Trip summary

As I usually do, I've started several blog entries to tell the delightful yet event filled tale of our PCS back to the good ol' US of A. As per usual, about the time I've decided the adventures are mostly over, something really unexpected happens.

At this point, this entry would be a small book if I detailed everything and now that things seem to have settled down, I thought I'd just give the highlights.

Here's what went wrong:
*Ramstein Air Base doesn't sell diesel fuel. This is only a problem if you aren't familiar with the area, and have rented a car that requires diesel fuel, which of course was our situation.
*Our flight was delayed by the time we checked in for it. This wasn't unexpected - after all it's Ramstein - but it was delayed by over five hours, they accepted space a passengers and then kicked them off (luckily we were traveling on orders), they shuffled us all through security THEN figured out they had double booked many of the seats anyway, then the plane had 'mechanical' trouble (uh huh, suuuuuure) so we all had to leave the gate waiting area and just stand around then make a mad dash for the plane when it was decided it would fly after all. Just a side note - we were originally scheduled to land around 5 pm, we landed well after 11pm. Just sayin'....
*It took us for-evah to get used to the time difference, and for about a week I feared that our new preferred bedtime was going to be 7:35 pm.
*We were planning to go and see family in Oklahoma, which is a straight shot on I-40, but we found out that a huge section of it is closed, which caused a short tempered and less than kind discussion of routes between R and I. (seems awfully silly now, but really important then. I blame the jet lag.)
*We broke our digital camera when we went to the zoo. Granted, it was on the third drop, which of course was by me, but still...
*On our way to my grandmother's 90th birthday extravaganza, S had some projectile vomiting in R's truck, which led to a week long battle with a stomach bug for her. This was also the week we were planning our drive to Oklahoma.
*A huge (for NC, anyway) winter storm blew in on the day we were planning on leaving NC (for like the third or fourth time) putting down alternating layers of ice and snow and closing our alternate route to OK.
*T developed the stomach bug S had just managed to kick that Saturday, and his lasted almost a week too.
*Our truck, our awesome 2003 vehicle with just over 30,000 miles on it that had been waiting for us to return to the US that was PAID OFF kicked the bucket in a huge and expensive way in all that winter weather. Of course this was after we replaced the windshield and bought a camper top so we could haul all the stuff we brought, left, and purchased. Now what are we going to do with all that luggage?!?!?!
*Dropping off some trash for my dad, I managed to pop myself in the nose as I was trying to close the back of our new vehicle. Of course it drew blood, hurt like the dickens, and it was on.....Christmas Eve. Of course.
*There was no room at lodging at our new base and our off base accommodations have been rather interesting, but it fits in with our overall theme for this trip of what doesn't kill you...

Now for the good stuff!
*Hertz didn't cancel our car rental reservation in Baltimore even though we didn't make it there before midnight and couldn't call or email to let them know.
*The kids were absolute champs on the wait for the flight, during the flight, and during all our hours in the car.
*We had put a blanket under the kids' seats in the truck, so when they got sick and threw up, we didn't have to clean the truck upholstery, we just had to wash the car seat covers, the blanket, and their clothes. Since I gag and retch when doing things like that, this was especially appealing to me.
*We got a decent trade in price for our truck, all things considered. Even if we had kept it, the largest repair (replacing the entire drive train) was covered under warranty. Still. Six years later.
*We were able to stay with my dad for our entire extended stay in NC. I can't even fathom how expensive a hotel would have been, not to mention what we would have spent just doing laundry. Yikes!
*We got to see so many of our family and friends even though it was around Christmas time and everyone was super busy. There are so many of you we wanted to see more, but at least now we live closer.
*When our truck broke down, at least we were in NC where help was available. If we had broken down on the road, it would have been in the midst of that horrible weather where we didn't know anyone and more than likely we wouldn't have had cell phone service.
*I got to go to several Zumba classes, two of them followed by amazingly delicious orange truffle martini's. Nothing like working out so you can drink something that delicious. To Chris and Caitlin, my NC workout partners - thanks for some great company and conversations :) Love and miss you guys!!!!!!!!
*We made it from Winston to Illinois in a day, beating out another winter storm. L.U.C.K.Y.
*Our new used car is great and fit twice the luggage we hoped it would. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!
*We realized how blessed we are to have such amazing friends and family, both stateside and in Germany. We love you all, thanks for sticking with us through all the adventure.