Going Away!!

Sorry to say that I don't have any crazy pics of Michael to post today. We're leaving for Munich early tomorrow morning and won't be back until Sunday night. The good thing is that Michael has off on Monday so we'll be able to sleep in and relax. Might have to hit up Ikea!!!

We booked our trip to Australia this week to see Uncle Jim & Aunt Carolyn for Christmas. We almost weren't able to go because the flights were all full and it would've cost us close to $10,000 for 6 days. And on top of that we would have arrived the day after Christmas. I was able to come home that day and find a flight online for much cheaper than what we were quoted. So we're going to Australia via Shanghai, China. Yes I've already looked to see if there's a Starbucks in the airport, but sad to say there isn't. I was hoping to get a mug from there. At least I'll get some in Munich tomorrow. So Alli and Steve, we'll see you "down under" in 2 1/2 months!! AWWWW summer at Christmas time - don't be jealous Alison - and Suzanne I'll work on my tan, I promise!!!

Hope all is well with you guys! I'll post some pics when we get back. Love and miss you all!!!

Birth Control

This is what some women call birth control in the US Military. Michael was laying his things out for the course he's going to for the month of October and we came across these wonderful glasses. Thought I'd share the pictures with you that I took. I hope you all get a good chuckle out of this because I couldn't stop laughing at him!!!!! Oh the joys of the military. Seriously, you'd think they'd get something that would look a little nicer. The funny thing is, there's a new private that I've seen on post wearing these. I guess that's what you would call "brain-washing".

Have a great day!!! At home you are all still sleeping, well it's 9am here so it's time to get a move on!! Love you all!!!

Some of the best things in life....

I would like to introduce you to a few very special people in my life. Sometimes I don't know where'd I'd be without them. They make me laugh, smile, cry, and feel special. This picture was taken this last trip home. I had to get together with my girls before I left (we really missed Patti at this one). I have shared some very special moments with these fine women. Alison and I have known each other for almost 20 years. We've shared some very special moments and without her I don't know where I'd be. Caryn and I lived together for a year and a half before I got married and moved. Let me tell you, the best conversations have either been first thing in the morning or shared watching all day marathons of Alias or Lost in our pajamas!!! Mhairi, well what can you say. Our landlord never knew if Caryn & I were home, but he knew when we were because he'd hear Mhairi laughing!! Then there's Jo Kelly the level headed one with the two most adorable boys whom I miss terribly. Her pantry will never be the same as when I unpacked it in their new house!! And Carole Bate.....well when I called her one night needing a "pastor", we met at Starbucks and chatted for 2 hours in the mini-van parked in the parking lot. These women have been placed in my life with a purpose and for that I am truly grateful. So thank you Alison, Caryn, Mhairi, Jo, and Carole for always being there and for all your love and support. It has meant the world to me. I love you all so much!!!

All Alone

I'm alone again. Michael left this morning for his trek in the cow fields!! He wasn't too thrilled but he doesn't have a choice. We helped some friends move yesterday. They're expecting their first child so they've moved to the family housing area for a bigger place. We both got a nice workout yesterday and we were exhausted by the time we got to bed. It felt wonderful to be that exhausted.

I was hoping to post a picture with this post, but Michael took the camera with him to take some shots of where he's at and what he's doing. I'll have to post them when he gets back. That's about all the excitement here. Can't wait til he comes home on Thursday. We're trying to make plans to go to Munich for Oktoberfest. I'll be able to hit up a Starbucks up there. Caryn - look out for a new mug when I get there!!!!

Until next time! Love you all!!

We're Back!!

Well we weren't gone for long. Actually only one night. Michael got back from post on Thursday after 7 pm and then had to be back at post for PT in the morning. So we missed the first session, but it was enjoyable. Here's the hotel where we stayed at. It reminded me of Florida and Disney so much. Now granted, I've never stayed on Disney property but I'm sure tthis is what it looks like. We had a great time. It was lead by the Family Life Chaplain and his wife on our post.

Well, that's about it here. Glad to be home. Miss the nice size bed at the hotel, but we'll deal! Love to you all!!

Just some ramblings...

Here is a picture of the carnival from our deck off the kitchen. The carnival ends tomorrow, PRAISE THE LORD!!! I think I'm going to check it out tomorrow afternoon to see if there's anything exciting to purchase. I've seen some cute purses as we rode through the town. The bottom pic is from Marostica - the beginning of the chess game for real. There were so many things happening before the game actually started. It was amazing. I'll put some pics up on my Flickr. Michael is still away. He'll be home on Thursday. I'm missing him but I'm so looking forward to our weekend away. We're leaving for Lake Garda on Thursday evening for a marriage enrichment weekend. Two other sets of couples that we're friends with are going too. Michael and I so need this little trip. I've applied for another job today. It's a Program Analyst position working in the same building that I was volunteering at. It's also working the same people that I was with before. I'm praying that this is the one. There's other opportunities out there, but I know that the Lord will provide. I hope all is well with each of you.

Our Backyard

Ok...now just imagine a carnival with rides, games, and concessions. Now imagine all that in your backyard. We have a giant slide off our kitchen deck and a Musik Box ride - you know the one where the cars go around really fast and plays loud music - yeah that's what's going on. There's a carnival going on until Wednesday night and it ends anywhere between 1 and 3 am. Oh the loudness and lights!!!! I've tried to post a pic but for some strange reason I can't. It's 10:30 pm and I'm ready for bed, so I've taken some Tylenol PM to help with the sleep tonight.

I got here on Saturday fine. Took a nap and then went to Marostica for the chess game. It was freezing but the game was amazing. I'll put pics on Flickr hopefully tomorrow. (And if Mhairi reads this hopefully you'll be able to get to the link) Michael is away until Thursday at a training somewhere in Italy - I can't exactly remember where he is. He called me from Verona today trying to find the hospital "just in case" it's needed. So I'm spending my first time alone without Michael. Our neighbor is taking me to post with her for the next 2 days since the car is at post, and I can't drive stick yet anyway. So far I've gotten through the first day pretty well. I'll be kept busy for the next 2 days on post.

That's about all the excitement here. I can't wait for this carnival to leave town. Now I know how people feel when the circus comes to town - that's what it feels like without the animals.

All our love!!!!

Going Home!!!

Well friends, I'm heading back to Italy on Friday evening. My passport and visa came in the mail this morning (of course I did a little dance when I got it!!!), Michael booked me a flight, and I'll be going back. Unfortunately I'm flying out of JFK - the military doesn't really give you a choice of where you fly out of when it's on their penny - so I'm taking the shuttle from Newark Airport to JFK. At least I'll be getting back.

Mom and I are going to the Jackson Outlets tonight to pick up a few things. I've seemed to have outgrown almost all of my clothes so she's actually taking in my new pants that I had bought last winter new.

I'll post something tomorrow in between packing. All my love to you all!!!

Leaving Canada!!

I know I said I'd post throughout the weekend, but obviously I didn't. My bad! Anyway, the weather has been junky. The sun popped out every so often, but it's been cold. My grandparents actually turned the heat on for a bit this morning. We've had a good time, but I'm ready to go home - back to Jersey and definitely back to Italy.

Michael is doing well. I spoke with him a bit this afternoon. We got our house phone and internet this morning. For those of you who want our house number, let me know and I'll get it to you once I know it. There are a few of you who are the must haves anyway. I have no clue when I'm heading back, but i'm hoping for Thursday or Friday if all goes well.

I'll post some pics from my granpa's party. They are a funny bunch. Teasing a poor man with the beginning's of Alsheimer's (I know I spelled that completely wrong) with cream puffs. I know this probably seems really boring but my grandma taught me how to make Yorkshire pudding tonight for dinner - Michael is really excited and Mhairi I can make it for you if you want!!

By the way, I didn't get the job that I applied for. I'm really bummed. The first thing I will do when I go back is start looking for something. That and getting my drivers license for over there, and Michael is going to take on the challenge of teaching me manual driving. This will be test of our pre-marital counseling. Hopefully we listened to something Larry!!! Those of you who know me really well, know that I frustrate easily - ask Alison Baker about the contacts before the wedding!! :) So this will be our test - I told him that he'll probably divorce me. So keep us in your prayers for that fatefully driving lesson day.

Gotta go. Hope you are all doing well. Until next time!!