Hairdryer?

This happened awhile ago, but I am just now getting around to adding the picture:

I did not move my hairdryer or curling iron because I didn't know if they would work in the outlets here. Besides my hairdryer (which was a really nice one that I have loved for several years) was beginning to die and would only work on low. I knew I would get a new one when we got here so I just trudged on with it the last few months. During our stay in Indiana I wore my hair in a ponytail most of the time, or borrowed my Mother's dryer.

Now we are in Army lodging and there is this beige machine on the wall, with a long tube. Erik told me it is a hairdryer. So this morning when he left I decided to give it a try.

Verdict: Yes, it is a hairdryer. It works fine if you are in a pinch (like I was) but not something I would purchase. The long hose piece gets very hot and I would have to stop drying every few minutes so I could cool it down.

The Big Move!

July 6th, around midnight, the decision was made to leave Fifi with Grandma and Grandpa Brack, until we had a better travel itinerary. Since we left, Fifi has joined Facebook. We keep in touch with her there, if you are on FB befriend her (Fifi Hendrickson) and you too can randomly follow the day to day life and ramblings of a cat.



Our travel began at 3:30 a.ma. on July 7th. We drove to Baltimore, MD where we relaxed and swam while Erik dropped off the Jeep to be shipped. We flew out of BWI, landed in Chicago, switched flights and traveled through time to Germany. Landed in Frankfurt, were picked up and brought to Heidelberg. Jet lag of 6 hours.

We stayed at Army Lodging which is in the Patrick Henry Village. PHV is out of town and away from public transportation, but has our Commissary, library and most of the kid activities, including the Middle School and the larger of the two Elementary schools. There is also a movie theater, bowling alley, put-putt, Burger King and stuff like that. There is a gigantic playground just across from lodging. The kids loved this!

Waited for housing assignment, for a week. They had a 3 bedroom for us at Patrick Henry but we really wanted to be on Mark Twain, so we gave up a bedroom. It will actually work out okay because we gained 100 sq. ft from the apartment at Patrick Henry. As we were waiting for deliveries a 3 bedroom opened up in our stairwell, but housing would not let us move. Though we were disappointed, we really like our stairwell and will make our 2 bedroom work.

Erik and I both got our drivers licenses the first 2 weeks we were here, then we were lucky enough to have someone loan us their car for a few weeks. Ours has since arrived and we are grateful!

Graham has been atteneding SAS Camps, which are camps through the Army, Child and Youth Services. They are excellent! The first week he visited Gutenberg Castle where they had animal displays and a bird show. He claims an angry German in the front row got their money back because one of the birds pooped on their his head. They went to Lochnuhle amusement park near Frankfurt where the kids can power some of the rides. He also went on a river cruise on the Neckar River, where he saw 3 more castles! The next week they went to the Frankfurt Zoo, and to the arts and crafts center where he painted a ceramic ornament.

Since it has been several weeks since I started this post, I will add updated pictures of the apartment soon!

Indiana Visit

Mid June the movers came and loaded up our house for the trip to Germany, and we took about two weeks to go home to Liberty and Boonville, Indiana.
In Liberty, there was a lot of work to do on our house, which consumed much of our visit. we tore down the long retaining wall next to the driveway and rebuilt it, and had new garage doors put on. The whole project took about 8 full days, and of course we picked the hottest week of the year to outside. Besides Erik's sunburn we are happy with the new wall and garage doors.

When not working on the wall, we had a great time relaxing and visit with family. We started off in Liberty and were able to see all the Rosenbergers and Bracks. We played on the farm, swam in the pool, and went canoing. Again, it was hot and the pool was great.

When not in the pool the kids were able to spend time with their grand and great grandparents. While we were working on the house, they fell right back into playing with the neighbors, Luke and Lydia.

A big highlight were two trips to the Hornung Family's pond.

After a week in Liberty we sped off to Boonville to see the Hendrickson group. The highlight of the trip was an evening at Aunt Nacy's house. The Hendricksons and Carithers came together for a day of fishing, food and fireworks. It was a great time.

We took a trip to Holiday World. Vance, Mason, and Alice all brought their better halves and joined in. Graham and I started off riding a few big costers. Tess and Angie played on the small rides and big play ground in Holly Dog Land. In the afternoon, we all played in the water park. The slides were very cool. Vance Graham and Erik rode a group tube slide together. That was a lot of pail men on one float.

Since Tess was turning 4, she had her ears pierced with beautifulbutterfly earrings in Evansville.

Back in Liberty to round out the trip, Tess celebrated her 4th birthday. We had a co-birthday party for Bill and Tess in the Rosenberger Barn, and party at the Brack's. It was a lot of fun!

For the Fourth of July, we Young/Bracks came together for a rendition of a low country srimp boil. That evening we dodged raindrops and watched the fireworks from the front yard.

Thanks to all the family that came out to see us and send us off. It is great to know that you all care so much, or that you will fein caring to get good food. Anyway we miss you.