2012 Was a Little Blur

It's hard to believe it's Christmas again.  Already!  Even as time slows down for a couple of oldsters the days still pass so quickly.  It's been a year of ups and downs but hopefully things will improve soon. Many things have happened, both good and not so great.  But that's just life.  

The highlight of my year was, of course, my trip to Europe. I would love to go back and stay for months and sight see more slowly.  But it was a wonderful trip and I wouldn't trade it for any other.  I still like looking at the pictures but I don't bore 
others with them as often now!  They might like seeing them once but after that it's just politeness when they ooh and aah.

We had a go 'round of it with the Mastiff we tried so hard to keep and socialize.  But we don't have him anymore due to safety reasons.  Ours and anyone who came to our house.  We felt bad giving him away but had no other choices.  Now the little dogs and the cats feel they can come out and play, which is a good thing.  We hadn't realized how intimidated they were. And now we can see our grandchildren again!

We are getting ready to make the rounds of holiday dinners with the family.  Christmas Eve with our daughter and family, Christmas Day with our older son and his family and will try to squeeze in a visit to the great grandchildren also. And I need to get those presents ready to go.  They all get wrapped in tissue paper and put in pretty gift bags.  No wrestling with boxes and rolls of gift wrap for me!   New Year's Day "required" pork and sauerkraut will probably be spent at our younger son's.  We are so courteous and just invite ourselves!   It makes a busy week and we are fortunate to have our family so near.  And we will be looking forward to the birth of our newest grand baby in January.  Anyway, she's supposed to wait until then.

I don't know what 2013 will hold for us but I know it will be good.
We are very blessed with a wonderful family and friends.

A Sister Visit

Today was a good day.  The dogs actually let us sleep until 6:30!  Now that is sleeping in!  Now if they could just do that a little more often we'd love it.


My sister, Lita, is down from Michigan visiting friends and family for a few days.  Today Lita, Russ and I went to Wooster to The Barn Restaurant.  It was very nice over there.  We haven't been there for quite a long time.  The pond was so pretty.  There are ducks and geese all over the place always looking for a handout.  They were following us all over but we didn't feed them because there were so many.  They all looked well fed anyway.  We had a really nice meal and a nice drive over and back.  


We came home to our house and Lita got to meet Marlasser, our big Mastiff.  That was an experience for her!  He greeted her enthusiastically, to say the least.  Lita is not really a "dog person" but she handled it well!  We got to chat a lot and catch up on all the family news.  Then we went to Mansfield Restaurant for a light dinner.  Tomorrow morning we are meeting at Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  Seems like all we do when we get together is eat!  That's the Lautzenhisers for you.


That might sound like a boring day to most people but it was a lovely day for me.  I don't get to see my sister often.  


Tomorrow is another day.

Just Thinking: Thinking Again

Just Thinking: Thinking Again: I see I have not posted on my blog for a long time.  It must just be laziness!  My last post was about getting ready to go to Europe.  My si...

Thinking Again

I see I have not posted on my blog for a long time.  It must just be laziness!  My last post was about getting ready to go to Europe.  My sister and I have been there and have been back a long time.  Since the middle of April.  


Our trip was just wonderful!  My nephew Matt was a great guide.  We had to remind him we couldn't keep walking as fast, as long and as far as he could.  We saw such wonderful sights and had delicious foods.  Airports are not that much fun!  The flight was long but it was worth it.  I'd go right away if I could!!  Back to Milan and southern Switzerland.  I loved it there.  I liked Cologne, Ger. too.  What a wonderful experience and one I am so grateful to have had.


Now I'm home and things have been back to "normal" for some time.  We're having this HOT summer along with everyone else which makes it hard to get outside and do any gardening in the flower beds.  Unless of course, you get out there about 7 AM.  This morning I did and enjoyed it.  But it got really hot in a hurry.  I'm hoping we get the rain that the forecaster said we'd get tomorrow.  Our house is surrounded by cornfields this year.  The poor corn's leaves are curling begging for those wonderful refreshing drops of rain to fall on them and give them that much needed moisture.  


I'm getting a lot of reading done this summer too.  I love Amish fiction and historical romances.  I just finished Ann Gabhart's new book, The Gifted and just loved it.  I also read her Words Spoken True and Angel Sister.  Those are great as well.  Now I'm reading Mary Ellis' Abigal's New Hope.  I just "found" Samantha Jillian Bayaar and got her Jacob's Daughter books for Kindle last night.  Books one through six!  Love series!!!  I have a large pile of books to read which always makes me happy.    There are so many new authors of Amish fiction now which is really nice.  Keep those books coming!!


And, speaking of reading, now that's what I'm going to do.  Have a wonderful evening everyone.

Some days like today it's hard to know if you're coming or going.  Errands to run. Complications with the ATM.  If the user would use the proper PIN it would have kept that aggravation at bay!!  But the ATM had it's own idea of an un-user friendly PIN and kept the card!  Now I needed that card because I'm going on vacation in a couple of days.  I went in the bank and, bless their hearts, they were very helpful and retrieved my card from the bossy ATM.  After that, it was off to the post office to mail a gift.  That worked out OK after I figured out the box I had in my hand wasn't Priority Mail. The one I had did LOOK like priority mail! Got that figured out and picked up pizza for lunch because I didn't want to go home and have to think of something to make.  

There was laundry to do.  Several loads.  And lists to make so that all the dogs got the right thing while I'm gone.  And all the other stuff that needs to be taken care of while Mama is away.

Then there is our daughter-in-law's surgery tomorrow.  Pretty scary, that one.  And another friend that I care about and want the best for.   

And then checking and rechecking to make sure that I have my passport.  Not going anywhere without that!!  And all the other things you NEED for an overseas trip.  And making sure there are enough clothes and not too many taking up my half of the big suitcase that will be checked.  Space bags come in handy!!  You can get a lot in those things!  Tell the credit card companies where you'll be and when so they don't deny a charge from a hotel in Germany!  Medicines, toiletries, cameras and just stuff!  

I know this.  When I get on the plane to Milan, I'm taking a deep breath, sitting back and relaxing and maybe sleep.  And enjoy my vacation!!  Wonder what they have to drink on that plane?

Ready For Adventure

Next Sunday I'll be sightseeing in Milan, Italy.  I can hardly believe it!  My sister, Lita, and I are getting ready this week for our big adventure!  I am driving to Michigan to her house on Thursday so we can get organized with our packing to leave on Saturday from Detroit Airport.   We fly from there to Kennedy Airport where we have a three hour layover.  And from there to Milan.  And there is a 6 hour time change because they are 6 hours ahead of us!  We are going to be so jet lagged.

Lita and I still cannot believe we can do this.  I have wanted to go to Europe for so long and now at almost 70 will have the chance!  How great is that?  My nephew, Lita's son Matt, teaches at the American School in Switzerland.  His spring break will be for two weeks so he is going to be our tour guide.  He has traveled so much in Europe and Asia that he could be a working tour guide!  We will go to Milan and surrounding area, to Switzerland to see where Matt lives and teaches and the sights there.  Then to Dusseldorf,  Germany by Airbus.  After all the sightseeing there we will travel by train to Paris and be there for five days!  I can hardly wait to see Paris!  Especially the Louvre. My goodness what a treat to be able to see the great Old Masters paintings!   I don't know what other adventures we will have in Paris but I'm sure there will be many.

And the food!  I am excited to try some of the ethnic foods, I think.  Especially pastries!  Real Italian, German, Swiss and French food!  Matt is a real food connoisseur so I'm sure he will make sure we eat well!!

So Carol and Lita's Big Adventure will be very soon.  WhooHoo!!

Just Odds and Ends

I haven't posted here for a while.  Maybe I just haven't had anything to think about.  That wouldn't be so unusual.


We are having such wonderful January weather with gorgeous sunshine and mild temperatures.  It is so nice to be able to get outside and enjoy it.  I know we are in for some nasty weather at sometime or other this winter but I'm in no hurry to see it.


Yesterday Harley and I took a nice long walk.  His first time in his harness.  His mommy had trouble getting it adjusted properly so he got out of it twice before we left the driveway!  But we finally got it right and off we went.  We both need long walks because we are both waddling!  "Nuff said!


I am such a lucky person.  We had a wonderful holiday season with the family.  I don't know where I got a couple of my kids but they are very entertaining I must say!  And the grandkids are getting so grown up.  There are several teenagers now and they are wonderful kids.  The little ones are wonderful too.  You never know what to expect from them!  And I got all my pictures of the families in front of the fireplace.  A requirement, I told them, for updating the family picture wall.  And everyone but my granddaughter in law who was working at a nursing home, and my grandson were here.  It's pretty great to get 30 people in the same family together at once.


And the best present of all is going to be a trip to Europe with my sister.  Since my nephew lives in Switzerland he is going to be our tour guide.  I know he will have an interesting itinerary planned for us and will show us a really great time.  Paris for five days!!!


And another best present is special friends.