Home Again, Home Again, Clickety-Clack

We’re home. And by ‘home’ I mean Germany. Of course, the word “home” is kinda like “smurf” or “marklar”—it can mean any number of things. Quincy, Peoria, Germany, Van Down by the River…whatever. Guess that’s what happens when you’re a nomad.

Anyway, the flight was good except for the first hour, which was a teensy bit turbulent. I may have double- (read: triple) checked for the barf bag. (How long does it take Dramamine to kick in?) Got our luggage without any problem, which was a festivous miracle. You would not believe what Tim and I brought back. Let’s just say that this was a very lucrative Christmas for the Klaus Haus. We were under the assumption that the gift-giving portion of the holiday would be reigned in a little. But, no. Pretty sure our families are going to single-handedly pull the U.S. right outta recession. May I also note that everyone gave us great and thoughtful gifts, but perhaps a little on the bulky/heavy side. Trying to pack a cookie jar, leaded china, a ski helmet, about 6 hard-back books and a golf club got a little interesting. (Also interesting, we had asked for most of it. Duh.) I will say, nearly all made it here. Except the golf club. Apparently, the airlines think it warrants “weapon” status. (Little do they know, I’m a heck of a lot better with a high heeled shoe. More wieldy. In college, I used a black pump as a hammer more than once.)

We walked in the door to our house and were immediately pounced on by two very excited and attention-starved kitties, whom have been gorilla-glued to us ever since. They seemed to do pretty darn well for being left alone for three weeks. (Yes, we did have someone coming in to check on them.) There was a small sign of rebellion though. Think they set off a cat-hair bomb. No joke, cat-hair everywhere! Our rugs look like they’re wearing fur coats. How could this much hair come off of two rather small creatures? Unbelievable. Isn’t it winter? Shouldn’t they being putting on their heavy coats? Then why in all things seasonal, is it all over my floor, couch, bed, carpet...

Other things that greeted us? Some goodies that got left in the fridge to decay (always fun) and a very sad looking Christmas tree. To begin with, our tree was not quite as manicured as the ones in the states. A little pear-shaped to be honest. Now its saddlebags are sagging, the garland is drooping, and the ornaments closer to the ground are now actually on the ground. Charlie Brown would have loved it. Home Sweet home.