Tuesday, November 10, 2009

rain,rain go away .....

rain everyday here for the most of November. It's not unusual here, it's Winter! Doesn't mean I have to like it....I think I just forgot how it was last year.  How could I forget the constant gray, rain, mud and damp feeling? This year I'm really going to try and embrace the Gray. Maybe jump in a few puddles along the way.


My Kate in the rain



My new puddle jumpers



My favorite muddy day shoes-Blundies



Probably should be my BFF- My North Face Raincoat



The song I will be singing while jumping in puddles!


Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sunday in my city-Berlin



Berlin is not my actual city but a mere five hour train ride away. Tomorrow November 9, 2009 marks twenty years since "The Wall" came down. So I thought I would pay a tribute to such an event by sharing some of our weekend visit last October.




Checkpoint Charlie



Memorial wall where The Wall once stood, haunting pictures and names of those lives lost trying to cross.



More Checkpoint Charlie



Brandenburg Gate



Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe.



Memorial along the river once dividing the city of those who lost their lives swimming across.

Berlin is a huge city with so much to see, at every turn there is so much history. Due to a huge protest that shut down half the city we didn't see it all, so another trip is in the works. I felt the city was very gray and sterile with vast difference in the East and the West. If you ever have an opportunity to visit it does not disappoint.

If anything tomorrow remember how fortunate we are to have our freedom.Have a wonderful SUNDAY!

Do you know Unknown Mami? She's awesome and she created a fun Sunday theme inviting you to get out and take pictures of your city to share with the rest of us. 

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Happy Birthday Sophie








Sophie is 4 years old today! She doesn't have a clue it's her birthday...maybe it's cause in human years she is 28. Approaching her 30's may be hard, they were for me!  Or is it because she can no longer fit in her Build a Bear cheerleader outfit?


We are celebrating today Sophie style...a walk maybe a ride on the bus, new toy and treat. And than we will let her nap cause that's what she does best.

Happy Birthday Sophie!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Seasons changing




I took this picture at the end of my driveway a week ago ....those trees are bare now!



and so are most of these......



and these.......




I love this Holly Tree in my neighbors yard garden, makes me think of Christmas!




Saw this Evergreen with red berries at park also made me think of Christmas!

We have been having rain everyday this month so far and it's continuing until the 15th....
The temperature is in the 40's during the day and it's been dark and gray, down right dreary.
It's like a light switch went off once the calendar flip from October to November...winter and rain are upon us.
Time to buy a sun lamp aka mood lamp. So the darkness doesn't take over!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

They are already dangling their carrots!




They have started early this year. They know I'm weak. They know I'm online too much. They know I have the time. WHO? The evil Retailers that's WHO! 

All this week every time I open my email it's there dangling "THE CARROT"! 3 days only save 20%, Free Shipping today, Buy one, get half off second! They want me to start Christmas shopping, they want me to think these deals are only for today....! 

It's a conspiracy The Gap, Barnes & Noble, American Eagle all of them, they are trying to break me! 

I'm not caving, just gonna create a few wish list and keep my eye out on coupons and extra special deals!

Anyone caving yet? It's too early right? or is it?



Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Boots that tone your bottom....!











I've got my eye on these FITFLOP boots. I love my sandals, walked miles in Barcelona with my sisters. Love my clogs no pain what so ever, walked all over Italy and water resistant in rain. Now I'm thinking winter and boots. But the hard part is which color Chocolate, Black or Chestnut?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Mean people just suck!

Yesterday I picked up a package from my In-laws at the German Customs office. I think randomly they decide to hold a package for delivery and you must go there and be grilled. It's kinda scary, well lets just say I'm a wimp. First of all this place is far from where I live and past the SBahn line. It's a nondescript building, you enter a room with seats and must wait your turn. So you sit there and you have no idea how they know you are there....but they do! Someone comes out you get to go in.You hand over your first born proper forms and identification.

There was some one sided German conversation in which I listened and nodded to, but responding beyond Ja ( yes) was not the right answer! Oops! SORRY!  So I did my, "Sprechen Sie Englisch? Ja I speak he said....gut so what is you need? And I'm all I have a package to pick up! He gets it and places on counter like it is a bomb or a pile of poop. He says What is this? How many guesses do I get, is what I wanted to say! But this guy had not a shredded of humor or wit about him, imagine Colonial Klink but meaner.

So anyways, I said it's a present from my In laws. He stares at me for what felt like hours...okay a few scary minutes! Hands me a knife box cutter and says OPEN IT ( in a really mean German scary voice)!! So I do and the box is full of those Styrofoam worms, they go everywhere....I was nervous, I might of spilled a few on accident! I take out two wrap gifts and a plastic bag full of Altoid tins. He looks at the Custom Form and says "What is it?" and I'm thinking dude they are wrapped WTH! But I said the form says one is a sweater and the other is a watch/bracelet set. He looks at the bigger of the two and says unwrap that one! I do and hold it up for approval that infact it is a sweather! Than  he holds up the bag with Altoids and says WAS ist Das?
Great so we are back to the whole conversation in German are we? I said they are mints for your breath....and I'm thinking please don't take them I  really need a breath mint right now!! He looks at me in disgust and says okay you can go!
I do my best German Danke Shoen (thank you) and tschuss! (bye) he rolls his eyes and shakes his head like oh now you are going to speak German.

That was the third experience that day of trying and failing and annoying Germans with my lack of language skills. I felt pretty beat up...on my lonely walk back to the SBahn sucking on an Altoid I thought I may never speak German again....better yet other than Starbucks I may never leave my house again!

Everyone always says if you at least try they will appreciate it. Well guess what those people don't exist in my neck of the woods! So until my bruises heal I'm only talking to the Starbucks Barista and my friend the DHL driver. Oh! and the guy at the ice cream store too!


Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sundays In My City- Freimarkt 2009


17 days of Bright lights,Gingerbread hearts, Beer, Pretzels, Midway rides and much more. Since 1035 Bremen has been celebrating "Freimarkt" one of the oldest fairs in Germany. Last night we bundled up and headed out for some fun, festive good times.
When you go to any festival in Germany you have to have the Gluehwein, it's hot mulled red wine. Just the trick to warm you up on a chilly night. Next you have to have a hot pretzel, the best in the world! Basically it's a night of sweets,meats and alcohol. Dinner consist of Beer and Bratwurst and dessert is something I call "little pillows of love", hot donut squares with powder sugar tossed over them. We didn't go on any rides tonight but walked around and watched the excitement and people around us. Being near the end of the festival it was wall to wall people, though crowded it's nice see the people of Bremen happy, smiling and enjoying the night.









Do you know Unknown Mami? She's awesome and she created a fun Sunday theme inviting you to get out and take pictures of your city to share with the rest of us.

Friday, October 30, 2009

40 again!

Today I turned 40 again! My husband and daughter are doing their best to make my Birthday special. It's my second one here in Germany and it's really different not being amongst family and friends. But enough boohoo I'm 40 !! WooHoo!

My husband and daughter surprised me with a gift I have been admiring since we moved here 15 months ago. I was so shocked and thrilled. I wanted to start collecting these on our different trips but they are not everywhere like I imagined. So this is the first of I hope many more to come. Certainly made my day really special.






It's a nesting doll with The Bremen Town Musicians hand painted, it's absolutely gorgeous! I love it! Thank you xo!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

A little of taste of Italy