So-niele

If ever you’ve got an abundance of blueberries at hand

At one point the lilmiss was eating blueberries like they were candy. I made the mistake of giving her too much of a good thing. Bought a huge container of them the other day, only to have her fish through the fruit salad and ignore the blueberries as if they were the plague. So I went looking on the i-net for recipes. And this is exactly what I was looking for. The lemon flavor is a bit overwhelming, but definitely a recipe I would try again, if I were ever in the predicament of having a lot of blueberries again. I definitely like the use of cake mix for the crust. It didn’t crumble and held together very nicely but still had a little crunch in some areas.
****
Blueberry-Lemon Chess Squares
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon, divided
1 box yellow cake mix, butter or lemon
4 eggs, divided
1 stick butter or margarine, softened
2 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
In a bowl, combine blueberries with sugar, lemon juice and half of the lemon zest.
Set aside.
Mix cake mix with 1 egg, softened butter and the remaining lemon zest. Pat into a buttered and floured 13- x 9-inch baking pan.

In a mixing bowl with hand-held electric mixer, beat confectioners’ sugar with cream cheese and remaining 3 eggs until smooth. Gently stir in blueberry mixture; pour over cake. Bake in a preheated 325° oven for about 45 to 55 minutes, or until browned. Let cool completely; chill and cut into squares.
Serve with fresh blueberries and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, if desired. Store in the refrigerator.

Posted in babbles, cooking, eating | 1 Comment »

Because it’s something I want to know

I’m nosey like that, but I want to know how often you go to the grocery store, Tarjey, Cost.co, and other places like that. I remember reading on a forum somewhere that people went to the grocery store ONCE a month. The f*ck??? How is that possible?

I go to the grocery store when the mood strikes, when I need to replenish something (milk, bread, etc), when I don’t know what to cook for dinner, and sometimes just to tag along with my mom. I’ll have to say that going to the grocery store happens more than once a week. A block away from J’s karate school there is a grocery store, so sometimes if N is being bad and she can’t sit still we’ll take a stroll up there and see if anything strikes my fancy. Normally nothing.

Tarjey happens normally once a week, just for the hell of it at times. If there’s something in the Sunday ad that I might want then for sure I’ll go. Last week I went 4x, remember I’ve got 3 at my disposal, less than 10 mile radius.

Cost.co happens actually more than necessary. I went just on Monday and I was there last Friday too. We get our paper products there, yeah we like to buy in bulk. Toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers. Oh yeah and we looooooooove the bottled water there too. We’re stocked in all of those things at the moment so if I happen to go there, it’s b/c I went with my mom.

Do you make lists before going? And do you stick to those lists?

Posted in babbles, shopping | 4 Comments »

What the f*ck???? Problem solved

Is it possible for memory cards to go bad? B/c apparently my 1GB SD memory card for my camera has gone bad. It no longer has the storage capability of 1GB any longer! I plugged it into my reader and the computer is saying that it can record 1.1MB!!! And I know that is a helluva difference from a GB! My camera will only take about 4 pictures in 1600x1200 res. It won’t take any video. DAMMIT TO HELL!!!!

I emailed my geeky techy IT guy friends and they told me to do something I totally didn’t even think to do. D’oh! Reformat the card inside the camera. What a doof I am! I was just so freaked out that it would only take 4 pictures and no video, I was all ready to go and buy a new card! WHEW!

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Back to school

First day back to school. 2nd grade. 2nd grade man! All new principal. 3 new students in his class alone. And a new teacher. It’s always a good feeling the first day of school, too bad J had a bad start. I sent him to bed the night before at his usual time. He was having a hard time falling asleep and of course this morning was no walk in the park, b/c he just wasn’t having it. He didn’t want to get up. He didn’t want to get dressed. GAH!!!

But in the end when we FINALLY got there he was happy to be back with his friends.

Picked him up and on the ride home he would NOT stop talking about what a great day he had! YAY!

I remember 2nd grade being a good year for me. I remember I loved my teacher so much that I wanted to be just like her. She was a nun. And yes at one point I wanted to be a nun. Oh well so much for that huh?

It’s nice to have him back in school. The homework and the fights over homework I can do without. Yes he had homework on the first day!

Posted in babbles, lil man, complaints, funnies | 3 Comments »

Cute breakfast

I never thought I’d so it but something inside me decided to break her free from the box and make my keiki some HK waffles.

How cute huh? Yeah I thought so too, and how much cuter and cooler will it be when N is old enough to appreciate the cuteness

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School supply shopping

So as I mentioned earlier, J starts school on Monday! YIKES. And slowly but surely I’ve been picking up things, just this week. *note to self: Be sure to have J try on sweaters!!!* Anyhow I lost the list of supplies he needs, heck they sent that ish in June! Like I even had that on my mind, despite the stores already setting up shop back then. Which I should have heeded the signs back then b/c prices have gone up and stock has been minimal!

[x] one pencil box with choice of design we went with the typical plastic box kind, but I have since seemed to have lost it, so until we find the new one, we have recycled the one from last year

[x] one box of #2 wooden pencils- not mechanical ones

[x] five ball point pens- not gel pens got him 2 packs in blue and black, and funny thing is he’s SOOOOO excited to use pen

[x] two pink erasers

[x] crayons and colored pencils I know we have those too, somewhere, they’re lost with the new pencil box!!! And oohwee a box of 24 Cray.ola crayons was ONLY 20 cents!

[x] two glue sticks

[x] one small pair of scissors recycling the ones from last year too, he said he barely used ‘em

[x] six single subject notebooks minimum 70 pages each with wide ruled paper a 10 pack for $1!!!! Score! Yay for Tar-jey!

[x] eight sturdy homework folders with two pockets in assorted colors okay for some reason folders that are STURDY in colors are hard to find!!! i hope characters and animals aren’t going to be an issue b/c that’s what he picked!

[ ] five boxes of tissues to be shared throughout the year with the class one of the only things I haven’t gotten yet. I’m waiting on a sale, b/c I’m damned cheap like that!

[x] one water bottle with closable non spill top for class and physical education we’ve actually got a few already, but at J’s asking my mom bought him a Super.man one for $1

[x] art smock or oversized t shirt labeled with your childs name should be no issue, S has a ton of old t’s

Not exciting what.so.ever! At least by my standards. LoL. There are so many neat school supplies out there that weren’t out when I was a student. Lol.

Posted in babbles, lil man, shopping | 2 Comments »

Resemblance of normalcy!

Our daily schedule is starting to look like it used to. And so you know what that means? Complaints about laundry. UGH! I’ve folded 4 loads in the past 2 days and I’m drying and washing 2 more loads at the moment. I don’t know how it got so backed up!!! Good thing we’re back to school, lil man wears a uniform! Heh!

The only thing I’m dreading is having to wake up early again. Yuck.

Posted in babbles, ohana, complaints | 1 Comment »

I can only wish

We never did go on a vacation this summer . Lake Tahoe never panned out. And now the summer is coming to an end in a few short days as J starts another year of school, 2nd grade! Good Lord where did the time go? No time to go anywhere siginificant. No change of scenery. BOO!!!

Been trying to get his things for school. Yeah, yeah I know the week before school starts, what was I thinking? I should’ve just picked things up along the way as I saw them, but I lost the school list. Had my BFM email me the list just last night. And so of course we went to 3 different places to get things and still didn’t even finish the list. Pathetic. I’ve still gotta get him folders, which it seems there isn’t much selection anywhere anymore. Pink erasers. And 5 fricking boxes of tissue. Good thing Lon.g’s has ‘em for 88 cents.

He’s using the same backpack and matching lunchbox from last year. I told him, and he didn’t mind much! Whew! The sweaters still fit too I think, I’m not sure seeing as how he last wore them in May. It was too hot in June so he didn’t bother. He’s got 3 new shirts and 3 pairs of pants. I need to get 2 more pairs of each. I hate that uniform things are only available at most stores only this time of year. I mean, yeah I could go to the uniform place year ’round but their prices are ridiculous for white polos and reinforced knee khakis! He got shoes over the summer that are still in ver good condition and my ‘rents gave him a pair for his birthday that he still needs to grow into.

So other than the few little things, he’s more or less set for school.

Which only means I can only wish to be on vacation *sigh*. I can only think of relaxation. I can only hope to be on vacation soon.

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The last week

The last week of getting J to read his books and do some of his math workbooks. It looked very hopeful at the start of the summer and now it’s just gone downhill. He is so adamant about NOT doing a thing. It takes him forever to complete a page and when he reads I think it’s all just for show. Like he just sits there and turns pages but doesn’t absorb. I just wanted to keep him up to speed with the work he finished with last summer, now he even forgets what he did an hour ago. GAH! He’s struggling right now and this is exactly what I was trying to prevent. He’s going to have way more homework this year. Reports and such. Yeah! GAH!

In other news the wedding went well. My mom made me pick up N, although I probably could have left her there all night. The keiki took studio pictures again too. They came out soooooooooo good and even managed to make it up as a contender for the new faces contest they’re having.

So I’ve got plenty to do this week. We have not completed J’s uniforms. He soooooo needs some pants. As well as a plethora of school supplies. I need to call the school and see if they’ll send me a pdf for that b/c I don’t want to go over there.

Happy Monday. GAH!

Posted in babbles, keiki, lil man, celebration, weekend, complaints | 3 Comments »

So it seems

So it seems that there’s something going around AGAIN! The lil miss has a stuffy, sniffly, runny kinda nose. Big mister was complaining of being stuffy last night. Nubbly was even saying she felt a little something. I wanna say I’m not sure where N’s runnies came from, but I’m thinking that maybe it was the park water sprinkler thing? It was hot out there, but the water was rather cold. Lil man is fine, for the time being anyhow.

The weather is supposed to be lovely again this weekend. We’ve got a wedding on Saturday. Lil miss isn’t coming *gasp* yeah I don’t know. She’s staying with my ‘rents and I’m debating on going the whole night and morning without her! I’m just worried that she’ll keep my mom up! I’ll just have to play it by ear.

Slowly but surely, THAT TIME OF THE YEAR has crept up on us again. I swear it was just football season! GAH! Big mister has 2 draft picking “meetings” to “attend” on Sunday. Lil man is back to hula on Sundays too.

So another eventful weekend is upon us. I need a haircut too. BLAH! How about a pedicure while I’m at it.

Posted in babbles, ohana, celebration | 2 Comments »

Day 2

Congrats to the big mister on getting his brown belt . Only 2 more belts and he’ll be a black belt. I only wish I had the stamina for it, then I’d so be in there!

So we slept on the couch and what a big inconvenience that was. I made the lil miss a makeshift bed on the floor b/c it seemed she couldn’t get comfy on the couch. It did well for awhile up until she got up in the middle of the night and started wandering around. And guess what? We get to do it all over again tonight, oh boy! B/c we were at the belt testing, it took a chunk of the day and the mister was way too tired to do any moving after that. Although he has a meeting and probably a lunch tomorrow for work, I’m hoping we can reclaim our bedroom back! Seriously!

There’s just way too much damned crap. Crap. And more crap.

Posted in babbles, ohana, big mister | 3 Comments »

Sleeping on the couch

That would be all of us. Minus the lil man although he wants to sleep on the couch with us, there is no room, and he could technically hit the floor. We finally started the switch of the rooms and it’s a big mess. We just have waaaaaaaaaay too much stuff for 4 people. Just too much and not enough room for it all. Grrr. It’s going to take a few days to do it all too. One room is nearly cleaned out and all the contents are being stored in our bedroom, which is why we’re being moved out to the living room to sleep. Once that room is cleaned out we can move the lil man’s things into his room.

Had a birthday party down the peninsula this weekend. A wedding in the city this coming weekend. Another birthday party the following weekend after this weekend, and the lil man finally starts school. I’ve got a a lot to do, huh? Let’s finish this room switch first! PLEASE!

Posted in babbles, ohana, celebration | 1 Comment »

Happy 7th Bithday to my son

August 10, 2006

Dearest J,
Happy Birthday my son. I can’t believe you’re 7 years old already! Where did the time go? It’s no wonder that when daddy showed me that old video of you when you were around 2 years old I was a babbling mess of tears. You’ve grown so fast right before my eyes and I’m glad that I’ve been there to witness everything you’ve done.

You’re an amazing student and I can’t believe that you’ll be going into your 3rd year of your academic education, 2nd grade! I hope you continue your love for school and all that is academic. I hope you do achieve your goal of 4 jobs. Or was it 5? Veterinarian. Chef. Teacher. Artisit. What was the other?

I’m glad that you love doing your hula and Tahitian too. B/c like I shared with you before, I do wish I had done those dances as a child and I’m so happy that you enjoy doing them. You did amazing in your first show, and I’m sure you’ll only get better. I am a bit sad that other boys want to join the halau, b/c I like the attention and special treatment you get but I’m sure you’re happy that you won’t be the only boy anymore. *sigh* Whatever makes you happy, right

You’re still doing karate, you’re almost onto your green/blue belt, and I know that your interest level in karate has fallen but I’m glad that you haven’t given up. And even if you wanted to, I think you’d have a hard time getting out of it not only by us, but by the many friends and “family” that you’ve made at school. We know you have the potential b/c we’ve seen it, but we also know that there are other things going on that keep you busy too.

You have an amazing heart little man! And when you do some of the sweetest things, I am reminded that I did something right with you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, but being sensitive is a good quality b/c people know that you care.

You’re an amazing big brother to your sister and I hope that your love and “friendship” continues on until you’re both old and grey. Not only can you make her laugh her silly head off but that silly sense of humor is even better than daddy’s sometimes (but don’t tell him that )!

Your smiles and hugs can really brighten up my darkest days and I thank the powers that be that we were gifted with you. B/c I wouldn’t want any other J. I only hope that we make you as Happy as you make us. Happy 7th Birthday my son!

love forever and for always, Mommy

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Birthdays all around

Thank you everyone for the greetings!!! Didn’t do much, but the people I spent my birthday with are all that mattered! I’m getting old. Eww! And as if having my birthday pass hasn’t made me feel old, but my dear son is turning 7. Yes 7! So that’s really making me feel old. Sheesh he’s going to be in 2nd grade. Ewww.

Posted in babbles, ohana, celebration | 4 Comments »

Finally some time to kick up my feets and take a break!!!

The party was a big success! YAY! I was worried there wouldn’t be enough food. But alas, there was a ton to take home, for EVERYONE. Good thing we had the take home boxes. I swear we’ve got enough bbq pork fried rice and chow mein to last until… uh forever! As I type this, lil man is having some chow mein for din-din. I think I sat down all of once yesterday as I was running here and there and everywhere and barely even had enough time to talk to each one of our guests. I’ve gotten one email and one voice message raving about the party. YAY! Glad everyone had so much fun. Apparenly my invites that I sent out and my adult favors were a hit too! We made CDs with some of our favorite Hawaii.an/ Island songs and the cover was of the keiki at the beach! Now I need to figure out what I’m sending back for the Thank You cards, other than J’s handwritten Thank Yous b/c he’s old enough now. These kids made out like bandits, it looks worse than Chris.tmas up in here with all the wrapping and boxes, and toys and stuff. Thanks so much to Mama Toots for all the help. I still owe you for the $75 bags of ice .

And as if I didn’t tire myself out all day yesterday, I made plans to make it to the Aloh.a Festival at the Presi.dio. Lil man was more than willing to go. He loves it there. I got them both some really cool loot. It’s not the same as going out to the islands, but it’ll suffice. Got the lil miss a new purple blanket, a cute bib with a “lei”, and 2 sweatshirts. Lil man got a yo-yo ball (he gets one every year), a sweatshirt, and a t-shirt. And I got a new cellphone charm, b/c I lost the one on my phone . My mom got an apron for my aunt and some other cell phone charms. After the fest, we went to use our F&F cards b/c today was the last day. Went to G.ap in Laure Village and picked up some cute cheapie things for the keiki. Lil man is so in need of some new clothes. Poor thing has gone through a growth spurt and all his pants are too small on him. He didn’t get much clothes for his birthday, mostly toys so I need to replenish his wardrobe. We were going to head down the peninsula, but instead we headed downtown to the flagship ON store. Walked around, gosh we did so much walking today. Again got the keiki more loot and for cheap!!! On clearance plus the additional 20% yay!!! Took a break and had some Ice Blendeds YUMM-0! So much better than the ‘bucks! And then we walked some more and came upon Beard Papa!!! I have been dying to go there since they opened in May! And low and behold the line wasn’t horrendous. My mom loved it too. Thought we were done for the day, but managed to hit up 1 more ON for loot for mommy . About damn time too. I got a top, 2 pairs of capris, and a pair of utility cargos in brown!

Finally headed back to the ‘rents to drop off my mom. And we’ve been home for a bit. The chaos is finally dun-zo! YAY! Now all I need to do is T.Y. cards and returns and exchanges. Oh yeah and the big mister promised that we would finally do the room switcharoo once the party was done and before J starts school. So Mama Toots I’m ready for a garage sale when you are

Oh and if the rest of you were wondering where the photos from the party are. Ahahaha.. I don’t have any. I was too busy running around. There were a few cameras going off though, so hopefully some friends got some good photos of the birthday party!

Posted in babbles, keiki, eating, shopping, ohana, celebration | 7 Comments »

Five-by-five

Taking a well deserved break for some ME time:

Five items in my freezer
- ice cream (Vanilla & Mint Choco Chip
- homemade frozen lumpia
- breastmilk (remind me to defrost and throw them out)
- chicken wings
- ground turkey

Five items in the closet (hall closet)
- light bulbs
- iron
- ironing board
- vacuum
- thick winter coats

Five items in the car
- diaper bag
- stroller
- cart cover
- water bottles (some full, some half full, and some empty)
- random Cheerios and fruit snacks floating around

Five items in my purse
- my camera and extra battery
- Kenpo Karate patch
- coupon holder with expired coupons
- mints/ gum
- calculator that used to be on my keychain until everyone commented on how huge it is

Five people I tag
- Marybeth
- N.
- Nubbly Michelle
- Cel
- and whoever else wants to do it

Posted in babbles | 2 Comments »

Getting closer

I’m nearly done with all that can be done for the party at the moment. I fear for THAT morning though as we will all be driving in different directions picking things up. The big mister even has to drive across the bridge to pick up some food, which is the one thing that has me worried. Jumper is being dropped off between 10 and 1030. Cost.co run is ready at 930. Chinese food is ready at 11. Hawaiian food is ready at 1130, thankfully some friends offered to pick up for me. My parents are picking up the lec.hon and bringing the lumpia and pancit. And in there I have to go back and forth to the park to drop things off. Hopefully S’s friend, J, will be able to jumper sit for us while we run around. I also need to get ice, ice, and more ice. Thankfully this is only once a year. My kiddie favors are dunzo, there better not be a bunch of people who did NOT rsvp and show up with their kids, b/c I’m sorry they’re not getting anything. The adult favors are nearly done big mister is printing right now. So we’re covered I think. I think I might have to cut up my fruit for the fruit salad tomorrow, just to save myself some time on Saturday morning. Party time is 12PM. We got it, right? *crosses fingers*

Posted in babbles, cooking, eating, shopping, ohana | 1 Comment »

Happy Birthday to my Mommy

Today one of the most important people in my life was brought unto this earth, My Mommy. Unfortunately we won’t be spending the day with her , she ran off to Cach.e Cre.ek with my dad and brother . Lil man is kinda bummed as me and the lil miss spent the day with her yesterday, running errands for the party and had lunch at Re.d Rob.in. We’ll be hanging out with her again on Friday running more errands, *ugh*.

Happy Birthday Mom, and here’s to so many more!!! We love you!

Posted in babbles, ohana | 1 Comment »

Friendship

So a really close friend of mine’s friend past away last week. It was more like her best friend. Her kids and my kids are close. We’re all practically family. I called her every now and then to see how she was doing. And I would see her on the days I would pick up or drop off J to school, if she was there. Last I talked to her was on Friday when I went to pick up J. I had a bit of a falling out with a family member that day and I was a little distraught. Not too distraught that I wasn’t there to listen to her and be there for her. I did call her when I got home, but no one answered. That was the night I fell asleep before 10. Saturday, J and I were in Concord for practice, and I did think of her then too but the day was so hectic and I was helping out making haku leis and what not that I didn’t have a spare moment to call. We didn’t get home until late on Saturday and when we did get home I had to get the kids to bed and ready J’s things for Sunday. Then again, I fell asleep early. Sunday morning, I woke up and checked my email to find an email from her. She said she was disappointed in me. She said that I wasn’t there for her, and had the roles been reversed she knows she would have been the friend, that apparently I had been lacking to be.

I was hurt my her email. And yeah I did NOT call her on Saturday but I was busy. I figured she needed space, being that I called on Friday and she didn’t answer. So I emailed her back and explained to her what had been going on. We were gone most of Sunday, but I called her and again, she didn’t answer.

I’ve given up. I feel like I’ve reached out to her. When I call, am I going to expect to just leave a message every time? Everyone who I’ve talked to about this tells me to just leave it alone. Give her her space that I thought she initially needed in the first place. Give her time to grieve. But there’s still an aching in the back of my mind that she thinks I wasn’t there for her. That I’m not a good friend. *sigh*

Posted in babbles | 5 Comments »