June is Bustin' Out all Over!

Aloha,

Before the entire year slips away. Looks like there is a little catching up to do. It's going to take some serious thinking to see (remember) where we have been and what we have been doing. So in order to jog the brain we'll start with this month and work backwards.

June has been relatively quiet. We lost our beloved TJ who snuck out while Kent was bringing boxes into the house later in the evening. After searching for him all the next day, I found neighbors who were witness to his being hit by a van and his poor little self was picked up at midnight and taken away. His spirit was long gone, but I mourn his passing still as I daily pass the place just around the corner by the bus stop. He was our "regal" doggie. He alway gave us "the paw" gently to remind us that petting him was his #1 priority. He is missed and his brother Simon is learning to find other friends to play with. Namely, Mike and Hiroko's two Poms, Kuma and Pelo. They spent four weeks+ with us while Mike was in training in Ohio and Hiroko worked. The distraction of two crazy young pups certainly kept his mind off of being at a loss. They had a great time bonding and having doggy fun.

Kent had a trip to Las Vegas and I stayed home. That killed me but the shows I wanted to see were out of sight,pricewise. Fortunately, one, Terry Fader with his puppets was on a PBS special. So good! Best ventriloquist I have ever seen. Kent was gone only a few days and Vegas does not "call" to him. One of his buddies won $2000.00. He went on a boring 3 hours river raft ride and said that had I gone, I would have jumped out of the boat before halfway through.
Their big treat was sandwiches on a rocky beach and a bucket with a lid to go into the "woods" for a bathroom break. Not my idea of a week in Vegas!

If I missed something in May, I'll add it later. I think it was recovering from our trip to SAMOA in April.
Kent has been to Samoa twice before and this time it was for the April 17th flag day ceremony and requested trainig and inspiration for their programs.
We arrived in the dark and went straight to our hotel. Junior Tuisuasopo and his secretary Emma and Malu met us with beautiful lei and the official Marine safety patrol cars that we would be able to use during our stay. It was "warm". Our hotel, conveniently located to all the activities was cockroach infested. We chased down 11 of them before calling the front office and having our room changed. Good thing we are already acclimated to Polynesian bugs, but that was a bit much. The next room was clean. Breakfast overlooking the harbor was delicious and we were slated to participate in the official village boat races. So off we went to the marine harbor, boarded the rigid hull inflatable and headed out to the mouth of Pago Harbor to accompany the media boat, other rescue boats etc. to be on hand for any emergency when the seven participating village canoes began their race to the shoreline. I was wary, knowing that as long as the vessel was moving forward and I, like a dog hanging out the window had air blowing in my face all would be fine. We got to our destination and turned around waiting for the canoes to line up. I held on as long as I could and then it hit. I turned to Kent and said MOVE!, I'm going overboard. He said, No, you're not! I fed the fish as quickly as possible, freshened up with some water and sat quietly until the race started and all was fine!
The race was amazing and the High School kids came in Second! What a coup for them when another village usually wins. That memory of the race will always be a highlight among many others. Emma and Malu were my guradian angels. I am so thankful for them. They treated me like their elderly Tutu which at that point I felt like. The sprained ankle from the week before was killing me and it was hard to walk normally and not feel pain. Still 11 weeks later it is still very sensitive and I cannot stand for very long in one spot. Must have really ripped something good in there!
The girls and I toured the island while the men did official things and then we joined them for a late lunch. This trip would never have been so wonderful had it not been for the overwhelming generosity of the marine services and Junior allowing his wonderful support team to entertain us/me. We were blessed beyond anything I could dream. We also met Isa Ieremia who is with the commissioners office and she too joined in the fun. I truly felt like I had sisters to play with!!!!!
I could go on and on, but some I will keeped tucked in my memories. Not to forget the additional jaunt to Western Samoa and the spiritual and touching visit to Sauniatu. Wow, It was like going to the Celestial Kingdom. The Spirit of God is so present there. The Samoan Temple is gorgeous and I got a beautiful photo of it.
Kent and I were gifted with a beautiful outfit from the ladies and we need to get a photo of us in it to send to our very special friends In fact, Junior is coming on business next month and I was hoping he would bring some of our lady friends. But it looks like a different kind of training this time. We can't wait to treat him to the blessings of Laie! and send him back with more goodies from Hawaii. I will never forget the love and genuine caring shared by our dear friends in Samoa, Danny and Denise in Saleiapaga and the overall varied and rich experiences. We were in sensory overload and still are even when we reminisce. God has blessed the peoples of Samoa with a spirit that is unique above all others.

Benjamin turned 33 on April 6. He just let it slip by. Nothing much he desires or lusts after, so we fed him and wished him well.

At some point, Mike and Hiroko let us know that they are expecting their baby in December and we have seen photos of the little one who is "looking" like a boy. We are cautiously excited and hope that she is well throughout the pregnancy. God must have a plan for them because it looks like Michael will be here teaching at his Alma Mater, McKinley for the Fall season. And certainly she will have to stop work by November. It is difficult to have a major career change when you have never gotten the career off the ground in the first place. Being the pilot of his dreams may not be what was intended in the long term. March was their 3rd anniversay and we took them to Kai Market at the Sheraton. After dinner we went to the Federal Bldg. because I was not feeling well. I got very sick, threw up and went home to recover. No more Kai Market for me! And it used to be my favorite place.

January and February is a blurr because we were involved in the big NaKamalei fundraiser. It was a success for publicity reasons not because of the funds raised. It set a precedent for future events and keeping our name in the community. As the President of the board, it was a feat of impossible proportions to reproduce. Next year someone else will spearhead this event.

I'll add more as inspired. In the meantime, cheerio and all good things for the last few days of June. July is going to be a festive month starting off with a comemorative train ride to Ko'olina with the family on the 4th of July.

Six Month Hiatus, Happy 2011!

Well, The last six month sure disappeared fast. We jumped from August 2010 and our summer's end vacation slipping into a very unexpected trip to what was going to be Guam and Saipan. Our ususal Bonnie's Birthday trip each Sept. with Kent's CG conference. Mike and Hiroko (still on maternity leave) decided to leave for Hokkaido on the 11th and Kent was slated to go on the 17th. Last minute flight changes required he route through Japan. Manna from Heaven! Our kids in Japan, Kent returning through Japan and I changed my trip to Guam and Saipan to meet up with them in Tokyo. It didn't quite work that way but regardless, we all found each other. I braved the bullet and local trains by myself and was on my own for three days until M and H met me at Bandai Atami near Koriyama. What an adventure. We spent a week in Nozawa at the Mitome farm and then finished our trip in Tokyo at Disney Sea. I would love to go back someday. We still have free hotel in Tokyo to use and our ITravex points. With all that traveling and returning in October, we decided to just chill for Christmas. This is the first year I did not decorate and what a relief. We spent more time together, ate at Ciao Mein at the Hyatt for our 35th anniversary. We are limited in our restaurant choices in Laie area so going to town and trying new places is like going to NYC and partaking of the many fine dining venues.
So here we are again with the possibility of another Guam/Saipan trip and if routed through Japan, I'll meet Kent there and do Kyoto or Osaka. All by ourselves and more relaxed itinerary.
Matt is in New Zealand and it looks like he will be able to stay being that his profession is among the "critical need" categories. Ben has just been hired by FEDEX and Mike is interviewing with Skywest in SLC in Feb. Time for some serious prayers. We'll go to the temple this Saturday as a family. Such a joy to have our Temple so close by.
January has been a bust for me. I hesitantly attended a New Year's party with 5K fireworks donated by our friend's older brother. To say impressive would be an understatement. I hid in the house to avoid the smoke and watched through her picture window. I got a good dose of smoke inhalation and have been on death's door for three weeks. No more 4th July or New years events for me. For two days now, I am no longer coughing my brains out and the sinuses are almost clear. February is our big Nakamalei ( www.nakamalei.org) fundraiser at Surfin' Tacos.
That will be the highlight of the month and then our trip to Savannah in March. So much for Semi-retirement. It feels like it is busier than ever.

Home is where the Heart is!

"Home again" the folks would say as we drove into the drive after a long time away. And that is exactly what we said as we saw our turn into Kahikole Place approaching. It was great fun to play at being a farm girl, mountain adventurer, cold weather camper and all around good sport way out of our comfort zone. Just wanted everyone to know that Hawaii is the best of all.

NO KA OI! Good to be warm again, the fragrance of the flowers and surf. Happy doggies and Cali greeting us and lots of stories to tell our chldren who remained behind while we took Benjamin on his graduation trip. More later, we're off to Honolulu to visit more kids and do our "weekly" foraging. Love these three day weekends with my Honey.

Park City, Utah and Family Reunion

I wonder if anyone reads this BLOG? It's a great journaling tool if nothing else. Well, here we are in Park City. Kent finished his four day conference with the Coast Guard. We stayed at the Yarrow, a perfect central location. Two fold trip, we piggy back a vacation with the conferences he attends and enjoy a new location a few times a year. This trip fortunately has three wonderful "reasons to Smile". Family reunion with the Richards Clan in Riverside as well as celebrating Benjamin's graduation from Embry-Riddle U. He is now an official professionally degreed pilot. No job yet but that's next.
Mike and Hiroko stayed behind while she recuperates from losing their first baby ( a boy ) three and a half months into the pregnancy. We found out on a Sunday, in June and we cried all day and it truly felt like a death in the family. We already loved that little guy and wonder where he is and where he is going next. More than a few of us had dreams that he was a boy even before anyone knew! Mike is taking teacher prep classes to sub in the Fall in case an airline job does not "materialize".
So after a glimpse of Park City, a nice intro, though cold, we managed to see a few sights. Stein Erikkson's resort at the top of Deer Valley, the ski lift, (too cold and rainy), the Olympic Village. Performances only on Sat. (we're gone by then) We always miss neat things by a day or two. The official Park City Summer kick-off is on the 18th of June and of course we are leaving for SLC to pick up our RV today, Thurs. June 17th. Oh Yeah and the Montain Man Festival is this weekend too, in Soldier Hollow. the drive-by on the back way up to Timp Cave was neat. And the quick visit to Kathleen's and BYU was really nostalgic. Ben's mission home, Kent's, Amanda Knight which in my time was the men's Frat house. And my old home on 230 E. 800 S. just up the street from Heaps a Pizza now Brick Oven. A too busy day for me which exacerbated this asthma based cold and cough. TG for the RV, my new "viewing station" and security blanket as we adventure our way through northern Utah, Idaho, Montana and down through to Wyoming to see Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, visiting Temples and sights on the way. Our family reunion is on the 19th in Riverside and from there we head North to the KOA at Hot Springs.
Today we outfit the RV in SLC and head up to Marilyn's in Ogden. So many friends to visit, so little time. I like the idea of the "old days" when folks traded houses for the "season". Or Summered by the sea. (That's us!) Change is nice but for an extended period of time. Let's see what adventures the next few days bring.

Six plus months have flown! New Mexico was fantastic in October as was the food, the scenery and the amazing jewelry finds. Meeting up with old friends who we knew in Hawaii in the 90's who later moved to NM and have moved on again was a blast. Our worlds collide. Our once babies are grown and friends kids are having thier own babies.

After working like kids for one week on a balloon crew, early rising in the 50+ degrees morning and then cooking by afternoon and still going by 7 PM was a full day of activity, breaking bread at some of our old favorite restaurants, chasing our balloon pilot in the brush of indian reservations and jumping over railroad tracks. We finally got our "ride" at the best time. We took off from Intel and floated over our old home on Oakmount and the golf course, over new territory for us, a short landing in an arroyo, up in the air again and over a large framed structure being built (later to find out it was the new stake center). A perfect landing in the green grassy soccer field of the new H.S. Boy, has Rio Rancho changed. We got our old friends, Blaine and pat Emms in on the act too. they got a tethered ride because the winds in late morning were picking up.

Great memories of SPA time at the Casino, Bien Mur and fantastic buffet food. Better than Sandia Casino. Seing buffalo again and the drive down our favorite Bosque area of Corrales made the jaunt to Old Town reaally special. We covered every square inch of ABQ. Even ate at the OWL, 50's diner with a juke box at each table. The green chili was espeacially hot this season. Old town brought romance with our engagement anniversary at High Noon. Food and ambiance was superbe and the same family owns it after 35 years! We talked with the native jewelers, visited the Indian Pueblo Cultural center. Most special was sharing family hitory with thre Navajo and Pueblo cultures.

Our drive to San Pedro was poignant. The property that we dreamed of buiding an A-Frame on is still there, undeveloped. the view of the Continental divide on a gloomy overcast day felt erie. I went pine cone crazy collecting my treasures. Our "rock" marker outcropping was found and faint traces of Matt's "tree house". The beautiful lake that spread in front of our property was dried up. We found out from neighbors who live there that there are water wars. Other rancers have diverted the water on the other side of the divide. The old adobe house down the road was being remodeled and we went inside to say hello. It really is an LDS church, once someone's home donated to the church and and part of the Rio Rancho Stake. Amazng to think we spent 13 years in that region and could have raised our kids there instead of Hawaii.

With all our best intent to return next year, I don't think I could muster enough to chase again. I broke my toe, not from adventuring, but from Kent putting a metal chair in my path in the late night in the dark bedroom. I limped for the entire week and couldn't put my tennis shoes on. It was a matter of driving for the finish line. In retrospect, it was a miracle that a girl like me was able to tough it out due to sheer grit and determination.

These are the most recetn memories to date: more will come later.

Now March the second year of Mike and Hiroko's marriage brings us to the 27th and just be Beyond that, on April 6, Benjamin's 32nd. Last class, Aeronautical Psych. coming up and Kent off to Florida at the end of the Month. Mama is staying home.

Guests have been pouring into the suite, thank goodness. Hope we have it all filled up for Summer.

That's it for now.

The last third of Summer, August

Boy, this summer has flown. We are finally giving in to our heat intolerance and having AC installed next weekend. Happy August, Sept. and Oct. our most stifling months. Kent is out walking the dogs. They know that when he comes home and changes into his jams, they get a "walk" on the beach. So overjoyed were they that they carried their leashes around the house while waiting for him to change. Our evenigs are short with little light given our location on the sphere. Night falls quickly, and by 7 pm it is almost too dark to see.
I spent last week with Matt in Maui and managed to get Ben to fly both ways in Pueo. It has been so long since I've had a chance to fly. It was wonderful. The islands are beautiful, each so uniquely different. Airborne for a short time and then another island appears on the horizon. Of course our little winged owl only goes about 150 knots, not really speedy. Matt is studying for his pre-reqs in chiropractic. Change of career due to his Union injury. Had his last orthopaedic exam today and they may (AIG) finally budge after a year and a half and offer a "legal" settlement. He finally will be able to use his maximum intellect in his new field. We're praying for his success and well being. Kent and I will travel to Texas in the latter part of Sept for a CGconference and then on to ABQ for the famous balloon festival. It will be great. Can't wait to taste the favorite foods we left behind. Hatch grenn chili, huevos rancheros,etc. I'm lining up all the good restaurants. Goodies was a goodie. More later.

Day after the Fourth/Business as usual

Our dogs just returned from what we call the "selfwalk". The gate was cracked open and out they went, returning later with a pleased as punch look on their faces. They are happily lolling and rolling in the grass, nice and cool. They manage to retain enough sand in their short cropped fur to distribute enough sand in our home, requiring a daily sweep.

That's what I get for adding two, No! four sets of two legs,(that makes four, four year old kids, right?) They act more like four year old boys than the claim of dog experts that they only have the mentality of 18 mos.

A phone call from, Althea was a nice Sunday surprise. She is our very dearest friend who lived with us and shared her love and nurturing with Mom during her decline. I miss her caring nature. She has a special gift in her soul and devotion to our family. If a had a sister, she would be my choice. Her daughter, Tennille came for a weekend visit recently. Her new boyfriend, Fa'a is a sweetie. I hope she has a good life too. Don't we all wish that for our children?

That's all folks!
Bonnie