Monday, July 28, 2008

Char what a fantastic opportunity for the entire family. I'm truly green with envy.

I've wanted to take a trip to Italy but Tom doesn't like to take flights that are so long he's required to use the bathroom. You think he'd like to visit his country of origin. His mother's maiden name was Zappia. His son and daughter-in-law were in Italy two years ago. Part of their trip included Serrento because that is supposedly where their ancestors came from. They found the little town where Tom, Jr.'s great-grandfather was born. Unfortunately, they couldn't get too much information because no one spoke much English and they do not speak Italian.

Sometime this fall my niece will be student teaching in Rome. My brother and his wife are planning to visit her sometime while she is there. It will be their first time abroad.

Ciao

Barbara

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Of Frenzy & Excitement

In exactly 30 days, we'll be leaving, and despite my checklists and careful plans of time management, I feel that we have about 30 days too few to get completely ready. Perhaps this sort of trip is like getting married or having a child: one is never completely prepared!! We have had a couple of unexpected bumps (our pet/house sitters that we arranged back in June now may not work out!), and we are still waiting to hear about visas from the Italy campus. Just the thought of going back to that very unfriendly Italian Consulate in Philadelphia at the last minute, leaving our passports so they can process the visas, and ensuring that we have them by 8/25 is causing me ansia (anxiety)!

We did get our train reservations for the London-Paris-Saumur and Saumur-Paris-Venice ride as well as our international drivers' licenses. Most of our fall and winter break excursions are booked at this point, except for the December trains which can't be booked until 60 days of departure. Our checking account and AAA credit card are having frequent palpitations, especially as our salary from the University of Iowa (our CIMBA employer) won't be starting until late September! I pretty much have Emma's school work planned out and purchased some texts from The Learning Station. In addition to the 3 "R's" and science, she will have a lot of history and geography as we tie in writing and reading activities to our various trips. Abbey is registered for 3 online courses: Political Science, Psychology, Computers; her 4th course is Italian, which she'll take through University of Iowa in Paderno.

So what is on our to-do list?
  • find house/animal sitters--any recommendations?
  • get visas or appropriate paperwork for a 9-month stay
  • complete course prep by 8/1
  • seriously learn A LOT MORE Italian (my reading it is getting better though)
  • arrange online bill pays
  • "close up" farm house or townhouse if we can't find sitters and have to leave animals at the farm
  • prepare an information list for house/animal sitters, hoping that we will find them
  • finish odd work about both houses
  • call airport shuttle
  • PACK and REPACK!!
  • Breathe deeply and frequently!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

A Frantic Pace as We Near August 1st

The paperwork has been completed ... for the most part! We are still unsure if we need a visa? Charlene has been killing herself with train schedules and travel and trip destinations for the girls' Spring semester and return trip home. Today Charlene showed me a small travel booklet which she has put together which shows the detailed layout of their trip (I didn't see any bathroom stops, but I feel sure that this is a minor oversight!). I am sitting on the back porch with a small bourbon on the rocks, a cigar, and the Phillies game going on the radio (Phils vs Mets - 9th inning and the Phils are down by 3 runs two on and the tying run coming to the plate -1st place in the NLE is at stake) and am attempting my first blog. It doesn't get any better than this. It's now bases loaded, and no outs with the winning run at the plate,
Char has been working on her Italian as has Abbey to a lesser extent. The house is in an uproar with racks of clothing for the trip hung in every room. We bought Emma a digital camera for the trip and she is excited, and has been having a ball with it. We got her a carrying case with a strap which she can put around her neck and a strap for the camera which I have hooked on the carrying case strap so that it can't be dropped, or easily put down and left somewhere. We will see if it actually makes it to Italy! The Phils have scored a run and still have the bases loaded. Hope springs eternal! We could still win! Flash! The Phils have just tied up the game! No outs yet! Another Flash! The Phils have another hit by J. Rollins and it is now a 7 to 5 Phils lead and still no outs! CRUSH THOSE METS! Howard gets an RBI and it is now 8 to 5. The Mets are in deep doodoo! YAZOO! The Mets bull pen has imploded! The inning is over, but we have the lead! Bottom of the 9th, can we hold them off?
I am starting to prep my new course (Managerial Economics) some fun! I need to get some course packs together by the 1st of August for copying for my students. All of this prep will pay off shortly. Wow, the reality of this trip is starting to sink in. I am busy finishing up income tax extensions for some of my tax clients. There are at least two clients who will drag it out to the last week that I can complete them. I am betting one will not make it! Such is life!
Thursday I will go up to the farm and get ready for our week of milking for my brother-in-law who will head off to Boy Scout camp for a week. It will be a nice change of pace for him, and a big change of pace for us. Mornings come early when you need to get up at 4:00 am for milking. I have been reading some books on French and Italian cheeses. I hope to visit some small cottage cheesemaking farms in Italy. This could be preparation for my retirement hobby, or my next career. Flash! The Fighting Phils have just won the game! What a great comeback! Time for a little more refreshment to celebrate! I will muster more trip thoughts later. I am all done in for now!