Mele Kalikimaka

Well, the Christmas clock is counting down and there are only 12 days left 'til Christmas. As I write this note, the backyard is flooding due to 2 days of non-stop rain storms. Thunder and lighting were a welcome surprise as these weather disturbances are a rarity here. The state has issued a flash flood warning for the island of Kauai. The kids are hunkered down, wrapped in their blankies spending a cozy inside day. The temperature.....a chilly 23 degrees. At least the kids think it's chilly. Mind you some of our Christmas party guests last night were also rubbing their arms to stimulate the blood flow and bring a glow of warmth to their bodies. Okay, so I know my Canadian friends will gag and guffaw at this...and a right they have too! Not so distant memories of -40 temps with the wind chill, plague me still. The icicles now just beginning to thaw out my nasal hairs. Sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it. Why do Canadians put up with such nonsense! Brrr!

Christmas island shopping is an interesting past-time. The trees arrive at the end of November (this year quite brown I heard and some with the extra gift of slugs)...they must have been cut at least 2 months ago. They are gone in 2 days. Thank goodness for our artificial beauty from Costco...she takes the guess work out of the timing of purchase and extra Christmas "visitors".

Christmas starts early here...like I said, end of November. The trees are pitched out the door on Boxing Day. No lingering Christmas carols or soft, glowing lights from the tree into the New Year. It starts early....it ends early. Christmas shopping too...boy, do you have to be on the ball...you see it, you buy it. No price checking unless you can do it quickly. It will be gone when you return to make your purchase. They only get 1 or 2 containers full of Christmas stuff and when it's gone...it's gone. No bringing in from other stores or rainchecks. Buy early, buy quickly. Buy online.

The Christmas break is here in a week and the kids are looking forward to their 3 week Christmas holiday. Unfortunately, the Bullers are staying put for the season. Ed, being a pastor and all. We will have to apologize for missing out on the delicious family gatherings this Christmas season.

The new year brings a incredible opportunity for Ed to travel for 2 weeks to Southern Thailand to Phang Nga. Our church here in Kauai is partnering with and helping promote the vision of the Phang Nga church in rebuilding Muslim communities. The church also supports a family-based Christian orphanage...Baan Santisuk... started by church members (Nakatsukasas) shortly after the Asian tsunami in Dec. 2004. http://www.ywamthai.org/phangnga/ Ed will travel together with a team to Phang Nga to minister in several areas including construction and ESL. My island mom, a gifted artist http://www.evelynritter.com/ (Mama Evie and Papa Harry Ritter recently adopted us) will accompany the team on her second visit to Thailand to paint murals in the guest houses and coffee shop. I am jealous. It has been my dream for several years to accompany the team to Thailand. I can only wait on God's perfect timing for me to go along. They will travel via Honolulu to Taipei, Bangkok and then Phuket.


As for the grass, it is coming in...I did take a picture but unfortunately I must have deleted it. It is too wet and rainy to quickly snap a new one. I did however find this little cattle egret in our front yard one day.

A final note as I end this update....if you haven't yet read "The Shack"....you should. It is a brilliant story of one man's tragedy bringing him into the literal presence of God. He meets the Trinity personified, in an unusual experience. The author breaks down our North American stereotypes of God. It is the best book I have read this year!

Enjoy the holiday season but remember...

IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!!!!

Mele Kalikimaka from the Bullers

Alyson's Baptism

After a lengthy discussion with her mom and dad, and with a determined resolve to make God super dee-dooper happy, Aly made the decision to get baptized. Her mother didn't feel ready...but was that just her conservative MB roots talking? The Bible says "believe and be baptized". It does NOT say, "believe, take a 6 week baptism and membership course and then be baptized". So...affirming our daughter's desires, we made the decision to go ahead and baptize her. I panicked...we didn't have a gift, flowers, and I couldn't find the memory card for the digital camera. One of the most important days in my daughter's life...and I wasn't ready. I told Aly to wait because I wanted to be ready...I was surprised by her mature response...."Mom," she said, "It's not about the presents, the most important thing is that you are there." I sent Ed out to the late night Wal-Mart to pick up a lei and an extra memory card. When he returned, I could finally relax and join in on the excitement. Sunday, October 19, 2008 12 noon......

Baptismal candidates, Aly and Maya

Aly with Pastor Daddy and Greg..Missions Chair

Aly and Auntie Eileen, Sunday School Teacher

Aly and Uncle Mamo, Elder

Happy Day!!

Aly with flower lei and tropical bunch following baptism

Fall Break

While you Canadians are just getting into the swing of the school year, the Hawaiians over here are already enjoying their fall break. It started yesterday and goes until the 13th of October at which point the stores will be inundated with not only Thanksgiving sales but Christmas as well. Costco already has the Christmas cookies and wrapping paper out. It's only October 7th people!! I guess they didn't want it to miss the boat.

Anyways, during this spring break...when all the rich-er people are heading off to the mainland to enjoy Disneyworld and family get-togethers, we're stuck here dreaming of travel and family. I know you won't feel sorry for me, "being stuck on Kauai" but we feel like we missing out on family and other stuff especially since we don't have the money to fly anywhere exciting. So instead, this week the kids will continue their swimming lessons at the YMCA in Lihue. At first there was crying and gnashing of teeth and wails of "BUT MOM....we wanted to relax during the break". 45 mins a day for 5 days is gonna "cut into" their break! Give ME a break! Alyson, however, has had a change of heart and is thanking me for the swim lessons. She really is enjoying them and her teacher. Here she is...her first time going off the diving board...

Canonball........

Oh hey, there's Billy upside down in the air. He is the YMCA swimming coordinator here.

Ants and Plants

Oh my goodness, has it really been 2 months since I posted!! Well I guess you are due for an update then!

These last few months in our new home has made me somewhat reflective of high school literature. Thoughts of Mrs. Danchura's class and an epic tale of Leiningen vs. the Ants. A classic short story, Nature vs. Man type...a man warning a plantation owner of the impending doom headed his way....10 miles length by 2 miles width....fire ants. "They could eat a buffalo clean through the bones before you could spit 3 times". Okay, so i'm not dealing with fire ants here, and not one of my children or neighbours (not even the dog) have been skeletonized... but there remains here a constant battle against one of nature's strongest and most diligent bugs. I honestly believe they built our home on a giant ant hill. See for yourself... my kitchen sink window sill.

Ay! This is not like Winnipeg; where you only see ants indoors after a kool-aid, orange juice type spill that you've neglected to spot clean off the kitchen floor. Or after the kids have left their sticky popsicle stick collection piling up in the corner of their bedroom. I speak from experience. The tell-tale trail of ants just gets my blood boiling. It's a trumpet call to war...and the fight is on!

This is a corner of my kitchen above the counter. That small triangular piece at the bottom is part of my kitchen counter. I woke up one morning to this infestation...this violation....this vandalism. Screams could be heard that day and the rest of the week as I struggled to maintain control of these puny pests. I spray the exterior of the house over and over and leave out little Terro traps which includes a nectar that the ants devour and return to the nest. It's supposed to kill the nest including the Queen. I lay the ant traps and in true "Bug's Life" form I chant...."They come, they eat, they leave. They come they eat they leave". Over and over....my mantra for the battle. When will the madness end? As you can tell, I found more ants in the kitchen today!! Arghhhhhh!!!

Some of you have been requesting updates on the yard. Well, patience my dears. The grass does not grow as fast as some of you would hope. Including myself. Here's the visual update....

As you can tell, the grass slowly sends out shoots and ultimately grows together in the bumper crop of a luscious, green carpet. This photo is of the very first pieces of sod that I planted. The rest of the yard is going sooooooo slooooooooowwwww. But I do have faith that the action is happening beneath the surface of the soil. Give it a year or two and I'll finally be able to enjoy the back yard.

So here's another shot of my slo-mo grass taken this morning. At least the tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are doing better! I've already got baby cukes and tomatoes on the vine!

Here's one corner of the backyard with impatiens, young plumbago (blue flowering shrub upper left), bromeliads, iris and lily plant and a moses-in-a-boat plant. Fitting...i thought for a pastor.

The other corner...my rock garden... is also still under construction with a variety of bromeliads, gerbera daisies, lilies, aloe, irises, anthurium, orchids and begonia. The grass you can see is growing taller faster than it is growing wider.

So this is the front...we've got our little palm tree and behind that are 3 croton bushes that are supposed to have green, yellow and red leaves. They are predominantly all green or -ish. I've also planted some more bromeliads (i have an over abundance of those), an Ixora which is a orange shrub that flowers all year round...its in the left corner of the house but is obviously not cooperating or else you would see the blooms. Also I planted a Carissa plant which has beautiful white flowers and is similar to mistletoe. Also not cooperating. My shrubs are still deciding whether or not they will take. They have been in for about 2 months already though. Last but not least are my little potted vincas who dislike the Port Allen soil. I planted 6 in the backyard and lost them all. Potted the rest will be!! I also have Calla Lilies...but they too will get back to me on their decision of survival. They can't seem to make up their minds. I had to dig them up from the soil and pot them as well. Finicky things. Just take already!

Dad Would Be Proud

Dad would be proud. I can see him grinning right now through the clouds cupping his spectacular view from Heaven.

It might not be even too far fetched to say but I think I might be enjoying this. Well, that might be pushing it. If I don't get this done though....I doubt it will happen anytime soon.

I have never done so much outdoor physical labour since living on the farm. Can you guess what I might be doing? Along with some very helpful friends/Japanese 'gardeners'....we are turning this:

into this:







Sodding! We Canadians don't even know the half of it. Laying sheets of sod on the ground is peanuts...I tell you...its for wimps! Check out the piece of sod above....think of it like a huge slab of Costco cake... cut it up into 1" squares, dig yer hole and plop 'er in. That's how the Hawaiians do it. It's like playing while squatting on a yard-size checker board. It took me 6 hours to do almost 1 piece of sod alone. I was covered in red dirt from head to foot and exhausted by the end of the day. I could barely move the next day. FYI... it is funner and faster to do this with a friend or 3. And that's how the rest of the yard is being managed. Our friends Ray and Syl have come to the rescue! Let me tell you, Ray puts Tim the tool man to shame. This Japanese version of Tim Taylor has all the gadgets and all the know-how! He is a wealth of information coupled with humility and and a servant heart. He is amazing (so is the woman that walks beside him)!! And they are both committed, dedicated followers of Jesus Christ and that makes it all the more wonderful!

So we are working our little bunnies off in the backyard...landscaping, planting the seedlings I've been collecting, fertilizing, mowing, yada, yada yada....all that home ownership stuff. But I'm confident that soon we'll garnish results in the backyard. The red dirt will be masked by healthy green grass and hopefully it will stay out of the house and out of my carpets and white furniture. I can't wait!!

My soon to be rock/orchid garden!

My happy potted gerberas

And....as we speak Uncle Sonny, Ed and John are working hard at putting up a chain link fence so the "wee-er" members of the family don't catapult themselves the 100' ft cliff that we find ourselves living on.

Aah...and so it begins....home ownership!

RIMPAC

Amphibious Assault Vehicles

The Pacific Missile Range Facility Commanding Officer was there, Kauai Civil Defense, a representative from the U.S. Senator's office and the Governor's office, the mayor elect was there and so were the Bullers....all four of us. Guests of the Commanding Officer. I kid you not.....we got special seats under the striped V.I.P.

tent.

Yesterday, we were blessed enough to be invited to attend a "RIMPAC" operative. RIMPAC stands for the 2008 Rim of the Pacific and is a term used by the military to describe the largest worldwide training operations anywhere. It involves the comaraderie of 10 nations (including Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Korea Singapore, the UK and the US) and 20,000 soldiers who have banned together to fight against the war on terror. A RIMPAC occurs once every 2 years and we were lucky enough to attend a partial operative....the amphibious assault vehicle landing exercise.

Meeting of the Minds

Truth be told, we expected a "bit" more action...you know a storming of the beach with soldiers firing rounds and everything, but what we saw was a very controlled operation. Taking off from a point farther down the beach, two tank-like amphibious vehicles puffing diesel fuel plowed through the ocean and rolled their way onto the beach...Major's Bay to be precise, and what a beautiful beach that is. "If you love close confines, the smell of diesel and the sea waves, you'd love a ride in these things," said the Captain.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the storming of the beach at Normandy demonstration. Oh well... but once they stopped, we were given the A-OK to get up close and personal. These babies are HUGE!! The kids (and Mom and Dad) wasted no time in jumping inside and heading up to the cockpit turret to get a birdseye view of what it would look like to be commandeering an assault. Ben thought it was tres cool. So did we.

Sentries guarding the beach (real guns)

It would be too hard to describe our investigation of the AAV's as the correct terminology is foreign to me and I would prefer to refrain from offending any local military personnel. Below are some cool shots.

We felt like gophers popping up out of our holes....tight space. Only for the skinny marine!

What an amazing opportunity for our family! We would have never experienced something like this in Canada!

See also http://www.transformerben.blogspot.com/

Our Exciting News......

Welcome to our new home...117 Okupu Street. After much frustration and grief, so much so that I actually gave up the hunt, knowing it was near impossible to buy a home on Kauai, this home literally fell into our laps. A brand spanking new ocean/harbour side in the new "affordable" housing development of Keala'ula. A half million dollar home, 3br, 2 bath with a backyard view overlooking the Hanapepe Valley. We get the keys Thursday. We come to Canada on Monday. Things are getting a little crazy.........

cozy @ 12oo sq ft

front view from the street (double car port)

rear view...backyard (we need to landscape)
(...for a 1/2 million they don't do that ya' know!)

View from the front window...brand new development

Backyard View...Hanapepe Valley...the black portion is an orchid farm
(...there are mountains in the background but they are shrouded in vog here)

A very short walk to the small boat harbour/pier and beach.

Aly and May Day

My May Day Girl

Real Pink Plumeria Lei and Ponytail

Waiting to dance "He Mele No Lilo"

(which if you heard it...you'd recognize from Lilo & Stitch...that is...if you have small children!)

Pink Plumeria Lei and Purple/White Crown Flower Lei (with Ti Leaf)

Hand-picked and Handmade by me, the mom

I apologize for the lack of quality and clarity in the following video but you get the idea.

Aly is, of course, generally dead center.

Vocal 1 (Overlapping):

Mahalo nui ia ke ali`i wahine

`O Lili`ulani `o ka wo hi ku

Ka pipio mai o ke anuenue na waiho'o lu'u a halikeole'e

E nana na maka i ke ao malama mai

Hawai`i akea i Kaua`i

Vocal 2 (Overlapping):

Ke Kuini o Hawai`i

Ku i ka moku i ke Kalaunu

Na hana a ke aloha Ma`alo

Ana i ka ua lana malie

I ka lani malama ho`ike

Mai ana la i ka nani

`O Kalakaua he inoa

`O ka pua mae`ole i ka la

Ka pua maila i ka mauna

I ke kuahiwi o Mauna Kea

Ke 'amaila i Kilauea

Malamalama i wahine kapu

A ka luna o Uweka huna

I ka pali kapu oKa`auea

Ea mai ke ali`i kia manu

Ua wehi ka hulu o kamamo

Ka pua nani a`o Hawai`i

'O Kalakaua he inoa

'O Kalakauai he inoa

`O ka pua mae`ole i ka la

Ka pua maila i ka mauna

I ke kuahiwi o Mauna Kea

Ke`a mai la i Kilauea

Malamalama i Wahinekapu

A ka luna o Uwekahuna

I ka pali kapu o Ka`auea

Vocal 1 (Overlapping):

Mahalo nui ia Ke Ali`i wahine

`O Lili`ulani wo ka `o hi ku

Vocal 2 (Overlapping):

Ke Kuini o Hawai`i

Ku i ka moku i ke Kalaunu

Ea mai ke ali`i kia manu

Ua wehi i ka hulu o ka mamo

Ka pua nani a`o Hawai`i

`O Kalakaua he inoa

He Inoa No Kalani Kalakaua — kulele!

May Day Lesson

Kalaheo May Day Court 2008

King Kalawaia and Queen Tobey, Ladies in Waiting and Kahili Bearers

Since its beginnings in 1927, May Day has become a huge occasion in Hawaii that there is even a pageant where a Lei Day queen is coroneted along with her court.

Representing Kaho'olawe...the Kindergarten class

The first of May, however, has a unique and very special significance to the people of Hawaii. "May Day is Lei Day" in Hawaii. Its sole purpose is to engage in random acts of kindness and sharing, and to celebrate the Aloha spirit.

Princesses and Kahili Bearers representing the islands of Moloka'i (green), Ni'ihau (white), Hawai'i (orange), and Maui (pink)

Representing Lana'i....Second Grade

A lei symbolizes, love, support, and friendship. Longstanding tradition in Hawaii has made May 1st a special day for the people of Hawaii. The Territory of Hawaii observed its first "May Day is Lei Day" celebration on May 1, 1928. There were many festivities and competitions that exhibited lei made of flowers from the different islands. In addition, many schools held elaborate programs throughout the islands.

This tradition has continued for many years in Hawaii. In 1929, Governor Farrington signed a Lei Day proclamation urging the citizens of Hawaii to "observe the day and honor the traditions of Hawaii-nei by wearing and displaying lei." Many schools celebrate this day by holding pageants where students honor the many cultures and traditions of Hawaii. Students commonly elect a May Day court, commemorating Hawaii's royal heritage, that consists of two representatives who wear flowers and colored Aloha attire representative and customary for each of the eight major islands of Hawaii.

King Kalawaia's Court

Mama Evie

Happy long weekend to all my Canadian family and friends. Enjoy the cottage if you have found yourself at it. Is there good clean water yet? Does Victoria Beach have a new water plant?

Just a short blurb to give you a peek at my paintings. For those of you who did not know that I enjoy painting...you've learned a new thing today. I first started oil painting through the Leisure Guide in Elmwood (before Ben was born) and though I 'enjoyed' painting the White Shell week after week after week(my instructor had a thing for rock, water and evergreens), I found it really didn't rock my boat. After a couple of years, I gave away my easel, threw out my dried out oils, and I switched to watercolors and attended classes in Transcona as well as in Charleswood, but found them so frustrating as it is such a chemically challenging art. I eventually gave it up as I am such a linear thinker and it just wasn't working out for me. The timing was just too tricky!

So then I moved to Kauai and I bumped into Evelyn Ritter, hereafter known as Mama Evie, (http://www.evelynritter.com/) ...a super talented oil painter in portraiture. She offered to teach me in oils. For months I didn't give it a second thought and then I realized that I really liked Evelyn. One day she was transforming the nursery with a full room mural and I offered to help with some of the easier painting. She looked at my work and with a sparkle in her eye, said "Go get a canvas, turpentine, these 6 or 7 brushes and these oil colors...WE are gonna paint!" I was so excited!! Evelyn has not only become a good friend but she and her husband, Harry, have also become our island parents. Not only do I have a great instructor but I have a new mom!!

I am thrilled to tell you that my camera is back and so far working much better than I anticipated. You are in for a treat!

Here are some of the very recent fruits of my labour after giving up oils some 13 years ago!

Tropical Heliconia

Red Anthurium

Red and Green Ti Leaf

Black & White Anthurium

I have a few more paintings (not shown) on the go and at present, the B&W Heliconia still needs a bit more work but it is coming along. Mama Evie if you read this...I need your input!

Love to you all and have a great restful weekend!

Finally............

Once again, the camera is in the repair center in Indiana and I am lost to provide you with exciting photos of everyday Kauai living. Things are going well on all aspects of personal and church life with the Bullers.

First things first, I hear there has been a rumour floating around in Winnipeg that Ben has had a relapse. Completely untrue, false, lies....all lies I tell you. Ben is doing just fine. Great in fact.
Ben continues to make steps in the right direction and is more verbal about his love for us. It is wonderful to hear several times a day, "Mom, I love you". That has been non-existent in the past. This morning, I crawled out of bed and onto the couch with a cozy blankie when Ben chirped "How are you, Mom?" I just about fell off the couch! We've been trying an Auditory Stimulus for the past 2 weeks to help him build up a toleration to background and unexpected noises. I've been waiting to see if there are drastic changes (I was hoping for immediate social interaction with peers...dreamily) but I'll take the sudden interest in my well-being!

Alyson is loving island life although we've seemingly been having problems getting our children to the beach. How can these be blood relatives of ours? Ed and I love the beach...and yet these sweet children turn into kicking and screaming monsters everytime we talk about going to the beach. Maybe this stage will too pass. Alyson just continues to do very well in school and recently placed 2nd in the Martin Luther King Peace Poem Contest. A representative flew in from Maui to recognize her and the other recipients.

And by the way she STILL sucks her thumb!! How do I cure this incurable and wretched habit?

Laurie is continuing to oil paint but greatly misses her island mom/art instructor, Mama Evie, who flew back to Illinois for the rest of the year. Mama Evie winters here in Kalaheo and summers in Illinois. We miss you Harry and Ev!! Hope the dentist in Mexico successfully fixed your teeth after your fall! While I am on the missing theme, we really miss our friends Mark and Megan who left Lawai, Kauai to return home to California. Our weekends are not the same without you!

Ed continues to be very busy with church offering a Keystone Discipling Seminar to a group of people at Kalaheo Missionary this weekend and next. We have 2 interns from Bethel College in Indiana for 3 months here to help the pastor and to help them discover their area of ministry. I am praying that they will be a great asset to the staff and to the church body while they are here.

I am hoping to have some exciting news for you in the near future. We have something in the works that's been brewing for awhile and i'm hoping to share some news in the next week or two. Nobody's pregnant so we'll just put that to rest right away.