Army Life - Bamberg Move - Almost There

I almost had a normal day today. I got my Home Blessing (weekly housecleaning) done all at once for the first time since we moved in. That means enough floors and surfaces were clear enough to clean.

If you're familiar with Flylady you'll know that the term Home Blessing comes from her. She says you should get through the process in an hour. I expanded the elements of the Home Blessing but could still get through it in an hour back when we had no Sophia and we lived in a two bedroom one bathroom stairwell apartment. I still do the same routine now that we have Sophia and a five bedroom three bathroom house. It takes longer than an hour!

But back to my normal day. I got three proper meals at appropriate times, none of which was prepared at a restaurant.

I had time to look at Pinterest and read some blogs.

The day will be perfect if I can get in some yoga.

I still have to tackle my craft room, the second kitchen, and the basement. Getting close, but the craft room looks like this:







Yikes!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Gardening - Taming the Eye Sore

My Gardening Hat

Before

Before

During

After

After

I think I was probably the talk of the neighborhood today.  First of all, I put on a sombrero that Sophia got as a party favor because I'm taking a medication that makes me sensitive to the sun.  Secondly, in a neighborhood of immaculate gardens mine was an eye sore and I think the neighbors were pleased that something was finally being done about it.   Several neighbors walked by, shook their heads, and said "viel Arbeit," or a lot of work.  I worked all morning.  Neighbors started bringing me better tools to work with.  At one point I thought I had it pretty good and one neighbor showed me how to level out the soil with a rake.

I trimmed bushes with a glorified pair of scissors.  I chopped down a dead tree with a dull saw.  I hoed until I could hoe no more.  I raked when I thought I was done.  I only took short water breaks.  I was done and exhausted and very dirty by noon.

There's a lot of work to do still but at least the flowerbed you see from the road doesn't look completely overgrown and untended now.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Army Life - Bamberg Move - Final Out

Goodbye to our Weiden house.  We lived there for just over two years.  Other than having to have my craft room in the cold, dark basement it was a nice space for us.  We had American-size appliances, 110 electricity, and lots of closets.  We had a small, low-maintenance yard.  There were lots of nice, American neighbors close by with children for Sophia to play with.  We could walk to small grocery stores and bakeries and the hardware store.  We could even walk to downtown if we felt like it.  The running trails were easily accessible and abundant.

I always worry about the final out with housing.  I want to make sure everything is in good shape so we don't get charged for anything.   The housing inspector showed up 20 minutes early, told me I cleaned too much, and said that his colleague said everything was in good order at the pre-inspection so all we needed to do was hand over the keys.  We said a quick goodbye to the neighbor we shared a wall with and we got out of there before the inspector could find fault with the house.




After we got home I put together the outdoor fireplace that we gave Kenny for Father's Day.  He built a small fire to try it out.  We picked up some marshmallows so someday soon we'll roast them with Sophia and the neighbor children.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

What's Cooking? - Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Soup cooking on the stove, fresh flowers in crystal vases, washing machine and dishwasher running, internet and phone working...it's starting to feel like home.

To those enduring a heat wave in the States this may seem like a strange recipe for August, but it is cooler and entirely appropriate here in Germany.  I served it with Morningstar Riblets and a salted German pretzel.  Sophia's new friend Lara was over playing and stayed to dinner.  She had very good manners.  She ate most of everything, didn't make any faces or comments, and in the end told me that the Riblets were a little spicy and she didn't care for her vanilla almond milk.  She is only five.

1 tablespoon canola oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 large head cauliflower, chopped, about 2 pounds
4 cups vegetable broth
Freshly ground white pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons minced chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.  Add onions and salt, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are very soft, about 5 to 8 minutes.  Add garlic and wine.  Cook, stirring, until liquid is almost completely evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in cauliflower and broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until cauliflower is very soft, 20 to 25 minutes.

In 2 or 3 batches, process soup in a blender until very smooth.  Stir together and season to taste with white pepper and salt.

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, chives, and parsley.  Ladle soup into bowls and decoratively drizzle herb oil on top.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Army Life - Bamberg Move - Assembly Required

Today was a productive day. I put together two Ikea serving carts that will serve as extra counter space in my tiny kitchen. We also drive out to Weiden and did most of the cleaning that we need to do for our final check out. I really did not want to break away from unpacking this house but it feels good to have that unpleasant task out of the way.

Usually I can have my house unpacked in a week and decorated in another week. I think it is going to take me longer in this house because I don't have places to put things away. I have to shop and put together before I can put away.

Yesterday we had a nice break. Our village had a community camping event. It goes on for several days every summer. Last night we got there in time for Sophie to roll around in a giant ball, walk a tightrope, and do other fun activities before dinner.

Dinner was pizza made to order on stones in an open fire. It was the best pizza ever with a crispy, slightly smoky crust. Sophia was praised for choosing vegetables to go on hers. It was nice to hang out with our friends and get acquainted a little bit with people in the neighborhood.

Next year Sophia will have friends from school and she and Kenny will camp for two nights if it is not raining. It feels pretty special to live in a community where people do things together and it is safe for the kids to run and play.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Army Life - Bamberg Move - Moving In

It is small things that are really nice when you are moving. A friend living next door can provide lots of those small things.

On our way out we had dinner and a movie night at Deanna's house. It was nice to sit in a room with no boxes. Sophia had lots of good playtime with Jayden and Jayce while we were packing up.

On the way in to our new house we spent the night at Mary's. She gave us a comfortable bed with nice smelling linens to sleep in and a bath in her yellow tiled bathroom that she hates. I think it's charming. Sophie stayed at their house pretty much all day. Mary brought me a pancake with peanut butter and provided dusting spray. Just little quality of life things that are so nice.

One truck showed up at nine and they were done unloading by about noon. One of the truck drivers from yesterday had a bad back and could not make the trip today. We had to wait several hours for the next truck to arrive. We worked frantically to unpack as much as we could so they could take the packing materials with them.

Sophia likes the way her jungle room is coming together and she seems proud of the quilt I made her.

Our village is charming and friendly. German neighbors have already insisted that we attend a village camping party tomorrow for coffee and cake and games for kids. We will not pitch a tent but it will be fun to check out the festivities.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Army Life - Bamberg Move - Movers Day 2

a




The movers showed up at nine with two trucks and six workers. Two of them have been working on my kitchen for 3 1/2 hours. It is a small kitchen but it is full of Polish Pottery, china, and crystal, all things that we get at a good price living here in Germany.

As I sit here and watch them pack I start to wonder if we have too much stuff. One of the struggles I have as an Army wife is that I want to make a nice, comfortable home for my family. But, we move every two years. Even if the movers do a good job our stuff gets a lot of wear and tear.

It's hard to get rid of things too because every house is different. We might not need something in this house but we might in another. That creates excess that other people don't have to contend with.

I have to keep versatility in mind when I buy things. We bought several cubes shelves from Ikea for our new house. They all go in different rooms but I bought them all in white. I would have liked red for Sophia's playroom or dark wood for the bathroom but someday they might all have to go together in the same room so it is better if they match.

Instead of spending big money for a wardrobe for the bedroom I bought three racks to make an open closet. We can always use the racks in a basement or break them down to store. Versatility is key.

Kenny already told me he's not replacing any light fixtures and it is going to break my heart. Ours are so ugly. But, it would be spending money on something that wouldn't move with us. I might keep my eyes open for a crystal chandelier that I could have rewired. Then again, a friend's chandelier was destroyed on her recent move. Maybe I won't bother until I have my forever house.

Until then I will work on defining my style and make do the best I can.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Army Life - Bamberg Move - Day Off

Our movers were supposed to be here packing today but there was a misunderstanding and they did not come so we had an unexpected free day. Sophia has been such a good girl so far throughout this process even though she's had to entertain herself, spend a lot of time in the car, be off schedule, say goodbye to her friends, not have access to her stuff, etc. So, I decided that today would be her day. We could do whatever she wanted.

I offered her cold cereal for breakfast but she said she wanted a healthy breakfast with eggs and fruit. So, we went to brunch at Bruenner's in downtown Weiden. We loaded up since it would be the best meal of the day. We had scrambled eggs, bread with butter and jam, yogurt, potatoes, fresh-squeezed orange juice and tea/hot chocolate. I think we were there for nearly two hours. It was really nice to not be in a hurry and not have anything else to do.

After brunch we did a little shopping. We found a new lunchbox, brotzeit (snack) box, and water bottle for Sophia to take to school.

When we went home I took a half hour snooze and then we went to the park with our neighbors Jayden and Jayce. Our visit was cut short by rain, but we decided to have pizza and a movie together after bath time. It was nice to sit in their house that was not all disassembled. It was also nice to see Sophia giggling and having fun with her friends.

After she went to bed I spent some time getting everything organized again so we can be ready for the movers in the morning. It will be a crazy day. They still have to finish packing and get everything loaded.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Army Life - Bamberg Move - Moving Day 1

We woke up an unpleasant surprise on moving day 1. There was Kicsi's blood all over our sheets. She has been really anxious because of all of the moving and she got a sore bottom. Luckily Kenny had saved out some laundry detergent.

We were ready for the movers at seven but they didn't show up until 10: 30. We got a nicely dressed, clean cut guy, who is not a mover but an office worker filling in for a sick truck driver. And we got a very butch girl who turned out to be a 14-year-old boy. Kenny caught the young boy putting a crystal candle holder in a box using no paper. Kenny yelled at everyone and they went out and got some paper. I watched over them carefully and I think they packed better from then on.  They took an hour long break at noon and then left at 4.  Kind of a short day.

The older boy was very excited that I had Cherry Coke. I guess it is very expensive in Germany.

The other problem I had with today's move is that they're not coming back until Thursday. The paperwork said packing today and loading on Thursday. It assumed two days of packing. Sophie and I will have to find something else to do tomorrow and Thursday will be a whirlwind because there is a lot if packing yet to do.

I am trying hard to let go of artificial deadlines and just be patient when things don't happen according to my timeline.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet

Army Life - Bamberg Move - Cleaning and Assembly

Spent the day at the Bamberg house. Vodafone was supposed to come hook up our phone and internet so we scheduled delivery of our loaner closets and washer/dryer. Everything got delivered but Vodafone did not come. We received a second letter from them saying they are coming on the 11th instead. We corrected our address with them and that must have canceled our appointment. I am disappointed but not surprised.

The house seemed to be really clean with its new wood floors and fresh coat of white paint but the kitchen cupboards, drawers, and dishwasher were a mess. I spent several hours scrubbing.

I also spent some time assembling the clothes racks that will make my closet, and two shelves for the bathroom. When Kenny got home he helped me with the monster 25-cube shelf for Sophia's playroom. He and Sophie also mowed the lawn with the riding mower that came with the house.

Busy day. It's not over. I'm at the dentist to get my permanent crown put on. Then I'll drive back to Weiden to finish getting ready for the movers who come tomorrow. Pfew. I'm so tired I might fall asleep in the dentist chair.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tweet