Schloss Heidelberg

What a beautiful day we had yesterday!We went upto the castle ruins and explored..this is an early 15th century castle from the Holy Roman Empire..the views were breath taking.We took a cable car down from the highest point,met some people from Indiana on the way...so it was nice having conversation from home while enjoying the sights!



Dan and a German cell phone(not)...its an English tour guide


Mal just had her first beer in Germany(ha,ha) funny pic though




Heidelberg is a a big university town,here are some rich frat boys in their blazers and red beanies...cool---what a view they have-600 yr old university here






Very common here in Europe(the WC- wash closet) sometimes,most of the time you have to pay a small fee to go..50 Euro here,someone mans the toilets and cleans them as people go..its nice for a public rest room to be clean!I dont mind!




Dan was learn'in us about the door(teaching) The walls were thick,then they had the iron spikes that came down,and the small door within the door was for messangers..it was said that whoever could bite through the iron ring could be the mistress of the castle-there is a crack that they say a witch made...




Largest Keg in the world. This picture doesn't do the keg justice..it was huge! Over 2 stories high, we walked up stairs to stand on a platform(dance floor) on top of it-the local farmers had to contribute to the keg..holds 55,345 gallons of wine...








Dan getting his Mezzo Mix(like Coke/Orange mixed)



Going back up

Ready for the weekend..not.

Thought this was a cute picture of Spice..Yes Mally had her dressed up again, poor kitty...that kid would be lost without her best buddy!

Weekend is here and no plans but to clean,laundry etc....thats OK because it has turned a bit chilly here and we are all in a lazy mode!Aub mentioned going downtown shopping so we may do that...
I have a million if- ands and buts going through my head.Just life in general and what are we suppossed to be doing next as a family. Some decision making to be done ,a future to be working towards...no biggie-just our life...all i do know for certain is that I am so greatful for the husband and children-family and friends that I do have..thats what its all about anyway---everything else will fall in place--whats that word i am looking for??? PATIENCE!

Luidwigsburg Germany

We went to Luidwigsburg yesterday to the worlds largest pumpkin fest, we got started a bit late and it poured rain,but we had a blast...we want to go back and explore more. Setteled in the stone age onto the celts and romans...lots to see and do there...


Europes Biggest pumpkins

Kel&Dan

There were interesting statues everywhere!Wish i had taken more pics..it was getting to dark.

Malibu

Aubsie and Mommy


Dan swore this guy was giving him the finger..he was talking in a deep voice-in german of coarse..we made stuff up"Yea Shewards be banished from this land forever".It was a cool set up, little scenes from fairy tales everywhere!








We got there a little late, and the weather wasnt the best but we had a great time! What a magical place,fairy tale for sure!!Here we have the Pied Piper,Cinderella,Gulliver's travels,Snow White,Little Red Riding Hood,Pippi Longstocking,Hansel&Greatel& Mother Goose








We had so much fun together..wet but still smiling!

Puss&Boots...not going to touch that one

Girlies picking out their pumkins


Cold from the rain but it was sure worth it!!!

My Dear Copper

Anyone who is close to us knows how much we loved our dog. Copper was put to sleep on Saturday in Indiana after an accident and is buried at the farm where she loved it the most. It has been extremely hard for us all, but we did have 13 wonderful yrs with her...great memories...She was a great family dog and the best traveled dog for sure--we took her everywhere! We loved you and will miss you Cop-Cop!!!!

Rothenburg

We had a great time in rothenburg this past weekend.This is one of our favorite places to go in Germany...12th century..medevil criminalmuseum that is fascinating..and the views are unbelievable...Brought back so many memories!

























!

Great day with the girls!

Aubrey did great getting us around, she knew exactly what strass to take to get downtown.I loved our day,great memories!


Nothing like some hot pomme fritz with mayo on top..oh yeah, we had a pretzel too!!!


Just beautiful today,great weather-scenery was unbelievable..Aub had a necklace handmade by the man in the pic..pretty neat!






love the street performers!


Beautiful church


My girlies


End of the day!!!

Beautiful Flowers!

Beautiful flowers,huh! The teacher I am working for brought these today for Mal&I-along with some other goodies with amazing wrapping and a dear card!(Miss Mallory has been a great help,she has done so many little odd jobs in the room like organizing the house keeping section or putting up chairs for me after school).It should be the other way around-I should have brought Ms.B flowers-- truly anyone reading this should be thanking a kindergarten teacher-They work so hard!!!The dedication those teachers have is unbelievable.
Dan just called,looking like sometime Sunday he should be back...we need him!Think he is planning to spend time with the girls next week,they are out of school for teacher work days...so it will be good for all of them!
Welp, i am tired from a long first week of school,thinking i will take a long bath,put on some jammies and slippers and cuddle up on the couch with my girlies...I bet they could pick out a good movie too!!!!!

I want one...

I want one of these little trucks! Cute huh!!!!!

Gosh I am so tired.Did'nt know it was going to take me this long to get back in the grove of working!!!Or maybe its been the move we have went through and all that has gone on the past 2 months and Dan being gone, but I am tired!
I really am enjoying my job though. I am working with a wonderful teacher.I want so bad to be in that (reading your mind spot) of being one step ahead-I am learning though, I need to regain the school organization skills I had before-being home 4 yrs has made me not have to really think...or to think about other things I should say..
Dan should be home Sat we are hoping!We need to do some sight seeing...Heidelberg is just beautiful right now, the trees are changing the weather a bit cooler...

Road trip

Great short trip!It was quick but worth it!Met Dan then got our hotel rooms,he had to go back to work till about 7, then we went out to a nice German resteraunt and got back around 11. Dan was up and at work at 6 am making a slide presentation and then we had breakfast with him and were off...we were back in Heidelberg by noon...We are all still tired from school and work from last week and getting in the hang of a routine. So hopefully we are all in bed early tonight. Dan should be home next Mon but think he might be heading to the states for a week after only being home 4 days....but all is well here and i am keeping the home fires burning..as always!
Pics of when we first got there,some traing going on,the resteraunt, and dan and i this morn before I left.
I was so proud of myself, It took a lot for me to drive 3 hours on the autobahn..Nothing like going 85 and having a mercedes,bmw,audi or fiat on your tail trying to move ya outta the way--a bit nerve racking.Aub kept telling me I was in the slow lane.But we had fun,good music,beautiful weather....a nice little trip..

Long week!

Things have changed since my last work post. I was offered the kinder job and of coarse jumped at it!Mal and I walk to school each morning-like 2min max! So nice.So girlies started school and I started work , getting into a routine is hard after such a long, drawn out, hectic, busy ,summer but we are making it.All last week I went on home visits with the lead teacher which I think is an awesome thing Department of Defense schools do.We go to each kinders home for 30min and are in their world, so much more comfortable for them!The little ones also start a week late so its no so hectic with the 1st day of school-so i may be really dragging next week after the kids are actually in the class-but I do love it!
Think we are going to visit Dan tomorrow-about a 3 hour drive. So...will have pics to post.

Cute....

My new baby trash can to leave on the counter top for biodegradable compost waste....trying to get organized before heading to work this week...

Cleaning!

Just a question? Is it possible for this place to have more dust than El Paso Texas?Here is Mal cleaning the small parts of an antique we got in Oki...with a q-tip...Its the flow of the flat I guess,or is it that we never shut our windows because there is no air conditioning....!!!!

Job

I am back in the field I love..Although its not the job I wanted(I wanted kinder)this will work.I have a definition: A paraprofessional -- often referred to as an aide -- is a special-education worker who is not licensed to teach, but performs many duties both individually with students and organizationally in the classroom. Your child may be assigned a one-on-one paraprofessional as part of his or her IEP, or interact with a paraprofessional assigned to the classroom. The No Child Left Behind Act expanded the qualifications required to become a paraprofessional, as well as the duties paraprofessionals are permitted to carry out. In general, though, paraprofessionals should be working in support of the teacher, and not teaching themselves. Under ideal circumstances, having a certified, enthusiastic, well-prepared paraprofessional can make an enormous difference in the efficiency of your child's classroom and the implementation of your child's IEP. When there are problems, it is often because paraprofessionals are being asked to do things they are not trained to do, or have been pressed into service to do administrative tasks for the school outside of their support role in the classroom.(By Terri Mauro,about.com)I have done this before and while it is fullfilling I love the hustle of kinder..Maybe next yr although that is where my heart is...
So the rat race begins,Dan is not here until Sept 15th,The day of orientation at Aubrey's high school is the same day as mine, and both girls have dental appointments that day-go figure..I always work it out but the stress is no fun!Mal will be going to the school I am at,which I hope works out. It takes her out of this neighborhood school and the friends that would live and go to school here...The school I am going to is extra amall...like 106 students..only 1 5th grdae so far with 17 students...Mal will be fine. Aub will be right next door so the 3 of us will be riding to work and school togeter again...shades of Okinawa!!I am happy to be back in the department of defense school system though, its a great learning environment...

Some things around here.

I am so hot,not physically,not ticked off,but hot in general-like heat hot.There is no air conditioning here ya know!Being on the 3rd floor doesnt help either.Anyway, thought I would share a few pictures...

Recycling is the law in Germany!Wish it was made this easy in the states- think more poeple would do it.They have the container for the green,white and brown glass-and then the various sorts of trash. The compost bin is the grossest!Also each housing unit is graded on the effort, thats what the 3 green dots represent.I guess this unit has had red before and there is a 50 dollar fee to each tenant.Makes ya think!






This is the landing to our flat(yes still refusing to call it my home or apartment)a tiny little place, about 1200sq feet, thats 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, imagine how cramped it is in here!We keep saying-its give and take,here we have the city, where we will probably move will be away from everything with a bigger house-go figure.The heating rack is in my bath-you can heat up your towels and such --its cool!


Tyler and Aubrey on the web cam!

Today

What a great day! Just us girls, although dan called several times this morning...so he is STILL with us.We got a lot accomplished today.
#1 Aubrey signed up for classes at the highschool.
#2 Went to the awesome Aldi's and bought German goodies..
#3 T-mobile about Aubreys cell
#4 PX and picked up school supplies and such
#5 Girls got great haircuts from a lady from London who we fell in love with, she has lived here 10 yrs...neat gal! The hair dresser is always an important find for us, imagine that!
Had a nice lunch together over on the post dan works at and where we pick up our mail..You know I will fall in love with this place and with our luck be moved..Hummm?

Here are pics of Kinder Uberraschung,kindereggs...if you have ever been to germany you know what I'm talkin about. Have already had some requests to send back to the states..but not allowed to ship them, something about the toy inside being a chocking hazard..yeah yeah...

I'm back

Here I am again. I have really missed blogging and plan to get back into a routine again. I enjoy doing it to keep tack of our adventures as well as an easy way to keep family and friends in the loop.This is going to be pretty basic for now. We left Texas in June,spent a month in Indiana and moved onto Germany in July...things have been extremely hectic and not the best move on record...but we are troopers, and things will get better the more we get setteled! We love Germany(second time here for Dan and I, first time for girls)...So far we have already moved to another location,Aubrey turned 16,Dan and I had our 20th wedding Anniversary(we were here on our 1st-kinda neat)-Mal attended vacation bible school and seemed to really enjoy it,got our household goods delivered,and Dan is gone for a month-the life of a military family...school starts in 2 weeks..and we might- possibly-maybe-could move agian in the near future....I hope to post pics of our trips and sight seeing...for now...here I go again.....


Leaving Texas

Spent month in Indiana

Now living in Germany

Spring Break 09'

Hey click on (view all) and you can go through them one by one..we had a great trip, all tired and glad to be home.Wonderful vacation though...really enjoyed getting away and spending time together with no stress or obligations...

THE BLVD.

Aubrey took this picture last night. I like it. Took 20 years to get here, but were here!!!

Having a slumber party tomorrow night. Going to take the kids to see Coraline(we have seen it once) but Mal picked it again.My baby is going to be 10 on the 2nd, double digits.

Thank goodness for Aubrey and her friends(Molly&Savannah) Last yr they helped with the slumber party and we had a blast(spa night.)This yr is much more simple,smaller group -but Aubrey's friend Kayla is spending the night -it always helps to have extra hands!

So I should have some fun party pictures up this weekend!

Wish me luck!!!

Just Thursday

Not much has changed in the past week or so. Dan should get some briefings next week which should answer some questions like- when do we need to be in Germany,when do we get our pass ports,when are the movers coming etc....

I think I have a sinus infection. Going to the doc tomorrow--or could be allergies-this is one dusty place! Oh yeah-it is the desert!

Here is a pic of Mally and her silly cat Spice. They are ALWAYS together.

Happy Valentines Day!

We had a nice lazy Valentines Day! Did nothing all morn and afternoon then went to Sonic -girls pick,Barnes&Noble- our favorite store...then hit the DQ baby!!!! Blizzards all around! At the book store I picked up a German lesson CD kit that I can listen to in the car or while I am walking. I am certainly not as intimidated about German as I was Japanese!And already have a head start-its starting to click again.

All is quiet, both girlie's in their rooms reading their new books and Dan is watching TV.

Think I will start my lesson.

Having company over for dinner tomorrow who know all about the post we are going to-hope to get a head start on whats to be expected.

Tyler .....

Picture I took on my walk tonight.

Will miss the texas sunsets!

Love is in the air!

Aubreys boyfriend Tyler sent her a huge box of goodies today.

He made her cry, sweet-sweet boy!

We miss ya Ty Ty-Louisiana is to far away!

Thanks for being so good to my girl!

What is a Military Wife?

What is a MILITARY Wife?

They may look different and each is wonderfully unique.
But what do they have in common?

They have THIS IN COMMON!

Lots of moving---
Moving.
Moving far from home.
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with
HER of Course.
Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house.
Moving curtains that won't fit.
Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.
Moving away from friends, moving toward new friends.
Moving her most important luggage; her trunk full of memories.

Often waiting-
Waiting, waiting;
waiting for housing;
waiting for orders;
waiting for deployment;
waiting for reunion;
waiting for phones calls;
waiting for the new curtains to arrive;
waiting for him to come home
For dinner----AGAIN!

They call her 'military dependent', but she knows better.
She can balance a checkbook,
Handle the yard work,
Fix a noisy toilet,
Bury the family pet...
She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move ----
all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.
Reinvents her career with every PCS; locates a house in the desert,
the arctic, or the deep south and learns to call them all 'home.'
She MAKES them all home.

She is fiercely IN-dependent and somewhat hasty;
Leaps into decorating, leadership, volunteering, career alternatives, churches and friendships.
She doesn't have 15 years to get to know people.
Her roots are short but flexible.
She plants annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.
They connect over coffee, rely on the spouse-network and accept offers
of friendship and favors and record addresses in pencil.

Military Wives have a common bond.
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands, his commitment is unique.
He doesn't have a job, he has a 'mission' – he can't decide to quit
-- he's on-call for his country 24/7, but for the military wife, he's the most unreliable guy in town!

His language is foreign:
TDY
PCS
OPR
ACC
BDU

And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long-distance link to keep them informed and the glue that holds them together.

Military Wife has her moments----
she wants to wring his neck, dye his uniform pink, and refuse to move to Siberia.
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days, a travel brochure, a long hot bath, a pledge to the flag, and a wedding picture.
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.

Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.

But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man
Who puts duty first
Who longs to deploy
Who salutes the flag
And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her
Military husband, she will remain his Military wife.

Planning

Anyone want to visit Prague?

Look how close we are going to be. I went there long ago ,on a major shopping trip.Beautiful city!I remember the first time we went to Czechoslovakia -took Mom&Dad.Such a strange experience and surreal.Dans paper work was scrutinized and we began to get nervous.

Now since the fall of the Iron Curtain,Prague is a huge tourist destination.6th most visited European city.

We were in Germany from 89-92. I actually still have a piece of the Berlin Wall.

I know so much has changed. We are getting excited now. Going to take old photos and get pics of the girls in the same spots.

Still cant believe we are going!

Germany.

Yep.Yet another big move. When I am done with this one I will have lived overseas for a total of 10 yrs. Full circle-going back to where we started 20 yrs ago, and to where we will hopefully retire and end this vagabond life-Germany.

We all have very mixed emotions.I think we just thought all was going to be easy and we would be headed close to Indiana. This was a real curve ball. Lots of tears at dinner. But by bedtime a little more excitement.

Of coarse the excitement of living overseas is grand. But all don't realize what goes into it and what is given up. Yet again I will pack away memories that make my home MY home. Storage is a familiar word for us. Here at Bliss is the first place in 20 yrs that I have actually had ALL my stuff.I love my house, a year to enjoy it all isn't enough. My kids have given up so much, family first and for most. Aub a normal high school life-they see and do so much-but I also loved living in the same town, going to basketball games-running around. They don't have that. She will graduate from over there from a small school. Last class had 50 that graduated. She will get her licence but only allowed to drive on post, I think. Japan was like that because the driving age is 18 there. Mal says she doesn't want to go, but she doesn't like any kind of change. Taking her cats will help. Poor Copper probably isn't going. At 13 I think the trip would be cruel. Not taking truck or motorcycle-storage. You put part of your life on hold for 3 yrs.

Aub is feeling better. I know she hates to leave Tyler, although he is in Louisiana-we have to figure out the time difference(8hours) and how and when they will talk and text. She is saying now that she is excited.It will be great-once we get on board and past the shock.Her two best friends from Louisiana are being stationed there in July also-about 2 hours away.They are all thrilled.

We will get to travel though so much more this time. Dan will have more free time and we have more moo la than when he was a private. We will get to see so much.

Still doesn't replace missing my family and friends.

Its still all sinking in.

I'm cheating.

I am cheating on my blog with face book. And I like it. At first I was guilty-but that's life, cant please all. Neat to see pictures of friends from high school and other duty stations! Its fun, although it has taken me away from here some.
Not much going on. The holidays are over, everything is back to normal and we still don't know where we are going to be stationed next.
Got my first ticket ever while my Mom was in the car with me when she was here visiting. Was going 24mph in a 15...The ass gave me a 115.00 ticket.
Dan graduates in May, so not too much longer here...have a military ball we are looking forward to attending in May also.
See, not much going on.
K

Happy New Year!!!!

Tired of trying to get this pic flipped. Computers are not my strong point!Hope everyone is enjoying the NEW YEAR!!!! We had a great New Years Eve. They all played lots of cards. We had fun.Things are winding down. Jeff left,Aubrey's boyfriend headed back to Louisiana,Dan went to school today-kids go back Wed, and Mom and Dad leave Friday. Its going to be quiet around here-we will miss the company!!

Copper Doo

Malibu
Krazy-Kel

Passed out Poppy

Jazzy JeffNeurotic Nana

Awesome Aubs

Dazzlin Dan

Hope 2009 brings health and happiness to all!!!!!

Border Shopping

Nana and I could have spent the entire day going in and out of little shoppes.

We had a lovely day. Went shopping a couple of streets over from the border. We all had a good time. Got great deals on some cheap socks and hair accessories . Lots of just junk down there. Expected more authentic Mexican goods, not so much from China and such. Still fun though. Aub is sad that Tyler leaves tomorrow. But we all enjoyed the day together.Here we are with Tyler's Mom, Tyler-and Aubry's best buddy --Aub,Dan,Mal and me

Surprise

We got the best surprise today! Aubrey's boyfriend from Louisiana rang the door bell at about 8 this evening! I couldn't believe it! Had no clue. Had gone to the movies tonight with Dan and Mom&Dad, came home and had dinner and was cleaning up and the bell rang. Aubrey had known a few hours before and kept a secret. The look on Mallory's face was shock-then she gave him a big hug. Kelly(Tyler's Mom) is here also--its just great! So happy for the kids that they get to see each other-its been 6 months or so. Tomorrow we are all going shopping down by the border and hanging out....pretty neat,huh!!!!!!

Aub and TyTy

Concordia Cemetary..look it up, history!!!

This place is sooo neat! Easy to let your imagination run wild and picture the old west! It is so beautiful , yet so harsh, makes one wander what those times were like... Texas State Historical Cemetery, was founded around 1840, resting place of over 60,000.

I really want to go back and spend more time reading the head stones(some graves had just a simple cross, made from anything you can imagine, some had question marks for birth dates,some just rocks-fascinating to me.
This was a Texas Ranger(Diamond Dick)

Simple and rugged,so much history.

This was a section where buffalo soldiers were buried.

New Mexico

Really having a great time with my parents! We took them to New Mexico-absolutely beautiful scenery!They really enjoyed the beauty of it all. Dan is on his way out now to get my brother (Jeff) in through the gate, he is here from Austin TX. Looking forward to our visit....more pics later..

Poppy&Nana

The gang!

He likes it spicy-Dad bought some HOT salsa!

This was Billy the Kid's hideout.Cool!!!!!

Merry Christmas !!!!

The end to a perfect day. Love this little nativity scene my Mom scent , tiny little egg shaped thing. She got it on a mission trip to Honduras.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Just enjoying the moment,time together. Santa loved his cookies!

Dan got boxers with little motorcycles all over them from the girlie's.

I love Moma Mia, puts a smile on my face!

Aub got mostly clothes, what else do ya get a 15yr old girl!!!!

Mal could not find her stocking this morning! I opened the blinds and she saw a trampoline in the back yard-and her stocking was on top...That Santa is a sly one! He musta been out late figuring that thing out, in the dark, chilly,wind....great guy!

Our fun isnt over just yet. My parents come tomorrow for 2 weeks and my brother will be in from Austin sometime. Have a few trips planned. Cant believe its almost 2009. Where does the time go? Another year,wow.

Christmas Eve

We had a nice evening. Went next door to the neighbors. Had a nice visit. Plan on the usual in the morning--sausage gravy and biscuits...a Christmas tradition. Just feeling really grateful tonight that we are all together. So many kids are without parents in the civilian and military world tonight. We are just so lucky......

Fun!!!

They had a ball all day today, and still going at it. I can see this going on till the wee morning hours. We laughed a lot today!Seeing these three dance together was hilarious! I must say the WII fit is pretty brutal. I am ashamed to say what it says my age is. But I definitely think it will be a motivator.

Early Christmas

We had an early celebration today. Don't know who it was for -Dan or the girls. He thought they should get some gifts early so they could play all this week. Of coarse they were thrilled! But before the festivities began, like so many other occasions in the house...we get a speech from Dan. Sweet really, as we all look at each other and roll our eyes...He makes everything memorable, and special....

Copper-Doo

Our tree.Need to put the angle back on top

Yeah!!! WII FIT !!! We have all been wanting this. Cant wait to learn how to use it.

Merry Christmas girls..

Aub and Mal passed out from all the excitement !

Looking forward to rest of the week, Santa coming, Mom and Dad flying in.Spending time with these guys!!

2 Worlds 1 day!!!

Off to the Wild Wild West!

In The heart Of The Southern Rockies!

We had a blast yesterday! And what a difference a little over 2 hours makes in scenery! From Texas to the beautiful snow caped mountains of New Mexico !

And trees,real trees!!!Not just desert brush.

We stopped at a little visitors center.Met the nicest lady . The girls took their photo op. Aubrey's friend was with us, they have been good friends since 7th grade-lived down the steeet from each other at Ft Polk , her dad just got transferred here from Louisiana. I know they are going to hate leaving each other again when we go in June.

Not far is Roswell New Mexico....We didn't see any UFOs though. Can you pick out which ones are the girls and which are the aliens? I always thought teenagers were a form of aliens!

Ruidoso New Mexico was beautiful. The kids really enjoyed the tubing! It was so cold, I admit I sat the last hour in the truck. This is somewhere we look forward to exploring again soon. A quaint village with ski resorts, cabins, hotels..all nestled up in the mountains, winter paradise but I bet the summers are spectacular also. Lots of history also .

Here they goooooo!

Aubrey did hurt her foot though, a bit bruised.

This was the lift.

Aub and Kayla were fun to watch! That's gettin some air,huh!!!!

Mal loved it!!!

Those two girls again....what a day! No worries, just plain ol' fun!!!!

Me

Reflection. More than anything I want to change, to grow and to become a better person. Maybe hold my tongue longer and think about what I need to say, although its not always heard the way intended. I do love getting older, learning and knowing myself better. I live with ME everyday, and although I don't always like ME, ME is going to be with ME forever. I can only try to improve ME,work on ME's faults and try to learn and go on. I also know I have to be true to ME. ME is control of my ultimate happiness.

I TRY

I try to keep Dan out of the womes section at the department stores!!!

Going anywhere with him and the girls --always entertaining I must say.

My Walks-morning pics

I have been walking every morning for the past couple of months..Almost 4 miles..I love it and am hooked--hope it sticks! Although I must say the colder it gets out the more reluctant I am to get out of bed, so far so good...Dan started with me in Oct, but missed the 2 weeks when he went to Indiana and since being back getting in the groove has been hard for him, his knees are really bothering him and also he goes to school a bit earlier this class. I am usually out of the door by 6am...its beautiful to watch the sun come up, and by the time I make the loop the sun is on the mountains...a peaceful time of day....Have had great walking partners though, Steven Tyler(of Aero Smith of coarse),Billy(Joel),Bob(Seger),Eric(Clapton),Steve(Perry-of Journey-the original),Lionel (Richie- at his best-when he was with the Commadors),my favorite guy

of coarse Marvin Lee Aday(Meatloaf!!!!).I am and always will be a proud 80's geek. Point is..the walk, the beauty,early morn...my music...Love it!

Christmas..Hummmm

Here is my ol' girl with her beagle Christmas ornament!

The house decorated.
I have a love/dislike relationship with Christmas.
Why does it have to be so much work and so stressful.
We always start out the season with a great argument when putting up the tree or the outside lights. This yr. I got Santa and Frosty up...Frosty fell back and knocked off the string of lights across the front of the house that Dan had just put up. Dan then kicked Santa and Frosty across the front yard. Were we having fun yet?
Then the gift buying and who is getting what and how much did you spend on that one..etc...it really takes the fun out of giving-and really, are we just buying to buy, not out of necessity-but because it is Christmas, that's what your supposed to do, right?
The simple, true message and meaning is so lost in today's world. I as a Christian believe in the birth of Christ. And celebrate Christmas as Jesus Birthday.
We have gotten so far away from that humble baby in a manger to the local malls and shopping centers, what gift wrapping paper looks the best..
This time should be simple. Family, good friends-gathering together-sharing-giving-remembering what the holiday is actually about.
I am as guilty as the next person with buying for the girls, and trying to make Christmas extra special, we all want that satisfied warm fuzzy feeling on Christmas morning..of" Hey I did good this yr huh?" Truth is everyday should be special, God gave us that. I need to appreciate my blessings more. That will be my first New Years resolution.

Giving Thanks.....

We had a great Thanksgiving,good company-good food,good conversation...who could ask for more? I am so thankful for the many blessings I have, truly! I am a lucky girl!!!Here Mally and I are getting the turkey ready....I had some great help today!!!!

The three stooges...I mean Aub,Dan and Mal...think Dan was supervising the deviled egg making..
The guys Dan had over were great...really nice!

Again, had a nice time...great company!!!

Aubrey is like"not another picture!!!!"Time to do the dishes and no one in sight...huh?????

Time for some snuggle clothes, a blanket-the couch--and pop in a good dvd for the night!!