Guess Who's the Big 1-0?

That's right, the Eldest Unfortunate!!! And what a week of celebration it has been. Friday night was her sleep-over birthday party and to tell the truth that was a bit wilder than the last sleep-over birthday party in Monterey with nine girls--this party we only invited three girls... go figure... It was fun though and the girls had a great time! To make it a bit more of the Eldest's day, the CrazyOne got to go over to a friend's home for her first sleep over. That idea went over as well as a fart in church when I first clued her into the plan; but a day later she got over it and couldn't wait for her special moment.

That Saturday I made a big breakfast of frenchtoast (made with texas toast bread), sausage, turkey bacon (which the girls couldn't get enough of), mikans (Japanese tangerines), strawberries and got ready for the the Kanto Plain Home Schooler's Fun night in Negishi housing in Yokohama. It had been nearly four years since I had driven to Negishi, so I cheesed out and joined the caravan leaving main base to get there.

Fun Nite was a blast and we can't wait till the next get-together at the mikan picking field trip next Friday. The aptly named party brought out a lot of the group and the exciting part of this group is; I like them--the parents AND the kids.
This group is full of older kids and not chocked full of pre school through first graders. They are great to hang out with single or groupie style--just cause you like someone doesn't make them a great hang in large settings. From 16:00-19:30hr we socialized, had a scavenger hunt (the girls went, I had to sit out since my ankle was still out of operation--still is) and played. Remembering our drive home and morning priorities, we loaded up in our Cube and avoided the toll road; just enjoying our company, the radio, and the 45 minute drive down Rt 16.
Monday was the official day. Topping any present I could have given her, SailorMan pulled into pier Sunday afternoon--of course had duty (but we didn't want him anyways since he's the living dead his first days back and the girls were beyond excited to have him back to give him peace)--and showed up Monday after work in time to take us all out. After a regular day of lessons, swiming, decorating a bit, and Kumon;we all loaded up into the Cube and picked us up a sailor. From there SailorMan and I sprang the suprise of going out to our favorite Ramen house. It is the only place were we all can eat with out complaint. It was so good to have everyone together and eating out (both of which are not commonly practiced in this family).
The food could have been bad, but we were all in such good spirits, it wouldn't have mattered much. Fortunately, the food was a delight and as always quite filling. Rolling out of our seats, we paid and walked back to base for the finale: presents!!! There is nothing like the promise of cake and presents to get kids to do exactly what is asked; no beating around the bush, no stalling, no arguing, no whining. T'was beautiful. Eldest's gifts were what was on the table minus one which was for the CrazyOne, then the addition of the small package SailorMan slipped in. Our family no longer buys presents just for the sake of quantity guilt.
We finally put two and two together and realized the only gifts the kids play with all year long, are the ones they have asked for--not the ones you think they would like or what we think are cool. So we stopped living vicariously through our kids; got our own lives; purchase only what they've asked for; and only buy no more than 2 gifts per child of what we would like them to have. The first time we did this was last Christmas. The gifts were few, but the joy was true. Our pockets thanked us and our blood pressure stayed cool through out the rest of the year since we were not yelling and threating over the neglected toys we spent so much on. Make your money count, believe me, it is worth your sanity and your kid's memories.




All through the rest of the week we had to put up with the now pre-teen who was on cloud 9--I mean cloud 10, lol--and is allowed to get that sacred right of passage on a foreign US military base for all children who become 10 over seas: THEIR FIRST ID CARD. Not just any I.D. card either, this is THE OFFICIAL Military I.D. card. Proof necessary for parents to "understand" that their child is now responsible to handle more duties--UNACCOMPANIED. She can now shop on her own at US Military Exchanges and Commissaries, she can use the gym--classes and facilities on her own, sign herself up for classes at the Community Center as long as she is in their computer system. Last, but definitely NOT the least is the ability to leave and return to base unescorted. Can you say, "freedom?" Can you say, "mommy's commissary and exchange errand girl?" Right now this whole new phase of life is the shiznit! As time goes on, she will realize parental units have an excellent form of leverage to ensure true grounding when necessary. God Bless free will and responsibilities!




Today was when Eldest had her appointment for getting her first ID card. Of course I was there with the camera, but I only posted a few of them for you. We needed our DOD sponsor's paper work--a.k.a. permission--and only remembered it the night before. The appointment was at 08:30 and the ship's admin wouldn't be open till 08:15. SailorMan pushed the work through, and I really thank the guy who typed it all up for us... I don't think Eldest could have handled postponing the appointment well. SailorMan was waiting for us at the gate to the pier and after a quick inspection and correction of some things on the paper, we were off. It was a very exciting moment; for ten years ago on this day we were leaving the hospital, to begin a new phase in life and it was scary and exciting. We were determined though, to prove ourselves capable and worthy of this responsibility; just as Eldest is determined to show such to herself and us. What a beautiful life-cycle.
Now our home is officially blessed with a pre-teen. Life knows how to staying interesting.


I hope you like the pictures and if you read this and realize that this wasn't around the blog 30 October, it is because the date I started working on it is saved as the post date, and yes that is a picture of Smash Mouth's concert stage being set up. They came here to the Kanto Plain bases to put on free concerts over the halloween weekend. A big thanks to MWR and Family Readiness. It was a blast! The Unfortunates loved it, they were up front, David was home to enjoy it, and we all went home with the reminder to bring hearing protection to concerts. Concert photo was taken by my keitai. I didn't know if cameras were allowed... boy, was I wrong!

Another One Bites the Dust!

WE DID IT; WE WON!!! That's me and one of my great team mates (I don't want to slaughter the spelling of her name) doing the illegal stiff arm in flag football. We were penalize for it when one of our team mates made a fantastic mad dash drawing us closer to the 18-0 win. Five minutes till half time, I made a play on the 3yrd line that helped our team score on the next play; yet it was during my little moment of glory when I realized: I am not wearing cleats and no you cannot really spin to protect your flags on damp astro-turf in running shoes--I'm going down; yeah, ankle's don't turn that way... good, no popping sound... walk it off--okay, limp off the field with assistance and see if you can play later. It is strange when you hear the waiting men's teams and spectators on the side lines give their exclamations and looking up to see your vision ringed by your team and your opponents looking down on you. Hobbling to the side line, I pealed off my shoe, sock, and unwrapped the tight ace bandage. The ankle didn't swell anymore than it already was, I could still move it and massaging it well for 10 min was all it needed for me to put my weight back on it and walk and hop on it. Wrapping the bandage tighter and slipping on my sock, I laced up my shoes and got to join in for the second half of the game. Since us and the hospital were the only commands who participated in women's flag foot ball, we took first place! How about that?! I had lots of fun, but I could tell that this was a game we needed to win, the team was tired and a bit tense and the levity that was pervasive on Monday, wasn't as apparent this time. By winning this game we closed out flag football session of the Captian's Cup. Good thing, 'cause tomorrow is the beginning of the base gearing up for Halloween and all the different groups on and off base are having their shin-digs before CFAY has their's. SMASH MOUTH is comming on the 30 for a free concert... we are very excited!

A funny thing--or is it an ironic thing--about the end of this game was the full out smoke break some of the Hospital team players were having. I thought it was some of the spectators at first whiff. I am ending this post now, my foot is thoroughly iced and the Unfortunates are in bed. It is me time and the next episode to ROME season II is calling my name along with my pillow... I think my pillow is winning out. The Pictures are courtesy of CrazyOne and Eldest Unfortunates.

Mommy Time!

I finally got to get outside and play with the other big kids--girls to be exact. I got to help whip Hospital chick butt this evening in the Captain's Cup female flag football games. The Captain's Cup is an on-going event that all the commands (as far as I know) participate in here on base. Through out the year, different sporting events are set and each command rustles up the required number of bodies (regardless of skill) and sign's up.
(Often the other way around--"Hey, you play soccer?" Asks the guy with the clipboard while walking down the pea way. "Yea, I do," says hapless sailor passing by him. "Great.". Two days later hapless sailor is told during morning announcements, he's apart of the ship's soccer team. Voluntolds are alive and well.)
Commands' earn points for participation and get extra points for winning. Anyone apart of the command--active duty and dependent-- can participate. So while the ship is out the sea, personnel left behind and dependents can fill in the gap. Since our ship is out, a good number of dependent wives got together to play and cheer. We found out that we could participate in the games, no thanks to the guy in charge of this stuff on the ship. Anyway, we found out that our ship could take 3rd place over all for women's participation at the awards later this year. Thinking back to high school and the fun I had playing flag football, I was game for the challenge. And we can't let some shore command take that unchallenged. It was lots of fun and the jerseys with the tuck-in shirt rule had us all feeling quite sexy. We won 12-0. Hopefully we win our next game this Wednesday.

I am now typing with my right foot up wrapped in a towel with a cold gel pack, up on the computer desk. Note to self: don't wear hot-out-the-box, brand-spankin-new, foot correction inserts when playing sports. I rolled my ankel five minutes into yesterday's prctice... yeah, I'm the special one. I spent all night and today pampering it, which did pay off 'cause I got to play off and on in over half the game with it only well wrapped. Only the outside area around the boney nob is swollen. The pictures of the game are courtesy Eldest Unfortunate.

Now that I have finished the dinner I started 50min before the game and posted to you here, I gotta go and put some heathens to bed, then watch Rome season II episode 5.

Venimus, Vicimus!

The Day is Finished and Our Deeds are Done.

The Eldest has been set free with the full faith of this parental unit (I failed to notify StudMan via email so he had no clue till he called this evening); AND, the tickets have been bought and we are set!
The Eldest had her second swim meet of the year; yeah, big deal--BUT she got to go sans parental units. This was a big deal and a show of trust worthy independence. Of course she did well, it helped to have BondGirl (who also participated in this away meet) along for companionship and partner-in-crime (every girl needs at least one through each phase of her life).



At 04:40hr I got Eldest up for hair braiding--her head looked as if a squirrel nested in it--while eating a partial breakfast (I packed the other half of breakfast as apart of her four snacks and lunch). 05:00hr woke up the CrazyOne put pants and sweater on her--and remembering to put pants on myself--we were out the door. Nervous yet enthusiastic comments and giggles were made through the short trip to loading sight at PSD, Of course we were on the wrong side of the building along with all the other families when the buses began to arrive, but that only added to BondGirl and Eldest's thrill of adventure.




Once aboard the bus, those of us left behind were quickly forgotten and the buses sped off before any party could be bothered about it. The meet was held at Yokota Air Force Base, so it was a long three hours drive up for the kids. I wanted to drive up there (only two hours in a car) on Friday, stay in one of their really nice hotel rooms on base (they almost always have space unlike the Navy--what's up with that? Frickin' Uncle Sam's baby...), but the best ideas and plans don't always get a chance. One, StudMan wasn't around to help run interference with the CrazyOne (meets run about 5-6hr and I wasn't too thrilled of doing another one with just me in a place that we are not really familiar with besides their PX), two, I didn't get around to finding someone to feed and walk SuicideGirl for the two days we would have been gone. Oh well, this gave the opportunity for Eldest to strut her nearly 10yr stuff and enjoy life without family.

Once we parted ways, CrazyOne and I went back home, had a little breakfast, while I took out the trash, and promptly went back to bed. Crazy lucked out and got to sleep in Mommy's bed (sorry StudMan, the Unfortunates do refer to the bed as mine not ours or yours); Mommy NEVER shares the bed when Daddy's gone. I like having all the pillows and entire bed to myself when StudMan's gone; it's the only time I can actually have more than 1/3 of bed to myself (yes, I am calling you a bed hog StudMan). After sleeping for three more hours me and the CrazyOne beat feet and took ourselves out on the town. With such a poor economy on all sides of the pond, we hit up the 100 Yen store--Daiso, across the street from Diae Mall and Shiori (Keikyu line) Station. While wondering our way out of the store we stopped to gaze once again at the poster for the Nutcracker ballet, that will be performed by the Matsuyama Ballet. It is there 60th anniversary, and they are coming here to Yokosuka. 20 min and 21000 yen later, we hustled home with tickets for myself and the Unfortunates. CrazyOne is beside herself and it looks like SailorMan is man enough to join us--so I guess I had better keep my ogling in check when the male dancers hit the stage (I love the fit human body in action and I am quite appreciative of the male variety.) Since he is game for it, I am just waiting for word on whether or not he will have duty then; once I have that info, I can get his ticket or not. His ticket, you ask? Yes, while over here, unless the service member has a real bonafide shore tour--not shore tour with sea duty--you plan life as if they are not there, but try to keep the opportunity open should they become available to you. I know... but it is a way of life here and you adapt to it or it will drive you and the service member insane and bitter with the constant let downs and misunderstandings. Life's hard enough, why add too it? So, we are reveling in the fact that we are going, and we have an extra spark to the excitement that StudMan could be joining us. Yippy!!!

17:20hr we get back to base, and drive by to see if the Eldest and the swimteam were back--they were slotted to be back within that hour or not too far after it. They weren't, so we had dinner and waited, and waited, and waited. Drove back to the parking lot played DS games and read more of with my Sony E-Reader. They didn't get back till 20:30hr. We all were beat, and looked forward to just being home and getting in bed--bed, look at me, sitting up 2am Sunday morning typing.
Anyway, thus faired our day, each one of us happy and fulfilled.
What more could you ask for?