Happy Monday

My Mom, my sisters and I

Good Morning--

thought to drop everyone a line as I am sitting in front of my light therapy lamp and watching Brothers and Sisters! My family and I just got back from a wonderful weekend in Cloppenburg(near Bremen) where we celebrated my mother´´s 80th birthday. WOW, cooking a turkey dinner for 25 people is an experience--at several times during the whole thing I think my sister and I were near nervous breakdowns!!! Thankfully it was a success-due largely to my nieces and nephews and my two sisters.

My mom had several surprises--the first being that my sister from Chicago(where my mom lives) hopped on a plane and flew over for the big event. The second surprise came at the party when a small group from the Feuerwehrkapelle came to play Happy Birthday for her! You see, when I lived in Cloppenburg I was a member of this muncipal band and as a favor to me, my girlfriend Petra got a small group together.

Now I find myself back home on a Monday morning, getting ready for a new week. So much to do-I still need to finish decorating for Christmas, then there is the christmas letter to write and since I live in Germany-I write 2-one in english and one in german. Here´s hoping I get everything done!!! Happy Monday everyone!