What our house needs to look like...empty...after the movers get done with it!

I hit a nerve again.  I recently asked on my blog’s Facebook page about the dumbest move your movers have ever made.  I didn’t ask you to rank order them and frankly, I thought everyone would have something along the same lines…such as packing the trash and breaking something, which both have happened to us at one time or another.  Boy was I wrong!  Here’s what you all shared.

• Leaving half the dishes behind.
• Driving off and leaving a few boxes on my porch.
• Packing breakables UNDER my couch.
• Packing a box with picture frames, and then books.  Result, broken picture frames.
• Extra tile, laminate and wood flooring packed up that was supposed to stay with the house.
• Onpost housing keys packed that needed to be turned in after the pack out.
• Packing up THEIR trash to include their lunch wrappers (that we supplied) and the empty cardboard rings from the tape they used to close boxes.
• Leaving a whole closet unpacked.
• Packing a computer monitor with no padding around it.
• Boxes that were crushed when they rolled off the moving trailer due to the removal of a bulkhead.  Over 200 photos of damaged boxes taken.
• Random small items thrown into boxes with baking pans and other large and heavy items.
• Leaving a drill behind.  It was mailed back by us at an expense of $20 postage.  No reimbursement.
• Instead of hanging up items in the tall wardrobe boxes, stuffing them in the bottom of the box instead.
• One mover taking an entire day to empty a closet by taking EVERYTHING off the hangers and throwing them into regular boxes, not a wardrobe box.
• Mixing items from several different rooms and mislabeling them.
• A computer monitor packed in the bottom of a trashcan with a cement outdoor fountain on top, all secured with the trashcan lid.
• Letting the movers unpack ALL the boxes, leaving huge piles of books and a bed with a mountain of clothing that almost reached to the ceiling.
• A gallon of glue was packed, which exploded in transit and leaked all over the outdoor furniture it was packed with.
• A VCR not wrapped or padded, thrown into a box and then paper clips and other small office items getting inside the machine.
• Coffeemaker packed with coffee grounds still in it.
• Nothing from the bathroom was packed.
• A moving crew realizing it takes more than a day to pack out 12 crates (wooden crates are used for overseas moves mostly).
• This same crew did not have their supplies in order, such as tape and markers and had to borrow crayons from the movee.
• And old console-type TV packed on top of a laptop.
• An empty bottle of Coke was packed not because it was a souvenir, but it was something the husband had drank and put down.
• A late start to packing out due to one of the movers forgetting her ID and having to drive two hours back home and then back again.  This mover ended up being a crackhead and was sent away.
• Satellite TV receivers packed that were supposed to be turned in.
• Boxes were packed inside boxes.
• A lawnmower packed on top of a piano in one of the large wooden moving crates.
• Two kids’ ride ons that were not packed in any box and did not show up at the other end.
• Packing things we specifically told them NOT to pack, such as our 110 volt appliances when moving to Germany.
• Not securing the screws and bolts for furniture and upon arrival, no way to put beds and other furniture back together.
• Our boxes taken out of the secured wooden crates in the UK on its way to Germany with four boxes missing.
• A 5 lb bag of potatoes was packed.  Potato juice anyone?
• A loaf of bread packed.  Spices packed, thrown in a box resulting in loose spice powder and flakes everywhere.
• Taking a carefully packed bin of Christmas ornaments and rewrapping each item, put in a cardboard box and many broken upon arrival.
• Packed a rock we used to prop open the backdoor.
• Because four remaining boxes would not fit in the crate, those items were poured out loosely into the wooden crate.
• Our cat, who we thought ran away was packed.
• Folding rolls of wrapping paper in half to fit in a box.
• Wrapping a butcher knife in paper and putting it in a box labeled “plastic items”.
• Using two mattresses as padding for a motorcycle.
• Movers not showing up on their designated day, then blaming us for the error.
• Emptying all of our plastic bins into boxes.
• An antique chest was pushed across the driveway, breaking off its feet.
• A mover with severe diarrhea in my Master Bath.
• Destroying a piece of furniture that was stored sideways.
• Purposely breaking off the legs of a table to make it fit.
• Packing my glasses I needed to drive with.
• Packing our table on top of my husband’s motorcycle.
• Packing a vase with fresh roses and water my husband had just given me.
• My longtime bell collection decimated due to improper wrapping and packing.
• Furniture not wrapped and padded properly, causing chips and scrapes.
• Packing library books we needed to return.
• Packing a lampshade in with books and other heavy objects.
• Packing the used toilet brush and plunger.
• Packing a broken garden gnome.
• Forgetting two kitchen drawers full of silverware.
• A box of valuables and keepsakes missing on the other end.
• A wedding dress that was packed in a box with a Halloween costume that had a fake IV of blood attached to it.   The wardrobe box next to it had a set of neatly hung ACUs (uniform).
• Dirty and full litter box packed.

Can I just tell you I was SPEECHLESS after I read this!  I don’t think I need to complain again about our next move unless the whole kit and kaboodle is missing.  I remember one of our first Army moves…CRYING….because one of the movers had taken a keepsake that was partly made out of a one dollar bill that his recently deceased grandmother had given him as a memento.  They did pack the rest of the broken memento with the bill missing.  Yes, we have had random things broken like most folks too.  And, a few things missing but luckily nothing too sentimental or too valuable.

As I continue to dig through our drawers, bins, closets and shelves, I am going to keep this list in mind.  If you are moving, be sure to read my method to the madness of at least trying to make sure everything comes out at the other end…in order, intact and in sight!

Have your movers done anything you would consider dumb lately?

A few years ago, I wrote about my PCS dining experience.  Even though I’m part German, I had been back in the States for a few years and quickly got shocked back to reality when I had to fork over the euro to pay for my family’s meals!  Amanda, a fellow blogger also in Germany, recently shared her experiences and advice on dining out in Germany.  Let’s see what she has to say.

When I am looking for a new restaurant in Germany or want to see what people think of one I’ve been to, I look at reviews. Unfortunately most of the ones in English are written by tourists. I have started to realize they are from tourists, because they complain about the some of the same things, many of which may not be a flaw of the restaurant, but a misunderstanding of culture. Common complaints are: No one came to seat me. The food took too long to arrive. The waitress did not give me refills. We sat around waiting and were not given the check.

Of course all of these things would be worthwhile gripes in the States.  Hostesses seat people immediately or give an estimate when one can get a table. Food is prepared and presented as quickly as possible. Waitresses refill drinks, sometimes several times, without having to be asked to do so. Checks are given promptly, usually toward the end of a meal. So I can understand why an American would go to a German restaurant and think that the service is worse. I assure you, it isn’t.

In fact, in many ways, the service and the whole dining experience are better in Germany. It is different, but if you understand why it is different, then perhaps you can embrace the change rather than be disgruntled by it. I’ll look at each of the above complaints with an explanation of why each occurs.

No one came to seat me

Unless you have a large group or are going to one of a select few restaurants, you do not need a reservation, and anywhere a reservation is not required, there won’t be a hostess to seat you. Just walk in and seat yourself wherever you like among the available tables. The wait staff will notice you and come to give you a menu. If you are in doubt, you can do what we did our first time in a restaurant and hang back a bit to see what others do. If other people are walking in and seating themselves, then go ahead and do the same. If you’re unsure, you can ask the waitress if you can seat yourself. Usually they will laugh a little and tell you “Of course, wherever.”  I enjoy the freedom to pick where I want to sit, and I think you will too once you become comfortable with the idea. 

The food took too long to arrive

We are accustomed to fast service in the States. However, we also settle for processed and pre-packaged foods. In German restaurants, the ingredients are all fresh, and the food is made to order. You won’t be able to get certain foods certain times of the year because the ingredients aren’t in season. Fresh, made to order food takes longer to prepare than things coming out of a box or can. It also tastes much better. I have had food that I have absolutely loved and food that I did not love as much, but I have yet to have anything bad in Germany. It is worth the extra time it takes for the food to arrive when it is hot and fresh. If it takes a long time and does not taste fresh, then that is a valid complaint and I would be annoyed too. But for the most part, you can rest assured that you are waiting for a reason: you’re about to eat some very delicious food prepared just for you.
 The waitress did not give me refills

When you’re used to large glasses and unlimited refills, it can be a shock when you only get a .22 or .33 liter glass and you don’t automatically get a refill. In Germany, drinks are sold to the liter line and there are no free refills. So, they will only bring a refill if you ask. This is also why drinks are usually served chilled without ice. If they filled the glass with ice, you would be paying mostly for ice rather than liquid. Without ice, you’ll have more liquid than usual. If you eat and only take drinks when needed, you may find you get to enjoy more of your food because you aren’t filling with empty calories. You may also find it doesn’t take long to adjust to only having one glass. Within a month of moving to Germany, if I was given a .5 liter bottle or an American-sized glass, I couldn’t even drink it all.

We sat around waiting and were not given the check.

It is astounding how long some people will wait for a check if it doesn’t come. If you play the waiting game (unless you have asked them to speak English and they know you’re a tourist who probably doesn’t know better yet) they aren’t going to come over and ask if you’re ready for the check. Dining is an experience here. You can stay until they close if you want to. And you will sit there until you ask for the check. In the States, many times a waitress will say “no hurry” as she drops the check off right after the meal. But you feel hurried.  If you haven’t already gotten a check, it’s brought as soon as you finish, so you feel it’s time to leave. Germans don’t want you to feel rushed. You can take your time. Enjoy yourself and enjoy the experience for as long as you care to. Then, ask for the check.

Thanks Amanda for these great tips!  Be sure to drop by her blog, where she writes about her experiences in Germany and also her travels!  I don’t even think I have too much to add.  Let me briefly mention doggie bags.  Typically, there aren’t any!  It’s just not something that’s done in Germany.  About the only time I’ve seen it done is when a pensioner goes out to eat and tries to stretch his meal on a fixed income.  Because I think I’m someone special or rather because I am SO cheap, I will usually have some ziploc bags and some folded up tinfoil in my gargantuan purse.  I know now that I said that, your image of me must’ve gone down a few notches…but what can I say….at least I’m honest?  A few times the restaurant will dig out some take out containers or wax paper or those papers your butcher wraps your coldcuts in.  I told you they don’t do doggie bags.  But, if you really don’t want to leave your food behind (especially with those HUGE portions sometimes), just smile and shrug your shoulders…it’s okay…you’re a foreigner and can get away with it!

I’ve done some talking already about tipping, so be sure to check that out before heading to your first restaurant experience.

And if the tables are partly full, don’t hesitate to ask someone already occupying a table if you can share.  Unless they are saving it for someone, they will ALWAYS say the seats are free.  This is the norm in Germany and is nothing unusual.  Now when I go back stateside, I have to secretly giggle when I look around a restaurant and there are tables with two, three and one seat free and a line at the door because Americans must have some kind of aversion to sharing a table with someone and would rather wait another 30 minutes in line for an entire table to come free.  Oh, and if you see a table with a decoration in the middle with the big letters “Stammtisch” on it, this is the table for regulars who come often….kind of like a “club table”.  Don’t sit there unless you have a relationship with the restaurant already and consider yourself a regular.

Oh, and one more tip…this one from my German grandfather.  He was a stickler for fresh and top quality meat mostly, and we used to drive for an hour sometimes when we looked for a restaurant in an unfamiliar area.  I guess it rubbed off on my mother, because I can’t even count how many embarrassing times we would walk into a restaurant, do a loop around the tables…and walk right back out again, because she saw something substandard.  Anyway, Opa always told me to look for a restaurant that was attached to a butcher shop.  I have always kept that advice in my mind, and whenever I see a restaurant together with a butcher, I don’t hesitate to try it…and have never been disappointed!  I guess butchers know what they are doing with excellent cuts of meat and won’t serve you shoe leather or yucky meat smothered in gravy to hide whatever it is they are hiding.

What German restaurant tips do you have?

A cute Lego display in a grocery store in Duesseldorf, Germany

I woke up this morning like I was coming out of a cloud.  I was so sick with congestion and sore throat yesterday, I barely made it through work!  Today dawned bright and sunny…gorgeous weather in Belgium…a rarity!  Before I get to work digging through my yardsale junk to sell in prep for our move, I’m going to start cleaning out our refrigerator and freezer and knock out a few of Pioneer Woman’s quiches.  While I am waiting for the bacon to sizzle its way into the plate, this is what I’ve been reading.

Paris:  Our 10 favorite shopping districts – If you like to shop, take note.  Don’t shop like a tourist!

East Sushi, fresh Sushi with Delivery in Brussels – Many of us like sushi…but it is so hard to find fresh, even in Belgium.  If you don’t mind trekking up to Brussels, try this place that came highly recommended.

Brussels Airport – If you’ve never been, come check it out here.  Yes, it’s expensive just like any other European airport, but before you have to head up that way, have a look here.  Oh and take the train instead of driving…way less stress!

Biergartens – This is totally a German phenomenon!  There’s nothing like an honest-to-goodness German beergarden.  I can’t wait to find them in our new neighborhood!

Cocomama, Amsterdam – Many times, I don’t bother with hotels at all in our travels.  Here is a neat hidden gem in Amsterdam to spend a night or two.  It’s funny, but in the Netherlands, I’ve even rented a room in a nice family’s home.  I’ll never forget sitting down to breakfast with their family and eating a farm fresh breakfast…the best ever!

Mobile Internet in Belgium – Even in such a small country, we do have a lot of mobile internet choices.  Here is a rundown of the best bets.  Know which one works best in your area and which is the most reliable…not only the cheapest!

Treasure Hunting at the Louvre in Paris – At least once in your lifetime, you HAVE to see some of the treasures in this famous museum.  I say some, because it would take weeks to go through the entire collection.  Weeks that most of us don’t have! A quick day visit can take you through the highlights, sure.  But, what if you’ve been tons of times and want to break out of the mold of doing the same thing every time?  Or do you have kids and want to get them in on the action, cause what kid doesn’t like a treasure hunt!  This is perfect!

Top German Etiquette Rules – This is a great list.  Some of these may surprise you, because in the US, we do it differently!

The PCS drive to Ohio – Yes, with kids and pets.  And WHY do thing always go wrong on our drive?  Read this and realize you are not alone in your misery of driving cross country to your new duty location.

Am I Cheap if I Don’t Tip? -  This post is Italy-specific.  I can tell you Italian waiters LOVE Americans.  We tend to overtip.  I’ve written about it before.  Here in this post is the reasoning again.

10 Must Have ipad apps for kids – Some of these are expected…others, I hadn’t heard of before.  Yet another way to keep kids entertained when you don’t want to be creative and come up with something yourself.

The Palace of Versailles, the most infuriating place in Earth? – It’s funny how certain “tourist attractions” turn into absolute madhouses by mid-day.  And that’s the key.  I am always amazed when we are the first people waiting for the doors to open and realizing how many tourists sleep in (or take a while to get there…I don’t know why we are only one of a few standing there).  The other great time to visit these amazing places is an hour before closing.  I’ve had the Louvre all to myself at this time.  Many times, attractions will also have reduced rates before closing.  Be sure to check that out!  Love those ceilings!

A Personal Piece of History – I love hearing about peoples’ family history, especially when they have a completely different history than me OR one very similar to mine.  I too have a German background.  My mom didn’t come to the US until after she married my Army dad and had me.  I have cherished memories of my German grandparents and hearing the stories, especially of the time during the war.  I think about that bomb that fell onto the family home, destroying everything including my grandfather’s childhood photos but sparing everyone as they had chosen that particular day to be away.  My German grandfather served in the war in Czech and in Germany and just missed the Russian Front due to an illness.  His unit didn’t exist after the German offensive.  He missed another bomb by minutes, after he stepped out of a car in Neu Ulm.  After the war, he had to travel hundreds of miles by bike, in the darkness, as he was afraid to travel during the day….all to get back home to his pregnant wife…only to be arrested as suspected Nazi (as most men in his town were).  My grandmother lost almost all her brothers to the war…all serving, save one who died young from tuberculosis.  One died the last day of the war.  One survived his time in a Russian prisoner of war camp but died shortly after the war when he developed a cancer that destroyed his digestive system.  It makes you realize how delicate life is and how small decisions in the past, by your ancestors, dictated whether you ever existed or not!

The Blood and Guts of an Army Divorce – Uggghhhh…something none of us want to talk about or deal with.  Interesting insight from a military wife going through a divorce that many of us don’t think about right away.

Oh, the oven is beeping…gotta go!  And I’ll leave you with something from the archives.  Prepare the Future for You and Your Children.  Even in today’s economy, you can follow these tips to make your family secure.

Our humble abode in Belgium.

I used to joke around with my MIL.  She has had about four different houses built to her and her late husband’s specifications, and every single time, there was something either in the wrong place or forgotten or just not there!  There were design flaws and things that when it came to practical use, just bombed.  So, every time we move into a new home, I share the things in that home that would fit into my MIL’s criteria of things that just don’t work! If my landlord is reading this, please….don’t do this in your next rental house if you can help it.  The one good thing for us….we’ve got a running list of things NOT to do, should we ever build our dream house!  And, we know we will eventually move out of our current house and get to try out a new one!

• Why are all the light switches for every room OUTSIDE the room? – Even two years later, I still go into a room, groping around in the dark, just inside the door…then realize, ooops, the light switch is outside the door.  I just can’t get used to it.
• When making a staircase, please make sure each step is the same height – Belgian houses are known for their mish mash architecture.  I don’t know who came up with our tiled stairs, but I have tripped up the stairs more times than I can count.  Before I diagnosed myself with bad eyesight, I actually measured the one step I keep tripping on.  Yep, it is taller than the rest.  Isn’t it interesting how your foot raises up just enough to clear each step of a certain height?  Fascinating science.  Home builders…please take note.
• No flat sinks! – Yes, it sure is pretty, but not so pretty as it splashes drops of water all over my new shirt, the mirror and all around.  Flat sinks splash and make a mess…period.  Plus, you don’t have gravity helping to get things down into the drain. I am always cleaning the corners and having to use my hand to guide the dirty water down there….yuck.  The sink requires cleaning at least every other day too, due to the residue that tends to linger.  Gross you out yet?
• Where is the storage shed? – Since there is no garage, you should provide your tenants with some kind of yard storage.  If your house had not been so roomy, close to post and light and airy, this may have been a deal breaker for us.  Our bikes and grill spent the entire winter under ugly tarps on our back porch.  Please get a garden shed for your new tenants.
• This house needs an oven and stove that should work like they are supposed to.  I have come to hate cooking and baking since we moved here.  I finally had to put a thermometer in my tiny oven and learned to figure in 30 extra minutes to every baking recipe, because that’s how long it takes the oven to get up to temperature.  I learned to ignore what the dial says, as the numbers don’t match the actual temperature…even in Celcius.  I depend on the thermometer.  The burners are either way too hot or not hot enough and take forever to warm up.  It’s always a delicate game of figuring out how not to burn things or overboiling pots of water.  Sometimes I just want to set up a campfire outside and just cook on that.  Having a reliable oven and stove makes a huge difference in your quality of life I have found out!

What quirky things do you have going on in your home?

Looking forward to the hikes in our new home.

I received a very interesting email the other day.  It made me a little sad.  It made me count my blessings.  It also made me pray for the nice lady.  It also made me realize that what we say or do online can have an impact in others’ lives.

“I thought I would write too because you got a lot of nice comments from people who read your blog.  I read your blog too.  I am not in the military.  My only military connection is my grandfather who was in WWII somewhere.  I don’t live near a military place.  I always wanted to be a soldier but you see, I have been very very sick for most of my life with something that will live longer than me.  I was so glad when the internet came.  I follow a few blogs but yours is my favorite.  I hope you write more about what you see in your travels and more about military life.  I will never get to Germany or even on a plane.  I have doctors appointments every week many times.  But it makes me happy to read about you and sometimes I pretend I am doing it too.  I can’t wait to hear and see what you say about the Alps.  Heidi was one of my favorite stories and I always wanted to see where she lived.  Keep blogging.  Thank-you!”

To say I was touched and humbled is an understatement.  I know those words are overused, but I really do mean them.  I don’t know this lady’s name or her age, but I sent her a nice email back.  I thanked her for her interest and promised to share more everyday things and more about military life.   If I can empower someone to wake up every day and to look forward to that day, then I should feel complete too.

I guess I just never thought there would be readers who would visit me who are not affiliated with the military in some way.  Or someone who has never been to Europe or never plans to go.  Or Grandma Sarah who has a son in the Army in Germany, and since he doesn’t write her much, she found my blog to see what life is like here (yes, another reader who feels a little more connected to her son and his small family in Germany as he serves).  Then I started thinking about some of the blogs I follow.  I follow an Army widow who doesn’t fit the traditional mold, a city girl who is now a famous chef out on her husband’s cattle ranch and the adventures of a retired couple and their caravan to name a few.  Even I step out of my mold and everyday life every now and then and live vicariously through others.  That’s what so great about the Blogosphere.  You can be anyone you want to be…and then the next day….just change it.

For those of you on the fence about writing and sharing, just do it.  A good way to start out is through Blogger.  That’s how I started out.

Oh, and Heidi…even though she was not a real person, she is real in many peoples’ hearts.  When  Johanna Spyri wrote “Heidi”, she was inspired by this region of Switzerland.  Maybe I can stop by for a visit and check it out.  I have never been there.

I am hoping the comments buttons work below (sorry for all the trouble I’ve been having with the interface, but I would love for you to share some of your favorite blogs that might just surprise the rest of us!

Five Travel Apps that Could Save Your Life – Well, I don’t know about that, but you know I am always on the look-out for useful travel apps for Europe.  These are mostly US-specific but still, check them out.

New Ways to Stay in Rome – I have a friend who ALWAYS stays here.  She loves how eco-friendly the place is, even though the bathroom is down the hall.  I think they do have apartments with bathrooms, so don’t discount them.  It’s a great place to stay.

Why Gossip Should be Avoided and How to Steer Clear – Oh the fishbowl.  Isn’t that military life?  Someone is always gossiping about someone else.  Check out this great advice.

Canary Islands, Part 2 – I linked to “part 2″ because “part 1” talks about this milspouse’s nightmare with Ryan Air.  That deserves a blogpost highlighting her blogpost all by itself…OMG!  Anyway, so Coconut’s trip to Tenerife was kind of miserable over Spring Break.  I want you to read it.  Then, the next time you check out a vacation spot, talk to others who have been there.  Read every resort review you can from the same time of the year as you will be going.  Frankly, during Spring Break, almost no resorts have true beach weather on the Med…unless you are talking North Africa, you take the risk of rains, cooler temps, lots and lots of wind (especially the Azores and the Canary Islands) and closed down shops and restaurants…everything is run a little half a**, as it is still a little off season, weather-wise.  And the worst part, is that the prices won’t necessarily be that cheap, because all the Europeans lately have been on our same Spring Break schedule (their Easter break) which drives prices up across the board.

How to create beautiful iphone photos – Thanks fat Mum Slim.  She is one of the peeps I follow on Instagram.  I know nothing about photography, and she has shown me a trick or two in this blogpost.  I mean, I can’t put substandard fare on Instagram, although the filters can sometimes make your shots look pretty artistic and fun.

Tips for PCSing to Korea – It can happen.  I have a friend PCSing from Belgium to Korea right now!  Wow!  And she can only take one of her doggies:-(  It’s a command rule:-(  Plus, half her HHG shipment only!  I thought these tips were pretty interesting.

Top 10 Homecoming Don’ts – Do you have someone coming home soon from a deployment?  Read what Spousebuzz has to say about the dont’s.

Cesky Krumlov on a Budget – OK, I envy you folks stationed in Grafenwoehr, Vilseck and Hohenfels.  Within a short drive, you can be in the Czech Republic having a great time!  Cesky Krumlov is one of my favorites.  I have good memories of being stationed in Vilseck and later Grafenwoehr.  Take advantage of this stuff while it is so close.

Germans and Birthdays – The birthday thing is just done so differently in Germany.  Read this before making a faux pax.  Plus it’s just nice to know if you have any German friends.

Hot Dogs for a Crowd – Who here has not had to run some kind of food event for fundraising?  I bet not one of you.  I used to dump the hotdogs in a bunch of water…yuck, watery hotdogs in my crockpot.  Here is a much better way, plus I think you can jam more of them in there!

Funniest Mistakes the English Make in German – Yeah, ha ha…we Americans do the same thing.  If you are learning German and want to sound like you know what you are talking about, read over the short list of mistakes.

Arriving in Paris:  Getting to your hotel, situated and settled -  Forgot something?  Looking for something?  Need to decide on something else?  Read these helpful tips!

Spargelzeit in Germany – I actually used to put this season on my calendar!!!  No matter though, because you see stands all over the Heidelberg and surrounding area to announce that the delicious white asparagus is in season.  Cooked right (yes, you do peel the outside) in a little bit of butter….heaven in my mouth!  Sorry I am posting this so late, but I think you may still find some out there.

So you want to move to Germany…moving with pets – The flying thing with the airlines from stateside is still not set in cement.  The airlines, especially United, are still not clear cut on their policies and prices.  I have been watching and talking to friends….what they are being told is still all over the map!  Many have gotten so frustrated, they have taken the financial hit and gone with a pet shipping service.  Others have stuck it out and sweated til the day they got on that plane with their pet.  Read this post about some basic information to get you started.  I’ll blog more later about some of the services friends were happy with after this PCS season.

Where to pee – Not so funny when you really have to go, is it?  Europe is not like the States where there is either a public toilet or fast food toilet at every corner.  Sometimes, you cannot find a bathroom!  I’ve noticed many Belgians just stop by the side of the road and pee…men and women.  I’ve lost count of how many times I have gone home from work and seen someone peeing in full view.  I saw an American commercial the other day with Charmin and their “clean restroom” iphone app for the US.  How cool is that?  Bottom line, many public restrooms (depending on the country) require you to pay for toilet usage. I think the most I ever paid was the equivalent of of $4 or so in Oslo, Norway!  Read about Edith’s bathroom quest in Italy:-)

Household and Personal Products – Thanks to AmiExpat who is compiling a list of all the products we are familiar with…available over here.  Now you can use the products you are familiar with under their German names.

Spotted by Locals – I thought this site was a fun idea. It’s also now an iphone app and the android version is coming soon.  Read and see tips from locals in 41 cities in Europe.  Find out what the locals do in your favorite European city.  I just downloaded the app. (Note: Of course the free version only allows you to download 5 tips per city…sorry about that!).

Best Tours in Paris – Sometimes, you just want someone to hold your hand or just to make your travels so much easier.  I was SO lucky I had friends studying in Paris the many years I would go to visit.  You just see and experience so much more when you are with someone who knows what they are doing.  Check out these neat offerings.

Don’t let a cruise line, airline or travel agent pick your hotel – Especially without doing some research first!  Some will be out of the way and cost a fortune transportation-wise, because they are not on the main route.  Others will be fleabags.  Just don’t ever go into a booking blind, I don’t care how cheap it is or how attractive the photo is.  You’ll be sorry!  With the internet, there is NO excuse for you not to do your due diligence.  I always google the name of the place + review and start reading….always.

Homemade Gel Air Fresheners – I am a little bit addicted to air fresheners, especially in the bathrooms. I am tired of shelling out all that money for said air fresheners.  I’ve got a cabinet full of essential oils that are mostly not being used.  Now I finally have a use for them.  I think I can do this.

Gladiator School – Now I cannot remember who asked me about gladiator schools in Rome.  I could only find very little information on them…until now.  Here is one that a group of fellow bloggers attended.  Their outfits and poses are hilarious.  Yes, it’s expensive, but for the cool factor, I don’t think you can outdo this!  It also looks like a lot of fun for a group or large family.

Marriage Retreat – One great thing about being in the military is that one time or another, you are going to get a chance to be on an all expense paid marriage retreat.  Here in Germany and Belgium, not only do chaplains with units sponsor them but also the onpost chapels.  We finally went on one a few years ago at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort.  Childcare was also taken care of, which was nice for some of our couples who had lots of little ones.  A friend just got back from one in Germany at a very nice spa and resort.  She kept going on and on about the fresh water they drank.  Anyway, it’s nice to read about someone else’s experience with that.

7 Great Reasons to Travel with a Travel Device – I’ve taken my ipad just about everywhere but Russia. I was afraid of the secret police I think and also getting it stolen (but then I saw ipads just about everywhere, even on the subway).  This is why we like to pick lodging with wifi included.  There is nothing like taking a hot soak in a tub watching my favorite episode of Cold Case or catching up on the latest stateside news after a long day walking all over some foreign city.  Plus, as a family, we like to all bundle up into one bed and watch a nice movie before bedtime…when we are not too exhausted.  I also keep up on Facebook, Twitter and Email and have all my Kindle books and PDF books on there. I’m not a big gamer, but I do have quite a few travel and news apps I keep up with and have just started blogging with it.  Plus it’s small and light enough to carry in my backpack or purse.

OK, the distraction overload is killing me here.  Time to tell the boys to go take that Nerf stuff upstairs.  I keep thinking they’ll run out of “bullets” but I think my son’s friend brought his stash along too, as the one sitting right here by my computer has his initials on it…damn kids.

Oh, and let me leave you with something from the archives, Clean Your Bathroom in Under 5 Minutes.  I am proud my younger son has mastered this…now, I’ve got to get it through my older son’s brain!

I’m sure you all have shared landlord problems with at least one other person in your circle of acquaintances.  I remember a summer job I had in high school, working the housing office at a military post in Germany.  I can tell you that I had many a heated conversations with a landlord.  Even with the rules in Germany leaning heavily towards tenant rights, you can still have lots of headaches with your landlord.  Now I’m not talking someone like me, a summer hire as your advocate…oh no Lordy…I just said that to set the scene.   I have witnessed MANY a disagreement or altercation, and even though I speak German, I had some sweaty conversations trying to get to the bottom of a lot of issues!  I hated that the housing people gave me the job to call the landlords (low person on the totem pole I guess).  That’s beside the point, and I am WAAAY off track again.  Let me tell you a simple thing you can do to have someone well versed in the system and the language in your corner EVERY TIME you have a landlord issue and believe me, it is no one sitting in that housing office.

Most German cities and areas have something called a “Mieterverein”.  Loosely translated, it’s a “renter’s club”.  It is a club consisting of a band of renters who have hired a crack team of lawyers and advocates who will write strong letters in your behalf, fight for your rights and will go to court if need be to represent you…at no extra cost.  For as little as 60-100 euro PER YEAR, membership in your Mietverein will protect you from such nonsense.  As I have said many times before, peace of mind is just that…peace of mind.  You’ll know what I am talking about the first time your seemingly friendly landlord goes psycho about something you have no clue over.  Or perhaps your little grandma of a landlord has passed away and her children are now in charge.  Yes, that happens too.  I could go on, but I won’t.

To find the Mieterverein in your area, google your city plus “Mieterverein”, and you should find them.  As an example, here is the Mietverein in Stuttgart.  The last time I checked, membership in this particular club was about 78 euro a year.  I highly suggest you check them out!

No way am I giving up any German chow!

Thank-you Amanda for sending in some guest posts!  You all may remember Amanda.  She wrote up a great multiple part article on what exactly goes on in that inprocessing class you and your spouse attend when you first hit Germany…sometime in between the first bouts of jet lag and the act of moving out of the hotel.  Today, she’d like to talk a bit about the cost of living in Germany.  I mean, we all know the Germans are on the Euro and that even looking at a dollar, unless you are onpost will probably have a zero chance of happening.  I looked at my first dollar yesterday…I think in over 3 months.

Here’s what Amanda has to say:

As amazing as living in Germany is, like all good things, the privilege comes with a price, sometimes a steep one. We get COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) to help offset the added expenses of living overseas, but that doesn’t always cover the price difference. Our car insurance alone is $285 a month, more than double what we paid in the States. Right now, the euro is stronger than the dollar, so everything we buy on the economy (off post) is more expensive. One might think we could save money shopping on post, but that comes with added costs too. Let’s take a look at both.

On the Economy:

The biggest price difference comes on the economy. The value of the dollar in Germany fluctuates. It has been as low as $.74 and never higher than $.79 since we’ve been here. We are paid in dollars, so the second we pull out euro from an ATM, we take a loss.  At the time of this posting, one euro is equal to about $.77. That means for every euro we spend, we are spending about $1.30. That’s not a huge difference for small purchases. But if one buys, for example, several pieces toward a wardrobe or a piece of furniture, the cost becomes a bigger deal. A €100 clothing selection is about $130. A €500 furniture selection is about $650.

The exchange rate isn’t the only difference. Germany applies a 19% VAT (Value Added Tax) on many products and services. While a few things like groceries have a reduced rate of 7%, the regular 19% VAT rate is more than three times the sales tax of many states in the U.S. With the VAT, that €100 we talked about spending on clothes is really about €119, so the true cost is about $154. That €500 piece of furniture is really about €595, so you’d really pay about $770. Quite a difference, isn’t it?

Fortunately for U.S. service members and their families, there is something called a VAT form which allows us to avoid that hefty tax. They are $3 to $4 a form, depending on how many are purchased at a time and can be used on many purchases up to €2499,00. For those who use German utilities, there is also a UTAP (Utilities Tax Avoidance Program) which allows one who uses eligible companies to avoid the 19% tax on gas and electric and the 7% tax on water. If you are stationed in Germany, the local Tax Relief Office can provide further information on either of these services.

Even asking this in the store is not a guarantee all will go smoothly at the register. One time, we were in a store where the VAT form was accepted and others had been able to have it approved at the register. When we got up to the cashier, she said she would ring us up at regular price first, and we could go to the service desk to provide the form and get the tax refunded. Because the form may not be accepted or may require paying the full price ahead of time, one should always make sure to have enough euro available. (And one should always have euro as most places do not accept American credit/debit cards).

On Post:

With the exchange rate and added tax on the economy, one might think it would be cheaper to buy things on post. This may not be the case. While shopping on post is free from both U.S. and German taxes, goods are often more expensive. A bag of candy that would be about $1.5 in the States could be $3 here.  And costs can fluctuate. I heard someone talking about the frozen waffles she buys her child going from $1 to $4 over the course of about a month.  

Some of the added cost comes from the fact that some of the goods are not available in Germany and have to be shipped in. Anything that has to be kept cold has to be flash-frozen before it ships. People can also put in requests for items they miss from back home. I was surprised to find Verners, a Michigan produced ginger ale I only occasionally saw in FL and never saw in GA, here in the commissary. Considering that one can go to another country and find things that are regional in the States, one can’t really complain if it’s a little pricier to have it.

While it’s good to be aware of the added expenses of a location, don’t let that intimidate you if you’re about to move here. I see the somewhat higher cost as a small price to pay for the opportunity to live abroad in a country many people will never have the chance to visit let alone get to live in.

Kitty's first trip to Garmisch

Oops, I wonder where Chapter 3 went.  Here it is.  In my Drafts folder.  Our big accomplishment of the week was two-fold.

Not only did we get a real paper copy of our orders, but we had received a confirmation of a one month stay at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort.  Hmmm…that threw a crimp into my plan of getting a nice vacation rental where our kitty could stay with us.  Bummer…..

Since we lost our doggie last year, good ole Sebastian is it and gets ALL the love!  He is already an old man, so he has a special status in our household.

One of the few photos with our elusive kitty.

Of course now that we have orders, let the official moving planning begin!

www.fotolia.com

I think I am seeing a little bit of smooth sailing ahead and the fog has lifted a bit.  Today I crossed some major PCS roadblocks off our list!  This is our second most unusual PCS, moving from one foreign country to another, but it seems to be something that more of my friends are experiencing.  Here is what I was able to hack off our list today.

Our cat gets to stay with a cat lady!  Thanks to one of my LLMW readers and my incessant googling in German looking for such cat lady.

We’ve got a forwarding address at our new duty station already.  Thanks sponsor!  Now I have no excuse to NOT go down my list of address changes.  I like to keep an email in my Drafts folder, where I periodically will update websites/addresses/contact #s of companies we do business with.  I even include any magazine subscriptions and anyone we get mail from who is not in our address book. I periodically update it.  When moving time rolls around, I just go down the list, and check ‘em off.  I have found these last few moves, many of them allow you to change your address on their websites, except for a few hold-outs with some of our mutual funds.  Some still require changes through snail mail.

I’ve already gotten extra prescription refills and got the cat his appointment to update his pet passport and vaccinations.  His lodging is also taken care of after we move out thanks to a great friend.  We were hoping Chievres Lodge didn’t have availability, so we could all go off post…but it did!  I have seen some of the pet rooms there, and honestly, I think some pets have stayed there who were not potty trained nor crate trained….yuck.

I’ve put in a request to cancel our internet/phone/cable, but I’ve been told all I need to do is turn in the box and modems and get it shut off at that time.  Nope…not gonna fall for that.  I am doing everything officially….in writing.  It is the normal European way.

For the last month of our stay in Belgium, I have backwards planned from the date we plan to drive off….even having a few days to get out and see a few more things…because there are always a few more things to see!

We’ve gotten confirmations from our moving company and gotten loads of paperwork to go through from the transportation office.  I’ve set that aside for later reading.

Oh and you know how your family and friends always say they will come to visit you while you are in your latest location?  Of course these stateside relatives will come stay with us the week before the packers come.  In their defense, DH is getting promoted, so visiting Europe is secondary:-)  And Mammy, if you are reading this, I am VERY excited to see you!  Don’t take offense.  This is just something my friends and I joke about, as they usually have visitors too right before they leave Europe.

I’m also happy to say I finished the government paperwork to get the funds to approve my son’s private school.  It wasn’t as lengthy as the application for the school, but nonetheless, it has to be done if you want the government to pay for your kids’ school.

The last thing I did this week was the HARDEST.  I had to write up my resignation paperwork for my job:-)  This is the part I hate the most about moving….having to start all over again with networking and finding your groove at your next duty station, should you choose to work again outside of the home.

My moving binder just got a little thicker too.

How are you faring in your PCS planning?