After 15 beautiful years in Aiea, Hawaii we strike out once again. On to my "home" in Manhattan for new adventures. Hawaii and the people remain in our hearts.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Our Federal Budget Crisis
John Boehner stands on a platform written by Grover Norquist (a "boring white bread Methodist"). Mr. Norquist has been noted for his widely quoted quip: "I don't want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub." Is this the leading lemming the majority of the House want to follow? Are these members prepared to make the token sacrifice of giving up 25% of their salaries and benefits to help reduce the drain on the Federal Government?
This my voice and I wish it could be heard over our esteemed Speaker of the House.
This my voice and I wish it could be heard over our esteemed Speaker of the House.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
First 2011 Jafra Hawaii Tea Party
One of our favorite Jafra hostesses decided to have a few friends get together to see the new Jafra colors and have a tea party. Jafra Hawaii tea parties can be so much fun! Tea, cake, eye shadow, cookies, nail polish, smiles and talk story. How great!
Cris is wearing her "official" gold Jafra pin. She really doesn't have to wear it because Jafra products emit from her pores.
New nail colors. My goodness the selections seem never ending. One for every mood, age and situation.
Lisa. At one time Lisa had such skin sensitivity her hands were constantly chapped. Then she found Jafra. Now she is a self-described Jafra Junkie. As you can see from this photo Lisa is now all smiles. The skin on her face is luminous and her hands are smooth.
This is from the Royal Jelly line of products. Royal Jelly is a substance produced by young bees. The jelly is used to nourish and prolong the queen bee’s life. Royal Jelly is a treasure chest of proteins, carbohydrates, essential lipids, fatty acids and vitamins. Natural royal jelly cannot be entirely reproduced in any laboratories. Jafra has completed research that led the way to this line.
You can tell Penny is absorbing information as Cris and Noi take us through all of the new colors and products.
Cleansing lotions and creams, hydration and many more! Almond, Ginger, Seaweed, Peppermint - lots of choices.
One of our teapots and light touch liquid makeup. A shade for everyone.
A little makeup goes a long way when applied ever so lightly with a brush. Noi is demonstrating the ease with which Jafra is applied on Kristian (our lovely volunteer model).
Eyeshadow in a wide variety of colors. The selections are in groups of three to help know the best combinations to apply.
Kristian sits patiently while Noi applies her choice of shadow.
No face is complete without lip color and here it is! And Yes - it is a Jafra lipstick.
Cris is wearing her "official" gold Jafra pin. She really doesn't have to wear it because Jafra products emit from her pores.
New nail colors. My goodness the selections seem never ending. One for every mood, age and situation.
Lisa. At one time Lisa had such skin sensitivity her hands were constantly chapped. Then she found Jafra. Now she is a self-described Jafra Junkie. As you can see from this photo Lisa is now all smiles. The skin on her face is luminous and her hands are smooth.
This is from the Royal Jelly line of products. Royal Jelly is a substance produced by young bees. The jelly is used to nourish and prolong the queen bee’s life. Royal Jelly is a treasure chest of proteins, carbohydrates, essential lipids, fatty acids and vitamins. Natural royal jelly cannot be entirely reproduced in any laboratories. Jafra has completed research that led the way to this line.
You can tell Penny is absorbing information as Cris and Noi take us through all of the new colors and products.
Cleansing lotions and creams, hydration and many more! Almond, Ginger, Seaweed, Peppermint - lots of choices.
One of our teapots and light touch liquid makeup. A shade for everyone.
A little makeup goes a long way when applied ever so lightly with a brush. Noi is demonstrating the ease with which Jafra is applied on Kristian (our lovely volunteer model).
Eyeshadow in a wide variety of colors. The selections are in groups of three to help know the best combinations to apply.
Kristian sits patiently while Noi applies her choice of shadow.
No face is complete without lip color and here it is! And Yes - it is a Jafra lipstick.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
4 Month Post Hip Replacement Checkup
Today the new hip got its 20,000 mile checkup. No problems or changes to report. The hip has continued to work as expected with no complications. The use of an over the counter anti-inflamitory medication is no longer needed. We work out at the gym 2 to 3 times per week to ensure the muscles supporting the new joint are kept in shape.
This is a photo of Lindsay from today's appointment. She is one of the Physician Assistant's on Dr. Nakasone's team. Recently I have tried to learn how to make an "eyelash" lei. I made one so far. In this photo I am giving the lei to Lindsay to thank her and the team for the wonderful care they have provided to me with the hip replacement.
Is this a lovely smile or what?
It is difficult to convey the impact of a total hip replacement on the quality of life. From walking painfully, with the use of a cane, for only several blocks at a time to now being able to walk 18 holes of golf. Can't really ask for more than that.
This is a photo of Lindsay from today's appointment. She is one of the Physician Assistant's on Dr. Nakasone's team. Recently I have tried to learn how to make an "eyelash" lei. I made one so far. In this photo I am giving the lei to Lindsay to thank her and the team for the wonderful care they have provided to me with the hip replacement.
Is this a lovely smile or what?
It is difficult to convey the impact of a total hip replacement on the quality of life. From walking painfully, with the use of a cane, for only several blocks at a time to now being able to walk 18 holes of golf. Can't really ask for more than that.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A Jafra Workshop
The concept of a marriage between Jafra and massage is the baby of a friend and Jofra consultant here in Hawaii -- Cris Monis Kaniaupio. Thank you Cris! We had a Jafra massage workshop n the club house next to our pool. Two massage therapists came with all of their equipment. They each performed a facial, neck and shoulder massage using Jafra products. There were two volunteer "customers".
The clubhouse offered us a place mostly out of the sun to set up the massage tables.
All set and ready to begin.
Jafra has products for everything from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. Here are just a few.
We had one female volunteer (above with green face - actually a mud mask containing salt from the Dead Sea).
The massage was so very relaxing - it seemed difficult to not fall asleep.
Of course both genders had to be represented! Our male volunteer also found the Jafra/Massage experience very relaxing.
The time came for turnabout. One of the therapists became one of the clients.
The client has the opportunity to experience a number of Jafra products.
The smile on our friend's face expresses the enjoyment felt when having, and after, a Jafra/Massage experience!
The clubhouse offered us a place mostly out of the sun to set up the massage tables.
All set and ready to begin.
Jafra has products for everything from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. Here are just a few.
We had one female volunteer (above with green face - actually a mud mask containing salt from the Dead Sea).
The massage was so very relaxing - it seemed difficult to not fall asleep.
Of course both genders had to be represented! Our male volunteer also found the Jafra/Massage experience very relaxing.
The time came for turnabout. One of the therapists became one of the clients.
The client has the opportunity to experience a number of Jafra products.
The smile on our friend's face expresses the enjoyment felt when having, and after, a Jafra/Massage experience!
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
From Forbes online Nov 16, 2010
This article from Forbes is just too good not to be reproduced here. There is nothing like a physician who CAMPAIGNED AGAINST and was elected -- on the issue of government health care. And now he is demanding his. He wants what is his due (federal health care coverage) and he wants it NOW! What a joke. People do you realize who you have elected? Yikes!
By Rick Ungar
"Conservative GOP Freshman Wants His Government Health Care-Now!
Newly elected conservative congressman Dr. Andy Harris, a physician from Maryland who won election by campaigning on an anti-Obamacare platform, isn’t happy that he has to wait 28 days for his government provided health care plan to become effective.
It seems that the health insurance coverage provided to Members of Congress requires a 28 -day waiting period before it becomes effective. Considering that most group policies typically require waits of up to six months, the Congressional health care program isn’t such a bad deal –but not good enough for Dr. Harris who has made his reputation as a staunch critic of government provided health care.
When informed of the short waiting period, Dr. Harris rose to his feet during a freshman orientation session and asked why it took so long for his health insurance to kick in. He also wondered if he could purchase insurance from the government to cover him during the gap?
It’s called COBRA, Congressman. Check it out. You dig into your pocket for 3 or 4 weeks and pay the premium to bridge the short gap between your previous policy and the health care coverage the taxpayers will be providing to you so that we might benefit from your alleged expertise in issues relating to the nation’s health insurance system.
While the news that this physician might have to write a check to get his short term coverage needs satisfied may be something of a bummer for the newly elected Congressman, he can take a measure of solace in the knowledge that, unlike the millions of Americans who have lost their health care coverage as they lost their jobs, Dr. Harris’ pain and suffering will come to an end just 28 days after it begins.
For the many Americans who have either used up their COBRA coverage or could never afford it in the first place, things aren’t quite so simple.
With the good doctor’s federal coverage just around the corner, Congressman Harris will be able to regain the peace of mind required to go forward with his agenda of repealing Obamacare, secure in the knowledge that his family is well protected as he works to deny anything resembling the same to millions of other American families.
While this story is producing the inevitable chuckles around Capitol Hill, one wonders if the 155,000 people on the eastern shore of Maryland who voted for Harris – along with the many in the district who didn’t bother to vote at all – are finding this all that funny?
This guy was elected because he is a physician who opposed health care reform and, allegedly, had the expertise to do something about it.
With that in mind, wouldn’t you think that someone in his district would have spent a little time ascertaining if Dr. Harris actually knew anything about the system he is promising to impact upon? I mean, COBRA isn’t exactly a hidden aspect of our health insurance system. Anyone who has ever had a job and lost it – or read a newspaper on any given day during the last two years – is pretty familiar with the program.
What’s more, if Dr. Harris understands how the health insurance system works, how could he possibly ask a question about the government selling interim coverage? You don’t have to be an expert to know that COBRA exists for precisely this purpose and that the federal government is not in the business of interim coverage.
In expressing his disapproval with the matter, The Congressman-Elect pointed out, “This is the only employer I’ve ever worked for where you don’t get coverage the first day you are employed.”
Lucky him. Most Americans who have received their health coverage through their employment know that there is typically a waiting period so that the insurance company can avoid pre-existing conditions that might have motivated the employee to take a job primarily to get the health insurance that comes with it.
The bottom line here is that Dr. Harris – the man elected to Congress by the voters of Maryland’s 1st Congressional District – clearly knows very little about the American health care system he was sent to Washington D.C. to change.
If these Marylanders are feeling a bit sheepish and embarrassed as their new Congressman makes a complete ass of himself in front of the nation, they are getting precisely what they deserve. When you vote for a representative without bothering to ascertain if he knows what he is talking about, you get Dr. Harris. And when you don’t bother to vote at all, you take what you get and forfeit the right to complain about it.
Unfortunately, the rest of us are stuck with the result of your failing to take these elections seriously."
By Rick Ungar
"Conservative GOP Freshman Wants His Government Health Care-Now!
Newly elected conservative congressman Dr. Andy Harris, a physician from Maryland who won election by campaigning on an anti-Obamacare platform, isn’t happy that he has to wait 28 days for his government provided health care plan to become effective.
It seems that the health insurance coverage provided to Members of Congress requires a 28 -day waiting period before it becomes effective. Considering that most group policies typically require waits of up to six months, the Congressional health care program isn’t such a bad deal –but not good enough for Dr. Harris who has made his reputation as a staunch critic of government provided health care.
When informed of the short waiting period, Dr. Harris rose to his feet during a freshman orientation session and asked why it took so long for his health insurance to kick in. He also wondered if he could purchase insurance from the government to cover him during the gap?
It’s called COBRA, Congressman. Check it out. You dig into your pocket for 3 or 4 weeks and pay the premium to bridge the short gap between your previous policy and the health care coverage the taxpayers will be providing to you so that we might benefit from your alleged expertise in issues relating to the nation’s health insurance system.
While the news that this physician might have to write a check to get his short term coverage needs satisfied may be something of a bummer for the newly elected Congressman, he can take a measure of solace in the knowledge that, unlike the millions of Americans who have lost their health care coverage as they lost their jobs, Dr. Harris’ pain and suffering will come to an end just 28 days after it begins.
For the many Americans who have either used up their COBRA coverage or could never afford it in the first place, things aren’t quite so simple.
With the good doctor’s federal coverage just around the corner, Congressman Harris will be able to regain the peace of mind required to go forward with his agenda of repealing Obamacare, secure in the knowledge that his family is well protected as he works to deny anything resembling the same to millions of other American families.
While this story is producing the inevitable chuckles around Capitol Hill, one wonders if the 155,000 people on the eastern shore of Maryland who voted for Harris – along with the many in the district who didn’t bother to vote at all – are finding this all that funny?
This guy was elected because he is a physician who opposed health care reform and, allegedly, had the expertise to do something about it.
With that in mind, wouldn’t you think that someone in his district would have spent a little time ascertaining if Dr. Harris actually knew anything about the system he is promising to impact upon? I mean, COBRA isn’t exactly a hidden aspect of our health insurance system. Anyone who has ever had a job and lost it – or read a newspaper on any given day during the last two years – is pretty familiar with the program.
What’s more, if Dr. Harris understands how the health insurance system works, how could he possibly ask a question about the government selling interim coverage? You don’t have to be an expert to know that COBRA exists for precisely this purpose and that the federal government is not in the business of interim coverage.
In expressing his disapproval with the matter, The Congressman-Elect pointed out, “This is the only employer I’ve ever worked for where you don’t get coverage the first day you are employed.”
Lucky him. Most Americans who have received their health coverage through their employment know that there is typically a waiting period so that the insurance company can avoid pre-existing conditions that might have motivated the employee to take a job primarily to get the health insurance that comes with it.
The bottom line here is that Dr. Harris – the man elected to Congress by the voters of Maryland’s 1st Congressional District – clearly knows very little about the American health care system he was sent to Washington D.C. to change.
If these Marylanders are feeling a bit sheepish and embarrassed as their new Congressman makes a complete ass of himself in front of the nation, they are getting precisely what they deserve. When you vote for a representative without bothering to ascertain if he knows what he is talking about, you get Dr. Harris. And when you don’t bother to vote at all, you take what you get and forfeit the right to complain about it.
Unfortunately, the rest of us are stuck with the result of your failing to take these elections seriously."
Monday, November 29, 2010
Jafra Holiday Party
Walking in the door we were greeted by four Jafra consultants. Each is an example of the wonderful results achieved with the Jafra line.
Prizes of products abound!
Jafra has many fragrances available. Here some of the ladies are checking a few out.
The holidays are upon us. Some products are available only during this special season. Snow? No, actually it is cotton. (But don't tell the snowman.)
A holiday book filled with many Jafra goodies draws rapt attention of these ladies.
Looking at a book is OK but trying out Jafra products is much more fun!
As you can see, Jafra is not only for big girls. Little girls love to see all of the Jafra line. Here Mommy is getting a little sample on her hand that she can share with the little one.
Jafra is for gentlemen too. Can you see the delight on his face after he won one of the prizes.
Several Jafra consultants shared information with the group. This is our fearless leader - Chris.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Total Hip Replacement - 6 week checkup
Six and a half weeks (to be specific) after the new hip and getting checked out by Dr. Nakasone. How are things going? Wow! Thus far every day is a gift. We'll see what the long range looks like once we get there. But for now - Super!
Dr. N is an animated person. It is hard to get a good photo of him. Here is my most recent try. As you can probably tell he is talking. Will see him again in another 6 weeks. Mark me "cautiously optimistic".
The scar is looking pretty good for 6 weeks out. Been using Vitamin E oil from the grocery store on it a couple of times each day. It measures a little over 4 inches long.
X-ray 6 weeks visit. Looks about the same to me.
Dr. N is an animated person. It is hard to get a good photo of him. Here is my most recent try. As you can probably tell he is talking. Will see him again in another 6 weeks. Mark me "cautiously optimistic".
The scar is looking pretty good for 6 weeks out. Been using Vitamin E oil from the grocery store on it a couple of times each day. It measures a little over 4 inches long.
X-ray 6 weeks visit. Looks about the same to me.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
It is Physical Therapy Month!
Today we attended an open house at Tripler Army Medical Center in celebration of Physical Therapy Month. Stations were set up in the PT Department with personnel to explain pieces of equipment, PT approaches, expected results. We learned many new facts about PT, it was eye opening to us.
Open house included students and an instructor from Wainai High School health careers program. This member of the Physical Therapy Department mentors young people with enthusiasm.
Before it was cut, the cake was really pretty. And it was chocolate!
Electrical stimulation is used in a variety of therapies. My first hand experience was with re-education of muscles after a traditional total knee replacement. Another use of electricity is to encourage distribution of medication (never thought of that one). At this station we also learned the value of applying ice and the mechanics of traction.
This exercise is to improve a person's balance after an injury or surgery. Stand on one leg and throw a ball at a small trampoline then catch it. Once this task is accomplished with confidence a small flexible blue pad is put down. As seen in this photo, you then try and balance on the pad on one foot while repeating the toss and catch. No so easy. This is part of the therapy for a total knee replacement -- I can attest to that. But this exercise is used in a wide variety of applications.
Although much of the equipment can be found in a gym, when in use as therapy professionals are always present to guide a patient to a specific accomplishment. Each goal is appropriate to a therapy plan written just for them. Here a stepper machine is described as a cardio/warm up to get the blood circulating before moving on to other exercises.
This photo looks like a standard treadmill. We learned that different muscle groups can be put to work depending upon how a person is walking. If you walk backward it uses the same muscles that are called to walk uphill. Walking can also be in a forward or sideward position. Who knew?
The white frame over this walker allows attachment of a harness. If a person in recovery cannot support their own weight but would benefit from doing some walking the frame/harness is used to lighten the stress on the person's body. I got to see this one in use and it is neat!
I never heard of a medicine ball except maybe in a movie. Here we learned some of the many therapeutic uses for a medicine ball. They come in different sizes, weights and colors. Each one has a handle! Never knew that either.
Don't remember the name of this equipment but it appears to be for upper body therapy.
Quadricep muscles? The ones on the front of the thighs I think.
This one is used for recovery of total knee replacement among other things. It can be used with two legs or just one. This was called the hamstring curl.
Did not get to hear the briefing on this piece. But this fella is doing a great job of demonstrating it!
Learned so much from this talk. It was about pelvic floor therapy. Never heard of this before but know lots more now. It can help people after surgery, a traumatic accident, child birth for women, incontinence etc.
Plantar fascitius. I have met a significant number of people with this foot problem. They get something called an orthotic and put in in their shoe(s). This was a demonstration of how a custom fit piece is made for someone with this problem.
This photo shows a person being fitted with a piece of material that will mold into the shape of the foot. The material is first put into a warm water bath to make it supple.
The material is trimmed to fit comfortably in whatever foot gear the person wears. It is a matter of trim and try and trim and try. We learned that once the orthotic is put into the shoe/boot it is worn for 7-14 days (not forever as I previously thought). In the case of a stubborn recovery the longest would be 28-30 days. I can't pretend I understand the medical part but it has something to do with scar tissue formation and breakdown.
The last step, of course, is putting the orthotic into place.
Open house included students and an instructor from Wainai High School health careers program. This member of the Physical Therapy Department mentors young people with enthusiasm.
Before it was cut, the cake was really pretty. And it was chocolate!
Electrical stimulation is used in a variety of therapies. My first hand experience was with re-education of muscles after a traditional total knee replacement. Another use of electricity is to encourage distribution of medication (never thought of that one). At this station we also learned the value of applying ice and the mechanics of traction.
This exercise is to improve a person's balance after an injury or surgery. Stand on one leg and throw a ball at a small trampoline then catch it. Once this task is accomplished with confidence a small flexible blue pad is put down. As seen in this photo, you then try and balance on the pad on one foot while repeating the toss and catch. No so easy. This is part of the therapy for a total knee replacement -- I can attest to that. But this exercise is used in a wide variety of applications.
Although much of the equipment can be found in a gym, when in use as therapy professionals are always present to guide a patient to a specific accomplishment. Each goal is appropriate to a therapy plan written just for them. Here a stepper machine is described as a cardio/warm up to get the blood circulating before moving on to other exercises.
This photo looks like a standard treadmill. We learned that different muscle groups can be put to work depending upon how a person is walking. If you walk backward it uses the same muscles that are called to walk uphill. Walking can also be in a forward or sideward position. Who knew?
The white frame over this walker allows attachment of a harness. If a person in recovery cannot support their own weight but would benefit from doing some walking the frame/harness is used to lighten the stress on the person's body. I got to see this one in use and it is neat!
I never heard of a medicine ball except maybe in a movie. Here we learned some of the many therapeutic uses for a medicine ball. They come in different sizes, weights and colors. Each one has a handle! Never knew that either.
Don't remember the name of this equipment but it appears to be for upper body therapy.
Quadricep muscles? The ones on the front of the thighs I think.
This one is used for recovery of total knee replacement among other things. It can be used with two legs or just one. This was called the hamstring curl.
Did not get to hear the briefing on this piece. But this fella is doing a great job of demonstrating it!
Learned so much from this talk. It was about pelvic floor therapy. Never heard of this before but know lots more now. It can help people after surgery, a traumatic accident, child birth for women, incontinence etc.
Plantar fascitius. I have met a significant number of people with this foot problem. They get something called an orthotic and put in in their shoe(s). This was a demonstration of how a custom fit piece is made for someone with this problem.
This photo shows a person being fitted with a piece of material that will mold into the shape of the foot. The material is first put into a warm water bath to make it supple.
The material is trimmed to fit comfortably in whatever foot gear the person wears. It is a matter of trim and try and trim and try. We learned that once the orthotic is put into the shoe/boot it is worn for 7-14 days (not forever as I previously thought). In the case of a stubborn recovery the longest would be 28-30 days. I can't pretend I understand the medical part but it has something to do with scar tissue formation and breakdown.
The last step, of course, is putting the orthotic into place.
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