Two And A Half Days To Move Into A New House....Yes, It Can Be Fun :-)

    Back in Nov. Jim and I were glad to offer his sister, Kathy, our help for when she was ready to move into a new house. After quite a few moves while being in the Air Force, Jim and I are very much aware of how much work a move takes.We are very happy that our moving days are over!!!
   However, this last weekend we actually had a very good time as family and friends came together to help Kathy move 30+ years worth of belongings from one house to another. Kathy had been extremely busy the last month boxing everything up and had it all organized and ready to go. The first day and a half friends and family moved all the boxes; the next day she had arranged for movers to move the larger items, i.e. furniture and washer.
    I was too busy or tired to take any pictures of the actual moving, but took some the day after everything was moved. The house is already looking like a 'home' :-)
     As soon as the movers left, we were busy with the important details like:
 arranging furniture....

Great room seen from the entry hall

social/study area of the great room

entertainment area of great room

Pictures were hung on the walls with care.

Many of the pictures were done by her Mom or given to her from kids/family.

Cheerful mosaics  in the entry hall made by her kids

The sort-of  'Cubist' artwork side of the entry hall...2nd picture from right was painted by her Mom :-)

   The first actual day of being in the new house and there is a lot of work to do.
  

Getting China cabinet ready

 Unpacking....always looks chaotic before it gets better.

Annie is on Spring break and has a week to get her room in shape.

A good sense of humor is a must during this stage!

It is very important to take breaks...

 and hug the grand kids when they arrive to see Grandma's new house :-)

They are all ready to help with their colored sponges.

   I had a very good time spending the last few hours of our time there visiting with my Grand-nieces.
   The last time I saw them was a year ago, fortunately, it took only a short time for Emma to smile for me.

Then she 'smoothed' down her hair and posed for a better picture :-)

 Stella gave a very pretty smile when her Mom told her to say cheeseburger, but I like this look even better when I asked her to say it.

kind of a 'Popeye' look

 We checked out their Grandma's new backyard/deck.

And then we all got together for a lunch...

 the beginning of many more happy/fun times at the 'New House'.

Germany Vacation-Trier's Roman Sights; Basilica, Roman Bridge, and Amphitheater

   The Basilica of Constantine is hard to miss with its massive size; 220 feet long, 90 feet wide, and 98 feet high. This brick building was built around 310 AD as an impressive throne hall for Constantine.  It is now the largest single- room Roman structure in existence. I do not have any pictures of the inside because there was a 'no pic taking sign'  :-(   The only word I can come up with to describe it is 'cavernous'.

I can't even guess how many bricks are in this building!

Such thin bricks!

    In the 17th century a Rococo style palace was added to the side, and during the Napoleonic and Prussian times, the Basilica was used as an army barrack. Since 1856, the Basilica has been the site for the Protestant Church of St. Savior.

The pink rococo palace looks a bit odd as an addition to the Basilica.

   Along our way to the Roman bridge, we passed by this structure. I don't know if it is a remnant left of the Roman wall, but seemed kind of old and neat :-)

    We also passed by this ruin, which was closed to tourism until further notice. I snapped a few pics and recently found out what the Barbarathermen was. The Barbara baths were the largest Roman baths in the 2nd Century. During the Middle Ages, they served as a castle. All that is left now are the foundations and subterranean tunnels. The rest was torn down and the material was used for other buildings, like the Jesuit College in 1610.

   When we reached the Mosel river and Roman bridge, we were ready to just relax and enjoy the view. Like many of the other Roman sites, the bridge is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five of the seven support columns date back to 144-152 AD.The basalt (black) stone blocks came from the Eifel mountains .They are held together with metal clamps/rods, similar to Porta Nigra.

   The bridge was destroyed by the French in 1689.While being repaired by Johann Georg Judas in 1716-1718, a crucifix and statue of St. Nicholas was added on the 5th pillar.

   At this idyllic spot, the boys reviewed the map and selected a route to our next destination.

I am not sure if Geoffrey is paying any attention :-)

    I am sure that they did not realize that the street they picked was the 'red light' district :-)

     The Amphitheater was built between 160-200 AD, a time when Romans considered it a "must" for a city to have one. This was the stage for not only the violent gladiatorial battles and animal hunts, but also for the important religious festivals and music recitals; definitely an important structure for their culture.

     The majority of the amphitheater is made up of earth embankments with some cement masonry and limestone for support.

The wide paths entering the arena from the North and South were the entry roads.

   Instead of grassy slopes, this area had stone seating for around 20,000 spectators.

    The stones were taken away during the Middle Ages and were used as construction materials for other buildings.

Pretty steep sitting area

     Looking down at the South entry road.

towards the entrance

towards the arena

   The view one would have when entering the arena from the south entry road.

Geoffrey contemplating if he wants to enter the arena?

    The passages through the embankment were made with semi-circular relieving arches to help reinforce against the earth pressure on the walls.

Vomitorium (to spew); the ancient word used for the passage used by the crowds when entering/exiting.

more barrel vault/ arches

       Exploring the arena...

       with all its doorways to the former 15 cells/cages.

   Below the arena is a cellar. Down here both prisoners and wild animals were kept/caged. It is below the water table and is always wet.

    Also, down here a wooden lift platform was made, which was used for speedy scenery and prop changes during shows. Under the water, the stone blocks used as a base and the shafts for the where the counterweights for the lifting apparatus were stored may be seen.

    Entering the arena from the cellar, you can almost here the roar of the 20,000 spectators :-)

       View of arena from the North end looking South.

       Hmmm, I wonder who they could be waiting for?