On Friendship.

This blog was inspired by a fellow Blogger.

I recently came across her Write about Real Friends, it made me think.
Friends are supposed to be there whenever you need them, they see you how you really are and tell you the truth. But, how do you know who if your Friends is a REAL one ?

I never had too many Problems to connect with People, but being in the Military really makes it so much harder. I've learnt my Lessons about Army Wifes - and I don't mean the kind you might see on TV. The words " Crazy " and " Backstabbing " come to Mind. When I first moved here I thought I'd make a lot of Friends rather quickly, instead, after 3 years I'm still doing everything solo.
Within the Time on this Post I've been the " flavor of the Month ",  a " Gold Donkey " and a " Cover-up ".
So, how do you choose a Friend if you need to have your Guard up at almost all times ?
I've also learnt that some Women don't stop even for kids and want to pull your Child right into whatever Argument they got with you. And that is where it hits the Brakes for me : If someone decides to spread Rumors about my Kids or twists Stories so their personal Attention Level rises a few Bars ! - That's just plain dirty and beyond mean!!

Truth be told, I have withdrawn myself a lot. It's sad, and I never thought that something like this could ever happen to me...but yah, I won't deny it.
I miss my former Bestie and it is wonderful to finally be connected again!! Thinking back on how much fun we had back in them days, before we were married and had Kids, makes me smile every time. Now, she also has found a new best Friend, which is kinda hurtful to see, but I wish her all the Luck in the world ! Afterall I can't expect her to wait for me to MAYBE come back home. Another good Friend of mine committed Suicide a few Months before I moved to the USA, which struck me very deeply because we were Besties since we were Babies.

The last Friends I thought I've found here in WA turned out to be -1- a little Cheat. She went to Places just to meet up with a Fling, and I covered in case her Hubby asked. Number 2 was someone who didn't really like paying for Things out of her own Pocket. - She was a Friend I really couldn't afford ( nor do I have the letters ' ATM ' tattooed onto my Forehead ).
I've joined an active Group , too. Only to see people smile in my Face and talk behind my Back. Surely, I do have my Flaws, but shouldn't that be something a true Friend is supposed to tell me ?

- Hold up, I remember, I'm a lone Wolf here. But believe me, howling at the Moon without a Pack can be very depressing at times.

No good Deed ...

...gets left unpunished.
Today actually started out to be a slow one, went to the Thriftstore and consigned Items, picked up my Check and thought I'd head to the Bank because that's where the Money goes. Anyways, I did change my Mind once I saw the Line. So I got back into the Car and drove home. Like I've said, a normal dull day.

A bit along on the Interstate I saw a Woman in a long Coat walking along the Shoulder lane, leaving her Car behind. She had quite a Distance to walk still, so I pulled over and waited.
The Lady got into my Car and explained that she'd like to stop at the next Gas station. She was a bit upset about her broken down Car and thankful that I've had stopped.

2 Minutes into the Drive I've heard a loud Pop to my Car, I've checked but saw nothing. The little Lady then said that I've must have hit a big Rock along the side, nothing special. Yes, nothing special !

So I dropped her off at the Station and continued on my way home.

Back on the Interstate, there, I've heard a loud ' Ka-Dong ' , and I knew, right then, that I had a flat one - Tire, that is! While I tried to make my way home save and sound I've had a gazillion Cars passing me by, with people in them pointing and yelling. ... And I just thought to myself that the Universe really knows when to screw you , apparently right after you've done YOUR own good Deed for the day !!
I've made it to the Front Gate...

But what if I couldn't reach A. ? I had to pick up the Kids from School in a few Minutes, so I called his Cell.
A. was at a Fair on Fort Lewis, there was no way of knowing if he'd even hear his Phone ring. Should I walk to School ? Get towed ? Who else could I call, who could help me ? I tried. He picked up. Thank you, phew. After a short Explanation of why and what had happened I waited ... what else could I have done really?!!

I stood leaning against my Car and watched people pass by. I've seen them look at the Damage and I've heard a lot of BS- remarks, YES, I know that a flat Tire isn't a nice thing to have ... DUUUH !!
I've waited like a Dog tied to a Pole, until a Couple came by, stopped and looked closer and ... HOLD YOUR BREATH NOW... asked if I needed help!
He's a Mechanic, oh boy, I was in Luck !! He got out my Spare and refilled the Air in it just in Time for A.
to get down and dirty in his Slacks to change a Tire... Yay !!

So thank you strange Couple from the Visitors Center for not just walking by with a Grin. And thank you A. for getting your beige Slacks all covered in Dirt just to get me Home.

And to you, Universe, thanks for this unfair Punishment... I'll remember it next Time !

STEAM OFF !!!

So yah, here I am again.
Should I complain about this or not, hmm, maybe I should:

To be honest , I am outraged about A's plans to go to the Movie Theater on Saturday.
I mean, normally there's nothing wrong with this, just not THIS Saturday!!
Reason is, THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND, on SATURDAY, is our 12th Year Anniversary.
So, what A. did was that he went to the PX yesterday Morning and stood in Line to get Free Tickets to a Free Viewing of the Movie  " Thor " at Carey Theater.
Like I've said, normally I'd be all for it..
but at April 30th I had something more, something romantic in Mind.
Like Roses and a romantic Dinner at the Space Needle Restaurant, just the two of us.
Naaaah, he came Home from work telling me that he got the Tickets and that it would be a good and fun Anniversary.  FUN ? - I want romantic. Now say it with me: Ro -man-tic ! Yes, that's right.
But ey, hold up, I didn't really want this "good Anniversary - Thing".
And what kind of a Husband does that ??!
So of course I was as mad as a Hellhound yesterday ( and still am really )
so I had to take a Drive just to steam off...
Now, I tell you, ya'll were lucky not to have been in that Car with me !!
I was cursing up a Storm and could have punched a Hole into the Wall, not caring about the Bricks.
My solution to this now will be that I'll simply treat myself to something nice!

Or what would you do...
if YOU were in my shoes ?

TTFN .

Along came Julia

Though my Childhood was carefree
and I look back on so many cherished Memories,
one Thing that always had brought me much Trouble, mostly with myself, was my red hair.
As a Fact, I've hated my Haircolor for many years, throughout my whole Schooltime.

Eventhough there were many beloved Story Characters who styled a ' Carrot Top ', it was not meant to connect with me. Pippi Longstocking, the superstrong girl who fought Pirates and lived in a big House all by herself, the Pumuckl was a redhaired Cartoon Elf from an 80's childrens TV-Show who lived with an elderly Carpenter, the red Zora was a flame - haired Gypsy girl who was the Leader of a Gang of Boys ...ect.
All these Shows were watched, but nothing really touched me in a Sense that I could identify myself with it.
Being a Redhead was difficult, challenging at at some points even hurtful.
As a Child I've heard many Nicknames, from Spaghetti over Copperhead and Duracel to... well, the not so 'nice' ones. As I grew older and began to have a more sense of Fashion for myself  I had to hit another Brickwall.  - A 13-year old redhaired Girl and NEON Colors just don't mix too well !!  Neon Pink, Green, Yellow and Orange were IN and little me with my 'Natural Colors' was way OUT. Which Teenage girl in the early 90's liked Brown, Beige, Olive, ect... . Well, I did not !!
Anyways, as a Teenager with red Hair I was never too high on Selfesteem, more the Opposite was the case.
And I remember how I went to a Store to get Hairdye, I tried to dye my Hair brown. So yes, Brown was the chosen color and I did everything as directed on the Package. But something went wrong, because I ended up with green Hair, well more Red with a greenish Hint to it! NICE !! As smart Move could have been to join the Gothic and Punk Societies with such a Mane... but no, I went to School and tried to ignore all dumb remarks.

Until one fine Evening, it must have been a Weekend, when my Mother brought me to the Movie Theater.
The Movie ? Pretty Woman !! I was so amazed when I saw the Wig Julia Roberts wore in the Beginning of the Movie laying on the Ground/Pillow... thinking, she must have beautiful brown or even black Hair now... BUT NO,  " they're RED. " she replied to Richard Gere. RED,woah ... I was psyched !! Okay, as we all know today this Movie became a BOXOFFICE HIT and catapulted Julia Roberts instantly to the Top of Superstardom.
Not only that, it seemed to have changed Fashion aswell, because all of a sudden I saw Women who dyed their Hair red, all Shades of it... the redder the better it seemed.

Suddenly, thanks to a 'Pretty Woman', RED was beautiful,
and I had it naturally !  :)

The TAO of the Redhead ...by Holly Nell

 " While working from home, I have plenty of time to catch up on my news. And redheads have been making headlines. Unfortunately, it's not for doing anything other than being redheads.

A Facebook group was created called "Kick a Ginger" Day inspired by a 2005 "South Park" episode in which Cartman calls redheads "evil" and "soulless"and said they suffer from a disease called gingervitis. OK, it's kinda funny. That is until last week when things got serious and kids got hurt.

Several kids at A. E. Wright, a middle school in Calabasas, CA, took the joke too far when they started beating and harassing red headed students. Three of those students face criminal charges and the fourteen year old Vancouver boy who started the Facebook group is also being being investigated and could face charges as well. It made me feel slightly less depressed to read that a group of friends rallied around one of the redheads providing protection as she went from class to class. At least all hope isn't lost for our kind. But the predictions seem so dire. First, we're headed for extinction, then it's proven that we're not just big babies about needles or anesthesia, but are actually genetically inclined to feel more pain (told ya so Mom!) And now this!

Sad to say I know all too well the plight of the redhead. I didn't just grow up a redhead anywhere, I grew up a redhead in South Texas. An identical twin and a redhead. An identical twin, a redhead with freckles, glasses, braces, a few extra pounds and next to zero pigmentation. The only thing that saved me from complete and total social exile was was my enthusiasm for doing other kids homework and my aptitude at the trombone. Yes, I also played the trombone.

Adolescence is cruel for almost any one but add in hair the color of carrots and it was a whole steaming pile of difficult. I heard nicknames like Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite (she had blond hair but c'mon kids can make almost anything seem insulting). When people compared us to someone famous, it was usually Chelsea Clinton (cue sounds of thirteen year old sobbing).

It wasn't even about the hair color, it was about being different. The mob mentality preyed upon on the weak and redheads seem to land firmly in that category. I so desperately wanted to look like the beautiful blondes on Dallas or Cindy Crawford with her luxurious brunette locks. I didn't want to be different. I wanted to be just like everyone else. And then I got older. I lost the weight and grew my hair out. I left the confines of my small Texas town and took trips to San Francisco, New York, and Mexico. And something strange began to happen. Everywhere we went, we were noticed. Not just noticed but admired. We were the red-headed twins. Not a bad thing, something people were intrigued and excited by. People stopped to talk to us. Old ladies touched our hair and told us we were good luck. Men old enough to be our father proposed marriage. It was strangely flattering, all of it, but it wasn't enough to convince me that being a redhead was anything other than a curse.

And, sure enough, one day I made a big decision to leave my redheaded roots behind me. I'd gone to a salon and when the overly enthusiastic stylist convinced me that I desperately needed highlights... $300 highlights (he left that part out). I said yes without any hesititation. When he was finished, I was almost blonde. Barely a trace of my redheaded self remained. I looked in the mirror and I saw a stranger. I hated it and so did most of the people who knew me. It took a few months to grow out and I went back to my natural color (or as close to it as possible). I wasn't upset or ashamed anymore. I'm a redhead dammit, and proud of it.

Of course, I couldn't tell my eight-year old, or twelve-year old or sixteen year old self that but I've figured it out now. Being a redhead gave me the ability to embrace my differences. It allowed me to be okay with not being part of the crowd. It may have even set me on the path of following my dreams, no matter how crazy or farfetched they seemed. Maybe I would've never been inspired to step on stage or pick up a pen and write my own stories. Maybe I'd simply be another peroxide blond in a sea of peroxide blondes. The world has enough Pamela Andersons. I think we need a few more Christina Hendricks!

The South Park spoof was meant as a satire on racism, homophobia and anti-semitism but kids aren't savy enough to understand that. The sad thing is that those gingers who were targeted, who found themselves beaten and humiliated may never embrace their redheaded greatness. They'll L'oreal it away and pretend that's not who they were or they'll soldier on, burdened by their carrot tops, always secretly wishing they were anything but. And that's a shame. Maybe someday someone will start a Hug a Ginger Day or a A Redheads Rule Day. Maybe I will. Because in the end, being a redhead is something I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. " by Holly Nell

 

To be continued @ a later Date !

A low Sunday.

At the end of a few days during the weeks I always look forward to kick back with A. when we can enjoy some good TV-shows together. Afterall, once all the Work is done and when the Kids are in Bed, that is when we get to be " only " a Couple again.

Though our Taste in Television varies, we do enjoy  to watch Shows together. Mondays are usually ' Being Human ' and ' Harry's Law ' to watch... oh yah, and also ' Chuck ' ( A. is a big Fan ). Tuesday we relax on the Sofa to ' No Ordinary Family ' ... Wednesday evenings I get chills watching ' Ghosthunters ' by myself, when on Thursday we switch to ' Fairly legal ' and/or ' Royal Pains ' ( whenever it shows ).

Oh yeah, and whatever happened to ' Sanctuary ' and ' Haven ' ?? I really liked those Shows and wish they'd be brought back !!

Me personally, I like ' The History Channel ' and everything simular to it... and on Fridays I solo a ' Freaky Friday ' in my Livingroom if I'm in the Mood to.

Today was prettymuch a low day, nothing really big went on. A. and I decided to bring a Bike to the Shop for repairs, had a quick stop at Gamestop for Erin's DSi ( ssshhhh, Easter Bunny ! ). The Kiddos played Lego after returning from Church while A. and I read Books in the Livingroom. We had  Irish Stew for Dinner and then went to see ' Red Riding Hood ' at the Movies. Home again we chose to play a round of  SORRY, then it was OFF TO BED for all 3 Boys !! - Only the 2 dogs and I are still awake. So yah, it was a quiet yet nice Sunday... and after walking the Fluffs I should go and hit the Hay aswell.

Goodnight everyone

and a great Start to another great Week to you ! :)

A little Piece of Ireland.

My Hubby and I are huge Fans of Ireland. There were, and still are, Times when we google Properties for sale at the green Isle. My Husband was born there so his Connection to the Land is far more stronger.
Maybe one Day we'll spend our Retirement Days there, living in a little House in the Countryside, with 2 Horses and Dogs. Well, honestly said, we always thought it would be just perfect for an American/German Family to live at: The Language spoken is , of course, English and the Location would be great aswell. It wouldn't take longer than 6 hours to fly either way, nomatter if to the Eastcoast of the USA or towards european-centered Germany.

But for now I'll dream of that ONE Day to come, maybe, put in an Irish Music CD, go " Green " for St. Patrick's Day and pamper my Family with irish Goodies...

LIKE THIS 1 HERE :

Hot Crab and Cheese on Muffins

4 English Muffins, 1 Tablespoon Butter, 3 green chopped Onions, 1/3 Cup chopped red Bellpepper, 1/2 Pound fresh Crabmeat ( Pikes Place Market ) drained and flaked, 2 Teaspoons of Hot Pepper Sauce, 1 Cup shredded Cheddar Cheese and 1 Cup of shredded Monterey Jack

Preheat Broiler. Place Muffinhalves on greased Baking sheet. Broil 4 inches from Heat 2 minutes or until Muffins are lightly toasted. Place on large microwavable plate.
Melt Butter in a medium Skillet over medium Heat. Add green Onions and Bellpeppers, cook and stir for 3 to 4 Minutes or until tender - Then remove from Heat, stir in Crabmeat, Hot Pepper Sauce and Cheeses. Spoon about 1/3 cup Crab Mixture onto Muffinhalves.
Microwave on High for 1 to 2 Minutes, rotating platter once, or until Crab Mixture is heated through.
- Serve with White Wine -