Lobster (11-27-05)
JBP woke us up early this morning. It all started with the slap, slap, slap of his barefeet on the wood floors. He slapped his way down the (short) hall, into our room and up to our bed.
The following conversation ensued:
JBP: Dada, do you like lobster?
Der Deutscher: I've never had lobster. Why are you up so early?
JBP: I dreamed about lobster.
Der Deutscher: Was it a bad dream? A good dream? An interesting one?
JBP: It was about lobsters..... and spaghetti. (pause) Lobsters. Yuck!
Then he turned around and headed downstairs. It was only 8:30 a.m. (Hey! We've been sleeping until at least 10 since arriving!)
Locked Out
When JBP got downstairs (one flight) he discovered he was locked out of the kitchen.
To put things in perspective, Opa and Ms Gudi's house is a four level home with the laundry in the basement, Mika (Ms Gudi's brother) on the ground floor, the kitchen-dining room, living room and Opa and Ms Gudi's bedroom on the first floor (that would be the second floor for you americans =) and us in the guest rooms w/ bathroom on the top floor.
The stairwell is unheated. Opa and Ms Gudi occasionally close their door (and lock it) to keep the drafts out. It also effectively keeps JBP out.
So, he rang the doorbell. That didn't work. Then he started jiggling the door handle and knocking. Still didn't work.
By then, of course, we were wide awake. Well, at least Der Deutscher was. I was aware.
Der Deutscher called JBP to us and asked him what was up. He explained the door was locked and he was HUNGRY! So Der Deutscher crawled out of bed, got dressed and headed to the bakery just down the street for breakfast. I love Europe!
Snow
Overnight the snow melted. When Der Deutscher left for breakfast there was nothing on the ground and nothing coming from the sky.
After breakfast however, it started snowing again. Big fat flakes. I mean really big. This time I got out the videocamera and got a couple minutes of video (along with a shot of Der Deutscher crawling back into bed.)
I explained to him how I'd tried to take a still photo yesterday of the snow and it didn't work. I said I probably didn't have the camera on the right shutter speed.
However, Der Deutscher took the comment as a slam at his camera, hopped back out of bed, grabbed his camera and proceeded to take a picture of the snow, on the right shutter speed.
Just goes to show him. I got the picture I wanted without having to learn anymore about his danged camera! pflbt!
Packing
Well, with our flight leaving at 7:25 a.m. tomorrow morning and the airport being more than a half hour away, we've already started packing.
When we came, we deliberately came with stuff we could've stuffed into one suitcase spread between two large suitcases with two smaller ones stuffed in as well. I haven't even touched the clothing yet and the two big suitcases are already almost full. I don't know how we're going to make it!
Undone
We have done (and enjoyed) most of the things we'd planned to do while here. However, there are a few things that will simply have to be let undone.
JBP did not get to ride the trains. That'll have to wait for his next trip to Europe. As will a castle with crenellation and towers. We never got around to that either.
I miscalculated and didn't get the last of my chocolate shopping done, oh horrors! But we have hopes of being able to finish that up at the duty free shop at the airport. Wish us luck.
I probably won't get to post again until I go back to work on Thursday, so take care. I'll let you know all about the return trip then (on a proper keyboard). Wish us luck!
Nimitz' Lady
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Saturday, November 26, 2005
JBP's Song
These are the words to the song JBP has made up and been singing almost non-stop for the last hour. "And the little children shall lead them." --Nimitz' Lady
----------
Salvation of the LORD, my Jesus
Now praise Him
Don't spit on anyone
He is mighty
(chorus)
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock! (go back to the beginning and start all over again!)
----------
Salvation of the LORD, my Jesus
Now praise Him
Don't spit on anyone
He is mighty
(chorus)
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock of my salvation
The LORD I love
He is the Rock! (go back to the beginning and start all over again!)
Tag #8
Church (11-26-05)
We actually set an alarm for this morning to make sure we'd make it to church on time. Man it was hard dragging my lazy butt out of bed. But, we made it.
The church is actually just a block away from my MIL's apartment, so Der Deutscher spent the morning with her while we attended services.
It's a small church, Der Advent Kapelle, with about 40 registered members. Maybe 20 were at services this morning. Lots of music/singing. JBP and I really enjoyed that. (JBP is running around singing about the Salvation of My Lord as I type!)
I was also surprised at how much of the service I understood. Yet another reminder I understand more of the local language than I can speak.
The congregation, as I expected, is mostly middle aged and elderly folk. Evidently the youth are all out on "missions". Der Deutscher says the SDA church has a reputation similar to Jehovah's Witnesses here for door to door evangelism. I have my doubts about the effectiveness of such in-your-face methods, but this is not my country and not my church.
There was only one family with children of any age, a two year old little girl and a five week old boy. The mother is Polish, the father German. He spoke quite good english and we conversed for some time after services were over.
The thing that frustrated me the most was during Sabbath School. I understood enough of the discussion that several times I had something I wanted to add. Unfortunately, by the time I'd figured out how to say it the group had moved on to other things.
The most interesting thing about the service was the lack of a 'sermon' as such. The pastor, or it may have been just a chief elder I'm not sure, just read an essay in a magazine written by Ellen G. White. It was informative, about the power of words and being careful what you say, but I'm not sure as to the purpose of reading it.
At the end of the service, they opened closing prayer up to anyone who had something to pray about. I liked that, although JBP was getting antsy by the time they'd finished.
After church, we were going to walk over to my MIL's apartment, but a nice couple insisted on driving us. Getting to the car and driving over actually took longer than it would've taken to walk, but it made them happy.
Der Deutscher, JBP and my MIL then went out to eat for lunch. Since it was Sabbath, I went back to my FIL's house, where we're staying, and napped. (Yes, in case you hadn't figured it out yet, my in-laws are divorced.)
Snow
Yesterday, it was snowing when we woke up. Der Deutscher called it MOI snow, or Melt-On-Impact. Nothing stuck.
Today it was a different story. The snow was coming down much thicker and actually stuck around. It was a very wet snow, so although some stuck around, it still mostly melted and never got very deep. Just enough to make life annoying without making it difficult or impossible.
However, this evening on the news we learned the snow caused power outages in just this state to some 250,000 homes. Sounds like the good old US of A to me!
JBP was quite excited about the snow and couldn't wait to get outside. He immediately started trying to make snowballs out of it. Because it was so wet it packed well.
The problem was, there was so little that after about two snowballs he was into the dirty snow. So, we made him stop. That's when he started turning his head up and trying to catch the snowflakes on his tongue.
Der Deutscher looked at him and asked, "What are you, a kid?"
Weihnachtsmarkt
We hit the Weihnachtsmarkt again tonight. JBP got to ride the carousel, again. I picked up the last gift I planned on buying for a friend who's pregnant. (I'm down to just 11 euro for the rest of the trip, although Der Deutscher says he's still swimming in money. I think his mom contributed. More chocolate! Yum!!!!)
JBP really wanted to go ice skating, but Der Deutscher doesn't know how and my ankles aren't strong enough for ice skates so JBP had to give that dream up.
We did splurge on some sweets, little cakes called poffertjes for JBP and pineapple rings fried in a cake batter and topped with cinnamon and sugar (ananasringe) for Der Deutscher and I.
JBP wanted cotton candy again but we told him he'd have to wait until tomorrow night. So I guess we're going back to the Weihnachtsmarkt at least one more time. Which is good, because I keep forgetting the camera and want to get some pictures of JBP there. He has soooo much fun. Plus, there's all sorts of yummy looking food I have yet to try.
Last time we went, I gave him 5 euro to spend on whatever he wanted. He got a cheap toy and some candy. Tonight he wanted to keep wandering around the Weihnachtsmarkt, that is until he realized he had no money to spend. Suddenly he was 'nearly frozen to death' and wanted to go home.
Nimitz' Lady
We actually set an alarm for this morning to make sure we'd make it to church on time. Man it was hard dragging my lazy butt out of bed. But, we made it.
The church is actually just a block away from my MIL's apartment, so Der Deutscher spent the morning with her while we attended services.
It's a small church, Der Advent Kapelle, with about 40 registered members. Maybe 20 were at services this morning. Lots of music/singing. JBP and I really enjoyed that. (JBP is running around singing about the Salvation of My Lord as I type!)
I was also surprised at how much of the service I understood. Yet another reminder I understand more of the local language than I can speak.
The congregation, as I expected, is mostly middle aged and elderly folk. Evidently the youth are all out on "missions". Der Deutscher says the SDA church has a reputation similar to Jehovah's Witnesses here for door to door evangelism. I have my doubts about the effectiveness of such in-your-face methods, but this is not my country and not my church.
There was only one family with children of any age, a two year old little girl and a five week old boy. The mother is Polish, the father German. He spoke quite good english and we conversed for some time after services were over.
The thing that frustrated me the most was during Sabbath School. I understood enough of the discussion that several times I had something I wanted to add. Unfortunately, by the time I'd figured out how to say it the group had moved on to other things.
The most interesting thing about the service was the lack of a 'sermon' as such. The pastor, or it may have been just a chief elder I'm not sure, just read an essay in a magazine written by Ellen G. White. It was informative, about the power of words and being careful what you say, but I'm not sure as to the purpose of reading it.
At the end of the service, they opened closing prayer up to anyone who had something to pray about. I liked that, although JBP was getting antsy by the time they'd finished.
After church, we were going to walk over to my MIL's apartment, but a nice couple insisted on driving us. Getting to the car and driving over actually took longer than it would've taken to walk, but it made them happy.
Der Deutscher, JBP and my MIL then went out to eat for lunch. Since it was Sabbath, I went back to my FIL's house, where we're staying, and napped. (Yes, in case you hadn't figured it out yet, my in-laws are divorced.)
Snow
Yesterday, it was snowing when we woke up. Der Deutscher called it MOI snow, or Melt-On-Impact. Nothing stuck.
Today it was a different story. The snow was coming down much thicker and actually stuck around. It was a very wet snow, so although some stuck around, it still mostly melted and never got very deep. Just enough to make life annoying without making it difficult or impossible.
However, this evening on the news we learned the snow caused power outages in just this state to some 250,000 homes. Sounds like the good old US of A to me!
JBP was quite excited about the snow and couldn't wait to get outside. He immediately started trying to make snowballs out of it. Because it was so wet it packed well.
The problem was, there was so little that after about two snowballs he was into the dirty snow. So, we made him stop. That's when he started turning his head up and trying to catch the snowflakes on his tongue.
Der Deutscher looked at him and asked, "What are you, a kid?"
Weihnachtsmarkt
We hit the Weihnachtsmarkt again tonight. JBP got to ride the carousel, again. I picked up the last gift I planned on buying for a friend who's pregnant. (I'm down to just 11 euro for the rest of the trip, although Der Deutscher says he's still swimming in money. I think his mom contributed. More chocolate! Yum!!!!)
JBP really wanted to go ice skating, but Der Deutscher doesn't know how and my ankles aren't strong enough for ice skates so JBP had to give that dream up.
We did splurge on some sweets, little cakes called poffertjes for JBP and pineapple rings fried in a cake batter and topped with cinnamon and sugar (ananasringe) for Der Deutscher and I.
JBP wanted cotton candy again but we told him he'd have to wait until tomorrow night. So I guess we're going back to the Weihnachtsmarkt at least one more time. Which is good, because I keep forgetting the camera and want to get some pictures of JBP there. He has soooo much fun. Plus, there's all sorts of yummy looking food I have yet to try.
Last time we went, I gave him 5 euro to spend on whatever he wanted. He got a cheap toy and some candy. Tonight he wanted to keep wandering around the Weihnachtsmarkt, that is until he realized he had no money to spend. Suddenly he was 'nearly frozen to death' and wanted to go home.
Nimitz' Lady
Friday, November 25, 2005
Tag #7
Nothing Much
Due to JBP's obvious need for some quiet time, we didn't do much today. Mostly stayed home and read books. JBP spent his time playing happily with his toys on the floor. Mostly new lego vehicles his Opa and Ms Gudi got him.
We did hit the stores once this afternoon to do a little bit more shopping, mostly a few household items that need replacing at home and some gifts. I'm saving the last of my money for our visit to the Weihnachtsmarkt tomorrow evening. It opened last night and we went for a short time.
JBP bought a cheap toy and some cotton candy and had a blast. Until Der Deutscher confiscated the toy because JBP almost hit someone in the face with it. He simply wasn't paying attention.
I'll try to write more tomorrow. Got to go right now. It's way past JBP's bed time (like we've paid much attention to that this week!) and he's got to get up for church tomorrow. Hope we find the place.
Plus, he's acting up. I think he's just overtired, but we can't let him get away with it.
Happy Sabbath
Nimitz' Lady
Due to JBP's obvious need for some quiet time, we didn't do much today. Mostly stayed home and read books. JBP spent his time playing happily with his toys on the floor. Mostly new lego vehicles his Opa and Ms Gudi got him.
We did hit the stores once this afternoon to do a little bit more shopping, mostly a few household items that need replacing at home and some gifts. I'm saving the last of my money for our visit to the Weihnachtsmarkt tomorrow evening. It opened last night and we went for a short time.
JBP bought a cheap toy and some cotton candy and had a blast. Until Der Deutscher confiscated the toy because JBP almost hit someone in the face with it. He simply wasn't paying attention.
I'll try to write more tomorrow. Got to go right now. It's way past JBP's bed time (like we've paid much attention to that this week!) and he's got to get up for church tomorrow. Hope we find the place.
Plus, he's acting up. I think he's just overtired, but we can't let him get away with it.
Happy Sabbath
Nimitz' Lady
Tag #6
"Don't Wanna Go" (11-24-05)
I can tell our on-the-go vacation is starting to get to JBP. This morning, my little boy who starts each morning with the words, "Where are we going today, Mommy," vehemently fought going anywhere. This presaged a very difficult day ahead for us.
Autobahn
Despite JBP's reluctance we did hit the road today. This was Der Deutscher's second chance to drive the autobahn. Every American male's dream.
As soon as JBP realized where we were going, he asked, "Daddy, will you speed for me?"
Der Deutscher tried to explain that when there are no posted speed limits you can't be speeding. But JBP just doesn't get it. All he knows is here his Dada drives really fast on the highway, something he can't do at home.
Needless to say, Der Deutscher was perfectly happy to accede to JBP's need for speed.
But, about five minutes into the drive, JBP suddenly became quite anxious to slow down. He thought there was a cop car behind us. He really didn't get that it's legal to drive that fast here.
Mall
The concept of the mall has unfortunately infected Europe. That's right we went to a mall, right here in the middle of the continent. There wasn't even the excuse of a nearby American base. It simply is.
Although it is like an American mall in that it's a series of stores all under the same roof, etc, there are a few important differences.
- The temperature. The mall here is kept cool enough that you're comfortable leaving your coat on throughout your shopping expedition. But it's not so cool that you'll gte cold.
- The interior decorating. They've done their best to make it look like you're strolling down an indeterminate european street doing your shopping at traditional stores, not in an americanized shopping center. The decoration even includes false second story balconies, etc, in the food court.
- The Food Court. Yes, there is a food court. But other than the ubiquitous McDonald's and Subway stores that you now find everywhere, the offerings are uniquely european. For example, we stopped at a yoghurt parfait store for lunch. I ordered something called an Amarenabercher because it looked like it had blueberries in it. There are no blueberries in europe. Forget it, they simply don't exist. What I got actually had cherries in it (Kirsche in the local lingo.) It was OK, but not what my mouth was all set for.
Convenience Stores
You know, the stores attached to gas stations around the world. They sell all those little items you may need on a trip, at an outrageous price.
One major difference here, instead of advertising things like 'breakfast sandwiches' and Krispy Kremes they advertise Brotchen. That's my kind of fast food!
Nimitz' Lady
Tag #5
Breakfast (11-23-05)
Due to jetlag (although minor) JBP's eating habits have been a little off kilter. Mainly, he's not been hungry at standard eating times. For that matter, neither have I.
Anyway, this morning he, again, didn't eat at the breakfast table. But, shortly after we left the house, he started saying, 'I'm hungry.'
Ironically or not, this occured right after we rounded the corner and passed the first bakery.
Being the suckers that we are, we let him pick out one thing to eat. His first choice, an American-type donut. Der Deutscher vehemently vetoed this choice, with my full support.
JBP's second choice: something called an Amerikaner. It looks absolutely horrid, sort of like half a hamburger bun with plain white frosting across the top. Yuck! We vetoed that as well.
His third, and final choice, a Berliner. Needless to say, I then had to share with my 5 year old the JFK Ich bin ein Berliner joke. He actually seemed to get it.
Castle
JBP's one great passion about this trip has been to see a CASTLE. Today we tried to appease that passion. Although he enjoyed the trip, I don't think he agrees that he's actually seen a castle.
The problem, no towers and no crenellation!
His favorite part of the trip however was when we reached the top floor and what appeared to be an attack. The museum had it set up like a children's nursery, full of toys, etc.
JBP particularly seemed to like learning what sort of toys came from the time of Laura and Mary, from the Little House on the Prairie series which we've been reading.
But he's still not convinced that it wsa a castle. Even though I reminded him how his book about castles says not all castles have crenellation and towers, they remain his definition.
We'll have to see if we can find something appropriate before we leave. But I'm not sure where or when.
Movie
While out and about today we ended up shopping, again. Poor JBP is getting pretty fed up with us about that.
Anyway, today we stopped at a music/movie store. Der Deutscher was looking for some CD's he hasn't been able to find in the States. (He found them, by the way.)
Well, while there, JBP started looking at all the kids movies. I'd love to have gotten him some of the Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder stuff. Unfortunately, VHS tapes sold here won't work on American equipment and most DVD's are region protected, so they won't either.
I told him we'd have to find something that would play on a Region #1 DVD player and I doubted that was possible. He was determined however, between my genes and Der Deutscher's he has no choice about stubborness, and eventually found a movie that should play on our DVD player at home.
It's a basic DVD with a local kids' show on it. I didn't really think he'd watch it, even though he insisted on buying it. But, he sat down as soon as we got home and watched all three episodes on the DVD! Completely in German. Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn.
Croation Supper
Tonight we ate supper at a local Croation restaurant. It's owned by, big surprise, a Croation national who's lived here for some three decades. He's also a friend of Der Deutscher's family.
He was quite excited when we showed up and especially enamored of JBP. Who isn't?
While we were there he managed to take several pictures of the young man and promised to post them on the restaurant walls. He also gave JBP a free ice cream desert.
Obviously he knows this family well. It's love is easily won with a little bit of ice cream.
On a side note, the food was good but, of course, mostly meat. So, I had just tomato soup, salad and djuwetische rice, which is something like spanish rice but with more of a kick to it.
SDA
During supper tonight, Ms Gudi asked JBP if he'd like to accompany her to the airport on Saturday to pick up her daughter. When I told her he couldn't because we'd be in church I then had to explain why we'd be in church on Saturday.
Explaining Seventh-day Adventism can be tricky at the best of times, but across the language barrier? But after several tries, and with some very recent and quite helpful advice from my pastor ringing in my ears, I got the point across.
Basically, we're Christians. We believe in Jesus, Salvation through Grace, etc. The 'Adventist' part stands for our belief that Christ will return. (That was a fun one. For awhile they thought that meant Jesus would be born again!) The Seventh-day part means we believe God never changed the Jewish Sabbath from the seventh day of the week, which remains Saturday, no matter what the European calendars say!
)(?=(%/$$§&%$- Catholic Church!
Now we just have to find our way to the church Sabbath morning and hope it hasn't moved since it's address was posted on the web.
Too Much Sugar
Ever since we've gotten here, JBP has subsisted on a diet of almost pure sugar. This is a combination of jetlag-induced odd eating habits and grandparents wishing to treat him.
Unfortunately sugar affects him very quickly, and not in a good way. Needless to say the angelic behavior from the first few days is long since history. Not that he's become Bart Simpson or anything, but his behavior has definitely deteriorated.
So, this morning I told him, 'No sugar today, for either of us.' I've been hitting the sweets department a bit hard myself that last few days. He didn't have a problem with this pronouncement. He never does when it involves both of us.
But, it was next to impossible to adhere to too strictly. Between bakery meals, hot chocolate instead of coffee (yeah, right, I'm going to let Mr. Energy ingest caffeine!) and gifts of ice cream he still got plenty of sugar. But, his behavior is also slowly improving, so it wasn't a complete wash.
Due to jetlag (although minor) JBP's eating habits have been a little off kilter. Mainly, he's not been hungry at standard eating times. For that matter, neither have I.
Anyway, this morning he, again, didn't eat at the breakfast table. But, shortly after we left the house, he started saying, 'I'm hungry.'
Ironically or not, this occured right after we rounded the corner and passed the first bakery.
Being the suckers that we are, we let him pick out one thing to eat. His first choice, an American-type donut. Der Deutscher vehemently vetoed this choice, with my full support.
JBP's second choice: something called an Amerikaner. It looks absolutely horrid, sort of like half a hamburger bun with plain white frosting across the top. Yuck! We vetoed that as well.
His third, and final choice, a Berliner. Needless to say, I then had to share with my 5 year old the JFK Ich bin ein Berliner joke. He actually seemed to get it.
Castle
JBP's one great passion about this trip has been to see a CASTLE. Today we tried to appease that passion. Although he enjoyed the trip, I don't think he agrees that he's actually seen a castle.
The problem, no towers and no crenellation!
His favorite part of the trip however was when we reached the top floor and what appeared to be an attack. The museum had it set up like a children's nursery, full of toys, etc.
JBP particularly seemed to like learning what sort of toys came from the time of Laura and Mary, from the Little House on the Prairie series which we've been reading.
But he's still not convinced that it wsa a castle. Even though I reminded him how his book about castles says not all castles have crenellation and towers, they remain his definition.
We'll have to see if we can find something appropriate before we leave. But I'm not sure where or when.
Movie
While out and about today we ended up shopping, again. Poor JBP is getting pretty fed up with us about that.
Anyway, today we stopped at a music/movie store. Der Deutscher was looking for some CD's he hasn't been able to find in the States. (He found them, by the way.)
Well, while there, JBP started looking at all the kids movies. I'd love to have gotten him some of the Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder stuff. Unfortunately, VHS tapes sold here won't work on American equipment and most DVD's are region protected, so they won't either.
I told him we'd have to find something that would play on a Region #1 DVD player and I doubted that was possible. He was determined however, between my genes and Der Deutscher's he has no choice about stubborness, and eventually found a movie that should play on our DVD player at home.
It's a basic DVD with a local kids' show on it. I didn't really think he'd watch it, even though he insisted on buying it. But, he sat down as soon as we got home and watched all three episodes on the DVD! Completely in German. Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn.
Croation Supper
Tonight we ate supper at a local Croation restaurant. It's owned by, big surprise, a Croation national who's lived here for some three decades. He's also a friend of Der Deutscher's family.
He was quite excited when we showed up and especially enamored of JBP. Who isn't?
While we were there he managed to take several pictures of the young man and promised to post them on the restaurant walls. He also gave JBP a free ice cream desert.
Obviously he knows this family well. It's love is easily won with a little bit of ice cream.
On a side note, the food was good but, of course, mostly meat. So, I had just tomato soup, salad and djuwetische rice, which is something like spanish rice but with more of a kick to it.
SDA
During supper tonight, Ms Gudi asked JBP if he'd like to accompany her to the airport on Saturday to pick up her daughter. When I told her he couldn't because we'd be in church I then had to explain why we'd be in church on Saturday.
Explaining Seventh-day Adventism can be tricky at the best of times, but across the language barrier? But after several tries, and with some very recent and quite helpful advice from my pastor ringing in my ears, I got the point across.
Basically, we're Christians. We believe in Jesus, Salvation through Grace, etc. The 'Adventist' part stands for our belief that Christ will return. (That was a fun one. For awhile they thought that meant Jesus would be born again!) The Seventh-day part means we believe God never changed the Jewish Sabbath from the seventh day of the week, which remains Saturday, no matter what the European calendars say!
)(?=(%/$$§&%$- Catholic Church!
Now we just have to find our way to the church Sabbath morning and hope it hasn't moved since it's address was posted on the web.
Too Much Sugar
Ever since we've gotten here, JBP has subsisted on a diet of almost pure sugar. This is a combination of jetlag-induced odd eating habits and grandparents wishing to treat him.
Unfortunately sugar affects him very quickly, and not in a good way. Needless to say the angelic behavior from the first few days is long since history. Not that he's become Bart Simpson or anything, but his behavior has definitely deteriorated.
So, this morning I told him, 'No sugar today, for either of us.' I've been hitting the sweets department a bit hard myself that last few days. He didn't have a problem with this pronouncement. He never does when it involves both of us.
But, it was next to impossible to adhere to too strictly. Between bakery meals, hot chocolate instead of coffee (yeah, right, I'm going to let Mr. Energy ingest caffeine!) and gifts of ice cream he still got plenty of sugar. But, his behavior is also slowly improving, so it wasn't a complete wash.
Tag #4
Xanten (11-22-05)
Today we visited an ancient Roman city on the northern-most edge of the Roman empire, Xanten. The ruins were discovered shortly before the turn of the century. The last one that is, not this one.
It's surprising just how excited a 5 year old can get about ruins. The most impressive piece was the partially reconstructed Roman temple. JBP could've spent all day exploring that.
They also had an example of how Roman homes were laid out, using shrubbery to indicate the walls.
The most fun for JBP was the playground designed to look like a Roman fortification. He probably would've wanted to stay all day, except it was getting cold out. Mostly the wind.
JBP was just as happy to check out the museum in town that accompanies the Ruins-Park. He was so eager to find out what happened when that he'd beg us to explain one display to him and then be off to the next one before we could get halfway through it.
We also checked out the cathedral there. JBP was impressed although he still has a little trouble understanding my explanations about religious differences and respecting said differences! It'll come.
"Shut-up!"
Every time Der Deutscher gets out of the car we've been loaned for the week, it starts dinging at him. Most of the time he mildly tells it to, "Shut-up".
Today, when Der Deutscher got out to close the garage door behind us, the car started dinging. Before he could say anything, JBP chimes in, "Shut-up!"
We laughed.
When we got to Xanten, JBP tried it again. Der Deutscher had to remind him of the rule, "Once, funny. Twice, annoying."
Chocolate Shopping
This evening, Der Deutscher and I took off solo for town to do our first round of chocolate shopping. (Aren't grandparents a wonderful thing?)
We checked out one store but chose not to buy anything there. At the next store however, we loaded ourselves down with just about as much chocolate as we could carry.
Most of it we still have. I must admit I've already broken into some of it! I still plan on buying another $20 or so worth of chocolate before we leave.
English Class
My Father-In-Law, aka Opa, and Mika attend an English language class at the local, I guess it's roughly equivalent to a community college. They were supposed to go tonight and take JBP with them for a little show-and-tell.
JBP was very excited and spent much of the day packing and repacking the little lunch bag Opa and Ms Gudi had given him.... for school!
For some reason, I couldn't quite figure out why, they decided to skip class tonight. Der Deutscher had told JBP this, but it didn't really sink in for him until bedtime. At which point, he wailed, 'But I have to go to schooooooooll!'
Nimitz' Lady
Today we visited an ancient Roman city on the northern-most edge of the Roman empire, Xanten. The ruins were discovered shortly before the turn of the century. The last one that is, not this one.
It's surprising just how excited a 5 year old can get about ruins. The most impressive piece was the partially reconstructed Roman temple. JBP could've spent all day exploring that.
They also had an example of how Roman homes were laid out, using shrubbery to indicate the walls.
The most fun for JBP was the playground designed to look like a Roman fortification. He probably would've wanted to stay all day, except it was getting cold out. Mostly the wind.
JBP was just as happy to check out the museum in town that accompanies the Ruins-Park. He was so eager to find out what happened when that he'd beg us to explain one display to him and then be off to the next one before we could get halfway through it.
We also checked out the cathedral there. JBP was impressed although he still has a little trouble understanding my explanations about religious differences and respecting said differences! It'll come.
"Shut-up!"
Every time Der Deutscher gets out of the car we've been loaned for the week, it starts dinging at him. Most of the time he mildly tells it to, "Shut-up".
Today, when Der Deutscher got out to close the garage door behind us, the car started dinging. Before he could say anything, JBP chimes in, "Shut-up!"
We laughed.
When we got to Xanten, JBP tried it again. Der Deutscher had to remind him of the rule, "Once, funny. Twice, annoying."
Chocolate Shopping
This evening, Der Deutscher and I took off solo for town to do our first round of chocolate shopping. (Aren't grandparents a wonderful thing?)
We checked out one store but chose not to buy anything there. At the next store however, we loaded ourselves down with just about as much chocolate as we could carry.
Most of it we still have. I must admit I've already broken into some of it! I still plan on buying another $20 or so worth of chocolate before we leave.
English Class
My Father-In-Law, aka Opa, and Mika attend an English language class at the local, I guess it's roughly equivalent to a community college. They were supposed to go tonight and take JBP with them for a little show-and-tell.
JBP was very excited and spent much of the day packing and repacking the little lunch bag Opa and Ms Gudi had given him.... for school!
For some reason, I couldn't quite figure out why, they decided to skip class tonight. Der Deutscher had told JBP this, but it didn't really sink in for him until bedtime. At which point, he wailed, 'But I have to go to schooooooooll!'
Nimitz' Lady
Monday, November 21, 2005
Tag #3
No Pictures (11-21-05)
I found out last night that Der Deutscher chose, chose!, not to bring the computer attachments for his camera. This means there will most likely be no pictures for the duration of this trip.
Sorry folks. I will do my best to post pictures as soon as possible after our return.
Shopping (11-21-05)
Today we met up with my Mother-in-Law (henceforth to be referred to as MIL)and hit the city center for a little shopping. Mostly of the window variety.
JBP picked the first store, a bookstore. The little one sure has the reading genes! Now if we could just get him past the passive listening stage and into the active reading to himself stage! I'm starting to lose my voice here!
In the long run all we bought was a toothbrush for me (we packed one less than we needed and I've been making do with Scope for the last three days), a pair of tiger claw slippers for JBP (The house has all wood and tile floors. Too cold for barefeet and too slippery for plain socks.), and brötchen.
Ahhh! Brötchen. That's probably what I've missed most about this country. I've been savoring at least one a day (I am trying not to go overboard here!) since we got here. But today was my first chance to get some fresh brötchen.
I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!
Mottes & Baileys (11-21-05)
Since, after all that shopping, JBP still did not appear tired, Der Deutscher and I took him for a stroll through the local Castle Park. It's the area surrounding the city's castle that has been turned into a public park.
JBP has been crazy to learn about castles ever since he learned we were headed to Europe. So, when we got there I started explaining to him how the raised area we were walking along was the original defensive wall called a motte. And the lower are we'd played soccer in yesterday was part of the castle's bailey.
The rest of the walk, JBP kept asking me if he was walking along the motte.
On a side note, in one part of the park's center there is a playground area. It includes a trapeze/monkey bar type pyramid for kids to climb on. JBP saw it from about 50 feet away and was off. Der Deutscher soon joined them.
I took pictures. Although to tell the truth, the only reason I stood by and played the adult was because my coat was too long to join them in their cavorting. Oh well, it looks good on me. The sacrifices we make for fashion!
Kezboarding (11-21-05)
You maz notice an occasionally rather weird tzpo from me. That's because I'm using a European keyboard with a slightly different configuration. For example, the Y is where the Z should be, and vice versa. It really bites! Not to mention how it slows me down when I'm in the middle of a good storz. So, please forgive anz strange typos.
Gute Nacht!
Nimitz' Lady
I found out last night that Der Deutscher chose, chose!, not to bring the computer attachments for his camera. This means there will most likely be no pictures for the duration of this trip.
Sorry folks. I will do my best to post pictures as soon as possible after our return.
Shopping (11-21-05)
Today we met up with my Mother-in-Law (henceforth to be referred to as MIL)and hit the city center for a little shopping. Mostly of the window variety.
JBP picked the first store, a bookstore. The little one sure has the reading genes! Now if we could just get him past the passive listening stage and into the active reading to himself stage! I'm starting to lose my voice here!
In the long run all we bought was a toothbrush for me (we packed one less than we needed and I've been making do with Scope for the last three days), a pair of tiger claw slippers for JBP (The house has all wood and tile floors. Too cold for barefeet and too slippery for plain socks.), and brötchen.
Ahhh! Brötchen. That's probably what I've missed most about this country. I've been savoring at least one a day (I am trying not to go overboard here!) since we got here. But today was my first chance to get some fresh brötchen.
I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!
Mottes & Baileys (11-21-05)
Since, after all that shopping, JBP still did not appear tired, Der Deutscher and I took him for a stroll through the local Castle Park. It's the area surrounding the city's castle that has been turned into a public park.
JBP has been crazy to learn about castles ever since he learned we were headed to Europe. So, when we got there I started explaining to him how the raised area we were walking along was the original defensive wall called a motte. And the lower are we'd played soccer in yesterday was part of the castle's bailey.
The rest of the walk, JBP kept asking me if he was walking along the motte.
On a side note, in one part of the park's center there is a playground area. It includes a trapeze/monkey bar type pyramid for kids to climb on. JBP saw it from about 50 feet away and was off. Der Deutscher soon joined them.
I took pictures. Although to tell the truth, the only reason I stood by and played the adult was because my coat was too long to join them in their cavorting. Oh well, it looks good on me. The sacrifices we make for fashion!
Kezboarding (11-21-05)
You maz notice an occasionally rather weird tzpo from me. That's because I'm using a European keyboard with a slightly different configuration. For example, the Y is where the Z should be, and vice versa. It really bites! Not to mention how it slows me down when I'm in the middle of a good storz. So, please forgive anz strange typos.
Gute Nacht!
Nimitz' Lady
Tages #1 & #2
Missing the Mark (11-17-05)
It's been ten years since the last time I traveled to Europe. Since then the money has changed. The last time I visited each country had its own currency and it was still doubtful whether the European Union would survive.
Today, the EU is a strong, going concern and it has co-opted all its members currencies with the ubiquitous Euro. It looks european enough, but it just lacks the history of the DeutchMark, the Franc, the Pound, etc.
Yet another change in this life I quess I have no choice but to accept.
Little Traveler (11-19-05)
JBP has once again proven what an excellent little traveler he can be. This 5.5 year old child sailed through the 14.5 hour trip across the ocean.
He only complained about his ears once, on the quick hop from our hometown to Chicago. After that he did fine.
On the long flight overseas, he spent most of his time watching the Cartoon Channel. This is not a channel I normally approve of, but it was the only child appropriate one available. So, I made an exception.
All our flights went well, except the last one. Fog at our destination city kept us sitting on the tarmac for more than an hour, waiting for permission to land. (As the flight was only about 45 minutes long, the tower wouldn't let us take off without landing permission.)
Der Deutscher and I had gotten little to no sleep on the long transatlantic flight and were pretty much in a stupor by then. JBP spent the wait quietly playing with the toys in his backpack. That let us sleep. Unfortunately, it also left us with toys spread out all over the place to pick up when we finally did take off.
After three flights and only four hours sleep, he was still able to be the perfect little gentleman upon arrival. He charmed his Opa, Miss Gudi, her brother Mika and his wife Miss Austria. (They all live in a charming four story home near the city center)
No Customs (11-19-05)
The first time I traveled to Europe, I was quite disappointed when I didn't get a stamp in my passport. Things have not changed under the EU. In fact, "customs" has gotten even easier to pass than ever. All the agent did was glance at my passport picture (which by now barely resembles me) then at me and ask me the purpose of my visit, before waving me through.
Ah well, at least I got a stamp in my old passport for entering and exiting Hungary!
Dream Kitchen (11-19-05)
Anyone who's visited my home knows my dissatisfaction with my kitchen, designed for a family that cooks with the microwave and eats out.
Needless to say, that is not my family.
Miss Gudi's kitchen, on the other hand, has enough room to move, plenty of storage for things like pots and pans, and a table that seats up to 10 people. Big surprise, my dream kitchen is in Europe.
Don't let me start about the bathrooms!
No Spanish Here (11-19-05)
I've spent the last several hours struggling to communicate in what is actually my third language. This is the language I've had the least training in and the least practice.
The most frustrating part of it is, since I'm trying to communicate in a language that is not English, anytime I can't come up with the word I want in the correct language my brain brings up the Spanish version.
The problem with this is, Der Deutscher does not speak Spanish. Nor does anyone else around here. So, while plenty of people speak at least some English, I might as well be in a county where no English is spoken.
Se habla espanol, anyone?
Schnell und Schneller (11-19-05)
JBP knows only one speed and that's full speed ahead. So, despite the seven hour time change he's just gone through he's still keeping a house full of adults hopping.
At least with six of us we can rotate out and get some rest.
Speaking of all these adults, JBP considers them nothing more than new toys. And, like any child with new toys, wants only to play with them. Forget the old, comfortable toys that have brought so much joy over the years.
While this is exhausting the rest of the household, it has allowed Der Deutscher and I to get some rest. Sort of.
(Wounded) Soccer Star (11-19-05)
JBP has a new favorite ball game, soccer. Our first night here, the family gathered around the TV to watch a recap of the day's games. Then, Sunday morning we all went to the local Castle Park to kick a soccer ball around with JBP.
He thought it was the next best thing to basketball. At least this is a "football" I can wrap my mind around!
JBP spent the next couple of hours running the lot of us ragged across the half-sized soccer field. During this time he took several tumbles, but rarely complained. Until the last one that is.
That time I was the goal keeper and, whilst defending my goal, accidentally kicked his feet out from under him. He landed with his elbow bent underneath him. No serious damage but a couple minor bruises and lingering aches.
Actually, it looks like I, the non-european, non-soccer playing Mommy, somehow came out the winner of the free-for-all we pretended was a game. Still haven't figured that one out.
Bis später, Nimitz' Lady
It's been ten years since the last time I traveled to Europe. Since then the money has changed. The last time I visited each country had its own currency and it was still doubtful whether the European Union would survive.
Today, the EU is a strong, going concern and it has co-opted all its members currencies with the ubiquitous Euro. It looks european enough, but it just lacks the history of the DeutchMark, the Franc, the Pound, etc.
Yet another change in this life I quess I have no choice but to accept.
Little Traveler (11-19-05)
JBP has once again proven what an excellent little traveler he can be. This 5.5 year old child sailed through the 14.5 hour trip across the ocean.
He only complained about his ears once, on the quick hop from our hometown to Chicago. After that he did fine.
On the long flight overseas, he spent most of his time watching the Cartoon Channel. This is not a channel I normally approve of, but it was the only child appropriate one available. So, I made an exception.
All our flights went well, except the last one. Fog at our destination city kept us sitting on the tarmac for more than an hour, waiting for permission to land. (As the flight was only about 45 minutes long, the tower wouldn't let us take off without landing permission.)
Der Deutscher and I had gotten little to no sleep on the long transatlantic flight and were pretty much in a stupor by then. JBP spent the wait quietly playing with the toys in his backpack. That let us sleep. Unfortunately, it also left us with toys spread out all over the place to pick up when we finally did take off.
After three flights and only four hours sleep, he was still able to be the perfect little gentleman upon arrival. He charmed his Opa, Miss Gudi, her brother Mika and his wife Miss Austria. (They all live in a charming four story home near the city center)
No Customs (11-19-05)
The first time I traveled to Europe, I was quite disappointed when I didn't get a stamp in my passport. Things have not changed under the EU. In fact, "customs" has gotten even easier to pass than ever. All the agent did was glance at my passport picture (which by now barely resembles me) then at me and ask me the purpose of my visit, before waving me through.
Ah well, at least I got a stamp in my old passport for entering and exiting Hungary!
Dream Kitchen (11-19-05)
Anyone who's visited my home knows my dissatisfaction with my kitchen, designed for a family that cooks with the microwave and eats out.
Needless to say, that is not my family.
Miss Gudi's kitchen, on the other hand, has enough room to move, plenty of storage for things like pots and pans, and a table that seats up to 10 people. Big surprise, my dream kitchen is in Europe.
Don't let me start about the bathrooms!
No Spanish Here (11-19-05)
I've spent the last several hours struggling to communicate in what is actually my third language. This is the language I've had the least training in and the least practice.
The most frustrating part of it is, since I'm trying to communicate in a language that is not English, anytime I can't come up with the word I want in the correct language my brain brings up the Spanish version.
The problem with this is, Der Deutscher does not speak Spanish. Nor does anyone else around here. So, while plenty of people speak at least some English, I might as well be in a county where no English is spoken.
Se habla espanol, anyone?
Schnell und Schneller (11-19-05)
JBP knows only one speed and that's full speed ahead. So, despite the seven hour time change he's just gone through he's still keeping a house full of adults hopping.
At least with six of us we can rotate out and get some rest.
Speaking of all these adults, JBP considers them nothing more than new toys. And, like any child with new toys, wants only to play with them. Forget the old, comfortable toys that have brought so much joy over the years.
While this is exhausting the rest of the household, it has allowed Der Deutscher and I to get some rest. Sort of.
(Wounded) Soccer Star (11-19-05)
JBP has a new favorite ball game, soccer. Our first night here, the family gathered around the TV to watch a recap of the day's games. Then, Sunday morning we all went to the local Castle Park to kick a soccer ball around with JBP.
He thought it was the next best thing to basketball. At least this is a "football" I can wrap my mind around!
JBP spent the next couple of hours running the lot of us ragged across the half-sized soccer field. During this time he took several tumbles, but rarely complained. Until the last one that is.
That time I was the goal keeper and, whilst defending my goal, accidentally kicked his feet out from under him. He landed with his elbow bent underneath him. No serious damage but a couple minor bruises and lingering aches.
Actually, it looks like I, the non-european, non-soccer playing Mommy, somehow came out the winner of the free-for-all we pretended was a game. Still haven't figured that one out.
Bis später, Nimitz' Lady
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Europe
You won't hear from me for a few days as this was my last day at work before heading to Europe. I will be updating once overseas (Sabbath or Sunday), but have no internet access at home.
See ya in Europe!
Nimitz' Lady
See ya in Europe!
Nimitz' Lady
Dilemma
I have a dilemma. Should I take pull-ups on our trip to Europe or not? I hadn't planned to. But then JBP wet the bed again last night.
To put things in perspective, JBP's only been potty trained for a little less than two years. He's only been able to stay dry through the night for about four months. Up until then he wore pull-ups every night.
After having to get up at 5:30 this morning to clean him up and change the sheets, I'm wondering if I should resurrect pull-ups for the trip?
JBP has already told me he doesn't want to be embarrassed by being a big boy in pull-ups in front of his Oma and Opa. But, would it be more embarrassing for him to sleep so deeply because of jetlag he wets the bed?
And what about the plane trip itself?
Should I just take them along in case he ends up needing them? Should I make him wear the pull-ups no matter what? Should I just wait and if he needs them buy them in Europe?
I don't mind the work of cleaning up after him that much. I just don't want my baby to be embarrassed or have bad memories about his first trip overseas.
Color me confused!
Nimitz' Lady
To put things in perspective, JBP's only been potty trained for a little less than two years. He's only been able to stay dry through the night for about four months. Up until then he wore pull-ups every night.
After having to get up at 5:30 this morning to clean him up and change the sheets, I'm wondering if I should resurrect pull-ups for the trip?
JBP has already told me he doesn't want to be embarrassed by being a big boy in pull-ups in front of his Oma and Opa. But, would it be more embarrassing for him to sleep so deeply because of jetlag he wets the bed?
And what about the plane trip itself?
Should I just take them along in case he ends up needing them? Should I make him wear the pull-ups no matter what? Should I just wait and if he needs them buy them in Europe?
I don't mind the work of cleaning up after him that much. I just don't want my baby to be embarrassed or have bad memories about his first trip overseas.
Color me confused!
Nimitz' Lady
A Chance Visit
We had a visit from Chance today. He's become an unofficial member of our family.
No, Chance isn't a two-legs. He's a four leg. In fact, he's the biggest danged Black Lab I've ever seen. If I didn't know he was a pure bred, I'd swear he was part Great Dane.
He, and his pal Buster, live the next neighborhood over. They're also a couple of escape artists who regularly take off for trips of exploration. Those trips usually end at our front door.
For some reason Chance and Buster have decided to make us their Family Away From Family, I guess you'd call it.
So, once a month or two we make a call to their real family to let them know the duo has shown up on our doorstep again.
Today, Chance showed up solo. When I called his people, only one was home and with no car. So, for the first time I drove Chance home. After more than two years of visits I now know where Chance and Buster live.
Nimitz' Lady
No, Chance isn't a two-legs. He's a four leg. In fact, he's the biggest danged Black Lab I've ever seen. If I didn't know he was a pure bred, I'd swear he was part Great Dane.
He, and his pal Buster, live the next neighborhood over. They're also a couple of escape artists who regularly take off for trips of exploration. Those trips usually end at our front door.
For some reason Chance and Buster have decided to make us their Family Away From Family, I guess you'd call it.
So, once a month or two we make a call to their real family to let them know the duo has shown up on our doorstep again.
Today, Chance showed up solo. When I called his people, only one was home and with no car. So, for the first time I drove Chance home. After more than two years of visits I now know where Chance and Buster live.
Nimitz' Lady
TV Time
For the last couple of years, JBP's been on a limited TV diet of 1.5 hours a day.
It actually all started with 9/11. Up until then, I never let JBP watch Kid's TV. I always watched my morning news shows. I was a news junky. Hey, how else do you think I ended up being a journalist?
Anyway, with 9/11 things changed. JBP didn't really understand what was going on. But he knew something was wrong and that upset him. So, for awhile we went to no TV.
Then, he started waking up before Mommy and Mommy needs her sleep, what little she gets of it. So Mommy started letting him watch PBS Kids.
What started out as a half hour or so a day slowly grew. Until, when he's sick we let him watch TV/movies all day long. The only problem with that? He's constantly sick so he can watch TV.
Plus, my European husband is more of an American when it comes to the boob tube. From the minute his eyes open until he leaves the house and from the time he comes home until he goes to sleep the TV is blaring.
So, JBP was really getting 1.5 hours of TV time with Mommy and 1.5 hours with Dada. That's why yesterday I completely banned TV from the morning schedule. Even if it means I lose some sleep, as I did today.
I'm already noticing a difference in his behavior. Less frenetic, more energetic, more focused, more willing to go play, etc. Which isn't to say the complaints aren't still coming. They're just slowing down.
Nimitz' Lady
It actually all started with 9/11. Up until then, I never let JBP watch Kid's TV. I always watched my morning news shows. I was a news junky. Hey, how else do you think I ended up being a journalist?
Anyway, with 9/11 things changed. JBP didn't really understand what was going on. But he knew something was wrong and that upset him. So, for awhile we went to no TV.
Then, he started waking up before Mommy and Mommy needs her sleep, what little she gets of it. So Mommy started letting him watch PBS Kids.
What started out as a half hour or so a day slowly grew. Until, when he's sick we let him watch TV/movies all day long. The only problem with that? He's constantly sick so he can watch TV.
Plus, my European husband is more of an American when it comes to the boob tube. From the minute his eyes open until he leaves the house and from the time he comes home until he goes to sleep the TV is blaring.
So, JBP was really getting 1.5 hours of TV time with Mommy and 1.5 hours with Dada. That's why yesterday I completely banned TV from the morning schedule. Even if it means I lose some sleep, as I did today.
I'm already noticing a difference in his behavior. Less frenetic, more energetic, more focused, more willing to go play, etc. Which isn't to say the complaints aren't still coming. They're just slowing down.
Nimitz' Lady
Mr. Fantastic 24/7
Did I mention JBP dressed as Mr. Fantastic this Halloween? Well, he did. He looked real cute too, in his sleek blue jumpsuit with the reflective 4 on his chest. The only thing is, he's still wearing the costume!
First thing in the morning, he slides it on over his clothes and won't take it off unless it's bathtime or basketball time. At least he'll take it off then. I've heard of kids who won't.
He slides it on and takes off. He swears the reflective strips and one piece-y-ness of it make him run faster and he races all over the house trying to prove it.
He also goes back and forth between referring to himself as Stretch Man, his title for Mr. Fantastic, and as the whole Fantastic Four team. I don't know where he gets this as I've never let him even read the comic books, let alone see the movie. Daycare, I guess.
Earlier this week I had to peel him out of the costume/uniform so I could wash it. He rediscovered it this morning while helping Grammy fold clothes. My, was he an excited 5 year old.
Now I have to convince him he can't wear it on the plane to Europe!
Nimitz' Lady
First thing in the morning, he slides it on over his clothes and won't take it off unless it's bathtime or basketball time. At least he'll take it off then. I've heard of kids who won't.
He slides it on and takes off. He swears the reflective strips and one piece-y-ness of it make him run faster and he races all over the house trying to prove it.
He also goes back and forth between referring to himself as Stretch Man, his title for Mr. Fantastic, and as the whole Fantastic Four team. I don't know where he gets this as I've never let him even read the comic books, let alone see the movie. Daycare, I guess.
Earlier this week I had to peel him out of the costume/uniform so I could wash it. He rediscovered it this morning while helping Grammy fold clothes. My, was he an excited 5 year old.
Now I have to convince him he can't wear it on the plane to Europe!
Nimitz' Lady
A Clean Basement
Well, after four and a half years in our home, we finally have a clean basement.
I started out today meaning to pick up the standard clutter and go through JBP's toys to get rid of the junk, outdated and just plain unused ones. But once I got started I just kept on going and going and going.
I ended up going through several boxes of things we'd piled up against the wall when we moved in. Fully intending, at the time, to unpack them next week. Next week turned out to be 4.5 years long!
By the time I was done, the size of our basement had doubled. Now, I'm full of Interior Designer Zeal, wanting to re-arrange and do all the things we'd thought about and talked about when we first moved in.
But first I've got to talk Der Deutscher into moving the couch four more feet away from his precious television. Of course, that's a post for a different time.
The real test now will be how long we can keep the basement clean! Wish me luck.
Nimitz' Lady
I started out today meaning to pick up the standard clutter and go through JBP's toys to get rid of the junk, outdated and just plain unused ones. But once I got started I just kept on going and going and going.
I ended up going through several boxes of things we'd piled up against the wall when we moved in. Fully intending, at the time, to unpack them next week. Next week turned out to be 4.5 years long!
By the time I was done, the size of our basement had doubled. Now, I'm full of Interior Designer Zeal, wanting to re-arrange and do all the things we'd thought about and talked about when we first moved in.
But first I've got to talk Der Deutscher into moving the couch four more feet away from his precious television. Of course, that's a post for a different time.
The real test now will be how long we can keep the basement clean! Wish me luck.
Nimitz' Lady
Monday, November 14, 2005
Religion Test
I found this cool religion test. It's a good way to test your understanding of your chosen faith's precepts. My #1 result was completely expected but most of the rest of the Top Ten was mildly surprising. The listed percentages indicate how much I agree with each faith's tenets.
1. Seventh Day Adventist (100%)
2. Orthodox Quaker (99%)
3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (96%)
4. Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant (92%)
5. Orthodox Judaism (92%)
6. Jehovah's Witness (85%)
7. Sikhism (82%)
8. Eastern Orthodox (80%)
9. Roman Catholic (80%)
10. Hinduism (78%)
11. Islam (75%)
12. Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (72%)
13. Bahá'à Faith (68%)
14. Liberal Quakers (66%)
15. Reform Judaism (64%)
16. Unitarian Universalism (56%)
17. Jainism (56%)
18. Theravada Buddhism (45%)
19. Mahayana Buddhism (44%)
20. Neo-Pagan (42%)
21. New Age (34%)
22. Taoism (33%)
23. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (31%)
24. Secular Humanism (31%)
25. Scientology (30%)
26. New Thought (29%)
27. Non-theist (23%)
Take the religion test for yourself.
Nimitz' Lady
1. Seventh Day Adventist (100%)
2. Orthodox Quaker (99%)
3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (96%)
4. Mainline - Conservative Christian Protestant (92%)
5. Orthodox Judaism (92%)
6. Jehovah's Witness (85%)
7. Sikhism (82%)
8. Eastern Orthodox (80%)
9. Roman Catholic (80%)
10. Hinduism (78%)
11. Islam (75%)
12. Mainline - Liberal Christian Protestants (72%)
13. Bahá'à Faith (68%)
14. Liberal Quakers (66%)
15. Reform Judaism (64%)
16. Unitarian Universalism (56%)
17. Jainism (56%)
18. Theravada Buddhism (45%)
19. Mahayana Buddhism (44%)
20. Neo-Pagan (42%)
21. New Age (34%)
22. Taoism (33%)
23. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (31%)
24. Secular Humanism (31%)
25. Scientology (30%)
26. New Thought (29%)
27. Non-theist (23%)
Take the religion test for yourself.
Nimitz' Lady
To do:
This is a small idea of what I still have to do before we leave Friday afternoon:
- Pick-up my Sabbath dress from the alteration shop
- Buy shoes to match Sabbath dress
- Buy book on tape for JBP
- Buy book about castles for JBP
- Do laundry
- Make compilaton music cd, so I don't have to drag dozens of cd's with me
- Rough pack so I know what's still missing
- Do more laundry
- Clean house
- Buy snacks for trip
- Take JBP on prep-walk to make sure he can handle his backpack the entire trip!
- Do even more laundry
- Stock up on dog and cat food
- Go through JBP's toys and get rid of at least half!
- Clean out my car
- Wash my car
- Pack again, see if anything else is still missing
- Unpack and get rid of half
- Do laundry yet again
- Final packing, dress & depart
I could keep going, but am exhausted just looking at what's on the list so far, not to mention broke! Four days and counting until departure, 1.5 days left at work.
Nimitz' Lady
Quote of the Day
Asst. News Director: "Alright, I'm going downstairs (to the breakroom). Is there anything I can eat for anybody?"
Nimitz' Lady
Nimitz' Lady
APNewsAlert
TOKYO (AP) - A 6.9-magnitude quake hits ocean east of Japan; tsunami warning issued. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Flying Crows
I just have to share this, we have a reporter with us who's never heard the term "as the crow flies". She's a big city girl.
Another reporter responded, "Maybe it's a rural thing, cause I've heard it all my life." She's a farm girl.
I've also heard it all my life, but having lived in both cities and rural small towns I couldn't tell you if it's particular to just one area.
But, I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that a college educated reporter had to have the phrase "as the crow flies" explained to her!
Of course, that's still not as bad as an argument I had a couple years ago with our female lead anchor. She insisted mutton was a different animal than sheep! And she grew up on a farm! Okay, it was a wheat farm, but it was still a farm!
It took me an hour and a half and a cyber-trip to the National Association of Sheepherders to convince her mutton is just another word for sheep meat!
I repeat, these are the people brining you your local TV news! Some are great, others make some mistakes I just can't believe!
Nimitz' Lady
Another reporter responded, "Maybe it's a rural thing, cause I've heard it all my life." She's a farm girl.
I've also heard it all my life, but having lived in both cities and rural small towns I couldn't tell you if it's particular to just one area.
But, I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that a college educated reporter had to have the phrase "as the crow flies" explained to her!
Of course, that's still not as bad as an argument I had a couple years ago with our female lead anchor. She insisted mutton was a different animal than sheep! And she grew up on a farm! Okay, it was a wheat farm, but it was still a farm!
It took me an hour and a half and a cyber-trip to the National Association of Sheepherders to convince her mutton is just another word for sheep meat!
I repeat, these are the people brining you your local TV news! Some are great, others make some mistakes I just can't believe!
Nimitz' Lady
Win #2
He shoots! He scores! He's getting a big head. JBP was instrumental in his team's second win of their mini-season (22 to 18). He scored almost exactly 50% of the points on the board this weekend, we lost count at one point, along with grabbing defensive and offensive rebounds like crazy and making good defensive plays.
He and the coach's daughter were the only two to get on the board this time around, and he knows it!
As we were leaving he started talking about, "JBP wins the game!"
Der Deutscher and I immediately jumped in with, "No, the Blue Team won the game. You played an important part in that, but your team won." He's not so sure he buys that. This is the downside of JBP being one of only two consistent scorers on the team and is exactly what Der Deutscher was afraid of after the first practice.
The good news, JBP will miss the next game, cause we'll be in Europe. (Yes, I intend to continue blogging while overseas, assuming I can find internet access.) He'll also miss the final game of their mini-season cause we'll be in Ames cheering on the Ladies.
So, JBP only has one game left. And, due to the Cyclone's season and our traveling to away games through January and February, we've decided not to sign JBP up for the next "season".
Hopefully by the "spring" season, assuming we sign up and I can get him on a team with first-thing-in-the-morning-games, JBP will have gotten over his ever enlarging noggin.
Nimitz' Lady
He and the coach's daughter were the only two to get on the board this time around, and he knows it!
As we were leaving he started talking about, "JBP wins the game!"
Der Deutscher and I immediately jumped in with, "No, the Blue Team won the game. You played an important part in that, but your team won." He's not so sure he buys that. This is the downside of JBP being one of only two consistent scorers on the team and is exactly what Der Deutscher was afraid of after the first practice.
The good news, JBP will miss the next game, cause we'll be in Europe. (Yes, I intend to continue blogging while overseas, assuming I can find internet access.) He'll also miss the final game of their mini-season cause we'll be in Ames cheering on the Ladies.
So, JBP only has one game left. And, due to the Cyclone's season and our traveling to away games through January and February, we've decided not to sign JBP up for the next "season".
Hopefully by the "spring" season, assuming we sign up and I can get him on a team with first-thing-in-the-morning-games, JBP will have gotten over his ever enlarging noggin.
Nimitz' Lady
Friday, November 11, 2005
Yee-Haw!
I've finally crested the 300 visitor mark. Of course, at least 200 of those visits were my mother. But what the hey!
I'll celebrate anyway.
Nimitz' Lady
I'll celebrate anyway.
Nimitz' Lady
Politics & Laughs
Here are a couple of AP wires I found interesting and/or hilarious. Check them out. --Nimitz' Lady
Interesting:
Majority questions Bush administration ethics in a time of war
WASHINGTON (AP) - A new survey finds almost six in ten Americans do not think President Bush is honest.
The A-P-Ipsos poll also shows the same number don't think the Bush administration has high ethical standards.
The loss of trust complicates Bush's efforts to rebuild his standing with the public. The new poll has his overall job approval rating stuck at 37 percent. That's the lowest it's been.
On terrorism and foreign policy, which have been among Bush's strong points in the polls, only about four-in-ten now approve.
The A-P-Ipsos survey puts the Iraq war at the core of the public's displeasure.
And more than eight in ten people describe Bush as "stubborn." Almost as many Republicans as Democrats agree with that description.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Hilarious:
HILLSDALE, Mich. (AP) - So what do you want to be when you grow p?
Michael Sessions of Hillsdale, Michigan, may not have to wait to find out. He's 18 and he's hanging on to a two-vote lead in the race for mayor.
The county clerk says the official tally from Tuesday's election shows 668 votes for incumbent Doug Ingles and 670 for Sessions.
Sessions paid for his door-to-door campaign with 700 dollars he saved up from a summer job.
Ingles has until next Wednesday to ask for a recount.
But the apparent win was good enough to get Sessions on the "Late Show with David Letterman" for a Top Ten list of "Good Things About Being an 18-year-old Mayor."
Number ten was, "Parents try to tell me what to do, I raise their taxes." Number one: "It's flattering when President Bush calls me for advice."
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Interesting:
Majority questions Bush administration ethics in a time of war
WASHINGTON (AP) - A new survey finds almost six in ten Americans do not think President Bush is honest.
The A-P-Ipsos poll also shows the same number don't think the Bush administration has high ethical standards.
The loss of trust complicates Bush's efforts to rebuild his standing with the public. The new poll has his overall job approval rating stuck at 37 percent. That's the lowest it's been.
On terrorism and foreign policy, which have been among Bush's strong points in the polls, only about four-in-ten now approve.
The A-P-Ipsos survey puts the Iraq war at the core of the public's displeasure.
And more than eight in ten people describe Bush as "stubborn." Almost as many Republicans as Democrats agree with that description.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Hilarious:
HILLSDALE, Mich. (AP) - So what do you want to be when you grow p?
Michael Sessions of Hillsdale, Michigan, may not have to wait to find out. He's 18 and he's hanging on to a two-vote lead in the race for mayor.
The county clerk says the official tally from Tuesday's election shows 668 votes for incumbent Doug Ingles and 670 for Sessions.
Sessions paid for his door-to-door campaign with 700 dollars he saved up from a summer job.
Ingles has until next Wednesday to ask for a recount.
But the apparent win was good enough to get Sessions on the "Late Show with David Letterman" for a Top Ten list of "Good Things About Being an 18-year-old Mayor."
Number ten was, "Parents try to tell me what to do, I raise their taxes." Number one: "It's flattering when President Bush calls me for advice."
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Turkey Feed
Last night, JBP wanted to eat some grapes. This after he'd quaffed three glasses of cider and eaten at least two apples.
In fear of an explosive diarrhea situation, I nixed the grapes and told him to find something with some protein in it.
He came back with some Turkey slices (kept in the fridge for JBP and Der Deutscher, since the rest of the family is vegetarian).
JBP crawled up onto the loveseat next to me. His dish of choice immediately captured Nimitz' attention (he was sitting on my lap).
Since JBP adores having feline attention, he immediately began *sharing* the turkey. A few minutes later Ja, the younger lab mix, noticed the meat filled handouts and begged some for herself.
Suddenly I was having a flashback to our first Thanksgiving out of the dorms. Despite the aforementioned vegetarian lifestyle, I cooked Der Deutscher a whole turkey that year (and several after it).
He sat down on the LazyBoy with a plateful of turkey and was immediately surrounded by a still-kitten Nimitz, Se our older lab and Singer (our housemate's ancient siamese cat).
The feeding went something like this: 1 bite for Singer, 1 for Se, 1 for Nimitz, 2 for Der Deutscher. Repeat.
It was an absolutely hilarious site and JBP repeated it last night. So cute!
Nimitz' Lady
In fear of an explosive diarrhea situation, I nixed the grapes and told him to find something with some protein in it.
He came back with some Turkey slices (kept in the fridge for JBP and Der Deutscher, since the rest of the family is vegetarian).
JBP crawled up onto the loveseat next to me. His dish of choice immediately captured Nimitz' attention (he was sitting on my lap).
Since JBP adores having feline attention, he immediately began *sharing* the turkey. A few minutes later Ja, the younger lab mix, noticed the meat filled handouts and begged some for herself.
Suddenly I was having a flashback to our first Thanksgiving out of the dorms. Despite the aforementioned vegetarian lifestyle, I cooked Der Deutscher a whole turkey that year (and several after it).
He sat down on the LazyBoy with a plateful of turkey and was immediately surrounded by a still-kitten Nimitz, Se our older lab and Singer (our housemate's ancient siamese cat).
The feeding went something like this: 1 bite for Singer, 1 for Se, 1 for Nimitz, 2 for Der Deutscher. Repeat.
It was an absolutely hilarious site and JBP repeated it last night. So cute!
Nimitz' Lady
Solved
Apparently the solution to my formatting problem is to simly scrap the format and change templates.
Let me know what you think of the new look. It's as easy as a click of a (few) button(s) to change it again.
The color scheme isn't really my first choice. But then, none of the templates came in Cyclone Cardinal and Gold and I don't have the know-how to design my own template.
If I ever do figure it out, believe me you'll see quite a change in look! =)
Nimitz' Lady
Let me know what you think of the new look. It's as easy as a click of a (few) button(s) to change it again.
The color scheme isn't really my first choice. But then, none of the templates came in Cyclone Cardinal and Gold and I don't have the know-how to design my own template.
If I ever do figure it out, believe me you'll see quite a change in look! =)
Nimitz' Lady
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Heeellllpppp!
For some reason, when I re-posted a note yesterday my profile on the righthand side of the webpage moved down to the bottom. I don't know why and can't figure out how to fix it.
Any suggestions, theories, hare-brained ideas about how to fix this would be very welcome.
Please!
Nimitz' Lady
Any suggestions, theories, hare-brained ideas about how to fix this would be very welcome.
Please!
Nimitz' Lady
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Yes, I have an accent
As I was just reminded by my friend Veggiegrrl, I too have an accent. Having spent most of my growing up years in Michigan (with regular sojourns elsewhere across the country) my accent is pretty distinctive to anyone who knows what to listen for.
Here's a guide to the Michigan accent (at least the parts of it I'm guilty of):
"Aent": Aunt. When you hear Will Smith talk about his "awntie", doesn't that just sound wrong?
"Ciddy": City. Which ciddy in Michigin are ya from? Baddle Creek, er AnNarbor?
"COMF-terbul": Comfortable. The caabz in those F150's are damned comfterbul.
"Frigerraider": Refrigerator. Hey, why waste energy on that first syllable? They know whut yer tockin' about. Maahm sez you left the melk outta the frigerraider again!
"GROSHries": Groceries. Wouldjamind goin' to the groshry store?
"Kiddycorner": Kitty-corner. Elsewhere in the US: "catty-corner". Local variation of "cater-corner," the actual original English word. "When I was a kid, we lived kiddycorner from the Brznickiwiczskiszaks."
"Michiganderr": Michigan native. Who knows where the hell this came from. All I know is, I am not a duck.
"Pah-neeack": Pontiac. Ya might live in Pahniac, er ya might drive one. An' ya might be embarrassed.
"Pahp": Pop. "Soda", in other parts of the world. Hey, do they call it a Sodasicle? I think not. "Let's stahp by SevenuhLeven and gedduh pahp."
"Vanella": Vanilla. "Didja hear? GM's got a new color for the Z34 body style: vanella."
"Wuds": Woods. Be careful in the wuds... it's deer season, an' ya got 30,000 unemployed auto workers, drunk off their ass, armed ta the teeth with high-powered weapons. I love Michigan!
"Yuh": You. How the hell arrrrya? How ya doin'? What thuh helleryuh thinkin' about? Where ya goin'? Ya goin' bowlin' tonight? Er snowmobilin'? Ice fishin' might be kiina fun.
And here are some other crazy things we Michiganders say:
Geez-o-pete!": Related: "Geez-Louise!" A Michigan expletive for polite company, having something to do with Jesus and St. Peter. The funny thing about this one is that in Cincinnati, they say "GEE-zle." In Ireland: "JAYsus."
"Glovebox": US equivalent: glove compartment. Do you suppose that, at one time, people actually kept gloves in it, instead of napkins, Altoids, tire pressure checkers and a Glock Nine?
"How'zit goin'?" In other parts of the world, the equivalent of "what's up?" or "how are you?"
"Michigan Left": A right turn onto a boulevard followed by an immediate u-turn at the next available crossover. This keeps traffic from backing up at intersections with boulevards... only other place I've seen this is in Maryland.
"The U.P.": Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you say you're goin' to The U-P, everyone knows what you're talking about. I've heard some non-natives trying to fit in leave off the word "The"... saying they "went to U.P." Are they smoking crack or what! Folks who live in the U.P. have an accent all their own that sounds very Canadian, and are called "Yoopers". Even the streets are funky, with their Finnish and Welch roots... "make a left at Lehtonen until you cross Hakktui Avenue." Unh-hunh. Say Yah to da hand, dude...
"You guys": No, not "youse guys", and yes, it refers to women as well. Michiganians use it without even thinking. No true native would be caught dead saying "y'all"... that's just not right. (California Accent Pronunciation Guide equivalent: "duuuuuuuudes!")
Thanks Veggiegrrl for this hilarious blast from the past.
Nimitz' Lady
Here's a guide to the Michigan accent (at least the parts of it I'm guilty of):
"Aent": Aunt. When you hear Will Smith talk about his "awntie", doesn't that just sound wrong?
"Ciddy": City. Which ciddy in Michigin are ya from? Baddle Creek, er AnNarbor?
"COMF-terbul": Comfortable. The caabz in those F150's are damned comfterbul.
"Frigerraider": Refrigerator. Hey, why waste energy on that first syllable? They know whut yer tockin' about. Maahm sez you left the melk outta the frigerraider again!
"GROSHries": Groceries. Wouldjamind goin' to the groshry store?
"Kiddycorner": Kitty-corner. Elsewhere in the US: "catty-corner". Local variation of "cater-corner," the actual original English word. "When I was a kid, we lived kiddycorner from the Brznickiwiczskiszaks."
"Michiganderr": Michigan native. Who knows where the hell this came from. All I know is, I am not a duck.
"Pah-neeack": Pontiac. Ya might live in Pahniac, er ya might drive one. An' ya might be embarrassed.
"Pahp": Pop. "Soda", in other parts of the world. Hey, do they call it a Sodasicle? I think not. "Let's stahp by SevenuhLeven and gedduh pahp."
"Vanella": Vanilla. "Didja hear? GM's got a new color for the Z34 body style: vanella."
"Wuds": Woods. Be careful in the wuds... it's deer season, an' ya got 30,000 unemployed auto workers, drunk off their ass, armed ta the teeth with high-powered weapons. I love Michigan!
"Yuh": You. How the hell arrrrya? How ya doin'? What thuh helleryuh thinkin' about? Where ya goin'? Ya goin' bowlin' tonight? Er snowmobilin'? Ice fishin' might be kiina fun.
And here are some other crazy things we Michiganders say:
Geez-o-pete!": Related: "Geez-Louise!" A Michigan expletive for polite company, having something to do with Jesus and St. Peter. The funny thing about this one is that in Cincinnati, they say "GEE-zle." In Ireland: "JAYsus."
"Glovebox": US equivalent: glove compartment. Do you suppose that, at one time, people actually kept gloves in it, instead of napkins, Altoids, tire pressure checkers and a Glock Nine?
"How'zit goin'?" In other parts of the world, the equivalent of "what's up?" or "how are you?"
"Michigan Left": A right turn onto a boulevard followed by an immediate u-turn at the next available crossover. This keeps traffic from backing up at intersections with boulevards... only other place I've seen this is in Maryland.
"The U.P.": Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you say you're goin' to The U-P, everyone knows what you're talking about. I've heard some non-natives trying to fit in leave off the word "The"... saying they "went to U.P." Are they smoking crack or what! Folks who live in the U.P. have an accent all their own that sounds very Canadian, and are called "Yoopers". Even the streets are funky, with their Finnish and Welch roots... "make a left at Lehtonen until you cross Hakktui Avenue." Unh-hunh. Say Yah to da hand, dude...
"You guys": No, not "youse guys", and yes, it refers to women as well. Michiganians use it without even thinking. No true native would be caught dead saying "y'all"... that's just not right. (California Accent Pronunciation Guide equivalent: "duuuuuuuudes!")
Thanks Veggiegrrl for this hilarious blast from the past.
Nimitz' Lady
How many photogs....
How many photogs does it take to jump start a car?
As I was leaving work Monday for my supper break I noticed the guy parked right in front of me on the street had his car hood up. I checked with him and he said he was waiting for someone who'd gone inside looking for some jumper cables.
While we waited I pulled my car around so we were nose to nose. When our anchor came out, he was joined by our chief photog and the executive producer. Later two more photographers and a reporter joined us.
Most just stood around while we hooked up the batteries and I revved up my car. Then we waited while the other guy's battery re-charged.
It was at this point that one of the photogs looked around and asked.... How many photogs does it take to jump a car?
At our TV station it appears the answer is 3 photogs, 2 managers, 1 reporter and 1 anchor!
Nimitz' Lady
As I was leaving work Monday for my supper break I noticed the guy parked right in front of me on the street had his car hood up. I checked with him and he said he was waiting for someone who'd gone inside looking for some jumper cables.
While we waited I pulled my car around so we were nose to nose. When our anchor came out, he was joined by our chief photog and the executive producer. Later two more photographers and a reporter joined us.
Most just stood around while we hooked up the batteries and I revved up my car. Then we waited while the other guy's battery re-charged.
It was at this point that one of the photogs looked around and asked.... How many photogs does it take to jump a car?
At our TV station it appears the answer is 3 photogs, 2 managers, 1 reporter and 1 anchor!
Nimitz' Lady
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Lucky Feline
From the Associated Press Wires:
Cat survives traffic, 70-foot fall from bridge, 600-foot swim
WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) - One plucky cat is waiting to go home. But no one knows where home is.
The cat is resting up at an animal shelter in Washington state after leaping from a pickup, scampering through traffic, plunging 70 feet into the chilly Columbia River and swimming 600 feet to shore.
Officials at the Wenatchee (weh-NA'-chee) Valley Humane Society officials say the "ate ravenously" after the ordeal.
Now, they're trying to figure out whose cat it is. The gray, long-hair calico has no collar.
Witnesses say the cat came off a pickup truck that was driving across a bridge. It managed to dash through traffic, and humane officials found it cowering in the center of the bridge. But before they could catch it, it leaped over the railing.
They watched the kitty hit the water below, go under, surface, then swim like mad. A man in a kayak helped guide it to shore.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Cat survives traffic, 70-foot fall from bridge, 600-foot swim
WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) - One plucky cat is waiting to go home. But no one knows where home is.
The cat is resting up at an animal shelter in Washington state after leaping from a pickup, scampering through traffic, plunging 70 feet into the chilly Columbia River and swimming 600 feet to shore.
Officials at the Wenatchee (weh-NA'-chee) Valley Humane Society officials say the "ate ravenously" after the ordeal.
Now, they're trying to figure out whose cat it is. The gray, long-hair calico has no collar.
Witnesses say the cat came off a pickup truck that was driving across a bridge. It managed to dash through traffic, and humane officials found it cowering in the center of the bridge. But before they could catch it, it leaped over the railing.
They watched the kitty hit the water below, go under, surface, then swim like mad. A man in a kayak helped guide it to shore.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Monday, November 07, 2005
"At All Costs"
My favorite herione is baaaaaack! After a three year hiatus, David Weber has released the latest installment in his Honor Harrington series. It's #11 in what many have come to call the Space Opera.
If you like Sci-Fi or if you just like a story with a good strong female central character, this is your type of story.
I can't say much about it, because Baen books just released it Thursday and if I give away the plot to fans who haven't read it yet I'll be one dead blogger!
Suffice to say, I read it in one sitting (it's some 300+ pages) and am impatiently waiting for Der Deutscher to finish reading it so I can start all over again!
If you've never read an Honor Harrington novel, I'd suggest you start with HH#1 On Basilisk Station. Any of the novels can be read independently, but they're ever so much better when read in order!
In fact, in preperation for this week, I've just re-read the first 10 books, some of which reach the 500 and 600 page size! One thing David Weber is not is short winded.
His plots are amazingly complex and will keep you hanging on right up to the last page. The only drawback is he gets waaay too caught up in the technical explanations of how this ship works or that missile targets things. When he starts going off on these almost tangents you can literally skip several pages and not miss anything.
But the skipping pages is worth it for the characters and the story. What a story!
And no, no one asked or paid me to provide a positive review for this book. It was completely spontaneous.
Nimitz' Lady
If you like Sci-Fi or if you just like a story with a good strong female central character, this is your type of story.
I can't say much about it, because Baen books just released it Thursday and if I give away the plot to fans who haven't read it yet I'll be one dead blogger!
Suffice to say, I read it in one sitting (it's some 300+ pages) and am impatiently waiting for Der Deutscher to finish reading it so I can start all over again!
If you've never read an Honor Harrington novel, I'd suggest you start with HH#1 On Basilisk Station. Any of the novels can be read independently, but they're ever so much better when read in order!
In fact, in preperation for this week, I've just re-read the first 10 books, some of which reach the 500 and 600 page size! One thing David Weber is not is short winded.
His plots are amazingly complex and will keep you hanging on right up to the last page. The only drawback is he gets waaay too caught up in the technical explanations of how this ship works or that missile targets things. When he starts going off on these almost tangents you can literally skip several pages and not miss anything.
But the skipping pages is worth it for the characters and the story. What a story!
And no, no one asked or paid me to provide a positive review for this book. It was completely spontaneous.
Nimitz' Lady
Basket-boy
This weekend my JBP had his first organized basketball game of the season. His team won 16 to 10. At their level, they play two 13 minute halves. A 26 minute game. He scored 3 baskets in that time and that was while having an off day shooting.
What became evident while watching him out there is that he's a Tracy Gahan or Lindsey Wilson type player. Don't know who they are? Check out the Iowa State Cyclones, that'll give you an idea.
Even when JBP's having a bad shooting day he still makes things happen. He was rebounding, both offensively and defensively, and stealing and assisting and making defensive plays that stopped the other team's progress toward the basket or even forced a turnover. He was all over the place.
His only real error came when he passed the ball to the guy on the other team he was supposed to be guarding, deliberately! They make the kids wear colored arm bands to indicate who they're supposed to be guarding. It confused him. He thought the kid with the same colored arm band was his teammate.
The long and the short of it, I fully expect to spend a good portion of the next decade or two on the sidelines cheering on my son in basketball. Pictures soon. I hope. =)
Nimitz' Lady
What became evident while watching him out there is that he's a Tracy Gahan or Lindsey Wilson type player. Don't know who they are? Check out the Iowa State Cyclones, that'll give you an idea.
Even when JBP's having a bad shooting day he still makes things happen. He was rebounding, both offensively and defensively, and stealing and assisting and making defensive plays that stopped the other team's progress toward the basket or even forced a turnover. He was all over the place.
His only real error came when he passed the ball to the guy on the other team he was supposed to be guarding, deliberately! They make the kids wear colored arm bands to indicate who they're supposed to be guarding. It confused him. He thought the kid with the same colored arm band was his teammate.
The long and the short of it, I fully expect to spend a good portion of the next decade or two on the sidelines cheering on my son in basketball. Pictures soon. I hope. =)
Nimitz' Lady
Things I love..
Der Deutscher is a genius at coming up with the perfect gift for any occasion. He's a man who'll spend weeks working on a gift and have it ready to go months ahead of time.
Me, not so much. I try to get him things I think he'll like. But, no matter how much I try, I just can't seem to get in gear more than a week or two ahead of schedule. For his birthday this year, I was shopping at midnight the night before for his gift. I'd known what I was going to get him for weeks. I just hadn't gotten it yet. Luckily, it was a hit. Probably the most used gift I've ever given him. (It was a five gallon hexagonal fish tank.)
Anyway, what this is all about is I'm actually on the ball this year. It's only the beginning of November and I'm already working on his Christmas gift. Of course, he's probably already got my gift wrapped and waiting somewhere in his black hole of a closet.
Here's the problem: I'm putting together, with my aunt's help, a day planner titled "365 Things I Love About You". Each day includes something I love about him, like the fact he always does the dishes. But, I'm only through March, about 60 days, and I'm starting to find it hard not to repeat myself. Argghhh! Must keep finding things to love about my hubby and fast!
Nimitz' Lady
Me, not so much. I try to get him things I think he'll like. But, no matter how much I try, I just can't seem to get in gear more than a week or two ahead of schedule. For his birthday this year, I was shopping at midnight the night before for his gift. I'd known what I was going to get him for weeks. I just hadn't gotten it yet. Luckily, it was a hit. Probably the most used gift I've ever given him. (It was a five gallon hexagonal fish tank.)
Anyway, what this is all about is I'm actually on the ball this year. It's only the beginning of November and I'm already working on his Christmas gift. Of course, he's probably already got my gift wrapped and waiting somewhere in his black hole of a closet.
Here's the problem: I'm putting together, with my aunt's help, a day planner titled "365 Things I Love About You". Each day includes something I love about him, like the fact he always does the dishes. But, I'm only through March, about 60 days, and I'm starting to find it hard not to repeat myself. Argghhh! Must keep finding things to love about my hubby and fast!
Nimitz' Lady
Friday, November 04, 2005
Prayer Request
There's a little boy in Alabama who needs all our prayers if he's to live. This 5 year old has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Please pray for him.
For more on JJ's story... http://www.jjsmiracle.com/
Nimitz' Lady
For more on JJ's story... http://www.jjsmiracle.com/
Nimitz' Lady
Adoption
Some have heard some of this story, others have no clue. But, I have always thought/assumed I would someday adopt a child.
In fact, when Der Deutscher and I got married adoption was officially part of our Family Plan. It wasn't until JBP was about a year old I found out we had completely different understandings of that plan.
To me it said, we'll have one child biologically (assuming it's possible) then adopt.
He thought it said, we might have one child biologically, then if we think we might be interested in maybe thinking about potentially having a second child we'll look at the possibility of maybe adopting.
With JBP getting older and, literally, demanding a sibling, I've begun pushing for us to look at adoption.
Der Deutscher's main issue, money. He's already freaked about trying to come up with enough money to completely pay for JBP's college education. Cultural differences I guess.
In my family, every child is expected to go to college and they're expected to pay for it themselves. In Der Deutscher's family it's the parents', almost legal, responsibilty to cover college costs. We're working on a compromise.
With these concerns, obviously he's not so sure how we can possibly afford to pay for an adoption, which averages about $15,000.
So, I've made a deal. I'll stop bothering him for now and start saving money. I'm hoping to set aside about $5,000 a year (barring any major emergencies, I'm leaving that part up to God.) And when I've got between $10,000 and $15,000 set aside, we'll re-visit the issue of adoption.
At the same time I'm saving I'll be praying God opens Der Deutscher's heart to our daughter, wherever and whoever she is.
Nimitz' Lady
In fact, when Der Deutscher and I got married adoption was officially part of our Family Plan. It wasn't until JBP was about a year old I found out we had completely different understandings of that plan.
To me it said, we'll have one child biologically (assuming it's possible) then adopt.
He thought it said, we might have one child biologically, then if we think we might be interested in maybe thinking about potentially having a second child we'll look at the possibility of maybe adopting.
With JBP getting older and, literally, demanding a sibling, I've begun pushing for us to look at adoption.
Der Deutscher's main issue, money. He's already freaked about trying to come up with enough money to completely pay for JBP's college education. Cultural differences I guess.
In my family, every child is expected to go to college and they're expected to pay for it themselves. In Der Deutscher's family it's the parents', almost legal, responsibilty to cover college costs. We're working on a compromise.
With these concerns, obviously he's not so sure how we can possibly afford to pay for an adoption, which averages about $15,000.
So, I've made a deal. I'll stop bothering him for now and start saving money. I'm hoping to set aside about $5,000 a year (barring any major emergencies, I'm leaving that part up to God.) And when I've got between $10,000 and $15,000 set aside, we'll re-visit the issue of adoption.
At the same time I'm saving I'll be praying God opens Der Deutscher's heart to our daughter, wherever and whoever she is.
Nimitz' Lady
My Boy!
With all the adults in his life being so sick the last few weeks, needless to say JBP has been getting the short end of the stick.
For the most part he's handled it all like a jewel, minus a couple meltdowns. He's also done his best to help out, bringing us things, etc.
Today, I felt nauseous after eating a cup of soup for lunch. I lay down to rest until it was time to go to work. JBP (who was watching Reading Rainbow in our room) climbed up on the bed next to me, dragging his coloring book and crayons with him. He quietly sat there coloring and watching TV while leaning up against my back.
At one point, he leaned over me and bussed me on the cheek (just like I do when I check on him when I get home from work around midnight). I was half asleep so I couldn't react, but it was still sooooo cute!
Nimitz' Lady
For the most part he's handled it all like a jewel, minus a couple meltdowns. He's also done his best to help out, bringing us things, etc.
Today, I felt nauseous after eating a cup of soup for lunch. I lay down to rest until it was time to go to work. JBP (who was watching Reading Rainbow in our room) climbed up on the bed next to me, dragging his coloring book and crayons with him. He quietly sat there coloring and watching TV while leaning up against my back.
At one point, he leaned over me and bussed me on the cheek (just like I do when I check on him when I get home from work around midnight). I was half asleep so I couldn't react, but it was still sooooo cute!
Nimitz' Lady
Upright!
Well, after battling the Crud for the last three weeks, I'm finally upright again. On Wednessday, I gave in and went to see the doctor. The cough/congestion now felt like it had my head in a vise.
I suspected a sinus infection. I walked out with a diagnosis of bronchitis and a prescription for antibiotics. Things got steadily worse from there. I've spent the last two days in bed, alternately shivering and sweating with fever and battling to keep any morsel I put in my mouth from exiting the same way!
I woke up this morning feeling halfway human. Since I was also tired of lying around in bed all day I decided to come in to work. Big mistake. I'm now holding on until the end of my shift... by my fingernails!
Nimitz' Lady
I suspected a sinus infection. I walked out with a diagnosis of bronchitis and a prescription for antibiotics. Things got steadily worse from there. I've spent the last two days in bed, alternately shivering and sweating with fever and battling to keep any morsel I put in my mouth from exiting the same way!
I woke up this morning feeling halfway human. Since I was also tired of lying around in bed all day I decided to come in to work. Big mistake. I'm now holding on until the end of my shift... by my fingernails!
Nimitz' Lady
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