Worst Haircut Ever!!!

I really wanted to get a haircut so I'd look nice for our anniversary but unfortunately my hairdresser was out.  So instead of waiting until she was in I opted to get my haircut with someone else so I'd have  it done for my big day.  BAD IDEA!!!  I have the worst haircut I have ever had.  Now, I may be exaggerating a bit but it is the worst haircut I can remember having in a REALLY REALLY long time.

I never understood what people meant when they said a good haircut could take ten pounds off your face until I got a bad haircut.  The new girl spoke English but not very well.  So I told her what I wanted, I showed her with my hands what I wanted and I even showed her a picture.   Everything was going fine and then, just like that everything changed.

I have a very wide jaw and a big face.  I'm not complaining but I can't have my hair end at the widest point in my face or it makes it look even wider.  Well, that's exactly what she did.  She cut it about two inches shorter than I asked/showed her.  UUUGGGHHH - just like that, in one moment, I put on 10 pounds.  The bad haircut didn't end there she cut my bangs really short and choppy which may be in style - I don't know because I don't keep up with that kind of thing - but it looks like Alessandra cut them.  So, it not only is not what I asked for but what she did doesn't even look nice.

Oh Well - hair grows.  But I have to say after this haircut I am seriously thinking about growing my hair out a bit.

Charmian

You + Me =

1 Decade

315,633,480 Seconds

2 Kids/2 Dogs

3,652 Days

3 Trips to Italy

1,545 Trips to the Grocery Store (apx.)

4 Cars

5,260,558 Minutes

5 Nights in the Hospital

87,675 Hours

6 Homes

12 Countries

7 Backpacking trips

521 Weeks

8 Cellphones

11 Jobs

9 Weddings - Friends & Family

120 Months

10 Years

10 years ago today I married my best friend!  We have seen many joys and struggles and yet through it all our love has grown.  I am the luckiest women in the world to get to travel through this life with you.

I love you Jon!

Happy Anniversary!

Charmian

10 Days

Jon and I are just finishing up 10 days apart.  

It all started with what was supposed to be a family trip, but turned into a Girls only trip back to Leipzig to visit some friends and see the Christmas Markets.  

Alessandra and Sophia Enjoying the "Classic Car Carousel" in the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof

Jon had to cancel due to some last minute business trip changes.  But the good news from Jon not being with us was that he was able to add a quick trip to Colorado where he was able to see his family and drop Ripley off with Stan and Mary Kay.  

If you have been keeping up with my blog at all, or have talked to me in the last two years you probably heard me mention that Ripley hasn't been doing well.  She wasn't able to settle into city life.  She was always stressed, at first her stress was coming across as barking, panting, and pacing but in the past six months that stress was starting to turn a bit more aggressive.  We needed to get her out of the city, so that all of us could be a little less stressed.  Well, it happened.  Jon stopped by Colorado for a quick visit with his family and to get Ripley to her new/old home back on the Ranch with Grandpa, Oma, and the horses.  I am happy to report that Ripley seems to be settling in quite nicely and Dotty has only had one setback in the form of an "accident" on Alessandra's pillows.  Dotty has been quite clingy but I have to say the stress level in the house has gone down considerably.  

Okay, back to our Leipzig trip.  

It started out and ended a bit bumpy but all in all it was so relaxing.  We had some plans fall through with one of our friends but it ended up working out perfectly because it gave us an entire day to sleep in, enjoy an awesome breakfast, get into town, wander around the city center which is essentially one big Christmas Market.  Then we went to check out the new mall, and then one more quick trip through the train station and then back home.  Saturday we spent the entire day with The GKS's.  And Sunday we traveled back home.  

The beginning of the week was slow enough, I purposely cancelled our usual routine so we could be home with Dot.  So that translated to all of us going over to My-tilda's house on Monday afternoon, and My-tilda and her mum Alice coming over to our house on Tuesday afternoon.  But then it all turned - and quite suddenly too.  Alessandra got really sick, and really quickly.  In the matter of a few hours she went from this...

 to this... 

it was horrible.  And it has only been in the last half of today that I would say she's back to normal.  And when I say that please read, asking for ice cream for every meal.  :o)  

Well, luckily for us, or maybe just me, Jon will be back home tomorrow.  And I will have another person to take care of.  No just kidding.  I will have another person to help take care of everything.

Charmian 

I Believe!

Alessandra has been sick and I've been dealing with her and the rest of the household responsibilities solo.  Last night was just like all the others.  I finally got her settled into bed, and I took Dotty out for one last bathroom trip before I tidied up the house and turned in myself.  

This morning I opened up the front door to get Alessandra's boots - I left them out because they were all muddy.  And that's when I saw this.  Sitting quite perfectly on the top of our doggy potty shoes and muddy rain boots.

I wish someone was recording my reaction because if it was half as good as what it felt like, it was pretty darn amazing.  I felt like I was 6 again.  Like I just walked out and saw the one thing I asked Santa, and only Santa for.  

There Is A Santa!

But then I got really confused.  It's the beginning of December.  I asked one of my neighbors who said "Oh yes, Sankt Nikolaus comes last night.  I hope you were good all year!"

My response was, "I must have been, our shoes were filled." 

I came inside, got online with the intention of looking up this holiday and it's traditions when of course I got a bit distracted by facebook, and that's when I saw all of the posts between my expat-parent-friends from the night before.  Warning each other not to forget about this German holiday.

I guess I didn't need to worry about forgetting because the Eich's were just that good that the 

REAL SANKT NIKOLAUS

came and filled our shoes.

And just like that...

I'm still a

  BELIEVER!   

Happy Horsey Halloween

Halloween isn't as big of a deal here in Germany as it is in The States but we still wanted Alessandra to have a good experience.  

So we bought some candy, took it to Jon's work, handed it out, and sent Alessandra from desk to desk to go trick or treating. 

We taught her how to say "trick or treat" and "candy please" and sent her on her way

.

We reminded her to say "thank you" and Alessandra added kisses and waves to her repertoire.

I Pinned It!

I had heard about Pinterest but I had no idea what it was.  On top of that I didn't really think I was that interested in finding out.  My initial thought was confirmed when I first got on yesterday.

It was awful!  There wasn't anything to see unless you click through to the different topics.  I didn't know how to find people or pass along the pins I found.  Then I read the how to's and started looking around and it started growing on me.  I figured out how to search and found my friends and family.  And then it started to get more Pinteresting - hee hee.  

Today, I found some cute hairstyles I can try on Alessandra.  One of them I actually attempted.  Now, let me first start off by saying it didn't turn out nearly as cute as the picture but, 

I DID IT!!!!

Yup, I attempted my pin.  

 As you can see the couple pictures of her hair turned into a big fall time foto fest.  

Have any of you actually attempted something you found on pinterest?  

If so what was it?

Did it turn out?

Charmian

Fears

It's amazing how things change.  

When I was a tween/teen you couldn't get me off the phone.  My daily routine was get off the bus, hustle home, and call my best friend Reagan.  And then proceed to talk to her while watching 90210, or cartoons, or while doing homework, or... well you get the idea.  If I wasn't on the phone with Reagan it was with one of my other friends but the long of the short of it is, you couldn't get me off the phone.

Fast forward 20 years.  Become an Expat.  And BOOM! - I have a new fear.

I am scared of having to make a call.  Ordering a pizza gives me the sweats and I can actually feel my heart rate rising just thinking about it.  This leads me to my confession.  I've been a really bad wife and mama.  Alessandra needs to get in for her 21-24 month check up and Jon has had a toothache for about 3 months now.  I have the phone numbers so I can't use that as an excuse, it's just that I'm afraid to call.  The first thing I say when I call is "Hallo, Sprechen Sie Englisch?"  And usually they respond "Nein"  That's when the sweats and shakes start.  How the heck am I going to do this.  I usually do my research before hand so I know the words I need to say but the problem isn't me saying the words it's me understanding their responses.  

{UPDATE - We have our dental appointment set for October 10th at 11.}  
{UPDATE - Alessandra has her appointment set for her check up.}

My biggest phone related fear is that one day I may have to call 112 (Germany's 911).  Okay, I have to stop thinking about this my hands are shaking, my palms are sweaty, my heart is pounding.  UUUGGGHHH!

The funny thing about this new fear is that it has started to melt into my everyday life.  I now prefer texting to calling even to my English speaking friends.  Talking on the phone isn't the pleasure it used to be.  I wonder what else has/will change as I settle even further into my Expat life.  

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  

Tschüs,

Charmian

Photo Source:  http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/victoria-derbyshire-on-the-art-of-conversation-as-texting-1148929  

It's Hot...

...sweaty knee pits hot.  But...

I got a hug from my mom today. 

Uncle Jeremy rolled around in the wood chips with Alessandra this afternoon.

I had a lunch/dinner date with my hubby.

and Weepaw helped Alessandra eat her ice cream tonight.

So, my knee pits may be sweaty - but my heart is happy.

Charmian

I Think I'm Gonna Cry!

I just found out that Jon won't be getting in until the 19th.  When he said he was going to get home on the 18th I assumed he meant that he would be HOME ON THE 18TH, not coming home on the 18th and here on the 19th.  I am so upset.  I leave the morning of the 20th so that means I'm going to have about 16 hours with him before I have to leave.  UUUGGGHHH!  I am missing him so badly.  Alessandra is missing him so badly.  When we skype she tells him "stop" and "don't" and then looks behind the screen.  She wants to stop skyping and start snuggling and so do I.

Well, today is also Father's Day so a very Happy Father's Day to all of the Father's and Grandfather's in my life.  I love you all.  Alessandra presented Jon with his gift this afternoon/morning.  Alessandra was excited to give it and Jon was surprised/happy to receive it.    YAY!!!!  Job well done Mommy!!!

Better scoot, Alessandra is tormenting the girls by chasing them around the house with her ladybug and tractor.  She's such a naughty little girl  ;o)

Charmian

Don't Want to Jinx It

I am having a moment.  I can hear...and it is so nice. Everyone has their eyes closed and I'm thinking about my trip to CO.  I need to pick up. and clean. and run errands. and do laundry. and pack.  But right now I'm sitting hear listening to the...and enjoying my quick and quiet moment.

Arts and Crafts

When Jon's away I don't have anyone convincing me to just cuddle in the chair and watch shows at night. So from the time Alessandra hits the hay to the time I get sleepy I've had some time to work on the arts and crafts projects I've had on my to do list.

Here is a picture of Alessandra's new ceiling mobile.  I braided some ribbon to make the stems, added paper leaves and buttons for the center of the flowers and then add the colorful tulips and fairies from her baby mobile.  They are encircling her moon drop ceiling light.  

If I had to name Alessandra's room style I guess I would call it a magical garden.  Her room is very colorful but is mostly green, pink, red, and white.  

Alessandra's Frog Prince wall organizer.

Alessandra's little tent that I made from her baby activity mat.  

She and the girls love using it for quiet time.  

This is a really bad picture but this is her new toy/clothes organizer.

The buckets are all red, green, pink, and white.

She hasn't learned to crawl up it yet but it's only a matter of time.  :o)

Alessandra's clothes hamper is a pink daisy.  

She loves putting clothes in her hamper 

and she has been missing her daily task of cleaning up after Daddy.

Alessandra's crib and a close up of the bumper and pillow.  

I have yet to put up her dancer picture which I really need to do, she loves that picture.  I've been waiting until I get my big wall art project done and her big girl bed/guest bed moved in and the crib/changing table moved out.  So as the room starts to come together a little bit more I'll keep you posted but for now I think it's looking pretty darn good.  :o)

Charmian

Happy Little Rain Showers

Today we had rain.  Not dark stormy rain cloud rain, but happy little rain showers.  You know the ones - rain floats down and it feels like you've walked under a mister at the amusement park.  It was wonderful. Not only was the weather fun and sprinkley but it was also day 4 of my singlmomdom (Jon's away on business.) which means I finally got over the single mommy hump.

What I've found in the few times that I've had to take care of EVERYTHING all on my own is that it takes about three days to get in the groove.  Picking up your spouses responsibilities, deciding what daily tasks are really important, which ones can be done less frequently, what things can wait until your singlemomdom comes to an end, and which ones you definitely need to tackle because you don't have anyone telling you not to do it.  :o)  Being a single parent is so tough and my hat's off to all of you who call this your norm.  I'm glad my reign in singlemomdom is usually short and infrequent.

As I type this my little one is starting to squawk so I better be off.  Good night!

Charmian

Updates

Why is it that when you have things to blog about those things actually keep you from blogging.  Oh time, you're such a precious thing, why do you slip away so quickly and quietly?

A few updates.

Jon and I finally got hair cuts about 3 weeks ago.  It was so crazy - we called this lady and she came to our house and cut our hair.  They aren't the best hair cuts we've ever gotten but for the price and convenience we may just do it again.  Maybe.  But I am happy to say that I finally have my short hair back.  I tried really hard to like it long again but I just couldn't do it.  I guess I'm a short hair girl, which is  weird because when I picture myself I don't have short hair.


After nearly six years of being a vegetarian I am slowly adding meat back into my diet.  It is really hard to be a vegetarian here in Germany.  None meat protein is hard to find and when you do find it it's usually pretty pricey.  Which has led me to relying on eggs, nuts, and dairy for my main source of protein.  Now that Alessandra is definitely not a baby anymore I decided it was time to start losing my baby weight.  I've been trying to lose the weight by cutting back on the nuts and dairy I was consuming.  When I started cutting back I started craving meat for the first time since becoming a vegetarian.  So I have been very slowly adding meat back into my diet.  A few nights a week I'll have fish or shrimp.  My stomach still gets upset when I eat it but my cravings have gone away so I think I'm on the right track, for now.

Alessandra has started potty training herself.  You may think I'm being crazy but I'm not lying.  Well, to be honest I did start potty training her about a year ago I guess.  When she was really small whenever I noticed her going pooh (and I don't mean winnie) I would set her on the potty because - well let me be frank - it was way easier for me to pay attention to her and set her on the potty than to have to clean up a poopy diaper.  Lately I've been noticing that at some diaper changes she was dry or mostly dry so I'd plop her down on the potty and tell her to let all of her pee out and she'd go.  Before long she was running to the potty and telling me when she needed to go.  So for the past week while we've been home sick we've started naked time.  Alessandra is naked or bottomless the entire time we're home.  Obviously I put clothes on her before we leave the house but when we walk in the door the shoes and pants come off.  She has done really well.  In the past week she has had less than 10 accidents.  When she does have an accident I have her "help" me clean up and we talk about where we should put the pee and poop.  I also bought some Smarties for her when she does go in the potty.  So far so good.  But I still don't feel like I really know what I'm doing so...

When did you start potty training your kids?
How did you do it?
Did you use treats/awards?  If so what did you use?
How long did it take?
How did you know when they were ready to go out and about sans diaper?

Thanks for helping a mommy out.


Jon also found out today that he has been invited to join Beta Gamma Sigma because of his academic performance at HHL.  So, my life long dream of marrying a frat boy is finally coming true (okay, not really) .  :o)  I always knew he was a smarty pants in fact it was one of the many things that made me fall in love with him.  But now it's officially official.  Jon's super smart!


Well, I guess that's all the updates for me - for now.

I will however leave you with one more super cute clip.  It's Alessandra having a dance party with her reflection that is of course until she bonks her head.  Enjoy and have a happy long weekend to all of my American friends and family.

Charmian

Happy Mother's Day to Me!!!

Who needs flowers and cards 

when you get smiles and snuggles.

Cliques

I saw a show about a school shooting the other day and it got me thinking - which for me is kind of convoluted so let me walk you through my thought process.

Show on school shooting led to thoughts about Columbine High School, which led to me thinking about High School Cliques, which then led to my own experience in High School and how exactly I fit in.  Which finally led to this...

I was a senior in high school and it was time to pick our partner to walk with at graduation.  I looked around and realized I didn't have anyone.  I made it to the end of my formative years without one really good friend.  I ended up walking with my boyfriends best friend.  He didn't want to do it but didn't know how to tell me no.  So instead, he said yes and then pretended to have a mouth full of water for the entire graduation so that I wouldn't talk to him - or rather he wouldn't have to talk back to me (true story).  I remember feeling so lonely and honestly lonely is a feeling I'm quite familiar with.  

I've done a really good job of either ruining great friendships, being burned by my best buds, or not putting the time and energy into a relationship to keep them going.  I think now that I'm getting older I'm learning how to be a better friend but I am still not an easy person to like. (Now those of you who love me will think I'm crazy for saying this, but it's true.  The fact is you've just learned to love me in spite of my faults.)  I am vivacious and some (probably most) would say to a fault.  I have always been up for an adventure and tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.  Which makes me a bit scattered and emotional.  I do everything big, I get excited and can't control my enthusiasm and pep. Even Jon when first meeting me said "What's wrong with her, is she always that happy?"  For whatever reason I have a hard time keeping cool when I get pumped and I have an even harder time hiding my emotions.  If I'm feeling it, you're seeing it.

So the combination of; me getting nervous/excited when I'm meeting someone for the first time, a personality that makes it hard to like me upon first meeting, and being out of my comfort zone (living in a foreign land with people who don't speak my language), has made it difficult for me to make friends.  But luckily I've been here before.  I've been lonely before.  I've been without a good friend to talk to during graduation.  I know I'll make it through, I know eventually the people I keep bumping into here will learn to love me just like all of you have.  I'll learn more German and get more accustomed to how they do things here and before I know it I'll have friends.

Or that's at least what I'm going to keep telling myself.

Charmian

We Need a Calendar

Every year for Christmas MK/Oma always gives us calendars.  

This year we didn't get any, and boy do we need one.  

We woke up at about 7:45 just like every other day since the move.  We snuggled in bed for a bit chatting about dreams, plans, and agendas.  Jon got ready for work, Alessandra and I ate breakfast.  We said our goodbyes.  Jon made it to the office by 9:00 like he does on most mornings.  He settled in to a fine days work when one of his coworkers walked in and exuberantly greeted everybody with a "Happy February!"  Jon grumbled about how quickly the year was going by and how he couldn't believe it was already February when it hit him.  "Wait! It's February, like February 1st!  Shoot!  It's my anniversary!"  All of his coworkers gave him a very supportive "OOOO - Did you forget? - You're in trouble!"

He went outside and called me.  Ring... Ring...  "Hello" "I didn't forget" Jon blurted.  "Forget what?" I said.  "It's February 1st."  Jon said.  OH!  Shoot!  Well, Happy Anniversary!?!  I said sheepishly.  "Man, we need a calendar!"

Normally I would have my computer that I would get on at least once a day but without internet I wasn't doing that.  So, I didn't have my computer to tell me what day it was and I didn't have a calendar to tell me what day it was so Jon and I snuck into nine years of marriage without any bells or whistles, parties or presents.  And you know what we both survived.

I did get a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my door, oh, and an IKEA kitchen.  So really, this was our biggest anniversary to date.  I mean how many girls get a kitchen for their anniversary, not many I think.  ;o)  But we definitely need to pick up a couple calendars (or MK you need to send us some) so we don't forget to celebrate the rest of the holidays this year.

Charmian

It's Official

Jon and I are the proud renters of a beautiful 3 room flat in Dusseldorf Germany - YAY!!!

Jon signed the contracts today and although it's not in the exact location we originally wanted it may even be better.  We are in the Zoo District and the big Zoo Park is across the street.  Which means more frequent walks in the park for the girls.  We still have a backyard just like we have now - which makes late night and early morning bathroom runs a breeze.  3 rooms so Alessandra will be moving out of our room and into her big girl bedroom.

I can't wait to see it!

Now to get packed, moved out, and moved in so Jon can start work on the 23rd.  PHEW!  I'm tired already!

Charmian

Mother of the Year

Just earned myself another "Mother of the Year" nomination.  I've been playing the single parent all week which has definitely been keeping me busy.  Tonight Alessandra and I had our normal night time routine; dinner, get ready for bed, pick up toys, nurse, and snuggle until Alessandra falls asleep - or close to it.  I put Alessandra down in me and Jon's bed so I could quickly run the girls outside to go potty before we all could head to bed.  I closed our bedroom door so I wouldn't wake her and headed outside.  The girls were actually pretty quick - which I was SUPER grateful for.  I made it back up stairs in record time, quietly opened and closed the door, took off my shoes and the girls leashes and then tiptoed over to the bedroom door to listen to see if she was crying.  Nope - SUCCESS!  I didn't hear a peep - YES!!!  I made my way to the kitchen to finish putting away the dishes when I heard the strangest sound coming from the bedroom.

mmm   mmmmmm mm  mmmmm     mmmmm m

scratch - -- - -- ------ - scratch

m      mmmmm   mmmmmm mm                mmm

I walked over and tried to push the bedroom door open.  I met a little resistance which was strange so I gave a little push and...

Well, lets just say that when I left with the girls it woke Alessandra and she made her way out of bed and to the door where she was whining and scratching trying to get out to me.  Doesn't that just break your heart.

... when I opened the door I knocked Alessandra over - flat on her back.

UUUGGGHHH!

For the last thirty minutes I've been trying to soothe my scared and slightly traumatized little girl back to sleep.

Hi, have we met I'm Charmian - Mother of the Year!

A Year

It's amazing how different things can look a year later.  I remember pulling up to my flat a year ago and how scary it seemed.

"Which building is ours?" 

"How do you get in?" 

"Where can we park?"

"Is this a two lane road?"

Now I walk down the street and get mad at the drunkard who's peeing on the lamp post - again.  And I find myself wanting to yell "Schlecht Hund!" at the lady who refuses to pick up her dogs poop (especially when they poop in front of our door),  just like the old men used to yell at me (even though I was picking up the poop).

This is our home and although our stuff isn't in here, the things that are here are starting to feel more and more like mine.  I'm starting to forget how nice it is to cook with my pans that don't have loose handles and my really nice wooden spoons because I've been using this plastic one for so long.

Some things still haven't changed though.  I still HATE sitting down to eat and having our plates be mismatched.  I hate that all of our chairs are sunken in.  And I hate how I can't seem to get the windows all the way clean no matter what I use or how I clean them.  But I love that Dotty is asleep in the chair next to me chasing her squirrels,  paws running, softly barking.  I love that Jon and I were able to enjoy our meal of leftover veggie soup for dinner.  And I love that my sweet baby girl is sound asleep in our bedroom (and when I say our bedroom I mean the room with all the beds that we all sleep in).

I have come to really love it here, and although it still isn't as comfortable for me as The States were, it's growing on me.

A little more everyday.

It's amazing the things that can change in a year.

Charmian

Feelin' Good

I'm feeling good today.  I am in the midst of a laundry tornado and I've been in and out all day running errands. But that's not why I feel good.  I feel good because even though it was scary I went to the doctor all by myself.  And you're thinking - you're 32, what's the big deal.  Well, it probably wasn't a big deal and wouldn't have been to all of you, but for whatever reason going to the doctor was really scary for me.  Now that I've gone (three days in a row) I can officially say I've face that fear and it's not so scary anymore.  I'm also feeling good because (even though I'm not feeling better yet) I can see my wellness just around the bend, which makes me feel even better.  :o)

Why three times in three days - no, it's not because I'm that sick, it's because they have funky hours of operation.  There aren't that many English speaking doctors that also have English speaking reception staff to choose from, and unfortunately my German is still so bad that I need both so my options are drastically limited.  When I got to the doctors office at 10:30 (which for me to get out of the house showered, dressed, and ready for the day, with my bouncing baby girl was pretty good.) they were closed.  They are only open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and then again from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. except for Mondays and then only the morning hours.  The receptionist was a little perturbed but she gave me a card and told me to come back the next morning.  Tuesday morning rolls around and I leave Alessandra with Jon so I can get out more quickly.  I hit the tram at 9:09 a.m., I should have been there by 9:29 but the tram broke down and what should have taken me twenty minutes took just less than an hour.  UUGGHH!  10:05 I walk in the door and the girl isn't perturbed anymore she's pissed.  She told me to leave and that the hours are from 8 to 10 and that the doctor couldn't see me.  I explained my situation and pleaded with her to let me see the doctor.  She had me stand in the corner (which I did, very obediently - I felt like I was five again but I wasn't going to take any chances on making her any more mad) and about five minutes later I was filling out paperwork and heading to the waiting room.  I was back on the tram at 10:35 with an appointment to come back the next morning by 9:30, which I just barely made.  WHEH!

I'm also feeling pretty good because in T-Minus 17 hours I'll be on a tram, that will take me to the train, that will take me to the plane, that will take me to my Enfumes!  And, I'm actually looking pretty good to get out of the house pretty stress free tomorrow morning.  Barcelona here we come!  YAY!  So excited!

Charmian