A Year of Change

After 19 hours of flying we landed in Denver around 5:30pm. Our ride was stuck in traffic so we sat out on the curb for about 20 minutes waiting to get on our way home.

The first flight at 10:30pm Denver time on the night of the 11th was delayed an hour so we sat on the tarmac for 1/2 hour before our journey home began. Next up was Frankfurt where we had about 2 1/2 hours before boarding for the U.S. We finally got on and settled in only to find we were surrounded by a plane full of Russian women on their way to the U.S. The misses was sitting next to the lady who was in charge of the group. It was made up of 50 education people or teachers that were splitting up into 10 groups of 5 going all over the country to visit how we teach our children. Most if not all of these women had never been on a plane and it was quite obvious. They strolled up and down the aisles for what seemed like the whole flight, even when the fasten seat belt light was on. They clearly had a different way of doing things. At one point I looked over to the misses and said “what stinks” only to find out the lady behind me was taking a sponge bath in her seat! The next time someone wonders why I go out of my way to maintain my elite status (flying a minimum of 50,000 mile per year), try sitting in coach with a bunch of smelly Russians for 9 hours!. We finally landed in the rain in Washington D.C. and cleared customs and were off to our gate for our last flight home. While boarding their was a man trying to check a bag and he was getting no attention from the gate attendant. We were at the front of the line due to our elite status (we get to board first) and after talking to this guy found out he had Parkinson’s. I told him to stay with me and board with us and I would take his bag and carry it on and put it by my seat and then carry it off for him. He was very thankful and couldn’t stop thanking me in his southern Virginia drawl. When he met us getting off the plane he continued to thank me and told the boys what a good man their dad was. I gave him my card after he said he needed a new neurologist as I thought maybe whatever my Mom was taking might be better than what he was, who knows.

Anyhow, home at last and the dogs were super happy to see us. We showered quickly and were all asleep by 7:30pm. The misses, the little guy and I (all prompted by the little guy) woke up at 3. It’s now about 4:30 in the morning. Back to the dogs, it seems Aunt B bought the dogs new beds, dishes, toys and exercised them a bunch. I’m not sure they wanted us to come home! Thanks so much, it’s a big relief when you can go away knowing your pets are well taken care of.

We are going to write up a separate summary of the trip for everyone complete with pictures that will hopefully be done by next Monday. Today will be filled with laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping and work. One thing we have to say is how different, and we think better, everyday life is in Europe. No one watches tv much n’or are they consumed with the every day news cycle like we are here. They pretty much get up and take care of living life each day ignoring most of the drama going on in the World. It seems it’s all about family and being happy and of course good food with fresh local ingredients. What a difference. One other point, everyone is happy living in small spaces that are set up to be very efficient. Kitchens especially are smaller than ours but set up better. Everyone also recycles everything, not much waste. We could all learn a thing or two from them.

It’s now 4:40 and I need to shower and head to the store for some eggs and fresh coffee from Starbucks but am doubtful it will be anything close to the great coffee and milk we had over there. The misses and I are determined to change our family’s diet to include more fresh veggies and fruit in all of our diets. We have to try to get off the chemically stuffed pre packaged foods our country is full of. We’ve always tried to eat well but need to do better. So much of what we eat here is just not good for us. Ok ok, I’ll stop before I go off on a rant. We didn’t miss politics at all and surprise, nothing much changed. Maybe I need to give up all the politics watching all together. It’s just so “in your face” here. I’m going to try though, wish me luck.

Take care and sorry about the inconsistent posting, we’ll get back on track, promise. God Bless,

Today was filled with a morning trip to the market which is a group of merchants that travel and set up in a different town each day. They have everything from clothes to kitchen utensils to shoes and more. The women bought some scarves while the boys and I patiently followed along. Next up was a trip down to the river to let the boys burn off some stored up energy. Then off to lunch where we had amazing food. I had rissotto with scampi (fresh) with truffles which is too hard to describe so I will just say it was great. The misses had some kind of fresh salad also with fresh fish and it was all topped off with some sort of prosecco, lemon and a small splash of vodka blended like a smoothie! What, how do these people work? Oh wait, they close everything down from about 1 until 4:30 each day, what a life.

We then went with Kristina on a road trip to several small surrounding towns to see various castles and historical sites. We are now back at their home waiting for Paolo who is making pizza for everyone to eat along with 1996 Salon champagne. (this is a stupidly sick expensive bottle of french champagne that the misses has never even had) Their oven even has a brick for making pizza on the bottom shelf and he is still out buying special supplies for the pizzas. We hope to get back to our hotel by 10 (it is now 7pm) to pack as in the morning we head to Verona. To our surprise, Kristina is going with us to show us the town and she will take a 8pm train an hour and a half back to Montebelluna where we are now. We told her this was not necessary but she will not take no for an answer saying she must show us Verona. This is a welcome treat as it would not be easy for us to even get there as we are way off the Autostrada or highway.

Anyhow we probably will not get to post tomorrow and the next morning we get on a plane so this will most likely be it until we get home. Hope all is well, we have had a magical time and seen more than money could buy thanks to the generosity of our friends both here in Italy and Slovenia. It has been great but it will also be great to get home. That is the great thing about home, it is always good to get back to!

Take care, God Bless and we will see you all soon,

Ok, thankfully we have great friends here as we would have never made it into or out of Venice on our own. It is spectacular but so crowded and expensive you would not believe it. Picture NY on the most crowded day possible and multiply by at least 5.

We walked for miles and had a great time but were so glad to get out. We took a water taxi (like in James Bond,s Casino Royale) when we left which was amazing. We just finished pasta with tono (tuna) at Paolo and Kristinas house and the boys are watching their first tv in a week. Tomorrow morning is the market in Valdobiadenne and then we are grilling some bistecca (steak) tomorrow night. It seems like we have been gone a month so it will be good to get home but every day has brought something exciting and new.

As I said breifly about yesterday, we went to the top of this mountain where they made fresh cheese (all kinds) from these giant european cows like from the movie Heidi complete with cow bells and all. It also started to snow and was so cold until we drove down the mountain about 1200 meters lower where it warmed up again.

I will try to write tomorrow as the next day we probably will not get to as we are on our own driving to Verona. We then fly out at 10:30pm Tuesday night Colorado time for home and are due to arrive around 5:30 Wednesday night. We will get lots of pictures and send you all a detailed summary of the trip.

Hope all is well and everyone is safe, take care and God Bless.

Sorry for missing the past few days, here is a quick update as I am on the hotel desk computer.

2 days ago we drove thru a driving rain storm and arrived in Trevisio. We went to town that night and then had dinner with Paolo and Kristina who had checked us into a great hotel, looks like a palace!

yesterday we drove to the cellar , had the most incredible sea food lunch and then went to the top of this mountain where it was snowing! They had big cows with bells and made their own cheese of which we bought a bunch. Then more food at the best pizza place where Paolo has been going for 33 years!More later

Today off to Venice. I am keeping good details and have missed much (like the best meal of our lives the last night in Slovenia) but will share more later, have to run

God Bless

Today we drove to the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea to a great spot with lots of fancy hotels and old people in speedos. We walked around a bit and had a great lunch on the water. Our oldest guy has taken to spaghetti and clams and is eating them where ever we go. The little guy is still on butter noodles. Tonight we are going to a great place so we will keep you posted.

We are taking lots of pictures and there is too much to talk about. The misses and I just finished a nap and are getting ready for dinner while the kids are outside with Jakob.

Tomorrow we head off to trevisio down by Venice so we will let you know when we arrive.

Take care, God Bless and thanks Aunt B for watching our doggies

Yesterday after much needed sleep we headed out to Kobarid. Aleks oldest son Jure was our guide which was a good thing as we would have never found our way. After we stopped at the WW1 trenches we went down into town for lunch which was fantastic. Next up was the museum which was really something else.To give you and idea of how big this battle was, they had over 9 million casulties. We then were going tohead up the Soca river valley but the litttle guy was getting tired of being in the car sowe headed home.

First up was the pool,then the hot tub and sauna and the kids then played for hours with Yakob who is 14. Aleks had to fly to Montenegro which is an hour away so it was the misses and I and Martina and a few bottles of champagne watching the sun set. Todaay we,re headed tothe Adriatic Sea which is only about 30minutes away. (sorry for the punctuation but on this keyboard I cannot find certain things)

Martina is making us some fresh bread and something right now as I sit in her kitchen using the computer. Weather is great and we,re getting lots ofpictures. Hope all is well at home, more tomorrow.

God Bless, p.s. the church bellsring every 30 minutes here fromabout 7am until 7pm!

Ok, after some bad weather going into D.C. and a five and a half hour layover in Munich, we finally landed in Verona around 2pm italian time. We then drove about 2 hours to Slovenia where we just got settled in at our friends Aleks and Martina vineyard. I,m writing on their computer which is strange as the letters are all mixed up being from Slovenia. Here,s an example for you, ŽŽĆĆČlkkŠĐeE and son on. Anyhow what a beautiful place. >I have to leave it at that for now but will write more while you all are sleeping. I hope some of you had a chance to look at the link from the other day.

Anyhow, we,re safe, tired and having dinner at their house and then hitting the hay.

Take care and God Bless, wish you were here!

Well it took all day but we’re all packed and ready to go. We will check 2 bags and carry 1 on in case our bags are lost, wouldn’t be the first time! Uncle T is taking us to the airport and our flight leaves at 10:30. We get to Dulles around 4 and take off for Munich around 6pm. By 4am your time (or 3am PST) we will be landing in Verona. As soon as we get to our estate, we’ll call someone.

The dogs know something’s up, they always do but they’ll be ok. All other details are handled so we’re good to go. Both boys have their own digital cameras so they can document the trip for their classmates. They’ll also be keeping a journal (each of them) so we can all read them when we get home.

I’m going to try to stay up on the posts but keep in mind we’re 8 or 9 hours ahead of you with limited internet. I may have to do 2 in a day but don’t worry I’ll get them up somehow. I’m going to hand this off to the misses now so from me, take care of yourselves while we’re gone and don’t do anything crazy. God Bless, here’s the misses….

The boys had a good day of playing…they were out most of the day on there bikes along with Ben the neighbor boy.  Ben went to his Grandma’s house for a couple of hours and our guys asked over and over and over again for us to take them to putt putt golf.  We patiently declined the first thirty times, but finally had to lay down the law.  Ben’s mom offered to take them out for golf to reciprocate for the night we had Ben.  This worked out well because we had five free golf games..our two boys her two boys and one extra game just in case Jen wanted to participate.  Jen also served up a meal of Di Journo pizza….thanks Jen.  The boys ate outside and played outside until well after 8:p.m. when we dragged them in to shower and head to bed.

Bob and Fred have clean fish bowls and will hopefully not miss us to much.  I’m sure Auntie B will tell them “Goodnight” each night before she leaves. Thank you again Auntie Blondie. Our lab has an ear infection that is finally starting to clear up.  Auntie B should only have five evenings of ear drops to administer. Once again, thank you Auntie B and thank you Uncle T for coming up the hill with Auntie B…..it’s a bit scary with all of the Halloween decorations out.

We are all super excited….God Bless,

LLF

Good morning. Our sleep was once again interrupted from the big dog barking and howling at 2:34a.m.  The Mister had the pleasure of getting up and bringing the big dog in. It looks as though the big dog will have to spend the nights inside, in his crate while we are gone. Auntie B will just have to tell Mojo to get in the crate and offer up a treat…he is really good about getting in his crate….it seems to be a safe place for him.  We have to attach two carabiner clips (mountaineering clips) to the crate or the big dog breaks right out. He is warming my feet at this very moment.

We have a little bit to do today.  Exercise is number 1 on the list.  Packing is number two…I have the boys clothes ready to go, but the Mister and I have yet to begin. We also have to clean house so we don’t return to a disaster zone. Bob and Fred need their bowls cleaned, so they can make it until we return. I am going to get a mani-pedi, because one really can not go to Europe with unkempt hands and feet. We also want to make a lunch run up the hill to see the Fall colors before they disappear.  We are hoping that Grandma will join us.

We had one of the neighbor kids over yesterday.  I had agreed to let him stay while his mom ran an errand and then was enlightened to find out that he would be with us until 6:00p.m. which turned out to be 7:00p.m. The three boys got along fairly well.  However, when it comes to sharing our guys are much more proficient. Just a bit of drama. The neighbor boy did say he would rather live with us…that is a nice compliment. He said we have better food and we do fun things, go figure. My guys rarely like our food and I don’t think that they are aware of how fun we really are.  Maybe someday.  They do offer up the occasional, “You’re the best parents ever”! That is a truly heartfelt compliment.

The boys are both up and watching Bugs Bunny.  I used to love Saturday morning cartoons. Of course those were the days before cartoons were on all day everyday.  We are looking forward to no television, no newspaper, and no daily bad news.

Did anyone look at the link to Almavista? What a beautiful place.  We can hardly wait. Yes, it’s less than 27 hours until “Wheels up”. One short flight to D.C.  A couple of hours in the airport and wheels up again to Verona…the home of Romeo and Juliet. Verona is also home to one of the oldest standing Coliseums in Italy. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.

The boys want to go to putt putt golf today…I’m sure we will have no trouble fitting that into our schedule.  The youngest won 5 free golf games in his “Friday drawing” at school.  If you do all of your homework you are eligible for the drawing and our guy won this week. Those teachers have the best incentives.  We will see, maybe we can talk someone into, or hire someone to take them this afternoon.  There is also football on today that we will have to work around. Yikes!!

Well, I am off to run…literally. Both boys are draped over my lap and making it quite difficult to type. Have a lovely day and we will let you know if we make it through our list.

God Bless,

LLF

Today’s post is number 275. Our first post was December 31st so after the day is over, we should have finished 275 of the 365 days in this year. My little brother will be putting up his Christmas tree after he reads this!

48 hours from now we’ll be getting dressed and ready to head out to the airport. It’s supposed to be sunny and in the mid to high 70’s while we’re there with showers on a couple of days. We have a great trip planned out with our first stop in Goriska Brda in Slovenia at our good friends, Aleks and Martina Simcic. Click here or copy and paste into your browser to see more,

www.almavista.si/en/index.php ,

It’s a really beautiful place that is a lot like Italy was 30 or 40 years ago before it was overrun with tourists. I don’t know if you know, but until the end of World War II, it was part of Italy. The dolomites (a mountain range) are right there starring you in the face, and the rivers are a blue greenish chalky white color from all the glacial run off. It’s really a great place to visit and we’re really looking forward to it. After a few days visiting here we head off for a estate about an hour north of Venice. Paolo and Kristina are waiting for us and have arranged for an apartment for us right by his estate. We will be eating lots of seafood and enjoying the flavor of the local towns. On one day we are all going down to Venice where will we all spend the day and then the night at a friend of Paolo’s who owns a hotel. I’ve always said it makes a huge difference to visit a country if you have a friend or local contact to really show you around. We’re really lucky to have such good friends who really want to reciprocate for all the times we’ve hosted them in the states. I’m not sure how consistent the blog will be from there but we’ll do our best.

Yesterday was a productive day at work and I’m happy, or more like relieved, that my thoughts to overhaul things for 2012 were embraced. We have a lot going on but with proper planning, I think we’ll be ok. I just saw a text from my partner who was supposed to have a 5:15 flight last night saying that his plane had “an epic mechanical problem” and they finally took off at 10pm! Wow, I feel bad he had to sit at the airport for over 6 hours, but at least he made it home.

Lots of last minute running around today. I’d love to grab Grandma and drive up to the mountains for lunch or something just to see the aspen trees changing as I’m afraid all the leaves will be gone by the time we get home. We’ll see if we can work it out.

I’m feeling 100% better and am hoping I’ve kicked whatever it was that I had. Both dogs are sleeping at my feet and we’re trying to let Mojo in as much as possible since we’ll be gone soon. Tomorrow the Broncos play the Green Bay Packers, it’s a big day in these parts and my Mom will be glued to the tv.

No politics or stuff like that today, I’m trying to get into the vacation/relaxation mode now and that stuff just pisses me off. The misses and I sure need and deserve this break, and I can’t tell you how much we’re looking forward to it! She’s the most excited I’ve seen her in a long long time.

Time to sign off so I can get some banking and bill paying done before everyone wakes up. I also need to make copies of all our important papers and the misses will start gathering all the clothes and stuff to pack today. We’ll also need to clean out the fridge a bit so things don’t go bad. So, until tomorrow, take care and God Bless, wish some of you could come along, maybe next time, you’re always welcome.