The trip is coming soon. The trip to see my brother FINALLY get married in Oahu. Emma and I are so excited! Clark has to work and we will miss him so much.
I will miss him and all that a husband and a dad offers on a trip, but especially on this trip. I will miss holding Clark's hand while the vows are being exchanged on the beach. Emma will miss Daddy.
I will miss having Clark there as I tell Emma that her Grandpa Compie grew up on the island. That the last time that Mommmy and Daddy were there on Oahu, Grandpa (Clark's dad) was with us and he told us so many stories. I will tell her the ocean was Grandpa's park and the hours he swam there exploring.
Now, Emma will add to the generation of island swimmers. Emma has been to Maui before but not Oahu.
Clark's dad passed when I was about 4 months pregnant with Emma. While he was being prepped between surgeries he would call and ask how the baby was doing inside of me.
It is in honor of him, Emma's middle name is Noelani, which is translated as "Gift from Heaven."
I might tell her that according to Grandpa Compie's memoirs what happened on the day Peal Harbor was bombed,
"We were living with my grandmother when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor one Sunday morning and destroyed the islands. It happened soon after my uncle had taken his place as head of the house and began caring for his mother. I was too young to remember anything in detail, but to me the attack was a great display of smoke, fire and explosions. Oh, there was the incidence of one of the planes coming at our house firing his wing guns. (I found out later that the plane was trying to knock out a pill-box which was above the house. My oldest cousin Poli-ann was the one who took me with her to the edge of the bluff and thats how I saw every thing. The house was in Makiki on the top of the hill. We could see Waikiki on the left and to the far right the devastation and destruction of planes , bombs, smoke and fire. As my mom and auntie came running to us another plane came from the right and was so close, we saw the pilot’s face. We probably saved both those women by having them leave the house. I know that Poli had saved me. Soon after the planes passed over and we could hear their guns shooting , we ran down the hill to get away. Then there was silence and everyone was in awe at all the destruction. Of course, I was too young to understand any of it."
These are some of the stories that Emma will hear this trip and one day, one day when she is old enough to understand, Clark and I will take her to Pearl Harbor and to Grandpa Compie's old home. One day when she is old enough to understand the family history and the family trust. One day we will tell her of one of her dad's favorite heroes and the dad that is missed.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
U.S. President Makes over $400K annually. Livermore City Manager Makes over $300K annually.
This week in the news once again was about what salaries city managers make. I happened to run across a news story on the TV that said Livermore’s City Manager made over $300K annually and that was one of the highest in the area.
So of course it got me thinking.
According to Wisegeek, “As the administrative officer of a city, the city manager may create the city’s budget, oversee the day-to-day operations of the individual departments, make personnel decisions, and provide advice to and carries out the specific policies of the mayor and city council. In theory, the city manager does not typically make or set specific policy initiatives, but rather carries out the policies and directives as set by the council and the mayor. “
First off, most of City staff in Livermore is fantastic. What makes the City Manager’s position do well is the people who work for her and either she has done a nice job of hiring or the person before her did.
The City Manager’s position in Livermore, however to me is pure political. I have attended more city council meetings to know that when a “staff report” is written for city council that it does not always tell a complete story. Thankfully some of our City Council members are not asleep at the wheel and ask the questions that need to be asked. Attend any City Council meeting and pick up an Agenda packet or review it online. Ideas are sold are how things are written or not included in the report.
Do I think that $300K is a bit much for the City Manager of Livermore? When you think that the U.S. President makes over $400K then yes. The City Manager of Livermore has a city of approximately 85,000 people and the President, well, he has a nation of millions.
So of course it got me thinking.
According to Wisegeek, “As the administrative officer of a city, the city manager may create the city’s budget, oversee the day-to-day operations of the individual departments, make personnel decisions, and provide advice to and carries out the specific policies of the mayor and city council. In theory, the city manager does not typically make or set specific policy initiatives, but rather carries out the policies and directives as set by the council and the mayor. “
First off, most of City staff in Livermore is fantastic. What makes the City Manager’s position do well is the people who work for her and either she has done a nice job of hiring or the person before her did.
The City Manager’s position in Livermore, however to me is pure political. I have attended more city council meetings to know that when a “staff report” is written for city council that it does not always tell a complete story. Thankfully some of our City Council members are not asleep at the wheel and ask the questions that need to be asked. Attend any City Council meeting and pick up an Agenda packet or review it online. Ideas are sold are how things are written or not included in the report.
Do I think that $300K is a bit much for the City Manager of Livermore? When you think that the U.S. President makes over $400K then yes. The City Manager of Livermore has a city of approximately 85,000 people and the President, well, he has a nation of millions.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
An Amazing experience at the Team KC Picnic
Clark, Emma and I were able to be part of an amazing experience today along with our friends Vicki, Gina and Greg. We were blessed to be asked to take candid and family pictures at Team KC Picnic at Camp Arroyo. This event is for Pediatric cancer patients and their families. This is all done in memory of Korrine Croghan.
For more information go to Team KC on Facebook or http://korrinecroghan.blogspot.com/
The families we saw today rode horses, zip lined, rock climbed, jump housed, tye died and dunked doctors.
We loved being there. After we got home, Emma took her bath climbed into our bed and promptly crashed.
These pictures were taken at the end of the day.
Thank you Vicki, Gina, Greg, Team KC, the Taylor Foundation, Camp Arroyo, and Kaiser for letting us be a part of such an incredible day.
For more information go to Team KC on Facebook or http://korrinecroghan.blogspot.com/
The families we saw today rode horses, zip lined, rock climbed, jump housed, tye died and dunked doctors.
We loved being there. After we got home, Emma took her bath climbed into our bed and promptly crashed.
These pictures were taken at the end of the day.
Thank you Vicki, Gina, Greg, Team KC, the Taylor Foundation, Camp Arroyo, and Kaiser for letting us be a part of such an incredible day.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
A Cautionary Tale of U.S. Bank in Livermore
So more years than I care to count, I was laid off from what was a large financial organization. The money I received in my departure package was placed in an interest bearing account and there it sat waiting for use.
The money is now earmarked for Emma’s school and her activities. It is not much but it pays for enough and was especially helpful when Clark was sick.
On Monday, it was a bank transfer day. I went to the bank completed my transaction and went on my merry way.
Today, I had to go back to the bank to get some information on rates.
While there I asked the banker to look up my checking account. I looked at the balance and asked where the deposit from Monday (2 days ago) was and no joke the woman said, “What deposit?” I handed her the deposit slip I had been given. For the next 45 minutes I watched while bank employees tried to figure out where the funds from my certificate of deposit went since they were not in my checking account.
I was starting to get a little hot under the collar. So I asked, “How long was it going to take US Bank to realize an error was made before I was notified and more importantly where is the money?”
The banker walked me back to her desk and said she was sorry and on Monday only half of the transaction was complete. At least she was honest. The thing that sucked was it was the bank manager who helped me on Monday. Human error ok.
The bank credits my account. I go home thinking about my business relationship with them.
I am home now and I call US Bank because I feel something still is not right.
Here’s where the story gets even better.
US Bank does not show a record at ALL that any transaction whether partial or complete was done on any of my accounts on Monday. NO RECORD AT ALL. However, as we all know, banks can see when accounts where accessed by who, where, when, etc.
Now, this little problem has gone to the corporate offices of US Bank. I made a complaint but the representative on the US Bank phone lines insisted corporate needed to get involved. US Bank Corporate Offices is now involved in my cautionary tale.
So double check, triple check and know where your money goes.
The money is now earmarked for Emma’s school and her activities. It is not much but it pays for enough and was especially helpful when Clark was sick.
On Monday, it was a bank transfer day. I went to the bank completed my transaction and went on my merry way.
Today, I had to go back to the bank to get some information on rates.
While there I asked the banker to look up my checking account. I looked at the balance and asked where the deposit from Monday (2 days ago) was and no joke the woman said, “What deposit?” I handed her the deposit slip I had been given. For the next 45 minutes I watched while bank employees tried to figure out where the funds from my certificate of deposit went since they were not in my checking account.
I was starting to get a little hot under the collar. So I asked, “How long was it going to take US Bank to realize an error was made before I was notified and more importantly where is the money?”
The banker walked me back to her desk and said she was sorry and on Monday only half of the transaction was complete. At least she was honest. The thing that sucked was it was the bank manager who helped me on Monday. Human error ok.
The bank credits my account. I go home thinking about my business relationship with them.
I am home now and I call US Bank because I feel something still is not right.
Here’s where the story gets even better.
US Bank does not show a record at ALL that any transaction whether partial or complete was done on any of my accounts on Monday. NO RECORD AT ALL. However, as we all know, banks can see when accounts where accessed by who, where, when, etc.
Now, this little problem has gone to the corporate offices of US Bank. I made a complaint but the representative on the US Bank phone lines insisted corporate needed to get involved. US Bank Corporate Offices is now involved in my cautionary tale.
So double check, triple check and know where your money goes.
Friday, September 10, 2010
My high blood pressure
Music to my hears. I worked for it.
My doctor says yesterday to me, "I wish I had numbers like that."
That means so much to me. My blood pressure. A month ago it was high, high enough to have a heart attack or stroke, high enough to be at the doctors or contact with the doctors everyday for weeks along taking medicine everyday. I had to a make a decision quickly. It was really simple. I changed the way I ate. Less sodium, less sugar. That is not to say that I do not have either. I just read labels diligently. As of over a week ago, I am medicine free for all things except migraines(amazing what changing your diet will do).
High Blood pressure runs rapidly through my family so I have to be careful the rest of my life. So now I go in when I need or every 3 months for check ups, far different than the last month of daily check ins.
I also trying to let things roll over my selve and people who are demanding I put on simmer. Life is simpler that way.
Next on the list is incorporating an exercise program.
Is it funny. Most nights when we sit down for dinner Clark says, "I really like this but please do not tell me what it is in it." I made him Tofu chili one night and he loved it. We go out to eat now and I am more picky on where.
I also no longer massively stock up (buy 10 cereal boxes for $2-really who has the space and does it promote hoarding?). I have staples but I buy what we need on a weekly basis and there is less to clean up and out at then end of the week.
It has been over 30 days now and I feel better. High Blood pressure is one of those silent health concerns. Have you had blood pressure checked lately? If not for yourself, do it your spouse and your kids.
Before I ended last night and before I started today I said a word of prayer for all the families affected by the horrible circumstance that happened in San Bruno and for all the emergency workers (police, fire, medical, etc.) who are working. Let us continue to pray together.
My doctor says yesterday to me, "I wish I had numbers like that."
That means so much to me. My blood pressure. A month ago it was high, high enough to have a heart attack or stroke, high enough to be at the doctors or contact with the doctors everyday for weeks along taking medicine everyday. I had to a make a decision quickly. It was really simple. I changed the way I ate. Less sodium, less sugar. That is not to say that I do not have either. I just read labels diligently. As of over a week ago, I am medicine free for all things except migraines(amazing what changing your diet will do).
High Blood pressure runs rapidly through my family so I have to be careful the rest of my life. So now I go in when I need or every 3 months for check ups, far different than the last month of daily check ins.
I also trying to let things roll over my selve and people who are demanding I put on simmer. Life is simpler that way.
Next on the list is incorporating an exercise program.
Is it funny. Most nights when we sit down for dinner Clark says, "I really like this but please do not tell me what it is in it." I made him Tofu chili one night and he loved it. We go out to eat now and I am more picky on where.
I also no longer massively stock up (buy 10 cereal boxes for $2-really who has the space and does it promote hoarding?). I have staples but I buy what we need on a weekly basis and there is less to clean up and out at then end of the week.
It has been over 30 days now and I feel better. High Blood pressure is one of those silent health concerns. Have you had blood pressure checked lately? If not for yourself, do it your spouse and your kids.
Before I ended last night and before I started today I said a word of prayer for all the families affected by the horrible circumstance that happened in San Bruno and for all the emergency workers (police, fire, medical, etc.) who are working. Let us continue to pray together.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Strike Three
So Emma takes this really amazing class at a local gymnastics studio. The teacher is fantastic and Emma is thriving right along. Two weeks ago a new student started.
This week, I had to drop Emma off literally in Clark's arms so I could attend her pre K orientation and he could stay with her.
When I arrived back the new student's mom was waiting for me at the door. She asked do you mind if we start the class a few minutes early. No I answered. The new mom then said she was going to ask the teacher and the 4 other moms in the class. Fine, great, I did not care, really what is a few minutes?
However, all of a sudden, the new mom wanted the class to start a hour earlier. This new mom had double booked her kid and wanted us to accommodate her kid's schedule. Apparently her kid had no time to eat between activities and so I said, why doesn't she eat in the car? I guess that was a strike. Now I am friendly with this mom and I like her but I thought asking a whole class, a teacher and studio to change a time to accommodate her and her child was a tad much.
So, while I was conflicted, I said no I was not willing to change it by a whole hour. I would be willing to change it by 15 minutes, even 30 minutes but not a hour.
I even suggested perhaps having a crock pot as some soccer moms do in the back of the SUV with good food instead of fast food to feed her kid.
Strike two for me as a mommy friend.
I understand we all get in binds once in a while and need help. I understand that just being a mom sometimes is hard and we should support one another but setting boundaries with love is a must. I guess that was strike three as a mommy friend and I am ok with that.
This week, I had to drop Emma off literally in Clark's arms so I could attend her pre K orientation and he could stay with her.
When I arrived back the new student's mom was waiting for me at the door. She asked do you mind if we start the class a few minutes early. No I answered. The new mom then said she was going to ask the teacher and the 4 other moms in the class. Fine, great, I did not care, really what is a few minutes?
However, all of a sudden, the new mom wanted the class to start a hour earlier. This new mom had double booked her kid and wanted us to accommodate her kid's schedule. Apparently her kid had no time to eat between activities and so I said, why doesn't she eat in the car? I guess that was a strike. Now I am friendly with this mom and I like her but I thought asking a whole class, a teacher and studio to change a time to accommodate her and her child was a tad much.
So, while I was conflicted, I said no I was not willing to change it by a whole hour. I would be willing to change it by 15 minutes, even 30 minutes but not a hour.
I even suggested perhaps having a crock pot as some soccer moms do in the back of the SUV with good food instead of fast food to feed her kid.
Strike two for me as a mommy friend.
I understand we all get in binds once in a while and need help. I understand that just being a mom sometimes is hard and we should support one another but setting boundaries with love is a must. I guess that was strike three as a mommy friend and I am ok with that.
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