It seems like I always start with a weather report when it is my turn to post something on our blog, so today I can finally report a definite change in the weather. It poured buckets all day yesterday. I have never seen so much water. The wind was blowing like crazy and two power lines were blown over in Hau'ula (the town just south of Laie) and the people down there couldn't get back home for six hours. There were flash flood alerts on TV all day, telling people to go to higher ground. Since we live on the second floor we didn't worry too much. I think this is winter weather here. It is much cooler today and I even wore a cardigan to church. It was nice to be able to wear something different.

Here is a picture of Dennis at a beach park on our way home from Kaneohe on Friday. That is Chinaman's Hat in the background. We have been to this beach before and it is nice, but didn't stay this time as the weather was cool and rainy.
We went to Kaneohe to see a dentist because Dennis had a sore tooth and we were afraid he might need another root canal, but the dentist said he didn't need one so that was a relief. He is taking an antibiotic to clear up the infection so hopefully, that will take care of the problem until we get home.
After doing a little shopping at the mall, we had lunch at a Japanese restaurant. Elise says I talk about food all the time, so just so you know, Dad had a bowl of udon soup and I had tempura vegetables and shrimp. haha. When we got home we went to see Thor at our local movie house. We thought it was a waste of money.

This is on the same trip but looking the other way with the beautiful mountains in the background. I am standing in front of our faithful little Dodge neon. Dennis secretly wishes he had a cool car to drive, but this one seems to be working just fine. So far we have put about 900 miles on it.
I thought I would list a few of the prices of groceries to give you an idea of the cost of living here: A gallon of milk is $7.00, small jar of pickles - $5.00, most cereal - $7.00 (but we try to buy what is on sale), can of olives - $2.50, kettle chips (not the large size)- $2.50 (on sale), one avocado - $2.00, 1 can of Pringles - $2.50, 1 carton of strawberries - $6.00, pineapple - $.99/lb. carton of 18 eggs - $4.29, bananas - $1.29/lb. Things are pricey, but we aren't buying that much. We found the meat has a weird taste so we have started buying it at Costco and then dividing it into smaller portions and throwing it in the freezer. Oh, and gas is currently $3.99 a gallon.

This is where we go and get our mail. It is a highlight of our day when we actually have something fun. I have started ordering things online just so I get packages. So far I have ordered a library pendant, thanks to Kim's pintrest suggestion, my 2014 Franklin calendar (I know, old school), and Friday I bought two blouses which they are mailing to me since one is coming from Maui. If we have a little green slip in our box then we go inside and pick up our package. Dad is waiting for a new robe. Pretty exciting stuff.

This is one of two laundry facilities. They kind of work but some don't work at all. We have a little laundry basket on wheels which we pull over to the building. We take turns. When I do it then Dennis comes downstairs and hauls the cart upstairs for me. He has done it more than I have since we try to do our laundry when all the kids aren't trying to get in. That means Thursday afternoons when dad finishes early and I am still at work. Pretty smart on my part. . .


Everything is going well. Our branch will be changing locations in December and we will be driving over to Sunset Beach Community Center for our meetings. It is about a 20 minute drive from Laie. One of the girls just got her mission call and she is going to Bolivia and to the MTC in Columbia.  We are teaching the Temple Prep class on Sunday and Dennis is doing a good job. I was enjoying it until he told me I have to teach the next lesson on how doing temple work blesses our lives. Any suggestions?! There is always something going on, usually last minute information. I am pretty sure they have a secret underground information system since everyone seems to know what is happening except dad and me.
We are meeting with the mission president for the first time tomorrow evening and then he and his wife will be speaking at the senior missionary FHE. It will be nice to meet them. The following week Dennis has been asked to speak at FHE.  Since it falls on Veteran's Day, he is going to do a presentation on Saints at War. These old couples will enjoy it I'm sure.
The biggest news of the week is that I finally got my hair done!!!