Such a long time...

I still haven't posted pictures of Rome, but I've been under the weather since I got home from Europe the end of September. I ended up with a bad URI and then at the tail end of it, I lost the hearing in my left ear and ended up with Labyrinthitis. I was so dizzy I couldn't get out of bed for two days without well...for not a better sounding term..."tossing my cookies" and then had to wean myself from bed for the next week. Holding onto walls as I went...looking at a computer monitor was terrible. My eyes kept wanting to go in circles. Not a nice feeling. By the following Monday I felt good enough to sit behind a computer, so I decided to go back to work, but only with my husband driving me to and from work and that lasted for 4 weeks!

I'm finally driving again, but I still can't hear out of my ear and I am a little "bobble headed" at times. The doctor had me on several high dose rounds of steroids and antibiotics, but nothing has seemed to work, except I that I've gained 25 pounds!!!! I feel like a huge blimp! On top of everything else, now I'm depressed!

I've had an MRI and a CT scan and they both came back normal...which is good...but is very perplexing as they still don't know what it going on. The doctor said I may never get my hearing back now which is a huge let down. This whole ordeal has been going on for almost 3 months now and I'm getting really tired of it...but I will persevere, there's not much I can do.

I read on the internet today about Eustachian Tube Disorder and a lot of the symptoms sound like what I have (except for the severe neurosensural hearing loss) so I'm going to print it off and take it to my ENT for my next appointment.

I can't believe Christmas is less than 2 days away! Yikes!!! I'm still wrapping a few presents which is very unlike me. I usually have everything done by no later than mid-month. Oh well. I'm sure everything will get done somehow.

Merry Christmas everyone and I hope that the New Year will be filled with good health and happiness!

No pictures...yet

So sorry, but I guess sitting in the Fiumicino airport in Rome for 7 hours with the cold airconditioning pouring on me...or maybe it was the trip in the airplane coming back with the recirculing germs!!!! Any way...I got a terrible cold, then I ended up giving it to my husband! I'm finally feeling better, but it's still hanging on in my chest. It's hard to believe that we are back almost two weeks now! Time sure flies by.

Hopefully I will find some time tonight to upload some pictures. I'm going to put a PowerPoint presentation together...but I'm looking for some website that hosts a "slide presentation" of pictures.

Anyone out there know of one?

Pictures

I will post some pictures once I get home...

And finally today...

That brings us up to today. It was a FULL day of walking. We went to Santa Maria Maggiore church to see where the keep some manger fragments and where Bernini is entombed…then to San Giovanni in Laterano where they keep pieces of St. Peter and St. Paul’s…heads (of all things) that are enshrined in statues. Then it was off to St. Peter in Chains church where we got to see the chains that St. Peter was bound with in prison and the statue of Moses by Michelangelo.
Tomorrow, I’d like to go to the Pantheon…but I’m not sure what we’ll end up doing. We will need to take the last train of the evening out of Rome (around 11 PM) to the airport and then sit until 6 AM. We were planning on taking a bus to the airport around 3:30 AM, but the lady at the tourist information booth talked us out of it.
I probably won’t have time to go the internet café and blog…so we’ll say ciao for now and we’ll see you sometime when we get home.

Sunday's recap...

On Sunday we got up really early to go to the Vatican Museum. When we got there the line was nearly 2 blocks long…at least! Someone came along trying to get people to join an English tour for 25 euros…since the museum was free since it was the last Sunday of the month, we decided to go for it. We were able to buck the line and get in within 5 minutes of the museum opening. We had a “cute” little old Italian guy for our guide. He was a little hard to understand, but it was well worth the money. Following the Vatican, we went to the Sistine Chapel…Phyllis and I jumped in with a tour group which allowed us to go through a back door and go straight into St. Peters. What an awe inspiring experience.

Following St. Peters we went to Castel Sant’Angelo which was originally Hadrian’s tomb and then later a castle and prison. We walked to and spent a little time at the Borghese gardens/park. Unfortunately when we called for reservations in advance they didn’t have any openings for a tour of the museum until October 2!!!...needless to say, we wouldn’t be here then. Then on to the Spanish Steps, window shopping at Guci, Prada…and other places that I can’t afford! We ended the night at the Hard Rock Café for dinner and to get a pin for my hubby’s…and Phyllis’ ex-hubby’s collection.

Saturday's recap...

On Saturday we ended up walking past a mansion that was holding an open exhibit of their library with books back well in the 1400’s along with a Bernini sculpture that they had “decorated” with a water, fire, and air theme. It was pretty cool. They had faux books hanging from the ceiling with a crystal pendant hanging from them and they were interactive…so they flapped in the air.
Following this we went to the Victor Emmanuel Monument and walked up a bunch of steps…and then went through their museums. What a view at the top. We got to the see Trajan’s monument, the Roman market place and some of the Roman Forum. After that we walked to the Capitoline Museum and ended the day walking to the Trevi Fountain…which is an absolutely wonderful fountain, tucked in a little section of nowhere!

Friday's recap....

On Friday, we went to the Coliseum. Phyllis didn’t want to go in, so I went in by myself. It was wonderful! I could just imagine the gladiators fighting. I then went to the Roman Forum…again Phyllis didn’t want to go, she just sat in a shady area outside the Coliseum and rested. I walked all over the Forum…over the bumpy cobblestones…only just barely falling on my face a few times! I just loved it. In my mind I could envision Caesar in his toga and the Vestal Virgins keeping the flame alit! It is amazing how they could build such huge structures in a day when there weren’t any cranes and OSHA! I just started up to the Palatine Hill when it was getting towards dusk, so I went back to meet up with Phyllis. I probably won’t get back to Palatine Hill…but what a great day!

We are having internet connection problems...

What a busy couple of days. Phyllis and I arrived safely in Rome on Thursday afternoon, but unfortunately our internet in the hotel has not been working. The first day, they said it would be fixed the following day…then the following day it was working sporadically…then not. So we found a little internet café near the hotel. Not the nicest place…but at least we can have access to the “outside world”! So much for our plans of keeping everyone up to date as to what is happening!

Our room is tiny, but clean. I still can’t get over how many people in Rome smoke. The little old Italian guy that runs the front desk in the evening smokes like a chimney and it comes right up the stairs and I can smell it in our room. Yuck.

Anyway on our first day here, we just got settled into our room and walked around the neighborhood to get a feel of the area. Our hotel is located very near the Termini train station and within walking distance of many of the area attractions. We saw the Santa Maria delgi Angeli Bascilica and the Baths of Diocletian.

Our last day in Paris...

Phyllis and I split up today. I wanted to go to the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery and the Sacre Coeur / Montmartre and she wanted to go to the L'Orangerie and the Luxombourg Museum to see the special Tiffany collection on loan.

At the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery I saw the graves of Maria Callas, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Edith Piaf, Moliere, Jim Morrison (pictured), Frederic Chopin (pictured), Heloise and Abelard (oldest residents of Pere-Lachaise), Collette, Gioacchino Rossini, and Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann (who redesigned the layout of Paris). It was amazing to see all the old statues and some small...but some huge grave sites.

It was then off to Sacre Coeur...yes, I climbed the steps to the level with some fountains and ate my sandwich there, then walked the rest of the way up the stairs. Although the church isn't very old...finished in 1919...it sits on the highest point in Paris, and what a view.

After the Sacre Coeur I walked through Montmartre. I saw one of Paris' oldest churches, built in 1147 founded by King Louis VI and his wife Adelaide. Then wandered through the town, checking out where some famous painters such as Picasso, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent Van Gogh used to live when they were getting started. I ended up at the Moulin Rouge.

Then I went back to our room to wait for Phyllis, but she hadn't come back yet, so it was back out to see the Eiffel Tower lit up and sparkling...what a sight...and then catch bus#69 for a "tour" to see some of the sites and monuments lit up at night.

Day 5

It was another beautiful day in Paris. The temperature was a little chilly this morning as we left to head out to Notre Dame...but once we got to walking around it was quite comfortable. We toured the Notre Dame and then checked the line to go up into the tower, but it was way too long so we decided to move on. We then stopped at the Deportation Memorial.












After that we did a walking tour of the left bank including a monument to St. Michel, followed by the Palace of Justice, St. Chapelle with beautiful stained glass windows and the Conciergerie where Marie-Antoinette spent her last days prior to being beheaded.

After that we walked up to see the Henry IV monument then walked back to the Notre Dame to go up the tower, but unfortunately we just missed the cut off. We then went through the Notre Dame Crypt.

Check out the art deco metro station signage...

Another full day of walking...

Day 4

Only 2 more days left to spend in Paris. What a busy day today. We went to the Eiffel Tower this morning and we ended up climbing up over 700 steps. At least we got to take the elevator down.









After that we walked to the Trocadero to get some full-height pictures of the Tower.

Then walked to the Arc de Triomphe and walked up 284 stairs and then down them!

Next we headed to the Louvre and saw a bunch of great art…especially some of my favortites…the Winged Victory, Mona Lisa, The Virgin of the Rocks, and Venus de Milo.

Then it was off to see the Place Vendome and the Opera House. Finally it was the Hard Rock Café. Yes, we ate at the Hard Rock Café.

What a day!

Day 3

We got up this morning and the weather was really overcast, so we decided not to go to the Eiffel Tower. Instead we went to the Museum d'Orsay and then walked over to the Tuileries and the Place de la Concorde. We caught the metro to my brothers' place in Neuilley-sur Seine...and when we got off the metro...we went up the wrong exit...we were to look for a fountain in the square and unbeknownst to us there was also a fountain at the other end. Needless to say we probably had to walk a mile out of our way until we got back to where we should have been! In any case we got to Jeff's place and had some wine and wonderful bread, cheeses and spicy sausages...then went out to dinner. It was really great to see my brother and his family again. I haven't seen them since Christmas time last year.

Well...no pictures tonight. I'm exhausted...but I'll try to catch up tomorrow night!

Day 2

It got a little chilly last night with the windows open, but it felt wonderful! I got up at 7:30 and started getting ready. Phyllis woke up when I got my shower. Thanks goodness I brought a dual voltage hair dryer. The one they have in the room would have taken me at least an hour to dry my hair! With both Phyllis and I having to dig through our suitcases and trying to find everything we needed, it took us 2 hours to get down to breakfast.

We ended up making a sandwich to take along for lunch and then headed out for the Gare de l'Est to get our Museum Pass and a carnet of metro tickets. Then we were off to buy our train tickets to Versailles. We got on the RER Line C train...but as we discovered, we got on the wrong one. We ended up getting off the train...getting on another one to go back to one of the stops and then had to walk about a mile to Versailles. We did get to see the quaint little town of Versailles though.

Both Phyllis and I were at the Chateau before...but seeing it again, it was still outrageously opulent!!! Here's Phyllis at the main gate and a picture in the main courtyard. Louis the XIV's bedroom is on the second floor where the three arched windows are located.













The history and architecture is fabulous...with gold leaf everywhere. Typically the gardens are free, but today since they also had the fountains on...they charged an additional 8 euros. Oh well...it was something that I never saw before, so I guess it was worth it.













We also walked to the Grand Trianon, the Petite Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Domaine. Louis and Marie Antoinette used to go to to get away from the limelight of the Chateau. The Grand Trianon was a wee-bit smaller, but still opulent. Marie Antoinette's Domaine was very quaint and country cottage-like. They obviously aren't keeping up with the maintenance on those structures...and you couldn't actually go into her domaine structures.













We left around 7:30 p.m. and got back to the Gare de l'Est around 8:30 p.m. without any incidents. We stopped at a local restaurant and had a bite to eat. Tomorrow we are going to do a little sightseeing in the morning and early afternoon and are going to my see my brother around 5 PM. Well better get some shut-eye so we can get moving early!

Signing off for now...

Our first day is almost over...

Here are two pictures taken from our hotel. One is the view of the closest intersection a half a block away and the other is an apartment complex across the street with a cute little courtyard.




We had a little excitement today. Apparently they had a Palestine demonstration right down the street. Not sure what that was about. By the time Phyllis and I got down there, it had dispersed, but here are two pictures.










We ended up going to Garde d'Est, the train and metro station and looking around to get a lay of the neighborhood where we are staying. I was able to find a cable for 5 euros...which wasn't too bad. The first one was 29 euros...there was no way I was paying that. A euro is about $1.50 right now. Thus we have pictures!!!!

I bought a bottle of French wine and then we ended up getting salads and fresh baked bread (aka...large pizza dough bread sticks) at a little pizzeria a couple of blocks away. The wine is the cheapest thing here! LOL. Everything is so expensive due to the poor value of the dollar.

We are planning on going to Versailles tomorrow to see the Chateau, the gardens and Marie Antoinette's Cottage/estate.

Stay tuned for pictures!

Bonne nuit.

We are here...

We left Atlanta last night around 11:00 pm and arrived safely in Paris at 1:30 pm. My brother Jeffrey picked Phyllis and I up at the airport and delivered us to the hotel. The room is nice and cozy with three sets of French door windows overlooking the street. The weather is absolutely beautiful here...right now it is 73 degrees with off and on sun.

We are getting unpacked, freshened up...and then are going to go check out the area.

Unfortunately I don't know if I'm going to be able to upload pictures as I didn't bring the cord. I thought the computer had a slot for the picture card...but it doesn't. I'll have to see if I can locate one somewhere. :(

The Start of our Grand Adventure

The day is finally here! We will be leaving Tampa around 4 PM...and then head for the Atlanta airport. Our flight there doesn't leave until almost 11 PM, so we'll have a long layover. It will give us some time to eat dinner, relax and compare notes of what sites we want to go to.

My brother Jeff will be picking us up at the airport...which will be a big plus as it will give us a little time to figure out metro and train schedules!

I am so excited...Au revoir mes petit amis!

Only one more day...

until our grand adventure! Stay tuned for daily updates as Phyllis and I experience Paris and Rome.

4 Days and Counting...

until Phyllis and I leave for Paris!!!

16 Days and Counting

Only 16 more days until Phyllis and I leave for Paris!!! There's so much to do...and unfortunately I will have to spend the weekend before in Omaha on business.

this is a test

Checking to make sure that I can upload pictures to the site...in preparation of my trip to Europe.

Check out this great kit...

There's a great kit at Sunshine Studio Scraps. It is called Catch the Rainbow by JACQUEscrapper. Check out all the wonderful colors.
























Go CATCH it here!!!

http://www.sunshinestudioscraps.com/...6&cat=0&page=1

In honor of Memorial Day

Email Obfuscator

I wanted to try this out...it deters spider programs from grabbing an email address that is listed on your web posting and collecting your email address for spammers. It fools these programs, since the email address is written in code, yet it will appear as an email address, but it does allow persons to actually see the email address in the post. The link this website is: http://alicorna.com/obfuscator.html. You enter the email address and it will "obsfucate" it and then you copy and paste the code into your website.

jmutch@tampabay.rr.com

As you can see...it works!

Almost two days down...

And I'm going pretty good. I decided to cut out my glass or two of white wine in the evenings...after a tough day of work, its nice...but I think it was hindering my progress. When I'm "feeling mellow" I tend to eat things before thinking about it. I've walked the dog the past two mornings. I have to get up at 5 AM when I do, but I do feel better after I'm done. It's just darn hard to get up that early!!! Good thing I have my trusty iPod. I love that thing...and can't "live" without it. I'm addicted. I borrow books on CD from the library...so it's free entertainment. Sometimes I have to wait quite a while for something to come in, but it sure beats paying $25 bucks or more on a new set.

I've got a City Council meeting for my sorority (Beta Sigma Phi) tonight. I'm running for corresponding secretary...I should say, I'm the only one running...I must be crazy. Oh well, the worst part is getting the roster completed by the end of August...then I only have to deal with the blood bank duties each month. This years theme should be a fun one...I can't say what it is yet, because we aren't supposed to know until this coming Saturday...but I do!

I'm participating in a Slow Scrap...hosted by Scrap Orchard and Gotta Pixel. This is the third week's entry. This is only my second digital scrapbook page that I've ever worked on...so I'm pretty proud of it. I used for the most part Amanda Heimann's Lazy Daisy kit. This is my granddaughter Zoey on her first birthday. Isn't she a cutie...she'll be turning 6 already at the end of May. I can hardly believe it!

The colors in this kit are just perfect for her outfit. I love, love, love this kit. I like anything that Amanda makes...I like her "style". We've got one more week to go on the scrap...I'm anxious to see what they tell us to add this week. I'm sure some type of journaling and a title. We'll find out tomorrow, I guess.

Recommitting Myself

Arghh....I'll be turning the big 5-0 this year and I really wanted to lose some added baggage and get down to my goal weight. I was really doing well until my husband and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas for his Sertoma Regional Conference at the end of February. I ended up gaining 6 pounds while on the cruise and the worst of it I lost my focus and willpower! So I'm drawing a line in the proverbial sand today and am recommitting myself to my goal.

I only have a little over 2 months until my birthday and have 31 pounds to lose to get to my goal. I probably won't be able to attain it...but I'm going to give it my all and if I can lose at least half of those pounds, I will be OK with it...but then will still strive to take it off. I may not make it by my birthday...but I need to do this for my health. I have a family history of high blood pressure and strokes...so it is essential that I do this for ME and my FAMILY.

I wish I could get my husband to understand this as well...and I know it sounds bad...but I guess he just doesn't care. But he is under a lot of pressure right now and with the economy it looks like he'll be out of work in a couple of months (he works for a commercial real estate-type company that deals in low income housing ventures), as it appears that they will eventually have to file for bankruptcy. If he loses his job...I know we'll get through this. It just might take a while. We are pretty well prepared, but it is still scary especially for a 58 year old man.

We followed the Dave Ramsey: Total Money Makeover a couple of years ago when we were $51,000 in debt...NOT including our house. I'm not kidding!!! It was really bad. We were able to buckle down (as Dave says...get gizelle intense) and I am now proud to say that we are totally debt free (not including the house) and we have built up a nice emergency fund just in case. In addition, we have additional funds saved up that we were going to use to do some remodeling of our house...but we are holding off until the economy improves. I encourage anyone who is in debt to read this book. You can do it. It takes a lot of self control and determination...but you can do it! It changed our whole way of thinking.

Anyway...so far today I have been able to control my eatting (of course the day is young!)...but so far so good.

My Son's Birthday is TODAY

My son turned 21 this morning at 1:09 AM. It's hard to believe that he is that old. I can still remember the day he was born! Wow time sure does fly.

My first blog...

Well...here I am getting into this digital world.