Let's sum it all up

Well, I've nearly been back in Germany for a week, so I figure I need to start back up with my blogging my experiences. I haven't yet put up pictures, so I need to get that done at some point. But first, let's hit the highlights:

1.) Okay, well, the flights sucked, I didn't get in until last Wednesday. Now you may be asking "wait, weren't you supposed to get back Tuesday?" Well, yes. I was supposed to fly from KC to Chicago to Frankfurt then take a train to Stuttgart. But... the weather was really bad in Chicago and was causing all sorts of problems so the guy at the ticket counter booked me through Dulles. Long story short- I got to Dulles- the plane was broken- stayed at Sheraton over night- out 24 hours later- in Frankfurt guy in KC had changed train ticket to plane ticket for last leg of journey and you can't do that- got run around for five hours- eventually landed on a train back to Stuttgart where the sight of Dorothee waiting for me was a wonderful sight to behold.

2.) The gifts I brought back for everyone have been a huge hit! This makes me happy. Now the girls can't wait to have bathtime with the new colored crayon soap I got them, Paula never lets go of her stuffed snowman, Carola pours over the Sweet Valley Kids books (though only the pictures at this point), neighbors were thrilled with the cupcake and circutboard Converse shoes for their twins, and Dorothee pronounced that I will have Alex's undying love for the sheerly obsurd amount of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing I brought back with me. So all in all a job well done.

3.) Bitchy Canadian showed her claws again the yesterday at Ballet- evidently she asked Dorothee at Ballet when I was gone "What? No more nanny?" Dorothee told her I had gone home for the holidays. And she just couldn't imagine why I would want to do that. (Evidently no one in Canada loves her and she's hiding out in Germany because she doesn't have a choice). Ugh.

4.) Cool thing. The girls attacked me when they saw me again for the first time. All I heard was the fast patter of little feet then a small pause then I was knocked to the floor by a full body slam. (okay, I'm exaggerating, but it's not far off.)

5.) Yeah, events are out of order in this count up (count down?) but I'm lazy and I'm not going to re-do it. So there! *sticks tounge out*

6.) I went with Irena into Stuttgart today, which was cool. We went to this fancy-schmancy department store. While there she asked me if I would like to get a store credit card. And as I looked around at the signs on the wall declaring that this store had brands like "Hugo Boss", "Juicy Couture" and "Ralph Lauren Polo", I looked back at her and explained that while someday that would be nice to drop the money the way she does, and that while some day it's in my future plans to be able to have a reason to get a credit card to a place that sells 329 Euro hippy dresses (I looked) and has jeans on sale for 169 Euros, My bank account is currently only stocked towards Target and thrift store -and even that is pushing it. I'm the kind of gal who is thrilled with H&M and C&A (normal department stores with "normal" prices") But thanks for asking.