Tuesday

We went to see the house today. We went because regardless if we want to or not, going to the new place every week makes sure that we know that the workers are doing everything correctly. Also, it lets them know that the owners are not some dumbasses and they can't get away with murder in the house. It sorta let's them know we can show up, at any given time. We are of course always nice, polite and even provide them drinks and stuff which we know other homeowners, don't do for them. But, we also know this will be our biggest lifetime purchase, we will *ever* make and even though it gets tiring going there each and every week. It is in the end worth it.

So, we went there again. And this was the first time, I got to see the back terrace finally done. What do I think? Wow! It looks so gorgeous! We did pick the right color, right everything. And it's non skid, so even if the boys have wet feet from playing in a small pool we may set up in the summer time, they won't wipe out on the tiling. So that's nice. The gold lighting was all installed back there as well. It was really nice to finally see it all done. I will love the backyard even more, once we grow our grass.

The bathroom sink was getting put in the day we got there. So no pics of that yet.

Noboru put our gold tone address numbers onto our house. Since it's our own house and given the fact it's brand new, he seriously practically almost busted a blood vessel in his head, shooting for perfection, practically drove him nuts. He said, how it had to be perfect and how he better do a good job, gosh he got himself all worked up, you guys should have seen it (it really was a site, lol)! He even got tape to mark precisely where the numbers should go and measured them out with a measuring tape. To make sure each number is correctly spaced and blah blah blah. This was his project and since I didn't care so much about this at all, I stayed in the house. I looked out afterwards and ohhhed and awed his handy work though, lol. But, I guess it's sorta cute that he is *so* into doing a good job.

He also put together the mailbox. It isn't going into the ground yet because he is going to make sure the base will be set with concrete. So, after he made the mailbox, he was going to put the metal mail box on my kitchen/dining room floor. I got my hackles up because I said, "no way, outta the question"! I suggested he leave it on the front porch but he is certain someone will steal our mailbox! (rolling my eyes) I don't think so at all. But it bothered him a lot! So that was outta the question. Then I suggested leaving it in the car and again he had some reason for that too! He again tried to put it into my kitchen. I said, hell no! Finally he gave up and he left it on the floor of the genkan. I guess that's where it is still as we speak!

I was thinking of my feelings on this house and trying to think of a good comparison the other day. This is just like when you're pregnant and you finally reached your ninth month and by this time, all you want is for it to be over! Get it done already type attitude. Same here! For well, over 16 month's we have been busy with this house. In some way or the other. And I am exhausted with it all. I am now at the point where I just want it all to be over with! I want to be moved! And be settled already! I'm over it! I'm done with it! We have just about 8 days left in this old house. And honestly the past week has gone so slowly it's like time is standing still! I wish we could just speed up this next week.

I know I will be having to deal with the hook up stage next. The phone guy hooking us up, the fridge guy delivering the fridge and hooking it up. The satellite guy coming and hooking it up. Sigh! Ahhhhh! I just wanna be done with it all! Maybe it's because I got PMS, and I am a grouch right now. But, seriously I just want this all just to be done already.

a more detailed look at my kitchen

First real glance at my kitchen for real. The Kohler sink was ridiculously expensive, since it's an import and plus it's expensive in America anyway. But in the end I am glad, I have it. Notice the cool shape and how it's rounded on one side. That's because it is for pots and pans. I'm also loving my dupont counter tops.

My American comforts of home! : )

Kohler sink, dupont counter tops, GE dishwasher and GE oven/stove. I'm one happy American mommy! Hey just because I gotta live in Japan, doesn't mean I have to suffer right? Why not have all the comforts from home! : )

living room

This is our living room. I keep forgetting to show our living room. Sorry, ha ha ha! It's really big! It's 12 tatami. Umm what else should I say about it? It has a lot of windows. It also has a sliding glass door which leads to the back yard terrace just like the dining room does. The living room is on the first floor. We made all the rooms where our guests would go on the first floor. So common areas on the first floor. Meanwhile all areas of the house that are more private such as our bedrooms and laundry room and bath tub, etc are on the second floor. We did this purposely when we made the house. In the model house the laundry room was on the first level but Noboru was a stickler about our upstairs being the private areas and the downstairs being the common areas, type thing.

Notice the rounded/arched doorway in the pic. We also have an arched doorway leading to the kitchen as well. The closed door next to the stairs is the downstairs bathroom. Also the wood flooring we chose was the medium shade. We didn't want the yucky too dark color wood and we didn't want the overly bleached wood color either. So we went with the middle medium color.

Hey this doesn't look like my car! : )

Our car has been in the shop since Saturday. Noboru swears he feels ever since we took the car to the dealership for the oil change the last time, it hasn't been running right. He thinks it's in the transmission. I drive the car, all the time and it seems fine to me. But he is insisting about it, so he took the car in on Saturday for something or other. We've had this loaner car ever since. I think tomorrow we get our car back. But I will have to go pick up Branden in this today. I always feel uncomfortable driving a car that's not mine. I'm a good driver and all, but I worry getting into an accident with someone else's car. Makes me very nervous. So driving loaner cars for me are absolutely no fun : (

The suitcase got here, just now!

Yay! The stuff Kaori forwarded on to me, from Denver via the black cat shipping company got here just now! My sister in law rocks! : ) Thanks for throwing everything into one of our old spare suitcases for me dad, I totally appreciate this! Thanks! : ) Hmm what's in the suitcase? Just a few odds and ends. : ) And the toilet mats my sil went and looked for...for us. A very helpful sil and a very helpful dad. : )

In the suitcase, we have many Disney movies that the boys will enjoy watching for years to come! We also have the extra toilet seat cover and toilet mat that we needed for our new house. They only had one set in Guam, so we had to ask my sil to pick this up for us in Denver. So, happy she got this for us! Now both our toilets will be matching! LOL. And the Gap box for which I ordered a few things for the boys. And in the small white envelop style package, that came from the Disney Store, that was Branden's secret surprise.....Herbie #53 pajamas! Yay! We all know how crazy Branden is for Volkswagon beetles/bugs in general, but the Herbie is his ultimate favorite! : ) I'm actually going to wash the pajamas now, and get them all soft and ready for him to wear tonight!

Gap had a winter ending clearance sale and I used that time to get a jump start on next fall/winter. I figure, just because I got two kids instead of just one, doesn't mean I want my kids to run around looking like raggamuffins or raggedy Andy for crying out loud! LOL. I am still going to dress my boys, like cute looking preppy cutie pies...but I've just got to be smart about when and where I shop.

Outlets are my saving grace! I am actually planning now, how I will hit the Gap Outlet and Carter's outlet and Osh Kosh outlet this coming March when I head back home. Target for many basics! And Old Navy! And just stocking up and planning ahead, saves me money.

Pictures are of, a very nice navy blue fleece Gap sweatshirt with silver letters. And it also has silver flecks in the cuffs and waist strecthy part as well. Hard to explain, but when I saw what it looked like online, it caught my eye right away! I got this for Branden in size 5T. Yes, he just turned 4. But this is for next year! And I got the same thing for Noah as well, but I got his in size 18 month's to 24 month's. Why? Because Noah will be 1 year old on July 7th and things don't really start getting chilly until October, by the time October rolls around Noah will be 15 month's old! So, buying it in a size 18mos up. Was much smarter and wiser them buying it in size 12-18 mos. That way Noah, will be able to wear this from October all the way until the end of winter which is like March! So, I will totally get my money's worth.

The other is a Gap sweatshirt but this is a zip up fleece sweatshirt. This is super beautiful. It is an emerald green color and the Gap letter coloring is yellow and the inside of the hood is also lined with yellow. I really thought this coloring made this a total stand out. So I ordered this in size 5T for Branden and in size 18 month's to 24 month's for Noah. Yes, each boy got one of these and can I just say these were only $12.50 each. So the price was too incredible to pass up!

And finally I got the boys a long sleeved t shirt. White and navy blue. Looks so preppy and cute! I bought this in 5 T for Branden (if it's a pinch big, he can roll the sleeves once and be on his way, no worries) and I got this in size 12 month's to 18 month's for Noah. I did that because I want them to wear it this spring and early summer when it still gets chilly at nights. Mid summer forget it, because it'll be too hot, but even Noah can wear it up until December probably or at least until November. I know he won't officailly hit 18 month's until January next year, but kids outgrow clothes way before they actually hit the age ykwim?

So the sweatshirts, I will just keep them wrapped in the plastic and hide them in the closet or stash them away in both the boys dresser. And when September rolls around, I will be glad I got these when I did. The long sleeve t- shirts they can wear starting in April/May I guess : ) Good deals...good deals!

PS, forgot to add the most important thing. My dad is the one, that gave the boys a GAP gift card for part of their Christmas present this year. So we used the gift card for this purchase. Dad, now you can see the wonderful things, that your totally sweet gift card has gotten for the boys! Thanks dad! : ) I love you!

yesterday....

Yesterday was freezing cold. I noticed when I picked up Branden from school there was a freezing type rain drizzling down, where I live in Yachiyo. It was a gray day and yucky! I did laundry. And cleaned some house. For dinner I didn't feel like cooking, so we ordered Pizza Hut. We ordered a medium pepperoni and mushroom pan pizza. Buffalo style chicken wings (good thing I always got the ranch dressing from Costco because we dipped our wings in some of that and it was delicious!) We also ordered a lasagna, french fries and a chocolate mousse for dessert. We all sat and watched TV and ate. Everyone was happy and there was tons of loud chatter and laughter coming from our house. Noah nibbled some of everything too. We still have 3 slices of pizza and some fries left....this will be Branden's and my lunch today. Also, tonight I'm making a nice Japanese style chicken curry. Because it's freezing outside, the weather is actually horribly cold and somehow stews and soups always taste best on days like today. : )

Yummy dinner

I made a whole bunch of food for dinner tonight as usual. 10 pork chops in all! Nice big ones! And the rice a roni was so good and so was the corn! I know in Japan the portions they serve are so super tiny, but I'm not about to starve or starve my family either. So I cook a normal sized *simple* meal each night. I stress the simple part because while I cook meals every night here at home. I keep things quite simple, yet delicious but yes, no frills and thrills. Noboru just called and he was hopping on his motorcycle and is coming home right now! He knows he has a nice popping hot homemade meal waiting for him when he gets home. Hey, least I can do since he works so hard!

I shop at such a cheap store that all those pork chops were only 800 yen! For Japan that is flipping affordable.I made the pork chops the American style way this time...dipping in egg first and then rolling them into my flour mixture. Yumm (I actually like both ways, meaning the Japanese style way with the panko and American style way too...nice to be able to do both ways depending on which way we wanna eat it). We will be having that for our lunch tomorrow too (Noboru and I). I am making Branden's bento tomorrow too but I will probably make him something else (unless he prefers the pork chops and rice a roni type bento, lol it's up to him, I can make his lunch either way)

The bath tub is all set and hot. So me and the boys will be jumping in shortly. And Noboru also asked me..."hey you didn't watch Bewitched yet did you", I said no, not yet, why? He said good wait for me! LOL, so I guess we'll both be watching this after me and the boys take out bath and Noboru eats the meal I made. Also, I got ice-cream for dessert, so everyone will be happy about that! : )

Good night all of you, love to you all, as always : )

PS the pic is of Branden's dinner on the left (the smaller portion, but still very good sized considering he's only 4 years old, lol) and the one of the right is mine. I warm up Noboru's plate right before he gets home so his meal isn't pictured.

So hard getting up in the mornings! : )

I had the absolutely worst time, getting up this morning! I was in the middle of a dream when the alarm started ringing. So, being pulled out of sleep like that was yucky! I dragged myself down the stairs. Turned the heaters on downstairs because it was absolutely ice cold down there. Went to pee and drug myself back upstairs. I got Branden's other uniform out from the drawer and the sweatshirt from the hangar. Grabbed his underwear de'jour (yesterday was Thomas and today was Sesame street with Elmo and Big bird and Cookie monster, lol)

Took him downstairs. And got him fed and brushed his teeth and got him dressed. I made him and Noboru a cheese omelet (they split a 4 egg omelet) and I made toast and they also had a bit of rice on the side as well. I prefer more stuff in my omelets though, so I made myself an onion, green pepper and cheese omelet and had toast too. I made hot coffee. I felt really tired. I actually had a headache since I don't think I got enough sleep. So, I took myself an Advil along with my prenatal (vitamin) pill since I'm still breastfeeding. I actually had 2 cups of coffee this morning and boy did I need it!

Noboru drove Branden to school which was nice. Noah is asleep right now and Noboru just left to work. I have taken the meat out for dinner tonight already. I'm making fried pork chops (American style) and I'm also making chicken rice a roni and we will have corn on the cob as well. I've got to go pick up Branden at 1:50 pm today. So, I got my hair in a pony tail and I got on some under eye concealer and some foundation and that's it. It's all I wear most days anyway (makeup wise). Unless I don't wear any makeup at all (which is also pretty normal for me). Unless I go out with my friends.

We saw only one of the movies last night because we were all so tired. So tonight we'll watch the other one. Actually I'll probably watch it with Branden since Noboru works late tonight. The War of the World's was a book first I believe (HG Well's, I only know this since my dad likes a lot of his stuff) and wasn't this also an old movie too, so, I'm quite sure this is a remake. The beginning of this movie was so amazing and good. Even the middle of this movie had us on the edge of our seats. but the last 30 minutes was horrible. And how they ended it was so dumb! So many unanswered questions. I'm so glad we didn't pay full price at the movie theater for this. In a nut shell, these tough as hell aliens. Practically indestructible aliens. So smart that even a million years before the human race they buried their ships in the earth's core. And so the humans are getting their butts majorly kicked left and right. This was so action packed. Then the last 30 minutes the writers must have got lazy, because they ended it with they (the aliens) just suddenly started dropping dead everywhere? Hmmm so they went from invincible to weak aliens that turned all white and practically turned to dust (seriously not kidding, they really dropped dead and turned to a white mummy look and when touched they turned to dust...stupid or what?). We just couldn't buy this ending at all. Yup, the earth's tiny organisms and germs are what killed them! Not all of humanities mass weapons? I told Noboru..."oh I see, they weren't properly immunized then", lol. He looked at me and said...yeah that must be it! We both laughed and Noboru said to me. The ending was crap but the rest was good! I said...I thought the same exact thing! Ughh!

I am really curious and can barely wait to see the Bewitched movie tonight. Because I loved the Bewitched TV show, with Samantha and Tabitha and that god awful Larry Tate, he was such a kiss ass in those old shows, huh? And I loved Agnes Moorhead as Endora (Sam's mom) and how she always used to purposely say Darren's name wrong and call him...Derwood! LOL. BTW... I can always tell when someone purposely tries to slaughter a name like that, in real life and I think that is totally rude. Bastards is what they are (a total passive agressive type behavior)! So, yeah anyway, I am really eager to see this movie and see how it compares.

Kaori called me today. And I also spoke with my dad. They both were looking at the pictures of our new house that I send him by email! My dad loves it! And my sil loves it as well. Dad I know you haven't been checking this blog, since Kaori has been there, since my in-laws don't know about this site, so thanks for keeping my blog private. And welcome back for reading this, since I know she leaves tomorrow.

Seems, Kaori had a nice time in Denver. Dad, thanks for giving Kaori the packages of our stuff for me that I ordered. And thanks for also filling up a suitcase and putting some of the Disney movies in there for the boys. I know you got one hell of a Disney collection...had it since I was growing up. All the way up to I was in college. So, the boys will love watching all of them,. I will also try to bring back the rest next time I am in Denver. I love you so much! And I miss you bunches!

I think Kaori told Noboru this morning she will have this company called kuro neko. Basically it's a Japanese version of UPS basically, she'll ship them for me to my house now. She will do this from the airport when she arrives at Narita tomorrow (wait she leaves Denver, tonight Japan time which is Denver in the early am....hmm well yeah, that's right when she gets here tomorrow night, she will just forward them to us from Narita to our house. Thanks dad! I really appreciate it.

Bought our new fridge today at Yamada!

We went to Yamada (we usually buy things at Yamada), then we went to Laox to compare prices and then off to Kojima and then finally we went to Midori. Midori said, they would match the price that Yamada said they were willing to lower the price to. But we honestly trust Yamada more. We have bought a bunch of things from them and have always been treated very sweetly at Yamada and have always got good stuff (We bought two heaters from Midori once and had to take them both back, hmmm). So, since this was such a major purchase we figured we better buy it where we are *most* comfortable.

By the way, my mil did send Noboru a credit card for us, so we could buy it as our house warming gift from her! Man that was so amazingly nice and cool of my mother in law! We bought the largest one even available in Japan and most expensive in Japan. We honestly were planning to buy this one anyways...so we didn't choose this just to sock it to the mil, lol trust us). Besides you all know how picky we both are...so yes we would have got this one anyways. We bought the Mitsubishi 545 liter one! You just can't buy anything bigger in Japan!

Funny because at all electronic type stores like this. They sell the fridges in a line. Starting from smallest all the way to the biggest. We got the one all the way on the farthest left, lol. Couldn't be any bigger then the one we got today!

We checked and looked at many but we are both so happy knowing we got the absolute top of the line one, best and biggest in all of Japan. Cost was 250,000 yen or for those of you, in the US that's $2,500.00 US. But with proper haggling, by my wonderful husband, we got it for 200,000 yen! So that's pretty good right? Besides it was a gift from my mil. So, imagine we are pretty happy about this right now. We arranged for it to be at our new house for delivery on January 28th.

Also, today was Branden's first day of school. He was really happy to be back. Meanwhile it was quite hard for me getting up this morning but I managed. : )

We had lunch at Aeon/Jusco today. I had Italian (what else, right?), and Noboru had some yakisoba and Branden chose Mc Donald's (every kid in the world's favorite I think, lol)

We rented two DVD's. We will watch them both tonight. We got, War of the World's with Tom Cruise (Noboru picked this) and I chose, Bewitched with Nicole Kidman (Tom's ex, lol), And we will eat dinner here at home pretty soon and just stay warm and enjoy our night. So anyways....I'm going downstairs now, just wanted to fill everyone in on our day today.

Love and miss, you all : )

PS, it also has an ice maker too! Yahoo! No more having to make ice the hard way! : )

As of January 10th....

Sorry the outside picture of the house was taken at night and the door was open and not closed. Sorry about that. But at least you can see the lighting in the house through the windows now. And you can see our front wood porch. The other pics are of our ceiling fan and our down lighting in the master bedroom. The ceilings actual shape is so awesome and ceiling is so high, we love it! I cannot wait to sleep in this bedroom. : )

Okay, so we had to go to the dump today to throw another load of stuff away. Also, I threw the Snoopy baby bath away as well! This drove me nuts to do so, since I just bought it right before Noah was born! So the things was practically new. But, I knew we wouldn't be needing it anymore and to keep it with the purpose of just to keep it would be dumb! Also, if you read how we got paid diddly squat yesterday at the recycle shop, I figured if I took this down to the recycle shop, they'd only pay me *maybe* 300 yen for it probably (is this not a joke or what? lol). So, I figured at that rate...forget it! And I will just throw it to be thrown away for garbage rather then be paid that measly 300 yen. Reason? Because we had to go to the dump anyways. And weren't driving near that recycle shop today. And the cost in gas to go someplace not really on our agenda today would probably eat up more then 300 yens worth. So it was more cost efficient for us just to chuck it into the trash! Ridiculous isn't it? But, again that's how I am learning how things are done in Japan.

We also went to our new house today and met with the guy about the wiring being in our yard. The wiring will be moved by January 18th. So that is not bad. Granted it won't be gone completely, but it will be at a better spot that we can both live with. Also, by us complaining about it. NTT and another company are going to give us some cash now. So, I guess what they say, about the squeaky wheel getting the oil is absolutely true, huh? Ha ha ha.

Also, Noboru got his stamp registered to our new place. And we went to the city ward office and now we are all now officially registered in our new city. So, we are now not even technically residents of Yachiyo anymore as of today. Our health insurance and all that paperwork was also done today as well. So, paperwork wise, we are now residents over there now.

The non skid tiling has been completed on the back yard terrace. It looks gorgeous but is being wrapped by plastic for a week to fully get set. Also, all the lighting was getting done today. 90% of it was done when we were there. And the color TV monitor and camera for our front door has been put in place. We have two TV monitors in our house. One is downstairs and the other one is upstairs. So this was no matter where we are, we can always see whose at the door and if we don't wanna answer, we don't have to. But it's cool we have two color TV monitors and not just one! The ceiling fan in our bedroom is up and the ceiling fan we just bought in Guam is up and in the dining room! Gosh, this place is getting better all the time! Also, the wood front porch has already been built. It smelled like fresh cut wood and it smelled wonderful! It hasn't been stained yet with the color we chose, but it looks awesome!

Today there were 4 electricians on our house doing all electrical stuff. Because we have so much lighting and wirings and ceiling fans etc that they had to bring in five guys. Noboru and I usually buy the guys drinks. So before we left, we ran to the conbini and bought a bunch of different hot cans of coffee. We knew they would appreciate it because it was freezing today. And many of them were outside hooking up our terrace lighting and front porch monitors etc. They loved getting the coffee. And it lets them know, we are nice and friendly and appreciate their hard work, meanwhile we are not all nasty with unfriendly attitudes type people. They actually and honestly, genuinely like being at our house. Noboru was smoking with those 4 guys and smoking and drinking coffee outside with them. And the guys said to Noboru a few things about our house!

One guys said, "I have *never* been to America before, but I know something this house is like nothing I have *ever* seen before! This is a true American house! They other guys said..this is one of the most beautiful houses they have ever worked on before! And the other guys admitted to Noboru. We make many United Homes but we have never made an American house 100% like this before. These guys were just in awe of this house! Most unbelievable house these guys said they ever saw! Gorgeous is what they kept saying.

Noboru said....the difference is most people who get United Homes are just Japanese persons trying to copy or give their best interpretation of what an American house is. But he said, he gave me the credit for it. Saying, as you could see, my wife is obviously American and she's an American making the house her style, so it will always be a true American house. Not a Japanese trying to immulate an American house but an American making an American house. He said my wife is the reason, this house looks so different and is so beautiful! Ahhh, what a nice husband I have to say those nice things about me. And what sweet guys to say all those things about our new house.

So, anyway...thought I'd share what sorta comments we got today about our house.

Okay the pics I'm sharing are of the guy and the measuring tape is where he will have them move the wiring, lol. Also, you can see the wood front porch from the pic as well. The other pic is of the dining room celing fan with light that we just bought in Guam a couple weeks ago. The other pic is of our wall near the dining room. That wall, was in the process of being finished with the electrical stuff as we clicked the pic. The light switches are there. The TV front door color screen is there too and the central air/heating switch is there also. And the final pic is of the other color TV monitor that is in the upstairs hallway, so we can also view people at the door, while still being upstairs. Yippy! : )

My first experience with a Japanese recycle shop!

So, I had my first experience with a Japanese recycle shop. And my thoughts? What a total and complete rip off they are! I had some stuff we both figured we wouldn't need anymore and since we are about to move, we figured it would be a great time to sell the unwanted and unneeded things.

Recycle shops in Japan are places where people sell their things of value that they don't need anymore. Some are sometimes specific type recycle shops. Such as baby recycle shops (no not a place to sell your baby, lol, but to sell your used baby items, your baby has outgrown.) Some are electronic recycle shops etc.

So since we have been seeing this new baby recycle shop near our house. We were thinking of selling our stuff there. So we loaded up the car and went on our way!
Now on the Japanese websites they all say....don't be shocked, that they all give you such a low amount of money. Okay, so we sorta knew that but, all I can say is OMG! They gave us a measly 5,000 yen! For those of you in the US that's about $50.00! Peanuts would have been better than that! To fully understand, why we were so shocked about getting that amount, let me tell you what we sold!

One crib. Flawless crib and pristine mattress! My mil bought it when we first moved to Japan. Branden never and I do mean never slept in it! And while I set it up again for Noah....fully determined to make him sleep in it! I honestly can say he never slept it, not even once! And we all know with my super freaky cleanliness...it was immaculate!

A bumper pad....I just bought this colorful bumper pad, not more then 8 month's ago. This things alone cost me about $50.00!

Matching sheet...this was $17.00 US when I bought this.

Bright and colorful mobile...this stuff came all the way from the USA. Gorgeous! And the price for this alone was again about $50.00! I didn't want to even sell this honestly but I didn't feel right lugging stuff to the new house, that I knew in my heart that we would never use anyway! So...that was the only reason I even got rid of it in the first place! Truly there will never be a nicer mobile in all of Japan! Ahhhh, can you see how bummed out selling this stuff made me? LOL!

A 4 in one stroller. This is a car seat and stroller combo. Things was over $220 US. I loved this, but frankly this was way too huge for Japan. Which is why I changed it to a much smaller Japan friendly stroller when Branden was about 8 month's old. And I use that same stroller on Noah. I did use the infant car seat to this bigger stroller that I sold. But if you read the blog...you will know. I switched car seats to the bigger car seat, for Noah a while back. So now that we aren't using the infant car seat for this anymore. And we won't be using the stroller part either! I figured we should sell it as a set!

Also, we sold a thing called the Sit and Stroll. In concept this is a car seat and stroller in 1. However this was a big waste of money and I cursed the day I bought this! I actually was going to throw it in the trash at Dallas Fortworth when I was in transit trying to get myself to Denver one time. Gosh, I remember this so clearly! So, although this thing cost us about $100.00 I was so happy to sell this darned thing!

Yup...crib, US cool bedding! Giant stroller and plus the car seat/stroller (sit and stroll)....all of it was sold and the lady gave us only 5,000 yen for everything? Can you just imagine the look of shock on my face? Noboru was actually more shocked then me! We both agreed and sold it!

Why? Because we don't exactly got time on our side! We gotta move quite soon. And. I asked my friends who might need the stuff first and nobody needed any of it. So. It was either sell it and make the measly 5,000 yen. Or junk it and get zero! So, being of sound mind...we went for the 5,000 yen!

My thoughts now? I would never sell anything at the recycle shop again! They are a big rip off!

On the bright side. And yes there is always a bright side to everything. We did get rid of a huge amount of stuff that was just taking room in the closet! And we also made a bit of spare change too. So all in all, not bad!

Also, while I was there, we saw a sit down bigger infant type shower chair. I bought Noah a Snoopy infant (for newborns) bath when my friend Darlene and I were at Aeon/Jusco last June. I think I paid, 3,500 yen or somewhere around that. Anyway I used it on Noah religiously everyday for the past 6 month's. But in December he started pulling himself up and not liking it anymore. So, I knew, I had to get the one for older infants. The sit down type chairs. I had been telling Noboru that for a couple weeks actually. So, when I was in the recycle shop. I looked and they had 3. Two of them were just plain white and had some blue color on the bar. But they were plain and didn't have anything special on them. They also had a Winnie the pooh one that had 3 fun toys on it that I thought Noah might enjoy playing with it during shower time. And the price was only 800 yen at the recycle shop and it perfect condition! I told Noboru. I bought the Snoopy one barely 6 months ago and now he outgrew it already! And Noah will probably outgrow this seat too, by the end of summer. So, why buy it new and just waste good money, if I can buy it here for only 800 yen? Seriously the sit down chair would probably be about 3500 yen brand new too. So, 800 yen used, was one heck of a good deal! He agreed. So, while we were at the recycle shop getting taken to the cleaners by that lady who owned it. We also bought Noah a bigger sized shower seat!

I did wash the Winnie the Pooh seat about 5 times, with Kirkland antibacterial wipes and also a wash cloth and bleach! And I rinsed it quite well. So it got the typical Gina clean up and Noah used it last night and loved it! And he played with those 3 silly toys on there too.

So anyway that was our recycle shop experience. We got insultingly low money for our stuff, but on the bright side we found a nice shower seat for Noah. And we also got rid of a bunch of stuff too. So not too bad, I guess!

PS, The pics I'm sharing are of the snoppy bath, that I bought brand new at Aeon 6 or 7 month's ago. For 3500 yen. Pretty expensive if you consider Noah outgrew it before he even got to be six month's old. And I don't feel I got my money;s worth out of it, at all. The other pics are of the Pooh chair for older infants that I bought at a bargain price of only 800 yen since I got it at a recycle shop! Honestly, I think this was a fantstic deal and I really feel I will get my money's worth with it!: )

Update on Branden...he said what???

So much to update on him. Where to even begin?

He is such a good kid. I seriously mean that and not just because he's my own kid either. I say it because it's 100% true!

In December right before Christmas break. Noboru told me some older kid was bullying a classmate of Branden's. His last name is Sugei, I think, And Sugei is really short, like 2 inches shorter then Branden. But he is a good kid and very outgoing. Anyway some older boys were bullying Sugei. And Noboru was dropping off Branden. And he said he saw Branden stepping in front of Sugei. To block Sugei from the older boys! So, he basically protected Sugei. He always protects other kids from getting bullied. So he has a good heart and is very kind, Branden is *very* popular at school, but he is the protector of the underdog.

I always tell him not to be rough with girls. And be especially nice to kids younger then him. And he does and is. However by the same token, I don't want him to be a wimp either. I mean he still is a boy for crying out loud! So, I also tell him, if a boy is mean or rough with him and is the same age or older.....then he has every right to defend himself. And if some other/older boy hits him first, then he is more then allowed to hit back as long as the other kid started it. I'd like to say I am a hippie and all peace and whatnot. But hey...if some boy wallops on my boy, I want him to be strong enough to stick up for himself and he knows it. So, while he does stick up for himself, he is no bully. He is basically just a well rounded boy. He doesn't go looking for trouble like I've seen other kids do, and he won't go crying to mama either, just cause he starts stuff, he can't finish. He can handle himself and I am happy he can! Good kid...good kid!

All of you know he got a DS game system. And wow, I am really happy I bought this for him! It plays both games, Gameboy Advance games and also the DS games, so we can double our playing, by being able to use and play two different types of cartridges. He is so good at Mario Karts. Noboru likes playing the DS and , so do I. So it is really nice. I ordered him 3 games the other day. And by the email I got from Target.com, they were shipped already and should get to dad's house soon. Branden somehow thinks they are going to be here in Japan any day! I keep telling him...no, they didn't even get to grandpa's house yet! LOL. I guess, he can barely wait for the new games to get here.

He drinks milk milk milk all day and night long. It's his beverage of choice. We got coke in the fridge, yet the kid asks for milk! Geeze, he certainly will NEVER need a vitamin D supplement anytime soon! LOL.

As soon as we move to the new house. And things calm down and we come back from Osaka and Denver. We are going to start Branden in a soccer league. Why? Because out of all sports he seems most interested in this one. Also Noboru played soccer from elementary school all the way to high school. So he is quite good himself. Noboru has been kicking our soccer ball around with Branden since last year and he is very good at it actually. He just uses *only* his feet at this young age (which obviously it's the way it's supposed to be, lol) and is quite accurate at hitting his mark. Noboru also did motorcross all through elementary and high school, but I won't even consider letting Branden doing that! Too dangerous! And also Noboru also did hockey as well, but again....I think it's too dangerous. So, since we both agree with soccer and plus Branden seems really taken with it. Probably this summer he will be joining a soccer club for his age.

He knows his ABC's completely and knows the song by heart. Has for a long time now, so maybe that's not too much news. He is starting basic adding. These are things I teach him and go through with him when we are at home. He also cleans up after himself which I am sure his future wife will thank me for in the future! LOL. After supper, I make him take his own plate to the trash can and scrape it down and then put it in the sink. I may have two boys, but they certainly won't be lazy blobs, who just lay on the floor and expect to be served 24/7! They are learning to be helpful and not lazy! He also helps me chop and prep food for supper. Granted I give him just a plastic dull butterknife to chop with and usually just toss the ones he has cut into the trash, when he's not looking! But I find it gives him great self esteem! And he likes being helpful! To me this is quiet important.

His favorite cartoons are. Mr. Bean on Cartoon Network, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Billy And Mandy, Franny's Feet, Kids Next Door, Ed, Edd and Eddie (this is the only cartoon I really hate btw) Tom and Jerry, Pink Panther, Dexter's Laboratory, and House of Mouse on Disney channel.

His favorite movies are at the moment and remember kids being kids this can change at any second. Chicken Little. Herbie Fully Loaded. And he likes watching Flubber on Disney channel, like last night.

Worst thing Branden has said at the moment? We were at the Outback Steakhouse last week, and some western guy and some Japanese lady were sitting next to us. Right next to us, actually like a cm away actually. Anyway.....so they are sitting at their table and we are at ours. Branden said. "Daddy, how come that guy has a really big nose and is talking English?" (yup he meant "speaking" not talking lol) At that second, it was a total dead silence. I swear you could have heard a pin drop. Noboru and I stared at eachother and I turned pale white. I usually don't find kids saying mean things funny or amusing at all! But, in all honesty, this guys nose was enormous! Thinks along the lines of Roxanne with Steve Martin! The guy was in his late 20's and already severely badly balding. And he thought he was a real Casanova with the Japanese ladies, you could tell. I also think they were on a date! So, yes while he was trying to be Mr. Cool, Branden said...that! As, I am American and most people in my family have big noses anyway, I can safely say this nose was abnormally huge! Even by comparing western standards, his nose was still oddly big!

What did we do? Well, I am usually good at just acting like I didn't hear it. But, I had to wrinkle my face a couple times because I had to stop myself from cracking up with laughter. So, I didn't laugh. I just pretended I didn't hear it. I figured me reprimanding him right there could open a Pandora's box and it could get worse. So, I figured if we could just drop it...hopefully we would all forget about it. Noboru wanted to laugh too, I could see it on his face. So, here we were both staring at eachother Noboru and I, both crinkling our faces trying to hold our laughs in. The man did look our way, so I know he heard it. I think he wanted to die of embaressment too, because of what Branden said. Geeze how embarrassing!

But when we got in the car...I certainly did tell Branden...those are *not* nice things you should say! You can think them, fine! And you can even, tell mommy about them after! But don't tell me, when they can hear you! Sigh! LOL!

Oh and he got 2 magnet trains last week. And he tells me....mommy Gordon is a maggot! I know kids often sound like they speak with an odd accent at times when they're little and I know that's typical. But...yeah! For the last couple days, he has been killing me with the old..."mommy, Gordon is a maggot!" I say....oh yeah? Gordon is a magNet huh? Hopefully he will say magnet perfectly soon. Because I wonder what you all in Denver, will say when Branden says Thomas or Gordon is a real maggot! Oh geeze, we don't have any friends, named Thomas or Gordon or anything right? If so, sorry he *isn't* calling anyone a little maggot. He is actually saying MAGNET! LOL.

PS, the pics are what I snapped of Branden today after our lunch. And, yes I certainly do proudly hang all of my sons artwork masterpieces from yochien! I'm his biggest fan! LOL, I am just so crazy for both my boys. Proud mommy here! : )

Six month's old, yippy! An update on Noah!

Wow, Noah is now officially six month's old! He has grown so much, it's absolutely unbelievable.

I think sometimes he is getting ready to crawl, but then I recall it's too soon yet still. But he sits on his knees and his arms prop him up, so he is like in this doggie type position. And he rocks back and forth. He does this all the time. It has become his favorite thing to do. And he lunges at stuff to grab for things. He practically dives for things. He is actually rocking back and forth in this computer room right now as I type this right now.

He eats just about everything we eat with a few exceptions of course. But, I find as long as I cut up things real small, he really enjoys to eat what we eat. Obviously he isn't eating hot spicy curry, or any sweets or anything that could still be too dangerous for his age or get lodged in his throat, but he does quite alright for himself.

Also, I think because Noah has an older sibling, he learns things faster, just because he has an older kid that he watches intensely. Just about everything Branden does, Noah wants to do too. If Branden for example is playing his DS game, Noah lunges for it too! Branden has a gazillion cars here at our house and sometimes as boys do, will carry his favorite one with him. Well, Noah now likes to carry a car with him too. He likes to slobber on it, lol. But he does try to mimic his older brother a lot. And language, Noah is constantly hearing 2 people constantly speak native English here at the house. Where as, when Branden was a baby he only heard me. So, I think he learns a ton. Also Noah loves to laugh, he laughs out loud and smiles all day and night long! He really is one of the most happiest babies, I have ever seen.

He likes music just like Branden did when he was a baby. And as most parents usually think about their own kids. Obviously I think Noah is a genuine genius, just like I know Branden is!

He got a big bright colorful train for Christmas and that is the toy, he plays with the most of all. I really think it's because Branden plays with his Thomas trains in the living room. Meanwhile Noah plays with his own bright infant type train side by side his brother. So, they both play and interact. I don't have to make a point of having "play dates" anymore. Because they got each other and play with each other, all the time. Although, I will still totally get together and do play dates, for sure, but I'm just saying it's now not the *only* way I can let Noah get interaction with others, because he gets to interact with his very own brother every day!

When Noah wakes up now, that he is getting mobile. He will roll himself over to Branden's side of the bed and slobber on his face and grunt at him, until Branden finally wakes up! And Branden too! I will tell Branden not to wake him up, but sometimes he gets so excited he will just sit next to Noah and watch him sleep and I will catch him sometimes purposely waking him up....and he will tell me. But it's just cause I love him! So they do get along quite well. Like two peas in a pod actually.

One last bit on Noah. He has hit the "afraid" of strangers age! Yup, beforehand he loved absolutely everybody. But when my mil was here last time, he cried for dear life! I think they actually thought my mil was a kidnapper at the sento....lol. The way Noah was carrying on being held by Mitsuko. But he warmed up to her, by the time she left though. Also, when Kaori was here a couple days ago, Noah cried again! : ( But he also warmed up to her before she left too. I know this afraid of strangers thing, goes in and out as babies grow, so hopefully this will pass soon.

I'm not sure when we will go to Denver, but I hope Noah gets over this by the time we go there. And we are also going to Osaka in February too and I hope Noah doesn't act like this, when we are there either. LOL.

So basically, Noah smiles and giggles all the time. He tumbles and rolls like a cactus blowing in the wind, lol and is quite good at this. He actually gets to where he needs to go, by rolling all over the house. It's quite funny to watch. He grunts and makes all sorts of strange baby noises. He is a gas machine and farts first thing *every* morning! Good thing they aren't the stinky kind! Just smell-less full of air kind. But they are *very* loud! I usually say....Noboru! And he gets embaressed even though it really isn't him who farted! I do this to Noboru every morning, lol! Noah is eating quite well. And he does this rock back and forth type thing! Like a baby lunge type thing, basically Noah is growing up and fast!

The pics were taken today. The boys and I had just finished lunch at the time and I was cleaning Noah's high chair and wiping the top down. And I figured, hmmm maybe I should just click a few pics of him. I'm glad I did. When he was laughing in one of the pictures, that's because Branden was in the kitchen and making him laugh.Branden always makes Noah happy and giggly! So he was laughing too. And then as I was at the sink and wiping down the high chair top meanwhile, Noah, got this really bored look on his face, like "hurry up mom, geeze it's taking forever" lol, I thought what a bored face! So I took a quick snap of his hurry up mom face too! LOL.

A bit more progress on our move

We made an appointment with Skyperfect and they are coming to our new house to hook us up on January 30th. And on January 10th, we are meeting some public service guy or whatnot. I'm not exactly sure if this guy is from the public service or phone company or which department they are from. But some yellow wiring is encroaching on our front yard. Honestly between you and me, it's just hitting our yard on the outer edge/rim of one side. However, Noboru and I both don't like it and today he called them and complained about it and he asked them to take it off completely or move the wiring off of our property. Could be a telephone wire is what I'm guessing. But whatever it is, we will figure this out this coming week, on January 10th. Because the guy will be meeting us at our new house, to see what he can do for us. Either way the wiring can't stay in our yard. Because we both hate it.

We also have to go to the recycle shop this coming week and get rid of some stuff.

Noboru actually is going to give one of his single coworkers who lives in a tiny apartment by himself, our fridge for free. I don't mind one bit! I think if one of our friends can benefit from our moving and inherit something of ours, they are more then welcome to. Otherwise we can just sell it and get some cash, I guess. But giving it to friends is better, I think. I guess the guys fridge is super duper tiny. Ours we are using now is tiny, I think too. But it is 305 liters, so for the guy it's bigger then what he has now. Noboru said the guy is really happy to be getting it...and asked. So when are you all moving? LOL, he wants the fridge, I think.

Also this week, I have to get my residency card changed to my new address. And get Noboru's stamp thing registered to the new house as well. We picked up the paper work for Branden's new school that he will be starting in April. It looked fine, but I guess I'm just used to his school he goes to now. Ughhhhh so much paper work and things that need to get done it's amazing!

My uniqlo surprise

Wow what a surprise. With the house stuff and a hundred things having to get done with this. I forgot that I ordered a few things for myself from Uniqlo about 8 days ago. I was wondering last week, where it was. But over the last couple days, I must have had other things on my mind because today when I peeked through my peep hole and saw a man carrying a box, I thought, huh? I opened the door and saw it said Uniqlo on it and then I remembered right away. So, it was a nice surprise indeed.

Tonight, I'm making chicken cutlet. I bought 3 chicken breasts yesterday. And I also bought some shredded cabbage that I guess we're supposed to always eat with fried stuff. Because according to my mil, it soaks up the oil from deep fried foods (in our bodies?)? Is this true or not? I'm actually not sure. But I don't mind eating it and since she scared me about the grease needing to be soaked up stuff a few years ago...lol. I always buy this anyways when we eat it (just in case she's right, ha ha ha)

I *really* need to go to my regular grocery store ASAP. But since it's been closed since December 31st until January 4th or 5th. Many stores and stuff close like this for a few days for New years. Some bigger chains are open but, I need my cheaper grocery store to open quickly. I've got food, but not as much as I usually keep in my fridge. So, I gotta go tomorrow or else.

Also, I found out Branden doesn't have to go to school until Jan 10th, so not until Monday, which this is so nice! A few more extra days to snooze in late.

Now, I'm going to Target.com to order a few DS and gameboy games for Branden real quick and otherwise just sit at home and relax and stay warm and otherwise be lazy tonight. Just basically enjoy my night : ) I think I'll have my dad give these games to Kaori and have her bring them back to Japan for me, since she'll be flying back through Narita and Noboru works there and so does Jun, so I can get them passed back to me quite easily.

PS, I mentioned otoshidama in another post. And for most of you, you are reading this from America and must be wondering what in the heck this is. Otoshidama is when kids in Japan get gift money from relatives. I asked Noboru do most kids get this in Japan? He gave me that "are you kidding" look and said, absolutely! And then went on to add, that it would be unheard of to *not* get otoshidama. And then he went on and said...it's the equivelent of Christian kids, not getting any gifts for Christmas whether they be from Santa or mommy or daddy or whomever, but you kwim. So, I knew most people got it, but according to him. It's really a *must* to get this. Geeze, somehow what he said about it being the equivelent of not getting Christmas presents, is what most stuck in my head! So, I guess this is pretty major here in Japan. I'm glad my kids get otoshidama every year at least. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed hearing about this Japanese tradition.

We went to Toys R Us in Makuhari last night

Yesterday in the evening after we dropped off my sil back at the airport, we went to Toys r us. We got each of the kids something small, with their large amount of cash they both got. We are going to hold onto most of the money and keep it in the bank that's especially money for the kids *only*. Like, I said they each got something small. Noah got a toy bar. And Branden got a carrying case for his Nintendo DS. They had a whole bunch of styles for carrying it, but I found a really cute sporty style and got him that one. He also got a protective thin layer of plastic, this thing protects the screen of the game itself (this was so cheap, like only 500 yen or something) and Branden picked his own toy and chose 2 magnet Thomas type trains, he actually got, Henry and Gordon.

Thoughts on Noah's toy bar. This was really difficult because they got 2 types of toy bars. One that is called a soft toy bar with soft plush toys that keeps toddlers 6 mos and older entertained. And then a harder toy bar for the same age, 6 mos and up. Both are actually great! I really had a hard time deciding because after careful thought and looking at each one of them like a million times. I decided neither of them was superior or inferior to the other. It all boiled down to personal choice. And I liked both. And they both have advantages. The soft bar is nice because it has a tiny mirror, which let's face it, all little kids like looking at themselves in the mirror, lol. And a tiny cloth book. Some of the soft toys make noises. Some light up. And if the baby hits himself up on it, he won't hurt himself.

The good side of the hard toy bar it's got good hard toys kids might like to chew on and play with too. I really liked both...hard and soft toy bars. They also were practically the same price maybe just 300 yen more for the soft toy bar, which is the one I got.

Noboru being a guy was no help whatsoever. But he said, get the soft one, cause it's electronic. And it makes noise and light up. Ummmm okay! Total guy, brain (anything that lights up or makes noise they think is a hit, lol)

In the end I went with the soft one, because...I put both of them up to Noah in the stroller and he grabbed for the soft one, two different times. Now, I usually will depend *on my own* decision but since I was so on the fence, on this and liked both so much equally anyways. That's how I decided on that. : )

Thoughts on Branden's Thomas trains. Hmmm, Branden has mostly all the battery operated Thomas trains. Boco, Mean clamp train, Thomas, James, lady, Diesel, Edward, Gordon, and so on, to infinity, I think. He also has a good deal of the magnet ones as well. Not as many magnet ones as he has the battery ones, but he has about 8 magnet ones at least. He was missing these two guys, so which is why he wanted them last night. And we said yes.

I'm counting on Noah to be into Thomas trains when he gets older since most kids in general like him (thomas) eventually anyways. So, hopefully with two kids using these, they will be a good investment since they both will be playing with them eventually anyways.

I liked and chose this bag for Branden's game because if you notice, it can be worn 2 different ways. Diagonally, across the body like how I wear my own bag or it can be worn like a "fanny pack" type.

My sil came to Narita today!

As usual, I have so much to blog about today. I got a good sleep, woke up about 9:30 am. Noboru mentioned that Kaori would be flying into Narita today. We found out last week, that she needed to get back to the US for some application or extension for her to be out of the US, since she has a green card. Some weird rule that she has to set foot on US soil once out of a 12 month period. And if she is living overseas and wants to keep her green card she has to get some document. So, since she doesn't want to give up her green card, she has to go all the way back to Denver (where her green card was originally issued) and do her paperwork. So, long story short she has to go to Denver. It was so last minute she couldn't even get a seat through Osaka, where she's from, so that's why she flew through Narita. She has never seen Noah and has just seen him through pictures and video tapes. So, we picked her up at Narita since her flight didn't even leave until 4:00 pm. We had lunch and chatted and she got to spend time with both the boys. It was nice. Real nice.

My sil will be coming back to Japan on January 13th. We asked her to bring us a couple things back. An extra toilet seat cover and toilet mat (they only had 1 set of it in Guam, figures huh? ) So, she will try to pick that up for us.

My sil also brought the boys their otoshidama (Japanese New years money, the kids get), so that was cool.

I'll blog more tomorrow, I'm getting sleepy.

I had the best day today!

My day was so super! I met up with my friend and with her daughter like we planned. Costco was fun. My friend did some awesome shopping and got many cool things.

I got, Olay Shea butter body wash (we went halvers on this, they came in a two pack with two big bottles, so she and I each got a big bottle of our own). And we both shared some Bounty paper towels (we went halfers on this too, we each got our own 4 or 5 rolls, but just split the cost which really helps! I was really happy we both split these 2 things! Because it splits the costs! And that way, I can buy something else, I might not been able to buy, since I am in a super budgeting mode because of the house right now. So, splitting stuff is awesome for me and for her too. Plus it saves room in your house, that way you don't got 9 giant size paper towels hogging half the linen closet for instance, because 4 is all, anyone really needs for the month anyway. So it works! Plus saves cash.

And, I got a rotisserie chicken (instant supper for tonight), Cascade dishwasher liquid. And some Perfumes Decoer body lotions in the White Musk and Freesia scent. I have actually got a funny story about this lotion btw, My friend and I both wanted some of this. And they were sold in a 2 pack. We each wanted our own 2 pack. But most of them were White Musk mixed with a tube of Cotton Candy scented lotion. Somehow the thought of rubbing cotton candy over our bodies didn't appeal to either of us! So, we were looking through them and then I found one that was White musk that came with Raspberry. Hmmm, this wasn't what she or I wanted either. Suddenly she said....."too bad they don't got one with White Musk and with the Freesia! Out of no where, I saw just that very thing! I grabbed it and gave it to my friend. Because she called it first, lol. So, I still wanted one too, so we basically tore the entire rows of lotions apart and went on this intensive man hunt for the two pack of lotion. You'd think we were searching for a golden ticket or something. Both of us with our arms in there checking each pack. Japanese by-standers were around and looked on and not sure if they were just watching two foreigners searching so intensely for a certain lotion. Or if they actually wanted to look for some too but, we both didn't move, we were looking for what we were looking for and that was that. Oh and, my friend did find another two pack of the White Musk and the Freesia. Yippy! So, that was cool and yes really funny! So, *we* were the ones who messed up the Perfumes Decoer lotion display. (shhh!) : )

We all had pizza and chocolate churros for lunch and sodas. We were lucky the pizza was fresh and hot out of the oven because it was really good. We were chatting and happy.

My friend got, Olay Shea body wash, White Musk and Freesia lotion. Tide Cold water liquid detergent (2 of these, she was super smart to stock up), Bounty paper towels and bounty napkins, Kirkland antibacterial wipes, Oxy Clean, Cascade dishwasher liquid (against she was smart to buy 2 of these). And Oral B toothbrushes. And a rotisserie chicken. And some daikon kimchee. And I think that's it. But, I might have forgot something, but this at least gives you all an idea of what we did today. And what we each saw and bought.

We left Costco, and we were having such a great time, that she suggested we go to Starbucks and Carrefour (sp?) I said yes of course because I was having so much fun, I thought what the heck! We went to Carrefour. And she bought a few things like olives, man they looked good. And she bought another rotisserie chicken. The chickens here looked even better then the ones at Costco. And now that I know about these, I would like to eat one of these real soon. They had a garlic one, a French one and an original one and some other kind,but I forget what it was called. And again, in my friends defense, chickens are quite small to begin with. If you want leftovers it isn't a bad idea to have 2 chickens yk. Hmmm, maybe I shoulda got a Carrefore chicken too, lol. Oh well, next time. We went and sat down at Starbucks and had a nice chat.

I honestly had one of the best and funnest days I've had in a real long time! Her daughter is a total star. She really is wonderful to be around! She made me laugh all day long! And my friend, just has this wonderful relaxed and fun, attitude that just clicks right with me quite well. It's really cool just hanging with the both of them. I really felt I could let my hair down today and just relax and be myself and have fun and I really had a great time. My day was truly awesome! Not one single bad thing, could be said about my day today!

I got home. me and all my guys (Noboru included) had dinner. Rotisserie chicken and rice and veggies. And then Noah and I jumped into the shower.Noboru already bathed Branden while I was with my friend. I used the Olay Shea butter. And I must say, I really like this. Give me a couple more days to make sure. But, I liked that my skin afterwards felt super soft, even before using lotion on my skin. So yes, my skin was totally softer after using this. And Noah's skin was softer. It smelled fantastic and clean and great. Super smell. And, I did clean my girly parts and no burn whatsoever. So, it passed the test so far. I'm really liking this a lot. And if this is going to be available in Japan (only at Costco), I can see me buying this again for sure. Could it be too moisturizing for summer though? Hmm, not sure, could be, who knows yet. But great for winter, itchy dry skin for sure! And I love the shea in this, that's actually, why I went halfers to begin with. Remember the Locctaine Shea butter, I bought a while back? I really like shea butter. Let me, use the whole bottle up and I'll post again, but so far I think this is fantastic! Very gentle. I'm going to ask my friend what she thinks of her bottle of this, as well.

Anyway, I'm tired, really tired now, I got my nightgown on. And the boys and Noboru and everyone is fast asleep. So, good night. Hopefully, I will get to sleep in tomorrow. : )

super fast update...gotta run!

I slept in to 12:50 pm yesterday. Oh man it felt *so* good to get that good of sleep. I swear I haven't had a good full sleep like that since before Branden was born! Both the boys slept in too. I felt really refreshed all day long yesterday.

Stayed home and watched movies. We watched the new Harry Potter (the goblet of fire), we downloaded this one as usual. And it's still at the movie theaters, so that makes it so cool to be able to see movies like this. This was the best Harry Potter movie out of all of them! I really liked this one. I might give a review on this in a couple days, because I'm really pinched for time at the moment.

Today, I'm meeting my really good friend at the train station (she's from Canada, which is pretty cool) and we are going to go to Costco. So, I gotta go pick her and her beautiful daughter up quite soon. I'll post more later.

First day of the year, was freezing!

Today was so totally bitterly cold. It was unbelievable how cold and freezing it felt.

Also, it could be with the New Year and all, but they have been showing bunches of shows in their entire seasons, back to back these past couple days. So, the other day I watched a Friends marathon, about 6 hours of Friends, wow! And then last night, I watched one of my favorite shows, called Six Feet Deep. And I watched an entire season of that although, I had seen most of them anyways. And I'm actually watching a marathon of Nip/Tuck right now(repeats for me, since I've seen them all before but I like watching them again). So, I've been quite happy with the TV programming quite a bit lately.

I've also seen Terminator 3, a few times this month already thanks to our cable always repeating the movies so many times. Ha ha ha, but I don't mind since I like all the Terminator movies anyways.

So, nothing new, just the weather is unbelievably cold and I've been in TV heaven with all my favorite shows showing, back to back episodes! : )

Happy New Year everybody!!! : )

Happy New Year to all our family and loved ones! It is wonderful to start a brand new year! Although last year, was really fantastic for us, as a family. We started to build our house in 2005. Our little baby Noah, was born in 2005. So our year was chalk full of blessings. Also, dad had some health issues, which I won't discuss on this forum. But he is fine now. So, we had one heck of a good scare with dad, but other then that, 2005 was a good year and our family is looking forward to roll into 2006 and see what this year will bring to us and our family! Hopefully we will all stay healthy and all have each other for many years to come! Plus the new house is coming this year! So, here's looking at you....2006!

On December 31st, we stayed home. And rented DVD's. And ate good yummy food. Noboru, worked until 9:00 pm. And he got home at 10:00 pm. We all were awake and had a very late snack (me and the boys, ate a real supper earlier and Noboru ate dinner at work with his coworkers). We watched Japanese New Years TV programs that he looks forward to all year long. I grinned and bared it, because, I know how much Noboru likes these boring New Years shows. LOL. We watched the New Year count down and then we got in the car at 12:05 am. And we drove down to the public bath (sento) and we took our first bath of the year. Noboru and his family had this tradition growing up. I am not sure, if this is an Osaka thing or what. But his whole family likes going to the public bath for New Years and Noboru told me that the sento is opened on New Years actually 24 hours for that special day. Because people like to go and take their "first" sento of the year! Go figure! I didn't mind because I love going to the sento anyways. Noboru and Branden went to the guys side and Noah and I went to the girls side. I sat in the aromatherapy bath and the regular hot bath and then we sat in the outdoor bath (rotenburo) and looked at the stars and the night sky totally naked with a bunch of old Japanese grannies! LOL. It was honestly? Really cool and very nice! My tense muscles were nicely melted away and relaxed, I felt like a gumby bendable doll afterwards.

The boys both got their jammies on at the sento. And I put on my fleece pants and sweatshirt and then we sat in the dining area of the sento and I had a lemon shave ice (kakigori). Branden had a choco,vanilla twisted ice-cream cone, and Noboru had a beer. It was really nice. We went home and went fast asleep.

Oh yeah, also in the morning of January 31st. The blinds people called us from Guam. We have been communicating by emails since we went to Guam about 10 days ago. We have been busy ordering which this took forever to order by email. Here's what we got. Noboru likes blinds. I wanted curtains originally but later changed my mind. But then we checked out a United Home model house and they actually replaced their curtains with blinds. Not cheap $5.00 type blinds. But really nice expensive ones. We actually wanted the actual ones hanging in the model house. We looked at the blinds and read that it said Graber. So, we asked United Homes to quote us a deal on those blinds and they gave us a high quote. And we researched it and they are expensive but they weren't nearly the price United Homes was asking! So, because the blinds looked *that* nice. I agreed, yeah let's go for it, since Noboru wanted them to begin with. And we went to the place in Guam, they said they'd ship to us. We looked at the Graber samples they had. Picked out a color called "snowflake" that I chose and liked. And they are actually like 2-inches wide and wood so they aren't thin type cheap looking miniblinds. These are nice and even have cloth ladder tape (okay maybe nobody knows what that is, lol nevermind) Plus we had to get the vertical ones for the big sliding glass doors, besides the horizontal ones for the rest of the house .

Questions like do we want the turn wand on the left or right side. The up or down pull thing on the left or right. Ahhhh questions and more questions. This week was really quite busy. So many tiny details, have to be decided. Also, do we want inner mounting or outer mounting? Hello! I swear if I ever got a friend or loved one, who needs blinds, I have now become an expert and can help! Ha ha ha.

All decisions were made and all measurements given. And then we gave him our number and he called us, January 31st morning and we placed our order and gave the go ahead! They are being made in the mainland US and being rushed to Guam, special order, since it's still US postal rates. Then he is either going to ship them on to us or Noboru will fly to Guam and pick them up. Since he can have them go into the cargo part of the plane for free. But either way, we'll get them in only 2 weeks. Not bad. Our price for our blinds for all the windows we have? A grand total of $3,000 US. Yup, 300,000 yen! Just for flipping blinds! But, hey we want quality ones and not cheap yucky stuff. My good friend who bought a new home last year here in Japan told me last year...."don't buy cheap window treatments", she said. I paid attention to her advice. She is also the one who kept telling me. You should get a big American oven. I was thinking that too. But, I was sorta on the fence about it, at the time. But she gave me that shove in the right direction, I needed. She also told me, warned me actually. That many Japanese dishwashers don't hold big plates and don't hold many dishes. Her advice was priceless. I seriously think, when people have gone through the same thing just before you....be smart. Take notes, even if they're just mental notes! And listen! Because you can learn a lot from them. I learned a lot from my friend who bought her house before me.

Look at me know? Look at all the stuff, I've learned since last year? So much about houses and stuff relating to that, but before I had no idea. Who knows, maybe I can pass whatever I know to someone else someday in the future.

Happy New Year everyone. We love and miss you all.