Thursday, April 12, 2012

"The" Bag



When this tote arrived about a month ago I hadn't a clue what I would do with it. It was about twice as large as I expected. LOL  After our week in the hospital, when Michael was having such a strange recovery and I was still hearing, "We may have to do another procedure," I packed it as a "just in case hospital bag."   Today I unpacked it. 


I took it to the mall and found all my "stuff" fit in the front pocket and I had LOTS of room for Stacia's coat, our Y100 purchases, stationary purchases AND all our produce. (You bring your own bag in Japan).  This photo doesn't even SHOW how big it REALLY is...I'm picturing beach trips, park trips etc. 

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

Girl's Day Out

Today I took Arielle and three of her friends (Mackenzie, Molly and Gracie) to Shimoda mall. The original plan was lunch and the Y100 store...but one family couldn't leave until after lunch and needed to be home by 2:30 p.m.  I was glad to drive the girls. They seemed to have a good time. I think an hour at the mall is not enough time and will remember that in the future. ::snort::

This provided a great opportunity for Stacia and I to have some Mommy and Me time.

Pepper Lunch - Yum

Good Ole McDonald's ::snort:: 
 Locals - they had that big package of "rejects" that Stacia is holding for Y350....it's TWICE the size of the ones we pay Y598 for at the commissary.  Yum.

 When we met up with the girls they had ice cream comes. Arielle warmed my heart when she gave the rest of her cone to Stacia....

As to her purchases? Things for Stacia and Zander. What a jewel....and Stacia loves the bling. LOL




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

Good Day


  • Interesting thoughts on leadership in Jeremiah 1.
  • Biblical Hospitality - Abraham welcomed, served, refreshed his guests...how can I do the same? 
  • LOVE that Michael is editing parts of 2007 of Choosing Joy for printing....8 clicks to add each title...
  • Always fun to Skype with ministry partners.
  • Made onion soup mix - no msg - a whole new world. LOL *
  • Whew - slogging through mud today - table school done before lunch. Could be worse. We'll see what we can get done after lunch. 
  • Strange things can be found in your kitchen when you home school.*
  • New milestones in Michael's recovery - driving and playing.*
  • Got most of couch school done before I fell asleep while reading.
  • Jared was offered another job at FSS - $1 an hour more. He's decided to stay with Pizza Hut. 
  • Why is Nolan climbing into the neighbor's garbage can while Zander tries to close the lid? There is a  reason. 
  • Has Arielle broken her elbow....stay tuned.
  • When Stacia (6) walks in yelling, "Nothing's ruined, Mom!" I wonder....
  • Akikosan surprised us with a visit.*
  • Jared picked up an extra hour of work but all are now home.
Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Japanese Pinata

Thursday nights are usually Japanese tutoring with Akikosan. We've not done this for a month. Tonight Akikosan surprised us! I was glad she came. We've all been missing her and I meant to call and ask her to come. She didn't bring any lessons, just this.....

Yum....a round cake from Shiroi Mori.  The best part of all was simply sitting and chatting for a couple of hours. We showed her copies of Choosing Joy 2006 and had some fun conversations stemming from the photos and memories.

One of the best was about "picnic" games in the states...bobbing for apples, egg race, sunflower seed spitting contest, watermelon eating contest.  We asked if they play games like these at picnics or hanamai (flower viewing in parks)....but no. She thought about it and said in the summer they'll buy a watermelon, take it to the beach, blindfold each other, and try to hit the melon with a stick. When it breaks open they eat it. I told her this was a Japanese pinata. ::snort::  No photos - but I foresee trying this in the next few months.

Akikosan has been having some health problems and as she prepared to leave, Michael asked if we could pray for her...so we did.  I'm glad she stopped by. We'll start lessons next week again.

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

Strange Smells from the Kitchen

One never knows quite what will be found in the kitchen of a home school home......I wondered at the smells.....investigated...Pretty...someone had a hankering for cabbage? 

Nah - it's SCIENCE time! 

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

Michael's Milestones

I've been noticing Michael has one good day, followed by a day in bed.  He was in bed yesterday...but today when it was time to take Jared to work, I asked him if he'd like to try driving. I'd be there to drive if he needed me too. He thought that sounded good and drove - for the first time in a month. Doc said to "Avoid sudden moves or accidents" - something he tends to avoid anyway. 



I noted on a Tuesday night a month ago that I was listening to my husband worship while in pain. He was desperately trying to keep busy to avoid pain.....and today... playing again.....love it. 


I actually got emotional. Realizing how quickly life can change, makes one grateful for the simple things which make a marriage. 


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

Onion Soup Mix (Heavenly Homemakers)

It's the small things that make life great - and dry onion soup mix without MSG opens new worlds. 
This photo PROVES we own a label maker - stateside storage?




2/3 C dried minced onion
3 tsp parsley flakes
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp rapadura (or sugar if you like)
1/2 tsp ground pepper

Mix in jar and give a good shake before using.  4 T = packet of dry onion soup mix (2 T may be plenty). Store in a cool dry place.
Darling food model
Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

What Could this Mean?


This road was recently repaved.....and then they painted this in the middle of the intersection. What do you think it means? In the states, I'd think it was a round-about...but there really isn't room for that and folks are still stopping at the traffic light. 

Please don't make me feel like a fool when you answer. 


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