Tanabata Festival in black and white

Jude winning a fish--a real, live fish that is now a new member of our family.

Jude ordering a snow cone.

Some guy selling squid.

This is what we saw at the Tanabata Festival on Friday.

Motherly moment

Jude sleeping on my shoulder on the train.

Sleeping

Today on the train this old guy was sleeping next to me. I thought he was cute, so I took his picture.

So, if you live in Japan and ride the trains, and I happen to sit next to you, be warned--I will take your picture!

Our Stay-cation

Jude is off all week for summer vacation, so we decided to head downtown. Husband has to work, so it's just Jude and I. I've made reservations for the night at our favorite hotel, and I even made reservations for dinner tonight at Jude's favorite Japanese restaurant. It should be a fun filled 36 hours, including a visit to our favorite dinosaur museum.

Don't worry, I'm bringing my camera to document any misadventures, which are likely to happen when you set a midget, Mexican momma loose in Tokyo with an inquisitive, outspoken 5 year old little boy.

Much better

This weekend was spent cleaning mold from our AC units. We have a total of 5, and they were all covered in mold. Yes, mold! M-O-L-D, Mold, with a capital M!

Actually, Husband cleaned, and Jude and I harassed him as we watched him clean the mold. After a full day of it, I got a head ache and decided a margarita was in order.

There's nothing better than a frozen margarita with a touch of mold.

Hell, after a few drinks, I forgot about the mold. I think I should drink more often.

Costco in Japan

How do you make a midget, Mexican momma happier than a clam? Set her loose in a Costco in Japan. That's how!

Shopping at Costco in Japan is an experience like no other. The store is crowded with people constantly bumping into one another with over-sized shopping carts filled to the rim with goodies. It's the only place where you can get 5 kilos of squid or 1 kilo of dry kelp or 5 liters of Shoju (Japanese grain alcohol). And if your heart desires, you can also get 2 pounds of corn chips, a few designer purses and bed linens for American sized beds.

It's one of the only places where I can go shopping and actually read the packages. Needless to say, I love it. I can spend hours there.

And today I did just that. I was in a bit of a hurry, so I bumped more carts than usual, giving a few people the stink eye. I apologized, but didn't really give a shit if I ran over a few toes or small children. You see, my Costco is crowded, and I mean crowded--like a sold out concert crowded. People stop and gawk at the strange American items they've never seen before, trying to decipher the English written on the packages. I get frustrated and start pushing my way through, demanding people move out of my way or be run over. This is one of the few places where I'm allowed to do this. People just assume I'm a rude foreigner, and I'm okay with it. Sometimes in Japan, you just have to be rude.

So, today I spent part of my day buying useless shit in bulk. It was awesome! I felt so American!

Thank you little baby Jesus for Costco in Japan!

Tragic

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/teens-drown-wading-louisianas-red-river/story?id=11312631

If you are a parent, it is your job to keep your child safe. One way to do that is to teach your child how to swim. This shouldn't be an option.

Sometimes I get bored waiting for Jude at swim lessons. I usually read a book or play Scrabble on my iPhone. Several times I have considered quitting the lessons because it interferes with our after school schedule. However, after hearing this story, I will never, ever complain again. Instead, I will continue to pay for lessons and continue to enroll Jude until he is an excellent swimmer. I owe him that.

If you're a parent, be a good one and teach your child how to swim. Please.

Everything is as it should be...

...Husband is home! My world is perfect again!

7 years later

Husband and I have been married for 7 years, and after several weeks apart, I still get nervous to see him again. My pulse quickens, my heart flutters, I get butterflies, and I get so anxious when I see him for the first time.

I hope that feeling never ends.

Welcome home, Husband! I missed you!

A very big Thank You!

That's right, the king of the castle, the ying to my yang...my Husband has returned to me. He's slightly darker than when he left, courtesy of running in the Texas heat, but we're happy to have him back.

A very special thanks goes out to all my North Texas running buddies who took care of Husband while he was visiting for work. Your hospitality and kindness made Husband's stay very enjoyable and fun. He really enjoyed hanging out with y'all, and listening to all your great stories. By the way, I was incredibly jealous that Husband got to hang out with y'all while I was here dealing with the MOLD!

Anywho, thanks so much, y'all, for taking care of my man, for letting him borrow a vehicle, for feeding him multiple times, for throwing a bar-b-q in his honor, for everything! You guys are amazing friends, and I'm so thankful to have y'all.

Husband said that even though he hasn't seen you guys in almost a year, it seems like just yesterday we were all hanging out. To him, it seemed like no time had passed since we moved away.

I guess great friends are like that. No matter how long we are apart, we are able to pick up right where we left off, like no time had passed. Regardless of the years we've been apart, we just keep on keeping on like nothing has ever changed. Good friends are like that. They are always there for you regardless of anything-- regardless of the time, the distance, the time change, the whatever, good friends are just that-- GOOD!

So, thanks again to all my North Texas peeps who showed Husband a great time. You guys are amazing, and y'all rock!

Domo arigato goizaimasu! (Thanks, thank you very much!)