Outing with the kids yesterday

Griffin, Ruthie and I walked to town yesterday so that I could get to know the area. Ruthie took a nap in the stroller while Griffin and I went on an "adventure exploring the new area". We found a wonderful bakery where you can get smoothies, and fresh breads, soups and sandwiches (like a family run Atlanta Bread company), then we found a family run grocery store (although they have chain ones that are like publix). We also found the train station and watched the train. We got to see one come in and the people get on and off. Then we found the local police station, the public library-which we are excited about, the butcher shop, fish market, barber shop, hair salon and then got to main street. There is a great book shop and art supply store. It has great supplies and I figure we will be in there often. There are great books to supplement the kid's schooling.

Griffin's legs were tired and he was cold so we turned around and came back. We are going to get some hot water bottles to put in bed with the kids to keep them warm. We have an electric blanket, but are going to get Griffin one. (We won't use the water bottle if we are able to get him one obviously). They have neat water bottles here and you fill them up with very hot water and then put the cover on them so they don't burn the kids. They have fleece covers with spiderman, etc.

You have to turn on the electricity at each outlet on the wall before using something and then turn it off when you are done. Electricity and gas to heat the house cost A Lot!

We did laundry yesterday. It takes about 1 hour to wash and 3 hours in the dryer to dry. We will be spacing that out as well as possible :)

I practiced driving Mary's car around the neighborhood and out on the road going away from town. I would like to go at night when the parking lots are clear to practice parking in the spaces are so small and you have to go back and forth a couple times to get in and out of the parking space. I am sure I will look like Austin Powers trying to turn the cart around.

We leave Monday to go to Germany and will be there through the 24th. I am excited because there will be kids for Griffin to play with. They will even have programs for the kids including how to adjust to a foreign country, how to make new friends, etc. The people here are nice.

Things are going well. I will be happy to get settled and make friends.

Could I possibly jump around more with details? I am mainly writing these for my sake because I know it will be a blur to remember. This way I have the journey recorded.