Now I Get It...

My boss is sitting in the other room sucking the food from between his teeth, making disgusting sounds. This is a man who talks with his mouth stuffed full all the freakin' time. I mean, it's so full you can't understand what he's saying. When I give him a look and ask him to repeat himself he gives me an indignant look. Anyway, the sucking noise is gross and I finally understand why Yago gets irritated.

I'll be spending the entire next week up at Ramstein attend the Transition Assistance Program Seminar. It'll be nice to be out of here and with my boys for a week and a half.

I did some cleaning last night and I felt GREAT afterward. Made me wonder why I haven't done more throwing away and scrubbing over the last couple years...

The Curse, continued

I am essentially out my security deposit and no one is held accountable. (except me, of course) I'd like to kick everyone that works over there in the jimmy a couple times. (too bad they're girls and don't have jimmies)

I was informed yesterday that I owe Sam's daycare $150. I was supposed to be getting money back since I pay for the entire month on the first and he's leaving a week early. Nope. They say somewhere the billing got mixed up and I owe them $150... today. Perfect.

For YEARS, I have been looking forward to accruing enough frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business class. (Not even 1st class, just business class) I finally got the 25,000 I needed so my next trip to the states I was going to be balling, shot calling. Ya know what I'm saying? I went to look up ticket prices and upgrade procedures last Wed only to find they raised the requirement to 50,000 miles. WHAT??!! But, but... I was so pleased that when I go home over the holidays, 6 mos pregnant, I'd get to rest and relax on the plane. I'd get to dine on fine food instead of the microwavable veggie pizza crap. But, nooooo. I get to spend 10 hours crammed in a little seat doing the bobble-head sleep thing. (observing Sam's restful slumber only embitters me more)

On a happier note... my sister, mistressofmoomoo, turns 32 today. Happy birthday, you old lady!!! Sam said, "So Aunt Mistressofmoomoo is 32 and you're 33?" Yep, I'm only a year older. (zip it Yago. I didn't go cradle robbing for the verbal abuse)

Still with the curse?

I haven't much felt like posting lately because... well, a few reasons.

What's occupying most of my time and energy right now is trying NOT to get screwed by my landlord. He put a clause in at the end of my rental contract that nullifies the military clause. Of course, this cute little clause is all in German and the Housing Office said it was a good contract and recommended I sign it. Turns out it's not a good contract for me and I could be held liable for rent until Dec 2007. If I'm lucky I'll just be out a $3,600 securtity deposit. The whole purpose of the "Housing Office" is to help and protect military tenants, which they haven't.

Sam is leaving me this weekend to live with his dad. I'm sad that he'll be gone, I'll be lonely. I'll have to cuddle myself after dinner. I'll join them in a month but it's still four weeks alone in my apartment.

I've been trying to hand stuff off at work with mixed results. I don't really care about the Holiday Party but the person that's supposed to take it over isn't DOING anything with it.

It's frustrating but I have to remember, regardless, it'll be over in about a month.

Positive In = Positive Out

This morning I felt awful and didn't know why. I went to the espresso bar for a pick me up but got more than a caffeine buzz.* The people at the coffee machine are cool, not like the knuckleheads in my office. After a few minutes of good old-fashion bantering I realized that I physically felt better. It's amazing how that works.

* I know I'm not supposed to have a lot of caffeine and I am trying to ween myself.

Who has what?

Last night, while fixing the worst dinner in recent memory, the phone rang...
"Let me talk to Schmitty."
"Okay, hold on." hmm, that's weird.
Schmitty hands the phone to me a couple minutes later. With a smile he says, "The little baby in your belly is growing raisins."

Thanks, Yago. He's reading anything and everything he can get his hands on about fetal development.

Better Than Last...

This weekend was better than the last one... When Sam tried to get me arrested for kidnapping and child abuse. (lil' stinker)

We saw the movie Over the Hedge and had fun. I was CRAVING Chili's steak and portabello mushroom fajitas so I talked Yago in to going. He despises such establishments but agreed anyway, for the sake of Cranky I think. I can't tell you how excited I was about these fajitas. Imagine the disappointment when I saw they were discontinued. That was a bummer.

I ordered school clothes and maternity clothes on Sunday. Can't wait to have a little pregnant belly. (not the huge one where everyone is afraid to stand too close)

Big Smile

Yago and I went to my first OB appt today. Once he found out there was going to be a pelvic exam he wasn't nearly as excited about attending. "It's okay, you don't have to be there for that part." (in a forgiving tone when I actually didn't want him there for that)

I went out and got Yago when the doc was ready to do the ultrasound. It was so cute, you can already see the little heart beating. The doctor told us Cranky is about the size of a gummy bear. Yago made some comment about seeing it's little arms. The accompanying gesture was so funny I laughed the sensor/scopy/thingy off my belly. He's so ridiculous sometimes.

The difference in care between the Americans and Germans is already apparent. When I was pregnant with Sam I was diagnosed as pregnant. They took my bp, height, weight, some blood and sent me to a briefing. That's the only care I got during the first trimester.

I was diagnosed here and immediately eligible to see a doctor. I'm about 8 wks along and had my appt today. They didn't weigh me, which I found odd because in the US they write down your beginning weight and then lecture you the rest of your pregnancy about weight gain. They didn't take my blood pressure either but did collect a couple tubes of blood. Plus, I already got an ultrasound. That's a treat reserved for the fourth month in the States. They do an ultrasound EVERY visit and they have the 3-D kind.

Another difference... The doctor told me I could change into the robe hanging on the wall. She didn't leave the room or anything, just stepped behind the screen out of my sight. I asked which way I should have the robe open, the front or back. (All us girls know different doctors have different preferences.) This doctor sounded a little confused by my question. She told me, "We only have the robes for the American patients because we know that's what they're accustomed to. Germans don't use them." Hmm. I'm trying to imagine myself stripping down and walking around a stranger's office buck-naked. Nope. Then plopping myself down on a table in to stirrups without a robe, sheet, or anything. Nope. I don't even do that at home in front of my husband. (I mean walk around naked, we don't have stirrups at home.)

Today has been such a good day, I'm even friendly to people at work. Completely out of character.

untitled

Baby Cranky hasn't been so cranky the last couple days so that's good. I was worried I was going to have to endure months of feeling sick.

So it was right around a year ago that Yagopuchae started drunk dialing me while I was working mids. That is so funny to me. I had a little crush on him but I didn't take him seriously when he said, "I want to get to know you on a personal level." Yeah yeah, we'll see if you even remember this conversation tomorrow. It's amusing.

Mr. Cranky

I have named the little Huff fetus Mr. Cranky. He is draining me of what little energy I had. I walk around as if I have those little velcro weights strapped to my wrists and ankles. My eyelids are alway heavy. And I'm not exactly nauseous but I'm not quite right either. I just alway feel kind of... hungover. That's it! I feel like I went on a drinking binge.

Two months feels like a long time to sit here with these jokers. I wish I could just take off now. I want to tell everyone to suck it. I think the people I work with would be surprised to know that I can actually be pleasant on occassion because I always act like a bizzo here. ...Maybe they call me Capt Cranky.

Where did I go?

In case you're wondering, I've been busy the last few days. Thursday, Sam woke up sick. He threw up the grossest smelling puke I've ever been exposed to. We stayed home and he seemed fine from 0700 on.

I got a phone call in the afternoon from Yago that our paperwork had been approved by the German government, what date did I want? "Tomorrow, if they have it!" Friday was available so we went and got married! We were officially married on July 21st.

Then, Yago's grandmother visited over the weekend. She was in Scotland with her son and made a weekend trip to Germany to see us all. We spent a very pleasant weekend together.

To recap, this has been an amazing week. Sunday, I found out I was pregnant. Monday, that I'm due March 12th. Wednesday, I'm separating from the AF and on Friday, I got married.

That's why I've been so neglectful of my blog...

Thank God Almighty, I'm Free at Last

The AF has let me go! Can you believe that?? I can't. They told me they would turn down my application but they didn't! For once I'm glad they lied to me!! My separation date is Sep 29.

Sorry about not calling you, Mickity. I've been pretty busy in the evenings. Sam's home sick today so I'll try calling you this afternoon.

Fertile Myrtle

So it turns out I am pregnant! At least according to the discount store pregnancy test. I can't believe it but I'm pretty excited. I'm also quite the out-of-wedlock frau, but that's how we Adsits do it. Rules schmules.

It's very different this time. I didn't sit in the bathroom stall and cry. I couldn't wait to get home and tell Yago, I wasn't afraid of being yelled at. He grinned a big smile and asked, "Really?" It wasn't, "How could this happen?!"

I'm going to the clinic this afternoon to get my "official" test. There's a prenatal briefing Aug 8th that I'll have to attend. I'm so happy.

Two Things I Don't Know

Sam was rathered pleased with himself last night because he found two things I don't know. Our discussion over pizza:

Sam: What does heaven look like?

Me: (pause) I don't know. Kind of like out there? Sun shining, grass green...

Sam: Is it ever night time in heaven?

Me: I don't know. (long pause) I guess so.

Sam: I know two things you don't know now.

Me: (start to argue then realize I really don't know) But Sam no one knows until they die. (pull the old I don't know but neither does anyone else card)

Dumber than a post?

I took Sam to school this morning and on my way back I did something completely retarded. I was in a hurry trying to get around a crowd of kids and walked right smack in to a street sign. ...embarrassing. Now I have a cut and bruise on my forehead. I have to come up with a better story than, "I walked in to a street sign."

What Stinks?

Oh, that's me. Why? Because I went for a little jog in stinky clothes* and then forgot deodorant.

My physical condition sucks. Short and simple. It's depressing but I have to make it a priority.

I ate lunch with Sammy again. He said he's a team leader in his summer enrichment program at school. That means anyone in his row boat (I'm assuming that's his group) who needs help has to go to him. I asked if it changes everyday and he said no. We'll see. It sounds like he's doing well but it's hard to tell.

*I grabbed my gym clothes off my bedroom floor this morning . Although my t-shirt was folded, it smelled like it had sat in the washer for a week before I dried it. Gross.

Baby Steps

I feel so much better. Yago and I turned in our paperwork this morning for the marriage application thingy. We should hear back in a couple weeks and know the date.

We had a great weekend. Friday night we cooked out on our new grill. Saturday we took Sam and a couple other boys (Yago used to work with their father) to Kids Zone and they had a blast. Then, we had dinner at their house and had a nice evening. Sunday, we went to a Fest in town... Ate sausages and drank beer while Sammy jumped in a bouncy castle.

Needless to say, I'm ecstatic to be back at work...

My Sister Will Kill Me

But she sent me an email today and it was the sweetest thing...

I can't believe you are a captain. Look how far you have come. I can still remember the first day you left to go to basic. I sat in your room after we took you to the bus station and I cried while I held your garfield.

It's so cute and I remember that Garfield and my Garfield bedspread. So what if I was 19...

Craziness

I actually accomplished something at work today and have a clear idea of what the way ahead is. Amazing. Both my bosses are out today too. Coincidence? I doubt it.

I scarfed down a huge Taco Bell lunch today, not my fault... kind of. Yesterday I was told the CDC would save a plate for Sam since he doesn't get back from summer school until after 12:00. Good. Then when I dropped him off this morning I was told they couldn't do that because they can only hold lunch 30 mins and it would be longer than 30 mins. I hadn't planned for that and didn't have any cash on my so my choices were Taco Bell or BK.

I played wormy with Sam and he said I could be part of his family if I didn't talk to girls. Then he asked wormy if he wanted to go to his dad's house with him tonight.

(Wormy = A game played with a child to sucker them in to holding your hand. Stick out pinky finger and pretend it's a talking worm. Wormy tells child he's scared and needs to be held. Child holds on to worm. (Viola, they're holding your hand.) This is a great game in crowds or when crossing the street.)

Yeah, I Know

I know, I've been a complete slacker... but in my defense, oh screw it.

Got back from the honeymoon and it was really neat. We were there for the White Nights where it doesn't get dark. It'd be 11:00 at night and you could go outside and read a book. Jason woke up one morning and started getting ready only to see that it was 3:30 in the morning. Construction workers were still working at 11:30. I also learned that Russians are a frolicking people. They were everywhere along the river banks at all hours.

I turned in my paperwork to get out of the AF but the Exec isn't exactly pushing it through for me. What's IMPORTANT to me (and my mental health) isn't important to him. I can't further his career so why bother helping me? Every day that passes increases the likelihood of AFPC turning down my application because it's so short notice.

I also got promoted to captain last week so Sam can quit calling me Lieutenant...

Man Day

Jason is off today so he came down to Stuttgart a day early. He and Sam are enjoying a "Man Day" while I'm at work. I don't know what that means but I'm pretty sure it involves pajama bottoms and no shirts.

I have an appointment with the General in 30 mins to ask for his support in separating. I'm nervous as heck. I'm also afraid of ticking off my entire chain of command only to have my application turned down at AFPC.

In other news, today is my last duty day as a Lt. After I get back from leave I'll be a Capt.