MY BROTHER......RIP

Here is my Brother Greg.....His girlfriend had sent this to me. She too is having a hard time of his passing.

This is such a nice picture of him. I used to listen to NOTHING BUT COUNTRY a long time ago ( I think my parents taste had gotten to me).

I haven't listened to country in a looooong time.. ( It took me FOREVER just to find a country station out here!)

I listened to song after song, missing country music and missing my brother. I couldn't help but wonder which songs was his favorites???

Just wanted to share my brother to those who haven't seen him in a long time, and to those who never have.

ALOHA GREG!!!!

Trying to shake it......

Getting through the dayz.......

Things are okay here, I feel like a zombie walking this earth with no direction. Past couple days have been hard...my girlfriend made me go surf when I really didn't feel like it...but I got out and it DID help me. I noticed the green palm trees, the colors of the ocean and couldn't help but notice I was taking it all in for my brother. He loved Hawaii. He was Jacque Cousteau in the ocean and Crocodile Dundee by land...he truly loved nature and EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.
Someone came up to me and said "Hey look who made this issue...."

The article was about Groms getting big! I know you can barely see them but they are the ones on the right on the big red board. she is standing up leaning on his leg.

It did make me smile....for a minute.

Where there were 4.....now there are 3

For 2 days I have been BEYOND grief stricken. I received a phone call from my older brother Tim that our other brother Greg died sun. One of the things that rips my heart is I haven't talked to him in a year or so. I'm not sure what will happen....what happens next...I just can't stop hurting. He was 45. He has 2 BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN who are devastated.

I MISS HIM SOO MUCH ....I HOPE HE KNOWS HOW MUCH HE WAS LOVED....

Beginner's Luck.....

I got myself a new camera that is a regular digital camera with a water housing. My 1st time, so not soo great, but got this shot of Alika with Diamond Head in the back round.

My friend got a shot of Alika & I on the same wave, but after I saw it there was NO WAY I'm blogging it, instead, I'm "joggin" it. hittin the pavement TOMORROW...AAAHHH

So I wasn't sure if she'd make it back in the water.....no problem!!! In this picture she's having a blast!!

This is Tenaya (ten-nye-ya) her & her mom Michelle just moved here from Mammoth, and we know each other, but within the past 3 days her & Tiki have been inseparable, and Michelle & I are having a blast ourselves!!!

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT RIDE WITH 20 KIDS!!!....

Went to school field trip....I ( along with all the other parents ) were a bit concerned that WE , not the kids..would get sea sick..it was AWESOME!!!! they have around 10 of these containers that are equipped with glass to see the bottom of the ocean!

Kinda of hard to tell in this photo, but you can see really good...THEN one of the workers ( part of their "tour" goes UNDER the boat unbeknown st to US and suddenly appears...waving at everybody.. MY EARS ARE STILL RINGING....THE KIDS FREAKED OUT!!! MY DAUGHTER MIGHT NEVER GET BACK IN TH OCEAN!!! It was a bit scary. it scared me...now she wouldn't LOOK CUZ THE BOY IS GOING TO GET HER!!!
we went outside to check out the scenery. saw about 7 turtles..this one was looking, until I took a picture, he suddenly got camera shy & dove to the bottom.

the mountains are soo gorgeous!!! We all had fun after all, but she did bring up " THE BOY WHO TRIED TO GET HER"....

Let see if she gets back in the water!!

OKAY!!! I FOUND IT...MY HOUSE!!!!! WHO WANTS TO BBQ??!!!

OH,NO SHE DIDN'T !!!!!!........

Driving my little 3 yr old to school, she calls her Daddy to say Hi, then when their finished, she recites all the phone numbers she's just learned over the days. ( I only wanted her to remember mine, but now she knows Daddy's, Teri's , her address....pretty good memory!)

So she goes through them, and then says "NOW!! LETS CALL LUCAS"!!! O....MY...GAWD!!!

If you remember, I just posted earlier saying she's got a crush....WATCH, she will go to the beach this weekend, and ASK HIM FOR HIS PHONE #!!!

I warned her , she will not be calling LUCAS!!! Gosh, they just get younger & younger!!!

HELP ME!!!

Another favorite of mine on T.v. Perfect movie for the perfect "rainy" day!!!

I hated the fact that he was married, and seeing this woman, but as time went on in the movie you can FEEL

the strong bond between them..it wasn't an affair..it seemed like REAL LOVE!!!

This movie will forever keep certain memories for me that were wonderful and painful at the same time. ( No, he wasn't married). We just truly loved the movie, the actors, and New York.

Of course always wanting to visit NYC during Christmas time, was increasingly high due to THIS MOVIE!!!

And WHO doesn't love DeNiro?! ( and Streep)?

Live,,,,from Waikiki.....HURRICANE FLOSSIE!!!!

This is what it looks like today...it could be WAY worse, due to FLOSSIE. We lucked out , it didn't remain a Hurricane for our Big Island, and it's made a day perfect for catching up on "home" projects..

PRIZE MOVIE

"Whale Rider" was on T.V. and I couldn't be happier. I am aware that is old, but if you haven't seen it, do so.

The story is beautiful, the Acting is FABULOUS!! (Keisha Castle-Hughes) as Paikea is so flawless. Her beauty and determination for her Grandfathers approval is moving.

Secret: Paikea was one of my girls names when I was pregnant with Tiki. It was a close second!!!

WHAT KIND OF NAME IS "FLOSSIE" ANYWAY??!!!!

This is a different look of what lies ahead. kinda scary when I see it like this.....

Tonight went to Sam's Club to get bottled water, tuna, cereal, etc..."in case" this Hurricane thats heading our way gets moody.

I see that it might dissapate & lose strength, then Alika reminded me of Hurricane Iniki, where it by past Hawaii, made a big U-turn and slammed Kauai...ya just never KNOW!!! My friends from L.A. used to say your leaving earthquakes for Hurricanes/tsunami's...but been here 14 years and luckily haven't met either one!!!! But with a name like FLOSSIE...I'D BE PEEVED TOO!!!

"RUSH" to have some FUN!!

Tiki went with Doreen & Bryce ( family) overnight, so Alika and I went to Mexican food, then to see "RUSH HOUR 3".

Now, I know this is not Academy Award stuff...but it is FUNNY!!!

The theatre was packed!!!! ( were were lucky to even get a seat )

The WHOLE movie theatre was cracking up from beginning to end.

I could HANG with Chris Tucker !! Anyone that makes me laugh, is company I want to be around. It's silly & predictable at times, but worth the fun!!!

2 TANDEMS AND a CRUSH????!!!!!!

Practicing the "moves" with Uncle Paka!!!

For some reason, my 3 year old developed a crush, just TODAY on a boy named "Lucas" . Getting her to take a picture was IMPOSSIBLE!! if you look, my hand is pushing her back to take the pic, she was sooo shy, she couldn't contain herself..

OMG!!! She couldn't even look him in the eye...

ahhh one of many crushes...Dad said "Lucas...your a good lookin guy, get someone your OWN age!!!"

DINA'S BOOK REVIEW....

I've heard of this since Oprah had the guest on her show. I've had friends that read the book, and all the hype that followed.

I HAD to read it. it was very interesting, because it seems sooo easy, that we ALL possess "the secret" yet fail to utilize it.

I HIGHLY recommend it...it seems redundant after the second chapter, however, it's positive, it gives hope...and really WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE?!

Everyone could stand to use a little "reminder" that LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT, AND YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING!!!

BACK IN THE DAYS......

Here is a piece of ME that I stole off my Aunt's blog..amazing that seeing a photo that you haven't seen for 20 something years...then I see it, and I can almost remember this exact moment!!!

However, I don't remember the wall paper looking like that!

I think I started the "bling, bling" way back when!! P-Diddy, 50 cent, they all just followed ME!! HA HA

My parents gave me a Gold "LEO"

necklace for my 16th b-day...Dad loved buying jewelry for my Mom & me. he had very good taste. Me on the left, Uncle Jim, Brother Greg, Uncle Bill, Brother Tim, Aunt Barbara (BOB), Aunt Jennette, Sister Teri (hiding, she probably did that on purpose) and Mom & Dad in red..

FINALLY.......

Well, I have posted in the past (recently) about me having two jobs lined up, when I later learned it would not fly...(one I past up , the other just fell through).

I received a call yesterday, (from the one that fell through) and is BACK IN ACTION. It truly couldn't of come at a better time!!! I still don't want to say toooooo much "just in case". But he gladly gave me days, hours that I want so that I can be with Tiki on the weekends!! (that in its self has put pressure on me of finding that "right" job).

He has appointed me STORE MANAGER of his surf school, and I'm really excited/scared at the same time.

I will give more details when I can!!!

Needless to say, I DIDN'T SLEEP A WINK LAST NIGHT....I'm sooo excited!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY....OOPS! I MEAN AUGUST!

Tiki has a little fever, and wants to do NOTHING TODAY....but as soon as we came back from church, her eyes lit up, and the acting started. The "boo-boo" lip came out, suddenly really doesn't feel good.....

"Mommy ?" (said ever so sweet & on the verge of crying)

"Yeeeeessss.... "( already knowing what is next)

"I just want to lay down and watch "Polar Express".

I don't mind...I remember not feeling good, and my Mom making the day all better....I think I'll lay down with her and watch it!!!!

TAG , YOUR IT!!!

I have been tagged by my fellow blogger, Vonnie. I guess I have to tell you 8 meaningless things about me....that should be easy....do you want more than 8??!!! okay, I'll go easy on myself.

1: I HATE MILK ( unless there is chocolate in it!)

2: I had Scoliosis, and have a 12" Rod in my back ( but I don't go off at airports :)

3: Miami Dolphins are and probably always will be my FAVORITE football team (except Univ of Hawaii right now)

4: I want to ice skate in NYC one Christmas!!

5: I can spend ALL DAY @ the movies

6: I've ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IN A MOVIE ( that didn't end up on the editing floor or as a extra)

7: I used to skateboard in pools & skate parks as a child till I got a rod in my back (16) ( the cool thing was everyone thought I had a nasty wipe out cuz I was in a body cast for a year.)

8: drum roll pleeeeeZe..... Every time I watch "A Baby Story" as SOON as the baby comes out , I cry with joy as though I just gave birth!!!

there you have it folks....and now, I'd like to Tag - Kathy, Dianne, Becoming a New Yorker, Crazy mom of 3 !!! Have fun, if you have time tell us 8 meaningless things about YOU!!!! fun way to get to know each other. Aloha

Alika in his heat @ China's Surf Contest....

Alika's latest toy.....
You can't really tell ( unless you click on pic to make bigger) but he's wearing a balloon hat!!! He said a kid lost it in the water & he picked it up during his heat so it wouldn't blow away in the depths of the ocean....so all his pix from this point on turned out like this!!!
He's now talking to his friend Tony Moniz about doing a standup paddle race across Molokai. ( 32 miles I think). they make a team of two people and they each paddle ( STAND UP ONLY , no lying, kneeling..) for 20 or 30 min. and switch out with your partner who has been resting on a escort boat...He has made the trip in a 6 man canoe plenty times, but to stand up for 32 miles is HARSH!!! It's on...they have a year to practice!!!

Here you can see the balloon and his smile....he was just having a good time. He came in 1st Place in this heat...i guess not taking it soo seriously is the KEY!!

LATELY.......

I've been feeling VERY cramped in our living situation. I go online to look for something a "bit" bigger, but the price is usually too high....so what do I do???? I look at the MANSIONS, and REAL expensive houses for rent/sale and JUST MAKE EVERYTHING WORSE :( I've always had an eye for high priced things..but just looking..

I guess it's time to get to work. I've had not been looking, but offered 2 jobs (of course at the same time) and those never came through....so for now, I keep pressing on, so ONE DAY I CAN SHOW a REAL picture of MY HOUSE!!!