Not a bit of withdrawal....

I was without Internet access from Thursday to Tuesday this last week. I had some serious doubts that it could be done and that I might succumb to the outrageous cyperspace fees charged by the hotel where we were. Cuddle Buns expressed doubts as well. But I did it! Most likely due to:

Even for me, walking in snow above the clouds trumps cyberspace any day. 

(That last picture was taken from Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany.)

Travels Without Rudy

Cuddle Buns and I arrived in Frankfurt after a fairly uneventful flight unless you count the passanger shouting at the screaming child (FINALLY!) uneventful. (The child did get quiet. He was old enough to know better anyway.)

My favorite things so far:

Having the windows open 24/7. The weather is awesome.  We walked downtown yesterday and had a nice lunch sitting outside. It was amusing seeing everyone wearing coats and scarves. 

And...

My three boys and Mario Cart. Another WII attachment we will acquire once home. The games are ON here, though! Cuddle Buns/Gramps won't quit until he masters it. 

In between watching all episodes of Modern Family.

Off to Garmisch tomorrow!!!

It is a sin to lie...

Those of you who read this know I don't like lying. (And if you don't know it and you lie to me, I already know it, you know. You don't do it very well.) (This means you!) Having said that...


I lied to the Grand Princess.


I confess.


But I just couldn't take the Banana Splits singing "LALALA".


The CD really was in the car.


I should have just told you NO! I'm sorry I lied. Especially after our conversation about stories vs. fibs.


I'm telling Rudy lies, too. I've told him we're going away this afternoon, but we won't be gone long. But we will. Two weeks.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell??

So what makes a usually cuddly, tug-playing, dog do weird and out-of-character things? It can't be puberty yet. I'm thinking he has a few months. In dog years he is only 8 or 9. Maybe he is precocious. (Well, of course he is.)

Not even my kids stood on tables when they hit puberty. To my knowledge.

In the Dog House

Rudy has NEVER done anything to make me mad. Ever. Until today. I can't believe it. I'm sure the Dog Whisperer would have a field day. I think it's because I just told someone that my sweetheart had NEVER chewed on the shoes or furniture or anything but his toys.

My new shoes. Was it the style he took exception to??

My formerly innocent Rudy trying not to make eye contact. 

I'm still in shock.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

A good friend made the Grand Princess a cute fleece Disney Princess blanket. She keeps it here at Gramma's and is very possessive of it. She'd be so upset if she knew how it was being used when she isn't here.

BTW-Cuddle Buns really is watching Monday Night Football here. He is just resting his eyes.

How Much of This Can You Take?

About one and a half of my readership (which is about half of my readership) has suggested that I need to blog more often. This poses a problem for me. You already know I have a cute and clever dog. You already know my grandchildren are brilliant and even more clever than the dog. I hate to rub it all in. I've actually heard that other people think that THEIR grandchildren and pets are cuter/smarter/stronger/etc than mine. I've thought that by keeping it not quite so sickening, I might be low key enough not to hurt anyone's feelings when they read the truth here. (It IS on the Internet, afterall.)

But, my public has spoken. But you'll be SOOOOORRRRYYY!

Cuddle Buns did make it back from China. He got his bags the night before he flew back. Just in time to pack all of the gifts bestowed upon him for everyone here. I did have several suitcase presents. All silk. A silk blanket, for goodness sakes. A beautiful silk scarf. Two silk robes. (XL, I might add. Those people are so little!)  His Chinese hosts did send back a beautiful silver bracelet for the grandprincess since she had taught Gramps to say Ni Hao. (Actually, she taught him to say Ni Hao, Kai Lan. I had to tell him that the last part was actually a character's name.) I will at some point try to take some picts, but you know how those things photograph. I mean, really....you want to see them?

My day today was awesome. I came home from a very relaxing massage to find a  Real Life Diva in my living room.

Her shoes light up, too. Very blingy. The jewelry is all precious silver plastic, plastic purls, and Disney Princesses. She spent some time playing inside before taking off all of her finery to play in the water outside until she started playing in an ant bed. Put a bit of a damper on the outside time. (That kind of sounds like she played outside naked. No....she was almost naked since her swimsuit is a bit smallish....but she was covered. Wish her feet had been.)

THEN, I actually went to knit night tonight. I tend to have a knit night every night here in front of the TV, but  Twisted Yarns is having this cool thing once a month where they provide a pattern for $5 of something you could finish quickly for Christmas gifts. They started in June or July, and I just haven't been able to attend. I did tonight. Had a knitter friend go with me.

The patterns tonight were of critters, and I almost succumbed. Just not sure who to give a critter to. The boys are kind of beyond stuffed toys, even of cool alien beings (which is the one I almost bought). I made Zoey the doll for her first birthday, and haven't seen it since, so.... I knit on another project. A scarf for Care Bear. DR knit her A&M scarf. We closed the place down. I mean, who leaves a knit night before it is over???

Ni Hao

Rudy and I have been bach-ing it this week. Cuddle Buns has been in China. I can't wait to pick him up today to hear about his whirlwind little adventure (he left on Monday, his luggage didn't make it, and he's coming back today) and see what awesome presents he brought me.

I typically am not one who needs presents. Some people I know just NEED them to feel loved/appreciated/etc. I'm not judging...that is just the way it is. I need words. BUT I am a FIRM believer in suitcase presents. Especially from countries where SILK and JADE come to mind. And since Cuddle Buns is usually unpacking suitcases after hunting trips (don't need those kinds of presents) I am really looking forward to this one.

After 30 hours on a plane, though, I'll probably have to rummage through his suitcase while he is snoring on the bed.