My first speeding ticket

I knew I was in for it on our trip back from Grindelwald when a camera in Luzern flashed me. I didn't know how fast I was going since I was, sadly, accelerating at the time to keep up with traffic. I was certain the ticket would be a big one.

Well, last Friday I received my ticket. And I think our car's speedometer may be off because it wasn't that bad!

According to the ticket I was going 88 in an 80. Subtracting the 5 km/h cushion allowed by the Swiss, I was only 3 km/h over the speed limit. This equaled a 20 CHF fine.

So definitely not the huge fine we were expecting. And I still only have one ticket to Brian's two. Yay!

I almost forgot!

The best part of our drive home from Kindercity (post below). Yes, it was still raining.

The song Dancing in the Moonlight came on the radio while we sat in traffic, in the rain, with my car leaking. I'll get to that in a little bit.

Anyway, feeling punchy from the traffic and the rain dripping on my passenger seat, I started dancing and singing. Well, car dancing. It isn't like you can stand up and rock out, know what I mean?

So I'm bopping back and forth and singing when Marion chimes in. I look back and she is bouncing back and forth in her carseat and singing the refrain, "Dancing in the moonlight!", over and over again in her cute little voice.

We had a little party while in traffic on the E41. Fun times!

Now my leaky car. Before I broke out into song, I noticed water dripping from the passenger sun visor onto the passenger front seat. It took several drips before I figured out where it was coming from. Not from the windshield or the sun roof, but from the screw holding the sun visor onto the roof of the car! Ugh, I'll have to go to the Peugot dealership when Marion gets up from her nap. Not fun times.

An invitation, a playgroup, and an errand

I was invited to a Swiss playgroup yesterday by a woman, Rachel, who I met at our local playground. She told me some of the women speak English and that they get together every Wednesday at a local church. I was a little hesitant at first since Rachel said she may not be there today, but this morning I decided to bite the bullet and go for it.

Marion and I arrived a little late. My fault entirely, I can't seem to shake the sleepies. Anyway, I couldn't seem to find the room at first. What seemed to be the church had mailboxes outside with people's names on it so I was convinced I was at the wrong place. But the address was correct so after wandering around for a bit we went inside.

Right away we heard children's voices and I was sure we were in the right place. Marion perked right up, looking at me with her wide eyes saying, "Play!!!!"

I followed the voices and opened a door. Jackpot! I saw women, children, and playdoh- definitely the right place. Everyone was very welcoming, although only two of the five women spoke English. But Marion and I settled in and had a great time.

They even helped me with some German and we had a laugh about how difficult Swiss German can be to learn. Apparently some of the words in Swiss German are very similar to each other. Specifically, the words for ugly and pretty. You can imagine people's reactions if you mix those two up! I now can pronounce these words and they are very close to each other. I don't have a clue as to how they are written though so you'll just have to take my word for it.

After the playgroup, Marion and I set out on a mission we received from Brian- get the tags on our car switched to the new ones we received after we titled and registered it in our names.

Easier said than done. I originally thought Brian was going to handle this since he had been to the garage before. But since he is so busy, we decided I would do it and he told me the garage was just next to a second hand shop we went to last week.

Ha, not even close. The garage I went to was at least a half mile up the road from the shop. Details though, right? There's a reason we purchased a GPS unit.

Anyhow, I found the garage and got the tags changed out. One less thing on our list! After our errand, Marion and I headed back to the apartment for lunch and her afternoon nap.

As I drove up to the apartment building I heard Marion say from the back seat, "We home!"

Music to my ears. I think she's finally starting to get it.

Busy, busy week

Lots to catch up on!

Last Thursday my work had a going away dinner for Brian and I. We had a lot of fun hanging out and it was a great way to start the long weekend.

Then we packed. No need to discuss the craziness and pain of that. But the weekend was sprinkled with fun in between the packing. Friday night we had dinner with our friends Heather and Tom. Saturday was dinner and crepes with friends Steve and Sarah. And Sunday was a Memorial Day cookout at Steve and Sarah's house.

Memorial Day was spent packing some more. Painful, painful packing. I was so exhausted and sore that I pretty much tapped out by noon. I was useless. I'm sure Brian will say the same (he wasn't very happy with me).

However, the holiday did end on an up note. Crabs with my parents and grandmother! At the end of the night, we moved in with Mom and Dad. Back with the 'rents.

Tuesday after work Brian and I attended a going away happy hour given by Brian's work. Lots of fun with plenty of jokes about Brian killing computers. Apparently he has gone through five laptops in four and a half years? A record for the office I believe. I think it has something to do with his power typing.

Wednesday brought Brian and I our last days of work. Can't believe they came so quickly. That evening we met friends Steve and Jesse for dinner. They return from their travels around the world as we take off for ours. Poor planning.

Today's moving day. Pictures to come later, haven't downloaded them yet. Tonight, haircut, hanging out with neighbors, and my in laws arrive.

Tomorrow's settlement and transfer of my car. And about a million other things. I'll be driving all over Baltimore dropping things off, picking them up, yadda yadda yadda. Hopefully we'll be able to fit in a Ms Julie performance at the mall for Marion. Ms Julie's a local preschool performer and Marion loves her. Evidence of Marion's love: Ms Julie is a popular answer for many different questions.

Example:
Q: Marion, what do you want to buy at the store?
A: Ms Julie!

Q: Marion, who did you see this morning?
A: Ms Julie!

Nope honey, you saw a doctor this morning. A doctor because you have an ear infection. Three days before we leave the country. On a pressurized aircraft. Wonderful.

Saturday, more packing. And hopefully some pool time. That would be nice.

Sunday, I hope we have time for the farmer's market. It's one of my favorite things to do in Baltimore. Then we'll leave for the airport by noon. After that, well, we'll just have to see!

A sad farewell

My first car, affectionately known as Rosie, is gone.

Some of you may know her as the Mr. Incredible car, an alias for her since Brian started driving her.

Rosie and I had some great times together since I brought her home in October 2002. One of my fondest memories is bringing Marion home from the hospital in Rosie. A newborn, a woman recovering from surgery and childbirth, gifts, and gear all chauffered by Brian in that little hatchback. I moved on to a new car in July 2006, but she still held a place in my heart.

But it was time for her to move on. So, we handed her off to a college aged girl from Virginia who was quite excited to get her this morning.

Farewell Rosie!