Gifts to self

Christmas came early for David and Lisa.  They splurged and bought gifts for themselves.  Here’s David’s gift:  A Braun shaver, which he bought for $150 at Don Quijote.

 

It comes with a container of alcohol, which cleans the razor inside the stand.  Never use water!

 

The shaver is inserted into the stand with the razor side down in the alcohol.  After cleansing, the shaver automatically lifts up and dries the razor.

 

David shaves with his Braun shaver.  Crucial test:  He kisses me, and I tell him that I feel no bristles on his upper lip!  The Braun is so much better than his old Norelco in that regard.  Successfully close shave!

 

Here’s Lisa with her gift:  Super Mario Brothers games for the Wii.

 

These are the controls on the Wii remote.

 

We plan to play these games at our Christmas party.  There will be a $60 cash prize for the winner.

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to buy yourself a present.  You get what you really want, and no one is inconvenienced.

Blogging and senility

Moorish Idol in Ala Wai Harbor.  Photo by Ted Trimmer.

Before I do anything else, I want to thank those of you who have purchased my books – either from Amazon.com or from me. To those who are clueless about my books, do click on ABOUT in the upper right corner of the main screen.

Anyway, how is everybody? 

David is happy with his sizable Christmas bonus, especially during this recession.  After paying some bills, let’s see if there’s enough for a trip somewhere.  Maybe, Hong Kong next year?

Lisa can’t wait to see her grades posted online on Wednesday.  She is especially concerned about her three science courses (Physics, Chemistry, and Sports Medicine). 

Remember how you felt when you were in school?  It’s been a long time for me.  Thank God, I no longer have to cram for exams and burn the midnight oil to write my term papers!  I have no desire to return to college for my Master’s.  I give credit to my friend who got her Master’s in Library Science in her late sixties, became a librarian, and finally retired in her mid-seventies.  Super bright woman, even now in her eighties.

These days, the only self-imposed challenge I face is having to come up with new topics for my blog.  I don’t know how some friends do it, but they manage to write MORE THAN ONE post per day.  Incredible!  I feel that if I can keep blogging, I will never get senile.  Knock on wood…

Mundane, but productive

It’s Sunday morning, and David’s busy.  At my request, he raises the holder for the toilet paper about a foot, so it won’t bang my arm.

 

Then he fixes the screen door by inserting spline at the bottom.

 

He takes a break…

 

…and watches the Cincinnati vs. San Diego football game on his big screen TV.

 

He exits the house…

 

…and enters the patio…

 

…where he hangs the door.

 

Lunch break!  This afternoon, he’ll clean the windows and mow the lawn.  Mundane, but productive day!  It’s nice having a husband.  Beats paying a handyman $25 an hour!

Real or fake?

Our friend lives down the street from us.  She is in the Christmas tree business.  Last month, she ordered 400 premium Douglas Fir trees from the mainland and sold them for $110 each at the Salt Lake Shopping Center.  They sold out within two weeks.  $110.  Sheesh!  Isn’t that highway robbery?  Back in the 1990s, we used to buy a 6 foot Douglas Fir for $10 at Daiei. 

How do you explain the jump in price?  And why are people willing to shell out $110 for a tree?

I was smart.  A couple of years ago, I bought a 6 foot FAKE tree for $100 at Kmart.  It has small colorful lights attached to each branch, so there is no need to drape the tree with a rope of lights.  Great, less work for me!  Since it can be re-used every year, I don’t understand why more people don’t do the same and buy an artificial tree.  True, it doesn’t perfume the air with that delightful Douglas Fir fragrance, but guess what, there is also no debris from fallen needles.  That alone would be a good reason to buy a fake tree.

How about you?  Which do you prefer?  Real or fake?

Dieting and sex appeal

Well, it’s final:  I told Pat that I won’t be renewing my membership in Weight Watchers, as I have had no success with it.  You might recall that I started the program back in January.  After the initial weight loss of 12 pounds, I have managed to gain most of it back.  I simply lack the self-discipline to count points for everything that enters my mouth.

Prior to WW, I tried NutriSystem.  I lost 26 pounds, and then gained it all back and then some after leaving the program.

Prior to NS, I was a vegetarian.  Weight loss was definitely NOT significant!  I also missed the flavor and aroma of meat, so my vegetarian phase lasted just a year.

Blah, blah, blah!

I am so FED UP with weight loss programs!  What’s wrong with being heavy, when my lab scores all come back normal or better?  That’s right.  My scores for blood glucose, cholesterol, liver, thyroid, etc. are all NORMAL.  I am HEALTHY.

What about sex appeal, you ask?

This is my response:  Look around you, people.  Notice how quite a few heavy women have faithful, loving husbands, whereas many skinny women have had to divorce their cheating husbands?  Obviously, being skinny is not a sure way to marital bliss.

Sex appeal, indeed.  If I still fit into my muumuus, what the heck? 

I am so relieved that I have changed my attitude toward food.  Now, I can relax and be happy – just in time for the holidays!

Volleyball and a Smoothie

Yesterday, UH volleyball coach Dave Shoji was named National Coach of the Year, the second time in his career.

 

Although they won the first set, the UH Wahine (black uniforms) lost to Penn State in the NCAA Championship semi-finals today.  As the Star-Bulletin’s headline read, it was “Dave vs. Goliath.”  Unfortunately, Goliath was just too tall and too powerful.  Ah, well, there’s always next year!

 

Have you ever seen this Hamilton Beach WAVE-ACTION blender?  David bought it at Kmart.

 

It is unique, because there is no rubber gasket, which I always seem to misplace.  There are no loose parts.

 

The blades are set at the bottom of the pitcher.

 

It has ten speeds.  I chose the smoothie speed to blend orange juice, a banana, and frozen blueberries.

 

Ah, it hit the spot!

Wondering about our future

We received our property assessment today.  Our 2009 property value was $650,400.  But our 2010 property value is $569,000.  On one hand, this is good news, because our property tax will be less.  On the other hand, if we apply for a loan or reverse mortgage, the lower value might impact the outcome, because there will be less equity.  Hopefully, these loan companies/banks will consider the market value (about $600,000), instead.

All of this makes me wonder about our future.  My cousins, E and H, are in their 80s and recently moved to Pohai Nani, a retirement community in Kaneohe.  They have put their townhouse on the market.  Apparently, they found the stairs and yard work to be difficult with every passing year, so the move to Pohai Nani was necessary.  I have no idea how much it cost.

Aunty B did practically the same thing by selling her Manoa house and moving to Kahala Nui, a retirement/assisted living community in Kahala.  I have seen her one bedroom, one bath unit.  It is incredibly small, the size of my master bedroom.  But, the grounds, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym, and other amenities are attractive.  Only the wealthy, however, need apply.

Then, there’s my 93-year-old mother, who still lives in her old house in Manoa.  My sister is her caregiver.  Although she has dementia, Mom is able to groom and feed herself.  She is in excellent physical health and enjoys her solo morning walks around the block.

But, the ones I most want to emulate are Aunty M and Uncle H.  They are in their late-70s and live in a three bedroom house in Mililani.  Neither needs assistance with his/her daily routine, and both still drive their two cars.  I truly admire them.  Theirs is the lifestyle I want for myself and David.

Have you thought about your future?  What are your plans?

A ray of hope

Poinsettias from Maria’s in-laws.  This plant is huge!

 

What do you think of Barack Obama as President so far?  Good?  Good!  He’s been in office less than a year, and already he’s accomplished a lot.

“We have to spend our way through this recession,” he said. 

Although it’s scary to push our national debt through the stratosphere, we needed a stimulus.  Some banks and businesses are already returning their bail-out funds to the government.  What a success story!  Obama is now pleading with banks to help small business owners by lending them money.  And unemployment is gradually being reduced with the funding of public works projects.  Not bad considering it’s been less than a year.

Health care reform?  He’s doing that, too – something previous administrations were unable to accomplish.  If David loses his job, we will have health insurance!  And we will be covered even if we have pre-existing conditions!

The war in Afghanistan?  He is accommodating both the hawks and the doves by sending more troops there, but with a definite end in sight.  The war won’t be open-ended.

Yes, there’s a ray of hope for peace, health, and prosperity!  One year down and three more to go!  What will happen next with Obama in charge?

Spending money frivolously?

A relative called recently to accuse us of spending money frivolously on fine dining restaurants, Pay Per View UH sports, a 52 inch television set, etc.  “That’s why you had to borrow money for David’s teeth and his new car, instead of paying cash,” she said.

“It’s only money,” David replied.

Besides, I wanted to add, what business is it of yours?  Sheesh!  Some people have the nerve to butt into our lives.

To counter her criticism, let me make the following argument:

We enjoy dining out occasionally.  The fancier the restaurant, the better.  Why?  Because it is never just about shoveling food into our mouth!  We love every aspect of the fine dining experience – everything about it, from the wine and cuisine to the waiter’s French accent and even to the table linen, china and silverware.  Presentation is as important as the food and is a great source of pleasure for us.  We love to be surprised.

As for Pay Per View, yes, it is expensive.  Again, UH football, volleyball, and basketball games are all entertaining and we enjoy watching them live in the comfort of our home.

We bought the 52 inch television set, because David watches a lot of television and wanted a huge screen to see his programs better. 

FINALLY, YOU CAN’T PUT A PRICE ON HAPPINESS!!!

d.k Steak House

Since I tend to cook and serve red meat only a few times a month, David and I felt like having a nice steak dinner at d.k Steak House at the Waikiki Marriott – our first time at this restaurant.

 

We started with a glass of sparkling wine from Italy.  $9.00.

 

French Bread and Whipped Butter.

 

We chose to have a Surf and Turf Complete Dinner for $50.00 per person.  This included a Caesar Salad for David…

 

and a bowl of Roasted Garlic Potato Soup for me.  David said his salad was as ordinary as a Caesar Salad could be.  I, on the other hand, felt like singing after finishing my soup.  Excellent!

 

This is David and me between courses.

 

We loved our T-Bone Steak and 4 Jumbo Shrimp,

 

which were accompanied by scalloped potatoes and cooked veggies.

 

By then quite stuffed, we shared a dessert of Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauces.  Yummy!  $7.95.

 

This pretty painting hung on the wall next to our table.

How did we rate d.k Steak House?  “A” for the cuisine, and “B+” for the ambience.