Times change

Ever wonder where did the day go?

TIME:
It seems there is never enough time to to all the things I want to. This week I haven't been online more than twice. To check the weather and my bank account balance. I also realised I haven't posted much about Okinawa either. To be truthful, I haven 't done much yet. I am told by most people here that spring is the time to explore.
I while back I posted The first step is so hard for me. I made it to the gym once. I know I have to make time. This post is documentation to my second attempt.
CHANGE:
So forgive me if I don't post everyday also I am reading your post even if I don't comment each time. I will continue to participate in Mama Kat's and Tiffany's writing assignments. So, right now my focus is losing a few pounds and my family life.

Wish me Luck

writing assignment: joyous decisions & pictures

Writing assignments from  Mama's losin it Writer's Workshop. The prompts I write about are (3 of 4):  

1.) Tell us about a memorable blind date.

Never had one

2.) Other than the birth of a child or your wedding, write about a joyous moment.

 

A joyous moment in my life was when my husband got back from Iraq this past deployment. He left when the boy was two months old and missed a lot of stuff.  Not as much as he did when the girl was born.  When she was born he deployed for a year when she was only 10 days old.   My joy is having him share in the children's lives.  I got to have a year to myself with the girl and 6 months with the boy of bonding.  When he comes home he gets his bonding time. That brings me joy.  Now the girl and dad have their own greeting.  The boy too.  He runs to meet dad at the door and holds on to dad's leg.  So cute.

3.) Write about one of the most difficult decisions you have made in your life. 

It was difficult to decide to have my tubes tied.  After I got pregnant with the boy we knew that two is a good number to stop at.  I didn't want to take the pill all my life.  Also, having anything installed was not something I wanted to deal with.  Sometimes things shift or your body rejects it.  Now, taking stuff out I am OK with.  The difficulty of the decision was wondering if my LAST child would be healthy or even live that long ( no difficulties in my pregnancy)  Just those WHAT IFs that crossed my mine.  

  

4.) Share the best picture you took last month and explain why it's your favorite

Because he is so cute.  He plays in every box that comes into the house.  Laundry baskets and trash cans all are his new toys.  Even his playpen is just a huge box to play in.  This is my favorite from last month.  However understand I didn't take to many pictures.

Elements of a speech

President Obama’s inaugural address was touching. I was born in Pennsylvania. However, I spent a large chunk of my childhood in Alabama. I witnessed some of this nation’s racial unrest first hand. I am moved to be witness a nation come together as it did today. I pray that the unity last longer than the parties.

On a more poetic note…
As I listened (after 2 am here) to the president’s speech. I was struck by the sense of elements I got. We all know the four usual elements. Air, Water, Earth, and Fire.

I began for me with the music composed for the event called "Air and Simple Gifts".
Element AIR, a method of conveyance of change. I got a feeling of Obama’s winds of change blowing through the quartet. Giving form to his campaign ideal.

“The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.” From Obama's inauguration speech.
Element WATER, a passive substance that can turn harsh and torrent to whittle away a mountain. Much like the hopes and dreams of a people became voting powers that whittled away the nations idea of a man's worth being the color of his skin.

“For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth.” From Obama's inauguration speech.
Element Earth, the land our forefathers died for. Blood in the dirt has nourished the spirits of generations that came after.

“So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river.” From Obama's inauguration speech.
Element Fire, from that small fire a determination was set for country to succeed in the face of oppression, doubt, and hate. A burring passion for Unity.

God bless the United States of America.

soups' on

January 07, 2009

I posted my latest obsession was looking up Wanton / Chinese dumpling soup recipes. Because I heard that if you start each meal with a clear broth soup you eat less.

Today I stopped looking and just got my pots jumping. (love that Sunny, a lady who can whip up some good food with no notice).

I grabbed a pot :

2.5 quarts of water Boiled.

Added 6 teaspoons of "Better than Bouillon"
the jar calls for 6 tablespoons but I wanted a light broth
+ one stalk celery

+ one small can mushrooms

half a bag frozen mixed vegetables (cooked in microwave)

cooked chicken breast (cubed)

Simmered

So yummy. The family likes it too.

Name game from GNO

I just came from Jennifer who got it form Ann Again....And Again, where she is hosting the Virtual Girls Night Out. It is a real party over there. She has this party game listed:
The Name Game. Use the first letter of your name to answer the questions. Your answers need to be real places, names and things. Nothing made up :-> (You cannot use your name for #3 boy/girl "name" question.)

1. What is your name: Tea
2. A 4 Letter Word: Turn
3. A Boys Name: Tim
4. A Girls Name: Tiffany
5. An Occupation: Tutor
6. A Color: Teal
7. Something you wear: Toe ring (ha)
8. A Beverage: Tequila (ha ha )
9. A Food: Toast
10. Something found in the bathroom: Toilet paper (LOL)
11. A place: Tokyo
12. A Reason for being late: TRAFFIC
13. Something you shout: That's it (not what you think)

OK. It's your turn! Comment with a link to your post.

writing assignment: love poems plus

Writing assignments from Mama's losin it Writer's Workshop. 

The prompts I write about are (4 of 4): 

1.) Describe your significant other's most attractive quality (on the inside).

My SO is the most l calm person I know.  He can be put into almost nay situation and sit there calmly.  He has been to the SAND BOX many times and still just gets on the plane like it was nothing.  When he comes home he just wants to watch Sports Center.  I have never seen him agitated.  

2.) Tell about a time you stole something.

When I was very young.  About 6 or 7.  My father took me to the super market and I noticed the kiwi fruit.  mind you I had never had one or even seen one before.  The whole time I held it in my hands.   So, at the check out I for got I had it.  We got int he car and my Dad swore I stole it.  I did,t really.  I for got.  However, I didn't pay for it.

3.) Choose a poem you like. Take the last line and use it as the first line of your own poem. 

Lord Byron’s  "She Walks In Beauty" 

Dark wines

A hearts whose love is innocent

Like a child she pours her love out to him

Wishing only to have joy on his face

He is her first.  Oh, he drinks leaving her weak, almost empty

He bestows trinkets of lust

On her lips his affection like cheap wine

Virgin, to her his wine is from the best grapes

Drunk, broken bottles used

Jaded, she realize passion was poison

Light

A hearts whose love is innocent

I feel her here in my space

tugging an pulling 

I share my all

my heart felt songs are met with silence

Still I love her

She tares me apart

A pain I endure

Once presentable, we meet

My daughter is born

A mothers heart whose love is forever innocent

4.) Write about a scary encounter with one of your old professors.

Two years after I graduated.  I came across my Stat professor.  He asked how was I doing then he all by the wayish, this jerk told me  that I never turned in my last paper and he passed me anyway.  My exact words were: "The hell you say.  I have that paper at home right now do you want me to bring it to you with your notes on it. I earned that grade."  He was so scared HE walked away.

gone

Yesterday at about 3pm a family friend lost her fight with cancer.  She left us in her sleep. 

Haiku Writing assignment: Games

Games

Wii bowl with my girl
Eyes closed Strikes three in a row
My toddler kicks ass

Games

We move on the board
Strategies luck and passion
Check mate I am King

My knowledge is vast
My conquest, stuff of legions
King of the board

Here I am queen
I can save the all the people
Only when I win

The first step is so hard for me

OK, I have been here in  Okinawa for about two and a half months.  I am trying to get my girl in to some kind of school/daycare.  Can you believe they have her on a waiting list.  #34 the boy is # 13.  

I digress.

I am here now and still have not been to the gym.  Even with the husband fully willing to take over right after HIS workday.

I have been using that time to catch a nap or blog before I make dinner.  Then it is the dishes, baths and bed.  However, I stay up late.  I knit, read, and or blog.  Last night I did laundry until 1 AM.  I just got it in my mind to do it with out the children at my heals.  I see the wee hours as a time to function without distraction.  Then I pay for it by being sooooo run down the next day.

Tonight, after the boy's bath and before the girl's I told husband "Hey, the gym is open I should go and walk at least"   To myself I keep saying tomorrow I will go to bed early so I will not need a nap and go to the gym.  Then I find myself here now, 11: pm blogging.  Then I want to look up a particular knitting stitch for the blanket I want to make my mother in law for her belated birthday gift.

Bottom line is I am a bit of a night owl and I need to get started on my fitness goals.

I know no one can take the first step for me I just wanted to vent.  Thanks

Out and about

Every weekend we leave the base. Sometimes we pick a direction and just drive. I saw this sign that said people market.
So we went. There are about 4 to 5 blocks and both sides of the street full of tourist shops. With Japaneses snacks and Hello kitty stuff. Alos a street full of vendors that sell food, clothes, and even health remedies.

It was really cool. I really could not shop much. The girl has gotten so wound up. I am looking to put her in a school off base soon. (More on that in a later post)

Haiku Writing assignment: Shiny Things

I went back on Tiffany's blog and found the first Haiku writing prompt
Shiny Things Dew on spiderwebs

Sunlight dancing in a drop

Nature's own jewels

Photograph by Amy White and Al Petteway

Writing assignment: Obsessions and about me

Writing assignments from Mama's losin it Writer's Workshop. The prompts I write about are (3 of 4):

1.) Describe your latest obsession.

Looking up Wanton / Chinese dumpling soup recipes. I hear that if you start each meal with a clear broth soup you eat less. I love the clear Chinese soup. I am trying to find the right one off the Internet.

2.) Ask a loved one to use 6 descriptive words to describe you and report your findings. How well do they know you?

I will have to get back to you. Hubby is taking a nap.

3.) Who was your first bloggy friend? How did you find each other? Do you still correspond?

Laural She was my neighbor and just started blogging and welcomed me. She and I would have girls night out at the $$$bucks coffee bar at the local market, to set me up blogging.

4.) Tell us about your pet! If you have a weird infatuation with your dog or cat we want to hear about it (or if they just plain drive you crazy)...but please don't compare them to children. It's just not the same.

No pet at the moment. Getting some fish for the girls birthday later January.
Before the girl I had two cats. OK they looked like cats but really they were dogs. I called them our maid and butler. The boy cat was my cat he would take anything clothing or my YARN and put it in the litter box then in his water dish. He was doing the LAUNDRY. The girl cat was my husbands. She would play fetch with you. Also, in the wee hours of the night she would gather anything out (money socks or credit cards off the coffee table) and put it under my side of the bed.

Haiku Writing assignment: Building

Tiffany at Poetry and Hums Host regular haiku/poetry writing prompts

This week a Haiku Writing Prompt .

"Building"

Walls or bars surround
My haven or my prison

Warmth or hell fire

Photo from

Wii Bowling

My girl loves Wii bowling. Dad and I play her every other night. I usually win by 30 or so to Dad and about 40-50 to the girl.

Last night this girl kicked both our butts. She would run up to the TV to bowl (the TV is twice a tall as she is). Then she started bowling with out looking and was getting strikes. Three in a row. Which is apparently called a Turkey.
Her Mii looks just like her.

And the award goes to

I was reading Comedy Goddess post where she graciously accept Honest Scrap award. I thought of a few people who should have it too.  They are some hard core ladys!

I award the following in no particular order:

Mammy Kat

Laural

Lynette

Tattooed Minivan Mom

Jennifer

The award comes with a two rules:

1.) The honorees are to first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep!

2) Pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

Resolutions

My health goal... regular gym work outs, healthy eating for me and my family.

My pledges are :

bake bread from scratch DONE
Learn Japanese

Attend some local festivals

Learn to braid the girl's hair

Write out a short story or two Or even a full novel

writing assignment: favorite gluten free recipe

Writing assignments from Mama's losin it Writer's Workshop .
The prompts I write about are (3 of 4):

1.)Describe a New Year's where you would have been better off just staying home.
None. I am a home body that really needs to get out. The husband and I stay home this year out of laziness. Plus with the moving to a new country and just having Christmas we New Years kind-a snuck up on us.

2.) What do you do that drives your mother crazy? I don’t agree with her every word. When I tell her what I am doing she always has a better way. Then When I say thanks, but I want to do it this way she gets all pissy. I Just hang up and call her back in a few days and WE apologize and get back to talking.

3.) Share your favorite gluten free recipe

Amaretti Cookies Recipe

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups of almond flour -or- 3 cups of blanched slivered almonds, finely ground up
1 1/4 cup of baker's sugar (superfine sugar)
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of almond extract
Extra sugar for dusting
Method
1 Preheat oven to 300 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2 In a food processor mill together the almond flour and sugar. Add the vanilla and almond extract and pulse for a few seconds. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue to process until the dough is smooth.
3 Place teaspoons of the dough on the parchment paper and dust with sugar. Bake for 24-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before serving. They will be slightly chewy at first, but they will be nicely crispy as a day or two goes by. Store in a cool, dry place. (Note: If you like them chewy then under bake them by baking them for about 20-24 minutes.) Makes about 30 cookies.

Happy New Year!!!

May 2009 be the start of a great time in your lives.

I wish you all health of mind and body.

I hope you all enjoy more of your lives, and Laugh more.

May your Resolutions for the New Year be attainable.

Michelle has it right "I am going to do something for myself. Just one little thing. And more importantly, I will not feel guilty for doing so."