treehouse happiness

Skystage -Takashi Kobayashi"Because my companion is life itself,

and as long as there are

undiscovered trees waiting..."

Takashi Kobayashi

Born in Japan - 1957, Takashi Kobayashi,

is a world renown tree house creator.

He creates original tree houses based on

sensitivity, style, and original design.

His autobiographical book, Treedom

is a touching reflection of his world

revolving around treehouse creations.

He is truly making his dreams reality. Visit his Treehouse site soon:
http://www.treehouse.jp/thp_eng/index.html
http://www.treehouse.jp/koba/index.html
http://blog.livedoor.jp/jtn/

P

Here is a sweet little Odosketch of a Treehouse by our lovely BB. To see the actual sketch in motion, visit: http://sketch.odopod.com/sketches/98320

Rose

~ After returning to college to
complete her dream at age 87,
Rose shared these pearls of wisdom:
“We do not stop playing
because we are old;
we grow old because
we stop playing
‘The secrets to staying young,
being happy and achieving success.
You have to laugh and find humor
every day. You've got to have a dream.
When you lose your dreams, you die…
so many people walking around
who are dead, and don't even know it!
‘There is a huge difference between
growing older and growing up.
Anybody can grow older.
That doesn't take any
talent or ability.
The idea is to grow up
by always finding
opportunity in change.
Have no regrets”.
by: Rose, age 88…graduation speech.

~ In the wake of recent iconic deaths,
try to see the ways in which they
lived, which proved successful.
Don't dwell on how they may have died.
Morbid curiosity is wasted energy.
Finding the keys to a happy and
successful life is priceless.

~ a sentimental journey

back...listen to our

wedding song... very

non-traditional.

good times::
The fab 4
Here, There, & Everywhere

~ thot for the day::
"Without ice cream,

there would be darkness

and chaos."

...Don Kardong

Beach

"My soul is full of longing

For the secret of the sea,

And the heart of the great ocean

Sends a thrilling pulse through me."

...Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"The sea, once it casts its spell,

holds one in its net

of wonder forever."

...Jacques Cousteau

"In every curving beach,

in every grain of sand

there is the story of the earth."

...Rachel Carson

~ Yes, we loved another perfect day

at the beach. Thanks c.f. !

Peace & Happiness. Pure joy.

The kiddos' imagination is endless,

as their love for the water grows.

We will return soon ~

it's a happy winter day...

The current full moon is the largest of the year;

at it's closest point to the earth.

Although there is no proof that a

full moon makes people crazier...?

we shall see.

P

onward...

Oh yes! A Christmas light show... my happy lava lamp...
a pretty poinsettia boosts the spirit...

warm the mood ~ morning star incense

beautiful morning + chill before the storm

" Imagination is more important than knowledge. "
Albert Einstein

and finally,

+PET PEEVES+

- punks stealing our M.A.N. made beautiful

Christmas tree of lights from the front yard.

+
- creeps stealing the donation boxes full

of change for the needy.

+
- spoiled brats not learning the difference

between “want” & “need”.

+
- every day, another layer of no rules,

no accountability in the U.S.A.

+
- dirty thieves stealing packages

as soon as they are delivered.

+
- school budgets being slashed. Genious.

+
BIG BACHI to all of ya!

+

That being said, we are fortunate,

& continue to count our blessings.

Don't let things get you down.

Persevere.

The more you do,

the more you CAN do.

Happiness lives in a circular motion.

So, in & out, & back to you!

Happy Winter.

b.q.

Happy Humpday!

I could very well feel like this dear Lady.

I am dealing with a very evil person today.

A wise attorney told me that I am

"dealing with the devil".

However, because I know that this particular 'devil' has nothing, & I am blessed with a great life + Family...who gives me unconditional support & silent tokens of their love, such as this...

I can choose happiness, always.

b.q.

T.G.I.F.

As another whirlwind week ends,
I find myself relieved, exhausted,
& looking forward to a 3 day weekend.
There is only so much one can take
of the day-to-day work drama.
Weary, but content with the
love I feel around me every day, I know that
it’s the little gifts of kindness that
often propel us through an exhausting week:
C.F. bringing a delicious melt-in-your-mouth
meal of stuffed shells to share, while her kids
played in the Jacuzzi. Plus, preparing a
lip smackin’ steak & grilled corn dinner
for me yesterday, when I went to watch her kids,
so she could attend “Back to School” night.
My other daughters surprising me with
my favorite Starbucks Caramel Frappaccino
on a 100+ sweltering day,
& other little treats through the busy week.
Our darling granddaughter leaving a
handwritten card for M.A.N., thanking
her Popi for the jacuzzi.
My amazing grandson telling me
that he loves me, & enthusiastically
offering his bed for me to sleep in,
so I could stay at his house last night.
My M.A.N. telling me he’ll climb the stairs
behind me, late at night,
so he can catch me if I fall.
Thankful hugs to all of you, with love.
Yes, Life is good, & I choose happiness.

“When we feel love and kindness toward others,
it not only makes others feel loved and cared for,
but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.”
DALAI LAMA

b.q.

Dis & Dat

Dad loved watching SUMO. Here's one match he missed.

A taste of why I choose happiness

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SANSEI MOMS, where are you?

I have noticed a little controversy over the use of the name HAPA lately. Maybe this issue has cycles, because I remember the same dispute around 25 years ago. Our kids have always been proud & happy HAPA Girls, & they'd like to remain that way. Hopefully, the academic & emotional drama won't take that away from us. That being said, I've also become aware that there isn't a large presence of 3rd Generation Japanese MOMS blogging ~ at least not together in any widely used Sansei Moms blog group. Hmmmmm. HEY - any of you Sansei Moms interested in getting a blog together? If so, please e-mail me: machi30@aol.com.
Arigato!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LIFE of 5IVE

The Spirits pass on.
My Grandmother was born on May 5th (5-5).
I come from a Family of 5.
Our Mom had 5 brothers & sisters.
Dad had 5 brothers & sisters. Our 1st daughter was born 5 days after our Mom's birthday.
My Granddaughter was born 5 months
before Dad passed away.
Coincidentally, my Grandson was born 5 months
before Mom passed away.
Yes, many Spirits are passed on.
5IVE is now my lucky number.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

QUOTE:

"...I wish that I may never think the smiles of the great and powerful a sufficient inducement to turn aside from the straight path of honesty and the convictions of my own mind. "
--David Ricardo

b.q.