Hi, I'm Baaack!!

Well hello, Lovelies!  It’s been a long, long time since I’ve posted but eh, what’s new right?  Right.  So, I don’t really feel like blasting y’all with a year’s worth of stuff in one post and I’m sure your eyeballs don’t want to be blasted either so in my (millionth) attempt to not let my blog go dry, I’m going to start off Ten for Tuesday.  Wow, that was a long run-on sentence…hopefully the grammar-nazis don’t’ come to gong me.  Here it goes, the top ten things I’m sharing before I go missing again.  #funnynotfunny

1.    It’s been a year since I last posted.  It’s been so long that I forgot how to log into Blogger.  It took me awhile, but I finally got it.

2.    I think I finally convinced The Hubs to get me a laptop for my birthday. I was kinda dramatic with my reasons but I think he bought it.  Even though I’m still ancient with my desktop, I would post more if I had a laptop.  Just saying. 

3.    Can I just say that the older your child(ren) get, the more radical they become.  Or is that just my children?  Radical #1 with his “but mom” or “but mom that’s not fair” or “but mom blah blah, the dinosaur ate my homework and so and so teased me so I forgot my snacks and I can’t focus because the chickens are calling me out to play so it’s the chickens fault?!!?”  Seriously?  I won’t even get into the start of Radical #2’s school year.  And let’s just say that Radical #3 is soaking all of this in and plotting his attack against Mom in the near future.  I think we should all collaborate and write a book and title it “What to REALLY expect for as long as you shall live once you become a mom.”  Best seller right there…

4.    Date nights are awesome.  The end.

5.    The weather.  Rain is great and all but holy guacamole has it been raining.  A lot.  Flash flood every other day.  And why do people become speed racers when it’s raining?  Safety first people.

6.    I went swimming for the first time in 7 years.  Like actual head-under-the-water-swim-like-a-fish kind of swimming.  It was awesome.

7.    Ironman is coming up…ugh.  You know, I have nothing against triathlons and people who want to compete in them but I do have an issue with inconsiderate idiots who think they’re invincible.  Do y’all have to train in the middle of town during traffic?  And if you do, can you follow directions?  I have wheels; you have wheels.  We both have wheels so I think the rules apply to you too.  It’s just like me overtaking a car on the right who’s turning right.  Welcome, triathletes.

8.    I got a new phone and it sucks!  So, here’s to round #2 of phone hunting.  Do you ever wonder how we survived without cellphones + technology?

9.    Anyone want to share creative ways to remember to drink water?  I’m all ears.  I’m achy and sluggish and my headaches are back.  I’m pretty sure there’s more to it than needing to drink more water – like eating – but baby steps first.

10.  Although we are still in September, I’m super excited about the cookie exchange the BFF & I are doing this year.  I got weird looks from the hubs but whatever, I’m excited!  Who doesn’t love baking and sharing and drinking and a little competitiveness?

Well, there you have it.  I will admit that it took a while to write this post.  It was also hard to contain my ramblings into one post.  I will back though.  Until then, Happy Tuesday!   

jenn

2013 Reflections

Happy Tuesday, friends!  I know I’m supper-dupper (new word in our household) late on this post.  We’ve been quite busy last week with the New Year, Radical #3 turning the big O-N-E, and getting ready for his pirate party. 

Anyhoo, 2013 was one heck of a year. 

`The highlight of January was the unannounced entrance of Radical #3.  It was chaos and                  wonderful wrapped up with a big bow.  You can read about it here.

 `I survived my first outing with all 3 Radicals.  I felt empowered and wanted to take on the world. 

 `Crazy neighbor drama.

February.  

 `Radical #3 took his first road trip to see the grand-parentals and grand-grand-parental.

 `More crazy neighbor drama.

March.  

`The Mister and I celebrated 9 years together.

April.  

 `Merrie Monarch week.

 `Radical #1 turned 5.  Tear…

 `The drama continues with the crazies next door.

May.  

`Family reunion trip to O’ahu.

 `Radical #3 started rolling over.

 `Installed surveillance cameras…more crazy neighbor drama.

June.  

`Drama with the crazies.  Shocking, I know.

July.  

`Iwas whacked by the crazy old bat which prompted our decision to move.  Far, far away.

August.  

 `Packed up and moved to the other side of the island.  Peace out crazies!

 `Moving transition…had to live with the parentals until we found a place.

 `Radical #1 started Kindergarten.

 `A ladybug themed baby shower for my brother and his other half.

September.  

`My first maternity shoot.  Ever.

"I have to use the bathroom!"

 `My niece, Kendra (on top), graces us with her presence.

 `Still living with the parentals.

October.  

`We found our own place!  Hip-hip-HOORAY! 

 `I turned 32 years young.

 `Radical #2 turned 4…more tears.

 `My nephew’s 1^st birthday luau.

 `A surprise birthday party for my dad.

 `Pumpkin patching.

 `Happy Halloween.  I promise to be prepared this year because last year we were the junk house.  I     didn’t buy candy because we weren’t supposed to be home but as usual, we were running late         (story of my life).  I rushed to get the Radicals ready to go while the Mister was on his way home         from   work.  It was getting dark so as soon as the Mister came home I told him to chop-chop             because I    don’t have any candy to give out.  I load Radical #1 & 2 in the car.  As I’m getting           Radical #3 into    his car seat I hear “Trick or treat!”  Oh crap.  So instead of candy the Mister hands     out ramen noodle  packets.  True story.

November.  

 `Birthday BBQ for the Mister.

 `Our very first off-island visitors, Nana & Aunty Rose.

 `And the drama continues with the crazies.  Harassing phone calls galore.

 `Radical #2, the ER, and pneumonia.

 `The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was listened to.  One step closer to actually watching it.

 `Both mine and the parentals household were struck with the stomach bug.

December.  

`Radical #3 started daycare.

`Radical #1’s 1^st Winterfest at school.

`The Mister’s brother and his family spend Christmas with us.  Beaching it up, playing tourist, and           BBQs.

I’m happy to turn the page.  2014 will be a great year.  Making memories and lots of adventures.

Wishing all of you health and happiness. 

Happy New Year, friends!

Turkey pumpkins and what I'm thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving week!  Do you ever say things like “Thanksgiving is next week!” and in the following sentences you say stuff like “and such and such will be up on the blog?” But it doesn’t really sink in that it’s really Thanksgiving week until two days before Thanksgiving.  I’m one of those people who say stuff like that not really thinking about it and then panics because I now realize how much shit needs to be done and blogging is put on the back burner once again.

Sorry for the crappy pictures but here’s the Radicals turkey pumpkins we made a couple (or maybe one) of weeks ago.  We got these pumpkins the weekend before Halloween and I didn’t want to just throw it out because they were still good.  I thought it was a fun project but the Radicals gave up two minutes into cutting out the pieces.  In the end I was the one who cut them out and they got to color and stick the pieces onto the pumpkin.  Here’s the link if you want to try it out next year.

We have a busy week so I probably won’t be back until next week.  Me and my big Betty Crocker mouth thought it was a grand idea to make pumpkin pies and cookies and now?  I’m kicking myself because 1) I’ve never made a pumpkin pie in my life and 2) I have so much stuff (like homework and laundry and cleaning) to complete before we leave on Thursday.  I’m praying for myself and for those who will eat the pies.  It can’t be that hard right?

And since I’ve been seeing the ‘What I’m Thankful For’ lists going around, I thought I’d say what I’m thankful for too.  Not to get off track or anything, but I want to work on being thankful every day, not just during this time of year.  I mean, I’m thankful every day but I don’t get all sappy like I do now.  Anyway, I’m thankful for…

…my Radicals.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, they are my world.  If not for them, I wouldn’t be who I am today and I wouldn’t have learned all that they have taught me.  Love, patience, multi-tasking, how to open the eyeballs that has miraculously grown on the back of my head.

…the Mister.  Without him, I wouldn’t have Radicals and the fact that I know more about fishing than I’d actually like to know.  LOL! 

…the parentals.  Advice, guidance, and always being there for us.  Life lessons and the times I thought I was getting the crappy end of the stick which prompted the dramatic “my parents are soooo unfair!!!”

…my brothers.  They make my life that much more interesting.

…my besties.  We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs and in the end, we still are besties that will grow old together hanging out in our rocking chairs on the front porch drinking our brew and shamelessly hollering and waving our canes at the luscious young eye candy that pass by.

…my Momo.  The sister I never had even though we rarely see each other.  I’m looking forward to the for real coffee dates and hang out sessions that will come soon.  Very, very soon.

this is the only picture we have together...

…the SIL.  Without her, I wouldn’t have my very first nephew.  And it’s like having another sister I never had.

w/Radical #2.  I don't have a picture of my nephew yet :(

 …the rain.  I’ve never been so grateful for rain until I moved here because it fills up my tank.

Okay, so this post was longer than I expected.  Sorry.  There is so much more I am thankful for but I'll be kind and stop now.  

I hope y’all have a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving.  Eat lots of yummy food.  Enjoy the time with your family and friends.

And we can’t forget my beloved Macy’s Day Parade!!!  I’m on a mission again to make it to Kona before it starts.  I just need to give the Mister a really good excuse as to why we have to leave before the crack of dawn.  I’ll be happy to be the driver while my family peacefully sleeps.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jenn.

Finally! Vacation Recap

It’s almost the weekend!  I’m super excited because we’re going home-home sweet home!  Anyway…

I'm finally posting the recap of our vacation from 2 weeks ago.  And my plan of taking pictures of everything went out the window as soon as we landed.  I have a little point and shoot that gets lost in my ginormic bag and with 2 Radicals running in opposite directions, I need both my hands to be free at all times.  And that leads to getting tired of rummaging through my bag a million times and most times, by the time I get my camera, the thing I wanted to take a picture of is gone.  But enough with the boring camera issues and on to our vacation.  

Radical #1 was in awe with the airplane.  He loved it so much that he wouldn’t have known any better if we cancelled the vacation and went home. 

We finally landed and the Radicals were in awe even more with the escalator that took us down to the baggage claim.  They thought it was the coolest thing in the world and didn’t want to leave.  Funny little people…we didn’t even start our vacation yet and they rather hang out at the airport.

We got the car and off we went but before I go on, I have to say that every time we go to O’ahu, driving causes an argument.  All the time.  Never fails.  I couldn’t drive on that island if my life depended on it.  There’s too much lanes, too much signs that I can’t see, too much cars.  It’s just too much and it makes me crazy so I rely on the Mister to drive.  But he relies on me to tell him where to go and if we get lost?  It’s my fault.  Guaranteed. 

Anyway, 1^st stop…Aoki’s in Haleiwa.  Oh how I’ve longed for you.

A visit with Nana and her horses and chickens at the ranch.

After the ranch, we hung out, BBQ’d, and had a few.  It was 10:30pm and we still hadn’t checked in to our hotel which happened to be in Waikiki.  Bring on the getting lost and more arguments because we’re lost.  The only thing I could think of was that the front desk being closed and we would be homeless for the night but alas, we found it and they were open.  Thank you, Lord.  Did I mention it was 12am?

Thursday we went to the Children’s Discovery Center.

And the Disney Aulani Resort to have lunch with the Mister’s cousin.

Then to the Mister’s grandpa’s house for another BBQ.  There were no pictures because I was pooped and couldn’t find the energy to find my camera again.  Can I just say that I was in love with that house?  The kitchen and the walk-in pantry to be more specific.

Friday we went to the zoo and the aquarium with the Mister’s dad.

I’m backing it up just a bit…while planning this trip I asked the Mister if I could have a girl’s day with the SIL.  Just us, no boys, no kids.  I know that can sound selfish but hey, I never have “me time” and if the opportunity presents itself, I’m taking it.  And I mean, the Mister would be surrounded by family so it’s not like I left him and the Radicals in the middle of nowhere to fend for themselves. 

So Saturday was reserved for girl’s day; a day of shopping, eating and hanging out, and girl talk. I was looking forward to this day for a month and when it finally came, I didn’t want to go.  Why?  On Friday night, I asked the Mister what he was planning to do while I was having my girl’s day.  He said he was taking the Radicals to the water park with his brother (the SIL’s hubby) and his kids, and their cousin with their kids.  Really?  I was missing out on family fun at the water park because of girl’s day.  I kind of felt selfish and like a bad mom.  He convinced me to take the day to myself because I always have the Radicals and I never have a break and blah, blah, blah.  I was sad when I watched them drive away and then panicked because I forgot to give the camera to the Mister.  I felt empty.  I didn’t know what to do with myself while waiting for the SIL to pick me up.  I called a girlfriend and rambled away about my feelings and because she’s such a great friend, she gave me a pep talk and encouraged me to take the day to myself.  Thanks Roch!

The SIL and I went to Ala Moana and good Lord, it was overwhelming for me.  Small town girl is not used to big malls.  There were 3 floors and I made it through 5 or 6 stores until I threw in the towel.  I was over it.  I realize that I didn’t even put a dent in the mall but I’m fine with that.  That trip was good enough for me.  I did get all the clothes I needed though.  That was the main thing.

That night the Mister’s dad and stepmom watched the Radicals while we went out to dinner at the Oceanarium.  Good food plus good company and 11 Tropical Itch’s later equaled a good night.

Sunday we hung out at the park with my nephew and the Mister’s stepmom.  My nephew, Kekoa, is a fire knife dancer.  Go here to check out a highlight of his last performance (fast forward to 5:05 minutes).  Then we went to the Mister’s cousin’s house for another BBQ.

Monday was our final day there.  In the morning we went to the Mister’s heaven on earth.  The Radicals and I kept ourselves busy while the Mister perused the goodies.  We met up with the Mister’s brother and cousin along with their families to have a final good-bye lunch.  Gosh, that sounded so final and sad…

West Marine // Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill

All in all it was a great trip.  The Radicals had a blast, the Mister and I had fun and some us time, we got to visit with family that we haven’t seen in forever.  Until we meet again...

Whew, that was a long recap.  Sorry for the overload.  Hope y’all have a happy Thursday!

Jenn.

Thanksgiving Week-ending…Recap

I wanted to post this yesterday but life got in the way…

This year Thanksgiving was actually enjoyable!  There was no minimal bickering/drama.  A week before Thanksgiving my dad announced that we were going out to a buffet and of course I had to throw a hissy fit.  Well I guess it worked because the week of Thanksgiving he said we were doing our traditional feast.  Yeah!  Anyway, we did the drive home Thanksgiving morning and although my mission was to get there before 9am, it didn’t happen and I missed my beloved Macy’s Day Parade (sad face).  Oh well, there’s always next year.

This was the first year that we were actually on schedule with dinner (insert high five!).  My g-ma from Hilo came to spend the holiday with us which was nice since the rest of my family rarely sees her. 

I ventured out of my normal baking and made apple crisp.  My dad said “OMG!  This is so good!  It’s to die for!”  I got the recipe from Natalie over at The Busy Budgeting Mama.  I’ll be sure to post the recipe later and you can bet that I’ll be making it for Christmas.

My brother and his gf went to Wal-Mart for the Black Friday or pre-Black Friday or whatever they call it.  I was very tempted to go with but I was stuffed to the brim and totally dysfunctional.  Haha.  The mister and I went on Friday around 11am (minus the radicals) and I was kicking myself in the rear for not going the night before because, of course, everything was gone.  Duh, Jenn!  The mister scored his drill set at Home Depot and we got the rest of the stuff to finish our kitchen.  Anyway, Target had a Nikon digital camera on sale for $99 and I missed purchasing one by 4 hours.  Gosh darnit, if we didn’t spend HOURS in Home Depot I would have scored one.  But that’s okay, I’m just stoked that I got 99.9% of my Christmas shopping done, I got to spend some qt with the mister, and I got my Hayashi fix.  Oh Hayashi, how I’ve longed for you…it’s a hole in the wall sushi joint where you can make your own roll.  Well, not really make it yourself but you can choose whatever you want to go in your roll.  And the prices are awesome.  5 bucks for 8 jumbo pieces…I was in heaven.

We made the drive back home on Saturday and I ran into a sweet friend that I haven’t seen in months.  I also got to see her little man that I’ve named the Michelin Man because that little guy has the cutest rolls!  It was still daylight when we got home and the mister was so excited to use his drill that he went straight to work in the kitchen.  He put up our shelf, installed the new door handle for my pantry and then he wanted to put up the door for our hallway closet.  He was so drill-happy that he kept asking me if there was anything else I needed done.  Boys and their toys…

And that’s about it!  It was very peaceful, relaxed, and I was happy to be surrounded by my family.

I hope y’all had a Happy Thanksgiving and an awesome weekend with family and friends.

Until then,

jenn

It's Complicated - Part 2

via

Happy Friday Friends!

I have to say that I’ve been a bit apprehensive about sharing this.  I’ve been afraid that somehow the Mister’s mom would come across my little ‘ol blog and read this and then hate me forever.  But you know what?  These are my feelings and everyone is allowed to have feelings right?  Right. 

I feel obligated to stay…

Like I said in my last post – I thought this was temporary.  But I apparently our definitions of “temporary” are different.  

Radical #1 was born in April of 2008.  I continued to work and I felt so lucky to have the best babysitter in the world, Miss Connie Lou over at Island Buzzy.  She is awesome and I trusted her.  She put my day-care paranoia at ease because let’s face it, who doesn’t have anxiety and fear of having someone you don’t really know watch your kid(s)?  I have major paranoia. 

Then I got pregnant with Radical #2 in 2009 and I also lost my job (crap!).  Raging hormonal pregnant lady…that was me.  I never prepared for the worst and the worst was happening.  Losing my job meant losing my income and benefits so yes, I had a meltdown.  

I finally came to my sense (having a meltdown wasn't helping anyone) and went through my options.  I could easily find another job and all will be well in the world.  But I was informed that my beloved babysitter was no longer available.  Cue another meltdown.  Because remember, I had major daycare paranoia.  

Then I had the bright idea of moving back to Kona.  I had more resources there and I had babysitters there.  It was in fact the perfect plan; I had jobs, babysitters, and we would be closer to family and friends.  Why didn’t I think of this sooner?  

Oh, because I forgot about this house!  “What’s my mom going to do about this house?” was the Mister’s question.  Honestly, I felt like that wasn’t our concern anymore.  What we should be concerned about was how we were going to support our family.  Up until I lost my job, I was the one with the steady income.  Don’t get me wrong, the Mister is a hard worker but he’s in the construction industry and work wasn’t really stable.  I was certain that he could find work in Kona but the obligation we had to his mom and this house was on the forefront.  

Yes, I felt crappy for putting a halt on what she was doing but I also felt that I had to think of my family first and the situation we were in.  There was another option: the Radicals and I could move to Kona while the Mister stayed back to take care of the house.  But I really didn’t want to separate my family on his mom’s behalf.  Why should my family have to suffer because she’s not ready to come home?  But the reasons for moving didn’t matter and all they could think about was this house.  

So I sucked it up and looked for jobs and daycare here.  I found some jobs but the reality was that I would be working just to pay for daycare.  What’s the sense in that?  And so I began my journey as a stay-at-home mom.  It made me very nervous that the Mister was taking over the financial part of our lives.  

I was no longer in control.  The first year was financially difficult.  Scraping coins, deciding which bill was going to be paid and which ones had to wait, and just stressing out on how we were supposed to live.  It was hard to budget with a sporadic income.  It was tough and it tested my patience like never before.  I became depressed and bitter towards the Mister.  We were constantly arguing and I just couldn’t help it when awful things would come flowing out of my mouth.  Things like “you and your mom put us in this position!” or “if you and your mom weren’t so selfish we wouldn’t be having this conversation so it ain’t my problem!”  

I started to realize that instead of being a snappy witch, I should have been more positive and encouraging towards the Mister.  My crappy attitude wasn’t helping him or our situation.  I have to say that this situation and the years to follow have brought us together; it’s made us stronger as a couple.  We’ve lived it, we’ve learned from it, and now we’re moving forward…as a family.  We’ve grown, we’ve changed, and we have a better outlook on life. 

So maybe I shouldn’t say I feel obligated to stay but more so, I feel it’s best for our family to stick together.  In time, things will start to look up.  After all, this is life and nobody said life was easy.    

jenn