Apparently, wine makes you fat!

Summer is finally here!  Unfortunately, I threw in my old beach towel when I should have been getting my body ready for shorts and sun. It's not like I miss six-pack abs.  I've never had a six-pack, but I do miss those two vertical lines that run the length of my abs (do they have a cool nickname?) and my jeans are a little too tight. Alas, it's time to shape up before I ship out. I am not one to be dishing out diet advice right now, but here are my own personal reminders. For better or for worse, they work for me.

Revisit Jackie Warner - no sugar, no salt, no junk food and no wine! Did I say no wine?  I meant no wine 5 nights out of 7.

Everyday is not a vacation (sad consequence: now I have to eat salads on vacation).  Yes, really (the sun just came out and instantly I wondered if I had champagne chilling)!

You can never exercise away (or work off) a diet of sugar and junk.  Food is the number one component of a healthy mind and body. Exercise is second.

People who drink like fish will eventually start to look like whales!  F*#@!

What most people spend 60 minutes working out, you can accomplish in 20 with focus and intensity.

Heavy weights with 6-8 reps are more efficient than 50 reps without weights.

All those magazine workouts you cut out for new ideas, make them into bookmarks. You'll always have ideas handy when on vacation or just at the park.

A pitiful, short workout is always better than no workout because it keeps you mentally in the workout game and on schedule.

Cardio is a waste of time without intense intervals.

Cheat meals must be earned.

Yoga is not a waste of time.  It is necessary for a calm and focused mind which help you make better decisions in regards to food, exercise, parenting, and life.

The scale is less important than what you look like naked and if your clothes fit well.

Discipline is mental.  Your body is capable of whatever you tell it to accomplish.

Finally, don't tell people you are dieting...just don't.

40 Challenges for my 4th Decade

OOPS, I have just been corrected. My 5th decade, I don't like the sound of that at all. haha
My goal is to complete 40 tasks in my next decade of life. Ten years should be enough, right?

1. Promote and try to sell my paintings
2. See Aurora Borealis with my own eyes
3. Fly in a helicopter
4. Take the Orient Express
5. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride
6. African Safari, preferably river, photo safari
7. River cruise themed (literary, gourmet, or wine)
8. Attend Bundesliga match or any football match.
9. Maintain my weight without using the "over 40" or "hormones" excuse
10. Take a street art tour in Berlin or Paris
11. Visit a souk in Marrakesh, cross the straight of Gibraltar, and watch flamenco in Seville (same trip)
12. Visit Eastern Europe
13. Visit a restaurant that is sign-less...secret...locals-only...hell, I will just be happy if Osteria would give us a reservation ;)
14. Write our/my will.
15. Watch a car race in Monte Carlo or Monaco
16.  Picnic at the horse races in ________.
17. Learn to surf at a surf camp
18. Learn to make galettes and buy a crepe smoother
19. Do a working farm stay for cheese, wine, olive oil, or any food I am passionate about.
20. Let more things go.
21. Live simply.
22. Maintain my yoga practice even if it's a solo practice at home.
23. Decide where to retire and purchase a home (Girona, Spain)
24. Hike the Pyrenees and visit Barcelona
25. Don a mask during Carnival.
26. Shop in the San Lorenzo Market in Florence
27. Buy new luggage.
28. See the spray-painted dome in Spain
29. Learn to Ballroom dance or Tango
30. Learn German
31. Read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
32. Read Murder on the Orient Express a week before we board.
33. Visit the #1 tourist thing when traveling.  I usually avoid these, but it's embarrassing I have never been to the Louvre.
34.

Top Ten Reasons I Love Kassel, Germany

1. The people are incredibly sincere, friendly, and honest.

2. The restaurants are wonderful, not world-class, but wunderbar.

3. Every morning when I leave the apartment, some form of city worker is out cleaning (street cleaners, sweepers, tram stops, or snow plowing).

4. There is no need for a car. Everything is accessible by tram, bikes, or  feet. I even found the tram stop by Dez, who knew?

5. I always feel safe and I don't have to worry about the safety of my family.

6. http://www.pralinenwerkstatt.de/

7. Berg Park, The Orangerie and the Fulda are lovely and close enough that weekends away to escape "city life" are completely unnecessary. With four lovely seasons, it is like visiting somewhere entirely different all through the year.

8. The city is crazy about recycling and reusing.

9. Kassel is in the middle of Europe.

10. Last, but definitely not least, the city picked up my Christmas tree right outside our front door. Hell yes, to any and all curb side services.

What do you love about your city?

How we enjoy long meals in restaurants with a toddler, seriously.

It takes bravery to walk into a fancy restaurant with a three year old trailing behind you.  I always get a lovely smile and a warm hello, then Justin still smiling, and then THE look of horror. OMG, you just brought a child into this restaurant??? Well, yes, yes we did.  My son has been taught restaurant manners from 12 months on and we are strict with discipline.  I should, also, add he is a naturally slow eater, but even on the best of days young people can be unpredictable.  We do three things which we both agree help us to have a long, pleasant dining experience free of stress for both us and the wait staff....90% of time.  The other 10% percent allows us to survive without embarrassment, but hey I'll take 90 percent! 

Restaurant toys.  We have tiny, lightweight (purse size) toys that Colt only sees after we enter a nice restaurant and get settled.  He is never allowed to play with them at home.  Occasionally, I utilize them for trains, planes or public travel, but they are definitely reserved for special occasions when I need impeccable behavior. This works for us because they are novel to him.  I rotate about 4 sets of small micro cars, tiny trains, etc.  After we are seated, he says, "restaurant toys, please" and rubs his hands together because he has been asking for them all morning. He is now so used to this that after we returned from London he brought me a train toy and said, "Oops, I found a restaurant toy in with my cars, you better pack it away."

Lunch not Dinner.    I have about as much energy and patience as Colt by 7:00 PM. which is absolutely zero. When we are on holiday, we make our dinner our lunch.  We choose a nice place. We order drinks. We have more than one course.  Words, like "appetizer, please" and "second course" have recently left Colt's mouth.  We don't just do this on vacation!  We do this at home, too.  If we must do dinner on vacation, we go as early as we can. If he is having a bad day or hasn't had a proper nap, then we do take-out or stay home. 

We make sure he is hungry, not starving angry but full-on hungry.  Colt has never been much of an eater, so I don't let him snack. He is a slow eater, though. So, if he is hungry we can really stretch the amount of time to make things slower, more enjoyable.  He picks out his own food, too.  All of the same rules apply.  We don't change any of the rules for restaurants.  Consistency is key with children. No veggies, no dessert.

In Belgium, we had a waiter sigh, walk us to our table, and say "it's ok, kids have to eat, too".  WOW!  The SAME waiter when we left about two hours later couldn't stop complementing him.  He even complemented us and said thanks for giving your son a real education (in reference to the dining experience).

Fingers crossed, we will soon brave the infamous restaurants of Paris. wink!

Life couldn't be shorter

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I would change or do differently if I had limited time.  I don't have much to change really just a lot less energy than I had in my 20's.  My pace is a little slower, but my intentions are still genuine.

Try not to miss a beat every time my son declares DANCE party.

Tell my husband I sincerely love him at least 100 times a day (ok, maybe not a 100, but...).  Focus on what he does right, not on what he does wrong.

Make time for coffee with friends and be away at least one evening a week for a walk, dinner with friends, or anything fun.

Plan trips and dream about exotic places because planning is half the fun.

Exercise to the best of my ability which some days is only a stroll and other days is a kick butt workout.

Cuddle and snuggle as much as humanly possible (My son stepped onto the tube in London and said, "oh we are all snuggly in here."  lol)

Be mindful of every moment and really enjoy my food, jokes, and my family.


What would you do differently? Or the same?

Our Three Rules

When we were in Belgium, Colt was struggling and being a stinker.  In response, Justin gave Colt three rules. He repeated all three anytime he was being naughty.

Be happy.
Listen to what mom and dad say.
Don't talk back.

Before the trip ended, Colt had these memorized.  After about a month, he thought he was being cute and put his own twist on them.

Be happy.
Listen to what Colt and dad say (huge grin from him with an eyebrow lift to see if I got it, lol).
Don't talk back.


Two months later, our family has adopted these rules as...IDK...our family code???  We remind each other of these rules when someone needs to hear them.  Colt to me.  Me to Colt. I have to constantly remind myself of these all the time, but three is an easy number, right?

Now they read like this:

Be happy.
Listen to each other.
Don't you sass me, boy.  HAHAHA  No seriously, respect each other.

The other day I was crying while I watched him play.  Colt leaned in, "Oh no, mom.  Oh, mom. Oh no, what's wrong mom? Mom. Just be happy, that's all you have to do.  Just be happy."  So sweet.  I gently explained, oh I am happy.  I know it's a little hard to understand, but I'm crying because you make me happy.

London's Calling!

I've never much cared for London. It's grey, usually raining, and the traffic and noise are too much.  I've always found the people a bit stand-offish.

But... this time I fell in love.  I love London. I am ready to make it my top girl trip destination and already looking into renting an apartment for a month next summer. Is it because the sun was out everyday?  Or because the flight was only an hour? Who knows? Maybe because everyone spoke English or because we didn't appear so out of place like we do in Kassel?

We stayed in a quiet borough called Mayfair.  Directly across from Hyde Park, we were walking distance to shops and trendy restaurants, but not in the middle of all the chaos.  Everyone was SO nice that even the postman stopped to say Hello to Colt in that fabulous British accent.  The service was even brilliant, so either London has changed completely or I never saw it for what it truly was....fabulous!

Here's our trip through the eyes of our three year old boy:

Car, airplane, Heathrow train to Paddington Station, London taxi, double decker sightseeing bus, London eye, ice cream and hotdog picnic in the park, restaurant toys, The Tube, Duck Tour (one of those amphibious car turns boat things), London taxi, airplane, another car and Kassel, Germany.

My first London cab

Floating down the Thames in a WW2 Amphibious vehicle

 

 

Sarcasm and he's not even 3 yet!

Random conversations

the 3 of us on the tram:

Colt to Justin: That's a nice looking coat dad.
Me to Colt: Yeah, but what do you think about his shoes.
C  to J: Those are some ugly shoes, dad.
Me: Laughing....a lot (because I hate the shoes J is wearing)
Lady gets on tram immediately after his shoe comment.
Colt to me: And she is fat.
Me: OMG, NOT laughing at all. Scolding in whispers

How does he even know this word?


at the tram stop:

Colt: Oh, I like your new shoes, mom.
Me: Thanks for noticing, Colt! (excited)
Colt: Yep, they are nice house shoes.
Me: (Charlie Brown frown). They aren't house shoes.
C: Hmmm

Now who's laughing?

There are so many things we laughed at, questioned, or just thought bizarre when we arrived in Germany.

These are things we now do regularly, lol. I plan on adding to this list weekly.

Roll our pants up.

Get on the tram for one stop (if it's pouring....or if I am carrying bottles of wine uphill!).

Wear ugly shoes just because they are comfortable.

Wear colored, skinny jeans with those ugly shoes.

Wear puffy down coats with skinny jeans and ugly f'n shoes. HA

Stare at people who speak English on the tram. 

Hang all of our clothes to dry, even though we bought a dryer.

Hoard. Serious hoarding!  I bought 13 bags of chocolate chips for baking.

Carry toilet paper by its carry handle down the street without a shopping bag.

Carry loads of things down the street because we only want to make one trip. We are like human pack mules.

Use a knife and fork to eat pizza, hamburgers and french fries. I resisted this at first, but the peer pressure from my hubby is heavy!

Suddenly, we can't remember the exact word in English.

Last (but by far not the least)  I thought harem pants were the most ridiculous piece of apparel and only belonged on clowns.  Yesterday, I caught myself browsing through them and today I want to go back for them.  If I cave and buy a pair, I promise to post a pic.

40 short years of an Education

Your genes are not an excuse for anything.

What other people do is none of your business.

You are as old as your mind tells you.

Your body seldom agrees with your mind.

Heaven is what people tell themselves to feel better about death.

I do not believe in god, but it doesn't bother me if you do.

I do believe in Satan. He is typically referred to as CREDIT.

Saving is much more important that spending.

Life is much easier not having to worry about money.

The way to stop worrying about it is to spend 80 % of what you earn, not 110% (Thank you, Charles MacInerney).

When you think anything is impossible, you are lying to yourself.

Fear paralyzes you.

People regret things they do not do.

Welcome change.

In every unpleasant, unexpected thing is a fabulous story.

Cell phones are NOT an inalienable right, neither is cable.  They are luxuries that most of the world lives without.

Keep things in perspective because most people in the world do not have indoor toilets and clean water.

If you are fat, you are NOT poor.

Feed hungry people.

Most people do not think for themselves.  They repeat shit that they hear stupid people say.

The best things in life require an incredible amount of work and often feel overrated.  Have patience, they will bring you the most joy.

People who like to discuss religion and politics (even when they are passionate about their subject) really just like to argue.

Politics bores me.

Prayer works because we emit energy when we think,feel, and put it out in the universe.

Hope is an important word.

People project.

Own the decisions you make and accept the consequences.

People who complain, moan, and whine have no place in my life. I will inadvertently find myself complaining (just like they do) and ditch them. Without guilt because life is too precious. 

Guilt brings you down.

Trust people more and less all at the same time.

Expectations disappoint.

If you live in a shoe box, you have no room for your shoes!

Not everything needs explaining.

Most people talk way too much and don't bother listening (especially me).

Places and people are rarely what you expect.  It takes a great deal of quiet to find out who they really are.

Suffering is in your mind.

Don't take relationship advice from someone who has been married three times. :)

Most of the happiest memories do not involve money.

Reusing is better than recycling. 'I never should have wasted my money on that crap in the first place' is even better than reusing. :)

It is so much easier to watch what you eat, than spending hours in a gym hopelessly trying to burn it off.

Hate destroys.

Run from complicated.

Without your health, life isn't worth living.

Over thinking life is exhausting.

People spend a lot of time and energy trying to make life complicated when it really isn't.

Life is simple. Live it.

Oh, and one more....

You can't teach your children to surf if you don't know how to surf.

How to save half your salary and still wear Prada

Living on half your salary could be a necessity: paying down debt, student loans, or hospital bills. Retirement, vacation homes, or the Orient Express may be just the incentive you need to save more.  Regardless of your reason, living on half your salary is much easier than you think.  All it requires is a commitment and disciple.  Easier said than done, but discipline brings empowerment and taking control of what you spend (or even what you eat) is always worth it!

For those of you who know me, debt free is the way I like to be.  It's not always possible 100% of the time, but making better choices is always possible all of the time.  Every step you take towards being free of debt reduces stress on you, your marriage, and your life.  The more disposable cash you have after you pay your bills, the more you feel as if you are rolling in money.  Whether you choose to dispose of the extra cash or save it, is all up to you.

First things first, write down what you bring home after all of your deductions, taxes, etc. (after you have maxed out all of your retirement or stock options....this only hurts once).  Divide by 2, that's your number. A third of that number goes toward your mortgage, rent or living arrangement (for us, even utilities).  Utilities and car payment are a third.  Food and spending money are the last third with food being the bigger share.  Here's where it hurts.  If your mortgage totals more, sell your house.  If your utilities or your car is way over budget, cut them.  Cable is a luxury, smart phones are toys (when we all have internet), and new cars lose value the day you drive them off the lot. Regardless of how painful this sounds, there is no greater feeling than freedom. 

In case you don't know me well, I do practice what I preach.  When Justin and I married, we payed off huge loan, payed off all of his student loans, and a year later paid cash for a used truck. Fortunately, he had no credit card debt and paid it off every month.  I haven't had credit card debt since I was 26.  Credit cards do serve a purpose and I can't live without it (especially in Europe where debit cards don't exist). However, if I don't have the cash, I don't buy it.  It took a lot of convincing and explaining, especially in regards to "low" interest. We saved every penny of bonuses and salary increases for the last three years.  It's the only way would we even consider taking half the salary to live in Europe and pay more in taxes. Nest eggs give you security and give you freedom.   Yes, we did sell our house.  Yes, we do not own cars. That is a personal choice.  Every household here typically has one car. Oh and now,Justin is completely on board and loves this lifestyle. 

Most people deal with savings (and disposable cash) in the exact opposite manner.  They ask themselves how much can I possibly afford on a house.  Then, they spend that AND 10% more on a house they love.  I'm all about enjoying what you have and value in life, but not when it makes you stressed every month.  Then, they subtract rent/mortgage and think of every possible thing to spend more money. Sometimes, they go beyond that monthly paycheck and spending even more - credit.  If there is anything left, they save it (maybe).

 Once you make the choices to spend only half and you act to start lowering your bills, it's liberating.  Imagine having half your salary to pay off your debt.  You can pay off everything in a short amount of time and quickly get to the fun stuff.  Next, take a year to save.  Then, when you have no debt and a nest egg, you can begin imaging all of the possibilities for your disposable cash.  Here's when Prada steps on stage or maybe a new boat.  Whatever suits your fancy as long as you pay cash for it!

I'm not the first person to mention cost per wear, but how many times do you actually think about it when you are shopping. I think about it a lot and I plan my shopping trips just like I plan my budget. Classic pieces that get frequent use deserve designer prices.  Trendy pieces = H&M or Old Navy... I call it disposable clothing.  It is only meant to last the season. Not everything in my wardrobe is expensive, but I have saved enough to buy what I want, when I want, IF it will get worn a lot.  Winter boots, go all out.  As soon as I make it back to Frankfurt, I'm buying a Ferragamo down coat.  Winter here lasts forever and it's cold! If I wear something everyday, I buy to last.  I spend a lot on jeans because I wear them everyday (sahm).  It's all about you and your lifestyle.  It doesn't mean you will have money to spend a lot on everything or even a brand new wardrobe, but disposable cash will give you money to spend.  Especially if you keep in mind, it's more about saving.

If you work very hard to eat nutritional food, when your cheat meal comes you don't necessarily go crazy.  You worked too hard to undo your entire week.  Discipline and control are interesting concepts.  The more you practice them, the better you get at them.  Oh wait, isn't that everything in life? 

None of these thoughts are my ideas! Everything I learned about saving and spending I learned from my parents. Well, everything but the Prada...

a side note to Justin to see if you are still reading my blogs...
Here's what I want for my birthday:
http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG3478528/Prada-luggage-makes-it-all-the-way-to-Australia.html

Dali designed the logo for Chupa Chups in 1969

Our apartment was in Hotel Bonobo.

not luxurious, but perfect location and perfect for a couple with a toddler

It's hard to pick a favorite, but Dumon is at the top of my list. Justin told me he hasn't found his favorite, but I think it is because he still wants to chocolate shop.  I can't even look at chocolate any more. 

Bruges's most famous landmark -

The Belforte 366 skinny steps

Halve Maan Brewery - the only one left in Bruges out of 28

more steps, but the view from the brewery included the canals

Sint Salvators Cathedral was right around the corner.

Pasta Maria

Excellent foccacia and calzones

March 24 and it's 25 degrees in Bruges

 

Ready for our river cruise, how about that face?

Snowy and 25 degrees and we are braving the windy river.

This picture looks as cold as we felt. All of the people on the cruise kept shivering and giggling. It was fun, despite the cold.

There is a story about these swans...later.

 

Croquettes, waffles, frites, and fish soup, oh my.

Coolest Vespa I've seen yet and my only thought was ....

Who didn't cover that leather seat?

 

I did make it to the Museum-Gallery Xpo Salvadore Dali without taking any photos.

 

airplane game in the park on the canal

Anyone know what is in the picture below?  Most houses have them near the front door right on the sidewalk. They are not near the horse tie-ups???

More beer samples, Bruges Zot is still our fave!

Angels in Bruges

The size of Belgium backyards on the canal

 

Brugge, Bruges, Bruge March 23rd

 Photo journal Style

March 23

Expo Picasso was fabulous and full of letters, sketches, signed Playbills, etc. Artists: Picasso, Chagall, Magritte, Rodin, Matisse and many more.  Loved it! It was small rooms connected by outdoor walkways. 

Here is the snowy view from the first walkway.

 

Rodin must have hung out with yogis.

I know I'm a freak, but why is Picasso looking at me?

It is really cold here, so our first trip in a chocolate shop here ended in Take Away hot chocolate.  Heaven in a cup is a steaming cup of milk and a huge block of dark or milk chocolate on a stick.  You twist the stick for about a minute. YUM! Then, we walked to catch a city bus tour.

We walked across Bonifacius bridge (just to the left of Colt). It's a small, romantic bridge where many marrige photos were taken.

View from the Bonifacius Bridge

No pics from the city bus, but at least we were warm.

 

The night ended with take away food and a dance party.....rofl

 

AND a Bruges Zot from the local De Halve Maan Brewery

 

View from our room at dusk....the moons are snow

 

Random pics courtesy of Justin

 

 

Spanogne is the narrowest street in Bruges.