The last 48 hours of our

trip were stressful. Husband had us walking from the Basel/Mulhouse airport 2 miles to our hotel in France. Over 50 lbs of luggage each. No sidewalks. Etc. Etc. A very kind French woman gave us a lift after a mile or so. I may have been very upset and thinking mutinous thoughts.

The next morning we were up at 3:20 and left for the airport by 4 for a 6:30 flight. This time we took advantage of the shuttle service the hotel provided. They also do pick up service from the airport. (Read last line of first paragraph.)

The Basel flight went to Frankfurt, Germany. The reservations (not made by me) had us go next to Munich. There was a 35 minute layover between the two flights. Our flight from Frankfurt to Munich left 30 minutes late.

This affected about 20 of us on the plane. Some were trying to fly to Dulles from Munich (the 20 of us included) and the rest to Charlotte. We made up time flying but only about 10 minutes. When we landed there was a lady with a sign that said Charlotte and she yelled for the Dulles passengers to follow her also. And we ran. Which was not a pretty sight concerning me as I had a backpack on and a carryon. I didn't think that I would make it but I did. The last passenger on the Dulles plane.

We were on time for Dulles. Our main luggage was still in Munich. We filed a report and came home. On the way home I went to pay for gas and only had my debit card. I searched high and low and could not find the credit cards and drivers license.

Entered the house (remember that I had over 24 hours without sleep at that time) and something was wrong with the house. There were trash bags all in the kitchen by the back door and laundry area. Boxes by the front door and in the livingroom. The guest room had linens all over the floor.

And then I remembered that there was a surprise waiting for me. The boys had decided to clean out cupboards while I was gone. I admit that there was a need for that but the rest of the house was clean. All floors had been washed, the dusting had been done etc.

I was upset and overwhelmed.

My grandmother died Monday night.

Yesterday the dogs tore into the trash bags that I could not put out until trash day (today). One of my good shoes was in the bag. And I lost it. It's not like I live an episode of hoarders. The floors were clean, dishes put away, counter tops cleaned etc before we left. The house looked good. Now it doesn't and I'm having to put things away and hunt for others. The cupboards were cluttered. Now the house is. I have asked that this never happen again. I don't clean their apartments.

** On the happy side my luggage was delivered my 2 very nice guys yesterday morning. Happier was that I had done something stupid and left the driver's license and credit cards in my other bag by accident. Better than having them stolen.

Olympic Stadium - Munich

Images taken in the university area of Munich

Husband and the Bridal Party

 

The bride to be and her friends were out having a good time when we ran into them. In return for a few Euro husband and the bridal party had their photo taken by me and a tiny bottle of alcohol was presented to the gentleman. One of the funniest encounters that I've had here. (The bride is in black)

Go Ahead and Jump!

 

One of the jumpers told my husband that they just run off a cliff.

From the gondola

we took a train up the mountain to Murren, Switzerland. It was raining but the views were spectacular. We were in a conversation with a young Korean guy who was traveling by himself and lonely when there was a yell in the train car. A HUGE rainbow had formed over the valley. Absolutely breathtaking. To celebrate, the Korean guy brought out a box of chocolates that he had bought in Paris and the three of us each had a piece.

I am having a few issues with the

internet here in Murren Switzerland so blogging will be a few days behind. The first day was a whirlwind. We landed in Frankfurt, Germany and then a flight to Basel, Switzerland. Train ride, gondola, and a final train ride brought us to Murren, Switzerland. The mountains still have snow on them and I've never seen so many waterfalls in one place. Pretty amazing place. In the two full days that we have been here we have taken 2 eight hour hikes through the alps. Heidi/Maria Von Trapp I am not. I may have hugged a mountain a few times but all is well. Tomorrow we will get up early and take a hike to see how cheese is made. Luckily today I bought myself hiking poles :-). Will try to post more photos tomorrow.

The last launch of a space shuttle

(photo courtesy of NASA)
brings back wonderful memories. When the boys were small we lived in Jacksonville, Fl and were lucky enough to live on a street that ended at the St. Johns River. I would wait close to lift off and then put the boys in the car and drive the 8 blocks or so to the river. When count down started we would get out and gaze over the river to watch the shuttle go off. It was amazing that we could live so far away from the event but still see the smoke from the shuttle in the sky.

Pearl Harbor Photos