Well, Technically 15 Hours Forward Now...

We don't observe daylight savings time in Guam, because we're too near the equator. We average around 12 hours of day and night all year long. But, North America observing DST means we (I) have to recalculate when live sporting events will be shown "Guam time". Usually that means early early in the morning.

Speaking of early mornings, our friend Stuart invited me to a 5K run today down at Tumon Bay (about 35 minutes from where we live). I said OK, so long as I'd be back home by 09:00 am to watch Texas A&M play football. They weren't televised (on Guam), but I was able to watch them online which works out alright. It's no hi-def on a 50" screen, but what can you do?

Anyways, turns out I had to leave the house at 04:30 am to get to Tumon in time for the race. Wow, if I'd have known it was that early, I may have skipped it. But, I made it, ran the run, got my t-shirt and made it home and showered by 08:00 am. Sam took the girls to church, and I got to make a fool of myself shouting at the computer screen for 3 hours. But, they won, so it's all good! Congrats to the team because they beat #8 Oklahoma, whom the Aggies hadn't beaten since 2002. Whoooop!

This evening, Sam and I went on a local date night (that means we stayed on base) that consisted of dinner at Molly McGee's (we split potato skins, a salad, and a burger) then a 07:00 pm movie "The Expendables". Wow, talk about over the top, gratuitous violence. Sam picked it, by the way. I slept through a lot of it, but I don't think I missed any key story-line plot twists or anything.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

-Kevin

So, Saturday after a day off Friday-

You would think it would mean a lot got done around here- ya, not so much.

I guess lots of stuff got done, just not necessarily what I would put down as "priority".

Tarza water park yesterday was apparently a lot of fun. The girls got to hang out with the Thorntons. Just looking now, if my eyes aren't deceiving me- looking at the above photo, I believe the suit Maddy is wearing under that dress is a bikini.... Huh, I'll be talking to her and Kevin about that..... but moving on....
Great water slides and great friends made for a happy afternoon yesterday for the Gillam girls.

Today-
Kevin still messing with what was his broken down computer, which is now his working fine computer- with lots of tweaking left to do.
Somehow, the girls and I dove into the huge project of removing and reorganizing toys. The funny part was having them decide to get rid of something because they are too old for it and then saying "can we just play with it one more time...." Really cute, but didn't do much to speed the process up- just sayin'.
After all toys were sincerely and completely gone through and many eliminated, the girls decided to reward themselves by buying one Zhu Zhu pet each.
I didn't want to point out the irony of removing many toys, and then the reward for that being spending their own money on another toy. Wait, is that irony? I always mix that up..... Either way, they have been wanting these things forever and they did a GREAT job going through their stuff, so I caved and took them to the one joyful store on island- Twinkles! God love it, so much happiness there....... mostly because it is "it"- the only toy/Japanese merchandise store here.
So these are the Zhu Zhu s. Cute, fluffy and they run around on the floor.
I'll admit, they are different little guys. They make these scurrying noises as they go- and if they fall over its an "awwwww" sound that they make.

So closets have been pared down nicely, all Halloween decorations officially put away, Zhu Zhu pets purchased, and Thai food was had by Kevin and I for supper while the girls were at swim practice........ nice productive but relaxing day. Won't complain about the laundry and cleaning not done- I'll just enjoy all that was done :)

The weekend ahead....

Since the majority of this family started their weekend early with a Friday off, then I am going to guess that their weekend ahead is looking pretty sweet right about now. Actually, my weekend started a bit early too, yes I had to work today but Kevin had the girls out in town so went straight to swimming from there. Yup, night off for me!

On the big day off, Kevin and the girls went with the Thorntons to a water park- and since my camera is missing I am going to assume you will be seeing photos of it in tomorrow's blog.

Saturday should be the usual double swim, catch-up housework day. Sunday looks to be church in the morning, scrapping in the afternoon (with Melda of course!) and date night in the evening (with Kevin of course!).

Thats your brief overview- I am sure to be giving you the details as the weekend ahead unfolds.....

Thursday

So yet another week in November where the girls don't have school all five days! You should see the calendar this month for them- it looks like someone forgot to fill it out...... seriously a lot of time off. Kevin will once again be taking the hit (ya, poor him with the three day weekend...) and will be home with the girls. Sigh.

I guess I have Nov. 11 to look forward to- at least we are all off together that day. Not sure what Kevin has planned for the girls..... I am sure that I will get a complete run down when I get home from work. Good or bad, I always here how things went- that is one benefit of having girls.... they always seem willing to chat.

I would like to say a happy "gotcha day" to Michael!

We sure are glad that you got "got" Michael..... we love having in our lives :)

It ain't gonna happen....

Too overdone tonight- will write tomorrow :)

But I really do want to make sure I say- Happy Birthday Grandpa!

I love you and miss you terribly. Grandma, be sure to give Bill a hug and kiss from me. Love you Grandpa!

All Soul's Day

The cemeteries and Catholic churches were packed today-just makes a Baptist girl feel so guilty to be off work!

If it makes you feel any better, I got nothing productive done on this Catholic holiday. I did have a dentist appointment which is kinda like penance...

I was productive only in one area..... I scrapbooked! Yes that is right- I am officially out of my two year no scrappin' slump and back on my game! I finished my Disney album today.....
.... from the year two thousand and ...... Wait, what is this blank page?
Oh no! I don't know what year this Disney album is from! Barb help! I need to do my cover page..... what year is this?

Yes, it is beyond sad when you are so far behind on your photo organizing when you don't even remember what year you are on...... just sayin'.

Guess I am not done my Disney album after all.

Flu shot day.

Though not really flu "shot". It was the nasal mist. They set up an after school clinic in the cafeteria.

Definitely not the school shot day from when I was a kid. I can distinctly remember lining up with all the other students and it was a SHOT- in the arm, oh no, wow that hurt, try not to cry-SHOT.
I usually don't do immunizations that aren't mandatory. We never did a flu anything until we moved here. But I gotta say- I fear Guam "bugs" far more than the chemicals introduced into my girls. This island has a lot of sickness on it- you combine the tourist factor with the island/containment factor and you have a trapped cesspool of microorganisms waiting to find a host.... thus the flu immunization the last two years.

Point in case:
... this is the lid to one of our pumpkins that we carved literally 48 hours ago.

Oh ya, microorganisms LOVE Guam.

Off tomorrow- again I say God bless All Souls Day- too bad I have to start a fun day off with a dental appointment :(