All Clear

Unofficially, of course, until about 2pm.  But, folks are back out on the beaches on O'ahu (reported). 

Thanks for your prayers. 

Now, I'm going to clean house. 

Don't Worry

There's not evacuation for Ford Island, Honolulu, HI, yet.  I doubt there will be at this time.  The bridge will close from about 11am to near 4pm today.  So, we'll be stuck like Chuck on Ford Island unless otherwise told to leave.  Several folks have left for "higher" ground, but since we are so far inland, we may expect waves more than normal, but . . . many of us aren't too worried.

I have filled the fridge with as much water as I can.  I have a tub full of water for the terlits.  I have Holly moved up here with her food.  Medicines and First Aid is up here along with candles and matches. 

Honestly, I am not that worried.  We have taken all precautions we can with the time given us . . . which is a lot more than most folks get when natural disasters strike. 

Don't worry, be happy.  And, pray. 

Love to you all, my friends.

All Is Well

I'm recovering from a little naughty intestinal virus, and, when you mix that in with my body trying to adjust to the iron and vitamins . . . I got a mess (you didn't)!

I got a phone call from urology early this morning.  Could I bring Christian in at 3pm rather than on the 4th of March?  Yes!  Why, yes I could! 

I got a phone call shortly after that from the high school nurse.  Could I come get Connor?  He's got this bug.  Sure, why not.  Can't let him writhe all over the nurses couch . . . come home and let mama love ya!

All went well at the urology appointment.  His results point to one of two things, so we are going to do some "diary" or "data entry logging" for a week of his "particulars" in elimination and follow up back at the clinic on the 10th of March.  If it's what they think it is, he'll have some exercises to control flow.  Any more information on that and I think he'll slaughter me.  He's twelve after all.  If it's not that, then there is a whole new ball game of monitoring etc..

Answers are coming.  That's what is important.  More important than that:  none of this is life threatening!  THANKS BE TO GOD!


P.S.  do not, I repeat, do not think you are well enough to ingest burger king the first day you think you are better.  i'm just sayin'!

For My Sweet Friend Bev

I thought I had posted pictures of these on my Aloha Spirit blog, but I had not (as far as I could see when I quickly scrolled through it).  This blog is far too vast for me to look (I may have posted some here, but I've no time to bother).  So, Bev mentioned she was looking through pictures for a break and I mentioned that our plans are to walk the Makapu'u lighthouse trail this coming Saturday . . . I told her their were pics of it on my blog (albeit, very small ones as we did not venture close enough, nor did we realize we could) .  Alas, here are the ones we took (with the close up pic swiped from my friend Pam's FB page - she did get some great pictures!).  We hope to capture our own pics of the humpback whales when we go.  I did not take any of Pam's pics she got of that - so pray I don't have to!  *wink*

  

(Pam's lovely picture)

  

Turtle and Rabbit islands.

  

I wouldn't want to tumble down this - there's good railing, but I still freak out.

  

Can you belive I worried my boys would tumble over those? 

  

Rachel wondering about looking for little yellow flowers.

I hope that this weekend we are able to go and take some great pictures to share here.  I also hope we see some whales.  I've only ever seen a Killer Whale on my way to Victoria B.C. Canada when I was a kid - humbacks would be grand to see!

Tidbits

Connor got a trade-in at Game Stop and is happily playing games on his PS3.  Amen.

Christian is okay after a rather nasty fall off his bike.  He wasted the knee out of his new jeans and ripped his shirt in several places . . . his knee is terribly "road rashed" as are the palms of his hands and an elbow.  We are grateful nothing worse . . . He's okay, but it was pitiful to hear him cry-screaming when Chief was cleaning out the wounds. 

We went to see Percy Jackson and the Olympians "Lightning Thief" today.   I love going out as a family to the cinema.  We went to the Dole Cannery one.  What a weirdly, creepy place to go.  It was like being in a ghost town.  Seriously.

I'm going to go back to some reading.  Enjoy your night!

Disappointed!

SB is disappointed.  Can I just say SB is actually Connor (in real life)?  It's so much easier to call them (my kids) by their names.  I'm too old to remember all this stuff - "just the facts, ma'am!"  (smile).  Besides, many of you who know me in real life, via emails, snail mail, from the blog I had before this one, on Facebook . . . know my kids anyway.  There. Done.  Just for the record, though, Connor/SB is the oldest, Teenie is Rachel, Crickles is Christian.

Okay, why is Connor disappointed?  He spent money on a dud refurbished PS3.  It came with all the warranty and he bought the year extension warranty . . . he's covered.  He knows it will be alright and get fixed.

He's like me:  disappointed in a product that has now been TWICE guaranteed to work.  It's a bit of a let down.  It is more of  a let down when you've waited as long as he has waited to get this system.  And, trust me, we had to hear about it a long dern bloody time!  He was like that about everything he wanted from birth.  He took "no" just fine, but he would plug-in the product he wanted about a zillion times a day.  I would strangle him if I thought he was manipulative this way.  It's not manipulation on his part, but his personality.  He's terribly focused on certain things.  

He lived without Pokemon cards a very.long.time.  He did that phase and burned out . . . but it was a long phase.  He loved Legos a very long time as well.  He has only just recently let go of those (no longer buying them or playing with them - but they ain't going anywhere).  This is Connor's pattern.  He really is fine with us telling him "no".  We can easily reason with him.  However, in this case we never said "no".  We said "yes", but "wait".

He had to pick up his grades.  Check.  He has to maintain them.  That is not a box that can be checked, but only constantly maintained.  He wrote up rules for usage.  Check.  We want him to be mature about this.  It is his money being spent, but because other things come before gaming, he has to be mature about that.  As parents, we reserve the right to not allow him to play if his grades dip, he is irresponsible, and/or whatever.

Anyway, the fact that this machine isn't working is really a good thing.  I know as parents and/or adults we can enjoy the lesson he's learning in this first big purchase he has made for himself.

Sometimes things don't work when we buy them.  Don't lose your temper.  Don't be discouraged.

Aside from his complaint on FB (which was really rather mild), he's done very well with our telling him,"Son, we'll fix this tomorrow."  

And, we shall.

Pondering Lent

It has taken me some time to write this post, because I try and be particularly careful to not come across as judgemental.  I want to be helpful.  The toughest thing about Christianity is "walking the talk" authentically and honestly.  It's why I believe the 1st Corinthians reading about LOVE is so important just before we stepped into Lent this year.

If I cannot do these things (living, talking, walking, preaching, teaching, feeding, eating etc. - every day life things) with love, what I do amounts to zilch.

I used to share my Lenten plans openly with people.  Not to boast, but to share.  Some people can take sharing the wrong way.  I can't help that any more than the next guy.  Still, I decided last year that I would not tell anyone what I'm doing or not doing, giving up or not giving up, for Lent.  Why?  Because I have failed miserably (in my own reckoning - and therein lies the largest problem:  pride) when I have done so.  

So, now I see that maybe sharing isn't such a bad thing.  I'm about as pious as a loaf of bread.  Pumpernickle, if you wish.

The thing is:  I do not want to walk this Lenten journey alone.  I think Jesus wants us to share the journey - to encourage one another, for certain, but to help us in our resolve to live our lives as Christ would have us live them.

The first thing I must acknowledge is my own estimation of my own pride.  Then, my limitations.  My abilities.  What can I do?  What can I give up?  to be closer to Christ?  If my Lent is not Christ-centered, I'm not participating in Lent, but in something I've decided is better than what God planned.  Pride, again.  I may not do the same Lenten sacrifices as everyone else (there are plenty of good ideas out there as there are, in my humble opinion, bloody daft ones), but there's no rule out there that says I must.  Sometimes it is hard to admit that I'm not all that clever or that I'm not that good at committing to every minute to this Lenten journey.  I do not have a craft for my kids - not a single one!  I haven't ever done anything but take them to Mass and Stations of the Cross.  Is that enough?  Maybe.  But, at least it is authentic to our life.  You must do what is authentic to yours.  Together, we must pray for and encourage each other.  Lent is not a time to criticize.  It's a time to pray more than ever for the redemption of ourselves, others, and the world.


The second thing I must realize is that based on my abilities, how can I serve Christ?  Why not just trust Him to provide me with the grace to do for Him whatever it is that He sees fit?  Okay, I can do that.  I can live out my vocation better than I ever have if I quit complaining about everything that does or does not happen under the roof.  Y'all know I hate finding everybody's socks all over the house rather than their hampers.  That's just one thing I could stop loudly complaining about.  But, there are many many others.   I need to acknowledge His grace and my absolute need and dependence upon Him.

Therefore I am committed to try and not complain . . . and I strive to walk closer with Christ this Lent by a daily Stations of the Cross.  My legs will ache as a reminder  . . .  a sharp, constant reminder of what Jesus did for me.  For you.  For all who are called to love and serve Him in this life and in the next.

So, do what God calls you to do.  And, pray your way through it.  I've got your back, but God really HAS your back.  

Have a blessed Lent.

I Should Call SB "GameBoy"

He finally got to buy his PS3 system today and he's thrilled.  SB,that is.  After drafting rules himself about the proper usage of this game system, we agreed that as long as he keeps his grades up (and that means studying for and passing tests with a B or higher) he can play unhindered.  There are rules in place that says he is to go forth . . . outside and play with real people more than he can sit on his tush inside with cyberbots.  Period.

We got home and some of his friends came around . . . he went straight out to meet them, leaving the system in the bag.

I am truly pleased he chose living breathing people over the newness of the games he just bought.

Lent Is Begun. Let Us Pray.

 

 

Crickles Is Over the Moon

There's a store/catalog:  www.CCS.com  where you can order skate stuff, including the skate gear.   Crickles has been pondering which board, struts, etc. to get since Christmas.  The person who lived here before us apparently had an older child (or her husband was into skating or such things; p'raps even herself!) and we started to thumb through the catalogs . . . eventually ordering helmets and tee-shirts ourselves.  We are satisfied customers (their shipping is quite reasonable, considering everyone likes to tack on extra dollars when shipping here or AK).  Location, location, location.

Anyhoo, the board is on its way in 8-10 days, but his grin will last a long time after it arrives!

Teenie is now asking for a helmet.  There are worse things, I suppose.

On another topic, my husband is working weird hours this week so I'll be dragging butt right along with him.  He goes in at 2am . . . and I have to get up and reset the alarm . . . and get up myself by 5:30am . . . I'm an exhausted heap of bones and fat today, folks.  Long week.

Oh, good.  Suffering is good.  It's going to be Lent in a few short hours.  The pancakes and syrup should sustain me!

And, who can sleep when someone's just had their baby girl and promises to post soon (w/ pictures).  Congratulations!!!  We think the new addition is grand!!

More Good Sports Stories

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/speed_skating/news?slug=ro-holum021310&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

If a link doesn't appear, copy and paste into your browswer for a great read.  Another athlete gave up a promising sports career to become a Franciscan sister.  It was a few years ago, but c'mon, it's a great story!

Please look at the previous post as well.  Thanks!

CONTEST ALERT!!!

Julia is having a book give-away and you do not want to miss the opportunity to ONE - meet a fellow Christian on the path to the Catholic Church, and , TWO - possibly win some good books (even I haven't read these yet and I'm interested).  So, BEAT ME, by joining up and encouraging Julia!

Meet My New Bestest Friend . . .

Energy, Energy . . . At Last I Found Thee!

My God, I love iron tablets and pre-natal vitamins*!!!!  I feel bloody fantastic!  Yes, I have a cold that has jadded my voice (so bad I can't even sing at Mass), but my energy level is back! 

The wonderful truth about iron deficiency is that the effects of taking in iron generally happen quickly.  For me, it took three days, but wow!

I love coffee.  I mean I love coffee.  But, I no longer rely on it (falsely, I might add) for keeping my head from hanging as if a noose has done its job. 

Thank you for your prayers, friends. 

*i am not pregnant - the military dispensory only has pre-natals for a woman's mulit-vitamin.  i would love to have a baby again, but . . . that's not in my deck of cards nowadays.*

Iron

I do not know what my numbers are for my iron count yet, but I did give the necessary blood to find out this morning.  The doc sent me home with prenatal vitamins (huh? I guess 'cos it's the only multi-vitamin the military dispensory has???) and iron tablets.  Great!  I'll have energy and not be able to poop. 

But, I WILL HAVE ENERGY!

I think it will be key in my losing weight.  You do not move when you don't have energy.  I mean, I get things done, I go shopping, etc., but I do not have it in me to daily bring my heart rate up (and I can't count scaring the piss out of myself when I nearly crash down the stairs and my heart comes up my throat . . . which, this happens almost on a daily basis).

I will also, unfortunately, have to cut way back on my coffee consumption since it hinders iron absorption.

But, I'm psyched to get healthy again!

Laugh Today (Don't Wait!)

 

 

Reading More Lately . . . . Here's a Fun Series

I read the first two books in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins this week.  The third, and final (assumption), book will be published later (not sure when).  I can wait, because what am I going to do, force the author to get her pencil in gear?!?

The only precaution I would throw out there for parents, since these books are labeled Children's Literature, is this:  there are themeatic problems (for parents with children who may read these books) of violence, war, oppression, and yes, even hints at human sexuality.  The author doesn't write about sex, but it is there in nature:  scenes where the main character is stripped down naked by her team of handlers for the games . . . scenes where she is sleeping with, but not having sex or even entertaining the idea thereof, her teammate (for warmth in a cave; for comfort later).   Unless your child is mature . . . they should wait on reading these for a few years.  There's no cussing I can remember, so . . . if there is, it's used "appropriately". 

I would say these books were written for high school readers (at least that would have been my take during the years I was growing up).  They are Orwellian, but with more hope.

I do not want to say much more about the books than what the books are described as on their jackets.  "Winning means fame and fortune.  Losing means certain death.  The Hunger Games have begun . . . "  It is a thrilling ride!

For God Alone

"If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart it still would not equal the love of the Heart of Mary for her children."  - St. Louis deMontfort.

Let Me Get My Coffee

Bunko was super duper fun!  I can see why so many women enjoy this parlor game!  Twelve women playing an easy to follow dice game . . . snacking, drinking (it can be whatever; in our case:  wine), and chatting.  There was plenty of laughter, too, which I thrive on.

I had no idea that Bunko has been around over 50 years.  No wonder!  It is a great excuse to get together!  Not to mention, the $5 player fee got divvyed up between who won this or that.  Mind, I won nothing, but I had a good time and could care less.

I will host my evening the first Friday of December.  Unfortunately, about a quarter of the women there tonight will have moved away from Honolulu by then . . . but fortunately, there will likely be women to replace them that we can love just as much as those who have to leave us.  This is one thing that I dislike about the military.  I long for the day that I have neighbour friends that I can grow old with . . . you know?  It is just not possible with military friends.  Yes, some may stay in touch over the years (in my case, only a few, which I think is a blessing), but you lose many of them.

Okay, I'm going to go have my coffee now and ease into my day.  I'll be reheating the chicken tetrazenni (help me here, Therese - Musings of a Mom; I'm butchering your heritage dish in verbiage!) I made the night before last for lunch today.  I got the recipe from Giada's cookbook a friend lent me.  It was labour intensive to make (only 'cos it was new to me), but oh, so dern delicious!

P.S. Kissteen:  I loathe card playing games.  Loathe.  No one understands this about me at all, but everyone else loves card games.  My eyes almost fall outta my head when Chief watches poker on telly.  Why?  It's just beyond my comprehension!

What Am I Getting Myself Into?

In about an hour or so, I'll be playing Bunko for the very first time.  I've avoided it (not necessarily intentionally) since it started making the rounds of my friends . . . and oddly enough, those who knew OF me and would grab my arm enthusiastically with an invite to join their Bunko group.  "No, thanks," I always responded. 

I've thought about my response very little.  I love to socialize, but why does it always seem to be that when "friends" get together we invent some damn excuse to do so?  "Hey, I'm hosting a _______ party!" or you can imagine all the clever ways we sneak our friends into our homes . . . yeah?  I am told that Bunko is very different . . . I'm so looking forward to it!  I like to just be stupid silly with my girlfriends . . . playing a game at the same time, why not? 

I do not despise the tactics . . . but they are really weird. 

I do not need a Superbowl party, Tupperware etc. party, to be lured into your home, friends.  I'll come just 'cos I like ya.  If you want me to buy some stuff, I may do that as well (but really, I'd rather be real about these parties:  we may like each other, but the only reason you are hosting is you want free stuff or you got suckered into hosting the party). 

I am not certain what I'll think of this before the night is through.  I know I'll enjoy the company! 
I am not certain I like the catch that eventually 11 other women will be in my home to play some night.  I'm not a large group entertainer, and, there are prizes to be bought etc. (again, this is something I may have misheard - for my being hard of hearing, not a far-fetched truth) . . .

As with anything in life, I will cross that bridge when I come to it. 

I just hope it lives up to all the hype!

Tomorrow I Start With A Clean Blanket - Linus (Peanuts)

I have joined up on Facebook . . . mostly because it allows me to chat with family (and that aspect alone has made it addicting!) and catch up with old and new friends.  The upside to it lately has been this game I've been playing on it.  Yes, Cafe Ville.  It's mindless in so many ways and often times aggrevating because the system slows down or swallows up my stuff to never be seen again.  Anyway, being ill (as I have been and no longer am, thank God - and thank you for all your well-wishes!) provided the wasted time I needed to goof off on-line in a different area than blogging. 

The game, after a few days, has really started to disinterest me . . . as I feel better I am wanting to engage in real life more. 

Perhaps I do not have an addiction . . . and that is a good thing! 

Because, I now realize, too, that blogging has taken way too much of my time . . . before Facebook.  And, being on FB as made me waste so much time that I'd have spent writing here and reading other blogs.  I do not want to not do either so I'll have to limit my time altogether. 

I've realized I have a lot of time to waste and I'd rather use it up doing more productive things in real life.  In order to do that, I have to manage my time more wisely.  So, that said, I am going to do both, but more restricted than before.  I know every single one of you knows what this "struggle" entails so I know I do not have to say much about it, for which I am thankful.

For now, I'm reading "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins (because Teenie has asked me to so that we can talk about the story and characters . . . so I'm busy reading . . . and it's a gem of a book thus far).  Tomorrow I join the world of Bunko.  Never played before so this should be interesting (Notice:  I did not say "hard" - apparently if you can roll dice and count to six, you will likely win!).  Anyway, as with many things in my life and perspective:  I play games to have fun; if I win, fine; if I lose, I congratulate the winner. 

Keep things pleasant out there, because people are precious, and, life is worth living.

Uh Oh

P'raps it's a virus. 

Continuing to rest and fend off the "I wants" from those who are already recovered.

Nothing Interesting Going On

I'm recovering from a minor foodborne illness.  Everyone else seems to be recovered fully (Crickles didn't get it; he didn't eat the salad).  So, I've been hovering over on FaceBook all day . . . on and off . . . playing that dern cafeville game.  When that gets dull (and, believe me, it does), I read. 

So, that's it.  Nothing much to report here. 

All is well.