Our weekend. Flu shots taken. The outlet mall yet again. Typhoon Lan with pics. Lots of good meals at home. And a Costco run...

So last Wednesday, as I was at the plaza picking up Noah from school. As you know Branden came home early because of his 3 days of high school tests. So Bran was home and it was now the end of school day at the local elementary school. Wednesday October 18th and as I was standing outside my car and chit chatting with 2 of my mom friends. They were saying, a typhoon is heading our way. It might hit Chiba prefecture hard this time. And the other one was like...say what? When? And so she said it's coming this weekend sometime. Either Saturday, Sunday or next Monday. And so us 3 sat there. Wondering would it actually hit Chiba prefecture or lose it's steam as usual by the time is goes all the way through other parts of Japan first. Like it usually does. So we wondered. But we all said, we would prepare a little anyway, just in case and thanks for the heads up. So, Noah came down the hill that day and said. Our school said a typhoon is expected this coming weekend sometime. I thanked my kiddo for the heads up too and I said...so and so's mama just told me and.... so and so-kun's mom about this too. So...I think we had 8 rolls of toilet paper left last Wednesday. And we had enough food to last our home until Monday October 23rd. So food, I wasn't worried about and drinks...I had 2 cases of mugicha. 5 bottles of jasmine tea. A brand new carton and a half of milk. About 15 eggs left. And tons of veggies and whatnot. But just thinking about it. So Thursday, I ran to Costco in the morning after both my kids went to school. I went for just a case of toilet paper. And another pack of eggs (there's 20 in the Costco egg packs) and that's it. 

I also went into the Matsumoto Kiyoshi near Costco in Inzai and bought a new tin of shea bath powder. I figured what a cozy way to ride out a typhoon. Or a weekend of rain. I made sure I was back in my town by the time Bran got home on Thursday. On Friday, Branden got home super early and he told me. "my teachers all told us that school will most likely be canceled on Monday because of the typhoon, because most of us use trains to get to school and trains are expected to either be delayed or cancelled all together, that day." And sure enough by 9am Saturday, Branden's school emailed and said they decided to cancel school Monday for everyone. Branden was thrilled. 

I baked a yellow cake with chocolate frosting on Friday on Friday morning, sliced 2 rows and as soon as Bran got home, he had a slice immediately. And I made some delicious tacos for supper after everyone came home. For us to really enjoy the weekend about to start. And with a typhoon expected to hit sometime. We were all set. With plenty of food. And we had DVDs and plus we have excellent American cable TV. So we were set. Here at our house. And well prepared for Typhoon Lan/Typhoon 21. I picked up Noah on Friday after school and Noah also said his school might be canceled on Monday because of the typhoon and sure enough by 10am Saturday for Noah's school...they emailed all of us and also said, school was canceled for Monday. So, both my kids now officially had a 3 day weekend. Woohoo.

Homemade shells. I buy the soft corn tortillas from Kaldi and fry them up my own, so super easy. Branden said...store bought shells are good, but nothing beats homemade shells. We had chicken breast tacos and also I made lean ground beef ones too. And we all had yellow cake with chocolate frosting for dessert. Even though the kids had some cake as soon as they each got home from school. : )

The Amazon DVDs got here Thursday night around 7pm. Via DHL. 

We had movie night both Saturday and Sunday night. We watched Spiderman Homecoming on Saturday night. And Transformers The Last Knight on Sunday. The kids picked which movies we'd watch. And I still haven't had my chance to watch The Big Sick or Everything, Everything. : ( But, I will get my chance, I know. So I am just being chill. And I know I'll get my chance this weekend. : ) So it's cool. So Friday was low key. We all were well prepared for the typhoon. Noboru in the day time Friday....went around the yard and put anything that could tumble during the typhoon away. And I put the Fall wreath that usually hangs on my front door and scarecrow in the shed for the weekend. From Friday, until Monday afternoon after the typhoon had left. So we had the house all free of anything that could possibly take a tumble and go flying through the neighborhood. All hanging baskets on the front porch were put safely inside our shed. And we basically did our typhoon prep Friday afternoon. So by the time Friday evening happened. We enjoyed dinner. Cake. And we were all hunkered down and ready for Typhoon Lan!

Saturday morning. We all quickly woke up and got dressed and quickly ready for the day. We all had a quick fast bakery bread toasted with butter and yogurts. We left the house at 9:30am and went to the Ami Premium outlet mall. Gosh are we getting sick of that place! Hahaha. Our nearest outlet mall to our home. We went into the Gap. With the intention to get Noah 2 sweatshirts and 2 long sleeves. And we bought just that. Also wanted to mention everything was at 30% off sale already for that weekend. However there was a "morning additional sale" And for a limited time until 11am, everything in the store was an additional 20% off and they were handing out white plastic Gap shopping bags and they said when they give the last one the sale will be finished. Only the people with the white bags, they were handing out would get 50% off. So whoever was lucky enough to have grabbed a white plastic Gap shopping bag, they got everything that morning for 50% off. A 1 hour only sale. And we caught that. Wow. Right on! Dressing our sons cute plus while still saving tons of cash...so super happy about that!!! Nothing wrong with grabbing a great deal.

One bright green Gap zip up sweatshirt and 1 bright happy yellow pullover Gap sweatshirt. 

Noah is in the largest size for Gap kids. He's not in the largest size for kids at Old Navy however though. 

And 2 adorable long sleeve tops from Gap too. And for 50% off. We got everything for half off. 

I could tell by Noah's face last weekend that he too wanted to be included and get the same sweatpants as Branden and I picked last week. But, I was unsure if they had a size XXS. And Noah's never worn adults sizes yet for clothes. But, I had Noah try on the XXS and XS sizes this weekend. The XS were enormous. And the XXS were perfect. I asked Noah...would you like to be twinsies with Bran and I? Technically triplets... but when peeps dress the same doesn't matter... they call it being twinsies regardless of how many there are. He smiled and said...sure! I always want both my kids to always feel included. 

So 3 of us are twinsies. We did ask Noboru if he wanted to get a pair too? He was like..thanks but I like my Uniqlo pair. LOL. By 11am, we were heading back to our tiny town. With 35 eggs at home. I boiled 10 and made a batch of egg salad. I rinsed some lettuce. And we all had egg salad sandwiches for lunch Saturday. Our flu shot appointment wasn't until 3pm. Although we left the house around 1:45pm. Arrived by 2pm. And we were out of the doctors office by 2:35pm. 

Before we left to the doctors for all our flu shots. I quickly chopped up curry nabe veggies. I peeled and diced up 2 potatoes. A whole small cabbage. A pack of mushrooms. From 11:30am to 1:45pm. I made lunch and did dinner prep. I knew working hard right then, would lead to a restful night later.

I diced up a pack of chicken tenderloins that I had in my freezer since the week before. I buy these from Japan Meat in Inzai. Less than $4 feeds a family of 4, yes. And I also add in 12 chicken meatballs for Noboru since he loves those. The kids and I prefer sliced up chicken sesami though. I put the diced up chicken in a ceramic bowl and wrapped it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge until we came back from the doctors from our flu shot appointment. I washed my hands twice. And we left to the doctors office. Flu shots here we come!!!

It's been all over the news but there's a big shortage of flu shot vaccinations in Japan this year. And so whoever waits until the last second will most likely not be able to get one. There are over a million less than less year. Again though, I was glad that I always make our appointment right away for our shots. And so I knew, ours were reserved and waiting for us. It's peace of mind knowing our kids and Noboru and I now have our flu shots. And ours are paid for 100% by Noboru's job. So for us they're totally free. Branden getting his shot Saturday around 2:10pm. And yes, I always have my kids wear short sleeve shirts underneath a sweatshirt. Those poor nurses and doctors always have the darndest time when folks wear long sleeves...yet they need to give you the shot in your upper arm. So...to make things easier for everyone... I always have my kids wear short sleeves. You have no idea how much our nurses appreciate that we all do that, every year!!! : )

Noah getting his flu shot, Saturday about 2-3 minutes after Branden did. I went after Noah and Noboru went last. Flu shots 2017 are done for our family now! Woohoo!

Branden gets about 3 haircuts a month. He loves getting his haircut. He likes his hair looking clean and tidy looking. And plus his hair grows like a weed. He actually needs haircuts that often. Noah's hair on the other hand grows slower than you could ever imagine and he hates going to the barber and he only goes about once a month. But they both go to the 1000 yen barber in the small city nearest our town. Anyways...while at the doctors office, Branden asked. Since we were in the small city anyways...for the flu shots...could he gets a haircut? Honestly...he needed one. And dinner was prepped. The rice was in the rice cooker already set with the timer on. And so...yeah sure. You can go and get a haircut. So, there was no parking space at the barbers because the bakery and whatnot people were parking there, so we parked across the street. However the barber was deader than a doornail. Meaning Branden zipped right in...and got his hair cut. Noboru went with him and waited, Noah and I meanwhile sat in the car and watched TV in the car while we waited. In 10 minutes there they stood together in this pic... about to cross the street and get in our car and go home. Branden was happy with his spiffy new hair cut. And I was happy and relieved we had all gotten our flu shots and Noah now has 4 sweatshirts total. And so...we're getting closer to done regarding our winter clothes shopping. Plus dinner was prepped. And we were already hunkered down at home...all flower planters and whatnot removed and put away. So we were now ready. Saturday around 3:30pm and we were now heading home. 

Sent Branden to take a quick shower since he had just got his hair cut. And sent Noah in after Bran. Meanwhile I threw all the meat and veggies in and things started to boil up quickly and nicely. Before you know it, we 4 were sitting at the kitchen table. Pulling yummy udon noodles out and chicken sesami/tenderloin, potatoes, bean sprouts, cabbage. Noboru was pulling out meatballs and whatever he wanted too. And we sat and just enjoyed the end of Saturday. Sundays plan was to stay home, stay safe. We enjoyed our curry nabe Saturday night. With bowls of rice. We drank mugicha/jasmine tea or straight tea, your choice. I jumped in the shower real quick after dinner clean up. And Noboru went after wards. I popped some popcorn. And when all of us were ready we threw on Spiderman Homecoming. We loved it. A nice way to end Saturday. Sunday. Was raining. And we watched how it was hitting various parts of Japan on the news. It seemed to hit according to 2 of my very close friends who live in Osaka. It seems Osaka got slammed hard by the typhoon. It also seemed to hit Shizuoka quite hard too. I am glad that it did lose steam by the time it got to my particular area of Chiba, near Ibaraki. We got tons of rain. We did. It rained and rained and rained. But, I see no structural damage in my town at all. And on Monday we drove to Inzai to pick up Bran's birthday cake and again...we saw lots of flooded with water areas. But no structural damage like there was in Osaka. So our part of Japan did get tons and tons of water. But...on the news... seems train tracks were broken in Osaka. That was on the news. I hope they got those fixed. Again one of my friends who lives in Osaka saw a shed collapsed. And some roofs torn up. I just didn't see any signs of tangible physical damage here in our area other than gobs of rain. Already harvested rice fields drowned in rain. Smart farmers! But other than that. Nothing really noteworthy around where we live. And that's a good thing!!! Everyone took turns soaking in a hot shea bath at home after showers Sunday evening. I made baked chicken parmesan on top of pasta Sunday night for supper. Comfort food to ride out the typhoon. I also made a delicious bacon and eggs breakfast Sunday morning too. 

We didn't leave our house until Monday. These pics are from Monday. See this picture? Looks like 2 rivers right? Wrong. The water farthest back IS the actual real river. And the 1 closer river is not a river at all. That's flooding. That's usually a grassy weedy area to park your car to go and enjoy the river. And the closest thing to us is a sidewalk.The water should go back down in a day or two. But yep tons of rain in my area.

See the white ripples? That's how windy it was Monday. Monday was super hot weather-wise after the typhoon. I assumed it would be a cool day. I wore a sweatshirt. Needless to say I melted the whole time I was at Costco Inzai. I was not expecting it to feel like summer time outside. @_@  That's Mt. Tsukuba in the background. Yes, I am close to Tsukuba in Ibaraki. In fact the other side of this river is Ibaraki. That's HOW close I live to Ibaraki. I seriously live so super close to Ibaraki. LOL. 

This is sad. Because nobody works harder than farmers in my opinion. Look at the rice fields?!!! Totally submerged. It looks like a lake. It's not. And it looked like that all over my town and all the way to Inzai too. The bright side or silver lining is...farmers are much too smart and they frankly harvested their rice in early September. So their rice fields were flooded yes, but there was nothing the rain could damage. Farmers are too smart. Farmers 1 point Typhoon 0.  The rice had already been cut.  So while other areas of Japan got lots of wind damage and structural damage. We didn't get that. It did lose steam by the time it reached our town. Sorry. However...we did face the wrath of huge rainfall. Flooding types of amounts of rain. Whoever's crazy enough to have built their house at rice field/ lower land level. Perhaps their homes might have got flooded too? I do not know. I honestly do not know. Our housing community is built on a naturally elevated higher part of town. You can see when you see my backyard how much lower and down below the rice fields are. So we're not at flood level/rice field level at all, not even remotely. And our house is not in a mudslide area either. Noboru was really smart when he picked the spot to build our house. The original parts of town/older parts of town are at rice field level. So...hopefully my kids classmates who live near there...their houses are okay. Though I am sure they're old school enough to know to toss sandbags and stuff to prepare by Friday. They're smart folks.So yep...just wanted to share a few pics of flooding. And as for our house in particular. Our house got zero damage. 

Noboru will be working on Bran's birthday October 26th. And Bran wanted a Costco cake versus an ice cream cake. So, I ordered it last week. And 2 weeks ago, I brought home 2 papers and let Bran read his choices and he picked American football. I filled the form out last week and we picked the pick up date to fall on Monday October 23rd. We figured we could take Branden out to dinner at the restaurant of his choice Monday. And we would have cake and ice cream on Monday October 23rd. And considering the cake is ginormous we will be eating cake until the weekend I'm sure. However with the typhoon approaching. Either Sunday or Monday. And not knowing if we would be able to pick up the cake or not. We were relieved that...it did lose steam in our area/part of Japan. Because by Monday 9am it was long gone. Slightly windy Monday and super hot. But other than that not even a drop of rain. Nothing. Our area just got huge amounts of rain Sunday night to Monday early morning ended around 6:30am. And that was it. We were lucky to be able to cruise right to Inzai. Roads were totally fine. And we did grab a weeks worth of meat beforehand at Japan Meat. And then hit Costco. Grabbed what was needed and went back to our town ASAP. : ) My kids took rotisserie chicken sandwiches today to school. With those dinner rolls. You see Mexican style cheese. Mozzarella cheese. Tortillas. Dinner rolls, a rotisserie chicken, a birthday cake. 

Yeah provolone stop trying to hide...we see you!!! ; )

Ice cream. One big container will go for the birthday cake and the other container will be turned into peanut butter ice cream. We went home. Unloaded the car. Brought lunch for the kids. And we relaxed for a few hours. It was a restful Monday. And about 5pm, we went to dinner for Branden's early birthday dinner. celebration. He wanted to go to Jolly Pasta. And we're lucky now that there are 2 Jolly Pasta's in Ibaraki now. There used to be just the 1 in Mito. Which is way too far for us. But now there's one way closer to us. This one just opened September 27th this year. It's a 30 minute drive from our home. Where as the other one in Chiba was an hours long drive. So this ones much closer. And the one in Chiba City has traffic for days. Where this one is all inaka back roads and no stop lights. So we zipped there in no time. 

The most beautiful sunset the 4 of us saw on Monday October 23rd long after the typhoon had passed. On our way to dinner. 

My dad's arriving to Japan today...

Good morning! : ) It's 9:35am right now, Japan time, Wednesday, September 9th (9/9, hahaha, yes I am a number nerd and there are many of us out there too). My dad's been in the air already, for over an hour already, could be closer to an hour and a half. He'll be arriving at Narita airport later this morning.

As most of you know, my dad pretty much always comes to support the boys during their Sports Day (undokai/field day) When, just Bran, was in yochien and Noah was just a baby or not in yochien yet, he'd just come to Branden's. And then when both the boys were in school. Noah in yochien and when Bran was in elementary school. My dad would take turns. meaning one year he'd come and watch Noah's undokai and the following year he'd come for Branden's. That way he was always fair to both. And lucky for us, when both the boys were both in elementary school together, my dad could attend for the both of them and that was easiest for us all. Scratching both of the undokai's off the list, in 1 fell swoop, so to speak Hahaha. : ) And now that the boys are once again in different schools, my dad is back to taking turns by year. Last year, he came to Noah's undokai. And Bran knew this year would be his turn. So, even when we last saw my dad in August, Bran told my dad, "see you at my undokai grandpa" Aww. : ) And usually the boys have a sports day separated by 2-3 weeks. So going to both, has just never been an option.  However, this year, the boys sports days are only separated by 1 week. And so, my dad had planned to go to Branden's of course, because it's Bran's turn. However in passing, when he talks to both the kids on Skype and me too. My dad heard Noah's was only 1 week after Bran's. But again, our family was not thinking anything about it. And my dad mentioned to me 2 weeks ago, he really thought about it and he'd like to go to both of the boys sport's days this year, since they are just a week apart. Noah was not expecting that at all, but he was and is still super excited. And the boys have just been happily waiting for my dad's arrival, ever since. All evening yesterday, the boys kept saying..."Grandpa's coming tomorrow" And Noah even asked..."grandpa will be with you, when you pick me up from school tomorrow, right?" I am kidding you not, that is exactly, what he asked me and Noah even asked me that, same question, twice this morning to make sure, that grandpa will be in the car when he gets out of school today at 3pm. : ) Now that's excitement! Double and triple checking! I have assured Noah, yes grandpa will indeed be in my black car this afternoon. Instead of 1 American face in the car (my usual one) you will now see 2 of us, in the car. @_@ He can barely wait! Bran can barely wait! They will be talking his ears off, the second they see him, I already know it. : ) Probably play UNO cards with him a few times, watch TV with him. Branden has already told his sensei (who is the English teacher, for what it's worth) that his "American" grandpa is coming! Oh geeze! : ) Let's just put it this way. The kids are so beyond excited.

We are a very close family, as I am an only child. And my kids are incredibly close to my family. Especially my dad. He's just always been such a constant figure in their life. We just saw him in August, for crying out loud. Hahaha. : ) And will be seeing him at Thanksgiving too. : ) And we're also sort of toying with the idea of going to Guam at Christmas (nothing concrete just yet) but yeah...the kids adore their grandpa and the feeling is pretty much mutual. : ) My dad will be here, just slightly under 2 weeks. But, I also enjoy the company during the day time. When I go on my grocery store runs, he can go with me. When, I cruise to Costco, we can both go and have some lunch there. We can go out to lunch together during the week. :) Family, is just *really* important. And you never know how long you'll have, with your family members either and I *know* that. And so, I never take it for granted. : ) Anyway, sorry if this post is long-ish. Just wanted to say, my dad will be here REALLY really soon. Like in an hour type soon, hahaha. : )  Umm, what else. A typhoon is hitting certain parts of Japan, as we speak, right now. How are we? As far as right now, it has not reached us. Or perhaps it may not hit us at all? It's raining in my town right now, but honestly, no differently than the last few days of rain, we've had. No high winds or anything here, in my area of rural Chiba. Let's put it this way, it will not affect my dad's flight at all. Because it's just rain sprinkles here in my town and no high gusts of wind. Now granted, it could hit harder later, maybe around 3pm or so. But as far as right now or even according tot he weather forecast, my dad's flight won't be affected at all. I am making baked ravioli for dinner tonight with garlic bread on the side. So that's what the 5 of us will be having tonight. : ) Anyway, I better end this. A Facts Of Life marathon was on, all day yesterday and I want to see if it's still on right now, I really enjoyed that yesterday. Because I loved that show growing up. : ) Natalie, Tootie, Blair (OMG Blair, lol) and Jo! And let's not forget the fabulous Mrs. Garret. : ) If my blog, goes a bit quiet, you will all, at least now know why. "Oh right, her dad's here, for about 2 weeks." : )  Alrighty, have a great day/night everyone, and if you are reading this in Japan, stay safe, since there's a typhoon out there somewhere. : )

Good eats. TV Talk, that new Scream TV series on MTV, is so good! Salon visit complete. And an update on our summer vacation plans...

How's everybody doing? I know you guys in the US are already on summer vacation (since June, right?). As for us here in Japan, school is still going, but luckily winding down. For our town, the elementary and JHS, last day of school is this Friday and it's a half day letting out at 11am for both Bran and Noah's schools. So that's the good and positive thing, summer break is so close ya'll... we can almost touch it! We can already feel, just how near it is! : )  How have things been here for us? Pretty good. This is a random pic from a dinner we had this week. You know already, what this is, most likely. : ) I made this a few weeks back too. This is 2 lean blocks of pork, rubbed down with some BBQ rub. Slow baked in the oven one day. While everyone was at school (the kids) or work (Noboru)

It was so tender. I just pulled it apart with 2 forks. And covered in tin foil. Until everyone got home. This time, I did not add any BBQ sauce to it. I think for Noboru, being Japanese the sauce is a bit too overly zesty, which is fine (it doesn't bother him with ribs but this shredded with sauce can be a bit too zesty and intense... though he didn't mention anything and wouldn't...he's just too sweet, I could sorta tell the last time, that it was a tad/pinch zesty for my 3 guys though). And so the BBQ rub was more than enough seasoning and actually I too... prefer it this way and this is perfect for our family. Will be making it this way, from now on. : )

Making this 2 times ago, I was worried, should I go and get mini baguettes of bread to make this? But you know what...it's cheaper using hot dog buns and they're so soft and it's actually super delicious this way. Coleslaw bought at KFC, again just makes dinner easier. And some Bush's Baked Beans on the side. Branden had 3 of these sandwiches, Noboru had 4 of them, he loved these! Noah had 1 bbq sammy and extra beans on the side. His tummy tank is just tinier than everyone elses. : )  What else is there.... to talk about real quick. 

I have been cleaning house like a crazy woman. Because, I really hate coming back from vacation to a dirty or dusty house. I know it sounds weird. But I say this every year and those of you that are long time readers know that. I totally prefer clean the house spic and span before we leave and that way when we get back to Japan, we feel happy...to come home to a nice clean house. May sound weird but eh.... it just makes me feel way better. I'd say about right now. The house is just about ready! Oh and that blind duster is a good one and I bought it at the Daiso/100 yen shop. : )

TV talk...I keep wanting to mention this, but I keep forgetting to mention it, each time. I have been loving the new Scream TV show/series on MTV. You know...how when movies become.... spin offs or TV shows, they almost always suck. Well...this one does NOT. This show is on *fleek*. It's actually really good! It just recently started, it's a brand new show and I have been watching it weekly ever since it started. I really like it a lot.

Last Saturday, July 11th at 10am was my hair appointment, I got my hair cut, colored and I got that super hair straightening thing called...the Japanese thermal hair straightener. Took forever at the salon, but in the end it was worth it. Flat irons are used twice during the process and it's super pin straight now. My hair is shiny and all one length at my shoulders. The hair is on point...the hair is indeed on point, ya'll! Just saying. ; ) And I'm just happy... to get it all over and done with... and now I don't have to think about my hair...worry about it... for summer now. And the hair straightening makes it superly easy to take care of. The simple cut alone, also make it even easier to take care of. So one more thing scratched off the list, of things to get done before summer vacation. : )

At the end of each semester each child in elementary school brings back. All their stuff. Paints, crayons, earthquake safety thing/seat cushion. Just everything. Noah has been lugging stuff home all this week. He's already brought home his paints, his shuji/calligraphy stuff. Each day he brings more. He's almost brought everything, I think his last day, he'll bring the seat cushion and inside shoes. : )

I am so sad, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are indeed getting divorced. Like the cutest couple, ever, am I right. He couldn't have married a sweeter girl. When I heard it at first, I was like...that has.... got to be a lie! It can't be true. They're too cute together...plus they've been together for what...10 years. It's got to be gossip news. An untruth. And then sadly...they said it too. Sigh. Just super sad. : (

An update on our travel plans. #1, there are like 1 or 2 typhoons approaching Japan (I thought there was just 1, Noboru says there's actually 2 different ones coming). OMG, why now right, well the logical answer would be...typhoon season is still trying to cling and hold on! And it's getting hard to know...will they affect our flight. And if so... will it affect our flight in a good way? Meaning all other stand-by passengers got stranded elsewhere and therefore could not make it to the flight, therefore leaving all the seats for us? Or affect us in a bad way...meaning the flights canceled. Or in another bad way...meaning everyone stand-by just moved to our flight? That sort of thing. So...yes...the 1-2 typhoons coming to Japan somewhere between Friday and next week are starting to worry us. Granted since we are on this side of Japan....usually they pummel/hit other parts of Japan first (sorry), so we are just hoping they loose their steam before they get to the Narita area. So the weather...we have been keeping a close eye on the weather. I just wish this typhoon would change directions and save us all in Japan the headache. Hahaha. Many of us are indeed trying to get back to our home countries and this can totally wreck the plans here. Bad typhoon...bad bad! : ) So the typhoon is a worry.  Straight up...it is.

Also...the flight itself.  We sort of know by now, which flight is the one, for us to try and catch. The flight we think we have the best chance to get on. As for Friday...straight up, there's no chance for us to catch a flight this Friday, too full. So Friday...forget Friday, Friday for us is out. Also, the flight we are trying to catch, there are 15 available seats in first class. We are like # 6,7,8 and 9 on the stand-by list. Being 6-9 is a bit scary, we've never been that bad of a number on the stand by list. However, there are a lot of older Americans who have been with Delta since Noboru and I were in kindergarten or elementary school, apparently...trying to get on that flight. And so while yes.... they're as old as the Crypt Keeper, they do have the seniority, which is totally fair...but also for us frustrating. So, while these people were hired and already working in the 80's. I was...off riding my Big Wheel in the 80's and collecting Strawberry Shortcake dolls and Noboru was off fishing or collecting Ultraman dolls. @_@  So...what will we do. We will attempt to get to California for 2 days. And we actually might get on those flights. The following day has like 22 seats available in first class. So we do actually have a shot here! Again though..is the typhoon going to make flights delayed and add more stand-bys on our flight?  So we have agreed that the best thing for us to do is...we will spend 2 days trying to fly to California. And again...we might actually get on the flight the first day. Who knows. However though it is always smart to have a plan B. Or back up plan. Our back up plan is this...if we cannot get on the California flight for 2 days. We will then say forget California. It's not California's fault. Hey...no worries, but we also don't want to waste valuable vacation days... sitting at an airport either. So, again we will spend 2 days trying/attempting to get to LA and if that does not happen...we will say no worries. We tried. Best to forget it. And move on. And plan B is...we will go to Honolulu. The Honolulu flight for us is wide *wide* open. And most Americans (stand-by) fly to Hawaii from the mainland US. So not much older folks with higher seniority... to worry about from Japan to Honolulu. And we'd be like #1-4 on the stand by list. So...it wouldn't even be a worry or second thought like..."gee, I hope we get there." We know, Honolulu is a definite. Granted our first choice and hope is for California. But you know...if it wasn't meant to be...at least we have plan B. We have our hotel booked in California already and car...gee, since way over a month ago. And this morning we checked for the availability of our hotel we like in Hawaii and it's available. Again we like to plan ahead and prepare for the worst. So...I think by Saturday or Sunday morning we'll pretty much either be in California or know..if we will have to switch plans and destination. The good news is and I do always believe there is a positive, shorts and tee-shirts and swimsuits can go to either destination. Meaning it's not like we're going to Antarctica and the Caribbean and would have to pack for 2 totally different types of weather....and therefore pack different clothes. I hope we can get to California you guys. And I can't tell really right now...which way things are going to end up. My feelings on stand-by? I still absolutely love it! The fact, we can fly for free. Plus we don't have to sit in coach/economy so the seats are very comfortable.  And not have to spend $800 US each... for each of our family of 4 or even $1000 US each... for our family of 4, for airplane tickets. I love that! That just saves us money. Money we can use towards, our hotel, or going to the movies while there, eating out... or on things we plan to purchase at Target or Sephora and whatnot. Knowing we can save such huge amounts of money, by not having to pay for our airfare really helps. I absolutely do not mind flying stand-by at all. We love you Delta, you take good care of your employees, best company to work for. So, nope we do not mind flying stand-by...not at all. I do want us to go to California. But hey...if we can't...saving our family US $3500-$4000 for the flight and going to Honolulu and sitting in paradise for a week...isn't exactly bad either. Which way will the coin land? I honestly don't know. It's Wednesday here in Japan already. And again...we're just trying to keep a close eye on the flight and a close eye on the typhoon. We'd love it if the typhoon would just skip Japan all together. That way we'd have 1 less thing to think about. : )  Anyway that's the update on the flight situation. We're going somewhere, but as to where? We're still unsure, which of the 2 places it will be. 
Dinner tonight, homemade tostadas (beans are done boiling on the stove already, I will mash and fry them after lunch). Alrighty, it's lunch time and that grilled cheese and some sliced dill pickles are calling my name. : ) The house is clean for today and a load of fresh clean towels is flapping in the breeze, heavily clipped on the laundry poles on the back patio, I'll bring them in, after my lunch. I'll catch up with you all again, I'm sure... before we leave. : ) Bye for now. : )  Both the boys get off school at 3:45pm today. : ) The boys and I, will also be going to Guam this summer as well. But after we get back from our main summer vacation. : )

Typhoon Phanfone a.k.a. Typhoon #18 hitting Japan today...

Most of us in Japan have been expecting this particular typhoon. I received an “be on alert” email from the US Embassy (I love the US Embassy so much, they so rock!) Telling us to be prepared for this specific one, that it was going to be a big one! On Friday, Noah came home from school with a note saying...the typhoon was huge blah blah blah and the school board was expecting it to hit our specific town Monday morning and they were pretty much expecting school to be canceled Monday, but to wait for the school email. Branden’s JHS made no note about the typhoon...perhaps because they’re older? @.@ Or I don’t know. However yesterday/Sunday around 1pm we got an email from Noah’s school saying...basically the same stuff. The typhoon was indeed heading straight for our tiny town this time and should hit Monday morning and continue to hit all Monday so they decided school for the elementary was to be canceled. Noah did his happy wahoo dance. : ) And we waited for Branden’s email to come. Around 3pm yesterday/Sunday, the JHS emailed all of us parents and said the same thing...the local JHS was to be canceled Monday...however with the big test coming up October 8th make sure they use their day wisely...studying, lol. : ) Branden did a happy wahoo dance too. : ) So...long story short we all sort of knew school was to be canceled today since yesterday.

It lightly rained yesterday. Yesterday, I baked a couple dozen oatmeal raisin cookies (my 2nd batch of the season because I also baked some for Noah’s undokai) We have plenty of food, freezer full of meat, bin full of veggies, drinks and stuff in the house. A couple dozen oatmeal cookies. As of right now, Noah’s just sorta kicking back. Branden’s going to study for 2 hours this morning, take a break enjoy his afternoon (poor kid studied all weekend) and probably study an extra 3 hours this evening. Noboru’s home and he said the typhoon should be hovering over our town and sorta slam our town all day basically pretty much. : ) We’re not leaving the house...we have the blinds open wide at the two big patio windows into the backyard and we can watch the rain. It sounds crazy town outside. You can hear the winds outside...extremely high winds. I’m glad our home is not as low as river level or right next to a river that would freak me out worrying about possible flooding...I’m also glad our house isn’t built in a place we’d worry about landslides either, days like this we are glad we built our house exactly where we built it. Anyway if you’re in Japan, please stay safe and stay home if you can. : )

I’ve got a load in the dryer. I’ve got not a dot of makeup on and don’t need any today. My comfy clothes are on. I’m gonna swoosh both toilets and vacuum the downstairs but I’m just gonna take the day off cleaning today and enjoy today with everyone being home. I’m gonna go get my 2nd and last cup of coffee and an oatmeal cookie as soon as I publish this little diddy and then I’m going to play a round or two of Uno with Noah and if anyone else wants to join in....they can here at the house. : )  Take care everyone. : )

Ohhh. I almost forgot received the Fault in Our Stars on DVD this weekend,  loved this movie so much, such an excellent movie, omg! Oh what else, we are going to Disney (as you know, I already told you about it, I forget when specifically but I remember mentioning it) anyway somewhere between now and October 20th, so somewhere between there... we will go and we are getting so excited. We have had our hotel reservation for ages, we have the specific date on the calendar marked already. Just sorta keeping it on the down low, but yep we’re pretty stoked for it!!! : ) Holy crap...I got on here to talk about the typhoon that’s it and now I’m starting to blabber about other stuff, so before this sucker gets extremely over long, I must end this here. Take care everyone, yep I must have surely said that like 5 times already by now, but I mean it, please take care. : )

October's bits and pieces. Town undokai, the typhoon that wasn't, flu shots done and a few other things for good measure

Sunday, October 13th was our town's undokai. There are so many wonderful things about my town. But, I wish we would do away with the town undokai. That's the only thing. : )  Because we already have a school undokai. So adding another undokai already on top of that, is a bit much. But that's my only grumble really about my town. : ) Anyway the interesting thing about our town undokai is we must sit according to where you live in the actual town. All people and folks who live in our housing community for example, must sit between the big white tent/tarp that says the name of our housing community on it. I took out the name of said housing community but it was there on the tarp. : ) 

The 2 elementary schools show up, along with the 1 and only junior high school. 

Noah about to run in this picture! Noah had 1 event only and Branden had 1 event only. But again everyone must attend or be marked abscent.  The town undokai is held at the junior high school. 

Noah probably wondering, "who is that kid" : ) If you look at the last kid, he is indeed from the other elementary school. : ) His uniform shirt is all white verses how our school shirts have blue around the neck and sleeve/arm area. Ours are ringer T, type tops. : ) This town undokai is one of the few times during the year where the kids from both schools see each other. : )  This particular race called for ALL 2nd graders and that meant from both schools. : ) After a couple years the kids do start recognizing the other kids. But Noah being a 2nd grader this is only his 2nd town undokai, so and I'm sure same for that little boy as well. Most of the kids come from our particular shogakko/elementary school. Since our school is the bigger (population wise) school in our town.

Branden came in 2nd place on this, this was a run and then bounce a basketball down the lane. The 6th graders were specifically told from their teacher to try and make friends with the other town school kids because they will be going to the same junior high next April. : ) Branden told me that and I told him I 100% agree and very important. : ) Fwiw, Branden swims with a 6th grade girl name A. And she is from the other town school and so they've taken the swim bus together for years and years. So, because of his friendship with her, the handful of 6th graders already heard of Branden and he's super friendly so he made friends already. And Noah already knows to make friends with them, when he sees them also. : ) Again, it just helps our kids in the long run. So, make friends now! : ) 

Branden in the background bouncing that ball. Noboru and I worked this town undokai. Which is a good thing for me, that the boys were only in 1 event each, so that I could take their pics. And then get to work. We were to wait for the delivery truck that we ordered our obentos for our housing community... to arrive. The truck arrived and we had to haul booty to the truck and carry boxes and boxes of obentos/packed lunches and mass amounts of green tea. Then we ran back to our tents and from hancho to hancho/block leader to block leader, you needed to make sure you fed and passed out the food to the people from your street! So, I made sure for example grandma next door was fed, and that her husband who was at work but also ordered an obento that it was indeed delivered. Rin's family. Grandma with big white pretty fluffy dog, lol. And etc etc. Oh yes, and Ayumi-chan's family, just had to make sure everyone who lives on our street got a lunch and a drink. Then went and crossed out their name on the list. Badabing badaboom! Done and done! We all "job well done-d each other!" "Otsukare sama deshita"-ed, everyone! ; ) And the good thing this year is we usually have this huge mass marching band dancing performance, the same one we saw at regular school undokai, ykwim. However both schools decided let's skip it this year! Yes and yay! Can, I get a hallelujah on that one?! : ) And so right after the food was passed out if you wanted to leave, you could! People left in droves! Sorry to say it, but it's true! : ) I collected both kiddos and we left and went home too. Noboru needed to stay because he needed to disassemble the tent from our housing community but he was chilling with the other dad's and he was having himself a ball. So that's why we took 2 cars there. 

I bought both the boys a choco banana and myself one too. And we hit the road and went home! Rice field across the street from the junior high walking to my tiny red car. 

This is what the lunches looked like, that we passed out for free to whoever lives in our housing community. Your homeowners association (HOA) fees cover the meal. Which is why we only feed who lives here. : ) But you know, behind the scenes what people don't see, we need to decide which place to order the obento from. Also there was a complaint that last year someone who doesn't live here was getting a meal? @_@ Oh holy goodness, really? I mean so much behind the scenes stuff that is work real work on top of our own regular life stuff ykwim and night time meetings at the place near the tennis courts, the place we cleaned in April. Heck, a month ago, Noboru was off making 200 copies of something to make sure it got passed around the keiranban. I mean it is work. Work that people don't realize. If you have a gripe or you think your neighbor has been putting his trash out on the wrong day? Your dog bite the neighbor kid? Do you need a squabble settled? Well more then likely we're the ones trying to unravel said mess. : ) Eeek! : ) I am trying pretty hard not talking about the workload on the whole hancho and fuku kaicho front, but it is work and we will be doing a jig next March when our household is done with this job and our term is finally over, let's put it that way. : ) Boy next door's mom is up next year though she'll probably just be a hancho and not the fuku-kaicho like we were nuts enough to do, hahaha! Ganbatte! : ) Anyway, that's enough of that for now...

I meanwhile was going to make an obento which is why I prepped the chicken and had bought the mac and potato salads the day before, however Noboru told me, not to bother since we could go home right away. So, we had lunch at home. So this would have been our town undokai obento, but we had it at home instead. : )  Being fuku kaicho and even the block leader/hancho is really hard you guys. It is very time consuming, every time the gardeners landscape the community they come here to our house when they're done and I have to whip out the stamp and take responsibility that it is done and I approve it. I mean yikes, you know. : ) Anyway, we were just happy to be over another hurdle regarding that. March is our last month of that duty! 

The day after town undokai, Monday. We went and stocked up on some of those cassette bomb things. For when you cook on the dinner table and make nabes or whatever. These are typically used a lot in Fall and Winter time. Noboru likes to buy these in bulk because he often tells me, if we had a serious earthquake or yadayadayada, we'd be happy we had these. 

We were all over Chiba New Town that Monday after town undokai and we had lunch from Costco in the car on the way home. Noah had a hot dog with ketchup.

Branden had a huge slice of pepperoni pizza.

I had the hot provolone chicken sandwich.

Noboru driving and that's his hot dog on the dash. Every red light we had, he'd take a few big bites. : ) 

Noboru has been keeping both cars full of gas, totally topped off type full.

We bought yet another rotisserie chicken and a hunk of cheese for cheese and crackers or whathaveyou. : ) 

The cassette bombs.

Stocking up on body wash and antibacterial hand soap yet again. 

3 cases of water from Costco. Our town has well water, like super deep well water. It's so delicious. But, again better to be safe then sorry. : ) 

A box of matches and long lighters. Again just to make sure we have them on hand. Anyway....

Apples are cheap around here. I'm not sure why, but they are. : ) 

Making the crumble for my apple crisp. 

Buttered the bottom of the dish. This was the day before the big typhoon by the way. The big one, that caused the landslides. School had already been canceled for the next day. And so I wanted to bake a nice apple crisp. 

Apple mixture done, a little flour for thickening, cinnamon.

A few nubs of butter in there to give it a real mellow flavor. 

About to throw in the oven. 

Homemade from scratch apple crisp! The whole house smelled so good! Like apples and cinnamon.

The rain was really coming down hard by now. And I was making supper by now. But I let the boys each have a little bowl of apple crisp before supper. So they went and sat down on the couch enjoying a small bowl each of this. Meanwhile I got back to cooking dinner. 

We had curry nabe on the kicthen table. You can see the flower mat underneath. The winds were howling like crazy! But we had a nice piping hot curry nabe and homemade apple crisp for dessert. We had a very well stocked house, so we didn't need to go anywhere. : )  The next morning we woke to the rice fields flooded and the road back there under water. Crazy.  

Remember that pic of the road still drying out after that big typhoon? Well, I was coming back from the laundry mat. It was a nice sun shiny day after the typhoon. So I went and washed all the bedding from Branden and Noah's beds. And I also washed my pink and turqouise fleece extra blanket too. Both Branden and Noah's washable duvets were in the washer to the right. 

Tons of soap. 

Threw in a couple dryer sheets. And the blankets were so fresh and clean. Went home and made both of their beds. This week, I went to the laundry mat and washed my bedding from my bed. : ) 

I made baked chicken parmesan, date says October 19th. 

Bought a baguette from the bakery, sliced it in half and made garlic bread. Baked in the oven. 

One of our dinners, this past week. I like to eat Italian once a week, if I can. 

Says sale, but this is pretty much the price around here for a full bag of sweet potatoes, 70 yen. Could be because they're local. My cheap meat shop and meat store are both in Ibaraki. : ) You know how we live teeter tottering between Chiba and Ibaraki. : ) Being able to buy veggies and fruit and meat at such prices really helps the monthly grocery budget. : ) 

I steamed them and after they steamed for an hour, nice and slow, I sprinkled with salt and then roasted in the oven for about 10 minutes. Oh man, they were so good and sweet. : ) The boys like munching on one when they get home from school. Same for Noboru when he's home he'll munch one. I love them too. : )

Okay by now the big typhoon had already hit and by now we were expecting the other typhoon that was a dud. But boy were we happy about that. : ) Anyway, went and stocked up on meat. Bought about 10-11 nights worth. Some gorgeous thick pork for fried pork chops (we haven't had these yet), 2 pork roasts, 1 beef roast for beef stew, tons of chicken, like lots. : )  That is one thing I love about our fridge we have massive amounts of space, freezer space and just space pure and simple. It helps especially since Noboru likes to stock up and so do I. : ) 

Bought some treats for the boys. To put in their pumpkin here at home. : )

Then went to my normal store, bought some roux, (stew and curry) karaage powder. Again just nice to keep in the pantry, you never know. 

Coffee. I mix this with a spoon of the pumpkin creamer and it is nice. : ) 

For crackers and cheese type snackin'. 

This was last week, I went and bought enough drinks to ride out the typhoon if it was big or to ride out the weekend either way. : ) That grape juice is really good.

Our 1 and only grocery store for our town went out of business. : ( Yes it did. This has caused quite a few problems. Noboru being the fuku kaicho head (since the actual kaicho is living in Thailand doing tanshinfunin), and at town meetings with other areas and housing area heads. Noboru heard that the elderly are having a huge problem since the store closed. Just the ones who do not drive. Sure in the bigger cities, most can get by with trains and bus or walking or bikes. But here in the countryside. You need a car. There are no buses in our town, we have a town minivan and I'm not kidding, I'm serious and it's free and it only goes once an hour but doesn't leave our town. There's no real mass transport like in the bigger cities unless you count the 1 and only train that runs once an hour. The space or land from town to town is vast/big. We have 1 teeny tiny train station that runs once an hour and cuts off at 10pm. : ) So long story short, while younger people and families drive. And to be fair there are also many older folks, who do drive also. But still, some older people don't drive. And this 1 and only grocery store is their only place to shop. Since this store closed.... the handfuls of elderly that do NOT drive have had a very hard time. Stories have been told to the heads. That they have taken costly taxis to the nearest store which is FAR btw. Or hopped trains wearing backpacks and we're not talking genki seniors, we're talking more frail seniors. The elderly who don't drive in our town are having an awfully hard time. However the good news is, a chain is going to take over where the old store used to be. So hopefully in a month it will be back to normal. Anyway, the old shop was closed for 2 weeks and then they opened and said everything MUST go! : ( 20% off. Then 30% off. Now I personally don't shop this store, I find it very expensive anyway. I have cheaper shops I shop at. But, when the ice cream went 50% off, I had to stop. Sorry but, an 80 yen ice-cream 50% off, that's 40 yen! That's a great deal, too good a deal to pass up. So, last week, I went and stocked up on ice cream. Cookies and cream, choco chip mint, waffle sandwich, lemon shave ice, vanilla (Noboru's fave), the waffle was also Noboru's. Anyway hopefully the new store opens soon for the seniors who don't drive sake. : (

And even went back for these for the boys. And many were doing the same. I mean the people working there will be working for the new place, I bet. And nobody from the actual town went out of business because the store prior.... was also chain owned too, it just went out of business the chain. : )  Anyway, I am grateful for good freezer space. : ) Between all the meat and frozen veggies and ice-cream. : )  Anyway...

Last week, cleaned the tub super good and even used that water heater cleaner thing in it. And bought a new can of shea butter bath powder, this is my fave. : ) 

The typhoon, the last one was supposed to hit, Friday October 25th or Saturday the 26th. So, since it was supposed to hit. I decided to make a nice hot beef stew. Same with the typhoon the week before with the nabe and apple crisp. : ) And btw, by now we knew that because of the 2nd typhoon it sorta knocked the other typhoon off it's course. Last week Oct 25-26th, it was 2 typhoons at once. Otherwise it would of hit our town. So 3 cheers for the 2 typhoons! 1 knocked the other one right off course! Phew! It was nothing more then a light mist of rain last Friday and Saturday. But that's all really. No matter, the weekend was here. And a nice piping hot stew was boiling all day. The beef was fall apart tender. 

The beef boiled most of the day and the veggies boiled the last 25 minutes and the frozen green beans the last 5 minutes. : )

Japanese beef stew is my favorite, even more then American beef stew. Sorry for saying that. : ) But it's so hearty and delicious. Yum. : )  I always buy the beef stew box with the green bean in the picture and probably why I use green beans too. : )

I did get another fresh loaf of bread from the bakery for last Friday nights supper. 

Sliced and buttered.

And a very very small amount of rice at the base of the bowl. 

A nice hearty beef stew with potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, green beans. Beef was so tender. Bread for dunking. It was just a good dinner this last Friday night. Branden had seconds. And that makes me happy because I've got 2 growing boys who need a filling meal each and every night, like I always say. : )

Sand bags, this was what our town looked like all last week. Everyone on regular road level/rice field level, used sandbags and hoped the typhoon would skip us, which yes it did. Phew! 

This particular house, put up gray slabs of concrete and sandbags in front of the concrete slabs. I think because of the typhoon the week before everyone was a little scared. Anyway, just glad the last typhoon was a no-show except for some light rains. : ) 

Ahh, before I forget last Friday as soon as the boys got home from school, we went to the doctors office in our housing community to get our flu shots! Noboru and I each got a flu shot. And both Branden and Noah each got their first half of their flu shots. In Japan, kids get their flu shot twice. Meaning, they have to go back 1 month later and get the 2nd dose. So, the kids are 50% done with their flu shots now. : ) And Noboru and I are 100% done with our flu shots. And Delta pays/reimburses Noboru 100% for the cost of the flu shots so for us, getting them is free. : ) 2,500 yen a person last Friday. And then the boys will go back next month. and that will be another 2,500 yen for Branden and Noah next month as well, but he'll get the money back that he spent, so it's okay and plus Noboru is really big on everyone in our family getting their flu shots so, don't ask me why but that's the one thing he really is a stickler about....: ) Anyway we went home and I warmed up the beef stew and we all just enjoyed dinner. Everyone took showers. And we just enjoyed the night. : )