Toodles, 2020!!! (Month #9)

IT IS...DE-CEM-BER!!!!!

Thank you, universe! December means we are nine months into this pandemic...and we are inching closer to normalcy, with a vaccine just around the corner (and YES, I will gladly get it with minimal reservations). 

Although there will be none of the usual holiday parties, performances, parades and whatnot, we still have plenty planned that will make the month merry and bright for us all, and there is still LOTS to celebrate this month:

1. We are all still healthy and well. We have been fortunate to have only known ONE person who has gotten COVID, and he lives in CA. He said it was absolutely brutal, but he is youngish, strong and managed to survive, and we are thankful and fortunate to remain unscathed by loss of life from this dreadful illness.

2. We reopened our second and third restaurants this month. It wasn't easy, and we are far from 'confident' about the future. But we are hopeful. I work with some very special, hard working, beautiful people that make laugh and smile everyday. We hope and pray our restaurants are places our community will continue to want to visit and for a moment, forget their fears and anxieties and just celebrate.

I am thrilled my family has been able to enjoy our restaurants again, too. For a moment last week, my nieces were able to forget nouns, verbs and masking up...and instead, just let their worries slip away as they sipped on virgin lava flows, enjoying the sunset and live entertainment...eating chicken fingers, fries and mud pie. It was kinder/preschool heaven. And last week, my brother celebrated #49 with his family...

3. I got a new (used) car! I don't have a great track record for holding onto vehicles, and this appears to continue unblemished with the newest acquisition! In the last 12 years since we've moved here, this is car #4 for me...a Honda HRV, with the color and leather interior I wanted! We got it on Oahu thanks to Rich searching all islands diligently for six months...and she arrived quickly thanks to him managing to sneak her on a ship a month early! Put simply, like the Prius I really had to have, this car is...me.  

4. Karate returned last month, and our rusty child struggled for a few weeks, but seems to back in form. He goes with Riki and Keni most times, but has diligently gone twice a week since it resumed.

5. My little runner has hit 130 miles so far, with the goal of hitting 200, mostly so he can pick another reward incentive. (His 100-mile reward was an Apple watch.) He's dreaming of Yeezy's for his 200 miles...promise. But I'm dreaming of sale rack Nikes. So I'm thinking we can compromise! ;-) He's become a bit of a sneakerhead this last year, which I blame Riki for. I have exposed my son to 'post-season online shoe sales at New Balance' when it comes to shoes...so his shoe obsession is definitely not from me!

6. Christmas is a great time to reconnect with everyone we miss dearly, near and far. Even a socially distant gift drop off from friends you never seem to have enough time to see- it warms the heart! I'm reminded of how much love we are surrounded by every Christmas. Every card, every visit, every home made cookie...it all means something. Our neighbors are the BEST, and so are our friends/family. Our tree is surrounded with their love, and we appreciate it. Our waistlines will expand, but it's our obligation to honor everyone by eating every last symbol of their love. ;-)

Goofing off at work in festive attire

'Twas the night before Christmas...which means we don our elves jammies!

Every Christmas Eve, Ryan gets to open one present early..let's just say he was pleased with his selection.

Christmas night with the family outdoors decorating gingerbread men. I made a sexy gingerbread woman.

7. Ryan's social bubble has continued to be his steadfast company during this pandemic. They have been the very brightest spot in otherwise blech time for him (and us).

The kids came over this month to play ping pong, watch movies, play nighttime outdoor hide and seek (disclaimer: we've learned that can be dangerous based on the # of injuries sustained thus far), help us bake fresh cranberry bread and pumpkin mochi, decorate gingerbread, and inhale Hagen Dazs Peppermint bars.

They also came over to bake and decorate sugar cookies/banana bread, sip on sparking apple cider aged well and hand-poured by a very snotty cider sommelier (Rich, as Jeeves) and visited with the Fat Man in the Red Suit (a role also reprised by Rich for twelve years running). Although none are believers anymore, my nieces still (mostly).

Ry has gotten a little bigger since his first time sitting on Santa's lap (see below)...his legs are a little longer. :-)

The school assignment this year was to create a giant geographically-themed gingerbread house (Ry chose Asia of course). But we also wanted a 'fun' session, so they made a few mini-gingerbread houses...followed by a spanking of table tennis (Sei is good, Momo got better fast, and Ryan...well, he has a good time)! ;-)

The Elf Movie Night screening...which ended prematurely...and resulted in a another game of ping pong.

Looking back, I have to say, we are very fortunate to not have the freezing cold weather or rapid COVID-spread that so many others are suffering from around the world. In fact, other than there being no parade, Christmas parties or events...it didn't feel much different from what we normally do (close friends, family). I can't say I missed any of it (although of course, it would have been nice to celebrate).

As Ryan continues to not have access to 'normal' life, we have found ways to adapt as best we can, so that he's not lonely or suffering. And for that, we are very grateful for a lucky 2020 that has been COVID-free, suffering-free...and yes, it is our duty and obligation to try and help others who have not been so fortunate.