Just a bad day for some people...

You know, with as crazy as these drivers are here, I am surprised this doesn't happen more. They have a these ditches everywhere here for water, trash, sewage... and whatever else you can think of....

One time I was getting out of the car, I dropped my really nice sharpie pen in one of them... I really debated how to get it out. I mean, it's a really good pen! And you can't get them here!

My boss looked back to see me just standing there looking down into the ditch. He realized right off what happened and my boss said to me, 'Leave it CB. Don't even think about going in and getting it.'

I even took a picture of it!

I was just so sad.

I'm still sad.

But back to my point.

Sometimes people can't seem to estimate where to drive. (I personally think it is cause most people need glasses but are too proud to wear them!)

But it happens...

And then lots of people stare ... or try to help...

I am not sure what everyone here is needed for.

So men, because women with my company don't drive here, if you come here, beware of this.

S'more Season

Actually, I don't know when there isn't a time of year to make a nice bonfire(or fire in a fireplace outside cause good gracious it would be hot inside the house) and make S'mores.

At least that is the way I think about it.

But the weather is starting to get cooler here, so it makes for a fun evening activity after supper.

And when you have two cute little gals, it make it even more of a reason to roast anything... I don't care if it is even marshmallows!

Sweet gal #2 sitting with me playing games on my phone. A game where you have makes up words from letters that she continually called numbers.

But who cares, she speaks two languages fluently... yeah, that's right, you should be impressed by this little one!

Here she was telling a story about something... but she kept telling it several times. It just made me giggle at sweet gal #2.

This little picture.... Gals #1 and #2 roasting their mallows...

Became this... which eventually led to all the adults roasting and making the S'mores and not the kids...
Gal #1 ... Yummm...
Gal #2 munching on her too.

What a great time with friends!

Baby B's first shower

I mean... really, is she just not the cutest thing alive right now?

(I think that is my shirt... Yes, I am sure it is. I guess I either gave it to you or you stole it out of my closet... Apparently it makes for a great preggo shirt. Maybe I shouldn't ever wear that again! ha)

Shower for Baby B - well, Baby B is girly I now!

Momma and sweet little baby gal all warm in her belly while her Teyze(Aunt) is watching.

I got to 'attend' the Shower via Skype. I don't know what I would do without Skype. It is my lifeline to my family! It was such a joy to hang out and visited with all the fun ladies who showered my sister and future daughter with so much love!

Thanks everyone!

J's 1st birthday as my brother-in-law

I seem to be one of those people where the things that SHOULD scare me don't. For example...

-living in a foreign (somewhat unique security) country

-being surrounded by people who speak a foreign language

-traveling a month through Europe by myself

-sending my transportation card to the front of the crowded bus because someone else told me that's what I was suppose to do - I did get it back.

-living in a city of 20 million people

-getting lost in a city of 20 million people

-what I will do next year
-where I will live, stay, sleep...

-not having money (ok, that one does kinda worry me sometimes)

And the things that I SHOULD NOT be scare of - do. Like

-water skiing in river cause there may be trees under the water I can't see.

-deep murky unclear water

-the dark - mostly in big open spaces where I am not familiar with (yeah, it's true. I used to not want to go to the garage at night cause I was nervous about my big fence in back yard... remember that mom?)

-missing moments like touching my sister's pregnant belly

-missing chances to be there for my family

-never having kids

-not knowing the people that my sister and brother may marry because I live overseas

The Father works in funny ways. Especially on that last one.

I actually spent more time in the same city with my brother-in-law than my sister did before they got hitched.

I actually met J in 2005 when I spent a summer in Iowa - the blessed land of corn, state fairs with all butter creations, young married couples with lots of kids... :) This Southern gal has had many years to observer your culture...

So here I would normally insert cute old picture back from 2005... but...

Because I live overseas, I can't just pop over to my little photo collection that I had before the hard drive and flash drive storage age. All of my pictures are stored on cds, yes, cds prior to 2007. Wow... (note to self: put that on list of things to do when I move home to the states) Anyways, there are some pictures that maybe I can post one day from that time.

So that summer J had just moved back to start university, and he spent the summer helping me with kids programs. This is actually the summer my sister (who came up the last two weeks) and J met when they were both kids counselors. We all still wear our shirts from that summer! They met but didn't really keep in touch.

I went back up to kids camp summer after next in 2006. I can't remember if I saw J then...

Anyways, I moved overseas in the Fall of 2008 and found out that a group of 4 were coming to spend 6 months in the same city. They were coming from.... you guessed it, Iowa. J was one of the 4.

Here are a few pics from that 6 months in 2009: (cause you know I moved on to the age of saving my digital photos on a hard drive....)

J at the far right.

Us on the ferry.
At my apartment. Emma is actually on the computer screen here. :)
During my time overseas in 2009, that is when my sister and J reconnected through a skype call to my sister. J kinda took it from there. And I am soooo glad they did. Really, I am.

He is good for and to my sister.

The new family picture at their wedding in 2010.

She's pretty happy about it too.
He fits well in our little growing family. Sorry mom, I think you were taking this picture... From Rehearsal Dinner 2010
And can be really goofy to when he joins us on making funny faces. Engagement shot 2010.
Them, plus the little one on the way... 2011.

I am excited to see what the Father has in store for your life! I am so glad the Father brought you into our family! We love you!

and

Happy last Birthday without kids!

Love,

your favorite sister-in-law on your wife's side of the family!

Pumpkin Time

From that...

To this...

Make your own Pumpkin puree. Check out how the Ree purees pumpkins in the states.

If you don't know about Ree, then you should. I love her site. I love how she write. I have used lots of recipes from this site. Remember that Rum Pound Cake Mom? Should have waited till it cooled. With this recipe, she bakes her but you can also steam them or boil them till they are soft. It is faster than in the oven. But if this is your first time, I suggest following her instructions so you aren't discouraged! Persevere ladies!

Scarves Galore!

This is what happens when you live in a country where you cover your head. If you want to claim one of these, let me know because I doubt all of them will make the cut to come back home with me!

And now that I am looking at this, I think I need a few more warmer tones in my collections... the cool colors are overwhelming!

And in case you haven't seen me wearing one of these yet, here are a couple of pictures...

New Proof-reader needed please

I hope not...

Even with my poor editing skills, I still think that some times I would love to just ask these people - Who edits things for you? Do you need a new person? Do you know what this says?

Gotta love it and just laugh.