Re-entry drama and humor, post 2

Why on earth do we not include sales tax in the price that is posted???

I totally get that sales tax is used in many States.  We had value added tax on almost everything we bought in England.  We paid an extra 17.5% tax on everything!  BUT, the price that was on the tag already had the VAT added in.  So, I could look at the tag and know how much cash I needed in hand as I approached the register.

Here I am constantly getting to the register, planning to pay with cash, and then looking at the salesperson like they have three heads because the total they give me is not the total I'm prepared to pay.

It makes me crazy.

But, I'm not alone--because my girls are always saying the same thing.

So, if you work in retail and you happen to have someone like me staring blankly at you when you give the total, please be patient.  Maybe they are adjusting to separate sales tax from price. *sigh*



Warning that the next post in this series is a little more serious or bittersweet.

*sheep picture from www.morguefile.com (svklimkin)
 **The original intro to this series: Coming back to the US after so much time away has led to its own set of drama, and often humorous situations.  A couple of times a month I hope to record some of those times.  Mostly this is for our own sense of remembering later, but it also might help someone else who is encountering a "new-old" situation.

Re-entry Drama and Humor, post 1

Coming back to the US after so much time away has led to its own set of drama, and often humorous situations.  A couple of times a month I hope to record some of those times.  Mostly this is for our own sense of remembering later, but it also might help someone else who is encountering a "new-old" situation. I'll start with humor.

If you have traveled in Europe you will know that there are no light switches inside bathrooms in Europe (and only shaver plugs, no electric outlets). 

So for sixteen years, I have turned on the light before entering the bathroom.  It is second nature.

Our hall happens to have a light switch for the hall just outside the bathroom door. 

I cannot tell you how many times I have switched on the hall light, walked into the bathroom and wondered why the light was off. At least two or three times a week!  I am not sure I will ever again get used to the idea that I can turn on the light in the bathroom.

Little things that I must re-learn.  And it helps to be able to laugh at myself.  Especially as I stand perplexed in a dark bathroom.

Day Trips Post Four of Five

Continuing our Travels....to Luxumbourg.

Although Luxumbourg city is a lovely town, we had explored it on a previous trip to the area. So this trip we were looking to find something different. Due to the wonders of the internet, I learned that Luxumbourg was the final resting place for many American soldiers who died during battles of WWII in this area. In addition, it is the final resting place of General George Patton, Jr. So that became our destination.

There is something about rows of white crosses that take my breath away--and make me forever grateful:


This cemetery had many graves marked with Stars of David. Humbling.


Here is Patton's final resting place:



The same day we visited Luxumbourg, we also explored the former-Roman city of Trier. Trier is famous for its gate the Porta Negra:




The cathedral:







Next up: Limburg and Koblenz

Day Trips Post Three of Five

Continuing to Expolore Area around our New Home

We also discovered Brugge about eleven years ago. It is such a beautiful little town with its canals and relatively untouched-by-WW architecture. It was a rather dull day when we drove over for lunch and exploring, but it didn't stop us from taking a couple hundred shots of the canals and buildings (no I'm really not exaggerating). Thankfully for you, I've chosen just a few of my favourites to give you a flavor or the area.











And, of course we had to have some chocolate!


Next up: Luxumbourg

Day Trips Post One of Five

As promised (way too long ago), here is a travel log of some of the day trips we took over the Christmas/New Year break.  There is so much to see within about a 3 hour drive from our newest home!

Here is a taste.  First up is Heidelberg. This beautiful little town is special because it is where German spent much of his preteen/early teen years.  It was the first place in Germany that he showed me when we came to Germany on our honeymoon.  This trip was just after Christmas, but the market was still open.  The castle is beautiful. We even found the house he lived in but I haven't posted it. :-)











Another Christmas day trip to a market was to Wurzberg. This was a few days before Christmas and the market was in full swing. The sausages served there were the longest we had seen! Beautiful church and castle on the hill. A truly lovely day out.











Next up: Christmas markets in Siegburg and Aachen (plus another trip to Aachen); Brugge, Belgium; Gouda, Netherlands; Luxumberg....

Thank you for traveling with me!

My Garden

One of the great joys at our new Irish house is the amazing garden. For someone who has the brownest of fingers (or thumbs depending on what country the saying comes from), a beautiful garden is a wondrous thing. Thought I'd give a quick tour.

Who I Am--a poetic challenge

E-Mom at Chrysalis has challenged us to use the "Who I Am" poem template to explore our childhood memories and write a little poem about ourselves. Here is my little attempt at capturing some of "Who I Am." Hope you enjoy.

I am from Kerr canning jars, from Palmolive soap and Pine-sol.

I am from the brown-sided house by the cotton field, dusty, barren, of darkness enveloping like a blanket--the nearest porch light a half mile away dimly easing the loneliness.

I am from the cotton---pink and white blossoms to white fluffy balls, and the tumbleweed rolling across the sandy plain.

I am from shelling peas to freeze and snapping beans to can and from dogged stubbornness and thriftiness, from Cliff and C.P. and the “California relations“.

I am from the never-empty coffee pot and ongoing Skip-Bo or Domino games.

From “math is in your blood” and “You are better than B‘s“.

I am from Southern Baptist with Primitive roots. From church potlucks, and play dough theology, “no dancing” intoned by old voices singing ancient hymns.

I'm from Germany and Ireland and Scotland all merging in Texas, from cornbread dressing and hot cherry cobbler served with love. From “cook enough to feed a few more” which always meant too many leftovers.

From the cow trails across Colorado bonding brothers and with long-lost magazine cover photos. I’m from the gold brooch for wedding “oldness” bonding cousins across the generations.

I am from a tin box in the spare bedroom, sneaking peeks at photos long hidden. From albums in the formal living room brought out with ceremony then celebrated with laughter, and from 8mm film of swimming in cotton.

Tagged Meme Catch-Up (Two of them)

I'm really not good at being tagged. So, of course, I've once again let several meme tags slip past me without actually responding.

Kristin tagged me for the following meme with the I (Heart) Your Blog Award. I'm going to answer the questions without passing this on, because I'm so remiss in getting it done. The rules say one word answers. ACK!

1. Where is your cell phone? backpack
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? brown (needs to be colored)
4. Your mother? Texas
5. Your father? (too) far-away
6. Your favorite thing?
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? write
9. The room you’re in? kitchen
10. Your hobby? stitching
11. Your fear? failing
12. Where do you want to be in six years? wherever German is
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you’re not? organized
15. One of your wish list items? sofa
16. Where you grew up? Texas
17. The last thing you did? taught
18. What are you wearing? clothes ;-)
19. Your T.V.? off
20. Your pet? none
21. Your computer? notebook
22. Your mood? content
23. Missing someone? yes
24. Your car? none (DH has company car, I have none)
25. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your Summer? gone (If changed to your winter since I'm so late---cold)
28. Love someone? absolutely
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? last night

Thanks Kristin, sorry it took me like months!

AND...

E-Mom at Chrysalis tagged me for the seven things meme with the Kreative Blogger Award. Obviously, not very creative since it has taken me 3 months to respond. But it is an honor since E-Mom is one of the most creative bloggers I know. So here it is (better late than never):

Seven Things I did Before I was a Mom:
1. I went to seminary.
2. I was a psychiatric social worker on a locked unit.
3. I trained child protection workers in how to do their jobs.
4. I read whole books that did not begin "Once Upon a Time" nor end "Happily Ever After".
5. I spent most Saturdays saying with German, "choose a direction" and then driving that direction to see what we might explore
6. I slept through the night without waking and straining to hear if they were okay in the room next to me.
7. I was less anxious when traveling.

Seven Things that I do Now that I Know Jesus Really Loves Me:
1. I want to study Scripture
2. I make a serious attempt to memorize Scripture
3. I pray more valiantly for those who have not yet made that discovery
4. I disciple others so they will have deeper knowledge of Him
5. I often sit and weep at the awe of what that love for me cost Him
6. I spend more time throughout the day in prayer or praise
7. I see His hand guiding us to the place we are currently standing

Seven Things I would Like to Do
1. Read the books sitting on my "please read me now" shelf (some have been there since Jewel was born
2. Learn how to take really amazing photographs with our new camera
3. Visit Asia, South America and Southern Africa (not too bothered by Antarctica, but want to see the other continents)
4. See my children baptised and know that they are growing in their faith
5. Finish half the cross stitch projects and quilt projects on my current dream list
6. Grow Old with German and know that he is pleased with the wife I am able to be
7. Write a book

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Husband
1. His Faithfulness
2. His Loyalty
3. His Love for God
4. His Love and Care of our Family
5. His Trust
6. His Ability to Make Me Smile
7. His Integrity

Seven Favorite Foods
1. Anything Mexican
2. Thai Noodles with extra chilies
3. Strawberry Cake
4. Shortbread
5. Sweet Potatoes
6. Lasagna
7. Pulled Pork with BBQ Sauce

Seven Things I Say Most Often:
1. Stop Whining
2. Time to Go/Get your shoes on/Find your coat
3. We are eating.....
4. Someday (to the constant questions of "when can we...")
5. Stop arguing with your sister
6. I need to write about that
7. I love you!

Seven People I Wish to Pass this Award Along To:
think I'll not tag anyone, since I'm months behind on this

Father of the Year?

My father has decided to give Jewel and Flower this for Christmas:


It has secured his place as a finalist for "Grandfather of the Year."

At the same time, it has negated his chances of winning "Father of the Year."

Please note, it comes unassembled.

Granddad is in Texas.

We are in England.

Who do you think will be assembling it?

Enough said.

Who Is Out There?

Several of my cross stitch buddies have this on their blogs, so I decided to play along!

So who reads my blog??

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! And if we've never met in real life, leave me a comment of your favorite post I wrote and why it was your favorite.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually really funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you

Roman Holiday (part three of three)

Here are just some miscellaneous shots that are my favorites.

What is a holiday without food shots?

Pastries!


Pizza!


And GELATO!!! (Flower's favorite part of Rome)

Then there were these pictures in the forum that encapsulate Rome for me: History, Tourists and Catholicism


But here is my favorite picture of all!


Hope you enjoyed your virtual Roman Holiday!

Roman Holiday (part two of three)

More sightseeing photos around Rome:


Running on the Circus Maximus


Fountains in Piazza de Navona


The Pyramid


Trevi Fountain--yes we all threw in coins to "insure" we will someday return to Rome.


Fountain at the Spanish Steps

One of the cool things about this trip was that German's very best friend/more like a brother from High School Days was in Rome with his family on business. Our plan was to spend the entire day together on their third day in Rome. On their first day in Rome we had left a message that said we were at Trevi Fountain headed to the Spanish Steps. We finished taking our pictures at the top of the Spanish Steps and started down. I heard someone say "I wonder how close we can get to them before they see us?" It was our friends. They had got our message and headed out the door immediately to try and catch us...you know in the little village of Rome with oodles of tourists. It was awesome! Here is a shot from the all-day touristy day 3.


One more post to come...