Just Another Day

One request i had for this trip was to spend some time at a beach. We did just that on the mediteranean coast in a small town called Noli.

We stayed at a lovely little bed and breakfast that was just a few minutes walk from the beach. We spent a lit of time just walking along the ocean and sittin on benches watching the waves and the people.

We did spend one afternoon lounging and took a quick dip in the ocean. The weather was a bit windy, but it was still plenty warm. All in all, my beach day was everything 8’d hoped it would be.

Inkari had to work a long day on Tuesday, but Peter was available and willing to take us out touring. We headed to a Eltz Castle around an hour away.

It was just a short hike on a lovely trail to get to our destination. Taking pictures inside the castle wasn’t allowed, and the outside was being renovated so the pictures I was able to get don’t do the place justice. It was really amazing to see this building and all of the history that goes with it… something we just don’t have in the US since we’re a young country.

We were able to take an English guided tour, which was nice, since I don’t speak a bit of German! After the tour we continued on our hike. We saw two very small fawns and one a bit bigger – Peter says that NEVER happens here. We also were accompanied by a swarm of flies during part of the walk. There was one wrong turn and a lot of good laughs. 🙂

Peter and Inkari headed off to dance class quickly after we got back to the apartment. (Their wedding is just a couple of weeks away!) Bill and I ate some dinner and relaxed. Today Inkari will be home early, and we will go touring the city together. Tonight we’ll all celebrate together out at dinner. Then tomorrow Bill and I will head off… somewhere. 🙂

We began traveling Sunday morning. One definite bonus of the trip was sitting next to a really nice gal on the long flight. She was on her way to climb Mt. Kilamenjaro. We figured out early that we were all teachers (as is her husband who was back in Chicago), and that we enjoyed a lot of the same hobbies. Nothing better than getting to know someone new to quickly pass an 8 hour flight! We exchanged Facebook information, and I’m looking forward to keeping in touch. Anyway, After a long day of traveling with two long layovers in Chicago and Amsterdam, we arrived in Stuttgart Monday afternoon.

Mind you, we are not vacation planners. We’ve had our tickets for some months, but the details of where we’re going are still a little fuzzy. 🙂 We did have our first nights nailed down to staying with our friends Inkari and Peter. So it was quite a lovely surprise to see my family waiting outside of baggage claim with a paper reading “ERIN”. There was a little confusion about how we should get our rental car, but the decision was made that we would head back to Ensignen to visit for a bit before we left for Trier. It was quite unreal to be able to just stop-by my Great Uncle Rolf’s house for a quick visit! We will return to stay with him for the last few nights of our trip.

It was about a three hour drive to Trier after that. Bill had no problem on the autobahn, and my only real issue was keeping my eyes open to be sure that Bill was still alert. I finally gave up and asked if he’d mind me taking a quick nap, and he assured me that was no problem. Considering we made it here safe and sound, I guess he did just fine without my constant, “How’re you doing?” 🙂

Peter and Inkari took us out on a little walk when we arrived. It felt good to move my legs! Basically we were able to see an ancient Roman colleseum (I can’t spell that…) and a vineyard on a walk 5 minutes from their apartment. It’s really beautiful here!

Inkari made us a wonderful dinner, and then it was off to bed where I proceeded to sleep for 11 hours! Day 1 was excellent!

If I had my camera here, I’d post this great picture of my students at the zoo this week. The first picture I took captured it all… six pre-teens all plastered with their faces up against the first exhibit they saw. It was really a fun day. And because I only had SIX STUDENTS in my class this year, I got to drive them on our last field trip by myself. I even managed to survive the small detour and get everyone back on time! And I would love to share a picture of this lovely day, but my camera is out in the wilderness.

My husband is also out camping. He took off early this morning – around the same time I was heading to work. It’s a funny feeling, to be leaving for work when Bill doesn’t have to go. There have been 3 years since we’ve been married where one of us didn’t have a “conventional” job outside the home. I especially loved when it was my turn to not have a typical work schedule. Bill would slip out the door to work and I’d continue snoozing for at least another hour. Those were the days! Although, those were also the days that we were on the road (or in the air) a lot. And those times got a little long. So, I guess sharing a school year calendar is a pretty good deal for us.

So yes, Bill is out in the woods. It’s his first trip of the season, and he was excited to get going. I love that he has found something he loves so much here. A good thing, as tomorrow will mark three years since we officially moved here. Gosh that’s gone quickly.

Tomorrow also marks our sixth anniversary. That’s gone quickly, too.

I am hoping that life slows down a little bit. But either way, I’m going to try to enjoy the ride.

For the past week or two, the weather hasn’t been great. I can’t really complain, because everything has turned a hundred beautiful shades of green, and the lake is getting near swimmable. Summer is near, and that makes me happy.

There has been a lot to celebrate lately. Last weekend we  celebrated my friend Jenny’s upcoming wedding at a beautiful shower. Then it was back to April and Jesse’s for a birthday barbecue in honor of Jesse. And Sunday found us celebrating Kate’s 2nd birthday! There’ve been a couple of celebratory pot lucks at work, a trip to Hibbing for a Tastefully Simple party, and sweet Kaylee’s graduation party. What a wonderful time of year!

A couple of weekends ago Bill and I headed off for an unexpected little getaway. We ended up in the cities where we wandered through the Science Museum, headed to Dinkytown to buy a bike, pricelined a fancy downtown hotel, and headed to a Twins game. As we were walking in to the game the words, “Hey, I know you.” caught our attention. Bill’s friend, Mitch, from BSU spotted us. We hadn’t seen Mitch since he’d enlisted in the military and left for Europe. What an awesome opportunity to get back in touch!

We watched the game in the new, outdoor stadium, and right about the 7th inning I was missing the dome. It was drizzling, windy, and cold, but we decided to wait out the final innings and ultimately watch the Twins lose. It turns out that was another good decision, however, because as we were checking our directions down on the street after the game I heard my name… My freshman year roommate had spotted us! We spent the next couple of hours catching up after not seeing each other in years.

So, this spring I’ve been reminded of how blessed we’ve been to have great people in our lives wherever we seem to end up!

(I’ve also been celebrating this awesome scone recipe I found HERE.)

I don’t know where my energy has gone. I have such great intentions of sharing about the last few weeks – because really, this is such a wonderful time of the year. But I’m tired. Tired in a good way, but still too tired to upload pictures, or to even remember to take pictures half the time. I think I’m ready for a little rejuvination, and lucky for me that time is just around the corner.

So soon I will write about the birthdays, bridal showers, getaway weekend, and bumping into old friends. But tonight, I’m just heading to bed. 🙂

Happy Birthday, to You!

Last weekend we had our spring break (long weekend). I packed in the days with plenty of fun. It all started with a shopping trip to Virginia with April. She had care takers lined up for the little ones, so off we went – like old times. We found some bargains, enjoyed some Starbucks, and did a bit of wandering through Target. The next day I tagged along with the Glass crew to head to my mom’s. Miss Kate was there hanging with Grandma Toots, so it was an added bonus to see her. I think she sat still just long enough for me to snap this picture before beginning her race throughout the house.

Later in the day I bought myself this happy little plant. It makes me smile to have a little spring in my living room.

While I was gallivanting with April, Bill and my dad were busy trying out the new canoe. You can bet that we all jump at the chance to get out on what little water was open. Slowly our bay continues to break up. Fingers are crossed that the ice will be gone for good soon!

We had a lovely Easter. It began at church, where we arrived too late to get seats with the whole family. Bill and I found ourselves a good spot, and we headed directly out to my aunt and uncles afterward for a tasty brunch. My cousin Zac’s family was there – it’s always nice to have time together with family! We missed Lo, however, as she’s got one of those jobs that doesn’t shut down on the holidays.

April, Jesse, and the kids came out for a sauna later in the day.

Then I started teaching sweet Laurin how to be super stylish.

It was a simple, nice weekend.

Lately I haven’t felt like I’ve been filling my time with anything that seems noteworthy. Still, I feel content.

For a long time I’ve been wanting to share this little newspaper clipping my grandma had pinned up on the cork board in her kitchen. I’ve kept it up since her house became ours. It’s been playing over in my mind lately.

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or un-happiness on major events like a great enw job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time.

If on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”

I don’t even know where to begin.

March was too much like winter. I had it in my head that March = Spring. I don’t know where I came up with that silly idea, but I am happy to trade in the snowfall for the recent April showers. I am anxious for our part of the world to turn green again!

In March my dad and Bill made several trips to the woodpile. They were able to restock the woodshed in just a little over a week. What a great feeling to know we’re all set for next winter!

Bill’s aunt and uncle, Zac and Bunny, came and visited us a couple of weekends ago. It was nice to have them here. We went out on a long walk across the ice and through the backwoods – into a place I’d never hiked. That’s one of the wonderful things about having company… it reminds you of all the things you could be taking advantage of! We had beautiful weather and a day of fun.

It seems there have been all kinds of random happenings lately. It really does make time go by quickly. This past week I joined a friend to watch a fund raiser game of basketball – Yoots and Coots – where the current team takes on the morning men’s league players. Jenny’s fiance was playing, as was my uncle Rick, so it was entertaining.

We’ve also been lucky to have a new neighbor just down the road. Mary just brings good energy with her.

This weekend has been full as well… Friday night I went out for dinner with a couple of girl friends. When I came home Bill had the house sparkling! Yesterday we headed up to Ely to pick up a canoe that Bill and my dad bought. Later on we headed to Wings & Things. And today it was time to hang out at the lake with the fam. Sawyer and Kate are getting so big – they’re both lots of fun!

And of course, then there is sweet Laurin. She’s growing fast, too. Isn’t she a doll?

So, that’s life these days.