70
October 1, 2013
Yes, this is it, I am 70 year Old today. It is not sinking in yet, in my mind I am still in the fifties! OK, I admit, I am not in top shape to walk around, but this is because health wise I just finish my worst year ever. After all, last year on my birthday I managed to roll a Golf cart down the hill and my head landed on the concrete of the cart path. I ended up with 17 metal clamps in my head. Two weeks later I had a stroke and in January I picked up Pneumonia. Just months later on May fourth, I had a dumb accident and broke my left ankle. After 2 operations and 10 weeks of therapy I started walking again without crutches just about 4 weeks before my Switzerland vacation.
You see, after all this, I am especially happy making it to be 70!
This morning Andrea and Toni had to go to work and Donna and I went to a supermarket to get some chocolate we could not find the day before.
This is how a produce section in a supermarket should look like!
Switzerland is known for there Cheese and it shows here, It is a great display in front and behind Donna.
In the background you see the display of beautiful cuts of venison.
The meat department was over 150 feet long with a butcher shop on the end for custom cuts!
All the meat is vacuum packed.
In the afternoon I received my birthday gift from Andrea and Toni
Raclette oven for two, 500 gram of raclette cheese and
a nice bottle of Epesses
Even on a busy day Andre and Toni always find time for farming
and now they got Donna and me involved in that great but time consuming Game.
Just before 5 pm we all got ready for dinner and my birthday party at the Restaurant "Zum Wilden Mann".
Now let me tell you, since I live over 3000 miles away I only see my family every 2 to 3 or sometimes 5 Years and even it was not a surprise any more because somebody spilled the beans yesterday, it was still phenomenal having everybody of our family together after a long, long time.
Thank you Toni and Andrea to organize this fantastic event. You know since we are getting older you never know when it is the last time!
Here are pictures of our happy party
On the way down to the Restaurant
Donna, Brigit and Andrea
Posing for my picture
Nice private gathering
My brother Heinz
Lilian and Heinz
Andrea and Toni getting their seats
Benne, Brigit, Lilian Heinz and me
Good brotherly conversation, I think he is a little jealous of me
still having my hair. Ha
Maria is not sure what this is all about
Livia with her father Fabian
(Fabian is Heinz and Lilian's son)
Fabian, Livia and Lilian
Andrea, Toni, Mark and Corine
(Corine is Heinz and Lilian's Daughter)
Fabia, Maria and Livia
(Fabia is Fabians wife and Livia and Maria their children)
Toni, Mark and Corine
(Mark is Corine's Spouse)
Waiting for our entree
Benne, Brigit, Donna and me
Heinz, Lilian, Benne and Brigit
Toni, Mark, Corine, Fabia and Maria
Fabia and Fabian with Maria
Toni, Mark and Corine
Heinz is telling us a story
Benne and Brigit
(It's a long story, but Brigit is best friend of the family and lives with Benne)
Donna is observing this crazy Ackermann brothers
Just received a box of "Badener Stein" chocolate from Fabian,
my wonderful God Son
It is late and Daddy has to take care of Maria
In the Background my thirsty brother Heinz
We all had a great time
Andrea explaining some facts of life.
I wish I know what they talk about?
It must be hilarious.
I think it is time to go home.
It looks like Donna is ready to stay a bit longer.
It was a great Party and we all made it home safe. Again a thank you to Andrea and Toni who made this possible. I hope we don't wait for a gathering like that until I'm 80!!