Gimme Gimme Gimme

Hawaii was, simply put, amazing. I had such a wonderful time basking in the warmth of the magical air. I am really lucky to have been able to go and enjoy myself as I did. Needless to say, Josh and I did not want to come back. I am especially bummed by the reality of having to dive into work early Monday morning. At least it wasn't raining when we returned! So far, the weather has been pretty kind with promises of reaching the 90's again next week.

We got in just after midnight last night and got to bed around 3 am. Josh had to rise not much after that in order to drive down to Portland for a window cleaning conference. I spoke to him on the phone a bit ago and he was really jazzed about having met a lot of the guys in the industry he talks to nation-wide online. It was like one big blind date! I am happy he feels re-energized and motivated about work. Maybe my conference next week will do the same for me??? I can only hope. As of now, I want to run away to Hawaii and hide at the beach with the sea turtles for the next year or 2.

My amazing friend Nikki, founder of the autism awareness organization, Knowledge For People, is a never ending source of fun and good ideas. Today, she called and offered me invites for things upcoming: A burlesque show put on by Rat City Roller Girls, a Labor Day camping excursion, and the opportunity to put together an all-girls' bowling league where we can showcase our ineptitude with the sport! I said yes to all 3. I also organized another trivia night at Prost! on Monday with some of my nearest and dearest. I am definitely trying my darndest to enjoy life on the mainland!

Ah, Hawaii, I miss you.

We are dogsitting Bella this weekend while Todd is up on Vancouver Island with his old flame. It's only fair in exchange for his sitting Lulu while we were gone, but I am wanting to be very selfish and not have to worry about being a good dog mommy right now. I just want to wallow in the mounds of household duties I need to attend to. Laundry and paper organization top the list. Both are taunting me and I keep staring at them, wishing I could make them disappear just by thinking it hard enough.

I spent the better part of the day scouring ads for free things for my classroom. Since it's a new classroom, I don't have any supplies coming with it. I need a play kitchen, a lego set, wooden puzzles, and wooden building blocks. I found a wooden kitchen that isn't really what I want, but it's only $50 and it retails for almost $200. I posted an ad asking for free or low-priced items to cover the rest of the wishlist. I don't know how successful I'll be, but I'm definitely not looking forward to spending tons of my own money to furnish the room. My new school has a pretty wealthy population, but that doesn't increase the funding to our school. I might just have to wait until school starts to ask for tangible donations. I hate to do that, though. I always like having everything ready from the getgo!

I also want to get a bike for myself since my school is so close and it seems silly to drive to work every day. I imagine I'll be driving most days, even with one, but I'd like to have the option. I emailed someone about a purple cruiser they had listed, but I was too late. :( There are other options available, but I really do want a cruiser. It would have to have gears for our insane hills, but I love the way they look and the seats and handlebars are more comfy than a road or mtn bike. I'll just have to keep looking...

Weekend To-Do

Saturday:

Start Laundry
Go to South Target to make returns, get card for Maura
Get Maura's Bridal Shower gift
Stop by Macy's, Torr and Old Navy
Wrap gift
Finish Laundry
Pack
Pack Lulu's overnight bag
Print out Lulu's info
Drop gift off at Colleen's
Pick up Heidi
Pick up Sharonne
Go to Nikki's party
Drink Beer and beat people at ping pong
Take Sharonne and Heidi home
Go to bed

Sunday:

Give Lulu kisses
Go to airport
Check-in
Go through Security Check
Board Plane
Land in Hawaii
Get bags
Get Rental Car
Drive to Kailua
Change into Bathing Suit
Jump in Ocean
Breathe, Smile, and Appreciate Life
Recycle all to-do lists for the next 5 days

Happiness Prevails

How's about a happy post? Yes? Good. I agree.

I felt really good today. I even vacuumed and made lunch! Quite an achievement as of late, you must understand. Todd visited. I hadn't seen him since he left for Peru 2 1/2 weeks ago, so I was super happy to give him squeezes and kisses. He brought me seed jewelry, per the usual, which I love. I have to keep them in the freezer for 2 weeks in case there are eggs in there that will hatch and result in eaten seeds. Yuck! I guess you have to take such precautions when you buy fresh seed jewelry from Amazonian natives, though....

Josh got home shortly before he arrived, so we three took Lulu and Bella down to the lake for a swim. Those 2 are so cute. Lulu does these amazing belly flop leaps into the water that yield so much attention and appeal. It's hilarious. After that excursion, though, I was wiped. I am still exhausted and needing to regain my energy. Todd pretty much agreed to babysit Lu while we are in Hawaii, which is FANTASTIC. Now we only have to find someone to keep her while we are at the cabin for Ang and Kat's bdays. I called Ilsa (our dogwalker) to see if she'd be game and left a message. Fingers crossed.

Would you like to see where we are staying in Hawaii? I am getting excited!

This is our view. These are the Mokulua Islands that are off of Lanikai Beach.



This is what it will look like when I kayak to the bigger of the 2 islands to lay on the beach there.



This shot includes Josh. ;)



This is the bedroom in our cottage.



This is the kitchen.




I plan to take 5 kajillion pictures, so of course this is just a taste of what you'll experience upon our return. Yay for vacations!

I am totally busting out to MGMT's Kids as I type. 107.7 The End has been playing this song constantly and I can't get it out of my head, so of course I had to succumb to purchasing it on iTunes. Which reminds me to vent: exactly when did iTunes increase the price of a download from 99cents to $1.29? Ridiculous!

The bonus conclusion to the day is that Ilsa just called to say, Yes, she can house/puppy sit while we are at the cabin and we just sold our Crate & Barrel couch for a 150% profit. Score! I was so excited, I called Josh to tell him. Poor guy picks up no matter what these days, ever since I scared him with my medical woes. Earlier today he was hanging off the side of a building when he answered my call and just now he was in the middle of a training at the fire house. I need to tell him to not pick up when busy unless I text him to say it's an emergency. Makes me feel guilty, ....but lucky, too.

this and that

I applied for 6 jobs last night. Tonight, I'll apply for 6 more. I should really be on top of it right now, but it feels nicer to procrastinate. I HATE applying for jobs. Especially when there is a time limit. I just hate time limits in general. Makes me want to say, "Screw it" even though I know I can't. Poo.

I want to go to Vegas. There have been so many great deals. I know I can't afford it, but I really just want to jet set. I need a break from life!