At least the Plum Blossoms were pretty

So Everyone hears about the cherry blossoms blooming in Japan.  Beautiful, relaxing, peaceful, blah blah blah.
  What they don't mention are the Plum Blossoms.  They are so pretty and everywhere and very unique looking and have their own festival.  Best of all I actually get to see them!   I have waited so long to go to DC and see the cherry blossoms and then made it to Japan first and now it seems I will not be seeing them still.  Next year I will see them.  Oh yes, I Will See Them.

The news as of now is that "voluntary  departure" has been authorized.  That means that the Navy will be evacuating departing non-essential civilians.  First go the military families then the DOD Families.  I am not sure how long it will take to get anywhere, one to five days?  I am also not sure where they are sending us to, but it is a 30 day min. evacuation departure.   I was thinking of enrolling Alexandra in a first grade somewhere, but now I think I may just homeschool her for a month or two.  That way we can take advantage of the unscheduled time stateside to visit both sides of the family.

Have I mentioned that the navy can run a war but not an evacuation.  Maybe that is a good sign, maybe it means we don't retreat much.  Either way I am disappointed and my confidence shaken.  Not that I ever counted on The Man to fully protect us, but it would be nice if The Man could make up His mind and #### or get off the pot.  (Sorry for the #### just a bit frustrated).  I understand that the sailors and the ships and then the relief mission are top priority.  That is as it should be, but a nice little "we assessed the situation and you are currently safe.  We will start our relief mission and then work on the base issues" would have been nice and gone a long way towards keeping the shrieking housewives happy.  What do you expect the wives to do when there is no information except what is seen on the news (when we can understand it) and there are young children at home and husbands leaving with very limited warning.  The Navy wives are used to that last part, but usually the threat to the family is not there...except ya know the typhoon in October and that whole N. vs S. Korea stand off...but still.

So we hang out inside, bags packed and waiting.  I just saw on Facebook that they are changing bag limits to 50 lbs for an adult and 30lbs for kids, but only if you are going to a specific airport.  So I would like to know...do you really expect me to repack and remove things and just how am I suppose to know what airport you are sending me too if you don't tell me squat???

Jon we be in Japan at least through Monday and then he does not know what to expect: perhaps a trip to south Japan, perhaps stay here and catch up on paperwork, perhaps a jump across the drink to the west coast. He is super-important so he gets to stay and be irradiated for a bit longer at least.  Lucky boy!  I'm glad we have skype though.  You old people had it hard with the letter writing and phone numbers with city names in them, good songs though...no offense of course:-) really!)  Man, now Pennsylvania 6-5000 is in my head...punishment for the above I suppose.  Sorry.  We are lucky to have all this technology (hmm but that does include nuc. plants a whole different blog)

Me, 2 Kids, 1 Baby, stroller, carseat, 3 checked bags, 5 carry-ons....Its an Adventure.  Perhaps we will see Korea or Germany or Washington State who knows a hanger in Bahrain?  Well, that may be unlikely.  What other disasters are waiting for us...I don't know if I can stand the excitement.  I 'm gonna go knock on some wood now.

tootles