Westy's World

Watching the slow decay....

2012-02-09T18:12:00.003+01:00

This entry I originally wrote in 2009, after visiting my mom and dad. My mom was showing her first serious signs of Alzheimers (well, the first I noticed, being so far away that I am). This was just the beginning......

January 1, 2009

Mom and I sit, as usual, in the living room. The television is on in the background. She’s sitting in “her” chair, located in front of her now seldom used computer. It’s an older model, one of dad’s “hand-me-downs”.

I’m sitting next to her in dad’s big, comfy chair while he’s in the back room playing on his computer.

I arrived on New Years Day. Upon my arrival, mom knew who I was. Yet I have already noticed a few of her “slips” that my brother and his wife had warned me about.

Then she asks where I live. “Germany”, I answer.

“Where are you going from here?” she asks.

I reply as neutral yet as truthful as possible, “Back home to Germany.”

“oh, Dorrie lived in Germany, but she moved. I have no idea where she is now.” There is no point in trying to correct her.

An empty tissue box lies on the table in front of her. In it are a few papers, a framed picture of my niece, Cassie, and her boyfriend, Anthony, plus some pencils, pens, and small scissors. Mom points to the picture.

“I don’t know the names. They left here and forgot to take the picture with them.”

“I think that’s Cassie and her boyfriend (who I haven’t met yet so I’m assuming.”

“They forgot to take it with them.” Mom insists.

“Mom, it was a present for you to keep.”

“Write the names down, I have to return it, they forgot it.” She hands me an empty envelope, I write down “Cassandra” and give it to her. She takes the picture together with the envelope and marches to the back room where dad is sitting.”

“I have to tell “that guy” (meaning dad).” Dad repeats what I had told her, but she won’t listen and gets mad because no one listens to her.

“They gave it to you as a present, to hang up somewhere,” I repeat. “Let’s find a place where we can hang it.”

“No! It’s not going here!” she then insists, since she doesn’t accept this place as her home. She then places it face down on her dresser, so it won’t get forgotten when she “goes home”.

She returns to her chair and her tissue box. She begins to sort the papers in the box. I also notice her placing the pencils and scissors into envelopes. I suggest she put them in the cup that sits next to the computer, together with other pens,.

“But then they’ll be forgotten when I go home,” she whines. I humor her by telling her that the cup can be taken home with her as well. She thinks about that for a moment and accepts, then continues sorting the stuff in the box.

Later I’m sitting, writing in a notepad. The lighting isn’t great and she asks, “How can you see there, Dorrie?”

She again recognized me.

my mom, 2009...

Cat Tales

2012-01-23T18:14:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I last posted....sorry. Blogger, WordPress, and KCL are just not JS.... God I miss that place!!!

As most of you know, I have been having "issues" with my cat, Shila. It started last December when I noticed her having eye problems. So I took her to the vet and then the fun started (giving her eye drops). At first the eye looked like it was getting better, but then it started getting bad again and our choices of treat ment were not many. You have to realise, Shila will be 17 in May, so she's pretty "aged", yet she is still fit like a teenager.

In the end, we decided to remove the bad eye...here she is just after the operation with her protection "bonnet".

That was an unexpected expense, right before Christmas.

This is Shila today....

She's guarding the puzzle I started (I used to puzzle a lot before the internet)...

Anyway, now her other eye has started. Some of the treatment is not possible since she only has one eye left. This time we took her to a special animal eye clinic (yes, such a thing really exists!). They said it was a typical old age thing for her race (Persian). I was given new eye drops, to be given 3 times a day, 2 different types of drops (so actually 6 times a day).

NO WAY!!! Shila has discovered her claws, and even wrapping her up in a blanket doesn't help. She gives me the evil eye and wiggles herself out. It's stress for her.... and for me. So far she still comes crawling back onto my lap for some loving.... *sigh*

So, soon I'll have to decide what to do. I'm thinking of just letting nature take it's course. So many people have told me that cats adjust to being blind, but I don't think it'd be good for her or for me. We shall see....

And so 2012 goes on....

2012-01-05T20:52:00.000+01:00

This year for New Years Eve I had a party in my apartment for the first time. I invited my direct neighbors as well as two of my dancers. I set up a buffett and made a wine punch with berries. I had "normal" wine and beer available but my punch was the hit! No beer or wine bottle needed to be opened! One of the guests brought his collie dog (yes, he asked before hand). She was so well behaved! And Shila didn't seem to mind her, either. It was quite a nice start to the New Year.

The goodies...

We've been having the oddest weather in centuries. Much too mild temperatures... even some plants are beginning to blossom and the animals in the zoo are having trouble hybernating. Then the past days we had some strong storms passing through with hurricane force winds!

So, with such crazy weather it's no wonder that many people are sick... including me. I've had such a hard dry cough the past days, last night it kept me awake. At times I cough so hard I feel I'm going to suffocate. So today I called in sick and the doc gave me some antibiotics and "ordered" me to rest... and signed me off work through next Wednesday! There is an event on Sunday, New Years reception of the local women's club and I'm a board member, I so wanted to attend, yet I can't go. DARN!

Otherwise this year should end up pretty good.... I RETIRE on July 1! YAY!!

So, that was a short update. I read facebook, kcl, and blogger daily but don't write or comment much anymore.... I've just lost the blogging spirit....

Christmas in my world 2011

2011-12-26T16:15:00.000+01:00

Today is the 26th but in my world it's still Christmas. It's kind of odd that the main Christmas events, from church going to opening presents to big feast, are all done on Christmas Eve, making the other 2 days nothing except not having to work, shops ALL closed, and visiting relatives that were around on the Eve.

I must admit, my tree turned out pretty well this year....

I joined in the festivities at my daughter's home on Christmas Eve. I arrived while they were all at church at this quaint little village church where a children's service was going on...

Instead of Santa coming while the children are asleep, the "Christ Child" brings the presents. So, how to manage that without them catching on WHO really brought the presents? While they were all at church, I got the presents from their hiding places and placed them under my daughter's tree. Then I stopped at the church so the kids wouldn't catch on that I had been at the house. So, we got home and SURPRISE!

My camera's flash decided to act up so the following pictures are not too good. As you can see, Tamara liked her "wedding" dress so well she wore it again on Christmas.

My daughter and her little family....

Yesterday, the 25th, the kids spent with their dad while their mom and her new hubby came to my place for dinner. Later on today my son is coming with his girls to visit me, also for dinner. I think we have the whole family covered.....

Hope you all had a great one!!

Dorrie

Wedding Bells....

2011-12-14T21:53:00.000+01:00

No, not for me... but my daughter once again has gotten married! It happened last Saturday and it was beautiful! SHE was beautiful! *brag*

and the girls looked cute, too.

Tamara (8) and Emely (6)

We laughed a lot.... there were no glitches. Even the weather held up... don't forget, this is December!

One "tradition" that was new for me... they had to cut out a heart using nail sissors...

and then her new hubby had to carry her through it (instead of over a threshold)!

It was a fun weekend..... and I wish them lots of joy for the future!

Justfly-ing around!

2011-12-03T15:54:00.000+01:00

We actually met!! Justfly, KCL'er and former JS'er, flew with a friend to visit German Christmas markets. First stop was Frankfurt, and no way were we going to miss this opportunity.

Their adventures during the trip over (Jeanette getting trapped in a restroom, Justfly losing her luggage, etc.) I'll leave for Justfly to write about. I met them at their hotel, then we walked downtown. First stop was the top of one of Frankfurt's skyscrapers....

It was cold and windy but still groovy!

As the sun went down, and the Christmas lights became prettier, we walked to the Christmas market. They were awed at the crowds on a Thursday night! Of course they tried the "famous" German mulled wine.....

We had dinner at a typical German restaurant. Then we walked back to the hotel so they could crash... it had been a long day for them.

The next morning I returned to the hotel where I joined them for breakfast. We then packed their stuff into my car, drove to the airport to pick up Justfly's lost suitcase, then on the my quaint medieval village. First stop there.... my daughter's office so she could also meet them (kids were in school unfortunately)....

Then a walk through town...... here Justfly sitting on the "stocks" of the Witches Tower....

After a stop at my apartment, then I took them to the train station so they could ride to their next stop, Nürnberg, to visit the famous Christkindl Market and after that, Munich.

It was such a FUN and lovely two days!!! I extremely enjoyed my time with them and hope we'll have a repeat visit some day, with more time to spend in MY world!!

Dorrie

Poor Kitty

2011-11-25T15:07:00.000+01:00

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! It's one of those American holidays not celebrate over here in Europe. I used get invited to the local American military base, which was always nice, but they have all been closed.... at least those in my area.

Yesterday was a yucky day. My kitty has been having eye trouble for the past weeks and I've been having to take her to the vet. On Tuesday the vet didn't like the looks of it, but just said to continue watching it, apply the medicine, and bring her in if it gets worse. Yesterday I came home from work and it looked BAD! I called the vet to see if I could bring her in, since they are normally closed on Wednesday. Yes, I could bring her. The vet, a different one this time, didn't like what she saw at all! She gave Shila eye drops, a shot, weighed her, and called a special animal eye clinic. Talked to the doc there and it was decided I didn't have to drive there, that my vet did everything so far possible and that for a 16 yr. old cat, the other clinic would probably not be worth the trouble and cost (about € 700!). Since blood work still had to be done, etc., we decided to leave Shila at the vet.

So everyone, wish my kitty luck....

Edit: Friday.... we decided to have her eye removed yesterday (her left one).... she's too old to try any experiments that may or may not be affective at her age. I will pick her up in an hour. *sigh*

Dorrie

Long time.....

2011-11-12T07:04:00.001+01:00

gosh, it's been almost 2 months since my last entry. That is sooooo unlike me! But somehow I'm just not in the blogging mood anymore. There are a number of reasons for it, I guess.

1. real life busy.... as usual
2. I still miss JS. Yep, journalspace was real special. There was a lot more community feeling (here there is NONE). I've been trying the site "xanga", which has many of the JS features and more, but it's just not the same.... too big, lots of drama which even I, as a newbe there realise, and well, I just can't get that "home" feeling
3. I don't just write/blog for ME, if I did, I could write anywhere.... I write for the sharing, for the feedback, for the comments which I so enjoy getting. I write for the interaction between me and my friends across the globe, not just for family.
4. As most of you know, I did my darndest to keep the JS community together, helping others where I could, doing layouts, giving advice, etc. I set up a static site, not as a blogging site but as a nostalgia site. On that site is a worked over list of members and their facebook names so that people can reconnect; I set up a list of JS authors with links to their available at Amazon;I added alist of couples who met on JS and are (as far as I know) still together. I asked via facebook and on the site itself feedback in form of corrections, additions, etc. What did I get? NOTHING! So why do I bother???

And then there is that other site that was set up by former JS'ers (I will mention no name, but most of you know which site I mean). I am no longer able to read some of the entries.... I've been blocked by the one or other member and they are members that I NEVER said or did anything negative to! I sent messages to them, asking what was wrong, I sent friend requests..... and got absolutely NO response! And I'm off their friends list in facebook, too. And then I read comments from them in entries about me that make NO sense.... and it hurts!

Again.... why do I let it bother me? Why do I even CARE???

So, if I'm not around much.... I may stop all this internet interconnection completely, maybe read and comment at the one or other dear friend, but otherwise I'm curing myself of this addiction I think..... *sigh*

On a nicer note... my oldest granddaughter turned 8! Where has time flown?? We'bve been having an excellent fall, weatherwise (much better then the whole summer was) so she was able to have her party outdoors. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment (grandma's are permitted to brag, right?):

My daughter, Regina, holding one of two rabbits they now own...

My cat, Shila, has been having eye problems so I've been doing a number of visits to the vet... but it seems to be getting better.

Tamara opening her presents...

Her party was on the day before Halloween but Halloween is just now getting to be a big deal over hear so we didn't bother having the kids dress up.

yummy.....

and last but not least... all the girls:

It's Saturday morning but I have a work related class to teach this morning... with at least 40 people attending! (and Shila is hiding under the bed to avoid getting her eye drops... grrrrrrrr).

Dorrie

P.S. only 8 more months until retirement..... *grins*

My Village ...

2011-09-25T19:49:00.002+02:00

It's been a while since I've posted. Sorry! I can't really blame it all on "real life" (though that is a big part), I just haven't really felt much like posting. I haven't even uploaded all my Prague pictures, but those I did upload, you can enjoy by clicking on my homepage! I know some of the pictures Lowandslow will go crazy over! lol

So many events have taken place lately.... most good. During my vacation I had another lovely visit with my ex-sister-in-law as well as ex-mother-in-law.

This past weekend was filled with events. Last night my flying club celebrated their 60th anniversary. It was great seeing many of my old friends again, and they seemed really happy to see me again. I felt really welcomed and "at home". My village is having a 4-day party and it included opening the bell tower of the church, which I of course took advantage of and would like to share the following pictures with you.

This is a view from the tower which shows my apartment building.It's the top floor under that redish roof.

This picture gives a pretty good impression of the area I live in.....and as you see, we had GREAT weather today!

Here are a few pictures from the church and bell tower....

engraved in this bell is the word "Liebe", or "Love"

there are three bells all together.... and they ring EVERY quarter hour! And sometimes for a full 5 minutes!

Inside the church from the organ balcony....

More pictures of the quaint little village I live in can be viewed here.

I hope you all enjoyed this view into my world.... and hopefully I'll get back in the mood to blog more often again.

Dorrie

Visiting Prague

2011-09-02T22:22:00.001+02:00

Last weekend I went for a 4 day trip to Prague! My first day was raining and windy, but Sunday through Tuesday were great! I took about 400 pictures and, since life has so many other issues, I haven't been able to work on them as much as I want. But, as a teaser, her are a couple of photos I took....

More to come.... when I find time.

Dorrie

Busy...

2011-08-25T22:37:00.000+02:00

I've been so busy lately it's pitful.

Yesterday, after working 9 hours in 30°C heat and lots of humidity, I had to drive 50 km in VERY heavy thunder storms to an airfield to give two English exams. Both pilots passed! I ended up not getting home until afer 10 pm.

Today I had a field trip with my "company" to the city of Koblenz. We were 6 bus loads of people! Weather was again hot and humid, but no storms (pictures are not uploaded yet).

Tomorrow I have another business trip with two co-workers, then go to my daughter's to babysit her daughters, then get some shopping done... and FINALLY pack my suitcase. Beginning Saturday I have 3 weeks of vacation (which I need) and on Saturday morning I hop on a train and go to visit Prague, Czech Republic, for 4 days!! yooohooo

So, please excuse me while I find no time to visit anyone......

Dorrie

P.S. Blogger seems to be acting up... grrrrrrrr

Still around......

2011-08-16T21:08:00.000+02:00

Sorry, I haven't been posting much lately. How are you guys going to get to know me if I don't write more often?

Life has been much too busy lately as well.... so what else is new? My second (of four) granddaughters, Emely, the one in the birthday pictures in the entry below, started her first day of school. It's a German tradition that the kids get a "cone" with lots of goodies in it (sweets, pencils, erasors, other school stuff) to "sweeten up" the first day.

It was all quite exciting for her. The picture above was taken in the local church where they had a service (protestand and Catholic together) for all the kids and their family. We then went to the school where they were greeted by their new teachers and we could tour the class rooms. They only have 2 first grade classes this year with only 18 kids in each! Her sister, Tamara, started 3rd grade and there are only 15 kids in her class. Ah the country life!

There was even a picture in the local newspapers and only my little Emely is recognizable! lol (here without her glasses)....

Do I sound like a proud granny!

Our weather has been lousy this year. We had summer in April and May (too early) and since then it's been more like autumn! Too rainy and too cold! And then I tripped and fell, TWICE within 10 days, making my abilities to be active, or creative, restricted. Luckily I only sprained my wrists and knees....nothing broken.... but that was bad enough. I went to two dance events and couldn't dance! What a torture that was! *sigh*

Anyway, I'm feeling better and maybe I'll feel like getting things done and being productive again. I have so many projects planned!

OK, enough for now....

Dorrie

Photo Quiz answers....

2011-07-18T16:14:00.000+02:00

As always, the past days were busy.... but now here's the result of the photo quiz...

The first one is an amazing helicopter site at a clinic. They had no place to put one on the roof so they set up the special platform...

and the second was an easy one....a Ferris Wheel. This one is set up in the town I work in once a year at a big festival... right in the middle of town, with some main streets completely closed for 4 days.

with a fantastic view....

I hope you all enjoyed this little game...

Dorrie

Photo Quiz

2011-07-10T17:27:00.001+02:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything.... did anyone miss me??

Lots of stuff going on, as usual. But instead of a "normal" entry, how about a Photo Quiz? Here are two photos..... try to guess what they are. The second one is probably pretty easy but the first one is tricky. One hint on the first... it's job related!

Nope, nothing to win... just have fun figuring it out. The answer I'll post in a couple of days...

Number one:

Number two:

Dorrie

Happier entry... Emely turned 6!

2011-06-18T08:47:00.000+02:00

A much happier event was last Monday. My granddaughter Emely turned 6! It was a happy day for sure!!

Unpacking her new bike...

and other stuff...

celebrating with friends...

the girls like having their faces painted, and this mom does a good job!

and then the kids painted t-shirts...cool idea!

It was a fun day for all!

the crash... caution, graphic pictures

2011-06-15T23:06:00.004+02:00

Yes, I need to blog, write, put down my feelings. I have tried updating my blog at blogger, but it's so anonymous there. I hate facebook... it's only good for keeping up on peeps but that's about it.

Lately life has been toooooo busy. Ok, that's normal in my world. But sometimes it turns into a roller coaster... like now.

Emely had her 6th birthday on Monday. I have some cute pictures to share, but I haven't even had time to upload them to my computer yet.

On Sunday evening there was that horrific crash of the blimp at one of my airfields. I know that even the US media has reported about it. The Australian pilot burned with his ship, after managing to save the lives of his 3 passengers.

On Saturday, the day before the crash, I had visited the airfield on a duty trip.... standard visit, but the blimp being there was one of the reason. I took a couple of pictures of it from the tower....

Normally I would have gone over and talked to the pilot, but I was had been visiting other fields before that and was tired so I decided to drive home.... I'm now glad I did. Because this is what happened on Sunday evening.

This was all that was left of it.... and yes, they did find remains of the pilot, but not much....

On Monday, which was a holiday here, I met the accident investigators and the crimal police in charge. They pretty much know in the mean time what caused it (hard landing, fuel excaping and igniting), but it'll be awhile before the final report is out.

This week is full of meetings, plus this coming weekend a big air show! aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh I'm beginning to hate air shows!

Well.... 12.5 months until retirement! ;-)

Dorrie

Job Perks... Schwerin, Germany

2011-05-29T19:27:00.000+02:00

Last week I went on a 3 day business trip with my boss to the city of Schwerin, located way up north-east, a 6 hour train ride, part on the super fast German train going at times 249 km/h! (1 km = 0.62 mi/h). Our meeting was in the local castle... a beautiful building on an island on one of the many lakes located there. Schwerin is the smallest state capital in Germany.The state is one of the former East Germany states and the castle needed LOTS of work done on it. It is still being worked on.

On the second day, after the meeting, we were taken on a tour of the castle, including places normal tours don't go to... like the roof! Here are some of my best pictures:

Our meeting was on the 3rd floor... somewhere here:

It was a lovely trip and the city is worth another visit some day.

Dorrie

Old and New

2011-05-22T17:43:00.000+02:00

As promised, here are some more pictures I took in Frankfurt. And as mentioned, I especially like the contrast between old and new.

Enjoy!

This is the underground station where I got off the subway. The church on the left, Paul's, is famous for being the site of many important political decisions being made/signed.

Frankfurt has a huge cathedral... this shows some of the delicate workmanship.

and in front of the cathedral are remains from an old Roman settlement (maybe 2000 years old? I should google before I post heehee):

This is a view from those ruins toward the marketplace of the city hall. Notice the modern skyscraper in the background?

Another view of the marketplace...

and... once more the Paul's church with the skyscraper background....

Dorrie

A Heli of an experience...

2011-05-21T19:22:00.000+02:00

Ok, just trying to be cute (refering to my title).

The helicopter was already busy by the time I got off the train (at 7:30 am) and within a half hour it was all done. The Swiss helicopter company are real professionals and we have done lots of business with them over the years. It was hard to get some real good pictures, but I tried....

Lifting the weights on a 110 m robe out of a narrow side street....

and setting it down on the roof...

There were 4 lifts all together.

Since the weather was perfect and few people on the streets so early on a Saturday morning, I took a stroll to take some pictures. Coming next entry... more old/new contrasts...(I love Frankfurt).

Dorrie

Exciting Saturday ?

2011-05-20T20:45:00.000+02:00

Tomorrow morning I'll have to get up early, even though it's a Saturday. I have to go to downtown Frankfurt to watch over an event my office gave permission to. Some of you know my job, or at least a bit. This thing tomorrow involves a huge, double rotar helicopter of Russian make, a Kamakov (?) which will be pulling up some heavy air conditioners to the roof of one of Frankfurt's skyscrapers! Now, I've been at a number of such jobs (including last Sunday) and usually they are very well organised. It's a job "perk" in some ways, but it is also quite a responsibility and often makes me nervous. Yes, I'll probably take some pictures...

The building they will be working near is a futuristic shopping mall. These pictures I took of the inside ...

and for those of you who haven't seen my Frankfurt pictures before, here's one showing the contrast old and new...

I hope you guys all have a much more relaxing weekend...

Dorrie

Feeling Lost.....

2011-05-15T19:50:00.000+02:00

... and not just in the blogging world. Lately I haven't been motivate to write or even read blogs. I check through facebook to see what people have jotted down, but in many cases it's just boring nonsense. Once in a while I'll leave a like or a comment..... feel honored! LOL

The internet in general bores me. I check a few of the flying foren I know but even they bore me. I used to enjoy doing layouts for people.... now there is no blogging home where I can do that. And of those who still write/blog, I think only Pastor Larry still has the layouts I made for him, all others are either no longer there/deleted or have added one of the standard ones available.... even my own here is a standard one.

Another site I blogged on is going offline today. It was set up by two lovely ladies from JS and was just for ladies. I will miss it, even though there wasn't that much activity there.

I started a new blog at xanga.com where one of JS's best writers, Wes, has been writing and getting lots of attention. But to attract readers I have to write more often. I just can't get the motivation *sigh*

Even at home I'm not motivated. Living alone, I do often have "dead" time, especially on weekends. But either I don't feel like getting something started, or I start and it doesn't go like it should. THAT is very demotivating! It starts with sewing dresses for the granddaughters to recording music for my dance class. *sigh*

I have gotten myself involved in 3 clubs in my hometown. I'm the type of person who needs the "pressure" of set times for stuff... and you can be sure I'm dependable. But when it's a question of "perhaps" doing something, more then likely I won't bother.

And then there's the disappointment with "friends" and family. I am tired of being the one to keep contact. I have gone out of my way to meet people.... even traveling to other countries to do so. I love meeting people.

Why can't others contact ME for a change? It's especilly hurful when people who I thought were close don't even bother to read my blogs, or answer messages I sent... messages asking for explainations, or even small cries for help...... I feel ignored! I feel alone.....

I may delete this entry, but I needed to vent a bit......

Mother's day....

2011-05-07T21:19:00.000+02:00

Everyone is writing something about their mom's for mother's day. I wasn't going to join in, butI changed my mind.

Some of you have read about my mom in the past. She's 91 now and living in a care home after her Alzheimer (or dmeenz, whatever) got so bad, my dad couldn't care for her anymore. I visited her last October and was shocked at how she looked.... much thinner then I have known her the past years and, of course, she didn't know me or my son, who was also visiting. No, I won't add I picture.... they are too sad looking.

Anyway..... I have lots of good memories about my mom. She provided me with a happy childhood. My dad was in the navy and it was her job to take care of me and my two brothers all alone when he was away.

Here are a few pictures of her through the years......

1920 as a child...

1950 with me.... introducing me to coke!

1951 with my dad and older brother, Bob....

at my wedding, 1970..

my visit in 2009, the last time I spent time with her at home... she rarily knew who I was..

I really wish she could have gotten to meet her great-granddaughters. She was a great mom and grandma.

Love ya, Mom!!

Birthdays and half-timbered houses

2011-04-15T19:22:00.000+02:00

Sorry, but I haven't felt like posting much recently... well actually, not for some time. I guess I've lost that blogging feeling!

Yes, once I was well known for my smilies... ah, those were the days!

Since my last post, my granddaughter, Shiana, celebrated her 4th birthday. Of course we had a party and, amazingly for April, great summer weather!

Shiana (4), Priyasha (2), and Emely (5)

Where does the time go? The kids are growing like weeds and getting cuter all the time.

As my facebook followers know, I'm now a tour guide in the town I now live in. I was one already back in the 80's so I just have to up-date myself. It's fun learning about the history. The town has quite a number of half-timbered houses which have been lovingly renovated. We have a church with a wood-carved altar shrine and a castle. Unfortunately we cannot at the moment enter the castle... it has been sold to some RUSSIANS who are renovating it for a hotel!! Needless to say, we are all curious about what they are up to and hope it will be good. They do have lots of regulations to observe so let's hope for the best. In the summer you can hardly see the castle because of all the trees around it.... this pic I took recently...

And here's an example of one of the houses...

Any of you interested in more pictures, just follow THIS LINK.

This weekend is the Easter Market in town and maybe I'll have more pictures to share.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dorrie

Spring is here!

2011-04-09T14:08:00.000+02:00

For the past weeks we've been having marvelous weather.... and now, after some rain one day last week, nature is exploding!

This tree is outside my office....

and this one at a local airfield...

I often write about the fact that I have no time to do this, or that, or another thing. I work full time, teach dance twice a week, and just seem to be TOO busy! So, now.... what have I gotten myself into??

I joined a local women's group which is partly affiliated with the local government. They do lots of projects, workshops, etc. for women and family. Hmmmm, I "voluntarily" got myself voted into the board.

And.... once upon a time (between 1984 and 1992) I was a tour guide in the quaint town I live in. And now I'm one again! Originally I thought I'd do only the few English language once that get arranged... nope, I'm now on their regular schedule!

Oh, well.... it could be worse.... I could spend my days bored stiff!

If you want to get some impressions of this littlem mediaval town.... just follow this link!

Enjoy the pictures..... I'm off now to celebrate Shiana's fourth birthday!! (time flies.... geeeez).

Dorrie

Beautiful Germany

2011-03-20T19:53:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I once again taught a job-related class with over 30 pilots in attendance.... and received lots of applaus at the end! (amazing, considering I'm one of those feared "Feds" lol). This coming season will be my last before I retire, and next winter the last for classes, and it does feel a bit odd. Will I miss teaching these classes? maybe....

The weather was marvelous and on the drive home I made a stop to see a monument I didn't even knew existed... I drove to the spot to catch a nice view over the Rhine River and found the monument with a small, rebuilt temple. There is still so much to see in my "home" country.... and believe me, I really do appreciate being able to live here.

This is a view of the Rhine and the rebuilt "temple"...

These are some of the original pillar stones. The original temple got destroyed in WW II.

And this is a picture of the monument itself. It's in the process of being renovated but is quite impressive....

Dorrie

Fasching / Carnival 2011

2011-03-09T15:37:00.000+01:00

I know, it's been a while since I've written here (or anywhere for that matter). I just don't seem to have the blogging bug that I used to (I still miss JS!).

It's now Ash Wednesday and carnival season is once again over. This year I didn't participate much... one evening event and the parade yesterday. For a change we had PERFECT weather for the parade... blue skies, comfortable temperatures, no wind! Normally it snows and we freeze to death while standing around, but this year Ash Wednesday is later in the year then usual, March instead of February, and that helps. Unfortunately I had a slight cold (*snif* *hatchee*) which spoiled some of the fun. Anyway, here are a few pictures for your entertainment! lol

This is little Tamara with me (in the blue as an Egyptian) and my daughter, Regina....

and with Emely...

The fun part is seeing all the fantastic costumes, like these walking ice cream cones..

or these "fire birds"...

I have vacation all this week and I'm using it to relax, load up my battery, and get some stuff done like doc appointments setup, etc. I've been doing some reading plus lots of this 'n' that. I really needed this time off... *sigh*

Dorrie

time for an update?

2011-02-17T19:30:00.000+01:00

Still busy.... lol

As I mentioned in my other entry, my daughter's best friend, Carina, and her 2 1/2 yr. old son, Samuel, stayed with me for a few days. It went quite well... both were easy care. Samuel is such a sweety!! This is Carina and Samuel....

As expected, Carina needed a substitute mom to talk to. We had some very long talks while Samuel was in bed and I hope it helps her. Her life is pretty upside-down at the moment.

My class on Saturday went quite well.... and the next class is this coming Saturday at a town located 1 1/2 hours from home. THAT will be a loooooong day! And after that I have a ticket for a Fasching/Carnival/Mardi Gras event. *sigh* Yep, it's that time of year again.

Last Sunday we celebrated Priyasha's second birthday. Carina and Samuel came along, since Carina and my son grew up together so they are not strangers. It was a fun afternoon with ALL my grandkids around me!

The birthday girl... isn't she SWEET??

Tamara and Shiana are turning into real little ladies!

And Emely's a clown...

OK, that's an bit of an update since I've been neglecting this place (and all my other blogging sites).

Dorrie

Busy days....

2011-02-12T18:54:00.000+01:00

And as if I don't have enough going on...... yesterday the best girl friend of my daughter came to stay with me, together with her 3-year old little boy! I know, I know... it's hard for me to say no! lol

I've known Carina forever... she grew up with Regina, they went to school together, and she was a member of my children's dance class. She is now married with 3 kids, but the marriage is shakey and has been on and off for some time. She has lost soooo much weight (she was never heavy to begin with) and needs to get away from home for a couple of days. Since Regina has no room to put her up, she asked if I would. And, as I said, I can't say no!

I had to work in the morning. Her hubby brought them to Regina's place during her lunch break (she had to work all day as well), then I picked them up there. Her hubby is all for the visit. I had the guest room all set up so that's no problem.

I had to be gone all day Saturday, but she visited with Regina and other girl friends from her home town (she actually doesn't live far from here, but has no car ... her hubby doesn't earn much and needs the car himself).

Carina may also need a good "neutral" girl talk with someone who's been almost a mom to her (me). Her own mom died when she was young of complications with MS. I knew her mom and was a witness to her decay.... and I can only imagine how hard it was for Carina. Her dad and older brother brought her up. Now her dad also has MS! Anyway, I'll see how it goes.

Those who know me know that I'm always willing to help if asked and if I can, whether it's in real life, like in this situation, or in internet (ah, the JS for Dummies days, layouts, etc. ... and later KCL).

Saturday, as mentioned, I was gone most of the day. I had a class of over 40 people to teach. It's a class for airfield traffic advisors. It was fun (*sigh* all those guys! lol) and went quite well. I had planned to visit a lady pilot's event at a town in the complete opposite direction, but I was too tired so I came home instead.

On Sunday I'll be visiting my son, together with Regina and family, possibly bringing Carina and her boy along, to celebrate Priyasha's second birthday! I visited them the other day....

little chocolate face heehee

Her mom arrived back from Mumbai with Shiana on Thursday.

Did I mention I'm busy??

Dorrie

Flying around...

2011-01-28T09:47:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday, after dropping Tamara off, I decided to stop by the local flying club. It's the same club that I'm a member of since 1983 and where I first learned to fly. One of my buddies, Michael, was there and invited me along for a local roundtrip together with one of his friends. Since the weather was fantastic, I jumped at the opportunity.

This is a view just after take-off of the now empty American army base... it has been deserted for around 2 years now.

More and more wind farms are being set up everywhere, destroying the looks of our beautiful landscapes...(can you catch that I don't like them? lol)

We flew over the Main and Neckar rivers, wanting to see how the flooding was. In the mean time the rivers are pretty much back to normal, as you can tell (this is the Main River near Miltenberg).

A view of one of the many castles/fortresses that are found all over the place....

The balloonists were taking advantage of the weather as well...

Today I won't go to work until noon because I have a job thing to do during night time, which includes a flight (checking the night lighting at an airfield). The past days the weather was cloudy with some now melted snow, today looks promising.

On the weekend I think I finally get some much needed housework done...

Dorrie

Tamara's visit

2011-01-22T20:42:00.000+01:00

In my apartment there's a "hiding place".... a space behind a smaill door behind the living room couch. It was already carpeted when I moved in and also has a light. I've made it into a play space for the kids, complete with books, writing and drawing utensils, and puzzles. The kids love it!

As promised, I made a little dress for Tamara's Monchichi doll. While sitting at the sewing machine, Tamara played with her doll as well as other various stuffed animals. It was VERY interesting to hear her "conversations" with them.... I wished I had a tape recorder! It was very imaginative and perhaps an insight into her daily life, for example; her doll asking another doll to play, the other doll not having any time. Then her Monchichi was invited by a pilot doll..."the best pilot in the whole world"... to join him on a flight, complete with loopings. Afterwards, the Monchichi "reported" about it at "school".

Tamara loves to read! She found a little book in my bookcase and started reading it.... and finished it before she had to leave! At school (first grade) her teach says she reads at at 11 year old's level!

After I dropped her off at her dad's, I stopped by the local flying club and a pilot friend invited me on a flight. Since the weather was fantastic (but coooold), I decided to go along.

But that's for a different entry.

Dorrie

Dorrie

Vote for me!!

2011-01-15T15:48:00.000+01:00

Some of you may remember that in December 2009 I went on my first cruise. It was to the Canary Islands and it was fantastic!

Last May I took a cruise to Greece with a different cruise line, but it wasn't half as good as with AIDA! They now have a new ship to be christened/baptised in April and they are looking for the person to do the honors. Starting today, applications can be sent in. Well, mine is sent in and now I need YOUR help.

If you have a facebook account, sign-in and follow the link below:

AIDA search: http://apps.facebook.com/AIDATaufpatin/gallery/profile/626334564

It will take you to my AIDA profile. Under the picture there's a button that says "Abstimmen".... CLICK ON IT! No, you don't have to pay for anything or get sign-up for something, this is an honest deal (I normally don't play ANY games or such... but I would LOVE to win this!.... who wouldn't? Prizes include not only the party to introduce the ship, but also a free cruise on it!). Sorry about it being in German, but it IS a German company...

If you want to see more pictures of my trip with the AIDA, follow this link.

So start voting!!

Dorrie

As the new year continues....

2011-01-11T19:21:00.000+01:00

Things have been quite hectic the past days.... ok, when is it NOT hectic in my world???

Last Saturday my daughter-in-law, Karen's, mom died. She had been sick for some time, and when my son, Carsten, arrived in Mumbai with his family on New Year's day she was in intensive care. She no longer is suffering.... those of you who pray, could you pass on a few her way? Thanks....

Last night I picked up Carsten and his youngest daughter, Priyasha, from the airport. Karen will stay another 4 weeks in Mumbai with the older girl, Shiana. Carsten had to return to work and they have a day-care mom to take care of Priyasha during the day. I have to work myself but will help when needed. Another 18 months, then I could help full time (retirement! lol).

Here's a recent picture of me with Priyasha...

Last Sunday I finally invited two of my long time dance students, who happen to live in my new town, over for coffee. Annemarie has been dancing with me since 1978! I'm not sure when Kornelia started dancing with me, but it's been around 25 years for sure. Last May Kornelia joined me on that cruise to the Greek islands. It was soooo much fun and we got along quite well, like sisters.

After wonderful weeks of white snow, and lots of it, the temps have risen, the snow has completely melted, and there's lots of flooding (though not like in Australia). What weird weather there has been all over the world!

OK, that's all for today...

Dorrie

More memories

2011-01-03T22:40:00.000+01:00

I scanned some more slides and enjoying the memories.

Here's Regina learning to walk....

and Carsten meeting some furry friends (yes, that's me in the background)

and both playing mommy and daddy....

I'm glad that the internet helps me share and preserve these moments.....

Dorrie

A new year, remembering days gone past....

2011-01-01T15:11:00.000+01:00

Some weeks ago my ex (finally) gave me some cartridges of slides. He prefered slides over paper film but we rarily got to see them... such a hassle to set up a projector and screen! (P.S. I assume you all heard that Kodacrome film is no longer being made and/or developed? Go google it....). Anyway, since the older madel slide scanner he gave me wouldn't work on my comp, I went and bought a newer one and finally started scanning the slides.

The quality is not as good as vieweing them on a screen, but at least I have managed to digitalize some of them finally. Among them are some awesomely cute pictures of my kids!

I think this is one of my new favs... me with my daughter, Regina, on Christmas 1977...

and my son, Carsten....

and Regina practicing to become a good mommy...

It's almost hard to believe that they both now each have two children of their own!

Last night I attended an Irish Dance performance with my friend Kornelia, one of my dancers and now good friend. The two of us went on the Greek Island Cruise last May together and had a great time! We then went to her home, which is only a 3 minute drive from mine, to talk and watch fireworks (which are legal for private use only on New Years). So I got off to a very nice start in the New Year!

Welcome 2011! May you bring joy and HAPPY surprises!

Dorrie

JS New Years

2010-12-31T11:59:00.000+01:00

Remember the New Year's entries I used to make on JS? Well, I got nostalgic this morning and copied the ones from 2006/2007 into the journalspace-revival homepage. If you haven't checked it out yet, do so now!

Journalspace New Year's Party

And for 2010/2011 I wish all of you....

Dorrie aka Westy

Christmas 2010 Part II

2010-12-27T16:31:00.000+01:00

Christmas days continued..... this time at my apartment. I managed to get the fire going in the fireplace all by my lonesome!

I cooked a festive meal which I think they all enjoyed...

Shiana (3) looks happy...

and Priyasha (almost 2) liked her present (a doll house)..

and on Sunday I had all my girls around me!

At any rate, I had lovely days with my family this year! And yes, I really do feel blessed!

Dorrie

Christmas 2010 Part I

2010-12-26T08:29:00.000+01:00

Having two sets of grandkids, and enjoying separate visits with both, I'll make my Christmas entries at least a two parter. So here's part I:

Christmas Eve / Christmas day
Christmas Eve my son-to-be-new-son-in-law, Sven, picked me up so I wouldn't have to drive in the very snowy and icy roads. We have had more snow this year then EVER and yes, we had a WHITE CHRISTMAS!

Sven's parents were also visiting. Following German tradition, presents were opened Christmas Eve, after attending a children's church service, and then we had the huge Christmas dinner, lovingly prepared by my daughter. Here are some pictures to enjoy...

Emely sees the presents under the tree for the first time...

Once again the kids got spoiled rotten! lol

and around midnight it snowed some more (that's Sven's mom)....

and this is what the balcony looked like the next morning...

After breakfast on Christmas day Regina drove me back home and in the afternoon son Carsten came to my place with family for dinner (and report Part II later).

I hope all of you had as great a Christmas as mine was!!

Dorrie

Tamara spends the night

2010-12-18T21:37:00.000+01:00

It was fun having Tamara spend the night. I think she enjoyed it, too.

This was her comfy place for the night....

And I let her try on a dress of mine.... that I wore in 1959, as flower girl at a wedding...

and me in 1959...

And with the tree decorations, she made her own nativity set...

Dorrie

and still more winter!

2010-12-17T22:44:00.000+01:00

This has been the crazies winter I have ever experience here in Germany. We have NEVER, in the 40 years I've lived here, that my area has had so much snow and for so long. So many accidents, too. Trucks are getting stuck, in some parts they have closed the Autobahn to all truck traffic. Of course that means no deliveries of stuff, including gas to the stations. Air traffic is also slowed... de-icing fluid is running out of stock, as are snow shovels at the stores.

Normally we get maybe one or two days of wet, mushy, dirty snow, then weeks of nothing. But last season we got lots and now this season is outdoing it already.

But I must admit, IT'S BEAUTIFUL!

The drive to my village....

a Catholic church I walk past every day...(this was taken at 07:00 am)

Out shopping mall...

Our Christmas market...(with the snow shoveled away, not melted)

I set up my Christmas tree today... it's not decorated yet, though. And I have a surprise over-night guest. My oldest granddaughter, Tamara, has been wanting to spend the night with me and so my daughter suggested tonight. OK, no problem with me! She's now sound asleep in the big guest bed....and tomorrow we'll decorate the tree.

It's now my bed time...

Dorrie

more winter!!

2010-12-08T21:42:00.001+01:00

the weather has been so crazy... it's really unbelievable. For the past weeks we've been having snowy/icy conditions. Last night after doing some more English exams, I drove home in pouring rain...which melted most of the snow. Today, it continued raining... and I mean RAINING! Tonight, on my way to dance class.... I left the house in pouring rain. Half way there it started turning to snow flakes.

Dance class last 1.5 hours. My car had disappeared under inches of snow!! I brushed it off and VERY slowly drove home. Luckily everyone (except one idiot... there is always one), also drove slowly.... and I made it safe and sound. It's a winter wonderland outside.... beautiful!! No idea if I'll be able to drive to work tomorrow, though.

In all my years in Germany, I have never experienced such a winter. Usually the snow days are short and few... or just ugly mushy (except in higher elevations, of course). But last season we had lots of snow ... and this year, too.

This picture I took the other day....

I think the snow is much more then this, just within the past two hours!

This is our State theater, newly renovated.....

The lot the theater is built on there once existed a palace of one of Queen Victoria's granddaughters. Unfortunately the palace got destroyed in WWII.

Anyway, that's another look into Westy's World!

Dorrie

Winter Impressions....

2010-11-30T22:19:00.000+01:00

Finally, I managed to take and upload some pictures. This picture I took on Sunday, BEFORE the big snow came!

This was taken from my living room balcony....

It's supposed to get colder the next days.... down to perhaps -13° C (8.6° F !!) and probably snow some more...

Take care everyone!!

Dorrie

Snow....

2010-11-29T20:14:00.000+01:00

That's right, it's been snowing here.... non-stop since yesterday. It's quite unbelievable and they are expecting record low temperature's for the next days!

I almost didn't get my car into the garage.... I may have to take the train to work tomorrow. It's not so comfy from my new village but possible.

I'll try to take some pictures. I took a couple the other day but haven't uploaded them yet.

Otherwise not much to report at the moment.

Dorrie

Job Perks ... and TGIF!

2010-11-19T19:42:00.000+01:00

Another very busy week is over.... and I intend to do NOTHING particular this weekend except some paperwork I've been procrastinating about.

Sometimes my job offers some pretty good perks. One of those happened this past week. A former traffic controller friend from Frankfurt tower offered my office a tour of the new Frankfurt tower, which is presently being built. We of course jumped at the chance and had a nice field trip there last Tuesday. Here are a couple of pictures I took....

looking east...

looking south... and you can see the present tower in the background....

looking west...the brownish area is the new runway under constructio...

me, standing behind the controller tables. They not only have the monitors you see, but also touch-screen ones built into the tables (seen covered with those yellow papers).

We happened to catch the only day this week with good weather and great visibility... it's been cold and rainy all week and we may soon get our first snow.

That's all from my world for now. Because of being busy I not only don't get around to writing much but also not to visiting many journals.... sorry.

Dorrie

It's Saturday, but my week is not over!

2010-11-13T06:06:00.002+01:00

It's 4:30 am on a Saturday... crazy, right? I'm already awake and my hair is washed. I like having time for it to air dry before leaving the house. Well, I don't have to leave until around 7:15, but my internal alarm woke me before the normal alarm, in spite of it being Saturday.

And it's STILL stormy outside! It's been stormy almost all week, with wind blowing more or less strong.... it's strong now. It was strong enough to do some damage, like uproot trees, etc. So far my area was pretty much spared.

Today's schedule: drive from here to the town I work in (27 km), then get one of our business cars (a nice Audi A4) and drive 100 km north. I have to be there by around 09:00 am. I teach a class there all day.... 31 pilots have signed up. So wind or no wind, I have to drive there. After that I have a work-related speech to give at 4:45 pm (over 50 pilots) at a town which is another 38 km north of that. Then, when that's over (around 6:15), drive the 138 km back to where I drop the car off. Day over? Nope! On the way home I take a detour a detour to a village located between there and home to attend an Irish music concert with a girl friend. If lucky, I'll arrive there on time (8 pm).

Tomorrow I'm staying home!!

This whole week has been crazy. It started last Sunday when I attended a reading of a book, a crime book I had happened to just finish reading which takes place in the city I work in, by it's author. Yes, he even signed my book! Then off to visit my dinner where I joined her family for dinner.

Monday: Go to work, leave at 1 pm as usual Mondays because my eyes burned. Originally I had intended to stay later so that I could go from work direct to my son to babysit his kids. As it was, I drove the 27 km east to my place, took a nap, then drove the 38 km west to his place. Watched the kids until 11 pm, got home at midnight. Originally they had wanted me to stay later and spend the night, which would have meant leaving the cat unattended until late Tuesday night. Oh, she would have survived that, but I do prefer sleeping in my own bed.

After work Tuesday, driving 50 km south to give 4 English exams (all 4 passed).

Wednesday night: dance class.

Thursday night dance class.

Wow, Friday I had nothing scheduled after work! Well, I did check my presentations to make sure they are ok and packed my stuff so I don't forget anything today.

See why I can't work on a new journalspace site?

Anyway, if I haven't been visiting your journals, now you know why. It's now 6:00 am and I have to start thinking about what I plan to wear.... with that wind I shall refrain from wearing a mini-skirt!

Dorrie

Motivation.... and journalspace-revived

2010-11-06T09:43:00.000+01:00

Our dear former JS'er, Bobby, made an entry about motivation and I could so relate to it, that I've decided to follow suit. Most of you know that I rarily write "philosophical" entries... mine are usually fun or family with lots of pictures, and at one time LOTS of smilies! Anyway... theme today: motivation.

At the moment I'm not motivated to do ANYTHING!

I love my new apartment, and it's 90% finished. That other 10% is minot stuff, extras that aren't necessary, so I'm pleased and comfy. I now have lots of space and room to work (and play) in. I could do some dance recordings on one computer while working on English exam lessons or my homepage on another. Instead.... it's all lying dormant.

I'm not even motivated to go out somewhere, and I even visit my kids only if they call me, instead of me calling them! (SHAME on me!).

I am often glad that some things MAKE me work on stuff because I have deadlines or fixed dates. Like my dance classes... I HAVE to attend because I'm the teacher, otherwise I'm sure I would have discontinued going long ago. Yet, these same classes have, because I attended, saved my sanity more then once.

I will not go into my job... that is one of the real main reasons for my demotivation in lots of things. I avoid airfields, haven't flown in months and don't even want to fly anymore. My instructors licence is no longer valid and I may never renew it. Again, no motivation ... but more job related. NEVER turn your hobby into your job! Yet I did just that with my dancing and my flying.

I haven't even been motivated to blog... anyone notice that, after the pictures of the air show, I haven't added anything more about my trip home?

My job? Twenty more months and I can retire!! YAY!

So, when the new Journalspace group started up in facebook, and within one day over 200 people signed up, it motivated me to finally start up a homepage I had been thinking about for so long. I wanted to reserve the domain name anyway so I went ahead and started working on it. No, it's not a blogging site, though that was my original intention, which is why the domain is journalspace-revived. There is no way I can do that yet... maybe in 2 years. So I decided to make it a JS nostalgic site.

I've added a homepage, trying to match the original set-up using screen shots I had once made.

I have links to JS member lists, matching people's former JS handle with their facebook names, and old profiles photos if available.

I added a profile of me, adding one of my JS entries and an old layout I once used, with the hope of others doing the same and sending me similar profile pages to adde..... so far, I have received NONE.

I added the JS Saga that Simon had once written, using many JS members as cast. It's one of the things I tried to save back then and thus survived the big JS crash.... and is so fun to read!

I added the JS Legend, which was something I had started on... yet is still unfinished.

I added a link to one of my blogger sub-blogs for people to use and comment on... so far, one follower only.

So far, the only really echo I got were requests from people asking me to remove their REAL names from the list! Yet, those are the names they are signed up on facebook with! Why, I ask you, do they use their REAL names on facebook if they don't want people to know about it?? You CAN sign up on fb with fake names.... lots of people did! geeeeez

So now, once again, I am asking myself WHY do I even bother with these efforts? I can see now that motivation to keep this site full with interesting updates is not going to last very much longer..... *sigh*

Anyway.... I needed to let this bit of ranting out. Sorry.....

Dorrie

The Spirit of Journalspace

2010-10-26T06:10:00.001+02:00

Yesterday, Elin from Denmark, decided to set up a new JOURNALSPACE group at Facebook. We already had one there, but it has been neglected (shame on me, I was admin oooops).

Anyway, within only a few hours there were already 100 former JS'ers in it! Comments were running wild, everyone trying to remember and note their former handle.

This morning I woke up and there were 200 sign-ups! And oh, so many people I have missed!

Only JS could cause that kind of reunion.

And, as fate would have it, my own homepage and forum is down for maintenance now.......

So, if you have an account at facebook, and used to be a JS'er and haven't yet received an invitation to join, just tell me and I'll send you an invite.... or just join on your own. It is awesome!!

Dorrie aka Westy

The Air Show

2010-10-15T18:24:00.003+02:00

Sorry I haven't been posting... after going back to work I have been too busy, then too tired, to even bother to blog anything. I haven't even worked on most of my pictures from my trip yet! I know, I know..... shame on me!

But I did want to finally share with y'all some pictures from the Miramar Air Show! I'm sure you are ALL familiar with the movie "Top Gun", well Miramar IS top gun and when I heard that their air show was on during the one weekend I was in San Diego, I decided it was a must do event (most of you may know that, because of my job, a sort of hate air shows... but here I made an exception). My son arrived also and of course he wasn't going to miss it either.

This is one of HIS pictures of the Blue Angels!

Of course the military had to demonstrate their equipment....(these are all MY pictures):

And of course the flying..... Canadian Snow Birds and Blue Angels plus lots more!

I also took some films but they are finished and uploaded yet. I've just had other priorities the past days.

On Wednesday Tamara celebrated her 7th birthday (pictures coming... some day)!

At the office we got new furniture delivered... what a mess! Luckily jet lag didn't bother me too much... I've been sleeping through the nights as if I'd never been away (yay me!).

This weekend it's supposed to rain, I'll be babysitting on Saturday, but other then that... lots of house work and pictures to work on! Plus a power point presentation for work...

Dorrie

P.S. more pictures can be viewed here

Vacation is over pout

2010-10-10T17:26:00.001+02:00

As most of you know, I was back home in San Diego to see my mom and dad. It was a sad, but good visit. Both are doing as good as can be expected.... dad may come home next week. I had a chance to talk to my brother about all the arrangements and all that has been going on. That's why I flew over now so that I could get the laydown first hand! Originally I had planned to fly over next January.

For those who don't know, my mom has advanced Alzheimers and is in a care home since last year. A few weeks ago she fell and hurt her hip and was operated on (she's 91!). My dad just had a by-pass and had a new heart valve put in... he's 87. To top things off, they had a huge water leak in their home some weeks ago....you can imagine mess ..... all the flooring had to be renewed. Luckily my younger brother, who lives with his lovely wife in the same house as my folks and he's quite the handy man.

My son, Carsten (36), flew over as well and we had some nice mother/son quality time. That was nice.

I just got back today and have to go back to work tomorrow.... there's a 9 hour time difference... hello jet lag! *yawn*

So, now back to my unpacking!

Dorrie

Time for an Update

2010-10-06T03:33:00.001+02:00

As you can imagine, things are pretty hectic.

Both parents are doing pretty well under the circumstances. My son, Carsten, arrived safely and together we visit them daily. My mom is having a good week... talking a lot (though it's nearly impossible to understand her) and dad isn't doing too bad either, but not enough to come home.

When we're not visiting, we are filling up our days with favorite activities. Y'all know how I love air shows (not)... well, the one weekend we're here, the local air base at Miramar (Top Gun fame) had it's big air show and Casten and I decided on Saturday to go. You don't get to visit that air base often AND get to see such great performances like the Blue Angels and Snow Birds of Canada. Fantastic! Yes, we took tons of pictures but I can't post any until I get home and on my own computer.

On Sunday we went to Balboa Park to see if my old dance group is still there.... they are! But... the group is getting older and smaller. It was nice to see them and I even danced a few dances with them.

Afterward we went down to the ocean.... another of our MUST stops when in San Diego.

The weather was nice on the weekend but lousy since! It's cold and rainy and not what it should be! grrrrrrr

The rest of the time we've spent shopping, visiting, and other odd stuff. Carsten leaves Thursday evening, I leave coming Saturday.

Now I'm about to drive off and meet up with a couple of former high school class mates!

More next week when I get home....

Dorrie

Arrived "home"

2010-10-01T18:07:00.002+02:00

I arrived in San Diego Wednesday after a LONG flight. I was 9 hours to JFK, with a 5 hour layover (tried to see if Niceflyer could meet me, but he couldn't), then another hour flight to San Diego where my brother and his wife picked me up.

I managed to sleep though the night, waking at 7 a.m.

I'm using my sister-in-laws laptop and having some problems adjusting to it.... the American keyboard is different then the German one (for example, the z and y are switched) and some of the keys seem to stick a bit.

This is San Diego, where it rarely rains.... today it is not only raining, but we are having THUNDER STORMS!!!

I picked up my rent-a-car this morning, which is a cute little Chevy with Colorado licence plates!

We also visited my mom this morning. I could still recognize her as mom, though she has lost so much weight! She is now skinnier then me, and that's skinny! The gals told us that this morning she had been talking up a storm, which is a good sign, and being "feisty", like throwing her shit on the ground and laughing about it. I was having a bit of trouble understanding her since she doesn't have her teeth in and she kept falling asleep. But the care place she's in seems to be great and all the workers there are just marvelous.

We'll visit my dad later today.

My son flies in tomorrow to L.A. and will arrive down here on Saturday.

I guess that's all for now.... have a few things to take care of here and won't be online too often. But I'll keep y'all informed.

Dorrie

P.S. dad is doing good...lost lots of weight, too. He's bored to death at the health care (rehab) center he's at but it's good and he finally realizes he must do what the doc says! lol

Flying "Home"

2010-09-24T05:11:00.003+02:00

Next Wednesday I'm flying home to San Diego to see my folks. Both mom and dad aren't doing too well. I had originally planned to fly over in January, which would have suited me better, but things don't always go as planned. It's with lots of trepidation and yes, fear, that I fly over. My son, Carsten is following me over at the same time.

On a nicer note....

I never did post pictures of Tamara's first day of school. Yesterday Regina sent me this one which I definitely want to share with you all!

See that big "cone" Tamara is carrying? All kids get those... either home made or store bought, big or small depending on the parents. It gets filled with lots of goodies, usually sweets and/or school supplies, to "sweeten" up the first day of school and begin of one of life's more serious stages. More pictures can be viewed here (and I just realised, I never got around to commenting them.... I'm really getting sloppy! lol)

And here's a picture of Regina on HER first day of school!

Last night I went bowling with my co-workers. I haven't bowled in over 30 years and it was quite fun! I actually managed a couple of strikes, but generally I did terrible... *shame* But it was FUN!

I'll be busy the next days preparing for my trip. Weather has been fantastic the past days, but thunder storms, etc. are forcasted for the next days.

Keeping in touch!

Dorrie

hm...what to post about

2010-09-15T23:22:00.000+02:00

Anita (aka Summerwind) asked me in a comment in one of her entries about my retirement, just to get me to blog something. I know, I haven't been doing much writing lately.... not even commenting! oh, shame.... what's the (blogging) world coming to??

First.... I have been more then busy lately. Since a certain someone is off on a 3 week vacation to the USA, without me, I have let my days get filled up with duty, events, as well as family (=babysitting lol). I haven't been home hardly a single evening lately!

Last weekend I spent with fellow female pilots at a town not far from where I live. It's a group of great ladies, some I have known for many years. It was so nice to see them all again! And I discovered a different, and quite interesting, side of a town I had visited often, but never really knew. Just to give you an idea.... we all had dinner at a restaurant that has existed since 1661! (no typos there!).

Anyway.... about the blogging. Somehow the urge has disappeared. I used to enjoy sharing so much with all of you... especially pictures of my world. But now... I haven't even posted pictures of granddaughter Tamara's first day of school and telling you about their tradition here with the big cone. Well, if you follow this link you'll SEE what I'm talking about.

Retirement: yep, in 22 months I can retire! There was a deal up until last December that made it possible to retire up to 3 years early. It meant that, up until July 2010 I take a cut in my pay of about €400, but after July 2012 until I turn 65 in 2015 I continue to get this pay, yet stay at home! I jumped at the chance! I am so sick of the way my job is.... so much stupidity and dumbness! It's just no fun anymore.... (well, some of you know it hasn't been fun for some time, and in spite of new co-workers and boss, it has gotten only a little better).

I think all the frustration at work, with you-know-who, the move into a new apartment, etc. etc. has just made me a bit depressed. Normally blogging should help against that, but the few times I did write entries (or even wrote in facebook *puke*), I didn't get the feedback I used to get.... and I admit, I NEED feedback! I thrive on feedback. So, I started to think.... why bother at all..... :-(

It's 11:15 pm right now so no time to write anymore. All the JS talk has almost inspired me to re-write the "Legend of the Furies" in a more story-telling way and I think I'll try to do that... when I find time *sigh*. I even have a new title for it: "The Legend of Jayess"! :-)

So, that's enough for now.... time for some shut-eye....

Dorrie aka Westy

Happy Birthday mom!

2010-09-01T19:30:00.002+02:00

Yes, today is my mom's 91st birthday!! Unfortunately, like last year, I am unable to spend the day with her...... one of the real BIG disadvantages of living so far apart.

Mom is in a care home now, after needing a hip operation. She's been in a home for over a year now anyway because her dement got so bad, my dad was no longer able to take care of her. He is also in the hospital.... he needed a by-pass and a new heart valve!! But, from what my brothers tell me, he's doing quite well and is extremely BORED!

This is a picture of my mom as a baby with her mom. I'm so glad I have these old pictures still.....

Some years ago she started writing her memories.... if anyone is interested, you can read them here.

This picture from 1950 is of her with me, the future coca cola addict! lol

And this is my mom in 2009, during my last visit home.

I miss you mom!!

Dorrie

Job Perks

2010-08-15T13:59:00.001+02:00

Most of you know that my job is aviation related. I used to really enjoy it, but usually not so much anymore (2 more years and I can retired! yay!). But occssionally I have some good days with some nice "perks".... yesterday was such a day.

I visited an air show at a local glider field. It was actually more of an "open house" then air show, but it did have one BIG attraction: a Junkers JU 52 aircraft was available for sight seeing tours. the flights were booked out in no time.

It just so happened, that the captain was an old time friend of mine, and when he asked if I wanted to come along on the reserve seat in the cockpit, I didn't hesitate to say YES!

This picture should give you an impression of this bird's size.....

Some old fashioned equipment....

as well as modern....

We had great weather and the German landscape is quite green after weeks of rain... (that's the Rhine River by-the-way...)

The co-pilot took this picture of me and "Captain Uwe"..

And then it was time to land...

Today we have rain showers so they probably won't be able to have any flights, and of course few people visit air shows when it rains. I feel sorry for the organzers (we have FIVE air shows in my immediate area this weekend).

So I had a fun and interesting day yesterday!

Dorrie

Family worries.....

2010-08-09T17:55:00.000+02:00

Some of you may already know that my mom has been suffering from demenz for some time now. It got so bad soon after my last visit home 2 years ago that she had to put in a care center. Well, a couple of weeks ago she fell and had to have her hip operated on. She's now in a special care place before returning to the care center. She'll be 91 on Sept. 1 and they didn't expect her to walk too soon after the OP, but she is already practicing with her walker! Mom, you go, girl!

She's lost a lot of weight but seems to be doing well enough. She actually recognised my dad at his last visit, too! He was really happy about that!

And now I got an email this morning that my dad is in the hospital! He's been having problems for some time with walking because of a pinched nerve in his spine... or at least that was what we thought was the cause. He's been generally not feeling so well lately, which is understandable with all the problems he has gone through with mom, and having his apartment flooded some months ago!

And now it looks like he has heart problems. There are 3 alternatives for him at his age... 1. continue just using his medication which hasn't been helping much 2. put a wire up the femaral artery to see what's wrong and if a balloon can open the flow or 3. open heart surgery! My dad: "You ain't cutting my chest open!! I want nothing invasive. " (stubborn ole geezer lol). Anyway, it seems that they have talked him into getting the wire put in so the doc can see what's really wrong, and then perhaps open heart surgery after all! That decision will be made today....

So, to all those of you who pray... please add my folks! Thanks!

My new kitchen

2010-08-01T19:06:00.004+02:00

As I've already mentioned a few times, German apartments do NOT usually come with kitchens or other fixtures already installed, except the toilet, sink, and bath tubs. So, when you move in, you either buy new or bring your old kitchen with you. That's what I did....

Over ten years ago I had a small single bedroom apartment. The kitchen area was VERY tiny with only room for a sink and two cabinets... I had to use a counter top stop for cooking. Then I moved into a larger place and, since, the cabinets were from IKEA, all I had to do was add a few matching cabinets, as well as a proper stove. Now I've moved again, and again IKEA is my friend! hah!

This is how my kitchen looked during the first week...

Since Wheelie and I both had to work, leaving us only a few hours a week to hammer away, it took a while to get things done. But I am sooooo happy with the results! And it all goes to Wheelie's credit! He did a fantastic job!

Yes, I know the doors are different tectures. That's the only disadvantage with IKEA... over the years they may change companies that produce their stuff and the wood my be a different tone... and also the original doors darken after awhile due to sunlight. But I'm not finicky about that. If it really bothered me, all I would have to do is purchase all the doors new (which would cost more then it's worth actually). But I'm not complaining!

There are still some minor deco stuff to do, and the light on the ceiling isn't installed yet (yep, no preinstalled light features except in the bath rooms, either).

In some ways I really like having homes really naked when moving in, that way I can choose myself what type of kitchen, what lamps, etc. I want and not be satisfied with what some designer thought is best.

After days of torential rains the weather is now back to warm and sunny. Nice!

Dorrie

P.S. newsbreak: KCL should be up and running next week, maybe as soon as tomorrow (Monday)

Sometimes....

2010-07-28T22:24:00.002+02:00

Sometimes life keeps you busy... or just messes up your plans.

I promised pics of my new kitchen, but lately I haven't felt like blogging at all. I think having the abstinence during my mood affected my blogging in a negative way. Can you imagine WESTY not blogging? geeeeezzz

After the heatwave we have now had torential rains (did I spell that right?). Thunder, lightning... the works. But I look at it positively. The trees and other plants needed it desperately. The farmers I'm sure are happy now. Some crops had to be harvested early already and others didn't grow properly. Maybe now things will be better.

There's still lots to do on my apartment but the worst mess is finished! YAY!

Work.... should I talk about work? Since the jerk retired things have gotten better, but I can't wait to retire myself in 2 years (actually 23 months and counting). So many changes in the way to do things. My motivation is DOWN!

My kids are ok, but have their problems as well. But that's life. My mom is now in special care for her demenz. She's 90 now. It's hard to explain how I feel... so far away, not being there for her but knowing she's in good care. My dad visited her and she actually recognised him. That really made him happy!

Lots of reports on German TV about the Love Parade... 21 deaths now. So sad..... The fault is being pushed from one to the other... as usual. So many mistakes were made!

OK, this was just a short entry to let y'all know I'm still around!

Dorrie

Pics of new apartment...finally

2010-07-25T17:31:00.002+02:00

For those of you who still read me and are (im)patiently waiting for pictures of my new home, well I FINALLY got some uploaded.

This is my nice living room. Yes, that's a fireplace!! whooohoooo It was one of the reasons I picked this place... a dream come true.

This is the couch area and my desk with my computer (obviously). Like in my old place, I can watch tv while on the computer.... multi-tasking! lol

This one shows the door to the balcony and the dining table... with Shila getting into the picture.....

And this is the other work room, which is also the guest room. The computer here is not connected to the internet and is used for recording my dance music, etc.

The pictures of the kitchen I'll put in a separate entry. The bedroom isn't finished yet. The closet is installed, and the bed is usable, but my clothes having been sorted yet so it's a mess! lol I had other priorities...

For any KCL'ers who happen to stop by here and wonder why they can't get into it.... Matt and Sue had a lightning stike at their home and it seems that 3 of the 4 servers suffered major damage. Matt's working on getting it back up, but I'm sure he has other priorities. At least THEY are ok. I have no word about other damage. I had a lightning strike in a former home and it not only killed the power, but it went through the telephone line into my then computer and fax machine. Not fun, believe me.

Have a great week everyone!

Dorrie

Back to blogging... maybe

2010-07-20T19:30:00.001+02:00

Today I finally got my land-line connected! I longer have to depend on the (slow) computer stick... and it seems to be fast enough (in this small villiage it almost didn't have internet at all). I took the day off work today so the guy from Telecom could come and do his stuff.... and he got it connected with no problems at all.

The funniest thing is my new number. When I first read the letter with my number, I could hardly stop laughing! And everyone I told it too laughed as well.

Obviously I have a new prefix... no biggy. And the first 3 digits are nothing special: 740 (ok, my son was born in 1974 so that makes it easy to remember). Then the last 4 digits.....

My office: -6015 My home phone: -6015 !!

Honestly, I didn't request it! And it means that, even after I retire, I'll still have those digits to remind me of my job! I could probably change it if I wanted, but I think I'll keep it.... those 4 digits were mine for that past 15 years anyway! lol

I LOVE my new apartment!! It's coming along fine, still some boxes to unpack. Wheelie did a FANTASTIC job on installing my kitchen. Sorry, no decent pictures yet but I'll get around to posting some soon, I promise!

I really live in the country now. The farmers are harvesting the fields all around my town. We're still having a heat wave with temps between 90°-100° F... only one day of very heavy thunder storms in 3 weeks. This is so unusual. So the farmers are harvesting earlier then normal. After a very cold and wet spring, causing some crops to be lousy, it is now hot and dry and the wheat, corn, and other produce are not growing! Looks like price increases coming on.... *sigh*

Well anyway, that's a "short" update of what's been going on in my world. Yes, I've been reading blogs and even commenting (rarily though), but now I'm back in business.... maybe. The weeks of "abstinence" has kind of killed my motivation to blog..... I just don't seem to enjoy it anymore. But, maybe it's just a phase I'm going through. We'll see....

Dorrie

Still internet Issues.....oh, well

2010-07-12T19:42:00.001+02:00

Yep, I still don't have a land-line phone and internet connection in my new apartment, but luckily t-com sent me an internet "stick" for free. But it's not as fast I'm used to and makes surfing a pain. But at least it allows me to stop by and read... maybe even leave a comment.

My apartment is really starting to look great!

Here's a pic of Regina's car getting towed away... the day before the movers came!

This is how my kitchen looked the first days....

It's now finished enough that I was able to cook in it yesterday! yoooohoooo I'll post more pictures when I get them uploaded....

The heat wave we've been having doesn't make working on things easier. It's been almost 2 weeks of 30+°C (86°+F), at times near 100°F, weather plus high humidity is so unusual! Just a few weeks ago it was cold and rainy. Germany even had some tornados touching down today and heavy thunder storms here and there....none at my place, though. Air conditioning in some of Germany's high speed trains broke down, causing temps up to 50°C (122°F) in the trains! Needless to say, there are lots of questions to be answered.

And there's no air conditioning in my office building. Some people have set up ventilators.

Well, I've got more boxes to unpack... today Wheelie managed to get the rest of the kitchen cabinets installed, except for the oven! Yay for Wheelie!

Before I forget....

Wizardress!!

And tomorrow is Regina's birthday.....

Dorrie

Internet issues... still

2010-07-06T22:04:00.000+02:00

Just to keep you folks up-dated....

I still don't have a land-line phone or proper internet connection. I'm online via a "stick", one of those mobile USB gadgets you plug into your computer. The internet is slower and not everything loads well. So, I only stop by to check on posts and read here and there. If a site loads well, then I may also leave a comment... it also makes uploading pictures a problem so you'll just have to be patient! ;-)

And I still don't have a kitchen! LOL That's a real pain!

I'm back to work since Monday. So far no major disasters in that area....

So, just a short note to let you know I'm still alive and kicking!

Dorrie

Back online... and more moving woes! lol

2010-07-03T16:02:00.000+02:00

Well, hello everyone! I'm BACK! sort of.....

Theoretically the move went well. The movers (5 guys!) took the whole day to take furniture apart, pack things in the trucks, drive to the new place, unpack the truck, and put furniture back together. they did a good, professional job. Many boxes got left in the garage because there was no place to put them.

Luckily it didn't rain like during the weeks before..... and it hasn't rained since! In fact, we are now having a heat wave.... between 95°F and 100°F plus humid!! aaarrggghhh This is SO unusual for here. It may be record temps!

I still have so much to do, but my body decided I've done enough.... too much lifting, etc., I just don't have any strength left.... and the heat on top of it all. And since most of my helpers work and have family responsibilities I'm pretty much left on my own, and there is a lot of heavy-duty stuff still needed to do.... like installing the kitchen! Yep, one week is over and I still don't have a working kitchen! I wash dishes in the bathroom sink, and warm up meals with the microwave. We had to change some arranging of the cabinets because electric cables run through the kitchen wall were the hanging cabinets are supposed to go! What kind of stupid architech (sp) does that! duh... (must have been a man, lol). So that delayed things a bit.

AND, I still don't have my telephone and/or internet! The company (telecom) sent me a stick for internet usage for 3 months... for free! You see, the company that had the line connected here for the previous recident (aol, ahem) didn't disconnect when they were supposed to so telecom can't put my line in yet. So, I'm now using the stick and can finally do some catching up... especially my emails!

Anyway, I thought I'd use this opportunity to let you all know I've survived so far. I have to go back to work on Monday (puke). Of course, my office, like my apartment, has NO air conditioning! It's a luxury that only banks and grocery stores usually enjoy having. So you can imagine how stressful living here is at the moment due to the heat (I still prefer this heat to cold any day!).

The air conditioning in my car decided to stop working as well. And speaking of cars..... I was using my daughter's car most of the time since it has a huge trunk when the back seats are removed. The day before the movers came, the ignition quit! I was at a local home depot type store and had to get towed to the shop! What timing! aaarrggghhhhh again! It's repaired now but sure through my schedule off.

Today is the big soccer match between Argentina and Germany at the world championships in South Africa. It's just now starting on TV. I'm not a fan, but this game is important! Actually, this would be the best time to go to the stores since the streets and shops will be completely EMPTY! LOL

See ya all around.....

Dorrie

P.S. pictures of the move may get posted later.....

Happy Birthday Emely.... and other news

2010-06-13T19:30:00.001+02:00

It's this littel "angel's" 5th birthday today.....

As to other news..... my move is coming along, and once again my living room as a build-in Chinese Wall, just like the picture in the last entry. No matter how many boxes I transport to the new place, they are soon replaced.

But my days are (too) busy in other ways as well.

Last Wednesday after work I drove to Regina's, picked up the kids and drove with them to my dance class, which they seemed to enjoy. After that I treated them to ice cream for being so good (Regina thought they'd be monsters, but they weren't!). Then we drove back to Regina's place (40 min. one way). Regina was taking part on a marathon. Anyway, it wasn't until midnight before she got home.... and it was POURING rain outside! I got home around 1:00 a.m., after driving through the extreme rain fall which was accompanied by the most beautiful lighting flashes. At times it was as light as day!

After only two hours of sleep, I got up to wash my hair and finally pack my suitcase for the 5 hour train ride to Bremen, located in northern Germany. There I attended a 2-day business meeting. It was nice to re-meet collegues from other authorities around Germany who I've met before. We had a great tour of the lovely city after the first day's meeting.... pictures aren't uploaded yet but will try to share them soon.

On Friday afternoon, the long train ride back. Thunderstorms had caused so much damage that the train I was on had to make a detour, but one that cut out some stops making the ride shorter then planned.

Yesterday I got some shopping done, then back to packing boxes, in between that relaxind by continueing to ride volumn 4 of the highland sage by Diana Gabledon.

In the evening, Karen had a Bollywood dance performance which I attended. I tried to film her show.... you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhGrxsFGVjg

And now I'm off to Emely's birthday party........ see ya later!

Dorrie

Photos... move, kids, nature....

2010-06-05T20:36:00.000+02:00

My entries aren't as often as they used to be, but as most of you know, I'm in the process of moving. Official date when the movers come is June 26, but I'm packing stuff myself into boxes which they will then take. That way I can do some sorting first, besides being a bit cheaper. Since I already have access to my new garage I'm able to bring boxes over there already.... I was getting buried here and had no room for more boxes! This is what my living room looked like until Wheelie and I drove some stuff off this morning....

The weather has finally turned fantastic! The beginning of the week we had low temps around 15°C (59°F) with strong wind and heavy rain (lots of flooding in Eastern Germany and Europe). And today.... 29°C (84°F), dry and almost no wind! Really crazy!

This picture I took on Thursday during a business trip. Sometimes my job has nice perks to it...

The water is not a lake but left over from the heavy rains.

Last weekend Tamara and Emely's Kindergarten had a fest. I didn't take many pictures but I just had to share this one of Emely....

Tomorrw afternoon my son has invited us all over to bbq... and asked me to bake an apple pie (his fav desert!). It's supposed to be hot again tomorrow, but I'll still bake it. After all, he has to stand next to the hot grill! LOL

Maybe more pics tomorrow....

Dorrie

Just a note....

2010-05-22T22:12:00.001+02:00

*sigh*... we finally have sunny, warm weather, just when I need to pack boxes, etc. It's been raining all week! But I've already got lots of boxes for my move filled, mostly with books. I haven't even started packing any dishes or other glass stuff.

My living room looks like a storage room! I still have 4 weeks until my offical moving day, but I'm trying to get as much accomplished now as I can. I can already bring some stuff to the new place... the garage is empty and I have the key already. That is so cool! So whenever I have a chance, I bring stuff over there. I do have movers coming on June 26, but if I wait until then, I won't be able to move around here at all! So, I transport now what I can.

I went to IKEA and planned some additions for my new kitchen. As many of you may remember, over here the apartments normally don't have a kitchen installed, you buy and install your own! So, mine is already from IKEA, I take it with me and purchase some additions, as well as a new counter top. I've also ordered a new stove and oven which will be at eye level.

This is a holiday weekend over here. Pentecost may be a religious holiday, but it's also a national one here... all shops, offices, and other businesses are closed not only on Sunday but also on Monday. That saved me some vacation days when I put in for the 3 weeks that I'm off on now (ascension day was also a legal holiday.... not always church and state separation here, though it's supposed to be, but I'm not complaining! lol).

Tomorrow I may join my son and his family on an outing. My daughter returns tonight from a beach vacation with her family to Turkey.

Yes, I know, that all sounds exotic to most of you.... her in Turkey, me traveling around the Greek isles. But sometimes you should take advantages of oppotunities as they arrive because they may never come up again. I had hoped to fly over to Dallas this weekend for Doc and Gillardia's wedding, but my move kind of diminished my budget for that, besides flights being much too high at the moment. But if I could have pulled it off, I would have!!

Well, it looks like I rambled on longer then originally intended. I hope you all have a great weekend.... and if I'm not around much, then I'm probably buried under boxes! LOL

Dorrie

Trip photos completed....

2010-05-19T12:41:00.002+02:00

All the best pictures of my trip are uploaded for your enjoyment. It is impossible to post them all here so, if you are really interested, just stop by my homepage. You can either go to the Contents or to the individual pages....

Venice, Italy

Split, Croatia

Corfu, Greece

Santorini, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Crete, Greece

Enjoy!

Dorrie

Split, Croatia

2010-05-17T13:09:00.000+02:00

Our first stop was at Split, Croatia. There we took our first tour which ended up being very interesting. Part of the Doicletian Palace we visited is 1700 years old! Here are only a few of the pictures I took. Once again, more pictures are available at my homepage.... which is gettingup-dated daily! It's best to just go to the table of contents found here.

I recorded one of the songs this group sang... link can be found at my homepage under "Split".

Finally a picture of the two of us...

And another "foot" photo!

More to come tomorrow.....

Dorrie

First pics of my trip.... Venice!

2010-05-16T21:24:00.001+02:00

This will be the first in a series of pictures.... but y'all asked for it!

Both the one- hour flights to and from Frankfurt - Venice, Italy, were uneventful. This picture I took as we flew over the Alps....

We had no time to sight-see in Venice, but we did get a grand view of the city as our ship sailed past it....

and an awesome sunset....

There are more to come. And if you can't wait until I post them here, you can check them out in my homepage.... I'll be uploading them there first.

Dorrie

P.S. we had GREAT weather the whole trip! It could not have been better!

Next Saturday....

2010-05-02T16:22:00.000+02:00

I'll be leaving on another cruise! This time I'm traveling together with a friend, Kornelia. She's been dancing in my classes for over 25 years. We have lots in common so we decided we'd arrange a trip together. The only time she could get off her job is this month. We decided on a cruise because we both want to be able to relax yet also have chances to sight-see interesting places.

We'll be traveling with a ship of the Norwegian Lines, flying first from Frankfurt to Venice, Italy, where we go on board. This is the route we'll be taking....

It was all arranged BEFORE I knew about my upcoming move into a new apartment and that expensive class I took last February. I had hoped to fly over to the US for Gillardia's and Dr. Strangelove's wedding, but I had to kill that idea.

The past weeks have been extremely stressy. Not only trying to get things organised for my move, but also at work I've been busy like crazy. Last Tuesday I was on a business trip with one of my co-workers and I met a REAL prince! No pictures, unfortunately, but if you'd like to see what his castle, which is now a hotel, looks like, just follow this link!

Friday I was at the office until just past 4:00 O'clock, then drove home to change clothes and went..... SQUARE DANCING! Back in 1979 I founded a club and every year they have a jamboree on April 30th, the night before May 1. It's a German tradition that on April 30th the witches gather to chase off winter. Since the group is called "Witches and Wizards" (a name I gave them), it's a fitting date for a party. Anyway, they were thrilled that their founding member showed up... I even danced a few rounds. Here's me with the club's president...

Anyway, life is hectic and busy, but ok. Don't wonder if I don't get around here often. During the cruise I may not get online at all.... we shall see.

Dorrie

Living under invisible volcanic ash....

2010-04-18T12:59:00.000+02:00

That's what us Europeans are doing. Since last week the volcanic ash has been blowing toward Europe and because of it, all commerical airline traffic is on the ground!

This is a situation that no one ever predicted. Normally the winds would be from the south/south-west, blowing the ash AWAY from us. But, we finally have a stable high pressure system, which we would normally enjoy. This system has given us BEAUTIFUL spring weather, though still chilly.... and is sending the ash directly toward us!

The first countries to close their airspace for IFR flights was Scanadavia (hi Elin and Melody!), followed by Ireland, Scotland, England. Then the Benelux countries and Holland joined in (hello Wizardress!), followed by Germany, France, Poland, etc. etc. etc. Some countries have also forbidden all VFR flights, i.e. flights conducted unter visual regulations.

But in Germany those flights are still allowed.... and I even got to fly yesterday! Visibility was hazy, which is normal under high pressure systems. No sign of any ash anywhere, but the experts, including pilots that have flown into the muck, say it is so fine it can't be seen by the naked eye. The reason for canceling all flights.... the ash can cause the engines of jets to shut down! So, closing the air space is a necesssary precaution. Lufthansa did ferry 10 planes (B 747's and Airbus's) from Munich to Frankfurt, but they carried NO passengers and flew under VFR! At the lower altitudes they had to fly at (below the ash level), it is not allowed to carry passengers. Needless to say, those planes are going through a thorough inspection to see if any ash damage occured. Some ash has touched the ground in England from what I hear (take care Susannanne, Fakebrunette, Simon, Dave, Stig and all others on the Islands).

It looks like this volcano is going to be active for some time and will continue causing havoc over European air space.

As I mentioned, the ash is invisible, making a lot of people think it doesn't exist. But it does make for pretty sunsets..... this taken last night:

Dorrie

No volcanic ash here..... yet!

2010-04-15T21:53:00.001+02:00

But it's getting closer!! The volcano eruption in Iceland is causing havoc to Europes air ways!!

All of northern Europe has closed it's airspace!! England, Scandanavia, Holland, France, and now Hamburg and Berline.... all closed!

Here's a map of the area already affected...(stolen from one of Germany's biggest newspapers):

I'm located right at the southern edge of the red line.

Can you imagine what chaos this is causing? All the travelers stuck without even alternative airports to fly out of? And trains are only good for local travel. Frankfurt has already had lots of cancelations because flights can't go to their intended destinations. I heard a plane flying overhead my house a bit ago so Frankfurt seems to be still open.... but for how long?

I just got home from dance class... so today was another loooong day. AND... it's Wheelie's birthday!!

He had tons of meetings all day and ended up working overtime... on his birthday! That really sucks!

Well, time to check the news..... the next days should be interesting, and scary!!

Dorrie

Shiana turned 3!

2010-04-11T19:22:00.001+02:00

Little Shiana turned three on Thursday. Since Mommy and Daddy were down with the flu, the planned party may take place next weekend. I did go over and visit, though. I didn't take many pictures. but this one is cute....

From November 2009 until February 2010 both kids were in India with their mom, Karen, visiting their Indian relatives. My son flew over for Christmas and then again to pick them up and bring them home. He uploaded some of his pictures and this one is soooooooooooo good I just had to share it with you all!

The weather turned chilly again ... 10°C (50°F)

Come on winter, you've worn out your welcome!

Dorrie

Crazy weather.... Spring is here!

2010-04-07T20:42:00.001+02:00

I'm tired.... this crazy weather is to blame! (you have to blame someone, right?).

Over Easter it was cold and windy... temps around 11°C max (51°F). Yesterday and today..... 22 fucking degrees C! (71°F)!!! SPRING IS HERE!! (so I cussed.....shoot me!)

In the morning, when walking to work, it's chilly and I need a warm coat. When I leave the office in the afternoon, I carry my coat over my arm and even my blouse and sweater is too much!! No, I'm not complaining... I think winter has finally been banned.

Yesterday I finally went flying again.... short traffic patterns in the clubs Cessna 152. After that I trained some pilots in English, preparing them for the upcoming tests they need to take (with me possibly as their examiner... ahem).

Today I had to watch the stupid telephones at the office again so I couldn't get out to enjoy the beautiful weather!

Tomorrow is Shiana's 3rd birthday (enjoy her picture from the last entry). The party had to be canceled because mom and dad have very bad colds/flu. Tomorrow after work I'll go to their place anyway and take care of the kids while mom tries to rest up and get better.

Lots to do in the next days. I'm really looking forward to my new apartment. But it'll be a LOT of work moving in. Which reminds me.... I have to put in for a cost request at a few moving companies. See y'all around!

Dorrie

Bragging time again ... ;-)

2010-04-05T21:01:00.000+02:00

Easter wouldn't be Easter without getting together with all my kiddies. Starting Easter Sunday I was invited to my son's home for breakfast. The girls were, of course, as cute as can be!

Shiana just spreads the smiles...

and Priyasha is really getting to be a big girl....

but is still a cuddly little darling...

I was wearing one of my favorite Indian outfits in honor of the day.

Today, Easter Monday, is also a holiday in Germany. At my present apartment building there's a huge yard that I had never taken advantage of... so I decided to do so today. Both Carsten and Regina brought their families over for afternoon coffee and the kids enjoyed playing together. The weather was dry but still much too chilly, as you can tell by our jackets (11°C/52°F).

me and Emely...

Oh, and the Easter bunny cake turned out ok, too.......

Tomorrow it's back to work. Have a great week everyone!

Dorrie

New apartment soon.... can't wait!

2010-03-31T18:55:00.000+02:00

Last Thursday I checked out a possible new apartment, near where Regina lives. It's great, with a fireplace.... and I got it!

I will move into it end of June. Because of the 3 month notice I have to give to my present apartment managers (sent in the mail today), the official date to move in is July 1. But the owners of the new apartment will let me in as soon as they're out, and that should be latest mid June.

Here's an impression of the living area, the owner chatting with Regina, .....

She happens to also be an American, married to a German, and had trained to be a travel agent together with Regina! It ended up that we mutually liked each other so, if I wanted the apartment, I could have it. I did LOTS of financial calculations, weighed all the pros and cons, and I'm going for it! Contract will be signed tomorrow!

Anyway, as if I'm not busy enough already, the next 3 months will be hectic. Luckily I still have enough vacation days even after my 3 weeks off in May to take 2 weeks off around the end of June to move.....

Friday (Good Friday) is a holiday in Germany as is next Monday (Waster Monday) so I have a 4-day weekend ahead! Luckily the stores are open on Saturday, but closed on the other 3 days.... which means, of course, that the stores will be CROWDED! I got some shopping done today already.

Tomorrow, April Fool's day, is my dad's 87th birthday. Unfortunately he stopped blogging after JS died. My older brother is trying to save all his old entries in a new site.... The Boatswain. I also saved them here, but I plan to reorganise those pages.... some day.

Dorrie

Nostalgia... 1979

2010-03-22T18:25:00.000+01:00

Tonight while watching TV I decided to do some more scanning of old photos (multi-tasking rules!). The pictures I scanned are so cute I just MUST share them with you.

In December 1979 I flew with my family to visit my folks. My mother-in-law (yes, the one I visited just two weeks ago) flew over with us. It was her first trip ever to the USA, in fact it was also her first trip ever in an airliner, in spite of her oldest son being an airline pilot.

Anyway, we took tons of pictures but these are some of the cutest:

Regina...

Carsten...

Together with Anna-Marie, my older brother's daughter....

I love this picture!

and the whole gang (without my dad since he took the picture)...

Another long week ahead of me... *sigh*.... it's beginning to get boring! LOL

Dorrie

I love ruins.....

2010-03-14T21:15:00.001+01:00

and we have enough around here... yet I'm always finding new ones.

Yesterday morning I had that work related class to teach. The class took place at a town on the Neckar River, near the famous Heidelberg. Anyway, after class (which once again went very well), I noticed on my drive along the river a fortress ruin I had never noticed before, probably since the trees in front of it have no leaves at the moment. I decided to stop and take a closer look... I love ruins!

As you can see there is still snow on the ground and part of the paths were icy... but I walked up to it anyway.

This is a view of the road along the Neckar River that leads to and passes through Heidelberg....

After I dropped the business car off, I then drove to Regina's where I spent the afternoon and evening. I was quite tired when I arrived home, in fact I slept until 08:00 am this morning! So today a lazy day was planned, but I actually got lots of stuff done, too.

Time now to get to bed ... this week will probably be another busy one *sigh*

Dorrie

An update... will wonders never cease?

2010-03-05T20:03:00.000+01:00

Yes, I've been boring lately..... no new entries. Sorry, I just haven't felt like writing. But I have been visiting journals and occassionally writing comments.

Last night was dance class again. Yes, that's the class I thought would get canceled for lack of members. Last week 3 new people signed up.... and yesterday TWO MORE! And we now have 3 men in the group! Soooo, looks like it won't get canceled after all! I had hoped for an extra night free, without the weekly long drive, but it's better when the group continues.

Tomorrow is another special day in the world of Westy. Check out this cute little kid....

and later this cute picture,

and this one, taken during a visit to Charleston, South Caroline....

well, this is him in 2010....

Tomorrow, March 6, this kid, my son, Carsten, will be 36 years old!! Gosh it's hard to believe.... *sigh*

Dorrie

P.S. tonight it's supposed to snow.... again...

My birthday party with the kiddies

2010-02-27T11:09:00.001+01:00

After a short stop at home after work, I then drove to Regina's where the party continued, this time with cake (which my daughter baked herself) and coffee.

Later, Carsten arrived with his family. Except for when I picked them up at the airport on the 15th, I hadn't seen Karen and the kids since November 2009!

Carsten and Shiana...

Little Priyasha...

It wasn't easy trying to get a group picture of me with all 4 grandkids... one of them was always acting up! lol

I had brought the balloons from the office, and Priyasha really liked them!

Carsten drove his family home, then we met up again with Regina and her friend, Sven, for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. It was definitely a fun day!

Dorrie

P.S. yes, I know Priiyasha should not have played like that with the balloon.... but it was cute. Next time I'll take it away from her.

In just a few hours... my time....

2010-02-22T20:54:00.001+01:00

I will be entering the next decade of my life. Yes, DECADE!! Multiply 10 x 6 ....

I remember when I used to think 30 was OLD... or even 20! Now I have kids over 30, and I myself turn 60!

Yes... tomorrow/today... Feb. 23... I turn SIXTY!!

Damn I feel old all of a sudden......

Tomorrow morning I'll be passing around goodies to my co-workers for breakfast (I can't avoid it this year lol).

After that I'll go to Regina's where I'll be together with ALL my kids and grandkids! Then later I'm invited to dinner with my kids to a favorite restaurant of mine for dinner.

So, if all goes well, it should be a fun day. I just wanted to "warn" everyone in case you don't see me around here......

Luckily my cold has gotten a LOT better!! Still a stubborn cough, but no more snifles. If the cough persists, I'll go see my doc on Wednesday. I took Wednesday to Friday off! YAY!

Now I plan to take a nice hot bath and then disappear to bed! An "old" girl needs her beauty sleep even more then before. heehee

Taken, October 2009 in my office:

Dorrie

A day of sadness....

2010-02-11T20:38:00.001+01:00

One of the dearest people in the world... a former JS'er.... a former blogger'er... is suffering a GREAT loss!

I almost mentioned her recently in an entry but thought better of it... I knew she didn't blog because her thoughts were elsewhere.... watching over her husband and best friend as he lay in the hospital, fighting a VERY big battle.

Today he lost that battle.....

Betty's (likeisaid) husband, Paul, died today.

I met them both on my trip to Dallas back in 2008, the same trip on which I met Lowandslow, Kelly, Gillardia, and Dr.Strangelove.

Paul, it was a pleasure getting to meet you!! And even though our visit was short, it was long enough to let me see WHY you were Betty's favorite person!

He is a very big loss for Betty. The only comfort is the fact that he no longer suffers any pain. And now perhaps he can watch over her.......

Love you Betty!

Dorrie

The Moon ...and stuff

2010-01-31T06:33:00.000+01:00

This morning (my time) KCL was DEAD! I always check in here about every 15 minutes, at least, to see if anyone has posted, but Saturday mornings are DULL! So I messed around with other stuff.... like layouts. I know... very exciting.

Anyway, a few people mentioned on facebook (alternative excitement...not) seeing the full moon outside. I was watching it slowly approach the horizon, viewing it from my living room window. The snow clouds left long enough and after reading those entries, I grabbed my camera and tried to take a picture..... not bad if I do say so myself....

On this one you can see the little airplane hanging in my window....

The snow clouds returned but I still had to leave the warmth of my apartment. My son had left his computer on and he's 2 weeks in Mumbai so I had to drive there and shut it down.

Then I drove to pick up my duty car for tomorrow.... I got permission to have it in my garage so I won't have to clear the snow off it tomorrow in the early hours (I have a work-related class to teach). Good thing, too....... I needed about a half hour to get the snow off! The snow had paused but started again just after I arrived home. I'm sure the streets are going to be horrible tomorrow morning and many people may not show up for the class. But I'll be there!

I hope YOU all have a great Sunday!

Dorrie

It's official... I can speak English!

2010-01-28T17:25:00.001+01:00

It cost way too much, but I am now a qualified examiner for English level 4, and I have level 6!

But I better explain from the start.....

In the world of avaition there's an organisation, ICAO, which (tries) to standardise all the regulations that pertain to flying. This includes among other things aircraft, airfields, eqipment, and licencing. Because there are many pilots and controllers around the world who speak VERY lousy English, which leads to misunderstandings and have also caused accidents, ICAO decided that since March 2008, all pilots and ATC personel have to take tests to prove their English ability. There are 6 language levels and you have to have a least a 4 to be able to fly to other countries.

Since most countries world wide ignored the March 2008 date, when it was suddenly there, hardly anyone had a system for examining, etc., including Germany. To cover the overlap, all pilots with English radio licences were automatically given a level 4 certificate, which means they have to be re-tested every 3-4 years, level 5 needs a re-test every 8 years, and level 6 never needs to be re-tested.

Those first level 4 certificates run out at the end of this year, so examiners are needed. Also, those who wanted a higher level, like me, needed to BE examined, but there was no where to get it done! I wrote to the official authorities (the LBA which is Germany's FAA) and was told I'd be notified when things got organised (well, other wording). I never got notified, but kept checking their site.

Finally, a class was offered where I could become an examiner myself for level 4. The costs were much too high for the 3 day class, but I decided it would be good to get it behind me. So I signed up.

To be an examiner for level 4, I needed to be at least a level 5 myself. Well, in connection with this class at the German ATC academy, I got my quali for taking level 4 exams and proved that I was indeed an English native speaker so I now have the level 6!! To become an examiner for level 5 I would need to take another 2 day class, but that's not necessary... the 4 is more important.

So, as soon as I get some more paperwork done, I can start doing exams for those pilots needing renewals .... and make them PAY for it! Yes, there IS a fee for them. That'll be some extra pocket money for me, especially come next November/December when the first original levels run out.

It was a very fun class with great fellow students. The instructor was an American living over here, like me, and I think a cool friendship will develope between us. She may even ask me to assist in future organising of such classes etc. (the acedemy is located only 10 km north of my villiage).

I know all the above may sound confusing to most of you but it's my blog and I'll write what I want, so there!

Dorrie

P.S. it's snowing here again......

Nostalgia.... school days

2010-01-16T18:53:00.001+01:00

I number of people have been digging out their old photos and posting some. Many times I have shared some of mine with you, but since I have nothing worth while to post at the moment, I guess I'll just dig into my nostalgic collection....

Some of you may, or may not, know that I'm a navy brat and we were once stationed for 3 years in the Philippines. My dad was captian of a small freighter there which I used to call my "private yacht", as this picture prooves (taken about 1965).

and "The Boatswain" at the helm.....

If you follow the link... my older brother is copying his former JS entries into a site of his own.

We returned to the States in time for me to begin high school. I don't have many pictures of those years, unfortunately. For 3 of the 4 high school years I marched in the banner corp.... the following picture our dear Simon once used in his JS Saga...

and this is my senior class picture.

Hard to believe that was 42 years ago!!

So, enough memories... now it's YOUR turn!

Dorrie

went ice skating!

2010-01-10T07:20:00.003+01:00

My daughter, Regina, called me at the office Thursday afternoon and suggested we go with the girls ice skating at our local rink. I was skeptical at first.... after all, I hadn't skated in like 30 years! But I'm always game for some fun.

It was snowing outside, and I was worried a bit about her driving down, but by then the skies cleared. I have a week pass for the tram so I just hopped on the next one that went to the rink.

At first I thought I'd be hanging on the wall the whole time, but soon I actually got back into the groove of skating! Regina was the same way.

Tamara has a natural talent for it, but then she's already good at inline skating. Every time she slipped and fell, she just got up and laughed!

Emely? Well... she still needs LOTS of practice! She had a little "friend" to help her....

This weekend they're expecting terrible blizzards, with 30 cm (12 inches) to 50 cm new snow! And yes, the predictions came about, though less chaotic in my area then expected. Most of the cities have already used up most of their salt reserves. The last time we had such weather was in 1978/1979!

Dorrie

Belated Happy New Year

2010-01-03T22:38:00.000+01:00

I just realised, I didn't make a New Years post here. Hm, I'm slipping...

Well, hardly anyone reads here anymore anyway, but those who do....

Happy New Year!! I hope it'll be the best year ever.... for everyone!

Dorrie

Pictures speak more then words....

2009-12-26T12:46:00.000+01:00

As planned, I spent Christmas Eve until Christmas Day at Regina's. We went on christmas Eve with the kids to watch a very nice nativity play put on by local children. That's where I took the top picture.

As is the German tradition, we then came home and presents were opened. The kids were allowed to stay up later then usual, but then just crashed after all the excitement.

On the 25th we went for a walk... it had finally stopped raining (small patches of snow still were to be found here and there, but no white Christmas once again). Toward evening I drove home. Today, Saturday, is also a Christmas holiday so all stores continue to be closed, and tomorrow being Sunday they'll be closed, too. That makes 3 1/2 days in a row!

I arrived home to find the elevator broken again/still! I left my suitcase in my car and just carried up the necessary stuff (laptop, presents, leftovers...). There were two technicians trying to find the problem (on Christmas day!). I haven't checked if it's working, but I also haven't heard it so I think it's still kaputt. *sigh*

Today, besides working on my layout and the Christmas pictures, I've been spending the day catching up on some reading. Weather is nice outside (=cloudless) and I'm considering going for a walk... but that means climbing the 8 floors of stairs afterward. grrrrrrrr

Hope all of you are having a great Christmas!!

Dorrie

My Christmas plans....

2009-12-23T21:09:00.000+01:00

... in case anyone is interested.

Tomorrow I drive to visit my daughter, Regina, and will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with her, her new boyfriend, his parents, and of course Tamara and Emely.

I baked a apple pie (from scratch!) to bring along. I packed all the presents today, I did most of my shopping yesterday. I'm one of those last minute people. I LOVE all the madhouse shopping. I went to two local shopping malls yesterday, hoping to see lots of Christmas decorations, hear lots of Christmas music, and get some real Christmas atmosphere. Somehow, it wasn't Christmasy.

I'm not much in a Christmas mood. Normally I'd have a tree up, but since I was on the cruise, and will then be at my daughter's, I didn't bother this year. Besides that, the elevator in my apartment house was broken the past two days so I wouldn't have been able to bring one up to my 8th floor anyway. And now all the lovely white snow has melted......

I managed to post the rest of photos of my trip. Anyone interested.... you know where to go!

In case I don't get to check in here the next days.... here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!!

Dorrie

P.S.I just remembered the New Years game I played every year.... hm, I wonder if I'll feel like doing it again (at KCL?). Last year the JS crash kind of messed everything up. Oh, well... I have another week to decide!

Trip impressions....

2009-12-21T15:37:00.002+01:00

My cruise is over and I already miss it. It's not easy coming from temps of around 28° C (82° F) to -10° C (14° F) and snow!! brrrrr

I can't possibly post all my photos, but I know some of you will like this one:

That was the entryway to the disco. There was lots of action on the trip, dancing every night or enjoying fantastic shows! The performers were real professionals and it was also fun to watch them during their rehearsals.

The ship was new... having left the docks on Feb. 21, 2009. It's name: AidaLuna. It's matching sister ship, the AidaBella, happened to join us in Madeira and followed us all the way to La Palma. This picture of the Bella along side of us gives you an impression of what MY ship was like!

I may not get around to posting many pictures here, but you can view more once again at my homepage, which I'm still updating. I have more of Madeira, as well as Teneriffa and La Palma. Still Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria to go! lol

Dorrie

All packed......

2009-12-11T17:29:00.001+01:00

In about 6 hours my son is stopping over to pick me up and take me to the airport. I'll also train him into how to take care (=feed) Shila. He'll stop by every day (I hope) to check on her and empty my mail box. That's a really GOOD aspect of living close by.

I'll spend about 3 hours at the airport until the flight leaves (3:00 am!). After arriving in Teneriffa I'll then transfer to the cruise ship... I CAN'T WAIT!

I have no idea if I'll have any (cheap) internet connection so you may not hear from me until after the 19th. How will you guys survive?

And I'm leaving just in time... SNOW is finally in the weather forcast and temps around freezing. So, for all you nostalgic fans... here's a picture of me in 1952 experiencing my FIRST snow!

Be good while I'm gone.... but if you can't be good, at least have fun!

Dorrie

Family resemblance

2009-12-05T23:08:00.002+01:00

Sunny mentioned in a comment in my last entry how I resembled my grandkids. Well, here is proof...

This is me, Christmas 1950..

and this is my oldest granddaughter, Tamara....

At KCL we once again are having the Secret Santa thing... I got my package sent off today, finally. Next Saturday I'm off on vacation... I can't wait!

Dorrie

Daily internet fix... and Chrismas nostalgia

2009-11-30T19:45:00.001+01:00

Today was the transfer day from my previous internet provider, AOL/Alice does AOL call itself Alice in the USA now, too?) to t-online. I have been a fan of aol for YEARS, yet their system didn't jive with my Vista and their supposed flatrate was odd.... I had to log in every time I turned on the comp. So, I changed.

I feared there'd be problems. This morning I couldn't get my daily fix since Alice had already shut down. But I could put in the needed codes for my connecting box and voila! When I got home from work, my internet was up and running WITH NO WAIT AND/OR glitches!!

I had a long day today so I'm already about to shut down (at 07:30 pm!).

Here's another nostalgic picture of Christmas past for your enjoyment... my older brother, Bob, and me, I believe in 1954..

Have a great week everyone!

Dorrie

More old dance stuff.....

2009-11-22T16:35:00.001+01:00

I've ~~wasted~~ spent most of my time this weekend scanning more photos and re-doing my dancing homepage. I ran across some photos that I thought you might all enjoy.....

This first photo shows how much fun dancing is. My partner and I were doing a square dance... and the dress I'm wearing is another one of my "creations".

This one was taken at one of my very first performances in Germany, I believe in 1972 or so. Again the costumes, Ukrainian, I made myself.

This costume was inspired by Hungarian designs.

I'm hoping that when I retire (in 2 1/2 years) I can get back to sewing.

Yesterday I visited Regina to pick up my documents for the cruise in December. My flight to Teneriffe leaves Frankfurt at 3:00 am in the morning!! geeeez what an odd time!

Well, the weekend is once again over.... *sigh*

Dorrie

My first dance group.. and games of fate

2009-11-20T15:35:00.000+01:00

My new printer is finally hooked up and working great! The other day I started scanning photos and it went so well, I almost forgot to go to bed! Guess what I'll be doing this weekend.... heehee

The photos are old ones of my folk dance classes, in particular the FIRST group I taught in the mid 70's. It was a group of young people, all members of the Catholic Youth Group of our local church. I got an interest in scanning them after meeting Monika. Eh, I think I forgot to tell y'all about Monika....

Last Thursday I stopped my daughter's new apartment on my way to dance class. I was early and she was off bringing the kids to gym class. Since I had some time to kill, I thought I'd take my camera and go for a walk around the area. I got out of the car and saw a couple walking my way. The gal and I stopped dead in our tracks.... we both recognised each other immediately, in spite of having seen each other once in the past 30 yrs! It was Monika, one of the young gals from that afore mentioned dance class! We fell into each others arms, then she introduced me to her hubby. They actually intended to walk a different route, but like with me (I had almost stopped at a local café for coffee but didn't), fate made our path's cross. As it turns out, she now lives just around the corner from Regina's new apartment.

Soon Regina arrived and I asked her if she remembered Monika. She thought a moment but couldn't place her (well, she was just a baby back then). When I told her it was "Mo-kee-da" she knew who I meant! You see, Monika used to babysit Carsten and Regina and Carsten couldn't pronounce "Monika" but would say "Mo-kee-ka" instead! This was so fun.

Anyway... this is the picture I took way back when (yes, that's me front row center lol), 1975:

Monika is back row, third from the right. And this is her leaving the stage after my group performed a Can-Can for a Fasching (carnival/mardi gras) event:

and she hasn't changed a bit!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dorrie

P.S. I made those Can-Can costumes, as well as the guy's shirts in the top photo.

Hump Day... again!

2009-11-18T16:51:00.001+01:00

The first time I heard that expression was in LoupyLou's journal long ago, but it's quite fitting. The week is once again half over.... where does time go?

I have a short break before I drive off to my dance class. Tomorrow then same same.

this coming weekend is nothing particular planned. I do have a number a projects that need attending to. Maybe I'll actually get something accomplished!

This is just a rambling entry. Normally my entries have more "substance"!

Take care everyone!

Dorrie

Work and Play Weekend

2009-11-14T22:32:00.000+01:00

It's now 10:30 pm and I jsut returned from a dinner party with Karen's bollywood dance group. It was very nice and they danced a bit, too. I think I really must join one of her classes!

Shiana and Priyasha were also there. I managed to get lots of cuddle time with Priyash..... Shiana was too busy playing with some of the other gals... or dancing along (which I filmed and will be uploaded soon to share). Next Saturday Karen, her mom, and the two babies fly home to Mumbai, India for three months! The do it every year so they can spend Christmas there and Karen can learn new dances. My son will follow just before Christmas to spend the holidays with them. So I won't get to see them again until FEBRUARY!

Tomorrow morning no sleeping in for me. I have to pick up the business car at 8:00 am and drive an hour to teach a class. I probably won't be home until around 3:00 pm. The new gal at work is joining me so that'll be nice.

So, that's just a small run down about what's going on in my world. Have a great Sunday everyone!

Dorrie

20 years ago the wall fell....

2009-11-08T19:16:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow, November 9, Germany is celebrating the fall of the wall between East and West Germany. Yes, it's been 20 years!! It's so hard to believe. The TV stations are full of reports on experiences before and after the fall.... some real horror stories about what some people went through in former East Germany. And the culture shock during their first days in the west! And their expectations.......

Today there are still some "walls", still psychological borders in the way of thinking and living. We in the west are still paying a percentage of our pay to help build up the new States. But now they are often in better condition then the west! Now, finally, the government is realising this and that money will go where it's needed, whether East or West.

The biggest problem in the east is the high unemployment and lack of jobs... many young folk going to the west where jobs earn more. But it's getting better.

I visited West Berlin once before the wall fell, flying to and from it with Pan Am airlines. Since then I have been to Berlin a number of times, as well as other former East cities like Leibzig, Dresden, Erfurt, Weimar, Eisenach, Schwerin, etc. Once I even took a tour with my car for a whole week... all by myself. It was fun, and interesting.

I really should get some of my photos from that trip scanned... I'm waiting for my desktop to come back from my computer guru. I'm still having "adjustment" troubles with my mac!

I didn't do much this weekend. I have so much that needs to be done, but I just couldn't get my butt moving. So I messed with my computer and was just generally bored instead of taking advantage of the free time. *sigh* Oh, well.....

Dorrie

Busy days... I need a drink!

2009-11-06T19:07:00.001+01:00

Is today really Friday?

The past days have been, well, exhausting (so what else is new?). Some of you may have missed me stopping by.... I didn't have much time to come online and I can't log in at the office any more.

Wednesday I had an important meeting with my boss and another coworker outside the office. They were able to drop me off at my apartment afterwards and I had exactly one hour before driving off to dance class. That went really well with 16 people showing up so we practive an American square dance with TWO squares! that was cool...

After work Thursday I went home, changed clothes for a date with Wheelie. We went to our favorite restaurant, which may have to close soon due to the economic crises and people not going out to eat so much (plus TOO many restaurants around, most not half as good as this place). After that we went to the movies to see "Pope Joan"..... it was excellent!!

Wheelie and I both took today off as a vacation day and we had originally planned to drive to a nice romantic hotel to stay until Saturday. We hadn't had a chance to do it all summer and this weekend we both could finally fit it in.

Luckily we didn't reserve a room because my son called and asked if I could babysit today. Karen's mom became badly ill and had to go to the hospital. Karen didn't want to drag Priyasha with her and Shiana needed to be picked up at kindergarten around 3 and poor Carsten can't get off work (he's self employed and works on a project for a European weather satelite space authority). Sooooooo, we changed our plans and I spent from 11 to 5:30 at their place, driving first Karen and her mom to the hospital, then picking up Shiana later and then her dad, and then staying at the house again while Carsten picked up Karen and her mom. I used their car since it has the kiddy seats installed.

So my vacation day turned out quite different then planned, but family emergencies have priority. Oh, and it doesn't look good for Karen's mom. In 2 weeks she flies back to India with Karen and kids and will continue treatment there. Carsten will follow just before Christmas for about 3 weeks, Karen will return with the kids in February. They do this every year.

At least I have no plans for the weekend.....

Dorrie

Norhtwest fly by...sing it baby!

2009-11-04T06:18:00.000+01:00

I just found this version of "Leaving on a Jet Plane", re-done in "honor" of that flight by Northwest that flew by it's destination.

In some ways it was a too serious incident to laugh about, but sometimes humor helps...

Tweeting on a Jet Plane

Dorrie, Dory, Dori... what's in a name?

2009-11-02T20:10:00.000+01:00

On Saturday I started getting bored and decided to google my name and see what happens. Of course my own homepage and stuff came up.

My first name, Dorrie, is actually short for Dorothy. Dorrie in itself is not that common, but common enough that the domain dorrie.com was already taken so I had to settle with dorrie.de for my homepage (.de is for "Deutschland"/Germany).

My last name, Van Cleef, is pretty unusual, too. Most people think right away of Lee Van Cleef, the bad guy in many Italian westerns. Nope, not related.... and not related with Van Cleef & Arpels, either... DARN! And yes, Van Cleef is my maiden name.... I took it back after my divorce. My dad was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, so I actually brought my family back to the old world.

At facebook I use my real name, Dorrie Van Cleef......now, imagine my surprise when a name popped up on that google search: Dori Van Cleef ..... and it wasn't ME!

Yep, there's another Dorrie/Dori Van Cleef on facebook! I immediately sent her off a note and a friend request, which she accepted. If I understood her right, Lee was one of her uncles... and her favorite uncle is a "Robert" Van Cleef, just like my older brother.

I thought it all so fun..... and weird.

Dorrie, the one and only!

P.S. my brother, Bob, had a dispute with Van Cleef & Arpels because he had already dabbed the domain vancleef.org which they wanted. He had to prove that it was really his name and then he got to keep it.

Westy's World

Watching the slow decay....

Cat Tales

And so 2012 goes on....

Christmas in my world 2011

Wedding Bells....

Justfly-ing around!

Poor Kitty

Long time.....

My Village ...

Visiting Prague

Busy...

Still around......

Photo Quiz answers....

Photo Quiz

Happier entry... Emely turned 6!

the crash... caution, graphic pictures

Job Perks... Schwerin, Germany

Old and New

A Heli of an experience...

Exciting Saturday ?

Feeling Lost.....

Mother's day....

Birthdays and half-timbered houses

Spring is here!

Beautiful Germany

Fasching / Carnival 2011

time for an update?

Busy days....

Flying around...

Tamara's visit

Vote for me!!

As the new year continues....

More memories

A new year, remembering days gone past....

JS New Years

Christmas 2010 Part II

Christmas 2010 Part I

Tamara spends the night

and still more winter!

more winter!!

Winter Impressions....

Snow....

Job Perks ... and TGIF!

It's Saturday, but my week is not over!

Motivation.... and journalspace-revived

The Spirit of Journalspace

The Air Show

Vacation is over *pout*

Time for an Update

Arrived "home"

Flying "Home"

hm...what to post about

Happy Birthday mom!

Job Perks

Family worries.....

My new kitchen

Sometimes....

Pics of new apartment...finally

Back to blogging... maybe

Still internet Issues.....oh, well

Internet issues... still

Back online... and more moving woes! lol

Happy Birthday Emely.... and other news

Photos... move, kids, nature....

Just a note....

Trip photos completed....

Split, Croatia

First pics of my trip.... Venice!

Next Saturday....

Living under invisible volcanic ash....

No volcanic ash here..... yet!

Shiana turned 3!

Crazy weather.... Spring is here!

Bragging time again ... ;-)

New apartment soon.... can't wait!

Nostalgia... 1979

I love ruins.....

An update... will wonders never cease?

My birthday party with the kiddies

Vacation is over pout