Visits to Europe and recognizing the little things

Before I got married, I had taken a mother and daughter trip to Europe, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

We arrived in Franfurt as always, and were greeted by my family over there.  Even though there was no way to know that this was the last time I would see my several of family members, or how significant and special this trip would be, we lived each day to the fullest.  We took in every moment and burnt each moment into a memory.

We traveled to several different towns in Gemany, from Wiesbaden, Meinz, the Rhine and even up to Vorst. I had the best time reconnecting with my Aunt and Uncle, retelling old stories, getting to know each other as adults instead of when I was a kid.  I have always looked up to them and have looked forward to every phone call, email, any opportunity we had to connect.  My whole life we had a special connection, even with being so far away. 

When we got to go up north and see my extended family in Vorst, we were greeted by all the second cousins and their children.  We made it there in time for the festival, the Schutzenfest.  I am not sure if I understood this whole concept of what was going on but it was so much fun to see and be a part of.  The parade ended in a tent where we all drank and told stories and reconnected with the second cousins.  I am hoping that this bond stays strong so we can visit each other in the future and never lose touch with them.  What an opportunity to keep the generations going strong and connected!

Moreover, we hoped a flight to see my other Uncle, who I was not as close with.  He had recently built a house in Spain, near Barcelona in the Spanish region of Catalonia.  Because his house was under construction we ended up staying in a holiday home.  This is such a great concept, you feel like you live there and are part of the culture as opposed to a hotel room.  Much more personal, like a HomeAway Holiday rental.  If you have never been, words can't express how beautiful this area is. It was so interesting to me, that this region spoke a different language then the rest of Spain so you can imagine, speaking English and German didn't help but what was funny neither did Spanish- so we resorted to charades!  When in doubt that worked best, and was the most fun with the locals!  Unless of course the folks we were talking to didn't have a sense of humor- being American and not speaking multiple languages is as my uncle called it- ignorant, and uncultured.  Not really the case, and we had no issue with language.  The people were very nice!

Live to work, work to live, where is the balance!?

So hubby goes back to work tomorrow, after being home with Nicklaus all this time!  It will be a hard day for him, Nick is in school full time (by school I mean daycare) we like it to sound more official! haha
I hope  he stays strong and healthy.  We are back this week for RSV shots, then his four month old shots as well as Kylie's four year old shots - I am feeling a bad week coming on!  Kylie is already coughing, and I am afraid that the asthma will get the best of her, which puts us in a pickle!  We both are going to be very busy at work, which leads to very little time off.

I think we should rework the work week her in America, especially maternity leave.  You know in Canada I hear they get one Year off (feel free to chime in- my readers from around the globe).  That year off, is paid!  What a concept in how more productive the work force would be when they don't have to worry about the baby in daycare for the first year, hell, I'd take six months!  I think that overall people would be happier with a four day work week.  If we work to support our families and then spend all of our time working- what good does that do?  Such a fine line to walk, and so difficult to balance.  But I find that most people after a long weekend are so much more refreshed.  You are able to get things done and still have a day to rest.  Makes for a clear head a happier crowd!

Funny that from such a young age it is drilled into us, what college are you going to go to? What do you want to be when you grow up?  What line of work are you going to be in?  You have to be successful so pick well!  If it wasn't for my dad pushing me constantly to get a degree, I would not be where I am today.  I am grateful that he did it even if I gave him grief and struggled. College was not an easy time for me.  There always seemed to be some major drama in my life (shocking I know) and whether is was directly related to me or not - there was definite drama.  That can be another blog- long stories...

Another REALLY cool site - great deals

Hello there, so I found another awesome site- If you are a bargain shopper like myself... then you will love this site.  http://click.discountclick.com/go/click.php?tid=579679.  I love to eat, I love food, I love a bargain, I love to cook, I love to get ideas from other dishes and use them as inspiration for my own creations! 
So there is this site called Groupon does it stand for GREAT coupon?  I don't know but I'll tell you what- since the economy is in an aweful state and restaurants really need our business - it is only fair that we do our part and help out right! haha best part is if you check out this site you can put in where you are most likely to eat, and you can have disounts emailed to you or even show up on your phone!  You don't have to print just show the restaurant your phone and the message... OMG good for the planet too!!!  Pick your city, pick your state, PICK YOUR COUNTRY... and get deals that are appropriate for you!

But seriously I went and checked it out, what was the first great deal???  WELL GERMAN FAIR in Boston... how great is that?!  HALF off a a four course meal $17 that is insane!  Well I know I am signing up myself and will probably email it to some of you on my email string cause you can't miss out on this deal it is that good. 

The best part it is it not just for food it is for all kinds of items and services.  I just saw German food and was hooked!  It is my favorite, right next to Italian!  This is designed with you in mind, your preferences, it even gives you information about the discount and reviews.  All in one- You got to check it out, sign up share on facebook or send to your friends like I am .. http://click.discountclick.com/go/click.php?tid=579679 you won't regret it!  I already put on facebook!  Awesome!

My German take!

Deutsch, das Deutsch mit Englisch direkte Übersetzung ist. Ich versuche!Haben Sie Verwandte, wie ich in anderen Ländern oder arbeiten für eine Firma, die Übersetzungsdienste Bedürfnisse? Es gibt eine Menge von Diensten gibt, dass eine kostenlose oder kostengünstige wenig Geld für eine schnelle Übersetzung sind, aber sie kann nicht ausreichend sein, wenn Sie wirkliche übersetzung englisch deutsch. Nichts ist schlimmer, etwas übersetzt haben und in richtig die Bedeutung verliert, ist es Wert, oder wird eine ganz andere Aussage! Ich habe getan, die vor und Junge war ich gehänselt. Mein Onkel sagt, dass ich eine besondere Nähe zu sprechen Ich habe auf vielen Reisen wurde nach Deutschland, um meine Verwandten zu besuchen und ich brauche immer die englische Übersetzung Deutsch oder eine Übersetzung für diese Angelegenheit, aber es ist nicht wie es ist ein Übersetzungsbüro, ich nachschlagen kann während des Besuchs. Danke Gott für meine Mutter, sie ist meine ultimative Übersetzer. Zum Glück für mich, meine Familie dort auch Englisch spricht! Wenn Sie noch nie habe ich vorschlagen, dass Sie irgendwann nach Deutschland zu gehen. Es ist ein wunderbarer Ort, es geht nicht um das Bier, obwohl, das ist wunderbar, aber die Atmosphäre, ter Nahrung, den Weg des Lebens. Ich liebe, dass Sie überall zu Fuß oder es gibt Transit für Sie in allen Städten.  Es sind die malerischen Dörfer und Städte, in denen Sie sich wie Sie ging einfach in einen Film. Sie bekommen ein Gefühl der Ruhe und inneren Frieden, zumindest ich. Ich hoffe, bald wieder dorthin mit meiner Familie, aber es ist so teuer und schwierig in diesen Tagen, dass wir vertrauen auf E-Mail, Blogs, Technik und skype. Wenn ich nicht missen möchte Amerika so viel würde ich wahrscheinlich dort leben. Eines Tages .....






I have been on many trips to germany to visit my relatives and I always need the English German translation or any translation for that matter, but it is not like there is a translation agency I can look up while visiting. Thank god for my mother, she is my ultimate translator. Luckily for me, my family there also speaks English! If you have never been I suggest that you go to Germany sometime. It is a wonderful place, it is not about the beer even though that is wonderful, but the atmosphere, the food, the way of life. I love that you walk everywhere or there is transit available for you in all the cities.
There are the most quaint villages, and towns where you feel like you just walked into a movie. You get a sense of calm and inner peace, at least I do. I hope to go back there soon with my family but it is so expensive and difficult these days that we rely on email, blogs, technology and skype.
If I wouldn't miss America so much I would probably live there. Someday.....