Today is another day in the healing of my broken foot saga. It seems a never-ending recovery process, and I just want it to be all better - NOW! I take my time up and down the stairs, but I'm hopelessly impatient. I generally find it impolite to go on at too great a length about one's own aches and pains but I feel as though I need to document this publicly as part of documenting my life (I think).
Here is where the break is:
Looking at the picture you'll see the very tip of the 5th medatarsal bone (toward the middle of the foot) just where it meets the cuboid bone; this is where the break is. It is tecnically a toe-bone, and I broke a piece of it off, as well as cracking it somewhat. I rolled my entire foot, so all the toes were black and blue, and are only now starting to feel somewhat normal.
I must say, however, that it is wonderful to have my husband home! A few weeks of crutches, a two-story house, and trying to take care of myself, was no small feat! I did it though, with the help of a few friends and the love of my wonderful dog, Sherman. He was, and is, my constant companion.

7 Ways to show your committment to your spouse!

Go to a place that holds special memories for both of you and talk about the following commitments, or make a new special place, and promise to:

• Never publicly hurt each other.
• To protect each other's reputation and feelings .
• To be faithful emotionally and sexually .
• To keep promises .
• To be honest .
• To never threaten divorce .
• To love each other all through your lives
• Never throw trantrums!

... speaking of tantrums...

Using Time-Outs

Most of us know that when kids are somewhere between 2 to 3 years old, they are also ready for a fairly new concept to them - the Time-Out! Time-outs work like this: When your child misbehaves, for every year of her age, she gets one minute to sit quietly in a chair or in her room to calm herself down (for example, a 3-year-old gets three minutes). She gets up when you say so, or the bell goes off on the timer and time-out is over.
Of course, every child is different, and no one discipline method will work all the time. Our role during this phase is to teach our children to make choices, to teach them to grow up as dependable, highly functioning people, right? But the more practice you get working it out, and the more your child understands boundaries, the happier everyone will be. Most young children have temper tantrums at some point. There are three basic reasons: one, she is tired, sick or she is overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness and frustration, and these feelings can't be held in any longer; two, she's angry because you didn't give in to her and she wants to be independent and have her own way; and three, she's trying to get your attention because she feels left out, ignored or lonely.

With this in mind, it might not be a bad idea that when I misbehave (extended temper tantrum phase), should I not sit quietly in a chair or in my room and set a timer for 50 minutes to calm myself down? (Hmmmm ... this could be profound!)

Ten Things to Never Say to Your Spouse

• What's wrong with you?
• I wish you were more like__________.
• All you ever do is complain.
• I can never make you happy.
• What did you expect?
• Don't you think you got what you deserve?
• You're lazy. All you do is__________.
• You're irresponsible.
• You're just like __________. (your mother, father, sister, etc.)
• I don't know why I put up with you.

Happy Birthday, Jess!
It's March 3rd here in Japan, but in America it's March 2nd ... a very special day for the Pelikan family. Or now32 year-old son, Jesse, was born on this day, and the Phil Pelikan family began! He has a family of his own now(pictured here with his new baby girl, Misha), and we are so proud of him, but especially today! We honor him~

Today in Japan it's girls day, Hina Matsuri, or Girls' Day Festival, which is held every year on March 3rd as a celebration of spring, when the ornamental peach trees are in bloom. Traditionally, the dolls have been given to a girl on the occasion of her first "Hina Matsuri" by relatives and close friends. They are often passed from mother to daughter as family heirlooms.
Karis received her first doll when she was here in Japan for her first Hina Matsuri, by our very dear friend Satchiko Young. Now that we have this precious new addition to our family, she will need her own doll too!