Sunday, August 31, 2008
Crabbing
When I was little I remember going to the Lesner Bridge, throwing out a line and catching crabs. We would stay all day and go home and spread newspaper on a picnic table and pick crabs for hours. It was yummy and delicious and most of all it was fun!
Kev and I did this years ago but the kids were too young to remember. So we have re-introduced this little activity and they are fascinated, as is my DH. Fortunately for us, the area is riddled with waterways and we are able to go about 5 miles from the house to the Inter-Coastal Waterway and we have been in crab heaven.
The kids get to thread chicken on a line, throw the line in the water and then pull it out and net a crab. Crab is also an absolute favorite meal for them all, so they have the added advantage of knowing they get to eat them.
Tara was sitting next to our 5 gallon bucket explaining, very matter-of-factly, to the crabs how very soon they were going to meet a big black pot just before they were dinner.
Big Guy goes from line to line and pulls them in and each time he is yelling
"I got one! I got one!". Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't.
Trey just stumbles across the deck and points out the ducks, waves to the boats and yells with enthusiasm when the draw bridge begins to open. I am just thankful he hasn't yet fallen into the water.
I, being the type "Z" person that I have been dubbed, am just happy my kids are outside enjoying the day, making family memories and not sitting in front of the TV. They don't care if we catch 1 crab or 10 crabs, it's just fun!
Kevin, on the other hand, has taken this to a whole new level. His competitive spirit has taken over and he is thinking and rethinking and buying new and better equipment. No crab should escape him! He shall be the crab master! Okay, maybe not the master but definitely a wanna-be. We have gone from chicken on a string to this clever little pot that opens on the bottom and then closes as you pull it up.
Poor crabs! It used to be game to see if the crabs would notice being gently lifted out of the water while they nibbled at our offering and then scooped into a net. Now they are just rudely trapped in a cage and yanked out of the water. Added to their torture is a little drooling girl telling them about a black pot, boiling water and being dinner!
Oh what fun it is!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Moving on...
Alright already! I am done whining about that place. Time to move on.
School starts Tuesday. Tara will be in Intermediate school and Big Guy will be at the Primary school. Neither seems to share my concern that they won't be together. We have open house tonight and in the morning.
I am hoping they will find lots of friends. Adjusting to not living on base has been the hardest for them strictly due to the lack of kids. Don't get me wrong. There are a ton of kids in the neighborhood but only one lives on our court. They are used to a steady flow of kids coming in and out of the house all day. Big adjustment. They have basically had just each other.
I got guilted into Tara getting her ears pierced. She barely flinched and is very excited to add another element to her wardrobe.
Speaking of clothes, the school shopping has been maddening. We began as street urchins. They had nothing suitable for school. Slippers, or flip flops, aren't allowed and my children didn't even own a long sleeve shirt. Tara always had one pair of jeans each year but she had long ago outgrown those. We now have shoes. Real shoes. And multiple pairs for each child. Long pants seemed a good idea so they have those now too. The principle, who once moved here from that place, suggested a sweater since they will now have air conditioning, so those too have been purchased. The school supply list here is much shorter so that was a nice change. Apparently Virginia schools have enough money for teachers' supplies, toilet paper and paper towels so that will make for a less cumbersome first day. Tick tick tick! Almost time!
Tyler will begin soccer with AYSO. He is most excited. Tara, my dear dear daughter, has said she would like to pass on sports this year so that she "can focus on her studies". (what is that crap and from where does it come????) I did talk her into Brownies/Girl Scouts so I guess she will be out hocking cookies this year. If you forget to order, no worries, call me. I am sure I will have a freezer full!
Trey will be hanging out with Mom for one last year. I hope to head to the Y each day and put his little butt in their childwatch program. I am hoping to eradicate the phrase "Mommy do it" from his vocabulary. It is not spoken to me as a command. It is spoken to everyone else who would make an attempt to do something for him. The phrase would be "No! Please don't bother doing that for me! My mother will do it!"
If Tara gets his clothes- "No! Mommy do it!"
If Daddy wants to make chocolate milk- "No! Mommy do it!"
If Grandma wants to get him out of the car- "No! Mommy do it!"
Mommy is done and hoping that a little stranger time will help him cut the cord and move on.
That's all for now! Check back later....
School starts Tuesday. Tara will be in Intermediate school and Big Guy will be at the Primary school. Neither seems to share my concern that they won't be together. We have open house tonight and in the morning.
I am hoping they will find lots of friends. Adjusting to not living on base has been the hardest for them strictly due to the lack of kids. Don't get me wrong. There are a ton of kids in the neighborhood but only one lives on our court. They are used to a steady flow of kids coming in and out of the house all day. Big adjustment. They have basically had just each other.
I got guilted into Tara getting her ears pierced. She barely flinched and is very excited to add another element to her wardrobe.
Speaking of clothes, the school shopping has been maddening. We began as street urchins. They had nothing suitable for school. Slippers, or flip flops, aren't allowed and my children didn't even own a long sleeve shirt. Tara always had one pair of jeans each year but she had long ago outgrown those. We now have shoes. Real shoes. And multiple pairs for each child. Long pants seemed a good idea so they have those now too. The principle, who once moved here from that place, suggested a sweater since they will now have air conditioning, so those too have been purchased. The school supply list here is much shorter so that was a nice change. Apparently Virginia schools have enough money for teachers' supplies, toilet paper and paper towels so that will make for a less cumbersome first day. Tick tick tick! Almost time!
Tyler will begin soccer with AYSO. He is most excited. Tara, my dear dear daughter, has said she would like to pass on sports this year so that she "can focus on her studies". (what is that crap and from where does it come????) I did talk her into Brownies/Girl Scouts so I guess she will be out hocking cookies this year. If you forget to order, no worries, call me. I am sure I will have a freezer full!
Trey will be hanging out with Mom for one last year. I hope to head to the Y each day and put his little butt in their childwatch program. I am hoping to eradicate the phrase "Mommy do it" from his vocabulary. It is not spoken to me as a command. It is spoken to everyone else who would make an attempt to do something for him. The phrase would be "No! Please don't bother doing that for me! My mother will do it!"
If Tara gets his clothes- "No! Mommy do it!"
If Daddy wants to make chocolate milk- "No! Mommy do it!"
If Grandma wants to get him out of the car- "No! Mommy do it!"
Mommy is done and hoping that a little stranger time will help him cut the cord and move on.
That's all for now! Check back later....
The Beach
I have a confession. I haven't wanted to go to the beach.
Yes, I said that.
How could the beaches here even slightly compare with those in Hawaii? I hadn't been able to muster up the courage to set myself up for such disappointment.
My children proved me wrong.
We found ourselves at Sandbridge running an errand for Gramma Judy. How could I possibly go to Sandbridge and not go to the beach? I knew where I was headed that morning and had mentioned it to the kids so they were suited up beneath their clothes but their lack of enthusiasm for hittin' the beach fueled my uncertianty. We parked and trudged through the sand without even taking towels 'cause everyone said they weren't getting in the water.
We got to the top of the last berm and saw the waves crashing into the shore.
Tara took a deep breath and surveyed the scene.
"Ahhhh! The smell of the ocean! Mom, I have missed that!!"
At that moment Tara and Big Guy began ripping off their clothes and disappeared into the murky water. How right she was. Later they came out splashing and happy and collapsed into the sand to begin digging in their continuous efforts to create a hot tub from a mere hole and the water that sneaks in.
I, too, had that wonderful feeling of calmness that washes over me in the presence of the ocean. The beautiful hues of blue dotted with black rocks and reef, palms and the glorious backdrop of the mountains was not there but the ocean remains a constant.
How could I have been so foolish?
Yes, I said that.
How could the beaches here even slightly compare with those in Hawaii? I hadn't been able to muster up the courage to set myself up for such disappointment.
My children proved me wrong.
We found ourselves at Sandbridge running an errand for Gramma Judy. How could I possibly go to Sandbridge and not go to the beach? I knew where I was headed that morning and had mentioned it to the kids so they were suited up beneath their clothes but their lack of enthusiasm for hittin' the beach fueled my uncertianty. We parked and trudged through the sand without even taking towels 'cause everyone said they weren't getting in the water.
We got to the top of the last berm and saw the waves crashing into the shore.
Tara took a deep breath and surveyed the scene.
"Ahhhh! The smell of the ocean! Mom, I have missed that!!"
At that moment Tara and Big Guy began ripping off their clothes and disappeared into the murky water. How right she was. Later they came out splashing and happy and collapsed into the sand to begin digging in their continuous efforts to create a hot tub from a mere hole and the water that sneaks in.
I, too, had that wonderful feeling of calmness that washes over me in the presence of the ocean. The beautiful hues of blue dotted with black rocks and reef, palms and the glorious backdrop of the mountains was not there but the ocean remains a constant.
How could I have been so foolish?
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Pics
We made the big move and we have been busy. If you remember, the house was very white with lots of stained wooden trim. There is still painting to be finished on the steps and I haven't begun the upstairs. Appliances were mismatched, there was a lack of ceiling fans, the lights were outdated, there were huge boxwoods in the front and there were 34 trees in the backyard. We still have a bathroom we would like to redo and the yard we will hit hard in the fall. The back is a huge dust bowl now but with 3 truckloads of topsoil grass will grow. Kevin and my dear Dad built a fence around the entire backyard. It's a 6 ft privacy fence except next to the yard where city ordinance required it to be a 4 ft fence. We found a huge play set on Craigslist and we need to mulch around it. The garage is still a wreck but we have furniture that needs to be sold/trashed and when that happens we'll have more room.
We love our new home. The neighbors are wonderful and we have received muffins, cookies brownies and one even made us a lasagna. These people are awesome!
Judy has been wanting pics so here are some and the rest will be on the photo page.
Saying Goodbye
The following obit was copied from the KC Star. Mike was a great man, one of the absolute best and will be missed by many. The sadness is suffered by those he left behind but there is comfort in knowing that one day they will all be together. Another blow to the family was that a long-time good friend, died one week later. I know Mike secured his place in heaven long ago. I know he is surrounded by friends and family in heaven and I have a feeling that when Mr. Myer joined him in passing, Mike was seated at a big table shuffling cards. I can hear his big booming voice greeting his old friend- "I always said cream rises to the top! Are we going to play cards or what??"
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Michael J. Furey
Michael J. Furey, 68, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away Monday, July 21, 2008. A Rosary will be said at 6 p.m. followed by visitation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road, on Wednesday, July 23. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, with burial following in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family requests no flowers, but memorial contributions may be made to The Cristina Furey Heart Foundation, or St. Thomas More Building Fund, or a charity of your choice. Mike was born on Nov. 7, 1939, and spent his entire life in Kansas City, Mo. He graduated from Hogan High School in 1956. After attending college, Mike worked for Melody McGilley Eiler Funeral Home for 10 years. He then went to work for Allied Concrete Products which he and his wife Judy purchased from Barney and Rosemarie Maguire and then headed the business for 30 years. Mike and Judy are also co-owners of Residential Sewage Treatment Company. In 2002, Mike and Judy retired to pursue their love of travel, the Lake of the Ozarks, relaxation and family. Mike was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus, the National Precast Concrete Association, Missouri Concrete Association and the Missouri Concrete Industry Board. Mike was a very active participant in parish life at Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church, Grandview, Mo., for 28 years. Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Norris and Mabel Furey; brother, Joseph Furey; sisters, Betty Lutz and Martha Stoerman. Also preceding Mike in death are his children, Mickey Furey and Amy Furey; and his granddaughter, Cristina Furey. Mike is survived by his wife, Judy, of 50 years; his children, Bernie Furey (Kristi), Pete Furey (Amparo), Tammy Beatty, Pam Thurman (Doug), Kevin Furey (Maria); 15 wonderful grandchildren, which he cherished; sisters, Sister Jane Ellen Furey, SCL, Leavenworth, Kan., Mrs. Norrine Baggett (Frank), Shreveport, La., Sister Roberta Furey, SCL, Denver, Colo.; and sister-in-law, Faye Furey- Comeaux, Houston, Texas; mother and father-in-law, Barney and Rosemarie Maguire. Arr.: McGilley State Line Chapel (816) 942-6180.
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Michael J. Furey
Michael J. Furey, 68, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away Monday, July 21, 2008. A Rosary will be said at 6 p.m. followed by visitation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road, on Wednesday, July 23. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, with burial following in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family requests no flowers, but memorial contributions may be made to The Cristina Furey Heart Foundation, or St. Thomas More Building Fund, or a charity of your choice. Mike was born on Nov. 7, 1939, and spent his entire life in Kansas City, Mo. He graduated from Hogan High School in 1956. After attending college, Mike worked for Melody McGilley Eiler Funeral Home for 10 years. He then went to work for Allied Concrete Products which he and his wife Judy purchased from Barney and Rosemarie Maguire and then headed the business for 30 years. Mike and Judy are also co-owners of Residential Sewage Treatment Company. In 2002, Mike and Judy retired to pursue their love of travel, the Lake of the Ozarks, relaxation and family. Mike was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus, the National Precast Concrete Association, Missouri Concrete Association and the Missouri Concrete Industry Board. Mike was a very active participant in parish life at Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church, Grandview, Mo., for 28 years. Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Norris and Mabel Furey; brother, Joseph Furey; sisters, Betty Lutz and Martha Stoerman. Also preceding Mike in death are his children, Mickey Furey and Amy Furey; and his granddaughter, Cristina Furey. Mike is survived by his wife, Judy, of 50 years; his children, Bernie Furey (Kristi), Pete Furey (Amparo), Tammy Beatty, Pam Thurman (Doug), Kevin Furey (Maria); 15 wonderful grandchildren, which he cherished; sisters, Sister Jane Ellen Furey, SCL, Leavenworth, Kan., Mrs. Norrine Baggett (Frank), Shreveport, La., Sister Roberta Furey, SCL, Denver, Colo.; and sister-in-law, Faye Furey- Comeaux, Houston, Texas; mother and father-in-law, Barney and Rosemarie Maguire. Arr.: McGilley State Line Chapel (816) 942-6180.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Our first night in the new house!
"The children were all nestled all snug in their beds while visions..."
Wait!! It's not Christmas! It just feels like it!
We stayed at the new house as a family! All of us! The boys stayed in their room, Tara was in hers and we stayed in ours! The dog and cat were in heaven because they didn't know which bed to crawl into. I probably shouldn't say bed. We still haven't received any shipments yet but we purchased another air mattress and Tara made a pallet on the floor. (For all you city people a pallett is a country word for layering blankets and sheets on the floor to provide comfort while sleeping.)
What prompted the big move from all the comforts and conveniences of Mom's house? Nothin' really. We just felt like it was time. Tara and Tyler have made some friends and I really want to finish this painting marathon I started. Monday our express pack should arrive which means the WII can be moved from Grandma's house too. The kids have been watching movies on the computer and Kev and I have been pilfering some one's WIFI so I feel no need to connect cable just yet. I may change my mind quickly but it's been nice without the idiot box always on.
One thing I have always loved is thunderstorms. Due to the temperate climate of Hawaii that is one thing that I dearly missed. This week Mother Nature has welcomed me home with some wonderful storms with lightening that turns night into day and thunder so loud you can feel it rattle your bones. It is very nice to swing on the screen porch and watch and feel the storms blow through the neighborhood. One more thing to love about this house that is still not ours.
The YMCA is becoming a daily adventure. I even got my parents to join. They have a super cool splash pad around the pool for the kids to enjoy and they are all of age now where I can leave them in one of their childwatch areas and work out. Some one else will watch my kids for 2 hrs so that I can do nothing but work out! How awesome IS that? The church that we used to drive from Virginia Beach to get to is just around the corner. We really need to make a conscious effort to get back into the habit but it has been difficult with the lack of routine. Some semblance of a family with a routine or schedule is what I am hoping for now that we, and our few belongings, are all under one roof.
I think we are settling in....just a little bit.
Wait!! It's not Christmas! It just feels like it!
We stayed at the new house as a family! All of us! The boys stayed in their room, Tara was in hers and we stayed in ours! The dog and cat were in heaven because they didn't know which bed to crawl into. I probably shouldn't say bed. We still haven't received any shipments yet but we purchased another air mattress and Tara made a pallet on the floor. (For all you city people a pallett is a country word for layering blankets and sheets on the floor to provide comfort while sleeping.)
What prompted the big move from all the comforts and conveniences of Mom's house? Nothin' really. We just felt like it was time. Tara and Tyler have made some friends and I really want to finish this painting marathon I started. Monday our express pack should arrive which means the WII can be moved from Grandma's house too. The kids have been watching movies on the computer and Kev and I have been pilfering some one's WIFI so I feel no need to connect cable just yet. I may change my mind quickly but it's been nice without the idiot box always on.
One thing I have always loved is thunderstorms. Due to the temperate climate of Hawaii that is one thing that I dearly missed. This week Mother Nature has welcomed me home with some wonderful storms with lightening that turns night into day and thunder so loud you can feel it rattle your bones. It is very nice to swing on the screen porch and watch and feel the storms blow through the neighborhood. One more thing to love about this house that is still not ours.
The YMCA is becoming a daily adventure. I even got my parents to join. They have a super cool splash pad around the pool for the kids to enjoy and they are all of age now where I can leave them in one of their childwatch areas and work out. Some one else will watch my kids for 2 hrs so that I can do nothing but work out! How awesome IS that? The church that we used to drive from Virginia Beach to get to is just around the corner. We really need to make a conscious effort to get back into the habit but it has been difficult with the lack of routine. Some semblance of a family with a routine or schedule is what I am hoping for now that we, and our few belongings, are all under one roof.
I think we are settling in....just a little bit.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
We are here!! Sort of....
Okay so for a brief explanation of what's been happening.
We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for our last days on island. They now accept pets and since it was right next door to the Hale Koa it was fabulous. What better way to spend our last days in Paradise. (I do so miss it and would have stayed forever!!)
I have 2 great jobs.
One is a GS at Portsmouth Naval doing the same job that I did in Hawaii in the OB Clinic. The hours are M-F 0745-1600. The hospital is 15 miles away and through a tunnel which means a half hour to 45 min commute.
The other is a L&D position at a hospital in Chesapeake. Hours are 3p-11p 3x a week and it is less than 5 miles away. No traffic and no commute time.
As much as I want the GS I would be foolish to turn down the other. Believe it or not I still haven't decided. I am currently working in Chesapeake (had to have a job to make the mortgage people happy) but my paperwork is processing for the other position also. Decisions! Decisions!
The house on Dolph is a short sale (Ha! That's an oxymoron!). We have been pursuing this short sale since May. We have painted the entire downstairs, added a light and a ceiling fan, cut down trees and we still don't now if it is ours. The sellers 1st mortgage paperwork has gone through. We are waiting on the second. Our furniture should arrive next week along with the Jeep.
We have been living in the house since we arrived. (Sort of, my mom lives around the corner.) The kicker is that until the house goes into closing we pay nothing for rent. Zip, zero, nadda dime! I have talked to people that have said a short sale can take up to 7 months. I say bring it on!! I am just pocketing cash that I can use to do more to the house later. So for now we are just waiting.... and painting. But hey! Paint is cheap and it's just a little sweat equity on my part!!
Kevin and the kids are in KC. They stayed busy there as always. They went to a Royals game, took a train ride and the kids have spent lots of time with all their cousins. They went to the lake for a few days and the kids (Tara and Tyler) learned to water ski. Baby Trey learned the joys of a life jacket and spent his days jumping from the the dock into the water and climbing out to do it again! I flew in last Thursday to celebrate Mike and Judy's 50th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful event and I hope to be able to go back in October to celebrate Barney and Rose's 75th wedding anniversary. Wow! I am in awe and very proud to be a part of the family.
So, I am now back in the house we don't own and Kevin and the kids are driving back as we speak. I may take the kids to the Outer Banks for a few days and Kevin finally has to report in to his new command. He is very excited to be back in a functioning command that serves a real purpose and back amongst longtime friends. For both of us, it's like coming home. I'll post pics later and I hope to get some from their KC adventures.
We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for our last days on island. They now accept pets and since it was right next door to the Hale Koa it was fabulous. What better way to spend our last days in Paradise. (I do so miss it and would have stayed forever!!)
I have 2 great jobs.
One is a GS at Portsmouth Naval doing the same job that I did in Hawaii in the OB Clinic. The hours are M-F 0745-1600. The hospital is 15 miles away and through a tunnel which means a half hour to 45 min commute.
The other is a L&D position at a hospital in Chesapeake. Hours are 3p-11p 3x a week and it is less than 5 miles away. No traffic and no commute time.
As much as I want the GS I would be foolish to turn down the other. Believe it or not I still haven't decided. I am currently working in Chesapeake (had to have a job to make the mortgage people happy) but my paperwork is processing for the other position also. Decisions! Decisions!
The house on Dolph is a short sale (Ha! That's an oxymoron!). We have been pursuing this short sale since May. We have painted the entire downstairs, added a light and a ceiling fan, cut down trees and we still don't now if it is ours. The sellers 1st mortgage paperwork has gone through. We are waiting on the second. Our furniture should arrive next week along with the Jeep.
We have been living in the house since we arrived. (Sort of, my mom lives around the corner.) The kicker is that until the house goes into closing we pay nothing for rent. Zip, zero, nadda dime! I have talked to people that have said a short sale can take up to 7 months. I say bring it on!! I am just pocketing cash that I can use to do more to the house later. So for now we are just waiting.... and painting. But hey! Paint is cheap and it's just a little sweat equity on my part!!
Kevin and the kids are in KC. They stayed busy there as always. They went to a Royals game, took a train ride and the kids have spent lots of time with all their cousins. They went to the lake for a few days and the kids (Tara and Tyler) learned to water ski. Baby Trey learned the joys of a life jacket and spent his days jumping from the the dock into the water and climbing out to do it again! I flew in last Thursday to celebrate Mike and Judy's 50th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful event and I hope to be able to go back in October to celebrate Barney and Rose's 75th wedding anniversary. Wow! I am in awe and very proud to be a part of the family.
So, I am now back in the house we don't own and Kevin and the kids are driving back as we speak. I may take the kids to the Outer Banks for a few days and Kevin finally has to report in to his new command. He is very excited to be back in a functioning command that serves a real purpose and back amongst longtime friends. For both of us, it's like coming home. I'll post pics later and I hope to get some from their KC adventures.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
Kalua Pig
I've had several ask and I am finally gettin to it! Here is the recipe for Kalua Pig.
2 Tbsp Hawaiian salt
1 (1/2 inch) slice ginger, crushed
1/4 C Soy
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
1 tsp Worcestershire
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 4-5 lb pork butt
Ti or banana leaves (opt)
Mix together first 6 ingredients. Place pork on leaves, rub with seasonings and let stand one hour. Fold leaves around pork. Wrap in foil. Place in baking pan and bake at 325 for 4-5 hours. Unwrap, shred, serve.
-Best of the Best From Hawaii
When I do the Kalua Pig I use a crock pot with or without Ti leaves. When the roast is done I remove the meat and leave the juice. Skim the fat off the top of the juice and add sliced cabbage. As I shred the meat I add it back in and allow to sit for 15 min or until the cabbage is crisp-tender, not soggy. Serve with white rice!!
2 Tbsp Hawaiian salt
1 (1/2 inch) slice ginger, crushed
1/4 C Soy
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
1 tsp Worcestershire
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 4-5 lb pork butt
Ti or banana leaves (opt)
Mix together first 6 ingredients. Place pork on leaves, rub with seasonings and let stand one hour. Fold leaves around pork. Wrap in foil. Place in baking pan and bake at 325 for 4-5 hours. Unwrap, shred, serve.
-Best of the Best From Hawaii
When I do the Kalua Pig I use a crock pot with or without Ti leaves. When the roast is done I remove the meat and leave the juice. Skim the fat off the top of the juice and add sliced cabbage. As I shred the meat I add it back in and allow to sit for 15 min or until the cabbage is crisp-tender, not soggy. Serve with white rice!!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Big Guy up to Bat
Big Guy is playing T-ball but the rules are a little different this year. The league is allowing a coach to pitch to the kids. After three tries they can hit off the tee. Tyler hit the first pitch each time up to bat. After this swing the coach high-fived Big Guy for almost knocking him in the head!!
Aloha Spirit!
Tara participated in the International Aloha Spirit Cheer Comp at the Waikiki Shell. They competed for 2 days and their score was based on both days of competition. The MCBH D Dogs took first place in their division. This video is day 2!
Da' Flowrider!
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park has this cool ride that creates this continuous wave so you can surf or boogy board. If you watch till the end you may appreciate how much control Big Guy has during the ride, by the force that spins and spits him out at the end!
Hula hula!
This video from Paradise Cove is a video of the kids doing the hula on stage. Jamie, Tara and Trey are right in the middle and Big Guy is hidding behind the "coach" in the grass skirt.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mr. Obama- your response please!
This came from a friend and neighbor. Nate is stationed here in Hawaii and his response is one I would love to hear answered. What awesome rhetoric from a true American hero. He, along with many others on this base, risk their lives for people some say we have no business fighting to protect. He characterizes the Iraqi nation as "people that are important to me". If you believe in God and that all men are brothers there is no argument here. Thank you Nate! This is why I am proud to be part of the US Military!
Feb 19, 2008 8:02 PM
My name is Nate and up front I will say that I am not an Obama supporter. I am in the Marines and I have served in Iraq.
I just finished watching Obama giving a speech about hope. He spoke of having a different mind set then the one which led us to the war in Iraq. Then he spoke about hope.
The hope our founding fathers felt when facing the British...the hope the slaves felt...the hope women had to have the same rights as men...the hope our "finest generation" had while taking on facism and evil in Hitler's Nazi Germany, (not to be likened to Sadam's dictatorship at all, that is the wrong mindset and totally different).
Mr. Obama forgot about some people that are important to me...what about the hope that the Iraqi people have to one day be free from oppression and terrorism? The hope made possible by our "wrong mindset." By our Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors. By our commitment to helping them to get out from the dictatorship of Sadam and to conquer the radical muslims. By President Bush's determination to not abandon our effort and to stand by freedom and democracy.
Mr. Obama was against helping these people all along, dont forget that, he always brings it up when it is popular. I wonder if he would stand by that comment if asked, "what about the hope of a nation in need of our help?"
.
Feb 19, 2008 8:02 PM
My name is Nate and up front I will say that I am not an Obama supporter. I am in the Marines and I have served in Iraq.
I just finished watching Obama giving a speech about hope. He spoke of having a different mind set then the one which led us to the war in Iraq. Then he spoke about hope.
The hope our founding fathers felt when facing the British...the hope the slaves felt...the hope women had to have the same rights as men...the hope our "finest generation" had while taking on facism and evil in Hitler's Nazi Germany, (not to be likened to Sadam's dictatorship at all, that is the wrong mindset and totally different).
Mr. Obama forgot about some people that are important to me...what about the hope that the Iraqi people have to one day be free from oppression and terrorism? The hope made possible by our "wrong mindset." By our Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors. By our commitment to helping them to get out from the dictatorship of Sadam and to conquer the radical muslims. By President Bush's determination to not abandon our effort and to stand by freedom and democracy.
Mr. Obama was against helping these people all along, dont forget that, he always brings it up when it is popular. I wonder if he would stand by that comment if asked, "what about the hope of a nation in need of our help?"
.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Blogstipation
I apologize for those that search and find nothing new here. I admit it. I've been blogstipated. Although I love this island with every ounce of my being, the simple fact that I know we are leaving has left me without anything new to say. My thoughts have moved to the future and all of the HUGE changes that are going to occur to me and my family.
How long will we be without housing?
How do we make all of these trips occur in a timely manner?
Can I really travel across country with my children and not kill them all?
Can we live in a pop-up on the beach until we get housing??
Will the base be as I remember?
How are the schools?
Will Kev be gone all the time?
Where will I work?
Will I be able to put Trey in the CDC?
Will my kids be happy?
How long will the blogstipation last?
Are you still reading this list? Hehehe!!
These thoughts and many more have turned my brain to mush. See? Blogstipated!!
Tara has really started concentrating on cheering. Her comp season is approaching and I just hope they will do as well as last year. After 2 1/2 years of trying to persuade her to take gymnastics she finally said yesterday she wanted to start. Great timing! She is still growing so fast she doesn't even have time to break in her clothes. I swear she has legs from her neck down. Another thought from the future: We will live close to the Outlet Mall in Camarillo and a Target. Hoorahh! I can't remeber if there is a Kohl's in Ventura. Gotta check that out.
Tyler has been seeing the docs about his ongoing speech issues. He has improved but not as quickly as we had thought. He had a hearing test and he passed but the doc said his R drum was not vibrating as much as it should so now we are waiting for our appointment with the ENT docs. I certainly hope he discovers something that is fixable. Audiology doc thought perhaps a drain if there was fluid but I am not sure how that works if there is no infection to build up the fluid. Pshew...guess that's why we see an ENT. I sure hope it is something as simple as a blockage/fluid etc.
Tyler has become a football savant. He sat on the couch yesterday and watched almost the entire game. Enthusiastically I might add. I really didn't care who won but cheered for the Giants simply because they took down the Cowboys. Tyler would come into the kitchen and inform me of the score if I wasn't watching. When I told him I was rooting for the Giants he scowled at me and walked away. He got to the door, turned and said "Ma! Giants gonna lose!" Ha! Joke's on him!!
Baby Trey was very happy with my birthday cake. The cake was very cute BTW. My dear friend Emily had Happy Almost 40th Birthday Maria! written on it. When the kids came back for seconds after the game Trey was egged on to take a big bite out of it. He was a cake monster! I am waiting for Em to send me the pics so I can post 'em. Baby Trey is amazing us everyday with all he has to say. His letter recognition is getting better and anytime he sees letters he is pointing them out and telling you what (some) they are!!
Kev is still in Dallas and won't be home for about a month. We actually connected to Windows Live Messenger so we can video conference with each other. The kids love it cause they can see Daddy. It is very cool and something I wish we had done sooner.
So I am now 39. No big deal. I'm looking foward to 40!!
How long will we be without housing?
How do we make all of these trips occur in a timely manner?
Can I really travel across country with my children and not kill them all?
Can we live in a pop-up on the beach until we get housing??
Will the base be as I remember?
How are the schools?
Will Kev be gone all the time?
Where will I work?
Will I be able to put Trey in the CDC?
Will my kids be happy?
How long will the blogstipation last?
Are you still reading this list? Hehehe!!
These thoughts and many more have turned my brain to mush. See? Blogstipated!!
Tara has really started concentrating on cheering. Her comp season is approaching and I just hope they will do as well as last year. After 2 1/2 years of trying to persuade her to take gymnastics she finally said yesterday she wanted to start. Great timing! She is still growing so fast she doesn't even have time to break in her clothes. I swear she has legs from her neck down. Another thought from the future: We will live close to the Outlet Mall in Camarillo and a Target. Hoorahh! I can't remeber if there is a Kohl's in Ventura. Gotta check that out.
Tyler has been seeing the docs about his ongoing speech issues. He has improved but not as quickly as we had thought. He had a hearing test and he passed but the doc said his R drum was not vibrating as much as it should so now we are waiting for our appointment with the ENT docs. I certainly hope he discovers something that is fixable. Audiology doc thought perhaps a drain if there was fluid but I am not sure how that works if there is no infection to build up the fluid. Pshew...guess that's why we see an ENT. I sure hope it is something as simple as a blockage/fluid etc.
Tyler has become a football savant. He sat on the couch yesterday and watched almost the entire game. Enthusiastically I might add. I really didn't care who won but cheered for the Giants simply because they took down the Cowboys. Tyler would come into the kitchen and inform me of the score if I wasn't watching. When I told him I was rooting for the Giants he scowled at me and walked away. He got to the door, turned and said "Ma! Giants gonna lose!" Ha! Joke's on him!!
Baby Trey was very happy with my birthday cake. The cake was very cute BTW. My dear friend Emily had Happy Almost 40th Birthday Maria! written on it. When the kids came back for seconds after the game Trey was egged on to take a big bite out of it. He was a cake monster! I am waiting for Em to send me the pics so I can post 'em. Baby Trey is amazing us everyday with all he has to say. His letter recognition is getting better and anytime he sees letters he is pointing them out and telling you what (some) they are!!
Kev is still in Dallas and won't be home for about a month. We actually connected to Windows Live Messenger so we can video conference with each other. The kids love it cause they can see Daddy. It is very cool and something I wish we had done sooner.
So I am now 39. No big deal. I'm looking foward to 40!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
More Family is Coming!!
Ok so the craziness shall continue!! Pam and Doug left Friday evening. I think they had a great time. There is not much on this island they didn't do. Even Michael managed to snorkel and boogie board with a broken leg. In case anyone needs a waterproof caste cover Google Protectacaste and you too can order one. Very cool product indeed! So the Thurmans left and re-entered the world of ice and snow. I went to the Hale Koa yesterday and lounged around the pool watching the palm trees sway while hoping I wasn't burning beneath the bright blue skies in the heat of the sun. Hahaha!!!
Somehow the moon and stars must be aligned in some perfect order allowing all things to be wonderful. I called this morning and was able to make a reservation for yet another cabin here on our beautiful beach. The B Furey family will be vacationing here Feb 8-17. These dates are rather significant because they include the weekend of the Pro-Bowl. Pete Furey made plans last year to be here for the Pro-Bowl and will have 3 friends with him. My- what a fab time that will be!! Sorry Kev, do well in school!!! ;) We will miss you!
Alicia has sent an email with plans to come in late Feb for a few days. Mom is coming Mar 4th and Barb keeps claiming she will make it out here too before we move. Kelly and Lexi want to come again in April and Judy will be here in May. I need to find some time to escape to California before we leave too.
Speaking of California it is looking more and more like the Dillon's may get orders to Mugu also. Em and I have joked that once again she shall be the social coordinator and I will be the activities director. I like to go go go and she meets people and draws in friends like flies to ...... well you get the idea. Looks like the Am Coffee Club will continue!!
My dear children are getting excited about moving. I have no idea how this will all pan out but I believe we will be traveling most of the summer while waiting for housing. This is a caution to any and all- I may show up on your doorstep with the children in tow so make plans now to skip town! It may be your only escape from us darkening your door!!
Somehow the moon and stars must be aligned in some perfect order allowing all things to be wonderful. I called this morning and was able to make a reservation for yet another cabin here on our beautiful beach. The B Furey family will be vacationing here Feb 8-17. These dates are rather significant because they include the weekend of the Pro-Bowl. Pete Furey made plans last year to be here for the Pro-Bowl and will have 3 friends with him. My- what a fab time that will be!! Sorry Kev, do well in school!!! ;) We will miss you!
Alicia has sent an email with plans to come in late Feb for a few days. Mom is coming Mar 4th and Barb keeps claiming she will make it out here too before we move. Kelly and Lexi want to come again in April and Judy will be here in May. I need to find some time to escape to California before we leave too.
Speaking of California it is looking more and more like the Dillon's may get orders to Mugu also. Em and I have joked that once again she shall be the social coordinator and I will be the activities director. I like to go go go and she meets people and draws in friends like flies to ...... well you get the idea. Looks like the Am Coffee Club will continue!!
My dear children are getting excited about moving. I have no idea how this will all pan out but I believe we will be traveling most of the summer while waiting for housing. This is a caution to any and all- I may show up on your doorstep with the children in tow so make plans now to skip town! It may be your only escape from us darkening your door!!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Happy whatever the occasion may be that I have missed lately!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Merry Christmas!!
Happy New Year!!
Yes- I suck! I've been gone a while and I make no promises for the future but...... I have been posting pictures. Check those out if you haven't.
Kevin is now gone for 2 months (boooo! hiisss! come home! We miss you already!)
We have family coming in on the 8th. Yeah! Time for some island fun!!
Merry Christmas!!
Happy New Year!!
Yes- I suck! I've been gone a while and I make no promises for the future but...... I have been posting pictures. Check those out if you haven't.
Kevin is now gone for 2 months (boooo! hiisss! come home! We miss you already!)
We have family coming in on the 8th. Yeah! Time for some island fun!!
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