Another year has past. Today, I celebrate my 2-year Anniversary becoming a citizen of the United States of America. Last November, I had my first chance to vote. And it was quite an experience. Since I’ve never looked back, after I immigrated, I’m very proud of my decision.
The Star Spangled Banner hangs on the ladder of a fire truck and flies proudly in wind at Liberty by the Lake in The Colony.
On Christmas Eve, we all finally can take it easy. Santa is with his reindeer and his big sleigh full of presents on his way. Right now, he’s probably over Western Russia or Eastern Europe, while I write this. I hope, he brings me lots of health for 2019. This year was a bit rough for me.
The girls went with Kevin to see “Small Foot” in the Cinema, this morning. And all what is left, Sara and I have to prepare some reindeer food. We use “Fruity Pebbles” cereal and add some glitter to it. Maybe Rudolph “steals” another carrot out of our garden, tonight. Who knows? π He’s very welcome to have a healthy snack. The reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen are welcome as well. I should make it a tradition, growing carrots for Christmas. π
Kevin and I also celebrate being 18 years together, today. It’s another reason, why Christmas Eve and Christmas is extra special in our house. β€
Kevin and I celebrated our first Christmas together, back in 2000.
Sixteen years ago, on April 18th, 2002, Kevin and I said “I do” to one another back in my hometown in Germany. Another year is accomplished. Many more anniversaries to us. π
Kevin and I spent time at the Pacific Beach in San Diego, California on a cool December morning.
Kevin & I π
Our wedding ring set. I used my wedding dress as the background of this photo.
This was the name of my first blog page I started here on WordPress, three years ago. Original my blogs supposed to be about my garden and the wildlife that visits my yard. But after three months, I ran out of writing ideas. So I gave that blog up. About a year later, I started another blog named “The Barefoot Garden Fairy”. But after two months, I’ve got bored with that as well. It was like starting a journal and then after a few pages in, I neglectedΒ it.
This was my first blog on “A Garden Full of Memories”, three years ago.
On New Years Day 2017, I began this blog page and told myself I have to stay focused. But I also have to change some things, if I want to keep “Under The Pecan Tree” running steadily. I decided, I use this page more as a diary. I love to write about daily things, which cross my path. This would include gardening, hiking, traveling, photography, kids’ activities, my creative side, etc. Finally I found what I was looking for in a blog. Over 14 months later, I still keep writing almost every day about my “adventures”. And I still enjoy it.
The moral of this story: If you run out of ideas to blog, try something different. Maybe the page needs a new name. Be creative, and don’t give up writing. Our interests change over the years as well. What was fun yesterday, might not be as interesting today.
Kevin and I are together for 17 years, now. We had very many beautiful moments and some boulders on the road along the way of our relationship and marriage. Both made our bond stronger over the years. May the next 17 years be as wonderful as the last ones.
Kevin and I met in a club, 17 years ago. He was with a couple of friends, who were friends with my friends. After a couple of drinks we got into a conversation. When I was ready to go home, he gave me a ride to my apartment. Since he knew where I worked, he had shown up the next day. Usually I don’t give people my phone number unless they ask or I ask for theirs. But when Kevin was standing in front of me, I said: “Dude, I forgot to give you my number last night. If you want to hang out, give me a call. Maybe we can do something for Christmas together.” Kevin agreed, folded the note and left. The same night, he called me. And we were talking over a beer in a bar.
The next day was Christmas Eve. I was on vacation leave for the remaining days of the year. Months ago, a friend of mine and I planned a small Christmas dinner for the night before Christmas. I asked her, if it was okay I bring a friend over. She said: “Well, it’s Christmas. Nobody should celebrate this special holiday, alone.” Kevin picked me up from home. When I sat in the car and we talked a little bit, he opened the glove box and handed a little present to me. I shook it, to hear what might be in there. Kevin screamed: “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Later on I found out, why he did that. Well, the little elephant lost part of its trunk, when I shook the little box. Even when the elephant doesn’t look perfect anymore. But it is a story worth talking about. π It was very sweet of him, since we knew each other for a couple of days. And it was the first gift, I’ve got from Kevin. I still treasure these three wooden elephants to this very day.
These wooden elephants were the first Christmas gift, I received from Kevin back in 2000.
Wow! It amazes me how time flies by, when we have fun. Fifteen years ago, Kevin and I said βI doβ. And it has been a crazy ride, since. We laughed, we cried, we loved, we fought. But at the end of the day, we were a couple that stuck it out. Hopefully we can celebrate many more anniversaries, and grow old together.
Our wedding ring set. I used my wedding dress as the background of this photo.