*sigh* I'm currently stuck at home on this beautiful, sunny, unseasonably warm October day waiting for the landlord and the "plumber" to come and look at our furnace. Now, I was lucky that they could come today, I just stopped in to housing today. So, that's something. However, I hate being given a wide open window of time that is probably not going to work for them. They can come, "in the afternoon." Well, I have to pick up my son, I have a scholarship committee meeting and have guests coming over this evening and need to prepare all "this afternoon." Oh, and I'm missing my workout also because of the wide open window of time.
If they do come today, which is a big if, it might be 1700, still the afternoon here in Belgium. I am lucky that my son can go to nursery care after school and I'm not an essential member of the committee this month. I can prepare for guests while I'm waiting for the landlord and the "plumber." Missing my workout makes me sad, but since I was cleaning like a mad woman for several hours, I'm sure I burned some calories.
The real problem is this: I don't like having my time wasted. I like knowing when someone is coming and I'd prefer it to be within a 10 minute window. This happens to be a problem when we're in the states too, I hate being given that, "Anytime between 8 and noon" crap. It drives me crazy, BUT I know that they'll be there. In Belgium, today in the afternoon might just mean next week and I won't be a phone call to let me know anything. They just won't show. The culture, which we were told about by a Belgian, is just very laid back. Life needs to be lived and work, sometimes, gets in the way. *deep breath*
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Blustery Day
I feel like Pooh in the 100 Acre Woods today, and yesterday and the day before, "It is a very blustery kind of day." The temperature has dropped and autumn is definitely here. My wind chimes, that my husband so graciously climbed the ladder and hung in the tree for me, is chiming like mad. The trees across the road in the chateau are spewing leaves like they taste bad and the sky is a lovely dove gray. (lovely being a relative term, of course)
Autumn is my favorite time of year, I love the colors of the leaves and the cooler temperatures, but I have to be Eeyore here, it is too early in the autumn to be this darn....fall like. The sky can't decide to spit or not, it's there, I can see the drops just waiting to fall. It's been cool and windy and almost rainy enough that I haven't gotten in the yard to mow in 2 weeks. The gophers/moles/varmits are having a heck of a time out there since the grass is so long that I can't see the smaller hills they've created. The mushrooms have sprouted their own little forest and are really taking off. Next, I expect to see garden gnomes building little houses in amongst the crazy bushes and out of control lawn.
So, now I get to be Pooh again. While the temperatures have been cooler, we haven't HAD to turn on the radiators yet. Good thing since we can't figure them out. And we haven't HAD to build a fire. Good thing since our super cool fireplace is a total fail since there is no way to encourage the smoke to go up instead of out the two openings. It is mild enough that we can be comfortable in sweatshirts in the house and cozy on the couch with a blanket. Those are blessings, are they not? We are saving money, right?
Autumn is Belgium is quite Nebraska-like, so now I'm waiting for those perfect Nebraska-in-Autumn sunny skies to shine on us. It'll come, I have faith.
Autumn is my favorite time of year, I love the colors of the leaves and the cooler temperatures, but I have to be Eeyore here, it is too early in the autumn to be this darn....fall like. The sky can't decide to spit or not, it's there, I can see the drops just waiting to fall. It's been cool and windy and almost rainy enough that I haven't gotten in the yard to mow in 2 weeks. The gophers/moles/varmits are having a heck of a time out there since the grass is so long that I can't see the smaller hills they've created. The mushrooms have sprouted their own little forest and are really taking off. Next, I expect to see garden gnomes building little houses in amongst the crazy bushes and out of control lawn.
So, now I get to be Pooh again. While the temperatures have been cooler, we haven't HAD to turn on the radiators yet. Good thing since we can't figure them out. And we haven't HAD to build a fire. Good thing since our super cool fireplace is a total fail since there is no way to encourage the smoke to go up instead of out the two openings. It is mild enough that we can be comfortable in sweatshirts in the house and cozy on the couch with a blanket. Those are blessings, are they not? We are saving money, right?
Autumn is Belgium is quite Nebraska-like, so now I'm waiting for those perfect Nebraska-in-Autumn sunny skies to shine on us. It'll come, I have faith.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
American Football
Today, the SHAPE American High School football team (football, not futbol) had their first win in two years! It wasn't district play, they were up against a club team from Brussels that only practices twice a month. But they won! The Brussels team is made up of 14-20 year olds that just like the game, most of them were not Americans and have never visited America before. The older players were not allowed to play today for rules purposes, but it was still a fun game.
When my son and I got to the game halfway through the third quarter, we were ahead 26-2. The final score was 33-22. Amazing. The kids and parents were so excited, but most of the spectators were gone after halftimes since it was cold, damp day. The player even doused the head coach at the end of the game. Something he wasn't expecting, at all.
It's nice to go to the games and see so many people there that don't have kids playing. We go because my husband helps coach, but I think we'd go anyway. The SHAPE community is so small, it's nice to be able to go support the kids and have that increased sense of community. Another way to meet people and be social. We're very lucky to be able to be so involved.
Great Game, Spartans!
When my son and I got to the game halfway through the third quarter, we were ahead 26-2. The final score was 33-22. Amazing. The kids and parents were so excited, but most of the spectators were gone after halftimes since it was cold, damp day. The player even doused the head coach at the end of the game. Something he wasn't expecting, at all.
It's nice to go to the games and see so many people there that don't have kids playing. We go because my husband helps coach, but I think we'd go anyway. The SHAPE community is so small, it's nice to be able to go support the kids and have that increased sense of community. Another way to meet people and be social. We're very lucky to be able to be so involved.
Great Game, Spartans!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Finally!
I don't know what happened, but I finally got an email from the HR department saying that I had paperwork to do if I wanted to substitute teach. Now, I've tried subbing before and it wasn't my cup of tea, but....it pays well and I can decide my days of work.
Substitute teaching here is a Department of Defense job, so I have a poop ton of paperwork to do. However, it is also considered a Spouse Preference position. Since I am an active duty spouse, I should have preference. Since I have a current teaching certificate, I should have more opportunities to be called over people with degrees in another field. Those two things have not been happening at our current post, until now, I guess.
When I took my paperwork in, then did it again online in August, I was told that they too many substitute teachers and I'd have to wait until most of the 23 subs stopped coming in or didn't want to sub anymore. After talking with a few of the people here, many of the subs were contractors wives who had been here for a long time. They didn't have military spouse preference, but they had friends in the right places and I didn't.
I'm not sure what happened in a month, but I'm very happy that it did. Somehow I doubt that many of the 23 current subs left, but if they did, Good Luck in your new duty station. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do something more constructive with my time than washing windows and doing laundry.
Substitute teaching here is a Department of Defense job, so I have a poop ton of paperwork to do. However, it is also considered a Spouse Preference position. Since I am an active duty spouse, I should have preference. Since I have a current teaching certificate, I should have more opportunities to be called over people with degrees in another field. Those two things have not been happening at our current post, until now, I guess.
When I took my paperwork in, then did it again online in August, I was told that they too many substitute teachers and I'd have to wait until most of the 23 subs stopped coming in or didn't want to sub anymore. After talking with a few of the people here, many of the subs were contractors wives who had been here for a long time. They didn't have military spouse preference, but they had friends in the right places and I didn't.
I'm not sure what happened in a month, but I'm very happy that it did. Somehow I doubt that many of the 23 current subs left, but if they did, Good Luck in your new duty station. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do something more constructive with my time than washing windows and doing laundry.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Time, it is a Changing
When we first got here in June, the sun was still up and bright at 11:00pm. We were so confused and our internal clocks were off for a bit, but the lovely black-out curtains in the lodge were very helpful. The first thing we bought for the house were dark curtains for our son's room. There was no way he could sleep when it was so light outside. Light equals awake for him, at least in the evening. His mornings don't seem to matter if there's sun or not.
Now, however, the daylight lessening. Quickly lessening. It is now 7:24am and it is still pitch black outside. The sun might be coming up, but we can't see it because of all the trees on the chateau grounds. It is made darker by the grey clouds we have this morning too.
We were told that in the dead of winter, my mother's birthday, it won't be light outside until way past 9:00am and dark by 4:00pm. UGH. I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for that change, coming soon with stupid daylight savings time. I've stocked up on vitamins B12 and D to help me cope with the lack of sunlight. I don't want to be Wendy Whiner, but I've never been a fan of winter or lack of sunlight and it's been ingrained in my by my mom. Daylight and sun are good things. My body almost goes into hibernation mode when they aren't present.
I can totally understand why all the Belgians have such lovely yards and gardens now. It's just another reason to be outside when there's light and the weather is nice. This is another reason why they're all out rambling and biking in the evenings. The Belgians are teaching us, "Take advantage of it while you have it, because winter is dark and long."
To quote one of my new favorite books, "Winter is coming."
Now, however, the daylight lessening. Quickly lessening. It is now 7:24am and it is still pitch black outside. The sun might be coming up, but we can't see it because of all the trees on the chateau grounds. It is made darker by the grey clouds we have this morning too.
We were told that in the dead of winter, my mother's birthday, it won't be light outside until way past 9:00am and dark by 4:00pm. UGH. I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for that change, coming soon with stupid daylight savings time. I've stocked up on vitamins B12 and D to help me cope with the lack of sunlight. I don't want to be Wendy Whiner, but I've never been a fan of winter or lack of sunlight and it's been ingrained in my by my mom. Daylight and sun are good things. My body almost goes into hibernation mode when they aren't present.
I can totally understand why all the Belgians have such lovely yards and gardens now. It's just another reason to be outside when there's light and the weather is nice. This is another reason why they're all out rambling and biking in the evenings. The Belgians are teaching us, "Take advantage of it while you have it, because winter is dark and long."
To quote one of my new favorite books, "Winter is coming."
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Gleaning
A few weeks ago they came and harvested the potato field next to us, and a few days after that my husband had my son out there picking up left behind potatoes. It seemed quite mischievous, to be out there stealing potatoes. They've been out there since then too.
Then we started to see other people out in the fields with buckets and sacks. Do they own the fields? Do they have permission? What's going on here? Shortly after that, someone posted a question to our military base's facebook page, and the answers were given.
In Belgium, along with most other European countries, it is perfectly acceptable to "glean" the field after it has been harvested. assumption is that it started to help feed the people that couldn't afford it. So, pick up your buckets and sacks and get out there in the fields, take what isn't yours.
(We'll be eating potatoes through the winter)
Then we started to see other people out in the fields with buckets and sacks. Do they own the fields? Do they have permission? What's going on here? Shortly after that, someone posted a question to our military base's facebook page, and the answers were given.
In Belgium, along with most other European countries, it is perfectly acceptable to "glean" the field after it has been harvested. assumption is that it started to help feed the people that couldn't afford it. So, pick up your buckets and sacks and get out there in the fields, take what isn't yours.
(We'll be eating potatoes through the winter)
Pumpkinfest
So, after the high of last weekend's Oktoberfest, we thought we'd try a local festival with some friends. We all piled into the vehicle and took off. How fabulous that this pumpkin festival was only 40 minutes away! Perfect day, perfect weather, our son has a buddy to play with and we need carving pumpkins. Fabulous.
The festival was in a tiny town, smaller than my little hamlet, so we're figuring that it will be so quaint. The GPS has us going through past the town then on a teeny, tiny, one lane Roman road. Ok, not bad, we're seeing some cars and one is trying to run us off the road. Hey, it's Belgium, we deal with this every day. Finally, we see where the festival is. No, we see where the people are, it's not really a festival, it's more of an old farm that grew some gourds and unique pumpkins that we've never seen before.
Hey, something new, lets check it out. The whole thing was in this little courtyard of a farm, complete with old stalls. One stall holds the donkeys that some vendors brought along so we can see where they get the donkey milk from for their soaps and shampoos. (yes, donkey milk) One larger stall is holding a creepy puppet show. Not creepy because we can't understand a word of it, but the puppets were really creepy. To the adults and children, both. (sensitive Americans)
So, we went out there thinking that we'd have a beer and some dinner. They had beer, of course, it's Belgium. They had pumpkin soup and a cold pumpkin sausage. We tried it all, but it wasn't really anything to fill up on. Well, other than the beer, but, eh.
Wait, there's some jugglers in interesting costumes and one of them speaks really good English. The kids liked that. And then the seductive Spanish music starts playing. Odd, choice of music. It's for the equestrian show...sort of a trick rider show, but really slow moving...because of the odd seductive Spanish music.
My friend and I each brought home some organic, Belgian honey, donkey milk soap (watch your mailbox, Mary) and unique blue pumpkins. If the weather was lousy, my opinion of the day would only be mediocre, but the weather was perfect. We have blue pumpkins on the porch and our sneezes from the straw dust have subsided. The day was great.
Did I mention we think it was a hippie commune due to the large numbers of workers in bare feet and facial hair?
The festival was in a tiny town, smaller than my little hamlet, so we're figuring that it will be so quaint. The GPS has us going through past the town then on a teeny, tiny, one lane Roman road. Ok, not bad, we're seeing some cars and one is trying to run us off the road. Hey, it's Belgium, we deal with this every day. Finally, we see where the festival is. No, we see where the people are, it's not really a festival, it's more of an old farm that grew some gourds and unique pumpkins that we've never seen before.
Hey, something new, lets check it out. The whole thing was in this little courtyard of a farm, complete with old stalls. One stall holds the donkeys that some vendors brought along so we can see where they get the donkey milk from for their soaps and shampoos. (yes, donkey milk) One larger stall is holding a creepy puppet show. Not creepy because we can't understand a word of it, but the puppets were really creepy. To the adults and children, both. (sensitive Americans)
So, we went out there thinking that we'd have a beer and some dinner. They had beer, of course, it's Belgium. They had pumpkin soup and a cold pumpkin sausage. We tried it all, but it wasn't really anything to fill up on. Well, other than the beer, but, eh.
Wait, there's some jugglers in interesting costumes and one of them speaks really good English. The kids liked that. And then the seductive Spanish music starts playing. Odd, choice of music. It's for the equestrian show...sort of a trick rider show, but really slow moving...because of the odd seductive Spanish music.
My friend and I each brought home some organic, Belgian honey, donkey milk soap (watch your mailbox, Mary) and unique blue pumpkins. If the weather was lousy, my opinion of the day would only be mediocre, but the weather was perfect. We have blue pumpkins on the porch and our sneezes from the straw dust have subsided. The day was great.
Did I mention we think it was a hippie commune due to the large numbers of workers in bare feet and facial hair?
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