We leave tomorrow for a weekend at Marty's dad's campground. I have to spend today packing, cleaning the house and hopefully getting the last little bit of school planning done. I was planning to wait until Monday 9/10 to start back, but now I am wondering if Wednesday 9/5 isn't better. I guess 3 days aren't really going to mean that big of a difference, but we will see.
I am going to take some "school planning" with me so that while the boys and Marty are out on the boat I will have something to do.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Germany - Updated
We have been invited to visit Germany for as long as we have known Andre. We have never taken him up on the offer (well, I did but Marty and the boys stayed home) because I always thought the boys were to young to appreciate it and too young to be away from home and their dad for so long. (If we go, we are staying as long as we can.)
Marty and I have finally decided that the boys are old enough to go, so the plan is to spend next summer in Germany. Keep your fingers crossed that my car doesn't blow up, or I have to have a big toe transplant and spend all of our Germany money or something crazy like that - which all of you who know me know are totally possible in my life.
The plan is to leave around the first of June and come back around the first of September.
The boys are pretty geeked about the whole thing, which has never happened before when we mentioned it. So far, my list of must sees is:
1. Berlin
2. Autostadt
3. Bergen-Belsen and Dachau (We are going to spend some time learning about concentration capms. My kids already know quite a bit about them, but I want them, but I want them to be prepared. Although I don't know if anything can totally prepare you for them...)
4. Munich (Duh! You can't go to Germany and not go to Munich. Of course, the northern Germans will tell you differently.)
5. Otter park (Not sure of the name... it is a conservation park we went to while I was there.) *Updated because Andre sent me a link*
6. The biddle-baddle towns (Small quaint towns we drove through to get to the otter park. Their names were tortuously long German names that ended in biddle and baddle, so that is what I called them. [Not to anyones face, of course.] Total "Ugly American" thing to do, I know.) *Updated because Andre told me the names: Dannenbuettel, Hankensbuettel, Wasbuettel and Isenbuettel. Not a biddle or a baddle among them. Sheesh my German is worse than I thought.*
7. The North Sea (Emden and Greetsiel)
8. Neuschwanstein
I would also like to go to Switzerland (Gimmelwald and Münchenstein specifically) Christian would like to go to Rome, Ethan wants to go to Paris and Alex wants to go to "the gummy bear place" - whatever that is. Whether or not we go anywhere else will depend on whether Deutsche Bahn is running a sale. lol
The guy at Lufthansa said that the end of January or first part of February would be a good time to buy tickets, so I will keep you posted.
*Updated*
Andre also sent a link to Goslar, which is a world cultural heritage site about an hour from where they live. Of course, we will see the Kaiserpfalz Imperial Palace because I am a history nut and the place was built between 1040 and 1050. As an American, take a few minutes to wrap your brain around that. I'll wait.
Blew my mind, too.
I am going to use this post as a place to store links I find of places we want to go.
Offical tourism website for Lower Saxony
Marty and I have finally decided that the boys are old enough to go, so the plan is to spend next summer in Germany. Keep your fingers crossed that my car doesn't blow up, or I have to have a big toe transplant and spend all of our Germany money or something crazy like that - which all of you who know me know are totally possible in my life.
The plan is to leave around the first of June and come back around the first of September.
The boys are pretty geeked about the whole thing, which has never happened before when we mentioned it. So far, my list of must sees is:
1. Berlin
2. Autostadt
3. Bergen-Belsen and Dachau (We are going to spend some time learning about concentration capms. My kids already know quite a bit about them, but I want them, but I want them to be prepared. Although I don't know if anything can totally prepare you for them...)
4. Munich (Duh! You can't go to Germany and not go to Munich. Of course, the northern Germans will tell you differently.)
5. Otter park (Not sure of the name... it is a conservation park we went to while I was there.) *Updated because Andre sent me a link*
6. The biddle-baddle towns (Small quaint towns we drove through to get to the otter park. Their names were tortuously long German names that ended in biddle and baddle, so that is what I called them. [Not to anyones face, of course.] Total "Ugly American" thing to do, I know.) *Updated because Andre told me the names: Dannenbuettel, Hankensbuettel, Wasbuettel and Isenbuettel. Not a biddle or a baddle among them. Sheesh my German is worse than I thought.*
7. The North Sea (Emden and Greetsiel)
8. Neuschwanstein
I would also like to go to Switzerland (Gimmelwald and Münchenstein specifically) Christian would like to go to Rome, Ethan wants to go to Paris and Alex wants to go to "the gummy bear place" - whatever that is. Whether or not we go anywhere else will depend on whether Deutsche Bahn is running a sale. lol
The guy at Lufthansa said that the end of January or first part of February would be a good time to buy tickets, so I will keep you posted.
*Updated*
Andre also sent a link to Goslar, which is a world cultural heritage site about an hour from where they live. Of course, we will see the Kaiserpfalz Imperial Palace because I am a history nut and the place was built between 1040 and 1050. As an American, take a few minutes to wrap your brain around that. I'll wait.
Blew my mind, too.
I am going to use this post as a place to store links I find of places we want to go.
Offical tourism website for Lower Saxony
Pictures
I really suck at posting pictures, don't I?
First, our guests. This is Andre and Valeria. Andre has been our friend for 8 or 9 years, and Valeria is his girlfriend. The last time he visited, a rumor went around our homeschool group that Andre and I had a "thing." Hummm... Please give my husband more credit than that. Anyway... Valeria is Italian, but born and raised in Germany. Germany had an antiquated law that determined citizenship by blood. Both of her parents are Italian, so she carries an Italian passport (and makes a KILLER lasagna - which I will post the recipe for later.) She is (obviously) fluent in German (as well as Italian) and German through and through, so I think it is crazy that I had more of a claim to citizenship than she does.
**Stepping off of my soap box**
The only picture of the fair that isn't of me shoving food into my mouth or an animal.
The only picture from the nature center that isn't me from behind *shudder,* an outhouse, or my kids being crazy in the outhouse.
Of course we had to go to Frankenmuth to show them how we completely bastardize and exploit their culture. We did get some good sausage, though.
This was hanging in a fudge shop in Frankenmuth and I made Andre say it a bunch of times.
The capitol. It was cold and rainy but we had a good time.
We spent the day in Detroit. Valeria rides motorcycles, so of course our first stop was a Harley shop. No trip to Detroit would be complete without a Harley shirt that said "Motown Harley" so he headed to Biker Bob's in Taylor (Motown Harley in Taylor??) to get one. Here, Valeria is thanking Biker Bob.
Mexican Town. Andre was afraid of the food but managed to get 1/4 of the way through what he ordered. Once his tongue felt like it was on fire, he had to stop. He thought it was funny that the police were there, until I pointed out that they were eating.
Is this not the cutest baby in a history of cute babies? Seriously. I could eat him with a spoon, he is so cute. This is Navino, my friend Lisa's baby. We had them up for Valeria's lasagna and they had us down for a day of driving Lisa crazy and some kick ass stuffed peppers.
We decided to teach Andre and Valeria how to play basketball. This is the court where we totally owned them.
The next day, they showed us how to play soccer. They totally owned us. Until Andre got a boo boo, that is. Then Valeria took over and scored. I am sure the video is going to be hilarious.
First, our guests. This is Andre and Valeria. Andre has been our friend for 8 or 9 years, and Valeria is his girlfriend. The last time he visited, a rumor went around our homeschool group that Andre and I had a "thing." Hummm... Please give my husband more credit than that. Anyway... Valeria is Italian, but born and raised in Germany. Germany had an antiquated law that determined citizenship by blood. Both of her parents are Italian, so she carries an Italian passport (and makes a KILLER lasagna - which I will post the recipe for later.) She is (obviously) fluent in German (as well as Italian) and German through and through, so I think it is crazy that I had more of a claim to citizenship than she does.**Stepping off of my soap box**
The only picture of the fair that isn't of me shoving food into my mouth or an animal. 
The only picture from the nature center that isn't me from behind *shudder,* an outhouse, or my kids being crazy in the outhouse.
Of course we had to go to Frankenmuth to show them how we completely bastardize and exploit their culture. We did get some good sausage, though. 
This was hanging in a fudge shop in Frankenmuth and I made Andre say it a bunch of times. 
The capitol. It was cold and rainy but we had a good time. 
We spent the day in Detroit. Valeria rides motorcycles, so of course our first stop was a Harley shop. No trip to Detroit would be complete without a Harley shirt that said "Motown Harley" so he headed to Biker Bob's in Taylor (Motown Harley in Taylor??) to get one. Here, Valeria is thanking Biker Bob. 
Mexican Town. Andre was afraid of the food but managed to get 1/4 of the way through what he ordered. Once his tongue felt like it was on fire, he had to stop. He thought it was funny that the police were there, until I pointed out that they were eating. 
Is this not the cutest baby in a history of cute babies? Seriously. I could eat him with a spoon, he is so cute. This is Navino, my friend Lisa's baby. We had them up for Valeria's lasagna and they had us down for a day of driving Lisa crazy and some kick ass stuffed peppers. 
We decided to teach Andre and Valeria how to play basketball. This is the court where we totally owned them. 
The next day, they showed us how to play soccer. They totally owned us. Until Andre got a boo boo, that is. Then Valeria took over and scored. I am sure the video is going to be hilarious.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Lansing
Today we headed to Lansing. It rained and was about 60° the whole time, but we had a great time. The first thing we did was head to a computer store to get a mother board, processor and DVD burner. (Yeah, I didn't know I needed one either.) Once we got that out of the way we headed to the capitol to wander around.
I have never been to the capitol, but we plan to go again. It is absolutely beautiful! Of course, I don't have the pictures downloaded yet but as soon as I do I will post them.
Tomorrow we are going to have a "German" birthday party for the boys. Ethan just had a birthday and Andre asked if he would like a party. I said that I think all three would like one, so that is what we are doing. We will eat sausage and French fries (A typical birthday meal?) and make each boy a Schultüte which is supposed to be given for the first day of school, but we are making a birthday one. (I will claim ignorance if need be.) We will also play traditional German birthday games which of course I can't remember the name of right now.
After the birthday party, I think the four adults will go out to dinner and then to the casino. None of us gamble so it should make for an interesting night out!
Wednesday we are headed to Detroit for the Rouge River tour, Mexican town and whatever else sounds like fun. Then we will meet friends for dinner.
I am exhausted. Going from a day where excitement is two loads of laundry to running all over the state has made me realize how old I am and just how little sleep I get.
Of course, pictures will be tomorrow... I hope.
I have never been to the capitol, but we plan to go again. It is absolutely beautiful! Of course, I don't have the pictures downloaded yet but as soon as I do I will post them.
Tomorrow we are going to have a "German" birthday party for the boys. Ethan just had a birthday and Andre asked if he would like a party. I said that I think all three would like one, so that is what we are doing. We will eat sausage and French fries (A typical birthday meal?) and make each boy a Schultüte which is supposed to be given for the first day of school, but we are making a birthday one. (I will claim ignorance if need be.) We will also play traditional German birthday games which of course I can't remember the name of right now.
After the birthday party, I think the four adults will go out to dinner and then to the casino. None of us gamble so it should make for an interesting night out!
Wednesday we are headed to Detroit for the Rouge River tour, Mexican town and whatever else sounds like fun. Then we will meet friends for dinner.
I am exhausted. Going from a day where excitement is two loads of laundry to running all over the state has made me realize how old I am and just how little sleep I get.
Of course, pictures will be tomorrow... I hope.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The visit, so far
I had planned to blog about this whole two week adventure, but we were so busy living the adventure I didn't have time to write about it. Here it is so far, in a nutshell.
Picked Andre and Valeria up from the airport Monday. Two hours through customs, a speeding ticket and a 2 1/2 hour car ride later, we went to Marty's restaurant for dinner. On Tuesday we went to a computer store in Saginaw, compared our Aldi to Aldi in Germany and not much else (jet lag.) Wednesday we saw Ratatouille and went to Mc Donalds for lunch. Thursday, Valeria made a HUGE pan of authentic lasagna and we had some friends up from Detroit and shared a good meal, good beer and good friends. Friday we went to the fair and ate all kinds of junk, Saturday we went to the nature center, tridge and around Midland and today is Frankenmuth (in the rain.)
Next week the plans are a day in Detroit at the Rouge River factory (Andre builds cars for Volkswagen so we thought that would be fun) Lunch at Mexican Town and dinner at a friends house, St. Ignace/Mackinaw City/Mackinac bridge, Soaring Eagle Casino, Dow Gardens and a bunch of other cool stuff.
I will pist pictures when I get back from Frankenmuth.
Picked Andre and Valeria up from the airport Monday. Two hours through customs, a speeding ticket and a 2 1/2 hour car ride later, we went to Marty's restaurant for dinner. On Tuesday we went to a computer store in Saginaw, compared our Aldi to Aldi in Germany and not much else (jet lag.) Wednesday we saw Ratatouille and went to Mc Donalds for lunch. Thursday, Valeria made a HUGE pan of authentic lasagna and we had some friends up from Detroit and shared a good meal, good beer and good friends. Friday we went to the fair and ate all kinds of junk, Saturday we went to the nature center, tridge and around Midland and today is Frankenmuth (in the rain.)
Next week the plans are a day in Detroit at the Rouge River factory (Andre builds cars for Volkswagen so we thought that would be fun) Lunch at Mexican Town and dinner at a friends house, St. Ignace/Mackinaw City/Mackinac bridge, Soaring Eagle Casino, Dow Gardens and a bunch of other cool stuff.
I will pist pictures when I get back from Frankenmuth.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Cheapskates?
Know any? Neither do I. I miss my bulk food buying, bargain hunting, thrift shopping, frugal minded Detroit friends. It was nice to have someone to email with the latest bargain or sale.
I am on the lookout for like minded people in Midland, but so far, no luck. I went to meetup.com to see if anyone posted there and found one woman from Bay City who is looking for other frugal people, but am not willing to pay for the opportunity to meet her. (kind of defeats the purpose) I tried looking at Yahoo groups, but found nothing.
I have a handful of blogs that I read that are helpful, but I miss the interaction.
I don't necessarily need a "group" to join, but would just like some local people I can chat with about being so damn cheap - and liking it.
Any ideas?
I am on the lookout for like minded people in Midland, but so far, no luck. I went to meetup.com to see if anyone posted there and found one woman from Bay City who is looking for other frugal people, but am not willing to pay for the opportunity to meet her. (kind of defeats the purpose) I tried looking at Yahoo groups, but found nothing.
I have a handful of blogs that I read that are helpful, but I miss the interaction.
I don't necessarily need a "group" to join, but would just like some local people I can chat with about being so damn cheap - and liking it.
Any ideas?
Saturday, August 04, 2007
We're back!
We made it home from vacation. There was plenty of swimming, ATVs, playing paint ball, sling shots, horses, night time beach bon fires and of course great food. We went to a Polish restaurant, and weren't that impressed with the food so yesterday Marty made pirogies and grilled kielbasa for dinner. Tonight he is making golabki.
We vacationed with old family friends, including 1 year old twin grandsons. We had a blast with them at the beach and they loved sharing our ice cream at the lodge each night.
We took a day trip to the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie.
We are all a little sunburnt (even with SPF 70) but other than that had a great vacation.
This is what we got to see each night.
The best part was when Alex rushed up to me after paint ball with a huge smile on his face and said "This is the most fun I have had in a long time!"
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