Well Jonny finally came home from Germany this past Saturday! He was gone for eight days to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, (along with the majority of Lakenheath) doing readiness (deployment) training. Jonny said that some days were hard and long, but overall it was a good time and he is glad he was able to go. Unfortunately, there wasn't a way to get all his new uniforms from the station or get those he was able to receive ready to wear. The majority of Airman wear ABU's (Airman Battle Uniform), but firefighters wear BDU's (yeah I don't know what that stands for...) which are much darker, and well, made with different material and I believe have some sort of fire retardant chemical throughout as well. So Jonny said he was the only firefighter in the group of 15 or so wearing ABU's and felt he stuck out like a sore thumb ;) The training is an annual deal that Ramstein puts on where U.S. Airman around Europe come together and run drills as they would if they were deployed. Jonny said that the nice thing about the training was that his job didn't change at all. That the firefighters were still firefighters and were "called" for typical firefighter situations. So while they waited for calls they ran physical training tests, search and rescue operations, and played poker in their tents. Then when the work day was over, they went out to eat at a Chilies Bar and Grill as well as a Pub called Bambies located on base. Ramstein is a really big base, Jonny said even like a city, so they always had something to do! He did mention he wished that he took a camera with him, they took a bus, a ferry, and a bus again, and said that it was all so beautiful. Once I get my new tourist passport in, it might be one of our first big trips!
While Jonny was away I FINALLY finished unpacking and organizing our stuff, or as much as I could without any furniture to work with! Next thing we get will be a book case! I forgot how many books the hubby reads!
Then Sunday we went into town and purchased our new bedroom set! While Jonny has been away I found this great little, inexpensive "home" store with everything from furniture and housing decor to basic tools, paint, and hardware. You wouldn't think such a small space would carry so many items! Unfortunately they didn't have the bed size we needed in stock, but it won't be long, should be here in about two weeks, along with the two nightstands we bought as well. It was pretty funny at checkout, we were this older sales woman's first customers using a debit card with a magnetic strip. Over here debit and credit cards are given a chip, and you stick your card halfway into this machine, it reads the chip, then you pull it out. Obviously the same thing, just a different delivery system. We had to explain to her the magnetic strip a couple of times, and then she laughed out loud and said "I've never had to charge one of these before, I've read about them, but never seen any!" So slowly but surely we are getting our new home all furnished! We ordered a T.V. stand and DVD from IKEA in London a few weeks ago, those won't be here until the first week of September, so for now the TV is on a box on the floor! It only works now because our puppies aren't here to whack it over with their tails!
On another note, there have been a couple of recent break-in's at our house...it happened a couple times while Jonny was away, and then again the other night while we were sleeping. Not quite sure how, it is a continuous mystery, all the windows on the street level were closed and locked. I am of course referring to the black and white cat Jonny has for whatever reason named Larry...I can't figure it out! I was down on base running a couple errands and doing some grocery shopping and when I came home, there is Larry, meowing at me and lying on the stairs. Then another morning I wake up and there is a cat starring at me, just like Bailey did when she was ready for me to wake up and play. Scared me half to death, but did make me laugh to think of Bailey’s big nose sitting on the bed about 1 inch away from mine. I told Jonny about this cat who has taken a liking to our house, and he laughed saying I must have left something open somewhere for it to get in here. Well Saturday night Jonny checked all the windows and everything before we went to bed, and I woke him up at about 12:30 to show him the cat sitting in our room. While Jonny was away I bought him some allergy medicine just to be safe with this sneaky guy, but luckily he hasn't had any allergies to him. He even started playing with him a bit. You know Jonny misses the dogs when he decides to befriend a cat... ;)
Well it seems as though life might begin to be semi-normal now that Jonny is back, no plans of taking him anywhere to do or train with anything, and now he might actually have time to in-process at the fire station! Because he went to Germany last week they gave him a 3 day weekend, so he is back to work today. His shifts begin and end at 7:30am. On one of his off days this week we are hoping to get up to the coast which we hear is really nice! We will be sure and take pictures to share!
No comments:
Post a Comment