Something to live by

Found this really awesome Quote from an Unknown Author and just thought that I'd share it with everyone. Each one of us should be able to relate to something in it...

Life can seem ungrateful--and not always kind.
Life can pull at your heartstrings-- and play with your mind.
Life can be blissful--and happy and free.
Life can put beauty--in all things that you see.
Life can place challenges--right at your feet.
Life can make good--of the hardships we meet.
Life can overwhelm you--and make your head spin.
Life can reward those--determined to win.
Life can be hurtful--and not always fair.
Life can surround you--with people who care.
Life clearly does offer--its ups and its downs.
Life teaches us to take--the good with the bad.
Life is a mixture--of the happy and sad.
so
Take the life that you have--and give it your best.
Think positive, be happy--let God do the rest.
Take the challenges that life--has laid at your feet.
Take pride and be thankful--for each one that you meet.
To yourself give forgiveness--if you stumble and fall.
Take each day that is dealt you--and give it your all.
Take the love that your given--and return it with care.
Have faith that when needed--it will always be there.
Take time to find the beauty--in the things that you see.
Take life’s simple pleasures--let them set your heart free.
The idea here is simple--to even the score.
As you are met and faced with--Life’s Tug of War.
-Author Unknown

A weekend of little disappointments...

Sports... Gotta love em'. They give you a great sense of victory and accomplishment after a win and teach you to be humble after a disappointing loss. This weekend, two of our kids experienced the latter...

Kiale had his final baseball game of the season on Saturday. They had to play the Torpedos, the team that they took their first loss against last weekend. His team and the Torpedos were the top two in their league, so they had to meet again in the Championship game. They started the first inning ahead 4-0. The game ended in the final inning with a heartbreaking loss, the score being 8-9. Still, not much to be sad about at the end of his first year playing baseball. He went 3 for 3 on hits that day, scored 2, and had a couple of RBI's. Since he's only 6, he got over it all pretty quick and is looking forward to his awards banquet tomorrow night.

Kalani also had a tournament in Seattle. This one actually was pretty competitive, I'd say more so than any other tournament that they'd played in. Saturday, they went 2-1, losing the last game of the day after a bunch of errors on the part of the whole team. Today, they won the first two, which put them in the Championship Game. They ended up playing the SAME team that they lost to yesterday. It truly was a heartwrencher. They had a strong chance of winning, but the game ended with them losing 2-3. Second place isn't bad, it gives them something to look forward to next time. Now, they also know what they're capable of... :(

My newest goal... It's a BIG one!

I'm sure I'm not alone with this... I've been a mother for almost 12 years now, and I LOVE to take pictures. My problem comes with what I do with them after they're taken. Prior to my digital camera a few years ago, I had a simple 35mm film camera, which meant HUNDREDS of photos. Well these snapshots have now accumulated into 3 huge drawers in the built in cabinets in my living room. I've tried to keep them dated and somewhat organized, but it always seems to get ahead of me. So here's my plan:

1. Get all the photos in this house into a central area, put them in photo boxes

2. Go through them all and decide which ones are useless

3. Have some sort of recallection as to when the pics were taken, label them

4. Actually PRINT the pics on the computers so that I can date them and add them to the others

After this is done, the fun begins. I've decided that my reward for organizing everything will be to enroll in some scrapbook classes. I've done lot's of Stampin' Up, but I kind of got bored with making cards. I figure I can use the Stamps/paper that I have along with what I get next and come up with something pretty decent. I'm going to grab a few pics out this weekend and use what I have to see if I'll be able to tolerate scrapbooking. The very few times that I've done it, it was fun. Whether or not I can handle it as a much larger task remains to be seen. So here's something to look forward to seeing on my blog... my very FIRST scrapbook page!!!

The things that we have to worry about...

I just spent the last 4 hours watching a movie called "Human Trafficking" on the Lifetime Movie Network. It's an older one, but I'd never seen it. It truly saddened me to realize the things that are going on in the world today. The movie was about the people who "traffic" humans to be used as slaves and/or sex slaves. How the women and young girls are tricked into going with them, usually being promised to be a mail-order bride. It even showed light on the Phillipines and how they "rent out" young kids, mostly under 14, to men on vacation. Sadly, most of these "clients" are from the United States.

At the end, they showed a blurb about how 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year. It's such a scary time that we live in. Between this, terrorism, Polygamist Communities, Cults and your everyday abductions, it really is scary bringing up children in our time.... Talk to your kids and keep them in your sights!!!

Sharing my "skill"

For many years now, I have had this uncanny way of finding the "deals" out there. Whether it's a great sale or knowing someone to get some sort of hook up, I've been able to save moolah on lots of things. Maybe it's being anal... Maybe it's my extreme patience in doing research... Maybe it's not being satisfied until I know that I've gotten the best deal... Honestly, I think that it's simply because I don't like having any regrets.

So I decided, why not pass my finds on. They just may help someone out, for others, this will all just be useless information:

- TRAVEL: I've taken a few trips back home to Hawai'i in the past 15 or so years. Here's what I've discovered... If you're flying on passes, go in February or October. Those are the best times to get on. When my sister was working for United Airline, I always got on the flights when going during those times. Even got in First Class a couple of times. If you're buying, go to http://www.nwaworldvacations.com. I just got our tickets to Kona in September for $450 a person, and that included the car. When I went to NWA's regular website, the tickets alone were $520. So it's like saving $70 per ticket AND getting a free car.

- GROCERIES: CUT THOSE COUPONS!!! Yes, it can be time consuming... I guess for me, it's like a victory when I walk out of the grocery store with $400 in groceries for less than $200. If you're here in WA, go to Albertsons! We all see those ads that come on Tuesday from the other grocers with the coupons. Albertsons takes them all! One stop shopping... (No, I'm not getting paid for saying this)

-CLOTHES: My kids are VERY expensive in this department. Maia loves Limited Too and Abercrombie. I NEVER pay full price for anything at Abercrombie, cause it will always come on sale. The prices to start are very ridiculous ($70 for an 11 year olds' jeans). The quality truly is unbeatable. Here's my tip: The jeans will come down to $15.90... The shirts ($30-20) will go as low as $9.90... The sweatshirts ($40-60) will come down to $15.90. Last time I was there, we got her a sweatshirt, a pair of jeans and a pair of capris for less than $50. Limited Too is just as pricey, so always try and go when they have the TOO BUCKS being offered. They save you alot. And the best trick of all for LTD Too is to do an online search for their coupon. You'll always find a back door to a 25% off coupon. You can use it on anything. And my favorite... MACY'S. Go when they have the extra off on clearance!!! This usually happens during their One Day Sale. This is best for my son, who can only fit Ecko, Roca Wear and Sean John jeans (built like a Samoan). About 2 months ago, I saw this awesome jelly style Guess beach type bag with a blanket inside.. for $115.. Yah, not happening!!! But I got it, about a month ago. One day sale. Best part is I paid $19.99 for it!!! That was a happy day!!!

-PARTIES: Use the people that you KNOW!!! You'd be surpised at home many people have hidden talents. A friend of mine makes Salsa (the best) and rolls her own Lumpia. Her friend does beautiful cakes for about 20% of what a "real" baker charges. Another person I know actually knows how to do caligraphy for invitations (and we all thought that it was a useless art lesson in high school...)

So there it is, just a little bit of my "useless" talent... Hope it helps somebody!!!

Tattoos

For a while now, I've been wanting another tattoo. Most people don't even know that I have any, cause you can't really see them. For me, they aren't for "showing off". They should have some sort of meaning in your life. Each of mine did. Some were super significant, others just had timely importance... I've seen way too many "tattoo mistakes" made, from ridiculous pictures that had no meaning to my ex having my initials tattood on his shoulder (ok, let's chalk that one under "timely importance").

1) My first tattoo was that ONE mistake that everyone is allowed when it comes to tattoos. It's actually pretty funny how this one came full circle though. It's a home-made tattoo with the name "Charles". I was 16. Let's just leave it at that. It is ironic how the person that I ended up with has the same name. Anyhow, that one's been almost completely lasered off. And yes, getting it removed hurt more than the actual tattoo...

2) Freshman year in college. My bested college girl, Jolene, and I decide to go get tattoos. It actually started out that we were going to pierce our noses. Kinda glad that I went this way. It's a simple, small one on the outside of my left leg with some leaves and my nickname "Ona".

3) Sophmore year in college. Me and Jo, back at the tattoo parlor. I was getting ready to move to Tacoma after that year and she was headed back to Maupin, Oregon. We both got the Infinity symbol on our right chest with a diamond around it. Kinda just saying that we'd always be "sisters". Needless to say, we still are...

4) About 3 years after my daughter was born, I wanted a big one one my lower back. Not a "tramp stamp", but something with meaning. So there it went, my biggest tattoo. Across my entire lower back, Maia's middle name "Mahealani" with clouds and a moon. 3 hours of pain, but all worth it.

5) My last one was actually the most significant. I got it right before I got pregnant for the second time. Charlie and I had always said that when I get pregnant and it IS a boy (no, if's there), his name would be Kiale. So there it went, on the back of my neck. In script and simple. The next year, my baby was born!!!

There aren't many unvisible parts of my body left, so now what. This time, I'm thinking of going bold. I've had a few thougths... First being a Haku Lei wrapping 3 times around my lower leg going from my ankle till right below the knee. This one is a huge committment and I'm not sure if I'm ready for it, but I've been thinking about this for a few years now... The other idea is to get the chinese symbols for love and family on the insides of my wrists. For me, it's kinda like everything that I do (since most things are done with our hands) would be done with the love of my family in mind. Kinda corny, but it makes sense to me....

I really want to get it done in Hawai'i so I've got to decide by SEPTEMBER!!! Wish me luck!!!

Things happen so fast...

My daughter, Maia, spent about 4 years dancing for Kamaile Hamada in Federal Way. Last fall, she decided that she wanted to take a break since she had been dancing since she was 4. While we were a part of the halau, we met many wonderful people. In the last few years, three of the Aunties had been diagnosed with cancer. Aunty Sweetie's battle was the most public of the three. She's been able to fight it for a while now and is recovering well for the second time. A few months ago, one of the Auntie's lost her battle. We knew her from the Halau, but are good friends with her son. Just today, while reading my friend Tanya's blog, I found out that another had passed away yesterday. She was diagnosed just two months ago.

It's so scary and sad to see how quickly the disease can affect people and completely take a life. I just wanted to send my love out to all the families involved. Our prayers are with you. Aunty Sweetie, stay strong, we LOVE YOU very much!!!

Happy 13th Birthday Kalani!!!

So Kalani is FINALLY a teenager, although she's looked like one for years now! Spent yesterday with the family having a good ol' time. The kids spent all day on the waterslide (a VERY worthwhile investment!). We all got to enjoy some good food, family and friends. There was even time for 3 games of basketball between the Old Boys/Nicotine Team (Charlie, Asu and Junior) and the teenagers. Believe it or not, the Old Boys were victorious 3 out of 4 games. They said that they HAD to let them win one, just so that their spirits wouldn't be "crushed". I just think that age became a factor and they got tired... Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!!!

It seems like just yesterday...

I'll never forget it. It was July 12, 2001. I went into the hospital after having contractions for 2 days that medication just couldn't stop. The doctors tried everything to keep him in just a little longer. By Saturday the 14th, I had gotten pneumonia from the steroid shots they gave me for his lungs. I was on oxygen and barely alert. The ultrasound showed that he was breached and had no fluid around him. He would have to come out by c-section. That was the day that my baby boy was born. 2 months early, 4 pounds and 4 ounces (3 pounds and 14 ounces at his lightest), 16 1/4 inches long.

Yesterday, we watched Kiale at his Kindergarten graduation. Made me realize just how quick he and the girls are growing up. He was like a little man. Dressed himself without mommy's help. Knew all the words to his songs. Smiled at us when he got his "Diploma". It's just one of the small things in life that remind me how time truly does fly by. Cherish every moment!!!!

Has it really been that long???

So I've fallen a little behind... I said that I would do this a few times a week, but "busy" has been the key word lately...

Woke up at 6:30 this morning after staying up past midnite yesterday. Just a wee bit sleepy :0 (yawn). I've been cooking up a storm since yesterday morning. Me and Iva are selling the food for the Norm Concert tonight that my brother in law is doing. I wasn't exactly prepared for such a big job!!! Poor Charlie, he was up till after 2 this morning cooking the chicken on our charcoal grill. I've concluded that after last night, he gets a gas one for Father's Day!!! So hopefully all goes well and we don't end up eating Chicken and Kalua Pig for the next 2 weeks! But I am excited, I love doing stuff like this. But 250 musubi's do take a while to make :)

And yes, only 24 minutes away from buying our tickets to the NKOTB concert!!! Oh come on, it's just one of those nostalgic things that you simply can't pass up on. You know that the Tacoma Dome is gonna be full of women in their young 30's who's mothers didn't let them fly from the Big Island to Oahu when they were in the 8th grade to watch the concert!!! Um, maybe that was a tad bit specific... :) U get the picture...