Yesterday was fun. We froze our butts off going to another Hippie Fair but we only lasted about 30 minutes. Even a quick trip to a nearby mall didn't warm us up so we headed home.
Nicola did finish the Harry Potter book by about 10:30 yesterday morning, handed it off to Lisette who we didn't see for the remainder of the day then kept absolutely mum about it. The two of them ran off to a room to discuss it when Lisette finally finished last night.
We sat up late and watched the A&E version of "Pride and Prejudice" and decided men really need to start wearing long coats, tall boots and start riding horses again. So romantic! Nicola didn't quite make it to the end before she needed to go to bed but I stayed the course! :-)
As I was closing down the house for the night, I checked my email before turning off the computer. My mom had emailed me that my brother-in-law had taken a turn and was doing very poorly. When you receive news like that, it's amazing how your mind freezes. I woke John up but other than relaying the news, all I could say was "I don't know what to do!" There was a million things I wanted to do but my brain and my heart couldn't slow down to choose. What I chose to do was call my other sister for another report - besides, by then it was 1:30 AM their time and I knew it would give my mom a heart attack if I called her then! Cindy confirmed the news and the freeze continued. I didn't even cry...just ached.
So this morning we made flight arrangements and got some loose ends tied up. This morning, the freeze melted and the tears came in torrents. There will be much more to do before I fly but fly I will. That was the easy decision. So if you don't hear from me for a bit, just keep us all in your prayers, especially Kim and David.
Much Love,
Shelley
Monday, July 23, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Hippie Fair!
Lisette, Nicola and I headed to the middle of Buenos Aires today, to an area called Recoleta. There is a "Hippie Fair" there every weekend. Lisette and I haven't been since we were first here...if you really want to, you could read about it back in January or February.
We arrived around 11 and found the vendors still opening their stalls so we were grateful for our late start! It was pretty darn chilly and overcast so the more popular the vendor, the more popular they were for us - extra bodies = extra warmth!
Nicola and I both bought mate cups. I've been searching for a nice one and finally found some beautiful ones! I'll try to remember to post a picture of it - it's lovely! We also bought some gorgeous woven scarves, me for me and Nicola for herself plus gifts. She found a few things for her girls and Lisette found a great shirt and some jewelry. Overall very good take.
Lunch was disastrous. It took forever - Nicola is officially calling us "the black hole" at restaurants. This time it was at Hard Rock Cafe. Food was great, service sucked...again.
Back home in time to see kids shuffled around, Jake is sleeping over at a friend's and Nicole is having a friend sleep over.
John, Nicola and I went to the mall (totally!) to grab a bite to eat then watch "Ratatouille" (the second time for me) - it's awesome! Nicole and some girlfriends had gone to see "Transformers" so we timed it so we could bring them home with us.
On our way to the movie theatre, Nicola eyed a bookstore and lo and behold! they had the Harry Potter book - in English! Score! Since I've already ordered two copies, I refrained but Nicola bought a copy and is planning on reading it all night! I'll let you know how that goes! BTW, Lisette has sworn her to secrecy and will surely be waiting with hands out for the book in the morning. :-)
We arrived around 11 and found the vendors still opening their stalls so we were grateful for our late start! It was pretty darn chilly and overcast so the more popular the vendor, the more popular they were for us - extra bodies = extra warmth!
Nicola and I both bought mate cups. I've been searching for a nice one and finally found some beautiful ones! I'll try to remember to post a picture of it - it's lovely! We also bought some gorgeous woven scarves, me for me and Nicola for herself plus gifts. She found a few things for her girls and Lisette found a great shirt and some jewelry. Overall very good take.
Lunch was disastrous. It took forever - Nicola is officially calling us "the black hole" at restaurants. This time it was at Hard Rock Cafe. Food was great, service sucked...again.
Back home in time to see kids shuffled around, Jake is sleeping over at a friend's and Nicole is having a friend sleep over.
John, Nicola and I went to the mall (totally!) to grab a bite to eat then watch "Ratatouille" (the second time for me) - it's awesome! Nicole and some girlfriends had gone to see "Transformers" so we timed it so we could bring them home with us.
On our way to the movie theatre, Nicola eyed a bookstore and lo and behold! they had the Harry Potter book - in English! Score! Since I've already ordered two copies, I refrained but Nicola bought a copy and is planning on reading it all night! I'll let you know how that goes! BTW, Lisette has sworn her to secrecy and will surely be waiting with hands out for the book in the morning. :-)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Two Years
We lost my dad two years ago today. Hard to believe it's only been two years, coincidentally it seems like it was two months. For those of you who have lost a parent you know the feeling of the incomparable loss. I'm sure there is worse but the cut continues to bleed every day.
John and Jake went to see "Transformers" today. Then, in tribute to my dad, John took Jake fishing with my dad's fishing poles. Good job, no fish but good job. :-)
All us girls went farther north via the train to Tigre. It's the Venice of Argentina with a variety of canals but with greater space. We took a Catamaran ride, had coffee/hot chocolate/pop treat while we talked and laughed. I figured being on the water was fitting too.
Unfortunately, lunch was in a smoky restaurant that led to a minor migraine for me and I spent a few hours in bed when we made it home.
Now we just finished watching "Shakespeare in Love" with Nicola's relative, Joseph Fiennes, starring as Shakespeare. Great movie, sad day. Good to be with those we love.
John and Jake went to see "Transformers" today. Then, in tribute to my dad, John took Jake fishing with my dad's fishing poles. Good job, no fish but good job. :-)
All us girls went farther north via the train to Tigre. It's the Venice of Argentina with a variety of canals but with greater space. We took a Catamaran ride, had coffee/hot chocolate/pop treat while we talked and laughed. I figured being on the water was fitting too.
Unfortunately, lunch was in a smoky restaurant that led to a minor migraine for me and I spent a few hours in bed when we made it home.
Now we just finished watching "Shakespeare in Love" with Nicola's relative, Joseph Fiennes, starring as Shakespeare. Great movie, sad day. Good to be with those we love.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Calm Day
Sunny and beautiful! Nicola and I spent the day wandering around the shopping district close by. We found a treasure of a store after hitting a way overpriced antique shop. We bought woven cloths, antique dolls and a little carved nativity scene.
Lunch was a local cafe then on to find more treasures at a small toy store - Nicola bought some beautiful figurines to hang in her elementary school classroom.
Our last stop was at a favourite restaurant for postre (dessert) where we had the worse service ever! Even moi (who tips ALL the time) left less than the expected 10% - bad, bad service. Luckily we weren't in a hurry but it was almost comical.
Back home we hit the movie button again, watching "Practical Magic" then "Emma" - this after Nicole said "Who's Jane Austen?" AHHHHH!!! :-)
Lunch was a local cafe then on to find more treasures at a small toy store - Nicola bought some beautiful figurines to hang in her elementary school classroom.
Our last stop was at a favourite restaurant for postre (dessert) where we had the worse service ever! Even moi (who tips ALL the time) left less than the expected 10% - bad, bad service. Luckily we weren't in a hurry but it was almost comical.
Back home we hit the movie button again, watching "Practical Magic" then "Emma" - this after Nicole said "Who's Jane Austen?" AHHHHH!!! :-)
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
La Boca
Lisette, Nicola and I played tourists at one of the touristy spots in Buenos Aires called La Boca. It's a very colourful place and one of the hottest tango spots in town.
We skipped past the "Argentinean-but-probably-Made in China" stores and walked around the blue, yellow, green buildings that make up Caminita. We had lunch in a little cafe and bought treasures at the mini-hippie fair. There were a few tango dancers to watch and I fell in love with that dance all over again. All in all, a good day.
Tonight was Chinese. Surprise! :-) I'm so easy!
Us girls watched "10 Things I Hate About You" - very good movie!
Now it's late and I need to get to bed!
Besitos!!
We skipped past the "Argentinean-but-probably-Made in China" stores and walked around the blue, yellow, green buildings that make up Caminita. We had lunch in a little cafe and bought treasures at the mini-hippie fair. There were a few tango dancers to watch and I fell in love with that dance all over again. All in all, a good day.
Tonight was Chinese. Surprise! :-) I'm so easy!
Us girls watched "10 Things I Hate About You" - very good movie!
Now it's late and I need to get to bed!
Besitos!!
Hurting Hearts
Once again, it is made quite clear that life is not fair. My wonderful brother-in-law has been battling (there is no other word for it than "battling" is there?) renal cancer for a year and a half. It appeared that he was winning said battle but the tide has turned. With love, encouragement, support and the hope of another med we pray the war is not lost. He's the love of my sister's life and they both deserve much better than this. So the evening was spent yesterday with pain, sorrow, anger, hope and prayer.
My friend Nicola arrived yesterday morning! As is completely normal for me, I waited patiently for her - at the wrong terminal!!! What a bonehead I am!! I did arrive in plenty of time to sit down, have a coffee, visit the restroom and then wait...and wait...and wait. Sigh. :-)
She had a nap when we got home then we headed to that favourite restaurant and met John for a late lunch. Then we wandered down the main street here, picked up some sweets from the bakery and brought them home.
The evening was low key per above. Dinner was Curried Chicken on rice even though John and kids called for Delivery Chinese. I held fast and saved us some buckaroos. We haven't had Chinese in a while though, I'm not sure how long I can hold them off.
Send some love to my sis - that's where my heart is right now!!
My friend Nicola arrived yesterday morning! As is completely normal for me, I waited patiently for her - at the wrong terminal!!! What a bonehead I am!! I did arrive in plenty of time to sit down, have a coffee, visit the restroom and then wait...and wait...and wait. Sigh. :-)
She had a nap when we got home then we headed to that favourite restaurant and met John for a late lunch. Then we wandered down the main street here, picked up some sweets from the bakery and brought them home.
The evening was low key per above. Dinner was Curried Chicken on rice even though John and kids called for Delivery Chinese. I held fast and saved us some buckaroos. We haven't had Chinese in a while though, I'm not sure how long I can hold them off.
Send some love to my sis - that's where my heart is right now!!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Revolving Front Door
Today was the final day for finishing picking up from the party. Tomorrow a wonderful friend of mine is coming to town!
Our heat is back on - kind of! For whatever reason, our bedroom is not receiving any heat via the register. John is tucking in Jake and has promised to fix that. Meanwhile, the rest of the house is warming up. It was nice to have an excuse (like I need one!) to cuddle the kids on the couch but a warm house is so welcoming when you come in from the cold!
Lilian was a great help today, as usual, but she seems to be a bit under the weather so I'm not sure she'll be here tomorrow. As it is, we sent her home early to hopefully feel better.
John and I dropped the girls off to babysit the boys - Jake was already there - at our friend's house whose husband is out of town. The three of us walked over to have dinner at a local restaurant. Steaks all round (go figure!) and not much off the new budget. Again, gotta love Argentina!
I'm fighting going to bed, I'm not feeling tired but tomorrow I'll be up early to head to the airport. It would be nice to be going up to a warm room but at least with John there, it'll be cozy! :-) Sweet dreams!
Our heat is back on - kind of! For whatever reason, our bedroom is not receiving any heat via the register. John is tucking in Jake and has promised to fix that. Meanwhile, the rest of the house is warming up. It was nice to have an excuse (like I need one!) to cuddle the kids on the couch but a warm house is so welcoming when you come in from the cold!
Lilian was a great help today, as usual, but she seems to be a bit under the weather so I'm not sure she'll be here tomorrow. As it is, we sent her home early to hopefully feel better.
John and I dropped the girls off to babysit the boys - Jake was already there - at our friend's house whose husband is out of town. The three of us walked over to have dinner at a local restaurant. Steaks all round (go figure!) and not much off the new budget. Again, gotta love Argentina!
I'm fighting going to bed, I'm not feeling tired but tomorrow I'll be up early to head to the airport. It would be nice to be going up to a warm room but at least with John there, it'll be cozy! :-) Sweet dreams!
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