Dull Moments

February 9 2010: Yee Gads! Another slow week. Shane ended up working the whole weekend, days, so not much to do. Yes, I know I am capable of going out and exploring on my own. For heaven's sake I learned to drive in the snow in Michigan. But there is something very intimidating about getting into an accident in a country where you don't quiet speak the language. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but in Japan, you are automatically at fault 50% regardless of who was the cause of the accident. The theory is, if you weren't out driving this never would've happened. So, I prefer the buddy system. Shane has noticed I don't back seat drive as much in the winter....I'd hate to be blamed for an accident...I'll hold my tongue. (this is what he says to Andi and I "hold your tongue" she and I being totally irreverent will promptly reach into our mouths and grab our tongues, and keep talking....there is no hope for us)
Anyway, the above photo is the ice gathered on the roof of the house. As soon as the sun hits it, off it goes.

Big puffy clouds. I tried to get them without power lines, but not an easy feat in this neck of the woods. Power lines are everywhere, part of the landscape.

We got 4 inches of fresh snow this weekend. So Andi had a blast playing on her freshly packed snow piles. But it has warmed up again, so the roads are mostly cleared again. I'm not sure why Washington DC panics, just wait a day or two....it'll melt right off. I have seen a few plows here, but only 3. And that's through almost 2 winters now. There are a LOT of plows on base, but that's where all the crazy drivers are....all right, there are more than a few out here in town, just no plows.

Hard to believe that in just a few months this field will be flooded with water, and little rice starts will be out there making the world all nice and green again.

Well, here's to an adventure this weekend. Shane is off, there are "festibals" in nearby towns. I'm hoping for at least one day of being out!

Living Vicariously!

February 2 2010: Alas....no field trips again this week. Has been dull gray clouds, and dull gray ground. Just a few tracings of snow, sometimes enough to cover up the ugly dirty stuff. This is nothing compared to last weekend. So in an effort to make up for no outings, we shall live vicariously through others. Pictures are courtesy of a cousin of my mothers, who makes ventures to Panama! It looks warm and refreshing there....though we might all could use a swimming hole.

Not sure what this next weekend holds for us. Shane is working both days....he had nights last week. I hear there is an ice festival in the next town. Providing there is no snow, Andi and I might have to go out on our own. The tricky part is finding a parking spot.....we'll see how adventurous we feel!

A slow week this past week. Was called a "tired all leady" by an acquaintance.....really, just a mix up with "r"'s and "l"'s. She was asking if I was "tired all ready.....but it sound more like "tired ol' lady" We had a great laugh over it.....after my initial su'plise (yes it is happening to me as well). Actually, Shane and Andi seem to take great delight in seeing how many times I can loose my r's in everyday conversation. It is becoming more frequent. Just last night I told Andi how "ploud" I was of her swimming (it is coming right along, and that's "proud" in case you wonder)

Now if I could just speak it properly (Japanese) and understand it, then there would be much more adventure in store I'm sure.

So, now that you are thoroughly bored with this week (winters are long and gray here), we shall hope that something more grand comes our way this next week.

January 26 2010

Well, another slow week. Didn't get out this weekend. Did get stuck going to pick Shane up one day....but nothing major. Shane and another driver pushed me right out. I try to limit my driving to just when I need to. Most of the time I decide, I really don't need to. Was snowing this morning....made for a slippery drive for some folks this morning (see below)

The road normally carries two cars passing very easily. But with the snow piles, it becomes quiet narrow. This was on the way to the bus stop, so the kids had a little negotiating through snow banks. Just happened I had my camera with me today. I did ask the American driver for permission to take pictures....emailed them to him for his records. I am usually surprised that I don't see more accidents. This is the first one I've seen in almost a year!

Well, that's the most excitement I'll get for the day. Off to do the dishes and continue my career as a Domestic Goddess!

January 15-18 2010

January 15 2010 - Well, at this moment, it is just a mere 14 inches of snow. The road crews for our little subdivision push all the snow into our yard. (we have an extra sized lot...probably just for this purpose) We also have an abundance of neighborhood children now as well. And, I hear, a few grownups. Though no one can prove it was me, as I go out after dark.....

The two above pictures are from our back deck. Not to bad on Thursday.

But, oh wait, it's Saturday now, the 16th. It's been snowing all day. By 2pm we had a serious case of cabin fever going on. So what's a person to do? Why drive into base of course. To do anything of serious self preservation? No, just to go and get out. At this point we've had about 5 more inches. Keep in mind average Misawa snow fall for the winter is a total of 125 inches....we're just getting started.

We came home after dark to find bigger snow piles. Saturday delivered a total of about 8 inches. The road crews were out quickly and did their jobs well. Andi was very pleased with the size of the piles. We have two main ones that are made by the front loaders. Then there are the berms that run around the house from the snow sliding off the roofs. Those are up to the window sills now.

Andi helped Shane out with the evening snow shoveling. The Japanese crews do come around, but they have a lot of houses to do. Shane and I figure if we can do it, then we do, but of course we will take their help without hesitation. There is a LOT of snow to come!

Sunday the 17th found Andi and a neighbor boy out in the piles by 8 am. She was out there 'til 11am, came in long enough for some high calories food....then back out til 4:30 pm. The only reason she came in was because everyone else had gone in, and we had some place to go.

Andi and the neighbor grooming their sledding hills. I don't worry about cars coming down the road.....everyone knows the piles are here so seem to be avoiding our loop....they're like ants crawling all over the place. I think on Sunday I looked out to see 5 kids, with more probably lurking on the other side.

Andi has always wanted to live in a snow fort. I told her at the rate we are going, this will be a fort indeed. At least it is heated! oh, wait, that's our house!

At last on Monday we went for an outing! I know, the wonder of wonders....an outing. Andi was begging for a road trip. But Shane has a late shift tonight, so no straying to far afield. Our big venture was to the base. But we went in search of the sledding hill that we keep hearing about. It does have great views. That is a lake. I hear there is kayaking in the summer. Something I would really like to do this year. Also, hidden in the snow are some hiking trails. Will wait for thaw for that as well.

Now, Andi has never been sledding. So Shane took the first two runs with her. First, thank goodness I am in charge of the camera. Shane said it was quiet bumpy and rather hard on the backside. Second, if he keeps doing runs with Andi, we really need to invest in a bigger sled. But, hey, this is the best sled, it was free, given to us by moving neighbors.

The hill is a bit steeper than it looks. Has a pretty good slope to it. Probably would have been helpful if I had taken pictures from the bottom. But I had topside duty, while Shane waited at the bottom to pick up bits and pieces. Andi was very resistant to the idea of going by herself. Great crocodile tears rolled down her face. I assured her it would be fine. Several minutes later, I'm sure it was an accident, my foot released her sled......screams down the hill (we started a good halfway down, so really I'm not that mean....just exasperated). She went down just fine, no mishaps, but as soon as the sled stopped, she FLEW off the sled and into Shane's arms. I'm sure she was telling him what an evil woman I was, but once he stopped laughing, he sent her back up, and she had a great time.

Above: Down she goes.....of her own free will this time. But very slow going, as she went in the powder. It took about 3 more runs before she went on the more packed area, then what smiles we had! And "gee, Mom, this is FUN!" Though she might deny it tonight...

Below: Of course, the hard part, coming back up. But never once did I hear her complain about the trek back up.

Oh, there's that gleeful smile!

Below: ok, now it was just time to play with the camera....it has a great speed shutter!

oooo, he better not hit my camera....I mean OUR camera.....

nope, it fell short....

Back to school tomorrow for Andi. Hopefully back to a routine for me. If procrastination is a routine, then I've got it down pat. No, I did make resolutions...even have them written down. Back on the wagon tomorrow and get some stuff done!

14 Inches!

January 14 2010 (Thursday): Well, Tuesday night we went to bed with just 2 inches on the ground. Woke up Wednesday to 13 inches with another inch falling during the day. Andi was so EXCITED to have that much snow at one time. School went on a 2 hour delay, but being the diligent parent...she stayed home. (hey in my defense she had been complaining of a sore throat the night before) And yes, being the diligent parent I let her out in her pj's. The snow comes to just below her knees.

I shoveled, while she played. I couldn't get all the snow over to the edge of the driveway...so there is a giant island down part of it. I made the driveway wide enough for the truck, plus a little more. The Japanese workers that came out later (could have saved myself a little work) only did path ways about 3 feet out from the garage and the front steps.

I do have to say, with Andi's hat riding that low....I'm not sure how she sees out. But she gets around.

This would be later in the day, after that extra inch fell....putting the snow levels at her knees. She assured me it was very difficult to walk in.

Above: Instead of asphalt shingles, we have sheet metal strips. This is great as the snow doesn't build up on the roofs. It does slide however. It was so wet and heavy yesterday that you could hear it groaning as it started to slide. Once the slide was in full force it sounded like an earthquake, with the rumbles, plus the house shakes with it. You can see across the way how much snow has fallen off the neighbors houses.

But, there are some things Andi just won't skip. Swim class being the primary one. By the time we went in the streets were nicely packed. Shane came with us, so as to help me with the truck. I must admit to not being inclined to drive in the snow. Actually, as a lot of you know, I learned to drive in the snow. But since being here, haven't done it. Last year it was mainly due to the fact that I could barely remember to drive on the left, why would I want to throw bad road conditions into the mix. So, I drove to swim lessons, with Shanes foot planted firmly on the imaginary brake on the passenger side.

And, of course, after a day of snow and swimming, and a treat of playing for an hour at the food court play land...a nice hot bath was in order. Don't you love our tubs? These things are great....can overfill them, as that whole room is the tub and shower room. Deep, long tubs and a good bit of steam.....ahhhh....you know I just may have to go take a soak myself.

Now we get to today, Thursday. This is down at Andi's bus stop. The huge pile of snow if what the farmer plowed in his work area.

A view of our street. Hasn't been plowed.....probably won't be. Our house on the left, with the garage door that you can see.

Following below: pictures from my walk this morning. Thank goodness for "yak trax", a wonderful invention that just makes walking in the plowed snow SO much easier....no slipping.

Above: somewhere in there is the shack.

Looking across the fields.

Now off to do the things that I procrastinated yesterday. The dishes are still in the sink, the living didn't get vacuumed, clothes not folded....but that's ok, snow days are worth it.

SNOW!

January 10 2010: Finally! At last we woke up to snow! Only a couple of inches, but, hey, we'll take what we can get (which is nothing compared to the states). By 8 am Andi was begging to go out. I had her wait it out til 9 am. Then, somehow, she conned me into shoveling the driveway into one pile to start fort construction. I shoveled, but not enough snow. So, since they don't plow the streets, I did a good section of our street, to get the meager material for the fort. It wasn't a big one, but it worked. By the time I was done, around 10, the sun was in and out, and temps had warmed up. So melting began. Andi ran and got the neighbor boy, and before long, one other neighbor boy was out. They had a great time, the boys on their three wheelers, Andi running a snowball supply hut from the fort. The boys informed me next time it needed to be bigger...no problem, as long as there is more snow.
This morning, the 11th, the snow is all but gone. Hopefully there'll be more. Brown grass is just no fun to look at (never mind the fact that my grass was brown through the whole summer and is in fact dead)
And that was the excitement for the week. Aside from the fact that I am still in sync with my New Year's resolutions, there really has been no big news. Must find a food festival somwhere....

January 3 2010

The new year and no snow! When we got here on the 4th of January last year, it was piled high. Instead the other day I went out for my daily walk and had to contend with the above. No, not wet roads....that would be to easy. That's not wet, that's ice! "Skin tight ice!" Ah, now you know there is a story don't you? Yes, skin tight, our new phrase around here. In an effort to explain to Andi just what black ice is and how it forms....I likened it to putting glue on the palm of your hand and waiting for it to dry tight to the skin. A thin layer of water on the roads with freezing temperatures is kind of like the the glue drying on your hand. "mmmm, she said, skin tight ice!" And thus is born a new catch phrase in our house.
So yes, on this particular walk day, it was rather tricky. Even the dirt roads were hard navigating, so my friend and I ended up taking little roads through the rice fields, where there was still a thin layer of snow to get traction.

Andi, in the meantime, makes good use of a patch of ice that just wouldn't melt from the first snowfall. It sits in the shade all day and became a source of great fun.

With my new camera (having fun testing it out!) the three photos are in quick succession.

The ice field was great fun, but brought heartbreak the day somebody drove through it on a warm afternoon and the tire tracks froze in that night. "No good for skating" said a very glum Andi.

We did get snow flurries the other day. The neighbor came over to drop some stuff off. It was ok weather when she came, but 5 minutes later strong gusts and flurries were all over. She had her baby with her, so sent Andi brought out her blanket for the baby to wrap up in, followed them to their house, then back home with her blanket. Somehow I could just envision her on some pioneer trek....of course to Andi the 30 yards to the neighbor house might as well have been 30 miles...I'm sure she conjured it up in her mind.

On the 2nd we went to skate night. Some nights there are lots of kids there, other nights just a handful, like this night. Shane rented in-lines as well to give it a try. He only had on major wipeout, taking Andi with him...of course that's the moment that I had put the camera down. The other kids decided he was "the guy to get" and had fun chasing him around the small arena.

For a few brief moments Shane was allowed to skate with Andi. After that she told him that he was cramping her style, and she wanted to socialize with the other kids. He enjoyed the moment while he could....

Hopefully weather will start cooperating....either be sunny and let things grow, or snow and cover up the grayness. Right now trying to find things to take pictures of is a little hard, it all seems so dull. But it is a new year, must look at it with fresh eyes.