Munichmaedchen

Run Run Rudolph

Holiday Lights
Originally uploaded by Munichmaedchen.

It's almost Christmas, and we just finished the Thanksgiving turkey.

Time to open the first doors of the Advent-calendar, switch on the holiday lights outside and decorate the freshly cut pine tree in the living room while the cookies are baking in the oven. I love the Christmas aromas, the lights, the sounds, and the entire hustle and bustle before the fest. Ringing sleigh bells energize me without giving me stress. Run Run Rudolph seems to be the adequate i-tune for the Wednesday before St. Nikolaus weekend.

Definition of Versatility

Kurt, my brother-in-law, gave the term versatility a whole new meaning when he visited us from Las Vegas. Not only did he cook a bitching southern-style stuffing a la Maman Moncrief, he also fixed our kitchen lights when they went out in the middle of the cooking orgy. No wonder Las Vegas lights up so nicely with an electrician like him contracting for the finest hotels on the strip. No, that's not all. He topped his efficiency by babysitting and walking my grand-daughter, our two dogs Rebel and Max as well as his own one, Cappuccino, all at one time. Proof, see below:

Donkey Chain

Times are tough, but I have a lot to be thankful for this year: a tumor that turned out benign after thyroid surgery, getting married in Las Vegas to the best husband in the world, seeing my granddaughter is safe and sound, son and daughter out on their own and independent, my husband back in a FT job after being unemployed for almost a year, and a roof over my head for which we can still pay the mortgage. Happy Thanksgiving!

Seen in Death Valley

...told me one of my favorite former employers. I call it photoshoptastic and really cute. Thank you team, I do miss you!

Rilke, Rainer Maria (1875-1926)

                  Herbsttag

Herr: Es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß. Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los. Befiehl den letzten Früchten reif zu sein gib Ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage dräng sie zur Vollendung hin und jage die letzte Süße in den schweren Wein. Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben, wird lesen, wachen, lange Briefe schreiben und wird auf den Alleen hin und her unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben. Day in Autumn Lord, it is time! Your summer's reign was grand. Beshadow now the dials of your sun and let your winds run rough across the land. The latest fruits command to fill and shine: For them, let two more warmer days arrive to push them to perfection and to drive the final sweetness in the heavy wine. The man without a house will build no more, the man without a mate will sole remain, will wake, will read, write letters long with pain and walk the boulevards, restless to the core, where falling leaves are drifting with the rain.

Pawn Stars

Chumlee, Chumlee
Originally uploaded by Munichmaedchen.

While honeymooning in Las Vegas, we had to pay a visit to the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop from our favorite TV reality show. The shop was conveniently located in our hood, just a block away from the little white wedding chapel and in walking distance from our hotel, The Golden Nugget.

I met them all: The Old Man, Rick, Peaches, Corey and of course my hero Chumlee, see above. I am glad I found my stars behaving like normal, ordinary and friendly people doing their business. Chumlee asked me to blog a link to his web site, I Am a Pawn Star but I Was Born To Rock. Your wish is my order. Sir!

Supergirls

I took my granddaughter to my friend Greg's 50th birthday, a pre Halloween costume party. There is a reason why I bought Supergirl costumes for both of us. I needed some inspiration for my this year's NaNoWriMo novel, "The Day Supergirl Forgot How to Fly." I try to write a story in which getting older is the main subject. I try to take the horror out of this subject because getting older is just part of live's journey and every stage of our life has advantages and disadvantages. I missed Adriana so much since she moved out with Sarah, three weeks ago. It was the first time I had her since then. It is hard to be a normal once in a while visit grandma after I raised the girl every single day of her life since I cut the bellycord, almost three years ago. Don't understand me wrong, I want those two girls have their own life and be independent. I am proud that my work is done here. It is time to pass the torch over to Sarah and step aside and spoil my granddaughter rotten when she is visiting - they call this grandma power, right?

Greg aka Dog the Bounty Hunter and Clay aka his brother Youngblood. We had a blast at the party. Thank you Teresa and Greg for pulling this off!

That's What You Get For Waking Up In Vegas

I herewith present for the very first time: Mr. and Ms. Clay Moncrief

We had the time of our life at the bacheloric events and in Las Vegas. Although we only planned some key direction rather than going into a detailed wedding plan, it all turned out perfect. Let's say we let it happen instead of taking over control. The people in Las Vegas are the friendliest people I have ever met and made our weekend unforgettable.

Our hotel, The Golden Nugget, offered freebies and phantastic room in the newly renovated South Tower when they heard we are getting married. The tube going from the 3rd floor into the shark tank of the pool was extra cool while the jacuzzi was hot and open until 2AM.

When we went to the marriage license bureau just a block away from our hotel and there was a line of couples waiting. It was one big party and when it was our turn to obtain the certificate, the clerk screamed, "oh my gawd, you're getting married on your 50th birthday honey! I blushed while the line behind me whistled and applauded.

The folks at the Little White Wedding Chapel went above and beyond to make our day special and even drove our guests back to the hotel for free in the limo while we got a ride in Elvis' pink cadillac. The webcam worked and the photographer gave me 10 more photos than I ordered for free. Elvis sang German for me before the wedding. He told me that he had lived in Hamburg and Berlin for a couple of years. He kept singing way beyond the 2 songs he was paid for. We had a blast together and I enjoyed the minister and Elvis singing happy birthday for me together with the guests. How more personal can a drive-thru wedding be?

Clay and I did not syncronize our outfits. Clay, a master of procrastination, actually bought his one 2 hours before the wedding in a Las Vegas store while I had ordered my stuff including jewelry and birdcage veil on ebay a few weeks before. My hair and make-up was done in the Golden Nugget Salon and I received a 50% discount by approving their request to use my photos as portfolio for their bridal customers. They loved the vintage look I was going for and were all for it. Clay and I felt like friggin' rock stars in our wedding outfits and Kurt, my new brother-in-law looked hilarious Vegas-style in his Led Zeppelin witness outfit. Thank you to my friends Mario for being witness number two and Oxana for attending our wedding. It made it extra special to have them there.

Our wedding reception was on Fremont street downtown Las Vegas with 99cents Margaritas on the go, a life rock band and a killer laser show. A couple how celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on the same day exchanged emails with us and we all will be back next year to party again. I could not have asked for a better reception.

I also got a hint of what it means to marry into a family with Scottish ancestry. Kurt who lives in Vegas knows all the corners with the daily specials and free drinks and we ended up having phantastic prime rib and chicken parmesan dinners for $ 4 each and a total invoice of $ 44 for the witnesses. Very Scottish, isn't it? 

Las Vegas you were good to us (did I mention we won $ 300 in gambling?) and we will be back next year to celebrate our anniversary

Thank you to all my family and friends who sent good karma our way in their thoughts and per mail, gift and in person. You all added to a perfect wedding memory which will always stay in our hearts.

Going To The Chapel

We are off to Vegas to get hitched after we survived our bacheloric farewells. For virtual guests: Go to the Little White Wedding Chapel let's say around 9PM on Oct. 8 (yup, when I turn 50), click on contact, click on webcam, click on on demand and plug in Clay Moncrief as groom.

NaNoWriMo Site Is UP

... and Munichmaedchen is on. I am ready to write and roll on November 1st, the start of the National Novel Writing Month. This year, I may write a novel for my grand-daughter Adriana. It's time to dust off the creative brain cells grandma!