Showing posts with label germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label germany. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Still so much going on!

First off, I have to say how thankful I am for a few things:

1. The generosity of my mom and Jack. Seriously. They help me when I don't ask for it, but need it, and I can't thank them enough for that.

2. My amazing kid who is dealing with the incredible change from moving to America from Germany without Ben AND going on all kinds of boring grown up errands. She's the best.

3. My incredible husband, Benjamin, who is taking care of business across the ocean.  We are one solid freaking team, and I'm just so happy about that.

4. These tiny little dancers in my tummy who make me tired and happy and scared and excited all at once. 


Went to the new base today and took care of passport stuff as well as got my ID renewed.  

Met with 2 fencing guys who measured my new backyard. All were over the budget that Jack had originally given me, so I was going to keep looking.  Got home and showed him, and he insisted that a privacy fence was going to be best for safety and peace of mind, so that's what he is going to get for us.  I held back the pregnancy and thankful tears, but I gave him a huge hug and thanked him because that is INCREDIBLY generous.  We have a beautiful backyard in the new house, and now it is going to be even better.

Tomorrow, meeting with my maternity heart care specialists and then possibly getting a car?  Gotta check it over and make sure the monthly payments are what we want. 

The only really stressful thing happening right now is our landlord not signing a paper properly (and now she's in the hospital) and digging her feet in about a known problem.  The realtor who has been working with us is 100% on our side and has contacted both housing and the landlady for us.  Hoping that she has the power to sign the paper for us so we can get the contract taken care of and officially check out of the house.  Landlady is very close to not being able to rent to military anymore, and that would be the loss of her income, so I hope she comes to her senses.  She told me today she's too busy to talk to the realtor...realtor is NOT happy about that.  Just going to keep praying that things work out in our favor. 

I am officially listed:

(link opens in a new window)

So if you need some art or dryer balls, check me out!

Time for bed.  Going to do my stretches and snuggle up next to my daughter and pets. 

Monday, June 19, 2017

Day 10 in AMERICA!

It has really been a whirlwind, but I'll try and catch up. 

We had our final walkthrough of our house on the 6th of June.  All was well, all was great (except the oil, which is still being looked at as the heaters have been messed up).  On the 7th, we had a great going away dinner for me and Delilah with some of our closest friends (and it was our 9 year anniversary!!!). 

On the 8th, we prepared to leave.  I finished packing up the suitcases, making sure every little thing was in the right spot and anything I needed to be accessible was accessible (like orders/passports/health paperwork/pet paperwork).  Ben loaded the car, and we went to go check in at the airport.  Stood in line about 40 minutes with pets and heavy bags, and discovered that our flight was actually 4 hours delayed!  So after dropping off the bags, we went with the pets and had a happy meal picnic at a playground where Delilah played and Ben and I just sat peacefully.  It was the perfect temperature outside, and we just enjoyed the company.  

He dropped us off at the airport, stood in line with us until we finally had to go through security.  That's when I started breaking down, Delilah was breaking down, he was breaking down.  We hugged tight and gave kisses, and he had to leave.  Watching him walk away was so hard.  I know this isn't a long separation, only a month, but it's still hard.

We made it through security, Delilah found some friends to play with before we boarded.  Once we were herded onto the plane, we were just about to sit down in the middle seats of the middle section of this giant plane when a man stopped us.  He asked how many were in our party, and offered us seats in the executive suite.  I was SO thankful.  A little more room and an aisle seat for my pregnant butt.  Plus, I had a little more space to get up and move around so I didn't get bad feet swelling or anything.  It was a long flight (8 1/2 hours), and I think I got about an hour and a half of sleep.  Delilah got about 3.  We landed in Baltimore at midnight and finally got our bags at 1:30am.  God bless Katie who was waiting for us and took us to the hotel so we could rest for a couple hours before our next flight.  Delilah fell asleep right away, but I couldn't.  I got about an hour in the hotel, then woke up with too much racing through my head.

Left for the airport again at 4am, got there and in line by 4:30ish, and it took a full hour to get the pets checked in.  Everyone was moving so SLOWLY.  It was 5:30 by the time I got to security, and the line was about 50 people long. I knew we were going to miss our flight...so I grabbed Delilah and cut everyone.  Yeah, dick move, but I was 26 weeks pregnant with a 5 year old and pets flying across the world on 2.5 hours of sleep.  Sue me.  Got through security (which is a pain because I can't go through the detectors, Delilah can, so we are separated and all our stuff AND this lady tried putting her baskets in between min), but we got through it.  We both RAN to our gate, and made it in time to grab a water right next door to the gate to get on the plane.  (I forgot about added tax in America, that was stupid)  Could have missed our flight...but we didn't.  Had some kind of angel pushing my slow booty faster to that gate.  God bless my child who is also running on little sleep for being amazing and a trooper and generally the best kid ever dot com.

Got on the plane, and we treated ourselves to a reese's pb cup and she had some m&ms.  Candy at 6am?  Why the heck not?  We deserve it at this point.  She got our her kindle and read some books while I sat there just being thankful that we were on the flight.  That one was short, Baltimore to Detroit.  Once we got to Detroit, she still had some airline pretzels in her purse (because the flight attendants were super kind and gave her a ton...that reminds me, I gotta tweet the Delta flight twitter and thank them), so she snacked while we waited at the gate, which wasn't long.  About 30 minutes and we were on the next flight headed to KC!  

Landed early in KC, so mom hadn't made it yet.  We were waiting for our baggage when I turned around and THERE SHE WAS!  I can't tell you how wonderful it was seeing her after 3.5 years and how much it made my heart burst when Delilah yelled, "GRANDMA" and just hugged her.  it was just so sweet.  Her friend Mike came with to help get all our things home and we had an easy ride home.  Delilah slept some on the way, but I was too jazzed.  We stayed awake visiting and hanging out with my mom and Jack all day, and they grilled for us!  Delilah fit right in with everyone, it was like we hadn't been gone at all.  Even all the dogs got along, formed their own little pack right away.  My 9 year old dog is out running in the yard with the 2 and 3 year old pups that my mom has.  It is just so neat to see!  

We haven't really taken a "break" since getting here.  I had a house inspection to go to (omg the house we are buying is in such good condition), and everything went great on that.  The sellers are fixing the minor issues (like fixing a light socket) and so that's taken care of.  It's so roomy and homey and I've already got big plans for it!  If everything goes according to plan, we can sign closing papers on July 17th, so I'm just trucking along, making that happen.  

Been looking for a car too.  I've got a nice guy at a Honda dealership looking for the exact model/year/price range I want, so I'm kind of letting him take the reigns because I have told him exactly what I want and they have an extensive buying network.  

Got seen by the doctor I wanted to be seen and will deliver the twins at the hospital that I chose.  Excellent NICU, nursing staff, maternal heart clinic, and came with a personal recommendation from a friend.  Met the doctor today, and I'm very happy with my choice.  The twins are doing well, both feel very strong, they definitely do some interesting flips/moves once I lay down for the evening.  I am a couple days shy of 28 weeks, and I've gained about 19lbs.  Not doing anything except eating when I'm hungry and eating well.  I do stretches and some body weight exercises (very lightly) each evening, and that seems to help me sleep...except my hips hurt and I have to switch sides all the time.  

Ben...Ben just got done running an ULTRAMARATHON at the Zugspitz because he is amazing and a badass.  Ran 62k, including up a mountain and I couldn't be more proud.  
GO, BEN! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!

Seriously though, look at that guy (in the orange).  I'm one lucky lady. 

Next on the list?  Just making lists for the house and waiting patiently until Ben comes back to us.  (COME TO AMERICA QUICKLY, PLEASE)

So there's a brief (long) catchup of our 10 days in America.  

I don't know what I would do without my mom and Jack.  Mom has been amazing and helping us with basically everything.  She and Delilah are so much like me and my grandma it's uncanny.  I love seeing their relationship blossom and bloom.  It's making me so happy.  I'm so thankful for my mom, she has no idea how deep my gratitude goes.  I just hope that by telling her every day how much I appreciate it and how much I love her that she knows. :)

That's all for now. I'm going to go wash my face/brush my teeth and watch The Office.  

Saturday, May 6, 2017

A few thoughts on this Saturday morning:

* Germany has been flip flopping weather like CRAZY, and that's resulted in both Delilah and I having TERRIBLE allergies.  Seriously, we are both just feeling so gross.  I can't wait for this to subside and for us to feel back to normal.  Ben manages to escape each year, and I'm glad but I also envy him for it!

* Ben's birthday yesterday, and I'd call it a total success.  Woke up and gave him his gifts (Neil Young: Rust Never Sleeps album, Fleetwood Mac: Rumors album, and a great pair of running shorts).  Went to Delilah's spring program where she looked like a little angel, and then had a great dinner with great people at our favorite beer garden.  Back to our place for some craft beers and more friends.  Excellent night, and he deserves it.  Now he's out at the flea market finding treasures for us. 

*Healthcare bill: if you support it, I have to assume that either you haven't read it, or you just hate women/children/the poor/the elderly/people with special needs/victims.  

* I have a baby shower today, thrown by some incredibly sweet ladies.  I'm excited, and thankful that I have people take time/energy out for me and my little family.  


I hope everyone is having a successful weekend. 

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Time to get back on track after a VERY busy summer.

First, the meal planning, then the updates.


Breakfast:
"Cake batter" overnight oats
Banana protein pancakes
Cereal
Boiled eggs and toast

Lunch: (Delilah/Danielle)
DIY lunchable/Chicken&Avocado
Leftover pasta salad
Leftover Thai meatballs&quinoa

Dinner:
Breakfast burritos (eggs, sausage, bacon, etc...)
Shrimp tacos (marinate in lime juice and taco seasoning)
Grilled schwenk steaks w/mashed cauliflower

Snacks:
Coconut honey almond granola




Ok, so some updates.

This has been an extremely busy month.  We learned that Delilah was off the wait list and would be attending preschool this year!  3 days a week 9-12.  We are all REALLY excited for this new and exciting adventure.  She's got her backpack (Spiderman) and back to school clothes ready. 

Earlier in the month, Ben took a week off and we took a 2 day trip to Köln (Cologne), just us!  It was really fantastic, and really wonderful to have an adult trip.  We rode the subway the entire time and were pros at it by the end (mostly Ben).  Went to various places that had different varieties of Kolsh beer (which is famous in Cologne).  Dinner twice overlooking the Rhein River, once with a little band playing Beatles music!  Walked across the Love Lock bridge (that was the day I got 23K steps in...thanks FitBit!), and stayed in a weird little apartment.  
It really was a wonderful trip.


Köln Cathedral

Köln Cathedral

St. Ursula's ossuary (those are all human bones)

St. Ursula ossuary.  There were so many skulls like this!









Thursday, April 30, 2015

Whoops, I've been lazy. BUT I WAS IN PARIS

Yeah, that's right.  I went to Paris.  

YEP!  Surprise trip planned by my husband and Liz's...incredible!

Pretty sure this sums us up perfectly.


Notre Dame!  WOW!

Of COURSE you have to get macaroons in Paris.  

Champs Elysees with 2 of my favorite girls ever.

Get nerdy with me.  


Yeah, this is Hagrid's chair.  and I'm sitting in it.

I can't recommend going to the Catacombs enough.  Just incredible.



Lots of drinking....

DAY 1:
So we took the Ice Train from Kaiserslautern to the heart of Paris.  Train was fun and fast.  Ran very smoothly.  We had all been up since like 4:30am, we were tired, but totally jazzed to be there!
Took a cab to Notre Dame.  It was INCREDIBLE.  I felt like singing "God Help the Outcasts", but I refrained somehow.  

Caught a Hop On Hop Off bus from there to the Champs Elysees.  Saw it, it's BEAUTIFUL.  The area around there is very busy, but it's one of the few places that wasn't totally dirty. (Yeah, Paris is pretty filthy)  We walked around the shops and had lunch and cocktails at a little cafe.  Cocktails were SO good!  It was a gorgeous sunny day, so there we were, just walking around Paris in sundresses drinking cocktails.  (AM I IN A MOVIE?!)

After that, we got the bus to the Eiffel Tower.  Can I just explain to you how amazing it is to see something like that in person?  I mean, countless movies and TV shows...and I got to go there.  WOW.  It's enormous and so we stopped there and had drinks at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower.  I feel like I'm bragging, but this was totally on my bucket list!

Stayed there for awhile, and ended up missing the last bus pick up!  Had to cab it back to the train station because we were staying in Saint Denis (because that's where the Harry Potter expo was).  Got our luggage from the train station and found out that we couldn't just take a train there.  We had to catch a bus to the subway station and then take the subway to our destination.  Now, this is a pretty daunting task for 3 tipsy girls at night in a foreign country.  BUT WE DID IT!  The bus drove by the Moulin Rouge, and it is in a REALLY shady part of town.  Rats.  Got onto the subway successfully and managed to figure out which stop to take.  Found our hotel, got some food, and promptly fell asleep.

DAY 2:

Woke up and got ready for the day, and headed out thinking we would get a cup of coffee and a croissant for breakfast.  
NEWSFLASH: Saint Denis is really unpleasant and shady.  Nothing was open and it was filthy. Every establishment had weird people in track suits who looked like they were part of some crime group.  We were almost worried to step into any place.  Not that it mattered, apparently France does breakfast until like 10, and then no place serves anything until noon.  It is so bizarre.  We had to stop and get money from an ATM and this guy came up and started to try to get my attention and just became more aggressive as I ignored him.  We took a cab right outta there.  

Then, HARRY POTTER EXPO!  It was incredible, guys.  Real costumes, props, and all kinds of stuff from the movies.  It was put together SO WELL.  I got Delilah a Quidditch shirt and a Ravenclaw magnet for me...as well as a million pictures.  Seriously, I couldn't have asked for anything more from the expo.  It was just so awesome.  Truly something every fan should be able to do.  

After that, hopped a subway back to Paris for lunch, drinks, and just walking around.  We walked through this AMAZING graveyard.  Europe knows how to do graveyards, guys.  It was beautiful.  Well kept too!  Walked through the catacombs (only a 45 min wait in line, so it wasn't bad!).  I think the catacombs is in my top 5 favorite things I've done out here.  It was hauntingly beautiful.  The amount of bones...I can't even describe it.  There's no barrier, if you wanted to touch them, you totally could.  No, I didn't touch any of them, yikes!  Just thinking about how many dead people are down there, it really makes you quite somber.  I loved it.  

After that, we walked around to different cafes having snacks and drinks.  It was just a blast.  The girls I went with, I don't know if I could have had more fun with anyone else.

Back to the hotel (navigated the subway successfully) for more drinks and silliness.  

DAY 3:
We are tired.

No showers, too tired.

Gather up stuff and get going.  Subway was no problem, but we had a long wait for the bus.  We were in a super shady area of Paris (after leaving Saint Denis and actually having men call out to us at like 7am and drive backwards down a road to then just drive next to us slowly as we walked).  Waiting at the bus station, we DEFINITELY saw a shop that was a front for something else.  It was just an aisle, but people would go in, and different people would come out. Some weirdo high lady was trying to talk to us about how much our bags are worth and "talk fast, talk fast"...people smoking hookahs and looking like they are in the Russian or Czech mob driving up in front of us and going into the shop...then a bum fight.  Luckily, our bus came, and we made it out of there intact.  Phew. 

Took the ice train back and ended up next to some pretty funny Germans who were making jokes about messing with us while we dozed without realizing that I understand some German and Amanda speaks fluent German.  We visited and laughed with them the rest of the trip back.  Fun times, very happy.

Made it back home, and Delilah ran to me and cried a little saying she missed me so much.  That made me really sad and happy.  It was our first weekend away from each other and Ben's first time with her by himself!  He's never had her overnight without me!  Her only overnights without me have been with my mom and I'm always there bright and early to get her.  

I was a pretty incredibly trip, and I'm so thankful for Ben doing this for me. 






Sunday, April 12, 2015

Food and activities!We


Breakfast:
Waffle and juice
Oatmeal with PB2
Greek yogurt with honey and fruit
Cereal and apple juice
Kid choice

Lunch:
Chicken/quinoa
Shrimp salad
PB&Honey, fruit, veg
Pinwheels with crackers
Leftovers

Dinner:

Snack:
Homemade granola
Protein/veggie/fruit shake
Cottage cheese
Granola bars


I slacked last week because of Easter...so I'm back on track now!

Here are some of the activities we're going to do this week (on top of the ABC stuff we're already doing)

(we will at least start to paint the popsicle sticks this week)



Now, some updates:
We did designer bag bingo last Friday.  I am not huge on designer stuff, but it was just something fun to do.  However, when I walked in, I spotted this super cute carry on type bag...leopard print!  Everyone in the group said that if anyone won it, they'd give it to me.  It's now happily residing in my home.  Thanks, Danny!

I made some super cool Harry Potter mugs and sold 5 of them in one day!  Waiting for some more white mugs to get stocked so I can make more!



The Easter Bunny hooked Delilah up big time!  Necklace, Kinder eggs, chocolate, The Little Engine that Could, water color paints, water color crayons, and a water color pad!


Only the coolest Easter baskets have Kinder eggs

Had Easter dinner with our friends and it was wonderful.

Ordered Delilah a big girl bike and Ben put it together after working an incredibly long day AND picking up new people from the airport.  Didn't get home until 8pm.

KMCC did a (very tiny) Comicon, and Delilah was absolutely stoked to see some Star Wars characters.  

My little sweetie at the Comicon.
I'm making a Storm Trooper blanket!


Did a workout at the gym this morning, so my legs will be wrecked tomorrow.  Just got back in from taking Delilah to her first bike riding lesson.  She was doing AWESOME...and then she fell.  
"There's blood!"
"The wheels are broken!"
"Why did this happen?!"
After I cleaned her up and put bandaids:
"I think I can walk now."

Love that girl.  
Love this sunshine.
Love my life.





Sunday, March 15, 2015

Another happy week

Normal week here in Germany.  The weather has been totally fantastic, so Monday AND Tuesday, I got to open a ton of windows in the house and air it out!  It's been gray pretty much every day since October, so the sunshine is a completely welcome sight.   We also live in a village surrounded by woods and nature, so we get to go out in it whenever we want!


We also have a running championship competition.  First one, we had a Mario Kart competition.  Last night, we played Star Wars Monopoly.  

Yeah, we dressed up.  I had a Star Wars tank on.  That's how we like to roll.

We are gonna check out the Spring Festival in the nearby bigger city today after we drop off our overnight guest back at his home.  


FOOOOOOOOD:


Breakfast
PB and honey greek yogurt
PB banana chia pudding
Waffle and fruit
Cereal

Lunch
Quinoa salad and chicken
Salami rolls, crackers, cheese
PB&J, fruit, veg
Annie's spag-os, avocado
Tuna Salad, crackers, apple

Dinner
Friend dinner for Ter Bear's return! (Friday)
Turkey meatloaf muffins with mashed potatoes and green beans
Chicken Pot Pie (recipe coming)


Sunday, March 8, 2015

Totally forgot to post last week.

It's saved in my drafts. I just never got to posting it after making it.  Oh well, whatever.  This week/weekend was more interesting anyway.

First, I am really excited that I ran at a faster speed and for longer than I ever have before.  I think I would have been able to keep going, but I got excited and forgot to control my breathing. ha!  I was quite proud of myself, especially because I HATE running.  

Another heart check up on Friday.  Back in October, the battery life had 16 months left. Then in Jan, it only had 8 months!  They were worried that I would have to have surgery in April.  Got it looked at and discovered that I still had 6 months.  Still have to have surgery this year, but it's not draining as fast.  Part of me thinks that it's due to not only eating well, but working out more and getting more physically fit.  I've always been in relatively good shape, but now I'm actually working on being fit and it's definitely helping me in more ways than just appearance!  

Went back to Heidelberg yesterday.  Instead of driving, we took the train and it was REALLY easy!  (really fun too!)  

Train was easy to do. No wonder everyone uses it around here!
Someone was a little sleepy when we first got there...
At the castle!


In front of a bakery. I love Germany.


Inside the castle grounds

A great group to explore a Germany city with!

LOVE.

Hello from a castle!

Yeah, had a great weekend. We were all pretty tired afterwards, totally worth it though.

Breakfast:
Greek yogurt banana muffins
Oatmeal with PB2&honey
Greek yogurt with honey & blueberries
Cereal, juice, and toast

Lunch:
Pizza buns with veggies
Tuna salad (with greek yogurt not mayo), crackers, and carrots
Chicken & quinoa salad
PB/J, apple slices
Leftovers

Dinner:
Leftovers

Snacks:
Chopped fruits
Chopped veggies


There you have it!



Sunday, February 8, 2015

Heidelberg!

Had a super productive week. I feel like I'm kind of getting back in the swing of things...either that, or I'm just working through any stress by cleaning and organizing my house!  

Made it to the gym 3 times in the week and then of course TODAY, my FAVORITE day.  I made some leaps from last week and upped my weight on almost everything.  I did 110lbs with my back squats!  I'm really proud at the progress I'm making and really thankful to Amanda for being an amazing workout partner.  I also super appreciate the fact that Ben has been taking Delilah on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I can make it to the gym.  He hangs with her during his lunch time, even if he can't leave the office.  Really great that he's supporting me on this.  I don't do a whole lot of stuff that is just for me, so this has been incredibly wonderful.  

We had an impromptu trip to Heidelberg on Saturday.  The sun was out, and even though it was cold, we decided to get out for a hike.  Ben found a cool trail that led to an old amphitheater that the Nazis used to recruit students from the local University.  
The trail to get there was incredibly steep and hard. I don't think anyone expected it to be as steep as it was!  Ben carried Delilah in our kid backpack the whole way up while I trailed far behind.  Gotta get my stamina back for future hikes!  I don't think the cold or my congestion helped the situation much.  
Sign for the amphitheater
In the doorway to the amphitheater
Panorama of the amphitheater
We walked around the trails some more and found some cool old buildings.


We walked back down and drove to the city center to see the river, a cool old bridge, and have some dinner.  

Panorama of the bridge and part of the river.
On the bridge

We didn't go to the castle this time, but we had an awesome view of it from the bridge!
It really was a wonderful day.





Breakfast:
Waffle or Yogurt and fruit
Cereal

Lunch:
Quinoa salad
Boiled eggs/crackers&cheese/veggie
Leftovers

Dinner:
Crockpot chicken and dumplings
Breakfast (eggs, sausage, English muffin)
Spaghetti (maybe meatballs too)

Snacks:
Mixed veggies or fruits
Crackers/cheese

Sunday, January 25, 2015

I don't want to get off my couch ever.

Sunday is leg/butt day at the gym. It's my favorite day...but it's also exhausting.  I can see results already, and so as hard as it is, I'm keeping it up.  So we hit the gym for about an hour and a half, and then had lunch while we meal planned.  She's helping me get fit and healthy at the gym, and I'm helping her get organized and prepared with meals.  It's a win win.

Had a pretty quiet weekend.  Got to spend Friday with our friends, and I fell asleep putting Delilah to bed. Usually, I can keep myself awake, but this week has been completely exhausting.  I've worked out a bunch, Delilah's classes, I had to take the car and get the oil changed, I had my pacemaker checkup.  
About that...
In October, I had it checked, and had about 16 months left.  They put me on a 90 day check up schedule.  I went in on Thursday, and they discovered that I was now at 8 months.  I lost  months in 3 months.  So now, they've got me on a once a month check.  Worst case scenario, I will have to have the battery replaced in April.  What a pain.  My dumb heart.

Funny story about the oil change too...
Went in and it takes forever.  The guy helping me was super nice though, and told me that the hose was disconnected from my washer fluid.  Ben had thought the pump was out and was going to order a new one.  Oil change guy told me it was just the tubing and that I could easily fix it.  He told me he wasn't allowed to fix it.  I understand that.  Well, when it was time to go, he showed me that he HAD fixed it!  Germany has these pesky little weasel things that will crawl up under the hoods of cars in the winter to stay warms.  They will chew on tubing and wires and can really mess up your car.  He said he suspected that's what happened to the tubing of our car.

little bastard.

Saturday, we went to go meet Cat in the Hat on base.  Delilah was awesome and not afraid at all!


After that, we went to the pool...then to dinner...and then friends over for a quiet night at our house.  

Quiet weekend, nothing too exciting, but I'm ok with that.

And now, FOOD:

Breakfast:
Waffle and Fruit


Lunch:
Vitamix Vegetable Tortilla Soup
Quinoa Salad (with black beans, tomato, avocado, and Greek yogurt)
Leftovers
Quesedilla with guac
Scrambled eggs with an English muffin


Dinner:
Crockpot Chicken Fajitas 

Snacks:
Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Hummus and Veggie
Smoothie