Housing Update

   The house we looked at a few days ago is starting to bug me the more and more I think about it. The views were absolutely amazing but there are things that we hated too.  The road that it is on is very busy, 40mph so its kind of scary getting out of the driveway. Lets talk about the drive way... It is so small! There are 5 different apartment like units in this house (including hers) and they have this tiny tiny driveway. Parking would be a nightmare! (you have to call people to ask them to move) Having a few people over for a BBQ or to watch a football game would just not work. There is no storage what so ever in the place either. We have a lot of things from Mikes mother that we could just never throw away plus the things of Mike and his sisters childhood. Things that mothers save when the children are young that I would never even think of getting rid of. We came to the conclusion that we really need a garage. Nothing special...just somewhere where we could at least put Mikes toolbox and a few storage containers.  This place also use to be a bed and breakfast. She used it for that for about 10 years and just recently started to rent it long term.  I wanted to see if anyone wrote any reviews about their stay there and I found exactly what I expected. I had told Mike once we had left that I thought the lady was extremely nice and very friendly but I had a feeling that she would always be there. What I mean by "there" is she would always be knocking on our door, and that is what I found. The reviews talked about her coming into the people's unit when they were not there, or knocking on the door several times a day. (this was in about 7 different peoples reviews) I would be scared to death to ever leave because of Bolo. They also talk about her calling and telling them to be quite each time they were on the balcony, that they didn't even go out there anymore. (They might have been really loud though) She would also be very demanding about the air-conditioner, and that they weren't allowed to use it. Mike and I both grew-up without a air conditioner so that is not really a problem for us, but it is nice to have the option of turning it on. She also has a beautiful garden that I could tell she works very hard on. It pretty much takes up all of what would be grass. Being on such a busy road I think it would be very hard to find somewhere to take the pups to go potty. I wouldn't want myself or my dogs to get hit walking down this busy road with no sidewalk, nor would I want to ruin her garden. So we are deciding not to rent from this lady. (she will have no problem finding someone else though, there was a stack of applications when we went)
   I went to the housing office to do some paperwork yesterday and found out we are now bumped to #6 on the list to get base housing. The woman there made some really good points. Anything we find that is not on base will never live up to the housing on base because base housing is way newer and you get more for your money. All of the housing we were looking at was about $500 or more over our BAH, (plus utility's.) and it still wasn't right. So I talked to Mike and we came to the decision that we will now start looking for a month to month place. We both agree that there are some perks with living off base but its OK and we will make it work. Having 2 dogs is just making the whole experience of finding a house off, miserable.
    So before Mike and I came up with this conclusion I had already made another appointment with a gentleman to see another house. This house was a little over our price range but it was a single family home that I thought would have enough space. (Mike said it would be OK if I really loved it)  I was in contact with him a few times because every time we would set up a time for me to view it, it ended up not being good for him and he would residual. I should have known better. I finally found the house (it was in the back of another house on top of the mountain) Once again, beautiful views but he never showed up for me even to see inside. I waited for about 20 min and decided to say screw it and we weren't suppose to live there, so I left. I guess he didn't want to rent his house out that bad.
   So now my search will go on trying to find a vacation rental or something along those lines that would be willing to do month to month and allow to very cute puppy's.

When do you know "its" Time?

   Sheba is having a really bad day today, and a past few very bad nights. I have never had to deal with the decision of anything like this before so I don't know what to do. Last time we when to the vet, they did blood work and said everything was normal. But everything isn't normal in my eyes when we are at home. She has sever allergy's (or at least that's what the doc called it) so the past 5 years I bought the very best food (allergenic) , she takes all her pills everyday and on time, and we make a visit to the vet monthly like clockwork. She is constantly trying to reach a itch and scratch it, and cry's because she cant, or itching doesn't make it better. Her fur is totally gone on the stomach and making its way to her back. She also has been diagnosed with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. Its kinda like Alzheimer's for pups so that doesn't help with her blindness and loss of hearing. She is getting more and more vocal, like she is confused and scared. She still can walk but has trouble not falling and we definitely don't walk very far.  I pretty much end up carrying her after she goes potty 98% of the time. Every time she eats or even walks by their food bowl I feel like she has a leg spasm or an itch and hits the bowls and food/water goes everywhere. (its OK tho) We have much bigger and heavier bowls in storage that I am wishing we had at the moment sense I have already cleaned the place where they eat maybe 20 times this morning. She is still usually good with going to the bathroom, just not these past few nights. I'll just have to wake myself up when I hear that she is up during the night.
   I don't want her to suffer. I wish she could tell me if she is hurting so I would know what to do.  14 years old, I feel like she has lived a long life. I'm not sure how good it was before we got her but I know the past 5years I have done the best that I could with keeping her healthy. Mikes mother had gotten her from a couple that was getting a divorce. I guess she was around 8 when that happened. I don't know how you could have a dog for 8 years and then when divorced comes, neither one of the people want her. I'm also not quite sure how longs Mike's mother had her, but after she passed away we took her in.

   She is the sweetest dog and our home would not be the same without her. Days like this make me think that it is time to let her go. I am just never confident about it and don't want to make the wrong decision. 

Link Up

     The 7 questions are back again...  Link UP....Here 

 Funny Picture:  The Basic Schools Family Day. 2011

      

1. What is your favorite color TO WEAR?
     Well I have pretty much all the colors of the rainbow in my closet. I tend to always go  for the black though. 

 2. You are given the choice between visiting every country and landing on the moon. Which would you choose?
    Every country for sure. I think I would have a hart attack before I even made it to the moon. Even though I would still have to fly to get all around to the country's. (HATE FLYING/ HEIGHTS) 
    
3. What's your favorite animal and why?
     My love has always been horses. One day I WILL have them! 

 4. You are forced to do one of the following, which would you choose? Sky dive, scuba dive, or this:

   Definitely the scuba. I would need to change my pants if I did the others. 

 5. You are given the chance to go back in time. Which era would you visit?
    30's & 40's. I love all the dresses



6. If you had the power to remove one thing (ie: flies, mosquitos, junk food) from the earth for good- what would it be?
  Mosquito's! I hate that they leave there mark for 3-4 days after. 

 7. What is one thing you've learned from Pinterest that made you think "GENIUS"!

  
This was fun! Thanks Gentri Lee
 

Craft Project...DONE

   Its finally done! The jewelry box turned recipe box is finished. I found a fabric store out here on a whim as I was running errands and made a quick stop. Now I can use all the cards I have written my favorite recipes on instead of getting food all over my laptop.

 For what it use to look like click HERE.

Weekend!

    This weekend was pretty eventful. One of Mike's new coworker's birthday was on Friday. Waikiki was where we went  to celebrate. We always has such a good time when we go there, once we found a place to park. Mike has such a hard time not getting angry when trying to find a spot. We ended up finding one, paying and then getting a phone call that the group was at a bar about 2 miles away. We should have just parked in the services parking lot because that would have been way closer, and cheaper! We were going to do that but we passed it and he didn't want to turn around.  I think all the new guys that he is working with for the moment are great, but a little part of me misses his old engineer school buddy's. It was something about that group that clicked. I just have to get to know the new ones better I guess. We had a good time tho, good bars, good drinks and interesting people to watched.  After craving breakfast the whole time we were out, Mike and I stopped by a 24 hour diner right by our house. I got my usual and Mike ordered his usual with a side of SPAM. That was a first time for him. I just couldn't bring myself to try it. He said it tasted like a fatty hotdog... I'll pass for now.

   Saturday, we went to a huge Hawaiian Flea Market in town. It was miles long with tons of jewelry, clothing , nick-knacks and food. Everything that you could want that had to do with Hawaii was in that parking lot. We had great weather which made all the difference.












  We are deciding to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary this weekend because it is very likely he will not be here on that date. I'm sad that we wont have the "real" memory of it.  I do realize that it comes with being in the military, and I am thankful that he wont be gone for a longer period of time. We went to a restaurant that we had already been to but enjoyed very much. (Thank you Sarah!)   Du Vin, (french) is right in the middle of China Town. Its small but cute inside with a amazing pan-fried salmon! After that Mike and I walked around looking for another place we could sit and have a few drinks. Its funny how popular China Town is on Saturdays. We ended up going to a bar/restaurant named Indigo. Really good choice. It had great drinks and amazing music. It was 2 young guys that really know how to play the guitar. One of them (I know this is going to sound funny) was awesome at beat boxing to make it sound like drums. We will definitely be going back for dinner. The menu looked so good! Also it was really surprising how big the place was. There were 2 separate bars, and beautiful place to eat outside and a huge dining room. Hopefully when Mike gets back we will try it out. 
   Today we woke up early. Our plan was to hit the gym and then make our way to the Dole Plantation for lunch. Instead, we went to look at a home that was for rent. It is a 7,000 sq foot home that has 4 separate apartments. We looked at all 4 and we would be happy with any of them. They were enormous! But the real thing we fell in love with was the view. The property's back yard was the ocean... literally, and the mountains in the distance made it even better. AMAZING! Its 2 minutes away from the base too. We filled out a application and hopefully she will call us soon. The only thing is, she isn't sure when the other tenants are moving out. I also saw a stack of applications already filled out by other people that have already looked at it. I guess if it is meant to be, then it will happen. 

 Somebody had a hair cut today that she needed desperately. I usually shave her every summer around  June, but it has been so nice here lately and also he skin has been really bad that I thought it would help. She had a bath after and she is feeling much better now. Her allergy's are actually making her lose  here hair in clumps, Its so sad. I have tried so many different types of food and pills, nothing helps.
   Tomorrow lots of errands for me. I have to get the dogs licensed in in the state, my car plates/safety check done, and a few other not so fun things.

Random...

   So we still have not had success finding a house yet. We either need $4,000 a month to live in a reasonably nice house close to base or $2,500 a month to live 45 min to a hour away. Houses in our price range (so hard to find that even allow pups) somewhat close to base allows 1 dog but not 2, or dogs under 20lbs. Just cant win. We have to be out of our hotel at the end of April because TLA runs out. (BAH is not enough) We could stay here longer but it is just sooo expensive for the dump we are living in. $170 a night adds up to ALOT a month! Mike had another TLA appointment this morning and they told him that we are now #4 on the list, but it could still take till the the end of May, or longer. So I spend my days, checking Craigslist, then AHRN, then Rent.com and then doing it all over again, and again. I just wish Mike wasn't leaving yet. I want him to be able to say yes or no to the house that we are going to live in for a year... if we ever find one.
  Mike is actually at the dentist as I write. He was suppose to have a cleaning and a cavity fill today, then next week have all 4 of his wisdom teeth removed. They wanted to have him all done before he leaves but its not going to happen. The surgeon that does it is on leave so now he has to put it off even longer. He's needed if for years so another few months wont hurt.
  We also got a email that my car has made it to the island. I'm so excited to have her back! His Jeep is sooo hard to drive so I don't like to drive it at all. The seat only goes up so far so I'm reaching for the clutch every time I shift, it never wants to downshift so its hard to slow down, and you have to pump the breaks to stop, definitely not use to that.  That's what you get when you buy a 82' I guess. He loves it tho so that's all that matters. He's going to love it even more once he can take the top off. We haven't had a place to put the hard top once we take it off, another reason why we need a house. We are going tomorrow to pick up my car and then I will be free... free to do whatever I need to do without waiting till 6:00pm for my husband to get home! Very exciting! But then I will need to get a safety check. (Hawaii makes every car do this) I already no that I will need to get my reverse lights fixed and hopefully they wont say anything about my windows being to dark. ( I'm not going to be a happy camper if they make me take them off) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything else is up to standard.
  Mike is probably going golfing this weekend. He has been talking about it ever sense we got here and he finally found a friend that likes to go too. Other then that, its up in the air for this weekend. Well, I have a few of things in mind but nothing set yet. I just love that every weekend there is something to do, let alone something different to do.

Play Time

  Bolo dreaming with his eyes open, probably chasing something.    ~ Turn up sound~

  Bolo and I went to the park today, taking a break from Pintrest, while Mike was at work.  I wish
I could take him off his leash to really get out there and play but I think its too risky.

 Full face in the water searching for rocks.



Now he smells like wet dog and fish.... Bath time is next!

Recap

   We went and looked at the house that we could have possibly rented. It was soooo cute! On a dirt road, dead end, the backyard was the mountains, 1/2 acre, really clean and updated, everything was pretty much perfect except... we don't know how we feel about having our landlords living upstairs. They have 3 kids, dog, chickens and 2 pigs. I'm not sure how Bolo would feel about all that even tho I love it. If we wanted to have people over, I just want to be relaxed at my home, not worried if there are to many cars in the driveway. So I guess we are going to keep looking. If only it was at that price and it was a single family home... Ha.. Ya right.
  After the house, because we were close to the North Shore (house was kinda far away too)  we decided to make a stop on a trail.  This trail was used as an overlook for the fishermen.  I guess they could see the schools of fish from the top. It was very slippery,  humid and half the trail looked like it was washed away by the resent rains. It really wasn't a very enjoyable trail because of all the mosquitoes.
We were actually in a rush to get out of there! I wouldn't be surprised if we have Malaria now! (well just me, Mike has had the shot)

i

Note for next trail: Wear pants!
 

    
These  mosquitoes are way different then the ones we have in Cleveland!  Also, please excuse my cellulite legs... I'm working on it.

Happy St Patricks Day!!!

  Mike and I had really good weekend. Friday we went and had a few drinks at one of his coworkers homes. He was married so that's a potential friend for me! It was nice to talk to someone other then my husband... :)

  Saturday we headed to China Town for the St Paddy's Day block party. Its funny how this takes place in the middle of a culture that could probably care less about the day. There are 2 Irish bars there so I guess its bound to happen.

   
First drinks of the day. Lots more to follow!


 Today Mike and I are heading to look at few houses. Housing office required that we are avidly looking for a house to rent while we are waiting for base housing. So if we find one that is nice then, we wont have to wait any longer.  Grocery shopping needs to be done after that, then hopefully we can take a little hike up a trail for some scenic views.

TGIF!

  Mike had a meeting with the housing office on Wednesday. I'm not sure if its good news or bad. They said we are number 11 on the list to get housing. I guess there is always a possibility to get bumped up or down tho because of how long people have been married. I'm not really sure how that works. He stopped in again today just to make sure what month they are really thinking we will be able to have a home. They said probably sometime in May. I'm just praying that it will be sooner because we have to be out of this hotel by May 1st.
   It is such a beautiful day out I decided to take Bolo to the park. We have a bike path right behind our hotel that runs along the water so its a perfect for strolls. Too bad its a little sketchy and I am always looking behind me. I just hope that anyone that would "think" of doing anything sees that I have a huge "mean" dog with me. Bolo played in the water and I sat and tried to get a little color. Bolo was entertained by picking up rocks in his mouth, dropping them and then chasing the splash that it made. Definitely a dirty dog afterwards!
   I'm in the mist of coloring my hair. I hadn't done it in so long and the grey was starting to show... We have a few fun activity's planned for the weekend. Being St. Pattys Day, (one of my favorites!) we need to go shopping for some gear after Mike gets off work. All of my outfits are still packed in storage so...Shopping!  :) Iv seen pictures of the place where we are going and it looks like so much fun and really crowded. Not quite sure how the Hawaiian's celebrate an Irish Holiday but we will soon find out.
 

7 Things...Link up Questions

 I'm Linking up with Gentri Lee's Blog again. I'm loving the weekly 7 questions!

My Funny Picture:

  Going Para-sailing in Virginia Beach 2011. Scared to death!!!

 1. Pick a boyfriend: Edward Cullen, Peeta Mellark, or Harry Potter

I'm not really a "vampire kinda gal"(I haven't even seen Twilight), Harry Potter not really my type so I'm going to pick Peeta! (I have yet to finish the book but I'm dying to see the movie!)

2. If you HAD to have a crazy hairdo, what hairdo would you choose and why? (mohawk, mullet, etc)

Well being a hair stylist and seeing A LOT of styles that I think are crazy!  I probably would go the rout of Gaga.

  

3. If you could be a celebrity what would you like to be celebrated for? (Dance, Singing, Acting, Reality TV [ie no reason], Political Leader, etc)

 I am addicted to Reality TV! I don't think I have that much drama in my life so I don't think the show would last to long.

4. Be honest- do you brush and floss your teeth daily?

No.... I brush about 2-3 times a day and I use mouthwash regularly, but floss, probably 3-4 times a week... ugg now that I wrote that I'm going to change my ways.

5. What is one fear you are working to overcome?

 My main fear is heights! I do feel that it holds me up in things that I want to see but I don't think I am working on it. I'm scared to!

6. White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, or Semi-Sweet (isn't that just dark chocolate)??

MMM.... all of them!!!

7. What is one trend you wish you could pull off?

Skinny jeans, I think my butt is way to big for them... 

 Follow Along and Link up to join the fun

Surprise

  Mike dropped a bomb on me yesterday after he had gotten home from work. I knew that he would be going away sometime in the near future to do training with his company but I really didn't think it was going to be this soon...All I am picturing is me moving into our new home ALONE. (We actually will find out how long it will be till be we get base housing today after he has a meeting with the office.) This whole year has been one worry after another. I cant believe it has started again. I just need to sit back and let it roll I guess.

The Park

   It was so beautiful out yesterday. It actually only rained a few times during the day. We decided to take the pups to a park that is right by our temp house.  We didn't end up staying to long, never fails, it started to pour.

Weekend Fun

   This weekend my Sister-in-Law came into town for work. We all went out and had a night in Waikiki. Dukes, (restaurant) was crazy packed, we had to wait awhile but we ended up getting a table outside right next to the water.

 Mike's first touch of the Pacific.

 We took her to North Shore to see some of the sights.

 We ate at a cute "local" restaurant along the way.  We didn't eat out side but I made everyone pose for the picture.

Ka iwi State Scenic Shoreline

A little hut right by our temp house. I thought it was kinda cute.

  We took a ride today even-tho it was cloudy and raining, to a trail on the south-eastern tip of Ohau.

 I wanted to see whales so bad.... but we didn't   :(

So windy!

 Coconuts







Waterfalls on our way home

Random...

Bolo woke me up bright and early yesterday. I still don't think he is on the right time schedule. Taking him out with tired eyes and almost squashing this HUGE snail would have really made a mess! He was the size a cat, I swear!

Hubby bought me a new camera! So excited! Now I can actually take good photo's in this beautiful state!



On another note...  We picked my sister-in-law up at the airport last night. Its been a wile sense we have seen her so its really going to be nice to spend some time catching up. She is going to be working out here for the most part, but she will have nights free, so that will be fun!
We also had some of our stuff delivered to our temporary house today. It was all the stuff that we had in North Carolina with us so it hasn't been to long sense we have seen it. I just cant wait till the big truck comes with all of our stuff from Ohio! That wont be for awhile tho.