Happy Thanksgiving

As my day begins , I sit here drinking my tea and planning this day. Something that irritates me is my inability to stray from Jared's routine even in his absence. I have no need to be awake so early but something in my head says there must be activity now.

Tomorrow I will host two female sailors. I requested females since Jared is underway and I did not wish to break our habit of hosting single sailors for a holiday. I may not be their family but for me, it is better to be with someone friendly than to be alone. I hope to make their day a little better. I know they have programs at other bases for hosting single sailors. It is my hope that no sailor (or soldier or airman) is alone on this holiday.

There is some cooking to be done today. Most will be the desserts. Chao lei will enjoy today very much I think. There will be many spoons to lick and desserts to approve. My only regret is the unavailability of blackberries here. Mother Bing taught me how to cook cobblers and pies using them so I rarely missed the opportunity to go picking them. A lot of them. Yes, I can get frozen berries at the commissary but they are not the same since they are picked early so they can be processed. The perfect berry is picked by hand when it is ripe. Then they are incredibly sweet with no sugar added. I miss my Oregon. Meanwhile, everything for tomorrow is staged and awaits its time in the oven. It will be convenient to awake early.

I will use my uv lights tomorrow too. The weather promises to be dreary. I thought to try to keep spirits positive despite the grayness. They are not intrusive and can be overlooked quite easily. Their effects are subtle too. A friend that lived in Alaska taught me of these lights. They prevented depression for her. She also taught me that one must use them carefully as they can become addicting and can drastically alter sleep patterns. I follow her advice and do not use them outside of day light hours. They are usually not out of their boxes except for those dark days.

I hope you have found many things to be thankful for this year and wish for you a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

Life As It Is

I have fussed and complained now and then. Especially in the beginning of my life with Jared when I did not understand so many things. But, I cannot envision a different life now. Jared and I have lived the Navy life for nine years. We had four years of sea duty, four years of shore duty and we are now back to sea duty. I thought I preferred shore duty but in reflection, I found it quite boring and if I found it boring, one may safely assume Jared did more so.

It was pleasant having my husband go to work and come home at regular times. I deeply love my husband but he could drive me crazy sometimes always being underfoot. At times, I thought it would be wonderful if he took interest in a hobby that did not include me. I blame this thinking on our first tour in Japan. He was often gone. Though we had our routines, our greetings were never routine. In Pensacola, they sometimes were reduced to barely acknowledging the presence of the other. Happily it was not often but it did happen because he was there. Every day.

There is much to be said about shore duty. There are no underways to be endured. Since Jared was in school, there were no dangers of deployment. One can plan with certainty their family's activities. In all appearance, save the uniform, it resembles a normal civilian life. I did not much care for it.

I once complained that the Navy was not allowing us to adjust to married life when he was first on sea duty. They were always taking my husband away from me and forcing us to live single. I regretted Jared's move from the Coast Guard to the Navy sometimes since I was never asked what I thought of it. I had no reservations bragging of being married to a naval officer though. Yes, it was selfish thinking of me.

As strange as it may sound, I prefer sea duty. Not because I wish my husband gone. That is quite the contrary. Deployments and underways remain dreadful things and always will. Even now Jared is underway again for only the Navy knows how long this time and I miss him terribly. I have decided I prefer sea duty because neither of us takes the other for granted. We remain as interested in each other with the same enthusiasm as the day we married. Each homecoming is as a honeymoon, albeit with a child but that is what sitters are for. I know I do not neglect to greet him each time knowing he may depart again and very soon. I ensure he knows he is loved and appreciated.

I cannot imagine a life that does not include the Navy. I believe that, should new orders arrive in the future, I will dread the words "shore duty" as much as Jared. He will never hear me encourage an exit from the Navy (unless they condemn him to permanent shore duty for some reason then maybe. lol)

It is Confirmed

Jared returned yesterday but after my appointment. I got his message they had been at the pier for some time as I left the hospital. The timing was perfect. Since it was lunch time, I took him to the club so that I was able to inform him of his pending child. I decided to have a little fun with him rather than tell him right away. I tested his observational skills. Would he notice some differences in behavior or would I be required to tell him? 

As we sat, the waiter asked for our drink preferences. Since we (meaning he) had already decided to have steak, he ordered a glass of wine. I requested water. As anyone who knows me will say, I am fond of wine. I ensure there is always a good selection of it in my house. Whether Jared noticed this obvious detour from my routine was not immediately known as he did not mention it.

Time to order our steaks came. Jared ordered his as is his preference, rare. My preference is usually medium rare but the chef here knows how to cook steaks so it is safe for me to order medium with no danger of it finishing to well done. I do not care for a well done steak and have been known to send one back to be replaced. I had his attention when I ordered a well done steak.

I could see his mind was wrestling with something as we awaited our orders. I only sat with a small grin. After our food arrived, it only took a few moments for him to come to a conclusion. When he did his chewing stopped momentarily and he adopted a look of half panic and half excitement and asked "Ok. What is going on?" Before I could speak he "energetically" said, "You are pregnant!" I will say here that one of my favorite things about my husband is to watch him come to a conclusion, especially a conclusion he likes, then to announce his conclusion. I cannot help but to smile each time I think of it.

His announcement was followed by a kiss and an embrace before I could confirm his conclusion. Apparently, his announcement was heard by most people in the dining room and they responded with polite applause. Now came all of his questions; boy or girl (he insists it will be a girl), how far along, why did I not tell him sooner, etc.

To say he is excited would be an understatement. He is shopping already for the materials to decorate the nursery. If he paints, I hope he awaits confirmation of his idea it is a girl or at the least choose a neutral color. Our short visit to the NEX causes me to hope it is a girl. He never once ventured to the little boy's clothing. His only comments were how pretty she would be in this outfit or that. Even Chao lei is now convinced he will have a sister having listened to his father's comments.

We will see soon enough. Until then, we will concentrate on staying healthy and adjust to living pregnant, with and sometimes without Jared. Now to tell Mother.

Hike of Lake Okutama

The advantage of walking trails on Autumn weekdays is you share the trails with very few people. Since we elected the more difficult route and Chao lei had to attend school, we arranged daycare for him after school and did this hike without him. According to him, he did not mind.

The Japanese parks are kind enough to tell you in English which way the trail goes. These signs are a help if one cannot read the Japanese map of the trails. Most trailheads and trail intersections are marked with these signs meaning it would take some effort to become lost.

This trail requires one to be ready for almost anything. The weather here can change at any time so having a jacket and/or raincoat is important.

If you are afraid of heights, this is probably not the best trail for you either. There are several bridges and narrow trails that cling to the side of the hills. They offer wonderful views though.

It is normal for Jared to outpace me. Perhaps this is because of his climbing stairs and ladders all day so he has the strength. Or perhaps it is exercise for him. For me, it is the scenery. To see it requires I walk in it. I am known to stop and look at things that catch my attention. Soon enough He will not venture too far ahead. Barring him reading this entry, and he usually does not, he knows nothing of the possible pregnancy. When I inform him after seeing the doctor, I will be fortunate to hike anything more difficult than the sidewalks on base.

It is ok though. Sometimes something distracts Jared and I go ahead of him. Or maybe he wants to watch my reaction to things. This bridge for instance. There was a wind when we reached it and it swayed some. What entertains him eludes me at times. It must have been disappointing for him as I walked carefully but confidently across.

There are several bridges like this one that are not so high and are more sheltered from wind. You must only cross the high, windy ones to get to them. The views are worth it. Even in autumn colors it is a beautiful place to be.

And as seems customary to the Japanese, it is near impossible to go anywhere where one will not find a temple or a shrine. This small shrine is to the rock under which it is built. The rock is actually a single boulder that is perched on the hillside.

It is only after we began our hike we discovered the trail follows the old road to the lake. This explains the many abandoned buildings along the way. It was very tempting to explore some of them but it is best to resist the urge since one does not know if a claim for the property remains.

Fortunately, when the trail is ended, there are options for how to return to the place you began.You can walk the trail in reverse or go to Okutama station and ride back.

Since it is a four hour return walk, we chose the train. Also, the weather was turning and Japanese rain is cold to walk in. It was a good day. There was no reason to end it cold and wet.

Since there are other trails at the lake, we will likely hike those first before exploring other trail areas. I will admit that once the availability of places to hike is researched, one discovers there are more trails than one would believe on this overcrowded island.

Let the Shopping Begin

Most of the time I hate to shop. Well, buy. I enjoy walking the shops of the Blue Road but I can rarely convince myself that I need something. I never have been prone to buy just because I can. I keep my wardrobe to a minimum since there are only so many clothes I can wear. I attempt to keep my house uncluttered while tastefully decorated. Jared is often frustrated with me because I do not buy things for myself and instead deposit money to the savings.

I kept the necessary things we got for Chao lei but as time went on, he outgrew clothes, beds, bottles, and such. If this pregnancy is confirmed, we will be required to begin shopping again.  A bed will be required for the new baby since we disposed of the crib years ago. Jared bought the last one and I was surprised how well he chose. I could not have done better since I only shopped the NEX. I wonder if he will be so willing to shop for another? We will require another changing table for the same reason we  require a crib.

Preparing another baby room will happen again. Jared did a wonderful job job for Chao lei's room. I am confident he will do so again. He tends to agree with my "uncluttered but tasteful" design philosophy. I suppose that is due to living onboard a ship with small spaces.

Jared insists it will be a girl. All his family has a boy and a girl so he will. I only wish for a healthy baby but a girl would be nice. I love our son but I cannot dress him with ribbons and bows. I had a small taste of what that is like when a niece was born. I enjoyed it.

I believe I will wait to inform mother until the doctor confirms this baby. Since my brother (I blame his wife) is too selfish to give her another grandchild, I am the only source so she traveled often to see Chao lei until we went to Florida. She is very happy now that we have returned. Her fist visit will be soon. Perhaps that is when I will inform her.

Jared wants a girl. Chao lei prefers a brother. I want a healthy baby. Grandparents (all sets (long story)) want it now. We will see.

What Is It About Japan?

Well.....  we were not NOT trying.

I suppose there is only to make a doctors appointment to confirm.

Hopefully, Jared will be here for this one.

Autumn is here

Autumn is here and the fleet is home. For now. They were only gone for a few weeks this time. There are longer deployments to come.

It is good timing for our families. Some new spouses were tested but they survived. The first is always the most difficult. I will admit that returning to sea duty was difficult for me. I forgot everything I knew for a time and allowed myself to throw a pity party for myself. Fortunately, I recovered fairly quickly. I prefer to command my circumstances rather than they commanding me.

Now Jared is home for a time with only the normal underways which last only a couple of weeks at a time usually. There are usually weeks between those. Autumn is the time when we mostly appear as a normal family rather than Navy family. It will not last long so we will enjoy it while we may.

Now that Chao lei is older we will begin hiking nearby areas. I would enjoy hiking Mt Fuji but I do not believe he is ready for the complete hike to the top. I have been told that Mt. Yusaka is a beautiful hike also. For now, we will hike the closer trails such as Lake Okutama in preparation for spring hiking.

Japan is the country of festivals. It is likely that in whatever direction you look, there is a festival occurring. Time of year has no influence... unless, of course, it is a festival of a season. This month, we have at least four festivals. On the 3rd, there was the Kanazaki festival. On the 8th and the 20th, there is the Tori no Ichi observance. The Zushi Samurai Procession and Yabusam occur on the 17th.
All of these occur here in Yokosuka. It is not possible to honestly say there is nothing to do here.

We will see this tour what Chao lei thinks of them. Jared here/Jared gone, Chao lei and I will attend these events. He will see and experience the culture here.