Blogs, Facebook, & Twitter

Greetings,



I guess you have noticed I am a little behind on postings, not so frequently on Facebook, and have not twittered in over 50 days. If you think that's bad you should see my school work... missed term paper, missed mid-term exam, missed a book review, and more than 4 discussion posts. Needless to say... I am a little behind and unfortunately, school comes first. I am trying to salvage what's left of a decent grade... if that is possible at this point. (Anyone with an opinion on Joseph Schumpeter.... please respond to this post!)



So thanks for your support and understanding... I will be back shortly, hopefully, if I do not have a breakdown first! And maybe find a few spiritual posts in me somewhere.... I mean this is a faith based blog? Right?



Blessings to all,

Kristie

Cinderella

Greetings,


Okay... here is Cinderella. Not sure if she is hiding her teary-eyed discontentment or asleep.






But here is the only outfit available after our 4th of July midnight beach outing. Kids are funny... you never have any idea what is going to set them off next. In all fairness though, it's the same with me if you keep me up past my bedtime.



Blessings to those needing slumber,

Kristie

Hot off the press

Greetings,


The contents of my luggage could have been the start of the whole fiasco...

... but the other night while attending a friend's birthday party I inquired from another friend about a few items I might need for my other friend.

See the confusion already?

My story is:

I was asking my friend Peggy, who has a toddler, where to find a few items for a family member who is coming to Greece next week who will be traveling with my cousin (her son) who is a toddler. Items in question: 1. car seat 2. stroller 3. pack n play.

She answered my questions of where do I find these items, how much, and exactly what is a pack n play, etc. Harmless conversation. Right?

Next thing I know:

Harry is at the bar (ordering a Dt Coke) and our other friend says, "Congratulations Harry" to which he has a very confused look about him. He then looks at me and I rapidly squash the rumor or so I thought.

So to recap:

1. I am not expecting anything other than a few boxes in the mail from Crate and Barrel.

2. The diapers in my suitcase are for Logan, my cousin, who will be here next week.

3. Peggy is loaning me the car seat and pack n play.

4. I now know what a pack n play is.

5. Still looking for a stroller.

6. I wanted to let everyone know in a public forum this rumor is NOT true.

7. If this rumor continues.. I might register at Crate and Barrel anyway.

Blessings to those refraining from gossiping,

I should not sign my name because I am very guilty of partaking in this past time

signed: Pot calling the kettle black

Charge

Greetings,

Seriously... this 2 second video clip is hilarious. Just before our evening walk I had the chance to film her... I wish I had started rolling the camera sooner because she started long before I hit the little button.

Our normal routine:

Every evening just before sunset... it is to hot otherwise... we take a little walk with Miss Peabody. Just over a mile, she frolics and plays, and runs her heart out. She expels all that pent up energy from sitting inside all day.

Around every corner and various stops along the way... she has other canine friends, a stray cat or two she likes to harass and chase back into the trash bin, and even a roster she has captured before (not a pretty sight, but he lived).

We all enjoy our evening time of solitude. It gives us a chance to unwind from the days events and take in the panoramic scenery of out beautiful island we call home.

Blessings to those running full steam,

Kristie

Home alone

Greetings,



I set off on an arduous journey and have returned home again. Now it is just the two of us (isn't that a song?) here at our very quiet abode.




I wonder how long this will last?



Blessings,

Kristie

5 0 Y E A R S

Greetings,



Here are a few pictures from my grandparents 50th wedding anniverary, I mean these days... how many folks make it to 50 years. If Harry and I live that long and do not kill each other... we are going all out / big time bash.



Meet my gramps.... Buck : avid hunter, fisher, gardner, and loafer accoring to my grandmother. In his defense... he is retired.








Here's my gramma.... Sharon : amazing seamtress, piano playing / worship leader, lover / caretaker of animals (mostly strays), and nagger of grampa. I take after her a lot.





Typically, I do not like wedding cake. A lot of cake that normally tastes like cardboard, but not this cake. WOW! I hope whoever made this is still baking when I need my nezt three tiered monstracity.

And here's Logan coming down the aisle.

Blessings to those who can stick out for 50 very long years,

Kristie

Monkey on your back

Greetings,

For the 4th we took the kids to see fireworks at the beach. Other than trying to find a place to park... seriously where are all of these folks coming from... we had a splendid time.

And the kids had a blast even though we had not planned on turning it into a go into the water (in your swimming trunks kind of) beach trip.

Here is Kadence before these guys reached the actual water.... please notice she is dry.

And here is Logan.... he, his mother Danelle, and the monkey are coming mid-July to visit in Greece for a few weeks. Please notice the harness / monkey on his back. I love it. He gets to wear his friendly monkey on his back and his mom gets to guide him around via a 4 ft. leash.

Here is the start of the soggy downfall. Kadence loves the water.... as you can see by her "Titanic" style grace into the sea. Also notice how only the bottoms of her clothes are wet.

And here is Logan with water almost up to his monkey!

Now her ponytail is wet, but she is still okay.

Baby Karter Lawson finally had to lose the shirt... and Logan has finally wet the monkey.

Now it is just a free-for-all. Splashing and frolicking around.... please notice they are completely drenched from head to toe....

and within 3 minutes.....

Kadence is screaming and crying because she has on wet clothes and did not have anything else to change into. We still had a 45 minute ride... and she was not going home in those wet soggy clothes.

My sister threatened to spank her if she did not "dry it up".... which I thought was funny considering that is just what she wanted... a pair of dry clothes. Finally, Grammie found the only piece of clothing stuffed in the corner of the RV... Kadence's Cinderella costume. So she donned the fairy princess gear and continued to cry because she had on NO undergarments.

I should have taken a picture of the Cinderella, but she was in no mood for a photo shoot. I guess she wound up with a monkey on her back.

Blessings to those who carry extra drauers,

Kristie

*not sure how to spell the southern slang for drawer / underwear*

4th of July

Greetings,



Here are a few pictures taken when our guys (and gals) here at Souda Bay. I thought it appropriate to share on the 4th.

And I simply love this one....

How cool of a picture is that? Thanks to the PAO (Public Affairs Officer) who took this amazing shot.

Blessings to those living in the best country in the world!

Kristie

Welcome home duet

Greetings,



I have made it safely home. Unlike my parents and Kayne, how left Greece the day before I did.... these guys we rerouted from Athens - Atlanta New York's JFK. From their they sat ALL day only to make the last flight out to Atlanta... that is except for my dad. He took a cab to LaGuardia to fly out first thing the following morning.



Kayne and my mom spent the night in Atlanta and jumped on the first flight North Florida bound. While my dad missed the first few flights and rerouted himself to Jacksonville, FL.



My itinerary:

Athens - Atlanta seat 1 D (business class)

Atlanta - VPS (Fort Walton Beach, FL) seat 2 B



Smooth flying the entire way, until Harry forgot to call and tell my family what time and what airport I was flying into.



Harry told me.... my parents, "Got their wires crossed and they should be there in about 30 minutes" were his exact words as he is explaining to me why no one is at the airport to retrieve me.



My parents told me....."Harry called and said he fell sleep.. we have been calling him for several hours now"...and I believe them. In defense of Harry it was 4 am in the morning, but I am still not talking to him.



He also told me my parents would be there in 30 minutes to pick me up.... and in reality that was before he even called them to tell them I had arrived. So they had not even left their house yet.... which is an hour away.



So if you see harry tell him I finally made it safely home, without his help.... I am not talking to him right.



But even with all the hassle.... I am home. My parents have made it safely home. My family from Charlotte, NC made it in.



And this was our welcome home duet we received early the next morning...












Logan and Kadence were performing during our breakfast. Not sure if they have had a bath or tooth brushing, and Kadence's hair looks a little unbrushed, but man could they bang out a tune.

I saved the video for another time...

Blessings to those with a good ear,

Kristie

Heading home

Greetings,


I have returned from Italy... but only to head out again. My grandparents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this weekend, so the gang minus Harry is gathering for the festivities.



Considering I just jumped off an airplane... I am not so eager to make the 20+ hour trek back stateside, but I would not miss it for the world.



Blessings to those surviving 50 years of marriage,

Kristie

And the list keeps growing..

Greetings,


A friend sent this my way on facebook..


13 things I love about America, that I didn't know I loved until I lived overseas.



1. Miles, gallons, feet, pounds....
2. 24-hour everything
3. Electronic bill payment
4. Central Air Conditioning and Heat (which are used in the right season)
5. People that are American first, and ethnic second (or more simply....Americans)
6. The efficiency of our bureaucratic offices. You will just have to trust me on this one.
7. Market economy--though this appears to quickly be disappearing
8. Not fighting centuries old wars.
9. The work ethic.
10. Chain stores and restaurants--(FYI--European McDonald's do now have Quarter Pounders, but nobody knows what the name means)
11. Rights that are recognized as given to all men and not subject to the whims of men.
12. Freedom to worship without reprisal, (which is a typical characteristic of a Christian nation)13. Beaches free of Speedo-wearers (our Canadian tourists notwithstanding)





then he tagged me.... I guess he thought I would enjoy this and add to the list.

So I did....

14. Pay at the pump fuel.
15. Customer service.
16. Quick meals.
17. TOILETS you can FLUSH the paper down.
18. Internet that works.
19. Electrical systems that can functions with more than 2 heating elements running at the same time.. without blowing a fuse.
20. F' instead of C'... you try converting every time you want to cook something
21. Wal-Mart
22. Target
23. Paying in US dollars and no longer converting Euros to dollars in your head.
24. Drivable highways.
25. No more strikes!
26. Again flushable toilets.



and the list could go on and on
and on
and on!


Carl and his lovely family are happily back in the States.... however, the Hansen household can still add to this ever-growing list.


Blessings to those content with their surroundings,

Kristie

Nice digs

Greetings from Italy,


With a little shopping under my belt, I set off for another day of training. I am a little tired from last night.... we had a social at the Admiral's house.... and let me tell you.... I am ready for Harry to promote.



Not sure if he will ever make a Four Star Admiral, which is like what... a O-10... I mean come on... how long do you have to stay in the Navy to make O-10? But after visiting with him and his wife in their lovely home at Villa Nike.... I am all for an extended stay in the Navy.



You should have seen their digs.... I mean a view to die for. A panoramic scenic view of the Naples coastline with Mount Vesuvius in the background.



And he has a staff. I do not mean a cleaning lady or groundskeeper, but a staff. A staff of like 10 people. And that was just the ones I saw. Along with multiple security guards dressed in full regalia standing post like centuries. My favorite were the cooks.... imagine having professional Italian cooks while living in Italy cooking for you daily.



Again.... I repeat... I am ready to rethink this whole stay in the Navy as long as you can thingy. My only request is that he hurries and promotes to the rank that comes with a staff.




Blessings to those in need of a staff,

Kristie

On the GO

Greetings,


Yesterday, I arrived in Italy for a symposium. Typically, this type of thing is NOT my thing, but I was invited to go. And you know how I love the word GO.... especially if it means I can shop at a normal Americanized facility, even if it is in Italy.




Blessings,

Kristie

Just plain tired

Greetings,



Thank you for being patient as I struggle to catch up on everything. From blog posts to school work, from housework to Chapel, from friends to family... the Hansen household has been trying to keep it together.



What an amazing time we have been having with all our guests. We have traveled all around the island, seen places we probably would never have ventured without a little encouragement. And we are still going.



I am so behind on school work it is not funny. Postings.... well as you can see are short, sweet, and to the point and again are extremely behind. I have so many interesting places and pictures to show you... but haven't had the time to sit down, upload, and gather my thoughts for a comprehensive understandable explanation. But I promise.... I will.



It's not just me.... it's Harry .... and the animals too.

A snapped this picture while these guys were snoozing . They looked so peaceful and sweet. With all the traffic around the house these guys have been out of their routine. And loving it.

There is not a suitcase in the house Oliver has not sniffed, rubbed on, and crawled in. There is not a resident in the house Peabody has not sniffed, rubbed on, and crawled on. And treats... these guys have scammed in a week more treats than they would usually be feed in an entire month. No wonder they are fast asleep... they have stuffed bellies.

Blessings to those with a full belly,

Kristie

Spili and lions heads

Greetings,


Spili is a picturesque mountain village located south-east of Rethymno.Due to its altitude the village offers an astonishing view. It is surrounded by verdant vegetation and is filled with trees, fountains, springs and chapels and churches with wonderful murals.

Approximately in the middle of the island of Crete, Spili has everything for the visitor who wants to experience ''natural Crete''. Mount Vorizi which hovers over the town is impressive, but wait until you walk up the side streets of this village to be really impressed. The cobbled streets and flowering shrubs are a photographers dream.

In the centre of the village is a Venetian fountain with a long row of 19 stone lions heads from where crystal-clear water flows splashing welcome cool water into the trough below. Above this starts the climb through the beautifully quaint village streets with their flowered balconies, arches, and cobbles.

Periodically, you will find villagers refilling their water bottles with the fresh mountain spring water flowing from the mouth of these lion heads.

The village is famous for producing unique weaving. The important battle of Mesara, one of the many against the Turkish occupation, took place in 1833 in the village of Spili. In 1941, the village was destroyed by the Germans during World War II.

And it also our stop along the 3 hour journey to Fair Havens, bathroom on the way up and a meal with a stroll on the way back.



Blessings,

Kristie