Video Test - Ella Laughing

I'm hoping this video works....

Einstein

We relaxed all day today and lounged by the pool a bit too. I have a tan! Though I've been using lots of sunscreen, it's impossible to stay out of the sun. Ron was able to get the tires for the car and the Honda passed it's safety inspection. Monday it's down to the DMV to register the car. Here is Ella this afternoon in the hotel. Her hair is getting long but it's so wonderfully curly I get to make her look like a mad scientist...we think she's smart too!
Tonight we went for a walk through the base housing behind the hotel. It was like walking back into the 1950's. The sun sets around 6:00 but kids are still playing in the street, people have their windows open and toys and bikes are left in the yard. I'm so glad we chose base housing because it's so safe. Ella and I can walk in the evening with no problems.
It's been gorgeous today, I am definately deserving of these island breezes after living in the heat and humidity in Atlanta (like an armpit...yuck).

Vehicles

Today we spent most of the day out, and really didn't accomplish anything. We have to register our car with the state of Hawaii but first we need a safety inspection. We finally found a place without a long wait and we were told we can't have black-tinted windows. Goodbye "Darkness". We went to the store, bought some razor blades and took off all the tint. Then back to the inspection place, where we were told we needed a back left tire and a brake light. Back out to replace those only the tire won't be in until tomorrow. We went out and got groceries for the weekend and Ron will go back in the morning to get the tire. Here are Ron and Ella at the end of the day. They are exhausted! I think once the safety inspection is done tomorrow we'll be lounging by the pool the rest of the weekend. It's been hectic running around changing addresses, registering, checking into the military system. So much to do. We move into our house on Wedneday then I'll be busy unpacking. We chose the house on the base, no bills except our cable/internet and the house is completely taken care of, totally secure and actually cute...just about as small as our apartment. Lots of storage though and Ron gets to downsize. We found a futon we like and will most likely replace the couches with it. I'm so excited about setting up a house again!

Spoiled

Okay, first let me apologise! I know I live in Hawaii and should have no complaints. I'm really spoiled. The military gives you 48 hours to make a housing decision and once it's made, the only way to get out of it is to have another baby! The pressure! Especially when we aren't familiar with the areas and don't really know where we want to live. We decided to live on base near Kunia, where Ron works. It's close to his job and we will save so much $$$. Ron always wanted to downsize our furniture and I can easily part with our 1980's couches in exchange for a futon (guest bed/ couch). We do have lots of storage so it's all good. We call and accept tomorrow and should be able to move in next week. Really, our own place again! We're excited.

These pics are from the other night. It's been raining the last two days and parts of the island are prone to flooding (one of the areas is where we were considering renting). This rain had been a blessing and added another reason we don't need to waste money on a rental. Australia here we come!!!! (And I get to go shopping for a futon!)

I have stopped nursing Ella. Since we've been here I've only been nursing her when she wakes up in the morning and before she goes to bed. Today was the first day I've stopped completely. I tried to nurse her before bed but her teeth are getting too sharp and if she's at all distracted, I'm in a lot of pain. Steph, you were so right...teeth are god's way of saying it's time to stop nursing! I'm a little uncomfortable and probably will be until my milk dries up but I'm sure I'll be back to normal in a day or two. I'm sad that this part of Ella's babyness is gone. She's getting so big, talking up a storm and her latest thing, waving! She sees herself in the full-length mirror when she wakes up and waves to herself. Too cute!!! I love watching her grow and process new things!

Happy Halloween

Okay, I totally forgot until I read Amy's blog...sorry, absorbed in housing issues.
We took some pictures of Ella dressed up as a pumpkin before we left ATL. Most costumes were made for cold weather so we bought this, dressed Ella up, hid the tags, took some pictures and returned it to the store. Oh well, it's not like we can use it here!

Housing

We met with the housing people and we are debating on whether to live out in town or on the base. We had really low hopes for a decent base house and they will only give us a 2 bedroom (until and if I become pregnant we could move to a 3). We found a house on the airbase near Ron's work and looked at some private rentals out on town. We're pretty sure we'll go with base housing but here are the pros and cons....please comment with ideas or advice if you can!!!

BASE HOUSING PROS:

Free utilities
Laminate floors
Gated (actually on a base)
Our area, not bad looking
Island = 30 min to everywhere
fenced back yard
Close to work
Totally safe
Shaded sidewalks (lots of trees)
Cooler weather (in the mountains)
More overcast days (good for my skin)
Save $$$ to travel
Have extra pocket $$$


BASE HOUSING CONS:

Two bedroom :(
Older duplex
Area kind of dumpy in parts
Small and will downsize furniture
No garage
Far away from beach (well maybe 30 min)
Cooler weather (winter nights = 55-60)
More rain
Maybe no guest bed


RENTAL HOUSE PROS:

3 bedrooms + den
brand new
2 car garage
fenced back yard
close to water
nicer weather
nicer than our ATL home
Guest bedroom

RENTAL HOUSE CONS:

Rent is more than our housing allowance
Utilities extra $200 or so
Not gated
Not as overcast (bad for my skin)
No $$$ for travel
No extra pocket $$$


Do we sacrifice luxury and some of my material things and live in a smaller, less nice home but travel to Australia, Vietnam or Korea, and home? Or do we live somewhere we can afford (just) and keep our ATL living standards?

I think I may have answered my own question as anyone who knows us knows we love love love to travel! I still need imput though!!

In The Dark

My computer crashed with a major virus yesterday. We've been using the hotel's internet line but obviously there isn't much protection. I'm at the hotel's internet cafe and Ron has promised he'll try to fix my laptop. (We might have to buy a copy of Windows) Until then, I won't be able to post any pics. I hope we're back up and online soon. ...this 10 cents/minute internet thing sucks!

It's so beautiful here! We are off to meet with the housing office tomorrow to see about places they have available.

Hanging by the Pool

Hanging in the Hotel Room

Ford Island

We are staying at the Navy Lodge on Ford Island in the middle of Pearl Harbor. It's a historic navy site and as we cross this bridge to the island, we pass the USS Arizona on our left. (a ship sunk by the Japanese and a memorial is over it, you can go out to it and see it just under the surface...very creepy I think.) Ford Island is beautiful! This is the area around the hotel, and if it looks familiar, I believe it's where they filmed the hospital scenes from the movie "Pearl Harbor".