tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77869309605330651292024-03-12T22:06:38.233-04:00Pulling StakesKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-88852874084271441832015-04-08T04:14:00.000-04:002017-05-30T17:36:57.510-04:00StrugglingYesterday was my last day as a Human Resource lady. Hopefully, it was also my last day going to work alongside machine gun-wielding soldiers and bomb dogs. You never know. I actually didn't hate HR. I like making people happy, and HR is a good place for that, if not a great place to get your creative juices flowing. Anyway, I am now officially unemployed. Yay me! Suck it, University of Southern California! Because if you don't have a job, you don't have to pay for college, right? That's the way the American college system works, I'm pretty sure.<br />
<br />
The movers have begun packing up the house. I have two sick kids with fevers and vomit rockets, because of course I do. The events of the last month have wiped out all of our reserves.Thank gah for Netflix. We are officially looking towards the future and what our life will be like out from under the State Department's thumb. Awesome. That's what it's going to be like. Frickin' awesome. The free water in restaurants alone is going to be a game changer. Oh, and State-issued Drexel Heritage gold brocade sofa? You can go ahead and shove yourself right up your own ass. Whoops! Sorrynotsorry. Got a little carried away. As one does when it comes to Drexel.<br />
<br />
It's not all beer and Belgian chocolate around here as we prepare to depart, though. I am facing a dilemma, and I need your help. I haven't lived in the U.S. for a long time, and I only know the name of one Kardashian. I've never seen a Housewives show. My friend Claire left an US Weekly behind when she breezed through Brussels last month and I didn't know anybody in it. I basically have about two items in my repertoire that I can talk about. Politics (and talking about that can get you killed these days) and how I much I hate camping, which is maybe too random. Just the other day we were watching "Wild" and Mitch was all, "We have to hike the Pacific Coast Trail!" And I was all, "Do they have a Four Seasons every few miles?" The girls were into it once they saw all the Pinterest boards for "Glamping". By the end of the conversation we had found a renovated airstream on ebay but then decided it was too much work and that was the end of that backpacking nonsense. Killer of dreams: Level-EXPERT. And apparently I am also a penis expert, according to a <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/pablovaldivia/how-much-do-you-know-about-dicks?bffb&utm_term=4ldqpkl#4ldqpkl" target="_blank">Buzzfeed quiz</a> I took last week:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMri4NErybE/VSOujZlteRI/AAAAAAAAGt0/aqiVNqNZG8I/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMri4NErybE/VSOujZlteRI/AAAAAAAAGt0/aqiVNqNZG8I/s1600/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Too bad I can't put this on my resume. At least for the kind of job I'm seeking</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jealous, much? Since being an expert on penises is really only an appropriate conversation topic for a small demographic, I'm basically not fit for mixed company. So, be good friends and tell me what I need to know about American pop culture. OH! Tropical diseases. I know about tropical diseases, too. Do you guys think potential new friends would like to hear about parasites?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
camping/glamping/four seasons, pacific coast trailKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-58742868043414624072015-04-02T06:45:00.000-04:002015-04-02T16:54:33.549-04:00We'll Try Not to let the Door Hit Our Booties on the Way OutHi kids! Guess what? We quit the Foreign Service! I know what you may be thinking. We made it through a year of separation while Mitch was in Afghanistan, not to mention three years in Brazil without sharp cheddar cheese and a year in DC in a house that was constantly flooded, so WHY LEAVE WHEN WE ARE FINALLY TOGETHER IN THE HEART OF EUROPE? And for the love of God, could that sentence be any longer? It's a long, grisly story, but since there are still balls in play with State, I'm just going to say that we are 100% happy with our decision. Make that 90%. Okay, 85% and that's my final offer. Also, my mom always told me if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, and Blogger doesn't have enough blank pages for all the things I'm not going to say. Well, I'll say one thing. I heart my husband, who doesn't take any crap, even from the gargantuan machine that is State.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBHJjVxDTjM/VP7lgQUKy4I/AAAAAAAAGnk/cgEEpw5_Bxo/s1600/Spokane_Riverfront_Park_20061014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBHJjVxDTjM/VP7lgQUKy4I/AAAAAAAAGnk/cgEEpw5_Bxo/s1600/Spokane_Riverfront_Park_20061014.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hometown. Not a dump!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where will we go? What will we do? Full circle back to our hometown of Spokane, Washington, The scene of the crime where we met as awkward teenagers with tragic hair. God, I love Washington, where practically everything is legal <a href="http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/20011-seattle-s-garbage-police-ticketing-those-who-throw-away-food" target="_blank">except throwing food in the trash</a>. Mitch will be going back to building public schools in the private sector. The kids are looking forward to going to school without armed guards and high fences (but will likely miss the international field trips). Olivia is interested in learning how many pennies are in a nickel (parent fail). Grace is dying for shopping malls and frappucinos. Henry is scouring the internet for rugby clubs (how does one go about banning specific topics from being found by their kid on the internet?). Also, aunties and uncles, grandparents, and cousins. Seamus is excited to only have one more trans-continental flight left in his canine life. Just kidding. He's a dog. He never knows what the eff is going on. We are all looking forward to being in the same time zone as Jack. As for me, I have a lot of, uh, unique employment ideas, but that's a post for a different day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8sEoTRBqjc/VQlE0DpYt0I/AAAAAAAAGrY/2MoPG_IyZAU/s1600/ferris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8sEoTRBqjc/VQlE0DpYt0I/AAAAAAAAGrY/2MoPG_IyZAU/s1600/ferris.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1986. Who knew it would take 35,000 miles and 29 years to get back home?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Also, <i><b>and this is just between you and me</b></i>, I've been dumping my water bottles into a kind of sad-looking ficus tree at the Whirled Peas Factory on my way to the water cooler. Sometimes it had tea in it. Tea is good for plants, right? Turns out, not so much for FAKE plants. Because mold. So it was only a matter of time before I was fired anyway. And I swear it wasn't me that broke the paper shredder. Three times.<br />
<br />
So, that's our story for now. I've been updating this blog a little, mostly just dumping photos, so if you wanna see what we've been doing in our last few months in Belgium, <a href="http://pullingstakes.blogspot.com/?zx=4ef471214e07a2bf" target="_blank">go here and scroll down</a>.<br />
<br />
See ya stateside, suckahs.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="253" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//giphy.com/embed/IOCXHPvn3WErm" style="max-width: 100%;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-6948725374868265882015-03-07T07:20:00.000-05:002015-03-15T07:14:37.832-04:00ParisOur trip to Paris was quick. The weather was gorgeous, but the kids were in various stages of crud, so we didn't stay long. Mitch "talked me into" having a million dollar bottle of champagne. For lunch. Because Paris. I was against it, of course. HAHAHA! Just kidding, day drinking is the best.<br />
<br />
Paris notes: Not one person was rude to me. I felt like I would never be able to see everything even if I stayed for a month. Traffic sucks so hard. The food we had was insanely good. A tiny bottle of sparkling water was SIX EUROS. That's about $7.25 USD, or $1 per sip. You have to pay to use the bathrooms. WHAT'S WITH ALL THE FRENCH BULLDOGS? A member of our family purchased a beret because he thought it would be funny. We'll see how funny he thinks it was when he gets the divorce papers. Smoking is still a thing there. It was clean and there really are cafes on every corner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSmdh6Maqf8/VPrpwOyDzsI/AAAAAAAAGlY/mvTtuccf45o/s1600/IMG_6871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSmdh6Maqf8/VPrpwOyDzsI/AAAAAAAAGlY/mvTtuccf45o/s1600/IMG_6871.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ruI-19kIwJg/VPrpwIAZJNI/AAAAAAAAGlc/ZQ6q83d4mZU/s1600/IMG_6879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ruI-19kIwJg/VPrpwIAZJNI/AAAAAAAAGlc/ZQ6q83d4mZU/s1600/IMG_6879.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLuVEVKD0ZE/VPrpw1cG-EI/AAAAAAAAGlg/J5zxGpxUic8/s1600/IMG_6899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLuVEVKD0ZE/VPrpw1cG-EI/AAAAAAAAGlg/J5zxGpxUic8/s1600/IMG_6899.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Required:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R50GouuRFU8/VQVpckzO2sI/AAAAAAAAGqY/yqzW0QKlvlQ/s1600/IMG_6955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R50GouuRFU8/VQVpckzO2sI/AAAAAAAAGqY/yqzW0QKlvlQ/s1600/IMG_6955.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cX9QxSxU-BM/VQVpck8cOhI/AAAAAAAAGqU/s1zhRmz4VwM/s1600/IMG_6956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cX9QxSxU-BM/VQVpck8cOhI/AAAAAAAAGqU/s1zhRmz4VwM/s1600/IMG_6956.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChrOBkmd5xM/VPrp2bW3RHI/AAAAAAAAGl8/X1Q9in0tkTg/s1600/IMG_6959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChrOBkmd5xM/VPrp2bW3RHI/AAAAAAAAGl8/X1Q9in0tkTg/s1600/IMG_6959.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LP3hN9MDLhs/VPrp1zLoOjI/AAAAAAAAGl4/nei-V_7cdfM/s1600/IMG_6963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LP3hN9MDLhs/VPrp1zLoOjI/AAAAAAAAGl4/nei-V_7cdfM/s1600/IMG_6963.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9zhkITysDo/VPrp3dwFTWI/AAAAAAAAGmI/0iuxtOfH5wU/s1600/IMG_6974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9zhkITysDo/VPrp3dwFTWI/AAAAAAAAGmI/0iuxtOfH5wU/s1600/IMG_6974.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-16447615648678913602015-03-07T07:00:00.001-05:002015-03-07T07:00:35.472-05:00AmsterdamWe did SOME of the touristy stuff one does in Amsterdam. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turns out, windmills are actually a thing in the Netherlands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhF8i6-HgoQ/VPrlQPmHYeI/AAAAAAAAGkA/V86uSALL8rM/s1600/IMG_6770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhF8i6-HgoQ/VPrlQPmHYeI/AAAAAAAAGkA/V86uSALL8rM/s1600/IMG_6770.JPG" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGQ1Fb7rtMg/VPrlQRCQ85I/AAAAAAAAGkE/7QQgLtLL_2s/s1600/IMG_6774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGQ1Fb7rtMg/VPrlQRCQ85I/AAAAAAAAGkE/7QQgLtLL_2s/s1600/IMG_6774.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipwnb_GTEPY/VPrlY6KIuJI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/IZdttVVhAqU/s1600/IMG_6790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipwnb_GTEPY/VPrlY6KIuJI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/IZdttVVhAqU/s1600/IMG_6790.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sF2ai0TnckA/VPrlaleaTKI/AAAAAAAAGkY/Gvv4uSYc40w/s1600/IMG_6793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sF2ai0TnckA/VPrlaleaTKI/AAAAAAAAGkY/Gvv4uSYc40w/s1600/IMG_6793.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Van Gogh Museum. So good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVkGea25UZ4/VPrla835bDI/AAAAAAAAGkc/0Asz5sWbfnY/s1600/IMG_6794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVkGea25UZ4/VPrla835bDI/AAAAAAAAGkc/0Asz5sWbfnY/s1600/IMG_6794.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pi97epESdBk/VPrlfi91AII/AAAAAAAAGko/J6nKhMtAhgs/s1600/IMG_6825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pi97epESdBk/VPrlfi91AII/AAAAAAAAGko/J6nKhMtAhgs/s1600/IMG_6825.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tourists, yo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8wRr8HGvnY/VPrnCHF8iiI/AAAAAAAAGlM/Iz4Ag4pqUe0/s1600/IMG_6846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8wRr8HGvnY/VPrnCHF8iiI/AAAAAAAAGlM/Iz4Ag4pqUe0/s1600/IMG_6846.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99uAuCZ7gls/VPrlmajjEtI/AAAAAAAAGkw/TjeqkdIwBXA/s1600/IMG_6827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99uAuCZ7gls/VPrlmajjEtI/AAAAAAAAGkw/TjeqkdIwBXA/s1600/IMG_6827.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not really a coffee shop. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZp7a-lVlLg/VPrlpl_d_fI/AAAAAAAAGk8/vPxR0Ljw2yw/s1600/IMG_6843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZp7a-lVlLg/VPrlpl_d_fI/AAAAAAAAGk8/vPxR0Ljw2yw/s1600/IMG_6843.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Amsterdam was a cool city, but man was it cold that day. The line to get into Anne Frank House was over an hour wait outside, but since I forced the kids to spend their mid-winter break studying the Holocaust, watching documentaries, and reading The Diary, we were determined to wait. It turned out that three of the gentlemen in line behind us were from our old neighborhood in Brazil, so we passed the time practicing our very rusty portuguese.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-37075293579541687432015-03-07T06:40:00.002-05:002015-03-11T13:19:25.672-04:00You Can't Swing a Dead Cat Without Hitting a Castle in BelgiumCastles are to Belgium as waterfalls are to Brazil.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miHaKOrdee4/VPrjlDrRrII/AAAAAAAAGj0/hDZI3MEb_s4/s1600/IMG_6752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miHaKOrdee4/VPrjlDrRrII/AAAAAAAAGj0/hDZI3MEb_s4/s1600/IMG_6752.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-24773417852857084482015-02-16T10:57:00.000-05:002015-02-16T10:58:15.828-05:00Neuhaus Factory OutletThis was my fourth trip to the Neuhaus Factory Outlet, but the kids had never been there, and since Mitch had to work today even though it's a holiday, I decided we needed a little chocolate treat. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little drunk on the vodka chocolate cordials, because they use insanely good chocolate and fill it with insanely good vodka. They should rename them Mommy's Miracles. Okay, I was disappointed the first time I went there because there was no factory tour, just a little strip-mall type of shop, but soon I learned that there are free samples of every chocolate in the store, and I didn't mind not getting to see how the chocolates were made. Especially after five Mommy's Miracles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZFNgztCJ_c/VOIKaVD4nZI/AAAAAAAAGho/xUdJRjdxt5I/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZFNgztCJ_c/VOIKaVD4nZI/AAAAAAAAGho/xUdJRjdxt5I/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqeH880EEoQ/VOIKaT3UFiI/AAAAAAAAGhs/D7r2GwGL6nc/s1600/IMG_6745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqeH880EEoQ/VOIKaT3UFiI/AAAAAAAAGhs/D7r2GwGL6nc/s1600/IMG_6745.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-du2ifKBi31g/VOIKcMpAoQI/AAAAAAAAGh4/kn_7KKEnt4k/s1600/IMG_6746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-du2ifKBi31g/VOIKcMpAoQI/AAAAAAAAGh4/kn_7KKEnt4k/s1600/IMG_6746.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VX-jZ554eBo/VOIKf87TZuI/AAAAAAAAGiA/19G3pzyfLuk/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VX-jZ554eBo/VOIKf87TZuI/AAAAAAAAGiA/19G3pzyfLuk/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0le-sZZVoA/VOIKgXlYmZI/AAAAAAAAGiE/GHbJ1e8NFq8/s1600/IMG_6748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0le-sZZVoA/VOIKgXlYmZI/AAAAAAAAGiE/GHbJ1e8NFq8/s1600/IMG_6748.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoYrsvTN1sk/VOIKg5z3y9I/AAAAAAAAGiM/XpH3Q8fBH5A/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoYrsvTN1sk/VOIKg5z3y9I/AAAAAAAAGiM/XpH3Q8fBH5A/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We all got sick but no one barfed, so it was a successful outing for our clan. Neuhaus Factory Outlet. Recommended!</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-39943530070167697712015-02-16T10:50:00.000-05:002015-03-17T06:48:40.394-04:00GhentSo, Valentine's Day was the first Saturday Mitch didn't have to work since we got here, so naturally we wanted to make the most of it. We gathered up the kids and hit the road to Ghent, an absolutely adorable town about an hour away. Less if you don't stop for windshield washer fluid. This little journey helped us discover that the best way to spend cupid's holiday is at a medieval torture museum.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Gravensteen Castle is an old count's castle from the 1100s. That's old as shit, you guys. It's situated right in the middle of Ghent, moat and all. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UKioyG_aSVk/VOIKHyoeOHI/AAAAAAAAGgc/3Ud-QAKkJx0/s1600/IMG_6703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UKioyG_aSVk/VOIKHyoeOHI/AAAAAAAAGgc/3Ud-QAKkJx0/s1600/IMG_6703.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No, really. They built the town around it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TKsudzVJRY/VOILGmEVcGI/AAAAAAAAGiY/TMNhGhBvAEk/s1600/IMG_6734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TKsudzVJRY/VOILGmEVcGI/AAAAAAAAGiY/TMNhGhBvAEk/s1600/IMG_6734.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The minute we walked into the place, I could tell Mitch was on the verge of pissing his pants with excitement. I handed him the camera, which is why the rest of our photos look like this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVtoanj23V8/VOIKHYq8H5I/AAAAAAAAGgY/u_g7RMzSyHU/s1600/IMG_6688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVtoanj23V8/VOIKHYq8H5I/AAAAAAAAGgY/u_g7RMzSyHU/s1600/IMG_6688.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I mean, it's nice and ceiling-y and all, but how many photos does one need of arches and architectural details? And did he take even ONE photo of the tower crappers where the toilet holes were open directly to the moat? Nope. And I know that's all anyone really cares about. Except torture!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The torture museum was the shizz, although we mostly just have pics of the ceiling and no pictures of the vast displays of thousand-year-old weapons. He did take a few snaps of the guillotine and the rack.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQA-IVj81lU/VOIKA3N0-FI/AAAAAAAAGgA/LyZwCYzRQd8/s1600/IMG_6683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQA-IVj81lU/VOIKA3N0-FI/AAAAAAAAGgA/LyZwCYzRQd8/s1600/IMG_6683.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrXq3d6RT30/VOIKDiBFPCI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/N-3uPv5GU-M/s1600/IMG_6684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrXq3d6RT30/VOIKDiBFPCI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/N-3uPv5GU-M/s1600/IMG_6684.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And he got one from the top of the castle, although I suspect that was just an excuse to capture more architecture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgVn89HIxp8/VOIKAEDHdFI/AAAAAAAAGf4/xerReh7MbW4/s1600/IMG_6681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgVn89HIxp8/VOIKAEDHdFI/AAAAAAAAGf4/xerReh7MbW4/s1600/IMG_6681.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rest of Ghent was quaint as could be and we found a sweet little restaurant along the canal for lunch. Henry and I took over camera duties after that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FX1GNhqWRRA/VOIKNVnHNkI/AAAAAAAAGg0/pPQyFmix1X4/s1600/IMG_6713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FX1GNhqWRRA/VOIKNVnHNkI/AAAAAAAAGg0/pPQyFmix1X4/s1600/IMG_6713.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Valentine. Awwwww. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esxvHxyBdRs/VOIKOUau5sI/AAAAAAAAGhA/81TFR0elKVg/s1600/IMG_6714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esxvHxyBdRs/VOIKOUau5sI/AAAAAAAAGhA/81TFR0elKVg/s1600/IMG_6714.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call this piece, "Bridge with Kids in Front of it."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRcVg04O4tc/VOIKT5Q_4MI/AAAAAAAAGhI/zsa90ekvHDE/s1600/IMG_6715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRcVg04O4tc/VOIKT5Q_4MI/AAAAAAAAGhI/zsa90ekvHDE/s1600/IMG_6715.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The title of this piece is, "Canal that People Used to Poop into and Old-Ass Buildings and Some Kids that Came Out of Me."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmze2cSoJPE/VOIKUaw6U2I/AAAAAAAAGhM/2DJSsUX5NgA/s1600/IMG_6717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmze2cSoJPE/VOIKUaw6U2I/AAAAAAAAGhM/2DJSsUX5NgA/s1600/IMG_6717.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitch got the camera back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3msWX53S8NA/VOIKU_GmALI/AAAAAAAAGhU/WOlTv1_gVD4/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3msWX53S8NA/VOIKU_GmALI/AAAAAAAAGhU/WOlTv1_gVD4/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is right after my tiny baby twins each consumed a side of beef with frites. Because everything comes with frites in Belgium. And beer, so that's good.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went to a pretty cool light museum, but by that time my eyeball was twitching from being out in public so long, so we didn't see all of it. Total number of times we had to find a bathroom for my tiny-bladdered daughter that day: 6. I don't know why she didn't use the open-air toilets back at the castle. What a princess.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdVSVpAnIEE/VOIKYM-41NI/AAAAAAAAGhg/FORoPgb364c/s1600/IMG_6720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdVSVpAnIEE/VOIKYM-41NI/AAAAAAAAGhg/FORoPgb364c/s1600/IMG_6720.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
We wrapped up our Valentine's Day with a viewing of slasher movies. Because that's how we roll.</div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-11334883763832200932015-01-16T06:34:00.000-05:002015-02-19T07:08:54.414-05:00Working Girl40 hoursaweekohmygawd. Considering that my last job was only 20 hours a week and most of <i>that </i>was just writing words while resting in bed (not to mention I had someone coming in to help with the house and and laundry because Brazil), and before <i>that </i>I didn't leave the house for a good 10 years or so, this new gig is killing me dead. As in, bed by 8:00. I begin fantasizing about going to bed around 3:00 pm, because that's how an old lady gets through the day like a boss.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't even want to talk about the state of my house. We clean all four levels (rickety stairs included) by ourselves now because Europe. How messy is my house? Just imagine that a boot factory exploded next door to a laundromat. The kids and Mitch try, but Mitch's idea of doing laundry is "folding" things loosely and tossing them on top of all my boots. Olivia's stuffed animals are in desperate need of birth control and I'm not sure how Henry's room looks. It's all the way up on the fourth floor, yo.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The job itself is okay. The office isn't social and sunny like my old job, and no one ever talks about their vaginas, but everyone seems nice. Now, I'm not gonna lie. The Whirled Peas Factory (TWPF) is not the most creative place to work. It's also terrifying. I'm scared to even throw away my used tissues, lest I get arrested for distributing classified boogers. Just getting into my office is an ordeal that requires something along the lines of a piece of DNA from all my family members and a cavity search. Not really, but they DO make me lock up my cell phone outside and forget about having my iPad with me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mitch saw me happily <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_Crush_Saga" target="_blank">crushing candies</a> on my iPad before I started working and was all, "you know you can't bring that into the TWPF building."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Yes I can."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"No you can't."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"YES. I CAN."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Nope."<br />
<br />
"Yep."<br />
<br />
"No."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"But what am I going to read? I don't even know how to turn paper pages anymore."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Read? Just what exactly do you think you will be doing in Human Resources?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Reading under my fuzzy blanket and occasionally having people sign stuff?"<br />
<br />
Oh! You know what TWPF <i>does </i>have? Adorable little wine bottles in the lunch room. Right next to the soda machine because Europe! I would take a picture to show you their cuteness, but I'd probably get fired. Heyyy....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm telling you guys, don't get jobs. There's no reading novels under fuzzy blankets or binge watching House of Cards on Netflix. IT'S JUST SO STUPID. Dumb paying for college and saving for retirement and dumb stupidness with a side of poop and somebody has to pay for all these boots. Why won't the universe just pay me for being adorably lazy? Gawd.</div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-55694094780499981142014-12-30T09:04:00.000-05:002014-12-30T09:04:29.503-05:00Picture DumpMy preshus baby is home, so I'm not going to waste any time with dumb old writing until he leaves for Amsterdam tomorrow (NYE in Amsterdam with friends-what could go wrong?), but here's a little of what we've been doing:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifUiG8u1m30/VKKs6mlUKPI/AAAAAAAAGe0/UiuS3APOhRA/s1600/blogger-image--258048938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifUiG8u1m30/VKKs6mlUKPI/AAAAAAAAGe0/UiuS3APOhRA/s1600/blogger-image--258048938.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This damn dog has not left his side, nor would he let anyone else hug him when he walked in the door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujR99tvdAKg/VKKsxYCsJZI/AAAAAAAAGeU/_vW_frDhtP0/s1600/blogger-image--1214251836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujR99tvdAKg/VKKsxYCsJZI/AAAAAAAAGeU/_vW_frDhtP0/s1600/blogger-image--1214251836.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas, blurry iPad photo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VUIp52Rvoc/VKKsjbDtp2I/AAAAAAAAGeI/2oG7Q1FDwpo/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VUIp52Rvoc/VKKsjbDtp2I/AAAAAAAAGeI/2oG7Q1FDwpo/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTalG8wU0oA/VKKr3geqQpI/AAAAAAAAGbw/4B6Prjv9Wsg/s1600/IMG_6539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTalG8wU0oA/VKKr3geqQpI/AAAAAAAAGbw/4B6Prjv9Wsg/s1600/IMG_6539.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EaWwkuALa1I/VKKr-LpW3lI/AAAAAAAAGcE/laUs52B0OYw/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EaWwkuALa1I/VKKr-LpW3lI/AAAAAAAAGcE/laUs52B0OYw/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fighting over the last of the Christmas Market garlic mushrooms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic7DS4Jon7Y/VKKr7FCU8MI/AAAAAAAAGb4/2AYROGjAYs8/s1600/IMG_6549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic7DS4Jon7Y/VKKr7FCU8MI/AAAAAAAAGb4/2AYROGjAYs8/s1600/IMG_6549.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">It cost 30 euros to see this 'Authentic American Santa'. Photo not included. <br />We were all a little scared of this guy. I think we interrupted his mulled wine session.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cscNFR8I7v4/VKKr9wx_tfI/AAAAAAAAGcA/u9iL52SaHMM/s1600/IMG_6567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cscNFR8I7v4/VKKr9wx_tfI/AAAAAAAAGcA/u9iL52SaHMM/s1600/IMG_6567.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another ride on the giant wheel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1uGop9mWaI/VKKsDCuA_1I/AAAAAAAAGcY/7ieZt3gzyJk/s1600/IMG_6583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1uGop9mWaI/VKKsDCuA_1I/AAAAAAAAGcY/7ieZt3gzyJk/s1600/IMG_6583.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace is in the red coat. It was near impossible to get a shot of Jack skating with the girls while they were all three vertical.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOM5tgygfEE/VKKsD1FlrxI/AAAAAAAAGcg/jIVJYts-3wU/s1600/IMG_6594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOM5tgygfEE/VKKsD1FlrxI/AAAAAAAAGcg/jIVJYts-3wU/s1600/IMG_6594.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13w4gJ0e1u4/VKKsEsKROjI/AAAAAAAAGco/EeEsB83XgxY/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-13w4gJ0e1u4/VKKsEsKROjI/AAAAAAAAGco/EeEsB83XgxY/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47JYga_SuZc/VKKsIbT5GOI/AAAAAAAAGcw/0loARY3DsGQ/s1600/IMG_6598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47JYga_SuZc/VKKsIbT5GOI/AAAAAAAAGcw/0loARY3DsGQ/s1600/IMG_6598.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBx4Bk0Xcfs/VKKsJH4rdzI/AAAAAAAAGc4/-ZiSoCL5GMw/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBx4Bk0Xcfs/VKKsJH4rdzI/AAAAAAAAGc4/-ZiSoCL5GMw/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call this photo, "Indignity"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LulRx3XgE6I/VKKsJ_sHZ5I/AAAAAAAAGc8/7_7gP0TTLaA/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LulRx3XgE6I/VKKsJ_sHZ5I/AAAAAAAAGc8/7_7gP0TTLaA/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worst Christmas Eve presents of all time?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZf594GVx-A/VKKsVB7iL2I/AAAAAAAAGdI/AbZ6yxRBssE/s1600/IMG_6625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZf594GVx-A/VKKsVB7iL2I/AAAAAAAAGdI/AbZ6yxRBssE/s1600/IMG_6625.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VKbqh41EVA/VKKsWR7whJI/AAAAAAAAGdU/auV1-JRTJ-w/s1600/IMG_6626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VKbqh41EVA/VKKsWR7whJI/AAAAAAAAGdU/auV1-JRTJ-w/s1600/IMG_6626.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of Manekin Pis so Jack could see it. This time with an outfit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1KQcEqtZU4/VKKsdHa0ruI/AAAAAAAAGdo/nB06Ys5lwJk/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1KQcEqtZU4/VKKsdHa0ruI/AAAAAAAAGdo/nB06Ys5lwJk/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brussels-y!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMpjMwroCcQ/VKKscrPnKnI/AAAAAAAAGdg/M8pYnPHZiwc/s1600/IMG_6645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMpjMwroCcQ/VKKscrPnKnI/AAAAAAAAGdg/M8pYnPHZiwc/s1600/IMG_6645.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmvSvrbUZig/VKKsiknE7BI/AAAAAAAAGd8/2ubyUEcA5T8/s1600/IMG_6647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmvSvrbUZig/VKKsiknE7BI/AAAAAAAAGd8/2ubyUEcA5T8/s1600/IMG_6647.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USClm4Al_fk/VKKsiO-CcMI/AAAAAAAAGd4/7lAjWmTeK-s/s1600/IMG_6650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USClm4Al_fk/VKKsiO-CcMI/AAAAAAAAGd4/7lAjWmTeK-s/s1600/IMG_6650.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how we ride the metro..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JuLxX_IBytg/VKKsyhRxkXI/AAAAAAAAGec/wBbpHK4X2Ek/s1600/blogger-image-941427163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JuLxX_IBytg/VKKsyhRxkXI/AAAAAAAAGec/wBbpHK4X2Ek/s1600/blogger-image-941427163.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa brought me a new knife. I haven't cut all my fingers yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztzkxakonvs/VKKs0D2vEUI/AAAAAAAAGek/CjHUyCF6dMI/s1600/blogger-image--1943405489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztzkxakonvs/VKKs0D2vEUI/AAAAAAAAGek/CjHUyCF6dMI/s1600/blogger-image--1943405489.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World's tiniest snowman.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-25640009341396939302014-12-14T14:20:00.000-05:002014-12-14T14:20:52.687-05:00Brussels Christmas Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went somewhere awesome last weekend, but then our stuff came and there was all this stupid work to do. The movers unpacked everything, but basically there were just mounds of stuff everywhere. One of the few good things about moving every few years is that you are forced to pare down to the essentials. Before we left Brazil I dropped about 2,000 lbs worth of crap from our HHE (Household Effects for you non-foreign service people), and we are still shedding our belongings as we put everything away. I tell the kids if it's not beautiful or useful to donate it or toss it, and to be ruthless. Also, I have 46 tank tops. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other news, everyone is adapting to life in Brussels pretty well. I'm still in the oh-my-god-why-did-we-join-the-foreign-service phase, but I'm hoping that changes. They sell four brands of truffle mayonnaise here, so signs point to yes on that front. Mitch went out and bought a car, but I haven't seen it yet because paperwork and diplomatic license plates and blahblahblah. Maybe by the new year we will have wheels? Fortunately, we don't really need a vehicle yet. It's so easy to hop on public transit and not worry about parking or wine driving. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We took the tram to a christmas market last Saturday, and it was the shit. It was packed with people and vendors but everyone was in a good mood because of <i>vin chaud</i> (hot mulled wine), which at least half of the vendors sold for just a few euros. I liked this very much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_Sainte-Catherine_%28Bruxelles%29" target="_blank">Place Sainte-Catherin</a>e </b>was the name of the square where the market took place. St. Catherine is an old Catholic church, and we were able to go inside where Mitch and I regaled the children with stories of growing up Catholic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qt5CqiGwR2E/VIRNdnYyDDI/AAAAAAAAGUY/O7jjwrjDqrc/s1600/IMG_6523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qt5CqiGwR2E/VIRNdnYyDDI/AAAAAAAAGUY/O7jjwrjDqrc/s1600/IMG_6523.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JL9b_KrEg7g/VIxlX229ojI/AAAAAAAAGXo/xiq-ixq4_oA/s1600/IMG_6516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JL9b_KrEg7g/VIxlX229ojI/AAAAAAAAGXo/xiq-ixq4_oA/s1600/IMG_6516.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANP2KT7fIt0/VIxlwZW5mdI/AAAAAAAAGXw/CcY61xmjeLA/s1600/IMG_6521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANP2KT7fIt0/VIxlwZW5mdI/AAAAAAAAGXw/CcY61xmjeLA/s1600/IMG_6521.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the other side of the church is the Christmas Market. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ck79V_xqtoI/VIROY04SxmI/AAAAAAAAGUo/fMkuFDqSmJs/s1600/IMG_6413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ck79V_xqtoI/VIROY04SxmI/AAAAAAAAGUo/fMkuFDqSmJs/s1600/IMG_6413.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, we went on that big-ass Ferris Wheel. It was a great place to view Brussels, and it was super cheap. I'm looking at you, Great Seattle Wheel, you big dumb jerk.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HA2aO1iVliE/VIROgHQsLQI/AAAAAAAAGU4/pWl8neKH57s/s1600/IMG_6421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HA2aO1iVliE/VIROgHQsLQI/AAAAAAAAGU4/pWl8neKH57s/s1600/IMG_6421.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5JXAibo-6H8/VIROgyTjRwI/AAAAAAAAGU8/UOPHTb7lQcY/s1600/IMG_6433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5JXAibo-6H8/VIROgyTjRwI/AAAAAAAAGU8/UOPHTb7lQcY/s1600/IMG_6433.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The view from the wheel. Those white squares are all the vendor stalls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_S2AF8yBns/VIROkYUCx8I/AAAAAAAAGVI/RUohDItRmKQ/s1600/IMG_6445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_S2AF8yBns/VIROkYUCx8I/AAAAAAAAGVI/RUohDItRmKQ/s1600/IMG_6445.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMR36F29DAo/VIROrN-sBZI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/vud-C6Axx_k/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMR36F29DAo/VIROrN-sBZI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/vud-C6Axx_k/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
I love going through the pictures after an outing. All the photos of buildings are taken by my architect husband and all the food and booze pics are mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xYDbXH_y_Y/VIRO5Ovie6I/AAAAAAAAGVg/x0osrMilNg8/s1600/IMG_6477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xYDbXH_y_Y/VIRO5Ovie6I/AAAAAAAAGVg/x0osrMilNg8/s1600/IMG_6477.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Archangel Michael is the patron saint of Brussels. Here he is slaying the black devil. Merry Christmas!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-331JqcjqYUE/VIRO7baxT1I/AAAAAAAAGVo/Py5yYDY5Ghc/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-331JqcjqYUE/VIRO7baxT1I/AAAAAAAAGVo/Py5yYDY5Ghc/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TfYENDY2JSk/VIRPBpZiW8I/AAAAAAAAGVw/uW3ZNCfCLys/s1600/IMG_6479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TfYENDY2JSk/VIRPBpZiW8I/AAAAAAAAGVw/uW3ZNCfCLys/s1600/IMG_6479.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8GAcMI45zw4/VIRPPB4yHLI/AAAAAAAAGWA/amhS57yiplU/s1600/IMG_6481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8GAcMI45zw4/VIRPPB4yHLI/AAAAAAAAGWA/amhS57yiplU/s1600/IMG_6481.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wiak9rJeTaQ/VIRPTGMCMiI/AAAAAAAAGWI/L4FELvbkuhc/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wiak9rJeTaQ/VIRPTGMCMiI/AAAAAAAAGWI/L4FELvbkuhc/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We hadn't learned about the vin chaud yet. Whoops! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love that they have student prices on booze shots.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13kLMq7Q1sg/VIRPhQgBAdI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/YMFDhAA50cA/s1600/IMG_6485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13kLMq7Q1sg/VIRPhQgBAdI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/YMFDhAA50cA/s1600/IMG_6485.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoMpV0jL87w/VIRPiTNs4WI/AAAAAAAAGWY/pKZnTKlfgIo/s1600/IMG_6505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoMpV0jL87w/VIRPiTNs4WI/AAAAAAAAGWY/pKZnTKlfgIo/s1600/IMG_6505.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No comment.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KxUy2utKm_w/VIxk-8v99EI/AAAAAAAAGXg/IZzP_8ih4q4/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KxUy2utKm_w/VIxk-8v99EI/AAAAAAAAGXg/IZzP_8ih4q4/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1iCm3JCG9eE/VIRPjp2lTHI/AAAAAAAAGWg/RqXpFjmuHcM/s1600/IMG_6512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1iCm3JCG9eE/VIRPjp2lTHI/AAAAAAAAGWg/RqXpFjmuHcM/s1600/IMG_6512.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We want to go again when my preshus angel college boy gets here next week, because I forgot to buy stuff after all the vin chaud. Also, there is an ice skating rink around there somewhere that the girls want to try out. I did buy a pretty cool chess set and the kids bought Christmas presents for each other. It was a good day and nobody cried.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-53608828014588159212014-12-09T02:56:00.001-05:002014-12-09T02:56:01.029-05:00My Shoes are Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0vTqzOKxVzo/VIarDhQIrSI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/DNqmaVC9ta8/s640/blogger-image-941686801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0vTqzOKxVzo/VIarDhQIrSI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/DNqmaVC9ta8/s640/blogger-image-941686801.jpg"></a></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-13940556657339031682014-11-25T15:04:00.000-05:002014-11-25T15:52:40.458-05:00Tourists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of my favorite things to do in a new place is go to art museums. You know, as long as there aren't any toddlers with me. Toddlers are assholes in museums. Anyway, my kids are rarely assholes anymore, so when the tram let us off in the wrong part of town (we were headed to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Place" target="_blank">The Grand Place</a>, but more on that in a minute), and the<a href="http://www.fine-arts-museum.be/en/museums/musee-oldmasters-museum" target="_blank"> Royal Museum of Fine Arts</a> was right in our face, we decided to go where the day took us. The kids were surprisingly really excited to see actual original famous paintings, They wanted to go to one of the other museums in the area after we had seen all of the Old Masters exhibit, but I have a knee situation and I was also was experiencing a lack-of-wine situation after seeing all those paintings of naked people with overflowing wine goblets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7kON4DnPbU/VHTP30qjoHI/AAAAAAAAGPM/u6uYnDuR1Bg/s1600/IMG_6336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7kON4DnPbU/VHTP30qjoHI/AAAAAAAAGPM/u6uYnDuR1Bg/s1600/IMG_6336.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb4ljfUHvIQ/VHTeyCOo10I/AAAAAAAAGQE/0xWB2wAOlS4/s1600/coaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb4ljfUHvIQ/VHTeyCOo10I/AAAAAAAAGQE/0xWB2wAOlS4/s1600/coaster.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At least they used coasters back in the 1600s! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Big ones! Coasters, I mean.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
We still didn't know where the tram was, so we hoofed it to the Grand Place. See that tall fancy building coming out of my head? That's where we were headed. The closer we got to the square, the thicker the streets got with tourists. I love how my kids continually remind me that a lot of people understand English here, and I'd better watch my mouth when I'm whining about my knee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujzJmJE-H-I/VHTP3nOrzII/AAAAAAAAGPE/_bXeazbU8rM/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujzJmJE-H-I/VHTP3nOrzII/AAAAAAAAGPE/_bXeazbU8rM/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We finally got to the Grand Place, which is your basic town square surrounded by old-ass buildings. It's very touristy. Lots of chocolate shops and places to drink beer. You guys, the beer here is really good, but the extra-high alcohol content has a way of sneaking up on you. Anyway, I had beer instead of wine, as one does in Brussels. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uy7oKMGy1qM/VHTP-elhDyI/AAAAAAAAGPc/d5u3mLgyLXk/s1600/IMG_6357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uy7oKMGy1qM/VHTP-elhDyI/AAAAAAAAGPc/d5u3mLgyLXk/s1600/IMG_6357.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, that giant goblet of beer tasted delicious. Don't worry, we let the kids get hot chocolate, which also did not suck. Anyway, that beer tasted so good we decided to try another one. All the beer comes in different glasses here. I think that's so you remember that Brussels beer is <i>the shit.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQbbR2Kpudc/VHTQAZJh-bI/AAAAAAAAGPs/1cDwx8rhIWc/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQbbR2Kpudc/VHTQAZJh-bI/AAAAAAAAGPs/1cDwx8rhIWc/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While we were drinking our beer and hot chocolate, we admired some buildings with fancy gold stuff (insert architectural term here-just because I'm married to an architect doesn't mean I know the terms, yo) on them. I would show you the photo I took of the kids with their hot chocolates, but it was all blurry and I wouldn't want to give the impression that I was drunk or anything.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFqudK_mhy4/VHTP_5CfP3I/AAAAAAAAGPk/npx95blgYSg/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFqudK_mhy4/VHTP_5CfP3I/AAAAAAAAGPk/npx95blgYSg/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-jvv8hOmfQ/VHTQDcu50BI/AAAAAAAAGP0/MK4LqP7PVg0/s1600/IMG_6364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-jvv8hOmfQ/VHTQDcu50BI/AAAAAAAAGP0/MK4LqP7PVg0/s1600/IMG_6364.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Soon I thought it was time to sample <strike>all the</strike> some chocolates, because the beer had taken over my judgement. We sampled chocolate in every shop we went to. So, I'm sloshing around, woozily trying to not think about all the chocolate I had just consumed, when we happened upon one of the most famous chocolate shops IN THE WORLD. <a href="http://www.mary.be/en/home" target="_blank">Mary</a> is always on the top ten lists. The beer thought it would be a good idea to go in and try it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TW8V79sBt4/VHTOxB2S2mI/AAAAAAAAGOM/VNYxxeD-nGI/s1600/IMG_6381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TW8V79sBt4/VHTOxB2S2mI/AAAAAAAAGOM/VNYxxeD-nGI/s1600/IMG_6381.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I think that guy talking to my husband is a chocolate scientist or something, because he went into this long spiel about how amazing their chocolates are and how they are made using special blahblahblahbeer. The chocolatiers almost wrestled me to the ground when I snapped this photo. "One must not take pictures of the chocolates!" Don't look at these chocolates, you guys, because they are top secret and I don't want to wake up one morning with a chocolate mold of a horse's head in my bed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50Dr_TsUbRY/VHTPQCp0uvI/AAAAAAAAGOw/JLV_YrWXhiI/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50Dr_TsUbRY/VHTPQCp0uvI/AAAAAAAAGOw/JLV_YrWXhiI/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm not gonna lie, they were fantastic. Also, the chocolatiers wore white gloves.<br />
<br />
Since we were in full blown tourist mode, we decided to walk another few blocks to see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis" target="_blank">Manneken Pis</a>, which is one of Brussels' more famous landmarks. It's a statue of a little boy peeing. It's about 400 years old, and it was surprisingly tiny, considering how famous it is. Kind of like the Mona Lisa, but with pee.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHcj0nVoxZg/VHTPSRTanZI/AAAAAAAAGOs/Onm5OcdMkVw/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHcj0nVoxZg/VHTPSRTanZI/AAAAAAAAGOs/Onm5OcdMkVw/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For scale:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lkz1zXLZPLU/VHTPSZ5WQlI/AAAAAAAAGOo/b7-nvAKTxLY/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lkz1zXLZPLU/VHTPSZ5WQlI/AAAAAAAAGOo/b7-nvAKTxLY/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I mean, it's cute and all, and all the shops sell little replicas, but I'm probably good not seeing it again for the duration of this tour. We all agreed that the best part of our very long day was the museum.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, that is until we saw this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u62AkuWBuLA/VHTPJn2DAPI/AAAAAAAAGOU/m5M6gFhnugo/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u62AkuWBuLA/VHTPJn2DAPI/AAAAAAAAGOU/m5M6gFhnugo/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-8356202156655330792014-11-18T06:53:00.000-05:002014-11-18T08:20:13.964-05:00Barf with WhineI haven't been updating because I like the idea of you, dear <strike>readers</strike> reader, imagining me happily munching away on Belgian chocolate and waffles with my lightning fast internet, wearing my cute leather boots and strolling around my adorable European neighborhood. Hell, I like to imagine myself in that scenario. But the truth is, even in a cherry post like Belgium, any PCS (Permanent Change of Station, or, Poop Crap Shit if you prefer, as I do) is just freaking hard. And I haven't wanted to be all whiny, because we are getting paid to live in Europe. Don't get me wrong, we love it here, but we just passed that gushy honeymoon phase and went right to the, "Belgium, why you gotta leave the toilet seat up and throw your dirty socks on the floor?" phase. The good news is that Jack's missing college UAB, which was packed out in July, finally showed up. Here in Brussels. With destination: Los Angeles clearly marked on the front.<br />
<br />
Anyway, since I've started getting "are you alive?" emails, I figured I'd go ahead and just whine a little, because the contractor next door just saw my boobs. Here's how it happened. I was safely several floors up in my dressing room, looking for a bra, when I turned to see a guy on a one of those truck ladder thingies right outside my window. Now, normally I would run through the house, closing all the heavy draperies, screaming, and hiding out for a week, but right at that moment the school called to say one of the kids was vomiting. And since we don't have a car yet because we don't have our Belgian ID cards (what is this, Brazil?) and we can't get a car without a Belgian ID card and blahblahblah I had to call a taxi. All the workers happened to be out having a smoke when I went outside to wait for cab, natch. Ignoring the smoking looky-loos, I go to the school, grab my daughter after spending ten euros on cab fare just getting through all the security checkpoints at their international <strike>prison</strike> school, and hightail it back home, Another 30 euros later. Unfortunately, some other contractor working on the same house as the peeping Tom guy was blocking our driveway and the cab driver had to park about a block away because of the traffic. Let me just say that these guys block our driveway every single day and normally we don't care, but on this particular day, with my retching daughter, walking a block while holding a ziploc bag to catch her barf just sent me over the edge. I got her settled in the house and I marched right over there. Oh, yes I did. Boobs and all.<br />
<br />
"GRRRR! BAD FRENCHENGLISHPORTUGUESE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY SICK DAUGHTER MORE BAD FRENCHENGISHPORTUGUESE EVERYSINGLEDAY!" I said. Oh, yes I did. And this guy had the nerve to tell me that I should speak to him with respect, and can't I see that there is no where on the street to park? "GRRR. BAD FRENCHENGLISHPORTUGUESE HAD TO HOLD A BAG OF BARF BECAUSE YOU BLOCKED ME FROM GETTING IN MY HOUSE BAD FRENCHENGLISHPORTUGUESE". And, oh my gah, is this a thing here? Because you taxpayers pay good money for my right to use my driveway. Let's just say it ended with a score of diplomacy=0.<br />
<br />
So that was my morning, and that's enough complaining for one day, except one more thing. Okay, the European refrigerator? I mean, it would be perfect if I was in college and only had room for a pack of Chips Ahoy that my mom had Amazon deliver and a bunch of beer my roommate got with his fake ID (not naming names, here), but I've got a family to feed, yo. But it's workable. Worst case scenario, I go down to the basement where I'm certain bodies are buried from one of those Big Wars and did I mention Waterloo was right down the road from my house? And every time I go by I have to sing the ABBA Waterloo song? Where was I? Oh, yeah, so there's a refrigerator down in the scary basement that I can utilize to keep my sauvignon blanc properly chilled. No, it's the tiny European oven I'm having a hard time with. None of my beautiful pans fit in it. At least I won't have to worry about fitting a turkey in it next week because Mitch has to work. I think it's because he's so important? That, like, NATO will shut down or something if he spends Thanksgiving with his family after a year of missed holidays? Causing another Big War? Or something like that? So, back to my oven. How tiny is my oven? There's barely room for my head in it, you guys.<br />
<br />
Everything else is pretty good. I still haven't started working because someone has to sign a piece of paper somewhere saying I'm still relatively secure, and I think that takes a really long time because who has a pen these days?Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-32218116410175714752014-11-03T04:06:00.000-05:002014-11-03T04:06:09.271-05:00I Finally Found a Use for all these Fake Fireplaces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__PCkxbtK0c/VFdFAFoXs_I/AAAAAAAAGN0/2_gO7SU0YJc/s1600/IMG_6300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__PCkxbtK0c/VFdFAFoXs_I/AAAAAAAAGN0/2_gO7SU0YJc/s1600/IMG_6300.JPG" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now I just need five more dogs!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In other news, fourteen happened.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zy-_ZFXdiEs/VFdFH8ZXiYI/AAAAAAAAGN8/_4CxxYI-ti4/s1600/IMG_6293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zy-_ZFXdiEs/VFdFH8ZXiYI/AAAAAAAAGN8/_4CxxYI-ti4/s1600/IMG_6293.JPG" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-9312052828514646722014-10-31T10:36:00.001-04:002014-10-31T10:36:34.931-04:00Brupdate (see what I did there?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The kids are on holiday all week. I know. They've been on holiday since the end of September, so what's another week? They did all their placement testing during the two days of school they went to last week, and I'm happy to report that they did not flunk down a grade! Plus, all the math tutoring even brought the girls past the point where the new school is in math. And when I say tutoring, I mean I made them do online math apps while I played Candy Crush. Unless they needed help, in which case I sent them to their brother. They are a bit down today since it's Halloween and they're used to a lot of fanfare. Brussels apparently has Halloween and trick-or-treating, but we aren't sure if they do it in our neighborhood. I came up with the marvelous idea of 'trick-or-treating' to a few of the chocolate shops in our neighborhood and picking out any chocolate they would like, followed by pizza from the artisanal pizzeria two doors down (next to the wine shop, so.....two birds, yo) and scary movies. On Netflix. Because we now have internet and phones that the <i><b>embassy set up for us</b></i>. Which is all kinds of amazing, considering trying to deal with that stuff in Brazil caused me to lose my class one medical clearance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The only hiccup so far is getting data on our cell phones. For some reason there is no internet, although we can call and text. This is a problem for me, because I like to Google things like,<i> "</i>how likely are you to get infected by disease on the metro?"<i> </i>while I'm actually ON the metro. I'm just saying there's a lot of bare-handed grabbing of handle bars and whatnot that goes on, and to prove my point, I'm sitting here surrounded by a mountain of snotty tissues while the kids are <strike>out at the waffle truck</strike> walking the dog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are still enjoying our giant townhouse, although the hard water has wreaked havoc with my hair. Google told me to try a vinegar rinse once a week, so today I poured a vinegar/water solution in my hair and rinsed it out. It worked pretty well, I mean, I was finally able to brush through it and as an added bonus, now I smell like pickles. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, and apparently I have a job? I went to an interview (for a job I applied for a month ago) the day after we arrived. I'd had four hours of sleep in 48 hours, and I was pretty <strike>hopeful</strike> sure I'd bombed the interview. I know the job is in Human Resources at NATO, but I'm not entirely sure if it's full or part time or what my duties are going to be, because FOUR HOURS in 48 hours, you guys. Anyway, my plan of spending two months in bed in my yoga pants reading novels and watching Netflix has been foiled, because they hired me. The kids and I went out to NATO with Mitch this week to get our ID cards and the security was off the hizzyshabizzie. It took about half an hour just to get inside the building. And you can't even bring your phone or iPad in to Google "why is security at NATO so tight?". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I walk all the time and have come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to buy some....sensible shoes. That was hard to even type. My feet hurt so bad the other day that I put my white cross-trainers on to go to the farmer's market down the street with Mitch. It felt like I was walking on pillows! However, people gave my feet looks of utter disgust, like they were covered in dog shit. Mitch said he would never go anywhere with me if I wore them again. Looking for sensible shoes is un-fun. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'll leave you with this phone pic of my little ladies on the germy metro, taken just before they made waves in the staid halls of NATO: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdlZCtLqFHU/VFOKmXEVZ0I/AAAAAAAAGM8/c2QqeZ_LJYw/s1600/20141029_091211%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdlZCtLqFHU/VFOKmXEVZ0I/AAAAAAAAGM8/c2QqeZ_LJYw/s1600/20141029_091211%2B(2).jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-18868278660446305842014-10-26T14:53:00.000-04:002015-01-26T02:41:20.961-05:00Brussels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We've been here almost a week, and while there are still deep scars to heal from the year of separation and saying goodbye to family, friends and our Jack, I am pretty sure we are going to love it here. No internet or cable yet, but there is so much to see and do outside our door, who cares? I blew out my hairdryer and flat iron on the first day because of course I did, stupid 220V whatever. I now have a new dumb hairdryer that's dumb, but enough about my hair.<br />
<br />
You guys, the second day after I got here I took a tram and a bus by myself. I did get lost a bit, but 40 euros worth of Belgian chocolates from a shop on my getting-lost-route and a 12 pack of French macarons for the kids and I was back on the right track. Belgian Kate is superior to Brazil Kate, is all I can say. My first week French is even better than my third year portuguese was.<br />
<br />
The kids love their school. It's beautiful and set in the woods and they've all made friends. Dogs rule here (you can tell by the shit on the sidewalks), and they are welcome in stores and restaurants, so Seamus is kept busy by all the new butts to smell.<br />
<br />
We are happy with our townhouse. Guess how many floors we have?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OBqqg2jpVrs/VE08JHAilSI/AAAAAAAAGKw/yDftVC8Pm-c/s1600/IMG_6275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OBqqg2jpVrs/VE08JHAilSI/AAAAAAAAGKw/yDftVC8Pm-c/s1600/IMG_6275.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Four. Not counting the basement, which is old and creepy and filled with dead bodies, probably.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egN2TM2QeHM/VE08QjVdW5I/AAAAAAAAGLI/t_WuAZvbf7k/s1600/IMG_6279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egN2TM2QeHM/VE08QjVdW5I/AAAAAAAAGLI/t_WuAZvbf7k/s1600/IMG_6279.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">No, this is not an apartment stairwell. It's the inside of our house. I haven't seen Henry's little suite on the top floor yet, but I'm told it's quite lovely. The stairs are especially cool in that every one is a different size and they are all tilted in different directions. The first words out of one of the kids' mouth as they were tromping up them for the first time was, "Well, <i>these </i>stairs aren't up to code". Because Mitch is their dad.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The girls occupy the third floor. They've shared a room every since they shared a womb, and this is the first time they have their own rooms. What's really cool is that they have sleepovers. Every. Single. Night. Grace even has a balcony (Olivia had no interest in having a door in her room for robbers to get in). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_z1zZhQM5RI/VE07vlD96aI/AAAAAAAAGKI/rhW3EX7Zx40/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_z1zZhQM5RI/VE07vlD96aI/AAAAAAAAGKI/rhW3EX7Zx40/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Just up the street from our townhouse is a gorgeous park. The park has a waffle truck because we deserve it. Henry took one bite and said it was the closest he's ever been to a spiritual awakening. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIPS0MOgaj0/VE075PF5IFI/AAAAAAAAGKY/aFU8aA70wA8/s1600/IMG_6250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIPS0MOgaj0/VE075PF5IFI/AAAAAAAAGKY/aFU8aA70wA8/s1600/IMG_6250.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wh1B5phoAWk/VE07_Oy_0_I/AAAAAAAAGKo/f7JFGm4tOgc/s1600/IMG_6259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wh1B5phoAWk/VE07_Oy_0_I/AAAAAAAAGKo/f7JFGm4tOgc/s1600/IMG_6259.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sharing is caring.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7LhNzyEdPA/VE08MFk76HI/AAAAAAAAGK4/tAsL9ZL6ltQ/s1600/IMG_6262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7LhNzyEdPA/VE08MFk76HI/AAAAAAAAGK4/tAsL9ZL6ltQ/s1600/IMG_6262.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can rent a little rowboat or hop on a tiny ferry to get to that island restaurant. We did not try it yet because waffles.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOOTeBKHvGc/VE07-F131rI/AAAAAAAAGKg/uvtBHU26a0I/s1600/IMG_6254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UOOTeBKHvGc/VE07-F131rI/AAAAAAAAGKg/uvtBHU26a0I/s1600/IMG_6254.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My dog and my man and swans and shit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lgqs6UdTjg/VE1BGiziCoI/AAAAAAAAGLU/_M-sKCpDhdI/s1600/IMG_6261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lgqs6UdTjg/VE1BGiziCoI/AAAAAAAAGLU/_M-sKCpDhdI/s1600/IMG_6261.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Not a dump.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Things that are cheap here: wine, cheese, bread. Things that are expensive: everything else. We're all set. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Well, I gotta go pack my backpack and fill my waterbottle for the trip up to Henry's room now.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I'll leave you with a pic of our darling backyard:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQvxGj7ZeeY/VE08OHGMmCI/AAAAAAAAGLA/3Iol7ORNoaI/s1600/IMG_6276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQvxGj7ZeeY/VE08OHGMmCI/AAAAAAAAGLA/3Iol7ORNoaI/s1600/IMG_6276.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-13260571474949770182014-09-18T08:12:00.002-04:002014-09-18T08:12:23.545-04:00Little Things That Are Dumb After PackoutNo straws for my iced coffee.<br />
<br />
Horribly unAmerican-sized, borrowed coffee mugs:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eawMQoB5Cs/VBrJOBq0wvI/AAAAAAAAGIA/95cxNTUD99g/s1600/IMAGE_543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eawMQoB5Cs/VBrJOBq0wvI/AAAAAAAAGIA/95cxNTUD99g/s1600/IMAGE_543.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Having no shoes but Havaianas to wear out in public (don't worry, I haven't lost my mind--packing no shoes was entirely deliberate <i>wink-wink)</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No laundry soap. After Googling "can you launder clothes with shampoo", I begged my reliable neighbor, who came through with the suds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blogging on an iPad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Eating dumb food that I never wanted to eat in the first place, which is why it's still in the pantry. Stupid fad superfoods of gross dumbness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-49463183982353567722014-09-18T06:51:00.000-04:002014-09-18T06:51:01.706-04:00Mint ChipBreakfast when you are a bad mom and are trying to use up all the food before you fly out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJTCiPM-QEc/VBq2ajWHi0I/AAAAAAAAGHo/Xoe9XrNlFng/s1600/IMAGE_542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJTCiPM-QEc/VBq2ajWHi0I/AAAAAAAAGHo/Xoe9XrNlFng/s1600/IMAGE_542.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-25526461762511940352014-09-17T10:05:00.001-04:002015-02-26T06:56:07.099-05:00Moving Day(s)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The move was one of the smoothest we've ever had. I think having a year to prepare helped. I can say that we are traveling without junk for the first time...uh, ever? Of course, my version of junk versus two eleven year-old's versions of junk aren't entirely the same thing. We were WAY under our weight allowance this time. I got rid of about 1/3 of my shoes (I KNOW!) and carefully stuffed the toes with tissue paper and nestled them in their traveling boxes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ll-xBBdwD1s/VBmJ_y4kuPI/AAAAAAAAGGs/t1YbY2ClnfI/s1600/IMAGE_521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ll-xBBdwD1s/VBmJ_y4kuPI/AAAAAAAAGGs/t1YbY2ClnfI/s1600/IMAGE_521.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how they even took off their shoes. So civilized! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Meanwhile, while the movers sleep like babies, I am suffering contusions and third degree burns from the Departure Kit sheets the embassy provided us. I feel certain they are woven from steel wool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, at least I know where Henry's retainer is:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_-QUT8W7bs/VBmKHyOWsoI/AAAAAAAAGG0/jbXqVVOlds4/s1600/IMAGE_525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_-QUT8W7bs/VBmKHyOWsoI/AAAAAAAAGG0/jbXqVVOlds4/s1600/IMAGE_525.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
See you on the other side, and if you know of good orthodontist in Washington State, let me know, 'mkay?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-33944140854273690562014-09-07T13:32:00.000-04:002014-09-07T13:32:06.678-04:00Back in the SwingHe's been back a week and it's actually surprising how quickly everything has gotten back to normal. As normal as things can be without my firstborn. I've still only heard from him in one word responses, but through bank account stalking I DO know he purchased a video game. Wouldn't you think, if you had time to play a video game, that you could spare ten minutes to call the woman who survived 36 hours of labor and gave birth to you with no pain relief? Whatever, dude. Maybe I'll dole out your tuition payments in exchange for Facetime.<br />
<br />
Friday was my last day of work. I didn't cry or anything (like a boss, yo. A Xanax boss), but I am still kind of sad about it. Getting paid (albeit an adorable amount) to write whatever I want is a pretty sweet gig. And now we just have two weeks left in Brazil. Not much to do, everything is sold or donated. Even my beloved Kitchenaid Pro is gone. The kids are still in schoolthankthelord, so it's just the two of us, jockeying for counterspace in my bathroom. I guess I'll start a new exercise regime? HAHAHAHAHA. I kill myself.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-50618454768710996972014-09-03T08:58:00.000-04:002014-09-03T09:13:50.159-04:00Well, That's Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbfGToKTstY/VAcRwy2H53I/AAAAAAAAGEw/WaH40vQnGS0/s1600/IMAGE_498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbfGToKTstY/VAcRwy2H53I/AAAAAAAAGEw/WaH40vQnGS0/s1600/IMAGE_498.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waiting is the hardest part.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He's home. This is the post in which I expected to say, "Everything is wonderful, we are just enjoying being together, good food, good wine, blahblahblah". And it IS wonderful to have him home, but I can see that there will be a recovery period. Right now, mostly all we are doing is sleeping. I have a year of missed sleep to catch up on and he has jetlag and I'm sure a bit of PTSD. I've never slept so much in my life. I know he wants to talk about the things that happened over there, but I've asked him to wait a few more days until the ground we are on stops quaking. He keeps trying to lure me outside to the sunshine, but I still feel happiest in my cave for now.<br />
<br />
The kids, of course, are thrilled to have their dad back, but it's also business as usual for them. Middle School is <i>very</i> dramatic, and soandso likes Olivia but he's a jerk and whatshername said Grace has a crush on this other boy, but they ARE JUST FRIENDS.<br />
<br />
The dog is happily following Mitch around everywhere, but he is still traumatized by Jack's disappearance and spends a portion of every day walking in and out of his bedroom, whining. Okay, I do it too. So sue me.<br />
<br />
In the next few weeks we will be packing out and headed to the States for our required home leave. I am in disbelief that the year is actually over. I would like to say that we thrived, but for now it's enough to just say we survived and leave it at that. Also, why does he keep using my bathroom?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3CrplNmpr4/VAcRVnoKisI/AAAAAAAAGD8/WgnX8oDzYa0/s1600/IMAGE_467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3CrplNmpr4/VAcRVnoKisI/AAAAAAAAGD8/WgnX8oDzYa0/s1600/IMAGE_467.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-50032192022206432372014-08-31T18:04:00.002-04:002014-08-31T18:04:20.721-04:00Too Stalkery?Well, Jack is apparently too busy to give me full accounts of his days. I briefly texted with him yesterday, but he was very busy watching the USC-Fresno game at some Brazilian grad students' apartment. Here's what I know he did this weekend according to his debit card: bought a skateboard but not a helmet. Purchased something for $6 at Gateway Plaza Mall. Did one load of laundry.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-43818930064949038342014-08-26T10:21:00.000-04:002014-08-29T09:47:00.532-04:00Bad HabitsIf all goes according to plan, my mate will be home this weekend and I plan to kiss the shit out of his face. My fingers are crossed that it actually happens though, because Uncle Sam has been kind of a dick to us lately. He won't let Mitch defer his required 30 day home leave until next summer when the kids are out of school, so we have two options. The kids and I can go to Brussels while he does home leave, or they will miss a month of school and we will all do home leave together. I refuse to tell my kids they won't see their dad for another month AFTER HE SERVED FOR OVER A YEAR IN A WAR ZONE FOR HIS COUNTRY. So they will miss a month of education but they will do it on American soil, dammit! We will be pinning all our hopes on Jack to support his siblings when they drop out of school because they fell behind. Pardon my French. I've been practicing on Duolingo for Pottymouths.<br />
<br />
I'm a little nervous about Mitch coming home and discovering all the bad habits I've developed in his absence. I've whittled down my Brazilian heels by about 30%, so maybe he won't even notice? Plus, I've been hiding a bunch of shoes in "empty" boxes. Shhhhh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4EKmnPRFMs/U_yGFrzSxLI/AAAAAAAAGCk/DaEMM8aflNE/s1600/aaa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4EKmnPRFMs/U_yGFrzSxLI/AAAAAAAAGCk/DaEMM8aflNE/s1600/aaa.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I am alone I don't sleep very well, so I've developed the habit of playing Candy Crush Saga in the middle of the night on my iPad. I'm horrified/embarrassed/ashamed that I am now on Level 488 and have plans to make it to 500 before he gets home.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLxp4ZLX000/U_yGFqlR-MI/AAAAAAAAGCo/tWzho4xBMD4/s1600/aaaa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLxp4ZLX000/U_yGFqlR-MI/AAAAAAAAGCo/tWzho4xBMD4/s1600/aaaa.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've always had a rule that everyone sits down to the table for dinner together every night, with the exception of Friday Family Movie and Pizza night. See how rigid I was? Anyway, I'm afraid dinner has devolved to pancakes and Netflix more often than not with just me and the three little ones left.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Grooming. If I'm not leaving the house, I don't even wear eyebrows anymore. Let alone comb my hair or get out of my pjs. I still bathe and brush my teeth; I'm not <strike>Olivia</strike> an animal or anything. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Eating in bed. Every morning I practically have to carry all my dirty dishes downstairs in a laundry basket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sleeping on his side/in the middle of the bed. Because I can.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sleeping with my iPad, laptop, two phones, the dog, and a Kindle. I have no idea why I'm too distracted to sleep well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Watching entire seasons of TV shows in one day. House of Cards, Game of Thrones, Orange is the New Black, whatever. I won't stop until the final credits roll because who's there to judge me?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Alcohol. This one will surprise you guys.<b> I quit!</b> I know, I know, not drinking is not a bad habit per se, but I think I would be nicer if I drank a glass of wine now and then. I am trying to treat my body as a temple and only consume whole, healthy foods and drinks. I also want to be a fully present mother for my children. Haha! Kidding! I<i> kill </i>myself. Booze just doesn't go well with my <strike>pills</strike> vitamins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Obsessively scanning the news. I'm hoping this resolves itself once Mitch is back in friendly territory.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ignoring the mail. On his last R&R, Mitch started opening mail from the pile and found a bunch of medical reimbursement checks. He didn't think my excuse that the "mail looked boring" was very good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spitting my toothpaste out in the sink and not rinsing it out. This is one Mitch absolutely hates. I don't really like it either, but I do it because I CAN, bitches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Speeding tickets. I have so, so many. I blame the <strike>pills</strike> vitamins.Wait, no. I blame Obamacare. Benghazi? Either way, I'm going to have to figure out how to pay them or they won't let me leave Brazil. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow. That is a really long list. Maybe I'll just wear a really low-cut top and he won't notice all the bad habits. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-48873191175441111122014-08-22T08:38:00.001-04:002014-08-22T08:44:24.948-04:00And Then There Were Four of UsMy firstborn left us for college last weekend. It was hard on me, but Olivia totally stole my thunder and cried her eyes out at the airport.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yyXrM9bb9U/U_YyHjNk9gI/AAAAAAAAGBg/dlPMFGUEV-s/s1600/IMAGE_440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yyXrM9bb9U/U_YyHjNk9gI/AAAAAAAAGBg/dlPMFGUEV-s/s1600/IMAGE_440.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7H9TbYKQMfU/U_YyPGchGQI/AAAAAAAAGBo/d1QMCjoPNbk/s1600/IMAGE_441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7H9TbYKQMfU/U_YyPGchGQI/AAAAAAAAGBo/d1QMCjoPNbk/s1600/IMAGE_441.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why don't they tell you about the part where your kid leaves you during sex-ed class? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHG0TAuCUlA/U_YybRsVErI/AAAAAAAAGB4/qu8YVPNC1i8/s1600/IMAGE_445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHG0TAuCUlA/U_YybRsVErI/AAAAAAAAGB4/qu8YVPNC1i8/s1600/IMAGE_445.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next day, Olivia and Seamus cried for hours on Jack's bed while Henry and Grace buzzed about the room grabbing everything that wasn't nailed down .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I barely heard from Jack the first few days. My amazing friend Katie took him shopping at Target, so I was able to get a little information from her. Finally, though, he needed a favor. He wanted me to check something on his old laptop. I held the information hostage until he chatted with me AND sent me a picture of his dorm. If that's the way it has to be, I can play along. I'm holding the purse strings, after all. He wasn't able to pick up the linen package we ordered him for several days after he moved in, so according to Mitch he slept on balled up sweatshirts and dried himself off with a shirt. He told ME he already had his linens so I wouldn't pester him and fret.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CadRmUkXBbc/U_c37POnArI/AAAAAAAAGCU/EG5ZVAW7BIQ/s1600/jj.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CadRmUkXBbc/U_c37POnArI/AAAAAAAAGCU/EG5ZVAW7BIQ/s1600/jj.png" height="602" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the kind of conversations we've been having.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Since he refuses to tell me any details because he's a grown-ass man, I've had to resort to stalking his debit card, which is linked to our account. So far I know he's eaten at Subway and a couple of burrito places. He bought a lightbulb at the University Bookstore. What? Everybody stalks their kids via their bank accounts, don't they?<br />
<br />
On Monday morning, I got a call from the middle school. Olivia had a terrible stomachache and needed to be picked up. I left work, but when I got to the school she seemed fine. This is when she confessed that it wasn't her stomach that hurt, but her heart. We went home, got in our pjs and watched 80s movies together for the rest of the day. We will get there, but I don't like all this extra room in my nest.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786930960533065129.post-34766714216303923612014-08-06T18:14:00.001-04:002014-08-06T18:24:18.239-04:00Preshus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Who are you playing xBox with, Henry?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Pedophiles, mom!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsRf0X2-NA8/U-KnbilhMRI/AAAAAAAAGAA/rNV-dm3Jin4/s1600/IMAGE_422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsRf0X2-NA8/U-KnbilhMRI/AAAAAAAAGAA/rNV-dm3Jin4/s1600/IMAGE_422.jpg" height="640" width="602" /></a></div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02399110239602330389noreply@blogger.com0