Day 320- Neuhausen and Nurtlingen

It was cloudy and gloomy outside but not very cold.  We got a late start to our day.  We contemplated going to one of the towns on the Romantic road but shelved the idea because of the lateness of the day.  I would rather go when it's sunny and nice out and warmer!

Instead, we decided to go for a  drive through some of the small towns near our village.  We went back through Neuhausen and this time I was able to get a few shots of the banners (and clothing). 

At first, we thought the banners were for "carnival" (mardi gras) that's coming up.  I don't exactly know when it is, though, since it's not something we celebrate.

At first Ted thought these were the townfolks clothes and they were drying them but then we saw how many there were and we realized it couldn't be!








We turned around to go back the way we came and realized the red T-shirts had something written on them.  It looked like it read "40 Jahre" which means 40 years.  It must be some sort of town anniversary!  Mystery solved!







We ended up in the town of Nurtlingen, parked the car and got out to walk.  I brought my camera and too kphotos.  Ted commented that if we didn't get out and walk, we would have missed a lot of the interesting spots that we shot.  It wasn't very cold so the walk  was nice.  Below are some photos from our walk.  It was starting to get late so the sun's light was not so good.  I had to fiddle with the contrast so you could see what we saw and how we saw them!

We think this building must be some sort city building.  Ted thought he saw something that said Notary on it.  Based on the size of this building and the turret, it must have once been some sort of palace.  It would be interesting to find out the history of some of these wonderful buildings!

Another one of the beautiful timbered houses.  I think they are beautiful and quaint. 

This particular home has a very french look to it!  There are tons of homes on the French border town of Strasbourg that have this same kind of look!

This house sat back from the street.  Ted really liked the red shutters and I liked that it sat back from the street.  There's a stone paved area leading up to it.














Ted and I joke that Mama Maria's is like our neighborhood "Cheers" place...but it was surprising to actually see a place called "Cheers" here in  Germany and not too far from our home.  (See the logo on the auto.)

We walked up the stairs but there is a paved walkway leading up to the plaza where the Cathedral stands.  It was a steep climb and we started up the pathway but decided it was better if we used the steps instead!  You can't see it in this photo but on the right, just below the little stone area, were areas where the town women once washed clothes on stones!   The orange building on the left is an antique store!









I loved this archway.  Unfortunately the light was going so I had to brighten up the shot.  It turns out this  is the entrance to some sort of secondary (or University) compound.













This is the Cathedral tower.  All churches and Cathedrals (the Germans prefer that we call them Cathedrals) have clock towers.  

The entrance to the Cathedral is on the side of the building.  This is the view of the church from the top of the stairway of those stairs we came up in the photo above.













At first Ted thought this window was open and so did I!  But upon further inspection, it was actually closed!  It's an optical illusion.  I find it interesting that the builders were able to achieve this illusion.  I wonder if it was by accident or by design! 

This is the view from the back of the Cathedral.  The stained glass panels must be where the altar is.  I didn't think the doors were open so I didn't even try to go inside.











On the way to dinner, we stopped at the yarn store in Plattenhardt.   They were closed of course, but I had a chance to find out their hours and to look in the windows.

We decided to have dinner at the Capri restuarant.  The menu is much smaller than Amalfi's menu and their specialty is fish and meat.   Ted said it was THE best fish pizza he had ever eaten.  It had clams, shark, octopus, "sepia" (I don't know what that is in English).  I had their homeade cheese and spinach ravioli.  The place is small but the ambience is great.  It is owned by the same family that owned Amalfi Pizzeria in Bonlanden.  I thought they had sold it and then I thought the husband and wife separated.  But I was wrong on BOTH counts.  I felt better that 1) they didn't sell the restaurant and 2) they were still married.  It appears that they decided to open a second  more formal and quaint restaurant!  I also found out that they let that odious waiter go!  Now we are free to go back to Amalfi!!  We're happy campers.

We  came home and watched a few episodes of NCIS and then went to bed.  I can't wait for summer to come so  we can go galavanting around the countryside!  I'm tired for gloomy and overcast weather.

Saturday 2/06/10

Day 319- Weekend is coming!

Ted worked today and so did I. I'm so glad the weekend is here! I didn't cook dinner tonight because Ted had a big, late lunch and was not hungry.  He brought me leftovers and we watched some episodes of NCIS.

Friday 2/05/10

Day 318- Drive in the countryside

I had more company work to do today and Ted stayed home today because he said I kept him awake all last night.  I don't remember doing that but he says  I did!  Oh well.  It's a good day to play hooky since the sun is shining.   We decided to go look for the yarn store in Bernhausen and the new Capri restaurant in Platenhardt.  We also took a short drive in the countryside and drove through a town called Neuhausen (pronounced New-how-zen).  They have banners up and clothes (and they are not someone's wash) but I didn't have my camera!!!  Hopefully, we can come back again soon and I'll have my camera.  You just never know when there will be a really cool photo to take!

Thursday 2/04/10

Day 317- Annual tax preparation

More company work today and more working on finances.  We will have to figure out how to get our annual taxes done.  I have no idea how to do that here or who to see.  Ted will have to do some  investigating.  Since only a few of our tax forms have arrived in the mail, this can wait for another few weeks.

Wednesday 2/03/10

Day 316- Company work.

I did company work all day today.  And I don't mind since it's so dreary out, I don't want to leave the apartment.

Tuesday 02/02/10

Day 315- Errand day for Ted

I cannot believe January is already over!!  It seems like yesterday we were traveling back from our Christmas trip from the States and that was over a month ago!  Time DOES roll by when you get older.

Ted has a bunch of errands to run today:  pay our car insurance, convert the English pounds he bought last week for his trip back to dollars, ship something back to the states for me AND  go to work.  He's going to have a full day!

Monday 02/01/2010

Day 314 - Computer issues

We got up to big, fluffy snow flakes and dressed to go to church.  Church was great, as usual.  There were some new faces and we are contemplating a pilgrimage trip to Rome with the church in the spring. 

We went grocery shopping after church.   I didn't need much but what we did buy was heavy items like water, peach tea, milk and orange juice.  Not very many bags but bulky items.

We came home and lugged all those groceries up the steps and I fixed us a light lunch.  We knew we were going to go have pizza at Mama Maria's tonight se we didn't want to spoil our dinner. 

Dinner at Mama Maria's was great as usual.  I had my standard Mushroom pizza and Ted had the Caprese Pizza.  I'm usually not fond of the Caprese Pizza but tonight it was good. 

We went home and Ted worked on figuring out how to back up my hard drive because it's almost completely full and I have a new one that's four times larger but he has to determine the best way to move all of the "stuff" from my laptop hard drive to the new hard drive so that none of my settings are lost.  Because I work from home and "tunnel" into the work computer in California, it would be terrible if I didn't have connectivity.  I have no doubt he will figure it out because he is my computer go-to guy!  I can't wait until it's done because I know the laptop will run so much faster!

We got to bed late because we had to get prepped for tomorrow.  I'm sure it won't matter to Ted since he can exist quite nicely on six hours of sleep.  I don't do well unless I have at least eight!

Sunday 1/31/10

Day 312- Ted coming home tonight

I decided to do a more thorough cleaning today, get some laundry done and get caught up on my blogging. I also worked on personal finances and dug through a pile stuff on my desk in the third bedroom. Ted won't be home until after 11pm which means I don't have to cook tonight either. The rest from cooking was great but I'm anxious to get back to our normal routine...if one can even call our life normal!

I mentioned to Ted that I will need to get more yarn because I underestimated how much I would need to make the scarf. If I finish it now, I don't think it's long enough to cover his neck really well. I'll have him decide when he gets home tonight.

Friday 1/29/10

Day 313- Another Jaunt to Stuttgart

Today Ted has to go get the tires aligned.  While he is gone, I will straighten up the apartment and get a load of laundry done. 

When he returned, we had a quick drink and left to catch the U-Bahn to go downtown Stuttgart.  We decided we like the U-Bahn better than the S-Bahn even though we have to change trains in Moehringen.  But the cars seem to be nicer and it appears to be a more direct route. 

It started to snow just as we parked the car by the train station.  Big white fluffy snowflakes fell as we walked to the station.  We are bundled up so we are not cold.  we had to wait about 10 minutes for the train.  It appears we had JUST missed the previous train.  No matter though, since we had to buy our tickets too. We REALLY do need to get a monthly pass! 

The ride downtown was uneventful but when we got to the Schloss Platz (translated "Palace Plaza"), we couldn't believe they were having some sort of "green" market fair!!  The people were bundled up but they were visiting the booths.  And there were just as many people here this week as there were here last week before Ted left for England!

By now, Ted was hungry and wanted to eat.  He hadn't eaten since yesterday since he didn't want to eat when he came home last night since it was so late.  We went to the same restaurant that we had eaten at in the fall.  He had a specialty dish (the name escapes me - but  it sliced homemade pasta rolls filled with ground sausage and spinach).  It came with scrambled eggs and he loved it.  I had quiche and a salad.  However, we definitely DO need to go back to this restaurant because i definitely want to try that dish! 

We walked to the Karstadt department store where I picked up additional yard to finish Ted's scarf and some other cotton yarn to make another afghan for the new baby who is due to arrive in August.  As we walked by the millinery department, I looked at hats since I do not have one.  Ted insisted on buying me this beautiful knit and felt hat and I love it.  It's plum-colored and is terrific.  I would not have spent the money for it but he said I didn't get a Christmas gift so this is it! 

As we walked back to the train station, we noticed this HUGE 25 foot "thing" coming at us.  I was upset that I forgot to bring either my camera OR my phone to snap a photo.  It's hard to describe but I'm going to give it my best shot.  It was a "hollow" man made of "strings" that appeared to have been "paper macheted".  But the kicker was that it was "walking" towards us.  We couldn't see them until we got closer but there were people on  the ground with this "man" in the middle and they were orchestrating his movements with steel rods.  This "man" actually looked like he was walking!!!  Behind the "man" and the people moving him, was this other man who was playing a guitar-like instrument. The music was filmy and fantasy-like...very fitting for the movements of the "man".  The man was hooked up to a loudspeaker which was on wheels.  The loudspeaker was anchored to him around his waist with a some sort of belt.  As he played and walked, the loudspeaker "followed" him.  I was enthralled with the entire concept and stood watching the "man" until I could only see his head in the distance.

The train ride back to the car was uneventful and I was struck once again at the beauty of the landscape, even in the harsh winter.  We needed to stop to get bread but the one bakery in town was already closed.  The other bakery near the market I shop at was not closed so we popped in there to buy bread and then zipped home.

It was starting to get dark and colder but we were almost home so we didn't care.  Once home, we were still full from our wonderful late lunch so we didn't have a formal meal.  We watched a i-tunes movie and then went to bed.



Saturday 1/30/2010

Day 311- Working and watching videos

Today I worked on my TESOL and got unit 13 submitted for review. I also got floors washed and some company work done as well.

Tonight is music at Mamma Maria's but I do not feel comfortable about going there by myself, besides it's so much more fun when my husband comes with me!

I spent the evening watching part of Season 6 DVD of NCIS and crocheting. I've been having trouble sleeping at night. I sure hope I can get back onto a more regular schedule when Ted comes home tomorrow night!  I  sure miss having him around!

Thursday 1/27/10

Day 310- Beautiful Sunny day

The sun is coming out today. Yesterday it was overcast and cloudy. I would call it dreary! Another day of company work, more work on the scarf and some light housekeeping.

Since it was a beautiful day, I opened all of the windows and the doors for about five minutes. It got really cold in here really quickly but it aired out the mustiness of the apartment! The rooms almost smelled like spring! (Perhaps that's wishful thinking on my part).

I've decided to forgo getting my driver's test this week. There is entirely too much to do. I hadn't anticipated that this week's company work would be as much as it was! I also need to get back to my TESOL. Time is going by and I have to finish up unit 13 and get it submitted!

Wednesday 1/27/10

Day 309- Company work day

With the exception of a few hours to eat and work on my husband's scarf, I spent the entire day doing company work.

Tuesday 1/26/10

Day 308- Ted leaves for England

Today was spent getting preparing for my weekly call with my boss along with household chores that I didn't get done over the weekend.

I wil lbe taking Ted to the airport tonight at 5pm and then driving home. My plan is to study for the drivers test and then go to the base on Thursday to pass that darn test!

Ted got home at 4:30pm but didn't want to leave until 5pm. We left and got to the airport and needed a cart because he was transporting equipment. By the time we found a cart, unloaded the car and got back into the terminal it was already 5:30. My call is at 6pm and Ted wanted me to wait to see if his carry on would fit or if he had to go to plan B which was to move his laptop to a shoulder bag and check his roll around. It turned out he didn't have to do that, so he was good to go and I was OK to leave and go home to my call.

I paid for the parking and then got into the car. I needed to turn on the GPS because it was already quite dark and I don't know the roads. Since I don't drive the car, I don't pay much attention on how to get from point A to point B.

I made one tiny mistake coming out of the airport. I had fleece pants and top along with my coat and scarf so I was getting overheated. By the time I got home, I was worried that I would miss the call. I had to back the car (which I don't normally drive) into our parking stall. I didn't want to leave it outside since it was already snowing and I didn't feel like going back out again later on.

I drive stick but I'm not used to this car yet and I had to back it into our stall (otherwise I wouldn't be able to get out of the car)! And it's a bit of a challenge because it's a corrugated metal floor AND there was a car parked in the next stall and I didn't want to damage my car or hers! I finally managed to get it parked and locked the door. I raced up the steps and had to get out of the coat, scarf and fleece clothing before my call. I had just sat down when my boss called!

My husband has the MOST incredible timing! He called just when she did so I had to listen to him for a few minutes and put my boss on hold. My boss and I spent the next hour or so getting caught up on project issues and prioritizing the week's work.

When I got off the phone, I did some company work and then sat, relaxed and worked on my husband's scarf.

Monday 1/25/10

Day 307 - Double feature Sunday

We got up early and went to church. The message was timely and good. I DO so love to listen to the Chaplain. He's so right on the money when it comes to his messages!

Because Ted would be away all next week, we decided that a play day was in order. Since the base where we go to church is near the base where we do our grocery shopping, we decided that we would do our grocery shopping after church, have some lunch and then hit a double feature at the base theater. We ended up having lunch first which is a good thing because you don't want to be hungry when you go grocery shopping! Because it was quite cold we knew even the refrigerated goods would be fine in the car while we went to the theater.

We ran into the Chaplain at the commissary and stopped and chatted for a few minutes. I told him that I thought he was on the same plane as we were coming back from the states and in fact, we were!

After the groceries were packed into the car, we walked across the street to the theater. (The commissary is across the street from the theater.)

We would be seeing "Planet 51" (a children's movie) at 2pm and then at 4pm we would be seeing "2012". When I saw how many little kids there were (and a 7-year-old birthday party too) I wondered if we were doing the right thing. I was pleasantly surprised that those children (and there were a LOT of them) were well-behaved and quiet. And the movie was good too! Of couse 2012, is disaster movie to end all disaster movies! We both were on the edge of our seats. If you get a chance to see it, do so, you won't be disappointed!

We got out of the theater at 6:30 to find big fluffy snow flakes coming down! Ted was in his glory...I could care less. I mean, it's pretty to look at but I dislike having to "live" in it!

We went home and neither of us were hungry just yet. We were still full from our late lunch. But there was ironing and packing to do. So we got busy getting Ted's "stuff" together for his trip. After getting that together, we decided that dinner was in order and we went to Mamma Maria's for some pizza. Going to dinner at Mamma Maria's takes time so by the time we got home, it was time to wrap last minute details up and get some sleep.


Sunday 1/24/10

Day 306- Jaunt to Stuttgart

Ted decided to sleep in today. Then he had an errand to run. Since we bought tires, he wants to make sure the car is aligned. I don't blame him...tires are not cheap so we have to make them last!

Then we decided to take the S-Bahn to downtown Stuttgart. It's cold so we both bundled up. We're going to Bernhausen to catch the S-Bahn and we'll leave our car parked at the station and return.

The price for the U-Bahn which we can get in Plieningen and the S-Bahn are pretty much the same, I think. We're still trying to figure out what the difference is between the U-Bahn and the S-Bahn and we're having difficulty understanding.

Ted thought it was a more direct way of getting downtown, that is, no stops at small stations. But that wasn't the case at all. Not that it takes very long to stop, unload and and load. The Deutch (German) transportation system is efficient to say the least.

It took as long on the S-Bahn as on the U-Bahn, and I think cost the same (about $18 for two round trips). It's a bit expensive so we're going to be buying the monthly or annual pass...which would cut down on the expense. At least for me since I'll be the one using it more than my husband.

When we got downtown, it was amazing to me just how many people were down there walking about! The cold didn't seem to bother them and Starbucks was doing a HUGE business! I guess there are coffee drinkers all over the world!

I forgot my regular camera but thankfully, I had my cell phone which takes pretty good photos.  As you can see from  this photo, it is cold and yet, people are walking everywhere!

We didn't have a plan but I did want to try to find the department store down there. I was told I could get yarn and various sewing notions there. We had to stop someone to ask where it was. Interestingly, the woman spoke English well but did not know what a department store was. So I used a more descriptive way of explaining what I was looking for. I REALLY need to get back to studying my German!

I felt stupid because the store was right across from where we were standing!! The store did NOT look like any department store I'm familiar with but as soon as we got inside, it sure looked like a normal department store. We found the directory and the household items were on the third floor. I was able to pick up the crochet hook I was looking for. I brought all kinds of knitting needles and crochet hooks with me but I didn't ship an afghan crochet hook!! Go figure!

On the way out of the department store (after getting the afghan hook), I saw this display in the middle of the walkway.  I was thinking...anyone could just up and walk away with the ring but when I got closer, the display had a unique design.

The display allows you to try on the ring to see if it fits but you cannot remove it from the display!  This is very cool.  And you don't have salesperson hovering over you when you're just looking!







Ted also saw some beautiful, soft merlino wool that he wanted me to make into a scarf for him. I'm already making a scarf for him but I relented and said I would make it. He deserves it!

We then walked all the way back down Koenigstrasse (Kings Street) which is a pedetrian only street. There were street performers along the way and artists too. I was amazed that they would do art in such cold weather. At least it wasn't snowing!

I couldn't believe these guys were performing in this cold!  They played "When the saints go marching in" and I sang along just where I was standing.   

This guy (I think he was Australian) was playing that long horn.  It sounded very weird and beautiful at the same time.




 



We stopped into the other department store at the other end, looked around and then decided to go home. Luckily we didn't have to walk all the way back to where the first department store was because there was a station not 50 feet from the second department store.

By the time we got home, we were both hungry so I made supper and we sat and watched videos for the rest of the evening.

Saturday 1/23/10

Day 305- Ted's going to England alone

Ted's going to England on business next week and I was supposed to go with him but unfortunately, the housing situation was such that I'm better off staying at home, which is fine by me because I have LOTS to do: TESOL units, company work and catching up on doing the little things that I can't seem to get done!!

And while I would have liked to see England, I'm sure another time will come.  And now that Ted knows the housing situation, the decision of whether to go or not to go will be an easy one....next time!

Friday 1/22/10

Day 304- Behind in my blogging

Since I've been a bit behind in my blogging, I cannot remember what I did today.  It certainly wasn't earth shattering so there's not much to say.

Thursday 1/21/10

Day 303 - Working on finances

I got up early to make Ted the infamous Juice Plus+ shake but it turned out he really didn't want it!! So I was off the hook. But I didn't go back to sleep, I played on the computer for awhile and dozed off and on all day today.

Another somewhat sunny day. But I'm not feeling as energetic as I was yesterday.

I'm still working on finances to get things ready for taxes next month!

It's still unclear whether I will be joining Ted on his jaunt to London. It all depends on the housing facilities and whether there's an internet connection. If so, I can at least do work while I am there (and do a little site-seeing as well!)

He actually didn't want dinner tonight but a shake, so a shake it is!!

Wednesday 1/20/10

Day 302- The sun finally comes out!

It's a glorious sunny day today...even if it is cold. I opened every sliding door and a window wide open in each room for about 10 minutes to air the place out. It was wonderful...BUT...I also saw tons of dust bunnies and dust because I haven't felt like REALLY cleaning lately.

I'm still working on finances to get things ready for taxes next month!

I also broke the plaque that we bought in Munich. I was sad about it but what can you do, it's difficult to put things on the walls here. So we'll just have to replace it next Christmas.

Ted went to the post office on base and my new 320 gig hard drive came in. That's a weekend project for my honey.

We decided to go to dinner at the Wirtshaus Schwanenbrau because Ted needed a Dunkelweisen beer (dark New Year's Beer) and the Wildebeest Goulash (Deer stew).

It was REALLY foggy out and I'm glad we weren't out later than usual.

I spent part of the evening on the phone with my boss talking about upcoming projects and work-related stuff.



Tuesday 1/19/10

Day 301 - Martin Luther King Day

Today is Martin Luther King Day. It's a holiday in the U.S. and on base. Everything is closed and it's a fairly cold day. There's still snow on the ground but it's fast dissipating.

Ted called to take me to lunch at Mama Maria's so we went and had lunch. I found out Ted will be going to London next week on business. I may just tag along, if I can. We're not sure yet.

Monday 1/18/10

Day 300- Rainy Sunday

We got up too late to get to church so we are staying in today. It's raining like crazy outside and it's cold. We do have to head on over to the BX/PX for a few things later on this afternoon.

I made Ted's favorite breakfast since there are no breakfast places (that we know of) here in Germany. I wish there was, we'd go!


Sunday 1/17/10

Day 299- Shopping day

Ted got up early and went to the car place to get the window fixed. I slept in because it was cold and overcast outside. By the time he got home at 11am, we needed to get out and go grocery shopping.

We went to the base and to Netto and even went to Marktkauf to check some things out. I bought a very tiny mechanical coffee maker (one cup) so I can make Latte Macchiatto at home. It's become a favorite hot drink after tea with honey and lemon.

We watched movies and stayed up way too late.

Saturday 1/16/10

Day 298- Car window broken

I did company work for most of the day.  How wonderful it is to be able to work from home AND make my own hours!  It's the best!

Ted came home and informed me that the driver side window broke.  Apparently there is a cord on the inside that runs the window and it wrapped around the control and broke the window.  There's glass inside the door and we have to get it fixed tomorrow because of the cold and the snow or worse, rain! That means we'll be investing more money invested into this car.  Considering how well it runs, how old it is and how little we paid for it, we can do repairs on it and still come out ahead!

In the meantime, we have to drive over to Kelly (with the window down) to ensure we have enough Euros to fix the car in the morning.  Thankfully, Ted will be taking the car in first thing in the morning and I can sleep in!

Friday 1/15/10

Day 297- Lost wallet

It's still very cold outside.

Ted came home and informed me that he lost his wallet.  He had stopped at Trieber for a snack and must have left the wallet on the counter.  He was not gone five minutes when he returned  and the wallet was gone.  The clerks  were none he had seen before and he tried to ask them if they had seen the wallet, but of course they did not.  Luckily there was not a lot of money in the wallet.  Ted knows the manager but she was  not there.  It's going to be a pain to get all  of his  documents re-instated.  The most pressing is his driver's license.  We canceled the few credit cards he had in his wallet and we will have to replace his medical cards too.  He had to file a police report with the military police on  base.  What a pain losing a wallet can be!!!
 
There's live music at Mamma Maria's  tonight.  It's the first of the New Year.  We sat with Americans who we sat with on another ocassion. 

Before dinner Michele called Melanie, the manager at Trieber and allowed me to speak with her.  She said  she would make some phone calls. Later, melanie came in and told us she had called her employees but no one had seen the wallet.  

We stayed until about 10:30 and then came home.  I have an unsettled stomach due to the lost wallet.
Thursday 01/14/10

Day 296- It's still snowing!

It's still snowing here. All of Northern Europe is under the coldest winter they've had in 20 years!  Most of England and Scotland are under record-breaking snowfall, not to mention cold.

In England, there was a woman who fell off her bike and became unconscious. The snow was coming down so fast that it quickly covered her AND the bike. Fortunately a passerby (in a car) noticed the lump and saw the bike light flashing. If it had not been for that man and his sense to stop and check it out, he probably would have run her over!!

I'm staying in, of course, and will do company work and laundry today. I'm feeling much better and I'm through with the antibiotics. I'm still not 100% and still have "stuff" in my lungs, but I'm almost there. At least I'm not using box after box after box of tissues like I did last week!


Wednesday 1/13/10

Day 295- Lots of snow!

Another snowy day. So far we have about six inches. The caretaker has been out there shoveling the guest parking lot (three spaces) and the sidewalk ALL the way up to the Library!!! I was impressed!! He didn't have to do that, but he did. Ted and I are SO glad that I insisted we have covered parking. Having a garage in weather like this is a God-send!

Ted went back to work today and stopped for a "Dunkleweisen" beer (loosely translated "Dark white") at the Schwanenbrau. It turns out the dark beer, which Ted favors is a "winter" beer. He's had the "weildebeast" (venison) goulash there and loved it! He said the meat was tender and savory.


Tuesday 1/12/10

Day 294- Sick day for Ted

Ted decided to stay home one more day so that the three day z-pack would have a really good chance of kicking in. He's doing better but still needs to rest.

I spoke on the phone with my boss about company business and the things we needed to get accomplished this week. I really need to get busy on my TESOL and laundry this week.   I'm feeling better but my energy level still is not where it should be.


Monday 1/11/10

Day 293- Restful Sunday

We wanted to go to church but Ted really doesn't feel well. So we listened to a message from our old pastor from California. You have to love Podcasts!

Late in the afternoon, we went shopping for groceries. I got just what I needed and nothing more and got us home as quickly as I could!


Sunday 1/10/10

Day 292- Lazy Saturday

I was right. Ted is in no shape to go anywhere. He has been dozing off and on all day. I amused myself on line in between taking naps as well. I fixed him some soup which helped, I think.

Saturday 1/09/10

Day 291 - Sickness abounds.

Now Ted is sick. He has an appointment with the doctor and will get a z-pack. Poor guy...I gave it to him!! I'm on the mend but he's feeling really poorly.

He had to go on base to get his phone because he left it there yesterday. I guess it was him being sick that made him forget.

We're supposed to go grocery shopping tomorrow but I'm not sure he will be up to it.

Friday 1/08/10

Day 290 - Dinner out!

The antibiotics are kicking in but it's a slow process. It's still cold and snowy and I still can't bring myself to get anything done. I still have laundry to do from our trip to Ohio but I'm just not up to it. Thankfully, I did Ted's clothes as soon as we got back so he still has work clothes but me, I'm running very low on clothes...but I don't care since I'm not going anywhere anyways!

We decided to have dinner at Mamma Maria's. I don't think it was such a good idea but Ted insisted that I have something to eat and didn't want to make me cook. What a GREAT guy!!! Got to love it!


Thursday 1/07/10

Day 289 - Extension on my TESOL

I'm so glad that I went to the doctor's office. I'm still feeling poorly. Thanksfully, though, I managed to shoot off an email to the TESOL people requesting an extension due to my illness. They agreed and I have until April 12 to complete the last seven units!! I'm very happy about that.

I'm still resting and sleeping pretty much the entire day. It's cold, snowy and gloomy. Typical Ohio weather but not typical California weather. Although my boss tells me that they have not had sunshine since Christmas. That's unusual for Northern California.



Wednesday 1/06/10

Day 288 - Doctor's appointment

Finally, I'm going to be able to see the doctor. I'm a bit hesitant to go, though. Since I don't have transportation other than my two feet and it's really cold and snowy outside, I'm worried that I'll make myself even worse!! No matter though, I desperately need an antibiotic. I'm hoping that he will have something for me so that I don't have to go to the Apotheke which means another walk in the opposite direction of the doctor's office. Normally, I wouldn't care...but being sick and it being cold and snowy, I'm reluctant. Oh well, we shall see.

His office was jumping. They set up the waiting room in one of the exam rooms. It appeared that the doctor's office was broken into over the New Year's holiday. In a small village such as this, I wouldn't have thought things like this happen. The doctor told me there was no cash (he takes it home with him at night) but there were a lot of prescription sheets (not signed, of course) but something a thief might want!

He didn't have an antibiotic for me so it's off to the Pharmacy down the street. I sure hope I can make it there and back to the apartment ok.

Well, I got there and they didn't have the prescription. I REALLY don't want to go back there tomorrow to pick it up. But wonder of wonders...the clerk told me they would deliver the antibiotic to my home tonight between 5:30 and 6:30pm! WOW!! Delivery...and it's free too! I'm SO thankful for that.

I'm feeling ok so I decided to stop at the bakery on the way back and get some bread. But by the time I hit Michele's (Mamma Maria's), I'm sweating and feeling a bit light-headed. So I put one foot in front of the other and hope I can get up the steps to the apartment.

I finally made it to the apartment and whipped off my coat,scarf and gloves and promptly sat down. I was asleep before I could think about it. The walk just did me in!!

I took the first round of antibiotics and will continue to do so until they are done in one week.


Tuesday 1/05/10

Day 287 - More rest.

I tried getting an appointment with the doctor, but because he's been out of the country for two weeks (he went to Thailand) his appointments are backed up. I managed to get an appointment tomorrow morning.

I'm still sick and haven't been up to doing much of anything except sleeping and resting.


Monday 1/04/10

Day 286 - Day of rest

I slept really well last night but I'm still sick. I was able to do dishes and make Ted some breakfast late in the morning. It being the first Sunday of the year, I really wanted to be in church but I didn't think that was wise given how sick I've been over the past few days. My breathing is labored and I'm wheezing which leads me to believe that I probably have a bad case of bronchitis. I can't wait until tomorrow to call the doctor.

The day was spent dozing and reading.


Sunday 1/03/10

Day 285 - Still sick

It snowed last night and there's a light dusting of snow everywhere. The sun is coming out so it will be gone soon. I wanted to get to the store but just do not have the energy to do so. I didn't sleep well at all last night.

I sent Ted to the store and he went out to eat because I just didn't have the energy to cook. Thank Goodness for the Schwannenbrau in Bernhausen...one of his favorite places to go. Mamma Maria's is always closed on Saturdays and today is no exception.


Saturday 1/02/10

Day 284 - New Year's Day

I'm very sick today.  I think I have bronchitis...again. I will need to see the doctor next week. I slept most of the day and read when I was feeling up to it.   What a way to start the new year!

Friday 1/01/10

Day 283 - New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve. This year has absolutely FLOWN by!! Last year at this time we didn't know where we would be or how we were going to survive but God is good and has blessed us abundantly this year. More than we deserve.

I'm still very sick and I'm still coughing. Between taking my regular medications, I'm taking mega doses of Juice Plus+ and Omega 3-6-9's.

Ted's only working a half day today so he will be home around 1pm I would think, unless something keeps him.

I did have leftover Chicken and made some corn for him but I didn't want to eat because I felt so awful. I'm running a fever of 101.3 and that's not good. My doctore is in Thailand until next week so going to the doctor is out of the question.

I will "snarfle" and take some more Alka Seltzer Plus before going to bed but we both will be staying up until Midnight.

I got to talk to both our daughters on the phone and wished them both a Happy New Year. My youngest was going to a house party hosted by a church friend and my eldest (and her family) was going to spend some time with her church friends.

It's 9pm and the fireworks that we were warned about started...not too many, though but enough for us to know what's coming at midnight. At 11:55, the fireworks started in earnest and lasted a full 30 minutes or more!! From our balcony we could see all KINDS of fireworks that are set off by the German people!

I couldn't believe that they are allowed to set of the kind of fireworks that they are doing!!! We had a bird's eye view from our balcony. I bundled up very well and stood on the balcony and watched the fireworks. It was amazing that there weren't a whole lot of cars going through town (it's usually quite busy but not tonight). There were reverlers walking up and down the street with sparklers. They also set off bottle rockets in the middle of the street. The air was filled with smoke and sulfur. I am in awe that the Germans are allowed to set off fireworks like you would see professionals do on the Fourth of July!!

We will be going to bed shortly after I have another dose of Alka Seltzer Plus before turning in. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll feel better.

My dad is still in the hospital. His blook word has not yet come back and they gave him a shot of Vitamin K. I'm not sure what that is all about but I'm sure my mother will let us know. I will call her tomorrow.

Thursday 12/31/09

Day 282 - Sick day

Ted forgot the horse and he didn't waken me because I slept fitfully and wasn't feeling well. I'm coughing and my voice is going. I feel awful. He came home at lunch and got the box and the book and took it on base to ship. I helped him load the stuff into the car because it was bit unweildy.

I'm coughing and there's a lot of drainage. I made Ted Chicken Francese and mashed potatoes for dinner. I'm feeling awful so hopefully there will be leftovers tomorrow.

I decided not to go into bed but to sleep on the la-z-boy tonight. It was a mistake. I couldn't sleep because I was coughing all the time. By 5am, I decided Alka Seltzer Plus was in order and I went to bed. Luckily I slept!

Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.


Wednesday 12/30/09

Day 281 - Errands and shipping

Today is Ted's first day back on the job. We are going to OBI tonight to get boxes for Ro's birthday present so I can ship it. While in Ohio, my nephew told us the electric dehumidifier that he has for his home is really expensive to run. If it's that expensive in Ohio, what would it be like here?? So we decided to get the 10 Euro dehumidifiers (small boxes with salt in them and a container underneath for the water to accumulate. It's not the best solution but it's better than no solution or an expensive one!

We bought two boxes and four dehumidifiers. We got two very small dehumidifiers - Lavender for the bathroom and citrus for the Kitchen. We also picked up two large ones - one for the Living Room and one for the Master Bedroom.  I think we should get another two big ones for the kitchen and the bathroom.  Those small ones won't cut it, I don't think!

I packed up the horse and our youngest daughter's devotional. She inadvertantly gave Ted the wrong book for Christmas and none of us knew it. She is shipping the one she was supposed to give him to us and we are shipping hers to her.

I'm feeling a bit under the weather tonight so I want to get the project done so I can go to bed.


Tuesday 12/29/09

Day 280 - Running errands

We got up a little later than we wanted to.  After being away for a week, there's a lot of things we need to do today before Ted goes back to work tomorrow.  We went to the Volkswagen dealership to get the parking brake checked out. Unfortunately, my pal Santos (an Italian guy) wouldn't be in until next week. So that was a bust.

Then we stopped to have some lunch and then on to Patch to get groceries. We decided we would wash the salt off the car but again, that was a bust because the line was so long so we didn't have time to do it.  We had a 2pm appointment to get the new tires installed on the car.

We stopped at the post office so I could send my grandson his 2nd birthday gift. Unfortunately, they don't package things so I have to get a BIG box to send it. And I'll have to package it myself so I'll be doing that tomorrow and Ted will take it on base to get shipped. Another bust! UGH!

I waited at the BX while Ted took the car in. He also had a 4pm appointment with his masseuse. I thought he was cutting it close and sure enough, the car people took an hour and a half and then put the wrong tires on!!! He didn't have time to have the tires changed out because of the appointment with the masseuse. Ted was SO mad because he had just checked on the tires a few days ago and they said they were in!!!

He actually missed his appointment and so we are spending the evening hanging out at home!

Monday 12/28/09

Day 279 - Finally home!

WOW! It only took us one hour to get through customs, get our luggage, get a cab and drive to the apartment. We were in the apartment by 9:20am! Amazing!!

We were tired and the house was really cold because we turned the heat down before we left.  We turned the heat up and decided to go to bed at around 10am.  We both slept until 3pm. I decided to unpack the suitcases and then we went to Mama Maria's for Pizza.

We then came home around 8pm and watched "The Christmas Shoes". It was an absolute gut wrencher! What we didn't know was that there was first a song, then a book and then the movie...and it was terrific. I would encourage anyone to watch this movie (came out in 2001) at Christmas time.

The electricity went out at midnight because EnBW (electricity company) was putting up some sort of trailer outside our apartment. I think it is for the construction going on next door but I'm not sure. The lights came back on around 12:30 or so but we went to bed anyways. We didn't have any trouble falling asleep and for that I'm thankful.


Sunday 12/27/09

Day 278 - Flight back to Germany

We took the rental car back and got to the airport. We thought there would be increased security because of the security breach on a plane coming in from Amsterdam.  But it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be even though there were more dogs and more people being screened.

I called my Mom to let her know we were on our way. The plane to Atlanta was very,very tight.  It was a CRJ-700. Even our rolling computer bags couldn't fit in the overhead bins! So we had to stow them under the front seats. Thankfully they fit!

Since we had time, Ted wanted to wait until everyone else deplaned to get off the plane.  I was fine with that...but then he changed his mind and pushed me to get out of the seat and get my bag. In doing so, I forgot my book where I had stowed my passport!! Luckily I remembered before we got out of the jetway. He went back for it, but I was a nervous wreck. I don't like to be pushed and he was pushing me all day long! From the time we hit the Delta check-in...he didn't want me to print up the tickets, so I didn't and he was already in line.  But then he changed his mind.  The airline clerk was helping me with printing them since it was an international flight.  She was making mistakes and taking a lot of time to do them and Ted, again was pushing me again to get it done quickly.   I explained I had to wait because the bar code reader wasn't working so it took longer and I took the brunt of Ted's impatience.

After the passport situation, I warned him that he was NOT to push me to go faster. I wait for him and he has to wait for me. Period.

We arrived in Atlanta at 11am with a six hour layover until our flight to Stuttgart. We stayed in the E concourse (international) at the food court and used our computers. I was able to balance a few personal accounts and check email while there. There was a baby grand piano sitting close by and it was automatically playing songs. It was great! Then by around 3 or 3:30, a woman came and was playing the piano. Then a guy with a french horn, played with her and then he sang! It was great!! A terrific way to spend hours at the airport.

We finally got on board and it was great because the plane was not full so I moved and sat in the row in front of where we were supposed to be seated. Both of us had SO much more room. I dozed off and on and read a book I bought while in Ytown called "The Christmas Secret" by the same author of "The Christmas Shoes". I managed to read two-thirds of the way through before we landed.

We both were quite tired by the time we were ready to land.


Saturday 12/26/09

Day 277 - Christmas Day.

We slept until 12:30pm then packed our bags in preparation to go back to Germany. We will be leaving town early this evening after Christmas dinner. 

My youngest daughter spent some time with her nephew watching Elmo  on  her computer.  How sweet is that??

The kids waited for us so we could see Ro open his presents and took a few photos of him and the kids opening gifts.  

The kids opening gifts

                                                                                                                                              

Ro with is new piano!

Ro helping his Auntie open her gift.

Ro helping "Popeye" with his gift!











We then got dressed, packed up the car and drove down to the Clubhouse to get started on  dinner.  I fried the cutlets and the olives. We had Christmas dinner and my nieces gave us some small things for Christmas and we gave them a Christmas ornament from Germany.  We then went to see Dad at the hospital.  He looks pretty good  but they have him on oxygen. 

We had to drive back to my mom's because we had forgotten something. We then drove to Pittsburgh and stayed the night in a hotel so we could be near the airport for our early flight in the morning!.

I'd have to say this was a strange Christmas!

Friday 12/25/09

Day 276 - Christmas Eve

My other daughter, her husband and my grandson came in around 3pm. I helped Mom with getting the fish ready for tonight's dinner. I made my famous Crab Strudel.  We took what we needed to the clubhouse.  With so  many people coming for Christmas, the two condos are not big enough to house everyone anymore and the kids really  do not have room to play.  So we took abunch of stuff to the club house for Christmas eve dinner. We have the traditional Italian Christmas eve dinner with seven fish: Haddock, Crab, Anchiovies, Smelt, Shrimp, Tuna, Calamari.

It was wonderful spending time with family and the food was terrific.  After dinner we cleaned up and then came home and went to sleep.  My mother changed our sleeping arrangements and we ended up next door at my brother's place.  We went to bed at around 11:30pm.

At 12:30, my mother knocked on our door.  We had to take Dad to hospital because he couldn't breathe. We stayed at the hospital until 6am when the hospital admitted him with pneumonia and a weakened heart.   We got home at 6:30am and went to bed for a few hours. 


Thursday, 12/24/09

Day 275 - Quiet day!

It was a quiet day for being two days before Christmas.  I helped my daughter wrap presents and did some errands with Ted.  We had dinner with my brother, his wife and my mom and dad.  Then Ted and I watched a movie with my sister-in-law.


Wednesday, 12/23/09

Day 274 - More shopping!

Today we went to pick up some Pecorino Romano cheese that I cannot find in Germany. The only kind of cheese we can get is Parmesan cheese and frankly, I'm very tired of using JUST Parmesan cheese.

We had dinner with my parents, my daughter and my brother and his wife. It was great and then we watched the movie "The Christmas Card". After that we all went to bed. It was a long day.



Tuesday, 12/22/09

Day 273 - Dinner with friends

Today we went to more stores to buy the last of the "stuff" we wanted to get that we normally cannot buy in Germany. We also picked up a few gifts for the children and grandchild.

We then went to dinner with my best friend and her husband. We REALLY miss them and hope that they can come and visit us in Germany soon!!


Monday, 12/21/09

Day 272 - Spending time with family

I woke up early!  It was 5am so I checked email. There was some company work to do and I worked for a bit. We had breakfast and then took my father to his favorite place - his VFW to play cards with his cronies.

We then went to many, many stores to buy things to take back to Germany that we can't get in Germany. We didn't get home until almost dinner time. We had Pizza and salad and spent the rest of the evening chatting with family.

My youngest daughter finally showed up from the Steelers game in Pittsburgh. We stayed up and chatted with her but we were ready for bed by 9pm.


Sunday, 12/20/09

Day 271 - Flying home for Christmas

We woke up to a blanket of snow outside. It's very cold too.  What a day to travel!  We finished getting suitcases ready and the taxi picked us up at 8:15.  We drove to the airport in the snow. Luckily we only had two suitcases and two computer bags to carry and a bag that I was carrying some things to give to friends and family.

We were well within the time frame to get to the gate with over two hours to spare so I decided to do some company work during this time.

The trip was long!  Ten hours to get to Atlanta but we were pleasantly surprised that it only took us an hour to get through customs. Ted wanted to try the burgers at Checkers so we shared one. We sat with a guy from Italy who, surprisingly was on his way to San Francisco. We waited a few hours for our plane from Atlanta to Pittsburgh. Our eyes were hurting and mine were really red because of how tired I was.

The flight was oversold...and the airlines was offering $400 in flight monies but we needed to get to Ohio. So, instead we opted to upgrade to first class. I don't even remember taking off...I was asleep for most of the flight waking up just in time for the landing.

By 11pm we had gotten our luggage, rented the car and were on our third leg of the trip to my parents' home in Ohio. The roads were relatively clear but we were cautious because there was always a possiblity of black ice. As soon as we hit Rt 224, the roads got bad. We went slowly then and the road to my parents' home was even worse than Rt 224!

My parents live in a gated community and we couldn't get the code in correctly the first time but then we finally managed to get it We finally arrived and got our luggage out by 12:15am. It was time for us to sleep!

We stayed up for an hour or so talking to my mom and dad but we were so tired from the trip.  And even though it was only about 1am Ohio time, it was 7AM German time!  We had been up almost 24 hours!

Saturday, 12/19/09

Day 270: More preparations for our trip.

I have to go pick up my Prescription and I'm thinking about buying a loaf of German bread to take home with me for my family to try. I'll think about that one.

I had the hobby horses done but now, because my duaghter is traveling to Ohio from NY from Christmas, I am going to do some additional finish work on them and will bring them with me to Ohio when I go. I'm very excited in that we will be together as a family once again. That is our Christmas gift to one another this year. No need to spend any money, we just want to be together.

I still have one more load of laundry to do to finish that up and want to clean the apartment so that when I return I'm coming home to a nice, clean apartment. I have more company work to do today and I'm very tired this morning for some reason.

Friday 12/18/09

Day 269: Busy day!

I had to get my prescription filled and of course I'm very glad that I went today because they don't have it in stock and I have to wait until tomorrow to go pick it up. I also was able to get the "gelbes sack" (yellow bags) that we put recycled plastic and metal in. The bakery has them and gives them out for free. They are different than the ones our caretaker gave me. They are larger with ties imbedded in them...of course, I like these better! And they ARE free so I will be getting those bags from the bakery from now on!!

I also stopped at Schleckers (sort of like a Walgreens without the pharmacy) and picked up the hooks for the Christmas tree bulbs. I'm excited to be able to complete the tree. And I stopped at Netto to pick up some Black cherry jelly that I'm taking to the states.

I had to stop at the bank to exchange dollars for Euro in order to pay for my prescription and in line behind me a couple was talking in English and worried that the "Geldamat" (ATM machine) would not accept their card. When my transaction was almost completed, I turned to them and explained that I had used my debit card on this machine. The wife exclaimed "where are you from?" I said the U.S. but she asked me specifically. It turns out she got her doctorate at U.C. Davis and knew exactly where Rocklin, CA was. Since it was late afternoon and I really needed to get my errands done, I didn't stop to chat. But she did say to me: "I would have never guessed that you were an American!" Hmmm....I didn't think I look German!!!

It was really cold outside but since I was well bundled up (scarf, gloves, heavy winter coat with fur collar turned up) I was relatively warm and toasty! Surprisingly, the walk was invigorating!

I got home and ironed Ted's shirts and pants for our trip and made Anna (from Mamma Maria's) some Grapefruit Oil bath salts. It appears that they don't have anything like that here. I wonder if I could start making bath salts and selling them? Perhaps I can ask Ted's Maseusse if it's a viable option. It would be fun to do that, I think. I'll have to check that out when we return from the states.

It took the rest of the afternoon to get some things organized for our trip and I'm still not done. My "to do" list is starting to be whittled down but there's still so much to do.

Tonight we were supposed to meet Ted's co-worker at Mamma Maria's for dinner and listen to the last live music of the year. Poor Michele is sick with a terrible cold (after he boasted that he never gets sick...he should not have spoken so soon!) Ted had this wonderful mixed fried fish dish and the grilled vegetables (Red Peppers, Eggplant and baby green beans) were to die for. I wish I had known that they fixed those vegetables so well, I would be ordering those and JUST those! The next time we come in (tomorrow night because I'm not cooking the night before we leave for the states). I had my usual Mushroom Pizza with Mozzarella cheese.

We listened to music until 10:30 and we didn't want to stay that long at all! My family doctor came in with his wife. He stopped by our table to chat and met Ted. He is SO personable and nice (and speaks excellent English).

Ted's co-worker didn't show up and didn't respond to the text messages. Ted, did, however receive a co-worker's call later in the evening while we were listening to music.

When we got home, we checked email and read the news online and then went to bed.

Thursday 12/17/09

Day 268: Christmas Decorating

Another day of company work, cleaning and more laundry. Cleaned.
We put up the Christmas lights on the tree but realized I didn't have any hooks for the two dozen bulbs we bought to decorate the tree. No matter, though, it looks cute. We thought one strand of 50 lights would be enough (even though Ted made a mistake and bought three strands instead of two. But, the strands are made in a circular fashion so we doubled the one strand up and it wasn't enough! Two strands were what we used so 100 lights on a three foot tree!! Ted finally got his wish with colored lights. I favor the clear ones but he likes the colored ones and since we have a real tree, I'm glad he's getting what he likes.

Neither one of us were very hungry so we decided to have yogurt for dinner. We are missing our usual Christmas activity.  We used to drive around to the various spots near our old home in California that had tremendous Christmas lighting displays.  One was actually down the street from where we lived!!  Our neighbor took ALL of Thanksgiving weekend to put up his Christmas display and synched it with music.  It was too cool!

We compromised and watched another Christmas movie. 


Wednesday 12/16/09

Day 267: Preparing for our Christmas trip

There was more company work and more laundry today. We're getting prepared for our Christmas trip back to the states this weekend. I've  been arranging suitcases and items that need to be packed in the guest bedroom.

I went to have another acupuncture treatment on my back. It's feeling much, much better.

I'm in a Mexican kind of mood so I made Mexican for dinner...Quesadillas.  They were delicious.  There are no really good Mexican Restaurants in Stuttgart but that does not surprise me.
We watched yet another Christmas movie.

Tuesday 12/15/09

Day 266: Christmas Tree

Today is my dad's 84th birthday.  I plan to give him a call later on this afteroon to wish him a Happy Birthday.  I did some laundry and company  work today. 

I also submitted my Unit 10 TESON revisions and Unit 11 today!  Since my mentor i
s going on vacation as well for the holidays, she will be sending me three or four more units to work on during the holidays. That should get me caught up so I will make the deadline.

I'm tired of Italian food. I made Mexican fajitas tonight and they were delicious!

We went to OBI after dinner to buy a Christmas tree and pick up specialty light for overhead light. We decided on a 3-foot Christmas tree in a pot that we will use on our patio after Christmas is over.

We watched a Christmas movie when we returned from shopping and then went to bed.

Monday 12/14/09

Day 265: Very cold Sunday

It's a very, very cold day today.  We got up and went to church.  We had lunch and spent the rest of the day indoors keeping warm.


Sunday 12/13/09

Day 264: Quick shopping trip!

It's cold today and we got a late start.  We were supposed to go downtown Stuttgart to go to the Christmas market there because we nixed going to Nuremburg for the oldest Christmas market in Germany.  I just didn't feel up to traveling one more weekend!  Particularly since we have a very long trip ahead of us next weekend.

It's one of those days where you just want to sit under a blanket drinking something hot in front of a fireplace and either read or watch television.  Well, since we don't have a TV and we don't have a fireplace, we'll just have to watch a movie or read under the blankets!

We did go shopping on Patch and had dinner there as well.  I'm anxious to get home.  I'm not fully acclimated to the cold just yet!


Saturday 12/12/09

Day 263: Another Doctor's appointment

It was cold and rainy again today. I had an appointment with my doctor to get another acupuncture treatment. What bothers me most about having acupuncture is that the doctor does not leave when one is disrobing nor do they have gowns or towels or anything else to cover up. That's why I don't go to get a massage any more. I don't like being on display. There's no modesty here and that makes me a bit nervous.

I'm amazed that in front of the library there's a landscaped area that has different colored panzies planted. What I'm wondering is that if there's going to be snow, why were they planted?? They surely will die in the snow.

It's drizzling and it's cold. I get to the office and I was supposed to bring my bank information to get a refund because I had overpaid the doctor but we just decided that he will usee that money towards my acupuncture appointment because I forgot that there are TWO bank routing numbers...one for the states and one for Germany and I brought the one for the states with me. I explained and showed the doctor the checks that we use in the states. He asked some REALLY good questions about checking accounts. When I gave him the answers, his eyes got as big as saucers!!!

I came home and did some company work and waited for Ted. We were supposed to go to his company Christmas party but I am not feeling well and just don't want to go anywhere. He does, however, still want the Kase Spaetzel. So he's going to get takeout and have his beer while he waits for the order. In the meantime, I was trying to unravel some personal financial issues.

We split the Kase Spaetzel and a salad and then settled in to watch another Christmas movie: "Single Santa seeks Mrs. Claus" with Steve Guttenberg. Another one of our favorites.

We are bummed that NCIS didn't have any episodes for two weeks. But luckily I was able to figure out that there will be a new episode next Tuesday.

Next week is a big week. We'll be preparing for our trip to the states to spend time with family at Christmas.




Friday 12/11/09

Day 262: Slow day and dinner out!

Another day of laundry and some company work. Ted came home around 3pm from Munich but had to go back to work for a few hours. We're going to Mamma Maria's tonight to have Pizza. I was supposed to do that last night but I couldn't bring myself to go to dinner without my best friend, Ted. So I made rice for myself last night and called it good.

Pizza was fabulous, as always. And of course the company was great. Ted was his usual self but Michele was in rare form and made us laugh left and right. Our neighbor from upstairs was there at the bar having soup. He speaks English and owns a bar in Stuttgart. I don't see him that often because when he's sleeping that's when we're up and working.

We went home and watched the "Christmas Card" one of our favorite Christmas movies with Ed Asner then called it a night.



Thursday 12/10/09

Day 261: Lonely night

I finally finished hobby horses!  I also cleaned and did Laundry. Ted left for Munich for work and will not be back unil tomorrow. The sun was shining and I would have liked to go outside but I knew I needed to get the horses done for Ro's second birthday.

It's really lonely without Ted tonight so I watched a Christmas movie by myself. I went to bed after 11 but I couldn't sleep because of the cold I'm getting and I feel all stuffed up.

I decided to sit in the Lazyboy and try to sleep there but it was a very fitful night.


Wednesday 12/09/09

Day 260: Dinner nightmare

I woke up later than usual and it's cold and dreary outside. I need to get ready to go to the Chiropractor's office across from the train station in Plieningen. My husband told me that the buses go every 5 or 6 minutes so I should be able to catch one of them to get there on time.

I decided to kill two birds with one stone and take out the garbage on my way. I'm a bit nervous about venturing out, buying the ticket from a kiosk and figuring out which bus to take (there are at least four buses at that bus station stop. And if I'm not careful I could end up in Timbuktu and not understanding the language will make doubly difficult. I'm usually a very brave person but with this language barrier (even though many Germans speak SOME English) I feel totally inadequate.

I get to the bus stop at 9:20...and my appointment is at 10am. Unfortunately, for me...the buses ONLY run 11 minutes after the hour from 9am to 4pm. UGH!! I missed the bus!!! And I'm going to miss my appointment. I looked for another bus but there wasn't one that was going to stop at that stop.

I got on the phone and called the doctor to rescedule the apppointment. I'm really upset with myself for not checking this out on the internet first. But hey...isn't this how one learns...from mistakes?

It's really cold so I want to get back to the apartment. As I pass by the bakery, the most wonderful smell of freshly baked bread fills my nostrils. I quickly turn around and go into the bakery and buy several "Krusti" pronounced "Crusty". They are these oblong rolls that can either be made into a sub sandwich or sliced for bread and they are wonderful!!! I also pick up a few of my husband's favorite "Berliners" (nothing more than a jelly donut!!)  I really wanted to try their walnut rolls but not today. I will pick some up on the weekend.

I REALLY didn't feel like cooking and Ted wanted to go out too. So it's off to the Schwanen Brau in Bernhauser. When we got there, the place was packed. Our regular waitress said the only place available was in the basement. So we trudged off to the basement to find the MOST quaint place!! We'd never ventured any further than our favorite place to sit, just inside the door by the bar.

We found the LAST table and sat down. We were not sure if they even waited on us. The women sitting next to us were chatting and one woman had her cocker spaniel sitting under her feet. It never ceases to amaze me that the Germans allow dogs in eating establishments and retail stores. It just blows me away!!! And not little dogs either...some are BIG dogs!! LOL!

We sat and waited and waited and waited. There was a lounge area opposite our table beyond a structural pole. There was a man and a woman sitting there. I noticed that he had gone to get an ashtray. This was not good. He lit up and so did she. There was very little air circulation to the point that Ted's eyes were watering and I couldn't stand the stench of cigarette smoke. Their laws here are weird. I thought they couldn't smoke where food was served but I don't know if that includes this quasi PUB.

We decided to go upstairs and sit at the bar. Ted really wanted a beer and we both really wanted "Kase Spaetzel" (pronounced Case-a Spet-zil). It's the German version of Mac and cheese and it's fabulous!!!

The bar was completely filled by the time we got up the stairs so we decided to leave and go somewhere else. So much for the beer and Spaetzel. Ted suggested the NH Hotel because they DO serve Spaetzel but it's not as good (in our opinion) as the Schwanen brau.

Off we go to the hotel and sit in the bar area. We order drinks ( a large bottle of
"Stilles Wasser" (prounounced "Still-iss Vah-ser) nothing more than plain bottled water. If you ask for Wasser, they bring you bubbly mineral water...which I'm not particularly fond of, although Ted likes it. Plus his beer and a coke for me. When we looked at the menu, it appeared they were doing some sort of Mexican/Spanish theme. When I asked the waiter if they had Kase Spaetzel, he reiterated that the only thing we could get in that location what was on the menu. UGH! He said we would have to go to the dining room. We were not dressed for the hoity-toity dining room in the hotel so this location was a bust too...and we were hungry.

Last stop...third time HAS to be the charm. Burger King here we come. Unfortunately, the fries and burgers were old and so we both realized we should have JUST stayed home!!! LOL!

If it ever happens again, we are going home. Do not pass go, Do not collect $100!!

Tuesday 12/08/09

Day 259: Cold and foggy day!

Today is my dear niece Paula's birthday. I'm going to give her a call today to wish her a very happy birthday.

It's cold and foggy out...all day. I didn't want to leave the house and I didn't. I did company work for part of the day and spoke on the phone with my boss. It turns out Sacramento had snow on the ground today. I couldn't believe it. In the nine years I was there, it never once snowed!!  I'm glad I'm here, even if it does get dark early and doesn't get light until 8!!

I need to get the next TESOL unit done and start working on the hobby horses for my grandson's second birthday!! Ted is working late tongiht so we'll have a late dinner.

Monday 12/07/09

Day 258: Lazy Sunday

Ted and I overslept and we missed church. We hung out at home for most of the day but he wanted to go over to the BX because he just wanted to get out. I said fine and we went. While there, we picked up two roll-around laptop bags for our upcoming US trip and Ted will use his on Wednesday when he goes to Munich for work.

We ran into one of Ted's co-workers too.

When we got home, I made us some dinner and we watched the 4th episode in the "Love comes Softly" series. I didn't know Fox had a website called Foxfaith.com!  
Very cool!

We needed to get to bed early becasue Ted has to be at work at 7am tomorrow morning. And it doesn't get light until almost 8 now and gets dark at 4:45.

Sunday 12/06/09

Day 257: Dinner in Frankfurt

We got up and went grocery shopping.  We also stopped at the craft store for additional pink felt for the hobby horses and pink thread. We also stopped at the thrift store to see what they had. There was nothing that I couldn't live without.

We came home and put away the groceries then we drove to Frankfurt to have dinner with Ted's sister. We encountered traffic due to a really bad traffic accident on Autobahn 5. We were stopped for 45 minutes in traffic. There were four ambulances. Cars had to move over for so they could get through. It took us over three hours to get there.

We had to stop and get directions from a police officer because Julie was acting up again. He reiterated that he was allowing us to go a certain way even though it was "verboten" (forbidden).

We finally found building 11 of the Messe (convention center) and called his sister. She came right out and asked if we could have dinner close to her hotel. Julie went crazy again for a bit but finally got us to the restaurant which was wonderful. The waiter was from the Naples area and I was very familiar with it. We had a brief conversation.

Dinner was wonderful. Sadly, we don't get to spend too much time with Ted's sister but it was a wonderful evening, nonetheless. The trip home was uneventful except we had to find an Esso station for gas (which we did) but we ended up getting home at 12:30 am and went directly to bed. Ted's minor cold seems to be subsiding a bit.



Saturday 12/05/09

Day 256: Accupuncture today

I did company work most of the morning. I went to the doctor's to get acupuncture on my back. It's been bothering me.  I dislike the way the European doctors operate.  There is no modesty here.  You take your clothes off in front of the doctor and there are no gowns or blankets!  Oh well,  I guess he's seen it all anyways!  LOL!  I'm hopeful that that the English speaking chiropractor will be a good one.

I also need to get my prescription refilled. It's been three months and I'm ready for a refill.

We went to Marktkauf tonight and bought a sewing machine.  I'm glad because now I can fix Ted's pants that he bought in Ramstein and I can do crafts and sewing.  I don't want to be bored.  Not that it would happen here! 


Friday 12/04/09

Day 255: Very poor customer service!

I did company work for part of the day and the rest of the day was spent cutting out hobby horse heads for my grandson's 2nd birthday in January. It appears I'm missing a bit of pink felt to complete three of the heads and I have to find a sewing machine. Luckily I brought enough colored thread (with the exception of the pink thread) to sew up the heads.

We also found a few items that we need to return to my daughter and her family. I will put them with the hobby horses when I complete them and ship them to her.

I really didn't feel like cooking OR going out but my husband insisted. Although tonight there is music at Mamma Maria's I just don't feel up to going. So my husband suggested we go to Amalfi for dinner. I just hope that odious waiter is not there tonight. He suggested fish for my husband on one ocassion and didn't bother to tell him what the price was. When we got the bill, I was furious. It was the most expensive dish! Recently, he tried to sell my son-in-law an 18 Euro bottle of wine (That's about $28)...and I told my son-in-law...that he would try to sell the most expensive bottle of wine and to ask for something in the price range he thought it should be. Then I asked this odious waiter (and I say odious here kindly since there was just something about him that was SO phony and I didn't like) to sell us a bottle of wine for 8 or 10 Euro (of course he said it wasn't possible) but then the owner...overruled him...and told him I was a good customer and he would be happy to sell me a bottle for 10 Euro (about $15). I was infuriated that he tried to do that AGAIN!!!

So off we go to this Amalfi place because Ted really wanted the Quattro formaggio gnocchi. I didn't want to go and told my hsuband that if that odious waiter is there, it's not going to be a good evening. And in fact it wasn't. we walked in and ALL the tables had Reserved on them. However, the waiter came and said it was reserved just for us because he knew we were coming. How ingenuous of him!!! That only fueled my fire.

So he took our drink order and in the interim, three men came in. He immediately waited on them...brought them their drinks (wine of course) AND their first dish and we still hadn't gotten our drinks (a bottle of water AND a Latte e Caffe). How disrepectful!! Now I don't know if those guys were in a hurry or what, but he should have come to our table and say something like "we're getting your coffee" or something...but nothing. Finally he brought us our drinks and took our order.

I was NOT a happy camper and told my husband that we were NOT coming back to this restaurant. He told me I owed it to the owner to tell him why. I told him that I would take a business card and call him. At one point, the owner's wife came by to say hello. I told her the story and how it was disrespectful and we would not be returning, unfortunately. Not because of the food or the owner but because of the waiter. I told her how I understood that it's difficult to find good help and that obviously she needed help. But we didn't want to be waited on by someone who mistreats us and explained that we felt we needed to tell her why. She needed to know. I was sad becasue we really liked her and her husband...but we could NOT and WOULD not stomach one more meal with this waiter.

She brought us our food. The waiter never returned to ask about the food nor would he look at us. When it was time to get the bill, (after we had been sitting there for almost 15 minutes) Ted finally called out to him...He said soemthing, walked away and then said Ted didn't need to yell (which he didn't...he simply tried to get the waiter's attention). I was TOTALLY angered by his lack of courtesy! If he would have paid attention, Ted would not have had to call out to him. Geez!!

Finally, the owner brought the bill. She thought we hadn't eaten because we lost our appetite but it wasn't because of that, it was because there was too much food for us to finish. She then told me they would be opening a new restaurant in another town! I was excited to hear that and got the information from her. We definitely will be visiting them in the new year when they open their new place.

Ted wanted to go listen to music after the fiasco at dinner. We decided to have desert at Mamma Maria's. By the time we got there it was 9pm. I didn't want to stay too long so we had our dessert, listened to a few songs and then left. Anna and Michele wanted to know why we were so late in coming. I told them I didn't feel up to it but didn't say we went somewhere else for dinner. We should have gone there, in retrospect. It was raining when we left Amalfi's and I needed to change my shoes before heading on over to Mamma Maria's. I don't like winter at all and it's JUST the fall right now.

She also told me that my daughtew left the baby's bottle and gave it to me. Another item to add to the list of stuff to mail to my daughter.

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day.


Thursday 12/03/09

Day 254: Movie night!

I have absolutely NO energy today even though the weather is better and the sun is shining. However, for the sake of my husband, I ironed his shirts, did laundry and fixed the sweeper to sweep all of the floors. (The hose keeps coming apart from the wand. but it's a really easy fix, it just takes a screw driver to pull out the brace and then the hose just screws in!! I'm reluctant to glue it in the event that the hose breaks. It's easy to get it back to where it was but if one twists the hose too many times it comes out.)

I made a bit of leftovers for dinner tonight and Ted and I watched two movies. Even though it seemed late afte rthe first movie it was just a litte before 9...more than enough time to watch two movies!

Wednesday 12/02/09

Day 253: Working on my TESOL

It's hard to believe that it's already December. In a few short weeks we'll be traveling to the states. I purchased our flights today. It was more expensive than I would have liked but the tardiness in which they were purchased could not be helped given the recent expenditures to get our home in order to receive guests.

Another day of working on my TESOL. I will be submitting Unit 10 tomorrow. I did a load of laundry and cleaned and cooked and that was aobut it for today.


Tuesday 12/01/09

Day 252: Cold and rainy day.

What a gloomy and incredibly cold day! I'm SO glad that the weather held last week for my family's visit. There was only one day of rain and that was the day that they were visiting the Porsche museum so it did not matter.

Today was a hard day for me. It was cold and I've had a headache all day long. I'm not sure if it's because of the change in weather or the stressful weekend or a combination of both.

I never got out of my pajamas today. I spent the day working on my TESOL and blogging. Finally at around 4pm I decided enough was enough with the headache and I needed some Advil. By the time Ted got home, my head felt better and he showed up with the package from base...my new suitcase for our trip home next month.

Monday 11/30/09

Day 251: Visitors left!

The kids left early this morning. I love my kids and my grandson but we are just plain worn out!  We went back to bed and slept for the better part of the day. I'm wondering how in the heck I'm going to sleep tonight.


Sunday 11/29/09