February 8, 2015
Every family has someone that is at least mildly obsessed with gadgets and all things tech. For us, that person is my brother Raymond. He’s our go-to-guy when we have any questions about which new phone we should buy or…
February 1, 2015
My sister and her husband moved into a new home a few months ago, just weeks after having their first baby. Needless to say, the home is still a work in progress. They just finished unpacking and are now trying…
January 25, 2015
They say that to keep a dog sharp, you should teach them new tricks every so often. Among my favorites for our dog Lilo are playing dead and rolling over. But one of her most recent tricks she learned herself…
January 18, 2015
It’s confession time. As much as I love to plan and stay organized, sometimes I also take little shortcuts along the way. One shortcut I’m a bit ashamed to admit is this: Since we moved into our home nine months…
January 11, 2015
Although I consider myself fairly independent, I’m not too proud to ask for help when I need it. I have come to appreciate that experts are experts in their field for a reason, and whether it’s getting help with school…
January 4, 2015
The start of a new year brings plenty of promise. We resolve to spend less, eat healthier and exercise more. As I often have in the past, I’m also resolving to get — and stay — more organized. One problem…
December 28, 2014
It’s hard to believe that 2014 is nearly over. As the years go by, they seem to be picking up the pace. However, I’ve found that reflecting on the past year helps to slow things down, even if only for…
December 21, 2014
Today’s date holds a very special place in my heart as a day of love. My parents got married 37 years ago on this very day. Today we celebrate them, but we also celebrate a new engagement. My brother-in-law recently…
December 15, 2014
When it comes to cleaning tile countertops, it can be a tricky business. Food bits and liquid spills seem to have a way of lodging themselves into precisely the most difficult spots between the tiles, making them extremely difficult to…
December 7, 2014
The holiday season is in full swing, and I truly feel that this is the best time of the year. There are few occasions that we all make time for baking cookies, catching up with friends and, of course, for…
November 30, 2014
Seeing my sister with her baby, Benjamin, has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve always heard people say that once you have a baby, your motherly instinct kicks in. I never quite understood that until now. My sister makes decisions…
November 23, 2014
I am ecstatic about this week. By the time you read this, I will be in Cleveland, holding my baby nephew for the first time ever. At a time when we all are preparing to give thanks, I couldn’t be…
November 16, 2014
If you have come to our house in the past few months, you might have noticed a strange arrangement in our family room. When we got our new couch, we donated our old one, along with our coffee table. We…
November 9, 2014
A few weeks ago, while my husband and I were sitting on our lanai having dinner with a friend, she suddenly screamed, “A rat!” I looked up and saw what looked like an overgrown mouse running along the top of…
November 2, 2014
With the recent news events reminding us how important it is to keep our hands clean, I feel like I’ve already got a head start, with hand sanitizers in every bag I own and always within reach. While the chances…
October 26, 2014
This year, I’ve decided to complement my husband’s Uncle Fester Halloween costume and dress up as a light bulb. Browsing the hardware store for inspiration, I saw how difficult choosing a light bulb could really be. Here are some handy…
October 19, 2014
October is Fire Prevention Month. Getting prepared for fire safety is easy, and it can literally help save lives. One major thing you can do is purchase and learn how to use a fire extinguisher. Decide how many you will…
October 12, 2014
When it comes to walls, I’ve always loved the look of wallpaper and texture, although I thought that I was limited to paint for fear of committing to something more permanent. But it turns out you can install removable fabric…
October 5, 2014
I’ve been working hard with my dog, Lilo, to get her trained to become a visitation dog through Hawaiian Humane Society’s Joy Ambassador program. Like a proud mother, I’m happy to report that she has passed her tests, and has…
September 28, 2014
I have a confession. We’ve lived in our “new” place for more than six months now, and every time we or anyone else has used our downstairs bathroom, we’ve had to hold down the flush lever to make it work…