Sunday, December 25, 2011
No Matter How You Say It ...
Fröhliche Weihnachten (German)
Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
Joyeux Noel (French)
Buone Feste Natalizie (Italian)
God Jul (Swedish)
Feliz Natal (Portuguese)
Vrolijk Kerstfeest (Dutch)
Nollaig Shona Dhuit (Gaelic)
Kala Christouyenna (Greek)
Natale Hilare (Latin)
Milad Majid (Arabic)
Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
Omedeto (Japanese)
Sung Tan Chuk Ha (Korean)
Gajan Kristnaskon (Esperant)
No matter how you say it, Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
Joyeux Noel (French)
Buone Feste Natalizie (Italian)
God Jul (Swedish)
Feliz Natal (Portuguese)
Vrolijk Kerstfeest (Dutch)
Nollaig Shona Dhuit (Gaelic)
Kala Christouyenna (Greek)
Natale Hilare (Latin)
Milad Majid (Arabic)
Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
Omedeto (Japanese)
Sung Tan Chuk Ha (Korean)
Gajan Kristnaskon (Esperant)
No matter how you say it, Merry Christmas!
Labels: Christmas, Pam's thoughts
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A Wonderful Uncle!
I have an absolutely wonderful uncle. I couldn’t have asked for a better uncle than my Uncle Sam. He’s my mom’s younger brother, and I was born just a few months after he graduated high school. When I was young, I remember visiting my grandparents’ farm and running around the front yard while he -- playing the role of “Tickle Monster” -- chased my brother and me. He always seemed to catch us at some point and would tickle us unmercifully (well, it seemed so at the time -- he sure knew how to find all our tickle spots!), but we also got away a good bit of the time. It was good clean fun (and great exercise too)!I remember for my third birthday, he gave me a green inchworm. I had so much fun riding that inchworm up and down the driveway!
As I got older, every now and then, David and I were able to spend the night with him and Aunt Gail. It was always a treat. We’d pull out the hideaway bed from the couch, get ready for bed, curl up under the covers with our cousins and watch TV until the wee hours of the night. I even remember watching the National Anthem play a few times indicating the end of programming before the TV screen went to static. Mom and Dad would NEVER let us stay up late enough to see the National Anthem play!
I also remember him and Aunt Gail taking David and me to see “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” in the theater. They even bought us popcorn and soda! We rarely convinced our parents to buy popcorn and soda at the movies, so we were ecstatic! They had gone to see the movie already, so knew to take their girls to the lobby to buy popcorn during the scariest scene (I don’t remember if David went with them or not), but since I was 13 I was allowed to stay in the theater and watch it.My first paying job -- other than babysitting -- was working in Uncle Sam’s pepper fields. He paid me $75 (and even had to report it to the IRS) for picking and sorting peppers. I was pleased to make the extra money, and (despite the South Georgia summer heat) enjoyed spending time with family in the field. I also topped tobacco in his fields one summer. That was awful work since we had to wear long sleeves in the South Georgia heat to protect us from the sticky sap that oozed from the plants when we broke off the flower clusters from the tops. The job was even more unenjoyable since I had to reach above my head to top most of the plants -- boy did my arms get tired! Fortunately (?), I never had to help harvest the tobacco -- either I was too young (so I stayed back at the house and helped Granny Walker prepare the meals for when they finished for the day) or we weren’t visiting when it was harvest time. A part of me wanted to help on the harvester, but I know it was miserable and back-breaking work so was thankful that I didn't have to.
Since my parents lived in Colorado and Texas while I was in college in South Georgia, I’d go to my grandparents’ farm for the weekends since they were just over an hours' drive away. Sometimes I’d get to steal away a bit with Uncle Sam (of course, after I’d started my laundry and worked on homework a bit). Everywhere we went together, whether it was to a fall festival downtown, making a house call on extended family or to the Dairy Queen for a mid-afternoon treat, I always felt special when with Uncle Sam. He knows just about everyone in town (and the other nearby towns as well!), and he always proudly introduced me to everyone we ran into while we were out and about. I’ve never heard a bad word spoken about him, which makes me doubly proud to be his niece. Even to this day when I travel back to my mom’s hometown, all I have to is mention that he’s my uncle and everyone knows who he is and shares a kind word about him.
Now he’s carrying on that same tradition with my own kids. He gladly takes them for rides in his John Deere tractor (they all look forward to that every time we head to the farm) and steals them away for jaunts into town. Zachary once asked for 20 pieces of chicken at KFC -- he was thinking nuggets instead of PIECES! Uncle Sam also talked to Zachary about college and the Hope Scholarship -- now Zachary has his mind made up that he’s going to move in with Uncle Sam and Aunt Gail so he can graduate high school in Georgia and go to Georgia Tech on the Hope Scholarship!Thanks for all the wonderful memories, Uncle Sam (aka “Tickle Monster”). I couldn’t have asked for a more kind, generous and loving uncle than you -- I’ve truly been blessed to have you in my life! Happy 57th birthday. May you be blessed with many more! I love you!!
Labels: Birthdays, Pam's thoughts
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Rapeseed fields
Every year, in late spring, German fields come alive with vibrant yellow rapeseed fields. This plant is a bright yellow flowering member of the mustard or cabbage family along with 3,000 other species. “Canola” is a trademark for a hybrid variety of rape initially bred in Canada. Close relatives of this crop have been cultivated for food since the earliest recordings of man.
Rapeseed has been important to Europe since the 13th century as a source of food and oil for fuel. Germany is the fourth top producer of rapeseed in the world with 5.3 million metric tons produced in 2007. In Europe, rapeseed is primarily cultivated for animal feed and is a leading option for Europeans to avoid importation of genetically modified organism products.
That said, I simply enjoy the bright yellow fields dotting the landscape. The crops have already been harvested for the year, so I only have these photos to remind me of their beauty.
Labels: Germany, Pam's thoughts
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day Thoughts
A Marine friend of mine sent this to me last year, and I think it’s a good reminder of why we have Memorial Day. Never forget.
As an old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I’m ready to get out of here right now! But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in. Kevin would lock the “In” gate, and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey’s in time.
I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.
I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman’s squint.
“Ma’am, may I assist you in any way?”
She took long enough to answer.
“Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.” Well, it wasn’t too much of a lie.
She looked again. “Marine, where were you stationed?”
“Vietnam, ma’am. Ground-pounder. ’69 to ’71.”
She looked at me closer. “Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
I lied a little bigger: “No hurry, ma’am.”
She smiled and winked at me. “Son, I’m 85 years old, and I can tell a lie from a long way off. Let’s get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name’s Joanne Wieserman, and I’ve a few Marines I’d like to see one more time.”
“Yes, ma’am. At your service.”
She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn’t quite make out. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC, France 1918.
She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943.
She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.
She paused for a second. “Two more, son, and we’ll be done.”
I almost didn’t say anything, but, “Yes, ma’am. Take your time.”
She looked confused. “Where’s the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.”
I pointed with my chin. “That way, ma’am.”
“Oh!” she chuckled quietly. “Son, me and old age ain’t too friendly.”
She headed down the walk I’d pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn’t make out.
“OK, son, I’m finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.”
Yes, ma’am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?”
She paused.... “Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.”
She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn’t finish, I don’t know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully. I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.
“Get to the ‘Out’ gate quick. I have something I’ve got to do.”
Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road. We beat her. She hadn’t made it around the rotunda yet.
“Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost.... Follow my lead.” I humped it across the drive to the other post.
When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny’s voice: “Tehen Hut! Present Haaaarms!”
I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye -- full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud. She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.
I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.
As an old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I’m ready to get out of here right now! But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in. Kevin would lock the “In” gate, and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey’s in time.
I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.
I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman’s squint.
“Ma’am, may I assist you in any way?”
She took long enough to answer.
“Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.” Well, it wasn’t too much of a lie.
She looked again. “Marine, where were you stationed?”
“Vietnam, ma’am. Ground-pounder. ’69 to ’71.”
She looked at me closer. “Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
I lied a little bigger: “No hurry, ma’am.”
She smiled and winked at me. “Son, I’m 85 years old, and I can tell a lie from a long way off. Let’s get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name’s Joanne Wieserman, and I’ve a few Marines I’d like to see one more time.”
“Yes, ma’am. At your service.”
She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn’t quite make out. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC, France 1918.
She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943.
She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.
She paused for a second. “Two more, son, and we’ll be done.”
I almost didn’t say anything, but, “Yes, ma’am. Take your time.”
She looked confused. “Where’s the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.”
I pointed with my chin. “That way, ma’am.”
“Oh!” she chuckled quietly. “Son, me and old age ain’t too friendly.”
She headed down the walk I’d pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn’t make out.
“OK, son, I’m finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.”
Yes, ma’am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?”
She paused.... “Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.”
She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn’t finish, I don’t know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully. I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.
“Get to the ‘Out’ gate quick. I have something I’ve got to do.”
Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road. We beat her. She hadn’t made it around the rotunda yet.
“Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost.... Follow my lead.” I humped it across the drive to the other post.
When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny’s voice: “Tehen Hut! Present Haaaarms!”
I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye -- full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud. She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.
I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.
Labels: Pam's thoughts
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
I attended a Mother’s Day Tea in Benjamin’s classroom on Friday. I wasn’t expecting it to be a performance so I didn’t take my camera, but I truly enjoyed the show nonetheless. I knew it was going to be a tear-jerker when one of Benjamin’s classmates handed me a tissue as I walked in the room, saying, “Here’s a tissue in case you cry.” Benjamin read a poem with one of his classmates, and they all sang songs and recited “mom-isms” during the performance. Benjamin said they were able to choose their mom-isms by raising their hands when their teacher read them to the class while preparing for the performance. I suspected as much, especially since the two he read aloud were very similar to phrases he hears come from my mouth. His two mom-isms were, “How many times do I have to tell you?” and “I said CLOSE the door, not SLAM it.”
They also made a booklet with thoughts about their mothers. I really like what Benjamin said about me: “She’s nice, helps me, plays with me, reads with me, she doesn’t interrupt me, takes care of me, lets me sleep in her bed, lets us pick one thing out at the commissary. She lets us do what we want to do, she helps me clean up the house. She is awesome, really awesome. She loves me, really loves me. I love her and she loves me really much. She lets us sleep in on weekends and cooks cookies for us.” I really enjoyed his line about who helps who clean the house!
I woke up this morning to kisses from Benjamin and breakfast in bed courtesy of all three kiddos. This seems to be the standard Mother’s Day for me, and I love it! Benjamin seemed surprised that I like scrambled eggs and toast (one slice with butter, the other with jelly), and asked me if I usually eat cereal because it’s quicker (yup!). They even discovered that the tray they use to deliver my breakfast can be used as a dry erase board, so they decorated it and signed their names on it!
Benjamin made me a small photo frame, and MacKenzie made me several clay roses. She also picked out a bouquet of flowers the other day, which we bought and have been enjoying since Friday. Yesterday, she helped a friend plant flowers in her yard, and brought home one plant for me. How sweet! I really am blessed to have three very wonderful kids!
I found this poem that I think captures the essence of Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day!
They also made a booklet with thoughts about their mothers. I really like what Benjamin said about me: “She’s nice, helps me, plays with me, reads with me, she doesn’t interrupt me, takes care of me, lets me sleep in her bed, lets us pick one thing out at the commissary. She lets us do what we want to do, she helps me clean up the house. She is awesome, really awesome. She loves me, really loves me. I love her and she loves me really much. She lets us sleep in on weekends and cooks cookies for us.” I really enjoyed his line about who helps who clean the house!
I woke up this morning to kisses from Benjamin and breakfast in bed courtesy of all three kiddos. This seems to be the standard Mother’s Day for me, and I love it! Benjamin seemed surprised that I like scrambled eggs and toast (one slice with butter, the other with jelly), and asked me if I usually eat cereal because it’s quicker (yup!). They even discovered that the tray they use to deliver my breakfast can be used as a dry erase board, so they decorated it and signed their names on it!
Benjamin made me a small photo frame, and MacKenzie made me several clay roses. She also picked out a bouquet of flowers the other day, which we bought and have been enjoying since Friday. Yesterday, she helped a friend plant flowers in her yard, and brought home one plant for me. How sweet! I really am blessed to have three very wonderful kids!
I found this poem that I think captures the essence of Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day!
Because you are strong
Even when you’re not
Because you are always there
Especially when you can’t be
Because when people say, ‘How do you do it?’ you wonder, ‘How would I not?’
Because you can make everything better with a band-aid and a kiss
And because it nearly destroys you when you can’t
Because you laugh at knock-knock jokes that make no sense
Because you cry at the drop of a hat
Because you are terrified to let them go
And because you do
Because you haven’t eaten a hot meal in years
And because you’ve barely noticed
Because you know all the words to ‘hush little baby’
Or because you make them up
Because you’ve read the same bedtime story so many times
That you could do it in your sleep
And because sometimes you do
Because your kiss to a hot forehead is no less accurate than a thermometer
Because you know the power of ice cream
And the power of withholding it
Because you have eyes in the back of your head
Or at least they think you do
Because you know there is no finer art than what’s on your fridge
Because there is no limit to your love
But there are limits and rules and expectations in your home
Because in your eyes, every human being is another mother’s child
Because there is literally nothing you wouldn’t do to protect your babies
Because your babies may be 35, but they’re still your babies
Because they make you the best version of yourself
Especially when you feel like the worst
Because the phrase ‘full time mom’ strikes you as absurd
Because you can’t imagine what it would mean to be a ’part-time mom’
Because you are patient
Even when you’re not
Because you could watch your child sleep for hours
Because you see miracles in the smallest victories
And opportunities in every defeat
Because you would take all their pain if you could
And because you don’t
Because you can’t imagine life without them
Because you know and do and are so much more than you give yourself credit for
Because today is your day
Happy Mother’s Day
-- Jess Wilson
Even when you’re not
Because you are always there
Especially when you can’t be
Because when people say, ‘How do you do it?’ you wonder, ‘How would I not?’
Because you can make everything better with a band-aid and a kiss
And because it nearly destroys you when you can’t
Because you laugh at knock-knock jokes that make no sense
Because you cry at the drop of a hat
Because you are terrified to let them go
And because you do
Because you haven’t eaten a hot meal in years
And because you’ve barely noticed
Because you know all the words to ‘hush little baby’
Or because you make them up
Because you’ve read the same bedtime story so many times
That you could do it in your sleep
And because sometimes you do
Because your kiss to a hot forehead is no less accurate than a thermometer
Because you know the power of ice cream
And the power of withholding it
Because you have eyes in the back of your head
Or at least they think you do
Because you know there is no finer art than what’s on your fridge
Because there is no limit to your love
But there are limits and rules and expectations in your home
Because in your eyes, every human being is another mother’s child
Because there is literally nothing you wouldn’t do to protect your babies
Because your babies may be 35, but they’re still your babies
Because they make you the best version of yourself
Especially when you feel like the worst
Because the phrase ‘full time mom’ strikes you as absurd
Because you can’t imagine what it would mean to be a ’part-time mom’
Because you are patient
Even when you’re not
Because you could watch your child sleep for hours
Because you see miracles in the smallest victories
And opportunities in every defeat
Because you would take all their pain if you could
And because you don’t
Because you can’t imagine life without them
Because you know and do and are so much more than you give yourself credit for
Because today is your day
Happy Mother’s Day
-- Jess Wilson
Labels: Pam's thoughts
Saturday, February 27, 2010
What’s Been Going on with Us Lately
Disclaimer: I apologize in advance for the length of this post as well as the lack of photos to help break it up. It is what it is, so here it is.
These items don’t really qualify for individual blog posts of their own merit, but, when combined, help paint a picture of the hecticness and craziness that has been pervading our lives lately. This post isn’t meant as a list of gripes or complaints, but rather merely a summary of some of the concerns and issues that have found their way into the Cook household (which also prevent me from otherwise updating this blog with our travel posts, which I’m WOEFULLY behind in doing). So, in no particular order, here’s what’s been keeping us busy (other than Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, school and work).
Benjamin has two cavities, but freaked when the pediatric dentist numbed him up and was getting ready to begin filling the first one. We go back this week to try again -- this time with the help of laughing gas. The dentist stressed not letting Benjamin drink too much sugary juice (he doesn’t), especially until the cavities are filled.
MacKenzie made Gold Honor Roll with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99. This achievement earned her an invitation to the national Junior Honor Society -- her application is due in early March. She also earned a silver medal for reading four books last quarter and doing written book reports on each one.
I had a cyst removed from my back a few weeks ago because it was a relatively new “bump” and had turned black. I’m still waiting on the biopsy results. While it was difficult for me to get my coat on with the stitches almost square between my shoulder blades, it was a wonderful opportunity to teach Zachary how to help a lady with her coat. He was also very helpful in changing my Band-Aid. I, on the other hand, nearly passed out on at least two different occasions when I contorted my neck enough to catch a glimpse of the stitches in the bathroom mirror (and was once again reminded why I didn’t pursue a career in medicine!).
Benjamin had his well-child doctor appointment recently. Despite my supposition that he’s on the short side, he actually is in the 64th percentile for height and 59th percentile for weight. I’d say that’s a good combination. The doctor finally confirmed my suspicion that he’s flat-footed (instead of simply pronating his feet like his previous pediatrician kept telling me), although he didn’t recommend doing anything other than making sure he has good support in his shoes (which I have to replace every two to three months because he wears out the inside of the soles so quickly). Downside is that he gets constipated easily, and the doctor recommended adding more 100% fruit juice to his diet. That’s not his drink of preference (he likes flavored water better), and it’s in direct opposition to what the dentist said. Oy voy!
Zachary surprised me twice last week by calling me at work (he rode the bus home both afternoon so he could work on homework without distraction) to ask if he needed to pull anything out of the freezer to thaw for supper. What 14-year-old boy thinks of things like that!?!!
The kids’ passports expire in June (the last week of school, to be exact), but I can’t send off for the new ones until Matt gets here since he also has to sign their application paperwork in front of a passport official. This is a requirement so that neither parent can apply for passports to take children out of the country without the other parent at least being aware of the existence of the passports. This was a hassle five years ago since we had to mail the applications certified mail from Maxwell to Randolph, and then ask the Randolph office to submit them to the State Department. This will be priority #1 when Matt arrives back in Germany since it’s difficult to make summer plans not knowing when I’ll have their new passports in hand.
Benjamin has had moments of deep philosophical thought lately. One such question that really stuck out was when he asked, “I don’t get it...” (most of his philosophical questions begin with this phrase), “Why did God make us here?” I asked him what he meant by “here,” and he replied “Why did God make us here on Earth instead of in Heaven?” (since God wants us to go to Heaven) I didn’t really have an answer for him on that one. Any thoughts?
MacKenzie needs to have a tooth extracted soon to make room for her permanent tooth that’s below it. This particular molar isn’t loose at all, despite the fact that its corresponding molar on the other side came out before Christmas. She’s also going to need an expander in her upper jaw, probably in about six months or so.
I finally broke down and bought my first iPod (an iTouch). The kids seem to use it more than I do, to play their favorite music (Toby Keith and Dolly Parton for Benjamin, and Taylor Swift and Toby Keith for MacKenzie) and download/play free apps/games.
I tried to sign up Benjamin for t-ball since he seems to have a natural ability (he bats left-handed with his tee at home, and slides all over the place as if base bags were strategically placed in our house), but the slots were full. So, he’s on a wait-list. He didn’t seem excited about playing, but I think he’d enjoy it if he gave it a shot. Crossing my fingers that a slot opens up before the season starts in April.
Zachary is beginning to narrow down possibilities for his Eagle project. I think the forerunner is to build a booth around the sound system at the chapel to help protect the equipment. Another option is to work with the USO and the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility to do something to support wounded troops who travel through Ramstein regularly.
I’m still in physical therapy for my hip. I maintain that when the therapist pulled my hip back into alignment last May this new set of issues surfaced (shooting pain down my leg and behind my knee, while sitting, standing or no particular reason at all). No amount of core strengthening seems to make the pain stay away. And, it’s still not comfortable to sleep on that side. I sure hope bursitis isn’t an inherited condition!
Benjamin is having problems in school with inattentiveness. I think a big part of it is that he’s bored in class, but there seems to be more going on. The school counselor and psychiatrist are involved, and he’s even begun seeing a psychiatrist at LRMC. The doctor is concerned because of his family history of depression...yes, he’s showing signs of depression. We’ve also considered ADHD/ADD, but don’t think that’s a significant problem/issue.
MacKenzie is taking her science project to heart and really getting into collecting data and doing research to determine whether smokers or non-smokers have better lung capacity. Many folks in my office have been good sports about helping her, and became subjects for her data collection. So far, on average, the non-smokers have slightly better lung capacity.
I was in a fender bender a few weeks ago -- I backed into a car and dented up my bumper and broke my taillight. I ordered new parts three weeks ago, and am still waiting for the repair shop to call to let me know they’re in. I expect it’ll be another week after they call before I can actually schedule the repairs.
Of the four computers in our house, three either don’t work or are very unreliable. One PC is older than Benjamin and is on its second hard drive. The “newer” PC is the one Zachary built in 2006, and it hard broke a few weeks ago. One laptop is from 2005, and it hard crashed in December, worked for a few weeks after we reinstalled everything, and now gets stuck in a circular start-up mode. I suspect the only way to make use of it again is to reinstall everything (again) and hope the reinstall lasts more than a month this time. So, after I shared the beginning of my computer woes with my wonderful brother (who works for Dell), he ordered a new laptop for me, which I received just before Christmas. Yeah! When the 2006 PC died, I called on him again, and he once again came through. We received our second laptop this weekend! It’ll be nice to have two working computers in the house again, especially since Zachary and MacKenzie both often need computer time to do homework. Now I’m just waiting on replacement ink cartridges for the printer so they can print their homework instead of emailing it to their teachers (the BX doesn’t carry our brand!).
I have to include a cute Benjamin quote from last week when we were watching “Star Trek” (the most recent movie, with a young James T. Kirk and crew on an alternate timeline). When Uhura kissed Captain Spock, Benjamin asked, “Why do all the girls always want to kiss the captain.” I busted out laughing, and Benjamin innocently asked if I was laughing at what he had said. I answered yes, but didn’t answer his question. The next night, we were watching the rest of the movie (since we rarely get to watch an entire movie in a single sitting), and he asked me again. This time I had enough composure to answer that maybe the girls like to kiss people who are in charge. What a kid!
Zachary also made the Gold Honor roll with a quarterly GPA between 3.5 and 3.99, and will be resubmitting his application to the National Junior Honor Society.
My van has been driving me batty while I try to figure out why I’m not getting nearly as good of gas mileage as I used to. At first, I thought it was the tires since the front ones were wearing differently. I had them replaced in October and the alignment checked (which was good), but it didn’t improve the gas mileage much. I thought the van needed a tune-up, which I had done last month (new spark plugs were the supposed culprit this time), but that didn’t help either. I need to take it back in to have another assessment -- perhaps this time I’ll go to a mechanic off-base instead of the on-base folks. I know she has more than 102,000 miles (only 14,000 on this transmission), but I still don’t think that in and of itself should warrant the drop in gas mileage that I’ve seen.
Benjamin keeps asking me for a baby sister. I’ve told him that I prayed to God for him, so he now thinks that’s all I have to do in order to give him a baby sister: “Mommy, can you pleeeease pray for a baby girl?” Ah, such innocence!
MacKenzie asked me a few weeks ago if it was okay if she were to cut her eyebrows. I should have known better than to have emphatically said “NO” before turning around to glance at her eyebrows. As the word left my lips, I noticed a semi-bare patch in each eyebrow. She’s self-conscious that her eyebrows are too bushy (they’re anything but -- in fact, they’re very well-proportioned and beautiful), and she took matters into her own hands...with the help of scissors in them. Fortunately, she didn’t trim much, and I don’t think it’s noticeable to anyone who didn’t know what she attempted. Other recent questions from her lately included whether she could begin wearing makeup (which I allowed her to do, and which she only wears sporadically now) and whether she should begin shaving her legs (which we discussed, and she agreed to wait).
We’ve still been having problems with internet at home. T-Mobile claims there’s nothing wrong with my Web-n-Walk stick, even though it quits uploading/downloading for no apparent reason -- even when there’s still a strong signal (it runs off a cell phone sim card). I’ve gone back and forth with them -- online, over the phone and in the store -- with no real resolution. This is getting OLD!!!
Zachary has been getting headaches after reading and studying, so I’ve made an appointment for him with an optometrist. Hopefully there’s nothing significant going on, but I figure it’s better to be safe than sorry (especially considering how horrible my pre-surgery vision was). He thinks he needs reading glasses.
Benjamin is reading up a storm lately -- when he wants to. He can read an entire chapter book (his favorites are the “Jack and Annie” Magic Tree House series) in an afternoon, and I’m very proud of him for finally wanting to read them over simpler books like Little Critter or the Bernstein Bears.
After much consternation, my property manager and landlord were finally able to get someone out last month to “fix” the pipes leading to the water heater in our attic so they don’t freeze when the temps fall below freezing and cause water to leak into the garage. However, during his visit, the landlord also decided he wants to cut a hole in the laundry room wall leading outside so I don’t have to keep the laundry room window open for the dryer vent hose whenever I do laundry. It’s been more than a month since he proposed doing this, and I haven’t heard anything more about it. I figure by the time they get around to actually doing so, I will have survived my third winter of doing laundry in a room that matches the outdoor temperature. Yes, we keep the laundry room door closed, but we receive a rude blast of cold air when we do laundry in the winter. Oh, and they didn’t put the gutter joint back together when they fixed the water heater issue...not that I want them to since I’ve still seen ice form where the joint should be, which leads me to believe that it’ll still freeze and leak into the garage if it were sealed off.
I’m on the verge of signing up for Air War College by correspondence. IF I decide to stay in the Air Force more than 20 years, I need this block checked to be competitive for squadron command and for promotion to colonel. I don’t need to close doors that I may need opened in the future, but I’m not looking forward to a year-and-a-half of correspondence courses. Ugh.
I’m sure I’m leaving some things out, like our recent ER visit to diagnose Benjamin with Scarlet Fever, assorted Boy Scout merit badges and campouts, and various Girl Scout extracurricular activities such as Thinking Day and the upcoming Powderpuff Derby. Oh, and I didn’t even TOUCH on what’s been going on at work -- I could probably do another entire post of comparable length just on that alone! And, yes, regular Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts meetings, as well as school and work, still occupy a good bit of our time too. Someone once told me I needed “a wife” to help manage everything. Some days I believe it! Maybe just a personal assistant...or an Alice (think back to the Brady Bunch -- a live-in cook, laundress and babysitter all in one)! Any takers?
These items don’t really qualify for individual blog posts of their own merit, but, when combined, help paint a picture of the hecticness and craziness that has been pervading our lives lately. This post isn’t meant as a list of gripes or complaints, but rather merely a summary of some of the concerns and issues that have found their way into the Cook household (which also prevent me from otherwise updating this blog with our travel posts, which I’m WOEFULLY behind in doing). So, in no particular order, here’s what’s been keeping us busy (other than Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, school and work).
Benjamin has two cavities, but freaked when the pediatric dentist numbed him up and was getting ready to begin filling the first one. We go back this week to try again -- this time with the help of laughing gas. The dentist stressed not letting Benjamin drink too much sugary juice (he doesn’t), especially until the cavities are filled.
MacKenzie made Gold Honor Roll with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99. This achievement earned her an invitation to the national Junior Honor Society -- her application is due in early March. She also earned a silver medal for reading four books last quarter and doing written book reports on each one.
I had a cyst removed from my back a few weeks ago because it was a relatively new “bump” and had turned black. I’m still waiting on the biopsy results. While it was difficult for me to get my coat on with the stitches almost square between my shoulder blades, it was a wonderful opportunity to teach Zachary how to help a lady with her coat. He was also very helpful in changing my Band-Aid. I, on the other hand, nearly passed out on at least two different occasions when I contorted my neck enough to catch a glimpse of the stitches in the bathroom mirror (and was once again reminded why I didn’t pursue a career in medicine!).
Benjamin had his well-child doctor appointment recently. Despite my supposition that he’s on the short side, he actually is in the 64th percentile for height and 59th percentile for weight. I’d say that’s a good combination. The doctor finally confirmed my suspicion that he’s flat-footed (instead of simply pronating his feet like his previous pediatrician kept telling me), although he didn’t recommend doing anything other than making sure he has good support in his shoes (which I have to replace every two to three months because he wears out the inside of the soles so quickly). Downside is that he gets constipated easily, and the doctor recommended adding more 100% fruit juice to his diet. That’s not his drink of preference (he likes flavored water better), and it’s in direct opposition to what the dentist said. Oy voy!
Zachary surprised me twice last week by calling me at work (he rode the bus home both afternoon so he could work on homework without distraction) to ask if he needed to pull anything out of the freezer to thaw for supper. What 14-year-old boy thinks of things like that!?!!
The kids’ passports expire in June (the last week of school, to be exact), but I can’t send off for the new ones until Matt gets here since he also has to sign their application paperwork in front of a passport official. This is a requirement so that neither parent can apply for passports to take children out of the country without the other parent at least being aware of the existence of the passports. This was a hassle five years ago since we had to mail the applications certified mail from Maxwell to Randolph, and then ask the Randolph office to submit them to the State Department. This will be priority #1 when Matt arrives back in Germany since it’s difficult to make summer plans not knowing when I’ll have their new passports in hand.
Benjamin has had moments of deep philosophical thought lately. One such question that really stuck out was when he asked, “I don’t get it...” (most of his philosophical questions begin with this phrase), “Why did God make us here?” I asked him what he meant by “here,” and he replied “Why did God make us here on Earth instead of in Heaven?” (since God wants us to go to Heaven) I didn’t really have an answer for him on that one. Any thoughts?
MacKenzie needs to have a tooth extracted soon to make room for her permanent tooth that’s below it. This particular molar isn’t loose at all, despite the fact that its corresponding molar on the other side came out before Christmas. She’s also going to need an expander in her upper jaw, probably in about six months or so.
I finally broke down and bought my first iPod (an iTouch). The kids seem to use it more than I do, to play their favorite music (Toby Keith and Dolly Parton for Benjamin, and Taylor Swift and Toby Keith for MacKenzie) and download/play free apps/games.
I tried to sign up Benjamin for t-ball since he seems to have a natural ability (he bats left-handed with his tee at home, and slides all over the place as if base bags were strategically placed in our house), but the slots were full. So, he’s on a wait-list. He didn’t seem excited about playing, but I think he’d enjoy it if he gave it a shot. Crossing my fingers that a slot opens up before the season starts in April.
Zachary is beginning to narrow down possibilities for his Eagle project. I think the forerunner is to build a booth around the sound system at the chapel to help protect the equipment. Another option is to work with the USO and the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility to do something to support wounded troops who travel through Ramstein regularly.
I’m still in physical therapy for my hip. I maintain that when the therapist pulled my hip back into alignment last May this new set of issues surfaced (shooting pain down my leg and behind my knee, while sitting, standing or no particular reason at all). No amount of core strengthening seems to make the pain stay away. And, it’s still not comfortable to sleep on that side. I sure hope bursitis isn’t an inherited condition!
Benjamin is having problems in school with inattentiveness. I think a big part of it is that he’s bored in class, but there seems to be more going on. The school counselor and psychiatrist are involved, and he’s even begun seeing a psychiatrist at LRMC. The doctor is concerned because of his family history of depression...yes, he’s showing signs of depression. We’ve also considered ADHD/ADD, but don’t think that’s a significant problem/issue.
MacKenzie is taking her science project to heart and really getting into collecting data and doing research to determine whether smokers or non-smokers have better lung capacity. Many folks in my office have been good sports about helping her, and became subjects for her data collection. So far, on average, the non-smokers have slightly better lung capacity.
I was in a fender bender a few weeks ago -- I backed into a car and dented up my bumper and broke my taillight. I ordered new parts three weeks ago, and am still waiting for the repair shop to call to let me know they’re in. I expect it’ll be another week after they call before I can actually schedule the repairs.
Of the four computers in our house, three either don’t work or are very unreliable. One PC is older than Benjamin and is on its second hard drive. The “newer” PC is the one Zachary built in 2006, and it hard broke a few weeks ago. One laptop is from 2005, and it hard crashed in December, worked for a few weeks after we reinstalled everything, and now gets stuck in a circular start-up mode. I suspect the only way to make use of it again is to reinstall everything (again) and hope the reinstall lasts more than a month this time. So, after I shared the beginning of my computer woes with my wonderful brother (who works for Dell), he ordered a new laptop for me, which I received just before Christmas. Yeah! When the 2006 PC died, I called on him again, and he once again came through. We received our second laptop this weekend! It’ll be nice to have two working computers in the house again, especially since Zachary and MacKenzie both often need computer time to do homework. Now I’m just waiting on replacement ink cartridges for the printer so they can print their homework instead of emailing it to their teachers (the BX doesn’t carry our brand!).
I have to include a cute Benjamin quote from last week when we were watching “Star Trek” (the most recent movie, with a young James T. Kirk and crew on an alternate timeline). When Uhura kissed Captain Spock, Benjamin asked, “Why do all the girls always want to kiss the captain.” I busted out laughing, and Benjamin innocently asked if I was laughing at what he had said. I answered yes, but didn’t answer his question. The next night, we were watching the rest of the movie (since we rarely get to watch an entire movie in a single sitting), and he asked me again. This time I had enough composure to answer that maybe the girls like to kiss people who are in charge. What a kid!
Zachary also made the Gold Honor roll with a quarterly GPA between 3.5 and 3.99, and will be resubmitting his application to the National Junior Honor Society.
My van has been driving me batty while I try to figure out why I’m not getting nearly as good of gas mileage as I used to. At first, I thought it was the tires since the front ones were wearing differently. I had them replaced in October and the alignment checked (which was good), but it didn’t improve the gas mileage much. I thought the van needed a tune-up, which I had done last month (new spark plugs were the supposed culprit this time), but that didn’t help either. I need to take it back in to have another assessment -- perhaps this time I’ll go to a mechanic off-base instead of the on-base folks. I know she has more than 102,000 miles (only 14,000 on this transmission), but I still don’t think that in and of itself should warrant the drop in gas mileage that I’ve seen.
Benjamin keeps asking me for a baby sister. I’ve told him that I prayed to God for him, so he now thinks that’s all I have to do in order to give him a baby sister: “Mommy, can you pleeeease pray for a baby girl?” Ah, such innocence!
MacKenzie asked me a few weeks ago if it was okay if she were to cut her eyebrows. I should have known better than to have emphatically said “NO” before turning around to glance at her eyebrows. As the word left my lips, I noticed a semi-bare patch in each eyebrow. She’s self-conscious that her eyebrows are too bushy (they’re anything but -- in fact, they’re very well-proportioned and beautiful), and she took matters into her own hands...with the help of scissors in them. Fortunately, she didn’t trim much, and I don’t think it’s noticeable to anyone who didn’t know what she attempted. Other recent questions from her lately included whether she could begin wearing makeup (which I allowed her to do, and which she only wears sporadically now) and whether she should begin shaving her legs (which we discussed, and she agreed to wait).
We’ve still been having problems with internet at home. T-Mobile claims there’s nothing wrong with my Web-n-Walk stick, even though it quits uploading/downloading for no apparent reason -- even when there’s still a strong signal (it runs off a cell phone sim card). I’ve gone back and forth with them -- online, over the phone and in the store -- with no real resolution. This is getting OLD!!!
Zachary has been getting headaches after reading and studying, so I’ve made an appointment for him with an optometrist. Hopefully there’s nothing significant going on, but I figure it’s better to be safe than sorry (especially considering how horrible my pre-surgery vision was). He thinks he needs reading glasses.
Benjamin is reading up a storm lately -- when he wants to. He can read an entire chapter book (his favorites are the “Jack and Annie” Magic Tree House series) in an afternoon, and I’m very proud of him for finally wanting to read them over simpler books like Little Critter or the Bernstein Bears.
After much consternation, my property manager and landlord were finally able to get someone out last month to “fix” the pipes leading to the water heater in our attic so they don’t freeze when the temps fall below freezing and cause water to leak into the garage. However, during his visit, the landlord also decided he wants to cut a hole in the laundry room wall leading outside so I don’t have to keep the laundry room window open for the dryer vent hose whenever I do laundry. It’s been more than a month since he proposed doing this, and I haven’t heard anything more about it. I figure by the time they get around to actually doing so, I will have survived my third winter of doing laundry in a room that matches the outdoor temperature. Yes, we keep the laundry room door closed, but we receive a rude blast of cold air when we do laundry in the winter. Oh, and they didn’t put the gutter joint back together when they fixed the water heater issue...not that I want them to since I’ve still seen ice form where the joint should be, which leads me to believe that it’ll still freeze and leak into the garage if it were sealed off.
I’m on the verge of signing up for Air War College by correspondence. IF I decide to stay in the Air Force more than 20 years, I need this block checked to be competitive for squadron command and for promotion to colonel. I don’t need to close doors that I may need opened in the future, but I’m not looking forward to a year-and-a-half of correspondence courses. Ugh.
I’m sure I’m leaving some things out, like our recent ER visit to diagnose Benjamin with Scarlet Fever, assorted Boy Scout merit badges and campouts, and various Girl Scout extracurricular activities such as Thinking Day and the upcoming Powderpuff Derby. Oh, and I didn’t even TOUCH on what’s been going on at work -- I could probably do another entire post of comparable length just on that alone! And, yes, regular Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts meetings, as well as school and work, still occupy a good bit of our time too. Someone once told me I needed “a wife” to help manage everything. Some days I believe it! Maybe just a personal assistant...or an Alice (think back to the Brady Bunch -- a live-in cook, laundress and babysitter all in one)! Any takers?
Labels: Benjamin, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Kid Quotes, MacKenzie, Pam's thoughts, Zachary
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Holiday Greetings
I thought everyone would like to see the holiday greetings we filmed this year. We filmed them back in September, hence the short-sleeves. It's much colder here now! Enjoy!
Delaware greeting
Texas greeting
Georgia Greeting
Delaware greeting
Texas greeting
Georgia Greeting
Labels: Benjamin, Germany, MacKenzie, Pam's thoughts, Zachary
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
I'll Miss the Twinkle
Dell WalkerMay 27, 1920 - November 3, 2009
I'll miss the twinkle in your eyes when you smile and laugh. Thanks for all the memories. I miss you already.
Labels: Pam's thoughts
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Spring Flowers
Our neighbor planted tulips last year and warned us where they would appear this spring so we (um, I mean, Zachary) wouldn’t mow them down with the lawnmower when they began sprouting. They were a nice touch at the end of our driveway, and I enjoyed looking at them each morning and evening, as they opened and closed each day. No, Zachary didn’t mow them.
Benjamin is enamored with flowers. He loves picking them and giving them to me since they’re “so beautiful.” No, he didn’t pick the tulips for me. Those aren’t his favorites. Instead, he much prefers the yellow flowers that abundantly graced our yard -- dandelions. Yup, he thinks these yellow nuisance weeds are the best flowers in the world and will pick handfuls of them and so generously present them to me with a smile. He also enjoys studying them when they’re morphed into their wish-granting version. Those he doesn’t share. He much prefers making wishes and blowing the seeds all over the yard. The more wishes, the better.And speaking of springtime, I heard back from the German doctor who did Benjamin’s allergy test (the one that took three of us to hold him down). It confirmed our suspicions that he has seasonal allergies: pollen of rye, grass, birch and mugwort. The surprise result is that -- according to the labwork -- he’s also allergic to peanuts -- a “Class 3” allergy. When I commented that he eats peanut butter almost every day for lunch at school (until he decided last week to eat hot lunch, that is) and also enjoys boiled peanuts, the doctor replied that it could be a “cross allergy” that shows up in lab results but not clinically. Guess I need to keep an eye on him with peanut products. Bottom line for the seasonal allergies: he’ll be on some medicines long-term and others during pollen season only. He’s already asked me if he can still go outside, and what happens if he goes outside and gets sick. We’ve kept it under control pretty well these past few weeks, so I think he’ll be fine. He sure is smart to ask those questions though!
Update: I received the lab results on May 12. Benjamin is severely allergic to birch pollen. Normal is less than .35 kU/I (not sure what kU/I means), and he tested above 100 kU/I. Guess that explains the allergy-induced asthma he had! In addition to what’s listed above, he’s also slightly allergic to cats. The good news is that he’s not allergic to home dust mites, mold, dogs, cow’s milk, eggs, fish, wheat flour or soy (not that I had reason to suspect any of those allergies).
Labels: Benjamin, Pam's thoughts
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Frustration!
Isn’t this the 21st Century? Isn’t Germany a highly-technical society? Haven’t high-speed internet and DSL been around for YEARS? Then why is it that my village (and so many others) doesn’t have any of these advantages!?!! I have internet access via a cell phone provider, using a USB “stick” with a cell phone sim card because the only other options were dial-up and unsecure wireless (which also wasn’t terribly speedy).
When I was in Garmisch last month, the stick worked exceptionally well at more than 7 mbps. I didn’t know what I was missing until that trip. Now I’m back to my standard less than 50 kbps connection! Yup, you read correctly, 50 KILOBYTES per second. When I connect, I always get the notice that my connection speed is 238 kbps, but I have yet to see anything that quick in use. I always have “good bars” -- four or five bars -- showing at the bottom left indicating that I should have good signal strength. I sit next to a window, and sometimes I even carry my laptop up to the third floor hoping for better signal strength...often to no avail.
When I try to visit sites, I get this notice more often than I’d like. Sometimes, my internet craps out on me entirely, closing out all of my web browsers (email, blog dashboard and any other sites I may have open at the same time -- even if they’re static pages and already 100% downloaded). You can see the green and yellow lines completely disappear in the middle of the top image when that happened. Then my connection speed crawled again when I tried to open a single web page.
Uploading photos can take upwards of 5 minutes each. Uploading video is a non-starter (I go to the library to do that). Downloading or viewing video (like of my niece and nephew) takes a while to buffer. Downloading attachments from email also takes a while.
So, I’ll continue to do my best. I’ll continue to be frustrated. But, I’ll continue to update. Just be patient with me. Sometimes it’s really not my fault when I can’t get a new post added!
When I was in Garmisch last month, the stick worked exceptionally well at more than 7 mbps. I didn’t know what I was missing until that trip. Now I’m back to my standard less than 50 kbps connection! Yup, you read correctly, 50 KILOBYTES per second. When I connect, I always get the notice that my connection speed is 238 kbps, but I have yet to see anything that quick in use. I always have “good bars” -- four or five bars -- showing at the bottom left indicating that I should have good signal strength. I sit next to a window, and sometimes I even carry my laptop up to the third floor hoping for better signal strength...often to no avail.
When I try to visit sites, I get this notice more often than I’d like. Sometimes, my internet craps out on me entirely, closing out all of my web browsers (email, blog dashboard and any other sites I may have open at the same time -- even if they’re static pages and already 100% downloaded). You can see the green and yellow lines completely disappear in the middle of the top image when that happened. Then my connection speed crawled again when I tried to open a single web page.Uploading photos can take upwards of 5 minutes each. Uploading video is a non-starter (I go to the library to do that). Downloading or viewing video (like of my niece and nephew) takes a while to buffer. Downloading attachments from email also takes a while.
So, I’ll continue to do my best. I’ll continue to be frustrated. But, I’ll continue to update. Just be patient with me. Sometimes it’s really not my fault when I can’t get a new post added!
Labels: Germany, Pam's thoughts
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Which Bag?
I never thought I’d post a photo of our trash, but it is very relevant living in Germany. Why? Germans recycle. Yeah? So does everyone else, you say. No, Germans REALLY recycle -- as in, they recycle EVERYTHING. Biodegradable waste? It gets recycled and turned into compost. Anything from kitchen food scraps (except meat) such as coffee filters, tea bags and paper towels to lawn clippings and dead plants goes in the brown “bioabfälle” container.
Next category: “Gelbe Sack” for “light refraction” items. We have a huge roll of these “yellow bags” -- fortunately, they’re free and more were delivered to our doorstep last month so I didn’t have to search out the waste management office to get more. “Light refraction” is the catch-all of recycling since just about anything that can be recycled goes here: plastics, metals, juice/milk cartons, aluminum cans/foil, packing peanuts, Styrofoam, yogurt/butter containers, etc. Yup, it all gets heaped together in the yellow bags. This stuff eventually gets sorted by hand, so we have to rinse everything out before tossing it in the yellow bag.
As you can see from the photo at the right, my neighbor is much more adept at fully filling his yellow bags than I am. What container is that next to the yellow bags? That’s what the kids and I call “trash-trash” -- “restmüll.” Anything non-recyclable and non-hazardous goes in this tiny black container. This is the one category that actually doesn’t get recycled -- it is burned. If you have a child under 3 and still in diapers, you’re also authorized 26 “diaper trash bags” per year. Fortunately, all my kiddos are well past that stage! I couldn’t imagine having to keep diapers for up to two weeks before getting rid of them!
The easiest category is paper. The blue 240-liter containers are for clean paper, cardboard, heavy cardboard, newspapers, magazines, wrapping paper, books, etc. These are our containers at the left -- for a family of three or four. The containers below are my neighbor’s -- for a family of one or two. Notice how her black restmüll container has a slight hourglass shape to it? That’s because she can only fill beginning at the narrowest part of the container -- the bottom begins at that point. And, no, I have never filled our bioabfälle even a third of the way. My restmüll container easily holds only one 13-gallon trash bag, but I can squeeze and cram a second one in there if need be.
Now that I’ve explained everything, how often does all of this get picked up. Well, that depends. Yellow bags and restmüll get picked up together, every other week. Bioabfälle gets picked up every other week, on alternate weeks from yellow bags and restmüll. Paper and cardboard are picked up every four weeks, with restmüll. Yes, we have a chart to help us keep track of what goes out when. I’d be lost without it ... or either stuck with loads and loads of trash, er recycles, around the house.
Hmmm, it appears I’ve forgotten something. How, you ask, do we dispose of glass? That, my friends, is taken to a neighborhood glass recycling location where we must separate the glass into containers marked for the different colors of glass -- clear, brown and green. Oh, and there are rules for recycling glass too, specifically WHEN you can recycle glass. Since depositing the glass into the containers is noisy (from the glass shattering when it drops), we’re only allowed to deposit glass Monday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., then again between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. I always seem to realize that we have a slew of glass to recycle on Sundays, so we inevitably end up with lots of glass to recycle at once when we finally make it to our neighborhood glass recycling location.Why are Germans so adamant about recycling? Simple -- it’s the law. In 1991, Germany's minister of the environment declared waste a useful resource, and the German legislature approved a law making whoever places a package into commerce responsible for taking it back. Essentially, the Packaging Ordinance requires manufacturers or retailers to “take back” their packaging or ensure that 80% of it is collected rather than thrown out. Then 80% of what’s collected has to be reused or recycled. That translates into 12 million tons of material each year. Quite a significant impact for a country that, I’ve been told, has no more room in its landfills.
So, when I ask the kids to throw something away, it’s not uncommon for them to ask, “Which bag?” It’s a very legitimate question around here these days.
***************************
This blog celebrated its third anniversary on Monday, and this post marks another milestone: 400 posts! Wow! I never imagined that I would have ever had that much to say, but it’s been awesome sharing our photos and stories here. I’m glad so many people keep checking in on us. As always, feel free to leave a comment so I know who’s checking us out. Here’s hoping for another 400+ posts in the years to come (although I’m easily 60-or-so behind just with travel posts -- keep checking back for updates, they’re coming soon, I promise!).
Labels: Germany, Pam's thoughts
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Happy Birthday, Baby Brother
I couldn’t resist sharing these photos of my baby brother on his sixth 29th birthday (are you still counting that way?). For those of you not good with public math, that makes him 34 years old. As of his 13th birthday, I could no longer call him my “little brother” since he surpassed me in height. Even though he towers over me by a good eight inches now, he still means the world to me.
Check out Leslie’s blog to see more recent photos of him and his wonderful family. Take a close look, and I’m sure you’ll see another little boy with a strong resemblance to these photos. Yup, we all think his son Andy is a spitting image of David! Well, maybe not so much like this last photo -- gotta love digital photos these days so you’re not stuck with the scrunched-face-odd-old-man baby photos like this! {smile}Happy Birthday, Bubba! I love you!!
Labels: Birthdays, Pam's thoughts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Cold Snap
Yes, it’s been cold here lately. Colder than usual. I don’t think I’ve seen temps above the mid-30s in nearly two weeks (perfect opportunity for Russia to stop supplying gas to much of Europe by way of Ukraine). It was 6-degrees this morning when I drove to work! It’s been so cold that you have to take precautions so your pipes don’t freeze -- like letting the outside faucets drip and making sure your radiators remain on. Duh! It’s cold, so therefore our radiators will remain on.
So, Saturday morning, I had just returned from a week in Garmisch and was getting ready to take Benjamin to swim lessons (yes, we go to an indoor pool). As usual, we were rushing around at the last minute, so when Zachary asked me to come look at something in the garage, I let out a sigh. “No Mommy, you really need to come look at this,” he said with a tone of seriousness in his voice.
Much to my surprise, we had a huge puddle of water in the middle of our garage, and more water dripping down from the ceiling. When I checked the attic above, I discovered more water next to the water heater. Joy. I guess that also explains why our kitchen floor was cold the night before (we have in-floor heating downstairs).
I immediately tried calling our property manager -- no answer. So, off we headed to swim lessons, otherwise we’d be late. Enter my Blackberry (which I haven't really embraced yet). While watching Benjamin in the pool, I emailed our property manager with the details. She replied back, made a phone call, and, before I returned home, a repairman was in our garage assessing the situation (fortunately Zachary stayed home -- it’s so nice having a son responsible enough to be able to do that!). Score one for my Blackberry.
The culprit? Frozen sludge in the pipe that doubles as a drain pipe and the downspout of the gutters. It had clogged the pipe, so water backed up to the water heater in the attic.
The most significant victim of the water dripping from the attic? The Christmas tree box. Fortunately the tree wasn’t in it yet. Score one for procrastination -- I knew it would eventually pay off! I’m still waiting to determine whether the box can be salvaged or not. Fortunately I have an empty dishpack that I think will suffice as a replacement Christmas tree box if need be. When we tipped the Christmas tree box on its side to let all the water pour out, the water froze a rock from beside our garage onto the box. In less than 30 minutes. That’s cold, folks!
I was concerned about the stack of pro gear boxes full of work-related books and binders that were stacked neatly below the Christmas tree box. You know it’s pretty cold when icicles form on the outside of the boxes ... in the garage! Fortunately, the Christmas tree box collected most of the water and funneled what water did escape toward the wall or the fronts of the boxes below, so there was very little damage to the contents of the plethora of pro gear boxes.
The second-most significant victim of the water? Zachary’s Boy Scout camping gear. He has a huge bin where he keeps his camping gear so it stays together, yet out of the way, when it’s not a camping weekend. Unfortunately, he didn’t put the lid back on it after packing for his last campout, and water seeped through everything and collected at the bottom. Icicles formed on the outside of the bin and in his clothes inside the bin. I think he’ll remember to close the lid to his bin tightly from now on!
We spent a good bit of time completely emptying Zachary's bin, drying everything off that we could, laying out what needed to dry naturally, and washing all his clothes. Zachary cringed when he saw that some of his Intercamp photos were damp. I wonder why? Maybe because they were pictures of GIRLS at a CO-ED campout? MacKenzie gladly brought his photos inside to spread out -- it was very cold working in the garage. What fared best? His rain gear that was still inside a ziplock bag from a previous campout. How appropriate!
Water is still dripping from the water heater, so I have a bucket in the attic to catch it and am waiting on the landlord to send someone out to try to fix it once and for all.
So, Saturday morning, I had just returned from a week in Garmisch and was getting ready to take Benjamin to swim lessons (yes, we go to an indoor pool). As usual, we were rushing around at the last minute, so when Zachary asked me to come look at something in the garage, I let out a sigh. “No Mommy, you really need to come look at this,” he said with a tone of seriousness in his voice.
Much to my surprise, we had a huge puddle of water in the middle of our garage, and more water dripping down from the ceiling. When I checked the attic above, I discovered more water next to the water heater. Joy. I guess that also explains why our kitchen floor was cold the night before (we have in-floor heating downstairs).
I immediately tried calling our property manager -- no answer. So, off we headed to swim lessons, otherwise we’d be late. Enter my Blackberry (which I haven't really embraced yet). While watching Benjamin in the pool, I emailed our property manager with the details. She replied back, made a phone call, and, before I returned home, a repairman was in our garage assessing the situation (fortunately Zachary stayed home -- it’s so nice having a son responsible enough to be able to do that!). Score one for my Blackberry.The culprit? Frozen sludge in the pipe that doubles as a drain pipe and the downspout of the gutters. It had clogged the pipe, so water backed up to the water heater in the attic.
The most significant victim of the water dripping from the attic? The Christmas tree box. Fortunately the tree wasn’t in it yet. Score one for procrastination -- I knew it would eventually pay off! I’m still waiting to determine whether the box can be salvaged or not. Fortunately I have an empty dishpack that I think will suffice as a replacement Christmas tree box if need be. When we tipped the Christmas tree box on its side to let all the water pour out, the water froze a rock from beside our garage onto the box. In less than 30 minutes. That’s cold, folks!
I was concerned about the stack of pro gear boxes full of work-related books and binders that were stacked neatly below the Christmas tree box. You know it’s pretty cold when icicles form on the outside of the boxes ... in the garage! Fortunately, the Christmas tree box collected most of the water and funneled what water did escape toward the wall or the fronts of the boxes below, so there was very little damage to the contents of the plethora of pro gear boxes.
The second-most significant victim of the water? Zachary’s Boy Scout camping gear. He has a huge bin where he keeps his camping gear so it stays together, yet out of the way, when it’s not a camping weekend. Unfortunately, he didn’t put the lid back on it after packing for his last campout, and water seeped through everything and collected at the bottom. Icicles formed on the outside of the bin and in his clothes inside the bin. I think he’ll remember to close the lid to his bin tightly from now on!
We spent a good bit of time completely emptying Zachary's bin, drying everything off that we could, laying out what needed to dry naturally, and washing all his clothes. Zachary cringed when he saw that some of his Intercamp photos were damp. I wonder why? Maybe because they were pictures of GIRLS at a CO-ED campout? MacKenzie gladly brought his photos inside to spread out -- it was very cold working in the garage. What fared best? His rain gear that was still inside a ziplock bag from a previous campout. How appropriate!Water is still dripping from the water heater, so I have a bucket in the attic to catch it and am waiting on the landlord to send someone out to try to fix it once and for all.
Labels: Pam's thoughts
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Enjoying the View
Right now, I’m sitting in a hotel room (actually, a “lodge and resort”), getting ready to head out to dinner. The sun’s already set, but what a view from my balcony window at dusk! We were socked in by fog for the past few days, and it’s rather cold outside (I don’t recall the temps being higher than the mid-20s all week), but it’s still gorgeous here! I think this is the Teufelsgrat Mountain. The Zugspitze is out the front of the hotel. Yes, I’m here for a conference, so that means that I can’t get out and enjoy the wonderful winter activities.Heading home tomorrow.
Labels: Germany, Pam's thoughts, Travel
Friday, January 02, 2009
Happy New Year -- German Style!
New Year celebrations in Germany are wonderful! And they are most definitely different from those in the states! I don’t think anything will quite compare to the view I had to welcome 2007, from a co-worker’s house overlooking the city of Stuttgart -- when we watched the fireworks displays from above.
This year, we celebrated by having a quiet dinner at home and watching a few movies. MacKenzie wanted to stay up until midnight, but I figured she needed her sleep, especially with how difficult she is to get up in the mornings.
So, I spent 30 minutes watching the fireworks displays over our village (and neighborhood) from beside our kitchen door. Yup, all these photos were taken just outside our house. Fortunately, the kids slept through all the commotion.
This sidewalk is the one beside our house, where the kids walk when heading to the bus stop. Our next-door-neighbor’s house is on the other side of the sidewalk.
These street lights are the same ones that I showed you before ... when Zachary and MacKenzie chased down the eis truck.
I still think it’s pretty amazing how Germans try to outdo each other with their fireworks displays. The villages don’t sponsor or put on the shows themselves, but rather leave it up to individual citizens to provide the light shows. This type of display would never fly in the states -- too much liability involved!
The displays are beautiful and interesting though. And, to top it all off, the local church rang its bells for a good 10 to 15 minutes to welcome in the New Year.
Labels: Germany, Pam's thoughts
