And Here Is to More.............(sigh)

I am still soaking up every memory made on our recent trip to Europe. I am grateful for every trip we have ever taken,every memory, moment of laughter, frustration, and every ounce of excitement over seeing something knew. Our family has been very fortunate,and we don't take that lightly.

Every opportunity to travel is an opportunity to see how small our world really is, and how alike we all truly are. We value family, and appreciate simply being together and sharing the moments of discovery. We really discovered so much this time around. In France, we learned that family was not necessarily the one you were born into, but the commitment to one another runs deep during time of war. The stories of families lost, and other families taking stragglers in as their own, or the "band of brothers" who liberated France are evidence of this. Life is precious and wasting it is an injustice to those who lost their lives to ensure us of the right to live ours freely.

My History Professor, Dr.Murphy, told us to get out and explore the world, to visit foreign countries and see for ourselves how much alike we all truly are. Learning to embrace our differences, respect them, and learn from one another is what separates us from those who hold prejudices without true knowledge.

This is the beginning of understanding the need to reach out and do more for others less fortunate. It starts with first hand experiences that move your heart into action. So, here is to more.

"The Last time I Saw Paris....."

We encountered only a few snags on our first European tour, and we managed to escape without injury although our nerves were a bit frayed at one particular point.

On our last evening in Paris we rushed through all of the sites we could before ending our evening with the most important stop of all, The Hard Rock Cafe Paris. As we had discovered all through our European experience there is one thing that is very true, they never rush you through a meal. They consider disturbing you as you dine to be rude, so you must get their attention for everything including the bill. So, after walking, hunting, and running into a couple of Americans ( how funny it is to feel such excitement when you hear your own language being spoken and you can recognize a southern accent...home!)we located the restaurant where we would celebrate our son's 19th birthday..The Hard Rock Cafe in Paris.

After dining on a wonderful meal and enjoying a , yes..chocolate dessert accompanied by happy birthday being sung in French we were ready to head back to the hotel via the subway train. It was nearly 1:00 a.m. and the cafes were still filled with people sippping wine and coffee and enjoying conversation. There was a lovely chill in the air and we were full and ready to rest. Armed with our subway map and our trusted leader, we purchased our ticket and entered the subway platform.

The train arrived and as we welcomingly took our seats and began to relax we heard, "oh, nope, we have to get off at the next stop, it will be faster if we take the "A" train directly to the Airport and get a taxi to the hotel." No questions asked we popped off at the next stop, where we heard again, " oh, nope we need the next stop and then up to the train back to the airport." With a snarl, and a huff, we watch and wait for the next train, "swooosh", we get on quickly, but not quite fast enough, my son begins to get in just as the door is closing, so I did what any mom would do, I threw my body in the way of the door, and felt a sharp pain permeate my shoulder, but the kid gets on board.

Alas, the next stop, and out we go, heading up the stairs, my thighs burning, and to the train area, but it was chained and locked. Almost immediately we hear and see three gurads and a muzzled german shepherd dog, the subway it closed. We were escorted out and onto the streets of Paris at 1:30 a.m., as taxis are flying by, people are milling through the alley ways, and we are praying for safe passage to our hotel and at least a few hours of sleep before dawn.

I wish I had a picture of this!

Kitty Day Care

Just before we left to take a short vacation in the Spring we made a discovery in our side yard. One,you really don't want to find, a stray cat had decided to have her brood of kittens in our yard.

There they were, 2 yellow, one gray, and two black,eyes tightly closed and resembling rats more than kittens. It had been a particularly wet season for us, highly unusual I might add, but it certainly added to the concerns of the situation. Mother Cat (MC for short), had placed these little creatures inside a box, which was inside a box on it's side, so that it provided a roof and shelter for her little brood. We carefully moved the box into the corner by our fence and made a cover for it, provided a few clean t-shirts, food and water for MC and left.

When we returned, they were missing, and we were somewhat relieved that we had escaped the responsibility of these creatures that had landed in our yard. Move forward two weeks, and while cleaning out the side yard as to not encounter another situation like this, my son hears a faint meowing coming from a large nasty box and alas,there they were slowly,one at a time making their appearance, dirty, tiny, wobbly,and too darn cute.

We scooped all five up, and proceeded to check them out and clean them up and call our favorite vet, Dr. Heidi. After, making another shelter for them keeping them warm and keeping an eye on MC, we left them to her as instructed, and waited, watched and played with them daily until they were four weeks old. Then we made our move, and brought them inside, armed with kitty formula, kitty mush, and toys, lots of toys...thus Kitty Daycare was created.

I have only had dogs, and mine are spoiled rotten, so these babies became crate trained, litter trained, immunized, and socialized and dearly loved and pampered.
We have found great homes for two of them and have had nibbles for the others, and I have honestly refused offers because of where they were going..I am picky and want them to go to good homes.

My Normandy Obsession

While attending the local university several years ago, as a History Major, my concentration was in American Colonial History. Now, I am completely obsessed with Normandy, the towns of Bayeux, St. Mere Eglise, and Arromaches. We spent time in Paris, and stood in front of the Arc de Triomphe and 40's newsreels played in my head, however, it did not move me as much as the countryside for some reason.

The fields of cows, the farmhouses, the green hills and rolled up hay bales, the chickens, and the beaches that were sprinkled with cinder block and iron...still. I was amazed to see the flags of England, Canada, France and America displayed so boldly...almost everywhere. Many of the people that we spoke with expressed the same thoughts,"...we expected to see the English and Canadians come to help us, but we were so surprised and happy to see the Americans."

I am an emotional person, I admit it. I wear my heart on my sleeve and am moved by the smile and giggles of babies and teenagers alike. I well up easily when I hear a song that brings back memories of my parents, and of my youth. I cry when I hear our National Anthem and see ole glory waving in the sky. It is who I am, and I make no apologies for it. I wept like a baby when I stood before a white cross in the American cemetery resting above Omaha Beach that read, "Here lies in Honored Glory One Known Only to God". Then I raised my eyes and saw white marble lying on a blanket of green as far as the eyes could see ( over 9000 men were lost on D-Day)and cried even more.

I am proud to be an American, I am proud of our country and our service to humanity, and most of all I am proud of the men and women who hear the call of service to their country and go willingly into harms way. Yes, we just celebrated the 4th of July and patriotism is coursing through my veins, I wish everyone could visit these places once and say thank you to the "greatest generation".

Pictures to Remember Dreams By

I am finally over the time difference, but I wake up at 5:30 a.m. just the same. I keep thinking about our two weeks in Europe and at times it feels like a dream. Thank goodness we have over nine hundred pictures to remind me that it really happened.

My son likes to start taking pictures from the moment he packs his bag, and from that moment forward everything is documented whether we like it or not ( I have given up and have found a way of laughing through it or getting even for unflattering photos).

He did a great job and I am so glad he is this meticulous....now that we are home ;-)

Ou est la Boulangerie?

One of my favorite sayings in french was, Where is the Bakery? I bet you can guess why. My niece told me that I had to enjoy all of the chocolate I could while I was in France because it would be a whole new experience. OMG, she was so right! They use a higher concentration of cocoa, and the pastry is so buttery and flaky...I miss France.

4th of July

This has been an extraordinary day. I joined the church I have been attending for almost 2 years. I am inspired more than ever to be the best that God wants me to be. I have no obstacles holding me back, I just want to please God and follow his plan for my life.

On this Independence Day, I am proud of being a Christian, an American and grateful for all the opportunities I have had in my life.

I pray for our country and it's leaders and I continue as always to hold those I love in prayer.

To God be the Glory

Europe for the Graduate

I was dreading the 10 hour flight, I won't again. It was better than I thought it could possibly be. Air New Zealand is the only way to fly. The passenger flying economy is treated like most airlines treat first class. The seats were quite roomy and the leg room was more than adequate. The food service and drink service was way beyond anything I could have imagined, I wonder what business class was like, or first class because this was great. We were on a 747 double decker, unbelievable..love Air New Zealand!

Europe, well it is not over rated. It was spectacular, England, and France were beyond anything I could have imagined. We learned a bit of French before we left, the last few weeks of school were crazy with so much preparation on every level. We were warned about Europeans not being too terribly fond of Americans, we never encountered anything other than gracious , wonderful people. They appreciated the effort we made to speak to them in their own language, and were so helpful regarding site seeing options and food choices. I almost think France was my favorite.

Paris is beautiful, and the architecture is something to marvel at. However, the countryside..oh my gosh, Bayeux, Caen, Normandy, Arromanches and the beach front at Omaha Beach is breath taking for so many reasons. We stayed in a wonderful little roadside family run hotel just a few killimeters from the beach front. IF, you ask they will tell you the stories of the German occupation and what D-Day meant to them. I have grown up hearing the WWII stories from all sources, this experience was the most powerful.

England was magical, the countryside is sprinkled with castles, cottages, pastures, rolling hills, and the city is full of the hustle and bustle that it is famous for. Double decker red buses, red phone booths, and Mind the Gap on every tube stop. The Tower of London, the Thames, Parliment, Westminister Abbey and of course the pubs where neighborhoods come alive at night. I watched with amazment as we exited the tube station and came right out in front of Big Ben. I remembered all the times I had watched Peter Pan as a child, with my children and again with later generations. Just for a small glimpse of pixie dust..ah come on. Magical, simply magical.

I love Europe, at least what I have seen of it so far.