Winter Adventure - Towada Horse Park

We decided to head out to Towada Horse Park to see if the slide were open. Other adventures at the horse park and directions are here and here.  It was a warm day.  The roads were great until we turned into the driveway of the park.....glad Mike was driving. The kids said they would have gotten out and walked if I'd been driving. ::snort::  We knew the slides would probably be closed, but it was fun to see the park in its winter finery. 

Our refuge from prior downpours....

 Even this guy was wearing winter boots

 Sleigh rides complete with tea and ramen.....

We hiked as high up the mountain/roads as we could and then the kids sled all the way down to the park area...great fun. 

We headed over to the area where a Japanese family was sledding. We were the only ones on the hill.....perfect. We were able to watch how they used these peculiar pieces of bamboo. 

To the delight of our examples, we got some to try for ourselves....some of us did anyway...Nolan was a natural.

 When the mom and daughter next to us tried to double up - so did the boys. ::snort:: 

 Arielle took the prize today for most spectacular biffs and snow burns. 

It's been nearly a year since Mike left for Afghanistan and three months since he's been home. We're still so very thankful to have him home.  He makes every outing much more fun. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Birthdays, Travels, Shrines and Doctors

I do try to keep this blog current for the benefit of our grown kids, parents and friends who live far from us. I print it weekly to send to family and I really should say something about the last two weeks. LOL I "faked" an entry by posting photos of the train adventure before I left home. ::snort::  The past two weeks can be summed up fairly quickly: 


I had a birthday. Mike and the kids celebrated it on Sunday as I had studies and Mike had a base wide exercise (as in war games not P90) in which to participate.  I see a theme of self-care in these gifts....relaxation, jewelry, chocolate and  hobbies....they did good, didn't they? 

 Mike thinks my sea glass jewelry is ready to go to the next level. 

I spent 3 days traveling to Tokyo, exploring the New Sanno, meeting with Tokyo area PWOC Peeps, and such. Juliet, Asia Region VP, and I also went out on our OWN for a sightseeing trip. We wanted to see if the time we're planning to give the ladies during conference will be enough for them to go see "something". We also wanted to see how hard it would be for those totally unfamiliar with Tokyo to find their way around. We did fine.  The running joke on the regional board is that I break a pair of reading glasses every time we meet.....this  is the pair I broke not 10 min after seeing Juliet. 

Discovered Banana Hot Cocoa on the trip...yum. 

Welcome sign at Ueno Station

Myself and Juliet

Incense of prayers....something to ponder and pray about

I was discreet and was not the only one videoing....the routine is to throw money, clap, bow, pray, bow....and there was no bell here to ring....all very sad when you the crowds putting their faith in this.....We speak to nations, be free! 

I was really happy to do so well with the subways and trains. It was a blessing to have 3 hours to visit with Mary before she went to the states to be with her father for his surgery.  She was an encouragement. I brought these ninja hoods back for the boys.....I got one for Jared figuring he'll use it in a human video. 

When I got home I had a bit of an adventure trying to get the taxi driver to my home. He told me repeatedly this was not a Japanese address. LOL  We had company that night and the next day was busy and into Sunday. 


This week began with doctor appointments and Bible Studies.  Then came the accident..... I spent Thursday and Friday on base. Jared and I had appointments and it was easier to go in and stay as we are currently a one car family.  The kids at home did AMAZINGLY well with the work I'd laid out for them, Jared got a LOT more done being in a quiet chapel all day and I got much done on various speaking engagements I have coming up as well as the planning the local PWOC retreat. 

Arielle and Nolan crushed our "iron fortified" cereal, used a magnet and attracted iron....ew. 

I had a cholesterol check this week. I'm thrilled with the lost weight and exercise that my blood pressure is down to 117/78....lower than "junior's". ::snort::  The amazing thing was my cholesterol number. Even with all the weight loss and such, my cholesterol was 300 when they checked three months ago. It's 199 now. I mentioned I could try to go off and maintain again and was told absolutely not. Seems I've aged enough now to be in the bracket where heart attacks are the number one killer for women and he felt having my cholesterol that high for this many years is bad, bad, bad.....so I'll take the pills. It did an amazing job of bringing the numbers down.  I hope to be mid-range or low range in 3 more months. 

One last funny of the week....when I was meeting with Mr. Kobiyashi about a location for our retreat he insisted I needed to give him a "laugh estimate" by a week before our retreat. I had him repeat it several times, had no clue why he needed a laugh estimate but wrote it down. Annette, our wonderful Wing Chaplain's wife, was also in the meeting. She leaned over and said, "I think he means a rough estimate!" ::snort:: I figured he wanted to know when to laugh during the weekend. LOL 


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Accident

Is a picture worth a thousand words? 

The roads were icy this a.m. I had to be out. I debated going. I decided if the roads were really bad Michael would have called and asked me to stay home as he's done in the past....he meant to. LOL 

Two very nice Japanese gentlemen showed up to help. They had chains, shovels and ropes....but one tire was airborne.  Another passerby called the security forces on base...and they said if I could drive off, I should start up and drive off. But if I couldn't, I needed to stay put until they arrived with a translator, filled out a report and took photos.  TECHNICALLY, I couldn't drive off.....so we waited. 

And talked to lots of folks American and Japanese who stopped.  It took a bit more than an hour for the Japanese police to show up. He wanted me to move and I kept trying to explain about the base security forces.  Mike showed up. Security Forces showed up. We answered lots of questions. Talked to the owner. We THINK they'll be ok, but they have 3 days to tell our insurance company if we are the proud owner of their tree and yard. LOL 

Big D's is an auto and storage unit in town owned by an American who is married to a Japanese lady. He showed up. Busy day for all....the base said I was the SIXTH accident to call in from off base this a.m.  Anyway - he got the car out and we didn't have to pay to be towed. He took us to his shop - about $700 of damage. 

We went then filled out the Japanese report. 

We went and filled out the insurance report. 

I FINALLY made it to the doc for the12 hour fasting labs which had turned in to 20 hour fasting labs.  I missed my PWOC board meeting. 

We grabbed "lunch". 

I came home and crashed. We ache. We're fine. The car is repairable. I didn't hit a person or serious property. The car will be back on Tuesday - I had 2 - 3 doctor appointments scheduled each day. Hmmm....

I've now had an accident in three countries....I can check this off the bucket list. 

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Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Stacia Wants a Baby

Stacia has been asking for a new baby for over a year.  A couple of weeks ago she asked me to read this book to her during our cuddle time. 

 She's a bit young for this book. I've never had others curious at 5, but she HAS been asking for a baby for birthdays, Christmas etc  since she was 3 1/2. I agreed to read it to her.

I overheard her telling someone, "I'm helping Mom and Dad figure out how to get us a new baby!" 

This one is right up there with her insisting "Michael is NOT my father."  I tried to link that story and can't find it on the blog. Did I really NOT blog that story?

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

This is What I'm Doing...

I am  "tickled pink" that God blessed me with a travel partner for part of this adventure. Mary is going home for a family emergency and will fly out from Tokyo tomorrow. We'll take the train up to Tokyo together. 

Misawa Station 

At the Hachinohe Station we'll grab the shinkansen (bullet train)...it's my personal goal to get through these things without having the bar lock up on me this trip. LOL 

We'll ride the shinkansen all the way in to Ueno Station in Tokyo. I'm EXCITED to BE AT UENO station...for months we've practiced the helpful Pimsleur phrase of "Ueno eiki wa doko desuka?"  - Where is Ueno station? I'm praying I won't need THAT phrase but it will be a joy to SEE the place....

Mary and I will part at Ueno Station. I'll take the subway deeper into Tokyo and she'll head to Narita airport. 

 

 After 28 minutes underground I'll emerge near here; and may need to practice my "wa doko desuka" phrase. 

I'm told it's a 1/4 mile or a 7-10  min walk from the last station to this hotel.....

This trip is for the purpose of meeting with  Juliet, our regional conference coordinator, the conference team at the hotel, and area ladies. I will seek to encourage local ladies, we'll work hard gathering all info we need and making decisions for Asia Region's first Conference, and I bet we have a bit of fun along the way. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Star Wars Saturday

I started the day with James. The family woke up slowly.  Zander and Stacia were invited to a birthday party. Stacia was the only 5 yo girl with a group of 10ish boys...so I thought it wise to stay. Mike took the other kids shopping for MY BIRTHDAY! WOOT! 

I enjoyed the party and the visit that went along with staying. I'm always amazed at those of you who pull of theme parties with tons of friends...it isn't in my make up. We always have family parties...though Zander is now asking about a friend party....hmmmm. It was a Star War theme party. 

Death Star Cake

For a craft the kids made droids....out of trash...loved this idea. 

Stacia's droid had a purple hat, beads and sea glass buttons. ::snort:: 

Foam taekwondo  sticks served as light sabers....and there unplanned wars as well as games using them. Pop the bubbles with the light saver.....Snacks were even themed.....yoda soda, battle star (?) pizza, light saber hot dogs....Stacia wants to know why the chips were so good - Doritos - guess she liked them better than the baked ones. ::snort:: 

In our discussion we realized that Mary may be taking the train Wed morning - and so am I. They said NOT to go to Tokyo station but to exit at Ueno and get the subway to Hiroo.  Less train transfers....I think this may work. 

Zander came home and went to bed. I have a bad feeling about this.....last week I missed church because Stacia was sick. I can't pin point what is up with Zander...but sleeping, feeling cold....not quite "on". 

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...