Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On InstagramVisit Us On Linkedin

Container Gardening on a Small Patio

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 3 Comments

Our old house had a humongous backyard and deck. We knew when we moved to Germany, we’d be giving that up.

Here’s how we make the best use of gardening space in our small yard and patio.

Container Gardening on a Small Patio - Here’s how we make the best use of gardening space in our small yard and patio.

We have a tiny backyard with a goldfish pond and cute little patio.

Before:

My Pond Before

After:

I cleaned it out a bit and added a Japanese maple and some azaleas. I want to get rid of the bamboo border and add bricks or stones and some pretty gravel inside.

My Pond After

And look what I found! Frog eggs. Mama frog peeked her head out of the water at me.

Frog Babies!

We have this fun grill and oven that I want to try out.

Stone grill and oven

So, we don’t have much space for the kids to romp.

But they have a lovely playground park a block away now. We have to learn to container garden on our patio and maximizing space.

I realize with my small space, I have to get creative. I go vertical instead of horizontal.

Herbs in pots for culinary adventures

I have thyme, rosemary, lavender in pots on my stairs. We just had a cold snap that killed my basil and cilantro.
Herbs in Pots

I have oregano, parsley, two kinds of mint, and sage that went dormant but is perking back up. They’re not pretty. I need to get some rocks and gravel for here too.

Herbs

Tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers for cooking and canning

Gardening in Containers

We used to have a large vegetable garden and lots of romping space and an arbor with grapes. I will miss having fresh beans and squash but there’s just not enough room. I might consider one of those teepees for beans back by the shed but I don’t think it gets enough sun there.

I don’t really miss cutting the lawn, weeding, or the extensive yard maintenance. It’s a nice break since we don’t have to hire anyone to babysit our plants or worry about a loss of our vegetables if we travel.

Pretty flowers on windowsills and railing

Of course I have to have pretty! The kids loved helping pick out flowers for the railing and hanging plants for our hooks. We have several geraniums still to plant.

Pretty Flowers

Bird Watching

I love these little birds that come to my feeders. They sing so sweetly and drive my cats mad. We also got a bug house and we will see. The bees are a-buzzing and I love the sounds of spring!

Caring for Birds and Bugs

I found this lovely bistro set (at the BX!) and we fell in love with Ranunculus when we visited Keukenhof so there they are, in a pot by the table for me to enjoy with my beverages in the mornings and evenings.

Pretty New Bistro Set

A pretty new rug by the door.

pretty new rug

I had to have this lantern. It was on clearance and now I have the perfect spot for it on my new bistro table! I need to get a candle for it. But don’t you love it?

Light Can Change the World

I love how it’s coming along so far.

Other Changes to Make

I need to pretty up this shelf.

I got this fun daisy tree and I need a pretty pot for it.

I need to get something tiered since floor space is a premium (I could put the geraniums in a fun plant rack).

Stone Shelf

I’ve seen some lovely pallet gardens and I think I will look for one to use along the fences and railing.

Our biggest concern are the slugs and snails. I learned last year they don’t care for oregano or rosemary but they devour basil and most flowers. I experimented with coffee grounds around the pots and plants and that helps.

We look forward to caring for a smaller garden for a few years and experimenting with more container gardening.

Inspiration:

Linking up: An Oregon Cottage

Share
Pin2
Share
2 Shares
You might also like:

Stop Complaining About Military Life

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 3 Comments

Who is helped by hearing constant complaints?

I understand that some spouses find military life hard. But I also think some people would just find any kind of life hard. Some people just suck the joy right out of life. And if someone is struggling, let’s be uplifting instead of tearing them down.

Some spouses seem to constantly complain of every aspect of military life. They’re so weary with the PCSing and the deployments and the stress and inconveniences.

I’m weary too.

I’m weary of the negativity and complaining about military life.

I’m also tired of people proclaiming that all military spouses are the same. We’re just lumped all together with Coach bags, MLMs, pregnant, flouting our husband’s rank. It’s a tired stereotype.

I’m sick of hearing that military spouses are uneducated and jobless and mooching off the government.

Stop Complaining About Military Life - I’m weary of the negativity and complaining about military life.

I don’t raise my family any differently because we’re a military family.

I’m not a different wife because my husband is active duty Air Force.

But perhaps I have a bit of an edge having grown up a military brat. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t go to a commissary or eXchange or travel on a road trip without stopping at a base or post to check out the history there or even stay in TLF on the off-season. My dad traveled lots as a reservist and GS. His dad was active duty Navy and he lived all over the coastal USA.

I realize some spouses have no prior experience with military life, but they should certainly research before starting a serious relationship with a service member.

Normal life is what you make of it.

We live in the greatest era for connection there has ever been. It’s 2020, not 1915! We have the Internet – with Facebook and Skype and Google and all sorts of ways to research and communicate with others. There are no excuses for lack of availability of information. Learn how to Google. Stop crowdsourcing for your affirmation. Seriously.

When my husband deployed the first time, we had just PCSed to a new state. I had four kids under the age of ten. No friends, no church, no family nearby. I homeschooled and I got no break for almost a year.

And he left on our anniversary.

And I had never experienced winter before.

saying good bye

For like that whole deployment, it was winter, y’all. I’d never lived anywhere that had winter. I learned to drive in blizzards and buy snowsuits and boots for our kids. I found out where to go sledding. Then it snowed again and our basement flooded on Memorial Day in May. Fun times. {I’m not made for winter.}

There were occasions when I was miserable. There were evenings when I cried in a ball on the kitchen floor. There were nights I put the kids to bed at 6:30 so I could just be alone. I lost my temper with my kids. I hated my husband. I hated myself. I hated God.

But mostly, life ran like clockwork.

There was so much less laundry! I had leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day. I could cook bell peppers all I wanted (Aaron doesn’t like them)!!! My eldest daughter and I stayed up late on weekends, talking and watching movies, after the babies went to bed. The house was spotless. Everything was so efficient.

I am quite capable of parenting, housework, homeschooling, yard work, and simple home repairs. I knew other military wives who really could not function alone, and they had way more help from family, friends, church, and community than I’ve in my entire life. I was a single mom and homeowner for four years. So maybe that’s why it’s no big deal to me to go it alone sometimes. I trust myself.

I can get lazy and rely on my husband too much when he’s available to help. I get expectations. Without having to defend my parenting or having to divide my time between a wife’s role and parent’s role, it was often more peaceful.

I missed most the being able to sleep in an extra half hour or so on Saturday mornings while he made pancakes for the kids. But I also learned how capable my kids could be if given the chance.

Our expectations must change if we are to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. If we see everything as a learning opportunity rather than an inconvenience, it will help us make better memories for our families as we teach our kids what’s most important.

Homecoming

Are we different or special because we’re a military family?

Sometimes.

Is life hard for us because we’re a military family?

Sometimes.

Sure, there is often a lot of stress.

But despite all the negatives we could focus on, we realize how blessed we are to be able to live in different places and experience different cultures and learn so much about the world when other families miss out on that.

My son, our youngest child, told me the other day: “Mama, I love it that we get to move around and live in all these cool places and see the world.”

I just won life.

We got to live in Hawaii, Germany, Texas, Georgia, Utah, Germany, Ohio – and see such amazing sites rather than just the challenges – the stress and negativity that can come with inconveniences, deployments, TDYs, and PCSes.

I want my kids’ memories to be about the great opportunities we get to experience!

Resources:

You might also like:

Share
Pin2
Share
2 Shares
You might also like:

Prevention and Education with TRICARE Dental

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

I participated in an Ambassador program on behalf of Influence Central for the TRICARE Dental Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Dental Prevention and Education equals NO CAVITIES!

At the beginning of each new year, it is important to see if there are changes to monthly rates and premiums from health care providers. That way, there are no surprises later on when you make appointments!

Did you know that February is Dental Health Month?

NOW is a great time to brush up on program benefits and check on the upcoming changes.

Premium amounts change annually each year on February 1, so don’t get caught unaware! Premiums also vary depending on the number of member enrolled and the sponsor’s status. Enrollment is a 12-month commitment. However, after completing the minimal enrollment period, membership may be continued on a monthly basis.

TRICARE Dental Program premiums also vary based upon a family member’s military status (Active Duty, Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve and type of enrollment). The Dental Program is an extra enrollment feature with TRICARE. Check out the costs.

What are the benefits of the TRICARE Dental Program?

When enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program and members visit a network dentist, there are no costs for exams, cleanings, X-rays, or fluoride treatments.

Active duty members typically only receive one cleaning and exam at base clinics each year, so they can receive the recommended second exam with this dental program!

I love the flexibility of this dental program. Even when we are able to get dependent appointments at the base dental clinic, we keep our coverage up to date for emergencies, just in case.

I love that sealants are only 20% cost share for kids through age 18. I received sealants when I was younger and I have gotten them on my kids’ permanent molars for added protection.

Orthodontic treatment is available for enrolled family members up to age 23. We’ve had one with braces and I’m sure our other three kids will need some help in this area eventually.

The kids recently learned about teeth and dental health in our homeschool. We all had dental checkups this month and NO CAVITIES! We’re doing something right!

Our dentists commended us for our preventive measures and education: “Oral health is an important part of overall wellness. Preventive and diagnostic dental care helps maintain good oral health which leads to overall wellness.”

For More Information:

To enroll, visit the TRICARE website.

Refer to the fact sheet on TRICARE Dental Program.

Sign up for the Dental HealthMatters Newsletter to stay updated on new info.

The Defense Health Agency continues to offer a comprehensive dental care
option available for purchase by eligible active duty family members and
National Guard and Reserve members and their families. Effective May 1, 2017,
United Concordia Companies, Inc. (United Concordia) will assume responsibility
for administering the TRICARE Dental Program, replacing the outgoing dental
contractor. Your monthly premium rate will also change and you may
need to find a new dental provider.

Share
Pin1
Share
1 Shares
You might also like:

Brushing Up on Our Smiles

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

I participated in an Ambassador program on behalf of Influence Central for the TRICARE Dental Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Every new year, I review our family goals, make resolutions, and plan dental appointments for the year.

Doesn’t everybody?

Teeth are important.

We’re learning about teeth in science this week and the kids are all fascinated with how they’re made and whatall they do.

It’s a great time to teach them the importance of taking good care of our teeth and mouths with frequent flossing and brushing and healthy diets.

We love the kids corner and teens corner to brush up on our knowledge about dental care.

Two of my kids will visit the dentist in January. We pray they keep our family record of the past year with no cavities!

I love the convenience of visiting local dentist and oral specialists for our dental care. It’s easy and affordable, and my kids think going to the dentist is fun!

Fun fact: Wisdom teeth extractions are covered by TRICARE for patients between the ages of 15 and 30.

This coverage is considered with a 30% cost share for pay grades E1-E4, and a 40% cost share for pay grades E5 and above. This would be subject to the plan maximum of $1,300. Coverage for extractions outside of the age range can be considered if specific documentation is provided that substantiates the need for removal and is approved.

This is great to know since I have a teen daughter who will surely need this done soon! My husband had his wisdom teeth removed as an adult. I do not recommend waiting. Get it done as soon as a dentist notices the need!

Check out cost shares for dental services and plan premiums.

Another fun fact: December is the National Guard’s birthday – it turns 378!

I have friends and brothers-in-law who are Guard members. Awesome!

December 13, 1636, marks the beginning of organized militia, and the birth of the National Guard’s oldest organized units – symbolic of the founding of all the state, territory, and District of Columbia militias that collectively make up today’s National Guard. More history.

Sign up for the Dental HealthMatters Newsletter to stay updated on new info.

The Defense Health Agency continues to offer a comprehensive dental care
option available for purchase by eligible active duty family members and
National Guard and Reserve members and their families. Effective May 1, 2017,
United Concordia Companies, Inc. (United Concordia) will assume responsibility
for administering the TRICARE Dental Program, replacing the outgoing dental
contractor. Your monthly premium rate will also change and you may
need to find a new dental provider.

Share
Pin3
Share
3 Shares
You might also like:

Missing Home at Christmas

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 4 Comments

So, we moved to Germany in May. I prayed for a simpler life, a life back to basics.

And we’re mostly happy with the results. We’re focusing on what is important.

We’re simplifying and purging our hearts and home.

An Expat Christmas

What I don’t miss about America:

Malls.

I don’t miss any of the shopping. I am so glad I am not inundated with all the commercialism, except on social media. We have enough. We are learning to be content. We order online if we want anything that we can’t find in stores here.

Competition.

We don’t have anyone to impress. We don’t do Elf on the Shelf. We don’t host family or even friends (since we haven’t made any yet and we live in the boonies). We can create holidays and daily traditions that mean something to our family. We can focus on Christ and family and deal with issues that we have buried too long.

Rushing.

We don’t have to go anywhere, be anywhere. We have no responsibilities or events. It’s refreshing. Previous years we had loads of holiday church events, recitals, appointments. The kids actually miss it just a tiny bit, but I am a little relieved at the slower pace.

What I do sorta miss:

Lights.

Electricity is very expensive here. We used to like to drive around and look at decorations during the holidays. There’s not much of that here. The Christmas markets are really tourist targets and the weather isn’t very conducive to our walking around at night to look at Etsy vomit or Made-in-China garbage.

Mail.

It takes Amazon Prime a couple weeks for shipments to arrive to our APO. Our essential oils orders take about three weeks. Personally shipped items are arbitrary: an envelope could take a week and a box several weeks to arrive. And the base post office has weird hours for when I can retrieve parcels. Several items will probably not arrive on time due to lack of planning on my part.

Potatoes.

The taters here just aren’t the same. They’re sweet or something and not the same as Idaho potatoes. They’re great chopped and fried or roasted, but not so great baked and mashed. I never thought something like this would be missed so much.

I do enjoy seeing many festivities on social media of friends and family. It helps me to feel close to you, whether we’ve met IRL or not.

Resources:

Some other posts you might like:

Share
Pin1
Share
1 Shares
You might also like:

TRICARE Dental Program

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

I participated in an Ambassador program on behalf of Influence Central for the TRICARE Dental Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

I really appreciate the services offered with the TRICARE Dental Program.

We’re a busy homeschool family with four growing kids and the convenience of this dental program works well for our needs. It’s cost effective, worldwide, flexible, and easily accessible.
TRICARE Dental Program

November is National Military Family Appreciation Month. I am proud to serve my family as a military spouse. I take pride in caring for my family’s needs, including ensuring their dental health. I am so fortunate to have such services readily available for my family for just a little extra each month.

TRICARE Dental Program makes it easy for me to make sure my family has healthy teeth and mouths!

You can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program if you’re a:

  • Family member of an active duty service member
  • Family member of a National Guard/Reserve member
  • National Guard/Reserve Member who isn’t on active duty or covered by the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) – You get active duty dental benefits if you’re on active duty or covered by TAMP.

The TRICARE Dental Program has many great benefits for military families!

Cost effective:

Families enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program are eligible for:

  • low cost premiums
  • free annual exams
  • discounts on orthodontist services

The discount on orthodontics was a lifesaver when my eldest daughter needed braces! It would’ve been much, much more money for us without a dental program.

Worldwide:

The plan is conveniently available worldwide in two service areas:

  • CONUS: United States, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • OCONUS: All other locations

I love being able to go to local dentists for services no matter where we’re stationed in the world! We’ve loved our dentists and dental specialists in Georgia, Texas, Hawaii, Utah, and Germany!

Flexible:

The plan provides continuous dental coverage despite changes in life events, geographical locations, or military status.

We don’t have to worry about changing dentists in the electronic age. Our records can be forwarded digitally when we PCS. It’s easy to make appointments when we want. I like the ability to choose a dentist that suits our family’s needs.

Easily accessible:

After you enroll, you can create an account with to:

  • View dental coverage
  • Check a claim
  • View claims history
  • View explanation of benefits
  • Find a dentist
  • File a complaint
  • View frequently asked questions
  • View oral health information
  • Download forms and documents
  • Download the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit Booklet and other materials

I love being able to complete info online without leaving my house! It makes everything easier and saves costs on both ends.

Refer to the fact sheet for more information on TRICARE Dental Program.

The dentists on base are quick to recommend the TRICARE Dental Program since active duty members (and dependents, if they’re able to get appointments) are only allocated to receive a single cleaning each year. Two cleanings per year are recommended for optimal dental health. They know the benefits of the program! And I agree!

Our family certainly embraces a health and wellness lifestyle. We use natural and sustainable products, dietary supplements, and essential oils…some of our favorites are the Thieves Dental Care line from Young Living.

Our dentists are always so pleased to see our family in their offices since we are such model patients with great oral health! They say we should be tooth models and teach others how to care for their teeth.

The Defense Health Agency continues to offer a comprehensive dental care
option available for purchase by eligible active duty family members and
National Guard and Reserve members and their families. Effective May 1, 2017,
United Concordia Companies, Inc. (United Concordia) will assume responsibility
for administering the TRICARE Dental Program, replacing the outgoing dental
contractor. Your monthly premium rate will also change and you may
need to find a new dental provider.

Share
Pin1
Share
1 Shares
You might also like:

Outsider

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

As  a military wife, there are certain…duties…that I must undertake to assist my husband in his career goals. Once such duty is that I attend functions with other mil wives. I seldom enjoy them. These meetings are certainly sacrifices I make for him and his career. He understands the anxiety that these events cause in my heart and he appreciates that I do these things {mostly} willingly because I love him.

In the beginning, I tried really hard to fit in and do the right things and be the right kind of military wife.

I had a mentor who became a dear friend and I learned a great deal from her about these events. She helped put me at ease.

So, at her prompting and my husband’s hints, I joined the Officers’ Spouses’ Club and even became a board member. I really tried to say and look and do all the right things.

31DaysofDyingtoSelf.jpg

Attempt #1:

Most of the officers’ wives were just mean girls. It was like middle school all over again. We were isolated on an island and had to rely on each other whether we wanted to or not. Most wives didn’t work outside the home. Their kids were all in school during the day. Since I was a homeschool mom with three very little ones, I missed many meetings or had to get a babysitter. It grieved my heart to do this and I felt so selfish.

I learned quickly just to not say much. I didn’t have to talk since most of the wives’ favorite pursuits were Bunco and drinking. I could be invisible. And observant.

There came a time when I could no longer sit back and listen and watch silently.  I was only in charge of the newsletter, website, and publicity. Many of the wives whose husbands had higher rank relished telling us younger wives what to do and how to do it. I even got called out for some of the ads I placed in the newsletter. The finances for the OSC were facing discipline for mismanaging funds and the honorary member (a general’s wife) and one of the advisors (a colonel’s wife) tried to threaten board members to cover it up.

I was so DONE. I am not one who can stand to be manipulated. This was not an organization in which I wanted to participate. I sent a very formal, well thought-out, and neutral resignation email citing exactly what I felt was wrong and why. I got an ugly response from an advisor. She felt my email was a personal attack on her. She replied “to all” in her email and she was rather inappropriate. That was her mistake and she eventually apologized to me. But the damage was done. I was blackballed by many members of the OSC.

In a way, this freed me to be more myself. I don’t think it hurt my husband in any way since most of those wives’ husbands didn’t work directly with mine. And I still had a few friends on my side.

Attempt #2:

A different base. A new group of officers’ wives. Different everything. My husband deployed for almost seven months. I became a key spouse because it made my husband look good. The monthly meetings and quarterly trainings just about killed me. I didn’t feel like I did a very good job since no one was really interested in even talking to me. Most of the enlisted spouses wouldn’t communicate with an officer’s wife. I felt I neglected my kids since I had to get a babysitter when I went to the functions.

I joined the OSC on the prompting of the group commander’s wife. Kinda hard to say no. It wasn’t really a request. And I just hate the whole pay-50-bucks to join a group that feels like a sorority (and no offense to you sorority girls, but it’s not my thing). I attempted to attend the weekly mommy play group and monthly preschool field trips. Again, I did not fit in. These mommies were just itching for the day they could send their kids to a school, any school, for all day long so they could play. (I am not judging moms who send their kids to school, but these moms weren’t kind about my choice to home educate.) They did not appreciate that I am with my four kids all day, every day, and I enjoy it. I chose this! I couldn’t take the judging comments disguised as polite questions about my kids’ welfare. If my kids had enjoyed the play groups, then I would’ve suffered silently, but they didn’t really like the other kids. So I quit going.

I wasn’t missed.

I didn’t renew my membership.

Now, we have a new base. More new commanders. New wives. Another attempt?

Not gonna happen.

I’m just tired. I’m tired of trying to fit in. I’m tired of being on the outside looking in.

Do you ever feel like you don’t fit in?

Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares
You might also like:

Military Kids are Third Culture Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

We’re a third culture family.

Our lifestyle is vastly different than the way my husband and I grew up, and certainly different from that of our parents, except my dad’s life as a Navy brat.

My dad doesn’t have too many fond memories of growing up and I’m realizing my gregarious eldest daughter doesn’t enjoy moving around so much either.

We didn’t realize how different our lifestyles had become until I read this book, Third Culture Kids, and started evaluating our transitions since getting married and having a family.

Having grown up in Georgia, and living there for 29 years, my life was pretty stable, as was Liz’s for her first four years (not taking into account all that bustling back and forth to her birth father’s house every two weeks and alternate holidays).

Since then, our life has been a whirlwind of moving all over every few years. My kids’ lives are vastly different than many of their peers’ and even within the homeschool, Christian, military communities, we seem to be the oddballs.

Third Culture Kids

Our family’s most major life events (and stressors):

  1. Aaron and I got married in January 2005.
  2. We moved to San Antonio, in summer 2005.
  3. We were blessed by Victoria’s and Katherine’s arrival. We were a minority there, and our blonde babies were fascinating for many of the Latinos who were in our homeschool groups.
  4. Both Aaron’s parents passed away within a year. It’s been so hard.
  5. We moved to Hawaii, in 2007.
  6. We were blessed by our baby boy, Alexander, joining our family. Again, we were a minority, and my blonde, blue-eyed babies were petted and doted on by many of the Asians and Hawaiians we knew.
  7. We moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2010. There, we were in a religious minority, not being LDS. It was difficult and we didn’t make many friends among homeschoolers or neighbors. We did find an amazing church family. We kinda miss it.
  8. And we recently moved to Germany in summer 2014. Of course, there’s a language and cultural barrier. We’re learning all sorts of new things to cope with living here. So far, we love it! In some ways, we stand out (like when I drive my very American Dodge Caravan), but in other ways, we fit in ok.

As a military family, we must learn to weather the transitions and fit in quickly.

We have different defense mechanisms than other people. We know we don’t have years to make deep friendships. We don’t have houses or backyards with fun building and creative projects that will last for generations.

We have to make memories and can’t be attached to things.

I love how Timothy Keller put it in The Prodigal God: “There seems to be a sense, then, in which we all are like the younger brother. We are all exiles, always longing for home. We are always traveling, never arriving. The houses and families we actually inhabit are only inns along the way, but they aren’t home. Home continues to evade us.”

If this concept is difficult for me sometimes, I know it’s hard on the kids!

To make transitions easier, I try to do something special for the kids to look forward to and help them adjust as quickly as possible.

We try to keep up with the local homeschool scene. We never seem to quite fit in. But I know the kids need playtime with other kids. So I take them to the group field trips and park or gym days. I usually sit in a corner, alone, playing on my phone or reading while the other moms ignore me and chat amongst themselves. They all go to the same Baptist church, so there’s that.

This PCS, I bought the three younger kids new bedding before we left the States {yay for planning ahead!} – (and we bought Alex a whole new big-boy loft bed as soon as we arrived in Germany!).

Alex’s bedding is Monster Trucks, and the comforter is on the floor. Of course. I found it at Target before we moved.

loftbed.jpg

Tori and Kate were so excited when we unpacked and they were anxious to get their beds made, all pretty and new.

I found their bedding at Bed, Bath, and Beyond before we moved.

It’s perfect and my girls’ favorite colors – teal and green.

MixMatchGirlsRoom.png

For my teen, Elizabeth, we got her connected right away with the Civil Air Patrol squadron here. (If you have a child interested, message me for her CAP # so she gets recruiter credit!)

They were super impressed that she packed all her uniforms and books. She had an FTX after we packed out, so she didn’t have much choice. She’s showing her true colors as a natural leader, promoting in rank and being a flight NCO. She’s looking forward to her second encampment.

We also had Liz check out the chapel youth activities while we stayed in TLF, but since we moved into our house, it hasn’t been convenient to drive her on base right at dinnertime on Tuesday evenings.

She’s loving the local community drama team and will perform in the play KinderTransport!

I realize the importance of keeping my social butterfly connected with positive social outlets.

As a family, we started attended the traditional church service at the base chapel. Our first Sunday, we started walking there (it was on the other side of base!) and we got offered a ride by a chaplain who saw us. That’s real Christian living, folks.

So far, the service is just ok and we understand that summer is the transition time for most military, so we await a new chaplain to see if we like the services more. Not sure what to do if we don’t…there’s always the liturgical service at 0900, if we can get up and get there.

There aren’t too many choices for English-speaking church services around here. Lots of Baptist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational churches that don’t appeal to us one bit (no offense to those of you who attend those kinds of churches, but to each his own). One Lutheran and one PCA. We haven’t been super successful maintaining a consistent church experience. Living all over makes it especially difficult for fringe denominations and non-Christians.

Church “shopping” is no fun at all.

I am so thankful that my kids get to grow up living, learning, and knowing different cities, states, countries, and cultures.

We are so blessed with getting to live in many different places and being able to travel and have so many unique experiences.

I look forward to seeing the adults my children grow up to be.

The world is a much smaller place for them than it was for me as a kid and young adult.

Nowhere is our home when everywhere is.

Resources:

Share
Pin2
Share
2 Shares
You might also like:

PCSing OCONUS with a Vehicle

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By Leave a Comment

When we PCSed to Hawaii, we didn’t ship a personal vehicle.
We sold both our cars since we needed a larger one for our growing family and we figured we’d only need one vehicle while living on base.

When we PCSed to Germany, we shipped our van at the latest possible moment.

The email said 20 June as the latest possible date for the arrival of my minivan in Germany.

We had waited as patiently as possible for almost a month, renting a car for Memorial Day weekend to find a house.

We prayed fervently and quickly purchased a second vehicle for Aaron to drive to and from work. It’s a 5-seater Audi A6 – and we crammed those kids in the back to go to church on base for a couple Sundays.

New Audi

Of course the website for the POV shipment was down all month so we couldn’t check the status. Did the boat sink? When would I get my van?

Thursday afternoon, my husband emailed the contract carrier, asking for a status report.

Nothing.

Nothing all day Friday.

What’s the point of a due date if it just passes us by?

Saturday, we went to the library so I could use the wi-fi and the kids could get their weekly reading prizes.

When my husband checked his email, there was one alerting us about the arrival of our van. Sent at 5:30 on Friday.

It wouldn’t have mattered if we had received that email immediately. The offices were closed by 4 or 5 on Friday.

Monday morning, we were up bright and early (way early for me – 0600!) and headed out to begin the paperwork to get my van.

We proceeded to jump through all sorts of hoops in order to get my minivan. (We’re thankful it’s paid for. It’s a 2007 Dodge Caravan. We bought it new in Hawaii and it’s served us well. We pray it lasts through this tour here in Germany.)

Because it’s really my T.A.R.D.I.S., remember?

My TARDIS

Three different buildings, luckily for us, they were all back to back to back. We were worried we’d have to drive all over base to get all the paperwork completed.

At the vehicle registration office, we had to show proof of ownership, the shipping documents, my military dependent ID, German USAREUR driver’s license. I expected them to ask for a pint of blood and rights to my firstborn. Forms were filled out and payment was made.

We were issued temporary license plates. We had to go to the shipment office to verify ownership and check it over for damage. One back taillight was chipped.

Then we had to drive to the next building over for vehicle inspection. We had heard horror stories of how picky they could be and would often fail vehicles for very minor cosmetic damage. I have a tiny chip in the windshield and the corner of the rear bumper has a little rust and dent. And that chipped tail light. We prayed.

They checked over the exterior, they drove it to check the brakes, lights, and horn. They viewed the undercarriage.

They informed us we had to remove all stickers (we still had an inspection sticker and base ID label from Hawaii) and to monitor that chip in the windshield. If it gets more than 1/2 inch, we have to replace the windshield.

They provided us with a razor blade, and we gladly scraped off those stickers in a hurry.

We passed. Whew!

On to the vehicle registration office (a different one beside the inspection building) to get our permanent license plates. We paid and then drove off to get our gasoline ration card.

At the Shoppette, we showed the registration to a clerk and received an Esso gas ration card (that only works for us in Germany) – it looks like a debit card and allows us to buy gasoline tax-free. We are allotted 400-600 ℓ each month. Each time we buy gas, we have to take this card from the pump into the Shoppette to pay with our ration card. Unleaded gas this week on base is about $3.92/gallon. Off base, it’s about E1.67/ℓ. We also can load the card with Euro to purchase at Esso stations throughout Europe for tax-free, but we still must remain under the ration amount.

The Vogelweh Shoppette has regular unleaded for about $3.92/g but the Ramstein Shoppette has only mid-grade and premium.

Guess where I get my gas?

So, we’re ready to roll now!

Now to become an expert in backing into tight parking spots and maneuvering my big American vehicle on these narrow German roads.

Resources:

You might also like:

Share
Pin1
Share
1 Shares
You might also like:

What to Do with Clothes in Germany

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure.
Please see my suggested resources.

By 1 Comment

Most German houses don’t have closets. They have to buy Schränken – wardrobes. Some are simple cabinets with a shelf and rod to hang clothes. Others are monstrous wall units with drawers, shelves, cabinets, and a place to hang clothes.

schrank

We are allotted seven wardrobes from FMO (Furniture Management Office) during our stay here in Germany. We are more than lucky that our master bedroom has this huge walk-in closet. But I am allotted seven, so you know I found use for every single one of them. Two in the girls’ room, one in Alex’s room, one in Liz’s room, one in the hallway for coats, one in the laundry area for towels and whatnot, and one in the schoolroom to cram everything I can out of sight and out of reach of little hands.

Coat Closet
Washer and Dryer

I had to come all the way to Germany for the awesome washer and dryer of my dreams.

These lovely brand-spanking-new laundry units are mine on loan from FMO (Furniture Management Office) for three years.

They sing to me when they’ve completed a cycle. They’re sweet like that. All the settings are in German, so I just play with it until it feels right. Google Translate is our friend. I do know the difference between wool and cotton. I seldom wear wool (Wolle), so that’s easy.

Washer and Dryer Settings

The washer has to drain water into a sink since there’s no connection for a drain hose. So that’s special.

Washing Machine Drain Hose

The dryer is a condenser which means that it collects all the water from the wet clothes and has to be emptied after each load. There is no big metal vent that connects to the wall like with American dryers. I just use it to water plants.

Dryer Condenser

These units are just plug and go. It seems simpler and efficient.

This is a Flügeltrockner. It means “winged dryer.” It folds up flat for storage. It has two “wings” that unfold to hang clothes to dry. All utilities are more expensive here, so if we don’t have to use the dryer, the better. I basically just use the dryer for underwear and towels.

Clothes Drying Rack

And, just so you know, that’s my band name. Flügeltrockner.

My bathroom is like a greenhouse. I can’t wait to stock it full of orchids and plants.

It’s huge and has a toilet, two pedestal sinks, a shower, a jetted tub, urinal, and bidet. No storage! No cabinets. No shelves.

You might also like:

Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares
You might also like: