Heard of Murphy's Law? Here's the Rule of Essie

It's new year's eve in Germany, as I post this, but because my computer still thinks it's in the States, it's not.
Go figure...

I am supposed to go to a job interview this morning-on new year's eve-
a Kindergarten job interview.
Automatically you think: "Woohoo for Es!"
Not so fast.

I've had a bad cold since we got out of school last week.
I'e tried to deal with the sore throat and nasal nasty without the use of serious medication...call me crazy, but after my nightmare experience last Spring at the hands of military doctors,in the US, I'm a teeny tiny gunshy!

** Digressing slightly: There's no telling what could happen to me here, and, um...even though we do have a medical facility on another post (which IS where I'm making Team Leader take me first), I've heard plenty of stories about people who have ended up getting medical help on the economy. Have I mentioned previously that my German is limited to getting me out of JAIL and ordering kaffe und kutchen?!! This could be an interesting start to the new year wouldn't you say?! **

Back to topic: SO, in an effort to stave off the Avian Flu or MRSA or whatever the h**l is trying to infect my body I've made hot toddies, eaten more oranges than I thought humanly possible, stayed hydrated, forced myself to eat chicken soup, drunk my way through 2 -not one, TWO- bottles of pediatric Triaminic Night Time Cough and Cold, ONLY to wake this morning

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

to wake, to BOTH of my eyes fused shut.

seriously. They were shut.
I stumbled into the bathroom and managed to wipe my eyes OPEN with a water compress. Have you ever had to do that...stumble through a hallway as your cell phone alarm rings it's little bastard head off to wake your sorry butt up?
Not so fun.
(At least I didn't hit my shins or anything-wow-that wouold have really ticked me off.)

Back to the eyes; are they itchy, no.
Do I think its Pink Eye, no.
Have I any proof that it ISN'T Pink Eye, no.

Am I flippen pissed?!!
YES

Seriously...IS this my life?!
Fingers crossed this principal is going to understand and not think I'm blowing her off b/c it's new years eve. If only I could go back to yesterday, the 30th, and go to the Doctor, saving me the stress and worry that I'm avoiding right now by typing this post.

UGH @$%%!!!&###@!!!!

I think it's time to go to my "Quiet Happy Place."
back later

We love Santa

For lots and lots of reasons, we do, love Santa.
I'll post photos of the paper carnage later; I had to change the video code, as it made me cry to open up my blog!

This update is courtesy of the flashbacks that THIS EXCELLENT choice (made by the Big Man in Red for Momma and Dad) gave us!

Lana-I can shut my eyes and recall listening to Thriller in your BASEMENT-

Was it really that long ago?!
enjoy all!

umarmen und lieben
e

Fröhliche Weihnachten, Everyone!!

I had to change the music-Norah, forgive me-maybe you'll like dancing to this...give it about 40 seconds and I promise it will "lighten up" and you will be abble to baby bounce your way around Momma and Daddy's office!

(This isn't meant to be a downer post-)For some reason, this song made me think about growing up in Alaska. It reminded me of Toblerone chocolate bars, those crazy dark chocolate ORANGE flavored things we'd get in our stockings (um, those were actually not so yummy Mom, and I'm sure it explains why I don't like fruit flavored chocolate), and icicles that were over 2 feet long. Growing up in Alaska was the best thing my parents could have ever given my brothers and I. We were far away from people we loved, and people who loved us, but we always had the original 5. (Okay, it was REALLY the Original 3 but for today I'll let you 2 boys in the club!)It meant that we had to rely on one another "FAMILY LOYALTY" and "QE2 behavior" became things we had to incorporate into our daily lives; some days we were really good at it, most other days, not so much! What growing up in Alaska did give us was a sense of how large the world really was, and, what opportunites were available to us if we wanted them.

Not so different from what Team Leader and I have done by bringing our family to Germany. Funny.

During the holidays it's natural to think about special times behind us, and, look forward to sharing adventures before us. 2007 has been full of many surprises for our family, and I can only imagine what 2008 has in store, regardless you are all only as far away as a heartbeat...

I'll post photos before bedtime!
umarmen und lieben
essie

p.s. you have to play the video-it's not looping-ergh!
pp.s Thank you Mausi!! You know I'm still trying to figure this language thing out!!
I hope you had a happy holiday!!

Santa..FIRST sighting!

We're six hours ahead and have been baking cookies all afternoon for Santa and the reindeer. Mr. Ben has written a special letter JUST for Rudolph, and a "Christmas Eve" candle is burning as I type.

Our cards aren't 100% in the mail yet, but they'll all get to you, we promise!
For now, enjoy this update and check out the NORAD site with your own little elves-it's worth it~

umarmen und lieben,
(Frohe Weinachten!)
essie

"Mr. Ben has a Birthday in Germany!"

Yesterday was his big day, and celebrate we did...Beginning in the early hours of the morn when Ben came into our room to "wakey wakey" and get a serious move on the day! From there he managed to rouse his older siblings to get his paws on THIS: a special delivery birthday box Next came a hysterical viewing of Alvin and The Chipmunks, and YES, the kids are ALL sitting in the FRONT ROW of the theatre We ended the "never ending party" with fuN, fUN, FUN at the bowling alley.
Ben had a great day, which was all we wanted for him.

While he missed you all like crazy-cakes, his philosophy on overseas birthdays made absolute sense to me:
Ben lived and learned that your birthday can be anywhere...
the people who love you, just because they can't be where you are-it doesn't mean that they don't still love you, it just means that in the big scheme of things, they couldn't make it.

How perfect IS the mind of an eight year old?!
How much more could we love him?!

Our "baby" forever, but now, Ben is very much our "Big Guy" and the Harrisons...
we just got a little older and a whole lot smarter!

2 days until the big guy arrives-ho ho ho!
umarmen und lieben
essie

Quiet Morning

It's 6:36 am and currently I'm the only one up-I was on the phone 7 hours ago, Skyping away with my family over the thrilling beginning of trips to the post office and all the boxes that simultaneously made their way from VA to DE and DE to VA!

Serendipity IS a funny thing.

Everyone sounds good, although my youngest brother (Brother 2)is convinced that all of the food products we sent secretly have pork products in them! A huge conspiracy to throw him off of his Kosher eating habit, no doubt! :)We did manage to bully him into eating some choco-duo spread, which WE know he will learn to love-QUICKLY-thanks to a sweet tooth that has never let him down. My Dad immediately went for practically everything, launching my other little brother (Brother 1)into hysterical but outrageous comments about Daddy's not so small girth. Daddy lunged for (my favorite) "stroop wafels" while Brother 1 went for wasabi peas. Mom went for the new seasonal Ritter chocolates in rotwein and weiswein (red and white wine) truffel.

Some things don't change no matter HOW far away you are.

I loved talking to them, and listening as they opened box after box, our boxes from them were opened and presents were put under the tree. Mr. Ben started counting and sorting; his big brother and sister joined him, and watched the pile begin to grow.

It's a quiet morning in Germany, and across a very large pond is a family full of night owls, who I'm certain are still talking about our phone call, laughing about our phone call, and eating their way through an early Christmas.

It's a quiet morning in Heidelberg, and on this side of the pond there is a family wrestling the warm covers off tired little bodies, waking to the memories of voices that love them. Voices who declare EVERY YEAR that it won't be a huge holiday, just nice, and somehow manage to turn "just nice" into so much more...

We love and miss you and hope you have a beautifully quiet morning-
umarmen und lieben,
Essie
ps...photos from Kriskindle Markts in Ladenburg and Schwietzingen below, not perfect snaps as there are a zillion people at these things, but I'll try to get more uploaded for you to see why

wow.

Who would have ever thought that our family would celebrate Hannukah in GERMANY?

seriously.

While it wasn't the Hannukah that we know and are familiar with, thanks in great part to our family and friends who share the festival of light with us, it was Hannukah.

Our Hannukah.

Our new Hannukah...complete with new Hannukah traditions, like "First Night, First Pizza!"

We had 8 complete days and 8 complete nights celebrating and continuing our family traditions with new friends who, like many of you, didn't know what it was all about before hand. Though we might not be with you all in person, the spirit of Hannukah that we shared with you all at home (and now abroad) reflects the spirit of all holidays celebrated this season.
Love, peace, and comfort to you all.

I get goosebumps just saying it out loud:
"Hannukah in Germany."
a milestone-

now it's onto Christmas
umarmen und lieben,
essie

Okay...because I'm equal opportunity esther....

this is for my favorite NON sleeper, Little Miss NORAH!

Who happens to be very interested in being a pet owner ONE DAY when her parents get brave! She's a little girl who LOVES animals and really shouldn't be denied, if you ask my opinion! She loves to dance, and really likes any music that will get that baby bootie shakin!
Hence, the Crazy Frog, who will stay on blogger...
She's a peach, a cutie patootie, a sweetpea and a "Honey of an O!"
Her mom is one of my dearest friends, who, I miss like crazy. Today's post is a surprise for them!

I miss you lots and lots Skaries!!
umarmen und lieben
Harrison