Month: March 2007

  • What a week!

    I can’t believe it’s been a week since I updated. It’s been a fairly busy week. Full of teen drama and angst that fills so much of our daily lives. In addition to that my landlord returned to the island. He showed up at my house, drunk and belligerent and very antagonistic. I eventually told him not to return to my house unless hubby was home, and slammed the door on him. Until this we have had a great relationship with our landlord who I will from know on call him Crazy dude. Some of you who have been reading for awhile will remember that I homeschooled “crazy dude’s” son for a a few months. Crazy dude has a history of incidents and activities that lead me to believe he is crazy. His ex-wife is little better and our fallout on Tuesday was a result of their less than perfect relationship and my unfortunate acquaintance with them both. Crazy dude did call and apologize later that day, but I still want absolutely nothing to do with him!! Thankfully, we are working with Crazy Dude’s brother concerning the house since he became the trustee of their mom’s estate in Dec.

    So… we’ve been dealing with teen drama and angst, and middle aged crazy man drama and angst. To top that off I’m trying to get ready for a move. My to-do list is so long it’s hard to even contemplate getting it all done.

    I’m going to miss Maui. Tremendously.

    On the other hand, I feel like I’m finally going home. Having been born in New Mexico and grown up in both NM and Arizona, I miss the Southwest terribly when I’m away. I’ve loved just about every place we’ve lived, found the good and embraced it, but it was never really “home”.  This time it feels like I’m going home. I’m so excited!  To top that off I’m really ready to get back to the mainland and all the conveniences that I’ve been missing. The best part of it all is that I’ll be close to family and friends. I guess, when it comes right down to it, that’s what makes it home. Not the mountains which soothe my soul, not the excitement of lightening storms and monsoons, the gorgeous sunsets, and the fantastic New Mexican food, although all that, on their own is definitely worth the move!

    To top that off, after years and years of following hubby around via the Air Force, it’s finally time to live in one place, to put down roots, to accomplish the many things we’ve been planning and waiting for.It’s here. The time for “us”. To focus on the things we want, the dreams we have. It’s our time now. It almost seems to big to take it all in. Like the fulfillment of a long held dream that you almost never really expect to come true. The time has finally come. And all of sudden, I’m both excited and apprehensive.

    Only time will tell if my dreams are about to come true. I will let you know as soon as I know.


    Question of the day:
    Where is home – and why?

  • At last — Kauai pictures!

    You have all patiently waited and I am please to report that I am ready and willing to post my pictures of Kauai — (major hat tip to Squirt for finding my camera cable today — Mahalo!)

    So — we are off! First off we stopped by the Kilauea Lighthouse and animal refuge. The have tons of birds there, including a couple of Albatross that nest there. And the red-footed booby — gotta love a bird with that kind of name! So here are some pics from there.

     
     


    Our next adventure was the Pacific Grand Canyon, formally known as Waimea Canyon. I loved the beauty of this place and took tons of pictures. I’ll post a few representative ones here, but there are more in my photo blog, please feel free to stop and check them out.


    One of the interesting things about Kauai is that due to the flooding last year and the hurricane that came through years ago, lots of domestic chickens were set free by nature. They have been prolific — and you see them all over the island. These were at one of the overlooks. The roosters have such brilliant colors! The mama hen called all her babies close and by the time I got up close to her all you could see was several pairs of feet sticking out under mama’s safe belly. Luckily I had my zoom ready and got some shots as they headed for cover!


    On our way back we stopped for drinks and ice cream (if you ever get to Hawaii, try Lappert’s Ice Cream — It’s ONO!!) Anyways, Hubby saw this Aloha shirt and just had to try it on:

    It’s a good fit don’t you think?

    Later that day we stopped by a blowhole called the Spouting Horn.


    Our hotel was on the beach, and I got a couple of great shots and the morning we left we were treated to a spectacular sunrise!

     
     


    As you can tell – Kauai is gorgeous. There was so much more, but we didn’t have time to do it. 3 days are just way to short! I would love to do some hikes, and there are beaches, caves and trails galore to explore, not to mention a coffee plantation and other goodies that we just didn’t get to. I think we will have to make our next hawaiian trip to Kauai — and really get to know it a little better.

    Question of the Day:
    Black and white or Color?

  • Wild Hogs

    Went to a movie last night. Not 300, although the rest of the country is in line to see it. Nope, hubby was in the mood for a comedy. He wanted to laugh out loud and release some stress. A week or so ago I went to so Wild Hogs while waiting for the kids to get done with roller skating. I thought it was hysterical  — so off we went.

    Wild Hogs is the story of 4 urban middle-aged bikers who decide to go on a road trip to “rediscover” themselves.  It stars John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William Macy. I have to say that is just laugh out loud funny. And despite what you might predict, John Travolta is the one who really makes the movie. The others are all hysterical, but John plays his character so well and so darn funny! Quite the enjoyable movie. I love movies that make me feel good. After all, that’s what I’m dropping all that money for, to be entertained. Admittedly, it’s not that difficult to amuse me, but it still requires some thought and effort nonetheless!

    What is with the price of movies these days? Jeesh. You’d think that it was a Broadway show. By the time you’ve paid the $9.00 / person and then dropped another 20.00 – 30.00 at the concession stand you talking a fifty just take in a movie.Remember when the popcorn and drinks weren’t more expensive than the tickets? Heck remember when the tickets were just a couple of bucks? Then for a long time in Tucson we had the buck movie theaters. Those were great, you got in for a buck or a buck fifty and saw second run movies. Cheap candy, popcorn and sodas rounded out the deal. That meant as teens we were able to go to several movies a week on our meager allowance.

    Nowadays you would have to take out a second mortgage to see several movies a week.

    Regardless, we had a great time, laughed the entire movie and thoroughly enjoyed the final scene (especially me, since I am an Extreme Makeover Home Edition fan). If you go to see Wild Hogs, stay till after Ty comes on!

    I’m off to have some burgers and watch an old war movie. Everyone have a great night and a great Sunday.

  • Down Days

    OK — I know I promised pictures of Kauai, and I will post them in the next couple of days, honest I will.  Right now however I am enjoying a little down time. With traveling 3 weekends in a row, I have to admit I’m now pretty frazzled.

    I have also been going nonstop since getting home, preparing for realtors, taking kids here and there — explaining why I missed jury duty, working on all my stuff for graduation — the works.  Ducky’s boyfriend (who will from now on be known by the nickname Ducky gave him in 8th grade (secretly) and now fits so perfectly) Duckman, has been over at our house pretty much nonstop. We colored his hair on tuesday, returning it to the Mallard green color that earned him his nickname in the first place. He’s been eating dinner over here, and making food too — sopapillas. Yesterday ducky went to his place and hung out there, but don’t think we had a quiet night here cause Squirt’s friend Dollar hung out here and took Duckman’s place at our table —

    So, guess what my plans are for the next couple of days??? NOTHING!! A few down days are quite in order! Tomorrow hubby is taking the Yellow sub as his car needs some work, and I plan on staying home and vegging — oh yeah, and doing about 10 loads of laundry (that’s what you get when you travel every weekend –)

    Today I went to a real English tea. Matter of fact the proprietor told me I choose the same tea (spiced chai) that Sir Anthony Hopkins choose when he came in!  It was very cool. Tea and scones, finger sandwiches, sweets and sherbet. I went with a friend and one of her friends, and it was very relaxing and enjoyable.

    Yesterday I had lunch with two other friends at Cafe O’lei. It was excellent — probably the best Creamy Chicken fettucini I’ve ever had — YUM!

    I think I’ll make tomorrow a movie day.

    So maybe, I’ll get to those pictures tomorrow too!

    Question for the day…..
    Coffee or tea?

  • Finito

    12:49 am
    Well — that’s it. For better or worse, I’m done. I submitted my final assignment this evening (about 10 minutes late — ) and I’m finished. Hopefully for good. The one class that I told you about the crappy teacher, I have NO IDEA what I’m getting in there. Right now I’m carrying a 4.0 — so if he screws that up you can bet I’ll be ticked.

    This weekend we went to Lani — It was hectic and busy and way too short and one of the causes of my assignment being late — but I’m so glad we went. Ducky’s new boyfriend came with us. I really like this kid. SO MUCH better than 19 yo — who is proving how much of an immature jerk he is these days — . New boyfriend, Peter is great — friendly, outgoing, motivated, and only 16!! WOOT!! He fits right in around here. And to top it off he has family in the same small town in NM where my folks live and we plan to eventually retire for good.  Small world huh? He also likes to get out and do things, not just spend all day playing video games!

    Tomorrow I’ll post pictures from both Lanai and Kauai. Not tonight. I’m beat. Today I’ve: Snorkeled for over an hour, hiked for an hour, did tons of walking on the beach, swam in the pool, lugged luggage around and then did 3 hours of work on my final project. I’m tired both physically and mentally tonight so it’s off to beddy bye for me.

    Tomorrow — PICTURE POST! (Technically, later today).
    What are your plans for the day?

    *Edit*

    3:47 PM
    Here are pictures from Lanai, unfortunately I can’t find my camera cord for MY camera — so no pictures from Kauai right now. I’ll hopefully have those up tomoroww, (as soon as I clean up around here and find that studpid cable!)

                  

    First some of the gorgeous Flora to be found, Plumeria (my favorite) and Orchids that were growing in the green house at Koele Lodge

                 

    A view from the tide pools back to a secluded beach, and an underwater shot of this little conch guy — he went back in his house and hid!

    Ducky and new boyfriend Peter, on a lava bridge over the water

    More pictures will be coming soon, but for now I’m off to get some rest — I was up awfully late last night!! I’ve posted more in my photoblog, click on my photos in the side section or on photos to see them.

  • Spring has Sprung

    ** note** The Kween_of_the_Queens entry is below.

    Ah – The latest request from FEATURED_GROWNUPS:

    March 2007 Topic 2 of 2

    Springtime

    What are you most looking forward to this Spring?

    dividerflowers

    Postscan be serious, sincere, sentimental, silly, sad…. it’s up to you! Please remember to read and comment on as many entries as possible (allthough I don’t get the front page now????)

    After you have posted come back and leave a link to that post in the comments here!

    Happy Spring!


                               ^
    Drag the slider to above mark to hear the familiar pomp and circumstance march.

    So… here we go (it seems like I’m just doing topics for blogrings, it’s because I ‘ve gotten behind in my blogging  —     )

    I know a lot of people are ready for the end of winter, the return of the flowers, the warmth and the sun. Since I currently reside in paradise and things are constantly in bloom, it’s always beach weather and the little “cool” weather we get is usually welcomed, that’s not something I’m waiting with bated breath for. Especially since with the constant blooms my allergies are making me NUTS!! (seriously — I am constantly itching my ears, rubbing my eyes, wiping my nose or sneezing, sometimes all at the same time – I’ve had more fun at the dentist.)

    So what am I looking forward to? There are three big (OK read HUGE) event coming up in my life. One I’m so excited about I’ve posted a countdown banner at the top of my site. (my excitement partially stems for a belief that I will have some relief from the above) However, technically I think that one falls in the summer season — so I will focus on the other two.

    There is so much going on in my life right now! We are prepping for a move. (That’s the summer one just in case you totally missed all the non subtle hints. (like the flashing banner at the top of the page)

    There are two other major events happening in my life this spring. So here’s the breakdown:

    1.  My oldest daughter is getting confirmed,

    Ducky is getting confirmed. This is a big thing in the Catholic church. She has been attending weekly classes for the last two years, going to special workshops, doing community service and serving in the church. She’s been studying the bible and learning about the Catholic church.  She’s put in a lot of time, effort and made a serious commitment. She did it in the face of being in an uncomfortable situation, and having her two friends that were with her drop out. She made a decision and she is following through on it. I couldn’t be any more proud. It’s a special sacrament in which the candidate is sealed to Christ and becomes a complete member of the Catholic church. Candidates wear all white, have an adult sponsor, and take a patron Saint’s name. I am very interested in the ceremony, as Ducky would like to dye her hair Flamingo Pink again — it should look lovely with her all white dress!

    2. I’m finishing my classes (this week actually) and graduating with my Master’s degree in Elementary Education.

    This one is a no brainer. No more classes. No more homework. No more reading assignments, projects, reasearch papers, PowerPoint presentations, essays or chapter summaries. No more text books, late nights studying and reading, week ends spent typing. No more APA. No more syllabi, no more class introductions, no more, no more – no more!!!!
    And to top that off — I get my degree! I’m going to do the whole shebang — the walk, the pomp and circumstance, the hat and gown — the PARTY!!!  I didn’t get to do that for my BA — I was in an adult education program and while they had a ceremony it was small and not as formal.

    So just like for the plants and animals, spring will be a time of change, a time of growth, and a time of celebration — So how ’bout it? What are YOU looking forward to this Spring?


  • Have you lived the life you wanted to live?

    HAVE YOU LIVED THE LIFE YOU WANTED TO LIVE?

    Tell usabout what you feel that you have accomplished.  What dreams did youhave as a child that you’ve fulfilled?   If not, what more do you wantto accomplish and what is it you need in order to accomplish it?  Whenyou are aged and a young person asks you this question, what do youhope your response will be?

    If you arevery young (teens, twenties, early thirties), what accomplishments areyou working towards or what dreams do you hope to accomplish beforeyour 40′s?



    So the Kween’s latest challenge is up. Please stop by the Kween_of_Queens site to read the other great entries. Mine is a day late (What can I say — finals), but I’m hoping that it will still be accepted — maybe the Kween can deduct a grade or knock 10 points off?? (a little teacher humor there – sorry).

    Have I lived the life you wanted to live?
    The short answer – no.
    The long answer is a little more complicated.

    The truth is I’m living a life that is so much more full than I could have ever expected. When I was a kid, I wanted a kid’s ideal life. Filled with material comforts, friends and partying. I wanted glamorous careers that were world changing. I wanted excitement, prestige and travel.

    What I got was life to grow with. I got so much more than anything I ever dreamed of.
    I got family — much earlier than I ever expected, I married young when I was planning to marry later. Although we didn’t have children right away, it still gunked up my long term plans right off the bat. The war photo / journalist idea was obviously not going to work with a family… on to new ideas. To top that off college would be put on hold for too many years (most of you have heard that story).

    I did get the travel, but in a different way. I moved every three years or so. It gave me the opportunity to deal with a lot of things. Like I found out how much I hated change. I met new people, made new friends, got new jobs, learned new towns, and went to new schools. Was it difficult. Yes. Was it life changing, rewarding and memorable. Yes.

    I NEVER expected to become a teacher. When we finally started our family, I was surprised at how consumed by them I was. I loved having my life completely revolving around this little people and their love for all new things. As they grew and learned I found I was really good at helping them and others learn. I started in education at my daughter’s daycare when she was 2. Wow — that was over a decade ago. Eventually I changed my degree plan from Graphic Design (my backup since photo/journalism was out) to Early Childhood Education, and finally to Elementary Education. Next month when I graduate with my Master’s one of my lifetime goals will be topped with more than I ever hoped for.

    We still don’t have tons of material comforts, but we have all that we need and more.

    We travel — albeit sometimes reluctantly. We’ve been to 5 of the Hawaiian Islands, about 20 states and I’ve been to 6 other countries. I’ve learned what to pack and what is not necessary. I’ve seen so much and realized that the world is smaller than I thought, and more amazing than I could have ever dreamed.

    Most importantly, I have an amazing husband who after all these years is still my very best friend, and I have two fantastic daughters who continually make me proud and amaze me with their intelligence, humor, love, and wonderful personalities. I have family that I am close to, if not geographically then emotionally and mentally. I have friends all over the world who keep me laughing and bolster my spirits.

    There’s a saying that God has a bigger life for you than you could ever dream of.

    I’d say that is proven to me day after day.


  • Kuaui Adventures

    So here we are on beautiful Kauai. Getting here was quite an ordeal — MIL plan from Moloki was delayed due to weather and so consequently we had to switch our flights from Maui to Kauai several times. After the third time the ticket clerk wanted to “see all members of the party”. They thought something was up for sure!!!

    So we got here in the rain, got our vehicle, and went to the lighthouse. I have great pics, but I forgot my camera cable so I can’t upload pictures (uh duh). Today we went to see Waimea Canyon (aka the Pacific Grand Canyon) and the Spouting Horn. We’ve had a great visit, and Kauai is gorgeous!!! Tomorrow we will see the other side of the island before flying back. Poor Ducky is sick again (aka Silver_Fangz). We have to have her back by 2:30 tomorrow as she has to make it back for drivers ed or she doesn’t pass.

    I sent off my Comprehensive exam. I’m on pins and needles wondering if I’m doing well — if I’m going to pass– whether it’s good enough. It’s driving me crazy!! AAAARRRGGHHHH.

    Well I’m whooped from all the sightseeing so I’m off to bed. Before I go I have to wish my mom a Happy Belated Birthday (it was yesterday).

    I will post pictures when I get back. Have a great night everyone!

    The Kween_of_the_Queens has a new writing challenge up. Please stop by to see what is coming up and to join in!

  • Brain Fried

    I’ve been working on my Comprehensive all week. I’m almost done which is good since I have to be done by this evening as we leave to spend the week end on Kuaui tomorrow morning. Then I’ll have next week to complete all my final projects and then next week end we are going back to Lanai.  — Whew! Anyone else already exhausted? The nice thing is I should have some great pics to post! We finally got the underwater housing for Ducky’s (previously Silver_Fangz, but now she goes by Ducky all the time) digital camera so maybe I’ll even have some underwater shots of the dolphins!

    Speaking of photography, I’ve been having fun playing with boost lately. I don’t do the weblogs, just the photos, but it is quite entertaining. The only problem is there is soooo much inappropriate pictures — what is wrong with these people –geez. Go find a porn site and post your trash there! :rolls eyes:


    OK — Now it’s rant time. You ready?

    What the heck is up with Survivor? I almost couldn’t finish watching it last night I was so disgusted. What’s the point of even having a show? We know that Ravu is going to lose everything, they are malnourished, dehydrated, underweight, and getting minimum amounts of sleep while Moto eats all day, sleeps in comfort, is clean, and gaining weight for Crimeny sakes. And the reward challenge is one based on Mass and Strength. That’s like watching Tee ball kids get slaughtered by the NY Yankees. It’s just not fun. I realize it echoes real life with the haves and the have nots, but let me clue CBS into something — I watch news for crap, I watch your show for entertainment.  <Sigh>  Since they have another BIG twist planned I’ll give it one more week, then I’m afraid I’m done — finite.

    I do like Yau-man and I’m partial to Rocky although he’s quickly heading off the deep-end and his temper tantrums and constant need to blame others is pretty sure to get him evicted as soon as the tribes merge and they no longer need what little strength he has. I can’t say I like ANY of the Moto tribe with the exception of maybe Dreamz and Cassandra — they are all just really hard to like right now. Oh wait, strike that, my estimation of Edgardo and Alex went up after last night, especially Edgardo — who has the added benefit of being HOT! Mookie on Ravu is OK –Anthony is driving me up the wall with his passive aggressive attitudes but hey, that’s just me. I can’t stand Lisi from Moto (haven’t liked her from like the 2nd show, she cemented that last night) and Stacy joined her on my list of Beotches — what stuck up – rude, arrogant and demeaning snobs they are! I hope they go quickly. I think Edgardo will abandon them quickly once the tribes get mixed up.  I hope! Those two would eat their own young if it meant they could stay on vacation and do nothing in Fiji for another 5 weeks. Definitely not the ones I want to see even on the jury!


    I hope to goodness sake that CBS recognized the unpleasant turns the show took and made the effort to switch it up, or else I probably won’t finish this season — I just can’t waste my time watching TV that upsets me rather than entertains me!

    OK:
    Rant over.


    Alright — I’m out of random things to rant about so I’m off to finish my exams. Last night in my dreams I was researching for my exams. It was very sad and indicative of my complete and totally fried brain right now! I think a week end on Kuaui will help don’t you?


    Question of the Day:
    Favorite and Least favorite Survivor (if you are a reality addict like me and watch).

  • Well…. let’s  not go  into my day. It’s already been quite disappointing. All I can say is ONLY 3 MORE MONTHS! Woot.

    So…. in that frame of mind, I will go ahead and do the Featured Grownups  topic 2 for the month (I was so swamped I couldn’t get to the first one – )

    School Days

    Sharememories, stories, life changing teachers or events from your SchoolDays.  Be it Grade School, High School or Home School.  With all agegroups participating this could be so much fun!


    Wow! My school days are my entire life. It seems like I’vealways been in school! Since I’m a teacher, when I’m not in school I’m teachingschool. And since I home schooled my children for 5 years — that part appliestoo. I can’t even begin to put it all down, but I thought I would pick a fewmemories and share them…the good, bad and the life-changing.

     

    THE GOOD:
    College:

    Drinking coffee in the student lounge, discussing art,literature, history and architecture.

    Riding the bus at 5:30 amafter staying out ’till 1 am dancingand hanging out with friends.

    Having freedom to come and go as I please.

    Being responsible for my own learning.

    Being exposed to literature, art, history, cultures, and avariety of challenging skills.

     

    High School:

    Friends

    The parking lot (*ahem)

    The few teachers that were truly interested and interesting.(Mr. Elmer and Mr. Goodwin — Mr. Goodwin did imitations of vultures and Hitlerand used accents like a german accent while discussing WWII — he made lecturesfun.)

    Marching Band. (we were good, I loved playing at footballgames — loved competing and winning, and traveling with the band and lots ofgood friends)


    THE BAD

    College:

    Tuition — OUCH!

    Book — cost and weight (lugging them around sucked!) –Double OUCH!

    Amount of work (OK – this falls in Good and Bad and LifeChanging!)


    High School:

    Classes — if only we didn’t have classes high school wouldhave been much better!

    Teachers — with the exception of Mr. Elmer and Mr. Goodwin.

    Attendance policies — Why be there every day when I’m notlearning anything?

    Pointless homework — Again — why bother?

    The parking lot — OK — my favorite place the first twoyears, I  winded up landing in Rehab as aresult and was a place to avoid that last year!

    Marching Band — Rodeo parade – it’s a rodeo parade — read:LOTS of horses — for those of you with marching experience you know what thismeans….it means lots of steaming piles. Our Director was a fanatic about manythings, one was how we marched at parades, this meant no sidestepping and nobreaking marching time. This means that white shoes were brown and had to bescrubbed clean before our next inspection. YUCK.


    THE LIFE CHANGING

    High School

    Graduating early (I had to get out of there!)

    Mr. Elmer (read about him here)

    Traveling with the marching band and being part of asuccessful team of musicans. We won many state and regional competitions andmarched in the Rose Bowl Parade and the Disney land New Year’s parade. Thosedays were unforgettable!


    College:

    Opening my mind through education, learning about newplaces, people, things and ideas.

    Learning that I can accomplish much more than I’ve everexpected.

    Graduating!!!



    Please stop by Featured_Grownups and read the other memories about School!

    Question of the day:  What was your favorite or least favorite  part of school?