2018 was a very good year

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Nanette Harter

As I sit here listening to Christmas music and enjoying the colored lights and ornaments we have put up to celebrate the season, I am grateful for all my family and friends. We had the opportunity to visit family on the mainland as well as enjoying many Maui visits from friends and relatives throughout the year.

I continue to work as a freelance Travel Director. The freelance part means I work for several DMC (Destination Management Companies) and also means I am not full-time with any. The busy “season” for Travel Directors is January to May when many companies schedule their employee incentive trips to Hawaii . I do a wide variety of things: I work at the airport for arrivals and departure greetings, work at activity locations (e.g. zipline or snorkel boats), dispatch transportation, oversee evening dine-arounds, and work at the hospitality desk. Sometimes I am scheduled out a year in advance when a company knows they will be hosting a large group and other times I get contacted just a week before as the group is finalizing their activity plans. I might be scheduled a full week with one group or a day or two at a time. That’s why it’s good to work for several companies to keep a full schedule during the season. This past year, I worked on Kauai, the Big Island, and on Maui (the companies cover all expenses for me on other islands.)

Neil continues to work at Hilo Hattie’s shipping and receiving as his “day job.” He commutes to Lahaina and prefers working four 10 hour days a week saving a commute day but making the other days very long. He enjoys driving our new Kia plugin hybrid allowing him to be on electric power when stuck in Lahaina traffic. Not only that, they like him so much they let him put in a power outlet at work so he can charge up the car while he works. That means we hardly ever use gas in that car and sometimes get over 300 mpg on a tank. Yessss!

We enjoyed time with Neil’s daughter Mailea this spring when she spent several months on Maui. She was traveling the world since completing her PhD last summer. Most recently, she taught some courses at Washington St. this summer and fall. She is headed for Australia for a few months on her next adventure. Neil and Mailea just submitted a second scientific paper on Maui water quality which they have been working on this year. Their previous submission was so dense with information that the reviewers recommended dividing it in to more than one paper. They have more data and research to continue their work and another paper is being discussed.

As soon as my last Travel Director program ended in mid-May and we had attended Quentin’s high school graduation, Neil and I headed to the mainland for a month-long trip. We had a 12 hour layover in Portland where we spent a fun day touring the beautiful city with Quentin’s sister Sophie, her father Peter, and her grandparents Dianne and Mike. Our next stop was Missoula, Montana, to spend two weeks with our grandson Patrick and his parents Ariann and Eric Schultz ;-). Patrick was 2 ½ at that time and was so full of energy. We had adventures hiking and exploring. One of his favorite things was throwing rocks, especially into water. He has a strong throw and good aim, and appears ambidextrous like his granddad. We worked on a few house projects and left a few that they completed when we left (downstairs bathroom remodel). We also got exciting news that Ari and Eric are expecting a baby due February 1 right after Patrick turns 3 on January 9. Ari is wonderful staying in touch making weekly video calls with Patrick so we can be part of his life and watch him growing up. It touches my heart every time he enthusiastically says “Grandma” with a big smile. Such a precious boy.

Our next stop was Hastings, Minnesota, visiting Neil’s sister, Cindy, new husband Dan, and nephew Keegan, and nieces Gillian and Kalli. They showed us a fabulous time. We were going non-stop for the 3 nights and 2 days including boating, fishing, kayaking, sunny cocktails, cooking, eating, touring, and lots of gabbing to catch up with their lives. Minnesota is beautiful in the summer but glad not be there in the winter. On to Ohio and visits with Dad, Warren, and cousins, aunts, uncles on my Mom’s side. Neil hadn’t been to Ohio since our 2007 two month trip in a camper van! We were there on Father’s Day and Dad had all four of his kids there to celebrate! (We hardly misbehaved at all.) Pamela spent a week in Ohio overlapping our trip, and Melanie drove up from her new home in South Carolina where she and Will were still settling in. It was fantastic to all be together with all my siblings!

Back home on Maui, Neil went back to unpacking boxes at Hilo Hattie’s and I had a few occasional working days working with DMCs through the summer and fall. My Mom came over for a week in July to visit and spend time with her Great Grandson Quentin before he headed off to University of Portland mid-August. She helped him pack and sort boxes for his “move.” I helped him finish up packing and emptying his room the week before he left. Family and friends saw him off at the airport for his new life adventure.

Jean, Neil’s mom, and her husband Morley are still great neighbors living right next to us. We usually check in with each other every day. Morley spent a week in the hospital in August with an infection but is back to taking care of all the shopping and other chores. Jean took a fall in October and fortunately no broken bones but just a knock on the head with a few stitches. She said it knocked some sense into her. Neil said he is waiting for her to prove it.

I realized I had a month between work in Sept/Oct and was missing Quentin already. I really wanted to see Quentin in his new “home” (read that as dorm room on campus). Dianne and Mike graciously offered me to stay in their home for my visit and Mailea offered me her second car for the 4 days. I arrived in Portland Friday morning and Quentin gave me a quick tour of his dorm and the campus between his classes on Friday afternoon. He said classes were hard and took some adjusting but he is loving campus life. He is clearly well liked from all the friends he introduced me to in the dorm. He had a weekend dorm house retreat scheduled Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon but I had plenty to fill my days. I enjoyed evening meals and breakfasts with my hosts Dianne and Mike as we traded cooking. Saturday I drove to The Dalles, Oregon, to visit my niece Hailey (Warren’s daughter). She is now 32 and has two beautiful children: Jesse 3 years old and Jemma 1 month old at time of my visit! I hadn’t seen her since she was 16 but with Facebook photos we have been able to keep up with her news. Sunday afternoon I picked up Quentin from University of Portland and Sophie came to grandma and grandpas. We visited while I cooked Indian food for a fun family dinner with Mailea driving down to meet Quentin’s extended Portland family for the evening. Monday morning I visited my good friends Sara and George in North Plains and then connected with Mailea in the afternoon to visit her tiny house home. We picked up Quentin for dinner at Le Bistro Montage before she dropped me at the airport for my flight to Ohio.

It was hard not stopping in Missoula to see Patrick, Ari and Eric but I still had Ohio and California on my schedule. I spent 10 days staying with Dad and Jane. We had lots of projects to do including cutting firewood and cleaning the Lion’s Club sausage trailer. Warren is working full time but was still there with his chainsaw early morning when we went to cut wood! I am glad I got to see a lot of my brother! And I also enjoyed lots of visits with Mom’s side of the family.

The very sad news this year is the death of my brother-in-law Christian Beamer, Pamela’s husband. He was in pain since April but the doctors didn’t diagnosis the 4^th stage pancreatic cancer until mid-July. Chris chose palliative care and I am so grateful Pamela and he had quality time preparing for his passing. The grief is for those missing his presence with us on earth even as we can celebrate he is free of pain with his Lord and Savior. Pamela and Chris’ sister Cynthia were with him as he transitioned on September 30, 2018. I had scheduled 10 days in California even before his passing knowing I could help or be there to support my sister Pamela.

I arrived in California about a week after Chris’ death and Pamela and Cynthia already had things well in hand. Pamela had decided to move to Ohio near Dad, Jane, Warren, and extended family rather than move to the California desert near Mom and Bill who are still in good health. Pamela started the house hunting process while I was still in Ohio. Dad, Warren and I looked at 3 places and we thought a certain clean and well managed duplex was the nicest. I took lots of photos and Pamela agreed with us. She got confirmation within 3 days that she would have a place to move to when she arrived in Ohio at the end of October! (Update: She is really enjoying her new home and furnishing it. The cold however is another story after living in California for most of her life.)

By the time I arrived, Pamela was ready to get out of LA for a while and so we drove to Ridgecrest to spend a week with Mom and Bill. The day before we left LA, Neil’s niece Stephanie, nephew Dustin, and great-nephew Jonathan were wonderful to drive over from San Jaquinto, California, to spend the morning with me. We walked the beach and had lunch on the pier at Redondo Beach. It was a great time catching up with them. Stephanie has just retired from the Army after 20+ years and she and Jonathan have a new home in California. Dustin moved from Iowa to help them with their home remodel and upgrades.

Overlapping our time in Ridgecrest, my sister Melanie and her husband Will came to town for their 40^th class reunion. Pamela, Melanie, and I were all in Ridgecrest to celebrate Mom’s 83^rd birthday! What a special time for all of us.

Back on Maui, we continue to love our little cottage in warm Hawaii while we think of all of you in the cold and snow! Mele Kalikimaka and Hau`oli Makahiki Hou!

Photo gallery below:
If you are viewing this in a browser, clicking on any photo thumbnail brings up the full size photo with a description. To easily see them all, use the arrow buttons or keys to move through the full size gallery photos with descriptions. If you are receiving this in an email and don’t see a photo gallery below, please click into my webpage to view all the photos!

$Celebrating Father\'s Day in Ohio$

$Quentin\'s extended family in Portland$

Quentin Graduates and Heads to University 2018

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Nanette Harter

Quentin graduating

Quentin graduated from King Kekaulike High School on May 24, 2018. Many of you know I first saw my great-nephew Quentin when he was 1 hour old born here on Maui. I have been privileged to be part of his life for 17 years as he has grown up on Maui.

Quentin going to Senior Ball

And now he is ready to leave Maui and start the next phase of his life. He will be attending University of Portland starting August 27, 2018. He flew out today to see his Grandparents Beamer in California and then off to Portland to spend a few days with his sister Sophie, her dad Peter, and her grandparents Dianne and Mike before moving into his dorm and starting the UP orientation weekend. He is excited to be living near his sister and to be able to spend more time with her.

It’s hard to think of him leaving Maui and I won’t be able to spend time with him every few weeks. Yet I am so happy for him to start his next life adventure and I am very proud of him. Saying goodbye to Quentin at the airport

Two Google Photo Albums you can view:

Quentin’s Graduation

University of Portland
Quentin the week before he is heading to college.

Happy Holidays 2017

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Nanette Harter

Happy Holidays to you!

That song was going through my head as I walked the beach this morning. It felt wonderful to have my feet in the sand and the waves lapping around them. Neil and I are grateful to still live in our little Maui cottage on the ocean. We are also grateful to have family nearby and to have visited our family farther away this year.

We were able to spend the month of August and September visiting on the mainland. I started my trip in Ohio visiting with Dad and Jane and getting to see all my Kreischer uncles, aunts, and cousins. I flew to Montana to join Neil visiting with Ariann, Eric, and our grandson Patrick. Patrick was 19 months in August and it was a precious time to spend with him. Ariann is fantastic about video calling on Duo weekly so we continue the connection with Patrick watching him grow into a little man. Hard to believe he will be 2 years old in January! We worked on several house projects as well as having adventures with Patrick. A highlight of the trip, beyond the family time, was experiencing the Solar Eclipse in totality at a State Park near Challis, Idaho. I stopped in Los Angeles over Labor Day spending time with my sister Pamela and husband Chris. My brother Warren, Mom and Bill came down for the weekend to save me driving to Ridgecrest. Mom and Bill decided to come to Maui for two weeks since they were already in Los Angeles. I like their kind of thinking!

Back on the home front, we continue to live next door to Neil’s mom Jean and Morley. They have the usual aches and pains of aging but are doing very well overall. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving together and we look forward to tree trimming and Christmas together.

Quentin is 17, has his driver’s license, and is applying to colleges. He is a senior in high school and it has really hit me that he will be leaving Maui within the year! He is doing very well academically, involved in several clubs and community service activities, plus works a part time job. He is applying to colleges in California, Oregon, and a few other states. Financial aid is going to play a major factor in his decision once he has his acceptances. I am very proud of the young man he has become.

We have a new car! The last new car I had was my Fiero when I was 24. We had been talking about an electric car but didn’t feel the need for a new car when we had 2 working (older) cars. Our 2000 convertible VW started having problems in October and we determined it was the transmission—not worth the repair on a car that was rusting and starting to leak. On my birthday, we spent the afternoon car shopping. That night, after some research, we had a possible list of plugin hybrids as well as electric cars. By the next afternoon, we decided on a Kia Optima Plugin Hybrid and signed the papers to lease it on Saturday morning! A three year lease is a great deal right now because of all the incentives for electric plugin cars. We can choose to buy it in 3 years or look for an alternate car at the time.

Speaking of birthdays, I had wanted to experience ziplining last year for my big 6-oh birthday, however, Neil was on the couch at that time with bad road burns. We made up for it this year and went on three different zipline courses in October—two while I was still 60 and one on my birthday itself! And it was so fun, I took Quentin and his girlfriend another day for them to experience it.

We started Neil’s January birthday celebration early this year by parasailing near Lahaina (parasailing is closed from Dec 15 to May 14 during whale season.) They have a zodiac that picked us up right on the beach and took us out to the larger boat that hoisted us up side by side on 1200 feed of line. We will horseback ride in a week when Mailea is visiting Maui and we plan an ATV adventure in January.

We have joined the ranks of Mauians who work multiple jobs. Neil started working full time at Hilo Hattie’s in the shipping and receiving department. He especially enjoys the couple of days a month when he drives the shuttle on Lahaina cruise ship days. He also got a call from a company to do event setup and strike which he brought me in on. It was hard work, often in the sun, setting tables and chairs, spreading linens, building temporary structures, and then breaking it all down (strike) late when the event is over. We noted that most the people our age were either the coordinators or banquet staff. Neil began working on the banquet staff at Maui Ocean Center’s occasional evening events while I worked them as a marine naturalist. I continued day shifts at the aquarium as a naturalist until this November when I switched to working only the evening events. My new job is working for Destination Management Companies (DMC) as a freelance Travel Director (TD). The DMCs are the organizations that coordinate the large company groups which visit the islands (usually the top performers.) The Travel Directors are the staff onsite for activities, airport, and hospitality desk. High season for the DMCs is January to May when TDs could work almost every day if they want. I have worked four events since September (two on the Big Island) and am loving it. I am also working in the office a few days a week for one company learning more about the Program Manger role. I am scheduled for six 7 to 10 day events through May so far. And I pulled Neil in to be an occasional TD. He will be coming to Kauai a few days in January while I am there 10 days.

A great big congratulations to Dr. Mailea Miller-Pierce who completed her PhD in Biology at Washington State University this summer. And a big congratulations to Dr. Miller-Pierce and Neil Rhoads for submitting their second scientific paper on Maui water quality for publication. It was over a year for the research, data analysis, and writing. There was a break in there while Mailea was completing her dissertation! Mailea is currently traveling. She visited Maui for a month and she is now in Australia. She will come to Maui for two days on her way back to have Christmas in Washington. I hear she is planning to go to Ireland for the New Year. Ariann continues as a Labor and Delivery Nurse and Eric is doing postdoctoral research at University of Montana (Missoula). Patrick is taking swimming lessons with mommy, likes his friends at daycare, and loves his doggy Lyra.

On a sad note, my nephew Jason, 37, passed away of a heart attack at the end of July. It was a shock to all of us. His parents, Pamela and Chris, are accepting but one can never fully comprehend losing a child. It was also difficult for Quentin and his sisters in Kansas, to experience losing a father. I know it is still hard for Neil losing his brother and Jean her eldest son a few years ago.

I am grateful that both my parents are in very good health. Pamela and Chris continue to live in Lawndale, California, and run the family LAX airport shuttle service (ha). (Thank you! Both of you!) Melanie and Will are still in Maryland near their daughter and son’s families enjoying their two grandsons. I hear they are looking to move from the area as Will explores his retirement options. Warren moved from California to Ohio and I hear Ohio is getting its first snow of the season. It will be an adjustment for him! He is very happy being near Dad and all the cousins.

The sun is sparkling on the ocean as the warm breeze blows in the front door. Sending you all blessings and love and some of the sunshine and prayers for true peace on this earth.

Mele Kalikimaka 2014

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Nanette Harter

Mele Kalikimaka and Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! [Merry Christmas and Happy New Year]
We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic new year!

We pause in our summer trip report series to reflect on our past year and think about the things that bring us joy. We greatly enjoy our home on the beach. We enjoy sunny morning tea time interacting with our green gecko guests, watching the birds play in their bath, listening to their songs, and watching the ocean. We enjoy visits with our friends on our lanai overlooking the ocean (there are usually warm scones involved). We enjoy time with our parents in their island homes. We enjoy home cooked meals and preparing foods with locally grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible. We enjoy the garden surrounding our home and picking (and eating!) fresh mangoes, papayas, and coconuts. We have already written a couple of posts this year about our most recent gardening projects. This year, we only had a few mangoes from our favorite tree (the one over our house) but they were spread out so we harvested them as late as October! We also had the great fortune of discovering a new favorite mango tree (at an undisclosed location 🙂 ) and we stuffed the fridge, thus providing us uninterrupted fresh mango breakfasts until mid-December. Yum!

I also enjoy exercising my creativity by writing web sites like this one and ones I’ve done for clients. Our friend Roger Stephens asked me to create a nice web site for his business. It was a lot of work and fun and we’re all happy with how it turned out. Here’s a link to look at it if you’re interested: Picture It Framed, Maui. I also helped our friend Ginger Book create an appealing web presence to offer her ohana for vacation rental: Serenity Villa.

It was an eventful year with family graduations, a wedding and a college reunion on the mainland. My niece Madison graduated from Nursing College in May. My great-nephew Quentin graduated from eighth grade in May. My nephew Will graduated High School in June. Neil’s daughter Ariann married Eric Schultz in July. A group of my college friends had a reunion in August. I wanted to attend all but knew multiple trips weren’t going to work out. My mom Audrey, sister Pamela and her husband Chris represented the family at my niece and nephew’s graduations in Maryland. Neil and I traveled to Montana for Ari and Eric’s wedding and spent the rest of the month of July traveling. Neil flew home to Maui while I flew to Ohio to visit with my Dad and Jane and with the Kreischer side. Returning to California, I spent a fun-filled weekend with my college friends in San Luis Obispo area before returning to Maui.

Before the summer trip, we started “training”—hiking training! We realized we would be in the mountains of Montana with Ari and Eric where outdoor adventures abound and we wanted to be ready to keep up with them. We alternated our hiking days with steep climbs and other days doing longer level walks. Our endurance hike was the Lahaina Pali Trail. The trail begins and ends at sea level with a 1600 foot elevation climb and covers 5.5 miles. On the steep ascent, I felt like I was climbing an uneven rocky stairs the entire way up. I only made it 1/3 of the trail the first time and each time increased the distance. We eventually hiked the entire trail several times. 😉 What incredible views at the top! We were glad for our training on the several great hikes during our trip.

I had a wonderful October birthday month. This year was about pampering! Neil gave me a deluxe manicure/pedicure appointment on my birthday before taking me for a wonderful dinner. I spent my birthday money on massages and a spa day at the Grand Wailea Spa. It was perfect way to spend my birthday.

My Mom and Bill are living part time on Maui and part time in Ridgecrest. I am glad it is working for them and enjoy them when they are here. I often walk the beach with Mom in the mornings and we sometimes join them for sunsets on the rooftop patio of their six story building. They volunteer at the church food pantry on Fridays and twice a week Mom has water aerobics while Bill goes snorkeling. Neil’s mom Jean and husband Morley are right next door and we have been able to help out when needed. Morley was in the hospital with pneumonia over Thanksgiving but we are happy he is home now getting back to his routine. They enjoy a mid-day beach walk when the tide and wind cooperate. Dad and Jane continue in fairly good health in Ohio and Dad stays busy keeping up with his home acreage and being active with the Lion’s Club. I got to help with a few various projects when I was there: putting a new top on the chimney, and sweeping the soot out, sorting antiques from scrap metal, and cleaning the Lion’s Club sausage trailer. Muffin the cat likes to follow Dad up the ladder and inspect the projects. All Muffin needs to look official is a little hard hat and a clipboard.

Quentin turned 14 this October and is a freshman at King Kekaulike High School. And he has a girlfriend! I know, right! He does well in all his subjects but especially enjoys his electives of media (video) and drama. He plans to take these same elective classes all four years and has joined the drama club. He is teaching himself piano and really has an ear for it. He is quite good in just a short time. He enjoys running and was considering joining the track team except the coach expects them to be a practice 5 days a week even in the off season. That was too much commitment when he has other interests. I understand from Vajra that he is looking for a job. I don’t get to see him as much now that he is so busy. Vajra is balancing a few jobs giving herself a variety of work.She has a boyfriend too! She is finishing her last class for her Master’s in Public Administration.

Neil’s daughter Mailea left Maui in January for Ireland! She lived there for four months and returned to Maui for a month until Ari’s wedding. Fall semester she lived in Washington and continued work on her PhD project. Right now she is in Australia for Christmas! Ariann and Eric’s wedding was beautiful and is described in a previous post.

My siblings are spread between California and Maryland. Pamela works for the Lawndale Library and Chris continues in his 16^th year as co-pastor of Centinela Baptist Church. Their son Jason is in Oklahoma. Melanie and Will recently moved to a new home in Maryland. Melanie continues with MaryKay and as a personal trainer while Will continues with the Bureau of Engraving & Printing.Their daughter Madison recently started as a nurse for an Endocrinologist, her husband Dennis is a fireman, and Will IV works at an Italian restaurant while he decides his next steps after graduation. Warren is in Bakersfield and continues working as a plumber/handyman.

Wishing you a warm and happy holiday!

This post has a gallery with lots of other fun pictures which you can view by going to the website. (I can’t fit them all in the text.) Clicking on the first photo brings up a larger view with a description. Depending on your browser, you can use the arrow buttons or keys to move through the gallery photos.

$\'Alelele Falls$

Sophie’s Summer Visit

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Nanette Harter

Quentin and Sophie at party

Sophie flew from Oregon for a Maui visit with her mom Vajra and brother Quentin for a month this summer. They celebrated her 9^th birthday with a party the first week she was here (a month early but then she had all her gifts to play with during her visit!) Neil and I attended the fun festivities which included piñata bashing, buffet browsing, candle blowing, gift opening, and swimming.

I got to spend a few mornings with them. We went swimming and played in the sand at the beach. Sophie is really a water nymph and could practically live in the water. As a special treat for the kids, Vajra took them to stay at the Wailea Marriott again as she did last December so they could play in the water park area reserved for guests.

Sophie returned to Oregon in mid July right before her birthday in time to spend it with her father. Quentin come to stay with Neil and I for two days the following weekend while Vajra and Marjorie went to Oahu for another surgery visit. Quentin brought his computer and as an early birthday present for him, we got him the computer game Minecraft as a download. He was on the computer almost solid for the entire time. As Neil said, he just resurfaced for food and went back to his nest on the couch again. Quentin starts school on Monday already! The summer goes fast for Maui school kids.