My Germany... how I got to this place and stayed!

Some of you may remember the entries I started about how I came to be living in Germany. Many told me to be sure to save them.

Having my own homepage, I copied some of my old JS entries, before the big crash, and added them there... including the comments! Well, entries 1-4 got copied, entry 5, my civil wedding (mentioned a few entries back) didn't get copied in time.

On the left, you will find links to those entries. Like I said, 1-4 are direct copies from my JS journal, complete with the comments you guys made. Part 5 I had to do over. The next entry, Part 6, was going to be about my church wedding.... maybe I'll get around to writing that soon. After that I'll try to make entries about my life over here.

Part one begins with meeting my soon-to-become German hubby in 1968. Then parts 2-4 show some of my first impressions of life over here (1969-1970). Part 5, the civil wedding ceremony, was on Feb. 2, 1970. The church ceremony was back in El Cajon, California, on February 23, 1970.... part 6 whenever I get to it.

Today it's stormy outside! Rainy and cold on top of the strong winds. The temps are supposed to drop and we may actually get snow in my area.... northern Germany already had quite a bit.

This coming weekend I have TWO duty (don't laugh Sammy) classes to teach... one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. I'm taking off work on Friday to avoid getting over the legal limit for work days in a row.

I guess that's enough to bore you with for today. Have a good one everone!

Dorrie

Where I lay my head...

Becoming Kate started an interesting entry idea.... everyone is to post a picture of their bedroom/bed.... so here is mine...

As you can see, it just fits from wall-to-wall. The German's often have tiny bedrooms meant for the children. Since I don't need more room just for sleeping, I put my queen sized bed in there and use the larger bedroom as a combination work room, guest room, and dressing room.

German homes also don't have ANY closets... you have to install ones yourself, so mine is in that bigger room.

I don't always bother putting the pillows and the doll up there, unless I'm expecting visitors (rare enough occassion). The two animals on the table are stuffed but look quite real.

Behind the bed there is actually a door to the balcony. Since there is also a door from the guest room as well as the living room, it was no big deal to block it with my bed.

So that's it....MY place to dream...

They are predicting snow here...... I'll believe that when it happens. Strong winds are on the way, too... now THAT I believe.

I think I'll leave the TV off tonight .... Monday's always seems to have a crappy program.

I hope you're all having a good start into the new week!

Dorrie

Attention all Bikers! Plus, my new hair cut ;-)

Most of you know a certain webmaster, forum master, and very special person ......WHEELIE! Did you also know he's a biker? Yep, he owns a Harley...


Well, he now has a blogger blog, too and his first entry is a request to help a friend. You see, there was a great biker bar in the town near where he lives with lots of biker memorabilia. I never got to visit it... yet. Some days ago, the place burned down!

Go to Wheelie's blog and see the before and after pictures. Anyway, he is asking anyone and everyone to help his buddy get some new collectables.... ANY help is appreciated! These bikers have a close knit community of their own... almost like us (former) JS'ers!

I know you guys are all DYING to see my new hair cut!


I know, against the dark background it's a bit hard to see...

The kids are as cute as ever and soooo different in their characters... Tamara is quiet and reserved, it was difficult to even get her picture!


Emely is lively and full of energy.... here before her hair cut (we did NOT cut Tamara's!)

And here during...


Today's weather.... YUCKY!! Cold, rainy, just plain

That's all from my world today.... now go off to Wheelie's blog and if you know anyone who might be able to help, send him a pm via our forum.

Dorrie

It's Friday once AGAIN!

Boy do the weeks go by fast! I can't believe it's already Friday once again.... gee whiz!

Oddly enough, my blogger journal wasn't blocked by the new filter at work, but since all site visits are now being monitored, I don't dare do any visiting.

Thank you all for the comments.... they are really, really appreciated!!

After work today, I drove to my daughter's. Her hairdresser friend planned to stop by so Regina arranged for a mass hair-cutting session. Emely got her hair cut as did one of her friends, her friends daughter, and ME! Pictures coming up soon, they need to be uploaded first. Regina got her hair freshly colored, without a cut.

I had to do some shoppping on the way home so I only got home about an hour ago.... and here I am, already reporting in to y'all!

Be sure to visit the new blogging site set up by Easysleeper. As I already mentioned, he's using the basic format/software that the new JS is using, but he is making lots of adjustments and, being an old JS'er, he knows what we like/want. Oh, and don't forget to tell him, Westy sent you!

Tomorrow I'm going to a pilots meeting... and for a change, it has nothing to do with my job! So, I'll be gone most of the day but I'm keeping Sunday free!

Nothing else to report... STILL no news of the new baby.

Well, I better get going and do some catching up on everyone...

Dorrie

blogging less... *snif*

Yep, I'll be blogging less and also visiting journals less... yeh, right, ME! Well, there are many reasons for it.

1) since the old JS crashed, something has changed. Yes, we are managing to keep in contact with the people we really got to like, yet... where are they? I used to enjoy reading so many people's blogs, but too many are not up-dating at all any more. I was a big fan of JS not because people would visit me, but I just had to keep up to date on YOU all!

2) 91 followers? where are they? if you don't leave a comment, I don't know if you stopped by. And I know that sometimes you can't comment... happens to me often enough. I try to read all the blogs I follow, but it's not easy and I feel bad. There are few of you I really care for, and I thought you cared for me, but I see you comment elsewhere and don't even stop for a peek here. *cry* No, I won't mention any names....

ok, I need to rant and whine a bit... it was a hard day at work...

3) time is always a factor. Since I live alone, I can check in more often then maybe many of you. But obviously I can't spend my restricted free time online . (I will anyway).

4) jumping from blogsite to blogsite is a pain in the.... and at the new JS I am being bombarded with spam and nothing is being done about it! There's another new site out there being run by a former JS'er... format is somewhat like the new JS, but it's working better. I'll "pimp" it pretty soon. I'm not sure if he's ready for the unrush of new members! And no, lit's not Wheelie (though he is also working on something.... ).

5) I enjoyed creating and designing layouts for people. But here it's so easy for everyone to load up their own, and I haven't had time to really work on ones for those of you I promised. Yes, Pastor Larry, I still want to finish yours, and a few others, but time.... *sigh*

6) As of today, we can't visit our favorites sites at work... we're being controlled! It reminds me of big brother. Yep, because too many idjits spent TOO much time privately online, most sites are being blocked. If we need them for work reasons, we can click a link and bypass the block.... BUT.... all visits are registered!! So that can mean not even a quick check, no chance to comment writing, not even my own blog... heck, my own homepage is blocked! I can't even show anyone pictures of my grandkids anymore!!

I don't know, maybe it's the crazy weather, maybe it's the stress at work, maybe it's hormones, maybe it's.... I don't know.

There are many entries ideas going around in my head so maybe I will still be around .... just perhaps with some longer breaks. Again I offer to all of you the use of my forum for private messages and such, but I would appreciate a posting once in a while so that I know it's still being visited and needed.

OK, enough of my woes... I know some of you are going through some much worse things at the moment. Many of you have often mentioned how blessed I am.... yes, I realise that and I wonder often why I have been so lucky. I've gone through some pretty tough times, but somehow in the end things worked out pretty well. One day I may write a very long entry about it all.... some "events" were down right scary!

Boy, how's this for rambling?? not like me at all.... so enough! I hope you guys are all doing good.... let us know! {hugs}

Dorrie

P.S.
The new site: keep connected live ... yes, the name is complicated, but try it out! Like I said, the format is like the new JS, which I'm not all the thrilled about (as if you didn't know), but I think it'll be better!

And now you're wondering, which JS'er is behind it? should I tell you? do you really want to know?

Well, he goes by "Easysleeper"..... better known to some of you as the hubby of our dear, wonderful, lovely EVILFURY!!! YES!

Short up-date and an amazing aviation story

This is just a short up-date about my world before I leave for work. Tonight is dance class, again.... the weeks are just going by so fast!

Not much else actually to report. No news about my son's new baby... she's still staying nice and warm in her mommy home. We're having cold but dry weather..... NO snow like in London and other parts of Europe.

I wanted to share with you the story about a young gal, Jessica Cox, who was born without arms and learned to fly! Yes... it's a true story. My dad sent me an email about her. I found some videos on youtube but couldn't link them in here and I have no time to mess with it. But do go to google or youtube and search for "Jessica Cox" and read of her amazing tale.... it's VERY inspirational!

So, off I go...

Dorrie

What's the date today?

This morning while driving to work, I kept thinking about today's date, February 2nd. There was something "special" about it, but I couldn't put my finger on it. No one I know has a birthday on this day, so what does this day mean?

Then it dawned on me..... 39 years ago was my "official" wedding day! Yep, on Feb. 2, 1970, I got married. In my series in the old JS about how I got to Germany, I had reported about my civil wedding ceremony in Germany. That was on this day, in knee deep snow. Aw, didn't I/we look cute?



Ah, you noticed the 3 stripes on Michael's sleeve. He was a young co-pilot for Lufthansa back then, and the only dark suit, I think the ONLY suit, he had was his uniform, so he wore that. Little did we know he should have had permission from his company about it, but he didn't get caught (hear that QueenofSky?). He also wore it to the church wedding a few weeks later in California... but no Lufthanseats over there so again we got lucky.

Anyway... I almost didn't write about it after reading Wizardress' entry... today is her 5th wedding anniversary with Marcel! Sorry, Wizzy, I hope it's not a bad omen!

I guess that's all to report from my world today. No snow yet here, though large parts of Europe are covered, including England, Spain, Italy, and France.

Don't forget to check the JS member list and send me any changes or additions... I have been up-dated daily because of some I have found myself or received.

I hope you all have a good start to the new week.

Dorrie