Another early post... but probably a late night

Guess which creature is this! Peanut's favorite hiding place.

 It started to rain by the time I got back walking the dogs tonight (for their second time this evening).

 Pretty flowers from today... I love the pink highlights!



Work went okay today, it was a light day.  Although it started off with the on-call phone ringing at 5:15am this morning. UGH!  I got 3 notes written today, including 1 assessment, but I have two more assessments to write tomorrow and 2 more notes leftover from today.  What do they say.. the job isn't finished until the paperwork is done. I had a couple meetings with my boss today (one to give her the reports I took over the weekend, and the other when she was having problems with her computer so came into my office (I didn't have a client at the time) to chat.  She's trying to figure out when I might be leaving (so she can plan accordingly).  But... there's no way I know how fast or slow the process may go.  This morning I thought the process might take a few weeks. But then this afternoon (after I got home) I got an email that said the part I thought would take the longest, might be done by later today (Alaska time).  The person made it sound like I might actually have a final offer by the end of this week (barring any problems).  WOW! (I'll believe that when I see it).  So who knows... I might be leaving Germany sooner than I expected.

This weekend I *am* heading up to Poland to pick up some more Polish Pottery. When I was up there a couple years ago, I picked up a "two place setting" of a pattern that I like, so now I'm going to hopefully go pick up 6 more place settings of that pattern.  I'll pick up a couple other pieces I hope too.  I don't have a lot of extra money to spend, but it's a lot cheaper up there.  I know, I know... the cost of the trip with 2 nights up there, it would be cheaper to get it here... but they don't have the specific pattern I want here.  So... here comes a road trip!

Tonight I am hoping to stay up and watch Germany play Algeria. They start their game here at 1000. (At least it isn't midnight like I had previously thought!).  I watched France beat Nigeria. So... if Germany wins tonight, they will be playing France (THAT should be an interesting game!).  That game would be Friday... so I hope the place I will be staying on Friday night will have a TV that can play the World Cup.

Other than that... I found out that a former co-worker (she is a Physician's Assistant that I first got to know when I first arrived in Germany and went to Amsterdam, she was on that trip), anyway, yesterday she got word that her younger sister went missing on a rafting trip in Colorado.  She and her sister were pretty close.  Doesn't sound like the outcome will be favorable if they haven't found her by now. She went missing Saturday late afternoon and they searched til dark and had to give up.  I haven't heard anything more since then. SO... keep my former co-worker Jessica in your prayers and for her sister Amanda who is missing (AND the whole family).

Signing off...

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Earlier post tonight...

Not sure if  I posted a pic of my current flowers on my table... but here are the flowers I got last week (and they still look just as pretty).

It's been a lazy day. After going to bed after 4am... I got woke up by the on-call phone about 6:15am this morning.  UGH! Thankfully, it was just one of those situations where I just had to take the information and didn't have to respond.  Of course... I went back to bed and got up about 10:30am.  I took the dogs out for a short walk, then came back and made our Sunday brunch (toast, bacon and egg).  Then we watched a little TV and laid down for a(nother) nap and woke up about 4:30pm or so.  I started to take the dogs out for another walk, but it was cut short when it started to sprinkle and we got home just in time for the downpour (missed the worst of it).  It's been raining since.  I had thought I might walk the dogs down to our little town's fest, but that's out.  So... now I'm watching the Netherlands and Mexico play.  At the moment Mexico is ahead by 1. I'm rooting for the Netherlands.  But... they've only got about 10 more minutes of play.

I made my typical Sunday dinner... steak with garlic and buttered potatoes (I cut the two small potatoes into chunks, then nuke them, then I put them in foil along with season salt, garlic salt, minced garlic and minced onion, today I added bacon bits (because I have to use them up) and then I put some butter in there and wrap it all up in the foil and bake it in the oven along with the steak.  Probably my most typical Sunday night dinner.

Okay... signing off...

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Argh! Sometimes I wish I weren't a night owl by nature!

A flower that I took a photo of today... I've said it before and I will say it again... I'm glad I've got neighbors with beautiful flowers and green thumbs!

Well... I slept in until 9:30 or so this morning, and then took a nap this afternoon... guess who isn't in bed and it is 4am!  I went to the grocery store about 6 tonight, then went and watched Brazil beat Chile (I was rooting for Chile... it came down to the kick-off at the end).  Then I went to work, where I spent more time searching travel options for next weekend.  I can get a hotel in the Naples area of Italy next weekend, including flights for under $500. But... I just couldn't find a place I was happy with, just where I wanted to be.  (I was looking at the flights and 3 nights in a hotel).  I will continue to look, but at this point it looks more cost effective to just run up to Poland next weekend. But, if I do that... I don't need the extra couple days of leave that I have put in for.  Ahhh... decisions, decisions.  And then I got my notes all done (although I didn't complete the three assessments... I did put a  note in without them).

I stopped and got gas on the way home and then took the dogs out (and there were people out wandering around my neighborhood at 3:30am! I think it was because our little town is having their weekend summer party).

Okay...  signing off.

Auf Wiedersehen!

- Kris

Thank goodness for another Friday...

 I love these colorful purple flowers growing around my neighbor's gate to their house.

 And this is at another neighbor's house... the photo doesn't do it justice. Maybe if you "click" on the photo and enlarge it? It's a beautiful tree/bush they have planted there.

Driving down the main street in my town... more German pride (they have sewn 4 flags together to make 1 large one. ).

Work went okay today... I only had two appointments (and a meeting) scheduled this morning, but shortly after I arrived, both appointments called to cancel (hey... it's Friday and it's a gorgeous day out!). But... someone else called to see if they could come in this morning, so I was able to get them in.  I *didn't* get my notes done though (YIKES!).  The only ones I didn't get to, were the ones from yesterday. I think I have 9 notes to write, to include 3 assessments.   Guess who will most likely be going into work sometime this weekend. Yep. Me.  I also didn't look to see what my schedule is like for next week. I usually try to look (it is all online now), so I have an idea what to expect for the coming week. I do better if I can prepare for the upcoming week.

Tonight I took the dogs for a short walk... up to the "four corners" and then came back a tractor trail that runs along the edge of the forest (forest on one side, fields on the other).  The dogs haven't had a decent walk for awhile.  I haven't been home the last couple nights (so the neighbors have taken them out when I normally would have after getting off work).

I've been "chatting" with my oldest daughter online.  She's up in Alaska.  It's nice to have her there to help answer questions (or get answers to questions) about my possible move up there.  I found out the reason the HR department has been dragging their feet on getting me information, is because the woman I would be corresponding with was in a car accident, so apparently is dealing with recovery stuff.

Okay... signing off for another night.

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Ah Darn! Germany beat USA tonight

 Love these roses, the color of them.

After the game (when Germany beat USA 1-0) many Germans were driving around honking their horns, there were kids lining the town I live in (near one of the entrances to the town) waving flags, yelling and cheering.  Then when I was walking the dogs... these girls in the photo above were running around the neighborhood yelling and cheering with the flag between them. It's nice to see such pride (and I'm glad that US is still going forward). 

Work was busy today... I had 3 no shows (1 appointment and 1 person from another appointment that was a family). So... I only have 9 notes to write from today! (that will have to be done tomorrow).  I did manage to get all notes done except for yesterday's and today's.  AND we got off work an hour early so everyone that wanted to, could get to their destinations to watch the soccer match.  I went to the local Community club on the military base and watched it with a bunch of Americans (and *some* Germans).

Now it's 9:30pm... I still have a couple things to do before I head to bed... so will sign off.

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Another late night...

It's way past my bedtime, so I am going to keep this short tonight (I hope).  Work went okay today, steadily busy and I had one appointment that went really long (and way into my lunch hour... thankfully I had brought a sandwich for lunch!).  Tomorrow if everyone shows up, I'm scheduled to see 12 people! YIKES! (every appointment has more than 1 person tomorrow).  That's going to be a lot of note writing!

Tonight I stayed after work and went to a ceremony honoring the local German providers, there were over 130 medical associated people there.  I got to meet two German Psychiatrists and a couple Psychologists (they are actually Americans that have been living in Germany a LONG time).  I basically went to represent where I work (there were 3 of us out of 8 that I work with right now).  I didn't leave there until after 8:30.  I had arranged for my neighbors to take the dogs out (which they did).

Tomorrow I won't be home til late either, because I am going to go watch the German/American soccer match. 

Last night I didn't go to bed until after midnight. I decided to stay up and make the scones and I took some into work today.  They were enjoyed. I made almond blueberry scones.  Num, num!

Okay... it's 10:45pm... time to sign off and go get ready for bed.

G'night

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Gotta get to bed!

Here's the sunset photo from tonight.

This morning I woke up and found an email from the personnel office for the position I had gotten a tentative offer from... finally with the first of the paperwork to start completing.  I have to complete it and confirm that I am still interested in the position by June 26th.  I didn't realize until I re-read the email tonight, that the base pay is quite a bit more than the initial first offer I got for the position.  THAT is nice!  I've written back with some questions about the forms that I have... to make sure I get them completed correctly.

Work went okay, but the next three days are scheduled to be busy.  And I will be late coming home a couple nights. Tomorrow there is a "social" hour for local providers and Thursday I'm staying near where I work to watch the US vs Germany Soccer match.  Tonight I watched Italy and Uruguay play.  Uruguay beat Italy, but I was NOT impressed to see one of their players BITE one of the Italy team members... I mean... who does that? Is he NOT an adult? I hope they ban him from the rest of the series (they amazingly didn't red card him on the spot!).

I also got an email from the daughter of some (elderly) friends that are coming to Northern Germany the end of July.  I'm hoping I can work it out to go see them.  Time and money will tell.

Okay... it's after 11pm.  I went for a walk with my neighbors tonight and I was gone longer than I had expected to be. AND... I want to get up early and make some scones in the morning, to take into work.  A friend recently moved back to the States and gave me 2 large bags of blueberries. I've got the ingredients made up, will just need to mix the wet and the dry (AND the blueberries) in the morning and then get them baked.  Short night for me tonight (I've been sending some emails and I've been watching Japan and Columbia play in the World Cup... but don't think I can wait another 40 minutes for them to finish).

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Some scenes from the International Food festival yesterday

 I'm not sure what this stately building is in Sindelfingen - maybe a bank?

 This woman was a great belly dancer

 I love listening to people play the pan flute!

 One of the many booths... I think these folks were selling candy

 A live German brass & drum band

 This booth wasn't too busy

Neither was this food booth selling bratwurst (the booths selling non-traditional food seemed to do better... makes sense).

These dancers, I'm not sure where they were from (Hungary? Russia?)... were wonderful dancers... the venue was packed and the crowd LOVED them.

These were some more photos from yesterday.

Today has been okay.  Last night I set my alarm to wake up at 1 am so that I could get up and watch the last half of the Portugal and US game (World Cup).  At half time, Portugal was ahead by one, then we scored 2 points and in the LAST minute of overtime (soccer for some reason gets time added on at the end of the game... probably due to delays during the game)... anyway in the last minute of the game... Portugal scored and tied the game.

Needless to say... I've been tired today.  Thankfully it wasn't a busy day.  Tomorrow isn't super busy either, but if everyone shows up I'll have 6-7 notes to write at least.

Tonight I've watched Netherlands beat Chili in the World Cup... now it's just after 8pm and I think I'll take the dogs out for another short walk and then come back and head to bed early.

So... signing off...

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

One of my favorite European deserts...

It starts out with the person wrapping dough like this around what looks like a rolling pin. 

 Then they put it in a rotisserie oven type thing and brown the dough.

Afterwards they take it out and roll in whatever topping you want... I wanted cinnamon sugar, that's my favorite.

Then they place it in a bag for you take with you. (this was a photo of the person's in front of me).

 

NUM NUM!

 

Today has been a nice day... got up around 9am... took the dogs out and then went over to feed my neighbor's cats and I let two of them out (the other one likes to disappear to a couple different neighbors' houses... so I figured it would be easier to just keep him inside).  But then I went back two times and while Peach came in, Pogo was nowhere to be found.  I emailed my neighbors (actually... facebooked them) and let them know I was headed out and that I couldn't find Pogo.  They found him out back under some bushes.  I let them know that he didn't seem right and didn't want to eat this morning... so Donna is going to take him to the Vet in the morning to have him checked out if he isn't acting better by then.

 

I got to have some quality time hanging out in my hammock today, that's always nice. The dogs don't like it when I am out there, because they want to be with me, but it is too warm for them.

 

I went with a friend to a local International Fest and we walked all over (Kirstin, her daughter Millie & I).  We settled for some Greek food.  And I got the doughnut type thing above for my desert (which I brought home to eat). I did get my 10,000 steps in today, so that is good.

 

Okay... it's 9pm, I'm going to sign off because I hope to wake up about 1am to finish watching the US - Portugal game (which starts at midnight here). I watched the tail end of the Russia - Belgium game Belgium won 1-0). My logic for who wins the game is sometimes funny.  I told my neighbors I was rooting for Belgium because their landlord is from Belgium (she's also on my Facebook page)... and besides... US is angry with Russia right now for what they are doing in Ukraine, so that's a good reason to not root for them! *smiles*

 

Auf Wiedersehen!

- Kris



Another Lazy Saturday

Rose late in the day yesterday...

 Same rose this morning... opening up and beautiful!

This bud's for you! *smiles*

I love walking in my neighborhood, and enjoy the flowers my neighbors have planted!

 

I *did* have a lazy day... didn't come upstairs until noon today (I did let the dogs out briefly around 7:30am).  Then I laid down for a nap.

 

Didn't do much today... got some laundry done... laid in my hammock... grilled some hamburgers for dinner (two for me, 1 for the doggies).  I did a good job. *smiles*  Tonight for a snack while watching the Germany/Ghana game I made some kettlecorn.

Speaking of the game... I was surprised that the Germany/Ghana game ended up in a tie.  US beat Ghana.  I need to check and see what time US plays Portugal tomorrow... I hope it isn't too late.  Portugal is coming into the game with some injured players and if the US wins, then we will move forward into the Championship.  Every time Germany scored tonight, I had neighbors shooting off some fireworks.

 

Okay... signing off...

 

Auf Wiedersehen!

- Kris

Past midnight once more...

Flowers and sunset photos from today...

It IS after midnight and I need to head to bed!  Work went okay today, I had one no-show, but I knew there was a chance because the person had said they might be flying out today.  I hope that their not showing means that they did fly out after all.  At lunch we had a going away party for a co-worker that has been with us for a long time.  She will be missed, that's for sure.  But her husband is retiring and it is time for them to leave, unfortunately.

Tonight I had an appointment to get my nails done and then ran some errands afterwards (got fresh flowers for my table!).

Then I came home and watch France beat the pants off of Switzerland! Wow!

Okay... keeping this short... still no paperwork regarding the new position... I keep waiting.  But... I also know things work out the way they are supposed to, so it will happen when it is supposed.

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Easy day at work... and a beautiful day weather-wise

 The start of my day... my walk with the dogs this morning

 This bike has sat out here for a couple days... if this were in the States, the bike would have been stolen by now.

The end of my day...

Work went easy today, I only had 2 appointments scheduled (don't ask me... I am no longer in charge of my own scheduling!)... and had a cancellation (due to transportation problems, but they are going to come in tomorrow).  I did get a couple more online trainings done.

After work I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple things and then had to stop by my bank to pay my internet bill. (It used to come out automatically, but now I have to go into the bank and pay it... I'm not going to stress about it, because it will only be a couple months hopefully).

Tonight I watched Columbia play an Ivory Coast team (Columbia won... that's who I was rooting for in this match).

Okay... it's 10pm once again... time to sign off (England is playing Uruguay right now and Uruguay is ahead 10-0).

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Argh! Another late night...

 A lot of Germans are flying their flag during Soccer season (during the World Cup).  That's one thing about German's they are very proud of their "Fussball"team.  The cars have flags and even the German emblem on the backs of their side mirrors on their cars.  Tonight when I was walking the dogs, I saw a local German that rides around in an electric wheelchair and he had two German flags proudly waving behind him as he whizzed up the street.

Another gorgeous sunset here in Germany! *smiles*

Work went okay, it was a quiet day, although I wasn't as productive as I had hoped to be.  Had a couple meetings to tend to today. 

Tonight I've been watching soccer... right Chili is ahead of Spain 2-0.  There have been some interesting games... but they go on past my bedtime!

Okay... keeping this short.  By the way... I still haven't got my paperwork from Alaska to start completing for that job up there.  They are moving slow. (The HR dept is).

Signing off...

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Watching more soccer.

The apples are starting to show up on the trees (these are smaller than a golf ball yet) in the neighborhood fields.

Quiet day today after all. I thought I was going to be heavily scheduled, but I had a lot of cancellations today and I have a lot of cancellations for tomorrow.  When the weather is decent, people would rather be out enjoying the weather and getting outside, than sitting in an office doing counseling. *smiles*  I don't blame them. Just glad that I'm not in private practice on days like this.  I *did* get a LOT of online training done (not mandatory, but Social Work related).  It will come in handy when I have to submit my continuing education information.

Tonight I've just been watching soccer. I've made it through half time of the Brazil/Mexico game. I'm not sure who I am rooting for... I've got good friends from both countries.  I am also making some oatmeal cookies to take into work tomorrow.  Num num.

Okay... signing off it is 10pm.

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris

Lichtenstein Castle

I'm such a rebel... you aren't supposed to take photos inside the castle... but I *so* want to share what I see with others (and I don't use a flash which might cause harm).  Anyway... here are some photos for you.

Work was easy today, only had 3 appointments scheduled and had one no show.  Tomorrow is heavily booked though... so I will be busy (unless I get a cancellation or no-show).  I had one frustrating thing today... my boss gave me a list of new people to see... and I *really* feel that one is a conflict.  The boss doesn't see it as such.  It's not very often where I say that that I don't want to see someone, I always take whatever comes my way... so you would think I'd get a "buy" on this one (a "pass")... oh well.    Why do I have a conflict? Because I'm seeing someone else that has a conflict with this particular "appointment" and wouldn't you know it... they got scheduled back-to-back. Ugh!  Thankfully there's a 1/2 hour break between the two appointments, so hopefully it won't be an issue tomorrow.

Not much going on tonight... I'm watching the "World Cup" with Germany playing Portugal (and Germany scored the first point).  I'm rooting for Germany, of course!

Okay... signing off for tonight.

Auf Wiedersehen!
- Kris