A mini rant

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

from one pissed off tired old widow...so I go to change all of our accounts into my name since everything was in Markus' name and he handled EVERYTHING. I successfully changed my cable bill into my name but they charged me over 30 euro because it was considered a "new account." I changed our electricity bill into my name with no problems, I was able to cancel all of his credit cards and thank God he had an insurance policy on them and they were wiped clean. Then I attempted to change my handy number account with VODAFON and they sent me a packet of papers to fill out and my father in law completed them and I signed on the dotted line and sent them off thinking everything was ok but tonight, I find out my phone has been shut off! Called their 24 hour hotline. Nobody home. This is all in addition to the mountains of paperwork from the gosh darn german government. I've had it!

ok, rant off.

[VenusRising]

1. Dealing with this is hard enough.

Having to deal with this in a foreign country has got make it even worse. I'm so sorry about your difficulties. Lots of hugs and good vibes coming your way.

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

2. Thank you friend

we are in the same sad boat but I can't even take care of the smallest of details because of the language barrier. Some times I can talk to someone who speaks "a little" English and sometimes I can speak to someone with my shitty German. One step forward and 7 steps back is how I feel right now!

:banghead:

Thank you for the hugs sweetie.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[auntAgonist]

3. This is SO hard for both of you ...

sending VenusRising and NPIG lots of hugs good wishes.

:hug:

aA
kesha

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

5. Many thanks

Kesha

[VenusRising]

7. Thank you.

NPIG and I have been supporting each other through this. It helps so much to have someone to talk to who is going through the same thing. I don't think I could have come this far without her.

:hug::grouphug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

8. and I feel the same way

Venus. We are going through the same insane situation and trying to make sense of it all and we are helping each other make some semblance of sense out of this fucking bullshit we've been thrown into. :hug:

[VenusRising]

14. It's one moment at a time, my friend.

We'll get through this together for our beloved husbands. :hug::loveya:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

17. I know we will

it sure hurts like hell along the way though. :hug: :cry: :loveya:

[VenusRising]

19. Yes, it does.

:cry:

[hippywife]

22. Hey there, sweetie.

Good to see you here. I passed my condolences through S. when she came over and told us about Rob. I can't tell you how very sorry I am. I wish I were still up there to offer real support to you.

You are loved and missed. :hug:

[VenusRising]

24. Thank you so much.

I actually never went back to Ohio. I couldn't do it. Our roommate packed the apartment and moved everything to Texas for me. So, now I'm back in the south.

:loveya::hug:

[hippywife]

25. I can't blame you for not wanting to go back.

I'm really glad you had someone to take care of things there for you.

PM me when you feel up to it. Let me know where in TX you are, if you want to.

:loveya:

[VenusRising]

26. I'm in Wichita Falls.

It's where Rob and I met and were from before we moved to Columbus. This seemed like the right place to be. I have friends here and Rob's family is here, too. I like that I'm so close to them. They have been amazing through this whole thing.

[hippywife]

27. Sounds like you are

where you need to be. I'm glad there is so much support for you there. I wish you peace and healing from your heartache, my dear.

:hug:

[abq e streeter]

11. I was not aware that you have experienced a similar loss (sorry for the awkward wording)

My prayers and sympathies to you as well.

[VenusRising]

13. I lost my husband on January 5th.

He was also a DUer. He went by Zodiak.

Thank you for the prayers.

[abq e streeter]

20. hello again, NPIG reminded me of what had happened to your beloved Rob

and when she did,and mentioned his name, I remembered. I believe ( and certainly hope) that I'd posted words of condolence and prayers to you at that time. But glad that you also are checking in and keeping in touch with all those here that care about any and all of our fellow DU brothers and sisters who are going through times of terrible sadness.( and it's a lot more than those relatively few who happen to see your lounge posts and respond to them) Again, both you and N-P.I.G. will stay in my prayers, and I am just one of countless others here who wish you peace and healing, whether those thoughts are posted or not.

[VenusRising]

21. I appreciate your kind words.

I wasn't able to read all of the posts yet, but I have it bookmarked so I can look at it when I'm ready. I don't post much, but I am lurking around.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear theNotoriousP.I.G....

Oh, sweetie...

My heart goes out to you, in the midst of your sea of troubles...

Unbelievable, what you are enduring...

I know you'll get through this, even though it doesn't feel that way now...

:hug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

9. I'll make it Peggy

I might not understand that I have made it but I know I'll make it one way or another. I'm a tough bird. :hug:

[abq e streeter]

6. No words of wisdom from here to help you through this, just continuing prayers and sympathy

...and like so many here, ready to help in whatever small ways I can from across the world, even if it's nothing more than words of support for you.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

10. Thank you abq e streeter

your words of support have been very helpful and more than enough. You are a special soul to care about a complete stranger.

[MiddleFingerMom]

12. I'm so sorry you're going through this...

.
I get frustrated easily with bureaucracies and end up screwing myself
over by quickly saying, "Fuck it -- I tried."
.
Try your best to persevere. Do you have a German friend (or a fluent
American one) that you can call during times of a language impasse?
.
What's the size of the town you're in? When I lived in Nurnberg, the
majority of the German shopkeepers, bureaucrats, etc. that I had to
deal with had a fairly good working knowledge of English. Their culture
is MUCH more "Know at least two languages"-friendly and many Germans
DID have a fascination with America, making English a potentially
useful second language.
.
Someday, I'll write about the German-American Cowboy & Indian Club
I stumbled upon deep in the woods in a Nurnberg park. Surreal and FUNNY!!
.
It was the smaller towns where English fluency lagged.
.
BTW, pet peeve. All these "You're HERE, learn our language" ignants
almost certainly don't speak another language. I found that when
Americans live in other countries, our collective arrogance shouts,
"I'M HERE -- SPEAKA SOME DAMN ENGLISH". I've actually heard
people say that basic philosophy out loud.
.
I was in a distinct minority who could communicate more deeply than
the usual "Noch ein Bier, bitte!!"
.
Got me started on my own rant.
.
Hope things ease up (for the most part -- there's ALWAYS going to be
something to test you to your limits).
.
Persevere. Don't make things ultimately MUCH worse by saying , "Fuck
this!!"
.
:pals:
.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

15. I'm not in a position to say fuck it and walk away

My husband's remains are here and this is where I will stay for the rest of my life. I will muddle through with my shitty German until I can learn more and I have friends and family who can help me along the way in the meantime. I never assume that somebody should speak English with me and unless I have no idea how to communicate something specific, I always speak in Deutsch first.

[Callalily]

16. All I can off you

are hugs, my support, and prayers.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

18. That's all I need!

Thank you Callalily :hug:

[hippywife]

23. I hope this is soon behind you, NPIG.

It's not like you need the extra aggravation right now. Hang in there, hon. :hug:

[kimi]

28. Bless your heart, and rant away

You deserve calmer days. Best wishes. :hug:

[HopeHoops]

29. And here I thought this was going to be about Altoids or unwrapped restaurant mints.

:shrug:

[MissHoneychurch]

30. Notorious,

I hope you know you can ask me for help when needed :hug:

I see you had an encounter with the GEZ ... they are suckers for sure.
And Vodafone ... I haven't had really problems with them so far, but I feel your pain. 24hour hotline? They close down at 10pm.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

31. Hey honey

I've got a scanner and I'm not afraid to use it :)

I sent off my documents to the GEZ and haven't heard back from them but hopefully they will exempt me from having to pay 54 euros every three months for the pleasure of having a tv and radio!

Finally got in touch with someone from Vodaphone who could help me today and apparently, I'm out of luck with my handy for 5 days, until the new smart card they applied to my "new account" arrives.

Last hurdle; home phone, internet service and getting my dog registered with the city of Munich!

Wish me luck!