Well...my weekend went by entirely too fast. Back to the traffic I go...lol I really like my job but think they need to invest in a new system. The system they use is so old. There are 4 of us working in the accounting department. If you have to post something or work on something in the computer, no one else can be in the system. I don't know how they ever get anything done.

Last week we were told there was a Hurricane heading straight for us. Was a scarry few days. We put together our emergency kit....mostly water for drinking. Then they down-graded it to a tropical storm. That was a relief.

Just after that we had a small earthquake. Little shake is all. I thought I was imagining it until I heard other people talk about it and then they said something about it on the radio.

Hawaii does have some benefits on top of the traffic and the mother nature acts. There are 40 different types of sharks, 9 different rays and 100's of different types of fish found only in Hawaii. For someone that dives....thats paradise.

I do miss my family very much and can't wait to see them all again. My biggest fear is that the grandkids won't remember me or I won't recognize them when I do get to see them again. I'll have to start all over on my relationship with them. That hurts my heart.

Man!! I figured it out! Everyone on this island has at least 2 vehicles and somehow...don't ask me how...they drive them both at the same time! Sitting in traffic as long as I have the last few days, I wish I was back in Missouri! I've also learned that if you use your signal to let them know your pulling over, THEY SPEED UP!!!!! No signal and your just fine. Amazing. Also, driving both directions, to work and home from work, I have the sun in my eyes. Doesn't matter where I put the visor.....it's not going to help. Guess to sum it all up.....I really really hate driving here!

Well...I found myself a job. I don't know if I should feel happy or sad. It's not the fact that I have to go to work everyday....it's the fact I have to drive in Hawaii traffic. I HATE IT!!!!! Traffic here is just un-real. I leave for work at 6:40am and arrive at work around 8am. The drive home is even worse. I leave work at 5pm and I finally pull in the driveway around 6:30pm. H1...just 1 of Hawaii's interstates...which is really stupid because it doesn't connect with any state but Hawaii...has 6 lanes. If you happen to make it over 20 mph, your doing great! H2...you may get up to the speed limit...which is 55mph. Not to mention my job is down town Honolulu. Don't be surprised if you have to sit through a red light 3 to 4 times before moving through it. Oh Ya!!! don't forget the city buses! If they have a blinker on to move to your lane...they are coming regardless of the space.....they will run right over the top of you! I have a total of 28.9 miles to go to work. So, if ya want a 12 hour job and only get paid for 8 hours...just move to Hawaii. HA! HA! Now parking is another story. Everywhere charges for your parking and there isn't a lot of parking. Thank goodness this company has a garage but they still charge ya. Lets see, gas..to and from work...parking fees...hope I get a paycheck! ha! ha!

Anyway, I do like my job. I work in the accounting department. Right now I am doing accounts payable. Keeps me very busy! After I get the hang of that they are going to move me to recievables and eventually to the payroll. They like to have everyone in the accounting department know all 3 jobs because there are only 4 of us and if someone takes time off....someone has to cover the spot.

This is Lacy and her boys Gage and Gary. Gage is behind and Gary is the one being goofy. They fell in love with Sarah and followed her every where. We had a great time camping and swimming. Spent the nights walking on the beach and during the day we went boogie boarding. Bellows has the best waves for boogie boards. It was a great weekend!

We went camping at Bellows this weekend. Bellows is a military camping area on the other side of the island.....the windward side. It was great! We left Friday afternoon. Friday night we got rained on big time but Saturday morning was bright and sunny. Nothing like camping on the beach. It was so much fun!

Kenny was our designated chef. He was in charge of all the cooking on the grill. Was great because Lacy....my friend....and myself didn't have to do any cooking. Was good food too! No dishes to clean up!

This is Logan, Lacy's little sister. She is visiting from Wyoming. She will be in Hawaii for a month. We were all giving her a hard time because Jake, Kenny's boy, followed her every where. He has a crush on her. Jake is 13 and Logan is 15. Logan said it didn't really bother her any but she did get annoyed when he would follow her to the bathroom.

Sarah.....white as can be....don't think she'll ever get tanned. She gets mad at us because we are constantly telling her to put sunscreen on. She loves camping but hates having to sleep next to Jake...her brother.....oh well, we could have put her some where besides the tent but she choose to sleep in the tent.

Ok, bear with me, have to brag about hubby again. He recieved another award the other day for something he did back in October of 2005. This is an Achievement Award for excellent service.

A group of them put in a sidewalk at the Wheeler Elementary School. It took them a little over 2 weeks to do this project because of the weather. Seemed to rain every day in October. It is just so cool that he got this Medal. Just took forever for them to give it to these guys.

This is for my friend Tex. He is in Iraq on deployment for 1 year. He left behind a new wife of only a couple of months. I talk to him once in awhile on the computer when he gets the chance. He is homesick and in the hospital at the moment. I pray for him every day. Of all the things we can give a United States soldier, sailor, or airman....it is PRAYER. I think sometimes we take for granted the freedom we have today. The conveniences we have.

Lord hold our military in your hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they do for us. AMEN

I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under GOD, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The same government that sends men and women to war, also want to take God out of everything because some idiot said it offended them....maybe our government and the idiots should go fight this war and let our military run the United States.

Any way, back to Tex. I hope your feeling better and GOD bless you dude. Come home safe and soon. Take care.

This is how a pack of cards can serve as a Bible, Almanac and Prayer Book.
"derived from a story and song by Tex Ritter and T. Texas Tyler"

A - ace Think of it as 1 God
2 - Bible has two parts...Old Testament and New Testament
3 - Father the Son and the Holy Ghost
4 - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5 - wise virgins who trimmed their lamps. Was 10, 5 wise and were saved, 5 foolish and were shut out.
6 - God created Heaven and Earth
7 - God rested from his great work.
8 - Righteous persons God saved when he destroyed earth. Noah, his wife, their 3 sons and their wives.
9 - Lepers the Savior cleansed. 9 out of 10 didn't thank Him.
10-The Ten Commandments handed down to Moses.
K - Only 1 King.....God Almighty
Q - Blessed Virgin Mary...Queen of Heaven
J - the knave....the devil

Count the number of spots on a deck of cards...365, number of days in a year.
52 cards...number of weeks in a year. 4 suits in a deck...number of weeks in a month. 12 picture cards, number of months in a year. 13 tricks, number of weeks in a quarter.

Really makes you think.....

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We watched the fireworks from the pier on Hickam Air Force Base. It was awesome! Don't have any pictures because I didn't take the camera. duh me .. Before the fireworks we had a big barbecue with some friends.

The morning of the 4th ... we did a couple of dives with our dive club. We went to 105 feet on the 1st dive and the 2nd dive was 99 feet. I will NEVER do 2 deep dives the same day again! The time you have to spend at your safety stop is just too long. I was ready to get out of the water!

I enjoy diving...all the fish and other critters we see is just awesome. It is so peaceful....

Have been really home sick. I read my sister's and daughters blog every day and wish that I could be there. Reading the blogs keeps me posted on what is going on and kinda how every one is doing. My grand kids are growing like weeds and I miss them so badly.

This is a picture of the USS Bowfin WWII submarine. It is 311 feet long....some inches I don't remember. It was put in the water December 7, 1942. Exactly 1 year after the Pearl Harbor attack. It was nick-named or dubbed The Pearl Harbor Avenger. It held a crew of 80.

This is one of the torpedo rooms. The gold look is just for show....they don't really shine like this.

This is the sleeping area for most of the crew members. They slept in shifts because there is not enough room for eveyone to sleep at the same time. Also had to keep the engines going....... They also ate in shifts because there are only 4 tables in the small dining area. For this reason the kitchen...which was extremly small...always had something cooking.

I found this a little funny. Now I know why these guys had to be physically fit and some what small....they had to be able to fit in the small little toilet that they have on submarines. The shower areas were even smaller. Because water was in short demand they only showered maybe once a week. Bet they smelled bad!

This is outside the museum. It is a Memorial for 52 American submarines and more than 3,599 crew members that lost their lives during WWII. It took us a little over an hour to read each and every one of these. We spent about another hour inside the museum and maybe another hour checking out the submarine. This is another one of those must see if you ever get the chance.

National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific.....also know as the Punchbowl. It is 112.5 acres. It is full of History. On the Memorial walls are the names of Americans who gave their lives for their country and all of us today. The stone below says...In these gardens are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and whose earthly resting place is known only to God. If you are ever in Hawaii (Oahu) do not pass up the chance to go to the Punchbowl...you will not regret it.

Any one who really knows me, knows that my idea of getting dressed up is...a nice pair of wranglers, a nice shirt and a pair of cowboy boots. Well...tonight they held the ..... ARMY ENGINEER REGIMENTAL BALL
This is a very formal event. Lot of uppity people if ya ask me. Patriotic though and I really enjoyed myself despite having to get all fancied up. The motto of this event...."Celebrating a Relevant, Ready, and Responsive Regiment"

This is the symbol of the company my hubby is in right now. SAPPER'S



This is us before leaving for the big event. Don't we look so enthused!! We were running late and the stupid camera wouldn't work ... needed new batteries.

The next picture is of an award given to SSG Kenneth Wirth...my hubby. It is called the ... de Fleury. It is given for professional excellence. It is the 3rd highest award an engineer in the Army can recieve.

This is taken after we got home. It is Kenny with his de Fleury Medal and his framed award. "The Army Goes Rolling Along"

First to fight for the right, and to build the Nation's might, and the Army goes rolling along. Proud of all we have done, fighting till the battle's won, and the Army goes rolling along. Then it's hi, hi, hey! The Army's on its way, count off the cadence loud and strong. For wher-e'er we go, you will always know that the Army goes rolling along.

God Bless America and all our Armed Forces.