The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[JPFamilyMom]

CONGRATULATIONS on the car

What a great ending to your Germany trip, can't wait to read about he rest of the journey home

Hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

[MaryAz]

Sorry about the job. Sounds like it was not that great a fit for you at this time. A big congrats on the car!!! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

 

[Poolrat]

So glad everyone is staying vertical for the trip so far. A bit scary that you were the one grabbing for the sickness bag.

Have a wonderful THANKSGIVING and travel safe.

 

[All7OfUs]

Any chance to embarrass the kids, you have to take it. You can threaten them with the air accordion if they really start mis-behaving in the back seat.

Anyway, sweet new ride! I'm glad the process is finally over!

Exactly! And you, my friend are so full of great ideas! I think a collaborative effort on a new book would bring us in tons of cool cash for Disney trips- whatcha think??

The process is actually only half over, now we have to convince my DFIL that he really doesn't need his minivan anymore. Otherwise, it's back to Craigslist again...

Disney stuff? Does anybody on this message board really care about Disney stuff?

Now that I think about it- yeah, maybe. Sometimes I think I walk a fine line of getting my thread closed for lack of real content.

Apparently they were very well fed, so the car should run great!

I thought you'd appreciate that.

NOW this vacation is starting to look a little more familiar to me.

As well as these.

It will go better. And stop calling me Shirley.

OH! You think so huh??

Thanks for sharing the beautiful sewage treatment pictures! Oh, and Germany looks nice, too.

Any time- really.

Okay, way to TEASE your audience..... Please tell me that everyone is now over the hump and on the mend. No more sicky sicky......

CONGRATS ON THE NEW CAR!!!

ummm, in good conscious, I cannot do that.

Loving my new wheels!! The heater works well!! Which was super important TODAY! Down to the teens tonight!!

Captain_Oblivious

Here are a few inside pics of a Mcd's while were in Germany. Much different than here.

It looks simalar.

How about a Big and Tasty Bacon or a Big Chili?

Or a wrap? Wings, potato wedges or a veggie burger??

My kids had the biggest kick out of this! I even brought coupons home for my DD (she's taking German in school) Her class had a fun time reading and looking at them!

Thanks for keeping the lovers of corporate food happy!!! Even I think I would enjoy something off that menu tonight!! I has hungry!!

Loved the LEAVING Germany update !!!Can't wait till The DC Meet pix come up!!!

THat will be a bit... first our time in Kentucky... it was filled with a few really, REALLY cool things!

It will go better. And stop calling me Shirley.

QUOTE]

Wrong TR - but "Airplane"

My brother was in Germany in the mid-80's in the Army. When he came home he said the thing he liked about McDonalds over there was you could order a Big Mac and a beer. Another memory of my brother was that he would order his sandwiches from McDonalds drive thru then he would pull over and scrape all the ketchup and mustard off and pile a layer of french fries on the burger. He did that once when he was taking me back to college and asked me if I knew why he didn't just order the burger plain. I said because if you did you would have to wait while they made you a special one. He said I was the first one who knew that....all his friends always asked why he just didn't oder it plain. I told him all of his friends weren't the ones who had to wait when we were kids for his "plain fish sandwich". Friday will be 2 years that he has been gone.

I NEVER (ok, ONCE) get his movie clues. Guess watching movies might help my efforts, eh??

My sisters were the same way... held up the family EVERY stinkin' time. Ya know, I kinda like chips on my sandwiches- sounds the same.

Tanya, I noticed that in your siggie about your losing someone. I wondered who it was; I"m so sorry that the holidays bring back some hard memories- hopefully there are some truly wonderful ones as well!

 

[All7OfUs]

Interesting, I didn't order anything special either while there. Because they have it set up differently then they have here in the US where when you order something it's made assembly line how you want it. There its like how it used to be here (like when I worked there in the 80's). If your old enough like me to remember back that far!

Oh and we did see people drinking beer there to!

Beer and burgers, I dunno, you guys can enjoy that- I'll take some schnitzel and wine!

"Farmkartoffeln". Sounds like, "Stuff that fell off the farm truck, but we fried it up anyway."

So many things to comment on from the last couple of days, but so little time and I remember only a few...

Liesa, it was wonderful meeting you and your family, I’m glad you enjoyed it, too! I’m very much looking forward to the next installment – wasn’t there something with a wheelchair?

Looking for the hamster und finding bird seeds reminded me of one of the many unbelievable adventures of my boss. He is one of the people who experience things on a nearly daily basis, which boring people like me experience once in a lifetime. I would also recommend never to travel with him... So, the story. He drove from Berlin to see his mother, which is a three to four hours drive. He stopped at a gas station about 20 kilometers before reaching his mothers house. On the last kilometers he smelled something strange, then, just some hundred meters before his destination there was smoke coming out from under the hood. He got panicky and called the Automobile club for assistance, they told him to stop the car and get out immediately, they would call the fire brigade. By now he was only 100 meters from his mothers house, so he drove there, stopped got out of the car and ran for cover. But nothing happened. It even stopped smoking after a while and his BIL got curious and had a look... and found the smoking carcass of a mouse on the engine...

Now that's a story that cracked me up!!! Can you imagine the gross smell?? I"m sure the fire fighters went home with a humdoody of a story that night. Probably the ONLY one EVER like that in their records!

 

[All7OfUs]

You got that right!

Yeehaw, Bubba!!!

Whew! I think I'm finally caught up now. Boy, it's really easy to fall behind around here.

I really loved all the pictures from your tour. I'm a complete fan of historical tours and things like that. It looks just fascinating. It looks too like you had a wonderful meeting with Magdalene and Katrina. What a wonderful oppourtunity for you all to meet. I will admit that the picture of their parents with the swirly faces creeped me out a bit. It made me think of the move The Ring where if you watched the videotape that would happen to your face in all the pictures. I don't know why but that movie just scared the beejesus out of me!

Congrats on the new car too! I just love that new car smell.

WEll, if Magdalene gives me permission to post them so they don't creep you out, I would love too. Creeped out readers is a major thread killer!

Hmmmm... The Ring. I'll have to imdb that one. Sound weird!!!

Unfortunately, the previous owner didn't have it detailed, so no new car smell. But if I spend about $100 I can get it.

 

[lovealldisney]

First snow day of the year here. I swear Oregonians are such pansies!!! It snowed about 1 cm, and they closed school. I remember in Flagstaff, AZ where I went to school and student taught, it had to snow like a foot before they'd even think about it!

Here in Wisconsin it has to be blizzard white out conditions for them to even think about closing school! 1 cm of snow there light weights!

We flew out of Frankfurt, as we always have from Germany. NOt this trip over, but last we almost, I really do mean ALMOST missed one from DC to Frankfurt. Running with 5 kids and luggage SUX big time!!

Our flight left Munich almost an hour late We had an hour layover! We were the same way running through the airport from one terminal to the other terminal on the other side of the airport only to round the corner to passport control, with only ONE person checking passports! We made it but barely!

I hope you and your family have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Enjoy your time with your family.

 

[that's nice]

Read your update.... (just a little late in responding)

I am sad that you are leaving Germany... but excited you will be touching down on your homeland soon!

Fast food pics? You must be getting closer to the US.

More great pictures!!! How fitting you managed to get a picture of a sewage plant from a train going 150MPH! I love this TR!!!!!

NICE WHIP! Glad you finally found the car of your dreams!!!! Yea, yea I know it wasn't the one of your dreams but it is transportation none the less.



Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!!!

 

[jenbear123]

Oh my goodness! Finally caught up. Firstly, CONGRATS on the new car! Fabulous choice. I hope it's everything you wanted and more! I didn't want your last update to end. I loved seeing all the landscape (even the sewage )

Interesting McD's pictures. I remember one I saw in Naples, Italy. Probably the classiest McD's I have ever seen. Of course I didn't take pictures. But it was all very fancy Italian style. I loved it! It felt like you were walking into a 5-star restaurant!

Loved the LEAVING Germany update !!!Can't wait till The DC Meet pix come up!!!

Wow I almost forgot she still has to talk about that! Can't wait to relive that day again

 

[If U Had Wings]

WEll, if Magdalene gives me permission to post them so they don't creep you out, I would love too. Creeped out readers is a major thread killer!

Hmmmm... The Ring. I'll have to imdb that one. Sound weird!!!

Unfortunately, the previous owner didn't have it detailed, so no new car smell. But if I spend about $100 I can get it.

I never had any intention of watching the film, but was watching the first few minutes at the end of a shift one night when I was working at a theater. I got hooked, and ended up staying to watch the film. I think the way it was filmed is what really creeped me out. Lots of creepy lighting - and those pictures.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am FINALLY caught up here! Gotta love a lazy vacation at Mom's house with wi-fi.

Loving all your report Liesa - the pictures and storytelling are phenomenal. My Mom and Dad, who used to live in Germany, were looking over my shoulder for several updates remembering their lives as a young married couple there.

I was so far behind if I commented it would take all day - so I'll just wish you a big 'ol HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

[All7OfUs]

Catching up a bit...

Congrats on the car! And on the yellow belts.

I hadn't realized that the job you almost got was gift wrapping...yesterday, I was at a paper/craft store picking out some pretty paper to use decorating the bookstore where I work (and I can tell you you definitely dodged a bullet not taking a retail job through the holiday season!). A man brought a book up to their wrapping counter -- a normal, slightly oversized hardcover, probably a $35 book -- and asked if they could wrap it for him.

The woman there informed him that to wrap that book, in brown butcher paper, would cost $29.95.

That's right: $29.95. !!!!!!!!! And ribbon cost extra. The truly shocking part of this story is that after only a moment's pause, the man said OK.

This made me think that clearly I'm in the wrong business. Clearly I should be opening a pop-up store across the street from this craft shop and wrapping stuff for half the price.

Thanks!! In general, it's been a pretty good week!

You are so right!!!! Opening a gift wrapping shop would be a fantastic idea- especially given the prices you mentioned!!! People are seriously willing to pay $30 bucks for some paper and 10 minutes of time?? I seriously need to reconsider ideas for next year!! Why work for someone else, when I can set my own hours AND make 10 times at much!!

Congratulations on your new car. Looks very nice!! I'm sorry you didn't get your straws though. What a bummer.

Well, I didn't totally strike out, as you'll see in about 6 months....

More lovely countryside photos. I am once again reminded of the train in Epcot.

I hope the next part of the trip is much better and you're only teasing us with suspense.

That train in EPCOT is incredibly realistic; one of my favorite attractions in WS!

I am a tease, aren't I...?

 

[All7OfUs]

Wow! A very in depth peek indeed!

Congratulations on the car, and great update. Love the picture of your girl with the little statue in the dry fountain. Very cute!

It was an amazing blog post- such a diverse world we live in eh?

Anara fell in love with that little statue, but it took some talking her into going over to sit by it for the photo. I guess she thought she might look like a goofball...

hey thats the amount of time i take between updates.

Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but now that you mention it.... Mine may take a while, but at least there are semi-regular updates.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Liesa.

Love the new car...especially the "no payments".

Can't wait until the Disney portion of the trip makes its "debut."

Thanks, Kathy!! You as well! I hope it is wonderful having the boys home for the weekend!

NO payments are the BEST kind of payments!! I LOVE having no house payment, but that sadly is about to end.

Soon, my friend, very soon... but first, Kentucky stuff, houseboat vacay, DC Meet- lots of fun stuf!

Is that pecan pie I see???????

Liesa, I hope you and your family have a most wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving! There is going to be so much going on, but make sure in all your planning and preparation you take a little Liesa time to stop and just enjoy all the many blessings in your life for which I KNOW you are truly thankful!!!
OUCH!!!!

Hey Marv!! By now, you are hopefully enjoying family and friends, around pecan pie! THE best kind there is! I hear a rumor that my DBIL has made pecan, apple and spiced blueberry!! YUM!!!

My camera is charged and ready, and I hope in my "Liesa Time" I can take some photos on a walk! THere's supposed to be a boatload of snow up there!

 

[All7OfUs]

CONGRATULATIONS on the car

What a great ending to your Germany trip, can't wait to read about he rest of the journey home

Hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Jessica, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your sweet family!!

We really hope this car will last a LONG, LONG time; typically, we drive one until Mike just can't fix it anymore! And that could be like 350,000 miles or more.

The journey home is still filled with the usual amounts of drama. So don't worry about it being ho-hum for sure!

Sorry about the job. Sounds like it was not that great a fit for you at this time. A big congrats on the car!!! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Nope definitely not. As I think about is trying to get out of town in 15 minutes, it would have been such a severe bummer if I had had to work- which likely I would have had to had I gotten it. (Man, that was some serious amounts of "TO BE" verbs in that sentence!)

I really hope you and those darling daughters and your hubby have a great holiday too, Mary!! EAt lots of pie and be extra thankful for all you have this year!

So glad everyone is staying vertical for the trip so far. A bit scary that you were the one grabbing for the sickness bag.

Have a wonderful THANKSGIVING and travel safe.

Well, so far...

No, I wasn't grabbing any bags, I was healthy as a horse. But it doesn't go so well for someone else, I'm afraid!

Happy THanksgiving, Pat!!! Have a great weekend!!

I hope you and your family have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Enjoy your time with your family.

Thanks, Wendy!! YOu too! I won't be back on until Monday as we have LOTS going on this weekend, including my 2 youngest getting baptized on Sunday!

Read your update.... (just a little late in responding)

I am sad that you are leaving Germany... but excited you will be touching down on your homeland soon!

Fast food pics? You must be getting closer to the US.

More great pictures!!! How fitting you managed to get a picture of a sewage plant from a train going 150MPH! I love this TR!!!!!

NICE WHIP! Glad you finally found the car of your dreams!!!! Yea, yea I know it wasn't the one of your dreams but it is transportation none the less.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!!!

Welcome to America, where the TSA handles more packages than the USPS!!

Fast food is on every corner around here!! It's rather scary! (But oh, so convenient!)

I can spot and capture sewage from 150 miles away OR going 150 MPH!! I AM AMAZING!!

Well, I really wanted a personal monorail, but the red tape and logistics for those was a nightmare when I started looking into it. So, we went domestic and cushy instead.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Tim. Hug Mel and the Princess for me. I won't be back on until Monday afternoon, so if I don't catch you in time, have a WISHY Magical trip!! Enjoy EVERY moment, and take a ton of pictures. And I'll be very curious to see how your time in Japan goes.

Oh my goodness! Finally caught up. Firstly, CONGRATS on the new car! Fabulous choice. I hope it's everything you wanted and more! I didn't want your last update to end. I loved seeing all the landscape (even the sewage )

Interesting McD's pictures. I remember one I saw in Naples, Italy. Probably the classiest McD's I have ever seen. Of course I didn't take pictures. But it was all very fancy Italian style. I loved it! It felt like you were walking into a 5-star restaurant!

Wow I almost forgot she still has to talk about that! Can't wait to relive that day again

Yep, 2 milestones: a new car, AND a swift shift into a new TR phase. Onward to newer scenery and stories.

Actually around here in the burbs of Portland, the MickeyD's are quite nice as well. They often have fountains, espressos, tile work, and clean bathrooms. And smelly good soap in them.

YES!! You and Bubba need to make a trip out to the Northwest!! There is so much to see- I can show you waterfalls, awesome parks, walks in the forest, and some amazing Indian or Thai food!!

I never had any intention of watching the film, but was watching the first few minutes at the end of a shift one night when I was working at a theater. I got hooked, and ended up staying to watch the film. I think the way it was filmed is what really creeped me out. Lots of creepy lighting - and those pictures.

THe Shining creeped me out, as did Silence of the Lambs. After that I vowed I would NEVER watch another scary flick; I had nightmares for WAY too long after them.

I am FINALLY caught up here! Gotta love a lazy vacation at Mom's house with wi-fi.

Loving all your report Liesa - the pictures and storytelling are phenomenal. My Mom and Dad, who used to live in Germany, were looking over my shoulder for several updates remembering their lives as a young married couple there.

I was so far behind if I commented it would take all day - so I'll just wish you a big 'ol HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I've been thinking of you for a while now- wondering how your trip to the Great White Northern Tundra went. Glad you are getting some down time!!

That is so sweet that this report gave your parents an opportunity to relive some happy times and memories! Neat!! Had they been to Nuremberg?

I know how it is; I've had to cut back on my lengthy commenting too, so I know how it goes!

Anyway, you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with Henry, Joe, and all the rest of your family as well!! Don't get snowed in- HA!

 

[All7OfUs]

Ok, my Friends!! That's it for me. I am out the door until Monday afternoon and will catch up with you then! Meantime, have a great day of being thankful, eating pie and turkey and cranberries. Drive safe, and we'll talk in a few days!

 

[jenbear123]

Actually around here in the burbs of Portland, the MickeyD's are quite nice as well. They often have fountains, espressos, tile work, and clean bathrooms. And smelly good soap in them.

Phew. Clean bathrooms. Jordan would be pleased.

YES!! You and Bubba need to make a trip out to the Northwest!! There is so much to see- I can show you waterfalls, awesome parks, walks in the forest, and some amazing Indian or Thai food!!

I would LOVE to come see it out there. I've never been on the west coast. Terrible, I know. All of those things sound amazing!!! Maybe next year sometime Bubba and I could swing over..... and by swing I mean fly!

Not sure if you'll see this before it's too late but.....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!​

 

[Poolrat]

Well, so far...

No, I wasn't grabbing any bags, I was healthy as a horse. But it doesn't go so well for someone else, I'm afraid!

Happy THanksgiving, Pat!!! Have a great weekend!!

I see you were just scoping the bags out just in case.

By the time you see this you will be back so
I hope you had a fabulous Thanskgiving with family and got back safely.

 

[englishrose47]

Happy Thanksgiving !!

 

[englishrose47]

Katarina's story of the roast mouse !!! Reminded me of a story!! Several years ago I heard a loud thumping noise coming from the cellar , upon investigating I found our cat leaping at the furnaceAt first I thought the cat might be Rabid but then saw feathers protruding from the furnace !! A bird had fallen down the chimney!!!Panic stricken I called the Gas company who told me not to worry if the Bird caught on fire all that would happen is a HORRID smell Now that prospect did not delight me !!So when my ex arrived home I told him , he said WHY didn't you let the bird out ??Yea Right .. so he did and what followed should have made Funniest home videos IF we had taped it !! The Bird flew out and the cat FLEW around the cellar after it !!! There were feathers and debri all over the cellar as the cat, the bird and the EX careered around the cellarOf course I couldn't resist saying "And you thought I should let the bird out ??

 

[Flossbolna]

Happy Thanksgiving Liesa!

I know you won't read it until Monday, but I am thinking of you and I hope you have a wonderful time with family, including the baptism on Sunday!