Berlin

Arrived in Frankfurt yesterday at 1530 and actually made the train to the main station and then the 1613 train to Berlin. Everything worked with great German efficiency. We arrived at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where we told "So Sorry, no reservations for Alan". So they were very helpful and we found we were at the Holiday Inn several miles away. They have the SMALLEST elevator I have ever been in. Seriously, I think the MRI machine is bigger. Sharon's plane was delayed and she arrived just before 1am.

Today was very active - we had a lovely breakfast at the Mercedes Dealership! So Alan has picked out his next car. We then got our bus pass and went to see several sights. I have a terrible cold still and the day is a blur, but I have pictures! I will post later - sorry to keep you all waiting. (Ok, one picture is of me and Sharon holding hands in the dealership. She has very warm hands, and I am very cold here.) Alan had to take a picture. What can I say he is very warped.

We visited 2 wonderful hotels. The Radisson in East Berlin, with a fish tank that takes up the entire 5 Stories of the Atrium of the Hotel (Richard, you would love this). It is very cool. Made me think of Mission Impossible. Then we visited the Adlon Hotel (that Sharon bought stuff at and then left on a bus, but at least she put the expensive ring in her purse). Then to the Brandonburg Gate, Petting the carriage horses, the Soviet Memorial, and several stops for rests.

Tonight we are off to East Berlin to "The Opera House" to see Swing, Swing, Swing. Talk to you later.

Lorene

Quiet Tuesday

It is 4:40 pm in Dublin and we have finally made it back to the city center. I tried this morning, truely tried, but this cold/flu bug got me down and we went back to the hotel where I spent the day in bed. We are not back in the city and I actually want to eat, so that is a good sign. Alan went to the pharmacy and got me some medicine with the word Flue in the title, and it has codeine in it. It amazes me again, that our FDA won't sell this stuff over the counter, and yet all over the world elsewhere, it is deemed safe. So I am feeling better.. aching is better... and we are off to see the sights. Tried IM'ing mom, but sheesh, she needs to update her AIM. Send me an email everyone and let me know how things are at home reference kids, dogs, and the state of things in general.

And for the emails that I got, no, we didn't go in, no we don't plan to go in, but it was just so blatant in the middle of the shopping, touristy area, and the only other one we saw was so .... subtle... it was quite funny. Well, take care all. Tomorrow we leave for Frankfurt. Once we arrive, we hop a train for Berlin and we meet up with Sharon. So this will be quite fun, and I hope I am feeling much better by then. You probably won't see a post then for 2 days! Love to all.

L

Dublin Monday Nite

Today was fairly eventful. Arrived in Dublin and we went to the Internet cafe to fix last nights blogs from the hotel room. After that we came out to rain and cold. We popped into a Starbucks for hot chocolate to wait it out. Met some 16 year old girls and talked about schooling differences from Ireland to the US. Definately interesting. Then off to Dublin Castle for a tour. I think Alan wants a Throne Room!

Then the rain cleared, and more walking, walking, walking. I had trouble making the sales people understand me. I found it is more like the US here than not. I bet when you dial 411 the phones probably say "press 1 for English, press 2 for Russian" or something like that. There is definately the same issues everywhere.


I took this great picture of Alan outside St. Patrick's church.













Then we were off to find our favorite restaurant Wagamama for dinner (picture of Alan at Wagamama our favorite noodle restaurant), then shopping at the mall.















Then we were off to find the Hagen-daz - (which I had failed to notice earlier that all seating was OUTSIDE, on METAL chairs.) The picture of me is with my delicately perched behind being held off the metal as Alan didn't want to eat his ice cream with me standing. So here are today's pictures.









Finally, the last picture is the adult store - we didn't go in, but Alan found the name amusing. So, this picture is for you mom. Missing everyone. Love to all!

First Walk About town

So Far, I am writimg my blogs the had way - funky keyboard, and connection, but ok, it is getting done.Took a nap and off to "see the sights". A biting wind it was too. Lots of walkng, but we came across the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Dublin (we didn't actually see it light up, as the ceremony was long and I was cold, but later it was quite pretty. Then in Temple Bar, a mini-parade, not sure what it meant - One tall guy in costume and stilts, followed by children with "fairy lights" It was short and cute. We
walked for forever and never found the place we were looking for (though we found 2 adult themed stores and a Hagen-daz). The Hagen-daz is on our list for a later visit. We have a 3 day bus pass. Yipee. I hate waiting at bus stops so here is hoping we time the next ones better. Alan is a good navigator. Walking back to the hotel a truck blew a tire right next to us, and it scared me prety bad. ALan found it funny. I am taking my stuffy/runny/achy head to bed. Tomorrow looks to be a busy one! Miss everyone. We are worring about puppy, piggie, kids and mom. (Ok, I am worrying about kids and mom, Alan about puppy and piggie - piggie and puppy gets weighed when we get home). Hope all goes well everywhere.

Arrived In Ireland

We arrived in Dublin this morning. Alan thought it would be great fun to take a bus to Jury's where we are staying. We had to stand around and wait for the
bus driver to show up and me with my head cold, well, that was not pleasant. In London, The driver's annuonce the stop, but here, we just had to take our chances. We got off a stop too early, but with kind help from the locals, walked the 10 blocks to Jury's.(Only 3 blocks more than if we had stayed on the bus. Alan took a picture of me walkng here and when I find a place will upload it to the site. For now it is
time to take a nap in our executive suite room. Will write later. The plane ride was smooth til the end, then not so good. (The pilot assured us the people flying South over the Atlantic had it MUCH worse). But all is well. Missing everyone!

Thanksgiving Week

It is almost Thanksgiving and again I have much to be thankful for. All year, we are so busy in our lives, in work, that we forget to take the time to say hello, or take a moment for a visit our friends or just to say "I appreciate you" to someone in our lives. I am so thankful for my family, my friends, and all the blessings in my life. Sometimes we have to look for the blessings, but everyday they are there and the biggest blessing I have is my family. They give me strength, support, and courage. My family means the world to me. Today, I want them to know, again, just how much they mean to me.

Soldier's Homecoming

Spent Veteran's Day (11/11/06) in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Alan and I got to welcome AJ home from Iraq. It was a wonderful ceremony. See video below: (Sorry for any bad quality - we did it with a digital camera, and to get it on Youtube, had to compress it quite a bit). We are all proud of him and Saturday was about him coming home. We waited in the gymnasium for what seemed forever, and then there they came. And the emotion, well, it can't be described. Happiness for those who came home and sorrow for those who did not. Pride in our Country, and in our young men and women. While waiting they played Lee Greenwood's song, God Bless The USA and the refrain runs through my head.

From Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA:
And I'm proud to be an American where as least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA.