November 30, 2016

Wednesday - Cloudy and warmish

A good day.

I got up this morning a tad late.  I had been up earlier, but went back to sleep and then didn’t wake up. Sigh. Oh well.

I got up and breakfasted and such on the couch…watched some Martha Stewart on the DVR.  She was on about eggs, which was actually quite good for me to see.

I took a shower just as F came home and had a bit of a irate moment with him when I asked him if he was going to wash the dishes that he left in the sink. Apparently, no he wasn’t.  He didn’t have time. Hurumph.  I’m off the opinion that if you come home and make dishes, you damn well better make time to wash your dishes.  He went back to work without doing them.

I did some computer stuff and a little later had my lunch.  I had leftovers from last night’s dinner and they were awesome.  I had a Buddha bowl, quinoa, pork with kimchi, stir-fried brussels sprouts and a bit of baby leaf salad on top with a touch of French dressing.  It was so good!  It gave me killer breath of course, but serious yum.  I did my dishes and most of F’s too.  I left him the pan.  I basically ignore the poor pan since he wrecked it. I won’t use it to cook, he does, but I think he’s nuts.  

I went outside and went to the bike shed.  On the way there I noticed that someone had very carefully folded up a scarf and placed it near the entrance to the bike shed so that it wouldn’t be run over by cars.  I knew that scarf….intimately! I made it for F, TWICE. It was his clapochet, the one he lost on the way back from Taiwan, that I had to remake.  I brought it in the apartment and put it up.  

I biked off to the drugstore, hacked around, bought some stuff and then came home.  It wasn’t a big deal, but it was the first time I left the apartment in days.

When I came home I decided to get a start on dinner.  I started cutting up the onions we had in the kitchen, and then I began to caramelize them.  F phoned to say he was finished work and offered to pick up a few things.  I asked if he’d rather eat at home or out tonight and he said out after I told him how long it would take me to finish the dish. That was actually fine with me.  

When he came home, I was still in the midst of onion caramelizing so I finished that up and put the onions in the fridge to use tomorrow.  

I changed my clothes and a few minutes afterwards we were off.  He had suggested Japanese curry, but I countered with fish, so we went to Sashimi-ya and had a nice meal there.  

Afterwards, we picked up the kerosene tanks at home.  We went to the grocery store and picked up a few little things for dinner then went and got kerosene.  

We came home and had a quiet evening in.  I did a few postcrossing cards up and crocheted a couple of squares during that Cyber CSI show.  

So that was about that.  I didn’t cook dinner tonight, but I will tomorrow. It should be a touch faster since I don’t have to caramelize the onions first.  I also have an avocado that is nearly ready to make guacamole with, but it seems to be the only one.  Oh no! 

And that was about it for my day. It turned out to be quite good after all.  Hurray for that.  Come back later and find out about Thursday.  Until tomorrow….

November 29, 2016

Tuesday - Rainy

A good day.

I got up this morning, had some granola and yogurt and coffee for a change.  I had a quiet morning on the couch, and then started shaking a leg before noon.  I took all of the Christmas presents that we have bought so far and put them out on my bed.  I wrote them and their costs down, mostly so that I could’ve that information when I send the parcels.  I also identified where I need to fill a few holes in my present giving too.  

I also laid out the squares I have made so far for the baby blanket to see how it looks.  I quite like it, although I’m not convinced it is really great for a girl.  I hope so!

Arielle's Square Blanket
from
Deborah O'Leary Patterns 

Closer up!

In the afternoon, F came home for lunch and then went off again.  I spent a couple of minutes cleaning up after him.  I also spent some time on the computer doing a few things.  

I started cooking around 5 today and decided to NOT make one of the dishes I had thought about making.  I was making a couple of dishes already, adding a third one that was a bit labour intensive didn’t seem like a good idea.  I might cook tomorrow…if I do, I’ll hold it off until then.  I think it’ll work nicely.  

F came home and was very tired as usual.  He did come over when I let him know that dinner was done, which surprised me.  Tonight we had Buta-Tama-Kimchi, stir-fried brussels sprouts, quinoa and salad.  F added on rice and some mentaiko for some reason.  I ended up doing the dishes too.  F noticed, he just didn’t take over tonight.  

I did a bit of crochet on the couch during Criminal Minds and then made some microwave popcorn afterwards.  It was good.  Too good really!

That’s about it for today.  I haven’t decided if I’ll cook tomorrow or not.  I think it depends how things go around here.  If I do, it’ll probably be something like scrambled eggs with a tian and salad, since that’s about all I have left!  Come back later and find out.  Until tomorrow.

November 28, 2016

Monday - Rainy

An okay day.

I got up early this morning and basically stayed awake until I took a nap on the couch.  I didn’t oversleep however, so that was good.  I had my overnight oats and some tea.  I took a shower in the morning and then did a couple of loads of laundry while I got on with my day.

In the afternoon I had planned to wrap some presents, but I didn’t do that.  I did something that was more pressing, I vacuumed!  

When F came home I was in the midst of getting ready for dinner.  Tonight’s dinner was an easy one anyway, so it didn’t take long.  I did pasta with a bottled sauce and shrimp, plus some baby leaf lettuce on the side.  I thought it was good. I did some of the dishes and then F took over.

In the evening, he went out while I was watching my telly. He had to get some beer.  Gah.  He came home with a whole bunch of food that I didn’t think he needed.  He kept trying to give me some of it, but I didn’t budge.  Yay me.  

He did have an early night and I’m trying to too, but it’s a bit late for that now! 

Tomorrow I think I’m going to do a dinner that’s a bit more involved, come on back and see if I do it or not.  There may be kimchi!  Until tomorrow….

November 27, 2016

Sunday - Rainy

A good day.

I slept in this morning and then got up a little after 11.  F made us some coffee and then we went out for lunch. I suggested going to one of the Daiichi Hotel’s restaurants and when we got there, there was only one open.  We went there and had a very nice meal.  We had roast pork and it came with dessert, bread or rice, coffee or tea, soup and salad so it was a decent lunch.

After lunch, I had suggested going to the Internet Cafe as F’s back was really bad today.  We drove over there, got a parking space and went in.  We couldn’t get massaging chairs at first, but suddenly two were available after we were in reclining chairs for a while.  We moved and spent quite a long time there.  Before we moved, I started watching Dumb and Dumber Two, but decided I wasn’t that dumb and didn’t watch the end of it.  The only reasons I’d think about watching more were Jeff Daniels and Kathleen Turner, and they just weren't enough.  

I did a lot of crochet today, I got about 4 and a half squares done at the internet cafe so that was good. I also watched more of LA Frock Stars and enjoyed that too.  

When F and I left the Internet Cafe, we went to a udon restaurant and thought it was okay.  Then, we bought a few groceries and came home.

I watched an Agatha Christie on TV and did a bit more crochet.  I will try and take a picture tomorrow of the squares laid out.  I have to finish a bunch of the squares before I can join them though.  I think it is looking good.  

F went to bed around midnight and I am still up. I’m not sure what I’ll get up to tomorrow.  I hope to get a few things done that I have been putting off, or I might wrap a few Christmas presents to see how big of a box I’ll need to send them in.  

Come back later if you are up to it and see what I get up to on Monday.  Until tomorrow….

November 26, 2016

Saturday - Warmish and sunny

A good day, eventually.

I got up this morning around 9 am and decided to go back to sleep for an hour.  Two hours later I woke up when F came home. Sigh.  I got up and got on with my day, however.

We went out for lunch.  F had picked his farmer’s restaurant that he likes so much. It was fine with me, but when we arrived, we were told that they house part was booked out. We could have lunch in their “cabin” outside.  I wanted to leave at this point, but F said it was fine, never asking me of course.  We got in and it was cold, and there was a draught coming in on my legs.  They had the heater going strongly and I took off my coat and wrapped it around my legs, which helped a lot.  The room was sunny and hot, it was basically a greenhouse and I was sitting in the sun.  I was not a happy camper.  F did suggest leaving and I really should have taken him up on it, but didn’t want to make him angry…and of course did make him angry anyway. 

We barely talked through lunch. Lunch was okay food wise, but nothing too special.

After lunch, I asked that we go to Mikawa to do some shopping.  We got a lot done actually.  We bought ourselves one of those clay bathmats that absorb the water, and I got presents for most of the people that I had to.  I still have to pick up a couple of things for my nephew since he had a birthday just after Christmas and the poor kid gets ripped off every year. But, I have done most of it and that’s a good thing.

F had a massage since his back was bad and I used that time to scope out a few things.  When F was done, I made him come and buy them! 

We took our shopping to the car and then came back into the mall and had bibinba for dinner.  F had wanted ramen and I wanted pasta, so we compromised…it worked out well and dinner was yummy.  

We did a little window shopping after dinner and then went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.  I enjoyed it a lot, but I’m not sure if F did.  He was having a bad day pain-wise.  

We came home after the movie and I had some tea and F a beer.  He headed to bed fairly early and I’m going to go there almost as soon as I post this.

I’m not sure what we’re going to do tomorrow.  In the morning I’ll probably sleep in on purpose and F will likely go over to his mother’s.  After that, I have no idea!  Come on back if you are so inclined and find out.  Until tomorrow….  

November 25, 2016

Friday - Cool and rainy

A good day.

I overslept this morning again, and it was quite bad.  I had no idea what time it was until I looked at the living room clock.  Yikes.  I had a very late breakfast and then got on with my day.  

In the afternoon I did a few good things.  I did a couple of loads of laundry and also put away some of the dry clothes from before. I scanned some cards and caught up on my internet stuff.  

F had said that he’d be late today so I didn’t start dinner until almost 6 pm. He phoned at 6:30 to say he was coming soon.  That isn’t really late in my book!

Still, I was busy.  Today I cooked quite a bit. I did garlic pork, stir-fried Asian eggplant and roasted brussels sprouts and sweet potato.  When we finally sat down to eat at 8 pm, most of it vanished!  It was all really good.  There was only a little bit of eggplant left, sad to say.  

F did the dishes and then I asked him if he’d like to walk with me to the post office. I hadn’t had a chance to go out and mail my cards yet.  He said he would, so out we went.  After I mailed the cards, I suggested walking to the convenience store. I wanted to buy a cup of something hot. I know I could make it at home, but it’s nice to have something made for you!  I got a hot tea and a carton of darjeeling/green apple tea that I haven’t tried yet.  

We came home and I watched a bit of TV, and even made a couple of squares of my baby afghan.  I need to “finish” the squares soon.  I am able to do a couple of squares in an hour, which is good, I’d like to do more though. 

And that’s about it.  F is snoozing on the couch but it is really, really late and we both need our beauty sleep.  Tomorrow I’m hoping to take F out for a movie for his birthday and maybe do a little Christmas shopping, seeing as how it is only a month away!  ACK!

Until tomorrow….

November 24, 2016

Thursday - Colder

A good day.

Today was quite boring.  I overslept a bit, got up, watched a bit of something, but The X-Files are off again, had breakfast and tea.  

In the afternoon I watched some of the TV that I had DVR’d while away, did a spot or two of housework and also caught up on some computer things.

I started dinner a little early.  Tonight I did salt lemon chicken, salad and brussel sprouts in Garlic butter….that was good and surprisingly easy.  Oh, I made chawanmushi from a packet for F.  

He wasn’t late today, so we had dinner around 7 I think and then he did the dishes.  In the evening I did a few Postcrossings and watched telly on the couch while doing some crochet.  Yay me.

Because today was horribly boring, I plan to show you a few of the pictures from our trip.  

For Christmas Dinner...although the mincemeat tarts usually don't get eaten
until just before they expire!!! (April)

Fishpond in Aizu Wakamatsu

Yours truly at a museum in Aizu Wakamatsu.

Aizu Bukeyashiki (the museum's name). Very well set up with lots of English.
Shows a Samurai Retainer's home.  It looked like a busy place.

I'm kicking myself because I don't know the name of this
coffee shop.  It was very old fashioned, very expensive, but the coffee was
very good.  Sadly, there was a loud woman at the next table talking on
her phone.  It bothered F more than me.

The Next Three photos are from Ouchi-juku in Fukushima Ken.  It is a preserved village, the buildings are still very traditional and have thatched roofs.  Unfortunately, it has become very touristy, with every single home seeming to have something on sale.  I like shopping so it didn't bother me, but wasn't very "traditional" really.

We had lunch at the top of the street in a soba shop.  It was okay.  Not my favourite, but the day was cold and the restaurant was out of the wind.  It started to snow while we were inside.

The birthday guy enjoying his soba.  He was a happy camper!

Shivering in the cold.

Come back later and see how my Friday goes.  Until tomorrow….

November 23, 2016

Wednesday - Cold and Snowy

A good day

We’re back from our trip.  We had a pretty good time, except of course for the earthquake that struck on the morning of the 22nd at 6:00 am.  Ack.  We were asleep in our hotel in Yamagata City.  We were quite high up in the building so felt a lot of swaying, but were completely unharmed.  

We continued with our trip, and went to Aizu Wakamatsu in Fukushima.  Basically, we got closer to the earthquake.  We had a few aftershocks happen, but nothing was as severe as the first one.  

In a way, it is a bit funny.  Two years ago, we were in Hakuba when it was hit by a strong earthquake, and this weekend, we were on our way to Fukushima when they were hit by the earthquake.  Last year, there didn’t seem to be one, but this year…I think we have a 50-50 chance of getting hit by one next year!

I am tired, so really that’s about all the blogging you get for tonight.  Don’t miss me too much!

Until tomorrow….

November 20, 2016

Sunday - Drizzly

A good day.

I slept in very late this morning but as we didn’t have plans I didn’t mind too much.  I got up and had some of F’s coffee.  After a while we talked about where to go for lunch.  However, it was almost 3 pm and most places would be closed for lunch after that.  

After a bit I suggested going to the Kimuraya Factory store…it’s a bakery store with some chairs and coffee on tap for customers.  We went there and were each able to get something to eat and then we were off again.  I had wanted to go to La Casa, a kitchen and home goods store.  We popped in and spent quite a bit of time having a look around the place.  I loved their kitchen stuff, but it was a bit expensive.  I found some tiny possible stocking stuffers in the stationary store, got them and thought myself quite fortunate.  

We went into Hard Off again and had a look around.  It was horrible for our allergies and all we ended up getting were 3 little bowls.  I’m hoping they’ll be useful.  Our bowls that are the same size have been broken or chipped.  After that, we went over to another shop in the area, hacked around, but didn’t buy anything. 

We had dinner after that.  We went to a pasta restaurant that we went to once before.  I had some pasta with some side dishes, and F had a baked curry dish.  I had dessert too, I though F would share it with me, but he didn’t.  

We came home afterwards and had a quiet night in.  

We are off for a couple of days to celebrate F’s birthday so I won’t be updating for a few days.  Don’t miss me too much.  I’ll be back later this week though.  Until then….

November 19, 2016

Saturday - Rainy

A good day!

I went to bed after 4 last night and vowed that I’d sleep in this morning, if I had the chance.  I didn’t!  I woke up around 9 and F called the doctor’s office to see if we could get flu shots.  We could, so I had to take a fast shower and then get on the road with him.  

We had ages to wait in the crowded doctor’s office, but at least it gave me lots of time to read my Sue Grafton (X).  We got our shots after a cursory examination, then were on our way.  

We went to the newish restaurant that used to be a bento shop, near my dentist’s office.  We had a fast and quite good lunch.  We both had a steak don set.  I like the food there, but it is so crowded and not set up for people to have a comfortable lunch that I probably should stop suggesting we go.  We went over to Doutors to have coffee and dessert after lunch. That was very nice to be honest. Then, we zoomed off to Mikawa.

We went to Mikawa Shopping Centre to pick up my yarn for the blanket I’m making.  We got it quickly and had a few discounts too, so that was nice.  Afterwards, I told F I wanted to look in the ladies department, so we had a snoop.  I found a shirt for my niece and a dress/tunic for me so that was good.  They were both on sale with an extra bonus if you bought two, so doubly happy thing!

We came back home for a while and relaxed.  Around 5:30, F started talking about dinner.  We were planning to see the 8:15 movie in Tsuruoka, so I thought it was too early.  However, he found out that a restaurant we like in Amarume was open tonight, so he wanted to go there.  It’s a bit of a drive to get there, so it was a good idea to leave around 6:30 when we did.

We arrived at the restaurant and were able to go in right away.  We ordered our dinner and then saw a nice set on the specials menu that probably would have been better for me at least!  Oh well.  We both had yakiniku with rice, miso soup, salad and pickles.  

When we finished our meal, we paid and zoomed back to the Tsuruoka cinema to see Brooklyn.  It was great.  I was in tears at the end, and F loved it too.  For me, I saw so much of my life in hers.  Of course it was a different time, but I left my home country and family to move thousands of miles away for a job!

After the movie, I didn’t want to go home, and I didn’t really want to eat anything.  I suggested going over to Mos Burgers for coffee and that’s what we did.  F had a burger there too, but I just had a Vienna Coffee.  

We came home in time to watch Scandal and Project Runway, so really, my day was complete!  The film was fabulous, the food today was amazing, and for the most part, F and I got on really well.  

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get some sleep.  I’m very, very tired!  Until tomorrow….

November 18, 2016

Friday - Rainy in the daytime, clearing later

A good day.

I got up early this morning and decided that I wouldn’t go back to bed, but I still wanted to sleep a little.  I snoozed on the couch and woke up as The X-Files finished.  Sigh!  

Still, I had a pretty good day.  I did a few chores around the apartment, even had lunch at an almost lunch time, then did the dishes for good measure. 

I walked over to S-Mall, did a quick tour around the place, and then went to Doutors for a Royal Milk Tea with soy milk.  I read a bit of my novel while I was there. It was nice and relaxing.  I picked up some things in the grocery store and then walked home.  I was home around 7:00pm.  

I got started on dinner quite quickly…I peeled two potatoes and looked up a couple of methods of making mashed potatoes.  F called to say he was coming home, so I started cooking the potatoes.

Everything came together fairly fast, so we had dinner not to much later.  We had “bangers and mash” with a side salad and it was really nice.  

I did the dishes and then sat in my corner and did a bit of crochet.  F wasn’t feeling well, so I made him stretch out on the couch for a while until he took his bath.

I watched the Shameless double shot and enjoyed it as always. It always seems as one person gets their act together, someone else messes up big time.  I really enjoy the show.  

I’m not sure what we’ll get up to tomorrow.  F needs to do a few things.  My yarn is in at the big mall, so I might get to pick it up tomorrow.  If I can’t, then it’ll be on Sunday.  There are also a couple of movies in the city worth watching.  Well, for now…it is late, and I am very, very tired, so I will sign off for now.  Until tomorrow….

November 17, 2016

Thursday - Rainy, with some clear skies

A good day.

I got up early this morning.  Yup, before my show, and stayed up. I was terribly surprised at myself.  I watched all of The X-Files, had my breakfast and also some tea.  

I even stayed up after that.  I knew that F wasn’t coming home for lunch today, so I went into the bedroom, made the bed and then started putting some things away.  I went through some of my drawers very thoroughly and threw out a bunch of stuff.  Anything old, tattered or stained was out.  I found a ton of old socks…some I managed to match, others not.  I sorted them out and put them back in the drawers too.  I now have two big bags of garbage that I have to throw out from the bedroom.  Yay me.

That took quite a while, and afterwards, I did a bunch of laundry of the stuff that I hadn’t warn in a long time.  It had that “closet” smell, so washing was in order.  I thought I’d be able to rest then, but I was still hanging up laundry, putting away laundry and having lunch.  I had the last of the baked potatoes for lunch and it was amazing!

F came home earlier than I thought he would tonight, so after I finished the dishes I had to get dinner under way.  Luckily it was mostly a heat or reheat kind of thing.  We shared half of a spaghetti squash and had it with carbonara sauce.  On the side we had a salad with mini tomatoes and there was some smoked duck breast too.  It was good.  I didn’t think F would really like it as he claims not to like spaghetti squash, but it was good.  

He did the dishes, and offered to make us some bread for the morning. I suggested putting some apple in it, and I think that’s what he has done.  I’m looking forward to having some at lunch!

We had a quiet evening.  I watched Bones and crocheted one square and started another one, so I was pleased. Afterwards, I half-watched Elementary and did some Postcrossings. 

That is really about it for me for today.  Tomorrow I’m at home again, I’ll likely scan my cards and send them from the post office.  I’m cooking dinner too.  Check back later and see what I make! 

Until tomorrow….

November 16, 2016

Wednesday - Rainy

A good day.

I got up this morning only a little late for The X-Files and had my breakfast and some tea.  It was a very nice breakfast for a change, I had some overnight oatmeal with an apple in it.  Yum.

I took a shower this morning and had just finished when F came home.  He accused me of just getting out of bed!  Hah!  I laughed at that.  He ate his lunch and then left for work again.

I had an earlyish for me lunch and then spent some time on my computer.  Oh, and I did actually have a nap in the afternoon.  I had taken my medicine a bit late and it really made me sleepy.  That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

When F came home he was tired as usual.  I suggested going to Cocos for dinner. I saw they had a few new dishes on their menu.  We went and I think had a good meal.  I had the chicken and avocado jambalaya.  It was good!  The menu said it was spicy, but I didn’t think it was too spicy.  I also managed to stay away from the heavy milky drinks.  I love things like cappuccino and lattes, but right now, they just make my nose plug up something awful.  

When we finished dinner, we bought gas for the car and then hit up the drug store for a few things.  Then, we did the grocery store last.  I had most of what I need for tomorrow night, we’re having spaghetti squash with carbonara sauce, plus a salad and duck breast, but for Friday I decided to bring back a dish I made a few months ago, bangers and mash.  We bought some nice sausages and I have a couple of potatoes in the kitchen.  They are big ones so will probably do for it.

We came home and put away the groceries and then I made some tea.  I put together my overnight oatmeal for tomorrow and then we each had a quarter of the leftover apple.  I watched CSI: the computer one and did some crochet.  I got another little square done, so I’m up to three now.  Yay me!

A cute little granny square.

Tomorrow I’m not sure what I’ll get up to.  If the weather isn’t horrible I’d like to go out, but if it is horrible I will probably stay home again!  I could start to get ready for my trip away next week.  Or, I could vacuum.  I’d rather go out!

Come back later and find out what I get up to.  Until tomorrow….

November 15, 2016

Tuesday - Cloudy with some rain

A good day.

In the first place, I got out of bed a bit late, but in enough time to see some of The X-Files.  I had some tea this morning and my overnight oats.  They were very good.  Good enough that I made some for tomorrow too!

F kept popping in at home during the day, which I really hate. It just so happens that when I want to start doing something, he arrives. It really annoys me.  Today, I was going to start cooking the spaghetti squash for dinner, but he came home.  And wanted to use the microwave and the kitchen.  AHHHHH!  Then he turned the TV back on and it was loud.  I went and hid in the bedroom for a while, I just needed some quiet.  He did check on me to do him credit. I just needed to chill a bit.

After he left, I got my old crockpot out and washed the outside of the squash and then fitted it into my  slow cooker.  It just fit.  I turned it on, put on the lid and done. 

I scanned some cards in the afternoon and watched a couple of things from the DVR.  I got the weekend’s Wallender and later on an episode of Once Upon a Time watched too.  I had a quick late lunch of a reheated baked potato and then rushed off to the post office.

I mailed off my cards and on the way back, picked up a couple of things at the little vegetable shop on the way.  

At home, I put all the ingredients for Spaghetti Squash Yakisoba together and then when I judged it ready, I got the squash out.  It was ready.  When F arrived, I kicked everything up a notch and we had our meal.  

It was good.  I made the yakisoba and put a fried egg on the top of it for each of us.  F seemed to enjoy the meal.  I’m not sure if it really tasted like yakisoba, but I enjoyed it!  For dessert we even had some pineapple that I bought today too.  

F did the dishes and then asked if I’d like to go out and see the moon again.  I got outside first, but it was cloudy and I couldn’t see anything.  Then, it started to rain!  When F came out, we tried to find a place to see better and ended up walking around the very long block!  The moon did find a clear bit of sky for a few seconds.  I’d show you my pictures, but they aren’t very good.  

We went grocery shopping after that. I needed a yogurt refill, and a few other things. We made a quick trip around the store and came home.

I watched Criminal Minds and finished off my first square of the new afghan, and then started a second.  I got it nearly done, but had to quit.  

At midnight I sent my sister an email and asked if I could FaceTime her as tomorrow is her birthday and I wanted to say hi.  I spent about an hour with her, which was really nice for me.  

And that was my day.  It turned out rather well to be honest.  Come back later and see what I get up to on Wednesday!  Until tomorrow….

November 14, 2016

Monday - Clear and sunny

A good day, with added supermoon at night!

I woke up this morning and looked at the living room clock.  I can see it from my bed.  It said it was 7:40 or so and I was happy.  I thought I had enough time to go back to sleep for a bit.  Then, I looked at my iPhone and it said it was 8:30.  Yes, the living room clock had stopped again.  It was horribly inaccurate anyway.  It was finally up to 25-30 minutes fast, so useful more more of a suggestion of the time, rather than the actual time!

I wish I could tell you that I got up then and stayed up, but I didn’t.  I went back to sleep and woke up again after 10.  Sigh.

I got up, had some tea and breakfast, and watched something from the DVR I think. I had a shower in there too. Yay me.  

I spent a bit of time looking for spaghetti squash recipes, and decided to make one tomorrow.  I did a few other things around the apartment and thought about going out.  I never did. I had lunch instead and then it was time to start dinner.  

F surprised me today by calling me around 5:30 and then coming home.  Lately, he hasn’t been coming home until 6:30 or 7 so I hadn’t started dinner at all.  And, tonight I was baking potatoes and hadn’t even started the oven. 

F dragged me outside for a bit to see the Supermoon.  It did look a little clearer, but it wasn’t that big.  Sadly, the sky was quite cloudy and the moon was covered most of the time. 

I got dinner underway and the potatoes were finally in the oven.  I had the other things ready to go and when I checked the potatoes they were still rock hard.  I had to cook them an additional 40 minutes before they were done.  

I decided it was a “Make it Work” moment and served dinner in courses!  We had our chicken and salads first, then eventually the potatoes.  I had taken the baked potatoes, split them, and put toppings in them, then re-baked them for a few minutes.  It was a thing I saw around Facebook.  Well, I should have used a hotter oven and/or smaller potatoes I guess!  

Still, the potatoes, when they were done, were quite good.  We split one with cheddar and tomato, and one with (fake) sour cream and red onion.  I have one left for my lunch tomorrow that I am looking forward to…it has feta cheese and olives on it.  F doesn’t really like feta so I’m quite okay with eating that one by myself!

I did all the dishes too.  Honestly, there weren’t that many anyway, since I used a lot of aluminum foil tonight.  I served the final thing, some fresh blueberries that we bought last night. Yum.  F had some chocolate ice cream with his, I abstained since I knew it would plug my nose up really badly. 

F wasn’t feeling well tonight and went to bed for a bit before coming back for tea and his bath.  I didn’t get to watch anything I wanted to watch until late, and even then it was a repeat.  

That’s about it.  F is off sleeping and I’m planning to get some sleep soon too.  I’m not sure what I’ll get up to tomorrow. I’d love to go out but not sure that I’ll be able to go.  I do have to mail my postcards that I wrote tonight.  Yay me.  

Come back later if you dare and see what I get up to on Tuesday.  Until tomorrow….

November 13, 2016

Sunday - Mostly Clear, Warm and Sunny

A good day.

I really overslept this morning.  The antihistamines that I am on really seem to be doing a number on me.  It didn’t help that it was dark out, and F was in the living room with the lights off.  I actually very nicely told him today that he should turn the lights on in the living room, to help me wake up.

We had a difficult time finding a lunch place today.  The first place we tried finished at 2:00, about 3 minutes before we arrived, the second place was booked out for a party.  As a last resort and because my nose was streaming and I couldn’t take medicine until I ate, I suggested Gusto.  We went there and had an okay lunch.  I had two kinds of salad. One was a noodle salad with some kind of no-carb noodle, and the other was an avocado-shrimp salad that I shared with F.  

After lunch we drove to F’s car dealership to make arrangements for his car to be repaired.  It’s very noisy at the moment and with winter coming up, it’s a necessary thing.  

We came home for a while after lunch and relaxed for a bit.  

Around 6:30 F wanted dinner so we went out again.  I suggested a few places, but F said Bikkuri Donkey!! I was surprised since I didn’t think he liked it, but it was fine with me.  We had an okay meal there and then went and bought groceries for the upcoming week.  While we were there, we bumped into F’s niece and her husband.  She’s a couple of days overdue…I told her that we didn’t know she was even expecting until a few days ago.

We came home and at 9:00pm I watched a Hugh Grant movie that I hadn’t seen before called The Rewrite in English and ReLife or something in Japanese.  It was pretty funny.  I thought it was amusing that they kept saying mean things about Jane Austen, especially since Hugh Grant was in Sense and Sensibility! 

I had made some tea and microwave popcorn before the movie, and when it was gone, I started on my latest blanket.  I’ve done one square.  The pattern is easy, but the writer made the pattern explanation almost too easy for me.  Still, once I get it down, I’m sure I’ll be able to knock out a few in a short time.  Fingers crossed anyway!

And that’s about it for today.  F went to sleep a while ago.  I’m all plugged up again…I’ve never had allergies so bad that I’ve had to take medicine before and I really, really don’t like it!  

I may go out tomorrow, just to get out of the apartment, I haven’t really decided.  The sad thing is that there isn’t that many cool places to go around here.  

Come back in a bit and see what I get up to.  Until tomorrow….

November 12, 2016

Saturday - Clear and sunny

A good day.

I got up fairly early today, and took a shower.  When F came home I had just finished.  I watched Click on TV and then he wanted to go for lunch.  Since he wanted the same place I thought about, that was fine.  Only problem, it was so busy we couldn’t park the car, so we moved on.  We had a sushi lunch near the river. It was okay.

After lunch, we drove out to Mikawa shopping mall and went yarn shopping.  I had to special order some yarn as I wanted all to have the same dye lot.  The store didn’t have what I wanted.  After we accomplished that, we had a coffee at Mister Donut and then came back to Tsuruoka.  

On the way back, F asked if I’d like to go to karaoke, so we went!  We went for a couple of hours.  F left early as he had an appointment, but I stayed on for a bit.  I had planned to go to the mall, but F came back for me a little early.  He wanted dinner and picked the restaurant near the cinema.  

After dinner we came home for a bit and then walked to the cinema.  We saw Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.  I liked it a lot, but then again I like Tom Cruise films.  I thought Cobie Smulders had a very interesting character and the whole thing was fun.  

When the movie finished, we decided to walk home, but then we decided to go for a drink or a bite.  We ended up in an izakaya near the station.  I’m on allergy medicine at the moment, so didn’t drink anything alcoholic, but F had a beer.  We both shared a bit of food and it was okay.

We walked home and then I watched Project Runway, and F went to bed.  

My day was quite good, and I enjoyed it.  Not sure what we’ll get up to tomorrow, you’ll just have to come back and see.  Until tomorrow….

November 11, 2016

Friday - Clear and rainy

Remembrance Day.

A sad day. 

I overslept this morning by a lot. It was dark out and that’s just going to have to be my excuse.  When I checked Facebook I saw the sad news about Leonard Cohen.  He had died.  With the news of the US Election and some sad news I heard from a friend, it just seemed like a horrible day, one that I wanted to go back to bed and hide from.  But, I didn’t.

I had an earlyish lunch since I got up too late for breakfast.  I had a little texting time with F and then relaxed for a bit.  I got some computer things done, washed up the dishes and the nabe for later and then went out. 

I went to the post office first to make a payment and then continued downtown.  I walked around the mall a little, and then went to Doutor and had French Toast and a soy latte.  I was surprised both at how good and big the French Toast was. I only wanted something small…I had forgotten to take medicine earlier and am not supposed to take it on an empty stomach. Still, it was good.

I left the mall around 6:30 and walked home in the dark.  Sigh. It is so dark outside now.  It wasn’t raining anymore, which was nice.

At home, F called to say he had finally finished work, and he came home.  He made the nabe for us.  We’d bought some kimchi soup yesterday and he used that for the base, so it actually tasted really good for a change!  We finished the whole thing tonight, no leftovers at all.  

We’ve had a fairly quiet evening.  I watched some TV, including the double shot of Shameless.  The show cracks me up so much.  It really does.

I spent quite a bit of time writing my blog entry for my postcard blog, so if you are bored, have a gander at that! Other than that, I’m out of here.  Tomorrow I plan to go yarn shopping, but I’m not sure that I’ll be successful.  Wish me luck, as I’ll be going with F who has no idea about crafting at all.  Come back later and see how it goes.  Until tomorrow….

November 10, 2016

Thursday - Cold but clear

A goodish day.

Still reeling from yesterday’s election results, I went to bed a tad early (for me) last night and still overslept this morning. Sigh. Still, I got up, made some coffee and oatmeal for breakfast and got on with my day.  I watched something from the DVR this morning I believe and then turned off the TV. 

I did some of my computer stuff early and then got dressed up warmly and set off on my computer.  I rode to Tokai, the craft shop.  I had a look at some of their yarn in the store, but have virtually decided that it just won’t do.  It’s a little thin and it has wool in it.  Their acrylic isn’t very nice either.  I’m slightly allergic to wool, so I don’t really want to work with it.  After Tokai, I visited the drugstore for a few things and then debated with myself over where to go.  I could either go to Gusto or towards home and Marumatsu.  I decided to go to Marumatsu since it would be dark soon and I didn’t want to be out too long.

I went there and had a very late lunch. I had a Japanese meal…some kind of steamed rice with fall vegetables and chicken.  It wasn’t too bad at all. I added on drink bar too and drank much too much coffee.  

I came home and after a little while, F came home too.  He’d had a long driving day…He’d had to go to Sendai which is over 3 hours away when you can’t use the highway, which he couldn’t.  

When I asked him about dinner, he asked to go to the cheapo udon shop we went to last week or the one before.  I said okay, but I wasn’t too happy about it.  When we got there, it wasn’t as busy as last time.  I ordered something different this time, I had shaved beef on udon, and it wasn’t very good.  I told F that it wasn’t the place as much as the dish.  My meat was bathed in oil and was kind of gross.  I was quite disappointed.  

We did some shopping at the grocery store and decided that we’d have nabe tomorrow night for dinner.  I hope that F is up for making it! I’ll prepare the cooking pot and maybe some of the veggies, but the rest is up to him.  

We came home and had a quiet night in.  I watched Bones and darned in a few ends of the poncho, also surfed the web looking for nice yarn in Japan.  I found some, but have no idea how to order it…and the website is in English!

And that’s about it.  Tomorrow I should run to the post office to make a payment, but apart from that, I haven’t go much planned.  I might run out for coffee or something if I feel like it.  I am a bit stir crazy at the moment.  Facebook is full of doom and gloom and rending of clothes….Sometimes I just want to tell everyone to take a deep breath.  Then I start to worry that I’m not worried enough…so definitely time to stay off Facebook and find a happy place with a book or a crochet hook!

Come back later if you feel like it and see what I get up to.  Until tomorrow….

November 9, 2016

Wednesday - Rainy and Windy and Cold

Personally? A good day….For the US?  It remains to be seen.

I got up a little late this morning because I’d been up and then went back to bed for a bit.  Sigh.  Still, I watched some of the X-Files and had my breakfast and some tea.  

I changed the station after the show and ended up watching election coverage.  I spent most of the afternoon watching and covering my eyes.  Unbelieveably, Trump won.  I truly hope that he surprises me in a good way.  I’m not a US citizen, I probably won’t be directly affected by his policies, but I fear for my friends that may be.  And of course for the indirect ways we’ll be affected.  

I did some laundry and I also watched some of the stuff from the DVR when I couldn’t take it anymore.  

F came home a little early tonight, since he didn’t go to his mothers’. He sat on the couch while I got dinner finished.  We had reheated Swiss Chard/bean stew from last night, plus salad and some baby carrots that I did tonight.  I also opened a can of Spam and we had some of that with dinner too! Actually, dinner was quite good.  

F did the dishes and then watched some TV, I spent time on my computer and worried about the state of the world. 

At 10pm I went to the couch and did an hour of darning on my poncho.  I have one side finished now, only 3 more to go.  Yay   

And that’s about my day today.  I ran my postcards to the post office tonight, but it was cold and windy and there were a gazillion birds flying around so it was a bit creepy too! 

Tomorrow if the weather allows, I might make a trip to the craft shop to see what kind of yarn they have, and possibly have lunch out.  I’m not really sure.  Come back later and find out what I get up to.  Until tomorrow….