Could not Resist!

Tags

Fall, Market, pumpkins

This morning as I was surveying the market on my weekly trip, I saw something that I would have expected in a couple of weeks.  Not today!!!!!

I walked over and stood admiring these early season treats.  I almost walked away.  However, it is almost Fall.  I thought just one would make our home glow with the anticipation of the best season.

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It is just an infant.   Just perfect!   It is a grin that is about become a huge smile.

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I found just the perfect place for it!  Right in the kitchen.  Love the navy and pumpkin combo!

Happy weekend!

Gig’em Aggies!

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Are You Ready For Some Football?

Tags

football, Texas A&M Aggies, weekends

I am giddy with anticipation.  As you know Fall is my favorite time of the year.  One of the main reasons is because of football.  College football.

This weekend is the kickoff of another year of dramatic games, Cinderella stories, and just pure passion for this game.  We are devoted Texas A&M fans.  We will be cheering loudly no matter what the outcome will be.

Why am I excited, no clue.  Just something I have always enjoyed.  There is just something that is so simple American about it.  Saturday afternoons and college football.  That is a recipe for a great day!

Hubby has not always shared my joy.  In fact, last year is the first year that we actually sat down and watched one together.  Now he is as hooked as I am!

A wonderful weekend awaits.  Long runs, grilling, and Aggie football.

Happy Friday!

Fresh Beginnings

On Monday another school year began.  When I was a classroom teacher, I was just as excited as the students.  New clothes.  New book bags.  New lunch boxes.  The eagerness was so powerful.  I loved it.  I fed off it!

Now days, I get to watch it from afar.  Missing the conversations about summer and the cool folders they have in the backpacks. 

However, I still get to soak in the lessons they, the students-the customers-bring with them.  It is a reminder that we do get to start again.  That learning is something we should all do everyday.  We should approach life with anticipation. 

Routines are vital.  Our students learn this by the end of the week.  Perhaps that is what I most loved.  

Aw… The good ole days!  As the school doors swing wide open again, it is a time of renewal.     With Fall nipping at our ankles, it is easy to feel fresh and motivated!!!!

Happy Thursday!

 

Between

Tags

Fall, seasons

The evenings are down to the 50s.  The days are getting shorter.  The mornings now require a light jacket.  However, the days are mild.

Summer is easing towards the door.  Fall is coming up the sidewalk. We are sitting at the window just taking it all in.

Football is about to begin.  The leaves are about to become the world’s color wheel.  Scarves, boots, cardigans are about to become  the norm.  Hot chocolate will begin to take its place in our routines.

Here in Germany it is the beginning of Fest season.  Love it.

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  My runs feel like strolls in the park.  The air is brisk, clean.  Pumpkins, leaves, scarecrows…..  Can you see my smile growing?

I cannot help but have a bounce in my step.

Happy Tuesday!

Training update

Tags

half-marathon, Running, training

Wow!  Less than a month before the next half marathon.  Does not seem possible.

My goal is all about time this go around.  I have been doing a lot of weights and treadmill workouts.  I have been saving my long runs for the weekend.  That is when I can see if my training is helping with my speed.

I am feeling pretty good.  This past week was very hectic work wise and I did not get in all the gym time I needed.  However, things are starting to simmer down and my training can move forward.  The best part is I am having fun.  I am pushing myself both mentally and physically.  I like that.

This race is the first time that I am not concerned about finishing.  I know that will occur.  This time it is a mental game.  I am working just as hard mentally as I have been running.  Confidence is something I struggle with as a runner.  Confidence in the quality of running not with running itself.  For the longest time I would not call myself a runner.  I would just go and workout.  Runner has a such an important and powerful rIng to it.

So as I enter my last weeks of training, I am energized about the race and the possibilities.

Happy Monday!

Head over Heels

Tags

heels, shoes, shopping

The heavens opened.  The stars aligned.

Whatever am I speaking of?????

Maybe I am the only one who has had this experience.  You are on a mission.  You have to run in to get one thing.  Time is short.  Then you see something that makes you stop, turn around, and head back.  Something that was not even on your list.  Something that you did not know that you needed.

That just occurred to me.  Not only did I come home with what I planned on, but I came home with these!!!

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You know I needed them!   I am a lover of heels.  I love how they make you look.  I love how they make you feel.  I love the elegance of them.  Besides chocolate, shoes are my weakness.  However, since I am on my feet most of the day, they have to be comfortable.  I will try on a pair and walk around for awhile. I am sure that bothers the sales person.  But they are my feet!

When it comes to clothes and shoes, I go classic.  Think Talbots.

When I saw them, I reversed my direction and headed in to check them out.  Beautiful shoe.  Beautiful fit.  I am looking forward to wearing them next week.

That is happy!!

Our Town

Tags

cobblestone, Germany

I sometimes feel like Julie Andrews in the SOUND OF MUSIC (a classic, by the way!).

I love our small town.  If I could dance and/or sing, I would run through our town twirling.  I would probably trip though since I am not very coordinated…

We have been very lucky, blessed to live in some wonderful places.  However, this place has been the best.  I will only leave here kicking and screaming.  I promise not to utter naughty words in the process.

Our town is quaint.  Our town is what I think about when I think Germany.  It has personality.  It is relaxed.  It gives me the assurance that there is more to life than me and work.  It has its own chocolate factory.  I am not kidding!!!!  I promise we did not pick this town because of that.  However, it was at the top of the pro list….  Need I say more?

This past weekend, after dinner, Hubby and I, hand in hand, strolled through our town. It was a great summer evening to do so.

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Lovely fountain in the center of our town.  I personally think every single town needs a fountain.

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This lovely building is the Rathaus.  It is the City Hall of our town.  I try not to read too much into the fact that in German the city government’s place has the word rat in it…..

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Our town is celebrating its 650th year.  Pretty cool!   I love these old houses.  The woodwork adds so much character.

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My favorite!   This dude is right outside the music school.   Just puts you in the mood to make some beautiful music!

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Just a street view.  Narrow streets.

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See aren’t we lucky to live here?  We have our own cobblestone streets.  I will attest that they are not too nice to heels.  However, I just think about the people who have walked on these stones for 650 years.  Makes you feel small!

I am still pitching myself after living here a little over a year.   It is just a fabulous place to live!

A relic

Tags

electronics, relics, TV

Letting go is sometimes very difficult.

In our house, we have a habit of keeping things forever!  Past the expiration date, even (not food items, though).  That saying you get what you pay for is something we live by.

When we buy any electronics it is only done so after research and comparison shopping.  That has served us very well, I am glad to say.

With that said, it is still hard to depart with something you have had for a while.

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Our dear friend.

Amazing daughter said she cannot remember us having another TV.  About a year ago after we moved into our humble adobe, our dear friend started sporting a small dot in the middle of the screen.  Since we do not watch a lot of TV, it was no big deal.

Not sure if our dear friend was screaming for more attention or what, but that small dot began to grow.  A little at first.  However, it was beginning to hamper our viewing pleasure!  Actually, it became a game to Hubby and I.  The dot became a character in all the movies we watched.  I thought about naming our dot.  I mentioned this to Hubby.  He did an eye roll.

Hubby said enough is enough.  He said we were grown ups.  We have jobs which will enable us to purchase a new one. He went off to research.  I on the other hand, just sat looking longingly at our dear friend.  Amazing Daughter laughed (she does not even own a TV set).

Well Hubby did it.  He has replaced our dear friend with a newer modern model.  It is slick.  It is compact.  I really am trying to be nice.  After all, it will be with us for a long time.  I do miss the dot though!

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I will admit that our dear friend should have been put on a diet.  It was quite heavy as we removed it to the recycling center.

Our dear friend served us well…..

Results of a Summer To Do List Project

Tags

art, quilts, Stairwell, tribal rugs

On my Summer to do list, one of the ‘do’s’ was our stairwell.  I happily repainted the walls a muted white.  My reasoning behind that decision was I wanted to have the natural light and decorations speak, not the color.

If you remember, our stairwell was three different colors.  It was very unsightly!

I am very excited with the results.

The outside light now streams in to provide a glorious relaxing atmosphere.

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I love the light!!.  In the coming months when the sun starts to set around four, the white will lighten the mood.

The fun was making sure that the landing served as a transitional spot for the guest bedroom, my office, and the master bedroom.

The first item I added was this spindle quilt.  It was shades of blue, red, and khaki.

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Next is my favorite find!!!! I found this rug at a flea market (of course!), over a year ago.  I just love the tribal feel of it.

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Fun, isn’t?  I love the pattern. Did I mention that I paid about five bucks for it??????

I bought this German wedding basket after Hubby left for his first deployment in 1995.  It was my ‘Oh, this is going to be hard but this will make it better’ gift to myself.

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It is amazing that it has made it through all of the moves!  For fun, I added a patriotic doll.

Finally, I went in search of art.  I was looking for something airy.  Something that promoted freedom.  I know that sounds strange.  But since the landing is the first and the last spot in our house that we see each day, I was looking to create a space that is relaxing.

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The scene is of a room with a simple lace curtain blowing from the wind.

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Sorry for the shadows!

Last look.

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I am in love with the landing!!!  All I had to do was buy paint and repurpose some items around our lovely abode.

Happy Friday!

Unplugged

Tags

reconnecting, Simply things

We are just going to do it.  No questions. No guilty.  Just pure heaven.

Starting today, one day/evening will be unplugged (I am composing this post on Wednesday evening!).  No computer.  No phone.  No TV. No electronics.   Can we do it?  I do think so.  Actually I am looking forward to it.

So what can we do?  We can read, chat, play games, and my personal favorite, eat!  It is our way of reconnecting to the simple things in life.  To refocus ourselves.  I do not consider this a challenge.  It is kind of like preventative maintenance.

Right now we are starting small.  Just one evening a week.  Later on, I would love to be able to do an entire weekend.  Baby steps.

So, here goes nothing!