It has snowed again!

This is one of the weirdest winters! After weeks of dry, but cold, weather, it is finally snowing again. Last Monday it snowed, then melted by Tuesday. Yesterday we had clear blue skies. And now it has snowed again. I think I'll take the train. Sure, it could get stuck, too, but at least I don't risk getting fender benders in my car.

Today is Friday and I'll stay at work only half-day... I have about 12 hours of overtime so no problem with that. I then have off for 5 days.

Originally I thought of traveling somewhere, but it was difficult deciding and now it's too short notice, especially since arrangements would have to be made for Shila.

My ideas: a wellness weekend; a trip to Disney Paris; visit England (I thought of the days off too late to contact Susananne or Tris or Lone-Groover so I killed that idea pretty early... same as the idea of visiting Wizardress in Holland); and so on, and so on......

So, I plan to just be a bit lazy, do things I WANT to do like read a book, work on some layouts (go check my practice blog to see the one I've been working on for Pastor Larry), and maybe record some of my dance music finally. Sounds like a good plan... and maybe I'll stick to it.

Well, I'm still in my night gown, so I guess I better get ready.

Have a great Friday everyone!!

Dorrie

I lost a potatoe chip!

Yep, I'm nibbling on the contents of a bag of potatoe chips and I dropped one... and I can't find it!

I love potatoe chips... the normal, salty ones. Give me a bag and I'll gobble them down in no time. The same goes with salty popcorn. Why do I specify "salty" popcorn? Because most Germans prefer SWEET popcorn! YUCK!

Anyway, I'm back from dance class and need something to drink... a nice, cheap white wine watered down with mineral water. And a bag of potatoe chips.

Dance class was good tonight. I have the recordings on CD's. Tonight, after we did a new dance, I let the CD continue and some "oldies" came up.... difficult dances that I can't teach my group...yet. I danced them, letting the group watch. I needed that. A bit of exibitionism and also ... they're great, fun, and difficult dances!

Tomorrow is Thursday and my usual LONG day. Telephone duty at the office, then straight to the other dance class. Since the internet is being filtered, I don't dare visit my blog or other fun pages during working hours... DARN!!

Do go and vist the new site KCL (keepingconnectedlive). The original set-up is like Wordpress and/or the new JS, but it's being run by a former JS'er (EvilFury's hubby!) and he's doing a really good job with it! He is now adding friends only, members only, and private options!

The weather is COLD! It's now -5°C (23°F) outside and expected to get colder! brrrrr

OK, time to look for that missing potatoe chip and then get ready for bed... it's that time again!

Maybe I'll read a blog or two first... and search for that missing potatoe chip.....

Dorrie

Another week begins...

As I drove to work this morning, big fluffy snow flakes were falling and the ground was already covered in a number of inches of white stuff. The efficient local workers already had the main roads cleared so driving was no biggy. If I didn't have all the files and stuff to bring in to work with me, I would have taken the train.

Now, in the evening, it is raining again and most of the nice snow has melted. *pout*

The day at the office was pretty typical, but it had a highlight. One of the guys from yesterday's class sent me an email, telling me how good he thought my presentation was, how informative, how well done my powerpoint was... very readable and to the precise. He said he learned quite a bit he hadn't known before. Wow... that really makes me feel good! I needed that. Needless to say, I passed the email on to my boss....

As usual on Mondays I left the office early. I stopped by a clothes store to check on something for Regina. I forgot to mention, but last Friday on my day off I went shopping and got some really nice pants and a blazer marked really down! The velour blazer only cost €9, down from €39! And I got a pair of jeans which fit fantastic marked down from €39 to only €7! I wore the blazer for my classes and when I stopped by to see Regina and the girls on Saturday (the class took place in their town), she saw the blazer and just HAD to try it on... and wanted to keep it! lol So today I checked if they had another one and they did!

Sometimes you need to spoil yourself.

Next week I put in for vacation from Monday to Wednesday, giving me a 5 day weekend! Since Regina works in a travel agency, she was looking for a trip I could possibly take, perhaps a wellness weekend. But we didn't find anything fitting. So, I'll probably just stay home and do things here.

Maybe I'll join in some carnival activities. The main events ARE taking place next Monday and Tuesday after all. It's at times hard to believe that I was once a carnival fanatic! I know I've reported about the German carnival traditions in the old JS, and how back in 1982 I was the towns carnival princess! Mabe I'll make a repost....

Anyway.... I want to thank Judy and Xanadu for making me their blogger friend!

It's a little "game" going on where you are to pick 8 people and announce them your special friend. They are then supposed to post a similar entry and also select 8 friends. And then put this label in the sidebar...


Sorry, but I can't pick JUST 8! I'll add the logo to my sidebar later... I want to make some layout changes soon so I'll wait until I get that taken care of first. Call it blog housecleaning! lol

Last night I was in bed by 09:00 pm and I think I'm going to go off already now, at 09:30 pm. The TV program is once again lousy so that makes it easier.....

See y'all in the mornin'!

Dorrie

Survived the weekend...

I'm finally home from the second class this weekend. Today there were 30 participants, yesterday 26. Both classes seemed to go well, as far as I can judge. Once again I got applaus, at both events, so I guess they all liked it.

I left the house to day with blue skies, no snow, but -8°C (17.6°F).

Yesterday morning I was presented with a winter wonderland. When I took the first picture it was still dark. This was at a traffic circle, or "round-about" as teh Brits say, near my apartment, taken from inside my car and without the flash...



Then a bit later, the sun was higher and the main street just looked so pretty!



I would have loved to take more pictures, but the prettiest areas had no place to park. I spent some time getting the frozen-on snow off the business car.

I'm still chilled through... I guess I'll take a nice hot bath even though it's not my usual bath time yet....

Now I have around 16 hours of overtime to take advantage of.

Dorrie

One life arrives, another leaves...

In about an hour and a half I have to leave on a business trip once again (I'm avoiding the word "duty" so Sammi won't laugh at me again lol). I have another class to teach today AND tomorrow! Today's class is at the airfield where I learned to fly myself and in the town where my daughter lives, but I won't be able to visit since I'll be using the official car (an Audi A4...nice!).

Tomorrow's class is farther away. Since it decided to snow last night, I have to give myself a bit more time... class starts at 09:30 am and I always try to arrive by 09:00. That way I can set up the beamer and stuff, perhaps re-arrange seating, and whatever needs to be done. Besides, I'm a fanatic about being punctual!

Yesterday I heard the news that one of JS's former members, eo-per-nex, passed away. He was involved in a car accident the other day from which he didn't survive. He had also been a member of my forum, which was, unfortunaely, the only contact I had had with him. It seems he was suffering from depression and the car accident was actually no accident. So, those of you who pray, please add him to yours......

Well, I better get ready... I'm still sitting here in my pj's. Have a great weekend everyone!

Dorrie

One day old.... and CUTE!! PICTURES!!

Seek and you shall receive! I have pictures to share of my one day old granddaughter!



Big sister Shiana is not sure yet about this new doll that MOVES!



Here are all the ladies together... Karens's mom, Karen,Shiana, me, and the new addition...



Oh, yeh... her name: Priyasha Fiona

And a head full of hair, just like Shiana had as a baby....



I'm sure there will be more pictures in days to come.... *wink*

Dorrie

Some GOOD news for a change!

First of all, I'm in a rush... I just got back from dance class, which I cut off early. You see, I got a call from my daughter, telling me...

The BABY has arrived!!



Yep, my son and his wife now have their second daughter. They had planned to go to the hospital this morning and since he thought he'd being staying over, he asked me if I could spend the night with Shiana and Karen's mom. Sure, no problem, but after dance classe. Then he called around noon saying the baby didn't want to come yet and now they were sent home. OK...

And now the little one decided to come after all! So off I go. I will still have to go to work tomorrow, but I have Friday off. So don't expect me around here much. I actually can NOT blog any more from the office...

Second good news... my JS Secret Santa package finally arrived! Thank you Summerwind!! I haven't opened it yet... no time!

So, I'm off... see you around at some time...

Dorrie