Another Big Move

I’ve been really quiet since my rebirth and that’s because we have big news to share!

Most know the story but for some of you who are new here, I’m from NY. No…not NYC…the state of NY. Specifically, Upstate (the better part of NY altogether!) The only thing NYC has to do with upstate is the atrociously high taxes it causes us! Toblerone and I met there actually. It holds a very special place in our hearts and of course our friends and most of my family is there.

I try to think back about when I first decided to follow him to Germany and I must have been drunk. I’m surprised I went at the end of the day. That was a major risk and I think my little 25yr old brain didn’t have ANY idea of what I was getting into. Somehow I thought, “I’ll just move back home if I don’t like it!” The reality is, I can’t just go home when my “home” (Harley and Tobes) wouldn’t be coming with me. It was more complicated than I thought.

I went to Germany with a huge carry on bag of German cuisine cookbooks (seriously) very unsure of what my future would hold and after 4 years it giving it the old college try, we decided moving back to the states was best for us. Tobes got a job that shipped us over to Michigan and although it was the US, it still was 9+ hours away. So I went from a 9+ hour flight to an equally as long of a drive. Not sure it was a win.

Chilling at a winery in the black forest

Every time that we did make it back to NY we always talked about how our hearts were warm and we felt relaxed. Much of that has to do with the atmosphere my mom’s house presents and also because of the friendships we have there. We have a tribe.

The goal was always to make it back closer to family and out of nowhere the stars aligned and here we are…going back to NY. We’ll be 20 minutes from everyone and we are bubbling over from excitement thinking about how different our life will be now. Not just for us but for the kids.

Ten years later…home. I’m no longer tribeless.

Finally holidays that will mean something. Traditions to continue. Birthday parties to have. It all finally makes sense. Finally.

We left a couple days before Thanksgiving and we’ve been shacking up with the prenatal units until we close on our new house after New Years. It’s been a surprisingly easy transition. The kids are adjusting nicely and Toblerone fits right in at his new job. All is well so far!!

Until next time, Readers!!! Xoxoxoxo

Here I Go Again

It’s been ages! 3 years to be exact and I have been missing this creative outlet of mine. Life is VERY different than what it was when I first started this blog and now with more grace and perspective, I’m ready to get back up in the saddle, so to speak.

Where to begin? I’ve left you all for so long. Last you heard from me was when I had the twins and then poof…I was gone. Because let’s face it – TWINS ARE HARD! We are now in the “threenager” phase which frankly has me kicking my butt for not relishing in how easy the “terrible twos” were. I wish I could say I have a good handle on these kids but truth be told, I’m hanging on by the necks of their shirts. They are ridiculous and as the days go on I’ll be sure to let you in on all that is them and their twinado tyrants.

So do you want the good news or bad news first?

Bad news first? Well alright then.

This is bad news, actually, horrible and horrifically sad news…we had to say goodbye to our beloved Harley Noodle Jones Butt Butt. I’ll get into that in another post because he deserves his own space. But man. Losing my guy has left me utterly heartbroken and if it wasn’t for the fact that I have little humans who need me to function at full force each day, I would be on the ground in tears for eternity. He was my baby and the gaping hole in my life since he left is excruciating.

Yes, I know people lose their children and parents and that is also horrifically sad but he was my person. Furry and slobbery…my person. More on all that is Harley later though.

But we can’t just have bad news and not follow it up with good news. This is actually great news! My life clearly wasn’t hectic enough so we decided to add yet ANOTHER kid to the mix. And this time… ITS A GIRL!!! Praise baby Jesus and all the pink fluff and tulle he created!!! No, but seriously, this is my best work yet. I mean…LOOK at this face! Can you even deal?!

So I’ll be signing off for now but in a really small nutshell, that is life the last 3 years with a whole lot of other nonsense in between (which I’ll also get to.) Looking forward to getting back into the blogging world…I’ve missed it dearly! I’m hoping you all will take me back in with open arms!

Until next time, Readers!! xoxoxoxoxo

I Found The Foot Fetish Holy Grail!

Maybe I should using the term “fetish” loosely. Pretty sure there are quite a few freaks out there who stumble onto my blog. Considering I get a lot of traffic for my post about naked locker rooms in Germany.

But….let’s get to the fun stuff. You ready for this?! One of my students told me about this really great thing he did with his kids a few weekends ago and I about DIED! Whats that you say? A walk in the woods….without SHOES?!?!?!? Ok..this about blew my mind. For real. Explosion of the brain was happening as he explained it to me.

In the middle of the black forest is a town called Dornstetten. In this beautiful town is a park…this is called, Barfuss Park (bare foot park). You choose from two different routes, one for 1.4km for 25mins or another route for 2.4km for 60 minutes. This beautiful trail takes you through the thick of the black forest and has many different types of stones, wood, sand, nails, pinecones, even glass and mud to walk through! This for me was the greatest thing ever. Something totally off the wall and random…and the best part, it’s FREE!!!

First and foremost…ein bier und pommes mit mayo und ketchup! (Did you understand that sentence?! Not so hard, right?!) Then we went on our way! There were really fun little things to see, play with, different stations, etc. This is great for kids as well. P.S…I apologize for how white my legs are. I really did try to make them nice and brown this summer…not in the cards for this Irish girl.

Toblerone and I had a great time acting like kids. The perma-smile on my face said it all. (I don’t get out much, lol!) No but seriously, I haven’t jumped on a trampoline, walked barefoot, or even played on the monkey bars in YEARS! Since when did I get so old?!?!?

Toblerone was a great model! I told him I had to take all these pictures just for you guys, and he obliged thankfully! (*****Applause for the Hubs!!*****) Check out that mud pit!! There were several moments of potential full body face plants. The mud was slick and was reallllly hard to walk in. But hilarious since Toblerone slipped every which way!

And now…for those of you that came here looking for some naked feet….live it up!

We had such a great day and I would totally do it again! All you need is to bring a towel with you to dry off your feet at the wash stations at the end. Was most definitely the perfect way to start off the month of September!! For those of you who are in the area and are interested, please visit their website at: Barfuss Park

What do you think? Would you walk 2.4km barefoot and walk through the squishy mud and cold water???

Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxo

Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign

For this weeks challenge I happened to come across a twist of “foreign” on something that is familiar. We all remember the “play food” as a child. The German children get German food. Complete with wurst and sauerkraut! And well as Swabisch soup and a breakfast set complete with Nutella! Take a look!

Until next time, Readers!! Xoxoxo