What a day we had yesterday!

We picked our 3 yr. old granddaughter up from kindergarten and took her to the Deutsche Museum in Muenich. It’s the largest technology museum in Europe. They have a wing for 3-5 yr. olds. Sooo we took off with our happy little pumpiamkin. She loved the museum, racing around the helicopters and tugboats. When we discovered a sign; To the Salt Mine. Okay, we were game. We had to slide several stories down on potatoe sacks into a fake salt mine. It was cold and spooky, and our little “ A” didn’t like it at all.

Fine, we set off to look for the stairs. It was a labyrinth of passages and dead ends, just like a real salt mine, I guess. AND we were the only ones down there! I already saw us camping overnight, between salt boulders and sweaty looking human sized dolls hammering away at the walls. Finally we discovered emergency escape stairs. “A” clutched on to her grandfather’s neck as he carried her up. He took two stairs at a time, when boom; … he slipped and fell crashing down the stairs with little “A” in his arms. He managed to cup her head in his hands, to protect her. So here we were in the dungeon of this gigantic monstrous museum, not a person around, gathering ourselves up in an empty stair well!……”A” was howling from the shock, ( the echo was deafening) and Opa, her grandfather was licking his cut up hands from the fall.

I carried “A” the rest of the way up. Finally we reached the last door, which led us smack in the middle of the aviation hall. A private ritzy bank meeting was being held, with champaigne and caviar. “A” was still howling, not from pain; - she was simply enjoying the echo! I was panting from schlepping her up all those flights of stairs, and Hubby was blood smeared along the front of his shirt and sleeves. I’m sure we were a sight for soar eyes.

Lol lol….anyhoooo we escaped the room, with bowed heads, and headed for the restaurant. They even stopped their speech, till we passed through. Honestly I felt about 50 pairs of eyes drilling into our backs. We bought “A” a big crunchy twister ice-cream. Hubby got a beer, and I ordered a glass of Rose’ wine. Oh boy…did that do the nerves good.

“A” didn’t want to go back home. She told her mommy that it’s sooo much fun with Oma and Opa, and that we were in a sugar cave, ( she got sugar and salt mixed up) and Opa fell down on top of her, and Opa was bleeding, and Oma was all excited, and they have a big echo there!!!!! It’s sooo much fun with Oma and Opa! ……Ya…right!

OMG EW! LOL! That was so funny to read. What a day for you - definitely one you'll remember. I could just see the both of you. What we do for our lovely grandchildren. So little "A" didn't want to go home - cute, cute!!! Thanks for sharing girl!

Wow, what a day!! Is Opa sore today from the fall?

I think you should have walked into that bank meeting with your heads held high, handed "A" to Opa, and then passed out your real estate business cards to all the attendees. They would have really been in shock!

DD, always thinking business. You go girl. Love it.

EW, you're a great writer. I was right in the thick of things with you. GLad there weren't any broken bones!

No broken bones, Dotsie. Hubby and our granddaughter were lucky. I think if I had fallen like that, I would have remained there till the next tourist group was lead through. And then I would have pretended I was one of the life size dolls, licking the salt off the floor. Good grief.

DD, if I had handed those fancy schmancy bank people my card, the way I was sweating and panting...and I think my eyes were bugging out; they would have had me committed....HAAAAHAAAA. Sandpiper, you should have been there. I’m sure it would have been even funnier to watch. Hubby and I have been laughing about the whole scene several times today.

You poor dear and hubby too. I am so glad he didn't really hurt himself to the point of anything getting broken. I am appauled that the Museum would allow tourists to wander hither and yawn with no attendants in sight, especially when it could be dangerous. When married to Chet,#2, we visited the Onandagga Caverns in Missouri, where the Jesse James hideout was. It is a laberent of caves, rivers, and stalagmites, and stalagtites, etc. It is so dark in several places you literally cannot see your hand even with fingers touching your nose, BUT you are not allowed to enter unless with three, not even one, but three guides. I started a book which I titled "Mystery of the Caverns," They go in but never come out...

Wooooeeee! Chatty you started a book!!!! I bet it will be a humdinger!

We were surprised too that nobody else was down there. That made the whole thing really creepy.
Infact, I was starting to get claustrophobic.

Deep down inside the Onandaga Caverns they live, blind and in total darkness. Yet if you stray from the group or wander too far off the beaten path they can find you and you will vanish never be seen again...

That was the beginning of the book way back when but I haven't picked it up again in years. Maybe I'll see if I can finish it after the edit I am doing is completed and returned to the writer...

Sounds like it would be a great book Chatty. Full of mystery, and mahem. Hope you pick it up again. I'm sure I couldn't do those caverns as I am definitely claustrophobic.

Edelweiss...you paint such a vivid picture with your words...what a wonderful, exciting and funny story. Scary for Opa falling..I bet that was freightening and thankfully no broken bones at this age. Next time I want to go with you...it sounds like fun (aside from the falling). I'm glad little A had a wonderful time.

I have to laugh at this but at the same time, holler ouch! The stair scene and the falling were horrible to read. Eeeee...ooooo....whooooooo...ouccchhhh! Poor hubby. But good lord, taking steps two at a time? I wish I thought I could do that! ha!

Love reading your stories. What great gams and paps you two are!

I haven't been around much lately...this is the reason why.

The second Advent...(turn up your volume)

What a lovely video...Hummm, I wonder who here dotes on their grand daughter?? A is such a pretty litte girl and looks so happy when at your home.

Is your Christmas in Germany on the 25th like ours Edelweiss, or a different day. Is it still referred to as Christmas?

I hope Opa is still okay, sometimes after a fall the bruises and pain start days later.

I've watched this video I don't know how many times...it's just so perfect...the lighting, little A with the lights, beautiful eyes and expressions of anticipation...so precious. and the music...absolutely perfect. Edelweiss...you should go into the children movie making business. You truly know how to wear the photos into such a beautiful story. Can't wait to see what you do with Christmas!

Thanks for asking about Opa, Chatty. He's fine, and his cuts are healing. He actually cut himself up with his metal wristwatch band.

Am I a doting grandmother? Why nooooooo.

Dee, funny you should say that. I would have loved to enter the business that Dotsie's son is doing; film making. I can't get over the animation films they do today. I think you have a talent with it too. Maybe in our next lives, hey?

Chatty, Germans open their presents on Christmas Eve. We all get dressed up, and first go to church. Then stuff ourselves with a fondue dinner. Afterwards we open each present one by one, where everyone oooos and aaaaaaas.

Edelweiss...what a wonderful tradition. What kinds of fondue are you having this year? Be sure to tell us what Santa brings this year. Wanna share a movie perhaps?

Dee, you make me smile, you REALLY do.

Actually this should be an interesting Christmas Eve. My brother will be here, of course my mother, my son, Danny, with his soon to be x-wife, our granddaughter, and maybe our other son with their two babies will pop on over too. I just hope my DIL won't get bombed like last Christmas. Thank goodness we have enough beds and bedrooms...since everyone wants to sleep alone. Hah! Maybe I should put my DIL with my brother, and my mother with Danny...hee heee heeeeeeee.

Wow Edelweiss...you've got lots of room AND lots of juggling to do...have you ever seen the movie "A Griswald Christmas"? This might be a sequel...
Seriously, you're brave, woman!!! My goodness...I hope your DIL doesn't get drunk, too. Anyway you can talk to her before things get out of hand?
You still didn't tell me about your fondue. I've never had fondue so that might be a good thing to try at my party.

We serve mouth sized cut tender marinated steak. We have three fondue pots, with sizzeling oil, so there won't be any crowding when dipping the steak in. (4 people to one pot should be the maximum). About 8 self made sauces, from garlic, sour cream with chives to hot pepper sauces are served. On the side we have rolls of hot garlic buttered bread, and about three different kinds of salads. Red or rose' wine rounds the whole thing off. Danny usually shows up in the morning and is responsible for the sauces. I run around setting the table and getting everything ready. Hubby cuts the meat, and we all help make the salads. A fondue is fun, because the meal takes longer, since everyone is roasting their own meat. The drawback is; we all overeat and afterwards feel like rolling onto the floor and conking out.
Yes, Dee I saw the movie. I hope this won't be a sequel. lol

EW, I looooooooooved the film clip! Thanks for sharing.

EW, what time is dinner?!

Really, sounds delish.

We exchange gifts on Christmas morn, but know others who do so on Christmas Eve.

Ditto on the holiday over-eating!

We open one gift on Christmas Eve and the remaining gifts Christmas morning. Since it's going to be just me and Larry Christmas morning and I have a lovely tree in our bedroom I'm thinking of putting our presents under and having coffee and coffee cake while we stay warm under the covers and open our presents. Sounds like a great way to start our Christmas morning, eh?

...and you may get distracted along the way. hee hee....How about opening the presents with your toes?
Sure sounds like a cozy Christmas morning. Gee, a tree in your bedroom? How romantic is that! Got any pictures?

I do...I'll have to send it to you...is that okay?

Of course, Hon! Check out the photo site!

Edelweiss...you did it again!! You're my photo angel. Uh, come to think of it you're my 'shoulder' angel, and my 'I need to talk' angel and my 'hug' angel and my 'guess what my kids did now' angel and my 'how do I handle this' angel, and my 'you're never going to believe this' angel, and my ...well, you get the picture (no pun intended tee hee). Thanks, dearest one for ALWAYS being here when I need you. What would I do without you? Thanks from the bottom of my heart.! HUGS!

Dee, I don't think anyone has ever said so many nice things to me before in my entire life. Your exuberance and love shines right into my heart, and lifts me up (...and that without any angel wings ).
X0X0X0

What goes out comes back...that should tell you how much you give to us all...everyone adores you and it's because you're so easy to love, dearest.

Dee told me you dress funny......whatttt? Would I try and start trouble? Who me????

<insert evil giggles>

Leave it to our resident funny grinch JJ to slip in and try to ruffle some feathers. You know I think I heard the same thing from Dee but I could swear she said JJ, not EW dresses funny, or was it that she is so funny???? Hummm!!! Oh well at least I know Dee loves ME, na, na, na, na, nana!!!

Nooo JJ...you may not borrow my dress! geez!
Chatty, you may anytime.

I don't do pom poms.

Thanks Edelweiss but it will take more chickens than that to make a dress to fit around me. Cluck, cluck, LOL!!!