Thursday 13#48~ Family Update

Thirteen Things about Bookwormom

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1. Anime Queen & Pianist started the new school year Tuesday past.

2. I was amused to discover that higher functioning calculators can be hacked. Kids add games LOL 0__0 and notes. IT smarties (like Pianist & College Student) know how to hide the notes from the teachers even when the teachers take the calculators & ‘clear them’. Kids are feral, I swear. You always have to stay one step ahead.

3. As the kids age, the supply lists get shorter although the dollar value rises. Figures.

4. College Student was here for a flying overnight visit. We needed Pianist’s bike returned from Grandmere’s and the CS needed $$$.

5. Anime Queen’s schedule is messed up. She has two seventh periods and no third. She emailed the necessary folks Thursday last and they expect to see her first thing Tuesday morning.

6. Staying with Anime Queen she will continue to work one evening and one afternoon a week, making sure to leave Friday nights free for football and basketball games and sleepovers.

7. The Pianist has decided to join the robotics team at school this year. Maybe this will bleed off some of his need to hack every single electronic or technology related item he can lay his hands on. Hopefully.

8. I’m thinking about taking a bellydance class late this fall. There’s a group nearby whose instructors are Egyptian & have a good reputation. It’ll be a problem trying to fit it into the transportation grid here at Bookwormom Central, but I’m hopeful.

9. Why is kids never want to cook anything until after you’ve just finished cleaning?

10. Pianist has steady money coming in. He gets paid to iron his father’s shirts. $2 a shirt, which is .30 more than the dry cleaner down the street, but without the noxious fumes. The caveat? If we decide he hasn’t done a good enough job he has to redo it for free, which he thinks is a crock but I didn’t budge. No money for a crappy job, pal. Deal. Anyone who knows me knows I refuse to iron, so he’ll have regular cash money.

11. One of College Student’s golden arches coworkers is a freshie downstate where he attends school. He saw her crossing the parking lot a few days ago.

12. Hubby has returned to school too, with what has to be one of the most burned out humanities professors ever. Gave everyone a huge lecture about being ‘grownups’ now in ‘real school’. This to a weekend class with mostly working and/or older students. Grammar and punctuation count. Don’t ask stupid questions. Blah blah blah. Jeez. Way to get things off on a good foot. He’s already decided he’s gonna let her have it with both barrels on the survey later in the course.
13. Speaking of Hubby , this is his last year. God willing and the creek don’t rise, he’ll graduate next May

Cause to Celebrate

The repairs to the bathroom and kitchen floor are done!! YAY!!

But- my allergies are here full force. Good thing Pianist isn't here, he'd be miserable. Oy, the dust and dirt and mold spores (from the damp wood under the linoleum) floating around in the house. I changed the AC air filter. It was caked with dustbunny fuzz and dirt. Uck. I cleaned everything as best I could with warm soapy water and a few drops of bleach to kill the spores, but it'll still take several days to settle out. Then I'll have to clean up all over again. :(

The guys were pretty thorough, I think. I'm no professional, but it's a damn sight better than the standard repair crew the landlord sends over here. This crew says most of our issues stem from neglected plumbing repairs. I already knew that, as I've put in several requests but they won't send plumbers. Only the maintenance men who steal my flowers and are barely literate. So heaven only knows how long these repairs will last. I'll enjoy them for now though.

Family Update

Hubby~ Has moved on from the cardiac care unit. Fourteen hour days and full time school and a theoretical family life were too much for one man to cope with. So he has returned to a position he held some years ago. At the time they were struggling with growth problems. Hubby being the provider for four people, he had to back away when they offered him a full time position. There simply wasn’t enough stability. Several years later they are on track and Hubby has signed up. Luckily they are willing to pay for his tuition and will reimburse books after the semester. Eight hour work days & flex scheduling means perhaps he will have a family life after all!

College Student~ Is working part time at the local golden arches with his sister. It’s on the local bus route and close enough to walk if they need to. He’s hoping to save up money to repair his wheels, pay for his books and maybe save up for a short trip next spring break. No definite plans as of yet, but the hope is there. He’s a little wide eyed about his semi adult status. Paying his bills and being able to come and go. He’s a total homebody though. He would’ve been happier to sit on the couch all summer and play video games. NOT.

Anime Queen~ Had a wonderful time at camp. Little AQ loved doing mission work in New Orleans despite nearly falling off the roof and having to help hang drywall by standing on the stack of sheets. She’s 5’1” if her hair is teased, so drywall hanging is a little out of her league. Literally.  Despite it all, she learned to love beignets and wants to return to help next year. AQ is a little dismayed to be working, “OMG Mom! A job?”at the golden arches, but she likes the money and hanging with her big brother. She tells me her friends were on her case about the golden arches part-“It’s soooo not cool mom!” But money is green and she doesn’t have to ask us for handouts.

Pianist~ Escaped for a few weeks with all of his grandparents then a week at camp. Poor thing, now he’s stuck with us for the rest of the summer. At least he has more motivation than his sibs: he gets paid to iron his father’s shirts $2 a pop. We owe him $40 for several weeks work. And he still has several shirts to go before he’s caught up. He’s had a piano lesson for the first time in six weeks. He’s such a cheerful kid, he’s great company.

As for me? I’m home full time, at least for the summer. I’m looking into computer training to (hopefully) improve my skillz. There’s bound to be a lot of hoop jumping in my future but I’m going to have to wait until the repairs are finished. I’m effectively tied to the house until next week. We don’t allow anyone in the house unless one of us here to keep an eye on things. The landlord is finally getting around to replacing the floor in my kitchen (including the joists) and the wall and floor in the bathroom. Apparently the company hired a contractor, the guy stopped by the other day and told me he’s likely to be here all week starting tomorrow. Other than that Hubby and have been taking hikes each Sunday afternoon.

Thursday 13 #41- Family Update

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1. College Student is home for a week or ten days. It's nice to have him here, but it's also kinda sad 'cuz it reminds me that the days we'll all be together will slowly dwindle down further and further. Unless he moves back in of course.

2. Anime Queen's plans for the summer are proceeding apace. The Japanese language classes are a no go though. However now she's bucking for a summer college tour through New England.

3. The Pianist has a part in the 6th grade play. The plot of which runs along the lines of the animals trying to save the elderly farmer from the greedy rich guy who wants to buy the farm. Pianist's a horse. I think. I'm simply the chauffeur.

4. Husband is in the middle of finals. One C so far. Other grades unknown.

5. The Anime Queen just put her foot through the hall ceiling while climbing around the attick hunting for the fans. Yes, she's fine. The ceiling? Not so much.

6. My Lovely Sister sent me a gorgeous basket of gourmet coffees. Which are already half gone. Yummy and delicious. Unfortunately I'm only half as orgainized & still have to get some of her gift.

7. Our little deck-garden is proceeding slowly. I've only been able to find one plum tomato plant, one red bell pepper, one hot pepper and one mint plant. We're still looking for a few cherry tomato plants- to no avail as yet.

8. The blueberries though are chock full of berry buds. And I managed to find nets to cover them. So maybe we'll eat some this year. Fewer for the birds. Maybe.

9. My new favorite tv show is You Are What You Eat on BBC America. That woman pulls no punches. Unlike Americans who often try to dance around the elephant in the room.

10. The Pianist's newest pieces are Moonlight Sonata and some section of Howl's Moving Castle.

11. I cleaned out my closet. I do this at least once a year, but it always amazes me how much stuff I've not worn or outgrown or don't like anymore I can find to give to the charity thrift down the road.

12. I bought a copy of Jacques Pepin's Simple and Healthy Cooking and have promised I'll make one recipe a week all summer out of it. Tomorrow is red wine beef stew.

13. More next time!!

Thursday 13 #37- Family Update

I've not done a family update in a couple of months, I think. So this morning is as good a time as any. Right? I can't help it if my prof. drones on and on and on and this network is really fast and I'm bored and....it's supposed to snow tonight!!! YAY!!

Click link in title above for a list of other TT participants. Leave a link in the comments and I'll link to you. The purpose of TT is to help bloggers get to know each other better.

1. Husband is a reluctant blogger, link HERE to his/our fitness blog. One post each, not all that impressive. Yet. LOL :)

2. Graduate is now employed at a fast food restaurant & gets free/reduced meals. Leading to his grandmothers and I worrying that he is giving himself clogged arteries at 19. It's wonderful to have a teenager who's fabulous so much so that all I really worry about is his heart health.

3. Anime Queen is bucking for a college hunting trip out to Chicago to visit an art school out there. Husband wishes to go and see the Cubbies if we go.

4. Re: #3, I've already taken a week off in August & so has Hubby. We've not made any firm plans, but it's being tossed around.

5. Pianist is set to play intermission music at a play his school is putting on tomorrow night, weather permitting. He says he plans to play most of the pieces he's been working on with his piano teacher.

6. Also, I've asked Pianist's teacher (aka our church organist and choirmaster) to hunt around for voice and piano camp this summer. Pianist needs to be busy and his singing voice, when you can get him to solo for you- which is rarely, is still soprano. That beautiful clear bell tone only achievable by young men yet untouched by puberty.

7. Anime Queen and a girlfriend are planning to be a girls' church group camping trip youth leaders. This will be with the girlfriend's youth group, a different denomination than we are, but I don't care. Fresh air. Girlfriends. The great outdoors. Faith. It doesn't get much better, except that it'll be free to us. A twofer. lol

8. As for me..er I'm taking a computer class. As I mentioned above. Right now. But he's droning on and on and on about the origins of the internet. And Reston (VA, right up the road) being important to the WWW. So here I am instead. With you. :)

9. Work is ..worky. A word of my own invention, meaning ...meh, more of the same, you get the idea. Some days ulcer inducing. Other days quiet and uneventful. We're finally entering the 21st century and all new equipment is being installed over the next few days. Most everyone else I work with are stressed to the max. Not me. As far as I'm concerned it's about damn time and it'll make the whole work experience easier by far.

10. Valentine's was quiet and simple. Filled with chocolate of all types and colors and flavors. We spent it together at home. Maybe next month we'll do something for Hubby b'day and St. Patrick's day combined. If we're not exhausted by the work and school and family schedules that leave us with so much time together. NOT

11. Our neighbor had a screen pried off of their back window a week or so ago. I'd be very nervous except our backdoor a) barely opens because the floor is uneven and won't allow the door open wider than 12" and b) is partially blocked by furniture. The window part? No ideas on what to do about that other than the fact that most days we have an uneven schedule and you can never really tell who's home when. I really want a dog though. A dog who barks.

12. Anime Queen's talk of college hunting has kind of squeezed my heart a little. I'd not thought much about her getting ready to fledge out of our little nest. But here she is, talking about colleges and what she might like to study. Wanting a job where she can work anywhere around the world if she wants to. All of which we've encouraged, it's just my poor little heart isn't quite ready to consider it all.

13. Well, that's all the news that's fit to print for now I think. More next month.

Reading Vs Blogging

Like everyone pressed for time lately I've had to choose between blogging or reading. Reading has won, hands down. I've read two full size historicals and one traditional Regency. I'm two thirds done with a contemporary mythology based romance. I need to write my thoughts up about those. I need to list my personal and blog/reading resolutions for 2008. I thought I oughta post a family update.

Except

I had to go out of town Sunday (my employer is under the impression I was ill, so please don't tell on me). Anime Queen's birthday is Wednesday. My work schedule changed again. I'm due to start a computer class next week. I suppose I oughta clean the house (Hubby's done his fair share & more lately). I want to try out my new clothes washer.

I'll be back soon to try and catch up on my neglected blog.

Drive By

Just a quick drive by to say hi and happy New Year and Merry Christmaqwaanzikah and whatnot. We're still around. Busy. Tired. Overscheduled. Eating too much. Happy to spend time with Graduate while he's been home, sad we've had to work most of the time he's been here. Gonna be out of town for a couple of days visiting the family, but hope to post a Thursday 13 some time tomorrow.

Hope all of you out there had a joyful and rejuvenating Holiday- whichever winter fest you choose to participate in. Many happy hours curled around a good book with more hours and books in the near future.

Updates

Hubby~ Has had the worst luck with his car, in the last several weeks. His ancient Toyota- 217,000 miles and still getting 35+ MPG, was sideswiped while he sat in traffic. Pulled off the front bumper, did signifigant front end damage & ruined the tranny. $2,000 to put a rebuilt tranny in. Great. Just what we need, with the holidays coming up, a freshman in college, new car payments. The insurance company will pay for the front end issues, but not for the tranny due to the mileage on the car. We've not decided if we're able/willing to pay for the transmission, so for the moment it's in the repair shop yard. Fabulous. Otherwise he's fine except we have to share a car. That's a post all by itself.

Graduate~ Theoretically still alive, but I've no other info. Spoke with him briefly the day after he took my dad to the VA ER (dad's fine). Jobless. Likely he stopped looking, but right now I've other fish to fry, so I've not pushed this problem.

Anime Queen~ Going to football games and sleepovers. Suffering through algebra. Returned to volunteering at the local animal shelter, and at church. Took the PSAT recently. Has a mysterious boyfriend named John, whom we have yet to see in person. He attends a different school, but lives a few doors down from AQ's best bud.

Pianist~ Studying Corelli and Mozart with his piano teacher. First grade report comes out in a week or so. I anticipate he'll do just fine. So far he hasn't seemed stressed about the academics, just the social issues (locker, class changes, girls, the usual). This coming weekend he's going to a weekend retreat with his Sunday school classmates and our new assistant Rector, Mother Caroline. I'm confident she'll be well able to deal with the kids- she's four of her own, plus she was the "official camp chaplain" last summer. Fortunately, Pianist's best buddy (and chief troublemaker at church) can't go this time, so there are sighs of relief all around.

Moi~ Had a rotten cold in October. Trying to share a vehicle with Hubby. Have been tired beyond all reason lately- not a good sign heading into the holiday season. Am thrilled to death that the weather has finally turned cooler. It finally feels like fall. Of course, it's only two weeks until Thanksgiving it oughta be pushing on towards winter by now. At least, that's how the internal seasonal calendar in my head works. Still on New England seasons no matter how long we've been out of the area. I've started opening my livingroom curtains more. The sun shines directly indoors all winter thus opening the curtains helps me fend off winter blues. Our livingroom is butter yellow and so it has a cheery glow all during the winter.

Updates

The Husband~ Appears to be on track to be the 'curve breaker' in both pharmacology and something called natural science, which is a combo of chemistry and anatomy and physiology specifically for nursing majors. He keeps telling me he doesn't remember very much, but he seems to be doing just fine so far. If only the girl behind him would stop chewing gum with her mouth open...He tells me half his class couldn't be bothered to read the syllabus handed out the first day & were thus caught unprepared for the first test. Surprisingly the prof wouldn't accept, "but I didn't read the syllabus!" as a reason to take the exam another day.

Graduate~ According to rumors he's settled in very well. His grandparents are keeping him busy. He's job hunting. I've only spoken to him once, so I'm operating on the theory no news is good news. The husband has spoken to him roughly once a week, and I'm told he's alive and well.

Anime Queen~ Claims she's doing fine so far in both chemistry and algebra, thanks mom. Bummed that her best buddy has a different bus this year and no shared lunches. :( Spent the first two weeks of school running around trying to have her schedule fixed. Obssessed with some anime character she calls Vincy (from Final Fantasy VII). Has gone from wanting to be a fine arts major to a writer. Misses her big brother.

Pianist~ Formerly Younger Son, but I can't decide on a better moniker than Pianist. Schmoozer describes him well, but has a negative connotation I dislike. Mostly settling in middle school with success. Says he's happy to have new friends. Doesn't like lugging his books around. Had to have a key to his locker for several days until his locker could be fixed. He's stuck with a teacher Anime Queen had, but one whom we found to be umm.. unprofessional & unhelpful. He's teaching a different subject, one that Pianist has no trouble with so I expect all will be well. Jerk teacher. Pianist has outgrown every pair of pants he has and is losing the chubby cheeks of his younger years.

Moi~ Scheduled to within an inch of my life. Busy. The learning curve on my new job is quite steep. The other day I discovered my new position was originally two separate positions, up until the jobs and duties were reorganzized earlier this summer. I feel better knowing that. I have felt really pushed trying to learn everything, but I had a good conversation with my manager and I feel better about things.

After I came home from the back to school night (see earlier post about schedules) I realized what bothered me about the parents that night. This was BTS night for Pianist, btw. Pianist and Anime Queen are in an academically demanding international curriculum, mainly because I want them to be challenged in school and they both qualified & were accepted. AQ is on the far end of this 5 year prep program & Pianist is just starting.

Anyhow, the difference is that during AQ's middle school the parents asked alot of questions and appeared to be very interested and involved. This year, most of the parents didn't ask anything, other than questions related to figuring out the online gradebook. Nothing about the workload, the curriculum, the expectations, the school environment. Zippo. Zilch. Very depressing.

Updates

Yeah, I promised to try and stop by more often, but as you can see- I'm a slacker. I just finished reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Excellent book. Very thought provoking. Also very dark. I'll post my thoughts as soon as I can.

Husband~ Began classes at our local community college taking a full time load (4 classes) last week. Paid for by his employer. He is currently topped out in his field and since he's only in his early 40's he'd like to continue to move up the career ladder- thus this in the first step. He already has a degree, but the academic powers that be deem those courses 'too old' for his current course of study and thus he's forced to retake some things. He's smiling though. It'll only help his GPA. Plus- he gets to listen to the babies (as he calls them) spout off about everything they think they're expert about. Meantime it's all he can do keep qiuet and not laugh.

Graduate~ Seems to be settling in at the grandparents' just fine. We moved him in last weekend. New stuff from Ikea, new clothes. All his books. The other g'rents are loaning him a car (plus the insurance!!) and will help feed him as needed. Today is the first day of classes. He's currently job hunting. I plan to call him before I go to work to see how things went. The house is quieter, the fridge is fuller. I miss him, his jokes. The way his eyes light up. Don't miss Kudzu though.

Daughter~ Wishes to be called Anime Queen instead of such a plain, non descriptive, boring parental label like daughter. After an event filled summer, the last week or ten days has been quiet for her. Kinda a nice wrap up I suppose. She's busy playing with photoshop and writing fanfics and trying to slow summer down. This school year she's taking both IB Algebra and IB Chemistry, so she doubts she'll have much of a life this year. Poor Anime Queen, she struggles with math & chemistry is loaded with it. The Graduate was her favorite math tutor, but he's too far away. Maybe he can help her via IMming?? It's a thought.

Son #2~ Also wishes a new moniker. Can't really think of one right now though. He too has had a busy summer- visited both g'rents, went to camp, went to Baltimore. His current favorite activity is MS Flight Simulator & X Box. He's also practicing piano somewhat diligently. We went on a hike a couple of days ago when the temps were down. Went down to the stream & found a couple of tadpoles and some teeny tiny waterstriders- who can jump over each other on top of the water (like crickets). Several cool looking mushrooms, we forgot the camera as per usual, so no photos.

Me~ Have been feeling run ragged. Between the job and trying to get Graduate settled and a family reunion and whatnot, the last several weeks have been a strain. At least one of my days off has been spent traveling up and down I95 hither thither and yon. And beyond yon once or twice. Hopefully now that school is about to begin I'll be able to catch my breath a bit. I hope. We'll see.

I am definitely reforming my procrastinating ways. I've had to. There is no'later' or some mythical 'tomorrow' when I'll have less to do. It's now or never. I'm rediscovering the joys of the hyper caffeinated life. I am reading so that's been a plus. What else? I live and die by the calculator in my purse more than ever before.

Work itself has been fine. The interior of the building is being renovated, which we're working through. That has proved interesting. We were given conflicting information regarding 'mandatory overtime' being paid or if we were to be given comp time or even if the time is truly mandatory or not. So far I am enjoying the job and it facilitates my personal and our family goals. It's funny though, I've been asked if I think the job is 'fun' or if I'm now magically 'fullfilled' by working there. To the first- as far as I'm concerned work is work and therefore not intended to be fun so the question is irrelevant. As to the second- I was pretty much fullfilled (as much as the next person I think) before I began. So no. Onward and upward.

Big News

Sorry I dropped off my blog for two weeks- there have been big big changes at Bookwormom Central starting in early July and I've been totally snowed under trying to adjust. Change is afoot and we're not all coping as well as we might hope.

As regular visitors know the Graduate is prepping to move out at the end of the month to start college. Oh the DRAMA! You just don't know. It's been hard in some ways. Trying to cope with GF's clinginess. I've started calling her Kudzu. You know, kudzu is the awful invasive plant that has taken over the Southern US and is nearly impossible to get rid of once it's in your garden. Seriously. Easier in others: getting his driver's license at long last. He's leaving next week. I don't think the reality will set in until he's actually out of the house.

The other news is that I've reentered the working world. The working outside the house world that is. Being a stay at home involves plenty of work, I know. I'd been home full time for four years and it was past time I pulled myself together and got a job. I hunted for a long time before I finally landed a job just this side of the Potomac up near DC. It's also nearly full time- one more full day a week than I'd intially been hired for. On top of that, my schedule has been changed twice in the four weeks since I've been there. There are alot of changes afoot in my new workplace and it has some of the 'old-timers' so to speak a little riled up, as they say.

It has all been hard to juggle is an understatement. Son #2 is only 11 and pretty much as far as he remembers I've been home with him and his siblings. I'd worked part time for 5 years (when he was between 2 & 7), but the schedule was nothing like what I'm doing now. Of course it's summertime too so they're all home during the day and that makes my absence all that more obvious. Fortunately Hubby's schedule is three days a week so he's been home with them more- which has been another thing to get used to. A good and wonderful thing I think. ;)

Anyhow, I've been reading. I finished Harry Potter and I'm in the middle of the new Jacqueline Carey. Both huge books, 700+ pages each. Which is doing zilch for my monthly book count. :( I've been surfing on everyone's blogs (I finally loaded everyone into my cell phone) during my all too brief lunch breaks. I've not had time to blog or post on others' blogs though. There just hasn't been enough time in the day, unfortunately. As time goes by I'm sure I'll get more proficient and I'll post more often.

Meantime, I've missed you all and I hope to make the rounds and post too! LOL

Updates

Husband~ Continues in the same routine. Sounds boring I know, but for many years while we were active duty we wished for 'the same old boring routine.' And now we have it & we're treasuring it, believe me! His family is having a mini reunion on the 5th of August and he plans to go with the kids. I have a previous commitment I can't change, but I expect to hear all about it upon their return.

The Graduate~ Is finally taking formal drivers ed lessons. The State of VA has enacted many changes to the teenage ritual of licensing (all of which I think are a great idea). Combine this with Graduate's noncommittal shrugs whenever you ask him if he wants to drive and..voila. I have a late teen who is just now getting on the road. I don't know if my nerves or our insurance budget can stand it. He's likely moving out of the house for college the first week of August so our summer is eventful.

Daughter~ She informed us she will be going to Otakon 2008 as soon as she returned from Otakon 2007 a few days ago. She squirreled away her pennies for months so she could buy anything she wanted. The trip was one of her GF's bday gifts & so Daughter only had to pay admission. Apparently the trio spent most of their time waiting in lines, but it seems she enjoyed herself and that's all that matters.

Son #2~ LOVED camp. Had a wonderful time and wishes to return next year. Claims he never showered. Claims he kissed two girls from the camp next door. Hard to believe two girls let him close enough to kiss them if he didn't shower, but those were his claims. Has returned to practicing piano with verve and gusto. Thank god, because his whining was getting on my nerves. Is eating me out of house and home and has no clothing whatsoever that actually fits him.

Me~ I'm finally reading again, as you can see via the book reviews. I hope the trend continues because my TBR is actually shrinking a bit. Not alot, but at least it looks presentable now. LOL ;) About 300 titles I think. Nearly all of which I bought on the cheap at the UBS (used book store for the uninitiated) or at library sales over the last 5 years. Ok. TBH, those are only the romances. I have TBRs for fantasy, sci fi and mysteries as well, but those are less than 50 total. Honest.

Thursday 13 @29- Observations about Germany

Brought to you by Daughter, newly returned from Munich and Berlin Sunday evening. Please keep in mind, Daughter is 15 & this is her first trip outside the U.S. Click here to read my previous post about Daughter's trip.

Thursday 13 is a regular feature on Technorati whose purpose is to enable bloggers to get to know each other better. Leave a link to your 13 in the comments and I will link to you here. Click link in title above to see a list of other Thursday 13 participants.

1. The ice cream is much, much better than ice cream here- even Ben & Jerry's. Favorites are mango and tropical.

2. Veal blood sausage is gross. *Mom aside: Daughter is pretty much vegetarian anyhow, but apparently this came as part of a meal*

3. America is filthy. Germany sparkles. *Mom again: The Graduate said this about Scotland too. It would seem that we're pretty much the armpit of the industialized world as far as litter and general cleanliness goes.*

4. There is quite a bit of green space within the city limits & it's easy to feel like you've escaped into the countryside.

5. More people use bikes or walk or take public transit than in the U.S.

6. Every *Mom- EVERY??* department store has a food store in the bottom.

7. The hostels were very clean and don't deserve the "dirty" reputation they have. * I think she means hostels in general, not German hostels specifically*

8. Schnitzel is excellent as is German macaroni and cheese. *I told you she'd figure out how to ask for macaroni and cheese while she was there!!*

9. Fresh cheese and bread are the best way to begin a meal.

10. Minerwasser is everywhere.

11. Nuclear bunkers are very claustrophobic and dark. Not to mention scary.

12. Always sleep on a 9 hour flight.

13. German subways are much more efficient than ours. *DUH!*

Daughter Update

Daughter is currently in Germany with her pilgrimage group from church. I thought perhaps other people might be interested to hear about their adventures. If not, come back another day!

They flew to Philly and then on to Munich- after a two hour delay on the tarmac. The email said the delay was due to problems with a connecting flight? Dunno. I'm sure the Daughter was totally hyped on a Monster and an entire pack of strawberry pocky. Pocky- spelling is also listed as pocki- is Daughter's favorite candy, usually bought at Wally World and smuggled into school. Also eaten in huge quantities at sleepovers.

Anyhow, they landed two+ hours late, but apparently all was well otherwise. No lost luggage, kids or anything else. Then the entourage (totaling nearly 20 people when you count all of the chaperones) attempted to decipher the subway system. Which sounds like it rivals the Tokyo subway for complexity. The token machine 'ate' a 50 euro bill before giving the group the passes it needs. Which is close to $80 US, I believe. *gulp*

After unpacking into the hostel they went for a walk around the area and ate at a local pub. Next day they went to Oberammergau to see the playhouse where the famous Passion Play is held every 10 years. Click here to see website. Sunday they attended church, met some refugee kids affiliated with the church, wrote postcards, and had a picnic, took a nap and then climbed the Tower of St. Peter's. Click here for link. Click here for automated cam of view from tower. Saw the glockenspiel move. Next day they went to see Neuschwanstein.

Note: The pilgrims themselves are incommunicado with the parents. The chaperones in this group have been sending one email daily with details of the group's activites. They seem to be having a good time. Learning to live "in community" supposedly- which makes me wonder what hijinks the kids have been up to. When The Graduate went to Iona with the church a few years ago, we had only one or two emails & that was it. It has been nice to 'watch from afar' so to speak.

Quiet Weekend

To quote Etta James, "AT LAST!" YAY!!! Daughter is away on her pilgrimage, Son #2 is safely arrived at my parents' house & the Graduate is currently at work. It's only Graduate, Hubby & I all week. Amazing. I might even be able to read something.

Updates

The Graduate~ Received his precious diploma June 12 during a mercifully fast graduation that had speeches & awards etc over and done within 2 hours. For 560+ grads. We were quite impressed. The GF had received hers (after quite a battle with the school system, apparently, due to her serious illness) several days before. We, all 5 of us, the GF, my MIL & FIL & SIL & niece, went out to dinner afterward, which the ILs sneakily paid for (with a *huge* thanks! from us. The stadium job is turning out to be only 2 days during the stretches when the team is in town, so another job search is on. Him and every other teenager around here.

Daughter~ Just left this morning on the church sponsored pilgrimage to Germany. We squeezed in a visit to the Holocaust Museum to fill her in on relevant information as WW II has played a huge part in the formation of modern Germany. The museum is not for the faint of heart. It isn't graphic per se, but definitely roasts your heartstrings & makes you angry about the Balkans, Rwanda & Darfur. We had to forcibly remove Daughter's fanfic notebooks & take them to a GF's house. The idea of the pilgrimage, obviously, is to leave your comfortable & familiar things behind you to explore other cultures & push your boundaries & deepen your faith. Which would've been hard for her to do if she'd had her head buried in her fanfics. I did buy her a journal & a sketchbook to record her thoughts in though. And told her that drawing might be a good way to meet people in the hostels in Germany. Now if only my BIL (or my Mom) could've taught her some basic German. Like- "Where's the mac & cheese?" & "Where's the ladies' restroom?" or "I'm lost & I don't speak German!"

Son #2~ Is due to visit my parents starting Saturday. I've been told there's painting in the air, the upstairs hallway I believe. Also, deckwashing and vegetable gardening. Soon afterward he'd due to go away to sleep away camp up in the mountains near the WV border. It'll be his first time (he's 11) away from the family. Like Daughter, he too will be pushing boundaries & comfort zones & learning how to get along with others. I already copied out his reading list for next year, lucky boy!, although I've not purchased any titles yet. He only has to read 2 (I think), but he's on the waiting list at the library for three audiobooks of Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books. Plus there's the new Harry Potter book & movie. I can see Son #2 putting me off until August with the required reading. Easily.

Husband~ Is still battling away with the former employer. The wheels of bureaucracy grind oh so slowly. The new job suits him to a T, but the 12 hour shifts are routinely 13-14+ hours. He's exhausted after his usual 3 day stretch. He says it's like going from Econolodge healthcare to the Ritz, though. The place is amazing. They've already put him through a pharmacology refresher & a disrhythmia course with seminars on the newest insulin dosing and research.

Oh yes, funny family story. The FIL loves to try & pull the wool over his family's eyes about what his drs. tell him about his illness. The newest one being diabetes. Husband calls his dad one day, by coincidence his dad was waiting for meds at the local pharmacy. FIL tries to tell Husband, "My Dr. says it's ok if my sugars are too high. It won't seriously effect my other illnesses or make me feel worse." Husband braeks out into guffaws of laughter, tears running down his face, turning bright bluish-purple (sounds scary, but he looks just like a giant blueberry). He holds the phone away from him for at least a minute. "Dad. You don't expect me to believe that BS do you?! I'm a nurse. Remember?" The FIL was not best pleased. At ALL. We however, found it quite quite funny. And sad.

Remind me to tell you about the 6 mile hike we took. In 95 degree heat. Also- not read a damn thing in the entire month. Next Thursday I've a neato 13 about stuff I saw around the Capitol last Wednesday. I think.

OMG- Make it stop!!

I am so behind in chores, errands, laundry, gardening. I had to make a surprise trip into DC last evening. I want just one day when I can sit down & read & listen to CDs & relax- but that's not likely to happen until Sunday at the earliest. Meantime, I hope to return soon w/ a cute list of stuff I saw last night while in DC. Updates coming soon. Maybe.

A little stress to go, please

A little bit of stress lately, not related directly to me but involving the Spouse & his former employer. Kinda sidelined us for a while. Potentially serious- not involving any medical mishaps or malpractice, but directly related to the job. Gonna have to consult an employment law specialist. >:{ Not pleasant at all & definitely going to get much, much more stressful before it gets better.

As a result- no reading been done. Or at least- nothing that has stuck in my mind, anyway. An interesting YA fantasy/alternate reality by Catherine Fisher. I'm about 1/2 way done with. It has been slow going so far, but I can't be sure the problems aren't due to paragraph #1. See above. It's a library book, so I can hang on to it & renew it if I have to. Also reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Wonderful stuff so far. If I've not waited too long I've a copy of Holly Black's new novel Ironside waiting at my local library.

I hope anyone else who still stops by has had a better week than we have. Wish for better news this week!

More News

If you've visited for awhile, you may remember that my FIL has been seriously ill over much of the winter. The preliminary diagnosis of cancer has been ruled out, thank heavens. He's much, much better. So far so good apparently. The underlying chronic illnesses are still there, albeit better controlled (for now).

The biggest surprise has been my MIL's forced retirement from the company she worked for. She had nearly 30 years there & planned to work another 6-7 years until their mandatory retirement age. One day in April she's getting ready to leave & she's told, "As of today you're retired with full benefits. Do not report for work again. There will be a meeting about your benefits in two weeks' time." End of story. Of course, there are quite a few people who're suffering severe financial problems due to the sudden lack of employment, but fortunately my ILs are ok despite his medical bills.

Now that they're both retired, they've planned to take a long, slow trip around the southern US by minivan. The only sure destination being Key West. My MIL has wanted him (the FIL) to take her there for years, but it was always postponed. Not after this winter! They plan to be gone until Son #1's graduation next month. He can't fly due to medical issues, so they're driving. Stop whenever & wherever they like, for as long as they like.

No one knows for sure how long his health will hold up until he gets ill again- or if he'll make it through next time. So I think they're striking while the iron is hot. More power to them, IMO. I think it's a wonderful idea, although my paternal grandparents were on their long dreamed of around the world cruise when he finally succumbed to emphysema & I can't help but think of that now.

Updates

Husband~ Has started the new job. Looves it. Seems like 5+ years of stress has been washed away from his face. Poor love. He's more energetic and upbeat & just generally perky. It's hard to see how bad things have become, sometimes, when you're stuck in the middle of a huge mess.

Son #1 & GF~ went to his senior prom last evening. They had a private dining room at our favorite formal Chinese restaurant & went on to the dance in a huge ballroom in a hotel. Poor things, apparently the only seating was right in front of the speakers & they're both deaf today. Neither thought to carry a few chairs elsewhere in the room. 0_o

Daughter~ Has been earnestly studying for her geometry final. If she scores high enough on the first test she gets an automatic A on the second one. Motivation! She's joined the chorale society at our church. The summer performance will be a medley of famous Broadway tunes. It's quite a popular group among those who can sing & she enjoys it. They do several a year & she may continue with it.

Son #2~ His best friend's parents are expecting a later in life "surprise" baby. Needless to say, the boys are totally grossed out by this turn of events. We've had great fun teasing him that perhaps we too ought to have a fourth child to fill in the void when Son #1 leaves for the great adventures of young adulthood. SHOCK AND AWE does not begin to do justice to the Son #2's reaction. We're kidding of course. Three little darlings is more than enough. But it has been funny to tease the Little Emperor a tad.