The V-day gifts the boys received this year. Branden’s Eiken pre-1 interview done and dusted. Noah’s cooking class at school. Meanwhile an update on how he’s doing over there. Pics of his hotel. Plus some Cinnamon Bun Oreos and Filled Cupcake Oreos...

Hi you guys! As you know, so much has happened since the last time I posted. I have a bit of time right now, so I can hopefully catch up with you all real quick, right now.  Last week was Noboru's last week here, before he left. And so, I had taken these V-day pics last week, but didn't have time to post them. It's good to post them so we can keep them as a memory, for both Bran and Noah. Bran, received this Valentine's gift on Monday Feb 15th at school. It was from someone really special to him. His girl, you all saw how gorgeous she was on undokai last year. : ) So he was pretty happy about getting one from her. : ) He said it was delicious. The girl can clearly cook. Right on. : )

Noah also received 2 Valentine's gifts this year, from 2 cutie pie... little girls. 

One was from Lily-chan. And the other was from Ami-chan. 

Noah was so happy to receive these from 2 of his really good friends. Very nice girls! This means, I will have to make sure now that my boys return the favor for White Day March 14th. 

Yep as the bag says, it was for Noah. Aww. : ) I wish, I would have had time to get these up last week, on the blog. But, the fact I could post last week at all. Is amazing. Because it was crazy busy here last week. Now that he's gone though, things around here are quiet. And not much needs to be done. Because we did so much prep work beforehand. But yep, I did think, it was very important to at very least...put the Valentine's gifts they received on here. That way when they're grown, they can come back here and have a look. And remember and hopefully smile. : ) 

Our elementary school, is really special in that they want kids to learn so many skills. So many things. In America when I was growing up, we didn't have Home EC (home economics class) until junior high/middle school. However at our specific elementary school, they cook in cooking class twice a month and once a month they sew! They have not had the chance to buy a sewing kit. I think that comes this upcoming year. If I remember right, from back when Bran started sewing. But cooking at our elementary school starts early. And Noah has been using Bran's old sewing kit for now. They have their own little cooking groups. You can see the pizza sauce we bought for Noah. On this particular day his class broke up... into their own groups in the schools big cooking room and they all made pizza toast. A week ahead, your child will bring home a note, saying which item your child needs to bring. Noah raised his hand for the pizza sauce. Someone brought cheese, someone brought veggies. Someone brought bread. And the teacher brings a lot of stuff too. And in this class, they all cut and slice veggies. A few times a go, they made pancakes. All the kids needed to crack eggs and whisk the eggs. My kids have always cooked with me at home, so they know how to do that stuff already. But, I *love* that our school has and offers cool cooking classes like this! In the summer, the kids in class will often go and catch crawfish for an hour during school with the teacher. I blogged about that 2 years ago? Although they go every year. Everyone was supposed to think outside the box and make their own fishing pole. They didn't want a store bought fishing pole. Our school definitely wants kids to learn...and think for themselves...and have fun. Each cooking class, you need to bring an apron and a bandana to cover their head/hair since they're handling food. Branden still cooks at his JHS too. And Noah enjoys cooking at our elementary school. : ) So last week, Noah and his class made pizza toast. : )

We went back to Costco last week once more. Hamburger buns for homemade hamburger night. Potatoes. Ham for sammys. Ricotta for lasagna (made that last night) and an extra trio of pasta sauce and an extra pack of mozzarella. Dinner rolls. 

That's all pasta sauce. And yes, we eat a lot of Italian around here. : ) 

Lots of frozen veggies. Loaded up the freezer with lots of frozen veggies. The margarine, we use for toast in the mornings. or buttering some veggies or a baked potato. If we make an omelet or eggs we use a little margarine in the pan. And fellow Americans, these 3, are still tinier then 1 Country Crock in the U.S. And 2 small lean blocks of beef, this is for beef stew.  We can have beef stew sometime. That beef is beautiful and no fat. And the fries on the right are for cheeseburger night. Again, I had written this list and went right down. Do I need this? Do, I need that? What do I need? 

These came from Joyful Honda in Inzai and the beef up above came from Besia in Inzai. But these came from Joyful in Inzai. On the left is a humongous pork loin for pork green chili night. That is going to be great, when I make that. Nice knowing we have this in the freezer. And the 2 things on the right are 2 really good sized blocks of beef for a roast beef, I am planning to make. 

You can sort of see, a pot roast will be happening, and remember those potatoes from Costco up above? Some mashed potatoes with some gravy and a very tender pot roast. I can't wait. I will cook both roasts together since I imagine, they'll shrink up some with cooking. And I bought 2 to make sure, I have plenty. Since the boys have hearty appetites. The beef is also in the freezer. You should see my freezer. I have mozzarella cheese sticks, unopened still. Frozen pizzas. We did eat 2 of those for lunch on Sunday though, so we have 6 of those left. We have a ton of frozen veggies in there and a ton of pork and beef in there. 

Remember those tortilla chips, we bought the week before. I also purchased some seasoned beans in the can, pictured here. See, the sour cream. I am planning to make some killer nachos sometime. Hope these beans are good. Not sure when we'll have them. A big hand soap. You can refill it 4 times. So should last the month for downstairs. Might run out... for the one upstairs though, which is fine, I can zip and get one if we need some extra hand soap. 

18 rolls of toilet paper. this is my favorite toilet paper in Japan. I like the toilet paper at Costco, but it is so outrageously expensive. You can buy this half cheaper. The Costco TP is just a tad too over priced for me. I can't justify buying it. And I won't. So, I buy this. I forgot to buy Kleenex at Costco. OMG! I went 2 weeks in a row and still forgot. At that point, I just bought this at Joyful Honda in Inzai. The Kleenex tissue at Costco is a great buy/deal, but not the TP. 

The Valentine's Vitamin C serum, my sweetie purchased for me, arrived last week. And again, just too much going on last week...to even care or have the time to post about it. Now I have some time, so I will. I was very happy to receive 4 free samples (4 creams and the Klairs is a mask). Receiving 1, I assumed. But to receive 4 free samples. I was really impressed by that. I will be repurchasing from here because of that. They have earned a new customer. Thank you Wishtrend for being generous with the samples. 

I am not being dramatic when I tell you from my heart. This product right here. Transformed my skin. It seriously transformed my skin. People who are really into skincare know about the benefits of Vitamin C and how good it is for your face. And folks not really into skincare, won't know and won't care and that's okay. But, I figure I have to look at this face and so I might as well take the *best* care of it as I possibly can. And so, I do. American people who are in the know about skincare know and love Vitamin C products. Hot and Flashy's YouTube. She is always talking about the benefits of her 1 Vitamin C product she uses daily. And believe me, her skin is gorgeous. It's flawless and she's mid 50's and doesn't look a day over 40. She is stunning. In Korea too, they also know the importance of Vitamin C too. They have a lot of good products with Vitamin C. And I think there is a really good one in Japan too. The western brand ones are very pricey. Like almost $100 pricey or around $75, which is still outrageous. That's just too out of my price range for 1 serum, don't get me wrong..I could buy it, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing so, when this is the exact same thing, if not better and $14 US. The ones at the Body Shop for example don't contain enough Vitamin C to see actual results (sorry to say that, but yep). But this one pictured here is as high grade as the almost $100 dollar western brand one. And I think it's better. For people into Asian beauty, this is like a cult favorite. And for good reason. Last year with everyone strongly recommending Vitamin C. If you are into pre anti aging skincare at all. Or have any skin issues. Even young skin with zits could use this. Everyone says to keep this in your fridge, so it lasts longer. Vitamin C in high concentrations gets old if it is exposed to the sun or air hits it too much. Which is why it is in a dark bottle too. I wasn't sure if this was an overly hyped product last year or if it truly worked. Ykwim. I tried it. And my skin was generally okay, I mean a few ruddy patches here or there nothing too bad. Then it went to...absolutely no ruddiness at all. Smooth all even toned skin. My skin actually looks younger. I also have very dehydrated skin, very dry skin especially in winter and this has never made my skin feel any drier. Before I used this product...sometimes my skin would look good, sometimes it would look uneven in texture. Now since using this... my skin always looks smooth, texture is on point. Zero ruddiness. No fine lines. My MIL if you remember said...I am not aging at all over New year's. And it's not me...it's this Vitamin C serum. I just repurchased this. And to go out and actually buy a 2nd one...means I really like this. And I do. I love this. My skin is on fleek and it's totally because of this. 

Also, they have the newest products. Manufactured January 19th of this year and will last until next year. Best $14 dollars, ever spent. Again, I am not suggesting any of you to use this. Because frankly what you use on your skin or don't... doesn't really affect me in anyway...same as what I use wouldn't or shouldn't affect you either. I'm just saying...and stating I use this, I love this. It totally transformed my skin. My skin is flawless because of this and I could not say that before using this. Because sometimes the skin looked okay and sometimes not, but since using this... it always looks amazeballs. So, I use it. I love this and my husband thinks I'm reverse aging because of this. LOL. Good stuff Maynard. : )

Noboru flew out Saturday. I roasted that turkey Saturday too, for the kids and I. The kids and I have been enjoying turkey sandwiches ever since. Sunday was Bran's last part of the Eiken pre-1. The interview. The speaking part of it. OMG, you guys! I have to tell you guys this. I better write it before I forget. So, we were first in line. Not because I am super cool. But because I was super worried that I wouldn't get a parking. And with Noboru gone, it was all me. #1/first thing would you believe, 2 of the places to park were closed! Can you believe it? My heart sunk. The 3rd spot, had 2 ladies guarding the entrance of the parking spot. It's a public parking area, but they're soccer mom's and asked me.."are you here for soccer?" I knew the other 2 spots were closed. This was my *only* place to park. However, I am not going to lie. I'm just not. So, I answered honestly, "no, I'm not, we're here for the Eiken" Not sure if my foreign-ness was surprising or what. However...hello...it was a public parking area. They didn't own it. Not sure why they were all getting greedy about the parking there in the first place, but they let me in. They were doing this to all cars, not just us. However..I'm just saying..I didn't need that sort of added stress from those 2 ladies that morning. And thank goodness we went early. Again...because Narita City is so very city-ish...compared to where we live... in a tiny town of under 5000 people with parking to spare. So...yeah. Those ladies had my heart feeling all "doki doki" that morning. I was gonna park there no matter what though. And given I am the only protector of my boys... while Noboru is away. I was most certainly parking there, whether they liked it or not. And I did nose in my car before I rolled the window down. And given I know that place is public parking...meaning open for the general public. I rolled right in. Maybe I looked so determined (I was). Maybe I look so seriously serious (I was). But I knew I had *every* right to park there and a cop would most certainly agree, I most certainly didn't mind going that route if they wanted to go that route. But yep, they let me in. Though since my car nose... was already in they couldn't exactly close the gate on me anyway. So anyway. It was like 2 Billy Goat Gruffs guarding the parking area. @_@ Oh and fwiw, that parking area was dead and tons of spaces to go around when we came out. So not sure why we had those 2 over zealous ladies.. with clearly too much free time on their hands that Sunday morning... anyways.  But I am the type of person...If I am wrong, I will be the *first* to always admit, I'm wrong, I'm sorry. But if I am not wrong, I will not back down either though. And I knew I had a right to park there. So good for them to let me in because I was going to park there... whether they liked it or not. You can't hog all the parking spots just because your soccer group likes to play there, fair is fair...share ladies..would it kill you to share? And again... as long as it's a public parking (and we researched this fact last year when Bran first took the Eiken), sorry but anyone can park there. Case closed, end of story, get a grip. Whatever. Moving on. So, I parked the mini minivan in the parking spot. We walked to 7-11 and I bought the kids some of those Mister Donut clones. 3 old fashion half dipped in chocolate, 2 for Bran and 1 for Noah. I also bought them a drink each. I didn't buy myself anything. I think I was just so nervous about parking. I worked myself up to near hysteria the night before about the lack of parking.  And so seeing those 2 billy goat gruff ladies that morning, was enough to just push me right over the edge. Good thing they let me in, or I would have snapped big time! Plus, I had been awake since 5:20am Sunday morning. We left our house at 7am and were there at 8am-ish. Dealt with the 2 billy goat gruff ladies and then we walked to 7-11. I just wanted to get this interview over with and go home. I had zero appetite. It was cold and gray and that was Sunday. We walked to the high school and we stood first in line. Again because I was worried about parking. Once we had a parking though and I had bought the kids something to eat and we went in line, I was fine and relaxed. But yep a bundle of nerves beforehand. There were a ton of people...likes 400 plus, in the line. The line was so long behind us, way down and even out of the school grounds. This is the important part to tell you. Don't faint when I tell you. So we got into the Pre 1 line. And the lady announced. There are 200 or so taking the interview for the Eiken 3 and 200 and so many people taking the Pre 2. For the Eiken pre-1... only 14 passed..so only 14 will be taking the pre-1 interview today. You should have seen our shocked faces. @_@ Yes only 14. And yes if you recall it was about 110 people who took the written part of the Eiken pre 1. But out of all those people only 14 passed! Can you believe it? Only 14 people passed out of the 100 plus line... we were standing in 3 weeks ago. I told ya! Not many people pass the actual Eiken pre-1. A high school or college aged Japanese girl stood in line behind us. She smiled very big and brightly at me and I smiled equally right back at her. She was quite cute. Branden was so shocked. He kept saying....I can't believe only 14 people passed. And no, that foreign friend he made...obviously he didn't pass. Bran said he was not there among the 14. : (  Noah and I meanwhile went to the holding area for parents.

Remember you need to show a photo ID, so we use Bran's passport because it has his pic on it, it's official and blahblahblah. And Noah and I then put on the stickers that say we are the parent of a kid taking the Eiken. 

This room ended up 100% full of parents. As in not 1 seat to spare. Branden came out quickly. Well duh, since he was first in line. : ) First thing he said to me was... after I asked him, "how was it?" he said..."I nailed it, it was so easy" I mean he fluently speaks English, so I wasn't worried. But, yeah...I was glad he took it, glad he felt it was pretty easy and went well. I was now happy and eager to just go home. We walked to the parking area. Those 2 ladies were not at the parking area anymore. Noboru did message me, while I was at the school in Narita but I told him, I couldn't talk. But, we could talk as soon as I went home, switched cars and ran to the bakery first (needed more bread for the turkey sammiches) : )

I did go home. We did switch to my car. And we did run to the bakery for 2 loaves of bread. When I got home, Noboru had Line messaged me a whole bunch of pics. He showed a lot from the airport, but the airport is a dead giveaway, where he is. So, I can't share those. I'm sorry. But these are his room and where he will be staying and sleeping for the next 30 days. This is his room. 

His living room. L shaped couch. Couch blanket in the little table there with ribbon on it. A very nice living room. 

His bedroom room. Sleeping area. Very nice.

His sink area. And bathroom area back there. 

43 inch flat screen TV, he also has a fridge for his drinks. 

When I was at the bakery in Japan buying bread, my phone was going off, he was Lining me, this picture. They were at Target buying sodas, water, snacks for their own selves. 

As I was paying at the bakery, He messaged me this picture. You see, I have this friend in the US and she blogs all the good snacks in the US. And so she was like 2 weeks ago, saying these are new and maybe limited edition and at Target. Knowing Noboru was going to be in the US for a month. I showed Noboru the pic and I asked him. Can you bring me back a pack of these? And I also asked for a few other limited edition flavors. But yep, he's such a sweet guy because he found them and picked up 3 packs of these. This is Noboru's pic. He said he picked up... 1 pack for BrannyB and 1 pack for Noah and 1 pack for me. : ) Aww. 

He also picked me up the limited edition Hostess cupcake Oreos. This is his pic, he took before he put them in his red Target cart. He asked the kids if they wanted one of these but they're still thinking about it. : ) They have lots of time to think on it though... because their daddy will be there for a full month. : ) They have brownie batter and red velvet all sorts of good ones. 

What did they eat their first night? Red Lobster. Noboru ordered this seafood sampler. Those garlic biscuits and a cesar salad. 

His friend ordered this. Steak and lobster. Wowsa wowsa! Hahaha. did I mention that night, I had a turkey sandwich for dinner. hahaha. It's okay...I'm good...I'm good. And good for him...getting to eat whatever his little heart desires all month. 

He did run Sunday to Sephora for me. But they didn't have the 2 things I was looking for. But no worries, he will be there a good long time...this time. So, if a new Oreo comes out...or a new face product should come out. It's just nice knowing, I can get it, if I wanted. So, do I miss my husband? Duh absolutely. But he has to do this so. He has to be there. But there are also pluses. Meaning he can eat whatever he wants..try all sorts of food and restaurants. Plus...sure he can bring a few things back for us too. Not tons...but it helps. So yeah. It's not all doom and gloom. : ) When life gives you lemons...make lemonade, as they say. We could both be sad for 30 days... but honestly that won't solve a darn thing. Or we can both be happy...he can try all sorts of good yummy nummy foods. And hey...if I should want to try some new Oreos...so be it. We're just going to see the positives. And I think that's the right way to handle this next month. We can do it! : )

Oh and what did they eat last night? Chili's. Hahaha. He is having fun over there. : )  Oh and..there is 1 set there.. already who will be leaving in 2 weeks. And 1 lone guy there without a partner and he will be there and he leaves at the end of this week. So for now, there are 5 of them, in the same hotel. 1 leaves at the end of this week. And then for the next 2 weeks it will be 4 of them and after 2 weeks it will be just Noboru and his person that was sent with him. So those 5 are who are going to Chili's etc. : )  And out of those 5 guys, 3 of them are the "Hawaii guys" the ones who lived in Hawaii before being sent to Japan, Noboru being one of those guys. : ) So they're all good friends.

So how are things? Pretty awesome here. My hardest thing, I had to do. My most stressful thing, I had to do was take Bran to the Eiken in Narita City. The parking, or lack of, to be specific. And on the grand scale of things...in all reality, it wasn't like major hard to do anyways. But yes I'm glad that's over with. And I did it. So now, I have nothing major to do or nothing really stressful or anything coming up. I have a house stocked with plenty of good things to eat and make. I have 2 vehicles here. One,  100% electric, which is my car plus the gas mini minivan. Full to the top of gas. I did go to the hair salon last Friday, my hair is on fleek, you guys. Cut is perfect, my thermal straightening is on point and my color is freshly done. We basically did everything we needed to do, before he left.  Boys have fresh haircuts. I will just be holding down the fort here, so to speak. I will still zip to the grocery store here locally once a week or bakery twice a week. But other than that, I just drop the kids at school every morning and swing around and pick them up every afternoon. Clean the house like a mad woman, every day. Treadmill myself every day, 4-5 days a week. And make supper every night and pack their lunch every morning for school. It's a piece of cake really. Plus I have my movie/lunch date this Friday. That I am really looking forward to. They're such amazing awesome ladies/friends of mine. They're so fun and funny that I always walk away...feeling.."wow I had such a great time with them today" so can't wait to see them this Friday. : ) Noboru Line messages me often every day and emails me once a day. He has also phoned me every day, and we just talk for about 20 minutes. The kids email and message their dad daily too. That's about it really. : )  Other than that, the kids and I have been enjoying some really good TV shows on here at home and relaxing and enjoying some family time. : ) Alrighty, that's enough for now. : ) 

Making ume jam from scratch

Yesterday, June 6th, 2013. Was another cooking day for Noah. Ume are in season right now in Japan. And if you're not living in Japan and are curious what they are, they're fruit and I'll link here right now and you can read about them here. Noah and the rest of his class had to show up yesterday, with an apron, a head scarf and a mask. Noah was very excited about making homemade ume jam all week.  On Wednesday his teacher brought a huge crate/box of them. And Noah kept saying, "we are getting ready for jam!" So a very excited 2nd grader. : )  And if you remember from when we decorated Christmas cakes last year, Noah does have the matching chef's hat to go with the apron. But, you know, I know kids do have a tendency to want to wear what their classmates do etc. Ykwim. And so since all of his class wears the head scarves and Branden does in his class also. So, I did give Noah a choice yesterday morning. I asked him, would you like to wear your matching chef hat that goes with your apron or would you like to wear a head scarf. Noah picked the head scarf, yellow head scarf. And that's more then fine. I understand no kid wants to stick out and wear big puffy chef hat while all his classmates are wearing head scarves. : )  I get it..I totally do. So head scarf it was. I packed this all up nicely and they left to school yesterday.

And when I picked both of the boys yesterday up at 3pm after school. A beaming Noah came running down the hill into my car, with this in hand. A small tupperware type plastic container wrapped inside a plastic bag, to make sure no possible spillage happens here. : )

This says Noah. Yes this is Noah's homemade from scratch ume jam that he and his classmates/friends made with their amazingly cool teacher. Everyone got to bring this amount home. We all had it with fresh bakery bread this morning, toasted with a little bit of butter first and then a nice spread of this jam on after. And it's so good! Sweet but with a little bit of tartness in there. : )

These are what ume look like. Anyway, that's what Noah did yesterday at school, he made ume jam from scratch. : ) 

Sun dried blankets, chocolate fondue at school, staining the shed, weekend breakfasts of bacon & eggs and chocolate chip banana pancakes and a few dinners thrown in for good measure

There's always something going on around here at our house. : ) Whether we are getting ready for a trip, planning a trip or having a BBQ. Planting potatoes, taking Noah to swimming class or running the both of them to Kumon or whatever. You know what I mean, hopefully. : ) But yeah there's just always something going on here. And behind all that, there's the usual house cleaning, blanket washing, floor mopping, toilet swooshing and whatnots that always seem to go on here too. Hahaha. So here are a few bits and pieces type post of stuff that's also happened recently. First sunny day, I started with Branden's bedding, he has that blue denim colored polka dotted bedding and I washed all his bedding and hung it outside to dried it all under the sun. You know how in Japan they feel the sun kills all bad things, not sure if it's true or not, but it's something I do here year round on sunny days. Then on this day in this pic, I took all Noah's yellow bedding off, washed it all and then hung it outside to dry. If it was on Noah's bed it got washed. : )

Including Jack. This has been Noah's best and most favorite lovey since he was a teeny tiny baby. Even as a toddler, the only one he would grab for continuously and take with him whevere he went, or grab for a cuddle was always Jack, his yellow golden retriever. I can't even tell you how many countless times Jack has gone to Honolulu, Guam, Denver 3 times, San Francisco and Los Angles, Jack even flew threw MN a handful of times, he's also been to Oregon once, lol, and even Jack has been threw New York City once while we were trying to catch the next flight out to Denver. Jack has been everywhere. And in Noah's 7 year old mind and heart Jack is priceless. : ) And even still, Noah still sleeps with Jack every single night. Every time I pack Noah's Phinneas and Ferb backpack, I can tell you what's inside, besides his pjs, swimsuit and spare clothes, you will always find Jack quietly and carefully tucked away inside ready for his next adventure with Noah. : ) About once a month, I take Jack and throw him into the washing machine ( gomen gomen, sorry Jack!) lol. And he gets super soapy. And because I don't want his eyes to melt off, lol. I don't put him in the dryer. Not sure if they would actually melt off, yk, I'm just saying. ; ) But, yeah I hang Jack out to dry. He gets all nice and fluffy. And I feel better knowing Noah can cuddle a nice and clean Jack. : )

And yes like Buzz Lightyear's foot that spelled out Andy. : ) You can see a very worn name on Jack's label, it has been on there for 7 years. : )

Very old faded and worn label but yes, Jack belongs to Noah. : )

He even got flipped during the day lol. And I remade Noah's bed back to normal, same as I did Branden's the day before. And I placed Jack on Noah's pillow, all nice and fluffy ready for him to get home from the 1st grade.

Meanwhile, Branden and his class all made chocolate fondue last week. Everybody was in charge of bringing something. Branden was supposed to bring 2 plain chocolate bars. 1 girl was in charge of bringing bananas, another strawberry's and someone else, even brought a kiwi. : )  1 boy was in charge of bringing in marshmallows. However, a lot of influenza has been going around Branden's class, though Branden hasn't got it, knock on wood. But, because of  the flu going around, and not knowing who would be there on cooking day and who wouldn't, I sent Branden with the 1 lone banana we had left in the house, hahaha (bought a new bunch later that day) a few spare marshmallows we had in the pantry and some sticks for holding the stuff just in case anyone who was bringing stuff just happened to be absent. Turns out, nobody though was absent that day, but Branden added his banana to the bunch and his marshmallows in the pile too. So no worries. And the sticks he said his class loved and used and the kids also used the sprinkles too. Branden also said 1 little boy brought his mom's fondue chocolate melting thing, so that was cool too. Though I did prep Branden the day before on the whole double boiler way of melting chocolate, lol, but he didn't even need the info as it turns out, lol  : )

I usually buy my laundry detergent by the case. Bought another case. Because I seem to always be doing laundry every single day. I tell ya, it's endless. Hahaha. : )

Every 3 years or so, we restain the shed, jungle gym and front porch. And this is our year. We are starting with the shed first. Noboru was sanding it in this picture. He actually finished sanding it 3 days ago though. And started staining it yesterday already. So these pics are a bit behind. But at least it gives you an idea at least. : )

I'd bring out drinks every hour for him. And lunch of course at lunch time.

I believe when I snapped this pic, Noboru was sanding the side of the shed not facing my camera, facing the fence, where we can't see him. Anyway on that day I also hung our bedding outside to dry and get fat and fluffy in the sun. : )

Yep, there's Japanese on this Gap package. I did order from Gap Japan. They were having a sale so we ordered 1 sweatshirt.

Orange for Noah.  And not to worry, I have ordered 2 massive Gap.com orders with Spring/Summer stuf for both Branden and Noah and they are at my dad's house. I think my dad said one package was 5 or 7 pounds or so. Yikes. hahaha. So they both have stuff waiting there.

You know, weekdays are so rush rush in our household. Weekends are nice to be able to slowly have breakfast as a family and not be in rush mode at all. Saturday morning, I ran to the little bakery in the city nearest us that makes fantastic bread. It was still hot which is why she didn't tie the top of the bread bag. I ran home, made the bacon. And made Branden and Noah some over easy eggs, made Noboru a cheese omelet and myself ...I had over easy eggs. The boys had chocolate milk and Noboru and I had hot coffee. Branden made the toast for everyone on 1 plate we kept in the center of the table. Saturday's breakfast was awesome. We were all stuffed. And it was a nice way to send Noboru out before he got right back on his sanding project on the shed. Meanwhile it was the perfect time to hang blankets and throw a load into the dryer upstairs also. And vacuum. And then just take it easy the rest of the day. The boys played all day Saturday with the boys from the neighborhood. But came in for lunch and then went right back out to play more.

Sunday another day to leisurely enjoy our breakfast. We all know Noah and Branden love chocolate chip pancakes and we definitely know I love banana pancakes. So, I made chocolate chip banana pancakes. Just used a normal Japanese pancake mix, but added the banana and chocolate chips after. The boys had milk with their pancakes and Noboru and I again had a nice hot coffee. And we just chilled in the kitchen enjoying our hot fresh chocolate chip banana pancakes this past Sunday. : )

Also, Sunday, I hung out Branden and Noah's pillows, I whacked the pillows with our futon stick all day long. Flipped it a few times too. And that's Noah's orange Gap hoodie he just recently got, hanging outside to dry. Branden and Noah played soccer with Genki and a few others boys from the neighborhood. Then after that, they all played some weird zombie game and shot the appointed zombie with a Nerf (soft sponge bullets and they have a rule no shooting in the face for anyone, lol good rule) Anyway I know they were playing the zombie game, because while I was out whacking the pillows I heard zombie noises coming from the front! Hahaha. : ) And then of course I peeked out the window and thought "oh brother!" ; )

200 yen a bag of 6 apples. Not a bad deal for my area of Japan. I thought, apple crumble here I come!

80 yen a bag for potatoes. I bought 3 bags. Considering this weeks menu we really needed these many this week. Mainly because of the mashed potatoes and beef stew. I also bought 2 weeks worth of meat for the freezer. You would not believe the volume I bought for the price I did. Amazing! 12 chicken strips were 500 yen. Lean roast beef type meat for beef stew. Just really super good deals. 2kg of chicken breast for 500 yen. Like most everything in bulk meat.... was 500 yen. It was weird that day I went to the store that most everything meat was 500 yen in the bigger packages... but the price was right for me. So I grabbed a good amount of meat. It's all in my freezer along with the turkey also. Good thing I have a pretty huge freezer, hahaha. : )

This week, I made chicken strips and mashed potatoes and veggie and I baked a homemade apple crumble/crisp, same day/evening for dinner.

The only pic, I took of the night. We had 12 chicken strips, mashed potatoes, gravy and veggie and a big apple crisp behind. I also fried up 1 huge thigh for Noboru and he had the same thing as us, but he had dark meat since it's his preference. : ) We had this Tuesday.

Wednesday, I made a beef stew, I had the beef in the crock pot all day when I was at the movies yesterday. So, dinner was super easy for me yesterday. And I also preset my rice. So we had a nice hearty beef stew on top of a bed of white rice. I also bought at the bakery on my way home from the Mister Donut with friends, a baguette of bread and I buttered and sliced it up and it was great for dunking in the beef stew. I love Japanese beef stew so much. Yumm. This was last night's dinner.

Is anyone keeping up with the Jodi Arias trial? I am. Every morning, I turn on CNN and I watch what has been happening in court each day. It was a shocking brutal crime.

There are so many TMI things being said, during the Jodi Arias trial. Taped conversations being aired and on this very day, they aired one of their taped conversations, her and her ex-boyfriend the victim. And my goodness. One of the persons on CNN said, "with conversations like these, who needs 50 Shades of Grey." @_@ I was thinking, "boy you aren't kidding!" @_@  Between this case and the whole Oscar Pistorius being charged with premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. And no, I think both these cases are very different from each other of course. But, wow, just so much news now days. So sad a lot of it. But, I do keep up with the news.

This is my original wreath. Forgive me, but I just had to show her one last time. She was my hydrangea wreath. Starts with H...Hy...hy. So, it was a no brainer for me, when I got her, I named her "Heidi", my hydrangea wreath It just went. She is now safely in the shed. Chilling in a wreath box. : ) Anyway...

This is my new wreath.  Her name is Aretha. A wreath a. Get it?  Okay maybe not, but as long as I get it, that's all what counts. ; ) She's spunky, she's no nonsense. She was only $19.99 as you know, so she's definitely a non putting on airs type of wreath, lol. ; ) And anyway this is my new wreath.  And I like her. A few older type, grandma's and grandpas who walk passed my house  have noticed, "you got a new wreath" it makes me happy they noticed. : ) And no, nothing else I own has a name, lol. Just the wreath. And if you ever named a first car or anything, I'm sure you understand totally. ; )  Anyway, just wanted to get all the bits and pieces stuff posted. Now you're totally up to date with what we've been up to over here. : )  Oh and we're having meatballs and ravioli tonight. In fact, I just mixed the meatball mixture now and have it sitting in the fridge. As soon as I post this, I'll go and fry them up in a little olive oil and then whack them in the oven for a bit. Tonight's Thursday, so the boys have Kumon tonight, they also both get out of school today at 3pm.

Yesterday was the good bye and farewell party for the 6th graders. The 5th graders especially really did a great big send off for them since it will be them next year. But the whole school rallied around them to give them a proper send off and to let them feel the love and that they will be missed. And the mom's of the 6th graders showed up yesterday to enjoy it. Branden is a 5th grader so I wasn't allowed to go, which is why I was at the movies yesterday. Otherwise I woulda been there. : )  Branden was like a reporter type.... conducting all the interviews running all over the gym with a mic. Noah said Branden was so funny and all his friends thought so too.  He was so proud of Branden yesterday. : ) Anyway...hope the 6th graders enjoyed their party. I am wondering when their last day of school will be. Next week sometime, I bet.