The Pedicure

Women are so funny. I can see all you guys nodding in unison to that comment. I’m in the final stretch of my pregnancy and I decided that since I can no longer reach my toes, I would treat myself to a pedicure. I might be screaming in pain in a few days, but maybe if I focus on how nice my toes look, perhaps I’ll feel better. That’s the fantasy anyway.

A new nail salon is now open in the new mall at the base, so I made an appointment yesterday. It was wonderful. I sat in this massage chair while my feet soaked in this tub with jets and nice smelling salts. Dear God, if you do anything in this life, get a pedicure just once. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it every week. Well, after my feet were massaged, sloughed, poked and painted and then were drying, a couple of ladies walked in together for their appointments. I sat across from them waiting for my newly painted red toenails to dry. Their ritual in the massage chairs was just starting.

For those of you who don’t know, a big baby belly is such a conversation magnet for complete strangers. You now have something in common with most of the female population and they hold no bones in telling you about it. The conversation that proceeded was one of great detail and advice. You see, women have no hang ups about sharing the most intimate details about the most personal and traumatizing experience of their lives with other women, whether they know them or not, when it comes to the birthing process. Details about labor and birth were shared…what happens to your body, what comes out of your body, what goes in, what’s massaged, etc., etc. As I sat there and listened and shared, I was chuckling and feeling the love inside. Here was two women I’ve never met before in my life sharing details of their lives with me, for the purpose of perhaps easing my pain and fear. Just when, again, I wasn’t feeling so loved and was feeling disappointed in mankind for forgetting about me, these women were brought into my life, even just for a little while, but for a specific reason. Thank you God!

As it turned out, I didn’t wear sandals, so I had to wear the shoes I wore there. I had a bit more shopping to do, but checked the polish before I left, and although it seemed dry enough, my big toes were smudged. I bought a cheap pair of flip flops and went back to the shop and had them touched up. I feel much better now.

My husband comes home tomorrow, Saturday. Due date is Monday. Hang in there baby, literally!

May Day

There was yet another national holiday here in Germany, I’m not sure of the actual name, but May 1st is a big deal. I kind of forgot about it until a friend of mine told me about a big party/fest in the next town over complete with tents, music, food, drink, the normal makings of a great German party. Most of the towns have something going on. Again, our German friends were aghast to find out I had to work on May 1st, and I once again explained it’s not a big American holiday. Here they party all night the night before, then each town or village has a large gathering and ceremony to put up the May pole. It’s several stories tall and has a fir tree just at the top. It’s decorated with flags and ribbons. I don’t know the real significance and why it’s a big deal, but I believe it has something to do with the start of spring, although it’s been like summer over the past two months here. There’s been a drought actually; it hasn’t rained for two months either, except for a sprinkle today. I was actually looking forward to the rain, but cursed it over the past two years because it was always raining and dreary. Today was dark and grey it and seemed like a storm was coming, but nothing. I layed around anyway. :)

Time is drawing near for the baby’s grand appearance. My last day at work was on Friday. It was kind of surreal. I guess reality hasn’t hit me yet. It will on Monday when I can sleep in. I will miss everyone so much. It’s more like family, a real community when you live overseas. You have so much more in common and people really band together. I will miss that. I will also miss the feeling of making a contribution to my country. In my way, I felt I did my part and it felt good. I felt like I was helping my husband in some way. I guess I will continue to do my part as a supportive military wife and soon to be mother.

Our time in Germany will be ending soon as well. This is my life pattern; everything usually changes and happens at once. The changes seemed so far off, the baby and leaving, and now it’s suddenly here, in force. I have such mixed feelings about leaving. Perhaps if I wasn’t pregnant, I might be more inclined to stay here longer. Maybe not. After being away for so long, I just feel like it’s time to be back home amongst family and friends. Not that we will be living back in CT, but at least we’ll be in the same country! We are planning to visit CT for a month to introduce the new addition and to just relax and adjust before we head out to our next duty station. Moving back to the States will be a huge adjustment. Just the pace of living is different, the culture, everything. As I sit here typing, my window is open and I can hear music, it sounds like an accordion.. I’m not sure where it’s coming from, but I can hear applause too. I think there’s some sort of concert going on at the town hall. You don’t hear that everyday in Norwich, that’s for sure. They’re playing the “Lone Ranger” song. Too funny.

I am looking forward to coming home. First, I need to have this baby! I am nervous, I guess it’s the anticipation, not knowing what to expect. I’m not afraid of the pain, I just want to know what will happen; how much pain there will be! I know it’s different for everyone. I am more nervous about things happening before my husband is due to come home. I really don’t want to experience any of this without him. And ladies, I have a new, profound respect for anyone who has gone through being pregnant. Gentlemen, if you only knew.