Our New Villa

This is the Villa we're going to retire in, we couldn't see the ends of the grounds.....

Como Lago

Today was very fun - we got to see what it really looks like in Italy - we went to Lake Como and visited the city of Como then took a Water Ferry to 3 other picturesque towns: Cernobbio, Torno & Moltrasio.


Lake Como looks like an upside down wishbone, with the city of Como being at the bottom left bone. We snaked up the left side but didn't make it to Bellagio this time. Sorry George, we didn't have time to make it to the Villa this trip.

Mary Lou and I went solo, Miss Sophia was under the weather so she had her slave, I mean, her mommy tend her. She's been excellent, so we thought we would let her have the day off. We got to practice our Italian today and all of our food, drink and most importantly, our gelato were all ordered correctly!


We ran into some English boys on the ferry who told us they were on the Manchester UK Football (Soccer) team in town to play against the Milan team in the semi-finals, a huge game tomorrow - I was slightly suspect as they were on a ferry with beers and cigarettes in their hands - we took a picture of them anyway to make them feel good!!


Our only fiasco, which wasn't our fault by the way - was that on our way home we thought we were so lucky just making boats and trains, then when we rolled into Milan, we went to hit the Metro and lo and behold...... it was closed!! I think it was close to 7pm, well apparently since it was the Labor Day holiday - ALL of the public transportation closed for the rest of the day - there weren't any signs and we didn't hear any announcements yesterday - cabs were very scarce too. Luckily Super Max had the evening off so he saved the day and drove into the city to pick us up.

Now we're packing our bags - we're off to Venice tomorrow!!

Milan Day 3

Today was a very nice day - we went into Milan and toured the Duomo and the Sfoza Castle, unfortunately some things were closed because 1) it's Monday 2) tomorrow is a holiday but we still had a nice time. There's so much to see if you love architecture and art.

Christina you'll have to tell me how to do the fun picture stuff or the shuffle!!!

Milan - Lac Maggiore

Well our trip is progressing well, another day, another day of yummy food, foreign drivers, (well I suppose I'm the foreigner)

The gardens on the Island were beautiful - and we got great opposing shots!

Me & Mike looking out the garden

Mike left yesterday - and Mike's mom MaryLou has joined me for the rest of the trip - today we're going to the Città Centràle and going to see the Duomo in Milano, taking the Metro - then we'll eat prosciutto è fromaggio panzorotti - sp? (actually they are fried sandwiches not grilled, but a local favorite). Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the equivalent to Labor Day so many things are closed - we hope to go to Venézia Wednesday and Thursday. So much to see and so little time.

Isola Bella

Well my first day here was fabulous - even more so because my very sweet husband Mike came to Italy for the weekend and surprised me here!! He was in Dubai for the week so he came and met me at my friend's house in Milan - we had a great day yesterday - we went to Lac Maggiore - similar to Lac Como (aka George Clooney made famous) but less crowded but nonetheless beautiful....

It has been so much fun with Max, Louise & Sophia. Sophia makes me miss my own little guys so I made sure I took pictures of them before I left with my new portable camera! Good thing Auntie NuNu has the same one so I could download pictures!

I'm off!

Well I finally have all of my things in order - I don't think I slept before 1am every night this week! I waited for the kids to come home from school before leaving, but perhaps that was a mistake! They are arguing again - and don't want to do their homework!!! Yikes!

Last night I swam 1250 meters in the pool - I was really happily surprised with myself, I just hope 2 weeks away doesn't kill me!

Well I'm off to eat load of Gelatto!

DId I tell you I REALLY HATE SEARS

They are all unhelpful over there, I am still waiting for my service from the last time I blogged about my machine, I can't believe it! They cancelled my appointment 3 times! I ready to call "Finney on Yourside" the local television station about my case - maybe he can get me a new washing machine! I'm trying to get my laundry finished so I can leave for Italy!

New Computer

Well Mike got me a new Mac so I've been kinda in and out with my access..... so far - I'm not impressed. I can't get my email so I have to keep running over to my old computer to log on and get my email over there... I guess as I get older I start to hate change more and more! I feel like an old lady!

I leave next week for Italiano, so not ready, but it will be all good once I get on that plane.....

I cheered so loud after AI last night I was sure I woke up my kids up - okay, I just wrote a whole bunch - hit something and it deleted it all, but I couldn't "UNDO", strike 2 for the Mac

Anyway - as I was saying - I told Mike if Blake got voted off before (oh and the monitor is much bigger, but the writing is much smaller, good think I got lasik done because I don't know how people can see the silly screen) Sanjaya I wasn't going to watch anymore!

I finally found my charger! Here we are the old foggies on Easter...definitely have that "it was a long day at church look". I also found the Birthday Boy pictures at Chuck E's. The cute 3 boys right - Hayden, Lucas, and on the left.... Payson Brackett (Rachel's 5th).

I HATE SEARS!!

I have had this year long saga going with my Kenmore Frontloading washing machine, I cannot believe what a headache it has given me.... Last year my washer went out- it was only 2 years old at the time - there was a bolt loose and it every time it spinned it basically got out of whack and seared off the bolt holding it together... the fix it guy "did me a favor" and replaced 3-4 parts at once because it was such a mess - well they had to keep coming out, I had to get a rental, blah blah blah ..... well by the end of it all, I was one visit short of them lemon lawing it, basically because the tech did all the parts at once instead of one more separate call - so here I am at the end of my rolling 12 months still having problems and so I waited ALL afternoon again - he just called, surprise - he isn't coming.....

I'm ready to sell my machines on Craig's List!!