tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15666086080293338982024-03-12T20:31:09.149-04:00Hoosier VagabondsHoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-89042907745314395782010-11-05T15:10:00.019-04:002010-11-06T02:53:23.979-04:00Dame Liberty von Stürmer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Dame Liberty von Stürmer</span></td></tr>
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</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNQec4wQ-LI/AAAAAAAAA54/43_uDiQ1KXQ/s1600/Libby6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNQec4wQ-LI/AAAAAAAAA54/43_uDiQ1KXQ/s200/Libby6.jpg" width="133" /></a>They say when you move to Germany you come back with a BMW, a baby and a cuckoo clock. All we need now is the cuckoo clock and we'll be home! Our new "baby's" name is Dame Liberty von Stürmer. She was born on August 17, 2010. We drove over seven hours nearly to the Denmark border to collect her on October 17. She is a Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) and we are all head over heels in love with her. Frau Christina, her breeder was most helpful in sending us pictures and taking such good care of her until she could join our family. If you go to the website, she is from the D Wurf (litter) and one of only two females out of nine puppies! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNQed-zjTgI/AAAAAAAAA58/JOv6Wb-rAwg/s1600/Momma+and+pups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNQed-zjTgI/AAAAAAAAA58/JOv6Wb-rAwg/s200/Momma+and+pups.jpg" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="130" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNQegjaS-dI/AAAAAAAAA6E/URoM8upwtS8/s200/Puppies2.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="133" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNQefOge4CI/AAAAAAAAA6A/5whh0IaWA9c/s200/pup1.jpg" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">Mutter: <a href="http://www.zwinger-von-stuermer.de/">Anni vom Warnowtal</a>................................... and her litter of 9 Our sweet Liberty </div><br />
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<div align="left"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJretJdyI/AAAAAAAAA6c/KZgypOD2j-w/s1600/camping+race+libby+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJretJdyI/AAAAAAAAA6c/KZgypOD2j-w/s200/camping+race+libby+124.JPG" style="cursor: move; filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 200px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 613px; visibility: hidden;" unselectable="on" width="72" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: small;">We began our search for a puppy a few months ago. After determining that we wanted a Swissy, we started looking for puppies. When we found our breeder </span><a href="http://www.zwinger-von-stuermer.de/"><span style="font-size: small;">Frau Christina Konig</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> had puppies that could leave the litter in one month. The month seemed last forever. We drove from Heidelberg to Stadum which is just minutes from the Denmark border, in the Jutlands. It was such and interesting part of Germany. There was a lot of agriculture and small towns, reminded us of home. Since it was such a long drive, we drove up late Friday night and stayed in a nice </span><a href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/goto/external/0?page=guide/show/166782/Germany/Leck/Nordfriesland-mit-Gastehausern&zone=hard-facts&url=http://www.hotelnordfriesland.de/"><span style="font-size: small;">gasthaus</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">in Leck, just a few minutes away. We met Liberty and Christina on Saturday morning, and enjoyed a warm cup of coffee. </span></div></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">Then spent the afternoon sightseeing in Sønderborg, Denmark on the Baltic Sea.</span></div><div align="left"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJzj9e7cI/AAAAAAAAA6k/bYbtLWvZGYI/s200/camping+race+libby+134.JPG" width="150" /> <img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJjXn8CiI/AAAAAAAAA6M/25v_6jDninc/s200/camping+race+libby+099.JPG" width="150" /> <img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJk8BwA5I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/_B0277qpjck/s200/camping+race+libby+113.JPG" width="200" /><br />
Ang and a Danish Flag ---- Tess at the Sea --- Erik in Sonderborg </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJqCwnqbI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/Gxthq3UBdjA/s200/camping+race+libby+123.JPG" width="150" /> <img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRMVVk5J-I/AAAAAAAAA6w/txoVivyIQyo/s200/camping+race+libby+133.JPG" width="200" /> <img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJm3q_SsI/AAAAAAAAA6U/-gkpRm9e6s4/s200/camping+race+libby+121.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Finally, Sunday morning came! <br />
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</div>Christina demonstrated what a great cart puller Liberty's mother, Anni is on this homemade cart that her husband built for the Swissies to pull. She was really fast and strong!<br />
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</div>Back to Heidelberg with our puppy!<br />
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<img height="96" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TNRJretJdyI/AAAAAAAAA6c/KZgypOD2j-w/s200/camping+race+libby+124.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 279px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 699px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" />Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-25555882244800807292010-05-31T10:08:00.000-04:002010-05-31T10:08:18.351-04:00Our First Visitors<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We were feeling a little nervous leading up to the arrival of Isaac and Alison, as the crazy volcano was spewing again. Luckily they landed safely only an hour delayed. The delay was due to a landing gear issue that had to be tended to, before they took off from Chicago. They were with us in <a href="http://www.heidelberg-guide.com/heidelberg_eng.html">Heidelberg</a> within an hour of their scheduled arrival!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> As we have mentioned, our apartment is a little small. Fortunately, we have a lot of storage space, including a small room on the 4th floor of our building, affectionately referred to as "the maids quarters." We actually have an especially small "maids quarters" compared to the others. We have made due and were able to squeeze a double bed in, with a dresser and table. It is much more cheery with the fresh blue paint and breezy window sheers. Here are a few pics for all of our future visitors! There is a shower and toilet room down the hall.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3M3WIhRI/AAAAAAAAA48/TidRUpl7lw0/s1600/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3M3WIhRI/AAAAAAAAA48/TidRUpl7lw0/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+037.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3PBbhbKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/sMwJo6m3JOk/s1600/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3PBbhbKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/sMwJo6m3JOk/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+034.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3I6wB8II/AAAAAAAAA4s/0Yk2uZ8Uy28/s1600/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3I6wB8II/AAAAAAAAA4s/0Yk2uZ8Uy28/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+045.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> They arrived mid-day with a little bit of jet-lag but in great spirits. They were able to nap on the plane, so their internal clocks were not too messed up. After an afternoon nap, they were good to go for the evening. We enjoyed showing them how to use the strassebahn (street car) and took them to the Hauptstrasse for dinner, and a stroll. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The next day they were able to do some venturing around Heidelberg on their own, while I transported the kids to activities and started our packing for the big trip! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>BIG CRUISE BLOG ~ FITS IN THIS SECTION ~ GO READ ABOUT THE CRUISE!</em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(It will be posted very soon 1-3 days)</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we returned from the cruise, they spent a day recovering and planning the next part of their adventure. with some pursuading from Alison they scheduled a trip to Munich! She really wanted to visit and learn about a concentration camp while here. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachau_concentration_camp">Dauchau</a> was one of the first, and has been made into a museum/memorial of sorts. All German school children are required to visit. It is just north of Munich, and they were able to get a "tourist" train pass for 3 days for a very reasonable price. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The next morning they were off! First to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englischer_Garten">English Gardens</a>, to find the hotel (which was nearby) and then to a bike tour. Bike tour Palace, museums, rubbed the lions noses, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marienplatz">Marienplatz</a> and everything in between.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
They enjoyed dinner at the <a href="http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/01/hist_anfang_en.html">Hofbrauhaus</a> and bier by the litre, fun, difficulty finding a seat but boisterous and loud! Finally, they plopped down next to others. The next morning was the tour to Dachau and then the train ride home.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The next morning they had plans of using their train ticket to the Baden-Baden Spas, but Alison was pretty tired and they decided to sleep intstead. So when everyone was up and going, we went to the <a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Schtzenhaus-Eppelheim-v302415">Schutzenhaus</a>, though we were hoping to sit in the garden, the ground was too wet and we settled for sitting outside, but in the porch-like area. We introduced Isaac and Alison to schnitzel, and the German spaetzel and salads and of course it was all washed down with a Pils. As their diets are usually made up of chicken fingers, french fries, ranch and ketchup, and unlimited soda, it is questionable as to if they enjoyed their meals...needless to say we certainly did!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO2_hld70I/AAAAAAAAA4M/CdMCF79uVOA/s1600/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO2_hld70I/AAAAAAAAA4M/CdMCF79uVOA/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+019.JPG" width="200" /></a>After lunch, we visited the <a href="http://www.schwetzinger-schlossgarten.de/geschichte_des_schlosses.htm">Schwetzingen Palace</a>, where we had a mix of rain and sunshine. We strolled through the extensive gardens and random bits of wildlife. Their were many birds, including geese, a mean swan that followed us around and gave us warning signs (Is there really any question as to why I hate birds?) We enjoyed watching a mama duck with her 4 little ducklings. We also came across this neat guy catching his dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO209lb0II/AAAAAAAAA3k/TCPAi8edS3I/s1600/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO209lb0II/AAAAAAAAA3k/TCPAi8edS3I/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+009.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO2zGgrNjI/AAAAAAAAA3c/l3AyTUCBwXs/s1600/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO2zGgrNjI/AAAAAAAAA3c/l3AyTUCBwXs/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+004.JPG" width="200" /></a>We came across this interesting critter in a small lake, when we first saw him swimming we thought he was a beaver, but after watching him for a bit we decided he is a muskrat or otter of some kind. When he got out of the water his tail was long and rat-like.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We kept seeing these huge fish in the water, that Isaac determined to be grass carp. They were black and pretty gross looking. We were really fascinated in watching them come to the surface, look how big their mouths were when opened!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we left the gardens it began to downpour! Right after we all loaded into the jeep the sun started to peak out. As we headed toward home, we spotted first a single rainbow, and then a double!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3BVi1AFI/AAAAAAAAA4U/JZMaUKMkIxc/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+021.JPG" width="200" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3DxjpUeI/AAAAAAAAA4c/Ebrnz9Y8_Xs/s1600/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAO3DxjpUeI/AAAAAAAAA4c/Ebrnz9Y8_Xs/s200/Schwetzingen+with+Alison+%26+Isaac+023.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we got back into Heidelberg, Erik decided to take us up the big hill behind our house to see the German, WWI cemetary. There is a memorial that was really neat, with spectacular views of the area. It is very park-like, with lovely old trees. A really nice place for a walk.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>With one more day left on their train ticket, they decided to take the train to the airport. Erik took them to the train station this morning and they are on their way back now. We wish them safe travels!<br />
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</div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-17860788599857071132010-05-29T17:22:00.000-04:002010-05-29T17:22:43.674-04:00Cheers to a life well lived!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, would have been Grandpa (Paul) Rosenberger's 85th birthday. Though he passed away in November, there are still days that I see things or hear something interesting, and forget for a second and think of picking up the phone to tell him. His genuine interest and humble amazement in learning new concepts and bits of information was something that I have always counted on. I miss being able to rely on his eager audience (whether in person or on the phone) to share my adventures and tales. No matter where in the world my story started, he could make a connection. It was like 7 degrees to Paul Rosenberger. In fact I catch myself doing it with random people that I encounter, maybe it wasn't so crazy after all...or I inherited that same quirky gene? </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers to a life well lived!</span></strong></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAGCSgp1cjI/AAAAAAAAA3U/soAXkdXwQdA/s1600/Paul.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAGCSgp1cjI/AAAAAAAAA3U/soAXkdXwQdA/s320/Paul.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Who is that man, always a smile on his face</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Taking his time, it's never a race</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>You may see him hunting or with a rod in his hand</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Or out in his field, harvesting the land</em></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>The shop light could glow to the wee hours of morning</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>He'd take off with a buddy, no sign, no warning</em></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>He took pride in his garden, nothing he couldn't grow</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>He was out every morning, nine kids in tow</em></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>The way his eyes smile and brighten your day</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>He's sure to leave an impression, some how, some way</em></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Calloused were his hands, his heart soft and true</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Handshakes were often, his word was his glue</em></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>He always had the answer, nothing he couldn't mend</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>to some he was a hero, a partner, a friend</em></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>His family was his life, he was proud of us all</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Never to be forgotten, we love you Grandpa</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><em> </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><em> by: Krissy Maddock</em></span></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-91785326108815955542010-05-29T12:03:00.000-04:002010-05-29T12:05:20.712-04:00Easter in Scotland<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAyHiw2Q-I/AAAAAAAAAus/9bnZrqNiklA/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAyHiw2Q-I/AAAAAAAAAus/9bnZrqNiklA/s200/IMG_0375.JPG" width="200" /></a>Since, before our big move to Europe we have been hoping to spend time with my step-sister, Rachel and her husband Ian, in Scotland. After several months we finally built up our courage, gave Ryanair a try and flew to Edinburgh for Easter! The was our most enjoyable trip yet! Of course they are absolutely the most gracious hosts imaginable (and there was no bribe for me to say so) and the weather seemed to want us to have a lovely time as well. It was so interesting as our plane landed we were seeing fields with dustings of snow, the wind seemed to be whipping and chilly. Okay, so you are thinking...Really? "The weather wanted you to have a lovely time" but it was almost miraculous, when we woke our first morning in Scotland, to sunshine and calmer winds. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was wonderful to spend a week with Rachel, Ian,and of course Ernest. Their home, Abbey House, is in the small village of Coldingham, Scotland. Just barely north of the English border and near the Sea. We loved spending time in their beautiful home that they have lovingly re-done, it has so much character and interesting details. It was quite the contrast from our government issue apartment. The gardens were ideal for the bunny visit on Easter morning. While Rachel and Ian were so kind to entertain us, their fluffy rag-muffin Ernest was kept on the run from the affections of Tess.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEstGO--kI/AAAAAAAAAx8/GXV0h8ZI4BM/s1600/Scotland+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEstGO--kI/AAAAAAAAAx8/GXV0h8ZI4BM/s200/Scotland+036.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAzCT4P39I/AAAAAAAAAxk/l6vDYXPDcCM/s1600/Scotland+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAzCT4P39I/AAAAAAAAAxk/l6vDYXPDcCM/s200/Scotland+037.JPG" width="150" /></a>We even found some time to dye the eggs. We hadn't really thought about needing get white eggs, so we dyed the brown eggs that we had. They came out </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The day of our arrival, Ian and Erik went to the butcher and returned from the Butcher they had tales of the the Harbor Hut being destroyed from the St. Abbs Harbor having high winds and flooding! </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ian arranged for a charter to take us out on the Sea, it was a bit too choppy on the first full day there and the harbor was a bit of a mess. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAxmOVfnEI/AAAAAAAAAsE/KUg1POOYTQw/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAxmOVfnEI/AAAAAAAAAsE/KUg1POOYTQw/s200/IMG_0337.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAyoabN4hI/AAAAAAAAAwU/O3whUmH_n18/s1600/Scotland+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAyoabN4hI/AAAAAAAAAwU/O3whUmH_n18/s200/Scotland+003.JPG" width="200" /></a>We toured the <a href="http://www.bamburghcastle.com/">Bamburgh Castle</a> instead. The castle sits on a cliff overlooking a beach with dunes and the sea. Helping Graham fire the cannon to the left is Flat Stanley. Graham's friend James sent him for and adventure from Augusta, Georgia.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuMnoDLRI/AAAAAAAAAy8/4wTUPNbbLJE/s1600/Scotland+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuMnoDLRI/AAAAAAAAAy8/4wTUPNbbLJE/s200/Scotland+010.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuUpgNCEI/AAAAAAAAAzk/cOjqrVOgyb0/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuUpgNCEI/AAAAAAAAAzk/cOjqrVOgyb0/s200/IMG_0342.JPG" width="200" /></a>Though it was pretty windy, it was nice to be on the beach and have the sun shine down on our faces. It seems like it has been a long dark winter in Germany, so the bright sun was a welcome change. After the castle visit we enjoyed lunch at a tea house. Where we saw this fabulous telephone boothe outside. I noticed Ian ordered "Tea with biscuits" and when they came they were these delicious looking biscuits filled with cream. Next time, I am just going to copy what he orders!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The next day the seas were settled and we were able to venture out in the boat. When we arrived at the harbor, they had started to clean things up and there was a rumor that the new Harbor Hut was on it's way. Our Captain, Paul, met us in the harbor and lead the way to the pier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuHYKgLcI/AAAAAAAAAys/2DOE3cF_qzQ/s1600/Scotland+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuHYKgLcI/AAAAAAAAAys/2DOE3cF_qzQ/s200/Scotland+013.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuEKWMbFI/AAAAAAAAAyk/nknYenFPSco/s1600/Scotland+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuEKWMbFI/AAAAAAAAAyk/nknYenFPSco/s200/Scotland+018.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuAMlq_WI/AAAAAAAAAyU/z3BK7tiV9mY/s1600/Scotland+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuAMlq_WI/AAAAAAAAAyU/z3BK7tiV9mY/s200/Scotland+026.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAE18v07thI/AAAAAAAAA3M/jXlhcoiXjQk/s1600/Scotland+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAE18v07thI/AAAAAAAAA3M/jXlhcoiXjQk/s200/Scotland+012.JPG" width="150" /></a>To our surprise (we hadn't been thinking about the tide, which was out) there was a 20 foot ladder climb down to the boat! The thought of sending Tess down was a little hairy, but she did really great and we all got down and back up with no problem at all! <a href="http://www.prioryview.com/boat.html">Captain Paul charted us in the Lazy G</a>, even gave the kids some time at the helm. There were breathtaking views everywhere, castle ruins, cliffs with sheep grazing out to the very edge, seals sunbathing and swimming, and sea-side villages. The sun was shining and the temperature was quite comfortable. </div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We spent a day in Edinburgh, where we did a tour of the royal yatch <a href="http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/">Britannia</a>. Unfortunately we only had Graham's camera with us and can't seem to find the cord to upload his pictures! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAxxFe-YmI/AAAAAAAAAs8/0229pPauTMg/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAxxFe-YmI/AAAAAAAAAs8/0229pPauTMg/s200/IMG_0346.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuciZDTrI/AAAAAAAAA0U/HctKOYPCK3Y/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuciZDTrI/AAAAAAAAA0U/HctKOYPCK3Y/s200/IMG_0355.JPG" width="200" /></a>We went to the top of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Monument">Sir Walter Scott Memorial</a>. Erik almost did not fit up the small stairways near the top. While we did not visit the Edinburgh Castle there was a great view from the monument! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Of course we rode on top of a double-decker bus too!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuiv1RkwI/AAAAAAAAA08/DnF1olWMm_4/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuiv1RkwI/AAAAAAAAA08/DnF1olWMm_4/s200/IMG_0365.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEulUxRsZI/AAAAAAAAA1M/HfxZ7moOe6g/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEulUxRsZI/AAAAAAAAA1M/HfxZ7moOe6g/s200/IMG_0367.JPG" width="150" /></a>Visited the <a href="http://www.nationalgalleries.org/">National Gallery Museum</a>, the small price to pay for excellent behavior for the full two hours in the museum was a trip to the Golden Arches for lunch. We used the audio guides and were able to see so many really neat pieces!There was a quick walk down part of the <a href="http://www.edinburgh-royalmile.com/history/history-royalmile.html">Royal Mile</a>. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We really loved Edinburgh, and certainly plan to return to take in everything we weren't able to see!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Easter morning we attended a service just a short walk from Abbey House at the <a href="http://www.coldingham.info/history/coldingham-priory.shtml">Coldingham Priory</a>, everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Before church, the children enjoyed an Easter Bunny (or Oester Hase as Tess says) hunt in the gardens. Auntie Rachel gave the children beautiful Easter baskets for collecting their goodies and eggs. After church we returned for a delicious meal prepared by Ian. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEutD78r9I/AAAAAAAAA1k/EHlaMbRWt80/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEutD78r9I/AAAAAAAAA1k/EHlaMbRWt80/s200/IMG_0371.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuu7rhXoI/AAAAAAAAA1s/fXwTkDKarX4/s200/IMG_0372.JPG" width="200" /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuwb9n2fI/AAAAAAAAA10/NyLd_a6vXHQ/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuwb9n2fI/AAAAAAAAA10/NyLd_a6vXHQ/s200/IMG_0373.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the big hunt, there was loot to be sorted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuzgIi_eI/AAAAAAAAA2E/PCFmvQXjAzY/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAEuzgIi_eI/AAAAAAAAA2E/PCFmvQXjAzY/s200/IMG_0376.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Many, many thanks to Rachel and Ian for having us. It was a truly wonderful and memorable Easter and visit. We look forward to showing you around Heidelberg soon!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/TAAxtV9pt-I/AAAAAAAAAsk/4H4SMU0mtkk/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-20210014782604776182010-05-10T02:20:00.000-04:002010-05-10T02:20:04.870-04:00First Communion<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-eiU6x-X2I/AAAAAAAAAr8/iJOkle8wMjI/s1600/First+Communion+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-eiU6x-X2I/AAAAAAAAAr8/iJOkle8wMjI/s400/First+Communion+013.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First Communion for Graham and thirty-six, second graders. Eight-year olds drinking wine is frowned upon most of the time, but on this occasion we could not be more proud of our man. During the Saturday evening mass at the Mark Twain Village Chapel, Graham and is classmates took their first communion. Father Jim Bets conducted the service, and Angela and I were able to take part by lecturing and ushering the children.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egmsuPEBI/AAAAAAAAAqs/s-3BJSJa9hA/s1600/First+Communion+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egmsuPEBI/AAAAAAAAAqs/s-3BJSJa9hA/s200/First+Communion+007.JPG" tt="true" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egrh_QnYI/AAAAAAAAAq8/1JzNTUpzVp4/s1600/First+Communion+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egrh_QnYI/AAAAAAAAAq8/1JzNTUpzVp4/s200/First+Communion+010.JPG" tt="true" width="150" /></a>Graham looked especially sharp in his Italian pinstriped suit as he walked into the church holding his candle. He and the other children all did a great job during the mass. Fortunately, no one set anything (or anyone) on fire or used their candle as a sword. Father Bets shared a simple story that explained the meaning of communion. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When Graham saw that the Blood of Christ was clear, he concluded that it in Germany, they must use apple juice. After his first sip, he quickly realized it is different in Germany but nobody watered down the Blood of Christ, it is a white wine. After taking the wine, one of the children said, “It tastes like whisky.” Her mother is from Ireland, so we let it slide and did not ask questions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egvczgmhI/AAAAAAAAArM/9ps4SmIMSj0/s1600/First+Communion+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egvczgmhI/AAAAAAAAArM/9ps4SmIMSj0/s200/First+Communion+019.JPG" tt="true" width="133" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-eguFQhUiI/AAAAAAAAArE/vgs783489og/s1600/First+Communion+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-eguFQhUiI/AAAAAAAAArE/vgs783489og/s320/First+Communion+017.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Angie coordinated a party with four other first communion families. She and her friend made enough lasagna and cake to make Garfield drool. With some help, the Dads set up a party tent. The weather cleared, the sun came out and it warmed up just in time. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egydu72uI/AAAAAAAAArk/mHlZjoJO58I/s1600/First+Communion+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egydu72uI/AAAAAAAAArk/mHlZjoJO58I/s200/First+Communion+025.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-eg0jZybFI/AAAAAAAAAr0/wUN1_8mRN8o/s1600/First+Communion+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-eg0jZybFI/AAAAAAAAAr0/wUN1_8mRN8o/s200/First+Communion+029.JPG" tt="true" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egzkwhWXI/AAAAAAAAArs/M9a9UNCKa08/s1600/First+Communion+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egzkwhWXI/AAAAAAAAArs/M9a9UNCKa08/s200/First+Communion+026.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Around forty people attended, including Father and most of our stairwell. The kids ran around the yard and were on the playground while the adults enjoyed food and drink. Angela’s cross shaped cake was very nice, and each child had a cake with their name on it. It was a great day and nice to spend it with friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egwj43FaI/AAAAAAAAArU/9DSDdwPS8XY/s1600/First+Communion+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egwj43FaI/AAAAAAAAArU/9DSDdwPS8XY/s200/First+Communion+021.JPG" tt="true" width="133" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egT0BStqI/AAAAAAAAAqk/6sVhcB5FaAU/s1600/First+Communion+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egT0BStqI/AAAAAAAAAqk/6sVhcB5FaAU/s200/First+Communion+016.JPG" tt="true" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egxlCTJ0I/AAAAAAAAArc/zXkz1xz7S4s/s1600/First+Communion+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S-egxlCTJ0I/AAAAAAAAArc/zXkz1xz7S4s/s200/First+Communion+024.JPG" tt="true" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-54682990556606546242010-04-13T14:36:00.002-04:002010-05-10T10:02:37.133-04:00GR-ah-Amsterdam<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VflUj-kJI/AAAAAAAAAls/qOtgfA4X8-g/s1600/Amsterdam+022.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459875218036002962" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VflUj-kJI/AAAAAAAAAls/qOtgfA4X8-g/s200/Amsterdam+022.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a> Quote of the trip:<br />
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<div align="left">"You know if you just add a G-R it will be Gr-ah Amsterdam."<br />
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It was spring break for the family and we decided to take off for the home of art, canals, windmills and the infamous “coffee shops.” Why not go to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It is the world’s most liberal city and very receptive of we vagabonds.<br />
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We started early in the morning with a trip on the high speed ICE (intercity express) train. This is our first long trip on the train. It was long awaited by Graham. We sped along the Rine River and into Holland as day broke. It is a very easy way to go.<br />
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Upon reaching Amsterdam and our hotel, we went into the city saw row after row of canals and 5 story canal houses. We walked and used the city tram line to find the Museum Square. Flanked by art galleries and concert halls, it is green lawn of about 4 blocks that included a café and playground. It is a great place to stretch our legs from the crowded city sidewalks.<br />
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While on the play ground Tess found a Middle Eastern family to play with. She was able to sucker them into pushing her on the huge swing, and they seemed to take an interest in our little one. With some limited English, They asked if she was from the UK. Tess did not give a good answer and the family continued to swing her and ask questions about the UK. Then they asked her to sing and song. Tess unresponsive till this point sings a song in German, at which point they proclaim "She's Deutch!" Our international kid of mystery left that poor family all confused.</div><div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VhPdw35FI/AAAAAAAAAmc/W4PBeE6sy8Q/s1600/Amsterdam+013.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459877041572144210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VhPdw35FI/AAAAAAAAAmc/W4PBeE6sy8Q/s200/Amsterdam+013.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 145px; width: 197px;" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VhPInnfwI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Cxw4UQBVLnU/s1600/Amsterdam+012.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459877035896176386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VhPInnfwI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Cxw4UQBVLnU/s200/Amsterdam+012.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 144px; width: 207px;" /></a></div><div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vh3IicEVI/AAAAAAAAAmk/qBWgHWo2tTQ/s1600/Amsterdam+018.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459877723069223250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vh3IicEVI/AAAAAAAAAmk/qBWgHWo2tTQ/s200/Amsterdam+018.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 199px; width: 149px;" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VucNaCXJI/AAAAAAAAAps/AsSPdRnCZNY/s1600/Amsterdam+003.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459891554170854546" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VucNaCXJI/AAAAAAAAAps/AsSPdRnCZNY/s200/Amsterdam+003.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 199px; width: 155px;" /></a><br />
We went to the Van Gogh Museum. Compared to rest of the city it is very modern and open. After a brief moment of protest, we paid Tess off with 25 cents to ride in a stroller, and she was asleep after about an hour. Graham did great and even showed some interest. The Museum showed the great changes that van Gogh made in the course of his ten years of painting, and it was wonderful to see so many of the famous paintings up close.<br />
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We chose to explain to Graham that the often present smell of burnt skunk in the city was not tulips, but was pot. Luckily, he was fully against drug use. While curious, we did not stretch our luck with a trip to the Red Light District. We could have pulled off that the ladies in the windows were underwear models, but the trip itself would have knocked us out of the parent of the year running.<br />
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On Saturday we took a bus trip out of the city and to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. We saw some of the land that was reclaimed from the sea, windmills, and several tulip fields in bloom. The Gardens themselves were almost in full bloom, and are a sight to the see. The flower beds were laid out in elaborate patterns with a Russian Theme. Of course there are thousands of varieties of tulips on display. Some were taller than the kids with blooms as big as a soft ball. We spent 5 hours walking the paths. There was also a restored windmill that we were able to go into, and the kids found a zip line to ride near a petting zoo.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VucBqU2tI/AAAAAAAAApk/NchIvxN68iU/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459891551017949906" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VucBqU2tI/AAAAAAAAApk/NchIvxN68iU/s200/IMG_0464.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 144px; width: 191px;" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vubw2voYI/AAAAAAAAApc/_B5Ho8Qxfrs/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459891546506633602" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vubw2voYI/AAAAAAAAApc/_B5Ho8Qxfrs/s200/IMG_0431.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 146px; width: 190px;" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vubgt7muI/AAAAAAAAApU/JieozzR1MFk/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459891542174702306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vubgt7muI/AAAAAAAAApU/JieozzR1MFk/s200/IMG_0425.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 147px; width: 198px;" /></a><br />
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These trees look like they are upside down! No trip to Kuekenhof is complete without a picture in front of the iconic tulip bulbs and of course wearing a pair fo wooden shoes. Graham and Tess are sitting in the middle of a single tree. We aren't sure what kind of tree it is, but there were several of these.<br />
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<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VruQgLxtI/AAAAAAAAAo8/MMGYn0z8QEA/s1600/IMG_0439.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459888565704705746" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VruQgLxtI/AAAAAAAAAo8/MMGYn0z8QEA/s200/IMG_0439.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 180px; width: 132px;" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VruIwCpTI/AAAAAAAAAo0/9o7Um8A2N98/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459888563623732530" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VruIwCpTI/AAAAAAAAAo0/9o7Um8A2N98/s200/IMG_0451.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 143px; width: 193px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vrt1U19vI/AAAAAAAAAos/sqqamBpdyt8/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459888558409381618" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Vrt1U19vI/AAAAAAAAAos/sqqamBpdyt8/s200/IMG_0456.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 126px; width: 158px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VrujnLrCI/AAAAAAAAApE/muqleBPqAa0/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459888570834332706" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VrujnLrCI/AAAAAAAAApE/muqleBPqAa0/s200/IMG_0413.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 176px; width: 129px;" /></a> </div><div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VwXQXup8I/AAAAAAAAAqM/AooxvUEko04/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459893668090390466" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VwXQXup8I/AAAAAAAAAqM/AooxvUEko04/s200/IMG_0407.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VwRozoGFI/AAAAAAAAAqE/I1O-Vilj59I/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459893571570636882" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VwRozoGFI/AAAAAAAAAqE/I1O-Vilj59I/s200/IMG_0406.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px;" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Angie: I remember a few of these little blue things popping up in my Aunt Kay's front/side yard each year. I always wondered what they were, and there were never this many! </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>> <br />
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</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><div>On Sunday we went to an open air art market, and to the bakery for breakfast on the main shopping street. We walked from open squares and along the canals. This is one of the really bizarre (and funny) street performers that we saw in Dam Squa<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Viwl1IWNI/AAAAAAAAAms/Uyg90VgXLyw/s1600/Amsterdam+024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459878710184794322" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Viwl1IWNI/AAAAAAAAAms/Uyg90VgXLyw/s200/Amsterdam+024.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 194px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 136px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Viw4FiDkI/AAAAAAAAAm0/zzi7GupcfOY/s1600/Amsterdam+025.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459878715085426242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Viw4FiDkI/AAAAAAAAAm0/zzi7GupcfOY/s200/Amsterdam+025.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 194px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 143px;" /></a>re...Is that an awesome mullet or what? Once we moved away from the central Dam Square Area, the city is cleaner and is filled with relaxed cafés and fun shops. Almost everyone speaks perfect English and they are very friendly. The city runs on bicycles so watch out when crossing the street.<br />
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In the evening we visited the Anne Frank Hiding Place, it was a moving and informative place. It humanized the cost of the Nazi ideas.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VmXrXPCiI/AAAAAAAAAnc/6X_JtltLWUQ/s1600/Amsterdam+029.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459882680219798050" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8VmXrXPCiI/AAAAAAAAAnc/6X_JtltLWUQ/s200/Amsterdam+029.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 158px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 133px;" /></a> For dinner Angie had been wanting to go to a french fry shop all weekend, and it was great. This shop was called Mannekenpis and had "1e Prijs Beste Frites Van Nederland." I know that a full meal of fries sounds bad, and in the whole picture it is, but they were good. In our defense, we did not know how much we bought until they gave it to us.<br />
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</div><div><div>We give Grahamsterdam 4 stars. </div></div></div></div><div><br />
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<div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-91758255593616817472010-02-13T14:49:00.000-05:002010-02-15T03:56:35.435-05:00Our First Fasching<div><div><div><div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S3cP9CYYM3I/AAAAAAAAAiE/GD8LeNRGA-0/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437832616358720370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S3cP9CYYM3I/AAAAAAAAAiE/GD8LeNRGA-0/s320/023.JPG" /></a>Fasching. I don't really know anything about it, but here is what I have gathered (without googling.) It is like a German Mardi Gras, it seems to go on for about a week on Thursday it was Women's Day, where apparently all of the women all go out partying and if they see a man with a tie on they cut it off. Thursday, Tess came home with her face all done up with paint and sparkles, compliments of one of her teachers, Frau Butz (pronounced boots.)<br /></div><div><div>Friday, her school celebrated with their own Faschingfest! We found out about the party several weeks ago and being the very American parents, her teachers were quick to set us straight. When they told us about the party they explained that it would have a "Magic" theme and she would "dress up as something magical, no cowboys and no pricesses" = Nothing the American's might choose on their own. I gave her the deer in headlights look and she said "Tess will be a fairy." Good I can't mess that up.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S3cTINEOJUI/AAAAAAAAAi0/kPGC4wvDp50/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437836106740409666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S3cTINEOJUI/AAAAAAAAAi0/kPGC4wvDp50/s320/037.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Last week was the sign-up for what each person would bring for the party. Since they only speak German at her school, it is a big success if I figure out what we are supposed to be doing. The bulletin board for the parents frequently has signs posted that say "Lieb Eltern," which means "Parents" then a lot of Deutsch that I can't read. So I memorize or jot down what I think the main words are, go home translate the best that I can and then return that afternoon and just ask for clarification. By the time I returned to the sign-up for what to bring , the only opening was for "zwergentoastturmchen" so, I had to go back home and google what the heck that is. The answer: Dwarf Toast Towers. Still clueless, I waited until the next morning when I saw German mother that I knew spoke English too. She explained them as "layers of bread with something between them and then you cut the sides at angles." I just put my name at the bottom next to Eingen Ideen, My own idea. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437835381921048210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S3cSeA50ZpI/AAAAAAAAAik/CkDgljoJ65I/s320/033.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Since Fasching is kind of like our Halloween in many ways, and Gummies are a big deal here, I thought we could do the Oreo dirt udding with gummy worms burried in it. When Erik asked about bringing something sweet, the language was difficult so he started babbling about desserts and what not. Frau Noori, said "You bring fruit." Errgh. Not what I had in mind. So I decided to do mini fruit pizzas, even though I was very nervous that they would be angry that I sent something so sweet. I was really relieved when Erik said there was a lot of distractions with all of the little fairies and the teachers were dressed as hexen (witches) so the sweet little treats were just slid in. </div><br /><div>Fasching will not end until Tuesday, and there will be parades all over! I plan to take the kids to the one downtown Heidelberg on Tuesday, and expect it to be quite the cultural experience.</div><br /><div></div>While I am updating my posts, I want to give everyone an update on our Graham. He has just completed his second full week of 3rd grade. Though he misses his second grade teacher Mrs. Peterson, he really likes his new class and is enjoying Mrs. Williams. He is also adjusting to his new work load and getting caught up with the other 3rd graders with the instruction that is all new to him. Since I have been substituting at the school, I have been lucky enough to get to join him for lunch lately. His evenings are busy with piano, cub scouts and his basketball team, where Erik is his coach. Even with his busy schedule he is working very hard and making us very proud!<br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 234px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437830571898366546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S3cOGCLC6lI/AAAAAAAAAhk/jx3v2tmP-iQ/s320/003.JPG" /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-87402092012226980972010-02-02T10:57:00.001-05:002010-02-02T16:12:26.918-05:00We Made it to Germany...Then Stopped BloggingThe whole purpose of our blog was to keep everyone at home up to date on what we are doing. So it is ironic that we finally made the big move, we stopped blogging. So I have been working on my time management and I do have time to blog...I just have to make the time! I have completed (and published) all of the blogs that were drafts just waiting to be published. Now I am going to post our 2009 Family Christmas Letter and start fresh for 2010. So anyone who gave up on our blog, and bothers to randomly check-in and notices that there has been a change, please come back!<br /><div align="center"><br /><em>Weihnachtsgrüße! Merry Christmas! </div></em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433756746806137042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2iU-NFDENI/AAAAAAAAAhU/e8_de0Qc_yw/s400/Collages9.jpg" /><br />We are excited to announce that in July the Hendrickson’s went international and are now serving up good cheer in Heidelberg, Germany. Leaving the sweet tea of Georgia for the bier of Deutschland has had its share of cultural, linguistic and logistical issues, luckily bier costs less than water and is acceptable anytime of day. Everyone agrees the local pastries and chocolate are justification enough for the move, and provide relative compensation for our small military issue apartment. We are enjoying our new home that now includes a carefully selected Tannenbaum from the tree farm.<br /><br />In reviewing the year we have to take the bitter before the sweet, and mention that in November the Rosenberger Family endured the loss of their beloved patriarch and Angela’s grandfather, Paul. He was a truly wonderful person and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Ethel is in our prayers.<br /><br />For the sweet, it has been a wonderful year of seeing and doing new things. We made a pilgrimage to the small Georgia towns of Plaines and Warm Springs over Presidents Day. We toured FDR’s Little White House, and heard Jimmy Carter speak about the accomplishments of his presidency. No one in the room had the heart to tell him that his recollection of his time in office was a touch distorted, but Rosalynn did correct him on some of the dates.<br /><br />Graham and Angela had a full year of their favorite “extreme water sport,” fishing. For Mother’s Day we took a charter off on the coast of South Carolina. Graham caught flounder. His mom found the ugliest fish in the ocean called a clam cracker; it was promptly tossed back. Graham also caught his birthday dinner of 8 trout from a lake east of Heidelberg. True to his fishing form, Erik’s thumb was smashed in the mouth of catfish from a pond in Indiana, but he continues to persevere against his aquatic nemesis and will feebly continue to fish.<br /><br />Graham attends the American school and loves his teacher Mrs. Peterson. He continues in Cub Scouts, Baseball, and has a new piano teacher, Ms. Corina. With the Scouts, he and Erik spent a weekend on the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier. The ship was amazing, but the staff denied Erik from the officer’s quarters, and he had a hard time fitting in a sailor’s bunk. We look forward to a scout trip this month to Belgium, where we will see re-enactments of the Battle of the Bulge. He will make his first communion, on Mother’s Day. All of this pales to the excitement over Grandma Suzy’s chickens. He is the “chicken whisperer” and if they wander too far, he asks them “Why did you cross the road?”<br /><br />Tess is in a German kindergarten where she is picking up some of the language, and making many friends. She was Alice in Wonderland for Halloween, which was celebrated throughout our “gated community” with lots of tasty warm beverages, candy and even a bouncy house! Tess likes being in the children’s choir, dance, and is getting introduced to the piano by Ms. Corina. As we walk Tess to and from schule, she stops to visit the Kaninchengarten, which is a small fenced in yard, belonging to one of our German neighbors with two bunnies.<br /><br />Angela continues to volunteer, and most recently began helping the Sisters of Charity in Mannheim. She is pursuing a Masters in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, is the Secretary of the PTA, substitutes, and joined a book club. Last summer she and Erik took part in Brookville’s Canoe Fest, Erik and his partner won the Bank Race. Ang and her friend Randi teamed up, only sharing with the other that neither had ever canoed minutes before the race. Depending on whom you ask, they may have won their race or finished in the top 20. They did great, the official who saved them from a rapid said so!<br /><br />Erik has a peculiar fear of T’s kindergarten teacher Frau Noori, who is quick to let Erik know if he is even 1 minute late! He ran the Georgia Marathon in the spring, and his Fort Gordon team won the Marine Mud Challenge in the summer. He is a leader with the Cub Scouts. He is currently working with Administrative Law for V Corps, and is the legal officer for the 18th Engineer Brigade, and likes his work.<br /><br />We wish you all a wonderful holiday and a great year ahead!<br /><br /><br /><div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-1936585387914458382009-10-02T09:00:00.000-04:002010-02-02T10:56:21.374-05:00Baby Bird Tattoos<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hKq7DKBlI/AAAAAAAAAg0/z53SJP9vqLw/s1600-h/August+and+September+2009+051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433675051688396370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hKq7DKBlI/AAAAAAAAAg0/z53SJP9vqLw/s200/August+and+September+2009+051.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>A few nights ago, the kids had just gotten out of the bath, and put their pajamas on. We were watching a movie, and looked over to see Tess drawing all over her leg with a purple (not washable) marker. I asked her what she was doing and she told me "drawing on my leg to make it beautiful." I was irritated but curious, so I asked "what could you possibly be putting on your leg to make it more beautiful than it already is?" She explained "a beautiful bird." We do call her "Lady Bird" and "Our Baby Bird" sometimes Grandma Lynn calls her "T Bird" or we shorten it to just "Bird."<br /></div><div>None of us have tattoos, it is not something we encourage. So we think we'll just balme Erik's brother Vance.</div><br /><div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-4957178562807027692009-08-29T16:07:00.000-04:002010-04-13T13:43:57.173-04:00Munnich<span style="font-family:georgia;">Our first big adventure came just a few weeks after our Jeep arrived. Family travel in our car was a big step for us. We decided to go to Bavaria and check out Munnich and the Neuschwansten Castle. We planned for a few days to make sure out big American Jeep would be able to park and drive in a city. So we went out with some excitment and trepedation.<br /><br />Then... less than 30 minutes out of Heidelberg there was a stau (traffic jam) on the autobahn and we were rear-ended. After, feeling really awkward trying to learn the how to drive here, the autobahn, te</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RJ41tP-sI/AAAAAAAAAjM/0IRVmbQExd8/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459569889118255810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RJ41tP-sI/AAAAAAAAAjM/0IRVmbQExd8/s200/IMG_0210.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">eny tiny parking spaces, low parking garages and zippy little European cars, It made me finally feel good about keeping our big, American car. Tess was way back in the third row, and didn't even know that we were hit! She was safe and we are thankful. Unfortunately for the</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RJ_LMKNuI/AAAAAAAAAjU/gjFwlDikimc/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 193px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459569997964261090" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RJ_LMKNuI/AAAAAAAAAjU/gjFwlDikimc/s200/IMG_0212.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> other driver it smashed in the front of his car. We had been warned that Germans can be pretty irate and crazy when in a car accident. Lucky for us he was pretty mellow. He didn't speak any English and we have a very limited Deutsch vocabulary. With minimal damage to our car we got the gentleman's information and continued on the trip.<br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">When we finally arrived in Munnich, all of our worries about our car being too big were put to rest, when our parking was outside! We were actually staying in a Holiday Inn (because we could book on-line and pay in dollars rather than euro) at the edge of town, but within a quick walk to the train to go into the city and see the sites. The first thing we went to see was Marienplatz, where the town hall stands and we could see this great clock tower! At a certain time each day (which we were there for on one of the days) the chimes toll and then music begins and these figures in the clock move. It was made to celebrate the end of a plague. Below are a few pics of the clock tower and town hall, the one to the far right is Graham at the top!<br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RLui6x4NI/AAAAAAAAAjk/MQQwHYHvCFE/s1600/Venturing+Out+046.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459571911299293394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RLui6x4NI/AAAAAAAAAjk/MQQwHYHvCFE/s200/Venturing+Out+046.JPG" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RL8LLFhSI/AAAAAAAAAjs/z2F--q7bPfQ/s1600/Venturing+Out+051.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459572145443407138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RL8LLFhSI/AAAAAAAAAjs/z2F--q7bPfQ/s200/Venturing+Out+051.JPG" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPX3pAQUI/AAAAAAAAAkM/PFvD2oEju0k/s1600/Venturing+Out+062.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459571643410751938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RLe89LIcI/AAAAAAAAAjc/H2y2ZmEFgJM/s200/Venturing+Out+045.JPG" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">Just by coincidence, as we were on our way to find the Hofbrau Haus, our kids were distracted by these giant metal lions and started climbing on them. After a minute or two Erik looked over to see two of the people that he worked with at Ft. Gordon, watching their son climb on the same lions! There was a great beer hall, an oompah band, pretzels, gingerbread, food and don't forget the bier!</span></p><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPX3pAQUI/AAAAAAAAAkM/PFvD2oEju0k/s1600/Venturing+Out+062.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 135px; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459575919771402562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPX3pAQUI/AAAAAAAAAkM/PFvD2oEju0k/s200/Venturing+Out+062.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPXhu-MNI/AAAAAAAAAkE/6dCILXWEgxU/s1600/Venturing+Out+058.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 142px; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459575913890853074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPXhu-MNI/AAAAAAAAAkE/6dCILXWEgxU/s200/Venturing+Out+058.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPXWcuFNI/AAAAAAAAAj8/gIRe1JMzNJo/s1600/Venturing+Out+057.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 183px; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459575910861509842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPXWcuFNI/AAAAAAAAAj8/gIRe1JMzNJo/s200/Venturing+Out+057.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPOmuNOrI/AAAAAAAAAj0/t1OP6t8SQXM/s1600/Venturing+Out+054.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 144px; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459575760610998962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RPOmuNOrI/AAAAAAAAAj0/t1OP6t8SQXM/s200/Venturing+Out+054.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">We did the touristy thing and took a tour on the top of one of the on/off double decker tour buses without a roof. We had an English guide and were able to learn a little about the city, saw Olympic Park, Surfers on the river, and visited the palace. Here is a picture of Erik looking all Rick Steves with his guide book and another one of the children getting along!<br /></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RXUeHL-DI/AAAAAAAAAkk/obU2-L4ZPXo/s1600/Venturing+Out+065.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459584657472092210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RXUeHL-DI/AAAAAAAAAkk/obU2-L4ZPXo/s200/Venturing+Out+065.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RXT0U0p7I/AAAAAAAAAkU/0PHxzHsz224/s1600/Venturing+Out+050.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459584646254995378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RXT0U0p7I/AAAAAAAAAkU/0PHxzHsz224/s200/Venturing+Out+050.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RXUEiZawI/AAAAAAAAAkc/y6ZsoRYtbLU/s1600/Venturing+Out+049.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459584650606897922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RXUEiZawI/AAAAAAAAAkc/y6ZsoRYtbLU/s200/Venturing+Out+049.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">The next day we drove through the beautiful Bavarian countryside, saw the Alps in the distance and reached Hoanschwagen and Neuschwanstein Castles. </span></div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459585628757500706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RYNAbrIyI/AAAAAAAAAks/kLhpAdcjN-0/s200/Venturing+Out+075.JPG" /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">When Tess saw her walking around on the grounds of Hoanschwagen, </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">and was sure she was a princess. She wanted to have her picture taken with the princess. As we approached her, it turns out it was the Bavarian Milch Queen. She gave Tess a square of cheese which</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RdhBNgUsI/AAAAAAAAAlk/sT7AXX15GZw/s1600/Venturing+Out+078.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 159px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459591470122029762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RdhBNgUsI/AAAAAAAAAlk/sT7AXX15GZw/s200/Venturing+Out+078.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Tess promptly popped into her mouth and posed for the picture. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><span style="font-family:georgia;">King Ludwig, mysteriously died as Neuschwanstein neared completion and the castle became a tourist attraction shortly after. It was not built as a fortress like most castles. The Cinderella Castle is modelled after this one. The King had a very close relationship with Wagner, and many of the rooms follow the storylines of Wagners Operas. Hoanschwagen (the yellow castle) is where Lidwig actually lived most of his life and where he watched Neuschwanstein being built from.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Rb4ISkSfI/AAAAAAAAAlM/wOwrsRB4-FE/s1600/Venturing+Out+071.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459589668136045042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Rb4ISkSfI/AAAAAAAAAlM/wOwrsRB4-FE/s200/Venturing+Out+071.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Rb3rZaroI/AAAAAAAAAlE/Iwr-WD9QirE/s1600/Venturing+Out+070.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 137px; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459589660380147330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Rb3rZaroI/AAAAAAAAAlE/Iwr-WD9QirE/s200/Venturing+Out+070.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Rb4miGRII/AAAAAAAAAlU/h8eKWWIp2kc/s1600/Venturing+Out+072.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459589676254250114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8Rb4miGRII/AAAAAAAAAlU/h8eKWWIp2kc/s200/Venturing+Out+072.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Graham snapped this picture as we were leaving to head back to Heidelberg, we all agreed it was a really good shot!</span><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459586696967520514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S8RZLL0ygQI/AAAAAAAAAk8/c4HPiooixZk/s200/Venturing+Out+082.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-28929601432195917242009-08-17T02:20:00.000-04:002009-08-17T03:02:10.065-04:00Household Goods Are Coming Today!!Our household goods were all packed up in the middle of June. We were promised to see them again by August 13. Lucky for us they are not too far past due. They are scheduled to be delivered (hopefully intact) today. We received a message from transportation on our answering machine last Thursday, and got back to them first thing Friday morning to confirm delivery for Monday. Unfortunately, for some strange reason the housing office was not open (or not responding to emails and phone calls) on Friday. So now we are scrambling to get a hold of them to schedule the earliest possible pick-up of our temporary furniture. It will be a very tight fit to squeeze our regular belongings into our teensy-weensy apartment with this stuff. I will add more as I get time as to the progress of our day.Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-28273477572556238352009-07-10T05:44:00.001-04:002009-08-20T07:34:23.573-04:00Hairdryer?This happened awhile ago, but I am just now getting around to adding the picture:<br /><br />I did not move my hairdryer or curling iron because I didn't know if they would work in the outlets here. Besides my hairdryer (which was a really nice one that I have loved for several years) was beginning to die and would only work on low. I knew I would get a new one when we got here so I just trudged on with it the last few months. During our stay in Indiana I wore my hair in a ponytail most of the time, or borrowed my Mother's dryer.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So00eNMqIBI/AAAAAAAAAes/mR3sO2v1L-g/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372007624066342930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So00eNMqIBI/AAAAAAAAAes/mR3sO2v1L-g/s200/005.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">Now we are in Army lodging and there is this beige machine on the wall, with a long tube. Erik told me it is a hairdryer. So this morning when he left I decided to give it a try.</p>Verdict: Yes, it is a hairdryer. It works fine if you are in a pinch (like I was) but not something I would purchase. The long hose piece gets very hot and I would have to stop drying every few minutes so I could cool it down.Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-90155615364918083252009-07-10T04:13:00.000-04:002009-08-20T07:25:26.788-04:00The Big Move!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0sVZWCuSI/AAAAAAAAAck/VlIxBJBY7QA/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 193px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371998676615084322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0sVZWCuSI/AAAAAAAAAck/VlIxBJBY7QA/s200/001.JPG" /></a>July 6th, around midnight, the decision was made to leave Fifi with Grandma and Grandpa Brack, until we had a better travel itinerary. Since we left, Fifi has joined Facebook. We keep in touch with her there, if you are on FB befriend her (Fifi Hendrickson) and you too can randomly follow the day to day life and ramblings of a cat. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0shnwLxoI/AAAAAAAAAcs/HV-JZSR15uk/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371998886641256066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0shnwLxoI/AAAAAAAAAcs/HV-JZSR15uk/s200/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Our travel began at 3:30 a.ma. on July 7th. We drove to Baltimore, MD where we relaxed and swam while Erik dropped off the Jeep to be shipped. We flew out of BWI, landed in Chicago, switched flights and traveled through time to Germany. Landed in Frankfurt, were picked up and brought to Heidelberg. Jet lag of 6 hours.<br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0vq-57WAI/AAAAAAAAAdM/sKH9nTgXrAE/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372002346009843714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0vq-57WAI/AAAAAAAAAdM/sKH9nTgXrAE/s200/006.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0vvsLg17I/AAAAAAAAAdU/DVHLE8voWzc/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372002426882676658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0vvsLg17I/AAAAAAAAAdU/DVHLE8voWzc/s200/007.JPG" /></a><br /></div>We stayed at Army Lodging which is in the Patrick Henry Village. PHV is out of town and away from public transportation, but has our Commissary, library and most of the kid activities, including the Middle School and the larger of the two Elementary schools. There is also a movie theater, bowling alley, put-putt, Burger King and stuff like that. There is a gigantic playground just across from lodging. The kids loved this!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0vAfdu6-I/AAAAAAAAAdE/D5tlbT1GMXg/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372001616015584226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0vAfdu6-I/AAAAAAAAAdE/D5tlbT1GMXg/s200/010.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0ux6oHkXI/AAAAAAAAAc8/l17m6O_Rltg/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372001365608862066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0ux6oHkXI/AAAAAAAAAc8/l17m6O_Rltg/s200/017.JPG" /></a><br /></p><br />Waited for housing assignment, for a week. They had a 3 bedroom for us at Patrick Henry but we really wanted to be on Mark Twain, so we gave up a bedroom. It will actually work out okay because we gained 100 sq. ft from the apartment at Patrick Henry. As we were waiting for deliveries a 3 bedroom opened up in our stairwell, but housing would not let us move. Though we were disappointed, we really like our stairwell and will make our 2 bedroom work.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0xCih5VcI/AAAAAAAAAek/Td8joFQJAWs/s1600-h/IMG_0198.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003850221344194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0xCih5VcI/AAAAAAAAAek/Td8joFQJAWs/s200/IMG_0198.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0w-VgAO6I/AAAAAAAAAec/3a0XJEkWSq4/s1600-h/IMG_0197.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003778004269986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0w-VgAO6I/AAAAAAAAAec/3a0XJEkWSq4/s200/IMG_0197.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0w6JCgYNI/AAAAAAAAAeU/WAnUd6-esyY/s1600-h/IMG_0196.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003705939845330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0w6JCgYNI/AAAAAAAAAeU/WAnUd6-esyY/s200/IMG_0196.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0w1ZLsXWI/AAAAAAAAAeM/qe4L31lWpkU/s1600-h/IMG_0195.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003624374000994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0w1ZLsXWI/AAAAAAAAAeM/qe4L31lWpkU/s200/IMG_0195.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wxdwxgEI/AAAAAAAAAeE/-dSvg9IroM8/s1600-h/IMG_0193.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003556883791938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wxdwxgEI/AAAAAAAAAeE/-dSvg9IroM8/s200/IMG_0193.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wt_TP6kI/AAAAAAAAAd8/dlW8H6vWrNQ/s1600-h/IMG_0192.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003497167284802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wt_TP6kI/AAAAAAAAAd8/dlW8H6vWrNQ/s200/IMG_0192.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wp6zotuI/AAAAAAAAAd0/c0dwCa591TI/s1600-h/IMG_0191.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003427241473762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wp6zotuI/AAAAAAAAAd0/c0dwCa591TI/s200/IMG_0191.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wmGgIDzI/AAAAAAAAAds/r2pM2WnuKYg/s1600-h/IMG_0190.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003361661390642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wmGgIDzI/AAAAAAAAAds/r2pM2WnuKYg/s200/IMG_0190.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wiZDanOI/AAAAAAAAAdk/GI9vrK_pLwI/s1600-h/IMG_0189.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372003297921768674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/So0wiZDanOI/AAAAAAAAAdk/GI9vrK_pLwI/s200/IMG_0189.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div></div><div>Erik and I both got our drivers licenses the first 2 weeks we were here, then we were lucky enough to have someone loan us their car for a few weeks. Ours has since arrived and we are grateful! <div><br /><div>Graham has been atteneding SAS Camps, which are camps through the Army, Child and Youth Services. They are excellent! The first week he visited <a href="http://www.burg-guttenberg.de/index.php?kat=Burg+Guttenberg&lang=eng">Gutenberg Castle </a>where they had animal displays and a bird show. He claims an angry German in the front row got their money back because one of the birds pooped on their his head. They went to <a href="http://www.lochmuehle.de/html_en/index.html">Lochnuhle</a> amusement park near Frankfurt where the kids can power some of the rides. He also went on a river cruise on the Neckar River, where he saw 3 more castles! The next week they went to the <a href="http://www.zoo-frankfurt.de/index_e.html">Frankfurt Zoo</a>, and to the arts and crafts center where he painted a ceramic ornament. </div><br />Since it has been several weeks since I started this post, I will add updated pictures of the apartment soon!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-31768976235654782092009-07-06T21:30:00.000-04:002010-02-02T10:49:46.347-05:00Indiana Visit<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2g_le366VI/AAAAAAAAAfc/bsRtMh3gFDQ/s1600-h/more+june+2009+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433662863597824338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2g_le366VI/AAAAAAAAAfc/bsRtMh3gFDQ/s400/more+june+2009+1.jpg" /></a>Mid June the movers came and loaded up our house for the trip to Germany, and we took about two weeks to go home to Liberty and Boonville, Indiana.<br />In Liberty, there was a lot of work to do on our house, which consumed much of our visit. we tore down the long retaining wall next to the driveway and rebuilt it, and had new garage doors put on. The whole project took about 8 full days, and of course we picked the hottest week of the year to outside. Besides Erik's sunburn we are happy with the new wall and garage doors.<br /><div><div><div><br /><div>When not working on the wall, we had a great time relaxing and visit with family. We started off in Liberty and were able to see all the Rosenbergers and Bracks. We played on the farm, swam in the pool, and went canoing. Again, it was hot and the pool was great. </div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hAW6N_haI/AAAAAAAAAfk/6EHMilrr_Gg/s1600-h/June+2009+059.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433663712751748514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hAW6N_haI/AAAAAAAAAfk/6EHMilrr_Gg/s320/June+2009+059.JPG" /></a>When not in the pool the kids were able to spend time with their grand and great grandparents. While we were working on the house, they fell right back into playing with the neighbors, Luke and Lydia.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="center">A big highlight were two trips to the Hornung Family's pond. </div><div align="center"> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hBjU3I5JI/AAAAAAAAAf0/3rVeJtINoLw/s1600-h/Ethel+Bill.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 132px; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433665025573708946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hBjU3I5JI/AAAAAAAAAf0/3rVeJtINoLw/s200/Ethel+Bill.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hBPfEe8VI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Vce51UsNl1M/s1600-h/Graham+Bill+Tess.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 174px; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433664684716650834" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hBPfEe8VI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Vce51UsNl1M/s200/Graham+Bill+Tess.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hDS_ut2cI/AAAAAAAAAgE/_-Z-Uzx8_fs/s1600-h/Erik+Graham.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 122px; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433666944046586306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hDS_ut2cI/AAAAAAAAAgE/_-Z-Uzx8_fs/s200/Erik+Graham.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hDTE_QASI/AAAAAAAAAgM/LWpoNqlSxFM/s1600-h/Ang+Graham.JPG"><span style="font-size:0;"></span><img style="WIDTH: 170px; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433666945458110754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hDTE_QASI/AAAAAAAAAgM/LWpoNqlSxFM/s200/Ang+Graham.JPG" /></a> </div><div> </div><div align="left">After a week in Liberty we sped off to Boonville to see the Hendrickson group. The highlight of the trip was an evening at Aunt Nacy's house. The Hendricksons and Carithers came together for a day of fishing, food and fireworks. It was a great time.<br /><br /></div><p align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hF-b-VIgI/AAAAAAAAAgc/4wu6tzW-N8o/s1600-h/June+2009+094.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433669889385898498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hF-b-VIgI/AAAAAAAAAgc/4wu6tzW-N8o/s200/June+2009+094.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hF-nQxcKI/AAAAAAAAAgk/xG9-cSHERyQ/s1600-h/June+2009+104.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433669892416041122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hF-nQxcKI/AAAAAAAAAgk/xG9-cSHERyQ/s200/June+2009+104.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hF-ozJgNI/AAAAAAAAAgs/4fIssvZQsho/s1600-h/June+2009+113.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433669892828659922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hF-ozJgNI/AAAAAAAAAgs/4fIssvZQsho/s200/June+2009+113.JPG" /></a><br />We took a trip to Holiday World. Vance, Mason, and Alice all brought their better halves and joined in. Graham and I started off riding a few big costers. Tess and Angie played on the small rides and big play ground in Holly Dog Land. In the afternoon, we all played in the water park. The slides were very cool. Vance Graham and Erik rode a group tube slide together. That was a lot of pail men on one float. </p><p align="left"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/StyvvO-dSXI/AAAAAAAAAfU/fmu1IHxH1qE/s1600-h/June+2009+087.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394379679691786610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/StyvvO-dSXI/AAAAAAAAAfU/fmu1IHxH1qE/s200/June+2009+087.JPG" /></a>Since Tess was turning 4, she had her ears pierced with beautifulbutterfly earrings in Evansville.</p><div></div><div></div><div>Back in Liberty to round out the trip, Tess celebrated her 4th birthday. We had a co-birthday party for Bill and Tess in the Rosenberger Barn, and party at the Brack's. It was a lot of fun!<br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hFG_04ftI/AAAAAAAAAgU/dW2Dd40GdTU/s1600-h/June+2009+116.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 178px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433668936937275090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/S2hFG_04ftI/AAAAAAAAAgU/dW2Dd40GdTU/s200/June+2009+116.JPG" /></a><br />For the Fourth of July, we Young/Bracks came together for a rendition of a low country srimp boil. That evening we dodged raindrops and watched the fireworks from the front yard. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Thanks to all the family that came out to see us and send us off. It is great to know that you all care so much, or that you will fein caring to get good food. Anyway we miss you. </div></div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-28967985937564121742009-06-27T08:19:00.000-04:002009-07-30T03:47:34.719-04:00Brookville Canoefest 2009<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SnFPfq0M1UI/AAAAAAAAAcY/HBmyk8bokjU/s1600-h/June+2009+070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364156036662744386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SnFPfq0M1UI/AAAAAAAAAcY/HBmyk8bokjU/s200/June+2009+070.JPG" border="0" /></a> Some of you may not know of this hoosier spectacle, but the <a href="http://canoefest.etczone.com/chicken2006.html">Canoefest</a> is truly a big event for the state, or it may become one if others learn where Brookville, Indiana is located.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(Angie's note on this picture: This is one of my former students with her father, passing us. They actually started with the group behind us. Her younger sister and mother passed us too! They ended up winning the mixed youth/adult group. What a great family activity!)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SnCgTWfmAWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/DI7HRQGIkww/s1600-h/June+2009+071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363963410514313570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SnCgTWfmAWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/DI7HRQGIkww/s200/June+2009+071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />For those of you that don't know. The Fest is a weekend event held on the Whitewater River about 45 min. northwest of Cincinnati. Not only are there canoe races, recreational canoe trips and other canoe related events, there are also concerts and the states largest fried chicken cook-off. It is a small town good time for all.<br /><br /><br />This year Angie and I were able to take part in the weekend as we took some time off from our move to Germany. The first plan was for Angie and I to enter into one of the fun races, but this plan was quickly changed. As Angie put it,"Erik was <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsKkGCC9TI/AAAAAAAAAag/SsIM_AvtsxQ/s1600-h/June+2009+065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357887796898100530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsKkGCC9TI/AAAAAAAAAag/SsIM_AvtsxQ/s200/June+2009+065.JPG" border="0" /></a>stolen for the bank team." Thi<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsNVy3YJeI/AAAAAAAAAbw/83mTiQvEQ9E/s1600-h/IMG_0154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357890849769792994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsNVy3YJeI/AAAAAAAAAbw/83mTiQvEQ9E/s200/IMG_0154.JPG" border="0" /></a>s is not quite true. I was given to the bank team by her and I had no part in the plan. But, it worked out great! her good friend, Randi Hollen and she made an awesome (not humble) team.<br /><br />The girls did not tell one another that each of them had never canoed until the morning of the race, but their inexperiance was quickly ov<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SnCjFEopJWI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/ZDaEoiuuYxM/s1600-h/June+2009+075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363966463737144674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SnCjFEopJWI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/ZDaEoiuuYxM/s200/June+2009+075.JPG" border="0" /></a>ercome as they ran the two mile coures in a good time and did not flip the boat over. I was able to see them a two points in the course and they ran right down the middle of the river with no problem.<br /><div><div> </div><div>When it was time for them to stop they had some issues. The finish line was on the bank of the river just before a area of fast water. They over shot the bank and would have sill been going down the river without the help of a few wet race workers.<br /><br />I had equal luck in my race with the Bath State Bank Team and our leader Gorge. We finish the race first and second, and beat the hard charging FCN Bank time be several minutes. For our effort Gorge and I took the first place trophy. Though I have always canoed, this was the first time that I had raced in a canoe, and it was fun. Outside of the fact I was in a boat, it was alot like being on a bike. The cool part was the groups of my fans on the bridges as we pasted by. Sports quote: "Without the fans, Erik could not do what Erik do."<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsMI60UjmI/AAAAAAAAAbY/arO2ylO4J1o/s1600-h/IMG_0180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357889529054531170" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsMI60UjmI/AAAAAAAAAbY/arO2ylO4J1o/s200/IMG_0180.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsL8CuV_7I/AAAAAAAAAbI/VloD4vq4uZA/s1600-h/IMG_0178.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357889307838644146" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlsL8CuV_7I/AAAAAAAAAbI/VloD4vq4uZA/s200/IMG_0178.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>This was a very fun event and a great way to spend a day on the river.</div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-15537447307664711672009-06-20T05:19:00.000-04:002009-07-13T06:04:29.568-04:00Moving Week<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljymYN1ImI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/2M9MiuujXl4/s1600-h/June+2009+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357298497906614882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljymYN1ImI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/2M9MiuujXl4/s200/June+2009+003.JPG" border="0" /></a> I meant to blog as the move was happening. Time got away from me and things got really, really busy. It is amazing to me that no matter how prepared you think you are, things still manage to go sideways.<br /><br />Erik's last day for P.T. at Fort Gordon, he took his sidekick along. The report is that Graham did an awesome job and kept up with everyone.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljpzPjskOI/AAAAAAAAAYw/G0qU0iT-knU/s1600-h/June+2009+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357288823316058338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljpzPjskOI/AAAAAAAAAYw/G0qU0iT-knU/s200/June+2009+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljptbOkNfI/AAAAAAAAAYo/lHGljjCSzjc/s1600-h/June+2009+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357288723369440754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljptbOkNfI/AAAAAAAAAYo/lHGljjCSzjc/s200/June+2009+011.JPG" border="0" /></a>We enjoyed our last day at the Augusta Family YMCA where we have been member since we moved to Georgia, and Graham did his final ride down the giant twisty slide! </div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Graham attended a ½ day Lego camp all week, and spend time with his best friend James. The week before the move Graham and James spent the week at Camp Lakeside together. Then on Friday, James stayed all night and we took the boys fishing at the lake on the trails. They didn’t catch anything but had a lot of fun. Tess stayed the night with her good friend Aurora, so the boys could hang out without the pesky little sister for a while. On Monday, Graham spent the afternoon swimming with James and his family. He said "it was a blast!" </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357289429810730754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljqWi7S1wI/AAAAAAAAAY4/0Y2sIi8Tjuo/s200/June+2009+005.JPG" border="0" />The first group of movers came on Monday (6/15) and boxed our household goods. We had really good movers this time. When we moved from Liberty to Augusta, the movers were out of Richmond, IN and really weren’t very careful or quick. The three guys arrived at 9:00 and boxed most of our stuff, they left at 2:00. As they were leaving I asked them how late they expected to be there the next evening. The guy in charge just laughed and said they would be done by 2. </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljuvGOAtUI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/zuZkOdVniIM/s1600-h/June+2009+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357294249647846722" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljuvGOAtUI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/zuZkOdVniIM/s200/June+2009+032.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sljuks1VjlI/AAAAAAAAAZI/-O3HvhOVUfE/s1600-h/June+2009+035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357294071034777170" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sljuks1VjlI/AAAAAAAAAZI/-O3HvhOVUfE/s200/June+2009+035.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljvTHTkp8I/AAAAAAAAAZo/FqBPG7vOhy0/s1600-h/June+2009+045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357294868414900162" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljvTHTkp8I/AAAAAAAAAZo/FqBPG7vOhy0/s200/June+2009+045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljuJupiJ5I/AAAAAAAAAZA/v2rrob07vzo/s1600-h/June+2009+044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357293607665674130" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljuJupiJ5I/AAAAAAAAAZA/v2rrob07vzo/s200/June+2009+044.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljwVOly8gI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/qoUxZMstdas/s1600-h/June+2009+053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357296004241748482" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljwVOly8gI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/qoUxZMstdas/s200/June+2009+053.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljwQe1HwvI/AAAAAAAAAZw/IcDTH34fJHE/s1600-h/June+2009+038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357295922701648626" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljwQe1HwvI/AAAAAAAAAZw/IcDTH34fJHE/s200/June+2009+038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><br /><div>The next morning we received a call from Ft. Gordon that said they would only load our stuff onto a truck, then we would have to go to the warehouse for them to crate it, because there was a chance of showers. Of course it never rained and we would have been fine, but better safe than sorry. I was amazed when they showed up the next day and finished boxing and moved all of our furniture onto the truck and were gone by 12:30! Erik went to the warehouse the next morning and they crated. It only took about an hour and a half, we weighed in at 7000 lbs.<br /></div><br /><div>Wednesday the storage guys came they put everything in the garage, on the storage pile into the truck. This shipment was about 1500 lbs. I asked the guys where our stuff was going and they told me it would be held in a warehouse, near the giant flea market in the red bard. I hope our stuff doesn’t accidentally get sold at the flea market! </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sljxzq_hmsI/AAAAAAAAAaA/AwOB-YfOo2M/s1600-h/June+2009+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357297626773560002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sljxzq_hmsI/AAAAAAAAAaA/AwOB-YfOo2M/s200/June+2009+019.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljyH1EVObI/AAAAAAAAAaI/Q8z4dloXqnc/s1600-h/June+2009+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357297973075458482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SljyH1EVObI/AAAAAAAAAaI/Q8z4dloXqnc/s200/June+2009+021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Tess and I taking a break from our supervising duties. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thursday was the express shipment, we were allowed 1000 lbs. I think we packed silly stuff, but I think it be very helpful in keeping the peace with Graham and Tess until we get our household goods. Besides, bedding and towels, it is mostly games, the Thomas, wii, and entertainment. The packers thought we were close to the limit, but I think (hope) we were okay. </div><div></div><div>Our last night in the house James stayed with us. It was really sad to take James home, but hopefully we will be able to stay in contact over the internet. </div><br /><div>Our last day in Augusta was hectic, which I suppose made it a bit easier to leave. Erik had not finished out-processing so we spent about 4 hours doing that, we also had to close on our house. I think we had out-done the Clampetts as we pulled away with our Jeep pulling a U-haul, and canoe on top. Neither of us have ever backed a trailer so we had to be careful not to go anywhere that we would have to back out. </div><br /><div>Our realtor was great! The buyers seemed very happy too, but the their realtor was a mess. They did the inspection the day of the closing and let our cat out. We couldn't catch her before the closing, so Erik and our realtor went back to the house to catch Fifi. She is usually so calm, but she actually really clawed Erik up as he tried to shove her into the carrier. We were just glad to have her with us, and of course Erik doesn't hold a grudge. </div><div></div><div>When we finally reached Liberty (around 4 AM) Dennis and Suzanne were awake to greet us and help get the necessary suitcases into the house. "Back Home Again In Indiana!"</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Had we not been so exhausted we might have sung:</div><div align="center">Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see </div><div align="center">That gleaming candlelight still burning bright</div><div align="center">Through the sycamores for me</div><div align="center">That new mown hay sends all its fragrance</div><div align="center">From the fields I used to roam</div><div align="center">Oh I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash</div><div align="center">Then I long for my Indiana home</div><div align="center">Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see</div><div align="center">That gleaming candlelight still flickering bright</div><div align="center">Through the sycamores for me</div><div align="center">Lotsa mown hay sends all its fragrance</div><div align="center">From the fields I used to roam</div><div align="center">When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash</div><div align="center">And I long for my Indiana home<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-46862368899111489832009-06-12T17:01:00.000-04:002009-07-11T11:51:48.350-04:00Comptetitive Eating<div><div>Hula Dawg, Grovetown, Georgia</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357140346478125922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhiwwO942I/AAAAAAAAAXg/XE3J_OYW23s/s320/Hula+Dawg.JPG" border="0" /> There is a hot dog and hamburger place in town that promotes eating as a sport. Graham tagged along with Erik and the guys from the Ft. Gordon JAG office to see his father take the challenge. They did not tell me before hand what they were up to, and told Graham not to tell me.<br /><br /><div>Apparently the challenge is to eat a 2 lb. hamburger. The award is having your picture taken and posted on the wall of the restaurant. </div><br /><div>While they were gone, Tess and I assembled her early birthday gift from Grandma Suzy, and enjoyed a princess lunch. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357140416066101442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Slhi0zeCIMI/AAAAAAAAAXo/GN23UOGojSw/s320/004.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>When they brought Graham home (after a longer than usual lunch) he ran into the house in front of Erik and declared "Dad took the Hula Dawg challenge and ate a 2 lb. burger, but he shared some of his fries with me." Erik came in about 15 feet behind him, reaking of fried burger, looked at me, and said "he told you didn't he?" Other than not being hungry that evening Erik was fine. Though I have not seen it with my own eyes, I have heard that my dear Erik is now famous, and posted on the Hula Dawg Wall of Fame for all to see! </div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-50984227924325571792009-06-11T14:52:00.000-04:002009-07-11T05:43:26.602-04:00Tess's Dance PerformanceTess on the far right side. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhaiE9XJeI/AAAAAAAAAWA/pVsXGjsx61g/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357131298250368482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhaiE9XJeI/AAAAAAAAAWA/pVsXGjsx61g/s320/015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />She has been taking ballet and tap this year at The Augusta Youth Dance Studio. She was lucky enough to have Grandma Suzanne and Grandpa Dennis come to her performance at the end of May! It was a lot of fun and she did a great job. We did record both performances, but somehow only took snap shots of her tap - oops!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhcRfGjpTI/AAAAAAAAAWo/1mc3JhEnCUg/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357133212233737522" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhcRfGjpTI/AAAAAAAAAWo/1mc3JhEnCUg/s320/022.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhclGyLNxI/AAAAAAAAAXI/cnx8pd-rzQ4/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357133549303183122" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhclGyLNxI/AAAAAAAAAXI/cnx8pd-rzQ4/s320/018.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Slhcp0Yx6bI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/bksWGz7zW9w/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357133630264175026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Slhcp0Yx6bI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/bksWGz7zW9w/s320/017.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhcgIsi_dI/AAAAAAAAAXA/aHQp_QqmWOY/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357133463917100498" style="WIDTH: 241px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhcgIsi_dI/AAAAAAAAAXA/aHQp_QqmWOY/s320/019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>At the end she received a pink flower from her Suzy.</p><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhbzIq0IVI/AAAAAAAAAWY/05CZktKRbHk/s1600-h/026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357132690815721810" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SlhbzIq0IVI/AAAAAAAAAWY/05CZktKRbHk/s320/026.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Slhb-jiWNnI/AAAAAAAAAWg/D3CZDqgzL5E/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357132887006525042" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Slhb-jiWNnI/AAAAAAAAAWg/D3CZDqgzL5E/s320/023.JPG" border="0" /></a>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-68089620970901216722009-06-05T14:23:00.001-04:002009-06-05T15:01:51.327-04:00Flufferbanutter<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Silol8SJoWI/AAAAAAAAAUY/oisrptS1RSc/s1600-h/029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343917433898508642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Silol8SJoWI/AAAAAAAAAUY/oisrptS1RSc/s200/029.JPG" border="0" /></a> It is no secret that I don't function very well, without A LOT to do. I need to have most of the hours in my day full, and to be multi-tasking too. This week has been an especially hard one, because I am bored. Sure I should be getting ready for the big move. I have done some sorting, and cleaned several items with Q-tips (including our Jeep and my Kitchenaid mixer), we've gone to the gym and pool several times, but I need more structure! <div><div><div><br />Last night I called my Grandma Maxine to ask her if she had any ideas for using up some of the items in my cupboard. One item that stuck out as especially odd was the plastic container of Marshmallow Fluff. </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SilouMkVAHI/AAAAAAAAAUg/qJuJhknQ_EM/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343917575708672114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SilouMkVAHI/AAAAAAAAAUg/qJuJhknQ_EM/s200/031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was completely unopened, and I had no clue what to put it in, or how to use it. I don't know why or when I would have even bought it? Actually, maybe it was one of the things I inherited from my friend Donna, when they moved to Japan? Donna- Do you remember Marshmallow Fluff? Anyway, Grandma suggested I put it on graham crackers and serve it to the kids for a snack. I had never thought of that, they usually have yogurt, a cheese stick, or fruit. Maybe they could try it just till we use up this big jar of Fluff though? It won't be any stranger than some of the meal I have been making to use us the food in the refrigerator and cupboards. Grandma also mentioned that when she was younger people would make Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Fluff sandwhiches. This also sounded a little weird, but we need to use it up, and I didn't want to waste a perfectly good jar of food (if it is actually a food.)</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SilpaVtU1_I/AAAAAAAAAUw/J1w-hsU_uWM/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343918334076573682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SilpaVtU1_I/AAAAAAAAAUw/J1w-hsU_uWM/s200/033.JPG" border="0" /></a>Today, during some of my boredom I decided to give it a try. I call Graham and Tess in for a snack, put some fluff on a graham cracker and gave it to them. They loved it! Graham tells me they have these every Friday at school??? Next I spread some peanut butter on a cracker and added the fluff. Again, rave reviews! I decided after experimenting on my children (twice) I would try one. I put some peanut butter on first, addes 3 slices of banana and then topped it with fluff. Really delicious. As I was cleaning up our mess, I read the jar. There is a recipe on the side called "Fluffernutter" it is the recipe for the P.B. and Fluff sandwich! I guess with banana it would be the Flufferbanutter? </div><div></div><div></div><div>Okay, enough excitement for one day. Erik is home, I am sure he'll be excited to learn we have a new recipe for dinner.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343918008905888834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SilpHaWl9EI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Ur_0BAWFdV4/s200/028.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-26743548815832739492009-06-01T21:28:00.000-04:002009-06-01T21:32:07.052-04:00Tess has been busy visiting her grandparents in Indiana for the last week. She and Grandma Suzanne picked up the new baby chicks. My mother has a blog devoted to her chicks: <a href="http://www.suzyschicks.blogspot.com/">www.suzyschicks.blogspot.com</a> she is also in the process of setting up a live stream of the chicks in their brooder box. Enjoy!Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-90297405221403735342009-05-21T20:30:00.000-04:002009-06-11T12:41:35.903-04:00Marine Mud Challenge 2009<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SjBk1Mg0AMI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/ZErapEFf-jM/s1600-h/IMG_0143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345883622743474370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SjBk1Mg0AMI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/ZErapEFf-jM/s200/IMG_0143.JPG" border="0" /></a> For the second year the JAG office entered a team in the Fort Gordon Marine Mud Challenge. The race is a 4 1/2 mile run in the woods and hills of the post with 16 obstacles. Most of the obstacles have large pools of water, good old mud, and there is was a creek or two to cross. All and all, good dirty fun I can tell the kids about.</div><br /><div>CTP's O, M, T and I made up this years team. We called ourselves the Justice League (JAG pun fully intended). We showed off our super human powers and WON the co-ed class with a time of 46 min. This is a near 20 min improvement from last year. Very Cool!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345883870170200018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SjBlDmP8N9I/AAAAAAAAAVY/aw2Bxw0G6js/s200/IMG_0133.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Angie and Mrs. T. made some very cool team shirts for the race. In keeping with the team name every member had a justice league superhero symbol on the back. I was "The Flash."<br />The kids even got in on the act with team shirts, and they ran in the kids runs. Graham was the Green Arrow and raced in a mile kids run. He finished in the top third of the group and beat some older kids. Tess was Hawk Girl. She ran a Dad made up 200 yard version of the race. In both cases the Marines tossed the kids over the 7 feet tall obstacle wall and gave them dog tags for their efforts. Then we all took a shower povided by a fire truck.</div><div><br />I had never really won a race before, so this was very exciting. I would like to thank all the little people that got me to where I am... and Angie for the cool shirt.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345884272172599026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SjBla_0yBvI/AAAAAAAAAVo/TygVSijpbpM/s200/IMG_0149.JPG" border="0" />Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-43834423800584695322009-05-11T07:51:00.001-04:002009-05-26T21:53:14.153-04:00A trip to the beach!As many of you know, the second week of May is a very busy time for us! May 7, Dennis and I share a birthday, Mother's Day on the second Sunday, and our anniversary is May 12. We decided to come to one of our favorite places for a few days, the beach. We like coming to stay at Pawley's Island, in South Carolina. It is south of Myrtle Beach, not as commercial and there is a really nice resort on the ocean with several kids pools. The weather has been perfect!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXvmBndqTI/AAAAAAAAATg/3YMog-jk__k/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338436369865615666" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXvmBndqTI/AAAAAAAAATg/3YMog-jk__k/s200/003.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXvz8-vjCI/AAAAAAAAATw/ixl_1Wqo9eM/s1600-h/050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338436609139248162" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXvz8-vjCI/AAAAAAAAATw/ixl_1Wqo9eM/s200/050.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXvpiOB0DI/AAAAAAAAATo/VjKcKxw9sXY/s1600-h/beach+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338436430156910642" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXvpiOB0DI/AAAAAAAAATo/VjKcKxw9sXY/s200/beach+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>On Sunday morning, to celebrate Mother's Day I really wanted to go fishing on the ocean. Graham and I really love to fish, and I had never been fishing in the ocean! It was a lot of fun. We went out on a boat with a guy named Capt. Pete. Graham and I really wanted to catch a little shark, but they weren't biting. We did catch several crabs and clam, I caught a toad fish, which is definitely not something you would find in the Brookville Lake! It is a really mean fish nick-named a clam-cracker. Graham caught a flounder too!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXxWU92Z0I/AAAAAAAAAUI/CnaxWg9pzAg/s1600-h/creek+ratz+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338438299205134146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXxWU92Z0I/AAAAAAAAAUI/CnaxWg9pzAg/s200/creek+ratz+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXxgJIhr6I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Zv22Ndu8ojg/s1600-h/creek+ratz+016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338438467827380130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXxgJIhr6I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Zv22Ndu8ojg/s200/creek+ratz+016.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338434989463900930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXuVrODEwI/AAAAAAAAATY/aeQ9Yd1N4Zw/s200/IMG_0130-1.JPG" border="0" />We spent time at the beach and in the pools. Had dinner at a place along the Murrell's Inlet Marsh Walk. It was called "Creek Ratz" where we were lucky, they didn't snatch Graham for their advertising. He looked just like the picture on the sign!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXw7gZF_CI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Jodj81cV8EM/s1600-h/creek+ratz+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338437838415723554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXw7gZF_CI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Jodj81cV8EM/s200/creek+ratz+007.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXw3G6u8-I/AAAAAAAAAT4/rpamNOX-RiM/s1600-h/creek+ratz+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338437762858021858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXw3G6u8-I/AAAAAAAAAT4/rpamNOX-RiM/s200/creek+ratz+004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />After our walk on the Marsh walk, we were about to go to the car, when a bird flew into my shoulder with it's wing. This probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but I have F.O.B. (fear of birds) and completely freaked out over the traumatic experience.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-27237891150718635782009-05-11T07:25:00.000-04:002009-05-26T22:33:34.528-04:00Birthday Fun<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXspMseHiI/AAAAAAAAAS4/bKRO2dKaeNU/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338433125844131362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXspMseHiI/AAAAAAAAAS4/bKRO2dKaeNU/s200/033.JPG" border="0" /></a>Thank you to everyone that called, left messages, emailed and sent cards! It was a really fun day! It started out with my father actually singing/shouting the "Happy Birthday" song into the phone. Then he told me how "odd" I am, because my birthday falls on all odd numbers, 5/7/1979, it was something he heard on the radio that morning because it was 5/7/09. Erik took off work, and we spent the day taking care of errands and selecting the pictures of the children that we are going to order from their photo session a few weeks ago.<br /><br />After picking up the kids and went to Carrabas for dinner. We went kind of early, (not because I am that old and need an early dinner, though I can definitely see the advantages) there was no crowd. Our sevice was excellent. I even ordered a drink they no longer have on the menu, and the bartender took the time to write down the recipe for me.<br /><br />After dinner, we went home and played outside for a while, then enjoyed chocolate cake and opened gifts. Fun! Fun! Fun!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXtksXgBBI/AAAAAAAAATI/yLRN6QEl-qo/s1600-h/028+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338434147958391826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXtksXgBBI/AAAAAAAAATI/yLRN6QEl-qo/s200/028+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I received a beautiful card (completely hand-made) by my friend Randi. She has a business where she does these cards, and they are really fantastical! Her Christmas cards are awesome to. My cousin Katie, phoned and sang (did not shout) a really sweet song that she learned from a really clever and wise person that she knows. I have a feeling that she has added clever and wise to the description of this friend because I am slightly older than her.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXtV2eCcOI/AAAAAAAAATA/Fag6o7r76Ks/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338433892972130530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/ShXtV2eCcOI/AAAAAAAAATA/Fag6o7r76Ks/s200/042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Before the kids went to bed we used SKYPE (this webcam/phone thing) to call home. Dennis and I share the same birthday, and growing up we really tried to make a point to be really obnoxious the day of. It seems like we have been on really good behavior as we have gotten older though. Showing my age and dementia, I tried to explain that our birthday was all odd numbers to Dennis, and how "odd" that makes us. But, I couldn't remember the word "odd"and told him the numbers were all "prime." Dennis was a good sport about my lack of math skills and dementia. He, being a math guy, just let me go on, and later in an email wrote "prime, huh?"Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-2651745654939900542009-05-09T13:36:00.000-04:002009-05-09T14:24:08.003-04:00Tess has spectacles too!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SgXJJjMU6TI/AAAAAAAAASg/69K7K00PKY4/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333890499593169202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SgXJJjMU6TI/AAAAAAAAASg/69K7K00PKY4/s320/006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This has quite the month for the Hendrickson family and our new found friends at the optometrist's office. Our relationship has really started to come into bloom with the most resent addition, Tessa. Tessa, as with Graham, is a touch far sighted.<br /><br />I know what you are thinking. With this rash of far sighted children the Hendrickson's are polluting the gene pool, and will inevitably allow the wolves to take over again. To this I say poppycock. I say poppycock not only because it is one of the more entertaining words to say, but also to point out that the wolves took over because of the very slow footed folks. The Hendrickson's are still faster than your average bear, and therefore our genes have great value in this pool.<br /><br />Also, I would like to point out that our girl looks very cute in her new spectacles. She picked out two pair, and Angie, the bargain shopper that she is, was able to find quite the deal. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SgXJQUvt4aI/AAAAAAAAASo/wPkdZOApdFs/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333890615974158754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/SgXJQUvt4aI/AAAAAAAAASo/wPkdZOApdFs/s320/014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tessa is still working on leaving the glasses on her face, but as with any new addition to the her world she is playing with them all the time. So we have added a new phraze. "On your face or in the case. " This sounds good, but is not working all the time.<br /><br />I will be next to see the optometrist and am sure to be adding a pair of Army Issue BCGs (birth control glasses) to the uniform.Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1566608608029333898.post-45404417962034792332009-05-03T12:19:00.000-04:002009-05-03T14:25:44.110-04:00Scout Camping Trip<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3ehq8QmrI/AAAAAAAAASI/s7f1iwTLqL4/s1600-h/IMG_1139.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331662203920620210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3ehq8QmrI/AAAAAAAAASI/s7f1iwTLqL4/s200/IMG_1139.JPG" border="0" /></a> This weekend I took Graham on the Spring Cub Scout Camping trip. This was a special trip because Graham and the other Tiger Scouts were becoming Wolves. This is the second promotion<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3WspTUjzI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ZzdtO_yqK94/s1600-h/IMG_1129.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331653596366016306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3WspTUjzI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ZzdtO_yqK94/s200/IMG_1129.JPG" border="0" /></a> up the ranks for Graham. In order to earn the Tiger Badge, Graham completed several projects and worked with the pack every month. So, this was a big deal.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>We packed up on Thursday and left Friday after work. After picking up the "THE Eagle Scout" Pete Meno and were off. The camp was in the Magnolia <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3Zw1rYxII/AAAAAAAAARg/I6w3jwLDh9Q/s1600-h/IMG_1147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331656966942540930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3Zw1rYxII/AAAAAAAAARg/I6w3jwLDh9Q/s200/IMG_1147.jpg" border="0" /></a>Springs State Park about 45min south of Augusta. The park has a 200 acre lake and camping area. We stayed in the the Pioneer camping area. It was a open clearing in the woods, and the pack had it all to themselves. Next to the campsite was a small sink hole with a tiny gator in it. Cool. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3fxYAJZ6I/AAAAAAAAASY/44QN1_E7WkI/s1600-h/IMG_1144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331663573226186658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3fxYAJZ6I/AAAAAAAAASY/44QN1_E7WkI/s200/IMG_1144.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Friday evening, we set up the tent and Graham ran with the boys, we had a camp fire with the pack where we roasted marshmallows and enjoyed s'mores. The boys played kick ball and rode bikes. The party ended at 11:00. I under packed the bedding and had a cold night.<br /><br />The next morning, G woke me up at 6:00 and we took the Canoe out on the lake. This was the coolest part of the trip. G was fishing off the boat and enjoying the cruise, when we started spotting alligators. Of course, we tried to get as close to them as we could. In total we saw 5. They were all about 4 to 5 feet long. Some of them would have their tails up on top of the water and as they swam around the lake. When we came with in 15 feet they would drop under the water and disappear. This is the first time that we have seen wild gators. Graham played with the boys and fished for rest of the day. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3dTR_94LI/AAAAAAAAARo/YgDU4sFkbjc/s1600-h/IMG_1133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331660857195487410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3dTR_94LI/AAAAAAAAARo/YgDU4sFkbjc/s200/IMG_1133.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3Yxr7qykI/AAAAAAAAARQ/biI0jI8uZbw/s1600-h/IMG_1149.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331655881994717762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3Yxr7qykI/AAAAAAAAARQ/biI0jI8uZbw/s200/IMG_1149.jpg" border="0" /></a>In the evening, Graham was promoted to the Wolf Pack. For the fireside ceremony, he had to drink tiger blood and eat some wolf jerky. He was brave and strong, a true wolf.<br /><br />The next day we had a breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Then Graham took a short hike and found a deer jaw bone. He was a true woodsmen.<br /><br />This was the last big event for Graham with St. Mary's pack 8, before the move. We are so happy that Graham enjoyed the group and his scout leader, Sean. We look forward to continuing with scouts when we arrive in Heidelberg. </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3d0H46cVI/AAAAAAAAARw/PUysvH7iu1I/s1600-h/IMG_1136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331661421417230674" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3d0H46cVI/AAAAAAAAARw/PUysvH7iu1I/s200/IMG_1136.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3d-N2vI2I/AAAAAAAAAR4/yHXL0vQIQgQ/s1600-h/IMG_1148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331661594817405794" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3d-N2vI2I/AAAAAAAAAR4/yHXL0vQIQgQ/s200/IMG_1148.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3eI-nB61I/AAAAAAAAASA/2Zz-0wmqdRY/s1600-h/IMG_1152.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331661779703556946" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BEle-ng7z98/Sf3eI-nB61I/AAAAAAAAASA/2Zz-0wmqdRY/s200/IMG_1152.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hoosier Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368918366139857220noreply@blogger.com3