Miss America 2008
This year the Miss America pageant took a "reality check" spin on life as a beauty queen and opted to "revamp" the image using a reality based pre-pageant show.
I'm shallow enough; I know it-I bit.
I watched the show, and then, I watched the pageant.
To my happy surprise the young woman who won will spend the next year advocating for her platform: Public Awareness of Eating Disorders.
Apparently even little girls who dream of becoming Miss America aren't immune to the unrealistic body image that society favors and then places as the "body to be" on our beautiful daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and friends.
Our new Miss America survived an eating disorder and has lived to tell.
She is one of the lucky ones...speaking as another one of the lucky ones, I hope she does everything she sets out to do this year as the voice for those who can't speak, won't speak, are no longer here to speak...
My bigger hope, that people somehow learn to listen.
Good Luck Miss Michigan!
umarmen und lieben
essie
(Still on the soapbox: It is about time.
She had my vote at "Hello")
RIP Alex
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Good Things Saturday...a day late
Looking back on the week that was:
*I love my iPod.
*I love that music was fantastic when I was in High School (circa 1982-1986...is that giving away too much?!)
*I like going to the gym because...3 day work weeks are fabulous and WHOA stressful
*I obsessed on new nameplates for my Kinders and created something nothing sort of a masterpiece! Won't THEY be surprised on Monday when they come into class?!
*You can tell your family you want little (if anything) to do with them AND still love them
*christmas trees come down faster than they go up. Now, what to do with the huge empty space in the living room? Hmm...I smell new decorating project or two...
*oil changes DO make cars run better..particularly on the Autobahn
*McDonald's does indeed make the best fries...even in Germany
*The Apotheke is so handy-fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. I love that I can go there and get exactly what will do the trick when "Heuschnupfenallergien*" takes over Team Leader's head AND they always give you fun little samples of neat little things. I love neat little things.
* "Heuschnupfenallergien" is the biggest word in the world for something everyone experiences: HAY FEVER
*ex-pat blogger buddies clue you in on the things that make "heuschnupfenallergien" happen: Hazelnut and Alder Trees in early bloom
*Skype rocks. Being able to talk to parents, family, friends, and family that you make when they spend a semester in Florence...a really good thing!
*FINALLY, hearing that your beloved Daddy has made a step, an elliptical step, in the right direction...nothing in the world will beat that folks.
A year and a half ago, my sister in law took her health into her own hands and lost over 100 pounds. By doing so she gave our family years; years of future time to share with her, for which we are all grateful, and remain inspired by her determination to have and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
SHE is the person I keep referring to when I work to muster motivation in my Dad.
The past decade has been brutal for our family, but together, WE have survived.
More important, Daddy, has survived.
He worked out for 5 minutes for the first time yesterday. My sister in law told me that her first 5 minutes on the treadmill almost killed her...but she didn't give up and now she literally runs marathons.
Daddy, I know how hard this is for you.
We push you because we want you to stay.
We push you because we need you to stay.
It's 100% personal.
"Your work here isn't done."
Don't forget that.
Make that your motivation to make 5 minutes become 6, and so on, and so on...
I love you-I'm so proud of you-YOU CAN DO THIS!
Dassie
the week that was ladies and gentlemen!
umarmen und lieben
essie
*I love my iPod.
*I love that music was fantastic when I was in High School (circa 1982-1986...is that giving away too much?!)
*I like going to the gym because...3 day work weeks are fabulous and WHOA stressful
*I obsessed on new nameplates for my Kinders and created something nothing sort of a masterpiece! Won't THEY be surprised on Monday when they come into class?!
*You can tell your family you want little (if anything) to do with them AND still love them
*christmas trees come down faster than they go up. Now, what to do with the huge empty space in the living room? Hmm...I smell new decorating project or two...
*oil changes DO make cars run better..particularly on the Autobahn
*McDonald's does indeed make the best fries...even in Germany
*The Apotheke is so handy-fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. I love that I can go there and get exactly what will do the trick when "Heuschnupfenallergien*" takes over Team Leader's head AND they always give you fun little samples of neat little things. I love neat little things.
* "Heuschnupfenallergien" is the biggest word in the world for something everyone experiences: HAY FEVER
*ex-pat blogger buddies clue you in on the things that make "heuschnupfenallergien" happen: Hazelnut and Alder Trees in early bloom
*Skype rocks. Being able to talk to parents, family, friends, and family that you make when they spend a semester in Florence...a really good thing!
*FINALLY, hearing that your beloved Daddy has made a step, an elliptical step, in the right direction...nothing in the world will beat that folks.
A year and a half ago, my sister in law took her health into her own hands and lost over 100 pounds. By doing so she gave our family years; years of future time to share with her, for which we are all grateful, and remain inspired by her determination to have and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
SHE is the person I keep referring to when I work to muster motivation in my Dad.
The past decade has been brutal for our family, but together, WE have survived.
More important, Daddy, has survived.
He worked out for 5 minutes for the first time yesterday. My sister in law told me that her first 5 minutes on the treadmill almost killed her...but she didn't give up and now she literally runs marathons.
Daddy, I know how hard this is for you.
We push you because we want you to stay.
We push you because we need you to stay.
It's 100% personal.
"Your work here isn't done."
Don't forget that.
Make that your motivation to make 5 minutes become 6, and so on, and so on...
I love you-I'm so proud of you-YOU CAN DO THIS!
Dassie
the week that was ladies and gentlemen!
umarmen und lieben
essie
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Happy Birthday
DADDY!!
I love you,
I miss you,
and
I hope next year we can celebrate all the January birthdays here!
xoxoxox
Dassie
I love you,
I miss you,
and
I hope next year we can celebrate all the January birthdays here!
xoxoxox
Dassie
Saturday, January 19, 2008
"Weekend Update"
The drama of Mr. Nasty Moving Rep continues...very frustrating...
Apparently I needed to know his CV, because that's what he sent me.
A single spaced seriously long email all about what the Army does that his company isn't responsible for and that "[he's] been in my shoes."
literally...my shoes...somehow I don't think so.
And here I was thinking doublespeak was reserved only for politicians!
Folks, I swear this guy is good enough to be running for office-the big one even-heck if GWB could be president, why not the silver tongued Moving Rep?!
I decided to take my simmering anger to the next level and replied by thanking him for said doublespeak and requesting the professional courtesy of 3 available dates for a meeting-for US
to hash out the particulars...
to answer questions...
for him to feel the power of my wrath.
That's right, gloves off!
(Pause while I take my anger management pill!)
On a happier note, I'm reading a blog that has a gratitude friday entry-
very nice thought, to end the week with the things that make life good, that's real power there.
Good stuff.
I checked in on the blog of an essie-pal who I have on my link list.
She's due any day and the 5 of us here couldn't be more excited and grateful for the little soul we're all desperate to meet.
Love her.
So love her sisser, who taught me to meet your neighbors, know your neighbors, love your neighbors, and mean it.
Because we need our neighbors, all the time, even when we think we don't...
We do. xox *e*
(BTW, I wore my 'A' shirt today and if Gab hasn't had him, he's coming soon...just feels like it.)
Her blog was nuttin' but love today.
More good stuff.
I got the album that I'm going to use for my birthday "Lyrical Round."
Holy Mess!
So excited...
instead of doing a tradtional circle journal scrapbook, I'm going to burn a cd of super essie inspired songs and send it to any friend who wants to participate.
Then
that person will burn a cd, add it to my book and send it to someone else.
When it's done...it will be sent back to me.
I AM PSYCHED!
And, anyone who wants to can play along, just let me know!
(Some already have...yippeeee!!!)
Still more good stuff.
I guess today became "Good Stuff Saturday" somewhere along the way...that works,
right?
umarmen und lieben!
essie
Apparently I needed to know his CV, because that's what he sent me.
A single spaced seriously long email all about what the Army does that his company isn't responsible for and that "[he's] been in my shoes."
literally...my shoes...somehow I don't think so.
And here I was thinking doublespeak was reserved only for politicians!
Folks, I swear this guy is good enough to be running for office-the big one even-heck if GWB could be president, why not the silver tongued Moving Rep?!
I decided to take my simmering anger to the next level and replied by thanking him for said doublespeak and requesting the professional courtesy of 3 available dates for a meeting-for US
to hash out the particulars...
to answer questions...
for him to feel the power of my wrath.
That's right, gloves off!
(Pause while I take my anger management pill!)
On a happier note, I'm reading a blog that has a gratitude friday entry-
very nice thought, to end the week with the things that make life good, that's real power there.
Good stuff.
I checked in on the blog of an essie-pal who I have on my link list.
She's due any day and the 5 of us here couldn't be more excited and grateful for the little soul we're all desperate to meet.
Love her.
So love her sisser, who taught me to meet your neighbors, know your neighbors, love your neighbors, and mean it.
Because we need our neighbors, all the time, even when we think we don't...
We do. xox *e*
(BTW, I wore my 'A' shirt today and if Gab hasn't had him, he's coming soon...just feels like it.)
Her blog was nuttin' but love today.
More good stuff.
I got the album that I'm going to use for my birthday "Lyrical Round."
Holy Mess!
So excited...
instead of doing a tradtional circle journal scrapbook, I'm going to burn a cd of super essie inspired songs and send it to any friend who wants to participate. Then
that person will burn a cd, add it to my book and send it to someone else.
When it's done...it will be sent back to me.
I AM PSYCHED!
And, anyone who wants to can play along, just let me know!
(Some already have...yippeeee!!!)
Still more good stuff.
I guess today became "Good Stuff Saturday" somewhere along the way...that works,
right?
umarmen und lieben!
essie
Thursday, January 17, 2008
WTF-SERIOUSLY
How do things like what I'm about to post ALWAYS happen to our family?!
SERIOUSLY
Do we have some fricken LIGHTNING ROD attached to us somewhere that we can't see but is clearly sticking out far enough to SCREW us with?!
UGH
So, today, Team Leader had to meet with the moving rep, regarding our PCS claim (what was damaged, lost, or stolen during our move to Germany)
He told me what happened...
and then...
He told me he wished he hadn't.
The following is sitting in the inbox of the person who will now have to deal with me.
Lucky him.
"Mr. S-
I am H-'s wife, Esther. I have spoken with my husband about your meeting today and I must take this opportunity to let you know I am shocked by what he told me. Shocked, infuriated, livid-you choose-I think it is in everyone's interest that we reschedule and you and I have a chance to sit down to discuss the particulars of our move.
First, At NO time were we EVER told that we had to provide ORIGINAL purchase receipts for missing personal goods. I have grave concerns over this statement. If I have misunderstood my husband, please, feel free to elaborate and/or correct me. When I turned in our information, I told the soldier beginning our PCS Claim file that we were never given an inventory from the movers when our Unaccompanied Household Goods were picked up; in fact, we believe that the moving company FORGOT we were on their schedule 10 July, and when they did show up at 5:00p.m. the evening of the 10th what was "packed" was thrown into boxes without any thought or care.
What arrived here that second week of August was in tatters; the remaining items (that I inventoried) were STOLEN.
They are GONE.
Second, with respect to the family heirlooms that are missing, HOW am I meant to provide original receipts for items that were passed down by deceased family members?! My husband shared that in your opinion, it would have benefited us to have our household inventory appraised every few years or so, because "how much is an antique worth?" Not helpful advice after the fact, wouldn't you agree? I was given that armoire 27 years ago on my 13th birthday. It's French. That's what I know. I find it strikingly odd, that the representative of the moving company has all sorts of advice when it comes tofacing and possibly accepting responsibility for damages, but NO advice prior to the pack up.
Third, I understand that you shared with my husband the fact that some soldiers are "cut checks that they then don't use to repair or replace" is it ANY of your business how a family chooses to move next, particulalry when the items that made them FEEL AT HOME are broken beyond repair or stolen by unscrupulous moving employees? Who are you to assume that we are "deadbeats" who just want the cash? THESE WERE PIECES OF OUR LIFE THAT WERE DAMAGED, AND/OR STOLEN DURING OUR MOVE TO GERMANY FROM NORTH CAROLINA. We didn't ask for this, but, this is what we got. We're talking about wedding crystal, children's furniture, family heirlooms, a file cabinet with TEACHING PLANS inside it-who in G-d's green earth wants a file cabinet with someone else's lesson plans for crying out loud? What I want, is my stuff, and since YOU and the MOVERS can't provide it, I think the on-ace of responsibility should fall on YOUR shoulders NOT mine.
This is outrageous.
Fourth, I didn't select the companies that packed our things, the Army did. Had it been up to me, I would have interviewed reputable companies with unblemished records, compared expense estimates and selected a company based on many more things than a low ball bid-which is what I believe the Army does-lowest bid gets the job. Instead, left at your mercy, I now have to prove what WAS mine, actually belonged to me. If I'm wrong, I'd LOVE for someone to prove me different, because I really can't help but smell something fishy here. It's awfully conveinent for you to have all the burden of proof placed on me-the victim.
Going back to my first issue of concern, if anyone had bothered to inform me or my husband that original purchase receipts were "required" for partial replacement (as I now understand we don't make the new window of opportunity for full replacement because our things arrived here 6 weeks prior to your new cut-off date) I would have stored or sold EVERY ITEM WE OWN before we left. That way I wouldn't have to go through the heartbreak of leaving our home, to find that what we arrive to in Germany is nothing but pieces of what we sent.
Finally, this is the most ridiculous situation I could possibly imagine being in-this system is shameful and IN NO WAY supports the soldiers and their families who are moved at the Army's whim without any thought or care about their personal belongings. I am outraged by this new information, and, if you can't help us or answer my great concerns then please BY ALL MEANS forward my email to your superior and I'll gladly talk to that person. As it stands, I am planning on going back to the Claim Office AND to Legal Aid-someone dropped the ball here and it sure wasn't me.
Esther H-"
Does it show that I'm really frustrated, or do ya think he might call security after reading this...hmm...
sucks to be him I guess!
SERIOUSLY
Do we have some fricken LIGHTNING ROD attached to us somewhere that we can't see but is clearly sticking out far enough to SCREW us with?!
UGH
So, today, Team Leader had to meet with the moving rep, regarding our PCS claim (what was damaged, lost, or stolen during our move to Germany)
He told me what happened...
and then...
He told me he wished he hadn't.
The following is sitting in the inbox of the person who will now have to deal with me.
Lucky him.
"Mr. S-
I am H-'s wife, Esther. I have spoken with my husband about your meeting today and I must take this opportunity to let you know I am shocked by what he told me. Shocked, infuriated, livid-you choose-I think it is in everyone's interest that we reschedule and you and I have a chance to sit down to discuss the particulars of our move.
First, At NO time were we EVER told that we had to provide ORIGINAL purchase receipts for missing personal goods. I have grave concerns over this statement. If I have misunderstood my husband, please, feel free to elaborate and/or correct me. When I turned in our information, I told the soldier beginning our PCS Claim file that we were never given an inventory from the movers when our Unaccompanied Household Goods were picked up; in fact, we believe that the moving company FORGOT we were on their schedule 10 July, and when they did show up at 5:00p.m. the evening of the 10th what was "packed" was thrown into boxes without any thought or care.
What arrived here that second week of August was in tatters; the remaining items (that I inventoried) were STOLEN.
They are GONE.
Second, with respect to the family heirlooms that are missing, HOW am I meant to provide original receipts for items that were passed down by deceased family members?! My husband shared that in your opinion, it would have benefited us to have our household inventory appraised every few years or so, because "how much is an antique worth?" Not helpful advice after the fact, wouldn't you agree? I was given that armoire 27 years ago on my 13th birthday. It's French. That's what I know. I find it strikingly odd, that the representative of the moving company has all sorts of advice when it comes tofacing and possibly accepting responsibility for damages, but NO advice prior to the pack up.
Third, I understand that you shared with my husband the fact that some soldiers are "cut checks that they then don't use to repair or replace" is it ANY of your business how a family chooses to move next, particulalry when the items that made them FEEL AT HOME are broken beyond repair or stolen by unscrupulous moving employees? Who are you to assume that we are "deadbeats" who just want the cash? THESE WERE PIECES OF OUR LIFE THAT WERE DAMAGED, AND/OR STOLEN DURING OUR MOVE TO GERMANY FROM NORTH CAROLINA. We didn't ask for this, but, this is what we got. We're talking about wedding crystal, children's furniture, family heirlooms, a file cabinet with TEACHING PLANS inside it-who in G-d's green earth wants a file cabinet with someone else's lesson plans for crying out loud? What I want, is my stuff, and since YOU and the MOVERS can't provide it, I think the on-ace of responsibility should fall on YOUR shoulders NOT mine.
This is outrageous.
Fourth, I didn't select the companies that packed our things, the Army did. Had it been up to me, I would have interviewed reputable companies with unblemished records, compared expense estimates and selected a company based on many more things than a low ball bid-which is what I believe the Army does-lowest bid gets the job. Instead, left at your mercy, I now have to prove what WAS mine, actually belonged to me. If I'm wrong, I'd LOVE for someone to prove me different, because I really can't help but smell something fishy here. It's awfully conveinent for you to have all the burden of proof placed on me-the victim.
Going back to my first issue of concern, if anyone had bothered to inform me or my husband that original purchase receipts were "required" for partial replacement (as I now understand we don't make the new window of opportunity for full replacement because our things arrived here 6 weeks prior to your new cut-off date) I would have stored or sold EVERY ITEM WE OWN before we left. That way I wouldn't have to go through the heartbreak of leaving our home, to find that what we arrive to in Germany is nothing but pieces of what we sent.
Finally, this is the most ridiculous situation I could possibly imagine being in-this system is shameful and IN NO WAY supports the soldiers and their families who are moved at the Army's whim without any thought or care about their personal belongings. I am outraged by this new information, and, if you can't help us or answer my great concerns then please BY ALL MEANS forward my email to your superior and I'll gladly talk to that person. As it stands, I am planning on going back to the Claim Office AND to Legal Aid-someone dropped the ball here and it sure wasn't me.
Esther H-"
Does it show that I'm really frustrated, or do ya think he might call security after reading this...hmm...
sucks to be him I guess!
Monday, January 14, 2008
"We're not a Burger King...
...you don't get to have it your way"
was what I said to two of my little boylies today at lunch when I stopped them
MID SPOON FLICK
as they tried to start a food fight in the cafeteria!
(Have I mentioned that they are 5...five...cinqo...fumf...5)
I took the spoons...forks...sporks...from them and had to turn around before I laughed out loud from the looks on their faces.
I love Kindergarten-I really do!
umarmen und lieben
essie
was what I said to two of my little boylies today at lunch when I stopped them
MID SPOON FLICK
as they tried to start a food fight in the cafeteria!
(Have I mentioned that they are 5...five...cinqo...fumf...5)
I took the spoons...forks...sporks...from them and had to turn around before I laughed out loud from the looks on their faces.
I love Kindergarten-I really do!
umarmen und lieben
essie
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
I'm not a tourist...I live here!
(Part II)
My mantra yesterday morning as I drove off post into the German darkness to make the first of many, many, many early morning trips to my new job in Mannheim.
I thought it as I turned onto the exit...
I murmered it as I entered the Autobahn...
I said it as I prayed the GPS would turn on...
I screamed it when the GPS froze and performed some type of illegal action rendering it utterly USELESS.
UGH
I made it...relying heavily on any and all of the landmarks that I had noted on earlier trips...and I met the teacher I'm replacing and all the little one's who now know me as "Mrs. H."
wow!
another year...I get a classroom space for me, me, ME! It's chock full (26 little bodies full) of unique personalities, carefully selected names, cherished small people whose faces smile trust, and sweet, and happy, and a teeny bit mischievous...
I've decided it's a good thing.
Even if the GPS never works again.
I'll find my way with the 26 of them.
umarmen und lieben!
e
My mantra yesterday morning as I drove off post into the German darkness to make the first of many, many, many early morning trips to my new job in Mannheim.
I thought it as I turned onto the exit...
I murmered it as I entered the Autobahn...
I said it as I prayed the GPS would turn on...
I screamed it when the GPS froze and performed some type of illegal action rendering it utterly USELESS.
UGH
I made it...relying heavily on any and all of the landmarks that I had noted on earlier trips...and I met the teacher I'm replacing and all the little one's who now know me as "Mrs. H."
wow!
another year...I get a classroom space for me, me, ME! It's chock full (26 little bodies full) of unique personalities, carefully selected names, cherished small people whose faces smile trust, and sweet, and happy, and a teeny bit mischievous...
I've decided it's a good thing.
Even if the GPS never works again.
I'll find my way with the 26 of them.
umarmen und lieben!
e
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Big Blogness today
3 days...72 hours...whoa a LOT has happened!
Friday, I got the job.
Yup.
I got the Kindergarten job.
I'm the teacher for 6 months and then...G-d willing I'll be rehired for next year to teach
OR
better!
Saturday, Gaia's Birthday: we love you and miss you, I took the rotters to the Hauptsrasse and got 2 new "dos"...
if you look closely, you'll see the GREEN streaks that this one, this first born child, INSISTED to be the only thing that would secure his happiness in life.
ACK!
this one just got caramel highlights...now the problem is in the stark realization she looks seriously older than she is.
ACK!
this one is convinced he is a WWE wrestler and is campaigning as I type for his shot at something totally BLOND.
ACK!
Sunday, today, I spent the day in a fabulous quilting class working on this quilt block of Brandenberg Gate
for what will become our family "Eurotrippen Quilt!" (Rights for the name must go to my fellow ex-pat in Germany: "B" whose blog you all must read. The name of the quilt is "Travel Europe" which I really couldn't live with, so B, I hope it's alright and if need be, I'll make a Euro quilt for you!) Next month we'll be making a block for Switzerland and I cannot WAIT!
Tomorrow, I go to my current school for my last day, and Tuesday, I'm off to Mannheim as "Essie the Teacher!"
Light a candle.
Say a prayer.
Look to the sky and think positive thoughts for me...our kids (who have to wake up earlier now)...and my husband (who has to help them get ready in the mornings now)!
umarmen und lieben
e
Friday, I got the job.
Yup.
I got the Kindergarten job.
I'm the teacher for 6 months and then...G-d willing I'll be rehired for next year to teach
OR
better!
Saturday, Gaia's Birthday: we love you and miss you, I took the rotters to the Hauptsrasse and got 2 new "dos"...
if you look closely, you'll see the GREEN streaks that this one, this first born child, INSISTED to be the only thing that would secure his happiness in life.ACK!
this one just got caramel highlights...now the problem is in the stark realization she looks seriously older than she is.ACK!
this one is convinced he is a WWE wrestler and is campaigning as I type for his shot at something totally BLOND.ACK!
Sunday, today, I spent the day in a fabulous quilting class working on this quilt block of Brandenberg Gate
for what will become our family "Eurotrippen Quilt!" (Rights for the name must go to my fellow ex-pat in Germany: "B" whose blog you all must read. The name of the quilt is "Travel Europe" which I really couldn't live with, so B, I hope it's alright and if need be, I'll make a Euro quilt for you!) Next month we'll be making a block for Switzerland and I cannot WAIT!Tomorrow, I go to my current school for my last day, and Tuesday, I'm off to Mannheim as "Essie the Teacher!"
Light a candle.
Say a prayer.
Look to the sky and think positive thoughts for me...our kids (who have to wake up earlier now)...and my husband (who has to help them get ready in the mornings now)!
umarmen und lieben
e
Thursday, January 03, 2008
10 more
I went through our kitchen, after attempting to create various holiday meals with most of my kitchen gear missing (thanks to unscrupulous moving employees who know Pampered Chef when they see it), and decided that I needed to make 2008 the year of the upgrade.
I've always had a red-ish kitchen, and, I like it that way. (So no major changes in color-that-I've decided.)
Currently I'm using my favorite quilt top
(previously used as our Christmas Tree Skirt) as a curtain in the kitchen. I love, lovE lOvE the scrappy vintage feel it gives my basic military prison style kitchen-paired with the red wine bottle with bamboo growing like crazy cakes, and a photo of Doodle-Bug in a mosaic frame,
it's a happy place!
What I need, are cooking and baking SUPPLIES, it's almost like going back to the basics here folks with one minor problem...while I'm only Julia Child/Rachel Ray/Bobby Flay/Pampered chef in my MIND (another sometimes happy place)I do like to have what I need...I'm also operating on a beer budget (for now), a hard pill to swallow when you have champagne taste.
Sadly, I need lots and lots! Well, maybe I don't actually NEED lots and lots, but I'm wanting lots and lots, that is for certain!~
Where to start? I have no idea. This is majorly frustrating (um...do people my age say "majorly?")Give me your favorite shopping haunts and I'll start looking for:
1. baking dishes (including cast iron and/or ceramic)
2. cookie sheets
3. pots and pans (including a wok)
4. champagne glasses
5. beer glasses
6. cocktail glasses (assorted-natch!)
5. fondue set and a rice cooker (does that count as two-I think it might)
6. prep dishes
7. salad furniture (you know, the ginormous wood bowl, with stand and tongs)
8. basic white platters for serving
9. waffel iron
10. a skillet-a big skillet-a REALLY big skillet
(+1 more...a fabulous new kettle...mine is dying!)
umarmen und lieben
essie
I've always had a red-ish kitchen, and, I like it that way. (So no major changes in color-that-I've decided.)
Currently I'm using my favorite quilt top
(previously used as our Christmas Tree Skirt) as a curtain in the kitchen. I love, lovE lOvE the scrappy vintage feel it gives my basic military prison style kitchen-paired with the red wine bottle with bamboo growing like crazy cakes, and a photo of Doodle-Bug in a mosaic frame,
it's a happy place!What I need, are cooking and baking SUPPLIES, it's almost like going back to the basics here folks with one minor problem...while I'm only Julia Child/Rachel Ray/Bobby Flay/Pampered chef in my MIND (another sometimes happy place)I do like to have what I need...I'm also operating on a beer budget (for now), a hard pill to swallow when you have champagne taste.
Sadly, I need lots and lots! Well, maybe I don't actually NEED lots and lots, but I'm wanting lots and lots, that is for certain!~
Where to start? I have no idea. This is majorly frustrating (um...do people my age say "majorly?")Give me your favorite shopping haunts and I'll start looking for:
1. baking dishes (including cast iron and/or ceramic)
2. cookie sheets
3. pots and pans (including a wok)
4. champagne glasses
5. beer glasses
6. cocktail glasses (assorted-natch!)
5. fondue set and a rice cooker (does that count as two-I think it might)
6. prep dishes
7. salad furniture (you know, the ginormous wood bowl, with stand and tongs)
8. basic white platters for serving
9. waffel iron
10. a skillet-a big skillet-a REALLY big skillet
(+1 more...a fabulous new kettle...mine is dying!)
umarmen und lieben
essie
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Esther's Top Ten for 2007 and What to Expect in 2008
I've decided to make up my top ten list from 2007 and add my resolution top ten for 2008. Maybe I'm a simpleton, maybe not, but here they are for your reading pleasure AND for me to reread when I break one...
"TT for 2007"
10. There were many visits from loved ones in VA...always fantastic!
9. There were many visits to see loved ones in FL...happy reunions!
8. Home improvement took on a new meaning thanks to Maxwell, Samson, and some very
pesky moles in the yard...
7. Ben won the "Speed Stacking" tournament for 1st Grade
6. Dollie graduated from Elementary School
5. Preston won the Poetry Slam for the 7th Grade
4. I made it through the most challenging year of teaching so far-with no bruises,
and teammates who became the closest dearest friends a girl could ask for
3. Tony announced the biggest family news to date: a move to Europe
2. We packed up our life,said goodbye to NC and VA, making the move...across the pond...to Heidelberg Germany
1. Heidelberg became our new home-nothing short or a miracle, nothing short of amazing!
(+1. AND living with my family gives me grey hair-STINK!)
"What to Expect in '08"
1. To get the family eating more healthy foods-sorry, it's a life long quest of mine, apparently...
2. To relax more-like my friend *e* says "a kindler, gentler, me"
3. To travel-working on that-talk to me after Spring Break
4. To stay healthy...MAN, am I ever sick of being SICK! This should cover the exercise resolution, right?!
5. To read every night before bed
6. To write my parents every week
7. To start planning for the holidays NOW...this will absolutely help out with #2...even if it really implies that I'm somehow a little manic, or OCD
8. To finish what I start, and on Sunday, I'm starting a paper pieced quilt with a quilting class that has a European Travel theme...I've quite possibly bitten off more than I can chew and I know it!
9. To maintain a kick a** scrapbook of the crazy things we do here in Germany, as we do them, not days, weeks, months, or YEARS later
10. To keep thanking G-d for all the blessings of this life-my life-our life.
(+1. To find a hair salon that can actually DEAL with MY hair and cover up this new grey! Holy Mess!!)
Happy New Year!
umarmen und lieben,
essie
"TT for 2007"
10. There were many visits from loved ones in VA...always fantastic!
9. There were many visits to see loved ones in FL...happy reunions!
8. Home improvement took on a new meaning thanks to Maxwell, Samson, and some very
pesky moles in the yard...
7. Ben won the "Speed Stacking" tournament for 1st Grade
6. Dollie graduated from Elementary School
5. Preston won the Poetry Slam for the 7th Grade
4. I made it through the most challenging year of teaching so far-with no bruises,
and teammates who became the closest dearest friends a girl could ask for
3. Tony announced the biggest family news to date: a move to Europe
2. We packed up our life,said goodbye to NC and VA, making the move...across the pond...to Heidelberg Germany
1. Heidelberg became our new home-nothing short or a miracle, nothing short of amazing!
(+1. AND living with my family gives me grey hair-STINK!)
"What to Expect in '08"
1. To get the family eating more healthy foods-sorry, it's a life long quest of mine, apparently...
2. To relax more-like my friend *e* says "a kindler, gentler, me"
3. To travel-working on that-talk to me after Spring Break
4. To stay healthy...MAN, am I ever sick of being SICK! This should cover the exercise resolution, right?!
5. To read every night before bed
6. To write my parents every week
7. To start planning for the holidays NOW...this will absolutely help out with #2...even if it really implies that I'm somehow a little manic, or OCD
8. To finish what I start, and on Sunday, I'm starting a paper pieced quilt with a quilting class that has a European Travel theme...I've quite possibly bitten off more than I can chew and I know it!
9. To maintain a kick a** scrapbook of the crazy things we do here in Germany, as we do them, not days, weeks, months, or YEARS later
10. To keep thanking G-d for all the blessings of this life-my life-our life.
(+1. To find a hair salon that can actually DEAL with MY hair and cover up this new grey! Holy Mess!!)
Happy New Year!
umarmen und lieben,
essie
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