Talked to Josh a little more than normal lately and have started to realize that I am not even going to know what to do with myself when he gets back. Very very excited to have someone to come home to after work. No more solo dinners. :)
Josh has more spare time on his hands…they are starting to rap things up where he is. It is kinda crazy here on base with all the anticipation of the guys coming home. Signs are everywhere and it makes baumholder like a lot cooler than it is….did I just say that?
A patient called the other day trying to make an appointment because they thought they had swine flu. Had no symptoms and had not traveled to the U.S. or Mexico recently. I told my sister that and told me that wasn’t that crazy and a lot of patients were making those kind of appointments. HOWEVER, I live in Germany, not the U.S. and Mexico is not a place that many people travel to when you live here. Love baumholder population….very intelligent.
I was having a sort of bad day yesterday and was venting about a couple things that my job required lately as a nurse, wife and all. Jean sent me an email later that had an insert of a paragraph Lorintz had sent her. It was talking/venting about the new Platoon Leader s and I can’t go into much detail but at the end Lorintz told Jean to tell me that Josh was doing awesome work. Hmm….that didn’t solve my problems but it did make me smile….Mustard, I’m still obsessed with you don’t worry.
Got an email the other day with when the troops were starting to come in. There were exact numbers but I wondered how that was since not even the guys knew exactly when they were coming in. I got very excited and found out later that the nurses will be rotating in and out of reintegration site in order to do blood draws….yippy skippy. I even volunteered to work on some Saturdays to help out at the site.
Sister, something very special will be coming in the mail for you...I hope it can be fixed or you can return it....kristen you will benefit...oh yes and you too greg...I bet it will make you look very sexy as well....(its a broken straightener).
Jojo....I meant to tell you something last night but didn't get to...I think you should move to Germany....tomorrow....think about it. :)
Love you all!! VERY MUCH!! Hope you all have a great day and weekend too! :)
Love,
GRRR
pss. sorry if this email has a lot of errors, i never read over it...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Where does the weekend go??
This weekend came and went a little too fast for me. Jean and I took off of work early on Friday to start our drive to Wurzberg, Germany. It was only a couple hours in the car and we took Shannon (a 6 year old that Jean was taking care of for a Provider at our clinic) with us so the drive went by very fast. I trained Shannon on the way up to tell everyone that her favorite animal was a Monkey, so when Josh called I asked her to tell him over the phone what her favorite animal was. After she said "Monkeys!" I pretty much decided that the day couldn't get any better. Later in the weekend Shannon came and sat on my lap and told me that when she grew up and became a Zookeeper she would take a monkey so that I could have one of my very own. :) I am convinced that Josh will never have the opportunity to meet Shannon for I fear that he will fall in love and that may not be such a good thing.
On Saturday, Jean and I got up and went on a walk around the city. It was raining but the city was amazing. The Main (proper name) river runs right through it and there was a huge palace on the hill (with tons of vineyards surrounding it). Later we came back and met up with the big group and walked around for most of the day. We went into the Residance which was another huge palace....it blows my mind how things were constructed back in the days and how much labor was put into each room. It all was pretty spectacular. Everyone really needs to come visit here!
Jean showed me the shopping of Germany...I was in heaven; however, it was all a little more pricer than I was use to. I controlled myself somewhat but made peace in my mind with each purchase....not sure I had reason to. :) We drove back late, but it was definately worth the drive.
On Sunday I sat at Jeans computer most of the day and completed my Contact hours for my nursing license....I was very happy to get those taken care of.
I have to tell you all that this past Friday I participated in my first PT test! (Well maybe not participate in...but close). One of the providers came up to me after work and asked if I would pace her in the 2 mile run. It rained the entire morning but I think I got her one of her best times....I can't take very much of the credit for it because my job was to just keep her moving. She definatley impressed me though for 50 years old. There were only 4 people taking the test but it was really cool to see. However, I did not realize that between each event: 2 min pushups, 2 mins situps and 2 mile run that the person gets 8-10 mins rest. All this time I thought Josh was an ultra rockstar and had no idea that he got to recover before he did the next event. I told Josh that and he told me that I needed to stop learning more and more about the army. Splurge! :)
Today has been an interesting day at the clinic. I am finally on my own and since it is slow, I am blogging. This is the first quite moment of the day so that is good. I have spread the word that people call me GRR and Jean has made it a point to start calling me GARRR (like a pirate). I went into the lab today to had in some tubs from a test and when I signed in I fould that Jean changed all of my initials, GAR to GARRRRR. She says we are going to have a pirate party for me for my birthday. :)
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Josh is still doing very well...he is getting much much busier. He did book our cruise tickets and I think he even got me my balcony which is super special. Not 100% sure yet, he says its a surprise...hmmm. He may not have much internet access from here on out so if you don't hear from him and really need to, let me know and I will relay the message to him.
Miss you all, love you most of all and hope to see visitors very very soon!!
Love,
GRRR
On Saturday, Jean and I got up and went on a walk around the city. It was raining but the city was amazing. The Main (proper name) river runs right through it and there was a huge palace on the hill (with tons of vineyards surrounding it). Later we came back and met up with the big group and walked around for most of the day. We went into the Residance which was another huge palace....it blows my mind how things were constructed back in the days and how much labor was put into each room. It all was pretty spectacular. Everyone really needs to come visit here!
Jean showed me the shopping of Germany...I was in heaven; however, it was all a little more pricer than I was use to. I controlled myself somewhat but made peace in my mind with each purchase....not sure I had reason to. :) We drove back late, but it was definately worth the drive.
On Sunday I sat at Jeans computer most of the day and completed my Contact hours for my nursing license....I was very happy to get those taken care of.
I have to tell you all that this past Friday I participated in my first PT test! (Well maybe not participate in...but close). One of the providers came up to me after work and asked if I would pace her in the 2 mile run. It rained the entire morning but I think I got her one of her best times....I can't take very much of the credit for it because my job was to just keep her moving. She definatley impressed me though for 50 years old. There were only 4 people taking the test but it was really cool to see. However, I did not realize that between each event: 2 min pushups, 2 mins situps and 2 mile run that the person gets 8-10 mins rest. All this time I thought Josh was an ultra rockstar and had no idea that he got to recover before he did the next event. I told Josh that and he told me that I needed to stop learning more and more about the army. Splurge! :)
Today has been an interesting day at the clinic. I am finally on my own and since it is slow, I am blogging. This is the first quite moment of the day so that is good. I have spread the word that people call me GRR and Jean has made it a point to start calling me GARRR (like a pirate). I went into the lab today to had in some tubs from a test and when I signed in I fould that Jean changed all of my initials, GAR to GARRRRR. She says we are going to have a pirate party for me for my birthday. :)
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Josh is still doing very well...he is getting much much busier. He did book our cruise tickets and I think he even got me my balcony which is super special. Not 100% sure yet, he says its a surprise...hmmm. He may not have much internet access from here on out so if you don't hear from him and really need to, let me know and I will relay the message to him.
Miss you all, love you most of all and hope to see visitors very very soon!!
Love,
GRRR
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Summer time :)
Hello Everyone,
I'm being a good girl and writing again.
It is hard to believe but in the care bear cloud of Baumholder, Germany has became the Sunshine rock this week. It has been between 70 and 80 degrees for the past five days and no rain....if that doesn't make a girl happy...I'm not sure what does.
I know it is already Wednesday but I have to tell you all that when you come here I am taking you all to France. A couple girls and I drove to Metz, France this weekend and spent the day walking around. We had about a 2 hour lunch at this super delicious French cafe and then went and walked around. The Mosely River goes right through the city and there was a kayak race going on so we got to watch. Then we rented a paddle boat and layed in the sun for a little bit. On the way home we stopped at Cora (my new most favorite grocery store)....I'm obsessed. Its amazing, huge, tons of fresh seafoods and meats....k, I'll stop now.
I had a pt today that I talked to for a bit. She attends all the FRG (family readiness group) and said that she and other wifes have been told that we won't find out when our husband returns until 3 hours before he is here. Meaning that they won't inform the wifes until their flight lands in Ramstein (an airforce airport 30 mins from Baumholder). Love the Army. Jk...I kinda still think it is an okay organization.
I hope everyone had a good Easter! I did, even with being soo far away, no easter basket and no family/friends. (That does not mean that I did not miss all of the above). Myself, Shawna and Morgen (shawna's best friend from Hawaii) went to the Baptist Church right in town. I cried for the 2nd time in church....box of kleenex and all. We had a guest speaker but man could he could he speak. He told the story of how he came to know the Lord. At the age of 9, he was playing in his yard and his neighbor picked him up to go to Sunday School. 3 Sundays later he stayed for the service and went up to the Pastor after. The Pastor told him that he loved him very much but also that Jesus loved him unconditionally. The pastor said that at the age of 9 that was the first time he had ever heard someone say to him "I love you." Right there he accepted Christ...the pastor started to get choked up, so I was doomed right there.
Josh comes home in one month and a little bit. Shawna leaves one month and a day from today.....so I know I'm going to be a very emotional girl coming up here. I can't even imagine how I would have done without Shawna as my friend. Sometimes after busy days I call her to come over to have a glass of wine and just listen to me vent. I know I will soon have Josh (and trust me I can't WAIT for that) but it will be much different in Germany without her. I tell her she was my little angel and that she can't leave me...she smiles and says okay....well see what happens come May 16th.
Josh is still doing very well. He is going to get very very busy here soon and as will I. Friday we had a briefing where we were told how crazy things would start getting at the clinic with the Birgade coming home. There will even be 2 different sick days times for the soldier (per day) and they said that the line is all the way down the hall and sometimes out the door....(we have a very very long hall). I am kinda excited but at the same time know that I am going to be in slightly over my head. I have been told that I may be pulling long days 0600-1900. But hopefully that won't happen too often...if we manage to split up the shifts between us 5 nurses at the clinic.
Me and a couple girls started a Tuesday soccer night. We started last tuesday and played again last night...22 people showed up! I even scored a goal...okay maybe I was standing in the right place at the right time...but it counts for something. We are going to do it every tuesday and thursday because there was such a huge turnout...everytime I try to get the ball from someone though I get scared and think of Joelle
I had a dream last night that my sister hated me....I tried to convince her that I was an okay person....she didn't buy it and I woke up very very panicked. Infact, woke up a little too early and went out to get some fresh air at 0530....it was good though. I am finding myself to be one very independent gal...never thought that I would ever be living alone at the age of 24...even for a short period of time...this is my sister's dream...and I am living it...how did that happen??
Well I will stop babbling now. I hope that you all had a great Easter and are having a great week. I will try to write again soon. Miss you all very much!!
Much love,
GRRR
I'm being a good girl and writing again.
It is hard to believe but in the care bear cloud of Baumholder, Germany has became the Sunshine rock this week. It has been between 70 and 80 degrees for the past five days and no rain....if that doesn't make a girl happy...I'm not sure what does.
I know it is already Wednesday but I have to tell you all that when you come here I am taking you all to France. A couple girls and I drove to Metz, France this weekend and spent the day walking around. We had about a 2 hour lunch at this super delicious French cafe and then went and walked around. The Mosely River goes right through the city and there was a kayak race going on so we got to watch. Then we rented a paddle boat and layed in the sun for a little bit. On the way home we stopped at Cora (my new most favorite grocery store)....I'm obsessed. Its amazing, huge, tons of fresh seafoods and meats....k, I'll stop now.
I had a pt today that I talked to for a bit. She attends all the FRG (family readiness group) and said that she and other wifes have been told that we won't find out when our husband returns until 3 hours before he is here. Meaning that they won't inform the wifes until their flight lands in Ramstein (an airforce airport 30 mins from Baumholder). Love the Army. Jk...I kinda still think it is an okay organization.
I hope everyone had a good Easter! I did, even with being soo far away, no easter basket and no family/friends. (That does not mean that I did not miss all of the above). Myself, Shawna and Morgen (shawna's best friend from Hawaii) went to the Baptist Church right in town. I cried for the 2nd time in church....box of kleenex and all. We had a guest speaker but man could he could he speak. He told the story of how he came to know the Lord. At the age of 9, he was playing in his yard and his neighbor picked him up to go to Sunday School. 3 Sundays later he stayed for the service and went up to the Pastor after. The Pastor told him that he loved him very much but also that Jesus loved him unconditionally. The pastor said that at the age of 9 that was the first time he had ever heard someone say to him "I love you." Right there he accepted Christ...the pastor started to get choked up, so I was doomed right there.
Josh comes home in one month and a little bit. Shawna leaves one month and a day from today.....so I know I'm going to be a very emotional girl coming up here. I can't even imagine how I would have done without Shawna as my friend. Sometimes after busy days I call her to come over to have a glass of wine and just listen to me vent. I know I will soon have Josh (and trust me I can't WAIT for that) but it will be much different in Germany without her. I tell her she was my little angel and that she can't leave me...she smiles and says okay....well see what happens come May 16th.
Josh is still doing very well. He is going to get very very busy here soon and as will I. Friday we had a briefing where we were told how crazy things would start getting at the clinic with the Birgade coming home. There will even be 2 different sick days times for the soldier (per day) and they said that the line is all the way down the hall and sometimes out the door....(we have a very very long hall). I am kinda excited but at the same time know that I am going to be in slightly over my head. I have been told that I may be pulling long days 0600-1900. But hopefully that won't happen too often...if we manage to split up the shifts between us 5 nurses at the clinic.
Me and a couple girls started a Tuesday soccer night. We started last tuesday and played again last night...22 people showed up! I even scored a goal...okay maybe I was standing in the right place at the right time...but it counts for something. We are going to do it every tuesday and thursday because there was such a huge turnout...everytime I try to get the ball from someone though I get scared and think of Joelle
I had a dream last night that my sister hated me....I tried to convince her that I was an okay person....she didn't buy it and I woke up very very panicked. Infact, woke up a little too early and went out to get some fresh air at 0530....it was good though. I am finding myself to be one very independent gal...never thought that I would ever be living alone at the age of 24...even for a short period of time...this is my sister's dream...and I am living it...how did that happen??
Well I will stop babbling now. I hope that you all had a great Easter and are having a great week. I will try to write again soon. Miss you all very much!!
Much love,
GRRR
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
OPPS!! :)
Hello everyone,
I have to apologize that it has been soo soo long. I will take defense and tell you all that my internet has been down for the entire month of March. Even after three letters and countless visits to their office....no internet has made it to our apartment. :( So I am sorry, I suppose I will try to make it up and make this an extra good blog.
Josh is still doing well downrange. He hasn't been the one to tell me most things (mainly because he can't release too much information) but luckily I have Jean who has been my "go to" girl. I am sure I have told you all before but she is currently my preceptor at work and Josh just took over for her husband. Josh informed me yesterday of the date he was going to start heading back here and as expected I can start planning for his return for the first part of June. :). Things will start getting very busy for him in the next couple weeks because they will have to start getting everything ready for the big move back here. I can't stand still when I think about that many guys coming to this base (around 4,000) . I went to the shoppette (that is what they call the gas station on base) and they told me they would start opening up all 4 counters in April.....craziness.
I am a working girl.....like I said I follow Jean all day, so I really can't complain. She makes me laugh a lot and for the most part we enjoy each others company tremendously. :) We are both very exciting for our bouys to get home so that we can make them be friends and then travel together. Pretty sure Jean and I are both the talkers of the relationships so we figured we wouldn't have much problems saying that both Josh and Luritz enjoy cigars and wiskey.
I think I might get a week off in June so Josh and I are going to plan a Greece cruise.....it is taking the place of our honeymoon and 1 year anniversary....I am super duper excited. :).
Whatelse can I tell you that is exciting....oh yes, I cut my finger on Monday night. I was cutting an onion and I pulled away knowing that I did a bad thing. Held my hand above my head and told Shawna to throw the entire onion away. She started to and picked up what she thought was an onion piece and said "oh look, this one has finger prints".....OPPS!! I went over to Jeans later and she fixed it up...the next day she lidocained my finger and put it in hydrogen peroxide....she takes very good care of me. :)
I will try to stay more on top of this blog...and as soon as my internet comes back on you will hear much more from me.
Miss you all still VERY MUCH!!
ps. Just for anyone who is sending Josh things...they won't accept packages past the 15th of April.
pss. Germany is requesting visitors! :)
I have to apologize that it has been soo soo long. I will take defense and tell you all that my internet has been down for the entire month of March. Even after three letters and countless visits to their office....no internet has made it to our apartment. :( So I am sorry, I suppose I will try to make it up and make this an extra good blog.
Josh is still doing well downrange. He hasn't been the one to tell me most things (mainly because he can't release too much information) but luckily I have Jean who has been my "go to" girl. I am sure I have told you all before but she is currently my preceptor at work and Josh just took over for her husband. Josh informed me yesterday of the date he was going to start heading back here and as expected I can start planning for his return for the first part of June. :). Things will start getting very busy for him in the next couple weeks because they will have to start getting everything ready for the big move back here. I can't stand still when I think about that many guys coming to this base (around 4,000) . I went to the shoppette (that is what they call the gas station on base) and they told me they would start opening up all 4 counters in April.....craziness.
I am a working girl.....like I said I follow Jean all day, so I really can't complain. She makes me laugh a lot and for the most part we enjoy each others company tremendously. :) We are both very exciting for our bouys to get home so that we can make them be friends and then travel together. Pretty sure Jean and I are both the talkers of the relationships so we figured we wouldn't have much problems saying that both Josh and Luritz enjoy cigars and wiskey.
I think I might get a week off in June so Josh and I are going to plan a Greece cruise.....it is taking the place of our honeymoon and 1 year anniversary....I am super duper excited. :).
Whatelse can I tell you that is exciting....oh yes, I cut my finger on Monday night. I was cutting an onion and I pulled away knowing that I did a bad thing. Held my hand above my head and told Shawna to throw the entire onion away. She started to and picked up what she thought was an onion piece and said "oh look, this one has finger prints".....OPPS!! I went over to Jeans later and she fixed it up...the next day she lidocained my finger and put it in hydrogen peroxide....she takes very good care of me. :)
I will try to stay more on top of this blog...and as soon as my internet comes back on you will hear much more from me.
Miss you all still VERY MUCH!!
ps. Just for anyone who is sending Josh things...they won't accept packages past the 15th of April.
pss. Germany is requesting visitors! :)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I joined the Army. Not sure I meant to.
On Friday, my day at work started out with class that taught employees how to refer patients to different health services offered by the army. It spoke a lot about the substance abuse and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) that will occur when the 4,000 troops return to the base in June. The class finished up a little ahead of schedule so I ran over to the Tax center where I completed the taxes...I HATE taxes (officially). I returned to work where we then had a fake " bomb alert" and after proceded into a 2 hour suicide lecture. (This year the army lost more fatalities to suicide than to combat so the head hancho ordered a mandatory 3 step suicide coarse for all of Baumholder base.) It was good information but I decided while sitting in the lecture with 95% military personal (healthcare providers at the clinic) that somehow along the road I was placed into the Armed Forces....however, I am not sure that I have the same mentality as some of the men and woman I work with. Perhaps it was something one had to be there for, but I was amazed how much talking and discussion could be performed in a matter of 2 hours on a topic we all knew A LOT about.
On Friday I went to a work party where my boss was promoted to Colonel. They went all out for the party with appetizers, dancing and a full meal served so it was lots of fun. I also got to talk to Jean's husband, Lawrence (who Josh took over for in Iraq) and he told me that all of his soldiers had taken a period of time to plan this big trick on him. Turns out that when Josh got there and met them they all chickened out. :) I laughed. I let him know that Josh was having a blast and many times I had to remind Josh that he needs to pretend to miss me a little more. Lawrence said that he got really lucky and had one of the better platoons. Many times his platoon were asked to do special missions and things....he also added that by the time he left Josh had a better feel for some things than some of his leaders. One thing that Lawrence did mention that made me think was when he said that "leaving his guys was one of the hardest things he has had to do in the Army." When he returns back to Iraq (after his R & R) he will be given a desk job...which he is NOT looking forward to. When I drove home that night I realized that Josh is basically living his dream right now and I just hope that when he does get put promoted to a "desk job" he is able to handle it.....it kinda scares me that he might not be a very happy camper when that day does come :)
Work this week has been great! I think I am a little in over my head but I think it will be okay in the end. It is a much different field of nursing and I never thought in all my days I would have to be doing some of the things they will be having me do. To give you all a little idea of what the job entails....as a nurse I will be doing/assisting with: toenail removals (weird?....I thought so too), immunizations, birth control injections/teaching/etc, pregnancy tests and teaching, ear irrigations (mostly in children), STD treatments (very very prevalent here), referrals and then what is thrown at as during the day. My head nurse let me know that we will see a lot of abuse from here on out...because it is kinda the breaking point for Mom's and a lot of them are getting nervous for their husbands to return in June. It is true and very sad but even in this first week I have seen some pretty crazy things.
I have got to talk to Josh a few times this week. He tells me that I become quite the commander since he left....I let him know that this week I decided to map out an entire week once he gets home of tasks he has to perform for me...Day 1 will be foot massages and Day 2 will be a day of only watching only chick flicks....thats as far as I have gotten.
So all in all, things are great. Josh is living his dream....and my job has driven me back to a purpose driven life.:)
I hope that everyone has a great week! Josh does send his hello to everyone!
Miss you all still very very much!
Love,
Gretchen Ann
On Friday I went to a work party where my boss was promoted to Colonel. They went all out for the party with appetizers, dancing and a full meal served so it was lots of fun. I also got to talk to Jean's husband, Lawrence (who Josh took over for in Iraq) and he told me that all of his soldiers had taken a period of time to plan this big trick on him. Turns out that when Josh got there and met them they all chickened out. :) I laughed. I let him know that Josh was having a blast and many times I had to remind Josh that he needs to pretend to miss me a little more. Lawrence said that he got really lucky and had one of the better platoons. Many times his platoon were asked to do special missions and things....he also added that by the time he left Josh had a better feel for some things than some of his leaders. One thing that Lawrence did mention that made me think was when he said that "leaving his guys was one of the hardest things he has had to do in the Army." When he returns back to Iraq (after his R & R) he will be given a desk job...which he is NOT looking forward to. When I drove home that night I realized that Josh is basically living his dream right now and I just hope that when he does get put promoted to a "desk job" he is able to handle it.....it kinda scares me that he might not be a very happy camper when that day does come :)
Work this week has been great! I think I am a little in over my head but I think it will be okay in the end. It is a much different field of nursing and I never thought in all my days I would have to be doing some of the things they will be having me do. To give you all a little idea of what the job entails....as a nurse I will be doing/assisting with: toenail removals (weird?....I thought so too), immunizations, birth control injections/teaching/etc, pregnancy tests and teaching, ear irrigations (mostly in children), STD treatments (very very prevalent here), referrals and then what is thrown at as during the day. My head nurse let me know that we will see a lot of abuse from here on out...because it is kinda the breaking point for Mom's and a lot of them are getting nervous for their husbands to return in June. It is true and very sad but even in this first week I have seen some pretty crazy things.
I have got to talk to Josh a few times this week. He tells me that I become quite the commander since he left....I let him know that this week I decided to map out an entire week once he gets home of tasks he has to perform for me...Day 1 will be foot massages and Day 2 will be a day of only watching only chick flicks....thats as far as I have gotten.
So all in all, things are great. Josh is living his dream....and my job has driven me back to a purpose driven life.:)
I hope that everyone has a great week! Josh does send his hello to everyone!
Miss you all still very very much!
Love,
Gretchen Ann
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Roller Coaster Time :)
I know it has been awhile since you have heard from me but I do have an explanation.
Last Thursday I went to pick all three Cressman sisters up at the airport....(I am pretty sure I will always call them the Cressman's even though only one still holds the last name). Our adventures began and I took them back to Baumholder to get them registered to come on base. We stayed in Baumholder that night before venturing off for the weekend. In a matter of 4 days we traveled to the Neuschwanstein Castle (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=neuschwanstein+castle&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=LZKqSd_bDIGW1QX_j8zXAg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title), Garmisch, Munich and Stuggart. We had soo many great talks and car rides and at the end of the trip I could not believe how fast the time went. I have told some stories but the highlights of my weekend was first night in Garmisch. We stayed up and all talked about the end times. It was a very interesting discussion but it really made me think how much worrying I do at times and much time is wasted. Earlier in the day I had been thinking about different things regarding Josh's deployment and time and everything came together that night and I got this urge to knock off some of the crazy thoughts I allow to be put into my head. The other thing that we talked about was praying. One of the girls talked about how she finds herself at times becoming resistant to prayer and she defeats it by praying herself to sleep at night. I just loved that thought and since then I have been praying every time I lay down...even if it is just for a nap. The best part was that when she said "Yeah sometimes I feel bad because it puts me to sleep but then I realize how much comfort it brings me and that okays it." :) I laughed.
The 2nd best part of the weekend was our hike to the Pub up the mountain. We stayed on path and made it to the pub at 11:30. 2 1/2 hours later we walked out from the pub and the entire haze had cleared up and we were able to overlook all over Garmisch. It was breathtaking....the hike down went very fast. We ran all the way down and passed tons of children and families who had the right idea and were pulling sleds behind them. A few times we found ourselves jumping into the snow to avoid kids who were bombing the hill...it looked like waay too much fun. Next time we WILL bring a sled with us. :)
Joelle and I got to spend a few days together in Baumholder before she left. It was soo great to just be with her and spend the whole day together. We talked about lots of fun things and future plans for when we grow up and get big....a few nights we had Shawna over and had a little too much fun just being silly together. Definately needed that visit from the Cressmans...they really were my angels!
A couple nights ago Josh tried to call. I had just got off the phone with my older brother (who was just getting his 31st birthday day started). I had such a good conversation with him and walked away from the computer smiling ear from ear. I sometimes forget how amazing of a family I have and talking to him brought me back to how lucky I was to have him as my older bro (and how much I look up to him day to day). Five minutes later the house phone rang. I was able to get 2 minutes of clear talk in to Josh until everything went "kurplunk." I started getting very frustrated and telling him I couldn't hear him. I asked him to call my cell phone but he said it cost too much. I spent the entire next day figuring out how I was going to get my phone working again.
It's still not fixed and I am still trying to figure things out but I wanted to let you all know that Josh called at 5:30 am this morning :). After him not being able to hear me on the house phone it took the hit and called my cell phone. He is doing very well and I am afraid that he is enjoying his job a little too much. He is running route clearance missions and told me that yesterday their mission turned into a 15 hour mission because some of their equipment did not cooporate. They are keeping him very busy but just talking to him I knew that there is no where he would rather be. He told me he is trying to take more pictures and is going to start taking more pictures of the Iraq children. He says he doesn't need much sent to him but for anyone who is interested in sending something he said that the Iraq children always follow their vehicles and they throw parts of their MRE (meals ready to eat) to them. He asked me to tell people that if they wanted to send something to send packaged candy to throw and flip flops for the children. If you want to throw anything in for him...his request is beef jerky.
Josh's Address:
FOB HAMMER
B Company, 40th EN BN, 2nd BCT
FOB HAMMER
APO, AE 09308
Best news ever though is that I start work tomorrow. For all who don't know I will be working at the clinic on base (just a 5 min walk) as a Clinical Nurse. I am looking very forward to it and can't wait to start...I have already packed my lunch...(perhaps that explain how excited I really am).
Also, I thought since Josh isn't have to write emails that I would post something he wrote up when he got to Kuwait. Some of you may have read it but I know that my family may not have had access to it so I wanted to post it. It is this thing that you just say 25 random things about you. So here is Josh's 25 things.
1. I'm the only one who can call my sister Dan-Dan
2. My wife makes the best guacamole in the world
3. I actually like chick flicks, but I complain to Gretchen anyway.
4. I've learned all of my patience from women (Gretchen, sisters, mom)
5. I am going to name my first daughter Jocylin (spelling?)
7. My mom makes the best beef stew in the world.
8. I finally got brothers at the age of 24 (with no thanks to you Mom and Dad, I had to go get them on my own)
9. I've lived in Germany for a month and have not went over 100 mph on the autobahn. Thanks Gretch.
10. The walls in my home will probably be pink when I get back from Iraq. Thanks again Gretch.
11. I'm a tree hugger
12. I'm going to own a wienriemer soon
13. I get really pissed off at technology (i.e. my german cell phone, laptops, etc.)
14. No other woman could understand/put up with me the way Gretchen does. She's my best friend.
15. My Old Man is my biggest role model
16. I ony read non-fiction books (I don't really know why)
17. I love coffee and tea
18. I'm a morning person... all the way. I wake up early for no reason.
19. My favorite movie is 'Cool Hand Luke'
20. My favorite book is 'Wild at Heart'
21. Jim and I can talk about anything no matter how long its been since we've spoken or seen one another.got to go.....finish later
Hope you all have an amazing week! I will be in touch very soon! Miss you all very very much!!
Sincerely,
Gretchen (and kinda Josh :) )
Last Thursday I went to pick all three Cressman sisters up at the airport....(I am pretty sure I will always call them the Cressman's even though only one still holds the last name). Our adventures began and I took them back to Baumholder to get them registered to come on base. We stayed in Baumholder that night before venturing off for the weekend. In a matter of 4 days we traveled to the Neuschwanstein Castle (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=neuschwanstein+castle&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=LZKqSd_bDIGW1QX_j8zXAg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title), Garmisch, Munich and Stuggart. We had soo many great talks and car rides and at the end of the trip I could not believe how fast the time went. I have told some stories but the highlights of my weekend was first night in Garmisch. We stayed up and all talked about the end times. It was a very interesting discussion but it really made me think how much worrying I do at times and much time is wasted. Earlier in the day I had been thinking about different things regarding Josh's deployment and time and everything came together that night and I got this urge to knock off some of the crazy thoughts I allow to be put into my head. The other thing that we talked about was praying. One of the girls talked about how she finds herself at times becoming resistant to prayer and she defeats it by praying herself to sleep at night. I just loved that thought and since then I have been praying every time I lay down...even if it is just for a nap. The best part was that when she said "Yeah sometimes I feel bad because it puts me to sleep but then I realize how much comfort it brings me and that okays it." :) I laughed.
The 2nd best part of the weekend was our hike to the Pub up the mountain. We stayed on path and made it to the pub at 11:30. 2 1/2 hours later we walked out from the pub and the entire haze had cleared up and we were able to overlook all over Garmisch. It was breathtaking....the hike down went very fast. We ran all the way down and passed tons of children and families who had the right idea and were pulling sleds behind them. A few times we found ourselves jumping into the snow to avoid kids who were bombing the hill...it looked like waay too much fun. Next time we WILL bring a sled with us. :)
Joelle and I got to spend a few days together in Baumholder before she left. It was soo great to just be with her and spend the whole day together. We talked about lots of fun things and future plans for when we grow up and get big....a few nights we had Shawna over and had a little too much fun just being silly together. Definately needed that visit from the Cressmans...they really were my angels!
A couple nights ago Josh tried to call. I had just got off the phone with my older brother (who was just getting his 31st birthday day started). I had such a good conversation with him and walked away from the computer smiling ear from ear. I sometimes forget how amazing of a family I have and talking to him brought me back to how lucky I was to have him as my older bro (and how much I look up to him day to day). Five minutes later the house phone rang. I was able to get 2 minutes of clear talk in to Josh until everything went "kurplunk." I started getting very frustrated and telling him I couldn't hear him. I asked him to call my cell phone but he said it cost too much. I spent the entire next day figuring out how I was going to get my phone working again.
It's still not fixed and I am still trying to figure things out but I wanted to let you all know that Josh called at 5:30 am this morning :). After him not being able to hear me on the house phone it took the hit and called my cell phone. He is doing very well and I am afraid that he is enjoying his job a little too much. He is running route clearance missions and told me that yesterday their mission turned into a 15 hour mission because some of their equipment did not cooporate. They are keeping him very busy but just talking to him I knew that there is no where he would rather be. He told me he is trying to take more pictures and is going to start taking more pictures of the Iraq children. He says he doesn't need much sent to him but for anyone who is interested in sending something he said that the Iraq children always follow their vehicles and they throw parts of their MRE (meals ready to eat) to them. He asked me to tell people that if they wanted to send something to send packaged candy to throw and flip flops for the children. If you want to throw anything in for him...his request is beef jerky.
Josh's Address:
FOB HAMMER
B Company, 40th EN BN, 2nd BCT
FOB HAMMER
APO, AE 09308
Best news ever though is that I start work tomorrow. For all who don't know I will be working at the clinic on base (just a 5 min walk) as a Clinical Nurse. I am looking very forward to it and can't wait to start...I have already packed my lunch...(perhaps that explain how excited I really am).
Also, I thought since Josh isn't have to write emails that I would post something he wrote up when he got to Kuwait. Some of you may have read it but I know that my family may not have had access to it so I wanted to post it. It is this thing that you just say 25 random things about you. So here is Josh's 25 things.
1. I'm the only one who can call my sister Dan-Dan
2. My wife makes the best guacamole in the world
3. I actually like chick flicks, but I complain to Gretchen anyway.
4. I've learned all of my patience from women (Gretchen, sisters, mom)
5. I am going to name my first daughter Jocylin (spelling?)
7. My mom makes the best beef stew in the world.
8. I finally got brothers at the age of 24 (with no thanks to you Mom and Dad, I had to go get them on my own)
9. I've lived in Germany for a month and have not went over 100 mph on the autobahn. Thanks Gretch.
10. The walls in my home will probably be pink when I get back from Iraq. Thanks again Gretch.
11. I'm a tree hugger
12. I'm going to own a wienriemer soon
13. I get really pissed off at technology (i.e. my german cell phone, laptops, etc.)
14. No other woman could understand/put up with me the way Gretchen does. She's my best friend.
15. My Old Man is my biggest role model
16. I ony read non-fiction books (I don't really know why)
17. I love coffee and tea
18. I'm a morning person... all the way. I wake up early for no reason.
19. My favorite movie is 'Cool Hand Luke'
20. My favorite book is 'Wild at Heart'
21. Jim and I can talk about anything no matter how long its been since we've spoken or seen one another.got to go.....finish later
Hope you all have an amazing week! I will be in touch very soon! Miss you all very very much!!
Sincerely,
Gretchen (and kinda Josh :) )
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Still alive! :)
Hello everyone, hope you all had an amazing weekend!
This weekend was very interesting for me. It was crazy fun, scary and breathtaking. Shawna and I decided to go meet up with one of the other Lt's and a friend and travel together to Garmisch, Germany to see the mountains. We headed out on Friday but didn't get to their military base until 7 PM or so we decided to just hang out there for the night and head to Garmisch in the morning. We got up early and saw a few sites near their base and took off. Garmisch was an amazing city with moutains surrounding it. On Sunday morning we all decided that instead of spending money on skiiing we were going to go hiking up one of the main mountains there. Our original plan when we started was to walk the trail half way up the mountain (about a 3 mile hike) to a pub that was built on the side and looked over the city.
Things were going well until the guys and Shawna decided to take a different path and try making our own trail and adventure up the mountain. At first things weren't so bad but after awhile the mountain got steaper, the snow started getting thicker and the weather got colder. I kept saying that I didn't think it was possible to get there, so I quickly became known as the debbie downer of the group. Many times the guys (or even I a couple times) would loose footing and slide back down the hill until a tree caught us...I know I tend to exagerate things but trust me when I say that I thought I was not going to see my family and friends again. I asked Shawna if she thought we would die today and she chuckled at me and said we would be okay. On the way up that girl stuck right behind me and even let me go first (it was easier to climb in the new snow rather than following someone's tracks because it was slippery). Many times she would help boost me and keep telling me how close we were...pretty sure I thought she was the most amazing person that day.
At one point up the mountain Shawna asked everyone if we could have any meal and drink when we got up to the top of the mountain, what would it be? The guys all named elaborate meals and fun exotic drinks and when it came to me, I paused and said "All I want right now is Mustard." The other guy said, "You are telling me that all you want when we get to the top is a packet of Mustard...you are crazy!" Shawna laughed and said, "No, that is what she calls Josh." He asked why and I said that one morning I woke up, looked at him and told him he was going to be my Mustard. He then asked if I was his Ketchup? :)
After 3 1/2 hours of hiking we reached a part of the mountain that the trees became VERY thick and the snow became unbelievable deep (4-5 feet). I looked at Shawna and told her I was soo cold and didn't know how much further I could go. She said that we were almost there. At that point one of the guys made it past a tree and said "Holy crap, we have a ways to go." I couldn't hold it anymore so I asked the guys if we could turn around. The leader looked at me and said, "Gretchen, I know you can do this and I have been on a lot of hiking trips and I am not turining around until I get to the top." I took a deep breath and explain to him that I knew my limits and I was starting to shut down, my mind was doubting and my body was becoming more weak and cold. I then just said that I would go back alone but knew that was what I needed to do. It was stated very strongly that that wasn't an option. I asked Shawna to come with me but she too wanted to get to the top. After trying a few more times to make it further (it took a long time to travel even 10 feet with the depth of the snow) one of the guys said to the other that they didn't think it was possible to make it to the top and it was best to turn around. So we did.
We started down and I spent a majority (at least 85%) of it on my bottom. It was a lot of scooting and sliding. It was soo steep that you could sit on your butt (in brand new fresh snow) and slide until you were caught by a tree or rock. At one point there was about a 200 ft drop...and as I was sliding down I was whited out by the snow...pretty sure that I thought I would hit a tree going that fast and die. When I finally stopped I looked up at one of the guys (who had already made the sled down) and pretty sure I took a deep breath just to make sure I was still alive.
After the hike, we all went to another military base nearby and used their gym to shower and get warm. We all had a lot of laughs about the hike and I apoligized for turning us around. I was forgiven and they admitted that it was the smartest option.
So I will be the first to say that I am soo happy to be writing this blog. I will try to post some pictures to show you the magnitude of the mountain but the pictures don't even justify it. Today I am the most soarest.....my bottom is black and blue and am unable to sit unless I put a ton of cushioning under me.
I am sure at this point of the blog, Josh is laughing at me because he thinks I tend to elaborate details of certain events. Not this time Mustard :)...just trust me.
Heard Josh' voice for the first time yesterday. He is doing well, he starts the busy part of his training today. He has not made it all the way downrange yet but he told me they leave for there in just a couple days. He is still very excited. I actually met with one of the wifes to talk and I got to see pictures of his Platoon and the people he will be working with. I heard very great things about his Platoon Sargent (his right handed man) and heard his Platoon is a group of amazing guys. I even got to see the equipment he would be using to do his route clearance missions...I had never seen the machines before. The pictures were unbelievable to see...it really touched me and I thought that he is doing work and reaching people that no one is able to reach. There were soo many pictures of Iraqi children and the troops were throwing soccer balls, flip flops and candy to them....in the background of a few of the pictures were large herds of camel. The scenery was gorgeous and I even saw the coolest picture of a flinstone house (looked unbelievable) that Saddam had built for his children.
Lastly, the bestest news ever came this past week! Joelle told me that she was going to come see me since the tickets were soo cheap now. Shortly I found that all the Cressman girls are coming. I pretty much freaked out and am still in a little bit of a shock. They will get here next thursday! Jen and Jessica will stay till about Monday and Joelle is staying all the way through Thursday. I am soo lucky to have them in my life! :)
I am off to the defax to eat lunch with some of the Lt's who take off for deployment tomorrow. I will keep you all posted with the adventures that Shawna will be up to this weekend. I miss you all tons and tons!!!
Josh did tell me that emails are great to get, so even if it is random do send them....and I can tell you that it is soo great to hear from friends and family!
Love you all!
Gretchen
This weekend was very interesting for me. It was crazy fun, scary and breathtaking. Shawna and I decided to go meet up with one of the other Lt's and a friend and travel together to Garmisch, Germany to see the mountains. We headed out on Friday but didn't get to their military base until 7 PM or so we decided to just hang out there for the night and head to Garmisch in the morning. We got up early and saw a few sites near their base and took off. Garmisch was an amazing city with moutains surrounding it. On Sunday morning we all decided that instead of spending money on skiiing we were going to go hiking up one of the main mountains there. Our original plan when we started was to walk the trail half way up the mountain (about a 3 mile hike) to a pub that was built on the side and looked over the city.
Things were going well until the guys and Shawna decided to take a different path and try making our own trail and adventure up the mountain. At first things weren't so bad but after awhile the mountain got steaper, the snow started getting thicker and the weather got colder. I kept saying that I didn't think it was possible to get there, so I quickly became known as the debbie downer of the group. Many times the guys (or even I a couple times) would loose footing and slide back down the hill until a tree caught us...I know I tend to exagerate things but trust me when I say that I thought I was not going to see my family and friends again. I asked Shawna if she thought we would die today and she chuckled at me and said we would be okay. On the way up that girl stuck right behind me and even let me go first (it was easier to climb in the new snow rather than following someone's tracks because it was slippery). Many times she would help boost me and keep telling me how close we were...pretty sure I thought she was the most amazing person that day.
At one point up the mountain Shawna asked everyone if we could have any meal and drink when we got up to the top of the mountain, what would it be? The guys all named elaborate meals and fun exotic drinks and when it came to me, I paused and said "All I want right now is Mustard." The other guy said, "You are telling me that all you want when we get to the top is a packet of Mustard...you are crazy!" Shawna laughed and said, "No, that is what she calls Josh." He asked why and I said that one morning I woke up, looked at him and told him he was going to be my Mustard. He then asked if I was his Ketchup? :)
After 3 1/2 hours of hiking we reached a part of the mountain that the trees became VERY thick and the snow became unbelievable deep (4-5 feet). I looked at Shawna and told her I was soo cold and didn't know how much further I could go. She said that we were almost there. At that point one of the guys made it past a tree and said "Holy crap, we have a ways to go." I couldn't hold it anymore so I asked the guys if we could turn around. The leader looked at me and said, "Gretchen, I know you can do this and I have been on a lot of hiking trips and I am not turining around until I get to the top." I took a deep breath and explain to him that I knew my limits and I was starting to shut down, my mind was doubting and my body was becoming more weak and cold. I then just said that I would go back alone but knew that was what I needed to do. It was stated very strongly that that wasn't an option. I asked Shawna to come with me but she too wanted to get to the top. After trying a few more times to make it further (it took a long time to travel even 10 feet with the depth of the snow) one of the guys said to the other that they didn't think it was possible to make it to the top and it was best to turn around. So we did.
We started down and I spent a majority (at least 85%) of it on my bottom. It was a lot of scooting and sliding. It was soo steep that you could sit on your butt (in brand new fresh snow) and slide until you were caught by a tree or rock. At one point there was about a 200 ft drop...and as I was sliding down I was whited out by the snow...pretty sure that I thought I would hit a tree going that fast and die. When I finally stopped I looked up at one of the guys (who had already made the sled down) and pretty sure I took a deep breath just to make sure I was still alive.
After the hike, we all went to another military base nearby and used their gym to shower and get warm. We all had a lot of laughs about the hike and I apoligized for turning us around. I was forgiven and they admitted that it was the smartest option.
So I will be the first to say that I am soo happy to be writing this blog. I will try to post some pictures to show you the magnitude of the mountain but the pictures don't even justify it. Today I am the most soarest.....my bottom is black and blue and am unable to sit unless I put a ton of cushioning under me.
I am sure at this point of the blog, Josh is laughing at me because he thinks I tend to elaborate details of certain events. Not this time Mustard :)...just trust me.
Heard Josh' voice for the first time yesterday. He is doing well, he starts the busy part of his training today. He has not made it all the way downrange yet but he told me they leave for there in just a couple days. He is still very excited. I actually met with one of the wifes to talk and I got to see pictures of his Platoon and the people he will be working with. I heard very great things about his Platoon Sargent (his right handed man) and heard his Platoon is a group of amazing guys. I even got to see the equipment he would be using to do his route clearance missions...I had never seen the machines before. The pictures were unbelievable to see...it really touched me and I thought that he is doing work and reaching people that no one is able to reach. There were soo many pictures of Iraqi children and the troops were throwing soccer balls, flip flops and candy to them....in the background of a few of the pictures were large herds of camel. The scenery was gorgeous and I even saw the coolest picture of a flinstone house (looked unbelievable) that Saddam had built for his children.
Lastly, the bestest news ever came this past week! Joelle told me that she was going to come see me since the tickets were soo cheap now. Shortly I found that all the Cressman girls are coming. I pretty much freaked out and am still in a little bit of a shock. They will get here next thursday! Jen and Jessica will stay till about Monday and Joelle is staying all the way through Thursday. I am soo lucky to have them in my life! :)
I am off to the defax to eat lunch with some of the Lt's who take off for deployment tomorrow. I will keep you all posted with the adventures that Shawna will be up to this weekend. I miss you all tons and tons!!!
Josh did tell me that emails are great to get, so even if it is random do send them....and I can tell you that it is soo great to hear from friends and family!
Love you all!
Gretchen
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