Today I hope everyone will take just a moment to say a prayer for those who are not as fortunate.
I wish you all a safe and happy life.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Onward
With the kids back to their own lives and routines, I find myself in a very loud quite house. I really do enjoy having the kids home; even if it's just for a minute.
Rich and I attended our First "Retirement Dinner" last night. One of the Men who works for Rich is moving on to spend some time traveling and just enjoying life. Gifts and presentations will be given at the Embassy Farewell next week.
For those of you not on Facebook, I will share the news about "our" future. Rich will be going to Kandahar Afghanistan next summer for a one year assignment. "word is not in yet on whether I'll stay here in Bern or be sent back to DC. Our follow on assignment is: Wellington New Zealand, we'll live there for three years. Because New Zealand is a furnished post, We'll need to take minimal belongings- just enough of our things to personalize our home. We always take our bed, a few pictures, television and my kitchen..."have to have my kitchen"!! We'll have to have everything else put in storage, and give up our SUV since it cannot be shipped; so not only will we need to get used to a different car- we'll also have to get use to the driver being on the passenger side AND driving on the Left! Any bets on which one of us will "forget" first?
Rich and I attended our First "Retirement Dinner" last night. One of the Men who works for Rich is moving on to spend some time traveling and just enjoying life. Gifts and presentations will be given at the Embassy Farewell next week.
For those of you not on Facebook, I will share the news about "our" future. Rich will be going to Kandahar Afghanistan next summer for a one year assignment. "word is not in yet on whether I'll stay here in Bern or be sent back to DC. Our follow on assignment is: Wellington New Zealand, we'll live there for three years. Because New Zealand is a furnished post, We'll need to take minimal belongings- just enough of our things to personalize our home. We always take our bed, a few pictures, television and my kitchen..."have to have my kitchen"!! We'll have to have everything else put in storage, and give up our SUV since it cannot be shipped; so not only will we need to get used to a different car- we'll also have to get use to the driver being on the passenger side AND driving on the Left! Any bets on which one of us will "forget" first?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Rest of Vacation
After the Race, we enjoyed a nice evening with dinner at the "Last Pit Stop" Rich had made reservations weeks in advance. It was not easy to just walk in somewhere and get a table for 15 plus a highchair; but we had wonderful meals and great service where-ever we ended up. The rest of the week was spent taking tours and sightseeing with two exceptions; one evening was spent watching the famous Military Tattoo-- It was a beautiful show and we had great seats, in fact the evening would have been perfect if it weren't for sitting in the pouring rain and cold weather. We were not allowed to open our umbrellas but we could purchase ponchos! When I left I was soaked through and my clothes felt very heavy. I think everyone had a warm shower that evening!
Our last evening was a special Original Scottish 5 course Dinner complete with Entertainment. I think everyone agreed that it was the best evening of the trip; in fact "The Fisher Table was the last to leave!!
As soon as Rich gets the time to download more pictures- I'll post them for you.
After returning to Bern, the kids {minus Corey} had just three days to enjoy Switzerland before returning to their respective homes. Since they've left- I've cleaned all the rooms and gathered up the items that were misplaced during packing. I'm not exactly sure who a couple of the items belong to, but since I haven't received an answer from anyone "claiming" them; I'll do my best to guess who to send them to.
Our last evening was a special Original Scottish 5 course Dinner complete with Entertainment. I think everyone agreed that it was the best evening of the trip; in fact "The Fisher Table was the last to leave!!
As soon as Rich gets the time to download more pictures- I'll post them for you.
After returning to Bern, the kids {minus Corey} had just three days to enjoy Switzerland before returning to their respective homes. Since they've left- I've cleaned all the rooms and gathered up the items that were misplaced during packing. I'm not exactly sure who a couple of the items belong to, but since I haven't received an answer from anyone "claiming" them; I'll do my best to guess who to send them to.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Amazing Race- Fisher-Style
First; I have to tell you that Rich worked VERY hard to put this day together and remember...last December we took a few days to spend in Scotland as a "recon" so he could put everything in order.
Now, Meet the Teams!
T-1: Craig and Trista Fisher
T-2: Chris and Marissa Fisher
T-3: Corey Fisher and Katrina Wyszomierski
T-4: Erin Gilson and Rosemarie Fisher
After eating a large breakfast- "per advice for a long day" The first challenge was to eat a plate of "Black Pudding" {coagulated blood patties} Only one Team was unable to perform this task before becoming nauseous. "they received a ten minute penalty"
Clue 2: Was to find the Anchor-Close plaque
Clue 3: Go to the Queen's Gallery stand in front of the Arch and sing the First verse of "God Save the Queen"
Clue 4: Travel by foot up the Royal Mile, along the way find the following places [have someone take your picture standing in front of them.
A: Fisher's Close
B: Heart of Midlothian
C: Charles II Statue
Clue 5: Travel to the Bronze statue of a little Skye Terrier Erected in 1873
Clue 6:Travel to Demijohn on West Bow, purchase a 100ml decorative bottle of the tasty Demijohn Blend Whiskey. You must carry this with you through the race.
Clue 7: DETOUR! Team must perform one of these tasks...UP or DOWN
Down to a bench; travel by foot to Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Gardens. Find the park bench with marker: In memory of Mary Joan & Allen Presented by the Scott Family
Up to a seat; Travel by foot to Arthur's seat
Clue 8: Travel to New Town and find the statue of King George IV
Clue 9: ROADBLOCK! A task one of you must perform, Team must travel by foot to the "Jekyll & Hyde Pub" One team member must order and drink one of the Seven Deadly Sins while writing down the recipe. Once the drink is finished have someone take a picture of your Team in front of the door's to the bathrooms. { they were located behind a wall bookcase}
Clue 10: Travel to the birthplace of Harry Potter "this was the Elephant House"
Clue 11: The Royal Yacht; Find the entrance and ticket sales center for tours of the Royal Yacht Britannia, upon arrival you must both stand in front of the entryway and sing five verses of "Row, row, row your boat" loud enough to be heard by the public, if no-one applauds you must sing five more verses!
Clue 12: Travel by foot to the finish line at Old Customs House in Leith The FIRST Team to arrive will be the WINNERS!!!!!
Winners of the "Official Fisher Trophy" WERE..................
Chris and Marissa Fisher
Well, it's theirs until the next Amazing Race- Fisher Style!
Now, Meet the Teams!
T-1: Craig and Trista Fisher
T-2: Chris and Marissa Fisher
T-3: Corey Fisher and Katrina Wyszomierski
T-4: Erin Gilson and Rosemarie Fisher
After eating a large breakfast- "per advice for a long day" The first challenge was to eat a plate of "Black Pudding" {coagulated blood patties} Only one Team was unable to perform this task before becoming nauseous. "they received a ten minute penalty"
Clue 2: Was to find the Anchor-Close plaque
Clue 3: Go to the Queen's Gallery stand in front of the Arch and sing the First verse of "God Save the Queen"
Clue 4: Travel by foot up the Royal Mile, along the way find the following places [have someone take your picture standing in front of them.
A: Fisher's Close
B: Heart of Midlothian
C: Charles II Statue
Clue 5: Travel to the Bronze statue of a little Skye Terrier Erected in 1873
Clue 6:Travel to Demijohn on West Bow, purchase a 100ml decorative bottle of the tasty Demijohn Blend Whiskey. You must carry this with you through the race.
Clue 7: DETOUR! Team must perform one of these tasks...UP or DOWN
Down to a bench; travel by foot to Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Gardens. Find the park bench with marker: In memory of Mary Joan & Allen Presented by the Scott Family
Up to a seat; Travel by foot to Arthur's seat
Clue 8: Travel to New Town and find the statue of King George IV
Clue 9: ROADBLOCK! A task one of you must perform, Team must travel by foot to the "Jekyll & Hyde Pub" One team member must order and drink one of the Seven Deadly Sins while writing down the recipe. Once the drink is finished have someone take a picture of your Team in front of the door's to the bathrooms. { they were located behind a wall bookcase}
Clue 10: Travel to the birthplace of Harry Potter "this was the Elephant House"
Clue 11: The Royal Yacht; Find the entrance and ticket sales center for tours of the Royal Yacht Britannia, upon arrival you must both stand in front of the entryway and sing five verses of "Row, row, row your boat" loud enough to be heard by the public, if no-one applauds you must sing five more verses!
Clue 12: Travel by foot to the finish line at Old Customs House in Leith The FIRST Team to arrive will be the WINNERS!!!!!
Winners of the "Official Fisher Trophy" WERE..................
Chris and Marissa Fisher
Monday, August 22, 2011
Fisher Family
Where to begin... Corey was the first to arrive here in Switzerland, three days later Craig and Chris arrived with their families. Everyone was full of excitement and wonder. Rich had set-up a meet and greet for our "group" with our friends and the Marines from the US Embassy Bern; so on August 4th we hosted a Happy Hour that went well into the evening. "we have some wonderful friends here and we were so happy to have everyone meet"
Having only a few days to tour Switzerland- we were off at 4:30 AM on August 6th to begin our Fisher Family Vacation 2011 in Edinburgh Scotland. Once there we met up with Corey's Girlfriend Katrina "who, in her words experienced the flight from Hell; poor thing- she's very tall and as many of you know, they just don't give any leg room; "not to bad you say?" Well add in a reclined seat in front of you that kept jabbing her knees and a little one sitting behind her that kept banging her head with his toy! [ I'm so glad that Rich and I are able to up-grade when we fly!!!!!] Anyway, after loading three large van cabs with luggage AND all of us {we're 14 people at this point} Off to the B&B we went, to get settled in and meet-up with "First" Richards Parents coming in from Atlanta, and second our Niece Amy, her husband Chris and their two children who were driving in from England. SO....EVERYONE got moved into their rooms, did a bit of sight seeing and we all met up for dinner. After arriving back to our rooms; I assure you a good nights sleep was looked forward to by all!
Then came Sunday morning.... after breakfast my Mother in Law set off to go to Catholic Mass {something she does every Sunday No-Matter where she is} Anyway someone told her it was just up the street so when she got back we would meet up with the kids and enjoy a tour. {you know what they say about even the best laid plans....} So true on that Sunday of August 7th. Rich, his Dad and I were showered, dressed and waiting in the Breakfast Room for Mom, she was running a bit late but not more than 30 minutes. Well minutes turned to hours and as our worry became fear for what might have happened to her we called the Police to report her missing. I couldn't believe any of this as I sat listening to my Father in Law describe what Mom was wearing, No, she didn't have a cell phone, not sure if she remembers the name of the B&B, Yes, she has cash, no, she's never done this before. It was like being on a bad TV show. Hours turned into Afternoon and then Evening, the Police were calling and or coming by every hour to see if we had heard from her. My Father in Law was going from panic to comedy...."If she walks in here with shopping bags- she's in BIG TROUBLE! Finely at 10PM that evening we got the call we had been waiting for, "they found her" she had been walking ALL DAY without taking a break, all the buildings looked alike and she just ended up walking further away. She had walked into a Hostel and asked if she could use their phone to call the Police to find out if "anyone" might be looking for her. The police phoned us and Dad was able to speak with her on the phone; with a great deal of relief in his voice, I heard him say; It's alright just get in the cab and come home. We'll talk when you get here. It wasn't until she walked through the front door that we felt safe, happy and relived. Tears of love and relief. By the way throughout the rest of the week wherever we went Mom always spoke up to say "I SAW THAT!!!!!!" I can Assure you that it will be a long time before Mom gets to live this one down!
Tune in tomorrow for the Amazing Race.
Having only a few days to tour Switzerland- we were off at 4:30 AM on August 6th to begin our Fisher Family Vacation 2011 in Edinburgh Scotland. Once there we met up with Corey's Girlfriend Katrina "who, in her words experienced the flight from Hell; poor thing- she's very tall and as many of you know, they just don't give any leg room; "not to bad you say?" Well add in a reclined seat in front of you that kept jabbing her knees and a little one sitting behind her that kept banging her head with his toy! [ I'm so glad that Rich and I are able to up-grade when we fly!!!!!] Anyway, after loading three large van cabs with luggage AND all of us {we're 14 people at this point} Off to the B&B we went, to get settled in and meet-up with "First" Richards Parents coming in from Atlanta, and second our Niece Amy, her husband Chris and their two children who were driving in from England. SO....EVERYONE got moved into their rooms, did a bit of sight seeing and we all met up for dinner. After arriving back to our rooms; I assure you a good nights sleep was looked forward to by all!
Then came Sunday morning.... after breakfast my Mother in Law set off to go to Catholic Mass {something she does every Sunday No-Matter where she is} Anyway someone told her it was just up the street so when she got back we would meet up with the kids and enjoy a tour. {you know what they say about even the best laid plans....} So true on that Sunday of August 7th. Rich, his Dad and I were showered, dressed and waiting in the Breakfast Room for Mom, she was running a bit late but not more than 30 minutes. Well minutes turned to hours and as our worry became fear for what might have happened to her we called the Police to report her missing. I couldn't believe any of this as I sat listening to my Father in Law describe what Mom was wearing, No, she didn't have a cell phone, not sure if she remembers the name of the B&B, Yes, she has cash, no, she's never done this before. It was like being on a bad TV show. Hours turned into Afternoon and then Evening, the Police were calling and or coming by every hour to see if we had heard from her. My Father in Law was going from panic to comedy...."If she walks in here with shopping bags- she's in BIG TROUBLE! Finely at 10PM that evening we got the call we had been waiting for, "they found her" she had been walking ALL DAY without taking a break, all the buildings looked alike and she just ended up walking further away. She had walked into a Hostel and asked if she could use their phone to call the Police to find out if "anyone" might be looking for her. The police phoned us and Dad was able to speak with her on the phone; with a great deal of relief in his voice, I heard him say; It's alright just get in the cab and come home. We'll talk when you get here. It wasn't until she walked through the front door that we felt safe, happy and relived. Tears of love and relief. By the way throughout the rest of the week wherever we went Mom always spoke up to say "I SAW THAT!!!!!!" I can Assure you that it will be a long time before Mom gets to live this one down!
Tune in tomorrow for the Amazing Race.
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