busy,busy,busy

It's been really busy here the past couple of weeks.  Some days it feels like non stop doing things. Christopher and Hannah are back at school.  Hannah is in the last year of elementary school and so excited.  That's good.  Christopher not so excited, he has a lot of work to do this coming year.  David has started his psychology course, so far good.  I get a lot of explanations of things.   With the kids back at school I am back to the early morning madness, up 5am to get breakfast and make a lunch box for Christopher.  Tough but no choice, makes the days VERY LONG!
Just before Hannah went back we did a bit of shopping.  That was fun.  April 1st was the day that the consumption tax increased, from 5% to 8%.  For weeks before this increase the news programmes were running so many doom and gloom stories, how people weren't go to be shopping as before but i didn't see that.  People were shopping as usual.  I got Hannah a couple of nice T shirts for the summer, a new pencil case and a few other bits and pieces!

Hannah's T shirts and pencil case.

We also got a nice surprise!   I got a letter from the education department saying that some book tokens had been sent for Hannah  from one the local businesses, Hisamitsu!  I applied for these book tokens last year, they are given to single parents in this area.  I forgot all about them but I figured that we would get maybe 2000 yen!  When I picked up the gift cards the total was 30,000 yen (about 300 dollars).  I am so happy, all the kids love to read and these will come in handy during the summer holidays.  When Hannah and Christopher start with "I'm bored"  business we can go and buy a couple of books!!

the book tokens
 

We are still cleaning out the house.  Half way there, but slow going.  The garden is still a disaster but we need to spend more time on it. One problem is that the best time is Sunday, everybody is free but it seems to rain on Sunday!!!!  Good excuse!   Last Sunday it was pouring down all day.  I took Christopher and Hannah to the local recycle shop.  Christopher got a load of T shirts and Hannah got a couple of skirts,  she likes her skirts to be below the knee so it's difficult to find nice skirts for her.  The one she really likes is no good for school as it is too long and would be dangerous on the stairs but she looks so cute in it!

Hannah looking cute in her new skirt and hat

I think that is all for now!! 

A little outing and a lot of cleaning

The kids and I went to Fukuoka on Monday! Nice day but very tiring.  Just so many people, plus we got turned around and spent ages walking in the wrong direction.  Had lunch at Moss Burgers, we don't go there very often so it was nice change.  Plus we got to watch the taxis.

It was interesting watching what kind of people took a taxi.  Also we had an interesting discussion about the lady in the red coat. Her job is to help people into the taxis,  not the best of jobs, in my opinion!

Did a bit of shopping.  The main reason I wanted to go was to check out the bookstore.  They have a good selection of books for teaching English.  I know I can order on line but I like to hold the books, get a feel for them.  Anyway we bought a few things.  I also bought Hannah some face painting crayons.  She is really into Cats the Musical and wants to try out the make up. 

Mikey had a go drawing on Hannah and Christopher

Interesting results

Other than that day out we have been busy cleaning and cleaning.
Mikey took his bed to pieces today and found where  ALL of his socks had gone to.  I got so mad because for the past couple of weeks all I've heard from Mikey was "Where are my socks?", everyday!!  They were all at the bottom of his bed.  When I saw them I yelled at Mikey, so he grabbed the socks and shoved them down the back of my T-shirt.  Not nice!  Anyway he managed to vacuum under the bed and sort out a load of stuff!!  I've gone through all my clothes and thrown away all the things that I don't wear or can't wear.  I had stuff in my draws that I bought last time I went to England, 11 years ago.  I am no longer that size or person!!  I am enjoying this process of letting go.  I have my photos and journals, the letters and notes from hubby, a few of his things, (like his glasses and watch) the PJs he wore, other than that I am letting go.  It's hard but the feeedom of not being burdened by stuff is liberating.  That is what I am enjoying!!

Christopher and Hannah have a few more days holiday and then back to school.  I hope to have some time to do something with them before the business of a new school year starts!

Being Busy + Problems= Chaos

Life is not easy.  It's defiantly not for sissy, especially the life of a foreigner in Japan, with limited Japanese!
I decided that it was time to really sort the house out.  I am holding onto Hisao's stuff in the stupid belief that he might come back.  Grief does things like that to you, makes you hope for the impossible!  But he isn't coming back and leaving his stuff around doesn't help either.  So with the coming (and going!) of spring I felt that the time was here, let's do this, get it over and done with!
The biggest problem is the books.  Hisao was selling books on Yahoo Auction, when he died he had over 3000 books in stock.   Can you imagine how much space 3000 books take?  So we gave a load to Bookoff, I know they say they buy books but at 70 yen for about 200 books it's more like giving them away!!   A load of books got put under my bed, the bed is old and the frame not so good so the books are supporting the bed!!  Good use for the books!   That cleared out the under stairs cupboard so I use it for the vacuum cleaner.  Moved all the books from the downstairs hallway as well!

These were some of the book in the hallway!
 

Moved the dinning table back so we can use it.  For over a year I couldn't eat at the table, too many memories.  But now we are back to using it, feels better!!
And of course all the spring cleaning that needs to get done.  I seem to spend far too much time just cleaning.  We also have to do the yard.  I tried to dig out some weeds the other day but it almost killed me.  I think the boys are going to have to pitch in!  Plus all the daily stuff, cleaning, cooking, laundry and work, never ending. So very busy the past few weeks.

Being busy is good, it helps me to focus on the here and now, not to get lost in "if only" land!  But problems make me freeze up.  One problem I can deal with but that never seems to be the case.  They all come at  once.  It all started with a letter from our rental agent.  The old lady next door was complaining about the smell from the dog.  And I am the first to admit that the dog does stink.  We are trying to clean up but she is a big dog that eats a lot.  And what goes in must come out.  As much as I was upset that the old lady was complaining, I was more upset by the fact that she knows which rental agency we are using.  There are at least 6 in the area and up to 20 in the city. How did she  know which one to contact?  Not a nice feeling that my private information is known to all!
But because she complained and I know that we need to do something about the yard, we went  and bought a dog house.  At the moment the dog is under the balcony which near to the neighbours yard.  So I thought that by having a dog house we could move the dog!  Great plan! Reality, the dog is scared of the dog house.  She spent the first night just crying at it, the next day it poured down with rain and the stupid dog stood outside the house, howling (she also hates water).  She is back under the balcony!  Need plan B.
The next problem is more serious!  Last December we changed our Internet and telephone carrier. The only thing I was worried about was our free dial number.  I was reassured that it would be no problem.  Last week somebody called and said that our free dial number wasn't working.  After poor David called the companies it turns out that we have lost our number!!  I am so mad about this, we have about 2000 leaflets with this number on.  We have to reprint them, which costs a small fortune, plus we will miss this season, which is one of the best times to get new students.  This has caused me so much stress!  Then just because misery loves company we lost Internet service.  Looks like one the Wifi machine isn't working, so out of 7 computers that have Internet access only one works!!! And of course it has to be the one that has Japanese OS so I am guessing at things if there is nobody around to help me!

But in good news. I AM HEALTHY.  I got my blood tests back.  My blood pressure is back to normal 116 over 70.  My cholesterol is normal, I don't have diabetes and there is no fat in my liver.  So I am a fit fatty.  Actually I got a pleasant surprise the other day.  I was walking up hill fast with Mikey.  By the time we got to the top I was out of breathe and my heart was beating like crazy!  But with in 2 minutes my breathing was okay and my heart rate back to normal!  So I am still okay but do need to loose weight!!!

A few photos to end with

David's graduation

We keep finding pictures of Christopher, the photo below is on top a soup stock, similar!

Before cleaning up, looks a lot better now

Hannah feel asleep on the sofa!

EARTHQUAKE

I live in the southern part of Japan and we almost never get earthquakes.  I think in the 23 years that I've been here I have felt about 10 earthquakes.  We get typhoons not earthquakes.  But last night, just after 2am, the whole house moved.  At first I thought it was the wind.  We had very strong winds yesterday with more forecast for today.  But the windows weren't making a noise!  I came down and checked the TV.  The earthquake was M6 at the center, here about a 4.  Kind of big!
And the reason I was awake at 2am. I am hungry!  I'm going to have blood taken for diabetes test this morning so I couldn't eat after dinner last night. And we ate dinner early, about 5:30, so now I am really hungry.  The doctor opens at 8:30 am, I can't wait.  I want food!

Doctors

I took myself off to the doctors yesterday.  This allergy/cold/asthma thing that I have is driving me crazy!  I spent most of Sunday. Monday and Tuesday nights hacking away.  So annoying!  I have so many medicines now, 3 for asthma, allergy medicines and something for my nose!!  I hope that it helps as I feel really miserable!
The big shock was my blood pressure. Even though I am big my blood pressure has always been low  to normal.  This time however it was 140 over 80.  I was really shocked.  I guess this is the reality of getting older and fatter.  My weight is no longer a cosmetic concern but is becoming a medical problem!!!  Friday I am going to get blood work done to check for diabetes!!!  My brother has had diabetes for about 12 years, so it is a worry for me!  I've checked twice before but I have noticed that my desire for sweet things is the strongest ever.  I hope that I'm okay but it's better to check!
Wish me luck!

Near Death Experience

Well not quite!  Yesterday during lunch I ended up choking on a piece of meat.  I couldn't swallow it or cough it up.  It was well and truly stuck, plus having asthma didn't help at all.  The choking didn't last long but it is amazing the amount of thoughts that can go through one's head in such a short time.  First I was scared, not being able to breathe is really scary, I wondered if this is what Hisao felt when he died, was he scared?  Then I thought about my kids and how I am their only parent now.  Even if I feel that I am not doing a good job of parenting them most days, I am all they have.  I need to be around to protect them nd help them grow up to be the best they can be!!!  This has led to a me rethinking my health and diet, I guess it is time to grow up and take responsibility for my health.  I am over weight and ignoring it doesn't make it go away.  I want to have a long life and I want to do things,  I also have get my allergies under control.  The past week I have been rather ill with allergies and blocked ears.  I have so much to so but feeling so run down and wiped out doesn't help at all!! 
Also I have so much to learn.  Japanese of course, not the most inspiring thing, but I need to be able to understand more and read and write at least basic things.  I never bothered before because hubby took care of everything and I could rely on the kids but I need to be independent to a certain degree and I need language for that!  Also I have to do something about the garden.  Mikey and I went to the local home center yesterday to pick up some plants for the front.  I was overwhelmed by the choice and had no idea what would be good. I bought four little plants but have no confidence that they are okay.  Plus I need to learn more about computers.  All our computers are rather old.  Hisao's hobby was repairing computers, he could rebuild them from parts that he picked up.  But we might need to invest in a new one in the next year or so.  And I want to get the best for our money.  So a lot to do!

Hannah came home with a certificate yesterday. She got it for her art work.  They had to make a letter holder and hers turned out rather well.

endings, beginings and sniffles

It's that time of year again.  March is the end of the school year here in Japan, so many graduation ceremonies.  In our family we had one graduation, David graduated from high school.  Mikey and I went to the ceremony. It was nice but rather long. We were there from 9 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon.  239 kids graduated, 238 kids walked up the steps to recieve their dipolma, only one kid fell on the steps and of course that was David.  After the main ceremony the kids in the evening school meet together with their teachers.  There were only 4 kids in the class, but nine teachers!!  Each teacher spoke about the kids, everybody was crying, except me!  I guess not understanding much Japanese helps sometimes!  I'm glad that it is over and done with!  Now he has to start university!  He is applying to the University of the Air, similar to The Open University in England.  He is going to study psychology and education.  Should be interesting.
Other than that I haven't really done anything the past couple of weeks!  I have seasonal allergies and this spring has been the worst in years, I feel really ill with awful headaches and now coughing all night!  Also poor Mikey is bad with it as well!!!  I hope that I can get over it soon as I have a load of things that need to be done. I really want to get in the garden, it needs a good clean and I want to start growing things, not just weeds!!!
Sorry for any spelling mistakes, the spell checker isn't working!!!!