1) I sometimes get insomnia--like tonight.
2) When I was in 3rd grade I really believed I could fly--I think I did levitate myself once too!
3) I always wanted a bike with a banana seat and a canopy bed, but now I have a bike with a kids seat and a tempur bed and I am content!
4) When I was in grade school my siblings and I would walk to the local fruit stand and buy penny candies. My favorite were the jelly raspberries. I was thrilled to find them here in Germany!
5) I loved irrigation as a child. It was so relaxing to put my legs in the water and watch it flow by.
6) Since our family was poor I worked in the the school cafeteria serving. Once I fainted while serving green beans and the lunch ladies fussed over me. I loved it that part.
7) I was very good at tetherball and 4 square in grade school.
8) I have always enjoyed singing. I belonged to a choir in gradeschool and continued throughout my life.
9) I rescued a kitten when I was in grade school and my father let me keep her. She was a beautiful black long haired cat that died when I was in college. Her name was Mo Mom because I couldn't think of what to name her (or which of the kittens to pick) so I said "eney, miny, miney, mo) and that is what I called her. I thought she understood me better than any human.
10) In junior high school all I wanted to wear was painters pants and softball shirts. (of course I wore my trainer bra etc. too)!
11) In high school I fell asleep while watching a video with my boyfriend. When he drove me home I thought it was fine to talk since the light to the porch was on. But to my horror, the door was locked when I wanted to go in. I knocked on all the windows and rang the door bell, but no one heard. I was prepared to sleep in the garage with the dog, but my boyfriend wouldn't allow it. So he took me back to his house. Since his parents were asleep, he woke his father and asked if I could stay in his sisters room. He got up and drove me home around 6:30 am. When I went in my mother was making breakfast and since I had on sweats, she thought I went out for a run. When John got home his parents thought he was out on an errand. So neither set of parents knew I slept over at my boyfriends house! You are the only one...keep it a secret! Ha ha.
12) I always ran for the social aspect, not winning. When my teammate got sick (she had asthma) I stopped and stayed with her, even though I should have kept going since I was a top runner.
13) My senior photo was used as an asvertisement for the photography studio.
14) My first car was a 1975 Datsun B210. I knick named it the flamemobile since the wiring was so bad it caught fire. (But I was young and dumb and kept driving it).
15) To me, the most intoxicating smells are lilacs, fragrant roses and citrus blossoms.
16) I refurbished a turn of the centry house and glad I got that out of my system while I had the energy. I never want to do that again!
17) I can say I know how to tile(tub and floor), refinish hardwood floors (sanding, staining and varnishing), put in a sprinkler system, replace a sink, wallpaper like a master, paint like a maniac and still live to tell about it.
18) I love the feel of warm sand, cool breeze and the sound of ocean waves.
19) I find a lot of strength and peace in nature.
20) I love the forest the best.
21) Although the sea, the desert and farmland bring me joy too.
22) I like to explore countries through their food.
23) I have my own private research going on about the best tasting chocolate in the world.
24) I love to walk around neighborhoods and look at peoples homes.
25) It is especially fun when it is dark and they leave their drapes/blinds open and I can see how they decorate.
26) I enjoy people watching.
27) And easedropping on their conversations.
28) Perhaps that was part of the draw into being a therapist.
29) I love to bargain shop (thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales). It brings a thrill when I get something of value for practically nothing.
30) I have some pride in how I get many nice clothes and fun toys for my kids for very little cost at the thrift store.
31) I took piano lessons for 6 years, but each year I quit, so I can't play.
32) I took piano lessons as an adult (age 36) and learned a bit more but didn't stick with it.
33) I have owned a Toyota (SR5), Acura and Camry before I got the Toyota (mini-mini van) we have today.
34) I am really bad at spelling (as I am sure you have already figured out) but don't take the time to cut and paste it to a word document to check it.
35) I think the English language (and spelling) makes no sense.
36) At least the German spelling makes sense, but the words are 10x as long, so that is what trips me up.
37) I prefer diet coke to diet pepsi. I can't remember the last time I drank a non-diet pop.
38) I don't drink much pop now but like herbal teas (sweetened with a packet of splenda).
39) I have never tasted alcohol except once when I bit into a chocolate candy that had run inside--and it was horrible and I spit it right out!
40) I still love songs from artists from my jr. high years like James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkle and Neil Diamond.
41) I find it hard to believe that John Denver and Karen Carpenter are dead.
42) I have always disliked my long pointy nose. Once my nephew asked "Why do you have such a sharp nose?" and an ENT offered to fix the end of it (but it was too expensive so I had to forgo the dream).
43) I am a fairly tolerant person except when it comes to cigarette smoke. I can get aggresive about my opinions about it (which are all negative).
44) My best friend (Jeni) and I got "drunk" once on diet shasta when we were studying chemistry in high school.
45) Even though it was very stressful and hard, I fullfilled a dream and became certified as a scuba diver. I love swimming with the fish even though I have bouyancy problems!
46) I have an artistic side to me, but haven't found the right expression for it. I have tried painting, drawing, flower arranging, sewing quilts, photography, gardening etc.
47) I LOVE foot massages. I believe in reflexology.
48) The best body massage I ever had was from a blind massage therapist.
49) My hand can span an octive and one key.
50) My second toe is longer than my pinky and longer than my big toe.
51) I really like Irish dancing and found a place here that teaches to adults. I haven't got my courage to sign up yet.
52) I bruise easily.
53) I an an early-morning person.
54) I would rather see a sun rise than a sun set.
55) I like order, probably because my mind is chaotic.
56) When I would give case presentations, I would get anxious because I never knew what to put in and what to leave out.
57) I think a lot of therapist (unconsciously) go into the field to resolve their own issues.
58) I love to mow the grass and to weed.
59) I was 21 when I had my ears pierced.
60) I think I have lovely hands, and my fingernails grow long and hard (I used to always keep them painted so they looked like I had a manicure).
61) I only paint my toe nails in the summer.
62) When I travel places I collect a hat pin and a picture (to hang on my wall) to remember it. I am through with collecting stupid trinkets from places.
63) I still love regea music.
64) I have never like country music, but now some of it is okay (I'll listen politely).
65) I love good jazz.
66) I wear very little make-up--only eye liner (green or blue) and light lipstick. If I am really dressing up I will put on mascara and blush.
67) I love flannel sheets and blankets (duvet).
68) I need lots of light (both physically and spiritually/emotionally).
69) I had a cat named Brutus for 17 years as an adult (he died 3 years ago) and I still miss him (especially when I got out the Christmas decorations and saw his stocking and still find his hair on the tree skirt. He was like a child to me.
70) He used to sleep under my right arm--in the pit (I guess it was the warmest). He was fiercely loyal to me. My husband took 2nd to him in bed!
71) I always thought I had gigantic feet. They are size 9.
72) I like soft socks with gummi on the bottom.
73) I like to pamper myself by reading books.
74) I was a lot worse, but still like things to be in a certain order (how the dishwasher is loaded, clothes hung by colors in the closet etc.)
75) My husband seems to have no comprehension of order, so I rearrange his things alot (I gave up trying to change him--at least in that area).
76) I have a rubber arm (at least it looks that way when I do the illusion).
77) I can talk like Donald Duck.
78) I was in a triathalon once (it was called the Tinman in Topeka Kansas).
79) I was the lead in a play as an adult (I was Dora in "Dora the Dishwasher") and was so scared of forgetting my lines that I couldn't get into the part.
80) I was trained as a facilitator for a Ropes course.
81) That is where I got in touch with my fear of heights (that I never knew I had before that).
82) I was always interested in being a pilot but it is too expensive and time consuming for a hobby.
83) I believe in periodic dejunking.
84) It is hard for me to part with things because I never know if I will need them in the future. But still I do it.
85) I like to go to the swimming pool with my kids. Even though it is a lot of work.
86) I have one bathroom decorated in fish (collected from around the world).
87) My other bathroom is in a sunflower theme.
88) I love the spring where the flowers (like tulips and dafodils) are blooming.
89) My hair is turning a mousy color (with some gray in it, which I refuse to see) so I highlight it.
90) I have to wear a toothguard at night because I clench and grind my teeth.
91) I have had a LOT of dental work done--numerous caps, cavities and root canals.
92) I really dislike my teeth. I hope Niklas gets Günter's.
93) I have a pair of mountain boots I got when I was 14 years old--and they still fit!
94) I am afraid to tell people things that they do that bother me.
95) I don't like people to give me advice unless I ask specifically for it.
96) I have had trouble with male coworkers. I think I am very sensitive to being discounted as a woman.
97) I grew up always trying to prove to my father that I was as good as a boy.
98) The only boy in our family of 8 children comes after me.
99) I try hard to be thoughtful to others.
100) I want people to like me, and love comments!
Both kids have no gender-association with clothes. Niklas likes to wear a femine pink hat (and purse) as well as a new sweater (soft pinks and greens) Jenna got for Christmas. Jenna prefers the ball caps turned backwards (like some gangster) and will wear Niklas's "boy sweaters". And Günter pointed out they are both wearing tights! But Niklas still likes only cars and wheels (and recently moves the Little People around from the bus to the airplane and cars) and Jenna spends hours playing with dolls.
Who decided what was "gender appropriate" and why certain colors go with certain genders? And why is it commonly known that the color associated with lesbians is purple? Why do gay men like to wear pink? And why and how did they choose the rainbow as their symbol?
My kids have no idea what any of that means. They just like to wear what they want, and I am okay with that. I am secure in knowing that the colors they wear do not indicate gender preference. It is amazing that I have no anxiety about this considering I was raised in a homophobic home and my husband is very nervous that I even took these pictures!
In other unrelated observations of the kids:
Jenna has associated "nice" with rubbing top of your head/hair. Niklas has a to dance his jig only in Jenna's crib (and insists that her blankets are out).
I didn't know how to title this post--so that is why it sounds strange. We get BBC here (6 channels) and what amazed me was how almost every child's show in the last week, there was Christmas themed segments. From Teletubbies to Balamory they had children singing not only "holiday" songs, but RELIGIOUS ones. About Mary & Joseph and Bethlehem. Which got me to thinking of the US and why does the UK freely publicize Christianity and the states has gone to the other extreme both in schools and media. And not only do I see this strange difference but it doesn't seem (as far as I can tell) that the UK public protests. They have probably a similiar percentage of non-christians. Can anyone explain this?
I think America has gone to an extreme with trying to please everyone, but ending up pleasing no one.
And because I am a supporter of Christmas, here are some photos.
What surprises I have living here. Never in the states would I have had a Muslim Iraqi over for Christmas Eve! It was a treat, and quite facinating! I picked his brain with all kinds of questions I have about Iraq.
Rawan has been coming to our church for the last 6 months or so. He said he hasn't been to a mosque since he came to Germany (to work on a Masters degree at the University in engineering). He said he has a wonderful feeling when he reads the Koran and won't join our church, but is interested in learning more about Christianity. Of course to join a Christian church is punishable by death, and the Koran says they will go to hell as well. So not many risk that. However, his paternal grandmother is Christian. HIs family is very happy that he came to Germany before the war. They live in a suburb of Baghdad and his father is a sports teacher and mother an elementary teacher. He has 3 other brothers.
I asked him the obvious questions about how the Iraqi's really feel about the Americans and what we have done in his country (I often wonder if what the press tells us is accurate). He said there is about 30% that hate Americans but the rest are glad Sadam is gone (the others--that want him back were the ones that benefitted financially with good jobs from his regiem). He said that Sadam would turn off the electricity for 1/2 of the day to make more profit.
I asked him what and how long does he think it would take to get the American troops out of there. He said that it is very complicated. If the Americans (and allied troops) leave now there would be utter chaos. He said there needs to be security before the country can stablize, which could be 5 or 10 or even 50 years! The main problem is that there isn't adequate military and police forces since the insurgents will terrorize those (and their families) that try to join.
When talking about religion he said numerous times that "they are not Muslin" meaning that those that are about violence and such are taking one scripture (out of context) in the Koran that said that they must "fight their enemies" which many priests (equivalent in the Muslim religion and are held in high esteem in the community) preach against the western culture. So they are getting indoctrinated that way and teaching their children, which is how complicated this is becoming. He said that Americans seem to represent the Western Culture but they are against even those that aren't supporting the American's (like the French and Germans).
Günter made an interesting point and said after WWII Germany was in chaos but they didn't fight the Americans, English, French and Russians and in about 10 years things were stable again. But if the Iraqis persist with resistance it will take much longer, if it can work at all.
Anyhow, it was a delight having him over and learning so much about a culture and religion that I knew very little about.
I am going to work on the German traditions, I promoise. In the mean time, I wanted record some funny (strange, or ha ha--depending on how you see it) things the kids are doing recently.
Not that I have any great clevage or anything, but Jenna likes to put things down the front of my shirt "for storage". She puts blocks, her binki, play food etc. Weird!
Lately Niklas has been "practicing" his words by sayings them (usually me) in a higher tone voice then repeating it again in a lower tone (his usual response).
And other things: Niklas may have inherited some anxiety-related genetics from me. Not only does he really like order (cleaning thing and putting them back in their place) but he has developed what seems to be a tic or compulsion with rubbing the top of his head or stomach. It isn't done at times of comfort, that I can tell, but at random times he rubs and rubs. When I think about it, at Halloween he had some of this going on (rubbing his tummy), but I didn't make anything of it. He also has a bad rash on his face, which looks suspiciously like the rash I had when I was pregnant with him. When I took him (and Jenna) to the doctor yesterday they took his blood to test for allergies. Which got me to wondering if he is allergic to cinnamin, because that was the cause when I was pregnant. It is is everything right now (lebkuchen etc), so that may be the cause. We'll see.
I thought you could enjoy this picture of them too.
I really wanted to post on Thursday 14 Dec, but things have been hectic around here with the kids sicknesses and running Jenna around to her apointments.
Anyhow, just for comparison sake: (About) 2 years ago:
One year ago:
and this year:
It was sad that once again he was sick. He must have gotten from from me who got it from Jenna. Poor kids had watery eyes, a cough and runny nose. But still he seemed to have fun.
However, either all the activity or sugar got to him because he woke up at 10:30 pm and wouldn't go back to sleep until 2 am!!!
I wish I had the time to write the posts* I want to. But the priorities are not there right now. So keep checking back and I will try to get up to speed once I get a few crucial projects done.
*German traditions during the Christmas season
First off, I have to share this one...Niklas swinging from the step on the stairs.
Then the kids have found the stairs to be the perfect height for a picnic table!
Sneaky Niki. I tried to hide the power strip that controls all the tree lights under the tree skirt, but the guy found it! Now he carefully goes under the tree to flip the main switch on and off. But at least he doesn't touch the plugs!
This one is from my last post. The kids really loved Father Christmas. He is about the same size as they are and ended up huging and kissing him. Luckily the making-out has diminished, but they now try to undress him!
Just for fun, here is a picture of the better part of the livingroom.
And lastly, today is the first of four Advent Sundays celebrated here in Germany. We sang some songs, I told the Christmas story (thanks to Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set) and we ate small butter stolen, spekalatius and lebkuchen. Niklas practiced blowing out the candle--which will be handy because in less than 2 weeks he turns 2 and will have to do it in front of an audience!
Why does the urine smell so awful after eating Asparagus? What chemical is in it and who was the first one who thought to eat it (and continue after the strange smell). How did it ever catch on? I mean it is slimy (I guess if you carefully steam it, it would still be crunchy) and doesn't hardly have any flavor.
Reguardless, I had some for dinner and the kids HAD to try some and they LIKED it! I am sure my kids are some of the very few that like vegetables. But the diaper smell was quite horrible. This morning when I got Niklas up I discovered he peed through his clothing so I changed his diaper and went upstairs to get clean clothes. When I came down he had taken off his diaper and a big wet stain was on the carpet. Yuck. What is worse that that smell? Having it imbedded in the carpet. I have scrubbed and scrubbed but it is like pet urine--the smell doesn't come out even with vinegar!
Lovely smell to add to the beautiful Christmas decorations!
The pressure is on. The day after thanksgiving most people put up their Christmas decorations. Even here in Germany. (Which reminds me, I need to get working on the German Christmas traditions post.) I was wonder when I would muster the motivation to drag the numerous boxes down fromt he attic and work on the project. I need to get done soon because the German's officially start the season the 4th Sunday before Christmas (they have four candles on a flat wreath and each Sunday they light one). And 6 December is St. Nikolaus Tag--a big day for children (where they put their shoes outside the front door and they are filled with small gifts, candy and money).
So I talked Günter into helping me drag the boxes down. He had some other things to get done for the evening so he couldn't really help with the decorating (not that he really wants to anyhow). He did set up the tree (I use an artificial tree--which is blasphemous in Tantenbaum land) and I worked to get the white lights on. Until I got depressed.
I probably need to explain that Christmas was always a very stressful even in our home growing up and my father dealt with the stress by "cancelling it" most years. Of course it didn't really get cancelled, but damped all of our joy of the season. I think this surfaces every single year because I almost always get overwhelmed and want to forget the whole thing. But I also want my kids to have nice traditions and happy memories so I must persevere. I sorted through the boxes and put out the nativities, stockings and father Christmas (thanks, Jeni!). Then I stalled.
About then Jenna started crying so I brought her down. It is so fun to see children's reactions to all the beauty of the season. Jenna was super excited (squeeling) about the christmas tree and lights and went up to hug the father Christmas (about the same size as she is). It was so adorable that I let her stay up far too long, rather than putting her back to bed.
In the morning Niklas was equally thrilled. He went about exploring all the things in the room and Jenna explained "anta" and "ee" and "ar"--can you guess those words?! I took some pictures but am too lazy to resize and upload them to add to the blog today.
We had a very stressful day because Jenna had KiGa then speech therapy. Niklas only took a 30 minute nap in the car and was quite emotional the rest of hte day. Speaking of him, lately he is really expressing his emotions about missing Jenna. When she is at KiGa he repeatedly asks where she is"Denda" "Denda"... Then he goes on to ask about where Papa is. Usually he doesn't like my answers, so he cries.
I still have quite a bit left on the decoration and hope I will muster up the will to work on it now.
Günter is back. Yeah! Not too long after I went upstairs to take a break and came back down to get something. About that same time Jenna went into the kitchen. I don't worry too much about her since she can't open the child latches (fine motor difficulties) but I didn't think about her recent obsession about going in the fridge or freezer (ours is on the bottom third). But she did and the next thing I know is that raw eggs are splattered all over the tile floor. It was interesting to see her face, since she wasn't expecting it. She usually thinks eggs are hard-boiled and she just cracks them and eats the inside.
And I never knew just how hard it was to clean up slippery raw eggs from tiles. I must have used an entire roll of paper towels! The whites kept slipping from the paper. It was funny.
Niklas has done some funny things lately that I want to record. I have a picture of Jesus standing in robes with sandals on his feet and when I ask Niki who that is he will say "Gee-ee". One day he went up to the picture and since the toes were showing he tried tickling His feet. I am sure Christ got a chuckle out of that one! And I am sure He would laugh if Niklas really did tickle his feet, I love thinking of Jesus with children tickling his feet.
Last night Harry Potter was on (not that I let them watch such things, but he came into the room at the very end) and saw Hagrid and called him Jesus! I laughed over that one too. But Hagrid is a gentle kind person that is misunderstood, so he is a bit like Jesus.
The week has gone pretty well despite not having a break. I was glad Jenna had a good day Thursday at the KiGa. She has been sleeping better at night too. I am sure that has a lot to do with it.
I made some pumpkin cookies today, they are so good. I adapted the recipe, so try it if you like.
Soft Pumpkin Cookies
1 (15 ounces) can pumpkin, 2 cups
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 cup oil (you can use butter, margarine or any kind of oil)
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon maple extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
optional: 1 cup pecan or walnuts chopped
optional: chocolate chips
Into a large mixing bowl, measure all ingredients except pecans. With hand held mixer at low speed, beat ingredients until blended, scraping bowl occasionally. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 minute longer.
Preheat oven to 350°. Using 2 tablespoons of batter for each cookie, spoon batter into mounds on ungreased baking sheets, keeping mounds about 2 inches apart. Press a pecan half into the center of each cookie dough mound. Bake cookies for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Loosen cookies with spatula and move to wire rack to cool. Store in tightly covered container for up to 4 days. Freeze in portions, if desired.
Makes 6 to 7 dozen cookies.
I surely appreciate all the comments. I really needed those after the day yesterday. I have cooled my jets a bit and thinking more realistic. I had to take a clock from another room and prop it above the amoir since my way to telling time has been demolished (for the time being).
Last night we went to some good friends for dinner. They usually come to our home--which is much easier since we have toys for the kids and can put them to bed and still visit. But we don't want them to think that we don't want to come to their home. So we decided to brave it. My hidden agenda is that when we take our kids, people experience what they are really like, and I think they will understand better why we don't go out with them!
Günter came home from work early and changed the tires to the winter ones and I quickly took a shower and we got the kids out in the car around 4:30. It is a 45 minute drive to our friends home and we were already 15 minutes late. Günter heard on the radio there was a traffic jam on the A6 so he thought we could go "the back way" through the forest. It turned out to be a big mistake. Not only did we get behind a slow tractor (and couldn't pass due to windy(this looks like windy but is whinedy) roads), but one raod was closed completely so we were more than an hour late! And we told them we had to leave by 7 pm to get the kids to bed...so we extended that time.
The kids were quite wild. Niklas kept trying to climb up part of the wall and Jenna almost hugged the cactus! At one point Niklas banged into a wall and now has a big goose egg above his left eye. Poor guy. Our friends said they didn't want twins--the general concensus after people experience our kids! We left at 7:30. And I think they were glad.
Günter is now gone for the rest of the week to a Wind Energy Conference. So I get to go solo. Not the best time considering how I am feeling about being a mother right now. But I hope to get into a routine and things will be okay.
Some things the kids do that I want to make sure I document:
Jenna now smashes her food in her hair when she is finished (she used to just throw it on the floor). She watches what other children are doing (mostly Jenna) and when it looks interesting she grabs it away (to the childs frustration) and throws a tantrum when I return it to the child. She loves to have toothpaste on her tongue She loves to drink any salad dressing that has vinegar in it (left over in the bowl). She loves to "cook" in her little kitchen and frequently makes "cookies" to which she makes the sign of hot when getting them out and then pulls off imaginary pieces and puts them in her (or my) mouth.
Niklas is getting int undressing himself. Every day he takes off his shirts several times then says "bbbrrrr" and wants it back on. He has tried to put it on but usually only gets one arm in and the rest pulled over his body in a wadded way. He is very insistant on having this the routine way. He must drive a certain car with a certian backpack slung over his shoulder. He will only wear one sleeping sack (even though it is getting too small) and freaked out when I had to retire his shoes (because me sister sent some wide ones). He has exceptional fine motor skills and can draw circles, jagged lines and even stay in the lines when coloring now! Of course he still has boundless energy and runs laps around the dining table and kicks a little ball around the room for 15-20 minutes at a time. He also loves to put the Little People figures in any car (or bus) and drive them around. He sits on his dump truck and rides it around the room.
Thursday I was pretty busy running errands (pushing the limits with the kids before a melt-down). On Friday I spent cooking Cranberry Salad, copper pennies and a HUGE amount of mashed potatoes. (The day before we took 2 tables and 6 chairs to our neighbors) At 5 pm we shuttles ourselves and the food to our neighbors for a Thanksgiving dinner. It was nice but a bit overwhelming with over 30 people there, plus a dog and cat.
But it was quite nice visiting with neighbors. Günter tried to keep an eye on the kids so they didn't break anything at their beautiful home. He took them home shortly after 7 pm and I stayed to visit. By the time I went home at 11 pm it was raining quite hard and I had to load up the tables, chairs and dishes to take home. Günter was already in bed so I had to drag it all inside.
Saturday we took the kids swimming. My two kids are naughty swim.babies. While we were all in the booth changing, I had Niklas undressed but getting his swim trunks and he stood there and peed all over! 'We had to clean that up. Why he couldn't have done it 30 seconds earlier when he had his diaper on, I'll never know! This pool (Ramstein Azur) had a pool that was about the depth that they could stand in, with the water going up to their arm pits. Niklas was delighted with the new sensation of walking with the new resistance. He walked back and forth from Günter and I, laughing the whole time. Jenna was content to play in the shallow water dumping her water in different stackable cups we brought. They both enjoyed sitting on our laps while going down the indoor slide. But Jenna loved going to the heated outdoor pool. The trees around the edge were a lovely golden color with some bushes that had varying fall colors. It was chilly, but the warm pool felt all the better because of that! At the end we stayed in the little kids pool. At one point Jenna's swim suit bottom pulled up into her crack so I reached to pull it down and got a finger full of poop! YUCK. I had to clean that up and couldn't get the image out of my mind or the smell off my finger--no matter how long I scrubbed! We hurried them out to get changed. I wonder if this is worth all the trouble!
We went grocery shopping after and put the kids down for a nap. Günter had to leave in the late afternoon for some church things, so I took care of the kids until it was bedtime. Swimming seems to exhaust them so they sleep better, too!
Sunday was the usual hecticness with getting all of us ready to leave by 8:15 am. After the main service I took the kids to nursery. Since I used to be a leader there I am very curious to see how it will turn out now that I am not doing it. My worst fears were realized. There were many children and parents gathering, but no teachers. They came in after about 10 minutes and no one had the key to the closet to open it for toys. They divided the kids into the 3 rooms. Jenna wouldn't go to her class and Niklas's class only had one teacher, so I stayed (actually I tried to sneak out once but within minutes they were hysterical and someone came to find me). It was free play the entire time except for a short snack time. But it seemed to work. So much for all the extra things I tried to do (activities, lessons, singing time). Niklas fell asleep in the car and Jenna went to sleep after we got home, so I actually got a nap. Günter didn't get home until nearly 7 pm. Then the evening was spent trying to occupy the kids. I really wish they could play together but Jenna takes whatever Niklas is playing with, and he lets off a siren-scream or bites, then I have to intervene. This happens so many times that I found it is easier to sit there with them and mediate right on the spot. Hence, I have little time for blogging or emails. I live for the time to put them to bed. Even still, it is not until 8 or 8:30 that Jenna will go to sleep so I have to try to keep her quiet so she doesn't wake Niklas.
Today has sent me over the edge. Niklas got up shortly before 5 am and I did my best to keep him quiet so Günter and Jenna could sleep until 6 am. Günter got up and Jenna woke up shortly after 6. Günter left by 6:30 am.
As I was holding Jenna on the couch (with the tv on) I heard a huge CRASH. I jumped up to find Niklas head and arm through the glass of the grandfather clock! He was shocked, but nothing was bleeding or injuried (amazingly enough). I cleaned up the glass and took off the pendulum and weights and moved the clock to a corner between the china hutch and plant table. Then I called Günter and told him that when my old job opens up (in March) I am going back! I got that clock in 1997 while living in Spokane, Washington and it survived the move to Germany and two local moved, but not these kids. It is very discouraging to me that there is less decorating and beauty in the house as time goes on. I feel sad about this. I thought I had the house child proofed, yet apparently I need to have a bare room with some toys in it.
I feel so abusive right now. I told Niki how angry I was, but of course he doesn't understand. Then I wanted him to suffer, so I put on some house-shoes on him (he hates that) and he cried and cried, putting his head on the ground while he crouched over it. I know he doesn't understand, so it is only for my benefit. And yes, I know the house shoes have nothing to do with anything...
When does this mothering thing get any easier?! I feel so guilty that I have feelings like this because I always wanted to be a mother and it was so hard to become one, and I had two miracle children, now I don't want to do this any more!
I have another post coming about the cultural differences, but it is taking a while. So to entertain you in the meantime, here is another picture. What caption would you give it?
I know it has been a few days, but not much is happening around here. Not that I am complaining!
But just to post something worthwhile, here is a picture. Of course they frequently play duets together (Mozart, mainly).
Niklas is getting more and more funny! Lately he is getting quite good at imitating things. He LOVES to do dancing steps (Sesame street--Big Bird looking for the (dancing) box where Ernie hides). He will do it with the box: STEP, STEP, TURN. Also he does a routine with Boogie Beebies where he blows up a ball and makes himself small. It is terribly funny!
He has also been making his duck give Jenna kisses. And, of course, he continues to dance is jig all around. the other day I caught him hanging from one of the steps on the stairs. I wish this camera could click a picture faster. He is down before the shutter goes off.
And drives his car around the dining table. In language development--he has started saying two words together and a few more German words.
Jenna does imitating too, mostly whe she sees Niki doing it. Both of them were dancing in sychn today. I wish I could get that camera quicker! She is trying SO HARD to say words. I can tell what she is saying (using the vowels and only the back of her tongue) but I doubt anyone else would. But still I am thrilled that she tries!
The other day my friend and I had a good laugh when her husband brought back a sweat shirt from Disneyworld with "Grumpy" on it. She was offended he saw her that way and even more that he bought something he expects her to wear and advertise his opinion. They have a young baby and "sleepy" would be more like it, but thats men for you!
But I should probably have her send the sweat shirt to me so I can wear it as a warning to anyone (mostly my husband) of the kind of mood I am in. It could have something to do with all the left-over candy from the Halloween spooks that never came and I indulged. Or maybe that the sun sets now at 5:30 pm here, and it is a long time until 21 Dec. when the light slowly starts increasing. Maybe it is about how Niklas is having trouble adjusting to daylight savings and wakes up at 4 am instead of 5 am now (same difference to him)!
Whatever, I need to pull myself together and be grateful for things in my life. Or at least get some sleep!
Here are a few people we stopped in on for Halloween. Note the funky shoes Niki is wearing. I had to get big ones to go over the costume feet. And yes, I did glue the eye balls back on the costume for Niki! Our neighbor is holding the cute red crayon (whom reminds me so much of my good friend that I mentioned about the sweat shirt in the beginning of the post).
Yesterday we were watching BBC and there was a show for children on signing. I don't understand why it has to be different than ASL! Afterall, it is English. But, no, it can't be that simple. It was interesting to figure out why they use the signs they do for some words.
But we were shocked when they did the sign for "potty". The middle finger is pointed up on the chest. Yes..figure that one out! Günter and I had to make fun of it all evening. I looked for a link, but couldn't find one. Obviously we aren't going to teach that one. We will stick to the ASL (making a T letter and turning hand back and forth) which is easy enough that both kids can make a fist and turn it.
It is so fun to see kids in their costumes. People must put a lot of time and money into some of them. I was lucky to get Niklas into his, and he refused to wear the hat I made (out of some scrap flannel). Here is one picture that I got with the hat on, sorry it is blury but I had to get it fast. And the bee was already buzzing her way to the party.
We walked around to see what little booths they had. There was not much for young children so we headed to the refreshments. That was a MISTAKE!
Jenna is a messy eater and I had to clean up the floor around her. Both kids got on a sugar high. But we soon found something for them to do.
Jenna had fun, but Niklas was the real athlete and made a whole in one! You will notice in this picture that the face of the pumkin on Niki is now a bit scarier--he pulled out the eye balls!
After a while we did the trunk or treats in the parking lot. It was even nice weather! I couldn't believe some of the big kids brought duffle bags for their loot! We are going to use what we got for when the German kids (and a few Americans) come to our house on Halloween.
I don't know anyone that is truly happy with their hair. I know people that have come to accept their hair. Or change what they can about their hair. Have you given much thought to your hair other than the color and style?
I have very fine hair. Baby fine. I used to think it was thin but a hair stylist corrected me and said I had a lot of it, but it was so fine it didn't look like it. From High School through 1999 I had it permed, hoping to get more body. But it mostly frizzed and I felt the obligation of spending quite a bit of time each day using heat rollers or a curling iron to help it, just to have it friz out again at the first sign of humidity. I got it cut short just before I moved to Germany and after a short period of not knowing what to do with it, I came to love it! It is so easy now. All I do is dry it with a round brush. I don't like it that it is becoming so dark as I age, that I have no other choice than to lighten it (or look so "old"). I like highlights or sun-in best. On occasion I have tried the rinses that come out after a few washes. I even dreamed of dying it, but I am too much of a chicken for that. In college I once used henna (right around this time of the year) and it turned ORANGE. I remember joking with people about my contribution to the fall colors! I have several cowlicks in the front of my hair (bangs) and one actually helps the hair style. Since having Niki the front of my hair is actually getting curly! I wish the rest of the head would follow, but no such luck. I have cute little curls framing my face and straight hair on the rest of the head.
Günter has not-the-greatest hair. I call it broomstick hair. It has this place on the right crown that will stick out no matter what is put on it or done to it. I have had to cut all kinds of bargains (or even threats) to let me cut the stray strands away so it doesn't look ridiculous. He now has a growing bald spot on the top of his crown. Every day more hairs are found on the pillow case or in the shower drain. Poor guy. We both hoped any child we had wouldn't get either of our hair.
Niklas's hair was very slow to grow in, so we were curious what it would end up being like. At birth he had curly hair. Then very fine hair SLOWLY came in. In a lot of pictures he looked bald. We kept waiting for the verdict.
Finally his hair is growing enough to tell some things:
He seems to have auburn hair. I can only guess there was a red gene from my side of the family since my father had red in his mustache (before it turned grey). He also has some curl to it, but most noticably is the strange hair pattern.
Here is a picture of my paternal grandfather (from Sweden). I think he may look like him. What do you think?
Yesterday went like this:
5:50 up wth Niki, give a bottle, change diaper and turn on Sesame street (try to sleep on the couch while holding him)
6:30 Günter leaves--Niki throws a fit because he wants to play with Papa
6:45 feed Niklas cereal for breakfast--he threw the bowl and spoon down on the floor when it was nearly empty.
6:58 Clean up the mess
7:14 Jenna up, give her a bottle, change diaper. She screams if I want to get her out of her sleeping sack, try to distract her with tv.
7:45 get Jenna in her highchair and give her cereal
7:50 get dressed, drag brush through hair (no shower) and put on eye liners. Check to see I have my bra on and matching socks.
8:05 Pack diaper bag and Jenna's bag for preschool
8:15 get Jenna out of hair chair and wash her in sink, clean up tray and rinse bowls, drink my tea.
8:20 Niki comes up to me and hands me his duck. It is soaking wet. I quickly go to the bathroom and realize I had closed the door, but not locked it. He gave it a dunking. I took it and removed all his clothes and put it all in the washer.
8:25 Got him dressed--again.
8:30 Put shoes and coats on kids and sling the diaper bag and Jenna's bag over shoulder while they run out the door to the car. It is raining.
8:36 Fight Niki to get him in his car seat since he wants to sit in the drivers seat and turn the steering wheel. Get Jenna in her seat.
8:40-8:59 drive to preschool.
9:00 walk Jenna in and get her settled.
9:10 Leave with Niki. Fight to get him in car seat. Again.
9:14 Drive to Landstuhl base to explore what I can do during these hours Jenna is in preschool. Drive around to the library (ask someone how to find it). Find out it opens at 10 am.
9:20 drive to the base thrift store. It opens at 9:30. Wait in the car with Niki. Finally let him come sit in the front seat with me. It is still down pouring.
9:30 take him into the store. Go through rooms trying to keep him from touching things he shouldn't.
9:57 leave and drive to library.
10-10:30 go to children's room and explore with Niki. Show him books. He runs around like a banshee (luckily there are no other children in there). Show him puzzels etc. Give him a little snack. Restrain him on my lap so I can be a good mother and read him a book! He screams and fights to get off. He runs out the room and goes to the computers. Let him sit at the children's computer until he pushes buttons and it crashes. Wisk him away.
10:30 put him in his car seat. Again. He throws a royal fit.
10:40 drive to store in town. It is still down pouring. Niki falls asleep. (I will be honest here, but hope no one wants to turn me in to CPS or judge me too harshly). I lpark in a space that is more remote, say a thankful prayer we have tinted windows and leave him in the car seat--alseep and lock the car and quickly go grocery shopping. It is so much easier!!!
11:10Load grocery. Relieved to find him still alseep.
11:17 Get gas. He still sleeps.
11:40 drive to swimming pool to see what hours they have in case I want to try that in the future. They are open from 9-7 pm. Yeah.
12:00 drive to get Jenna, let Niki eat snacks and drink juice in car. Get there early.
12:25 go in with Niki. Find Jenna playing in bean box. She is pretty dirty (probably they didn't put a bib on her when she ate). The teacher told me she didn't cry today. She took her to another group for singing. Jenna was a little shy but liked it. She said next Thursday she will take Jenna swimming in the special pool they have. (She will love that).
12:35 Get Jenna's shoes and coat and bag. Go out to the car. Put Niki in his car seat with a lot of screaming and fighting. Again. It is still raining.
12:40 Get Jenna in a car seat. She signs for a bottle. I looked in the bag and discover the teacher didn't put it back. I have the choice of gettting the kids both out of the car seat and go back in. I decide to leave without it.
12:41-1:00 Jenna is hysterical the whole way home. Stop to give her a cup of juice. She only wants a bottle. Try a box of juice (I have to squeeze it into her mouth since she can't suck). She doesn't want it. Try food, she throws that. Turn up the CD and drive like a maniac home.
1:05 get her in the house (leave Niki in the front seat of the car to "drive") and make a bottle of milk. About pee my pants. Give her the bottle and run to the bathroom. Drag Niki out of the car screaming. Change diapers of Jenna and put her to bed for a nap. Throw the clothes in the dryer so the duck can dry before Niki cries for it.
1:20-1:40 Niki drives on his little car like a crazy man.
1:41 Change Niki's diaper. While changing him, he pees all over. Change his clothes. Again.
2:00 put him down for a nap (with dry duck). Lay down myself (I am still sick).
2:30 phone rings, someone wanting Günter's work phone number. Try to go back to sleep.
4:00 Niki wakes up. Get Jenna up too.
4:05 Feed kids a proper lunch/dinner.
The rest of the evening was normal. They stayed up a it later since their naps were later. Günter came home around 7:30 pm.
And does anyone wonder why I am on the edge of sanity?!
Tuesday was Jenna's first day of Ki(inder)Ga(rten). We were excited but also sad. It is the special developmental preschool that she will be attending each Tuesday & Thursday from 9-12:30. We packed her a little snack, diapers, bibs and an extra set of clothing.
Günter took off from work and we took Niki with us. It was a nice fall day--cool and crisp. We were a bit nervous and sad about the day. I made a little sign for the picture (thanks, Anna for the idea) but Jenna was not eager for this.
We met the teacher and gave her the extra paperwork required (note from doctor saying she was healthy and a referral from the doctor to pay for it since it is a special school).
Jenna had met Frau Emrich before, so it was a fairly easy transition. She was the only child for now, but they are adding other children soon. At first she explored the room with Niklas. We talked to the teacher about a few things. We made some pictures of us and Niki so she could look at them if she needed to, as well as a sheet of Jenna making her various signs (so the teacher could know what she was saying). I have to say it wasn't easy trying to get her to produce the signs at the exact time we took the picture. Nevertheless, we did the best we could.
When we left she was coloring at the table and seemed fine. We went out to the car and thought about her the whole time. It is the first time (since she was 7 months) that I don't know exactly what she is doing.
We ran all kinds of errands then came back to pick her up. Since Niklas was asleep, I stayed in the car while Günter went in to get her. Apparently she was hysterical a few minutes after we left, but able to be calmed with some distraction. I wonder how she will do on Thursday.
Just because this is the cutest picture in the world (not related to KiGa) I wanted to post it.
The kids are healthy and I am sick. But today I wanted you to vote on Halloween costumes. Here are the picks:
FOR NIKI:
As you can see, don't pick this one--because he refuses!
This one may work if there isn't a hat or anything.
I am pretty sure he won't stay in this for more than 3 minutes.
FOR JENNA:
The bee above
Or this train (bending the thing out and getting a little conductor's hat and overalls)
I wish I could knit or crochet a little green stem for a hat.
If you want to compare to last year, go here.
Yesterday was so beautiful that I just HAD to go out (with the kids, of course) to do something in nautre. In the future I vowed to bring the camera (I am a bit reluctant because I don't want to lose another one) next time.
I can't believe I live so close to such beauty! It was a 15 minute drive then I parked the car and got out the stroller. The path through the forest is paved for bikes, and it is fairly flat. I allowed the kids to walk while I pushed for a while. As it turned out Niki pushed at times--would say "go" and push hard and I would say "stop" and he would. He did this as many times as I could stand until I stopped. We looked at some cows in a field and the kids grabbed grass to feed them but some had horns, so I didn't encourage getting any closer to them. We inspected beetles and other bugs as we walked. Jenna LOVED looking at leaves. She would even say "EEves" and "mOOr" so I gave up finding pretty ones and just picked up any along the path. She would rip them apart or wave them or just throw them and watch them float to the ground. Eventually Niki took some interest in it, but not nearly like Jenna.
By the time we turned around to go back both kids were irritable and didn't want to stay in the stroller but I didn't want to take 3 hours to go at their pace to get back to the car either. I won, of course. But it came at a price. They were crying most of the way and I got blisters on my feet since I was running as I pused the stroller in my Birkenstocks!
We had to go grocery shopping afterward too (it was all in the same village). But they were surprisingly good. I just opened a pcakage of snacks for Jenna (who always sits in the front of the cart seat), and she is content. Niki helped push the cart and was so tired that he didn't get all hyperactive by picking up everything in the aisle and throwing it in the basket.
When I got home they were pretty subdue--just sat on the couch watching TV (BBC Granny Murray). I got dressed and got the lawn mower ready. I was hoping they wouldn't notice me and I could mow the back yard before I put them to bed. But that didn't happen. So it was another 30 minutes before I got back to the job. It was getting quite dark by the time I finished. I hope I didn't miss any place!
By this time I was stoked so I just kept up doing things. I did the dishes, emptied all the garbage in the house and started a load of landry (I had to sneak into Niki's room and swipe his duck to wash it--he LOVES that thing and carries it every where). Then I went up in the attic and brought down the Autum/Halloween decorations and decorated the front poarch. I also brought down the winter clothes (coats and boots) for the kids. I brought down Halloween costumes to get them used to them before the day (last year Niki refused to wear one since it was so strange to him). I put the clothes in the dryer (the duck has to be dry for when Niki cries for it once he wakes up in the morning).
It was time to go to bed so I read some scriptures and prayed but my brain wouldn't stop. I hate that. I knew I was too tired to get into any projects but not so tired to sleep. I just tossed and turned for a while. I am my own worst enemy when I can't sleep. I think of so many things to do. I planned my projects for tomorrow (if the weather holds out). I want to dig up a Forsythia Bush and replant it (it was taking over a bed), move a tree brace that doesn't allow the mower to pass, tie up raspberry bushes (to stabalize) and train the vines on the arbor. All while I watch the kids--ha ha. They really slow me down.
With all that to do, I must get cracking...
Yesterday I was released from teaching nursery at my church. It is a huge relief! I was so burned out after doing it for a year. Some weeks we have had 24 kids (and 5 leaders) and I was in charge. Yesterday there was only 12 kids and pleanty of adults so I went to Sunday School and Relief Society. I am out of practice to listening and absorbing information, I tell you. They are studying Isaiah (not easy anyhow) but my mind kept wandering, so it was hard to get much from the lesson. But I am sure in time my brain will start working again.
Günter left for a bussiness trip in Switzerland. Before you think how exotic, it was a 6 hour drive for a 2 day conference on this. Yawn. Still, he has a chance to sleep in a little and no kids to deal with for a few days. And he gets to stay here.
If the kids were better travelers or older I would have begged to go along and enjoyed exploring a bit. I have gone through Switzerland, but never stayed long enough to appreciate their culture.
A very cute thing Niki did yesterday...he gave Jenna hug and said "love". That was the first time he said that word. I wish I could have gotten it on camera but he won't repeat things when I want him to! The weather was so nice that we went on a walk in the afternoon and turned right around since Jenna was throwing a tantrum in the stroller. I have no idea what she wanted, but she was arching her back and streaming at the top of her lungs. Which is so embarrassing since it was a peaceful Sunday afternoon in the neighborhood.
Last year Günter installed individual thermostats for each room. Before he left he turned the heat back on (since I don't know how to do it right). Unfortunately the thermostat in Niki's room must be broken since it heated up and I can't get it to cool down. We have floor heating (water circulating under the tiles), which feels good but the room was so stifling that he couldn't sleep. He woke up at 4 am and refused to go back to sleep, no matter what I tried. But he got a nap and I didn't (because Jenna slept late and wasn't tired), so I am a bit grumpy right now.
It is a beautiful day outside, but I am reluctant to try the walk again with these two.
Today I went to a day-long conference held in our church about Family History/Geneology. Initially I was not excited about being there. I was tired (with Jenna waking twice and Niklas once in the night) and it was raining--a good day for lounging and getting a nap! But I went, and glad I did.
Our church has a great emphasis on family history. Two of my sisters are geneology experts and one sister even gave me a hige binder full of all the work she had done. Since I had locations of where my ancestors were from, and had easy access to Europe, I have been able to visit some of the places!
When we first got this gift from my sister we looked through it and Günter saw a location in Germany that seemed familiar. He looked it up on a map and found that my ancestors came from Diedesfeld--a place in his childhood school district! My sister had several centries of family from this village. Günter and I visited there and it is a quaint village in the Weinstrasse area. There is a lovely castle on the hill in Hambach where there is interesting history of a revolution for democracy. Since Günter's mother's side is from Heidelberg and his father's from Prussia, he noted that I am more of a Pfalzer than he is! Ironic!
My paternal greatgrandmother was even listed to be born in Worms or perhaps Landstuhl (where both my children were born!)
In fall 2001 Günter and I spend several weeks in Sweden exploring the locations of my paternal grandfather's ancestors. It was really special to me since my father really emphasized with pride the Sweden background we had.
One of the other very special things I discovered thorugh this family history is that Jenna's birthmothers last name (an uncommon Polish name) is in my maternal family side! How cool is that to think Jenna may be related by blood, not just adoption. For sure I am enthused to research that and find out if there is a link!
As well as finding more information about the German, Polish, Lithuania and English sides! All these places are within reasonable travel distance, so I think I should plan some future holidays visiting places where my ancestors were from. I am sure I will find some interesting things about their lives!
If you are interested in looking up things about your family history go here (you can check things out with their 2 week free membership) or here. There is a whole lot of resources here too.
We finally replaced the lost camera. This is the one we have now: Panasonic FX07 Lumix digital camera.
We got it in black. I am really pleased with it. It is ready to take the picture as soon as it is turned on (which our other one it took 20 seconds). It is easy to use, and takes great videos! So I am happy.
So you can expect some more pictures of the kids again! Ha Ha.
It is unfortunate that the first pictures we took with it was the vandalism at our church. Apparently some adolescent boys scoped the place out on Sunday when our church was open for a satallite broadcast and left a window unlatched. There was a footprint on the window--which the poliezi took and checked for finger prints. They broke into all 3 leaders (Bishops) offices and took keys and flat screen monitors. Our church has had other problems with people's cars being vandalized and even stolen.
I wish for Mayberry--I am sure it would be stopped there!
Tomorrow is a holiday in Germany (Deutsche Wiedervereinigung) which celebrates the reunification of East Germany with "West" Germany that occured on 3 October 1990. Interestingly enough the first unification was in 1871! They call it "Deutsche Einheit" or "German unity". My husband said his colleagues at work joked that it should be called St. Helmut's Day.
I found this map that highlights the divisions of Germany after WWII with respects to which allied force (country) had jurisdiction over what part of conquered Germany.
Until 1961 the borders to east and west Germany were open to all. Each day a half million people cross the borders. Then the leaders of the Communist party met in Moscow from August 3 until August 5, 1961 and they decide to close the open border between East and West Berlin. In the afternoon of August 12 at 4 p.m. Walter Ulbricht, the East German leader, signed the commands to close the border. The next Sunday at midnight the army, police and the "Kampfgruppen" began to bolt the city. The wall was built and separated the city into two parts for more than 28 years. Streets, the railway and the S-Bahn (city railway) were broken, stations of the U-Bahn (underground railway) were closed--even cemeteries. The East Germans would not be allowed to free travel to the West until 1989.
Basically, in 1989 Hungary opened it's borders, then people from Eastern Germany went through Hungary to West Germany. Afterwards there were demonstrations every Monday demanding changes. During a press conference, it was announced the borders were opened. Then people went through the gates on 9 Novemeber 1989 which led to people chipping down the wall, following which the political negotiations to unify was made.
The next May they started using the D-mark. On 3 October the official unification occured. Here are some pictures of Check point Charlie.
If you want to read more about the political history before and after the reunification, then go here.
The other day I happened to hit a movie that had just barely started. It captured my interests and by the end I was crying. It started out by an 11 year old girl (Brooke Ellison) that was hit by a car and became quadripledic--a true biographical story. It shows issues with her family and community and how she eventually triumphed by going to Harvard (the whole while her mother was her nurse and aid). It was directed by Christopher Reeves and actually aired after his death. If you ever get the chance, watch it. When I did a little research on it I linked with Christopher Reeves but then happened to read his wife (Dana) died 17 months after Chris! She had lung cancer (from 2nd hand smoke). They left behind their young son (Will)--how tragic! But both the Reeves really were a great example of courage and dedication. Inspired me to want to be a bit better!
well, it isn't dollar--if that's what you were thinking! It's another headache. Ha ha. Jenna now has a nasty cold. And I am sure Niki is not far behind. It seems (and was) that they just got over the pnemonia. But the weather is changing. Needless to say, Jenna was exceptionally grumpy yesterday. She fought me everytime I had to change her diaper or put new clothes on her. But there were some cute moments. When we went on a walk (the weather has been glorious in the afternoons) she wanted to get out of the stroller when we reached the cemetary. There is a graded ramp to one gate and at the bottom was a pile of leaves. She would run up then down and jump in the leaves while giggling. It was so CUTE! At another point on the walk she went to pick a handful of grass and tried to stuff it through the fence for the sheep (they see me doing this to get the goats and horses in our village to come over for them to look at). Funny.
On the Niki front...he continues to terrify me with his antics. Yesterday I was helping get Jenna out of the high chair (which requires a lot of cleaning up) and he got a stool which he used to get into the sink and he turned on the faucet and gave himself a shower--with his clothes on! I immediately took off his clothes (except diaper) and ran upstairs to get another set of clothes. When I came down he had taken off the diaper and peed all over the floor and was stomping in it like a puddle. I guess it was. Why couldn't he have done that while in the sink?! He really likes to take off his clothes now and has managed to get his shirts off over his head now. Another trick is to climb on the end-table and dive into the couch. He actually did a somersault and laughed his head off about that!
Another frightening "talent" he has is to know how keys and doors work. When I took the kids out to put them in the car he ran fast and opened the door and climbs in the frontseat. He found the keys and has figured out which one goes in the ignition and he started the car!!!! This is all done while I am getting Jenna in her car seat! Arrggghhhh!
Both kids are really into putting on their wellys (rubber rain boots) and stomping around the house. I have looked around in some stores for a cheap rain coat (with hood) in their size, but have found none. I think it would be nice for them to take walks in the rain--since that is mostly what we get for the rest of the year. I tried kid umbrellas but they kept turning them upside-down and twirling them. Didn't help much.
I must go to them now...
An interesting aspect of German life is with junk. Twice a year they assign a different day for each village to dejunk, and people there put out all their unneeded things on the side of the road. Then anyone is allowed to pick through it (one mans trash is another mans treasure...) then the truck comes to pick it up. I assume they take it to the dump. Who knows. They should just haul it to Poland since the Polish vans have been trolling our neighborhood the last few days for things.
Last night (after the kids were in bed) Günter and I dejunked our garage. Good grief! I can't believe how much stuff we put out. Günter was funny because he tried to nicely display some of it (what he thought was the good stuff) for people to come and take. The things I thought had some value I am making another pile to take to the base thrift store.
The main problem it caused for me is that I got so wound up that I couldn't sleep. I started going over in my head how I want to dejunk the freezer room and the heating room. Next spring for junkin days I promised Günter I would dejunk the attic. I don't look forword to that job!
But it feels good to be a little freer from stuff!
Today Niklas lifted up my shirt (he ended breast feeding nearly a year ago) and I wasn't sure what he was doing. Jenna likes to look at my belly button, so I assumed the same. I was surprised when he blew raspberries on my belly! He also models me in other ways, he takes off his socks and "tick, tick" himself as well as gets the play phone and talks for (I am not exaggerating) 30 minutes! Good thing I don't have too many bad habits for him to pick up.
Tis the season...from where my parents (and a few sisters and their families) live for me to share this picture.
Last week we had a friend visit from Budapest, Hungry. We met her when we traveled there (prior to kids). Her English is excellent. She can talk as fast and as indepth as I can! It is interesting to hear how much her views of the world are influences by the country being communinstic until 1990. As a people they are still so pessimstic about governments etc. Also she is convienced that the only way someone will get a good job (the economy is very poor there) is to know someone--which is the way it worked in communism. As she said, "You can have anything there, you just have to be patient and work hard." And they are and do! I don't know if the news in the states highlighted the riots last week in Budapest. It was very disturbing to her as she believes most of the citizens don't support that way of change. The perspective she has of her country is that it has been around for so long and had so many things happen to it, that the people are resiliant and things will work for the better eventually. Sorry I don't have any pictures, but Günter has a camera ordered since ours never turned up. I am still mad about the loss (over 400 euros).
On a completely different topic, I apologize if the bog bodies and such was gross to people. I considered being an archeologist (but knew I needed a profession where I could make a living). So I have always been facinated by things like that. When I was in Egypt I had to see the mummies and love to study about the past. It is interesting how I went into a profession that still deals with the (more recent) past and digging up sometimes gross things(from the memory)--ha ha!
On the kid front...Jenna is making progress. We hear her making sounds that are like words, with the intonations and length of sounds. She still can't make consonents, but hopefully that will come. She tries so hard that it really endears her all the more to me.
Niklas was horrid at church yesterday. I wonder if it was because Kati was here and he wanted to spend time with her...I don't know. In nursery at church he was destructive with throwing chairs around, taking wooden puzzels and throwing them at kids. He was banging his head on the ground at times too. Perhaps he was so tired. I just hope things calm down now that I can get them into a routine again.
Okay, hopefully this will get finished tonight. I really would like to start blogging about other things! But I also want to have this preserved for when my memory fails!
One short tangent...today was a long day of errands (I finally got a base pass--for the adoption vollunteer work I will be doing) so I went to the food court and had Taco Bell (which they don't have in the German economy) then I looked at the toys (possible Christmas ideas) of what they had at the Power Zone. Then we headed out to the park they have at Pulaski. It was nice--a fenced playground and a special area just for toddlers (with slides and climbing things). The kids had a fun time. Then we stopped briefly at the thrift store and they were having a sale so I got a few toys for the kids. On the way home I stopped and had my hair cut (and surprisingly, the kids were good until the very end). By the time we got home they fell asleep in the car (around 3 pm) and I let them sleep one hour. Then they played with some of the new toys but both were pretty grumpy. At one point I had Jenna upstairs and Niklas went down and the next thing I heard was thumping UP the stairs. I looked and he had already pulled down his pants and was lugging his little potty chair up! I hurried down and helped him sit (which was only for, maybe 2 seconds) and he didn't want to do that any longer. By the time I got them to bed they were both emotionally a mess. And they woke up hysterical around 9 pm. Now that they are back in bed I am hoping to get this Ireland trip wrapped up!
Okay, hopefully this will get finished tonight. I really would like to start blogging about other things! But I also want to have this preserved for when my memory fails!
One short tangent...today was a long day of errands (I finally got a base pass--for the adoption vollunteer work I will be doing) so I went to the food court and had Taco Bell (which they don't have in the German economy) then I looked at the toys (possible Christmas ideas) of what they had at the Power Zone. Then we headed out to the park they have at Pulaski. It was nice--a fenced playground and a special area just for toddlers (with slides and climbing things). The kids had a fun time. Then we stopped briefly at the thrift store and they were having a sale so I got a few toys for the kids. On the way home I stopped and had my hair cut (and surprisingly, the kids were good until the very end). By the time we got home they fell asleep in the car (around 3 pm) and I let them sleep one hour. Then they played with some of the new toys but both were pretty grumpy. At one point I had Jenna upstairs and Niklas went down and the next thing I heard was thumping UP the stairs. I looked and he had already pulled down his pants and was lugging his little potty chair up! I hurried down and helped him sit (which was only for, maybe 2 seconds) and he didn't want to do that any longer. By the time I got them to bed they were both emotionally a mess. And they woke up hysterical around 9 pm. Now that they are back in bed I am hoping to get this Ireland trip wrapped up!
I was so hoping that when I came back I would be so rejuvenated that I could stay on top of everything for at least 1 month. Wrong. The latest around here: Niklas had a HORRIBLE reaction to the antibiotic (a semi-synthetic penicillan) where he had a red-hot rash all over his body and welts that varied in size of a dime to a quarter. Poor guy. We immediately took him off all medication and went to the doctor, who was shocked by how he looked. I took pictures, but when we stopped in a store in Berncastel (and I was chasing after the kids while Günter paid) I forgot the camera. Sad thing is that we were 1.5 hours away and don't know the name of the small shop. If we ever recover the camera, I will post the gruesome pictures. Besides that, both kids are pretty cranky and I think I am battling post-holiday blues.
I have been busy catching up and think I am almost there. My husband handled the kid wonderfully and there were no ER visits(big sigh of relief!). The house was not a disaster, although he didn't do laundry, cleaning or shopping--so he still doesn't appreciate all I do in a day, but this is a start. I have been trying to catch up on all the chores since I have been back.
I was so hoping that when I came back I would be so rejuvenated that I could stay on top of everything for at least 1 month. Wrong. The latest around here: Niklas had a HORRIBLE reaction to the antibiotic (a semi-synthetic penicillan) where he had a red-hot rash all over his body and welts that varied in size of a dime to a quarter. Poor guy. We immediately took him off all medication and went to the doctor, who was shocked by how he looked. I took pictures, but when we stopped in a store in Berncastel (and I was chasing after the kids while Günter paid) I forgot the camera. Sad thing is that we were 1.5 hours away and don't know the name of the small shop. If we ever recover the camera, I will post the gruesome pictures. Besides that, both kids are pretty cranky and I think I am battling post-holiday blues.
I have been busy catching up and think I am almost there. My husband handled the kid wonderfully and there were no ER visits(big sigh of relief!). The house was not a disaster, although he didn't do laundry, cleaning or shopping--so he still doesn't appreciate all I do in a day, but this is a start. I have been trying to catch up on all the chores since I have been back.
Günter took me to the airport on Thursday 31 August and I kissed the kids and Günter goodbye. I heard Niki calling out "Mama" as he drove off, which broke my heart, like I was abandoning him or something. I got in the line (that is the price to be paid at these discount airlines) and waited. I originally planned to just take carry-on but because of the terrorist stuff in England a few weeks ago, they would allow only a small handbag. I had to go to a different line to pay for the bag and come back to the original line to check in again. But I got through security and passport control in time. On RyanAir they don't assign seating so everyone gets aggressive about being first in line to get a good seat. I thought I was in the right one, but it turned out they moved it, so I stepped over a chair blocking me (which I can easily do thanks to going over the baby gate all day long) to be in the front again and someone called me "cheeky". I felt some shame about it and thought about it for far too long. The flight was uneventful except the attendant giving me the evil eye since I kept my backpack out so I could eat snacks (they only sell food to eat--no freebies) and have things to read. I wondered if in the end if she thought I was trying to be sneaky and not stow it away.
I am glad I did my homework, because after I collected my bag I knew to get on the 747 express bus to the city center (not a slow one that stops at every stop). After getting off I had to walk a little way to my accomodation (Trinity College). Dublin felt a lot like NYC with loud noises and the activity and even all the foreign languages being spoken. I found the entrance to Trinity College
and went got checked in and found my room. I chose this place because of the location--the room was sad. It had old furniture and I had to share a bathroom and shower with others on that end of the floor (thesea are normally rooms for students but their classes don't start until October so they rent them out to tourists and visiting guests).
It was hot and I got changed and went out to explore the campus a bit.
I then went on a tour lead by a graduate student in History. That was VERY interesting to get a good understanding of the history and relevant social conditions while he showed us the important sites. What I learned was: Prior to the 1845 famine, Ireland's population was about 6 million afterwards it was 3 million with most dying of starvation due to a fungus (that infected the potatoes) and the rest immigrating. There is still a very strong sentiment against Britain (to the point that no one ever admitted they were English--they were from Australia or New Zealand, but never England!) partly because of their rule and partly because they didn't send any assistance to the starving. After the famine the population then centralized (pulling together little communities to farm together) and the oldest son would inherit the farm. But he couldn't do so until the mother was deceased, which some times was many years. So they wouldn't marry (since they didn't have a way to provide) until they were very old. Then the old men wanted a young wife to bear children and after he died then there was a long wait again for the oldest son to inherit the farm and marry. Ireland was not always predominately Catholic--it was mostly protestant (and still is in Northern Ireland--Belfast, which is still linked to England, uses the sterling pound and has no desire to unite and be one country).
The Catholic church is still a very strong influence in the South. If you can believe, until 1995 (implemented in 1997) there was no such thing as divorce or birth control in Ireland(!!!!) because the Catholic church opposed that.
I almost threw the camera away while I was in Ireland. For 3 days I was able to take pictures then the batteries died and I used a spare set, which, suspiciously, died off quickly too. So I bought some more and still the camera was acting up! I would turn it on and it would shut itself off before I could take a picture (after it took 30 seconds to charge up the flash). So the second part of the trip the pictures are sparce.
end of first day:Thursday 31 August
After the cool city tour I wandered around around the Temple bar area--which is quite historic. There were amazing street musicians and a few Irish dancers that I was able to enjoy. Then I went back to the room and made sure I was packed and ready for the next day.
Friday 1 September: I took my bags with me when I checked out and went to the cafeteria for breakfast. They had a continental buffet and allows you to have 3 pieces of bread (I always got the raisin scones--wonderful) a piece of fruit and a small juice. Overnight my bags must have gained weight, since they seemed so heavy as I carried them a few blocked to the tourist info center where I met up with my tour that left at 8 am. I had a 3 day excursion with Paddywagon to the south of Ireland. There were 6 other people in the van (a nice size tour) besides myself and the driver (Mark). There were (if you can believe it) two sisters that just graduated from Gonzaga University from Spokane, Washington! And the rest were either from Australia or New Zealand.
Since I was the last to be picked up, I got the front seat with the driver. Which was roomy and I could see everything quite well. We drove to Phoenix Park--this is Dublin's playground - the largest urban enclosed park in Europe, with a Circumference of 11km (7m) and a total area of 712 hectares (1,760 acres). Situated 3km (2m) west of the city centre. Ornamental gardens, nature trails, and broad expanses of grassland, separated by avenues of trees, including oak, beech, pine, chestnut, and lime. Livestock graze peacefully on pasturelands, deer roam the forested areas, and horses romp on polo fields.
Here is a picture of the Papal Cross where John Paul II offered mass at the presence of more then one million on 29th September 1979.
We quickly drove past Aras an Uachtarain--the house of the Ireland's president (as far as I can tell, he doesn't have much power). On our drive through the country side we saw almost all the fields had stone fences. The land wasn't used to farm but for cattle to graze (I guess after the potatoe famine they just didn't trust growing crops). We drove through the area where they harvest peat moss (which I remember the smell fondly from my childhood). Here is a picture a peat field (bog)--which they call turf. 40% of the Irish use it for heating and the rest of the harvest is used for soil in gardening.
In one is where they found several stone-aged bog men (that were murdered) in a perfectly preserved condition with the soil there.
Then onto Clonmacnoise. Here is a little history of it, if you are interested. It was so beautiful. I found that Ireland really does have all four seasons in an hour. While we were there there was a brilliant blue sky, drizzling rain and strong winds. This is where the famous symbol of Ireland is located--the high cross. Some pictures
We then drove to Galway. He took us to the center of this quaint town and we bought some sandwiches and then he drove us to the coast (Salthill) so we could have a little picnic while on the seaside. It was lovely and relaxing to hear the waves and enjoy some sunshine (of course it rained a bit later). Then he dropped us off at our accomidation. Most everyone stayed at a youth hostel but I had "upgraded" to get a B&B (Aaron House). It was nice to have a private room, although it was on the main level next to the kitchen so I heard everything. After resting I walked into the town and around the shopping district. It was fun to see so many stores and to browse without worry of my kids. We met at a pub (Richardson's in Eyres Square ) at 7 pm for "pub-grub". The great part of it was all public places are non-smoking so I could rally enjoy it! Everyone (but me) had a pint of Guiness and it was a fun a relaxing evening.
I don't remember what time I left but it was raining and I got lost trying to find my B&B again. By the time I did (after asking many people for directions) get back, I was soaked to the bones and my shoes were soggy. But I slept well!
Saturday 2 September: Included in my accomidation was breakfast and I got the "full Irish" which includes a sunny-side up egg, ham (which they call bacon), 2 small sausages, a wedge of tomatoe, baked beans (the kind we have with BBQ's) and a patty cake of somesort of grain. Unfortuantly they combined us with a larger tour on this day so we were in a full sized bus and I felt like I was herded around.
The driver (Eric) was fairly fouled-mouth and the F word seemed to be said several times in a sentence. He drove like a maniac too (on these narrow country roads) and I wasn't used to the left-hand drive anyhow, so that was unnerving. It was raining of course as we drove along. We went past the Aran Islands and the guide highly recommends going there if you have the time (which we didn't).
It was breath-taking (in more ways than one) as the tour guide whipped around the narrow sea-side roads to Burren. We stopped briefly to look at the thatched-roof cottages. There was this crazy pole that couldn't fit another sign on it.
We stopped along the way and hiked up to see a fairy ring.
Here are some cool pictures of what it looks like hiking there.
There is a lot of fun folklore about fairies and leprechauns! We stopped in Doolen for lunch at a quaint pub called Gus O'Connor's. I had the Irish stew--YUM!
We did drive to the famous Cliffs of Moher, which were stunning. There were also some muscians playing harp and other instruments as we climbed up.
We took the Ferry across (you can drive along the coast) to Tralee to Scraggane Bay at Maharee Peninsula where a few Europeans from our tour actually donned a bikini and dipped in. It is a great place for surfing and diving.
We then drove onto the Dingle Peninsula where the hostel (the others stayed at) was called "Randy the lucky Lepercaun" whereas
I went to a B&B called Adrinane.
I didn't even go out that evening (as the others did drinking) but relaxed.
*************
Sunday 3 September
Thankfully we had our original tour guide Mark (in the small van) again this day! He was great fun and I could pick his brain on the culture and history of Ireland while most others slept as we drove (out drinking a wee bit too much the night before?!) since we reverted to our previous seats in the van.
First stop was at a beach (the name I can't seem to remember) that is shown on all the travel broshures.
We drove onto the famous Blarney Castle. He explained that "blarney" means not getting to the point or twisting the truth so much that it is hard to know the truth. Brief history here.
The castle was in ruins but quite impressive nevertheless.
A view from the top:
If you kiss the stone you will have the gift of gab...like I need that!!!
"There is a stone that whoever kisses,
Oh! he never misses to grow eloquent
'Tis he may clamber to a lady's chamber,
Or become a member of parliament."
—Francis Sylvester Mahony
But I did, so you can expect rambling!
The most impressive part to me was the gardens around the castle. They were simply amazing. Look at the size of the leaves on this plant!
or this amazing tree:
I understand now why it conjures up images of magical fairies and such! Speaking of which, if you look real carefully at this stone you can see a witches broom.
Or you can explore the Head Druid's cave:
But don't forget the lepercauns pots of gold that are running through the stream:
After we all gathered back to the van we drove through Cork City, and got lunch--which we took to Cahir Castle and ate at a little park nearby. We then took the tour of Cahir Castle.
But by this time we were thinking as some on our tour said, "theABC's--another bloody castle!"
On the way back to Dublin we drove past the fields (owned by the government--military) where Braveheart battlefields scenes were filmed (even though it is about Scotland). Somehow we managed to avoid the traffic as we went back into Dublin. He dropped me off and I walked back to Trinity College where I reserved a room for the next two nights. My bag seemed pretty heavy as I dragged it around since they gave me a key to a different room on the paper. That room was occupied and I went back and they corrected the problem. After resting a bit I went out to explore the area more.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous. I don't have many pictures of the rest of the trip since I was so frustrated with the camera that I started messing with the settings and could on get it to work on rare occasions.
Here are a few pictures of Dublin:
the famine victims memorial:
(I had to take the image from someone else site since this is one my camera messed up)
Ha'Penny Bridge--where the River Liffey goes through the center of the city.
Temple Bar area:
Cool buildings:
That evening I got Thai food (curry) and ate in my room.
Monday 4 September
I carefully planned the last two days so as to make the best of my time. Even though I wanted to lounge in bed for the day I forced myself out. On the Trinity campus they have the most amazing old library with books that are hundreds of years old.
The highlighted exhibition is the Book of Kells--written around 800 AD of the 4 gospels (in a Latin text) and is elaborately decorated by the monks.
Afterwards I took the DART (train) to Malahide Castle.
Malahide is a 12th century castle; one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic with excellent collection of period furniture, oil portraits. The castle belonged to the Talbot family from 1185 to 1976 when it was sold to Dublin County Council. The castle itself is a combination of styles and periods; the medieval Great Hall is the only one in Ireland that is preserved in its original form while the National Portrait Gallery features many fine portraits of the Talbot family and 18th and 19th Irish Notables.
The dining hall is still used today for wedding and special occasions.
The grounds/gardens around the castle were spectacular. There was no way to get a picture to show that, so I didn't bother. It was so green and lush and peaceful. I remember walking along and hearing the birds and rarely saw another human.
Close by they have the Fry Model Railway. I was greatly disapointed and bored with this exhibit. Don't waste your money, if you are there.
I then walked around Malahide town. It was quaint and had a nice coast line.
Then I took the train (which I had to wait at least 20 minutes for each connection) to the next coastal town of Howth. It was threatening rain, and quite windy. Imagine a strong fishy odor...
Then it began down pouring so I rode the train along the coast past Killiney (where U2 and Enya own a mansion--but not together--ha ha). Eventually I rode it back to Trinity College and hiked (in the down pour) back to my room. i went out to a hotel that has Irish singing (and dancing) in the basement each evening. I was disapointed in it. Maybe because I wasn't drinking?!
Tuesday 5 September
I packed up my bag and had breakfast and checked out. They did have a place store luggage for the day across campus (which you had to pay for) so I chose to take it with me (WHAT was I thinking?!). I walked quite a ways to find the right bus stop to take (the number bus ONLY stops at certain stops so you must walk (most the time a long way) to get a connection.
I took the bus to Kilmainham jail.
When it was first built in 1796 it was called the "New Gaol" to distinguish it from the old jail it was intended to replace - a noisome dungeon, just a few hundred metres from the present site. Over the 140 years it served as a prison it held in its cells many of the most famous people involved in the campaign for Irish independence. The leaders of the Easter Rising, 1916 were held and executed here. The last prisoner held in the jail was Eamon de Valera. It was abandoned as a jail in 1924 by the government of the new Irish Free State.
I spent the rest of the day at the museums. They are free (but closed on Mondays). The most interesting was the exhibition on the Iron Age bog bodies.
Here is a picture of the Old Croghan Man, an Iron Age bog body found in an Irish bog in June 2003. He was named after Croghan Hill, County Offaly, near where he was found. He stood 6'6" (1.98m) tall (calculated from his arm span), extremely tall for that time , and is the tallest bog body ever to have been found. He is also presumed to have been a man of high status, displayed by his manicured nails, untroubled by manual labour. He is believed to have been murdered by being stabbed in the chest, decapitated and his body cut in half. This is displayed by his lack of head, and body below the hips. He also has a scar on his arm - possible evidence that he tried to defend himself, and so was not oblivious to the attack. The man was tortured before his death, there are deep cuts under each of his nipples. He also had pleurisy, according to scars on his lungs.His last meal (analysed from the contents in his stomach) was believed to have been wheat and buttermilk. At the time of his death, he was wearing nothing except for a plaited leather band around his left arm. He is believed to have died between 362 BC and 175 BC, making the body nearly 2,500 years old. The evidence shows that he was in his early twenties when he was killed. There are many theories why he was killed.
The other one on display was the Clonycavan Man.
Radiocarbon dating has placed his death to between 392 BC and 201 BC, during the Iron Age of Ireland, making him around 2,300 years old. Scientific study of his hair has shed light on Clonycavan Man's diet leading up to his death. His diet was rich in vegetables, which indicates that he was killed during the warmer summer months of the year. The Clonycavan Man was also fairly young at the time of his death, believed to be in his early twenties. The most distinguishing feature of the man was his hair, which was in a standing Mohawk hairstyle raised with the help of hair gel: a unique find, considering the body dates from the Iron Age. The gel was made of plant oil and pine resin, imported from south-western France or Spain. This attests to trade between Ireland and southern Europe in the fourth and third centuries BC, before Roman influence was brought to bear on the Celts of Iberia and Ireland. This also suggests he was wealthy, as few others would have been able to buy imported cosmetics.
Some interesting info about it. Also about Bog bodies around the world (in general).
Then I took the bus to my final B&B Rathview in Swords. The owner was a young mother and was VERY kind and hospitable. She mae me a cup of tea with some cookies and gave me recommendations on near-by resturants. Although I didn't go out. I repacked and watched TV and enjoyed my last night.
Wednesday 6 September
The taxi came for me at 5:30 am and it was raining. Hard. But all went well with waiting in the long lines for Ryan Air. I arrived on time and soon Günter drove up to meet me. I was nervous about how the kids would react. Niklas kept saying "Mama" and I kissed him. Jenna just looked at me with wide eyes--like she was surprised I came back. It was great to be home.
I love traveling and hope to do more, but I do love my little family!!
I am positive this will be the last post before my trip. While doing extensive research (as much as one can with two toddlers) I found some interesting things about the culture.
From the book "Strumpet City" I read about how life was for the poor in Dublin from 1907-1914. See here for images.
Which lead to the 1916 Easter uprising.
From the film "Magdalene Sisters" where it portrays the Irish-Catholic penitential assylum for wayward girls from 1880's-1996, you can read about the controversy of it here.
If you have a lot of time on your hands and want to read a bit about the Irish immigrants and conditions link here.
I wish I had more time to delve into the history of Ireland, but I think I got an idea of at least the 20th century.
I am still here--just taking a break from a few things in life. I am counting the days (one week from today) until I leave for Ireland! I have come to the conclusion that, like relationships, planning a trip is probably more exciting than the trip will be itself. I have done a lot of research (escape?) and wonder if it will be all I built it up to in my mind. I used to do this about a lot of things in my life (future relationships, employment possibilities etc) but found that there was sort of a let down and I didn't feel any happier than before when I got what I thought I wanted. I hope I can enjoy this trip for what it is. I know it will be hard for me being away from the kids and I am a bit worried how Günter will hold up and all. After making these kids the constant focus of my attention it will not be easy not to think of them every minute.
Speaking of which, we haven't yet heard from the preschool for Jenna to find out if she will be in for this year. Jenna has been pretty affectionate lately. She is really movin ginto her independance lately and wants things the way she wants them. And throws the biggest fit if it isn't just that way. I have a hard time with figuring out exactly what she wants. It's like 20 questions with screaming in between (sometimes me).
Niklas has now added to his repratore of troubles (for me) opening the doors to the backyard. We hae window-doors and there are no latches. He pushes up the handle and opens then and goes out.
On Tuesday of this week we went to Devils's table (TuefelTisch) with our chuch group and the kids had fun exploring the incredible playground. Both walked away with bruises--Niklas hit his head on a table and Jenna on the side of a twisty slide. I wish I could actually sit with all the other mothers and talk, but my kids require constant attention. Next year I am hoping it will be better!
I finally talked Günter into building a terrace over our back patio. With the constantly rainy weather, I want the kids to have access still to the sand box and swing set even in bad weather. Plus it will cover the woodpile too. We can BBQ in bad weather or even just sit out there and listen to the gentle rain. I think it will cost about 2,000 euro and all our labor. We are trying to decide the design and products to use right now. I think we will ask Günter's father to come help since he just built a pergala in the front of their house.
I doubt I will be posting until after I get back from Ireland, but hope by then that I will be back to regular posting.
and can use against him some day...here are the things Niklas did naughty today:
1) figured out the antique bookshelf can be pushed like a chair, and won't stop moving it. (it was one of the few places high enough for me to put all the things I need but don't want the kids to touch--baby finger nail clippers, chapstick, crayons, electric toothbrush, kleenex etc. If that wasn't enough, he will pull a chair over to get things off it now.
2) Figured out how to open the side gate in the yard. But that isn't enough either. He also started scaling them.
3) He went inside when I was playing with Jenna in the back yard and closed the door and managed to lock himself in. Good thing I had a hidden key in the back yard!
4) He asked for water to drink, so I gave him some and he promptly went over to the playhouse and dumped it out the little window