Japan Moms

sorry yesterday was so rushed! Just wanted to stop in and let you all know, Spring has come to Ohio!  How can I tell?

Little calves and lambs are out in the pastures, we have twin fawns no bigger then a beagle, the wild geese have tons of goslings, baby skunks... Along with new life comes the coyotes, shot 2 big ones, they were Beautiful (well fed LOL) now we wait to see if their pups are old enuff to survive.  there has been black bears sited within 70 miles of us and we lost 5 chickens, they're penned up in the coup till this weekend when we can get fence and a roof up.  We thought it was fox, skunks, racoons, owls...Nope!  Eagles.  there were 6 of us standing there and we watched them take the last 3 before we gathered them in the coup we were so stunned. Of course we knew they had a nest and babies the last few years but....guess they are tired of their winter food. 

My crocus gave way to tulips, then Easter lilies and daisies,  lilacs didn't stay long (they got frosted), now my combine and roses are blooming!

my garden is mostly planted, 75% at least, there's just those crops (turnip, beets, onions…) that we plant every 2-4 weeks apart to have a continues supply.  The asparagus is almost done, we'll let it go to seed here soon. Makes for better and more next year.  Our strawberries are blooming and berries forming, raspberries are close behind.  Fruit tree's blooms have left and fruit is setting. AND I have to mow at least twice a week. 

That's how I know Spring is here:)  And I'm Tired and sore. LOL

Hi Navy moms, I'm on my first visit to Japan to see my navy girl.  It is quite the experience seeing her & the sights. Overall kind helpful people and very safe streets & travels. 3-4 yr old children ride the train to kindergarten by themselves, it is T considered that safe. She loves it here and has acclimated to her surroundings very well. If your sailors are here, it's a good place to be.

Hi Bend.  We went over in 2010-2011 and LOVED it too.  My daughter lived off base and mostly felt and was safe.  Beautiful Country! So clean also!  Glad you got to make the trip. HUGS to you.  

HI Blondie, she lives off base also. It sure is a treat to visit. Your description of your spring sounds delightful too!

Thanks, it's a lot of work.  But planning my escape to VA Beach to see my x-sailor and granddaughter!  I hope you get to do some sightseeing and traveling.  We stayed 2 weeks and did it ALL, even climbed a mountain!

I am hear and reading, just not always in the right mindset to check in. Love the positivity, and I dont want to bring it down. Hug to all. 

Glad to hear from you Maggs.  You could never bring us down.  Standing with you. Praying for you HUGS

Thanks for Sharing Bend, my husband and I are heading there in June for a week, super excited for sure!  I hear it is the season of the EEL, Yuk, I think i will take a jar of peanut butter with me, lol

Grilled eel is vary tasty.  However, it is a specialized dish, and there is so many kinds of food in Japan, you don't need to bring PB.  You could love on McD's and KFC if you wanted to there, but why?

Here is a good food guide.  I recommend any of the noodle dishes for beginners, tempura, yakitori, or tonkatsu/katsudon too.  

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e620.html

Thanks Ani M, I am not very daring, my son has already tried to teach me to use chopsticks - don't stab the food mom, lol.  I do have one more question for the group re: finances, is it better to convert our money here in the US or wait and also, is it better to use a credit card vs carrying cash?  Thanks Ladies, you are the best!  My husband and I were talking about this, and I said, "you just wait" my Navy Mom friends will know the answer!  Thanks!

Thank you for the food guide, looks like I will have everything I need and I will do my best to test out the options

Lauren - My son tells me that they mainly use cash in Japan. You even pay rent in cash. If you stick to tourist spots, I am sure credit cards will work but if best to have cash available as well for the places that doesn't accept them. If you can get some yen from your bank prior your trip, it will save you needing to do that first thing after a many hour flight. If you plan to use your credit card overseas, check if it has Foreign Transaction Fees. If your card does, that will add a couple of percent to everything you use it for, possibly making using cash a better option. Have a great trip!

thanks so much for the update, my son also told me he does everything at 7-11, how funny!  I had heard that Credit Unions give the best rate here in the US, so I will give them a call.  I like the suggestion to exchange some before we go, I am sure we are going to be exhausted when we get there.

Howdy to all you beautiful Japan Moms. Thank you for letting me join your group. I was missing my Navy son as he is on his second week in Japan. The thought came to me that there MUST be a Japan moms group and "TA DA" - here you all are! I love my NAVY family. Thankful for all of you... :)

HI

A special hi and hugs to Maggs. And cardinals and how is Angel? And how is that grandbaby? !!!!

So good to hear some moms are in and going to Japan. have a great time and share some pictures.

Blondie - how nice of you  to share a Spring meal with the Eagles. Now you know the foxes, raccoons will want some too. So you have Spring - we had a week of Spring and then right into Summer ! We have been in the upper 90's. And the Cub Scouts march in teh Memorial Day parade - it was 98. Talk about melting.

To top it off - my grandson and his mom decided to walk the parade too. Well we walked and Riker rode in his wagon. then came home to cool down and he was able to try out his Worm Sprinkler. It was his first time =- he loved it. His lips were turning blue from teh cold water and we had to drag him out. Telling him we had water melon helped to get hin out of the sprinkler.

Got to split. Enjoy the pictures.  hugs

Riker in an old Cub hat from the 40's . He loved wearing it.

Holding teh Scout Reach mascot - Samuel Rabbit

With Yaya and Papa

With his buddy - Fireman Dan. Dan is also, a fellow staffer - an Eagle Scout - and Chaplin for the Rockford Fire and Police Department

Riding in the wagon - waving his flag and waving at everyone.

Cooling down and this was his first time ever running in a sprinkler. Dil got teh picture!

We used cash most the time in Japan also.  But I write checks or use cash here too. lol  7-11 would take our debit card (my sailor's which we contribute to) and give us cash at no charge. of course that was 8 years ago.  We could also change it on base.  Just REMEMBER to let you Bank and Credit Card Companies know you will be traveling out of the country! And where you will be going.  Hint - we have a debit card that we have a special account for traveling only.   We load what monies we want to use that way if we lose it or it's stolen....they only have access to a previously set amount of monies.  But we can call our home town bank and have money transferred into it at anytime we run short. Also be aware, some states/countries don't accept Discover, others no American Express.... So ask questions or carry a verity of cards. 

Also we LOVED their food!  I got tired of "sticky rice" (shame on me) and Hubby didn't care for the black beans in his desserts!  LOL

Welcome Aboard NavyMom2!  Jump in the waters, we love to hear about your Sailor.

What a Cutie!!!  T-Lynn, I can hear his Laughter.  We also have hit Summer now and those 90's!  You could have kept.  Holiday weekend was Hot and Muggy!  No wind my clothes just hung straight down!  and now even the nights are in the 70's, we are not use to this. we're use to opening the windows at night and cooling down the house and always having a breeze.  Not happening.  Pollen and air quality is BAD.  Geez where are all those people who wanted winter to end?  We had a storm Saturday night once it was gone the calm was back, and steam Everywhere, across the roads, fields, hard to breathe into Sunday.  WE just moved picnic inside and turned our AC down to 70!  

Welcome Navymom2

T-Lynn -he's adorable!

Woke up to a photo on FB messages - my Sailor received a letter of appreciation from his CO and sent me a pic. <3

Rained here for more than two weeks straight and the extended forecast is for rain, rain, rain. Yuck! So much for the sunshine state.

Middle child graduates on Friday. We had hoped Sailor would be able to come home on leave but it wasn't to be. Haven't seen him in 2 years now - he has one more in Japan. The little one (11) really misses her big brother - we all do but it's hardest on her.

Congrats to your sailor NavyMum!  YEAH!!!! for pictures.

My SIL just left on deployment and Tahlia (14 months old) goes from room to room looking for Dada, looks in a room, shakes her little head and says, No Dada then moves on looking in each room.  Which is funny cause daughter and granddaughter was here for 2 months while he traveled and she never looked for him.  If she heard him on the phone she'd want to look at his picture or we'd face time him.... but she never asked for him.  Is it cause she's older?  because she feels her mother's mood????  We try to distract her buy talking on the phone with them, or we face time.  Sometimes we say look Papa!  and she forgets..... she usually looks when she wakes up, (he was always gone by the time she got up) and after supper which he'd be there usually at that time.  Daughter said first time she did it she looked in the bathroom first, we all got a laugh from that! :)  Can't wait to visit and help out for a little while.

Hugs to all of you.  We all miss them no matter how long we've been doing this.  I thank God every day  Daughter is out.

T-Lynn: the smiles and joy of that baby boy sure melts my heart... my #2 Navy son was also a cub scout. :)

NavyMum: What a WONDERFUL way to start your morning! Your sailor must be doing one heck of a job to get that letter. I know you must be one proud mama. Congrats to your school graduate. My #3 son and corpsman is on his 3rd week in Japan. Doesn't really say much as he's a "newbie". :/

Blondie: Leaving for deployment is tough. My #2 son/sailor did two. I always found comfort in knowing that each day that passed meant one day closer to Homecoming. Sending (((hugs))) right back to you.

I am thankful to each of you NavyMoms for all the sharing and support...

Lauren-Ship 11 Div317: SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! Are you in Japan yet? If so, hope you had a great flight and please, please, pretty please post pictures. Can't wait to see... I'll be the one day dreaming it was me. :)

Anti M: Tempura??? Ummm... sounds delish!

Everyone have a great weekend. It's pretty HOT down here in Texas. Until next time, keep you chin up and keep on smiling.

HI

Blondie heads up - sorry - more HOT weather coming at you. Just keep the picnic tables indoors. At lease a pretend cool breeze and no bugs! Got an idea- put up an old sheet and play a movie on it - instead Indoor/Outdoor Drive in. Just leave teh car in the garage.  How cute looking for her dad. She must be needing him. Riker is now starting the stage of being so needed of his Mommy and Dad. Wonder if its a growth thing.

So glad all enjoyed Riker's first time in a sprinkler. He was blue by the time he decided to quit. But he's ready for more time to get wet. He cannot understand why  Papa just doesn't want to get wet though.

Congrats to NavyMom 2 on sailor receiving a letter. ! And better yet - sailor remembered to post the pic and let you know!!!!!

Have not heard from my sailor of late. He must be very busy. But this year something new for him. Fir the first time he will receive a Father's Day card. His wife had two kids. So he is a step dad - but still a dad. I have to pick out the right one. I am thinking of two - One sweet and one funny. Let you know how he reacts.

Hey all must split - need to prepare to chase cub scouts.  hugs all

All quiet this week. No news is good news right? :) A friend and ArmyMom asked for my sailors address. Apparently, the BlueStar Moms are sending packages tonight. She thought of my corpsman. He is going to be totally surprised as this is his birthday month!! I am grateful and thankful for military moms. They are so sneaky, sneaky, sneaky... lol GOD bless them. Everyone have a good weekend and try to stay cool. Stll HOT in Texas.

Navymom2, we all have to stick together and help out.  I love the blue star mothers, a great group.  Happy birthday to your son . do something special that day, YOU raised a Wonderful young man, Celebrate!

Leaving the end of the week for VA to help out daughter and spend some time with my granddaughter.  Very excited but so much to do before I can go both at work and home.  I'm in compression therapy everyday for my L4-5 herniated disc and pinched sciatica.  Hope you're all PROUD of me for taking care of me!  Even told husband I am NOT mowing or gardening.  The drive is gonna be bad enuff.  Daughter has a chiropractor and massage therapist lined up for me there, so taking my medical file with me LOL  I will try to get on more often since I'll be on vacation for 2 weeks!  But my "girls" come first. :)

a little humor for today.

Blondie: thanks for the birthday wishes. I told my corpsman to go out and eat some Japanese ice cream. (I wonder if there is such a thing) Anyhoo... asked for a pic. Hope he does something fun for himself as mama always celebrated him with a party. :(

So excited for your trip to VA! That darn sciatica can be a real pain but your plan of a massage and adjustment should help.Yes, we are proud of you for taking care of yourself. Your girls are probably counting the days to seeing you. Check in and let us know how it's going if you can. Have a GREAT trip.

HI

YIppee!! Did you all see that - in writing - Blondie - FINALLY - thought of herself first !!!!   Now how many YEARS did we all have to wait for that? Who cares!!!! She did it. And have a wonderful trip to VA. hugs

Yes, do something special on his birthday. then when he does call - and he shares what fun he had - you share too. You will find you actually celebrate together - makes your heart feel a bit better too. happy Birthday to your sailor.

Here getting ready to go full speed ahead with chasing Cub Scouts. ALL PARKS are running next week.  And I have my sun screen and hat. My cub scouts say they can always find me. Must be that hat.

Weather here is heading for thunderstorms. Part of me is saying yippee - love to hear the thunder. But my fellow scouters going camping - Not happy.

Need to go - grandson just came to the patio door. He wants to play outside. hugs all

We had a great trip to Japan, our sailor tried to walk our feet off, but I can only assume that is why the Japanese people are so skinny!  I will add some photo's soon!  

Lauren: Welcome Home! Can't wait for the pics. :)

T-Lynn: Thank you for the birthday wishes. Yes, I think I will do a "share birthday" with him. GREAT IDEA! :) Enjoy your playdate with the grandson. Sending (((hugs))) right back to you.

I have good days, but too many of the other to really say I am doing OK. I still haven't caught up with things, just getting  the grass cut, and laundry washed and dried, is a task. Keeping up with Angels needs, because she gets fussy if I dont. Spent today with granddaughter, and took her to a petting zoo. She got to go on a horse for the first time. 

Met the Ugly Duckling

and had Lunch 

 Maggs, I LOVE the pictures!  I know what you mean about just getting through the daily chores (and I haven't been through half of what you have).  Thanks for checking in and letting us know you're about.  Hugs 

Lauren, Glad you had a Safe, Fun trip.  Can't wait to see pictures. but I know how life gets in the way and slows us down.  I hope you Loved your experience as much as we did.  Just seeing our Sailor made that long trip worth it and O, the Memories!

Navymom2, How was the birthday?  Did you get to talk to him?????  HUGS  We got to spend our daughter's birthday with her this year!!!  (June 29th)  first one in 11 years.  And we did nothing special LOL  She did get a hair cut but just BEING there was enuff.  No cake, no ice cream....allergies Tahlia's health comes first. 

T-Lynn, Did you survive camp? Tahlia Loved my hat too!  I have some great pictures and video of her wearing mine and playing peek a boo.  LOL  just have to figure out how to post them.  at one time I figured my phone could post but only on certain groups....don't know if I remember now!

Anyhoo, I'm back. Had a  working vacation but still got to spend time with them!!!! Joe is deployed so we went out to help her for her Exam week, she had 2 oral surgeries and got a hair cut too! We got a lot done around the house, inside and outside. Every little bit helps when you have a 14 month old. and going to college. We even built Tahlia a learning tower, we put a door on it with a lock. I let hubby and daughter pick out the lock, wrong thing to do. By the 2nd day Tahlia figured it out! LOL It's a learning experience.
We had a Wonderful trip, made Great memories and a tearful good-bye. I kept up with my therapy there and don't seem to be worse for the wear.  by the last days I was walking 1 and a 1/2 miles twice a day! Doctors seem pleased, I still can't mow or garden, have to go to decompression twice a week....Oh well.

Life always gets in the way, we had to come back home. Looks like my next trip will be by air and alone. I feel bad for Hubby but can't wait to leave. LOL at last, I have a few months in first. facetime will have to do for now.
I hope you all have a Wonderful 4th and get to see or talk to your Sailors. Big Navy Mom HUGS

Blondie: Welcome Home! Sounds like you accomplished quite a lot during your vacation. :)  Funny how we get into Mama mode and off we go. Really happy you got to spend a birthday with your daughter after 11 yrs. WOW. Yes, I spoke my son on his birthday. It was his first birthday alone. I was happy he received the bday cards we sent him.

Maggs:  your granddaughter is a cutie for sure. So carefree and precious...

Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July. I will eat a hot dog for y'all.

HI

Finally my computer has agreed to recognize it IS connected to that modem or something my son said. Hopefully, I can share some pictures later too.

Hope all had a good fourth. We had a thunderstorm - just a few hours before the fireworks show. But the show was still able to go on. My son and dil took Riker to see them . Papa and Yaya stayed home. but there were several neighbors having their own fireworks shows. And I mean FIREWORKS too. Told the kids - next year - we all should be ok -(knock on wood) and for us just to sit out on the deck and watch the show.

Oh yes Lauren - pictures !!!! And stories from your trip. I will make sure I have snacks ready. And so very Happy - that you celebrated with your son for his birthday. I don't think our sailors realize how those phone calls really make our days.

OH - Maggs - how precious. And what beautiful blue eyes she has. Glad to see you post. All I can say - ears are here and heart full of hugs to share.  So Angel is being Angel. Well Shark has been moody. 

We had put off her getting her toe nails clipped. And one night she got caught on the rug. She just walking in circles. So I ca led that next morning and got her in. Haha Daddy had to talk her - so he was getting the dirty looks that night. That was until he gave her fresh bing cherries. She was in turtle heaven.. But she got mad at us when we turn off a movie she was watching.  Mad at the both of us - but peed on me. I have asked the sailor - who she just loves - to send her a post card. That should help with her mood.

Well, I need to split - going to attempt to do my nails. I have not done that in two years. Wonder if my polish is still polish?

Let you all know. hugs all

Blondie - sorry I forgot to mentions how glad I am you had a good trip. And to spend that birthday with Blondie Jr. Please keep up your therapy. Wishing you the best hugs

Hi Ladies, I'm planning a trip to Hawaii because my son is being sent there for school.  Any one been to Hawaii.  Any suggestions.  I'm so excited.  I haven't seen him in a year in half.

Beachmomblue: You will love Hawaii. I liked Maui more than Oahu but the hubby's liking was the other way around. We rented a condo walking distance from the beach. Lots of things to do with your sailor. So happy you get to see your son!

Sounds like everyone is busy and having a good time.

Navymom2, I think the holidays affect us more then them.  My daughter said (when she was over seas) they're just another working day.  When she got back stateside it was a little harder cause work was not so stressful or eventful and she thought more of family and what we were doing.  I was hoping to spend Thanksgiving with her this year but she says she needs me to come in Oct.  So....

T-Lynn, how did the toe nails come out?

Beachmomblue,  I'm sure you'll Love Hawaii.  But not as much as you'll LOVE seeing your son!

We enjoyed our 4th (best I could)  Our Nephew retired from the Marines after 27 years. So he got to come home.  No fireworks for us, we went home early (9:00)  but had a great old fashion cookout!  Loved seeing everyone.  Then over the weekend we wen to my Sister's for my side they built a 3 acre pond last year. So it was a swimming party with ribs!  About did me in, all that rough ground, I didn't even get in the water. Others said the blue gales were biting LOL  A lot of sunburns.... Not me I was in my chair sitting under the shade tree :(   Sadly I still seem to have lost or not gained enuff ground for the doctors and need to go to decompression 3 times a week now. They started another new adjusting technic.  Doctors say it's not time for surgery yet and I'm like Thank God!  LOL  Getting a new chair at work and home(just looking at my chairs you can see them leaning to the left, my curve is to the left)  not walking on any uneven ground, watching my posture and sleeping habits..... I have really Good days and then Really BAD days. They think the chairs, stress,  temperature changes and drafts might have stoved it up again.  I'm still not mowing, I did try pulling a few weeds, until my back and knee pulled then I stopped!  Maybe a dozen weeds died at my hands. LOL  Hubby carries the laundry baskets outside for me, might have to stop hanging towels and hubby's heavy work clothes.  UGG  This SUCKS!  let's just say NO physical activities (not even wink-wink) for months is getting to me. 

Oh and my eldest daughter called and said since we spent 2 weeks in VA, they want their turn. So we're off next weekend with daughter and SIL to go visit our Eldest Son and DIL who works at the Akron Zoo.  Brew at the Zoo!  Daughter said don't worry mom they have wheelchairs if you get to tired or hurt to bad to walk.  Son piped in with, AND Plenty of Booze! Hey, who can say no to that? 

That's about it I guess. Oh, I'm having a Usbourne book party if anyone is interested. That's my life. LOL  Hope all are well

NavyMom Hugs

Rained "buckets" down here in Texas yesterday. What a show! Thunder and lightening too. This is July right? lol This morning it was clear and so very nice out. Walked my son's dog and pulled weeds. Gotta get them while the ground is soft. Everyone have a great weekend...

Yeah for Navymom2,  rain weeds AND dogs.  

No more rain. It is going to be 106 degrees down here today. Heat wave! Glad I pulled those weeds for sure... hahaha.

we've been having crop up storms not much rain maybe 15-20 mins of down pour, more winds then anything and the rain comes so fast/hard that is does no good just runs off. Big cracks in our garden.  Hubby is happy he only mows once a week and not at all this week.  We are having a cool off right now. only 80-82 by day heat index is only in the 90's. But at night it cools off nicely. 50's-60's!  Much better sleeping weather. :)

Confused with some things, trying to sort out bills.. I am so mixed up. But I am holding in there.