Professional Days

The kids didn't have school Friday, so we decided a trip to IKEA and Trader Joe's was in order.  Not the greatest pictures, but we had fun.  What a treat it was to go to that store on a weekday opposed the the weekend!  Best of all we came back with some pretty good finds.
 I am in the process of re decorating my house (therapy perhaps), so between walls taped off to paint, and furniture being rearranged, moved out, acquiring peoples old stuff.  Its been quite liberating, but I needed a day away from it all!  I will take pictures when things are all done.  Its being done on limited time and a very tight budget, so I haven't put a time frame on it, rather just resigned to the fact that my house may be messy for a while...so be it!

Oh yes, lunch at IKEA, can't beet the meatballs!

Part II Week in Photos

Went snow shoeing up by Mission Ridge last Saturday

No school on Monday so we went skate skiing

 Such a beautiful day in Leavenworth

Happy 30th Sis!

Week in Photos

We've been a little busy this week.  Started with last weekend we finally had Christmas with my family (I was gone for Christmas and they were in Maui after Christmas). 

We got Cal a tool set.  Pretty sure he liked it!

Simple Pleasures

We were in search of sun today.  Started with Saddlerock, made it half way up before we decided mud sliding was not our thing.  I gave the kids 2 options, either go home and I would head to Gold's or head up Mission and carry on.  They chose to carry on....LOVE these guys!  Up high enough we did see the sun, and off the path the snow was deep, Kaiser had a great time chasing snowballs in it!

Love

I've been pondering love lately (given my current situation I guess).  How is it that some feel love so strongly and yet others don't feel?  What makes people fall in love and what makes them "fall out of love"?
I can say I have loved and felt loved in my life.  Not just by Lars, but I have loved others and been loved by others.  I am aware that some people are able to feel and give love on a deeper level than others, what causes this?   I will say I am glad I am open to giving and receiving love, I cannot imagine what a dark place it is to not have love.
 I know unconditional love, because of my children, I have had passionate love, familial love, and goodness I loved my great dane so much when she died I was heart broken.  But I know this is not the same for all people.  I "love" theories on love.  Here is one that I read in Wikipedia, I had read it before in one of my psychology text but from a scientific standpoint it makes sense (I would venture to say science and culture both play a role in love).  What if a person is chemically unbalanced, could it cause them to feel and view love differently?  I think perhaps!


Chemical basisMain article: Chemical basis for love


Simplified overview of the chemical basis of love.Lust is the initial passionate sexual desire that promotes mating, and involves the increased release of chemicals such as testosterone and estrogen. These effects rarely last more than a few weeks or months. Attraction is the more individualized and romantic desire for a specific candidate for mating, which develops out of lust as commitment to an individual mate forms. Recent studies in neuroscience have indicated that as people fall in love, the brain consistently releases a certain set of chemicals, including pheromones, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which act in a manner similar to amphetamines, stimulating the brain's pleasure center and leading to side effects such as increased heart rate, loss of appetite and sleep, and an intense feeling of excitement. Research has indicated that this stage generally lasts from one and a half to three years.[11]

Since the lust and attraction stages are both considered temporary, a third stage is needed to account for long-term relationships. Attachment is the bonding that promotes relationships lasting for many years and even decades. Attachment is generally based on commitments such as marriage and children, or on mutual friendship based on things like shared interests. It has been linked to higher levels of the chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin to a greater degree than short-term relationships have.[11] Enzo Emanuele and coworkers reported the protein molecule known as the nerve growth factor (NGF) has high levels when people first fall in love, but these return to previous levels after one year.[12] - Wikipedia

Something to ponder....

Frugal Living

"Avoiding unnecessary expenditure either of money or of anything else which is to be used or consumed; avoiding waste"


en.wiktionary.org/wiki/frugal
 
I get asked often how I do it.  Most recently sitting with my lawyer listing assets and debts,  basically Lars and my division of this was very simple.  Our only debt is our house.  We (me more so) make very little.  So little I am fairly certain my kids could qualify for free lunch based on our income.  However this has never been an issue, I live for a quality of life over quantity of things.
 
My motto has always been to live well within my means.  My means have now gotten a little smaller and may take a little more thought.
 
These are some of the things we have done over the years that add up in big ways, at the same time I have NEVER felt like I live "without".
 
-Our first house we saved up until we had the 20% to put down on it
-Since the kids were born we have not had cable (I have no idea the going rate for cable)
   -and this was before you could watch everything online, I do splurge for Internet!
-Stayed in our first house almost 10 years had a nice down to put on my current house
-Changed from gas heat to electric (saved hundreds of $$ per month in the winter)
-Keep the heat at 70
-I get my hair cut max 3 times a year  (have to have Lukes done every 6 weeks)!
-I do not do mani's, pedis, or any other salon treatments
-I book vacations when I have the money saved for them
-Spending money on vacation comes from loose change we save all year
-I DO NOT use credits cards except for the business and to book a trip and pay for gas
-My spending money for groceries comes from tips
-My business credit card is a mileage card and usually pays for a couple RT tickets to Hawaii each year
-Pay bills early and in full (no late fees or interest charges)
-I rarely buy clothes.  I allow myself 1 new pair of jeans a year (if I want designer, I buy at Nordstrom rack)
-All others clothes I spend between $100-$150 for the year, with the exception of 1 new work shoes a year and twice a year running shoes)  I will say Luke's clothing budget has far exceeded mine!
-Majority of my shopping is done at Costco (clothes, food, electronics, appliances..you name it)
-I have a basic cell phone plan (no Internet on it)
- I live a cash life, if I don't have it, I don't buy it.  Coming back from vacation this time I came home with money, I have wanted to finish painting my bedroom but haven't had extra money for this, with my extra money I bought paint!
 
I love living simple.  It is not for everyone, but things like a bedroom set, or now I have no furniture in the basement bedroom or family room, doesn't bother me.  I'll one day...maybe, if I feel like it piece something together.  I am way behind....but I don't mind.
 
Don't get me wrong with two incomes I knew we would figure out a way to pay for the kids college.  And I knew when Luke was 16 he would get the old honda and Lars would get a new car.  On one income these things are so far out of reach , it does stress me out.  I've talked with Luke about the car situation, as for now as an almost 14 year old he is cool with a bike...and right now I just love that!

Last full day

I just realized I haven't put the pictures of my parents up, but when I get back I will!  We have thoroughly enjoyed our last full day.  With my parents here I have been able to sneak out in the morning and go for a quick run.  I'm not sleeping all that well so by 6:30 I get my running stuff on and by 7 its light enough I am out the door.
This morning I went for a 4.5 mile run, most of it on Ali'i drive, on my way back about a mile from the condo, who cruises past me (with 2 other fellas) on his bike but.....LANCE Armstrong.  They were riding at a conversational pace (probably because they were on Ali'i), no jumping or yelling for me, I was totally caught off guard, not to mention huffing and puffing, sweaty,no makeup...and I didn't even bother to brush my hair, not my finest hour.  I  just simply picked up my pace and took it all in, and marveled at how incredibly lucky I was!  I had to run the last mile fast, I couldn't wait to get back and share my news! (that too is a story)
Took my parents to the airport, they're on their way to Maui, thank you Mom and Dad for joining us for part of this trip, Love you!!
Was feeling lucky so tried to get into Mauna Kea again...no such luck today so we spent the day a Hapuna!

Ate dinner last night here.  I don't drink beer, but had to try it being at a brewery so my dad and I split the sampler



Anything, I tell you!

Yes that line on my stomach is a tan line...great

Happy New Year

Happy New Year bloggers!  Thank you all so much for you love and support!