Eight Stairs Deep

     Alex and I anticipated that our house in Germany may not accommodate our bigger furniture so we opted to leave it in Texas. We did not anticipate however, that a double bed might be out of the question!

     Our belongings made it over the threshhold, just to be halted before the looming staircase. After sizing up the situation, we thought by taking one...possibly two steps out we would be able to angle our boxsprings and bedframes up the steep stairway. Two days and eight stairs later the problem still remained. Not to mention, the screws on every single stair had been stripped to the point that even extractors couln't reverse them out. So with a little metal cutting, hole boring, wood burning and sheer brute force Alex tore the stairs out. But alas, it was all in vain.

The New Digs

     Second to car shopping, finding a house was next on the priority list. I had been occasionally looking on the AHRN website and noticed that houses came and went within literally hours.  Upon our arrival in Germany I started checking the website a couple times a day for any new listings. Four days passed with no luck. On the fifth day a house popped up that seemed like a possibility. I dialed up the lengthy 12 digit European number anticipating the voice of a Gerda Blouth. Gerda explained she actually listed the house two weeks prior but had received no calls. Therefore, she called up the AHRN not more than an hour ago and discovered that the listing was inactive, which of course she remedied immediately. I happened to be her first call. I told her Alex and I would head over to Weilerbach that afternoon to take a peak.

     40 Rummelstrasse is a quaint old farm house that has gradually been updated….or at least partially updated. It sits on the bustling main street of town but has a large fenced back yard, a huge garage, five bedrooms, 2 baths and the fit seemed just right for us.

     We’ll take it! Gerda sheepishly admitted that she had shown it already that morning to a couple who also wanted to rent it but considering they had a dog and that I called first….we got first dibs. Moreover, two other parties were waiting to come see it after us. Then………..as we walked out of the house a black Lexus pulled in…another interested family. Gerda pronounced, “The house is rented.” As we wrapped up paper work in Gerda’s house next door a few other folks showed up in hopes of viewing the house. Whew…..whether that was luck, blessing or sheer coincidence……we are grateful and thrilled!



Ahh....and unpacking begins!



Parks and Pastries

During our short stay on Base the parks have been a big hit!

Snuggles with Dad.

But the pastries have been an even bigger hit!

Deals for Wheels

     After our arrival, the first task needing attention was to pass the German driving test.....then of course, buy cars! Alex and I don’t have the best track record with vehicles so we were hoping our luck would take a turn.

     I started scouring bookoo.com for hoopties and stumbled upon a 1999 Toyota Corolla with only 15,000 miles. I did the initial call and then passed the reins onto Alex. The man selling the Corolla happened to be named Alex as well. Supposedly, it was his Aunt’s car. It was in pristine condition…..etc….etc. We took it on a drive and it seemed every bit as kept up as he claimed. Consequently, a hand shake sealed the deal. Then he mentioned, “Ya….I have a friend ya….selling a BMW ya…..only 68,000 and in super condition ya…would you like to see it ya?” So we looked at it, it drove great too and we said we would take that one as well.

     The whole situation seemed a little bizarre….an Aunt? A friend? Alex mentioned this to the gal working in the title office. She asked, “Often car dealers hire people to sell privately because cars sold from dealer lots have to be guaranteed for 6 months. Are you sure this guy isn’t working for a dealer?” Hmmmmm. Alex strolled out of the office and affronted Alex, “I really liked your Aunt’s name. What was is again?”

Seller, “Ya…Gertrud.”          

Alex, “What’s her whole name?”          

Seller, “Ya..say…name…ya…..not understand…ya...”

Alex, “Are you working for a dealer?”

Seller, “Ya.”

     Supposedly, he lied because Americans tend to be wary of private sellers contracted with dealers. However, we bought both cars anyway because they seemed to check out. Maybe we got a screaming deal or maybe seller Alex walked away chuckling.....stupid Americans!