Especially for you Illahee! : ) This is the flour I use for cookies and stuff. Just a basic flour. Nothing too special, I don't think. : ) Hope this helps, my friend, have a good night! : )

Wednesday, a really beautiful day, meaning the weather and everything else! : )

Wednesday morning was a busy morning for me, because I spent the entire morning cleaning the house from top to bottom. I washed blankets, pillow cases, all the bedding for the beds. I even aired out the living room area rug and whacked it with my stick a few times. : ) Come noon though, I needed a quick 5 minute shower to clean up, soap up and get changed. After my shower, we had lunch at home. And I then relaxed on the couch until it was 2:30 pm, for us to go and pick up B from school and drive him to the swimming school. Also,I think my flowers are finally big enough to go hang on the front porch. : )

So, now they are indeed hanging on the front porch, all 4 of them. I sure hope they get bigger and real bushy and flowery! : )

And there we sat and watched B do his thing with swim class. And yes, that is blue goggle girl (that super cutie pie) swimming right in front of him. : )

Noboru came with me to swim club today. He wanted to come today because today was the monthly swim test.

Here's the coach marking someones grade. Branden already went and was sitting on the ground 2nd closest to the coach. : )

He passed! Now he's a #9. : )

It was a week day and I had to get dinner prepared, but we still wanted to congratulate him. So, we went and got some ice cream at the store near the swimming school. Everyone got a treat! : )

Even Noah got a treat! : )

Noboru got an ice cream! : )

And even I got a lemon shave ice! It was so hot, that we ate them on the ride home! : )

I made homemade meatballs. Man were they good. : )

In the meat drippings, I fried up my bell peppers and mushrooms and then drained any excess afterwards. And the sauce was a quick instant type deal. Sorry but yk, swimming nights, are long and no time for a long drawn out meal on Wednesdays. : )

And it was done. the salad stuff, I prepped in the day in between my marathon house cleaning in the morning. Ugh about the house cleaning, it truly never ends, ha ha ha.

I wanted to ask...has anybody tried these yet? They are on quite a few TV commercials in Japan lately. They are like half jello or whatever and half soda. Horrible explanation, so forgive me on that. : ) And they gotta be cold, cold, cold. And then you shake them 10 times. My husband had one at work the other day. And he told me about it. I mentioned I might wanna try one. He brought one for Branden and I. What did I think? Hmmm. Honestly? I didn't care for it. It was sorta like drinking a soda with boogers in it! Ha ha ha. Okay...not that I have ever drank that, but you kwim. It was just the feel of the drink, ha ha ha. if anyone has tried it, let me know if you liked it or not. And fwiw, Noboru and Branden both liked it, ha ha ha. : )

PS, okay can't leave you all on a bad note (thinking about the soda and all, lol) has anyone tried this cheesecake ice cream yet? These are very good and cheap. We had these on Tuesday evening after dinner. : )

And now it's Thursday afternoon! What have I been doing today? Well, I did 1 load of laundry, vacuumed and swept the downstairs. Unloaded the dishwasher. And now, I have some free time, so I have been researching about getting a Japanese drivers license. Now that I am aware the law has changed (thank you Illahee, you have no idea how much you helped me by telling me that : ). I really need to get my license switched immediately, like super immediately is more like it. So, for the last hour and a half, I have been reading online about this a great deal.: ) Sites in English that give pointers, suggestions about obtaining a license here in Japan. I think, the first thing I have to do is get my license translated through the JAF. So, my task between today and Friday will be to locate my closest and nearest JAF. If it's close/near, hopefully I can bring my license down there in person. but if it's far, I will have to mail it. Also, I read that some places have "practice sessions" for about 8,000 yen, I might be interested in taking a practice session on the course I will be testing on. Also, I have to find which is the closest place to get my license. So, I imagine this will keep me busy a bit. Hopefully they can translate my license fast/quickly, so I can go ahead and make an appointment for my drivers test (written and driven) hopefully the appointment isn't like a long time from now too though, but we'll see. : )Good thing is though...I know now, and I am at least working on getting this resolved. : ) PSS, this came off this guys site and I will cut and paste it here. And link it too. Since I didn't write it.

"About 9 out of 10 people fail the driving test on their first try. On my first day, only one person finished the course, and she passed. The rest of us all had to try again. Some of the people had no idea about the little rules and details the tester was looking for, so they were completely stunned when they suddenly failed. That's why I've written this page and included the tips below, so that you'll have a better chance of passing sooner.
Whether you pass or not, you need to go inside and wait for the results. If you don't pass, you'll be given a paper with another scheduled date to try again. You may be able to change the date on the spot if that day/time doesn't work for you. "

http://www.globalcompassion.com/driving.htm

My thoughts? Yikes, you guys. 9 out of 10 will fail? Is that what he just said. Gulp! Okay guys. I will try my best. But I am sorta thinking I will fail the first try (god, I hope I am wrong though). : ) Ah well, what can I say. My journey to getting a Japanese drivers license has begun, ha ha ha. : )

Anyway, I got a bit of free time now...so I'm off to go relax on the couch until 2:30 pm (that time of the month, sorry tmi, but I feel like crud, I think a nice afternoon of rest will really do me some good. : )

School was cancelled today, due to heavy rain and harsh winds!!! : )

There was talk of us being hit by an actual typhoon today. When I woke up this morning, I had an email on my keitei from the school, saying not sure if school would be cancelled or not, but please stand by. Okay, so I just got Branden ready like usual. And I was also going to be giving a ride to Genki-kun and his sister as well. However the whole school was still on stand by. By now Branden was dressed, he had eaten breakfast, washed his face and brushed his teeth. I had my clothes on and my drivers license with me. And both boys in raincoats. Just as I was about to leave the house at 7;30 am. I again got an email on my cell phone. Yup, it was the school again. School was officially cancelled today, because of the strong winds and rain! We took our shoes back off and switched our clothes into our comfy clothes. We were lazy bums all day long today! We lazed on the couch watching Dora and other various cartoons. I also watched the news on CNN. Checking to see, what was still going on with the earthquake in China. And what's going on with Hillary and Obama lately. Among other news. And at 10am, the kids and I went upstairs and took a 2 hour nap. Not tired really, just a nice relaxing nice nap. After that the boys played in the house. And by the time 3:00 pm rolled around, the rain was long gone. And the kids in the neighborhood all started to play. Our door bell began to ring, many little boys and girls looking to play with Branden. He turned and asked if he could go. I said sure! And he went out and played with them for an hour. Meanwhile I got to get dinner prepared!

I grew up with "snow days" but I never had "rain days" ha ha ha! But, shoot, if it's a chance to weasel out of school, I'm all for it! : )

Sunday's bike ride, and a real sincere and heartfelt appreciation and thanks to my mom! : )

Sunday, the weather was gorgeous! Funny weather we've been having lately. One week it's typhoon and heavy rains and then a few days later over the weekend it is lovely and then next thing it's heavy rains again, hmmm. Ha ha ha. Anyway not taking the lovely weather type days for granted (especially since according to the news forecast, we are indeed expecting more heavy rains this week.) So we took advantage of our nice day and the boys and I hopped on our bikes and we rode them to the country little store to get a few snacks. Here's a pic of Branden riding down the country rode. Noah and I followed him on our bike. : )

Branden wanted to carry the snacks in his basket! Just chips and some plain salt roasted peanuts is all. Not much! : ) They went for fun and fresh air and I went for the exercise and fresh air lol! : )

Going a bit up this hill is tough! Grrrr! Ha ha ha! It is definitely steeper then it looks, lol.

And Noah after we just arrived home! : )

Monday morning, I had a date with my girlfriends! We met up at 10am. My very good friends Noriko-san and Mayuko-san! And Mayuko-san's daughter. She's about 3 month's older then Noah, so they will be in the same class this coming fall. Boy is that little girl, a cutie pie! : ) I enjoyed myself at my friends house a lot. We sat and chatted the entire afternoon away. Noriko-san made many delicious things to eat. Homemade banana choco muffins, pigs in blankets, all sorts of stuff. Mayuko-san made a delicious tea cake. So delicious. And I brought them some fresh bakery things from the bakery. Perhaps I better actually bake something next time. Ha ha ha. Anyway, I had a blast and it's good to unwind with friends. And Noboru watched Noah for me at home. Anyways, I had been wanting to blog a thank you for my mom since last Friday. The reason is because #1, she has been sending quite a few things for the boys lately. And #2, she reads my blog, (actually my whole family actually reads my blog, they just prefer email me their comments directly, lol. Well, except my dad. Ha ha ha. )Anyway, this way she can see a picture of the kids with the stuff she sent, gives my mom/their grandma such a big kick! So, that's why. So, I guess this rest of the post is for my mom. Not really interesting for the rest of you, I'm afraid/I know. Sorry guys. : ) But in any case, for you mom! : ) I know you mentioned when we spoke, you said something about robes and swimming coverups. And I know you mentioned you paid a pretty penny for these (and no you weren't complaining, you were just excited and thrilled by your good find). I was only slightly listening to you when you spoke on the thread count and such (sorry)! That sorta stuff interests you, because you are the expert on that stuff mom, I'm not! Ha ha ha. But I was really surprised how nice and how well made made these were! Very thick and soft and plush. : )

I admit, I was a bit surprised you bought Noah's in a size 4/5 at first. But after we spoke and you said the 2/3 would have not lasted long. And all the stuff, you said, I think you were absolutely correct in the size you picked for Noah. I rolled the sleeves mom for Noah's if you can tell in this picture. And it's actually okay. I think he'll get 2 full years of usage from this and since kids seldom wear these anyways, it's good this will last a good while. And glad you chose to get Branden's in a size 7. Thanks! He'll get more usage from it too. I also love the pattern you chose for the boys. You know they are excellent swimmers and beach kids! So the surfboard pattern was really cool and so perfect for the boys! Branden really loved it!!! : )

I washed them already and dried them up good in the dryer with a dryer sheet and they are so soft and cuddly robes now. And hanging in each of the boys closets. I can't wait for them to get to use them! Thanks mom, you are truly the best! You have the best taste and the stuff you always pick is so cool! We really are so lucky to have you!!! : )

Fun and colorful different surfboards all around! Thanks mom, for sending these to the boys! : ) Got these Friday. And although I did say thank you by email and phoned you, I wanted you to see the boys wearing the robes yourself, so here ya go! I wish you could see them in person, but these pictures will have to do for now! : )

On Monday, by the time I got home from my afternoon with my girlfriends and picking up Branden along the way. When I finally got home, Noboru had left this package for me on the table. Yet another care package from mom again! I know, I know, you sent me the first package and sent it off and then saw something else and said "why not" and sent it off as well. I had no clue what was in here. But the lovely letter you sent packed inside made me smile, actually almost made me cry. But happy though. I had mentioned a few month's back on my blog and yes my mom reads here daily. Last time I went to Costco in Makuhari, that I had been looking for the boys a raincoat. I wanted one like the one I had bought there last time. But no such luck. Apparently it is something that stuck in my mom's head. And she thought she should get the boys some raincoats. And then she added, she saw the boys via my blog yet again, ha ha ha, at Disney Sea, and she said their raincoats did need replacing with bigger sizes. So mom went on a mission in California and took it upon herself to find the boys something. Again, I never asked, I never even mentioned. It was just something mom did on her own.

I sure get a lot of packages from America a lot. My mailman must be wondering what's up. Ha ha ha! : )

Gift/care package. Awww! : )

According to my mom, she said, she was at the mall, and thinking about the boys and the whole rain coat thing. And she happened to run into these and she said the prices were too good to pass up! She's such a spoiling type grandma! Ha ha ha! : )

She sent the boys 3 raincoats. She said the largest size they sold was a size 7. So she bought Branden's in a size 7, so he gets more usage from it. Besides he will be age 7 last week of October, she was smart to get the size 7. And she got Noah's in a size 3 and a size 4. She wanted to get a larger one for Branden too. But they didn't make bigger then 7. And she mentioned that with Noah starting kindergarten soon, he will end up using both eventually. Awww! Thanks mom! And the color is perfect for the boys, you know their last raincoat was yellow. You know, how we got a huge love for anything yellow or orange around here anyways, so once again mom, you out did yourself! You truly know what we like! You know the styles we like, clearly! Ha ha ha! : )

Size 3, Noah can wear right now and the whole rest of the year. Right on mom! Thanks! : )

Size 4, I wouldn't have stocked up personally on a raincoat, but I know you are a stocker upper and hey! Who are we to complain! Ha ha ha! Now I don't gotta go looking for a raincoat for Noah for the next 2 years, thanks to you! So thank you! : )

Branden's in a size 7. Also mom, the lining on this, is a sorta soft terry towel type material. Whatever it is, I *love* the lining on this a lot! Thanks. : )

Here is a picture of your oldest grand child. Purely coincidence he was wearing the yellow hat today mom. But then again, the kids have so much yellow stuff anyways, it's no wonder! Ha ha ha. See the arms are a pinch big/long. But I think that's okay. Branden grows like a weed. And he'll get a good 12-18 month's usage from this. So awesome mom, thanks and so unexpected! : )

And here's your giggling youngest grandson/grandchild. Again a pinch long on the sleeves, but I really think that's okay mom! Kids grow like weeds and before you know it, it won't be extra big/long anywhere! : )

A quick roll up of the sleeves and everything falls perfectly into place and looks awesome! Thank you mom for always sending these little extras to the boys! I appreciate it. And the boys especially appreciate it! Boy did they ever get excited receiving these 2 care packages from you! I'm having the boys both send and make you a homemade thank you card, please let me know when you get it! : )

Last picture mom, I am going to share is of the boys laughing it up yet again (do they ever stop laughing? LOL) You really made them happy mom, they know how much they are loved by you and everyone! They really do! Thanks mom, I really do love you, and miss you terribly! : ( I love you! : )

Tidbits from our week this week! (Mon-Thurs) : )

Monday! On Monday morning I ran to the grocery store to do my weekly shopping because on Tuesday it was said that Chiba would be hit with a typhoon. Not sure if it was all of Japan or just our area or what. But in any case, I wanted to get my grocery shopping done the day before, just to be on the safe side. Also the news said it would be raining here both Tuesday and also Wednesday, so I wanted to get my shopping done Monday morning, which I did, thank goodness. : ) So on Monday after Branden got home from school and while he was at Kumon, I decided to bake some chocolate peanut butter chip cookies.

Got my stuff all mixed and such. : )

And before I knew it our house smelled like fresh baking cookies. I managed to get them done and then went to go and pick up Branden from Kumon. Here is a pic of some of them cooling off on various unmatching plates, lol. : )

This recipe made a lot, it made 2 and a half dozen. Of course they're long gone by now though, ha ha ha. But they did last until Friday afternoon though! : ) They were good while they lasted, sigh. : )

Tuesday mornings breakfast. Nothing special really, just a quick typical breakfast I make for B. I want him to have enough energy throughout the day. And especially days that he walks to school, he really needs a good big breakfast. However Tuesday he didn't walk, ha ha ha, but it's okay he needs a good breakfast, good for brain power, lol. Don't want his stomach rumbling during school. : ) Just an egg, bacon, rice and some peaches and some OJ. : )

On Tuesday, I received the Gap package that my dad had sent us. Thanks dad. : )

What is this? 2 swim suits for B. Noah got his swim suits already. : )

Size 6 and 7. Good he'll get plenty of usage out of these, and he won't even be age 7 until the last week of October, so he'll get a good 12-18 mos usage from these. Not bad! : )

Tuesday nights dinner, we had kimchee nabe. It was perfect especially with a wild typhoon outside and it being an absolute freezing day and so gray outside! : )

My serving. Not pretty, but oh man was it great! Today with the way the weather was, I was thanking my lucky stars I did my grocery shopping the day before, phew! : )

There's Noboru slurping down there! LOL.

Noah slurping down as well. Branden looking at all this slurping madness going on around him! Ha ha ha! : )

Wednesday! On Wednesday, we once again found out that yes indeed "Pigs do fly!!!" Well, at least in Japan they do. LOL. There's a shop in Japan called the Flying pig, it's online and in both English and also Japanese, so it's helpful, but you can get anything/mostly anything from Costco shipped right to your door and so we ordered and Wednesday morning was my time, I chose for it to be shipped. I figured, Makuhari is just so darn far for me and if this saves me a whole day driving there and back, this will just be easier for me. Maybe this summer, I'll take the long drive to Costco, but not now. Just been too busy in my own neck of the woods for that lately. But in any case I did get my goodies. Yay! : )

What's in here? Well, not so much of anything really. Bacon, sausage, frozen broccoli, tortillas, and lean ground beef. again, not much.

What's in here? Well, let's see...

Prego pasta sauce, I prefer make my own and for most part I do. But, I'm human and heck, I get tired just like anyone else especially with 2 children and driving them here, there and everywhere. And sometimes at the end of the day, I'm spent! I'm downright exhausted and if I lived in the US, I'd surely be driving through a Taco Bell or an Arby's some nights, lol! But since I'm clear out in the middle of nowhere in Japan (not complaining but), I sometimes have to cut corners and if it helps me on my tired as hell days, then I'm all for it. : ) So Pasta sauce, also got those delicious dinner rolls. Einstein Bagels. Popcorn, garlic spread mix, and cascade dishwasher liquid. Again not so much, but a few things to comfort me, ha ha ha. : )

Oh bless you Einstein Bros. bagels. In all your wonderful chewy glory! Ha ha ha. It really is funny how even the smallest things like this can delight a person living overseas. : )

So many wonderful recipes for the garlic spread. I honestly make a wicked garlic shrimp on my own. I wonder how using this would compare. Hmm, I think I might try this out with shrimp in a few weeks. Just give this recipe a go, is all. : )

That settles it! I am making garlic bread tomorrow and trying this out! : )

I got 6 plain bagels and 6 cinnamon raisin bagels. And as usual, I froze 3 of each, so they'll last longer and I have the other 3 of each in my fridge, but I find myself eating them quite a bit since Wednesday though, ha ha ha. : )

Wednesday night's dinner! Philly steak sandwich for Noboru, and Philly chicken sandwiches for the boy's and myself. : ) I use the tiniest bit of yakitori sauce. Such a small amount you can't make the taste out. If you can tell it's yakitori sauce, you used too much. : ( Ha ha ha. Oh and the 2 bigger chicken pieces on the left of my cutting board are for part of Branden's obento tomorrow (field trip). They will become karaage tomorrow. : )

See I already added the sauce but it's still light colored, so not much sauce was added at all.

Some melted cheese and it's time to eat! : )

Some nice french bread from my local bakery.

Some crispy french fries. Last time I blogged this sandwich, I made it with a baked potato, that works too! A very simple and really good sandwich that can be made in Japan really easily. All the ingredients can be found locally.

Thursday! Branden had his first ichinensei class field trip on Thursday! They went down to a bokujo! A farm/ranch of sorts, this one in particular is a dairy farm, but they also have slides, and horses and such. But the main thing for this one is the cows, and they sell a lot of dairy products like cheesecake and they also make a very good ice cream. So Branden was stoked about going to the bokujo! And I did all my getting prepared for that ahead of time, as usual. LOL. We got him a bigger boy thermos with a cup, after having seen what the other kids all had been using in our area. I knew what kind to get. And we let Branden pick out the character and design he wanted, and this was the one that made him happy, so it made us happy too! So, come Thursday morning, I had put ice into it and some nice iced tea as well. (at our yochien they always said to bring oolong tea only and we always did and that was fine, no complaints about that at all) this school, said to bring whatever. So, we sent B with just straight iced tea, sun tea type tea. And lot's of ice. : )

As usual, you have to name everything and thank god, we made our own self adhesive sticker via the computer in tons of different sizes, so now I just gotta stick them on whatever needs a name tag, lol. So the new thermos got a water proof name tag on the actual thermos itself. I also wrote underneath it with a school marker his name on the bottom of the actual thermos itself too. LOL.

And yes, even the cup itself. Just in case there's a cup mix up, this way, his name's on it, problem averted before it ever started! Ha ha ha! : )

New backpack for field trips, we got last month, thank god, I remembered ahead of time. Phew! : )

Ultraman leisure sheet. The thing you sit down on. And the note always says your child can buy no more then 300 yen worth of snacks. So B also went with his little ziploc bag of snacks for sharing and munching after he eats his obento first though! : )

Note also said to bring wet wipes and then just regular mini tissues. So, I sent B with the antibacterial moist wipes and some Ultraman tissues too. And yes, again we have to name label everything, lol! So those had to be bagged and tagged as well, lol! : )

Ham sandwich, on a mini yeasty Costco dinner roll. Yk, I have made these before a hundred times, I'm used to making obentos.: ) 100% mozzarella cheese and miracle whip. Very simple sandwich. : )

Branden's obento for his field trip at the farm! 1 mini ham and cheese sandwich. A very minuscule amount of fries, 1 homemade karaage (remember the chicken I cut it from last night? LOL) I only used 1. And 1 steamed, buttered and salted and peppered broccoli. And some fresh crunchy grapes. Now the grapes we just eat with our hands, but since I was unsure how he should eat them around his class, to be on the safe side, I sent him with a mini disposable plastic fork looking pitch fork type thing, lol. Very simple, basic obento. Not fancy but an okay lunch for B.: )

Thursday morning, all packed and ready to go and enjoy your field trip today sweetheart! I gave him a ride to the school that day! Actually, I gave him a ride to school, Tuesday through Thursday, ha ha ha. And also picked him up too.

Okay, time to drive you to your field trip, let's go! : )

Thursday, we got the top part of Branden's swim outfit. Thanks dad for sending this to us! : )

Orange base and white palm trees! : )

Thursday afternoon, after Noah and I walked down to pick up Branden. Both of the boys tried on their swim suits!!! : ) Ham it up for the camera boys!!!! : ) Ha ha ha! : )

Branden you are growing so much baby doll! I can barely believe it! : )

Yup my 2 silly ones are pretending to fly! Flying like super heroes they are!!! Ha ha ha! They changed their bottoms to their 2nd pair of swim shorts! Go boys go! : )

Let me guess.....and ultraman pose again? You silly kids! : )

Finally Noah you got the peace sign right! Gee whiz! Ha ha ha. : ) I will be saving all these pictures for you two for when you are older. I will show your future girlfriends, fiances or wives the pictures of your ultraman poses and the whole bit! : ) Can't wait until Friday!!! TGIF for tomorrow!

TV stuff I've been watching lately? Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, American Idol, Dexter and Nip/Tuck. I also enjoy catching the Hannah Montana episodes when I can. Ohhhh forgot to ask if anyone has seen that new show on Fox???! It's about beauty queens or whatever. It's called Pageant Place! Miss World is the lady from Japan, then there's a Miss Teen USA, Former Miss USA, who I think is bitter enemies with the other girl) and a few others. I only caught 2 episodes so far. I sorta like this show, but I'll have to catch a few more episodes, to know for sure. I can see a lot of cattyness and rivalry from these girls though especially since the beauty queens have to live together and share an apartment together. And one of the girls, boysfriends seems like a real pill!!! Ouch! Ha ha ha. As for movies, I think I've seen the Joy Luck club about 4 times this month so far at least, lol! Such a good movie though. And St. Elmo's Fire seems to be playing on AXN and all over the place too, caught it on Cinefil too. Ha ha ha, so I have been watching that quite a few times too. And I also caught Castaway. Oh yeah and I had never seen the movie High School Musical before. However I saw it last week for the first time and it's actually a pretty good movie. I doubt I will run out and go buy the DVD or anything, or be a big fan or anything. But yeah, it was cute! And I'm glad I saw it. : )