Another crazy Kadena weekend....
Friday was a fun night in the club. There were lots of people here TDY including the F-22's from Langley, the F-16 aggressors and some guys from AK that were passing through. Because of that, I had high hopes for a "big" Friday night at the Club but, unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations! There were not enough ladies there to make it fun - too much testosterone! It was still a fun night out, but I had high expectations.
Saturday the weather was beautiful so we took the kids to Pirate ship park and walked on the beach to collect shells. Sat night I went to the Bat Babe naming and Joey took the kids to Schmik's to grill out. Today, Joey's playing golf and I'm talking the kiddos to church and we're meeting at Macaroni Grill for lunch with the Cook's.
Here are some pictures from pirate ship park...
and the promotion party

I'm not one for astrology but this caught my eye... so I read it.
I hope it's (mostly) true.
It's my Chinese horoscope for this year.
I was born in the year of the Pig and it's the year of the Ox this year.

Pig Overview

The Pig has many opportunities to shine this year. Your generous nature is apparent in all aspects of your life. It is an admired quality that people respect. This year, your inherent generosity plays a large role in areas that you may not even be aware and may pave the way to a possible career change. You have an abundance of friends and you are well loved by your family. this year will only enhance these relations. One area that may create some issues is that you seem to overextend yourself to a point where there isn't any time left for you. This could lead to a change in priorities and could promote some better organizational skills.

Pig Rating

53% (2 favorable 9 neutral and 1 unfavorable month)

Pig Career

The Pig may feel complacency in your current job position. This could be a year that you may need a change towards something that is more suitable for your needs. You may gravitate towards something that is more of a position that provides service to others, perhaps a non-profit organization or a customer service based position. Your busy schedule will also play a part in your work. You may be forced to choose between certain activities, as there are only seven, not eight days in a week. Whatever the course may be for your career, you will fit in well with your endearing personality.

Pig Relationships

Personally, 2009 will be a year that the Pig will enjoy much happiness. Both your social and domestic life will be endearing to you, providing you with encouragement and advice. Your family and friends will be the source of many memorable occasions this year. For the unattached Pig, there will be some romantic opportunities. Be careful who you let into your circle, as you tend to give others too much credit. July is a particularly favorable month for all Pigs.

Pig Health

The Pig would do well to watch your health this year. There may be an unforeseen incident that arises sometime during the year, most likely in late April or early May. This may cause you to look at your habits relating to your health. One area in particular is your diet. This year could provide a change in your eating habits, which could help other areas of your health.

Pig Wealth

There may be times this year when you are uncertain about your financial future, but there are things in your life that take precedence over money. You will be taken care of, but there may be times of financial uncertainty. A change will come in the second half of the year that will provide greater financial comfort and allow you to live at a means that is more accustomed to your liking. Be patient, as the change will come.

Sarah lost her top left tooth last night.
She pulled it out right after she went to bed.
The tooth fairy left her $2... I know, I was surprised too!
I've been thinking lately about what I'm looking forward to returning to in the states.
While there are things I'm not looking forward to, I am excited to have a choice of grocery stores and FRESH FOODS, a variety of wheat pasta instead of only 2 brands I don't like. Everything we buy is frozen, or previously frozen... even the cheese, which I find gives it a slimy film.
I took W to the dr. last Friday to have his tonsils checked. They are big and he's been congested for about 3 months. Now he's on sudafed twice a day. Hopefully this will help.

Gosh - it's FRIDAY! Where does the time go?
S doesn't have school today so she'll be helping me take the preschoolers to school and run some errands.
She's not thrilled about that.
I have a Dr. appt for W in the afternoon. He's still really congested and I want them to look at his tonsils. They are HUGE and he sleeps with his mouth open so I'm thinking he's a candidate to have them out. Joey had his out and since W is his little clone..... we'll see.
The Cioppa family arrives tonight so we'll be greeting them at the AMC terminal. We were based with them in FL. It will be nice to have another familiar face around.

Friday night was fun. We had Boomer's promotion party at the O'Club.
We stayed with a group of our friends until about 11:30.
It was nice to have something to celebrate!
Saturday we had a Cock party all day. It was a Road Rally, hosted by the Roberts and Bobnocks.
I think it's funny that we were in the car for about 3 1/2 hours driving all over the base with a few off-base challenges thrown in (we had to go to the Dam, the drop slide park and the Kadena Observation tower and a house near the Torii back gate) and we only used 1/8 of a tank of gas and drove about 40 KM. I think that is very comical.
Today is another busy day.... I'm hosting a jewelry party and then we are going to Kitikaisen's for Brenda's birthday dinner. There are about 9 families going... about 40 people and only 18 adults - yikes!

I think I've lost it.
Today I ran 3 miles (ran almost all of it) and then went to my Extreme Fitness Challenge (EFC) class for "spin".
I will sleep well tonight.
I realized though, that I'm in a much better mood this week. Partly, due to exercise but mostly, I think, because I'm doing something for myself.
I enjoyed the 4 hour season premier of 24. That is such a great show.
Tonight we'll watch American Idol. The kids are excited - they love this show, too!

We found out on Friday that Joey is now a Lt. Col select!
I'm very proud of him!
He will probably pin on sometime in Oct/Nov time frame.
On Friday, we also got a notice that the housing office will be moving us to another base house, prior to May 31, so they can renovate our street. If I had confidence that they were going to work with us to "make the transition as smooth as possible for our family" as their flyer says, I wouldn't be worried. Based on my past experiences with the housing office, I am very skeptical. So, we'll be moving soon, and then again in the fall when we get our assignment.
Oh the joy of AF life...

Everyone is on the mend. I took William to the ER on Thursday night and found out he has strep throat AGAIN. He's been on antibiotics since then and is fine now. I'm feeling better but still not 100%. It's the crud that lingers...
I ran yesterday to start training for the 10K I'm running on Feb 22.
Today my Extreme Fitness Challenge class starts for 8 weeks.

I bought my plane ticket to get to Tokyo and I have a hotel room. Today I'm hoping to add "Rod Stewart Concert Ticket" to my list of purchased items.

Thursday... William is sick, again. This island is just one big petri dish. He says his throat hurts but I think he just has a cold and his throat hurts from drainage. Looks like it's movies for us today.
After school, the kids have a b-day party from 5 - 7 at the neighbors house.
I'm still trying to get my Christmas cards out.... maybe today.
Today we are supposed to find out about Joey's Lt. Col board, but they never account for the Kadena tiime difference so we might not find out until tomorrow.
Gotta get Sarah out of the tub and off to school...

Well, my love/hate relationship with the MPS postal service continues.
I check my mail every day, sometimes twice a day in the days leading to Christmas.
Yesterday, I FINALLY had 4 boxes to pick up, but I had 6 slips (2 were duplicates).
This is why I find it frustrating....
I checked my mail on 12/31 because I was hoping to receive my Christmas cards that shipped on 12/15.
NOTHING in my box.
Yesterday, 6 slips, all put in on the 31st, I guess after I checked the mail.
Well, 2 of the slips were "Final Notices" which means the next step is they return your package to sender.
The post office was closed on the 1st and 2nd, open 1/2 day on the 3rd (Sat) and closed on the 4th (Sun)
So, they basically gave me 1/2 a day to pick up 2 of my packages... I just find it very frustrating.
Also, 2 of them were clearly here prior to Christmas but I'm just receiving them now.
So, last night Sarah slept in her Christmas nightgown and today, January 6, I'll be addressing Christmas cards.

I'm finally feeling a little better. My sinuses have been wreaking havoc on my body but I think I finally have them under control. Today is Sarah's 7th birthday. We had a little party for her on Friday at the Arts & Crafts center. 13 kids painting pottery. It was relatively calm and enjoyable. Today, on her "real" birthday we are having the Sukeniks over for dinner a a little birthday song. Brenda is all about birthdays and wanted to be included in the celebration. I'm glad I'm finally feeling better and up to having folks over.
As for now, I'm taking down the Christmas decorations. As I do, I wonder, "Is it normal to pack up the Christmas decorations each year like you might move before the next Christmas?" I guess it's normal if you are in in the military. I'm also realizing that, in 1st grade Sarah did not bring home any handmade Christmas decorations. When you are inundated with them in the preschool years I guess you don't ever think that one day that will stop. William is still making them and, no matter how "original" they are, we will add them to our collection.