December 10th - 14th, 2012

I missed a day, but I have about a million pictures for today, so that makes up for it. Especially since the pictures today are of our Christmas tree which has a functioning tree stand and is NOT lopsided, in case you were wondering.

Anyway, the 10th.

Those glowing eyes are Barnacle watching us after we left the house. Every time we leave, we see him in the bedroom window. It's cute/sad.

On the 11th it snowed like crazy and I saw Admiral being crazy.

He's trying to play with falling snowflakes through the window. He did this for quite awhile. Eventually, he was joined by Bootstrap who looked at him like he was nuts. Which he is.

On the 12th I had the company of my studious husband.

Here he is, diligently finishing his homework. He has become quite the honor student.

On the 13th I went downtown to run some work errands and saw this:

A bear ice sculpture. I have no idea if he was later joined by other ice animals, but it's not every day you see a 5 foot ice sculpture of a bear, that's for sure. Unless you're an ice sculptor.

Finally, today we got our Christmas tree, which is sitting merrily by the window and is not tipping over like last year. However, the cats are overly interested in it and a lot of ornaments have been rearranged. I am also arranging for a spray bottle to shoo their asses away from my tree.

Anyway, here it is pre-decorations.

It is smallish and quaint, but I like it. Notice the very sturdy tree stand, it's AWESOME. That tree isn't going anywhere. It also holds like a gallon of water and Admiral has spent a lot of time playing in that water. I don't know how we ended up with freak pets.

Anyway, here is Daniel putting the "star" on, which is really a snowflake.

It sadly lilted to the side. One day we'll find a good tree topper that is NOT an angel. Wtf happened to actual stars going on the top of the tree? I just want a star.

Here it is in all its glory.

Here are some of my favorite ornaments.

We got the Ansbach downtown ornament this year at the Christmas market. The others are favorites for various reasons, mostly that they're awesome.

My house finally feels ready for Christmas, even if my present list isn't quite finished. Oh well, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

December 7th & 8th, 2012

On the 7th, Daniel pampered the cat more than me.

Here he is, giving Bootstrap a foot massage.

The funniest part of this is that on the nights when Ski and I are home, Bootstrap will climb over to Daniel and then Daniel puts him like this and Bootstrap falls asleep immediately. It's their little snuggle routine.

This morning, on the 8th, I took a picture of Barnacle's hugemongous paw prints.

They look like bear prints. And compared to the other paw prints they're fricken huge.

Also today, Barnacle and I went on a walk at night, because I'm nuts.

We found a broken sled, this guy has seen better days. I can only imagine what it went through. At least I found it on a hill that doesn't land in the street, because there are kids on our post that go down a hill that's after a blind curve and could very well end up in the street.

I love the parenting skillz that go on in my neighborhood.

Also on the walk.

Barnacle in the snow!

We had to cut our normal route short a little after this because it's 19 degrees out and my face was starting to hurt. Right now Barnacle is crashed out on his bed and right next to the radiator. At least he got some exercise in.

December 1st - 6th, 2012

On the first I forgot to take a picture of the snow until it was dark, so you get a dark picture.

Dark snow globe!

On the 2nd I caught Barnacle trying to get the cats to play fetch with him.

Needless to say, they just looked at him like he was crazy.

On the 3rd I felt like crap most of the day, but I managed to make something for my husband's 30th birthday.

A cupcake tower! He requested double chocolate cupcakes so that's what he got, and now a quarter of them are gone.

On the 4th I revisited the evil goat.

Now you can see how sinister he is. I did not try to touch him this time, I learned my lesson.

The camel looked just as bored as last time.

On the 5th I proved how much of a rebel I am.

I eat my soup-at-hand out of the bowl. What're you gonna do Campbell's??

The real reason is - have you tried eating chicken noodle soup out of a soup-at-hand? It's a joke, all the noodles get glued to the bottom. That's poor planning, Campbell's, poor planning.

On the 6th I googled an ailment I've been having for a couple years.

Off and on I get big red welts on my ring finger and I have to stop wearing my wedding rings for a couple days. So, today I looked up if this was a thing, and it is.

Apparently it is called Wedding Ring Dermatitis and it's either because I'm allergic to the metal or that things get on the ring and irritates my skin. Apparently I should go to an allergist to see if I'm allergic to metal or not, we'll see if I make that appointment.

The sucky thing about this is I don't like not wearing my rings, especially in public, but if I wear my rings it takes that much longer for this shit to heal.

The sad thing is, I assumed it was cause I have fat fingers that this happens, but apparently it might be an allergy. I have a fat hand complex.

Stop looking at my hands.

November 29th & 30th, 2012

On the 29th we went out to celebrate Daniel's birthday. Actually that was the plan, but Daniel is so blase about his birthday that we ended up going to my favorite restaurant and going to the Ansbach Christmas Market because I love Christmas. I guess I'm lucky to have a husband who will do what I want happily. Very lucky.

Whilst at the Christmas Market I noticed a makeshift petting zoo, and I took this picture.

Behold! A majestic camel!

I came into the petting zoo to see the camel, cause how often do you see camels in every day life? But, the real story is the goat. There were a couple goats to the side of this very complacent camel. The camel let everyone pet it, he just stood around looking very bored. To the right of him were two goats, one of which was chomping away on straw. The other had very long hair and I decided to give him a pat, because it was a petting zoo, after all. As soon as I touched him, he reared back and bit at me. It was legitimately scary. If I hadn't moved my hand away sooner he would've for sure taken off a finger. Or at least bitten me and left me with a cut/bruise; I have no idea how sharp goats' teeth are. I would've taken a picture of it but I was so surprised/scared/embarrassed that I immediately beat a hasty retreat. Later I was wondering, why would you put a biting goat in a petting zoo? There are kids at this market! Stupid goat. I hate that goat.

Anyway, today we were driving home in this.

Fog as thick as peanut butter!

If cars hadn't had headlights it would've for sure meant an accident.

Also today.

Admiral and I are hanging out. Daniel went to bed at 7 pm because he has an early shift tomorrow morning, so we're just lying around watching TV.

I lead such an exciting life.

November 26th - 28th, 2012

A daily issue in our house is the dishwasher. Not so much that it doesn't get run, Daniel's very good about that, it's just sometimes I can't tell if it's clean or dirty because Daniel pre-washes all the dishes like a weirdo. So, I came up with a system on the 26th which I may have subconsciously stolen from my sister.

 

However, I maintain independence from complete plagiarism because my system has a post-it and hers does not. You buyin' that?

On the 27th someone delivered a ridiculous calendar to my boss.

The bird one. I put the normal sized calendar next to it so you could take in how ridiculously oversized this calendar is. Plus, it has birds in it. I don't like birds, they freak me out. In general I do not like things that can fly in my face. I'm lookin' at you, butterflies.

Seriously though, fuck butterflies, I hate them.

Last night, on the 28th, I went to get Chinese food and stumbled onto this.

The Christmas Market is open in downtown Ansbach! I didn't have a chance to shop, but I did enjoy looking around. This is one thing I will actually miss when we leave Germany, and that is saying something.

November 23rd - 25th, 2012

The day after taco Thanksgiving we had late Thanksgiving at my sister, Emily's, house. We ate real Thanksgiving food and not tacos, which was very good. But, the best part was what Emily and I did after.




















































We went to a German movie theater to see Twilight. I was expecting to have to wait until mid-December to see it, because that's when it comes to our theater. Getting to see any movie in a timely manner after it's released is an unknown luxury over here, so this was awesome. That's not to say I won't see it again when it comes to the on-post theater, but it was nice to see it early.

On the 24th it was back to cat time.

Apparently Bootstrap makes a good pillow. Although, Bootstrap seems to think I make a good pillow, too.

I took the picture for today, the 25th, at 2 am, so it counts. Apparently this is how my animals sleep at night.

My little pet family.

I've been thinking of getting another bed so they can spread out, but I kinda like them all snuggling together. It's adorable.

November 20th - 22nd, 2012

Usually when I open the bathroom door after having successfully barred the cats from entry I find them on the other side, waiting for me like creepers. On the 20th I found them doing this.

Wrestling outside the door. Weirdos.

On the 21st I noticed their weird eating habits. These two photos happened in quick succession.

One eats, the other one eats. This video might say it better:

Finally, Thanksgiving dinner.

Tacos. Daniel is working, we're having real Thanksgiving tomorrow. I'm not too concerned about it, Thanksgiving isn't my favorite holiday. I'd be really pissed if he was working on Christmas.