Life gets in the way!

I really have been meaning to post forever and ever and ever. Life really seems busier in Hawaii sometimes than on the mainland. Perhaps it's because everything takes longer to do. In a good way. It's taken me a while to get into the rhythm of the islands, so that I'm OK with how long everything takes, but then look what happens, I don't post in my blog. I've been content without TV or computer for days at a time, there's so much to do outside, but I get behind on emails, etc. I couldn't even remember my password to log in today. Thank you all for checking back and sorry for the absence.

For some balance, I'll have to warn you all about some things that aren't so great about moving your pets to Hawaii. For one thing, the increased humidity means my dogs are smellier. Everything smells more here, so if you have a wet dog, you can realy smell them. Also, the constant warmth and moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria. Tasha had a bladder infection and had to take antibiotics. She's all better now, but it was really an ordeal. Also it was smelly!

Then, the latest Hawaii-related issue. Danzig has been scratching a ton, and I thought it was from the sand and salt of the ocean water. So we stopped walking them on the beach so often. Hawaii's pet importation requirements are very strict about making sure your dogs are treated with a flea/tick product like Frontline within a few days of arriving here. So I've had them on Frontline, and figured since that's what they require, it should be all good right? WRONG! Despite religious application of Frontline, my dogs got fleas!!! I actually took them to the vet, only to be told they have fleas. Argh. They explained that Frontline doesn't work very well here. Hawaii is such a hugely hospitable environment for fleas that it's not strong enough in many cases, even though it is super expensive and prescription strength. So we had to put them on Sentinel (even more expensive) and switch to Advantix and also add in Capstar. The problem still isn't gone, it's been a constant battle. And don't even get me started on the mosquitoes. Well, OK, here I go anyway. We've had a bunch of rain, so there have been a lot of mosquitoes here and I am covered in bites. I might be a little cranky from lack of sleep, work has been really busy and I have been going nonstop since 2009 began. For a little perspective, I will get on my beach cruiser in a few minutes and pedal to the beach and look at the ocean, and remember and appreciate that I live in Hawaii. I'll also pick up where I left off with regards to moving pets here . . .

Tourism is down, the economy is freaking everyone out, even in paradise, but since it's bad everywhere, I'd rather hunker down and cut back on expenses here in the warm weather. . .

Aloha and Mahalo for reading!