Hawaii

It was a perfect winter getaway trip. Fabulous locale, Great company, Amazing weather, Lots of sun and sand.


6 Days on Oahu - We stayed at my cousin's timeshare house in Laie
5 Shave Ices (You read right. No D.)
4 Cars driving 13 people around the island
3 Walker Cousins
2 Midgley Cousins
1 Fabulous Vacation

Im not sure I could live in Hawaii. But I do love to visit. We didnt "do" much by some standards. But that was absolutely perfect for me, as I have previously "done" most things on Oahu. The only thing missing, and will probably be missing from more trips to come, is someone to really enjoy it with. Dont get me wrong, loved spending time with family and meeting new people. But how nice it could have been to enjoy a walk on the beach with some special. One day. One day.

Some Pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Stole someones Laie for a picture

The flower was too big for my hair.

Sharks Cove on the North Shore

A Sunday stroll behind the house

A sunrise from my balcony


With my cousin David and brother Jeff



PS. 1 week later and Im still sporting my fabulous tan. I will be oh so sad when it fades.

75 Hrs

That was the amount of time my house was without power. And Im so glad to have it back! Waking up in a warm house is divine!

Hurricane in Westchester County

After spending some time with the family in Hartford, I left this face, to deal with:


Two weeks ago we got over a foot of snow. And now we are dealing with 4-6 inches of rain, and up to 75 mph winds. Lots of trees are down along with power lines. Its left 500,000 without power. Crazy. I say crazy! Why did I move to NY?! Its been worse weather than last year in Boston, and I thought that was bad.

Show Up & Good Things Happen

I made the kid next to me in 2nd grade writing class mad because I would cheat on our writing assignments and steal what he was writing. And quite frankly, I havent changed much, atleast in that area! Writing, and understanding the command of the English language has never really been a strength of mine. . . .

I came across an amazing blog last night and cant stop reading. Lots of good thoughts, from amazing ladies in all walks of life. Really made me think, and dream myself. On comment that Im stealing is:

i had a favorite professor in university who taught social pschology. he liked to give us advice on life and use statistics to back himself up. i don't remember everything he said but one of his axioms that sticks out in my mind is:

"show up and good things happen."

he'd tell us, if you want to meet someone, you want a job, you want to run for office....the probablility of any of those things happening skyrockets when you just show up.

keep showing up for yourself and your dreams. something perfectly suited to your skills and interests will materialize (and be confident knowing that you have statistics on your side!).

I feel like for the last 15 years of my life, I have done this. Maybe not as often as I really should have. But I have a new resolve to show up. And also to be apart of things when I show up.

Church Activities/Lessons Do Come in Handy!

I just wanted to give a shout out to the Priest/Laurel Competition Activity in which I learned how to change a tire. It came in handy this weekend.

Maybe Im cheap. Or Maybe Im just a product of my father who was a product of the Great Depression and WWII and never wanted to pay for someone to do something that he could do himself, ok aka cheap!

On Friday afternoon, I got a flat tire. (Lucky, it wasnt Thursday Night, as I was driving home from Manhattan in a snow storm. That would have been really crappy!) By the time I stopped driving on it and realized that what the problem was (insert: call to my brother with the phone on speaker being held to the dash asking what that horrible noise was). I was a few exits down from my house, and my housemate-husband was still at work. And I didnt want to pay money to tow my car a mile to tire store, when I could do it myself.

My goodness. The cop laughed at me for even wanting to do it. And we wasnt going to help me because of policy, or some crap. But I did it. Ok, luckily there was a cop there because I wasnt strong enough to over turn a lug nut put on by a power tool. But alas, saved myself a tow just to go spend money for 4 new tires! Love, love, love being an adult. Ok, lots of sarcasm! Only mildly love it. Dont love the responsibility and bills part. But then again, who really does?!

9 Days and Counting

This semester's Institute class is Worlds Religion. And as part of the class the teacher has asked us to do something to really learn more about the other religions we are studying. Some of the options are: reading the Torah, touring a Mosque, attending service of another faith, giving up as participation of Lent.

And I choose the later. (I did also go to the Mosque at 96th St. Cool experience) I was trying to decide just what do I give up. I knew that if I made it too difficult (Dr Pepper), than there would be no point in trying to participate as it wouldnt last long. And Lent is long, 40 days long!

If you know me, and my family, you know that we love our sweets! And If I choose sugar, than again, I would be committing myself to failure. But I knew that I should cut out some sugary substances from my diet, as its not healthy. So, I went for the simply. Candy. For some of you, Im sure that this would be easy. But Im such a convenience eater. And what is more convenient than a candy bar when walking out of a gas station, or while watching a movie, or, or, or. And if you remember this post, then you might remember that I love kitkats! I might have stolen one, or two, from my nephews Halloween bag! . . . So, I must say, there have been a few moments of weakness, while waiting in line at Target, and they are staring me in the face. But alas, I have held strong. 9 days strong! I will make it to 40!

A few replacements I have found. And remember I said, no candy. So other sugary items dont count. Must say candy on the box/wrapper.



(Mind you, I HATE protein bars. But this one, isnt so bad)






And you thought I was going to say Carrot sticks, and Apple slices! Bahahaha!

Perfect End

1 Box of Funfetti Cake Mix = $2
3 Fancy Nancy Books = $20
1 tank of gas = $40
Making cupcakes with my favorite 5 y.o and reading to my favorite 2.5 y.o = priceless!

After a few hard days, I was so glad that I have family close by to retreat to. I might just get stuck in bed in a few days with a horrid stomach bug that has hit everyone in the family. But it was worth it.

Taylor and I went for a short bike ride. It was alittle to cold to stay out long. But we did enjoy the big hill!

Jack loves to cook with me. I love his ramblings. I love his little helping hands. I love his little spirit.

Melia has become quite the conversationalist with full sentences these days. Its so fun to sit and talk with her.

Here is my favorite picture from last week at the Valentines party. Love her chocolate covered kiss.