Jamon

After another long and exhausting day at the fair, we had a nice dinner, on Madrid's time (meaning that you start eating at 10pm the earliest!) at this cute restaurant called Meson cinco hojats! Their specialty is the jamon iberico and we had huge quantity of it! I know that already eating after 9pm is bad (you don't burn any calories and all the food will rest peacefully on your hips..!) and eating jamon should be forbidden but I could not help and stuffed myself with a big, indicent portion of this delicious product of Spain! I try to compensate and did not drink any wine...just water! Day ended arond 1am : too late for mine taste but I need just to hang in here an extra day and then I'm back to Paris!

Flamenco

Long day for me today: starting at 7 am and ending at 2am after a Flamenco evening at the Corral de la Pacheca and a drink at the Marsana disco! Thanks god couple of younger colleagues wanted to go back so I was able to lay my tired feet around 2am! But at that time I could not sleep anymore and woke up couple of times during this to short night of rest! But how can people go out and be fresh the next day?? Probably I am just too old for this shit!! ahahaha!
Any how I enjoy the flamenco show!

SUPER....

I wish I was Super Mom!

You know those super moms who have all situations under control, those moms who know perfectly what they gonna cook at night and have perfectly "ironed" kids, those moms that never loose control, that never scream and never loose temper, that are beautifully maked up already at 7am and still looking great at midnight, those moms (but are they human??) who are at the same time working moms and at the same time the best wives in bed, meaning that they don't fall aspleep before 10pm, snoring unsexily on the couch, but they also take care of the well being of the spouses! Well I am not one of those moms! My days start around 7am and it takes, at least, a couple of hours before I look decent, most of the times I have no clue what I am gonna cook the same evening and sometimes I have to buy chinese or pizza because there isn't absolutely nothing "eatable" in the fridge, I scream, loose temper and swear in different languages, my make up last max. an hour and at 11am I look, again, pale and exhausted, I don't prepare homemade cookies (but I, thouhg, make prepared cakes : those you just pour into a pan and put into the oven!!), and most of the time around 10pm I am already snoring on the couch! The next day it's starts all over again with little variations! Like this morning when I couldn't find a taxi to go to the airport and I was freaking out about missing my flight, I looked exactly like cat's drawing : a nice example of hysterical mom (I was late because I wanted to bring myself Meg to school!) I was lucky, then, to find a friendly taxi driver who had pity and stopped, then that the péripherique was not too crowded and I made it to Orly airport on time, took an Iberia flight to Madrid and here I am once again, for one of those "feet killing" fairs ...but hey that's why they pay me!!

BTW : I know a super mom!! Yes, Mrs Velluto, I am talking about you!!

News from Nancy!

Hi everyone,
I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since this has all started. I actually can't believe this really happened at all, but it did and I would have never been able to get through this without my family and friends. I wanted to thank everyone for the phone calls, flowers, cards, thoughts and most of all PRAYERS. Everyone knows I have a very large family, and I know alot of people, but never in my wildest thoughts did I expect the concern everyone had for me during my illness. To say thank you to everyone will never be enough.
I hope everyone is well, I miss alot of you guys.
Talk to you soon!
Love Nancy

Rush!

Today is not expection I am still running ... I am always in a rush : rushing to bring Meggie to school, rushing back home to have some breakfast, the rushing to the office, rushing to buy some lunch, then rushing back home!! When I get back I feel completely empty and I still have to rush to make dinner because two starving mounths are waiting to be fed! Oh dear it sounds tragic! Well it's not that bad but it's true that Paris has a very fast pace! And you have to keep up with it! Sometimes I run down the stairs of the metro and then I stop to wonder why I am running! And the answer is because everybody else is! You see people running and you run also when you don't have to! Funny, eh? But finally it's almost week end and I can slow my pace a little and enjoy some morning lingering in the sleeping couch (which has counted days because very soon I will have a proper bed to sleep in!!). Next week is gonna be hectic again...I leave for Madrid on Tuesday! Olé!

Auguri mammina!

Little time...

Dear all, I am so sorry to give so little news, lately, but I don't seem to have enoght time to do all the things I have to do! I am working on too many files at work, I am organizing "another" moving to our new appartment, I am taking care of Meggie, taking care of the household and at the same time I am trying not to forget friends' birthdays, to call overseas to check on Nancy and my other two "sisters", also not forgetting to check what's my "good" brother is up to in Villarbasse and also chatting with my mamma dialy. I have many stories I want to share with you, little episodes that made me laugh, or some sad thoughts that wandered through my head but I don't know when, actually, to do it! Sometimes I steal some minutes and I start writting on this blog, then I am stopped by a phone call or by my boss who comes in in the office and I have to quickly switch the page off and later I have to start all over again because I have lost track! This is the working mom's destinity, I guess, to be running like "chickens without the head"!
Yes I am busy but I always found a moment to think of you guys. Even if it'a little one!

Gnammm Doritos!

Since the day of my operation I decided to eat healthy : vegetables and fruits, yogurths and cereals and to avoid dratically "junk food" meaning no more chips, nutella, peanuts, cookies and no more Doritos! Ahhhhh!! The first week wasn't too bad...propably helped by the fact that I was also sick I wasn't really hungry. Then days passed by and I started to feel better and to be more in the mood for food. I think sometimes of a nice panino with nutella, and I could eat peanuts while drinking some champagne but what I am in need for it's DORITOS!! I miss Doritos (my favorites are Nachos Cheese!!) so much!! To preserve my weak will from temptation I did not buy Doritos last time I was at the supermarket but I don't know for how long my "good intention" will last! Gnammm!!!

Vieux Paris

Old days in Hamilton

It's canada calling....

Ciao Olga,
I hope this gets to you. I’ve been having a bit of difficulty with my email. I think the problem has been solved now. So, how are you? I hope you’re feeling better after your operation. And Meggie? Is she better? It’s so hard when our kids are sick……thank goodness Joe, Steph, Angie and Stephen are well. Joe had bronchitis over the holidays but he’s back to normal now. He even won his hockey game today! 5 to 4! It was very exciting!
Stephanie has an hour of piano today because we had a “snow day” last Monday. School was closed and piano was cancelled. She loves ice skating too and goes every Thursday. Jerry is fine….always happy and so great with the kids. Have you seen the new Ben Stiller movie….A Night at the Museum? It’s wonderful, the kids really enjoyed it.
My parents are well. Thank goodness this mess with Nancy is over. She’s at home now and is resting comfortably. She’ll be off work for about 2 months I think. She still has the intervenes attached to her arm and a nurse comes once a day to change it. What a nightmare! Thank God she’s better.
Work is work. My class has a lot of challenges but I can see progress which is great. We’re looking forward to going away this summer. I think to South Carolina for a couple of weeks. It’ll be nice to get away. So, what’s new with you? Wouter is well I hope. Please give your family my love. I’ll write again soon. Take care.
Love ya,
Sandra

P.S. You won’t believe what I found! The very FIRST picture of us together in 1985! We looked so young! My God! How time flies!
A presto……..

This is not the picture Sandra is talking about but...one of many pictures we made together in the "old, good days"!!

Home sweet home!

Nancy is going home today. The doctors considered that she can recover much better in the warmth of her home than in a hospital room! I totally agree with this philosophy but the "patient" has to be helped and doesn't have to feel left alone! So Nancy decided, well done!, to go at her mom's for few days! Licia will take care of Nancy in the best possible way an Italian mom can do and in this way she will gain all her straingh back and she will be ready to face everyday chores soon, but not yet! So dear Nancy enjoy your time at Licia, watch old movies, drink nice cup of tea and read your favorite blog because I have been missing you so much! Ciao cara!

Fiori per Nancy!

I talked yesterday with Norma who reassured me that everything went well with Nancy's surgery. Now it's time for her to recover and heal..It will take time but we are all there for her! And I'll do my best, from this side of the planet, to be as much present as possible, in Nancy's (and not only!!) life!

Few lines....

These few lines are for Nancy. All my prayers and thoughts are for my little sister who is having a "skin graph" surgery this morning! I am sure that everything will be fine and that you will come home soon!

Be strong darling! Love ya! Olga

A prayer for Nancy

Premonition...

There was a reason behind the silence. Some how I knew it. I felt that something was "wrong". I tried to convince myself that this lack of news, from Canada, was due to hectic weeks but a little voice in my head told me that I'd better check! Yesterday, around 4pm my time, I called my Canadien parents' house! Gigino picked up and from his tone I knew that something had happened. Nancy had fought for her life and she was, just now, out of danger! While I was asking myself what was going on, Nancy had been attacked by a "flesh eater virus!!" that in less than 9 hours actually "devour" your skin! What I have been reading today it's more than scary and I am still under shock! After talking with Gigino, I called John, Nancy's husband, to have more detailed news! Nancy felt sick (same symptom of a cold or flue) on Friday night, a strange but little dark rush, made its way on Nancy' breast. During the night this "thing" grew to the size of an apple! Scared they rushed to emergencies downtown Joseph's Hospital, where Nancy went under surgery only 3 hours later. A big portion of her skin was taken away and she remained in intensive care, under all type of antibiotics and morphines, for more than 4 days! All circumstances turned out in Nancy's favour : virus incubation, timing at emercengy, reactivity at the hospital, but it could have also gone wrong and I don't want even to think about it! I talked with Nancy, yesterday, at the hospital. It was a very emotional moment for both of us. I thank God, all the doctors and Nancy's family to have taken care of her. I thank Nancy for having fought fiercely and have won this "virus". Now I know that everything will be fine, again!

Slow!

I am slow. I walk slowly, I think slowly and I even eat slowly! Today it's my first day at work and I am just so tired! This morning, when I heard, in the distance, the alarm clock I wish I could cry and pay whatever amount of money to stay in bed! Then I slowly put my feet on the floor, massaged my back that hurt from the unusual sleeping position, made Meggie's milk and then asked Wouter if he could bring "his" daughter to school...!! Screams and yells started : "Why you did not ask me before? I have a meeting at 9....bla bla bla...you Italians cannot plan and only improvise and put other people in difficult situations!!" Difficult situations??? I just asked if he could walk Meggie to school! Then I got mad and I started to raise my voice (probably add couple of names in Italian)...then he raised his voice and then Meggie looked at us and asked "why are you fighting??" I guess you can picture the "family portrait" if you are married or have been married or you are living with someone!! So for the fairness of the this blog I will tell also when things are little "crazy" otherwise you might think that I live on a pink cloud: this was 2007 first fight! How it ended?? I simply walked myself Meggie to school (should have avoided to ask!!) and slowly came to work!

Where are you guys??

I spoke on December 31st with my 3 sisters in Canada : Norma was the first one (I woke her up from a tormented sleep at 11am Canadian time!!), then I talked with Nancy who was on duty, at the hospital and then, last but not least, I spoke with Sandra who was cooking (well Jerry was!!) a delicious New Year's Eve dinner! Then silence..! Hey girls today it's January 11th and I did not read any news from you?? I see from the statcounter that you didn't check "amiche e sorelle" and I was wondering if you were just too busy (back to work, kids back to school, household and husbands for those who have one!!) or if you are also in bed with the flue!! Hope it's the first reason...any how, please ladies give me a sign that you are there and that all is fine with you!!

Enough!

I had it! Enough being sick and being surronded by people who are also sick! Geez we have to take turns for the WC! Here in Paris situation is quite critical but I hear that in Italy isn't any better, and I have friends sick all over the planet! I want to feel great, in good shape and to face the new year with energy....ops...I'd better off because I'm sick again!!

Bandages!!

Have you ever seen "The retourn of the Mommy"?? Well if you did you can picture me right now! I have bangages everywhere!! What was I thinking? Hell it's hurts! Saturday after a long long night I thought that a car had run me over! What really hurts it's my head : I have awful headaches since Saturday afternoon probably due to a reaction to the anaestasia! The ride home from the clinic was hell and sitting on the toilet takes at least 5 minutes...but a part all the above I am fine! To add a cherry on the cake Meggie is sick and she has been puking all day, yesterday, and everywhere especially in my bed! And I am proud to say that I am doing my little injections...well I was pretty scared when I had to do the first one...almost a pro now!! Ok better go and lay back in bed because my head starts spinning again...and watch an Audrey Hepburn movie!

" ° "

This afternoon I am off for a little surgical operation! I little birthmark turned black with a white circle around it and lost its round shape, so the surgeon suggested to get rid of it fast! My first intention was, when I went to see the doctor, to have my caesarean section fixed (almost 5 years ago they almost butchered me!) and then this new thing came up so we decided to do both! Then I thought that while I was under anaesthesia I could add an extra little thing...So I asked the surgeon if he could also "vaccuum" the little fat that remained on my belly from Meggie's pregnancy! So we decided to do this too!! I will be back on Tuesday, if I am feeling well, but I will try to post from home to tell you that even if the Nip/Tuck me I am fine and showing a flat belly!

Resolutions...!

As a consequence of my previous post my new year's resolutions start with "talk less and do more!!", followed by "eat less and do more sport!!", followed then by"listen more and be less agressive", and to end with "forgive human failure, including mine too!!" For the rest, I alredy do not smoke, and don't drink coffee and I don't exceed in sex either!! Geez....What happened to me..?? When did I turn into this wise, uhuhuh boring, woman??

"Tu parles beaucoup"

During these holidays (even if I have another concept of vacation : sun, palm tree and cocktail on a Caribbean beach!) Meggie told me something that made me laugh and wonder at the same time!
One evening, at my in-laws, I was telling her to stop moving, to sit properly, to speak softly, etc she looked at me and with her big eyes and she said : "You talk too much, mom!!" Ehhhhhh!! I talk too much?? She is not even 5 and she is already telling me this? Well, it's true that I talk a lot and I enjoy the beauty of words but I hope that I am not perceived as someone who rambles or who prattles and then in the end I am a mom and moms are supposed to talk too much!!

Eglise Orthodoxe des Saints Archanges

Paris is always full of surprises. It's enough to turn right instead of the usual left to find a new world, a different Paris in front of you. Couple of week ago we were walking down the Rue Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement, when we turned into Rue de Carmes and then took a short cut with some stairs to Rue Jean de Beauvais. I stood with Meggie in front of this little Orthodoxe church and we both had the urge to go in. Orthodoxe Churches are quite different : they are smaller, more intimate and less austere. There are carpets on the floors and there isn't a distance beetwen the minister and the faithful : it's a whole. Meggie liked it very much and we sit for a moment for a little pray. On january 1st I decided to show this church to my parents. We started at Place Monge, walked up the Rue Mouffetard, walked by the Pantheon, and finally found the right street again. To my disappointment churches are closed on January 1st! While I was checking all the gates, to see if one was open, a man approached and asked me if I wanted to enter the church! I replied that my daughter liked this church very much! This priest opened the Church just for us, asked the guy that was cleaning to stop for a moment and I was able to show this little jewel to my mom. Then I sat with Meggie, prayed and then lighted two candles to this peaceful dark-skinned Madonna! When it was time to leave the Pope made his way into his Church, greeted us and wished Meggie and me a Happy New Year!

New Year's shots!!