THE PANTRY

Many of you who know me know I have rampant and certifiable control issues. On a scale of one to ten in the control world, I’d say I rate at about a 1500. Why is this important you ask? Well it’s like this. I have an insane amount of stuff. Now I’m not talking about the normal items like clothes, books and chotchkies that most people have too much of- I am talking about things like spatulas. Spatulas, kitchen gadgets, “teacup collections”, serving platters, and worst of all….FOOD.


Where did it all come from?! Did it procreate in the boxes on the way over the ocean?! I wonder sometimes if I was homeless and starving in another life. I have, seriously, 7 cans of green enchilada sauce, ten packages of whole wheat lasagna noodles 8 bottles of chili garlic sauce and enough salad dressing to keep a small third world country happy to eat salads for a decade or more. I have to be honest and admit though, that I am not sure that even a homeless person could get by on that many pureed green chilies, spicy garlic sauce and fiber-filled pasta. Talk about tummy issues….but that’s another story.

Why is it that I felt that I had to ship all of the above stuff- and more, (you have no idea) over the ocean-blue and back into the land of everything? I suppose the last six years were a lesson in survival of the fittest with concern to grocery shopping. I can’t even begin to count how many times I drove all the way to the American grocery store on base, only to arrive and find that 40% of the things on my list were either not available or discontinued. I learned really quickly that if I wanted something either now, or if I thought I might possibly need it in the future, I’d have to grab it while I could. Another reason is that I had NO storage in my kitchen overseas. What I did have however was a vast and large basement. We called it: The Catacombs. Yes- it was that terrifying big. Extra food went to the basement and well, you know the story, out of sight out of mind. So the next time I decided to make an enchilada casserole- I just hopped in the car and drove to the grocery store and started the process all over again. My basement looked so much like the grocery store that at one point, I actually caught myself thinking that if the power shut off for an extended period of time and/or the world came to an end- I would be able to continue to feed my family; for years.

Hence, the overabundance of canned goods and condiments in my pantry now- none of which is entirely edible on its own and all for which I have no immediate plan for. I suppose the process of systematically going through every room with Jemi will eventually mean that the pantry won’t escape scrutiny and it also means, of course, that I’d better start coming up with some creative ways to use this overabundance of sauces, condiments and pasta in my meals from now until eternity on; unless maybe it begins by donating all my extra food to the homeless. I’m sure they can come up with a much more creative way to serve up those cans of enchilada sauce anyway.

IT'S A NEW DAY.

It’s a new day in the Sandt household. I have decided that ordered chaos is still just that, chaos. It’s time to end it and embrace simplicity. I have felt for awhile now that my life is in utter disarray- literally. It is because of the massive amount of junk lovely things we have accumulated through the years, that each time we move, my mind, as well as our home becomes just a little more insane unorganized.


So now we move on to my solution. My own Personal Savior Professional Organizer! I know what you're thinking, but it really was easier than I thought to make that leap, and while the time and expense is freaking me out doable in small increments; I am excited about all of the possibilities. All it took was for me to watch a rerun of an Oprah episode about hoarders, three episodes of Clean House and an episode of General Hospital.

Why- you ask? What on earth could General Hospital have to do with my cleaning and unpacking issues? It’s called procrastination. I wake up each day with a plan of attack in my head…a long list of impossible things that I WILL accomplish today come hell or high water. I stand in the room I have chosen to work on for that day, staring at all of the boxes needing to be unpacked and/or all of our crap belongings that have already been unpacked, and dumped strewn all over every possible square inch of the floor and surface space. I then walk right back out of the room (in the same footsteps mind you- so that I don’t trip and kill myself or break anything) all the while thinking that a cup of coffee will help my ADD me focus. Of course-then I end up finding a multitude of other things to keep myself busy and blissfully in denial about the room I just left.

Hence, General Hospital. Why not??  It's so motivating! Doesn’t everyone wish their home was as immaculately clean and organized as those houses that the people of Port Charles live in? Have you ever heard Monica Quartermaine complain that she can’t find her freakin’ underwear, telephone, or favorite spatula? I don’t think so.

Jemi Faust is the woman who is crazy enough has agreed to work with me to accomplish my goal. 5000 pounds of useless items gone by next month the time we move again in a year. Keep her in your prayers will you? You all know how serious my control issues have become over the years…her life may be in danger.

Now that I have procrastinated my morning away started my blogging journey, I will leave you so that I might begin my first assigned project. Clearing out a space in the garage to put all of the stuff we will be donating to other households all over Rhode Island.  Well, ok, maybe right after an episode of General Hospital.

More Excitement....

I have some exciting news!  G's Mom is coming to visit!  I am so over the moon about it I can hardly contain myself.  I think, out of all of the people in the world that I would like to share Europe with (that we haven't already of course....) it would be G's Mom.  She's one of my favorite people in the world....which is doubly womderful considering that she is also my Mother-in-law.  How many women in this world can actually say that they LOVE their Mother-in-Law?  I actually have to mention that a don't care for that term at all.  She's Mom.  Not in-law.  Just Mom.  I love having her around and we are destined for so much fun and bonding time when she arrives.
The itinerary is not set in stone, but we are planning a few little jaunts....Paris, Brugge, Trier and possibly even London.  I am hoping they all work out- and that she loves her time with us as much as we love having her. 
Another part of the excitement at the time of her visit will of course, be the move.  We may loose all our belongings to the movers AND also have to ship our car at this time as well,  but we're going to chalk it up to just one more Sandt Family Adventure.  I look forward to keeping you posted!

Our "move" across the border....

So, it's been a while. I have to say the Belgian way of life and the weather especially has actually run my life these past few months. It's funny how, while they "advertise" 4 seasons here there are really only two: light and dark. It's a Europe wide thing actually....at least in the Benelux, so those of you who have suffered through the darkness- you know what I mean. My way of thinking actually goes along the lines of: if it's gonna be dark cold and generally crappy- at least let it snow so I don't have to feel so guilty for not venturing outside my house today.
I know many will not agree to the snow part of that statement- but really- can you enjoy hot cocoa with pepermint candy canes quite as much if there isn't just a bit of snow outside??

We have been entering the base community very slowly this PCS. I think it is a multitude of reasons, most being the fact that we all felt more culture shock in this move than any other so far. I know, you are thinking I should quit whining that since we've lived in Europe for almost 6 years- moving just across a border shouldn't be so different. Let me tell you pal- IT IS!
Language is probably our main problem here, (Uhhhmmmmm, French is impossible HARD!) Second, is the sheer expense of just living. Let me explain.  Most countries welcome the US Military and their SOFA agreements actually attest to that fact by allowing us not to pay that country's taxes and generally be able to live just a teensie bit cheaper better.  I suppose most European countries understand as well that the pain in the ass slight hassle that we have to go through just to fill out tax free paperwork will deter some idots people from doing it at all.  So they'll always end up getting their money out of us in some way anyway, eve if it's only through more sneaky legal means (such as positioning traffic cameras in every cow pasture at every intersection  just to insure they catch us speeding at some point.)
But here in Belgium, the government seems to have decided that if we're going to be here- they are going to milk us for all we have pretty much try to make our lives as difficult as possible in every way least of which is the fact that as renters we end up paying much more than rent in the long run....but that's another story.

So, now that I have subjected you to my whining negativity and since I have pretty much done nothing but complain about Belgium- here are some things I DO enjoy for my many optimistic friends who will need to hear that I still have a bit of joy left in me.

I love the base here, it is simply great. SO many things to do. There is a theater for movies and another one for productions, a truly awesome bowling alley that serves yummy pizza and beer (wine too for those of us who swing that way.)

The school is nice, and gives us a chance to experience yet another style of abuse teaching after being in the German school system for 4 years prior to this. (I think we can all agree that having a parent teacher conference in English is much easier than in a language not our own.)

We recently became involved in the theater program here and on top of us loving it, it is serving the dual purpose of getting me out of my cave house. The production at the moment is "The Wizard of OZ". Bria is thriving and has apparently found her calling as an actress of the stage. The production has spared no expense...pyrotechnics (FIRE!) and video effects are all part of this fabulous show. I only wish our friends and family could be here to see it. But alas, that is what they make DVD cameras for right?

I am truly thankful that we decided to take the plunge and accept the time commitment that a theater project entails- I have met some wonderful and talented people and find myself smiling so much more these days. I predict more of the same in our immediate future.

The PWOC here is also fantastic. I got sidetracked at the beginning of the year and wasn't able to participate in the bible studies, but am back to it right after the holidays. It is so nice to fellowship with other women of the same faith. What a wonderful group of women!

Well, as there is a pile of dishes to clean up after our weekend, and a meal plan for the week that really needs to be accomplished soon before I have to resort to tuna casserole and mystery meat sandwiches for the whole week which would cause a mutiny complaints from the troops I am sure! 

Until we meet again.