What An Artist!!

Well, most of you have been asking what's been going on around here - a question that you have gotten used to unfortunately. Hopefully, now the wondering will be over. :o) An artist was born! HA! Not really . . . but I did make this lovely vase. I was so surprised that it turned out so well! I actually am very proud of my little vase. Of course, you're not surprised at the colors I chose, I'm sure . . . but what a clever design, right?! It really was fun. I contemplated not putting my initials on the bottom - you know, in case I wanted to pass the work of as one of the kids . . . but I did, and I'm actually glad I did. We should all be proud of something we create, and for that . . . I'm proud! (It's the small things, huh!!!)

ENJOY!!!

20 Fabulous Years

So . . . here we are after 20 fabulous years!!! I have tried and tried to scan a picture in of us on our honeymoon to show how much we have aged, but it is so tiny, tiny, tiny that I thought I'd still work on figuring that out before I posted it. (I know I've scanned pics before, but I can't seem to remember how to do it now! - I know it's the mad cow disease I have!!!) Anyway, John and I were happy to celebrate 20 years in the same country we started our married life in . . . cool, huh?!

ENJOY!!!

A Cough That Helps!

"Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed to be in order.
Without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint,
Has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.
However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously.
A deep breath should be taken before each
Cough, and the cough must be deep
And prolonged, as when producing sputum
From deep inside the chest.
A breath and a cough must be repeated
About every two seconds without let up
Until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and
Keep the blood circulating.
The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.
Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives!
From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240s newsletter
'AND THE BEAT GOES ON '
(reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. Publication, Heart Response)
BE A FRIEND AND PLEASE SEND
THIS ARTICLE
TO AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE"

Ski Time

Well . . . this is how it started! It only took me falling one time to remember not to EVER do that again! It's way too hard to get back up . . . I was a quick learner . . . I never did that again - if I had, I'd still be on the ground!!!

Katelyn takes a break from skiing with her friend, Azana - also down from Wiesbaden.


John and Mac pose for a picture before going out.

John on skis for the first time in his life . . . it only took him 50 years to try it! Good for him, I say! He did a great job!

They're all still standing after the lesson! YEA!

We did it . . . I actually got the family on skis! The Alps were a great place for the family to start their lessons. I know that is amazing news for most of you . . . but it's true. I have been on the long, skinny sticks before, but the family hasn't. It was fun to see them try something that I actually like . . . and that I had some kind of knowledge of . . . I'm not saying I'm a professional or even great like these Olympians we're seeing . . . I'm just barely okay. But, it was fun to share that with the family. We took a private family lesson with a German ski instuctor names Babsy. She was little and cute and probably older than John - I know, hard to believe! HA! :o) Anyway . . . she spent quality time with us and gave everyone a nice foundation of what to do and how to do it. Then we were off! Here are some pictures to prove it! We will definitely have to find time to do a little more skiing . . . since the snow keeps falling around here, we just need to find hills nearby . . . almost 2 months of it now!

ENJOY!!!

Mac shows off some of his skills. (He's the one in the middle of the shot basically . . . wearing a red shirt with beige pants.)

Garmisch Trip

Okay . . . so I know you've been waiting for some great stories about what's going on around here. Well, since there's been a little bit of a lapse in posting, I thought I'd start with some of our Christmas break happenings . . . We were able to go to one of the Army's newest Armed Forces Recreation Centers - Edelweiss, in Garmisch, Germany. It opened in 2004 and it's a beautiful facility.. It's located in the Alps and they did a fantastic job on the property . . . we felt lucky to get to go. (You have to put your name in a lottery type pool for a chance to get a room in May before December . . . we weren't even here. One of our neighbors was able to have their name drawn and didn't need as many rooms as planned, so we lucked out!) Of course, the town of Garmisch is also just a fantastic getaway. Garmisch sits at the bottom of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain peak. They hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics. In fact the day we left they were having one of the ski jumping competions for qualifying for this Olympics. Anyway . . . we went to Garmisch several times when we were staioned here before, and it's still just as lovely . . . we will definitely be going back!

ENJOY!!!

A New Car!

Well . . . here you have it . . . we got a NEW - well, new to us, car! Or better yet, station wagon!

The really good thing, is it's the same color, basically, as the mini-van! You know, in case we want to share touch-up paint on our vechicles. :o)

It's a 528i BMW wagon. It's got lots of nice features and it's actually fun to drive. (I just feel bad for John having to drive 2 REAL family cars!)

That's what's new for today!

ENJOY!!!

Time Management???

SO????? I know y'all are all thinking . . . "What are those Coxes up to???" Well, one thing we've done - this puzzle. Now you wonder if we've been traveling, or doing other fabulous things . . . yes, but I'm going to highlight the puzzle! This is something really just to prove that I'm having a hard time with time management. I just haven't taken the time to do the blog - I've been doing puzzles . . . or more precisely . . . puzzle. I know your next question would be, "Where??" I know, this house is huge . . . NOT, and we really don't have extra space, so we just used the kitchen bar. Everyone participated and we had fun making this winter scene. (Much like the one outside . . . still snow, but I'm crossing my fingers that it's going away!) I will try to do a better job at keeping you informed of the Cox Capers, because really, I do have pictures and stories to tell . . . AND . . . I'll try to make sure and get it done before I go and buy another puzzle. :o)

ENJOY!!!