The purpose of this page is to challenge me to open my eyes and truly see the world which surrounds me. So often we trudge though our daily routine, too busy or preoccupied to notice the little miracles happening all around us. I hope to capture, through the lens of a camera, glimpses of my sometimes mundane but glorious little world. I will attempt to post one snapshot each day to share with you. Enjoy!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

January 23, 2013





Just some of the fun we had today! More of the same tomorrow. I'm just hoping for sunshine instead of rain showers like we had today.
Kailua, Hawaii

January 22, 2013





I've had packers at my house since 9AM doing their packing bit. In the last 4 hours I've had 2 offers to buy my house, 2 inquiries about renting and 4 realtors wanting to sell it for me. Enough already! 
Kailua, Hawaii

January 21, 2013





Once again, I have no idea what this is. The stems with the smaller berries look like caterpillars to me.
Kaneohe, Hawaii

January 20, 2013





We started the day out on the water sailing and stand up paddling with some Boy Scouts. Later on, we did some fitness testing with Boy Scouts. Here's an action shot of Luke doing the standing long jump!
Kaneohe, Hawaii

January 19, 2013





Another beautiful day to get some work done and take a stroll along the beach. Since we have packers and movers next week, the boys are doing school work over the weekend, but it didn't consume the entire day. The got some time to lounge around and play on their ipads too!
Kailua, Hawaii

January 18, 2013





Sears delivery service is prompt, courteous and efficient. I love getting new appliances for the kitchen. It's just too bad I only get to use it for a week before we move! On the positive side though.... new makes for easy cleaning when we finally do move out. I hope the renters like it. Also, what's the best way to scrub down the 'new garage fridge' that was moved out from the kitchen? Place it in the middle of the driveway, remove all shelves and drawers and then hose it out with the garden hose. Works like a champ!
Kailua, Hawaii

January 17, 2013





Sunset this evening was breathtaking. The day was opposite of what we had the day before, but the sun did break out from the clouds just before disappearing behind the mountains.
Kailua, Hawaii

January 16, 2013





We started the morning at a frigid 56° but it soon turned into a gorgeous day on the water. Angela and I paddled around Coconut Island together one final time before I take off for the mainland. Smooth glassy waters going out with a few waves and chop heading back in. Perfect!
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

January 15, 2013





Dave departed from sunny and 79° in Hawaii to overcast skies and 27° in Seattle. Oh boy......
Honolulu, Hawaii

January 14, 2013





Today is Dave's last full day in Hawaii before he moves on to Seattle. Parts of the island of Oahu are under a severe flood warning. Including Kailua. A fond farewell it is....
Kailua, Hawaii

January 13, 2013





The one flower we see year round here in the islands is the orchid. My neighbor loves them and has at least a dozen different varieties growing in her front yard. 
Kailua, Hawaii

January 12, 2013





An amazing day to be out on the water! The boys are having to learn a new type of boat for our next location. Their coach, Ken, was more than happy to help teach them the ropes . The boys are going to have a great time sailing around in Washington. We just need wetsuits!
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

January 11, 2013





Today was Dave's last official day on deck. This photo was taken 25 years ago just hours before he was commissioned Ensign in the United States Navy. Time sure does fly!
Kailua, Hawaii 

January 10, 2013





Mexican pork shoulder ragout over creamy polenta and topped with shredded cheese. It's so difficult to pass up leftovers!
Kailua, Hawaii

January 9, 2013





Dave has been working on ticking off items on the "honey-do" list before he leaves for Seattle. The major task set for today was "pressure wash the driveway and and walkways." This is what I came home to after dropping the boys off at sailing. I wonder what I new renters will think of it?
Kailua, Hawaii

January 8, 2013





I just love the color on these leaves! Once again, these colorful plants are from a neighboring yard. I think I've exhausted the subject matter surrounding my personal abode and I can only now admire those around me. 
Kailua, Hawaii

January 7, 2013





Dave and I spent most of the day running errands and getting things set up for the move. One stop was at the vehicle drop off center on Sand Island to deliver the truck for shipment back to the mainland. After crossing over the bridge from Honolulu all we saw were stack after stack of containers and row upon row of vehicles either ready to be delivered locally or shipped out to the far reaches of the world. I find these enormous vessels fascinating. Each one of those containers is a semi truckload! We don't stop to think too much about it, but our transportation systems plays a vital role in keeping these islands up to speed with the rest of the world. 
Sand Island, Hawaii

January 6, 2013





Walking the pups along the outer rim of our neighborhood I can upon this. The long, furry part that's reaching up toward the sky and arcing down again like a thick, green water spray frozen in time is the flower. Yes, the flower portion of the little plant at the bottom! Amazing.
Kailua, Hawaii

January 5, 2013





The sun peeked through the clouds a couple of times this morning, but just couldn't beat back the storms. The waves were pretty spectacular even for the windward side of the island. 
Kailua, Hawaii

January 4, 2013





Finally... a spot of blue sky over head! I literally had to rush out and take this shot because a storm was brewing just out of the frame. The is (a portion of) one of those old growth, twisty, twirly Monkey Pod trees at the end of my driveway. Many of my friends on the Leeward side of the island had rainbow sightings. This is all the blue we'll be seeing today as the 5-day forecast is calling for rain, rain and more rain. Maybe we can do a movie marathon!
Kailua, Hawaii

January 3, 2013





We've still got clouds and stormy stuff swirling around us. It's predicted to be this way until after the weekend, too! No worries here! The boys tend to get more school work completed and the schedule stays pretty calm. We all like that!
In this shot the rain is beading up and rolling off the aloe plant out front. Aloe is quite useful in our tropical area. That is... when the sun comes out.
Kailua, Hawaii

January 2, 2013





One of my Christmas gifts was a pair of tickets to Wicked. Dave wasn't as interested in sitting through the 2 hour show as Jordan, so it's a girly night out!
Honolulu, Hawaii

January 1, 2013





Blustery winds to help sweep in 2013. The stormy, windy weather also gave me the opportunity to put up all the Christmas decorations, clean the house and do all the laundry. I actually love this kind of day!
Kailua, Hawaii

December 31, 2012





I must have picked up a nasty flu bug on our flight home because I have not been doing well since yesterday afternoon. Hopefully some tea and a good sleep will put me back on track. Happy New Year!
Kailua, Hawaii

December 30, 2012





Farewell to Seattle for now. We're heading back home to sunny, warm Hawaii.
Seattle, Washington

December 29, 2012





An early morning run around Hart Lake with Diana, Kelly, Kathleen, Matt and Whistler. What a great start to a fabulous day!
Anacortes, Washington

December 28, 2012





Good morning from the Fox Island bridge.  Dave and I were up and out early this morning checking out a few properties and got to enjoy a gorgeous sunrise over Mt. Ranier. 
Fox Island, Washington

December 27, 2012





Here's a shot of the view from one of the gazillion houses we looked at today. We had a great day running all over Gig Harbor and north Tacoma, Washington.  More of the same for tomorrow!
Tacoma, Washington

December 26, 2012






Aloha from the Honolulu International Airport!  Dave and I were strolling around killing time before our flight to Seattle. We heading out for a whirlwind house hunting trip. Wish us luck!
Honolulu, Hawaii

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

December 25, 2012





Last Christmas we added 2 puppies, Remi and Levi, to the family, so I was feeling some pressure for this year. In the end, the real meaning of Christmas rang true. We spent the day together enjoying and appreciating our time as a family celebrating the coming of Christ. Merry Christmas to all. Mele Kalikimaka from our home to yours.
Kailua, Hawaii

December 24, 2012





Last year we were so excited to have a working fireplace. It had been 4 years since we had had a Christmas day fire crackling away in the wood stove! I decided to lean toward the conservative side and only purchased 2 Duraflame logs for the festive day... it would just have to do! Well, it was a bit chilly (even for Hawaii) as the magical day dawned, so we lit the fire. It then proceeded to warm the house so much that we had to strip down to shorts and tank tops because we were roasting. It was hotter inside the house than it was outside.... and in Hawaii, this is NOT a good thing! Needless to say, we only used one log and have not intentions of using the other one until we get back to the Pacific Northwest. This year we plan on putting the fire on the TV screen. It even has the sound of the crackling logs. Mele Kalikimaka!
Kailua, Hawaii

December 23, 2012





With all the rain and now the sun shining bright our grass is finally starting to come in! Just in time to turn the house over to renters. 
Kailua, Hawaii

December 22, 2012





Now, the Christmas season can officially begin! 14 years ago today, during the wee hours of the morning, we welcomed our tiniest member of the family. Natey B. came into the world a few weeks early, blue and with a faint heartbeat but has turned out to be the feistiest of them all. Our lives have never been the same since! Happy Birthday Nathan! Love you.
Kailua, Hawaii

December 21, 2012





A few weeks back my friend Carey cut off her hair to donate it to Locks of Love. She inspired me to do the same... so last week I had 18 inches cut off and sent away. Today, with heavy hearts, we attended a beautiful service to say good-bye to an incredible angel. Peace be with you, Carey. Rejoice.
Kaneohe, Hawaii 

December 20, 2012





The picture today is courtesy of Zach. He thought Levi needed a little Christmas cheer. He was pretty good for a few shots, but after that he took off. I think he was hoping to keep the hat as a chew toy!
Kailua, Hawaii

December 19, 2012





It's beginning to look a little like Christmas here! This morning Dave was enjoying his morning coffee while sitting on the front lanai perusing the news articles on his ipad. The sun was still working on coming up and another storm was brewing so it still appears somewhat dark.
Kailua, Hawaii

December 18, 2012







Every morning I get up and hook the pups up to go out for their morning walk. All without turning on a light. Well, not anymore! Dumb luck on my part, I didn't step on this nasty bugger. The centipede's bite is as painful as a scorpion sting! It's the first time we've had one in the house. It must be because of all the rain dumping on us lately. 
Kailua, Hawaii

Sunday, January 13, 2013

December 17, 2012





Jordan, Grandma and I went to do some shopping at the Ala Moana Mall. My favorite place to be. Especially at this time of year. A couple of false statements if ever there were any. Anyway, I've always wanted to get a shot of this and since the traffic was stop and go gridlock through most of downtown, I got the opportunity to do so. Hawaii was the only state with it's own Royal family. They were incredibly philanthropic and generous to the people of the these beautiful islands.
A special 'Aloha' to Senator Daniel Inouye. 
Honolulu, Hawaii

December 16, 2012





The boys getting ready for their Eagle Court of Honor. Zach decided he needed to show Nate how to shave off his mustache for the ceremony. He also introduced him to aftershave.
Kailua, Hawaii

December 15, 2012





Since the Girl is home we had to go up for our pedicures. Grandma decided to join us! She got purple polish with white plumerias but wasn't around when we were taking pictures. Sorry!
Kailua, Hawaii

December 14, 2012





We're having the traditional Thanksgiving dinner meal this evening. Today, especially, I am thankful for the gifts in my life; my amazing friends and family.
Kailua, Hawaii

December 13, 2012




Rigging on the new dock is SOOOOOOOOO nice!!!
Kaneohe, Hawaii

December 12, 2012





I think this can go on my Top 10 List of least favorite things to do: Jalousie Window Cleaning. At least for this house. There are 502 pieces of glass that must each be cleaned and polished by hand. Since over the past 3 months we had been stirring up dirt and dust putting in the new sprinkler system added to the ocean sea salt air, the windows were particular dirty. 
Kailua, Hawaii

December 11, 2012





This evening's sunset was a car stopping beauty! Literally. I had to stop my car on the side of the freeway so I could get this gorgeous shot of the sun setting behind the majestic Ko'olau range and lighting up the clouds from the powerfully bright rays.
Kaneohe, Hawaii

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

December 10, 2012





Cleaning dog crew to the rescue! Oh... no, wait.... you're planning on hiding out under the table to chew the cleaning sponge to shreds?!?! I don't think so... give that back, please.
Kailua, Hawaii

December 9, 2012





Kimbo espresso coffee in the mini Bialetti pot with breakfast on the sailboat. This is Dave's picture because I forgot to put the memory cards back in my camera from yesterday. Thanks for sharing, babe!
Kaneohe, Hawaii

December 8, 2012





The men are camping out on the boat this evening. What will I do with a night to myself? With no other person to disturb or get in my way, I plan on doing laundry and scrubbing the house. I also promised Sam I would make my favorite snack (popcorn) in the noisy airpop popper sometime after midnight because I know it won't wake anyone!
Kaneohe, Hawaii

December 7, 2012





A day of remembrance. 71 years ago today our island paradise was attacked by air and sea. Thousands of American lives were lost that fateful day. It's been quiet, calm and somber here all day. Don't forget to take a moment to reflect on those heroes who gave their lives for our freedom today and those who continue to stand the watch.
Kaneohe, Hawaii

December 6, 2012






The new base marina park is now open. They're going to be putting up permanent shade shelters with built in grills to make it even more inviting. Just beautiful!
Kaneohe, Hawaii




Sunday, January 6, 2013

December 5, 2012




Ham and cheese croissants on the left with a plate of petit beurre croissant on the right.  This was an experiment that went extremely well!
Kailua, Hawaii