tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91681744004602039672024-03-05T16:39:10.658+01:00Stone of JoyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-22683548065725282282013-03-14T21:39:00.002+01:002013-03-14T22:59:55.260+01:00Radio SilenceSorry for the long stint with no real posts. I have had a bunch going on but I really don't know how to talk about the most important thing that has been going on. <br />
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Just before Christmas my mom had a bit of a health scare, the result of the health scare was a full hysterectomy. Standard procedure for this type of thing is to check for cancer. During that check they did find cancer and not just any run of the mill cancer but a really weird, rare, aggressive form. My mom is currently starting round two of her four rounds of chemo treatment. More than anything I want to go home and be with her, take care of her, do her grocery shopping and clean her toilet. But that's not what she wants. So for now I am here, praying, hoping, wishing that everything will turn out all right. That she will come out of this even healthier than she went in. That I will have my mom for years and years to come.<br />
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But for now I just have to wait.<br />
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What I can say is my mom is amazing, brave, strong, and optimistic. If anyone is going to make it through it will be her.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you Mom!</span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-51206589738465873182013-03-01T11:45:00.002+01:002013-03-01T13:50:36.658+01:00"Healthy" Banana Nut Bread<div style="text-align: center;">
Woke up to spotted bananas - you know what that means - Banana Nut Bread Day!!! </div>
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<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/563322_10200857742673000_583924296_n.jpg" /></div>
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<b><u>Ingredients</u></b></div>
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2 cups flour</div>
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1 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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1/4 teaspoon salt</div>
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1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon</div>
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1 pinch nutmeg</div>
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1/2 cup applesauce</div>
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3/4 cup honey</div>
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2 eggs, beaten</div>
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3 overripe bananas, mashed</div>
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1 cup walnuts, chopped</div>
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<b><u>Directions</u></b></div>
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1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.</div>
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2. Lightly grease and flower a loaf pan. </div>
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{We don't have a loaf pan so we use a cake pan and it still turns out great.}</div>
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3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.</div>
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4. In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce and honey.</div>
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Sir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended.</div>
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5. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; just to moisten.</div>
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Add walnuts</div>
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6. Pour batter into prepared pan.</div>
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7. Bake in preheated oven (turn down oven to 170 degrees C when you put the bread in) for 50 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.</div>
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8. Let bread cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool on a wire rack. </div>
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This recipe is so easy and Alessandra can help quite a bit. I put the bananas in a gallon sized ziploc baggy for her to mash while I mix the dry ingredients. Then while I'm putting the wet ingredients together I give her the walnuts, in a sandwich baggy, and the ladle so she can bang on those until they are "chopped". Between those two tasks she stays pretty busy for most of the dry and wet combining. She then helps to grease and flour the pan and do the final combining of wet and dry ingredients and adding it to the pan. It's a pretty fun activity for us and the finished product is sooooooo yummy!!!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455600000033950.907898100000004 6.1307556000000343 51.5475841 7.4161556000000335tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-38990100172968404602013-02-12T22:00:00.000+01:002013-02-12T22:09:43.053+01:00Hopeful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">Expats (expatriates) can be from Australia, England, America, China - anywhere really - as long as they are living outside of their native country. There is this crazy thing that happens with Expats - our relationships run on overdrive. We tend to connect more quickly and oftentimes more deeply than you would when making relationships back at home. You may think this is wonderful, and frankly that part of the expat life is wonderful, but more often than not there is an expiration date on these relationships. So here you are making these really good friends and then they turn around and go back home. Obviously you try to keep in touch but the relationship inevitably</span><span style="text-align: start;"> changes. It's heart breaking and it's happening again.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Our good friends; Chris, Rachel, and Iris are headed back home. I am so upset, and come tomorrow when Alessandra asks to play with "My Isis" both she and I are going to be upset. UUUGGGHHH! I am not looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully today's going away party at Bobolinos sticks with Alessandra for a long time. Hopefully Chris, Rachel, and Iris come back for a visit soon. And hopefully we can make it to England for a visit.</span></div>
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You will be missed my friend! Safe travels and see you soon!</div>
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Hopeful,</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com2Bobolino, Düsseldorf, Germany51.265617 6.814446999999972830.7249965 -34.318365500000027 71.8062375 47.947259499999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-80012860395672647742013-02-09T21:00:00.000+01:002013-02-12T22:29:32.507+01:00Kinder Karneval Parade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Saturday we braved the crowds to go check out the Kinder Karneval Parade with some of our friends. All of the schools "compete" to out do the other schools with costumes and themes and do a parade down the Kö. This parade is way more mellow than some of the others so we figured it would be a little more our speed. When in Germany at the Karneval parades if you yell "HELAU!!!" you are showered with sweets, treats,and other goodies. And just like at Halloween, Alessandra figured that out pretty darn quickly. </div>
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Just about everyone dresses up for Karneval, so we put Alessandra in her horse costume again. This time however we layered her snow suit underneath - true Colorado-Halloween-Trick or Treating-Style. The added padding definitely pushed her costume out of the cuteness spectrum and into down-right ADORABLE! </div>
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The finishing touch I added, which looking back was quite silly because nobody saw it, was a cute little horsey mane up-do for Miss Alessandra Mae.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>A big thank you to Bethany Handel for all of the great parade pictures.</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com2Königsallee, Düsseldorf, Germany51.2221 6.780340000000023851.2221 6.7803400000000238 51.2221 6.7803400000000238tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-90654830566954886212013-02-08T21:25:00.000+01:002013-02-10T21:28:35.251+01:00Karneval Fiesta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a little fiesta to celebrate Karneval (for all of my American buddies think Mardi Gras).</div>
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The girls wore costumes, made/decorated paper plate party masks, </div>
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ate some yummy pizza and cake, and did a little dancing. </div>
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The mamas stole a few bites of pizza, pieces of cake, and enjoyed a bottle of chilled sparkling wine. </div>
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We had so much fun. </div>
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I was amazed how well Alessandra did during the mask making with all of the big girls. She actually focused in on her mask with only a few distractions the whole time the big girls worked on theirs. </div>
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As our little party was coming to an end the sillies were definitely coming out hence all the giant grins.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiCVtEi7q8PfimT3zGukzJirjafbV-wAs1DstcVy8OByypBLvEUyG1V54rbPoG0W1t9sNgds9uiYIlPJsELXFg0CLlYOJA7MZQUFLyVNVQ3Xg7EBNj2Z6K5s-YWm1YpIDJ9PcEtGqbc0/s1600/2013-02-08+17.40.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiCVtEi7q8PfimT3zGukzJirjafbV-wAs1DstcVy8OByypBLvEUyG1V54rbPoG0W1t9sNgds9uiYIlPJsELXFg0CLlYOJA7MZQUFLyVNVQ3Xg7EBNj2Z6K5s-YWm1YpIDJ9PcEtGqbc0/s200/2013-02-08+17.40.55.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWOnQGrsvEHRfMvS5i3AjUJp93Ewi0dOiHbafnSrA2Xy3vXJdGAxf2xkR6CU3D7_uqPU1DwsYdc8jyNJwBizPSi_GFY-z4aMbGFYV-M8zxe2pgD4IJgWGtEhqAGZRFbJp2Xh-nwdUWrU/s1600/2013-02-08+17.40.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWOnQGrsvEHRfMvS5i3AjUJp93Ewi0dOiHbafnSrA2Xy3vXJdGAxf2xkR6CU3D7_uqPU1DwsYdc8jyNJwBizPSi_GFY-z4aMbGFYV-M8zxe2pgD4IJgWGtEhqAGZRFbJp2Xh-nwdUWrU/s200/2013-02-08+17.40.20.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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To finish off the evening the girls took turns pushing each other in the play stroller. You would have thought they had just been given the hottest new toy/game the way they were running and squealing.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Charmian</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455600000033950.909611600000005 6.1307556000000343 51.5458706 7.4161556000000335tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-67232077828545389252013-02-05T17:45:00.000+01:002013-02-05T17:45:41.392+01:00Sunshine & Puddles<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Zoopark, Düsseldorf, Germany51.2387921 6.803263199999946751.2338216 6.7932211999999463 51.2437626 6.813305199999947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-75655298065849409852013-02-04T11:56:00.000+01:002013-02-04T12:06:02.231+01:00Worst Haircut Ever!!!I really wanted to get a haircut so I'd look nice for our anniversary but unfortunately my hairdresser was out. So instead of waiting until she was in I opted to get my haircut with someone else so I'd have it done for my big day. BAD IDEA!!! I have the worst haircut I have ever had. Now, I may be exaggerating a bit but it is the worst haircut I can remember having in a REALLY REALLY long time. <br />
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I never understood what people meant when they said a good haircut could take ten pounds off your face until I got a bad haircut. The new girl spoke English but not very well. So I told her what I wanted, I showed her with my hands what I wanted and I even showed her a picture. Everything was going fine and then, just like that everything changed.<br />
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I have a very wide jaw and a big face. I'm not complaining but I can't have my hair end at the widest point in my face or it makes it look even wider. Well, that's exactly what she did. She cut it about two inches shorter than I asked/showed her. UUUGGGHHH - just like that, in one moment, I put on 10 pounds. The bad haircut didn't end there she cut my bangs really short and choppy which may be in style - I don't know because I don't keep up with that kind of thing - but it looks like Alessandra cut them. So, it not only is not what I asked for but what she did doesn't even look nice. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpo5jv7gvM6eBVrQ0nzlRLWpRxme_fT1HM2n7FkVL2TilQBA_-dyT9Hxd4vUXTBbfaWpRIfycp9vqoenJ6rfUjhIGfRWQcZeBbuy83cx437ZqKoSncOiHxVdickE7Mk8AvBzYyCIIsSE/s1600/Feb+4,+2013+12:02:20+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpo5jv7gvM6eBVrQ0nzlRLWpRxme_fT1HM2n7FkVL2TilQBA_-dyT9Hxd4vUXTBbfaWpRIfycp9vqoenJ6rfUjhIGfRWQcZeBbuy83cx437ZqKoSncOiHxVdickE7Mk8AvBzYyCIIsSE/s400/Feb+4,+2013+12:02:20+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh Well - hair grows. But I have to say after this haircut I am seriously thinking about growing my hair out a bit. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Charmian</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-77294612598016588822013-02-03T19:40:00.000+01:002013-02-03T19:40:31.473+01:00Gum Gum Water...<b>...and other adorable Alessandra sayings I don't want to forget.</b><br />
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Gum Gum Water - Sparkling Mineral Water</div>
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Tomeeya - Banana</div>
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Blankie - Blanket</div>
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Paci - Pacifier</div>
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Solar - Stroller</div>
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Seat - Chair</div>
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Sep Sool - Step Stool</div>
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Mo - More</div>
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<b>These last few are pretty obvious </b><b>but they show how much of an opinionated chatter box she is.</b><br />
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This way! This way!</div>
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Sit! Sit!</div>
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Wait! Wait!</div>
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Uhh... Ohh... - Right after she's done something she knows she shouldn't.</div>
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AAAAAAAhhhh! Help Please! </div>
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As if by saying please somehow takes a way the fact that she just screamed at me. </div>
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A-sandra do it ahhh me!!!</div>
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Wait fo it... Wait fo it...</div>
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This one is accompanied by hand motions that would make you think she was trying to tame a bull.</div>
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No Eat Dinner Me - No Mom, I'm not hungry, thank you for asking.</div>
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No Mama, Real ____ - If she wants a different kind of something. </div>
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For example I offer her a breakfast 'cookie' she will say "No Mama, Real Cookie"</div>
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I Do It!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455600000033950.909611600000005 6.1307556000000343 51.5458706 7.4161556000000335tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-12035318587768004752013-02-01T09:00:00.000+01:002013-02-03T10:46:20.874+01:00You + Me =<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1</b> Decade</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>315,633,480</b> Seconds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2</b> Kids/<b>2</b> Dogs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>3,652</b> Days</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3</b> Trips to Italy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1,545</b> Trips to the Grocery Store <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(apx.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4</b> Cars</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>5,260,558</b> Minutes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5</b> Nights in the Hospital</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>87,675</b> Hours</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6</b> Homes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>12</b> Countries</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7</b> Backpacking trips</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>521</b> Weeks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>8</b> Cellphones</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>11</b> Jobs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9</b> Weddings - Friends & Family</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>120</b> Months</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10</b> Years</span></div>
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<br />
10 years ago today I married my best friend! We have seen many joys and struggles and yet through it all our love has grown. I am the luckiest women in the world to get to travel through this life with you.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">I love you Jon!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Happy Anniversary!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Charmian</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com3Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455600000033950.909611600000005 6.1307556000000343 51.5458706 7.4161556000000335tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-85480089462193155492013-01-17T20:08:00.000+01:002013-01-29T12:13:17.350+01:00Christmas Tree Ladybugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year when we brought in our Christmas tree we had a few ladybug, tag-alongs. Alessandra found them and has quickly become obsessed with finding more Christmas Tree Ladybugs. It has been about a week since we took out the Christmas Tree but it hasn't stopped Alessandra's hunt. We were just wrapping up a skype call with my mom when Alessandra grabbed the computer, unplugged it, and carried it over to the patio door. I asked her what she was doing and her response. "Lookin' for my Christmas Tree Ladybugs with Gommy" So sweet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqKY_QCmQZHxqy6nNxtC7lW2OTE-p24R3stRP-N4LNow9jMoPDTaPpYbjCwW5cF8IMxeBzpHkRGZyceD3ioxHDozCu4pMteX49jpxvyr7o8GSXo4MMLNr7MkDrLlqsrsNcKEDGSq34So/s1600/IMG_20130117_191057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqKY_QCmQZHxqy6nNxtC7lW2OTE-p24R3stRP-N4LNow9jMoPDTaPpYbjCwW5cF8IMxeBzpHkRGZyceD3ioxHDozCu4pMteX49jpxvyr7o8GSXo4MMLNr7MkDrLlqsrsNcKEDGSq34So/s320/IMG_20130117_191057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455600000033950.909611600000005 6.1307556000000343 51.5458706 7.4161556000000335tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-46849550543213086682012-12-08T22:46:00.005+01:002012-12-09T10:47:34.269+01:0010 Days<div style="text-align: left;">
Jon and I are just finishing up 10 days apart. </div>
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It all started with what was supposed to be a family trip, but turned into a Girls only trip back to Leipzig to visit some friends and see the Christmas Markets. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtohHoptecB2Scv7af4XvV5DmwYW6fBDsTvHc0hx7HPUS6yfCqatXRyOxMBSL_duOMz-45bWLGLeRqiffF0NC-XXaQ_ajyZn4z84LCsjtAqp_zaF1XPNtLk7QYi78oLan98M8qzGxaMs/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtohHoptecB2Scv7af4XvV5DmwYW6fBDsTvHc0hx7HPUS6yfCqatXRyOxMBSL_duOMz-45bWLGLeRqiffF0NC-XXaQ_ajyZn4z84LCsjtAqp_zaF1XPNtLk7QYi78oLan98M8qzGxaMs/s640/IMG_0511.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alessandra and Sophia Enjoying the "Classic Car Carousel" in the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof</td></tr>
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Jon had to cancel due to some last minute business trip changes. But the good news from Jon not being with us was that he was able to add a quick trip to Colorado where he was able to see his family and drop Ripley off with Stan and Mary Kay. </div>
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If you have been keeping up with my blog at all, or have talked to me in the last two years you probably heard me mention that Ripley hasn't been doing well. She wasn't able to settle into city life. She was always stressed, at first her stress was coming across as barking, panting, and pacing but in the past six months that stress was starting to turn a bit more aggressive. We needed to get her out of the city, so that all of us could be a little less stressed. Well, it happened. Jon stopped by Colorado for a quick visit with his family and to get Ripley to her new/old home back on the Ranch with Grandpa, Oma, and the horses. I am happy to report that Ripley seems to be settling in quite nicely and Dotty has only had one setback in the form of an "accident" on Alessandra's pillows. Dotty has been quite clingy but I have to say the stress level in the house has gone down considerably. </div>
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Okay, back to our Leipzig trip. </div>
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It started out and ended a bit bumpy but all in all it was so relaxing. We had some plans fall through with one of our friends but it ended up working out perfectly because it gave us an entire day to sleep in, enjoy an awesome breakfast, get into town, wander around the city center which is essentially one big Christmas Market. Then we went to check out the new mall, and then one more quick trip through the train station and then back home. Saturday we spent the entire day with The GKS's. And Sunday we traveled back home. </div>
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The beginning of the week was slow enough, I purposely cancelled our usual routine so we could be home with Dot. So that translated to all of us going over to My-tilda's house on Monday afternoon, and My-tilda and her mum Alice coming over to our house on Tuesday afternoon. But then it all turned - and quite suddenly too. Alessandra got really sick, and really quickly. In the matter of a few hours she went from this...</div>
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to this... </div>
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it was horrible. And it has only been in the last half of today that I would say she's back to normal. And when I say that please read, asking for ice cream for every meal. :o) </div>
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Well, luckily for us, or maybe just me, Jon will be back home tomorrow. And I will have another person to take care of. No just kidding. I will have another person to help take care of everything.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Charmian </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com3Leipzig, Germany51.3396955 12.373074751.1809855 12.0572177 51.4984055 12.6889317tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-69654873503962329002012-12-06T12:18:00.000+01:002012-12-08T21:47:44.580+01:00I Believe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alessandra has been sick and I've been dealing with her and the rest of the household responsibilities solo. Last night was just like all the others. I finally got her settled into bed, and I took Dotty out for one last bathroom trip before I tidied up the house and turned in myself. </div>
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This morning I opened up the front door to get Alessandra's boots - I left them out because they were all muddy. And that's when I saw this. Sitting quite perfectly on the top of our doggy potty shoes and muddy rain boots.</div>
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I wish someone was recording my reaction because if it was half as good as what it felt like, it was pretty darn amazing. I felt like I was 6 again. Like I just walked out and saw the one thing I asked Santa, and only Santa for. </div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">There Is A Santa!</span></div>
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But then I got really confused. It's the beginning of December. I asked one of my neighbors who said "Oh yes, Sankt Nikolaus comes last night. I hope you were good all year!"</div>
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My response was, "I must have been, our shoes were filled." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpR5uAORr3jr6hNiTN7fHFvHQlBMTmWNzd-BbQQBTAaN4PLd9e9ZuhXn8mF12oXB2X6QIaliK3sLqDT99nUr-MoUt-jmg4f99mTTMbxJSTryuiYR3D1fFRUOpbbVT7E0AggSv-SKp1eE/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpR5uAORr3jr6hNiTN7fHFvHQlBMTmWNzd-BbQQBTAaN4PLd9e9ZuhXn8mF12oXB2X6QIaliK3sLqDT99nUr-MoUt-jmg4f99mTTMbxJSTryuiYR3D1fFRUOpbbVT7E0AggSv-SKp1eE/s320/IMG_0512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I came inside, got online with the intention of looking up this holiday and it's traditions when of course I got a bit distracted by facebook, and that's when I saw all of the posts between my expat-parent-friends from the night before. Warning each other not to forget about this German holiday.</div>
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I guess I didn't need to worry about forgetting because the Eich's were just that good that the </div>
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REAL SANKT NIKOLAUS</div>
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came and filled our shoes.</div>
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And just like that...</div>
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I'm still a</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">BELIEVER</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">!</span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com3Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-58276231215195367532012-11-17T11:29:00.000+01:002012-11-17T11:29:11.299+01:00It's a Zoo in Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4_cv3nWrJmaGq7QxD3t2oeDpaovXHWxMt9hgWQkP382uC3qnrgdHbtUqL1viud4CNFXCxHV3GW9Z_w9kHVjEW9bz_mzHqxLgc0wFUBv5a4XA6ovqajbTNAOupGWinSR68uPea4cW5SU/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4_cv3nWrJmaGq7QxD3t2oeDpaovXHWxMt9hgWQkP382uC3qnrgdHbtUqL1viud4CNFXCxHV3GW9Z_w9kHVjEW9bz_mzHqxLgc0wFUBv5a4XA6ovqajbTNAOupGWinSR68uPea4cW5SU/s640/IMG_0499.JPG" width="354" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068692600000006 6.4575986 51.3867896 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-26922225662594001592012-11-16T23:20:00.000+01:002012-11-17T11:22:46.072+01:00Big Girl Bed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s03ao88TPmBvrHoLnJTvPyGDLDEGURJHr1TNG8dyPxEJ21ZZ2PvMlBzsNfMI8ZflXwxqy3Yi-0-WnfjkhxuZiwP6fAmBU93ZffVrFe1sVKnSZpz3jM2LnQJGdENaaSsTAisjpIUfs9M/s1600/IMG_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s03ao88TPmBvrHoLnJTvPyGDLDEGURJHr1TNG8dyPxEJ21ZZ2PvMlBzsNfMI8ZflXwxqy3Yi-0-WnfjkhxuZiwP6fAmBU93ZffVrFe1sVKnSZpz3jM2LnQJGdENaaSsTAisjpIUfs9M/s640/IMG_0495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On Wednesday night I was getting Alessandra ready for bed and as I was finishing up our normal routine of saying goodnight to all of her toys, fairies, butterflies, her frog, and angel. I mentioned saying goodnight to her pretty big girl bed. <br />
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That's when she looked at me and said, "A-sandra bed."<br />
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"Yes," I told her, "this is your big girl bed." <br />
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Then she pointed to her bed and said, "Mommy bed?"<br />
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I went on to tell her no this was just her bed and that my and daddy's bed was in the other room. <br />
She then pointed to her bed one more time and said, "My bed!?!"<br />
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"Yes sweetie, do you want to sleep in your big girl bed tonight?" I asked.<br />
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She smiled and shouted, "Yes!" <br />
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We then cuddled up in her bed, said our prayers, sang a song, and listened to a story and then she said, "All done Mommy - Ba-bye." <br />
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I was a bit confused by this but I figured if I got it wrong she would tell me. So I gave her a kiss and walked out of the room. She went on to sing songs quietly in her bed for about an hour before falling asleep. She woke up that next morning at 4 a.m. saying "poop, poop." So I picked her up took her to the potty, got her some water and tried to snuggle her back to sleep in the family bed but she had no intention of going back to sleep. UUGGHH - but her first night in her big girl bed was a success. <br />
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The next night we had a few tears but she went to bed pretty easily on her own. She woke at 3:30 but fell back to sleep after we did our trip to the bathroom, got a drink of water, and snuggled together in the family bed. <br />
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Tonight was just like the first night; no tears, no problems. Just prayers, song, story, and some snuggles and she was asleep. Hopefully she'll make it passed 4 and if she does wake up hopefully she'll go back to sleep once she comes to bed with us. <br />
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So it looks like Jon and I may have our bed back. Well, at least for a few hours every night. ;o)<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com3Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-7390249724837528182012-10-31T22:39:00.000+01:002012-11-04T22:44:06.113+01:00Happy Horsey Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDquYwqp_QBK7ErPR6BMc3CbVoJCp9m8G1NW9ePMJggxxkUTPQWyn1JyukfSfewXTHsrsBBnf20YjKzSLi9c-qjtP7AXM3TP9ZKhpZoQdXGfegbpj-fOf3eJYqUytiSPYWOSgW_kJL1MU/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDquYwqp_QBK7ErPR6BMc3CbVoJCp9m8G1NW9ePMJggxxkUTPQWyn1JyukfSfewXTHsrsBBnf20YjKzSLi9c-qjtP7AXM3TP9ZKhpZoQdXGfegbpj-fOf3eJYqUytiSPYWOSgW_kJL1MU/s640/IMG_0370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Halloween isn't as big of a deal here in Germany as it is in The States but we still wanted Alessandra to have a good experience. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup4rswSP_0dMRT1iHBaoOpbXZgW7N47Q3WGhhxIs0YftlOYVeiME35001wmaNPOwZHyMJbd6gtGFONscrWWiRoVA_5OxnAepvFNYcoF-wRuUMtfO2BRWS8VxhuuVPg7dSB9ZmiruR3fg/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup4rswSP_0dMRT1iHBaoOpbXZgW7N47Q3WGhhxIs0YftlOYVeiME35001wmaNPOwZHyMJbd6gtGFONscrWWiRoVA_5OxnAepvFNYcoF-wRuUMtfO2BRWS8VxhuuVPg7dSB9ZmiruR3fg/s200/IMG_0362.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR88gkMSv5N5FsyHsQbRjO8wbHzLVD4bEBJYuQgzFAsXpn-tFfWEo4OMdhtZlxWdxFIWWmS3fLSo0emyFZ4vXeVsl_JLoPz0O_bByVUrDv-5eZ2LOIFuQlN81rO0J80lIXG0Zluz1FXQ/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR88gkMSv5N5FsyHsQbRjO8wbHzLVD4bEBJYuQgzFAsXpn-tFfWEo4OMdhtZlxWdxFIWWmS3fLSo0emyFZ4vXeVsl_JLoPz0O_bByVUrDv-5eZ2LOIFuQlN81rO0J80lIXG0Zluz1FXQ/s200/IMG_0361.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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So we bought some candy, took it to Jon's work, handed it out, and sent Alessandra from desk to desk to go trick or treating. </div>
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We taught her how to say "trick or treat" and "candy please" and sent her on her way</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOFzd_g60LFLhOsOIw05oWEBokmVqz-DQATx0ZQVRcpNAaOkX81oe8FdvuTb4s0EEfRwWqwhnaITy_rr0xlM3HEGBrV4cElguyNvbvI4XYLpQ34L_HdSdb0Bm1fM1H4S6GEYM1g8eB9U/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOFzd_g60LFLhOsOIw05oWEBokmVqz-DQATx0ZQVRcpNAaOkX81oe8FdvuTb4s0EEfRwWqwhnaITy_rr0xlM3HEGBrV4cElguyNvbvI4XYLpQ34L_HdSdb0Bm1fM1H4S6GEYM1g8eB9U/s200/IMG_0368.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3H3xJFbNXwfleZx3I4EKCPiqBpzto7Khe1v2v77yOxPZQBifEVQxS3kKSTJawC-drP5JV2rG-5Eoy9_BDXiEnmaT41Vb6w9LP8fwBj3B-4CtIQTmFNvzlDgNi4gDbBwsZG0KkmvKvV0/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3H3xJFbNXwfleZx3I4EKCPiqBpzto7Khe1v2v77yOxPZQBifEVQxS3kKSTJawC-drP5JV2rG-5Eoy9_BDXiEnmaT41Vb6w9LP8fwBj3B-4CtIQTmFNvzlDgNi4gDbBwsZG0KkmvKvV0/s200/IMG_0367.JPG" width="200" /></a>.</div>
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We reminded her to say "thank you" and Alessandra added kisses and waves to her repertoire.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com2Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-52569195002969253242012-10-28T20:18:00.001+01:002012-10-28T20:42:05.047+01:00Zero Degrees<div style="text-align: center;">
Jon and I finally caved. It hit zero today so we turned on some of the heaters. It has been feeling more like winter and less like summer these days.</div>
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This weekend Jon and I made another trip to Ikea to get the stuff we need to have overnight guests.</div>
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Lisa and Ben are just a couple hours away by train and it's taking everything in me not to just pack a bag and go see them. </div>
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Jon got all of our Ikea stuff up and even found time to </div>
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hang a little project I've had sitting on the <strike>sidelines</strike> windowsill for a while now. </div>
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We will be meeting up with them later this week. Jon is taking most of the week off and we'll be heading out. Now we just need to figure out the logistics - YAY!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com1Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-66642848639964551612012-10-23T22:22:00.000+02:002012-10-24T00:26:12.182+02:00I Pinned It!<div style="text-align: center;">
I had heard about Pinterest but I had no idea what it was. On top of that I didn't really think I was that interested in finding out. My initial thought was confirmed when I first got on yesterday.</div>
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It was awful! There wasn't anything to see unless you click through to the different topics. I didn't know how to find people or pass along the pins I found. Then I read the how to's and started looking around and it started growing on me. I figured out how to search and found my friends and family. And then it started to get more Pinteresting - hee hee. </div>
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Today, I found some cute hairstyles I can try on Alessandra. One of them I actually attempted. Now, let me first start off by saying it didn't turn out nearly as cute as the picture but, </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I DID IT!!!!</span></div>
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Yup, I attempted my pin. </div>
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As you can see the couple pictures of her hair turned into a big fall time foto fest. </div>
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Have any of you actually attempted something you found on pinterest? </div>
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If so what was it?</div>
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Did it turn out?</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com3Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068692600000006 6.4575986 51.3867896 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-14745457641896521752012-10-22T23:15:00.000+02:002012-10-23T23:21:49.064+02:00Daddy's Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8jlGdVNC2q8LbuAxNIbTAH9ewF2DvrM_eJ1x9f-axhxtP-To0sLVljA-co0Mlzca6QAHKeBQb-m6iGkDe2PgBjMAj4mX8dyaAaYcc68OAj9kPNfZWe2PlS41dEqYq8Po9ZHqZ59CpLY/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8jlGdVNC2q8LbuAxNIbTAH9ewF2DvrM_eJ1x9f-axhxtP-To0sLVljA-co0Mlzca6QAHKeBQb-m6iGkDe2PgBjMAj4mX8dyaAaYcc68OAj9kPNfZWe2PlS41dEqYq8Po9ZHqZ59CpLY/s400/IMG_0329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday to You!</div>
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Happy Birthday to You!</div>
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Happy Birthday Dear Daddy!</div>
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Happy Birthday to You!!!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068692600000006 6.4575986 51.3867896 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-61452812203708281282012-10-18T14:09:00.000+02:002012-10-31T19:03:06.022+01:00The Things I Don't Want To Forget......23 months.<br />
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Alessandra is 23 months old today and before I got to busy with the hustle and bustle of the day I decided to do Alessandra's birthday post. <br />
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This is the first of what I'm assuming will be a long tradition of interviews. I decided that this edition of "The things I don't want to forget" would be best suited for video because they are all things that she says and does.<br />
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Alessandra says most things really well but there is one word that isn't even close. And it is so cute when she says it. Oh, and don't you just love the way she says her name?!?<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">VIDEO</span></div>
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In this video I tried to catch Alessandra doing her faces. It didn't really turn out very well but you can get the idea. Then she takes us on a quick walk. She is so funny and only a little bit bossy. ;o)<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">VIDEO </span></div>
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That's that. She is still as tiny as tiny can be. But she is constantly going, going, going all day long. She still loves to dance and sing. She likes to read books, play with her friends, go for bike rides, go to the pool and park. She is such a character, chatter box, sweet heart, and cuddle bug. She's our little Sweet Pea and we couldn't imagine what life would be like without her. <br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see there are no videos. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somehow between filming and uploading they got corrupted. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">:o( </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will re-film and upload as soon as I can.</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">UPDATE:</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">The videos are on my Facebook page - can't figure out how to get them from Facebook to the Blog.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-75612155785507679582012-10-16T22:52:00.000+02:002012-10-23T22:56:27.405+02:00Bobolino's<div style="text-align: center;">
Here it is...</div>
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Drum Roll Please!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">BOBOLINO'S!!!</span></div>
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Due to fall break and the over abundance of big ones we quarantined the little girls to the ride section. Luckily they were having so much fun protecting their covered wagon from THE BOY that we didn't actually have to put any coins in the rides. The poor little guy just wanted to play with them but I guess these two little girls already have it figured out that boys have coodies. </div>
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Here I am hiding in the <strike>sagebrush</strike> chairs watching the battle go down. </div>
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Spoiler Alert!!</div>
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The girls were triumphant. </div>
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Although they did get a talking to about sharing with the other kids though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_CZT_MHXf9k1LD2BOh_K6rq0whRmgHCsYQXKKhfI3JpVeFV05ehqgtpdShfF3FLXnP0oazF5b3r03J7y6L3RUkvfIwJjkSqwjhBXkXd45tQ3zXM7lg5MCyOFMnvKRcgh6CRWWVNJuO4/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_CZT_MHXf9k1LD2BOh_K6rq0whRmgHCsYQXKKhfI3JpVeFV05ehqgtpdShfF3FLXnP0oazF5b3r03J7y6L3RUkvfIwJjkSqwjhBXkXd45tQ3zXM7lg5MCyOFMnvKRcgh6CRWWVNJuO4/s200/IMG_0319.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtb2R0siyoqWHN0J7u7AIbWlnaX3tnxJVOhFJRGBoDs8lOJc_E3OadDBFTCvvcg1tw7XM3LlRXviNgnAtusjOKN1efzGpkmlGzJTrOM_8uaAR_ZvfxXgtrTzgrZp9w0hZhyphenhyphenFt77XhceY/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtb2R0siyoqWHN0J7u7AIbWlnaX3tnxJVOhFJRGBoDs8lOJc_E3OadDBFTCvvcg1tw7XM3LlRXviNgnAtusjOKN1efzGpkmlGzJTrOM_8uaAR_ZvfxXgtrTzgrZp9w0hZhyphenhyphenFt77XhceY/s200/IMG_0317.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_CZT_MHXf9k1LD2BOh_K6rq0whRmgHCsYQXKKhfI3JpVeFV05ehqgtpdShfF3FLXnP0oazF5b3r03J7y6L3RUkvfIwJjkSqwjhBXkXd45tQ3zXM7lg5MCyOFMnvKRcgh6CRWWVNJuO4/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Bobolino's has a baby section, a bounce pirate ship, a giant volcano, trampoline room. race track,</div>
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and yes even inoperative massage chairs.</div>
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It's got it all! </div>
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The best part of bobolino's is about 4-6 hours after we leave Alessandra is asleep.</div>
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Gotta Love It!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com0Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068692600000006 6.4575986 51.3867896 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-91928051539172186302012-10-13T09:08:00.000+02:002012-10-13T09:10:05.206+02:00Tea Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaKa_QDeSUrWRsh141HKExIhJQgksNadbaph9jAWIDUUsLvsFMp6-V8GNPGw9rlyLkKI1BP3lvyYDDZiaAqV5M57nIIxktRdON3DjzvYqX1_sDQVNfSnaKfSVz0gyo9vbM7Sn1Hp746A/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaKa_QDeSUrWRsh141HKExIhJQgksNadbaph9jAWIDUUsLvsFMp6-V8GNPGw9rlyLkKI1BP3lvyYDDZiaAqV5M57nIIxktRdON3DjzvYqX1_sDQVNfSnaKfSVz0gyo9vbM7Sn1Hp746A/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What?</div>
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Not what you were expecting?</div>
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I thought this was how everyone played tea party?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com1Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068650600000005 6.4575986 51.3868316 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-9013127465888881962012-10-11T11:25:00.000+02:002012-10-13T09:00:00.009+02:00Potty Training<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Warning: This post is filled with "TMI" statements.</span></div>
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I've had some questions about how we potty trained Alessandra so quickly, and the answer is - it wasn't quick. It took almost 18 months.<br />
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Birth - 6 months:<br />
That's right we started potty training Alessandra when she was just a couple weeks old when we put her in her first cloth diaper.<br />
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<ul>
<li>I truly believe that cloth diapers help babies potty train sooner. It's simple - they can feel when they are wet. They let you know that they're wet so that you put them in a dry diaper. And they quickly learn that being dry is more comfortable than being wet.</li>
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Jon and I tend to be an open door family. We don't make a big fuss about making sure the doors are closed even when using the restroom. That means Alessandra has seen Jon and I use the bathroom since she was born. <br />
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Surprise - Surprise, Jon and I are talkers. Which means we have talked to Alessandra about everything (including potty talk) since she was born. We told her when we needed to go, if she was with us we told her what we were doing, when we were done we told her what we just did. Going to the bathroom has been something she has known about since day one.<br />
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7 - 10 months:<br />
When Alessandra started on solid food she didn't like pooing in her diaper. It was too much work and uncomfortable. So, when she started pooping she started fussing. What did I do - I opened up her diaper and rubbed her little belly. Well, then I realized if I'm going to take off her diaper for her to poo then why don't I take off her diaper and put her on the potty so I don't have to clean up the poop. So - that's what I did. She was happy and I was happy.<br />
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11 - 13 months:<br />
Alessandra decided it wasn't a big deal to poop in her diaper anymore and she started doing it without a big fuss. I didn't stress - I didn't feel like we were taking a step back this was a part of her process. <br />
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12 - 15 months:<br />
With Alessandra's increased mobility she was able to get around the house easily on her own. Which led to her "telling" me that she needed to go potty. She would toddle into the bathroom and bang on the toilet lid and say "poop - poop" I went along with it and played her potty game. I'd strip her down and put her on. Sometimes she'd do something - sometimes she wouldn't. It was a game. It was like when we played with her dolls or other toys. <br />
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When I would go to change her diaper after meal time or nap time I was finding that she was often dry. On those occasions I would march her into the bathroom and put her on the potty. If she didn't do anything right away I would "encourage" her to pee by making the pee "psssssss" sound. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. Once again - I didn't stress. She was learning what the potty is for. And for crying out loud she was only a year old, she didn't need to be potty trained yet.<br />
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16 months:<br />
Alessandra started "telling" me more often than not that she needed to go potty and more diapers were dry than wet. So I decided it was time to start - officially - potty training. We spent a week in the house. I rolled up all of the rugs. Put changing pads down on the furniture or under her for nap time. And Alessandra was naked or bottomless. We did use food treats as rewards for when she 1. told us 2. put something in the potty and 3. was still dry. I know this is a big debate with parents but it worked for us. So we did it. (We used mini Smarties - for all of you American's think mini M&M's. So they are tiny little chocolate treats.)<br />
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After the week was over we resumed our normal life.<br />
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A day in the life of potty training Alessandra looked like this if we were home:<br />
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<li>wake up - go potty</li>
<li>eat breakfast - go potty </li>
<li>play - go potty</li>
<li>nap - go potty</li>
<li>eat lunch - go potty</li>
<li>play - go potty</li>
<li>snack - go potty</li>
<li>play - go potty</li>
<li>eat dinner</li>
<li>get ready for bed - go potty</li>
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The only way I changed her schedule when going out was: </div>
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<li>put pants on Alessandra</li>
<li>go potty before we left the house</li>
<li>go potty as soon as we got where we were going</li>
<li>go potty before we left</li>
<li>go potty as soon as we got home</li>
<li>take off Alessandra's pants</li>
<li>resume above schedule</li>
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17 months - now</div>
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Alessandra was introduced to panties. It took this long because I couldn't find any that would fit her here in Germany. She still wears pull ups for nap time (when I remember) and bed time. Alessandra has had good times - like when she went a fully week without a single accident or wet pull up. And bad times - like the day she didn't pee in the potty once (so frustrating and it was this past Tuesday).</div>
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When she is having an "off" day I just resort back to the good ole days of potty training and strip her down and then have her "help" me clean up the mess if she has one. </div>
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So that's that. She still has accidents. I still have to bring changes of clothes when we go out. But, for the most part she's dry. The norm for her is to go pee and poop in the potty. And every once in a while I have to remind myself that she's not even two yet and has been out of diapers for 5 months now. So she's doing pretty well.</div>
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If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com2Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-43256768519049227152012-09-25T22:44:00.001+02:002012-11-17T07:25:46.808+01:00"New" Red Shoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">On our way out the door after a quick visit with my girlfriend Jackie and Alessandra's girlfriend Charlotte, Jackie gave Alessandra these little <span style="color: #990000;">red</span> <span style="color: #990000;">shoes</span>. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">She was still in a daze from her nap so she didn't know what she had until we got home and I was unpacking our bag. </span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #990000;">They</span> came out of the bag and went on her feet. Not to be removed until bedtime. </span> </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">And what did she ask for first thing this morning. You guessed it, her <span style="color: #990000;">"new" red shoes</span>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB5Tep-kTa1eAXbSXU48pPdAPalVu7fPhs9IinMw7O7FJS3ZbkKAirzwR6xufVEVjJGHixn7CfLgZUHh6PfhbA0v8Id5c2rqb53tY30fheDLpEYHECMM1GELCkAJ2PaYDtfDOPjBEr7k/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB5Tep-kTa1eAXbSXU48pPdAPalVu7fPhs9IinMw7O7FJS3ZbkKAirzwR6xufVEVjJGHixn7CfLgZUHh6PfhbA0v8Id5c2rqb53tY30fheDLpEYHECMM1GELCkAJ2PaYDtfDOPjBEr7k/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB5Tep-kTa1eAXbSXU48pPdAPalVu7fPhs9IinMw7O7FJS3ZbkKAirzwR6xufVEVjJGHixn7CfLgZUHh6PfhbA0v8Id5c2rqb53tY30fheDLpEYHECMM1GELCkAJ2PaYDtfDOPjBEr7k/s400/IMG_0306.JPG" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">It's pretty obvious that she loves her hand-me-downs. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com2Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-69078125542714778792012-09-22T23:52:00.000+02:002012-09-22T23:52:07.421+02:00Biking Up the Rhein<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night Jon got me a bike. A brand new bike - out of a box. </div>
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I was willing to settle on the <i>Comfort</i> bike but Jon was set on getting me the <b>TREKKING 400</b>. </div>
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Sounds pretty impressive huh! </div>
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In a nutshell it's a cross over. </div>
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Not quite a mountain bike and not quite a cruiser.</div>
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Which I guess is perfect for me since </div>
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I'm not quite a country bumpkin and not quite a city girl. </div>
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Jon, the stud, actually assembled it with his few little bike tools in the parking lot.</div>
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And to celebrate our new found mobility </div>
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we went on a 20km bike ride from our house up the Rhein and back again.</div>
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Here we are at the half way point getting ready to turn around and head home. </div>
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Next time I'll have to stop and take some more pictures. </div>
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Jon still needs to adjust a couple things </div>
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and I really want to get a cushy seat </div>
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but otherwise it's AWESOME!!!!</div>
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Love it and I can't wait to ride it again tomorrow!</div>
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Yes, you read me right, I said tomorrow - I love my bike!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Charmian</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com4Rhein River Bike Path, Düsseldorf, Germany51.272225924455533 6.709213256835937551.232497424455531 6.6302492568359375 51.311954424455536 6.7881772568359375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9168174400460203967.post-87613213138189843762012-09-18T12:23:00.000+02:002012-10-13T08:48:42.734+02:00Fears<div style="text-align: center;">
It's amazing how things change. </div>
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When I was a tween/teen you couldn't get me off the phone. My daily routine was get off the bus, hustle home, and call my best friend <a href="http://allthebunchesoftheworld.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">Reagan</a>. And then proceed to talk to her while watching 90210, or cartoons, or while doing homework, or... well you get the idea. If I wasn't on the phone with Reagan it was with one of my other friends but the long of the short of it is, you couldn't get me off the phone.<br />
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<img src="http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1148678.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Teenage+girl+(14-16)+lying+on+upholstered+bed,+using+telephone" />
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Fast forward 20 years. Become an Expat. And BOOM! - I have a new fear.</div>
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I am scared of having to make a call. Ordering a pizza gives me the sweats and I can actually feel my heart rate rising just thinking about it. This leads me to my confession. I've been a really bad wife and mama. Alessandra needs to get in for her 21-24 month check up and Jon has had a toothache for about 3 months now. I have the phone numbers so I can't use that as an excuse, it's just that I'm afraid to call. The first thing I say when I call is "Hallo, Sprechen Sie Englisch?" And usually they respond "Nein" That's when the sweats and shakes start. How the heck am I going to do this. I usually do my research before hand so I know the words I need to say but the problem isn't me saying the words it's me understanding their responses. </div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{UPDATE - We have our dental appointment set for October 10th at 11.}</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-small;">{UPDATE - Alessandra has her appointment set for her check up.}</span></div>
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My biggest phone related fear is that one day I may have to call 112 (Germany's 911). Okay, I have to stop thinking about this my hands are shaking, my palms are sweaty, my heart is pounding. UUUGGGHHH!</div>
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The funny thing about this new fear is that it has started to melt into my everyday life. I now prefer texting to calling even to my English speaking friends. Talking on the phone isn't the pleasure it used to be. I wonder what else has/will change as I settle even further into my Expat life. </div>
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I guess we'll just have to wait and see. </div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><i>Tschüs,</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Charmian</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">Photo Source: </span><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/victoria-derbyshire-on-the-art-of-conversation-as-texting-1148929" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/victoria-derbyshire-on-the-art-of-conversation-as-texting-1148929</span></a><i><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"> </span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388282043065201196noreply@blogger.com4Düsseldorf, Germany51.2277411 6.773455651.068645100000005 6.4575986 51.3868371 7.0893126