amiche e sorelle!

Here we are! 23 years later! Still friends, and still very pretty!!

Flying...

Tomorrow at this time I'll flying over the big blue ocean heading towards Montreal

and then to Toronto!

I have to write it :

1 day to go!!

2

Can you imagine??? It took almost 2 years to come back and now Canada it's only 2 days away!

These last 2 days are going to be a rush against time! I don't know if actually I will make to do all the things I still need to do...but one thing is sure in 2 days I'll see my family & friends!

And that's what counts!!

Smile!

Here the smiley girl!

Tooth

Meggie lost her first tooth! My little bambina lost un dentino! Gosh I don't believe it! She is getting so big! I honestly feel little strange...Meggie is totally thrilled about this experience and she keeps on looking at herself in the mirrow and feeling like a big girl! I had also to take a picture ...and I will post it very soon! So now it's bed time, I still have to read a chapter or two and then I can relax on the couch! 11 days to go!

Paris/Hamilton

Weather in Hamilton, Canada

Cloudly :humidity : 67 %jeu.12 °C 25 °Cven.18 °C 31 °Csam.14 °C 26 °C dim.14 °C 26 °C

Weather in Paris, France
16 °C
Cloudly : humidity : 72 %jeu.10 °C 18 °C ven.7 °C 17 °C sam.7 °C 18 °C dim.7 °C 19 °C

Cloudy...it's raining here! We had nice weather for about 2 days and we are back to this!!!

13 days to GO!

Petite Anglaise

Petite alias Catherine inspired me in many ways

first of them all was the fact that I came back to Paris

and secondly the birth of this blog!!

Her life was definitely a rollercoaster:

dooced, dumped

but then

a book deal

and love

and like all fairy tales with a

happy ending!

Catherine's wedding

Cause of divorce

If I don't divorce tonight ....

If you are not into Euro2008 you should know that tonight Holland is playing against Italy!!

And Wouter says they will distroy us...

Reply :

AHAHHAHAHAHAH!!!

Happy b-day GEMINI!!

How many we are?

Well quite a bunch considering that

I'm the first one on the list with b-day on May 26th

Joseph on June 2nd

Maddy on June 6th

and last but not least

Gigino on June 8th!!
HAPPY B-DAY TO ALL THE GEMINI!

One last wish...

There is one last wish on my list, and if we don't make it, it doesn't matter, but I have for long time in mind to go with all you guys to the Inn on the Twenty in the village of Jordan! Sandra tells me that it's such a great place...! So if you have a free moment on Sunday 29th of June we could go there for a lovely brunch! Shall we make a reservation...??

Meggie's list!

Here the little one's list : going on the bike, to the swimmingpool and playing the "princess" and sure coloring & coloring! Easy isn't it??

Wouter's wishes!

Wouter is a simple guy!

He will be happy with nice barbecues and some fresh beer

and maybe one evening at Hess Village!

Do you think Jerry, John and Steve can take care of that??

Girls stuff!

My dear Sandra, Nancy & Norma!

In something like 19 days I'll be in Hamilton again

and even if I know that you are very very busy

I was wondering if the 3 of you could find the time

to spend one "girls night out"!

Not loo long, couple of hours, drinking a couple of Frozen Daiquiri (isn't it Nancy??)

an Apple Martini or two for Sandra and some

Tequila shots for Norma

and chat, chat and chat !

Then our men, if they are nice and wish to join, they are welcome!

So let's pick up a day!

Canada here I come

24 days to go! In just over 3 weeks I'll be back to Canada! The excitement is growing every day and I can't wait to be in Hamilton again to celebrate with Sandra and all the family our 40th b-days! This time is even more special for me because till the last moment I did not know if we could make it but then how could I miss such an important event in our "story"?? So when I actually booked the flights my legs were shaking from relief, joy and little stress! So many years went by since the very first time Sandra and I met in 1985, so many laughter and so many tears, but winters could not froze, and summers could not dry the feelings we always felt for each other and even if we are an ocean away our heart are more close than we can say...So cara amica e sorella...I'm on your way to hug you again!

b-day shots!

Greetings from Prague

My birthday is tomorrow!

I will turn 40 and a new phase of my life will start!

I'm looking forward to this!

I'm don't worry about my wrinkles and about the effects of gravity on my body

I'm 40 and happy

and

I just look faboulous!

Canada on my mind...!

News from Paris!

So many things to do so little time!!What's new?? Months are passing by at a scary pace and we are already in March. Tuesady March 18th Meggie is turning 6! That cannot be?? I was pregnant not far ago...or at least so it seems but I have the sweet living proof that 6 years went by! In couple of months it will be my turn to be the b-day girl....that's really scary! I never thought that I would wake up and find myself being 40!! I'm not really sure how I will handle this new 'age'...but as Sandra said 'ages happens'...so let it be!! Apart from my philosophical thoughts about aging and time I have been really busy lately and this is why I have been sort of 'missing'on this blog ...!! I had to organize, finally (just small delay of six years!!) Meggie's baptism that will take place in Villarbasse on April 26th. Just for the record I had to get a permission from the French church to do this cerimony in Italy, then attend some night courses with Wouter and also dealing with the priest in Italy who was trying to be difficult but in the end all mellowed down and things seem good so far. My brother Gio is going to be the Godfather and my friend Claudia will be the Godmother. Then I'm also trying to buy out my mortgage (I had a variable mortgage and it raised like crazy in the last year) over Bineau just to keep busy with some paperwork! In short it's running to the bank, make photocopies, fill papers, run again to the bank and it will take at least a month before things are settled! And all this in addition with my work and all the travelling to bring Meggie up and down to Italy! But Wouter and I had the chance to spend 3 days alone in London while Meggie was at my parents!! It was great...we had good weather (for British standard!) went twice to theatre to see first'We will Rock You' and then'Billy Elliot' and then simly enjoying walking around without worrying about anything and doing everything our way!! Great!! Then Meggie and my parents flew back to Paris and we spent a nice long week end and had a great time together walking around the city and finding a new great brasserie in the 6th!! So what's next on the agenda?? Well, I have a trip to Madrid scheduled on April 7th and one to Barcelona on the 17th and then we are off to Italy but before this a girls week end will take place in Lyon on Saturday 29th : 7 ex high school friends out in town with no men and no kids...should be fun and you will know all about it when I'll come back! So I'm done here in Paris, now to you Hamilton!!

Un anno fa...

Well I think I finally did it!!!

So, Thursday March 6th I get a phone call from my realtor Tony to go and view a house..so my thoughts were.."here we go again"..I ended up meeting Tony at a house on East 21st street at around 5:15 that evening. Steve wasn't with me because he was working til 6 that night. My first thought of the house was "aahhh no!!!". I didn't even see the inside and yet I already didn't like it. Tony then takes me through the house and I just couldn't believe how much I actually did like the house. The layout of the house is exactly like Sandra's old house on Camelot but a little smaller and the kitchen is a bit different but all in all..it's the same look. After seeing that house Tony wanted me to see another house on East 25th just to compare the difference so we ended up driving over to view it. That was a house from HELL!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't like it at all. So I said to Tony "I like the other place more". He asked if I wanted to show my parents and so I agreed. I called them up to meet me there and so we were off once again to view the house. This time it was with my parents. As we were going through the house again..I can tell that my parents really liked it. So in the end..my parents told me that if I really liked the house to put an offer. So that evening after seeing the house two times already, I followed Tony to his office to put an offer on that house. As we were there making up the papers, Steve called and said he was on his way. Steve was coming with me to see other houses prior to this one but like I said, he was working that day so he couldn't make it. He ended up meeting me at Tony's office just as we were finishing up the paper work. Tony asked if we wanted to see the house one more time and with no hesitation, Steve said "let's go". So for the third time that night we went to see the house. Steve really liked it so I was more excited to have his input on it. Tony then told me he'll keep me posted on what's going to happen the following day with the offer. There were already 3 offers pending for the same house. So I was excited and nervous at the same time due to the fact that I thought I might be losing another bidding war for a house. I had to work the following day and all I kept thinking about was that darn house and my offer...Finally at 3:45 that day Friday March 7th, I got a phone call that pretty much would change my life..."CONGRATULATIONS NORMA YOU GOT THE HOUSE!!!". I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was in shock and shaking at the same time that one of the nurses had to sit me down. I just couldn't believe what was happening at that moment. The nurses station was full of nurses and doctor's no one had a clue at what had happened. I finally got off the phone and in a state of shock I yelled out..."I GOT THE HOUSE!!!" Everyone couldn't believe it because I was looking for so long that this day has actually arrived. Everyone congratulated me over and over I still couldn't believe it. I finally caught my breath and started calling Steve and my family. They were all excited and they couldn't even believe what was happening. That phone call pretty much now is going to change my life and finally open up a new chapter in my life. Now I'm in the process of organizing the financial part and making a lot of phone calls to get the ball rolling and all. This is exciting but right now I'm in the very stressing part of it all. This is too big to mess up. Everyone around me are being very supportive through this whole thing but I'm still quite nervous and stressed about things. This is what I have wanted for many years and now that it's actually happening to me...it's easier said then done. But my realtor and mortgage broker are fantastic and they are taking care of pretty much everything. My parents are great and supporting me with this I really can't ask for anything more. And yes I'm still hearing from my parents not to move out because they don't want to see there baby go..but it's time to finally cut that umbilical cord and have my own responsibilities and life. Mind you what they don't know is that I'm going to be there almost every night for dinner...lol...I still gotta eat!!! I take possession of the house on April 11th. So until then I really can't do much as far as painting or anything. So as soon as I get the key we gotta paint and fix a few things. Like I said..I'm pretty nervous right now because I don't want to mess anything up but I know when I get myself settled in and make it mine..I know everything will be ok. So that is what's happening in my life right now so I'm kinda busy with all that. Steve and I are still together and doing really well so life is pretty busy but I'm happy.
So I'll leave you with that, I'll keep you posted of what's going on. So I'll talk to you all soon!!! Have a good night!!!

Circolo del Ramino

Hometown!

I leave with Meggie for Torino, tomorrow morning. Here in Paris kids have two weeks vacation and Meggie will spend her break at my parents. My mom has been wiating for this moment since Christmas and she is counting the minutes to hug her beloved grand child again. I will take the chance to stay couple of days, working (I have some key accounts in Torino) and enjoying my parents and maybe finding the time to see couple of girlfriends! Maybe Torino is not famous or thrilling like Paris BUT I do love going back to my hometown, and when I'm there it's like I never left!

Waiting....

Just few months later, here I am, again. Sitting and waiting. Waiting, again, for a doctor to come and call out my name. I'm sitting and waiting and trying to keep my mind busy by looking around, checking out other's women shoes, clothes, hair style and posture. How many of them said "Good Morning" when they entered the waiting room? One, if you exclud me! We are all here sitting and waiting for the same reason. Women of all ages, from the teenager to the granny are here waiting. Waiting for a doctor to come and call their name. Waiting for a response. Waiting and wishing to know that everything is fine with our breasts. Or not. Time seems to slow down in this waiting room. In all waiting rooms. And then some bad thoughts come to my mind. What if they tell me that something is wrong?? Could it be something nasty, this thing, I feel?? Am I going to die??? I shake my head trying to sweep these ill-omened thoughts and flip through a magazine trying to read the first interview of Mrs Sarkozy Bruni. When finally my turn comes my legs are suddenly heavy and reclutant to walk. A friendly nurse shows me a small room where I have to undress my upper body and then she welcomes me on the other side of the room, still waiting for the doctor to come. I feel odd and little funny sitting on the little bed with only pants on and having my boobs in the air...(and I don't feel like a Minoan Goddess!!) Still waiting. Then the doctor comes in and tries to look me in the eyes instead of gazing at my disproportionated breasts. Few questions and then I tell him that yesterday I felt a big, hard lump in my left boobie. It's so big that the doctor decides to vaccum-cleaned it immediately. The nurse goes to get all the necessary and when the niddle approches I simply close my eyes. I hear my heart beating. It's done. The doctor smile at me and says " You will receive the results in two weeks but I can already tell you that everything is fine". I dress up again and go in the waiting room. The doctors comes back 10 minutes later with my photos and walks me to the exit. I open the door. Breathe heavily and then cry : thank God all is well!

Happy Saint Valentine my friends!

Because I try to be on a diet...

Chocolate,

the very word

Melts in the mind

Slips off the tongue,

sweet Chocolate Chocolate,

the very thought

Brings a smile,

Delicate, dark, milk to light

Chocolate

Chocolate,

the very notion

Heightens our devotion

Taste buds tingle for

Chocolate, chocolate, Chocolate!

Hello from Veghel, The Netherlands

Today we are in Veghel with Joppe, Roos and Babs!!! While Meggie and Roos are playing with Playmobile, Joppe and I are playing with Blogger to create a blog. So after some click here and click there a new blog is born! If you can read Dutch, or if you are curious...check out The Lupos is Beautiful from my nephew Joppe! Joppe, welcome in the blog's world!!

Flying with....

It's always nice to come across to famous peole. See singers and actors in real life. But actually flying with one of my favorite Italian singer was quite a blast!! Yes I flew with Paolo Conte!!

Via con me
Paolo Conte
P. Conte
(1981)
Via, via, vieni via di qui,niente più ti lega a questi luoghi,neanche questi fiori azzurri...via, via, neanche questo tempo grigiopieno di musichee di uomini che ti sono piaciuti...It's wonderful, it's wonderful, it's wonderful,good luck my babe,it's wonderful, it's wonderful, it's wonderful,I dream of you...chips, chips, du-du-du-du-duVia, via, vieni via con me,entra in questo amore buio,non perderti per niente al mondo...via, via, non perderti per niente al mondolo spettacolo d'arte variadi uno innamorato di te...It's wonderful, it's wonderful, it's wonderful...Via, via, vieni via con me,entra in questo amore buio,pieno di uomini...via, entra e fatti un bagno caldo,c'è un accappatoio azzurro,fuori piove un mondo freddo...
It's wonderful, it's wonderful, it's wonderful...

Auguri Mamma!!

Little week end in Italy to celebrate my mom's b-day!! Lovely weather, great shopping, excellent food we had a super time!! All the best to this very special woman to whom I owe everything! Buon Compleanno Mamma!!

Extra thing!

Well I'm not sure if I am allowed to add and extra thing to the 8 I have already listed but because this is "our" blog we can do the hell we want! So I have a 9th thing I want to do before I die and it's to organize a big party on a beautiful island (it could be in the Caribbean or in a small Italian island like Lampedusa!) and invite all my family and friends!

8 things

I want to do before I die....(well this was not really my idea -just copied from another blog but thought it was interesting so here I am!)

1. Become a photographer
2. Make a joke in Dutch (meaning speaking fluent Dutch)
3. Go on a ballon with my mom and Meggie over the savana
4. Go to Niagara on the Lake with Sandra, Nancy & Norma
5. Go back to Mexico and see Rocio and Yessika once again
6. Write the story of my life
7. Visit Jerusalem and Petra
8. Hold my grandchild in my arm

Number 8 is my biggest wish! Now I'm curious to know what are the things YOU want to do. Well, now is your turn!

Triangle...and more!

Carla Bruni. Another cover. Again her name in the headlines. Who hasn't heard of Carla Bruni?? Who doesn't know the edgy face of the ex top model, then singer and now girlfriend of the French President?? Here in France, and especially in Italy we are all in overdose of Carla. Yes because Carla lives here in Paris since she is five years old but she comes from my hometown Torino. Two markets in one shot, well done Ms Bruni! But Ms Bruni is also famous for having stolen couple of husbands here and there. One of these husbands, Raphael Enthoven, left his wife for Carla. But the story gets more complicated. In fact Carla was dating Raphael's father. Yes, in one week end Carla was able to sleep with Enthoven senior and junior! Well done Ms Bruni! The results of this betrayal was the realese of a raw book "Nothing Serious" written by the cheated upon wife Justine Levy! Carla is described like a "witch" who has been completely "redone" by the plastic surgeon! Even her cheekbones are fake! After 6 years, and one child, Carla left also Mr Enthoven junior. Well done Ms Bruni! On the other hand Justine, the ex devasted wife, found love again in Patrick Mille. Probably this name doesn't ring any bell in your head but he was the actor I met in Mauritius, in another life. Little world after all. So everything is well which ends well, Ms Bruni is now the "unofficial" First Lady of France. Well done Ms Bruni, well done!

Fashion Ladies

Olga, here I am!!!!!

Hello there...yes it is I, Norma!! I have not disappeared. I am still here and enjoying the blog. Yes I have put facebook to rest. I just couldn't deal with all the e-mails and postings people send me. So I have decided to delete my profile. But I am still here on our blog and I enjoy reading it. Well I guess your probably wondering what I have been doing lately. Well, nothing exciting to tell you the truth. I work and work and work...We just booked for our Collingwood weekend (Elvis festival) for July and that's pretty much what we have planned so far. Steve and I are till together and going strong. He is a terrific guy. He's going to be around for a long time..lol..love him to death. We spend a lot of time together and he's just fun to be with. So we shall see what the future brings. Other than that, there isn't much more to say. I have got to get to bed soon because I am working in the morning..(lucky me)...So on that note...I will be back soon and see what's going on here on the blog. By the way Olga...where did you get that picture with my name on the rocks??? LOL...it's soooo cool!!! Talk to you soon!!!! Ciao for now!!!!

Where are you??

When I told you, in my previous post, that Norma had put Facebook to a rest I did not know yet that her profile had completely disappeared from it. With my surprise when I checked, the othe day, she was simply gone! Where are you Norma?? Yes you know, I'm making up all type of stories in my head so before I come up with the wirdest conclusions I think it's better, for your own sake, to tell us what you are doing, NOW, with your free time ;-)?? An urgent post from you is required!

London Shots!!

News!!

The new year starts with a baby girl! My good friend Kathleen gave birth to Oceane on January 4th. Alex, her hubs, informed me via Facebook! I had news from Kath yesterday :

"Hi Olga,
Thanks for your messages...I'm a bit behind in writing. It's nearly 1 am right now and Oceane is snuggled on a pillow on my lap. Sometimes she sleeps in her crib and sometimes she doesn't want to. C'est la vie. I try to sleep when I can.
She's adorable. WE love her so much. I will evenutally write about the whole labour--maybe even on my blog.
Here are a couple of pictures. You can show Meggie.
Love Kath
PS I should probably be in Paris sometime in March.
Can't wait to see you then.
Bisous"
I like the fact that this new year starts with a baby. With life. A new life into this wonderful, crazy world! I have also other girlfriends who are expecting and this 2008 will be a year full of new babies. Great! I wish I had the gutts to have another child too but for the moment it remains only a thought. We had a great start of the year in London. New projects are taking form and I shall very soon share them with you. My dear friend Sandra is coming to Paris this summer, she will be here mid August for couple of days. This means that I shall see Sandra twice this year! Renzo is also coming to Europe from South Africa! So this 2008 will be a year full of friends visiting! A great year! My friend Miky is finally starting a procedure to divorce the scambag of her husband but so far it looks quite complicated. I now that this looks like a sad news but this is a great news. Finally, after 15 years of misery, Miky wants to have her life back and I shall celebrate with her!! My parents are fine, dad is stressing a little because he had to go to a forced retirement but my mom is doing a great job supporting him! What we would do without this woman??? My brother Gio is also good and looking forward in finding a companion this year!! And this is would be a great news too! Norma decided to put Facebook to a rest...this could mean that she is seriously in love and she has better things to do!! So this looks like a promising year... Let's hope that everybody will have a wonderful year!

Happy New 2008 from London!!