Actually we're on vacation - yeehaw!
Be back in a few weeks!
Love to you all!!
Shelley
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Recovery Mode
John's parents headed back home last night. Carmen cried, I cried, John and Juan got misty-eyed. The kids waved enthusiastically from the front gate, throwing kisses and shouting love calls.
We've been blessed with an awesome extended family. I'm thrilled that our kids are so close to their blood relatives. It does a heart good.
Lisette went out for breakfast yesterday with Juan and Carmen. I was still sawing logs so when I came downstairs to find an empty first floor I felt bad that my in-laws had walked off to the cafe alone. Hence my delight when Lisette returned a short time later with them! They had had some deep philosophical discussions according to Carmen. I completely believe it.
Both of the girls spent a few hours laughing and talking up in Lisette's room with their Nana while Carmen packed. Jake had been the focus of cuddle time on Monday night so the girls were getting their fair share.
Juan, Carmen and I headed into the city to pick up John after school. We went to Cafe Tortoni...THE most famous, oldest cafe in Buenos Aires. It was worth the stop!
From there it was a relatively straight shot to the airport where we sat and chatted until the hour of departure arrived. Here the tears and mist were shed with talk of "the next time" - an important part of the farewell ritual. I squeezed John's hand as we walked away from the security gate. How well I know the pain of goodbyes.
We've been blessed with an awesome extended family. I'm thrilled that our kids are so close to their blood relatives. It does a heart good.
Lisette went out for breakfast yesterday with Juan and Carmen. I was still sawing logs so when I came downstairs to find an empty first floor I felt bad that my in-laws had walked off to the cafe alone. Hence my delight when Lisette returned a short time later with them! They had had some deep philosophical discussions according to Carmen. I completely believe it.
Both of the girls spent a few hours laughing and talking up in Lisette's room with their Nana while Carmen packed. Jake had been the focus of cuddle time on Monday night so the girls were getting their fair share.
Juan, Carmen and I headed into the city to pick up John after school. We went to Cafe Tortoni...THE most famous, oldest cafe in Buenos Aires. It was worth the stop!
From there it was a relatively straight shot to the airport where we sat and chatted until the hour of departure arrived. Here the tears and mist were shed with talk of "the next time" - an important part of the farewell ritual. I squeezed John's hand as we walked away from the security gate. How well I know the pain of goodbyes.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Where have I been??
Well, grab that cup of coffee/glass of wine and hunker down for a long explanation!
The five of us plus Juan and Carmen headed to Iguazu Falls for the weekend. In typical fashion, we had some excitement in our travels. Some expected and some not so much.
Our flight out started relatively badly. The pilot couldn't seem to find the middle of the runway but take-off was successful. The turbulence was nasty for the first 5-10 minutes but then we all settled into our seats to our books/games. A few minutes later we smelled that smell you don't want to smell in an enclosed space. The turbulence had gotten to someone good. That set off sympathy vomiting. Not fun but it didn't reach any of our little group. A little while later I had my nose in my Sudoku but Juan and Carmen noticed the arrival of some oxygen to a passenger half a dozen rows up. Luckily there was a doctor on board, unluckily he was a Radiologist. I let him know I was available to help if he needed. He was an American and happened to be sitting right behind us. He needed my help. He asked me to start an IV on the lady. Her BP was low and she was quite pale and clammy. Hmmmm. I haven't started an IV in over 9 years. Now I was going to try on a bumpy airplane. First try a success baby!! Yeehaw!! I always loved starting IVs. :-) She responded well to the extra fluid, her colour improved as did her BP. They turned around the airplane and we landed about 20 minutes after she got her IV. Whew! Supposedly it made the newspaper and it sounds like she was fine. The doc and I thought it might have just been some shock after the air sickness/vomiting. Nice way to start the vacation huh?
I have always thought that Niagara Falls was the most awe-inspiring falls ever. I was wrong. Painful as it is to admit, I was wrong. I wept...again. It was incredible.
We saw wild guinea pigs, dozens of coaties (raccoon looking creatures), two toucans, an eagle, giant ants, hundreds of butterflies and Lisette saw a monkey with a baby on its back!
Saturday was falls day, Sunday we went to some Jesuit Mission ruins three hours away and Monday was back to the falls for a boat ride into the falls!
I'm exhausted but the plane ride back was quiet except for the coke Jake spilled all over the place! :-)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Feng Shui and Bowling
John's dad spoke at an Embassy Tea yesterday. Juan is a Master of Feng Shui and that was the topic of his talk. He did an outstanding job, it was fun to listen in and know that I didn't have to understand too much - we just call and ask him what to do!
Today was basically Jake's last day of school. His end of school party was at a bowling alley. I walked over there with the teachers/students/other parents - we managed to get there and back without getting wet (rain was forecast and the sky was threatening.) Jake has been having problems with a specific kid in class yet he ended up sitting himself right beside him. No fireworks were set off either! Yeah!
John, Lisette and I went over to pick up an outdoor shed we bought from a family that's leaving. Leaving it to the last possible second - our typical style - we ended up working in the dark and the rain. Sigh. But it's now snug in the back of the truck - in the garage!
Time for dinner! Chili's on the stove!
Love and Kisses!
Shelley
Today was basically Jake's last day of school. His end of school party was at a bowling alley. I walked over there with the teachers/students/other parents - we managed to get there and back without getting wet (rain was forecast and the sky was threatening.) Jake has been having problems with a specific kid in class yet he ended up sitting himself right beside him. No fireworks were set off either! Yeah!
John, Lisette and I went over to pick up an outdoor shed we bought from a family that's leaving. Leaving it to the last possible second - our typical style - we ended up working in the dark and the rain. Sigh. But it's now snug in the back of the truck - in the garage!
Time for dinner! Chili's on the stove!
Love and Kisses!
Shelley
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Virus and Flight Plans
I seem to have Carmen's virus. My head is freezing - it actually feels like there are icicles under my scalp. This hurts! Carmen was complaining of her head being very, very cold earlier in the week. Now I know what she was talking about!!
The girls finished their exams today so both went out to a restaurant to celebrate with friends. They'll get their final grades on Friday!!
John will be promoted at the end of June and expressed the desire to have the ceremony in Florida. I consider it my job to make as many of his dreams come true. To an extent!! :-)
We're all flying to Florida next week. The kids went nuts when we told them today. I really wish we had videotaped it - they're obviously homesick!! Jake actually wept with joy...broke my heart!
Besitos!
The girls finished their exams today so both went out to a restaurant to celebrate with friends. They'll get their final grades on Friday!!
John will be promoted at the end of June and expressed the desire to have the ceremony in Florida. I consider it my job to make as many of his dreams come true. To an extent!! :-)
We're all flying to Florida next week. The kids went nuts when we told them today. I really wish we had videotaped it - they're obviously homesick!! Jake actually wept with joy...broke my heart!
Besitos!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Recaps
Sunday morning John, Jake, Nicole and I went into the city to meet Juan and Carmen for breakfast. Lisette remained at home - she had a girlfriend sleep over Saturday night and it was an early breakfast!
We sat in on Juan's conference for a little while but it was all Greek (actually Chinese but in Spanish!) to me so we headed back home for Nicole to get some more studying done for her exams. Everyone was doing their own thing for the rest of the day - studying, reading, playing and napping. I put Jake down for a nap as he had very little sleep last night - he crashed for two hours!
Jake and I went to meet Mary and her boys for dinner. My meal was purple! I ordered bow-tie pasta with steak and mushroom sauce. It was purple. Not too terrible tasting but not so great either. Lesson learned - no more ordering of purple food!
This morning I went over to Mary's for breakfast. She tried out a biscuits and gravy recipe on me - yummy! I took Buddy to introduce him to her puppy Rosie. Buddy was unimpressed, Rosie was in awe. She finally figured out he wasn't so scary but still kept her distance. Too cute!
The girls were very happy with how they did on their exams today. Nicole has two tomorrow and Lisette has one last one. Jake had another good day at school but was accidentally clocked with a book corner just above his eye on the bus...poor guy!
I had to be a little tough with our maid today. It's never really happened before but she wanted to bring her son here tomorrow because she hasn't been able to get a medical clearance for him to go back to school since he's been sick with a cold. She brought him here without asking last week - not so cool. I said no but needed John to get home to clarify things with her. So we gave her the day off tomorrow with the understanding that she'll make it up some other time. I'd never make it as a tough boss. It's too stressful!
We sat in on Juan's conference for a little while but it was all Greek (actually Chinese but in Spanish!) to me so we headed back home for Nicole to get some more studying done for her exams. Everyone was doing their own thing for the rest of the day - studying, reading, playing and napping. I put Jake down for a nap as he had very little sleep last night - he crashed for two hours!
Jake and I went to meet Mary and her boys for dinner. My meal was purple! I ordered bow-tie pasta with steak and mushroom sauce. It was purple. Not too terrible tasting but not so great either. Lesson learned - no more ordering of purple food!
This morning I went over to Mary's for breakfast. She tried out a biscuits and gravy recipe on me - yummy! I took Buddy to introduce him to her puppy Rosie. Buddy was unimpressed, Rosie was in awe. She finally figured out he wasn't so scary but still kept her distance. Too cute!
The girls were very happy with how they did on their exams today. Nicole has two tomorrow and Lisette has one last one. Jake had another good day at school but was accidentally clocked with a book corner just above his eye on the bus...poor guy!
I had to be a little tough with our maid today. It's never really happened before but she wanted to bring her son here tomorrow because she hasn't been able to get a medical clearance for him to go back to school since he's been sick with a cold. She brought him here without asking last week - not so cool. I said no but needed John to get home to clarify things with her. So we gave her the day off tomorrow with the understanding that she'll make it up some other time. I'd never make it as a tough boss. It's too stressful!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Foggy Day
In more ways than one! It's been incredibly foggy in the area for days now.
Lisette's babysitting job went until 3 AM last night! Ouch! We had expected her home an hour or two earlier so John decided we should wait up for her instead of getting a set of keys over to the house she was at. Right! John went to bed around one. Mind you he had a school project appointment for eight this morning.
I dragged myself out of bed at nine. Thought I heard the doorbell and was worried Jake might let someone in. Must have been my imagination because Jake just looked at me like I had two heads when I finally made it down the stairs and asked who had been at the door.
It was a quiet morning. I thought John had taken a remise to school so it was not a nice surprise when the girls had to get to their soccer BBQ at 11 and there was no car in the garage! :-) It's a good thing the school is within reasonable walking distance!
The girls hitched a ride home from a mom and John was home shortly after. We had a quiet afternoon then the girls were off again, this time to the high school graduation ceremony.
Nicole required a pick up but Lisette headed to a friend's for ice cream and a movie. John gets to play taxi today and tonight. It's a nice switch off for me! Lisette's bringing a girlfriend home for a sleepover - one of her closest friends here whose family is moving back home in the next few weeks.
The school year is wrapping up!
Lisette's babysitting job went until 3 AM last night! Ouch! We had expected her home an hour or two earlier so John decided we should wait up for her instead of getting a set of keys over to the house she was at. Right! John went to bed around one. Mind you he had a school project appointment for eight this morning.
I dragged myself out of bed at nine. Thought I heard the doorbell and was worried Jake might let someone in. Must have been my imagination because Jake just looked at me like I had two heads when I finally made it down the stairs and asked who had been at the door.
It was a quiet morning. I thought John had taken a remise to school so it was not a nice surprise when the girls had to get to their soccer BBQ at 11 and there was no car in the garage! :-) It's a good thing the school is within reasonable walking distance!
The girls hitched a ride home from a mom and John was home shortly after. We had a quiet afternoon then the girls were off again, this time to the high school graduation ceremony.
Nicole required a pick up but Lisette headed to a friend's for ice cream and a movie. John gets to play taxi today and tonight. It's a nice switch off for me! Lisette's bringing a girlfriend home for a sleepover - one of her closest friends here whose family is moving back home in the next few weeks.
The school year is wrapping up!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Recovery
Well - Nicole's ceiling fan fried itself but we have heat! Now the toilet in the guest bathroom is leaking. Thank Goodness we have a Feng Shui expert in the house!!
Jake had another temper incident at school during PE. I arranged a meeting with his regular teacher - partly because of this incident but mostly because there's been a little boy harassing him in his Spanish class...just when he's getting on the right path. It was a very productive meeting, seems like the other teachers who only see the kids occasionally are letting this other little boy bug the daylights out of Jake then when Jake finally reacts, he's the one that gets punished. This isn't happening in his regular class but it's happening daily in Spanish and recess.
Last night John, myself, Carmen and Juan met the doc and his wife for dinner. They're vegetarian so we ate at a vegetarian restaurant. The food was delicious but both John and I craved meat! We considered bringing in a steak from the restaurant next door but thought that would be a tad bit rude! LOL
I started feeling worse again last night so went back to bed after getting Jake onto the school bus. An extra three hours sleep helped but I still spent the day on the couch. Vitamins, water and Motrin brought me back to the land of the living...plus turning up the heat a little more.
John's parents went back into the city for the weekend. Their conference lasts until Tuesday when we'll get them back again. We'll sneak a visit into see them sometime over the next four days.
Today Jake wasn't bothered at all by the kid, he reported this with awe. Hmmmm. Squeaky parental wheel??
Tonight both the girls had babysitting jobs. We sent Jake with Nicole since she was babysitting his best buddy. John and I went to our favourite dinner spot for a relaxing meal - with meat!!
Jake had another temper incident at school during PE. I arranged a meeting with his regular teacher - partly because of this incident but mostly because there's been a little boy harassing him in his Spanish class...just when he's getting on the right path. It was a very productive meeting, seems like the other teachers who only see the kids occasionally are letting this other little boy bug the daylights out of Jake then when Jake finally reacts, he's the one that gets punished. This isn't happening in his regular class but it's happening daily in Spanish and recess.
Last night John, myself, Carmen and Juan met the doc and his wife for dinner. They're vegetarian so we ate at a vegetarian restaurant. The food was delicious but both John and I craved meat! We considered bringing in a steak from the restaurant next door but thought that would be a tad bit rude! LOL
I started feeling worse again last night so went back to bed after getting Jake onto the school bus. An extra three hours sleep helped but I still spent the day on the couch. Vitamins, water and Motrin brought me back to the land of the living...plus turning up the heat a little more.
John's parents went back into the city for the weekend. Their conference lasts until Tuesday when we'll get them back again. We'll sneak a visit into see them sometime over the next four days.
Today Jake wasn't bothered at all by the kid, he reported this with awe. Hmmmm. Squeaky parental wheel??
Tonight both the girls had babysitting jobs. We sent Jake with Nicole since she was babysitting his best buddy. John and I went to our favourite dinner spot for a relaxing meal - with meat!!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Gratitude
Yesterday was a lesson in gratitude, for all the things we take for granted when we're home.
We woke up with little water pressure upstairs so I went and played with the pipes/pump outside. This, of course, produced yet another flood from the rooftop water tank. Not quite as bad because I was watching for it. I called our landlord the doc and he arrived promptly.
Unfortunately, about the time of his arrival a small amount of water reached the alarm system and shorted it. In case you don't know what happens when your alarm system is shorted out, it goes off and you can't turn it off. So for about half an hour we had the security alarm blasting in our ears. Oh, and the shorting of the alarm system killed our phone line as they're connected.
I expected to see the security company come screeching around the corner to see what was wrong - yeah right! After a few minutes, I called the security company via my cell and they sent someone to check it out. Then they sent someone else. Then someone else who finally reset the thing.
Meanwhile, the doc tried calling the plumber to check out the water tank as all roads led to it being the culprit of all of our issues - water, alarm, phone. Of course he wasn't available until the afternoon - he showed up at around 4:30. Then he announced he could do nothing until he talked things over with the doctor. Oh and the tank was working just fine now, according to him.
Problem # 8,976 cropped up last night, probably related to the water flow. The water pump that works in conjunction with our heating system is caput. So we froze last night. I'm almost afraid to tell the doc, he's going to start thinking we're breaking too many things around here!
We woke up with little water pressure upstairs so I went and played with the pipes/pump outside. This, of course, produced yet another flood from the rooftop water tank. Not quite as bad because I was watching for it. I called our landlord the doc and he arrived promptly.
Unfortunately, about the time of his arrival a small amount of water reached the alarm system and shorted it. In case you don't know what happens when your alarm system is shorted out, it goes off and you can't turn it off. So for about half an hour we had the security alarm blasting in our ears. Oh, and the shorting of the alarm system killed our phone line as they're connected.
I expected to see the security company come screeching around the corner to see what was wrong - yeah right! After a few minutes, I called the security company via my cell and they sent someone to check it out. Then they sent someone else. Then someone else who finally reset the thing.
Meanwhile, the doc tried calling the plumber to check out the water tank as all roads led to it being the culprit of all of our issues - water, alarm, phone. Of course he wasn't available until the afternoon - he showed up at around 4:30. Then he announced he could do nothing until he talked things over with the doctor. Oh and the tank was working just fine now, according to him.
Problem # 8,976 cropped up last night, probably related to the water flow. The water pump that works in conjunction with our heating system is caput. So we froze last night. I'm almost afraid to tell the doc, he's going to start thinking we're breaking too many things around here!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Another Day, Another Coffee
I first noticed the sound of running water when I was putting makeup on in our bathroom. It was coming from outside the window. I headed downstairs and outside to check on it and found the rooftop water tank was overflowing! Ahhhh! I flipped some water pump/valves to stop it and successfully halted the gushing at least. Long, drawn-out story short - we are dry. Seems we might still be having some water pressure issues upstairs but we no longer need a water collecting bucket indoors.
Juan, Carmen and I walked down to a cafe to enjoy excellent Argentinean coffee and medialunas. I really am blessed with terrific in laws! Carmen is also feeling under the weather so she had a nap when we got back and I headed into the city. I met up with John at the Embassy, paid some bills and picked up mail.
We stopped and got much needed groceries on the way home. Picked up Nicole and Jake at school before finally pulling into the garage. I love it when multiple chores are completed in a relatively short period of time!
Dinner was chicken and sauteed veggies. Delicious bread from Carrefours (they had that store in Italy too!) and some corn-on-the-cob for Jake! We all crowded around the dining room table - I really, really need a bigger table. But it was fun!
Juan, Carmen and I walked down to a cafe to enjoy excellent Argentinean coffee and medialunas. I really am blessed with terrific in laws! Carmen is also feeling under the weather so she had a nap when we got back and I headed into the city. I met up with John at the Embassy, paid some bills and picked up mail.
We stopped and got much needed groceries on the way home. Picked up Nicole and Jake at school before finally pulling into the garage. I love it when multiple chores are completed in a relatively short period of time!
Dinner was chicken and sauteed veggies. Delicious bread from Carrefours (they had that store in Italy too!) and some corn-on-the-cob for Jake! We all crowded around the dining room table - I really, really need a bigger table. But it was fun!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Leather!
Still feeling a bit under the weather but I drove into the city to meet up with Juan and Carmen to do a bit of leather shopping. Unfortunately, what had been an inexpensive leather area has spiked their prices so we came home empty handed. Bummer!
We picked up John from class before we attempted our shopping coup-to-be, he found some nice jackets but I talked him out of it.
Next on the agenda was Jake's swimming presentation. He wowed us with his freestyle! The older, hairy-backed, Speedo-clad lifeguard didn't wow us at all! Ahhhhh!
We were home long enough for Jake to finish his homework then off to the one and only restaurant that's open before eight o'clock...thank goodness the food's great!
Now it's time to get Jake to bed and sooner than later, us too!
We picked up John from class before we attempted our shopping coup-to-be, he found some nice jackets but I talked him out of it.
Next on the agenda was Jake's swimming presentation. He wowed us with his freestyle! The older, hairy-backed, Speedo-clad lifeguard didn't wow us at all! Ahhhhh!
We were home long enough for Jake to finish his homework then off to the one and only restaurant that's open before eight o'clock...thank goodness the food's great!
Now it's time to get Jake to bed and sooner than later, us too!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Feeling a Little Better
We were up so late last night - we all slept waaaaay in this morning!
Lisette was very upset about the after-party last night. Seems the majority of the kids were stuck in one area without a space to dance because the organizers were either stupid or evil. Either way John was all over TPing their houses - thankfully Lisette couldn't identify them!
John and I headed to the club where we'll be holding Nicole's Quinceanera - it's going to be gorgeous!! I'm not sure who's more excited, her or me!
We stopped at a burger joint for lunch before picking up Nicole. She was just slightly less annoyed about the after-party than Lisette was. John's still suggesting the TPing. Thankfully our car is too noticeable to get away with something like that!
I napped this afternoon for a few hours, that helped me feel better. My throat's less sore though so I'm much more comfortable, just very easily fatigued.
Lisette, John and I watched the Democratic debate tonight. Very interesting! I liked Biden and Hilary (surprise!) and was disappointed with Edwards and Obama (I still think he'll be better in another four years.) It drives me crazy when they won't answer the question they're given! Lisette and I were laughing at the "love" between Edwards and Obama. Hilary was looking amused by it too.
John's parents are back here tomorrow - we've missed them!
Time to curl up under our soft blankie on the couch with a cup of mint tea! Weather is a little warmer lately but the blanket is a comfort thing!
Lisette was very upset about the after-party last night. Seems the majority of the kids were stuck in one area without a space to dance because the organizers were either stupid or evil. Either way John was all over TPing their houses - thankfully Lisette couldn't identify them!
John and I headed to the club where we'll be holding Nicole's Quinceanera - it's going to be gorgeous!! I'm not sure who's more excited, her or me!
We stopped at a burger joint for lunch before picking up Nicole. She was just slightly less annoyed about the after-party than Lisette was. John's still suggesting the TPing. Thankfully our car is too noticeable to get away with something like that!
I napped this afternoon for a few hours, that helped me feel better. My throat's less sore though so I'm much more comfortable, just very easily fatigued.
Lisette, John and I watched the Democratic debate tonight. Very interesting! I liked Biden and Hilary (surprise!) and was disappointed with Edwards and Obama (I still think he'll be better in another four years.) It drives me crazy when they won't answer the question they're given! Lisette and I were laughing at the "love" between Edwards and Obama. Hilary was looking amused by it too.
John's parents are back here tomorrow - we've missed them!
Time to curl up under our soft blankie on the couch with a cup of mint tea! Weather is a little warmer lately but the blanket is a comfort thing!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Internet's Working!!
It's 1:45 AM - John just left to take Nicole and her friend to the "Post Prom Party" where she'll meet up with her sister who actually went to the prom. They'll party until 4 then be mom-driven home. Not this mom though, thank you very much!! The hours here are killing me!
I'm a sick pup, the virus that's been going around finally caught one of us. Spent most of the day sleeping so now I'm still awake but not feeling well enough to be driving.
The Internet hasn't been working well for about four days. Supposedly it's a system wide issue...hopefully it's back to working not just because it's the middle of the night!
Tomorrow I'll update you on the last few days but basically we're all doing fine - with the exception of my cold!
Besitos and good night!
I'm a sick pup, the virus that's been going around finally caught one of us. Spent most of the day sleeping so now I'm still awake but not feeling well enough to be driving.
The Internet hasn't been working well for about four days. Supposedly it's a system wide issue...hopefully it's back to working not just because it's the middle of the night!
Tomorrow I'll update you on the last few days but basically we're all doing fine - with the exception of my cold!
Besitos and good night!
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