Foodie Friday!!

I FOUND IT!!
(last week's foodie post I mean, not the missing sock from the other day's laundry)

I have several mouthwatering photos to last me the next 8 Fridays....but I will go with the most recent because it was just so DAMN good! I had heard of the Turkish Pizza from George's old Sergeant Major...and I was like, "Isn't that just a doner/gyro?" I've had that...and yeah they are delish! When Steve got here, he insisted we get this advance version...the Lahmacun,


...aka the Turkish Taco (his second in two days...making up for lost time I take it). The first place we went to....closure, weird. I said, "is there a holiday we don't know about?" Second place...lights out and no lamb meat heater on. Hmmmm.......the funny thing was, we weren't giving up once we passed this overpriced boutique that was surely open 2 days a week minimum. If they were open...we were gettin' some frickin T.T.s (that sounds worse than I mean it...honestly)!

A couple side streets and u-turns later....ALAS, Doner Heaven!..err I mean Turkish Taco Wonderland.

What to choose....actually I just chased Teage around the tables while the TT expert ordered for us.


This was after he decided to try and run behind the counter and help the dude out...

And this was after he drank too much orange crush...HAM!!


This was what he wanted to do the WHOLE time we were there, and yes that's a casino game...I should have given him a handful of Euro cents and let him win us some moolah, but gambling's illegal for 3 year olds they say.


The doner guy uses this fancy machine to shave the lamb (or goat) meat off the spit.


Back in the day it was just a plain old knife..even doner shops are coming with age. Next, he added some yummy goodness to a flatbread that was encrusted with some sort of spice mix...and rolled that sucker up like a homemade stoagie...not that I've ever rolled anything up and smoked it. ;o)

T.T. Triumph!!

I wish the pics came out better...it was wrapped too tightly I guess. (I know you are eye-balling my Schwip Schwepp aka Cola Orange...it was goooood)

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME...

Home Coming Together

I had this whole post written for Foodie Friday about my lunch adventure with Steve...it was a good one, too. AND THEN, I went to upload the pics and they were M.I.A.! Not on the camera, not on the hard drive, not on the laptop or desktop. The Cyber Monkey took them, I know it! So weird...

Anyway, I still have plenty to say that isn't related to food.

This past week, there have many things going on. The obvious was our peep visit (did I mention that more of my peeps need to jump on the bandwagon and get their arses to Europe...our guest bed is calling...and HELLO, it's Europe!!). Back to my story...after Stevie E and J left, I had to take Teage to "gyumsticks" (his interpretation of the word...so precious), and I finagled some waaay better photos that day.


He was such a good listener, that he was the only one to receive two stamps that day...I was like "Really??"
Stick it and Stretch....


He has never had a problem with heights...GO TEAGIE!


Saige had homecoming week going on, too. In spite of my own anxiety preparation, the school does a pretty good job of easing the kids and parents into THE Dance of the Fall. Each day of the week, they dress up according to the spirit theme. Tuesday was wacky tacky (she looked neither wacky nor tacky I thought...unless you call 3 necklaces and some leg warmers tacky. I thought it looked like any other trendy person on the street). Wednesday, was PJ day (again, my kid walks downstairs with some black sweat pants and her Oki All Day tee on...not so PJ-ish to me). Thursday, it started to get a little weird. It was "Gender Bender" day. Hmmm....I don't remember that ever being something our school had. Sounds good to me and she took it and RAN!! After scouring her dad's closet for some "boy jeans", she walked into my room looking like this....


I thought "OH NO, bring my daughter back!! I cannot be invaded by all boys up in here!!" All kidding aside, she looked like she finally got the idea of spirit week. Since the boys had to dress up as girls I thought for sure the boys would back down. I mean, how many boys do you know that would hike their skirts up and model the stilettos?? Saige reported that afternoon with pictures to prove that the boys went ALL OUT!! Make-up, midriff shirts, bras, and minis. Far cry from our school days. I was happy to hear it though. It means more and more kids are self confident. LOVE THAT! I guess being a girly girl really is desirable to the male species. I wonder if George wouldn't mind squeezing into a....oh wait this is a Family Blog, not Diane's headspace! Back to the Fam Bam goodness...

I also made my way to a new town this week...Saarbrucken. My Itouch had a brainfart and decided to freeze up and crash on me. When I tried to call tech support, they told me I had to take it in to the nearest Apple provider...which is in Saarbrucken, about 60k away (not that this is breaking news, but the Itouch coded, I gave it mouth to mouth, and it is now doing just fine) Back to the drive...I popped in my trusty Garmin, strapped Teage into his Chico and off we went.

Man, did I say this out loud yet?....this GPS thing is like GOLD!! Who knew the hype was so dead on!! It sends me onto many unknown adventures and I could care less where I end up because home is only a fingerprint away. I have it set for Dr. Nightmare to talk to me sometimes....George sets it to the British heifer Serena. What does that voice have that British Daniel's doesn't...lol! Anyway, I found a mall on the way, some riverboats and of course, tons of food stops. I didn't have the time on a Friday afternoon to visit all these places, but with my steadfast GPS I will be back out on the road again in no time, with camera in tow.

Next up for the week was the middle school's Fall Carnival. I had no hand in the planning of this event, but I was more than happy to help man one of the many game booths. Meet your Bean Bag Toss Maestro (that was for you Farrah)...

The boys had a blast...especially when they got their faces painted. Teage wanted a Batman mask (that is what he is going to be for Halloween)...

and JD requested a skeleton (I beefed him up in the editing room with all the wounds & vampire eyes)!

While I was there chasing after bean bags, I also met someone that lives in my village. She has two smaller kids, but seemed pretty nice. It would be nice to know one of my neighbors I guess. So far the only one I've met is the guy across the street, Axel a.k.a Red "cause I'm a redneck". His words! I've never seen this guy when he wasn't fuming alcohol. However, he does have the up and up when it comes to getting oil and firewood. I'm sure he would have porchtime with me, but I'm not that desperate yet...errr, YET!

Back to homecoming week.....the inevitable occurred on Saturday...the dance!! Saige made her way to the football games that morning while all the men and I did some flea marketing...love it! After that, she came home and napped until 5 so that I could help her get ready. Once my palms stopped sweating, I started doing her hair and makeup. Yeah I said it...makeup. This is not starting on the regular, but for the occasion I thought it was time...plus it was fun for us. Nick and his parents came to pick her up and he had flowers for her (insert "Awwwww"). His parents seemed pretty normal, so that was good. I took more than enough pictures...against Saige's wishes. She looked beautiful, and GROWN!





I cannot believe I am here in this moment in time with her already. She is going to drive the boys wild here, because she is good girl and knows what she wants. Boys are second to her goals and I admire that. It makes waving the nightstick to the boys less necessary.

While she was whooping it up, we killed time by going to our new fave local restaurant, Porbacher Hof. It is literally two minutes away (that's what Garmin said) and is owned by the brother of our landlord's wife. The place is beautifully decorated and the food is off the chizzle...Here's a couple pics I took in there.



A plate of steak and potatoes later, I was on pins and needles to find out how it went...and to see if Nicky tried to pull a fast one on my girl...I'm just sayin'!! She is no wallflower, but boys are boys, and I'll cut one if I have to! George picked them both up and dropped 'the boy' off at home first. I tried to act like I was just chillin' with Teage when she walked in, but I was dying for her to spill her guts! She answered my prayers and was full of stories about dancing with her friends, trying to drag Nick out there, and taking pictures the whole time. She pulled out the camera and said...

S: "Oh, by the way, we did kiss and I took a picture of it".
Me: "Ummm, ok"
S: "It was nothing bad though, just a quick one"
Me: "Well, did he try to put his tongue in your mouth?"....it's a reasonable question, she's not 5 anymore!
S: "MOM....No, Mom. In fact, I'm glad he didn't try because I wasn't ready for that"
Me: ....Breathing again....

Now, I know she has 'kissed' before in Okinawa, but then they broke up and she had said to me "it really should be worth it 'cause you may not last with that person, ya know?" YES I DO & thank you Jesus for figuring that out!! I hope all my kids stay on this path of cause and effect. It's all about "What'd Ya Learn?" But, overall she had fun and that was what mattered.

That's all for now...I'm still looking for the M.I.A foodie pics, I'll let you know when I find them!!

P.S. Did I mention it is flipping freezing here now?? Try a high of 40's and frost on the ground...my boys wear Winter well though, don't they??


Good thing we finally lit this thing....(and yes, I do have a chestnut tree growing in my backyard)!


Tschuss.....

Monday Mortals

So, it's no wonder that my Monday Mortal reincarnation would feature one of my favorite humans on this planet. Steve and his son Jordan came in yesterday and we have already been having a blast. Wine, beer, jokes, stories, some hot peppers, Jackie Moon and Deter Dell so far. We tooled around a bit today looking for turkish tacos and fuel rations. We went 1 for 2. Needless to say, I ate good! But, here's my buddy and his Park Export...


I will have a more in-depth post later this week about the whole visit.

Thought for the day...

Just when you think the past is better left in the past, it re-visits and reminds you of your fondest memories...

My Internet Obsession is in Rehab!

I HAD to write something....

Even though I STILL don't have the "world wide web" at my fingertips, it doesn't mean I won't go to extreme lengths to check my email and online banking....ok and facebook! I ahve only a few miutes here at the Pizza Gallerie until I have to take JD for a haircut and pick up Saige from softball. So anyway, things are good. JD and Saige are making all A's in school so far. PHEW!! Saige has already had a couple suitors ring her bell, but only one made it through the door....Ncik is his name and it seems he is a nice BOY. I emphasize that because that is what he is. And we are making sure they both know that. He asked her to homecoming and she said yes after asking me if was ok. We have already searched for dresses, but she wasn't thrilled with any. So she has decided to wear one that I bought a few months back that she hasn't worn yet. MAN...time flies. MAKE IT STOP!!

We have almost finished painting the inside of the house. ...when I say we I mean George. We have only the kids' rooms left :o) It has all turned out sooooo good! I will take pics of it all when it is complete.

This weekend we are preparing for our buddy Steve Elle and his son Jordan to come over for a visit. We are all so excited to hang out and reminisce. Good Times will ensue with them and the Roberts' WOOT WOOT!!! Other than that, George goes to work Monday (his boss is a civilian, so that is different). Some of the military people are jerks so I've seen. All around the attitudes of people are nothing like that of Okinawa. I can't understand why people have to be so miserable. It boggles me. From the drive thru person to the E-8's and 9's.....one big pissy bowl of cornflakes. Oh well, I guess they will just love me and my need to whoop it up and have fun. Can't wait for the first function to spread my infectious disease LOL!!! More on that later I'm sure....

Anyway, I just wanted to give you guys a lil update. I am determined to my computers up and running soon so that things can get back to normal (my kind of normal). Hope all is well in the cyberworld and will be in touch soon....

Auf Wiedersehen!!!!

Bon Voyage...June

The time has come and we said goodbye to our friend & Bn Cdr, Steve L...for the record, the air around here feels a little heavy! I am gonna miss his crazy self and his son, Jordan. We sent him off the right way though, doing what we now call his new passion...karaoke! It was fun and sad at the same time. We all did a tribute to Michael (I soloed one of my all time faves, Man in the Mirror). This is how we left it...P.S. I love the smile on his face!!



In other news, I think we are finally going to get orders soon. This means dates will be figured out...I know I've said it before, but I really do think it will happen this time! I am trying to stay positive even IF the Navy Hospital and their liaisons are uneducated slackers. But, it's all good because I have half of my foot in their "you know whats" as we speak. Sooooo....SWEET! I am already getting prepared for life in Germany. I bought Teage some cutie rain boots (everyone has them over here, but I didn't quite think it was that necessary in Oki since all they do is make your feet hot and Lord knows it is hot enough here). BUT, Germany is another story. Black ice and rain and snow...yeah, it's time to bust out the rain boots. Most of you know my disdain for frogs, but these made the cut because they don't actually look like REAL frogs (which again if you know me, you know I am freaked out by only real-looking frogs, not the fake-cartoony ones).

*my reaction would go far and beyond this broad's*

They're just all WRONG! I had to seriously look away when I uploaded this MASTY picture (as my nephew GJ would say)...

However, Keroppi rainboots are harmless. Check out his new kicks...


JD got bright yellow ones and I am still on the hunt for mine and Saige's because you know they gotta be really cute for us to wear them. I wonder if George would mind the bright blue ones w/stars I saw yesterday...hmmmmm!!

We hit up the pool this past week as well. Teage was so cute. He loves the water and all he kept yelling was "I gotta kick Mommy, WATCH"! Saige took our fun pool pic...


Loved it...I think I saw JD once when he was going down the slide. He loves to hide out in the corner and explore. Saige saw her friends there and decided she would just hang BY the pool instead of get in. Besides she says she doesn't like to show off her body (Thank You Jesus)!

This week we are heading off to the beaches to take some 4th of July photos of the kids (and us, too I guess). That should be fun.

What'd you think of theme days on the blog this week? I think it will be a fun addition and it gives me more opportunities to be on the lookout for the next best photo op. I am in the market to get a better lens for the Canon already. I need more zoom and this ones not cuttin' it. I guess we all gotta have a hobby to invest in, don't we?? OK that's all I gots...peace out friendlies!!

Fam Bam Brief

I have been avoiding the blog ever since my Internet went out, because now I have a pile of things to catch everyone up on. Sooo...get comfy, grab a lemonade, and let the adventure begin LOL!

Well, as I said said, the Internet people BLOW and left us without the ability to reach out and touch someone. Now while in some aspects it was nice, being out of the loop and expanding my time for other important things, I felt like a prisoner not being able to connect with my peeps. Anyway, it wasn't that dramatic...just annoying!

During all of that, Army week on Okinawa was taking place. It's basically a week of competitions (dodgeball, chariot race, relay races, military drills, basketball, etc). It kicks off with a BBQ at the beach and so we all went and the kids finally got out their swimsuits and had some waterplay.

Teage was too cold at first to get wet....until we got to the actual beach and then he was ready to go diving in. Most of the people who know me know that I do not like play guns...any kind. Water guns are flirting with the line with me even and so this is the look he gave me when I told him to give me the gun...what a riot. (I let him keep playing with it since we were actually in the water)...


Capping off the week, George and I went to the 234th annual Army Ball and it was.....umm OK. It doesn't even come close to comparing to last year's, all my girls have left since so it was me and the dance floor when the electric slide came on. I mean there are some ladies here I like, but in all reality, not the same! Our battery on the camera died about 45 minutes in and so we had one picture of us that someone across the table took and he obviously doesn't know how to focus a camera :o). But, I heard there was someone near us that was snapping pics and I am in the process of harassing her to give em up :o) So some of those might show up in a later blog. Here is what we had..

Out in the lobby of the Ball they had giant posters on stands of various Army happenings and right there by the entrance to the bathroom (which gets tons of traffic HA HA), was my hubby in the chariot race that week. He helped win 3 events...go BOY!!

Also, we ended the school year and it was pretty emotional. My big kids are getting bigger and I'm not sure if I can handle this growing up thing. JD had his little graduation ceremony and it was awesome.


He had a grin from ear to ear the whole time. He was excited to show off his progress into middle school. I, however, was the blubbering mom in the front. He has come such a LONG way with school and we were so proud of him. They sang "World's Greatest" as a class (insert tears) and then JD was one of the chosen to announce and give a bio on a guest speaker. He did absolutely perfect. Everyone after was saying how he was the most clear with his speech and pronunciation. The funniest was that he was too short for us to really see him over the podium. It was so cute. He didn't care though and worked it!!

He received the Presidential Award for Academic Achievement...the only one in his class. He was astounded when he saw that it came with a letter from Barack Obama. He said "Mom, I got a letter from Barack Obama!!". You should have seen his face....

JD and his Teacher...Mrs Shobe!

Well, since it was a crying morning, why not make it a boo hoo night. That same night, LTC Elle had his farewell roast/dinner. We are gonna miss him greatly, but I know we will always keep in touch. He really changed the morale of the Battalion and made everyone feel like a Family. Our hat's off to him and all he has accomplished being here...I presented him with a photo book of his reign in Command and said a few words. And yes, I cried some more...

George went up and his shop presented him with a Taiko Drum. He told the story of the "nice haircut"...FUNNY!

Next thing on the agenda was Saige's birthday. The weather's been crappy here and not ideal when you want to do a get together with friends at the beach. So we decided to put the party off til later this week. Instead, we went to Round One (like a Dave and Buster's I think). One entrance fee and you can do everything. Outdoor stuff, arcades, roller skate, climbing thingys, karaoke...) It was a blast and I think she enjoyed it. Plus, her ex-boyfriend was there (he still wants to go out with her, but she had to 'let him go' because he didn't believe something she said...she has such a stronger personality than I ever did at that age and I LOVE it). She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to let go of a boy at the same time. Crucial I tell ya...what a fabulous young lady she is growing up to be. I am really proud of her. 9th grade just might kill me, but I know she is ready to handle it and can. God Love Her...


So here's fun times...


Oh, so all the rave in Japan are the sticky pictures booths. Saige goes at least once a week with her friends. They take 6 different poses of you and you can decorate, write on them, and flair them all up. Once you have done that, they print off a sheet of the pics as stickers to put on your locker, or phone, or binders, or in your room...I'm telling you they are the next best thing since sliced bread Saige says. So we decided to jump into one and do a Family sheet. (It's really strange that it is all in Japanese and Saige knows what every button means...)


We couldn't forget the cake and presents though...she loved the gifts from everyone. Thanks to Grandma, Grandpa, Popo, U Alex and A Rhea for the presents from afar. We hooked her up with money for her savings acct this year. She is too hard to shop for, and besides she has so much already...

The cake request was simple...her favorite: butter yellow with milk chocolate icing

Teage thought it was his birthday again and wanted to blow out the candles. Saige wasn't having it :o)
HAPPY 14th Saigie Baby!!!

Isla Fam Bam OUT....