Many people are asking what my day is like etc. So I thought, since I’m so far behind in my blogging – why not be a little more behind.

The girls and I leave the house at 8:15. We usually get to meet our neighbor who is walking her beagle – I think his name is Ruffus. She always has something very friendly and cheerful to say, it is a bummer when we miss her. We usually catch the bus right away. This is great – because the girls can go right into their classrooms, so they won’t get cold when the winter starts to come. We have learned that we need to waive our hands in order to signal to the bus driver that we want a ride – Hello Forrest Gump!!! The girls do such a great job of getting the bus driver’s attention. We have our friends on the bus. There is usually a lady sitting in the front seat – who always kisses the girls on the top of their heads every morning. Then there is the nanny of one of Bryce’s classmates. She is going to work at the same time. She is such fun to visit with. She is from Romania and loves it that I am learning Spanish. Today she asked me if I had a dictionary – of course I had to whip it out for proof.

I have been jogging or walking home – which is great exercise. And as my neighbor says – it is indeed uphill both ways!!! On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I get to do laundry. This is because there are 8 permanent residents in the house – each person gets a day, I get three since I get to launder for four. Now mind you, we don’t have a dryer. I need to get that stuff out quick – sometimes it takes a day and a half to dry everything. I also have to hang the sheets and towels and pray for no rain or the sprinklers coming on. While my teeny tiny loads are going, I am doing house chores or working on the computer.

Once laundry is done, I get to take the bus to the grocery store. I usually go to our area store – sometimes I have to go to Carrefour in Majadahonda – which is an hour of transport in itself. I take around the little pull carts – I will take a picture to share. Once my little cart is full – I’m done. I can’t carry more than that. This is why I get to go to the store everyday etc!!! I then bag up my groceries in my environmental bags and head to the bus stop. I have managed to have my book and glasses and read while waiting and on the bus – this is truly an art. But what is more impressive, is seeing me walk down the aisles of a moving bus with loaded groceries!!! Even I crack myself up at the sight I must make.

I unload – work on the grocery list of all of the stuff I didn’t get this time and need to get manana – and then it’s time to get the girls. Sad and rather pathetic.

Living with all of the people is going okay. This house is big enough where we all have our own space. There are some eclectic behaviors/attitudes on occassion that I don’t quite care for – but it is a dormitory for all intense purposes.

Interesting facts/observations about living in Spain/Europe:
-You can’t touch the produce – they have little gloves for that. -You get to go to the lady to have her weigh and bag your produce.
-You have to be aggressive when waiting – people will cut in front of you or drive in front of you
-We have grown to know European showers – where you get all wet, turn off the water, lather, then rinse off and you’re done. (Tricky shower heads etc)
-There are propaganda messages shouted over a loud speaker on a van that drives through the neighborhood around 11 every day – Very nerve wracking. At first I had no idea what they were and was afraid that we were going to be bombed – and where is our bunker? Who’s going to help my kids etc.
-When in public toilets – you do not flush the toilet paper, but put it in the garbage boxes – let’s just say YUCK!
-Vale (sounds like volley with a B) is the word. This means okay, hello, great, understood etc. They say it multiple times and it means multiple things in context. So, if lost or confused, just say Vale.
-They have round abouts here. We didn’t see any in Germany – but Spain loves them. If lost – go slow and stay on the outside lane.
-The milk is at room temperature. We continue to put it in the fridge. It taste yucky to me, but good to Brent (who doesn’t like milk in the US). So we add chocolate.
-You have to go to the farmacia to buy chapstick. I have gotten into the habit of just bringing the old product in order to purchase a similar product.
-Don’t ship Dramamine – It is an illegal drug here and they will send your package back.
-If you mail USPS, they deliver to the post office for pick up. The Post office is between two scary dead end alleys. If you have the packaged mailed for drop off at the house – you have to pay an additional – in cash – at least.
-The jamon (ham) is pig legs on special holders that they shave the meat off of. I don’t know if I will ever get used to that.
-The market and the fish area – is a real adventure. Sometimes the fish is still bubbling/breathing!!!
-The hot chocolate here is the bomb. It is like hot pudding.
-Nutella is going to become a staple in my house – we eat it by the spoonful/jar full.
-The people here are usually very warm and friendly. It is amazing what a smile can do for you here.
-Garbage comes Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Mail only comes once a week, and whenever they feel like delivering
-Food, I pretty much buy what I know, and make meals that I can make or that Brent can barbeque (he is having to use actual charcoal – very difficult, but he is getting the hang of it). When we do go out, we usually don’t have a hard time getting great food – just remember your dictionary.
-I don’t go anywhere without the dictionary. It is getting huge use. The main place to use it, is at the grocery store.
-The bus schedule is a guideline
-Everything is low. – Brent’s dad is having to roll out of bed.
-The tubs are too small – where sitting in the tub is with your knees at your ears
-The walls are made of brick – so no putting the medicine cabinet into the wall – they stick out, if there is even a medicine cabinet
-Our house has used tape for everything as a quick fix.
-It is much more appropriate to walk around the house in AZ talking to the poodles, than walking around this house and talking to myself. It has been suggested that I put a blue tooth into my ear - even if it doesn't work