Because that's just me...

I miss hearing a good 'ole boy talking. I miss hearing an F150 roaring down a dirt road. I miss hearing y'all. When I ask someone how they're doing, I miss hearing, "fair to middlin'". When I get like this, I pull up a little Justin Wilson and for just a moment, on my little island, everything is aight again.

Views from Hansen Fest

The festival was this weekend. It was SO hot. An MP passed out on Sunday due to the heat. News Flash folks, if it's too hot for a Marine, I clearly should not be allowed outside. Nevertheless, a fun time was had by all.

Because you just never know...

So I didn't fall completely OFF the face of the Earth...just walked to the edge a bit. I've been wanting to post about this all day, but it's been so hectic around here...what with getting ready for the festival this weekend, rearranging furniture, splitting atoms..
Friday when I dropped Doodle off at school, a boy in her class walked up, spit on her, and called her stupid. It took every bit of decent upbringing in my body not to just knock him across the room. Instead, I said, "Do you know what I'm going to do when I get to work? Call your mother". His mom happens to work for the same company I do, and I know her well. Anyway, he yelled and screamed and walked away. I never did call his mom, because, as I said, I work with her, and didn't want to make our professional relationship strained over a 4 year old acting like a 4 year old.
So yesterday when I took Doodle to school, he walked up and apologized to me and to Doodle. I told him I was proud of him for admitting he was wrong, how it was hard even for adults to do that blah blah blah. Then I reached down and gave him a hug. Today when I dropped Doodle off, he came running to the door and asked for another hug. Mia Sensai said that was all he talked about all day yesterday at school. When I hugged him today he squeezed me so tight. It broke my heart. I've heard of kids showing out because they may not get attention at home, so any attention is good attention. Maybe that's the case? Mia Sensai made sure to tell me several times how much he talked about it and asked her if she thought I might hug him again. So I'm glad that I went with my second reaction - to hug, instead of my first - which was to hang him by his ankles from the 2nd floor of the building. Which brings me to my point. Maybe the difference between a holy terror and an angel is just a little lovin'.

Who are you, and what do you believe in?

So I ended that post title in a preposition...quit jugding. Something happened tonight that made me question everything. Well, not really question as much as, say, think that what I have always been taught may actually be true.
We were about to go to bed tonight, and before we did, Doodle made her nightly ritual of kissing a picture of Momma, Grandma, and Daddy before she went to bed. She turned very solumn all of the sudden when she came to Daddy. "I'll tell Pop Pops tonight that you love him and you miss him". I froze. It was exactly one year to the day that Daddy got sick and subsequently passed away 4 days later.
I asked her what she meant. She said, "When Pop Pop comes to see me tonight, I will tell him you miss him.". I don't know what to make of all this. I will say that I do miss you Daddy, and it is so cool that I can think that Doodle will actually talk to you tonight. If she does, she's right. I do miss you.

Because Jesus is flavored

Overheard at dinner time from Doodle last night:

"God is good, God is GRAPE...let us thank him for our food"

I think the most precious thing about this is the way that Doodle already prays with such conviction in her heart. She's very serious about the whole thing, and gets very upset if someone starts eating before she's said, "the bwessing". In fact, last weekend when her friend came over for lunch, Doodle was horrified to see her start eating before the prayer. She came running over to me aghast. MOMMA, I CANNOT BELIEVE SHE DIDN'T PRAY FIRST. Ah, I have a budding theologian on my hands. Let's hope she doesn't go all Faldwell on someone's ass.

You have ink WHERE?

I remember when Grandma first saw Marine's tattoos. We were going swimming at my Momma and Daddy's at our annual 4th of July holiday party. Marine came outside in his swim trunks. Grandma tried not to stare. Eventually, I made it over to the grill, where she and my sister were standing. "Marines have tattoos Grandma". "I can see that", she replied.
The response in Japan is almost the same. If you have visible ink, you aren't allowed in most public pools or spas. This is due to the "Yakuza Rule". In Japan, the most notorious and influential crime groups is known as Yukaza. In fact, they have numbers that would put the Gottis to shame. One of their trademarks is tattoos (also, is yubitsume, which means finger-cutting, where they cut off the end of their pinkie...this is enough drama for it's own post though no?). Most Yakusa have full-body tattoos. Because of this, many places have signs that say, "No Tattoos" in order to help keep gang members out of their establishments. This brings about an interesting point, because many Marines are declined entry into such locales simply because of their body art. For those of you who have been around Marines, you know that body art is not out of place. In fact, I can't help but smile when I drive down Camp Foster and see Marines lining up for chow, their ink showing from underneath their rolled up cami sleeves. I guess it's part of what is USMC that is attractive to me. Call me crazy (and I'm sure some of you are), but to me it bespeaks of a whole different culture. One that isn't afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve...or neck...or leg.


and no, this isn't my Marine, just one of the few..

It's a wonderful life

To me, there is nothing more precious that looking at your daughter (or son), and seeing so much of you in them that you find it hard to breathe. Such is the case today. Marine took this shot when Doodle and I were having our after school talk this afternoon. Doodle was talking to me about Jayden, one of her school friends. Apparently, this afternoon he said "Oh my God". Doodle was aghast in horror obviously, and told him in no uncertain terms that we say "Oh my Gosh", not "Oh my God". Semantics. I would have never thought that my child would have been a stickler for the origin of a word. She is, however, the one who tries to keep the preschool set in check. God help us all.

No really, let me get that.

Marine was online doing his weekly "all things bank" business, and was quite surprised to see approximately $600 worth of charges to places in the Bahamas. Someone stole our credit card number and was charging cell phones, wireless stuff, and other assorted sundries to our card. They were using our bank card, so it was taking it directly out of our checking account. The good news is they only used about $600 before we caught them. Could have been worse I suppose. I've spent the last 2 days going online and removing every piece of information from Paypal, Amazon, Target, and Dillards. I feel like I just walked in on someone using my toothbrush.

Father's Day 1981

My Daddy was funny. Hilarious really. So if he wrote this post, I'm sure he would say something witty about his haircut, the sheet set, or the shirt and belt he's wearing. He would also say that I looked a lot like a princess when I was 5 years old. I miss you Daddy.

Taking over Japan, one family member at a time

I could NOT be more excited if I were twins. Seriously. My family is coming to Japan!! Momma called and said that she just couldn't take not seeing me for one more second, so she, along with my sister, her boyfriend, my (favorite) aunt Lisa, and her two children are coming! Less than one month from now, I'll finally get to put my arms around my family again. Of course, I'm making all kinds of plans to take them on the whirlwind 2 week tour of our little island. It is with the excitement of a little girl at Christmas that I am writing this.
It's going to be great to be able to show everyone my home, and to show them the day to day life they always see pictures of on this page. Riley (Lisa's son), very seriously announced that this was "a once in a lifetime experience". Indeed it is. My family in JAPAN!! I can hardly believe it!