Vacation:: Day 1

Greetings! I am back from my brief (but just long enough) stay in the Bavarian Alps and am happy to be blogging again. It really wasn't worth it to pay for Internet while I was down there because I had plans to do something EVERYDAY. You'll see... here.... soon. I have to take it a day at a time though because I still need to upload some new pictures and do some editing. Anyways, now to the fun stuff... we arrived in Garmisch Monday night. Tuesday morning I had booked a tour to visit Swarovski World and Innsbruck Austria. Chad had to work (poor guy) but it didn't slow me down.

Edelweiss Lodge and Resort

(If you're young, single and looking to travel, they have employment opportunities with an interview session beginning this month in the U.S. The pay isn't great but you get to live in the alps, travel, and take advantage of winter/summer sports. You may know someone who would be perfect for the job! I think it would be an ideal situation for certain personalities. You can learn about employment information on their website... http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/employment.html. )
Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens, Austria.

This giant is "protecting" the crystals.

The largest cut crystal to date (think 300,000 carats). Once owned by Liberace.

I'm not too sure what to say about this one. It was reflected in the crystals.... I think?

The Crystal Factory (top secret).

Innsbruck, Austria (Maximilian's "Gold Roof")

Lunch... Goulash!

Still in Innsbruck...

Ski Jump (Innsbruck Winter Olympics 1976)

Inside the Basilica

And... outside the Basilica...

Check back tomorrow for Italy!

Ciao.

So Chad threw me a surprise party...

you may have heard considering it took place a month ago. July 4th to be exact. I really haven't wanted to blog about it because I hate surprises. I even told Chad days before the party that I did not want him to give me a party... no party. NO PARTY. I thought he would listen but no. I believe Chad thinks that I secretly like surprises and I just do the "I hate surprises" for the drama. But no, Chad, I really don't like them.

At this party I had my flea market outfit on and was having cramps. I also put my makeup on in the car so you can imagine what I looked like. That's one of the problems with surprise parties... all the guests look better than the party girl because they all KNOW... and she does not.

The other problem is that your plans for the day are totally ruined because you have to be out of the house. I had to leave my cookie making (half way through) to go see a friend. I should have caught on when Kendra told me she told our friend we'd visit. Normally a person like Kendra wouldn't make such plans without asking me first. I'm really surprised I was such a good sport.

Anyways, to please Chad I thought I should post some pictures because he has asked me if I've blogged about the event and I don't want to break his little heart by telling him no (again... and again...). So here's our July 4th/Amy's SURPRISE graduation party photos... enjoy!

Yes, I'm aware Governor's is spelled wrong.

All in all, the party was fun and I had a good time. There will be no more surprise parties in my future though.

Oh and this has nothing to do with the party... I just found it written on my recipe and thought it was cute. Okay, Chad. I get it.

2Nd BlOg Of ThE dAy...

I was feeling guilty this morning. One for not having anything to blog about (hence the Meatloaf blog) and two for not being able to take the dogs for their usual walks. In my defense, however, I have been held captive in my own home thanks to allergies. They took down some trees in our backyard which resulted in millions of newborn pollen spores to be scattered... EVERYWHERE. I wake up every morning feeling like I just snorted tar. I would pay someone for a runny nose right about now because at least I wouldn't have all this stuff in my head. Anyways, in addition to the congestion I'm also exhausted. Seriously. I could sleep all day. I think most of that is out of frustration because I can't do anything or go anywhere because I can hardly breathe.

Thankfully, I've been feeling a little better these last few days and decided to take advantage of the not-too-hot-not-too-cold-not-too-humid weather and venture outside for a dog walking EXTRAVAGANZA. And this is kind of where the "feeling guilty for the lack of blogging" comes in. Typically when I feel that way something occurs that begs to be blogged. So here we go...

Apparently, while I was held up in the house, my lovely canines forgot all their proper German walking manners. Here are a few examples:

Pooping on the sidewalk.... not okay in Germany (or anywhere for that matter).

Lunging at a young woman because you want a piece of the apple she's eating.... yep, not okay.

Stopping to mark your territory every two feet, especially when your bladder is empty and you're essentially squatting or lifting your leg for no reason and holding up this whole production.... NOT OKAY.

And last but not least... REFUSING to take one more step* when we're a mile from home and making "Mom" carry your 26 lb. butt.... DEFINITELY NOT OKAY.

*He's a repeat offender as well... he stopped walking downhill a few feet from our house... sat down in the middle of the street and almost got us all killed by a German motorist.

I don't know if I'll be up to this tomorrow.

Sometimes when Mom is not looking...

I hop up on her 1964 German Flea Market find of a lounge chair.

I soak up the sun...

Work on my tan...

and if I hear her coming...

I just flash her my best smile.



It always melts her heart.

Leinfelden-Echterdingen-Stetten...

WE LOVE YOU!

a day late and a dollar short

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Something tells me we'll be okay.

::HAPPY 4TH OF JULY::

It's a Sunday in Germany...

when Chad and I sleep in past ten

church bells echo in the distance

the whole neighborhood is outside enjoying the sunshine

Steck bakery closes at 2 in the afternoon

people spend half the day sitting outside a 'biergarten'

what a life.

(I also took a bike ride and snapped a few photos of our neighborhood)

Lullaby

Good night my angel time to close you eyes

And save these questions for another day

I think I know what you've been asking me

I think you know what I've been trying to say

I promised I would never leave you

And you should always know

Where ever you may go

No matter where you are

I never will be far away

Good night my angel now it's time to sleep

And still so many things I want to say

Remember all the songs you sang for me

When we went sailing on an emerald bay

And like a boat out on the ocean

I'm rocking you to sleep

The water's dark and deep

Inside this ancient heart

You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight my angel now it's time to dream

And dream how wonderful your life will be

Someday your child will cry

and if you sing this lullaby

Then in your heart there will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone

But lullabies go on and on

They never die

that's how you and I will be

-Billy Joel's 'Lullaby'

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!

I LOVE YOU!

MY DEAREST CHAD-

Thank you for spraying OFF! bug repellant in our living room this morning. It really gave our floor and coffee table a nice shine. It also made our house smell something like camping.

Also, thanks for bringing that tick to bed with you last night and allowing me to find it and then remove it with my good tweezers. It has really motivated me to wash all towels, bed linens, and blankets, as well as vacuum every livable surface of our home.

Oh and Chad, I'm sorry for calling you at work and asking you if your head was only for decoration. That wasn't very nice of me. It was just a reaction.... you see... I'm not a fan of slick floors or camping for that matter. And I absolutely hate ticks.

Will you forgive me?

With Love,

Amy

One Sweet Weekend

Finally, we had weather like this...

(I seriously started doubting whether I had moved from Louisiana... we've had "summer showers" almost every day this month. ps: this is our view from the 3rd floor)

Also, I found these beauties on my tomato plant.

We got lots of kisses from this little girl...

We were invited over to take part in the consumption of this...

(Not to mention, Cherries always remind me of home.)

And I somehow managed to drag Chad to a German flea market where I made out like a bandit. Picked up this little jewel of a tray and have many plans for its future.

Awww, Summer.

What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. ~Gertrude Jekyll