Spatial Issues and Freaked Out Cats

We are moving. Wow, what an undertaking - 15 years in one house and it is amazing the stuff we have accumulated. We needed to get Alan moved first, then we'll bring in the movers later to settle us once we get the house in Illinois sold. (Hmm that could be interesting). So from my previous post I mentioned the house was smaller than the one we live in now - and well, in measurements, it seems to be okay - the dining room is just 1 foot by 1 foot smaller. But the furniture would be sooo big in it as to overwhelm the entire area. So first on the chopping / shopping block - dining room set. How do you get rid of a 50 year old dining room set? (And still need to buy something that can house a 100 piece china set).

So we decide to bring the sectional sofa and put it in the living room - later to be moved to the basement. It takes up the entire living space. Really - just ... Massive that is the only word for it. I don' t think we can have company until we get this all sorted out. Thank goodness RJ (Alyssa's friend was able to help us out Friday night). We U-Hauled it up there with assorted other things and the snowstorm came Saturday. And our bed and headboard - sheesh - it will take up the entire wall and JUST FIT. Maybe... if we are lucky. We may have to do a complete sell off of everything in the house. How we could not realize we owned such big furniture. I don't know. but it happened. We are spatially challenged.

We arrived home at 1AM Saturday Morning from the first move-in to find Alyssa's Acceptance Letter to West London College. So she will be heading back to London soon (assuming no Visa problems). Tomorrow morning we fax in the final papers.

Then Saturday was the new work's Christmas party which was really fun, followed by a very treacherous trip to Illinois in the snowstorm. We went back up today to get Alan moved in with Q and the cats. We left Charlie with me for the next week or so.

Well, we left both cats in their carriers in the house for a little while while Alan shoveled and I drove up. We set up their litter box in the basement (on the carpet so their little feet wouldn't get cold) and took them down there in the carriers. We let Peri out first. She explored a bit. Came for some sympathy pets. Rubbed against the dog for some licks. All was well. We opened Neffie's carrier. No Neffie. Not coming out. So we tried to shake her out. No luck. So we waited a bit, and then just dumped her out - this time with success. She saw an opening under the stairs (we missed it) and made a bee-line for it. We have yet to entice her out. It is on cold cold concrete so I am feeling terrible tonite. I put wet cat food out and everything, but no Neffie kitty. We tried to sweep her out with the broom, and got hissing and she never hisses. So tomorrow we'll try the vacuum cleaner. She hates it. Peri went under to keep her company, but when the broom came under and the food came out - so did Peri. She has now found all the places in the house. I keep asking Q to go entice Neffie out as she has been a constant companion to him. So far, no go. He did volunteer to eat her food. I put a picture up of them from the spring. They are my usual camera targets.

So I am home in Illinois, Alan is home in Wisconsin. We'll play this tag for awhile. Christmas is coming fast and I have yet to shop. We are not as far apart as AJ and Emily. We heard from AJ this morning and he is doing well in Iraq. 15 month deployment this time. Sigh. Sweet Dreams everyone!

P.S. The PACKERS WON TODAY! 33-14

Aly and Josh Visit the U.S.

Alyssa and Josh arrived from London on 11/16/07. Alyssa had his whole week planned before all the seriousness of school restarted. First on the list was going to see the Greenbay Packers kick butt on the 18th. Then off to the Kalahari for indoor water park relaxation! We had a wonderful time getting to know Josh and hope he comes back often for visits!




They returned in time to spend a day in Chicago - visit Alyssa's friends and have 2 Thanksgiving dinners. They left on Saturday 11/24/07 - a return to London. After a very stressful Sunday in London, Alyssa is returning home. We don't know yet if she will return to school in London - her transcripts are still being reviewed. It will be harder for her to interview with the Universities from this side of the pond. But that is how life is. I pick her up tonight. Personally, I think the University in Leiden is way cool - now to convince her to learn Dutch! We are packing and getting ready for the move to East Troy.

New Beginnings

Wow, time has really passed since my last blog. I won't bore you all with the details of the trials and tribulations of what has gone on. I prefer to focus on all the positive things that have happened since September and there have been some. We are moving! Alan is happy. He is finally leaving Illinois and getting to go home to Wisconsin - his dream for the last 20 years. We didn't get to our Jimmy Buffet concert in Vegas and donated our Tickets to the armed forces in Las Vegas. Sometimes life just hands you lemons, but we are hopeful they were enjoyed by our hardworking soldiers. We'll just have to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary in style! (The Golden Nugget was very gracious to us and we plan to go there next year!).

Now for the news and pics. Alan accepted his dream job in East Troy - just 43 miles from where we live now, but it still means a move. We were able to finally find a house. I didn't think it was possible, but we found a house even smaller than the one we live in now. I think when we finish the basement it will be okay, but I am still very worried. This is the house we made an offer on. It was built in 1997 and is a ranch. We actually looked for houses that could work well for the dog. Go Figure. I don't think he will make it through next year. His back end keeps collapsing. We are quite concerned. But I digress. Anyway: It has a large double deck: From the house it is wonderful. It has a very large yard. The side yard almost looks like another lot. We can add on to the house or just move in later years when his pension kicks in. Depends on what we want to do. There are still no trees in the neighborhood. We loved the houses in the center of town - they just needed too much work - and Alan is soooo not handy and neither am I, plus being on some restriction for moving things well, it just wasn't going to work. So we're going to move him in with maybe the basement furniture, move the basement furniture downstairs (even though it is unfinished) when we sell or rent the house in Illinois and go on from there.

The Kitchen is nice. There is plenty of room to add a breakfast bar and cabinets. In the future, I would probably add ceramic tile to the kitchen floor. The only downside - MOM - it has an electric stove. Another change for me - (can you say Take Out!). It has an open concept to the dining area and Living Room. The Realtor mentioned hanging overhead cabinets as the ceiling is really high there, so it would still be open, but I didn't like that idea. So I like the breakfast bar idea better. We'll see. Plenty of room for an island.

The Living Room runs together with the dining room (like we have now). Then down the hallway to the bedrooms - with the staircase going down to the basement.

I didn't get a good picture of the master bedroom, but they had 2 other bedrooms. One was painted a bright lime green with Winnie-The-Pooh Wall Paper Border and the other a very nice muted paint tone. The green room we will save for future grandbabies or repaint if Alyssa decides to move home. She is home this week with Josh from London. I am already dreading her leaving. Well, I will try to post more later. Happy Thanksgiving all. I am very Thankful for the many Blessings that have been given to me.

A Perfect Wedding

Summer is the perfect time for a wedding! And Summer on the East Coast, well we were hopeful for temperate weather. A nice range in the 80's would be perfect. And Boston, well it was full of surprises. (From cold to very hot). We left on Tuesday, 8/21 for the Wedding and arrived on Wednesday 8/22 - just in time for Alan's Birthday (Happy Birthday Alan!). We originally had planned to arrive very late on Wednesday and changed on plans to arrive earlier to make the BBQ hosted by Emily's family. On Tuesday, Alan saw my suitcase on the bed and being ever helpful zipped it up and threw it in the car. Mind you, mom (me) brought the wrong shoes from Illinois, and our friends (thanks Ken, Lori and Hannah) shipped them overnight to the hotel. (The Wedding was Saturday, 8/25/07).

At the Rehearsal Dinner Alan read a card out loud that mom wrote to Aj and Emily - Alan got very choked up. It was very beautiful. AJ said a special tribute to his Army buddies who are deployed and could not be here. Emily's Aunt Chris had a ring that had been passed down in the family that was used for wedding ceremonies. And the ring had been engraved with the years. She presented the ring for Emily to get married with. (Her Aunt will hold onto the ring until later in life when another family member is chosen to continue the tradition). It was so special. All the friends and family were invited to the rehearsal dinner. It was very wonderful.

Wow, was Alyssa mad at me about those shoes until we found out for sure they would come on time. Emily on the other hand was calm, cool and collected. We stayed at a B&B the night before the wedding and the morning of the wedding. It was very nice. Emily and her family did a great job planning and executing the wedding. I can't wait to see the pictures!

I like this picture of AJ and Emily after the wedding. They kept everyone outside for a long time (about an hour and a half) to take pictures. It was 100 degrees that day - I felt bad for all the men in their Military Dress Uniforms or Tuxes.

While we waited for the pictures to be taken at the Chapel and then go to the Grist Mill for more photos (just a block away), I also found that Alan and AJ still have some things in common - they stand alike - look at the legs! I told Emily AJ will look like his dad someday!



So, all in all it was a beautiful wedding - and went off perfectly. N ow I get to wait for the grandbabies! (Come on, Aj and Em, you KNEW that was coming LOL). I think it will be awhile. (I am practicing hinting). AJ said Emily would kill him if he left her home alone AND pregnant while deployed back to Iraq (yes, he deploys in December for 15 months). So it will be awhile! But Sharon and I are patient!

Sad Sad Beetle

It has been a tough week. Tuesday to Tuesday, there is no doubt, I want a do-over. I won't bore you with my traumas and tribulations from the past week ... suffice to say I think God must has a really special plan for me. I just wish I knew what it was so I could understand why things happen.


So tonight, I was driving home, looking forward to a night on the couch, me, the dog, the TV and no one home. The usual traffic headaches in front of Six Flags Great America. I know the Toll Authority has grand plans to fix it next year. I just wish it was now. As traffic did it's usual stop and go approaching the exit, a silver Toyota Corolla slammed into the back of my beetle. Unlike last January, I didn't hit the car in front, and I didn't have the dizziness. No rocks in my head this time. So just a simple accident report. But I sit here thinking about it, aggravated. I really love my beetle. Seriously, it is so... me. People who know me any length of time (oh, say 1/2 hour or so LOL), if they don' t know what I drive, once they find out and then the color, they all say, oh, that is so YOU!

So tonight I sit here thinking: Is it Luck, Is it Destiny, does God hate me or maybe he just hates green beetles? Maybe learning to be patient during car repairs is in my plans from God. In the end though, I think the beetle won. The Toyota Corolla left it's front end on the pavement. Since it struck the beetle, I guess that was it's "just desserts" as they say, but I am just disgusted. I really love this car. Since I drive so much, it is a fully loaded diesel beetle. Should handle 300,000 miles without blinking. The beetle and I, we just sit in traffic, follow the flow - sing "Rainbow Connection" and then people just run into us. Some days I just don't get it. If you know why God hates beetles (see, I don't take it personally) let me know.

Minnesota and Dog Stress

I have a busy August - work obligations means no time off until after 8/15 barring an emergency and Aj and Emily's wedding is the 25th so we leave 8/21 for Boston. So I left Thursday 7/26 to see Mom. Alan had left for a family reunion in Canada (30 hour drive each way). That left Me, Richard and the dog home. Richard had work and volunteer obligations for the Lake County Fair. So the dog and I decided to make our way to Minnesota to see mom and help dad to the extent I can. In so many ways it was a tough weekend. The dog is extremely well trained but won't go potty outside of his normal areas. So I stop to let him out, he does one trip around the car and back in he goes. The weather is hot, so I worry the entire time I take a potty break about him being in there, cuz I obsessively worry - (yeah it is only 10 minutes, but he is getting old), and then we reached Minnesota. Well he had great joy, but little understanding of where his dad was. He looked everywhere. Every time I let him out I had to keep him from running to the dock - he decided that if dad wasn't in the house, he must be on the boat. I sleep in the living room with mom and so that was another change for the dog - he didn't understand why we weren't in the bedroom. My next dog is going to be less scheduled - it is like having a toddler. Then, my cousins came by on Sunday and my cousin had a sinus problem and talked like Herman Munster. Scared the living daylights out of the dog. He couldn't decide if he needed protection or he needed to protect mom and me. So we put a board up (1 1/2 feet high, he won't cross a barrier without permission). Dad decided to step over the board and fell (really hard). It was just a disaster from the word go.

Mom's illness continues to progress. It is very hard. That is difficult. The oxygen level has been moved up again to "4". Only 1 slot left on the machine to go higher. At the 3 her oxygen percentage was 84% on Wednesday. Friday her sats were 90. So a little better. She is feeling pretty sick right now. I am hoping hospice comes up with something to help her feel better. It is really tough. I won't get back now til after Labor Day. I am scared at what the changes will be - for me they are very apparent - because I am not there every day.

In the meantime, I got some great shots of the geese that this year have decided to make my parents house their home. The ducks have disappeared this year and been replaced with geese. Dad shoots a pellet gun in the air to scare them away. Said he is tired of cleaning up after them. After shooting off the gun, they swam away and headed for the neighbors a few doors down... where they hoped for safe landing. (That is them in the distance on the left). The ducks were certainly less messy.

I came home Monday the 30th. I stopped halfway to see Mom Helen and it was wonderful. Some day I need to write all those childhood memories down for my children. For tonight, this is enough.

p.s. 258 days until Alyssa comes home from Europe!

Richard Gets A Rabbit

My camera shy son, Richard, has finally joined the rest of the adult world by taking on a monthly car payment. A site draft from USAA burning a hole in his pocket, he tromped around dealerships for a week before settling on a Volkswagon Rabbit. We were going to get it from the dealership just down the street, but Rich decided he wanted to go back to the one 20 minutes away when they offered to beat the deal from the Dealership "just down the street". The first picture is Rich getting stuff out of his car at about 11:30 am. (His sister cleaned out her car already, so he traded in the Dodge and Ford for the Rabbit).



It took 5 hours to get this car - and not because of financing - just because of how they handle things and their staffing. Then to top it off, Rich did not get a thorough going over of his new car. So we'll help him with that tomorrow. I think he wanted this particular model because the center console somehow supports the IPODs. At 230pm we sent him off to work. I think he is quite pleased with his new car. I hope so, cuz it is a done deal now.

Takeoffs and Landings

I love my Apple. I think I have said that before. I especially love the widgits. I know that Vista now has something similar and before that Yahoo had something, but seriously, until my Apple, I never had such really cool stuff. Apple hire me, I can rave to all the newbies about why to get a Mac and be so not technical. Just coolness in itself. So now I am watching Alyssa's airplane fly to Philadelphia via a Widget. From there I will watch it fly to Amsterdam. No, I will not stay up all night watching it fly to Amsterdam (really, I won't, I promise... fingers crossed). Anyway, she is at 29,000 feet and the pilot is flying at 561 mph. I touch the plane on my screen and wish I could touch her just one more time...... So she is taking off "across the pond" and I am landing hard back into life. My baby girl is launched. Lessa was with and I think they have grand plans for living together wherever Lessa is stationed when Aly comes back. But Lessa hopes she finds a school there too. Or she just said that to make me feel better - probably thought - thanks Aly for having me walk with your crying mom through O'Hare.

So now I have my Itunes playing. In the Widgets, I have one that gets me the lyrics. I think I have the most depressing playlist set-up. So I get to listen AND read the lyrics as I watch her plane float through a fake globe. As my friends in my chat rooms would say WTF Bullie. That thought makes me smile. Right now Jewel is singing Again and Again - which is probably the most upbeat of all the songs. This is quickly followed by Leigh Nash's new songs, Just a Little and Ocean Size Love. Ocean Size Love - wow, what talk about hitting a nerve:

I see you right in front of me, as close as you can get

And I pray that you won't leave, this daydream yet


And it might seem much too far, to get back to where you are

But it's close enough, with an ocean size love


So if you can't reach out to me, send a sign across the sea

And I'll pick it up, with an ocean size love



I don't have to worry any more

If I really need you I'll go to the shore

And the thought of you there is my protection


I see you right in front of me, a vision in my head

And I know this is as real, as a daydream gets
And it might seem much too far, to get back to where you are

But it's close enough, with an ocean size love.

and later in the song...


You make no sound, but I can hear you in the wind
I can see this never ends, like the sea, like you for me
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Her new album is great - Just don't listen to it when you are sad.

Let's see next on my playlist is Moments by Emerson Drive, Dreamin' Again by Jim Croce, Raining in Baltimore by Counting Crows, Fallen by Sarah McLaughlin, Hollow Man by the Boat Drunks. and Sideways by Let's Go Sailing (aka LGS). I like their music too. Listed as "alternative" music on Itunes.

Well, I will be following the plane, listening to my stupid playlists, watching the Big Brother 8 live feeds (aka The Hamsters), playing Pokemon Diamond (where the gym leaders in the Eterna Forest are hiding from me, sigh, I can't find them. I am a late comer to this game and am sooo sooo lost) Watch for mastiff updates. he is pouting - he saw the suitcases leave with Aly. I am sure we are in for full blown unhappiness from Mastiff dog - he and I will commiserate together. His feelings are usually fixed with car rides. If only life were so easy. Hugs to all.

Saying Goodbye

Alyssa leaves for Europe in the morning. It is time for mom to say good-bye again. It is good - the rite of passage - we send off the children and in turn hope to grow ourselves. Alan, Alyssa, Lessa and I went to the Potbelly's in Gurnee for a sandwich. Alan and Alyssa did their usual playing around at the table. They had a couple of guys singing songs for us. The first one was Knocking on Heaven's Door followed by "Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison), followed by Hotel California. I of course sang all the dire warnings in Hotel California to the girls. Each song leaving another pang in my heart. We said good-bye to Lessa too, as she joins the Navy August 6, 2007. We think of Lessa as our "other daughter", so it is painful that we lose both so close together. I know that Lessa's leaving is probably enabling Alyssa to take this big step and go to Europe for 10 months and see the world. May she find that there is more out there - and let it inspire her.

So I was playing with my primary list in Itunes. Near the top is Barefoot Children by Jimmy Buffet. I love that song from his Barometer Soup album. We listened to that album from Illinois to Alabama when Aly was 8 taking the boys to Space camp. And we played it over and over and over and over. I miss those days when she was 8, Richard was 10 and AJ was 12. I know they are doing just fine, but it really went by too fast. So in memory of that wonderful trip to space camp and then Disney World...

Scratch my back with a lightning bolt
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note
The sound of the weather is Heaven's ragtime band
We all fell down from the Milky Way
Hangin' round here till Judgment Day
Heaven only knows who's in command

Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swingin' on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain

Show me yours and I'll show you mine
Take me back to days full of monkeyshines
Bouncin' on a bubble full of trouble in the summer sun
Keep your raft from the riverboat
Fiction over fact always has my vote
And wrinkles only go where the smiles have been

Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swingin' on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain

By the way - it sucks being a grown-up - putting on a smile, watching them leave home and pretending you're happy about it. I'm not. Really, they can live here forever. And yes, Alan is completely comfortable being a grown-up. He loves that the kids leave home - and do their own thing. Finding their independence. Celebrating their experiences. (Take me with you). Sigh. I'll put some updates from Europe. I'll make them light and happy. Aj and Emily get married next month. Maybe I can convince them to have a baby! That would take my mind off Aly being gone. (Just kidding!)
Really AJ, I was just kidding!

PSS 277 days until Aly Returns

Mastiff Dog Makes A Complaint

'Q' has requested that I make an official complaint on his behalf. He said - (yes, he really told me this), that since I get to write about him all the time and take all sorts of pictures of him, he was allowed to use this space to tell the world about the (in his mind) grave injustice done to him again today. I told 'Q' I had to explain his story, as most people would find his compliant ludicrous - and I gently reminded him that his brother and sister (now deceased) loved the activities he was "forced" to perform today. The back story: We brought our lovely mastiff as a puppy to grandma's and the bulldogs (his brother and sister) dutifully introduced him to the lake. They chased the ball off the dock, happily throwing themselves into the water after it (and we would then have to save the bulldog from drowning - in 2 1/2 feet of water mind you), and they would splash at the shore line in complete and utter contentment. Grandma's lake is wonderful for small dogs and toddlers. It starts at ankle deep and very gradually increases in depth - you can make it 100 feet out and only be waist deep before it really starts to drop. As a puppy, Q decided the lake was not for him and wistfully watched from afar (the deck) as the bulldogs frolicked in the water. Q decided he was a "boat dog". He actively asked for boat rides, met the DNR and Sheriff's Police patrols with happy tails and barking and runs to the dock at every chance. Last summer, we got him into the lake for the first time ever. Not to be deterred, we decided to do another try (bath).

So Alan ordered him into the lake. And he reluctantly went. I came out in time to film the end scene and will hopefully get it on Youtube later. He sees me come out and thinks I came to save him. Thus, I get all the complaints. Q wants the world to know that the grave injustice he suffered today is:

1. Being forced into the large bathtub - full of cold water - not warm like home.

2. Being forced to stand on the squishy lake bottom (Do you realize what is hiding under that water? he screamed at me!)

3.. Being left alone, ordered to stay in place, while dad got the bucket (just out of camera range).
4. Having dad pour buckets of lake water over him and his face. (What if those scary underwater things came out of the bucket!!!)

5. Having your obedience commands used against you - where you couldn't break them - or else you would prove you were a bad dog.

6. And the final injustice - having POODLE SHAMPOO used on him that smelled like a fruit tree. He is a BOY, not a girl - and do I realize the smell will be stuck in his nose for days!

So, here are the pictures and I posted it to Youtube - I have now met my obligation to telling you about Q's perceived grave injustice.

Q and his views of cars and floors

We left yesterday afternoon to come to Minnesota. So in order to make up for my sad post of this morning, let me tell you some more adventures of our 'Q'. We bought the Honda Element after his second TPLO surgery. It has the side open doors, is low to the ground, which requires only stepping up and down into the car and the seats fold up to each side, leaving the whole interior open for him. He though, likes the seats down so he can sit on them for a short time, then lays down on the floor. We think he feels more secure laying between the seats, very crateish. The nice thing about the Honda Element is that there is enough room in the back seat for 192 lb dog to lay completely down and stretch out on his side.

We stopped for gas and invited him for a walk in a grassy, weedy area. He decided the bugs and field were not to his liking. He asked dad several times for permission to go back to the car and we finally obliged - and he ran and climbed right in looking very proud of himself. (Mind you, it didn't help that Alan parked the car, with the doors open - inviting the, please, please, please let me go back to the car plea).

We then arrived at Grandma's and the LAKE (which he won't go in but adores boat rides). That brought much happiness. Dogs do remember. He walked in and noticed right away that the girls were no longer there. (Amber and Crystal died this year, we think from the dog food tainting. They were teacup poodles - it was pretty terrible). Anyway, after they died, all carpeting was removed - the cork floor was left in place and laminated flooring was installed. The old tile was removed from the bedroom hallway and replaced with laminate flooring as well. Our house has Pergo in the kitchen/dining room and carpeting throughout the rest of the house.

Q hates the wood flooring at grandma's. He is standing in their bathroom - and refusing to come out. At home, we put carpet runners down for him. But grandma's house doesn't have that. With grandpa on crutches, we locked him behind the usual poodle size board (he knows not to step over it) and he refused to leave the bathroom because of the wood flooring. He goes from bedroom to bathroom, then tiptoes across the wood floor to the cork floor, where he can rest at last. I love this dog.

Alan is trying to convince me to go watch the fireworks on the lake. I am bleh tonite, sitting with mom. I think this year I want to sit with her and just watch it on TV. It doesn't even get dark until well after 10pm here. (Yeah, I am that far North). Well Happy 4th of July everyone. Have a safe and blessed holiday!

Changes Since Mother's Day

I haven't written about my mom before. People who know me - well they know that my mom is in Hospice care at home. That stunning news came at the end of April from St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. She had no more options. She has advanced COPDD Emphysema, possibly cancer, (they won't do the tests for the cancer). The doctor said it doesn't matter if she does or does not have cancer the treatment is the same - she has no lung tissue left and no options for treatment left. She struggles each minute of each day for breath. So home she came and Mother's day weekend, her 65Th birthday, I was in Minnesota with her. Dad filled me in on the medication routines and I slept on the couch to be with her all night. We left and I expected to return shortly. My own medical problems delayed my return until last night.

Dad injured his foot falling off a ladder - it is a bad injury - tearing of ligaments, bruising to his knee and a lot of swelling. He injured it almost 2 weeks ago on a Thursday, went to the ER on the Sunday after the fall. Yesterday, the doctor said it will take more time and he was very close to putting him in the hospital for it. Dad is the only caregiver for mom so that would mean a nursing home if dad needs hospitalization. It looks really bad and is very painful for dad.

Her morphine has gone from 5mg an hour (or every 2 hours) in May to 10 mg an hour and she also has a 12 hour time release morphine pill she takes also. Plus a host of other medications. Her medications keep her breathing - at what cost I am not sure. I helped her with breakfast and she shakes so hard I help steady her bowl so she doesn't wear the cream of wheat. She sits hunched over and doesn't look at my face too often - which is good right now, because I just cry - my eyes always have tears in them. I filled up the oxygen water bottle - and noticed the setting had been changed. In May it was set to "2". It is now set to a higher oxygen flow - just above the "3" mark.

She called for Richard this morning (my son) and was asking if he took all his medication last night. She was worrying about dad taking taking his medication for his foot. I told her dad took his medication and she could rest now, I watched him. She frequently leaves off in the middle of a sentence because she can't remember what she was saying, and then she goes off on something very strange and unrelated. She kept trying to tell me something and then gave up. She called out to me and I asked her what and she said she was talking to them and pointed to the end of her bed. I asked who "they" were and she gave me names of her Hospice nurse and workers and was mad that I didn't say goodbye and had no memory of what was said. I left the room for a minute to compose myself and came back and she was talking to the kids in the room - didn't I see the room full of legos. I told her it was the TV - it was okay, there were no legos and she could go to sleep for a bit. If the hallucinations were providing some sort of comfort to her - I guess it would not be so bad. But some seem to upset her. She is chuckling to herself - so hopefully it is something amusing.

Before this disease takes her life - it is taking her mind and the remaining links I have with her. I am only here until the weekend and then home again. It is a 9 hour drive - each way. Words cannot describe the extreme changes in her just since May. (In May I was upset over the changes since April and in April, the changes since winter).

Today it is very hard - because I know the next time I come, well, I can't even bear to think about it.

The Dog Rules

So in this house I've changed Q's name from Q (yes, just Q, in honor of Secret Agent Q from James Bond, you know - the guy who makes all the really cool gadgets, until he died) Q's new name is "the toddler". Not because he can't behave. Just the reverse - he is well trained, lays down, sits, stays, comes and manages to act ferocious with Daisy the little cocker spaniel next door. He is now called "the toddler" because he acts just like a spoiled 2 year old if he doesn't get his way. He barks at us to go for a ride, he barks at us to get him his toys. He barks to get his food. Just one bark, or a few low woofs. Of course, for his toys, I tell him to get them himself, or to "go lay down". Surprisingly enough at the age of 7 he understands that. He has taken to laying in front of the toy basket and after woofing at us doesn't work, he stretches himself completely across the floor and moans. And the moans increase in loudness and pitch until we just give up and help him. He is not satisfied until we have emptied the basket. He is now fairly content. He is exhausted after a half hour of begging. And now, we can go back to TV.

Friday In Key West

We made it to Key West Wednesday. What a trip - started with a 3am wake up and driving to O'Hare for a 6am flight to Ft. Lauderdale. Renting the car was a real trip - had to wait in a long long long line to be taken by bus to the car rental section. After that, it was easy. Make sure you have reservations - otherwise you have to que up in long lines. We had reservations from Alamo and it was pretty painless. Then off on the drive. It was beautiful, but I was sleepy - and poor Alan had to do the entire drive himself. We were checked in by 3pm and are enjoying Marrero's. I will write more on them later.

Wednesday night we were confused by the songwriter signs and missed the opening session with James Slater but enjoyed the sunset festivities on Mallory Square. We stopped by the "The Great Rondini" (www.thegreatrondini.com") and he picked Alan to chain up his hands. I, of course, forgot the camera cable and will have to post pictures later.

Thursday was spent listening to bands and visiting stores and just seeing Key West. Friday at 130pm we have eaten at B.O.'s Fish House and are resting by the pool. We have reservations to the Writer's Room at the Hogsbreath tonite. So we are trying hard to get a tan or burn to come home with.

Will write more later - I need to pitch myself into the pool to get away from the bees. (Alan swears it's a fly). Ta-ta for now.

Love,
Lorene

The Gift of Unintended Phone Calls

The telephone brings us the ability to "reach out and touch someone." It is a matter of how we respond to these calls that can add or detract from our lives. On Good Friday, I took the day off work. I was "sleeping in" or rather, had just fallen back to sleep after a restless night when the phone rang. The caller asked for someone who didn't live here, and I politely answered it was the wrong number. The caller asked if she could ask me a few questions - her 90 year old sister had been taken to the hospital and she needed help finding information. She explained her situation to me. She told me she lived alone, her daughter had not spoken to her in 30 years - but I think had recently reached out to her in the last year. She was Finnish and living in Michigan. I told her my maternal Grandmother was Finnish from Minnesota. We talked briefly. I gave her the local hospital's phone number, something I unfortunately have memorized and wished her well. So begins my acquaintance with Elma

She called this morning and Alan took a message. I called her back. Her sister was now in a nursing home and she wanted to let me know and thank me for being kind. She had worries about what would happen when her sister was sent home. Her Nephew takes care of her sister. We talked a bit about this and Elma told me about living in a Retirement home. There are activities, but she can't go to many of the parties because she can't use her right arm. She tries to not be a bother. She watches a lot of television and has help in 3 times a week to do some light cleaning and taking care of her. Then we talked about how difficult it is for her to find clothes that fit right (not too tight, not too loose) and are not all cotton. All cotton clothing needs to be ironed - and most of it is made in China and the seams are all sewn wrong. She said the quality is just not the same as when she was growing up. Clothing was expensive, you had to save for it, but it lasted forever. Which led to a conversation about the depression and how that wonderful President saved everything.

Elma grew up with very little money. During the Depression they were poor, but so was everyone else and she worked for 35 cents an hour. So her social security and pension today equals less than a thousand dollars a month. She said she had still learned to save and it sounds like she does okay. I told her I remembered seeing the ration stamps in my grandma's hope chest. She didn't recall the ration stamps as clearly (I think because they farmed) but she rememberd me saying my grandma was Finnish. She asked if I spoke it. I told her my Grandma passed away when I was 9 and only Grandma and Uncle Toivo talked to me in Finnish. I could only remember the words for counting. I recited to five and stopped, (I know my pronunciation is poor) Ixie, Coxie, Colleman, Naila, Veece. (all spelling all my own -spelled as I say it). She said I had the book learning way of saying the numbers. Elma said each community has their own dialect or way of speaking. Just as we pronounce words differntly depending on whether we live in Chicago or New York, the Finnish communities each have their own way of speaking. She gave the example of how they said three and it sounded different - but the same - and of course I can't remember how to pronounce it. I told her I had forgotten most of what grandma taught me. But in my memories lie the stories and the thoughts for another blog - another day.

Elma then told me about Finnish names. Elma's last name ends in nen. She said that nen stands for small. Her whole name means a small piece of sod. We talked about my Grandma's maiden name, Lahti (which is very popular in Finland and here) and she said it basically means the swampy end of the lake. She was telling me what each part of Lahti meant but I only caught the end as the doorbell rang with a Fed-Ex delivery for Rich.

That break moved us into conversations about how hard life was back in the early 1900's. Today we have automatic washing machines, stoves, coffee makers. There were six siblings counting Elma, and her mother spent all Saturday baking the weekly bread. She would kneed the dough, pump the water by hand and carry it in the house, and since the stove was running all day to bake the 7 to 8 laoves of bread, she could keep water boiling for laundry which was done by hand. It was hard work. The children helped beginning around age 8 with chores. Summer meant more chores as the hay had to be raked in by hand, although the father used a horse pulling a cutter to cut the hay in the field. Winter was more relaxed by virtue of no field work. We talked about how men were difficult in those days. Her father was not always kind, but she has a particularly happy memory followed by her father becoming angry and somewhat withdrawn later in the same day from the children. We talked about the harsh life for the men of Coal Mining in Michigan and Tacconite mining (Iron Ore) in Minnesota.

Talking with Elma was a gift. I had fond memories to visit of sitting with grandma as she taught me Finnish words and felt the Spirit with me as we talked. Elma and I had a lot more to talk about - and way too much to put in here. Life is so short, and at times so long. It passes us by during our youth in what seems a heartbeat and moves slowly through our senior years. I think she is lonely. We had a lot more to talk about. It is what we learn in the stories we are told that make us wise. In Elma's story, there is sadness and contentment and a life. It was a gift for me to hear her story.

ITunes, Me, Aly, and All Things Digital

I adore Itunes. I remember when it first came out and was for Macs only, I enviously looked at a friend of mines I-Tunes and Mac and patiently waited for the day it would come to Windows. Now years later, I have left MS Windows for the Mac platform and haven't looked back. Lucky for everyone (well, except maybe Vista users), Itunes is available for everyone. Now before I finish my story, let me digress. I recently read an article that said some woman was sueing Apple because the Itunes downloads could only be used with the IPOD and how that just should not be allowed. And I was mad. What about all the sites that offer downloads - same price, same options, plus exclusive content on each. She just doesn't know how to use her software. Please Apple, let me know if you need me. As a former Windows user, I downloaded from Itunes, burned to CD, converted to MP3 again to put on a rival player using other software. It required a little manipulation, but all legal. (I was the only one using it and didn't want to take the IPOD to the steamy health club). Once, I even found a song not on Itunes I had to purchase on another Web Site (Wal-Mart) and it was not compatible with Itunes at the time. So I burned it to CD and imported it to Itunes. No program writing, no scripts, just simple use operations. So the lawsuit annoys me, bucause it causes our prices to go up - at some point it affects all of us. For example, what about all these Web sites that refuse to grant me access because I am not running the latest Windows Media Player. No class action here. That is what free enterprise is all about. I figure if I want it bad enough, I'll just have to find a Windows PC (sign me up for a slot at the local library - or better yet, just pass me the kids laptops). But seriously, with my Mac, I am free. Free of the tyranny of Windows, Free of the Tyranny of virus attacks and trojans and the general upkeep. But I digress. This is supposed to really be about Itunes.

I love Itunes and my IPOD. I now own every generation that was windows compatible and someone in our family has at least every model. I gave one to my mom when I got the Video version. Now she wants a video I bet. My latest addition is the green shuffle to match my green beetle, green purse, and green chocolate phone. So, I watch TV, hear a song on Grey's Anatomy and there I am on Itunes looking for the song. And there they are! I have new bands to love, like Unkle Bob and Let's Go Sailing thanks to Grey's Anatomy and thanks to Itunes and a credit card, I now have those songs in my playlists. Once in awhile, a song is not quite right. I then email Itunes and they fix it. Sometimes they find it before I do. Recently, they emailed me and said my last album download just wasn't up to snuff and instructed me to download it again and for my troubles gave me a free song. Sweet. So off I went to download city. Got the new album and a free song (Sideways by Let's Go Sailing). But a strange thing happened. I got a credit for 13 free songs. Then the next day, I got a new email reinstructing me to download the album. It downloaded againand my credit jumped to 25 free songs. I wrote to Itunes to explain their error. They thanked me for my honesty and let me keep my credits. So now I am even more in love with Itunes. I can use those credits with a clear conscience. 25 free songs. (Down to 23 now). So where to start. Wow, so many choices. I already have 4000 + songs in my library, plus the CD's I haven't added, (disc space and all - why put on the CD's I really don't plan on listening to). So, here I am with these credits and not a clue on what to use it on. But I will figure it out. Just need a new episode of Grey's or Cold Case to set me on the path to new memories old memories and new discoveries. Some of my favorite discoveries are the artists: Let's Go Sailing, Unkle Bob, Blue Oktober, and my favorite favorite - The Boat Drunks closely followed by discovering new songs by old favorites like "Down South" by Tom Petty.

So here comes Alyssa - A funky flower in her hair (she still isn't used to her European haircut) saying 23 songs - did you say 23 SONGS! Wow, that is the most excitement I've seen in awhile. Let the bargaining begin. So... moms share everything - time, food, themselves (even the bathroom). But now, the question of the night. Does mom have to share her ITunes credit? Sigh. I no doubt will. That's what mom's do. Give give give. (Unless I can find 23 really good songs first!!!!!).
Well anyone who took the time to read this rambling post - leave me a comment if you have a suggestion on a good download!

March 9, 2007
Our last day in Berlin. I woke up as usual at 0700. Alyssa always comments on how I have a great internal clock that I wake up at about the same time each day. I say it is that I don’t want to miss anything. I let her sleep until 0830 this morning since we would need to kill time today, what a mistake. The school kids ate everything and when we went to breakfast at 0930 most of the good food was gone. It just goes to show that you must get up early in the morning to start the day right.

Left the hotel around 1030 and headed into the city. We first caught the S-bahn to the Central Train Station and dropped off our luggage. I did not put my back pack in the luggage area as it had the laptop. After that we headed for the Victory Column. We took the S-bahn so far and then walked along the 17th of Juli street. I always liked the way the street is laid out and you can see all the way to the Brandenburg gate and back the opposite way. When we got to the column we climbed up the 285 stairs to the top for the view. Again I wondered what a 47 year old man is doing climbing up stuff like this, but I do love it and love traveling and seeing these things. I made it to the top with only one heart attack along the way. View from the top fabulous. I had not been up in years and was well worth the heart attack.

When we got down I wanted to show Alyssa the Soviet War Memorial and the Reichstag since she said she had not seen them the last time she was here. I also want to give her a bit of a history lesson as these things may not seem important now, but when you talk with people about traveling you need to know a little so you don’t sound stupid. We started walking and instead of ending up where I wanted to, we managed to come up behind Schloss Belview and then decided to take the bus down to the Zoo and have lunch at the KaDeWe. We ate up at the top of the KaDeWe and then Alyssa wanted to take a walk down the Ku’damm and we did. Toward the end of the Ku’damm we stopped for a cup of tea at the Mercedes dealership and then caught a bus down to the internet café and called Lorene and checked mail.

March 10, 2007

We finally started back again for the Reichstag and the Soviet War Memorial. We had a nice, at least I thought it was nice walk through the Tiergarten and ended up at the Central Train Station. Had dinner and caught the train to Koln then a connection to Frankfurt and home. I am writing this now as the train is traveling (according to the screen in the train car) at 249 kph. I think that translates to 149.67 mph. It is 2210 and the train is to gets in to Koln at 0214 and then a 2 hour wait for the train to the Frankfurt airport. Made it to Koln and sat in a small eating area in the train station along with the other stranded and waiting passengers. Lots of stories the could be told by the people here. Caught the train for the airport.

Frankfurt airport, made it in on time which was 533 in the morning. I wanted to get in early and thought it would be a good idea and then found out we had to wait until the counter for the airline opened at 0615. While we were in this screwed up and I mean Screwed up line, met a couple of Army guys on their mid tour leave from Kosovo. They did not speak to highly of the tour. Many more problems then are reported in the news. We spoke for a good 45 mins very nice guys. When they got up to the front of the line one of them found out just like another had earlier that he did not need to be in the line and no one told him, so he wasted a lot of time. Nice guys wishing them all the best when they go back in two weeks.

Very uneventful flight slept part of it and thank God for Bose headphones. I am not sure what I have done on all these plane flights without them. Help you sleep and truly make the flight much better.

Home again and Lorene met us. Lorene and I went for sushi and Alyssa made it known to all her friends that she is home. Till next time, me.

VISIT TO POLAND 3.8.2007 - ALYSSA'S BIRTHDAY

Today is Alyssa's Birthday. I miss her. It was 20 years ago she was born and I remember it as if it were yesterday. I wonder where it went so quickly and how I got this beautiful young woman as my daughter. I hope she takes away from this trip that there is a full life out there and takes advantage of the opportunities out there for her. Here is Alan's journal for today, Alyssa's Birthday. It is now March 9th in Berlin. Happy Birthday my beautiful Daughter.

March 8, 2007
Up early and breakfast then to the train. We missed the first train and had to catch the next on a half hour later. While we looked around at the Central Station in Berlin, we learned that we did not have to go all the way here and could have taken the train from were we changed subway trains and then would have made the correct train. While waiting we had a cup of hot chocolate and watched two large people in Kangaroo suits walk around handing out information on Australia. The ride to Frankfurt am Order was uneventful (except the conductor did not know how to read the ticket and I had to explain it to her), but we got to sit up top which was very cool in my opinion.

Arrived in Frankfurt am Oder, had a Burger King snack. and walked a mile or so and found the Tourist Information Center and were pointed in the direction of Poland. But wait a H&M store was a cross the street so Alyssa had to take another picture of the H&M sign. Wait, this time a picture was not good enough, we had to go in and look for a cap for Alyssa. We got Alyssa a cap and I got one too. Hey I actually like it and will continue to wear it at home. I digress, we then headed to Slubice, Poland. We crossed the bridge and looked over the town. Alyssa did not like it and was not impressed. I was impressed by the lack of tourist stands and souvenirs. Was not able to by anything except lunch. We stopped it to a hotel for lunch and it was very good and very different. I found the food to be a combination of German and (I think) Polish. They had stuff I recognized and stuff I did not. It was very good and cheap. Food in Poland is much cheaper then in Germany. After lunch we crossed back and it is like they don’t get many Americans crossing the border. We were in a line of people and as we approached the window everyone ahead of us was gone and we were given a real good once over and delayed all those behind us as they did their thing with our passports. Soon as we were finished, the entire line was let through without much inspection. Back on German soil. Caught a bus to go back to the train station, and when we attempted to buy our tickets the machine did not work. One of the other passengers was doing the same and putting money in and it would just fall through. An older guy tried to help and drew a lot of attention to us and he could not get it to work either. So in the end we rode free. Hopped the train and headed back to Berlin.

Got back much earlier then we thought we would so headed for the Zoo train station and check the mail on the internet. We also checked on trains for tomorrow when we go to Frankfurt. Got a good train schedule and made seat reservations. Then took the 100 bus for a tour of the city and came back out toward Honow for dinner. We were going to go to Mexicoplatz, but when I looked on the map I did not want to ride the U-bahn that much. So we were going to head toward Honow and stop somewhere to eat. Alyssa was not happy about this and does not like going into areas she does not know. In the end we ate at a restaurant next to the hotel. Again Alyssa’s luck holds out and it was Ladies night at this restaurant and she got free champagne. Dinner was again very good and we are now back at the hotel. I went down to the lobby and checked my mail and Alyssa stayed in the room. The lobby has a nice 24 hour bar and you can get small stuff 24 hours a day. The hotel is way out I found it to be a nice place, however they do cater to business and school groups. So tonight was a Italian school group and the kids liked to run up and down the halls until 2400. That must have been their curfew time.

BERLIN - HAIRCUTS AND VISITING AN OLD LIFE

March 7, 2007

Not a bad breakfast at the hotel. I really do prefer the smaller hotels or family run places for the staff friendliness. While this is not bad it does not measure up to a family run place. I would stay here again if I had no choice or was in this area of Honow.


Haircut, well this was different. The lady did not speak any English, however was very nice. I dropped Alyssa off and came back a hour later, still had to wait for her and talked to the lady doing her hair. Alyssa seemed truly surprised that she liked it. It is short and makes her look more her age, mature, with a short hair. Not sure she will like it in the morning. Not because it is short just because she will not be able to train it the way the lady did it. But it does look very nice.

After haircut headed out to explore the city. We took the train out to the Olympic Stadium and spent time looking around. Alyssa seemed to enjoy it although initially did not seem that interested until we started walking around and finding the signs in English and German. She should be speaking more German but is scared and says she can’t form the words. Had an okay lunch at the stadium and after a couple of hours headed off to T-berg.

We got to Tuefelsee str. and started out into the Grunawald. Alyssa was not happy to have to walk and I explained to her that I used to work in this forest and about how the hills are the highest in Berlin and they were created from all the ruble from the bombing of the war. The area is still as pretty as when I was in the city. Made it to the top of the first hill and both of us out of breath, not as young as I remember and sure don’t remember being out of breath. I use to run all the hills at lunch and at other times. Never this bad, old age.

Alyssa did not want to go any farther, but, I wanted to go up to T-berg and get a look at Site 3. So off I went leaving Alyssa on top of the first hill. Went I got up to Site-3 again out of breath. I was so disappointed at the state of what was done or the lack of such to keep it up. First all the memories and second the money wasted by the U.S. to have it trashed by people. Very sad to see what happens to important things (people get this way too) when they are no longer needed. While I was standing at the main gate looking in a car came up and stopped. Two guys got out and I could tell they were doing something, cause they started to get out cameras and began looking around. So of course yours truly started talking in broken Germany and English. Well the next thing I knew these two were cutting a holes in three fences (they said they had permission of course we were not near the road where this could be seen) and in we went, I had to join them at this point and cool. They took pictures of Site 3 and said they were with a marketing company that finds different (and I mean different) venues to hold special events. They are looking to a place to hold some announcement for a Telecommunication company on 4/19. I asked them how could they clean up a place like this for an event and was told easy. They bring in a crew and in a day do it, rope off areas they do not want people and then set up the event. When we were up on the roof and where the small dish use to be they were talking about filling in the holes, and hanging a “disco” ball and having the dance there. Well I was just thrilled to actually get inside the fence and into the buildings. The MP area is trashed as is the rest of the buildings. It is the only place I found anything that shows it use to be a US military site and that was a painting on the back office wall with a crest for the MP’s. The arms room was open and I snapped a quick picture of it and then walked through the rest of the main hall. I did not go into the British area but walked past the break room and it was the only area that was not damaged and trashed. Up the tower area and to the second and third floors and roof. WOW what a great view, I had forgotten what it looked like from the roofs. I remembered sitting up there in the summer and enjoying the nice weather. It was a great time. I tried to wave to Alyssa from the roof, but of course she did not see me. I snapped a bunch of photo and will check out the T-berg website and maybe try and post them to that site of what it looks like today. The last time I was here with Lorene they were shooting a music video and had Russian vehicles parked in front, but it was not trashed.

After retrieving Alyssa from the top of the hill, of course I had to climb it again and was dead. I love doing this and walking in the Grunawald and feel so good. The exercise I use to get here would get me back into shape very quickly. We walked back out and to the U-bahn. We went downtown and then a bus ride and Alyssa wanted a steak. We hit the Ku’damm and the Madero Steak house only to find it packed. Two ladies were right behind us and they decided to leave and so did we to find another steak place. A block away is another Madero and the two ladies and us had the same idea and wound up there at the same time. This is where traveling gets interesting. The restaurant looks packed. So in we go and since we want none smoking as do these “Italian” ladies. When we tell the girl no smoking she tells all of us to follow her and she leads us to the back and a whole section used for non-smoking totally empty. We get the choice of tables and pick out one and the ladies sit next to us. They are with the travel convention which is in town and the reason we are all the way out in the boon docks. During our conversation, in Germany, in a Spanish restaurant, speaking broken German, English and Italian the waitress (who speaks German) over hears that it is Alyssa’s birthday tomorrow and brings us a birthday drinks and tells us that if Alyssa has her passport with her so she can verify the date of birth we can get 25% off our dinner. Alyssa said the drink was to dry, and said she likes “Sex on the Beach” much better. It was a great steak and enjoyable. The one lady gave me her business card and said if we were ever in northern Italy, to call. The other lady was laughing and said she is always working. It was a good dinner all around.

It was then back to the hotel for bed.

Germany - Berlin

March 6, 2007
Last cable car ride for a while, I was getting good at this. Took a regional train to Munich and then an ICE train to Berlin. Currently on the train and typing this up. Alyssa is sleeping which she does best on trains. Me love the trains and love to look at the German countryside pass by. Arrived in Berlin, love Berlin what a great city and always seems to be safe. Walking around at night has never been a problem. Well when we arrived at the Central Train Station we headed off to see find our hotel. We rode and rode and rode the subway finally finding the hotel. It’s a newer building and not bad. Well after all this riding it did not matter where the hotel was we were keeping it. We decided that the hotel is just for sleeping and that we would be out for most of the day and it would not make a difference anyway.

After checking in we headed back out and went down to the Ku’damm. Really like Berlin at night, Alyssa said she had not really seen it at night and we took a short bus ride. Around 2000 we found we were hungry and it was Italian time. Me always liked real Italian pizza in Europe and had to have my favorite, Mushroom pizza. After dinner it was a subway ride back to the hotel and bed. Earlier we found a haircut place for Alyssa to get a cut and made plans to do that in the morning.

March 4, 2007
Bright and early and we are up and eating breakfast and saying good bye to the lady at the hotel. She did not charge us for the second person breakfasts due to the noisy neighbors the first night, to that was very nice and saved us 15 Euros. We caught the train to Garmish and got into Garmish around 1200. The hotel site said that it was a very short walk to the cable car station for the hotel, something about just look for the signs as you leave the train station. As we started walking I came to the realization that this was not good. So I stopped to ask this guy on the street and he as German but since he was learning Italian that is the language he tried to speak to us in. Very strange, my German is not that good and his Italian is bad. Any way what a great guy, told us to get in and he gave us a ride for as far has he could. What he did not tell us that it was another 2 kilometers to the cable car station. We walked as of course when you want a taxi there are none to be found.

Cable car, first let me tell you of my fear of heights. Okay shaking and Alyssa asking me why we are staying at a hotel that you have to get to by way of cable car. I tell her if you want the best some times you have to do these type of things and that I though she wanted to do German things. So as we go into the cable car station and get our 3 day pass (free as guests of the hotel), I read about how this is the worlds, not just Germany, but he worlds smallest cable car. Room for 4 very small people or Alyssa, me and two small suitcases. 4 mins later we are at the top and breathing again. (For all who wonder after a few trips it becomes very easy and enjoyable.)

Arrive at the hotel on top of the mountain and must explore. We walked from one Alpine hotel to another for lunch and had a good lunch and a breathtaking view. Eating outdoors on the top of a mountain in March is pretty cool in several ways, but again enjoyable. We spent a couple of hours looking at the view having lunch and then started down the mountain or a small part of it for the hotel. When we got back Alyssa decided she had enough mountain hiking for one day and stayed in the room. I went back out for again a short hike.

My hike consisted of walking down the path to where it starts down hill. On the way I found a very small church room enough for two people to kneel in and a learned that the path I am hiking on is also the trail for a car if and if you have a pass to the few houses/hotel on the this part of the mountain. The hotel we had lunch at has no car path and everything must be cable car’ed up. So I walked to where the path got real steep and looked down and said not me. At this point a women and her dog came walking merrily along and down the steep path, not to be out done by a women and a dog I followed. Never again follow a women and a dog, the path is steep and slippery and the dog loves it. They were down the mountain long before me. So once alive and on the bottom I found the park for the gorge and started hiking. The trail is part of a regional park and closes at 1700. Since the gate was open and no one looking I decided to investigate. WOW steep sheer cliffs on both sides and the waterfalls and runoffs are spectacular. I walked in about a half mile or so as the sun was going down and the cliffs were blocking what light there was I could not see to walk and while it was a path, you needed to see or you could fall off the edge and into the swift current of the runoff.

Since the only way back up to the hotel and it really is, even though I said there was a path, is the cable car up I went. It really gets easier. Find Alyssa in the room doing word puzzles and down for diner. Restaurant is not bad, well at 2000 it is the only place to eat. Food is good and if you stay over a weekend they have live music on Saturday. The cable car operates 07/2200 Sunday to Thursday and 07/2400 on Friday and Saturday. After dinner it was bed time with all the fresh mountain air.

March 5, 2007
Up early for breakfast, and again a good breakfast. We took the cable car down and asked the desk to have a taxi waiting for us. We then went to the Zugsptize train station. Purchased tickets for the cog wheel train up the mountain to the Zugsptize. The train takes you up the mountain and though a 3000 meter tunnel. The grade is up to 25 percent and is steep at times. When you get up to the station you then have to take a cable car up to the summit. Up to the cold and snow. We arrived at the top of the Zugspitze fantastic views. This is the highest point in Germany and you can walk across the top of the mountain into Austria, which we did. We had lunch at the top and stayed up there for close to 2.5 hours. Lots of pictures and it was great. Alyssa said she wanted to see mountains, well she did.

The way back from the Zugspitze was just as steep going down as up. When we got back into town, went to the internet café and figured out the Berlin thing. The reservations I had were cancelled by the hotel, not sure why and we could not even find a website for the hotel again. Made new reservations and also booked seat reservations for the train to Berlin. Long travel day for the morning. Went back to the hotel and had a good dinner and ready for the morning.

Germany 2.28.2007 to 3.3.2007

Alan's Journal From Germany sent to Lorene 3/7/07 at 0300 hrs.

Wednesday February 28, 2007

Flight to Frankfurt was truly uneventful except that we did not leave Chicago on-time. We were scheduled to leave at 1822 and finally left at 1945. I should have known at this point it would all be Alyssa’s fault. This was to be the beginning of the not on-time planes, trains, trams and buses. I had never had that problem before, but here I travel with Alyssa and it starts.

Since we arrived in Frankfurt on March 1st, at 1100 and not at the 0945 time, I am sure glad I did not make any early train reservations. We cleared customs and proceeded to find the Deutsche Bahn office and purchase our train ticket for the week. While they did not offer the six days as Rick Steves website did, it was either a 5 or 10 day pass. We picked up a 5 day pass and figured that we would just purchase the one day when we were not traveling far and which would be the cheapest. So we hopped our first train to Munich.

We arrived in Munich at the central train station and made our way the block and a half to Hotel Monaco. This is a very nice hotel for the price and location. I like the 24 hour front desk and the friendly service. The rooms are clean although a bit old. Alyssa liked the taped over hole in the bathroom wall, with a nice picture. Into the room and a shower and off to explore Munich. Okay exploring was not much as both of us were tired and sleep was a priority. We did go and pick up a three day Munich pass for 4 zones (the next day we were to learn we needed the 8 zone pass) and went to Marionplatz. So Alyssa wanted to do the German thing and we ended up at the Hoffbrau Haus for dinner. We talked to a couple of guys from California who were going back to the states the next day. After a nice beer hall experience it was Hagen-Daiz, internet café to let Lorene know we made it and back to the hotel for bed.

March 2, 2007
Breakfast at the hotel and an apology from the staff for the noisy next door neighbors. Not sure what sport was in town, but the hotel lady said they were in town without their women. Breakfast at the hotel is always good as in most hotels in Germany. It is one of the most pleasant things, getting up and going down to breakfast and having it all laid out for you and a cup of tea.

Off to Dachau Concentration camp and once we look on the map we saw it was in Zone 7 of the Munich train system and required another ticket. This was the 2nd time Alyssa made the train late. We are not sure just what happened, but us and a couple of hundred others pile on for the trip on the S-2, and two stops later we along with everyone else are being told to get off. Something up ahead was stopping all of the train traffic. Not sure if someone was killed or a train derailed, but no trains this way. We were all told to go back to the Central Station and take another train from track 26. Arrive at Central Station and looked at the clock and ran for the train, Alyssa is at work here again, run out of breath and make the train with a minute to spare and it does not leave for another 8 minutes. (Okay she did good on this one.)

Dachau was interesting. It is a memorial to all that died there. One of the things I did not know as was that no one was gassed at Dachau. 43,000 died or were killed, but the gas chambers never were put into operation. The crematoriums worked overtime, but no gassing. One of the points of the museum was that 1,700 were shot in one day and many more were killed for no reason other then to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Dachau was not only for Jews, but many more. One British prisoner of war, who was kidnapped by the SS from Denmark (an intelligence officer) was held in what is called the bunker for the entire war. Some in the bunker were subjected to special treatment others like this major were not singled out. The museum does put on a nice display and you can skip over parts that do not interest you. They have a movie in English several times during the day which was very good. The movie lasts 22 mins and is well worth the time. Alyssa and I spent 4.5 hours at Dachau, 4 hours looking at the site and .5 is looking for my scarf and finding it I might add.

So we leave Dachau and this is the point Alyssa learns that traveling with me is not just look at something and be done with it. Next was to Marionplatz and coffee for Alyssa and coke and Apple strudel for me. So we start back to the Central Station and when we get there its look at the map time and I tell Alyssa that I did not buy a train pass not to use it. In the Central Station we find map and its says Olympic Stadium is this way, so off we go. I saw the Stadium last in 1976 and the stadium has not changed but the area sure has. First we walk to the Stadium and can’t see in very good, I then spy a hill and lets go. Mind you I am a 47 year old overweight (as my wife would say) cop and in tow I have an out of shape 19 year old girl. Well I did better then she did in going up. The sad part was all the other runners passing us up as we crawled up the hell, oop’s, hill. What a fantastic view from the top, well worth the climb. We then walked down and were going to take a different way back and guess what a viewing tower that allows you to see the stadium and the rest of Munich and surrounding areas. So we took up the elevator to the top a very quick ride. I can’t remember how tall the tower is but it is high, great views. Okay then back to the hotel, its now going on 1830 to freshen up and then off back to Marionplatz for dinner.

We found the restaurant not to far from the platz, but near the H&M’s. (Of course what is not near the H&M’’s here.) Alyssa was full and I personally think the waiter had a thing for her, she got free desert. He said it was because her steak was over cooked, but I did not buy that. Internet café to learn about going to Salzburg and the salt mine, and then back to the Central Station and the hotel.

March 3, 2007
Breakfast at the hotel and then to the Central Station for a train to Austria. We hopped an hour and half train to Salzburg. As soon as you get off the train the tourist information booth is right there along track #1. Anyway I asked how much and really did not think the price was to bad, at first, 43 Euro per person. Of course me and the cheap skate that I am said ok I will be back and went to look around. I then went to the Austrian train people and found out that for a total of 44 Euros, we could do the same thing on our own, which we did. A train to Hallien and then a bus to the mine. The train people here are fantastic and print everything out for you and it really makes it very easy to get around.

Arrived at the salt mine and had a real good time, first you must dress in miner’s clothing. Into the mine on a train and then a 2 kilometer walk underground. Some of the tunnels were very tight and dimly lighted. Part of the coolest thing is getting to ride the slides down to the different levels. The miner’s did it this way for hundreds of years. Alyssa and I got our picture taken and I think we were traveling 28 kph. So we both think the mine was very cool. Now here is were the group travel part would have come in handy. I grabbed the train in the wrong direction and after a half hour or so of enjoying the views hopped off and waited another half hour for a train back in the right direction. No big deal as I say traveling is an adventure and the views going the wrong way made up for any time lost.

Back to Marionplatz and it was getting toward evening and refresh at the hotel and then off in search of food. We found this nice little Italian restaurant on the second floor of the building at Istor U-bahn station. The food was pretty good. After diner a tram ride at night around Munich and Internet café to use up the time remaining and then to the Central Station. On the way back to the hotel we found a calling place and gave Lorene a quick call to check in. We talked a bit about dogs, g.p.’s and Wisconsin.

Just Me and the Animals

Alan and Alyssa are in Germany. They left Wednesday with a flight delay, arrived in Frankfurt, had a train delay and made it to Munich. Alyssa met up with some California guys and had herself a nice time - but still in bed by 8pm. Dad was there to supervise. That leaves me with a crazy dog and as Alyssa's parting gift, a completely bonked out cat. Alyssa brought home a birthday balloon.

As Alyssa brought the balloon down the hall to her room, Neffie freaked out and was afraid of it. She usually naps on Alyssa's bed and has taken to sleeping with Alyssa. Since the balloon came home, Neffie, has decided that the balloon and the room is a dangerous, very dangerous, place for a cat. So now she is in my bed. ALL THE TIME!


In fact, this morning, Neffie and Q refused to get out of bed until 9am (according to Richard, who I dragged out of bed at 9am). So we are snowed in, blowed in and Neffie, is STILL IN BED.

I will spend the weekend clearing snow and calming pet nerves while Alan and Alyssa travel through Germany, Austria and Poland. I hope they fun. I miss them loads.

Cabin Fever

Another weekend of running around and spending all day Saturday getting the Sirius Satellite Radio's installed in the other 2 vehicles we came home to more chores, more running to stores etc. We found we really like having the Satellite radio. I enjoy listening to music and then Fox and Friends in the morning (one of the few stations with commercials). When I am tired of the commercials, I can move to music, listen to Howard to see if he has any interesting bands on, and then on to the comedy channels for a few chuckles on my way in to work. The comedy channel has made a big difference in my commute. I no longer feel the urge to hurry, hurry, hurry. And it means on the weekends we like to go for rides. Of course the option to be alerted to 30 saved songs is awesome and it has a rewind feature... so if I daydream (Only if not driving of course) I can rewind up to 44 minutes.

So what is the point to this story - While the adults have some cabin fever, we are getting out, running errands, and working. Mastiff dog, on the other hand, has been house ridden. I got called into work Midnight shift Saturday night at the last minute, so I didn't get up until noon. After my shower I wandered into the kitchen and instantly, the nudging and happiness began - but this was the "we're going out for a car ride" happiness. Alan wanted to know if I mentioned the words "going out" and I said no. So we continued with chores and I sat on the basement stairs as Alan loaded the washing machines and I supervised sorting. The alternating hopeful and sad look on his face almost broke my heart. He has taken to going to bed by 9:00 p.m. (sometimes earlier). We think he is depressed. The only consolation is that he has no hands to use an axe (ala The Shining )

So he has taken to asking to go outside every 2 hours. His main motive, looking for Lily. Lily sightings are few and far between. (Lily is the little Yorkshire Terrier that lives with the neighbors to the right) and she absolutely loves Q. She puts her paws up on the fence and the more he blusters and barks at her, the more she wants him to come play. He took a little warming up to her and still acts a little ferocious when she is out, but he really does love her. He wags now and does three runs up and down the fence, barks a few more times and then he is done. She, however is not! When he hears her, he whines and begs to go out. And his 187 pounds to her 3 pounds probably still scare Lily's owner - and they usually have to come pick her up and bring her in.

(LUCY AT LEFT)

So imagine his surprise when over Christmas our other neighbors (the ones to the left) got a new puppy. The sightings are not too frequent, but getting those sightings is becoming his newest passion. (And we can tell, with the high pitch braying and barking!) The new puppy is named Lucy - so he is frequently confused as he knows who Lily is - but Lucy, Lily, well, that is a little tough for him to figure out - he is now looking in both directions. So we are waiting for the weather to break, better introductions and a new love to bloom. In the meantime, Lucy is growing and we love her dearly. Welcome little Lucy to the neighborhood.