Aloha Friday

"Mommmmmmmyyyyy! Come quick!!! Look!!! We were 'tiki-ed'!" Shouts my HS as LD tries to peer out the window at what all the hub-bub was about.

I tried to play it cool..."oh, really...are you sure?"

"YEP. Tiki Man is in our yard, mommy!!! That means we get Aloha Friday!!!"

So, I may not have hosted Thanksgiving this year, but on black Friday, after all the shoppers were exhausted and dreaming of all their great buys, we had all our neighbors over for our celebratory salute to the beginning of the weekend. With tiki torches blazing, chairs grouped and ready for conversation, and food awaiting eager stomaches, we awaited our guests from the neighborhood to begin our "Aloha Friday."

Our neighborhood gathering has become famous throughout the neighborhood...it has crossed over to the other large neighborhood of military families across the water. Yes, it is true, our neighbors are pretty cool and we all actually enjoy talking to one another...every Friday with the Tiki Man firmly planted in the yard so that we know where we are suppose to go for the Friday tribute. It all started at the end of August when a neighbor and I thought it would be neat to have something at least twice a month to get us all together. We headed to the Aloha Swap meet and found just the treasure to welcome guests at the event. He stood proudly against the table with a grin from ear to ear...tiki man. Now, we've dolled him up a little bit, got him looking quite festive, and now he travels around from yard to yard. It didn't last thinking it would be only once or twice a month to enjoy company. Every Friday is Aloha Friday. Come if you can...we'll toast to you if you can't.

25 or more guests later, I surveyed the scene as laughter and discussions kept going on through the night. The music kept playing, the chatter kept going, and by the time our last guest left, my mind was wandering...Fridays around here are made all the better with a little tiki man who is no bigger than your arm. We're quite lucky that his charm seems to have caught on.

By Monday morning, the tiki man will be proudly displayed in another friendly neighbor's yard. The same scenario will play out as the kids get excited and the parents know that by Friday, we'll be coming through their gate with chairs, beverages and yummies to share as we all come together to enjoy a bit of Aloha.

Pumpkin Pie and Thankful Thoughts

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

It's a day full of eating yummy turkey, enjoying the cranberry sauce, devouring the pumpkin pie and remembering to think of all the things that you are thankful for.

Each year, my things I'm thankful for changes. I get a kick out of doing the "thankful" tree with HS each year. One thing remains constant. We are surrounded by wonderful family and friends who keep the home fires burning when we are gone and look forward to our moments together when we can be in the same place.

This year, I'm especially thankful for:

~healthy kids
~new house being available
~safe PCS to our new duty station
~friends who are near during this assignment
~friends who keep us close to their hearts even when we're far
~family who puts up with our wonderlust for the military life
~warmth without oil
~job security for HH
~new adventures
~awesome neighbors we have around us

What are you thankful for? Think it over why eating your pumpkin pie...with whip on top, of course!

Turkey

I have a confession...I gave birth to a turkey lurkey! HS's Thanksgiving feast(see what I get myself into when I ask if there is a Thanksgiving meal planned for his 1st grade class...I get to plan it!) was today. I count myself lucky that we have a room full of eager parents. We sent out a request for food and voila! We had a feast fit for a room full of 1st graders. What we didn't bank on was how crazy our little turkey's would be as we rapidly approached Thanksgiving.

All decked out in Indian vests and headdresses, we thanked God for all his wonderful blessings and then the festivities began. They were in full speed ahead mode and I'm not sure, but most hit the dessert table at least twice. I know for sure HS ate at least three desserts after enjoying turkey, stuffin', chow fun, lo mien, and oh...I can't forget...musubi.

Yep, it's turkey week. The festivities around here are already full speed towards the very special day. As you get ready to prepare your special feast, I leave you with one last advice for all those turkeys out there:

Mr. Turkey

Mr. Turkey, better watch out!
Thanksgiving day is coming!

If you're not careful, you'll end up
In someone's hungry tummy!

Mr. Turkey, run, run, run!
Please run away and hide!

Mr. Turnkey, run, run, run!
Don't wait around outside!

Secured

If you are reading this, you passed through the cyberspace security. No changes are in store for the blog except for the viewing process...I already had ensured you couldn't locate the blog by googling, but now we are deep in the bowels of the cyberworld. Glad you made it. Now we can get onto what I write this blog forin the first place. Enjoyment and connection to my dear family and friends.

Motto Addendum

For years, I have firmly stood by my motto, "Live well, Laugh often, Love Much, and Live Every day as If It Were Your Last." However, searching around on the Internet today for primitive and country decor, I came across another that spoke out loud and clear. I'll never brush aside the previous motto, but this one will certainly be added into my mind's collection of how I want to live my life. Proudly presenting my newest addendum to my motto collection:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride"!

So come on, grab life by the horns, hold on tight to that chocolate bar, toast to your friends and family with a nice glass of wine, and look forward to shouting out "WOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!"

Can it be?

Is it possible that it has been four years already? It just seems like yesterday that my precious little niece was born. I recall so vividly

~hearing the good news from my sister that she was expecting
~crying so hard when I found out I was going to miss the birth because HH's orders changed suddenly (I've never quite forgiven the Navy for that one)
~feeling her kick whenver I had "womb" conversations with her
~hearing my sister's voice when she told me my lovely niece was beautiful
~holding her for the first time after she traveled to see me after one hell of a long plane ride for such a little person
~smiles that would melt any proud auntie's heart
~handprint poems that hung on the refrigerator until the next masterpiece came from her
~babbling on the phone to her before she could even talk
~singing with oneanother even though miles separated us the phone kept us connected
~playing legos with her for the 1st time she got to open "big girl" legos
~listening to her stories of gymnastics, storytime, and being with her mommy
~giggling over cookie dough
~hearing her say "my auntie" for the first time
~craving being with her every time we are so far apart just so I can see her face light up as she dances and puts on a show for all of us
~countless hours reading to her on the potty (she adores books)
~watching her so tenderly touch LD for the 1st time as she brimmed with pride

Oh how can it be that my little niece is no longer three? She's making me prouder every day as she continues to grow bigger and wiser. Happy 4th Birthday, darlin'! See you soon alligator!

"Do Your Best"

In a heartbeat, all the wonderment over what the boy scouts did in their hut during my time as a brownie and then a girl scout was demystified. I've waited at least 20some years to figure out what the "secret" handshake was all about. When prodded about what went on in their "den" meetings, a hush would fall over the opposite sex. There really was no big secret as to what we did. We crafted. No one who was a boy scout would ever tell us what they did. You know how it is when you're growing up...you would giggle, try to get the boys to tell you and they would then turn all machismo on you as the coveted handshake was forbidden to be used on....uck...bluckkkkk...girls.

Well, as a proud mom of a 1st grader, I am now a proud mommy of a tiger cub. HS went to his very first den meeting last night and loved it. He paraded with the other little boys to put the flag up on the post (resembling a pack of cats...everyone was marching to the tune of their own drummer), tried their best to the hang the flag without it touching the ground (very hard for little people who are already shorter than the flag is long), stood back proudly and saluted the flag and then the most boisterous rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance that I've ever heard. After the opening ceremony it was onward into the nitty gritty of the den meeting. HS stood awkwardly beside another new tiger cub and tried his best to recite the Cub Scout promise

Cub Scout Promise
I, (name), promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack.

and then the motto

Cub Scout Motto
Do your best!

He stood so proudly with his two fingers raised as he mirrored the den leader and with gumption and pride said his words. He has been looking forward to this moment for a long time. They then turned to one another and gave the secret greeting handshake. I stared in disbelief. That's it? That's all there is to that? I felt a little bummed as I realized that my girlfriends and I were such goons. We had really played up this handshake business and goodness if it wasn't a little let down to see it in person. On the way home, I asked HS what his favorite, funniest, and worst moments of his 1st den meeting were. Silence from the back seat. Contemplation went on for a few moments. A huge sigh and then:

"Well, my favorite was the eating. My funniest was getting the goop on me during the making of our bird feeder and the worst was that everyone has a guidebook to being a tiger cub and I don't...."

I tried hard to contain the laughter as I realized that yes, we are raising a very type A child. It's all about the book. He'll get that next den meeting. Until then, HS swears that if any girls ask him what he did at his den meeting, he isn't going to tell them. "What about the handshake?" I ask. "Nope! Mommy, that's a secret...only to be shared with other fellow cub scouters!" Is that in the guidebook? I never heard them ever utter that it was a secret handshake, but hey, somethings are better as the great unknown...it leads to better stories.

Ahhh...the sworn to secrecy continues...I'd tell you, but then you'd have to silence me.

Chase Me...Chase You...

Giggles are in the air. It's great weather here in "paradise" (yes mom, I'm still going to place quotes around the word since things are not always what they seem here). I'm running up a storm and fitting into my size 6's with just a little bit of squeezing. Life is good. For the moment. Especially with two kiddos who have discovered that even though there is a mighty large age gap between them, tag is ageless. HS and LD can play a game of "chase me, chase you" for hours. Usually the game is done out in the open and LD squeals with delight as HS comes towards her in his army crawl. She quickly tries to move her chubby little legs the other way but gets caught up with all her chubs so instead rotates herself around in a circle. It is a kin to a dog chasing his own tail. However, today I heard the classic sign that a game was about ready to begin and the squealing began. This time though they've figured out how fun the sofa can be to assist in their game. LD was certainly on the hunt to capture HS, but in the end, it was HS who got to tickle LD until she began to giggle so hard that he had to give her a moment to catch her breath. Life is good. Time for a little chasing game to make it stay that way.

Day at the Beach

Veteran's Day we headed over to the windward to enjoy the surf and sand at the Kailua Beach Park. Boogie boarding, hanging out, and relaxing were heavenly ways to spend our day.

Stirring Up The Pot

It's been another great month easing into the next LD milestone. At 11 months she is:

crawling up a storm...watch out she just may win the record for being the world's fastest crawler...especially when she's trying to attack her big brother

giggling uncontrollably whenever you "tickle-bug" her arm pits...she loves that so much she raises her arms up over her head so that you can get to them easier.

eating whatever we eat. Gone are the days of her eating baby food. She turns her nose up at it and glances to make sure she is munching on what we are.

showcasing her two little chompers. More of them are to come, but right now we get to admire two lower front pearly whites.

talking nonstop. OK, babbling, but we are now making out words inner mixed with the string of babble. Watch out if you are holding a phone...she just may reach out and grab it and take off on her own conversation.

standing for a few brief seconds without support. This is hysterical to watch as she tries very hard to balance all of her weight on her two stubby legs...she's not yet ready to walk or stand for long periods.

wrapping us around her little fingers. She has the most warming grin. It goes from ear to ear and then she squints her eyes at you when she know she has you "hooked."

enjoying Ford Island in her jogger. Every Mon/Wed/Fri we head out for a morning run. LD loves watching the birds and stopping to check out the boats on the harbor. In the evening we head for walks with big brother and that is even more fun as she tries to join him in his world.

playing and investigating anything she can get her hands on. Leave your shoes outside of the hall closet? Expect LD to chew on them to make sure they are good. Forget to put a book away? LD will check to make sure all the pages are intact. Decide that you're not going to worry about cords? LD will make sure that any visible cord is inspected. Emptying the dishwasher? LD is on hand to "help" assist you with whatever you may need. Clean clothes sitting waiting to be put away? LD will ensure that you move like the speed of light to put them away before you have to refold everything.

LD is a hoot. She has certainly brightened our days as she stirs up the clan pot. Our only wish is that family and friends on the mainland could enjoy all the changes and really get to know this little gal. Not long now before we are celebrating her 1st birthday!

America

Today I woke up to a pounding headache, stuffy nose, and kids ready to eat. My cawfee couldn't be made fast enough and I almost didn't get HS to school on time. LD ran out of diapers upstairs after I was already exhausted from a run and Kendo Kitty has meowed incessantly even though he has plenty of food and water. I got enough sleep, my family is healthy and safe, and all should be right with the world. Depression kicks in at the weirdest of times.

The day after election should not be one of them, but for today, I am giving myself time to reflect over the years leading up to this day (be honest...the democrats starting debating and pushing for their candidate nominee two years ago...) It has been a long, long, long year. We've listened to arguing candidates on a podium, our nation has been divided over Economics, American people were challenged to defend their arguments and not just spit words of greed, vengeance, or deception. And for the first time ever we had some historical significance to this election. Both parties brought to the table qualified, eager, and devoted candidates. Both parties had candidates that obviously supported and are wanting to make a change and make our country the best it can be. For that, I am grateful.

It is time to put on my big girl panties and deal with what our voting system has given us. I voted. I utilized my right as a citizen of the best country in the world and I am honored that my friends also used theirs. Our country can only be as strong as those of us who continue to believe in our constitution, our people, and the dreams that can be ours if we only are willing to work to see the thoughts and wishes become real. I am proud to be an American. I am proud of the men and women who serve our country in uniform so that our freedom will remain. I am proud of those who fight to keep certain rights sacred and are not willing to back down. I am proud of McCain and his ability to deliver a speech that brought me to tears as I believe he delivered the best concession speech ever. He kept his honor, dignity, and love of the country. I am grateful that in his acceptance speech, Obama took the opportunity to stay gracious as well and not muddle in perpetuating a division of Americans.

I am putting on my big girl panties and I am going to chart a course that allows me to help make this country of ours even better by encouraging individual responsibility, education, and service to country. We as Americans spoke a lot of really big dreams of what we want to see happen in our economic crisis, world arena, and individual lives. What are you going to choose to do to make your dream for America reality?

Halloween Memories

Trick-or-Treat Brief

Halloween this year was ideal. For the first time since Japan life, we had an excellent neighborhood that beckoned for trick-or-treaters to descend upon it. Houses had been slowly transforming into a Halloween oasis with skulls, pumpkins, witches, and fog. Music crept out to further transform the night into a magical world where batmans walked while laughing with jokers and anikans were friends with clone troopers. Princesses pranced around with witches in capes and snipers carried bags instead of weapons. I felt like we were wandering the streets of Hometown U.S.A.

LD stayed with HH and enjoyed all the festivities from the comfort of our Adirondack chairs and was more than happy to hand out goodies to the kiddos. HS and I trick-or-treated the neighborhood and many times I had to contain the giggles as he left a trail of "natural surrounding" material aka weeds I had pulled during my morning run on the sidewalk. He carried his paper bag with pride and was pretty boisterous with the "trick-or-treat" and "thank you".

The majority of our time around the neighborhood, HS had a great time...although I must admit that he certainly seemed like he was a walking zombie. The day had been a long one with a Halloween party at school to the evening events. So, it was not a shock when he came upon one house that freaked him out I watched as he fully entered overload and shutdown mode. We headed back to the house in time for a Halloween story and brushing of teeth before he crashed in bed. Thrilled that he had trick-or-treated, but happy to be snuggled in bed with his visions of candy in his head.

Saturday morning we awoke to the sound of candy wrappers. I crept down the stairs fully expecting to find him crunching on candy bars and sucking lollipops. However, that is not what I found. Instead, he was sitting on the livingroom floor, surrounded by his loot. He was carefully taking stock of his treats and a massive sorting project was underway. With concentration, diligence, and the occasional pause to say, "WOW! Look! My favorite!" he remained on the floor for over an hour sorting. In the end, some of his Halloween candy statistics turned out to be:

6 Boxes Hot Tamales
Mounds of Snickers Bars
Countless "Unidentified" Tasting Candy with a Game Theme
5 Pencils
4 Temporary Tatoos
15 M&M's Milk Chocolate
10 Little packages of Nerds that he is hoarding
Endless Memories of Being a Sniper
&
150 was the number he reached before counting exhaustion kicked in

In the end, it isn't the amount of candy, it is the excitement and exhaustion melded together that signifies that this Halloween was a success. As he watched us bag some of the candy to be donated to HH's Watch floor, HS made sure that he kept a firm grip on his "favorites" and a satisfied show of Halloween festivities with a chocolate ring around the mouth. Through crunching and munching, he was already plotting next year's Halloween costume!

Halloween is Here

IT'S HALLOWEEN
by Jack Prelutsky


It's Halloween! It's Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can't be seen
On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gowns we haunt the street
And knock on doors for trick or treat.
Tonight we are the "Sniper" king and "Pumpkin" queen,
For tonight it's Halloween!