Postings from Germany

Home Again Blog

Introduction

Blogging. This is a blog and I blog. But there are 1. bloggers and there are 2. bloggers. I'm the second sort.

The 1. sort are the ones who do it for a wide audience, either 1) for a living or 2) to

substitute for living or 3) those who do it all

the time and think they can make a living

from it. Needless to say, this is not any of those sorts of blogs.

So, the 2. sort is this sort: a blog that makes me feel like I have to update it regularly and take care of it though I have no idea who reads it or who cares what I write but at the same time if I don't do it it feels like I'm letting someone down, even if it is only me. I've been somewhat irregular lately.

Here is a little catch up, I guess mostly for me so that I know where I am in my life the next time I write.

Atlanta -- All family all the time. Mother came to Gina and Steve's with waffle irons and batter and all of us were so busy eating I didn't get pictures of the food or the cookette. We chatted, took Mother to lunch and then had more food at Julia's. We ate a lot on this trip. A lot. The strange guy is Eli in his Spiderman swim gear. Naturally, he LOVED it!

Lynn Haven -- Getting back to Florida in time for the 4th meant another great fireworks show at the Mallory's - along with more food (A LOT) and time on the Wave Runners and then another great day at Shell Island. There was enough time to sew an outfit for Hannah's doll - I'll have to do more of that! Fun!

Cedar Key -- This is one of our favorite Florida spots - the Island Hotel in Cedar Key. It's only

got better since our last visit in 1993 - the village is more spruced up, there are a few more craft and art studios, the kitchen at the hotel has been upgraded. NO TV. NO PHONE. NO INTERNET ACCESS. The place is quiet - actually quieter since they now have central air instead of window units. We met a really friendly and talkative guy in the bar at the hotel - there on his 10th consecutive vacation. He even met his future wife there! What a recommendation.

Orlando -- Dylan and Hayden just keep growing! Dylan is talking up a storm, they both love the pool in the backyard (who wouldn't!) and I got more projects done - finished the bed covers, curtain and pillows for Dylan's big girl bed. Lee and Crissy had been painting downstairs - looks great - and naturally they offered plenty of food while we were there.

Needless to say, the return trip was fine, except for the service on the plane; it just gets worse and worse. "Is orange juice enough for you?" "Some coffee would be nice." "Oh ok. Black ok?" "Some milk would be nice." Heavy sigh. "Here." NOT Delta this time - Northwest. I guess someone was having a bad day and it wasn't me.

We've done the laundry, cleaned the house, got our sleep cycle corrected and are now waiting for the next round: Amina arrives this afternoon for a week with Oma und Opa!