Japan to Hawaii and Beyond

null, nil, no, new

2009-08-20T18:18:00.001-07:00

Knock, knock. Is this thing still on?

Something terrible has happened!

2008-02-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

Well, all except for these tumors on the boys' butts there isn't much to report on our END.
Mark, Kerry, Creigh and Joey.

btw,
the butt tumors turned out to be balloons that the boys got at the caucus we attended - GO OBAMA!

Michigan Family Update March 2008

2008-02-29T10:39:00.001-08:00

The Michigan had a busy month after returning from Hawaii. LP worked three weeks and spent one of them in the looniest loony bin he's ever been in (complete with feces spreaders, money hungry administrators who wanted to pack them crazies in like sardines, many heartwrenching cases.....etc.)

He's licking his wounds in Ireland and squeezing concertina with the world master player, Noel Hill, along with 12 other celtic music wankers. Good medicine for the doctor!

Jessica is planning a trip to visit Vince and Holly to do some sniffing of the teaching job market in DFW.

Kelly's geeked because she found some wonderful girls to share an apartment with next year.

Jay helped is firm score a mega, big buck, sizemo project -- designed a new Ann Arbor downtown library...!. Woah mama!..he done landed a big one.

Donna is left-brain wanking on income taxes, the building project, and administrative support for LP. She had a melt-down upon arrival back from Hawaii and announced that we were selling everything and moving away from this god-awfull-winter-hell-hole. But she came to her senses. So, I guess we'll stay for a while and sample a little more snow-birding next year.

God continues to bless us all with good health. PTL. We love keeping up with e

D&L

40 Days Post-Hawaii

2008-02-27T21:58:00.000-08:00

Only that many days later? Seems like months. I am hard at work with my continuing organization/purging of stuff. Also, am quite focused on finishing the decorating I had in mind for our Arizona home, with the goal of FINISHING things- not my strength. But I have surprised myself. I am highly motivated to get that part of our lives on cruise.

Papa and I visited our Seattle family, and enjoyed the boys while Mark and Kerry celebrated their first anniversary. Highlights of this trip: watching those boys play basketball! They are VERY GOOD players-surprised the heck out of me. Also, joined their chess club which Kerry started at their school. Again, they surprised me with their skill. Then, saw an attorney to discuss possible charitable corporation for Kerry, us, or both. Kerry is a natural-born fund-raiser, community developer, and cock-a-mamie schemer. Very intriguing.

I will be teaching a class at our new church on blogging as a spiritual practice. It is so accessible now with blogspot, and it has been a very transformative discipline for me, so will share about that, along with the vicar, who also blogs. So far so good on the church front.

We are struggling with problem-solving about care for Rod's mom who is sinking deeper into dementia which is creating a serious burden for Rod's sister. How to help from long distance. Tough questions.

Art- I am working on some cool ceramic beads which I hope will be worthy of entrance into my Edmonds Co-op's annual gallery show. If not, oh well, but I hope to teach a class on this at my friend's studio here in Tucson. Some of the techniques draw upon the talent of booger-rolling, a skill I learned from my dad. I learned in class today that others have older male relatives who had that skill. We decided it was a necessary skill in the days when laundry was a difficult and less-often performed household chore. That's it for me. Let's hear from the rest of you!

Soon we will travel to Dallas to visit when Jessica is there visiting Holly and Vince. Not really a family reunion, but I am betting on a good Uno game and lots of animal petting. Love to all- Mom/Gramma/Auntie

Coming Soon

2008-02-05T14:33:00.001-08:00

I gathered some nearly random input from family over the holiday. I intend to turn these bits into some art over the next two weeks. Here is the raw input as text.

Golf.
Spirit.
Black sand.
Jesus Fish.
Akaka Falls.
Build Legos.
Two sea turtles.
Jumping off cliffs.
The movement of the sun.
Intoxicating sweet smelling lei.
Why does the first bird sing in the morning?
Life is a bath. All paddle about in its little poop.

Yesterday in Paradise

2008-01-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

We drove to the Hilo side (Puna district), had a Watsu and table massage. You start in a 96 degree pool and are moved and stretched like a pre-natal infant, then put on a massage table for a deep lomi lomi massage with big strong hands. Fantastic!

Then we drove to a little town had Tai food and met a sweet couple of young artists who invited us to their studio. Turned out, he was an amazing Christian musician who writes incredible songs. We swapped music and stories. Stayed 3 hours. Got back to the Magic Sands at 12:30 a.m. Party Geekbags!!

Today, the dolphins put on a jumping show right outside our lanai. Ohhhh...it will be so hard to get on that plane tomorrow. Love to all, Donna & LP

Hawaii 2008- Our Vision

2008-01-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

We (Rod and Marian) have reserved two 2-bedroom 2-bath condos at the Kona Coast Resort, directly next to the Kapalu'u Bay from December 24 through the 31st. The resort is first class, and has lovely facilities including pools, kids play areas, and a great poolside bar/restaurant. These condos are spacious, and include a third sleeping area (pull-out queen sofa in the living room), and have nice big lanais. They are located about 25 minutes from all the great snorkeling spots at Captain Cook and walking distance from the Long's Drug shopping center.

There is a 14-day (before arrival) cancellation policy, so there is no urgency or pressure to decide now whether you want to come to Hawaii next Christmas.

It seems so soon to be thinking of traveling again, but as we learned, reservations must be made very very early to get decent rates and a variety of choices. To wit: the rates went up by $70/day later the day I made them.

Your 'round the world trip was exhausting, but if you make your plans a little earlier, you can get there on non-stops, or easy one-stops through Honolulu. Our trip out of Phoenix was really very easy.

OK, well ponder this, loved ones, as you contemplate your many options for next year's Christmas. I'll e-mail a few more relevant details separately at a later date.

The Eddie Aikau- It Almost Went!

2008-01-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

More Hawai'iana. http://www.quicksilver.com/frames/bigwave0708.aspx

We were there when surfers gathered from all around the world, on notice that the twenty-footers were on their way. The waves indeed exceeded 20 feet, the blowholes at Kona Coast were blasting, and the waves at Donna and Lawrence's new surfside digs were crashing up over the breakwater and into the pool. There were many surfers out, very very fun to watch.

Rod and Marian, Big Island newbies, unaware that the Eddie Aikau was almost a go, went out for a snork, rejoicing that no one else was out there at Kapalu'u (that zooey crowded beach where we all first tried to go in). Those waves were crashing far out at the barrier reef, and the only difference we detected in the snorkeling area was a nice HIGH tide, and an empty bay. Did we ask ourselves why such a crowded beach was empty?

We soon exited, however, when the current became so strong that Marian felt she would be swept away. Rod was right behind.

We are home now- a month in paradise. We were glad to be there, have added another page to our retired living, as this will be a must-go-back. And now we are glad to be home in our own beds. Only Donna and Lawrence remain, proving who the smart ones are.

Hawaii Timelapse Premiere!

2008-01-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

Here it is! Enjoy....

Outrigger Canoe-Fish

2008-01-12T17:25:00.001-08:00

Went to Two-Step this morning for a little post breakfast snork, and we ran into THIS!!

It was a huge 6 mile long outrigger canoe race, with a checkpoint right there at two step. So while we snorked, the canoes raced by- over a hundred I would guess.

They came shooting around the cliffside in groups. Two-man, one-man, one-woman. Very beautiful and lots of fun.

Do You Know Where Your Parents Are?

2008-01-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

Welp, we didn't quite make it out of the islands. Woke up the day after Matt left, looked around and discovered again that we are in paradise. Hemmed and hawed a little bit, then decided not to leave.

We are in the Kona Coast Resort one driveway down from Donna and Lawrence. Today the old farts drove up north and watched HUGE waves crash for hours, saw the skillful surfers working them, and THEN, when it just couldn't get better, we walked up the beach to peer into the Four Seasons grounds, and saw manta rays swimming in a natural salt water lagoon, and YOU could swim with them!!!!!!

That's it, we're calling Christmas next year!!!!!! The Kona Coast, be there or be square!

Now that you understand 'the exquisite corpse'...

2008-01-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

A while back I did this little web project where I took a lot of the 'corpses' that had been created over the years and split them up into three randomly generated sections... The result is a

webpage
That generates totally different creatures when you refresh or wait 15 seconds...

Enjoy the crazy show! Consider it a little extension of our 'act' (which in my opinion was far from the top of the heap this time around...) yuk yuk!

End of the rainbow...

2008-01-08T16:36:00.000-08:00

We are almost feeling like our timezone is 'normal' after the travel blender. On our last little trip to the north tip the island proved that it is indeed 'the land of rainbows'...

Spent Woopie Cushions

2008-01-08T00:14:00.000-08:00

We bid farewell to Jessica & Kelly and then retreated to our ant-free condo. We both looked a bit like spent woopie cushions! As I sat on the porch overlooking the ocean I could not help but get a little wet-eyed thinking about the last seven days. It was an incredible gathering.

Everyone brings their own little slice of uniqueness, but we are all bound together by the common thread of a wacko redhead (Viv) and a handsome soldier (Harold). They both would have burst with pride to see how all of their grandchildren have turned out. Each and every one of you bring such joy to the two old Aunties. Thank you so much for all the fun you gave us.

Tonight we made sushi....yeah!! Thanks for teaching us, M & U. I hope you are recovered, Jay & Caron!! We send our love to all and hope that everyone experienced a soft landing back into the real world.

Aloha,
Donna & Lawrence

Back in the Pan

2008-01-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

Hearing about others, we had it easy I guess. 26 hours and many farts in transit but no complaints here. The wonder of it all; the nature, the family love, is still sinking in. Best wishes for everyone getting back to the daily life and for the upper generation who still have some traveling ahead.

All the Baby Birdies Have Flown Home

2008-01-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Now the mother birds can rest easy. Love to all.

Back to Unreality

2008-01-06T16:51:00.000-08:00

We are situated in our clean, modern, Californified condo up in Kailua. The bigger bugs waited until the last day to stop by our Dragonfly room- a BIG cane spider and some millipedes, so I was not totally unhappy to be out of the jungle. But I am now even more aware of what a wonderfully natural experience we all had together down in Captain Cook. I am so glad we chose that for our first-ever around-the-world family reunion. It is a never-to-be forgotten experience for me on so many levels:

1. To see all my children prospering in the world, and feel so proud of each. The best!
2. To experience such amazing beauty together and romp freely in it.
3. To do our family ritual of the talent show, which transcends any one particular individual, honors each person's creativity of the moment, and celebrates the life passages of our family members with great gusto!
4. To spend quality time getting caught up on each other's lives.
5. To add memories and stories to our rich history together.

Thanks Kamehameha

2008-01-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

On our last little trip up to the north tip we left our leis thanking Kamehameha for a wonderful time on the island. This statue was crafted in Florence 1880 and lost at sea. A replica was made and is in Honolulu at the front of a legislative building. This original was found found years later at a junkyard in the Falkland Islands and has since become the center for Kamehameha Day on the big island.

Points of Interest

2008-01-06T11:36:00.001-08:00

Mona Kea Observatories. A group of us took a trip to the snow capped top for the sunset and a look at a night sky I could only remember from childhood.

Vince and I swam the mile from the site of the first Christian service on Hawai'i to the Captain Cook monument across the bay. No spinner dolphins this day but we saw them on our last day of the trip.

This was our favorite secluded beach. Mostly we had it to our own. I got banged up on some coral heads on our first day but later found great entry/exit points off this lava shelf.

This is the one that got away from me. I just never managed to get to the green sand beach near the southernmost point of these United States of America.

Where Have We Been?

2008-01-06T11:23:00.001-08:00

Dragonfly Ranch

on the Kona coast

of the big island of Hawai'i

Paradise lost on US airways....

2008-01-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

So sorry we couldn't say goodbye to you all as we left the flight from Kona (you all know what a mess that was to begin with...) Ultimately we missed our connecting flight and thus we are still waiting for the last flight out of phoenix that will get us home 26 hours after our lovely time at the Kona airport and yes that means that we will have been awake (and barely napping) for a solid 36 hours. I'm not sure how I typed all that because I'm hallucinating on the carpet here... Hard to believe that we were just in paradise with you all... Missing it really really badly.

Divin' "hawaiian style"

2008-01-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

Too Busy Playing to Blog

2008-01-04T00:23:00.001-08:00

We've found our stride in Hawaii!! Run all day and play all night. No time to blog today, but many wonderful moments, the best of which is the grand "Queen Jessica's" talent show. Good night to all.

Orion's Bow

2008-01-03T01:46:00.000-08:00

The belt, you may have seen but not many people have seen Orion's bow. We did and with the naked eye. There's no city lights. The delicious sunset on the peak and the rolling hills along the way were a treat and the guide put it all in historical perspective before the big astronomy lesson at the end in pitch dark. It took six years for that guy to come up with that narrative.

P.S. Watch out for corn in your beef and everything else. The days of the Parker Ranch cowboys and sheep herders are all but over. The national debt is as wide as the universe in light years.

Hawaiian Slugs

2008-01-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

That would be three generations of us- too tired even to drive over to the guaranteed best meal in Captain Cook! We made a pot of rice, ate it, then lay down on the bed and did talkstory until our eyelids got heavy. Hoping to be up when the Mauna Kea adventurers return, but not counting on it. Cannot WAIT for the blog about THAT!!!!

Volcanoes, me, and the monkeypod tree.

2008-01-02T00:03:00.001-08:00

As you enter, prepare to be inspired, for this is the home of the creator and the creative energy that formed this land.

2008-01-01T23:38:00.000-08:00

Today Holly, Vince, Jessica, Kelly, Yukari, Matt, Mark, Kerry, Creigh and Joey hit the road for an all day Big-Isle road trip. We saw the lava flows, the water falls and stopped at whatever caught our fancy. For more photos of our adventure, check out www.picasaweb.google.com/kerryw67.

Blessings to you on the new year!

It's getting hot in here!

2008-01-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

Petroglyphs on the lava field...

Divers Down!

2008-01-01T11:10:00.001-08:00

Matt, we are on for Thursday morning! We'll meet a guy at the dive shop at 8:30 for an 'update guided tour' ($100 a head btw). I'll come pick you up around 8 am. He'll gear us up and give us a quick refresher course. We'll all go down to some spot near there (he said: "I'll show you some cool stuff").

Why Does the First Bird Sing?

2008-01-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

In our screen-walled room, from a lusciously comfortable bed, I awake very early on the first day of the New Year. Everything is fresh, the flash floods over, it is barely dawn. I hear the first tentative bird call. What makes that first bird sing, I wonder. Why that one?

One by one, the others awake, or perhaps awake already, they just join in. That will soon be us too, in the breakfast room of the Dragonfly.

Which of us is the first one blogging? The one who first awake, then finds her heart so full it must sing out. Welcome to the New Year!

2008-01-01T02:12:00.001-08:00

Flash floods at the juice stand,

love songs for Holly and Vince,

and a Happy New Year card from Matt and Yukari.

2008-01-01T01:38:00.000-08:00

To all of our friends and loved ones back home reading the blog and traveling with us in Spirit....

Happy New Year!

Love,

Mark, Kerry, Creigh and Joey!

Uno!!!

2008-01-01T00:47:00.000-08:00

The last game of Uno for 2007 is being played as I type! Water is flowing in a big waterfall behind the Dragonfly. Rod and Marian are resting in bed. All is well. See you next year.

I'm coming out.

2007-12-31T23:31:00.000-08:00

I have b-b-been lurking but no more! I must s-s-say that I was so impressed that all of you were so v-v-vocal about letting me live in your house even if I poop. It has been such a wonderful gathering and I enjoy listening in to all your private c-c-conversations and the music too. Not bad for mammals.

Happy Newyear!!!

2007-12-31T22:43:00.000-08:00

From our favorite beach on the big island:

After bouncing around the island for all this time. We find it hard to beat the beach close to us... This is just a mere 1/4 mile down the shore trail at the city of refuge.

Black Sand - Coconut Rice

2007-12-30T23:13:00.000-08:00

White folk photo well on black sand...

Dinner from heaven

2007-12-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

Awesome healthy dinner from heaven at Karon and Jay's. We never get good food like that!

Amie's Tattoo Parlor

2007-12-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

Creigh is the first customer at Amie's Tattoo Parlor. He gets an island-style Honu.

Just getting started...

2007-12-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

29th stuff

2007-12-30T03:11:00.000-08:00

granola, horse, fresh-squeezed orange juice, Donna cottage, Long's Drug Store, snorkeling, hot dog(s), Lawrence's dive shop, Wal☆Mart, cottage cheese, tuna/apple salad, marriage stories, Donna Lawrence Kelly music, write blog cause I can't sleep!!!!!

Family Reunion

2007-12-29T23:11:00.000-08:00

Sitting around the table at dinner, our first gathering in toto after a day sampling the island. At the table: college students, a psychiatrist, a retired airline pilot, an ex-pat English teacher and his Japanese wife (a writer), an architect, a graphic artist, an elementary school teacher, a chiropractor, a computer security specialist, a project manager, and my sister and I, the two matriarchs.

That represents a lot of education, to say the least. And what is there besides the education? A lot of life stories. Sadness, joy, new marriages, seasoned marriages, struggling marriages, moral decisions in progress, failures being overcome, career choices being made.

And in the here and now? Sixteen people with common history laughing, crying, eating, joking, singing, bursting with creativity, feeling the jungle breeze on an evening in Hawaii. What grace.

Fishies and first dinner

2007-12-29T22:32:00.000-08:00

Just to keep the blog moving...

City of refuge

2007-12-28T17:13:00.000-08:00

If you have broken the law of the land... you can swim across the bay before you are captured to the city of refuge. There priests will absolve wrongdoings:

Geek Bag and Family Welcome!

2007-12-28T17:00:00.000-08:00

Didn't mention it in the last post- but I do have a nice light supper available for the new arrivees in the Writer's Studio tonight. See you soon.

Menu Released to the Gods. Pray for Snow Pea Shoots

2007-12-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

Despite promises to the contrary, there will be no cooking at the Dragonfly main house. (However, for a mere $30 a person, the staff will be happy to prepare us a lovely dinner).

I thus release all menu planning to the gods. Hoping we can eat at Jay's place tomorrow night so that our bleary eyed travelers can rest a day before we invade their cottage with lots of food and mess. In lieu of that, Rod and I will cull the local fruit stand for a wonderful fresh vegetarian meal to serve in the Writer's Studio.

Let us pray for snow pea shoots.

Tha North Side

2007-12-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

Caron did a cool plein air oil painting class yesterday in Puako which is on the north side of the island. While she painted I went up into the highland hoping to get some time-lapse but it was soooooo windy that I couldn't set up... At one point I couldn't even open the car door due to the wind pressure!!

(click the picture to view bigger) Thats Mauna Kea on the left and Puako Bay on the right...

We're 1/10 of the way there!

2007-12-28T06:29:00.000-08:00

The Michigan gang landed in Chicago. Our plane leaves in one hour, so watch out....we'll be on your doorstep soon. We're calling this the start of our Cherry Blossom Ramblers intercontinental musical tour. Won't that sound good in the publicity packet.

So far so good....TSA did not confiscate our woopie cushions. Maybe we can score some snow pea shoots on the way to the refrigerator-challenged Dragonfly.
Auntie D.

A.P.B. for Snow Pea Shoots

2007-12-27T22:32:00.000-08:00

Description:Lone Palm Snow Pea Shoots
Origin: Kohala, Hawaii
Weight: 4 ounces
Height:6 inches by 3 inches
Color:green
Last seen at:Choice Mart and Safeway

If you happen to be at a produce section of a grocery anywhere around Kona and see these, Please buy them for our dinner Sunday evening! Competition is fierce so strike fast when you see them...

Dragonfly, Arrival Info, Cooking

2007-12-27T15:52:00.000-08:00

When we arrived, we learned that one of the refrigerators in the main kitchen is broken, and there is not one square inch of room in it for much cooking activity. Sooo....it looks like we will have to do our fancier cooking at the cottage. On arrival day, I will have snacks and fresh, light fare ready for all in the Writer's Studio as you arrive. Our Japan arrivees will have been en route for around 24 hours, so will not ask them to eat more than twenty feet away from their beds.

The concert that had been planned extemporaneously for the night of your arrival has been postponed to another time and place for the good of all concerned.

The other side...

2007-12-26T23:31:00.000-08:00

We had lunch with Caron's uncle (John) today over in Hilo. Takes about the same time north or south so we did the loop. Wouldn't recommend it per say as it took the entire day and some crazy roads. Beautiful scenery all the way though, so my frazzled driving brain still has good memories... Here is Akaka falls (directly opposite on the island from our position):

And stuff along the way:

New Menu Update and Tentative Schedule

2007-12-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

There is an entirely adequate grocery store in Captain Cook. Whew!! So glad, since shopping and traffic in the Kailua-Kona area is nuts.

Menu update reflects pre-planned road trips, possible celebrations, and departure times. Earlier dinner times reflect local knowledge- a) best water sports time is early in the morning, and b) it's deader that a doornail here after dark. Uno will be the only game in town.

Fri., 28th- Marian- Starting at 6:00 pm

Arrivals from 6:00-10:00 pm. Chili Relleno Puff (reheatable), Orange/Fruit/Jello Dessert, eat as you arrive.

Sat., 29th- Rod and Marian-Main House at 5:30 pm

Avocado Bar- Half of a big buttery Hawaiian Avocado, with choice of toppings and dressings, (including cottage cheese and tuna/apple/onion salad), Bread Assortment, Hawaiian Sundae (Ice Cream, Coconut, Macadamia Nuts, Lime Juice)

Sun., 30th- Donna and Lawrence-Cottage at 5:30 pm*

Wine, Donna's Famous Uneven Tuna Casserole, Vegetable, Pumpkin Pie

Mon., 31st- Jay and Caron- Main House at 5:30 pm*

Holly and Vince's Anniversary!!! New Year's Eve!!! Menu and PARTY (???) to be determined.

* Note to Marian's clan- On one of these two days, Grandma will be willing to stay at home with the grandsons (with help from the nieces) so that the others can take a long day-trip in the second van. Rod and I drove part way to Kiluea Volcano today- a recommended trip destination. Many breathtaking spots along the way, but too long, much too long, for Grandma to make it all the way to the volcano area. Other childless options include renting kayaks and paddling across a small bay to the same prime snorkeling spot that the expensive boat would have taken us for many less $$$. Just wait, many many fun things to do.

Tues., 1st- Holly and Vince- Main House 5:30 pm

Chicken Marsala and Mashed Potatoes OR can do Mexican Lasagne. Also, Caesar Salad, Cranberry/Apple Upside Down Cake (baked by Grandma)

Wed., 2nd- No Cook- Leftovers, Movie Night 5:30 pm

Mauna Kea Trip group leaves Dragonfly via Kailua-Kona very early afternoon, doesn't return til late at night. Non-goers are dogs off leashes.

Thurs., 3rd- Talent Show??? Matt, Yukari, Kerry, Mark- Main House 4:30 pm

Grazing Foods, Island and Japanese Influence. Grandma makes chocolate and regular pecan pie.

Fri., 4th- Jessica, Kelly, Donna- Cottage-4:30 pm (Early Dinner)

Last day for Holly, Vince, Mark, Kerry, Joey and Creigh. They leave Dragonfly at 6:30 pm for 10 pm departure.

Sat., 5th- No Cook- Leftovers, Light Fare

Last day for Matt and Yukari leave. Must be at airport by 8:00. We may spend the day in the Hapuna Beach area. Plans to be determined.

Backyard abstracts...

2007-12-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

There is a mysterious and beautiful world unto it's self right under our noses here...

By the way if you don't know... We have a 'photo spot' where we post many of our photos. You can check out a lot more stuff going way back and nice big resolutions: www.fotki.com/deconstruction

Nara Day

2007-12-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

...not only individual human beings, but all existents are infinitely interconnected and act upon one another while completely enveloped in the light of the Buddha... is what it says on the banner explaining the great Buddha statue inside the main hall of Todaiji and so were we, interconnected. The ancient capital Nara has deer roaming freely in the town and on temple grounds so everybody bought the crackers to feed them. The deer ease in on you ever so slowly begging and if you don't keep walking you find yourself surrounded and the more assertive ones will nibble your rear-end. It's a lot more wide open in Nara than in Osaka and the building housing the Buddha statue is very wide open and spacious too. It's very difficult to capture the large scale of it with pictures, but we got lots of them and some good ones too.

Yin-Yang Gekko...

2007-12-25T17:08:00.000-08:00

Our little friend was wind chiming in the X-mass cheer...

Kapalu'u Bay

2007-12-25T14:31:00.001-08:00

Jay, I thought the last picture I posted was this- Kapalu'u Bay down below Kailua Kona and in the midst of the the tourist activity. Maybe it was Two-Step. Above IS, however, where we have been seeing the fish and turtles, but I think you two will lead us to better snorkeling! We haven't gotten too far off the beaten path just yet. Old farts.

Merry Dolphin Christmas!

2007-12-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas morning with the spinner dolphins! This one gave Caron a lovely leaf and a sweet picture (me beyond)... This is Napoopoo, quite near us here. Our neighbors gave us the scoop, They are most active in the morning (we were in around 9... we're committed to trying to get there next time at the crack of dawn). Enjoy!

Gettin' excited!!!

2007-12-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, all of these photos and talk of snorkeling beaches are really getting us excited to hop on the plane. Sorry, we just has a chance to get up to date on the blog and we're getting a bit squeeeeemish about dropping nearly a grand for our family of four to go up the mountian and freeeeeze to death. Are we to late to renig on this....?

We Skyped with Jay this morning and he and Caron are going to check out a place that the locals say has great dolphin watching. I agree with Auntie M. We really don't need a lot of expensive tours to have fun. Being with the family is most important. Besides, I just bought a bag full of Woopie Cushions for a dollar each. Isn't that all the entertainment we need?
Auntie D.

Moonlit morn and Breakfast at the 'Shack'

2007-12-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

Well... It was a beautiful morning to be on Michigan time in Hawaii yesterday! Woke up to the full moon and the wild roosters around 5:30 and explored our back yard in the moonlight. Here are some photos I snapped while poking around:

The 'Coffee Shack' is a popular joint near our epicenter and quite cool. As we were up early (of course), we enjoyed the sunrise with some tasty breakfast delights while taking in an amazing view. Highly recommended but a little on the pricey side (you cant get out of the place for under $12 a head) and super busy once the sun is up.

Best Snorkeling on the Island

2007-12-25T01:13:00.001-08:00

Best snorkeling on the island. Tons of people, concessions, but very very accessible and fabulous variety of colorful fish, eels, sea snakes, and each of the three times we snorkeled, we saw beautiful sea turtles face to face. We are staying up the hill from here about a mile away.

Historical Tramp

2007-12-24T05:19:00.000-08:00

Departing from Nagai and accompanied by high school students, the troupe fares the train to Kyoto with ease. After a cafe lunch we twist through Gion, the historical district, and ascend to Yasaka Shrine which emerges soon enough. Everyone rings the bell and offers a wish to the ten thousand gods. We stop in the adjacent Maruyama park a bit to let the kids horse around and try to dig holes. We marvel at how they are instructing the high school students how to best be of entertaining value. We then climb more stone sidewalks to serene Kodaiji and see tea ceremony houses, ponds with Koi, patches of crazy wild bamboo, stairways to heaven, and the uneventfull resting place of Ne Ne, Hideyoshi's wife whose residence this was. Now we are headed for Kiyomizu Temple, the main deal, but first up the quaint street leading to it that is lined with countless shops offering traditional handicrafts, green tea and sweets, and Holly's chopstick gift sets which we score later. Kiyomizu is majestic, embedded and meshing with the side of the mountain and gives us the widest view of the day. Legs are getting tired, and bodies cold, but no problem because now all we need to do is go back downhill the way we came. A cinch. Trains back to Nagai where we order way too much Chinese. It's the best fried chicken she's ever tasted. It's the best Yakisoba the boys ever imagined.

Night Greeting

2007-12-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

Well... After the full 12 hour gauntlet, we landed at sunset, picked up the rental in a haze, were overwhelmed by the Kona Safeway (in terms of 'what on earth do we want on jetlag') and were greeted with a "LEARN TO DRIVE!!!" by a very angry motorist who couldn't understand why we were going so slow as we approached the well hidden 'Swartz Farm' in the dark in unknown territory... But then, after all that, our new little home away from home greeted us with warmth and beauty...
Here is our location:

View Larger Map

Hapuna Beach- What Lies Ahead

2007-12-23T18:42:00.001-08:00

Safe arrival number 1

2007-12-23T06:53:00.000-08:00

Matt and Yukari make it in time to the Airport and meet the tired but excited party. Bags are aplenty but the train is just a short scoot down the walkway. Along the way it seems like Mark knows where he is and has lived here for a few years already. First things first, we hit the public bath. Vince does both the ice-cold bath and the electric bath. The first restaurant we went to was full but the second one we try turns out to have been a better choice. Joe and Creigh first say they won't eat this or that but end up happy and performing subtle hip-hop moves. Just as predicted the bath and the healthy food unwire the bodies and sleepy heads start bobbing. Back to the house and quickly get Holly and Vince planted in their room. Everybody falls asleep in less than three minutes no shit. Matt and Yukari sneek off to the Karaoke party.

-Matt

More Tidbits on Maunakea

2007-12-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

Jay offered the suggestion today that we rent a 4wD and do the Maunakea trip on our own, thus saving big bucks. He called the company and learned, sadly, that there is no vehicle available in our time frame.

Then we learned that we are not allowed to drive anywhere on the mountain, much less the summit, in our rental cars, so that ended any consideration of trying to do this trip on our own.

Thanks, Jay, for opening the discussion, however. You saved Rod and I from a little disaster, since we had planned a drive and a stay on that road later on during our stay here.

Maunakea or Bust!

2007-12-21T11:37:00.001-08:00

Today, Rod booked spaces for the Maunakea stargazing tour on Jan. 2, the only day available, for those who requested them: Vince, Holly, Mark, Donna, Lawrence, Jessica, Kelly, and Matt. If anyone would like to add their names to the list, you can now do so by calling Hawaii Forest and Trails (http:hawaii-forest.com) at 800-464-1993 and adding your name to the Morris reservation.

We got a 10% discount by having more than 6 people on the reservation. The total cost for the trip is $176 per person. We have until the 29th (at the breakfast table of the Dragonfly) to finalize our count, square up the finances, submit the sizes for the parkas, and make our dinner choices. We can drop reservations until then, but can only add reservations as long as there are spots available.

Darling angels, Rod learned while making these reservations that you will be in and out of wind chill factor 12 degrees, and that they only provide a parka and some one size gloves. You can adjust your comfort level by adding warm pants, heavy socks and shoes, longies, earmuffs, scarves, or whatever else you feel you have room to pack. I have one extra scarf and pair of leather gloves, a heavy knit vest, a wind breaker, and a pair of wool socks to add to the mix.

In the meantime, cousin Jay is seeing if he can find any more options than Rod was able to find regarding doing this trip on our own. There may be those among us who would rather save money by doing the trip without the tour guide. This would involve renting four wheel drive vehicles and driving ourselves to the top of the mountain. Jay will keep us posted via the blog.

Maunakea- We will if they will!

2007-12-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

At the end of today we have 8 go-ers for Maunakea. Rod, Vince, Holly, Matt, Lawrence, Donna, Jessica and Kelly. Tomorrow Rod will call the company to see if they can accommodate us on Jan. 1,2, or 3. We will let you know. Once we push the button, that may be it for the number of available reservations. We are already within the fourteen days they request for reservations. Oh, and since Amie can't go, I will be the babysitter for the boys, who also can't go.

Today Rod and I visited the magnificent bay a mile or so from the Dragonfly, and discovered it to be as advertised- world class diving and snorkeling. In addition, there were kayaks all afloat and available to rent. Given this, I am pretty sure we do not need the dolphin boat to get the most out of the waters and what lies beneath.

Other than that, I don't think we need to be worrying much more about getting reservations ahead of time. I think we can cook up the rest of the fun by ourselves. However, all ideas are welcome!!!!

Touring the Big Island

2007-12-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

Some tourist ideas are being tossed around here and there. Rod and I are here in HI and discovering that some of the prime opportunities will require advanced planning, so we are proposing a method of doing so.

Our thoughts are guided by the idea that we are here to relax together as a family and experience the peaceful natural surroundings with the least amount of structure and expense possible. We will be with the whole family in the morning for breakfast, and in the evening for our community dinner. We assume that the rest of of the day will be up to individual preferences and carpooling capability.

A few tourist activities ARE under discussion because the nature of them requires a guide, a boat, or reservations. If you are really interested in such a tour, and have made sure that your carpooling group (or you yourself) can get you to the destination or starting point , then please do make your own reservations, and post it to the blog so that others can make their reservations to join you.

This seems to be the best way to allow each person the chance to either plan ahead or wait until the spirit moves, and it relieves any one person of the responsibility of coordinating the finances and reservations.

Look for a post soon about a trip that Rod and Vince are planning. It is a man-sized adventure to the top of Mauna Kea to see the sunset, the telescopes, and do some stargazing. For a preview, see http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/us/hawaii/bigisland/sg/1148/ag/5699/

Donna and I talked about the Dolphin Boat Trip. I learned at the dive shop that it is illegal to interfere with dolphins, so the reputable boat companies will take you where you may see them, but they cannot pursue or allow you to pursue the animals. There is a very reputable and recommended boat company http://www.fair-wind.com/ that will take you and about a hundred other people on a state-of-the-art catamaran with a totally kid-friendly capability out to snorkel among dolphins, mantas, etc. I am wishy-washying around about this, however, and may do so until someone else takes the plunge. It costs around $130, and I am not sure we can't see as much just by wading in, though we won't get the shoreline trip, or the great breakfast and lunch, and the cool water-viewing gadgets for the kids. See what I mean- wishy washy.

OK, well put that into your pipes and smoke it. And when you see this, please COMMENT! even if all you say is "huh?"

Updated Arrivals/Departures, Room Assignments. Don't Miss Previous Post

2007-12-19T11:34:00.000-08:00

(Replaces previous List)

Marian & Rod
Arrive: Thurs. 27th (move over from Kona B&B)
Depart: Sunday, January 6 to drive to Volcano
Room: First night Writer's Suite, then Lomi Lomi suite- 1 King and a hammock(???)

Kerry, Mark, Creigh & Joey
Arrive Friday, 28th 7:00 p. m. from Honolulu
Depart: January 4 at 10:00 p.m.
Room: Writer’s Studio- 1 King, 1 Queen, kitchenette

Vince & Holly
Arrive Friday, 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Depart: January 4 at 10:00 p.m.
Room: Dragonfly Room- 1 Queen

Matt & Ukari
Arrive: Friday, 28th at 5:00 p.m.
Rod pick up at airport, hang out near airport til M,K,C,J,H, and V arrive at 7 p.m.
Depart: January 5 at 10:00 p.m.
Room: Dolphin Room- 1 Queen

Donna & Lawrence
Arrive Friday, 28th 4:45 p.m.
Depart: transfer to Kona Koast resort on January 6 (R&M might come up to see it before traveling on)
Room: Dragonfly cottage-3 Bedrooms

Jay & Caron
Arrive Sun. Jan. 30 noonish from cottage up the road
Depart Friday Jan. 4 late in the afternoon
Room: Dragonfly Cottage-3 Bedrooms

Jessica & Kelly
Arrive Friday, 28th with Donna and Lawrence
Depart Sunday, January 6 – early evening
Room: Dragonfly Cottage-3 Bedrooms

Looks like someone is ready for a little R&R!

2007-12-17T22:21:00.000-08:00

I figured if I was going to play in the blog world with the big kids I should dress the part!

How'd I do?

Well anyway, we're almost ready!

We went shopping today and got our snorkle gear and enough smoked salmon for the whole gang!

The boys are getting very excited - they are counting down the days and dreaming out loud about how they'll pass the time on the plane.

We've decided to pack one set of suit cases for Japan and others for Kona - too bad the airlines wont let you check bags the whole way through!

Master check in and departure schedule needed

2007-12-15T22:28:00.000-08:00

Auntie D. here. I need to get a handle on when everyone is arriving and checking out to do the final financial negotiation with Barb at Dragonfly ranch. So far I have this:

Marian & Rod
Arrive: when
Depart: Sunday, January 6
Room: Lomi Lomi suite

Kerry, Mark, C&J
Arrive 28th in evening
Depart: January 4 at 10:00 p.m.
Room: Writer’s Studio

Vince & Holly
Arrive 28th in evening
Depart: January 4 at 10:00 p.m.
Room: Dolphin room

Matt & Ukari
Arrive: ??
Depart: ??
Room: Dragonfly room

Donna & Lawrence
Arrive 28th 4:45 p.m.
Depart: transfer to Kona Koast resort on January 6
Room: Dragonfly cottage

Jay & Caron
Arrive: ??
Depart: ??
Dragonfly cottage

Jessica & Kelly
Arrive 28th
Depart Sunday, January 6 – early evening
Room: Dragonfly cottage

Please fill in the blanks and/or make any changes. Thanks everyone!
Auntie Donna

Goal for Hawaii

2007-12-15T20:10:00.000-08:00

This working stiff has only one gaol for the Hawaii leg of the trip. Rest and Relaxation. This isn't a nice to have. It is a requirement.

He doesn't think the requirement should get in the way of any one else's fun. He can't, however, imagine participating in too many over-scheduled days, too much stimuli, and related 'activity'.

He won't be able to 'recover' when the trip is done. This is his chance to recover from the work-a-day world.

Leisurely activity; group outings, mixed with quiet time; family gatherings, celebrations, dinners; all these are marvelous and welcomed. Games, stories, music too. Oh, and we can't forget useless drivel and mental wanking.

There, I have entered the fray.

Skid and Geek: The First Days

2007-12-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

Mom and Rod will have been there for a few days but for the rest, after the plane a de-frag in the sauna and hot-tub bath will be a nice reset. This puts us at 8:00 or so with the next planned activity not until the next day, a walk around Kyoto guided by some of my students followed by an early dinner there and then back to our hood for the evening.
Between the sauna-bath and the next morning there is some time so we can gather at my house for a debriefing, unpacking, and maybe a little food but there is an option for a little later that evening. I say option because crashing as soon as you wind down might be wise. It just so happens that a group of really good friends will be renting a Karaoke room from late that night until the morning when the trains start running again. Anybody interested in some silliness can go over there and have a beer and a sing. The nice part is that it's just around the corner so you can stumble back to hit the sack as soon as the drowsiness sets in.

Dolphin Boat Trip- Questions

2007-12-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

Donna, earlier you asked us about our preferences for the dolphin boat trip. Do we have a date for it? How many can he have on the boat, and how much is the trip? My clan needs to know for financial planning purposes.

If you have not set a date, later in the stay will be better for Kerry, Mark, Joey, Creigh, Holly, Vince, Matt, and Yukari, all of whom will have had an 18-hour brutal plane ride from Japan via San Francisco. Thanks, Auntie

Menu in Progess

2007-12-14T19:09:00.001-08:00

The meal planning has begun!

For now, to edit or add to the menu, just do it in the comments section below, since not all of you know how to get into this blog and edit the post.

Donna has assigned the nights when her clan will be responsible, and she has already created a menu for her and Lawrence's night, which will allow her to bring as much stuff as possible from stateside.

I have volunteered Rod and I to cook the first night, and have posted the menu below. Holly and Vince volunteered to do the second night, but I moved them to later, since Vince's labor of love. the chicken Marsala, should wait until he is not so jet-lagged. I will do the shopping for that, too.

Rod and I are not making the round-the-world tour, like the rest of our clan, so we will try to help out as much as possible with bringing stuff. though our bags are pretty much full at this point since I have to bring along my own squirrelly food.

Holly has volunteered to bring washable but disposable plates. Do we have volunteers for the plastic tableware and some paper napkins? The Japan travellers are at a disadvantage because they have so far to go.

So far:

Friday- Rod and Marian, Menu- Gourmet Soup(Hot and Ready as folks drag in), Salad, Chocolate Cake (SERVED AT THE MAIN HOUSE)

Saturday- Marian's Clan- Marian cook, youngbloods clean up Menu- Scalloped Ham and Potatoes, Peas, Fresh vegetable, A fruity dessert-. (Served at the Cottage)

Sunday- Donna and Lawrence- Wine, Tuna Noodle Casserole, Vegetables, Pumpkin Pie

Monday- Jay and Caron- no menu yet

Tuesday-Holly and Vince- Chicken Marsala (remember the 30th Anniversary party?????) Mashed Potatoes, Ceasar Salad, Dessert to be determined

Wednesday- Jessica, Kelly, and Donna-no menu yet

Thursday- Mark and Kerry, Matt and Yukari -Chicken Parmigiana, Spagetti, Salad, Dessert

Friday- Marian's clan will create something out of the leftovers plus whatever else is needed.

Saturday- Scrape our pennies together and order pizza?????

Six days and counting!

2007-12-10T04:48:00.000-08:00

We leave for Captain Cook in six days!!! Cannot believe it is actually here- our great trip to Hawaii.

Question for Matt

2007-11-28T19:29:00.001-08:00

You booked Vince and I a room at the hotel in Japan, right? Could you please tell me approximately how much it is going to be total for the room? Vince and I are trying to decide how we are going to spend our money!! Thanks!!!

Met a guy from HI

2007-11-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

I met a guy from the Big Island today. He told us of a place near the Dragofly where you can walk onto several successive shelves of volcano and then be right at a big deep basin of 100 ft water for the best snorkeling on the island. Whee----can't wait!!

Blog Gets a Face Lift

2007-11-16T14:37:00.001-08:00

I have changed the face of the blog...Matt, is that really how you say Merry Christmas in Japanese? I looked it up online... Can't wait to see everyone!

Field trip in Japan

2007-11-16T00:46:00.000-08:00

I had an idea and I threw it at my students and they bit. Here's the idea. One of the days everyone's here, maybe the 26th or so, we all get up, have breakfast and go to my school which is very close. There, I have my students waiting. We break up into several teams, 2 or three of us with two or three of my students. After they take us on a little tour of the school they then guide us to an interesting spot. One team would get to go to a famous temple or shrine, one team would get to go to the famous aquarium, someplace like that. Then we agree to meet up at a certain time at a certain restaurant and the teams join again for dinner. We have dinner, say good bye to the students, thank them for their kindness and then we can do whatever for the evening. This will be a little cultural exchange for both sides. The students who I asked are ones that went to Canada for 2 months this summer so they can handle basic communication well enough. They will appreciate the chance to guide someone in their country, sort of a payback for all the goodwill they got in Canada, and they will also love the chance to use their English for something real. For our family, I hope it will be a nice chance to meet a real-live cute teenager from an exotic country and maybe get some insight there, or at least meet a nice person to add to the bank of wonderful people we have been so lucky to meet in our lives. Whaddaya think?

When shall we swim with the dolphins?

2007-10-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

When Lawrence and I were in Kona last time, we took a fabulous trip on a mellow little boat and snorkeled with the dolphins. We should do that. Those who don't want to snorkel can just watch them from the boat. I want to get the boat and captain reserved. What day would be best? Auntie

Check out the new Dragonfly Website!!!

2007-10-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Dragonfly ranch has a new website- much more graphic than the old one- lots of great pictures of where we will be staying. Wheee!!!!!!

Holly and Vince Plan to Rock the House!

2007-10-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

Holly has informed me that she and Vince's talent will ROCK THE HOUSE! It will be in the big league, she says. OK, so how are the rest of you doing in the talent department????????

Bring Lippy along!

2007-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lippy can join the party. So bring 'er along, that is unless the worry factor will be to distracting. That's what my friend Debbie recommends (she had a 25 pound lippy in her....yikes!). She says the surgery will make you very slow-going for at least six weeks --especially at our age. So, unless the airlines will charge for an extra passenger, I say bring 'er along. Love, Auntie

No more Blob Talk

2007-10-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Matt, for your words of concern, and let those be the last to appear on this happy website about Lippy the party-pooping lipoma . I'll put news as I receive it or think it on my other blog.

Rest assured I will not travel if I feel I am in any danger, and I do have superior medical care after my summer of seeking an excellent team of doctors to help me figure out what is causing the long-standing problems that have slowed me down. The team has done its job, and I won't quit til I feel I have done all I can.

So back to the trip! Holly, can we creat our own design (not one that is available on the website) and import the image into that t-shirt website? What I mean is have you done this and is the result any good?

I am looking on the internet for Hawaiian words for family (Ohana) reunion (?). And I like Matt's idea about the locations being tied in to our destination.

It's Hawaii or bust for me!

2007-10-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Today I am thinking that if I have had this tumor for five or ten years, I might just try to live with it a few months longer. My doctor said if it was aggressive cancer it would have killed me by now. So, I will be seeking medical information in the next few weeks to find out if waiting is feasible (which I think it will be). I HATE to miss a party!!!!!

Mom's Blob Blog

2007-10-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Matt! BUT I think we should all keep the plans we have in place. The tickets for Holly and Vince, and the Ayers family are non-refundable. Rod will come and join the fun. I certainly hope to be able to get to the Hawaii blast (it is closer and less hours on the plane), and who knows, maybe even the Japan blast, too.

We have our Apples, so I can join the goofy fun at any point, like you did when we burned our sage. I might have to burn some more if my innards are F.U.B.A.R. Maybe I can get the surgeon to make it so I can play tunes with my butt.

Mom's blob

2007-10-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

If Mom's lypoma ,(click for wikipedia definition) operation makes globetrotting too tough for her, maybe we should change plans for Hawaii and instead all go see her in Arizona and blow sage smoke on eachother and feel the spirit of the desert. I know most of the clan has already done this once but it would be a first for me and Yukari. Also, I was thinking the dry air in Arizona might make for good fart gas dispersal.

A Barn Dance in the Illumanarium???

2007-10-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

What do you think about having a barn dance (sort of) in the illuminarium? We could have it on another night besides the talent show. We could go to the illumiarium, and each family/household could lead a dance for the group. Examples: A Virginia reel, Napolean Dynamite, Hula (my dibs), square dance, line dance, you name it- We'd be dancing in the moonlight!!!!!!

Website

2007-10-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

I added a "Relevent Website" section to the blog. Let me know if anyone wants anything added to it.
I put the website where you can make your own T-Shirts. If you click on "tees and tops" from the home page and scrool down a ways, you can see a "design your own" shirt and the "states" t-shirt. Also, what you want to look for is the design, because you can change the words on the shirt and yes, this website is obviously trying to sell to teens, but I have used it for years to make our 3rd grade team shirts...I am not sure about adding pictures, but we can put any words in any font we want!!

We could put anything on this one!!!

I'm with FAMILY!!

Again, we could put anything on this one, but with this cool font.

Something on the front...then a list of family names on the back??

Need Dragonfly Ranch Website for Daydreaming

2007-10-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hey, Holly, can you edit in the website for the dragonfly ranch in the contributer's column (I guess that would be where it goes)?. I don't know how to get in to the blog to edit entries.

The Elders have spoken! Yes to Fart humor

2007-10-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

I say, if the two oldest farts in the gang say yes to fart humor, then that does it.....FARTS ARE IN. No holes barred. So let 'er rip. The crones have spoken! Besides, Vivian, Harold and Lou would raise up from the dead and cut a big one if we banned the fine art of butt jokes.

So down with Beano and Gas-X. Up with barking spiders!

T-shirt idea. I second Matt's idea to list all of our names. If everyone could send me a .jpg of a silly photo, I could put them in a collage and produce a .pdf or a .jpg file that Marian can use as the graphic for a screen print. Just an idea, if there is time.

2nd T-shirt idea: How about a photo of Harold and Vivian with the caption...."Look what these two people started" or "what happens when you mix a Finlander and a red head.....?"or something else like that.

Oh, Oh- T-Shirt Problems!!

2007-10-04T22:46:00.000-07:00

1. Lack of suggestions from the Shugart clan.

2. The website you gave, Holly, doesn't seem to be working anymore. Can't get to the design you own part.

3. Went to JoAnn Fabrics and found great T-shirts, but only scull and bones iron-ons. Yick.

4. Cannot find T-shirts with fart-holes in them.

Need more ideas to proceed. Love, Auntie Marian

Silent BUTT Deadly

2007-10-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, I was really starting to get worried...how can there be a talent show without some body humor?? I wasn't spared from it growing up and I turned out ok. WE WANT FARTS! WE WANT FARTS!

A Fartless Talent Show??? No Way!

2007-10-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Excuse me, but there is no way I am paying the big bucks for a Talent Show in Hawaii that doesn't allow butt jokes. I say, Butts are in, sex is out. Whaddyathink?

Love, Mom (you may see me as Zen at 60, or Sculptor's Workshop. I moderate our studio blog, and haven't quite figured out how to control which blog sends my posts and comments.

no butt jokes??

2007-10-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

Auntie Donna joining in here. Well, err, uh.....OK. This no ass stuff will be a stretch. You know how much we love a good butt joke, but if the anal sphincter is taboo, we'll just have to work on featuring another bodily function. Does this mean that farts, gas, racing stripes, SBD's, and other flatulent art forms are also on the "no go" list? OK...that "blows" my t-shirt idea.

Talent show delimitations

2007-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

So, Mom was suggesting that, to ensure Joey and Creigh's safe moral development, and perhaps also to avoid brain damage, we should avoid any ass-related shenanigans at the talent show. Can we really resist this vast area of human experience?

T-Shirt Idea....

2007-10-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

So, I will start by saying that all ideas presented on this blog are subject to discussion, without the possibility of feelings being hurt...so here goes my idea (which you are welcome to discuss, and my feelings won't be hurt!)

http://www.customglamgirl.com/funnystatetee_page.htm

Check out this shirt, but with the state of Hawaii and some other words, like...maybe...Aloha Family Reunion 07-08....or something like that...

Shirt brainstorm

2007-10-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Like, uhmm, a world map with arrows pointing from where everybody's from to Japan and then converging with Michigan crew to Hawaii?
Also maybe a list of all the family names we encompass?

Hawaii or BUST!!!

2007-10-02T19:40:00.001-07:00

Can't wait to go...it will be a BLAST.
P.S. Holly and I have the mother of all talents for the show....better get yours ready! WATCH OUT!

We Are Family!

2007-10-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome! I am so glad that my mom had this idea for a place we could all share thoughts, ideas and excitement for the upcoming trip!!

To kick it off, let's talk about our shirt...any ideas???
-Holly