Winter Wonderland
Well, here it is. My first official winter in Germany. Nasty. That's the only word that can describe it. It snows every day, then the rain comes and melts it all away to nasty mud. Our car is covered in salt I'm sure. But it's pointless to give it a bath. Don't get me wrong, the snow is beautiful, but I was ready for summer back in October.
Thanksgiving dinner was the most hectic thing I have EVER done in my life, but worth every moment. If I could not be home with my family, I can't think of a better way to spend it. So the turkey was well done, the gravy horrid, stuffing a little mushy, but the company was great. I was blessed to be surrounded by such great friends.
I've got our apartment all decorated for Christmas. Only took three days, I can't imagine how long it's going to take my mom this year. It's amazing how much my North Pole village has grown since I last put it up. I'm trying to find pictures of the old one to compare. Either way, everything is beautiful, and I am so thankful that I am able to enjoy it. And what's beautiful? My grandma M.J.'s handwriting, even on our stockings. This year was the first year I have been able to put ornaments on our tree that were once on hers, you have no idea how touching that moment was for me. In fact, it was the very first box I opened. I think it was her way of telling me she's near, especially in this very hard part of the year. I miss my family so much, but I do not regret the decision I've made. For Pete's sake, I get to see my hubby in less than 30 days!!! How exciting is that?!
Christmas Eve or day Eric and I are going to do a video call. Which means, I get to go wait in line for a couple hours, and then when its finally our turn have our conversation monitored for 10 minutes. I'm sure I'm going to cry like a baby... that's why I told him initially that I didnt want to do it. I don't like strangers to see me cry. I haven't seen Eric's face in nearly 5 months, nor has he seen mine other than on Myspace. It's just going to be emotional for me to finally see him, especially on Christmas. I just wanted to save the tears for when I picked him up at Frankfurt a week later. But, that was selfish of me, and so I am going to spend the day waiting to see him, for him. It's the right thing.
Gus is growing fast. One day he fit between the bars of the baby gate, then two days later he couldn't. Also, he is pretty much potty trained. I've taught him to use some Tinkle Bells that hang on our door when he has to go out. It took him less than 24 hrs to figure it out. We have only had 2 in house accidents since I hung the bells. Of course, he does like to ring it just to go out and dig in the snow/mud. He's a heavy duty grass/leaf eater. And, today he grew a little more... he lifted his leg to pee :( He sits, and retrieves. We are still working on stay, and quit biting my feet! Him and Hampton still hate eachother, while they finally habitate the same room. I posted pics on Myspace of him in our first big snow this last week. 8". I love him.
Viv and I are trying to go to a Christmas market this week. Not that I need more Christmas stuff, but I'd sure love to add more. LOL
anyway, here are the pics of our tree, village etc.
My Snowbabies
Nativity
The center piece my parents sent me on Thanksgiving
This is quite possibly the longest LJ I have done in a long time. I still have things to get off my chest, but right now I have to focus on finishing Christmas presents to mail home on Monday.
the end.
Thanksgiving dinner was the most hectic thing I have EVER done in my life, but worth every moment. If I could not be home with my family, I can't think of a better way to spend it. So the turkey was well done, the gravy horrid, stuffing a little mushy, but the company was great. I was blessed to be surrounded by such great friends.
I've got our apartment all decorated for Christmas. Only took three days, I can't imagine how long it's going to take my mom this year. It's amazing how much my North Pole village has grown since I last put it up. I'm trying to find pictures of the old one to compare. Either way, everything is beautiful, and I am so thankful that I am able to enjoy it. And what's beautiful? My grandma M.J.'s handwriting, even on our stockings. This year was the first year I have been able to put ornaments on our tree that were once on hers, you have no idea how touching that moment was for me. In fact, it was the very first box I opened. I think it was her way of telling me she's near, especially in this very hard part of the year. I miss my family so much, but I do not regret the decision I've made. For Pete's sake, I get to see my hubby in less than 30 days!!! How exciting is that?!
Christmas Eve or day Eric and I are going to do a video call. Which means, I get to go wait in line for a couple hours, and then when its finally our turn have our conversation monitored for 10 minutes. I'm sure I'm going to cry like a baby... that's why I told him initially that I didnt want to do it. I don't like strangers to see me cry. I haven't seen Eric's face in nearly 5 months, nor has he seen mine other than on Myspace. It's just going to be emotional for me to finally see him, especially on Christmas. I just wanted to save the tears for when I picked him up at Frankfurt a week later. But, that was selfish of me, and so I am going to spend the day waiting to see him, for him. It's the right thing.
Gus is growing fast. One day he fit between the bars of the baby gate, then two days later he couldn't. Also, he is pretty much potty trained. I've taught him to use some Tinkle Bells that hang on our door when he has to go out. It took him less than 24 hrs to figure it out. We have only had 2 in house accidents since I hung the bells. Of course, he does like to ring it just to go out and dig in the snow/mud. He's a heavy duty grass/leaf eater. And, today he grew a little more... he lifted his leg to pee :( He sits, and retrieves. We are still working on stay, and quit biting my feet! Him and Hampton still hate eachother, while they finally habitate the same room. I posted pics on Myspace of him in our first big snow this last week. 8". I love him.
Viv and I are trying to go to a Christmas market this week. Not that I need more Christmas stuff, but I'd sure love to add more. LOL
anyway, here are the pics of our tree, village etc.
My Snowbabies
Nativity
The center piece my parents sent me on Thanksgiving
This is quite possibly the longest LJ I have done in a long time. I still have things to get off my chest, but right now I have to focus on finishing Christmas presents to mail home on Monday.
the end.