tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21875169321890354062024-03-13T14:49:00.084-07:00The Ladies' International Luncheon ClubJAXEXPATSSigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-29499378531988541532018-09-13T15:41:00.001-07:002018-09-13T15:42:01.123-07:00Time Marches On...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear International Friends,<br />
It's already September again - 2018. As many of you know, I was away for the summer and Alicia took care of business, as usual, in my absence. Thank you!<br />
Some of you were still traveling, but we had a good turn-out at our last luncheon last week: 20.<br />
We'll continue to meet at Brio's in the St. John's Town Center on every first Wednesday of the month (unless it is the 4 July like this year!) If you want to join us and are looking for directions, please go to their website:<a href="https://www.brioitalian.com/index.html" target="_blank"> https://www.brioitalian.com/index.html.</a><br />
Time: between 11.30 - 12 PM for a sit-down at noon.<br />
I'll be sending invitations a week before the next luncheon and appreciate a timely RSVP if you like to attend.<br />
Look forward to seeing you next month!<br />
Cheers, Siggy<br />
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-35600743400397968172017-11-01T13:09:00.002-07:002017-11-01T13:09:41.657-07:00Can't believe it's November!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Heard that several times today. Yes, Christmas is creeping up on us again. We've been getting together for 11 years now! And our 4th year at Brio is drawing to a close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a great turn-out today, service was impeccable, food great (as far as I've been told). N</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">o complaints! Au contraire, compliments to the restaurant today.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5k5n0-0-0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A special welcome to 3 new ladies: Ulla from Germany, another Margarita from Mexico - we have 2 now! and to Mavis from the UK. A Danish lady, Birte?, approached us and wants to join us next time...coming from Brunswick, GA! And we're expecting Annedore from Germany again who will visit here with Petra for a while. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="8cd7o-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hand out the new cards that I brought today to other new prospects, please. The more the merrier!</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Even though it will be our December = Christmas meeting, there will be no extra or special activity like </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">exchanging</span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> gifts or party games which were suggested. You may dress Christmassy if you like, though 👍.</span></span>If somebody has photos, please send them to me.</span><br />
See you next month in Brio. <br />
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-18728020438779245212017-01-10T09:10:00.001-08:002017-01-10T09:10:44.807-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Dear Ladies!</b></div>
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Yet another year has passed. Our lunch club has been in existence for 10 years now! We average about 20 members who join us each month. And by members I just mean friends who like a good meal and a chat. Some of you have become good friends. It's always nice to chat with women from your own country, isn't it?</div>
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Recently I posted a number of photos of our members on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/346539128773254/" target="_blank">Facebook site</a>. If you are an Expat from anywhere in the world you are most welcome to join us every first Wednesday of the month at <a href="http://www.brioitalian.com/the_markets_at_town_center.html" target="_blank">Brio Tuscan Grille in The Town Center of Jacksonville.</a> You will find directions there how to get to that restaurant. There is no other obligation, no membership fee, no kitty for...Just a friendly social.</div>
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Please pass it on to any other Expat you know and invite her.</div>
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Just ordering new flags for our latest members from Russia, Moldova and Panama. The more - the merrier!</div>
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Best wishes for another successful year of great socializing!</div>
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-60563362681217047312015-12-18T10:33:00.001-08:002015-12-18T10:33:23.272-08:00Christmas Lunch 2015Another year of wonderful lunch meetings gone! We're all enjoying our current venue and had a great time. This lunch was made special because some of you, my friends, stepped out of your way to also celebrate my birthday. What a surprise you had in stall for me!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1CTL61U-jo/VnRPF2lwgWI/AAAAAAAAAMo/K0HlHZtEIFg/s1600/Dec2015Lunch%2B%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1CTL61U-jo/VnRPF2lwgWI/AAAAAAAAAMo/K0HlHZtEIFg/s320/Dec2015Lunch%2B%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(with our newest member Martha)</div>
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I wish you all a happy holiday season and good health and peace for 2016!<br />
2016 looks promising with several new ladies - mostly German - joining us in January. You know my motto: The more the merrier! I sincerely hope we'll see some of you who haven't shown their pretty faces in a while.<br />
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Venue remains the same: Brio's Tuscan Grill in St. John's .</div>
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Meet & Greet: 11.30 a.m.</div>
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Sit-down: High noon.</div>
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Open-ended.</div>
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So see you all in force in January. And have a nice, gentle slip-over into the new year as we say in German: Guten Rutsch!</div>
Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-5430690687891580622015-09-30T15:14:00.002-07:002015-09-30T15:24:25.418-07:00Time Flies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
And here it is again, fall with its beautiful weather. I can't believe I neglected this site for over a year.<br />
Does anybody have pictures from their home country for us? I'd love to put them up here. Here are some lovelies we encountered while "en Alsace."<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpqPck4_nJ4/VgxfqyLat_I/AAAAAAAAALk/ZdyLXhLZ3TI/s1600/Brios2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpqPck4_nJ4/VgxfqyLat_I/AAAAAAAAALk/ZdyLXhLZ3TI/s200/Brios2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Our next luncheon is coming up on 7 October with a Meet & <b>Greet at 11.30 and a Sit-down at 12 PM. </b><br />
We're still happy with the venue: Brio's in the Town Center.<br />
<b>RSVP!</b><br />
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Here are the directions:<br />
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<tr class="first-row"><td colspan="3"> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.brioitalian.com/st_johns_town_center.html" style="text-decoration: none;">BRIO ST.JOHNS TOWN CENTER</a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td width="5%"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></td><td width="30%"><span style="color: blue;">4910 Big Island Dr.<br />Jacksonville, FL 32246 <br /><b>(904) 807-9960</b></span><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="location-details"><tbody>
<tr><td width="30%"><br /></td><td width="30%"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.brioitalian.com/locations.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><b>For directions go to : http://www.brioitalian.com/locations.html </b></a><b> </b><br /><b>See you there!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-19649383590897979772014-07-25T08:53:00.001-07:002014-07-25T08:58:09.600-07:00Greetings from EuropeDon't miss our next lunch 6 August at the usual place, Brio's Tuscan Grill in he St. John's Town center.We sit down at 12 noon, please arrive a few minutes early for a Meet & Greet!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ-pWf4iYTs/U9J88CyXWNI/AAAAAAAAAKw/z_OOjE2JPuo/s1600/German+fare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ-pWf4iYTs/U9J88CyXWNI/AAAAAAAAAKw/z_OOjE2JPuo/s1600/German+fare.jpg" /></a></div>
In the meantime, I'm enjoying some German fare. Next stop is Amsterdam in the Netherlands.Will post the occasional picture here. Follow our footsteps on <a href="http://intrepidhomeswappers.blogspot.nl/" target="_blank">http://intrepidhomeswappers.blogspot.nl/</a><br />
Stay safe! Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-90587926260154915292014-07-03T16:10:00.002-07:002014-07-03T16:17:10.033-07:00Happy 4 July!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy Independence Day to all my international friends! Although most of us come from a different country somewhere on this globe, we've all adopted the USA as our home. And tomorrow is the 4th July where we celebrate with our families here. Lets face it, there are more and more trouble spots around the world; therefore a word of thanks for the freedom we enjoy, especially as women.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqO3_gVQYsM/U7XiAoTAOZI/AAAAAAAAAKg/Lpn8K_Yvpk4/s1600/4July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqO3_gVQYsM/U7XiAoTAOZI/AAAAAAAAAKg/Lpn8K_Yvpk4/s1600/4July.jpg" /></a></div>
We had a superb lunch meeting yesterday. About 15 ladies were present., some are on vacation -as usual. I, myself will be traveling for the next two months -- <a href="http://www.intrepidhomeswappers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home Swapping</a> as you know.<br />
Marilena kindly agreed to send out the invitations for August and September; please RSVP to her...And she has the flags, the symbol of our cosmopolitan diversity.<br />
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Our lunch meetings are taking place in the ever-tasty Brio Restaurant in St. John's town center on the first Wednesday of each month at 11.30 a.m. for a Meet & Greet and sit-down lunch at noon.<br />
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4910 Big Island Dr.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32246<br />
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<tr><td width="30%"><b>(904) 807-9960</b></td><td width="30%"><a href="http://www.brioitalian.com/locations.html"><b>For directions go to : http://www.brioitalian.com/locations.html </b></a><b> </b></td></tr>
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S. brought up the topic of recruiting more members via membership
drive through Meet-up.There would be costs involved to cover a minimum
membership fee of $45 for 3 months. Drop me a line if you think it's
worth it and if that's what you 'd like to do.<br />
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I wish
you all a good, safe summer! Thank goodness, we were spared by
"Arthur". May that season pass quickly and without any dangers! See you
all in the fall!<br />
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-6732954882775211752013-04-07T15:56:00.001-07:002013-04-07T15:56:44.285-07:00April Luncheon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A good time was had by all! Our April luncheon brought a new visitor/member. Everybody loved the venue, now in our own "chambre separee". Hope to see all back healthy in May!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YpN9kMN2V4/UWH5jPqGQcI/AAAAAAAAAKA/hZ7diP58Spc/s1600/Lilac1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YpN9kMN2V4/UWH5jPqGQcI/AAAAAAAAAKA/hZ7diP58Spc/s320/Lilac1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-60733779551784143762013-01-01T12:49:00.002-08:002013-01-01T13:00:33.873-08:00Welcome to 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McnwPnfsld4/UONLfzZjnAI/AAAAAAAAAJw/VBKP4wMPOeM/s1600/2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-McnwPnfsld4/UONLfzZjnAI/AAAAAAAAAJw/VBKP4wMPOeM/s200/2013.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year to all my international friends! I have an inspiring article on my writers website WGT about a new year and new opportunities if you're interested. Check it out: <a href="http://www.writersgettogether.blogspot.com/">www.Writersgettogether.blogspot.com</a>.<br />
Our next meeting is already tomorrow--as usual the1st Wednesday of the month. You requested a new venue- you got it!<br />
We'll meet at 11.30 at<br />
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<td colspan="3"><span class="city"></span> <a href="http://www.brioitalian.com/st_johns_town_center.html">BRIO ST.JOHNS TOWN CENTER</a></td></tr>
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<td width="30%">4910 Big Island Dr.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32246<br />
<b>(904) 807-9960</b><br />
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<tr><td width="30%"><br /></td><td width="30%"><b> </b><a href="http://www.brioitalian.com/locations.html"><b>For directions go to : http://www.brioitalian.com/locations.html </b></a><b> </b><br />
<b>See you there!</b><br />
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-17242189671688024452012-09-14T10:56:00.000-07:002012-09-26T08:22:05.664-07:00IWO - International Women's Organization: The Original<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Time flies whether you're having fun or not. We're looking forward to our October meeting, 3rd. We'll meet at<a href="http://www.seasons52.com/locations/?restaurantid=4520"> Seasons 53 in the St. John's Town Center.</a> And it will be Christmas in no time. Dread the thought!<br />
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Lynda from Ireland sent me this link here yesterday asking if I was a member of this club. Yes, I was! Apparently, they are still going strong.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B87Cf3tky1A/UFNu4oWLYiI/AAAAAAAAAIk/-fdlgUqzGuw/s1600/King+John%27s+Castle_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B87Cf3tky1A/UFNu4oWLYiI/AAAAAAAAAIk/-fdlgUqzGuw/s320/King+John%27s+Castle_sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<var id="yui-ie-cursor">King John's Castle, Limerick</var></div>
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<var id="yui-ie-cursor"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Indeedie, I was a member there for 6 years .This gave me the idea to start one of my own here in Jacksonville when I couldn't find one.</span></span></var><br />
<var id="yui-ie-cursor"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><var id="yui-ie-cursor"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple of photos from this year's trip to Germany: </span></span></var></span></span></var><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAjBfkzXatQ/UGMbZgB2kzI/AAAAAAAAAI0/fFJlOSKaz6E/s1600/IMG_5022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAjBfkzXatQ/UGMbZgB2kzI/AAAAAAAAAI0/fFJlOSKaz6E/s320/IMG_5022.JPG" width="320" /></a> In Krakau on the lake in Meck-Pomm.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWJoes8AIzc/UGMbeZjf4yI/AAAAAAAAAI8/0y1ijP_11Rw/s1600/IMG_5041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWJoes8AIzc/UGMbeZjf4yI/AAAAAAAAAI8/0y1ijP_11Rw/s320/IMG_5041.JPG" width="240" /></a> From our balcony in the Black Forest<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHZ12dRG4U4/UGMblxa03OI/AAAAAAAAAJE/SHlJd1L-1HM/s1600/IMG_5061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHZ12dRG4U4/UGMblxa03OI/AAAAAAAAAJE/SHlJd1L-1HM/s320/IMG_5061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Typical architecture in Strasbourg just across the border into France.<br />
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Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-60397966126904851632012-05-10T14:26:00.001-07:002012-05-10T14:29:17.938-07:00Happy May and Mother's Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sorry I missed our last meeting. So glad we had a good turn-out in spite of technical problems with my email. Thanks to Alicia who always jumps in to help out! Our next meeting is a few weeks away, but I'm announcing it here already : June 6th at our new and obviously popular venue Seasons 52.<br />
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Just wanted to show you two more photos of Germany where we're going
for our next home swaps. You have the address in case you want to follow
our steps again:www.Intrepidhomeswappers.blogspot.com.<br />
Season 2!<br />
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That's on the Baltic Sea in what used to be the former East or GDR. And this is the house we're moving into for 3 weeks.<br />
In the meantime, have a good month of May and happy Mother's Day!</div>Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-41166510026434091952012-02-28T07:43:00.003-08:002012-02-28T07:53:50.269-08:00March LuncheonSpring has sprung and that should be the end of cold nights (while they are still freezing in most of our home countries...:) Our March luncheon should be very nice affair at a new venue.<br />Lynda and I followed Heather's advice and tested a really nice restaurant, almost in the same location where we were in the St. John's Town Center: Seasons 52. I only knew its dinner menu.<br />I hope they'll have something for everyone. When we were there they were surprisingly busy. Why surprising? Because it was mid-week.<br />They booked us in for Wednesday next week, March 7th...and every other month till July. I told them to hold it...We'll be the judge of that. Room is no problem, neither is parking. Here is its <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);" href="http://www.seasons52.com/locations/?restaurantid=4520">website, address and directions</a><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);" href="http://www.seasons52.com/locations/?restaurantid=4520">.</a><br />We'll meet as usual at 11.30 for a sit-down at high noon. Bring a friend, use those cards I'm always so busily printing. Don't forget to book a seat.<br />See you all there and then!Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-27085005988101910042011-12-30T16:01:00.000-08:002011-12-30T16:36:06.461-08:00Happy 2012!<span style="font-size:100%;">Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year, I'm inviting you to our next luncheon next Wednesday, 4th January at our new place "Osaka". For directions click on this <a href="http://local.yahoo.com/info-27129830-osaka-japanese-restaurant-jacksonville">link! </a></span><br />We'll meet at our usual time at 11.30. The place is spacious enough and has a great selection of food, hopefully to please everybody.<br />Look forward to seeing you all there. SigrunSigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-52475022909458624052011-12-12T13:38:00.001-08:002011-12-12T14:53:35.373-08:00Happy Holidays!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVd2hNWNoIg/TuaFan-DTWI/AAAAAAAAAHY/QmShx_nS0hg/s1600/Xmas.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVd2hNWNoIg/TuaFan-DTWI/AAAAAAAAAHY/QmShx_nS0hg/s200/Xmas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685378272054168930" border="0" /></a><br />Our Christmas luncheon came and went.We had a lovely 2 hour session at Blackfinn's and enjoyed a new member from Romania, a lively, friendly lady by the name of Lena. And what is even better: she wants to brings more of her friends.<br />Allow me to include a little story in the Christmas spirit here that I recently wrote on my blog. Our German members can relate to it:<a href="http://writersgettogether.blogspot.com/2011/12/charm-of-christmas-markets.html">The Charm of Christmas Markets</a>. Just click on this link under the title. It's on a new blog that I started about 3 weeks ago; an interesting read on a variety of topics even if you're not a contributing writer.<br />Thank you, Sally, for providing us with this picture of last Wednesday's luncheon.<br />In January, our first Wed falls on the 4th. We 'll meet at Osaka, another restaurant for a change.<br />These are its details:<br /><span class="pp-place-title"><span>Osaka Japanese Restaurant</span></span> <span> </span> <span dir="ltr" class="pp-headline-item pp-headline-address"><span>11701 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32223-0756</span></span> <div><span class="pp-headline-hierarchies"> <span><span class="pp-place-title"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=6266290276376757229&q=Osaka,+Jacksonville&gl=us&ved=0CD8Q_gw&sa=X&ei=loPmTpKfH6i4ywSTv5H8Cg"><span>Winn Dixie Plaza</span></a></span></span> </span></div> <span class="pp-headline-item pp-headline-phone"><span class="telephone" dir="ltr"><nobr>(904) 886-7778<br />Please join us at 11.30 A.M. It's a spacious restaurant with<br />delightful food and ample parking.<br />Until then: A happy and healthy new Year! See you in 2012!<br /><br /><br /><br /></nobr></span> </span><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span>Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-31457386896700270032011-11-30T10:23:00.000-08:002011-11-30T10:29:25.679-08:00Our Christmas LuncheonIt's that time of the year again...The Holidays are approaching fast and our annual Christmas Lunch is coming up. We decided to keep it simple, just in our usual surroundings at "Blackfinns" in the St. John's Town Center. They have looked after us all year in such a friendly way, I didn't have the heart for a change of location. Most restaurants we discussed were more expensive.<br />For January, however, I suggest a change of venue and move to Osaka, a buffet style Asian- Sushi place that Louise and I checked out last week on my birthday. It's located on the corner of San Jose Blvd. and Loretto Rd. Exact directions to follow shortly.<br />The food was very good and they had a huge selection of starters, fish and desserts. Salad too!<br />See you on 7 December at Blackfinn's. Booking in this case is essential.Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-79814232743187640362011-09-09T09:30:00.000-07:002011-09-09T10:57:17.479-07:00We're growing -without any growing pains<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7Jt6IjXg5M/TmpPu79BArI/AAAAAAAAAHA/ZU4HPT90FLw/s1600/Berlin.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7Jt6IjXg5M/TmpPu79BArI/AAAAAAAAAHA/ZU4HPT90FLw/s200/Berlin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650416350275895986" border="0" /></a><br />Last Wednesday we had a terrific turn-out for our monthly lunch group. There were four new ladies with the French contingent growing more than any other country at the moment. And of course, our tiny twins were in attendance even though they slept through the whole fun again. How does she do it? I wish I had could have fed mine some of whatever they are getting!<br />With a little cooler autumn temperatures, the weather was gorgeous and we sat outside which most people enjoy most in this restaurant (Blackfinn). They are really welcoming and accommodating, considering they had to add two tables on the spur of the moment.<br />Stories about summer trips were swapped and photos shared. I'd like some here too, please. My home swapping adventure naturally got some interest: Will I do it again? If you're interested in going this route in preparing for a value for money vacation, ask me which website we had subscribed to. Some regular members are still away, one on a trip to Alaska and others in their first residences.<br />Our next meeting for which I expect new ladies as well (we met them inside) will take place on Wed, October 5. The table is already booked. But please, please let me know how many of you're coming. It may be a bit more problematic inside to add on tables.<br />Here is a picture where two of our members, hailing from AUS and E went to Berlin together and St. Petersburg.Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-84067484319460107062011-08-31T08:59:00.000-07:002011-08-31T09:13:52.638-07:00Back to normal: our exceptional lunchesJust back from my trip. Time flies and our next meeting is approaching fast. As usual, it's the first Wed of the month, ie next week, 7 September. Same place, same time. Here is their <a href="http://blackfinnamericangrille.com/">website</a>: Let's meet in the Saloon of the Blackfinn restaurant and start catching up with all the news you have before we sit down. Since it's still beastly hot, I will book us inside the restaurant. I look forward to our new members that joined in the meantime.I also want to thank Marita here for filling in for me and running the show in my absence. I believe the flags are in safe Spanish hands...}?
<br />If the new ladies I talked to lately decide to come, we might need new flags: India and Sweden. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Here are some pix from my trip. Feel free to send me some of yours to liven this site up with other parts of the world.
<br />Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-86405335711001969692011-05-05T08:36:00.000-07:002011-05-06T08:51:01.533-07:00The more - the merrier!Yesterday we had a great turn-out yet again: 15 plus. Not that I can't count, but by plus I mean these two adorable twins who were born prematurely. They started off their tiny lives well under 2 pounds each, and at now 4 months they've reached eight. Thanks for presenting them to us, Isabel.<br />Has anybody got better photos of the two angels? A cell clearly doesn't make the best pics. I'm always looking for pictures of members who go back home. It would be nice to see more of your individual countries.<br />We also had another "Aussie" join us- can't help it! Sorry!<br />At our end of the table, we discussed the benefits of having dual citizenship. Some of us have become Americans, others have retained their original nationality. It may be worthwhile looking into that matter, as I found out. So we are not only chatting away while lunching and making new friends but exchanging useful information. Thanks to everybody who sent me her recommendation regarding a family doctor.<br />Have you had a look at becoming a follower of this blog? It's not difficult and I hope you all enjoy our little website.So...Can't wait to see who dares to...<br />Please note that we meet before sitting down at 12 in the Salon at 11.30 to enjoy our hello's without disturbing other patrons. Just in case the restaurant forgets to mention it to newcomers and you sit there alone at the table.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Mother's Day</span> to whom it may apply! Did you know that it falls on the same date in Germany and America whereas the Irish and UK celebrate theirs in March? Since I lived in all of these countries, my children are sometimes confused or use it as an excuse for forgetting... How about Australia and Canada? Are they sticking to the British tradition? Maybe one of my members can shed some light on that? <br />Enjoy the beautiful weather and see you in June! SigrunSigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-76043019139093874572011-04-12T11:38:00.000-07:002011-05-05T08:36:48.285-07:00Coming and goingLast month saw us say farewell to our longstanding member Vanessa from the UK and this month we regained a new Irish Vanessa plus a new lady from Jerusalem, Violette. We're really getting more and more international. If some of the ladies I approached outside the restaurant could join us as well next month, we'll truly be expanding and the table will even be longer. I heard them speak some unknown language (to me) and got out my LILAC cards to invite them. We were 20 in April outside on the patio. The more the merrier!<br />I'm posting a couple of photos from March and April.<br />As of next month, some of our members are going home for their summer vacations, but we usually have a good turn-out just the same. Our next luncheon will be on 4 May. Mark your calendars, ladies! As usual, we'll meet in the Salon at 11.30 and then sit down around noon.Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-63616470615381222462011-02-04T09:19:00.000-08:002011-02-04T14:01:09.753-08:00Our February meeting at Blackfinn'sA good time was had by all at our last luncheon on Wednesday. The feedback about the restaurant<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>was so good that the general consensus is to go back there...maybe make it our new home? It's always fun to have babies present and they seem to enjoy the attention they are getting.<br />I'm ordering 2 new flags, Romania and Taiwan (hoping that Cindy will join us soon again).<br />I moved <span style="font-style: italic;">Followers</span> up. Signing up is easy and appreciated! Wondering who the other two are who are not members?Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-79040239186788174382011-01-26T05:53:00.000-08:002011-01-26T06:43:32.893-08:00Our next Luncheon 2 FebruaryDear Friends,<br />I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday at a new venue: Blackfinn in St.John's Town Center.The exact address is 4840 Big Island Dr, St.5. PH:904-345-3466.<br />As usual, we meet at 11.30. They have a Saloon, let's meet there for drinks first and then go to the dining room at 12 O'clock. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="hhttp://blackfinnamericangrille.com/ttp://">http://blackfinnamericangrille.com/</a><br /></span>Here's the link for directions click <a href="http://blackfinnamericangrille.com/directions/">here</a>!<br />Several of us liked it already.So let's hope they'll do a great job on us.<br />Best, SigrunSigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-4361892206431037012011-01-05T13:38:00.000-08:002011-01-05T13:49:04.732-08:00Cafe Athens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_43X2HdUdc6k/TSTnEJDoybI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Ec3YY0MK_-E/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_43X2HdUdc6k/TSTnEJDoybI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Ec3YY0MK_-E/s200/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558821898418702770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/invalid.jpg"><img style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/invalid.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our luncheon today was well attended at a new venue: Cafe Athens. We had an unexpected visitor: Little David and his mother. This is baby #4 just in the last year that our lovely International Ladies have presented us with. We hope to see you again soon.<br />While the food at Athens was very good and everybody had a good time, the place needs a serious up lift. So the search for a new permanent venue continues...Watch this place: More photos coming.<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-16360247758119749352010-12-28T11:54:00.000-08:002010-12-28T11:58:16.817-08:00Happy New Yearin a new place! Our next luncheon will be at Athens, Mediterranean Cafe, on 5 Januar, 11.30 onwards as usual. Here is their address:<br /><address class="adr"> <span class="street-address">6271 Saint Augustine Rd Ste 7</span><br /><span class="locality">Jacksonville</span>, <span class="region">FL</span> <span class="postal-code">32217</span><br /> </address> <span id="bizPhone" class="tel">(904) 733-1199</span>.<br />On their own website you can buy gift vouchers in advance saving more than 50%!<br />See you all there and until then : Guten Rutsch ins Neue Jahr...happy gliding into the new year as we say in German.Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-77280950943108612532010-12-11T15:19:00.000-08:002010-12-12T16:43:07.107-08:00Christmas Luncheon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_43X2HdUdc6k/TQVsECo9u6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/B9A2Grso6Lw/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_43X2HdUdc6k/TQVsECo9u6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/B9A2Grso6Lw/s320/056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549960932487969698" border="0" /></a><br />A very good time was had by all at this year's Christmas Luncheon at the 19th in Sawgrass, TPC in Ponte Vedra. Needless to say that their festive decorations contributed to our cheerful mood in these splendid surroundings. Little hiccups with the menu were quickly forgotten over the bonhomie at all the three tables, our three new ladies from Brazil, UK and an American France-veteran, as well as the highly anticipated guest appearance of little Ethan with his mother and grandmother. Since I failed to line you all up in front of the beautiful fireplace en groupe for a big photo, I have to rely on your shots which I'll assemble here.<br />You wanted something special for the occasion and I think we got it.<br />Happy 2011 to you and yours! Come back and see us on 5 Jan at a new venue. I'd like to move you around a bit for the next few months.Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2187516932189035406.post-26246698180468181012010-11-23T08:26:00.000-08:002010-11-23T08:37:52.663-08:00Christmas Luncheon<div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >We found a great venue for our Xmas luncheon. Several of you asked me to go somewhere different and nice, so this is special:</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">We're going to the TPC Clubhouse at Sawgrass to "Nineteen" on 8 December, as usual for 11.30 AM. </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Here is the address: TPC Sawgrass<br />110 Championship Way<br />Ponte Vedra Beach, FL<br />(904) 273-3235 </span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >When you come off JTB, turn right into PV onto A1A. Follow for a couple of miles until you see the Sawgrass entrance on the right.</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Or go to their website for Driving Directions etc. <a href="http://www.tpc.com/TPCSawgrassContactAndDirections.aspx">http://www.tpc.com/TPCSawgrassContactAndDirections.aspx</a>. Theirs should be better than mine.<br /></span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >The place is marvelous and the atmosphere at Christmas should be really festive.</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You will appreciate that in this instance I really need your reply if you can make it.</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >So please let me know by Monday, 6.</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Looking forward to seeing you all there on St. Nikolas day, the Dutch friends' Christmas.</span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Happy Thanksgiving in the meantime, Sigrun Buckley</span></div>Sigrun Buckley (Organizer)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00692288363186304107noreply@blogger.com0