Bits and pieces...

A pic of the boys that I snapped during one of our evening walks. We walk our housing community 5 nights a week, Bran, Noah and I. We do 2 laps. 2 laps gets you about 5,500 steps. And I will usually walk it once in the morning with Noboru too, 5 days a week unless it rains. Noboru likes to get his blood a moving and his lungs a pumping. : ) I feel the same, I look forward to our morning walks as soon as the kids go to school. Plus I will do my treadmill for 30-45 minutes about 4 times a week though I do aim for 5 times a week. I get between 10,000 steps to 13,500 steps a day. Which is great. And it means I will feel no guilt once Thanksgiving gets here! The boys love going for an after dinner walk, they really look forward to it. And my pedometer, I use a free ap on my cell. : )

Japanese menu on the left, English menu on the right. Being an American. A westerner. An obvious foreigner, you know what I mean, I hope. I do get menus in English given to me... as soon as I walk into a place. : ) I do not mind. I actually take it very positively. I think how considerate Japanese people and establishments are to make menus for us in English. : ) So, I never take it badly at all. The four of us just finished shopping in Narita City. We went to GU and to Uniqlo. Peacoat for Branden. At our Japanese elementary school you can wear regular clothes and wear any winter coat you like. Now at our local Japanese JHS, you may only wear a peacoat or duffle coat. And it must be navy, black or gray. And be plain. Or it is not allowed. @_@ Same as their JHS shoes must be plain white with not 1 dot of color. Yes their JHS shoes look like ugly all white nurse shoes (sorry nurses, and to be fair I know now days you guys wear cute Crocs styles and stuff too and cute clogs too). @_@ But again...rules are rules. And so...we went to get Bran a navy blue peacoat. Some gloves. And then we went to dinner afterwards. We went to Coco Ichi Curry. When we parked our car. And were exiting the vehicle, I could see the wait staff standing watching us about to enter. She saw my face and pulled 2 different menus. She gave our family of 4, 2 English menus and 2 Japanese menus. I think she was just covering her bases. : ) She was very nice and very kind. We sat down. She passed me the English menu right away. : ) I spoke to the waitress in Japanese the entire time. But, I did use the English menu, because there is no reason not to. She gave it to me to be kind. : ) So, I did use it. And fwiw, our closest Coco Curry in the city nearest us, "know us"...so they always just give me a Japanese menu after living around this area for 10 years. Hahaha. It's just in Narita City, I am not often in Narita City, maybe 2-3 times a month at most. And if i do it's just to run to Uniqlo and back home or to an Eiken interview and back home or to Pizza Hut and back home, ykwim. Or to the mall and back home. So, I don't often eat in Narita City. So they didn't know me at that particular Coco Curry place.: )

We 4 shared 2 salads, they're big enough to share between 2 people. They have such excellent salad dressings at Coco Curry! We each had curry. : ) I had the vegetable curry. The kids had a chicken cutlet curry each and Noboru had a seafood curry. 

We went to charge my car at the Aeon mall in Narita after eating our curry. We had been driving all over that day. But no worries, it only takes 10 minutes and it gave us just a bit of time to run into Starbucks and get something. Noboru got a hot caramel machiatto. Branden and I each picked a hot gingerbread latte. And Noah picked a hot chocolate. : ) After our Starbucks run. Which the electric car charger is right in front of Starbucks btw. So super convenient for us. We drove home with our Starbucks. : ) I look forward to their Winter holiday theme cups every year. 

This is a neck warmer for Branden. And that super soft fleece material.

In plain navy. See the color says navy. B's school uniform is navy anyways, so this matches super well.

Uniqlo makes the coolest/smartest materials. They make super warm things in winter to keep you warm. They have Heat teach stuff. And this right here is wind proof. They also have clothes that keep you cooler in summer. : )

Block Tech. Keeps Bran warm. : )

New school shoes for Bran had to happen. In pure white. 

Adidas JHS shoes. And yes...the blinding white shoes...even blind us! : )

The day we went to curry. This is what we brought back. 

Gloves. In navy. Soft fleece gloves.

Japan technology. I swear the Japanese have the best technology when it comes to fabric or clothes. And there is anti slip finger tips on these gloves, which make Branden riding his bike easier. He doesn't ride every day. Because some days are rainy etc. But on the days he rides. These come in handy. He uses these even on days, he gets a ride because he still has to walk from the Plaza. In our town. Kids may not be dropped off at the actual JHS. Why? I don't know, it's just their rule. They may only be dropped off at the plaza and walk the 1 minute to the school. And same for the elementary. You may *not* drive up to the actual school. @_@ You may drop off your kid at the Plaza only. Again...I don't mind. My kids don't mind. But...both kids do have a 1-2 minutes walk from the plaza to their school. : )

Looking online, both Uniqlo and GU sells a peacoat. However, we went to Uniqlo first and we could not find it anywhere! We wanted the Uniqlo peacoat. We asked the lady...after walking around the mens department like 3 times looking for it. She told us, it's available online, but not at this store. @_@ Why...do they do that? Weird! So we went to GU and they had it in the actual store! Yes, smart store! Even though they are owned by the same company, GU and Uniqlo. So...we bought it at GU. I mean...we wanted to buy it that day. And we also wanted Branden to try it on and see if it fit...in person!!! GU had it. It fit with room to grow (but not baggy and weird either though). And so...this was best! And it's in navy if you can see it is in navy on this tag. And it was only 4,990 yen. So like US $48!!! That's a bargain! And they had all sorts of different styles in the mens department for 4,990 yen and the sizes run all the way up to a mens XL. Really cute ones. So...if anyone is looking for a cute coat. Either for themselves, their kid or husband. Maybe give GU a look. Oh and fwiw, the peacoat from Uniqlo was double the price, 9,990 yen online. : ) 

Bran has been wearing this navy blue peacoat from GU, his Uniqlo gloves and neck warmer from Uniqlo ever since. So....keeping the teenager warm over here. : ) 

And of course can't forget my little one either! And fwiw, I always check online first! So, I can see what's available. And then check in store. I liked this coat for Noah, in navy in size 160cm. His green coat from Uniqlo last year was a 150cm size one. His clothes this year are 150cm but his coat is 160cm. Because the bulk of long sleeves and sweatshirts underneath their coat means I always buy my kids a slightly bigger coat, to accommodate a long sleeve top and sweatshirt underneath (all the layers basically) I also always try to pick a coat with a hood. I picked this coat exactly with the hood. They also sell one with no hood. But, I prefer the hood. Better to have the hood and not use it ever day...then need one... on an especially cold day and not have it. I went to my nearest Uniqlo which is in Narita City. And I only saw up to 150cm. Like even the sizes up to picture...in store only went up to 150cm. Yet...I saw that morning they had up to 160 online. So, I asked the lady at the Narita store. Hi...there is no size 160 in store yet it's online. Are you guys just out of the coats in that size? Or? She knew immediately what I was talking about. She shook her head and said...yeah in our store we only carry up to size 150cm. The 160cm is for online only. @_@ So you need to buy it online. I smiled and thanked her and left (not her fault). This was a different day then the peacoat day. Noah's coat day was when I ran there in the day while the kids were in school. The only thing about this was that...in America...if you go to Old Navy online for example...if it is a limited color not available in the stores...or limited item not carried in stores it says in black and white. ONLINE ONLY. I just wish they would have put that on their site. Because if I would have seen that..it wasn't available in store... I would have ordered it online and saved myself the drive. In the past 30 days I have been to Uniqlo 3 times! Hahaha. : ) 

So just a FYI..or if you need the info. If you have an 11 year old child and need a 160cm size. Don't waste your time looking in the store. Just order it online. : ) Hope this helps someone. : ) 

I buy these coats every year. I love them because there is a spot to write your child's name on the inside of the coat, this coat also has hidden big pockets inside the coat too. I wrote Noah's name really pretty in cursive. And he really likes how it looks this year on the inside of his coat. And this way...if someone in your class has the same exact coat. You can check the name area and it will be written on there. : ) I used to buy their coats from Gap and Old Navy and they were very thick. Super fluffy and stuffed. My kids didn't like those. They said they made their randoseru feel very tight and uncomfortable with their big fat coats and yes I did obviously make their randoseru on a bigger longer notch too, but it didn't help, they just hated that stuffed feeling with their randoseru. These Uniqlo ones are famous for being thin, but being just as warm...thanks to their materials. Heat teach Wind teach. Ultra Down. All that stuff. So they are just as warm...just without all the bulk. So I have been buying their coats at Uniqlo since Bran was a 3rd grader and all Noah's elementary years. : ) 

The kids coats are only 2,990 yen. So under US $30! Again a super bargain. The adult coats are like 5,990 yen so near US$ 60. So...I am glad I could get Noah a kids size, one last year/time. The price difference is fantastic if you can get the kids 160cm size. : )  Noah is now a toasty warm boy in his new navy Uniqlo winter coat for winter 2016/2017! : )

The day we went and saw Bridget Jones's Baby. We went into Old Navy to look around. Sadly Old Navy will leave Japan in December. We picked this long sleeve top up for Noah. Anyways...so yes still slowly getting the kids Fall and Winter ready clothes-wise. We're nearly done though. : ) Next topic. Moving along...

All 5th grade parents had their final recycle day on November 12th. Our meet up time was at 8:30am. Saturday morning. You can see the trees changing colors. Here I am walking along the pedestrian path from my house to the park. 

We all met there. Our housing community picked up for our housing community. And basically...wherever you live...you pick up the recycling there. We broke into teams. The 2 senpai mom's (me and big & little K's mom, she has 2 sons named K, one Bran's age and one Noah's age) So me and K's mom and Noah and little K were in 1 team. And the rest of the cars split in groups of 2 and 3 per car. Right before we were about to drive off came the youngest mom of the group. She was 16 when she gave birth to her son. Noah's classmate. She was late getting to the meet up spot. I really dig this mom! I have always been so nice to this mom. I noticed when I was kodomokai yakuin (kids club vice president) that one year some of the mom's snubbed her. Not any of my fellow yakuin...they are all nice... but the helper mom's did the snubbing. When they were passing out drinks during the summer dashi pull all kids and all mom's were given a drink but her and I could tell by her face she felt left out and she was just going to have no drink. But...I could feel her feeling and it bothered me so much, I felt so bad and I don't like when folks try to show someone..."hey you are not a part of our group"...type of bullying....freezing someone out or giving them an ignore job... that ain't cool. That's mean, rotten mean! And yes you should treat folks how you'd want to be treated or how you'd want your kids to be treated. And that is just plain old wrong. I hate when folks are like that. So I grabbed a cup...since I was yakuin... filled her a cup of Calpis with ice and filled it as high as I could fill it and I walked it right over to her!!! Her whole face lit right up! She bowed and told me thank you so much! I told her..."my pleasure, please enjoy, it is very hot today!" And well she has always liked me... ever since. : ) Anyway... That was a couple years ago. : ) So anyway back to the recycling day, she came running to me and K's mom. "Sorry I'm late." She said in Japanese. I said..."no worries..we are still here": ) Little K's mom said get in my car. I said, in Japanese... "yeah get in!" : ) So she was all happy! We 3 mom's chit chatted our brains out the entire time. Meanwhile little K and Noah ran all over our area we had to collect trash and they piled it into K's mom's car. We of course got out and packed it in. It was gross sorta. Yucky beer cans. With ooze leaking out. @_@ Crusty old newspapers that looked so weathered. Clothes were not so bad to pack in there. Lots of cardboard. Like tons of cardboard! We 3 mom's and our 2 sons. It was a fun crazy morning for us! Then we were about to go to the school to drop it all off. But K's mom turned to the other mom and said. There's no room for you in my car when the kids get in. I felt so bad, this took me by surprise. : ( I felt the guilt. I felt it hard. But she was so cool. She was like...no problem. I can just go home. I trying to think of some comforting words said "that's right, you're lucky, I can trade you places... if you want" and we all laughed. And I smiled and waved her a good bye. And then our 2 sons got in the car. FWIW, our sons didn't get in the car the whole time they literally ran through the neighborhood area collecting trash, they were so hot and sweating by this time. : ) Good loyal kids. And fwiw, I would not have minded going home instead of the super young mom. But, I think because we're the senpai mom's and this is our last time doing this for the school... the teachers needed to see us there. Or I don't know why. But either way would have been fine with me, or it could have been...me and K's mom have known each other since Bran and Big K were ichinensei and so she feels more comfortable going with me? We have put our tents right next to each other for about 9 years every undokai...so we do have a connection and both our husbands are in the Father's Club together. I really don't know. And again...nobody minded or fretted about it. I did feel bad. But then again... I am a worry wart and worry about people too much. Are they okay? Are their feelings hurt? You know...that sort of stuff. But she was fine and we went on our way. : )  Also...this recycle thing...is town wide!!! So we saw so many white flat bed farmer trucks...with mom's in the back sitting in the flatbeds...wearing aprons, mom's also driving. 5th grade mom's all over our town. Loading up trash. So many of us all about that day. You could see recycled stuff laid out all along the streets of our town all over. Little K and Noah were in the back seat together like...hey there's A's mom! And waving. And Little K's mom and I waved at the other mom's as we drove and sat in the front seat together to the school. Once we got there. I jumped out. I unloaded first the cardboard. The teachers met us and helped us unload it. Then we went to the next area and next area. We unloaded. And there were so many mom's at the actual school waiting to help us unload. I saw my good friend there and chatted. And then we were done. Little K's mom drove Noah and I home. And we otsukaresama-ed each other. And I went into the house. I had Noah jump in the shower right away! After he soaped up, showered. And dried off. I went in when he was out and soaped up shampooed up and put on an old comfy (my fave) pair of yoga pants and a tee shirt and sweatshirt. : ) Now I am officially done. No more recycling for me. 

When does my dad get here? Tomorrow! I can barely wait! By this time tomorrow, he'll already be here. And the boys are so excited! They have already told their class and teachers that their American grandpa is coming for Thanksgiving! : ) The turkey is already in the fridge defrosting. 22-23 pounds! He's huge! : ) 

Bits and pieces

All of this stuff is stuff basically that's been up and we've been up to since we've been back but I haven't had the chance to add these in anywhere yet. : ) Until now. Hmm, a month ago, during one of my walks Noah was pictured riding his bike in an orange tee shirt and orange floppy sun UV blocking hat, he's had forever. And now he's in jeans and a house sweatshirt, just for bumming around in type sweatshirt. Used to be Branden's but not good enough condition to actually cruise to school in, it type sweatshirt but perfect still for cruising our housing community.  Yep this means the weather has definitely gotten cooler. : ) Meanwhile, Branden and I were walking side by side talking.  Two grandpa aged guys were playing tennis.

Coming around the bend. Leaves are definitely changing colors.

Same day as the walk, but Noah switched into sweatpants. Noah played on his tire swing out back. I meanwhile was in the house getting lunch ready but I went outside and snapped this pic, before I went back inside.  Let's see what else....

I love those Oprah Winfrey interviews she has on her OWN channel/network. I try to catch them every week. Sometimes I miss a week or two, if we are not home or watching something else instead.... but I was looking forward to Bette Midler's interview so much! The "Divine Miss M!" I love her! I totally adore this lady! My mom always loved Bette Midler. Beaches, Stella, Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club, Ruthless People, Big Business, The Stepford Wives (The 2007 one) And I could go on but... the point is, she's hilarious. She's funny she seems really down to earth. And her voice amazing! Like butta!!!! ; ) lol!  So yeah, I had to catch her interview.

They brought up Beaches.  Bette Midler says she still gets people walking up to her, to this very day saying how much that movie meant to them. It means a lot to me too.

She very briefly talked about her daughter, they seem a great mom and daughter pair. Don't they look alike? I thought so. And Oprah showed a clip of when Bette and her daughter were guests on the Oprah show years ago. Oprah asked Bette on this new interview though on the OWN network, "where she is now." Not just physically either. Bette answered, "I'd say I've settled into myself about 60 percent. The other 40 is still struggling."  I liked her answer very much.  Anyway....great interview... really amazing. And btw, fwiw, Bette Midler was born in Hawaii, same as President Obama and Branden. Hahaha : )  Anyway, I thought that was cute...okay moving along....

Branden brought home a bookmark. His sensei really loves making homemade picture bookmarks. And he also makes movies CD's with bunches of pics of his class on them and gives a copy to each of us, of the CD. And he's really cool like that. Anyway his sensei made every student in his class a bookmark from the Halloween party.

The first pic is the group class shot. Branden and the Jinbei Boy were not there. We were in Guam at the time, not sure where the Jinbei Boy was. But you can see who was in the center of this pic. Mr. Jack Pumpkinhead! With hat on and everything! Needless to say they loved him! I think Branden bringing the pumpkin was the right thing to do. I really do.

Branden said the middle pic on every one's bookmark was different. Such as, Saya-chan's had Saya-chan's face on it. And this one has the 2 boys who were absent that day.... and since they are superly duper good friends they danced around while the sensei was taking the picture (and the sensei did say do something zany for the pic and I think it came out good that pic!). Branden and the Jinbei Boy two very good friends.

This bottom pic everyone according to Branden got the same pic with same wording. So same top pic for the whole class and same last pic, this one. And middle pics were depending on whose bookmark it was. This says "Jack o lantern made by (2 kanji that I whited out, our last name) and Branden. So basically it says, Branden made this.  I am so glad they put a candle in Jack. The kids really liked him a lot. And if they decide to have a Halloween party next year, we'd definitely give them another pumpkin if they'd like. : )

Meanwhile...Noah brought home this note. It basically says the first graders and parents will be baking a Christmas cake together. December 19th. As you know our school is really big on "learning how to cook" getting that hands on experience. Learning how to sew and getting that hands on experience. Etc etc. the nature walks, the acorn tops. Our school is huge on "experiencing" things. And the kids start cooking class from the first grade, same as English class.  The note basically says, the cake we are baking with our kids. And if we need any topping or decorations to bring it. So basically long story short..."I better bring everything." Whipped cream fruit, decorations, hahaha. Oh well, it's okay it's for the kids fun and experience. And they did give us a month advance notice, so it's not last minute notice. So after Thanksgiving is over and done, I will get on the...."collecting Xmas cake supplies" lol.  Not too many of course, but I better come prepared. Also, Noah needs an apron and whatnot. Which we have.

Forgot to share this pic. When we were at the movies last week, the milk stand place that sells old -fashioned milk in bottles and soft serve ice cream. Was selling corn soup/potage flavored ice cream. We heard a few months back that the GariGari corn potage was sold out everywhere. I wonder if that's why this place came up with it or not.  Anyway....

Also last week Noboru and I put up the Christmas lights. We did this last Friday. As soon as the boys went to school. We keep them safely in an old suitcase.

It's an all day thing. Which lights are burned out? Pull them out by hand and replaced them.

Taped off the area where the ones needing replacing need to go.

This is a 2 person job! I kept feeding/passing him more lights as he needed them.

Good bye Mr. And Mrs. Scarecrow.  See you next year.

Hello Mr. And Mrs. Clause and Frosty.  I was fluffing his beard (santa), meanwhile making sure Mrs. Clause had her glasses on right.

By now, all the icicle lights were on, 2nd story and 1st story icicle lights. And now we did half of the banister. All the lights worked properly. The final decorating not even started yet. We put decorations and bows on last. But before we did the final decorations we strung the left side. This pic is of the right side. well the left side didn't light! @_@ We checked all the wiring. Keep in mind it's cold outside. Hence the coffee cup in the pic on the banister. I left to get Noah, bring him home and got right back onto the lights helping Noboru. Still not working! So I leave yet again go and get Branden. Bring Branden home. Still not working. At a certain point we gave up. Had dinner. Lights 95% done 5% not done grrrrr!!! So, after showers and Noah fell asleep, Branden was asleep also, Noboru brought the lights that were not working into the house. He switched every single bulb all 100 for that side. And then it worked.  So it took way longer then expected but we got it up.

Pic taken Saturday morning 8am.  You know us moms, even us housewives we sure keep busy all week and work hard Monday through Friday, housework, cooking, dinner prep, laundry etc etc. Just to enjoy that 2 day weekend. That never seems long enough. ; ) But here I was waking up at 5:30am on Saturday too. Got dressed, flat ironed my hair, put my makeup on. Woke up the boys. Made french toast for all 4 of us. There was so many things going on, for the same day.  #1, from 2 weeks beforehand, Branden and the Jinbei Boy and Keita-kun had a going to the movies plan. First time ever for any of them to go to a movie without parents. Noboru dropped off the boys all 3 of them. And another parent was bringing them back. The only time they'd be alone was at the movies. I admit I was a little nervous. I had Branden take his cell. Gave him the whole stranger danger conversation, he's been getting forever since he was in yochien. The whole, you guys go to pee in groups. Don't go by yourself. It was all indeed safe. But me honestly, I was a little nervous. It was his first time. He plays in our neighborhood and stuff of course just fine...  but this was different. I know Branden is responsible, It's not Branden I am worried about.... it's stories though like that little girl in Westminster Colorado who was also 10 who got murdered and dismembered, yeah stories like that is what scare me. It's not that I'm a helicopter parent or I am wanting to stunt his growth etc etc. Or that I don't trust my son. It's none of those factors. My worry comes from...it's the fact this is the day and age of 2012 and there are creeps out there and so yeah I worry. And I think it's a normal feeling as a parent. So yeah I do worry. I wished to drive them myself, to see Branden get to do this for the first time, but I had the recycle thing so I couldn't go. : ) I had the recycle pick ups to do.  And yes he was fine. Totally totally fine. It was me just being cautious and understandably worried. So anyway this is a pic of Noah in yellow sweatshirt running around the center park. Every single mom in the 5th grade "had" to help. No option of saying no, this time. You were required. Spring was optional to help but I helped anyway. Fall you had to, as in no choice. But I volunteered anyway back in Spring to help in Fall anyway. So in all honestly either way....it didn't matter to me, because I volunteered last Spring anyway.

I like this pic because it shows a few different shades of the green trees and some turning yellow. Interesting because the other trees in the area are red and orange already. : )

I really can't go into too much detail. But what I can say is, 2 mother's who live in our housing community who each have a kid in the 5th grade. Are not getting along (the mom's not the kids). Made for a slightly awkward recycling day for them. Thank god I just stay out of all that stuff, stuff like that gives me a headache, I tell you! I am neutral, I keep my mouth shut (that's always the safest way, if you ask me). And so I manage to get along with everyone. Made me thankful Branden is in class #2 (these 2 mom's and their kids are in 5th grade class #1).  Oh yeah also after the recycling part was done...we 5th grade mom's did talk afterwards at the park in the center of our housing community..... that next April, the kids will be 6th graders and we will be making yearbooks as graduation presents for the kids and be hosting a shaon kai party! Anyway, Noah and I drove home in 1 minute, seriously since we were just at the park up the road, the center park.....so once at home Noboru told me about how he dropped off the boys at the movies. How happy Branden was...and his friends were going to the movies.  And how Noboru watched them go into the movies then drove away.  Branden went to see "Hotel Transylvania" or "Monster Hotel" how they call it here in Japan. : ) Yes we did see it in Guam but Branden wanted to see a movie with his friends and this was what was playing.

Noah and Noboru and I went to the bakery to get some fresh bread, sliced for Sunday morning breakfast and the baguette for the lasagna we had for dinner that night. And we went to Cocoichi for an early lunch. Branden was at the movie still. Then we got home and Branden got home not too much after we did. I washed my makeup off. Put my hair in a tiny pony tail. But btw, my hair is growing. It's like 1 dot from reaching my shoulders, I think when I get my hair straightened my hair will be like 1 dot below my shoulders. I plan on going to the salon in about 2 weeks or so.  Branden enjoyed his first movie with friends. He had many stories to tell us. They also stopped at MC D's since it was a mall while they were waiting for his friends mom. So all in all a good Saturday. I also enjoyed my Saturday. The boys enjoyed their Saturday too and so did Noboru. And after that, we put the left side of the banister up,  and guess what....the lights worked. Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah!!!! ; )  And we did the final touches on the garland areas o the porch area.

Saturday evening, Noboru went to his Father's Club Meeting.  The Father's Club decided about a month ago for the "Marathon day" they would serve soup to the entire school/students. Miso soup. The Father's Club  is very hands on. They are really involved. And then the PTA wanted to join too. So it's now a joint effort but 90% Father's Club and 10% PTA. But whoever can help will help. Noboru will be there preparing soup from early that day and pouring soup for all the kids after they run. Their marathon is next month and they have started practicing for it, running every day. marathon day will be on a Saturday this year.  I think Noboru said, all kids will be asked to bring their own rice balls/onigiri to go with the soup.  So that's coming up also.

What else, I started my Christmas shopping last week. But more on that later. : )

Paranormal Activity 4

Wednesday as soon as we sent the boys off to school. We came home, got ready real quick and we headed to the movies. It's a 40-45 minute drive to this particular movie theater.  There is a closer-ish one but it wasn't playing Paranormal Activity 4. See the big cardboard advertisement for Les Mis.

I loved the Hobbit as a child! I do mean loved it! I can't wait to see this!

We bought a popcorn and drink set. And we brought/snuck in the chocolate almonds and Noboru brought in some honey or slightly sweet Pretz (one of his favorite snacks in the red box).

We were the first people in the movie so I could take these pics quickly without anyone noticing. About 6 other people came in about 5-10 minutes later. A husband and wife duo. And then 2 sets of women who sat elsewhere. So including us, only 8 people in this particular movie...first movie showing of the day. So not so bad.

After the movie we had time for a quick lunch, I had a foot long veggie and cheese sandwich from Subway. No fries or anything, just the vegetable sandwich with cheese and vinegar (no oil) and salt and pepper. Noboru had Sukiya at the mall in the food court and we still had leftover melon soda left from the movie.  We ate quickly and then drove back to our small town. And about 30 minutes later, we went and picked up Noah from school and then 45 minutes after that I went back for Branden.
What did we think of the movie? On a scale from 1-10. 10 being the best movie ever! I told Noboru..."I'd give it a 6." Noboru was surprised because he asked me during our lunch of Subway and Sukiya. He said, ""you'd rate it that high?" LOL. "I would rate it a 3. And that's being generous." I added..."well I definitely do agree with you, it definitely was the worst of the 4 Paranormal Movies. But....I'm still glad I saw it because that way....when we see the final installment next year or whenever I'll be all caught up. But yes...won't be buying the DVD to this one at all." And I own #1 and #3. Not sure if I own #2.  So  we debated each movie during lunch. He talked about the powdery foot prints on the first movie/one. I agreed "yeah that was scary!" But then I added, "I still feel #3 was the best movie. Because of the sheet ghost. Just so many scary points in #3. The whole Bloody Mary escapade in the bathroom for example. That freaked me out during Paranormal 3 and the ending that got me the most." So yeah it was an excellent conversation during lunch. We had fun. Just a lively friendly, debate over our favorite Paranormal Activity. And fwiw, Noboru, did end up agreeing that #3 was the most scary of the Paranormal Activity's. And then I also agreed and said maybe a 6 score for Paranormal 4 one was perhaps too high...so maybe a 5 would be more fair. : )  Best part of the movie and our lunch time debate about which  Paranormal Activity movie was indeed the best.  Because it kept Noboru from worrying too much about his grandma even if for a few hours. And it gave us something to focus on, even debate about. So yeah the movie was really good in that way. Because it helped. And lunch was good.

Update about Noboru's grandma. She is alive. So many back and forth phones calls between our family here in Chiba and Osaka all this week. The first good news we got was from his aunt that she was awake and seemed to be aware of everything going on and stuff. And that made us here breath a sigh of relief. Alert is good. : ) Then Noboru and I called my MIL/his mom. And she said his grandma is awake and speaking, but that she is paralyzed on her left side. That was pretty bad news to hear. I mean, clearly nobody wants to be paralyzed. And again how paralyzed is she, we were wondering. Like really severely?  Or more like mildly, you can barely tell? We don't know. All this week though his family went from sad, despair. telling us to be prepared. To... bits of feeling better and saying. Looks like she's going to pull through. Will she back to 100%? I really am not sure. And probably won't know more for a while or until we see her for ourselves, if we can still go to Osaka at New Years (which we'd love to). But it depends how well she's feeling. I think emotional roller coaster type of week for everyone in Noboru's family including us. : ( And so the weekend here now is so appreciated. Just so we can sorta chill and collect our thoughts. And be grateful. Count our blessings time. : )

Oh and what happened? Again from way over here...where we get second hand news (though everyone tries their best of course to give us the latest and most reliable).... it is sometimes hard to figure out....what caused this...what was it?  Ykwim, was it a heart attack or stroke? She apparently had a blood clot burst in her head type stroke. That's what Noboru explained to me. So really scary stuff. : (

Anyway, I have so many things I wnat to talk to you all about. Stories. Updates and even a few funny stories thrown in here and there. But for now I'll get this update up. It's a start at least. : )

I had the recycle pick ups today. I drove.  It covered all the areas of our shogakko/elementary school. 5 drivers for our housing community. I was one of them. : ) I drove a route twice then dropped off at the school. Then we all got a can of green tea. Otsukare sama-ed everyone.  But there is a whole bunch more details to tell you regarding that. And tonight is Noboru's "Father's Club" meeting. So, the boys and I are having that Stouffer's lasagna for dinner tonight (easy) : ) Since I was up at the crack of dawn for the recycle thing, I sorta am happy I won't be cooking tonight. Unless you count putting the frozen lasagna in the oven and making garlic bread out of the bakery loaf of bread I bought this afternoon. : )   I'll update again soon. I promise. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Raining and cold and cloudy here today. Brrr. : )