Monday is Here.......

Guten Tag,

Well, Lennie and I had a wonderful week-end. The weather could have not been more beautiful for the walks and errands we had to do. It was a three day week-end for the military here. The General called for a training day so the families with school children could prepare for their return to school today. Than next week-end is a four day week-end. Lennie does not get any of these days off. He must take leave w/o pay if he wants them off. His boss does allow him and others to work at home if they want on these training days but they must work. So Lennie on these days works in his pjs!

On Saturday morning we got up and did our neighborhood errands and had a most delicious treat...cherry strudel. Oh, my, to Lennie and I it is better than apple strudel...it was down right delicious. So we enjoyed this masterpiece of a confection with our wonderful coffee and our tummies were delighted. By this time we decided we would just stay home for the day and later in the day we would go explore some more of our neighborhood. As we did this around 4PM we sensed fall in the air and the smell of autumn is beginning to take over the smell of summer. We noticed, too, that some of the trees are starting to turn color, which is certainly a sign that summer is at the backdoor. The village from 2PM Saturday's until 6AM on Monday mornings just becomes like a blanket of quiet. I really think there are times we could hear a pin drop if we really tried.

One of things we really like to do is walk through the Friedhof, cemetery, which are much different than our American version. They look like lush gardens with some of the most beautiful pieces of artwork for stones. Many are made out of ironworks than limestone. There is even a statue of a naked man with all his glory....hence I came into the world with nothing and I leave with nothing....and there is nothing left to the imagination. He is made out of sandstone and very "detailed" Lennie and I said kids must really get some giggles out of this! It is such a peaceful place. There are watering cans, hoes, rakes etc...for people to use to keep up the grave sites. We noticed some of the nicest ones were done by a company who must specialize in keeping up graves. That is the entrepreneurial spirit...where there is a need make a buck. Outside of the Friedhof is a memorial to all the men who lost theirs lives from this village in WW I and II. There were 13 or 14 people with the same last name lost between the 2 wars....this family really did give a sacrifice of life!

On Sunday we made the trek and ended up at the PX on Panzer. Did some shopping of those things "on our list" and Lennie got a new toy. I have a DS I love it....I mostly play Scrabble and lots of other word games on it. Now, Lennie, he loves, darts, poker, rummy, etc....and uses mine so yesterday I bought him his own. Now, I can play scrabble without having to make an appointment in the evening...ha! So Papa and Grammy have their own Nintendo DS's and love them! So than we had to buy him some of his own games he was like a little kid trying to decide what he wanted. He picked out two things that were for X-boxes and I said are we going to have to buy that next for you? We do have fun together. I am so blessed that I am married to my best friend. He is the cat's meow!

This past month I have been studying the Book of James. I must say it really has made an impact on my life. I have changed some things that needed changing and has me pondering on some other things that I have not pondered enough. I love it when God takes a hold of me and shows me new things as I read through His word. I think writing my book has really been an open door for a lot of this. This book may never be published but is has certainly been cathartic for me. I realized today as I was reading James 5:11, "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy," that we are blessed by with compassion and mercy with our perseverance. Again, it shows me, God is NOT asking for perfection, He is only asking for our best. I say for myself, many days I do not put about my best, but He knows my heart, your hearts, and we DO get an "E" for effort topped with a huge dose of compassion and mercy. So if He can do that for me I must do the same for those He puts in my life. Perserverance means alot to God....it means do not give up...it means keep those eyes fixed upon Him and He will give us the desires of our hearts. He IS....full of compassion and mercy all the days of our lives!

This morning the kids were back on the school buses and the traffic is getting back to normal. The Landlord and his wife are home and they are working up a storm. They make me think of the ants God talks about in the Bible...they work work for they will be prepared for winter! So the neighborhood is back in "working" order and now they are preparing for Oktberfest and Winefest that every village in Germany will have in one way shape or form. Let the Autumn celebrations begin!

Tschuss,

Debby

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Oh Such a Quiet Evening in Deutchland

Gut Naben,

Another day is almost over and I have never heard it so quiet outside. It seems to me what it must have been like right before the "passover." Right now trumpets could blow and we would definately hear them if Jesus decided to come back at this moment. Today was a good day and I am getting the bus riding down to an art. I found out today, until my forms are signed to stay in the country on my Visa I cannot work out at the gym. I cannot legally be in the gym to work out, even as a spouse of a 30 year veteran, with out the signed form. Now my precious husband, as you all know is Mr. organized, obedient, and had done everything he has been told to do to get this piece of paper....so we just keep waiting and hopefully someday soon I can finally go work my touchie off and go in the commissary and BX by myself. It is amazing how the government works these SOFA deals and each time they seem to take another thing away from those who spent their lives protecting this country. So anyone coming to Germany that is retired know this .....you cannot shop in the commissary, BX or get medical care. So make sure you have good insurance when you are traveling. We knew these things before we came but the Visa thing is taking longer than anticipated but I will not be kicked out until the end of October...so God willing I will be all safe and tucked in ...if not home I come. Flexibility is a good thing! Enough complaining.

The bus trip home today was one to remember. There were two of the cutest little children I have ever seen, outside of my own grandchildren, who got on the bus with momma and were eating chocolate croissants. Girlfriends, you should have seen them by the time they arrived at their stop about 10 minutes later. I wanted so badly to take a picture they were chocolate from head to toe. They made our day. Than we go a little further after we have left them off and we see an Oma and her little granddaughter, about 3, standing and they are just laughing and having the most wonderful of times with each other. You could tell they were so happy to be with each other. The Oma saw me and smiled with a very "special" smile she knew I was wanting what she had! She waved to me and her eyes and smile were filled with compassion for me. I had about a 2 minute cry .....somedays are harder than others.

Tomorrow's high is to be 66 and sunshine. What a nice day for a walk and whatever we decide to do. We change our minds a dozen times before we end up doing what we will do on Saturdays. There is a huge Winefest in the village over so we are going to probably go to that. Nice we can ride a bus.....so we can sip the fruit of the vine. :) Today we both felt fall in the air here. It was like a warm fall day not a warm summer day. Also, some of the trees are starting to change colors. As Lennie said, here in Stuttgart we could get our first snow within 4 or 6 weeks. I absolutely LOVE fall and winter in Germany there is NOTHING more lovely or beautiful and I do thank God I am getting this opportunity at least one more time!

Well time to play a game of scrabble, say my prayers and go nighty night!! God bless ans sweet dreams to all.

Tschuss,
Debby

Evening Thoughts!

Gut Naben,

Well, I don't have much to say tonight but do want to thank the Lord that Kevin and Casey have a house and their things arrived at their doorstep yesterday. I know the kids must be so happy to have the familiar around them once again...mostly called TOYS! The place is not grand but it is livable and there are some very nice things about it but most of all they have a roof over their head. Always in His time! Thank you everyone for your fervent prayers.

Lennie was going to have the day off tomorrow but that is not going to happen now. Something came up and he must be at work tomorrow. I shall go in the afternoon and meet him so we can go do the Post errands. Pray for me because I get a little nervous out there on my own....because of my fragility of my body not because I can't do it!! I did get some art supplies today so now I can so some drawing and doodling and whatever. I found them just about 200 feet from my house! What is that for service. I am finding my neighborhood more and more compliant to my lifestyle everyday.

Friends we can talk by Skype or Google chat....free anytime. So if you have nothing else to day give me a ring I would love to hear and/or see you as we Skype to Maddie and Samantha at least 3 times a week and thank their Mommy for doing this for us. Everytime Maddie sees Papa she gets so excited I wonder what she will do next month when she sees him in person?

Again...the door is open and there are some cheap fares out there. I am here until mid December....love and miss everyone.....have a great rest of the day and in another couple of hours my day will be over and I will sleeping zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's.

Tschuss,

Debby

Gut Naben,

Evening is upon us and it is raining just a bit. A nice steady rain that sounds absolutely beautiful upon the tile roof or our house. Lennie is home and settled in for the evening. I love it when he is under the roof with me. We don't say much some nights but it is just the comfort of knowing my better half is with me.

Yesterday morning when I got up and opened up the kitchen window, low and behold, there were people waiting in the waiting room of PT and Ortho Docs across the street. The rouladens were up and it was business as usual. Next week I hear the sounds of children once again coming and going from their school. So my quiet neighborhood will get loud and busy again.

Tomorrow I am going to go find a stationary/art store. There is one, I think down the block. I want to get some art supplies. If that does not work out I think I will take the train into downtown Stuttgart and go to the art store I found there. I really want to do some painting and drawing. I have been stitching at night and during the day I do an online Beth Moore study and do my One Year Bible reading and read, but I am itching to be more creative. So I am on the hunt. I would like as the days get cooler to go sit in some of the pretty places and draw or paint them. There is also a arts and crafts place on Panzer so I need to check that out, too.

I was in the grocery this noon getting milk and brochen and God gave me another life lesson. It was fairly busy and there was a precious little old lady in front of me. She was not moving to fast, had a high tech walker with a shopping basket attached, and I noticed she had a black eye. She also was not moving with much steadiness. She dropped something and as she stiffly bent over I just felt such empathy for her. I picked up what she dropped and we smiled at each other. As I have said before smiles are understood in ALL languages and they make all people happy, even if they will not admit it. Now, when we buy things we have to put everything in our shopping bags, environment friendly if all possible, we are in Germany. So what I do, I put my things back in my basket, move away after I have paid, put all my groceries in my bags and off I go into the backerei! Well, the Frau was having a very hard time, and was slower than molasses, it just was not a good experience for her, and sadly to say others in the line were getting very upset with her. I had a choice be upset or ....as I heard God whisper, this WILL be you someday and how would you want these people to treat you? I almost started crying because at that moment I just wanted to hug and love on that precious Frau and say you deserve all the time you need! I think of what this woman has lived through, she has lived through war, no doubt she was that old. I love it when God just reminds me so gently and I see "myself" down the road, which this road is NOT that far away, God willing. It really is about do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Ipray she got home okay and that she was not to worn out by the excursion.

That is all for today. I listened to a great lesson on Lonliness by Ravi Zacharis today....he believes that lonliness comes from the lack of worship and gratitude. So I have been chewing on this and believe that he has hit upon something. He used a lot of material from GK Chesterton and CS Lewis and Jonathan Edwards. The Holy Spirit really speaks to me through Ravi.


Gruss Gott!

Tschuss,
Debby

Gut Morgen!

Our favorite Italian Restaurant

Well, here I am by a 1948 Porsche! The year I was born is when the FIRST Porsche was sold....just like fine wine....what a date! I knew there was a reason I always LOVED that car.

Here IS THE CAR that will be waiting, hopefully, by my mansion in heaven. Can you NOT just see me in it...it is a dream.

The reason I like Porsche's so much comes from my design background. This car follows the rule of design....form follows function! This is not only a functional car it is a piece of art.

What a great time I had yesterday. Lennie said I truly was like a kid in a candy shop. I just think that this car is the ultimate. Lennie loved his BMW and wants another someday if all possible but I believe there is only ONE car and this little red job is THE car!! What would have been the ultimate that I could have been told I had won the grand prize that day and THE red job was mine! Oh, well we can all dream can we not? Believe me I was driving this sweet car in my dreams last night.

There was one that cost 1.5 million euros....that is about 500,00 American dollars. It is the one at the top of the page. If they make it in red I will take it....ha. They only made twenty.

After the Porsche museum we got on the train and went into town and had a delicious lunch. I had kasespatzle, german version of mac and cheese, a wonderful salad with the best yogurt dressing I have ever tasted...lots and lots of dill and tarragon. Lennie had sausages and pomme frites which I helped eat and of course we both had our large Dunkel! Cannot have a German meal w/o the bier. It was a beautiful day. As we sat and ate our lunch outside there were some wonderful street musicians that provided music for us as we ate. We were joined by three elderly German people as we ate. The one lady just stared at me the whole time. She was about 75 or 80 and she just seemed mesmerized by be.

Just like Friday night we were eating at our favorite Italian restaurant(the picture is of our restaurant) and this little girl, about 8 or 9, got so excited when she heard me talking English. She could hardly eat she was so busy watching us. We asked her mom if her daughter could speak English and she said no, but she would be learning this year in school. When I left I said Tschuss to her and she hugged me!! Of course I loved that! She reminded me of my little girls who I miss so much. It is amazing how children do know grandparent's, as I have shared before. No matter the language they just gravitate to us. We love it.

Another unexpected happening on Saturday morning just thrilled me. Ready....I got my haircut and I found a gem....she is a very, very good stylist!! Thanks God....again for the little things. I did not realize that Lennie had already taken his clothes over to the cleaners as I was taking a shower when he did this. So when I was done primping I said let us walk to the cleaners so I can check if the hairdresser that Maria suggested is back from vacation. Well, he said, she is, because I just came back from there! So we walked over so Lennie could help me make the appointment. She was not only a lovely woman she said she could cut my hair than if I could wait until she was done with the lady in the chair. So my trusty little interpreter and I sat and waited. I do not know what I would do without my Lennie. Sondra is Croatian, just as our landlord Maria and her husband are, and she is probably about 40-45 but just amazing at cutting hair. I was so afraid I would be without a good hairdresser here and than I would be miserable with bad hair....but I found a winner! Than we did all the laundry on Saturday. Now, laundry in Europe is not an easy task. If you are going to do two loads it will, with the drying, will take at least 4 to 5 hours!!! We were so happy that with the landlords gone we could do it during the day. Usually we start our laundry at 6:30 on Monday nights and do not get done until midnight! BUT the laundry is much cleaner, less wrinkled and so the time is worth it...I guess...ha!

Than I fixed us caprese salads, we watched the International Track Finals and had a lovely Saturday as the day became night and sounds of the evening began to fill our house. There were fireworks, music, and than the night preparing for a day of rest and quiet in Deutchland. .....than we got up and off ...... Next Sunday we MUST go to church. It is such a trek and such a long walk for me.....that we make excuses but we had so much to be thankful for this week we should have been there. But we spend the early morning hours reading our Bibles, praying and giving thanks...He was not forgotten!! Never.

Tschuss,

Debby

Frietag.....COOLER and Rain!!!

Guten Tag,

Not going to Brugge. We decided we will wait until it is cooler ...probably in early September or mid-October. For sure we will get there before we come home. I think tomorrow is the Porsche museum...I will feel like I am in heaven on earth. Those who know me well know how much I LOVE Porsches!! This IS my dream car. I cannot wait!!! I will take lots of pictures.

I have shared this story with some of you but allow me to tell it again. Last year I was walking with Suze, my precious friend who I miss so much. We were coming back from our walk and I saw this WONDERFUL Porsche sitting at her back door. I said Suze whose car is that and she said Tom's! Now Tom is her husband. I asked where it had been because I had never seen it before. She told me he keeps it in storage in the winter. This car had been an inheritance to Tom from an uncle. How lucky can one be...I have NO uncles doing this for me!! Right than and there, this IS the kind of friend Suze is...she said you must take it and drive it for the week-end. I thought I had died and gone to heaven!The next day I got the car and immediately took the top off and went off in the wild blue yonder. Went out on the country roads and I drove that car like I was James Dean. I felt so free and full of life and all I could do is call out from the top of my lungs...thank you God!! See this showed me that He even cares about the little things in our lives. He desires for us to be happy, we are His creations, why would He create us to have a joyless unfulfilled life? I realized right than I was being given a "gift" of love that only my God could give me and He used a very special friend who also loved me very much. I had such fun that week-end. I even took the grandkids for rides in it. They could not believe it when drove into their drive way in this snazzy sports car. I have pictures but they are at home because I transfered those pictures to the hard drive before I came over. I shall share them someday....I promise. That week-end was just after I had turned 60 and it truly was a wonderful birthday gift and for a short time I felt 16 again ...getting behind the wheel for the first time and thinking I owned the world!! Yes, God is good!

Tschuss,
Debby

A HOT HOT THURSDAY IS JUST BEGINNING.........

GUTEN TAG,

I do not mind hot weather, especially when it is only for a few days, but we forget how wimpy we are, when we do not have air conditioning. Yesterday was a scorcher, almost 90, and today is going to be in the 90's, and I thank God for one fan we have! But sleeping has been no problem so far and by tomorrow it is suppose to be back in the 70's, so I will try not to complain. As I look on the Internet and see all the bad, rainy and hot weather in the US I know I need to just be quiet and get on with this life I have been given.

Tomorrow, is a down day for the military, so Lennie is taking a day off and we will go do our "errands" which take all day when we are walking and riding buses. We must go buy our tickets for all our fun things ahead at SATO, which is one post than we must go to PX, that is at another post and than Commissary which is yet at another place....so it truly does take a whole day. What will be nice, we do not have to waste a week-end to do this. So Saturday we are getting on the train and going to Brugge, Belgium for the week-end. This truly is my most favorite city in all of Europe. We are going to stay at our favorite place and eat at our two favorite restaurants. This time I will not walk up the 387 stairs to the top of the steeple....maybe the next time when I have TWO new knees. Today it is so quiet outside. I think I could hear a pin drop. I hear a dog barking, which is very rare, but otherwise, besides the bus that just arrived at my window it is eerily quiet. I was telling Lennie yesterday I do not know their names, but I am getting to know my neighbors and their daily habits. I can bet money on when the lady who works in the Backerei will come out for your smoke breaks. She can really smoke it fast does not seem she is even enjoying it. Than the ladies who have their different color baskets and bags who shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have been doing this for along time. My neighbor who lives upstairs across from our bedroom gets up every morning, very early, opens her rouladens until 7:30AM. She closes them and must go off for the day and they are not opened until the next morning around 6AM. If I saw her on the street I would know her but she is just the lady who I see every morning when I am rolling up my rouladens. No name, no personality, just the lady drinking her coffee at her kitchen table I "meet" every morning!

Oh, yesterday I found the market in my neighborhood. It was so exciting. It is just a smaller version of what is down in Markethalle and the fresh flowers and fruits and veggies were everywhere. I bought blackberries as big as the end of my thumb and cucumbers that are huge and the grapes are coming in now every color and taste imaginable. It was our farmer's market in Leavenworth, w/o the sweet corn....darn it anyway....oh how we have missed our sweet corn this summer. With a mix of a Italian clothes and kitchen supply market....just a mix of everything. One of things I saw that was so funny to me. There were these two little kids who were eating raw corn like it was candy. They were literally eating it off of the cob right from the seller. Lennie says in the Arab countries this is the way they eat their corn. It is NOT sweet corn friends....it is corn only eaten by the pigs in our country...the Europeans do not do sweet corn, as we know it, but their corn is what farmers in America grow, as I said for the pigs etc... In so many ways we are alike in so many ways we are so different. That is what makes the world what it is. I ponder why we all want to be alike. Is that not why God made Tower of Babel?

I am going to close now. I must run over to the Penny Markt and get some more cottage cheese. This has to be the yummiest cottage cheese I have ever tasted. I mix nuts and fruit with it for my lunch. Also, I must get some more cream for my blackberries and strawberries. We just eat them with wonderful cold, rich cream over them. Wish I had my ice cream maker with me could try and see if we could use it and make luscious blackberry and strawberry ice cream. Plus I must get our daily dose of fresh brochen(bread) ...we are spoiled.

Unti later........love to you all as I put this baby to bed...

Tschuss,

Debby

Another Monday...........

Guten Tag,

Well it is Monday again and Lennie is working late tonight. We had a great week-end and had some very hot days and it is continuing into this week. No, rain which is rare but thank God today it is a bit cloudy. We are having high humidity which is rare for here. I am missing my family much but look forward to Carrie and families visit soon at the end of next month

Yesterday, I told Lennie I was missing home a little bit. Than I said, no I think not, because once I am back there, I will realize "they" THE SCHMIDT clan is NOT down the street!!! Than he said, but that will just means we will have to plan that trip to Hawaii which means we are closer to seeing them...I love my man!!

Let me see what do I talk about first. There is so much going on this time of year.
Wine fests, the Oktoberfest begins in a couple of weeks, every town and city seem to be celebrating something this time of year. Of course Ramadan, begins on the 20th, so we shall be hearing and seeing our Muslim neighbors celebrating late into the nights. They will fast and pray all day and play all night! On Friday evenings I sometimes I feel like I am in Saudi Araba or Iraq...etc...so I wonder what a month of Ramadan will bring, ha

I got my first transportation pass so off I can go anytime anywhere I want to go I am legal on any mode of transportation. My number one mode of transportation are my legs and believe me my body knows. Thing I love about walking here is that there are some beautiful paths honed out for walking. Also, there are benches everywhere to stop and just relax and listen to the sounds and take in the beauty around you. We have scoped out some playgrounds for Maddie and Sam and I do believe we have found every backerei and eis store in walking distances of our house. No! we have not tried all of them! Were on the train, about 5 miles from home yesterday, and Lennie says when you were not here I would walk here from home. He is telling me this all the time. I feel bad we cannot walk as far but I know the doctor would not be to happy with me. I have found that I am doing very well, but it has been just 3 months since my surgery so no wonder I still have some pain after a long day of being out. I start tomorrow working out at the gym on the base...so that should help, too.

Saturday evening as we are walking to dinner I realized once again, Lennie and I have been given a wonderful gift of living here. Allowing that we are where we are in our life just makes us that more appreciative of what God has given us .......the desires of our hearts. One of the things we prayed about before Lennie retired was that God would continue to give us adventures and oh how He has answered this prayer...thank you Lord! If I had not had me knee replaced and knowing the other will be done soon....I do not know if we would have had or will have the pleasure of some of these adventures so I am thankful I live in 2009 where modern medicine is one of my best friends!

Yesterday down at the Summerfest in the Palace Gardens was delightful. Everyone enjoying the beautiful summer day and the "fruits" of the summertime. One of things that Lennie and I got to experience was a Catholic Mass being over and watching "all" the people come out of Mass. It made us have a sense that God is still alive in many people's hearts even here in Germany. What Lennie found interesting was that most of the people were speaking Slovic languages not German. Also, "religion" is trying to be sold here just as in America. One table of Jehovah Witness, another tent with International Bible Translators, a tent with "Dianetics" or Scientology as we call it in America. Than just around the corner, ready for this, at the Starbucks Cafe....the Mormons!" They know where to get the most business...ha!! They won't drink the stuff but they want the people who do! We really are quite a world, are we not?

On our trip to get our Doner yesterday and paprika fries...we saw alot more beggars than usual. Maybe it was because we were in and out of the train station? We also saw a Marilyn Manson look alike and he and his "friends" were sniffing who knows what and than on the other side of this coin we saw a little girl on a scooter and her brother on his bike and mom chasing them because they were out of control. They were so funny ....a little bit later we are on the train going home and at one of the stops we see mom holding the bike and the little boy asleep on a bench as they wait for the train. It was so cute and the little boy reminded Lennie and I of Elijah! Every kid reminds us of one of our grandchildren...ha!!

Time to put this one to bed and go read my book. Oh, I recommend "The Help" by Kathryn Sockett.....it was an amazing read.I could not put it down. The pictures this week will be mostly from our neighborhood....

Tschuss
Debby

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS FREITAG!

Guten Tag,

Do not know what this week-end will bring. We have decided to take it easy. My legs have been hurting and I have been awake three nights this week. So we are going to stay in the neighborhood, take some strolls, have a picnic at the park down the street. We are going to go check the gym out on Kelly where Lennie works. I want to start going in a few days a week and work out. I will ride in with him three or four days a week. Next week-end is a the Stuttgart WineFest so we shall go to that for sure. We have been told that the wines from this neck of the woods is quite tasty. So we shall go see.

Just wanted to connect and say happy Friday. I finished two more chapters of my book today which makes me happy. I am having a sad heart today because I am really missing my sweeties big and small and all sizes in between.. We keep praying for HOUSE....they are amazing. Then we pray for Miss Maddie and Samantha as they have all been battling allergies and colds, as has mommy. I never stop praying!

God bless and have a blessed week-end. Can you believe half of August is almost over? I swear I will be 100 before I know it!

Tschuss,

Debby

Donnerstag

Guten Tag,

Not much to say today. It is cloudy and trying to rain. It is very quiet outside my windows today. Maria just got done cleaning the apartment a few minutes ago. She gave me a name of a hairdressr, who luckily, is just around the corner from the house. So next week I will go make an appointment. She is on vacation...remember....it is August. So you make sure you get yourself all spiffy in July because no one will be around to pamper you in August!

Had my lunch and now doing this. Wrote about three pages of my book today. I write between three and five a day unless I really get a burst of ideas and just cannot stop. Last night I almost got up to write...that is a first. I am really getting into this. You know it never needs to be published it just needs to be done for the since of accomplishment. I have a dear friend who has acquainted me with lulu.com so maybe I can publish it there...we shall see. I have along way to go. I have so much to say. God has taught me and brought me through many storms in my life. Amen.

Last night we took our trek down to get our monthly transportation tickets and guess where we ended up eating, McDonalds! We saw it and we both thought an American burger and fries would be heavenly...so that was our "gourmet" meal last night. Must say it was mighty tasty. Lennie had not been to McDonald's since May and I had not been to one probably since the same time....oh, I think once with the grandkids before they left. So nothing extra special to report about our Wednesday night dining out experience. Oh, it was in the train station did I tell you that?

Yesterday, we received very special mail.....3 pictures from 3 very special people from far off Hawaii. They are now hanging so I can enjoy them every minute . of the day....oh how I miss these children. Jacob even made a crossword puzzle for Grandpa and I do. What was so precious, he said I miss you "vary" much and I am sure you miss me "vary" much to!! WOW!! He sure does know us....I could squeeze them to death!

I did read something this morning that really touched my heart and have been pondering it most of the day...it is by Helen Keller, "If the blind put their hand in God's they find their way more surely than those who see but have not faith or purpose.' -- Helen Keller. When I read this it just struck me as profound! She really did "see" things in a way that a sighted-person never will! It is ALL about TRUST no matter the circumstances!!. Think about it.....

I love and miss you all and until tomorrow....

Tschuss,
Debby

Froh Mittoch from Deutschland!

Guten Tag,

The morning is already busy outside my window. I hear buses, trucks loading and unloading their wares and faint voices from different parts of the neighborhood. I was making my bed and looked up and saw the neighbor eating her breakfast and drinking her coffee and she smiled. I was going to go check out a Wednesday(Mittoch) flea market today, just down from the house, but I just do not feel like going out right now. This is Mittoch so that means Lennie and I go out for dinner tonight. Before we do that we must go get our monthly transportation passes. My first! This means I can ride the bus, the trains etc without buying a ticket each time. Yep! I am beginning to fit in.

Today is Kevin and Casey's 14th wedding anniversary, where have the years gone? In someways it seems like yesterday and sometimes it seems like a million years ago. It was a good day in many respects and I always thank God for all the people who came from all over to celebrate this marriage. Now, there are 7 live babies, one in heaven and two adults having the ride of their life. Right now homeless but assures me all is just fine! They are amazing! Happy Anniversary dear ones.

I did not sleep well last night. I was having pain in my bad knee. I tossed and turned but finally got to sleep but was restless most of the night. I need to get out and walk more during the day. I need exercise ...yes...I should do this. Doesn't mean I will but I am thinking about it...ha! I am just thankful to be here with Lennie and look forward to 6PM every night when I hear the key turning in the lock and there HE is! Yesterday he brought home goodies from the commissary. I e-mailed him a grocery list and he brought home the goods, He is a good person to have around.

Cannot believe this one. Maddie, who is almost 3, is going to be in her first rodeo tonight...a stick horse rodeo!! Sure wish we could be there. Watching her daddy riding bareback is fun enough but watching Maddie on her stick horse now that could be quite an experience. Carrie promised lots of video and pictures. Carrie is very good about that. When Carrie married Matt he brought a whole new dimension to this family that only brings more color to a already colorful family! Got to love my son-in-laws...they are the cats meow!! Such boring personalities..just kidding!

Every night after dinner there are three little children that play outside near our sunroom windows. They bring us such joy. Like a gift from God to remind us of our precious gifts of grandchildren. The little girl is just so full of giggles and laughter and she just loves life. They scream, yell and you know like all the children of the world they are enjoying the summer evening playing tag, hide and seek and all those things that make children happy. I must try and meet them. They truly bring us happiness that only a child can. I look out the TV room....the TV that only brings us German TV...so really no TV....but anyway...oh...CNN International News cannot forget that...NO TV!! Anyway, I tell Lennie I feel like I am in the movie the "Rear Window" the way we can see "into" everyone's lives from our birds eye view. No murders yet, that I have concluded. But music, dancing, parties, talking into the middle of the night, German beer songs, someone practicing their clarinet...oh just a variety of things going on from one yard, window and house....like I said my own version of a "Rear Window!"

Well, that is all for today....I am going to run across the street and get some bananas
and some brochen...what is that for a combo....ha! Bananas for my cereal and brochen for my lunch sandwich. Love you all....and remember the door is open and waiting................

Tschuss,
Debby

A Wonderful Week-end in Deutchland!

Guten Tag,

Please enjoy some of the sounds of our our Saturday with us. As we ate lunch at "The Archer" resturant these are the sights and the sounds we enjoyed with our luscious meal. Lennie had one of his favorites, mine, too, jagerschnitzl with one of the best mushrooms sauces we have ever tasted. It had a hint of sherry. I had...ready .....Caprese salad and it was wonderful ...Lennie and I shared both...I have pictures below.

The day started out on Saturday getting up and leisurely getting ready for the day with a pot of coffee at home. Then off we went on the bus and the train. We got off at a new place on the train and than went of to a new Cafe. Now, their cappuccino was NOT the best but the pastry was wonderful. But I would not go back for cappaccino. Lennie convinced me to try a new place instead of going to my Illy place. From there we walked through the indoor Galleria and did some window shopping at the most expensive and beautiful swiss watches I have ever seen. And guess what...next to the jewelry store was a Starbucks. Did not go in but now know where another one is. They are everywhere....almost as many as McDonald's!

On to the flower market and the flea market. This was something new I had not experienced and all I could think was that Paul and Vicki would love this place. It truly had everything you could want in the line of books, antiques, junk, jewelry, dishes etc. We saw a Bible that was from 1789 it was amazing. What is so sad they are not valuable at all here...it only cost less than 5 dollars! The people were just as interesting, an example, the man, who is still a hippie, right of of the 60's, who was selling every kind of album imaginable from that time period. As Lennie said the languages alone we were hearing was quite interesting. There were tables just piled high with money from all over the world that has no value any longer. I love to look at the old German dolls and toys. You cannot imagine all the Elvis memorabilia...he is loved as much here as in the US or I guess all over the world. Some of it was down right kitchy and some just downright junk...ha!

Lazily we sauntered over to the gourmet market which is just across the street from the flea market. I have included pictures of every kind of olive you can think of, Italian meats galore...Casey's favorite; berries and fruit ...just the colors alone are beautiful to the eye a painting created by God. This market just amazes me everytime I go into it. Oh...the tomatoes...the reds, the greens, the smells...every kind of pasta that can be created, spices and oh the smell of these aromatic seeds from mostly Turkey and Greece. The candies of the world. I think it so fascinating how each culture has a different idea of what a sweet is and how they want their sweet to taste and be presented. Really the sweetest of sweet in Turkey for examples comes as the plain old fig....they love figs and it is their "candy" of choice and apricots...oh, I had some fresh plums and apricots that the juice just ran down my arm.

After the gourmet market out the door and on to the sidewalk cafe. Lennie had a beer and I had a diet pepsi and settled in to watch the people. This is where I took the video of the people and the bells. We sat there for an hour and decided we had congered up an appetite so that is where we had our delicious lunch. We sat another few minutes and than we started off for home. Another Saturday of just truly relaxing in a most beautiful place.

Home we went and spent a Saturday evening listening to thunder, watching lightening and just enjoying each other. Sunday it was pouring so no church but we waited until about noon when it became sunny and off to lunch to a Chinese resturant we had seen out on one of our bus excursions. Oh..my oh my....this was a find and we shall go back. From the service to the food it was downright delicious...right to the end when they bring you plum wine and a warm washcloth to clean your dirty hands! As we started walking back to the train we found a Coffee place and WOW...we will go back there, too...their cappucino was amazing including the heart she drew on top with the froth!! Then we walked and walked and hopped a train and than another train and last stop before home....a NEW EIS place....I had red raspberry gelato and panna cotta cone...yummy .....and Lennie had peach and raspberry....so we ate, watched all the people of all ages, walking, riding bikes, skate boarding, scooters etc coming and going for EIS...ice cream! This is where we saw what took the cake for yesterday. Oma was in her electric wheelchair and her granddaughter was on her scooter "hitching" a ride on Oma's wheelchair....it was so fun and they were having a ball!! Wish I had gotten a picture. It reminded me of Jordan and me...ha!! By the time I got home my knees had had it's workout for the week-end. I need the week to get me recuperated every week for the next week-end.

So we settled in for the night....no more food for the day but a glass of wine and a movie. It was nice evening and Lennie was ready for another week of work and I ...well, I am busy writing my book and my blog and reading great books and people watching. I hope you enjoy the pictures I will log this week...they will be from our travel's this past week-end.

PS....we do not eat like this all week...and we share our food, ha!!! But hey, it is fun to indulge in what we will not have for much longer. But during the week we eat fruit, cheese, brochen and salads....promise. I have not gained any weight...yet!!! And Lennie, well he just keeps looking better and better!

Tschuss,

Debby

Guten Tag,

Well, it is another beautiful day in the land of Germany and I know Lennie is glad it is Friday. It has been a very busy and hard week for him at work. He cannot tell me much but I know there is some things going on that keeps them all hopping. I have had a rough week with allergies and sinus but I think I am on the road to recovery. I sure hope so because I really felt miserable the last few days. Have not worked on my book or blogged for a couple of day.s

I have not been out in my village at all this week except for a quick trip to the backerei the other day to get some fresh bread. I ran over in my sweater and my jammies with NO bra! Glad I did not get ran down in the middle of the street. I might have put all Americans to shame...ha!

Tomorrow we are going to go spend the day in the Schloss Platz and listen to lovely music and have a picnic from the gourmet farmers market. We will listen, watch and just be at peace with the wonderful gifts God has given us. I look forward to Saturdays because I get Illy Cappuccino on Saturdays! Yea! Life is good and we must enjoy each day as it comes. We must enjoy tomorrow because it is to storm all day Sunday. So we shall see if we will make the trip to Chapel. The last 20 minutes we must walk so if it is storming we will spend time with the Lord in our apartment. I am sure He will understand.

It continues to be quiet without the children at the bus stop. I looked out my window this morning and it was mostly older people walking and riding the bus. All the families and children have ran off to have a wonderful vacation to parts unknown. Lennie and I were thinking of next week-end taking a trip over to the Mosel. We love that wine there best and one of the vineyards is having their Winefest...one of the wines we really, really like. We like Mosel Wine better than Rhine wine. Also, I want to go to Cologne in the near future on the train for the day, I have been by the Cathedral, seen it from the train but have never been in it and I am not leaving Germany this time without going inside.

Well, I am not do talkative today so I am going to post this and ask you to continue to keep Casey and Kevin in your prayers....still NO house. God is bringing them a huge ministry but NO house. Now, I know God understands and has the plan but I know a family of 9 who would really like God to include them with that plan real soon!! God is good all the time all the time God is good!

Tschuss,

Debby

Not Much To Say Today....

Guten Tag,

I awoke this morning hearing a dove outside my open window. Just cooing for his lover to find him. Lennie asked me yesterday morning if I had heard the dove cooing outside our bedroom window? I said no, but this morning this is what I heard as I awaken. It reminded of how God calls for us each morning and how many of us run to Him and are willing to be His lover.

I woke up last night so chilly that I had to put the duvet on. It is only 69 here this afternoon at 2:16PM. I walked across the street to get some things from the store and I had to wear my sweater. The streets are so quiet and lonely. Almost a haunting feeling.

Lennie said his ride home yesterday was quite a ride. There was one man who got mad at the bus driver for driving to fast. Than this same man was asked by the "on the spot" bus inspectors for his bus ticket and he did not have it. Well, there was quite a row, Lennie said it was almost comical. He said the man was determined to win but the bus driver ended-up having his victory. He said at the bus stop yesterday morning a lady was so mad at the noise being made at the Penny Markt by the garbage pick up people she went over and let them have a piece of her mind. He said she was just shaking her finger and giving him the business. I must say the one thing I have noticed since we lived here 7 years ago....it is louder, it is dirtier, and that is big, because you could have eaten off of most German streets, and the people are more angry. I found yesterday that the Penny Markt's are now owned by a Turkish concern and a couple of the big banks are Saudian Arabian owned and down by the 1100 AD church in my village they are building a mosque...wow....we are living a changing world.

Yesterday I saw a funny thing. I was out on my balcony and three Muslim teen-agers were getting into a car where one of them was going to learn to drive. I suppose they all were because the car was a driving school car. The one had a full burqa on so all you could see was her eyes the others just had their scarfs on...but again it reminded me at the end of the day we are all human beings created by the same God! It was hilarious watching this girl with the full burqa behind the drivers seat and only her eyes are showing. It was quite a sight! But as they started down the street I watched them laughing just like all the other teen-age girls in the world. Also, they were all carrying their Louis Vuitton bags...real or not it was again so funny!

I sure do miss my grandkids. I have days I do just fine but the last couple of days I have so missed their hugs, their kisses, their laughter, their personalities and doing the things we so loved doing together. I do not think going to the movies will ever be the same again. Cannot wait to see Sam and Maddie....matt and carrie, too, ha.

Well, that is all for today. I started that book today...that book that Lennie says is in me. I realized that hey I have all this time ...this is the time. I wrote the Forward and the first two chapters today. I am really surprised how fast it goes...I think because I am DOING what I am suppose be doing. Even if it is never published I did it...right....I am finding out at this late age in life I have been to afraid of failure and no more.....

Love you all.....

Tschuss,
Debby

Monday Afterthoughts!

Gut Morgen,

Well, where do I begin? I am glad it is Monday and I do not have to go anywhere today. My husband had me all over the place this week-end. I think he knows every train and bus schedule in Stuttgart!

Yesterday morning we awoke and it was raining but off to church we went. We were glad we did. It was a wonderful sermon, we had communion, and we got to see Chaplain Pete and Dwanna Martinez and Adrian. As we are walking to church we hear this voice hey....and it was Dwanna!! It was nice to see a familiar and loved face. They are living on Patch and waiting for their car. The sermon was wonderful and we were really blessed by the Lord in something that happened. The sermon was on humility and how to be a real servant of the Lord you must know how to practice humility. That we never come so far that we should not humbly serve in any way God calls us to serve. He related this to civilian and military life. So as we prepare for communion hopefully we are all coming to the communion table humbly before our precious Lord. Now this is the amazing thing...who served us our communion but the General Ward the 4 star General...the head honcho of AFRICOM...what a lesson put to action almost immediately. It is something we do not see much in chapels, I was truly touched, it was putting words to action!! May God bless this man for boldly serving us yesterday....not being ashamed of his Faith and who He is serving ultimately!!

After church on to the commissary. We had lunch at the Pasta Bar in the commissary as did about everyone else who was in Chapel service with us. It reminded us of Naples days when we would all land at Wendy's or Carney Park, if it was summer. Then it was time for our trek home.

All of this would be in a steady, falling down rain after our commissary shoppingThis is another thing Lennie has down to a fine art. He puts everything heavy in his backpack, we had three other bags and off we went to the bus. To get to the bus we have to walk half a mile to the bus stop, we did have umbrellas, and I must say there is something about walking in a gentle falling rain. BUT by the time this body got to the bus stop I was not in a very happy mood but I kept my thoughts to myself! Been reading James, ha! I kept thinking I cannot believe Lennie likes doing all this walking and going from bus to train, train to bus...to walking....and maybe back to a bus or a train...depends on the direction we are going at a certain time of day. Then I remembered what the Chaplain had said in his sermon, we are all in hurry and do not choose to walk any where today, and walking can give us such a wonderful, peaceful and private moments with our Lord. I never stop being convicted in my life's journey, I am always learning something. Lennie said see how peaceful that walk was ...ha! If he only knew what I WAS really thinking inside...than he leans over and kisses me....just like God does to us..how can I be mad? When the TRUTH is right before me! A month ago I was complaining because I was all alone and without Lennie and here I am with him spending the whole Sunday with him ...oh human nature...God forgive me.

Let me backup a bit. We took the train to church or least half way. At the half way point we got off to meet up with the bus for our last leg. We had a half hour break so Lennie takes me into a Cappuccino Bar and we have a delightful cappuccino and a Chocolate Crossiant that has just come out of the oven. We are eating this and watching rain come down and knowing we will be worshiping our Lord soon, what a warm wonderful moment! We get done and start off for the bus and we meet two German men, this is 9:30AM, who each are having their breakfast....3 beers a piece it seems, they could have cared less if it was raining just interested in getting the much needed liquid into their system. I lifted a pray up for them but I must admit they seemed to be in their own world, a world that I am so thankful I have never been a part of. But oddly they seemed very happy. We are getting on the bus and look over at the park and there they are "sharing" their beer with another cronie, Lennie says, "at least they share!" Oh what makes the world go around. The Lord's hands are full for certain. We humans do not make it very easy on Him, do we?

Last night we watched "Seven Pounds" what a stupid movie! It could have been good but of course the writers had to have the main character know more than God. Play God....what a world we live in. We were really liking this and than began to see where it was going to take us, Hollywood! And when I was a kid I just wanted to be a famous movie star and be rich...I am rich but in such a better way! Thank you Lord!

Well, I guess it is about time for me to wrap this one up. The neighborhood is so quiet today. The doctor and Physical Therapist across the way are gone for their August vacation. Some of the shops are closed but thank God the Backerei is open...ha! As is the Penny Markt...we shop at the commissary for only the things we cannot get at the store across the street from us so the Penny Markt truly is the place we do most of our shopping as is the Backerei for all of our baked goods.

Tschuss,

Debby

Happy Samstag!

Guten Tag,

Lennie and I had a wonderful day out seeing the town. We started the day with our favorite cappuccino in the whole world...Illy! Then we ate

at this wonderful Tapas Bar called "Delicious" and that it was. Lennie had the seafood...or Del Mare and I had chorizo, cheese, olives, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and sorrento ham. It really was a delightful brunch. Eating as we people watched is one of our favorite things to do in the whole world. While we were eating a beggar came and wanted money...not food....but money...bless her heart! We watched another beggar, who is a incredible artist draw chalk drawings on the sidewalk, they were absolutely amazing. I should have taken a picture I do not know why I did not. When we got done eating we started off walking again and once again went to the flower market. Just amazing flowers that only God could create. Everyone was scurrying doing something.

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After strolling through the markets we went to the Rodeo drive of Stuttgart. Oh, how beautiful some of these stores are and the things that they have in them. My favorite was Villory and Boch and I did find a few things I do not have to add to my dishes. Just what I need one more dish! Anyone who knows me well knows my one fetish in life IS dishes!!! And what is so sad my daughter's have the same fetish! And then we found a wonderful antique store that we could have spent hours in but I bought one thing for a very special person but I will not tell who it is or it would not be surprise when they receive it.

All in all it was a wonderful day...only trains and buses today. Now tomorrow morning we get up and prepare for our journey to church. It is really easy to talk ourselves out of going to worship but we know how important it is to fellowship and we both need it so WE WILL go! After that we will walk over to the commissary and do our commissary shopping and than come home, probably watch a movie, read and just enjoy the rest of our Sunday and the next thing you know it will be Monday. The sounds of the new week will be quieter now until late August. No school children, not near as many buses and many of the village busninesses closed so for a little while it will be very very quiet in our little German village God has brought us to.

Enjoy the pictures. Oh, one more thing...I am reading a great book. It is called "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See. I would highly recommend it. I cannot put it down...so Tschuss for now so I can get back to my book. I have been here 3 weeks and have read 5 books....tells you about my life w/0 TV and many of the other things that get in the way of life.

Again..

Tschuss and much, much love....

Debby