Day 5 of spring break.... Last day.... I'm ready for warmer weather.

My new patio/balcony set.

This is my balcony at the back of the house on the 2nd floor.  This is the 'sunset side' and no shade of any kind is out there.  I had this delivered during break.   It isn't as nice as the set that I had bought in Germany- one is limited as to what the PX/BX is selling... but, I like it.   I really like the wide ledges- they'll be good for flowers.  Maybe later, I can get something else out there to sit on?   Or eventually a nice grill?   I still have and will continue to use my small 'no frills' charcoal grill.   Once, I find a garden center... I'll get some flowers and flowerpots.   I sure do wish that I hadn't gotten rid of my nice outdoor furniture and flower pots.   But, the German movers won't pack up things with dirt on them and my Jeep would only hold so much 'stuff' for the drive down.  

Today, it is raining.   A perfect day to do paperwork.  NOT that there is a perfect day for paperwork- my most dreaded chore.   I have done a lot during break, I even was finally able to put some artwork up on the walls.   IT looks like somebody lives here now.   The moving company came and picked up the flattened boxes yesterday and my garage looks much bigger now. I saved a big box of the packing paper for mailing fragile items in the future.

I would have had much more fun... had my friends been able to come down for our shared 'spring breaks' but... as it is... I did some much needed things around the house, got everything out of the hallway, artwork up, and did a few fun things, watched a few movies, did some knitting, talked to my good friend in England a few times, and all in all.. it was a nice, restful, break.

Day 3 of Spring Break...

This is the type of bread that was easily found in the German bakeries.  However, the 'brown bread' isn't found as much in Italy.   It's my favorite type of bread though.  This bread was MUCH BETTER than the German bread though.  It was softer.  I put the more roundish one in the freezer.   The breads don't stay fresh long; so, I've learned to put most of my purchases in the freezer.

The Robin Egg's Blue 100% CASHMERE yarn that I bought!  For me!!!!  I think I'll knit a hat, maybe some fingerless gloves and if there is enough left:  a cowl.     It is so soft.  Like a kitten.  I want to name it George and pet it all day.   They also had some great dark charcoal grey in this color.  It would look great in a nice man's hat.  However, I didn't buy any because I don't know anyone to knit something that special (and expensive) for right now.   This is a little darker than it really is.  Not a good photo; taken at night.  However, you get to see my lovely marble floor- which is the main reason that I rented this house. This was taken in the bright sunshine; so it is a bit washed out.  So, imagine the real color of the green as being between both colors and it will be about right.   I loved that purple and it's also not 'as bright' as it shows in the photo.  I love that the yarn brand on the green says:  wool cat Today was a busy day.  Yet, it seemed like I didn't really get anything done.   In the morning, I finished 'hand-washing' my knitted scarves and hats that I didn't finish yesterday.  I laid them outside on the balcony to dry and hoped that it wouldn't start raining as it was predicted.  I wrapped up a birthday present for a friend with a May birthday.  I made a Greek salad of sorts for lunch.  I used some of the green marinated fresh olives, feta cheese, sweet Italian cherry tomatoes (you can't believe how different they taste), a variety of salad greens, dark green (first pressing) local olive oil mixed in with some balsamic vinegar.    I had a chunk of the whole wheat and full of seeds (just the way I like it) bread roll that I found at the local bakery yesterday.  I dipped the bread in the olive oil.   It was yummy.  My lunch was made out of items that I bought in the big grocery store that I found yesterday. Hand-washed knitted items getting ready to be put away for the warmer weather. Later, I went on base and did all sorts of errands.  I did get my taxes completed and sent off.  I'm not getting much back and that was disappointing... considering my upcoming 'maybe' furlough days of lost wages.  I mailed a May birthday gift early, went to the PX to see what could be done about the shattered glass on my Ipad screen, I deposited a check from the Health Insurance Company from the health claim that I had submitted a few weeks ago, and several other errands.  Then I drove to the school to do a couple of quick things in my classroom. Once, I got to my neighborhood, I tried to find some nice flower pots to put on my front steps.   I couldn't find anything that wasn't plastic (not big enough for the front steps).  It made me sad to think of the really nice blue glazed huge ceramic pots that I had to leave behind at my house in Germany... and how I gave them and all my other flower pots away.    After arriving home... I continued to hang artwork on the walls.  Things are already looking better; like I live here.   However, I really have some paperwork that I need to do and I also need to do some more work on those 3 on-line college courses that I'm taking.    All in all, I was busy all day long... but, at the same time... it seems like I don't have much to show for the day's efforts?   Well, I do have 3 damp bath towels and some 'almost dry' freshly washed knitted items. The yarn is really thin, but I'm going to knit 2 strands together in some sort of cardigan.   The purple was just such a nice color.  The green-ish grey color?  It didn't photograph very well- if you can imagine... half-way between both photos- that's the color.   I really liked the color- even though it might not look that 'exciting'... but, the color is exactly the color of my eyes!  I have green eyes... with a sometimes 'grey cast' to them.   I thought the yarn was a close match to my eyes and when I brought it home and held it to my face and looked in the mirror... it was an EXACT EYE COLOR MATCH!!!

Day 2 of spring break... 'back to the closed on Monday' shops...

So far, Spring Break is happening a little differently than I had envisioned.   Two of my teacher friends from my old school in Germany were supposed to drive down to spend Spring Break here.   Then, the two friends became a total of 4 making the trip.   Then, the driver of the group 'bailed'... then, another person (the one that I know best) ended up having a horrible infected molar tooth problem which included spending lots of euro at a German dentist's office and still after a week... no even having a temporary crown put on the tooth.  She still had to make more dental visits during Spring Break... and finally one more 'newly joined' member of their group got knocked down in the doorway of her classroom (by a Middle School student) and injured her foot. So, as things looked like they were raveling apart- at the last minute, they decided not to come for spring break.  I had no other plans-- but, at the same time... I have plenty to keep me busy... including tons of stuff that I SHOULD be doing. Yesterday, the first official 'not having to work' day... I took the day off... I went to the nearby town and had lunch at a great place (yesterday's blog post).  Last night, I called my good friend and fellow teacher, in England, and we had a nice visit on the phone... while we knitted.  *Speaker phone is great for this.   We had both taught in Seoul, South Korea and I had taught her how to knit there. We're working on a plan for her to come and visit the week that school is out in June before we both go on summer holiday/travels/etc. Today, I stopped at my local bakery and I got a little bread.  They had some new types of bread today that I've never seen there before in my very limited other visits.    I went to the 'closed' yarn shop that I found yesterday.  It was actually more of a 'crafts' shop and it had stuff everywhere... jumbled up and quite truthfully... it reminded me of shopping in the market area (the buildings not just on the streets) of Tondaemun or Namdaemun Markets in Seoul, South Korea.   Part of the fun of shopping there was... the jumbled mess... of finding the treasure amongst all the other stuff. Here are some photos of the place... and you'll see what I mean. Some of the yarns for sale. They also had the thin crochet thread. See? Stuff is everywhere.  Someday, I want a craft room with open shelving to put all my yarns and various craft supplies. They also had these rolls of really heavy felted material.   More of the felted stuff. Lots of beading supplies. My friend, Lisa, that I taught how to knit when we both lived in Korea... loves orange (I don't) and whenever I see 'orange' yarn... I always refer to it as 'Lisa Orange'...  but, since it is her favorite color-- I do purchase nice orange-ish yarns to save for gift-giving occasions.  I did not buy any today.  (My favorite colors are:  blue, green, and purple.) They had lots of colors of this really 'thin' nice, soft yarn. I liked the little sweaters that someone had knitted up to show how the yarn looked knitted up. I liked the 2 purple colors on the far left of the top shelf.  The prices were reasonable.  They also had a large collection of wonderful ribbons that were sold by the meter.  All in all, it was an interesting shop.   They had less yarn that I had thought that they would... but, it was a well stocked 'craft store'... and they even had styrofoam pieces, floss for cross-stitch, buttons, zippers, a large variety of items for crafting.    Now, I need to make lunch with some of my yummy bread that I got at the bakery this morning.   Then, I'm either going to clean house (sounds like loads of fun, huh?  NO!) and/or hang artwork on my walls.  I still haven't done that yet.    Come back tomorrow and I'll show you the yarn that I did buy and share more adventures of my:  Spring Break

Mr. Peanut says... "IT'S FINALLY SPRING BREAK!!!"

It's Mr. Peanut from Texhoma Peanut Company in Madill, Oklahoma

He's carved out of a tree trunk... I think he's kind of cute and charming in a wooden peanut sort of way.   Where I grew up lots of peanuts were grown in the area and they still are.   Sometimes my best friend from college sends me a bag of roasted peanuts, in the shell, from this place for Christmas.  Always a yummy treat!   They sell other things besides peanuts of course... like fresh pecans, in season of course.   I love Oklahoma native pecans (pronounced the southern way:  PEE cons).   My aunt sent me a gallon sized zip lock bag of these most wonderful, already shelled, pecans from the trees on her land this year.   Oh my.  I haven't had any for years.  I love them.  They taste so much better than any others- especially the 'store bought' type of pecans.  I did not share them.  WITH ANYONE.   It just wasn't the right thing to do.   I don't mind sharing and am by nature a very 'giving and helpful person'... but, I just knew that I needed to eat everyone of the pecans.  I'd have  few everyday until they regretfully were gone. And where I went to university... they have the "World's Largest Peanut"... on display at the county court house.

Happy Spring Break to ME

Yes, the long awaited date has finally arrived.  It is 7:27am on Saturday, April 7... the first day of spring break.  I just looked outside and it is SNOWING!!!!    ha ha...  Yes, I laughed out loud!  It was more of a moaning type of hysterical laugh... but, I did laugh. Saddest thing?   I've been here for 4 years and this is the first time it hasn't snowed in March, at all... and then it starts snowing on the first day of spring break in April. However, I am in Germany after all... the land of 7 month long winters as I call it.

Sparkly, Shiny, Clean Teeth

Warning: You "MIGHT" need to wear sunglasses in case my newly cleaned teeth shine too much through the Internets.

Yesterday, I went to a German Dentist for the first time. I had asked around a few times in the past for the name of a good local dentist to use. I finally found one and made an appointment for 'teeth cleaning and check up' a few weeks ago.

My appointment was at 8:30am. When, I finally found the place (in the old part of Grafenwohr) and announced myself... I was given the typical form to fill out. However, it was only one page and really only wanted to know my mailing address and my home phone number and if I was allergic to anything/medical conditions/etc. Easy.

While sitting there waiting, I did pull out my knitting. I am knitting a shawl as a gift for a friend's mother's 80th birthday that is coming up soon. I just feel that when one has made it to their 80th birthday- that they deserve a hand-knitted gift- even if I have never met the person! This is actually the 3rd or 4th of these gifts that I've made for friends over the years for their mothers or grandmothers for their 80th birthday. They've always been un-requested and I hope that they have been appreciated. I knitted on it just enough to knit only a few stitches and then had to shove my knitting back in my bag when they called my name...

I only noticed, after I had knitted a few more rows later in the day- did I notice that I had dropped a 'yarn over' (a delibertly made hole) when I stuffed the knitting in my purse. Sigh

I do admit that I looked at it and wondered if the now 'non-hole' lacy design element (from the now 'non-dropped yarn over) at the edge of the knitting... was noticeable or not? Of course, you could tell it was noticeable; since all the other rows had this nice open lace stitch at the end of all rows. In the end... I did take out the several rows of knitting and added the 'yarn over' back where it belonged.

After I had followed the lady into one of the 'rooms'... she asked me my name again and if I was here for "PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING?" I said, "YES", that I was here for 'teeth cleaning and a check-up' and that it had been 3 years since I've seen a dentist. (I know, I know... I'll explain later about that detail)

So, the second time that she mentioned, "Professional TEETH CLEANING?" with a definite questioning lift to her voice? And, then when she mentioned that it would cost 90 euros (about $140.00)I'm thinking... a couple of things:

1. Is 'non-professional teeth cleaning' what I do at home with
my toothbrush and floss?

2. Maybe I should have worn different shoes so I'd look like I could afford to pay for a "PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING JOB"???? I had thought that my other clothing choices were appropriate for a day of doctor visiting?

I assured her that I did have EURO CASH with me to pay for the procedure and at the mention of EURO in my purse... she started the "PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING"....

Finally, assured that she wouldn't have to oversee me sterilizing the dental tools for non-payment (the dental office version of washing dishes at a restaurant for non-payment).... she started the 'PROCEDURE'... and what a procedure it turned out to be!


First step, I was directed to rinse my mouth with this vile, thickish, red liquid for 30 seconds. She stepped out of the room when she noticed that I was tracking the time on my watch. Of course, I secretly think that she was actually listening on the other side to the door, and watching the seconds on her own watch, to see if she could trust me.

I'm not sure what the red liquid was for... but, maybe it like those tablets that you have the kids chew on to show them where they missed 'brushing' ???? Either that, or a sterilization process for my mouth before any more of the 'PROESSSIONAL TEETH CLEANING' could continue?

2nd Step:

She used the whirling tool that is usually used with the toothpaste like flavored powder for teeth cleaning in the states.... WITHOUT ANYTHING applied to my teeth but the whirling grinding tool. *I'm thinking... "Hum, bare bones cleaning"

3rd Step:

She used those thin picking tools to scrape the tarter build-up from between the teeth and at the gum line. You know the tool that always feels like it's the thickness of an actual toothpick... but, they somehow manage to force it between your teeth instead BECAUSE IT IS MADE OUT OF METAL?

4th Step:

She held up this '12 inch long' big tool like a 'power drill' for use inside the mouth and pointed to the white powder in the bottom area... and told me that she would use it next. She also said: "IT DOES NOT TASTE GOOD, LIKE SALT with LEMON!" *She also covered my eyes with a towel for protection.


A more accurate description would be: I'm going to use this hammer like, 12 inches or longer, sandblasting tool inside the mouth that uses a powdered marble-like, sand-blasting material... tasting like a mixture of salt and lemon... to really add some BURNING to any of the gum areas that had already suffered cuts, scrapes from any of the previous PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING procedures, etc... all to make the customer THINK TWICE about admitting that they had not HAD their teeth cleaned for 3 YEARS EVER AGAIN! To really make an impression, I will do this particular procedure for about 30 minutes. I really have to get the 'tarter build-up' for this to be a PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING. *She did tell me that this was to remove the cigarette smoking and coffee build-up. (I don't partake of either one- so, I'm hoping for an instant whitening of my teeth.)

*I'm also wondering if she THINKS that my teeth are the RESULT of cigarette smoking and coffee drinking?

Step 5:

Have the patient SWISH and SPIT THE NOW BLOODY WATER into the basin by the dental chair. (none of that rinsing your mouth for you with that water pick-like thing)

Step 6:
Use the metal 'toothpick' sized pick between the teeth and at the gum line some more.

Step 7:

Finally, use the flavored powdered stuff with the grinding/swirling tool to polish the teeth.

Step 8: The actual dentist came in and I did admit to her that I had not been to the dentist in 3 years... and that when the dental torture girl (hygenist) had done her various procedures... that I couldn't help but notice that one particular tooth was very painful and could we get an X-Ray to make that nothing was wrong on the inside? *She did mention that she was afraid that I might have a new cavity under my crown. The crown is located right next to this SUPER SENSITIVE PAINFUL tooth.

Step 9: X-ray time.
I went to another room. I had to stand and put my head in this device meant to hold my head steady in every direction. My chin had to rest on a white metal piece and then I had to put a plastic piece between my teeth and bite down. A lot of time was spent making sure that my head was exactly in the center-- I could tell that this was the PLAN from the light shining across my face in a 'plus-sign' shape... I learned that the center of the nose tip must be exactly in the center. The device was actually about an inch too high for me to stand there comfortably, but... I wasn't about to say anything about it and just did my best to stretch my spine out.

She finally noticed that I wasn't quite as tall as she had thought and lowered the device about a half an inch and it was immediately more comfortable.

Step 10:

I got my first ever flouride treatment (flouride isn't in the water here) painted to my teeth... while waiting for the dental X-rays to be ready and viewed by the dentist. I was warned that I couldn't eat or drink anything for 45 minutes. Bad news, since I really wanted some water to drink and if I'd been a drinking person... I might have needed a drink at 10:00am after my "PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING" was over.

Step 11:
X-rays were ready. They used an machine that gave you a full mouth view from the sides and front like they used at the dental practice that I used in Seoul, South Korea. I was so happy when she told me that there were NO NEW CAVITIES... just a tooth that had become SUPER SENSITIVE over the past 3 years. I think it's just sensitive to: PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING since I've never noticed any other problems with it.

I was dismissed at 10:10am. Yes, this procedure had taken an hour and a half!!! My teeth felt so clean- that I didn't want to eat ever again. Total cost? 279 euros= lots of MONEY.


Now for the reason that I haven't been to the dentist in 3 years. Getting my teeth cleaned and checked out is something that I do every year... (honest) but, when I moved here... After being here for about a year, I asked around and couldn't find anyone. I found a few names of dentists that others warned me NOT TO GO TO THEM though. I didn't have the $$$ to visit the states my first year here - so, I stayed in Germany for the summer. Last summer?... I was only in the states for a very short time, and I couldn't get an appointment... no one was taking new patients and I didn't have 3 months to wait for an apppointment to become available (my summer vacation isn't that long- nor was I going to be the in the states that long)... so, I just continued to ask around 'every so often' for dentist recomendations.

I got far more done for my first ever German "PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING" than I have at any dentist in any country or state in America- that I have had personal experience with... She did a great job!

Later in the morning, I had a pedicure, and then after lunch, I went to see another doctor for some blood work done. Yes, they couldn't get blood out of my veins and had to take 4 big vials of the stuff from the veins in my hand. Sigh, I absolutely hate getting my blood taken out. I don't cause a scene or anything- but, I can't look and can't stand having it done. Add a snake into the mix and I'd die from fright.

So, that concludes Day 3 and Monday of Spring Break. Pretty exciting huh?

Let the HOLIDAY begin...

Today, at 3:05 pm was the offical start of: SPRING BREAK!!

I am so ready for a holiday. I have been busy getting all the 3rd quarter grades recorded on-line for my 'almost 700 students' last week. Problem was, I thought we had ONE MORE WEEK and I found out that I was very wrong.

I'm doing what is referred to as a: "Stay-cation"
or in other words... I'm staying here.

Today, at work... the electricity went off at 11:00... yes, right when my lunch started. I was glad that I had brought a 'salad' from home today; otherwise, I would have had COLD FOOD without my microwave to heat my lunch up!

I had stepped in the hallway after I dismissed my class for lunch and I saw the middle school teacher that teaches next door to my classroom... and I whispered to him... "Just 3 more hours before our holiday starts!" He looked at me and jokingly said, "I don't know what schedule you are following- but, I have 4 more hours left before the holiday starts." He was correct of course... since, both schools... end at the same time of the day.

Well, the end of the day finally arrived... Earlier in the day, -I had been busy packing up all the school supplies stored on the ledges and counters... (all teachers had to do it before we left for the day today)... because they are cleaning the windows during spring break. Once the first graders were dismissed from art room, I got up on the counters and was standing there balanced trying to rip off the strapping tape... and removing the art posters that I had placed on the windows earlier in the year, in an effort to block the sun- since, I don't have blinds on any of these windows... (no air conditioning in our school either) and the bell dismissing the students for the middle had just rung... they are dismissed 10 minutes after the elementary children are dismissed...

AND... the teacher next door came into my room... immediately after the 'dismissal bell' finished ringing and said to me: "NOW, we are on HOLIDAY!" It was pretty funny! I think he had been waiting to say that to me all afternoon after my 'time-telling' blunder.

What have I done to celebrate so far?

Tonight, I went out to eat GREEK FOOD with a few friends. Since, it had turned chilly again, (Ok, it hasn't been really warm yet) I got some great bean soup, garlic bread, a small salad, and some sort of bean/goat cheese/sauce baked dished. ALL very tasty and too much food to eat.

I drove back on base to get gas and I bought a real Dr. Pepper and a Butterfinger candy bar to celebrate. Yes, my joys are sometimes pretty simple. I stopped drinking all sodas about 2-3 months ago. However, sometimes I do buy one real Dr. Pepper as a nice treat. I never buy candy bars... so, I'm going to enjoy eating it.

Other news? We actually had SNOW falling on Wednesday this week... no accumulation- but, you know it just shouldn't snow in late April either. My tulips have started coming up out of the ground... no blooms yet.

My big holiday plans? I'm staying here for break. I have several doctor appointments, a couple of physical therapy appointments, haircut, and a pedicure appointment. I need to do some 'dreaded' paperwork, clean house, sort things, (yuck) I might even really step it up and get my car washed. Such excitement, right?

For fun, I am going to a small yarn shop that is in a nearby city on Thursday (after one of the doctor appointments), and I'm taking a friend to go shopping at a couple of shops found at an area called: 'glass road' More about that later this week. I'm also going to take most of one day to just: watch old movies, knit, and simply just rest and enjoy not having to do anything.

Hello, SPRING BREAK....

I had plans of traveling to Istanbul for a few days, or maybe even seeing the local sites..

However, the reality is.. I still have bronchitis and I was still too sick to spend big bucks to fly somewhere and not feel like doing anything once I arrived. I figured that I could save the $ and stay at home doing that- plus, I had another doctor's appointment that I couldn't miss anyway.

I'm slowly getting better... I finally made a chart so that I can remember to take the 4 different inhalers and the prescribed 'pills' for the actual lung illness at the right times.

I decided that my job for this spring break was to simply do a lot of resting and try to get well.. or at the best best.. a rested body will certainly be able to get well faster than.. not missing work, even while sick, because it was the end of a grading period.

At least, I'm not as sick as I was last winter.. I had pneumonia for 4 months and as you can imagine.. not fun.. and is draining for weeks/months afterwards. *Which was one of the reasons.. I wasn't posting much on my blog last year. (not counting the 3 months it took to get phone/internet service installed in my house)

Ok, I did go and do one fun thing.. On Saturday, a friend and I went on an adventure and found a couple of glass places that I had been taken to last year. MY friend is moving in June and I wanted her to have a chance to see this place. Apparently, there are stores and stores that produce and sell glass pieces for miles and miles.. but, I only had the energy to go to the two shops that are only a mile apart. **Of course, we ran out of money anyway.. so, it didn't matter if we'd both wanted to continue shopping.

Here is what you find on the grassy area when you arrive. A glass fence...



An owl tree.. they did have another 'just birds' tree..

And, doesn't everyone need a glass peacock on their lawn? Much quieter than the live peacocks and almost as pretty.