My car is fine. The transmission slipping was a fluke. The service representative never charged me, either. I am counting all of this a blessing.
I really started a Hawaii post. You do believe me, don't you?
I hemmed and hawed on my In N Out order at the drive through. The teenager taking my order (yes a person stands at the drive through) was overly helpful with changing my mind. I was not as hungry as I wanted to be. Finally, out of the corner of my eye the lady in the Lexus behind me grew impatient.
I pulled forward to pay. "I am SO sorry. I am going to be THAT customer in the drive through that does not have her wallet. I grabbed my diaper back pack and tossed out diapers, a banana, and some markers. No wallet. "It is probably in the back. The lady behind me HATES me already. I took forever to order." I threw my car in park, jumped out, and opened the back van door. I jumped in and tossed a few toys. No wallet. Stink eye from the Lexus behind.
I jumped back in and told the cashier to hold my order. The food window waved me on, and I pulled into a parking spot. "But I want my chocolate shake. You said I could have a chocolate shake. Mommy, are you going to get my chocolate shake?!?!?"
And I will not confess how many drive through meals we have had in the last 6 weeks. But just know my 22 month old was crowing, "Shake? Shake!!?!?" too. Wherever did he learn that?
No wallet. No shakes. Whiny children. This now qualifies as an emergency and a crisis. Must call Hubs, who has not had lunch. It is well after 4pm. He assures me it must be at my parents' house or in my car. I high tail it back to their house, all 8 minutes of a drive. I call twice. No wallet. I pull up anyway, and ransack their house. No wallet. Still in crisis. Must call Hubs again. "Why don't you come over to the (new) house and I will help you look for it. It has to be in your car." Still trying to quiet the cries for shakes all the way to our house. I pull up and Hubs, my Superhero, is waiting outside for me when I drive up.
He methodically and cautiously inspects my now harried van. No wallet. He meticulously plucks apart my diaper back pack. No wallet. He is still optimisitc. That is his job, his answer to my dramatic tendencies. He hands me $100 and tells me to go buy the shakes. But my gut aches. "Can you please call American Express and see what the last charge was to my card?" Calmly he dials. His eyes pop wide. "N0rdstrom online?!? We need all of these cards canceled immediately!" He hangs up, and assures me he will take care of this mess. And then he plucks the $100 from my hand, and hands me a $20 bill. I am not offended.
I drive off to In N Out, considering the contents of my wallet. The credit cards Hubs would handle. What else of value was in there? MY LEGOLAND PASSES. Argggh. Dial mom. Tell her to look up the number for Legoland. Light bulb clicks. "FORGET IT MOM! I am going to get you a shake. Stop whining! GET ME THE NUMBER TO N0RDSTROM."
"You are not using your very nice manners," says a very hurt, very sincere, teeny tiny voice. I feel awful. He means it. And he is very right.
Call Nordstrom. They are very helpful. I say choice words...not foul language. I contain myself to....choice words. I tell the woman she is my best friend. This will get resolved. I feel relieved.
Arrive at In N Out. Teenagers can be very sympathetic at the drive through and at the cashier. I want nice teenagers like them. I deliver In N Out to Hubs. Two thousand dollars we will not be responsible for, charged at TM0bile, Veriz0n, Sears, Home Dep0t,Neiman Marcus, and N0rdstrom. Ouch. I feel so guilty because now my husband is dragged into this mess. And he is solving this for me with all of the credit cards.
He concludes I should head back to the hotel with the children. Driving back, I have a thought. Maybe life would be easier if we stayed in Hawaii. But I am not Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I will not click my ruby red slippers and call Hawaii "home" anymore. I remember the Israelites that complained and wished they were back in Egypt, and they wandered the desert for 40 years. I don't want to wander until I am in my 70s, figuratively speaking. I shake off the thought. Hawaii is not home right now.
And the little voice apologizes for wanting a shake. And I feel like a monster. Later in the hotel, I spend LOTS and LOTS of time with him. Little brother is asleep. We talk about the bad choice this person made. I apologize for my behavior, and for becoming so upset. He forgives me too instantly. There is a lesson there. I still feel badly. I question the depths of this move for a four year old. First car trouble, then wallet trouble. So much for providing security for him. But every day is a new day and today I will try harder.
Hubs and I have a late night talk. He is the best. He tells me I need to be more careful, and this was just an accident. He forgives me too instantly. I am sure there is a lesson there. ;)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
This Ain't Narnia
Kindness. Mahalo for your emails and comments, wondering where I have been. I have not left Bloggyland. NO. But I do feel that I have slipped through the wardrobe, just like the children in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, ever so quickly. I landed in a place I find oddly familiar, quite beautiful, and still so different from what I know as "home." Hubs is adjusting to a new job, and working on getting our house ready from the time he leaves work until the day is over. Still many, many responsibilities fall to me, and I am dragging two small children along on this adventure. Except this adventure is tiresome and leaves little time for me to sit down and share it with you.
Last night the kids and I drove back to the hotel in my car. The car arrived from Hawaii, and yesterday was the first day I had it to myself. We drove down Hawthorne Street in San Diego. For those of you unfamiliar, the street is a straight decent and ends at the harbor, at North Harbor Drive. I sat at a red light on Hawthorne, crafting a plan for unloading the kids, hauling our clean laundry, and grabbing dinner for the family. The light flashed green. My foot pressed on the gas but I went nowhere. The engine did not rev. The needle on the odometer sat at 0 mph, completely unaware I was pressing the gas pedal.
I am not sure what happened, or how the car started to roll. But I kept staring in disbelief at the green "D." My car was in drive. I was not in neutral. I braced myself as we careened down the hill. I called out to Son1. I instructed him to pray that mommy could stop the car. He asked God to bless the food to our bodies. Good enough. I am sure God understood his prayer. Cars were parked all the way down Hawthorne. There was no place to pull over. At the very last light before the harbor, I saw an opening where I could hit a soft curb and pull my emergency brake. I should have known. No parked cars at a driveway opening to a restaurant. Yes, I blocked the driveway.
I dialed Hubs. I begged him to rescue me. He was still at our new house, supervising stone workers. I was hysterical. Not crying, but hysterical. Put the car in D2 or D3 he said. NO NO NO. I reminded him I was one light from the water. NO. I would have no way to stop. And North Harbor is a major road that leads to the airport along the harbor. NO. I had two small children in the car. I told him to RESCUE ME RIGHT NOW.
Now, let me tell you about Hubs. He is the complete antithesis of me. He is as calm as still waters. Nothing moves that man. "First of all, put your car in Park." Very steadily he told me to turn off my car. Ok, I could handle that. He directed me to turn the car on. Next, reverse into the restaurant parking lot. YIPPEEE!!! My car accelerated! Then, he calmly led me to put my car in drive. WOOOO HOOO! My car was moving again! I headed to the hotel, praying at every red light my car would not stall.
I eventually arrived at the hotel, only to find I lost my room key, after dragging a gargantuan bag of clean laundry, my kids, and all of our necessities with us to the room. I will skip the craziness of juggling all of the above, and dinner for Hubs with a new room key, back to the hotel room, nearly an hour and a half later. This ain't Narnia. It is a completely different kind of "adventure." But I keep telling Son1 this is an adventure. Because we have had crazy days like this all too frequently.
We are running to our next adventure this morning: driving my car with 55,000 miles to the dealership. Craziness, I know. A transmission should not give out yet, especially on a Honda. But I will be back, with more stories, just so you don't get worried I didn't make it to the dealership. Deal?
And NO I am not done blogging Hawaii. So thefarmerfiles will be Lost on Oahu for awhile. Don't you want to know how the Survivors of the Farmerfiles made it off the island??? You have to be a LOST fan to get that one. ;)
Last night the kids and I drove back to the hotel in my car. The car arrived from Hawaii, and yesterday was the first day I had it to myself. We drove down Hawthorne Street in San Diego. For those of you unfamiliar, the street is a straight decent and ends at the harbor, at North Harbor Drive. I sat at a red light on Hawthorne, crafting a plan for unloading the kids, hauling our clean laundry, and grabbing dinner for the family. The light flashed green. My foot pressed on the gas but I went nowhere. The engine did not rev. The needle on the odometer sat at 0 mph, completely unaware I was pressing the gas pedal.
I am not sure what happened, or how the car started to roll. But I kept staring in disbelief at the green "D." My car was in drive. I was not in neutral. I braced myself as we careened down the hill. I called out to Son1. I instructed him to pray that mommy could stop the car. He asked God to bless the food to our bodies. Good enough. I am sure God understood his prayer. Cars were parked all the way down Hawthorne. There was no place to pull over. At the very last light before the harbor, I saw an opening where I could hit a soft curb and pull my emergency brake. I should have known. No parked cars at a driveway opening to a restaurant. Yes, I blocked the driveway.
I dialed Hubs. I begged him to rescue me. He was still at our new house, supervising stone workers. I was hysterical. Not crying, but hysterical. Put the car in D2 or D3 he said. NO NO NO. I reminded him I was one light from the water. NO. I would have no way to stop. And North Harbor is a major road that leads to the airport along the harbor. NO. I had two small children in the car. I told him to RESCUE ME RIGHT NOW.
Now, let me tell you about Hubs. He is the complete antithesis of me. He is as calm as still waters. Nothing moves that man. "First of all, put your car in Park." Very steadily he told me to turn off my car. Ok, I could handle that. He directed me to turn the car on. Next, reverse into the restaurant parking lot. YIPPEEE!!! My car accelerated! Then, he calmly led me to put my car in drive. WOOOO HOOO! My car was moving again! I headed to the hotel, praying at every red light my car would not stall.
I eventually arrived at the hotel, only to find I lost my room key, after dragging a gargantuan bag of clean laundry, my kids, and all of our necessities with us to the room. I will skip the craziness of juggling all of the above, and dinner for Hubs with a new room key, back to the hotel room, nearly an hour and a half later. This ain't Narnia. It is a completely different kind of "adventure." But I keep telling Son1 this is an adventure. Because we have had crazy days like this all too frequently.
We are running to our next adventure this morning: driving my car with 55,000 miles to the dealership. Craziness, I know. A transmission should not give out yet, especially on a Honda. But I will be back, with more stories, just so you don't get worried I didn't make it to the dealership. Deal?
And NO I am not done blogging Hawaii. So thefarmerfiles will be Lost on Oahu for awhile. Don't you want to know how the Survivors of the Farmerfiles made it off the island??? You have to be a LOST fan to get that one. ;)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Aloha Friday #10
Fridays are the days we take it easy in Hawaii. We call it Aloha Friday, much like what folks on the mainland call TGIF. I post a question, and you comment. That's it, unless you want to ask your own question at An Island Life. My question is:
What would be the one thing you would do this weekend if you were moving out of state?
After nearly four glorious years in Hawaii my husband and I have chosen to make a very difficult move from Hawaii back to California. We have loved Hawaii and consider it home more than anywhere else. We have not lived in CA for nearly nine years. This is our very last weekend in Hawaii. However, I have such a back log of posts I will be posting about Hawaii a bit longer. With the tropical storm brewing, and the threat of an island wide power outage, I am not sure exactly how we will spend the weekend. But I know we will spend it together.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
If These Walls Could Talk
Moving was quite a process. Our pack out from Hawaii was much different than our pack out from Virginia. We were assigned two movers that wrapped our furniture, packed our boxes, and loaded our crates. These two wonder workers did it all. In Virginia we had a crew of people for each step: an entire crew wrapped larger furniture, an entire crew packed our household goods, and an entire crew loaded all of our crates. It took three full days and fifteen people to move all of our things. Not in Hawaii. Our two movers finished our entire pack out in two days.
We loaded eighteen wooden crates full of furniture and boxes. Each crate averaged about 900 pounds. The wooden crates were metal sealed and tagged with a number. Hubby's name was scrawled on the exterior of each crate, along with a number. Those of us that move like this, with particularly large shipments, know the unspoken "rules." If you want your stuff taken care of, you buy your movers whatever they want for lunch when they pack you up, and when they unload you at your destination. This time was easy; the larger guy shocked us with a salad order both days, and the smaller guy wanted plate lunch.
We were left with an empty house, just a shell of the memories that once held our home. I sat quietly, (very unlike me) reflecting on our time in Hawaii. In a few more days our keys would belong to someone else. It was their turn to call our house their home. I was not heartbroken. We bought this house knowing it would "work." We knew from the beginning that our time in Hawaii was ticking, and we could not stay forever. But I sat there, trying to memorize all that our house had meant, in all the ways it had become our home, in all of the ways we were able to share it with others. I will share them with you. They are not the most significant memories,nor the most private, nor the most public. They are simply memories that came to mind.
We had bought the Sanford and Son house on the block. It was so bad that the neighbors thanked us for buying it. A family with ten children and two rabbits had lived here before us. The then three year old home looked much older. So we fixed up the home, inside and out.
If the exterior walls could talk they would tell tales of two little boys that sat on that step and waited for their daddy to come home. On hot afternoons we hunted lizards and dragonflies. We took Son2's birth announcement photo on the front lawn, along with Mother's Day and birthday pictures. It was on the lanai that I found sweet packages sent from the mainland that at times brought me to tears. And this lawn is where giant poisonous toads would taunt me during rainy season nights. It was also on the front lanai where I learned to love people from the door to door religions and not just shut the door on them.
In the living room (not pictured) there was the time our 20 foot ceilings looked like they had been graffitied. Hubs used a paint sprayer and it got stuck. It was in this living room that I taught Son1 how to greet guests and then walk them to the door at the end of the night. This was the room where we first replaced the flooring, and Hubs and I had quite a time! Well, honestly I was terrible help to him. We said goodbye to our pool table in this room, and led our couples Bible study in this room.
These kitchen walls could tell you how my children loved to hide in cupboards, how we learned to cook new local food, and how the best of our guests helped us with meals. We spent so much time around that center island, eating as a family, preparing meals, spreading out maps of the island, and helping guests plan their itineraries.
Both of my children learned to walk in this family room, the room where Son2 once rocked peacefully in a swing. In this room Hubby replayed my LOST debut in super slow motion several times just so I could revel in myself.
If these outside walls could talk they would whisper the sounds of the melodic wind chimes we bought in Hawaii in 1999, long before we lived here. This is where I said goodbye to my dog of 6 1/2 years, where both of our children screamed delightfully as their daddy pushed them on the swing after work.
Ahh how I wish this wall would let me forget the trip to the emergency room, but I will not forget the apple banana and papaya trees.
If the dining area could talk it would tell you of the late night hours Hubby spent at the laptop, after work, after family time, after dinner, and after wife time. They would tell you about a man who puts his family first. Ahhh and you would know about the little boy who threw food from his high chair to his trusty dog, just to watch his mama flip, and then giggle, giggle, giggle. OVER AND OVER.
Goodbye bathroom walls, where I tossed my pregnant cookies during that big earthquake in 2006! This is where I started potty training, where I sang songs, read books, and made happy faces out of lotion to keep a child on the potty. Ahhh and where our guests worried the neighbors could see them while taking a shower. Hee hee. (We did put a curtain up!)
The walls of the guest room (not pictured) greeted so many visitors! How the walls may have giggled at overpacked and overweight suitcases, and even more as they watched many guests repack!
The laundry room knew the joy of preschool art hung from each wall.
The hallway heard the cheers from wheelbarrow races with daddy after dinner, and games of Ready! Set! Go! races.
Aahh and the walls would tell you how I relinquished our hall storage closet to an entire toy closet.
How we would tiptoe quietly in just the right places on these steps! And when we hit the wrong boards the kids surely woke up.
In this little office I posted so much on this blog about our life in Hawaii.
And some days I watched mountain sunsets and arching rainbows from the windows.
And how those walls could tell you how frustrated I was when a child locked me in his room when he was 2 years old, and how I have retold that story, laughing with tears in my eyes so many times. They could tell you how Hubby and I have the sweetest memories of listening to our child pray at night, playing bedtime games with him, and his pretending to "clean" his room (shoving anything not nailed down into the closet).
And I know those walls laughed when I broke the toilet seat. But they knew the joy of watching two little boys share a tubby.
Our master bedroom (not pictured) WELL I AM GLAD THOSE WALLS DON'T TALK.
Aahh the walls of the master bathroom could tell you stories of hair cuts for two little squirmy boys, and how one flushed a deodorant stick down the toilet, and we had to call a plumber. And of a mommy that relished in long, hot hot hot showers after a day at the beach.
And if these walls could talk, they would tell you how I told the new owner I could not turn over the house to him until my baby woke up from his very last nap in the very first bedroom I called "his."
We loaded eighteen wooden crates full of furniture and boxes. Each crate averaged about 900 pounds. The wooden crates were metal sealed and tagged with a number. Hubby's name was scrawled on the exterior of each crate, along with a number. Those of us that move like this, with particularly large shipments, know the unspoken "rules." If you want your stuff taken care of, you buy your movers whatever they want for lunch when they pack you up, and when they unload you at your destination. This time was easy; the larger guy shocked us with a salad order both days, and the smaller guy wanted plate lunch.We were left with an empty house, just a shell of the memories that once held our home. I sat quietly, (very unlike me) reflecting on our time in Hawaii. In a few more days our keys would belong to someone else. It was their turn to call our house their home. I was not heartbroken. We bought this house knowing it would "work." We knew from the beginning that our time in Hawaii was ticking, and we could not stay forever. But I sat there, trying to memorize all that our house had meant, in all the ways it had become our home, in all of the ways we were able to share it with others. I will share them with you. They are not the most significant memories,nor the most private, nor the most public. They are simply memories that came to mind.
We had bought the Sanford and Son house on the block. It was so bad that the neighbors thanked us for buying it. A family with ten children and two rabbits had lived here before us. The then three year old home looked much older. So we fixed up the home, inside and out.
If the exterior walls could talk they would tell tales of two little boys that sat on that step and waited for their daddy to come home. On hot afternoons we hunted lizards and dragonflies. We took Son2's birth announcement photo on the front lawn, along with Mother's Day and birthday pictures. It was on the lanai that I found sweet packages sent from the mainland that at times brought me to tears. And this lawn is where giant poisonous toads would taunt me during rainy season nights. It was also on the front lanai where I learned to love people from the door to door religions and not just shut the door on them.
In the living room (not pictured) there was the time our 20 foot ceilings looked like they had been graffitied. Hubs used a paint sprayer and it got stuck. It was in this living room that I taught Son1 how to greet guests and then walk them to the door at the end of the night. This was the room where we first replaced the flooring, and Hubs and I had quite a time! Well, honestly I was terrible help to him. We said goodbye to our pool table in this room, and led our couples Bible study in this room.
These kitchen walls could tell you how my children loved to hide in cupboards, how we learned to cook new local food, and how the best of our guests helped us with meals. We spent so much time around that center island, eating as a family, preparing meals, spreading out maps of the island, and helping guests plan their itineraries.
Both of my children learned to walk in this family room, the room where Son2 once rocked peacefully in a swing. In this room Hubby replayed my LOST debut in super slow motion several times just so I could revel in myself.
If these outside walls could talk they would whisper the sounds of the melodic wind chimes we bought in Hawaii in 1999, long before we lived here. This is where I said goodbye to my dog of 6 1/2 years, where both of our children screamed delightfully as their daddy pushed them on the swing after work.
Ahh how I wish this wall would let me forget the trip to the emergency room, but I will not forget the apple banana and papaya trees.
If the dining area could talk it would tell you of the late night hours Hubby spent at the laptop, after work, after family time, after dinner, and after wife time. They would tell you about a man who puts his family first. Ahhh and you would know about the little boy who threw food from his high chair to his trusty dog, just to watch his mama flip, and then giggle, giggle, giggle. OVER AND OVER.
Goodbye bathroom walls, where I tossed my pregnant cookies during that big earthquake in 2006! This is where I started potty training, where I sang songs, read books, and made happy faces out of lotion to keep a child on the potty. Ahhh and where our guests worried the neighbors could see them while taking a shower. Hee hee. (We did put a curtain up!)The walls of the guest room (not pictured) greeted so many visitors! How the walls may have giggled at overpacked and overweight suitcases, and even more as they watched many guests repack!
The laundry room knew the joy of preschool art hung from each wall.
The hallway heard the cheers from wheelbarrow races with daddy after dinner, and games of Ready! Set! Go! races.
Aahh and the walls would tell you how I relinquished our hall storage closet to an entire toy closet.
How we would tiptoe quietly in just the right places on these steps! And when we hit the wrong boards the kids surely woke up.
In this little office I posted so much on this blog about our life in Hawaii.
And some days I watched mountain sunsets and arching rainbows from the windows.
And how those walls could tell you how frustrated I was when a child locked me in his room when he was 2 years old, and how I have retold that story, laughing with tears in my eyes so many times. They could tell you how Hubby and I have the sweetest memories of listening to our child pray at night, playing bedtime games with him, and his pretending to "clean" his room (shoving anything not nailed down into the closet).
And I know those walls laughed when I broke the toilet seat. But they knew the joy of watching two little boys share a tubby.Our master bedroom (not pictured) WELL I AM GLAD THOSE WALLS DON'T TALK.
Aahh the walls of the master bathroom could tell you stories of hair cuts for two little squirmy boys, and how one flushed a deodorant stick down the toilet, and we had to call a plumber. And of a mommy that relished in long, hot hot hot showers after a day at the beach.And if these walls could talk, they would tell you how I told the new owner I could not turn over the house to him until my baby woke up from his very last nap in the very first bedroom I called "his."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
test
So this is my test post to see WHO DISABLED MY COMMENTS ON MY LAST POST when I am the only blog administrator!!!
Misery Loves Company
Have you ever moved homes or moved jobs, and just when you are feeling sad about it, it just isn't so sad when you find out your friends are moving, too? I know! It's a warm fuzzy feeling, sharing the same "in between places" kind of space, and you are feeling just as icky about this whole move thing as me!
Hubs and I started leading the young married group at our church in 2005. Sarah and Kevin were the only couple that started the group and ended the group with us, and lots of folks came later and moved in between. Sarah and I grew to be good friends, and we love so much of the same about Hawaii. They are from the Baltimore area, about an hour from the northern VA area, where we moved from. And let's just say the shadow of the nation's capitol is a whole different culture from Hawaii. So we both had some adjusting to do. But like me, she fell in love with Hawaiian culture, and hoped time would slow down before we made the jump across the Big Pond back to the Big Rock.
Oh, and the other thing I love about Sarah? She HEARTS Christmas and HEARTS tea time. (And she hearts Jesus and my kids, what's not to love?) So when her husband was deployed, guess who helped me decorate my Christmas tree when I was pregnant in 2006?
Absolutely one thing Sarah and I wanted to see before we left was the Honolulu City Lights parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall.
I took a lot of not so great pictures. But I will remember how warm it was that night (see how much smarter Sarah was than me in her clothing choice) the excitement I son felt to watch the parade and spend time with Mr. Kevin, and all of the parade elements you only see in Hawaii. The Geico gecko (we have geckos everywhere in Hawaii) showered the crowd with green mardi gras beads, fire dancers twirled fire, and danced, and many floats played music on ukuleles.
This is the Honolulu Police Department float, and a few officers played and sung with their ukuleles and piped the music through their amp system.
This was by far our favorite float...the meter maid. The meter maid was souped up like a reindeer, pulling a sleigh on hydraulics.
It was sweet for our family to share the night with Sarah and Kevin, knowing we would all say aloha soon.
How about you? Have you ever shared a moment of lasts with friends?
Hubs and I started leading the young married group at our church in 2005. Sarah and Kevin were the only couple that started the group and ended the group with us, and lots of folks came later and moved in between. Sarah and I grew to be good friends, and we love so much of the same about Hawaii. They are from the Baltimore area, about an hour from the northern VA area, where we moved from. And let's just say the shadow of the nation's capitol is a whole different culture from Hawaii. So we both had some adjusting to do. But like me, she fell in love with Hawaiian culture, and hoped time would slow down before we made the jump across the Big Pond back to the Big Rock.
Oh, and the other thing I love about Sarah? She HEARTS Christmas and HEARTS tea time. (And she hearts Jesus and my kids, what's not to love?) So when her husband was deployed, guess who helped me decorate my Christmas tree when I was pregnant in 2006?
Absolutely one thing Sarah and I wanted to see before we left was the Honolulu City Lights parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall.
I took a lot of not so great pictures. But I will remember how warm it was that night (see how much smarter Sarah was than me in her clothing choice) the excitement I son felt to watch the parade and spend time with Mr. Kevin, and all of the parade elements you only see in Hawaii. The Geico gecko (we have geckos everywhere in Hawaii) showered the crowd with green mardi gras beads, fire dancers twirled fire, and danced, and many floats played music on ukuleles.
This is the Honolulu Police Department float, and a few officers played and sung with their ukuleles and piped the music through their amp system.
This was by far our favorite float...the meter maid. The meter maid was souped up like a reindeer, pulling a sleigh on hydraulics.It was sweet for our family to share the night with Sarah and Kevin, knowing we would all say aloha soon.
How about you? Have you ever shared a moment of lasts with friends?
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Big Rock and The Fix It Ticket
I didn't mean to leave you hanging on the first class ticket to Hawaii. I will tell you, I promise. But first, a little about our trip to San Diego.
Hubby's work provided ten days for us in San Diego prior to our final move. And by us, I mean Hubby and me. We scheduled the trip around Christmas, and paid for our kids' expenses. This Christmas was particularly special for my mom. We have always lived 2500 miles away since we have had children, and spend Christmas at our home. My mom dreamed of having all of her grandchildren for Christmas at her house, and this year, it finally happened. I am only sorry I did not take more pictures of my parents' home, because going there for the holidays in an event. I will not ask what their electric bill runs for the month of December, or how their grass, rooftop, and trees do not catch on fire.
Christmas Day was spent at my parents' house.
Can you believe this is he best picture I took of my mom with the kids? It is hard to make ridiculous noises and jump up and down and try and
get three people in a picture with a steady hand.
I convinced my mom to buy a gingerbread house for the kids to decorate. Aahh but my mom and I wisely tasked my unknowing sister to decorate the house with the children. Have you
ever decorated a gingerbread house with preschoolers? Then you know what I am talking about!
On one of our last days in San Diego, my kids saw the Holiday Bowl parade from our hotel window. We were staying on the corner of Pacific Highway and Market Street, right on the parade route. San Diego is home to the largest balloon parade (grounded balloons, not hot air balloons). Can you recognize these?
These are the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales. See the wagon driver? He is sitting on cases and cases of beer. Do you know what AB owns in San Diego?
My kids loved the parade!
Now...back to our story of the first class ticket. The kids and I were sitting in 12B and 12C. Hubs was supposed to be in 12A before he upgradedhis ungrateful wife me to first class. We were having a pleading session with one another. He pleaded with me to take the ticket. I pleaded for him to give back the upgrade. He asked the gate agent, but it was too late. The whole plane had boarded, and they upgraded someone else to 12A in Economy Plus, with us. One of the two of us had to sit in the first class seat. The only option was if the person now in 12A wanted to move to 10A Hubs could sit back in his original seat. My whole anxiety was that I wanted to be with my kids. I am with them all of the time these days. To not be with them is strange. This is my new normal. I did not want to sit without them, next to a stranger. Okay, and maybe away from all of those desserts Hubs had just bought. (No judging if I gain any weight back! I am eating out for 60 days!) Hubs suggested that Son2 sit with me in first class. Noooo way. We have flown with our children in first class. Even the most well behaved kids get what we call "stink eye" in Hawaii. Hubs finally caved, and volunteered to sit in the seat with Son2, and Son1 and I would sit in Economy Plus. I still had hope, though.
Son1 and I found our seats in row 12 next to a bad attempt at a punk teen idol with the hair, the clothes, and the music. I am not kidding. I sat down ever so kindly, and threw myself at this young one. Could she possibly take 10A so my family could sit together? She didn't know what to make of my gentle forcefulness. (Did you know I once had dreams of being a hostage negotiator?) She gathered her things, and I turned and said, "Well, I just have to check with him. I need to see if he is willing to give up his first class seat." Now this young one was a smart one. She cocked her head to one side and let me know she would be perfectly willing to take his first class seat. I told her I wasn't sure the airline would allow this, but I would ask. In fact, I know they don't allow this, because the next person on the upgrade list should be tapped for first class, not some random young one in 12A.
I rushed up to first class, and yes, I got the stink eye, like, what was I doing in the wrong cabin, minutes before take off?? I ignored them, and relayed the story to Hubs, and he agreed without hesitation to move to Economy Plus, as long as it was OK with the gate agent, who was now on board the plane trying to put out other fires. I excitedly approached the irritated agent, and she questioned Hubs three times. Did he really want to give up his seat? Oh yes he did, he assured her. He is not the happiest passenger when he is not upgraded. I found it odd, but didn't question his choice. And then I jumped in and asked the gate agent if we could give the seat to the young one sitting in 12A. Her head was spinning. We were already 30 minutes late for take off and the passengers and crew were restless. She had the you-are-crazy look written all over her face, but agreed, just to be done with us. Hubs grabbed his laptop backpack, which is the equivalent of a small tortoise shell, larger than Son2. That thing carries Lots of Precious Stuff That Cannot Be Lost in Our Move. So he ambled down the aisle with Son2 across his front, and his backpack sticking out of his back. I ran back to the young one, and told her Hubs and the gate agent agreed she could have the seat. "Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!" Ohhh she was so grateful. She fell all over herself, telling me I didn't know what this meant. She had traveled for 48 hours already, and it was her birthday, and on, and on, and on. I sincerely told her to enjoy, and helped her clear the aisle quickly so Hubs could settle into our row with Son2.
Hubs stowed his backpack and plunked down in the seat next to me. Our boys squealed at the sight of one another, like they hadn't seen one another in years. And Hubby's rushed exit from first class? Oooh the passenger next to Hubs definitely gave him some serious stink eye when he took the seat next to her with Son2 who was quiet, by the way. She was in no mood to sit next to a little guy. Hubs said she was of the Hoity Toity variety.
My heart was full. Our whole family was together in the same row! I unzipped my backpack, and pulled out some "help" to make the kids groggy. It worked, but on the wrong child. The unphased child was awake and active. And I will leave it at that because anything more I would tell you is unnecessary.
Now, we are flying again in just over a week. There will be no attempts to upgrade, no attempts to tempt me with peacefulness and a movie, and fancy food. But phew! Since Hubby's work pays for the kids this time, we will at least have four seats rather than three. Now, the groggy help? I will attempt that again!
Hubby's work provided ten days for us in San Diego prior to our final move. And by us, I mean Hubby and me. We scheduled the trip around Christmas, and paid for our kids' expenses. This Christmas was particularly special for my mom. We have always lived 2500 miles away since we have had children, and spend Christmas at our home. My mom dreamed of having all of her grandchildren for Christmas at her house, and this year, it finally happened. I am only sorry I did not take more pictures of my parents' home, because going there for the holidays in an event. I will not ask what their electric bill runs for the month of December, or how their grass, rooftop, and trees do not catch on fire.
Our whole family spent Christmas Eve at Legoland. I felt a little guilty about not going to church. But when I checked the weather report it was the only day that we could all go, and freezing rain was not 
predicted. My nephew and my Son1 speak frequently on the phone and were tasting this day together for some time.
predicted. My nephew and my Son1 speak frequently on the phone and were tasting this day together for some time.Christmas Day was spent at my parents' house.
Can you believe this is he best picture I took of my mom with the kids? It is hard to make ridiculous noises and jump up and down and try and
get three people in a picture with a steady hand.I convinced my mom to buy a gingerbread house for the kids to decorate. Aahh but my mom and I wisely tasked my unknowing sister to decorate the house with the children. Have you
ever decorated a gingerbread house with preschoolers? Then you know what I am talking about!On one of our last days in San Diego, my kids saw the Holiday Bowl parade from our hotel window. We were staying on the corner of Pacific Highway and Market Street, right on the parade route. San Diego is home to the largest balloon parade (grounded balloons, not hot air balloons). Can you recognize these?
These are the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales. See the wagon driver? He is sitting on cases and cases of beer. Do you know what AB owns in San Diego?
Here is a clue:
Did you guess Sea World?
And my favorite float was the Polynesian float because they played beats that flooded my heart from Hawaii!
My kids loved the parade!
Now...back to our story of the first class ticket. The kids and I were sitting in 12B and 12C. Hubs was supposed to be in 12A before he upgraded
Son1 and I found our seats in row 12 next to a bad attempt at a punk teen idol with the hair, the clothes, and the music. I am not kidding. I sat down ever so kindly, and threw myself at this young one. Could she possibly take 10A so my family could sit together? She didn't know what to make of my gentle forcefulness. (Did you know I once had dreams of being a hostage negotiator?) She gathered her things, and I turned and said, "Well, I just have to check with him. I need to see if he is willing to give up his first class seat." Now this young one was a smart one. She cocked her head to one side and let me know she would be perfectly willing to take his first class seat. I told her I wasn't sure the airline would allow this, but I would ask. In fact, I know they don't allow this, because the next person on the upgrade list should be tapped for first class, not some random young one in 12A.
I rushed up to first class, and yes, I got the stink eye, like, what was I doing in the wrong cabin, minutes before take off?? I ignored them, and relayed the story to Hubs, and he agreed without hesitation to move to Economy Plus, as long as it was OK with the gate agent, who was now on board the plane trying to put out other fires. I excitedly approached the irritated agent, and she questioned Hubs three times. Did he really want to give up his seat? Oh yes he did, he assured her. He is not the happiest passenger when he is not upgraded. I found it odd, but didn't question his choice. And then I jumped in and asked the gate agent if we could give the seat to the young one sitting in 12A. Her head was spinning. We were already 30 minutes late for take off and the passengers and crew were restless. She had the you-are-crazy look written all over her face, but agreed, just to be done with us. Hubs grabbed his laptop backpack, which is the equivalent of a small tortoise shell, larger than Son2. That thing carries Lots of Precious Stuff That Cannot Be Lost in Our Move. So he ambled down the aisle with Son2 across his front, and his backpack sticking out of his back. I ran back to the young one, and told her Hubs and the gate agent agreed she could have the seat. "Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!" Ohhh she was so grateful. She fell all over herself, telling me I didn't know what this meant. She had traveled for 48 hours already, and it was her birthday, and on, and on, and on. I sincerely told her to enjoy, and helped her clear the aisle quickly so Hubs could settle into our row with Son2.
Hubs stowed his backpack and plunked down in the seat next to me. Our boys squealed at the sight of one another, like they hadn't seen one another in years. And Hubby's rushed exit from first class? Oooh the passenger next to Hubs definitely gave him some serious stink eye when he took the seat next to her with Son2 who was quiet, by the way. She was in no mood to sit next to a little guy. Hubs said she was of the Hoity Toity variety.
My heart was full. Our whole family was together in the same row! I unzipped my backpack, and pulled out some "help" to make the kids groggy. It worked, but on the wrong child. The unphased child was awake and active. And I will leave it at that because anything more I would tell you is unnecessary.
Now, we are flying again in just over a week. There will be no attempts to upgrade, no attempts to tempt me with peacefulness and a movie, and fancy food. But phew! Since Hubby's work pays for the kids this time, we will at least have four seats rather than three. Now, the groggy help? I will attempt that again!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!
(Pronounced How-oh-lee Ma-kah-hee-kee hoe)
I am back in Hawaii. Have you missed me? Say you have! I have missed you!
Our time in San Diego was eventful. Much of our time involved our new house. We managed some visiting time, but as my dad said, every time we called my parents, it was to put my dad to work! Needless to say we weren't working at the house. We do not own it quite yet.
We purchased a bank owned foreclosure. Let's just say the previous owners were not happy about losing their home. So the house is missing everything from appliances to toilet seats, and other things in between. However, the house met our long checklist we made six months ago of everything we wanted in a home. We were discouraged we would not find such a home. One day, if I ever catch up on my posting, I will tell you the long story of our new home, and how it is obvious the Lord went before us to San Diego. But for now I will tell you one of the crazier tales (they are all quite crazy, though) about our house work.
In the media room, the previous owners installed ceiling speakers. Now you know if they took the toilet seats and shower heads, you know they did not leave the ceiling speakers. So there are five rotund circles in the ceiling of the family room. Somehow, we had to find speakers for the ceiling, that were not standard sized. Hubs measured the circular pits, and it looked like it was going to take some BUCKS to replace the speakers. But then he had this random idea to go to L1nens & Th1ngs....yes, the store that just went out of business, to look around.
We walked into a near empty store with everything 90% off. You will have to visit to believe all that we purchased. Not a bit was actual merchandise once carried by the store. You know the racks that hold all of the merchandise? They will be mounted in our garage. And I am not going to go on about the minivan he shoved full, how I kept my children up way too late, the fire extinguisher that nearly poisoned us, or the 48 hours that just about killed us. OR how the children and I froze for seven hours outside in 40 and 50 degree weather. Well, I would tell you, but you would have no sympathy if I told you Hubs dropped us off at Legoland. See, I knew you wouldn't feel sorry for me! But, I had two whiny children that are both small enough to require an adult for most rides. So we could only get on a limited amount of rides over nine long, cold hours!
Hubs rented a 3500 pound Scissor lift to get those Bose speakers from the 26 foot ceilings. Here is a photo of what the lift looked like. The cage part had to be disassembled to get through the back door of the store. Dr
iving this thing around the store was a huge challenge, especially with people walking around the store and other moving crews taking apart the 20 ft high shelves. Hubs was supposed to take the entire sound system, over 30 speakers and the console. However, after only getting 10 box speakers and 5 round ceiling speakers, he called it quits. There was just not enough time to get all of the speakers down without power tools in the short amount of time. He was seriously using a screw driver he bought at CVS. Lucky us, the store manager cut the price by 80% of the crazy low price he had quoted us already. So even with renting the lift, we got the speakers for a good price.
We left San Diego on New Year's Eve, and flew from San Diego through San Francisco. We changed planes, and the kids and I hit the kids spot while Hubs spent some time at the laptop station. He grabbed some dinner at the food court and some serious sin at a place that only served desserts. Meanwhile, the kids were bouncing in two different directions in the kids spot. Time to board was called, and Hubs took one look at my frazzled face and hair standing on end. He just apologized. I eyed him with my most loving look and told him he could make it up to me on the plane, the next FIVE hours to Hawaii. I gathered my things. I looked up. No Hubs!!! I turned from one side to the next, and he came up to me waving a ticket at me. "Here you go. Happy New Year!!" I knew what it was. I didn't even look at it. I didn't even take it from him. It was a first class ticket to Hawaii. Now don't ask me what New Year's hormones came over me, but I grew frustrated and said, "Why did you do that? I do not want that." I was pleading with him. He gave me his upgraded first class seat, since he is an elite member. He looked confused. "But you said to make it up to you on the plane?!?" Yeah, but I did not mean it like that. I begged him to take it back. I wanted our family to sit together. I know. Don't even speak your thoughts. Hubs thought I was just as nuts. But my eyes welled up (it must have indeed been hormone induced, because I clearly was not thinking) and I asked him to fix this mess. But the gate agent could not change the seat back because now she had placed someone else in Hubs' old seat in Economy Plus, the one next to me.
So...this story has more to it, but we are on our way out the door, and my kids are super hungry and ready to eat us alive....so I will be back to finish the rest of the story tonight!
(Pronounced How-oh-lee Ma-kah-hee-kee hoe)
I am back in Hawaii. Have you missed me? Say you have! I have missed you!
Our time in San Diego was eventful. Much of our time involved our new house. We managed some visiting time, but as my dad said, every time we called my parents, it was to put my dad to work! Needless to say we weren't working at the house. We do not own it quite yet.
We purchased a bank owned foreclosure. Let's just say the previous owners were not happy about losing their home. So the house is missing everything from appliances to toilet seats, and other things in between. However, the house met our long checklist we made six months ago of everything we wanted in a home. We were discouraged we would not find such a home. One day, if I ever catch up on my posting, I will tell you the long story of our new home, and how it is obvious the Lord went before us to San Diego. But for now I will tell you one of the crazier tales (they are all quite crazy, though) about our house work.
In the media room, the previous owners installed ceiling speakers. Now you know if they took the toilet seats and shower heads, you know they did not leave the ceiling speakers. So there are five rotund circles in the ceiling of the family room. Somehow, we had to find speakers for the ceiling, that were not standard sized. Hubs measured the circular pits, and it looked like it was going to take some BUCKS to replace the speakers. But then he had this random idea to go to L1nens & Th1ngs....yes, the store that just went out of business, to look around.
We walked into a near empty store with everything 90% off. You will have to visit to believe all that we purchased. Not a bit was actual merchandise once carried by the store. You know the racks that hold all of the merchandise? They will be mounted in our garage. And I am not going to go on about the minivan he shoved full, how I kept my children up way too late, the fire extinguisher that nearly poisoned us, or the 48 hours that just about killed us. OR how the children and I froze for seven hours outside in 40 and 50 degree weather. Well, I would tell you, but you would have no sympathy if I told you Hubs dropped us off at Legoland. See, I knew you wouldn't feel sorry for me! But, I had two whiny children that are both small enough to require an adult for most rides. So we could only get on a limited amount of rides over nine long, cold hours!
Hubs rented a 3500 pound Scissor lift to get those Bose speakers from the 26 foot ceilings. Here is a photo of what the lift looked like. The cage part had to be disassembled to get through the back door of the store. Dr
iving this thing around the store was a huge challenge, especially with people walking around the store and other moving crews taking apart the 20 ft high shelves. Hubs was supposed to take the entire sound system, over 30 speakers and the console. However, after only getting 10 box speakers and 5 round ceiling speakers, he called it quits. There was just not enough time to get all of the speakers down without power tools in the short amount of time. He was seriously using a screw driver he bought at CVS. Lucky us, the store manager cut the price by 80% of the crazy low price he had quoted us already. So even with renting the lift, we got the speakers for a good price.We left San Diego on New Year's Eve, and flew from San Diego through San Francisco. We changed planes, and the kids and I hit the kids spot while Hubs spent some time at the laptop station. He grabbed some dinner at the food court and some serious sin at a place that only served desserts. Meanwhile, the kids were bouncing in two different directions in the kids spot. Time to board was called, and Hubs took one look at my frazzled face and hair standing on end. He just apologized. I eyed him with my most loving look and told him he could make it up to me on the plane, the next FIVE hours to Hawaii. I gathered my things. I looked up. No Hubs!!! I turned from one side to the next, and he came up to me waving a ticket at me. "Here you go. Happy New Year!!" I knew what it was. I didn't even look at it. I didn't even take it from him. It was a first class ticket to Hawaii. Now don't ask me what New Year's hormones came over me, but I grew frustrated and said, "Why did you do that? I do not want that." I was pleading with him. He gave me his upgraded first class seat, since he is an elite member. He looked confused. "But you said to make it up to you on the plane?!?" Yeah, but I did not mean it like that. I begged him to take it back. I wanted our family to sit together. I know. Don't even speak your thoughts. Hubs thought I was just as nuts. But my eyes welled up (it must have indeed been hormone induced, because I clearly was not thinking) and I asked him to fix this mess. But the gate agent could not change the seat back because now she had placed someone else in Hubs' old seat in Economy Plus, the one next to me.
So...this story has more to it, but we are on our way out the door, and my kids are super hungry and ready to eat us alive....so I will be back to finish the rest of the story tonight!
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