Aloha to Weight Loss, Book Sale, Summer Reading, and Barbershop Singing

Sunrise over Chinaman's Hat

Friday was my second meeting with Weight Watchers ... and I lost one pound! Now XX more to go!

Saturday was a very busy day for my family!  In the morning, I manned the Library Friends' book sale.  My first customer - an Air Force veteran - always brings me a treat from his backyard.  Yesterday it was two pears and lovely blossoms to decorate my table!   He also donates books - he brought a copy of Laura Hillenbrand's UNBROKEN.  From Laura's website,

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

The next customer quickly snapped up this book! As I was selling books, my hubby and kids assisted the librarian with the Summer Reading pizza party. After my book sale, I joined them. I even indulged in one thin slice of pizza!

We all hurried home to clean the house for our evening party. We hosted my husband's barbershop chorus, SOUNDS OF ALOHA. Barbershoppers are known for spontaneously singing ... and they did! Our neighbors delighted in hearing Americana at its best!

So I celebrate these little victories!

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

SOUNDS OF ALOHA on board Mighty Mo!

The best things in life are free ...

I have long neglected this blog ... I could blame visitors. I could blamed school's out and summer schedule. But it is important to my well being to celebrate the little victories.

Perhaps it is my busy schedule that has contributed my inability to loose weight.   I've cut corners.  Eaten junk food.   Veered of the path of good nutrition.  So I jumped at my friend's invitation to accompany her to Weight Watchers.   I felt revived.  Back on the path.  And the best part - most and fruits are free as they don't count towards the daily points.

I love fruit which is bountiful in Hawaii!

With a new spring in my step, we stomped around the free tours of the international ships participating in RimPac - I posted pictures at ALOHA ON MY MIND at this link.

And I give a big cyber hug to my friend, Mary, for gifting me a Kindle ereader.  So now I can down load all those free ebooks!

Do you have any good news to share?  

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to friends who speak my language ... books, military, and Hawaii!

Isn't that a great picture!  Nadja is shouting, "I am the Queen of the World" near the Laie sea arch.    Nadja and Renee are my "Tuesday Travel Buddies".   Sometimes we explore a special place on the island ... sometimes we get together for coffee.


On Tuesday, May 1, we met at the Wright Bros. Cafe on the Pearl Harbor Channel.   I wanted to here more about their BATTLESHIP adventure (at this link).   As a Sci Fi movie, BATTLESHIP would not appeal to me ... except it was filmed in Hawaii.   Plus it features Greg Gadson - a wounded warrior and double amputee (see link).  Nadja added that the film has one liners that the military will think is funny and relevant. 

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii so I presented them with handmade leis.   

We chatted about the "welcome" H50 gave to NCIS:LA on the previous night's crossover episode - no leis.  Since the crossover continued in LA, we decided to visit NCIS on Pearl Harbor.

I am thankful that I have these unique friends.  Paradise is lovely but it would be lonely without them!


Today they are joining me at my house to glom over the books from RT.  The fact that 7 boxes arrived relatively safely and quickly is a little victory indeed!


Do you have a little victory to celebrate?


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Lucky sits among the new books from RT!

Aloha to Rainbows

Goodness!  I haven't posted on this blog for two months ... I have been busy.  But I should never be too busy to celebrate the little victories!


This week I have a friend visiting me in Hawaii.  We popped over to the Aloha Stadium for the swap meet ... and I spotted this shirt:

1.  Never judge a day by the weather.


2.  The best things in life aren't things.


3.  Tell the truth ... there is less to remember.


4.  Speak softly and wear a Loud RED DIRT shirt.


5.  Loosen Up .. the unaimed arrow never misses.


6.  He who dies with the most toys still dies.


7.  Age is relative ... when you're over the hill .... you pick up speed.


8.  There are two ways to get rich ... you can make more or you can require less.


9.  What you look like doesn't matter ... beauty is internal.


10.  No rain ... no rainbows!


How true these words are!  I hope you see a rainbow as you pick up speed with less toys and more joy!


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Mexican treats, chocolate morsels, and great weather

Bellows Beach

Last Friday, a friend returned from a cruise to Mexico.  She gave me a bottle of tequila and a cute purse!  We'll drink the tequila here and I'll take the purse to RT!


I celebrate Mexican treats!

Mexican treats!

Last Saturday, I delivered books to "lending library" at the Bellows Beach Recreation Center.  As I shelved the books, one of the administrators gave me several bags of Nestle Toll House chocolate morsels in appreciation.   Rest assured, I shared with my family.


I celebrate chocolate!

Last Sunday, we attended the Pro Bowl.  The half time show spotlighted the military.


I celebrate patriotism!

Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium

On Tuesday, I visited the Byodo In Temple with my "travel" buddies, Nadja, Ivy, and Renee.  Nadja and  Renee are published authors so they understand my interest in publishing.   We had a lovely day out!


I celebrate friends!

Byodo In Temple

On Wednesday, I volunteered with child care at bible study, I sold ice pops at the elementary school, and I lead the Webelos II in creating a centerpiece for the upcoming Blue and Gold Banquet.  The theme is Year of the Dragon.  Thankfully another parent had his Ipad handy so we could look up "dragon" crafts.


I celebrate crafts!

On Thursday, I ventured to Sand Beach near Honolulu Harbor.  The handful of locals contributed to the serene beauty even in an industrial area.  


I celebrate Hawaii's beauty!

Sand Beach

On Friday, I rode my bike to the Hickam Harbor and soaked up the scenery.


I celebrate great weather!

Hickam Harbor with Diamond Head

How was your week?


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Diamond Head from Sand Beach

Aloha to Blue Ocean, Morning Rainbow, and a Helpful Staff

Bellows Beach

On Friday, I received more books to review!


I celebrate books!


On Saturday, I chatted with other Scout Moms as our Cub Scouts participated in a camp out with the Boy Scouts.   The adult troop leader gave us an "expectations briefing" that the Scouts lead themselves and the adults only advise.    The moms cheered!


I slept in a cabin facing the gorgeous blue ocean.  I awoke to a rainbow.


I celebrate teen leaders, the blue ocean, and a morning rainbow!

Morning rainbow

On Sunday, we drove home along the coast, taking in the sites at Halona Outlook, famous for its beach scene in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.


I celebrate gorgeous landscapes!

On Monday, I began a new book, Victoria Alexander's  MY WICKED LITTLE LIES, on the exercise bike.  Victoria delivers her signature wit that distracted me from the battle of the bulge.   


I celebrate good books!

On Tuesday, a friend solved a long standing problem for me.  


I celebrate her patience!


How is your week?


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

David, Elijah, and Koko Head

Aloha to Boiled Eggs, Children's Smiles, and Scout Camping

The PWOC ministry includes Hula praising God!
hickampwoc.wordpress.com

Wednesday is a busy day for me - Bible study with the Protestant Woman, Ice Pops at Hickam Elementary, and Cub Scouts at the community center.


Each class of bible study takes turns bringing the morning fare - I signed up for boiled eggs.  While most of you think this is easy, I do not.   Somehow, I lost my touch of peeling the eggs, yielding an unappetizing white blob.   So I pulled out the Joy of Cooking and reeducated myself.  My eggs were perfect!


I celebrate making perfect boiled eggs!

slashfood.com

We also take turns volunteering with child care.  This is not my favorite activity as my boys are school age who take care of themselves.  But it is part of the ministry so off I went to the four year old class.  Surprisingly, the little girls clung to me as we colored the story of Elijah and the widow.  Have Faith!


I celebrate children's smiles!

gourmet.com

It was very hot as we sold ice pops - the kona winds are blowing vog over the islands.   But I don't complain as snow covers the mainland.


I celebrate warm weather!

Bellows Beach

We did not have Cub Scouts tonight as they are tent camping this weekend at Bellows Beach.   One parent is required to attend so it may come down to a coin toss between hubby and I.  Luckily, Bellows has cabins should I loose.


I celebrate a back up plan!


Do you have a back up plan?


Mahalo,


Kim

Bellows cabins