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!

A little of taste of Italy

ITALY

Vacation recap

Rome rocks!

Tours are the way to go, see so much, learn so much and you don't have to study ahead of time.

Buses and scrambled eggs, plus traffic makes Katelyn throw up.....

Newspaper works like a charm cleaning up throw up!

Bus drivers can be so rude!

Why is there a protest or demonstration every time we are on vacation?

I'm all about freedom of speech except when is messes with the Bus schedules!

Churches,Churches, Churches.. Rome has over 900!

I think we saw all of them....that counts....I get credit for missing mass right?

Marble Men, Fountains, Fresco's, Paintings and Popes Oh my!

Italian Men Food...Yummy!

Wine Best EVER!!!

Rain, freezing cold...wish had heavy coat and gloves...OMG it's so hot why didn't I pack shorts!
Walking,more walking...Spanish steps, steps to the Dome...walking
blisters, achy feet and some whining!

Florence has The DAVID

and more churches, statues, fountains and bridges!

Better Food....oh and the Gelato straight from heaven.

open air markets...leather goods and other crap you don't need!

 Free Internet and cheesy hotel, too tired from walking to use free Internet.

Pisa

Leaning tower, pretty church, crappy lunch.....train ride away!

Result

Loved Rome for its history and beauty

Loved Florence for its Food and Wine

and David too!

Great family time....Blackberry came too, for her GPS skills and bricker breaker for train rides! Oh! and Google knowledge of various facts. No work or emails drafted during this time...so he says!

Back to reality.....and loads of this!

Home Sweet Home! 

Wonderful trip, amazing food and wine.

Great family time, unbelievable sites!

Missed my bed and my Sophie girl.....don't want pasta for a long time!

A Pope, a Queen and lots of Statues

Rome was amazing....I'm pretty sure the Pope waved to me from the Library window. It's not my fault no one else witnessed or my camera was put away. We have walked miles ate the best Italian food, drink some of the best Red Wines and way too many statues and marble Penises for my fifteen year old. Was within spitting distance to the most beautiful Queen of Jordan and so far the Gypsies have been scarce. We are in Florence now and it is all about The David and his grandness!! More later ....Ciao Bella's!!

Thank you Beth

Yesterday my sister Beth from Utah sent me a package. I was so happy when the door  bell rang, mostly because I thought it was the plumber I've been waiting for since Monday. Even better it was my friendly DHL guy, he was my first friend here but that's another story! He always gets excited to talk English, he said I have a package from Salt Lake City Utah in AMERICA !! I of coarse was glad I put a bra on this morning, do to the fact I was jumping up and down like a five year old on Christmas morning.
My package was filled with lots of goodies and an early Birthday present. Thanks Beth I love everything.

Frosting, Cinnamon Crumb Cake, CANDY CORN, roll of Bottle Caps, Spree and Sweetarts, Thanksgiving Nut Cracker and a Circle Scarf.

Me heart my new scarf!!

Thanks Beth

Love and Miss you!

Fit Flop Clogs

Not the prettiest clogs but when I wear them I hear my feet sigh....relief! I have Plantar Fasciitis and man does it ever hurt. These bad boys spell relief especially if I plan on walking or standing for long periods of time. When I went to Spain I wore my Fit Flop sandals and we walked 61 miles. My feet felt pretty good, some pain but we are talking 61 miles. So these guys are coming to Italy with me, it sucks when comfort over pretty is more important. If you have foot pain I totally recommend any of the Fit Flops they are a life saver.

This is my hubby! He loves his job, he is the happiest I have ever seen him. But we never see him, well we see him but there is a phone hooked to his ear and he is engrossed in a conference call. My husband works German hours then rides his bike home, showers, eats dinner, and into our home office, for meetings and updates in California timezone. He works most weekends and in the last eight months has taken a couple Fridays off. He is tired and  spent and really gray now! But it totally works for him in a good way. REALLY!

He was unable to join us on our summer holiday to the States. It was really hard to be on vacation without the person that needs one the most. Luckily our part of Germany is on holiday, school is out for 10 days!

So we leave Thursday for six days in Rome, five days in Florence, Italy. He is leaving his computer and blackberry at home, a true vacation and well needed break. We can't wait to see him and not be shhh! or waved away. Real conversations, meals without a time limit, his undivided attention.

CIAO!

Sundays in my city- Bremen

Sundays in my city....I thought I'd tell you about a few of the curious customs/traditions we have come across.

 Often you will pass the Cathedral steps and find a young man wearing a top hat and sweeping the church steps. The steps are filled with hundreds of beer bottle caps and a party of friends and family cheering and drinking, sometimes singing all the while he sweeps and waits. He is there because he has turned 30 years old and is unmarried, this is his penance! He is waiting to be released of his sweeping duties by the kiss of an unknown young lady. For the ladies that are unmarried at thirty they polish the church door knobs until receiving a kiss from an unknown  young man.

On this day I came upon the sweeper it was really fun and exciting to see, it went on for some time and out of no where a young girl walked up the steps kissed his cheek and kept walking. A roar cheers and laughter and possible begging for her to come back. The birthday boy cracked open a beer and his friends finished cleaning up the Cathedral steps. I have never witnessed a girl celebrating her 30th, but have watched many 30 year old boys sweep the steps.

Time to celebrate!

  

Friends finishing the clean up!

This is not so much as a tradition or custom but something you always find going on in the city. Various artist and music performers entertaining the crowds for small change or more. I love this part of my city, it makes me feel like I'm on vacation.

                                                   

This was a first for me, we came upon him when I was showing my sisters around the city. This is an unmarried man at 40! Wow he is dressed in a donkey suit following a carrot, pulling a cart of beer behind him, with family and friends partying around him. Lots of laughter and mocking...not sure what releases him of his penance.

Hope you enjoyed a few of the entertaining qualities of my city!

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.

On Top !

vielen dank! Joanna over at Fifty Factor sent this cool award to me. I was flattered and tried to rise to the one word challenge. Please go check out Joanna she is 50 but really rocks it some even say it's like she is 40! She does a great Sunday in my city. Please give her some blogging love. 

The idea of the Your Blog Is Over The Top Award is to answer a list of questions using only ONE word! Here's my best shot....

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Gray
3. Your mother? Irish
4. Your father? Merlot
5. Your favorite food? Fattening
6. Your dream last night? Hazy
7.Your favorite drink? Diet Coke
8. Your dream/goal? Dream: Peace - Goal: 15lbs
9. What room are you in? Office
10. Your hobby? Photography
11. Your fear? Fire
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Utah
13. Where were you last night? Delanos
14. Something that you aren't? Tall
15. Muffins? Blueberry
16. Wish list item? Boots
17. Where did you grow up? NJ
18. Last thing you did? Dryer
19. What are you wearing? Sweatshirt
20. Your TV? Sucks
21. Your pet? Asleep
22. Friends? Amazing
23. Your life? Different
24. Your mood? Lazy
25. Missing someone? Many
26. Vehicle? Black (bike)
27. Something you're not wearing? Watch 
28. Your favorite store? lots
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? Recently
31. Last time you cried? Awhile
32. Your best friend? Awesome
33. One place that I go to over and over? Bed
34. One person who emails me regularly? BFF
35. Favorite place to eat? USA

I'm to pass this award along to six Over The Top Blogs that I don't think have participated in this popular meme yet. If you'd like to play along too, feel free to join in. If not, NO pressure. Cut and paste these questions to your post. Please let me know if you play along.

Bobbi at http://www.bobbinlalaland.com/

Somer at http://lovetobreathe.blogspot.com/

Lisa at http://odompartyof5.blogspot.com/

Patty at http://preppyplayer.blogspot.com/

Kwana at http://kwanawrites.blogspot.com/

Jen at http://themcmommychronicles.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Joanna see ya tomorrow in your city!

Sophie

It's been two weeks since Sophie received a new series of antibiotics and a cortisone shot. I'm happy to report she is 100% better. Her skin is cleared up, no itching or nervousness about her. She is like her old self again, energetic and playful, really happy. I 'm hoping and praying it last.

So Gaudi...

Everyone has used the line ....that's so gaudi! I never really thought or knew where that stemmed from. So Spain was not just about the Sangria I learned about culture and art too!

I actually like Antoni Gaudi works and stories about his master pieces. Some I felt like I was in a live game of Candyland....minus the candy canes and ginger bread men.

I believe my face says WTH is that?

Las Ramblas

We stayed on the Las Ramblas..center of the city in an Apartment/Hotel

Which worked out well when you drink too many of these....

And do a gymnastic move, a talent unknown to you and others,

while stumbling I mean walking home.

Mornings on Las Ramblas, were exciting to watch....lots of tourist.

We were lucky to find a little of home for our nutritional breakfast and coffee needs.....

Entertainment !

Colorful treats!

Interesting food choices...if you click on picture you can see these poor pigs. The one on the end was smiling!

Laughing,Talking,German Beer,Walking and Sangria

Today my sister's returned to the states after a ten day visit. We had a great time here in Bremen and in Barcelona, Spain. It was nice to show them where I live and a glimpse into my new life here. We walked a ton, did a lot of site seeing, laughing, eating and too much drinking!

Germany fun! aka too much Beir!

Bremen Town Musicians for good luck!

The reason I'm detoxing!

BARRCELOOOONA!!!!

Foot massage, Sangria and sitting on the beach with Sister's, can't be any better!

Park Guell....words can not describe....gorgeous place ..one of my favorites.

On top of the Casa Mila, one of Gaudi masterpieces.

Girona, Spain view from on top of city wall.

Girona's river front