Konnichiwa Okinawa!

So I'm finally getting around to blogging about our arrival here in Okinawa. I wish I could say that I took a bunch of pictures while traveling here but I cannot.  I can say that our trip involved lugging tons of checked bagged, carry-on luggage and an almost two-year-old child from our hotel at 6:00 a.m. to the airport in St. Louis, Missouri.  Of course, we arrived super early as recommended and breezed right through check-in despite traveling on military orders and security despite having a crazy child in tow.  We then waited forever for our flight to Chicago.  Finally, we boarded the plane and traveled the very short trip to Chicago.  Wonderful.  Of course not!

We get to Chicago and of course, I should know better than to be confident about how this is all going because from my experience, flights out of O'Hare always have a short layover and you have to run all the way across the airport with little time to even use the restroom and practically want to kill yourself for bringing so many carry-on bags. But thankfully, we made it in time to get on the plane to Tokyo.  Unfortunately though, we had to walk past these lovely business class seats that allow the passenger to lay down and sleep during the flight and on to the cramped, crunched together economy seats available for us to sit in.  Technically, they aren't any different than any other flight I have ever taken but having never flown 12+ hours at a stretch, I couldn't imagine doing it in these seats.  My husband has however done this before multiple times and lived to tell so I figured I could suck it up and do it.  For once, I'm cursing the government for not spending more money!

Frankly, it went well.  Our daughter napped a couple of times and only cried a bit.  She did kick the seat in front of her a few times but we did our best to control that and no one complained although the lady sitting there did jokingly offer me a Xanax for our little darling before the flight took off.  Being a responsible parent and an RN, I declined. Anyway, we did our best to entertain ourselves by watching the movies offered on the plane (Dinner for Schmucks was a waste of time) and watching Mad Men on the iPad.  I made sure to walk around to avoid blood clots and yelled at my husband to do so also.  We had a couple of really nice flight attendants who were very helpful with keeping our daughter happy throughout the flight.

Finally, we arrived in Tokyo at Narita Airport.  We had a three hour layover at that airport but most of the time was spent collecting our luggage, going through Immigration and Customs and then checking in with the airline taking us to Okinawa.  This is where I really started to notice the difference between the US and Japan.  Everyone at the airport is friendly and helpful.  The level of customer service is amazing considering I am used to encountering people that would rather do anything but help a customer.  Long story short, we finally did get on the plane and our daughter had a meltdown.  It was too good to be true to think we could travel that far without it happening.  Thanks to the iPad, I threw on a Mickey Mouse video and entertained her for a few minutes before my husband, child and I zonked out and slept through the whole three hour flight.  I remember taking off and landing and that is it.  When I woke up, I was holding my daughter who was awake and holding a cute little book and airplane given to her by the flight attendants.  Of course, the book is in Japanese and it was then that it hit me that we are now in a new country with absolutely no clue about how to read or speak the language.  I was starting to get a bit nervous.

We finally did collect our luggage and met my husband's sponsor (although we really didn't meet him, we knew him from a few years ago when he and my husband were stationed together) and he drove us from the airport to our temporary living quarters.  Even though I was dead tired, I spent the whole ride looking out the window at the signs mostly in Japanese with a few English words thrown in there to give me a clue.  Mostly I saw restaurants, casinos, car dealerships and hotels.  I have to admit I was excited but still nervous and almost dreading this new experience all at the same time.  But the dread didn't last long and by the next morning, dog tired from the time change and confused about when to sleep, I met our new adventure with nothing but acceptance and anticipation of what is to come.

Baby Having Fun

Since I have been busy with moving and will continue to be busy for the next few weeks, I'm trying to catch up on some blogging I have wanted to do.  It is already the end of October and I have pictures from months ago to share. 

During Labor Day weekend we took a trip to the St. Louis Zoo.  Last time we tried to visit the zoo with the little one, she was sick and ended up in the hospital.  But all was well and we had a great time.  The above picture is our daughter coming through a tree trunk tunnel at the zoo.  True to St. Louis, it was hot and humid!!!!  Despite that, she was loving it. 

We did meet up with our friends and their kids. Here is a picture of our daughter and their son, Matthew.  They are best buddies!  It is going to be very sad when we move and they no longer get to see each other.

And how could I leave out this picture???  We went to Wo Zha Wa Days in Wisconsin Dells.  This is a craft/flea market/parade event that lasts three days.  We went on Friday to the flea market and walked around to all of the little shops.  My husband bought our daughter a lollipop in one of the candy stores.  It is one of those things I would have wanted when I was a child and my parents would never have given me. Of course, she made a huge mess with it and didn't eat even half of it but she liked it and was happy.



Vintage View: Part Two

We have arrived on the beautiful island of Okinawa, Japan but until I have some photos to share I thought I would hold off on blogging about it. Until then, more vintage treasures from my kitchen...

I love vintage glasses.  Obviously.  I have quite a few (some not pictured) and actually use these to drink out of everyday.  While I would love to have everything vintage and sit unused and perfect, I cannot.  We use most stuff so everyday wear and tear occurs.  In fact, breakage happens too which is why my husband doesn't use these very often.  He also doesn't like that they are so small.  Because we live in 2010, we have been brainwashed into thinking everything needs to be supersized and while most of these fit only an 8 ounce serving of milk, it just isn't enough for my husband.  I will mention that while packing, I did give away my remaining collection of the two on the right.  I used to have tons of these (regular size and juice glasses) that my husband kindly bought me at the St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church annual rummage (yes, I said rummage) sale for $2.00.  We lived across from that church for a few years in Belleville, Illinois and it was a great sale each year.  We started out with a big box full.  Over the years, many of the larger glasses broke and I now only have a few of those and a ton of juice glasses remaining.  So, in the effort to pare down, I donated those to the local thrift shop.  The rest of them came from my mom or I purchased them at thrift shops.

These are another favorite of mine.  My pink and black metal canisters.  These are pink, not copper colored. They are worn as in some of the black paint labeling them as "flour, sugar, coffee and tea" has flaked off and a couple of the tops are missing some of the paint around the knob but they are still very nice.  I do use these for my flour, granulated sugar and powdered sugar. I had someone come to my house once and get all excited when they saw these because his grandma had the same set. Again, my mom gave me these.  My mom is quite the thrifter and she finds really great vintage stuff for me.

Here are a couple of my fish chalkware on the kitchen wall.  I have another set of pink, white and black ones that I bought to match the pink tile bathroom in our last house but I didn't have them up anywhere in our current house so I didn't photograph them.  I picked these up very cheaply at a thrift shop and hung them up quickly on some nails already present when we moved in.  I didn't really intend for them to stay there but they have.

Also featured is a vintage cookie jar my mom gave me for Christmas one year.  It has different colored circles scattered around the base.  This is my favorite side.  And another gift from my mom, a plaid metal lunchbox that is in great shape.  It has the original label on the inside too.  And last but not least, some vintage Pyrex refrigerator dishes. More Pyrex to come...

It has finally arrived...well almost

Tomorrow, bright and early, we have to be at the airport for our flight to Japan. It has been a whirlwind few weeks and the time has come for final goodbyes and last minute preparation. Today has been tiring and emotionally draining. Maybe I will post once more before we leave.

Are You Ready for Some Football???

I am! Lambeau Field, here I come! I will update later with the winning Packer score...stay tuned!

ETA: The Packers did win but it was close and a crazy game! Final score was Packers 28, Lions 26. The last time I saw a Packer game at Lambeau, it was something like 10 below zero. This time it was, according to the screen at the game, 55 degrees but incredibly sunny with few clouds so it was hot! I forgot the sd card for the camera at the game (sorry husband!)so I only have cell phone pics. If I ever connect my phone to the computer, I will post a couple. It was fun and something we won't do for the next few years.

Vintage View: Part One

Because we are moving to a significantly smaller house, I packed my vintage kitchen (and other) wares away to be stored at my parents' house while I am gone. I'm also worried they could be damaged in transport and are not easily replaced so I want them in a safe place while we live it up in Okinawa.  Prior to packing, I took some photos.  I will use the next few posts to highlight some of the stuff that I love.  Be warned that not all things are fabulous and not all are that old or are worth anything but they are things I love and will want to look at again during the next few years.  Here are a few:

Mikasa Mediterrania and Duplex bowls, dinner plates, salad plates, serving bowl, and coffee cups with their matching plates in the Petals design. I also packed up the matching cream and sugar containers too. I have an extra cream container but don't care because I love it.  I didn't photograph the whole set because I have a lot of it. 

My mom and I found this set in a thrift shop in Friendship, Wisconsin.  It was in a box labeled everything for $20.  I had to have it.  My mom bought it for me and I didn't even have a house or apartment yet.  I have had this now for about 10 or 11 years.  I still love it.  My husband has to suffer through it but he will manage.  He has for 9 years and will for many more. I have picked up a couple of matching pieces on ebay but most people want a fortune so that doesn't happen very often. I honestly do not know what year this is from and I really don't care.  It is gorgeous and I plan on using it for years to come.

Our House is Empty!

After a long and exhausting week sorting through our house and resorting daily after each group of movers came, packed and went, our house is totally empty and clean. We also fired our old, useless realtor and hired a new, highly motivated one. I have hopes it might actually sell or at least rent in the next month. Now it is just three weeks of visiting Wisconsin, traveling and saying our goodbyes at Ft. Wood. Then, Okinawa here we come!