I Love You Carrie!

I love it when my friends visit my world; Ed calls it Julia World, land of forgetfulness, giggles, smiles, everything will work out and be all right, and cute airheads. Soo, the phone rings this morning, i happen to be off from work. It is my friend Carrie. I have known Carrie since the 90's and she is just awesome! The phone conversation goes something like this...not verbatim, 'cause if ya know Carrie, you know she has the best vocab ever and like there is no way i could get her dialogue right...so anyways...

Me: Hello

Carrie: Julia? This is Carrie

Me: Hey, what's up?

Carrie: Well, I am stranded

Me: What? Where?

Carrie: At Pet Box, i'm not sure what happened, my keys are in the ignition and i can't turn the keys, start the car, or take the keys out

Me: Huummm....okay, let’s see, try pushing the buttons on your alarm thingy

Carrie: I'm kinda scared to; it might lock me in and not let me out

During this time my brain is thinking of all the times my vehicle has basically held me hostage, more often in the jeep then my oki special....

Me: Huummm...are you in park?

Carrie: Massive giggle attack with some "oh my goshes" and tons more giggles

Me: You're not in park are ya? Yeah, been there done that

Both of us just totally cracked up!

Thanks for coming to Julia World Carrie!!! Drop in as often as you like!

This Is What It Has Come To

I think the family has pretty much banned me from making cookies, well, when it consists of more than one batch.....I am now resorting to the cute little dough guy for my cookie making. It's not that i don't make yummy cookies....it's just more like i forget about the yummy cookies in the oven....the first batch always turns out just scrumptious!!! Then, i think my brain just somehow triggers to "off" on the cookie thing, like batch is done, yum, now it is cooling down and i just totally forget that i have more yummy cookies in the oven! If i could just stay in the kitchen just a few minutes longer!! It never fails though, minute 9 of the cookies cooking, the phone will ring, the door bell will ding dong, the laundry in the dryer is calling for me to let it out, the dog or cat need something, someone is bleeding and needs a bandaide, ya know, all the normal stuff that goes on in a house...and so the next several batches of cookies keep getting forgotten...I actually left the house the othr day with the last batch in the oven, i had done sooo good and hadn't burnt ANY yet! When i remembered, i didn't bother to call home as either the house had burned down and there was no phone to answer or they had smelled something....they had smelled something. I came home after my date with Gail to the windows open and Ed asking me if i had forgotten something....sooo, needless to say, i am now putting myself at the mercy of the cookie varieties the cute little dough boy puts out for me. Unless, any of my friends want to come cookie sit with me when i am baking....i promise, the first batch is always delicious!!!

Nakagusuku Castle Ruins

Now that we have orders and know we are definitely leaving the island…..we are re-visiting our favorite places as well as some of the places on island that Ty and Ryan don’t really remember. Today was the Nakagusuku Castle Ruins. These ruins are very close to our house, about 20 minutes out the Sgt Maj gate. It was beautiful today and we had a great time walking the grounds. This castle is believed to have been built in the first half of the 15th century by Lord Gosamaru. There is recent debate on that due to style changes in some of the foundations….either way, it is very old. Like most sites on Okinawa, it is very affordable. Adults 200 Yen, students 100 Yen. Not sure why she only charged us $700 yen total…? It is really fun to walk the pathways and climb all the ancient rock steps. The open areas were used for training horses. From the top you can see the East China Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. There is also a well. Jorden was teasing Ty and telling him to drink from it for everlasting youth. More like everlasting stomach cramps if you really drank from the moss covered water. Ha! They have been doing construction work on many of the old castle ruins around the island. I had taken some fun pictures of the kids on this one arch way back in January of 2005 and wanted to get the same pictures again, but there were like things put up to block access. No one was there at the time, just us, so we climbed over and I got their pictures again in the same site. We can’t help but climb things, it is just in our nature. The “Ninja” came out and we began scaling the old castle wall. Nobody was on the side we were on to see us break probably one of the rules posted in Japanese. Jorden jumped up and started climbing and Ty was right behind him. They made it to the top without falling or getting stuck. Jorden said he startled the Okinawan’s that were on the other side. Spider Monkey Ryan began climbing, but I made him come down. If someone is going to fall from the top, it would be Ryan. He was sad, but actually listened to me and came down before he got too far up. Vicki and I tried but failed. Vicki was wearing slip slops and I was in boots with a spikey heel, so we were going nowhere fast. Ed started to climb but thought better of it and jumped back down. We got a couple of family shots using the timer and old broken walls. We ended the exploration at the vending machines. There were 6 soda machines to choose from. We all chose something different and each of us, except Ryan tried something new. Jorden’s Mango Cream Soda was interesting……

Nagagusuku Castle Ruins

Triatholan!

The sky was blue, the sun was out, i was off from work, so i did a triathalon yesterday! Okay, not a REAL triatholan, just the "Julia" version of one. LOL! I ran 3 miles in the morning. Not my best time, but still within the guidlines for a 3rd class pft, than i swam at lunch, but only 52 laps 'cause i only had a half hour to work with and than i rode a bike after dinner. I really do want to do a triatholan someday...but for now, just gotta do them "Julia" style. LOL!

Jorden Wipe Outs!

Where Is Jorden

I am often asked why Jorden isn't in many of the photos and stuff.....to be honest, he is one of the most un photogenic persons i have ever come accross!!! In that split second when the finger is pushed on the camera his face can somehow mange to contort into the most unusual expression. We are all just amazed on this unique talent he posseses. I haven't bought his school pictures since i think the 5th grade. Another reason is he is more into the extreme sports kinda thing. I do take photos and videos during his paintball battles and come home with bruises from all the hits i get videoing on the battle field. I periodically photo and video him on his skateboard, but as a Mom, it is just painful to watch all the jumps and crashes....especially since he refuses to wear a helmet....But here are a few recent ones.....

My Kokeshi Doll

I finally broke down and bought this Kokeshi doll that I have had my eye on for like a couple of months now…First of all, I LOVE KOKESHI DOLLS! But, I have my little quirks, and I like my Kokeshi dolls to mean something, I won’t just buy any ole doll. Ed bought me the Mt Fuji one for Christmas and he has bought me a cute Mother one on Mother’s Day. I good friend of mine bought me my “July” one for my birthday. I’ve bought the Grandparent ones for mine and Ed’s parents, the Snowmen, Santa’s for Christmas gifts, I have the one from my kids school, the Marine one…… Okay, get the picture, love them, but they have to have a story, just me, like I said, I have these little quirks. Soooo, I’ve been wanting one that was born in 1968, my birth year. I keep finding ones around 1968, always a 66 around for a nice price, but the 68, expensive, well for me, that is, ‘cause like I just really hate spending money on something that is just for me….another quirk….soooo, I finally went in and bought her. $100.00. YIKES! Well, actually she was only $90.00 ‘cause I paid cash and the cute little Okinawa lady gave me 10% off for the cash payment. Pleasant surprise. Doesn’t seem AS bad when it is UNDER $100!!! I had actually almost bought her a couple of times. I would go in because there would be a sign that read “ALL Kokeshi Dolls 35% off”. Twice I went in and tried to buy her during that sale, a week apart and for some reason she was the ONLY one NOT on sale! UUHHG! Soo, I finally got to bring her home!!! I tucked her in a corner ‘cause I just wasn’t ready to break the news on how I had just squandered a hundred bucks, well actually 90, but he found her and so now I can blog her! Ha! NOT that he ever reads these things anyways!!! LOL
The artist that made my doll is Bunichi Kamata. He was born on Aug 28 (good day ) 1900. He began making these at the age of 14. His children and their children also continued with this. He made my doll in 1968. He was 68 years old.
Kokeshi – Japanese dolls that were originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood that is left outdoors to season. This wood needs to season for one to five years before it can be used.

Go Steelers!

Life is good at the Kretschmer house! The Steelers beat the Ravens! Ed has been a Steelers fan since i think from the time he was nine. He hates the Ravens with a passion! Got a little tense at the end.....but the Steelers pulled thru and Ed is thrilled they are going to the Super Bowl. Last time they made it he was in Iraq, not the best location to watch your team play! But i bought him a cool jersey that he found in his closet when he returned. He is off that day, so he can just sit back and watch his team play. He's decided he wants his next jersey to be Polamalu. Love that guy! He is insane. Maybe that can be an early Valentine gift....gotta find out what color he wants for that player....I'm really gonna miss Gate Two Street when we leave! $400 jerseys for $35. Can't beat that! Yes, Ed has aquired an awesome jersey collectoin while we have been here. I still want a Lions jersey to add to my collection. LOL!

Twilight Arrived!

The most anticipated movie (for me) in my 40 years finally arrived on island! Vicki snagged my Twilight shirt awhile ago, so i bought a hoodie and went to the embroidery shop out in town and just had my own "Twilight" jacket made. I got Team Edward on the back and on the front i had "Every Girl Deserves An Edward" embroidered on there. Yes, i totally love my jacket and it was cold enough to wear it!!! I saw it Friday night with friends and was not dissapointed! It was hillarious when the Cullen's first appeared on screen.........the crowd went crazy and my friends and i were cracking up. Ty and Ryan really wanted to see it, so I took them on Saturday. Ed refused to come see the movie, as anything that even hints on a romance repels him like Superman to Kryptonite! Ty had a scout event to go to on Saturday over at Torri Beach, so the only showing we could fit in was the 6:30 pm one and there just wasn't time to drop off Ed and get back to Kadena for the movie, so he actually ended up having to sit thru it. Ty and Ryan loved it and well, i'll be in the dog house for awhile for making Ed endure that. He kept asking me when it would end....it was a very painful experience for him. LOL

Moving & Pets, UUHHHGGG!!!!!

Just a few dilemmas involved with moving across an ocean with furry members of the family….first, I’ve already discovered what the hardest part of this PCS is gonna be…..saying goodbye to my dog. I’ve already cried and will probably cry every time I think about having to leave my Biscuit behind. He’s a Big Head English Bull Dog and due to his smashed face he is not allowed to fly after May 31st. Sooo, I will need to find him a home. He’s my constant shadow, best friend, shrink, and he never gets mad at me or yells at me. I do NO wrong in his eyes and I get to feel like a super hero every time I walk in the door! He adores me and I really don’t think anyone has ever loved me as much as he does! Ha! PMO said he could come live at the shack. It’s open 24/7, so there would always be MP’s there…….i might let him live there if I don’t find the perfect home for him. He’s a special dog and will really need someone who wants to love him for him as he isn’t a pretty dog, but he is just gorgeous in my eyes!
Next, the feline, Tank. He gets to come with us! Yay! Although, he is NOT gonna be happy about his travel arrangements! He is an outdoor hunting cat and will be confined to a little kennel slid under one our airplane seats. He might be doing his version of howling and driving the other passengers insane! I keep looking at him as he walks the neighborhood, his hunting grounds, and can’t help but wonder how he is going to do in our new location. He was born on this island and that is all he knows. He is going to be VERY mad about having to be an indoor cat for awhile. He throws a fit when we lock him in when typhoons are going over us. He insists on going outside to go potty, even during 120 mph winds! It’s funny to watch him, he looks super skinny when he walks against the wind digging his claws into the ground with each step forward and then he looks like a huge fur ball when he going with the wind walking back to the house, or actually being blown back to the house. He just isn’t going to do well locked in on a nice day as we travel and get settled…..
The fish, well not so much a problem now…..i had just recently moved furniture around and somehow the oxygen line had come too far out of the tank and so my fish, well ooops, I did it again! I killed them all, even the eel, well the hermit crabs survived. I’ve boiled one batch of fish and suffocated another….i was just starting to build up the fish tank again, salt water fish are VERY expensive, when my tank began to leak. I was keeping it somewhat unnoticed to Ed, but than one morning, well, when I came down, it was all emptied out back………….and only my lone Nemo had survived. I quickly set up the little tank in the kitchen for Nemo, got the salt mixture right and put him in there but realized I had no way to put air in there, so I would periodically get a straw and blow bubbles in there. Yes, this was driving Ed insane, but finally got a little air hose and he has oxygen now, just have to find someone with a salt water tank to give him to before June!
Snickers, the hamster………..well, I figured it would be easy to give away a hamster….but man, just as we get orders I notice he has some sort of growth coming up just under his ear. It doesn’t seem to bother him and he is still a sweet heart when I hold him, so he isn’t biting or anything, but how do you give away a hamster with an obvious health condition?!!! UUHHHGGG! Ed says he will take care of Snickers, NOT!!!! Soo, might just take him to be put to sleep if I can’t find anyone that wants a hamster apparently dying…………wonder what that will cost. The last hamster I had put to sleep cost $10, but that was in America……it is $350 to have a cat put to sleep as you also have to pay for the cremation here too…..wonder if they cremate hamsters…..might end up having to find out…..
Huuummmmm………..wish we could stay here three more years!!! Ha!

Is Okinawa Home?

Being in the military i am regularly asked where am i from....this has always been a very difficult question to answer. I was born at Camp Pendleton, was stationed there twice with my Dad and have done 3 duty stations there with Ed, so i have basically refered to um a Marine Base as home...is that normal? Okay, i walked into that one, i know, nothing with me is normal...sooo i have been busy with all the "now ya know where you are goin' makin my lists and stuff groove" and i was thinking, Wow! This is the longest place i have EVER lived in my life!!! I've never had an address, phone number, even an e-mail for this long of a time!! Five years had been my record, once at 537 San Remo St Fairfield, California 94533 & once in Fallbrook while we were stationed at Camp Pendleton, i think my address way back then was 508 Teran Dr Fallbrook Ca 92028...? I wonder if that is correct...i think it is.....that was back in 1978 to early 80's. How do i remember these things but can't remember what i went upstairs for!!! UHHGG!!! Sooo, i wonder.....does this mean i now call Okinawa home?

Coming To America!

Coming To America!
It’s official!!! We have orders! The Okicrew is leaving Asia and coming to America!!! Drum roll please!!! TATATATATATATATATATA or is it DADADADADADADADADA, hummm, not sure what to use to make a drun roll sound……? soo easily distracted! Yes, orders! The next Marine Corps base to claim us is Lejeune, North Carolina!!! For the record, I had absolutely nothing to do with this next assignment! No phone calls, no cashing in favors, batting of eyes, or little hints to the right people…..those that know how we got three more oki years no why I am making this totally clear! LOL! We are excited! We have only ever done the West Coast and Asia in this Gun Club and we are just totally yippeee to be going to the other side of America!!! Ed will be with CLB2-Combat Logistics Battalion. He is thrilled to be back in the deployment sector and ecstatic that next trip to the desert will NOT be as an IA!!! He gets to go Battalion style! We already have friends in Legune so the kids will get to catch up with their buddies that packed out last year! We’ve got the Kirwan’s in Havelock and friends in Georgia and Florida! Kelli, you can start looking for a house in your neighborhood as long as you are STILL gonna be there and it has to be a REALLY good deal for Ed to make that commute! Otherwise, we’ll just be a doing a lot of zipping back and forth! (Do you think that small of an area can handle the two of us? Maybe we should be more worried about Vicki & Rebekah that close together! We used to joke we couldn’t be at the same duty station when they were teen agers…..) LOL! I still can’t believe we know this far out, last time we got orders this far out they were changed with a two week notice to go from San Diego to Okinawa! I’m just going to keep my fingers crossed that it stays East Coast. They can change us to any base, just as long as it is along the Atlantic Ocean!!! I’m really going to miss this little rock and will probably go thru some pretty heavy island withdrawals. Not sure how that will be to not see the ocean every time I leave my house….Kelli, start growing me a palm tree!!! I’ll probably fall into a depressive state once we get settled and the last picture is hung…………….but for now, just a ton of stuff to do!! Wow! America!! Everything in English!!! All my Lejeune/Cherry Point friends, ya need to start letting me know about cell phone carriers, internet, cable, all that stuff!!! Things are sooo different now than what they were in 2003!!! LOL!!! Ty and Ryan are in for a huge adjustment! They have always thought of America as a foreign country and think they are Okinawan. It will be humorous for my little island dwelling monkeys! Oh wow, I’ll be driving on the right side of the road again! Stay clear of me, I’ll be dangerous!!! JK!!! Hopefully we will see all of ya this summer as we make our way from Okinawa to North Carolina! We need to be there NLT July 2nd! UUHG! Wanted a report date a little later in the summer! Wanted a little more time to visit family! Well, we will be easier to visit now that we will be stateside, HINT HINT!!! I asked Ed to ask the Monitor if it could be pushed back a smudge, but I guess they deploy pretty quick and he needs to be there in time for the work ups, that start I think a week after we get there. He'll have to go to Mojave Viper again and i think that is in August.....And, I did promise to NOT try to manipulate this next duty to fit my simple needs. Ha! Guess I know where my 41st birthday is gonna be!!! Make me a cake Kelli!!! 39 candles please!!!

Ed's Work

We had to zip up to Hanson one Saturday morning to Ed’s work. He had forgotten part of his uniform that he needed to do something with. He went up to his office and I began videoing the stairwell ‘cause there are pictures that show what Ed does at work at the Academy. He’s in a lot of them. He moved offices, not that I would have remembered where his last office was…..but I got lost wandering the halls…..i was starting to feel like I was in a scary movie and someone or something might pop out at me, or worse! I finally just started trying door knobs to see if anything was unlocked. I found one that was and YAY! It was where Ed was! Sooo, if ya ever wondered what Ed did or what his work looks like, here is just a tiny peek…….sorry about the glare on the photos……..He gets a new class just about every 2 months as the course runs for 7 weeks. He ran Sgts Course for the first year and some change he was at the Academy now he is at Career Course and is the SNCOIC there and has been for awhile. He just has a few more classes before we rotate. He’s excited! He’s tired of getting up every morning at 315!!! He’s had those hours for about half of his 15 years in! Hopefully he gets regular hours at our next duty station!!! On a side note….Ed curses me regularly about him being stuck at the Academy. When he was in Iraq it was going to be time to rotate to a new duty about the time he was getting back. We were e-mailing back and forth and I had said something about not wanting to leave the island. He said, “Well, if ya can find me a job, than we can stay.” I had no idea he was joking about that……needless to say a friend of ours who was at the Academy and getting ready to rotate back to Legune said something about the Academy being shorthanded. Well, I said, “Wow, can Ed get up there when he gets back?” This friend knows Ed and they were on the Drill Field together told me to give him Ed’s social and he would check to see if he was qualified to work there. I knew Ed was qualified so gave him Ed’s info and WAHLA!!! Ed was a shoe in and started getting e-mails from the Academy. He e-mails me to ask what the h-e-double hockey sticks is going on?!?!?! (He didn’t say hockey sticks, that’s me…) I told him he said if I could find him a job than we could stay! He tells me he was joking!!! He also tells me he has a friend who was trying to get him to Legune to be an Instructor at that Academy. I said “Oh” and then reminded him that if he took this Academy on Oki we would still get paid KOLA, so more money for the same job and not have to have the kids start over again…….he begrudgingly took the Oki orders but curses me when the work day is uuhhg and every morning when the alarm clock goes off! LOL!

Dancing in the Aisle!

Vicki and i took Carrie and Coree to the big 100 Yen Store last Saturday. They always play this fun kinda hip hop Japanese music and Carrie and i kept dancing around and the girls were just like completly embarressed by us. We were having fun dancing all funky and here it is on video for your enjoyment. Have a good laugh at our expense! Ha! Oh, can't really hear the music too well as thier was a little one crying near by....

A New All Time Low!

If you park in an off limit parking spot here on Okinawa you will come back to find your car has been towed away and a sticker will be on the pavement of where your vehicle has been taken to. It won't be in English either! LOL Yes, this has always had me a little apprehensive.....when in doubt, i usually just park somewhere else, especially if i have no idea what the sign says....Carrie and i, as well as our girls, were pulling into Ona Kow Kow out in town for lunch. There was a nice up front parking spot right by the door but than we saw the Konji and parked a few spots down....As we walked by i just started cracking up as i realized the Japanese characters were on the plant box! It wasn't a reserved spot as i had thought it was! Yes, i have dropped to a new all time low in my oblivios nature! I'm not joking when i say living in oblivion is my life!!!

I Have Been Reminded How Lucky I Am!

Vicki & i awoke to no hot water this morning. It was only about 34 degrees outside, so not like freezing cold like many places in the States, but i also do not have any of the heaters on yet. We haven't had heat in our house for a few years when they had to cut it off for the new budgets. We actually got new heaters this last year, i just need to pull out my english translation thing and reset from AC to Heat....still not too good on my Japanese characters....so my fault there! LOL I was grumbling as i got my instantaneous migrain as i was washing my hair in freezing water, yeah, no conditioner today....but i was reminded about how lucky we have been! We finally got a hot water heater put in this last February, so a cold shower had been a normal morning ritual for many years here on the rock! Sooo, i stopped grumbling and remembered how lucky i am to usually have hot water for my showers and not have to boil water to wash my dishes anymore! I guess it's good for me to get occassional little reminders about how good i really do have it!!!

When Christmas Comes To Town

I love the song “When Christmas Comes To Town” from the movie Polar Express! Ryan loves it too and sings along every time he hears it. I have the piano music and it was soooo sweet this Christmas when he would come stand next to me at the piano and sing this song while I played. I wanted to video him singing it, but he is a little shy about that…….maybe someday……

T-Dog & Black Jack

Out of the blue Ty and Ryan told us that we are now to call them T-Dog and Jack Black. Have no idea where they came up with those, but that is what they call each other now! They have several nicknames. Ed has given each of the kids nicknames from their very beginnings. Jorden’s was Jody from the cadence they used to always call out for “Jody Boy”, at birth Vicki became Pooh, Ty took on Shimp, and Ryan was given Boomer. They also have other pet names, Ty has always been my "Mai Ty" and Ed calls him "Bag A Bones" and Ryan is my "Ry Ry" and we all call him "Fed Ex" and "The Little Guy", so where T-Dog and Jack Black came from……we’ll never know….., Ty & Ry don’t even know…..i guess they will want new jerseys and beanies with their new nick names embroidered on them…..

When Is Christmas Coming Down?

This is the longest my Christmas decorations have ever stayed out! Usually I pack them all away on New Years Day, well everything except my snowmen & the toy soldier/nutcrackers, they get to stay up until January 31st! This year I didn’t get Christmas packed away until January 7th! We were just too occupied with having fun during the rest of Christmas vacation and I was already scheduled to work the first 2 days of school. I only had Wednesday off and I was busy!!! Ed kept asking when Christmas was coming down and if he could help. Unfortunately, nobody can really help this year! We move this summer, not sure where…..but this means after each holiday I need to pack my stuff up “TMO Style”! Translation: it needs to be packed in a way that it will survive the trucks, the ports, the ship, and more trucks before it arrives at our new duty! It is finally done! I tossed many things that are easily replaceable in the States and have no sentimental value and walked my reindeer over to Jenny’s house. I miss the decorations but it feels good to have the house back to normal!

Today in Investor's Business Daily stock analysis and business news

I will forever be amazed by what our media reports as news! When will they tell the truth about what our guys and gals in the Desert are doing and what they have accomplished?! All attacks that have been meant for the US have continually been thwarted since 9/11! Many, for our own safety, we will never even know about. I can only hope and pray that once our new President steps into those classified meetings that he will continue the steadfast watch over our Nation as President Bush has done.


Today in Investor's Business Daily stock analysis and business news

IBDeditorials.com: Editorials, Political Cartoons, and Polls from Investor's Business Daily -- Winning Isn't News

IBDeditorials.com: Editorials, Political Cartoons, and Polls from Investor's Business Daily -- Winning Isn't News

Singing To My Guy!

We were driving home in the van listening to my January Jingle CD, i make a new CD for my vehicle every month. I think Bama Breeze is the only song on this one that Ed likes. Soo, vicki and i were singing away........... This is what Ed does when i sing to him....LOL! He really hates this song, especially the
part....."you'll never get rid of me...." Ha!!!


 

How Did You Make Your Fortune?

Someone asked me once how I had made my fortune. I thought that was a funny question and so I told a silly story….Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away, okay not really a galaxy, but a land far, far away, because I AM telling this story while on Okinawa, the island of the ancient Ryuku Kingdom and birthplace of KARATE! Soo much easier to TELL the story than to write it, you don’t get to see any of my faces and hear the voice changes! Sooooo, anyways, back in my working years when I had a real job, yes this is a VERY long time ago…..I was killing some time in an airport terminal waiting for my normal Friday night flight home. I always booked my flights on those busy commute times and of course would always “volunteer” to give up mine and Jorden’s seats so we could get the free vouchers. Well, there were these business men and they were talking about investments and stocks and reading the latest monetary news. I can always appear to LOOK like I know what is going on and so I joined their little discussion on where to invest money. I looked over what they were looking at and when asked I told them I was putting all my money on the apple. This caused the conversation to take a turn and they asked me why. I simply told them that all my research  had said to steer towards healthy stocks, so what could be healthier than apples? There was plenty of humms and ummms and  than the announcement was made that the flight was overbooked and for any volunteers who would like to give up their seats to come forward. I turned in mine and Jorden’s and we caught the following flight out while my new friends boarded their plane to fly back to San Diego. But that is just a silly story, my real fortune sits around the dinner table each night arguing over who is chewing with their mouth open or discussing the proper way to butter your roll. My fortune gives the dog a treat on the carpet right after I have vacuumed, spills milk on the floor, and leaves a constant pile of dirty clothes in my laundry room. I have no idea how I acquired my fortune but I would not trade in the slobbery kisses, sticky fingers tucked in mine, the word “Mom,”  “Mum”, and "Mome" the rolling eyes, the random candy bar, and my other heart beat who laces up his boots each morning before leaving for work for all the fortunes in the world! 

Vicki Makes Dinner

Vicki had to make dinner for one of her classes as school. She originally was supposed to help me make enchilada's but she got busy and i was glad she decided to make dinner the following night. I don't cook with recipes and i was making 3 different kinds of enchiladas, so i needed room! If you are in the mood for enchiladas. come on over and help yourself, there was plenty of leftovers! The following night she made dinner, spaghetti & garlic bread. She would have made a salad, but there was none at the Commissary and i didn't feel like going out in town to buy some greens....she did a great job, she made the boring sauce that the kids like and than i made a seperate sauce for Ed and i. We like ours with the grated zucchini, sliced mushrooms, olives, and onions sauteed into the meat sauce. The kids loved what she made and now she just has to type a report on it. I wonder what i will teach her next.....maybe lasagna, that's simple....

Our Omikuji (Fortunes)

These are the pictures of our omikuji's for 2009. We bought them from the two cute Okinawan girls and than the boys tied theirs to the ropes.

Shaved Head....Again!

Ed has been wanting to shave his head for awhile and I keep talking him out of it. He usually always brings this up when we are getting ready to do family pictures or the Ball is coming up. This time, there was nothing coming up and I haven’t seen him with a shaved head for awhile, so I gave him a grin and said DO IT!!! I think it caught him off guard. He said, “are you sure?” I told him yes and do it now. A little while later Vicki comes up to me and says Dad is in the bathroom shaving his head. I had to go check and see for myself. He had shaved right down the middle, so there was no turning back now. I told Vicki to finish shaving Dad’s head for him. She was all excited and took the razor from him and went to town! She did a great job and they were both just cracking up as she was buzzing along his head. I asked if I could shave in my name on the back of his head, but was denied. Ed said I had done enough damage to the back of his head….he was reminding me of when I drew a big smiley face on the back of his head and didn’t tell him…..he left for work and was teased all day for the big ole happy face that was right under his tan line, his cover couldn’t hide it…….soooo, Vicki had fun buzzing her Dad’s head. Another Father Daughter bonding moment…..huummmm…..my Dad never let me shave his head!!! Not fair!!!

Okinawan New Year Omikuji (Fortunes)

Here is a video of Ty and Ryan puting their omikuji on the ropes. These are the fortunes they bought for the New Year............

Okinawan New Years 2009

I thought I was going to be going down to the Futenma Shrine by myself. Ed made me laugh when he said it was too cold! But out of the blue Ty, Ryan, and Ed decided they wanted to go. The last time we went was Jan 2006 and Ed was in Iraq. Jorden and Vicki didn’t want to go again. The Futenma Shrine is right by the base we live on. We found a parking spot rather close and walked the rest of the way. There were all kinds of vendors along the road selling yummy food, well most looked yummy….and of course there are all the games to play to win a prize. We got in line with all the Okinawan’s to walk up the stairs to the Shrine. New Years is probably one of the most important of the MANY Japanese holidays. There are different lines depending on what you are going to purchase as well as another line to wash your hands out of a special fountain. There are ladles that you scoop water with and pour over your hands so you are clean when you pray at the Shrine. I love to watch the Okinawan’s when they pray at the Shrines. They clap their hands together once and then offer up a silent prayer. They also throw money into an area. The Okinawan’s celebrate New Year’s differently than Americans. They have their celebrations and all but it is also a reflection time to think back on the year and pray for the upcoming year. The Okinawan’s will go to various Shrines and offer up prayers as well as tie their prayers and fortunes to ropes that are set up all around the Shrines. You can purchase fortunes for 100 Yen. They even have a box of English fortunes for us non Japanese readers. You get to pick your fortune out of a box. It is called a written oracle. The Japanese word for these is omikuji. It will tell you what kind of year you will have, what to study, love, travel, business, wish, marriage, etc. You than take your fortune and fold it and tie it to the ropes to ensure it will come true. You can also purchase more elaborate tokens to tie to the ropes. There are also wood pieces you can purchase and write your own thoughts on than add those to the ropes as well. I like reading the ones in English. They usually say things like bring Daddy home safe, keep Okinawa safe, etc. I bought 4 fortunes, so we each got to pick out an “English” fortune from the box. Ty and Ryan’s both said they would have an excellent year, mine said pretty good, and Ed’s said fairly good. Ha! Ed and I decided to keep ours and the boys wanted to tie their fortunes to the rope. Both of their fortunes pretty much said they would have a very good year if they lived clean moral lives and made good choices than they would be happy and have a happy home. Under love, Ed’s said he should have a fresh start and mine said to love him faithfully. We thought that was funny as they kinda contradicted each other. The boys tied their papers to the rope along with all the others that were already tied. We bought a cool arrow with the 2009 wooden Bull. We had fun walking around and just watching everyone. Ryan loves corn on the cob and so we bought him a nice big one on a stick. Ty didn’t want anything and Ed had this funky ham and cheese thing. I saw the cutest little girl in a Kimono. I asked her Mom if I could take her picture and she gave me the sweetest little pose.

Sushi Go Around

The Stuarts have finally caught up with us! We were stationed together at Camp Pendleton and lived on the same street. Next duty station took us both to San Diego. The following duty station took us across the Pacific and they stayed in America. Well, they have finally caught up with us and we are thrilled to be able to hang out with them again! But totally bummed that it will only be for 6 months before we head off to a new duty station. We decided for our first adventure to just go have lunch out in town since their two older boys, Troy and Patrick were at Forest Adventure and Jorden was at the Paint Ball Park. We told them we would meet them at their house and they could follow us. I was pretty sure I knew what house was theirs as one of my friends used to live there. However, when I went to the door to knock I saw a cat inside. I knew they had brought their dog but didn’t know if they had a cat. I went back to our car to call them. Of course Ed is already telling me what a dork I am and that I should know where I am going before we leave the house AND he is driving my car which he hates! He thinks it is the noisiest thing on the island and just calls it the total ghetto mobile! I love it though! Sooo, I call Carrie and ask her what her house number is and sure enough it is the one I am at. Soo, I laugh and tell her we are right out front and that I was tricked by her cat! Ed is rolling his eyes and Vicki is telling me what a dork I am. We are off and the Stuarts are behind us. I have my January Jingles CD in. I make a new CD each month for my van. This one has songs from Mama Mia, Wicked, Taylor Swift, Summersets, Phantom of the Opera, yeah, Ed has a head ache with the very first song! I tried to get him to sing Honey Honey with me but he doesn’t like the line “you’ll never get rid of me”. I quickly skipped it up to Bama Breeze for him before putting the radio on. He can only take so many of my songs! LOL! The first place we went to, Kitykyson’s, was closed, so we decided to hit the Sushi Go Around by Dragon Palace. Vicki jumped in the Stuart’s van and Jake came over to ours. We back tracked back down the 58 to the Wheel. The one we parked at was packed but Vicki insisted that the one around the corner was just as good. So, we left our vehicles and walked over to the one under the Wheel. We didn’t have to wait long and two tables opened up. Ed and Cliff took the boys and Carrie and I took the girls. We got the better end of the deal as we just had Corree and Vicki. Cliff and Ed had Jake, Ty, and Ryan, as well as two other’s we had brought with us, Robert & Diego who had stayed the night and were hanging out with us. There was a McDonald’s right across the way that we figured we would have to hit afterwards for my boys. I don’t like sushi however I love the Sushi Go Around! I ordered my favorite, cucumber rolls and then some of the scambled egg things, egg salad, and pulled a salad off the go around. I love watching all the funky things that go by! Won’t eat them, but love to look at them! I tried these yummy rice wrapped in tofu things for the first time. They were delicious! Thanks Carrie for getting them! Yay! Another thing I like at the Go Around! Vicki had her standard order of rice with soy sauce and fried chicken. Carrie and Corree had fun trying the sushi that was going by us. Carrie also ordered a crab soup, it was quite crabby and the crab even had an eye! YIKES! The younger boys actually had fun trying all kinds of things! Ty and Ryan were going to town on the shrimp. Ed said it was hilarious to watch the boys grab a plate off the go around and than they would all just try everything! Nope, nobody needed to go to McDonalds afterwards! After lunch we showed them around Dragon Palace and took them into the candy store! They have all these bins of Japanese candy and they sell them by the piece. It is fun to try all these funky candies and have no idea if they are sweet, sour, gonna foam in your mouth, or what! We had to head back to get Diego and Robert home and the Stuarts were gonna go walk over to Jusco and check it out. When we got back to our parking spot I pulled out the windshield wipers on the Stuarts van. It’s kinda my trademark if I see your vehicle and you are not around. Well, I am also known for getting out of my car at red lights and pulling your wipers out too. Also known to TP your vehicle while you are in a McDonalds as well….. Later I ran into Cliff and Carrie at the Commissary and they mentioned the windshield wipers. I told them that that is a warning that your car has been parked in the lot too long. Then I told them I was kidding it was just me. Wonder what our next adventure will be with the Stuarts! Maybe it will involve the giant python!!!!

What The Heck?

Okay.....what is going on with this game? Utah is beating my elephants? Only my Georgia Bull Dogs are allowed to take down the elephants, but they didn't, the Gators did instead !!! Now it is 21 to 3...but it is still early in the game....won't be home to watch the rest of it....hopefully my elephants can come back and kick Utah's butt!!!!

Twilight Is Coming!

Yay! It is official! Twilight will be here on January 16th! I can't wait! I almost hopped to South Korea to see it as that was the closest location, but i couldn't confirm if there would be english sub titles and i wasn't sure how i felt about seeing it for the first time in Korean! Lol! Soo, in just a little over 2 weeks i will get to see it! I have been asking the Okinawan's at our base theater as well as the big one out in town when they would get it since like summer time!!! Finally!!! The Okinawan that i have been pestering for the last couple of months informed me today when we were at the movies to see Bedtime Stories that my movie would be here on the 16th! I thought it was funny how he refered to it as my movie! Ha! He kept aksing me if it was a popular movie in the States when i was hoping to get it here in Thanksgiving. I kept telling him it was bigger than Harry Potter and he was completely floored at how popular it was in the States! Thanks for all the great reviews i got from you guys! Now i get to finally see it! I think Ty is just as excited as me! He's been dying to see it since he saw the first preview!

New Years Day

Wow! It is the first day of 2009! I woke up to morning colors. At 8 am every morning Old Glory goes up the flag pole with the Japanese flag right there, side by side. First you hear our national anthem and than the Japanese anthem is played. It took another 30 minutes before i was able to completly open my eyes. I went for my jog/walk and than we were off and running....well not literally running....but we went and saw the movie Bed Time Stories. We totally loved it! Ty and Ryan can't wait until they can see it again!

Truth or Dare

Ed decided to play truth or dare with Vicki. This is NEVER a good idea! I won't even play that game with him! Soooo, there will be no pictures and i won't even bother to go into details, but Vicki ended up having to eat a dog bisquit. Jorden, from personal experiance, let her know it wasn't that bad. My dog went crazy that the treats being taken out of his box were not for him and Vicki ended up with her head in the kitchen trash can spitting and gagging.....

Sparklers!

The sparklers were the kids favorite part of the New Year! They lit them from the fires and had fun waving them around! Ryan was sad that his burned out before he was done waving it around.

Happy New Year Ed!

Yes, Ed is the UN-social one in the family but he said he would hang out with me all the way until midnight for New Years this year!!! It was sooo fun to have him out and about with me. He even looked like he was somewhat happy! Thanks baby!!! I love you and Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year Ty!

Ty is our total social dude! He is always busy with someone and the doorbell is non stop ringing for him. He is the last one home from school, he just has too many friends to play with and talk to. Vicki even beats him home and she rides the bus home from another base, we can see Ty's school from our porch! He was soo funny on New Years Eve! He had all the accessories! Leis, hats, blowers, anything and everything he could get his paws on. He was hilarious!