Did you know that Italy has palm trees? This is one of the first pictures I took here (on my italian camera phone). I had no idea Italy has palms!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Did you know?
I've been MIA for the early part of this week because we had some must do thing. I hate when life gets in the way of my blogging *wink*. I will giving an update later on... and tomorrow starts UPB! I will be giving away LOTS of scentsy between April 1st and 8th... so bring yourself and your friends and get in on the give aways!!
Did you know that Italy has palm trees? This is one of the first pictures I took here (on my italian camera phone). I had no idea Italy has palms!
Did you know that Italy has palm trees? This is one of the first pictures I took here (on my italian camera phone). I had no idea Italy has palms!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
And our Winner is...
Comment #12- steeldawg2 Congratulations!
Winner has 24 hours to respond to the email I am sending out if winner does not respond I will draw another name!
Thank you all for playing along.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Give away
Today I am closing out MY GIVE AWAY. Don't forget to get in on the chance to win! I was going to close it out at 12p EST but because of my time difference I have decided to leave it open until 5p, EST.
CLICK HERE TO GET IN ON THE FUN!
CLICK HERE TO GET IN ON THE FUN!
Friday, March 25, 2011
International Cellular Devices
I am a techy girl! I LOVE my gadgets! So a cell phone was one of the first things I did when I got here.
Before we left NY I inquired about an iphone and all this nonsense. Well since Verizon's iphone works on the wrong network it wasn't worth the switch. So I got the global plan on my blackberry. I love my blackberry when it wants to work. I knew the bill would be rather high. I didn't mind, since I need a local number for my family.
When I got here I inquired about getting a european Iphone 4. It was like 55 Euro a month ($91) for 30 months and that was everything I needed/wanted. Well turns out how they actually work it, is for the 30 months you are paying for the phone itself. Almost $1000. OMG!
My blackberry was free. I am not a pay-for-this-phone kind of girl.
Over here most all phones are prepaid. The iphone is a contract because of how much it costs.
There are 3 services here that I know of. WIND, VODAPHONE, and TIM. Most everyone here has wind. So we went with wind. That way all the calling between them was free.
You also don't pay by month, you pay by week. You can put 25 Euro on your account and they'll just pull the weekly fee off. It's 1 euro a week for 1000 texts, 2 euro for 250 minutes a week. and 9 euro a month for unlimited internet.
Phones start off at 29 Euro (which reminds me of my first cell phone ever) and go up from there.
I went with a 79 euro phone ($112.45). It looks alot like a blackberry curve. I get it all started up. And it has email, internet, twitter and facebook on it. I love it! It's not the cheapest of the cheap but its not over the top.
Plus who am i going to call anyway? At first I didn't know anyone. And everyone from the 'brigade' here at hell-tel all got wind too, so I'm pretty much set. So for 21 euro a month (LESS THEN $30) I get my unlimited internet and all the calling I need.
Cell phones are much cheaper here then the states. Now to call the states from your cell is possibly. I have! For about 5 minutes of talk, its 3 euro. Pretty much $1 a minute. ALL incoming calls to your cell are free. You can be out of euro and still get calls.
Also when you get a home phone, you can call the states UNLIMITED for 10euro a month, but it costs to call within Italy. So use your cell for country calls and your home phone for state calling and you'll be in the clear and all for less then 40euro a month.
Before we left NY I inquired about an iphone and all this nonsense. Well since Verizon's iphone works on the wrong network it wasn't worth the switch. So I got the global plan on my blackberry. I love my blackberry when it wants to work. I knew the bill would be rather high. I didn't mind, since I need a local number for my family.
When I got here I inquired about getting a european Iphone 4. It was like 55 Euro a month ($91) for 30 months and that was everything I needed/wanted. Well turns out how they actually work it, is for the 30 months you are paying for the phone itself. Almost $1000. OMG!
My blackberry was free. I am not a pay-for-this-phone kind of girl.
Over here most all phones are prepaid. The iphone is a contract because of how much it costs.
There are 3 services here that I know of. WIND, VODAPHONE, and TIM. Most everyone here has wind. So we went with wind. That way all the calling between them was free.
You also don't pay by month, you pay by week. You can put 25 Euro on your account and they'll just pull the weekly fee off. It's 1 euro a week for 1000 texts, 2 euro for 250 minutes a week. and 9 euro a month for unlimited internet.
Phones start off at 29 Euro (which reminds me of my first cell phone ever) and go up from there.
I went with a 79 euro phone ($112.45). It looks alot like a blackberry curve. I get it all started up. And it has email, internet, twitter and facebook on it. I love it! It's not the cheapest of the cheap but its not over the top.
Plus who am i going to call anyway? At first I didn't know anyone. And everyone from the 'brigade' here at hell-tel all got wind too, so I'm pretty much set. So for 21 euro a month (LESS THEN $30) I get my unlimited internet and all the calling I need.
Cell phones are much cheaper here then the states. Now to call the states from your cell is possibly. I have! For about 5 minutes of talk, its 3 euro. Pretty much $1 a minute. ALL incoming calls to your cell are free. You can be out of euro and still get calls.
Also when you get a home phone, you can call the states UNLIMITED for 10euro a month, but it costs to call within Italy. So use your cell for country calls and your home phone for state calling and you'll be in the clear and all for less then 40euro a month.
MilSpouse Friday Fill-In
Today I am Playing along again with Wifey with the Friday fill in.
1.What is your must have gadget? submitted by Flying High With My Flyboy
I don't just have 1, I have a few. My lap top, my US blackberry, my italian cell phone, and my cameras. My little point and shoot and my dslr.
2.How does your adulthood compare to what you imagined it would be like when you were a little kid? submitted by L to the Third
It doesn't even compare. I expected life to be much easier!
3.What is your favorite chocolate recipe? submitted by Our First Deployment
My all time favorite chocolate recipe is Oreo Truffle!
1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted
Directions
Directions
Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator
I however scrape the filling out of each one instead of crushing with the filling in. I prefer the texture :) It's a pain but worth it!
4.How do you deal with military life when it gets to be to much or to hard? submitted by Combat Boots And Pointe Shoes
It's never been 'too hard', it's a life style. A whole new way of living. You just have to get in the groove and flow with it. I was tested 3 years ago when my husband was injured in Iraq. Thank goodness he was alright but that really tested me. I have a very wonderful support system, who understand me. Maybe not the life but they understand me, so I am able to talk to them. Talking is my way 'out'.
5.What piece of advice would you give a new Military spouse facing their first deployment? submitted by The Albrecht Squad
OHHHH! I could have quite the list for this one. #1 Don't give up your home and go home to family. #2 DONT become a part of the FRG. Bahahah... this goes without saying. DRAMA! #3 Don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring. You'll go crazy. I learned this my first deployment. #4 Don't answer the phone to your granny 1000 miles away, the first question will always be "Did you hear from (your husbands name here)" I haven't talked to my grandmother in months *wink* lol. #5 Find a new hobby. Go to the gym, make quilts, talk on the phone a lot. Just don't pick up shopping like me. LOL. Anything to make the time pass. I talked on the phone clear from the time I woke up in the morning until I went to bed. #6 Try and stick to a schedule. I got so screwed up with my sleep I am still paying for it. Going to bed at 3-4am waking up at 6-7am. And tired all day long!
1.What is your must have gadget? submitted by Flying High With My Flyboy
I don't just have 1, I have a few. My lap top, my US blackberry, my italian cell phone, and my cameras. My little point and shoot and my dslr.
2.How does your adulthood compare to what you imagined it would be like when you were a little kid? submitted by L to the Third
It doesn't even compare. I expected life to be much easier!
3.What is your favorite chocolate recipe? submitted by Our First Deployment
My all time favorite chocolate recipe is Oreo Truffle!
1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted
Directions
Directions
Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator
I however scrape the filling out of each one instead of crushing with the filling in. I prefer the texture :) It's a pain but worth it!
4.How do you deal with military life when it gets to be to much or to hard? submitted by Combat Boots And Pointe Shoes
It's never been 'too hard', it's a life style. A whole new way of living. You just have to get in the groove and flow with it. I was tested 3 years ago when my husband was injured in Iraq. Thank goodness he was alright but that really tested me. I have a very wonderful support system, who understand me. Maybe not the life but they understand me, so I am able to talk to them. Talking is my way 'out'.
5.What piece of advice would you give a new Military spouse facing their first deployment? submitted by The Albrecht Squad
OHHHH! I could have quite the list for this one. #1 Don't give up your home and go home to family. #2 DONT become a part of the FRG. Bahahah... this goes without saying. DRAMA! #3 Don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring. You'll go crazy. I learned this my first deployment. #4 Don't answer the phone to your granny 1000 miles away, the first question will always be "Did you hear from (your husbands name here)" I haven't talked to my grandmother in months *wink* lol. #5 Find a new hobby. Go to the gym, make quilts, talk on the phone a lot. Just don't pick up shopping like me. LOL. Anything to make the time pass. I talked on the phone clear from the time I woke up in the morning until I went to bed. #6 Try and stick to a schedule. I got so screwed up with my sleep I am still paying for it. Going to bed at 3-4am waking up at 6-7am. And tired all day long!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
International house hunting adventure
When we first found out we were moving abroad (July 2010) my biggest fear was finding a suitable home for my family. Being military you get BAH (stateside) which is an amount to OFF SET housing costs, NOT pay for the ENTIRE house like some people think. Overseas you get OHA which is the same basic concept except its for over seas. You also get a utility allowance overseas because everything is more expensive in general and you also get COLA (cost of living allowance) to help with the cost of normal expenses. Being that our post is small, there isn't military housing so to speak. There is a little gated community for military to live in but there is no way it can accommodate everyone stationed here. If you were to live in the 'housing community' they take all your OHA and you dont ever have to worry about bills other then the bills you create. (ie. internet, cell, car note, etc). The also have government leases (which also take all OHA and you don't worry about anything). Well, personally I did not want to live in the housing community because I wanted to have my own house. However if a house is available for your family you have to take it. Lucky for us, there wasn't one big enough. Nor was there a big enough government lease.
So we began house hunting on the economy! Since I am not a huge fan of the area there was certain things I personally required in a house to be happy for the next X amount of years. I wanted a NICE house. A bit larger then our old house. A window in my kitchen.
I found some house, listed them in order of preference. I had 5. Just incase my first or second choice was taken I had something to fall back on. Also, in italy they have to pay taxes on how many bedrooms there are, so they may list a bedroom as a study room or maids quarters. The house that was my first choice was a '3 bedroom' with a study and maids quarter and the 2nd was a 4 bedroom. I got to look at these on monday.
We went to the first one. I loved it. Went to the second one. I loved it.
#1- 5 floors (4 main floors and heated attic), 5 miles from post, beautiful, everything I wanted.
#2- 2 floors, all marble. was actually 3 bedrooms with a maids quarter outside. Wouldn't really work for us.
We were allowed to look at 5 houses total with the military paying for it. Well, i took pictures of both, showed dan. And we decided... House number 1 will be our NEW HOME!
The bottom floor has a huge livingroom/den with a bathroom, second floor has eat in kitchen and livingroom (that could be a dining room), third floor is 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, fourth floor is 2 bedrooms and a bath, and the fifth floor is maids qaurters/ bedroom and fully heated attic/ new playroom/ office.
I could really see myself enjoying the house. The garage/carport could easily fit 4 cars. So much room to enjoy ourselves. I am really happy with our choice.
Also rent for houses & apts abroad is a bit high. Our rent is 1200Euro which is just about $1700 US dollars. At least the military covers it for us. We are very fortunate. We do our pre negotiation tomorrow and should know when we will move it. Since our house is pretty modern and we dont require much (screens and a lock on one door) we should be in by next week.
I'd like to welcome you to our new home!
If you are pcsing overseas and need any help on housing, it doesn't need to be as stressful as you think. Let me know if you need any advice :)
So we began house hunting on the economy! Since I am not a huge fan of the area there was certain things I personally required in a house to be happy for the next X amount of years. I wanted a NICE house. A bit larger then our old house. A window in my kitchen.
I found some house, listed them in order of preference. I had 5. Just incase my first or second choice was taken I had something to fall back on. Also, in italy they have to pay taxes on how many bedrooms there are, so they may list a bedroom as a study room or maids quarters. The house that was my first choice was a '3 bedroom' with a study and maids quarter and the 2nd was a 4 bedroom. I got to look at these on monday.
We went to the first one. I loved it. Went to the second one. I loved it.
#1- 5 floors (4 main floors and heated attic), 5 miles from post, beautiful, everything I wanted.
#2- 2 floors, all marble. was actually 3 bedrooms with a maids quarter outside. Wouldn't really work for us.
We were allowed to look at 5 houses total with the military paying for it. Well, i took pictures of both, showed dan. And we decided... House number 1 will be our NEW HOME!
The bottom floor has a huge livingroom/den with a bathroom, second floor has eat in kitchen and livingroom (that could be a dining room), third floor is 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, fourth floor is 2 bedrooms and a bath, and the fifth floor is maids qaurters/ bedroom and fully heated attic/ new playroom/ office.
I could really see myself enjoying the house. The garage/carport could easily fit 4 cars. So much room to enjoy ourselves. I am really happy with our choice.
Also rent for houses & apts abroad is a bit high. Our rent is 1200Euro which is just about $1700 US dollars. At least the military covers it for us. We are very fortunate. We do our pre negotiation tomorrow and should know when we will move it. Since our house is pretty modern and we dont require much (screens and a lock on one door) we should be in by next week.
I'd like to welcome you to our new home!
Leading to the 4th floor
Standing in the upstairs living room looking towards 3rd floor.
And............. The view from our new home... The ALPS!
If you are pcsing overseas and need any help on housing, it doesn't need to be as stressful as you think. Let me know if you need any advice :)
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