Neglect

I was doing so good about updating the blog....and then we went to Japan.  I still haven't gotten all of the photos loaded.  As soon as we got back I started flying all over the country and Lee has been working really long hours.  I will get all the photos up this week {I'm trying to reassure myself}.  I don't travel this week so it should be easy!  Lee and I are going to get back into our nightly walk/run routine, and have planned to cook dinner every night in preparation for the Easter gluttony that will ensue next weekend!  Currently, Lee is walking around the house getting mad at the light bulbs.  A bunch of them went out within days of each other and he's out of replacements {it is really funny to hear him...."Haley there is ANOTHER one!"} so has to hit Lowe's.  I guess ~3 years is all they can take.  WOW, we've almost had our house for 3 years.  We're getting OLD!

Well, the most exciting news right now in our lives is probably what I should have started with.  Lee and I are going to get a baby.  Notice I said get and not "have" or "adopt."  We found a french bulldog breeder close to DFW that has come down on their prices {one positive aspect of the recession} and she has the most BEAUTIFUL frenchie babies.  We're trying to decide on a name {Lee thinks we should get a book for that} and some of the front runners are: Lulabelle {Lulu}, Dakota, Rosanne {Rosie}, Scarlet, and Addison.  We've also thrown around Marilyn, Goldie, and Lorelai but we'll see.  I'm betting we'll know what to name her when we meet.  We've really just started the process and she's probably still just a puppy fetus {is that what you call them?} but we're oh so excited!

Well, that is all I've got for now.  If you have any suggestions for a name send them our way!  Japan pictures THIS WEEK!!!!

A Little Bit of Japan

From Japan III

These little outfits had prayers written on the back and were left at the shrine.

From Japan III

Me and Lee at the entrance of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. There are THOUSANDS of torii (gates) that you walk through. You may recognize it from the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha.

From Japan III

So here is what we witnessed: a person places money in the receptable, pulls the rope to ring a bell three times, and then claps twice, bows, and the ceremony is complete.

From Japan III

Shelley

We felt like this a lot; the train stations had some English, but everwhere else was Japanese only!

From Japan III

The torii were HUGE!

From Japan III

Lee thought this sign meant to drink the water and drink it he did. The sign DOES NOT ask you to drink the water, but rather to wash your mouth and hands. I vomitted a little in my mouth when I realized he drank water that TONS of people have washed their hands in...gross. Poor Lee!

From Japan III

Demonstrating how to properly wash my hands.

Lee and I had a blast and are finally jet-lag free. I've been uploading pictures to Picasa like a crazy woman, but it keeps timing out so I'll have to figure things out when I get home (I'm in Chicago). We had such a blast in Japan. We saw all sorts of things and really enjoyed such a different culture. We agree that some of the best things about Japan are:

1. Heated toilet sets (everywhere)

2. Everything is clean

3. All food is displayed in plastic form outside the establishment in a glass case

4. The food - it was all delicious even though we had NO idea of what we were eating >50% of the time

5. The culture - everyone was exceptionally nice, didn't get frustrated at the fact that we could only say "thank you" in Japanese, and it was fun to learn about their customs and country

6. Most importantly, Shelley lives there and we got to see her (Adam was on a ship so we didn't get to see him)

I'll post more later....lots to share!

We're BAAAACCCCKKK!!

I'll post some pics soon.  I avoided jet lag in Japan and it has set in now.  UGH.  Lee got it in Japan and here.  I'm usually such a champion sleeper...why?!?  Any suggestions?  We've been up since 330am and are trying desperately to make it to 9pm tonight before passing out.

Here is one picture....we're in front of the Golden temple.  I'll get the formal name when the jet lag subsides.

Konichiwa

We're in Japan!!!

JAPAN

Lee and I leave tomorrow for Japan.  We packed tonight in less than two hours and have the next week and a half to have fun seeing as much as we can with Shelley!

I probably won't post from Japan, so expect lots of pictures when we get back!

Always,

Haley