Monday, November 30, 2009

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Venice November 2nd - 17th











I can't believe that I've been back only eleven days...feels as if it
were a month ago.
So much happens within a week!


Every year I take the only non-stop flight from JFK to Venice....it use to be flight #150. It's now flight #186. I swear it was a 7 hour flight just three years ago....and now 9 hours.
I looked it up in my journal.
Yup 7 hours....now they say 9 and when we arrive

'early'...the flight attendants go on and on about an early arrival.
Nope....just a built in defense from the airline.

This year I had a great seatmate....Sandy.
A flight attendant with American Airlines.
We hit it off... within 9 hours we felt like family.
Sandy even came down from the Dolomites to visit us for the day.
On top is a photo of Sandy on the right...Gail, my sister on left.

I adore Venice....the feeling is magical to me.
Lost in history...touching the stones that so many generations have touched before.
Walking the same calle that Casanova...Byron....Goldoni....Vivaldi.......thousands have tread...leaving a lasting echo.
This year we stayed at the same studio apartment that we stayed last year.
Corte Tiepolo. Halfway thru we switched to the larger apartment across the hall.
(An error in booking...sigh)
It may have been a great mistake. It was terrific having the extra space....two bedrooms and two full baths. The price tag is double...but ohhh the comfort.
It also gave us the opportunity to have a party!!
Elizabetta, Barbara, Morena, Matteo and Mauro always have dinners for us...it was our turn.

Matteo is the one with the pot on his head.......sure wine was involved.
Morena Matteo and Mauro have a great wine store near the Rialto Bridge in Castello....Bottiglieri Collona. But I admit that I had never seen Matteo with a pot on his head at the store.
Here is a link to Tiepoletto, the larger apartment.
Another link to Corte Tiepolo.

Gail & I shopped for days....finding just the right glasses and desserts and more glasses and a few more goodies. It was so nice having the large table and living room. My little iPod speaker worked great.
It was a great night...everyone stayed til almost 2 am.
The next Saturday night, Elisabetta had a dinner at her house on Guidecca.
The food? Turkey in honor of our upcoming Thanksgiving. It was turkey with a twist...paprika, cream, wine, onion, leeks.....divine.
The ultimate surprise?

Her homemade tiramisu.
Gail passed out in rapture!!
We staggered out of Elisabetta's at 3 am....her neighbors were thrilled to hear us leave.
In fact...all of Guidecca cheered as the vaporetto pulled away from Rendentore!



Sunday, November 22, 2009

Salute at sunset...

As promised.....

We are both home safe n' sound.

I had worried so much about being away from Paul.
Would he regress....miss me so much he'd collapse in a heap?
NO WAY!!
I know he was happy to make it home and back into his own environment....his own bed.
I'm so grateful for all or our friends that came to see him....he was voted "most popular".
Well, at least by his adoring group of tablemates....there were moist eyes all around and a chorus of..."your husband is so kind and generous and warm".....
"his head is going to swell to the point you won't be able to get him out the door".

I had to promise to bring him back for a visit...or I wasn't getting him out the door to come home!
In all seriousness.....I really want to thank Mary Beth....who looked past Paul's many disabilities and realized how wonderful and persistent he is.....if she hadn't thought 'half-full' she wouldn't have admitted Paul to Chelsea. I can't thank her enough! She also rallied her troops...the entire staff was stellar.....5 star!!

Paul's time at Chelsea was marked by visits from Andrew.....who came out one Sunday to watch the games. Warren and Barbara came at the same time.....a football fest!!

Barbara was a dear....she brought Penny, the glamorous pup for another visit. Rumor has it that one of the residents at Chelsea was standing guard at the door. ""You are not bringing THAT dog in here"" with a few very choice words to follow. Barbara had the go-ahead to bring THAT dog.....so she had to wait for the 'guard' to wander away and ran like hell into Paul's room.

Elle supplied homemade cookies to keep Paul happy.

Joni and Paul's longtime neighbor, Barbara came together for a visit...I think that Football was the topic of conversation.

A big THANK YOU to Aaron and Katherine for keeping Paul in the loop with therapy sessions!
Speaking of therapy.....how did Paul do?
Did he backslide?

Absolutely NOT!
He couldn't wait to get away from my watchful eye.
He now doesn't use the urinal.
Doesn't need any help getting dressed.

He's kicking his leg even higher during his leg exercises....so high that I told him I was sending in his application.
I heard that the Rockettes were short by one.

I don't think...no I know, he wouldn't be as far ahead if he hadn't gone to Chelsea. I was too afraid to let him loose. It's tough standing by as he teeters. But he is as strong as an ox.
So I don't help...but I do stand guard....at least for now!

Thanks to all that wrote!!
Sarah, dear, you'll have to translate your letter....I think I got most of it.
Bettie....you're a dear!
Denis...what a treat hearing from you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all....you made our year!!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009

We're home....


and unpacking.....I promise an update soon.
All is well....Paul is doing really well!

I had an incredible time...........