie) and bus passes (Teenie, Crickles). Next week the boys will have their dental cleanings/screening (first visit) and then the following week, Teenie will return and have her initial cleaning/screening.

I was just telling Dawn on the phone that you know you're really settling into a place when you finally find a dentist.

Now, if I can get my husband to stop sabotaging my efforts to avoid unnecessary shopping . . . he keeps telling me I can get a nice outfit for the Khaki Ball (tomorrow night) if I want to and to justify it, I can still use the outfit for Mass . . . . Um'kay. I'm feeling really tubby-freakin'-chubby at the mo' and when I tried on about ten dresses the other day (in this search for a new outfit) I found nothing. Everything I put on had something wrong with it . . . until I deduced, correctly, that it is I that have something wrong with it: I'm chunky. And, I patently refuse to wear (or buy at this point as well) Spanx or any other "forming" (fat tucking) garments to make anything lie smoothly across my rolley pollies. Okay? I know I would find something flattering and nice (maybe in a good price, maybe not) at Nordstrom. No question, I probably would - the store is that good and I can spot/find/buy expensive clothing a mile away. It is a hazard to let me loose in Nordstrom.

Okay, I have more self control than I let on, but you know I'm weak for labels. It's the truth. I looked at Target and the NeX so far . . . trying to find the middle ground. I'm not a label snot, I swear it.

So, I'm having the inner dialogue with myself: do I try again or not? Do I just drive to Nordstrom at the mall downtown or not? If I came back with nothing I'd feel so defeated. I almost said "deflated" but if I could deflate I wouldn't have this outfit trouble to begin with.

Specs

Well, it's finally come round after months of putting it off: buying specs for my younger two. My oldest already wears his round the bleedin' clock . . . did all three of my kids have to be blind? Chief and I have no eye issues whatsoever, but parents that do. Both sides riddled with blindness of one variation or another.

If I am blessed to live long enough, I reckon I will have to hand over the dosh to buy myself some reading lenses - not only so I can continue to read, but sew as well.

A few years ago I did have a brush with lenses. I got better. The eye specialist said that might happen being as I'm still relatively young. However, he also said I would likely have them in my wiser years.

It's cheeky of me, really, to say I think I've wizened enough to wear them. Ahem.


After SB gets home, we'll shuttle off to the lens shop and order their glasses. I told them both to not consider anything other than comfort. I don't want them to buy designer frames, either, but let me just say here that if I had to wear my cheap sunglasses all day, I would not due to how uncomfortable they really are with prolonged wearing.

I've had them waiting long enough. It's not really my fault, because all I could see was the money. I really should not have been blinded by money. But anyone who has done a move knows that it takes a couple of months for the finances to settle and dust off. We are at that lovely juncture now, praise God!

Looking back, I could afford them all along, but I wasn't sure and I have totally sworn off using my credit card (which, is, by the way, long gone . . . the debt from it going down every month).

Now that Crickles has taken up a fancy for reading (again), it's doubly important that he see well.

I just hope I remember to buy some ruddy stamps! I forgot last night when I was getting my hacking medicine. Teenie has noted this hopeful purchase in ink on her hand.

*later: glasses purchased; stamps bought; read a post on Les Femmes about how actor/comedian/songster Jack Black prayed a prayer to Satan on MTV awards show recently (where the audience held hands and repeated it) . . . NEVER AGAIN will I watch anything with him in it - I've had enough of these dumdums. I will NEVER AGAIN watch anything MTV produces or is a part of (if at all possible). Eventually, I'm sure I'll throw my telly out.

A Picture

I'm trying to make this stuff my friend (as of tonight). The lung oysters really need to take a hike.



And, I'm feeling better (except the coughing and the bleedin' head rush from it; my ears getting bunged, too) . . . so I decided to take a (really awful, sorry about that) pic of my bling:



See my tan line from my watch? Here's the lovely plumeria bracelet my husband got me. Yes, I'm wearing a ring we got at a jewelry shop when we first got here . . . and the middle ring is, yes, a Lord of the Rings ring. I love silver, but I really love Lord of the Rings!

Sorry the picture isn't that great. Can you see the lovely brown carpet that's covering the floors upstairs? This carpet is a bit thick so I have to push and pull my Oreck a bit more than if the carpet were berber (burber? burbur?). Flat carpet is best.

Tuesday Tea

Don't mind the title, I'm just rambling on here.

My husband took me out to steak dinner for our anniversary and gave me a sterling silver traditional Hawaiian bracelet. I'm too lazy to take a picture and upload it right now. It looks great on my tanned arms. Trust me, I'm tan only from about a regular tee-shirt sleeve to my fingertips. Anyway, I can't believe it's been seventeen years. Life does have its way of moving us along whether we want to or not, yeah?

So, I still have this wretched cold. It's in my lungs now and with all the coughing up lung slop it's heading into my ears. I've plenty of decongestants on hand, though, and if it sets in my ears I'll only be "deaf" for a week or so. I feel deaf anyway around here with the kids in school and the quiet of this house.

Nope. I'm not lonely, though. Hols keeps me busy, but so does keeping house and all the lovely quiet trimmings (crafting and reading, mostly reading).

I really need to get to the post office, but I haven't been going out much (to keep from passing this crud on, actually). I have a key fob to mail to the person who bought our car. It got packed into our things . . . and I have a bubble pack for Therese and that crazy pot holder to mail to Suzanne. I want to mail this stuff out (I have to walk past it constantly and am constantly reminded to do so, but my chest hurts and I think many would evil-eye me if I packed in the post with them coughing like they think I'm on my deathbed, which I'm not), but I won't get to it now until at least Thursday.

Teenie pulled out a loose molar last night. Yuck. But, the new one is right behind it. Her dental appointment is Thursday morning. The office is in Kapolei (maybe 15 miles away) and I have to laugh 'cos many tell me I could get an office closer to Pearl Harbor. That's the truth, yes, but this office comes highly recommended by old friends of ours who moved from here when we got here (we just missed each other by weeks) who we knew in MD. I laugh at people's idea of driving here 'cos, honestly, O'ahu is not big by any stretch of the imagination. People do not want to drive "all the way" over here or there. I'm used to road trips across the mainland, so driving an hour or two around the island is fun, and, easy. Driving into Honolulu and Waikiki you're going to encounter traffic, heavier at certain times of the day. That's what people mean when they say they don't want to drive over here or there - having to keep in mind heavy flows of traffic. We live very near the stadium and when there's a game? Oy vey, the traffic! But, still, it isn't that bad. The funniest thing about driving around here is that just because there is an off ramp does not guarantee there's an on ramp close by. Be prepared to drive through neighbourhoods to link back to a main street that may or may not shoot you back onto the highway sooner than later.

This post isn't that interesting, and, I apologize for that. But, if you want to read something interesting, you should click on my sidebar "Dispatches From the Island", actor Jorge Garcia's blog. He put up something interesting about the gecko's here (in his house, not mine; I do not know him personally).

Or, if you want to see the newest blog baby (I know about) go see Therese at The Musings of a Mom.

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, look kindly upon your sons and daughters through Christ Our Lord.

Monday Reflection and Prayer

God forbid that I should boast save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. - Gal. 6:14

The Cross is the School of Love. Let us remember that love lives on and is nourished by sacrifices.
Let us always have recourse to the Immaculate Mother to preserve our peace of mind. - St. Maximilian Kolbe.

O Mary, you followed Jesus by carrying your cross. Help me to bear the crosses and trials that come my way each day. Let them never separate me from you or your Divine Son.

Amen.

(taken from 14 September; Mary Day by Day; Catholic Book Publishing Corp. New York)

Wotcher Doin', Sarah?

Bloody laundry!!

Happy 17th Anniversary, Chief

I don't even have to ask if you'd ask me that fateful question again now knowing what you know. I know you would say something along the lines of, "If I did go back with what I know now, I would not change a thing. Everything - the good and the very few bad things - brought us to now; and I love you now more than I did then - and I loved you a lot then." I know you would say this, because when I questioned you early on in our marriage, you said to me, "Sarah, everything in your past has made you the person you are today and I love you, as you are, today."

Every time you look at me (especially when I look up when you least expect it and I "catch you" looking at me) I see those words in your smile, the smile that warms your inner eye.

This is the man I do not want to disappoint.

I know I disappoint you some of the time. It's inevitable since I'm human. But, I want to thank you for loving me anyhow.

Seventeen years strong. You hardly knew me when we married four months after meeting. I didn't know it would last so long. I hoped! I cannot fathom how you "just knew" I was the one for you. I felt like I was just going through the motions to be forever with the one I thought I loved. The only thing I was certain of at the time was that I loved you and wanted to be married for life. I hoped that my love for you would be enough.

Love isn't enough unless you sacrifice. And, forgive. We both have given and forgiven. Neither were big things . . . because we do things for each other out of love.

A few years ago, when I finally started living like a Catholic and allowed you to be the man of the house . . . well, didn't our lives start to become more blessed! When we invited Christ in the lead, wow! did our lives change for the better.

You are a terrific father to our three children. You are a good dad. I want you to know that. They love you so much. More importantly, they respect you and all the hard work you do even when it cuts into time we could all be spending together.

I cannot thank you enough, Chief, for rescuing me from myself time and time again. Thank you for reminding me that I am worth the love you have for me, and, always showing me Christ every step and stop along the way.

I love you, Chief.

P.S. thanks for getting up at 1:30am Friday morning to smash and flush that hideous cockroach in the bathroom. I did well squelching my screams when I spied it whilst sitting on the throne. UGH!

Mahalo, Adrienne (as well as some other pics)

Here's the innards of a parcel we got today:



Adrienne, thank you so much (mahalo a nui loa) from our family to yours! Words cannot properly express how chuffed (pleased/blessed, in this case) we feel by your precious gifts to us.




This picture garnered a compliment from our resident photographer talent, Teenie, when she was looking through pictures on the kid's camera today. I caught this bugger sliming his/her way across our front porch yesterday. Blech! But, so cool, 'cos that is the first time I've seen one out of his/her shell trudging along it's merry way. This bugger is big enough to go out against the birds (I think it's the common myna eating the tinier ones).


I got this handmade fabric pineapple ornament at Dole when we went last Monday. Isn't she pretty? She hangs from my banana hook until Christmas . . . when I'll pack her away in January with the other ornaments. For now, I'm enjoying her out in my kitchen. She's so jolly!

Out on our porch (ahem, lanai, I mean) my husband spotted this (not many feet from behind me) and said, "Whoa! look at that giant moth!" I turned, already freaked out by the look on his face (his face was calm, he wasn't visibly shaken at all, but his eyes were mildly bulging), and upon seeing it, stood and started to back away.



Put into proper perspective, it wasn't that scary. Is it? It was actually kinda neat. It flew away by nightfall. I reckon it was just staying cool until it could fly without getting scorched.
Have a bloomin' weekend. I'm preparing a post for tomorrow (so I'm sticking to my no blogging on the weekends). God bless!

Remember When . . .

It hardly seems it's been eight years when this great loss of lives occurred. When I say that, I include those who hi-jacked the planes and the many, many deaths since . . . .

Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord.

My husband was serving a year overseas and I had just put my oldest on the bus for school when I saw the video of the first tower falling and the live feed of the second plane crashing into the second building.

I really regretted putting my boy on that bus, but I didn't know, and we were told to wait it out. Our children would be safe at school and experience a normal day, but it may take longer to get them home as the base would be on high alert (no badge, no enter). So, I took my youngest to the dentist appointment I had made the night before (he had an accident, but miraculously, I had saved the tooth by shoving it back in place - who knew?) and lived the day in prayer and phone calls to family to assure them we were okay.

I don't think I started to breathe again until my oldest boy came through the door after five that evening (he was normally home by two something, so you know my heart was in my throat). My husband had called and we said what needed to be said. I think we were equally scared for each other, but I thank God he was able to reach me.

So many did not get that chance.

What you do to honor those who died could be as simple as saying, "Everything else I ever say or do pales in comparison to the love I have for you."

Live your life in and with love.

*We lived at Fort Gordon, GA, at the time of the attacks*

For Alexa

I read in your comments, Alexa, that you love cardinals. We have the usual cardinals on O'ahu as well as these lovelies (called Red Crested Cardinals). Pretty, huh?

On another subject: I am feeling better as the day progresses. The sniffles are no fun, but at least I'm not mildly feverish any longer.

Resting

My nose hurts now, too.

I had to cancel/reschedule my girl's dental appointment. She is not in any pain so she thinks she can hang in there (so do I). I cannot drag my sorry backside into public with my nose running, my throat scratchy and feeling like I'm going to hurl from swallowing a ton of snot. Yeah, I know: too much information. My head is swimming and my stomach is churning. I am hungry and nothing tastes good. Nothing. Not even chicken soup.

But, I'll be okay. I have to be. I need to get well enough so I can celebrate our 17 years of marriage this Saturday. I want to go out and eat something someone else had to slave over, yeah? And, next week is that darn Khaki Ball. No time to shop for a new outfit. That's okay as I have enough nice stuff hanging in the closet.

Thank you for the well wishes and prayers. While you're praying, let's pray for a safe and happy delivery of Therese's baby girl today. Amen!

The Scratching Is Getting On My Very Last Nerve

I am sick.
Rather ill.
Not dying.

I caught whatever virus my youngest son has had. He's recovering after a week of scratchy throat and nasal drainage. Yuck-o! The scratchy throat started yesterday afternoon. The nasal stuff kicked into high gear about 8pm, when I curled up into bed with a book, whilst sucking on a throat soothing candy.

I woke several times in the night and tried to "mind control" my frequent nervous swallowing. Ever try to do that? Once I fixate on not swallowing it's all I bloody do!

Tomorrow I will take my girl to a dentist to see about a molar that is giving her pain or there's a molar coming in? I don't know which (or something other) is going on, but we'll hopefully find out the cause of her discomfort then. She seems better than she was a few days ago, but I want to get her seen as soon as I can get her seen. Of course, if my virus doesn't slow up a bit, I may have to reschedule.

I'll know by this afternoon whether I can take her to her appointment tomorrow. You know how you know these things about your body, right?

The swallowing is nauseating me.

I'll be spending my day reading and resting and drinking loads of ice water.

Happy Birthday Mother Mary

A shoot shall spring up from the stump of Jesse, and out of his roots a flower shall blossom. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. - Isa 11:1-2

The birth of the Mother of God is the prelude to the union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed, and prepared for her role as Mother of God, Who is the Universal King of the ages. - St. Andrew of Crete

O Mary, the birth of Jesus from you was the dawn of our salvation. May the celebration of your birthday bring the world closer to lasting peace and redound to my salvation. Amen.

(taken from Mary Day by Day - Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)

The Thing Is . . .

. . . I have to stand before God one day . . .

. . . and I do not want to have to be denied Heaven because I couldn't control my temper on my blog over the President's talking to our kids about how they'll be labeled unproductive and unpatriotic if they don't graduate high school or go on to college.

Maybe some people's talents aren't about higher education.

In my humble opinion, God put us all here for a reason - His reason. All the better if we know what that is, as in what kind of job we'll have; all the greater if we follow His will for us in His planned vocation for us.

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Dole Plantation Tour

For more, CLICK HERE. Comment there . . . or here, but comment. I feed off that as much as the Dole Whip, folks.
PS. I'm a diff-brain; had no pineapple juice - deer in the headlights over the whip, see. When I got back, I'll have the juice, but only one glass, thank you very much.

Fruity Monday

Happy Labour Day, Y'all!

We're labouring eating all the de-lish pineapple we can handle at Dole today. Yeah, Dole Whip, baby!!

Bored

It drizzled (rained) on and off yesterday. I pray it doesn't today. We are going to do something later . . . outside. Some pineapple place. Shhh. It's a secret.

Let's face it, though. When it does that here, you just can't complain. It's not like the rain we got in the sudden ten minute downpours in Augusta, Ga., when we lived there nor the hours long rains in Maryland. You usually won't get drenched here. If you do, it's warm and there's not much of a chill to be had.

Still.

I don't want my mascara to run.

In this "warmth" I can't wear any other make-up. It melts off or gets wiped off rapidly, so I don't bother with it. Mascara is my friend.

More later!

Labour Day Weekend

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

"knicked" from the United States Department of Labor (the only time you'll see me spell labour without the "u") web page.

Whatever!

I'm kickin' back this weekend. Two kids had school today. One did not. Crickles is home with me. He's not feeling well, so it's just as well he hasn't any school today. He has a cold or allergies. I think allergies. He had this a few days ago, it cleared up, and everyone else got sniffles, we're clearing up and now he's sniffling again.

I have plenty of Kleenex.

I am cleaning our bed linens today. I think the mattress suffered something awful on the move over the oceans. It has a funky smell. Okay, it really smells more like something huge and hairy not only slept on it for months, but also engulfed it in farts. I can only smell this obnoxiously faint smell when I lay my head down on my pillow at night and I am adjusting the top blankets. At first I thought it was the blankets - even though everything is clean. After stripping the bed, I now know. I fear it may be must/mold developing. We cannot buy a new mattress at this time, so I am going to buy one of those zip up gizmo's while we save up the dosh to buy a new mattress.

Tomorrow I'll be attending a Pampered Chef party. I cannot not go as it's a lovely person hosting, but I don't need anything either. The only thing I see that I want and could use is that $35 colander set. But, I know I can get something like that any old time - and cheaper - at Target. Okay, or WalMart. Chief is going to drop me off and take the kids to the cinema, if there's a good film to go see. If not, I reckon he could take them to the Dole tour. The thing is, I want to go on that tour, too. I'd rather be with my family. I think the gal hosting the party would completely understand if we went off and did something as a family.

Hope y'all have a blessed weekend!

U.S.S. Oklahoma Memorial

Originally, Hols had two of those pompoms in her hair, but it didn't take long for them both to come out . . . Teenie put one back in. So cute! She smells so much better and looks fantastic after a good grooming.



Teenie and I took a walk last night and decided to share this memorial with y'all.
If you haven't seen the pictures/commentary on my other blog (Aloha Spirit) for the memorial of the U.S.S. Utah, you can pop over there later.
And, yes, that is old iron side . . . U.S.S. Missouri . . . behind all this.

We'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Click to enlarge if you want to read anything.




















Ooops. I deleted a slab picture, but I'm not returning it. Too lazy! It was a full view of this one, but I focused on this one because of the verse. We sing this after Mass at the Navy Chapel. When I read this last night I could NOT get the song out of my head!









Facts about the ship.


Thank you for giving your lives for our freedoms! May we all honour your lives by living ours FREE!