First Things First

When we arrived this is one of the first things we did.

We need another tandem to have enough seats for the whole family that is present here at this time.

We were contemplating a peddle version but Jess and I decided, not so much…. 

This shop is fun because you get to try out the different models. Ask for Cody, he was awesome.

We think we know which one we're getting now. Are you going to come kayak with us??

On The Other Side

Our pack out was exhausting but not bad as far as pack outs go. We were able to clean the apartment as space cleared which meant by Friday we were done. There were some last minute touch and go items that I wasn't sure we'd finish. There were some things I completely forgot. By Friday night we were ready to relax and try to enjoy our last two full days in Germany. 

I decided we should try out the V8 motel in Boeblingen. It was hilarious. We I chose one of the novelty rooms. It was comfortable, quiet and fun.

The next day we hopped on the train and made our way down to the Bodensee. We took the ferry from Friedrickshafen to Meersburg only to find out we were there on the busiest weekend of the year. After three and a half hours of walking and one more ferry ride into Konstanz we finally found a place to sleep, quite possibly the last room available. It was 9:30pm, the kitchen was closed, and we were hungry. We asked the waiter if he could make us a sandwich he asked if we liked fish and said the chef would not mind making us a plate. In other words, excellent customer service beyond our expectations and the food was fantastic.

A fun garage over looking the water

My dream home

The next morning we walked to Mainau and saw some gorgeous scenes. 

That night we were back in Stuttgart at the Movenpick, another absolutely wonderful hotel. It's right across from the airport so it's very convenient.
Kelly came the next morning to have breakfast with us, see us off and help us schlep our ridiculous amount of baggage (all essential, really) to the airport. So ends our time in Germany. When are you all coming to see me here?

The Next Chapter

As I wander, watching the last of my things being packed away, I have way too much time to think. Am I ready for this? Just how different will things be? Will my kids still like me when I live right near them? How much fun will I have watching this new child grow? Oh yeah, lots of fun.

Intertwined in all of this looking forward, is a lot of looking back. Am I ready to leave? They'll go on without me. Will they still like me the next time we meet? How much fun will I be missing out on? Lots and lots.

The biggest thing I have realized with all of this wandering and thinking is…… I am blessed.

I am leaving behind some of the most wonderful, clever, kind, creative, and special people I will ever meet. My life the last few years has been made better by them.

I am going to some of the most wonderful, clever, kind, creative, and special people that I am lucky enough to call family.

I am making this journey with an amazing man who has put up with me for years and years, yet still manages to see the good parts of me.

What more could a person ask for?

Thanks everyone for the best going away birthday party ever.

See ya on the other side.

Another Farewell

We drove to Garmisch Saturday. It was an exercise in patience and endurance. Car trouble, traffic and 7 hours got us there. Our main purpose was to say good bye to a dear friend. We feel like we've known her forever and it's so hard to say tschuss even for a short time. We hope to see her in our new home next year. This is the view from her home. Her balcony is to die for.

She makes us laugh and we try and return the favor. She and I are standing in front of an avalanche that happened some years ago on the Garmisch side of town.

We stopped in for a bit of festivities in Garmisch. Next week the same thing is going on in Partenkirchen. Apparently there is a bit of a competition between the two parts of town. I love that they built the tent around an existing house that the dancers went in and out of. 

Our friend told us that some of these plumes go for as much as 10,000 euros. Some people take their traditional dress very seriously. 

There are so many views of these mountains and they change all the time. 

It didn't take us as long to get home but this is a storm we drove into. Let's just say for a little while it was a bit windy.

What's a little travel without a few hexies sewn?

Moving Is Hard

I moved here 17.5 years ago. I have lived in three different places since arriving. Moving is hard. This one especially.

Bye Lil Baby Blue, see you in a ….. month or two…..

Random

 Sunday evening the universe forced me to start moving a bit slower. I am trying to turn this into a good thing because right now, I have a lot to do. I have twenty days left to wrap up a life. That's about as far as I can take that thought right now. Instead I'll show you our weekend.

We started a bit earlier in the week by having dinner out a couple of times with some friends from out of town…(out of the country) Did I get a photo of us with said friends?… no…. One of the evenings was at a restaurant in the Flugfeld area of Boeblingen. If you haven't been, it's a nice casual place to hang out for a bit. There are tables outside that have sun, if there's sun, throughout the day. Next door, there is an old timer car showroom. 

Friday evening found us wandering Boeblingen in search of food. This was one of the scenes from that night. Oh and if you want a nice place to eat, try the Magellan. 

Saturday was spent driving through the country side to the WMF Fischalle in Geislingen. Even you know who doesn't mind going. He found barbecue cages for fish. They've built up the area since we were there last. A small shopping area with the outlet mindset went in next to them.

The evening found us downtown where we sat for several hours in a couple of different places just watching the world go by. I love this spot.

Sunday we had to say goodbye to our adopted pet Tinkerbell. She is a cat that looks like a kitten, is a bit crazy and totally made me love her. She launched herself onto you know who's back and when he didn't behave as she would have liked, preceded to swat him in the face. What's not to love about a cat that stands her ground? She's back with her family now and I miss her. 

To console ourselves, we went to this new place found by the visiting friends from earlier in the previous week. Beautiful drive, yummy spaetzle and time to sew up a few hexies. 

Then I fell.

Now I sit here today, resting my injured foot (which is feeling much better), waiting for someone to come pick up my sweet Mini and ship her to our new home. Then I must hobble on, finishing what I can and leaving the rest.


If you'd like to see what I am about to start working on soon, head over here. Our kids have started this project with us and I hope they don't tire of helping too soon. I'll try to make it fun….



Just found out the mini will not be picked up until tomorrow..... moving is enough to drive you batty.