teeny details

I think this e-mail is about OCD-obsessive compulsive disorder-but in my case it puts order to this cleaning frenzy. For instance, this morning I'm mopping the kitchen floors. The family was here for dinner last night and I guess there were a few "thrills and spills" where the kids sat. It is taking me 3 of those sheets on the mop, plus I'm disposing a sponge with the green scratchy stuff on the back. There are some spots on the wood floor that I didn't know if they were the knots in the wood, or stuff that was stuck on the floors! Drops of stuff here and there, they look suspiciously like COFFEE!! Of course, that leads to spot cleaning on the carpets, and once you have the cleaner out you may as well do the upholstery on the dining room chairs. It's endless, I tell you.

There are two drips on the oven door--INSIDE? Nope! OUTSIDE? Nope! Those drips found their way to live IN-BETWEEN the glass panels on the door--and they are the kind that start at the top of the panel and drip their sassy selves down the glass!

While I was vacuuming carpets I noticed the baseboards are dusty. Then I looked up the walls at the dust in the cobwebs?? I see the patched holes where SOMEONE didn't measure correctly when hanging the crtain rods. I think that time it was ME. They will need to have touch up paint. And we don't even wanna talk about having the scenery look better through clean, shiny, spotless and streakless windows. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

I know I'm in this mess because I don't have the time, I don't make the time to spiffy clean daily, weekly or even monthly! Well, the realtors should be here in an hour and the way things are going, I won't be finished with the weeding outside, I'll be happy if all the INSIDE work is done! I've been at it since 6:30!! Now to the bathrooms! Know a good cleaning service?? I'd need to clean before they come!

Oh, Mr. Long, the house looks better now, just give us a call and come visit!!! You don't need to look at the rooms through photos on the real estate sites!! It can be a trade--take Wes for a ride in the Magnum! I'll bake some cookies!!!

it's another day, one day at a time

The little grandkids are too cute. Nui is a year and a few months old and he leans in for kisses and says, "Luv You". It will take some doing to keep my focus on getting to Federal Way. A sale on the house will tell us we need to move ahead. Today the rooms are ready for showing because the clutter is all gone, but I DO have a couple of boxes in the closet to weed through. The garage has 3 distinct piles, DUMP, GOODWILL and PACKED TO GO! Even my realtor friend can't believe we're putting this on the market. "I would buy this place in a minute!" he said, but he built a really nice place at the same time as we were building!

I feel the kids distancing themselves and some are making jokes about how Kawika will be the next to move but Brandon says he won't be visiting Federal anytime soon. I can listen and filter out that he will miss me. Anyhow, they take their girls up to Everett every month for a couple of days, and Federal Way is not as far! I think they will see us as much as they do now.

Kapua's boyfriend, Clay, celebrated his birthday here today. His family came and we all met and had a good first visit! His dad is really interested in our motorcycles, too bad Wes was at work! He has a Honda Goldwing.

I'm going to bed, my work is cut out for me now. I'll clean bathrooms and polish the appliances and the realtor's tour is tomorrow morning so sometime between 9:30 and 11 they will come through here. Our septic filter is clean now and I can try and pare down the laundry pile! We are scheduled to look at houses at 1. I'll be in class after that. People have been calling and calling my phone! I will need to keep that phone close if I don't wanna be surprised by people showing the house!

taking a break and coming out from under a rock

I have lived in Kitsap County since 1985, and within the Hawaiian community have known people by face or by kids but not even by full first and last names! Have I been living under a rock, or what!! We took a ride to a biker rally at Ocean Shores. I told Wes to get me up a half hour before we had to leave, thinking that would be enough time! By the time I got all the stuff on, Harley Boots (bought at a close out of a work gear store) I've had since 2002, my ballistic outfit that is almost too tight to get into, and my layers to keep warm because it didn't look like the sun was coming out yesterday-it was a tad past the time to leave!

We met the Lafontaine's at the Rotary sponsored annual pancake breakfast (I've been to it only one time before) and I was served by a lady who used to be my boss in real estate. When we sat down we were joined by a lady I worked for just this past school year. Her sister and sister's friend are nurses at Harrison. Wow! we had great conversation especially when those nurses thought Wes looked familiar. The talk was about emergency services and bad hospitals.

At 7:30 we were pulling into the parking lot at Legends (the new name for the Harley dealership). Heather and Charlie and their 26 year old son, Aaron (on his own rice burner bike) are the Tabangay family. They came here in 1982. These guys have a new Harley and have been riding since April. I know them because they helped Auntie with music at performances. The Lopez' are Rod and Susan she is about the size that I was at age 10 -under 100 pounds! He was a biker in Hawai'i, years and years ago. I paddled canoe with their daughter, and they also played music for Auntie. As the day went on I found out that Heather is a CHING and her sister is another '68 graduate of Kamehameha--small world!

Heather and Charlie ride because their son loves it and they don't like him going off on his own all the time. Anyhow, we all laughed at WHO KNEW? Who knew we would all be riding together after all these years of mere acquaintance type relationship. The Lopez and Tabangay's were dressed "to the nines" in CHOKE Harley stuff from chaps, vests, jackets, and boots to do-rags and warm layers under the leather. The gals are still tiny and so cute!! Rod's leather beanie had an orange propeller on it! By the time the day was over, Loriann had outfitted herself in a new vest and chaps, becoming what her kids call, "the biker bitch".

As to the event, it must have been a success. I've never seen so many bikes in one place! As we came into Ocean Shores, the medials were used for parking bikes (and cars) and people lined the street--we thought they were waiting for a parade, and found that we WERE the parade. They just stand and watch as all the bikes come into town.

We had lunch at the Shiloh Inn. A gal kept looking at me and I mouthed, "are you Hawaiian?" and we flashed the shaka sign. Too funny. As we had a long wait for our food, Loriann went over and I followed. Her name is Eu and she is from Nanakuli! She said she can't find any Hawaiians in Tacoma??! Her boyfriend is Pat and he works in Tacoma, putting woodwork into yachts!! After breakfast we went "shopping" and I got a massage for my back, shoulders and neck! The tattoo stands were amazing! I like to watch the artwork. I noticed a lot of people with bandages over their new tattoos! We ran into Eu again. I had to laugh. Not many Hawaiians around, but we seem to run into each other. Patrick was amazed too! We also saw a Hawaiian couple in the conference room. Can't miss the beer belly, rubbah slippahs and aloha shirt (amidst all the leather and t-shirts?), her wide okole--she was gorgeous in that beautiful lauhala hat--her hat band had a miniature ipu heke on it!

On the way home we stopped at a small casino--the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet even had frog legs! The food was good (clams and crab, of course)! While waiting in line they came buy with huge trays of coconut shrimp and you could order your drink and sip on it until they seated you! Amazing service!

We came home along the water as the sun was setting behind the mountains (I should have taken more pictures) and it was an appropriate close to a nice day!

taking a break and coming out from under a rock

I have lived in Kitsap County since 1985, and within the Hawaiian community have known people by face or by kids but not even by full first and last names! Have I been living under a rock, or what!! We took a ride to a biker rally at Ocean Shores. I told Wes to get me up a half hour before we had to leave, thinking that would be enough time! By the time I got all the stuff on, Harley Boots (bought at a close out of a work gear store) I've had since 2002, my ballistic outfit that is almost too tight to get into, and my layers to keep warm because it didn't look like the sun was coming out yesterday-it was a tad past the time to leave!

We met the Lafontaine's at the Rotary sponsored annual pancake breakfast (I've been to it only one time before) and I was served by a lady who used to be my boss in real estate. When we sat down we were joined by a lady I worked for just this past school year. Her sister and sister's friend are nurses at Harrison. Wow! we had great conversation especially when those nurses thought Wes looked familiar. The talk was about emergency services and bad hospitals.

At 7:30 we were pulling into the parking lot at Legends (the new name for the Harley dealership). Heather and Charlie and their 26 year old son, Aaron (on his own rice burner bike) are the Tabangay family. They came here in 1982. These guys have a new Harley and have been riding since April. I know them because they helped Auntie with music at performances. The Lopez' are Rod and Susan she is about the size that I was at age 10 -under 100 pounds! He was a biker in Hawai'i, years and years ago. I paddled canoe with their daughter, and they also played music for Auntie. As the day went on I found out that Heather is a CHING and her sister is another '68 graduate of Kamehameha--small world!

Heather and Charlie ride because their son loves it and they don't like him going off on his own all the time. Anyhow, we all laughed at WHO KNEW? Who knew we would all be riding together after all these years of mere acquaintance type relationship. The Lopez and Tabangay's were dressed "to the nines" in CHOKE Harley stuff from chaps, vests, jackets, and boots to do-rags and warm layers under the leather. The gals are still tiny and so cute!! Rod's leather beanie had an orange propeller on it! By the time the day was over, Loriann had outfitted herself in a new vest and chaps, becoming what her kids call, "the biker bitch".

As to the event, it must have been a success. I've never seen so many bikes in one place! As we came into Ocean Shores, the medials were used for parking bikes (and cars) and people lined the street--we thought they were waiting for a parade, and found that we WERE the parade. They just stand and watch as all the bikes come into town.

We had lunch at the Shiloh Inn. A gal kept looking at me and I mouthed, "are you Hawaiian?" and we flashed the shaka sign. Too funny. As we had a long wait for our food, Loriann went over and I followed. Her name is Eu and she is from Nanakuli! She said she can't find any Hawaiians in Tacoma??! Her boyfriend is Pat and he works in Tacoma, putting woodwork into yachts!! After breakfast we went "shopping" and I got a massage for my back, shoulders and neck! The tattoo stands were amazing! I like to watch the artwork. I noticed a lot of people with bandages over their new tattoos! We ran into Eu again. I had to laugh. Not many Hawaiians around, but we seem to run into each other. Patrick was amazed too! We also saw a Hawaiian couple in the conference room. Can't miss the beer belly, rubbah slippahs and aloha shirt (amidst all the leather and t-shirts?), her wide okole--she was gorgeous in that beautiful lauhala hat--her hat band had a miniature ipu heke on it!

On the way home we stopped at a small casino--the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet even had frog legs! The food was good (clams and crab, of course)! While waiting in line they came buy with huge trays of coconut shrimp and you could order your drink and sip on it until they seated you! Amazing service!

We came home along the water as the sun was setting behind the mountains (I should have taken more pictures) and it was an appropriate close to a nice day!

woohoo! we got a lot done!

The good news is that we have only part of the craft room and our bedroom to de-clutter. The bad news is I saved the hardest stuff for last! Wes is loving it and would like to pack every stitch of stuff away, but it feels kinda sterile to me! Boxes are neatly stacked on shelves and in the middle of the garage, the cars are outside. I took some pictures of what de-clutter looks like for the dining, the bathroom and the spare room. I should have taken "before" photos, but those would have been too embarrassing!

For a reward, tomorrow we're leaving early for Ocean Shores--not really my cup of tea as far as WHY we'll be there--a motorcycle rally. I'm sure we'll be in good company and I won't have complaints except for I could have been doing a few more things at home. Just think, when we have to do the ACTUAL move, I'll need to pack the kitchen, the garage tools and clothes and toiletries. I hope I remember all the scrapbooking stuff is under our bed, and the file cabinets in the garage need to be purged.

I can't believe I cleaned window sills and baseboards today!

choosing the new HOOD

It is cold! What happened to the sun? Just when we're deciding to take a break from our labors by getting on the bike and heading to Ocean Shores! Our plans for 10 days in Hawai'i around August 12 have been changed and we're just hanging out here doing work!! Wes is out mowing the lawn and I'm cleaning.

Yesterday we were out looking at houses and will probably see about looking at a few more later on this afternoon. We're starting to see that you can't tell a house by its picture. We went into one neighborhood. First hint should be that the power and phone boxes were all "tagged" with graffitti. Then there were all those speed bumps to slow cars down. Kids were playing on the bumps. Teens with do rags and shorts pulled down with BVD's showing came by the car and greeted us as we went over the bumps, "Howsit going?" They said. There were cars on blocks and parked in the middle of front yards. Just when I told Wes I felt we were back in NALO COUNTRY we passed a parked car with a "Waimanalo" bumper sticker!! Maybe the house we were looking for was nice, but all I can remember was us trying to get there!

So I think Dash and Brown's Points sounds good. Parts of both areas remind me of what we call "Bumerton Town" (around downtown Bremerton). BIG teen girls with bellies hanging out of their low rise jeans, smacking gum sitting at the side of the road. Old houses, tar paper showing on the exterior walls, and then new houses just another block away. The house we saw would have been nice all on its own, even had curb appeal and a 3rd car garage separate from the double. But all up and down the street was the same house. It was a street that could be busy, and cars were parked all along both sides at 9 p.m.

Now when I look at pictures I look for established trees, maybe a green belt. I hope for good square footage, natural gas, some hardwood floors, a 5 piece bathroom or a hot tub, vaulted ceilings, parking for family and friends and a place to work on motorcycles with space for a woodshop. I know we're getting picky in our old age, but I think there is something like this out there for us! It's funny too, because when we look, I think about Konia's house!

hula last night

How weird! I thought I was so stressed and wouldn't remember anything, but that halau place is a real destressor! It seemed like all my problems went away and I was in my "happy place". Things came back to me and I was able to get through both the auwana and kahiko and work on some things that I personally wanted to get better. I'm out of control a lot and when I try to set my mind on something, it helps.

My chanting gets better but my hula is not progressing as well. I try all kinds of things on that floor. When my steps are BIG I know I'm drifting really close to my hula sister. I feel like she is a strong magnet and I know I'm dancing too close. Then I experiment with staying in a smaller place, because as Kumu tells us sometimes, we are in the line, not doing a solo! Ha!

Then came the huge surprise when we started to learn HE'EIA with the one 'uli'uli and I was back to retard square one!!

another day in paradise!

It's too hot to think! It's a good time to sit in a cool theater! I might even pay to go see something I'm not interested in! I put the sprinklers on the yard in the mornings for the flowering shrubs and plants but the lawn has gone brown and dry! The air conditioner in the bedroom helps us sleep and the fans are going during the day! The fans aren't cooling us off, just moving the warm air around. I don't know what I'll be doing today. Wes is already at the dentist getting his teeth cleaned, it's not even 8 a.m. and I feel like I need a nap already! The new leather couch is cool to the touch and I'm liking that aspect. I guess you only stick to leather seats in a car because the seats get hot too. The good thing about the Pacific Northwest is you know this won't last long (unless global warming has really changed our weather pattern!).

around the campfire?

I like camping. I like camping with my ohana. I like camping with some burley guy to help tote and lift, etc. but by now, I should know better to expect something like that. Years ago my camping mom experience started in Hawai'i. Kanoe was 2 days old when she went camping for the first time. We put her crib in a large tent and ran to auntie's house to bathe her!

I'd make lists and bake goodies and pack and clean (why?) and then set off the roach bombs as we left the house. As the years went on my husband of that time had a lot of committments with friends and work and he'd help us get to camp and get unloaded and then take off to do what he needed to do. By the time the older kids were in 4th and 6th grades we could set everything up without dad and they'd take off down to the beach. The church camping was most fun, but now I remember how much work it was. My friends really helped me a lot! We all took turns cooking and watching each other's kids. I spent the time chasing after 5 kids and fit in a set or two of volleyball and a short swim in between the diapers, the cooking and getting after the kids to keep their stuff together instead of scattered all over the camp. Maybe that's why my adult kids haven't taken their families camping! I know that camping in Hawai'i is way different than here!

Camping in Washington has been eased a little because I don't set off roach bombs and don't come home to all sizes of roaches laying on their backs with their legs paralyzed in the air. But, camping in Washington has become nearly as the same as the Hawai'i camping. I don't do as much with lists, I don't bake goodies for 2 days in a row the week of camp and I try not to take two truckloads of stuff to camp. Now with a different partner, I realize that in the last 3 years I've gone to camp 5 or 6 times and he's been there once, but he came from the fire station, stayed a day and went off to work again. My mind picture of the ideal camping experience has changed. Now it's grandma packing a tent, a cooler, a bag of clothes, 2 sacks of groceries and utensils, a bag of charcoal and I'm good to go! I've taken 2 grand daughters camping in the past 2 summers. I talk about going with the family but I'm picturing a beach house with kitchen and bathroom near a nice place to swim!

I went camping this weekend. Setting up a tent in 98 degree weather with dirt and dust is not my thing. I spent a few hours in the lake and threw my foil dinners on someone else's coals! We did our s'mores at yet another friend's pit, and sang camp songs at a larger pit area without lighting the fire. I didn't sleep much in the heated night! 180 people signed for camp and 60 showed up. There was a lot of sausage and bacon at breakfast! Maybe I can talk Wes into a camper with air conditioning or at least be able to generate power for a swamp fan!

Kamaile

Tuesday night's comments are usually these: "Bend your knees, keep your back straight, loosen your hips, don't look at the ground, arm straight up, don't be stiff, kiholo is to the back of you- not to the side, do it again, push those hips, don't move your upper body too much, lean into it, fluff that skirt, ladies, it's a Kalakaua, everybody should step over at the same time, don't turn your ankle in, sit in it, okay, you got that part right don't take a picnic,"--all with exclamation points! What we do for the love of hula, and because we don't like it "down the road". I don't know how Kumu is so generous with his time and his knowledge and still has the patience to endure us messing up royally not once or twice, but over and over and over again! Lots of times when he says, "You are lawa" he really means he's had enough too!

Monday night's, we hear: "Listen to each other, blend, don't breathe, mai-ee, mai-ee, mai-ee, wai-ee, wai-ee, wai-ee, kai-ee, kai-ee, kai-ee--go straight to that ee sound, get the right pitch, don't look down at your paper, let's go again, and again, and again" and you know what the biggest panic is?? Not if we know all of the words or have good sound, but, how to get back up from that side sitting position with our balance, ipu heke and pale (padding) in hand, and look graceful, don't fall over, don't fall back, don't stick your 'okole up especially in a direction where people can see (I heard this has happened before--down the road somplace). Lots of times you can see all he has to do is close his eyes and he'd be fast asleep. He has some kind of drive!

power tools

So stiff from yesterday in the shop and then hula! The drive seems extra long without friend and/or family!

I'm pretty excited about what I'm doing at home (what's new?)....but solving ukulele challenges is good for me. I just hope after the first few from scratch I'll have instruments that "sing" just when you tap them. It will be awhile, checking out the different woods and thicknesses....I wish I had some finished ones already!

Shop tools are so cool but the table saw and chop saw can take off fingers and hands and I'm pretty fearful of them. Lucky for me, the people I can call and e-mail tell me of jigs to make to keep me safe in my hobby/someday my JOB!
I wear ear protection and need to remember a mask because, of course, I'm allergic to sawdust. Although I vacuum afterwards, there is still the fine dust on everything, everywhere! Some tools have a bag that catches the shavings, and that really helps, but eventually I'll need an air filtering system.

Everything seems so expensive. The supplies for a single ukulele in average grade koa cost $155 and then it takes 2 weeks to build an instrument!! So, that is the reason that a simple concert sized one costs over $400!! Tenor ukuleles run $500 and up. If you look at Kanile'a Ukuleles they are quite fancy and pipi'i wale no (high pricey!).

On the way home last night I heard a blerb on the radio that says they have scientific proof that multi-tasking is detrimental (bad) for your memory! No wonder mom's seem like crazy people! The advice was to work on projects and finish them one at a time. According to the study, shifting brain gears from one thing to the next and back again later will lose you time and energy and nothing will be finished. Oh, so that's my problem?? I try to do this, but when I lose interest in a project, with MY personality, I have to walk away, or else it's like beating a dead horse trying to get something done that I don't have the heart or motivation for!

On the other hand, I'm spending the summer finishing unfinished projects and trying not to begin new ones (except for the couch pillows and cushions...and that blouse I cut out a few weeks ago...ha!). I am my own worse enemy!!--Leona

delayed reaction

Maybe it's because I work with kids who are developmentally delayed, I just totally can relate to brain fade, brain freeze, senior moments, etc. I have a scream of a time trying to identify different tunes and who sang them, or different movies and who starred in them. This has spilled over into olelo class where I sometimes think in Spanish, then search for the Hawaiian words in the empty cavern section of my brain. Usually my brain computer accesses the overflowing files of useless information, but there are times that I know for sure that the info is NOT there.

As far as the delayed reaction, one day a couple of weeks ago I couldn't get the mistake Kumu was pointing out plainly to me. I took a detour and started a different sentence instead. The next day I was watering the plants and the answer came to me so plainly. What am I?--dense?? I don't think so! I used to have a brilliant mind, not up to rocket science snuff, but a good one. Nowadays I'm glad when I remember things and get to places on the correct day, and at the right time!

Last week I was trying to touch base with Sandy. She and I needed to practice the music piece before performing it on Sunday. I was like a mouse chasing around and around. When we finally met in her home, at her baby grand piano, she received a phone call from her husband. I heard her say, "Now dear, this is what happens and I'm worried". In the past 2 days she forgot OUR appointment, she missed the window guy coming over for a quote, she was MIA from the office the day I called and she missed a doctor appointment AND a time she set aside to visit a friend. She says her PALM PILOT isn't working for her.

My kids have similar problems and blame me for them. It's not just OLD LADY SYNDROME, it's just that we try to squeeze too much into the few hours of daytime that we have! People are making fortunes on PALM PILOTS and DAYTIMERS--you can even take classes on organizing your time and appointments!

more work from home stuff--read tomorrow if you are too busy today!

I've been painting here since 1988. I've participated in different craft shows and even helped to organize one at the fire department. I joined a decorative artists society and learned more about painting and taught people to paint in small weekly workshops. Mostly I taught them how to do it and save money, using pie plates and waxed paper for palettes instead of buying expensive accessories, etc. One of my students went on to publish several books and she packs up her van and takes her stuff on the road across the country. I was gonna try that route but couldn't see myself doing it as an army of one. Wes says I can do whatever but gets really irritated at losing money--even when it's not HIS. Instead I painted inside a church for a Sunday School room, I painted at a park and did all of this and more for community service. It brings me personal gratification but nothing in dollars.

These experiences teach me about myself. I know that I can teach people. I know they had better want to learn when I teach. As I get older my patience thins. I think that I can run a small business. When I see the work my friend Carmella does out of her garage?? I'm flabbergasted, but it inspires me to go on with what I want to do. When I think about the things that I love, that are a passion, I feel tingly in either in art or music, and something of my culture. If I was 18 again and knew this, I would have probably taken a different direction. Instead I kind of went around in circles, not knowing what I wanted.

One trip home I fell into an informal ukulele building class (after hours, the teacher ran his own workshops). My brother gave me a great recommendation and called his friend to set it up. Al let me into class on my vacation schedule time, and gave me the koa and curly maple at a great price. Of course, I dropped all the usual stuff people do when they go home to Hawai'i and I camped out evenings and nighttimes in the small garage area. Al showed me not only how to put things together, but where to get stuff while in Hawai'i, and how to order from on-line businesses. I left my clothes there and brought back ukulele molds from layers of plywood that were laser cut to shape.

That was in 2002 and I made the decision to have my own shop. It has taken me this long to gather most of the power tools , some wood and hand tools and to convince Wes to let go of some funds in this direction. I'm in touch with the Ukulele Guild of Hawai'i and have visited Hana Lima 'Ia the ukulele building school. They share so much of their knowledge.

'Ilima Ukulele Company, established in 2002 sounds so official, especially since it is the company of ONE person who is still working on the first instrument from scratch. Will it bring in money? Will anyone buy these instruments? I don't know the answer to that. Wes is just wondering when it's gonna get off the ground! Me, I like going through the process, as well as the end result. I just know that I have to do something I love to do. I'm always in the experimental stage, and given my work, home and family, church and halau time, I'm stretched pretty thin. Life is pretty exciting for me--it always has been!

work at home

Ways I tried to make money while raising the kids came to my mind this morning. I guess doing small crafts at craft shows in malls and at public parks in Hawai'i must have been first. I think I used to do it around Christmastime, making tapa dolls for tree ornaments and other such things. For awhile I babysat at home. We had a little blondie baby whose mommy was a school teacher. Her husband was teaching hotel and restaurant management at UH. They lived in Kane'ohe and later moved to a mansion at Koko Head. That house was wrapped around a large swimming pool. When Kimberly went to school we watched 2 Hawaiian kids who were children of a single mom who was a young widow.

One year I picked kamani nuts at Kailua Park and figured out a way to make them into miniature hula implements (mostly 'uli'uli). I taught a girlfriend how and her husband managed to get a contract from Hawai'i Visitor's Bureau and we were making those up the ying yang because at the time nobody was doing these (that I know of). After that she and I sold jewelry for a little while.

When that petered out she got a line on making lollipops and I got into that one while my kids were playing sports and Kawika was in Honolulu Boy Choir. I stayed up late nights and early mornings to finish orders for sports teams, birthday parties, etc.

I tried the multi-level marketing Amway and other similar businesses. When we arrived here in Washington, I tried some of those for the second and third times and realized that I don't like MLM stuff where you have to keep track of and motivate other people. So, I didn't get into Pampered Chef when it started here, though I know the person who brought it to our area made enough big bucks to buy a fancy house and tripled her husband's income (he's a lieutenant at Wes' firehouse). I've never done tupperware either. I did try Mary Kay but considering that I don't wear make-up most of the time, that went down the tubes too.

I tried the Reliv business, also an MLM and found some great vitamin-mineral products that improve my health and life daily. Sharing it? I tried, but maybe I'm just not one to be a walking commercial for something. Besides, after you do this, that and the other thing, your friends and family think, "here she comes, I wonder what she's selling this time?"

Hmmm....what is it now? More to come

another beautiful day in WA

Must be a perfect morning. Wes left just after 6:30 to get coffee via the motorcycle and he won't be home for ages. I heard him ask me if I wanted to go, but I thought I'd stay in bed for a few and just take it easy this morning. I'm not in the mood to put on all that gear to feel the wind blow my hair into tangles and then have to come home and rush around to get ready for church.

Right now the house smells like dead cow. I will need to get used to this "new leather" couch (I think you can buy a spray for your car with this scent) smell. Although I'd like to have a sofa table behind it, I just realized that's out of the question since the backs recline. The accent pillows are all sewn and stuffed, and I'm still working on getting the fringe sewn on by hand. So, I am on the hunt for 2 end tables, right now I'm using a tv tray for one.

I am a patient person. I know this because if I were a decorator or could pay for a decorator, all of this would be done. Instead it is taking me year after year of this stuff! Room by Room. Now it's the living room. Once the furniture is situated there is still artwork to finish and some walls to paint. I'm amazed that I didn't realize I wanted to do this all myself. MY pillows, MY cushion covers, MY artwork, MY painting and faux finishing.

I have to say that I'm motivated somewhat by my neighbor. She is the decorator, ordering special pieces of furniture and accessories and lighting fixtures, contracting a painter who came in and painted every wall for a month before Annie moved in. Annie owns expensive art prints, most from Hawai'i. I liken this to a show on HGTV. Although it's not design on a dime stuff, it does seem like Sensible Chic. That show has people take a picture from a decorator magazine and they use the actual decorator from that room in the picture to advise people on how to duplicate the look of the room for about a tenth of the price. So, Annie would have the room from the magazine and I would be the "do it for a tenth of the price".

Since there is no deadline to speak of, I just putz around here and do projects when I have collected all the materials for them. I guess my show would be "Hawaiian Style, Hawaiian Time"

no news, good news?

Oh yeah, 10 weeks ago we ordered a couch that would be here in 4-6 weeks. It's even on the contract. It's even paid for! I hope to see it in the living room tonight when I get home!

Other than that, our plans have changed. We aren't going to Hawaii for the weddings. I'm glad to stay here and practice for E Hula Mau. Wes will try to fit in a trip to Portland with the La Fontaines and I don't see where on the calendar...how to fit it in. He also wants to go to Banff (Canada) on the bike. I'm in the "if he builds it, I will come" mode where the ball is in his court and he can make all of the arrangements. He will also go to Florida for a week to attend a workshop and visit his family. I asked to stay here.

Tomorrow I sing in church again--with another lady. Between her schedule and mine, we worked on the song for a half hour yesterday and will sing tomorrow. Luckily she is very musical. Lucky for me that my old and flat piano can still give me a good idea of the notes for my part. Lucky also for me that practicing oli is really helping my singing voice. It is a dreary song about pioneers, but the hope in the chorus is that they had so much faith to just travel blindly to find a place to be free. Afterwards I'll teach the little kids some more fun pioneer songs.

The song reminds me of us. What ever possessed us to choose Bremerton shipyard on a map instead of San Diego because I didn't wanna be Mexican in California. It has been the best thing to settle here! Now it's even better because I feel at home --besides with my family--at halau--with people who laugh and joke and talk (and eat) the same as me!

woohoo!! garage is organized

I should have taken before and after pics but I'm just happy I'm able to move around in the space without weaving around piles of stuff. Yesterday Wes, Anisa and I worked in the garage. Nisa measured and marked the wood for cutting shelves, she organized some stuff for containers and labeled them. Wes ran to the hardware store for brackets and we got the ladders hung up out of the way. We cut the shelves and put them up and I went through more stuff--just one more bin to sort through and a pile of scrap wood to get rid of.

The pictures show Wes' wall with motorcycle, yard tools, and surfboard. Then there is our general wall of storage, note the empty shelves. The third picture is one area of ukulele power tools with the painting above. The painting needs whitewalls on the rear tire, spokes on both tires and just a few more details and background work!

Then we went to miniature golf. I did pretty good at the hard places and messed up royally at the easy ones! It was pretty fun for the first time. I can see why my dad loved it so much, but I consider chasing a little white ball around a waste of precious time! Wes didn't wanna keep score--I don't think he likes losing to girls! Ha! He was really patient at teaching us how to position ourselves and how to hold the putter. I would do it again!

All in all, a good day. Today we head out to do some trails at Mt. Rainier and then on to hula. Give me strength! I'm suffering from allergies (garage dust and dirt!) but feel refreshed this morning! I just love summer!

garage

As much as I keep trying to clear out junk and find a place for the things we're keeping, it's still too much stuff! In order to move the power tools around I still need to put things away and maybe get rid of a few more things. I'm sure Wes will be glad to make another Goodwill and dump run! I would really like to have things organized so I can move around freely in the space! I want to love being out there!

Grand-daughter Nissy-Wissy is here and she helped deadhead the lilacs and water some plants. This morning we'll work in the garage and she can help me paint in some areas while I work on little details. She loves doing projects with me and is such a big help. I try not to turn our time together into a bout of slave labor for her. It motivates me to keep working and teaching her new things!

Hopefully the wind will die down and Wes can take us to mini-golf nearby. I've never done it! Mini-golf is on my list of things to try. Getting a pedicure is still on that list too, along with racing on a car track. I'd like to learn more lauhala weaving, kapa dying, cook in the French Provence and Italian in Tuscany, visit the ancient peonies in China, but kokeshi dolls in Kokeshi, Japan, ride a big roller coaster, master ukulele building, ride a motorcycle in New Zealand, go to Merrie Monarch. Actually, if you can believe this, Mai Kahiki Mai was the first hula competition I've ever been to!

Anyway, whatever is the plan for your day, or even if you have no plan, I hope it's a good day for you!

lost days and nights

OMG(osh)! I've been gone from my house and home for 4 days and collectively probably slept less than 12 hours!! Now I know how a hula competition works, and how much work goes into it. The core people of this halau are awesome. Uncle Harrom took charge of the cooking and had a willing and able bunch of brawny guys running the barbecue pits. They were set up outside the cafeteria of Auburn High School. The kitchen crew (supervised by Nalani) made sure things were on ice and packed and served and cleaned. There were ticket takers and supervisors of workers (Tanya Jose),Auntie Sue was in charge of vendors, of which there were 12 or 14. People could buy everything from bake sale items to Hawaiian jewelry, baby quilts, decorator towels and stinky food snacks, jams and artwork. The different hula groups that came were set up in their own classroom.

Inside the auditorium were judges down front, backstage was a tally room for keeping scores. I got to sit with Rowan (of lei judge fame) Pekelo Day (chanter extraordinaire with halau in Hawai'i), Richard Makuakane (large halau in San Francisco), Kamuela the olelo judge and Mark Ho'omalu (more recently of Lilo and Stitch fame). On stage were the trophies and prizes and things were decorated in greenery and flowers. There were sound people and light people and security people (with Uncle Pete). I had the honor of being time judge. It was a scream when I was introduced only as LEONA because the emcee didn't know my last name. On the second day of competition when the judges were introduced he explained that now he knows my last name and it is Looters that rhymes with Hooters. Hallelujah!! I can't be more pleased with the situation as now everyone remembers who I am!! NOT! and double NOT! NOT!

Anyhow, I'm trying to get back into action here at home and Wes is claiming to be Mr. "A"-"D"-"D". He has bounced from grocery shopping (left all refrigerator items on the table), went outside for something and ended up checking the oil in the car. He was chasing a moth in the laundry room and noticed the fan vent is dusty so after taking care of the moth he vacuumed the vents! Now he is mowing the yard (the grass is still short from a few days ago!!

I've gotta move the sprinkler hose and work on a project in the garage but I just want to take some pills and go back to bed. My headache feels as big as Mount Rainier!!--Leona

Mai Kahiki Mai

Woooo-Hoooooo!! I never thought my own bed and more than a couple of hours of sleep could feel so good! Oh, Auntie Sweetie, did you take your meds yet this morning???

Since this was my first Mai Kahiki Mai, I just wanna thank everybody because I think for such a large undertaking, the event was a success. I went through a few glitches but everyone was so helpful!! The food was ono and my friends and family that showed up unexpectedly even from miles away were delighted to be able to come and partake of the festivities (plus, they spent a few dollars at the vendor places!).

I have some catching up to do here at home today and I haven't looked at my hula notes for awhile! I don't wanna get cracks at hula tonight! Maybe by this evening my eyes won't be so Japanee--I'll probably need a nap or two today!

Oh, the couch is on it's way from Utah and today we'll be able to track it's travel to Bremerton!
Aloha to you all...

fun with Dick and Jane...

When we were kids we learned to read with Dick and Jane. I remember sentences like, "See Spot run. Run Spot run." They had a cat named Puff.

Anyhow, Wes and I are trying to get used to me being home when he's home, since I'm on summber break. Generally when there's work around here, I'm in one area and like the Ever Ready Bunny, I just keep going, and going, and going till way into the night, if possible, jumping from one project set aside for so many hours, to another project. He tends to be a person who likes to COMPLETE at least ONE thing each day. So, if it's mowing the lawn, that's what he does. Another day he will spray poison and another time he will use the weedeater. This summer I've asked him to work along with me on specific things like cleaning the garage. He can do the lifting and up and down the ladder, etc. and get everything into a vehicle to take out of there. That has worked, but there's still the sorting and filing and putting away that seems to be my job.

I was thinking of the stuff he does around here that I generally don't notice. The car went in for an oil change a month ago and ever since then I've noticed a small leak problem. He went under there and found something that wasn't tightened all the way. The gas is usually topped off in both cars. He's good about fending for himself during the day, loading the George Foreman for lunch or going out to grab something healthy for both of us. He tidies the bathrooms before people are coming by, (I do the big cleaning). He keeps everything stocked (toothpaste, extra brushes for the electric toothbrush, deoderant, bath soap, etc.) and always asks what I need from the store.

The other day we looked at cars. Whenever we drive we talk about cars we like. Lately he's into two-seaters and ME? I don't know what I like. I'm kinda curious about the Z-car and the other Nissan is the Murano. We talk about how the little Hummers are fake hummers, made by GM. The real Hummers are the larger ones, contracted out by GM to the original manufacturers who actually build the Hummers that the military uses. The Murano is built on the Porsche Cayenne chasis. Since many of the regular car makers are joining with the higher end companies, I think we should know who makes what. For instance, Cadillac Escalade and the Chevy Avalanche are built the same --big difference--Escalade looks way better (costs more too)!

So, we went car-looking after all the dealerships were closed and it was pretty fun! We noted, for instance, that though he likes the Mazda Miata, it would be a tight squeeze. We looked at Exterras and Kawika will not fit in that front seat. Maybe a Pathfinder, and definitely a Honda Element.

On July 4th we hooked up with the Lafontaines and went for a short ride on our motorcycles. 4 hours later we got home after a really nice time of riding, stopping to eat and talk, and walking around Port Hadlock on a slow day. It was an unexpected experience and a break from what we were planning--work at home!

Yesterday we went to Origami Sushi, a fairly new place here in downtown Silverdale. Every time we go, we both order something different and share so we know what's good and what's not. We think it will be a good place to take our halau friends the next time they come this way! When he was stationed in Okinawa they used to drink sake served from a huge glass container. He decided to try a brand from Japan and see if was way better. By the end of dinner he was red in the face, and I don't mean from the sun either. We were pricing chop saws and on our way to Costco. He made me drive.

My experience with sake is NIL (none) but I heard from the time I was little that it tastes good, and you don't know the affect on you until you try to stand up and walk away. I parked far away from the Costco store and we walked in the fresh air for awhile. He said he was feeling good. I've never seen him this way. I know he likes to have a beer every once in awhile, usually with his friends after a long hot day but I won't even sleep next to him--the smell is terrible! Kinda like when you eat a lot of garlic or kim chee and the stuff seems to come out of your pores on your skin!

Anyhow, I'm always glad when we have a good time, even though it's not a big splashy, over the edge, party time good time, it's nice when we just get along!!

power tools--read this one for Friday-Ha!!

I love going to Lowe's and Home Depot! Yesterday while looking at power tools, Wes went to the bathroom for awhile and the guys that work in power tools kept looking at me and finally asked if I needed help. I didn't want their help. Why do they think only guys buy power tools? Although I own a bunch of tools, I'm pretty much afraid of them. I have a healthy respect for things that can cut off you fingers and hands.

What was pretty helpful was another (male) customer came into the section. I made the comment that he was dressed pretty fancy for tool shopping (cowboy boots, shirt and tie). He said the only time he could look around was after work. Then he'd go home and put it to his wife on how he needs this tool. He and I went over each chop saw, discussing the pros and cons. "What is the advantage of the laser light? ", I asked him. "Well, it will help you to see your cutting line on your piece before you cut it", was his answer.

Prices ranged from $99-$800! I keep in mind what I need the tool to do for me and the cost. Too small and too cheap may not be all that great. In the future I may want to make picture frames or cut moulding and trim. I can't spend $800 for that fancy DeWalt one, It would be okay if I was a contractor doing finish work on a house. What we found was that in the middle of the price range, all the saws had the same power band. There were 4 of them. One had the measurements as stickers that were curling and coming off. Another had the measurements on a strip that was screwed on. Some platforms were hard to maneuver or were hard to set where you want to cut. Then there was the metal one where the measurements were imbedded on. I decided that for $15 more I liked the laser feature because I get kind of off when cutting. This seems like it would be a big help for me. Then I had to look at each box to see if the saw blade was included. Those run from $14 to $27.95 in the mid range of prices.

By the time Wes came back and asked, "So, it's not gonna be for me, which one do you want?" I was kinda wishing we were looking at diamonds or pearls!

Oh waiteress?!?!

Wes and I had another discussion about unions--I usually get the lecture if he happens to find a sales receipt or bag with WALMART printed across it. Then he took me to the computer where he brought up a spoof on "Boxmart Stores" and the sweatshops in China, and the outsourcing taking jobs from U.S. people. I couldn't help it--I bought a 10 pound box of polyfil for these cushions and pillows I'm working on!

One time when we went to breakfast we got this waiter. I know people sometimes take jobs because that's the only thing they know how to do to make any kind of a living. Some people are not suited to being a wait person. If they can't look you in the face and greet you, something is wrong. If they seem awkward at what they are doing, then that is wrong too. The next time we went there, the guy was gone....no longer working there. We got a really bubbly person who was happy to make small conversation and even tell us her favorite thing on the menu. She must get good tips.

When I worked in the pineapple fields I knew it wasn't for me. I was a hotel maid in Waikiki for 3-6 months and I knew that wasn't for me. Luckily I kept looking and got a job in the bank. That wasn't for me either, but I did okay at it. I think that when I get a job I have to really like what I'm doing. I wasn't great at the pizza place. There are a lot of ridiculous people out there who call for pizza delivery. Many of them want something for free. When you need to explain that they only get the pizza, something is wrong there too. I just wasn't for sale. Give me a break, I was 40, going through a divorce and working 3 jobs!

We lost cable again and the Comcast people don't believe us. Neither do the guys they send over here. Luckily other neighbors are out again too so they'll send someone else tomorrow and we can explain AGAIN and they can say "that's not possible, we just sent someone yesterday". Between these guys and the couch taking yet another 2 weeks I'm just nuts here at home. It's okay though, we grocery shopped and looked at power tools.

Today I got a new power tool--a compound miter saw, also called a chop saw. Now I have to figure out where to put it and how to work it. I know it cuts wood at angles, and that's what I need. The next few days will be busy ones getting ready for a big hula event, so if you don't receive e-mails it's either the cable and/or power are out again, or I'm working this stint at the Auburn Performing Arts Center.

what is your purpose of life?

I can't really seem to put a finger on the answer to this question for myself. It should be easy to know. Some people know they are born to do certain things. At this point in time I can say I was a good mom. How could I miss? I have a great mom! Outside of that I don't know what my purpose is! So far it's not to be wealthy or have a huge career or make a big dent at something. I wish I knew if I should have studied opera or painted like Picasso (bad example, I don't really like his stuff!) or finished college and gone into some high powered business. Instead, I think I'm supposed to "influence people to do good". Sounds like when you ask Miss America that question and she says, "I want world peace". If I know my purpose then I could have a map or plan on how to get there, and be able to assess if I'm moving in the right direction! No clue! Advice from my mom? "Whatever you choose to do, do it well, do it the best you can." Consequently, that's what I try in everything I do--big over-achiever.

I am obsessed with getting things done. My life might be cut short but dammit those decorator pillows better be done before that! I used to do more. Nowadays I try to be more selective. I don't say "Yes" to everything. I say "No" to sports referee, to camp director, to PTA, to extra stuff at work, to running big parties, decorating for weddings, to luau, to riding the motorcycle every day. I can be found pulling weeds in someone's yard if they are sick, I'll cook a meal or two for a friend, I'll sing in church. I'll do whatever is needed (within reason) for my family, church and for hula. I do a lot of stuff for ME. I try to keep a clean house and make things nice and comfy around here. I think I'll get a pedicure today. I've never had a manicure. I've never had my hair done by a beautician for a special event (like prom or wedding) maybe I will for my own funeral. I'd like to get a massage once in awhile.

Outside of these things, I am clueless. I guess I'll just content myself with spreading the aloha wherever I go!

gross!

We haven't had power(for a day) or cable (for a few days). Someone is working in the trenches and probably severed the lines. I don't like calling PSE and hearing that no one else called on my street (no, I'm not crazy!). So my neighbor went door to door asking people to call in so we could get some service! Wes just called the cable guys and they said someone called and cancelled our workorder. How convenient! Oh, but could I be here tomorrow at 12? Nope, I'll be enroute from halau or L&L around that time. Wes said he'll be here on Sunday when they send a crew. Yeah, I wouldn't hold my breath! So, with no power to run the fan in the garage, I wasn't about to work in that sweatbox! I stayed in the living room after picnicing with the kids and tried to keep cool and had a nice nap. No work done around here today (dishwasher filled, washer and dryer too). I stopped by at Carmella's to drop off some fabric from Auntie Sweetie, and at least there, it was cool!

What was that cartoon show with the two mice who were extremely polite and Jinx the cat? He would be so frustrated, he'd say, "I hates meeces to pieces!". They love scampering in our garage after hours. So far we have trapped (and killed--yukh!) 3 of them. Last year we caught 8 in one week. Don't get me wrong, I think they're kinda cute (Mickey Mouse and all that) but they are rodents AND vectors (spread disease)! I'm highly susceptible to upper respiratory problems caused by mouse poop (who wouldn't be?)! We tried sticky traps (kinda like roach motels) but when our weather is cool, the sticky stuff isn't sticky enough. The mice take the bait, drag the traps till they escape and leave behind skidmarks of gray hairs on the (un-)sticky stuff!

They really love peanut butter and that's what we've finally resorted to. At least they die in ecstacy! What I don't like is that they make me feel like I'm a dirty housekeeper. I have past experiences with them too. In the 70's we lived on a farm in the middle of the pineapple fields. Mice would make their way into the house. I went through 3 pregnancies where I stepped on mice in my in-laws kitchen while I was cooking. That didn't happen to anyone else in the family! Later when we had toddlers and infants I had visions of them chewing at my sleeping babes. One was scurrying up the loosely woven drapes in the living room and I grabbed the broom while screaming like a banshee and knocked the living daylights out of it. Then I was too chicken to take it out of house.

Here's when I'm glad to have Wes. I figure at a dollar a trap, I can throw them away, trap, mouse and all. Wes saves us money by taking the mice out of the trap and then I can spread the peanut butter and set them up again! Yukh!!

Pool and Diapers

This is too funny, mostly cuz I know the baby!

I figured it out...

Wes is generally on me about unfinished projects but I really don't have a bunch of unfinished stuff. I figured out that the things I really want to do, I work and work on them till they're done--the things he wants me to finish--I procrastinate (you can tell I'm not a rocket scientist)! Some things aren't ever done--like the yard and the plants you need to fill it up. Anyhow, today I'm running out for some supplies (I need stuffing for the pillows) and I hope to finish them -the chair cushions are done. The couch is not here yet.....

Family dinner was pretty good--simple fare. We had make-your-own-sandwiches , fruit bowl, macaroni salad and smoothies. Would you believe, that with grain or sourdough bread, ham, roast beef, and turkey sandwich meats and cheese the little ones chose tuna sandwiches, cheese and mac salad! We put a bunch of strawberries, coconut milk, pineapple and bananas with milk and ice (oops, don't forget the sugar!) and had smoothies. It was not a lot of hard work, and we had a fun time. Carmella came over and spent some time answering sewing questions, which was really nice of her.

Happy Monday! Have a great week!!!