Hell

Is too good for the person who did this.

BURP ... ee

I got my seed catalog! Yeah baby! I love growing things and Burpee is a perennial favorite in my house. Well, not of my husband's considering the amount of $$ I usually want to spend with them.

However, the girls like it because I usually get them a few 'easy' seeds. That, and they get to use the catalog for art projects when I'm done ordering from it.

I do miss being in the states though, I can't ship bulbs into Europe which prevents me getting some of the flowers I'd like to grow. Oh well, I've got European species I've never seen in the US to hunt up when we retire back stateside (in several years).

I wonder, how big a bill can I amass this time? No, I never get all the seeds I want, hubby usually guts it to half or 1/3 of the total I have so I have to wean it back down. But I'm looking forward to planting soon!

Oh, on that topic, Imbolic is on Friday.

He's still the King

Aaa, haa!



For the record, one of the greatest song writers, and fiddle players ever to stride the beloved lands of Texas. Bob Wills, King of Western Swing.

1. Along the Navajo Trail
2. At the Woodchopper's Ball
3. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
4. Basin Street Blues
5. Beaumont Rag
6. Betcha My Heart
7. Big Beaver
8. Black Rider
9. Blue Yodel No. 1
10. Blues for Dixie
11. Bluin' the Blues
12. Bob Wills Boogie
13. Bob Wills Special
14. Boot Heel Drag
15. Brain Cloudy Blues
16. Bubbles in My Beer
17. Can't Get Enough of
18. Carolina in the Morning
19. Cherokee Maiden
20. Chinatown
21. Corrine, Corrina
22. Cotton Eyed Joe
23. Cotton Patch Blues
24. Cowboy Stomp
25. Crazy Rhythm
26. Deep Water
27. Dinah
28. Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age
29. Don't Let the Deal Go Down
30. Dusty Skies
31. End of the Line
32. Faded Love
33. Fan It
34. Fat Boy Rag
35. Frankie Jean
36. Get With It
37. Girl I Left Behind Me
38. Good Man Is Hard to Find
39. Goodbye Liza Jane
40. Hawaiian War Chant
41. Home in San Antone
42. I Ain't Got Nobody
43. I Didn't Realise
44. I Knew the Moment I Lost You
45. I Laugh When I Think How I Cried Over You
46. I Wonder If You Feel the Way I Do
47. I'll Be Lucky Someday L
48. I'm a Ding Dong Daddy
49. I'm Feelin' Bad
50. Ida Red Likes to Boogie
51. Jolie Blon Likes the Boogie
52. Just a Plain Old Country Boy
53. Keeper of My Heart
54. Liberty
55. Little Bit of Boogie
56. Little Cowboy Lament
57. Lone Star Rag
58. Maiden's Prayer
59. Milk Cow Blues
60. Miss Molly
61. My Confession
62. My Gal Sal
63. My Life's Been a Pleasure
64. My Window Faces the South
65. Nancy Jane - Fort Worth Doughboys
66. Never No More Hard Times Blues
67. New San Antonio Rose
68. New Spanish Two-Step
69. No Matter How She Done It
70. Oklahoma Rag
71. Oozlin' Daddy Blues
72. Osage Stomp
73. Playboy Stomp
74. Please Don't Leave Me
75. Pray for the Lights to Go Out
76. Prosperity Special
77. Red Hot Gal of Mine
78. Red River Valley
79. Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues
80. Roly Poly
81. San Antonio Rose
82. Silver Bells (That Ring in the Night)
83. Smith's Reel
84. Spanish Two Step
85. Stay a Little Longer
86. Steel Guitar Rag
87. Sugar Blues
88. Sugar Moon
89. Sunbonnet Sue - Fort Worth Doughboys
90. Sweet Jennie Lee
91. Swing Blues No. 1
92. Take Me Back to Tulsa
93. Takin' It Home
94. Texas Playboy Rag
95. That's What I Like About the South
96. There's No Disappointment in Heaven
97. Thorn in My Heart
98. Time Changes Everything
99. Too Busy
100. Twin Guitar Special
101. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
102. Waltz You Saved for Me
103. We Might as Well Forget It
104. Weary of the Same Ol' Stuff
105. What's the Matter With the Mill?
106. Who Walks in When I Walk Out
107. Whoa Baby
108. You're from Texas


Pretty damn surreal, this one is.


It don't matter who's in Austin, 'cause Bob Wills is still the king!

Today in Roman History

Today,1910 years ago, the Emperor Nerva died.




Today, 1910 years ago, the Emperor TTrajan ascended to the throne.


We are officially, historically, in the reign of the Five Good Emperors. Next will come Hadrian, builder of a great wall still to be seen, then Antoninus Pius, and finally Marcus Aurelius. Pax Romana was in full force, the succession was safe and secure with no bloody infighting. A golden age was to reign in Rome, and throughout the Empire.

Whew!

I hate when my schedule gets screwed up. It throws me for an all-mighty loop.

I apparently missed a vet appointment last week (Thursday - the day I NEVER schedule anything because I volunteer at school). So they're sending some letter hubby has to sign and return. I have no idea how long this will take, granted it's MPS from one side of base to the other (like, less than a mile from the PO to the Vet Clinic, but this is services we're talkin' about).

I managed to find out how much an AAFES movie party would run. While I think it's a no-go this time, the information is really good to have for future reference.

I tracked down the same info for the bowling alley. I'd really rather NOT do a services anything, but the kiddo wants a bowling one. Mommy and daddy are still discussing it.

You'd be shocked at the number of people (okay, I was) that really think everyone must tow the crocodile tear line for a dead drug addict. Sorry, I've got a backbone, I take stands based on my feelings, not on what someone else thinks is nice or right. I don't apologize if you don't like what I say unless I really think you deserve it - last time was sometime last year if I'm not mistaken. I am what you see, and calling me a 'bitch' bounces right off me sweetie, but keep tryin', you're cheap amusement.

The number of numbskulls out there surpasses my expectations some days.

The depth of good customer service surpasses my expectations far less often, but I do very much appreciate it when it happens.

I set up the tent and sprayed it down for mildew. Seems when we left Pompeii last it was damp and it needed taking care of. However, I had to wait until it was nice and dry to set up.

Boyd, my man, any chance you want to impart some knowledge about Sicily? We were thinking of a trip down there in a few months time, thought you might have some insight for me. By any chance, know if you can climb up Etna like you can Vesuvio?

Anyone ever stayed at Carnie Park? Naples region. They have cabins and tent spots. Curious if anyone's been and if they have any comments on it. It's in a volcanic crater which is supposed to damp the Naples stench and noise but we are talking about the trash pit of Italy so ...

DoDDS needs a crash-course in scheduling apparently. Monday the kids were off, Friday again they were off, they're off again next Thursday but NOT Friday. Very hinky scheduling.

As of last e-mail our Spring Carnival will most likely be in May. Inching towards summer, so I guess it can be the last of spring fling.

My kids are so funny! I'd have never imagined the interesting questions and views of Greek myth. I've been reading them one each night (so far we've got Prometheus & Pandora, Echo and Narcissus, Icarus & Daedalus, Persephone and Pluto). They've got some cool viewpoints on the stories, ones I've never thought of or seen. It's just really interesting to see how they understand the myth and how it differs from my adult thoughts. They seem to like them a lot, so I may up them to Roman ones when we're done with these. They're shortened forms of the full myth, kid friendly basically, but they keep all the key elements.

I know they really liked Aesop's Fables. I'm still looking into getting a complete set of that one. It's difficult to track one down that isn't ridiculously expensive for a "collector's" printing run. Too bad I don't have a Half Price nearby.

I also need to get a complete set of Little House on the Prarie. The middle one really digs that book set. While I can check them out at the library, I'm the kind of person to want my own copies.

Swiming

Okay, we have an indoor pool in Aviano village and the base has worked to get it open (and FREE - my favorite price) for ID card holders for a few hours each day. I'd post the e-mail but I don't know if it's allowed due to the privacy acts (1972, etc).

However, if you're stationed here, ask your command (or spouse) about the Lap Swim. They've recently expanded the hours to accommodate spouses (lunch time swims and evening) as well as shift workers.

I plan on taking advantage of it. If you do, remember that due to Italian health regulations you MUST wear a swim cap. Also, shower shoes/sandles are required in the dressing rooms. While most men have to wear those god-awful grape slings (aka Speedo), they relaxed that rule ONLY during the ID Card Holder swim times.

So, again - it's TOTALLY FREE!!! Just remember you sandals and swim cap (and you can buy the cap at the pool if needed). Get out, get some exercise, have some fun, low impact. Please remember also, that it is closed on USAFE Goal Days/Family Days, and Italian Holidays.

Workout

So I did my workout for today. Again, staggered with high to low reps, low to high weights.

Dumbell Presses, Standing Lateral Raises, and Seated Calf Raises. They weren't hard, but boy do my legs hate me - or more specifically lunges.

I did just fine yesterday on the lunge front (tired at the end, but a good leg workout because of it, not failure, just I felt the workout). However, I have difficulty on the stairs, and the gas pedal and break were killers today on the truck. My front thighs really are complaining, but it's down to a good stretch lunge. Full on, knee dipping, thigh parallel to the ground walking lunge. My butt's a little sore too as the lunges help the glut region as well, but there is no denying my thighs worked it yesterday.

Tomorrow is a "rest" day, though I do need to up my step count. I clocked in at about 4000 today, so I need to get it higher. Granted, I forgot the phone on the run to the bus for the kids (and during getting up and dressed) but I doubt I put in 2000 or more steps in there.

Recipes?

What stinkin' recipes?!? We don't need no stinkin' recipes! (Seriously, I haven't added a new one for awhile, though I did happen to make Roman Toast this weekend for breakfast - AND take a photo of it that's now been uploaded to my recipe blog.)

Roman Toast for those interested. Just like French (I think Congress mandated "freedom" though they wouldn't know it if it bit them) Toast, but without the egg. I won't French/freedom Toast because I hate the eggy taste, but I really like the Roman Toast. Not least of all for my love of all things Roman.

The kiddos like it too. I've actually had a request for more, specifically if I can make some this weekend. Hahahahahaha! My evil plan of bringing my children to the dark side of romanophilia is working! Mwahahahahaha!

Weigh-in

223.6

I officially weigh-in with the program once a month. However, I'm going with the once a week at home (and my scale and the gym's agreed when I did weigh-in last Monday).

Okay, did my 4 reps of squats (dude those suck), and standing dead weight lifts. 20, then 16, then 15, then 14 with a weight increase from 3, to 4, to 5, to 10.

I actually like the dead weight ones. However, I seem to be getting a better stretch in my left hamstring than my right. I'm getting the stretch but not to the same degree of quality imo.

I figured out how to make the pedometer thing work on my cellphone. Yesterday I was at about 3500 steps, but I didn't really do anything. Much like today it's low due to me not going places, running errands, etc. Tomorrow should give me a more accurate weekday amount.

That is all.

Services

Proving that their name is what they can't do! I just had to cancel my middle kid's bday party. Why you ask? Services! Seems they had a "computer glitch" that allowed them to register more than one party on the same day, at the same time, at the same place!

We apparently drew short stick, but we were offered "the Pavillion" - um, let me see - late January, it's been raining like all get out for the last week, it's colder than hell on a good day and the pavillion has NO WALLS! Yeah, that's right, they want me to hold a young child's birthday party in the cold and rain under what amounts to a roof! No heat, no dry spots, nada! Anyone wanna guess what my answer was to that one?!?

I was then told I could have the Lodge at a different date or time. Um, no, invites went out 2 weeks ago! That's not an option.

Add to this I was told "someone should have called you a couple of weeks ago" but "they must have forgot". WTF?!? And then the twit on the line gets defensive that I cancel my reservation, and don't want to reschedule. HELLO?!?!? 48 hours notice when you've know about this issue for HOW LONG? Minimum of 14 days? Yeah, I'm beyond pissed.

Luckily I got a hold of middle one's teacher and she sent out an e-mail. I swear to god, services at this base is the most sucky of anywhere. They can't do the bowling crap right, they can't do the club right, they can't do the reservations right - per their own damn ads on their own damn website. When you catch them at it and complain, you get a Lt bird telling you that "we've had some turnover recently, bear with us". Um, NO!! You're leaving WRONG information up on your page, not checking back with people you KNOW have problems brewing and then you want me to understand. Nope, not gonna happen! Services is the blame, services doesn't get to play the victim. I don't give a wank what some civ employee is telling their Lt. Col.

Apparently you have too many employees, and not a one of them is doing their job. Fire some, maybe then you can have them pull their collective heads out of their asses! Ooooh, and services is just gonna LURVE my "survey". Survey says - YOU SUCK!!!

Them, not us!

So we see how the Italian biscotti crumbles. Specifically, how the Veneto state is dealing with the Naples garbage crisis.

"It's a Naples thing, not a Veneto thing" is basically how their new tourism blitz works. At least in Deutschland.

Seems Italy is taking ANOTHER round of beatings in the international press for the fiasco that is Napoli. It's to the point they should just level the area, other then where are the rats going to live?

Seriously, Naples is hosed y'all. Italy is the European primer for the 3rd world. The border area of Texas/Mexico is more developed with less contagious disease and garbage. That's not a compliment to Mexico, but it's a serious take on the issues rampant in Naples and the surrounding areas. Any tourist that tells you Rome and Naples are beautiful are lyin' their asses off. The coast might look real purty, but it's what's on the landward side you have to worry about.

I feel sorta sorry for the Italians in general, until you realize the northerners refuse to take any of Naples' trash for disposal. I don't feel sorry in the slightest for the filth the Neapolitans live in - it's of their own repeat making, they have no one to ask for pity from. They're still refusing to allow the dump to reopen, they're still throwing stuff at the cops trying to open it, and they're still whining "Fix it" but won't do anything to help. Live in the festering piles of rancid garbage you made.

I'm wagering it will be at least another decade before they start building new trash facilities (dumps, incinerators, etc). Even then, the mob is going to run them and the people that clear them. Don't ever doubt the mob is in full force in Naples (or Italy in general).

Cooking Question

So, I got a little suggestion that I'm going to run with. Making a batch of breakfast burritos (or tacos, depending on how you roll 'em), then freezing them so the kids (and hubby) can micronuke them at will for a hot breakfast.

Now as a TEXAN anything tastes good in a tortilla to me but I've got some logistics questions that I'm hoping some of my readers can answer.

1. If I use potatoes, will they de-freeze well, or will they go all squishy?

2. Can I put the salsa and cheese on them before freezing them?

3. Are there any suggested fillings? IE, bacon egg & cheese, bean & cheese, potato egg & cheese, sausage egg & cheese, egg & cheese, potato & egg.


Okay, off to the bus with heathens. Then to the gym, or a walk depending on my feelings. *sing song* Feelings, nothing more than feelings, ...

Biggest Winner

Yes Boyd I know about the title.

Today was our official weigh in. The program will last until 14 April with the Grand Finale on the 19th of April.

Anyhoo, I haven't gone up or down in the last 2 months. 226 flat today. Goal is by mid Aug to be at 170. That's at 8-10lbs a weekmonth (thanks for catching that Tim), should be early July when I reach peak, but I'd rather plan according to Murphy's Law.


So, my online workout buddy is Ellie at "You know what ERKS me???". While she's opted to list her weight loss, but not her total weight, I'm gonna let it all hang out. Don't you all love me?? No, didn't think so.

Any suggestions on work-out routines? Frequencies, etc? I'd like to do the Total Body thing the gym has going on but um ... NO. I'm not going to the gym at 0530 unless drug there by force, and against my will. I have 3 kids, that's just not feasible and I want to follow a routine while hubby's home that I can keep up while he's deployed.

So - Here's to me reaching my goal! :D

Stupid Quiz Time

Yeah, we haven't played this game in awhile. Time for some more dumb, and totally random, quiz results. Oh yeah, and if you take these quizzes, I want to know what you score - for shits and giggles.

What Your Hands Say About You

You are logical, analytical, and rational. You have good verbal skills. Idealistic and dreamy, you tend toward the impractical. You have a knack for getting yourself in sticky situations. Brainy and intelligent, you are intellectual to the point of being incomprehensible. Your emotions tend to be nervous and potent. Your energy - both positive and negative - deeply impacts your life.

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

Your Inner Muse is Thalia

You are most like this playful muse of comedy. Life is all about laughter to you, and you're a natural comic. You make people laugh until their sides split. And you're always up for some play time!

What Muse Are You?

You Should Rule Saturn

Saturn is a mysterious planet that can rarely be seen with the naked eye. You are perfect to rule Saturn because like its rings, you don't always follow the rules of nature. And like Saturn, to really be able to understand you, someone delve beyond your appearance. You are not an easy person to befriend. However, once you enter a friendship, you'll be a friend for life. You think slowly but deeply. You only gain great understanding after a situation has past.

What Planet Should You Rule?

You Are the Very Gay Velma!

She might not even realize it... But Velma is all about Daphne... not Fred!

What Gay Childhood Icon Are You?

Bwahahahahaha! My favorite Scooby charecter, to the point I have a Velma figure on my desk

You Should Stay in Shape With a Personal Trainer

You definitely want a better body, but you don't know where to start. And it's all so overwhelming, you tend to lose motivation easily. A personal trainer can help you get the body you desire - even if you have a long way to go!

How Should You Get Your Curves In Shape?

We shall put this one to the test on Monday.

The Recipe For Rhianna

3 parts Desire 2 parts Daring 1 part Passion Splash of Mania Sip slowly on the beach

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

Party over here, party over there

Party, party everywhere! (Or so it seems.)

Finished up my She-Ra Crystal Castle. Here are the final results. Next I have to cut out some She-Ra shapes to 'pin' on the Castle as a game. I really can't think of how to add the others, possibly a cat for Catra but that's basically all I can think of that I can balloon twist into existence.



Hubby has said he'll do the bean-bag toss target. Thus I've completed the menu, the pin-the...on-the game, and the pinata. I've also got some black and white pictures that I'll print out so the kids can color them in. That should pretty much wrap up the prep, at least from my end.

I do still need to place an order for the pizzas, and of course do the set up on the day, but that should be pretty easy as I've planned it all out as to when what needs to be done.

I've got plenty of good-quality Qualex latex balloons for making She-Ra's sword, and shield. I'm going to practice my horse so I can make Spirit, the not-magical version of Swift Wind.



The oldest has chosen to have another Harry Potter party. Apparently the first one didn't kill us, so we're on to round two! I've already started working on the invites, as well as planning what food/goodies I need to order in from the states.

I'm planning on doing some invisible invites. Let the kids 'decode' them as an added "magical" thing. Sorta ups their enjoyment. I've test run some methods and the lemon juice ink works okay, as does white crayon. However, don't try to use the light bulb or warm iron to make the lemon juice show. It comes up best with direct heat (via a lighter - NOT something I'm going to suggest 10 year-olds do), or in a warm oven for about 5 minutes.

The crayon works great if you color over it with a marker. Pencil doesn't make it very readable, let alone legible. Another crayon just smears it. So I'm left with either white crayon, or lemon juice. Hubby and I are going to look at AAFES for an invisible marker set he says they had, but Vicenza didn't have it this evening. We'll be checking Aviano tomorrow. If that still fails, I may just order the set from the states, though I'm tempted to go with the crayon/marker as it's cheaper and faster. The down side being the crayon dulls over time and I hate sharpening crayons.

I'm planning to include a little note that says something like "to avoid Muggle detection, please reveal this message with your favorite house colors marker". I'm not certain on the wording, but I'm going to try to make it fit in with the theme of Harry Potter. Either way I go, I plan on rolling them into scrolls, sealing them closed with wax so they look "authentic", and sending them out.

I'm thinking of either slightly altering JK Rowling's words in the book, or just creating a totally new form. I've tinkered with the ideas and have come up with this (so far anyway):

Dear Student,

We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance to the >>>>>(last name) School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Term begins on >>>>(party date). Please ensure you're present at Platform 9 3/4, located at >>>>(party location), on >>>>>(date & time).

We egarly await your response by Owl Post at >>>>(email), or by Muggle telephone at >>>>>(#) by >>>>>(RSVP) date.

Be advised that wizarding attire and school robes are encouraged, however Muggle wear is entirely appropriate.

Rhianna >>>>>>(last name), Assistant Head Mistress of >>>>>>(last name) School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Or, some alternate wording along those lines. Any ideas on wording, or how to make the invites?

I've decided to ship in some Pop Rocks for their 'magical' effects. I've also got a special effects cookbook including several halloween recipes I can alter, though I'll have to check their ingredient lists to make sure I can get the goods, or order them in advance. Last go round we had chicken poppers (little ball shapes) that we served as Golden Snitches. We also had some orange punch that we called "Pumpkin Juice" and root beer doubled as "Honey Beer".

I'm going to make a few signs, starting with "Platform 9" and "Platform 10" with arrows and a tiny little 'muggle proof' sign stating Platform 9 3/4 above the party entrance. I'll decorate as I did last time, 4 "House Tables" with corresponding colors (yes, I know what they are, along with their animal and House Founder). I'll make some new foam 'badges' for each house, and we'll "sort" the guests with some colored stones in one of our witch hats.

I'll probably have a "End of Term" OWLS exam or maybe NEWT exam that's full of Potter trivia for prizes. I've already got the goody bag candies planned (blue chocolate mice = Ice Mice, chocolate frogs, jelly beans for Bertie Botts if I can't get the actual Bertie Botts, giant bubble gum to double for Druble's Best Bubble Gum, some of the gross 'candy roaches' for the Cockroach Clusters in the book, a black Licorice Wand, etc, etc, etc). Yes, we really do know our Harry Potter.

I'm thinking of making some 'magical' globes. Let them shape some Fimo, put it in a tinted water mix with a tiny bit of natural gelatin and then add some glitter. PRESTO! Magical globes, otherwise known as "crystal balls" in Professor Trelawney's Divination class.

Probably see if we can get a big ol' Nagini pinata to beat the poop out of. Or candy, take your pick. ;)

Did I forget anything? Do you suggest any thing in lieu of something I mentioned? I've only got a few months, so if you've got a suggestions - out with it! By Owl Post or Muggle is up to you.

The vet, vet, vet, vet

I have no idea about the title, don't ask me.

Anyhoo took the cat to the vet Wednesday. She got her booster shots, but needs to come back next Friday for a possible heart murmur - they won't fix her until she's given a clean bill which means I'm dealing with another heat, or a recurrent one, don't care either way, just don't like having to listen to her caterwaul - yeah, apparently during her heat she is NOT a silent cat.


Dog went back today. He's regrown some hair, isn't itching so we're giving him another month of steroids and antibiotics. These are the last ditch drugs (the steroids), they seem to be helping so we're going to keep them up for a few more weeks then lower the dosage. If they continue to work he'll be on them for life. They may shorten his life by 6 months to a year, but compared to longevity in pain or a shorter life happy - I'll take the happy.

They did a biopsy over the summer and the results are pretty funny.
1. The growth they tested was fatty tissue, not cancer but he may grow more just not in the same place. No big imo.
2. He suffers from "severe dermititis". That is a NO freakin' Brainer! Look at my dog, you can tell he's got itchy skin, promise.
3. They can't find any known agent that causes all his symptoms. That means he's either allergic to lots of things together, or Italy in general. Judging by the number of OTHER DOGS on drugs for allergies here, when they didn't have them elsewhere, it's Italy. I personally think part of it is the pollution levels - what goes up in the car exhaust comes down in the rain and blankets everything here. Either way, we're stuck here 'til mid 2009 so...


He'll go back, with the cat, next week to get his rabies and distemper shots. Then hopefully they won't seem him again for about 3 weeks and by then he'll be doing much better. That, and the cat will be fixed.

The die has been cast

Alea iacta est

2057 years ago Caius Iulius Caesar crossed the Rubicon.

Interesting Stuff

At least in the land of Rhianna ... Enter at your own risk!!

Ash from Vesuvius' 79 AD eruption has been found in Greece. Considering how far Krakatoa's, and Mt. St. Helen's flew this is a no-brainer for me. Thought it does show some of the far ranging devastation such an eruption can cause. It's even being reported as being 9 feet thick in places - consider the sheer volume of earth needed to bury something 9 feet deep. Then imagine the fact it came across an ocean and part of the continent to boot!


I proudly introduce the beginnings of the Crystal Castle. (This is the point where everyone humors Rhianna and says - "yes, that looks like the Crystal Castle". Don't forget "yes, those look like clouds" and "yes, that looks so like the cartoon show".)






A 'top cop' has been picked to head the Naples Trash Crisis. Expect no changes, continuing of burning garbage (if not a disease outbreak), and for 'protesters' to continue throwing things at Police attempting to re-open a garbage dump. The Italian Army will be kept on garbage clean up duty while Naples festers. Yeah, same ol' same ol'.


We now resume our She-Ra party preparations.

For the Honor of GREYSKULL!!

Yeah, yeah, I'm deluding myself again.

Not really though, I'm proud to introduce ...

SWIFTWIND

She-Ra's trusty mount and animal friend.




I don't think I did so bad. This is the 'real' Swiftwind by the way.


Hubby does have a point about him though. My soon to be 7 year-old (oh, too soon but still not soon enough) is convinced Swiftwind is a girl. She says "she's a girl but she talks like a boy." The joke between hubby and I being he's transgender. As for pre or post op I have no idea, I don't want to find out either. (Seriously though, Swiftwind is a boy, he has a kid with his girlfriend/wife (who the hell remembers??) Swiftstar in the last episode of She-Ra from 22 years ago.)

Now, little kids in a few weeks will get to beat the crap out of him and take home the goodies he spills. How freakin' awesome is that?!? Hahahahahaha! Yes, I spend that much time and energy on things my kids will destroy, just to make them happy. Well, that and to test my skills ...



Oh, and I was thinking about it. Just how many kids do you think will know WTH this chick is? Or what "For the Honor of Greyskull!" means?



I'm wagering more mommies than kids, and possibly daddies for the fact she's He-Man's twin sister.

One of them days

Ever had one of them days where in you wanted to choke whoever can't read a census record?

I'm back to work on some of my loose ends of the family tree (well, loose roots really, I wanna see how deep I can get 'em). It seems some moron can't tell the difference between a cursive, lower case O and an e.

Promise, her name was LOla, not LEla. Someone really needs to stop watching Futurama re-runs and instead learn to read. Every other census I've found has it right. So because a moron mis-read it screws my entire ability to gather the family history online. Thanks oh so little moron! OH, and for the record the last name for her maiden isn't right either - buttmunch! You're missing 2 letters I can plainly read.

PS - I HATE they wrote census records in cursive for this very freakin' reason!! Bold, strong block print is the best possible means of writing for posterity's sake.

Eh

So we didn't go anywhere this weekend. The weather was terrible, rainy and cold. So I'll hold off until better weather for my little Roman excursions.

But again, hopefully your weekend was good.

Chiuso!

My LEAST favorite Italian word. It means - say it with me - CLOSED!!! And we're not talking siesta kind of closed, we're talking all day kinda closed.

Why is this an issue? I had planned to take my heathens to Iulium Carnicum, aka modern Zuglio here in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. They're supposed to have a kick arse museuem of Roman goodness. Well they're CHIUSO this weekend. (Oh, for shits and giggles - here's the Wiki page in Latin for ya!)

Anyhoo, I think we may travel to Cividale del Friuli. It's forum was also laid out by Caesar and it supposed to have some really good Roman ruins along with an impressive museum.

I guess I'll have to save my Zuglio trip for another day. Though I did make sure to buy some charcoal sticks so the kiddos can take rubbings of where ever we may end up. Make it a bit more fun that way I think. Heck we may even get to Tergeste (modern Trieste) or even Gorizia (where a legionary barracks was). Just something to let them run around, but learn at the same time. Because mommy never wastes an opportunity to instill a love of learning, history or ROME (second only to TEXAS).

Here's hoping to no rain, the best possible weather and temperatures and all that jazz this weekend. Hope your's is productive - and remember to learn something every day!

Ack!

My children hate me, or have it out for me. One of the two.

This is chimchar, what my soon-to-be 7 year-old wants to be for Halloween.





Now how the hell am I going to sew one of those things? There are no costumes (though I did manage to find a mask of it). This child must be the most difficult, I swear. She's getting the She-ra party, now she wants to be a Pokemon (and not an easy one). Yeesh!

Oh well, I guess I'll always have a 'job' as a costume seamstress.

Ahh, the sights and smells of Italy

It seems Naples is in ANOTHER rash crisis.

I must say I love visiting Herculaneum, Pompeii and the Napoli region. I don't like the trash heaps, and can't fathom why the natives put up with it - other than they like the rank odour of spoilt food, dirty diapers and dead rats. If they didn't, they'd do something other than protest EVERY single time the Italian government tries to open a new recycling plant, trash dump, or waste incinerator.

This fiasco (and there is nothing but a man-made fiasco) has been ongoing for almost 2 decades straight. The Neopolitians refuse to recycle (I never ONCE saw a bin except at our camp ground and on the US Naval bases), refuse to let the trash be burned or buried but demand the government do something. Jeeze, they're like a bunch of useless whining dimicrits - "FIX IT NOW, but NOT in MY neighborhood".

It's to the point Brussels is threatening Italy. Yeah, it's bad enough the EU is pretending to give a rat's damn. Wanna bet some over-paid pompous ass from the EU 'congress' got a whiff on their last vacation to Naples?

Seriously though, how bad is it that a notoriously hot-air driven bureaucracy to end all bureaucracy says there's a problem?

The city wastes 400,000 Euro a day, sending it via train to Germany. Germany cashes in - they get paid to burn it, and it produces electricity. Damn I knew Germans were smart, but they're having a battle of wits with unequipped enemies.

The gangs are still in evidence, controlling everything in this country. Transport, shipping, building and even waste. I'd leave the Italians to their own instilled misery other than we have to live with it too - both on visits to other areas (Napoli), and living here.

Thankfully we don't have burning heaps of garbage but that doesn't mean other things aren't just as controlled by the mob. There is something seriously wrong in Italy, and to paraphrase the Bard - 'Something is rotten in the state of Campania'. Oh wait, it's those millions of bags of melting trash they just lit on fire - again ...