Yes, there is still life in Italy

Okay. Every day I see this woman - she's at least 65, if not 70. She rides everywhere on her scooter. I've never seen her walking. I saw her last night at 11pm and today at 9am. She is always wearing a navy blue windbreaker. I must know who she is although she always seems to be scowling.
Jacqueline and I have had some unexpected magical evenings. Last Monday night she and I went for a walk in our village after we had dinner. We happened to stumble upon a bocce ball tournament (where the throw the balls at a smaller red ball). It was high excitement in our little town. They had a little food court with watermelon, cheese and wine! We enjoyed sitting on the benches and walking the determination of the players. Jacqueline was in her Cinderella dress. All the Italians had to speak with her and she spoke right back with such confidence! They thought it was incredible.

Last night (it's a holiday here this weekend) there was a festival in Dardago. I went up to get our pizza's as Michael was busy with fantasy football. There was a donkey in our square, a photography exhibit and they were hitting pinatas at the school (made out of terracotta pots). The kids had to wear bicycle helmets and all the Italians were yelling very loudly which way to go to find the pot. It was hysterical. Jacqueline and I came back up for a concert in our 700 yr old church. I try to find any excuse to go in it b/c it is breathtaking. A quartet of women were singing. Their voices with the acoustics were mezmerizing. I have really missed music. We just sat in the crowded church with our eyes closed and listened.

Jacqueline and I then headed to the Asilo to see an art exhibit and for her to play on the playground. We always walk by the Asilo and she always wants to play. I haven't figured out why the Italian slides hurl the kids down at such a fast speed, but they DO.

Jacqueline, Julia and I planted sunflowers earlier this summer and they are blooming. Some are 8 feet tall and the heads weigh 5 plus pounds. Our Italian garden looks terrific. I will post pictures soon.

Our landlord was coming over to our house every day at 8:15. He usually needed to get into the house too. Two of the times I am trying to get the girls out of the house to go to the beach. I don't have the language skills to tell him this and rushing an Italian just doesn't occur. He also seemed to know when my house wasn't picked-up. He doesn't have children nor is he married so...

But our a/c is installed and we can sleep at night. Three cheers for a small victory.

I can't belive I almost forgot to write about my adventure last week - all in one day. Do you ever have one of those days? Well, now that I am 40, I have to get a mammogram annually so I went for mine. I knew the tech b/c her daughter had recently pummled Jacqueline at a birthday party. Thankfully, all is well (with myself and Jacqueline). After this, I went to the post office at the other area of the base and none of my credit cards would work. I went to the three ATMs and they were all out of order. Sooo... I went to get money from Michael and, seriously now, right when I drove up, Michael cut his hand open on a piece of glass. I rushed back over to the hospital with him where I had just had my boobs squished. He is fine by the way.
You think the day would end there, but no, it is only 11:30. I pick up Jacqueline from the sitters and all she does is scream for the next 2 hours at me. Your guess is as good as mine.
Finally, Michael gets home and I am off to Linda's for Bible Study. Well, on my way there, I get lollipop'ed. This is when the the Italian military police stop you by holding out a red circle on a stick. I am thinking, "what have I done?" Absolutely nothing. Yes, absolutely nothing.
What do I do next? If you've been reading my blogs, you know.
I walk into the door at Linda's, fall on the floor, and yell: "Prosecco."