Poltringen-Fasching Parade

What a unique day, I have had....
Rain rain go away. It poured as I awaited the arrival of the tour bus. Fortunately, it ended by the time we arrived at the parade and stayed away until we started our walk back to the bus after the parade. God had his eye on us all today.
First off, let me explain what fasching is. Fasching (German word for Carnival) is the high point of what the Germans call the "fifth season" of the year. It is a pre-Lenten celebration, intended as one last fling before the fasting and austerity of lent and others see is as a way to scare away the evil spirits of winter. Today we went to Poltringen for its parade. It was an Allemanische Fastnachts parade, which included bands and groups in costume with hand-made masks that are often passed down from generation to generation.

The people in costume were very kind to the children, they would stop and place candy in each child's hand. They also liked to play tricks on the adults. They put confetti down women's shirts, which happened to me, they put straw in their hair, they pick them up and potato sack carry them down the street, they put smears of colored paint on their faces, two guys grab a girl(one lays down, they lay the girl on top, then the other lays on top of her, next they log roll with her between them),and they also send girls through a netting machine, similiar to the netting on a Christmas tree. This is when you see the differences in personal space between here and the US. Many other masked people posed for pictures and walked the street with their small children, all in costume.
I really had a good time, ate a great wurst sandwich, bought a few beers for Andrew, and purchased a mini version of a mask made out of plaster of paris.
AND made a new friend, who has asked me to babysit her daughter a few times a week. The mother just started a job at an elementary school, as an assistant teacher, she applied in Sept., and wasn't offered a job until January....so I need to be patient....
Tomorrow, I have a massage scheduled which is much needed after tonite's workout....too long on the elliptical machine...

Sunny day

Well, today's weather livened my spirits, that is after I laid around most of the day. The sun is shining and people on the track are running in shorts and long sleeve tshirts. I am not included in that, but it is a descent temperature. One in which included the long lost sun.
I had to wait around the house for our loaner furniture to be picked up, after which, I went to the gym to regain some energy. Now, I have to wait for the store to call to say our new couch has arrived and wait on its delivery. I have determined that it may be a good thing I don't have a job because, who would be home to wait for deliveries?
Andrew is having a good time on his winter training. We talk nightly for a few minutes, which makes this time away easier, as well as, abnormal for regular time away. No cell phones in those cases. He has learned to ski, which I have seen as a vacation of sorts, fun times etc...but I failed to remember he is in the Army, so skiing means all green attire, and a huge green pack on his back while he is skiing. I know how tough skiing can be in the beginning, imagine a lot of added weight and non ski type clothing. Yuck! He has about 2 more weeks away. He is near Austria, still in Germany.
I am planning to take another day bus trip on Sunday. We are going to a fasching parade, a pre-lent carnival or sorts. People are dressed in costume, with handmade wooden masks that have been passed down from generation to generation. It will be interesting to experience. Hopefully, I will find some great food to eat while I am there. I will be sure to put a couple pics on here when I get back.

Chilly...

Well, n0t much is happening here. Although, I did take a German cooking class on Saturday. We learned how to make berliners (jelly donuts), german potato salad, and schnitzel. They all tasted pretty good, but I don't forsee ever making them again. The teacher didn't really teach us, she basically made the recipes and we helped a little. She gave us a list of ingredients for each, but didn't include instructions. Andrew informed me that I need to be able to make the donuts again :)...We will see...
Sunday, I took Andrew to the other base for his trip. I think it entails, 2 weeks of skiing, and a week of some other cold weather stuff. I'm sure his athletic self will take to the slopes well and he will come back an avid skier. I do know from experience that the skiing is going to leave him a tad bit sore.... he will be back towards the end of the month...
In the meantime, I am not doing much, as usual....working out, etc. I went to the movie Catch and Release yesterday, it was a cute love story. This morning, I went to the dentist to get a mold taken of my teeth and picked up the retainer they made this afternoon. It's great to have speedy service and to walk in and out without paying a cent. People outside the military and also in the military don't realize how great the benefits are. We don't pay rent, heat, electricity, house repairs, medical, basic dental, get loaner furniture, no tax on base, free bus rides between bases, etc....This is why people who get out of the military reenlist. They don't factor in the cost of bills they do not pay in the military.
A couple of friends of mine and I are going to the grand opening of the new PX/BX, on the other base, on Wednesday...they took all the small stores from our base and put them all under one roof with more stores and several new fast food places, more american food choices. Taco Bell, Burger King, and Anthony's pizza have gotten old on our base. This means if I want to do any American shopping, besides groceries, I will have to take the bus or take the car when Andrew's not using it. The new stores will be on the base that he works. Also, I have to get our loaner furniture picked up and set up delivery for our new couch. I'm very ready for its arrival :).

Road Trip

We decided we needed to see a larger selection of American furniture, before making a purchase. So, we headed to Mannheim, 1.5 hrs away, to one of the bases there. We lucked out and made a purchase, a L shaped couch with a recliner and long ottoman. It is blue, not my fav, but it was available, comfortable, and Andrew liked the color. We will see our purchase in about 2 weeks, they will ship it to the furniture store here for free, and then we will get it delivered to the apartment. I can't wait to be able to watchc TV in our family room and be comfortable. Next, we will need to find a rug and coffee table :). Our wonderful GPS got us there and home. The base looked deserted and very old, but was pretty easy to find. We didn't get to check out Mannheim because it was a Sunday, which means everything German is closed.
Yesterday, I made batch of chicken noodle soup. It turned out very well. Quite yummy!! It's much better than Campbell's in a can. Although, we will be eating it for a few days, it made a little more than I expected. Plus I am unable to throw away good leftovers.
I head to the dentist on Tuesday for my cleaning. It's great when things are free :). Because we all know how expensive teeth are. Hopefully, all is healthy! I haven't been to the dentist in a couple of years.
Andrew started packing today for his trip for work. I hope it isn't too cold, but i suppose "winter training" means cold. Hopefully, he will come back as a pro skier and hopefully I will be employed when he returns. Also, we hope to have our phone hooked up by Friday. After which I think I will make a million phone calls to the United States!!! I need to catch up.

Shoveling

I took a lovely walk through the snow yesterday and learned that when you walk on an unshoveled sidewalk for a few miles it takes double the time to get to your destination. I definitely got my workout. I needed to get out of the house and needed to run a few errands, so I headed down to the shops near the mall. I hadn't investigated any of them before. I found a couple good bakeries, another grocery store, a german $ type store, a pet store and several other descent stores. My little trip ate most of my day away. I visited with the neighbor a bit and made dinner.
Last night a workman, who was doing his job, decided to shovel and break ice, next to our apartment at 1130pm-130ish am. I went out at about midnight and asked him how long he would be at it. He informed in German that he was told to do it. Someone reported that it was dangerous in front of our apartments, and it needed to be cleared asap. Which meant at midnight. Personally, I feel that the sidewalks in front of our apartments were clear enough (had been shoveled by people who live here) and they should put their focus on all of the main sidewalks throughout base that haven't even seen a shovel. But what do I know! I went to inquire today about whether or not this is normal and was told that it must have been consiered an "emergency". Geez! Luckily I didn't have to get up at 530 like Andrew, but he did have to get up :(.
I went to the dentist today for my free cleaning and it turned out to be only a screening, next week I will go back for my cleaning. They gave me a free toothbrush, and not a dumb generic little thing, its a oral b batter powered one, fancy fancy. I also determined that I need to get dental insurance just in case I do have something go wrong, it's only $11 a month. They have a orthodontist on base, but they are selective on who gets that service. You have to really really need braces or come to Germany with them. I need them to fix my cracked retainer, and the guy said he may be able to help me out. The hygenist told me to sweet talk them to get what I want, she said whether or not he helps me depends on how the doc is feeling that day.
After my appt. I bought ingredients for chicken noodle soup, a shovel to clear out our parking space, and paid our cable/internet bill. Found out we may finally have a phone on Feb. 2, the company isn't very good at corresponding with the office on base to confirm dates etc. The lady said to come back next week and it may be done earlier. Luckily, I have all the time in the world to stop by there all the time to inquire. Their office is moving on the 4th to the other base....too many things are moving away. I will now have to ride the bus to the other base instead of walking down the road.
We are going to a movie tonight, Freedom Writer's. Not sure about the rest of the weekend, possibly drive to the Wal-Mart thats 35 minutes away, or go look at furniture. I just want to do something other than be inside our apartment, but the snow kind of limits that.

Snow snow go away...

snow snow snow snow....it has finally hit us :(
Andrew thought his day was to be only delayed, but ended up getting the day off after driving all the way to work. I didn't realize that we even had snow until I was ready to leave the house at 945am. I heard kids playing outside and knew I wouldn't be walking to town to run errands with friends. It just keeps coming down, they said 6-8 inches, I think we have about 6 already. I did a little shoveling of the walk out front to help out. We still need to purchase a shovel, although I have a feeling they will be sold out pretty quickly. I had a little hot chocolate with the neighbors, while Andrew went to work out. Just baked some Betty Crocker double chocolate cookies to take back to the neighbors. Not sure what's in store for the rest of the day. Hopefully, the snow will stop for me to make it to town tomorrow.

Slow times

Time flies when you're doing nothing....Andrew returned Friday after 4 days away for training. He enjoyed the German food while away. I spent most of the week compiling a different version of my resume. Every job I apply for seems to require different forms, formats, etc. I applied to be a substitute teacher and to be a teacher assistant. I just want a job to occupy my time.
We didn't do much over the weekend. Went out to eat with friends on base Saturday night and to the movie Stranger Than Fiction Sunday night. Today I ran errands on base and off base. We ditched Vonage and are in the process of hooking up a house phone. It will only be 2.9cents a minute to the USA. I walked to the mall near base with my friend Mandi. Purchased a house phone and alarm clocks (most things are available on base cheaper but sometimes its the opposite). Alarm clocks from the USA don't keep time correctly here, it deals with the power difference. Same goes for portable telephones from the USA, they won't charge here. Also picked up a large basket/bag thing for shopping off base. Grocery stores etc don't bag your things, you have to bring your own. Needless to say you don't see Germans buying a lot at one time. Also, a German fridge is like half the size of an American one. Mandi picked up some fresh bread, bakeries all over, and we got some soft serve yummy icecream. I earned it by walking there and back. The power of having one vehicle, it makes me walk everywhere.
I attempted to go to the grocery store on base to get a couple items, but my luck it's closed on Mondays. So we are relying on wonderful frozen pizza for dinner. Not much else happening. Andrew's preparing for his next training, he will be gone 3.5 weeks in February. Hopefully, I will be employed by then. Cross my fingers and toes.