Live from the Eternal City

I'm sitting in my hotel room outside of Rome and it's noon. We bucked up for a day of internet service so that my Hubby can do some work from our room. It will probably get reimbursed by his company so the 18 euro won't come out of our pocket. The current exchange rate puts the dollar at .60 cents so spending every Euro is like spending $1.40.


Today it's chilly and drizzling but the last two days have been sunny and only mildly chilly. It's off season so the sites aren't that crowded and it's easy to get around by walking or hopping into a cab. I highly recommend late February for a trip to Rome if you aren't a fan of glaring sunlight and heat.

People dress very well here. Most women wear low heeled or flat calf length boots in brown or black. Leather jackets and shoes seem to be the norm. The clothes are close fitting and tailored looking. Black is the most popular with brown and other earth tones following close behind. And almost no one is overweight here despite the fact that there are pastry shops and gelaterias selling their delicious wares on every corner.

The food has been pretty good although I have to say that we haven't ventured into any expensive restaurants or looked at ratings. There is no free water. If you want water you have to pay for a bottle of it and the going rate is 2.50-4 euro for a 1/2 liter. I paid 4 euro for a tiny bottle of Coke before I figured out that I should share water with my hubby. There are no refills much to my hydration junkie hubby's annoyance. We each bought bottles of water and have been refilling them whenever we get the chance. The water here is mostly potable so that helps the wallet.

There is a distinct lack of public toilets. But, when you do see one they are very distinctly marked, "Toilettes". And there is always a line so when you see a public toilet you should just get in it. Even if you don't have to go you probably will by the time it's your turn. I have not seen a pay toilet but I do think they are around. None of the public toilets I went into by the Colloseum, the Visitor Center, or the Vatican had seats on them. But, luckily there was paper and soap.
Our personal hotel room bathroom has a bidet and a toilet seat. Very nice. If you want more info and/or pictures of Italian toilets you can google "the toilets of Italy." Blogger isnt' letting me put a link in.

We've have one or two more days of sight seeing (with some business meetings thrown in for the hubby) and then we get home.
The amount to see and do here is overwhelming. There are ancient ruins all over the city. The best thing we've done is to make a trip to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel. It is an overwhelming thing made slightly stressful by the amount of people crammed into the room staring upwards in awe and guards frequently shouting at people not to take pictures. Quite franky it made me nauseous as much as I wanted to lay on the cold marble floor and admire it's beauty. Now I can say that I've seen the real thing and yes, it is indeed something to behold but I'd rather admire it from a post card and not get sick turning my head upside down. The museum's sheer amount of antiquities, paitings, carvings, jewelry, marble statues, etc is just incredible. It really puts into perspective how very impermanent we are when our possessions- even our woven clothes- last longer than we could ever hope or want to.

Today we went to the Crypt of Capuchin monks below the Santa Maria della Concezione Catholic Church.. Housed in the crypt are the bones of over 4,000 monks and three children that were royal family members of one of the Popes. Most of the bones are used as decoration covering the walls and ceiling of the crypt rooms. It's creepy and it made me a bit sad really. In the last crypt there is a placard that says "What you are now we used to be, what we are now you will be." But, I seriously hope that my bones are used as some macabre decoration 400 years from now.

I think I'll end there for today. Later I might get a chance to post up some pictures. I'm having a wonderful time but I will be so glad to get home.

Schlumpadinka- That'sMe!

I'm taking a short break during my cleaning spree (in-laws are due tonight) to watch a bit of tivo'd Oprah.

Most of my good clothes are packed already and the slightly more decent comfy pants are in the wash. Today I am wearing stained, ill-fitting sweat pants and a stained shirt that just hasn't made the rag bag yet. And yes, today I'm wearing no make up (that's packed too). I admit that I'm having more and more days where I feel dressed up if I got a decent shower in.
I hadn't planned on going anywhere today but my boy child is sick so we went to the doctor, the grocery store (for his prescription and a few last minute groceries) and a last minute drop off at the dry cleaner.

I am tired and my lack of energy is compromising my slightly lofty goals of having a well scrubbed and de-cluttered house and making cupcakes for preschool tomorrow. Instead I'll settle for having the bathrooms cleaned up, the dishes out of the sink and the guest room bed ready for sleep. My MIL will just have to forgive me. And that box of cake mix that I got for .50 cents after Valentines will just have to wait for another occasion. Preschoolers like Little Debbie too.

At least I'll look good in Rome and I'll get to catch up on some much needed sleep.
I bought a 2.00 (on clearance) red blazer from the Goodwill that had awful brass buttons that screamed 80's. Instead of buying a card of buttons, I found another sale blazer that had buttons I liked for 2.00. I took it to the dry cleaner today so I can wear it on our trip. My 2.00 blazer will end up costing me 10.00 when I pick it up but, I think I'll get a lot of wear out of it.

Conversion Fees, Sim Cards, ETC.

Did you know that Discover card is not accepted in Italy?

I don't know if I'll be posting much in the near future. I've got a ton to do before my in-laws get here tomorrow. Yes, they are staying here while we're gone. And they have a big dog.


See you soon! arrivederci

Birthday Excess and a Balancing Act

I haven't quite figured out a nice balancing act between the normal suburban birthday party bash with it's glut of plastic excess and a nice and simple birthday with a homemade cake and a few humble presents.

Again this year we had a big birthday party. The kids received lots of new shiny presents and we gorged on cake and soft drinks. Then we sent everyone off to the pool to play. It worked well.

But, today is a large contrast to yesterday. Today is Big Girl's actual birthday and she's getting one new toy and two Goodwill toys for a total of $16. Instead of a new cake we're going to have leftover party cake. Our party tonight consists of a visit from the our Parents as Teachers lady. For dinner we're having curly pasta with red sauce because that's what the birthday girl requested. It's very low key but somehow more satisfying than yesterday's birthday carnage.
Don't get me wrong. I am ever thankful that we can both afford to have a nice birthday party and that we have friends who willingly give of their time and money to celebrate with us. But, I'm just wondering where the happy medium is.

Something I can't get at a restaurant

Right now I'm listening to the soulful music of Mr. James Brown (who had soul and was superbad in case you didn't know). My small family enjoying a no frills breakfast of scrambled eggs, yogurt, orange slices and a little doughnut each- and bouncing up and down in their chairs to James Brown with such glee is a memory I hope I keep forever.

Happy Saturday! Much to do.

The Parenting Files: When the student surpasses the teacher

Today the kids and I had a big grocery shopping trip with coupons today. I had a long list to knock out and Big Girl was a willing helper until her little legs started to get tired. She asked me what was taking so long this time. I told her that I was trying to save our family money and using coupons took more time.

She pointed to the full cart and said in an annoyed and tired voice, "How are you going to save money if you keep putting stuff in the cart?"

Not that I planned it this way but....

I love that Valentine's Day stuff goes on clearance right before my daughter's birthday. Any leftover sprinkles, candies, doilies, tights, toys, and cake mixes get scooped up for a song and used as party favors, Easter basket fillers and other stuff. If you find a generic box of chocolates (like Whitmans) they would make a great Father's day gift.

I bought this dress last year for $2 at Target after Valentine's day. She wore it yesterday to her Valentine's Day party at preschool. She was not in the mood to smile for the camera





Big Girl decorated our brownies with sprinkles I bought for .25 cents last year at Target. The mix was a low-fat Betty Crocker that was on sale for .89 cents at the grocery this morning. The low-fat is a good buy because because it only needs one egg and 1 tbsp. of oil.

**The brownies came out very moist and tasty. Not a hint of anything low fat to them.