Justfly-ing around!

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

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.....

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 ...

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

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...

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......

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