Christmas Shopping

As many of you may well know, I am an avid yard saler. And lucky for me, I live in a world of year round yardsales! This last weekend we tried to get the boys in the Christmas spirt by giving them each a dollar and we sent them off to buy Chirstmas presents for each other. They were really excited about the venture and each one set off to find a treasure. Yes, they found lots of interesting odds and ends treasure, but neither one of them wanted to buy it for the other one. "I want this for me," they cried. In the midst of my frustration, I was reminded of the time I bought some candy for (I think) Nikki. I wrapped the candies in a purple and white bandana and then wrapped the present. As Christmas drew closer, I realized that I wanted the gift for me and I would daily poke at the gift. The hole I poked grew bigger until I was able to sneak out some of the candy. I can't remember all of the details, but I remember Nikki getting upset because I ate almost her entire gift. After that my memories are vague and all mesh together into an eating wonderland...but I do remember getting in trouble. Ahh...such fond memories of Christmas.

When it rains it pours...

Most of us know the old adage, "When it rains it pours," well I recently had an unpleasant run-in with the phrase. The week before Thanksgiving I got a blister on the back of my heel because I was wearing a pair of shoes that were a bit tight. After a day or so, the blister popped and then became infected because my running shoes irratated area. The area swelled up and was tender, but after a few days of just wearing slippers and using neosporin, my heel healed.
Then a few days after Thanksgiving break, I started feeling achey. My aches and pains turned into a terrible case of fever, aches, sore throat and just being uncomfortable. In fact, my fever got so high last Friday, that the principal of my school sent me home. After a few days of staying home, and resting I started to feel better.
Unfortunately that only lasted about 24 hours. A day later I started feeling feverish again! Within the next few days my fever was accompanied with extreme nausea and aches and pains. I went from a severe cold to what I thought was the stomach flu. I was nauseated for this entire week. I decided if it didn't pass by the end of the week I would see the doctor.
On Thursday, I awoke with the same symptoms and to my surprise, the sore I had on the back of my foot from three weeks earlier was red, swollen and irritated. As the day progressed my sore more than tripled in size and took on a yellowish tint. By the time school ended, my sister Rachel helped me realize I needed to see the doctor.
I was able to list off to the doctor my list of afflictions from the last few weeks. He gave me a look like, "and your only coming to me now" which I then explained that I didn't think anything was more than a little virus. Well he had to use liquid freeze to "numb" up my foot...which didn't actually numb anything but it felt extremely uncomfortable being poured over my entire foot. He then sliced open my heel wound and was shocked when only blood and lots of it came gushing out. He said he had expected to see puss, but was going to do a culture. In addition to the culture, the nurse took a blood test. The nurse also had a difficult time finding my vein, so after she poked my left side she had to poke my right side. After the blood test, I was given a flu shot in my right arm and my foot was bandaged up and I was prescribed an antibiotic. Then I had to wrestle down both of my boys so they could have their flu shots. After that ordeal, I had to hop to my car with two screaming boys behind me.
I feel much better today even though I had to get a Hep B shot in my other arm today because they are required at my school to get and today so happens to be the one day that the nurse from the district would come to give them.
So today I went back to the doctor and he told me that I have one of the nastiest staff infections he has seen in a long time and it is traveling in my blood system and that is why I have been nauseated, not because of the flu!
After being sliced open and poked in a variety of places with different needles you might understand better why I dislike going to the doctor.

Happy Holidays

Oh the weather outside is Delightful,
And the waves are such a sightful.
And since this is just an Island so,
There's no place to go, to go, to go

It doesn't show signs of getting colder
It's so hot you can still burn your shoulders
At 80 Degees it will never dip Below
and There's no place to go, to go, to go

When it finally turns to night
You'll hear the sound of the Palm Trees Sway
But if your clothes are feeling tight
Keep the Poi Bread and Mochi Away!!!

The Tourists are still out lying
on the beach before they are goodbying
But as long as I love Hawaii so,
There's no place I'll go, I'll go, I'll go!

(Except for Utah for Christmas. See you Then)

Tutu Calabio

We flew to Kona, on the Big Island (Hawaii) a few days before Thanksgiving. While there we stayed with my Uncle Aley and Auntie Danelle Auna. My grandma, who has poor health lives with my Uncle. Kona is a really dry area and much different from the rest of Hawaii. We enjoyed our time there. While visiting the Big Island, we were able to take lots of pictures of family, and see the island. The boys warmed up to Grandma (TuTu) Calabio right away. She really enjoyed her time with them. The weekend was a great time to catch up on stories from my grandma's life and for the boys to meet their great grandma.

Tree Trimmin'

Here we are setting up our tree. Eventhough I made the traditional shortbread and I was playing Carpenter's Christmas, it didn't quite seem like Christmas because of the 80 degree weather. The boys enjoyed helping me fluff the tree. We were fortunate to find this tree, all the lights and some decorations at a yardsale for 10 dollars! One of the many benefits of living in Hawaii is the yardsales. Whenever people move off the island they sell their belongings for such cheap prices.

SUnset Farmers Market

About 2 times a month, on Saturday, I try to make it over to the Sunset Farmers Market. At the farmers' market I buy mangoes, star fruit, green onions, tomatoes, small yellow onions, oranges, grapefruit, jabong(a cross between a grapefruit and an orange, but is the size of a volleball), and chinese parsley(a lot like cilantro). The produce at the farmers' market is much cheaper than the grocery store. All the booths are homemade or homegrown items...it reminds me of the cute farmers' market in Wenatchee, Washington. I have thought about having my own stand and selling jewelry and cards...but that would take away from my yardsaling time. In the pictures below, you can see George and Henry trying the local grapefruit. George loved it and Henry immediately spit his out. So Henry is showing his reaction to the fruit.

Heaven on Earth!!!

Last weekend I was able to enjoy my two favorite pasttimes...Enjoying the sights and Enjoying the sales. We took our family over to Sunset beach to watch the big waves. The waves have really started to pick up this season and the north shore is alive with surfers, photographers and tourists. George and Henry love spotting the surfers on the waves...and they like looking for a few of my students (that happen to be in the pro-surfing circuit). After we watched the waves I was fortunate to find a "Children's Place" in the Waikele shopping outlet. Unfortunately, they had few boys items. But feeling prompted to keep looking, I perused the racks of sale clothing. While I was shopping mark quickly shot this picture of me. Although there was not much to look at, I was pleased to find one pair of pants that cost .99!!! Can you believe that? It was a miricle! I snatched it up and If you will be in Utah for Christmas, you will have the opportunity to see Henry in his 99 cent pants.

Halloween

This year, George and Henry had a spread of costumes to choose from. Because I was able to find costumes at a good price at yard sales, Henry and George had two outfits each this year. For the ward part, the boys were the monster's inc characters. But for the night of trick or treating, george was a ninja and henry was tigger. The boys got lots of candy and the night was a success! hahaha

Hanging out with President Monson

Meeting President Monson

Hello,
I am sorry that I haven't posted in awhile. With school, Halloween and other ventures, we have gotten really busy. A few weeks ago we were able to attend our stake conference during the BYUH Jubilee. We were excited when we heard that we would be hearing from President Monson and Elder Hales. They both gave really great talks and we enjoyed the conference. That night we decided to go to the temple to take pictures. While we were there, President Monson stopped in to see how the missionaries were doing. He stopped at the visitors center and spoke to all of us there. He told george that he would be a future missionary and he gave Henry...and Mark a HI-Five! What a great experience!

Walking Among Giants

This Sunday, Mark, George, Henry and I attended our stake/regional conference. We had the opportunity to hear talks from Elder Robert D. Hales and his wife, and President Monson and his wife. We were reminded to continue to read the Book of Mormon and be faithful. Elder Monson's talk was more relaxed than his usual demeanor seen in his General Conference talks. Our family enjoyed conference and the Spirit that was present. Over the last week or so, I had been struggling with some personal trails. I really felt that I had some prayers answered in the council that was given in conference. As conference ended, the congregation stood and sung, "Aloha Oe". We wanted to go and say hello to the General Authorities, however, there were too many people around so we left.
We went home, ate lunch and took a nap. I woke up from my nap and decided that today would be a great day to take pictures at the temple. We grabbed the camera and rushed over to the temple. I hurried quickly to the front of the temple grounds because the sun was going down. As I stood and took pictures I noticed a few people talking excitedly. I looked over and realized that President Monson was visiting the temple. We were able to speak with him, and hear him tell stories about when he was a mission president. He told George that he would be a future missionary and he gave Mark and Henry a High-Five!!!

What a great experience.

SOMETHING THAT CAME TO MY ATTENTION

While my mom was visiting the last week, we were able to take lots of pictures. I noticed while taking one of the pictures that my Mom had some B.O!!! (body odor) Now I realize that we live in Hawaii and you sweat more here, so I did not think anything of it, but after my Mom left hawaii, I noticed that the BO smell was still lingering around. In fact, I noticed it about the same time I had to change my clothes in the afternoon to go to my aerobics class. I was struck by the oddity of the situation considering, I had not yet worked out and I don't seem to have a BO problem. In fact, I haven't bought deoderint since 2003! You see, I just don't stink a lot. I sweat, but it doesn't stink. I like to think that I smell fragrant. Well it came to my attention as I sat in class today, after all the stinky football players left, that the room still smelled like B.O.!!! Confused, I lifted my arm and realized that the smell was wafting out of my own armpit! Can you believe that?!? I have B.O. I was confused and I didn't know what to do. REally!!! I have never had B.O. in my life! I only ever wore deoderint because I like the flower smell, but not because I was hiding a stinky smell. What do people with B.O. do? Dazed, by the smell, confused, and shocked, I called Mark at home. He wisely noted that it was time for me to start using deoderint. Note: I wrote this blog because I feel that a chapter in my life has just ended and I am embarking on a whole new journey...of stink. Please share any advise that you can muster. And for the record, I don't think it was my mom that had the B.O. I think it was actually me.

My School

When my parents were out here in Hawaii, they stopped by the high school that I teach at and took a picture of my school. I enjoy teaching here in Hawaii, but I miss air conditioning and roach-free, gecko-free and bug poop free class rooms. Here I am in the front of my classroom. Because the windows are closed, the temperature is probably close to upper 80s.

YARD SALE TREASURES!!!

I, Erin, go yardsaling almost every Saturday. With the Halloween holiday coming up soon, I have been looking for Halloween Costumes. I was excited when I found two Disney costumes from Monster's Inc. Unfortunately, Henry's costume is a Boo's outfit in the movie...she is a girl. But doesn't he look so cute?

Sand Babies

Here is Henry enjoying the sand and the surf. Henry still does not enjoy the water like his brother George, but he loves playing in the sand.

Mark Riding the Waves

Here is Mark getting into the waves. He has found a new hobby.

Lessons from Uncle Kamaka

While enjoying dad's birthday party at Pounders, the boys had a lesson in boogie boarding from Cousin (uncle) Kamaka.

Playing at Pounder's Beach

Here we are enjoying the day at Pounders Beach. My dad is out visiting this week so we were able to celebrate his 56th birthday. For his birthday we had two celebrations. We had a bbq at pounders and we were able to go boogie boarding. Then today (Sunday) we had a nice family dinner. Boogie boarding was a blast. Kamaka (my cousin) showed Henry and George the ways of boogie boarding.

Heading to UTAH

We recently found airline tickets on ATA for a good price. We will be coming to Utah on a few days before Christmas and we will be leaving a few days after new years. We are excited to see our family and our friends back home. Please call, we would love to get together with you when we are out there. Mark and I still have our same cell-phone numbers. Can't wait to see you!!!
I would like to dedicate this Blog to my dad Sterling, who has made it possible for our family to travel from the Las Vegas Airport to P.G.

Hello Pleasant Grove Wives Club

Here I sit on a Saturday Night,
the weather is hot and my clothes are tight.
But not because I am gaining weight,
but because it's Hawaii and I'm not on a date...
no, I am sitting in my house with my cousin Aley
He is married and his baby is Audrey.
Although I don't have friends here in Hawaii,
I am not lonely because I have my family.

I realize that I miss my friends
that live in Utah and don't wear depends.
Because they are young...at heart
hahaha and they never F@#T!!!

Now I am laughing a lot harder,
because my friend is Cecilia Carter
and her name rhymes with farter,
but she prefers Cecilia the Darter (away from danger)

Then I miss my dear sweet Ella
Who's husband is a 1/2 naked fella.
Tammy's a married to a Merryweather
who should be named fairy Heather (he is a little girlie)

I'm sure Christine is sitting there,
with her sister peggy who has a lot of hair.
They eat a lot of fish and sometimes scrap
They put the PG wives club on the Map!!!

Hey you guys, I miss you a lot!

Love Erin