Bergen Op Zoom

End of Day 2 South Holland, The Netherlands.
We make it to the Art Broker Design Warehouse where we crash for the next three days. Joop Schot, the master mind behind Art Broker Design sets us up in the back room with beds and some pretty sweet stuffed dogs


My sister offered to make up the beds. B/c she is always cold and I am always hot, she gave herself the best bedding. Thankfully Joop came to my aid with a sleeping bag.
Did I mention that there are sweet stuffed dogs?

Thanks Joop!

Den Haag

Ssssssssssslovadonmalosavich....
We walked the Plaza, the seat of government, the home to the International War Crimes Tribunal. The whole city can be walked in about an hour.

This is the exterior of the MC Escher Museum. This is as close as we got. We arrived a half an hour after they closed. If you are gonna walk the city you should see the museum first.

Train to the Hague

I don't know about you but whenever I hear "the Hague" I think "Slovadon Malosavich".
The Netherlands is so beautiful.

Mandy read up on our next destination, The Hauge.
I took pictures out the window...

Anne Frank - again

Amsterdam's most, famous, loved, pitied, adored, admired citizen.

Before

Day One and Two - Amsterdam

This city is ridiculously picturesque.

They were having some goofy fair in the Central Plaza.

Those Europeans love some silly games and rides!

I AMsterdam 2008

Mrs. Amanda Ziehm (my sister) and I traveled together to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
We landed in Amsterdam.
My sis speaks German and I was pretty sure that that meant she could understand and speak Dutch. This in not the case. Regardless she was our primary navigator.

I have to mention here that ALL Dutch people speak near perfect English. In fact, when greeted with, "Hello, do you speak English?" about 30% will roll there eyes as if to say OF COURSE I DO, I'M DUTCH! Ok, I'm stupid and only speak English, but at least I am trying to acknowledge that you may not.
We love Amsterdam!

Back on the Scene

Hi all. I'm back from an awesome tour of Europe with my sister, Amanda. Photos to follow. I just got back and wanted to address some rumors.
It's true! I am noticeable in the background of a Bank of America ad now up an bus stops all over the city:)
Above image by Paul Elledge.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. That's me in my "wasabi" vest!

Best Calendar Ever!

Calendar Girls 2009
Buy it here!!
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OMG! It's Here!

Calendar Girls the 2009 Calendar by yours truly.
Buy any month as a Pin-Up Poster!
HERE!

This is the back page.

Calendar Girls - November

Here comes Calendar Girls 2009
Stay tuned for details. Calendar Girls will be FOR SALE by the end of the week!
Special thanks to Jenny (Ms. November).
XOXOXOXOX

The Phoenix

I'm not sure where my grandma is now, but I have kept a candle burning.














I believe in reincarnation and the photo below is a mock-up of some imagery I am working with relating to that.

8th Grade Graduation - 1929

This is LaVerne, my dad's mother, in her 8th grade graduation portrait. She is 12 or 13. I still don't look like this much of a lady and when I think about what I looked like in 8th grade....well, I'll try to find a photo for you. But they are all embarrassing.

The Family Jewels

My Gram was well dressed, immaculately groomed, and accessorized to the nine's at all times.
My sister and I were the only two grandchildren to show and interest in her vast collection of costume (and finer) jewelry. I laid out my picks on the hotel bed to take stock. Pretty good haul:)




So, in honor of my gram, I was dripping in her jewels at the funeral. Rings, necklaces, earrings and a very flashy purse in leopard to match my shoes (not shown). Thanks Gram! We will miss you forever.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Memento Mori - LaVerne Weimer

My brother-in-law, sister and dad view the body of my Gram.
I have to say the body is not a good representation of the real LaVerne. Also, the outfit seems to be more of a past favorite. Please see her last formal portrait.

Last Formal Portrait of LaVerne Bernadette Wischmeier Weimer

June 27th, 1916 - September 28, 2008


This is her handwriting on the back.

"LaVerne Weimer - 91
Dec. 2007 for church book"

She had wonderful penmanship.
I was given this photo in its frame to scan and share with my family. Besides being her last portrait it is also a great portrait. Very much her likeness. Way to go Olan Mills! She is wearing her favorite set of jewelry, the "pink set", given to her by her kids for her 90th birthday. By some wonder I am still trying to understand, I was given the pink ring to this set and have barely taken it off since I put it on my finger, right then and there.

So, another surprise awaited me, when I opened the frame I found 5 more formal portraits of my Grandparents (all taken at Olan Mills) all for the "church book" from the last 10 years.
I'll post them soon.

Grams House

Here are a few of the crazy lamps at my grams. We attended her memorial today and the funeral is tomorrow. The family spent some time divvying up her things. None of these lamps were claimed.
Update:
This lamp was claimed.