Fender Bender

Well it's been a few days since my fender bender happened and it is still on my mind. "All things happen for a reason" is what I always say and so my thoughts stray to why did this happen to me? Well could it be that I have always wanted to fix the rear bumper too? Oh well...of all the cars I manage to hit in the rear...a police car. Unmarked at that. A 2003 Ford Expedition an Eddie Bauer classic. It is a huge SUV. Looks like a bus. And so my Honda Odyssey van goes ca---toosh! right into his bumper! I should have sustained much more damage and he too for all the bang we got in that one instant...but no...just a crunch here and a crunch there....minor stuff? A police report is made so I make a call to my State Farm insurance agent and she tells me that I have options....take care of it myself and she is sure to tell me that option is usually more costly...or go through Sate Farm who will get my vehicle fixed and my premiums will be increased by $120 for the next 3 years or $360 plus the $250 deductible I pay towards the repairs. On top of that they will pay for the police car repairs. Go figure! It's all logical! OK then...let us move forward! Right? I call hubby and all he hears is money, money, money! His reaction? Worse than the initial bang! So then I sit back and breathe and ask myself: Self? Do I have the space for this? What's in it for me? And then I remember oh fix my rear bumper too! So I go and take the van in for an estimate. Nishi's, a roadside body fender shop just off Kam Hwy. Quite small and charming I might add. A nice gal in the office looks at my van and I mention the rear bumper too and then a gentleman (? Nishi?) comes over and takes a digital picture of my damaged front bumper...talks to the gal and then off she goes on the computer! In seconds my estimate is in my hands. My van will be looking like new in one week for a mere cost of $1220.00 plus my $250.00 deductible! So in one week and $1500.00 out of pocket...I have learned that I may not have a savings account or an expensive wardrobe or even a tummy tuck, liposuction and face lift! But I do have my wonderful, beautiful (after the fix) van that has kept me safe (so far...knock on wood) and allows me to drive island wide to places that I totally love. So when I go to Bellows or Northshore or Hanauma Bay or Pokai Bay and Pray for Sex or even Tantalus, Peacock Flats and Aiea Loop Trail I will remember that these "priceless" journeys may have a hidden price I paid. Oh it's just another way to look at the "reason" this has happened....money comes and money goes....in my case it doesn't come as fast as it goes...enough!

A fun filled summer comes to a wrap!

All good things must come to an end...and so my summer 2008 is pau...I had a fantastic one and added lots of fantastic memories to my memory book. If I can remember it all that is...well my sony digital camera will help me in that catagory. I am glad for all my family and friends who have shared their precious time and allowed me to enjoy really happy moments with them. On May 23 I went to Hana to celebrate Hiilei's first birthday. Then on the last weekend of May, Tank and I flew to Hilo to celebrate Anthony and Ryan's graduation luau. Then work on our backyard started and our tropical garden was becoming a reality. Somewhere in the patio Tank will have a vegetable and herb garden too. But I have to be creative when that time comes. Then my sister Doreen and her ohana, Jo-Ann and her ohana, Patsy and Kaleo came for a quick one week visit. Apricot and Scott got us a beach house in Laie and we celebrated Doreen's birthday bash there. Kaleo's birthday moved to Bellows although Jo-Ann made an awesome egg omlette breakfast in Laie before we packed and moved on to Bellows with the assistance of Ann, Joelle and Eddie. But it didn't end there nope...On July 4th I flew to Seattle to celebrate Jan's birthday with her, Scott and her daughters and also Karen and Jan's sister Sandy! I visited with Tracey and she was celebrating son Tyler's 5th birthday. and at Kristy's she was celebrating too. Her honey, Kamu's ohana flew in from Honolulu (Kamu just arrived from Japan himself) and I am so happy that they all are doing great! I know we bridged the gap this time with a "green" bridge. The last time the bridge was red! different town too...but that only Jan and I will understand. And now it is the 23rd of July and tomorrow I return to work. But on Monday I will enjoy a simple 30 minute birthday drink on my patio ...yep from 3-3:30 with a virgin strawberry dacquerie in one hand, pictures of my summer in the other the sight of my lovely tropical garden...and then I go to work at 4...so you see I have really had a wonderful summer and am so thankful for all that I do and all that I have. Mahalo Tank. You are a really great husband! and that my friends was my fun filled summer 2008 and that is a wrap!

Going Coconuts!

My, my, my...this blogging adventure is the easiest time user upper I have come to know! Yep, I tried to be independent of my Kumu and I found myself going coconuts!!! Yep, you see I tried for several days now to add a "new" post and only now I have found my way through all the navigating of this and that...boy not only was I going coconuts but I could make haupia with all the coconuts in my head! But let me tell you that once I got it I was able to spread my wings and fly... Oh well not really but let's see if this gets posted and then I can carry on and on and on....

More Washington Adventures

Once Aunty Peelan found out about blogging she was reeled in, hook, line and sinker. She wanted her own blog. So here I am helping her set up "Peelan's Hawaiian Hut" to get her started. We added photos, her first post, and even music. Not bad for her first day as a blogger.
Taking the scenic route to Kristy's house, Aunty Peelan and Scott stop to take in the scenery of the Puget Sound from Steilacoom. "What is a 'sound'?", Aunty Peelan asks? Go ask Mr. Webster. Ha ha, fool you!Here's the new Narrows Bridge connecting North Tacoma and Kitsap Peninsula...we think. And if you want it to be a round trip, don't forget your $4 for the toll.Aunty Peelan was feeling sorry for us "Washingtonians" because she thought we couldn't find local grinds or backyard parties, but she was wrong. The proof is in the pudding, and here's the pudding. Kristy and Kamu had a barbecue to welcome Kamu's tutu, mom and nephew who were visiting from Nanakuli.
Here's Kamu's tutu jamming with Dr. Kamuela, Ph.D. I wasn't at this party, but looks like everyone had a good time!Aunty Peelan even got crafty at Tyler's birthday party. She decorated goody bags, door hangers and place mats. Who knew she was so talented?
She showed off yet another hidden talent leading the kids in a chorus of "If You're Happy and You Know It" (clap your hands). It worked wonders to get their attention to prepare them for the upcoming game.
This is the Spanaway Lake, where Aunty Peelan spent her last evening relaxing and sipping a Smirnoff Apple before going on a boat ride around the lake. Aunty Peelan spotted a few million dollar homes that she wants to retire in.Sadly, all good things must come to an end. After a week of fun in the sun Aunty Peelan packed her bag and headed to the airport.Aloha Washington, I'm "leaving on a jet plane. I don't know when I'll be back again".

Jan's Ruby Tuesday Birthday

Celebrating Jan's birthday with cocktails and appetizers.

Me, Jan, Scott, Kristy, Kamu and Tracey

Jan & Scott

Mango Mojito

"Happy Birthday to Jan"

Peelan's First Holo Holo Day in Washington

The morning started with a ride to Sandy's shop, the Queens' Closet. Purchased a few things.

Queens' Closet in Tacoma, WA

Day one of shopping

Sandy planned a tea house luncheon at Rosie's in Port Orchard, WA. I ordered corned chowder and a turkey sandwich combo. Jan had crab and shrimp salad combo. The tea house had a Victorian decor, hence the name "Rosie's Victorian Tea House". As we enter the building we were seated off to the left where the restaurant is. On the right was a cute gift shop where, of course, I bought gifts galore. Did you get my post cards? But I gotta brag about their desserts. I drooled over my chocolate cheese cake that was like a chocoholic's dream. Of course, I dipped into Sandy's rhubarb pie, Sharyn's bread pudding, and Jan's lemon meringue pie. We had pomegranite tea that got darker with richer flavor as it seeped. Needless to say, I was rolled back out to the car.

At Rosie's Victorian Tea House for lunch with Jan & Sandy

Me and Jan at Narrows Bridge Park on the Sound

Jan took me sight seeing to her favorite spot, the Narrows Bridge Park. So on my first day in Washington visiting with Jan I shopped, I ate and I saw. Too good eh?