Spam Comments

I've had the blog 5 1/2 years without a problem. The past few weeks someone is sending spam to my comment section. Mostly links - which I've not checked, though some are for male enhancements and such - and sometimes long comments in some other language.

I thought there was a way to block one person - but can't find that. Does anyone know how you can do that?

The other option would be to put word verification on the blog. I hate those things, I can never get it right the first time, but it would stop spam.

I thought it would be easy to delete as they came in but now it's getting tedious. I think its one or two sending all of them.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Turkey Emergency

I followed the advice of vetran Misawa spouses. I bought a turkey early....because they don't sell on the economy and we wanted one. (I should do a post about meat shopping.)

This year, I decided to follow the advice of all you susie homemaker types....I thawed it in the fridge. Guess what? Three days in the fridge and it's still a brick.

No, it's NOT my turkey...stay with me here. ::snort::

Not to fear....simply soak it in SALT WATER and it will thaw quickly. I've done it this way for decades and no one's died.

I've not said a lot on the blog, becuase there's nothing to be gained by depressing my family, but I've been strugging with the holidays this year. No matter what I tell myself....it is simply different for men and women childs to be thousands of miles away instead of a couple of miles or hundreds of miles away. I've tried to do the mind games...it isn't the same. I miss them. I'm TERRIBLY proud of them. I simply wish they'd waited until Mike and I signed off on this "growing up" thing. ::snort::

In case you fear I've been stuffing emotions, I've not. I DID share with the ladies who meet out here on Thursday. I shared with a couple of older moms last night. You know what? EVERY one of them has given me a hug, teared up, said they know...and that they'll be praying for me. I love military spouses. I love OLD MOTHERS. ::Snort:: I woke up this a.m. DETERMINED to focus on all that I have to be thankful for....and the list is long.

The turkey is still taking a salt water bath, but since I was in a funk, we have no plans for the day. No one coming over, no where to be....we'll let it take it's time, we'll probably get out Christmas decorations (because I found them when I was looking for the Nesco pan), we'll play games, try to Skype....really....it's not terrible.....I think that "Christmasy feeling" is right around the corner.....it's been a little delayed and foggy this year due to my "baby blues" ::snort:: YES I CAN HAVE BABY BLUES EVEN IF MY BABIES ARE ANCIENT! ...but it's on the way.

And for those who must know about menus: TURKEY, garlic bread or maybe bread from the bakery, salad, corn, ranch potatoes....a chocolate pecan pie and apple pie are waiting....I've spent hours in the Word this a.m.

ELMENDORF ladies....I've finally learned what you tried to lovingly teach me all those years ago....I'm a Mary today in a Martha world...and I'm loving it....except for the babies being in America thing....you know there ARE colleges over here and TWO of them want to be missionaries and there ARE lots of BUSINESS COLLEGES over here.....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

"Baby God"

Having spent some years in the South, I've gotten used to calling my little ones "baby girl" and "baby boy" and well....you get the idea.

Yesterday at chapel Stacia cracked me up....she was rocking a doll from the chapel and said, "My baby God, you're such a sweet God. Mommy loves you."

Thought I'd share.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

This and That

It's been cold the last week...cold to us...or to me. ::snort:: Cold enough that we've begun leaving the heat on the living floor on the lowest setting all day. That seems to take the chill off the whole house.....

It's been overcast....I'd forgotten we had mountains around us. It was a treat on Sunday to SEE the mountains. Today was a gorgeous day....until late afternoon when the chill overpowered the sun's rays.

This is a short Holiday week and so our schedule is a bit off.

Yesterday the kids had a great piano lesson. I worked on the Protestant News, as it needed to be done early. On the way to take Jared to Cross Training (PYOC), we stopped at the new bakery Tane had told us about. YUM. We must all troop in there one day soon to practice our Japanese. The owner was very appreciatitve of all we bought. The bread is HEAVENLY. I told Jared it's SO GOOD, but I'm sure it's not whole grain...he told me not to think about it and to eat it. That's a common phrase around here lately. LOL

Today was PWOC. I've been the interim Children's Ministry Coordinator and will be through Dec. I have come to love this job, but I'm committed to stepping down in December. That makes me sad...I realize the need for Children's ministry if we hope to minister to young spouses....the chapel is advertising to hire someone for his spot and I'm praying that someone will soon feel the call to step into that position. What a ministry it is. I simply think I need to be home on Tuesday a.m. in order to make steady progress with our youngest students. They aren't able to do much independent work in the homeschool room....but they love going! It's been a hard choice.

We had lunch at the food court today and were happy to be joined by others with the same idea...Susane, Ricky and Renee and Mike. Good lunch, good fellowship....

We moved our language lesson to this afternoon. Akiko surprised us with a bunch of apples - lingos (ringos but pronounced lingos). She told me the mid size red ones will work for pies....we shall see. They smell good. We surprised her with a pastry from our new favorite bakery....with a name I can't read.

Tomorrow I'll bake pies in the a.m., host our ladies for Bible Study and then we have an ecumenical Thanksgiving Service and Pie Social in the evening.

I'm not really feeling the season at this point. So.....didn't make any plans to invite friends over....but a family day will be nice. Arielle doesn't seem keen on the idea of going to the onsen after lunch. It could be because all the boys broke into a rousing chorus of, "What makes the red man red?" from Peter Pan when I suggested it. ::snort:: I really need to get busy and make some plans for Advent. The season is here even though I keep insisting 2009 can't possibly be coming to an end. What a year it has been.

A few photos from the past week The pond is certainly showing signs of fall....and is now easy to spot from the road
It was snowing on this walk...didn't quite grasp we'd be wearing these when we ordered them from TX.
Skype....
Brrr.....I begged him to put on a coat and he said, "But MOM.....I'm a TEXAN!" Which he is.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Living Room

Today you tour the final room of our home.

We still have areas to "finish". But....it's home. Thanks for visiting and helping it to feel like a home.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday Highlights

Shew - we are looking forward to a much quieter week this week. Yes, I know it's Thanksgiving but we won't be having all those "monthly" meetings this week. ::snort::

Highlights of this Sunday - Chapel. I am enjoy our Sunday School class. I enjoy the worship. I enjoy the fellowship. Zander had a rough day, but if I share much about that it will ruin the highligh tone of this post. ::snort::

My Vitacost.com order arrived. About 1/2 of it is backordered. It took 10 days for the in stock stuff to arrive....basically 4 boxes of cheddar bunnies to help with snack time at PWOC, Snack Master jerky, agave nectar, a jar of almond butter (ouch) and cashew butter. The shipping was $4.99 and they sent it PRIORITY regardless of the note to the contrary on their website. I'm hoping the rest arrives within a week....I ordered GRAHAM CRACKERS and I want them. ::snort:: Deja, this would be a good time for me to finally try that recipe you've told me about. LOL

We drove down to the beach this afternoon. It was COLD but beautiful.

Advent prep is pulling together. I'd share more...but what if some local MOPS happen to read my blog...I'd steal all my own thunder. ::snort::

My nameless friend with the adorable twins and the great pastries...doesn't mind if I "exploit" her. Thanks, Tane, for the gift of your friendship this week. It meant the world.

Guess what? I've been invited to the ONSEN this week....wonder if we can fit it in.....doesn't it sound heavenly? Hmmmm....MAYBE after Thanksgiving meal...I'll head for an onsen...now THAT would be a fun new Holiday tradition. I wonder if Arielle is ready to try it with me.....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Kitchen/Dining Room/Laundry Room

Today we welcome you to our Kitchen/Dining Room and Laundry room. This may well be the central hub of our home. We eat, prepare meals, do school, read the word, Skype, blog and wash clothes all from this hub. ::snort::

The kitchen is sometimes cleaners and sometimes messier....much like yours, I'm sure.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...