I've been thinking . . .

I've had random thoughts going through my head, swirling around the stuff in life that is happening right now, has happened and the stuff that is coming my way. None of it warrants a post of it's own so here is a collage of what is in my head right now.

1. Bailey just finished dog sitting again for the best dog in the whole wide world, Roxie. I posted about this dog last summer. I'm going to be honest, if I could be guaranteed a dog that is a Roxie clone, we would be a dog family for sure. But nobody can guarantee me that dog. The dog is in love with my husband and my girls. Me, not so much, but she knows I'm the mom that feeds the people, so we get along and she is so sweet I can not be jealous. Well, except that one night that I was cuddled up with my man ready to watch a movie, and Roxie kept trying to get between us so that she could be the peanut butter in the PB&J.

Roxie had to go out on the balcony one of the days while I did my monotonous motherly duty, chores. Thank goodness for the shuffle on the iPod to mask the torture. McKenna sat at the door looking so forlorn as she pleaded with me to let Roxie back in. She said to Roxie with the saddest face she could produce, "Roxie, I love you so much! Are you cold? Do you need a blanket? Are you starving? My mom won't let you back in, I'm so sorry, but I love you so much" Honestly, I bet Roxie was glad to be outside. McKenna was recreating a Disney movie, she was the heroine, Roxie the maiden in peril and me . . . the evil villain. Oh, yeah!

2. Check this out! McKenna and I found these nose leaves on a tree at the school. I haven't seen these since childhood, or maybe I saw them, just not through childlike eyes. Once you open the base it is a little sticky and makes a great hat for your nose! Hum . . . I wonder if my sister remembers these?


3. Mark attended the 65th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy last weekend. This was an extraordinary experience for him. This just might be the last anniversary where actual D-Day veterans are present. Here is one of them. This veteran was a 19 year old Lieutenant who stormed the beach. He told the guys he lost over 100 men during that battle. He is in his 90's. What an honor for Mark.

These are Frenchmen dressed in US military uniforms from World War II taking part in the re-enactment. They look SO young!

Because of the massive amount of personnel that were involved in the weekend, this is what Mark's accommodations were for 2 nights. Unfortunately, a musician's life involves late late night gigs, all the other soldiers are up at the crack of dawn to do their job. Needless to say, not much shut eye for the guys.


This is the kind of thing that makes Mark's job so cool. It is cool anyway, but to be a part of this type of celebration, to show his respect and gratitude to these faithful patriots is something special.

4. Right now in Germany, the sun rises at 3:26 am and then sets at 9:35 pm. This is another reason I love roladens on my windows or my children would only sleep from 9:35 pm until 3:26 am. But, it sure makes for fabulous summer evenings, sitting out on the lawn with an ice cold Diet Coke next to my hot husband and watching my children run barefoot in the grass, head wet with "fun and games" sweat and sticky faces and hands from the hundredth Popsicle their giggles ringing in my ears. Yep, that's about all you can ask for in life.

We are off to Bavaria this week. Can't get enough of it, we have been down numerous times and still; it pulls at us. We plan to hike, swim, eat yummy food and of course visit my favorite woodcutter. We feel the need to decompress and so why not? We firmly believe your blood pressure drops 20 points as soon as you cross into Bavaria. Better than a pill!