R.I.P.

Muerte has lived up to his name...yes, that is right, after only a little over 2 weeks, I have successfully killed my fish.

After hearing about the resiliency of betta fish, I was sure I couldn't go wrong.  Stories of neglect, and attempts to take the little fishies lives by cruel and devious ways, but the fishies lived on in defiance of their owners actions (or inactions).

I appear to have a knack of killing things...

plants
numerous goldfish
and now, Muerte

I had a boyfriend once joke that if we had children, he'd have to keep a sharp eye on them.

Funny...ha...ha...ha... (that was ever so sarcastic)

Farewell Muerte, enjoy fishy heaven...lots of castles to swim in.

Simplicity 2758

I recently went through my closet, and got rid of all the skirts I either (A) Haven't worn in the last year  (B) Don't really like to begin with  (C) Don't fit me anymore.
I am most excited about the (C) options, not gonna lie.   I have lost 20 lbs since June, and that is pretty exciting for me.  I once again wear a size 12 pant, and I honestly cannot tell you the last time I did (I think it may have been middle school).
Anyway, this post is not about Lisa losing weight, it's about clothes, so let's get back to that.
About a week ago, I went to JoAnn Fabrics, and consequently purchased this pattern:

Cute skirts!

I am really excited to make them for myself...REALLY excited!

"When did it become socially acceptable...."

• for pajamas to be worn as everyday apparel
• for kids to refer to themselves as "hoes" and discuss their worth like they're a stock on the NASDAQ
• for teenage girls to openly brawl in the 7-11 parking lot and throw out the F-word like it's going out of style
• for guys to ask a girl out, and then tell her she needs to pay half
• for people to take personal calls on their cell phones at work....all day long
• for little boys to whistle and cat-call at someone old enough to be their mother
• for guys to ask a girl out for the same day....nay, for 6 hours later...
• for rude humor to be the norm
• for a "thank you" to be rare, and seem odd when given
• for gossip to be the main topic of conversation
• for the educational system to take a back-seat while athletic programs make millions of dollars
• for people to ignore the elderly and disabled when they need their help
• to have your clothes either falling off your nether-regions...whilst wearing a belt-an object I was almost certain was for keeping those pants up...
• for little girls (or anyone really) to wear sweat pants with "bootilicious" written across the rear...nothing should be written across your butt...just sayin'
• for people to be able to carry on lengthy conversations via text, IM, twitter or Facebook, but barely say anything when face to face with an actual human being

I ask you, when did it become socially acceptable? Well, I am not the cultural norm, so these don't fly with me.  Consider yourself...informed.

Muerte

Meet Morty!
(Or Muerte, or Mortimer, depending on your mood)

 No, this isn't an actual picture of him, but it is pretty darn close.

I bought him on Friday, supplied him with a spacious bowl, furnished with rocks and some ruins.
Unfortunately, I think he may be depressed.
It's tough being a fish....

a few pictures

                                                                      Some of the luggage

                                                                   Beautiful AND delicious!

                                                                          So charming!

                                                                  Olga!  The Highland Coo

                                                                          So PRETTY!

                                                                   I love me some mountains!

                                                                     St. Urban Monastery

                                                                      I was in design heaven!

                                                                         The Bern Temple

All in the numbers

Number of Adults: 3
Kids 3 and under: 3
Bottles made: innumerable
Diapers changed: even more innumerable
Boxes/bags/suitcases packed: 28
Flights taken: 5
Pictures taken: 574
Motion-sickness pills taken: 7
Waterfalls seen: 9
Awesome cars seen: 3
Encounters with German ladies chewing me out for taking pictures: 1
Nights in hotels: 5
Loaves of bread eaten: 7
Amount of yogurt and quark eaten: a lot, but I loved every ounce of it (except the buffalo yogurt)
Chocolate bars purchased: 35 (and I don't even really eat chocolate)
Books read (for me): 6
Books read (for Annika): 36
Airline movies started: 9
Airline movies finished: 7 (I still need to finish Avatar...)
Times throwing up: 2
Trips to Ballenberg: 1 (amazing!)
Trips to the Bern Temple: 1 (also amazing!)
Castles seen (from a distance): 2
Hot-air Balloons seen: 4
Churches seen and entered: 5
Trips to the store: 3
Colds caught: 1
Sister-Sister talks: 2
Flirty boys on the plane: 1
Batteries used in the camera: 8
Beautiful scenery: EVERYWHERE!

Thanks for the amazing time Jen and Jonathan!  It was phenomenal!