tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14303794699474908652023-11-16T17:52:32.057+01:00Ich liess mein Herz in DeutschlandLost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-84276784643806517702015-10-31T16:28:00.002+01:002015-10-31T16:28:52.870+01:00Ich lebe noch....I have not posted in nearly 2 year now. Life with 2 kids under the age of 3 took hold I suppose. In a strange series of events today I ended up using my husbands pc and accidently logged into my old facebook which is linked to this blog. I was met with comments and messages asking how I am and asking me to return to blogging. I pulled up the blog, I will admit using password recovery and realized this blog still gets at least 50 hits day regardless of the long term lack of content. I am thrilled so many people have taken interest in my writings and ramblings about our little life here in the vaterland.<br />
<br />
I guess I should do a short re-into as so much has changed over the years. Lord I was in my early 20's and so niave when I started my journey here in Germany. Its almost 'peinlich' to look back at some of my early posts. To see how much I have evolved as an individual and as an expat over nearly a decade. You know its when you start refering to your past in decades you start to realize aging is catching up with you. Lol. Good lord, I dont even remember how to edit the formatting on a blog anymore, nor do I know if blogs are still of interest in a facebook and pinterest dominated world. But if there is an interest I have nothing against trying to find my groove once again in the blogging world. <br /><br />I am 31 now, I was 23 when I first moved to Germany. I am now a mother to 2 young boys. Teenie will turn 5 in December, and his little brother piepmatz , just turned 3. I was pregnant when I last posted. My youngest son will be starting kindergarten in a month. We have relocated to southern Baden a few years back. I am alive and well, having battled post partum depression as many may recall from previous posts and my activity of expat boards. You will be happy to know I am doing well and thriving and finally starting to rediscover myself, as an indivual, as an expat. I am striving to bloom where I have been planted, even if its takes a bit longer then others.<br />
<br />
I have to give it some thought how best to proceed here, I always enjoyed the blogging format and being able to share aspects of my world with likeminded individuals, at the same time I need to find a balance away from oversharings and how best to protect my little ones in a world dominated by oversharing in the virtual world. <br /><br />I just wanted to take a moment to say I am alive and well. Still in Germany, and pretty damn sure I will be here for the long haul.<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone who has written and commented to ask how I am and if I will ever return to blogging. I cannot guarantee I will become as involved as I once was with posts every few days, but I would certainly love to post again and see how things evolve.<br />
<br />
Lots of love, <br />Rena<br />
Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-22439481234116678032013-12-11T17:22:00.000+01:002013-12-11T17:22:00.469+01:00101 goals in 1001 days- updateWell I never really followed through with the whole program, and while I would like to construct a new set of goals I figured it was only fair to begin by reflecting on the former. <br />
<br />
You can find my original post <a href="http://lostintranslation08.blogspot.de/2010/09/101-things-in-1001-days.html">here</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
So here is it the good the bad and the ugly.... 101 goals in 1001 days in retrospect<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Homemaking:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">1. Finish homemaking binder - abandoned. In simplifying my day and home I find no need to have a binder filled with papers, I have found alternate ways to organize my day.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">2. Create a Recipe Binder - abandoned. I am more of a pinterest girl these days. Not keeping physical recipies around. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">3. Create a Holiday Binder - should do it. Not a bad idea. I would like to continue working on family traditions and rituals. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">4. Create an inspiration notebook - abandoned. Why did I want to do this again. Again unneeded clutter.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">5. Teach myself baking and bake 10 things- Hmm well I def should keep working on this. I am sure I have since baked. Not sure if it was 10 times. But I would hardly consider myself taught, so perhaps an ongoing journey at best. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">6. Create a pantry/ stockpile . Carry over to do </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">7. Decorate each room of the house <span style="background-color: white;">Carry over to do </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">8. Cook a traditional ddr feast - Hahaha wtf is a traditional DDR feast, I must have been grasping at straws here. <span style="background-color: white;">Well I have learned quiet a few recipies so we will call this one a success. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">9. Learn to cook Indian food Fail Carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">10. Assemble an emergency kit for the house Fail carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Out and about:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">11. Have a picnic done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">12. Visit 10 castles carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">13. Visit 10 museums carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">14. Visit a stage show carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">15. Visit the German cinema carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">16. Go on 10 dates with husband carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">17. Go to the zoo done well it was a shitty small zoo but it counts</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">18. Visit 10 kindermarkets and 10 flohmarkets abandoned, I am on a journey to live with less last thing i need is enabling myself to buy more. Perhaps once in a whole in search of that perfect old bauernhof stück for the house, but not 20 times.</span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">19. Go to a concert done if a middle age festival counts, saw Faun</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">20. Go to a middle age festival done, and it was fun </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">21. Join the library Done </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Holidays:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">22. Cook a traditional thanksgiving dinner and invite guests carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">23. Homemake Christmas gifts doing this year so we will say done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">24. Cook a traditional Christmas dinner carry over this year we will be gone would like to do next year</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">25. Send Christmas Cards hmmm yeah lets carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: orange; color: white;">26. Build a gingerbread house </span><span style="background-color: white; color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Highlighted this one because we can knock this out this month we will say done. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Travel: </b> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">27. Visit Paris and the Louve Museum - carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">28. Fly home for a visit - Done Sept 2011</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">29. Visit Munish I assume munish should be munich carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">30. Visit Georgia (family friend) Done December 2010</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">31. Visit Minau carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">32. Visit Dachau Carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">33. Visit London Not sure this will happen in the next 3 years so I will say abandoned and add it to long term goals</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">34. Visit Ost or Nord see carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Contact:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">35. Try mail art (10) abandoned not my things</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">36. Swap 10 postcards abandoned not my thing</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">37. Write one letter home per month, altering the recipients silly goal not achievable and I have regular contact via facebook</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">38. Try package swapping 10 times Achieved I do have done swaps via diaperswappers and in local groups</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">39. Reach 250 blog followers abandoned, I decided to write for fun vs attempting to make profit with it</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">40. Then create my own site on my own server with design again abandoned see above</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">41. Get my mac repaired well thats a sad unfortionate ending, I actually did get it fixed and then it crapped out less then a year later and was not reasonably repairable needed a whole new logic board. Sold it to a mac technition for 60 euro and was quiet pleased. The hubs got me a new laptop as a 5 year anniversary/xmas gift this year</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>For the future:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">42. Create a Time capsule for luka carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">43. Write a letter for myself to open in 10 years carry over </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">44. Move into a new place done we actually moved to another part of the country</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">45. Establish an emergency savings fund in germany of 500 euro carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">46. Establish an emergency savings fund in the US of 500 dollars carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">47. Pay off 5 debts in the US I believe this one here is done yay</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">48. Pay off 4 debts in Germany done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">49. Apply for an ausbildung currently home with the kids not applicable</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: orange;">50. Get my german drivers license done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: orange;">51. Ship 10 more boxes from home oh sure this one is done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">52. Put aside 20 euro for each task completed silly goal, as I have no income and we work on saving anyway</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">53. Open a retirement account done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Memories:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">54. Create photo albums for 2009 and 2010 carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">55. Finish my pregnancy journal not applicable not my thing</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">56. Make a baby book for Luka carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">57. Make a baby book for Toni carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">58. Have professional photos taken I had pics of the oldest but still want family pics</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">59. Make a belly cast done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">60. Make a list of 100 reasons why I love my husband abandoned, he knows</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">61. Pick 5 people who have greatly influenced my life and write them carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Learnings fun:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">62. Finish my degree not applicabe right now, maybe someday. I did do a few more courses, but right now its not possible for me and I dont know what I want to do long term.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">63. Reach level c1 German carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">64. Take a class at the VHS not done, no time now I did to pregnancy yoga though at a yoga house, so I will consider that a sucess</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">65. Learn to drive stick shift well I tried, I even did a few hours driving courses, we opted to buy a automatic hybrid. I consider this attempt a sucess. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">66. Learn to swim carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">67. Take a cooking course or class did not do and we oved from where I wanted to take it abandoned</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Events:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">68. Have a baby shower not common in Germany not applicable</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">69. Throw Luka a birthday party done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">70. Throw Toni a birthday party not a priority right now</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">71. Throw myself a birthday party not a priority right now</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">72. Host a frauentag with my former class mates we moved away no applicable</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">73. Have an overnight/ weekend guest done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">74. Throw a dinner party done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">75. Have a movie marathon lame idea abandoned</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">76. Have a tea party ha germans have kaffee and kuchen all the time, done more then once</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Baby Love:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">77. Join a play group done created one</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">78. Take a class with Luka never been able to </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">79. Teach Luka baby signing he learned a few</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Spirituality:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">80. Read the bible in its entirety carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">81. Baptize luka carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">82. Find a church to join done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">83. Complete 50 questions that could free your mind carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">84. Keep a yearly journal with at least one entry per week carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Entertainment: </b> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">85. Read 10 classic books</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">86. Read 10 banned books</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">87. Read 101 books</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;">88. Watch 101 Films</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">89. Purge and refill my Ipod need to rebuild music collection first</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">90. Read all Dean Koontz books currently in circulation not interested anymore</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">91. Read the Anne of Green Gables Series redundant with above</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Body works:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">92. Get a Massage done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">93. Drop back to my prebaby weight done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">94. Try acupuncture done</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">95. Get extra dental insurance not needed </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Look what I made:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">96. Teach myself to sew and buy a sewing machine make 10 things well bought a machine but so far only made baby legs carry over</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">97. Try knitting and crotchet make 1 of each bam on it crocheting all the time, knitting not my thing</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red;">98. Teach myself to paint (at least try) abandoned not my thing</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Better start saving:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">99. Buy a combi fridge or freezer done </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">100. Buy a good camera done </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: orange;">101. Buy a bigger bed done albiet a piece of shit but hey, someday we will upgrade </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a><br />
<br />
So to recap....<br />
Goals achieved: 36<br />
Goals abandoned or postponed long term: 27<br />
Goals carried over: 38<br />
<br />
So thats a proper F or note 4 :P Better Luck next time.<br />
<br />
Perhaps most ammusing we changed our sons name before he was born so the references written here while I was pregnant are inaccurate, seems so odd to read lol.Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-21102764069872552972013-12-09T16:08:00.002+01:002013-12-09T16:08:23.115+01:00Meal plan Monday 12/8 - 12/14A quick glimpse into our kitchen this week.Hope you enjoy. And please share links in the comments to your weekly meal plans.<br />
<br />
Sunday: It was a Lazy day. Hubs and kids ate pizza. I ate melted cheese on bread. Yeah culinary high life.<br />
<br />
Monday:<br />
Baked Fleisch kase<br />
Tomato cobbler. I used <a href="http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2013/12/vegan-tomato-cobbler-recipe-with-gluten.html">this recipie</a> from Penny over at Penniless parenting.<br />
Green beans with butter<br />
Carrot sliced baked in oil in brown sugar<br />
Beef rice with bell pepper<br />
applesauce<br />
<br />
Tuesday:<br />
Left overs<br />
White cabbage salad<br />
boiled potatoes with Quark<br />
rest of applesauce<br />
<br />
Wednesday:<br />
Left over cabbage Salad<br />
Couscous with cucumber and carrots and rest of quark<br />
oranges<br />
<br />
Thursday:<br />
Tuna helper<br />
Green salad<br />
Rest of the oranges<br />
<br />
Friday:<br />
Cheesy pasta<br />
rest of salad<br />
sliced cucumber<br />
rest of fresh fruit or canned pineapples<br />
<br />
Saturday:<br />
Spatzle with linsen<br />
sliced carrots<br />
any remaining left overs<br />
canned peaches<br />
<br />
Man that Tomato cobbler today was delish. I cannot wait for T to get home and try it, even the kids loved it. i will admit I was skeptical, but I am def adding this to my recipie list. A fantastic recipie when you have tomatoes to use up.<br />
<br />
Nomnom.<br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-75770306290012777732013-12-09T15:58:00.001+01:002013-12-09T15:58:11.971+01:00Freebies for moms in Germany updated 2013<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
This was by far the most popular blog posts on Ich liess mein Herz in Deutschland with thousands of hits, so I figured an update and expansion would be well recieved. So here you go freebies for expecting and new parents in Germany. If you know of any other baby bonus or freebie programs please email me or leave a comment.</h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<3 h3=""><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
Rena</h3>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
*****************************************************************</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
Now before you get all grateful I have to admit this was put together by a friend of mine and is reposed with her permissions. So I will pass any gratitude her way. ( This has since been expanded and updated over the years)<br />
<br />
Please note some places allow you to sign up while pregnant others must be done after your baby arrives :)<br />
<br />
<b>First up here are the baby clubs that offer a welcome packet full of freebies and coupons:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.familymanager.de/user/register/kvp?belboon=02cbdc0820020231cf003d49,2220066,%C2%A0">Real</a>: A welcome box of goodies including a toy and socks as well as a coupon book as well as yearly birthday gifts<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dm-babybonus.de/cgi-bin/n1/index.pl?hp=doit">DM</a>: A welcome packet that includes toy some sample sized toiletries and a book of coupons valued at over 200 euro. Cannot register until after the babies birth.<br />
<br />
DM is now a days constantly revamping their welcome packages. It appers to vary per location but includes full size freebies for mom and baby as well as a coupon book.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rossmann.de/babywelt/bonus-club.html">Rossmann</a>: A welcome packet that includes a toy, sample sized toiletries and a book of coupons valued at over 300 euro. In addition to age appropriate advice and tips, year 1 and 2 birthday gifts, regular coupon offers by post and a magazine subscription for parents.<br />
They do allow registration while pregnant.<br />
<br />
Check out my <a href="http://lostintranslation08.blogspot.com/2010/12/dm-schwangerschafts-paket.html">pregnancy welcome kit here.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.globus.de/de_de/services/baby-club/">Globus</a>: Not sure of the contents never signed up for this one<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.meinbaby.mueller.de/mein-baby-bonus/ihre-vorteile.html">Mueller</a>: A 5 euro voucher and a coupon book as well as some small trinkets<br />
<br />
<b>You can also sign up at many of the major baby companies in order to receive a variety of samples and coupons.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.pampers.de/registration">Pampers:</a> A free personalized T shirt for baby, free diapers, and 50 euros on coupons, as well as coupons sent out on a regular basis and a subscription to pampers village magazine<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hipp.de/index.php?id=66">Hipp</a>: A welcome packet with free baby food and various samples, a 20 euro gift certificate to start a baby savings account, over 100 euro in coupons, a membership card that gives you discounts in many family activities, exclusive contests to enter, a 50 euro HP gift card, and a personalized name sticker for your car<br />
<br />
I got a pregnancy kit from them as well, check it out <a href="http://lostintranslation08.blogspot.com/2010/11/hipp-welcome-packet.html">here</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.babyservice.de/account/crregistration">Alete/Nestle</a>: A welcome packet with a variety of samples as well as over 30 euro in coupons<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.milupa.de/mil/de/home/service/mamacobonusprogramm/mamacobonusprogramm_1.html">Milupa</a>: Food samples and coupons<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bebivita.de/bebivita-club/anmeldung.html?no_cache=1%C2%A0">Bebivita</a>: Food samples and coupons<br />
<br />
Also when you sign up with the hebamme for the geburtsvorbereitung course you are often given a gift set., Many hospitals offer a baby packet but some do not. Some have crazy cool ones others just give you some samples and call it a day.<br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a></3></h3>
Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-59396080987445884592013-12-07T13:20:00.004+01:002013-12-07T13:20:47.815+01:002014 in 2014Well I did suceed in 2013 albiet not the best with tracking to the end so I am going to embark on this journey yet again with purging 2014 items in 2014. In doing so I have set a few rules and also modifications.<br />
<br />
What will be different this year is the fact that I will be visiting home, and making choice about what is really worth it to bring back with me to Germany. I will be purging a lot, things that perhaps 6 years ago I was not ready to cut my ties with and I hope to come back with a lot less luggage lingering backhome.<br />
<br />
So this year will be not only my home in Germany but also my monter purge in the US. Now in the event I get all kinds of crazy sucess stateside and hit my goal smack on the start (how cool would that be). I will continue tracking through the end of the year just to see how much I actually get rid of.<br />
<br />
What I will not count is normal trash, recycling, papers. I wont be counting things that are waiting to go out that are already destened for that fate, but rather things I am conciously choosing to get rid of and live without.<br />
<br />
So the journey starts Jan1.<br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-84066194126641292142013-12-03T13:00:00.000+01:002013-12-03T13:00:07.888+01:003 in 1 Taco salad<a href="http://2plus2macht4.blogspot.de/2013/06/3-in-1-taco-salad.html"><span style="color: #336699;">3 in 1 Taco salad</span></a> <br />
<div class="post-header">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
<div class="post-header-line-1">
Ok, Ok, still working on the whole pictures with recipies thing. Maybe someday it will click. </div>
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5554873648277307468" itemprop="description articleBody">
I love streching one nights cooking into multiple meals and that is one Thing I do with Taco Salad.<br /><br /><strong>Shopping List:</strong><br /> 500 gramm minced meat<br /> 1 pack taco seasoning<br /> 1 onion<br /> 1 can kidney beans<br /> 1 can corn<br /> 1 head lettuce<br /> 1 small Container sour cream<br /> 1 jar salsa<br /> 1 Cup Brown Rice<br /> 1 Bag Tortilla Chips<br /> 1 Bag Shredded cheese<br /><br /><strong>Day 1 Taco salad Dinner:</strong><br /> Brown the meat, add in sliced onion and taco seasoning cook well. Add corn and beans till warm. Melt in some cheese.<br /><br /> Cut up salad. Mix sour cream and salsa to preffered spiciness. Crush up half bag Tortilla Chips.<br /><br /> I Keep my lettuce seperate to Keep left overs fresh. <br /><br /> I layer warm mix, then lettuce then Chips and on top Dressing. Fed our Family (2 adults and toddler)<br /><br /><strong>Day 2 Mexican Rice Lunch:</strong><br /> Cook 1 Cup Brown Rice<br /><br /> Add in yesterdays meat mix till heated.<br /><br /> Serve with remaining salad and Dressing. <br /><br /><strong>Day 3 Nachos Lunch:</strong><br /> Heat up remaining Rice mix. Layer on remaining Tortilla Chips. Sprinke on cheese and remaining salsa. <br /><br /> Uses up most all ingredients so no waste. Leaving 3/4 bag Brown Rice for another meal and the rest of the bag of onions. <br /><br /> :)</div>
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"> </a><br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"> </a><br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"> </a><br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-31032311751071087322013-12-02T23:15:00.002+01:002013-12-02T23:15:52.298+01:00Hello, Hello, is there anybody out there......out there.... out thereWell howdy ho,<br />
How the hell are ya? It has sure been a while hasn't it. Well I decided to give it ago again with blogging. As the littles grow (now 1 and 3) with the later starting kiga soon, I have a bit more time these days. <br />
<br />
So I am back, and hopefully better then ever, I suppose only time will tell. <br />
<br />
I have given up on trying to find my niche in the blogging world, or hoping to be the next big thing. But don't be sad that's a good thing. It means I am blogging for fun, and that is exactly what I want these days. <br />
<br />
So I look forward to giving you all a glimpse into the daily life of an American living in Germany. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"> </a><br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"> </a><br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-8699777101453111172012-09-23T17:56:00.000+02:002012-09-23T18:19:45.715+02:00Sundays in my city - 34 weeksI know its been like 101 years since I have done one but here we are with a sundays in my city post, woot.<br />
<center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center>
<a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/category/sundays-in-my-city" nbsp="nbsp" target="_blank"><img alt="Unknown Mami" border="0" src="http://www.unknownmami.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/SIMC.png" /></a></center>
<center>
<br /></center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
Our Sunday has been pretty quit working on our final preperations for baby number two, who will be making HIS arrival in as soon as 3 weeks. Man time flies.</center>
<br />
So I have been working on the house and one area I have putting a lot of work into is the boys rooms. its not 100% the way I want it but a long way from where we started. You will immediatly notice only one crib, thats because baby will be in our room, and yes as you can imagine 2 beds in that room will be a challange but we will face that hurdle as it comes. As of now teenie thinks the crib is the antichrist anyway and sleeps with us, so lets consider this more a non sleeping room lol. <br />
<br />
<b>So lets begin our tour.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTOFqtvcPEbxRtkGZugg7q80lxX_S_dbekYHRCcK3BVzwkzYUBasEx9Rm966vNfpGU5GFLyZKmTdzsGuqTtNvsLrmzjIXyVTR2zHObWMlvOJFLPokHN8e-mDM414O3vNTY0kqV96ZaXeu/s1600/100_5590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTOFqtvcPEbxRtkGZugg7q80lxX_S_dbekYHRCcK3BVzwkzYUBasEx9Rm966vNfpGU5GFLyZKmTdzsGuqTtNvsLrmzjIXyVTR2zHObWMlvOJFLPokHN8e-mDM414O3vNTY0kqV96ZaXeu/s320/100_5590.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the entry way, see that cool thing on the wall thats a water doodle, that has never been used because I cannot find where my child stuck those damn pens. He prefers to take real pens to the wall or couch. I had hoped the baby gate would be a good idea so I could coral him when I needed to do laundry or so, he views it as a prison not so much.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the view as you come into the room. As you see the curtainless windows are one thing I have not yet finished. On the left is what is supposed to be Teenies bed, he really only plays in there. The diaper stacker on the end is waiting for a hook on the wall. This is the far wall where most all the toys live.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogIIvbP13ZYTsCHho5ipQbHROKOuy8Vm2FJSo0wpxDjfnUMIkUl322VLzRu9zafdQe9SAhvB3qL8bRk77uXG9t4OH9O0GLZeqTpar2HlyAs9jfAwWoxWjpMKHX3oq_WGnEPG4w6R6pT1z/s1600/100_5592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogIIvbP13ZYTsCHho5ipQbHROKOuy8Vm2FJSo0wpxDjfnUMIkUl322VLzRu9zafdQe9SAhvB3qL8bRk77uXG9t4OH9O0GLZeqTpar2HlyAs9jfAwWoxWjpMKHX3oq_WGnEPG4w6R6pT1z/s320/100_5592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kyrUIeW5LlRkEgk5yI1-p8IfAzlFNBcwwktEN3JPAHnq7vEMmHd-GlxFJuSDEU_zkXPrv9sYBavnMFkMRcjQ5BkOw845TcFtmGJqPpG0mRoZ-fuSSJcDzFcsGdXTRK1kbxFjjcREB7Gz/s1600/100_5593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kyrUIeW5LlRkEgk5yI1-p8IfAzlFNBcwwktEN3JPAHnq7vEMmHd-GlxFJuSDEU_zkXPrv9sYBavnMFkMRcjQ5BkOw845TcFtmGJqPpG0mRoZ-fuSSJcDzFcsGdXTRK1kbxFjjcREB7Gz/s320/100_5593.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
This is the back wall tall cupboard is clothing, little blue pail is for any time we use disposables or have ucky wipes. Again need some curtains.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the fourth wall where our diapers, books, and some bigger toys like playmobile, blocks, and duplos live. I would like to do something with the wall above the expedit.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ti_c24f_iqLy7GF7XM_pCz9yNmTLwWUQQl1bpRxFfJ8ZrFdoO-dP4W5bdJAsPQkRF2-wJNJ4uqIho2BfFb_aRyz5JTdY1JFQjcWW_mX6p33m1310p2H5rtbGhNVod3pL762MyPxrSbSA/s1600/100_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ti_c24f_iqLy7GF7XM_pCz9yNmTLwWUQQl1bpRxFfJ8ZrFdoO-dP4W5bdJAsPQkRF2-wJNJ4uqIho2BfFb_aRyz5JTdY1JFQjcWW_mX6p33m1310p2H5rtbGhNVod3pL762MyPxrSbSA/s320/100_5594.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and the crib wall. Eventually a little coat rack will hang where that chair is and again I would love to add a wall sticker up on the wall or something<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-gDIdDrmSvMTygJhflJDZN3YLRIy5ktPHUv6PG34o9YgeT9hab7PB9UsdPG_R2rQgrRAICiZoSsNYj9dbOc2k4Tacv927jG3-UHg_fnpw8-pd-r76IQ7jb82wi7E2JaRT8k3CPzufsWG/s1600/100_5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-gDIdDrmSvMTygJhflJDZN3YLRIy5ktPHUv6PG34o9YgeT9hab7PB9UsdPG_R2rQgrRAICiZoSsNYj9dbOc2k4Tacv927jG3-UHg_fnpw8-pd-r76IQ7jb82wi7E2JaRT8k3CPzufsWG/s320/100_5595.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here are some detailed pics of our organization of 2 under 2. </b><br />
This is where our toys live, aside from those items in the expedit and a small bin in the living room, we do not have a play room. Teenie is perfectly content with a small collection of toys he loves. Were quantity to become an issue we would rotate toys.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMJ8HcHN1o05xEiJAhwIKiwL6rfZzcZdroHIraZmaiMtfhLv8sPeH1cLA41xhsU2OKKyu4RoVOp7nDnlKdjvR1zbQWJFNReyE8oiRHi7nniapAHw6RwMvQ1IUyb07O4QcrfGK972GNcd_/s1600/100_5596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMJ8HcHN1o05xEiJAhwIKiwL6rfZzcZdroHIraZmaiMtfhLv8sPeH1cLA41xhsU2OKKyu4RoVOp7nDnlKdjvR1zbQWJFNReyE8oiRHi7nniapAHw6RwMvQ1IUyb07O4QcrfGK972GNcd_/s320/100_5596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k58SglhJr4UGezGwTsUSreJCthJm6TofpmGe9QFG6VbakewE0mw5rnd9mfwIz2NiOEzVU7FlRGimmHehtqggPROP9CJuVRzRa8wNQVfpmCGme3ldCOoufQnzGfIW9A2geAi5vgJz-otB/s1600/100_5597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k58SglhJr4UGezGwTsUSreJCthJm6TofpmGe9QFG6VbakewE0mw5rnd9mfwIz2NiOEzVU7FlRGimmHehtqggPROP9CJuVRzRa8wNQVfpmCGme3ldCOoufQnzGfIW9A2geAi5vgJz-otB/s320/100_5597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the expedit. It houses things like spit rags and receiving blankets in the green bin, you see a fe cubes of books (we will need a bookshelf eventually), a few with toys and blocks, and a few with baby supplies sleep sacks and diapering supplies like wipes and liners
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On top of the expedit is where our diapers live, both boys are (or will be cloth diapered).<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1A78MlzXhFyHbGs93BrWNkoClR41fBhtn2DpkRKRwCJzz0f8CPehf6L-Y1Mtw9NaEkZaHPdo4oeILNi69qi6ufNl_3xbFhw-yIj0NomfUKbIbMVcQSgsD2CWLUJD72QVRkHqMF9zY5rU/s1600/100_5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1A78MlzXhFyHbGs93BrWNkoClR41fBhtn2DpkRKRwCJzz0f8CPehf6L-Y1Mtw9NaEkZaHPdo4oeILNi69qi6ufNl_3xbFhw-yIj0NomfUKbIbMVcQSgsD2CWLUJD72QVRkHqMF9zY5rU/s320/100_5598.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
On the left in the ikea bins are 2 wth small and bigger prefolds, one is missing with extra inserts and trainers, and on top that little tray holds boosters, disposable liners, fleece liners ect.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Blue basket is wipes and green bin our pocket diapers which are our primary diapers. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bOXmUYsF3sHjYTiQycd_OOS5jbsMSSjIHlKj8LFQM-7MgFtXNyOuAQsFvOuK4M1VPJ4L3bk-If7is00R0PVKbgWR_l5w_4aq8M_4KNX0NW-6Vfq_QUsu3adtUzFBFKlSxu07PBhX024y/s1600/100_5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bOXmUYsF3sHjYTiQycd_OOS5jbsMSSjIHlKj8LFQM-7MgFtXNyOuAQsFvOuK4M1VPJ4L3bk-If7is00R0PVKbgWR_l5w_4aq8M_4KNX0NW-6Vfq_QUsu3adtUzFBFKlSxu07PBhX024y/s320/100_5599.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbqrTC8gP4_rmCIF4LqCd84ohyA8w0ZBMHeOA6TBDdP4TlADBTZeGhy9KJ16qQIAL3zbIoasBgKDovpyOoRm5AFRRSrRg-4x5bFK5c_peuliV6XxkhPiYq46vl7TykQDqBwk3Y61h1rgB/s1600/100_5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbqrTC8gP4_rmCIF4LqCd84ohyA8w0ZBMHeOA6TBDdP4TlADBTZeGhy9KJ16qQIAL3zbIoasBgKDovpyOoRm5AFRRSrRg-4x5bFK5c_peuliV6XxkhPiYq46vl7TykQDqBwk3Y61h1rgB/s320/100_5600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
next bin is newborn diapers and fitteds for night time. The right bin has inserts waiting to go in diapers and supplies like swim diapers, wetbags.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Blue drawers house changing supplies like snappies, wipe cubes, creams ect. On the right bottom bin is covers and top is lonelysocks waiting for their partners<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB8Bm3uSZIHJI5gvtAtzVoFjQqvpgHfLd3t7OtolODmxZcKxIxuhTp4YybKXZfOXOA2GpEeyaVG38essvK7HGLqNqdGCi7Y08sSHqTiVE8YTxMkTG5YmlBgY9TCLnqWb1YsFA6oE3aB_M/s1600/100_5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB8Bm3uSZIHJI5gvtAtzVoFjQqvpgHfLd3t7OtolODmxZcKxIxuhTp4YybKXZfOXOA2GpEeyaVG38essvK7HGLqNqdGCi7Y08sSHqTiVE8YTxMkTG5YmlBgY9TCLnqWb1YsFA6oE3aB_M/s320/100_5601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The hanging white chain houses stuffed animals. Thise things procreate faster then bunnies in spring we limit how many are allowed. New in old out.Only keeping favorites. I have this chain and a small bin by the crib plus a few allowed in bed. The blue hanging organizor holds baby tights, baby leggings, hats, mittens, and things of that nature<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneqPL89d0MroYFpTsfTZuZubC5SP8smCiHMYTiZJxxo_2FNiF3z3t00JbNDMsXu2o7nUVL-KnSMivAQsh65QQRXhwPzIz4a4EGj-rPjCBdk2ry-MrADOLIo92ChBQOLZQU6EeQgCOSNjo/s1600/100_5602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneqPL89d0MroYFpTsfTZuZubC5SP8smCiHMYTiZJxxo_2FNiF3z3t00JbNDMsXu2o7nUVL-KnSMivAQsh65QQRXhwPzIz4a4EGj-rPjCBdk2ry-MrADOLIo92ChBQOLZQU6EeQgCOSNjo/s320/100_5602.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">And both boys share one cupboard. Right is toddler, left is newbie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE59MrQyQl3aZ-LPXAYKKxm-L9T6OmyrhImzHQ4vInUQglpQvSzOaylbGMKCES2vKWhG9crwiJ7p0s_xpENc2CX3p2J7lIxKj13Q9KLNMsVxJ0YVfeRww9iqdJg7XXHOcZ7Hd3v4WXxPeA/s1600/100_5603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE59MrQyQl3aZ-LPXAYKKxm-L9T6OmyrhImzHQ4vInUQglpQvSzOaylbGMKCES2vKWhG9crwiJ7p0s_xpENc2CX3p2J7lIxKj13Q9KLNMsVxJ0YVfeRww9iqdJg7XXHOcZ7Hd3v4WXxPeA/s320/100_5603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">And for good measure here is me today. No I do not want to talk about the sweats and white socks :P</span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvks3QhyphenhyphenoV9YOQZd-6f1KZOAFlPN8LCfKpt9H7fj5MxGPQW2sr1is5exxKF5b1kNEBMmocZ6snSPH-cxo6WUR0LeGhU_Pbpi0ot7umgnRLAi2HXVC7AVvf98ghjHbjrMr4sd-okoThihh/s1600/100_5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvks3QhyphenhyphenoV9YOQZd-6f1KZOAFlPN8LCfKpt9H7fj5MxGPQW2sr1is5exxKF5b1kNEBMmocZ6snSPH-cxo6WUR0LeGhU_Pbpi0ot7umgnRLAi2HXVC7AVvf98ghjHbjrMr4sd-okoThihh/s320/100_5605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
How was your Sunday?<br />
<br />
P.S. If anyone can tell me how to rotate pics here I would greatly approciate it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a></div>
Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-58078578362112979112012-05-31T15:05:00.000+02:002012-05-31T15:06:01.503+02:00Cheap toddler friendly pasta lunch<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a><br />
You know its funny, when I went home after my first visit to Germany, I used to eat abend brot to remind myself of my time in Germany. However, 4 years after moving here and seeing how prevalent bread is in the German diet I might gouge my eyes out if forced to eat much more bread in my life. Now do not get me wrong, I am making an effort to come up with some creative variation, aim for more of an American style sandwich. I have been stalking the interwebs looking for dup recipes for Paradise bakery, nomnomnom, but we need som variety. If Germans may have no qualms eating bread so often, but I sure cannot. But at the same time I do not want to invest the time nor money to cook a second hot meal eat day, lazy American that I am. SO I look for frugal idea, and idseas that my picky little mr enjoys, today was a sucess. <br />
<br />
Aldi sells some finished pasta products, one version is in boxes and another comes in pouches. For this recipe I used the pouch version the Pasta Pomodoro Mozzarella. It comes with the noodles and seasoning mixed in in a powder form. Just add water and cook 10 minutes. They also have a variety of other flavors. The package says it serves 2. <br />
<br />
Once I boil my water and add my pasta mix, I add an additional half can of diced tomatoes, and 1 cup of frozen veggies mix DO NOT USE BUTTERGEMÜSE NEINNEINNEIN thats bad get the plain stuff in bags lol. <br />
<br />
The pasta mix costs .65<br />
Half can of tomatoes .22<br />
1 cup veggies aprox. .10 <br />
<br />
Full meal for under a buck<br />
<br />
This could easily be made into a dinner by doubling it and adding a green salad and baugette. You still have a dinner for under 2.50 including sides. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-68071303279869617922012-05-28T20:19:00.001+02:002012-05-28T20:19:30.671+02:00Would you know it...Lots of change coming our way<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuBBMIsc61SAr31kwYh50xfqkcosmK2D32xY_fS4e-B3LwK26vysrU6rmOZMxdXZ423P7aJVeJ4RIuGJZfk0vOXr5uiQXY_JtlItZv7N1zufXi4-zwRkP2qc6yGPI49WKI_tWGTQEZuE2/s1600/522771_447197078628988_100000160988834_1946857_1274571169_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuBBMIsc61SAr31kwYh50xfqkcosmK2D32xY_fS4e-B3LwK26vysrU6rmOZMxdXZ423P7aJVeJ4RIuGJZfk0vOXr5uiQXY_JtlItZv7N1zufXi4-zwRkP2qc6yGPI49WKI_tWGTQEZuE2/s320/522771_447197078628988_100000160988834_1946857_1274571169_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As we prepare to welcome baby number 2 this November!<br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-15459160257981218052012-05-28T20:15:00.000+02:002012-05-28T20:15:07.983+02:00Meal Plan Monday - 28.5.2012I have been busy playing around on pinterest looking for some new recipes to liven up our dinner menu and here is what I came up with for the week<br />
<br />
<b><u>Dinners:</u></b><br />
<br />
1. Tacos with <a href="http://budgetbytes.blogspot.de/2011/08/not-refried-beans-275-recipe-031.html">refried beans</a><br />
<br />
2. <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Paprika-Parmesan-Chicken/Detail.aspx">Paprika Parmesan Chicken</a> with broccoli and <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cheese-Onion-Garlic-Bread/Detail.aspx">cheesy garlic bread</a><br />
<br />
3. <a href="http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/02/23/the-best-macaroni-and-cheese-ive-ever-made/">Homemade mac and cheese</a> with green salad<br />
<br />
4. BLT with fries<br />
<br />
5. <a href="http://budgetbytes.blogspot.de/2010/08/glazed-pork-chops-655-recipe-163.html">Glazed Pork chops </a>with cauliflower gratin<br />
<br />
6.<a href="http://www.thebootblog.net/2012/05/curried-chickpea-couscous.html#">Curried chickpea couscous</a> with green salad<br />
<br />
<b><u>Lunches:</u></b><br />
<br />
1. Mexican wraps (store bought)<br />
<br />
2. Sandwich with veggie sticks<br />
<br />
3. Chili over potatoes<br />
<br />
4. Egg salad sandwiches with veggie slices<br />
<br />
5. Seasoned rice over green salad<br />
<br />
6. Egg salad sandwiches with veggie slices<br />
<br />
7. PB and jelly tortilla roll up with veggie sticks<br />
<br />
<b><u>Breakfasts:</u></b><br />
<br />
1. Cereal and fruit<br />
<br />
2. Pancakes and fruit<br />
<br />
3. Rolls and smoothies<br />
<br />
4. E<a href="http://www.snackinginthekitchen.com/2010/05/mothers-day-2010-brunch.html">gg muffins</a> with fruit<br />
<br />
5. Oatmeal with fruit<br />
<br />
6. Yogurt and toast<br />
<br />
7. Scrambled eggs and smoothies<br />
<br />
<u><b>Snacks:</b></u><br />
Fruit- apples, apricots, banana<br />
<br />
Veggies- cucumber, carrot, bell pepper strips<br />
<br />
Crackers and cheese<br />
<br />
Yogurt<br />
<br />
Granola bars<br />
<br />
Maybe some homemade treats- cookies, ect<br />
<br />
<b>What is for dinner at your house this week?</b><br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-30261991913107536022012-04-07T18:42:00.001+02:002012-04-07T18:42:08.659+02:00Easter plans and meal planWhat are your plans for Easter this year?<br />
<br />
We will be dying eggs tonight. Tomorrow we will do a small easter egg hunt for teenie. Not sure if I will do that outside in the courtyard or inside. Just a small easter basket from the easter bunny and sadly no crafts or cookies, but I hope to be more organized next year.<br />
<br />
So here is a look at our Easter and Easter monday meal plans<br />
<br />
<b>Easter Sunday:</b><br />
<u>Breakfast:</u> Flaky biscuits with country gravy and sausage links<br />
<br />
<u>Lunch:</u> Egg salad<br />
<br />
<u>Dinner:</u><br />
Pork cutlets with apple and onion marinade<br />
Steamed carrots<br />
Sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallow<br />
<br />
<u>Dessert:</u><br />
Carrot cake with Philadelphia icing<br />
Lemon cake<br />
<br />
<b>Easter Monday:</b><br />
<u>Breakfast:</u> Eierkuchen with fruit salsa<br />
<br />
<u>Lunch:</u> Left overs<br />
<br />
<u>Dinner:</u> Eggs and potatoes in mustard sauce<br />
<br />
<u>Dessert:</u> Left overs from Sunday and muffins<br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-60361402185186347842012-03-27T18:49:00.004+02:002012-03-27T18:49:57.586+02:001 Euro veggie soupOne thing I have been striving to do in an effort to bring down our food bills is cook local meals using cheaper ingredients. Sad as I am, I came to terms with the fact that frugal cooking blogs in the US just do not apply to me. One things I have started doing is making soup.<br />
<br />
Really you can use anything you have on hand down to chicken bones and veggie for broth or whatever leftover veggies tossings for a mixed veggies soup. Toss in some noodles, rice or meat, even left overs and you could have a different soup every day of the week if you were so inclined.<br />
<br />
For this recipe I use specific items purchased just for the soup but they are dirt cheap.<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
Suppen grunen- this is a pack of fresh veggies for soup it comes with fresh parsley, carrots, celery root and leeks. Some even come with a small broth package. These cost under 1 euro and go on sale often. I got mine for .88 on sale plus and additional 10% off.<br />
Broth powder- your choice, veggie or chicken<br />
Maggi<br />
Pepper<br />
Water<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
1. I wash and cut up all my veggies<br />
2. Toss them in a pan and fill with water, I use a 2 liter pot<br />
3. Add a dash of pepper, a tablespoon or two of broth powder and about 1 tablespoon maggie<br />
4. Let boil about 15 minutes then reduce to a low simmer for 30 minutes or longer if you wish<br />
5. Taste and add any needed seasoning to your preference<br />
<br />
Tastes fabulous, dirt cheap and enough for 2 meals at least, so what is that 50 cents per meal, even less if it stretches further. Fantastic.<br />
<br />
Some times I stretch mine out by adding to it, one night I may add rice or noodles, next tim some left over chicken, and each night you have a new twist.<br />
<br />
Enjoy<br />
<br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-43765034206188464622012-03-09T09:08:00.003+01:002012-03-09T09:08:51.206+01:00February project updatesWell the month was not nearly as productive as I would have liked it to be. I did not finish any books. But i did make minimal progress towards my 2012 in 2012.<br />
<br />
This month out the door went the following, leaving only 1871 to go. Wonder if I will make it...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"></a><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><u><b>February:</b></u></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><b>99.-108.</b> Sims games (sold)</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><b>109.-111.</b> 2 womens tops and 1 sweater (sold)</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><b>112-127.</b> 13 bangle bracelets, womens pants, 2 earings (traded)</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><b>128.</b> Wool baby pants (sold)</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><b>129-130.</b> 2 pairs of fleece longies</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><b>131 - 139.</b> 8 cloth pads and moon cup</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><b>140 - 141.</b> 2 katrina soaker diy sewing kits</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a></div>
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-36245296850757414902012-02-13T13:35:00.000+01:002012-02-13T13:35:00.379+01:00Meal plan mondayA new week a new meal plan. Here is a look at what is cooking this week in my kitchen :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
I decided to give emeals a shot. They had a groupon special and for only a few bucks more then their 3 month plan you got a year, so I figured meh, if I am going to tr for 3 months, might as well pay a few bucks more on the chance I like it.<br />
<br />
I went for the natural and organic, mainly because many items listed in the normal meal plans are not sold here.<br />
<br />
But I am still having to tweek, and I am really not sure if I will go with it full time or not. As of right now I am still doing a mix of our normal meals we enjoy as well to swap out for ones with costly ingredients or items we do not eat like shrimp.<br />
<br />
I would like it a lot more if it was customizable like no seafood, ect. I am still seeing lots of items I cannot get like frozen sweet potato fries, hell I am lucky to even find fresh. Kind of defeats the purpose when you have to go bust out your math skills on the grocery list.<br />
<br />
We will see. I wanted to try and I am happy to give it a go. But kind of bummed about tweeking the recipes and grocery list constantly. Though I can say I do like that is exposes me to many recipes I would never find by randomly searching. So it will expand our diet to try new things. So I may do just a few meals a week from it, I am going to play it by ear. I will keep all the recipes in a binder for meal ideas to match to sales if nothing else.<br />
<br />
I wish they had a German version with local store sales, buahahah. Maybe I can make my own. Not to sure the Germans would be all to into that idea.<br />
<br />
So this week in my kitchen:<br />
Mon <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Skillet rigatoni and sausage with steamed brocolli</span><br />
Tue Eating out for Valentines day<br />
Wen <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Skillet zuchini and corn tamale pie with mixed green salad</span><br />
Thur <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Bacon bbq burgers with fries</span><br />
Fri Fish sticks, homemade potato wedges and veggies<br />
Sat <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Indian style skillet chicken and rice </span><br />
Sun <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Butternut squash soup with cheese toast </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
What is cooking at your house.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-72815242211115486132012-02-09T12:38:00.001+01:002012-02-09T12:38:31.104+01:00Belated meal plan mondayBetter late then never, a look at this week inside our kitchen :)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Mon Tuna pasta with olives and cherry tomatoes<br />
Tues Fish sticks, mashed poatoes and left over pasta<br />
Wen Kottbullar, jager sauce, mashed potatoes, veggies and cranberry sauce<br />
Thur Soup and rolls (shopping night)<br />
Fri Homemade pizza and green salad (family movie night)<br />
Sat Red beans and rice with french bread<br />
Sun Chicken, snow peas, and squash stir fry with cilantro rice<br />
<br />
What is cooking in your kitchen this week?<br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-82618959815360158282012-02-08T18:39:00.001+01:002012-02-08T18:39:19.961+01:002012 in 2012 January update.End of the month progress report- January.<br />
<br />
January was a good start. Still have a longway to go but I feel I started out on the right foot.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>2012 items in 12 months averages to 167 items a month. This month I had 98. Not bad for the first month. I am happy with that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><u>January:</u></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>1-2.</b> 2 too small nursing tanks (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>3-14</b>. 5 pair earings, 1 anklet, 2 nacklaces, and 4 bracelets (traded)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>15-26</b>. 5 Tie nappies, 2 diaper covers, 5 insert socks (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>27</b>. One pair of wool baby pants (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>28-35</b>. Mens accessories (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>36</b>. Mens tank top (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>37-38</b>. Under the toilet mat and toilet seat cover (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>39</b>. Baby blanket (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>40</b>. Baby strampler (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>41-43</b>. 3 G diaper liners (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>44-72</b>. 29 Diaper inserts (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>73</b>. Mens swim shorts (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>74</b>. One wool diaper cover (traded)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>75-82</b>. 8 moving boxes that did not survive so well taken to recycling hof, normal packaging cartons not counted. (recycled)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>83-88</b>. Atari console, joystick, 4 games (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>89</b>. Womens dress (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>90</b>. Long sleeve mens shirt (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>91</b>. Short sleeve mens shirt (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>92</b>. Womens pants (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>93</b>. Mens short sleeve top (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>94</b>. Womens top (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>95</b>. Mens coat (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>96</b>. Mens coat (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>97</b>. Wool baby shorts (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>98</b>. Wool diaper cover (sold)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Leaving me with 1914 items left to go. Think I will make it? </div>
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-51048858228674094212012-02-01T11:15:00.000+01:002012-02-01T11:15:00.759+01:00100 in 2012So we already talked about my other challenge for 2012,<a href="http://lostintranslation08.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-in-2012.html">2012 in 2012</a>, to rid my home and life of 2012 items that no longer receive the love they once did.<br />
<br />
I have a second challenge for myself this year. I am challenging myself to read 100 books in 2012.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Sound like a lot right. Well it is an average of 8 books a month, or a week. Is it doable. I dunno, but I will sure try. I love to read at night in bed, as well as in the bath, and I am turning to reading in my free time while my son naps rather then sitting online, have no fear I use that time for other important stuff like putting away everything he pulled out of the cupboards before his nap as well :)<br />
<br />
Each month I will post up my reading plan as well as an update at the end of the month to track my progress.<br />
<br />
Book lists:<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Totals</u></strong> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "Coming Soon"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
<strong>Books completed:</strong><br />
<u>End of Dec through end of Jan</u><br />
1. <b>How to declutter your home and your Life: Minimalist concepts to help you start organizing today</b> by Martha Sinclair (Free did a kindle book swap)<br />
2. <b>Cyber Junkie</b> by Kevin Roberts (8.69 sale on amazon)<br />
3. <b>The simple guide to a minimalist life</b> by Leo Babauta (8.95 on amazon)<br />
4. <b>Simplify</b> by Joshua Becker (.99 sale on amazon, used .03 gift card so .96)<br />
5. <b>Miss minimalist: Inspiration to downsize, declutter, and simplify</b> by Francine Jay (.99 on amazon)<br />
6. <b>A Stolen Life</b> by Jaycee Duggard (11.99 on amazon free with giftcard)<br />
7. <strong>Family Sized Minimalism Simplifying life at home</strong> by Faioth Jones<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Updates:</u></strong><br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>January 2012</strong><br />
My goals for this month were to finish the following books<br />
<li>The Zen Path through depression by Philip Martin On loan from the library for 2 weeks. Just started</li>
<br />
<strong>Update not yet done carrying to Feb had to recheck out from the library</strong><br />
<br />
<li><strike>Cyber Junkie by Kevin Roberts Purchased on Amazon.com for 8.69 In progress</strike></li>
<br />
<li><strike><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span>How to declutter your Home and your Life: Minimalist concepts to help your start organizing Today By Martha Sinclair On loan from another Kindle for 2 weeks user In progress</strike></li>
<br />
<br />
<li>Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter, Organize your Home, & Reclaim Your Life by Barbara Tako On loan from the library for 3 weeks In Progress</li>
<br />
<strong>Update Did not finish in time on my hold wishlist again</strong><br />
<br />
<li>The Joy of Less. A minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify your life Purchased on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress</li>
<br />
<strong>Update not yet finished carrying into Feb</strong><br />
<br />
<li><strike>Family Sized Minimalism: Simplifying Life at Home by Faith Jones Purchased on Amazon.com for 4.99 In Progress</strike></li>
<br />
<br />
<li>The New becoming Vegetarian : The essential guide to a healthy vegetarian diet By Vestano Melina Bought on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress</li>
<br />
<strong>Update still in Progress carry over</strong><br />
<br />
<li><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span>The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsy Bought on amazon for 8.99 In progress</li>
<br />
<strong>Update still in Progress carry over</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Goal for the month 8 Finished 7, not too shabby! </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>93 to go!</strong><br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-16982568308573092252012-01-30T13:52:00.000+01:002012-01-30T13:52:00.105+01:00Meal Plan Monday<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Another week of meal ideas. Here is a look at what is going on in my kitchen. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This week I wanted to try something new, so I tried out one of the all you 5 meals one list plans. Supposed to be dirt cheap. I really am not impressed because at the end it used many items I did not have on hand, and none of what I needed was on sale. I ended up almost doubling the food costs this week. Now I do realize many items bought are not just for the week such as spices and what not but still kind of a bummer. Also many will have left overs so it generally lasts longer then a week.<br />
<br />
I have been debating trying emealz but this reason is exactly what concerns me. Perhaps I am better off to stick with comparing ads, choosing sale ingredients and from there using recipie search engines based on what I have and sales. <br />
<br />
I thougth about trying to cut back chicken costs by cooking full chickens, but the chickens here are so small at the end I feel like I get more meat buying chicken breasts.<br />
<br />
So here is a look at our dinners this week<br />
<br />
1. Crockpot pulled chicken sandwiches and french fries<br />
2. Crock pot chicken tacos and beans<br />
3. Homemade tomato soup with pesto and grilled cheese sandwiches<br />
4. Spiced pork pattied with greens<br />
5. Kotbullar, jager sauce, cranberries, and potatoes<br />
6. Pasta salad with tuna olives and parsley<br />
7. Abendbrot and leftovers<br />
<br />
Dessert: Homemade strawberry blondies<br />
<br />
<strong>What is cooking in your kitchen this week? Have you ever used a service like emealz and did you find it helpful?</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-27027333722521478392012-01-20T14:06:00.000+01:002012-01-20T14:06:00.333+01:00Do you Swap?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I talked before about trading, but today I want to
talk about swaping. Sounds similar right? And yeah in a way it is, but swapping
is a little bit different. This post will explain the differences and also the
benefits to swapping. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A swap is an exchange; much like a trade but it is generally
done in a controlled group, many times with a theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is done through many websites, but
also done directly between individuals in the form of box or surprise swaps. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Swaps are done including everything from used items, to new
items, or things you make for your partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may find used clothing swaps, surprise book swaps, food
from home. The possibilities are endless. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea behind the swap is that for the most part, though there
are exceptions to the rule, swaps are done as surprise packages. I give you my
box of size 6-9 month boys clothing for your box of 9-12, or my box paperbacks
for yours. Many times you can create a wish list of sorts for example in a book
swap you may list genres you love as well as those you hate, maybe even include
a few of the book titles you really want to read. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Swaps can cost more then trades, because many times you are
trading new items. This is of course not always the case, there are many used
swaps. Make sure you check out the swap rules before partaking those that do
require new items often have a minimum value. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not swap nearly as often as I trade but when I have it
has been a very enjoyable experience. It is a bit harder with me overseas to
find people willing to swap or trade, but I do find people. It is a bit harder
with swaps, since people do not have a guarantee of what they will get in
return as one would in a trade where shipping is built in to the value of what
you receive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have had a few fun swaps, one just came today. It was a
Children’s Christmas box gift swap. Minimum value 10 dollars. People could send
more if they chose, but you should only expect a value of 10 not including
shipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a 8 year old
girl, we got her one of those sets to braid designs and beads into your hair,
a pair of leggings and some German treats. Teenie in turn got a hand crocheted
doll, 3 crocheted balls and a wooden car. Again we listed ideas and suggestions
but the swap partner had discretion of what ultimately to send.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am totally thrilled. I love the items
and teenie loves them. I am a sucker for handmade kids toys but they are often
very costly and out of our price range, swapping allows me to get such items
for my son. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another example, one that I could not do from overseas, but
partook in when I went home was a paperback book swap. We each sent the other
person a flat rate box of paperback books. Perhaps not the best idea as mine
are still sitting at my moms since I ran out of luggage room, but hey live and
learn right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Swaps can be a lot of fun; I know Sonya over at <a href="http://homecookingwithsonya.blogspot.com/">Home cooking with Sonya</a> does tons of food box swaps with people all over the world that allows
here to try all kinds of new foods and flavors. Again there is so much out
there that you should always be able to find a swap that fits your needs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As with trading I prefer to use established websites in
which a host moderates the swap. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Is swapping something you have done or would be willing to
try? Do you like surprises in the mail? </b></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment--><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-83162149623475042382012-01-18T14:01:00.000+01:002012-01-18T14:01:01.193+01:00What a simple and frugal life means to me<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
There
are so many stigmatism's and generalizations floating around in the world. We hear
these words and we associate different meanings to them, yet we often neglect the
fact that they mean very different things to different people.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Simple
living to me does not mean living without. Frugality does not mean not spending
money or never buying things. They both mean being selective about the things
we do and bring into our lives. Choosing quality over quantity. To strive to
only have things in our lives that are useful or bring us joy. Not to be bogged
down by an endless amount of possessions you never use or obligations you
cannot fulfill.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
We
all have our vices, the things that bring us joy. Remember that question if you
were trapped on a desert Island what would you bring with you. That is a pretty
easy answer for me, well first and foremost would be my son and husband.
Followed up by my kindle of course with wifi and endless funds to buy a
lifetime supply of books and my coffee pad machine to compliment it. Those are
things that bring me joy. Those are the things that I do not question having in
my life. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
I
question the need to have 30 different shirts or hanging on to that jewelry I
have not worn in over 5 years just due to the fact that I spent money on it. I
far rather have a few items and maybe even spend a bit more then my normal
comfort level to get items that I adore. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
I
want to walk through my home without tripping on things. Without endlessly
shuffling around items that have no home. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
I
do not intent to boycott consumerism, but rather to question it. To ask myself
to think long and hard before spending money on items only to later experience
buyers remorse and realize what a waste it was. I rather spend that extra money
on experiences or perhaps to upgrade and gets items that before seemed too far
out of our range. Not to suggest we are going to go about living a lux
lifestyle, but when one no longer feels the need to buy the latest and best of
everything you can get those items you have really wanted for a very long time.
You can spend the money on that museum pass you have long wanted. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
When
I look back at my life someday I do not want a life filled with possessions and
regrets. I rather have lived a simple life one full of amazing experiences. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
To
me simplicity and frugality go hand and hand. By living a simpler life, we are
making frugal decisions. Ones that allow us to really evaluate what is
important in life. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
What
is important to me right now is getting out and experiencing the world. I live
in Europe something so many people dream of, yet I never took the time to be
thankful or to embrace the opportunities that lay before me. I want to skip
that cute little shirt I saw or a set of new shiny unneeded pans and instead
buy the regional family museum pass that gives us entry to over 200 museums and
castles. I want to experience life and savor it rather then drooling over the
latest trends.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b>This
is what simple and frugal living means to me. What does it mean to you?</b></div>
<!--EndFragment--><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-8568287768358225892012-01-16T13:26:00.000+01:002012-01-16T13:26:36.681+01:00Meal Plan Monday in RetrospectAnother week in retrospect, a look at what's been cooking in my kitchen :D<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Mon Asian noodles<br />
Tue Abendbrot<br />
Wen Pizza<br />
Thur Left overs<br />
Fri Abend brot<br />
Sat Tuna Casserole<br />
Sun Chicken with mushrooms and green beans with a dinner roll<br />
<br />
Yeah that was a pretty lame week. Shall I hang my head in shame lol :P<br />
<br />
At least I have bigger and better plans for this week, and my weekend was not too shabby lol<br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-91381197640340962352012-01-15T13:53:00.000+01:002012-01-15T14:51:33.284+01:00Sundays in my city<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting">Technical difficulties, please check back later today :D</a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><br /></a><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-61541782491837544522012-01-13T13:47:00.000+01:002012-01-13T13:47:02.000+01:00On my Kindle- January<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a personal goal to read 100 books I in 2012. Reading
has long been a passion of mine and reading is one area of my life I have
neglected this past year. While in the US for a visit in October my dad bought
me an early Christmas gift, a kindle, to bring back. Which I must say is a God
send for an expat with slim access to books in your native language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
To reach my goal I need to read
about 8 books a month. Here is a look at what is on My kindle for January.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0px;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>The Zen Path through depression by Philip Martin On loan from the library for 2 weeks. Just
started</li>
<li>Cyber Junkie by Kevin Roberts Purchased on Amazon.com for 8.69 In
progress</li>
<li><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>How to declutter your Home and your Life:
Minimalist concepts to help your start organizing Today By Martha Sinclair On loan from another Kindle for 2 weeks user
In progress</li>
<li>Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter,
Organize your Home, & Reclaim Your Life by Barbara Tako On loan from the library for 3 weeks In
Progress</li>
<li>The Joy of Less. A minimalist Living Guide: How
to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify your life Purchased on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress</li>
<li>Family Sized Minimalism: Simplifying Life at
Home by Faith Jones Purchased on Amazon.com for 4.99 In Progress</li>
<li>The New becoming Vegetarian : The essential
guide to a healthy vegetarian diet By Vestano Melina Bought on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress</li>
<li><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsy Bought on amazon for 8.99 In progress</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -.5in;">
You You might notice
some reoccurring themes here, giggle. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="border: none; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<b>What are you reading this month? What topics
have peaked your interest at the moment?</b></div>
</div>
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430379469947490865.post-74149722828960787432012-01-11T13:37:00.000+01:002012-01-11T13:37:01.241+01:00Ich Liess Mein Herz in Deutschland 2011 in review2011 was an awesome year even for ILMHiD, which was actually a shock to me as I took a good portion of the year off while adjusting to my new life as a mom. So here is a look at the stats to date and for 2011. Thanks for making ILMHiD a success, you guys breathe live into my posts and it truly means the world to me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Here is a look at some fun stats about ILMHiD. Here is the info to date from blog start through today.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Blog Stats:</u></b><br />
<b>Page views:</b> 33,270<br />
<b>Followers on google connect:</b> 55<br />
<b>Followers on Networked Blogs:</b> 79<br />
<b>Fans on Facebook:</b> 67<br />
<br />
<u><b>Top 5 Traffic sources:</b></u><br />
www.toytowngermany.com 1,379<br />
www.diaperswappers.com 1,222<br />
www.networked blogs.com 1063<br />
www.google.com 527<br />
www.homecookingwithsonya.blogspot.com 384<br />
<br />
<u><b>Top 5 countries of viewers:</b></u><br />
Germany<br />
United states<br />
Uk<br />
Canada<br />
South Korea<br />
<br />
<b><u>Top 5 google searches (That do not include my blog name):</u></b><br />
Random Schlecker<br />
Cloth diapering Germany<br />
Diapers in Germany<br />
Rossmann Deutschland<br />
Amazon mom Deutschland<br />
<br />
<b><u>And just for kicks, things people find my blog while searching that scare me:</u></b><br />
Gangy sanft<br />
Magic Teenies<br />
Ob gyn exam tables<br />
Tennie Pregnant<br />
Gynecological exam tables<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="GMUUXGEDFN" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; background-color: #f7f7f7; border-bottom-color: rgb(231, 231, 231); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: separate; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 736px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Busiest Month:</b></u><br />
December 2009 with 3,880 page views<br />
<br />
<b><u>Top 5 Posts off all time</u></b><br />
<b>First place</b> with 723 views Free Stuff for expecting and new moms in Germany 11/10/10<br />
<b>Second place </b>with 523 views Just for the Ladies 4/12/10<br />
<b>Third place</b> with 436 views Disposable diapers in Germany 11/26/2010<br />
<b>Fourth place</b> with 382 views Luca's birth story 1/17/2011<br />
<b>Fifth place</b> with 360 views Schlecker Baby Club begrüssungspaket 12/13/2010<br />
<br />
<b><u>Top 5 posts of 2011</u></b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>First place</b> with 382 views Lucas birth story 1/17/2011</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>Second place </b>with 166 views Sundays in my city 6/19/2011</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>Third place</b> with 131 views One year later 11/26/2011</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>Fourth place</b> with 127 views Rossmann: 4 packs of baby wipes for 2,99 3/31/2011</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>Fifth place</b> with 127 views Rossmann: 4 packs of baby wipes for 2,99 3/31/2011</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Thanks for another awesome year!<br />
<a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/i/signiture.png/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4656/signiture.png" /></a>Lost in Translationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14553985063251732944noreply@blogger.com0