Time to switch it up a bit

I have set up a new blog for the recording of our time overseas. A clean slate for new Beginnings. Click the link to see the first post and if you get this blog sent to you via email, you can arrange for the new one to do the same by entering your email address in the form on the sidebar. Much love! V.


http://ourdeutschadventures.blogspot.de/

Getting By With A Little Help From Strangers

Yesterday morning I headed out to run errands.First I went down town. I had to pick up some notecards so that Willow could do her homework. I also had the challenge to fiqure out how to get her school books covered. We learned the school supply store carries book covers but how and where were big questions. I used my translator app and approached an employee with my question. She gave me the German questioning look of a head tilt and a small shake of her head. I pulled out a text book and she responds.. "your translator is no gut." and proceeds to help me out.  After I left that store I went to a book store where I had to order a book for Connor to use at school. It was a learning German book and the clerk at the counter recognized that I would not speak German and assisted me in English. It went easier and smoother than I anticipated.

While the language gap in Germany undoubtedly serves as the most difficult hurdle here in Germany, there are a few others. One of these has to do with the German way of doing business and conducting transactions. There are many places that operate on a cash only basis. Coming from a world where cash is seldom carried, this can be seen as a bit of a hassle. When we first came I took to carrying a large bulk of Euros with me. After a week and a half I developed a decent idea of where I could use my card and where I could not.  I used my card at the mall to by Willow school clothes and also at the mall to purchase batteries from the electronic store. I had success with a few smaller shops there as well. So I took out the large lump sum and took to carrying 50 or so Euros in case I wanted to purchase lunch  (restaurants tend to be cash only) or I ran into a smaller shop for some little thing.

After my errands downtown I headed over to the Mall. I had to get sweatpants for Willow to use in PE and I was also going to pick up some groceries. I had up until now been using a small grocery store up the street. But the grocer at the mall carried a large and varied supply of all things edible and I was excited to expand my knowledge of German foods and what is available. I was ready to do a little stocking up. So I wandered the isles and lined us up with meals to last a few days. I got to the check out , proceeded to bag things up and when the total was rung up I pulled out my card. It had worked at the other stores in the mall thus far. So imagine my surprise when the clerk frowned and told me they didn't take my card. OH SHIT! A bit of panic ensues. I have 65 Euros and my total is 90. What Am I going to do? She is talking to me I don't understand and the line behind me is long. I start putting things back for her to take off. Shes getting on the intercom. The people in line are mumbling, grumbling. The person directly behind me starts talking to me really fast and directly. I say "I don't speak English" So she says she will pay for it for me. And she does. Her name was Krista and she is a tourist visiting Weimar. She has had something similar happen to her and she didn't mind helping out. I gave her the cash I had and I sent her an email so we can get in touch. I will be sending her the difference via bank transfer later. How kind of her. I thanked her. We shook hands and parted ways. I would have given her a hug but I find that Germans are not very huggy people.

After that little drama the family set out for an afternoon in Rudolstadt. Rudolstadt is the town where Greg has his plant. Its about an hour south of us. Greg was told that a festival was going on and that we should check it out. From a look on the website we thought it was an Art festival. turned out it was more like an Carnival/Faire. We went on a handful of rides and had some ice cream. It was a good time.

Afterwards we used the cars Navigation and found a Mexican restaurant. you heard right. Mexican.  We were a little surprised by this and thought we would check it out. In many ways it was Mexicanish. In many ways it wasn't. For instance Connors Chimichanga was more akin to a Salad in a fried tortilla shell. And Gregs dish was seasoned more like Texas BBQ. But regardless we devoured our dishes.

All in all it was a very event filled Saturday. Sundays here are quiet days. Everything is closed and people are expected to spend time with the family, go for walks, and otherwise truely take a break from the rigors of our active lives.

It is quiet heavenly

to finally be able to sit down at the keyboard. To hear and feel the quiet clicking of the keys as they respond to my touch. To connect with myself and my inner world. To share.

I recently read an article called "New Bloggers: The Statistics Are Against Us" It was a whiny piece about how new bloggers often don't get the number of readers they think they deserve. Cry Cry Sob Sob. I don't get it. This is not what blogging is about. At least not to me. And I don't understand why people seek fame and fortune this way. Really Fortune??  For me writing a blog is like .. well.. growing my hair. My hair is a record. It holds countless memories. It records the minutia of changes in my chemical composition.. every meal every drink, every emotion making its mark, the extent of which varies. Sometimes the changes are subtle (to be read through chemistry) and sometimes profound (hair turning white from fright) but ever present. My writings are much the same. And eventually my words meet the same end.

Whether being cut short as the shears descend or eventually just splitting away...After time hair and words degrade. Disintegrate. Becomes dust dancing on the breeze and dissolving into the cosmos.  I don't get the whole blogging for an huge audience.... But then I usually wear my hair up and out of the way.

But I digress. Im sitting here today.. finally.. and allowing my inner realm a voice is recount some of the observations and stories of our new life in Germany. It has been a bit of a whirlwind. When last I wrote we were on the road. Spending time visiting family and friends stateside from Portland to Reno to Monterey and all points in between. There was a house to clean (No small job) and a Car to sell (Which became a nightmare at the DMV) and other frustrations as our radiator blew on the way to pick up the kids. But the time was also filled with many blessings and the love and support of family and friends. I can't begin to say how grateful I was to my cousin Jeff who rescued us and towed us from Sac to CC. Or how dear my limited time was with my brother and his family. Or how much fun we had enjoying an evening out with Kaleb and Kira on their anniversary. And who can forget the time with D. when I danced with Daniel the Kilt wearer and Greg found out his shirt possessed much magic in picking up chicks. Then there was a farewell Dinner at Terry's where somersaults and fun prevailed. I have a boat load of pictures to sort through and forward and post but that will have wait just a bit longer.

 Eventually our time came and left Reno with every intent of making our flight in SF only our car broke down at Donnor and after some delay and a taxi back to Reno our trip got pushed out another day. Sometimes I loathe technology. See it as evil. But this experience reminded me of what a blessing it can be as well. How easily (If not wearily) we were able to handle the hiccups. 

Soon enough we took flight. What a long one it was. (I have no desire to make that trip again anytime soon!) Its almost hard to believe that we arrived only one short week ago. We had a lengthy layover in Dublin where we noted that the McDonalds at the airport served beer.and I enjoyed listening and trying to comprehend the thick accents.  And finally .. finally.. we landed in Frankfurt. Ah to have our feet touch the ground. We made our way through customs very quickly and easily. And then I fell down an escalator while trying to manage a fair bit of luggage. (Needless to say Im still recovering but at least the bruises are fading.)  We turned in to our hotel and slept deep and sound for 12 hours before heading off to Weimar. Weimar is about 3 hours from the airport in East Germany. 

Our first three weeks here are being spent in a furnished vacation apartments. The kids are sharing one and Greg and I are in another. They are well appointed and our hosts are decent. Our first week was filled with chores more than anything. Trips to the government to establish residency. A trip to the bank to set up an account. Luckily with all of these things we have had the support of a translator. A trip to our new house to sign our lease. Its a lovely home and will fit us well. We pick up keys next week. A trip to tour the school and meet some of the staff. Back to school shopping. Grocery shopping. A trip to another city to the IKea to fiqure out what we are going to be sleeping on when we get to the house. Our household goods shipment from the US is not going to be arriving until October. There was an issue on the docks and our shipping container sustained some damage so who knows what might be broken. Greg in the meantime has been constantly involved with work and the kids started school on Wednesday. Like I said it has been a bit of a whirlwind. All the while drinking in the sights and sounds and adapting to much higher humidity. 

The area here is beautiful, lush and green. The buildings are brick and the architecture is pleasing to my eye. In the midst of all our activities, I have walked in the park and drunk in as much as I can. I have not been sight seeing in the formal sense nor have I been taking pictures but I have taken in many sights as I walk from one place to another. ANd my senses have been a bit overwhelmed. Not only my senses but also my body. I estimate that I have been doing about 3 miles a day and while it was difficult at first (So many stairs and hills!) I have started to adjust to the exercise. In fact when I look at my legs I don't even recognize them! I will be getting to the picture taking and sharing the local color once all the crazy details get resolved and my time opens up to exploring. Which is starting to happen otherwise I would not be writing just yet. Next weekend is the Wine festival in the downtown area. 

Here is another story, Greg picked up a hitchhiker yesterday. He has an hour drive to work and on his way home saw a guy with a sign that said to Weimar. Something told him to stop. He has never in his life picked up a hitchhiker. Apparently the man was a history teacher in Romania and was taking summer courses at the university in Weimar. The class went on a fieldtrip to a place he knew and he had been given permission to go his own way. But in doing so didn't realize that the there was not a way back to join his class for the trip home. (He spoke english) He was frazzled and lost. Greg was quite the good Samaritan. Plus with very little crime to speak of here, he was not too fearful of there being a problem. 

Well all of that being said, I need to get going. Todays activities? I need to hang up the wash to dry (There are no clothes dryers in Germany) and make my way downtown to get some school supplies and books for the kids. Then I need to head over to the grocery store for dinner and handle a few other errands. The temperatures are much like Monterey this time of year (Except when we got here and they were in the 90's) Im ready for the hike! 

Hugs and love,
V. 

Deep breath in and "Ahhhhhhh"

We are finally on the down slope. Not yet unwound but unwinding as all the details come together and fall into place. As chores get wrapped up on this side and lined up at our destination. The odd Hiccup thwarting our progress. and... well... that's not even where this story needs to start... I digress. 

I think it has been more than a month since I last posted..

We had a major yard sale and opened our home to Friends Neighbors and Gregs coworkers on a Friday Night and what little was left over we cleaned out publicly on Saturday. I sold to rid myself of stuff rather than make a buck and the process of clearing out was cleansing and left me feeling so much lighter. 

The following weekend we had a grand 4th of July celebration. IN the morning I hung with my bestie Susan and we watched her son (my bass teacher) play his first big gig. And by big I mean they were playing to crowd of at least 1000 at the City of Monterey's 4th of July Celebration. The band was tight, Played a 45 minute set. And had a well selected playlist of covers. It like to say that Matt was smokin... but they all were. 

That afternoon, we had a pot luck party at the house with our local friends and neighbors (including Nell!). We chatted and visited over a wonderful selection of dishes and drinks (We can't move our liquor to Germany so we thought it wise to drink it!)

Monday I drove Greg to SFO and off he went for two weeks to Germany. Tuesday the movers arrived to assess the contents of our move and when they left the kids and I followed suit. We enjoyed two weeks and 2100 miles on the road. Some may argue that that time counts as a vacation and there were some moments of rest and relaxation with far flung friends and family ( Elaine, Rebecca, Cat, Denise to name some) but by and large it a whirlwind of windshield time and central to the trip was our attendance at Uncle Dons funeral. 

Meanwhile Greg was racking up his own mileage overseas as he attended to a company audit, made his introduction to vendors country wide and did a little house hunting.

At the end of that wonderfully full time I dropped the kids with the  cousins, picked up Greg, and dove into the storm of prepping the house for the movers and cleaning it up for our landlord (who's new tenets were already beginning to unload their possessions in the driveway.)  A  huge shout out here to my friend Susan who was my support and assistant through it all.. I could not have done it without her.. I also sold the chub tub. It went to  Kathleen "The Bunny Lady".   In the midst was a night of Karaoke.. Believe it or not I actually sang. My first time ever. What did I sing.. Plush. There was a night of dining with the neighbors and a rousing game of "Cards Against Humanity" There was even a few games of Magik. The week was filled to the gills for Greg as well as he wrapped up his work at the plant as well accepting the emotional and deeply heartfelt goodbyes of his employees. 

We turned in the keys and were on the road again to get the kids. Greg's car broke down in route ( feeling blessed that it was only 30 miles from our destination) and my cousin picked us up and towed us on into mom's on Sunday.  I can't begin to say how grateful I am for everything my cousins did for us. Family is the best!

Which brings us to this week. Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to "Culture Sensitivity Training" Ultimately it boiled down to the Germans are extremely direct and don't take anything personally.Today we spent the day at Sand Harbor with my mom who just retired. We are finally in vacation mode. 

Then  after another hiccup or two, our next bout of travel arrangements have been planned out and prepped for.  A loose end or two remain to be attended to. We fly out of SFO on the 8th and in between... nothing but vacation and good times. THose stories and pictures to come. In the meantime here is the  Picture Album of Summer so Far

A brief pause...

My Uncle Don passed away a few days ago. My dads youngest brother. He was the most tender sweet lovable guy alive. He lived in great physical pain for as long as I can remember. But he endured it with a spirit that was saintly. Wherever he went there was music smiles and laughter. Rare was the time when he wasn't singing and strumming his guitar or involved with the church. Despite all his physical challenges he took the helm and really cared for my Grandfather in the years leading up to his death. My memories are few and far between of him but there is not one that I don't cherish and treasure and I was looking forward to making some more with him. In July. Before we leave. The plan was coming together. And now.. A hole.. in my heart.

You are missed, Godfather! Heaven welcomes an Angel.

Put me in motion

Greg and I are always watching the currents and predicting where they are going to take us. We have been watching for years. And well... we have always been wrong. As time has gone on the itch to hitch our sails has grown. So when work took him to Germany we began to eyeball the possibility that we could go international. And guess what.. The possibility swiftly gave way to probability and today, with the signature of the contract, it is a done deal (and what a deal it is!)  We are on our way.

In two weekends.. estate sale

The 4th.. A big going away party.

Then packers, movers, road tripping extreme and flying away. 

  

Meanwhile.. The school year ended. Connor had a awards Ceremony. 

Willow performed two performances of Billy Goats Gruff. She was a butterfly. At the end of rehersals she was always exhausted but had awesome stories and really enjoyed working with the Reach program and its participants.




When I can I sneak in walks with my dear neighbor!



We finally have a handle on our Aquaponic system!


Connor has been developing a love of our horse neighbors.



The landlord is developing our yard beautifully and is currently building a gazebo/hot tub. And he rented out the barn to commissioned artists. I can't wait to see what the property looks like when we return stateside.


Meanwhile paperwork!! Sorting!! Cleaning!! Summer School!! Arranging visits!! And.. Well its a long list and I  need to return my attention to it!! 

Rounding third and bringing it on home

Whoo Whee!  The last month of school is always crazy no matter what the grade. The last few weeks have been quiet a race but we have managed them at a fairly decent pace. Even with the addition of Wonderland on our plates.

Willow stepped into her role as a mom (flour sack baby school project) with excitement and gusto. She bought clothes and a carrier with her work earnings. And, upon Yeelissa's (Don't ask me about the name) arrival, Willow shown bright and proud. It didn't last long. She was quickly exhausted to her core. The added weight, even without the crying and the pooping, was quite a lesson in and of itself. The ache and the strain of toting 10 pounds around with her constantly for 7 days straight (not to mention hefting along a backpack and her costume which was more than uncomfortable and the hustle of the stage) did her in. More on that later...  Another interesting aspect of her lesson was how she was perceived in public. Because of the carrier she had you could not tell it was a flour sack. People looked at her with such.. disdain. While at the chiropractor one lady glared so much that Willow pulled out Yeelissa and began reading her nutritional facts.  The woman then burst out.. "My son had a flour baby!" Then she quietly took a picture. I suspect it ended up somewhere on social media... "Son, remember when this was you? #funtimesinparenthood #Rememberwhen " Anyway, it was quite an assignment and she learned more than a little bit from it.  Primarily she learned parenthood is pain and endurance. And if you are a teen mom it takes a hell of a backbone.

Speaking of backbones.. Wednesday Willow started to complain of neck pain. Well not only complaining. crying too. Long story short all of the things going on with her had lead to a twisted neck, pinched nerve. Or so it seemed to be the likely culprit. We got her straight to the chiropractor. (Her flour sack baby project had ended two days earlier) And adjustment and then off to school. She managed but still in pain. Then off to rehearsals (Which were just watching the rough cut of the play on cd). Friday a full day at school, a revisit with the chiropractor and the addition of a neck brace then an evening show.  She managed.. painfully.

High Schools now requires volunteer hours in order to graduate, Willow has been struggling to find a cause worthy of her interest. Well the theater partners with the Reach program which gives Autistic and other severely challenged youngsters a chance to participate in theater. This is right up her alley. So her Saturday started with her volunteering at the theater at 8:30 which consisted of pushing a wheelchair about. At 11:30 she was in costume and in the farmers market promoting the show and then... curtains. After the first showing was the cast party.

I got a standing ovation from the kids for my help. And then we walked to a park and had a picnic with most of the cast. It was a little chilly but the kids kept warm dashing about. Then back to the theater for the last show. After which was the after party.

By the end of it Willow was a mess and the next day rather immobile.

I took her to Urgent Care on Sunday.. looking for a little bit of pain relief. We sat for two hours before getting her in to see the 90 year old deaf  Dr.  He was a very pre-cautious fellow who became concerned that it might be meningitis and hurriedly sent us off to the ER.  What an experience that was. Willow was placed in a mask as she might be contagious and we waited another 3.5 hours before getting a room.

When the dr. finally strolled in he asked her to take off the mask. She did. He said, "She doesn't have meningitis. If she did it would be impossible to pull off the mask and she has no other signs. Im not going to take spinal fluid". I was fine with that. And then he left. He didn't touch her... nothing. So then they came in to release us and I was like.."What?! She needs pain relief. Get the Dr. back here." He explained that based on chiropractic assessment and all that had happened, this was not an "emergency" and he could do no more to help us. I asked for meds and he said no he wasn't giving her any. There was nothing he could do. He left and after a little bit longer we were released. It was a very long day.

Needless to say, I kept her home today  and I got her into the chiropractors once more. They suspect the flu has gotten into her muscles with the added complication of a sinus infection coupled with the stresses she has been challenged with. She needs to be on her feet for finals which start tomorrow. Ack! With the chiropractors recommendations and adjustment she is showing signs of improvement. At least we are moving in the right direction and I am super pleased we are not dealing with meningitis! Next week will be dedicated to recuperation. Then its off to summer school for a solid month.

Anyway... Nell and David brought Nells mom down last weekend to watch the play and afterwards go hunting out Nells grandmother (and namesakes) old home which was not far from the theater. They arrived for brunch and after dropping the kids to the theater we wandered the farmers market and got in a beer. It was wonderful as always to see my dear friends and catch up on their (and their mom's) adventures.

In other news, After getting home from the hospital it was time to get Greg ready for his next BIG adventure. Greg is off to Germany. Checking out a foreign country. Looking all swank and dapper. It will be interesting to see where all this leads. But in the meantime I will just enjoy the view. 

In other news, Greg takes and gives all sorts of personality tests for work. He was curious about what Myers Brigs would say about me. So I took it and it turns out I am an INFJ. Its pretty dead on. Interesting. Says, among other things, that I should be a writer. I have been working on the start of a piece. I think it is a pretty solid beginning. Now Im wondering where to take it. It will develop over summer I am sure. That is the extent of the plans I have set for summer so far.

And that is the news for now.  Hope all is well! 

XOXO  

There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by...

Its been a while eh?!  Since last I wrote there was tax day. I checked and double checked my numbers and there went 10k.


But I am happy to report that is the worst of my news. The rest of the time has ben busy.. some might even say tiring. (I can't say that I have seen her zonk out in the car since she was super small!) 

We are heading into the last few weeks of school when our activity level always ramps up. Greg actually had his accounting final (Ick!) this weekend.       

 

 

There have been Fieldtrips.... Willow went to a traditional tea ceremony with her Japanese class. I can't believe that girl is old enough to raid my closet let alone pull off my clothes..... And there have been Birthday parties.... And there have been 6 weeks of intense rehearsals for "Wonderland."  The kids receive college credit for their participation and they truly deserve it. It is intense and challenging. The biggest frustration came two nights before curtain when the director made huge changes to everything and cut a majority of their particular scene.  The first show was last Friday. It went pretty well considering and each of the two shows on Saturday got progressively better. Next weekend Nell and David will be down to watch and I will get a chance to come out from behind the scenes and actually enjoy it. I have been helping with costumes, makeup and the calling of places.

 

 And squeezed in and around the edges I managed to sit down and read a novel that my dear old friend, Rebecca Kelly,  just had published. It is called Broken Homes and Gardens and is a story of love and friendship in Portland.

Meanwhile and in addition to everything going on with the kids and I, Greg has been making some strides and gaining some recognition at work. His employees are very happy and his production is above parr. In addition to wrapping up his accounting course (He got a B!) he has been working on learning German. In a few weeks or so he will be crossing the sea for his first international work related trip (technically he has had other international work trips but going to Canada isn't the same as Europe). Anyway, that is exciting and fun news and it will be interesting to see what directions this may lead us in.

 



What else? Im sure there is more because.. well like I said it has been busy..

 

Connor and I attended a jr. high track meet down the road that a lot of his old friends were competing at. He enjoyed it. I on the other found it rather nostalgic and found myself humming Def Leopard "Pour Some Sugar on Me".  It was a popular song when I ran track in jr. high.

 

 Anyway..

 

Yesterday we had dinner with the neighbors and got to meet Kathleens parents. I love this little community I live in.

 

 

 

It was a good time. Willow had a chance to finally show off her baby girl, Yeelysse.

 

 

 

10 pounds and full of fine powder. Willow is a mother for a week for school and she has taken to the project with gusto.   And Greg has started to get a grip on the idea of being a grandfather.

For the most part the weather has been grey, grey and more grey. Coupled with a chill damp wind that never seems to stop. I miss the sun.  

 But the views are still quite impressive.

 

 

 

 

 



More Grow than Show

Ive been struggling to get to the keyboard all week and now that I am here I don't have to many words aching to find their place on the page. My mind is quiet and calm and really I prefer to write when its more blustery.. A bird in flight. 

We welcomed in spring with the midnight arrival of Heather, which then promptly turned into a facial. This facial was something else. Not a facial by my definition.. a biore strip and some moisturizer from the pharmacy... No this was something else indeed. This was Hollywood style beauty treatment makeover. Heather brought her supplies from home,.. well a fraction of them anyway... There was an electronic brush, a mask that burned, elixirs, lotions and potions, A red wand which emits uv light or something. Then there were these metallic balls that emitted an electrical current and "Sculpted" the shape of the face. At the end my face was like brand new. My deepest lines,the ones on my forehead, disappeared. I suppose it took off a few years. And even today, a week later, my face is still shiny and plump. 

 We did this while drinking wine and waiting for Greg to get in from Boston. His flights were delayed due to weather and he didn't walk in until 3:30 am. We turned in and Saturday started welcoming guests at 11 but the party really didn't start until 12;30 or so. Wonderful neighbors, wonderful company. Good times. Things wrapped up by 6 which was perfect given exhaustion overload from the late night.  For pics..click here 

Sunday night we received unexpected but very pleasant company in the form of Melissa and Trinity. They were mermaiding their way down the coast on an impromptu weekend getaway. They also came bearing bloody meat. How could I turn them away? We visited for a few solid hours and saw them off to thier next destination. 

Then into the week.. meetings at school, the beginning of rehearsals for Wonderland and its been nothing but go. The performances are the first three weekends in May. Then we roll right into summer school and maybe another production. Busy times.

We are still working out glitches on the aquaponics system. but have started a few things a-growing. Fingers crossed. 

Did I ever post this cute pic of Con on his way to the valentines day dance?