Friday Flashback

Let's face it. . . .

Trying to capture the Fall Feeling for the past 5 years has meant throwing in a splash of Halloween orange amongst all the tropical flora and fauna.

Or. . . .

Reminiscing from years past in cooler climates.

Dateline: October 2002

Grandma Dodee's, Utah

Friday Flashback

October 2000. This week, 9 years ago - was a turning point in our lives.

David graduated from OIS in Newport, Rhode Island.

The USS Cole had just been attacked in Yemen a day earlier.

We had been apart from David for 6 WHOLE WEEKS! I thought I would never survive.
When I think of that now - I giggle a bit. 6 weeks . . . .cakewalk!

I met my beloved Subaru for the first time.

We gave it a good introduction to our family by driving it from Newport down to Baltimore - with plenty of stops along the way. Including the unplanned night in Groton after Garrett launched his lunch in the backseat amongst all our Iceland bound luggage.

And who can think back to that time without remembering Madi's famous PURPLE CLOGS!

Doin' the Cockroach Dive

While awaiting one last glimpse of the USS Ronald Reagan leaving Pearl Harbor for the colder waters of San Diego, Molly helped pass time demonstrating her obsession with the ever present cockroaches.

As entertaining and/or disgusting as Molly's pre-show was, the Supercarrier was quite a show stopper.

Packed full of "Tigers" (they're all the family members not in uniform lining the flight deck) - you know this is bound to be a week of adventure for the ship and her crew.

I broke a promise

After my phone fell victim to the Pacific ocean last week I vowed never to take my phone to the beach again. I lied!

Being that today was Sunday - we figured we'd do what comes naturally. . . .Take a drive to the country.

Anyone who is familiar with Oahu knows that the "country" in these here parts is more commonly known as the North Shore.  We made the stop in Hale'iwa for the must have shave ice - and continued on thinking we'd make a stop at the temple grounds in La'ie to grab a sighting of Mark Eubank (sans the white jacket).  We stopped to oooh and aaahh at the beach where they film for the tv show Lost and nearly tripped over the huge rocks all over the place! Check out that big ol' one in the foreground. . . .

After we spotted these beautiful creatures basking in the warm afternoon sun - I sent Dave back to the car to grab whatever was available to record our findings. The phone to the rescue!
We spent quite a while just watching these gentle giants.

There were only 2 honu on the beach this afternoon, Brutus and Punahele.

But they were magnificent.

There is a local organization that keeps watch and tries to educate the public about this threatened species. The Honu Guardians were excellent at keeping us humans at a fair distance (being within 6 feet of these guys sends their anxiety levels sky high) and answering the many many questions.

In conclusion:

Mark Eubank lost out to the turtles.

I'm so glad I had my phone!

P.S. - we've signed up to be Honu Guardians 2 shifts a month!  I'm such a sucker for volunteering.

Here's hoping

That YOUR Saturday was just as swell!

Freecycle Friday Project

We found the cutest little project over on Not So Idle Hands blog.

Figuring "why not" . . . .

we made a jar for each member of the house.

Not too shabby for a free project on this rainy Friday.

Change of Command, Pacific Fleet.

I could have put COC PACFLT - but I didn't think too many of you would understand.

Dave's command, U.S. Pacific Fleet*, held a change command during a ceremony Sept. 25 on Naval Station Pearl Harbor in view of the historic memorials of USS Arizona and USS Missouri.

The Change of Command ceremony is among the oldest traditions in the Navy.
The change-of-command ceremony, which is rich in naval tradition, is quite formal. The turnover of a Navy command is the formal passing of responsibility, authority, and accountability of command from one officer to another.

United States Navy Regulations, 1990, Department of the Navy, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C., 1990. Few occasions stir the emotions of people more than a formal naval ceremony. Most of these ceremonies instill a great amount of pride in our naval service for all who attend.

In your naval career you will attend many formal ceremonies. No matter what role you fill, take a moment to look around you to reflect on the traditions and customs that have been carried on for many years. These traditions and customs will make you proud to be a part of the greatest Navy in the world.

Mack, W.P., and R.W. Connell, Naval Ceremonies, Customs, and Traditions, 5th ed., Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Md., 1980. Mack, W.P., and T.D. Paulsen, The Naval 0fficer’s Guide, 9th ed., Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Md., 1983

*The Navy's largest fleet command encompasses more than 100 million square miles. Nearly 200 ships and submarines and 125-thousand sailors

Satisfaction . . . .

. . . . . .In a job well done!

One of two 'paver patios' that we installed.