March 22, 2020
While the state of living for the majority of us remains in flux, my husband and I are finding peace in looking to what never changes: the joy on our kids’ faces when we bust out the popsicles, the way…
March 15, 2020
While many of us may be grumbling over recommendations to stay home and limit social interactions, our dog, Lilo, is reveling in the company. She usually stays home alone while we are at work, and she has left physical signs…
March 8, 2020
Much like creating hurricane-readiness kits, preparation for potential COVID-19 threats involves stocking up on items like non-perishable food, paper goods, medicine and water. The idea is to have items on hand should there be a shortage or should you be…
March 1, 2020
Although it pains me to admit it, one of my worst habits in recent years has been online shopping. I like to think of myself as uber-efficient, saving time by ordering groceries, diapers and other essentials this way rather than…
February 23, 2020
What many refer to as the “terrible twos” has nothing on what we are experiencing now. Our daughter, Lina, turned 2 this past fall and has fulfi lled the prophecies our friends told us she would. The skills and traits…
February 16, 2020
According to Eric Thompson of Island Bath Works, one of the biggest issues facing his clients is figuring out how to outfit their bathrooms to accommodate aging-in-place desires. “One of the challenges with this is that most Hawaii homes were…
February 9, 2020
I started marking my kids’ heights and was shocked recently to see that my youngest had grown a whole inch within the past month. I have seen subtle signs of his growth in everyday life. He is reaching tabletops, switches…
February 2, 2020
My daughter, who turned 3 just a few months ago, seems to know it all. When she hears a song for the first time, she tells me she knows it and can teach it to me. When she gets a…
January 26, 2020
The weather has finally improved from the continual rain and gusty winds we saw with the start of the new year. Now, we have opened up to what many refer to as “the best weather on the planet.” The days…
January 19, 2020
Repairing a roof can cost anywhere from $351 to $1,373, according to Home Advisor. In Hawaii, we can expect our rates to be slightly higher. But how do you know if you need a repair? To find out, I turned…
January 12, 2020
This past holiday season, some of my favorite gifts were actually the ones I got for myself: matching fabric storage bins. Our playroom has several built-in shelves that until now served as a messy dumping ground for kid items that…
January 5, 2020
As the holiday season comes to a close and a new decade begins, many of us will seek to start with healthier bodies, more positive outlooks and cleaner, more organized homes. I like to think of it as more of…
December 29, 2019
As the year (and the decade) comes to a close, I find myself reflecting back on the many memories we have made. In the past year, my kids have grown from babies to little people. Their relationship has gotten stronger…
December 22, 2019
While some people claim they hate small talk, I actually enjoy it. I truly like hearing about the little things going on in others’ lives. Throughout the past few weeks, small-talk topics have usually involved something about holiday preparations. “Are…
December 15, 2019
You may have heard the phrase, “Lightning never strikes the same place twice.” However, this is actually the opposite of the truth. According to Britannica, because of the levels of attraction between the bolts and those places, lightning strikes may…
December 8, 2019
The Honolulu Marathon will always hold a special place in my heart. Before my recent hiatus from running, I completed six consecutive Honolulu Marathons, and I am hoping to return to the sport next year. For today’s race, however, I…
December 1, 2019
As the holiday season moves into full swing, I am finding it easier to focus on the fun things and harder to focus on those that require brain-power. This holds true even for entertainment. For example, I am reading a…
November 26, 2019
Being a long-term planner, I can’t help but think of the inevitable changes my parents will go through when they cross the line from young to not-so-young. They are both still vibrant, but it never hurts to plan ahead. Try…
November 17, 2019
I am the youngest of three siblings. My brother, Raymond, is three years older than me, and my sister, Suzanne, is two years older. We grew up very close to one another. We attended the same schools from pre-school through…
November 10, 2019
I have to confess, I have become one of those crazy people who goes straight from Halloween to Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving. However, I like to think of it as part of the overall holiday season,…