Miss You

I’ve been feeling a bit melancholy lately even with all the daily items on my ‘to do’ list. I’m melancholy for something I never thought I would be. I spent the last three and half years trying to leave Germany and return to America and now that I have returned I find myself a month later missing my foreign home.

I miss the pedestrian center of the city where every café and restaurant has outdoor tables for eating and drinking and people watching. Even Starbucks hauled out the thick red wool blankets in winter so you could sit outside and still enjoy that feeling of being able to reach out to anyone who passed by.

I miss dinner at Roses and ordering a bottle of wine and crostinis and a plate of pasta. The lively conversation with Piano Girl and the laughter that always accompanied any outing making walking in heels on cobblestones worth all the effort.

I miss the small streets by the Italian Place on the River, the restaurant that we still don’t know the name of. The streets were so small that if another car was coming you’d have to pull up on what little sidewalk there was in order to let them past.

I miss flying down the autobahn in my little German car at 140 km an hour listening to Muse and Coldplay. It didn’t matter where the destination was getting there really was half the fun.

I miss Altenahr and my local winery that made the best Riesling around. I’ll miss the harvest this year and I won’t get to drive through the valley and see the plump juicy grapes on the vines clinging to the hillside. The smell in the valley always lingered sweet and fragrant.

I miss the architecture and the oldness of the cities and buildings, the uniqueness that makes it a great destination for tourists.

I miss my beloved Kolsch and the biergarten on Friday nights where there was nothing but good conversation, good beer and watching the boats pass by on the Rhine.

I even miss my non-English speaking crazy landlady Frau L. Who even though she drove like Mario Andretti and we never understood half of what we might have wanted to say to each other, she was the nicest landlady I will ever come across.

I miss my house with all of its quirky German foibles. I even miss Cat Lady who walked her cat down our street twice a day on a leash.

I miss Hallo Pizza, the only place I know that delivers your pizza in a Smart car.

I miss my husband who’s still half way around the world for five more months.

It’s startling to me to realize that while Germany I did not get along at times I really did come to see how wonderful it was in hindsight. All the while I was fighting it it was charming me and drawing me in.

I miss you Germany.

A lesson in saving

Since embarking on my temporary voyage as a married single mom last month I’m all about saving money. Having not one but two households solely dependent on one income means I’ll be budgeting to the max. While Cycling Papa (aka formerly known as Hubby, shortly to be known as CP) assures me that all is well I did notice he went out to dinner twice this week and attended a housewarming party that surely required a gift. (Whether he bought one or not is a different story. Do men think to bring a gift?) As is customary in Germany (or so I’m told) he also eats out for lunch in the cafeteria or the biergarten daily.

In a Woman’s Day magazine my mother in law had lying around I came across a featured cover article on saving money on groceries entitled Kitchen Confidential. (April 09 issue, p. 112) Sounds good right? I thought so too.

Eagerly I turned to the article anticipating some great ways to save money. However after reading the article I felt like saying DUH! It’s not that the tips are bad, some are quite good but they were really along the lines of things most people already know.

“Don’t pay for convenience”

Individual portions of crackers in a ‘value pack’ are really just more costly than buying the full size box and dividing it yourself into appropriate portions. I think most people already know that.

“Buy big and freeze”

That was another tip. It sounds great in theory but have you ever tried it? You end up with tons of tiny freezer burned Ziploc baggies of who knows what cluttering up the freezer. That’s one tip I’ve tried and abandoned.

All in all it was a worthwhile article to remind me what money saving ideas there are. But I didn’t learn anything new or helpful. I would much rather ask all my readers for their advice on saving money be it at the grocery store or elsewhere. I’m learning that the box of Cheerios I bought the last time I shopped in America 3 ½ years ago costs quite a bit more in today’s market.

So what do you do to cut costs and save money day to day? Can you offer up better tips than Woman's Day?

Say What? BlogHer Goes to NYC 2010

* Update - I've decided to go and Hubby has given his blessing to the adventure. So BlogHer NYC, here I come. Now who is going to brave the scary IRL waters with me?

I'm double posting today because I've got to have this question answered asap. Skip down one post for the Awards Post and see some great links.

I've heard so much about BlogHer both before and now after the event I was curious what it was all about. So I went to the site. And there I discovered that next year it's in NYC. My most favorite place in the world and a short one hour train ride from my house. Potentially I could even trip in for the day and not have to shell out the money for a hotel (I would miss out on all the after hours hoopla though...)

Photo credit: http://www.danheller.com

But is it worth it? I see that they had seminars on a variety of topics during the day that you could attend. Some food was also included (a huge bonus). Even then it is still $200 for the conference itself. Non-refundable $200. When I had signed up for the writers conference in January and then had to cancel in May when we found out we were moving the week of the conference I got back all but $50 of my $425 fee. While I did lose a little it was a risk I willingly took.

No refund though? I don't know that I want to swallow $200 should there be a reason a year from now that I can't attend. A lot can happen in a year. The word around the internet is that the conference will sell out and quickly. I completely understand the no refund policy, after all I'm sure the BlogHer people need to give a guarantee of sorts to the conferences sponsors of how many people will be attending (or at least how much money it will bring in). It still makes me uncomfortable promising that kind of money a year in advance with no possible chance of a refund.

Are you planning to attend the conference next year? Did you attend this years event and was it worth it? Should I just plan to head into the city during the conference to see the specific bloggers I'd like to meet or should I go whole hog and pay up?

Super Scribbler...

I was pleased to see yesterday that I was nominated for an award. A Super Scribbler Award. Scribbling is right up my alley. This award was presented to me by Amber Lynae at Seriously Amber Lynae. A brand new to me blogger but I'll deifnitely be going back for seconds of her blog.

I have to link to the blog that awarded me and then link to this post at the Scholastic Scribe the inventor of the award. You can also then link your blog to Mr Linky along with all the others who've received this award. I feel very honored to be among some seriously talented writers.

There are rules to this award and they are as follows:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
3.Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

The first bloggy friend is simply a very easy choice. Kim at Zook Book Nook. I've mentioned her a time or two and her amazing blog. She is a mom of two and a writer who's posts make me think and ponder everytime I visit.

The second blog is one I have only been reading for a few months. I enjoy reading this blog because he is a great writer and his take on fatherhood keeps me amused. SciFi Dad is telling Tales From the Dad Side and I know once you visit you'll be hooked just like I was.

Thirdly I enjoy reading over at Divinely Written. While she's been on a small break of late the stories she weaves are wonderful and the variety of subjects keep me coming back for more. My favorite had to be her story of her toddler son throwing his teen sister's phone down the heating duct. Be sure to take a peek.

Naturally I have to choose my favorite professor Crash from Crash Test Dummy Diaries. She manages to mix humor and serious in a way that keeps you coming back for more and more. Her recent decision to leave Hawaii after 18 years and move to Utah (and her subsequent horror at the thought) is nothing short of hilarious.

And I can pick only one more...

It's an easy choice. Ron at Clark Kent's Lunchbox was a blog I stumbled upon purely by accident. He's Superman in a mini-van. Humorous and often very real he gets right to the heart of things from taking his step-daughters to the doctor and the chaos that ensues to placing his emotions on the page as he describes the pain he feels at not being near his sons. This one blog you don't want to miss. Incidentially he's also just written a book to be published next month called Sugar Milk about his adventures as a stay at home dad. Be sure to look for it.

There are so many other great blogs that I enjoy so I hope you will search through my links in the sidebar and look through my followers list to discover a new read for yourself.

*as always passing the award is optional. I don't normally do it myself but thought these blogs deserved the attention.

Random Tuesday Thoughts: You Must Be Joking

Ah glorious Tuesday again. That means it's Random Tuesday Thoughts time boys and girls! Swing over to Keely's place at The Un Mom and see what kind of madness she's got for you this week. I've got my own kind of madness going on. The water's warm so let's jump right on in!

From the local Central Jersey newspaper: Groundhog Subdued by Pepper Spray.
I couldn't make that stuff up if I tried. Really.

It's a cat but really can you blame me for posting this gem?




We had our walk through for our new house yesterday. The landlady is something from the Psycho Zone. She must have asked me seven times did I want the just-cleaned carpets re-cleaned (no) and did I want the walls painted? Again, no. Seeing as they are pristine eggshell there's really no need.

I had my kids with me, reminder they are 3 and 7, and Chick (3) stomped on the heating grate in the kitchen and the lady dead serious asked "Are they going to destroy the house?"
If she stops by more than five times in the first month (she lives in the neighborhood) I'm going invite her over for tea and let the kids swing from the loft overlook for fun.

There's all this talk about how blogging and your blog numbers can help you when you submit to publishers. I'd love to know if that were actually true. (if it is you can email me with your offers.)

I'm so random I often get lost in my own mind.


This is Sally. She is WAY bigger than Lucy.

Have you ever seen Wipeout? That show that's on Wednesday nights at 8 on ABC maybe? My son LOVES it. It's kind of like that show from way back American Gladiators except way more funny cause there are lots of non-buff people on it. And they fall off these giant balls into the water (okay everything involves falling in water which is funny). You should check it out.

I took my kids to lunch at Applebees yesterday. Alone. I'm still alive.

The power went out on Sunday night because of a storm. I had my laptop all charged up so I started playing Majong. Do you have any idea how addictive that is? I think I may see Majong tiles for the rest of the week when I close my eyes.

On my Mac no matter where I am, on the internet or on word or whatever it spell checks everything. My Windows laptop doesn't do that. So please excuse me if I use extreme latitude in my spelling when I leave you comments.

If you don't want to be completely left out in the wind then head over to Keely's
and learn what's what and Get Random. Everyone's doing it.

Let's do the Blog Hop!

Okay so everyone in the Blog Universe went to Blog Her this weekend. Or it seems that way at least. But some wonderful ladies came up with a way to celebrate those of us who were not lucky enough to be able to go. It's called Blog Hop and you can link up your blog and follow the links to all the other bloggers who are in town this weekend. You can do this by clicking here:

The other detail is that everyone needs to introduce themselves on their blog for the newbies that may be stopping by. In short order, I give you Me :)

Hi! My name is Andrea but you'll see me around the internet as Blogging Mama Andrea. I am a SAHM of two Rascals (Boo is 7 and Chick is 3). I am a wife to Hubby (8 years plus already!) and I am an aspiring writer (as in I've written plenty of manuscripts and I am still waiting in line to be published).

We transplanted ourselves several weeks ago from Germany to the Philly burbs. Before our 3 1/2 years stint in Germany we were in Northern Maryland. And before that Delaware and New Jersey and Delaware again...you can see that we move around a lot. Our goal is to remain in this area for quite awhile but in life you just never know!

Bonn Germany May 09

I love how we are all looking in different places.

I enjoy writing, I am a passionate reader, I love music, traveling, cooking (but not cleaning), cycling and hanging out with my kids. I've been blogging for almost four years and not long back I celebrated my 400th post.

There are several blogs associated with my name. Blogging Mama, The Real World: Venus vs Mars (which I co-own with another blogger) We feature many talented writers both male and female and we discuss anything relationship related; the good, bad and ugly. I also have a blog dedicated to my writing, The Literary Side, where I talk about writing tips, my characters and projects and I am starting a reading workshop to discuss books every so often. This coming month I am starting Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov.

That's me in a blog post. I look forward to stopping by your blog and saying hello during this Blog Hop weekend!

The Amazing Houdini

My daughter has turned into an amazing Houdini. She can get out of anything. Last night I put her up to bed (still here at mil's) and as usual she cried and kicked up a good scream of protest. I put up the baby gate across the door like every night, wished her sweet dreams and left the room. Downstairs in the family room at the back of the house the rest of the family was watching tv and I picked up my book to read a bit.

About ten minutes later (if that) we heard little thumps and then bouncing little bare feet coming across the kitchen floor. Where low and behold Baby Houdini appeared grinning and climbed up on the couch.

Not only did she remove the gate (and place it in front of the dresser exactly as I do every morning) she came down the quite steep staircase (which she has only learned how to climb; had she fallen we would have easily been at the hospital for a broken arm or leg or worse).

Quite proud of herself is little Baby Houdini.

I've pretty much figured out it's going to be impossible to keep her contained without duck tape and even then who knows?

Yep, it's loads of fun living with a three year old Houdini. I wonder what she's going to do next...

A new fun weekly event comes to us today from Kat at Three Bedroom Bungalow. It's called Dear So and So and it seems right up my alley. So let's get started.

Dear Whining Baby,

When I said no snack the first four times, I really said no. I meant no. And believe it or not that means NO. Don't climb up on my lap, don't pull on my arm, don't pinch me and don't whine. I said no snack. Get used to it.

Your loving and affectionate mother

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Dear Squirrel,

I just watched you leap the fence and walk across the window. That was a really cool trick. However lounging on my car and playing games on the hood is not such a cool trick. I really wish you would stop doing that.

Your friend,

Squirrel Hater

----------------------------------------

Dear Hubby,

I love the Irish knot necklace you gave me at Houlihans last night. It was very sweet. But you are still a rat fink for buying me a gift (for NO reason) and I'm calling you out on it this time.

Your ever loving wife,

Necklace Queen

Stop by Kat's and see who else is talking to Dear So and So today.

Writers Workshop with Mama Kat!

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Happy Thursday! It's time for Writers Workshop with Mama Kat at Mama Kat's Losin' It. Today I chose this prompt to write on:

3.) What are YOU giddy about?

This is an easy one today. Yesterday we went over to show Hubby our new house (since he hadn't actually seen it yet). We've figured out where all the furniture should go and how things

need to be placed and what we are missing. Afterwards we drove around the new neighborhood and stopped by Boo's new school. We met the kindergarten teacher who was in the office and she was SUPER nice. If the second grade teachers are even half as nice Boo will be in great shape.

The area we are going to live is so nice. Everything is really close by - Barnes & Noble, Pier 1, Old Navy, TGIFriday's, Michael's - I could go on and on. We found the library and got cards and even checked out some books! It feels nice, dare I say Giddy! to have found a library again.

I also traded away my NJ license for a PA one. Yea! No more Jersey girl jokes :)

The Hirst Trek bike (better views at http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/stages/hirst/)

It's BUTTERFLY'S. How absolutely awesome is that? Armstrong will have it at the Tour today.

So that's what I'm giddy about today. To recap - great school, the library and all the shops at my fingertips. Giddy is good.

Head over to Mama Kat's and link up or just stop over and see who else is writing today.

Random Tuesday Thoughts: Baseball

It's Random Tuesday Thoughts Day with Keely at The Un Mom so if you don't know what that means then you are missing out. Today mine will be short and sweet. (still missing the Fugly button)

Last night I went to the Phillies game with Jack Nicholson. Okay so I was there and HE was there and 45,000 plus other people were there but I'm counting it.

Even though I'm not a baseball person the game was fun (pictures eventually). The Phillies were supposedly playing the Cubs. But seeing as the score was Phillies 11 Cubs 1 I think the Cubs forgot to show up. Everythings better when your team wins.

I have to do to the dentist today. ICK. Why would anyone become a dentist? Who wants that level of hate?

How do you eat corn on the cob? Do you make rows like a typewriter (if you don't know what a typewriter is..well. Look it up.) When you finish your row do you go back and start another row from the beginning or go backwards? Did that make sense?

Even though I said I wouldn't do the minivan thing, I'm kind of digging it. The kids really can't touch each other and even when they do I can't hear them too much. It's rather nice.

*yes, I forgot to proofread the post and that key word hear was missing

My kids love Secret Agent Oso on Disney. Why? It's the dorkiest show.

I finally got a laptop (yea!) so now I can get back online almost anytime. I'm rather excited.

Ick, dentist time. Everyone link up over at Keely's for a really good time. You won't be disappointed.

Money Money Money

Let's talk about money! It's a fun subject especially in a relationship. There are two things couples fight about most and one of them is MONEY. So today I'm talking all about it over at Venus vs Mars. Do you and your spouse fight about money? Do you have different opinions on spending versus saving? Stop by and give me your opinion.



Things will be moving back to normal in the next week or so with regular posts here and I'll be getting back to reading blogs as well. I can't wait to hear what you've all been up to.

Shacking up!

Today I'm telling the tale of my husband shacking up with another woman. To get all the details you'll need to go to The Real World: Venus vs Mars!

Wish you were here...

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Random Tuesday Thoughts: I'd like to phone a friend

It's time for Random Tuesday Thoughts with Keely at The Un-Mom (http://theunmom.com). Link up or lose out. I can't add the fugly button because I'm without my computer and even Blackberry hasn't figured out how break into my computer (yet). So let's just pretend its there alright?

And here we go:

If mushrooms are a fungus and when food has fungus growing on it you shouldn't eat it, does that mean you should never eat mushrooms?

Colorwonder markers - even though they only show color on the special paper, do they leave non-colored marks on other things?

Already with not even a week with my new bb I've managed to mess up the calander just like my old phone. It was there yesterday morning showing up on the main screen and then I touched the dumb facebook icon and now I can't get it back on the main screen again. Seriously anyone else technology deficient? I'm thinking of forming a club.

My husband said he'd fix my phone so instead of saying sent from bb it will say sent from my crackberry. I kinda like that.

I was in the grocery store in the cereal aisle and I got completly overwhelmed. Have you SEEN how many cereals are out there these days? In the yogurt aisle I just walked away. I couldn't deal with all the choices. I may not be re-adjusting to American life as well as I thought.

I've had two blizzards from DQ this past week. Girl Scout Tagalong has there ever been anything more yummy? I'm going to need a new wardrobe if I keep eating like this.

We went to the Roebling Steel Musuem yesterday near my mil's house. It was actually really interesting. They were also having a Mercer Cars show. I thought they just meant Mercer County NJ. It turns out Mercer was actually a car make in the early 1900's. I liked the old abandonded factory the best though. I would love to go back and take some pictures of it. It had that neglected quality...

I did all of my laundry in one load. In Germany it would have been at least three loads. I have to say - bigger is better.

Even when you park at the airport and you write down every detail about where you park...sometimes you still can't find your car.

Be sure to note the new email above my blog badge. I'm working on cutting out all my UK lottery prize notifications. After awhile its just too much money to keep track of.

Well that's all the random I've got for today. Be sure to leave a comment here, visit Keely and then play along. Random. It's all good.

Blogging Mama Andrea

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Looking forward to Monday

First if there are typos, spelling errors or missing words it's because my son, in a fit of overexuberance just jammed his thumb into my eye. So I'm a bit blind. And the neighbors are have a party. One of those affairs where's its all family sitting outside shouting stories and try as I might I get sucked in. Seeing as its at top volume I guess that can't be helped.

Tomorrow is Monday and its a good day. My husband arrives for two weeks tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to that. I wonder if he'll mind too much if I give him a nice full body hug and kiss and then leave him with his adoring children while I flee to the Barnes and Noble... I'm thinking he may not be so thrilled with that second idea.

Tuesday is car buying and house signing day. Yea! And I was notified our air freight shipment *may* arrive too. Even better. There are vidoes for the kids in there and toys to keep them occupied.

I haven't been able to reply to your comments (I am getting to some of you who have emails setup with your profiles - which you really should do if you haven't) but I haven't been able to visit any blogs to say hi. I'm sorry. I've missed reading about the funny thing your kids did, the latest culinary spam masterpiece, what's up with the new crazy neighbors and just getting back in touch with the blog community in general.

The week will be very busy but next week we settle in for a few days at the beach, taking the kids to their first Phillies game and possibly heading down to DC to see the Air and Space Musuem. A busy two weeks and then Hubby's back to Germany till the end of August and August 2 the kids and I move to the new digs in PA.

A whole lot of change around here but I am looking forward to it. What's on your agenda? Heading anywhere fun? Let me live vicariously through you.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Test Drive Your Mate

Today it's all about compatibility at Venus vs Mars. Testing Driving Your Mate is my post and I'm sure some of you will have something to say about that. All this past week posts on this topic were featured! July is theme week so be sure to stop over everyday and see what's new.

All it took was a minivan

Like the title suggests all it took was leaving a deposit on an Odyssey minivan and the rest of life fell into place. (Yes I said minivan. I know.)
We got The House we wanted. It's so pretty and clean and big. Plenty of places to hide from the kids...I mean when we play hide and seek of course.

The new phone is another story that will hopefully have a happy ending by this afternoon. After two phones and someone elses sim card apparently this sim card is bad too. Off I go to tmobile this morning for a new one (I was assured at no charge. We'll see.). But with the car luck (it was Boo he wanted the minivan so bad and I could see the benefits of a row for each kid. Plus with those power sliding doors its tech-y which is cool. We're going to have to come up with a space agey name for this car.) Things may be on an upswing.
If not Dairy Queen is down the road and I hear they still sell peanut butter cup blizzards.

I'll take two.

So how's your week been going? Are you looking forward to the weekend?

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Moving is fun!

I should move more often cause it's so fun. Before I go into complain mode go to this post:

Bloggers List

So far this hasn't been the most fun I've ever had. The Emerald Aisle at National car rental doesn't have consistent rules. For example at Newark International Airport a mini-van and suv count. At Philly International they don't. Guess who wanted a mini-van and didn't have a mini-van reservation? And then guess who also forgot Chick's carseat at the terminal with Boo and MIL while she went to get the car? DOH! Let's just say put the fear of God in the Chick and she doesn't move from the seatbelt. Good girl.

I'm driving a Camry which I must say is a very nice drive. I may get one. I know I said I was decided on another car but get me here with these big roads and huge parking spaces and I simply think I need a bigger car you know? That's dilemna one.

Dilemna 2 The House we wanted most to see on the planet denied us enterance as we stood on the driveway. Some nonsense about the tenant needed to sleep late and yadda yadda. Tomorrow at two I have to schlepp back an hour plus to hopefully see it. My luck it'll be gone by then and choice two will also have been snatched up in this helish karmic house rental nightmare we are stuck in.

My new Blackberry arrived. I was all excited because my old one was about to die and I lost the little thingy that makes the power cord convert from EU to US switches. It's red, so pretty. But it has someone elses SIM card and was all dirty and the memory card holder door thing broke off. At least I charged my old phone (still using German service!!) with the power cord before I ship it back tomorrow. I actually didn't yell at anyone. I remained calm and everything.

Things I am loving about being back in America:

4th of July swimming bbq at Aunt Steph's house (awesome water fight pics to come), watermelon, Starbucks is a mere 5.2 miles away (if that), Barnes and Noble has already taken $30 from me and baby girl Chick got a pair of baby high top Chucks. She's looking wicked cute. Kacey R look for pics coming soon :)

That's the update. Can't find a house, can't decide on a car but hey it's the US. Starbucks is always around the corner. How's your week going?

Blogging Mama Andrea

While I'm Away...

I'm going to divert your attention to some wonderful bloggers to keep you busy while I'm gone. I've linked a few of these in the past but there are some new discoveries as well. I hope that you will check them out in my absence from blogging and I'll be back sporadically as the month goes by.

Appearing in absolutely no order whatsoever:

Blokthoughts N More (Shelle, my Venus co-hort in crime)

Clark Kent's Lunchbox (Mr Clark Kent himself)

Tales from the Dad Side (SciFi Dad)

Daddy Geek Boy (DGB)

Pearl, Why you little... (Pearl)

SteenkyBee (Jen)

Crash Test Dummy Diaries (The one and only Crash)

The Real World Venus vs Mars (My other other blog)

A Duck in Her Pond (The Blonde Duck)

Zook Book Nook (Kim)

Us and Them (Captain Dumbass)

Half As Good As You (Casey)

The Un-Mom (Keely)

Kids and Daiquiris (FoN)

My Own Brand of Crazy (Mrs. Cox)

Mama's Losin' It (Mama Kat)

Sunshine and Lemonade (Kat)

Youngblood4ever (Julie)

That should keep you all busy for a day or two. Please stop by and visit some of these great bloggers and be sure to tell them I sent you (as I really really don't mind getting some brownie points)

Letter to Germany

Dear Germany,

In my long and yet short three and a half years here I’ve learned a lot of things.  I’ve learned that sometimes no matter how much we try we are not accepted, people fail to understand us and politely dismiss us.  This country for better or worse has been my home.  The cities I’ve walked through with an almost magical feel to them where I’ve stopped to wonder at a pillar built hundreds of years before my own country was even born has touched me.  The landscapes of hills and valleys and rivers, there is no other beauty like I have seen here.  It’s unique to this place, this country and it’s people.

The hardest part of this journey has been the lasting feeling of never fitting in.  Even while the language for the most part eluded me it made little difference, there weren’t many people who wanted to be more than a passing acquaintance.  The lifelong structure of friendships built from youth is very hard to penetrate when you are the newcomer who is foreign, who doesn’t speak the same language or understand the same culture. 

There are many things I will appreciate after this experience though, the history I’ve been able to see up close and even the people I have met. 

I want my children to look back on this time to see good and not bad memories.  My son has lived here just six months less than he’s lived in America and my daughter; this will be her first time ever living in the land I love.

This independence day as we awake in the land of the free and brave for the first time in three and half years it will be a new beginning, a new chapter and a new life.

I wouldn’t trade these years as difficult and hard as they were because I’ve changed.  I’ve become stronger and I’ve learned that I can handle many things I never thought I could.  I know now who I am and where I belong.  For that I am most grateful.

With kind regards,

Moving day two

First stop over to http://realworldvenusmars.blogspot.com and see post for Friday night date tips

I wrote a whole post about all the 'fun' that was today but in the end it doesn't matter. We went for Japanese food and a final walk in the city and I got a bit sad at thinking this was it. The last time here walking in this place as more than a tourist. I realized I will miss it and that's about all that mattered today.

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Meet me at Venus

I'm doing a little posting over at Venus vs Mars today.  Date night ideas you won't want to miss.

Moving day one

The day went about as fast as the movers packed-which is to say not very fast at all. From the get go there was a bit of trouble.

8:30 moving day Wednesday.
Movers are an hour late and no one knows where they are. Already we are off to a good start.

9:30 movers arrive. Gotta love Van Euppen Mobilen

10:30 the workmen have requested we make them coffee. Thankfully hubby is still here. I would have severelly faked not understanding kaffee. I mean really. I also would have said make it yourself bitte. After all I gotta be polite right?

11:00-11:20 coffee and smoke break already

12:30 a pattern has become apparent in the packing strategies among the four men. The boss of the group does very little and has yet to finish the tiny kitchen - but he's been in there all morning. Now his partner, we'll call him Sven has been packing my million books and pictures and schmickey-schmekey (knick knacks) in the living room. He's even managed to wrap the furniture. He gets a moving gold star. Now upstairs, where I have not yet ventured we have the twins to the Boss (highly slow) and Sven - another gold star. We'll see how the day continues.

I ran out for lunch and I am sure a smoke break occurred while I was gone.

1:25 men are still upstairs while the kids and I are hiding in the basement.

1:30 wander upstairs for a drink of water and discover the oven is on. Apparently they are making their lunch.

2:30 I can hear wrapping and boxing from the open upstairs window of my bedroom. They've been up there since morning. The only things in the room are a bed, two nightstands and a dresser. The only items they contain are clothes. Wow! My breakable clothes are getting treated like royalty.
My kids are becoming unruly. Chick is crying (literally) for a nap and Boo has taken sassy to new heights. I am strating to wonder if I can get two boxes with vent holes....

3:30 another coffee break. Hmm, they still have two floors left to pack. I'm beginning to really really love our US movers. They were awesome. Even though I had to remind them five times that videos were surface and not going to storage. At least they actually did stuff in a decent time frame.

4:45 smoke break and two floors are still waiting to be packed. Hubby is having a crap day at the office (that's putting it mildly) and is trying to leave asap. If I had to bet, my moneys on Hubby when he gets here. I'm not sure why but it doesn't seem to make them pack faster or take less breaks if I'm here.

5:45 they've given up for the night. They'll finish packing the rest and moving it to the container tomorrow. Seeing my couch in pieces and wrapped in paper is something though.

Stay tuned for day two.
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