Settling In

Well the boxes are emptying. I’m finding things that I’ve been looking for, still a few things missing. But the fun part is shifting it all out and going from apartment size to spreading out and having room.  Last weekend we explored the trails around our house, took a 2 hour hike.  Beautiful butterflies, fuzzy caterpillars, and grasshoppers about.  We found an old water plant, crossed a little creek, ran out of trail and found a great trail through a little forest patch!

We have been gone a week while we finished up in Ansbach.  Coming “home” Thursday night, Fletcher caught his playoffs while I finished up my workweek.  My last day with ACS ended at noon, and I drove to Bismark to pick up my baby.  She had been sitting in the weather for the last week and it was time to dress warm and drive the 105KM to Lupburg. The weather was with me, thank goodness.  A few layers and some thermals under my jeans, and it really wasn’t until the last 30 minutes that I actually felt cold.  Plus with such amazing scenery??  The miles just rolled by.

I got home to find my husband ready to open the garage for me, we were ready for our weekend.  Starting out with me de-layering, and de-thawing.  A glass of wine and some snacks later, I rummaged through the fridge for food.  Nothing.  Soup from a can it was.

Saturday we decided to go see Velburg.  One thing we thought?  Was that it was a holiday – the towns are so quiet here on the weekends.  The stores close by noon.  As it turns out, its no holiday.  Its just the way things are here… but we did find a Post Gasthaus.  The food? Very yummy.  I was extremely happy with our find.  Guess its also a hotel a lot of the people who are TDY Temporary Duty assignment, or  (humorous backronymic expansion “Temporary Duty Yonder”) stay at.  Menu was in Deutsche AND English.  Afterward a run to the commissary to stock up on food and we were set.  Vegetating on the couch would be very successful. Fletch’s request?  Quesadilla’s.  Actually pretty tasty, I made them with ground beef sauteed with onion and spicy seasonings.  Mix in some salsa, put in the tortilla with cheese? VOILA!

Sunday we picked up Kayla from Alex’s and picked up my car.  After we got her home, she began unpacking.  And calling for help!  Fletcher was busy helping her get some things arranged as I was also arranging downstairs.  The “Man Jobs” began.  After hitting the wall on organizing what I could, I finally excepted… no more could be done.  And even though the weather was threatening rain, we decided to check out the trails once more, and find a good running loop.  Once, twice around.  Holey crap, the hills and the cold air?! :O A great run for me, Fletch will need to find longer trails.

Today has been a bit more domestic.  Waking up to the movers delivering our “TEMPORARY” ugh, military furniture (PLEASE oh please, the Virgina storage stuff gets here within 90 days).  We now have a coffee table, end tables, dining room set and dressers.   After which, we packed ourselves into the Jeep and went to IKEA in Regensberg.  I was frustrated to find the shelves I wanted out of stock, the mirror too.  We found one shelf to mount in the kitchen for Fletch’s Bier Steins.  A run over to XXXL (another furniture shop) found some pricey goods, and a really cute garden gnome that is now sitting in my front garden €2,50 – not bad.  Lunch at a yummy Italian cafe, topped off our shopping trip (Fletch drew the line at one more furniture store).  All in all? We’re getting there.  Almost settled in. I think some of it is just going to take time.  I don’t want to buy cheap furniture because I have to, I want furniture I’ll enjoy and like.  Speaking of which… Wednesday the NEW dining room set will be here and I’ll take the military one down to the basement (this wonderful place where I have storage and a laundry room!).

Guten Nacht to all… hubby is back to Ansbach.  To return on Thursday.  Kay and I are on our own – hehe. 

Pictures available on Shutterfly: http://jenostrander2008.shutterfly.com/1930