It's My Place

Casa Nueva Update #31342

2006-08-23T03:17:00.000+02:00

At the place that pays me I've picked more cotton in the past 2 weeks than I picked in about 3 months at the place that paid me in Germany. Along with the super secret shhhh...paperwork that I had to sign upon arriving here, it seems that Uncle LeRoy has added an 11th Commandment. What is the new Commandment, you ask?

Thou Shalt Not Associate With Blogs (read, post, etc.) Using Uncle LeRoy's Computer

Plain and simple.

Oh, did I mention that my laptop, Victor, frequently gives up the ghost? It does. It randomly turns off, then restarts when it feels like it.

I visit CasaNueva twice a day, once during lunch and once with P after work (the house is only 3 minutes from our hotel). It's coming along fine. Last week the light fixtures and flooring (except for the carpet) were installed. Next the inside doors will be installed, the walls painted, the appliances will be installed, and the carpet will be laid. The inside will be complete. The builder at the site told me that they will be finished with the whole house on 30 August.

Below are some pictures from Casa Nueva:

P standing near our favorite sign:

The applianceless/sinkless kitchen:

The living room...see the 2 holes above the fireplace? One is a power outlet, and the other will be the cable connection, which means I am FORCED to buy a plasma tv. Please pay no attention to the Bonjangles cup in the fireplace.

P FINALLY decided what she wants to do with her room. Since her bathroom is the beach (seashells), she's decided to have a surf theme. we were able to find everything at our favorite store, the Red Dot Boutique.

Next we'll hunt for a kitchen table (I didn't bring ours from Germany).

It's time that I get a little rest so I'll have enough energy can pick an adequate amount of cotton tomorrow at the place that pays me.

Another One Bites the Dust

2006-08-05T21:11:00.000+02:00

Last week, my laptop, Vincent, died a temporary death. It wouldn't boot, but only cycle through the start up process, never making it to the OS (techspeak). I mentioned the problem to one of the Super Hero Computer Dudes at the new place that pays me, and he told me that he would take a look at it before I bought a new one, which I had planned to do this weekend.

In about 15 minutes, SHCD had 'fixed' the disk error problemo, and I am at peace once again.
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Last week, P lost another tooth. This makes the 5th tooth that she's lost in less than a year (I should also mention that she's got another tooth loose now, too).

I present to you, P, who is missing 2.5 teeth. The one on the bottom right is half in already (it came out about 3 weeks ago):

I must add that these pictures were taken at 0600 (that's 6am for your civilians) on a school morning. Yes, she's this happy EVERY morning.
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Operation Casa Nueva update:

The house coming along fine, and they FINALLY put the 'Sold' sign on the 'For Sale' sign in the yard.

Only 5 more weeks of hotel living, and it will all be over.

The challenge of the week is:

What color or colors should I use in the kitchen?

I have NO ideas. Any suggestions?

P and I are still having a slight disagreement about her room, and I'm thisclose to just giving in to what she wants.
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The new place that pays me is good. If you thought I was vague about my cotton pickin' skillz while in Germany, it will be FAR worse here, since I had to sign a Shhhh, Can't Talk About Pickin' Cotton Document. If someone asks,

I pick cotton, lots of it.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

The Car Has Arrived!

2006-07-29T16:18:00.000+02:00

Thursday I found out that the No Name Car has arrived in the US. I shipped it on 21 June, and it arrived 26 July.

Yesterday, after dropping P off at her place of confinement (school), I was on the road, headed to Charleston, SC (2.5 hours) to pick up NNC. After turning in the rental car (the company charged me $1 a mile, plus the rental cost~it's a good thing that I'll be reimbursed!) and taking a taxi to the pick up point, there he sat, fresh off the boat. Once I signed all the needed documents, and inspected the vehicle, I was headed back to Fayvetteville.

Once I made it back, I realized that one of the employees at the pick up point did not put the maintenance manual in the car. Do you know how important a maintenance manual is to a new car under warranty? It's important, believe me. Monday, I'll call and hopefully they'll find it and mail it to me.

Just one more hurdle...my furniture, which is supposed to arrive on or about 30 August.
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Yesterday evening, P had an announcement:

Me: How was your day today? What did you learn?
P: It was good, and I learned that I am my teacher's favorite kid.
Me: Oh really, how do you know that?
P: She asked me to take a note to the office and give it to the President, and she let me go all by myself.
Me: The President? Are you sure?
P: Yes, I'm sure, and I did it all by my self.
Me: Don't you mean Principal and not President?
P: Oh, that's right, she's only the Principal.

Seven days into the school year, and P is already the teacher's pet. It's going to be a long year!

Pay, What's That?

2006-07-27T01:47:00.000+02:00

Today, I received my bi-weekly email letting me know that my pay statement was available for my viewing pleasure (pay day is next week). Imagine my surprise when I logged in and noticed that my pay was

Zero
Zilch
Nicht
Nada
Nothing

It seems that SOMEONE who shall remain nameless can put a man on the moon, but CAN NOT seem to transfer one dedicated cotton picker from one payroll office to the next without wreaking havoc with the dinero.

To make a long story short, when I was leaving Germany I was advised to handcarry at least a month's worth of pay statements for the new HR department so they could see what needed to be transfered (401K, annual leave, sick leave, etc). When I inprocessed here, I informed the Head Inprocessor that I had the Very Important Documents. She in turn informed me that she didn't need the VID and everything will transfer correctly. She was wrong!! Not only did nothing transfer correctly, NOTHING TRANSFERRED AT ALL!!!!

Sidestory: In 2003, just the opposite happened. I transferred from one agency to the agency I currently work for, and I was paid twice in one pay period. After informing the old agency of the error, I was told that I could't return the money, I had to wait on them to audit their payroll ledgers. It took 8 months for them to 'realize' the error.

I'm convinced that if the HI had the VID as a reference, there would be no pay issues this time around.

Honestly, I'm not too upset about the situation because I said to myself

Diane (I call myself Diane), none this time means twice as much next time.

This morning I will talk to the HI and my first question to her will be "Do YOU believe Uncle LeRoy put a man on the moon?"

Her answer to my question will set the pace for the entire meeting.
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Update on Casa Nueva~

I upgraded all the kitchen appliances to stainless steel. I think they will look nice with the cabinet tops that I selected (with P's help, of course).

Friday I will pick out the light fixtures.

I also need to purchase a washer and dryer, but there are a couple of questions before I spend the cashola (that I DIDN'T get paid):

top or front load?
pedestals or not?

What do you recommend/suggest?

Operation Casa Nueva Update #2

2006-07-23T05:54:00.000+02:00

I am pleased to announce that the contract that was submitted on my behalf for the house was accepted (along with the wad of cashola). That means that technically, the house is ours. The closing date is 15 September. We will move in soon thereafter. Anyone willing to help unpack will be welcomed.

The only downside is that P and I will be living in a hotel until then. At least someone makes my bed everyday.

Yesterday, I picked out all the flooring, kitchen cabinets, and counter tops. Next week, I will pick out the appliances and the lighting fixtures. I have already decided that I will upgrade all the kitchen appliances to stainless steel.

Now I must decide on the color schemes for the rooms (P wants a beach theme for her room). It's good that I have a few weeks, because I have NO idea as to what to do with the rest of the house. As before, I welcome any suggestions.

Operation Casa Nueva Update

2006-07-21T11:57:00.000+02:00

After looking near and far, to and for, and here and there, I FINALLY found a house (I looked at about 12).

Yesterday afternoon, the realtor drew up the contract, and it will be delivered this morning (along with a gigante wad of cashola). My fingers are crossed.

Front

Back (and Inspector P~in her school uniform)

Once the offer is accepted (I'll find out by close of business today), I will pick out the paint colors, light fixtures, and kitchen cabinets.

The house is expected to be finished by the end of August, which is ok, because it gives me plenty of time to make decisions concerning other stuff, like what kind of cable, which internet provider will not gouge my pocket, and if I should put up a screen around the covered patio. As usual, I am open to all suggestions.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I went with Cingular for a cell phone, mainly because they have roll over minutes. Thanks for everyone's suggestion.

She's Got Crabs!!!

2006-07-13T04:09:00.000+02:00

I forgot to mention that during our last week in Germany, P lost 2 more teeth, so now, she's got a set of 'stand alones' at the bottom front. Also, one of her top front teeth is loose. Wiggly loose, but not wobbly loose, so it'll be at least a month before it's ready to come out.

P and the stand alones:

While attempting to convince P that Crazy Dog would be better off with a family in Germany, I told P that she could have a crab for a pet once we arrive here in NC. Little did I know that there would be a kiosk in the mall here selling hermit crabs.

To make a long story short...there are 3 new nameless family members.

This is one of the 3:

P, the stand alones and the nameless crab:

We Are Here!!

2006-07-09T22:31:00.000+02:00

We have arrived here in sunny, humid, busy Fayetteville. We had to drive from Charlotte last night because we missed our connecting flight (thanks Frankfurt baggage system), and would have had to wait until this morning for the next flight.

As usual, P was great during our travels, except that she thought it would be funny to repeatedly scare me while I was attempting to sleep on the plane. After threatening to lock her in the bathroom on the plane, she only scared me another 8768 times.

After changing rental cars last night, we checked into the hotel at 1am this morning. We had officially been awake since 6am Germany time (midnight NY time) Friday morning. P took cat naps all day, and was up bright and early at 4am announcing to the hotel room that she was tooooo hungry and didn't think she could survive.

This afternoon, we met up with P's friend J (who was my temporary tenant in Germany), and she decided to spend the night at her house tonight. I'm not really complaining because I'm expected to go pick cotton (at least inprocess) tomorrow morning. Plus, J has a new baby sister, and there is no way that I can compete with that.

Tomorrow after picking cotton, I'll meet with the realtor and she will take me to look at a few houses, which officially starts

Operation Casa Nueva

Oh, I have a question for you blog readers...

I need to get a cell phone, but I have NO idea what to get. Which cell phone service do you have, and why? Would you recommend it to a Broke Single Parent such as myself?

Auf Wiedersehen, Deutchland!

2006-07-07T11:20:00.000+02:00

We have about 24 hours left here in Germany, my home for the last 7 years. I'm not going to go and get all nostalgic on you, so don't worry.

Last week, all my household belongings drove off in the back of a truck, not to be seen again until about 30 August. We moved into a hotel on base, where I had to as myself a question:

Diane (I call myself Diane), how can Uncle LeRoy put a man on the moon, yet he can't seem to get wireless internet in the hotel on the World's Biggest Air Base?

Maybe the whole 'man on the moon' episode was really done on a soundstage.

We leave Saturday morning (tomorrow) headed for NC with one less family member. No, I didn't decide to leave P behind (who would I claim on my taxes??). I've decided to leave Crazy Dog here, with a family that could spend more time with him. This decision was made after realized a few things:

The hotel in NC is not as understanding as hotels here in Europe, and he is not welcome to stay with us, which means I would have to pay $15 a day for a kennel for him. We will be in the hotel for AT LEAST 30 days, which I will ge reimbursed for, but CD's stay is not reimburseable.
I was notified that I will need to go to a class or 2 in the DC area, which means more time in the kennel for CD.
Thinking of traveling with him on the airplane was starting to work my nerves. What if he went' REALLY crazy during the flight? Would the air marshalls apprehend him?

I'm off to the rental car company to turn in the car and pack 7 years of my life into 3 suitcases.

Take care all, and the next post will be from your side of the pond.

Auf Wiedersehen, Deutchland!!

Appointments, Visitors, and Public Service Announcement

2006-06-25T19:39:00.000+02:00

In less than 2 weeks, P, Crazy Dog and I will be on a plane to Raleigh, NC (US Airways, Uncle LeRoy's contracted airline, does not allow pets so we must use an alternate airline and fly into Raleigh instead of Fayetteville).

The last week was filled with appointments:

P's audiology appointment for school physical
Cleaning appointment for New No Named Car
Shipping No Named Car (It should arrive in Charleston, SC on 2 August)
Small household shipment, which I cancelled, but the movers showed up anyway
Imigrations/customs inspection, same day as cancelled moving appointment

The next 2 weeks will be just as busy:

2 days for movers to pack house (everything is going in one shipment~should arrive in Fayetteville on 30 August)
2 days to clean empty house
Move into hotel
Crazy Dog to vet for health certificate
Crazy Dog to kennel
Pick up airline tickets
The rest of P's school physical
Immigrations/customs inspection
Pick up Crazy Dog

All this while still picking cotton at the place that pays me.

Oh, did I mention that a one of my cousins thought it would be a great idea to visit me, starting Monday? Because I knew that I would be very busy trying to move, I attempted to discourage her from coming, but I said to myself

Diane (you know the story) let her visit, then you could really use the ~~free labor~~ help.

So, along with the appointments in the coming weeks, I'll be playing hostess also. Wish me luck.
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Remember the "Genius" that had information regarding millions of veterans/active duty/reservists/national gaurds stolen from his house?

Initially, Uncle Victor wanted to give those affected (or is it effected?) free credit monitoring:

Secretary Nicholson Announces VA to Provide Free Credit Monitoring

Today, I ran across this very interesting story, and since this was not discussed on our Uncle LeRoy issued news service here, I thought I'd post it:

VA Barred from Publicizing Offer to Vets

More information can be found here:

Latest Information on Veterans Affairs Data Security

As I was reading the questions and answers, I said to myself

Diane (that's what I call myself) someone is doing a LOT of damage control, offering up all this information. Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.

Then I remember that I did receive a letter from him last week. Maybe there IS some truth to the answers. Maybe.

I give Uncle Victor a few points for coming forward with the information concerning the breach of security, but I take the points right back because they waited weeks to inform the general public.

Kaiserslautern's World Cup Fan Mile

2006-06-18T14:34:00.000+02:00

First and foremost, I'd like to send a shout out to Christian Zaccardo of the Italian team. Thanks a lot for the goal, without you, team USA wouldn't have a chance of advancing.

Vielen danke, Christian.
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I felt courageous yesterday and ventured downtown (by train, of course) to the World Cup celebration. To sum it up, I have just one word

Ohmygoodness!!!!

There were SO many people there. I've been to Oktoberfest and the Bad Durkheim Wine Fest (two of the biggest), but neither compare to the festivities downtown.

Here are a few photos from my little stroll:

This is the main area, the Fan Fest area:

On a stretch of road called Fan Mile (imagine the Epcot Center at Disneyworld stretched for a mile), many countries and vendors had their own tents, selling food and souvenirs. The Trinidad and Tobago team was represented by a tent that didn't sell food or drink, but instead, they blasted the team song from speakers. Fans of all teams were stopping by and dancing, and having a wonderful time (this was my favorite tent).

GO SOCA WARRIORS!!

This picture is from a tent selling something in relation to 'Wacky Tobacky' or 'Wacky Weed'. I'm not sure what they were actually selling, but when I passed the tent, I noticed that 'military' looking folks were avoiding it like the plague (I'm sure Uncle LeRoy was staking it out).

The Ultimate Fan (not the guy in the Italy wig)...

These two guys had a wonderful idea...they labeled their balcony above Fan Mile the 'First Official World Cup Balcony. They even yelled down and told someone that they could rent it for the evening during the US/Italy match for 500 euro for the prime real estate. What a deal.

The US flag was everywhere. There is an official protocal regarding the presentation of the US flag, and I'm sure that it does not include wearing it like a cape to gain superhere status:

or wearing it like a skirt. Patriotism at it's best:

The balloon maker's hat is a replica of the World Cup trophy, made of balloons:

The next game here in Kaiserslautern will be Trinidad and Tobago against Paraguay on Tuesday. The movers will pick up some of my furniture that day, but if they finish early enough, P and I will go down to the festivities.

The Games have Started!!!!

2006-06-12T22:27:00.000+02:00

For you viewing pleasure, I present P's T-ball pictures:

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The World Cup has officially begun, and it's been brought to my attention that despite the increased security between the boarders, 3 known British hooligans have slipped into Germany. Evidently, these are 3 of over 3,000 that have been banned from traveling to the game.

I'll just say this, if someone is able to recognize you out of a sea of hundreds of thousands of people, you've REALLY got a bad reputation.
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The next game to be played here in Kaiserslautern is the US against Italy on 17 June. It shall be the party of all parties downtown. I think I will venture on down to the festivities, but I'm not sure if I want to take P...there ARE hooligans running loose.

The 20 June game here in Kaiserslautern is Paraguay against Trinidad. GO SOCA WARRIORS!!!!

Thanks!!

2006-06-05T21:57:00.000+02:00

To everyone who offered up homebuying advice, thanks. I really appreciate it. Today I bought a book about buying a home, and I plan to read it before I leave here. I also found out that the World's Busiest Air Base is having a 3 hour home buying seminar tomorrow evening. Today, I reserved a seat for myself.

I'm sure it will be interesting.
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This afternoon, P and I had another one of our discussions:

P: Mom, do you know that you call my teacher by the wrong name almost everyday when you pick me up?
Me: No, I don't, I call him Mr. A *that's what the kids call him*
P: You do call him by the wrong name.
Me: What did I call him?
P: When you pick me up, you ask him how my day was, and he always says it was good. Then you say 'Thank you, Jesus.' Jesus is not his name, you know?
Me: Oh...thanks for correcting me.
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All weekend, I tried to pre-clean before the packers and movers come in a couple of weeks. P volunteered to clean her room, and she's decided to get rid of about 90% of her toys. I told her that she should keep some, because she'll have a playroom at the new house, but she said she really only wants her books, art supplies, TV, DVD player, computer, and movies and nothing else.

So, I've got 3 boxes of really nice toys that need new homes.
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The World Cup kicks off in just 4 days. The city I live in will host 5 games, starting 9 June, the city will have a 31 day party. Yes, a month long party. Where you ask? In the ENTIRE downtown area. All day. All night.

If anyone needs something to do 9 June-9 July, come on over, if you don't have tickets to the games, you can just party downtown. I won't charge you to rent my couch. Maybe.

It's Officially Official

2006-06-01T23:26:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, I found out that my Super Secret Documentation has been approved, so it's officially official...we should be on our way by this time next week (by on our way, I mean packing and shipping stuff).

A couple of days ago, I had a talk with myself. I said:

Diane (I call myself Diane) you need to buy a house when you move to North Carolina.

So, it's been decided...I shall buy a casa once we move to the states. There is only one slight problem...I know absolutely nothing about purchasing a house!! I have but one purpose this weekend...to find a book that explains the house buying process. But, until I do that, I have a question for you, yes you right there, reading this. If you have taken the plunge and purchased a home, and could give 3 important pieces of advice, what advice would you give (if you feel more comfortable emailing me, please do so)?

I've been told that NC has a pretty good first time home owner program, and I am currently trying to translate the text into something that I can actually understand. Also I am eligible for Uncle Victor's home loan program, but my goodness...what a process!! I'm still searching for that elusive Broke Single Parent Purchase Program.

P has one request for the new house...she NEEDS 2 rooms. One for her computer and 'other' stuff, and one for her bed, and in her words,

That does NOT mean that I'll be sleeping there.

Distraction

2006-05-29T16:51:00.000+02:00

How does one distract a 5 year old while you attempt to ~~get rid of all her toys~~ clean her room to get ready for the movers that will be arriving in the VERY near future?

Give her the job of separating all the cash you've collected over the last year. This job kept her busy for almost 3 hours:

After taking her share off the top, I was left with over $200 that will go towards P's college fund.

The Loot!!!!

2006-05-24T20:46:00.000+02:00

As the winner of the the 'contest' to guess my new place to pick cotton, Megan has won all this loot (yes, the Brazil chair is yours, too):

Click picture to enlarge.
Inventory of the loot:

Singing bottle opener
Playmobile soccer man
$100 worth of edible money
Brazil chair
Bucket of Gummy Bears
LOTS of cookies
LOTS of chocolate
Deutchland World Cup scarf
Mini Deutchland uniform to hang in car

I will mail it all tomorrow, so you should get 2 packages by the end of next week.
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To the two consolation prize winners (you know who you are), I am looking for the PERFECT David Hasselhoff CD for you (there are SO many to choose from).

I'm off to create a box for the chair that would survive customs.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

2006-05-22T22:55:00.000+02:00

The winner of the 'Guess the New Place that will Pay Me' contest is...

Megan!!!!!!

She was the first person to email me with the name of the correct base, city, and state. She even named the county (for extra credit, I guess). Megan, your gear will be in the mail before the week is out.

The name of the new place where I will pick cotton is....

Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina (Cumberland County)

Crazy Crew I still hasn't figured it out, and I don't think they will. I blame the Hazelwood Public School System.

As soon as a few secret squirrel issues get worked out, we'll be on our way. Hopefully we'll be there in the early July, because P was accepted at the school that I applied for, and their school year starts in mid July.

Now, another 'issue'...do I rent or buy a house? I really don't plan to stay there more than 3 years, and I'm not exactly sure as to what to do.

Do I buy or rent?

More Clues

2006-05-21T23:33:00.000+02:00

Here are more clues as to the location of our new home:

the oldest city in the state was settled in the early 1700's
the state insect is the honey bee
according to the census bureau, the state is home to over 8 million residents

If you know the name of the city, state, and Uncle LeRoy's property that will be our home for at least the next 3 years (hopefully), email me.

The first one to email me with the correct answers will receive a nice little package from me.

After almost 7 Years, The End is Near

2006-05-18T21:41:00.000+02:00

It seems that my fluff n' stuff resume has worked it's magic.

Last Thursday about 1700 (5pm for you civilians), I received a phone call from the Finder of All Jobs telling me that she found me a new place accross the pond to pick cotton. She tld me that the position is EXACTLY what I wanted, so I verbally accepted the position. Friday morning when I arrived at the place that pays me, I promptly hunted down the Finder of All Jobs and formally accepted (in writing) the offer. The deal is done...we will be back in the US before the end of the summer!!!

My main concern with moving back across the pond is to find a school for P. Since I know a few folks at the new place that will pay me, I called them to find out about ~~places of confinement~~ schools for her. I talked to P's friend J's mom (did you follow that?), and she told me that the school J goes to is technically in session all year (basically 9 weeks on and 3 weeks off, with summer break about 5 weeks). She LOVES it!! I contacted the registration office and sent them and application for P to attend.

I've told Crazy Crew I (mi familia) that we are moving back across the pond, but I haven't told them the location of the casa nueva. Why, you ask? Because I am holding a contest of sorts, and I think that you fine readers should also have an opportunity to win a motherload of World Cup 2006, German treats and souvenirs. So, here's the deal...only 2 readers of this here spot know the location (and are therefore disqualified...I'll send you both consolation prizes)...I'll give 3-5 clues a week the first person to email me the correct city, state, and name of Uncle LeRoy's property where I will pick cotton will win the plethora (my new favorite word) of prizes.

So far, the hints are:

P's babysitter moved there
The area of the location is over 11,000 acres
The city has more than 1 five star golf course (i can FINALLY use my new golf clubs)
It is named after a West Point graduate

Email me if you know the answer.

I'm actually excited about moving, but not about packing all that I've accumulated (I moved here in 1999 with 3 bags of clothes and a snowboard) and shipping the New No Name Car. Anyone want to come over for a visit and help?
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Vee, you asked about Nuttella. A World Cup 2006 soccer ball shaped container of chocolately hazel nutty goodness is in the mail, on the way to Code. Hopefully he'll share with you.

A Plethora of Pictures

2006-05-14T20:24:00.000+02:00

In an effort to make it to Keukenhof (home of the Tulips) in the Netherlands before the park closed for the year, I decided this was the weekend to make the trip.

When we travel to that part of the country, we always stop at a McDonalds in Maastrich, Holland for a bite to eat, but this is the first time that I've noticed this:

Yep, you can get a Happy Meal AND your car washed in the same place!!

Saturday morning, we followed the bus full of gang members to Keukenhof. The bus traveled 100 km/hr MAX, so I was forced to travel the slowest I've ever had to travel on the autobahn (not to include being in a stau). Here is the proof:

While I was crawling down the autobahn, and counting the white lines between the lanes, P was content in the back seat watching a DVD:

A few pictures from the garden:

P and her favorite flowers, the yellow tulips:

This is one of 5 GIGANTE flower arrangements at one of the stores in the park:

These are my favorite flowers:

This picture shows how serious bike riding is in the Netherlands:

On the way home, this restaurant/truckstop is right on the autobahn. I am curious as to what a woopy snack is, but not enough to stop and find out:

I've esperienced the 'optional' pay toiletten (bathroom) here in Germany. At these bathrooms, there is a table in front of the entrance and you just drop some change and go in. You don't have to pay anything, but if you don't the attendant gives you the 'you-didn't-pay-to-use-the-toiletten' eye.

In the train stations in Paris, there are pay bathrooms, where you put the money in the slot, and the door opens for you.

Today is the first time that I've experienced the 'pay now, get a refund later' toiletten. You pay 50 euro cent to use the bathroom and get a ticket, then when you buy something in the store, you use the ticket for a 50 euro cent discount. Click on the picture to get the directions as to how to have a successful toiletten now/discount later experience:

In case you are wondering, kids get in free, if they can walk under this cutout:

Last but not least...in honor of the World Cup, and for the love of Nutella, I present to you, the soccer ball shaped container of Nutella (if you have not had the Nutella experience, you NEED to experience it!):

Afternoon Adventure

2006-05-07T20:51:00.000+02:00

Since today was such a nice day, P and I went for a 2 hour bike ride this afternoon. This trail is about 30 km long:

How do I teach P to ride a 2-wheel bike without:

her getting hurt?
me having a heart attack?

I gave an honest effort after our bike ride, but I almost had 29733 heart attacks, so I quit. I wish there was a fahrradschule (bike school) where I could send her that would teach her how to ride (think of it as outsourcing), because I'll admit that I'm not up for the task.

Speaking of fahrrads...MTV Europe has a show named Pimp My Fahrrad, like Pimp My Ride, only with bikes. Check it out here.

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This is the view on the way back to the house. In the distance, over the hill sits the World's Busiest Air Base, and on a clear night I can see the lights from the runway from my bed room window:

Flowers in the Outfield

2006-05-04T22:40:00.000+02:00

P had a T-ball game tonight.

During the game, while she was in right field, she took the time to decorate her hat with the flowers she picked:

View from the back:

Talent. Pure talent.

That is all.

...And the List Grows

2006-05-03T21:29:00.000+02:00

One day last week when I picked P up from the Place That I Pay So She Can Play All Day, the teacher informed me that P had called one of the other kids in the class a bad name. I turned and asked P what she had called the girl, and she told me that she called her an asshole (the teacher said P heard another child say it on the playground). I told her that that was a bad word, and she shouldn't be calling names.

When we got in the car, P started the conversation again:

P: I thought you said ass is a bad word.
Me: It is a bad word, and you shouldn't say it.
P: I didn't say it, I said asshole.
Me: Any word with ass in it is a bad word, and please don't say it again.
P: If I can't say it, how am I supposed to eat at school?
sidenote: At the PTIPSSCPAD, they have family style dining, with 5-7 kids sitting at the table.
Me: What does that have to do with you eating?
P: I know that pass is just ass with a p in the front, and if I can't say it, how am supposed to ask my friends to pass me some food when I eat at school?
Me: Use sign language, you know the sign.

That was the best that I could come up with while sitting in traffic, trying to leave the World's Busiest Air Base. Another word to add to the list of 'bad' words that P shouldn't say. Yes, there is a list.
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I've finally received P's new passport (the old one expired on 6 April). Now that she is a legal tourist again, next weekend we will be off on our annual pilgrimage to Keukenhof to see the flowers and hang out in the Netherlands. Hopefully we'll 'get lost' and end up in Amsterdam.

Let me know if you want a postcard. It's never too early to start the list.

Speaking of passports...why did P's passport cost me $82 to renew, and it is only good for 5 years, but an adult's passport is valid for 10 years cost only $67? No one has an answer (not even the State Dept). I think it's another one of life's great mysteries (much like the walking on the moon thing and that at every birthday, Big Bird turns 6 years old).

Games

2006-04-29T08:31:00.000+02:00

Hasbro, the makers of the game of Monopoly are updating the landmarks featured in the game. Go here to vote for your favorite landmarks in 22 cities. You can vote for a city once a day until 12 May.
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In 41 days, the 2006 World Cup will begin play here in Germany (9 June-9 July). The games will be played in 12 cities. There will be 5 games played in the city where I live (the US team is playing a game here). Imagine the Super Bowl, the Final Four, NBA Championships and the World Series taking place at the same time. THAT is what the World Cup is like.

From the FIFA website, here is a map of the countries sending teams to the 2006 World Cup:

As with any futball game/tournament, there will be LOTS of hooligans (imagine a SUPER fan) here for the games. According to the BBC, the United Kingdom has barred over 3,000 known hooligans from even traveling to Germany for the matches. All must surrender their passports 10 days before the start of the games, and on each day that England plays, those that are barred from travelling must check in, to make sure they didn't travel to the games. The entire article is here. In defense of England, I must say that hooligans are not only from the UK.

To put it mildly, it will be crazy here.

T-Ball, 10,000, and Expirement

2006-04-22T22:13:00.000+02:00

This morning was the opening day ceremony for the T-ball/Softball/Baseball season at the World's Busiest Air Base. We were told to arrive a little early because it would be crowded. Crowded isn't the word!!

Here is P in her uniform. Nevermind the glove on her head:

There are 100 teams, and over 1200 kids, ages 5-15 playing this season. All players are affiliated with Uncle LeRoy in some way, so this is our version of Little League. Today's ceremony included a gathering of all the teams and a parade.

After the parade, P said she HAD to eat because she had no energy left for her 1200 game.

Here she is at her first at bat:

She did a good job hitting the ball, but chose to skip instead of running from base to base, and for one 'inning' while in the outfield, she spent time digging in the dirt.

At least she had fun.
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The New No Name Car has hit a milestone. No, not it's first accident, that happened months ago. It has reached 10,000 miles:

Maybe it's not so new anymore.
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One of my friends is taking a college level ethics course and asked me to assist in an experiment. She is writing a term paper based very loosely on the Good Samaritan Act. She asked that I do something in public and keep track of how people react.

This morning, I chose to wear my shirt inside out (I chose a shirt that would be VERY obvious, a Polo shirt, with 3 buttons and a collar) to the opening day ceremony, Burger King, and P's game. I kept mental note of how many people I spoke to or spoke to me.

I greeted 32 people
17 people greeted me
I had coversations longer than 3 minutes with 12 people
NO ONE mentioned my shirt being on the wrong side

I really don't know why no one mentioned it to me. I know they noticed my shirt wasn't quite right, witht he buttons on the INSIDE and all the seams showing.

If you saw someone in public (stranger or acquaintance) with their shirt obviously on the wrong side, would you say something to them? Me? I would tell them.

OUCH!!!!

2006-04-19T20:52:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, P had her first T-ball practice. Once we arrived at the park, she proclaimed

I'm just not going to play.

After a bit of bribing (I owe her a strawberry shake, a DVD, and she gets to watch a movie in the car every morning for 4 days) she joined the other kds and had a good time.

While running at the park, she fell into a bush, where she came up with a hand full of thorns. Not normal size thorns, but thorns about as wide as a piece of hair and small enough to fit on the head of a pin. I counted 31. I was able to remove about 10, but the rest had made themselves a home in her hand.

This morning when she woke, the 'thorny' area was red and swollen:

After talking to P's doctor at the World's Busiest Air Base, she asked me to bring her in. She said she was worried about it being infected. I think the Doc was going to try to remove the thorns...until she saw how small they were. She told me to keep an eye on it and to return to the clinic if it 'festers.' Personally, I hope it doesn't 'fester.'

Toys, Gas, and Castles

2006-04-14T23:36:00.000+02:00

When I tell folks that I live here in Germany, I am often asked what I find to be the biggest difference between here and the US.

A picture is worth a thousand words:

The store on the right is a REAL toy store, that sells toys for children. The store on the left is a 'toy' store for the parents of the children. For the record...both stores are right across the street from a Toys R Us.

Just in case you didn't click on the picture for a up close and personal view of the store on the left:
I know you wouldn't find this set up in St. Louis!!
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A couple of weeks ago, someone asked me about the gas prices here. The New No Name Car only had a quarter tank of gas, so it was time to fill it up:

With the current exchange rate, 14.5 gallons of gas cost $92.68. That means that the current cost of gas here is over $6.30 a gallon. OUCH!!
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This weekend, the crew from the World Class Gang were here for a visit, along with 2 OGs (Oma/Grandma) who are visiting from the US.

Saturday, we went to Heidelberg, to visit the castle. I've been to the castle more times than I can count, and it has rained EVERYTIME.

As we were walking around visiting the ruins, P said 'I sure wish they would fix this place, because it's all falling down.'

Find more pictures of our adventure here.

There is a wine cellar, filled with different sizes of vats inside the castle. This is one of the smaller ones (Never mind the little person...she's had a few):

This is a sign from the largest vat:

It holds 58,124 gallons of wine, and is almost 23 feet tall.
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T-Ball starts this week. Joy Joy!!!

New Friends

2006-04-09T19:34:00.000+02:00

While in the yard 'practicing' her T-ball skills, P found a couple of friends.

Her new lady bug friend, Lucy (yes, she named it):

She also found this little critter:

Just in case you didn't click on the picture to see what she was holding, I introduce you to Michael:

Lucy flew away, and P placed Michael in Oma's garden, so no new additions to the family. This week.

A Walk and the Park

2006-04-07T21:44:00.000+02:00

Since the sun was shining today after work, P convinced me to take both her and Crazy Dog for a walk in our village. We went for a walk on the bike trail that runs for MANY kilometers, connecting many villages. One of the families that live near the bike trail set up a little house and they sell drinks and ice icecream. They also have tables with umbrellas and animals.

The opa (grandpa) installed this all weather sled apparatus on the hill next to the donkey and goat pen:

After riding it a few times, P informed me that she wants one for Christmas. I'd get her a turtle first.

This is P sharing her apple with the donkey there are also 4 goats in the pen, but the greedy donkey kept scaring them off so he could have all the apples:

Usually we take something to play with at the park, and this time, P decided to take her golf clubs. Check out her form in this picture:

Did you notice that she TOTALLY missed the ball? At least she IS looking in the direction where she wants the ball to go. Who cares what they say, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FORM!

P and the Flu

2006-04-05T20:52:00.000+02:00

P is sick. It all started Saturday evening when she had a low fever. Sunday the fever was still with us. Monday while at the Place that I Pay so She can Play All Day, she used an entire box of tissue because her nose was 'draining.'

Tuesday morning about 0230 (2:30am for you civilians) I noticed she was very hot, and her temperature was 102.8. After issuing her a dose of Tylenol, she went back to sleep. When she woke at 0800 (8am for you civilians) she ate breakfast (fever or no fever, she will NOT miss a meal) and in an hour, she was back in bed, to sleep for about 6 hours. In 3 days, her temperature had not gone below 101.6

I called her doctor at the World's Busiest Air Base, but there were no more appointments available for the day. After making an appointment for today, the nurse said it sounded like P had either an ear infection or the flu. Joy. Joy.

Today, we went to the Clinic, where she was diagnosed with the downside of the flu. We left with 2 prescriptions, one for the runny nose, and another for her cough. Including with these two, she's taking a total of 4 medications at one time.

If temperature stays down tonight, P's allowed to return to the Place that I Pay so She can Play All Day.

My fingers are crossed because she informed me today that she 'just don't like staying home all day.'

A Festival of Photos

2006-04-03T20:16:00.000+02:00

This past weekend, P and I (sans Crazy Dog) went to Geilenkirchen to visit my friend who is in the World's Biggest Gang. Both her sisters are here visiting from the US. It's always nice to be around first time visitors to Europe. They want to do and see EVERYTHING, and find the most mundane things facinating.

Sidenote: Although my friend lives in Germany, you can literally walk to the Netherlands from her house (the boarder is less than .5 miles away).

Saturday morning, we went to the market in town (in the Netherlands), where I saw this cute skinny house, one of MANY 'Heineken Houses' in the Netherlands (the off-white house is actually a restaurant on the ground level and an apartment on the upper floors):
This is a picture of the cheese truck, selling wonderful cheese at the market:

After we left the market, we walked to the department store, where they had these beautiful pastries for sale:

After buying $40 worth of socks for P (why is it SOOO hard to find knee socks for her?), we went to the walkplatz, where we did a little shopping. We went to one of the coolest stores...called The Soap Store. They had different kinds of hand made soap:

This soap smelled like chocolate and orange.DEEEELISH!!:

Saturday, after our shopping excursion, we drove 1.5 hours to the Second Busiest Air Base in Europe, where there was a bazaar going on, which means a lot of vendors, selling everything from pottery to wine.

I try to stay away from the bazaars because they are so addictive.

Sunday morning after checking out of the hotel, we went BACK to the bazaar (the visitors are already addicted). After the 'bazaar run', we drove to Viaden, Luxembourg to visit this castle:

The visitors were thoroughly impressed with the castle. As soon as P got out of the car, she took one look at the castle and proclaimed, 'Yep, it looks just like the other ones!' I think she's seen one too many castles in her 5 years.

We arrived back home Sunday evening. Tired. Very tired.
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P is addicted to puzzles. I guess there are worse things to be addicted to. Like crack. Here is a picture of her feeding her addiction:

Today, WE GOT CROCS!!! I ordered them from the website last week. They sure are comfy. Everyone should have a pair in their life.

P's tiny Crocs (of course, she wanted pink):

Big and little Crocs:

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Last week, P had to get a physical just in case she gets on a T-ball team. When the tech asked her to read a certain line on the eye chart, P told her, 'You know, I just can't see it.' P's doctor told me that her eyesight is 20/25 in one eye and 20/35 in the other. She referred P to the same opthalmalogist that diagnosed her with an astigmatism over a year ago.

Her appointment is next Monday, and there is a good chance that she'll need glasses again.
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One more thing...do any of you readers have any Boxtops for Education that you don't need? If so, can I have them for my niece in NC? I'll reimburse the postage you pay to send them to me. I promise. Email me and I'll send you my address.

My Faith in Mankind is Renewed

2006-03-26T20:40:00.000+02:00

Saturday afternoon , P and I were involved in a minor 'hit and run' accident. The New No Name Car was at the shop getting the DVD player installed (for P's pleasure and my sanity), so I was driving a rental car. While driving on a windy 2 lane road between my house and another base in the area, a car towing a trailer full of wooden fence sections was approaching us. As we were traveling in one of the curvy parts, one of the fence sections (about 3m x 3m or 9ft x 9ft) flew out of the trailer and hit the hood of the car I was driving. I immediately pulled to the side of the road. I looked in my rear view mirror, and I saw that another piece of fence had come off the trailer also, and was laying by the side of the road. The driver of the car only slowed down, but made no attempt to stop and check on us.

I checked out the car I was driving, and noticed that there is a SERIOUS scratch on the hood, and the passenger side rear view mirror was broke. I stayed on the side of the road for a few minutes, hoping that the driver would come back, but NOPE...he didn't. Eventually, I found a place to turn around so I could drive by the site again, but NOPE, the owner of the fence was still no where to be found. At that point, I basically gave up, and decided to continue with our day of shopping. Just as I resigned to just paying for the damages to the rental car (I had insurance on the car, and the deductible was 750 euro~about $900), I noticed a Polizei car at the site, cleaning up the million pieces of wood from the roadway. Just as I arrived the officers were preparing to leave the scene. I flagged them down, and told them what had happened.

Basically, he told me that since I didn't get the license plate number, it was considered a hit and run, and to not hold my breath concerning restitution.

Fast forward to tonight...the Polizist (policeman) called me at home to inform me that someone that witnessed the accident and called them later in the afternoon to report it, and gave them the details and the license plate number from both the trailer AND the car. I was SO happy that that he called that I screamed in his ear. The Polizist also gave me ALL the driver's information. Tomorrow, I will pass this information on to the Budget Car Rental, so my reputation with my favorite car rental business is unspoiled.

So...it looks like I won't have to pay for a paint job and a new mirror for a car that doesn't belong to me. YEAH!!!!

On a serious note...do you know that it is against the law in Germany to witness an altercation and NOT report it? It's a more strict form of the Good Samaritan Law.

Update...about 30 minutes after the Polizist called me, the driver of the offending vehicle called to give me his information. I asked him if he had noticed that he lost his fence sections. He said that when he arrived at his daughter's house, and noticed that they were gone, he thought someone had stolen them out of his trailer...while he was going 70kph?

The Secret

2006-03-22T19:58:00.000+01:00

Last week, after picking P up from that place that I pay so she can play all day, she told me a 'secret'. The secret is that she has a boyfriend in her class, a 4 year old named Ryan. I may be wrong for this, but the first thing that came to mind is that I REALLY hope she won't make it a habit of having boyfriends that:

still live at home with their mom
doesn't do laundry
can't tie their own shoes
can't cook
and most important, HAS NO JOB!!!

As a symbol of their undying 'love', one of them made this out of 2 popscicle sticks (if you can't read it, it says P heart Ryan):

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On another note, until 6 months ago, milk was a major food group in P's diet. She drank it all day, everyday.

Now...

She won't drink it. At all. Not chocolate, not strawberry, and most certainly not plain.

Is this normal?

T-ball Gear

2006-03-20T22:12:00.000+01:00

Once P turned 5, I was able to sign her up to play T-ball on the World's Busiest Air Base. Because her birthday was during registration, once I did register her, all the teams were full, and she is now #9 on the waiting list. Last week, I on the website for the Red Dot Boutique, I saw some T-ball gear on sale, and asked my friend K to let me know the prices of a few things. Today, we got a package inthe mail. She sent P the following (of course everything is pink):

2 bats
2 gloves (each came with a ball)
a pack of 6 balls
2 pairs of batting gloves
a helmet
a bag

Here is a picture of all her gear (I love the bat on the left. On it, it says 'GIRLS RULE'): It all fits in the bag rather nicely: Here is P in her pajamas:
Now, if she only had a team to play on. The season opens 3 April, and 9 people don't pay within 5 days, she'll get a slot on a team.

I REALLY hopes she does make it on a team, because I'll be John Brown (don't ask) if I chase balls around the yard the entire summer.
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Saturday morning, P asked if she could use some of my glitter tape. Since I'm not the one to stifle P's artistic side, I told her that she could use it. This is what she created:

Needless to say, there is no more tape.

No One to Blame

2006-03-19T12:01:00.000+01:00

Friday after I picked up P at the place I pay so she can play all day, we made our weekly pilgrimage to the store on the World's Busiest Air Base to rent movies for the weekend (along with everyone else on base, it seemed).

As we passed one section of movies:

P: Mommy, I saw your movie back there.
Me: Which one?
P: The one where the boy had 2 guns.
Me: I don't know which one you are talking about.
P: It was the movie where the man said fuck.
Me: Oh, that one... (at the time, I had NO idea which one she was talking about)

She then showed me the DVD cover of the movie Four Brothers.

At the moment she dropped the f-bomb, it seemed like the store was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The folks standing near us just looked at me, trying to figure out to whom they can report me.

Me? I stood there trying to figure out why P didn't say 'it was the movie where the man said 'we have to do this for mom'.'

I think she was going for shock value.

Danke!!

2006-03-17T20:17:00.000+01:00

I just want to take a moment to kick a shout out to Uncle LeRoy for the 'secret' ~~incentive award~~ bonus that I recieved with my pay. When I first saw the amount of the ~~incentive award~~ bonus, I thought WOW, I can get the expensive, overpriced seat covers for the new no named car. With the remaining funds, I may even get this side rail for the new no name car (only in black):

Why is this needed, you ask? Currently, P has to climb into the new no name car on her hands and knees because the car sits so high. It's the least I can do to avoid taking P to the place that I pay so she can play all day (say that 10 times fast) with dirty pants first thing in the morning. And to protect my reputation.
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About 5 minutes ago, P called Crazy Dog into Chaos Cave (her room). After being in CC for about 5 minutes, I heard a him yelp, and he came running into the dining room. When I looked to see what was wrong with him, this is what I saw:

P said she put the bib (belonging to one of her dolls) on him because she was going to share her popcorn with him. Poor CD!!

Why?

2006-03-13T19:42:00.000+01:00

Why do seat covers for my new No Name Car cost over $300?

Also, would I be wrong to charge P for the covers for the back seat? She DOES sit back there.

That is all.

C Noodles and Sticky Cheese

2006-03-09T21:56:00.000+01:00

If P someone asks for spaghetti with noodles for dinner, ~~she~~ they DO NOT mean spaghetti with SPAGHETTI noodles. ~~She~~ They mean spaghetti with 'C' noodles (macaroni), because spaghetti with spaghetti noodles is just plain spaghetti. If you choose to assume that the requester meant spaghetti noodles, you will be forced to do one of 2 things:

use the cooked spaghetti noodles and listen to the complaining while dinner is being consumed (she may protest, but she will NOT pass up a meal)
toss the cooked spaghetti noodles and cook 'C' noodles so dinner can be consumed in peace

Since I am still learning to pick my battles with P, I chose the second option. Once I was finished making the 'spaghetti with noodles', I topped it with mozzarella cheese and put it in the oven. After the cheese was melted, I fixed P's plate and she sat at the table. From the kitchen, I hear:

I didn't want sticky cheese on top!!!

I picked the 'sticky cheese' off the top, and all was right with the world, and she ate 4 servings of spaghetti with noodles. She also ate another serving as a pre-bedtime snack.

What lesson did I learn?

spaghetti with noodles=spaghetti made with macaroni noodles
NO sticky cheese

My New Gadget

2006-03-08T19:34:00.000+01:00

Yesterday morning while gathering everything for work, I grabbed my cell phone and I realized that the message on the display said the battery was invalid. After asking my boyfriend Google, the phone was declared dead. I needed an immediate replacement.

During lunch, I was off to find a replacement phone. It only took me about 2 minutes to find a exactly what I wanted.

This is the old phone, a Motorola V300:
This is the new phone, a Motorola RAZR3:

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An up date on the job situation:

I made the 'first cut off' for positions in the following cities:

Taegu, Korea
Alexandria, VA
Birmingham, AL
Uncle LeRoy's Busiest City in Germany

Where do I want to go? I've always said that I'd go anywhere where P can go to school. The next step in the process could be telephone interviews if they choose. So, for now, it's more or less a waiting game.

It's Winter...Again.

2006-03-03T21:57:00.001+01:00

It has snowed everyday since Monday. Things didn't start getting bad until Thursday. We woke up on Thursday morning to 5.5 inches of snow on our walkway. Since it was nice and fluffy, I was able to sweep it away. While I was abiding by German law and sweeping off my area, P decided to get 'dressed' and her and Crazy Dog ventured out into the yard and played for a while. Did I mention that it was 0615 (that's 6:15am for you civilians)? Because the roads were basically sheets of ice, everyone was on a 2 hour delay, which means you could be late to work by 2 hours. I got word of the delay and I was already on my way to the place that pays me. So much for 2 free hours. It continued to snow all day and night Thursday.

This morning (Friday), we woke to another 4 inches of snow, and another 2 hour delay for work. I arrive at work casually late (but excused). After picking cotton for about 3 hours, all non-mission essetial personnell (that's me!) were released for the day, because the road conditions were so bad.

Once we made it home and changed clothes, we were out in the yard having a great time.

My little angel:

Our 3 foot snowman:

Even CD had a great time (his 'sweater' is actually half a sleeve I cut off an old sweater):

CD and his snow balls (he really needs a haircut):

Everyone have a nice weekend!

I'm Being Blackmailed!

2006-02-28T20:41:00.000+01:00

I think I need some vitamins or something. Every evening about 1900 (7pm for you civilians), I am dead tired. Honestly, I don't know how I survived while in school. On evenings that I went to class (at least 2 days a week), I didn't get home before 2000 (8pm for you civilians), and I usually stayed up until midnight doing homework. Now, I'm ready for bed when P hits the sack.
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In other news, I found out by 'accident' that I am getting a bonu$ from the place that pays me. I'm not quite sure when I'll get it, but I know it's in the works. I can't ask when, because I'm not supposed to know about it. I guess someone likes my cotton pickin' skills.

I've got a question for the masses (that means you!). How old is too old for P to sleep in my bed? She sleeps in my bed EVERY night. I ask her every night if she'll sleep in her bed, and the answer is always NO! Tonight I we had a discussion about it:

Me: So, when are you going to start sleeping in your own bed?
P: When I turn 10, after you take me to Africa for my birthday.

I honestly think she is blackmailing me into taking her to Africa. If it means I can sleep elbow-free in my OWN bed, it's worth the trade. I should make her sign a contract.

Passports, Staplers and Irons, Oh My!!!

2006-02-23T20:41:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow I am taking P to get her passport renewed. Today, I was informed that it will cost $82. For just 5 years. To renew mine costs $67, and it is valid for 10 years.

I really don't understand why her passport costs so much more than an adult's and non of the 143134 automated phone systems at Uncle LeRoy's office was able to help me find the answer.

As a form of protest, maybe I should pay for her passport with 41 $2 cashier checks.
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There is a slim chance that I won't be moving back across the pond anytime soon. That is all I can say regarding this latest development. If you know P's middle names, email them to me, and I will gladly bore you with the details (if you are a glutton for punishment).
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In the past week, I've come to realize that there are two things a person takes for granted:

iron
stapler

I have always said that the stapler is one of the GREATEST inventions in the world. Don't think so? Lock yours away for a week, and you will change your mind by day #3. My stapler at the place that pays me broke (the springy thing has sprung), and I was without one for 2 days, and almost went crazy, because it seemed that every 10 minutes I needed to staple something.

Two weeks ago, I dropped my iron, and every time I've used it since, it leaks water. I'm not talking about drip-drip, I'm talking about POURING out of the end where the cord goes into it. Ever try to iron with a leaky iron? Basically it turns into you trying to dry the wet garment with the hot iron before you burn it up (both the garment and the iron).

Earlier in the week, I borrowed a stapler from a fellow cotton picker, and bought a new iron. All is right with my world once again.

P Says Thanks!

2006-02-21T21:44:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone for P's birthday wishes! I read her all of the messages. She didn't have a birthday party, basically because she didn't want one, but she did want to go to IKEA. So, we spent Saturday afternoon at our favorite store. Saturday P got to decide what we at at every meal. Our menu for the day was as follows:

Breakfast: SpongeBob cereal
Lunch: Burger King, because they had 'cool toys'
Dinner: Spaghetti and apple juice at her favorite restaurant

If she has a few more birthdays celebrated this way, I MAY be able to retire before 80.

Sunday afternoon, she spent a few hours with the Donor and his Bedroom Lawyer. She came home with at GameBoy (#2) and a soccer ball...a REAL regulation soccor ball.

I would like to inform the concerned citizens that P DID NOT receive a turtle, a girl kitty, and nor is there a baby sister in the works for her birthday.
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Monday, I did laundry while P and Crazy Dog did absolutely NOTHING. Now that I think about it, they did do somehting. They did this:

The picture was taken about 1600 (4pm for you civilians) and she still had on pajamas.
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Monday evening in an effort to avoid going to bed, P informed me that she had a loose tooth. After about 3o minutes of complaining, I asked her to come to me so I could see what she was talking about. While checking out her meat hooks, I realized that she had not 1, but 2 loose teeth!! Each tooth on either side of the two that already came out (bottom front) are loose. If they come out, she'll have bottom bunny teeth. Or llama teeth (ever see a llama's teeth?).
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Thanks again for P's birthday wishes!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

2006-02-18T06:19:00.000+01:00

P's birthday is today. I can't believe it's been 5 years since I was at Uncle LeRoy's Biggest and Busiest Hopsital waiting on her to make an etrance. Literally, I had to wait on her...I was in labor for 23 hours, and she still needed a little assistance.

I guess it's true, time does fly when you are having fun!!

Happy Birthday to my favorite girl!! I love you!

Everyone have a great weekend!

Just Stuff

2006-02-16T19:02:00.000+01:00

Crazy Dog is still licking his front leg, even with the bandage on it. Every evening I change the tape covered gauze on his leg, and spot doesn't look any better than before I took him to the Doggy Doc.

So, fearing it would get infected, and would need antibiotics, I said to myself

Diane (you know the story), you had better find something to replace both the tape and guaze for Crazy Dog's leg.

While at the sports store today after getting off work early (more on that later), I found exactly what I needed for CD's leg:

Yes, they are finger sleeves, the ones basket ball players wear (WHY do they wear these?). Here is CD with his new stylish gear:

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I've been in another class for the last 2 days and fortunately the class is held near the place that pays me. Today , while leaving the hill for lunch, I noticed the street was blocked by the police and all traffic was diverted off the hill through a never used access point. Once back in civilization, I met up with the person that signs my timsheet, and was told that they found an unexploded present from one of the World Wars about 3 minutes driving from where I pick cotton. This isn't the first time this has happened, but it is the first time that everyone had to leave the area, and was told to take the afternoon off.

Hopefully everything has been defused by tomorrow, because I plan to pick cotton for half a day, then start my long weekend, which is P's birthday weekend.
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While waiting in exhile this afternoon from the place that pays me, I got THE MOST cryptic message on my handy (cell phone) from my oldest brother.

What's up, call me, I've got something to tell you.

Let me start off by saying that I HATE cryptic messages!! If there is something that you need to tell me, JUST SAY IT, I don't care if you leave a message!! I tried to call him back, and of course, there was no answer. An hour after I received his call, he finally called me back to tell me that my grandfather (mother's dad) died this morning. He had been sick for some time. I haven't seen him since before I joined the Army in 1994.

One of the main reasons that I hadn't seen him in over 10 years was because there was always a chance that I would see my Egg Donor, and I was never quite ready to deal with her in any way (and still not). I haven't seen ED since I was 26 (I'm 35 now). Before that, 18. Before that, 12 (at my brother's funeral). Before that, I think I saw her only a few times.

With that said, I'll send flowers or a plant, but we won't be making the trip across the pond.

The Loaded Question

2006-02-13T20:37:00.000+01:00

One question you don't want your child to EVER ask you:

If I tell you something, will you be mad at me?

How is one to answer a question like this? I thought about it and said to myself:

Diane (I call myself Diane), you had better be VERY careful how you answer this inquiry (Diane uses big words).

I never did really answer the question. But I did find out what she did:

Me: What did you do?
P: I cut something's hair.
Me: Go get it and let me see.

She returned with an armload of stuff. There were barbie dolls, Strawberry Shortcake horses, a Dora doll, and a horse head on a stick that she jumps around the house on. I had every intention of telling her to just throw it all in the trash, and that I wouldn't replace any of it. Honestly, I did. What stopped me, you ask? I quickly calculated that she would be throwing away over $100 worth of stuff.

I said to myself:

Diane (I call myself Diane), you had better do SOMETHING to let her know it's not ok to play cosmetologist (more big words).

So, what did I do, you ask? I told her to throw her trusty scissors in the trash can and clean chaos cave (her room) so she can take a nap, since she was clearly showing signs of sleep deprivation.

After an 75 minutes or so of protesting, she finally fell asleep. For about 45 minutes.
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Last Friday, I registered so Uncle LeRoy can find me a place to pick cotton on the other side of the pond. He has 90 days to do his thing and find me a place to pick cotton in NC. Since I'm using my fluff and stuff resume, I think they will find something for me within a month. I kinda hope so. I'd REALLY like to be settled by the end of summer, because P starts Kindergarten in the fall.

My other big decision is about school for P. Public, private, or charter?

Maybe I'll just send her to cosmetology school.

A Lesson Learned

2006-02-09T20:21:00.000+01:00

This morning, while I was ironing clothes (no speeches...I know I should do it at night), it was time for P to wake up. I called her 334342 times, and I thought she had gotten up. After a few minutes, I realized that I didn't hear her in the bathroom, so I went to check on her.

This is what I found in my bed:

She must have thought I was going to steal her pillow.
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This week, I had to go to family court here in the city I live in. I was forced to go to court because P's dad REFUSED to sign the documentation to get her passport renewed. Her passport expires in April, and if I was to get a job offer after it expires, P would not be able to enter the US. I tried to go about this in a civil manner. I completed all the documents and gave them to him to sign and have notorized, but he refused to so it.

He once told me that he would complete the paperwork if I agreed to something he wanted. Of course I told him that before I let him blackmail me, I'll get sole custody in writing (I have sole custody by law, but I needed it in writing from the court), and I wouldn't have to deal with him about it anymore. He was advised by his lawyer (numerous times) to just sign the document.

Once we arrived at court, I knew it didn't look good for him for two reasons:

They only set aside 15 minutes for us
His lawyer didn't show up. She wasn't late. She didn't show up. AT ALL.

To make a long story short, the judge gave him more than a few opportunities to sign the doucument, and he REFUSED! The last time he refused, the judge said,

'Fine, Frau W, I'll grant you sole custody today.'

Of course, he was more than willing to sign then, but it was a tad too late.

What lessons did we learn this week?

If your lawyer (the one you pay) suggests at least 5 times for you to do something, do it. Listening to your bedroom lawyer will get you NO WHERE. Fast.
If said lawyer (the one you pay) doesn't come to court, you have already lost!

A lesson earned is a lesson learned (maybe one day I'll post about the time he tried to take me to court in Louisina while we lived here in Germany...another lesson he earned, to the tune of about $4,000, oh, his lawyer served me by FAX...SO illegal!).

I Think She's Ignoring Me!

2006-02-08T21:50:00.000+01:00

This morning, P needed a little extra encourgement to put her coat on so we could leave the house:

Me: Please put your coat, scarf, and hat on so we can leave.
about 15 seconds later:
Me: Put your coat on so we can leave!
about a minute later:
Me: Put your coat on, now!!
P: Ok, I was just checking on Crazy Dog.

About 10 minutes later, while driving in the car on the way to daycare:

P: Mommy, I've been thinkin' that I don't like it when you scream at me.
Me: I'm sorry, but when I tell you to do something and you don't do it, I talk louder to make sure you can hear me, just in case something is wrong with your ears and you can't hear me.
P: Just so you know, there is NOTHING wrong with my ears.

After she said that, I said to myself:

Diane (I call myself Diane), I think your girl just admitted that she ignores you on a regular basis.

After a couple minutes of silence, she asked me if I can buy her a snowboard for her birthday. Of course, I acted like I didn't hear her.

When I picked her up this afternoon, she handed me a piece of paper with her birthday list on it. Of course, the first thing listed was a pink and blue snowboard.

Me:0; P:1000.

I think I'm losing. What do you think?

Me Against Them

2006-02-07T19:39:00.000+01:00

Monday morning, I noticed Crazy Dog licking his right front leg. I took a closer look at it and noticed that he had a sore right at his ankle joint. After P saw it, she informed me that he should go to the Dog Doctor. Today. Since the Vet office is right next door to the place that pays me, I took him to work with me. They weren't able to see him because Uncle LeRoy let his crew have the morning off, due to the fact that the Super Bowl didn't end until Monday morning. So, CD got a free day to roam around my office.

This morning, we tried it again...CD went to work with me, and the clinic was able to see him . Once the Doc looked at it, she told me it could be one of 3 things...

A cancerous tumor
A benign tumor
Lick Granuloma Skin Lesion

She attempted to get a sample from the spot using a needle and syringe. It took 3 adults to hold CD still (he's only 5 lbs).After gathering the sample, she gave me some gauze and a wrap for his leg, and told me she would call later in the day with the results.

While driving to pick up P this after noon, she called and told me that CD's spot is #3. It probably started out as a small sore, and he licked it until it was raw and calloused. And keeps licking it. Of the 3 possiblilities, this is the hardest to treat, because there is no cure for it. Basically, she said he gets depressed because he is left alone during the day, so he licks his wound. She also said that before she prescribes antidepressants for him, we'll keep it bandaged so it can heal and hopefully he won't lick it once it is healed.

When I picked P up, and she saw the bandage on his leg, she started crying.

Me: Why are you crying?
P: Because Crazy Dog has a hurt leg. (She DOES call him Crazy Dog)
Me: He'll be fine. The doctor said he's bored at home by himself, so he licks on his sore.
P: I know what will stop him from hurting his leg.
Me: What?
P: You can buy us a girl kitty so he can play with her.
Me: Who is 'us'?
P: Me and Crazy Dog!

Here is a picture of P and Crazy Dog with his green bandaged leg:

I know they are plotting against me. P has been wanting a girl kitty for over a year. I will hold strong, We are not getting a girl kitty. Or a turtle. Or a baby sister for P.

The Missing Package

2006-02-02T19:10:00.000+01:00

While P and I were in the for Thanksgiving, I mailed 3 large boxes back to Germany. I received 2 of the 3 boxes before Christmas (full of P's presents). Yesterday, 62 days after I mailed it, I received the last box. One of the reasons it took so long for the box to make it to me was because I paid for it to go Space Available, and not Priority. By doing so, I saved about $20 dollars. Inside the box was a new printer/copier/scanner and a large roasting pan, items I really didn't need in a hurry.

When I picked the package up, the mail clerk told me that the package had arrived in country the day before, on a boat from New Jersey.

My Uncle LeRoy budget class in Heidelberg is FINALLY over, that means no more early morning or late evening autobahn cruising for me. I won't even begin to discuss how much gas I've used over the last two weeks! Every other day, I had to fill up. I've used over 350 liters of gas during this adventure. There are many people who make the commute everyday. By choice.

P still hasn't decided what she wants to do for her birthday party. One thing I know for sure...she WON'T be having her party here at Casa del Caos (House of Chaos). I have a 2 kid rule. No more than 2 people under 4 feet tall in my house at any given time. It's the law. I'd rather take her on a trip, but not to Africa, as she requested. Maybe to the Olympics in Torino, Italy. It's less than 8 hours from us, and there are plenty of tickets still available.

Pictures

2006-01-29T20:56:00.000+01:00

While attempting to organize the many pictures on the PCs, my laptop, and the 6 cards for my digital camera (there are even some on my PSP), I came across a few that I thought I'd share.

Picture #1

This picture was taken during our visit to NC during Thanksgiving. This is proof that my family is full of computer geeks. Besides the 5 laptops on the table, there was also one in the guest bedroom, and a PC in the house.

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Picture #2:

Last week there was DVD avalanche in Chaos Cave (P's room). One of the shelves holding her colletion (more like inventory) fell off the wall. I think she this is a sign that her collection is out of control.

This is a picture of most of her DVDs (there was one more stack of 27 in her room, also):

Last week, P agreed to give 8 Elmo DVDs to one of her favorite teachers at school. The teacher has a 2 year old daughter that loves ALL things Elmo. Now if we could only find someone with a child that loves all things Barney. Or Bear in the Big Blue House. Or Dora.
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Picture #3

P was playing with the timer on my digital camera and took this picture of her, me and Crazy Dog:

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Tomorrow starts week 2 of my class, so I'm on the road again.

Birthday Plans

2006-01-26T22:31:00.000+01:00

Due to the overnight snowfall, my 70 minute morning drive turned into a 2 hour drive. Once I got to the class site, we just reviewed for tomorrow's test, and the class was released. I was in class only 1 hour 20 minutes, then I started the 1.5 hour drive back to the World's Busiest Air Base where I went to the library to study to kill time before picking up P from day care.

Durning the ride home, for the 796346th time, I asked P what she wanted to do for her birthday in 3 weeks:

Me: Where do you want to have your birthday party?
P: I don't want to have a party.
Me: Do you want to go somewhere instead?
P: Yep, I want to go to Africa.
Me: We've been to Africa before, when we went to Morroco.
P: Not THAT Africa...I want to see lots of animals. The Africa we went to only had buildings.

I told her that we don't have time before her birthday to make plans for a trip, but she did make me pinky promise to take her for her birthday when she turned 10 years old.

She still didn't tell me what she wanted to do for her birthday.

Back to School

2006-01-24T20:25:00.000+01:00

Monday, I started Uncle LeRoy's class about the process of how his budget is Planned, Programmed, Budgeted and Executed, better known as fought over, begged for, and spent (sometines overspent). I'll be honest and say that although this class looks REALLY good on my resume (below all the other fluff), I wasn't exactly thrilled about having to attend. I decided to take the class here in Germany while I have someone to get to P at the World's Busiest Air Base if needed. The other option? Wait until I get a new job picking cotton in the US, (I have NO idea where we'll go), where I will have to find someone to take care of P while I take the class in S. Carolina for a couple of weeks. I'll take door #1. Thankyouverymuch.

Monday, the drive was pretty painless, only 2 hour 20 minutes on the road all day. I say painless, because I had this in the car:

I must say, the iTrip is the best investment I've made in the gadget category (Nurse Ratchet said we have TOOOO many gadgets). I was SERIOUSLY thinking about installing a cd changer in the New No Name Car, but why spent $400+ on a 6 disk changer when I bought both the iTrip and charger for less than $60 from The Red Dot Boutique (TimeTard). I can play any of the 245 songs on the myPod (it officially belongs to P) while driving.

This morning, somewhere between Kanye's 'Touch the Sky' and Jamie Foxx's 'Extravanganza', I forgot to stay in the right lane on one of the autobahns and was headed in the wrong direction. If you've ever driven on the autobahn, you know that if you miss an exit, there is NO such thing as just getting off at the next exit and turning around. The exits are few and FAR between. Today's 'next' exit was 5.5 miles away, which means today's Exit Escapade took me 11 miles out of the way, which means instead of being 15 minutes early for class, I was 20 minutes late.

Don't tell anyone I said this, and I'll deny it if asked...to be an Uncle LeRoy initiated class, this is a very interesting class. It's really interesting to learn how the annual budget comes about and flows on down. From the elected officials, on down the line to me, a cotton picker. They fight for it, and I ensure that the funds are legally executed.

It almost makes me not want to change career fields. Almost.

The Answer is STILL 'NO'!!

2006-01-22T22:01:00.000+01:00

P is still talking to and about her 'turtle'. I'm holding my ground, and the answer is still 'no'. I will not give in, although she's more persistant about the turtle than she is about a kitten, which she has been asking for for over a year.

P's other issue of the day is that she wants to go fishing. I have NO idea where she got the idea from, but she wants to go. This means I must find someone to take her. I call it outsourcing.

I got my taxes done for free at the World's Busiest Air Base on Saturday. Just now, I looked at the forms, and realized that the Tax Dude didn't complete the form for my retirement savings contributions. I'll have to get my return amended.

For the next two weeks, I have to take a class on how to properly execute Uncle LeRoy's money. I really don't mind that I'll take the class, because I can add it to my resume (which will then look kinda spiffy), but what I DO mind is being on the autobahn 2 hours each day traveling to and from the training site. The fact that I'll be reimbursed for my travel eases the discomfort. Kinda.

The Never Ending Request

2006-01-20T21:08:00.000+01:00

Below is a sign that was posted in the international dining facility where the menbers of the World's Biggest Gang get their lunchtime grubbage:

Just to reinforce the facts...you CAN NOT order scrambled eggs, toast and a submarine on Saturdays!!! FYI: Component days=Free days.
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P has one request...she wants a turtle. His name is already picked out. His name is Leo. When she's questioned (by anyone) as to what she wants for her birthday next month, the answer is always the same...she wants a turtle.

I heard her talking to someone while she was in her room alone. I creeped to the doorway and was listening to the 'conversation'.

Me: Hey, who are you talking to?
P: I'm talking to Leo.
Me: Who is Leo?
P: My turtle.
Me: Where is he?
P: He's right here:

I told her for the 9646594th time that I would not buy her a turtle. About 3 minutes later, she showed me this:

Me: What is that?
P: It's Leo, he's in his shell because he's sad.
Me: Why is he sad?
P: He's sad because you won't get me a real Leo so we can play with him. And you won't have a baby sister for me.
Me: Okaaaaayyy...

I think she's laying the guilt trip on pretty thick. I'll stay strong and not give in about the turtle. Maybe. The baby sister? No question about it, I WON'T be giving in. At all.

Thank You

2006-01-18T22:47:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!! I REALLY appreciate it!!

As usual, our weekend with members of the World's Largest Gang was great. Our Hostess was a tad under the weather with a 'flu-like-bug' (that's what she called it), but we still had a good time. The WLG do not celebrate American holidays, so everyone had to work and go to school on Monday. That left P and I on our own to venture around Germany/Netherlands. We made our way to the Happiest Store on Earth...IKEA!!! We were in the store for almost 4 hours.

Surprisingly, Crazy Dog was great all weekend. Except for one thing...I think he was on a hunger strike, because he didn't eat any food the entire weekend, also, most nights he didn't sleep. Tuesday and it rained/snowed the ENTIRE 3 hour drive home. Needless to say, CD slept the entire way home, and once we arrived home, he was asleep in his house before the car was unpacked.
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Tomorrow, I take the Nameless New Car to get repaired. Hopefully, when I drop it off I'll get one of these as a loaner for the day:

Since there is no back seat (only platforms), I'd only keep it during the day because there is no way P is riding in the front seat.

The Weekend Ahead

2006-01-13T15:10:00.000+01:00

After work on Friday, P, Crazy Dog, and I are on the road again...to Geilenkirchen, to hang out with members of the World's Biggest Gang. We'll return home on my birthday, 17 January.

Saturday morning, a group of us are going to the Rolduc Abbey in the Netherlands. I don't really know what's there, but I do know one thing:

THEY MAKE BEER THERE!!!!!!

I'm sure a good time will be had by all, even the designated drivers.

My favorite quote from the site:

Mens sana non potest vivere in corpore sicco (Translation: A sound soul cannot live in a dry body).

If the quote is true, I know a lot of bloggers that have VERY sound souls!!!
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While you are blog surfin' this weekend, go on over to Chookooloonk's and leave a comment, telling her who you are and where you are from. For each comment left, she will donate $1 to AIDS Foundation Houston (plus, she takes really great pictures!!)

Everyone have a great and safe weekend.

Early Morning Altercation

2006-01-11T19:43:00.000+01:00

This morning, after taking P to the place that I pay for her to play all day, while I was driving to the place that pays me, I had a 'slight altercation' with a car that was driving in front of me (no one was hurt). To make a long story short, he stopped, I tried to stop. But didn't. And couldn't. I came to a stop AFTER making contact with his bumper. There was black ice involved. When black ice is involved, it's never pretty.

The other car was, (to put it nicely) a '1919-Get-Out-And-Push'. I even told the driver to take the money and run, because I'm sure the damages are more than his car is worth. Neither I or the driver of the other car were cited by the police that came to our roadside party, so no one is to blame for the altercation.

I wasn't too worried about the damages to the new hoop d'ville (still has no name). I was able to get an estimate for the repair after lunch today. The cost of the repair is far less than my 500 euro ($532) deductible, which means I won't have to sacrifice P's birthday party next month. Just kidding, I wouldn't cancel her shindig to fund the repairing of the new hoop d'ville. I would postpone it a few months. She would never know. I have an appointment next Thursday to get it repaired.

The results of the altercation (to show how early it gets dark here, the photos were taken at 1730~5:30pm for you civilians):

When P saw it after I picked her up this afternoon, the first thing she said was 'WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY CAR?' I would rather deal with precinct full of police than to deal with P's possession issues. Remember Bruce? He 'belonged' to her, too.

Mystery Food

2006-01-09T20:24:00.000+01:00

When I picked P up from daycare, I asked her if she went to sleep at nap time and if she ate snack after naptime.

P: I slept a LONG time at naptime.
Me: Why, were you tired?
P: I did get up, to see what was for snack, but I went back to sleep again.
Me: Why didn't you eat snack?
P: I didn't want any because it was nasty stuff.
Me: What did they have?
P: They bought us spinach cake, and it looked gross. So I went back to sleep for a little bit.

While gathering the 10+ pages of artwork from P's cubby, I was trying to figure out what spinach cake was and why would they serve it to the poor defenseless kids. When we were leaving the facility, I stopped by the menu board to see if they really had something called 'spinach cake' for snack.

There on the board, below the 1400 (2pm for you civilians) snack heading was what they REALLY had for snack...

Zucchini bread

I didn't blame her for sleeping through snacktime...I would have done the same thing.

Why I Love My iPod Video

2006-01-07T20:31:00.000+01:00

Because I can do this during lunch at the place that pays me:

Playing: Season 1 of the Office (downloaded from iTunes)

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WARNING: DO NOT teach a 4 year old how to play UNO. You've been warned!!

P received a deck of Winnie the Poo UNO cards for Christmas and last week I taught her how to play. Every evening after dinner, she asks to play, so I indulge her. For about 15 hands. I think it's time to upgrade to regular UNO cards and deal us each 21 cards.

A sign you are getting beat at Winnie the Pooh UNO by a 4 year old:

R.I.P. Vic, I Think

2006-01-05T22:20:00.000+01:00

First and foremost, I think we need to have a moment of silence for my desktop computer, Vic.
...
...
...

Now that that is out of the way, I'll tell you what had happened. Well, what had happened was...I came home from work yesterday and turned on the computer (before taking off my coat, as usual), the power light came on, but the fan wasn't humming. While watching the monitor, I noticed that the startup sequence didn't get beyond the BIOS screen. After the BIOS screen...NOTHING just a really dark blue screen...but not the Blue Screen of Death (there were no words on the screen). No words, no sounds (no fan), just power lights on both the tower and monitor. I have no idea what's wrong with it. In case you are wondering, no I didn't back it up. Not once in the 3 years I've had it.

Maybe I'll take it in to the shop to see what's wrong with it. Maybe I'll kick it off the patio. It depends how I feel next week. Considering my birthday is 17 January, maybe it WILL take a dive off the patio so I can then buy a new one for myself for my birthday.
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Last weekend, P was still complaining about her ear hurting. Tuesday, when the World's Busiest Air Base decided to wake from the weekend's slumber, I made an appointment for her at Pediatrics. When the Chair Force Doc looked in P's left ear, she let out a spontaneous 'Oh, my!' She went on to tell me that P has an ear infection, but didn't say just how bad it was. She only said that she must treat it 'aggressively'. We left with a P a prescription for 13ml (almost 2.5 tsp) of amoxicillin twice a day for 10 days and some cough medicine for the coughing/sneezing/runny nose.

This is the first time P has had an ear infection since she was about 14 months old, when she had her adenoids taken out and tubes put in her ears. If she is feeling better by MLK weekend, because we might go to either here or here, both places are in Austria, which is beyond my 3 hour driving limit, but I MAY make an exception this one time.
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Thanks to everyone for the advice regarding my question about scrapbooking. Maybe I can pay someone to be a cyber shopper for me and order everything I need to get started. Hmmm....

Just one more thing...

I am looking around for a car charger and FM transmitter for both my iPod mini (P's myPod) and my iPod Video. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what make/model I shoud get?

Happy New Year!!

2006-01-01T19:00:00.000+01:00

I hope everyone had a great time celebrating the new year. Me? We went to bed at 2230 (10:30pm for you civilians), and was startled awake at 3 minutes before midnight by the sounds of my WONDERFUL neighbors setting off fireworks. I'm not complaining at all, because at least the wild boars were scared enough to stay in hiding all night.
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Since I am officially finished with school (I received my letter of completion in the mail on Tuesday), I have some 'spare' time on my hands now. I was thinking about what I could do with the extra time and I said to myself

Diane (I call myself Diane), you need a hobby!

So I've decided that my new hobby will be scrapbooking, beginning with printing the hundreds of pictures I have of P and our adventures.

While I was in school, we had 3 kinds of evenings:

School evenings (2)
Homework evenings (3)
Free evenings (2)

So I've decided that on 'homework' evenings, I'll start going to the gym and work up a sweat at the World's Busiest Air Base, and on 'school' and 'free' evenings, I'll start organizing the printing and organizing the photos.

Since I didn't have a photo printer, I bought this snazzy new gadget, and I LOVE it!:

The pictures come out REALLY nice. Now, can anyone tell me what I need to start scrapbooking, and where I can buy the supplies online?

Why Didn't Someone Tell Me??

2005-12-30T20:21:00.001+01:00

I love the place that pays me as much as the next person, but

Why didn't someone tell me that Monday was a holiday, and I won't have to pick cotton until Tuesday?

Had I known this, I would have made plans to go skiing/snowboarding on our long weekend.

DARN!!

Cabin Fever

2005-12-29T22:18:00.000+01:00

I have been homebound for the last 2 days. In the last week, I've been to the place that pays me only 1 day (Tueday).

During our semi weekly trip to the commissary Tuesday afternoon, P informed me that her 'teacher' at the daycare let them go out and play in the snow (it snowed about 4 inches ALL day on Tuesday), and her nose and hands were cold, and her pants and shoes/feet were wet. Had I been informed that they were going out in the snow, I would have taken the snow boots, the REAL mittens, and her ski bibs to school for her to change into.

Needless to say Wednesday morning about 2AM P woke with a terrible cough, fever, runny nose, and overall 'my-teacher-let-me-outside-in-the-snow' cooties. So we stayed home Wednesday. And Thursday.

Also, it has continued to snow here for the last 48 hours. The roads are so bad that Uncle LeRoys folks announced that if you are not mission essential at the place that pays you, just stay home. And that I did!! My street has not been plowed, so 6 inches of snow is now 3 inches of packed snow/ice.

Even though she's sick, P is still an eating machine. Today, she woke from a Children's Tylenol Cold induced nap, I asked her if she was ready for lunch, and she said no (watching dvds she received for Christmas was more important). A few hours later it was dinner time (1830~6:30pm for you civilians), then bed time and that's when the trouble began:

Me: You need to take a bath so you can get in bed on time.
P: I can't go to bed yet.
Me: Why?
P: Because I didn't eat dinner yet.
Me: We had chicken soup for dinner. *homemade, thankyouverymuch!*
P: That wasn't dinner, that was lunch.

I know you are wondering...yes, I made her 'dinner' (salmon, mac 'n cheese, and green beans)before she went to bed at 2030 (8:30pm for you civilians) , and she ate every bit of it.

I will make an honest attempt to go to the place that pays me tomorrow (Friday) only becuase we need to go to the commissary...again.

Headless Barbie

2005-12-27T21:12:00.000+01:00

I hope everyone's Christmas was great, and you got what you wanted. Our Christmas was fun, to say the least. It was good to have 4 days off with no real plans.

P opened her presents in record time. When P opened the presents Mary sent her, she was convinced the first package was a headlesss Barbie, when it really is an extra set of clothes for Barbie. She asked me why Mary kept Barbie's head:

Once she opened the second package, she finally figured it out and before I knew it, Barbie was nekkid (along with the other 4). They still are. Just like P, they have all the clothes in the world, but would rather run around the house in their birthday suits.

Here is a picture of P and Crazy Dog Christmas morning. He puts up with so much from P. While she was opening her gifts, she put the bows on him, and he was covered head to tail in bows.

Happy Holidays!!

2005-12-24T10:58:00.000+01:00

Happy holidays to everyone!

P and Crazy Dog

Operation Christmas Package and Meat Hooks

2005-12-20T21:28:00.000+01:00

Operation Christmas Package has successfully come to a close with the arrival of both packages full of P's gift. Most of the gifts are wrapped and the others are hiding from P at the place that pays me. Every morning P takes inventory of what's under the Christmas tree.

We also received a package from Mary yesterday. It contained presents for BOTH of us. Thanks SO much Mary!! P wanted to open the gifts she sent, but I told her that she had to wait until Sunday morning, so they are under the tree, along with the rest of her loot.

Thanks, again, Mary!!
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All last weekend, P was complaining about her ears hurting 'inside at the bottom'. I checked her temperature, but she did not have even the slightest fever. Monday morning I called her doctor (who's in the Chair Force), and she told me that she could have an ear infection even without a fever, and to give her Motrin AND Tylenol for the pain.

Monday night, while assisting P in the brushing of her meat hooks, I realized why she was having 'ear pain'. She's getting 2 new teeth WAY in the back on the bottom...her first molars, the ones she's NOT supposed to get until 6 or 7 years old (she'll be 5 in February).

The Tylenol seems to be helping for P's discomfort, but the Tooth Doc still wants to see her and make sure everythig is ok with the new meat hooks.
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Just 2 more days pickin' cotton, and the long weekend begins (I might even take off from work on Tuesday)!

DONE!

2005-12-18T19:51:00.000+01:00

My last day of school was on Thursday, where I had to present my portion of a group project. I got a B in the class, and I'm so happy to be done with my degree! I have my Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management. The University has only one graduation ceremony a year, in May, and I don't think we'll be here when the time comes.

Now the big question...what to get myself for a graduation present?

Uncle Victor's reps have already questioning me about starting the Masters in Information Systems program. My first answer is to take some time off, but when I think about it, the last time I 'took some time off', it turned into a 6 year hiatus. Maybe once we get settled in the States I'll get started on it.
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Saturday morning, we made Christmas cookies. We had plans to make 4 different kinds, but once the first batch was finished and I realized how many each batch made, we each picked out one kind. I picked chocolate chip with pecan and P wanted to make sugar cookies.

Being that P is 110% girl, she chose to decorate her cookies in pastel colors. Here she is, hard at work:

Some of the finished cookies:

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Christmas package update...there is NOTHING to report. I still have only one of the packages I mailed from the US before we left. Wednesday will be the deadline...if the others have not arrived by then, I'll dip into the retirement fund and head to the nearest Toys R Us. I have no idea what to get because EVERYTHING she wanted is in in the packages somewhere between here and New York.

This week will be a short work week, capped off with a long weekend!!

The Job Hunt

2005-12-13T22:11:00.000+01:00

For those playing along at home, I've mentioned before that P, Crazy Dog and I will be moving back to the US within the next year or so. Although I don't have to, I've been looking for a new place to pick cotton, and I've applied for a few jobs in the last month. sidenote: for those of you who know about Uncle LeRoy's process, you know how crazy it is.

Today I was notified that I was referred for one of the positions that I applied for...in Los Angeles.
When I first found out, I wasn't very happy...until I found out how much my pay would increase (along with at promotion), then I got happy. This is basically the first step in the selection process. I also applied for 2 positions in Washington state, and I would be REALLY happy if I was referred for those positions.
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In the What Was I Thinking category...I did ALL my Christmas shopping for P while we were in the States. I packed everything in 3 GIGANTE boxes and mailed them from VA. What's the problem you ask? I totally forgot how slow mail moves this time of the year. Today I picked up the smallest of the boxes from the mail room, and was told that the other 2 might not make it here before 1 January.

While in the VA, I bought the new iPod Video. I bought a Nano first, then I realized that for just $50 more, I can have 6,500 more songs, pictures AND video!! So I returned the Nano, paid the restocking fee and price difference, and bought a black iPod Video. It's NICE!!!

P has now claimed my pink iPod mini as her own. She calls it her MyPod. Maybe I'll wrap it and put it under the Christmas tree for her.
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Thursday night is the LAST class of the LAST class that I need for my Bachelor's Degree. I just have to finish my portion of a group project, and it's OVAHHHHH!! It's been a LONG 3 years. I started school again (after 7 year break) in January 2003. My goal was to finish by December 2005. Mission accomplished!!
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The tooth-es fairy left P $10 for both teeth. She wanted to buy a $15 DVD. I told her that she needed $5 more. She asked me to 'borrow' it to her, and said she'd pay me back when her other teeth come out and the teeth-es fairy leaves more money.

Crazy Dog's Stinky Air

2005-12-10T22:49:00.000+01:00

Last night P and I were discussing how to put an end to Crazy Dog's 'stinky air' (breath).

Today P just wanted to follow up the conversation:

P: Did you get the meat soda for Crazy Dog?
Me: What are you talking about?
P: The meat soda to brush his teeth with.
Me: I have no idea what you are talking about.
P: You said you were going to get some meat soda to brush his teeth with because he has stinky air.
Me: I'm sooo sorry, I don't know what that is.

P gave me a look of disappointment, then I realized what she was talking about: Yesterday I told her that maybe we could use baking soda to brush Crazy Dog's teeth. She thought I said bacon soda, and turned it into meat soda.

Baking soda=bacon soda=meat soda.

The only excuse that I can come up with is that she IS related to TimeTard, and she DID crawl early!

Back at Home

2005-12-09T20:38:00.000+01:00

We left the US on Tuesday at 2230 (10:30pm for you civilians) and arrived home at 1900 (7pm for you civilians). Considering the 6 hour time difference, checking in 3.5 hours early for the international flight, the short but festive layover in Paris, we traveled for about 18 hours over 2 days. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. Neither P or I was jet lagged once we landed on either side of the pond. I went back to work and P went to school the next day.

For those at home placing bets, I must announce that TimeTard was LATE picking us up from the airport in DC. Yep, late, with no excuse!!

For Thanksgiving we went to my sister's house near Camp Lejeune where for the first time in 22 years we were all under one roof (minus my youngest brother). A good time was had by all, and P really enjoyed herself hanging out with my nieces (one is 5 months older than P and the other is 15 months younger than P).

I did so much shopping on Black Friday!! It's been a long time since I did that much damage to the retirement fund in one day. It cost me $185 to mail everything back to Germany. I attempted to post pictures, but I think Blogger is upset that I haven't updated in over 2 weeks, so it is not being nice.

Now that we are back home, I must unpack (in a week or seven).

Overall, we had a great time in the States. It was nice to see Girly-man, Pimpalicious, Nurse Ratchette, and TimeTard again (my brothers and sisters). I will admit that it was great not running into the Killer-of-All-Dreams, the Gypsy, and the Half-Centry Pimp better known as the Ex-Stepmonster, the lady standing between me and my inheritance (my dad's mystery wife), and my dad.

While in the States, it REALLY hit me that we would be moving back soon. I have soooo many questions...Which cable company? Which cellphone company? Is Geico REALLY for me? Paper or plastic? Public, private or charter school? I think I'll need a class to help me adjust to living in the States for the first time in 7 years.

On another note, P has lost another tooth (she says teeth-es). She doesn't want to put them under her pillow. Is it ok for the teeth-es fairy to still leave something for her?

The List

2005-11-22T00:05:00.000+01:00

I was minding my own business ~~watching TV~~ packing (STILL), and I had a thought. I said to my self:

Dianne (that's what I call myself), you forgot about the Christmas card list.

So, the 2nd Annual If-You-Want-One-You'll-Get-One Christmas Card List is underway. If you want to be added to our Christmas card list, email me your info.
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For those of you keeping score at home, today TimeTard asked what airline we are flying, what time we land, and which airport we fly into for the 254612355th time. I just KNOW she won't be there when we land tomorrow.
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Just in case I don't get a chance to update before Turkey Day...Happy Thanksgiving to All.

Packing...So Over Rated!!!

2005-11-20T19:41:00.000+01:00

I am making an honest attempt to pack for our trip...really, I am.

Halfway through packing P's stuff, I've realized that she needs a bigger suitcase (no space for the 5 pair of shoes & extra coat).

So tomorrow during lunch I'll get her a bigger suitcase, which leads to one of my pet peeves:

Luggage that doesn't match

So, I may just get an entire new set.

I really wish I could pay someone to pack for me!

3 Days to Go...

2005-11-18T16:30:00.000+01:00

I'm not anymore ready for our trip across the pond than I was this time last month. I promise I'll start packing Saturday. Or Sunday.

I asked P what she would like to take to entertain herself while we travel. She had only one request, a pink Gameboy. After searching high and low, and not finding it online, I realized that the pink Gameboy is only sold here in Europe (it plays both American and European games).

After selling a pint of blood, I was finally able to grant P her wish. I introduce to you P's new toy,
The Gamegirl (P's name for it, because she's pink...DUH!):

I'm down to 3 days before we leave...and I have NO idea as to what to get for anyone. I think our presence is enough, but I've been informed that this is so not true.

Tomorrow we will go on a shopping spree for chocolate/gifts/wine for everyone. My brother left a piece of luggage at my house when he was visiting last spring (I refuse to pay to send it to him) so I'll load it up with the chocolate/gifts/wine.

Our travel will begin at 0900 (9am for you civilians) Tuesday when the limo service picks us up to take us to the airport. The flight itself will be about 10 hours (including short layover in Paris at Charles de Gaulle). Add 1.5 hours just to get through customs (with nothing to declare), and I'll add 3 more hours because I GAURANTEE TimeTard will either a.) forget to pick us up, b.) forget which airport, or c.) forget what time we arrive.

P usually does really good on the flights (she's been across the pond and back 4 times). Usually, right after takeoff, she passes out and won't wake until we land. If she's awake, she's been known to walk around with the flight attendants, just a meetin' and a greetin' other passengers.

When we check in for our return flight, I will promptly volunteer to give up our seats, and hopefully we can get either a free uprgade or discount coupons (the last ones we received during our last trip went unused).

Kim and Grayse, send me your contact information so we can make arrangements to see you while we're there (Kim, no, you can't use P as your 'practice' niece). If anyone else wants to hold lively conversations with P, send me your information, too. You have to promise that if you meet TimeTard and she asks how we know each other you will NOT MENTION THE BLOG!! Just tell her we met at some seedy joint in Amsterdam or something. Just don't forget the story (Mary)!

Maybe I'll Start Packing Soon

2005-11-13T22:59:00.000+01:00

We leave for the for our visit to the other side of the pond in 8 days.

As usual, I'm not really looking forward to it. There is something about living out of a suitcase for 14 days that bothers me. I never have a problem living out of hotels when we travel around Europe, but give me 3 days with any member of the Crazy Crew I, and I'm ready to make the 10+ hour trip back to Germany.

There are always the questions of 'So, who do you work for?' and 'So, what do you do?', as in what 3 letter abbreviated super secret agency I work for. CCI just can't grasp the fact that I have a 'normal' job (pickin' cotton), and live a normal life here. They KNOW something else is 'going on', and I'm not 'coming clean'.

Usually after a few of these discussions, I'll just feed into their suspicions, leading them to believe that I really am a Secret Agent, undercover as a Broke Single Parent. I have 8 days to get my Secret Agent stories together.

Anyone know of where I can find information about things to do while in DC/VA/MD that's kid friendly? I'm even willing to visit the Smithsonian. Again.
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A sampling of questions P has asked me in the past 4 days:

Do butterflies poop? (while in line at the commissary)
Can I have 5 boyfriends?
Can you play tag with me? (in the house)
Can you buy me a laptop for Christmas?
Can you let me drive the new car one time, pleeeeeaaase?
Why does Crazy Dog always lick his butt? (while in line at the Post Office)

Maybe I'll attempt to answer the questions (and those to come in the next 8 days) during the 10+ hour flight (and layover in Paris).

The Bad Influence

2005-11-07T20:08:00.000+01:00

Something you REALLY don't want to hear your ~~tax write off~~ child say across a busy birthday party room:

Mommy, are this a bad fingers? While holding the two questionable fingers (one on each hand) above her head for all to see.

In an effort to save face, I say (from across the room):

Who showed you how to do that?

Answer back from ~~the owner of the questionable fingers~~ P:

Ryan!! (a kid in her class, not at the party)

With the her knowledge of 'bad fingers' and her hair cutting skills, P is ready to work in any salon between highways 170 & 70 in St. Louis.

Moving to a City Near You...Maybe

2005-11-03T22:05:00.000+01:00

Well, it's official, P and I will be moving back to the states before August 06. When asked where I wan to live, I've always said that I really didn't care, as long as P can go to school.

I have 2 choices:

Wait until February, and let Uncle LeRoy find me a job (once one is found, I have 3 days to accept it). If I let that happen, I will be totally at his mercy, and probably end up in the VA/DC/MD area. If this were to happen, my pay would automatically increase by almost $6,000, due to the cost of living in the area.
Update my resume and start looking for a job myself, then I can be more selective.

I think I will start applying for jobs now. Every day, there are at least 50 jobs in Uncle LeRoy's database for my cotton picking skills. That means this weekend I'll be working on my resume instead of going to IKEA.
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I knew it would happen sooner or later, and P done done it!!!

She cut her hair today at school. Remember the Salt 'n Pepa assymetrical hair cut from the 80's? Well, P has one now, too.

While I was in class, the babysitter was doing P's hair and noticed the new 'cut'. After class when I went to pick her up, P and I had a talk:

Me: What happened to your hair today?
P: I cut it (she hasn't learned to lie, yet)
Me: Why?
P: Because I wanted to.
Me: Did you cut it all by yourself?
P: Yes, and I cut Kiersten's, too. (a girl in her class)
Me: Does the teacher know?
P: Yes, because I told her that I cut our hair.
Me: What did she say?
P: Nothin'

Hopefully it won't happen again. If it does, I'll shave her entire head so she'll have nothing to cut. Just kidding. Kinda.

Malicious Tea Cakes

2005-10-31T19:44:00.000+01:00

One Saturday morning a few weeks ago, I was watching of Roker on the Road, one of my favorite shows (next to Bobby Flay~who will grill ANYTHING, and $40 a Day). The show featured a family in Nashville that owns a company called Tennessee T-cakes.

My boyfriend Google helped me find the business online, and I ordered a box of tea cakes.

They arrived today:

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! They are DEEEELISH!!! P says they are malicious, yummy, tiny cakes.

I think I will order a bunch and have them delivered to my sister's in NC along with a Honey Baked Ham as my donation to Turkey Day dinner (I really hope she's not expecting me to cook anything).

Birthday Boy and Las Vegas

2005-10-28T23:39:00.000+02:00

P recieved a birthday invitation for one of the boys in her class earlier in the week. I asked her what we should buy for the Birthday Boy. She told me she didn't know, so I told her we'd ask him the next time I saw him. I saw Birthday Boy on Thursday:

Me: What should I buy you for your birthday?
BB: I'm gonna need you to buy me a race car track. The one that the cars stay on, 'cept I want trucks and not cars.
Me: Um...I'll tell your mom what you want.
BB: NO! Don't tell her, she said she ain't getting it for me, so I'll need you to get it.

Birthday Boy may be one of the nicest kids in P's class, but I'll still get him a GIANT box of legos.
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This morning while P was having her 6am breakfast (as opposed to the 8am breakfast) she had a grand idea:

P: Mommy, I want to go somewhere.
Me: Where do you want to go
P: I want to go to Las Vegas.
Me: What's in Las Vegas?
P: They have lots of games there and when you play, they give you money.

Where did she learn about Las Vegas?

School, Shoes, and Teeth

2005-10-25T22:37:00.000+02:00

Tonight was the first class of my last term. When I arrived at the class, I realized that the instructor is the same I had for the database class last spring. Once again, he started with the crazy talk

fajaoaereraek Telecommunications oeroiendfa

It's going to be a LONG 8 weeks (even with our 2 week trip to the states), so I had better get some new movies and games for the PSP, to 'help' me ~~stay awake~~ pay attention in class.

I received an A in each of the 3 classes I took last term. I am so happy! The GPA will survive!
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Yesterday, P wore a pair of shoes to school that I had purchased about 45 days ago. When I picked her up, the teacher informed me that there was a problem with her shoes staying on her feet. I assumed that they were too small, so we headed to the store to get a new pair. Imagine my surprise when her foot measured 1.5 sizes larger than the shoe she had on!

P wore the shoe on the left yesterday, but her foot fits the shoe on the right.

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P's tooth is still hanging in her head. The new tooth is trying to push it out, and she won't let me 'help' it out. The bribing won't work this time.

The Past Year

2005-10-22T12:50:00.000+02:00

I just remembered that my one year anniversary at this here blog is sometime soon. Imagine my surprise when I checked my archives and saw that today is the day!!! I started this blog on 22 October 2004.

Every blogger has that ONE person that encouraged them to start their own blog. Mary encouraged me.

It's easier to reflect on the year when it is written down. Some of the highlights of the last year are:

P turned 4 and turned into an eating machine (hasn't stopped yet)
I've earned 24 credit hours in college, with a 3.6 GPA
I've earned my Associates of Arts in Computer Studies
At the place that pays me, Uncle LeRoy increased my compensation for pickin' cotton by 22% (and I REALLY appreciate it!)
I've been formally warned that I'm being kicked out of the Broke Single Parent Club (evidently I no longer qualify)
P and I have traveled to Paris (twice), Barcelona and Salou, Spain, Disneyland Paris, Santorini and Crete, Greece, and Geilenkirchen (too many times to count)
P has lost her first tooth, and the second one is on it's way out, too
I sold my ever faithful Bruce and bought a new hoop d'ville (which has no name yet)

Thanks to the readers that stop by to read about us and our place across the pond. Hopefully during our visit to the DC area in November we'll get a chance to meet.

Kinder Eggs

2005-10-16T21:44:00.000+02:00

In my last post, I mentioned Kinder eggs, and a few folks have asked about them. Saturday, P an I went shopping and picked up a few for your viewing pleasure.

These are kinder eggs (in German, kinder means kid/child/little one). They are wrapped in foil, and cost less than $1 each. I usually buy a bunch when they are on sale for less than 60 cent:

They are hollow chocolate eggs (the outside is brown chocolate and inside is white chocolate):

Inside the eggs, there are little capsules. Most are yellow, but I've seen white, blue and orange also (they are part of the toy):

The capsules with the pile of chocolate in the back:

Inside each capsule is a toy. Some are one piece figurines (which are VERY popular) and others require assembly. There are sets of toys, and I've seen complete sets sold a flee markets for LOTS of cashola:

Once the toys are assembled, this is what they look like:

The toys and their former homes:

What did I do with the chocolate? I used some of it to make hot cocoa for P and I. Mine is on the left, with a few ounces of Kalua added:

Uncle LeRoy's food crew decided long ago that non-food objects can not be housed inside food objects, so kinder eggs aren't to be sold on US property (they used to be sold in the commissary on base, but not any more).

P's other bottom tooth is loose, so I'll have to stock up on more eggs this week. I may need to bribe her once again.
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Another school term has come to an end, and last week, I registered for the LAST class I need for my degree. With our 2 week vacation to the states in November, I hope the next 9 weeks sail by.

The Weekend's Adventures

2005-10-10T22:28:00.000+02:00

Even though I was off work for the last 4 days, my weekend didn't seem very long.

Friday afternoon we went to hang out with members of the World's Biggest Gang. Saturday morning WAY before the sun came up, I drove to the Soon to be Second Busiest Air Base for class. After a final exam in the afternoon, we were released, and that class is complete! Sunday, after lounging all day, we got together with some gang members for dinner. Monday after sleeping in, we hit the road, and headed back home.
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For the past 3 weeks, P has had a loose tooth, and it got looser by the day. Someone in her class at daycare informed her that it would hurt and bleed if someone pulled it, so much of our weekend was spent with me 'convincing' her to let me pull it. So far, this is what we agreed she would get if she let me pull the hanging, wobbley tooth (but who is keeping score?):

One new Bratz doll
anything Hello Kitty
Some pink money (a 10 euro note, worth about $13)
a trip to the zoo
a trip to Disneyland Paris
20 bucks
McDonald's for dinner for 4 days
5 kinder eggs

Most times, she would let me get close, but not close enough to get a grip and yank. But then, I caught her while she was distracted, and out came the tooth!

Here is the result (my very own snargle tooth):

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This is a sign near my friend's house in Geilenkirchen:

Everytime I see the sign, this is what I think about:

If The Netherlands is to the right AND left, what country does the road in the middle (the one I'm on) belong to? Do you think I've found the elusive 'No Man's Land'? I think I did.

Maybe I can claim it as my own, and start my own country.
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During the ride home, P was complaining about the sun in her face, and after about 10 minutes, she said sh was going to sleep. This is how she went to sleep:

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It's back to pickin' cotton tomorrow, and 2 more days of class, and the term is over!!! Next term...2 classes, and I'll get my Bachelor's degree!!!

30 Years Later

2005-10-07T12:00:00.000+02:00

In an hour or so, we are leaving for the weekend to go the Geilenkirchen because I have class on Saturday. Since Uncle LeRoy let us off on Monday, it's gonna be a LOOONNNG weekend!!

While I'm away, I leave you with this:

P, 6 months old, picture taken August 18, 2001:

Me, 6 months old, picture taken June 17 1971:

Have a great weekend and be nice!

Nothing Much

2005-10-04T21:51:00.000+02:00

Today I had a 'discussion' with the graduation office of the college I attend. My phone call was originally about transferring credits from another college I am also attending. During the phone call, she commented that after this term, I'll have only 2 classes remaining, I told her that according to the 'official' evaluation sent to me by her collegue last week, I have 3 classes left.

She argued with me for 10 minutes, explaining how the credits added up, and where to place my classes on the degree program. Once she finished, I ~~picked the phone back up~~ told her that I would check the evaluation that was mailed to me.

Now that I'm home, I've checked the evaluation, and I DO need 3 classes!!! Anyway, why would a soon to be graduate argue that they needed MORE classes??? I don't want any surprises come December.

I think she'll be offended, but I'll email her a copy of the evaluation I received last month that shows 3 classes remaining. I swear, I want NO surprises at the end of next term!
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On another note, our year end close out at the place that pays me went rather smoothly, although there are BIG problems WAY up the food chain, we closed rather painlessly.

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Yesterday about 1800 (6pm for you civilians) when we came home, I told P to put her gloves away:

Me: Put them in your coat pocket so you'll know where they are.
P: I can't put them in there.
Me: Why not?
P: Because I've got something in there.
Me: What is in there?
P: A tiny caterpillar, and I can't find him in there.
Me: Let me have your coat.
I stuck my hand in the pocket, and a .5 inch semi squashed green caterpilar stuck to my finger when I pulled out my hand.
Me: Why is this it in your pocket?
P: I put him in there to help me eat the berries I found outside.
Me: Where are the berries?
P: I ate them all. He couldn't eat anymore because he got squished.

I know you are thinking...WHAT berries??? Well, so am I!

2005-09-29T22:01:00.000+02:00

Things at the place that pays me are CRAZY! Those of you that know about Uncle LeRoy's fiscal year know what I'm talking about. Since I am the keeper of a portion of Uncle LeRoy's fundage, September is always a crazy month. If all goes well tomorrow (Friday), I'll only have to pick cotton 15 hours, instead of my regular 8 hours.

Because I worked until almost 1900 (7pm for you civilians), I was forced to miss class tonight. Too bad, because I was to turn in a rough draft of a 5 page term paper about typesetting (I hadn't started it yet).
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Last week, P had on a pair of shoes that was coming apart at the toe (both shoes). I had bought them at Footlocker in Barcelona, so I was convinced they were falling apart because they were poorly made. Monday, we went to the store on the World's busiest Airbase, and I had her foot measured. Evidently the shoes weren't falling apart because of poor craftsmanship. They were falling apart because they were a size 9 and her foot is now a size 10, and her toe was trying to get out.
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School is coming along ok. I'm tired, but I'm also almost finished!

I'm off to bed to rest up for our 'New Year's Eve' tomorrow.

Just Ramblin'

2005-09-24T22:29:00.000+02:00

Right now, I am at the Soon to be World's Second Busiest Air Base, in the ATM room, using the Secret Hot Spot. This is the weekend that Boring Class #2 meets. After this weekend, only 1 more boring weekend, and I'm done with this one.

An update of my school list for the week:

~~Complete take home midterm for weekend class (includes 6 essay questions)~~

Modify four 3-5 page term papers for weekend class

Design flyer for T/TH class

Complete presentation about DCMA for weekend class

Take midterm in T/TH class

Comment at least 4 times with 'substantial' comments to chat room for online class

Complete and submit week's discussion questions to chat room for online class

This week a new list starts, but it's not too long. The main thing is that I must do something I've been avoiding...updating my resume. FUN FUN!!

P's friend J spent the night last night so her parents could hangout and pretend to be childless and I could reconfirm the reasons that P will be an only child. Prime example of why I'll only have 1 child: J informed me that P told her that she (J) doesn't have to listen to me and do what I say, because she's (P) the boss, not me. So, for those of you keeping score, P is the boss of the house when she's got friends visiting, and I'm the boss of the house if there is an unused light left on (example: Me: P, if you are done in your room, please turn the light off; P: But, mommy, it's your house).

After a briefing about the chain of command in MY house, there was peace in the casa, and P apologized. Another uprising diverted!

This morning, I woke the Sleeping Beauties up with the idea of loading them in the car, take them to J's house, and they would go back to sleep (it was 6am). NOPE!!!! They were both starving, and after a round of french toast sticks, we were out the door. After stopping at the bakery for fresh croissants, we got to J's house, where they were WIDE awake and ready to start their day, and I was off to the autobahn, headed to class.
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***Disclaimer: I am in no way condoning riding down the autobahn all willy-nilly (C. Kyles) while monkey shining (what does that mean?). Do not try this. If you do, and it turns into an altercation, don't blame me (I think I'm now relieved of any responsibility). ***

Proof of how fast I was going on the autobahn this morning (I saw maybe 12 cars/trucks during the 1 hour drive):

My favorite stretch of autobahn:

If you enlarge the picture, you'll see P's favorite parkplatz (rest stop) on the left and right. It's nice and clean, and lots of room to run and play. Anything to wear her out and help her sleep...in the car.
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It's getting late, and I'm heading back to my room to catch Pimp My Fahr Rad (Pimp My Bike) on German MTV.

Maybe I need a social life!

The Verdict...

2005-09-21T21:19:00.000+02:00

My computer is fixed. I'll give anyone 3 guesses as to what needed replacing (if #1 isn't power supply, then #2 & 3 should be).

Yep, you guessed it, it was the power supply. Once I got it to the store and the power supply was replaced, I added more memory and and a DVD/CD rewriter. Although I did dip into the retirement fund (I'll be working until I'm 75 now), everything was a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.

Even though I use my lap top most of the time, I'm glad it wasn't anything major wrong with the desktop and I was able to get it fixed. I didn't have the 20 bucks P wanted to charge me each time I needed to use her computer.
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Here is an update on my school list:

~~Complete take home midterm for weekend class (includes 6 essay questions)~~
Modify four 3-5 page term papers for weekend class
~~Design flyer for T/TH class~~
Complete presentation about DCMA for weekend class
~~Take midterm in T/TH class~~
~~Comment at least 4 times with 'substantial' comments to chat room for online class~~
Complete and submit week's discussion questions to chat room for online class

Over half done, and I've still got 2 days left in the week!******************************************

P is sick!!! She's got the Fall Day Care Crud, which is closely related to other strains (Winter, Spring, and Summer) of the crud. She's REALLY conjested, and she wipes her nose 26896125 times a day, leaving her it a nice shade of red. I have class this weekend, so she had better not 'donate' her crud to me.

My New Toy

2005-09-19T23:00:00.000+02:00

First and foremost, my desktop computer semi-bit the dust. The power light comes on but won't boot up. I went to the computer store near the place that pays me and the computer dude had the nerve to ask me when was the last time I opened it and cleaned the dust out. I was honest and told him that the last time was NEVER. So, the problem could be that the hard drive has been attacked by dust bunnies. Maybe I'll open it and take a look, or I'll shoot it and put it out of it's misery. Shooting it would justify me buying another.
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I have a new toy. Behold the wonder that is the PlayStation Portable (PSP)~the black object at the bottom of the picture:

It's:

a hand held game (lots of games available)
a dvd player (lots of movies available)
a mp3 player
a photo album
a video player
wireless (Wonderful!)

It's very much worth the money. If only I can find a hard case to carry it in so it won't get bounce around inside my 20 pound backpack.

Well, I'm off to bed, I must wake and start my Tuesday in just 6 short hours.

Bye-bye, Bruce and Other Stuff

2005-09-17T18:34:00.000+02:00

It's official...Bruce has a new house. It took me less than a week to sell him. Selling the car has been an enlighting experience. Of those interested, these are a few of the requests:

Someone wanted me to GIVE her the car (because she's 'struggling'). In my opinion, me giving her the car would only add to her 'struggles', and not help at all.
Someone wanted me to 'hold' it for her until her husband returned from school in January. She didn't feel she needed to give me any type of deposit to do this. I was expected to continue paying insurance on it while it was in 'hold' status.
Someone wanted me to let her have the car now, and she would make payments. She tried to plead her case about being a single parent. To me, the President of the Broke Single Parent Crew. After our little discussion, she said 'oh, nevermind'. You got that right.

Since the guy that bought Bruce was always on time, I gave him a little discount. ***************************************************

On to the subject of school, by Friday, I must:

Complete take home midterm for weekend class (includes 6 essay questions)
Modify four 3-5 page term papers for weekend class
Complete presentation about DCMA for weekend class
Design flyer for T/TH class
Take midterm in T/TH class
Comment at least 4 times with 'substantial' comments to chat room for online class. Comments like 'I agree' don't count. I am forced to get all deep about Project Management. It doesn't help that I'm the only one in class overseas. I'm always late for discussions. While I'm sleeping, they are having a discussion party in the chat room.
Complete and submit week's discussion questions to chat room for online class.

With a few late nights, I'll get everything accomplished on time. I always do. ****************************************************

When she woke this morning, P told me she had a dream last night :

P: I had a dream when I was sleeping.
Me: Was it scary?
P: No.
Me: What was it about? **she always had dreams about animals**
P: There was 2 cocoon's in the house.
Me; What were they doing? What did they turn into?
P: They were walking around the house, they didn't turn into anything.
Me: cocoons don't walk. Are you sure they were coccoons?
P: Yes, they were coccoons, they had striped tales, black stuff around their eyes and they walk on four feet.
Me: Oh, you mean RACCOONS, not coccoons.

Coccoons, raccoons, you say tomay-to, I say tomotto. It's basically the same thing, I think.
***************************************************

I'm off to complete more homework and participate in some discussions.

She's an Artist...I Think

2005-09-13T10:10:00.000+02:00

Class last weekend was quite BOOORING!! Both days. I made the 1.5 hour drive in 1 hour. Did you know that even though the Jeep Liberty's speedometer goes up to 120mph, you can only go 110mph? Once you reach 110mph, the vehicle begins to decelerate. By itself. Something to do with safety.

Don't ask me how I know. I'll plead the fifth.
***************************************************

Sunday after class, P and I came home and had dinner, then she retired to Chaos Cave. I know she was playing on her computer and I did hear her tv on also, so I didn't worry about her. After about 30 minutes, I asked her what she was doing. She said she was coloring. A few minutes later, I checked on her, and this is what I found:

(click to enlarge picture and see her masterpiece)

She was 'coloring' alright. Coloring her feet and hands with marker, making 'rainbow' handprints and footprints (the paper in her right hand).

Because I didn't want to mop at 8pm, I was forced to carry her to the tub so I could clean her feet. Thank goodness the markers are washable. ******************************************************************

P has hit another milestone. She has learned to make stars. Besides the bathtub talking to her, changing Crazy Dog's name, and coloring her hands and feet, I think she's a genius.

I present to you, the making of the stars:

***************************************************

The answers to Mary's questions:

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
*I wanted to be a lawyer. Then the 'Killer of all Dreams'(stepmother) found out.

What is one thing you haven't done that you want to do?

*Visit S. Africa and China (The Great Wall).

Give me some inside info on BJ that I can use against him next time he decides to get mouthy.

*Inside info on BJ...he's actually a good guy. He's been through a lot, and
he still has a decent head on his shoulders.

What's the first thing you're going to eatwhen you getto DC that you can't get in Germany?

*Sushi!!!!!

Is there anything you'd be reluctant to tell the Princess when she gets older?
*Nope...if she asks, I will tell (but I won't volunteer any information).

What do you like best about yourself?
*My sense of humor.

When are you ever coming to AZ?

*Lemme check my schedule. When are YOU coming to Germany??

Weekend Plans

2005-09-09T21:44:00.000+02:00

I'm goin' get me some lurnin' this weekend. Bright and early Saturday morning, I'm off to the Soon to be World's Second Busiest Air Base for my weekend class.

It's official, Bruce is for sale, and is now on the car sales lot on the World's Busiest Air Base. Hopefully someone will fall in love with him and buy him...REAL soon.

P's tooth is still hanging on. She goes to the dentist Wednesday.

Since it's the end of the fiscal year, I'm picking more cotton than I've picked in a LONG time at the place that pays me.
****************************************************

While I'm away for the weekend, go ahead, ask me some questions, there's no limit, and I will answer them upon my return from SWSBAB.

Leave a dollar somewhere where you KNOW a kid will find it.

Have a great weekend!!!!

See it to Believe it

2005-09-07T22:53:00.000+02:00

While at the place that pays me, minding my own business picking LOTS of cotton at my desk (it is the last month of the fiscal year), in walked a visitor. Once I saw the sock/pants/shoes combination, I thought 'WTF' then 'NO ONE will believe this!!!'. Thank goodness I had my camera (to take pictures of Bruce, the BMW) at work with me.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, take a gander:

That is all!
**************************************************

ODE TO BRUCE...

Bruce, oh, how I will miss thee. P and I have spent LOTS of time with you over the last 2 years. We bonded while cruising down the autobahn at 150 kph and sitting in hours long staus (traffic jams). We've taken trips to Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Venice, Zurich, Lucern, Garmisch (although you did have a slight problem with the snowy Swiss Alps), Munich, Brussels, Disneyland, Sixx Flags, Warner Bros. Park, Legoland and other exciting cities and parks.

You will be sorely missed (I'll really miss not having a car payment every month). I apologize for calling you names like Break My Wallet. The day you arrived, P claimed you as her own (she claimed Louis, too), even though she never offered gas money to take her to endless birthday parties, Disneyland, and that impromtu trip to the Swiss Alps? All P's idea.

I introduce to you...Bruce, the BMW:

Anyone want to buy him?

20 Bucks and a New Hoop d' Ville

2005-09-05T16:00:00.000+02:00

By 'law', how old should the child be before ~~the maid~~ I can keep all money (belonging to said child) found in the washer/dryer? Is 4 too young? In the past two weeks, I found $11 in the dryer and 72 cent in the dryer.
***************************************************

Saturday afternoon, P tore herself away from her computer and TV in Choas Cave (her room) to ask for 2 pieces of PLAIN.WHITE.PAPER. (she said it like that, so I wouldn't confuse it with PLAIN. PLAID.PAPER).

About 5 minutes after giving her the paper, she asked for 2 pieces of tape, which I gave her. When she asks for glue, tape or paint, I MUST find out what she is 'creating', so I went towards her room, and saw each of the pieces of paper taped to opposite sides of the doorframe:

(click picture to get the full effect of the signs and
see why her room is called Chaos Cave)

Me: What are those signs for?
P: *pointing to the paper on the left* This one says NO you can't come in my room.
Me: What is the other for?
P: *pointing to the paper on the right* This one says YES you can come in my room, if you give me 20 bucks.
Me: Why should I give you $20?
P: If you give me 20 bucks, you can come in my room and watch my tv or use my computer.
Me: I don't have $20.
P: Fine, you can just give me $4. I know you have it because I saw them in your purse.

Since some of you are keeping score, I must mention that I didn't give her any money. If I did, I'm sure I would find it in the wash next week.
****************************************************

Here is the pic of the new hoop d'ville. Once I decide if it's a boy or girl, I'll need help naming it:

(click picture to see the criminals in the back seat)

Gas Prices and Loose Meat Hooks

2005-09-03T09:54:00.000+02:00

I've gotten a few questions about our gas prices here in Germany. I'm not sure how they come up with the price, but I'm sure it has to do with the average price of gas in the States.

This picture was taken on Thursday, 31 August, after I got off work. At this station, there are 14 pumps, and each pump had about 5 cars waiting to get gas.

This picture was taken Friday, the VERY next day, at the same station.

Bob the Boob, the car salesman is from Scotland, and he told me that gas there has been over $5.00 a gallon for YEARS.

I picked up the new Hoop d'Ville Friday afternoon, just in time to spend $48 to fill it. . I'll post pictures in the next couple of days.
***************************************************
P has a loose tooth. As she explains it:

It's only wobbley loose, not wiggly loose.

She won't be 5 until February. Isn't she a little young to be losing her meat hooks? She did make one thing clear...she says she does NOT want anyone to pull it, because...

There will be BLOOD EVERYWHERE!

I'm sure it will be out in 3 weeks. Maybe I can outsource the pulling of the tiny meat hook.
****************************************************
Here is a picture of P's partner in crime Louis/Chico/Crazy Dog/Chico vom Talhof:

4 Day Update

2005-08-30T22:15:00.000+02:00

I feel like I've abandoned my little place here! I will sum up the last 4 days...

Friday night, we left for the Geilenkirchen, home to a portion of the World's Biggest Gang. We made the 3 hour trip in 2.5 hours, mainly because I drove like a bat out of H-E-Double Hockey Sticks most of the way. We arrived just in time for the almost weekly dinner gathering of the gang members. After dinner, one of the members found out that bright and early Saturday morning, I would be driving 1.5 hours to the soon-to-be World's Second Busiest Air Base for class, and offered 'easier, quicker directions'. My interest was piqued when she said 'easier' (because the 'Spaghetti Junction' in Atlanta has NOTHING on the 'Suicide Merge' between Germany and Belgium), and she drew me a map of the new and improved drive. Saturday morning, I rose BRIGHT and early (said bye to P~sniff-sniff), with plenty of time to get to class on time, but it just didn't happen that way! The directions that were given to me was missing a turn, or three. My 1.5 hour trip turned into a 3 hour ride. I even did something that I've NEVER done... I arrived late for class!

Class was....imagine washing your car, then sitting in a chair watching it dry when the humidity is 60% and it's 70 degrees out. That which I have described is far more interesting than my class was...both days. We were in a computer lab, and the instructor, who happens to be about 96.89765 years old started the slide presentation and read. every. word. on.every slide. During class, so I wouldn't fall asleep, I surfed, read a few blogs (check your stats, I was there for a long time)~I wasn't able to comment (the computers were supposed to be off). After class, I went to the hotel on base for the night, where P called me and asked if she could bring a baby deer home. First the girl kitty, now a baby deer~this is NOT the humane society!

Sunday, I went to class and was bored all over again, for the next 9 hours. After class, my friend made the 1.5 hour drive in 1.5 hours and returned P to me. After dinner, we were on the road again, headed home. Once we reached home, P informed me that once again, she wasn't going to 'make it' if she didn't have blueberry pancakes for dinner. After the pancake dinner, it was bed time for all in this casa.

Monday...nothing exciting at the place that pays me. I just picked cotton, as I always do. I was to pick up the new Hoop d'Ville, but NO, the paperwork is held up at customs. I think I should apologize to the Customs Crew for talking trash about them and their dogs when I travel and when my mail is late. Maybe they are bloggers and have read about how I feel about them and they are holding my car hostage.

Tuesday...still no new car, but I did 'visit' it today to check something out. I had to see if it had a locking gas cap. NOPE! I ordered one, and I will pick it up tomorrow (the gas cap). I had class tonight. I will admit that this term is the EASIEST term I've had since I returned to school in 2003. I plan to CLEP a class this term, if only I would stop procrastinating, and just do it.

Louis is still Louis. The tub hasn't talked any more, an P has fallen in love with the Benji movies.

That's the update! Gotta pick cotton in the in the morning, so I'm off to bed.

Outnumbered, Again!

2005-08-26T15:01:00.000+02:00

I know all of you are concerned about P and her precious Louis/Chico/Crazy Dog/Chico vom Talhof/Salami Thief. The news is...they are friends again. While P was playing with him on Thursday morning, I 'reminded' her that they were no longer friends:

Me: Hey, why are you playing with Louis. I thought you were not friends anymore. *yes, I call him Louis, too (another battle lost)*
P: We are friends again because he said sorry for eating my salami.
Me: I didn't hear him say anything.
P: You didn't hear him because he was talking to me.
Me: Oh...
P: I heard the bathtub say some bad words. Do you want to know what it said?
Me: NO!!!
P: Can I have a girl kitty?
Me: No, you can not have a kitten right now.
*About 5 minutes later, P comes to me holding The Dog with all the Aliases*
P: Me and Louis need to tell you something.
Me: What is it? *half paying attention*
P: Louis and me are sad with you because you won't let us have a girl kitten.
Me: Ok...

Once again, the battle lines have been drawn, and I'm out numbered. This is precisely why I don't want any more kids...I KNOW they'll be 'plottin' on me!
****************************************************

At what age does a child learn to add? One night after her bath last week, P announced to me that could do 2 plus 3. I asked her to show me, and she did, using her fingers. I asked her where she learned, and of course, she said 'I don't know'. I 'quizzed her with a few problems, and she got them right. I have NO idea where she learned.

I'm glad she didn't say Louis taught her.
*****************************************************

Right after work, we are leaving to go to the home of the World's Biggest Gang. I will stay for the night, and get up WAY before sunrise to drive another 1.5 hours to class a the Soon to be World's Second Biggest Air Base. I will stay there Saturday night, because class also meets Sunday morning. While I'm in class ~~playing SIMS and watching DVDs~~ learning stuff, P will be cruising the Rhein River, hanging out at IKEA, and missing me (yeah, right!) .
****************************************************

I have yet another question for you folks out there in blog land...Savings' Bonds...to buy or not to buy?

I have been buying Savings' Bonds for P since she was a year old (2 $100 bonds a month). I plan to use the bonds to assist in funding her college education. I also donate fundage every month to her 529 Account (College Savings Plan). Her 529 account is doing pretty good, but the bonds are slow going. Should I continue to invest in the bonds? I'm think I will stop the bonds and put the funds into her 529. What do you think?
****************************************

Have a great weekend, and do something nice for someone!

No Longer Friends!

2005-08-23T10:13:00.000+02:00

This evening, P made yet another announcement concerning Louis/Chico/Crazy Dog/Chico vom Talhof. Ready for the announcement?? The announcement is, and I quote:

Me (P) and Louis are no longer friends!!

Got that?? No longer friends!! She is now on my 'team'. Want to know why they are no longer friends??

Because he stole her piece of salami. Not jus any old piece, but the last slice in the entire house.

What had happened was...after picking P up from the babysitter's after my class, we came home, and she was starving (her words). Since she 'wasn't going to make it all night with no food' (her words again) she asked for a piece of salami (she has a slight addiction to Edel salami). I put a slice on a plate for her in the kitchen. Instead of waiting until she finished putting on her pajamas, she took the plate in the room where she was getting dressed. While she was busy putting on her bottoms, Louis, being the Crazy Dog he is, jumped on the couch, and ate the entire slice (like the alligator did the duckling in the movie Madagascar). Needless to say, she was NOT happy. P cried like she never cried before. When she found out there was no more, she cried even harder.

In the midst of her crying, she informed me that they were no longer friends, she wanted Louis to go to another house, and she wants a 'girl kitty'. I think she really scared Louis. When the shrieks of torcher began, he ran into his house which is in the hallway, where he's been for the last 45 minutes.

What lesson did we learn tonight?

P really wants a girl kitty.

At least that's what I learned! (and it AIN'T gonna happen!)

P is REALLY serious. She went bed without telling Louis/Chico/Crazy Dog/Chico vom Talhof good night.
******************************************************

I found this over at Busymom 's, and thought that I'd better get in line.

Just think, if 3,288 people perish, there will be a Broke Single Parent, with a daughter who declared that she's a Princess, and a dog named Louis in charge!!!

Get your position here

My first order of business...make it against the law to have less than 4 slices of Edel salami in your house at any given time.
*****************************************************

One of my classes started tonight. 2 words...Easy. A.
'Nuff said.

Due to the fact that I want to finish by December, I am forced to take a DE class with another university. Why, why, why is said university charging $70 for an e-book? We won't get the entire book at the beginning of class. It will be 'rationed' to us (much like the gas here) one chapter per week. I'm glad Uncle LeRoy's brother, Uncle Victor is picking up the tab for this class!
*****************************************************

I need a tad of advice from you blog readers...

Here is the hyperdermic situation...

~~I am~~ You are taking a class, and I you realize that there will be 4 term papers due during the class term. I You also notice that ~~I've~~ you've already done 3 of the 4 term papers topics for another class, and received A's on them all. Is it wrong to turn in those papers the second time (different instructor)? Of course I you would make a few changes to the paper before I you submit them for grade #2.

Is this wrong? Is this plagerism?

I'm Tired Already!!

2005-08-22T21:03:00.000+02:00

***Public Service Announcement: If you notice an invasion of teenie, tiny bugs flying around in the kitchen, CHECK THE POTATOES THAT YOU FORGOT YOU BOUGHT, they might be a the condo where the teenie tiny bugs live.***
****************************************************

The Gigolo called me bright and early Saturday morning to inform me that the Boob forgot to have me sign a document on Friday. Not to worry, it still looks like Monday is the delivery date of the new Hoop d'Ville.
****************************************************

School for me starts this week. I am taking 2 classes, on in the evenings at the World's Busiest Airbase, and the other at the soon to be World's Second Busiest Airbase, which is about 1.5 hours away. The plan is to drive to my friend's house in Geilenkirchen Friday night with P, and get up Satruday morning and drive back 1.5 hours to class. I'll stay in the hotel on base Saturday night. On Sunday, the GK Crew, along with P, will meet me once class is over. Although I'll be in class trying to stay awake, P will be off on a cruise, and shopping with my friends. How dare she have fun while I'm being tortured! Hopefully P's regular babysitter will return and I will have to do this only 1 of the 4 weekends of class.

Eight weeks and the term will be over. I'm looking forward to it already.
***************************************************

Sunday afternoon, P changed Crazy Dog's name. She informed me that his name is no longer Chico (Chico vom Talhof), but Louis. Please don't ask why. I don't know. She even had a 'birthday party' for him (his birthday is 19 Oct.) complete with banners she made. She told me that if I REALLY loved Crazy Dog, I would call him Louis, too. She was serious!

It's now Monday evening, and she's still calling him Louis. Maybe she shouldn't be an only child. Just kidding!!

Status of the New Hoop d'Ville

2005-08-19T22:06:00.000+02:00

At the Place That Sells Cars (and Won't Negotiate) on base, I have been dealing with 2 salesmen, much like the Good Cop/Bad Cop scenario. There is Bob the Boob (Bad Cop) and Jeremy the Gigolo (Good Cop).

Monday, the Boob traveled to another base near the Airport to drive the car back here instead of loading it on the train, which would have taken almost 2 days. I took P to see it after Day Care, and she was a tad upset that it wasn't red~I refuse to own a red car~but she was overall happy.

The Boob calculated one of the discounts using the total price of the vehicle, when he should have deducted the overseas shipping amount first. The Gigolo was forced to play the Good Cop and clean up the $196 mess (the discount was too much) the Head Office wanted the entire vehicle refinanced to account for the 'missing' $196. Wednesday, I offered to buy them lunch if they just let me give them the $196, so I wouldn't have to wait an additional 5 days since the contract needed to be resubmitted. The initial response was that they couldn't take the money from me, but it had to be refinanced.

Thursday, the Credit Union said they wouldn't waste the manpower just to refinance $196, so I was able to give the Boob the funds to cover HIS mistake. The Gigolo submitted all the documentation, and now I'm just waiting for the final contract from the Head Office and the funds to change hands between the Powers That Be.

I will get the keys about a week, once the contract is complete, and the Credit Union legally has me in it's Grips of Debt. This means we should be in the new Hoop d'Ville between next Friday and Monday~just in time for a road trip over Labor Day weekend.

Hmmm...where should we go?? Any suggestions?