Crazy Eight

I was tagged by Coarse Gold Girl a while a go to to this one. Since the kids are already fast asleep and god only knows when Hubs will be home, I decide to give it a go.

Here are the rules:1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

1. In the summer, I usually hang my clothes out to dry at night. The reason for this is two-fold. First of all, it isn't as hot or humid (usually) at night so I can get things hung up without (usually) breaking a sweat. Or, at least if I do break a sweat nobody can see me all beat faced and whipping sweat off my chin cause it is dark outside. Second of all, and this reason is probably the most important, I can just get out there and get it done instead of having to worry about whether or not Sophie is trying to eat the soap powder again or Bailey has found the scissors or not.

2. I always, always, always go to the bathroom before I go to bed. Even if I just went five minutes earlier, I go again just in case. Don't know why this is. Maybe something Mom made us do when we were little and it just stuck with me. It makes me crazy when Bailey doesn't go right before he goes to bed. I also always use the bathroom first thing in the morning and try to get Bailey to do the same but sometimes he can go for as long as an hour without going to the bathroom after he wakes up.

3. My bookshelves are overflowing and I know that I won't have any place to put the new books I plan to buy while we are in the States. Hubs has suggested that I give some to a friend or donate them to the public library. I just can't stand the idea of throwing a book away. Even when one of the kids tears pages out of a book and they go missing, I still can't bring myself to throw them away. As a matter of fact, there is a book (well, really, just two pages of a book) that is on our shelf now and it is one of Sophie's favorites.

4. I usually always have a snack before I go to bed. I eat dinner with the kids around 6:00 each evening and by the time eleven rolls around I am in the mood for a little snack. Sometimes it is with Hubs (if he is home by then) and sometimes it is just me and a slice of butter toast with strawberry jam and a big, cold glass of milk.

5. I detest having a gross, smelly, rotten, mildewy shower/ bath and so I clean it every other day. I usually clean either at the end of my shower in the morning or while the kids are splashing around in the tub after their bath in the evening. I guess I just don't like the idea of trying to get clean in a place that is dirty.

6. I sometimes pretend that I don't understand Japanese when a telemarketer calls or a door to door salesman visits. I always answer the phone by saying hello in English and that throws a lot of people off. You wouldn't believe the number of hang ups I get or mumbled I'm sorrys. Sometimes I just don't want to be bothered with details of how this cram school will turn your kid into a genius or how I can study Japanese using the newspaper.

7. I wear my husband's socks. His dress socks, his casual socks- it doesn't matter to me. I have size 10 or 11 feet and in Japan in is really hard to find women's socks to fit me. I guess that I could buy my own men's socks, but I figure Hubs already has them so why bother?

8. Last Thursday, I bought eight litters of milk and they are all gone except for one.

Hmmm, I guess that just about covers it. I won't tag anyone but if you want to play along leave a comment so I can come by and check it out.

Thinking Bloggers Meme

Chelle from Crazy Thoughts by Chelle tagged me for the Thinking Bloggers Meme. She had some really nice things to say about my blog and left me blushing. Thanks so much, Chelle for the hat tip.

The directions I was given are these: 1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think, 2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme, 3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

First of all, let me say that this wasn't easy. I have learned so much from all blogs that I read and narrowing it down to five was a little tricky, but here goes.

1. Overwhelmed With Joy
From adoption to mouthwatering recipes, Overwhelmed has a fun but really insightful blog that I enjoy reading.

2. An American Between Worlds
I can relate to a lot of the things that Corey goes throw as she tries to raise bi-lingual children. Her blog is always a good read!

3. AMExpression
Ame isn't afraid to keep it real, she doesn't sugar coat things and that is one of the reasons I was hooked after the first visit. I admire her strength and faith tremendously.

4. Something About Parenting
This stay at home Dad usually has me in stitches with his renditions of family life. His artwork, as well, is stunning.

5. Never A Dull Moment
I love that Amy is always giving us the heads up on how to help out those who are less fortunate. She has a kind heart and a sense of humor when it comes to raising her kids that I admire.

A Christmas Meme

I have been tagged by Vicky and I am just finally getting around to it. Sorry it took so long!

1. hot chocolate or egg nog?
hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!!!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
this year they are wrapped

3. colored lights or white?
white lights

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No. I don't even know if I could find it here.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Early December

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Gosh, too many to name- ham, scalloped potatoes, rolls...

7. favorite holiday memory?
Being with family and singing Christmas carols

8. When did you learn the truth about Santa?
I still believe!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas eve?
If we were in the States, yes but since we are celebrating at home this year, I am not sure what we will do.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Everything on the tree with the exception of the lights was bought at the 100 yen shop but it turned out really nicely if I do say so myself.

11. Snow- love it or dread it?
I miss having a white Christmas.

12. Can you ice skate?
I went once- my first and last time.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I remember one year my Grandma gave me perfume and I thought that I was so grown up and another year she gave me a locket.

14. What's the most important thing?
Being with the ones you love

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Mom's fudge or those hershey kiss peanut butter cookies

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Driving around town looking at the lights and listening to Christmas music

17. What tops your tree?
A silver star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
The Little Drummer Boy and Mary, Did You Know?

20. candy canes, yuck or yum?
I love candy canes. When I was younger I used to swirl it around in a glass of water and then drink the mint flavored water. Now, I like to crush them and put them in my coffee or hot chocolate.

Bouncing Ball

My fellow-prefecture man- the funny, sweet Gina tagged me so here goes.

Yourself: happy
Your partner: the best
Your hair: shaggy
Your mother: beautiful
Your father: unavailable
Your favorite item: computer
Your dream last night: interrupted
Your favorite drink: coffee
Your dream car: red
Your dream home: big
The room you are in: tatami
Your ex: lively
Your fear: being alone
Where do you want to be in ten years: satisfied
Who you hung out with last night: Hubs
What you're not: shy
Muffins: Banana-nut
One of your wish list items: family vacation
Time: snack time
The last thing you did: dishes
What are you wearing now?: colorful
Your favorite weather: warm
Your favorite book: biography
Last thing you ate: cough drop
Your life: awesome
Your mood: energetic
Your best friends: laugh
What are you thinking about right now?: presents
Your car: old
What are you doing at the moment: singing
Your summer: busy
Relationship status: married
What is on your TV?: nothing
What is the weather like?: rainy
When is the last time you laughed?: noon

Amy if you would like to play, it is all yours! The goal is to provide one word answers- it takes a little thinking to get it done.

For Pamela

Got tagged by Pamela over at Just The Two Of Us . Like to hear it? Here it go!

1. Five minutes to yourself. How would you spend them ideally? Reading, definitely. I am reading Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata at the moment and can not put it down to save my life.

2. Five dollars to spend right now. How and where would you spend it?
A pacifier holder. I lost two of Sophie's three pacifiers today somewhere in the grocery store because they went attached to her! Of course, on of those lost was her favorite. Sigh!

3. Five items in your house you could part with right now
A stack of bills that need to be paid
A phone book from 2004 (Why am I keeping it?)
A box of leftovers in the fridge from Sunday (If we haven't eaten them now, we won't)
My washer (She's starting to cough and spit more than rinse and spin)
About a thousand plastic containers (Keeping them just in case, but Just in case never comes)

4. Five items in your house you positively, absolutely could never part with
My wedding band and engagement ring
My grandmother's handkerchief (I carried it the day I got married. She's been gone since 1994.)
Family photographs
A lock of Bailey's hair from his first haircut
A piece of Sophie's umbilical cord (It is customary in Japan to do so and although it is a little creepy to me I wouldn't dream of throwing it away)

5. Five words you love
Faith
Hope
Love
Laughter
Family

Happines, It Is A Good Thing

Skip on over to Melody's Sofa, read her Good & Happy Things post and then come back here for my answers.

1. What was the best thing that happened in your life this week? 2. What did you learn this week that you couldn’t have learned otherwise? 3. Who touched your heart unexpectedly? 4. Who went out of their way to make you smile this week? 5. What did YOU do to make a difference in someone else’s life? 6. What did you find out you were good at this week? 7. What goal did you make this week? 8. List 5 people who adore you…. 9. List something you are looking forward to…. 10. What’s the yummiest thing you had to eat in the last 24 hours?

1. My kids are happy, Hubs is smiling more and all because of vacation talk!!!
2. The knee jerk response isn't always the best response. Hubs has been working like crazy lately and it would have been so easy to get angry about it, but I decided not to and everybody became happier for it.
3. That cute little elderly couple walking down the street holding hands and kissing while they waited for the walk signal.
4. That one would have to go to Bailey. He keeps coming around trying to make me laugh, trying to make me lighten up and it usually works.
5. Top Secret, but I am planning a little surprise for somebody out there.
6. Bathing two kids at once- it ain't easy let me tell you!
7. To not depend on other people for happiness. Defining my own happiness so I can feel better about myself.
8. Five adoring fans, hmmmmm, let me think..... Hubs, Bailey, Sophie, Mom (when I am not being 'onery) and the Pizza Hut delivery guy (we are one of their best customers)
9. Our trip to the beach this weekend
10. A glass of chocolate milk shared with Bailey

I found this blog from Tasra's suggestions at Lessons From The Scrapbook Page. Stop on by to view her other suggestions. If you answer the ten questions in your blog, leave a comment and I will stop by to check it out.