Sunday, January 4, 2009
We were so blessed to have all of our children here and my parents! That is the very best gift of Christmas--to spend time with one another and share the love we feel for one another. "Santa" was so good to the children this year--a Wii and a large arcade basketball game (sounds like an entire team is playing upstairs-LOL), American Girl, and other fun surprises. Jason, Kara, Mandy, and Lori are such great "elves" and are so fun to be with. Jason brought his friend Chad and he is a super duper elf! As we had very techy gifts this year, it was so fabulous to have our own "geek squad"! Maddie very much enjoyed some big girl time with her older sisters and Lilly always had someone energetic enough to play with her. I think this is the first Christmas that I went to bed before midnight! Sooooooooooo nice! We enjoyed having Nana and Papa here, although the noise, noise, noise, noise probably got to them a little bit. I was incredibly touched by the thoughtful gifts my children gave one another and gave me this year--it is fun to have working children... From a new phone, more wii accessories than I can imagine-including a wii fit (is that a hint), blu-ray dvd's, babysitting, popcorn popper, a new all clad french pan, wireless intercoms, a not so funny radar detector--to be returned, an adorable glass shoe soap dispenser, and too many other things to mention. Steve, of course, got a blu-ray player, new knives-for the kitchen as I am not allowed to chop things, some sham-wow's, a Seinfeld game, and other delights. The generosity of our children to us and one another was only matched in how each of them shared with others less fortunate. Our hearts were truly touched as we see this family tradition carried on in their adult lives. Yes, we had alot of fun and sure enjoy our presents, but the best gift of Christmas is Love and that was in abundance.
Monday, December 8, 2008
We had such a fabulous and fun Thanksgiving with almost all of our children and a few of their significant others. LOL! We went to "Winter Wonderland" and went ice skating, ice sliding, sleigh riding, played elf games, visited the elf village, through the candy cane forest, to see Santa Claus, and roasted marshmellows and made s'mores! We enjoyed the lights in St. Augustine and a fun and festive time was had by all!
We had such a fabulous and fun Thanksgiving with almost all of our children and a few of their significant others. LOL! We went to "Winter Wonderland" and went ice skating, ice sliding, sleigh riding, played elf games, visited the elf village, through the candy cane forest, to see Santa Claus, and roasted marshmellows and made s'mores! We enjoyed the lights in St. Augustine and a fun and festive time was had by all!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
We hit the ground running now that we are home! So many activities and things to do. First up was Lilly's first soccer game and she scored two goals! Way to go, girl! Maddie has started a drama and art class at the cultural center and we are settling into the homeschool groove. Maddie and Lilly are both in a hip hop class (we had to beg for them to let Lilly in since she is under the age limit and she is the best in the class). Of course, there is swim team and we are trying to add in tennis and surfing! Maddie is progressing very well with piano and Lilly is progressing with her reading. So, all in all, good--but busy. Mandy is still conflicted about where to work for the next 9-10 months. She has several job offers, but can't make up her mind. There are good and bad things about each one so it is hard. Hopefully, the dream job will appear soon because her car needs some work and it would be better to buy a new car. LOL! She has made a few friends from yoga and church so maybe she will stay here. :) As of this moment the house is still and quiet and I am going to enjoy every minute of it.
Friday, September 5, 2008
As we wrap up this amazing trip, we are first so grateful for Mandy who had to do much more than anticipated. She has survived hurricanes, Lilly’s pinworms—LOL, meltdowns, first day of school, church activities, and so much more. Truly, she is now prepared for just about anything and her maturity and confidence has shown through with flying colors. As much as we are grateful we are so proud of her! Most appreciated has been her cheerful attitude and handling of situations with such good humor and aplomb! She is such a wonderful, amazing, and darling girl and we love her soooo much. Maddie and Lilly have been in such great spirits and not whiny when we spoke with them and we are thankful for their helpfulness and sweetness and we love them sooo much, too. They have handled missing their parents and enduring a possible hurricane (with Maddie dragging in all of the outdoor furniture LOL) and many experiences quite well for their ages. We are very proud of their bravery and trust in their sister.
Some memorable experiences include the waiter in France asking if I have gas?, want gas? (we then figured out that he was asking if we wanted carbonation in the water—LOL), Steve arguing with a dishonest taxi car driver in Athens L, of course, running for the cruise ship tender in Villefranche, all of the lovely white clothing worn in Santorini and Capri, playing our cruise ship game of who got the better deal J, Steve calling our cabin steward Edouard instead of Wendell—go figure, Julie our fabulous shopping and port info lady—she knows her stuff, signing up for tours late on the dock with Pia therby avoiding all of the hurry up and wait stuff, ginormous, it’s nap, super nice bartenders who always got our “drinks” (sodas) right, watching Steve stuffing himself and then troll for food after dinner after eating 3 appetizers and 2 entrée’s and 2 desserts and too many rolls to count, I love the room service breakfast and in particular the brioche, and of, too many others to mention. Special mention to crazy lady, drunk obnoxious guy, and mean husband man. Love the funicular/funicula cable cars in Capri, Santorini, and Barcelona! And why is it that you cannot find the same yummy yogurt, bread, and pizza here in America?? Why, why, why??? Is it the water, the flour, the ovens, the cows??? An, I am sooooo going to miss crepes and yogurt and baguettes and pizza and GELATI!
In particular, it has been touching to have walked where so many have walked before thousands of years ago and to see what our children have seen as they have traveled around Europe. We have so much in common with every culture and something to admire in each country that we don’t have. It has been an amazing journey and what a way to cap off 30 years of marriage!
As they say…
Cheers, Au Revoir, Arrivedirchi, Ciao, Bye-Bye
Sept. 2nd, 2008
The beginning of the day went well. We were on Air France—which allows us to be in the Air France salon prior to boarding our flight and of my—better than any Delta lounge! Fresh French pastries, yummy European yogurt, cheese, fresh baguettes and bread, delicious juices, bottled evian, and lots of little snacks and crackers and biscuits… Then we are in our cushy Air France seats with more yummy breakfast—cheese, yogurt, bread, fruit, etc…
A change in Paris—CDG, a long walk and another wonderful salon wait—and a little shopping (mostly looking as the shops were Hermes, Ferragamo, and other major designers…). I bought some macaroons to take home and then we were off on another blissful flight. Frankly, it is a vacation to just fly Air France first class—fully reclining seats, nice pillows, all kinds of food and snacks and fresh fruit, choice of movies and games and tv—super nice. I am thoroughly spoiled. Then, back in the USA—disaster! It takes an incredibly long time to get our luggage and go through customs (an hour and a half!!) and then we have just a few minutes until our flight leaves and the tram/bus/train has a problem and the computer has to be reset which takes precious time, so we finally arrive at our terminal and blessedly, so we think, our gate is immediately to the right of the exit and we can see our plane which still has the blocks on the wheels. We rush to the jetway, but they won’t let us on and say there is another plane in an hour that we can still make our connection with so no problem…
Right---WRONG!!!! We board that plane and taxi out only to have the pilots inform us that they have been “grounded” due to an argument that they had with the FAA on their previous flight. So, we taxi back and exit the plane and then have to take a taxi to Reagan National where they are supposed to be holding the 8 pm flight for us—Right—WRONG!! They put us on a 9 pm flight and, of course, it arrives too late in Atlanta and we miss our Jax connection and have to spend the night and fly out the next morning!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Anyway, we are FINALLY home and all is well!
The beginning of the day went well. We were on Air France—which allows us to be in the Air France salon prior to boarding our flight and of my—better than any Delta lounge! Fresh French pastries, yummy European yogurt, cheese, fresh baguettes and bread, delicious juices, bottled evian, and lots of little snacks and crackers and biscuits… Then we are in our cushy Air France seats with more yummy breakfast—cheese, yogurt, bread, fruit, etc…
A change in Paris—CDG, a long walk and another wonderful salon wait—and a little shopping (mostly looking as the shops were Hermes, Ferragamo, and other major designers…). I bought some macaroons to take home and then we were off on another blissful flight. Frankly, it is a vacation to just fly Air France first class—fully reclining seats, nice pillows, all kinds of food and snacks and fresh fruit, choice of movies and games and tv—super nice. I am thoroughly spoiled. Then, back in the USA—disaster! It takes an incredibly long time to get our luggage and go through customs (an hour and a half!!) and then we have just a few minutes until our flight leaves and the tram/bus/train has a problem and the computer has to be reset which takes precious time, so we finally arrive at our terminal and blessedly, so we think, our gate is immediately to the right of the exit and we can see our plane which still has the blocks on the wheels. We rush to the jetway, but they won’t let us on and say there is another plane in an hour that we can still make our connection with so no problem…
Right---WRONG!!!! We board that plane and taxi out only to have the pilots inform us that they have been “grounded” due to an argument that they had with the FAA on their previous flight. So, we taxi back and exit the plane and then have to take a taxi to Reagan National where they are supposed to be holding the 8 pm flight for us—Right—WRONG!! They put us on a 9 pm flight and, of course, it arrives too late in Atlanta and we miss our Jax connection and have to spend the night and fly out the next morning!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Anyway, we are FINALLY home and all is well!
Day 11 and we are off the ship early to explore Capri and Sorrento. We take a hydrofoil to Capri and take a cable car to the top. I somehow didn’t expect so much of Greece and Italy to be so mountainous and such rocky coastlines. Breathtaking views all the way to the top! So much green here and a profusion of flowers. Even though it was very warm, they are thriving and just gorgeous. Lots of vines and vine covered arches, and portico’s, and the walls and the walkways—everywhere! We set off exploring walking past all of the designer boutiques and lovely hotels and then got off the beaten path and wound through private homes and villas and saw locals walking home with their groceries or getting a pastry and coffee. We had a gelati—so good—and then took the cable car called the funicular down and got on the hydrofoil for Sorrento. Sorrento is such a quaint Italian town—somewhat authentic in feel although it is touristy. Lots of locals about mingling with the tourist. We took a bus to the top and the view was just amazing as we drove through huge stone walls covered in vines and with thew occasional balcony. Very colorful buildings and shops and café’s. We had the best pizza of our life there and the best gelati of the trip—a vanilla and cherry! Oh, I will miss this and can’t wait to return to eat there again! And again!! We walked down a street with many tourist vendors, but more authentic merchandise and that was enjoyable. Lots of pasta and limoncello and just too much to look at with such full bellies and tired and sweaty bodies so we hopped a bus and rode around seeing more of this delightful town. Alas, time to get back to the ship on another hydrofoil and luckily we did make it as we arrived at 6:15 and the ship—set to leave at 7 left at 6:45!! A quick change and a yummy dinner followed by a group called BeatleMania who gave a great concert and then off to bed!
Day 10—we can’t believe it. A 7 day cruise will feel so short now! LOL! A lovely day at sea, sleeping in and relaxing and taking care of a few errands—our passports returned and getting our souvenir glasses, playing bingo—no wins--L, looking at our photos and meeting Julie in preparation for Naples, Sorrento, and Capri!
Oh today was my favorite of the whole trip! Santorini is soooooo gorgeous. We tendered in to a small dock and took a cable car straight up the top of the mountain to Fira. We rented a Vespa and rode around the whole island. Everywhere I looked was so charming, quaint, picturesque and beautiful. I wish I could have had a video camera on my helmut and it could have recorded everything I saw because I just couldn’t take enough pictures. One of the most interesting and unusual places I have ever been! We first went to the town of Oia where the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was filmed and walked around admiring the vistas. At one point we walked down the zig zag path of the ancient traditional homes, but it was very steep so we only went halfway down. We found a bakery/patisserie restaurant that made all their own bread and had a yummy sandwich while overlooking the Aegean sea from the mountain top. Unbelievable! It reminded us of Aruba in some ways—one side mountains and a rocky coast and the other beaches. The island is a crescent shape because a volcano eruption took out the outer third of the island and caused a tidal wave 820 feet high and traveling 200 plus miles per hour. As no bones or jewelry was found during excavation it is assumed that they had advanced notice and escaped to another island. Hopefully, not the island of Crete as that island’s inhabitants were totally destroyed!
On the main road that went from one end of the island to the other you could see ocean from either side—soooo gorgeous—the white stucco/adobe buildings with blue roofs and doors, many with crosses on the domes! We went to Kamari and Perissa beach (black sand and rocks—clearly left from the volcano eruptions) and the water was not very salty and very refreshing! Alas, our day was drawing to a close so we returned to Fira for our cable car ride down. This is where things took a little turn for the worse—the line was very long, maybe 2 hours or so—and as there were 4 cruise ships in port and all of us trying to make the tenders back, we decided to not chance it and walk down the mountain on these stone and marble steep steps that zig zag down! I am not sure how many steps, but it took me 40 minutes (it would have taken Steve less—LOL). It wouldn’t have been so back except it was the same path the donkeys—and I do mean donkeys, like 100 of them—and they left their calling cards all the way down. L So, the smell was unpleasant, the steps treacherous, and the donkeys themselves in the way! Anyway, I was exhausted upon arrival and my legs were like jelly! Nevertheless, an incredible day—so romantic and fun and what I always dreamed of. Also, we were actually hungry for dinner—what a nice surprise! J
On the main road that went from one end of the island to the other you could see ocean from either side—soooo gorgeous—the white stucco/adobe buildings with blue roofs and doors, many with crosses on the domes! We went to Kamari and Perissa beach (black sand and rocks—clearly left from the volcano eruptions) and the water was not very salty and very refreshing! Alas, our day was drawing to a close so we returned to Fira for our cable car ride down. This is where things took a little turn for the worse—the line was very long, maybe 2 hours or so—and as there were 4 cruise ships in port and all of us trying to make the tenders back, we decided to not chance it and walk down the mountain on these stone and marble steep steps that zig zag down! I am not sure how many steps, but it took me 40 minutes (it would have taken Steve less—LOL). It wouldn’t have been so back except it was the same path the donkeys—and I do mean donkeys, like 100 of them—and they left their calling cards all the way down. L So, the smell was unpleasant, the steps treacherous, and the donkeys themselves in the way! Anyway, I was exhausted upon arrival and my legs were like jelly! Nevertheless, an incredible day—so romantic and fun and what I always dreamed of. Also, we were actually hungry for dinner—what a nice surprise! J
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Today we are in Athens, Greece and we went to the Acropolis--and climbed to the top and all around. The Acropolis is basically a fort around a stadium, temples, a theatre and of course The Parthenon which is the largest and oldest Temple. Huge and amazing--the views are magnificent, I can see why it was a formidable fort. We then walked to the Plaka past some very nice homes--like brownstones only all marble. In fact, everything is marble--streets, buildings, columns, pathways... I would not want to walk them in the rain--very slick--difficult enought when dry. LOL! Steve says I am a billy goat as I am scampering along. I am driven to get to the shade and air conditioned shopping. The Plaka is the oldest shopping/village in the world?? and very interesting. This city has 4 million people and pretty much everywhere you look is something old in the middle of the new. I am glad we went, but if we are here again on a cruise then I think I would rather take a Flying Dolphin hydrofoil to the closest island of Aegean. There are 1800 Greek islands and 700 are inhabited. In all of Greece there is 10 million people and 4 million of that are in Athens... Anyway, we are hot and tired and ready to relax on the ship. We have a lovely view from our balcony and we will have a restful afternoon.
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