Small Things Make Me Happy!

 A new supermarket opened just down the road from me!  I've been to another branch of the supermarket a few times but that one is a good 40 minutes drive from here, the new one just 5 mins!!!  One thing I love about this supermarket is that they do a lot of import goods at very good prices.  Tins of kidney beans, lentils and mixed beans for 97 yen(about 70 pence).  Brussel sprouts, frozen of course, for about 200 yen (about 1.50 pounds).They have  a lot of things that I want to try, so I guess that is going to be my new place.  Two other supermarkets that I use regularly are closed for remodelling and I can't wait for them to open!  See small things make me happy!!

We are already getting ready for Halloween.  The kids that we teach English to have four lessons in a month so getting the seasonal stuff out early enough is important.  Mikey has this easy reader book with ghost stories in that he reads to the kids, he reads the English and then translates it into Japanese!!  I love hearing the kids squeal and giggle!

Our little Halloween table, need a few more things to put on!

Hannah really amazes me sometimes!  She is getting nervous about her entrance tests for university, which is understandable.  The other day I was teaching a girl that was Hannah's class mate in elementary school.  This girl is a lot more nervous than Hannah!  Hannah talked to her after her class and really encouraged her to have a positive mind set, saying that you have to believe that you belong in the university.  I'm glad that she can think like that!

End of September

 We survived the typhoon.  It wasn't as strong when it hit us but still very strong!  The whole house was shaking, really not fun.  Some places were hit very bad, landslides and flooding in many areas!  Hannah had a day off school which she was happy about!

I've been suffering from painful knees, more my right knee than the left one.  Somedays I can't walk, other days it seems okay!  Went back to the doctors today.  Same thing, loose weight!  I know what to do but doing it seems so hard.  I am really down with the pain and exhaustion, no sleep because of the pain.  When I get this low I eat, which I know doesn't help in the long run.  I would love to start walking in the evenings, 30 minuets two or three times a week.  If I could do that it would help change my mind set a bit.  Let's see how this pain medication works!!

Our cats are doing well.  They can sleep anywhere! One problem we have is Alan, the older black cat doesn't settle at night, he wants to be with somebody.  Some nights he is outside my door scratching away for ages!

The next couple of months are going to intense for Hannah.  End of November is her university entrance test.  She is studying hard but is getting nervous!  I'll be glad when it's all finished!

Typhoo Season

 End of August and September are the typhoon months in Japan.  Although in the past few years we've been having them as early as June!  Where we live we have been very lucky recently as we have only caught the edge of the storm or as it weakens, so rain and a bit of wind.

This weekend we are expecting a monster typhoon. The center pressure is 920hPa, at the moment and it is still over the sea, which means it could get stronger.  I always gauge how bad the storms are going to be by other peoples reactions!  I went shopping yesterday, there was no bread, no bottled water, very little milk.  Things like rope and flash lights had also sold out.  This was at a large supermarket.  This morning I went to my local supermarket.  I arrived just before opening and there was a line around the store!  I managed to get some bread, but it was a real fight.  A loaf of bread has either 5 or 6 slices in it, so I usually get two loaves.  This morning as I got to the bread corner there was only about 5 loaves left! I managed to grab some!

On the way back I saw people tying down car ports and cleaning yards of anything that can fly away.  

I'll let you know how it was next week.  My biggest worry is loosing power or water!