Lady Lizzy Love

It’s funny how life is a full cycle.

In the fall of 1999, I was given a choice between the two dreaded “D” words – dog or divorce. While we joked about this, there was an underlying truth. Sir had always wanted a dog, and I had always said NO. Well, moving back to the States from London gave Sir the perfect opportunity to use it as a bargaining chip with Daughter #1 and Daughter #2. After months of trying to decide which “D” was more wanted, I made the decision, and headed to the local pottery-painting store in London to help the Daughters make food and water bowls for the unhatched dog that lied in my future.

Lady Lizzy Love was born on August 25, 2000—a beautiful black lab with big chocolate-brown eyes. There I was, riding home from the breeders in the front seat holding this tiny pup on my lap, while she was scared out of her mind, whimpering the whole way! I was scared too and passed her off to Daughter #1. What was I going to do with this little tiny thing? It was everyone’s dog, right? “I will feed her.” “I will walk her.” “I will pick up her toys.” Do I need to say more? In the end, we all know who takes care of the dog!

Lady touched each of our hearts in a different way. Sir was always the master; always the one she ran to when he walked in from work and always the one who she went to in the evenings to beg for a walk. Daughter #1 loved Lady truly and thoroughly; forever the big sister making sure we were treating her right, taking pictures, and begging to see her on Skype while away at school. Daughter #2 had an eleven year a love affair with Lady, growing up together. In the beginning Daughter #2 dressed Lady in doll clothes and in the end Lady was Daughter #2’s fierce protector.

Me? Well, it is hard to say. For seven years she was a lovely thorn in my side, but for the past four years she has been my lifesaver. When Sir moved to Chicago, she was my faithful companion. After my move to Chicago, Daughter #1 going to college and Daughter #2 becoming more independent – Lady was the one that got me out of bed each morning. She was the one who didn’t say, I don’t need you as much anymore.

So today, I was the one holding her when she left us. Lady will be truly missed.

In Italy and Loving it - #3

Here I sit at the airport on the way home from Italy. What a nice week with Daughter #1. My bags are checked to the windy city, unfortunately, with all my information about the last two days of the trip. I will be brief, misspellings will be made and Daughter #1 will shake her head at the number of places we saw that I will leave out! Oh well.

Verona was nice. The downtown area is beautiful - typical of what you envision small town Italy to be. Narrow roads. Cobble stoned streets. Buildings with colorful flowers hanging off the balconies. Cafes on every corner. And,I can't forget - too many tourist. We visited the old Colosseum - converted now for concerts, plays, etc. We toured Juliet's house and posed for pictures. (I do have to say - it was not like in the movie - Letters to Juliet) After a long lunch at a restaurant tucked away down a side street, we headed to Romeo's house. It is in a famous palazzo/piazza/something. Our last stop was to Juliet's tomb. I am sure we saw a church or two during the day! After a break at the hotel, we headed out to dinner - a sushi restaurant, they remembered us from the night before! I know sushi BUT remember Daughter #1 has been in Italy for 5 weeks - tired of Italian food.

We headed out early Saturday morning for Milan. Enjoyed a train ride with reserved seats - yeah - we didn't have to fight for a seat or space for our luggage! We arrived in Milan - and I was worn out! Milan is a big city. We decided to take the Hop on Hope off bus so we could get a feel for what Milan is like. Our only stop off the bus was at the central square with the Duamo. Wow! It was amazing. The Gothic architecture is something to write home about - but - the inside does not match the majestic outside. We walked down the proper shopping streets and hopped back on the bus. Both of us fell asleep at different times - so sad - so instead of getting off the bus again to shop, we decided it was time to head home, pack and enjoy each others company on our last night together!

Daughter #1 walked me to the train station to board the bus to the airport. After several hugs she reminded me not to cry - I was a good woman on the move and didn't cry. It was a first for me.

In Italy and Loving It #2

My feet are killing me! We woke this morning to showers and overcast skies, but that didn't keep us from heading out early on the train to Mantova. Our first stop was Palazzo Te. Palazzo Te was built in 1525 by the Gonzaga family. It was a private Outside the city retreat of the family. The Room of the Giants was the reason we headed to the Palazzo - but we enjoyed it all. We hiked across town to visit the Ducal Palace which was the Gonzaga family "home" - you need to understand -they ruled the city for almost 400 years. The Palazzo was big but the Palace was HUGE. The main attraction at the Palace was the Bridal Chamber. The ceiling was beautiful, cute, fun and showed an interesting perspective! Look it up. :)

We stopped into several churches, found stores we couldn't resist, ate lunch at a great local restaurant, and walked arm-in-arm under one umbrella. the fast train back to Verona was booked so we foind ourselves on the slow commuter train home! Happy to get off our feet, we enjoyed the ride.

I have not been able to post pictures - the iPad won't let me . . . So much for technology!

Well, goodnight to all! We are staying local tomorrow - Verona.

In Italy and Loving It #1

Yes. I am in Italy, once again - I might add. End of March I traveled to take Daughter #1 to study in Italy for 10 weeks. Sir and co. went with me. I am back in Italy traveling with Daughter #1 on her spring break. Life is good!

We have planted ourselves in Verona, but take day trips out to small towns in the country side. Our first stop? Pad ova or Padua. We loved walking through the town but was a little discouraged when most of the shops were closed, we bought REALLY bad fruit from a street market and toured the wrong church. Once a old man who spoke no English pointed us in the right direction, we happily made the most of the day. We toured a big, beautiful church had lunch on the piazza then went to Scrovegni Chapel. Daughter #1 studied it in her art history class in high school and was thrilled to finally see the chapel. It was amazing. We ran for the training eating McDonals on the train on the way home!

Today we traveled to Vicenza. Daughter #1 liked it better than Padua. The town was smaller and cute. We spent the morning touring the Teatro Olimpico, which is the most amazing thing I have seen in all Italy. The theatre was started in 1580 by Palladio, a famous architect who lived in this area and had a big impact on architecture during this time period. We walked the streets looking at the buildings associated with his name. After a tour of the museo civico palazzo chiericati and another great lunch, we headed out of the city center to see the Villa la Rotonda and the Villa Gazzotti Grimani Curtis, both works of Palladio's. We were impressed with the architecture but under whelmed with the "famous" frescos and furnishings.

It has been a beautiful two days. We are loving the towns and enjoying each others company. We are tired tonight but heading into Verona's city center for dinner. We have an early start tomorrow!

Atlanta Bound

I just spent a quick week-end in Atlanta. Headed south, to my old stomping grounds, to host a baby shower for my niece. While there, I lived through the terrible storms that devastated part of the country. Luckily for us, we were all tucked in without a problem.

We had a great baby shower. I was happy to visit with so many of the people that touched my life when I was just out of college living with a roommate - the days before Sir took me away to the Midwest. We laughed, ate cupcakes, opened gifts and took many pictures.

In the evening, we headed off to Turner Field enjoying a double hitter . . .but the weather was cold!! Braves won both games - sorry Mets! It was a beautiful night at the ball park.

I was sad to leave but know I will be back in July to see little Madelyn!

Really?

All I can say is . . . really?

Snow on April 18th?

My poor daffoildils.

On The Move

I am on the move to London. Stay tuned for up-dates from Jolly Old England!

Need Your Help

It is that time again in my life - working on a new set of note cards in time for Mother's Day.



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I have posted 17 pictures taken when I was on the move in Chicago and Wisconsin.

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I Spy

The thirst for travel and new adventures was one of the many things that attracted Sir and I to each other. Back in the early days of our relationship, we traveled to spend time with friends in New Jersey. On a trip to Atlantic City we each had $20 to spend to win the big money. Being the lightweight gambler, I chose the slot machines and doubled my money. I repaid the banker (Sir) and kept my $20, then went to the boardwalk to enjoy the ambience of Atlantic City. . . I had a plan.

Without a large budget for traveling and with the desire to “shop” on our trips, I devised a plan to acquire something small from each trip... I bought a shadow box with my $20 from Atlantic City. I found an organized approach to shop, yet keep our memories for many years.

It was hunt to find the right piece! What could we find that depicted our trip and fit in the multi-sized squares in the shadow box.

While unpacking recently, I found the dusty shadow box—many items broken from too many moves. What fun it was to go through piece by piece, remembering our trips to places all over the world. We are wondering . . .would they still take the chips in Vegas?

So, I spy something with my eyes – how many countries, towns and experiences can you find?

Valentine’s Day just passed. Loved by those in love, hated by those without love. $15.7 billion dollars was spent this year on Valentine’s Day. Items included: cards, sexy lingerie, flowers, Viagra (yes, there was a spike in sales) ecards, organic flowers, chocolate alcohol, and chocolate. Chocolate only accounted for 1.5 billion in sales. Humm . . .

Sir was very sweet to me. Red roses and a beautiful heart shaped necklace were presented to me at the end of the day. Don’t’ get me wrong here – a love receiving the flowers, eating Sirs favorite meal and getting extra kisses and hugs from Daughter #2 but settling in to watch my favorite movie is a pleasure I love on Valentine’s Day. I am a sucker for love stories. Stories from long a go up to my modern day favorites – Love Story (which was terrible advice), The Way We Were, Pretty Woman, The American President, Nottinghill, The Holiday, Music and Lyrics, Letters to Juliet, and . . .


I do enjoy a few minutes on Valentine’s Day looking through the previous generations of love birds in my family. Sure, they are not Robert Redford, Jude Law or Julia Roberts, but they were couples that passed the test of time. I look at the old photos wishing I knew more of their love story – but for now, I will keep making up their stories in my head. Who knows, it might be the next block buster!

Parents

Paternal Grandparents

Maternal Grandparents

Guilty or Grateful

This woman on the move doesn't know if she should feel extremely guilty or overwhelmingly grateful. Guilty or grateful you ask? While the Windy City was under attack with a record breaking storm, I sat in Daytona Beach at the pool getting a sunburn.

Guilty - I left Daughter #2 at home with Sir holding down the fort, a job is is competent to hold, while I headed to Florida to spend a couple days with my parents while they were vacationing for several weeks - a yearly ritual. My quick get-a-way to Florida turned into a near week long adventure!

Grateful - I was in sunny Florida staying on the beach! I sat by the pool with my parents, Aunt and Uncle listening to the waves crash on the beach. I took a long walk and had a smile on my face with every step I took down the sandy beach.

It was not piping hot everyday, but warm enough to throw on a pair of shorts and head out. I watched dolphins play in the inter coastal waterway while eating lunch - they played the whole time we were at lunch. I enjoyed running by the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse - I do love lighthouses. We went out to eat. We went to two movies - The Tourist and The Kings Speech - loved them both! Relaxing, working out, napping, playing games and working a puzzle kept me occupied.

I am guilty for enjoying myself - but don't fret - the storm got me. I sat in the Orlando airport for 7 hours, yes, the plane was delayed - the weather and still repositioning aircraft - so they say. The aftermath of the storm didn't get the best of me - I came home with a sunburn!

Those Old Oak Trees

I am snuggled up in my office with a hot cup of tea. White fluffy clouds are hanging in the beautiful blue sky but it is all an illusion. You see, it is freezing outside and a winter wonderland. Snow covers the ground and still sits on the trees and bushes. I keep looking out the window staring at the oak trees and reflecting on their history.

Pocahontas might not have roamed among my oak trees but the children from a Native American tribe lived and played here. My house is located on an oak savanna which was the site of a Native American encampment 1,000’s of years ago. Archaeologists and students excavated artifact from this oak savanna finding remains from life of this area earliest visitors. Artifacts they found included: stone knives, spears, arrows and tools for food preparations and to shape bone and wood. They also found fire-cracked rock from cooking and heating.

Sadly, the big oaks closest to my house and drive were hurt during the building of my house. The arborist I consulted told me it takes very little to hurt an oak and about seven years for it to die. In the front, two trees had grown together to reach over 70 feet high. The limbs and branches spanned the front yard. The tree in the back was even bigger; measuring over 54 inches around, taking the prize of the largest tree my crew had ever taken down.

After careful planning, the tree removal company and the tree harvester showed up with machines and men to start the three day event. It was an amazing process and I couldn't keep my camera put away!

It broke my heart to watch over 200 years of history disappear branch by branch but made me happy knowing that the tree has been harvested and will live on. Some of the wood went to the wood chips piles to be put back into the earth, some went for fire wood to sustain others on cold nights and what the crew could save went to Horigan’s Urban Forest Products. They take sections of the tree, cut it, dry it, prepare it for customers to turn it into furniture, wood floors, etc. Already, some of the pieces from our tree was cut and prepared for a popular coffee house for it’s tables. Urban renewal is the way to go!! Think about it for your next project!!! (No, I am not being paid to advertise – it is just a great company making the right choice to reuse our natural resources) www.horiganufp.com

I look out and miss those big old oak trees. The snowy view just isn’t the same.

Enjoy the pictures. It was a cool process!

On The Move To China - Day 12

Flying for 13 hours! We left China Sunday morning. Flew 13 hours and arrived in USA in the early morning. I love living the same day twice!

Our recap for the trip

Favorite place we visited:
Linda The Water Towns
Shelly The Terracotta Warriors

Least favorite:
Linda A terrible meal we had in Beijing
Shelly Smog and pollution

Favorite item we purchased:
Linda A Jade Sculpture
Shelly A Terracotta Warrior

Favorite food:
Linda Dumpling Banquet
Shelly Hot Pot Meal

We had a great time. Jet lag is almost over. Our families missed us? Regardless, we are happy to be home with them. . . . it is a good thing we only stayed 2 weeks because we were becoming accustom to being catered to everyday!

Thanks for joining us on the journey. I am sorry these were not submitted to you daily - the Chinese government blocks all blogs and face book!

On The Move To China - Day 11

We were pleasantly surprised to discover our flight back to Beijing didn’t leave until 5:00 pm so we had a full day of sightseeing in Xi’an. Our first stop was to the Bell Tower located inside the city walls. Luckily, it was a Saturday morning and the traffic was not bad getting inside the city walls.

The Bell Tower was built to house the bells that rang to signify dawn in old times. In modern times, they don’t ring the bells every morning, but they maintain the architecture of this beautiful old building to preserve its history and continue to use it as a focal point inside the city walls. Looking out from the Bell Tower, you can see the Drum Tower. Built in the same time period, the Drum Tower looks different from the Bell Tower but it is as beautiful and rich in history. The Drum Tower houses the drums that were used in old times to signify dusk.

We went to a restaurant in a local hotel that is famous for its “Hot Pot” meals. Bottom line, it is Chinese fondue. The Japanese have a dish called sukiyaki which is real similar. It was a great meal and we found out, it is not a local dish, but the Hot Pot is popular all over China. We were a bit put out other tour guides didn’t take us to one earlier!

Our last sightseeing opportunity in China was on the way to the airport. We stopped at the Hanyang Tombs. This tomb is for the Han Dynasty Emperors. It was built in 153 AD. It was amazing. Around the tomb mount they have found excavated 10 tunnels/mini tombs that run away from the emperors’ tomb. They believe there are another 70 tunnels that run all around the tomb mount. The Chinese have done an excellent job preserving what is left from the tomb raiders. The raiders took all the gold and silver but left enough pottery that archeologist can give an accurate account of the emperor’s life. They know this was a peaceful time because there are only a few warriors (unlike the Emperor with the Terracotta Warriors). I loved the tunnel filled with clay concubines and next to them is the tunnel filled with eunuchs to take care of the concubines. The Emperor was worried about the well being of his concubines! Linda loved the tunnel filled with animals – especially those darn cute pigs.

We loaded up, headed to the airport, went to Beijing and were so excited to be greeted by two cute girls from our hotel. We had no idea how we were going to navigate with our all bags to the hotel and didn’t know how to find it! We were like two giddy school girls when we read our name on a sign as we exited baggage claim!

On The Move To China - Day 10

We actually slept in this morning! I was grateful because I had a horrible night sleeping. We have to have the window open because the room is so hot and on the street is some HORRIBLE music playing over and over. The room was HOT all night, the beds were rock hard (Linda loves ) and the street was noisy most of the night.

With bags under my eyes, we headed out of the city to visit what we came Xi’an in search of – The Terracotta Warriors. After a stop at a factory which makes the Terracotta Warrior replicas that we can take home we headed to lunch at a local restaurant. We were thrilled to eat at a non-tourist restaurant. The place was filled with local men eating, drinking and smoking. Many people were having a very good time!

Finally, we arrived at the Terracotta Warriors burial site and it was huge! It was amazing. A poor farmer found remains while he was trying to dig a well. He took the artifacts to the government officials and they determined they were part of the Chin Dynasty.. The warriors are 1.5 kilometers away from the Emperors’ Tomb. This Emperor ruled for 38 years and was known to be very extravagant. He had many years to get ready for his after life! The poor farmer was given a months salary, the government built him and everyone in the village apartments, and they gave him a job at the gift shop. He signs books and posses for pictures – of course for money! Considering the cost to get in is around $20 per person and they average 40,000 people a day – the farmer did not make out too well!

They have found three separate tombs. The first one found has 6,000 warriors, horses, and chariots in it. To date, they have excavated and put back together 1,000. We loved the warriors they have put back together, all the piece still in ruin, the horses, the bodies without heads, and the work in progress. I kept thinking of the ad -"if have fallen and I can get up."















The second hall has the layers taken off the top and shows the ceiling that was over the top of the tomb. They have excavated a small portion to give them clues as to which figures were in this tomb so they can determine the importance and significance of this tomb.









The third tomb was the most important – it was the deepest and most important because they believe was the “operational headquarters” for the construction of all the tombs. This tomb had very few warriors, all of higher rank and most without heads! They believe this final tomb didn’t get finished. The Emperor died suddenly and at the young age of 50 so they were not able to finish all of the heads and fill the tomb with more possessions!

After visiting a shop and negotiating a good price and I am proud owner of good looking warrior –an officer, mind you. Linda negotiated a good price for a mask of an archer. Once again, our guide couldn't believe our ability to negotiate.

Happily we headed back to the downtown of Xi’an begging to eat at Pizza Hut. We went inside the city walls to a great area to eat. It was good, very similar in flavor to our pizza but had some interesting combination. My favorite – breaded deep fried chicken pizza. I settled for a New Orleans thin crust pizza and shared it with the tour guide. The restaurant was very swank and the menu was ½ inch thick offering everything from fried rice, smoothies, pizza and desserts. We loved the experience – everyday people having a great time on a Friday night. The traffic was horrible, the lights were bright and the city was busting with energy.

On The Move To China - Day 9

We enjoyed our breakfast on the 32nd floor overlooking the city before heading to the airport for our flight to Xi’an. Once again, we were the only two light haired humans on the plane. They were so kind to give all the information for safety in English for the two of us!

We found our new guide, Amy, as we exited the airport. We stopped by the hotel to check in before starting our sightseeing for the day. Our first impressions of the city – what a great little city – only 6 million. It is completely different in character from Beijing and Shanghai. Our hotel is on the edge of the West city wall.

The City Wall is part of the old city wall that has been completely refurbished. We drove to the South Gate – the original opening to the walled city. This is where they built the draw bridge that open over a 5 meter deep mote. We loved the South Gate. Once we passed through the three openings we went to the top of the wall, rented bikes and road to the Southwest Corner. The whole wall is 7 kilometers around and takes about one and a half hours to bike around. We road 40 minutes – which was plenty of time because our butts couldn't’t take the bumping on the stone and the hard seats any longer – we headed back to the car to go to the Da Ci’En (Great Kindness and Grace) Temple and Wild Goose Pagoda.

The pagoda is one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China and the original pagoda was built in 589 AD on this site. The temple was rebuilt due to being in such disrepair, but the Wild Goose Pagoda from 1556 is still standing. We once again posed for pictures, this time it was with a bunch of school girls – go figure! Our guide looked at us rather funny; I told her we were use to this for it has happened everyday!

The temple was beautiful. The colors on the buildings were so bright and brilliant. The Buddha was gold colored and rather impressive. Incense filled the air and best of all – it was not crowded! I could have spent a long time there, but as we watched a monk close the doors on the hall holding the golden Buddha, we knew it was closing time. There was time to walk us through the gift shop – those tour guides!

We enjoyed our dinner at a traditional “Dumpling Banquet”. We listened to music while we stuffed ourselves on steamed dumplings, boiled dumplings, fried dumplings and dumpling soup. Fat and happy we headed back to the hotel for the remainder of the evening. It took us forever – the traffic is horrible! Cars, buses, trucks, people, bikes, rickshaws, taxis and motor cycles were at corners at a complete stand still. Police were trying to help move the traffic. At one intersection, our driver even had to get out convincing a stupid driver (male) to move. Several drivers in fact got out of their vehicles to help! Amy told us they did not have a subway system built yet, but it was under construction. Boy, do they need it. Looking out my window now there is still bumper to bumper traffic jamming the streets. Glad we are tucked away in our hotel.

On The Move To China - Day 8

We waved good-by to our Marriott hotel in Shanghai and headed to Hangzhou. The drive took over three hours and was uneventful! We stopped half way at a rest stop/truck stop. Had a great time looking at all the snacks that were offered – sure glad we had packed our own.

Once we arrived in Hangzhou we headed to lunch at a cute local restaurant nestled in the mountains in the tea growing area. The rows and rows of tea plants were an amazing sight – with such precision the rows were planted along the road, up the mountain side and in large fields. After lunch, we toured the famous Longjing tea “showroom” and had a lesson on the difference in the quality of tea. It was a splendid sales pitch but we didn’t buy!

Finally, we went to West Lake – the reason we came to Hangzhou. Marco Polo declared it to be the world’s most splendid city when he passed through in the 13th century. Thank goodness, progress has occurred, but little has changed around the lake. Very little development has occurred and the area has been preserved. West Lake it considered to be China’s most revered body of water. The lake is surrounded by misty mountains and impressive pagodas. We took a boat ride around most of the lake, again posing for pictures for those from the “old country” who has never seen a white woman except on TV. I laughed – the title of a book from my childhood flashed in my mind -Stranger in a Strange Land. We did enjoy the walk we took around a small section of the lake – it would take eight hours to walk the whole lake. The lake is truly beautiful. We enjoyed benches along the way, arched bridges, wood bridges, bamboo hunts over the water, stone walk ways, restaurants built in the traditional style, and Kio ponds. It is no wonder it is a hot spot for Chinese high-level government officials.

We had some time to kill before dinner so we headed to Lily’s Foot Massage shop at the hotel. We tried to talk our tour guide into joining us – he declined and headed to read the paper. We had a great time! Reflexology is painful and wonderful.

Our new hotel was a 40 minute drive from the West Lake and dinner. We are definitely not at the Marriott but it is a nice hotel overlooking the river that runs through Hangzhou – too bad it is dark and we can’t see!

Just a few more pictures of West Lake - it was beautiful!