GUTS.....**

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In late Junior High and early high school I had a friend, I know its incredible right?  I called her LongShanks because she had these really obnoxiously long legs.  We went every where and did everything together.  She was there for my first love and heartbreak, we were in Track and Field , participated in Spirit Weeks, rode bikes to each others' houses, had sleepovers, went to Football games and dances, she was my best friend.  We were both young, vibrant, energetic, gorgeous and blonde....one sporting blue eyes and one green.  

For really stupid reasons our friendship fizzled, but over the years we have kept in touch on and off, she moved, but came to visit, she met LEGS when I first met LEGS, she called, I called, we went through hard times and bad times, good times and happy times, then I moved, and moved again.  During transition and holiday travel LEGS and I stayed at her and the BF in a bands place, and then by a strange stroke of luck, she was able to make a quick trip to visit me over here in NEVER NEVER LAND.

I have been looking forward to their visit and preparing for months.  Finally, the day had come where they would be arriving.  LEGS and I drove two hours to Frankfurt to pick them up from the airport.  Just as we were pulling into Frankfurt we got a call that they had missed their flight.  I have traveled enough to know that when traveling....sh*t happens.  But I suspect LEGS was SO EXCITED about them coming, that he was INCREDIBLY disappointed and turned into the anti-christ on the way back home.

It was a major bummer, because he had gotten off work to pick them up, but would have to return to work, and I would have to pick them up solo in the afternoon.....that is....if they still decided to come.  Once I returned home, they had figured out other arrangements, and were still coming.  I ate some lunch and took a nap in anticipation of my second two hour drive to Frankfurt, and the two hour drive to return home.

I got up, drove to Frankfurt, wandered the airport in Frankfurt.  If any of you recall there was a fatal shooting in the Frankfurt airport just a few months ago, targeting American Soldiers, so I was nervous and cautious not to give away that I am American. Not wanting to wander the airport any longer I asked a travel agent where the Ryan Air Terminal was....she looked at me point blank and said 'Ryan air does not fly in here, their hub is an hour and half away."

I was ticked.  How could we not know that?  My friends were now sitting at an airport and hour and half away waiting for me to pick them up.  LEGS had no reason to be upset about picking them up just 2 hours away, now I had to drive another hour and half and 3.5 hours back...in the dark.....

Okay...so for future reference anybody who travels Ryan Air:  You must be VERY early for their flights, they are cheap, but they expect you to travel strictly on their terms, they do not even HAVE customer service.  Also, if they say they are flying into Frankfurt, that is a lie they actually fly into Frankfurt (Hahn) which is actually just a town called HAHN.....which is NO WHERE near Frankfurt.

I left Oberdachstetten at 3:40pm and did not arrive home until 12:40am.  At this point I didn't care, the BF in a band slept the way home, while LongShanks and I were able to have girl talk time, in which she gave me astounding advice. Because I had to travel so far to retrieve them I feel so much more comfortable driving on the autobahn and navigating my way through NEVER NEVER LAND.

And...it got me thinking....these people had traveled very far, and had spent a lot of money, just to see little old ME......it made me think how much trouble, stress etc., we go through just to stay connected to each other....and how it seems there is a world out there with many, many obstacles keeping us from each other as well.....

The fact that LongShanks and I had taken German class for two years in high school....made her visit to NEVER NEVER LAND incredibly amusing to us,  here we were in the land that our teacher had told us about, eating the food, drinking the beer, and seeing all the things that we had learned about in school so long ago.

LEGS had to work the first day LongShanks and the BF in a Band were visiting, so we rode the train up to Rothenberg, where we strolled the historic city, had lunch, and Schneeballed.

Two things....its not taboo in Europe to have an alcoholic beverage with lunch, and we took the wrong train home, so we had to have LEGS come pick us up.....another travel mishap....

After Rothenberg we decided to take LongShanks and The BF in a Band out for a nice dinner, and a few drinks at the pub.  LEGS and I are a really bad influence. We had them smoking, and drinking.....and then LEGS passed out.....he couldn't handle being bad....

Hangover Cure: European Style

LongShanks and The BF in the Band wanted to go to Kruezberg to sample one of 'The best beers in the World."  Kruezberg is a catholic monastery, where the monks brew their own beer.  They also have delicious food. 

German people congregate at places like these to eat, drink and visit with people, they don't care who you are, or where you are from, everybody shares the same space......the difference in the states is, we often congregate at places to eat but we stay in our respective groups, we don't socialize outside of them.....I think I like how the Germans do it better....

I volunteered to be the DD for the Kruezberg trip...on the way home we stopped in Wurzberg to get a snack at one of the local shops.  I choose, a chilled coffee drink, candy very similar to mounds, and drove us home on the autobahn listening to Black Violin and driving 100+!  

After Kruezberg we had The Best Pizza in NEVER NEVER LAND, and stayed up late into the night reliving the glory days of high school.....

On the last day they were here, we took them to a castle (which is, ya know, located right down the street from us), a GINORMOUS bike shop, McDonald's and a fest in our town....

This was me telling everybody that it was my castle and I can do whatever I want...and I also said, everybody should eat cake.....

The fest in our town was to raise money for the local all volunteer firefighters, it was a really cool night, complete with fireworks, beer, free french fries, live music (the lead singer is my neighbors Girlfriend), and a attempted kidnapping by the locals of the BF in a Band....

And then sadly, our time had come to an end....we headed out for a late night extraction....an all night driving adventure, that left LEGS and I utterly exhausted and down for two days.....

I have been doing surprisingly well as far as homesickness is concerned, but having LongShanks, and The BF in a Band come visit me in NEVER NEVER LAND has reminded me.....

Where I come from and who I am.  It bothers me that I even forgot...but sometimes when you move away you get caught up in the small little world you have created for yourself.  

Let me clarify, when you move to a foreign country you create a small radius out of survival, that small radius is all you can handle or even fathom.  

I forgot there is a big world outside, I got comfortable in my routine, I started to settle for things I know I don't like, and don't want.  It also became utterly clear to me that I need to work on learning German.

I am a full blooded ALASKAN GIRL.  I am brave, I have courage, I am hearty, ballsy, and tough.....I like ADVENTURE and I totally kick a**! And this is why.....I am an UNLIKELY military wife.....

POST SCRIPT: LongShanks and The BF in Band: We really enjoyed having you and hope you come again, and a thank you is not sufficient, but, at least you will be aware, that you gave me something priceless, you gave me back GUTS! Love on ya, ARMS

Guilty Pleasures:

You name it, I've done it......

Random Thoughts:

LongShanks kept saying that 'the pictures don't do it justice, Germany and your place are beautiful!' 

'This is kinda harsh'.....(bleck!)

From this angle.....its not good.....

One of my friends put this on her facebook status:

I am trying to be better about not using my cell phone to text.talk unless really necessary when I'm hanging out with friends. Lately it has really bothered me when other people do it because I feel like they aren't present and it takes away our time and connection.  I think most of us are addicted and I am wanting to not be anymore!!! Hope I can do better!

I responded back that having a Jihad phone has really helped me, I don't even know where my cheap phone is half the time....and thankfully, I have been more present, attentive, and alive in REAL LIFE.....

They wonder why I call him LEGS...

I called The Mommy last week before I went to my hair appointment.  She told me to stop whining and keep my blog positive....Just wanted to tell her- as much as I hate it, that she was right, and I hope this blog makes her proud! Love on ya MOMMY, your Million Dollar Baby Girl xo**

ARMS' Mailbox:

MDBG,

I love you and you mean the world to me. Missing you, but loving you every single day! Not a day goes by that I do not think of you and how special you are to me! Love ya MMDBG! The Mommy

The Mommy,

I love you, I really do, even though you are a pain in the ass and you won't stop smoking....

Thank you for telling me that you love me, and that I mean so much to you....I needed to hear it.

Love on ya, MDBG**

I really did need to hear that.....as with all babies....I have been feeling a little left out....far away, and slightly forgotten about.....

OVER & OUT

Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife....**

HAPPY 49th BIRTHDAY to THE MOMMY!

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Weather Diary: Sunny and Dry....we need rain....

49 years ago on Thursday May 24th, 1962 Linda Susanne Moore Jones was born.  She also goes by, The Mommy, Mom, Mama, Lindalee, Suzie, Bones,  Sister, Daughter, Wife and now by Nana.  She is hard working, Mother of 5.

She was born in Germany, and moved to the states when she was really young.  She grew up on a large family, and dropped out of high school to help put food on the table.  Later on in life she got her GED, went to college, worked full time, and had 5 children.

 

 

 

She has four daughters, and one son.  We haven't always taken it easy on her, and for that I feel immense guilt.  But she raised us to follow our hearts, stand up for ourselves, and always be compassionate toward others.  Since I have grown up, she has always listened to my problems, but maintained a safe distance and respected my privacy and choices. 

She seems to always know when I need a sign of encouragement, a little extra attention, when I need a kind word, a good ear, or even space.  I like how open she is to people and my friends.  I like how she is my biggest fan, I like how she admires me, even though it should be the other way around...

 

 

The Mommy and I haven't always agreed, but that is healthy, we haven't always liked each other, but that is normal, but we have ALWAYS had respect, love and understanding.....

 

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

Mommy-

 

You have reminded me to be humble and compassionate, you have always encouraged me to follow my heart, stand up for myself and for others, you have taught me to be faithful to people, to love and cherish the moments in my life, and most of all you have helped me through my marriage to the most wonderful man in the world!

I hope you have a very happy 49th birthday, and I REALLY hope you come to NEVER NEVER LAND for your 50th!

 

OVER & OUT

Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife.....**

Riding 3 deep with my posse....**

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I went for a bike ride with some friends the other day around Ipsheim, Bad Windsheim, and Illesheim- VERY European of me....

Because I have injured my ankle, I have been thinking, everybody in Europe rides bikes, it would be a great way to stay in shape and see/experience Europe.  I am getting old, my knees bother me when I run everyday, to eat the food in Europe you have to have a plan for staying fit, so I have started to really think of alternative ways for me to stay in shape and see more of Europe.  I have been starting to really think I could be the female version of Lance Armstrong....don't laugh at me....nobody thought I would be good at boxing either....

Since then I have been riding LEGS' OLD Trek mountain bike around, which is rusty, and old- did I already mention that? And its too tall for me.  What this means is the entire time I am hoping the bike won't fall apart, and have had to bail off by jumping a few times to save my skin! 

So we got up early on a beautiful sunny day in NEVER NEVER LAND, and spent the morning riding around.  I felt like I was back in my childhood, riding three deep with my posse (In Bayshore!) , except.....

Have you ever noticed doing things as an adult, that you used to do as a kid is SOOOOO much more fun???

I could ride any where I wanted....there were no area's of restriction, or a radial area that I wasn't allowed to ride past....I didn't have to worry about The Mommy's van coming around the corner and catching me, or getting in trouble once I got home....I had money in pocket so I could buy whatever I wanted, and I also didn't have to worry about running into any arch frenemies.....

We rode around the vineyards, and stopped at a bakery for some coffee and pastries.  

Random Thoughts:

Have you ever wondered....if there is more to somebody then they are showing you?

I really shouldn't eat this.....but I did ride my bike......

My a** really hurts, really bad.....


I don't want to sit on this seat.....

I want to hold Rylee, sooooooo bad!

Sometimes the complexity of people, and their problems is overwhelming to me....I want to help, but its so hard to know how to help....

I know this blog is short, but....I have much more material, when my guests have left.



Guilty Pleasures:

The pastries and coffee pictured above....


Being irritated with people, even though they probably don't deserve it...


ARMS' Mailbox:

ARMS,

Speaking of your mailbox, and nobody loving you.... I've had a package sitting on my dining table for you for about 2 weeks now! :-p my goal is to hit the post office tomorrow! :-)

Red, 

I don't deserve you.....

Love on ya, ARMS**

Be the change...**

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Have you ever cleaned half your house and then you don't want to clean the rest of it so you procrastinate while the vacuum is sprawled all over the floor, the cleaning supplies are strewn all over, the rubber gloves are your company on the couch and you keep checking facebook over and over again to see if anything changed???**

When we arrived in NEVER NEVER LAND, there was a character that made an appearance in our lives, because it was OBVIOUS he's a bit of a PIMP, I nicknamed him The Hef.  

The Hef is one of those cool people that you meet every once in a while that you can talk to all night about everything.  He's carasmatic, adventurous, smart, and conversational.  He's the ultimate bachelor looking for soul mate and breaking many hearts along the way.

He lent us one of his cars when we first moved here so that we could get around and work on getting settled, as a grand gesture of thanks we had him over for dinner.

It was our first time, in our new house, making dinner in our new kitchen for a new friend.  We spent hours chatting, eating, and for the first time I really felt at home and complete here in NEVER NEVER LAND. 

Today I decided to hop on LEGS' mountain bike and bicycle 22 kilometers on steep and winding European roads from Oberdachstetten (where I live) to Illeshiem, where the post is.......

I got a late start, but I did it in just under 2 hours.  I have no shame in my game, I had to get off the bike 3 times and walk up the hill.  But once was because I took a break and couldn't get back on the bike due to the steep incline.  My legs now feel like JELLO, and I think I might be addicted.....

It was a lot of fun, but would have been more fun with company.  I am really proud of myself because the last time I was on a bike was the pink banana seat that said 'Confetti' on it as a little girl.

It has been pretty tough here in NEVER NEVER LAND to navigate through some social landmines these past few days.  Its really bumming me out because if people would, breath, do some self-reflection, use more empathy, and really look at the issues, they would realize that its really, really, foolish.

What's worse is I have been feeling like its all my fault.  I landed here in NEVER NEVER LAND, people started reading my blog, then people started writing blogs, and unfortunately it has all gotten out of hand. 

There is a difference between saying how you feel in a mature, articulate, self-reflecting, self-debating sort of way, then unconsciously, recklessly flying off the handle, causing tension, division, and severed friendships. 

I am always conscious of how I say things, I always think of others when I post, even when I know it may be controversial.  And when others come to me and say that they their feelings are hurt, I am wide open, I listen to what they say, and always put myself in a humble position.  I even post in my blog, all of my mistakes, and re-address issues that were outlined.

I have thought long and hard about even saying any of this in my blog at all.  I want my blog to be a happy positive place, and I fear that this is making it everything I want to avoid....however...........if I really am going to change the world one person at a time, it is necessary to say things that are scary.

It would be wrong of me to say nothing.  It would be wrong of me to take sides.  It would be wrong of me to exclude myself from helping somebody be a better person.  The Universal Power puts people in your life for a reason, they may be different, they may be difficult, they may be rough around the edges, and they may not know how to do things with as much finesse as others.....

But that doesn't mean they should be avoided, written off or alienated.  Instead everybody should rally around them, and help them grow into the beautiful person that we all know is in there.  

I don't know....maybe this is all a pipe dream, maybe we can't all get along always, perhaps I am too Utopian in my thought processes....but when people say that life is hard, I always want to ask them, compared to what?  Change is uncomfortable, learning is difficult, but the idea that we can't change, that its too hard and too difficult is a cop out to me.

We can all learn from each other, we call all grow together, ALL it takes is self reflection and compassion.  And if your not willing to change, and not willing to grow, then.....what a sad, lonely, little life you will lead......

'Be the change you wish to see in the world.' -Ghandi

The change I wish to see, is Utopian in nature.  I love people.  They all have something they can teach me, and I am always hoping that I have something I can teach them.  Every single day, I wake up and I think about; how grateful I am for this day, and I challenge myself to make the world better, even if its as mediocre as improving my self.

Today....although I didn't realize it.....I was charged with uniting people.  Not sure if this blog will be enough to accomplish it, but saying the scary things with all the positive hope and desire I could possibly have.....

My wish is that you will come up with something, something that bothers you in this world, and starting today you will be the change, the change you wish to see in the world.......

Guilty Pleasures:

I have been an angel the last two days.... 

ARMS' Mailbox:

Nobody loves me......

Random Thoughts:

I can't believe LongShanks and the BF in a band are going to be here in just a few days.

Have you ever felt like you made your point, but you kinda made it too much?  And then you know that they know that you know that you were referring to them??? Man I hate it when that happens.

LEGS has been really affectionate today, my favorite thing is curling up in his arms and telling him how much I love him, while he plays with my hair and tells me how much he loves me.....

Don't you hate it when you leave technology (i.e. email, facebook, blogs, etc.) for just a few hours to live in real life, and then a whole bunch of stuff happens, but because you are recovering from the reality of real life you continue your vacation from technology, and then by the time you figure out what went down you feel like you were gone for a year, everything has changed, and you made an ass out of yourself because you were completely out of the loop?

I know my life is good because even when I dream, I dream about my life.....

OVER & OUT

Just another day in the life of an unlikely military wife....**

Uncle LEGS and Auntie ARMS...**

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Atmospheric Conditions brought to you by Karmella: Sun, I like the sun....I follow the sun spots all over the house all day....

Exchange Rate: 1 Euro= $1.42 American Dollars!

I haven't gotten my hair cut since February, so for the last month I have been hiding under handkerchiefs, hats and putting loads of product in my hair to make it decent because my hair has been straight up wack! I miss my stylist in Alaska so much, and going to a salon in a foreign country is really difficult, because of the language barrier.  

My short hair was really unique in the States, but over here in Europe short hair is way more prevalent, and odd colors are more accepted.  So I have been wanting to do something totally different.  Here are some of the pictures that I took to the stylist.

And this is what I got:

 

 

I am really stoked about my hair! It turned out sooooo goood!  LEGS likes it too.  I guess a few of the guys asked him if he had seen my hair, because they were shocked by it, and LEGS told them 'She doesn't do anything without checking with me first.'  And that is true, I don't do anything without going to LEGS for a reality check, we have a great relationship, we talk about everything.  LEGS also said 'I like to watch people squirm when they see your hair.'  

So it all ends happily, I found a stylist I LOVE in NEVER NEVER LAND, I got a hair style that is bizarre in a high fashion sort of way, and I made a statement.

Kayla went into labor, and had my niece RYLEE ELIZABETH MAGANA after 13 hours of labor and 2 and half hours of pushing.  She weighs 7 pounds, 7 ounces (MY LUCKY NUMBER!!!), and is 19 1/2 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair and blue eyes.  

 

I cried when The Mommy told me the whole story on how she was born and I saw the pictures.  Its a very exciting time in my family, because this is the first grandchild, our first niece, and she is healthy and beautiful!  I feel like my responsibility in this world has gotten a whole lot bigger, and I take very seriously the role of being an Aunt.  


I got to see Rylee on skype today.  It touched my heart that she was awake and turning her head so that she could stare back at me with her pretty gray blue eyes....she must have felt my heart beating faster and it filling up with so much love for her already.


It was also funny watching two new parents scramble to take care of her.  While on skype I heard her cry, she tooted, and poo pooed, they changed and swaddled her, she likes to be swaddled.  I want to ask Rylee so bad, what she dreams of, if she remembers what heaven is like, and how she is going to change this world.  Babies are so magical!  And I cannot wait to hold her!

ARMS' Mailbox:

A friend recently wrote to me about a dilemma she is in.  

Her best friend is in a abusive relationship and their are children involved.  Her problem is that she doesn't agree with the relationship but doesn't want to abandon the friendship.  Obviously its a complex situation that I am not particularly qualified to give advice about, but none-the-less, I offered some comforting words.

Dear Friend:

You can always come to me.

What I would say to this is......

First of all, you can never control people, they are going to do whatever they want to do. You can try to influence them, which you obviously have but you can't pick who they marry, date or hang out with.

Many abusive relationships run in cycles, Honey Moon, Abuse, Honey Moon Abuse. You can't be angry with her for wanting to believe that the guy can change and be good...because secretly I think we all want to believe people are good and change is possible.

What I would say is calmly state your point and your concern for her and her boys. If she decides to go back to him you have two choices you can tell her that you will still be her friend but you will no longer discuss her relationship problems, or you can drop the whole relationship.

I know this is hard, but you have to take your own happiness and peace of mind and make it a priority. If being friends with her and not discussing her relationship is too hard for you or too hard for her then I say drop it. But....if you can handle it...then be there for her with everything else in life....

What I do in my life is this.....I surround myself with people who are positive, who are doing amazing things with their lives and who have their sh*t together. This helps ME be the person I want to be in this life and world.

Sometimes when people that I like hit a rough spot, and I try to help them, but they seem content on continuing in the downward spiral I create space. You have to do this otherwise your life will go right down with them.....


BALANCE IS THE KEY!

Does this help? Nobody said you have to die with your friends....all they said is you have to be a good friend, in order to be a good friend you have to be a good person...

Love on ya, ARMS

Guilty Pleasures:

Since LEGS has been back from the field I have really been bad.

I ate three pieces of cake at a BBQ we went to.

I have been drinking entirely too much alcohol.

And I have been eating really unhealthy food.

And its not so much of a guilty pleasure as it is a punishment, but I drank enough to throw up last night.....

People have asked me why I call Germany NEVER NEVER LAND.  LEGS and I always said we would come to Germany for a Christmas once in our lives.  I figured it would happen when we were retired, old and gray. Now we live here, Germany has become a place for us to live out a dream.  

NEVER NEVER LAND is a place that we don't have to grow up, and my blog details our life in a balanced mixture of my imagination and reality. 

Its been my experience that to get through life and ENJOY every minute you have to be creative, use your imagination, play a game with yourself, make pretend.  I have a beautiful garden, where fairies and I play all day, my husband can really fly, he has a whole group of LOST BOYZ that are some of the coolest guyz I have met, and I live a life which allows me to believe with my whole heart in fairy tales.

 

Random Thoughts:

Some people are just negative, they thrive on alienating others, complaining about everything, and instead of uniting people they divide people.....and its always over something really stupid.....

I love LEGS....I just....LOVE him...so much....

Every time I think about Rylee I get a lump in my throat and tears of joy well up in my eyes....

I need to clean my house....its messy.....according to my standards....

I shouldn't put another thing in my mouth for the duration of the weekend, but I am hungry.....

Sometimes its really hard for me to watch other people, the sadness, loneliness, and pain is so obvious to me....and completely lost on others...

I think I am getting to the point where.....I don't dislike people, I mostly just feel sorry for them......

Its always neat to meet somebody where you can talk to them all night long about everything because they are totally radical...its one of my favorite things in life....

OVER & OUT

Just another day in life of an unlikely military wife.....**