TGIS

Thank God It's Saturday!!! That's all I have to say. What a week it's been. So sorry that I haven't posted, but by the time I've gotten home from work, I've been ready to go straight to bed. I don't know how teachers do it. I've been with preschoolers all week, and I've had some fun. I kept saying to Michael "Remind me why I wanted a job again??" That's just how it's felt.

We are doing well. Taking another weekend to get caught up on housework and laundry. Trying to get the PWOC Newsletter done for Feb 1 is going to be the main task this weekend.

My parents are off to Florida for a much needed vacation. My dad hasn't taken a vacation in probably 2 years so I know they are excited for the break. Andrew and Patti are well. They called last weekend. It was wonderful to be able to talk with them. Alison turned 30 on Wednesday!!!! Yes, I posted that just for you old lady!!!!! :)

Please keep Michael and I in prayer. I have started a new medication this week that has been giving me hot flashes like crazy at night. Of course I have to wake him up even though there's nothing he can do for me. I'm so sorry that I made fun of my mom whenever she had one.

We pray that all is well with each of you. Sorry I don't have any pictures to post we haven't really had time to go anywhere. Love to you all!!!

It's been so long!!

Well friends, it's been a long time since I've last posted. I had a week of training this week. It's been very interesting to say the least. Friday was the first afternoon I was able to be in a classroom. I was with the tots, ages 18-24 months. It was a good time. This coming week I'm working all week with the preschoolers from 9am to 6pm. I'm hoping that i'll be able to keep up with them. It's not the same as working in an office, but I do get to do some work. I'll be able to make some of my own money.

Because I've been working so much I have not been able to spend time with my friend Patty. It's been hard not to see her and just enjoy being with a great friend. We've been having withdrawal from each other. Normally we meet everyday after lunch, workout, and just hang out together. We go to Bible study together and sometimes do a little shopping. I called her last night, and her and her husband Josh came over for dinner together. It was so nice to spend time with the both of them. On top of missing Patty, I haven't been to Bible study since before Christmas. I wanted to go to the Wednesday evening one but it starts at 530 and I don't get out of work until 6. I'll figure out a way to get back there, I promise.

Michael has to be at work at 3am tomorrow. There was another incident involving a Sergeant the other day, so he has to do roving guard duty from 3am to 7am tomorrow, Sunday. We'll have a lazy day of laundry and relaxing before the crazy work week. His trip was cancelled for this week, so he'll be home!!!

Love to you all. Hope you have a great day!!!

Crazy Night

So last night we were on our way out to dinner, it was Michael's turn to cook so he was doing an Uncle Jim. Anyway, he gets this call from the company stating that they were having a 100% recall back to post for his batallion. It seems that there was an assault on a soldier by 3 other soldiers yesterday afternoon. So he told me to grab a book and this shouldn't take too long. I ended up sleeping on the floor in his office last night and left post this morning by getting a ride from my friend and then went back to post after showering. The batallion, 5 companies, was on complete lockdown until these 3 "geniuses" would turn themselves in. We finally left post at 2:30 this afternoon. I can't give any specifics, but it was an interesting evening. At least I'm going to get my dinner out tonight!!!

It's sad and upsetting to know that 3 young soldiers could turn on one of their own. The soldier who was injured had his issues and was being discharged from the army today. They put the whole batallion on hold, soldiers who were supposed to go to school in Germany weren't sent, Michael and I were supposed to go on a trip to Milan today but weren't able to go. They wasted military money, time, and kept soldiers from their families during a four-day weekend.

I think it hurt me more physically since I had to sleep on the floor. At least I was able to stay with Michael, I didn't really have a choice last night anyway.

Hope you're all having a great day! Ours has gotten better!!! :)

Not your average morning...

So here I was, heading out to my car at 730 this morning, when I noticed that our neighbor's car window was open. I thought that to be very odd because a. this is Italy and you don't leave your windows open and b. it's really cold out. As I got closer to my car I noticed that their car window was completely shattered. As I was going around to the drivers side of my car I heard the crunching sound of glass under my feet and as I looked up, there was no rear passenger side window in my car. Yeah I know what your thinking and saying out loud....HOLY CRAP!!! ( and yes Uncle Jim, crap can be holy!). Of course I scream for Michael but he can't hear me at all. So I go running up the stairs to our apartment. Michael had a 9am call in to work so he was still in his pjs. He opens up the door and I just look at him and say our car's been broken into....he looks at me and says what...as I'm repeating myself I'm banging and ringing our neighbor's door. It seems that our street was robbed by whatevers. About 4 cars on our street were broken into, but there were a few other streets in neighboring towns that also were vandalized. We lost 40 litres in gas coupons and my gym bag that had shoes and gym clothes. There were cds all over the car, glass all over the back seat, and they went through our glove compartment. Well I was pissed this morning. I guess I just feel violated and even more nervous about where we live. We have a plexiglass window in it now, but we have to wait to get an estimate or something from the insurance company before it can be replaced. THe thing is Michael's BMW was right inbetween mine and the neighbor's car, and they didn't even touch his car.

So that's what happened between 730 and 830 this morning. I did go to work and observe 2 classrooms today. I also got to play with a few kids. They crack me up.

Hope you all have a good day. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to post some happy news!!!

Air Force Base

Yesterday Michael and I went to Aviano, Italy, where there is an Air Force Base. This is where he jumps from. He showed me around the areas that are the staging areas for where they prepare to jump. It was really cool to actually see this base. Also at this base is a bigger shopping area than what we have on our post. So we did some shopping, had some lunch, and had a great time getting lost on the way there. Michael bought me a new winter jacket as another Christmas present. Also we bought a loveseat and sofa set. We're hoping to move in the next month or so, so it will be nice to have some of our own living room furniture. This will also be good for when we move back to the states.

Anyway, that's about all for us. Here are some more pics from vacation. Hope you're enjoying them!!!

This is the giant's chair in the Dandenong ranges. We look like a bunch of toddlers.

Allie and I were trying to make our way from a small jetty back to the shore. There were so many small shells and barnacles that it hurt our feet so badly. I can't tell you the amount of times I almost fell. Allie and Michael said that if that had happened they would've laughed, taken pictures, and then helped me up!! Nice family, huh??!!

So Michael and I needed a snack while we were in Shanghai waiting for ournext flight. He thought he'd get some "Oreos", well that was all we could afford with what little Chinese money we had left. Anyway, they were disgusting, but Michael doesn't like to waste food so he brought them home with him and has almost finished them.

Have a great day!!!

Will I ever sleep normally again???

This is a question I keep asking myself. Since we've gotten home from vacation, I've fallen asleep on the couch at 530pm the day we got home and then up at 230 am....and then, as you can tell from the earliness of this post, fell asleep last night at around 7pm and then was up at 3am. Of course I got out of bed at around 5am with Michael and we proceeded to watch "The Devil Wears Prada" at around 530 while we ate breakfast. I'm hoping that this will stop and I'll be able to sleep normally. At least I got laundry done yesterday since I was up so early.

I've posted pics to our Flickr - the link is to the right. Hopefully you'll enjoy them. I haven't finished putting them all up yet. We took over 100.

This is Brighton Beach where we went our last day. These beach huts are lined up the beach and are very expensive to own. It adds alot of character to the beach.

They're all painted like this either with bright colors or different designs.

Here we are standing in the ocean. The last day ended up being absolutely beautiful. From what I understand, since we left the family's been going to the beach everyday. I'm very jealous...they'll all have tans!!!

Have a great day. By the way, we received a few Christmas presents while we were away....so thank you Andrew & Patti, Brandy, and the Bassetts.

So I'm finally getting some photos up. We got home yesterday after another 24 hours of travelling. Thank God flying to the states takes less time!! We had a wonderful visit with the family and got the much deserved and needed rest that we so desparately wanted. I'll keep posting a few pics everyday.

This is the train station in downtown Melbourne. Uncle Jim told us that 614 brings a canteen down here every night to serve meals. General Eva Burrows attends 614 and she comes down to help serve also. She makes everyone stand in a straight line while they start serving. She's still very active in the territory.

This is us at the Yarra River. Of course we got Starbucks right befoew so it had to be in the picture.

Michael took this picture while Steve was in midair. Allie's face was priceless!!!

Downtown Melbourne from the Yarra River.

The Christmas tree in front of Starbucks!!!

I'm going to upload some to Flickr also. I'll post a link to it as soon as I'm done. Have a great day!!!

Vacation's Over!! :(

It's sad to realize when your vacation comes to an end. Tomorrow morning we head for the airport to board an 8:30 am flight that will take 12 hours to finish. Then on to another one that's about another 12 hours...and then an hour flight back to Venice from Munich.

I'm quite sad for vacation to end. This has been so what we've both needed. We needed to spend time with family, but we also needed time for each other. I'm so sorry for not posting pictures as we go, but I will definitely get some posted when we get back.

Melbourne is a beautiful city. As I said to Uncle Jim this morning, I could so live here. We have had an amazing time sightseeing, playing games, and just being silly. We went to Brighton Beach today and sat by the ocean watching kids play and just enjoying the sun. Of course there was the one toddler running around with no suit on. By the way, the weather finally got warm on Saturday. We visited the Waverly Corps on Sunday. It was a beautiful service and we were able to hear Phil Laegar's "I'm In His Hands" after the message. Reminded me of home. We also went to a mall!!! Of course I didn't make it to midnight last night. Allie was the only one awake for the New Year but didn't realize it had happened until an hour later. Are you surprised I didn't make it to midnight??!! I certainly wasn't!! :)

Please pray for us as we travel back to Italy. Michael has to be back to work on Thursday and we arrive back in Italy on Wednesday morning.

Love to you all!! And all the best for 2007!!!