Lisa n Tom (n James n Joseph)

Lisa writes: We went to the U.S.S. Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor. Another old Hawaii friend, May Parker Au, told us her recollections of Dec. 7, 1941 and we were surprised to hear that Hawaii went under martial law after the attack, that citizens were told to black out their windows, there was food rationing, and Japanese people living in Hawaii were sent to intern camps in California. It had somehow never occurred to either of us that the people in Hawaii didn't know at the time that there wouldn't be another attack. And if there had been, it's very, very likely the Japanese would have taken the island. They'd sunk all our battleships, destroyed all but 14 of our planes, and killed 2300 soldiers. The Hawaiians were sitting ducks. It's a strange thing to think about.

Lisa writes: The whole gang. Sis. Maeda is an old friend from when we were stationed at Schofield Barracks in 1982-85. She met us at church with leis for everybody. And then what to do for a Sunday-appropriate family activity? How about go to Pali Lookout and get blown around?

Lisa writes: More house pics. I mowed the lawn last night and we broke in the washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher over the weekend. We've met a couple of the neighbors. We've got stuff in the storage shed. We've used both of the bathrooms. We've crawled over every inch of the upstairs floors (pulling tacks). It's starting to feel a little bit more like our house. Yucky scrap of yucky decaying carpet pad (click on it to see it in even greater yucky detail) Yucky carpet rolled up Kitchen full 'o stuff Exteriorfront2. Click on this one. I like the jaunty little black stars on the two front bedroom windows. Carport -- complete with cars! Shed Patio1 Dang, thems some big trees Planting beds Exteriorback1 Exteriorfront1 Ethernet-ready. Tom was excited to see this. Custom-bound carpet in the basement. Why?

Lisa writes: This morning was "extra trash pick-up for weird, big stuff and tree branches" day in our neighborhood. I know this because when I was driving home last night, there were old couches and dishwashers and piles of tree branches piled up neatly at the foot of everyone's driveway. And there were barbeque grills. Lots and lots of barbecue grills. We have a little patio, but no barbecue grill. So last night, after pulling up carpet tacks for two hours with the Jensens (bless them!), Tom and I took a flashlight-lit walk through the neighborhood to inspect the orphaned grills. Some were trashed for good reason, but a few had simply been displaced by newer, sexier models. We found one that was in good shape and rolled it to its new home.

Pictures to start with. Commentary and more pictures tomorrow. Got to get to bed. Exterior1 Storage2 Storage1 Downstairs1 Stairs2 Lightswitch1 Backyard1 Hardwoods2 Hardwoods1 This is the master bathroom. I think that the fixtures are the same color as in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five. Our builders must have been very well read. Masterbedroom2 Masterbedroom1 Smallbedroom1 Rippingcarpet1 Bath2 This is actually a pretty nice bathroom. However, the wallpaper may be an early casualty of our ownership. Stairs1 Livingroom2 Livingroom1 The dining room is cute, but we can't figure out what the architect was thinking when he (or she) put a single, tiny window on such a big wall. Future possibility, a fancy schmancy picture window. Kitchen2 We are not quite sure what to do with a kitchen big enough for both of us to occupy at the same time, but we're not complaining.

Lisa writes: Sat right behind a couple in their 60s during church one Sunday. I'd met them before, but never really talked to them much. Found out an interesting little story: They met at college during a semester when she was taking 22 credit hours, working 20 hours a week, and acting as president of her dorm. They went on their first date on Sunday and got engaged on Tuesday. (And in his words: "I was sorry to wait so long, but I didn't get a chance to see her on Monday.") He proposed by saying, "I know you aren't in love with me yet, but when you do fall in love with me, will you marry me?" And she said yes. Then she went on study-abroad to Europe for a year -- which was the reason she'd been taking so many credits -- and they got married when she came back. They've been married for 41 years and have eight kids. I asked her if she was surprised by his proposing so soon. And she said, "If he hadn't asked me first, I would have a...

Lisa writes: Happy 5th month birthday, Benjamin. Lori and Dave got some excellent news yesterday -- the part of the adoption process that they were told could take 2-5 months only took 2 months. It's actually ahead of schedule! Yay! So they're planning to see you in about seven more weeks. Lori is busy painting your room and putting up chair rail and white wainescotting that you will really enjoy decorating with crayons in about six months.

Lisa writes: Big wind last night and continuing all through today. Trees and power lines down. All the cherry blossoms hanging on for dear life. Click on any picture to see it larger. In the meantime, we are packing up and heading out. The big move is Saturday. No more condo life for us! No more hoarding quarters for the laundry machine. No more neighbors walking around on our ceiling. No more racing home to get the one parking spot. No more tiny little monthly rent and free utilities....

Lisa writes: Hey, siblings! Here's a handy link you can use for when people ask, " So, where are you from ?"

Lisa writes: Click here to go to this rapper's MySpace page and listen to my sister-in-law singing a backup aria on this rap song. On the audio player in the top right corner, click the song "All My Life" and then click the Play (arrow) button. Donny is excited to finally vicariously fulfill every white boy's dream of living the thug life -- the Mormon thug life, that is.

Lisa writes: Christi reported that Christian lost his first tooth. He's a big kid now! She said he wiggled it out on Thursday with his three sisters cheering him on, and was thrilled with the $1.25 Tooth Fairy money. But later, after all the initial excitement wore down, he changed his mind and wanted her to put it back in.

Lisa writes: (Seen at Eastern Market in D.C. this morning) Small, adventurous wiener dog seeks same for road trips and ear-flapping fun. Must have license and, preferably, be able to reach the gas pedal.

Lisa writes: Countdown to Hawaii? 15 days. Here's Baby Don Don in his heavily lei'd Hawaiian glory.

toothpastefordinner.com

Lisa writes: Littlest sister Debbie called last night to tell us she got her mission call. She'll be headed to Independence, Missouri on June 27th, speaking Spanish. You can virtually join her in MO by reading through the city's virtual tour guide . Town highlights: Ginger Rogers born there, Harry and Bess Truman married there, lauching point for the Oregon Trail, and more Mormon splinter groups than you can shake a stick at. Also, the Leilas Hair Museum ("The only museum of its kind in the world." No kidding?)

Lisa quotes Christi: "Going to the store to pick up egg dye, Christian asks in horror,"Egg die...you mean we have to kill them?" Thus the slaughtering of the eggs." Here are Christian and the girls on Easter morning. And here's a shot of "the girls" (me and Lori) on a Spring day in 1974-ish. Lori is probably 18 months to 2 years old. I'm about 4. Lori's boots rule. Click the picture to see it much bigger.