۞ Sweet Interruptions ۞ 92

Oh man-I wish my boss called and said go back to bed;) While I know it hurts the pocketbook, it is nice getting a free day once in a while...

Morning everyone !!!

Mike had oatmeal for the first time ever this morning.
Mike's first day to ride a yellow school bus. hehehe... more excitement.

Well, got the whole day to myself now, for the first time in a while... but I do need to get some stuff done today.

Hey, I managed to get up early !!!.... I should get at least a pat on the back for that.

Dusty... love the stories... what a great heritage you have.

Mornin' Fairy Toes!!!!

Morning Auntie Biggles & Jiggles!!

Morning everyone. Stacey, thanks for the coffee, and biscuits.
Bj, you are up early! Good for you. How does it feel to have a child in the house again? How does he get to school in Austria? Does he walk, or his parents take him? And a first for oatmeal too. Wow. I thought was a universal dish? Guess we are all learning things here.
Take care everyone, and hope the snow melts real soon for you up North. Especially before I have to go Michigan this week-end. The temp will be all of like 20 degrees for Saturday and Sunday! Whoopeeee!
LK

We are supposed to get a winter mix on Firday:(

Good Morning Everyone!!

Amen Cathy.

I can't find that picture I wanted to post, and I've been through every picture on this computer here at work :( I don't know where it went.

Also someone asked for the old picture of my great grandmother, I posted it way back on the other thread but when I get home I'll post it again.

Oh it's going to be a great day at work with this nasty woman!

Tape your pencils and pens togather and make a long poking stick-poke her and hide it real quick-that would make my day more enjoyable!!LOL

morning, i had a reaction to the antibiotics last nite. my feet and hands are very swollen

LK, in Austria students are only required to have 8 years of education... 6-10 years of age go to primary school, and 11-14 years of age go to Secondary school... at that point they can decide not to continue. Most children do, however, go on to a post secondary 4 year school. BUT, each post secondary school is like a "trade school" type thing. For instance, Mike attends a school that teaches "Language, tourism" studies. His older brother attended an "Electronic, Technical" school, and his younger brother will attend a school that teaches carpentry next year. Vienna provides school buses for the primary and secondary school students, only for the 8 required years. After that, they usually take what Mike refers to as "public transit", and I assume it's like city buses.
At age 19, all young men are required to attend "military" or "medical" training. They'll either learn to shoot a gun, or save a life. That's only a 9 month training class. THEN, and only THEN, they may attend a University.

OATMEAL: Mike doesn't know if they have oatmeal in Austria... he just said it's not something his mother has served in their house. He's never had it before, and has never heard of it. But, he ate about 3/4 of what I fixed him this morning... so, I assume he likes it.

He did find that our fruit juices are a bit strong for his taste. He said he likes apple juice, so I bought some. He has to add water to every glass he drinks... but not the orange juice...
He's never had a Dr Pepper before... but he does like Coca Cola... but he's never heard of things like Caffiene free, Cherry Coke, or any of the other choices we have here... just plain Classic Coke.

How fun is that, teaching and learning new things.

We went to Austria when we were stationed in Germany. Beautiful county. Since Sound of Music was my all time favorite movie when I was a teenage girl, I loved being there.

Dusty was wondering about your heritage Jaye, where you came from...if you've shared before, would you again for our new sistahs?

OH NO Sis.....I'm so sorry to hear about the reaction. Hope it goes away QUICK!

Back to work.... :o(

Cindy, thanks so much for all the great things you made and sent to me! it really made my day, and i absolutely love everything!
girls, wait till you see what she sent me, there will be major envy going on in this room

Cookie... would you believe that Mike saw "The Sound of Music" for the first time here on Monday? I rented it and we watched it together... I just couldn't believe he hadn't seen it. He said his mom and dad hadn't either...
Is one of my all time favs too.

Cuz... I too hope that swelling goes down quick... I know how uncomfortable (and painful) swelling can be.

Morning everyone
Just checking in real quick this cold snap has me down and out. I tried to get the kids to stay home today so we didnt have to walk in teh cold but they were no having it.. Apparently Im boring ,,,,

Dusty your background and stories are wonderful..

BJ glad to hear you are enjoying your tiem with Mike..

Think Im going to go lay down for a bit..
Everyone have a great day I will try to check in later,,
Donna

Donna... I am enjoying his stay with us... and I'm learning a lot about his culture... but, it's really exciting watching his expressions when he experiences things for the first time... like, he was blown away at Walmart. LOL... and when we picked him up from school yesterday, he talked a mile a minute about all the new things he experienced.

Wow, lots to learn for sure.
Kathy, call your Dr, he can give you something for it. If not take something like benaryl. A antihistamine.
Please take care.
Stacey, you would tape any pencils together to make a poker! Shame on you. LOL



LK

Oh, something else I found interesting... then I have to get busy.
Students in Austria stay in one classroom... and the teachers change rooms to teach different subjects. So, all the students are assigned a classroom each year... and stay together all year, and study all the same subjects. Then the different teachers move around to teach their subject to each class of students.

POOF

Well the nap did not work... Most of the time I love getting a call to stay home but it never comes when you really need it like when I was sick as a dog I had to work... This is our slow time of the year.... What most people don't understand about my job is we are a country clinic and there are only two people who work... The boss and Me on Tuesday-Thursday and Sally works on Monday and Friday... Years ago if we go sick her children could work for us but now they are not at home so for us to stay home is not easy.... We have to answer the phones, make appointments, look up files, while doing surgery and some times we are to busy for just two of us.... Then there are days when you pray the phone rings...LOL BUT I will say the boss will answer the phone clean a cage or wipe a pile of poop up and does not leave all the dirty work for us to do...... I am the baby of the bunch at 53 and Sally was there before me and I have been there going on 15 years... She was my Vet. OK going to find something to eat... Sorry I chewed your ears off...
Hugs to the Sistahs,
Turtle who's head is out and I am running today...

PS. While Kevin and I were walking in the woods yesterday I found a turtle shell that the turtle had died... I came home and boiled the shell and I hope to paint it down the road...

Good morning! Judy, sorry I wasn't around last night when you received your 2009 gift. What a relief that you like it. Had a basic idea of what I wanted to do as soon as I got your name but changed the specifics too many times to count. It had to be be an eagle! When we were on the phone last week and you asked me who my 2009 buddy was I nearly choked - had to think fast. LOL!

Dusty, I've skimmed these posts to catch up but will definitely go back to read your stories. Thank you for sharing them.

Kathy, how are you doing today? Reactions to meds can come on so suddenly and can be scary. Hope you got your meds changed and your doctor documented that you are allergic to that one. Be sure to remember the type of antibiotic so you can list it on any medical forms in the future - then don't trust them to not give it to you! Especially if you are ever hospitalized. They are the worst for giving the wrong meds.

BJ, it's been interesting to hear what Mike is experiencing for the first time. Like other forms of coca cola products - thought that was one product that was heavily marketed in every corner of the world!

Oh MMM-sorry to hear you have swelling:( Can't wait to see your goodies!!

LK-yes I would if I worked with a miserable old woman...

BJ-that doea sound like fun-the introducing and the reactions!!! Take him to Costco and see how big his eyes get!!

Bj, you need to tkae him to a huge mall. But be prepared to spend some time there, because he will be awestruck!

LK

Kathy, why haven't you posted a pix yet?

Good morning sweet sistahs and smart alec niece!!
Dusty thank you for sharing the lore to us. Venerable Three Sisters' spirit must be roaming restlessly over her tribes.
Joyce, in another post, I'll share my heritage, right now, I need coffee!!!!
Who made coffee!!!
Sis Kathy, call the doctor please. He might prescribe you something else. Get your camera after that and take pictures of your gift please. We're too nosey here as you know and quite impatient too!
Donna, don't make me go down there and sing to you to cheer you up! You don't want that torture do you? Hang around here, it will chase those winter blahs away! And no, you're not boring.. just your kids rather be riding in a warm truck home!
BJ, it's the same system in Singapore too. Except that there are two sessions in the schools. Morning and afternoon for 2 different groups of students. There are 4.5 million people in that small island, so the schools are utilized efficiently. Compulsory national service for the boys for 2 years and then a month 'reserve' duty every year, there after. Keeps hooligans in check that way. Wonder what else will surprise Michael? Austria 101 via BJ!!
Hugggggs Susan. Take advantage of the day off. Think of what Stacey would do if it's her having the day off.. and that means making home made gassy sounds!!! Lolol!!
And LK, don't encourage our niece to be violent!!
Debra, would you believe at one time Coca Cola was used as leverage by the Arabs against Israel? It's just a drink... but it was boycotted in the Arab world. I was surprised how just a popular drink elsewhere could be made into a political statement there.
Again, wonderful job you did for Judy!!

Bringing in a fresh pot of coffee here.. and warm croissants..
Sistah Deborah, please check in. We miss you.

I want to see pictures, too!! Tia, did you get a picture of yourself in the shirt I sent you? You didn't share pictures, sistah!!

OK Jaye...Dusty is at work so no rush.... :O)

Back to the grindstone....

My grindstone is the 7 mystery swap! Not actually brutal, but I had ripped about 10 times last night :*(
I'll get this finished soon I hope.

HEHEHE... it's Austria 101 for me too... too funny.

Debra... Coca Cola is marketed over there... just not to the extent it is here... We stopped on the way home from Tyler the other day, the day I picked him up... to get a cold drink at a convenience store. We walked to the back of the store and they had one complete section ceiling to floor, and some of another section, filled with Coke products, every flavor combination, every choice, in 2 litre, 1 litre, can, 16oz bottle, glass bottle, cases, 6 packs, and so on... Mike took a step back and said "Woah!!"... he picked up a can of Cherry Coke, and I pointed out that he chose one that has cherry flavoring in it... he put it back, and looked for a can that looked just like the ones he is used to seeing in Austria... apparently they might look different, so I pointed to the Classic Coke, and he chose that one.
I have heard before that ONLY IN AMERICA that we are faced with so many choices.

I hope to take him to Town East Mall this weekend... can't wait to see his reaction... plus, Kristi told him he has to have at least ONE "Hollister" tee shirt.

Kathy you really do need to call your doctor and stop taking the medicine that is making you swell.... That is not something to play with...
I am going to hang new light on my new plant stand being I don't have to work... I like Kevin to do this as I sometimes don't put the bulbs in right and they break but oh well he is not home so I will try to do it... So if you hear glass breaking it is just me breaking another bulb....LOL I will start after the Price is Right is over....
Hugs,
Susan

Well ladies, I'm going to be MIA for a little bit (hopefully just a couple of days). I need to do my homework for class, homework from Dusty, complete my payment spreadsheet for the Glad Coop, start on door prizes for our June Road Rally, and complete my 7 item mystery Swap gift. I'll check in ever so often but my participation will be minimal since I don't need the added distraction from such a wonderful group of friends. I know I'll be in your thoughts as you are mine.

Lisa

Thanks, Cody , LK, and everybody else who's wished me well! It's a little better today. I stayed in bed a lot yesterday, and I might do that again!
Dusty, I love your stories about the past! It's a shame how our people were treated, and they've been relatively quiet about it, not like some who are pushy about wanting their "deserves"!!
The pix of Indians are always beautiful, we are a proud people, and I wish I was more Indian than I am!
Jaye, my daddy always got loud, angry, and ugly, when he got hold of some firewater!

Before you go Lisa, consider this your invitation to visit your sistahs in Ohio. When you come to my house you get 3 gardens to visit...Dusty lives next door and a lurking sistah, Bertie lives "just over the creek"!!

Cookie/joycet

Paging Kathy! Come out come out where ever you are! We need a picture please. You can't just leave us hanging here.
Do hope your doing ok with the swelling!
Bj, make sure you take lots of pictures for his scrap book!

LK

Morning all. Tink, is there any coffee left? Could use a cup, stayed up way to late watching all the festivities last night. I am ashamed to say I was channel surfing!!!

Dusty, I am in total awe of the above post. What a wonderful, rich history you have. Thanks for sharing with us--I for one, really enjoyed reading and realizing the irony of the vision. Going to copy and paste to show my son who also is a history buff and who would be very excited to read the story. You and Judy have such a rich heritage inspite of the tragedies. Makes me feel bad as an American for the injustices we have had a part with.

Just got off the phone with Kathy. Can you say very busy with Miss Pamela? What chatter going on in the background--ah, the sounds of a child.

Well Susan, sorry you have the day off and not able to take a nap. Maybe later. Glad to see the shell is not hiding you!!

Debra, what a beautiful job on Judy's gift.

Jaye, dear, is it still snowing? I thought the pictures was adorable. Funny you have a face picture of you and snow and the first time Kim saw snow it was a picture of her feet she wanted. Wierd child I have!! Well, you know what they say about apples not falling very far from the tree, I guess.

BJ, I do envy you the wonderful experience of having Michael with you. Being able to learn, first hand, about Austria. I dearly loved the country when Ross and I visited although it was all to brief. Oh what excitement he will share tonight about riding a big yellow school bus!!

Morning all--oops, guess it is afternoon. Will check back later.

BJ, it makes me feel ashamed when I think about all the excesses we take for granted in this country while others don't have basic necessities. Guess I just don't get it why we need so many different products.

A word of warning about Hollisters: TAKE A FLASHLIGHT! Seriously! I bought my three nephews each a hoodie from Hollisters for Christmas. (they loved them) Part of their marketing strategy is to make the store feel like a surfer's beach hang out and it is so dark in there that I could not see the size tags. It was ridiculous! The kids love it but us old people can't see.

When my daughter went to Europe on a school sponsored trip in high school, Austria was one of the countries she visited. I requested a piece of Austrian crystal as a souvenier and she brought me a beautiful crystal vase. Of all the inexpensive vases I have, guess which one I broke a chunk out of the top? Yep, the one she got for me. Made me sick. wonder if it can be sanded down so it's smooth enough not to cut anyone? Anyone know about that?

Yes, Debra... I've been to Hollister's before with my g'daughters... it is indeed dark in there. Before this past summer, I always took them school clothes shopping, and I always let them pick out 1 or 2 things from there, and something from American Eagle... then we hit Aerostople (sp), then the cheaper stores... some of those places are so expensive, and I can't figure out why they're clothes are any better than other stores, but it's the NAME TAG the kids are after.

This year, they didn't seem to be interested in shopping with me... guess they didn't need school clothes... cause I know their mom and dad didn't take them shopping.

you know what is funny about Hollister CA-it isn't even close to a beach;)

LOL! Maybe it's just mall surfing?????

Lisa 2, take a break with us, now and then.. don't disappear totally. Now, how can we help you with the prizes?

Don't have a Hollister's around here. But these eyes won't be able to shop in a dark store anyway!

Back to my labor of love..

I guess Kathy isn't going to post today so we'll have to wait until tomarrow....I know she doesn't get on in the afternoons sooooooooooooooooooooooo

Hello everyone!!I hope every bodys night went good.

Jaye i'm getting ready to take my son to get some shots.I will pop back in later when i can.Chow for now.

You are very welcome Audrey,you just get better.

Jaye their is a movie called Labor of Love and i love it.

This message was edited Jan 21, 2009 12:26 PM

Be safe on the roads now Cody. Tell Alex he'd soon get that ice cream from Sonics ;)
Besides chasing Hurricane Pam, Sis Kathy is having company at her house now, Cindy. I'm running back and forth here checking to see if she had posted.