PENSIEVE

Like drinking water from a fire hydrant

2012-02-07T09:56:14-05:00

We've been in Germany a week already? How is that possible?!

Or I should probably amend that to say HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE AND I HAVEN'T BLOGGED ABOUT IT?!

Quite simply my head is spinning.

And we love it here. (I can't wait to tell you why, but that's for another time.)

You can imagine what it's like organizing a life to live in another country for a year. While my husband has borne the brunt of that responsibility, there have been countless details for me to attend, too. Couple that with the emotional toll of leaving my babies for a while (though they're perfectly fine under the care of those who love them) (for those who don't know, my babies are high school/college age).

We're sponges in Germany, absorbing as much as we can; but because EVERYTHING is new, the simplest of tasks demands mental, emotional and physical energy. Like grocery shopping; the same but different. Imagine shopping where you can't read the labels and distinguish between product differences AND you don't know the numbers yet because you didn't realize how important it would be to KNOW them (banging my head against the wall for that!). Yes, many people speak at least a little English and they're very forgiving and understanding...but it's still taxing.

And frankly, intimidating.

A few notes of interest:

1) The temperature has frozen between 3-19°F since we arrived. It only sounds worse in Celsius. Though I've already expressed exuberant affection for my Eddie Bauer Red Lodge Parka, I had no idea how IMPORTANT it would be to have a good, insulated coat. Plus, it makes it even easier for Germans to spot the new American expat. As if opening my mouth weren't enough...!

2) Remember those old, grandfatherly stories "When I was your age, we walked three miles in the snow to school"? Well, God bless him, my husband is riding a bike three miles in the snow to work. I would've driven him to the entrance this morning, but the bike wouldn't fit in the car.

3) You know that thing people always say when it flurries in the South: "Southerners don't know how to drive in the snow"? It's 'cause we don't have no stinkin' snow tires! Today, one of my new German friends agreed to help me run a few errands. When she arrived, she told me I had to drive IN THE SNOW (with gas about $6/gallon, I would have happily handed over the keys to my car so she could drive it, but she wanted me to have practice)! I've never driven in the snow before, but with the right equipment - snow tires, thank you very much - it was just fine! She also mentioned I should ask my landlord if I "could shovel snow for them," something I've never done before. Based on the delicious food I'm discovering, I NEED IT TO SNOW 10 FEET meters so I can get a great organic upper body workout, right?

4) Skype and Facebook are lifelines. Technology is our Very Best Good Friend. We've seen and talked with our children, and given many family and friends virtual tours. We're living in an age where an international job assignment doesn't mean total isolation. That means a lot!

So, much more to come, and I think I'm going to handle posts chronologically and topically and use pictures as much as I can; which might mean a few short posts daily. I'll also continue to write-write...because my head and heart are full and need release.

I don't want to bore you with news of our temporary relocation, but in part my blog will be a journal for my family to follow, for me to remember...and maybe to remind all of us it's a small world after all :).

One Sentence Saturday {& Sunday!} ~ Sweet, not dream

2012-02-04T12:47:06-05:00

Love is...
waking up and realizing it wasn't a dream.

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Today's One Sentence Saturday {& Sunday!} inspired from our hosts' romantic, over-the-bed wall from last night's Austrian wine tasting; I quickly shared it here so I wouldn't forget this lovely sentiment.

One Sentence Saturday {& Sunday!} ~ Sweet, not dream

2012-02-04T12:36:14-05:00

Love is...
waking up and realizing it wasn't a dream.

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Today's One Sentence Saturday {& Sunday!} inspired from our hosts' romantic, over-the-bed wall art from last night's Austrian wine tasting; I quickly shared it here so I wouldn't forget this lovely sentiment.

DO join in? 1SS is a quick way to share a thought profound or silly, challenging or inspiring, and I do hope you'll jump in with a quick posting. Be sure to grab a badge and link back here to help share the word and invite others; then, support the community by visiting and commenting to a few posts (start with those right before and after you!). Don't have a blog? Just leave a comment like my friend Monica suggested!

All the write words

2012-02-02T17:29:25-05:00

If the two weeks leading up to our German departure were whirlwind, the 24 hours just prior were tornado, and the morning of? A black hole.

I awakened early after a decent Ambien-shrouded sleep, conscious of each item remaining on my check list. I wanted to finish a post I needed to publish before we were airborne, so I medicated with strong coffee and opened my laptop.

First, though, I checked email.

One from a stranger immediately caught my eye; she discovered PENSIEVE after reading my (in)courage posts. Right about then my husband came downstairs and I said, "THIS is why I love blogging...!" and began reading her email to him.

Eighteen words in I lost it, and through tears told him I'd just forward it.

As soon as I clicked "send" a new email arrived from my sister.

For those of you not familiar, my sister and I are close relationally but also in age, born just 16 months apart. Having lost our mother when we were just nine and ten, we've always shared a sister bond that has only grown deeper with time.

She's been our biggest cheerleader with Tad's new job and all it encompasses, and she's rallied us when we wavered in our decisions (never thinking we were doing the wrong thing, just struggling with the ramifications of decision).

Well I just wailed through her email, too, and didn't even try to read that one aloud. I was also laughing, reassuring Tad that I wasn't upset, just emotional, but he understood and didn't need me to explain. Though not quite the emotional basket case I looked like at that moment, he felt it on the inside, too.

I tell you those things to share this:

If you feel a nudge to write to encourage someone, whether it be a stranger or the sister who knows you best, DO IT!

Linsi's and Lora's words were exactly what I needed to hear yesterday morning (or whenever it was, with the time difference and sleep deprivation I'm confused) and I'm beyond-words thankful they acted on their intention.

In case you need a little help figuring out what to say to someone who's moving into their version of The Great Unknown/Adventure, I asked Linsi's permission to reprint excerpts of her email, and I'm using Sister-license to share Lora's. I think you'll see why they both were soul-balm; an example of God using people to bless and buoy others--

{from Linsi}

I can imagine that right now you are incredibly swamped and overwhelmed with leaving home and moving to Germany, but I stumbled across your blog today and just knew I needed to write you. I've never seen your blog before, but I was on the (in)courage blog, saw your name, and felt drawn to your blog. I'm a Colorado girl at heart, but last August I got married to my best friend and moved to...... Germany. I'm only 24 and didn't leave kids behind, but I just wanted to let you know I think it's amazing what you are doing. Germany is an wonderful country filled with incredible experiences, I'm sure you guys are going to love it. Yes it's hard, I can't hide that. But I wouldn't be anywhere else now. I live about 5 hours north of where you are going to live (in Marburg, near Frankfurt), but Bavaria is a beautiful part of Germany.

I know it's probably random to get emails like this, but I just felt like I needed to send a little note. People are really good at sharing advice where it's not needed sometimes, and I don't want to be one of those strangers. But if there are any questions you have now or when you get here, I would love to help. I'm still trying to figure out life here, but that's the cool part of relationships... figuring out things together. : )

May God give you peace and clarity of mind as you move.

{and Lora}

I have been praying for you and your family this morning. Sending prayers to God thanking Him for you and asking for his hand of love, peace, and protection to be upon you all. Also praying for/that:

a safe flight and that Robin's nerves will be calm and confident
true joy and excitement and hope to invade you both
a marriage strengthened in new ways
the courage to do/try new things
the ability to make new friends (real ones)
the ability to pick up German - and fast
God's hand will be upon both boys - especially when they make decisions
the boys will learn new skills useful for them
[Frinds/family] will do a great job staying with the boys
Rachel will continue to thrive
Tad will really grasp new concepts easily
Tad will shine as a new employee
Robin will embrace cooking German food
Robin will have fun making a new home
neither Robin nor Tad will worry unnecessarily
remember that a person can do anything for a year

Their words were send off gifts, setting the stage for what has been only wonderful so far. Even the Siberian winds and the single digit temperatures have had their silver lining--my red lodge parka has already justified herself!!

I can't wait to tell you about our adventure. I'm falling in love with a country and her people.

Chicken Noodle Soup: so much more than comfort in a bowl

2012-01-31T16:58:47-05:00

January is National Soup Month--am I the last one to know? It makes perfect sense since we're right in the middle of Cold and Flu season, but I had no idea it was official. Except I can't find who actually made it official, but Goggle it and you'll see an awful lot of people are proclaiming it to be.

Working with Vicks VapoRub the past several months has given me reason to think about the things that make me feel better when I'm sick. Pepsi over crushed ice is the first thing that comes to mind; that was a wonder drug for me as a child (and stirs precious memories of my mom). It's still the thing I want most when I'm feeling lousy.

And though I rarely lose my appetite when I've got a cold (or when it's cold), the comfort food I CRAVE is soup. Is there anything better than a steaming bowl of {your favorite soup} when you're feeling lousy or the temperatures drop? My mother-in-law's Chicken Soup is a simple recipe you might want to try; it contains the basics and it's an easy one for new or experienced cooks:

Ingredients:

Whole chicken (cut up is fine)
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2-3 carrots, sliced
3 chicken boullion cubes
8-oz linguine noodles
salt and pepper to taste

Place chicken in stock pot and cover with water; add salt. Bring to a boil, then lower temperature and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours. Remove chicken, debone and cut or pull into bite sizes.*

Add chopped celery, carrots and onions. Bring back to a boil and then add boullion cubes. Lower back to a simmer and cover for about 20 minutes, then add linguine noodles and simmer for an addition 9-10 minutes.

Serve with your favorite crackers or cornbread and, I promise, you'll feel better!

Your turn:

1) Check out Vicks® Nature Fusion™ You Tube channel for wonderful recipes and ideas by Chef Curtis Stone. You'll be pleasantly surprised with his healthy choices and delicious options. Plus, he's easy on the eyes... ;).

2) Please share your favorite "feel good" cold & cold weather recipes. I'm always looking for the next best recipe in the world!

I don't know if it's kind, but it's smart, important advice

2012-01-30T08:05:46-05:00

Inspired by the eloquent, beautiful Viola Davis, during her acceptance speech for the Screen Actor's Guild award for Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Aibileen Clark in The Help.

"The stain of racism and sexism is not just for people of color or women. It's all of our burden.... I don't care how ordinary you feel, all of us can inspire change, every single one of us."

Succinct, poignant words...I sure do like her style.

Davis reminds me a little of Stephanie, Holley, Lisa-Jo and our team of (in)courage authors, who all challenge me to Imagine Possibilities Of God-size Proportion. Hmmm, IPoGP...it might just catch on!

Pins & Stumbles welcome!!

p.s. I bet Davis' and Octavia Spencer's wins had Kola Boof's blood boiling!

p.s.s. We'll leave for Germany Tuesday around 12:30 EST; prayers welcome....

p.s.s.s. Want a One Word bracelet like my Adventure one? Lisa would love to make one for ya!

Thanks to Despair, Inc. for the poster template.

One Sentence Saturday, #2

2012-01-28T15:30:52-05:00

When I consider the impetus of my fears ~ a combination of the unknown, perspective and imagination, all as they relate to some reality ~ I'm able to trust that most are either unfounded worry or opportunity for personal and/or spiritual transformation.

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Want a quick, fun, simple weekend post? Please join in One Sentence Saturday! Click though to pick up the badge and read details. Then add your post below and be sure to visit the person before and after your link number to support and encourage the growing #1SS community!

Waiting, attitude adjustment and The Lion King

2012-01-27T22:27:09-05:00

These days are finding me running from one thing to the next. I've come to rely on The Never-ending To-Do list, mainly because e.v.e.r.y.thing I can think of TO do must go on the list lest I forget; bathing and breathing included.

Most important are the parent-y things reserved for the ma-Ma. Like doctor's visits. Yesterday, sports physicals for my boys topped my list since soccer is just around the corner.

Because they have a $25 deal, a local walk-in clinic is our destination when it's time for a school physical. Yesterday was no different. We walked in at 3:20.

We walked out at 5:30.

Their actual face time with the doc was about 20 minutes. The rest of the time we were treated to waiting room public broadcasting--it's been a long time since Arthur taught me a lesson and I'll be durned if the scholarly aardvark hasn't found the Fountain of Youth!

It's not hard to imagine all three of us were approximating spontaneous combustion, which might explain why one of my sons burst into uncontrollable laughter when the doctor asked him to cough. That's one response, I suppose.

Typically this type of thing undoes me. I'll fume til my fire fizzles to embers, which serves no one and doesn't even make me feel better.

But the truth of my "right now"?

I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO SIT IN A DOCTOR'S OFFICE FOR ALMOST 2 1/2 HOURS!

But yesterday something was different. Maybe it was because after I shared my Terrible Awful Very Bad Day, I received a few notes from readers whose TAVBDs aren't days, but weeks or months or worse! They were SO NICE about it, too, feeling my pain while sharing their {much more terrible awful} own, and I was flat over myself.

For goodness sakes, I get to travel to Germany off and on for the next year on the company's dime (sorta). My problems? Minor, sometimes emotional, inconvenience. That's about it.

The ridiculous wait at the doctor's office, while rude and inconvenient, wasn't life or death and my errands will get done eventually. And if they don't get done it won't be the end of the world.

On my post-doctor, rainy drive to T.J. Maxx to buy a suitcase for our trip, I had an ephiphany:

Getting mad about something in the past
is an absolute waste of time.

Now, I'm sure, being the savvy person you are, you already know this. But do you really believe this? Because believing this, owning it, changes everything for the better.

I can't change the past; it's neutral. The past is indifferent towards my present and cares not for my future. If I make the choice to dwell on the past, it can rob me of present and future joy and contentment.

I decided right then and right there ~ in the middle of the T.J. Maxx parking lot ~ that I wasn't going to allow the aggravating past three hours to steal any more energy or time.

And then I bought a really big, purple, lightweight trolley and asked the lady at check out, "Wouldn't it be funny if I had hidden a friend in it, and when you unzipped it to make sure I wasn't shoplifting, she jumped out?" and cock-eyed she hurried to complete my transaction. I might be mistaken but I think she was in a hurry to get rid of me.

Anyways...

At my epiphanous moment, Disney's Lion King came to mind. Ahhh, the sage wisdom of Rafiki, Timon and Pumba.

Enjoy, again, especially if it's been a while--

The terrible, awful, very bad day

2012-01-25T15:24:16-05:00

Yesterday the floodgates burst, and try as I might to dam them, they were unstoppable force. Today, if you look closely, swollen eyelids testify.

My breakdown was precipitated by Perfect Storm--

Discovery of losing an $850 porcelain crown
A friend hanging up on me because I snapped on the phone
Being called to love my neighbor when I have reason not to like her
The animal police arriving to arrest my dog

all occurring within minutes of each other.

The teeth

My teeth have been sensitive as long as I can remember, but in December I realized I had issues beyond sensitivity:

the porcelain had chipped off an existing crown last Summer, and the disgusting black metal remainder was beginning to peel away from my #3 tooth (upper right back for the dental neophytes) making it jump-to-the-ceiling sensitive to hot or cold and screaming for attention.
long-observed fractures in my #18 tooth (bottom back left) became problematic, not only hyper sensitive to hot/cold, but also to pressure.

With my impending two-month departure out of the country, it was time to deal with both. Because we were at the end of one year/beginning a new, and I knew my husband was starting a new job, AND I WAS TRYING TO MAKE SMART (stupid) FINANCIAL CHOICES TO AVOID TWO DEDUCTIBLES IN SEPARATE CALENDAR YEARS, I put off the crowns til mid-January (though we started the process before Christmas).

Skipping over a few details, I've been to my sadist perfectionist dentist four times in the past month. She's a conservative perfectionist, and we moved slowly to make sure I didn't need root canals in either tooth.

Yesterday was supposed to be Glory Hallelujah Day--my last visit--because along with my ish-shahs, I've had chair arm-gripping and whimpering-like-a-puppy pain, even with both sides of my mouth numbed til I slobbered silly. No exaggeration. Maybe.

B u t, over the weekend (pay attention 'cause this part's confusing) my real porcelain crown--temporarily cemented while we waited a wee bit longer to make sure I wasn't going to require a root canal--fell off. I decided to buy peace of mind by scheduling an endodontist evaluation for both teeth on Monday; there was enough lingering doubt to justify the expense. My regular dentist (whom I adore) is limited in her testing.

So I slipped my Real Porcelain Crown into an inflated Zip-loc bag, trotted off for McDreamy to look at both teeth, and was happily sent away with good news: NO root canal.

Yesterday, on my way to see my dentist to permanently seat BOTH crowns (the other one was due back from the lab), I checked to make sure my Real Porcelain Crown was in the car.

It wasn't.

I checked in my purse.

Not there either.

I came back in the house, concern starting to rise, and looked everywhere I would possibly put it--no fake tooth to be found!

The flood was beginning to rise in my throat....

The Call

It was right at this time when my friend called; the one I was supposed to let know we had to cancel a meeting to sign legal documents regarding our move. I had forgotten to call him, and he began by giving me a hard time about not responding to his multiple, earlier texts or messages, unbeknownst to him, unseen by me because my phone was a) in the car, and b) dead.

Defensive, I started crazy-talking, shrilling about my $850 lost crown and THIS WAS NOT THE TIME TO GIVE ME A HARD TIME AND....

I looked down at my phone because he wasn't responding, only to discover there was no one on the line and I'm thinking HE HUNG UP ON ME?!?!

But by now late for my dental appointment, I called the office to explain what was going on and begged them to phone the endodontist to see if by chance they had found a crown tucked in a baggie on their waiting room floor.

Frantic and with tears falling, I went back to my car and started looking from the passenger side, positive it had been on the seat the day before. It was then I noticed an idling vehicle parked in my driveway, the view partially obscured from a closed garage door. At first I thought it was the friend who had hung up on me, but then I could see writing on the side of the door, and figured it must be a technician here to read a meter or something.

Not finding the tooth and going back into the house, I was in full blown panic.

I was furious (I had lost the crown), upset (over the expense of replacing it), frustrated (I hadn't just gotten it permanently cemented on the previous visit), and concerned (there wasn't time for the lab to make a new one BEFORE I LEAVE THE COUNTRY).

Let me stop here to say I am not typically emotional, I rarely cry, and I've often wondered if that was the Number One reason my husband chose me 24 years ago and keeps me around today. I'm easy. Complicated, yes, but not high maintenance. Not to say if you cry you're high maintenance, but he'll tell you he appreciates this in me.

So I'm spinning in circles in the middle of my kitchen mentally retracing my footsteps. The Recycling Center. Office Depot. Verizon. I was in and out of my car a half dozen times following my endodontist appointment and it must have fallen out of my purse or car seat sometime throughout the day.

It was a lost cause. An expensive lost cause.

The Dog Police

I was weepily coming to terms with this when I heard a knock at my front door. I couldn't very well ignore it; whoever was in my driveway had to have heard me rustling through my car minutes earlier. I composed myself and opened the front door.

But eyeing the badge on his right hip sent me into a banshee's tailspin again. The poor man, stunned, said, "Ma'am, do you need a few minutes?" to which I wailed, "NO! PLEASE JUST TELL ME WHY YOU'RE HERE!" and I almost felt sorry for the guy 'cause by now I'm a hot mess, but I still don't know who he is or what he wants.

"I'm sorry to inform you we've received complaints about your dog and I'm here to issue a warning...."

I'm snubbing and snotting and can barely speak, and this guy...this guy doesn't know what to do, but no, OH NO, if he's here to do a job, who am I to stop him just because I'm having a Vesuvian eruption?

He can't tell me who issued the complaints, but we know who it is.

And it's solely because of her that we're having to find a new home for the puppy we've had nine years... :(.

In between snubs I ask the man to please tell the complainant I have actively been looking for a new home for the past month (since being made aware of Judie's wrath), and I'll take care of it. He gently offers, "Ma'am, I can help you with that," to which I squall, "BY 'HELP ME WITH THAT' DO YOU MEAN 'KILL' HER??!" and he assures me that's not what he means. He knows people who would take her and love her.

Remarkably, I have the presence of mind to take his name and number rather then surrendering my dog without talking this through with my husband.

Ugly Cry

I walk upstairs to my bathroom and had to laugh at my reflection--mascara is not only streaked down both cheeks, it's smeared across my forehead and all I can think is HOW DID IT GET THERE? My eyes are bloody and swollen, my nose looks like a drunk's and my lips are puffy. Lovely.

And I still have to go to the dentist to have my bottom crown cemented.

The whole way there I'm losing the Maintaining Composure battle, but I only think I'm under control; when I walk through the door and see Gwen, her sympathetic eyes unleash the dam once again and I manage to stammer "I...can't...stop...crying...." and I'll be darned if the entire office staff doesn't rally around me and hand me tissues and motion to "where I need to wipe" and hug me and not seem to notice or care I'm 40 minutes late with bats in the cave.

Bonus: Michael Jackson's greatest hits were playing.

One permanently-cemented crown, the lab rushing the other by Friday, finding out it was a DROPPED CALL not a hang-up from my friend, Carrabba's Shrimp & Scallop Spiedino Di Mare and dinner with friends later, at least the tears stopped.

And, yes, I know, it could have been much worse--we aren't talking life and death or natural disaster, and an amazing adventure is just around the corner (though sometimes it will masqurade as great challenge)--but for just a few hours the Robin I know was unrecognizable and out of control.

And that's what happened exactly one week before I leave for Germany.

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If you've ever had a terrible, awful, very bad day, feel free to vent in comments.

And, if you're in Chattanooga and want a wonderful dentist referral, email me; I still have nothing but mad love for mine!

And the Oreck Magnesium winner is....

2012-01-23T08:55:09-05:00

Lucky number 858!

Which meant I had to scroll through a LOT of pages of comments before I arrived at the winner's name. This is when numbered comments come in really handy!

I wish I could see her face when she realizes she just won a $600 vacuum combo for entering a blogger's giveaway a few times :).

Congratulations Kathy! And many, many thanks for all of you who entered! If you were so impressed with the Oreck Magnesium and the Ultimate Handheld Vac that you'd like to own a combo of your own, remember to use the code "Pensieve" and receive free shipping though the end of the month!

A wrinkle in time

2012-01-22T15:27:00-05:00

No matter the extreme measures you use to prevent aging, it’s going to happen. It’s natural.

And sometimes the more you resist, the faster those changes seem to occur, don’t they?

But I’ve come up with a way to win this battle; when wrinkles burrow and shape shifts and weight won’t go away no matter what you try…

Please click to continue reading how I've found victory over wrinkles at Therapon's The Skinny ~ all things beauty.

One Sentence Saturday #1

2012-01-21T11:43:04-05:00

I was so forgetful during pregnancy, one day I forgot to wear a bra to work.

(click image for explanation)

Your turn! Remember to visit your linky neighbors!!

Introducing...a REALLY fabulous, fun, fast blogging thing: One Sentence Saturday

2012-01-21T11:23:57-05:00

If you're a blogger and you're like me, you're mentally composing THE BEST POST YOU'VE EVER WRITTEN at the most random of times--in the shower, tossing and turning in the middle of the night, when you're driving--only to have no memory of it when you're actually in front of a computer with time to write.

I've written ~ and forgotten ~ hundreds of 'em.

Couple that with those days (and weeks and sometimes months) when life is six shades of crazy and you just don't have time to pour out your brilliance in bits and bytes, but by golly you're thinking it, oh-yes-you're-thinking-it, and gracious! wouldn't it be NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING LIT'RA'TURE if you only had the time to explore and pen your thoughts?!

That's kinda the Season I'm in.

Well, recently Pamela (unbeknownst to her) inspired me to create a fun little exercise intended to ~

spark creativity
arouse reader's curiosity
demand word economy
satisfy the compulsion to blog s o m e t h i n g
cultivate a fun little blogging community
require only a little time

Introducing One Sentence Saturday!

The rules? Simple:

Happy or sad, deep or shallow, inspiring or challenging, funny or serious, write a one-sentence post that tells a story you hope to elaborate on in the future; but if not, it's sufficient to stand alone. Then link back to the One Sentence Saturday linky, and in the spirit of blogging community and encouragment, commit to visit at least two other participants (preferably the person right before you and after you in the linky) and leave a comment.

That's it. Have you EVER seen a blogging ANYTHING so easy? I hope you'll join in. I hope you'll spread the word.

Here are a few buttons if you'd like to include one with your post with a link back to this explanation (thank you!).

My One-Sentence Saturday with the Master Linky is coming in a bit; for now, I just wanted to introduce her to you :).

What you do 12 days before you move to Germany...

2012-01-19T12:48:16-05:00

Tick tick tick...

Can you hear it? Because I do, and it's loud and relentless....

Time. Ticking. Away.

My life as I know it will monumentally change 12 days from now and I am feeling its enormity.

After 19 years in the paper industry, my husband is changing careers. He's leaving a dying industry to become part of a growth industry, joining a company that manufactures, among other things, hyper pure polysilicon.

Which tells 99% of you absolutely nothing, eh?

The simplest explanation is it's used in solar panels and microelectronics, and the plant here is sold out through 2015 although it won't even open for production until 2013.

Which is why MY life is changing: Tad's training will take place in Germany while their local facility is under construction.

Somebody scream!!!

Ummm, wait...I just did....

So, on January 31 I will join him for about nine weeks as he makes the transition to Burghausen, Bavaria; our boys will stay home under the care of family and close friends. I'll return in April to finish out the school year with them; Tad will make his first trip home in May, and then we'll all go back for the Summer while friends house sit. What happens next school year is still undecided; Thomas will be a senior and that complicates decision-making.

What I DO know is this opportunity is a precious gift on multiple levels; when I allow myself space to contemplate that aspect, I can barely maintain composure--

Tad has had his eyes open for the right opportunity for a number of years; this position allows us to remain in the place my children consider home, less than an hour away from my daughter's college.
The opportunity for travel throughout Europe while we have a home base there is INSANE! Burghausen is on the Austrian border near where The Sound of Music was filmed. DO YOU REMEMBER HOW BEAUTIFUL THE AREA IS?! We'll be 80 miles east of Munich, within driving distance (or a train ride or cheap flight) of Italy, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, the UK.

I will gladly give up food for travel. Lose weight + see the world = WINWIN

We'll get to reunite with my first cousin who lives about three hours away. She's lived in Germany over 20 years; I cannot believe our placement is so near, allowing us to get to know each other as adults.
Personal development. We're going to be immersed in a new culture in a far-away country, challenged to learn a new language. I'd say the odds are good we'll come back different human beings.
Intercultural awareness. I cannot wait to break the barriers of preconceived notions and stereotypes as we experience the truth that people are just people, the geography is just different. Plus, we get to act as unofficial U.S. Ambassadors; for some, we'll be the only Americans they ever meet!
Metric. I'll finally learn it. Do you realize the United States is the only country in the WORLD (with tiny exception-I-can't-remember-right-now) that uses Imperial measurement? WTheck is wrong with us?
Professional development. For Tad...he's a great manager of people and processes and I'm over-the-top THRILLED for this opportunity for him work for a 21st Century company.
Moving beyond comfort. Without going into detail, I've lived in a spiritual desert for a long, long while. But all the while I've had a sense of peace, believing in spite of my doubt or drought or whatever, that God was accomplishing a work of His choosing in me. Over the past several months he's begun to awaken me from my spiritual slumber, gifting me with a desire to worship Him and read His word, which I assure you, is a gargantuan shift. The timing of this job thing coincides perfectly; to move me out of my comfort zone and beyond the familiar...well...I have a sense that what has come before has prepared me for what lies ahead. I have no idea what that means, but my soul, she's a'stirrin', with expectation and anticipation.

So. What do you do 12 days before you move to Germany?

You pack up everything you think you'll need to live in an apartment a quarter of the size of your current house. It's a guessing game you hope you're close to winning.

You obsess over the illogical. Because my friend Neal (who works for a German company and has traveled there often over the past 20 years) told me to prepare for my trip by using sandpaper to wipe, my current obsession is toilet paper. I've bought 48 rolls so the boys will be taken care of, and the same amount for me and Tad. I also keep binge-buying snacks for their lunches.

You realize you aren't moving to a Third World Country and they actually have super markets, but you can't stop worrying about freakin' toilet paper.

You start talking on the phone for the first time in years. Mercy...I forgot they worked for something other than texting and taking pictures!

You squeeze in good-bye visits but suddenly realize you haven't done a good enough job of planning that kind of thing.

You finally work on your New Year's letter, having forgone Christmas cards because you knew this was coming in January, to let everyone who doesn't read your blog know what's going on. You can't afford that number of stamps.

Every time you look at your kids, you look at your kids. You have eyes to see what was formerly imperceptible, and your heart floats to the center of your throat and you can't speak or you'll fall apart.

s n i f f ...

I'm sure much of my writing over the next year will involve sharing our experience with those who care to follow. But, I also plan to finally finish my parenting series, and I'll continue writing for (in)courage, Simple Mom and Therapon, and curate great content for Story Bleed. I'll also continue writing for Vicks VapoRub through March...it is the cough and cold season, after all.

If you have interest in following our Bavarian adventure, now would be a great time to subscribe in a reader or by email; it would mean a lot to me to know you're virtually holding my hand, praying for us before and during Tad's assignment. When I'm with him, I'll be homesick for my babies; when I'm with the children, I'll be missin' Tad something awful. When we're altogether we'll probably be clawing each other's eyes out.

Just sayin'.

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on where we need to go and what we need to see; I'm working on our European Bucket List and we'd love to learn from your wisdom and experience!

Related posts:

The Year of Living Dangerously

Clues that led up to our news

Eventually I get to the point; it ends in haiku

2012-01-17T07:33:36-05:00

Early on in blogging, before there were such things as intention beyond spilling random thought, building your brand, or sponsored posts and giveaways, when everyone read everyone else's blog and actually commented (gasp!), before Facebook and Twitter and vanity URLs...

I had a blogging friend named Ree who wrote about livin' la vida loca, ranch-style.

There was a loosely-held community, bound by an affection for sharing words and life, and we really got to know each other, the way you can when you're channeling each others' thoughts on a daily basis. My community's cast of characters included a wonderfully-endearing, dyslexic Coloradan who I think lives in a swamp, the first person who started commenting to me with some regularity (and I thought she was an oil baroness), her mother who sometimes painted masterpieces with words, a fabulous photographer, a curmudgeonly, ardently-cussy (& ultimately loveable) Australian, some mommy bloggers from Texas (including the pre-bloggess Bloggess)...and a pioneer woman. The Pioneer Woman. There were others in the mix, but many have long since stopped blogging or we've moved on.

Back in those days I religiously read every. single. person. who commented to my blog, and not only did I reply to their comment, I'd visit their blog and leave long, lovely comments to their posts. It took a lot of time ~ all my time ~ and eventually in the pursuit of Life Balance, I became a sucky commenter (and for the most part killed a lively, ragamuffin community).

My mornings always began with my first cup of coffee and reading Pioneer Woman, a habit that lasted for years. I still read her wonderful blog but with less regularity.

This morning I popped in on PW, delighted to find her entire post written in haiku! If you follow me on Twitter and happen to see my early morning tweets, you already know I start most days with a little poem, more often than not, haiku. Haiku composition demands word economy ~ not my strong suit ~ AND I love the creative prompt to begin my day.

So...when I read Ree's post, my heart burst into song and tiny cartoon hearts danced around my head! I was compelled to reply with my own haiku, then promptly popped over to Twitter where I published this morning's daily poem, I think one of my favorites.

obsidian sky

diamond-sprinkled black velvet

softly kisses dawn

Haikus make me happy. Haikus are FUN to write! Haikus spark creativity for greater good! Yes, yes--haikus can make your day BETTER! Won't you share one with me right now? What are you waiting for? Giddy-up!!

photo credit