Another week-ish down in the books...

Welp, since the last post we've been doing a lot of adjusting as Kaela's new parents. Along with Rob starting work and me doing LOTS and LOTS of homework for this semester. All my classes are pretty easy but man are they keeping me busy!

First things first, last Saturday night was the wine night at my new friend Danette's apartment here on post. It was so much fun! So many of the wives from the company came out and we had a great time! There were so many people there it was hard to get to know everyone, which I loved! So different than our last duty station where a wives "ladies night" wouldn't have EVER been the same. Another reason to be so happy to be here! Wine, sangria, and lots of good food! And Rob went over to one of the guy's apartments to hang during the wine night- all in all *bonus*

Then Sunday was relaxation and more homework! woot woot! and maybe a hangover or two.

Monday wasn't too crazy but we did get to enjoy a good dinner with friends. Danette and Austin invited us over for dinner and it was delicious. Pork shoulder and mashed taters! yummy!! Then the boys had to leave on a car emergency to help a friend and Danette and I got to drink lots of wine and chat till they returned. All in all it was a good night! Another win.

Tuesday was a first excursion for us even our walk to get mail at the CMR here on post was interesting. My glasses came woot woot!! [3 new pairs!] So I guess Tuesday was good. Only downside was that after taking the picture I got stuck up on the hill and was afraid to slide down the hill lol. So I slid down on my butt and, covered in mud, walked home and looked like I pooped my pants. But at least it was for a nice picture!

This is the view from the hill (1 f them anyway) on post down into Baumholder. So pretty covered in snow.

Afterwards a friend from Rob's company had to work a 24-hour shift and let us borrow his car (since Rob has his license). We needed to hit up a pet store nearby in Birkenfeld. Kaela pulls a lot on her leash and we needed to get something to help with it (i.e. a gentle leader and a slip collar). Driving there was too much fun! I so can't wait to get a car and be able to get outta the house and travel more!

The view from one of the hills down into Birkenfeld :D too pretty!

Birkenfeld wasn't even that far away! So can't wait to get a car and go exploring on our own time. After hitting up the petstore we were even able to hit up the commissary and the shopette. Snagged some groceries and some smoothies- from a machine I've never seen before.

Meet my touch screen new friend at the shopette- F'Real smoothie maker :D

This one's mine. Literally all you do is plug it in and it gets blended! And mine wasn't even bad on calories!

They'll be happening again!

After our excursion and the day out we were home.

Wednesday Rob had culture college while I stayed home and did the college student thing again. So totally not fun that's for sure. At least I walked to get the mail and my stencil came- another win! (so many #wins in this post)

Today, Thursday, Rob's at cq and I did the drivers class this morning. and MAN it was boring. Oh how I didn't miss drivers ed lol. At least it was only for 3 ish hours. Too bad it's 3 hours of my life I can't get back. Next thing is taking the drivers test next week. *hope I pass, fingers crossed*

After the class I snagged the mail, which has become the highlight of my day. I love getting mail. You should tots send us stuff!! Even little post cards are more fun than opening bills ;] Today my first round of fabric swatches came. Not sure while ones I'll use for what until the second site's batch comes in.

I'm so excited to make our apartment feel like home!
3 years here is longer than our time in our house in GA, we only lived there for ALMOST 2 years.

Now it'll just be narrowing them down to which is for pillow covers, drapes, and our shower curtain!! I know I'll totally wanna go to school for interior design eventually, it all makes me too excited to be decorating our own place. I'm a lucky girl for Rob putting up with me!

Well, I think that's it. I'm gonna watch some more crappy tv, debate on doing more homework, drink sangria and take Kaela out before bed. Night everyone!

17 days!?!

So crazy to think we've only been here for 17 days!! Blows my mind.

First and oh so important, the Poodle update: She's quieter now. Hardly barks. Way way less than before so I'm pleased :D

So, last post was on Monday? Biggest thing was that our family grew a bit more this week.
Since getting here we found out just how much we missed our dogs, and that unless we had an extra 2 grand laying around, it was going to stay that way. Rob and I are both big dog lovers and this week when we tried for the last time to look into bringing them over and were let down all over again, Rob said we could get another one trying to calm my tears.

*Commence doggy hunt* Dogs here are so expensive and many people won't sell to Americans. In the past we were told that people on post would abuse the right to buy dogs here and would get them and then mistreat them or leave them behind when they left again for the states. Plus, the language barrier wasn't helping us any. A few places we called about dogs didn't speak English, which made it a no-go lol

I looked on so many websites and also at shelter websites. Puppies were rare to find and many that I did find cost so much! At least over like 600 euro. (converting that to dollars is roughly 820 dollars) We found some German Shepherd puppies for 2,000 euro a piece!! So ridiculous. Even shelters still charged like 350 euro. We were super surprised. In the states we got Dug and Rex from the human society and each was only $150 - shots and fixed. So, with the cost factor, we started looking at a site they use here (like Craigslist back home) called Bookoo. A few of the wives here told us to look there and that they found their dogs on there. That is also where we found Kaela.

She's adorable. She's 3 years old now with her fourth birthday this coming October. We adopted her from a nearby German lady who was having health issues and was unable to give her the attention she needed. 200 euro for her, a few toys, food bowls, a leash, and her bed. Not a bad deal and she's wonderful. She is a Belgium Malinois.

And she sleeps like such a lady. Just her taking a little doggy nap.

This is the "bed" we got from her previous owner. It's a really big blanket that we folded up and she loves sleeping there.
In between jumping up on the bed to sleep with us, she's such a bed hog on our double bed lol

She's fitting in great and we know the boys will like her. Nice that she's bigger than both of them and will be able to hold her own :D Also, we were introduced to a lady that manages the Java Cafe on post and she said she knows two people that teach training classes for dogs. The husband trains the K9 unit on post and the wife the German police dogs off post. We'll probably get her enrolled in some classes. She behaves well but it can't hurt. Getting her to pull less when we walk her and listen a little better the first time around with commands will be nice. We're not sure if she's had any previous training but figured it'd be a good idea. She's really smart and her breed is commonly used as a working dogs (herding, police work, search and rescue, ect).

But, after we got her on Wednesday the rest of the week was rather chill. Rob passed the driving test this week and now has his International License *bonus for traveling* I just need to take it now!

Then, last night, we went out to another restaurant here in town, Bistro Pierrot at the Hotel Westrich. The food was AMAZING there as well. It was right across from our first restaurant adventure- Stadtkrug and next to the bar we always go to, the Knot.

Here is a little picture of the inside. 

I ordered the rahmschnitzel, which has a cheesy Alfredo ish sauce on it. It was amazing.

And Rob got another schnitzel that he didn't remember the name of.
Covered with sauteed onions, mushrooms and an egg.

After dinner we went out to the Knot for some drinks then back home to let out Kaela. All in all, another successful night. Even Kaela behaved. We asked the neighbors to let us know if she barked at all and she didn't. #win.

Then today, recovering from the night before, and doing homework. So much homework to keep me busy. One of the wives is having a ladies night at her place at 7 tonight. I'm super excited and it should be really fun, lots of people said they'd be there.

Now, it's time to go start getting ready! :D

Toy Poodle? No thanks!

So, since my last post we pretty much lived out the whole 4-day weekend.


Friday and Saturday weren't anything crazy, just home days. Cleaning, playing video games, and running to the PX and commissary for some more things we needed. [how much better my life is now that we have our dish drying rack :D]

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to Ramstein with a new couple we met from the company. Had a blast! They were so sweet and I love shopping. I can't wait to have our furniture and be able to get things :D [so I can put them away and not just lay them on the counter.]

There is this guy there that burns pictures and wording into wood. He makes door hangers, plaques, key racks, ornaments, shot holders, beer bottle openers, and so much more. I can't wait to get a few of them. [and some Christmas presents for people; we're definitely getting Christmas shopping done early this year, I can feel it!]

But, for the things I did buy, I got our new rug. It's a light gray 6x9 [for 35 bucks, which was a STEAL]. Then, in the evening, I ordered the stencil and paint I finally agreed on.

This is a picture from the stencil site showing the stencil I picked already put on a rug.
Here, the tan will be gray and the dark brown will be navy blue.

I can't wait to try it out. Super stoked. Keep your fingers crossed for me. First time ever DIY-ing my own rug!

Then, after my online shopping was done for the day we watched "Last Vegas" which was hilarious! Such a good movie, I totally recommend it.

NEXT: The whole reason for the title of this post.
[^ notice the size, I have strong feelings about said topic]

A few days after we moved in a couple moved in right above us. They seemed nice when I crossed paths with them in the hallway but.. they have a toy poodle looking dog. And it barks. ALL THE F-ING TIME! Like during the week I'm sitting here trying to do homework? and it's barking. On the weekends at 9 am? It's barking. It's always barking. And the worst part is 90% of the time they are home [we hear them walking up there] and they still let him bark. And it's a high pitched annoying bark.

I'm not one to complain but I mean come on. You live in an apartment, don't be so damn disrespectful. I'm not a winy neighbor and don't want to come across as so but like the barking HAS TO STOP!

So this morning, like clockwork, that mutt woke me up at 925am.  And this time, I've had enough. We went to bed at like 3am and its still the "weekend" and I want to sleep in. So I marched up there in my pjs and bedhead and knocked on their door. I said I've lived in apartments a large portion of my life and know how it can be and that I'm not trying to be winy but that their dog has woken me up everyday at 9 and barks all the time. I asked if they could hush him up. And what did I get? attitude. Alright that's fine. Next time I WILL CALL THE MPs B!tC#. I tried to be nice.

Don't get me wrong it quit barking this morning but like. For me to come up there after him barking like that and you're both home? Lord jesus. And with her attitude? I will call the MPs next time it happens. Screw being nice to people who don't deserve or appreciate it.

End. Rant.
And, end post :D

Dinner, anyone?

Yesterday was a little mini night out for us. This weekend is a four day for the guys so we made our Thursday a second Friday for this week.

After Rob got done with work, we headed out to finish the insurance process at AIG. Another smooth visit there. Now we can send off the insurance info and get the ball rolling on the car. Finally.

Next was home for a bit before heading back out to Hotel Stadtkrug for dinner.

Riesling and a Hefeweizen, just waiting on our dinner :]

It's a barbecue joint we heard a lot about. [I took pictures of the food but failed and it was after we started eating, I promise I'll get better about that lol]

I got cheese schnitzel with home fries. So good.

Rob got a BBQ plate with steak and ribs. And that herby garlic butter on his plate: delicious.

Then, after dinner, we headed over to the Knot for some drinks. Not too many people were there so it was a pretty chill night.

Drinks and darts.

Then after we left there it was home for the night! All in all, a good night for everyone. We even got some good restaurant menus from Terri at the Knot. I can't wait to try them. The first restaurant was a win and I know these others will be too!

Now it's time for the real Friday to get underway.

Exploring Baumholder in all its Glory

Howdy readers! It's been a few days. Last I wrote was on Saturday? Not a whole lot has happened since then.

Sunday was a lazy day, as most Sundays are.

Monday I started my school semester. Not so bad so far. Lots of work to do since I'm taking 6 classes this semester, I'll list them (since I know my mom, dad, and grandparents will want to know which they are).

• Principles of Corporate Finance
• Principles of Management
• Applied Stats & Optimization
• Buyer Behavior
• Professional Selling
• Body Conditioning 

No issues with any yet so that's a bonus!

Then after work, despite the gloomy weather we went for our first little stroll.

This is right outside the walking gate in Baumholder. Rob's just strollin' like a G.

We discovered there isn't a TON out in the little town we live near. There are some good restaurants, one which we'll be trying tomorrow for dinner since when we were out today they were closed, and lots of little shops and bars. Even a car rental place where you can rent a BMW, with insurance and all, for a week for 180 euro, and that's not bad at all! And a T-Mobile, where we set up our phones today. For a small town, it has all ya need. We still can't wait to travel!

But with the weather being less than favorable, and it being Monday (when lots of things are still closed), we didn't stay out too long.

Tuesday, yesterday, I went to work with Rob for a little bit. I went for a travel briefing. We were told how to catch trains, how to get RyanAir plane tickets, what cities the presenter recommended to visit, and several other pointers. The whole presentation only made me more excited to get out and travel! Too bad we learned Rob has to apply for a civilian passport too. And his birth certificate is in our Household Goods. So it will be a bit before he gets his passport. Which means we're only traveling in Germany for our first while. But that's not all bad, there are SOOO many places we can see here!

Then today the GI furniture delivery people brought by some more stuff. Two dressers, a dining table, and a sofa. I'll add pictures of that next post, since we're already lounging and being lazy this evening. [we have lots of supernatural we're catching up on on Netflix]. After Rob got off, we headed down to Baumholder again. First we snagged some euros and hit up a local bakery.

Definitely a good find.

 

The pretzel sticks we got were delicious, like Servati's back in Cincy. The other two pastries, well we're not sure what they are and haven't tried them yet. We just picked two to try and next week we'll try two more new ones! I mean with the bakery being so close (10 minute walk)- who could resist?

After the bakery it was AIG insurance quote time. AIG gave us a quote on car insurance, still expensive. But, being in Germany and needing the standard million dollars in coverage, its always a bit expensive. Especially with the beem still being on a loan. *can't wait till that's paid off*. With the quote we figure we'll go through with the paperwork and get the car on its way over here, since it'll take probably three months to get here. After, our stop at t-mobile didn't take long either. The woman was sweet and set us up with our SIM cards and sent us on our way. Pretty painless.

Now that dinner has been made and enjoyed [maple syrup glazed pork chops, onions with parsnips, and rice *yum*] we're finally able to curl up on the couch for a change. Enjoy your evening, I'm gonna go enjoy mine! :D

Home Sweet Home

Well Friday the 10th was Rob's first day of work and mine of sleeping in! [how lazy I know]
He came back in the afternoon and we were able to keep running around and knock a few more stops off our "to-do" list!

First, wasn't anything too crazy, just some errands he had to run and a few more people to go meet. Then we had our housing inspection at 2pm to sign for the keys! [this part I was totally stoked about!!] The inspection was SO fast, literally lasted I'd say ten minutes. Trying to find out which keys went in which door probably took the longest [seeing as we had 3 building keys, 3 apartment keys, 3 mailbox keys, and 3 storage room keys.] After getting the keys we had a million more places to go [and still do].

1st Stop, ACS or Army Community Services. One of the many things that ACS does is help everyone get set up in their new place via the "lending closet". Meaning we were able to go there and sign out a bin full of kitchen supplies [plates, saucers, mugs, cups, bowls, pots, baking pans, utensils, ect.] They also gave us a toaster, microwave, and temporary cell phones to use all for 90 days. Talk about nice and helpful once again.

2nd Stop, TKS [the internet, cable, and house/cell phone people]. Here we were able to get our house phone set up along with our internet. And yes I said house phone. I haven't had one of those since I lived with my parents in high school. Cell phones and cable will be another day- A) we need to jail break our phones to use on a phone plan here and not buy new ones and B) why get cable when we have no TV?

This is our sweet new home phone. And it's also purple. I'm stoked.

Then it was off to the PX to buy phone minutes for our temp. cell phones, pillows, and a blanket before swinging by the Lagerhof (our hotel) and grabbing all of our things to head to the apartment.

Now that we're all unpacked and settled in here is a link to my facebook album of the apartment photos. Mind you all the furniture isn't ours. Sadly ours is probably still on a boat.. lol

Here's the link>> Almost Moved In Apartment Album

I took so many pictures! We're super excited to be here. Just saying.

After all the picture taking and relaxing we went out to some bars with everyone from the company. Everyone EOD always goes to the Celtic Knot so, naturally, that's where we spent like all of the evening. We loved it and we loved everyone! The bar was small but the atmosphere was great.

Nicole, Blair and I [Two wives from Rob's company]

Everyone has to read the bar rules. And it was Rob's turn!

Two of the owner/bartenders at the Celtic Knot. They're sisters I'm pretty sure. Terri and Sharon. Sharon is waving to John our friend back in GA that came from here :D

This picture kinda shows the instead of the bar but mainly I took it because I love the quote. "Irish saying: May the roof above never fall in and the people below it never fall out."

And this one is above the bar. :D

After last night we came home and crashed. Then this morning one of the wives that lives below us in our apartment building offered to let me hitch a ride to run some errands this morning at the PX, commissary, and shopette. Finally to have groceries and be able to cook real food again! Dinner tonight will be delicious!! I was able to almost completely stock the kitchen :D still need some odds and ends (spices and such) but still. Great start. Once again, so blessed to be surrounded by these amazing people.

Now, Saturday afternoon, we're trying to find a way to get to Ramstein to buy curtains.
I'll write more later!

First "Real" Day

Well, time for a second post from our second day! We slept soooo much last night. Literally napped from 4pm-9pm then slept like 1am-10am. How pathetic, damn jet lag. At least after our 15 hours of sleep we had a productive day!

First and foremost- the pretty view from our hotel room (which we only will be enjoying until Saturday when we move out!!)

Love the view of all the trees and how private it is. It sounds pretty in the breeze!

Figured I'd start with that photo since it was from this morning. Only seemed right.

But we slept good, got ready and Nelson got us to run around more today. We were able to stop by the shop (Rob's work building) and meet some people. Everyone seemed nice (I'm still keeping in mind that it's day one). After that Rob had to get some paperwork done, I followed :D.

Most exciting part of the paperwork part of the day was our ration cards. Didn't know we'd be getting those. But we each get one so I don't feel like we'll be running short on anything, main concern, running out of liquor (since we're not huge coffee drinkers or cigarette smokers) but we're allowed like 4L each a month. Unlimited and un-rationed beer though lol

[the backside] they are used for coffee, cigarettes, and liquor

After paper work came housing!!! Which I was super excited about since Nelson seemed to think we'd be able to get keys to look at some apartments today (which we were). Four apartments to be exact. The first two we saw were nice, nearly the same just mirrored floor plans. The third one was PERFECT and, well the fourth one was like the first two and we had already basically chosen the third one.

Yay for house keys! after the inspection tomorrow afternoon they'll be ours!

The bathroom had good storage and double sinks. The floors were a light wood everywhere else besides the tile in the bathroom. It had a separate laundry room, with the larger American washer and dryer, which was a big deal since the others had smaller European machines AND they were in the kitchen. The kitchen was big and had a island/pass-through thingy to the living space which was a bonus. The bedrooms had built in wardrobes with shelving and mirrors on the doors (every girl loves a full size mirror). Basically we're stoked! After watching all those international house-hunter shows I feared we would end up in a very small place and that we wouldn't have options to pick from just be given an apartment. We'll post pictures once we move in for sure! Till our household goods get here (in like a month = oh my) we'll have government issued furniture to use AKA like furnished college apartment status. But hey, furniture is furniture and it's free. Either way, we're excited. Tomorrow we meet at the apartment with an inspector and sign for the keys. Then we move in on Saturday :D

Next, we went to the Post Office and set up our APO box. Now I can, A) order my super cool textbooks for this coming semester B) get new glasses sent here and C) give it out to family back home!! >>So hit us up on Facebook if you want it!

After all the running around we snagged some snack food for the hotel, headed back and ordered pizza from a local pizza place Nelson recommended. Pizzeria Etna.

Different taste, but still tasty! can't wait to get a kitchen and start cooking again tho!

Now it's time to review the German lesson from last night WITH Rob and get ready for bed. He decided to learn German with me = #majorsuccess.

Gute nacht bloggers! Hasta manana!

Dia Numero Uno

Flight Baltimore to Germany 1.7.14

This was our last picture in the states as we waited to leave the airport in Baltimore... yesterday? (i think, damn time change :D) Rob hates "selfies" but I couldn't resist! This picture was going to be proof we boarded and survived (when it actually got posted online) our flight to Germany.

Once we landed it was the quasi normal process of customs and paperwork then off to Baumholder. *Rob is in the Army and we're stationed here at Baumholder now for 3 years* We haven't explored much yet because we were both super tired! Instead we just got the right ID cards and settled in at our hotel room.
 

P.S. Walking up nearly three flights of stairs with 8 bags (roughly 250lbs of luggage) is not fun! <<Our first experience living in WWII ish buildings that don't have elevators. #SillyspoiledAmericans 

But at least the guy from Rob's company that came to pick us up at the airport and show us around was super nice! He and rob got to carry our checked bags, which I totally wish I could have snagged a picture of. One large duffel on the front and one on the back. So resourceful. That's when ruck-march skills come in handy ;)

Then came the halfway unpacking and the napping. No point in fully unpacking because A) we have way too much stuff for this little hotel room and B) we probably will only be here a week before we get housing (hopefully, #fingerscrossed) But, now that I've napped for nearly 4 hours. I'm up and awake trying to burn off steam and become tired again so I can sleep through the night and get on a regular schedule. I even started some ''Learn German'' YouTube videos. Lesson One: Complete. Check it out if you'd like, here's the link. I think there are about twenty lessons so we'll see how far that gets me. Since this is my second language I'm hoping that having learned one before will help me a bit.

Other than that- no news is good news? We'll just have to see what tomorrow has in store.

Time for bed! It's 11pm here, sooo... Goodnight or Gute Nacht :D