Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Another Boring Day



I attended a Bible study this a.m. and had a lovely time with the ladies as we discussed I Peter. We'll meet her next week as I have an Air Conditioner - a real drawing card in Misawa this time of year. ::snort::  Come to think of it, I could probably do some creative evangelism with the AC about now. 


I spent the afternoon - until like 5:30 - play "executive assistant" to a deputy wing chaplain. ::wink:: We are trying to "climb back into the saddle" after our extended absence. I've been joking that I'm at least trying to climb back on the horse...but I think we're both feeling by now like we need to FIND THE SILLY HORSE before we can attempt to get back in the saddle and ride.  Not sure HOW we were doing all we were doing....and taking a long, hard look at what I put back on the plate. ::grin::

How did it get to be August 1st already? I seemed to have lost most of June and all of July. How did the "dog days of summer" become the "start of school" month?

In other news I made it through another vegan day - this isn't so terrible....though I need to find hearty meals for Michael to eat....it surely does take more time in the kitchen which brings us back to slowing down.....so I can live the way I desire, parent the way I desire, eat the way I need to eat, have time to work out....going really, really slow at each new commitment....and seeing where God would set the boundaries on the old commitments. Nothing major - just good for a recovering workaholic  ministryaholic to evaluate every few months.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Normal Days



The moment you invite someone into your time of solitude and silence - it is no longer a discipline of silence and solitude. I know, I know - it seems I had to try it to realize it. ::snort::  Stacia wanted to go on my walk with me this a.m. - but my walks are prayer walks - more than exercise related.  I agreed.....but forgot that she would BE there....wanting to TALK....and so I introduced her to the concept of prayer walks...and I lost the solitude....but I took joy in joining her in prayer. Maybe this is a good way to start to teach her a bit of introspection. 

The boys, Stacia and I headed to the produce market at Shimoda Mall. Yummm.....they enjoyed a Krusher at KFC (Do they have those in the states? The kids were asking what they were and I'm not eating such these days. I'll google)...anyway....they enjoyed a Krusher at the window and watched as I bought lots of FRESH (as opposed to commissary wilted in two days tops) produce.  I found these babes for Michael.

 I was really hungry at lunch and craving some of those beans and rice I'd stored up earlier....with no real clue of what I was doing....I sauteed some veggies, garlic, grated ginger and carrot with my fun new 100 Yen tool....

Added some fresh pineapple,  frozen corn, peas and a bit of yakitori sauce....it was lunch for Stacia and I. 

I couldn't eat it all and so wrapped some in  a tortilla for dinner with a salad....and have some left. Michael didn't like it - I got the wrinkled nose. Oh well - I told him there are 8000 beans and rice recipes I'm sure to find one he'll like eventually. 

Arielle and I ran to the base to buy a sprinkler and the items we couldn't get at the produce market. We discovered the commissary is the coolest place in Misawa. I feel terrible for those on base with no AC - 97 * today....but there is hope. 

Via Susan B's Facebook Status
We have AC in the living room and our bedroom. We try not to run it unless it is essential. We dry our clothes on the line which helps keep the dryer heat down....and we're still HOT....but we can sit in front of an AC and fan when needed. 


The kids cleaned the fish tank. I cleaned (deeply) the downstairs.....such is the life of normalcy...a day so normal you almost hate to write about it - but I did and I loved living it.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Monday, July 30, 2012

Getting Back into a Routine



0500 prayer walk on the beach today with Yuuki.  As we began our walk I told God I would LOVE to find a float - several of our family have.  I walked to one end of the beach, turned and walked back to the surf beach, thought about going  back as the 0600 "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" music played, really sensed God saying, "Settle down, linger for a bit, walk a bit further," so I did. I walked back to the surfer's beach....again I kept thinking "linger with Him a bit longer," and so I kept walking and praying and praising....and stumbled over THIS.....


My first float. I wasn't even thinking about looking, it wasn't hidden in the trash...it was just SITTING ON THE BEACH....and I walked all the way to the next breaker....then climbed to the top of the seawall and walked back to the car at Momoishi.  It has cleaned up fairly well - though I have some more oil to remove. 


Prayer Walks seem to wear Yuuki out. She spent several hours in her chair when we got home...after breakfast and water, of course. 




Spent time organizing and decluttering. 


Helped the younger two with some summer school.  I envisioned recess playing in the water to mean SPRINKLER....they had plans with hoses, buckets and such....I moved them to the grass. 


Cooked up some beans and rice, packaged for easier use in salads, and stir fries....also packaged up cashews and raisins for easier "travel". 

Researched some veggie recipes.  Yes, we ARE implementing some changes to our diet this month. 


Tonight was youth group. I wasn't sure the kids could stay awake, but we gave it shot. I met Michael at base and he came home with the two younger. I stayed with Arielle, Nolan and Sam (friend) and read. I fell asleep.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Tis the Season....

Via Google Image
Cold Shower Season in Misawa
Water Play Season.....


QUICK Drying Season  (Keeps our house cooler too)


Holmes HABF20UM 20 Inch Box Fan
Nekkid Fan Worship Season 


Homemade Juicecicle Season



Whatever you choose to call it - these are the weeks of SUMMER - that time of the year when the humidity is 90-100% and the temps are above 80 degrees. 


I can't complain too much when I remember the past winter of 250 inches of snow...and realize fall will be short and then it will be another long winter. LOL 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Mutsu Bay Discussion



Stacia: "This sea glass reminds me of Jared!"


Me: "Huh? Jared?"


Stacia: "WHAT? It looks like pizza and Jared worked at Pizza Hut. I miss Jared." 


Me: Laughing   "I miss him too." 


Stacia: "He was a good big brother. He protected me very well." 


Ah - I agree....she knows the definition of a big brother.  May her experiences with the men in her life...Daddy, big brothers...continue to point her to the One who loves her and will protect her best of all. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Crabu Gasu



You'll have to stick with me or scroll to the end to understand the title. 


As Michael was having breakfast he commented, "I wasn't sure I'd ever see this place again." AND that's what we've lived with for the past few weeks. If the re-tests in OR had confirmed the Hachinohe tests it was very likely I would come back to pack us out. We are very grateful to have another year in Japan. 


It is with a sense of gratitude that we decided to go exploring. Michael suggested we head over to Mutsu Bay/Shipwreck Beach early this a.m. We were all up and ready to go by about 07:30. LOL 


First, a true confession. We've wanted to train Yuuki to ride in the car....she always sits up front with the passenger (or in the driver's seat on occasion).  She was sort of getting it...but she slobbers on the window as she tries to climb out...and she tap dances on my lap the whole trip. When Richard and Susi brought her home last night I noted she was in the BACK of the car - and doing just fine. DUH! Why didn't we THINK to ask them how she rode in the car. Today we put her in the back of the car...she did great. I have no bruises....and NOTE - we are now a family of 6 and a dog and we fit in the small car just fine. 



 We have found a new spot to park on the bay and so we parked, and explored. We never did make it back to Shipwreck today. We walked the other way.

We found handfuls of sea glass at a time. 



Sea caves are the best

We've been nervous to let Yuuki off the leash as she's a RUNNER....but today with no where for her to really run off, we let her loose.Great time. 

 Above Stacia is sampling "caramel corn" - Krista it's PUFFED like Cosmos corn.

Have I said someone will sleep anywhere????? I missed the shot of her on the picnic table at Noheji Beach and with her FACE in her dinner plate (out of battery). 

Yuuki was content to be a pillow but checked out all noises while Arielle slept. 

We reclaimed a coca cola case for the girl's apartment...Stacia thinks this would work for the bathroom. See the piles of trash in the background? The battery compartment is still sealed and dry...so....

Digging dams from the Smith River to Mutsu Bay

 I continually kick my flip flops off at the beach and REGRET it. I was SO happy to finally make it back to my shoes at the end of our hike. LOL

We didn't find any floats today. We found lots of sea-glass and BIG agates. We also found a NEW SWIM BEACH - Noheji Beach. Love it.....not very crowded even on Saturday. Yen showers....and Japanese toilets...picnic tables. You can even camp here, we think. We asked and thought they told us yes. LOL  Our plan had been to run to Lawsons, use the toilet and buy some lunch and then head back to the ships......We decided to picnic and maybe swim a bit.....


 Zander and Stacia took the next two shots...yes, the authentic Mu-mu from Hawaii is ever so perfect for this heat and humidity. LOL


 I never know what will happen when I smile and say Konichiwa. Today it led to CRABBING on Mutsu Bay with a Japanese Family enjoying a reunion. Great fun! I don't have photos of Arielle - she joined us later and also caught some.  They tie fishing line to chopsticks, attach a hook and a slice of fish....and here along the sea wall they were "fishing" for crabu. If you look closely: Zander is in the red shirt, Mike in the brown up front, Nolan in blue across from him, and the blond Japanese gal is Stacia. 




I heard Michael let out a big laugh, saw people jumping and then our new friend yelled, "Wonderful!" It turns out Zander had caught this one - the biggest of the day.  They offered it to him, but we offered it back to them.

We set off for that swim feeling very good about the experience. Here Michael instructs Zander on how to use a mask and snorkel. They lose me at the "spit in the mask" phase. ::snort::



Nolan used the flippers...had a bit of time getting them ON. 

 Stacia wanted to go swimming.  I reverted back to the Philippines and told her we used to swim in dresses. She laughed at the novelty of it all and had a great time.

Our friends invited us to dinner. Those of you who know me in person know that I'm allergic to shell-fish. HOWEVER, I was NOT about to be rude...and loved the fact that they invited us to share the pot....I decided to just do broth...which was miso based....good - a bit strong.

The boys all shared a ladle...sometimes you just have to go with it. 

And go with it - Michael did. We had wondered how they'd get all the meat off the small crabs. They put them in the pot with the broth....and well....ate them shell and all. They don't spit out the shells...and several of their men did it to show us how.





And the title? It seems broth with crabu in it is not a great option for me either. I'm having cramps and such....and we've titled my ailment...you got it....crabu gasu.


Tonight at dinner Stacia was scared and so Zander said, "I'll talk in Japanese" and went on to talk about "crabus"....Stacia looked at him and said, "Serious Zander? You don't think I know what crabu means?" ::snort::  


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

I LOVE JET LAG

I was up at 2:30 - before anyone else. I had solitude. I had a cup of tea and read some blogs I haven't been able to get to for quite some time.

Then? I went for an 05:30 walk at our beach.  I took Yuuki with me and it was WONDERFUL.

Folks used to leave their boats on this beach....and then we had the Tsunami...and the boats were in trees......there haven't been boats left on the beach for some time....and now there is one...it's tied up...but it's there. 


I walked from our beach down to the surfer beach. I had hoped to walk on the "pier"....

Yuuki had other thoughts. ::snort:: 

We did find lots of early morning surfers. 


If I hadn't of had jet lag, I wouldn't have been at the beach at 05:30. I love it.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Friday, July 27, 2012

Yuuki's Home



Richard and Susi brought Yuuki home tonight. We planned to drive over but it turns out really good they came over....we were all having trouble staying awake. LOL 


We've worried that Yuuki may not remember us....but we could see her running back and forth in the back and barking when she saw the kids.

She's sporting her new OREGON DUCKS collar and dog tag.....we'll have to try to get better shots when she's not QUITE so excited. 


Michael and Nolan finished this really cool puzzle the kids got Michael for Father's Day.



It's 8:02 p.m. and we MADE IT - we're all still up. Not for long....maybe we'll kick jet lag quickly. I guess we'll know by 3 a.m. LOL 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...