Bakers can't be Choosers

Picture my life just for a sec. At this very moment, my house is totally trashed, every room needs to be hosed down and started over, I have probably 12 loads of laundry that need to go in, the refrigerator is jam-packed with Thanksgiving leftovers, guidebooks are strewn upon the floor, have various forms of currency lying about, crates of German beer bottles that need to be recycled, I’m on the couch snuggled up with my cats and my computer, and my stomach muscles still hurt so much from laughing that sitting up is a struggle. I’d say that’s a sign of a wonderful week.

We’ve just spent the last 8 days with our old Peoria neighbors, the Bakers. Oh my goodness, did we have a great time. First of all, I’m just so grateful that they are crazy enough pull their kids out of school, miss work, and skip Thanksgiving with their families to come see us. (Seriously, I have no idea what they were thinking, Tim and I are not that cool.) Laurie and I have been on the phone nearly everyday planning for this adventure, so actually even still today I’m feeling a little postpartum. (Or as best friend Susan called it, Post-de-partum.)

They arrived here a little bleary eyed at the BCD (that’s butt-crack o’ dawn) after what I think was a little bit of a hairy travel day. Pretty sure the alarm didn’t go off at the right time (or at all) and Mark may have swore in front of his children on the way to the airport. Whoops. Luckily things picked up as soon as they made it through customs. Dinner that night was at the Bishopshof Brewery (yes, the high ranking priests here in Germany make darn good beer) with our group of friends. My favorite moment of the night was while discussing Thanksgiving, Mark commented to our British friend Ewan that it’s a celebration of “us getting the heck away from your people.” Brilliant. The fact that Mark said this just a few minutes after trying to relieve himself in the woman’s bathroom began the abdominal workout of hysterical laughter that would carry me through the week.

I want you all to know that I really, really tried not to kill them with too many frigid Death Marches. These are great friends of ours and we want them to still like us, but, I did just about lose Emma one day. It was Monday and we’d gone to the Alps to check out Crazy King Ludwig’s (Luddie) castles. Well, we were about halfway up the gigantic climb to Neuschwanstein that you must do by foot when Emma, who is 12 going on 19 most days, forgot her favorite scarf at the bottom of the mountain. So the three girls (Emma, Laurie and myself) took off back down to get it. Found it—no problem, but then you’ve got Emma who is just over 5 feet and Laurie who’s maybe 5’4” attempting to keep up with me at my towering height of nearly 5’20”! It just wasn’t quite fair. Thought we were gonna lose little Em, but she pulled through. (Picture her little legs just a-scurrying away.) She slept the whole way home, poor thing.

Other highlights of the trip: Pretty sure Andrew and Mark were quite pleased with the beer here in these parts. We did our best to expose them to the true German culture, by making them try many different beers as we could. Honestly, they did not put up much of a fight. Think their favorite was a Franzenkaner in the Ratskeller just below the Munich Marianplatz. Perhaps the Jacob Dunkleweissen as a close second. I think Emma was most affected by our trip to Dachau, the concentration camp. (Dear God, please don’t let her have too many nightmares.) In true Emma fashion, she held my hand and was trying to make sure I was okay the whole time. (I miss this munchkin so much it makes my heart hurt sometimes.) As for Laurie, taking her to Prague was like taking a toddler to Toys R Us. Thought she was just going to weep looking at the amazing architecture. The two of us have already decided to come back to spend a few days antiquing here when the weather’s warmer and we’re not frozen!

Highlights for me were less cultural and more about just spending time with our friends. Again our house was filled with music as Mark played the piano, Andrew played the guitar and Emma and I sang to our hearts content. We stayed up late goofing around, as we’ve always done with the Bakers, replacing their porch that we lived on in Peoria with our couch. In fact one of my favorite memories will be Laurie and I baking pumpkin pie at 1:00am from scratch. Think it only took 4 phone calls home, one to her dad, one to my mom, one to her mom and one to my aunt Marty to get the job done. Leave it to two dance teachers to do heavy duty baking! My other highlight was Thanksgiving…but that’s gonna take a whole ‘nother blog to conquer that one.

We dropped them off Sunday morning at 5am for their flight back home. I cried like a baby, even though I’ll be heading stateside in just a little over two weeks. Silly. I’d love to have them here for longer, but I guess Bakers can’t be choosers.

Hochzeit

“Here comes the bride…
Das tut mir lied.”
(translation: Here comes the bride. Man, am I’m sorry.)

Just found out some interesting trivia about German weddings today in my class that I thought you might enjoy. Forewarning: I did learn all of this auf Deutsch, so there’s no telling as to what’s been lost (or added) in translation. My teacher Isa is always telling us little bits of German and Bavarian culture amidst our lessons and asking us to share about our homelands. I cannot tell you how interesting this is, seeing as how we have 15 countries represented in my class. Anyway, today the subject of weddings came up and Isa shared with us common Hochzeit (‘high time’ aka—wedding) traditions. From what I understood, that the greater majority of Germans no longer have formal, traditional church ceremonies. Most just head to a Rathaus (town hall—not house of rodents) in front of a justice of the peace and say “Tschus!” (See ya!) to the whole rigmarole. But one of the things that has lasted is the traditional ‘kidnapping of the bride.’ Apparently, after the wedding and before the reception the bride is kidnapped lovingly by the groomsmen and hidden in a bar somewhere in the city. The groom has to then traipse all around looking for his bride, buying everyone drinks along his journey. She said that it can get quite expensive if you have a stupid groom! (aka—ein Dummymann.)

Wait tell I tell you about Christmas. Just a taste: the traditional Christmas Eve dinner is…wait for it, wait for it…brats and kraut. Couldn’t possibly be more perfect if I made it up myself!

Wet Socks and Thanksgiving Wishes

A few minutes ago, I sat down to sort through my thoughts from an absolutely amazing week that we shared with the Bakers. As soon as I did, it started to snow the biggest snowflakes I have ever seen. I mean, these flakes were not just a littly whispy things, but huge, fluffy balls of white, somewhere between a cotton and a golfball. Now, I absolutely love snow, so you can just picture me as I ran outside in my thin little sweater and sockfeet—no time for wintergear—just to be a part of it. It was just beautiful. Breathtakingly silent. And, holy cow, wet and cold. After the 20 seconds it took to completely soak my feet and most of my body, I decided to run upstairs to grab the camera in an attempt to capture the moment. But as soon as I had it in hand, the snow stopped. So no pictures, just wet socks. Now after a quick change of clothes, I’m feeling very grateful for those 20 seconds. Actually, it just reminded me of so many things that I’m grateful for this year. Here’s just a sampler.

• I’m thankful for snow. And for warm socks. Oh, and blankets.
• I’m thankful for an amazing family that could not possibly be more supportive. I’m also thankful that they were all together for Thanksgiving and that everyone is happy and healthy.
• I’m so thankful that my husband thinks I’m cute. If he didn’t, I could never get away with half of the stunts I pull.
• I’m thankful that our old neighbors the Bakers were stupid enough to bring their whole family over for a week to be with us. (more on this later.)
• I’m thankful that the Bavarians are about the nicest people on the planet. Sure, maybe they are making fun of me behind my back, but at least to my face they are positive and helpful and don’t let me publicly suffer.
• I’m thankful that we’ve met absolutely stellar people over here. Our Cat friends have truly become our family and support system.
• I’m also thankful that our Landlords (the Klebers) have done everything physically possible to make us feel at home.
• I’m thankful that Laurie Baker smuggled an entire suitcase of American delicacies (Pumpkin puree, jello, cornstarch…) over here so that we could make a Thanksgiving feast.
• I’m soo thankful that Mark Baker didn’t break anything when he fell down our staircase. (Cannot afford a lawsuit.)
• I’m thankful that little Emma Baker still thinks I’m reasonably cool (think I’ve maybe got a year left on that one, she’s almost 13.)
• I’m thankful that Andrew Baker was pleased with German beer.
• Oh—I’m thankful for German beer too.
• I’m thankful that our friends were just bored enough on Friday to come over to play Thanksgiving with us. (more on that later too.)
• I’m thankful to be back in my German class after a month away. Not only am I learning the German language and culture, but also learning about my fellow classmates from all over the world.
• I’m thankful for all the visitors that we’ve had thus far and hope for many, many more. (Repeat visitors welcome.)
• I’m thankful to have this opportunity to live in Germany and to be European for a while.
• I’m thankful that my best friend Susan can multitask—mothering two boys while making sense of my life and calming my separation anxiety.
• I’m sooooo thankful for Vonage telephone and Internet, without both I would probably be a disaster. (or more of a disaster.)
• I’m thankful for itunes so that I can download Grey’s Anatomy and still get my McDreamy fill.
• Did I mention I’m thankful for my husband? I am. More than I can possibly say.
  

Most of all, I’m thankful for the amazing people that we have in our lives. You all are the biggest gap missing in our new life here. We are moving forward the best way we know how, but still wanting to keep all of you as close as possible. Hoping you all had a great holiday and that you also have a litany of things to be thankful for. Wishing you all the best…and warm socks.

Invasion of the Klauses

I have no idea where to begin to share with you our last week. Tim and I played host (and hostess) to pretty much the entire Klaus family. Tim’s Mom, Dad, Grandma, brother Matt, sister-in-law Lori (who is 7 months preggo), and 2 year old niece Makenzie just left us to head home after a wonderful week-long European visit. They arrived last Tuesday very, very sleepy. Apparently, Makenzie did not think sleeping on the flight was all that keen of an idea. They said at one point the entire plane was fast asleep and she was in the aisle jumping up and down giggling. (You cannot even begin to imagine the weekfull of cuteness that followed. “Daddy Hold-ju?” Thought Uncle Tim was going to cry when we had to say goodbye.) So after we got them home, we put everyone down for a much needed nap.

I am just amazed at what we accomplished in the days that followed even though the weather did NOT cooperate! Wednesday we attempted a tour of Regensburg (aka Heather’s Death March) but the rain derailed that one. That night, though, Tim’s aunt, uncle and cousin from Idar-Oberstein, Germany arrived and instantly everyone’s spirits were raised again. We somehow fit 11 people around the Klaus dinner table. So many laughs. But watch your step going to the bathroom, because there were bodies sleeping everywhere! The Klaus Haus was at full capacity!

Thursday the 11 of us took the train into Munich. What a beautiful city. I hadn’t really had the chance to explore it yet, and oh my gosh, I cannot wait to get back. There is a pedestrian mall there built for the 1972 Olympics where 9,000 shoppers shop every hour. Dying to be one of them. We arrived just in time (I’m talking four minutes to spare) to catch the Glockenspiel strike at noon in the middle of the Marianplatz. Realizing we were hungry, Matt and Lolo then treated us to lunch at the Hofbrauhaus, which was just as perfect as I thought it should be: An Oompah band which Makenzie and I polka-ed too, customers in lederhosen, huge steins of cold bier, and I guess the men’s room is equipped with a ‘Vomitorium’ in case you have too much of a good time. From there we wandered a bit then caught a bus tour, which was for me Information Overload. Must go back to make sense of all the buildings we saw!

Friday we decided to take it easy. Little shopping, little tennis, a lot of eating! Tim’s aunt Jeannie took over the kitchen (thank the Lord) and we had Raclette for dinner. Not sure how to describe, but picture something hibatchi-esk, where the grills were on the table and you kinda cook your own meal. Highly recommend getting your hands on one of these things. It was probably my favorite meal all week. But, perhaps that was mostly due to the people sitting around my table.

Saturday and Sunday were spent in Prague. Again, the weather was not totally cooperative; in fact, we had a dusting of snow that turned into rain both days. But, we must have hardened this crowd (poor Lori is from Florida) because this really didn’t slow us down too much. Pretty sure, we left no stone unturned. We had lost Del, Jeannie and Travis (Tim’s uncle, aunt and cousin) on Friday back to their normal life, but we gained three more in Prague. A girl that Tim had grown up with, Karli, lives in Prague with her husband Joe who works for DHL. Plus, Claire Happel, a girlfriend of mine from Quincy is there too studying Harp with someone from the Prague Symphony. So again, we were 11. Magic Number, I guess. I think Prague just blew everybody away. The scale of this city is like no other. Think the view from the Charles Bridge was a highlight once again. Janene (Tim’s mom) mentioned standing on the bridge just slowly rotating 360 degrees. Each view better than the next.

Monday, we needed to do a little retail therapy back in Regensburg after working so hard as tourists all weekend. And Tuesday, it was time for them to fly back. I got home after taking them to the airport feeling completely exhausted, and (you are not going to believe this) a little lonely. Where is everyone? Wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. Luckily we don’t have to wait long. On Saturday we get the next batch of visitors. Our neighbors from Peoria, Mark and Laurie Baker, are coming with their 20 year old son Andrew and 12 year-old daughter Emma. We practically lived with them all summer long, so very, very excited to see them. Off to do laundry and clean a bit. Where is my Madonna…?

Tim's Geburtstag

“They say it’s your birthday. Da na na na na na nah.
Well it’s my birthday too-oo. Da, na na na na na nah.”

Hope you all sang that. So today is not my birthday (although I will shamelessly except gifts any day of the year) but we did have a celebration weekend here at the Klaus Haus. Yesterday was Tim’s 31st birthday! Weee!!! I do love birthdays, even if it’s not mine. (Ok, I guess I prefer mine just a little.) I think Tim would say the day was a success. On Friday he and Maarten went car shopping and I believe tomorrow (after seriously 16 tedious steps: bank-insurance-salesman-license plate place-salesman-registration-actually drive the car off the lot) he will have a 1998 black BMW 523. I think he’s rather excited. And speaking of cars, mine should be coming from the dealer tomorrow as well. Happy Birthday to me! So after 9 weeks of sharing rental cars, we will both have wheels of our own.

Back to the birthday: I did find my inner domestic diva yesterday, in honor of Tim’s special day, and whipped up some bre’fest. This is unusual for many reasons.

• Number One: Tim is the breakfast chef in our household. His omelets and French toast put mine to shame. Hmmm, wondering if this is a common theme in the American home. Most dudes I know cook breakfast on the weekends. My dad, our old neighbor Mark (old meaning former, not referring to his age), Brian Curran of the famous Curran Bed and Breakfast in St. Chuck, MO, think maybe my brother Tom too. Anyway, I made egg sandwiches, which were good to quite good. The bacon here is not nearly as crispy as the stuff at home though, so they weren’t brilliant.


• Reason Number Two: Mornings are not my best time of the day. In fact, I may be part vampire. I seriously have to force myself out of bed nearly every morning. And it hurts. I would stay up all night if I could, and then sleep in until 11. This actually runs in my family. All the Heidbreder women are like this. My mom, her sisters, my cousins, even my Grandmother. Isn’t it a rule in the Grandmother Guidebook that you have to get up before the sun? Not for my GM. You cannot call her any before 10am. That—and she doesn’t drink coffee. Crazy.


• Reason Number Three: See last blog entry for notes on domestic skills.

So after attempting to pamper him most of the day, Tim and I met up with our friends at a Mexican place for dinner. Yep. A German-Mexican restaurant. Tim’s been craving Taco Bell something fierce, so I thought this would be the next best thing. Actually, I thought the food was quite good. Margaritas a little on the strong side though. (Paying for that today.) From there the evening progressed as Ewan took over as tour guide and presented the nightlife of Regensburg. Had an amazing time. The people that we’ve met through Cat are truly wonderful. Thankfully, they’ve kind of adopted us and have become our family. We feel so lucky to have them in our lives. (Geez that was sappy.) All in all, a good day. Tim’s family arrives Tuesday, so more celebration will surely ensue. Hope you all had a great weekend.

P.S. Did you know that Germans sing the American version of Happy Birthday? Thought you should know.

Failing Housewifery

Why, oh why, didn’t I take Home Economics in Junior High? Tim did. I believe he sewed (past tense sowed, sewn?) himself a rather kicking pair of jams. I, however, did not take it, probably due to one of the 17 music courses that filled my day. And although I can identify every instrument in an orchestra, and sing harmony to nearly anything, I cannot sew a button on a shirt. Every time I see my mother, and this is kinda embarrassing, I have a stack of mending for her. You would not believe the rationale that happens in my head as I try to convince myself that she actually enjoys patching a hole in a sweater! Ridiculous. Sorry Mom.

I’ve decided that if Housewifery were a course, I’d fail. I don’t know why, my mother sets an amazing example. She cooks nearly every night with seemingly little effort. The fridge is always full of food. And, here’s the kicker for me, her house is always immaculate. I mean, for Pete’s sake (Pete? Who is this guy?) we have a Persian cat at my parents’ house and there is nary a cat hair to be found on any piece of furniture. If these skills were supposed to be inborn, guess I’m at the shallow end of the gene pool.

For a while there, I blamed my lack of Hausfrau skills on the fact that I worked at night. I simply wasn’t home to cook my husband dinner. And yes, I did spend an awful lot of my days choreographing. But as far as keeping the house clean, well…pretty sure that’s just sheer laziness. Luckily, I just remembered a tip from a Tonya, my partner-in-crime in Eastlight's Cats. There is some sort of time-warp thing with old-school Madonna albums. You put in, oh say…Like a Prayer, and before you know it, your house is clean. Planning on trying it this weekend.

So I’m feeling a bit of culture shock. Not German vs. America actually, that seems to be going quite well at the moment. It’s the adjustment from Dance Teacher into Housewife. I am now a kept-woman. It’s not like I’m a mom and making the choice to stay home to raise my kids. (My cats are middle-aged in cat years now—pretty sure they don’t need to be home-schooled.) I now have the time and energy to do all those things that I’ve never made time for before. Next stop…itunes. Searching for any/all Madonna. Planning to give myself a dance class as I mop the floors. That should be interesting…