Signing Off…

Hmmm……

This here little blog has been a breath of fresh air for me.  I have enjoyed chronicling our little world and sharing it.  It is nothing special, but it sure has felt that way.

Over the holidays I made a decision to put this blog to rest.  Why?   When I do something I want to be able to put my whole heart into it.  Over the last couple of months, I did not feel I was doing that.  It is time to take a step back and focus on family, work, and our life.

No worries!  It has been a lot of fun.  Thank you for your comments, likes, and views!  It has been awesome.

I will still be running, reading with a glass of wine in hand.  We will still take advantage of all the traveling we can.

So in my final post, a huge thank you!

Just a little walk…

Tags

Germany, volksmarching, walking

One of the great activities that you can do in Germany on the weekends is a volksmarch.  Volks means people.  So basically you have a bunch of people walking.  We have not done one in a very long time.  We use to do them a lot when Amazing Daughter was small.  Our favorite one was around Christmas.  You would walk at night and carry flashlights.  The path was lit with candles.   Amazing Daughter was in charge of the flashlight.  In her hands, instead of this serene light it looked more like she was landing planes.

This weekend Hubby and I decided why not.  You can decide the length of your march. We chose the long one, 13 miles.  When you register you get your ‘passport’.

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You will carry itwith you throughout the walk.

Our goal was to just enjoy the walk.  However, my competitive side started coming out within the first ten minutes.  I would see a group right in front of us and I would start to walk faster.  Hubby stopped and reminded me this was not a race and we are suppose to be having fun.  I am so glad he did.  When I stopped competing and just enjoy the walk, the conversation, and the atmosphere of the morning, it was wonderful!

Every three miles they had a ‘kontroll stop’.  This is where you could enjoy a beverage, rest, and of course get your passport stamped.

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I thought they could have been more unique with their stamps, but hey it worked.  At each stop you were stamped.

The trail was well marked for us walkers.

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The walk itself was very pleasurable.  Here are some of the sights.

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It was gorgeous.  Now, at the stamping stations  we only stopped long enough to get stamped.  However, when Hubby saw this…

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we had the ‘privilege’ of looking at this big hole in the ground for about five minutes.  Boys, and what entertains them.

What I liked were the questions along the route.

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The weather was overcast and humid at the start.  We finished the 13 miles in a cool refreshing rain in 3 hours and 52 minutes.

There is another one in a couple of weeks in a different area around here.  The long route for that is 26 miles.  I think were are going to go for it!

Yea, Monday!

Ready to go!

Tags

half-marathon, Running

I just love weekends!   We had great weather and were able to get things done.  Relaxing was number 1 one the list,  

Last weekend before our first half marathon this year.  I got in a five mile run and a 10 miler.  I am feeling good about the upcoming race.  Yesterday I did a long session of yoga.  I will get in a couple of short runs this week and be ready to go Saturday.  During the runs this weekend, I really focused on the aspect that I always leave out… Fun.  

Not running with a watch has allowed that.  Trust me, it is not easy at times.  It goes against who I am.  I feel like a rebel.  This is the real challenge!

Busy week ahead.  Aren’t they all?   But on this Tuesday, I am ready to embrace it and am looking forward to Saturday.

Happy last Tuesday of May.

Slightly unsettling….

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moving, organization, packing

We are moving.  In fact, the packers arrive bright and early Monday morning.  We began to separate our stuff.  Dump, new house, unsure.

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I have decided not to take any bath mats or rugs.  I have decided to only use carpets in the new house.  Hubby liked that decision because he was able to take this stack to the dump.  He does not know that I will have to find a few more, darn.

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The dump pile at the beginning stages.  Hubby again, excited.

I like order.  I like clean.  However, I have come to learn that it is okay to have disorder at times like this.  I know before they pull away with all of our earthly belongings, chaos will take over our usual orderly home.  I am prepared….

Barcelona, part 2

Tags

Barcelona, Casa Batllo, Gaudi

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Back again,  Before leaving I did a lot of research on Barcelona and Gaudi. I might be wrong here, but these two were made for each other.  He was a deeply religious man who used nature as his guide.  It is the way that he used nature that even still just thinking about it, leaves me speechless.

Here is the Casa Batllo  This was/is a house Gaudi was commissioned to build.  To sits on a main drag in downtown Barcelona that also houses high end stores.

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Grand isn’t?  Let’s go inside….

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This was the sitting room.  Pardon the shadows, it was late afternoon when we visited!   The stained glass has to be marvelous with the beautiful Barcelona sun.

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A better view.

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The half bathroom.  The sink looked like a small wave.

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Next we went outside to the patio are.  Nothing missed Gaudi’s eye.  It was the details that I just admired.

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This is the back of the house.

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The patio floor.

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The wall that surrounded the patio.

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A better look.

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Even the building was outlined.  I spent a long time in the patio.  I kept picturing myself there enjoying the colors and the beauty of the space.

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Back inside now.  This was an example of the walls as you walk up the stairs.  The higher we went the bluer the walls were.

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As I said, all the space was designed.  I thought the patio was amazing until a reached the roof.

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Amazing right?  Here is a view of Barcelona from the rooftop.

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What a way to spend an afternoon.  Art comes in all forms.  It is beautiful to enjoy.

On Monday, more from Barcelona. Have a great first weekend of the new year.

One last look!

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The Tree

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Christmas tree, Christmast, decorations, ornaments, travel

Most people feel the tree is the centerpiece of the season.  I happen to agree.  I am not one to have a themed tree.  What makes our tree special are the ornaments that are hanging on it.

Each place we travel, we collect an ornament.  Amazing daughter one year said it was like looking at our travel journal.  Well said.  When we are putting up our tree each piece of history is relived, a laugh is shared, a dish becomes alive again.  That is Christmas to me.

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The tree this year is shorter and fatter!  I just love full trees.

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All lit up!  We were almost finished with the decorating.

 

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A Belgium lace Santa.  Can you think chocolate??

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There is just something about a Santa attired in full Scottish gear!  I love that he is playing the bagpipes!

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Delft, Holland.  The blues…..

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Our whirling Turkish friend!

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German woodwork….

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Our 20th anniversary trip.  Seafood, hiking, and wine…

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We will never forget our roots!

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Amazing Daughter feels that no tree is complete without this!

 

Don’t you just love this time of year???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

Book Review: The Churchills

Tags

books, England, Winston Churchill, World War II

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I am very fascinated by this man.  Yes, he was a little arrogant.  He was not good at taking no for an answer.  I love the fact that as a journalist covering the Boer War,  he took over 70 pieces of luggage.  He had all the good stuff from home to make the war zone easier.

The book- The Churchills In Love and War by Mary Lovell- expanded on the history of the entire Churchill family.  We started back in the 1600’s and worked our way up.  I needed a score card to keep up with the relationships of these people though!  WOW!  Besides spending a lot of money, they sure did explore companions outside of their marriages.  However, from reading other books on this time period, the Churchill’s were only following the times.

Winston and Clementine understood each other, respected each other, and worshiped each other.  After reading this, I wondered if he would have been the voice of truth during World War II if he did not have her support.  The letters that they wrote back and forth were their living history.  And what a history that it was.

The entire Churchill clan ran in circles of the elite in England.  They had homes in France, Italy.  They enjoy the enriching  lifestyle that money and name could buy.  Nevertheless, they served their country- both the men and the women.  The men in government, military, and in prominent vocations  that supported the growth of England.  The women worked diligently during the wars to assist all soldiers.

The Churchill’s did have an issue with money.  They enjoyed spending it.  I guess they always thought there would be more.

I enjoyed this book on the entire family.  Winston Churchill was a man before his time.  He was brilliant, self- absorbed, and  a family man.  I still have to shake my head every time I read that England voted him out of office right after the end of World War II.  Go figure.

If you love history, World War II, and the society of England you find this book enjoyable.  Fabulous pictures also!

I will end with my all time favorite quote from Mr. Churchill…

You have enemies?  Good.

That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.

Okay one more..

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity.

An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Spring Cleaning, part 2

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bathrooms, Spring Cleaning

We are back to it again this weekend.  Not in the same devotion and fashion as last weekend.  Our goals are smaller and our time is shorter.  It is Easter afterall! 

Hubby spent yesterday in the yard getting rid of dead stuff.  Surveying the beds and making plans.  I know that his head is just spinning.  He is making his list of the things we need to do in the future to get the yard enjoyable! 

I spent a small part of the day doing the bathrooms.  Joy.  I will admit that bathrooms are my least favorite thing to clean.  They just gross me out.  On the other hand, I have to have a clean bathroom.  If it is not, then I’m grossed out!  I have a lot of hair.  Just blowdrying it and knowing that at least a thousand strands of hair will be on the ground is well…. you guessed it gross.  I’m just strange that way!

Getting in the ‘powder’ rooms was something I do not look forward to.  I sucked it up, put on my big girl panties and marched in.  Every nook and cranny is sparkling.  Every countertop and drawer is fresh.  Now I will be fretting every time we have to use them!  I realized that I have to ‘Spring clean’ the bathrooms every single week.  What a dilemma!

Today, is a day to reflect on other things.  Hope you enjoy this special day!

Easter- Part 2

Tags

decorations, Easter

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Day two of Easter fun!  Today we are going to look at the ‘non-egg’ display around the house.  I will not bore you with all just the two that I like the best!

One thing about living in Germany that I love is the use of all things nature.  They bring the outside inside.  I guess since this is my home away from home, so to speak, this has been my background.  This is what I know.

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This is my favorite display.  I call them momma and papa rabbit.  I found them at an Easter Market a while back.  The deals of the two are marvels!  They even have their tails painted in the back!  The eggs in the basket are all individually handpainted.  They are fabulous.

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Closer look of papa rabbit.  The bell in his hand is also handpainted flowers.

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Here is momma rabbit.  She is in traditional German attire.  Love it!

In the middle of these lovely people I have placed a simple (understatement) painted egg.  This is real egg and it is delicately handpainted.

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Look at that detail.  Very masterful.  A little crooked though!  Not the egg just my placement of it in the egg holder!

I have another display of traditional German Spring.  Again, very natural.  Wood cut outs!

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The Frau and Herr are watering the beautiful flowers!  They are painted in greens and burst of red.

Spring has spring in our house!!  Looking around and being able to enjoy little spots of happiness in the house is very much treasured around here.

Tomorrow we will take a break from Easter for a Cooking with the Daisies post!  However we will finish out the week looking at the rest of the Easter treasures!