What's going on (by Marvin Gaye)

What's going on? That's what my baby will be wondering next week when I take him to school for the first time.

Today I took my baby to orientation at his new preschool. Although, the preschool isn't really all that NEW to him. My older son had attended the same school last year. So my baby is pretty used to the routine of getting in and out of the car, climbing down the stairs, playing with the bunny, then going into class.

He was a little apprehensive about going down when we first got there but as soon as he saw the Play-Doh, that was it, he was comfortable. He played with it for a while, walked around the class room, found some instruments (loves those), then he discovered the grassy play area with all the Little Tykes toys and the appx 30 balls (his favorite thing in the whole world... balls). He was sold on the school. We were there for an hour and a half and he didn't want to leave.

I know he'll have a hard time the first couple of weeks but I really feel he'll be ok there. His teachers have been at the school for a long time and they are really sweet. I'm so worried about him, my baby, venturing off into the world all by himself. The great thing about it is that his class is small. He'll get lots of attention. I know I'm going to cry leaving him like I know he'll cry for me.

Anyway, his teacher asked all the parents to make a collage of his family. I can't tell you how excited I am about this. I wonder how many other mom's are scrapbookers and were excited about the assignment. I started to look around the classroom to get an idea of colors, think of which pictures I wanted to use, and decide on what patterned paper I wanted. I'm hoping to be able to work on it tomorrow night at our monthly church crop. I know I'm such a dork. I hope I have pictures of our whole family. If not, then we'll be out taking some snap shots of us tomorrow. I'll post it when I'm done.

Say my name (by Destiny's Child)

Well, last night I was wrapping a gift for our neighbors son who was having a first birhtday party. I of course made a card and attached it to the gift. After doing so, I thought, I'd better check to make sure I spelled his name correctly. Well, whadda ya know, we've been calling him the wrong name for the first year of his life. Ugh, not only did I waste a cute card, but geez. We were calling him Colby and his name is Cody.

So on to more important things, Big Brother is on tonight. Woohoo. I couldn't believe I've been watching this show since season one. I don't think of myself as a tv person or even a reality show junkie. But I do get excited when my shows are on. My favorites are Big Brother, Amazing Race, American Idol and Grey's Anatomy. Of course Grey's is my favorite. I've watched each episode about 7 or 8 times... LOL. I can't wait til this past season comes out on DVD.

I'm a bit sad summer is winding down. I've really enjoyed having the two boys home. They don't always play well together but they do have fun together. We've been really relaxing, hanging out at the beach or pool, and going to the park. Kazu loves it because he gets to choose what we do. The best part is, he likes to do all the free stuff. He's also been doing well studying for the kindergarden entrance exam next week. He knows his shapes, colors, numbers, phone number, address, his body parts, and our names. His writing is getting better everyday. In fact, I just did a scrapbook page with it. Poor guy, that's what happens when he gets stuck with me for a mom. I have this thing about being prepared. I hope I covered everything.


On to shoes. I'm really not a shoe girl but I do love a few good pairs of shoes. So, since I am in the market to buy a new pair, I did my usual research (ask dh to find the good stuff and show me when it's done), and wow. There are some great looking shoes. They are insanely priced and I could probably feed my family for a month with the amount that I'd spend, but oh well. (I've been trying to upload images and grr bloggers not working.)

Don't know why (by Norah Jones)

This has to be one of my all time favorite songs.

Ok, I don't know why I have such a hard time with names. I can remember the strangest things but for some reason I have a hard time with names. Today I took Dylan to the preschool where he will be starting next month. I saw the list and knew that his teachers name was Stacy. When I met her in person I again asked her name and she clearly said Stacy but I still called her Sheryl for a good 2 hours. I was even corrected by one of the aides and still couldn't get it right. I promise I'm really not that ditzy. I can remember the break down for gold, the % for the ideal cut of a diamond, I still remember most airport codes but when it comes to peoples names I just have a hard time.

I've tried all the tricks like repeating their name when you are first introduced. I've trying associating the person with an object. I've even tried to make a jingle. Nothing has worked thus far. It's so bad that when I invited a friend to our monthly church crop I couldn't introduce her to anyone because I forgot everyone elses name. I just said this is my friend so and so. I know bad.

I think what is worse is that my husband is the same way. We make up names for everyone. It started in our Sophmore year of high school when we were in biology class together. Our biology teacher had a teachers aide. We called him Mr Francis for a whole semester. He was always quick to answer. The whole class was calling him Mr Francis. On the last day he asked why we were calling him Mr Francis. We were like why isn't that your name? He said nope, his name was Rick. LOL.

I don't know why I do it. So just in case, if I've been calling you the wrong name, please tell me. And if you know of anything else I can try please feel free to let me know.

On a side note, I came across Jennifer Woodbury's blog today. I didn't have a chance to actually read it but I LOVED her layouts and her photo's. I love the cleanness of her scrapping style. So pretty, if you have a chance check it out here.

I'm off to work on that recipe book. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll pop in at 2 peas to get some ideas.

Lonely (by Akon)

Well, not really but a little. I feel like I'm missing out on some good reading (blogs). Everyone is in CHA, Chicago, and that means a lot of neglected blogs. I think I just could be jealous. Gosh, I would have loved to have gone to CHA and to Oprah with a trip like that I could scratch off two things off of my "things to do before I die" list.

Hmm, speaking of which I haven't scrapped that list list yet. Maybe I should do that this weekend. The problem about me scrapping stuff about me is that I don't have many pictures of myself that I like. Come to think of it, I've never done a lo with only my picture. Hmm, something else I have to work on, taking more pictures of myself.

We're up early to take the baby to sit in his new preschool class. This ought to be interesting. I hope he'll be ok. I'm so worried. Will blog more later... Aloha!

You're the inspiration (by Chicago)

Yikes, remember that song. Wow, that was a long time ago. Hmm, that brings back some strange memories. Maybe I should do a sb based on the memories I get from hearing certain songs.


Here's a lo I made last night. I should have been working on some paper piecings to sell but I wasn't motivated. My creative juices really wasn't flowing so I scraplifted this layout from my all time favorite famous scrapbooker Leah Fung. You can view the original layout here It's nowhere nearly as nice as hers. I've probably killed it, and she'd probably cringe if she saw it. But hey, it was 2am and I was desperate to scrap. It's been awhile.

Lucky (by Britney Spears)

My mil (mother in law) was here for a few days. We hit a few scrapbook stores. She saw and liked a sample lunch pail which was decorated with Hello Kitty at one of the sb stores. I tried it and it was MUCH easier than I thought. I figured it cost around $15. It would have been cheaper except that we got all the ribbon at the sb store. I didn't have a chance to take more pictures. I wish I did. But here's what I came up with. I think she's going to put it on her desk.

I'm not into altering things. I think that I don't have much scrapping time and I'd rather spend the time making sb pages for my family. I guess I'm just cheap. I'd rather take the $15 I spent to make the tin and put it in a gift instead. I know the tin is a part of the gift. I do want to try to make a few small ones for Kazu's Kindergarten teacher.

I also hit my mom up for some old photos. I was looking for some of myself. Of course I realized that the 'good' ones I have, but they are in storage on another island. However, I did find a whole treasure trove of old photo's of my parents. Man, my mom was a hot mama. Geez, what I'd give to have her body, back in the day. Anyway, she agreed to help me sb them. I'm excited.



My mil also let me borrow a couple of recipe books from my husbands grand father. I hope in the next few weeks to take them and make a special receipe sb. My husband loved his grandathers Cream Tuna and we've tried for years to make it. Little did we know my mil had it in the same recipe book his grandfather used. I can't decide if I'm more excited to have the recipes or to make the sb. Either way, we are so lucky to have it. I'd love to find a copy of these books for my self.

Funny Face (by Ella Fitzgerald)

I've been busy since I got back home. We've been enjoying summer. I miss posting photos so here's a couple from before we left. Here's Kazu, he's such a comedian. Love him to pieces. Will post more later.

Leaving on a jet plane.....

We're going home today. I can't really say whether I'm happy or sad. I'll be happy to be home but sad to leave family. It was nice to relax in Hilo and just kick back. I didn't see any of my friends; we stayed at home most of the trip.

I did get to talk to my friend Amy. I wish we were able to meet up, I miss her. It's nice to have a friend with whom you can be yourself. When I talk to her I don't have to pretend, I don't have to worry about her judging me, or talking behind my back. I can just be me. We've done some crazy stuff. And it's nice that we have each other to confide in.

We met in the 9th grade that was 18 years ago. We were in Mr. Barnes English class and I remember her telling me she had a baby sister who was the same age as my niece. I was shocked to hear today that her sister, Sara, will be 20 years old. Where does the time go?

I feel blessed to have met Amy. I've always looked up to her and thought that she was so smart, beautiful, and talented. In fact, now that I think of it, Amy was the one who helped me to get me my first job at a jewelry store. It was in our senior year of high school. I worked for that company for 9 years. Of course when I got hired we were underpaid (if I remember correctly I was getting 25 cents under minimum plus commission), and for all the stuff we put up with when we left, we were still under paid (grrr to Mary S). Ahh those were the days.

So although I didn't get to meet up with her today. I know that no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we always pick up right where we left off, as friends.

Ps, I forgot to mention this Amy is THE Amy of KONA BEAD GIRL. Check it out!

Wannabe

So tell me what you want, what you really really want, I want a, I want a ... uh, now I have that song stuck in my head. As you can see while on vacation in Hilo I've had a lot of time to work on my blog. I've added a few links, well more than a few. I still need to put them in the order that I enjoy reading them.

I've also had some time to work on some journaling for layouts that I've been wanting to work on. I don't think that journaling is hard for me, I just don't think that I'm good at writing. I wish I were a better writer but I'm not. The truth is I'm a numbers person. I am always in awe of those scrappers who are so good at putting their feelings down on paper. Their families are so lucky that they were able to not only get their thoughts and feelings down on paper but be able to do it so eloquently. I read some journaling and think, gee that's exactly how I feel, that's what I was thinking, why couldn't I come up with that. I'm still struggling with my subject verb agreement. Oi! My mil (mother in law) is an english teacher, she must cringe.

I woke up this morning thinking about goals. I started thinking about the goals that I have. I set goals for myself on a daily basis like doing laundry, finish a lo (layout), or spend more time playing/teaching the boys than cleaning the house. My thoughts on goals this morning were a little bigger. They were two goals in particular. I've always wanted to learn how to play the piano and the guitar.

How much time would it take to learn? Who would watch the boys? How would I get the money to buy the equipment? Who could teach me? How much work/energy would this involve?

Why do I have these goals?

My parents named me Melody and I think I'm the least musically talented person in my family. My parents were entertainers, they travelled the world putting on Hawaiian shows. So when I was born, in the middle of the height of their career, naturally they named me Melody. I love the name but I don't think I live up to it. I can't sing, I'm tone deaf, but it doesn't stop me from singing. I used to play the claranet in intermediate school. I was ok, but I really didn't like it.

I don't want to learn how to play the piano or guitar just so I can live up to my name. I want to learn to play because my favorite childhood memories revolves around when my parents would get out their instruments and sing happy, sad, or silly songs.

Music has always been a big part of my life. You know how some people can tell you what weight they were at what age or during a ocertain event. Well, I can tell you what song I liked. I won't always be able to remember who sang it but I can tell you all the words to the song.

I can also tell you what songs my parents sang at my grandfathers funeral, my cousins weddding, or at Aunty Mina's parties. I always thought that my parents were so talented. They could make someone laugh, cry, smile, sob, or dance while playing music. So even though I won't be albe to sing to my boys while playing the guitar, maybe I'll be able to join in the next time my mom or dad decides so sing. And maybe my boys will have happy memories of music, me and my guitar. I guess a long story short it just looks like fun to me.

I have to say, I will be starting to work on another big goal that I have come August. I'll be going back to college. I didn't finish the first time around and with sheer determination hopefully, I'll finish this time.

la da dee...

I usually don't do these things but this one sounded fun...

In my fridge:
1. milk
2. eggs
3. cheese
4. Water
5. poke

In my closet:
1. Jeans
2. Bebe shirts
3. Roxy shirts
4. Hurley shirts
5. Louis Vuitton shoes

In my purse:
1. trains or trucks
2. ipod
3. palm
4. diapers
5. wipes

In my car:
1. phone book
2. food
3. Stroller
4. car seat
5. water

On my TIVO (my figurative TIVO-lol):
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Oprah
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Big Brother
5. Amazing Race

Now, it's your turn. I tag... everyone reading this... all three of you... LOL. Reply in the comments area.

Happy Birthday....

We are on vacation in Hilo and we are having fun. It's a big change for me in my routine. I go to bed early and wake up early. The pc I'm using isn't all that fast so I've been kinda steering clear of it. I haven't been sb'ing (sigh) and taking pictures. I decided to leave everything at home. The first couple of days I thought I'd die, but it's ok now.

I'm still thinking about sb'ing but now I'm gathering my thoughts on what to scrap. It seems that lately I find myself scraping the everyday things. I completely missed out on taking pictures on Easter, my birthday, and I have a feeling I'm going to miss out on 4th of July. That's ok though, the everyday things are just as important.

It appears that I've left everything at home. I don't even have my palm, so I can't call anyone. So if anyone is out there, call me. LOL.

We went to the movies twice this weekend. I haven't been to the movies in ages. The last movie I went to was Spiderman in 2001. We saw Superman which was... ok. We also saw The Devil Loves Prada. I loved it. My sil and I immediately thought of the Oprah show on finding your bliss. I loved all the clothes, shoes, handbags, and coats featured in the movie. I loved seeing Paris, I really want to go. I loved seeing New York, miss it.

And before I leave, today is Pop's birthday. He would have been 86, I think. He was my husbands grandfather and passed away two years ago. I was thinking about the ways that he changed my life. He was like a grandfather to me. I never knew my real grandfathers, one died before I was born and the other when I was little. Pops always thought of me, not only on the holidays or birthday but even at dinner time. He'd make a whole head of broccoli because he knew I liked broccoli, he taught me how to make Southern Fried Chicken, and was a great example on how to save money. I think of him often and hear his voice saying "it's all you can eat, but eat what you take" when we are at an all you can eat buffet. I hear his voice in mine when I call my boys Mr. Man or Little Man, or when I ask them "how do you do" while shaking their hand. I think of him when I cook and wish I knew how to make more of his meals, especially his creamed tuna, which Duke loved, and corn chowder which I loved. He was frugal, hardworking, and kind. All traits that I hope to instill in my boys. Happy Birthday Pops.

Alright, I'll try to get a couple of photos up soon. Have a safe 4th of July.