Deployment is almost over!

He should have been home by now, but alas, Kim Jong Il is psycho - who knew? haha! We hope that he will be home within the week. Believe me, I am ready! I don't care about anything but getting him home. We are hoping we don't have to attend the holiday party for his command, but I am afraid someone already bought us tickets and we are going to be forced to go, BOO! Oh well, at least I have lost 20 lbs. since Scott left, YAY ME! I can now run a half marathon without dying. I am getting in great shape and I feel much better. I did not scrapbook or learn to cook new dishes, but I worked out and walked the dogs. That is more than meeting my goals as far as I am concerned. Oh, and I did make it to the Hirosaki Chrysanthemum Festival, it was really pretty! All in all, I accomplished what I wanted. Scott and I were both miserable throughout this deployment, but we made it through. Just praying he is home in a couple days so I don't regret saying we made it :)

Progress on my Deployment Goals

So, just a quick progress update on how the goals are coming along!

1. I have lost weight. Not enough yet, but about 5-6 lbs. so far! Swimming, running, biking, belly dancing and more are helping.

2. Have walked the dogs all but two days since Scott left. I blame the insane hangover and the torrential downpour for those two days. However, very proud that we have been out and walked more than 2 miles almost every single day!

3. Scrapbooking... a little let down on this one. I did get two more pages done in one album!!! I will have to buckle down on this one a little more.

4. Culinary wiz - I have learned one dish. Just one. However, it is delicious and I want to make it ALL the time. So, I have to stop making it and learn a few more.

5. See Japan - does going to the Beef and Garlic Festival again count? Haha! I have been so busy with Navy Ball and such that I just haven't been out. I hope to get up to Hakkoda for the changing of the leaves in the next couple of weeks. Not sure when they will change. Also hoping to get to Hirosaki for the Chrysanthemum festival later this month or in early November.

That's the quick update... yay for still being on track! Oh, and I have a couple new friends in the house. They are Darrell Allejandro, the Chinese 5 Color Hot Pepper Plant that is pictured on this page, his brother Darrell Herman, the green and white fern thing, and Darrell Penelope the green and pink fern thing... Scott wanted to name them all Darrell for the Bob Newhart Show characters. The middle names are the ones I wanted to use originally. Yes, he whined when I said no at first! Big baby.

Takko Machi Beef and Garlic Festival!

This year's trip to the Beef and Garlic Festival was fantastic! First of all, we did not get lost for 2 hours. YAY! Second, we got there in time to get the rotisserie beef. Yes, they rotisserie a half-side of beef. AND IT IS SO DELICIOUS! Don't get me wrong, I love steak on a stick, as the picture indicates, but the sliced, rotisserie beef was more scrumptious than I can describe in words. The yakiniku garlic sauce they had for it was pretty amazing as well. Third, they are now serving fried oreos in Takko! And what is better than fried oreos you say? Fried oreos with whipped cream on top of course! And last, but not least, I was surrounded by great friends. Miyuki, Karin, Kari, and Bailey are all wonderful ladies and it was so fun to stuff ourselves together in Takko!

So, in order to not feel so guilty about eating this giant smorgesborg of food I ran well over a marathon throughout the week. Well on my way to getting back in shape. Now that we have the whole not guilty about eating thing out of the way, here are some of the yummy treats we enjoyed: rotisserie beef with garlic yakiniku sauce, fried garlic on a stick, steak on a stick, garlic fries, a chocolate/vanilla soft serve ice cream, chocolate covered banana with sprinkles on a stick, and of course fried oreos! Wowsers! Had I not been so stuffed, I would have totally gone back for seconds. Oh, and sweet, little Karin let us have some of her cotton candy on the way home too!

We also stopped at the Nambu Town farmer's market to get some fresh fruit and veggies on the way home. The whole market smelled like grapes. The most wonderful scented grapes EVER! So Bailey bought some plums, those were great! I picked up some amazing looking corn on the cob, can't wait to make those! I also bought a pepper plant, hope I don't kill it :) Oh, and Miyuki bought some of those yummy smelling grapes - they were good! Kari bought some apple juice and some pears, hopefully she brings me a pear when I make the corn and we can swap, cause they looked goooooood!

Of course I needed to stick to my goal of walking the dogs at least two miles, so when we returned home Miyuki and Karin helped me take the boys on a 3 mile adventure. Brewster and Darby were really excited to have other people around. All in all, it was a good Saturday. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if Scott were home.

Navy Ball is this coming Friday. It is going to be a long week of running, swimming, P90X, and dieting. My new dress is beautiful, now if I can shrink my boobs enough to fit into it :( If not, I have a back up from a couple years back. The new one is so pretty and looks so great, except for the smooshed boobs part. Surely there will be lots to post about in the next week.

While the hubby is away...

I have set a few goals to get through this deployment. It seems like they are actually getting harder as time goes by, but I guess our 7th straight year of sea duty will do that!

#1 Get in shape

Weight loss is great, but I want my six-pack abs back. I also want to make sure I get my shapely arms back before the old age flabby bat wing syndrome kicks in! Getting old sucks, but I will be damned if I don't go down swinging. One of the ways I will accomplish this is belly dancing class, once a week! Yay!

#2 Finish at least one scrapbooking project

I have an Asia book and an Air Crew book for Scott, I would like to get at least one done while he is gone. That Cricut machine I bought a long time ago also needs to be used!

#3 Walk the dogs a minimum of 2 miles a day

The boys love to go for long walks. Sometimes I totally skimp on the long walks and give them the quick little 10 minute walk around the block. They seem so much more content when we walk 3 miles, but I anticipate lots of cold, rainy days. I hope that even in the yucky weather I will still get them out for 2 miles.

#4 Learn to cook at least 5 new dishes

I have made a few new things since becoming "domesticated." However, I would like to expand my culinary skills. I want to learn and perfect 5 new dinners, and maybe even a few new breakfast and lunch meals!

#5 Get out and see more of the area

I tend to only go to places that have large events, such as the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival. I want to start going to a little town, parking, and just walking around the entire town to see all that it has to offer.

So, with all these goals in place I hope to stay busy and get through this deployment as quickly as possible. They won't work, but I am trying to trick myself!

Busy Bee

Things have been crazy around here lately! Okinawa was great, was able to get down there for just about 2 and 1/2 weeks. Was able to snorkel, relax, shop, eat, drink, and spend time with Scott - so it was great! Have been back just over a week now, and in that short time have accomplished so much! My scrapbooking room looks great, the workout room is clean again, and the rest of the house looks fantastic. Finally unpacked a lot of the boxes that haven't been looked at since we moved in. Needless to say, most of that stuff made it into the trash or goodwill bins. We have also attended a birthday karaoke party, hosted a game of cornhole, and getting ready for Scott's mom and sister to arrive. Hence the busy bee title... So, now that I feel a little better about catching up, I have to go again so I can finish getting ready for their vacation. Probably won't write for a couple weeks - two weeks while they are here and then maybe a week in Taiwan - still waiting for foreign travel approval! Yay Navy!

Five More Days!

Five working days until I am officially a kept woman! Haha! Very much looking forward to being a spoiled housewife. Really, I am just looking forward to having time to work out, walk the dogs, organize my house, scrapbook, travel - you know, all the things you can't do while working. I like the girls in the office, and of course Tsuyoshi and Kazu are awesome too. However, I can't wait to be able to pick up and go whenever I like.

Speaking of going, will be going to Nambu for the Cherry Picking Social with the Nambu ladies. This is an annual NIOC event, always great to hang out with the wonderful women, whether it is picking apples, cherries or having tea. Should be a good time.

Then on Sunday I am hoping to catch the hop to Kadena to spend some time with my amazing husband. Not to mention I can't wait to lounge on the beach , snorkel, zip-line and SHOP! Oh, and totally going to Cocok's for one of the best mani/pedis ever. I really hope I can get on the flight. I really need to see Scott. If I have to wait another month I might lose it.

People suck!

Just thought I would say that people really suck and at times I want to be a hermit. Seclusion makes people better writers right? Good, I am going for it. House is stocked with alcohol and I am ready to consume! Everyone can just suck it and stay far away.

5 weeks to go...

Scott will be home in just over 5 (long) weeks! This has been a really shitty deployment. Too many bad things happening while he is gone. However, I am trying to forget all the bad. It is not easy. I am trying to stay motivated and optimistic, really not easy! I miss my husband, he really is my best friend (followed very closely by Dale, very VERY closely).

I am riding my new bike a lot, walking the dogs whenever the weather permits, eating as healthy as I can, and really working at getting in the best physical condition. I feel a lot better. I am hoping it will help my psyche too :) Is it possible to force yourself to be happy and appreciative? Well, it will be if I have anything to say about it.

And on a good note, I have things to look forward to between now and Scott's return. Cherry picking with the Nanbu Ladies, Sendai shopping with Terra, lots of hiking with Jackie, and once my resignation day arrives I will be getting my craft room organized - that alone is exciting! So, yay for optimism!

My poor, poor car :(

My cute little silver Nissan is all banged up and bruised. Poor thing. I am really mad, but I can't blame the friend who was driving it. A lovely person had the courage to hit and run. Wonderful people out there huh? So, I am stuck with a banged up car and insurance that is now going to rise 15%. Freaking jerk face who hit the car just took off. ARGH! Oh, and did I mention I have to take responsibility for the car that was bumped in front of mine? Yeah... kind of jacked huh. Note to self - NO MORE GOOD DEEDS! I love my friends, but no good deed goes unpunished... so no more loaning out any of my stuff... Sorry guys! Sell friends a car and they never finish paying you and you lose a friendship. Let friends borrow a car and they get involved in a hit and run and it creates nothing but headaches for me. Learned my lessons the hard way I suppose.

With all things shitty come some great surprises.

The week from hell still sucked and ended on a crappy note. Okinawa, while a great vacation, did not work. So, when Scott returns from DET we will maybe try again, but for now I am done. I can't take it anymore. I am SO happy for my friends that are now expecting. But even with all of the happiness I feel for them, the envy and bitterness is taking over. That is not who I am and I don't like it. My emotional state is just broken all the time. So, a month, maybe two tops. Then I am going back on the pill and we will start talking about maybe even just getting surgery. At least then I will never wonder and I can just get on with my life. The pity party will last this evening. Hopefully, it will end by tomorrow. I have to put on a happy face for the going away party. Blarg. FML.

On a sunny note, it was a really pretty day and my kick ass co-workers surprised me by celebrating my un-birthday, aka half birthday. It was really sweet, complete with tons of balloons and a delicious cake. Lucky to have good people in my life :)

I just need to vent!

I know, I know... I should suck it up. Oh well, I need to vent before I get my straw out! So, this week. The week from hell. Miserable weather. Everyone seems to be in a weird mood. I forgot about the crying - yeah, the drugs cause crying, lots and lots of crying. It has been fan-freaking-tastic! I got caught in a meeting today. Yes, CAUGHT. I was supposed to brief second. They didn't load a slide for me, so I stood up and had to sit right down. This would normally not be a big deal. Today was the exception. I was supposed to brief and LEAVE. I had not eaten lunch, so 15 minutes max right? WRONG! An hour and half later I got to talk and then run over to Taco Bell to grab some food. I was about to eat my notes for the aforementioned brief. Ugh. Have I mentioned the miserable weather? So, let's top this all off with one of my best friends leaving Tuesday. I am going to miss Laura and Quincey SO much. I just want to cry (yes, again) every time I think about the impending departure. How am I going to get through life in Crapsawa without them? Lunches with Quincey, onsens and wine with Laura. Life is just going to suck. I am even going to miss Taz the Spaz, the cutest min pin I have ever seen. Military life is rough, and you get sick of making friends only to be ripped apart so quickly. However, without the Navy I would have never met some of the best people in my life! Laura - you were there for me when I needed you most and I will NEVER forget that. I love you dearly and hope we get to live near each other soon!!!!

This should not take away from the friends I have made in Alaska, Florida, Virginia, or the rest of my dear friends here in Japan. I just know this will be a super tough person to see PCS. Ok, enough venting for now!

Freaking Deployment

Why is it that when a spouse deploys, Murphy's law kicks in? Seriously, when Scott leaves it is inevitable that craziness will ensue.

This morning I started the mower, because to be honest my yard looked like an overgrown jungle spotted with doggie land mines. Grass was high enough that I couldn't even get to these lovely piles that have accumulated over the last two weeks. So, I get the mower into the yard and get one pass done when KABOOM. Mower sputters. Mower dies. Ugh. I do the typical checks, oil and clogging grass... nope. And I had just filled the gas tank, so that couldn't be it. I call Scott, he says to call Grant. I call Grant, that was at 11 a.m. and it is now 4 p.m. and I haven't heard back. Then Scott suggests I ask MSgt McAfee, our neighbor, to take a look at it. He does, but is laughing the whole time because as he points out - he fixes computers all day. Nice guy though, at least he let me borrow his mower so that my jungle was at least tamed for the time being. But a new mower is in our near future and with the vast array of options at the BX I am sure it will be a jewel.

I filled the Darby hole in with the extra bag of potting soil I had on hand. However, it did not fill it completely. I don't know how Darby was able to dig a hole that deep without being caught, but it is a pretty nasty trench. I swear the dogs are trying to turn the yard into a mud pit. Then, I go to rake the excess grass clippings only to discover the rake is broken. WTF? Really? Fuck it. I am going inside to get lunch and sulk. Yep, the sulk is winning for the time being.

Tomorrow I need to get to the grocery store and clean Scott's car - the person who borrowed it while we were gone smoked in it so it is stinky. It is a never ending circle of stupidity.

I miss Scott. I really hope the trip to Okinawa worked. Relaxation is in my near future, counting down the days!

Okinawa 2010

Had the most amazing time spending the last two weeks in Okinawa. Too bad it all had to come to an end. Being a stay-at-the-hotel wife was the best! Even though Scott had to work, we had time to do a lot of really cool things. The sun, oh the sun! It was such a nice change from cold, dreary Misawa. If the dogs were not in Misawa, I don't think I would dragged my sorry butt onto that plane.

So, a few of the fun things I had the chance to experience:

1. Churaumi Aquarium. I LOVE this place, such a beautiful park. Yes, the hippie in me still hates the dolphin and manatee exhibit, but still amazing. The whale sharks and sting rays just blow my mind. This was my second visit to the Aquarium and Ocean Expo Park, but this trip was especially special because I had the chance to see all of it through the eyes of two very sweet young girls. Too fun!

2. Naha Dragon Boat Races. WOW... I love Japanese festivals. They never cease to amaze me and this was no different. Not only did we see the awesome boats race, but it was a beautiful day and the festival portion was a lot of fun. We even saw a pink chicken, yep... it was a prize you could win at a festival booth. I do not, NOT condone the poor chick being dyed and given away to someone who has no clue how to raise it, but it was an image I will not soon forget.

3. Leonard's Rose Garden. My all time favorite restaurant in Okinawa! Love the French toast and the jams! So delicious, I even drink their coffee because it is so yummy! And the best pineapple juice, so fabulous! Luckily, I was able to get in two meals here in my short two week stay!

4. Forest Adventure Park. I was so bummed that I ran out of time for this on my last visit to Okinawa. So, I was SUPER stoked when Scott and I tried it out this time. I had so much fun zip-lining through the jungle while having an unbelievable view of Maeda Point (one of the top scuba and snorkeling locations on the island). This was by far my favorite adventure!!! Two and a half hours of adrenaline rushes and challenging obstacles, LOVED it!

5. The Banyan Tree Golf Course. This was my first time playing at the Banyan Tree. For a military course I was pretty impressed. They have a nice course, fantastic Tee House Restaurant and pretty much perfect weather year round. Can't beat that! Didn't shoot my best game ever, but it was a great time and I even saw a mongoose on the 17th hole! Oh, and I got to see the most awesome planes - the harrier jets - in action! Pretty bad ass day!

6. FOOD. I think if I had not been running every day I would have gained 20lbs! Sam's By The Sea - YUM! Leonard's Rose Garden - YUM! Chili's - YUM! Yogurtland - YUM! Starbuck's - YUM! Hell, even the Rocker Club on Kadena was fantastic... I can't believe that you can get such good food at the Club in Kadena, yet at the Club in Misawa I feel a little sickly each time I try to eat there...

7. Scott. He made the trip perfect. Whether it was spoiling me with presents and dinners and fun adventures, or trying to be sweet and not wake me at the crack of dawn, it was just so perfect to be with him. Deployments suck and I will take every chance I get to spend as much time as possible with the man of my dreams. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. If you would have told me 14 years ago that Scott would make me this happy I would have keeled over with laughter. I am so glad now that we stuck through all the young, rough years.

Of course this is a blog and I can't cover everything. However, I can tell you that I am going to try to get to Kadena whenever the chance presents itself. LOVE the Japanese Hawaii, I am such a beach bum. I will try to add some pictures when Scott gets home with his camera!

Scott is home!

WOOHOO! Scott is on the train and heading back! I can't wait to see him. I am ticked I had to vacuum the car for almost two hours in order to be able to pick him and his buddy up. However, it will be worth it when I finally thaw out and see him. So, I need to go clean the house now. Just wanted to note that I am still madly in love with my dear husband, who also happens to be the best husband in the whole world!

Babies, babies, babies....

Today was a very interesting day. I had an appointment to discuss test results with my favorite OBGYN here in Misawa - wait for it because his name is so perfect to be an OBGYN.... Dr. Massengill! Still makes me giggle. Anywho, it ended up being a quick run through of the results and more of a "plan of attack" for our infertility and miscarriage issues.

Good news, all results normal. Bad news, we have had REALLY shitty luck.

So, the plan, other than lots of practice at procreation, is a mixed drug approach. We will kick-start some things, heat some things up and then if that doesn't take we will give a vacation to certain organs. I am usually very anti-drugs, I HATE taking pills if I don't need them, yes even Tylenol. However, I have reached a certain desperation that I never thought I would reach. I think Scott realizes that I am about at a breaking point, as he has been treading carefully whenever I mention anything to do with pregnancy, babies, etc...

Fair warning to friends & family, I will be moody and emotional over the next few months. Fertility hormones do that to me. So, I apologize in advance. Hell, I just popped the first pill and started crying. You are my friends and CARING family members for a reason - deal with it.

Love all of you!!!

Running

I am trying to get back on the workout wagon. It is a daily struggle. And I do mean struggle. I love to run, so I don't understand why I am having such a hard time getting back in the swing of things. I ordered my new shoes; they fit and feel great. I love the Nike+ system. I have amazing playlists... so why the struggle? I blame it on my love of sleep and shopping.

I guess I need to explain this. I feel like I am never, NEVER getting enough sleep. Between middle of the night bathroom breaks, dogs waking me up, husband waking me up and the occasional nightmare I do not get 8 hours of sleep. So, when the alarm goes off at 5 a.m. for a morning jog - I hit snooze. I don't go back to sleep. I toss and turn, but I don't drag my ass out of bed. Nope, I then regret all day that I didn't drag myself outside.

Second, I don't have much time. I am at work for almost 10 hours a day. Yep, you figure almost a half hour travel every morning and again in the evening, an 8 hour work day and a lunch and wa-la, you are at 10 hours. Hopefully, I am not working overtime! So, after that 10 hour workday, and the morning shower and prep time, I am exhausted. It is really hard to have a real 40 hour work week and stay healthy. You have to sacrifice so much. My husband has repeatedly asked me to quit my job. Why don't I? Because I don't like living by a strict budget. If I am making all of the "fun" money then we can do whatever we like, without dipping into savings or looking at the budget. I don't know that I would be okay asking my husband if I could buy that purse, or those shoes.... It would be a very difficult transition.

For now, I guess I will sacrifice "me" time. The dogs are getting more walks/runs in my attempt to be thin again. Yes Dr. Ball, your cruel words have stuck with me and I am sick of thinking you might be right. No soda, no greasy, fatty foods. It is whole, natural foods and hard work for me. Tonight the puppies and I logged 2.5 miles. Not a lot, but enough that I feel decent. It is a start right? Have to stay optimistic here! The hippie in me is loving the food, and the runner in me is coming back around.

Hump Day Blues

I am in an extremely foul mood today. I really want to punch the two annoying people in the office, like a put them in the emergency room punch! I hate being stressed out. And the heat is back on because it is wet and cold outside. That blows. I don't feel like digging through my clothes to find something for work tomorrow. I feel like being a bum on the couch and eating bon bons all day! Going to take out all of this stress and anger in spin tomorrow, but getting through the workday in the meantime is going to suck. Ugh, I think I am going to bed to try and forget how sucky today has been.

EGGsellent!

Busy weekend indeed... Spent Friday home with Scott. It was nice to lounge around before the last minute madness began. I don't know what this new tradition stems from, but Scott loves leaving his ID in the building and forgetting it until after orders for deployment are cut and we have to get back up there and find a way to get it out to him. Luckily, this time Jackie was still in the office to help out!

Saturday sucked and was awesome all in the same day. I hated saying bye to the hubby. However, my friends have made the transition pretty easy. Carin and SaVanna convinced Scott and I to get iPhones, so I got mine on Saturday and have had a blast with it. Also went to Toys R' Us to get Miyuki's daughter a birthday present. Zhu Zhu Pet hamsters are awesome! Had fun seeing the kids act a fool at the birthday party. Karin made out on the gifts, she got some amazing present and three copies of Hannah Montana Uno, and no I did not get her one of them!

Carin brought her new puppy, Doug, over to meet Brewster and Darby Saturday evening. We took the three of them on a nice walk. Darby and Doug are going to have a LOT of fun once Doug is a little bigger. Brewster was well behaved, but wanted nothing to do with Doug. Old, grumpy man. Can't wait until Brewster's dental appointment, fresh breath will be so nice!

Today is Easter Sunday. I have a lot to be thankful for. I have the world's best husband, hands down. I love my puppies more than ever. I have friends who ROCK! I have been really lucky in the sense that I have solid friends back home and yet I continue to meet wonderful people who enrich my life constantly. Coloring eggs today was too fun, especially since Carin had never colored eggs before - they were just boring old dip and dye, but still fun! Now, I must get ready for the week. Time to make some egg salad, pack some lunch, lay out some clothes and get my schedule organized.

Preparing for another deployment

Scott is leaving again. BOO! The only upside is the not cooking, eating cereal for dinner, and the purchase of the new iPhone this weekend... HIS suggestion :) I still hate that he is leaving and really dread dropping him off at the train station.

Took Darby to the vet today. Dr. Yoshida said he was probably in pain and that is what started the licking. However, the constant obsessive licking has lead to a fungal infection. YUCK! So, we have some cream we put on it once a day and have to make sure that he doesn't lick the cream for at least 10 mins or else he might get upset tummy! All of this and the consultation for Brewstser's teeth cleaning next Saturday all totaled 3,500yen - so $38! That was it! And Brew's dental cleaning is only going to run about $200. YAY! Loving Dr. Yoshida right now.

There are a lot of people who won't be here when Scott gets back, so we had a lot of "Goodbye" dinners this week. Yoshino's was fantastic! So yummy! I know Scott is going to miss working with Jackie, stinks that she will be TDY when he gets a few days at home and will have already PCSed by the time he has finished his trip! At least I will get some time with her I suppose.

Scott's extension was approved, one more miserable year in Misawa is better than 3 years in Ft. Meade. I love Japan, but isolated Misawa is getting old. Thank goodness for good friends. I am so glad to know that SaVanna will at least be here the whole time with me - love you SaV! By the way, need your help with the phone tomorrow!!! Ok, now to spend more time with Scott before we have to pack his crap.