Vader's Day

Vader: German word for father.

It seems weird to have our son across the waters, so far from father – or as they say in Germany, vader – on Father's Day. I definitely made sure Jim survived the weekend OK without him!

Had a great time golfing. In fact there's still more golfing – made it home in time to catch the end of the US Open and need to get back to it. I will post some photos (the one above is Whitefish Bay on Lake Michigan at dusk last night) and more tomorrow, but tonight I will share an update about our world traveler.

On Friday afternoon, we got an update from his German teacher, Frau T, who also is serving as one of the GAPP (German-American Partnership Program) chaperones, along with Mr. O. Here's what she shared after Week One was in the books...


Greetings to everyone back home,

Please send warm, sunny weather. It has been cool and rainy almost every day. Supposedly, the weather is supposed to improve next week.

I have to say that I have had one of the smoothest first weeks ever here in Landshut. Everyone appears to have settled nicely into their host families. Jet lag did not seem to be a major problem this time and as far as Mr. O. and I can tell no one is pining to come home. Other than a couple with slight sore throats (teacher included) there have been no complaints. I have had many compliments from the host families, the teachers and my GAPP partner about how wonderful a group we have with us this time. One of the host fathers specifically sought me out to say how impressed he was with the effort the American partner was making to speak German and to learn more. During our city hall tour, we were also complimented by how polite and interested the group is.

We had a very nice welcome dinner on Tuesday evening with the parents bringing a variety of potluck items. At school, we have already begun to give presentations in several classrooms and are booked for several more. The principal gave a short history about the school and showed off the marble sculpture near the offices. The school is undergoing renovations to update the science labs and other classrooms as well. These will continue until 2021. Students have also started working on the short assignments I have for them to help make them more attentive and engaged in the classrooms as well as to keep them learning when they cannot attend a class due to a testing situation.

Today we were at the glass factory. We had a wonderful demonstration in glass making and the birthday girl, Megan, was selected randomly to blow a glass ball, which she then got to keep. After that we helped support the local economy with our purchases. The selection there is outstanding and the prices very reasonable. Even our German partners indulged and bought several gift items. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate to allow us to speed down the summer luge run. For safety reasons, they close the run down when it rains. They then need at least 30 minutes after the rain has stopped for the track to dry. We decided not to wait for an eventual rain let up and instead returned to Landshut a bit earlier than scheduled. ...

Next week is another full one. On Monday, we are going to Regensburg and on Tuesday we are visiting the local grade school. On Wednesday, we head out on our Alpen tour. The students will  not have access to the internet in either of the youth hostels,so please do not expect to hear from them (or me) until next Sunday evening.
Was so glad the week was going well for all, especially since we had so few updates from Carter. But I guess he's been busy.

Imagine my surprise and joy today when I heard his ring tone on my phone, alerting me he had just sent me a message. I didn't care that we were in the middle of golfing a hole, this was the first time in a week we'd been able to chat back and forth "live."

He wanted to wish Dad a happy Father's Day. He is having a great time doing all that stuff that Frau mentioned above, plus Lukas' family took him to Austria this weekend! (That's like a 90-minute drive or less, I think, from their home.) How cool!

Our chat was short because they were headed out to a pizzeria for dinner. I have to tell you, just hearing from him after a few days of nothing, made it seem like Mother's Day!

So we both had a special day... with no kids in sight. Just our kitty, who was happy to have us back home.

TGIFing

I decided to put my empty nest doldrums in the Denial Drawer and make it a weekend about us. Well, to be honest, we made the plans over a month ago stating, "Carter will be gone so we'll have all this free time!"

Not thinking that in reality I'd want to fill each minute so I wouldn't be missing him.

So we made our way over to Green Bay to stay with our friends Scott and Sandy for a golf weekend. We'll golf in Green Bay in the morning, then head to Door County to golf Sunday.

Tonight, since they live on a golf course,  we went on a green and putted for practice. ... And money. You can see from these beautiful photos that we also enjoyed a gorgeous sunset. Of course, that meant daylight was fading, making it challenging.  Not U.S. Open challenging!

For the record, I tied for first! You know what that means - ice cream for the winner! 

This FREE weekend is looking good. TGIF!

Speed Bump

You know what's sad?

Not hearing from my boy all day. I am not handling this Empty Nesting dry run very well. And I knew I probably wouldn't. I was the big talker who said I'm sure our boy doesn't need a phone or need to check in. I changed that mindset. And now it's worse that he has one and doesn't use it appropriately (as in texting his mother).

Sigh...

You know what's sadder?

Hubby took me shopping for some golf clothes to cheer me up and I was reminded why I hate clothes shopping. I know size is "just a number," but ugh, that did not help my funk. Plus there wasn't a great selection at the 4 stores we went to, so I guess we'll have to shop next week before my birthday. I'm willing to try again.

You know what's the saddest?

The highlight of my day was our return trip from Stevens Point when I saw the speed limit has changed!

Yes, that pathetically is the highlight of my day. Now we can drive fast in Wisconsin like we do in Minnesota. I say "we" since I am surely not the only lead foot out there, am I?

I sure with I could adjust the speed of the next three weeks. But I am sure they will go way too fast for our baby. For me, well, hopefully we won't have so many speed bumps on the communication highway.

I do not have a license to handle this just yet!

Virtual Tour :: Part 1

I guess if I say "Part 1" in the blog title I am hoping there will be at least Part 2 and 3 and more...

Carter sent me a few pictures today after some neat tours of a castle, the two main churches in downtown Landshut and other buildings. If you are like me and have never been overseas, I thought you might enjoy this virtual tour along with me...

This is a view a short walking distance from Lukas' house. The city of Landshut is one of Germany's most beautiful Gothic style cities. Since 1839 this city of approximately 63,000 has been the seat of government for Lower Bavaria. It is 810 years old so there is so much that is different from our "new" country.

In this photo you can see one of the churches towering above all other buildings.

 My smart, budding photographer getting all the angles with his smartphone!

 Just beautiful!

This is the Burg Trausnitz Castle, a medieval castle founded in 1204 by Duke Ludwig I. It was the home of the Wittelsbach dynasty, and it served as their ducal residence for Lower Bavaria from 1255–1503, and later as the seat of the hereditary rulers of the whole of Bavaria. (According to Wikipedia, not my son, who probably heard this today as well, though.)

A view of Landshut from the castle.

At first I thought this was one of the churches, but I looked online and it is called Festival Hall. This makes sense, especially if you've been to any productions at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. Ornate is the word! Just gorgeous!

Of course, somebody has to have ice cream (or perhaps gelato) for me! I told Carter thanks and he said, "Any time!" No fair.

That was it for today. Carter said he's having a blast. I can see why. I am definitely getting some trip ideas for my Bucket List!

On the Web

You know it's a bad sign when Mr. Deck Chair is "growing" cobwebs. It means either summer has made infrequent appearances or Robyn has been too busy to spend any quality time with him.

Or both.

The answer is: BOTH.

With temperatures dipping into the mid-50s tonight and rain again tomorrow, it just hasn't felt much like summer. Though we have managed to enjoy some outdoor time between showers and sweatshirt days. Unfortunately, I've just been too occupied to set aside time with my good friend on the front deck. When I saw the cobwebs today it was a reality check. I really need to relax more. Right?

Last night I went to kickboxing class after work and then proceeded to read our entire book for Book Club – since Book Club was tonight. Apparently I thrive on deadline.

Today I worked from the home office and did sneak outside to eat my lunch. That's when I noticed the web. Otherwise, it was work and work until Book Club.

Tonight we discussed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, a nice read with a few plot twists. Had a good discussion and it helped that everything was so "fresh" in mind. (Note to self: Don't spend that much time in one sitting or your neck and back will never recover!)

Someone asked me if I missed Carter yet. I guess I haven't had time. I still think he's just at work or at school or at a friend's. Then I heard the door today and my first thought was that he was home. I'll give it another day or two and see how I am. I got a text last night but I don't expect to hear from him every day. Probably not wise since they are supposed to be concentrating on their "new" family and all the new experiences.

I'd probably start "growing" cobwebs, too, if I sat around and waited for a teenage boy to contact his mother. But as much as I hate spiders, it will be worth it when he does.

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen...

Have Euros, will travel...

Since yesterday was "Sister Sunday," I didn't get a chance to touch on the fond farewell... Before Carter and the other 13 Assumption students and 2 chaperones hit the road yesterday, they had a brief goodbye ceremony at the school.

And by brief, I mean one of the local priests said a few words and blessed their journey. Then it was  a group picture by the bus...

I was thankful Jim was there to take photos and see our boy off (while I was busy with my sister). Every student going had hosted a German student last spring and, like Carter, will be staying at their partner's home. They were very, very excited!

Jim's sister Sherry took a nice father-son photo since Carter will be gone on Father's Day!

I may or may not have shed a tear when Jim texted me this photo yesterday. The bus took them to Minneapolis, where they flew Icelandic Air to Germany, touching down in Iceland to refuel. They landed in Germany this afternoon, about 5:30 a.m. our time since they are 7 hours ahead.

Was happy Carter landed safely in Germany. Not happy he forgot to turn off has mobile data roaming on his phone. Did you know it doesn't take much to rack up $6,000-plus in international charges? I am serious. Look up the many tales of woe on the Internet. I was in a bit of a panic when I started getting the "excessive international data use" alerts on my phone. Just a bit of a panic.

A sincere thank you, AT&T, for understanding teenage boys don't listen. It's all good now. We'll let him come back.

In the meantime, we are sooo jealous Carter gets to see his "brother" Lukas!

Lukas' mom emailed me some photos right away. She's been in my shoes. She knows I need to SEE that my baby is OK!
 

Gosh, those two look good. I can see they are going to have a great time. Hopefully, my son will find a frugal way to keep us updated now and then so we can share.

Until then, feel free to keep that group in your prayers! (Oh, and God grant me some serenity, too!)

Driven to Distraction

Shed a tear or two giving Carter his final kiss goodbye this morning, then I was on the road, driving myself to distraction while making good on a Christmas gift to my sister Renell.

Turns out it was fitting that Carter gave his godmother tickets to the Jordy Nelson Charity Softball Game. And it fell on the day of his departure to Germany. It kept me out of the sad zone. I was too busy trying to take some pictures for Renell while avoiding being spotted by anyone who might think I've crossed over to the dark side.

No worries, my Purple Pride friends. When they cheered "Go Pack, Go!" I was saying, "Skol, Vikes, Skol!"

Overall, we both had a blast though. And I mean that sincerely! Some photo highlights. Yes I probably concentrated on the big names I know – Jordy Nelson, Aaron Rogers and Clay Matthews. But you can still see some others.

Our "Sister Sunday"...

Got there a little after 10 a.m. so Renell was able to buy a t-shirt AND we could see the first event at 11 a.m.

We had reserved bleacher seats so that was nice. Not far from the field at all. The event was held at the Timbler Rattlers Stadium / Fox Cities Stadium over in Appleton. The main sponsor was Kwik Trip so the day started with a short game at 11 a.m. between some of the Packers and employees of Kwik Trip.

Then it was on to the homerun derby at noon and the offense vs. defense showdown at 1 p.m. I don't necessarily have these in the correct order, but you'll deal...

Quite the large crowd, which means Jordy Nelson raised a lot for charity.

Starting lineups with Defense in front of us and Offense along the first-base line.



Who most people came to see.

Players gather at the plate after the first homerun. That got old when there so many. They just stayed in the dugout after awhile.

Clay Matthews up to bat. Let me just say that Mr. Pitch Perfect was not so hot in the field. He could hit but he probably can sing better than he can play short stop. Just sayin'.

Rounding third with some high-fives ready.

Controversy at second base, which apparently moved during the play. Actually I am surprised no one got hurt on the carpet.

Jordy Nelson hits one of many homeruns.

I can't remember this guy's name but Renell wants a hat like that.

Kicker Mason Crosby actually played for the Defense today. Here he takes a knee while waiting for an Offensive player to run his bases after a homerun.

At the end of four innings, the Offense was leading 18-5. They decided to switch the score so the Defense was 18 and the Offense was 5, "just to see if the Defense could hang on," Nelson said. That turned out to be a mistake.

No offense to Jordy's pitching, but the Defense suddenly went on a hot hitting streak and didn't look back.

 QB throwing from second base.

The Offense tries to rally behind their leader. Aaron calls his shot.

And does hit is over the fence. 

 Welcomed at home plate.

Rodgers playing outfield while most of the fans are just trying to get him to autograph one of their softballs.

 

 Jordy Nelson's wife leads a conference on the pitching mound.

At the end of the game, Clay Matthews took over pitching for Defense.

And Rodgers hit a home run off of him. Not enough for the Offense to win (after giving it away on purpose earlier).

Game over. But can the Defense feel good about it?

 Renell gives a final goodbye to Jordy.

And we enjoy one final pit stop on the way back to Wisconsin Rapids.

Fun day. And excellent distraction. Now I have to wait until tomorrow sometime to learn of Carter's safe arrival.

Guess I could read, do some work, watch some Orange is the New Black... distractions, distractions, distractions...