Vacation continues

Hello, I'm back. This is Sunday and we went downtown Atalanta to Annie's favorite yarn shop. It was nice and we were even able to find close parking.I bought some cotton yarn for my secret pal in the dishcloth exchange.


On the way home I visited with a turtle as you can see. They are on different street corners like the salmon in Anchorage. Dinner was at KFC as neither one of us felt like cooking. We also took pictures of Magnolia trees because neither one of us knew what they were.

The next day was work for Annie and I stayed at home, did some laundry, cooked Fajitas for dinner, crochet, read and played computer games.

Tuesday we went allover the place buying stuff so I could bake some goodies for Annie's office. I went to a Super Target which did not impress me very much. In the evening I baked cookies, strawberry shortcakes and an apple cake. Oh, and we went to a German bakery where I got me a bread and a slice of plum cake, yummie.
Annie took it to work Wednesday and there was nothing left over, so I guess it was OK.

For dinner we had Sauerbraten and potato balls. Turned out pretty goood

Tonight is whatever night . We went to buy a cooler (styrofoam) at Big Lots for $5. We're trying to get packed and sandwiches made for the trip. Annie has to work 1/2 a day and then it is off to Virginia. I will post more after we get back and before I go to Dallas .

I miss you all, hope the boys will do great at the Ina K. Tell Katie I can't wait to see her dancing and playing soccer. Tina, Kirk, Martin, Jake and Katie I love you and see you soon, grandma.

Annie just got my computer to work and got me online. Try and send me an e-mail so we can see if its working.

Virtual Vacation Swap Questionnaire

Since I'm ON vacation, I thought it was a good time to sign up! You can go here for more info on this swap.

1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?

Florida, because I've never been there and it sounds like a wonderful state where I could eat oranges off trees, be in the water, watch alligators, and have a great time! And visit Disneyworld! (or is it Land in Florida?)

2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?

Germany because it's my home and I have a lot of family living there.

3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?

Yes! I've traveled from Colorado we visited states all around, including at four corners. I've driven from Colorado to Alabama, and to Texas, and back again, through many states including Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Louisiana

4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?

I think Spain is the most exotic place I've been to.

5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?

We used to take travel vacations at least once a month when I lived in Germany while my husband was stationed there. We'd go to places like Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Luxumberg, France, England - I've also been to Denmark, Sweden and Norway. I enjoyed these trips because most of them were done as a family.

6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.

Yes, I've played tourist in Alaska and Colorado when I still lived there.

7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comber or an amusement seeker?

Beach Comber. I love the heat.

8. What's your favorite type of yarn?

Actually, my favorite kinds of yarn are usually the acrylics like Red Heart and Lion's Brand you can get at Wal-Mart or Michaels. For most things I like making, they're functional and work up just fine - not to mention, I can afford to buy them.

9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?

Wool. It seems to make me itchy to even work with it now, and I used to have to wear it as a child, because my mother would knit us stockings from wool, and man did they itch! It wasn't even nice wools like you can find today - mostly it was old sweaters that had pulled out to make stockings, because this was after the war.

10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?

I am a crocheter, and I enjoy making lots of baby blankets I sell in bazaars, dishrags, and hats and scarves - usually for things like my Girl Scout Troop.

11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?

Some yarn, and a few hooks for whatever I'm working on.

12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?

All kinds of things. I enjoyed making small projects with my girl scout troop (that I've given up after this year ended) or with my granddaughter. We've made bunnies from washcloths, potpourri filled jars and things like that.

I thinks sometimes I'd like learning how to make stained glass; I think it's beautiful, but I don't think I'd have the patience for it.

13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)

I'm not allergic to wool but have discovered recently that even crocheting with it tickles my nose.

14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?

Purple. I LOVE purple in all shades. I don't have a least favorite color.

15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?

Savory - I enjoy things like pretzels and nuts and chips, or slim jims - stuff like that far moreso than sweets. Especially since I really shouldn't eat sweets since I'm diabetic.

16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?

No, I don't think so.

The beginning of vacation

Hello all, hope this finds you well. Arrived in Atlanta on Wednesday and you'll be glad to know that the airport is still under construction. Annie was at the baggage claim to welcome me. My flight was uneventful and I wish I had the same flight back instead of having to change planes in LA.

We went to Ft McPherson from the airport and got groceries at the commissary (very small). Went home, unpacked and went to Annie's work to get introduced to her team. From there we went to Coldwater Creek and the store is simply fantastic.

The next day I just took it kinda easy because I was very tired.




Friday Annie only worked 1/2 day and we went to get our nails done (best fill I ever had), also had my feet massaged and nails cut, no pedicure.












From there we went to a BBQ place to eat so we would be fortified for shopping at Big Lots, Publix grocery, and Payless at which time my credit card didn't work. Pretty embarrassing. Thank goodness only the bank's server was down and I'm not out of money yet. Katie don't worry. I will buy your chocolate. I'm sure to save money for that.



On Saturday morning we left for Anniston and arrived an hour early because we forgot the time change. I 20 is the same as I remember it from about 40 years ago. Same fireworks stand were your dad used to buy cherry bombs and set them off under Mawma and Pawpa house. The town of Aniston is a sad sight to see. Almost every other store is closed. Ft McClallan has only some reserve units. So the town is dying a slow death. The median on the road had large trees and I remembered going on the median once when I took you to the Dr. on the base and run over several of newly planted saplings before making it back to the road (one day after I got my drivers license in B'ham).

We then drove around awhile and went to Starbucks and waited for JL and Betty. Had a reunion and went on to eat. I had a pork bbq plate with pulled pork, a slab of cornbread, a huge slice of tomatoe and southern green beans, and all for $6.50. From there JL and Bety wanted to go to Walmart (they don't have one in Double Spring, even though they now have 2 traffic lights). From there Betty went and rented a room at the Travelers Inn ($45.00) and just talked for a few hours.



On our drive home we got a pretty bad scare, a car next to us was going 70 mph (speed limit) as we did. He hit his breaks and came to a complete stop which kinda scared us. His reason? A state trooper was sitting on the side of the highway. We all went on and the the officer passed us and pulled the guy over, yeah.

As you will see, everyone has aged quite a bit and I am very glad that I went. This all for today, more in a couple of days. Boys, I love and miss you. Is there something yo would like me to bring you? Let me know. I love and miss you all but having a great time. Mom, Oma, grandma

My Contest Answers

Here are the answers to Anne's Contest in the Dishcloth Swap:

If you were going to be whisked from your home and taken to a desert island to live out a year of your life....

• What one CD of music would you take? I have no idea, really. I don't listen to much music.
  
• What one book? Der Trotzkopf
  
• What one hobby-related item? A Crochet Kit - Hook AND yarn included! ;)
  
• What one person? Katie, my granddaughter, because she'd keep me busy!
  
• What one food? (no, you couldn't survive on a single food, I'm just SAYING) Gummi Bears!
  

My Dishcloth Swap Questionnaire

When did you learn to knit? Who taught you?

I crochet, because I prefer it - I know how to knit, but never do. I learned to crochet in first grade in school in Germany.

What was your very first completed object? Your most recent?
First was a potholder I made when I was 6 - it was a school project. That was the first thing we learned to crochet. Most recently, I crocheted a scarf and hat for my daughter when she visited, and also 8 little hats for my girls in my girl scout troop.

What was the very first thing you sent to the frog pond? (pulled out and started over) Your most recent?

I can't remember back that far for the first thing - it was 54 years ago! :) Most recently, I had to start again on one of the many hats I made my girls.

What is currently on the needles for you?

Nothing right now, but I'm looking forward to making my dishcloth for this swap!

What types of needles do you enjoy working with? What have you tried and hated?

I don't really have a preference - I can crochet as well with metal as with plastic, and don't really prefer one to the other

Have you knit dishcloths before? Yes

What was your favorite one?

They were all the same - I crocheted them to sell at bazaars. They were just simple squares without any lace or other pattern, but they sure sold like hot cakes.

Do you use homemade dishcloths or face cloths yourself, or give them as gifts, or both?

Both

What are your favorite and least favorite scents? (For your body, such as soap/lotion/etc)

I really love lavender. I hate peach and lilac. Other than that, I don't have a big preference; I like a lot of different things.

What are your favorite colors?
Purple

What colors (if any) are your bathroom and kitchen decorated in? The bathroom is olive and beige, and the kitchen isn't really themed, but appliances are black and we get a lot of things in blue.

What other hobbies and crafts do you enjoy?

All kinds - just about anything. I enjoy thinking of projects for my girl scout troop and kids I babysit.

Chocolate: Dark? White? Milk? Ew? Ew, most of the time. I can enjoy a good piece now and then, but really can't get the kinds I love in the US easily. I like Milka from Germany, and it's not always to easy to find.

Do you like salty treats? What kinds? I like cashews and macadamia nuts, and Hawaiian chips that come in a purple bag - I think they're from Tim's.

If you could go anywhere in the world for one day and spend the day any way you wanted, where would you go and what would you do?

I would go somewhere warm and bask in the sun and enjoy a book.

Do you have any allergies? (Yarns, foods, etc. that might impact what your pal can send) No, unless you planning on sending penicillen! :p