We're off.....

Barcelona here we come.......

See ya in 6 days!

Sophie has a boyfriend

Sophie and Eddie sitting in a tree...k.i.s.s.i.n.g ! We met Eddie on our country walk, boy was Sophie excited. Eddie was pretty happy too, I think he wanted a lot more than a kiss if you know what I mean. I think Sophie had a pretty good Sunday!!

Sundays in my city- Flower Boxes

One of my favorite things about my city is the flower boxes on the houses and businesses. Here are a few of my favorites.

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

They're here.....

Three of my sister arrived today....! I have been crying from laughing so hard. Here is a picture of two of them and their travel pillows...the lack of sleep and wine have caught up to them. I don't think I will be sporting any make up this week...too much laughter.

Please don't be JEALOUS....

Some of you live in BIG cities and get amazing music concerts, like U2 or Madonna, Taylor Swift what have you. On October 20,2009 .......are you sitting....in Bremen, Germany at our Musical Theatre...... oh my god...hold on I have to catch my breath. Okay I'm fine ....anyways back to our concert announcement...yes we are getting

I know...can you believe it!!

Sorry I imagine he is a good singer and so is his band, but all I can think is about that horrible movie I sat through. Water world....back in 1995 and since than not a fan. Sadly I will be out of town when he is here, darn! Tickets are 155-165 EUROS each that is $229-249 US Dollars.

He said your dog has a problem....

Sophie, Sophie, Sophie,Sophie.......why???? Well to say it went well would be a lie! Sophie did her scratching thing and wouldn't stop when he told her to....REALLY Sophie we talk about this!! She was there three hours and he said she just scratched and played a little. He said she is a humans dog not a dogs dog! REALLY!! I thought for sure all the new smells and butts to sniff she would surely stay out of trouble.

He said she can come back but needs her cone and booties with her. I don't think he like her. I'm trying a new vet tomorrow maybe this one will give her a cortisone shot to control the itching.

It's hard to tell if Sophie liked it there or not ....I wish she could talk.

Sophie has an interview tomorrow!

Sophie is being interviewed for a new Boarding/Daycare place. She goes there tomorrow to see if she is a good fit. I'm crossing my fingers her skills from Puppy school come back to her and I hope her German is up to par. This place is the bomb it's no farm its like a country club of dog care. This is a residence with amazing grounds, it's a family atmosphere no kennels and 24 hour care. Basically she is part of their family while she is there.

Sophie has issues, separation anxiety possible OCD of itching, but she is a good dog. She loves kids really any one especially if you pet her. She never barks unless you are vacuuming.

Do I pad her resume or tell them of her ISSUES? What if she is too high maintenance, too needy?

Keep your fingers crossed for poor Sophie, lets hope she gets in.

Sunday in my City- Random

Random facts about my city Bremen, Germany.....

This is the "Spitting Stone". It is the spot the last person was beheaded in 1831. She murdered 15 friends and family with poisonous butter. It's located near the Cathedral in the city center and still today people spit on it. I was told because even today she doesn't deserve any better.

This is one of many painted statues of the Bremen Town Musicians located throughout the city.

The Bremen Town Hall-Rathaus is an amazing site. Every part of this building tells a story. This particular picture shows how the State let the Roman Catholic Church know they are independent and separate. A women is sitting on the Pope takes his Orb and hands it to a Chancellor and for some reason there is a sword in his bottom. Don't ask me just what I was told.

Spotted this handsome tourist...I love his outfit all white except his tie and belt! No white after Labor Day doesn't apply here for some reason.

Say Hi to Mini

This statue is missing it's hen, for some reason people always steal the hen.

The elections are here next week and yesterday in the City Center they had all sorts of activities going on sponsored by one of the Parties. Nothing is ever free in Germany, but this was a rare day, free fun for the kids. Mechanical bull riding...don't ask me why, but this little girl lasted all of 2 seconds.

Another Bremen Town Musicians painted in the city Football colors.

And last but not least every body "Rock-On! and have a wonderful Sunday!

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

Just saying Saturday....

I'm just saying if the Burger King Menu is in English than I think you should be able to speak English!

I'm just saying bathroom windows should have some kind of window covering. Apparently it's not necessary in Bremen. After several stops at various Bauhaus and a conversation with a worker we could be the only ones that don't want to flash our neighbors!

I'm just saying why is it necessary to blow your nose and spit in the shower at 6 a.m. !

I'm just saying if you take a sleeping pill you should not be awake between 2-3 a.m. !

I'm just saying I swear there was a small child running around in our attic at 3 a.m. and scratching the wall behind my bed.

I'm just saying hope you all have a great weekend!

Yum!

Candy Corn I know most of you are saying yuck, it's pure sugar, gross all the corn syrup etc..But all I'm thinking is more for me. This has to be my all time favorite candy but only during the Autumn season. I pretty much have a favorite candy for each holiday or season, I know it's a problem. I can almost hear my Mom, Sister and possibly my Hubby saying how are you going to loose weight with eating candy! Well first of all Candy Corn is fat free....HELLO and could technically count as a serving of vegetables! Corn HELLO again!

It's really not my fault I love Candy Corn. My birthday is October 30th which ironically happens to be National Candy Corn Day, so I was born to love Candy Corn.

So basically it's my Mom's fault!

Visitors

One week from this Friday three of my four sisters are coming to Germany. I'm so excited see them and show them where I live. Mary turned 40 in July so we are celebrating by going to Barcelona, Spain for 6 days. It's really nice to have something to look forward to, but for now I need to get busy cleaning my house...yay visitors!!

Sunday in my city- Burger Park Bremen

Burger Park is located in the heart of the city. For the last 143 years it has been run by Bremen's citizens. Burger Park is the place you go for relaxing and recreation. On a sunny weekend the paths are full of families walking or biking and roller blades. The lawns have people picnicking and sun bathing. There are several restaurants throughout and ice cream stands along the paths. It's a huge park one compared to Hyde Park or Central Park. The park has several lakes and rivers, in warmer months one lake is for swimming with a beach divided one side for families who wear swimming attire and one side for those who enjoy their birthday suits.

The first time we rode our bikes around the park it was a warm Sunday afternoon temperatures in the mid 60's. We happen to ride by the "naked" section of the park, it kinda catches you off guard to see the nakedness soaking up the sun on what I think to be a cool day for a ride.

Being American or maybe being from Utah, the European openness to nudity is still new to us. I think my teenage daughter almost rode right into a tree, naked people were sitting at picnic tables having lunch, standing in line at the snack shack like nothing else mattered.

It is a park for everyone and there is so much to do and see, pictures don't do it justice and one visit is not enough.

Do you know Unknown Mami? She's awesome and she's started a fun Sunday theme inviting you to get out and take pictures of your city to share with the rest of us. Stop by and see her city and many other's as well. Have a wonderful Sunday!

A little bit of Summer hanging on....

Sophie and her issues....

This is Sophie my poor pathetic Wire Fox Terrier. I love her dearly, really I do. I can't imagine life without her. With that said, I'm at my wits end what to do. She has separation anxiety, most likely brought on by the flight over her. She freaks when left alone, itches and licks her skin until raw and bloody. At first we thought it was allergies, but after many test and being observed by our Vet, he says it's anxiety and the itching has become a habit. She wears the cone all day everyday plus booties on her hind legs. Even with the booties she can itch and do damage.

When I'm home with her she is my shadow and usually only itches when we are gone. Today while I was here having my German lesson she ran around the house from door to door, room to room crying and panting as if I was gone. I tried to calm her and nothing would work she kept doing it until she exhausted herself.

I'm beside myself, I think her quality of life is going down hill. Other than sedating her the Vet hasn't given us much advice. Wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with their dog and any advice you can give? Thanks!!!

Sunday in my City -Rhododendron Park

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

Today I want to take you to our Rhododendron Park also called The Botanical Garden here in Bremen, Germany. No matter what time of year this park does not disappoint. There is always something in bloom. It is about a 10 minute bike ride from my house , we have enjoyed many afternoons riding and walking through.

These first three pictures show what it looks like this time of year.

These last three are during the spring when the Rhododendron and Azaleas are at peak. It's truly an amazing sight.

Autumn is in the air

Autumn is here in Northern Germany. Today it was in the low 60’s. Time to turn on the furnace, Hubby doesn't think so, put on a sweater he says. What is autumn? For me it is sweater weather, soups and afternoon tea. Curling up under a blanket, taking a walk kicking through piles of leaves. Acorns and yellow mums, nighttime earlier and earlier.

Growing up in Northern New Jersey I have the fondest childhood memories of autumn. Piles and piles of leaves, having my own rake and a section of the yard, all for me to rake. Riding our bikes through town raining leaves from all the Oak and Maple trees. Cabbage night and my Birthday all on the same night followed by Halloween, my favorite holiday of all.

Now living in Germany, autumn means the same in many ways as before. But different in many ways too. Labor Day is Monday in the States, it was always my official start of the autumn season. Monday is just another day here, no end of summer BBQ, closing the swimming pools, putting up storm windows. Just Monday the 7th of September.

When we moved here a year ago, Labor Day was our first holiday not celebrated. It's hard to think we are coming around again to all the holiday's missed. No Labor Day, no Halloween, no Thanksgiving, all the things that help define autumn.

But the crisp air, leaves and acorns tell me it's here, better go get a sweater on and make some tea. Curl up under a blanket it's here.

Picture taken last autumn on our country walk

PSA-Fruit Flies from Hell

1. I don't know about you but I hate fruit flies.....sorry animal/insect activist. I mean no disrespect really! We buy a lot of fruit and sure enough our kitchen ends up a breading ground for these god awful creatures. Come on people you all hate them ...admit it ! You can't die from them, but they do carry bacteria. Yuck! Thanks to Google I found the easy solution to get rid of them.

   1. Empty jar or plastic container (jam jar 0r cool whip container)

   2. Slice some bananas put in jar

   3. Cover with plastic wrap and a rubber band

   4. Poke holes on top with toothpick.

   They are attracted to bananas and they go in and can't get out. After a couple days throw the container and it's contents in outside garbage. You can also use an apple core, red wine with 3 drops of dish soap, apple cider vinegar.

   Just doing my part to make the world a better place!

   
   

Clogs Glore!

I love clogs! My birthday is next month I'll be 40 again!! I'm trying to decide what pair of Sanita Clogs to add to my collection. Can you help?

Grey Patent

Grey Suede

Leopard Print

Purple Quilt

Black Quilt