Summertrip to Germany,

On the morning of 16th of June, started me and Tommy together with one other member from Lions Club Jönköping a trip to Germany and to Minden.
We was invited to Minden by Lions Club Porta Westfalica, who is a friends club to Lions Club Jönköping. We were invited already last year to visit the club and take a part clubs journey, but when was my health, what was put a stop to the trip and to other planned trips as well. So, this time we tried to do everything, so that we could participate the clubs journey as well for us, to meet the members from our friend club. The roots goes back for so many years and it would be sad, if the clubs would loose that connection.

After 12 hour on the road, we arrived to Minden. Hotel was placed in quiet area even thought that bigger roads was quite close to it. We got really warm welcome, when we arrived and after we settled into the rooms, we went down and met some members with partners from Lions Club Porta Westfalica and got something to eat. After that was football match we looked and some beer. Germany - Poland. The game ended 0-0, even thought that Germany was close to goal, couple of times.

After good night sleep and good breakfast, it was time to meet other members and enjoy the trip together with other members and their partners. First visit for the day was company Bayer in Leverkusen. It was interesting to get a insight about that company. We all have got the contact with the company one way or another way. Outside of the buildings, they had a beautiful Japanese garden.

After that visit, we went further to Cologne. We visited Panorama and on top of the roof, we got a overview of Cologne city. I really liked to see it and enjoyed the view. After that took we walk towards hotel. Hotel itself situated near by Dom in Cologne. Nice and fresh hotel. After arriving to hotel and before dinner, me and Tommy went to fast shopping. Since next morning we had exercises on the schedule in the morning, and I had forgot my training tights at  home, so, I thought to shop new ones. It took bit time, but I found at least and we hurried back to hotel, so that we could change the clothes and get ready dinner.

Dinner on Friday evening was in restaurant Früh. Good beer and good traditional german food. The beer in glasses was not more than 0,2 l, but it was always kept fresh. Interesting experience. After good dinner, we spent bit time in the city with part of the group. By walking by the houses, it felt like we are in old town in Tallinn.

After the glass of beer, then everyone went to back at hotel, me and Tommy took a small walking by the Dom of Cologne. It was magnificent by the evening lights.

Next morning, the ones, who wanted, could to some exercises. Gesine had planned a nice morning training for us and we, who was there, really liked it. After that was time for well deserved breakfast. When bit food was filled the stomach, we were divided to 2 groups. One group visited cellars in the  Dom of Cologne and other group the towers. Me and Tommy divided us and he saw cellars and I the towers and saw the beautiful city again. It was so nice to see the city from the top of the tower. Totally interesting and good experience.

After this visit, was time for lunch. This time we got a pizza. It felt good to try a different food. We took different food every time and shared between us, so that we both could taste some different dishes.

After lunch, was shopping time or some other activities. Free time. Me and Tommy took a walk around the city. Bought some presents to my father-in-law and sent postcards to our families in Estonia and Sweden. A small tradition I have had since I started to travel abroad. After our free time, we decided to join with others and listen the organ concert in St. Peters church, but we could not find the entrance. That church was built quite interesting way and later came out that it only had a small door, what did not look at all as church doors, we are used to see in churches.

In the evening we had a dinner in another local restaurant. Beer was ordered on that restaurant by special bins and could be choose between 3 or 5 liters. Another interesting experience for us, who had not seen those kind of things before. We had wonderful time in Lions spirit. Lots of good conversations and laughs.

Sunday morning after the breakfast, it was time to pack the bags and make us ready for leaving the Cologne. Before we started our journey back to Minden, we had city-tour with bus. We saw many places and got to know information about the city.

After that, we visited Carnival museum in Cologne. A tradition, what has been kept alive since beginning of 1820-ies. That tradition is still alive, even thought that there has been discussions about to end it, but people does not want that. Total length of carnival equipage is 7 km and usually held in February. Interesting was that some of the equipages are destroyed after the parade and will be build up again during autumn, just before new carnival. After that visit, we started our journey back to Minden.

It is very impressed how quickly the city has been built up, since on the WWII it was 70% bombed down. Some pieces perhaps did not fit into the city picture but it looked nice anyway.

On Monday, me and Tommy got the guided citytour in Minden centrum. We saw a part of it and it was interesting as well. It came out that local Cathedral has a long name, but everyone who lives in the city knows the church just by name of Dome. So even local people got to learn something new.

After good lunch, Tommy went to buy something local to his dad, since we wanted to thank him, that he had Sally with him, during our trip and I was driven to one Lion member, who first fixed my ankle, since I sprained it. After that we drove to Imperial Wilhelm 2 monument. We were very lucky to have one member with us, who knew so much of history and also about the are. We got to see view over Minden and over Porta Westfalica. After that we were invited home to one Lady Lions. There we could speak Swedish language. She had been learned it on the evening course and practice it in Sweden every summer. In the evening we had last dinner together with some of the members and their partners. After that good dinner said we goodbye for this time, since next morning after breakfast, me and Tommy started our trip back to home. In the morning we said goodbye to other members, who had came to hotel to wave of us. Hopefully we will see them soon again. If not next year, perhaps on year after that or year after that.

That trip to Germany was very interesting, it gave us a lot. We saw much, we learned much and we enjoyed good time with members from Lions Club Porta Westfalica. We really loved that time and also enjoyed our vacation together. It was really good time and gave so much memories. Memories, what will take us back in those times, when we are looking pictures or thinking of those times. One thing is sure. That trip was our first, but not a last.

Have a nice afternoon,
                                      Love,
                                                 Ingrit

To be a Lion,

Yesterday I visited Womens shelter, where they can go to avoid domestic violence and to protect their children. It was so good feeling to go and visit them and hand over to them a check from Lions Club Jönköping with 67 000 Swedish crowns to their activities for women and children. They can go to summer camp and maybe even trip to Skara Sommerland. All this work, what they do there.
I was so happy yesterday, that I had opportunity to go and hand over that check. To gather that many needed quite much work from everyone in Lucia committee and of course hard work from our Lucia girls and choir leader. All, this made possible to leave a check, what makes big changes in someone else's life and gives good memories for children.  That is what we all need, a some good memories in our lives, what we can remember, when we are older.
I am happy, that I am part of that big international family, all this fellowship, new people and so much other things what has been very rewarding in so many ways. I am so happy, because it has been possibility for me to learn to know so many wonderful persons. As Lions is standing for - To serve, to Meet and to have a good time. All clubs have different activities, but best part is, when you see, how a small help makes someone else very happy. It does not have to be a big thing, it is enough of small things. Usually the small things is those, what counts and in the end gives back the most.
What has Lions given to me? I can say, it has been given me a lot. People in my life, who has been there since I moved to Sweden. New people, who I have been learned to know during the time I have been a member in Lions. To be a part to make a difference in our community, country and world during all different projects we are doing. Last 7 months I have had honor to be a president in our local Lions Club and this time has been fun, hard work and have given to learn to know much more wonderful persons. I have had so much good times and that has been generate me so much wonderful memories. You are interested to be part of that wonderful community, rewarding memories and make difference in the world - just contact your local Lions Club and ask more questions and if it is for you, when even became a member for the club. Together we can make a big difference and in my case I have became a better person towards to myself.
I am proud to be a Lion!

Have a nice Day,
                                 Ingrit

Beautiful Candle Crowns,

Past 5 weekends, we have made candles with other members from Lions Club in Jönköping. That is one of the biggest income for our club, so that we could help people, who really needs to be helped.
Those candle crowns are on sale after summer, but can also be bought earlier. Today we could see, that it does not has to be used only in Christmas time. It is also a beautiful present on birthday.
This nice arrangement was made for a person who turned 100 years. I believe it has been wonderful to receive something very nice and simple. It does not have to be very expensive to be nice.
All those nice candle crowns are handmade. Everyone has put inside to them bit of their soul, so that not only we can enjoy it, but also so many others.
Last year sale, took in about 170 thousand Swedish crowns, what will go to help others.
if you feel, that you would help us to help others, just contact our club or your local lions club.

Collection for World's Children,

Yesterday we had first day all over the Sweden to collect money for World's Children. That also meant that our Lions club was out and holed collection boxes on hands and walked in Västra Torget in Jönköping during farmers market hours.
We had divided us to two main groups and divided hours between those 2 groups. I and some others had chosen morning pass and 2 other members took later pass. It was one of the first times it felt that farmers market had not much visitors in the morning side. I think that it could be in several reasons but probably biggest reason is that since they have started to build new houses on the parking spaces and that has made, that a lot of parking spaces has been lost and it is quite hard to find a parking space for people who comes with a car.
Day by self was at least nice and as beautiful autumn weather should be. No rain at all and that made easier to walk around market visitors.
Totally our club collected 5288 crones and I think that it was a very nice amount. Now I just hope that in next weekend we could collect same amount or why not even little bit more. All the money goes to good purpose. In facebook World's Children organization in Sweden has and still introducing 12 areas where money from this years collection is going. More information about Wold's Children organizations activities can be read in Facebook. Also in the homepage can read about what projects is on planned. There can be founded that Lions is helping people with clean water and better health.

New member in our Lions club,

Today our Lions Club got new member - my dear colleague and friend Kristi. For me that was an good news for many ways. For one, it feels good to have some people, who are having same age as me. For the second, now I am also a sponsor :) For the third, our club needs bit growth and young blood as well.
It was nice to have the ceremony. I, as the sponsor, was put the Lion's pin on the Kristi. Made me feel bit more proud and happy :)
Now, we will see, what happens in next monthly meeting. Before that, we have had found raising for Worlds Children and board meeting at our home. I believe and hope, that there will come more good times. So far, it has been interesting and good time.
I also just realized, that it is just year ago, when I self became a member in our Lions Club and the year in Club, has brought a lot of different things with it and this year I have got even 2 more things to do - be a board member and have responsibility for Worlds Children. Now, this month will show, how I can manage the last thing. I self hope, that I can manage it well, but it will be club members in the end who can say how I did it.

Crayfish party,

Yesterday we had crayfish party with our Lions Club. Now day after the party, we can consider that this party was very nice and very good.
Preparations for the party started already on Friday. My dear husband made typical Swedish dish called "Janssons Frestelse" - it includes potatoes, anchovies, onion, whip cream, salt and pepper. For me, I do not like it that much, but I know that my husband loves that dish. Usually he makes it for Christmas.
I made an typical Estonian pasta salad and baked apple cocos cake for the coffee.

Others made also herring, different pies, crayfish, boiled potatoes, different breads and cheese and some other salads. Must say, the food was very very good, but also the people who made that party very good.
After then all others was left, we started to clean up. After that we started our way to home. First stop was Huskvarna. Kristi was need to go bed first :) On the way to Huskvarna we passed Kinnarps Arena. On the morning they had had memorial service to HV71 previous goal keeper Stefan Liv, who died on tragical plain crash in Jaroslav on Thursday. In the round about was still a lot of candles. It was very nice and beautiful and same time it was very sad. It is always very sad, then someone very young is dies.

After Kristi was at home, we started to drive to Taberg and after got home. It was just before 2 we came at home :) It was good. We just felt how our beds was waiting for us :D
Now, we have to wait next year, when we will have a new crayfish party with our Lions Club. More pictures about the evening will come during new week.

Lions Club's monthly meeting,

Today was again time to have  a monthly meeting in our Jönköpings Lions Club. It was nice and interesting.
As usually our evening started with very good food. I feel bit spoiled, since I got some of that good pie home with me. Also different salads, 3 of them tasted very well. At least two of them, I would like to try to make my self at home as well.
After that we had our meeting part. There I also talked bit about how the situation is in Estonia after this horrible fire in handicapped orphanage. And I am also happy that our Lions Club is willing to help them. It is very heart warming. Since in Estonia for a very long time, handicapped people was hided to institutions and we never saw them on streets or concerts or theater.  It felt like they did not exist at all. After Estonia got independent, we started to see them.  We also talked bit about the classes what we collected together with specksavers during a december month and how that would be help so many people in Africa, who can't self afford to buy any. That was collaboration between Lions International in Sweden, Specsavers and Vision for all.
Also my made pictures was printed for second time at magazine. It felt so good, since I never have had something like that experience before, that pictures, what I have taken, has been printed in somewhere. Last years magazine had pictures at page 9 in the Sticket.
As a last thing in program, my fiancée talked about Estonia, since it was his turn to make entertainment program for evening. It ended, that I helped him. Later on our way back to home, he admitted that  he made some things with purpose, since he just wanted to provoke me, so that I would help him. As I told to him, he can't choose a subject, what is not very much at home, since I knew more about things, what he told  ;) But in the end, it was very good. Now I am waiting next meeting, since when we will visit old police house here in Jönköping.

Speech,

Last night we had in our Lions club the small gathering and last Christmas celebrating. Before all good food what we had there, we had small monthly meeting to discuss some things and after that, party could start.
We had nice time at that party. One of the high point for that was, when my beloved fiancée hold the speech in front of the other Lion clubs members and their respective.
The speech, what he hold, came from his heart and it touched me a lot. I had even tears in my eyes and even thought I tried to hide that really much in front of the others, I could not do it very well.
In his speech he told how we met and how close he was to erase my contact from his msn, because we had both a period, when we had not the easiest time and what made, that we had a stop to write each other and also did not talk over msn. As he told to all, that just before erasing my contact, he wanted to be polite and say good bye to me. That time I had time and I could answer to him. He wrote back and that was second time a nice beginning for us. Now we have lived together over a year and in the end of April this year, we are getting married.

After we met first time. We felt that there was something between us and that has hold us together. When he told me once some years ago about how close he was erase me from his list, we both laughed about it and we were grateful for each other, that one took time to send that so called last message to another and I , that I took time to answer for it, that moment, I did not know, should I laugh or should I cry.
Sometimes the strangest coincidences can mean so much for us in our lives. I am happy that I have so warm hearted and kind person in my life. I just know, that I love him a lot. Thank you, that you are part of my life.
As it was for other Lions members, most told that this was the one of the best time in the party.We got so many congrats and hugs. It felt just so good and right. There is not much needed to be happy :)

Candle crowns,

By every day  Christmas comes closer. Soon it is time to decorate home with nice Christmas decorations. This year, why not to have a nice and beautiful handmade candle crown. Candle crown is made by members of LC Jönköping and we help them to sell. All money what comes from selling those nice crowns goes to charity and voluntary work. And since it is handmade they don't cost much either. Candle crown with 5-arms costs 200 Sek and with 7-arms costs 250 SEK. The ordered candle crowns will be delivered home for costumers around Jönköping and Jönköpings län.

If you find them as beautiful as they are, and you are interested to have one or more nice one at home, don't hesitate to contact me on my e-mail: ingrit.hansen@gmail.com

Ljuskronor,

Julen närmar sig snabbt och varför inte pynta eller dekorera hem med en vackert handgjord ljuskrona. De stöps av medlemmarna i LC Jönköping och vi hjälper till att sälja ljuskronor åt dem. Ljuskronan med 5-armar kostar 200 SEK per styck och med 7-armar kostar 250 SEK per styck. Beställda ljuskronan levereras hem till kunden. Pengar från ljuskronor går till oavkortat till välgörenhet.

Om du är intresserad av dessa vackra ljuskronor, så kan du beställa dem via
e-post: ingrit.hansen@gmail.com

Worlds Children/Save the children,

Good morning everybody :) Time for coffee and then to go out and make something good today :) Yesterday evening in TV gala they showed that Worlds Children have collected already 74 million Swedish crowns, today there should be 45000 money collection boxes out all over the Sweden :) We 4 from LC Jönköping are among that number :) Feels good :)

LIONS,

Yesterday it happened :) that, I became a young member of LC Jönköping. It feels good, because I like to help others, due, I have got help from others self and it is good to give back at least a little part of it, what I have got. In same time, it gives opportunity to make something good. I love it. It feels very very good. I am very happy over it.
Hmm :D same time, my dearest, can't say any more, that I am a "fake" Lion :D Urrrrr :D

LC Jönköping, has it's history. As I have got to know, then it is also one of the oldest club in Sweden. Lions International came to Sweden in 1948 and LC Jönköping started at September 1950, so this year it celebrated it's 60 years jubilee, what was nice and very interesting.

I also like the motto what Lions has: "We serve"
LIONS self stays for:
L - Liberty
I - Intelligent
O - Our
N - Nations
S - Safety