Meredith Saves the Day.

I just love my friend and co-photographer Meredith. We're very much alike, and she is now dealing with 1 and 3-year-old boys while hubby's away with the MEU all by herself. And they are energetic little climbers, divers, adventurers - what have you. She always has the best stories, and she is always thinking of others - despite her current exhausting single parenthood.

Several weeks ago, I posted a question on a group forum recently (a bunch of people who work on the Okinawa Hai! website together) as to whether anyone knew where to find malt syrup. My neighbor is a baker and makes bagels - and one ingredient is malt syrup - made from barley. It's kind of a specialty store item, and I thought I'd see if anyone had a clue if they sell it here.

The next time I saw Meredith she said, "Here ya go, maple syrup."
"Oh... did you read that I wrote maple syrup? I said malt syrup. I'm quite certain I could find maple syrup at the commissary, just like you probably did."
"Of course you did. No. I didn't realize that. But please, take the maple syrup."
"What? You don't eat pancakes?"
"No... my kids don't eat pancakes." Ok - that statement needs a whole post by itself because I have NEVER heard of a kid who doesn't like a giant sweet doughy pancake... but I digress.

Now realize that for this story to REALLY work, you have to have the previous part happen 3 weeks ago - have forgotten it - and then have the next part happen.

So on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Craig schlepped across base with Mia to pick up our turkey. There was a strike going on that day - the Japanese workers on American military bases were striking to protest pay cuts. This meant that when Craig arrived at the Popeye's, ONLY the drive-thru was open. We were one of MANNNNYYYY people who ordered turkeys from Popeye's. The line was down the street. Craig was not happy. And he had planned to take Mia to Burger King for dinner that night too (yeah yeah - keep judging me for the healthy meals my kid eats - but she actually eats broccoli now! So shut your cake hole.) which was also closed and had a big drive-thru line. So after he called me to complain and moan about the wait and how hungry they were, and how we're NEVER doing this again because OH MY GOD I'MGOINGTOBEHEREALLNIGHT!!!! (translation - he was in line for 20 minutes)

So on his way back to the house he called, and said, "I just promised Mia breakfast for dinner, ok?"
"Ok - fine, I even have some bacon!" (I know I know, again with the health food, shush.)

They arrived and as I began pancake prep I realized I had only 1 cup of Bisquick left. ARGH. And with the strike and it being the day before Thanksgiving, I was NOT headed back on base to wait in line at the zoo that was once the commissary.

Craig says, "that's fine... I'll have cereal." UGH. No, dangit, you said you were eating pancakes, and I'm making a half-batch for you & Mia and I'll eat something else. And you'll like it. FINE.

I make the pancakes...fabulous. Plenty for hungry hubby & Mia. I make bacon - delicious traif.

As I'm plating up and Craig is putting out some drinks, he pulls out the bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's. "Is this all that's left?" I whip around to see 3/4" left in the bottle. AAAAARGH!! For the love of Pete, what is going ON!? Again, "It's ok - I'll just eat cereal and I'll eat those some other time, put them in the fridge."

"NO YOU WILL NOT. YOU WILL HAVE THE PANCAKES I MADE BECAUSE TOMORROW IS THANKSGIVING AND SO YOU WON'T EAT THEM AND THEN BY THE TIME I GO BUY SYRUP YOU'LL SAY THEY'RE NOT GOOD ANYMORE SO I'M GOING TO GET SYRUP IN TOWN AT THE STORE BECAUSE I'M SURE JAPANESE PEOPLE OCCASIONALLY EAT PANCAKES!!!!" Yes. I was caps-lock mad and throwing on a jacket and shoes and grabbing keys as I stifled 4-letter words.

As I swung the front door open to get fresh air & a drive to the Kanehide (grocery store) overwith - I suddenly whirled around and opened the refrigerator. "We have maple syrup!!"
"What? Cool! Hey, Mia! Mommy saved the day!"
"Actually.....Meredith saved the day."
"HUH?"

And so I explained the malt syrup mix-up because Craig had not heard it nor had he seen the syrup I brought home and placed in the fridge door. And then I told Mere the story and we laughed and laughed and thanked goodness for her lack of attention to that particular detail.