X marks the spot

 Last week, we got a call from our college friends Otto and Randi.  They were wondering if we'd like to meet them and drive up to the Netherlands with them to a big horse show.  Their daughter, Elena is a groom for a stable in England and it would be a chance to meet up with her.  Of course, we said YES!  

Randi, Elena, and Otto

Elena got us "owner" passes and we were so excited.  We thought they would get us ringside seats, entrance to all the best sights, and a nice buffet dinner.  Well, not really but we felt pretty important anyway.

It was a rainy day but we had a great visit on the drive up and then we had lots of fun tromping through the mud and rain to see the horses that Elena takes such good care of and see how much fun it is to live the glamorous life of a groom to some horses who will hopefully make it to the Olympics along with their rider, of course.

Elena and "our horse", Haruzac.

This is the big lorry or truck/motorhome/horse trailer that Elena and Chris drove from England to the Netherlands and then after this show they were headed to southern France.








After a few hours it was time to head back to Frankfurt so we could drop Otto off at his hotel so he could pilot his 747 back to California and then Randi would come stay with us for a few days until Otto had another trip back and then Randi would fly home with him.  It was a long day for all of us, but we had a great time!!

 On Monday, we went castle shopping.  This means that Mike was looking for a castle that would let him have a campout there with his scout troop.

  We went to Altdahn Castle near Dahn.  I've blogged about this one before.  It's a group of three castle ruins that belonged to a family of knights and each generation built another castle next door.   

Alas, (that's a castle type word) when Mike asked about camping, he was told "Nein".  So we went in search of another castle and that one wasn't even accessible, so while we had a great time castle hunting, we basically struck out.

The next day Randi and I did a little shopping over in Forbach, France and then on Wednesday, we went to my monthly Ramstein Officer's Spouses Club event.  This month's theme was Oktoberfest!   German attire was optional and I got very brave and ordered a Dirndl from German ebay.  Pretty amazing considering it's all in German and I had to order it all by measurements.  I was actually quite surprised when it arrived within four days AND it fit!!  Randi didn't have a Dirndl, so she said she'd just go as a stern, German Tante (Aunt). 

Missy and Tante Randi

Me and my friend, Missy

 Otto showed up again yesterday and we picked him up from Landstuhl train station, went to dinner at the Gasthaus in Hütschenhausen for Schnitzel Abend and then today we took them back to the airport.  We are always so happy when we get visitors and then so sad when they have to leave.  Thanks for a fun week, Otto and Randi!!

And finally this week and if you're wondering what X marks the spot has to do with anything...take a look at my dear husband's forehead.   OUCH!

 He went to the skin doctor to have a cancerous spot removed and the story goes like this...
Dr: We're going to have to dig it out. 
Mike: I don't want a shot
Dr.  It's going to hurt
Mike: I don't want a shot
Dr:  Okay....how is your pain on a scale of 1-10?
Mike:  I'm a fighter pilot, it's a 1...as he squirms and tears leak out of his eyes.
Dr:  Night, night!

My pain level is a "1"

Long story, short...he's a tough old bird.  He looks even a bit worse today because now he's sporting a lovely shade of purple eyeshadow.  Yes, he has a doozie of a black eye as well as an X on his head.  He's actually excited about his Halloween costume this year...you'll have to tune in later to see why!

love and miss you all,
-corri