Sharing kinda stinks

--- We're all sharing a laptop, due to the recent pack-out.  I could have kept the
desktop here, but we decided to let them pack everything.  We kept one pot, two
pans, a spatula, no eating utensils and no dishes.  This family of seven is roughing it. 
I know you'll think I'm strange, but we've been using plastic forks, spoons, knives.
All of which I wash and reuse.  I've been buying paper plates (the GREEN kind). 
I even bought a few aluminum pans to wash and reuse.  Don't judge me.  This is
actually a lesson being learned!! 

--- Anyway, I don't like having to share this laptop with the entire family.  Okay,
minus J5.  J1 & J2 have end of the quarter/semester reports, projects, and extra
credit due so they've been hogging it for research.  AM1 has been using it to research
vehicles, because I guess we'll need one when we get back to the states.  :)  He's
been looking into safety ratings and ridiculous features.  I told him, stop with all
that silly stuff and find one that fits the whole family without having to tie one to the
luggage rack or bumper.  He's also been looking at the Virginia Beach area for
homes that are for rent.  He said we need to be prepared if housing isn't available.
Again, stop with the non-sense.  We have to go there, get a feel for the area
anyway.  We have to SEE the rentals and areas of the rentals before deciding
anyway, so lets just get there first.  I'm not so much into this kind of preparation
as I am for, let's say, a birthday party for one of my kids. 

--- Oh, yes, back to the sharing subject.  J3 had his surgery this past Friday,
January 22nd.  My little six year old went in for Right Inguinal Hernia Repair
and is recovering great.  Here's an overshare.  The hernia was worse than they
expected and he had quite a bit of fluid around his testicles that was causing the
pain he was complaining of.  He is home from school for the entire week and hogs
the computer while J1 & J2 are at school.  After a while sitting at the table, on
the very uncomfortable loaner furniture dining chair, he gets up for a break and
you'd think I'd get a chance to check mail or pop in here for a quick entry, but
NOPE!!  Little miss J4 needs her daily NickJr fix. 

--- I'm considering a notebook or laptop of my very own.  If you have any suggestions,
please send them.  I need all the input on the newest technology because I'm a little
behind. 

--- I have so much to catch up on.  I have notes in my iTouch from the recent weeks,
so I'll try to get them in here when I find a way to bribe or threaten the family into a
turn on this thing. 

Formatting issues

--- What's going on with my formatting?  I haven't changed any settings, so why the problems?  Help!

PreOp

--- Just before Christmas I had to take J3 to the clinic.  He was complaining of pain in the
groin area.  He was fine getting ready for school, but then fell to the ground in pain.  I thought
he was trying to get out of school for the day.  We waited for 20-30 minutes, had his vitals
checked, put in a room and waited another 20-30 minutes.  It wasn't so bad.  J3 was
telling me the corniest jokes while we waited.  When you're delirious, kid jokes are the
funniest ever!!  I was so hungry and couldn't focus.  There were moments that I actually
forgot why we were there.  I think it was the lack of oxygen in the tiny room they put us in.
Seriously, the doctor was thorough, explained everything he was checking for and what
he suspected it was.  He used actual words that both J3 and me could understand.  Okay,
so J3 had to explain some of it to me because I was in and out of consciousness due to
hunger!  He referred us to Yokosuka to see a "specialist".  We did that, got scheduled for
a PreOp appointment, and yesterday was that day.  The PreOp, I mean.  Anyway folks,
J3 is scheduled for Right Inguinal Hernia Repair on January 22nd.  Why so far from today?
Well, DUH, because the only doctor who does this surgery will be on TAD (TDY) until
the 20th of the month.  Mission First, Sailors Always.... families, well, whenever.  I'm used
to it, so I'm not really complaining.

--- Here's what we have planned for January, thus far...

• 11th -- J4's very first salon hair cut
• 11th -- J2 & J5, immunizations
• 12th -13th -- Pack Out
• 16th -- Shibuya train trip
• 22nd -- J3's surgery
• 23rd -- J1 & J2's Host Nation friendship volleyball game
• 29th -- J3's 7th birthday
• 30th -- J3's 7th birthday party
• 31st -- Dinner at Yakiniku

I'm certain the days in between will fill fast.  It's going to be busy.  Lunches, dinners,
appointments and so much more... it's only the first week of 2010 and I'm exhausted.

Happy New Year!!

--- It's been just about 3 months since I've checked in, but I can honestly say... I've been lazy. I've been moody and anti-social. I quit playing games and apps on facebook and I haven't been on the computer lately. It's PCS (Permanent Change of Station) time for us and we have A LOT to do. 2010 is going to be full of changes and interesting experiences for our family. After 7 years, here in Japan, we're finally heading back to the United States of America. I'm certain we will experience culture shock and the kids will think we're torturing them, but it's time for us to live as Americans, in America. It's been a wonderful experience here and we'll have so many memories to carry with us for many years to come. It's time for us to move on to new and exciting adventures, with many more memories to be made. --- PCS process is a little stressful. The paperwork is endless! Our pack-out is in 8 days and we still have some purging, cleaning and packing to do. I will be pulling my hair out by week's end. We have to clean and sell our vehicle, with enough time to get all the paperwork completed. It's a lengthy process. After the pack-out, we have to CLEAN and CLEAR quarters. Oh yay! The pre-inspection, inspection, and post-inspection list is ridiculous. Post inspection? There's more to do after you pass the inspection. The military only pays for ONE night at the lodge after you've cleared quarters, but I'll need more than one night. We'll have to pay for a few nights. How will I clean and clear the unit while we're in it? Duh! So, out of pocket costs before we even detach from Atsugi. Oh the joy! AM1 will have to check out of the cable company, phone company, library, NEX, housing, MWR (CDC) and his command. I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of them all right now. --- Anyhoot... in the midst of it all, we have a birthday to celebrate. Our son, J3, is turning 7 at the end of January. With our HHG (household goods) on their way to the states, it'll be interesting to see how we put a birthday together. I'm thinking pizza party at one of the party rooms or maybe the bowling alley. Who knows? I'm better at procrastination so I'll throw something together that week. :P --- Gotta go! J5 is up and looking for me. Yes, still breastfeeding and the little booger just turned one on December 30th. He is another reason I haven't been on here. He sure knows how to occupy my every free minute!