Hawaii Trip '15

I've been neglectful of my little outlet.

Brian and I went to Kauai in end of May, early June.

We opted to stay in a little villa Brian has a deep love for now. It's just a newly renovated 2bd/2ba place. That way we kinda have our own spaces.

This time, we were like ok. "Let's stay local". Flying in, you fly in to the southern part of the island. We usually rent a car, head up towards Hanalei/Princeville and plan sporadic things while we are there that take a while to get to. The drive from South to North is an hour or more, pending where you stay. Some of it weaves you inland and coastal, so pending where you're at, you're looking at banyans or the ocean.

Ever since I started my job at L'oreal, my schedule changed. I don't sleep as much as I really should. So, the past year, Brian has been a sweetheart and the BEST sport of learning to deal with new silence in the car, haha. I usually fall asleep in the car anywhere we go over a half hour. It's kinda sad, but he knows I have mild insomnia, and have for years and with my crazy hours and before 4am rising each day, he's learned to do business calls or listen to the radio while I take my power naps. Having said that, thank you honey!!! I know you miss taking to me.

We got there first day, and we went to our little place, set stuff in. I think ate something fast, put on suits, and hit the beach. We'd agreed to do this on the way there. And, was one reason when I booked our flights, that I made sure we left early, and got there early so we could still have daylight. Nothing worse than being on a plane all day, and then you get there and it's bed time! Gah!

We hit up the grocery store that was just a half mile from our place, got some supplies for the week. Brian ALWAYS gets a boat load of local juice. And he drinks it like it's his fountain of youth. (Attention Aloha Maid, your next competition is him) Cracks me up. He will blow through a 6 pack like a redneck watching the Indy 500 on a Saturday in August, haha. And went on our way.

Because I don't want to do a play by play of every single thing we did, and not sadly, it's starting to get foggy. I will post photos!

One thing we didn't do this year, was Waimea Canyon. It's rather stunning and majestic, but we'd done it twice before. And each time, I got horrible altitude sickness. My little body just can't handle boats or extreme heights. However, I highly suggest it if you make it out to the Garden Isle.


We did take photos on Hanalei Beach, which we both love. If you've not seen the movie South Pacific, watch it first. It makes an appearance in that film a few times. We also went back a few other times just for swimming etc. It's not usually jam packed with people, but you can see others taking photos there. It's next to Bali Hai, which is pretty in itself and sets a mood if you will. That's always on our go to place!

Here is some links of place we went and thoroughly enjoyed:

Restaurants:
-Tidepools (tooks a huge nap on the way from photos to that place, it's down by Poipu)
http://kauai.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/Tidepools.html
-Hukilau Lanai
http://www.hukilaukauai.com/
Brian loves this place...

And this place had the BEST tacos, no joke!



Beaches:

Tunnels Beach

We discovered Anini on our last trip, that's a good one too.

Hanelei

Hikes:
Kalalau Trail, takes you along the extremely sharp Na Pali Coast


We had a blast, we roamed around, Brian got sunburned. I got hyper about making sure no sand ever stayed in my suit, haha. Like literally washing it after each use. We found new places we hadn't before, Brian got handed some produce from a local and it made his day =) We laughed so hard we were almost in tears, we took awesome photos (Here:)

And no, WE DID NOT GET MARRIED! Why would we ever go on vacation, and took what almost looked like wedding photos, and then come back not even engaed? *cough, Brian, cough*

Since 2014

In my previous post, I confess to not doing my blogging....which has always been therapeutic for me.

Since then, I left my job. Took a part time one, that was local in town. Which...I will say this. HARDEST 6ms of my life. Going from something full time, and an adapted income to part time, a huge pay decrease, and not very fulfilling. Scariest 6ms of my life, seriously. In hindsight I don't know how I did it. I honestly don't. I took a l=job last fall, as a contract to permanent employee, under the Clarisonic brand, which is owned by L'oreal. Because of where I live, commuting north is quite common since because of the military base down here, housing is less, so jobs can pay less. Go north where Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, etc are all based. Housing in areas is easily in the millions and cost of living is higher, meaning higher pay. It's in their warranty department. We test peoples devices, some come back fine, and others are something we don't want to touch. We also replace thousands of devices a year, that are under warranty. I actually enjoy it because it's interesting to hear people RAVE about a product so much for one. Two, my hours allow me more time with my kids, three. I just got hired on as a permanent L'oreal employee, and have stellar benefits etc. We get discounts on whatever other company L'oreal owns. So I have Christmas and birthday presents picked out for my sisters. Haha. It's a long drive, and a lot of commitment on my end, but my no sleep and doing apparently well, has paid off.

Kids-

Leena is now 13.5 She's about 5'0" exactly, and will be surpassing me soon. She's in 7th grade and very proud of her 4.0 GPA. I am too! She tries so hard to make sure she's always doing good. She is kinda an overachiever and I saw this coming from her when she was about 5 or so. If you ever corrected her on her grammar, she would cry. And tell you, you were wrong, haha. She is BENT on going to Columbia University. She's wanting nothing less than an Ivy league school. I hope Eli helps out with that! She also is superior with her brother, she's taught him how to read better, write better, and they love to sit and do basic math with each other. (AHHH!! MATH!! YUCK!!) She's turning into a little lady, and it's definitely bittersweet. I miss coming home to her teaparties with all her stuffed animals, that she would individually name (IE: SuffPokeyMaxine) and dress to the nines, and be a saint and clean it all up with minimal help. My mom has always called her AngeLeena, and she's stood true to that divine name.

Landon is now 6.5 and in Kindergarten. He and Leenas schools share a parking lot, so on the days I do have to go back and forth, it's literally a crosswalk apart. Landon is in a mainstream class, with the occasional pull out for his Special Education. Having 2 kids at the opposite realms of education, is humbling. I have my daughter who can't learn enough, or fast enough, with straight A's, and my son who has autism, and finds large groups settings difficult to learn in, and can sometimes act out because of it. They're both different and I love them to inifinity because of that. He started off in September having difficulty even holding a pencil to write his name. Now, I see "Landon" on everything. And sometimes, he write "Landon 10" on things as well. (he was the 10th kid in his preschool, and 10 was his assigned number last year) He is OBSESSED with the color yellow. And always has loved cars and trains. And ever since we had to re-home our kitten, Meeka about 15ms ago, he's got a deep love for cats.

Landon is a riot. The Ellie Goulding song "Love me like you do", came on. And he was back in his car seat singing "love me like a dude! touch me like a dude!" we quickly corrected him hahaha.

I love my kids.

Because I suffer from love/hate of social media.

My little blog has been neglected for almost a year.

I'm on an off facebook. And here's why. I haven't ever called myself "old school", or "old fashioned".

But, there's something more valuable about someone calling me on my birthday, to say hello, vs typing and posting something on a website, that you're hoping they see.

There's something to be said about seeing 213 friends on your so called "friends" page, and you only have 30 of their numbers.

There's that horrible day you had a work, your crying and sad over something that's bugging you, and you feel like you can't reach out to anyone of those people; in fear of what it may portray on your part, or just be downright awkward. Even the long lost family members that "like" all your photos, or leave sweet comments.

I guess, I value in the flesh, or the effort made.

As a kid, I would write my aunts and uncles hand written letters. And you know what, they were always so touched that they always responded. They always told my mom, Heidi is so sweet! She tries so hard to keep in touch with everyone!

Until now, the calls on my birthday are from my boyfriend and parents. Everyone else sends a text. Which, isn't unnoticed, but calling will make me grin a massive smile, and it means more than something I can press "delete" on.

Long story short, I've not ever been homecoming queen, or been one to have flash mobs of friends. But, the ones that I do have, I want to maintain, and feel as if it's still a mutual care.

I feel when I post something on social media, if it's not earth shattering, no one gives a hoot. (unless you pollute!)

I know the people I can call crying, and they'll talk to me. But, prior to me calling, who's putting in the effort? Why is it ME always have to reach out to OTHER people? I thought we all wondered how so and so was doing? Or have that nagging feeling of, I should really call them. Is that just me, or are people so busy with families now, that friends are obsolete?

I'm 33, and when I log into that site, never have I felt so alone in my life. I cannot grasp how we run to a site to publish everything, vs calling the kids we used to spends hours with, and telling them first? I miss the devotion and loyalty of the true meaning of friendship. I haven't had a best friend in ages. I have a small handful of close ones, but I don't think I'd label even one a best.

And to me, that's heartbreaking.

Also, on the realm of phones and human contact: this is so true.

Can bet half the readers of this entry, won't watch that. Please, do.

A new pathway

What a tense year this one is turning out to be. In due time I'm sure I'll learn and embrace the new changes, abd be able to adapt eagerly. For now, eager isn't on my list as the shock and awe is winding down.
February- after my work refused to change my schedule three times, after my nanny fell ill; I literally left a note on my supervisors desk along with my badge that basically said peace out. I needed my schedule changed and it wasn't being accommodated and that was a deal breaker. Luckily I had been smart and paid months in advance in bills before leaving, and had savings.

March- Landon had a few doctors appointments Jeff wasn't letting me go to. This seemed suspicious most definitely. One was for a dental check up, fine. Got it. One was for a physical, ok. No worries. Then....one with a specialist. Jeff took him to this mystery appointment. I half begged to go sensing something was up he wasn't telling me about. And I always want to be there for my son. Especially with his pasy medical history, I know Jeff would want to know what was up too. Jeff drops Landon off from said appointment, in a hurry. Tells me to call him later and he will discuss the appointment findings as he was rushing to the ship for work...I call on my way to the bus stop. It went like this.
Me: "What was his appointment for?"
Jeff: "Sooooooo he's been diagnosed with autism. They put him on the autism spectrum scale. You wouldn't allow it so o
I did it without you. Sorry."
Me: *pauses......absolute rage builds. Spews every bad word in the book out of my mouth*.

Flash back to May of 2012. Jeff missed all his special education testing. Knowing the intensive therapy Landon would be receiving at preschool for his delays and speech. I wanted to wait and see before having him tested. As I knew how beneficial the daily therapy would be for him. I wanted to see how far the school got with him before I had him tested. Jeff took this as I was *refusing/never* going to have him tested.

I was more mad that I was written out of the process than the diagnosis. Not going to lie, the diagnosis irates me. As him being short, different, the worlds easiest target for bullying, and add autism on that and being in special education, targets him more. Trust me, if I find out anyone ever picks on him. Mommy wolf will show up :) What mother doesn't protect their children?

Now I'm working on my real estate brokers license while working at Windermere. I literally walked in and said hey. I'm interested in the field. But want to get my foot in the door. Any openings? They go yeah actually. We need to fire someone. So, I replaced her and am there usually mid afternoon and evenings. I'm off doing everything, the office is literally maybe a mile or so from my house. Which is awesome! I do need to hurry and finish it though. Here's hoping by end of summer.

Update!

We moved almost two months ago, about 20mi west from our previous house. Google Gig Harbor, that's where we are now. Little coastal town.

So far Leena has had a simple and easy transition! Flurry of giddy girls showed up to her birthday party after being here three weeks! Our Wollochet Ward has been amazing. Picking up kids on Sunday, bringing them home. People bringing meals when I needed them. Had dibber party invites, been so lucky for kind people!

Landon is doing good in school, now to get him to take breaks from playing so he doesn't forget to use the toilet instead of his pants.

I was so weary of moving. But it has literally just worked out almost too well. My kids are taken care of and loved by many, I'm rebuilding a local support system. Though I do miss my Puyallup friends and family. We aren't too far to not go say hi and visit luckily. Lucky us!!

Sorry, I've been busy slacking.

Ah, I spaced and forgot about this! It's been a while.

Jeff got home in May, around the 4th or so. And to make it fun for the kidlets, I had Jeff hide in the garage, and told Leena I needed help in lifting something. So when the kids came to the door, he was there. I was expecting a MUCH different reaction. I thought they'd run and jump on him or something. They just beamed and when the door opened, Landon said "Oh, hi Daddy!! HI!! Hi Daddy, hi!" over and over again while Leena gave him a hug.

It was a LONG 8.5ms with having to rely on 4am emails, Skype etc. It's a blessing and a curse because my schedule at times, goes by his schedule. So if there's a wrench thrown into something, it's not just in his life, but it's in mine and the kids too. Luckily it's becoming less with time. He has 17ms left in the Navy, then I get some form of normalcy and more independence.

Leena is done with 5th grade! She got the presidential physical fitness award, she was SO excited about it! She did so so good, and got fabulous grades. She truly enjoys learning. Now if I can only get her off her ipod and outside being a kid.....looks like I'll seize the ipod for a few days.

Landon finished year one of preschool. He has made huge strides! He's much better at conjugating sentences and phrases. He now even rats on people, haha. Jeff jokingly, and playfully punched Leena lightly. And he yelled "WE DON'T HIT, DADDY!! YOU STOP IT!!!" haha. Was pretty cute. He LOVED his teacher, Ms. Blount. She won't be at his school this next year, boo! She was so good and had such great direction with him, and he listened. And every morning he would run over to his teachers, give big hugs. He was in an IEP this year for speech therapy. And his speech therapist and his teacher, and all the aids who worked with him were so happy because he surpassed almost all of the speech goals by the second trimester of school. SO proud of him! He's really a smart kid. He knows his alphabet, shapes, colors, but conjugating those darn letters can be trying for him. His screaming is becoming less and mainly used when he's really flustered or needs help. Versus just using screaming as his way of talking. He really has done circles. YAY! Just working on the last bit of potty training and we're golden. (When Jeff came home it threw a wrench in things because he just stopped using the toilet. We've bribed him so much it's not even funny!)

I'm in the middle of getting my real estate license, do a few hours here and there when I get the chance. It's 90 hours for the broker and licensing course through the state of WA. I think the thing that (sadly) made me laugh was the course about how to tell what a **METH** house looked like. Its funny because some of the things are basic common sense. But....they tell people that stuff for a reason because what we may think is common sense, isn't always to those around us. Some really do need a pointer. Other than that, not much is going on! Kids leave in a few days to go down to the Oregon Coast with Jeff. He's meeting his sister and her 5 kids there. Landon will be excited to see his "bigger" cousins.

Family wise, my little brother Cody is having a little girl on the 27th of this month. No name yet, but we are ECSTATIC to have another Elledge girl around! First girl in 10yrs! My sisters both had boys the past year, and Landon was prior to them. My parents are such fun grandparents. They do upgrades to their house to accomodate the growing number of grandkids. This makes #6! So exciting!!

Competition

I get there are things in life, that you have to compete for. Cancer battle, business, etc. On that business aspect, whatever happened to be true, and supportive?

I'm so annoyed. This person shall remain genderless, and I shall call them "Pat". Just to cover my butt per se. Pat, launched a photography business about 3ms after mine. Issue is, Pat and I grew up in the same area. So the client base, was essentially people putting us up against each other.. Which seemed really really unfair. I lost clients because Pat didn't have a full time job, and marriage wasn't crumbling around them, as mine was. Mine was my source of income. Pat, had a dual income to rely on, as well as a spouse to stay and watch kids while out on shoots.

IT IRATES ME when my own family, or best friends, refer me to Pat. Really? I just offered to do a session for a few friends at 0 cost to them, while I lose out on my time spent. Really, kick me when I'm down and slap me in the face, why don't ya? I've actually given up on a true passion because I'm so sick of competition, and the constant nagging of "well, this is a good photographer, that one has better rates". I lowered my rates to dirt cheap, and still was losing out. And yet I had rave reviews? Riddle me that. All the people I've done work for, have told me they loved the end result, and that they'll pass out the word. Great. That was nice for a while. Then my home life change, and I had to stop because time with kids comes first.

So you know, don't refer me to anyone. I almost despise Pat now, because I was compared and put next to someone with a different style, who does things different. Not to mention, knows a TON LESS than me, and has been doing it a lot less than me.

Pat, I dont think you have access to this, but your business practice is wrong. Don't you dare try and make money off my own family. I love them too much to take their money, unlike you.