So...whats for dinner?
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Thanks all for the well wishes. Yes Lacey - the doc said I was way better to break it
I am just a very impatient person. How wonderful - Puccini/Verdi concert in Lucca - doesn't get better than that eh?
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Tazzy, my goodness! I hope that you heal quickly.... and yes, I am totally jealous of Italian operas in Italy. Does it get any better than that?
*susan*
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Tazzy, sorry to hear about your accident. I'm wincing at the pain you experienced.
Lacey, I'm enjoying your packing adventure! I think my problems with packing for a trip start with the fact that I'm not a great clothing shopper. I'm guilty of buying a pair of shorts or slacks that I like but aren't easy to team up with a blouse. I've actually taken clothes to Good Will that still have the tag on them! Impulse buys from the sales rack. Hm. I wonder if one could hire an expert to come to one's home and pack for a trip.
We travelled to Manistee, MI, today and are set up in our new rv park site at a casino outside town. The casino is within walking distance and has three restaurants. For dinner we'll walk to the casino and try one of the restaurants. I warmed up the last of the beef soup for lunch and I'm not inspired to cook tonight.
We talked about playing golf tomorrow but the forecast holds a good possibility of rain. Maybe I'll go to the casino instead and make a small fortune to cover our summer expenses. Yeah. RIGHT!
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I pulled a ton of lamb chunks from the freezer yesterday, and today I trimmed and browned it all. 6 lbs of raw meat turned into about 4.5 trimmed, and then of course, it shrunk even more when I browned. I am using Julia Child's lamb stew for cassoulet recipe which I pull out for a totally different dish. I am now covered in oil spritz and smell just a bit like lamb and onions. Dinner will be a reconfiguration of last night's dinner, but this time the beef, salsa, beans, and rice will be stuffed into a burrito. I actually don't like burritos, but Mr. 02143 and the-kid-almost-in-law does too. I might just make a salad with a bit of sliced beef on top.
Another busy week coming up. Four days at client offices, and if my mother's house is ready, I will head North again to help her with this last push. I sure could use another two days this weekend so I can actually code. So many on-site visits lately that I haven't had enough time to actually get the work done!
Lacey, when does you plane take off? My closet isn't big enough to shop. I know my 9 dresses intimately. Speaking of which, I MUST find time to shop for a dress for my kid's wedding. le _sigh_ I hate to shop. My body isn't clothing friendly. And everything is fake. My kingdom for a cotton dress that I like.
*susan*
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Hello all. Been having phone troubles so not posting much.
Tazzy, Laurie welcome back! . Tazzy sorry about the ankle! That is not fun. Heal fast.
You guys can add me - I'm a size 10.
My DH and kids treated me to a birthday celebration for my 60th on Friday. So mexican it was. Yum. All my kids made it, my DH and 4 of my sibs too. Plus a couple friends came by for drinks. Fun. As usual, I'm the short one! LOL
Much love to all.
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Moon,
Happy Birthday!!!!! How wonderful that all the kids, plus siblings, made it to your celebration. You have so much to celebrate. [and may I say, you look terrific!]
*susan*
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Moon, what a beautiful, happy photo to document your 60th birthday celebration! And yes, you look great!
On Friday when DS2 was over we were looking at family photos (request of Chicago girl and it was fun to do!), and came across a series of pix from my mother's 70th birthday celebration. 70 seemed so far away and belonged to another generation then. Next summer, with luck, DH and I reach that decade...Yikes!
Still involved in sorting, packing, culling, re-packing, again and again....
I have the same "discordent" wardrobe issue that you mention, Carole,.....random sale purchases that seem good at the time, but go with nothing already living in the closet! However....this packing task got me pulling out things that lo and behold, make outfits! Especially with scarves to pull it all together! I guess I made enough random purchases this year after losing weight that things were eventually bound to blend....and I'm benefitting from that now. And, if course I want to take ALL of my discoveries! Can't happen...
Speaking of shopping,.....Susan, have you ever tried Frugal Fannie's for dresses? She has more inventory of all occasion dresses than I have ever seen anywhere, and the prices are great (just like the TV ad says!) I have to keep myself away from there or I will be tempted to buy more dresses, and I really have no place to wear them! I remember struggling to find a dress for DS1s wedding, and after a long frustrating search through all the dept stores, walked in to a local discount store one day and saw a teal dress across the room that I loved.....and it fit pretty well. Scooped it up, got it altered a bit and wore it happily. Happy hunting! I hope you can carve out enough time for yourself to give the selection process its just do...this is a special event for you, Mr. 02143, and DD! And there really is a mother of the bride dress for every body type!
I have decided not to drive myself nuts trying to pack everything in a carry on size bag, especially since I'd rather put my liquids, gels etc., in a checked bag and not have to worry about the TSA confiscating anything I really need, given all my new skin "allergy chasing" potions. So my thinking then moved to "why squeeze things in a small bag if I'm going to check it, anyway"?
DH was looking at shirts in TJ Maxx and saw a very lightweight roller bag one size up from a carry on, and got it for me. The sad thing is I have a very similar suitcase, (tho heavier) but it has been living in a plastic bag in our attic for a couple of years, and the dusty smell from the attic has permeated the fabric. My allergies flare up and I wheeze every time I try to take a sniff to see if it is fading...even after sending it out to sunbathe today.....thus the new bag. I just can't take the chance of having an allergic reaction from wearing clothes packed in an allergy inducing bag when in the mountains of Tuscany! My new bag will definitely find a home in a bedroom closet now. Tomorrow we are meeting up with a local woman who stayed at the villa we are renting in Tuscany. And then more packing and culling, repacking and probably more culling, etc.......wish I could be like the people on the videos! It'll never happen!
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The thought of susan and "mother of the bride dress" in the same sentence is making me giggle! My first stop will be Susanna's in Cambridge. If that is a fail, I will spread my wings to all the other aging-hippie dress shops in the area. I actually have bought many winter coats at Fannies' but the thrill of the hunt for a dress isn't in my core, so not sure I could poke through that many racks in search of the hidden gem. Did I mention hating to shop? [Well unless it is a kitchen store, of course.]
I think getting your "potions" to Italy is more important than no under-plane luggage as well. Just don't overpack that bag since you might want to bring some special items home with you. My mother's friend had a special drawer for older underwear. When she travelled, that is the underwear she packed, and every day she just threw the dirty one out. By the time she was ready to return home, she had enough room for a few gifts for her kids. Now that is packing smart!
*susan*
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Moon - so glad to see you. I was thinking about you just last week. Happy Belated B-day.
Lacey - I know what you mean about "old". I hit 70 this year so I should be over the hill, but except for this darn BC mess, I don't feel old. Or anyway my brain doesn't feel old.
Susan - good idea about packing undies. I have a friend who goes to WalMart & buys cheap undies & does the same throw away trick.
Seems that I looked in vain for cute dresses for much of the last 10 years, and now here they are back in the stores again. Only problem is I still like the dresses that are now much "too young" for me.
Dinner was pork center loin rubbed w/sage and green beans. I'm thinking about Dulce de Leche ice cream for dessert.
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Silly me, Susan. Of course you will do better in the stores you mention! I hope it goes well. Would DD be a motivating co-shopper for you? In any case, I hope you get something that allows you to feel comfortable and authentically "you" on this punctuated day! Oh, and by the way, you ARE the "mother of the bride" in what ever way you'd like to define that!
Minus, I also feel pretty young at heart, so it is odd to attach such an elevated number to my name. I too feel that BC has made a huge difference in terms of making me feel old (mainly the tamoxifen effects), but I am doing what I can to fight that off....and I've been able to gain some of my old self back since going non-compliant with the tamox. When I return from Italy, my MO wants to have the AI conversation. Just can't see me being able to tolerate another estrogen stripping meds. I barely have the tamoxifen induced allergic itching under control...and can't bear the idea of resumption of the cognitive fog that was pretty bad.
Susan, love the idea about the old underwear! Sadly my old ones are all three sizes too big, so they'd end up at my knees in a basillica....good plan for the next trip when my new ones are old!
My neighbor just returned from Italy and told me she left some of her outfits there so she could have space to bring home wine, olive oil, and some ingredients she cooked with in their classes that are hard to get here. That is soooo her. Remember, she packed just a carry on. Hmmmm...maybe I need to rethink this packing again!!! My neighbor did say that their cooking week in Perugia was way to much. Two four course meals made and eaten daily with lots of wine, of course! We are going to take a one day course in Lucca....plenty for us! Meanwhile, I am bumping up packing more clothing layers since it is forecasted to be cool and rainy everyday we are in Tuscany. Drat!! It will all work out....Tonight after stretching class (lord do I feel good afterwards, albeit a bit hungry, since I am at the gym two hours in total on Mondays right before dinner time), we heated up the tandoori chicken and made a spinach salad with some heirloom tomatoes from Volante farms. Goal for tomorrow is to clear out the fridge as much as possible before we head to airport in the evening.
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Oh Lacey - tomorrow's the day? Hope you have a wonderful time. Do leave room to bring stuff home. Or take another "folding" bag that you can use as a carry on coming home.
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Lacey,
I am, just a little bit, jealous. Have a fabulous time. Cook with great ingredients. Eat at wonderful local gems. Find something new everyday that gives you great joy. Bring back things that trigger your "sense" memories. Please drink some great wines.... and take time to sit on a terrace with your husband and enjoy together. If you decide to post all of your pictures on FB only, it might be time to be "friends." I really want to see where you have been and live vicariously.
*susan*
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Susan, thanks for that wonderful send off! I will try to follow your prescription!
Speaking of cooking with great ingredients, our neighbor brought us some samples of the chocolates they made while in Umbria. I bit into one and had no idea the cream filling was more than laced with strong alcohol! Wow! Delicious and potent!
Ciao!
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Hello all, I hope you are all well.
Been running around with school projects,after school activities,PTSA, my own appts... I started physical therapy for the Lat flap arm.
Dinners have been very quick and easy a protein, a veggie and big salads. Trying to cook healthier. Carbs and starches in limited quantities. I've been making some small loaves for desserts, banana nut, pumpkin spice and tonight I'm trying carrot, pineapple and walnut. I have also just started baking with silicone, I was at BB and Beyond and there was a demonstration w/ prizes. I won the muffin/cupcake mold and with a purchase of a baking mat, came several other molds. They withstand temps up to 440 degrees. Going to try a turkey meatloaf tomorrow.
Tonight it's Salmon, with salsa jalapena on the side. ( it is a nicaraguan recipe and very easy to make) steamed broccoli and carrots and a watercress salad.
Take care,
Vivian
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lacey - I am probably too late in wishing you a great trip - I loved, loved, loved Italy and had a blast there, hope the same for you!
I had fun on my trip - got home last night. Was having some thoughts about skipping the reunion but so happy I went. Many more people were there than they had listed on the website, so did a lot of catching up - some came for the first time, one friend in particular that I had known since we were five years old! The night ended too soon! My souvenirs from the trip included a cool pair of earrings that match a necklace I already had, an awesome teal sweater (on sale - yay!) with 3/4 sleeves, and one of those coated grocery shopping bags from the Farmer's Market in L.A. That last one was pure nostalgia as we always went there whenever out of town company came to visit. We went there and to Olvera Street - so much fun!
http://www.farmersmarketla.com/
http://www.olvera-street.com/About-Us/about-us.html
So, I am back to cooking dinners and the usual, I have not yet decided what we will have tonight. I have an appt with the PS in a couple of weeks to schedule the first fat grafting surgery in prep for the next recon attempt. I have to say that taking a wardrobe of prostheses on my trip was not that much fun - and the worry about too much hugging shifting the one I was wearing was not fun either, so I am anxious to get this show on the road!
moon - happy birthday! You look great and I love your smile! I am always the short one in pics too!
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Thanks Special....glad your trip was happy and meaningful in such nice ways. I admire your fortitude in dealing with the "traveling prostheses". Good luck with your next recon prep!
Viv, how cool to win something at BB and B. Love the sound of carrot pineapple and walnut bread.
So, we are awaiting our flight, and were amazed at how ridiculously easy the TSA check was.....I did not need to do all the extra compulsive packing of meds, liquids, etc. that I did, but of course had I not, we would have probably been stripped to the skin!
I asked DH to bring only his old undies so he could leave them to Italy and have room on way back for a wine bottle. He did. Ha!
I will probably have WIFi access in Rome, but clearly the Villa has none...the owner doesn't even know what it is. It will be interesting to see if we even have cell service there. Roughing it....or maybe technology "rehab" in beautiful surroundings.
I'll try to post as able....am a bit nervous about pix on FB since I always hate seeing people advertise their empty house. But I would be happy to be your friend, Susan! Thinking along those theft lines because we received a call today letting us know that my Visa card had been defrauded....someone had a $1200 shopping spree at Walmart on Visa! Glad it wasn't on me! Just a little wake up call to remember the crooks are alive and busy!
Before leaving, we had Greek grill leftovers with a balsamic stir fry of zucchini, onion, red pepper and kale...felt good about using up that kale before leaving.
Off we go.....:)
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Lacey,
Turn off the cell phone. Only check email once a day. I love love love that your husband will be abandoning his underwear across Europe. I am really excited about your trip. Drink good wine! Often.
Happy to be your friend on FB. I just don't know your name!!!! :-)
Safe travels. Have fun.
*susan*
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Happy belated Moon - you all look so wonderfully happy.
Happy travels Lacey - so looking forward to hearing about it all.
I am a size 9.
Actually got my robo boot fitted today. No full weight bearing for another month. But doc is happy with my healing. I reckon its because I eat well and do not have processed crap. Also been upping the protein and its seems to have worked. Least with the robo boot I am able to steady myself with the foot.
Not sure what MIL is cooking - but sure smells good
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tazzy - so sorry about your bad wheel! I broke my ankle tripping off my front porch and spent 12 weeks in a non-weight bearing cast and crutches - it was no fun! I sympathize with you! Of course this happened to my right ankle and my oldest had a learner's driving permit - so I not only had a broken ankle, I had to be terrified everywhere we went in the car, lol! DH always seemed to be at work, wonder why......
lacey - the sisterhood of the traveling prostheses somehow does not sound as fun as the sisterhood of the traveling pants, but I play the hand I am dealt I guess, lol! I wonder how the foobs look in the suitcase to the TSA screener? I will be picturing your DH and his trail of discarded underwear - hilarious! And smart!!
Tonight had chicken enchiladas, rice pilaf, and steamed broccoli.
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It is no fun with a broken ankle. Although I do not have no weightbearing for 12 weeks. Will likely be six weeks in total - I am hoping. Isn't it debilitating?
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tizzy - yes it is!!! I was so incredibly bored and felt trapped because I couldn't drive. It took a bit longer than I thought it would to recover, but the good news is that other than some difficulty with high heels I have no continuing issues with that ankle. I don't even have any additional pain from aromatase inhibitors, or any other joint problems with it. Hoping for the same for you!
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Tazzy. My sister had ankle sx 2x and used a knee scooter to get around the house. And she hated not driving. As I did with my knee Ugh.
Lacey have a great time check in if you can. Safe travels.
Specialk driving by the kids is always jnteresting. Especially since they claim that I make them feel crazy! LOL
To a much love. Supper tonight was Arbys. LOL
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Tazzy I have sympathy pains for you...AGHHHH May it pass quickly...
Dinner was a shoot from the hip Frittata---I had this jar of "coconut oil" that is supposed to be a good thing in the diet ,,,, so I melted a tablespoon in a oven proof skillet and sautéed onions, shitake mushrooms, tomatoes and Italian peppers. Then I poured 4 beaten eggs with a little baking powder and water over the top and cooked it until it started to sit on top of the stove, shoved it into a 350 dg oven for 15 minutes with shreeded cheese on top. Not bad, but you could taste the darn coconut so I covered it with Tabasco..... Leftovers for breakfast.
Weather has been cool and wet here in Illinois. Trees starting to show some color and the wooly worms are fat and black, so I am afraid we are in for another winter like last year.
Lacey have a great trip!!!!!
Carole--have fun in the Casino---hope you win BIG.
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Did a Family Dinner last night... a spatchcocked chicken on the grill, potato and scallion rostis, green salad with bowls of toppings like carrots and radishes, and steamed green beans. It has become clear that Monday and Wednesday nights are the nights that my daughter simply can't cope, so we will help out as we can. Probably one night per week. I am still burning the candle at three ends, and it looks like we will have to head to my mother's house again this weekend to help pack. I don't really have the time for this, but, in spite of all her flaws, she is my mother.
Lacey should be enjoying coffee and pastries in Rome by now. Doesn't that sound wonderful?
Off to another session of training slightly spoiled, but smart, brats at a client office. 8 hours of training is a lot of training. I was exhausted after doing this on Monday. Next week we start the real work-- getting in the data!
*susan*
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susan - I wish I could come up to 02143 and help you - you sound so busy!
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Wrote this Thurs and earlier today (Friday)...terrible time with hotel internet...glad to be able to post at all. Don't expect to in Pariana as of tomorrow....tech rehab for sure.........
Quick check in....wi-fi is pathetic here, when even available, and we have to be up with the birds for a walking tour of "Old Rome". Up at 4:30 this AM to make it over to the Vatican very early (way to avoid the crowds in Sistine Chapel) to meet our tour group and guide there. Guide was great! Only one other tour grp in Sistine Chapel with us which was amazing.
Took a very. long. nap. this afternoon, after a hop on/ off bus tour, and a casual lunch (mediocre mushroom omelette for me, saltimbocca for DH). For breakfast, hotel had packed us yogurt, fruit, and pastry since we left before breakfast started, so in my opinion we could have skipped this lunch stop...but good we were perched at a table under a canopy when a massive, but fast moving, rain storm occurred. Just as quickly, it dried up, we finished lunch, and then returned to our top deck bus tour enjoying the warmth of the sun. Must be brutally hot and humid here in the summer. Note to self and others...never come to Rome during summer! Good weather news .... rainy forecast for Tuscany has totally changed to sunny for next week. Hope it holds.....of course I came prepared with lots of long sleeves and sweaters.
Tonight we ate (a lot!) at Otello alla Concordia....DH had a caprese salad and I a grilled vegetable plate for appetizers. Then we shared a delectable pasta dish of Paccheri with pesto. The pesto was perfect in my opinion, and I make a good one myself. The pasta was a wide tube noodle cut into square shapes, al dente, of course. Really delicious! Since I saw lots of allergens dotting the menu, I settled for an entree of chicken with mushrooms...rather pedestrian, but very well prepared tender chicken breasts and no need for my epi-pen!
DH had a grilled fish plate with large prawns, tuna and calamari. Gelato on the walk home filled the last space in our tummies. I will really need to walk the hills of Tuscany very soon!Tomorrow we have breakfast here (looks like a nice hot buffet), tour early, then come back to hotel for a rest......then early dinner before attending an aria concert with performers in costume. DH is great at ferreting out these performances which we always enjoy. Will attend a similar concert in Lucca next week.
Extra info...it is amazing we are still alive with the wild drivers and motorcyclists on the narrow irregular cobblestone streets here. Glad we will not have a car until out of the city limits! Also, we have enjoyed meeting some interesting people during our tours, at restaurants (with close seating !;) and here at the hotel.
All right, doing my midnight oil burning thing....
Susan, good luck with your smart, entitled millennials' training session. DH just mentored the son of friends of ours who sounds like he could easily be in that group. Sounds exhausting even without all the other events you are tackling.
Thanks all for the good trip wishes....it's going well so far.....;)
Friday...Never was able to post this last night since the hotel guest server was out...so it is now Fri mid-afternoon, and we are having a mini crash before our next event. This AM we had a lovely hot buffet breakfast here before heading on foot to the Colosseum area for our tour of that and the Roman Forum. Three and a half hours of walking on irregular cobblestone, lots of stairs and high rocky pathways. Glad I have strong quads and knees these days. Not sure how any people without sneakers did not turn ankles on these challenging paths. It was also hot and humid today, so when we were finished our tour, we headed to a local al fresco dining spot got cold drinks and shared a caesar salad and mushroom / prosciutto pizza, which should count as dinner....unless DH gets hunger pangs after the aria concert.....a distinct possibility.
Going to try to get some shuteye before heading to the concert......
Later...concert was pretty good....high quality (mostly) young opera singers in a less professional environment. After, we walked several miles back to hotel and stopped when almost here to get some gelato. Feels good to skip dinner. Breakfast awaits in the AM, after which we take a train to Chiusi where we rent a car for the rest of our trip to Pariana, Lucca, Tuscany.
Caio!
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OH Lacey, what flavors of Gelato????????
Bummed about my MRI and the ear doctor thinking I have something caused by "hormone loss"......Gotta cool off, think it thru and call my wonderful MO on Monday, maybe.
Dinner is a grilled steak, a big baked potatoe and I opened a bottle of Fine Claret.
Francis Copoloa 2012 Black Label (1910 variety) Bought at Sams Club and of course my neighbor and her dau and son in law are out, so I will drink wht I can.
Definitely a bottle of something I will purchase again......
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Arrrrgh Matey's I see you've been busy with yer lootin and plunderin! Good for ya. I've been pirating the seas an been too sacked to put the note in the bottle. This ship will pull to the island in 3 weeks -or maybe not- cannot let you know my location because of the booty. .. by then me mates an me will have time to drink the swill and count the booty before the next attack. ya, you old bilge rats carry on. I see you been up to no good.
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bedo - lol! Arrggghhhh!
Lacey - we ended up trying some new gelato flavors due to the language barrier when we were in Italy! One shop in particular where you paid for the empty cup and took it back to the counter where there were 100+ flavors and it was so crowded that you shouted and pointed a lot. It was crazy, but fun!
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lacey - sounds Wonderful!!
Bedo - we'll be waiting to hear about the booty part. Especially the shaking part.
Played dominoes this afternoon so lunch & dinner both were "snackies". Excellent guacamole. Good hot dip w/spinach & bacon in Velveta. I made gingerbread - but I cheated & used a box instead of scratch. However I did take whipped cream. I had intended to have leftover pork roast "sliders" tonight on Hawaiian rolls, but just too full from snacking. So I'll settle for popcorn.
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