Texas Trip Update: 2012 Really Will be the end of the world

I've been back in Texas for a week now. And the extremely warm January weather here is seriously making me reconsider winters in Finland :) No, that's not really an option. But it is nice to see the sun each morning, wear jeans and a t-shirt all day long, and not have to worry about scraping ice off my car every time I get in it. If only Finland could get onboard with this warm winter thing. Then, we would be in business!

So far, the trip home has been a mix of running errands, shopping and picking up lots of goodies to bring home (think sweets and Mexican food ingredients). I've spent a lot of time with friends and even more with family. It's been a great mini break at home. But, I am missing the hubs and getting ready to get back to Finland and wrap this season up. The last game of regular season is mid March, but once you are through January, time seems to fly by. I'll have one week left in January when I'm back, then a short Feburary, and before we both know it, we'll be back in sunny Texas for the spring. Ahhhhhhh.

But, there is something I saw this trip that is making me a little apprehensive about the state of my dear country. This is something that I had not seen before leaving Texas back in August. No, it's not the ridiculous GOP debates, the still looming financial crisis or even these, which I have (unfortunately) yet to see on my latest Lone Star trip.

No, it is something far more ominous than any of those combined. A sign that things in America are only going to get worse, and not better. That the youth of our nation, the ones we will hold responsible for continuing this country's legacy, are nothing short of doomed.

Feast your eyes on the destruction of the U.S.

Run for your lives! (source)

(Yes, It's a singing Justin Bieber Toothbrush. Gag me. No seriously, take the damn thing and gag me with it.)

OK, OK. I know I am out of loop on these things and this has been out for a while, but it still scares me. Why the heck would I want Justin Bieber to sing to me while I brushed my teeth?! I DON'T UNDERSTAND!! Will his songs help my plaque? Will "Baby" teach me that flossing really is as important as the dentist claims it is?! I'm so confused. And a little frightened.

This is how it will all end, won't it?? 2012 really will be the doom of our society. I have a feeling that this awful product will survive the apocalypse and will be singing "U Smile" as demons roam the earth. Now THAT'S a scary thought :)

BTW, I don't really write about 'being a hockey wife' that often. There are great bloggers out there that do that for me :) But, I did write a short little intro piece for an up-and-coming hockey news and blogging site called Rumor Me That. I thought ya'll might want to have a look. And try not to laugh at my big dorky picture front and center, haha.

Last Post in Texas

...well, for a while, anyhow. 

Tomorrow we are jumping on a plane and headed up to Canada!

Our Julys are spent up in Edmonton, visiting the hubs' family and him finishing up the off season training. I guess he should skate a few times in the summer.

I know, I know. You are excited for my trip, but sad that this means no more Texas Nad Watches or crappy 99 Cent Only Store newspaper ads for while. 

Well, aren't you a lucky duck, that is just what I have for you today!! And then I will lay off on the Truck Nutz pictures for a while. Unless I spot them in Canada. Those northern ones are a rare breed!

Without further ado, a NW2011 update:

Katie from Chicken Noodle Gravy sent me this goodie from Georgia the other day. Isn't she a sweetheart?!

(THANKS Katie!)

Oh yes, you're eyes are not tricking you. Those are two cowbells hanging off the back of that nice gentleman's truck. I say nice, because anyone who sports the Confederate Flag and a bumper that reads "Keep It Flying" must just be a polite young man. Yeah. Right. 

But I guess I shouldn't assume that it is always men driving these things. You can't really tell from this picture, but there was a mom and her two young daughters riding in this badboy. Nice nuts, ladies. 

Those shiny metal ones are popular!

Lovely, way to leave an impression on those little girls. Sorry for the blurry picture, I was driving...with my mom. Nice, huh?!

Ya'll want to hear the best compliment I have been getting from all of you readers?!? "I saw Truck Nutz the other day and thought of you!" haha, gets me every time. 

Although I might not have a NW2011 update for you anytime soon, keep those eyes peeled and that camera handy. You never know when a pair of Truck Testicles might just hop up on ya. 

And now, for the entertainment I found in the morning paper. You really can't beat this. 

Ya'll remember the 99 Cent Only Store back page ad from about a month ago?!?

What a dumb question, of course you do!

Well I seem to have come across the mother load of them all. See if you can spot what is wrong with this headline...

Maybe those ad writers need to double check just how many days there really are in one week.

So yeah, it is open 9 days a week. Good for you, 99 Cent Only Store. But you still won't let me have a full bikini. 

Ummmm, so you mean I can only pick one...top or bottom?!?! Oh geez, if I go with the bottom, then I will truly be European. But with the top, I can really make a splash. So confused! Thanks for only letting me have one end or the other, guys.

:)

Nope, never boring around here. And hope you are having an equally as entertaining Hump Day, bloggyland. 

Tomorrow, I have a short clip about why I really love Canada. And Friday, a very special Frackin' Friday all the way from down under. It's going to be great!

Now don't get testy...

You know what, it still really doesn't feel like we are home. At least not just yet.

Sure, we have had our fill of Mexican food. Taken advantage of the pool everyday. And we even went to an Astros game last night.

But something still feels like it is missing.

And I think I know what it is.

Truck Testicles.

Oh yeah, you read that right.

Or Bumper Nuts, Nutz for Trucks, Truck Balls, Big Boy Nuts. Take your pick.

Yep, that is the real deal there (source)

Ewww, it was gross just typing that. Sorry.

You see, they are apparently the macho accessory of choice around here. Or at least they used to be.

A few weeks back, Copyboy over at Not Worth Mentioning featured a set of these bad boys. He is always highlighting really useful and purposeful products :)

But it got me thinking. I guess these Bumper Balls were not a nationwide thing. He was surprised to see them. But I was not. Sadly, they are usually abundant in Texas. But like I've said, I have yet to find a decent pair hanging of the back of a truck since we have been back.

It is disappointing actually!

Whatever happened to guy that not only needed to show how un-endowed he was by having a huge, jacked up truck, but also really wanted to drive in the message that the massive vehicle he drove really did represent his you-know-what by hanging some lifelike testicles off the back hitch??

Just in case you were wondering, THEY REPRESENT HIS BALLS. Oh, and he has steel nuts. (source)

What has the world come to when people start removing man-junk from their trucks?? Certainly not a place I want to raise children

:)

So for the next few months we are in Texas, I dedicate my time on the road to "Nad Watch, 2011". I am on patrol. There has to be some white trash, d-bag totally awesome, super sweet motorist with these puppies hanging off the back.

Boy, do I love Texas!

For you, my readers, I am doing this for you!

I am also doing THIS for you! Have you entered my German Goodies Giveaway yet?? Well what are you waiting for!?

Cinco de...

...Ma-yo-my, I might be hung ditty tomorrow ;)

For any one south of the Mason Dixon line (where is that?!) I don't have to remind you that today is Cinco de Mayo!!

Ohh, pretty! (source)

For those of you who are a little less familiar with the holiday, here is a quick run down:

Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is a day to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely win over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It has evolved into a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride.

Little more background (thanks Wikipedia!), the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla also helped expedite the Union's ultimate win in the American Civil War!

Apparently, Napoleon and the French army were supplying troops to the confederate rebel forces. They were doing so as a sort of ruse to eventually make their way back into the states. So after their defeat, it kept the French army from helping the South, thus insuring that the United States would build a strong army that would crush the confederate soldiers.

Heck yes, Mexico! (source)

Hmm, very interesting!

So no, it's not Mexican Independence Day, just so ya know.

Hey, I love the Mexican culture in Texas, so I will help them commemorate this day and thank them for not letting the French army back into the U.S.

Now, back to the celebrating!

It will be our first outing for Mexican food. Somehow or another we have been able to hold off the last couple of days, but I can assure that we will really make it count today.

The restaurant we are headed to tonight actually has 'Skinny Margs' on the menu. I haven't been to a place that has them available, but then again, I don't get out much :) Oh, and not to mention we don't really eat at too many Mexican food joints in Germany. You probably couldn't pay me enough to eat Mexican food while overseas. Sorry, Leute, not one of your fortes.

But for those of you wanting to celebrate a bit tonight, in low(er) calorie form, here is my own personal, fail proof recipe for 'Skinny Margs'.

But I think that name might be copyrighted by some Housewife. So I will call mine...

The You-Won't-Feel-Too-Bad-About-Yourself-In-The-Morning Marg
(hey, nice ring to that!)

Yep, you will definitely need a glass at least this big (source)

Here is what you will need:

- 1 1/2 oz. tequila (more or less, depending on your braveness)
- Club Soda
- Juice of one lime, or a good squeeze from the lime bottle
- Splash of Pineapple Juice (or Orange if you have it handy)
- 1 or 2 Splenda packs
- Ice
- Salt, cause you can't have a good marg without swelling your fingers :)

In a large cup, combine the tequila, lime juice, pineapple juice and Splenda packs. Add enough soda water to give a good base to your drink. I'd say around a cup and a half should do. Then, using another glass, line the rim with salt, add ice, and pour that puppy right in there. Sombrero and broken Spanish optional. No, they aren't optional. Sorry, that is a must.

This guy says it is a must (source)

So get a couple of these in you today, and let loose for Cinco de Mayo. Arrriba!

And don't forget the oh-so-greasy-and-good Mexican food.

Bring it on fajitas, you've got nothin' on me today!

God Bless Texas!

Heyyyooo! 

Well howdy there, ain't it guuud to see ya'll back here. 

Wait, sorry, the Texan slang is already creeping it's way back in. It only takes about a week until the full blown accent is back and the hubs can't understand a dang thing I'm saying, haha.

So, as you can tell made it back home safe and sound! Already unpacked and settled in. Trying to shake a little bit of this jet-lag, but really it isn't too bad. Nothing a little R&R won't cure. 

And the hubs is already well on that R&R!

Less than 24 hours of being home, and he is already moved right into his usual spot. 

Here, have a look. 

As pointed out in this ridiculous picture, he is equipped with an ice cold beer, a comfy float, a remote in a plastic bags and he is securely strapped onto the side of the pool. But why??? Why does he need to stay put right there and not float away. 

I'm almost embarrassed to show ya'll this, but here is why...

Yep, he can lay in the pool WHILE watching the TV that is hooked up in the outdoor kitchen. And since the remote is in a oh-so-inventive waterproof, plastic baggy, he doesn't even have to leave his float to change the channel

Life is hard, right hubs?! For reals, give me a break. 

But I guess after the long and hard season he deserves it. 

Oh, and don't you doubt for a second that I am getting right back in there with him as soon as this post goes out. Haha. 

I have a LOT of catching up to do in bloggyland. So many great reads in the Storytellers Blog Hop!! I promise to get to those this evening. 

For those of you that linked up to the hop, a big THANK YOU for taking part. And I hope you found some fun new reads. It was another successful hop!
 

Ya'll rock! Really, you do :)

Some of you have asked if I am going to continue to post regularly while back in Texas. Well, you better bet your bottom that I am!! Coming back home after 9 months of being away, we get just as much 'culture shock' as we do back in Germany. So plenty of post material. 

Plus, I already wrote a few posts on the plane. Yes, I am just that on top of things. Or actually, probably according to the random guy who sat next to me, I am just that weird. Lol. 

So, looking forward to getting back on track with checking on all my favorite blogs. I really do miss reading them when I take a day off or two!

Until then, I hope ya'll had a great weekend and enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Ya'll come back now, ya here! :) (Whoops, that accent is already making it's way back in! haha)

My First Hockey Game

Today, at least if I can remember correctly, marks the 4 year anniversary of my first ever hockey game.

You see, this little Texas girl didn't know squat about hockey. Sure, we dabbled in street hockey from time to time, but that didn't mean we knew the rules. I could have probably named you one hockey player (Wayner) but then again, who didn't/doesn't know him!?

I remember my dad trying to get me to watch a game of hockey on T.V. one time when I was younger. He had spent some time in Canada and knew a bit about the sport. I had questions like "Ridiculous, why do they have to cross that line at once?" and "Where is the puck? Is there even a puck!?"

Or, I could have waited until they came out with the ridiculousness of FoxTrax! (source)

Needless to say, it was the first and last time, at least up until 4 years ago, that I even had the thought of hockey on my mind.

So, when I met the pre-hubs and he told me he was a hockey player, I didn't swoon or sigh like some good puck bunny. To be honest with you, I acted mildly impressed as I struggled to remember, that yes, there was a pro hockey team in San Antonio. 

All you had to say was "Ice skating bull named T-Bone" and I would have been hooked! (source)

After less than 2 weeks of knowing each other, he invited me and a few friends to one of his home games. The pre-hubs hooked me up with four tickets, and with three friends in tow we headed down to the rink to see what all this hockey biznaz was about. 

I don't give him enough credit for being one clever of a guy. 

As we are walking in, both teams are on the ice and the announcer is naming off some award for one of the players. My friends, which at this point were already giggling (we may or may not have pre-partied :)), asking "Which one is he, which one is he??". 

I search the boys, until I saw him standing there, mid-ice, receiving an award for player of the week. Smart cookie. He knew he was getting that award and purposely had us come to the game to see his shining moment. 

I searched his name and 'player of the week' and somehow or another this is what came up. His face is pasted over David Spade's. How could I not include this!?

Pretty smooth, and I can't lie, I was pretty impressed.

We found our seats as the game started, and it was clear that all the high healed, perfectly manicured, blond girls in front of us were the girlfriends and wives of the players. So my friends start whispering "OMG, it's your new best friends."

Enjoying taking pictures the game.

Aren't they just the sweetest! Ha. Sad that I had no idea what my life would turn out, but I do remember thinking "nooooo, never!". For the record, they were a very sweet group of girls.

None of us knew the rules. The pre-hubs got a few goals. I didn't realize that that doesn't happen every game. Was it a big deal?!? I didn't even know, I thought it happened all the time. Turns out it was one of his best games all year.

Me, on the other hand, I remember him scoring, us laughing, and the over priced arena beer going down so smooth. Oh, and meeting up with some friends who had a box reserved at the game...

and doing this:

Sorry Chels! For the record, it was inside joke, but really, why explain. I'll let the picture do the talking.

It was necessary that we did that, OK?! You can't blame me, I was excited to see the pre-hubs play, excited to show him off to my friends....

and apparently really excited about those blow up, noise makers. 

You would think that we had never left the house before!

Whoops, guess I didn't really do my best to pay attention. I think something in my gut was telling me that I would be attending 16 million other hockey games, so if I miss things here and there, it wouldn't be the end of the world :)

I still have the ticket stub to that first game. I guess it did mean something special after all. And it is still clear in my mind like it was just last week. Who would have thought we would be over in Germany for hockey just a few short years later!?

Still, I want some more of those blow up noise makers. The could come in handy at games over here.

(P.S. Don't forget about the Storytellers Blog Hop this Friday and Saturday, March 25th and 26th!! Hope to see you there!)

Let My Stomach Do the Blogging

You know how they say you should never go grocery shopping when you are hungry?! Well I don't think you should blog about your favorite food items from home when you are hungry either.

Bad idea this morning, bad idea.

You see, we are low on food at home right now.  Actually, not a fair statement. We have plenty of food, just none of it sounds good or is schnacky enough for me right now. I feel like I am this way every Monday morning.  Why? Wait, I haven't mentioned that all stores are closed here on Sunday yet, have I? Well, they are, and it sucks. I think about my old 'routine' at home, before the hockey life and before our wandering abroad, and Sunday was my day to get things done. I went to H.E.B., raided Target and if I was feeling really nasty, headed to WalMart.

But here, Sunday is a day to rest. And I hate it (ok, I get that it is a family day, but geez, just let me spend some money already! lol). It means we are out of good food by Sunday night or Monday morning. I would stock up better, but then again you should the size of our fridge. I had a bigger one in my college dorm room.

Nope, nuffin'! (source)

 So this morning, as I waited for the hubs to get up and for us to share a ride into town. We are cheap good to the environment like that. I started food dreaming; thinking about the foods I really miss from home. All of the goodies I should have had before I left just one. last. time.

So I came up with what would be my ideal 'last meal'. No, not before I am executed on death row, but before I head to the land of sausage and beer for 8 months. (read: the things I am DYING for right now and they don't have in Germany)

It would go a little like this...

I would start off with an extra dirty vodka martini. One served in an ice cold glass, slightly spilling over the rim because it it so full. I tried to order an olive Martini here the first year. The looked at me like I was ape shit crazy. "Warte mal, du willst Olivensaft in den Drink?!! Spinnst du?!" Mmmmm, salty goodness, come to me now!

Me and Don Draper baby! (source)

Then, to start the dinner off, I would scarf down some Tots and a Diet Cherry Limeade from Sonic. And yes, I will spring for the Route 44. What? My stomach can't even hold 44 ounces? Nonsense, the bigger the better. It's my go to after a workout at home. What!?! At least I worked out first! Ha.

Try NOT the inhale these. You can't not do it. (source 1, 2)

For a second course, I would absolutely KILL for some Vietnamese Chicken Salad Rolls from Pei Wei. No, scratch that, I would kill for just about anything from Pei Wei. If you have not been there, just imagine P.F. Chang's fast food. I go at least once a week back at home...if not more. 

And healthy too, you can't beat that (source)

Then, I'd have to rearrange my belt or undo a button on the jeans, but I'd still trudge ahead. Bring on the TC's!! For any of ya'll NOT from Texas, TC's is short for Taco Cabana. I usually reserve their queso and tortillas (yes, rolled and dipped into the creamy cheese) for the late night, after-a-few, snack time. But in this case, it would make an excellent third course. The hubs has incessantly talked about stopping there first thing off the plane when we get back to Houston. Good thing there is one of them in the airport!!!

Super 90s neon sign just beaming you in! This Mexican "fast food" is to die for! (Source 1, 2)

And finally, on to the glorious main course. A Gulf Coast staple that I request right away when I get home for a cold German winter. Shrimp Boil! (pronounced "Schre-ump Boy-el"). Jumbo gulf shrimp, cobs of corn, small red potatoes, kielbasa sausage, all boiled up in a spicy Cajun seasoning. Mom, dad, if you are reading this, you know what I want when we return :)

MMMMM, MMMM! Dumped out on the table, on some newspapers like a true Southern meal (source)

To top the whole thing off, I would wash it all down with a Diet Dr. Pepper. Because hey, a lady has got to watch her figure :)

I liked the old cans better! (source)

I still can't start thinking about home juuuuust yet. There is still plenty of time here. And once I get the idea of going home in my head, it is hard to think about anything else.

So, until then I will keep enjoying all the delicious food here, because there is quite a bit of it. And in a few months, it will goodbye Germany and hello fat pants!!

Ok, I have indulged you with my tummy rumblin' ideas. Now, you tell me what your "last meal" would be!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

As this time of year rolls around, I find myself quite happy to be in Germany. The hockey season is winding down, the snow is finally melting and spring is (hopefully) just around the corner. I start to think that I don't miss Texas all that much.

That is, until I realize what all is going on in Houston these next two weeks. I can't believe that it is already here, but the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officially starts up today. And the cowgirl in me is longing for a quick trip home to see the bucking broncos, chow down on roasted corn and giant turkey legs, and jam out to some good ol' Texas Country. 

2,000 calories on a stick, don't mind if I do! (source)

This year, the HLSR really snuck up on me. I didn't realize the Cook Off, which kicks off the festivities, was this past weekend. And don't let the words "Cook Off" fool you. There is way more drinking and country music playing than cooking going on! 

My mom had to rub it in when I called her on Saturday. "I'm at the Cook Off, it's sunny and 80 degrees. Oh, and we got into special radio tent with all you can eat and drink!" Can you say jealous! Haha, I am glad they had a good time.

I think I attended the HLSR for over 10 years consecutively, and wouldn't ya know, I missed my first rodeo because of hockey a few years back. Damn that sport :) So, in honor of these next great weeks in Houston, and because I will always love Texas, I wanted to share some interesting facts with you. I am not being biased (well, I guess I am, I love Texas!), I know that other states are awesome too. But, I figured that after my Canadian post, I owed the Lone Star State a shout out too. Hope ya'll enjoy!

YEEEHAAW!

*Texas is one of the most historically rich states. In the last 165 years of statehood, and even stretching far back before that, Texas has a very interesting and exciting cultural past. Believe it or not, we even had to take a full year of "Texas History" in junior high.

*They say everything is "bigger and better in Texas" (who am I kidding, I say it too. Obnoxious!). But, it actually comes in second in the U.S. in population and area (behind California and Alaska, respectively). Still, Texas stretches 800 miles each way and the entirety of New England, as well New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois could all fit inside the state's landmass.

*Almost everyone is familiar with the saying "Remember the Alamo", and although there is a lot of legend surrounding the actual facts, it really was a turning point in Texas history and to this day makes for a great heroic story. The Battle of the Alamo, in present day San Antonio, has its 175th anniversary on March 6th this year. Around 190 Texians defended the Mission and held their own for nearly two weeks against 5,000 Mexican soldiers. In the end, all but two of the Texians were killed. "Remember the Alamo" became the cry of the Texas Revolution and sparked the attack and quick win against the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, which took place a little over a month later, in April of 1836 (and, no joke, the soldiers probably marched over some parts of our neighborhood). Hey, my hometown's motto is "The Birthplace of Texas"!

Gotta love Davy Crockett and his coon skin cap defending the Alamo! (source)

*The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world's largest live entertainment and livestock exhibition. In 2010, attendance reached a record high of 2.2 million visitors. With that many visitors, the shows required over 20,000 volunteers. And they are proud of their job! I bet they break the attendance record again this year :)

Oohhhheeee, get along little doggies. (source)

*Speaking of rodeos, Pecos, Texas, a small Western Texas town, claims to be the site of the world's first rodeo, held on July 4, 1883.

*Not surprisingly, Texas does have a lot of 'mosts'. 
*It produces more wool than any other state, I found out much to my surprise. Weird, because it doesn't really get cold enough in most parts of Texas to even wear wool!
*Texas has more individual farms than any other state, as well as the most tornados.
*It also leads the nation in livestock production and cotton (big shocker, right!?).
*Since the discovery of oil in Spindletop, Texas in 1901, oil has been an iconic symbol of Texas. The Baytown Refinery area just outside of Houston is the largest in the country. 
*Texas also leads in natural gas production. And I'm not talking about passing gas, people.
*Even with all these 'bad' energy sources, Texas makes up for it by being the nations leader in wind power, a renewable energy source. So, hah!

Can you imagine seeing this!? (source)

*The name Texas comes from a Caddo word meaning "friends" or "allies". Ain't that sweet :)

*Six Flags, as in the nationwide amusement park chain, gets its name from the six flags that once presided over Texas. First Spain made a claim to the Texas area, then the French had power for a bit with a short-lived colony. Mexico was the next to preside over the region, until the Battle of San Jacinto when Texas won it's independence and became its own Republic. Yep, Texas was once its own entity. Then, of course, it became the 28th state in the union, and broke off with the Confederacy during the Civil War. 

Everyone just wanted a piece of Tex-Ass. (source)

Hope you enjoyed a mini trip to my home state. I would love to see other people write about what is great in their state or country! 

This one's for my Sonic lovers

So, I have a fun treat for ya'll tomorrow. I really enjoyed making the Canada Quiz about a month ago, and I think ya'll enjoyed it too. Right now I am compiling a quiz/weird info sheet about good ol' Tex-Ass. Because, you know, us Texans aren't annoying enough with our "Everything is bigger and better in Texas" attitude. :) So you will have to look out for that tomorrow!

I wanted to write super quick to say that I just saw that my bloggyland friend Mollie over at OK in UK passed on, what she likes to call, some "Internet Herpes". Haha, I can feel some of you cringe after that one. I really love getting awards, I love that someone took the time to think of me and TexaGermaNadian, but Mollie and I both agree that these dumb rules that go with the awards are just a bit much. No one wants to really know 7 random things about me, for the 18th time. 

Best New Award. For those of you who know who Moltar is, you are sooo jealous.

So Mollie came up with her own rules. And for that, I felt obliged to participate. Since there are no Sonic Drive-In's here in Germany (and it seems that Mollie might be the only person in the world missing Sonic more than I am), I had to get my main man Bruno to step in for me. 

OK in UK, this one's for you! 

WTF?!? (And it's not that it is particularly funny video, just fits the rules!)

Sorry, I think he might drop an F bomb. And if ya'll didn't already know I was weird, now ya do :)

Compliment Sandys for Everyone

I can pretend it's spring already, right?! I am longing for a day without a heavy winter coat, a day without Deutsch, a day at home by the pool. The dog days of January are upon us at the moment. What we like to call Groundhog day. The hubs gets up, he goes to practice, I have class, we mindless watch horrible television, I hop around bloggyland. I don't enjoy the winter. I am not one of those sassy Germans that gets all bundled up and cross country skis across our front lawn like it is the most beautiful day they have ever seen. Nuh-uh, no way. I live in my blanket, lounge in my robe and hibernate like a good little bear until the first signs of spring emerge. 

Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today.

Source

But, even though the weather outside is effing depressing frightful, that doesn't mean I can't start springing things up inside. Inside my apartment and inside my head. Time to toss those wintery thoughts and bring on new buds of ideas and ideals. Does that mean I will be a chipper little forest creature the rest of this blog?? You bet you ass there is no way that will happen. That's not in my nature.

But maybe it can mean that I can vent a bit, let some things off my chest, and then also give a word of praise or two in the meantime. Clear my head, clean up the cobwebs in my mind and get ready for the spring. Inspired by the great ladies over at FTLOB, I am ready to clean out my closet!

Source

Instead of being a totally negative Nelly, I think I will use the "Compliment Sandwich Technique", where you sandwich one bad point between two good points. For instance, I really like sandwiches, but I really, really hate the term "Compliment Sandwich Technique", although it was pretty helpful for me to get ideas for this post. See, wasn't that easy??

Good: Hey facebook you've been doing a really great job lately for a lot of people out there. I wanted to thank you for keeping me in touch with my close friends scattered throughout the United States. For a sometimes homesick Texan in Germany, it is a life saver!
Bad: Well, I think we might have to part ways soon. Its not you, its some of your loser users. I don't care what the shit you did all day long, what dumb indie band you are sooo into right now, or that you can recite song lyrics and pass them off as your own words in your status. (said much better here). Also, I want to punch (think positively) am slightly annoyed by the Mommybookers out there. Don't get me wrong Moms, I love seeing pictures of your kids. Your son and daughter really are precious. But when I have to log onto facebook and see that your kid is running a fever, has a dirty diaper, learned to wear big girl panties, or that your doctor told you it could be any day now because your freakin' cervix is getting soft I want to defriend you immediately.
Good: And on that note, thank you facebook for the hide button. That too is a life saver!

Good: I love my generation. We don't quite have the middle-management aspirations of Generation X and we aren't exactly the Hannah Montana crazers of the younger ones. We were born in the middle of a technological boom, torn between writing notes in high school and sending emails in college. We don't take no for an answer, we want things our way, and we are all pretty dang creative.
Bad: But let's be honest. In this whole texting, emailing, chatting lifestyle, we are losing the ability to have real relationships face to face. Many struggle to be sociable at live functions, and for the extreme, some have a hard time living outside their video game avatar. Quit resolving your problems through text messaging, have you noticed it doesn't work? Don't ignore emails, just don't. It is rude, it is happening more and more often because it is too easy to do. And please, for goodness sake, quit airing your dirty laundry on facebook. Divorces are bitter, we get that. Take the high road and leave the internet name calling and bullying behind.
Good: Ummmm, well it felt pretty good to get that off my chest, does that count as the bottom loaf in my sandwich??

Good: I am blessed that I get to travel around the world as such a young age. I am free to discover and immerse myself in different cultures, to learn new languages, and to meet people that I would have never had the honor to meet before. I think some hockey wives (not any of the lovely in bloggyland) will argue that this kind of hockey life closes more doors that opens. I strongly disagree. I am not 'putting all my hope and dreams on hold' while we live abroad. I am building new paths in life and growing my dreams to even bigger sizes than before.
Bad: I am scared for the day that I go back home, and it won't feel like home anymore. We always plan to live in Texas when this traveling is all said and done, but in the hockey world, nothing is a constant. What if I will never live in Texas again? Now that frightens me (see, I can do vulnerability without being a wiseass!)
Good:  This lifestyle has made me and the hubs closer than we could have ever imagined. And it is only the beginning. I guess as long as I am with him, I will always have a home.

Three, extremely random, things I can try to leave in the past, place them in my mind's Goodwill box, and not linger over. I have never been one to dwell too long on the bad. I consider myself a good adapter, a good 'living in the moment' kind of gal. Even if that moment right now I want to drop kick the weather for dumping another healthy amount of snow :( 

Here's to your spring, I hope it finds you ready and blossoming with new ideas!

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Stick Girl

In the last couple of weeks, I have seen more than a handful of bloggers answer the question "Why did I start my blog?" Some writers have a profound reason, often struggling with a loss or something painful in life. Some are just around to make us laugh, and still others are just there, reposting pictures and articles, but nonetheless entertaining.

I started TexaGermaNadian over two years ago. We had just moved to Germany, and it seemed like a good way to record my account of this weird hockey world. I posted sporadically (yes, the movie Clueless taught me that word) and it dealt mostly with pictures and short stories about our day to day life. But I really couldn't have handled much more than that, if that makes sense and doesn't make me look like a total slacker.

I needed that first year to really adjust to life over in Germany and our new life as husband and wife. I mean, let's not make it easy on ourselves or anything. The joys and stress of getting married, moving to foreign country where neither of us spoke the language, learning this style of life crash course style. Not always an easy one looking back on it. 

Now, three years in, I still feel like a foreigner, and think I always will. But things are waaay easier with each passing minute. We just know how things work, or don't work at times. We are much better at just going with the flow, and much much better at German. 

So, I guess I don't really have a solid reason for starting the blog up again. I think I just felt the need to tell a bit of our story and our wacky German encounters. It really is more for me if for anyone. I know I will enjoying looking back on the blog in 10 years and remembering what it was like living over in Europe. And its not totally boring...right?! (crickets)

So, I can at least share with you the story of how I was just destined to be tortured involved with hockey my whole life. 

When I was about 9 or 10 years old, roller blades were about the best thing around. In-lines were so cool, if you didn't own a pair, you pretty much didn't exist in my neighborhood's book. We would have skating races, time ourselves weaving through obstacle courses and we practiced and practiced the lamest tricks ever. It's not even fair to call them tricks, anyone can turn in circles. And yes, us southern babes even play street hockey.

Like we even knew the rules of hockey, I am pretty sure none of us had ever seen a game. But we were from Texas, not Canada. We knew about the Quarterback Sneak and Play Action, not Icing and High Sticking. But it didn't matter, we had a passion for street hockey. We'd race home from school and strap on our in-lines and hit the pavement. Oh, and elbow pads and helmets were for suckas, yo.

And the best part of it, is that we used our neighbor's dad's golf clubs as hockey sticks. Yeah, he really loved that! Nothing could stop us, we just loved to skate around and whack the puck around like fools.

That is, until this spoiled brat got a nice set of real, wooden hockey sticks. Like freakin' Christmas! Now there was nothing stopping our hockey skills. And word of our 'real' equipment spread fast. Soon enough, the older boys (like maybe 11 or 12 years old, tops) that lived on the next street over were coming by to play hockey with us. Did I care that they were using me for my hockey sticks? Nope. I was ten, and loved that these super cool older boys were coming to hang out with me. 

 Yeah, I bet you were excited too, girl!

Source

That is, until a couple of weeks later. I guess we didn't go outside that day to play street hockey. I can't remember why exactly, but I do remember those dreamy older boys knocking on our front door that afternoon. My mom answered the door and I peeked down from the upstairs loft. I remember thinking, "oh man, they came to MY house to see if I could play!" Swoon.

It wasn't until they opened their mouth that my dream was shattered. "Hi, can, um, um, Stick Girl come out and play???". Stick girl, STICK girl. They didn't even know my name. I was just stick girl. Big let down. 

I didn't go out to play that day, and if we did play hockey again, it was just with my friends who weren't - at least blatantly - using me for my sweet hockey equipment (say that last bit with a lisp to get the real effect of just how cool we were).

And of course that story gained even more significance after I met the hubs. Funny how certain things stick out in your memory like that. But, it makes perfect since now. He is my stick boy, and I am his stick girl. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

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