A lil' o' this... n' that.

New Years Eve is tomorrow (true story: I honestly had to double check..) and I've been catching up on my blog reading from over the last few days (yes, I've actually been busy... but we'll get to all that). Everyone's been blogging about post-Christmas craziness, or their Fav's from 2010 (everything from TV show's to pictures to books), or what they hope for out of the fresh start the new year brings. I'm a huge list maker. I don't venture out of the house to buy more than 1 or 2 things without a list, something would surely be forgotten and I'd have to go back, and who has the time for multiple trips to the store... that's just crazy talk. I've seen a few ladies out here in Bloggy-Land recapping their lists from 2010 (what happened, what didn't, what turned out to be an epic fail). I'm starting to ponder this idea. Keep you're eyes out for that. I like that it's not a resolution to lose 10 lbs, it's more of a bucket list for the year... and I dig it.

I know I missed Wednesday but I've been busy (I'll recap what I've been doing next) I have to let everyone know I desperately WANT a massage! My back has been killing me. Either my boobs are getting bigger (Lord help me) or this bed has really taken it's toll on me. Either way... the back is aching.

Monday, I went with the girls down to the gym- we were ready for a Volleyball throw down! Sadly, no one showed. You see what had happened was, the ladies' husbands failed to register for the tournament in time to play and the other two teams that did take the time to register felt like they had better things to do- and didn't show. That makes us the undefeated-first place champs! HA... We showed up an hour early at 1 to practice and wound up staying until 4.... I hurt afterwards (could have something to do with the back pain huh? But that was 3 days ago... Anywho. Fast forward a day (Tuesday) a new couple we like took pity on us. We squished into the car and jumped on the Autobahn and headed over to Ramstein. The Autobahn out here where we are isn't too crowded- we're in the middle of no-wheres-ville, but it was still an experience driving 120MPH and it being legal. eeeek. Ramstein has the biggest PX (pardon me, "Exchange") in the world! It's a mall- straight up. Last week I told you all I wanted the Jack WolfSkin Ontario Parka in Black.. they had it at in Ramstein. No I didn't get it. I have a perfectly suitable winter coat. :( I still want it though. It's something to be excited over when our "exchange" here is the smallest I've ever seen and the Commissary only has 6 registers. We had Chili's for dinner and headed back in the snow... we made it back and all in all had a great time with our newest homies.

Today I'm off to schedule my hair appointment, take my USAREUR drivers license test (wish me luck), and get our application submitted for our travel passports. Do you know thanks to RyanAir the hubs and I could have flown to Dublin (Ireland!!) on this 4-day weekend for 127 Euro total, no each (round trip)?? Yes, we'll be getting our Passports ASAP!

Happy Thursday All.

Volleyball and Surprises

I bet you didn't know that I played volleyball in Middle School, once upon a time I was actually pretty good. Betsey suckered asked me to play with her and some other wives from her husband's company (completely different unit from Kevin) are playing in a double elimination tournament tomorrow. I really thought it'd just be good ol' times, with a general goal of getting the ball back over the net. Well, I come to find out that these girlies will be playing against their husbands, so their all rather revved up over the idea of kickin' the boys' asses which makes for more competitive play. It's ok, even though it's not what I expected I'm still really enjoying myself. I'm trying to convince the other girls that we should start a team and play ever Sunday. So far they seem interested.

I love how people surprise you. I've been blessed since arriving in Germany. Blessed with perspective. Friendships that I've cherished for a long while have faded, people don't make an effort. While others who I have to admit, I honestly had lower expectations from, have made the effort and come through in times I would have never thought. I always say when it comes to relationships you should really lower your expectations or try not to have them at all because if you don't expect anything (or much) from people they can't let you down. It's easier to maintain relationships when you don't weigh them down with expectations.

Looking forward, the countdown is on for our apartment! Spoke to housing last week and they said it should be ready "on or about 25 Jan." I'm trying to optimistic about the 30th, seeing as how they originally told Kevin our place wouldn't be ready until 1 Feb. T-minus 37 days, AND COUNTING!!! Our household and Unaccompanied goods have both arrived, which is great news: means when we get our house we'll also have all of our own things and not crapola from they let you rent from the Lending Closet on post.

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve here in Germany. There's more snow falling outside- it's beautiful. I can't help but wish I were:

Or just generally:

Today seems unsettled, thus far (in all fairness it's on 9 AM) and I hope to make peace with the day soon enough. But I can honestly say today is the first day I've been seriously homesick since arriving here in Germany. You see Christmas Eve was always the bigger deal in our house. Amazing meals were had on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but there was always much more since of family on the Eve. So today I'm definitely missing the since of family (again, in all fairness Kevin's had CQ all night) and wanting an amazing meal (I've been craving Spaghetti and Lasagna like a crazy person over the last week). Such is life, right? I'm sure the hubs and I will make the best of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

A fellow blogger, ABW raved about how much her and her family enjoyed their Thanksgiving at the DFAC so I'm hoping to try that out for tomorrow.

I hope you all have the Merriest of Christmas Eve's wherever you may be and whoever you may be spending them with!

I Want it Wednesday...

I know I haven't done this in a while... and everyone misses knowing exactly what I want at any given moment. Well here's a Christmas Edition of "I want.." for ya:

I want....

Jack Wolfskin- Ontario Parka for Women. In Black please!

I want... More than anything our apartment to be ready on post. I want... to unpack our dishes, pots and pans. I want... to make my bed and climb into it at night. I want... to cook- I miss my pasta. I want... to be in a different room than my husband, not only because he's at work but because I have the option.

I still want... diamond earrings I asked for last year.

I want... my sister to start using her camera, because it's virtually band new and never been used before. Also, because (hut-umm) I'm half-way around the world now but still want to see what's going on (for example, the kiddo's at the Zoo for Christmas fun!).

White Christmas

OK, so I attempted to post our 5-day weather forecast as well as the above photo. Alas, it didn't work. Since we arrived in Germany the amount of snow on the ground has doubled! The day before we landed in Frankfurt, they had to close the airport for a few hours, due to the weather- that's saying something, considering folks in this neck of the woods are used to the snow! All the same, there's anywhere from 3-4 feet on the ground. 

Over the course of the next five days the temperature will not reach 40 degrees (f) and a snow/rain mixture is 60% likely (or more) each day. Hello, White Christmas. 

I have to say that in all my years (I'm so dramatic, aren't I? As if, I am so old, haha) in Colorado we very rarely had White Christmases. Yes, it's Colorado and one would assume, Mountains=snow. Well, not all of Colorado is covered with the beautiful Rocky Mountains... a good chunk is honestly plains. My point is that I finally have a white christmas looming and it's very bitter sweet. 

First, I'm so blessed to just have Kevin home with me and that him and I are together for this Christmas. However, we're halfway around the world from all of our family, we have none of our belongings, no real options for making a nice meal, no decorations. 

So while I'm looking forward to celebrating with Cup O Noodles, a game of cards and a lot of webcamming with the families! 

More of Wiesbaden..

Friday night we discovered all the beauty and joy Wiesbaden's Christmas Market had to offer. Saturday morning we wanted to get out and see some of the other sites. We happened through Warmer Damm Park (I couldn't make that up- I'm not that clever):

The park was just gorgeous. I loved all the snow- something so pure and easy about it. The last picture, with the lady feeding the ducks was just amazing to me- they all attacked her!

St. Bonifatius Church, is the oldest Catholic Church within the city limits. It was beautiful. The stained glass windows were like nothing I'd ever seen before. The architecture was amazing as well, the towers, the interior ceiling of the church was just breathtaking.

This photo is quickly becoming one of the favorites that I've ever taken:

For all my Catholics out there, you can back me up: kneeling in these pews through Mass would be boarder-line torture! I did it though... well, in truth I just said a small prayer while inside the church- no I didn't attend Mass, but it was still not something I'd love to do for any extended period of time.

I know this is quickly becoming a very picture-heavy post, but I have just a few more I HAVE to share with you:

Aquis Mattiacis- "dedicated to the springs of the Mattiaci". Aren't the fountains majestic? Interesting fact: This building is now home to a CASINO.... hmmm.

Just a fun picture:

That's it now.. promise! :) Happy Sunday Everyone.

Wiesbaden!

Kevin and I had our first official adventure in Germany! Physically getting there was kind of a chore: taxi to the bus station, bus to the train, swap trains, then walked some 6 or 7 blocks to the hotel. All the same, we made it to Wiesbaden. Honestly it wasn't so bad, we got there in one piece together, and got a glimpse into the public transit system over here. So not all bad.

After we found a suitable hotel we hit the streets. Our main mission and goal was to visit the Christmas Market!! We chose our hotel (Crowne Plaza) because it was two blocks from the Market. (lets just keep in mind it's Germany people, and it's been snowing for WEEKS, everything is covered in snow) Me, in my (cough, cough, knock off Ugg) boots and Kev in his leather shoes went venturing toward the market. First stop, Gluwien!

The pretzel came later but was delicious!

Next we tooled around the Market, taking in all it had to offer:

It was really a great time discovering all that the Market had to offer. It was the perfect setting; snow was falling and there was plenty of Gluwien to keep us warm. 
We even scored some good loot:

Our Gluwien mugs

Hand-painted glass Ornament.