Bits and Pieces...

Today's just a little... bits and pieces type post. Do you remember a few posts down, I mentioned that I was looking for 2 navy blue twin fleece blankets for B and Noah's beds for both their rooms. And I found them, some really nice Tommy Hilfiger nice navy blue ones for a super cheap price at Marshalls. Anyways, I was also looking for 2 chocolate brown fleece blankets in size twin too, for the couches in the living room. That way, they protect the couch material, plus they make the couch extra warm and cozy. So I have been looking everywhere for chocolate fleece blankets. And couldn't find anything local. So, I found them on Amazon. They were around the same price as the navy blue ones. The color was a dead on... exact match. As for quality? The brown ones are thinner than the ones I saw at Marshalls. But, they do protect the couch and they are cozy to lay on. One thing I liked was the free shipping. But one thing, I didn't care for was... that if you order 2 you didn't get free shipping. But, since I was concerned if the color was a match. I bought just 1. I got free shipping and I was happy they were a dead on exact match in color. 

Can you see the chocolate brown fleece blanket on the couch? It's a perfect match in color. And the thick fleece black blanket I brought from Japan and bought at Sanki. Love the quality of the blankets at Sanki. Anyways, just a little way...that we're slowly getting prepared for winter and the colder months. I still have to order that 2nd chocolate fleece blanket from Amazon. 

I also bought each of the boys a pair of super cheap (price) but super good quality sweatpants. See it says, feel the softness? Inside the sweatpants... it's so warm and fleece-y. They were like super cheap. Noah's is a size mens small. And fit perfect. Both of the kids wear them in the evenings after school and on weekends. They're also a slimmer fit, these are a more flattering more stylish style than the olden days type. My kids love them. A definite...happy Fall purchase. 

$195 dollars. Yep, Noah went on the Tommy Hilfiger website and confirmed that's the rate/price, if ordered online directly. Noah needed a new winter coat this year. We've been checking everywhere. In Japan, it's Uniqlo. No questions asked. He loves those coats. Because they're thin yes, but super warm. Versus American coats being super thick. Like the Michelin man. Yes, we have Uniqlo in the USA and yes I can order online. But I am unsure of Noah's size and won't buy, without us having a try. When we were looking for birthday sweatshirts for B. Noah was also in the men's department looking for a thin winter coat. He kept saying...nope...nope...no way. He did the same thing at Burlington Coat Factory when Noboru was here and it drove us both nuts. But again...at least he knows what he wants and knows what he doesn't. He saw this. Grabbed it. It was super thin. See it says packable? On the label? There's a little carry bag same as the Uniqlo coats too.

Clearly I'm not gonna spend near $200, because I'm not insane! The coat was a fair...near Uniqlo price at $59.00. I'm comfortable with a coat costing under $65. So, this fit the bill. Noah tried it on. It was perfect. Thin, but super warm. Room to grow. Finally! Noah's winter coat saga was done. As a mom, I was elated. Because that means, I am free. No more coat hunt. Phew.

$59.99 With room to grow. Certainly couldn't find a more patriotic coat, by an American designer. And that was just...coincidence. 

Loved the quality and the detailing.

Noah is going to be quite stylish this winter. 

If you watched the Blacklist, then you will recognize this actor as being Elizabeth Keene's husband. How many times has he disappeared and or died and came back to that show? Anyways. I was talking to a good friend of mine on Skype , she's in Japan we talked about 2 weeks ago. Like the day after Noboru left. Anyways, she was saying something about the Blacklist. And how he's gone from the show, I watch the Blacklist too... but she was expecting him to come back again. And I...not wanting to spill the beans. Said...ughhh. And I didn't elaborate or add to it. And she is the type that doesn't really care. You know...some people go all mental if they find out a spoiler. Like it's their only existence to life. But some people don't really care too much. But still...I didn't say. Anyways...she said. Give me the goods. And I was like. You wanna know? And she's like yes. And I'm like...seriously? And she's like...stop girl...I'm serious. Spill. So...anyways. And don't read further...if you don't wanna know. But...I told her. He's the star of a new TV show right now. It just came out in September. It's a hospital drama. It's called New Amsterdam. It's on NBC. I told her, I saw 2 episodes and I liked the show. But, I have something that comes on at the same time. So, I am not a regular watcher of this show, but I think this show is popular. 

I love these garlic herb potatoes. They are mini white and red potatoes, they come with a seasoning pack. And in a tin foil pan. You add a blob of butter or olive oil. And sprinkle the herb mix. They also come in other flavors. It's weird but, I grew up eating potatoes or pasta as our staple side. Very seldom did we ever have rice in my house growing up and when we did, it was Minute Rice. LOL. And then I moved to Japan. And rice became my main side for dinners. And at first, I hated that. And then I just accepted that. And after many years, I mixed things up and made a lot of western meals. But, still..rice was the main side dish for the majority of our meals. When we moved back to America. I suddenly had many other side dish options and I was stunned. Anyways, I'm slowly going back to my original ways. And it's comforting. I'm starting to really love this. Yeah....I'm starting to really get comfortable with my life back in the USA. 

Love the already marinated seasoned herb chicken at Walmart. Roasted herb potatoes, good ol canned peas, oh how I missed the flavor of those and cresent rolls. A very easy to pull together meal. My kids love this meal, it's actually one of their favorites. But then again...they've had this American mother their whole lives. LOL. Their meals are becoming more and more western. We have white rice somewhere between 3-4 times a month, depending on what I cook. But, I still do make Japanese food too.  

There is the regular Chef Boyardee in the red or orange cans and now there's these. Premium throwback ones. And I've been slowly stock piling these. Just 3 cans a week. And keeping them in my food pantry. That way, they're a quick weekend lunch for the kids. 

One thing, I'm really having a hard time is...is being motivated to bake. Cooking? Yes of course... I cook 6 days a week. But baking. It's hard for me in the US to bake. Because there's just so much already offered at every grocery store. So many cheap/affordable baking that's there. For starters at Walmart they sell individual homemade pies, they taste like some grandma made them with love. And they have blueberry, apple, cherry, pumpkin, peach and they're 50 cents each. @_@ So again...why should I bake when you can buy a damn good pie for 50 cents. They sell bread pudding that is OMG...heaven. Pumpkin muffins. The most heavenly coconut cream pie. They sell regular size pumpkin and they also sell sweet potato pie. So many cookie flavors...I even forgot about. I find at the store and for super cheap. Again...it's hard for me to get motivated to bake... when it's so readily available. Does that make sense. In Japan...I baked every week in the Fall and Winter, out of necessity. Because no store close to my house... sold such delicious and such cheap baked goods. Hopefully...I can motivate myself to bake. So, again just keeping it real.

I have delicious 3 pounds of fresh seedless sweet mikans in my fridge, and 3 lbs of honeycrisp apples in my fridge too. And I buy fresh packages of fruit weekly like blueberries or fresh sweet raspberries.

I seldom buy anything for myself. But, I bought myself this cute navy blue sweatshirt from Old Navy. My clothes size have gotten one size smaller, since I moved here. I seriously think that's because of the lack of rice. 

One Sunday, I bought a $4.99 rotisserie chicken at Walmart. And I sliced all the meat off. Only half was sliced in this pic. And I made a quick and easy chicken noodle soup for a Sunday. It was delicious. The kids ate the entire pot of this hearty delicious rotisserie chicken noodle soup.

I also have been stockpiling fruit cups and jello cups. My kids love these. I always have a variety in the fridge here.My kids eat a lot of fruit here. Fresh fruit, fruit cups. They're delicious. Noah especially likes to toss the mikan fruit cups in the freezer and eat them...just like they were shave ice. 

I'm really iffy if I shared this pic or not. But, I wanted a spoon holder, for when I'm cooking. But the trouble is...sometimes it's a spatula or wood spoon and I needed something bigger than a smallish spoon holder. I saw this at the end of September. And it brought a smile to my face. And I use this daily now.

At $3.99. Love this.

Fall flavors are everywhere. Pecan pie M&M's.

Pumpkin Spice rolls. Again, I'm starting to really appreciate being in my home country. Being surrounded by foods, that I grew up with. Flavors that I was raised with. It's sorta cool. It's very comforting.

I snapped this pic one afternoon before Noboru came here. I zipped to Great Clips to get myself a haircut. It was my first haircut... entirely in English in 16 years. I take my kids here every 2 weeks. But, wow...it was so fun getting my hair cut in my native language. I hadn't had my hair cut since March 2018. After my cut, I zipped to Target to grab lunch. Since Pizza Hut's inside. 

A drink and a personal pan. This particular day...I had such a spring in my step and I was like...I am so glad I am living in America. Yeah...I'm adjusting...big time! I'm creating a life here.

Like I said, I haven't had a haircut since March 2018 and I haven't had a hair straightening size March 2018 either. And my hair is naturally wavy. Not curly. But yes...naturally wavy. I could have gotten it straightened at the end of July in Japan. But, I made a conscious decision to go back to wavy. To own it! My mom always threw my hair in hot rollers on important days like picture day, since I was in the first grade. I distinctly remember her putting kleenex near my ears and forehead if a roller was near there. LOL. Hot Rollers tamed the wave and created amazing volume. And so since I'm going back to wavy...I bought these super fat 2 inch hot rollers. And I love this set. 

Karaage pic. 

I am glad that my tastebuds didn't change so much with living in Japan. Because I love these. With teens in the house, I try to keep healthy snacks like fruit in the house and also junk food type snacks too. It's a balance for them since they're kids/teens.

Anyways, any current news? Well, I made lasagna this week. Beef stew last night. Last night, was parent teacher conferences at Noah's middle school. He gets fantastic grades. So, I wasn't really expecting to hear anything major. But each teacher basically said the same thing. He's an extremely respectful kid. He's super polite. He's smart. He's kind. He does all his assignments and work. If a parent wanted to speak to the teacher, they could. It was 7th grade teachers in the library. 6th grade teachers in the gym. And 8th grade teachers in the school cafeteria. So, depending on which grade is where you went. I went to the library. Spoke to each teacher. We parents all made lines and spoke to the teachers. Teachers had laptops and looked at their grades and notes. I brought Noah with me. And he heard the feedback himself. It was from 4-7pm. We dropped B to driving school at 3:50pm and zipped to Noah's school. Talked to all Noah's teachers. And were home by 4:50pm. Some lines moved quickly and some lines took longer. I'm glad I went. Tonight is going to be crazy. Because I'll pick up Noah from school. We'll wait for B to get home. We'll have supper. I made Japanese beef stew last night (already said that) and we will have leftover beef stew tonight. So we'll quickly eat dinner. Drop Bran at driving school. Noah and I'll run to Target to get some stuff for a poster Noah's working on in his langauage arts class (English class) And then after B gets out of driving school at 6pm, I'll zip us all the way to B's high school. Conferences are from 4-7 at his high school. I wish we could attend earlier. But, B has driving school. And, Noboru wanted Branden to be there and hear the feedback and I agree. So, I just hope we can get to the high school in a quick and timely manner. Now that daylight savings time happened and clocks fell back on Sunday. It's pitch black outside so early now. So, I imagine I'll be driving in total darkness to the high school, this evening. : ( Conferences are optional. And since their grades are good, I debated going to them. But I think I should totally go. And Noboru agrees. I don't want it to look like my kids have parents... who really don't care about their progress. Do you know what I mean? Because we do. We do care about the progress they're making and we do care about their grades. 

Next week is Branden's final week of driving school. And tonight, he and his classmates are taking their written part of the test. @_@ He has his 4th drive with instructor this Saturday. And his 5th drive next Friday. And the 6th drive will be his actual driving test. But that won't be until closer to Thanksgiving or past Thanksgiving. 

I did vote. As you all know, I vote every single election. I was a registered Colorado voter the entire 16 years I lived in Japan. I did that online. And I voted for the first time in this state. I registered to vote last Spring when I applied for my drivers license. In this state, you don't go to the voting booths like in Colorado. It's strictly mailing in your ballot. I mailed mine last Wednesday. I voted for every democrat, I could. 

There are 2 movies that are coming out in December that I want to see. Aquaman is a must! And Bumblebee looks cute. And since my kids watched all those Transformers movies. I figured...what the heck...might as well finish this series up. Although it's probably long from finishing up. But ykwim. November, which is right now... has many movies. The Queen movie Bohemian Rhapsody came out, last week? I want to see that. Also, that Fantastic Beast movie is coming out next week. Also that movie...A Star is Born with Lady Gaga came out 4 weeks ago? I know this is the 3rd time this movie has been made. The original. And then the 2nd one with Barbara Streisand. And this one is the 3rd remake of it. So, eh. I'll skip this one, but it has rave reviews. So, I'll probably skip The Girl in the Spider's Web that just came out and skip A Star is Born. The remake of the Grinch, I'll skip too. Only because having seen the cartoon a million times. Plus the one directed by Ron Howard...made with Jim Carey. That was good. So this one, I'll probably skip it. Although Benedict Cumberbatch is the voice of the new Grinch and he's always brilliant. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms isn't for a mom with 2 sons, it would probably bore all 3 of us, to death. So, maybe we'll just see...Bohemian Rhapsody, this month and maybe Fantastic Beasts 2...maybe.  

Bits and pieces...

How's everyone been? As for me, things here have been super! I haven't really had the chance to catch up with you all. You know...just the day to day type of stuff. So let me give it my best shot right now! September 16th. I had a free day and a plan to meet a good friend. House was all clean and in order. And the kids had a full day at school. And so, I drove myself to the Aeon in Ibaraki to meet a really good friend of mine (fellow foreign mom friend, that we have been friends for ages, like since before Noah was born and Bran was a toddler) We don't get the chance to see each other too often in person, since we don't exactly live the closest to one another. So it was nice we could meet up for lunch halfway between where she lives and halfway from where I live. She was looking for some stuff at the Disney store for her daughter. And I was wanting a foundation. Which was in the Aeon cosmetics area. And she ended up buying a coconut face wash also in the Aeon cosmetics area. We also had lunch and a look around the Body Shop. I had grabbed a sandwich downstairs after we left the Disney Store. And she wanted to have something to eat in the food court, so while she was placing her order, I quickly snapped this pic of my sammy and foundation in the bag as she was ordering her lunch. We ate in the food court, our plan was to eat in the food court... it's just Subway is located downstairs and not in the food court. : )

I had a footlong veggie and cheese sandwich on white. No sides and no drink. I didn't want the calories of a soda. Should have probably picked up a jasmine tea downstairs at the Aeon, but eh...I was fine. : ) Her daughter will start JHS next year so she wanted to ask me some questions. It was so nice to be able to chat and catch up in person. We parted ways after lunch. I had a bit of a drive and kids to pick up from school. : )

I picked up the Koh Gen Do Aqua foundation. This foundation is really popular in America right now. has been for the past year. Kathleenlights. So many people are in love with this. However in America at Sephora this is super expensive. $70 or 78 US? Something like that. It's pricey let's put it that way. However since it is a Japanese foundation it's like 4,000 yen for us in Japan. This foundation is for dry skin. So if you're oily, I wouldn't try it. If you're over 35 you might like this a lot. If you're over 35 and have dry skin you will really love this, if you can find the right color/shade. They say this foundation makes you look like you have just had a facial or been to the spa. Like a radiant glow from within type of look. It's light to medium coverage so if you want super thick full coverage foundation this isn't for you. If you just want a light to medium foundation this could be a good one to try. As always am I suggesting you buy it? Derr...no I'm not. However if you're in Japan and you want to try it... you will be able to buy it here way cheaper. If you're a Mac NC20-25...color 213 will be the best color match for you. 

My thoughts? Do, I look...like I just come from the spa? No I do not. Does it give me a beautiful look? Yes, totally. Would I repurchase this? No...but that's only because I bore so easy with foundations. I'm like a tumble weed rolling and blowing in the wind regarding foundations, guilty as charged and hey I admit that. Also...I find this color matches me 98% perfectly. However I feel the one I bought in Denver. The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD matches me 1000% maybe even a million percent. As in best color match ever in my life. As in..would I repurchase the MUFE Ultra HD? Hell yes, I would. Without question. But am I glad I at least tried this and own this? Yes, I am. Because I am wearing the Koh Gen Do right this second even. So, I do really like it a lot. Anyway...enough foundation talk. Moving along. : ) 

Pic right next door to my house. Pheasants gone wild! Seriously there are so many pheasants next to my house. They are so smart! And the first monkey in our town has been spotted this season already! Last year 3 were spotted! Rural Japan living stuff, I guess. : ) 

This one was sure the little fatty! He's very lucky, I don't eat pheasant! LOL. : )

Good night dear pheasants. We'll just pretend we don't know you have a big family living in the wilderness that is next door. : ) 

What else have I been doing? Once a week, I will throw the comforters outside to air and get sun! They get so fat in the sun. In japan they believe blankets get disinfected by the sun. Whether it's true or not, I still do it anyway. I'll go out and whack the blankets with a futon stick. Flip them around and whatnot. And the day after this. I usually will unzip the duvet covers. And wash the duvet/comforter covers. The insides are still fat and fluffy but the outside has just been laundered. 

If you live in Japan then you know October 1st means time to switch into your winter uniform. Noah wears regular clothes to school, but Bran wears uniform. So, I had to pick up 3 dress shirts for BrannyMcB at Sanki last week. 

Also picked up 2 wash clothes for face washing. This side is floral.

This is what the other side looks like. So each side is different. 

This side is navy with white polka dots and the other side in white with navy dots. 

3 dress shirts. I washed on the quick wash. Hung them outside to dry. And since this Monday Bran has been wearing his winter uniform.

Noah needed more name tags for school supplies. So, I ordered these. I love the colorful banner above Noah's name. And I picked the yellow frame too because that's Noah's favorite color! And these name stickers come in all sorts of sizes...super big stickers  large stickers, medium, all the way to itty bitty stickers. 

I mentioned I have been enjoying the new TV show called The Good Place which stars Kristen Bell. She was a very very bad person on earth. Super bad. And so she died. She was supposed to go to The Bad Place (yes that's what they call hell in this show) and some sort of mix up occurred. And a person with her same exact first and last name was supposed to go to heaven. But Kristen Bell went to heaven by mistake. She is still behaving badly even while in heaven! It's not a religious show. It's just a funny show. 

This week she found out her neighbor, pictured here is also here in heaven by mistake. 

This guy pictured here holding the book is a good guy and actually belongs in heaven and he knows about her secret and so he is trying to teach Kristen Bell how to be good. He was an ethics professor. It's not heavy or serious or deep. It's just honestly a fun 30 minutes of my evening. 

Monday morning/yesterday after the boys went to school. And I vacuumed the downstairs. And cleaned the downstairs toilet. I baked 3 dozen peanut butter cookies from scratch. The fam-bam has been enjoying them ever since.

If you are living in America, you know that JonBenet Ramsey has been all over the news for the past month! Though she died a day after Christmas. Apparently this is the 20th anniversary this coming December. And because of it being the 20th anniversary it's all over the TV now. There have been like...5 documentaries about it this past month. Plus the TV movie where they flat out say Burke (the brother who was 9 at the time) was the killer. And he's flat out suing. And he should sue. This JonBenet Ramsey murder happened in Colorado. It happened in Boulder, Colorado. Noboru and I were actually living in Denver at the time. Because it happened in my home state. And I was living there at the time. I can tell you, the news people from all over the world came to Colorado to cover this case. It literally captured the whole world's attention. Some people thought the mom did it. The dad did it. Some thought an intruder did it. And some thought the little boy did it. Then the case seemed to drop off the face of the earth. The Ramsey's moved back to their home state, which was not Colorado. Now this case is huge all over again. I have watched nearly all of the JonBenet stuff this past month, the new shows. And from what they say, Burke found out they were going to make a TV movie about him and basically say he did it. He was mortified. And he and his dad will sue. And they should, as I said. But, I wanted to hear from Burke. Not hear say. From him. And so, I tuned into the interview on the OWN channel and I watched it. 

His dad talked a lot privately with Dr. Phil. 

And no, I do not think her dad did it at all. I just don't. 

And I watched Burke answer all of the questions Dr. Phil asked and I don't think he was involved at all either. In fact, the grand jury that convened and the Boulder county officials years and years ago said Burke was ruled out 100%. Also...if you have seen that 3 page ransom note. It was quite lengthy. And a bit sophisticated and I just don't think a 9 year old boy wrote that letter. I don't think he wrote that letter at all. With phrases like..."don't grow a brain Jon" To the father. "we are from a small faction" ummm...doesn't really sound like a 9 year olds' type of wording to me at all. Who do I think killed JonBenet? I honestly do not know. Sometimes, I think Patsy did it. And sometimes I think an intruder did it. But, I do not think Burke or the dad had anything to do with it. And to make a whole 2 hour movie where Burke's the killer in the end? OMG! Can you imagine how mortifying that would be...to have someone make a movie about you like that? Sue the pants off them Burke! They deserve it. Anyways...anything else? Oh my gosh. American Horror Story is so good this season. It's so weird and creepy. Seems like a haunted house with 2 nurse sisters haunting the house. This looks like a good season. And OMG, The Blacklist is getting so good too. Freaking good! : ) 

This pic was taken this morning. Obviously it is a filter. More than one.. so filters. This morning, after I vacuumed and scrubbed my sink room/area upstairs. I decided to jump on the step stool and pull the filters out of the heat exchanger for the central air conditioning unit we have. I clean all house filters every season, every single one we have. Once in summer, once in Fall, once in winter, and spring. I took this outside and scrubbed this filter down with some green tea dish soap. The neighbor was hanging her laundry out and greeted me! Good morning, she said in Japanese! Good morning, I replied back in Japanese! What are you doing, she asked? Cleaning the filter, I replied! She said...you sure stay busy! I said, thanks, you too! : )

Tonight's supper? American style fried pork chops and Rice and Roni and steamed broccoli. We'll have peanut butter cookies for dessert if anyone wants any. : )  Anyway, have a great week everyone!