Extra Time

Here is the deal, we have another visitor coming at the end of the month and before I spoil her trip showing all these fun places I visited with my mom and dad, I'm going to wait until after she visits to finish posting about their visit.

That also means I pretty much have to catch up for almost half the month of June that has slipped away, although it hasn't. We have spent more time together the past two weeks then we have of any of the last three summers but it comes with a price. Brandon is currently rehabbing a super dee duper minor injury. Thankfully it isn't his arm and is healing well and fast and that's all I can say about that. Please and thank you for any prayers.

 

In the mean time we invested in some fishing gear and have been down at the water. Unfortunately we must be doing something wrong because in three days we have had one bite, ONE. But it has been enjoyable out and a way to spend time together and we will keep going even if the fish don't bite.

 

 

 

I think this hat would trick the fish into thinking we were just more Japanese fisherman. It's all about blending in.

 

 

We have had some hilarious Google Hangouts with some of my favorites back home.

 

 

Afternoon shopping dates that usually begin or end with ice cream! 

 

 

Pizza Hut for dinner, just to see how close it is to back in the states. It's so close that we actually decided to test it again because we forgot.

 

 

On nights we aren't stuffing our faces with cheesy pizza I've been testing out new waters with cooking some fish. I hardly ever eat fish, possibly once a year if that but I decided that I wasn't cooking one more thing with chicken or beef that night and so Lemon Garlic Tilapia it was.

 

 

 

The temperatures are slowly creeping higher and higher so in preparation for the summer heat I invested in a sno cone maker. It was/is the best $20 I have spent, until the kiddies invade our apartment, which I totally wouldn't mind.

 

 

And that is why this injury is a blessing in disguise because I am 100% loving all this extra time together to enjoy some summer fun.

Game Day

I'm officially a week behind on updates but will attempt to get better.

 

Last Sunday our day started with an email from our tax preparer asking where some time sensitive documents were. Turns out it was no big deal but put us into a frenzy until we figured out later that afternoon that everything was okay.

 

Trying to figure the tax situation out, I missed my train by a few minutes. This was a whole new route for me that included transferring to the subway. I knew that I could do it but I felt extra pressure trying to get there on time.

 

I have been setting up the computer weekly for those to enjoy the game back home. I try to leave as late as I can but early enough to make it to the game. The last time my hangout cut off because of inactivity and so I try to get the viewers as much of the broadcast as I can. Until last week when I left the TV on the wrong game.

 

I'm going to go ahead and say that sometimes game days are more stressful for me than Brandon.

 

The stadium they play at is really nice, fresh grass, and outdoor. It was a little chillier than I prefer but I wasn't complaining, until after the game when I had NO clue where to find Brandon and was without a special pass that I've been given the few times at the dome. I bought a cup of coffee that was awful but served as an excellent hand warmer.

 

The game itself was not bad. They ended up losing 7-6. Brandon got the no decision and pitched five and two thirds innings giving up three runs. The wind was going crazy which wasn't good at this hitters park. And it didn't just blow, but it blew in every direction.

 

I'll be honest I was glad to get home Sunday evening and sit on the couch. Little did we know the crazy events that would unfold the rest of this week back home between the Boston Bombings and the West, Texas explosion. It is so strange waking up to news like this and no less heartbreaking thousands of miles away.

 

Wishing everyone back home a relaxing weekend free of violence, animosity, and fear.

 

 

 

 

 

Small Town Kid

We hit the pillows around 12:30 a.m., set our alarms for two and half hours later and held on to each other as if we weren't going to see one another for years. As soon as my alarm went off I thought, please not yet, I'm not ready for him to go. He gathered his last few items shoved them into his luggage. I headed out the door first so I didn't have to witness him saying goodbye to our pup. I knew I would lose it. We rode silently to the airport holding hands. I had a lump in my throat and my stomach. I apparently had refused to acknowledge the idea that we were moving to Japan. I ignored the fact that he was getting on a plane without me and flying halfway around the world.

We talked little about a few things that didn't get taken care of before he left. All things that I can easily take care of for him. As we got closer and closer to the airport I couldn't help but feel more and more anxious. Where had this peace gone that I was so confident I had. He was going and I couldn't stop him. But I didn't want to, I just wanted to be going too. We hugged and exchanged looks. His said, "I love you please don't cry." Mine said, "I love you please don't go." Tears slowly streamed down my cheeks as I kicked myself for crying. This is just as hard on him don't make it harder. I wiped them away, smiled, and sent my handsome hubby on his way. I hate to see him go but I love to watch him walk away.

I drove home alone and it always amazes me the songs that play on the radio during certain times. Two in particular. First played Brad Paisley's Southern Comfort Zone. Although Brad is singing about Tennessee, substitute Alabama and this fits perfectly for Brandon.

Not everybody drives a truck, not everybody drinks sweet tea
Not everybody owns a gun, wears a ball cap boots and jeans
Not everybody goes to church or watches every NASCAR race
Not everybody knows the words to "Ring Of Fire" or "Amazing
Grace"

 

And I Miss my Tennessee home
But I can see the ways that I've grown
I can't see this world unless I go
Outside my Southern Comfort Zone

- Brad Paisley

 

Then I heard Thompson Square's If I Didn't Have You.  Basically saying this life would kill me if I didn't have you. True. It probably would. I can't tell how comfortable I feel when Brandon is around.  I'm so proud of him because I know that he took this job for more than just himself and baseball, but to provide for our family. How can I be sad or upset that he left? I can't. We mesh perfectly and I'm looking forward to meeting up with him in Japan as quickly as it can come! I miss that cowboy of mine.

 

 

 

 

Retired

This guy.

Every year he does some sort of speaking engagement.

It's not that he volunteers for them, the situations just come up.

Friday he was honored by his high school as they retired his senior baseball number.

As they spoke of Brandon, his character and achievements

I found myself beaming with pride.

I wonder how I ended up with such a great guy.

I wish you all could know him because he is truly one of a kind.