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

Live well, laugh often, love much.

Over here in Germany, I've quickly learned how to "live well."
I didn't take much, just a trans-atlantic time difference, and some cultural things to acclimate to, but it wasn't that tough.
"Laughing often"... not so tough either, particularly when you've got friends who post photos like this for you to crack up over!


"Loving much..." hmmm...it's the one that gets me every time.
I do.
I love much, and sometimes I feel like I'm going to burst as consequence.
I love my family much.
I love my friends much.
I love my friends families much.
That's a whole lot of love.
And...with all the love of people and things, I had to post today that I just love this babyHe doesn't know me the way I'd like for him to-distance is a stink of a dictator...

He and his parents celebrated some pretty tremendous milestones last month.
They are fabulously terrific people who deserve a lifetime of loving this baby.
You know what, they get that, they get to live, love, and laugh with him.
They will get to live with him through his challenges and his triumphs.
They will get to love him when he is sleeping (no pun there La)looking and thinking "wow."
They will get to laugh in new discovery with him.
They get HIM.
And he...he gets them!

I don't know who to thank for their tremendous gift, all I can do is say thank you, and then send all my hugs and love long distance to the three of them.
Congratulations Angels!
"Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much!"

umarmen und lieben
E

Best phone call-holy mess-answer to a prayer, maybe, yes!

Oh my heart!
I am a person who has met and made some wonderful, amazing, and simply fabulous friends.
I know how lucky I am.
Some people are fortunate enough to have one person to count on, I've got more than my fair share-I know how lucky I am.

I miss you girls...boy, do I miss you!
Our little posse of 12, we were great.

I know that getting to Rockfish was nothing short of a miracle, but what happened next...well, it was a once in a lifetime year.

This little video is for all of you...however...comma...you have pause the Crazy Dancing frog before you listen to Celine, because (like all the brainiacs in Room 13trying to turn ON the speaker phone,) I don't know how to make this work any other way!

BTW: Vaughn, Carter, PULEEZE-get your mess together and get on Skype so we can conference call with Rockfish!!

Mulvey, you can tease me for the Celine song later-remember, I've got your back WTF, OVER! And, for the record, I'm not taking the Crazy Frog off because Norah likes dancing to it, and what Norah likes, Norah gets!

(Besides, she's waking Skarie up at "o-dark-thirty" and they need something to keep the momentum going!)



umarmen und lieben,
Harrison
ps-Watkins, you are SOO SOO right...after the hour we were on the phone, Skarie's kids would have spent all that time coloring...hee hee!

Holy Mess! We have internet!

wow-it feels like FOREVER since I was able to log on AT HOME!
Success in another area...I found my Kodak Easy Share disc!!
Pictures have been downloaded and voila! there will be photos for the whole wide world to view! (ps-remember some of us have been under the weather, so subjects may look like c.r.a.p. thank you!)
Still more success, as we have managed to purge our home of the nasty sickness that had contaminated our quarters for far too long...just in time for the Christmas Markts to begin, begin, BEGIN.

The tree is up, I'm finishing up our new stockings as we type, (the family stockings were left in the states, just in case)and I actually have some gift boxes ready to be mailed. Thanksgiving was nice, different, but pleasant. The weather cooperated and on Saturday we enjoyed a day pricing gifts for the kids on the Hauptstrasse. Merchants were putting up their holiday market cabin stalls, and roasted chestnuts were wafting through the air...it's definitely beginning to feel like Christmas.

ho ho ho,
umarmen und lieben,
essie

ugh

our internet is down.
i'm still sick.
i'm tired.
the library computer won't let me onto my flippen blog.
it's ticking me off.
ugh...

BUT

it's friday!
it's friday!
it's really, really friday!
(that's for Turnie...Rahn...Traci Cope...and a few others who i used to Happy Friday Dance my pants off with!)

umarmen und lieben
essie

Is it just me?!

**disclaimer: I'm sick. Headache, body ache, entire face pains me when I sneeze, SICK. It's a long weekend and instead of doing anything fun, I've spent it inside, feeling like c-r-a-p! I'm grumpy and tired of my family, who can't do anything right around me. I need a 100% attitude adjustment and I know it-consider yourself warned and proceed with caution!**

Right now Team Leader and our neighbor are watching Green Street Hooligans...a movie that Elijah Woods made, I dunno why...he just did.

This movie is about British Football Gangs...the self proclaimed "Hooligans" who (for some cro-magnon reason) are SO devoted to their local football teams that they will actually KILL people over won and lost matches. While this is a fictitious account of a real situation, football gangs have been a thread woven into the fabric of hardcore sports fans for as long as I've been alive-forever for all I know. What I don't understand is why!

Why is a won or lost match worth beating someone into a pulp?
Why does society condone the behavior?
If it isn't being condoned, then why is it accepted?

And why do people need to make movies about this stuff, and sound over the beatings with beautiful local music, is it to make a dramatic point, or is it creative license?

Why do guys like watching this?! Honestly!!
It's shit. I HATE IT.
I hate thinking that people are so simple that they will live and DIE over a sporting match. Literally.

WTF!!!

No one can change my mind in thinking that if more women were in charge that the world mightn't be as violent...You can call me naive, but women make hard decisions every day, and if I hear ONE MORE TIME that a woman couldn't be president or hold high political office because she couldn't make the "hard calls" I WILL SCREAM!
It's a weak excuse that feeble minded pundits have declared to justify the political machines that send young soldiers into war again and again and again.

Yup. This is what happens when Team Leader puts a movie on that pisses me off.
I start out with a rant about the movie and suddenly I'm furious about the state of the world, and ready to imply that the state of the world rests squarely on the shoulders of all the dummies currently in charge (that would be the guys).

BTW, speaking of young soldiers, in our local newspaper there was a campaign for wounded soldiers and their haircuts. Specifically, if we (patrons at the commissary) purchased a brand name of products, the product company would donate a percentage of the product price to WOUNDED SOLDIERS WHO HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR HAIRCUTS!
WHAT?!
Read this again: these soldiers have come back from war...they are wounded (any type of wounded, mind you)...and adding insult to injury HAVE TO PAY FOR HAIRCUTS!

Some of these kids are missing arms, legs, BOTH, some have traumatic brain injury-WHATEVER! The military is making them pay for their own haircuts?! Don't you think they have bigger things to worry about...like rehabilitation, perhaps? And how much would it cost the country to bone up for these required haircuts? (They are required, that was also mentioned in the campaign.) Honestly.

That, in my opinion, is more shit...so folks, I guess it is just me tonight...crazy, pissed off, annoyed, sick as a DOG, ME.

Next time, I'M picking the movie.

It's a rainy day Wednesday in Heidelberg

just thought I'd post a little post...no startling insights today.
I spent a gaggle of geese sending two boxes to florida.
I really wish I could just send a gift card, but I can't...no, I can't.
I'm definitely a "presents are fabulous" kind of girl.
I love shopping for fun things that will make folks smile.
At least, I hope they smile, no one has ever told me they didn't like my gift choice-maybe people are too polite.
hmmm...
anyhoo, it's been fun "window" shopping, "actual" shopping, and "internet" shopping!
I got these http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=15897 for our dining room wall-a big boring wall that is about to be painted a soft shade of chocolate brown (oh yes it is!) that I hope will highlight the cards when they go up!


I'm DYING for all the Christmas Markts to start up...my ornament fetish is starting to show...and while I don't want to rush the holidays, (I really do want to linger and enjoy, really I do) there is something very familiar about the hustle and bustle holiday shopping creates.
hmmm...
looks like I did have something to say afterall :)

umarmen und lieben,
essie

Happy 5th Birthday to the greatest Niece IN THE WORLD! We love you Ellie-Belle!

It feels like we've hardly been in Germany at all, but when I write it down "from August to November" I realize that we've actually been here now for 12 weeks!

WOW!

Halloween was fun; interesting and different, but fun nonetheless. We did miss our "usual crew" of partners in crime, be them in NC or VA, we thought and spoke of you all and hoped your night was fun-filled as well.
In Germany, we had: One MIA (missing in action) teenager, one CB (chasing boys) jester, and one Harry Potter from Task 1 of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. We also had two country-bumpkins and a candy passing Momma involved in our Halloween Adventure. Due to construction no one could door-to-door trick or treat at our house, so I brought our "Scarrisons" candy pail with us and gave candy out to all the little kiddos we saw. There was a Halloween Fest (Germans LOVE their fests, folks!)on Post which was nice, and WARM!

(Yup, it was chilly, no foolin'!)

At one point Team Leader looked at me and said
"Um...we're actually trick or treating in GERMANY!"

Crazy, and true, yes we are, honey!
Happy Fall, Ya'll!
umarmen und lieben!!
essie

ps-Biggest Hugs and payment help go to Vaughn who called me on my GERMAN CELL PHONE last night and had me crying happy friendship tears in the Rewe! (local grocery store, where Germans were staring at me like a crazy person!)This is SO not the cutest snap of us, but it is all I have! xoxoxoxox

Where have I been?! :)

wow.
we've been nuts at "Casa H"

For starters, just as I was getting my laptop to "play nice" and let me upload photos, Team Leader gave it to a good friend of ours who was heading to Iraq. With no time to spare, the computer "left the building" before ANY of our photos could be burned onto a cd...including ALL the pictures I took of broken or damaged items for our moving claim!

yup...just a teeny bit frustrating...BUT we love this guy, and he needs to be able to communicate with family and friends more than I need these photos!

What I'm trying to figure out now, IS, how to upload photos from my camera (an ANCIENT Kodak Easy Share) without any of the software-that went missing LONG before we moved to Germany! Any thoughts...any sites that are better than others?

Throw me a bone folks, or it will be a while before I can make this blog "purdy!"

Back to Casa H...
we're finally getting our mail, as it catches up to us-sometimes it's happy mail (letters and catalogs) sometimes, it's not...BILLS. (Was I wrong to think those would stay in the States when we moved here and magically take care of themselves?!!)
And, it appears that as we left the States, some serious baby making mojo was left in our wake, as no less than 6 friends have emailled to confirm pregnancies!

Talk about wild!!

We are very thankful for these blessings, and the continued exciting news,however...comma...we must add better all of you than US! The idea that there will be new faces to meet when we come back to visit next year brings huge smiles to us, and I am secretly shopping all the cool Euro Baby stuff, in preparation. Shh...don't let Team Leader know!

My job still rocks-I can't say enough how much I love working with these kids-so lucky am I...so, so, lucky! (Can't believe I'm getting paid for it, to tell you the truth!)There is the potential for some seriously exciting job-ness to happen, and if it does, it will happen FAST. That's all I can say, and, to keep fingers and toes crossed for me!

The weather here has changed...Fall is cold in Germany! Woohoo Cold! We left our heaviest gear in VA...it was still at the Farm when the movers came, and we kind of forgot about it...forgot about it until we all froze our behiney's off last week when the temp. dropped about 8 gazillion degrees. Making matters even more FUN, facility management has torn up our parkinglot to make way for a "new and improved" version! Construction began a week ago, and so far we've seen people actually working 3 times...this madness is scheduled to continue for 7 more weeks!

I am in the early throws of holiday shopping, sending out a cyber-invite for Pampered Chef to anyone who wants kitchen stuff...it's fast and easy friends, and will be delivered to the address of your choice! Holiday bazaars are everywhere currently, and I'm finding all kinds of fun european treats/gifts to share some of our life here with those of you back home.

Cant say enough how much each of us, misses every one of you...remember, happy mail is always a good thing!
umarmen und lieben!
essie

for those of you wanting to see photos

the Dell computer Go-ds blessed me and somehow my laptop opened up for business today!

photos are being added to previous posts as we speak!
umarmen und lieben,
essie

"A long time ago..we used to be friends..."

I blame Gabby for the 4 day weekend Team Leader and I spent watching the first 2 seasons of one of the BEST SHOWS EVER:

VERONICA MARS!

um...gabby...we didn't feed our kids, they finally just plopped down in front of the tv. (I guess if you can't beat 'em and they won't feed you, then join 'em!) This show ROCKED and I can't believe it was cancelled!

witty, smart, funny writing
witty, smart-ass, funny Veronica
wicked, smartie, we LOVE Logan
Weavil...how often do you find yourself rooting for the Biker Gangbanger?!!
and how cute is Enrico, playing a great Daddy to our favorite modern-day Nancy Drew!

Gabby, we are waving our tv freak flag way too loud and strong right now, but wow
it was fun! I had way too many favorite lines to quote, but the one that got me laughing off my behiney...

Logan: "Take it easy, Jump Street!"

Probably Disc 4 Season 1.
Not sure though
because
we watched 12 discs!!!
It's official.
We're way too scary, and are whoa big fans!

thanks a lot!
umarmen und lieben
essie

"Gluklich Geburgstag" Biggers!

okay-so my word by word translation might not be the best,
BUT,
our son is
14.

He's 14 now.
The day is over.
His young adulthood is in front of him,
His early years are behind him,
the world, they say, is his
oyster.

His...oyster.
Our...heart.

We love you.
Momma and Daddy

(pictures to come...I know I owe lots and lots, but pictures will come!)

P.S.

Please check out the link to the Breast Cancer website.
It has a "click" link that provides a free mamogram everytime someone clicks.

This is a real website, with real support for those who cannot afford healthcare.
I have good healthcare and couldn't imagine life without it-could you?

Go ahead...click up the counter, and help.

umarmen und lieben
e