Sushi Shrine????

It's so tough learning how to be a Japanese Belle.

From 2010_06_2728 summer fun

I've been wanting to share some comments I've overheard....

Stacia - "There's a lot of tripping and hiccuping in Japan."

Stacia - "You are being totally difficult, Mom!"

Zander, as we stepped out of the car and smelled a the pungent fish fertilizer, "There's a Sushi Shrine nearby!"

Zander - "In the movies Sumo Wrestlers are ok, but in real life, oh boy!"

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

Sunday Sliding

Not a pool in the BX.....and so....we bought a...

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After the kids got it set up, learned HOW to slide, added a bit of dish soap to the surface....it was lots of fun. ::grin::

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Jared opted to stay inside the Inferno aka house and take a nap.

I went to meet our new neighbors and discovered they were the large family from across the hall when we were in the TLF last summer.

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

Another Great Park!

It is our goal to go on a minimum of one family outing a week. This is our attempt to stave off a summer of moping because Michael isn't here to go exploring with us.  We are getting a jump start by participating in the Chapel's Summer Activities.

Last week we had three outings. LOL  This week we started off by following Windy and children to Lake Ogawarako Park.  This park features all sorts of climbing structures.

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Look closely and you'll count 10 children. How I wish the number had been 14.

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This park boasts camping spots and cabins. I wondered about using the location for a spring retreat....They really are cute cabins, all futons...but the squatty potties may well be a deal buster for our ladies. ::snort::

It was a great outing. We ran back to base in time for the older kids to go to Youth Group and for the younger ones and I to enjoy a visit in the park by the chapel. Unfortunately, some strange bug found me....I have GIANT red spots on my legs. I really should take a photo. ::snort::

Today we did school, ran to base and will run back again in a couple of hours for VBS training.

BTW - we scored two ITT trips ($360.00), a balloon bouqet ($25), a photo matted and framed ($60) and a t-shirt ($30)....wonder what July's Deployment Passport will bring. I love our FSS (Force/Family?/ FORCE support Squadron).

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

Tea Time

I found this darling little tea pot at Namdemon in South Korea. I thought it would be a great souvenir.

 

When I got home I read the packaging. ::snort::

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

Unbelievably Warm!

The weather this week has been absolutely fantastic! We've enjoyed it to the max.....3 picnics, an outside potluck.....and I've been doing LAUNDRY all day to get things dried before the rain starts next week. LOL

Friday was gorgeous. By the time Zander and I got home from our walk, I'd decided to play hooky. Windy agreed. We emailed a few others. Twyla and boys were able to join us.

I was late! In Japan - you IGNORE police with flashing lights. You pull over if they put on the sirens. I noticed the police....in front and behind me....I noticed the flashing lights....I didn't remember that ON THE BASE they have a sort of eclectic set of driving rules...mostly American but Japanese style. Ok now....so...good reminder that I'm only on loan to Japan. ::snort::

I was SO relieved to see the police speed off that I took the wrong turn.....and was looking to figure out how to turn around when we noted a HELICOPTER was cruising right above our van...and finally security forces jumped out into the lane.  I was informed that I couldn't pass. I told her I was trying to find the lake and wanted to do a u-turn. I wasn't allowed to do that either. There was an alarm and alert at Security Hill and we were the first car stopped.....so we watched and wondered....and the fighters began to do some circles...rather low....and I told the children...."Well....maybe the North has done it and we have a front row seat..." but all was well....or you would have heard about it on CNN by now. ::snort::

We finally MADE it to the beach. A few of us got strange sun burns. We all had fun. Zander caught a tadpole.

From 2010_06_25water

We were up bright and early today to get Arielle and Jared to the meeting point for a work day at a Christian retreat center. They were to meet at 6:45. Arielle was the only girl who showed up. She opted to stay home.

I spent a bit of time on a ministry call....watched movies...hung laundry...the kids washed the Joy Mobile....

From 2010_06_25water

From 2010_06_25water

We attended a "Fighter Wing Staff Agency" Potluck. It was fun to visit with old friends and meet some new ones. Susie talked to me about hopping. She goes out of here to all over - often. She has 4 young kids. She shared a few tricks with me. She gave me a website to check. She's been to Korea, Kadena, Guam, Alaska, Seattle...all on hops....not the Patriot Express but hops. I am excited to do some research and give it a whirl.

Jared says it will cost a lot in hotels. I may leave Jared in Misawa. ::snort:: I'm going to TX or OR or WHEREVER THE PLANE MAY GO....my babies need an adventure. ::snort::

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

Stacia Scores!

I had an "unexpectedly adventurous" day. Know what I mean?

I woke up with enough time to do an hour on the elliptical AND a 25 min walk with rip roaring praise music and Kay Arthur on the iPod. LOL  It began to rain during the walk...but that was fine. I thought I had the morning to myself and was enjoying gesturing and singing along to the music - loudly - when a man and his son rode by on their bikes. They must think American's are silly.

I had a MOPS Pizza Party in the park. I had this in Outlook. I had copied the notes about WHERE it was into Outlook calendar. The sun was out when it was time to leave for base. We took off. We could not find the "airplane" park....I called 3 ladies who I thought might be going to MOPS....and whose number I had in my phone.....no one KNEW ABOUT THE EVENT. I began to wonder if I'd dreamed up the whole thing...the park didn't exist, no one knew about this...but I was sure I'd received emails. Finally found the park. The airplane has been removed.

I think the gas gauge on our new van does some strange fluctuations. It seemed to be at 1/2 a tank and by the time we left the park was at E but then was up between 1/4 - 1/2 when I reached the gas station. LOL

I parked, got out, couldn't find the gas tank....it was on the OTHER side of the van...right behind the driver's seat. OK....so I pulled out and around...lady came running out to tell me that the gas station was "one way"....OK....finally ready to fill it up....I did. It overran. I smelled my hand and the ground and it didn't smell like gas. ARGH. I'd just filled the new van with DIESEL....which is what the old van used....this one doesn't. I walked right over to the Pit Stop.

She told me this happens AT LEAST once a week. She guessed I had a Toyota. She says some of their models are gas and some are diesel and folks often do this. She insisted it would take 2 - 3 days to fix it. She went and asked, when I told her the kids were in the car and we live way off base. She said 2 - 3 days - they had appointments.

She was glad I'd not turned it on..but suggested I drive it to the pit stop.  I told her to do that, I'd have to TURN IT ON....I headed over to get kids out of the van.  Five guys followed  and pushed the van to the auto shop. I WISH I'D HAD THE CAMERA. It was funny.  Yes, I noticed the kind smiles and such that were exchanged with our youngest as she got out of the van.

THEN the head mechanic came out and said they'd have it ready in ONE HOUR!!! The lady said, "Oh, 2:30 tomorrow?"

He said, "Today, TODAY."  ::snort::

Meanwhile Jared went to the gym. The other kids and I walked to a Starbucks that isn't a Starbucks and tried a drink called a snow cap. Nice drink.  Turned out fine to have that extra time for a walk and treats.

Post office, BX, Commissary....home.

Dinner out with friends and the onsen...farewells....not my favorite...but it was fitting. Deb was the first one to take me to an onsen....full circle.

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

Ah, Lovely Days

Let's See.......

Monday, I signed the papers to buy our new van. I still have a parking permit and one more trip to Pass and ID to get it totally legal....but I'm insured and driving the new van as of last night.

The highlight of Monday were packages. Three from Vitacost and one from Michael.

From 2010_06_21 package

Sometimes, when receiving a package, deciphering what is meant for whom can be a challenge....

From 2010_06_21 package

Ah....

From 2010_06_21 package

These hats are awesome. Hint...hint...

From 2010_06_21 package

The bracelets are a big hit too, Michael. Mike reports that children wait to sell these to servicemen "for protection" as they leave the compound. We love them. On a fun aside, we noted Michael recycled a box we'd sent him previously....now we want to see how many times the box can make the trip before Michael is home. LOL

From 2010_06_21 package

Tuesday was the first "Chapel Summer Outing." It wasn't real well attended, but the five moms and children who attended did have fun. This is the only photo that I'll dare to post.

From 2010-06-22 park day

Wednesday - I spent 8 1/2 hours with a group of lovely PWOC leaders. We sought God's face for His unique guidance as we walk out this year's theme, "Shine in the Light of His Glory". I'm very excited by the vision that was birthed. Lots of wonderful words....It is exhilarating to be a part of walking out the message where the sandals meet the sand - on the local level. I'll be teaching a Precept class or two this fall. I also head up a retreat team - we have a couple of them planned. If you're local and want to be on a retreat team - give me a holler. ::snort::

I got home about 6 p.m. and it had been a long day for ME and the CHILDREN at home. We opted for dinner out. Jared remembered Shimoda Mall is 7 min up the road. GREAT food options. The middles had McDonalds. Jared and I had rice/beef/curry....and Stacia wanted, "Gohan Kudasai," (Rice please), which earned her approving pats, smiles and glances. We decided to go see what may be playing at the theater. I hear that attending a movie in Japan is an experience we must do at least once.

From 2010-06-23_shimoda

We saw this on the way to the theater...it was a good omen.

From 2010-06-23_shimoda

Unfortunately, when we asked this movie is going to be in Japanese only. No English subtitles....we'll ask again. They were very sorry. So were we...though it will come to the base...it won't be in 3D and probably won't come until later....of course it will be 1/4th the cost. LOL

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