The Underground Halloween Bash

Our Underground group had a halloween party for the little ghosts and goblins this past weekend. It was a huge success and everyone had a great time. There were several bees this year.



A couple of kitty cats.



This one came as a Parisian college student.



OMG This gal was scary realistic against the H1N1 virus. Oh yeah she really was feeling yucky.



Not sure about the green fairy though.

Dinner With Old Friends

Its getting cold here. Too cold for this early in the year. Spousal Unit and I got up late this morning and lazed about for awhile before getting cleaned up an then ran a couple of errands.

I made chicken noodle soup yesterday for a girl friend. Her whole household has had the creeping crud that has been going around here. Knock on wood, we haven't been affected in our house yet.

Well I gave most of the soup away and now I have a really big Jones for the soup. So I will probably have to make another batch later this week.

Back on subject. So I wanted to go to the Farmer's market and get some cheese and fresh bread. We ended up having a "brat" for lunch and I found some really good Gouda with caraway and a Swiss fine herb cheese. The gals at the stand wanted to learn the English word for caraway and we told them. Did a good deed for the day.

We delivered the soup, and then picked up a new Tupperware catalog. I'm thinking about having an "old school" Tupperware party in a couple of weeks. Might be fun.

All in all a nice day, and am looking forward to going out to dinner. My ex bosses are in town and they like to keep in touch when here. Should be a good dinner with old friends.

I Gotta Figure Out A Better Way

I am so sorry for my lack of posts in the recent past. For awhile there I just didn't have too terribly much to say for lack of, Ahem, any sort of life.

The first few months here were informative, and I posted about them, but then a lull set in and I really didn't have anything to say that wasn't totally repetitive.

Now I have, what I consider a really awesome life thingee going on and the logistics are against me.

I have always posted in the early evening while getting the dinner on the table and waiting for everything to finish up. I have always posted on the fly.

Well the ole puter is on the third floor of the house and posting on the fly is a thing of the past. I have to figure out what I want you all to know about before the end of my puter time or take time away from the Spousal Unit and our time.

Decisions, decisions. I haven't figured out how I am gonna pull this one off, but I miss getting on here and letting you all know what's going on.

I'm not one to let a little thing like logistics, bandwith, pings optimal distance get me down. I don't know if anything other than logistics are applicable but they all sound good.

I'll figure something out. Nighters for now.

I Was A Witness To A Miracle Part III

But, being a big Internet junkie I told her to take the networking aspect to the Internet. I have met some lovely ladies through the chat rooms and networking boards since I move here. In fact that was how I met her, and thought what better way to get the word out. Someone could possible know of a young girl that wanted to give up a baby for adoption.

I suggested to her that since the Yard Sale site had massive hits each month (6,000,000) it might be the place to start for her networking for a baby.

Well, she posted an entry on the site that they were a family that were looking to adopt. No specifics other than they loved each other and wanted to add a bundle of joy to complete the family.

Can you imagine the total shock they received when less than 24 hours after posting the message they received an email from a local gal who was 7 months pregnant and wanted to give up her baby to adoption. She had been working with another couple who backed out at the last minute and now she was desparate to find another couple to adopt the baby.

Everyone was floored.

The families met, the specifics were given. The craziness persued. The home studies, the legal documents signed and filed.

Then the wait for the baby to be born.

She was born in the middle of July and is beautiful.

The adoption process went smoothly and is just about finished.

I truly was a witness to a miracle. And to think it all started with a wisecrack about the local Yard Sale site. We now have our littlest Yardsaler.

We call her Sunshine.

I Was A Witness To A Miracle Part II

This family has two girls. A 16 YO and a 9 YO.

The girls are adorable and you can tell the Momma put in the right amount of love, and hard work to raise them properly.

Well... the Momma and Daddy have been trying to have a baby for several years. Things haven't been going exactly as planned or desired. They tried several options including the obvious. And there wasn't any babys in the foreseeable future.


Time, being that it is, tends to slip away and other issues cropped up and well, it became obvious that having a baby of their own would not be possible.

So the Momma and Daddy decided to adopt a little one. They started to attend adoption seminars and conferences. (Before I met them I didn't even realize that there were adoption conferences. Who'da thunk. Silly me.)


The family had recently moved here when I met them and they were in the process of starting the seminars and conferences circuit again in this part of the world. Networking is a big part of a possible adoption, especially if it is a local adoption.


So tongue in cheek, I was asked if I knew any young unmarried pregnant girls that wanted to give up their baby for adoption.

Actually no I do not.

TO BE CONTINUED.

I Was A Witness To A Miracle

I was a witness to a miracle.

The past couple of months I was honored to be a part of a miracle in the making.

It started when I met a gal on the Internet chat boards locally here.

So from the beginning:

Early Spring: I asked for a couple of flower pots several months back on a Freecycle site. I received a response that just totally overwhelmed me. I received more pots than I could use in several lifetimes. The gal was moving to Turkey, ran out of time to get the pots cleaned up before the movers came and was left with all sorts of flower pots. It being a Freecycle board I promised that I would Freecycle what I couldn't use.

Being the "SheWho" that I am, I kept my promise.

I used what I needed and advertised on the boards for free flower pots.

A gal emailed me back and requested the pots. She showed up at the Ohmbachsee for me to lead her to the house since many of the roads into town were closed at the time.

We came to the house and she and her younger daughter took the flower pots and we chatted and decided that we might like to get together again for socializing.

She and her family have since become dear friends to our family.

TO BE CONTINUED.

They Kinda Grunted At Me From Time To Time

I had a chance today to go out again, so I took it.

One of my gal pal's daughters thinks I am awesome. She's correct, but she needed a favor.

She recently had a haircut that is not quite to her liking. Its not the best cut, I agree, but you need to think, "Oh, not the most attractive cut,"

and take it further to think.... 16 year old, teenage girl, drama angst. "I can't live like this anymore.... I need my hair fixed.... and Momma won't listen to me."

Momma is busy doing other stuff right now. She is attempting to work a miracle. If and when said miracle occurs, I will blog about it. I got/get to see it all unfold and to be a part of it. So I have some sympathy for 16 year old drama and want to help my gal pal out.

16 year old girls don't understand God Stuff and miracles. They, from what I am observing, kinda live in the moment.

So I volunteered to take her about to see if we could find a stylist to fix her hair and cut into the latest fav techno style and maybe throw in some blue crap that is more than highlights and less than an all over, blue head of hair.

Forgive me. I am starting to think that I may be too old for teenage girls.

Anyway, using my best, pull it out my butt, teenage girl skills, I take her to the salon, schedule an appointment for Monday, and then take her to lunch.

OMG. I am exhausted. I get to go back Monday and pick her up for the appointment. Don't get me wrong she is an adorable kid, but.... I raised boys.

They kinda grunted at me from time to time.

I'm in for a ride with this girl. She doesn't stop yakkin.

He Makes His Momma Proud

One of the gals that I met a couple of months back on favorite internet chat room has two sons. Her younger son is a football player and is just finishing his junior year of high school. She and he have hopes of taking his football skills to college.

Her other son I hadn't met. He was away in boot camp.

Well, he graduated boot camp and then technical school and had the luck to be stationed back here for his first tour of duty. I offered to go along to greet him, welcome him home and to record the moment.

He and his dad after filling out the necessary forms and paperwork to get him situated on the base.

The wisdom and youth of our Air Force, all in one family.

A first hug with his Mom.

A very handsome family. He makes his Momma proud

More Dribs and Drabs

Spousal Unit just called. He finished up work today and then went to choir practice. OMG I am married to a choir boy. Well a choir man, actually, but you get the drift.

After practice, he drove up to Heidelberg for a conference. He had originally asked me to accompany him, and I considered it, but no other wives were going to attend and so I decided to stay home.

Don't get me wrong. I love Heidelberg. I just don't love Heidelberg enough to sit in a strange hotel room all day and wait for the Spousal Unit to come "home" and take me out to dinner.

It is rather a unique thing about me. I am rather adventuresome, but unless I know the area, I don't really venture out.

If I have a travel buddy, watch out world.

I just seem to find that I tend to widen my circle of comfort as time goes by. I am very comfortable going just about anywhere here in the local area. I now count Waldmohr, Homburg, Shonenburg-Kubelburg, Ramstein-Meisenbach, Landstuhl, and Kaiserslautern as local areas. There are other small towns, too numerous to list that I am comfortable to travel to and through.

But a big city like Heidelberg, I am not comfortable wandering alone in during the day without Spousal Unit.

So I am enjoying a little "me" time this week. I went out to lunch with some of the spouses of Spousal Unit's colleagues and then decided to visit one of my girl pals I haven't seen in a couple of weeks. The lunch and the gal pal visit were both good.

Came home and restarted the laundry and received a call from Spousal Unit. He arrived safe and sound.

He gets to hobnob with the bigwigs and I get to enjoy my garden.

Paris Part II

After getting off the ICE train we found our way to the METRO and purchased a two day unlimited pass for the METRO underground subway. We made it to our hotel in "No time" and were off for our adventures.

Well "Rent a Kid" wanted to walk. She said, "Taking the METRO, we wouldn't see anything." She was right, but there are only so many steps a day these old bones can manage. I have heel spurs, and ankle that never healed correctly, and shin splints. It's a "BIOTCH" getting old. So I say to her that, "The more you walk me the less we might be able to see. She blew me off. So I follow, limping.

Well, she walked me all the way from the hotel to the Louve. A fair stretch of the legs. The hotel was located very near the Arch of Triumph and the Louve is, well far away from there.

We made it. Welcome to the Louve:


The "new" pyramid entrance. It wasn't there the last time I visited. I still feel it detracts from the outside of the museum, but what do I know. It made entering easy.

The Winged Victory.

Cupid and Psyche.

Venus De Milo.

Artemus.

All in all it was good. We ended up eating lunch in the Cafe of the museum. I introduced "Rent a Kid" to bread with gooey, runny French cheese. She liked it.

Two French ladies wished us Bon Appetite and when they left one lady gave us a coin for an espresso in the cafe.

Paris Part I

When I invited the "Rent a Kid" over for a visit I wasn't sure what would occur. I have known here since she was 4 and had spent a lot of time with her this past Summer, but... Ya don't know a person until ya live with them. Ya know what I mean?

She would be living with me, as my guest. Not me with her as her guest. Actually I was a guest of her Mother and Father, but we shared a bathroom so in a way I was her guest. Right?

Well we have done a lot of stuff in the past several days. I will back track on those days in a bit. I am just so excited about the time spent in Paris, I just want to skip ahead a wee bit.

I decided to take the train to Paris. Not just any train. The ICE train. The ICE mean Intercity Express. Back in the olden days, when we were here before that was a train that didn't stop at all the town between here and there. Now-a-days that means fast. Really fast.


My "Rent a Kid" getting comfy on the train. We're just getting started.




This is "Rent a Kid" when she realizes that we are now going 319 KPH. That translates to 196.5 MPH. Wee, just like a roller coaster, but flat and fast.

We're in the hotel room now and she needs to relax. Actually I need to relax. She walked me for miles. We bought unlimited METRO tickets for the time we were in the city, but she wanted to savor the flavor of Paris. So for the majority of the day we walked.

Right next to her bed is mine. I really want to be in it right now. I am a tired She Who.

More tomorrow.

She Made Major Eye Contact Yesterday

Email to my "Rent a Kid's" mother. Being a mother she worries. Being a mother that hasn't really done a whole bunch of traveling she really worries. Guess what, I'm her other mother. Like I don't worry too?

Hey Kiddo,

I have your baby. I was a meanie yesterday and kept her up till 7:30 so she could adjust to the time change quickly. We had a nice drive home from the airport and after unloading the car went exploring for a bit. I took her to a couple of stores and showed her a little of the area. She now has a new "crack" ..... German Fanta soda. It is totally different than the American Fanta. Not as sweet.

I got her up at 10:00 this morning and she is good to go.

We went out and about again today. I took her to lunch at a favorite restaurant next town over. She had salad and pizza and enjoyed it. Then we went to Ramstein and the Asian market and took some pictures around the town. Then we hopped back in the van to get some money exchanged and to the commissary for dinner meat and then to the BX. Looking for souvenirs and stuff. She bought a silk kimono robe and bib type thingee. Beautiful pattern and fabric.

Drove home and I put together dinner and we are both cyberspacing right now. She to you and Grandma Martie and friends. Me to you.

We plan on spending the day in Trier tomorrow. Trier is a beautiful medium sized city. Its claim to fame is that it is the oldest Roman city in Germany. The Roman gates are still there and the town square is also gorgeous. Will have a nice lunch and then come home.

We haven't found her an American GI that is cute in a uniform yet. Though she made major eye contact yesterday. Tee Hee.

Love ya and talk to you soon.

She Who

Things I Miss

I am rather melancholy this evening. Spousal Unit is back in the States again and I am here by myself for the next few days. I was looking through a few of my photos and came up with these. A few things I really miss.

OMG were we ever so young? I miss my youth sometimes. I was a crazy teenager and gave my parent a lot of grief. They were young, I was young. We both grew up. I miss my parents.

Me, Dad, Reenie, Mom, and Chellie.

Mom and Mr. Steve. Mr. Steve is my step dad. I really like him and still keep in touch even though Mom has been gone for over 5 years now.

My Dirty Rotten Aunt Joyce. A pet name. She calls me a Dirty Rotten Kid and loving her the way I do, its right back at her. She is holding her great grandson. My cousin's grandson. I have been away too long. I forget his name. He is adorable and a handful. That is a family tradition. We are all handfuls.

I miss my boys. Yes, they are also handfuls. But, I still miss them.

Charlie.


Alex. In birth order. Not to confuse who I love more.


And, on a couple of lighter notes. I really miss my friends. Tammy and Timmie. I spend a lot of time with them this past Summer. How they put up with me, I don't know. But, I now have a Nellie bedroom when I come back home. I think. And.... I can look forward to their hot tub.

I also miss Destin. I love walking in the surf and falling asleep to the sound of the waves.

Randomness

Gal Pal IM exchange.

Her:

BRB

7:23 PM

I think it's time to change my avitar. I don't have red hair anymore. LOL

7:24 PM

You smokin or poopin?????? LMAO

7:24 PM

Oh yeah you have 5 kids. Forgot. Still LMAO

7:25 PM

I really crack myself up talking to myself.

7:25 PM

At least I haven't started answering myself.

7:26 PM

Or do I?

7:26 PM

OK that is definately not a brb. It is a brb in FOREVER

7:27 PM

Spousal Unit made to to the States OK. He called me this morning to let me know that he arrived safely. He got to have Subway for dinner last night and had it again for breakfast. Poor baby. Footlongs for 5.00. I made chicken salad and had that for dinner last night and for breakfast this morning. Hmmm could we be on a similar wave length?

She never did get back to me.

And how was your day?

Such Inner Conflicts

One of my blogging buddy gal pals is Kim @ Parachuting Without a Net. She is a regular commenter and claimed that she has gained some weight recently because of my discussions of my trip to Brussels. So I sent her a comment that I would be kind to her and not talk about food for a while, to allow everyone to lose all the virtual weight they gained during my last few posts.

She came back at me to go to another country and post about food. WTF????? Her comment is below:

Now, go to Italy and send us pictures and stories of pasta and wine. :)

My comment back at her is:

I will go to Italy, soon.

I just won't be going there until the Spring or Summer. My Step-mother-in-law's sister has a villa on the coast and we will be having a family reunion there.

Besides you said that I can't post foodie stuff right now.

I may or may not listen to you. But we do follow Lent, so I am supposed to be in a reflection mode.

Actually, I am in a Spring Fever mode.

Such inner conflicts.

P.S. If anyone out there can show me how to post a link in my blog I would be eternally grateful. Well, maybe not eternally, but really, really grateful.

P.S.S Meg, I joined ya in the no smoking thing. 6 days and counting. I had to give it up too.

Now I Know What A Polar Bear Feels Like

My gal pal has a new hot tub. I knew what it looked like because I was still here when she ordered it. But the lag time between the ordering and installation meant that it was installed after I left for Germany.

She had emailed me several times extolling how relaxing the tub is and to remind me to bring a bathing suit.

Since the beginning of my visit with gal pal, we have gotten into the hot tub just about every night. I beg off when it is windy. But that was only a couple of nights.

With the Arctic weather we have been experiencing these past few days, I would have never have thought to go outside half naked to get into some water. They did. They also talked me into getting in with them.

The process involves bathing suit, newly purchased at the local Walmart because I forgot to bring mine. A long furry robe, slippers, several towels, and a large liquid libation. Its a little hard to maneuver opening the door with everything but I manage.

Getting out the door is the easy part. Shivering and walking to the tub is indescribable. I have never before put myself, willingly in this situation before.

Last night was the most radical of the hot bub sessions. It was so cold outside that the steam off the tub seemed to freeze in the air.

I know the water on the bottom of Mr. Determination's feet froze to the concrete patio and we all had ice in our hair from the steam coming from the hot tub. Now I know what a polar bear feels like.

Mr. Determination - Revisited

My gal pal's husband, Mr. Determination.

If you remember, this past Summer I spent some time (a lot of time) with them while getting ready for the move to Germany. On this morning, Mr. Determination found an innocent turtle in his swimming pool.

Just a small turtle seeking a cool refuge on a hot Summer day. Well actually, it was really big and slimy. But still one of God's creatures. Right???

Well, Mr. Determination got the turtle out of the pool after several really funny, hilarious attempts; because the turtle was really liking the pool.

This was Mr. Determination the other day. I had just gotten a new camera and was taking a few pictures. Just a couple of pictures. No harm in that, is there???

You know what he was swatting at???

Me. Now, do I look like I would ever, ever cause any bedevilment???

Just Got Home

Just got back from the rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow is gonna be a fun time. Pictures and impressions to follow.

Night night for now.

Shopping For Needed Stupid Stuff

One of the benefits of being back in the States for this visit is getting to shop. Don't get me wrong, I love living in Germany. I love the markets, the stores, the way of life.

I just don't love having to shop in the BX, the military's version of a department store. There is little variety of anything. Their choices for clothing is either... it falls apart after the first washing or designer clothing.

I went looking for a pair of jeans. $50.00 for a pair of no name, can't choose the style, take it or leave it pair of jeans. The store shouts at me, "Hey, be glad we have a pair in your size." The BX can hold you hostage on stuff like this.

Shopping in the local German stores is fun. But, very expensive. The Euro is very strong against the dollar and makes shopping a luxury at times.

My understanding of German is coming back but I am far from fluent and lugging around a translating dictionary is cumbersome.

So......

I am on a shopping trip. Actually, I am here to attend a wedding. But, the shopping is like a friend with benefits.

I am shopping for some really needed items that I just haven't been able to find in Germany. Stupid stuff, really. Needed, stupid stuff.

I started putting together a list when I realized that I would be returning for the wedding.

• Vicks Vapor Cream not the rub. The cream is greaseless and works better.
• Measuring Spoons. the ones at the BX are yucky and the European ones are sized differently.
• Jeans and a couple of turtlenecks.
• Gypsy Cold Care. An herbal tea that really works when you are sick.
• Reading Glasses. Just cheaters really, but I am finding that I need a stronger pair.
• Cook top cleaner for glass.
• Vegetable seeds for my garden this Spring.
• Hair Mousse. Of course I use a brand that isn't carried.

******If there are any foodies out there please take this as a warning.******

• Chef Boyardee pizza sauce. I love the stuff. For homemade strombolli and dipping mozzarella sticks.

I found some awesome high thread count sheets and a new set of towels, all for 75% off. I also found a bird feeder pole that will hold three different feeders. The bird feeders in Germany that I have seen are shaped like a chalet house on a stand that sits on the patio. I haven't found any shephard's crooks, that I am used to having, for the type of bird feeders normally found in the States.

My shopping is done now and I am in the process of helping with the last minute details for the wedding. I get to be the "Hey Girl" and do all the running while the bridal party gets to practice being bridal.

So the shopping is done. Well, done till I hit Southern California with my SMIL.

Family, Friends, Food and Boys and Their Toys

Our host, hostess, and mom of the host, on her first visit to Germany. OMG... Shirley, the mom is one excited Grandma, and mom. Four little girls to spoil for two weeks, a little bit of travel and shopping are planned.

The Munchkins. I asked them to give me their best silly faces. They complied and then said to stop taking pictures 'cause they were hungry. Something about getting back into the kitchen and finishing the cooking.

The table. It was laden with awesome goodness. I went back for seconds. Spousal Unit had fourths.

Ah... here we have very happy Munchkins. FOOD. The German fest table is just the right size for the Munchkins. Normally the fest tables hold very large mugs of beer. I am really glad the Munchkins didn't ask for the usual.

Oh and lest we forget. The boys must have their toys. I guess the Thanksgiving day game isn't on yet.