My Big Girl Panties Just Got a Little Bigger

Dont forget to enter my giveaway here! 

Let me start off by saying that my new tires are STILL not on my car.....

Ah, the car saga continues!

The day after I talked to the previous owner, he called me and told me he remembered where the lug nut  key was. Score! It was in the black bag in the trunk with the lug nut changer. BUT it was in a hidden pocket on the inside flap that neither I, nor the mechanic saw. I never would have found it! So I called and made another appointment to have my new tires put on.

I was cautiously optimistic that things would go well today and I would drive out of there with my new tires on. How wrong I was. *shakes head*

After about 20 minutes, the main mechanic comes out and says, "Who sold you those tires?". Me: Um, I ordered them online, why?" (dread was rolling through me at this point)

Apparently, the "all weather" tires that we ordered from the States arent actually "all weather" tires here in Germany. WTF, right?!?! He said that they were basically the same as the tires that I already had on my car (summer tires) and there was no point in changing them. He recommended I keep them for the summer and buy winter tires. Oh, and they werent even the right size. Im thinking "You have GOT to be kidding me"!

Sooo, I head home once again without my new tires and called up the company that we ordered them from.  They were very adamant that the tires are "all weather", at least in the States they are. Germany must have different standards for what qualifies as "all weather". Thankfully, the guy on the phone was super nice and helped me order WINTER tires and in the correct size. They are refunding all of my money PLUS reimbursing me for the shipping costs to send the wrong tires back. And I did it all by myself. =)

Now I've got to figure out how to mail the suckers back....

Putting on My Big Girl Panties

When we lived in the States I was a fully functioning, independent, adult woman. I could change a tire,  navigate the interstate and schedule any appointment by myself. I took care of our house and cars during all three deployments, paid the bills and worked full time while going to grad school. I even handled the situation one awful 100º summer day when the air conditioner broke, the toilet broke AND my car died in the driveway, requiring a tow truck and $800 worth of fixing. I could handle it all, because you see, I, am a big girl.

Then we moved across the ocean to a foreign country and this big girl's panties grew a little smaller. I have always considered myself independent and confident in my abilities. If I cant get something done, I know how to ask for help and I will find the answer. Over here though, my confidence is a little shakier, my abilities challenged more often. I know little of the language and feel at a constant disadvantage because of this. The answers dont come quite so easily and help is harder to find.

Today I am faced with one of my first real challenges since moving here and of course, J isnt here to help me out. We bought my car back in September from an AF guy. He was a nice enough kid, but not the most reliable. I liked the car though and we got a great deal on it. He had new tires put on it this past summer. What he forgot to tell us was that they are summer tires. German law dictates that all vehicles must have winter or all weather tires during the winter months. J and I arent familiar with tire types, so we had no idea that our tires were summer tires. That is, until we got stuck in a parking lot and the attending who was helping to get us unstuck told us. He also warned of not getting caught because it would mean a fine. Great. *sigh and eye roll here*

Sooo, we searched for new tires and found a great price online. They were shipped and here within a week (the fastest mail we've received yet!). J was busy with training today, so I made an appt at a German garage and took the car down there myself to get the tires changed. After waiting for 20 minutes, the clerk comes out and tells me that they cant change the tires without the lug nut key. I havent a clue what this even means. They show me an example and tell me that the lug nuts are locked and this "key" is the best way to get them off. Otherwise they will have to charge me 20 more euro and rip the lug nuts off, requiring me to buy a new set for each tire. Um, what?! You've got to be kidding me right?

After searching the car throughly, we came up empty handed. I was now faced with the prospect of tracking down the previous owner and finding out what he did with the flipping key. Of course the number that I had for him wasnt working, but with my super detective skills, I was able to track him down at work. He thought the key was in the trunk, which of course it wasnt, so now I sit here and wait. After work he'll go home and look for the key. If he doenst find it, we are going to be out even more money and I will be even more pissed.

I dont like feeling helpless, but thats exactly how Im feeling at the moment, 

because all I can really do right now is wait. 

But, Ill put on my big girl panties and do what needs to be done. Why? 

Because thats what big girls do. 

It must be guest blogging week for me....

Today I am a guest blogger over at Juli's blog, It's A Dog Tag Wife Life. If you havent checked out her blog, you really, really should. She is adorable, about to get married and features some yummy recipes on Tuesdays. Plus she has the most adorable pets!

Today Im talking about the differences between a Christmas spent in the States vs. one spent in Germany. After the holiday hub-bub settled down I was able to sit and reflect on how this year was different than my twenty-seven last Christmases. I hope you enjoy it! Happy Wednesday!

Especially for You

In honor of reaching 100 followers

(101 now!),

I want to give something back to you in the form of a giveaway.

CSN has offered my readers a 

$45 gift certificate to any of their stores. 

I recently won one of these myself thanks to 

The Annoyed Army Wife. 

I actually gave mine to my mom for her to use.

Being overseas for Christmas this year, 

I didnt feel like Id done enough for her so I 

wanted her to have something else.

She was thrilled which made me even happier that

Id given it to her.

Now, had I have kept it, I would have looked into 

buying a new office chair. 

My current one was $5. I got it back home before

we moved from a large retail store. 

It was on sale and I had a coupon, so it ended up 

being only $5. Well, the old saying is true:

You get what you pay for. 

I thought I would love this chair, but I 

definitely dont. It is not comfortable at all when 

sitting for long periods of time and 

my back always ends up hurting after sitting in it.

While browsing the CSN store All Modern, 

I found several chairs that I liked, 

including the round chair.

The lucky winner of this giveaway will receive a 

$45 coupon to any of CSN's stores. 

Just remember that you need to have a US or Canada 

address. If you live overseas, perhaps you

can ship it to a friend or family's house? 

Entering is easy and the winner will be chosen by

Random.org on January 11th at 1700 CET. 

To enter:

*You MUST be a follower of this blog and leave me a comment telling me this. (1 entry)

*Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment telling me this with your user name. (1 entry)

*Tweet about this giveaway and mention me- @kmack143-. (1 entry)

*Blog about this giveaway. (1 entry)

*Leave a comment telling me your suggestion for a must read book. (1 entry)

So that's it. 

Five chances to win.

Please leave one comment for EACH entry.

(Im not sure why, but most people cant seem to do this. ;) 

Good Luck!

Help Wanted

This is the week of guest blogging. I am featured this week on two of my favorite blogs:
It's a Dog Tag Wife Life and Jolts and Jollies. Now it's my turn to ask for help. I will be taking a trip to the States soon and dont want to neglect my blog. I will have some scheduled posts set up, but I would love to host some guest bloggers as well. If anyone is interested, email me at kendra143j@yahoo.com. The guest post would be needed by the end of January and would be featured in early February.

Happy Monday!

Recipe of the Week

I am a guest blogger today over at Jolts and Jollies and my featured recipe is below. I was so flattered when Maranda asked me to be a guest blogger for her. I've been a fan of hers for a while now, but I only recently found out that she has a cooking blog. Most of you know her from My Camo Colored Life. Well, she also has a blog devoted to cooking and she features some really delicious recipes. If you are ever wondering what to make for dinner or looking for a special dessert that's going to wow your audience, be sure to check out her blog! Dont forget to head over there today and check out my post, because, as always, there is a good story involved.... ;)

Oreo Truffles
Courtesy of: Kraft

Ingredients:
1 pkg. of Oreos
1 pkg. of Baker's white chocolate baking squares
8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Three simple ingredients

I took this picture prior to burning the semi-sweet chocolate. Ha!

1. Crush the Oreos in a medium bowl. I used a food processor,

but you can use a freezer bag and a can of soup. 

2. Mix 3 cups of Oreos with the cream cheese.
Reserve the rest of the crumbs for later.

3. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on wax paper lined cookie sheets.

4. Dip each truffle in white chocolate and place back on wax-paper lined cookie sheet.

I used a fork to dip them into the chocolate.  

5. Sprinkle each truffle with remaining Oreo crumbs. 

6. Enjoy! 

 Happy Monday!

Secret Santa Gifts!

 I participated in two Christmas blog swaps this year. 

The first one was a Secret Santa sponsored by Wife of a Sailor. 

My gift came a few days after Christmas (which is why Im blogging about it now). 

I was so excited to open it, but that was nothing 

compared to my excitement AFTER opening it! 

My Secret Santa was Sam from Life's a Dance. 

If I didnt know any better, I would swear she a) already knew me, 

b) called my husband for ideas or c) is my long lost BFF. 

That's how well she did! 

When I saw everything I started jumping up and down and screeching

while trying to tell J what all was in the box.

So here's what I got: (AKA, the perfect presents for me!)

A super cute card with a 10$ gift certificate for a Kindle book, PUMPKIN SPICE coffee,
Carmel coffee, caramel macchiato creamer, a reusable travel coffee mug & 2 scrapbook paper kits! 

Not the best picture, I know, but YUM! International Delight is my favorite creamer brand!!!

When I saw this I swear I broke out into chills and
a tear came to my eye. 

I cant wait to try this!!!

She really spoiled me. 
Sam, thank you, thank you, thank you! You did a GREAT job!
So great in fact, that my husband was a little jealous.
He always does a fabulous job at gift giving,
but he did not get me pumpkin spice coffee!
Ha!

The second swap was an ornament swap hosted by
The Mrs. at Trying our Best.
My gift was from Sespi at And You Never Did Think.
I received a snowman ornament and some yummy cookies
in the cutest Christmas tin.
No pictures because the ornament broke in transit. =(
But I could tell that it was a super cute snowman.
Thank you Sespi!

These were really fun to participate in so I will probably play again
next year. I hope everyone's holiday's were lovely!
Happy 2011!