We made it home to the good ‘ole USA without a hitch. The guy in customs in Logan Airport in Boston welcomed us back, which was nice. The baby slept most of the eight hour flight from Frankfurt to Boston and our luggage wasn’t lost. It took a van and two people to get us to the airport in Stuttgart. My poor husband had to gather six suitcases on two luggage carts by himself when we arrived in Boston. Our bags were among the first few to appear on the belt, which is amazing. That’s never happened to me.
My brother- in- law and step- daughter were waiting for us when we walked out the gate. We drove home in the brother- in- law’s quad cab/ flat bed. Of course it poured on the way home so I thought my luck ran out and the luggage was soaked. It wasn’t thank God. It was stacked behind this big toolbox which prevented the rain from falling directly on it. I wouldn’t have thought of that.
Since we’ve been back, the baby has been enjoying meeting everyone and spending plenty of time outdoors. We lived on the 3rd floor in Germany with no balcony and we were crazy-busy trying to pack out and leave Germany, so baby boy didn’t get much opportunity to be outside during his second month of life. We arrived Wednesday, July 18th. The following Saturday a "Welcome Home-Baby shower" was thrown and a good time was had by all. It was so nice to see all of our family and friends, old and new. We really appreciate all the time and effort spent putting this "shin-dig" together. We all guessed around one hundred people showed, give or take a few. Poor Baby boy was passed around like a hot potato but was so good natured about it. He slept a lot that day too. I think he likes chaos. That’s good.
My God, is it hot or what???!!! I feel bad for Baby boy who can’t jump in the pool to cool off. I do my best with fans to cool him off. He’s such a good baby and hasn’t seemed miserable yet because of the weather. I sat him in a kiddy pool in Germany. There was no reaction either way. He didn’t cry or laugh. I think he was stunned. He just sort of sat there.
I hate living out of a suitcase. Even when I go somewhere for just a few days, I unpack some stuff and put it away if that option is available. I hung up a few things, but the rest are in my suitcases; yes that’s plural . The baby has his own suitcase, which is the only suitcase located in the room that we’re staying in because there’s no room. Four of us are in one room, which is challenging to say the least. Especially considering middle of the night nursing. Fun. Well, it is better than staying in a hotel and it is nice to be staying with family and spending time together, so I shouldn’t complain. Not complaining or at least not sharing my views is not easy for me. I think I have improved a bit, I actually think sometimes before opening my mouth. I think, "What good would it do if I said this ?" and then sometimes the mouth shuts. Sometimes....
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland!!
This is officially my last entry in Germany. We fly back to the States tomorrow morning. What an adventure it has been. The flight home should be an adventure of another kind, flying with a two month old. Yes, sweet baby James is two months old today. Amazing.
I’ve been kind of emotional the past couple of days, due to stress among other things, but today, in addition to that, I am sad to leave. I’m ready to go, emotionally, but it’s still painful. I have never met nor had better friends in my life. Friends that go out of their way to be there for you. If you need anything, they offer even before you ask. I will be sobbing on the plane I’m sure.
I will miss the friends that we’ve made and the country itself. The landscape is beautiful. I’ve never seen such green rolling hills and mountains and probably never will. The old buildings and castles are humbling. And the beer....Ahhhh...I’ve mentioned that several times before. Enough said about that.
My last hurrah here was the annual Dorf fest here in my little town last month. They block the streets on Friday afternoon and start partying then. It lasts all weekend. I met my good friend Meggie there (it was right across the street and the stage was set up practically in front of our building). My husband was nice enough to babysit and the baby slept the whole time anyway. I forgot that I haven’t drank more than one beer at a time in about a year. Phew. Wasn’t feeling too good the next day and decided that it’s just not worth it. My priorities have changed, finally.
What craziness it is to leave here. We were waiting for the baby’s passport which did arrive last week thank God. It’s so funny because, like all others, they have to take his picture for it. He looks like any other newborn in the picture, a little old man, although the picture was taken a month ago and he looks so much different now. My husband has been going crazy getting about fifty signatures from this department and that one. The government has to make sure that you’re squared up with everyone and don’t owe any money or have any equipment, etc. We had to write a letter to the satellite TV company to get it cancelled, as well as the phone and internet. German’s like all their i’s dotted and T’s crossed or else. I was amazed. Yes, they are very efficient, but anal could also be a descriptive word in some ways, as far as I’m concerned! Sorry!
We’ve been lucky enough to be staying in our friend Martin’s house for about ten days. He’s been wonderful and let us take over his house with our suitcases and baby bottles and dirty laundry. I’m sure the chaos has been driving him crazy although I think he likes the company. He’s been practically family since we first arrived here anyway. His eighteen year old daughter lives here as well. She left for Tuscany on a class trip today. How cool is that?
Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland and all of our friends in it! We plan on coming back for vacations, but not until the baby is a bit older. We will miss Germany, but are glad to be coming home to our own country and family. It will be an adjustment I’m sure. God Bless America! Good to be coming home!
I’ve been kind of emotional the past couple of days, due to stress among other things, but today, in addition to that, I am sad to leave. I’m ready to go, emotionally, but it’s still painful. I have never met nor had better friends in my life. Friends that go out of their way to be there for you. If you need anything, they offer even before you ask. I will be sobbing on the plane I’m sure.
I will miss the friends that we’ve made and the country itself. The landscape is beautiful. I’ve never seen such green rolling hills and mountains and probably never will. The old buildings and castles are humbling. And the beer....Ahhhh...I’ve mentioned that several times before. Enough said about that.
My last hurrah here was the annual Dorf fest here in my little town last month. They block the streets on Friday afternoon and start partying then. It lasts all weekend. I met my good friend Meggie there (it was right across the street and the stage was set up practically in front of our building). My husband was nice enough to babysit and the baby slept the whole time anyway. I forgot that I haven’t drank more than one beer at a time in about a year. Phew. Wasn’t feeling too good the next day and decided that it’s just not worth it. My priorities have changed, finally.
What craziness it is to leave here. We were waiting for the baby’s passport which did arrive last week thank God. It’s so funny because, like all others, they have to take his picture for it. He looks like any other newborn in the picture, a little old man, although the picture was taken a month ago and he looks so much different now. My husband has been going crazy getting about fifty signatures from this department and that one. The government has to make sure that you’re squared up with everyone and don’t owe any money or have any equipment, etc. We had to write a letter to the satellite TV company to get it cancelled, as well as the phone and internet. German’s like all their i’s dotted and T’s crossed or else. I was amazed. Yes, they are very efficient, but anal could also be a descriptive word in some ways, as far as I’m concerned! Sorry!
We’ve been lucky enough to be staying in our friend Martin’s house for about ten days. He’s been wonderful and let us take over his house with our suitcases and baby bottles and dirty laundry. I’m sure the chaos has been driving him crazy although I think he likes the company. He’s been practically family since we first arrived here anyway. His eighteen year old daughter lives here as well. She left for Tuscany on a class trip today. How cool is that?
Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland and all of our friends in it! We plan on coming back for vacations, but not until the baby is a bit older. We will miss Germany, but are glad to be coming home to our own country and family. It will be an adjustment I’m sure. God Bless America! Good to be coming home!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland! Time for a new adventure !
Yes, the ALL NEW adventures…
After a short absence, I’m getting back in the swing. I was a bit busy having a baby. He’s wonderful and I can’t believe how quickly they grow and fast time goes by. He’s six weeks old already. The other new adventure is that we’re in the process of leaving Germany. The movers came on Thursday to pack us and Friday to move everything out. We were shocked at how much stuff we actually have. You really don’t know how much you have until you have to move it.
It’s bittersweet. I am trying to not think about actually leaving because I will get upset. Reality has finally hit since we’ll be living out of suitcases for the next few weeks. Luckily, we have furniture that is loaned to use when you’re stationed overseas and you’re waiting for your household goods to arrive. We also kept aside a few dishes, pots and pans, sheets and towels and extra clothes which will be sent as another shipment, a quicker one, so we’ll have something until our big shipment arrives. Then there’s the suitcases…all six of them. Bottom line, you have to be fairly organized and think ahead prior to the mover’s arrival. If they’re not told otherwise or instructed, they will pack it. Originally, my husband wasn’t going to be here when the big “pack out” happened, but thank God that changed. It would have been very difficult to keep an eye on the movers so they didn’t pack my toothbrush and take care of a newborn at the same time.
So now we wait. We’re going to Garmisch, GE, Fourth of July weekend so my husband can climb the Zugspitze before we leave Germany. The Zugspitze is the highest peak in Germany. He and a buddy will take a day (they hope) and climb it. I will hang out in town with the baby and the buddy’s wife. This is our first trip with the baby and I’m a little anxious, but it will be good practice for the trip home to CT. Luckily, we only have one connection. Our cats will not be with us. We were going to carry them on the flight too, but came to our senses and made other arrangements. We spent a small fortune to have a company pick up the cats at our house (at 3:00 am, no less) on June 20th and drive them to Frankfurt and put them on a plane to Boston. My brother drove to Boston to pick them up and they are now hanging out at my mother-in-laws house, waiting for our arrival. I do miss them and wonder what kind of memories cats have. I wonder if they’ve forgotten us already.
I will diligently try to keep up with this blog. I think it will continue to be interesting for some of you, even though I will no longer go on about schnitzel and beer. I will shed a glimpse of the craziness that we who are associated with the military, have to endure. You would not believe the paperwork and appointments involved with moving from an overseas duty station to another. We are still waiting for the baby’s passport. If it doesn’t arrive in time for our flight, we won’t be going anywhere, which, I guess, wouldn’t be so bad. We’d have more time to say goodbye to the great friends we’ve made here. I almost can’t believe that we have to do that. This will be my first time dealing with that. Living somewhere for three or four years, making good friends, maybe even friends for life, then leaving. I hate goodbyes and I hate losing touch, so I hope that efforts are made to keep in touch. We’ll see. Stay tuned….
After a short absence, I’m getting back in the swing. I was a bit busy having a baby. He’s wonderful and I can’t believe how quickly they grow and fast time goes by. He’s six weeks old already. The other new adventure is that we’re in the process of leaving Germany. The movers came on Thursday to pack us and Friday to move everything out. We were shocked at how much stuff we actually have. You really don’t know how much you have until you have to move it.
It’s bittersweet. I am trying to not think about actually leaving because I will get upset. Reality has finally hit since we’ll be living out of suitcases for the next few weeks. Luckily, we have furniture that is loaned to use when you’re stationed overseas and you’re waiting for your household goods to arrive. We also kept aside a few dishes, pots and pans, sheets and towels and extra clothes which will be sent as another shipment, a quicker one, so we’ll have something until our big shipment arrives. Then there’s the suitcases…all six of them. Bottom line, you have to be fairly organized and think ahead prior to the mover’s arrival. If they’re not told otherwise or instructed, they will pack it. Originally, my husband wasn’t going to be here when the big “pack out” happened, but thank God that changed. It would have been very difficult to keep an eye on the movers so they didn’t pack my toothbrush and take care of a newborn at the same time.
So now we wait. We’re going to Garmisch, GE, Fourth of July weekend so my husband can climb the Zugspitze before we leave Germany. The Zugspitze is the highest peak in Germany. He and a buddy will take a day (they hope) and climb it. I will hang out in town with the baby and the buddy’s wife. This is our first trip with the baby and I’m a little anxious, but it will be good practice for the trip home to CT. Luckily, we only have one connection. Our cats will not be with us. We were going to carry them on the flight too, but came to our senses and made other arrangements. We spent a small fortune to have a company pick up the cats at our house (at 3:00 am, no less) on June 20th and drive them to Frankfurt and put them on a plane to Boston. My brother drove to Boston to pick them up and they are now hanging out at my mother-in-laws house, waiting for our arrival. I do miss them and wonder what kind of memories cats have. I wonder if they’ve forgotten us already.
I will diligently try to keep up with this blog. I think it will continue to be interesting for some of you, even though I will no longer go on about schnitzel and beer. I will shed a glimpse of the craziness that we who are associated with the military, have to endure. You would not believe the paperwork and appointments involved with moving from an overseas duty station to another. We are still waiting for the baby’s passport. If it doesn’t arrive in time for our flight, we won’t be going anywhere, which, I guess, wouldn’t be so bad. We’d have more time to say goodbye to the great friends we’ve made here. I almost can’t believe that we have to do that. This will be my first time dealing with that. Living somewhere for three or four years, making good friends, maybe even friends for life, then leaving. I hate goodbyes and I hate losing touch, so I hope that efforts are made to keep in touch. We’ll see. Stay tuned….
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
