Happy New Year

Glenn and I are headed up to Tokyo this afternoon to ring in 2009. We're spending the night at the New Sanno, a military only hotel which is having a new years party. The hotel is also close to Roppongi, the party area of Tokyo, so depending on the party we might be hitting that up to. On Thursday we're looking forward to exploring Tokyo more and seeing some new places.

Have a happy new year everyone! It will be 2009 here long before it is back in the states!

Our House in Japan

Here is a slide show (maybe, if it works) of our house in Japan. Only a few pictures cause it is so tiny! Glenn and I are going to a store tonight to buy paint so I can paint a few of the rooms. I'm so excited to be able to paint! Yippee!

PS. Did you notice my headboard? I made it out of cardboard boxes, duct table and an old curtain panel. Nailed it to the wall 24 times and glued buttons over the nails. I'm pretty proud of it. And when I say I nailed it to the wall, I totally mean Glenn. Thanks, love.

So I think I figured out the slideshow. You'll have to let me know if it doesn't work. I went to the hardware store today and looked at paint. A) It's way expensive and B) There are like 10 color choices, but I bought a small bottle of one I like, I guess I'll test it out. Anyone know if you can order paint online? Probably not cause of the whole hazmat/flammable thing.

Christmas Morning

I never posted any pictures from Christmas, but here is the family on Christmas morning. I'm wearing my new coat. Loves it!

I'm working on posting a slideshow of pics of the house although it is proving more difficult to figure out than I thought. Hopefully soon.

Merry Christmas!

It is already the day after Christmas here, but still Christmas in the states. Glenn and I had a wonderful Christmas yesterday and hung out with friends last night. Since most people here are away from their families, you have to try hard to be alone. Everyone gets together, cause it's not Christmas without a bunch of people around, right?
Glenn and I signed up for a Skype account as well so that we could do video chats with my brother and his family down in Louisiana. Our account name is JapanSmiths. If you have a Skype account, you'll have to give us a call! It was great to be able to talk to my nephew and see him in the video.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Miss you all!

Happy Birthday Emperor

Today is the Emperor's 75th birthday! Glenn and I went to Tokyo today to see him give his birthday greeting. We waited in line for an hour lined up with 1000s of other people outside the Imperial Palace gates. After awhile they began releasing different lines at a time. I was impressed with the organization of such masses of people. We finally went through the gates and along a road til we got to a large opening. We stood in front of a long building with a glass-enclosed balcony and waited for another 40 minutes. Not only is the Palace only open 2 days a year, it was only open from 9-11:10 am today. We were there for the first of 3 greetings the Emperor gave today. He spoke for about 5 minutes and our guide later translated that he basically said his health is doing better but not well, the economy is doing poorly but hopefully better next year and thanks for coming out for his birthday. It was a neat experience.
We also visited the Tokyo Tower. Think Eiffel Tower of Japan. Since today is a national holiday it was pretty crowded and it is the 50th anniversary of the tower. It was pretty cloudy out so we couldn't see very far. On clear days you can see all the way to Fuji-san.
Lastly we went to the Meiji Shrine. It is a beautiful shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife. That is the great-grandfather of the current emperor. It is a huge area of Tokyo with a forest surrounding it that was hand planted by volunteers to wanted to dedicate a shrine to Emperor Meiji. A lot of historical sites in Japan are not very old because of WWII. Our tour guides are always particular in how they discuss the war. They usually just say "when the Allieds bombed" or "when we lost the war" or things of that nature. The Meiji shrine was built in the 1920s but was not destroyed by the war.
Glenn and I are looking forward to a Christmas with just the three of us (Stella) and Christmas dinner with other families in the squadron. I'm not sure I can stretch out present opening til 2 pm like Lawson family tradition since there are only 2 of us, but I'm going to try! Merry Christmas to everyone!

Christmas Leave

Glenn has been on leave since the Christmas party so we have been trying to get out and explore Japan a little while we can together.
Last Friday we took the train up to Yokohama and did some exploring. Yokohama is the biggest city near us and is the second largest city (don't quote me on that) next to Tokyo. It is a big commercial port since it is right on the bay and is only about a 30 minute train ride from Atsugi. This is also where we change trains since it is a big connecting stop for other train lines. Glenn let me wander around the train station a little since he has done it several times and I was trying to navigate for the first time. Important things to remember, we live off of the Sotetsu line and get off at the Sagamino or Sagami-Otsuka stops! I'm still working on all the other stops. :)Here is Glenn in front of the Landmark Plaza shopping center. The mall looked quite similar to malls back home on the inside- Gap, Banana Republic, JCrew. I was really surprised how many American stores there were, but from what I hear, much more expensive. This is the tallest building in Japan coming in at around 70 stories. Also, if you click on this picture of Glenn, look at the name on the sign. The majority of the convenience stores in Japan are either 7-11 or Lawson Station!

We also saw Motomachi, a shopping area, and I tried Mochi balls. Mochi balls are made with a dough that is created from pounding rice. Then they are filled with all different types of fillings. I had one with banana on the inside covered in chocolate powder. Glenn had a mango filled one and carmel machiatto mochi ball. They are served frozen and you have to wait about 30 minutes fo them to soften up to eat. They are delicious! We also visited the Chinatown in Yokohama. Here I am in front of the Chinese temple. Before we left, we walked along the boardwalk and saw the bay. We saw a few statues, but Glenn didn't feel like walking all the way to the other end so I could see the statue of "Statue of Little Girl With Red Shoes On". Why not, Glenn?? Japanese translated into English is often pretty funny we've noticed.

On Sunday Glenn and I signed up to go on an MWR tour (Morale, Wellness and Recreation or something). We visited 3 different places north of Tokyo. A sake brewery, a washi paper making place and an old edo town called Kawagoe. Here I am tasting the sake out of the press before it has been pasteurized. This is called namazake and is much sweeter. I liked it a lot better than normal sake. We got to walk through the factory and see the process go from whole rice to polished rice to steaming and pressing. Then we got to taste the different types of sake: pasteurized, unpasteurized, filtered, unfiltered, etc. They even had a sweet one that is served warm that kind of tastes like oatmeal. Apparently it only has a little bit of alcohol in it so it is served to everyone including kids.

Glenn wasn't a huge fan of the paper making place, but I enjoyed it. It reminded me of girl scout camp with the screens and the paper sludge. We pressed flowers into it and we'll get postcards back in a few weeks.

The last place we went was the Kawagoe castle town. This town is called a "Little Edo" because it represents the Edo period architecture which was mostly destored in an earthquake and WWII. They have tried to preserve this time period in the Kitain temple and surrounding area. There is also a Gohyaku-rakan garden which has 540 statues representing the desciples of Buddha. Each statue was in a different pose and making a different face. One was even picking it's nose.




Lastly, Glenn is really excited cause the Vikings came is on live here. It's 8 am on Monday, but it's on! We're headed to Tokyo tomorrow to see the Imperial palace and family.

Christmas party

Tuesday night was the squadron Christmas party. It was so fun to get to meet all of the other families and wives finally! Glenn started his Christmas leave yesterday as well so he has been home all day which is nice. We spent most of yesterday running around trying to get things done on base like getting the car inspected and registered. Some of the offices were closed on Wednesday afternoons so we have finish that up today.
We also went to MWR to look in to some trips around the area while Glenn is on leave. We signed up for a sake brewery tour for Sunday and we're going to go to Tokyo on Tuesday we decided. The Imperial Palace is only open to the public 2 days a year- Dec. 23rd the Emperor's Bday and January 2nd- New Years so we are going to go on Tuesday. I'll post pictures when we get back!

For those of you that sent boxes and packages for Christmas, we got them all yesterday, good thing we have a car now, we had 6 boxes! Merry Christmas!

We bought a car!

Glenn did get his license yesterday and we bought a car! A 1998 Mazda Demio. This isn't the one we bought but it looks just like this:

We couldn't drive it home yesterday cause we have to take the title to get the liability insurance on base, then we have to get temporary tags so we can drive it to the Autoport on base to have it inspected then take it back to the dealership to show it passed inspection and get our Y plates. Phew! It's going to take us awhile to get all that done. Also buying a car in Japan is the fastest thing in the world! You pay cash, get a receipt and a title and you are done! It took us longer to get all the cash out of the ATM!

Since we were already off base last night, Glenn and I also went and had sushi for the first time since we've been in Japan. We went to a sushi-go-round where the sushi is put on small plates that go on a conveyor belt around the whole restaurant. Each colored plate is a different price and you just take what you want and stack them up! Then when you want to pay they just come write down what you had. Glenn and I weren't entirely sure what we were doing, but everywhere we go is a new adventure!

Tonight is the squadron Christmas party so I"ll post some pics tomorrow!

Coming along...

Things at our new house are coming along. Glenn and I decorated our Christmas tree last night and hung up curtains in the living room. I'm so glad I bought things for a house I had never seen (like the curtains) cause I love them! I bought a few things based on the pictures of the housing that I had seen. I figured I might need them.
We still don't have a driver's license or a car yet so Glenn and I did a lot of walking around base yesterday from the O Club for brunch to the commissary to the NEX to the Home Store, but we managed to find most of the stuff we needed including twist nuts so I could hang up my new IKEAchandelier that I have had for over a year and never hung up. Also, I am obsessed with IKEA if you didn't know that already.
We just need to find a floor lamp cause the living room has no overhead light and we only have one floor lamp. We are also planning for the Japanese furniture we will eventually buy like a console table by the front door.
Glenn had an early flight this morning so I'm hoping that means he'll have time this afternoon to run to the Safety office and get his driver's license. We looked at cars on Saturday and found a couple we like, but we obviously can't get one without a license and we have to get the liability insurance from some office on base. Hopefully tonight we will have bought a car though!Stella looks a little creepy in this picture cause she was mesmorized by the blinking light on the self-timer. Merry Christmas!

Also, in case you didn't know, our Vonage is up and working fantastic. Our number is 507-316-0980!

Tuesday 10 on Friday

** Update: I thought of a 10th item on Saturday morning at 8 am...you'll see...

Everything is Japan is going well so far. I even slept til 6 am today which is better than the last two nights. I still don't have my luggage yet, which has my Vonage adapter in it so I haven't had a chance to call anyone yet. It was suppose to get here yesterday, which it didn't, so I'm going to call today when they open. I've met some of our neighbors and I am still getting the rest of the boxes unpacked and adjusted to being a housewife. I even made dinner last night.

This week's Tuesday 10... 10 things it is going to take awhile to get used to around our new house.

1. The plug in the bathroom has a cover. Random.
2. We don't really have a backyard since we live upstairs, we have a sideyard. It is fenced in, but you have to go out the front door, down the steps and around the corner. This is the unit behind us, you can see their side yard. I don't really know what I'm suppose to do with a sideyard. Also, it looks more like a cage than a yard.
3. All the floors are linoleum. We brought 2 big pieces of carpet for the living room and bedroom. The bedroom looks like it has wall to wall carpet now and the living room has a large area rug, but the rest is linoleum. Stella is not a huge fan quite yet.
4. These are our house keys and storage room keys. They look like big dog tags.
5. The keys go in a slot where the arrow is on the round knob. You turn the back half of this knob and it turns the deadbolt. Apparently they keys are magnetized and that is how each key is unique.
6. 3 phones. We have 3 separate phones now. Glenn has a cell phone. We have a DSN number for onbase and local Japan calls and we have our vonage phone (well we will soon) for calls to and from the states. I guess it will be 4 when/if I get a cell phone too.

7. Every room has it's own thermostat so supposedly you only heat/cool the room you are in.

8. Often time when I open a website it looks like this. Fine for websites I have used in the past, but sometimes I have to wander around til I find the elusive "English" button.9. Trash. We have to separate our trash into two different cans. Burnable and Non-Burnable/Recyclable. I have a chart above our trashcan cause I can never seem to remember which goes where.

10. The music. At precisely 8 am everyday the National anthem is played followed by the Japanese national anthem. At sunset (I think), the revelry is played and at 10 pm, Taps is played. Or that might be vice versa, but either way. And when I mean played, I mean pumped through the loud speaker system base wide. During the anthems you are suppose to stop walking, pull over, etc for the duration.

Have a good weekend!

Time Zones

Adjusting to the new time zone has proved more difficult than I thought. I've gotten up around 4 am the last two mornings. Stellas is having an equally hard time. She wants to sleep all day and get up at 3 or 4 as well. Although this morning, she is still sleeping and I am awake.
Things are going well so far in Japan. Yesterday I took the driving class with Glenn. We sat through a presentation and then had to take a multiple choice test on the driving rules in Japan. I think it is going to take me awhile to get used to driving on the other side of the road and the other side of the car. We had to learn signs like this one, which is a Stop sign.

And this one which is No Parking, No Stopping:

After I complete a week long class about the area, I will be able to get my license. Hopefully Glenn will be able to get his on Friday and we can go buy a car this weekend!
Glenn and I are still unpacking the house and getting settled. Hopefully that will be done in the next few days. I'm trying not to just throw things up on the walls since we're going to be here for 3 years (speaking of which I found out that we will move back in September 2011), but after 4 houses, I kind of know where things go. I'll post some pictures once the house is put together!

We made it!

Stella and I made it to Tokyo (minus my suitcases) and met Glenn! I'm at our new home now in Atsugi. It's tiny, but cute. I'll post more soon!

Part way there!

Stella and I made it the first leg of our trip! We're in Norfolk tonight for less than 12 hours and leave at 6 am for Tokyo! The goodbyes and tears are over, now it's just time to see Glenn. I CANNOT wait! Tomorrow is going to be the longest day ever cause of all the traveling, but also knowing that I get to see Glenn when it is all over.
I'll post pics once we get there!

Tuesday 10...a day late

I'm kind of frustrated at the expense of moving a dog to Japan. So in case you are curious...10 things you are required to pay for to move a canine member of your family overseas...


1. Vet check up, booster shots, 6-months of drugs and a health certificate.... $254
2. Dog Microchip..... $89
3. Two rabies shots even though she already had a 3 year shot that was perfectly good.... $45 each
4. USDA appointment to sign/stamp her paperwork..... $24
5. Dog checked as cargo OR as hand luggate on a United international flight.... $200
6. Ticket as carry-on luggage for a dog on Delta flight to Norfolk.... $150
7. Ticket if you decided to check dog on Delta flight to Norfolk.... $275
8. Price to ship crate to Norfolk using 3-day UPS so that we didn't have to pay $275 but still possibly have her crate for the international flight.... $37
9. Price to now ship her crate from Norfolk to Japan since she is coming on the plane as hand luggage.... $25
10. Box of generic Benedryl to calm Stella during the flight.... $3.98
But Kara is right, having my puppy in Japan.... priceless.

It's a good thing we love her and she's our baby.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in Ohio was wonderful this year. With all the craziness yesterday of getting tickets and things packed and shipped, I never even wrote about it. It was great to see Adam, Laura and Connor (my brother and his fam) one last time before I move. It's hard to believe that Connor may be in school next time I see him. Hopefully it won't be that long though. Christmas in Hawaii 2010 we're thinking!

One of the highlights of the weekend was probably my cousin Taylor's basketball tournament. As a surprise to her, the family decided to attend one of her games. We left some of the family at Grandma's house, but a few of us decided to go. We even made t-shirts that spelled G-O T-A-Y-L-O-R. In the end, ~50 of went! I think we filled half the stands.

Before the game, we had to get ready though, Dad and Grandma got really into it.

We also realized how much fun shirts with letters can be!

My family likes to have a good time! I'm going to miss them in Japan!

I have a ticket!

Departing out of Norfolk on Monday December 8th! Which means I have to fly back to Norfolk on Sunday...but at least it's a ticket. Although the Navy says they haven't "issued" me a ticket which makes no sense since I have seat number and confirmation codes. Could they delay this process any longer?? It looks like we're flying Norfolk to Chicago to San Fran to Tokyo. They tried to get me on the non-stop from Chicago to Tokyo, but that flight wouldn't let Stella on.
I'm in the process of booking a ticket to Norfolk for Stella and I, but it looks like we'll be there for less than 12 hours.
Could this week be any busier?!?! I think Glenn and I are both feeling the stress.
I'll keep you posted.

Tuesday 10

10 Things I am Thankful for this year...

1. Glenn is safe. Deployments are scary and I know many of us Navy wives try not to think about how dangerous our husbands jobs are. I am thankful that Glenn stayed safe during this deployment and that he is a great pilot.

2. My family. Being home the last 2 months is going to make it even harder to leave in a couple weeks, but I am thankful for this time we have spent together and that we all love eachother so much. (Cheese!)

3. My friends. Glenn and I have been very lucky to have found fantastic friends in all of the places we have lived (and that list is getting long!). Although it is hard to move away from them, the Navy is special in the fact that we might very well see them again in the future.

4. The Navy. As crazy as it sounds, I am thankful for the Navy. The Navy is giving Glenn and I the opportunity to travel around the world and see things we might never have seen. With many family and friends worried about company lay-offs, it is also reassuring to know that the country will always need people. We are lucky to have the opportunities in front of us. And most of all, the Navy lets Glenn do something that he loves every day.

5. Tradition. My family is very big on holiday traditions. A certain casserole for breakfast. Mimosas while we open stockings. Thanksgiving on Saturday at Grandmas. 18 different kinds of cookies. Ok, so they're mostly food traditions, but I am thankful for them. I am looking forward to Christmas with just Glenn and I and we can continue these and start our own.

6. House. I am thankful that Glenn and I have a house for the next 3 years. Glenn gets to move in next Tuesday and hopefully our things will be delivered shortly after. I am excited to make all 845 square feet our own and decorate for Christmas when I get there.

7. 2 weeks. I am thankful that the next two weeks are jam-packed and will go by quickly! I can't wait to see you, baby!

8. Stella. Stella keeps me company and my bed warm every night while Glenn is gone. People always ask what we are doing with Stella when we move. She is coming with me, of course! The two of us have many more deployments and detachments ahead of us together. :) Plus, after all the shots, vet appointments and paperwork I have filled out for her, she better be coming!

9. Technology. Moving to the other side of the world is hard enough, but with webcams, internet phones, facebook, cell phones, and email it's going to make it a little bit easier. Staying in touch is important to me. (Also, I can keep watching all of my TV shows online :) )

10. Health. My whole family is happy and healthy right now. What more can you ask for, right?

So that post was a little sappy this week. What are you thankful for this season?
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Address

We have an address now! This is our FPO box on base:

LTJG Glenn J. Smith and Kelly Smith
PSC 477 Box 554
FPO AP 96306-9998

Awesome!

Here's the picture I was telling you about. Glenn's in the plane in the very front! Neato!
"I'm in the Hawkeye in the lead, those are F-15s out of Kadena on our wings, Super Hornets outside of them, hornets on the end, a Prowler and a Super Hornet in trail. The ships are a combination of CSG-5 and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It was pretty cool to be a part of on my first cruise.
~Glenn"

http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=66748

Phone Number

We have a phone number in Japan now! Well, kinda. I ordered our Vonage stuff today. It has to be shipped to a US address so it is being shipped and then I will take it with me to Japan. But in a couple of weeks, you will be able to call us at the following phone number. Remember that Japan is 15 hours ahead of central time right now (14 hours during non-daylight savings times)!

507-316-0980

We hope to hear from you so add our new number to your address books. My cell phone will be turned off when I leave for Japan. Glenn's is already deactivated for the next 3 years.

Glenn is back!

Glenn is back in Japan now. Cruise is over!
He called yesterday from his room on base and seemed very excited to be home. There was a fly in yesterday for the rest of the planes and the ship should be coming home soon. Glenn got the chance to be in a photo op as the lead E2 flanked by 2 F16s so he got to fly home a day before the rest of the planes. I'm excited to see that picture!
Hopefully now that everyone is getting home, things will get taken care of by the squadron, like my plane ticket! Still waiting on that one.
Glenn is also going to get our FPO AP box taken care of so we will have our own address and check out our new house.
Only 18 more days! Yay!

Tuesday 10

The 10 Days before I leave for Japan are going to be crazy! I have already made myself a schedule so that I don't forget anything!

1. Saturday, November 29th: The Lawson family Thanksgiving in Bucyrus, Ohio. This the kitchen at my grandma's house. We usually cram about 50 people into the house on Saturday for Thanksgiving. This is why Stella is staying at Grandma and Grandpa Smiths. She would get stepped on!2. Sunday, November 30th: Mom, Dad, Jen, Dave and I are making the 13 hour drive from Ohio back to Minnesota. This is always a long day!

3. Monday, December 1st: Drive up to Minneapolis to pick up lady dog from Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house. Ship anything that is too big to fit in my suitcase!

4. Tuesday, December 2nd: Get my hair cut and colored so I look beautiful for Glennjamin! Start packing for the big move!

5. Wednesday, December 3rd: Take Stella to the vet for her health certificate and some drugs to knock her out during the flight. I might also get her a rabies booster just in case. I don't want to worry about Japan not letting her in. Did I tell you that the import forms say that the importing country has the right to euthanize Stella if they deem necessary? How scary is that?! I am not taking any chances!! If you are curious what it takes to import a pet to a rabies-free country, take a look at this website.

6. Thursday, December 4th: Drive up to St. Paul to visit the USDA and get Stella's paperwork stamped. Since Stella has only seen civilian vets, Japan requires a government agency to approve her paperwork. There is only one USDA office per state. Thank goodness Minnesota's is only 80 minutes away.

7. Friday, December 5th: A very good college friend, Hillary, has been in the Peace Corp for the last two years in the Ukraine. She is coming back to Minnesota this weekend and we're going to go out to breakfast and catch up!

Friday is also the beginning of the Schlueter wedding festivities. Manicure and pedicure appointments, bridal luncheon, the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner!

8. Saturday, December 6th: Megan and Nate's Wedding! Here is one of their engagement pictures. They're the cutest. I can't wait for the wedding!

9. Sunday, December 7th: Finish packing and possibly fly to Norfolk or Seattle or wherever the Navy makes me.

10. Monday, December 8th: LEAVE FOR JAPAN! Yippee!! See my love, this man:

We have a house!

Glenn called and midnight last night to ask if I wanted him to accept our housing offer. It is on base where we figured we would be living. We had heard about another house that is available but it was 25 minutes from the train station off base so we decided we didn't want to do that.
Here is a floor plan of our new tiny house! I was hoping for a first floor apartment because of Stella, but Glenn says we have a side yard if we are on the second story. We'll see how it is!
The best part is though, we have a move in date of Dec. 2nd which means Glenn will be there by the time I get there and hopefully some of our things will be delivered.
Kinda scary moving into a place for 3 years I have never seen!

This week in photos...

So what did I do this week?

~ One of my best friends came home from Florida last weekend to see me before I leave for Japan. We had a very fun night of going out to eat and drinking and dancing. This is Emily, Laura and I. We have been friends for the last 10 years. I can't believe it has been 10 years already!

~ I got my Martha Stewart skills on and sewed a tree skirt for our Christmas tree in Japan. Our small apartment size tree is in storage for the next 3 years, but my friend Megan gave me her old big tree. I was kind of impressed with myself! (Note: I did not quilt it too, the fabric already looked like that :) )

~ I have been selling things on Ebay for my parents. Mostly random parts and things they have in the warehouse at the office and somethings that they get from old job sites. This week I posted a water meter (something for making dough or doughnuts, I forget) but it sold for almost twice my reserve price! That's over a thousand dollars! Since I get to split the profits for my hard work, I was pretty exicted. This is what a water meter looks like...

~ Glenn has been really busy flying this week it sounds like so I haven't talked to him in over a week, but he called this morning. It's always nice to wake up on Saturday morning to his voice. Only 24 more days! (Hopefully)
~ I'm still trying to sell my Jeep Liberty. I don't think the economy is too helpful in selling a year old car, but I drive around all the time with For Sale signs on the windows anyways. Anyone need a pretty red car with a tow package and less than 25,000 miles??? I'll give you a good deal!Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4

Christmas Cards!

Are officially done!!! I still have to write a newsletter than Jen (my SIL) is going to print and stuff in each envelope, but the cards have all been signed, labeled, addressed and stamped! I'm feeling pretty ahead of the game!

Still no word on my ticket to Japan which is starting to stress me out since since I am suppose to be leaving in approximately 3 weeks. I missed Glenn's call during my Scuba class yesterday, but hopefully he will call back soon with good news!

Tuesday 10...

10 Things I Miss About Glenn....

1. His laugh. For those of you who know Glenn he has a great laugh although sometimes I think it is more of a giggle.

2. His kisses. 3 months is a long time with no kisses, people.

3. Being able to call him. Like last night, I had a totally weird dream, I would call Glenn and tell him about it, but now I have to wait for him to call whenever he gets a chance. I'm not a very good waiter. Plus then, I forget about the things I was going to tell him and when you only have 20 minutes to talk ~ once a week, weird dreams usually don't make the list.

4. Seeing him. Phone calls and emails are great, but seeing someone's face makes a big difference.

5. Hearing about his day. I get tidbits about how is day is going in his emails, but I don't think he can really vent about how he's feeling when all of his communications could potentially be monitored.

6. Saturday morning family snuggles. Watching the DVR and snuggling with Stella.

7. Paying the bills. Glenn has always been in charge of the finances and does a much better job that I do.

8. Birthday week-long celebrations. Glenn and I have both had birthdays while he has been gone. He is always great about making your whole birthday week special. It just wasn't the same without him.

9. Making me smile when I'm sad.

10. My best friend. I miss my best friend.

Happy Birthday G.

Yesterday was Glenn's birthday. I didn't get to talk to him, but he did send me an email that he was very busy on his birthday. Too busy to celebrate really, but he did save his presents to open until yesterday. He seemed like he liked everything.
I think the next coming weeks might be difficult because everyone on the ship is preparing for seeing their families back in Japan, but Stella and I won't be there when they arrive. Not too much afterwards though. I am getting very anxious to move and see Glenn. In theory, only 29 more days...

I woke up this morning to....

SNOW! UGH!
But also a phone call from Glenn! He is doing well and excited that he is no longer the FNG (F#!*ing New Guy) because a new pilot flew on shortly after they left Guam.
So it is officially winter now in the North. It was 70 degrees on Monday and Tuesday so I am not very happy about this change of weather. I don't think Stella is either. She's never been a big fan of the cold.

Happy Friday everyone!

2 down...1 to go

Glenn left 2 months ago today. Only 1 more to go. I miss him.

Tuesday 10!

1. Glenn called from Guam twice this weekend! They are in port for now and I got to talk to him twice on Halloween. Once in the morning when he was intoxicated and once at night when I was intoxicated. :) They went deep-sea fishing yesterday, but didn't catch anything. They sure sounded like they had fun though.



2. New cut and color. I decided to go darker since I don't know what it will be like getting my hair done in Japan. This way I won't have to worry about getting highlights done over there quite as much. What do you think?
Oh and you can see my permanent eyeliner pretty well in that picture. Having it tattooed on was the best idea. Thanks Megan!

3. Scrabble! The fam played Scrabble last night and I won. I LOVE scrabble! My best word was BACKER on the triple word score for 42 points!

4. Christmas presents! I wrapped Christmas presents last night! I only have 3 people left to buy for! I have to have all my shopping done by Thanksgiving because the week after is going to be crazy with Stella's final vet appointments, Hillary coming home from the Peace Corp, Megan and Nate's wedding and then I move!

5. Still no plane ticket, but we found out what is taking so long! The squadron just found Glenn's email with my passport info (that he sent 3 weeks ago...) so hopefully he will get that taken care of!

6. Good and bad news: The navy may make me buy a ticket back to Norfolk to fly to Japan from there, but if I have to do that I will get to see all my buddies in Norfolk! I'll keep you posted!

7. Voting! I'm driving up to Minneapolis today to cast my vote and watch the election coverage with my favorite liberal friends :). I'm also going to buy my scuba gear and attend a dinner party tomorrow while I'm up there!

8. I made Stella's vet appoint with an old college friend who I found out is a vet in town. Isn't facebook the greatest website in the whole wide world? I sure think so!

9. Christmas cards! I am almost done collecting addresses and making labels for my Christmas cards. I feel so productive this year! I guess that's what happens when you're unemployed...

10. Only 35 more days til moving day!

Mailing Christmas Presents

A few people have asked where you can mail Christmas presents. Since Glenn and I don't have an address and won't until after I get there most likely, our sponsor family has offered to let us ship things to their address in the mean time. Remember, ship things USPS Priority Mail. The post office can give you APO/FPO boxes or the Flat Rate boxes for free and then it only cost about $10 to ship the box. Granted the boxes are not humungous though. Using USPS Priority Mail will take about 2 weeks to get to us. If you ship things around Thanksgiving or the first week of December, they should get to us in plenty of time.

Kelly & Glenn Smith
PSC 477 Box 554
FPO AP 96306-9998

Only about a month until I leave! Happy Voting!

Halloween!

So Annie and I like to say that we were ugly for Halloween. No sexy bunny, sexy bee or whorish Indiana Jones. Just U-G-L-Y. I'll let you judge for yourself. I think we come pretty close to the picture I posted on Tuesday though!

We found our dresses for $5 at Goodwill and made name tags that said Wife #1 and Wife #3. (Wife #2 was at home watching the kids, all 12 of them). Here's another good one:

Elder Jeff Jeffs (Age:57), JESUS (who likes to party), Wife #1 (Age: 19), Wife #3 (Age: 16).

Tuesday 10!

Following a friend's lead, 10 things that made me smile today/recently....

1. Stella! I got home last night after a week of being in Louisiana and got to see Stella!

Did I tell you she is going to be a princess for Halloween? Well it was going to be a hot dog, but she hated that costume so much (she hid from me when it was in my hands) that I had to get a new one! May I present Princess Stella Wigglesmith....

Former hotdog....
2. Phone calls! Glenn got to call twice this week! He is flying a bunch and getting a handle on everything he has to do for his jobs. Sometimes he sounds like he is actually enjoying it :)

3. Housing! We are officially first on the housing list. Ok, not officially, but the people ahead of us were offered a place so that makes me think that we are first.

4. Express Shipment! Our sponsor in Japan went to Personal Property in Atsugi this week and found out that our express shipment is already there. My clothes! My scrapbooks! My shoes! They made it!

5. Fun times with Mom! Mom and I drove all the way to Neenah, Wisconsin today (outside of Green Bay, 4 1/2 hours away) for an auction at an old grocery store. The equipment we were there to buy was not there. Mom chewed out the auction company for advertising one thing and then not having it. That was not the fun part, but rather than turning around and driving back right away we decided to make the best of a bad situation and hit up the outlet malls nearby! 2 more people checked off my Christmas list!

6. Papa Murphy's Pizza. Dinner tonight. I think the midwest may be the only place that has this take and bake chain, but their Chicago stuffed pizza is the best! I wish I could ship one to Glenn.

7. Halloween. I'm headed to Iowa City with some of my best friends in the whole world, Annie and Jeff, for a long weekend. Annie and I are going as Jeff's polygamist wives. She's wife #1 (I suppose that's ok since she really is) and I'll be wife #6. We're thinking something along these lines....

I need to perfect that hair poof before Friday.

8. Newphews! I miss Connor already. My favorite moment was Connor talking on his cell phone (mom's old phone). He was mumbling away and pacing around the foyer just like his dad. When I asked who he was talking to he put his hand over the phone, rolled his eyes at me for interrupting his phone call and said "Fia!" (Sophia, neighbor, 18 months old) and went back to talking. Are you 3 or 30, Connor??? It was too cute.

9. SCUBA! I signed up for Scuba classes. I start on the 12th of November. Glenn is going to take classes in Guam during deployments and dets and I'll do my open water dives in Guam next spring some time. I have to do my pool and classroom work here first. I got my textbook while we were gone and started reading in during the drive. I'm excited to get certified and dive in Australia and Guam and Japan and all over the pacific. Yay!

10. TV shows! I love the fall TV schedule! All my favorite shows are on and even better, I'm in first place by 30 points in my America's Next Top Model pool. Cross your fingers that Elina wins or Marjorie!

Almost 3!

Here is a picture of Connor I took this week while in Louisiana. He is getting so big! This is my favorite picture of him so far. He was playing hind and go seek on the way to the park behind every single tree we saw. Connor, we found you!

Double Happy!

I got an email from Stacey, our Japan sponsor, and she said our express shipment is already in Japan! And even better they "say" our household goods should be there around December 16th! I really hope we have a place by then so we can celebrate Christmas in our new place with our furniture. Here's hoping!

Happy Day for Glenn!

Glenn emailed me and sounded super excited cause he got not one, not two, but three boxes at mail call today! (He said the other guys were jealous, but he shared :) ) All of his birthday boxes arrived in more than enough time for his birthday. Which figures since the last box took 5 weeks, these would take only 10 days!

Also a happy day for me cause he FINALLY sent me pictures of the boat! I don't know why, but I like to picture where he is living and working each day. Here are a few of the pictures he sent me so you can see what boat life is like...

It says "Duty Desk" and "Jenna"

This is Glenn's room: That is his desk by the red arrow, the sinks in blue and the American flag in green. PS. 6 people live here!

Close up of Glenn's desk. Cozy, huh?

This is where Glenn sleeps (top right). This is the other half of the room in the second picture with his desk.

I know it's a boat and 6000 people live there and it's the government so it is gray and boring, but how do these men and women live here for months at a time? It's like summer camp that never ends and without campfires, marshmallows, best friends and capture the flag. I think I love you even more, baby!

Only 6 more weeks til the big M-day! Moving day that is. And if the Navy would buy my ticket. Small details, right?