Catch-Up

Hi everyone, sorry it's been so long since my last post. I had drill this weekend, and they had us come in Friday morning. Let's see-- I'll go back to Thursday. I had to go in and enter five years' worth of residences, employments, and references into a computer (for my new job). It sounds easy, but in the last five years I've lived in 5 or 6 different places, worked at 5 or 6 different jobs, and went to three universities. It was a pain trying to wrangle up phone numbers and addresses for all that! Now that that is done, I have a physical today to make sure I am fit enough to be a secretary (??) and then I will go back to the NAF office and see what day I start! :)
Friday at drill we had a medical SRP. It was actually all done very efficiently. They had stations set up in each of the buildings, so we went round-robin style to audio, vision, immunizations, vital signs, and got our ten minutes with a doctor. It took all day, but whatever, we were getting paid! In previous years we had to set up an appt at the federal building in des moines and drive out there, so I prefer this method. I got my shots updated and I'm all set for anthrax, the flu, hep A/B, typhoid, meningitis, and several others I can't remember. When in doubt if you've had a shot recently, they just give you more, so I make sure to keep my shot records close by. I don't know how many times you can safely get a hepatitis vaccination, but my guess is anywhere under thirty, because I get one every time!
I also had my Spring pt test this weekend, and I'm very proud of myself. I cut over two minutes off my run time, and did well in the other events too. I was plenty safe on the height/weight cut, too, so I'm off the hook! I treated Ted and I to a big pile of Popeye's shrimp to celebrate. :0) Now, if I just keep doing what I have been doing as far as running, who knows how fast I'll be for the fall pt test! I'm happy even if I just maintain this time, though.
Ted had a nice weekend, I'm sure. He had the place to himself! The weather was nice, so he enjoyed some four wheeler rides and had plenty of time for video games. Saturday night we went to a BBQ at a friend's house, and it was a nice time. I wish I could've had another pina colada and stayed longer, but I was conscious of the sit-ups, push-ups, and running I would have to participate in in the morning. Regardless, it was a nice time chatting and having good food. Of course I like to see how other people fared when they got off post housing (usually better than we did!) . Oh well, at least we have a roof over our heads!
Well, I have a mountain of laundry to do that maybe will get done by the end of the week if I start now, so I better get to it. I hope you have a great start to the week, and we'll catch up again soon.

Working Girl

Well folks, I finally caught my big break. I accepted a job offer today for the administrative assistant position at the CDC. 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. I'm going in tomorrow to fill out some paperwork, then I guess we'll talk about when I start. I know I have to go to some training first, just basic stuff about dealing with kids (from the front desk, luckily) and passing out medicine and stuff like that. So that's my big news for today!
The rest is really no news at all. I did the housecleaning, and brought all the winter sweaters up to the attic. Went for a run this evening, and that's about it. Ted got caught up at work. I'm hoping he might make it home before ten, but I'm not sure if he can. Poor guy. I'm glad I have a job with set hours! It's so great to say I have a job, finally. I can't believe it took so long to get a job, but I guess this time of year people are getting their orders to go back to the states. I know two girls are leaving the daycare in May, so that's why I got hired so quick. Good thing I kept after the endless applications. You never know when something will finally work out. After a while I will be switched to the 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule, which is ok, too, since Ted doesn't make it home til 6 or later anyway. Somehow I feel like I will like the earlier shift better- there's so much day time left if you get off work at 2!
Tomorrow morning I have to go to the German doctor in a different city. I'm very nervous I won't be able to find it, and I keep begging Ted to bring me there, but he can't get away from work. It wouldn't be that big a deal except the way these cities are constructed, with no street signs when you need them... I don't know-- you have to see it to know what I'm talking about. We are going to bring the 4-wheeler back to the dealer before that because something isn't working right, so we'll have a cramped morning (my Dr. appt is at 9:15!) but Ted's got a plan, so I'll go with it.
Anyway, I have to find something for supper before it's too late and it turns into a giant nighttime snack. Then it just makes my hard running obsolete, doesn't it?! Adios!

Beatuiful Day

Good morning to you all. I'm sitting on the threshold of our balcony, soaking up the sunshine. We had two days of pouring rain, and then, like magic, it was gone! The grass is so green and overnight it grew enough to need a lawn mower. We don't have a lawn to mow, but our friends do, and it's an electric lawn mower! Everyone on post rents these electric lawn mowers that plug in. They call it a lawn vacuum.
Anyway, I realize I haven't been keeping up with the blog this week. Ted had volunteered to keep you updated midweek, and did a great job on the four wheeler post, but it disappeared and I can't figure out how to get it back. I'm sure you all saw the pics of the four-wheeler. It has been great to have the car this week, and Ted has enjoyed the four wheeler. Except Friday, when it poured rain all day. I need the car (for an interview!!) and would've taken him to work, but he chose to tough it out in the rain. He came home soaking wet and fell asleep on the couch. That's the best way to warm up, after all!
So, back to my interview. Thursday I got a call from the lady at the Child Development Center (CDC), the Army's daycare. She wanted to know if I could come in for an interview on Friday! Yay! The job is for an admin assistant, checking in kids and taking money from the parents- that kind of thing. I don't think it sounds too bad. I had my hair all done up nice, and my fancy clothes on, and I was trying to juggle the umbrella in the rain...good stuff. I felt relaxed though- I didn't feel like this interview would be a big deal, and it wasn't. She forgot the interview, to start off with, and no one could reach her by phone. Finally the secretary just told me to leave my cell number, and I went and got lunch for Ted. She called me back about an hour later, and said I could choose when I wanted to come back in. Well, I already had my hair done you know, so I drove back over. She really didn't even ask me any questions, except to see if I was willing to work at 5:30 in the morning (for now, the job is 5:30 to 2). From the way she was talking, I wouldn't be too surprised if I get the job, so I'll be waiting for a phone call this week or the next. Finally, a door just might have opened for me! Now if I do get the job, I'll have to go shopping! I've never had a job where I didn't have to wear a uniform (fareway, well, you know that awesome outfit, scrubs at the hospital, and park ranger duds) so I don't have enough nice pants and tops to get me through a work week. I won't mind some new clothes!
Ted and I are getting ready to go for a ride on the four wheeler. Seems like a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. I won't be able to get a tan on my squished cheeks (my helmet's padding isn't exactly broken in yet) but the fresh air will be wonderful! We got groceries yesterday (usually we get them after church on Sundays) so we have the whole afternoon free. Ted's making BBQ ribs for dinner tonight- yum! As far as meat here goes, it seems to be pretty good. We're not huge fans of the steak and chops they freeze and vacuum seal for us, but we enjoy the ribs.
Anyway, Husband is ready to go. Bye for now!

Happy Easter

I hope you all are having a great day, celebrating Easter and enjoying time with family. We had a very nice day, but we can't believe the weekend is over already!! This morning we went to the sunrise service at 7. It was very pretty, and the service was nice, but it was COLD! We could all see our breaths when we sang the hymns. Ted made us biscuits and gravy when we got home, and we lounged around a while. We had ribs that Ted "smoked" on the grill and I made some twice-baked potatoes for our Easter lunch. This afternoon it warmed up quite a bit, so I sat out on the balcony in the sun and read a book while Ted cleaned out the car. Since we don't have a yard for him to putter around in, he cleans/washes/waxes/vacuums the car on the weekends. It looks nice! We went for a walk this evening, and now we're just relaxing. It was truly a great day. We miss celebrating Easter at home of course, and miss you all.
Easter in Germany is interesting. Friday a bunch of kids rang the door bell and Karl answered. They sang him some kind of little song, and he gave them a bunch of Easter candy. Like trick-or-treating. Not sure what that's about.... Also, the church bell rang nonstop all morning. I do feel this morning is a significant morning, and we should all be reflecting and remembering and celebrating that He is risen...but wow, it's hard to concentrate after five hours of bell-ringing!
I suppose I'll sign off for now. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Never make plans if you live in Army world

Well, nothing that I said was going to happen today did... Ted got out of work at 11 a.m.... You can imagine my excitement when he told me that!! I was trying on cute spring things to wear to the BBQ and all... then he told me he had a lunch he was supposed to be at but forgot about. So he went to that, and then he told me not to worry about coming to the BBQ because he just got told he had a meeting at 4. But he would still come home and hang out in between. Okay, no big deal. Then at like 1 he texted and said he couldn't come home because his soldiers wrecked a big piece of equipment on the autobahn (no one was hurt-- just the equipment) so he would stay in town. OK. Then at three he called and said he was going with the wrecker to pick up the piece of equipment. Which was three hours away. At like 8:30 he said he should be back in three hours. I really need to convince Karl to let me have my cat. I'm tired of eating dinner alone! So, needless to say, no four wheeler until at least Tuesday (though his helmet did come today).
Some positives about eating dinner and hanging out alone:
1. I eat whatever I want. Buttered macaroni? Cereal? Hershey's kisses? Okay!
2. I eat dinner whenever I want. Is it only 5:00? So what?
3. If something smells horribly burnt in the kitchen I'm the only one who knows about it (we won't be using that burner again for the duration of our time here).
4. Oh who am I kidding. Husband, come home! :0)
Even though today had some frustrations, it was still a great day. It was warm and sunshiny, and I went for a nice walk. I was lolly-gagging along by a little river, and thinking to myself about how it would be if I got bit by a snake and couldn't make it out where someone could see me. Literally ten seconds later, I stumbled upon a snake. I screamed and ran like a little girl. I couldn't even look back because I was certain it was following me. Needless to say I won't be walking down that nice little path ever again. Ted told me once that there are very poisonous vipers in Germany that kill you within seconds. He said no one ever sees them, but I plan to play it safe.
I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I hope the weather is just as wonderful! I plan on buying some lawn chairs for our balcony this weekend. I think I can fit at least one out there, and then I can sit out there and sip my coffee like they do in the movies.
Hope you're all doing well today. I better get down to some serious TV watching.

The misadventures of Ashley Knust

Maybe that's what I should have called my blog!
So there I was...happily jumping through hoops and filling out endless forms so I can get a government job. Someone buzzes the doorbell... strange. No one knows us here! Maybe it's a surprise- like flowers or something! I buzz the door and let her in, and it's a Jehovah's Witness and her son, and she hands me a little Bible thing, so I step out a bit to take it from her, and God slammed the door in my face. Actually the lady had left the door at the bottom of the stairs open, so my door at the top of the stairs (that locks upon closing) blew shut. Great. No cell phone, no keys, no windows to crawl through.. please let someone be home downstairs! The landlord's son was home, but if he speaks English he pretends not to, so the Jehovah's Witness translated for me. Karl had the key, but lucky for me he would be home in ten minutes. Otherwise I would have sat outside until Ted came home tonight, or attempted to climb up the balcony, depending on how desperate I got. Note to self: when the doorbell rings, just keep working. Or at least prop open the door.
In the afternoon I made some apple bread, and it is REALLY good except in the middle it is still a bit gooey. Since I have to guess on the oven temp, I was worried about over-baking it, and my toothpick came out clean...I'm not sure what the solution would be. Ted didn't get home from work until about 8, and I had already eaten, so Ted made cream of potato soup (from a can). Gag!! I had bought it for a recipe that I didn't end up making. He said it tasted fine. Easy to please!
Today is the Easter BBQ at the company. They are having it out at the lake, and there will be games and an egg hunt for the kids. Ted told me to bring my Easter basket, but I don't think I will. This might be the first year I haven't participated in the Easter egg hunt at Aunt LeeLee's. That's the rule- once you get married, you don't have to hunt eggs anymore! Although I did love the candy... For some reason I don't remember having the Easter egg hunt last year, and I don't think we had it at Aunt Lee Lee's. My memory is awful! We don't have any plans for Easter, although we are going to a sunrise service they are having on post. It will be out at the lake at 7am (that's when the sun has been rising here) and I think it will be neat.
Well, the sun is shining, Ted will be home from work early for the BBQ, and I think it's going to be a great day! I haven't gotten a camera yet, but I'm thinking Nikon. I'll bring the video camera in the car in case there's something good to take pictures of at the BBQ. Oh, and Ted got German insurance for the four-wheeler yesterday, and it was only 300 euro for the whole year, much to our great relief. If his helmet is in the mailbox today, we will probably go pick up the four wheeler this afternoon, because German stores will be closed Friday-Monday.

Red Rock Riders- Iowa Horse Fair 2009

This is my little sister's drill team performing at the horse fair last weekend in Des Moines. She is riding the light colored horse (Fred) at the very front of the line. The video isn't very good quality, but if you fast forward toward the end, the best part is in the last few seconds when they do a wagon wheel. It's pretty cool to see. Liz and Fred look great!