My Tuesday

Today I got frisked by a nice young German policeman....okay well not psychically, he had a wand that beeped a lot. We needed to get some documents notarized, it is very difficult and costly to have done here in Germany. We had to go to the US Consulate office so that is why we were frisked or scanned. High security, like at the airport...kinda made me chuckle a lot of hoopla for a couple stamps.

After I left there I was waiting for my tram, though I miss having a car, I love the tram system here. It is always on time and pretty clean. I was standing next to this women waiting and next thing I know she opens here shopping bag and throws up in it and then closes it like nothing, continues to stand there. I was like WTF are you kidding me, who does that. I moved away so fast. She carried her bag on the tram, thankfully we were waiting for different trams.

Later in the day on my bike ride home from my daughters science fair , I saw a naked guy on his balcony in all his glory shaking a sheet or towel. Wasn't really focusing on what he was shaking I mean the object that is. I lost my balance temporarily .....as I gave him the thumbs up.

Quite the day I must say!

The London Eye

The London Eye is an amazing way to see a birds eye view of the city. Every time we have been to London I have always steered away from doing the London Eye. First of all I'm afraid of heights, secondly I hear it breaks down a lot and you can be stuck in it for hours. Thirdly the thought if being stuck in a capsule with strangers, my weak bladder, no food is a nightmare in it self.

But it was a beautiful afternoon when we arrived in London on Friday and we thought we better take advantage of the good weather, knowing it may not last. There was very little of a line and it moved rather quickly. We were in our capsule with maybe 20 people total, better in spring than summer with the heat and euro BO. It was a clear sunny day and you could see for miles. I didn't freak out at the height, or the fact we were over water. It was so breath taking all my fears left me and I gazed at the sights instead. If you ever go to London I would definitely do The London Eye.

Birthday Girl !

Today my baby is 15! It seems like yesterday she was learning to crawl, taking her first steps, saying Momma for the first time. Katelyn is our one and only, she is the highlight of our life. To say she is pretty special to us is an understatement.

One of my favorite things is waking her up in the morning, I love being the first to see her smile . She has the best smile, her eyes just light up. We are extremely proud of her, she is a hard working student, responsible teen, she is very funny, has a great sense of style, and a very caring individual. She is an all around great girl, we are so lucky to have her.

We love her with all our heart. Hope her birthday is as special as she is.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

London

Today we are heading back to London for the weekend. Katelyn is turning Fifteen on Saturday and we are taking her back for a special weekend. This is her first birthday away from family and friends, so what better place to forget and remember amongst the English! Last time we were there it rained and was bitter cold, we are hoping for better weather, or at least a warmer rain! The euro and pound are at a lovely point together so what better time to shop. Because that is what all Fifteen year old's living without a mall want on their birthday and tea with Harry would be nice too.

This picture is of the Berlin crosswalk guy "Ampleman". All over Germany this is a recognizable figure and very popular souvenir, even here in Bremen. One observation my family and I have made while living here is people really observe the crosswalk guy. We don't have a car, so we walk to our bus/tram and bike, so to say we are a crosswalks quite a bit everyday. We find it humorous that people will stand there waiting and waiting, and there is no cars in site or it's late at night and there are no cars in site. We always just go, and the looks we get you would think we just murdered their mother. Maybe it is the American in us and we are in a hurry. After missing my fair share of buses and trams, if it's clear you will be looking at my rear!
(now that's a bumper sticker! heehee) My impression of people here is that there are rules and you must follow them, but until I get a ticket or flatten by a car. I'll be damn if I'm waiting on the corner and watching my bus/tram drive away because the little guy is red!

Our crosswalk guy does not look like this friendly little guy, but still different than in the states. Here is a snippet of the "Ampleman" history.

He looks a little different than your standard crosswalk guy. The reason? The east German government wanted to come up with a more cuddly and friendly symbol to teach young children how to cross the street.When the wall fell and reunification began, the western government went about wiping out all signs of the east German communist government; streets were renamed, statues torn down, etc. When the time came to change the street lights, citizens of the former DDR protested. Literally went in the street and held demonstrations, the thrust of their argument being You´re changing all we've been used to for the past 41 years. At least let us keep crosswalk guy....please?The west German government abdicated, and now the image of crosswalk guy is one of the most profitable souvenir images in the city.

Special Delivery

This weekend was extra special, not only did I celebrate my anniversary but I received a care package from my parents and from a friend. In both these packages were something I have been missing so much especially this time of year. Now this is not loved by everyone, and many of you will say yuck! But that's fine we all have our vices. I received several packages of Easter Peeps, little rabbits and chick marshmallows pillows from heaven! Yes Germany has nothing of the sort, granted they have the best chocolate in the world and so why carry marshmallow animals covered in sugar but whatever. I'm so thankful for my packages of love.. I just hope at least one will make it to the Easter basket. But the good news is I think having Easter Peeps everyday is so going to help me kick my chocolate habit, who knows I may even lose some weight!

I would take thee all over again!

I married the most amazing man in the world 21 years ago....I can't believe it's been 21 years. It really feels like yesterday we said "I do" . I would marry him all over again in a heart beat and not change a thing about the last 21 years. Craig is my best friend, the love of my life, most honest and genuine person I know. He is so hard working and committed to our marriage. He is the worlds best father and husband. He makes me laugh so hard, smile and makes my heart skip a beat. I'm truly bless to be his wife, I love you sweetie Happy Anniversary!

Cheers to the next 20 or so!

Random Ramblings

I have a few things rambling in my mind so I'm venting:

• Is it really necessary to have a smoking room at my gym? So just say I'm doing "sport" and suddenly I need a smoke. No problem corner glass room with all the lounge chairs is in fact where you go, do you want a latte while on break from getting healthy?
• I don't understand why men wear Capri's to workout in or why at all?
• Why can't I have the window open while on the treadmill?
• Sorry you showed up late to "pump up" class and there aren't any bars left, not sure why you are giving me "stink eye" I was on time , ya true I'm not a regular but so !
• How come it is so hard to say "hallo" back, when someone smiles and says "hallo" to you on a country road and no one else is around for miles. Would it honestly kill you to say "Hi"
• Range Rover driver why didn't you look both ways while exiting the parking lot instead of make me swerve, scaring the crap out of me, giving me a mini heart attack.

Okay I feel much better ....I haven't had chocolate in like 25 hours so I'm not sure maybe I'm being sensitive or if it is the withdrawal....!

Kiss Me I'm Irish

Today like many people I'm celebrating the "little" bit of Irish in me. I love all things Irish. Years ago the first time I turned forty, my husband was going to Ireland for a business trip and I joined him. We decided to make it a birthday celebration and stay longer. It was one of the most memorable trips I've been on. We did all the tourist things, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, Kiss the Blarney Stone, listen to Irish music in Irish Pubs. Drank Guinness beer, ate potatoes with every meal.

Until going to Ireland and meeting "real" Irish people do you realize that you are so far from being Irish it's funny. I will always love that I'm some small percent Irish, and I will always wish I was more. Mostly because I love their accents....and their beer!

Another thing I love about the Irish is the blessings here a few of my favorites:

Like the warmth of the sun And the light of the day,

May the luck of the Irish shine bright on your way

May good luck be your friend In whatever you do

And may trouble be always A stranger to you.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day all!

Seven things I love tag....

I have been tagged by Preppy Player to name seven things I love and then tag seven bloggers to do the same.

So here are my seven "things"

I love the first sip of my favorite drink. Coffee in the morning, Diet Coke in the afternoon, Franziskaner Weissbier in the evening.

I love my husband with all my heart. Our 21st anniversary is Thursday. It feels like yesterday when I first saw him and knew I’d marry him some day.

I love my daughter so much; she is everything I hoped for and more. She makes me so proud and happy. She is the highlight of my life.

I love my friends, old and new. Friendship is my rock; it’s where I pull my strength.

I love reading; love when the story ends and you walk away with the story still dancing in your head.

I love that my family, parents and my four sisters, brother in laws and all my nieces and nephews. I love being an Aunt.

I love my Sophie…she is my pal, my shadow, my scruffy puppy.

Now I tag, (when you have a chance or have writer's block) seven bloggers.

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

Katelyn at http://klw1994.blogspot.com/

Joyce at http://perfect-beginning.blogspot.com/

Belle at http://www.fawty.com/

Sara at http://www.cricketwife.com/

Brittney at http://benbrittney.blogspot.com/

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