Gain

Well, I just spent the last little while vacuuming out my dryer. Somehow I managed to throw a scoop of Gain into the dryer rather than the washing machine. Which is a whole ordeal, because we already had the vacuum out once today, and to get it out again I have to unplug all Ted's stuff from the big transformer, unplug the washing machine, plug everything in, and wrestle with the hose attachment that never wants to attach. I'm always causing myself more work! I'm not crazy, I was just distracted after my "driving lesson" in Ted's stupid manual car. Anyway, then I got to thinking about those Gain commercials (do you realize how long it's been since we have seen a commercial? Crazy!), and I couldn't remember what Gain's slogan was, so I went to Gain's website (ilovegain.com) to see what it was, because yes, I am that bored. Then of course i had to take the 'what is your laundry personality' quiz while I was there. In case you're wondering, I'm 'loaded with love,' and my favorite saying is 'that's how the dryer tumbles.' Hmmm...
We had a great weekend. Friday night we went out with some friends to the German-American Volksfest. It was filled with carnival games, rides, music, and lots and lots of bad-for-you food stands!! We had a great time! I made Ted go back with me on Saturday to get some of the food I missed out on getting Friday night.
The rest of the weekend has been pretty low-key. We should probably plan a trip somewhere- get us out of the house. Any suggestions? We cleaned the house today, and earlier I made Ted come see the deer farm that I found a couple weeks ago. I don't know if it's really a deer farm, but it is a bunch of deer in a pen that love to eat whatever food you bring them. I have started running out there- there are about three different gravel trails, with some fantastic views.
Other than the usual commissary run, we've been hanging out at home. I don't think we have anything else planned for this week. Of course, next week is my birthday, and midweek Ted has to go TDY for a month or a little more. Time to get my list of girly movies together (all the ones he won't watch)!
Oh, I forgot to mention that last weekend we went to Czech to go to the Asian Dragon Market. I'm not sure if it's a gray market, or a black market, or what... but they have all kinds of stuff to barter over. I got 2 new purses, and Ted got a watch. I do not enjoy the confrontational style of these Asian "salespeople," but it was an experience, nonetheless. "My friend, shoe for you? Purse for you?" I even got to go to the elusive "back room" several times. I'm positive that it is just a psychological trick to make you think they are giving you access to the best deal ever. They take you by the arm and stealthily move behind their little stand, looking around to make sure no one else is looking. Then they proceed to take stuff off the wall, unscrew a hidden 2X4 with a screwdriver, unlock a padlock, and slide back a secret door. They usher you in, and quickly shut the door behind you. Make sure you have your cell phone on you, and a strong husband right outside. Now who wouldn't feel as though they really should buy whatever wonderful treasures are hidden away in that room?
Hope your weekend went well. As usual, I'm down to the last few minutes of my weekend and suddenly I can think of tons of stuff I still want to do! I'll add a few pictures:

Ted feeding the deer some bread at the Deer Farm

Harvesting oats at the Deer Farm

Our favorite frog game at the Fest (Ted, Tracy & Joe)

Ted with his "Fish on a stick" at the fest

When it rains here we get giant snails and slugs all over the sidewalks!

Sad excuse for an update

Hey all,

Not a lot going on here. I just tried to make these peanut butter sandwich cookies that I saw in a magazine. I got two batches baked and cooled, and then I got so sick of it- I threw the rest of the batter in the fridge (which I probably won't bake tomorrow, but just in case), threw all the cookies that I had painstakingly shaped and cut holes in the center of into a tupperware container (now they are all broken and smushed), and got the stupid recipe out of my sight (I wanted to throw it in the trash, but there was a sliiiight possiblility that I would try again tomorrow). Maybe it just got way too hot in the kitchen, I don't know... but there will be no peanut butter thingys for us. I still feel very aggravated at the cookies.

So anyway, the week is half over. Ted is in a course in Vilseck, and of course he is learning lots and acing all his tests. Then, being the responsible workaholic that he is, after school he drives himself to his office to do more work. Talk about dedication! I'm doing the same old thing at work, just waiting for the weekend. I don't stay a single minute later than I absolutely have to. Lately, as soon as the time clock hits 14oo I'm on my way out the door. It's really not all that bad of a job- the only real downside is the crazy early mornings. I'm pretty sleepy by the end of the day. Last night I got out of the car, walked up to the front door, and stood there pushing the unlock button on my keychain, waiting for something to happen. Total blonde moment! I wasn't even thinking. Don't worry, I got inside eventually ;). But anyway, I'm just not the type to do "extra" work, if you know what I mean. Although I do keep us in clean laundry, dishes, and floors, so I guess that counts for something!!

I really don't know too much else, and I'm not even going to post any pictures. I just wanted to say hello, and let you all know I'm thinking of you!

17 July 2009

Some pretty pink flowers I saw on a walk. I tried to identify it online but couldn't find a name.

We have corn here too! There's one place I walk where I feel like I could be in Iowa instead of Germany!

Here's a place where I don't feel like I'm in Iowa- small grains!

When I got home from work today, I sat on the couch to check my email. Three birds came and sat on my windowsill and pecked at the window for at least 45 minutes! I went and stood right in front of them, and it didn't phase them! They really wanted to know what was going on in here!

Please, let me in RIGHT NOW!!! He was flapping his wings and getting all frantic, pecking at the glass all the while. It was definitely weird. Ted is wondering if he was seeing his own reflection in the hatch window.

Well, not much here but a few pictures. All I can say is I'm glad it's the weekend!! I wanted to call in sick to work today, but I couldn't find the phone number. I tell you what, if I had to get up at 4 am tomorrow I just don't know if I could do it! I need to find a way to get to bed earlier, that's all there is to it. Regardless, I made it through the day just fine. Ted, who has been out of town most of the week, got home around 6, and we went to dinner with some friends. We rented the movie Valkyrie to watch, but we are both pretty drowsy. In fact he's sleeping on the couch next to me, so we will probably just call it a night. It's hot and humid here- especially in the house. Our little Elta (that's what we affectionately call our oscillating fan that we run every night for lack of air conditioning) will be working in overdrive today! Our fan is named Elta because that's the brand, not because we're weird.
Mom says she got the camper moved to the County Fair yesterday. It makes me homesick- who doesn't love the county fair? That's were I first learned of Ted Knust, all those years ago, playing cards with his buddies in the cattle barn at the showbox next to mine every year. :0) Granted, he never did talk to me all that much, but that's the only reason he recognized me five or six years later- the County Fair! My little sister Lizbeth is the Marion County Cowgirl Queen this year, so if you make it to the show, pay special attention to the lovely little lady doing the Queen's Salute in the ring. Can't wait to see pics of the fair, Mom! Hope the A.C. in the camper is running good!
Well, I better get my man off to bed. He's had a long few days. Love you all, and have a great weekend!

Knust Visit

Well, as you all know, Tony and Jenny became world travelers last week and came to see us. Here's a few pics and highlights from our trip:

Ted at the Hohensalzburg Castle in Austria

Stopping for pictures at a little waterfall we drove by on the way to Dachau

Beautiful waterfall!

At the charming little Gasthof Ted found for us in Austria

The view from the Castle (hmm, these got out of order!)

A lovely rose- I like how my camera does "up-close" pics, but I'm not all that impressed with the rest yet.

Tony and Jenny in Austria

The view from our patio at the hotel

All of us in Austria

Eating tasty German watermelon at home

As you can see, we had a great time and were sad to see them go. All of us have to get back to work! In other news, Ted and his dad got the car running, so we are now a two-car household! Yay! Well, uploading these pics took forever and I should go find something to do. Preferably inside- it's 53 degrees and raining right now! Love and miss you all.

Hello, Family

The new car. No, it doesn't work. :( The day after we bought it, Ted broke down on the way to town. Sorry it's sideways. I can't get it right.

Playing Cranium (fun game!) at Jennifer and Jason's. Ted is really good at drawing with his eyes closed!


Ted rockin out (playing Rock Band II) . Sorry there's no pics of me-- that's what happens when you're the picture-taker!


I went to pick up our mail at the CMR, and this is what they handed me. Maybe I ought to start insuring our packages?? Haha.

I call this one "Army Wife Life"

Hello, Family. I realize it's been a long time again. I've been busy with work. We are finally having our accreditation at work tomorrow, so hopefully things won't be so stressful after that! Everyone's been running around like crazy trying to get things in order. I say they should have been in order to start with, but who am I!
Ted's been staying busy, too. When he's not doing a wonderful job being a platoon leader, he's at home checking on the fermentation of his beer or excelling on the "drum set." He might get to bottle his beer this weekend, so I'll let you know if it worked out for him.
The weather hasn't felt too much like summer yet, even though it's the end of June. It has started to get really humid, but last week I wore a sweater and jeans to work. We all had to get coats and sweatshirts out, too. Today was sunny and warm, for once. I keep thinking about how hot it is for you all back home. It tricks me into not realizing what time of year it really is!
I'm sure there's a ton of stuff that I need to write about, but not tonight. I woke up at 3 really hot, and knowing I had to get up at 4 I just couldn't fall back asleep. I think I'll make it an early night. Love and miss you all. Hope you enjoyed the pics, even if they are sideways and I'm not in them! :)

This One Goes Out to the One I Love (Grover)

You pretty kitty, how I miss you!

Well, TWO weeks has gone by. My apologies. I have been busy in Army school, learning how to do my job. I enjoy it much more than work, plus I get paid more, so you won't hear any (well, hardly any) complaints from me!

I will try and catch you up on a few things. Two days before the course started, I got told that I had to go to school. I don't really care, but my boss wasn't too happy about the short notice. What can ya do? That's where I've been all week. Ted and I have been pretty busy. Monday night Ted had TWO softball games. We were late to the first one because he had things to do at work, so he didn't get to play. They lost. They one their second one. His other game on Wednesday didn't go so well... I think the Outlaws are hitting a mid-season slump. Ted still plays catcher really well though. No one can steal home under his watch!

The Outlaws
(For those of you who don't know- you can click on the photo to view it full-size)

Ted in action

Speaking of softball, I've been sporting a very black eye this week. Some of you may have heard that Ted and I have been playing catch in the evenings. Some of you also may have heard that I'm not very good at it. If you were here, you would hear, "Don't hold your glove like that- a ball will pop out and hit you in the face!" several times per "catch" session. Well, he wasn't kidding. I held my glove like that, and a ball popped out and hit me in the face. For the record, he wasn't deliberately aiming at my face (I don't think). I've had lots of stares, questions, and quiet offers of help this week. I meant to get a picture, mainly because Mom wants to see my purple eye, but Ted fell asleep on the couch and I'm not very good at the self-portraits with my camera. Let's just say it's so purple it looks fake- like pretty eyeshadow under my eye. It remains to be seen if I have learned my "catch" lesson- we'll find out next time we play, I guess.

Ted has started a new hobby: brewing his own wheat beer. I was wary, mainly because once Bob's beer project exploded all over the living room. Ted has assured me this won't happen. So far, so good. He watched the instructional DVD, and seems to know what he's doing. It's five gallons of beer. It took a LONG time to heat to boiling on our little burner. I will include pictures for your enjoyment.

Ted stirring the hops and whatever else on the stove

Siphoning the beer. The stuff on the five-gallon bucket is the yeast that had been fermenting for the past couple days. Now it's going to ferment some more in the glass jug.

I'm trying to think if there's anything I'm forgetting. Oh, last night I had "girl's night" with some friends. It was a good time, and Ted got to stay home and help me out with cookie baking. Our FRG (family readiness group) had a bake sale today, so I made the dough and left him to put them in the oven. He did a good job. Our family was well represented at the bake sale with oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate chip cookies, mini cherry crunch pies, and peanut butter bars that Ted and I made yesterday. I was proud of our yummy treats! Ted got to eat all the "oops" bars, cookies, and one pie. Not a bad gig. He was a little put out at first that he was only allowed the mistakes (he says his mom did the same thing), but it all tasted the same, and he was so great to finish while I went out and had fun!

Oh yeah, one last thing. We finally bought a second car! It's some kind of honda, and green. I won't be driving it, because it's a manual, and I'm pitiful and don't know how. Ted picked it up last night at about 7 pm, and this morning when he tried to bring my baked goods to town for the sale, he broke down on the side of the road.. I couldn't come get him because I was in school, so he started walking. Luckily some kind soul picked him up and brought him to where I had parked the red car. Ted and a guy from work spent all afternoon tinkering with it, but I don't think they can do any more until Ted orders parts from the Honda dealership. Unfortunately the on-post towing service doesn't run on the weekends, so it'll have to hang out there until Monday. Oh well, such is life. So anyway, we have a second car now, but through the kind of luck he and I seem to attract, it is inoperable the first full day of "ownership." Ha!

I hope you all feel up-to-date again. We miss you very much. If you sent us an anniversary card or letter, thank you, and your return letter will eventually get to you! I'm very slowly catching up with correspondence, but I haven't forgotten you! We love you all; enjoy your weekend!

Abandonment

No,
I haven't abandoned my blog. I will update soon! Love you all!