HER FIVE CENTS

Remember how Pennsylvania is SOO humid? Remember how I never once did NOT have frizzy hair? Well it's back and in full force! But this time, Germany style. I feel like I look like this:




Well not the pretty part of that, but the hair part. It's crazy. I need professional hair help!

I'm messaging my sister on Facbook right now and I told her I feel bi-polar. I told her I feel elated to be here and then I think about David going on vacation and I freak out. Then I think about the awesome people I've met and feel happy again and then I think about shopping at German grocery stores and it's instant anxiety. So pretty much thats how it is. Although, I've found most German people speak some English. Especially around here. Someone told me that as long as they are not a grandparent age, they speak English cause they've learned it. That was proven wrong today when we went to OBI to get some paint. Both the paint guy and our check-out lady spoke great English and they were grandparentish age. Well the English wasn't great, but good enough for us to communicate! I'm thankful.

This is an old, unfinished post. The frizzy hair is still there. So is my bi-polar feeling toward Germany. It seriously changes every single moment. Right now I'm okay because we have Hulu Plus and I have a friend coming over. I also have a can of Diet Pepsi sitting next to me. Thus, I am happy.

Do you know about OPSEC? I don't either. But I kind of hate it. Because I'm now terrified to post anything that might remotely get me in trouble from the OPSEC trolls that are out there. I hear the trolls are disguised as army wives.

From Wikipedia (so it's absolutely true)

Operations security (OPSEC) is a term originating in US military jargon, as a process that identifies critical information to determine if friendly actions can be observed by adversary intelligence systems, determines if information obtained by adversaries could be interpreted to be useful to them, and then executes selected measures that eliminate or reduce adversary exploitation of friendly critical information.

Though the above statement is true in its official military format, OPSEC is the process of protecting little pieces of data that could be grouped together to give the bigger picture. OPSEC is the protecting of critical information deemed mission essential from military commanders. Protecting this critical information is through the use of email encryption software, being careful of who may be listening to you (like in a hotel bar), paying close attention to a picture you have taken (back ground), or not talking openly on social media sites about information on the unit's critical information list (military deployments, shortages of equipment or movement of VIPs). 

In more modern usage, the term has come to have a similar meaning including protecting information from unfriendly eyes, including industrial espionage, hackers, or social engineering.

So there you go. Now you know. I'm hoping I'll never be silly enough to post such information, but if I do, I hope you'll me out on it.

Here are some pictures of a place called Mantel Markt. It was a beautiful day. These are unedited pictures.




 I loved how the sun was shining on the houses but the sky was so dark. The little town was glowing.  Can't get enough of these little villages? What's the right term for them? They call them municipalities. But that's a hard word. Communities? Yes. That.

We'll be driving along in this gorgeous farming country and all of a sudden come upon a little community such as this. Then drive through it and that's the end. I like how everything is grouped together. It makes it seem much more organized. And pretty. And that's what's important right?

Those clouds in the picture? Those are the source of my frizzy hair. What's your favorite product for such a problem? 

Thaaaannnnkkkk Goodness for good friends and not crazies.

Davids sponsor is a good person. His sponsor is someone who well, just use your common sense. Fine. Here is a link if you want to know what a sponsor does.

He is the one that was there for us when the bus dropped us off in front of a building here at Grafenwoehr. He was the one that called for backup to drive our bags over to Army Lodging. It's a great program and I'm super glad he was and has been there for us. He has helped us get aquainted and answered bunches of questions for us. I'm thankful for that.

What I'm not super loving is the already dramatic performance of certain army people. Females to be exact. I. Can't. Take. It. Instead of being rageful and angry and rude, I left quietly and didn't say a word. Proud moment for me. I have no guilt over that.

I have good friends. I really do. I have good friends who live far away from me now. How am i going to survive? I know this is not how I "should" look at it but I don't know how not to.

We've been in Army Lodging for.... 4 nights now and I've been hearing the average stay here is about 8
days. And then we hopefully will be in a house.

I have cabin fever. Oh yeah, that's why I originally said that thing about Davids sponsor. I told him after 4 days of doing what we've been doing, I need to get out. And that's when he brought up the cabin fever.

Davids captain is also nice. He said to take the time we need and to come to work after we get settled. What? That's just crazy. And also really nice.

I also kind of wonder if I should start being more careful about what I post. I don't want to be like the one girl that got an entire unit rerouted because she posted on the interwebs about her husbands impending deployment. She posted when and where. Hastag kindofdum.

We went bowling today. It was very American. The kids played and then David and I played. We didn't quite get to finish before the kids took over our game too. Up until that point though, I was winning. It's been yeaaarrrsss since we've both played. Don't worry, I got a strike. And a coupla spares. Don't let David try and tell you he won. Cause he didn't.

Raise your hand if you'll send me Target stuff. I'm stressing out about it. Except the Exchange here is actually pretty good. I managed to find a Fossil bag I want/need for only $150. Hahahaha.

These are the things I never want to forget!

they loved the motorized walkway things at PHX

helping sister buckle!

during takeoff!

dinner in Baltimore, during our 5ish hour layover! we were STARVING!



Camping out in the terminal. It was reallllly empty so we had our own spot. It was lovely.

Thanks Aunt Jo for the SUPER fun stuff!

• In the airport at Phoenix, we got to do a TSA PreCheck (there's supposed to be a check mark picture here) line. It was mega fast and we didn't have to do any shoe/belt/clothes off stuff. We didn't have to take laptops out, and we didn't have to take our liquids out. It was freaking awesome. I think because we did not make our travel plans it was done for us, but in order to participate you have to sign up at the time of flight reservation. Amazing. Here's more info.
• Everyone thought my bright shirt idea for everyone was really smart. Thanks self. I didn't even get that one from Pinterest.
• The plane we first rode in with American Airlines was super fancy. I think I took a picture. Let me go check.

Yes! This! That's a touch screen! I watched Glee but could have watched any number of shows, listened to music, seen new movies, etc . My kids watched Disney movies. Very impressive.

• I took a video of my kids as we took off. Remind me to upload it to YouTube. Worth it.
• My kids were SO good during ALL flights. Seriously. We had NO issues. I want to thank them when they are old enough to remember and care and brag to their friends about how they did a over-24-hour-travel day and were amazing.
• There were 3 flights! In Dallas, they changed the gate right as we arrived at the right one. So that means we got off the plane, took the tram to the next terminal just to turn around go pretty much right back to where we came from. Remember my trooper kids?
• They slept the entire way from Baltimore to Germany! The whole time!
• Biggest plane ever! A 747-400

• I experienced the "red tape" of the Army. David told me he has tried to keep me away from this but I got a little taste of it. As soon as we exited the plane we were herded into a room for paperwork. Then we had to go wait in line to do a passport check. Then we had to go to this other room (after gathering our bags) and do more paperwork. Exciting. Then we had to go stay at a hotel at Ramstein for a night.
• I met the coolest people ever. They have a son who shares the very same birthday as Nevie!
• We took a 4ish hour  bus ride from Ramstein to Grafenwohr (where we currently are). 
• Had my first German experience at a McDonalds. Say what? Everyone kind of stood back, a little unsure of how this was gonna go, so I went up and knew if I said "Big Mac" at least they'd understand. Thankfully he did, and it all went well. So happy!
• They don't serve ice in drinks!
• McChicken! Legit McChicken! No Hot and Spicy. Thank you for taking me back to my childhood, Germany. Thank you!
• I used someone elses jacket to wipe Sadies bloody nose. Thankfully it was another mom and she was so gracious and didn't care. This was in the middle of unloading from the bus (our 14ish bags) and me trying to get the kids inside, and David trying to get to a brief. It was the new friend I mentioned aboves sons jacket. I'm so embarrassed.  
• I never want to carry suitcases and backpacks anymore. In life. Like never. I think I did it pretty good by limiting the amount of carry-on stuff we had but next time, I just want to have nothing. Is that possible? Too much sweating for me.
• It. Is. Ridiculously. Beautiful here. Someone told David it's like Pennsylvania here. And it is. I forgot about green. I really did. It brought back all of these feelings as we drove through the trees, and the fields, and the growth. The houses look very much different. And I love it. I have pictures but my phone was dead at the time so they're on Davids. I can't wait for you to see.
•  Germany is like America. At least on post. There is a theatre across the street, and next to it is a car lot. Across the street and down a little is the commissary/PX. It's nice! It's like a mall. There is Taco Bell and Charley's and Pizza Hut and Popeyes, etc. It's all in one building so it's pretty mall like and REALLY convenient.

view from our hotel room right now

• Jet Lag is legit. We had a Nevie up for about 5 hours last night. Yes. True.
• She's sleeping now. So I wonder what it's going to look like tonight.
• We've been in this hotel for a few hours now and it's a disaster.
• I miss my friends and family at home so much. This doesn't feel real. Or far away yet. Lets connect!
• I KNOW that it's the prayers and positive thoughts that have made this such an easy trip for us so far. I really know it. I LOVE you guys so much!

Also, go follow my Facebook page to stay updated. This post took me forever so most likely I'll be posting the fun/silly/dum things over there. It'll be easier for my lazier self. :-) I LOVE YOU!

Facebook.com/JourneyInGermany

Also, I made this to give to people but totally forgot. There's legit copies of it at my moms house. Go ask her for one. lol.