Leimamo’s Life

Back in high school, I hung out with 3 girls (ladies now) and through the years no matter how far away from home I am, we all somehow managed to keep in touch. Today I had a visit from one of them and being with her was like being in high school all over again except now someone in my house calls me “Grandma”. We talked about our kids and everyone back at home. She brought along her sister who happens to be classmates with my hubby and we just had a wonderful time. Now that we’ve made contact, I told her that she must come to see me whenever she’s in WA visiting her daughter. We also told her sister to come to our island anytime because we don’t work so we’re always at home.

I drove them around the streets near my house to look for homes that are for sale because I miss her and want her to be my neighbor. We called one of our other friends and she said she was so jealous because she wanted to be here too. That would’ve been so cool!! I told them both that I’d be back in June and we can get together then. I’m just too excited.

Ok, I’ve been trying not to get too anxious about tomorrow but the more I talk myself out of stressing over it, the more I’ve been stressing. Yes, tomorrow is QUIT smoking day. I got stuff to keep my hands and mouth busy for the first few days. We are armed with Tootsie Pops and packs of gum. Hubby will start on the Nicoderm patch and I’ll be on my second week of Chantix. Pray that we don’t kill each other. hehe

This year we decided to just celebrate thanksgiving among family. We had a 15 lbs. turkey with Tutu’s stuffing, baked ham, potato salad and for dessert we had pumpkin cheesecake. Since I’m doing Weight Watchers I made a few changes in the recipes by using either reduced fat, reduced calorie or non-fat items in place of the original ingredients. Much to my surprise the foods didn’t taste too different from the original recipes.

So this year I’m thankful for Philadelphia Reduced and Nonfat cream cheese, Carnation Nonfat cream, Honey Maid reduced fat graham crackers, Sara Lee reduced calorie bread, Best Foods Light mayonaise and whipped butter.

Last week we purchased 12 pounds of frozen tuna chunks. The price was very reasonable at $3.99/lbs. I decided we were going to have movie night today so I cooked a pot of chicken long rice lastnight. When I woke up this morning I made a big bowl of lomi lomi salmon, aku poke, and a large bowl of poi. I saved all my allotted weight watcher points for this day (because sometimes I just gotta have fish and poi).

My brother doesn’t like to leave his cozy apartment too often so I have to tempt him with food to get him out for some fresh air even though the only fresh air he gets is from his apartment to the car then the car to my house. I sent hubby on some errands and asked that he stop by to pick up my brother. When I called my brother to let him know he sounded like he was being forced to come over. Ok, so he had a choice to come over and enjoy dinner with us … or NOT. He also wanted to watch HellBoy 2 with us so that was another thing I bribed him with. OMG, we scuffed down the food and then Hawaiian paralysis kicked in for me. After we ate I started the DVD and within the first 30 minutes I was passed out. I did wake up in time to see the final battle and the credits. Next up was Journey to the Center of the Earth but my brother said he already seen it so I ended up driving him home then returning to watch the American Music Awards. I guess I’ll be watching the movie tomorrow. Oh wait, it’s already tomorrow!

Speaking of the AMA, all of the performances were great but my favorite was Sarah McLachlin and Pink singing Angel. I was nearly in tears.

The base clinic was giving flu shots this week so I got Kamalani out of school early so we could be the first in line for the shot. She was kind of anxious to get it since some of her friends got theirs last week. She psyched herself up all week for this day. When we got called into the room everything she told herself went out the window. She suddenly got scared and when the nurse asked who would go first she volunteered her Papa. We all hate needles so I was glad her Papa didn’t flinch; he said it didn’t hurt. She went next and the nurse showed her how to take a deep breath then blow, blow, blow. I watched her while the nurse administered the shot and she did really well, she didn’t even flinch. She was so proud of herself and we were proud of her. When she was done the nurse offered her a sticker for being so good.

Then it was my turn. I asked Kamalani if it hurt and she said not really. I didn’t believe her. I asked the nurse to show me how to take a deep breath like she showed Kamalani. They laughed because they thought I was joking. Then it happened. All I felt was a little tiny prick that really didn’t hurt at all. I was waiting for the stinging to start when the nurse told me I was done. I was proud of myself and I was so tempted to ask for a sticker.

I got this email from Lika, I read it a few days ago and it’s been on my mind since. What I wanna know is why the people who make things happen didn’t make this happen? heh.
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