U.S.S. Missouri

Look how big!  The last time I stood on this deck I was a little kid!

Down the hatch!

 

I'll have a burger and chips, please.  There's no COKE!  Good Lord!

  

Where does this lead?

  

  

Heh heh!

  

Dinosaur technology.

  

Look up here!  Look up here!

  

I like this sign!

  

Tags.

  

Old Ironside looking spiffy.

  

Me and Sr. Chief.

  

Apparently they do let eejits sneak on board!

  

A nice shot of the Arizona memorial from on deck.

  

All Feet On Deck!

More tomorrow.  I like to tease a bit, but really, it's just late (midnight) and I'm going to bed.

Friday Fun

Went to the mall today.  Lunched at California Kitchen.  It was delicious:  the pizza (grilled garlic chicken), the wine, and the company! 

• bought two gently used books at the used book/media store.  I will def. return there again - to buy and to sell.
• bought four nice tops at Macy's (reasonable price, good fit, not designs on it kind of tee's)
• got some decorative vinyl privacy "glass" for my front door.  I had issues getting it up, but the minor irritants of it won't bother other people (only I notice the small stuff and OCD over it)
• bought another coffee cup:  Charlie Brown and Snoopy on the outside and words on the inside rim say "It doesn't get any better than this" (characters are hugging on front)

I got the privacy "glass" up and am doing laundry.  Low-key weekend planned (with highly annoying grocery shopping trip, but I'll try and keep a good temper about it anyway).

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Thursday Post-Its

• What I didn't say in the previous post was that the doctor who treated SB's bow stuck in the throat actually emailed the x-ray to my husband because it was so "incredible and funny" . . . And, really, this is the stuff ER folks "live" for, right?  I mean, you want to be on shift to see this stuff.  
• Crickles is home again today.  Three days.  Bad cold.  I'm treating him with OTC's and not taking him to the doctor - even though the school rules say past three days they want a doctor note - he's not got anything a doctor can treat, but he's not well enough to sit at school coughing on everyone and feeling crappy.  Fortunately, the office staff I spoke to this morning agreed with me . . . I'll be picking up his school work this afternoon, after school lets out.  
• I am getting sucked into FaceBook.  This is not a good thing.  It is a medium where my new friends keep in touch - regularly - if not by text messaging.  So, I am now FBing more than I ever intended (not my new friends fault, I have weird OCD behaviours, but at least I don't get depressed when there's no comments, messages, etc. - I get "depressed" because of my compulsion to check so often and I want to yell at myself for this compulsion and I don't want to care that much!).  
• Text messaging.  I said I'd never do it, but I find it fun . . . I just can't type fast enough on my dinosaur phone.  I even called AT&T Wireless about when I can do the phone upgrade . . . C'mon February!  Yeah?  But, dernit, I do.not.need.fancy.dodads.  I just want to text on a keyboard - a regular phone pad to type on is "so obnoxious" and I have thin patience for wonderful technology on old technology.
• I'm reading Carrie Fisher's "Wishful Drinking" book that I picked up at Border's last night.  I like her writing, because she is honest about how ding-a-ling-y Hollywood is.  Try living in it/around it your whole life . . . I can't imagine.  NO, I have desire to ever be "discovered" now.  I spent a lot of my youth dreaming about being a "star" . . . I thank God that He didn't allow me that!  I would have been an even worse version of destruction to myself had I had money and fame confused with my youth!
• My friend is buying us some bagels while she's out grocery shopping.  SO, before she gets back and brings them over, I better get my arse outta my pj's and shower etc. It's almost 9:30 am.  Ridiculous!  Normally, I'm "together" by 8am but . . . I have not been sleeping particularly well lately due to my allergies and rude nighttime breathing.  In other words:  I must be snoring (ah, embarrassing!) slightly and waking on and off through the night.  It's not helpful to being alert much the next day.
  

Memory Lane

I was checking out my SIL's FB and came across some funny stuff (same pics I have in albums around here, but have no clue as to how to get them from film to digital to share other than to snap pics of pics and be totally inferior in quality; it was easier to lift them off her FB album). 

This is from my BIL's wedding.  Chief's folks in the center, sisters and brothers (Chief on the end looking quite spiffy - a rare thing unless he's in his dress blues - lawd, he's handsome in uniform!).  My SIL's are beautiful, Pat's handsome, and my in-laws are the best (we all miss dad a lot!).

The second pic in the wedding stuff you can see Pat's bride . . . but they asked Teenie to be a flower girl so there she is in her dress . . . Audrey Hepburn eat your heart out!

Okay.  This one brings back the memory of when we got to the Boyd's Bear factory (in PA) and my MIL noticed her pants were on backward.  They are the poly pants with the permanent seam sewn down the front of the leg . . . we all burst out laughing (and I kept on laughing, 'cos that's how I roll, as she went to the ladies room to turn them around).  Gawd, that was funny.  Geesh, the kids were little!

 

Okay. This is a picture of SB's chest.  He was 11-years-old and a Boy Scout.  He never put stuff in his mouth as a baby or toddler.  I was out one night having coffee with Dawn . . . and returned to an empty house which I expected to have my family in.  I did a major, "Where in the hell . . . ???" For some reason, I saw the phone, checked who called and saw that Dawn's husband had called only moments before so I called him back.  He informed me that Dawn was on her way back to my house to bring me Teenie and Crickles and that Chief was taking SB to Walter Reed.  "What  happened?"  Apparently, SB decided to pop that metal bow (which happened to come off of Teenies jeans) onto his tongue . . . as he leaned back to put momentum on launching it back out, he sucked that sucker back into his throat. 

 

I wasn't calm, but I was calm.  I quickly reasoned that if Chief was driving him to Walter Reed, SB was not having difficulty breathing.  That's a good thing.  I put the other two to bed about nine (wanted to keep them near me, you see) and I paced until I got the call that they checked in, triaged, and all that.  I got another call about 1a.m. -ish where Chief told me SB was in surgery to scope the bow out.  This was better than the other possibility of opening him up because the bow traveled further down, which it did not.  The most dangerous thing about surgery is knocking folks out . . . but I just realized it was truly out of my hands. 

All things in life really are about realizing they are in God's hands, after all. 

MAKE A LIST WITH ME #1

From Allison's blog comes some meme fun:


LIST THE MOVIES YOU'VE SEEN THAT WERE REALLY WORTH 2 HOURS OF YOUR LIFE.

1. Follow the Fleet
2. MP's Holy Grail
3. The Ref
4. Breakfast Club
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
6. The Lord of the Rings (all three)
7. Harry Potter (all of them)
8. The Princess Bride
9. Simon Birch
10. The Truman Show
11. Liar Liar
12. The Passion of Christ
13. Life Is Beautiful
14. When Harry Met Sally
15. Millions
16. The Full Monty
17. Finding Nemo
18. Up
19. Fly Away Home
20. The Jerk
21. Uncle Buck
22. 16 Candles
23. X-men (all)
    
24. Wolverine
25. Love Actually
26. About A Boy
27. Pride and Prejudice (BBC)
28. Emma (w/ G.Paltrow)
29. Sliding Doors
30. Sling Blade

These are just the ones off the top of my head.  I'm sure I could list more!  I like funny more than anything.
 

Java Sparrows

I love birds.
I don't love their poop.

No more bird seed bells or feeders in our back yard.  I had a FLOCK (30 and more) of these birds back there.  A FLOCK of pigeons joined them (Holly loved that!).  I could stand one foot from them as they ate. 
But . . .
The fence was COVERED with bird doo-doo.  I cleaned it off this morning. 
Yuck.

Monday

There's just not enough coffee in the world to get me moving today.  Alas!  I must!  (I must get moving, not drink all the coffee in the world).

SB is home, because his school is taking a "waiver" day.  I only found out about that last night . . . no notice from the school at.all.  Fine, but send a reminder?  Something, anything, so I don't have to bother my neighbours as to the validity of my child's claims?

Teenie has an appointment with me today at her school.  It is not a parent-teacher meeting, but a child-parent meeting . . . with a script.  Yes, I said script.  I do not really need to see Teenies work again.  I check her work all.the.time.  It's probably an annoying habit of mine, but I enjoy seeing what my children produce.  They come to me for advice and editing.  It is a good relationship.  So, I must go and be introduced to her advisory teacher, then let her yabber on about her work.  I'd rather her yabber about her work in the comfort of our home.  Do the schools really have that many unplugged parents that they must insist on these types of meetings?  Why is this child-directed and not teacher-directed?  Why is my kid doing the teachers' job?

Just some thoughts.

Tax-payer money going to good work!  Ha!

Tomorrow morning is Crickles ortho consultation for "cost and treatment plan" all laid out.  I already know it's going to cost $5100 with $900 down.  Also, two teeth extractions (both on top, the tooth right behind the eye tooth on either side) . . . that will be done at our family dentist, and, a separate fee (of course!).  I reckon, he'll have metal on his teeth by April.  I do move that slow . . . We have to consider what is maybe going on with his bladder/kidney/bits going on, too.  It's hard not to think he's got a long road with his teeth getting fixed and have the other issue going on as well.  Poor lad.  He needs the orthodontic treatment (big teeth, small mouth) and we're glad to do this for him.  We even have the money!  But . . . to me, it's a lot of money.  Money that will be well spent, however (I must remind myself that).

I got some coffee pods called "Wake Up!" and . . . they are just too bold for me.  I hope one of my coffee friends will take them off my hands.  I'm not a French Roast kind of gal, but this morning (after having the Wake Up and not being able to drink it), I think I'm converted.

Sunday Silence

Blame Me, Blame His Dad, And Blame God (if you believe in Him)

I was reading about Grant Desme, formerly a player for the Oakland A's . . . he is hanging up his gear to don a Roman collar.  The comments following the announcement really . . . make me angry.

The comments call him a moron, a loser, a douchebag, and they blame the parents, and some even hint that he's leaving baseball (where there aren't enough little boys to prey on).  Give me a break, people!

If you're not Catholic, I can understand misgivings about "giving up" all the worldly things on some levels (really, it's just sex they are worried about - oh, and since Desme was in for some serious money, the money).  Reality is, you want a young man to know what he's giving up (and to still desire being married with kids and doing good for the world in any occupation) . . . I think men who give up their own family have gained so much more.  No, it is not easy!  It is not simple!  Today too many folks have hangups and can't believe a man would give up sex completely . . . to serve God. There is so much more to being a priest than even I can ever know - the ups and downs, the giving and taking.  I don't know that much, but I know enough to appreciate what these men do to serve God and the Church.

Young men raised Catholic should be raised with an openness to the call to the Priesthood or life of a religious.  I say should, because I do not think all of them are!  And, why not?  What are we afraid of?  Honestly:  IF WE PROFESS TO BELIEVE IN GOD, IF WE PROFESS TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, ALL OUR MIND, ALL OUR SOUL . . . THEN WE ARE BIG FAT BLOODY LIARS IF WE DENY OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO BE CALLED BY GOD FOR HIS PURPOSE, ESPECIALLY IF CALLED TO THE LIFE OF A RELIGIOUS OR PRIEST (in the case of our boys).  We do not love God if we deny Him our children. 

It is never ever ever ever ever about us and what we want.  We should always align our wills with that of our Creator.  Otherwise, I think life is empty of all meaning and we do not trust Him at all. 

Just some thoughts from a mother who's youngest feels called to the priesthood (and the other two are open to God's call as well):  JUST BLAME ME.  This blame I can take proudly!

On Being Satisfied

I'm cleaning the house for the weekly morning coffee I'm hosting tomorrow morning. I have to do it in fits and spurts 'cos even with A/C on it's hot hot hot!!!  Next up:  the bloody dusting!  THAT's good for the sinuses!  Not to mention, I do suffer from the VOG (volcano fog from the big island) - it sends my allergies to Hades and back.  It has been told me that the weatherman said the VOG was present today.  Nice.  No wonder I have this annoying tickle, like a small pitchfork is playing polo in my throat.

So, I baked two Pilsbury Dough French Bread loaves together, to form a circle.  We're having a deli sandwich "ring" (refers to shape of the bread) for dinner.  I cooked the chicken breasts for tomorrows White Lightning Chicken Chili.  I'm worrying myself with all this good cooking.  But, so far, I'm quite satisfied with "one serving" and not gaining any weight.  I must "nod" to the Wii as well.  It helps.


Crickles got his hair cut today.   I'll share a picture later.  I hope SB will want his cut the same, but it's not looking like I'll get my way there.  SB's hair is thick and getting longer and I.want.it.cut!  I also got his referral straightened out.  I'll give them until Monday to call me or I'll be calling them.

I am making strides in finishing the "craft" area.  Remember that?  Yeah, well, it takes having people over for coffee to kick my butt into high gear.  Picture later.  I worked a bit on it already today . . . will finish tonight 'cos I'm actually energized about getting it done.  Today.

My prayer life is getting better.  I was in quite a dark place over the Christmas holiday . . . . I kept praying anyway.  That's key when you feel that way.  Feelings are fickle so I don't always trust them.  I think when there are dry times, it is actually the Lord calling you into deeper communion.  That, I trust.

I hope you do, too.

Photos' promised:

 

 Crickles hair really is an improvement.  No longer long in back.  BTW, see that hot mess behind him?  Look at it now:  MUCH BETTER.

 

These are (really fuzzy) pictures of my morning visitors.  They are Java Sparrows.  They are all males, the gels don't have the white on their faces.   They look like Puffin to me.

 

Cheep Cheep

Here's some pictures of the cardinal couple that found my bell seeds yesterday.  It hung there all alone for one day before the birds figured out there was food to be had!  I'm hoping to attract finches, but I guess I need thistle for that.  Eventually, my feathered friends, eventually.  But, even though Dawn and her family are on their way to the March in D.C., she may see this:  if so, enjoy!  I love the second picture as it clearly illustrates why these birds are so hard to photograph w/out a humongous lens.  He's constantly looking around and after the first flash he's really on alert.  It's almost like he's saying, "Look, gal.  I know you are there!"

 

 

So, today is a busy day.  Of course, all days begin with cleaning oneself up and having a cuppa.  Soon I will be at the clinic, then the cable company (they don't send me a bill for some reason so I'm going in person to fix this) and the commissary.  Yes, I'm going into the inferno once again.   I just love to go grocery shopping!

 

Wishing you all - all that is pleasant and lovely.

What's For Dinner . . .

Whilst sitting upon my rather large backside over the holidays Christmas, I took a long look-see through my half dozen Pampered Chef cookbooks.  I flagged certain recipes I thought would get eaten if made, and, also had the criteria of "easy".  Let me just say, many, if not all, their recipes are easy.  Many of them are in league with Pilsboury Dough company . . . and it does get annoying that they specifically tell you which of their tools to use when making said recipes.  However, all of the PC recipes I've tasted/made and ate have been pretty tastey - and easy!

So, tonight I'm making Home On the Range Chili from Pampered Chef's now out of print (as far as I know) "Kids in the Kitchen" book.  Also, I almost always add to and take away from the original give recipe "to my tastes", which is perfectly acceptable to do.

Here's the recipe:
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small green pepper, finely chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2-3 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a pan, brown hamburger (I use sirloin and I double this recipe) with onion, garlic, and green peppers.  Once meat is cooked, add salt, chili powder, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.  Bring to a boil and let simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.

Serve with tortilla chips/sour cream/shredded cheddar cheese . . . eat up!

Everything Is Coming Up Roses

Well, it was a crazy start to the day, but I managed to get a new appointment for Crickles.  I'll get the referral and call right away next week.  They say to wait ten days, but I'm not falling for that crap again.  I'll call Tuesday next week.

I got lost off Kam highway.   I called a friend who might have known where the orthodontist clinic is . . . she didn't.  I went where we both figured it might be.  I finally got through to the front desk and got better directions.  We were about ten minutes late, but the appointment was FAST.  We will return on the 22nd to review a detailed schedule for his treatment . . . total cost is $5,100.  The only part that made me choke a bit was the $900 down payment, but we have it so that's not an issue.  It's just a huge chunk of cash, is all.  I don't think the two teeth to be extracted is included in that fee, either, since he'll have to have that done at his regular dentist office.  I think Teenie's one tooth extraction was about $80 after insurance.  Uff da.  Never ends, does it?  Don't answer that.

I took Crickles to get a burger and then returned him to school.  I remembered to buy him two new polo uniform shirts while there. 

And, I SURVIVED the commissary!  The groceries are put away and the kids will be coming through the door shortly.  Time to put my feet up and chill a bit.

This Friday I'm hosting coffee here.  I'll be serving fruit and yogurt and coffee.  My coffee shipment will be here either tomorrow or Thursday.  Hurrah.  I'm loving "Chocolate Glazed Donut" coffee (Keurig).

God is good.

Gee Whiz!

Oy vey!
The clinic and/or the hospital either did not process or lost Crickles' referral paper to the Pediatric Urology clinic so guess what that means?  Yup.  A new appointment with a different doctor (who isn't a part time doctor in the clinic, but one he can see regularly - which is better) to get a new referral.  C'mon!  It's just a kick in the pants!

They would have seen him today, but they had a time only for the same time as his orthodontist consultation this morning.  C'mon!

Chief's car wouldn't start this morning!  C'mon!

I got Chief to work (he's five minutes up the road, thank God) and sent the kiddies off to school.  Now I need to shower and get ready to get Crickles out of school for his appointment.  At least the ortho clinic is just down the road . . . it's all close by.

Nothing like a busy start to the week, yeah?

Waimea Falls, Beach, and (ahem) Dole Whip

I had to whip out the camera and try and get a picture of the waves on our way to Waimea Falls.  S'okay.

Greetings, screams out this beautiful peacock.  You know, they are loud and they sound like a woman screaming bloody murder.  I would not want to hear that in the dead of night.

 

A canopy of trees.  I love the low-lighting and it's so refreshingly cool beneath.

 

A "sit for a spell" spot.

 

Meandering is good.  It will take you off the beaten path to little huts like this. 

 

My friend and I marveled at a plant growing out of a rock.  P'raps it not, actually. 

 

A shady place to cool oneself.  So pretty!

 

I half expected a Hobbit to wander down these stairs.  Alas, I was quite disappointed.

 

Where?  Well, I'm glad we didn't encounter any.  Although, I had a near miss with a piece of coconut shell a bit later along the walk.  There are some hard seed pods in trees here, and when they come down, they can sting a bit when they connect with soft-headed folks like myself.

 

What everyone comes here for.  Some take a dip in the "pool".  Along the path we were asked, "Is the waterfall this way?"  I almost got funny and said, "Well, if you can ask in English, I assume you can read the signs clearly posted along this particular paved trail."  But, I didn't.  I mean, I was enjoying myself.  And, it's good to be helpful, after all.  I may be the only Gospel anyone ever sees:  oh, and I'm not very good, but I'm trying harder these days!

 

A very daft girl with quite pudgy cheeks. 

 

Their life-saving equipment made me laugh!  I mean, watch out for the riptide!  Not!

 

Just a lovely view.  Over that bridge is the hill . . . ah, returning is always the hardest thing to do.

 

Pretty lotus flower. 

 

My friend called this tree a "bottle brush" (not "pipe cleaner" as I invented) tree.  Suits it.  Never saw one before and I just love it!

 

Stopping by to see if there were any turtles on the beach.  Yes!  Two of them.  Hurrah!  I've never seen one in the wild before.  Very cool.  If I had a descent camera, I may have been able to get pics of the many who were still bobbing in the waves.  Very cool!

 

BIG waves this weekend.  Very lovely! 

 

I'm am almost rendered speechless!  Almost!  When I stand on the shore, all I can muster is a Thank You, God, for this wonderful work!

 

And, for this cutie pie Honu.  Isn't this one darling?

 

Information, I guess.  I include it for interested folks.  All pics can be clicked on to enlarge. 

 

My friend and I stopped by Dole on our way back into Honolulu for some Dole Whip.  I merely suggested it and she said, "YES!" before I finished asking the question.  I love friends who enjoy life to the fullest, because it rubs off on this old soul. 

What's Happening

A friend will be taking me here tomorrow:

 

Providing my camera stays steady (Teenie will come along w/ her camera) I can share pictures with y'all later.  It's been absolute ages since I've seen a waterfall . . . I'm so excited!

Tonight I'll be ploughing through as much laundry as I can.  And reading.  I got my books from Amazon so I am working on Mystical City of God so I can get to those books.  So, reading for ages is on the menu. 

Tomorrow, a tranquil walk through lush gardens.   After a morning at Mass.  God is AWESOME!

I Am Tuckered Out

My oldest is next door playing XBox.  The younger two are in for the night.  They are eating up some chocolate cake I made last night.  Chief saw the brownies hot out of the oven and asked about them and did one of those silly "I"m still a disappointed kid" body jolts when I said the brownies are for tomorrow.  Then, he countered with, "WHY didn't you frost this cake?!?"

He's eating the cake.  (insert evil cackle).

The brownies are actually baked in the Pampered Chef deep dish baker.  Tomorrow I will make the Pampered Chef "Mocha Brownie Dessert" for Teenie's birthday celebration.  Yes, her birthday was in December, but she has a party in January.  Anyway, 'cos I'm so dernit tired, I baked them now rather than stress about it tomorrow morning.  So Chief is disappointed.  Call me bad, but I think it's hilarious when he acts like a little boy!  He won't like the brownies tomorrow.   He hates coffee.  So, see, in his mind, I'm desecrating them just like the cake without frosting. 

I ran about like a mad person today.  First thing was to drop the dog off at the groomers.  They put these cute little ribbon pompoms in her hair . . . so cute!  She got shaved just like I wanted.  She keeps scratching off one of the pompoms, though.  It's driving me crazy to put it back on.  Just one day, Holly.  Be cute all day for one whole day!

Then, I mailed a box to Dawn and a packet pouch to my sister (got her a shirt from Crazy Shirts).  Next time I go to the post will be mid-week, when I hope to mail out the box to Maurisa (who won the book suggestion challenge).   Then, maintenance came with new A/C filters.  I had to visit my neighbour who just got back last night from a month away.  Teenie was house-sitting and walking her dog.  Tomorrow night Teenie will watch her son.  Well, I know where to go if our money runs out.  Ha ha!

After all that, I popped by Target's Starbucks to get a mug and a gift card (two prizes for games at the party).

I cleaned the downstairs . . . and . . . baked the disappointing brownies.

Full circle.

Good night.

Pictures of Holly's new tresses.

 

 

Hi, Suzanne! Kisses to Adrienne!