Conversation in the car

Jude:  "Mom, I love the snow because everything is so white and pretty."

Weenie:  "I agree, it's lovely."

Jude:  "But, mom, I still love you more than snow."

I know, I've got the sweetest little boy ever!  

Something has got to change

So, I'm lactose intolerant.  I've been this way for about 20 years!  However, recently it has gotten worse.  Way worse!  Before, I could have crackers or fried food even if there was a little bit of milk in it, and I'd be okay.  But now things have changed, and I seem to be having severe adverse reactions to ANYTHING that contains milk!   ANYTHING!  If I eat ANYTHING with even trace amounts of milk in it, I suffer severely!  Even if I take a pill (lactose enzyme), it doesn't help!  I spend the rest of the day bloated, gassy, and miserable.  All I want to do is roll up in the fetal position and die.  Seriously!  Nothing is worse than painful gas that you can't do anything about.

I always keep a bottle of anti-gas medication near, but I hate taking any additional medications.

I'm at a loss of what to do.

All I know it that something has to change!  I can't keep having adverse reactions after every freaking meal I eat.  It's getting ridiculous!

I think it's time to change my diet.

I would do it all again

This picture was taken a couple of years ago, before I chopped off my hair. 

Husband and I will be celebrating our 9 year wedding anniversary on Friday.  We were married on President's Day, 2003.  

Our relationship has had its ups and downs.  It hasn't all been roses and chocolate and sweet tender kisses and hot hotel sex.  Like most couples, we've had our moments where things were less than perfect.  But through it all, we've managed to stay true to one another.  And after those less than perfect moments, we were lucky enough to find each other on the other side, where we could fall in love all over again.

And if Husband asked me to marry him again, I would-- not just for the perfect moments, but for the un-perfect moments, too.

So, Happy Anniversary, Leo!  I love you with all of me--not just now but forever!

Wide Open Spaces

I took this picture in Ameyoko Market near Ueno Station.

I'm used to crowds.  When you live in Japan, you are never alone.  Never!  You are always surrounded by people.  Always!  I've gotten accustomed to navigating my way through congested areas thick with Japanese people.  This is my life.

However, with our upcoming move to Georgia, I'm dreading the wide open spaces filled with nothingness.  I'm worried I'll feel alone.  Since we are moving to a town with only 60,000 people, I know I'll be overwhelmed by the silence and lack of people surrounding me.  I'm not sure what I'll do when I'm the only person standing in line, or when I'm the only customer in a store.

I think I might get lost in the silence, and there will be no one there to help me find my way.

Growing up

When we moved here to Japan, Jude was a toddler, crapping in his diapers.  He had just turned 3 years old.  In the last 4 1/2 years, my little guy  has blossomed to a big kid, a really big kid!  He's only 7 years old and he's already 4 feet tall.  He'll be taller than me before I know it.

Jude and I hiking in the jungles of Khao Sok National Park in Thailand. 

Shit, where does the time go?!

Happy Valentine's Day

Since I live in the future, I already had a great Valentine's day with my family!  I started the day by volunteering at Jude's school.  His class had a Valentine's day party, and I helped out.  Then, for dinner we ate sushi.  Yum!  After that, Husband and I curled up on the couch together and watched a cheesy girly flick.

And Husband surprised me with an AWESOME Valentine's day gift:  Breaking Dawn Part 1 on Blu-ray!  Yes, my husband LOVES me!  I loved how Husband wrapped the gift in Christmas wrapping paper!

So, I hope you have a great day and spend it with those you love most!

Instagram pics

Here are a few pictures I took with my iPhone last week:

I took this picture at the Tama Zoo- one of our favorite places in Tokyo!

Last week it snowed.  I took this at 7 AM near the park near my apartment building.  

My kiddo trying to make a snow angel.