Mountain Marathon Cup

It's time for me to tell you about what my husband was up to- and No...it wasn't bad!
Rich began training last Fall for the "Mountain Marathon Challenge". He had to run Three of Four Mountain Races. He chose the: 
June 11th "Lichtenstein Alpine Marathon
July 9th Zermatt Mountain Marathon
Sept 10th Jungfrau Mountain Marathon
The highest altitude was, 8,480ft! For those of you who run marathons you know how difficult these runs were. He completed these runs with an average time of 6.5  While a normal flat marathon would only take him 4hrs.
Needless to say the training alone was tough- but he did it and finished what he started!! This was the first time he has ever attempted running such a challenge and he did have a few..."I must be out of my mind" kind of days, I'm very proud of his determination to power through. If you were to ask him now if he'd do it again, I think he would tell you No. But I think if he had another opportunity to do something that he had never done before-- he would. "In a Heartbeat"

Time will tell

I went to talk with my Dr. yesterday morning, thank god he was very "up to date" on my issues. I began my new medication yesterday and he told me by the end of the week I should begin to feel "normal" again. Thank you Betti, for your wonderful letter..needless to say it made me cry....
Rich found out that his replacement here in Bern will be arriving in June which means we'll be leaving here early June 2012. Our new departure date is good since he was able to sign up for an extra class that he need's at FSI. Just another reason to believe that everything happens for a reason; two months early is a gift. Work has been busy this End of Summer- I think in October things will slow down a bit until after the Holidays. 
Since Friday is the First Day of Fall, I've decided that it's time to re-decorate. Time to pack away the Summer fabrics, candles, decorations and pull out the warmer cozier fabrics and colors of Fall. It's also a great time to re-arrange wardrobes, out with the old and in with the new {again}.

Roller-Coaster Of Life

September is running away from me and October is quickly approaching! I remember my Mother telling me that the older you get, the quicker time passes-- I thought she was just being dramatic; Now I agree. Oh how I wish that I could pick up the phone and talk with her again- I wish that I could remember all of the thing's she told me about life beyond raising children or perhaps I just wish that I had listened with more intensity. I wonder if there will ever be a time when I won't long for her advice........Probably not.
Wondering what brought this on???
Hormones, menopausal... "what the hell??"How old was Mom when this happened to her? What did she do, how did she handle it, is there a short cut?? What's life like on the other side of menopause? 
I'm Hot/I'm Cold-Happy/Crying. I feel like I'm on an emotional roller-coaster that I've never rode before with a ton of twists and turns. If I didn't know any better- I'd swear I was expecting. "I just want to get off this crazy ride- I'm not good at it. I think I'll be doing a lot of research on this...
Well, enough talk on "that" subject.
As you know, Rich will be going to Afghanistan in August 2012. I've been trying to decide what to do while he's gone; I was going to stay here in Switzerland- but because of my Diplomatic Status the Swiss Government turned down that request. Now I need to decide between two options:
Move to the US for a year OR Take a job with the Department and go to Afghanistan too. Obviously it's not an easy decision and I need to do my homework; but that's what's going on in our part of the world right now.
 

Time

Yesterday was a wonderful day spent with great friends. Everyone was interested about how our visit went with our Kid's; that one question made me realize that while it was so "wonderful" to see them and have them together... I didn't get to do with them what we had planned and wanted to do. "SIT and TALK" We knew it was going to be a bit crazy with 10 people in the house, six extra adults, one baby and three kids; but in my mind I had it all worked out! We would tour during the day, while I made dinner the children would have their bath- after dessert and clean-up the little ones would go to bed and we {the adults} would sit around the fire pit outside and "talk" try to catch up on the last two years in person. WOW....was that idea so "NOT" Instead the evenings were so chaotic we couldn't sit and have a conversation to save our life's! Before I knew it we were off to Scotland for a week;  we were able to meet-up for dinner in the Evenings but "trying to have a conversation" sitting in loud rooms at very long and sometimes two tables was impossible. 
Rich and I didn't even know that our oldest son had been accepted to the Police Academy Pre- Course until the night before they left to return home.
Now, don't get me wrong...I know we could have just grabbed them one by one and made them sit and talk to us but we wanted some of the past of "wanting" to sit and talk.....
With the "ONE EXCEPTION" of our Fisher Family Vacation every two years; and with the Families growing I think it will be best to keep the "HOME" visits on a {one Family at a time} bases.. We love our young men and their families very much and with as much traveling as we have to do, we really look forward to having a few special moments with each and every one of them!

BBQ

A partly sunny day here in Switzerland, giving us great day for an end of summer BBQ. The menu is simple today with marinaded boneless/skinless chicken breast, pizza and curry brots along with baked beans and large green garden salad. Of course chips, dip, stuffed jalapenos and deserts.
I hope everyone has a great day and is able to enjoy spending time with friends/family
Goodby Summer. Now really looking forward to the Fall and Winter!!!!

This just in

As you know we have been waiting on news from Washington to find out if I'll stay here in Bern while Rich goes to Afghanistan. Because of Diplomatic Status; the answer is No- Rich will be posted back to DC with duty in Kandahar. SO my friends- the search is on. If anyone knows where there is a nice "furnished" two bedroom/ two bath that will accept one small 9yo dog, that will be available in July 2012 Please let me know!!
In the mean time I will be "packing up" again after each Holiday and marking my boxes {Storage} or {New Zealand} Since Wellington is a furnished post the only things we're allowed to bring are items of comfort and things to make the house feel like "our" home. For sure my kitchen, our bed, photos and television. I'm very grateful for our I-PAD's; we no-longer have to pack and carry around books! Two thing's I'm really good at are packing and home decorating; in fact we will be able to enjoy our New Zealand home for THREE WHOLE YEARS!!! LOL