Alex and Matt

the Lord is the strength of my life

Diane Pearl — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:29:36 +0000

The Lord is the strength of my life. Psalm 27:1 This was on a card that fell out of a book at the library today. It was a calendar on one side dated 2001. I guess no one had checked out this book for some time. I stood in the aisle mesmorized as 2001 is the beginning of all life medical for the Pearls starting with FA diagnosis and Alex’s transplant. The picture on the front was of a little cabin on a lake with beautiful mountains in the back ground. A Thomas Kincade painting, one of my favorites. So was the bible verse. I was at the library researching adrenal fatigue as I had been at the hospital all morning and still had one more test to do. Plaza Frontenac was across the street, with all its fancy shops but here I was in a dusty aisle all alone on the floor now sitting. Thinking. I have not felt good and last week was rough with a friend in serious surgery and another friend losing a husband at 50. 50?? So with shaky hands, a no caffeine fasting headache, 6 tubes of blood later and other unmentionable pokes, here I sat with a pile of medical how-to-feel-better for dummies books and I started laughing. So if I died of a heart attack here, would they say were they books too heavy?? Would anyone notice the card I was holding that someone left behind 10 years ago? What were they going through? Life amazes me and I am sure I think too much. But after living in the moment understanding each is precious (how many times have I said that) I could never mean it more. Now it has to be time for me, the doctor said. I laughed at that, too! I really appreciated the speical “sisters only” parking space at the hospital and the wonderful free coffee you get with a mamogram. It was a good day because the Lord is the strength of my life and someone was kind enough to know I needed to read that today. And “no” I did not really park in the nun’s spot…I used the expectant mother’s! Kidding…

the old me just new?

Diane Pearl — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:18:58 +0000

My feeble mind just can’t process everything any more. The jet lag or emotions or school, something kicked my back side yesterday. I could not move! Alex said today she is really tired, too and we will all be ready for the weekend. They both are doing great, much better than I could have hoped for in school and transforming to their new schedules. Matt said it was an amazing summer and I was so glad to hear that. I analyze everything (duh) and it is huge for me to say, “I would not change a thing.” Why? Or I wish just takes to much energy. You really learn a lot about life and yourself when you travel getting out of your comfort zone. I came home and had to ask where the glasses were in the kitchen! Seriously, I had not used a microwave, watched the news or talked on a phone. And I must say, I did not miss any of the mail, dust, dog/cat hair or garden weeds. It solidifed yet again ”all that matters is time spent well with family and turning strangers into friends.” It amazes me as to the amount of choices in life yet we get stuck in routines because they are safe. SO I am glad to have pushed myself and hope to recover soon..or maybe not, maybe this is the new me? Or the old me just new?

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194073&id=500113882&l=c0b7bb4d01

to see pics of Venice!

Tues Aug 17th First Day of School

Diane Pearl — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:59:46 +0000

MiMi was waiting at the airport in STL as we drug our luggage for the last time last night. We hit Atlanta with a snag, having an orange in the backpack we forget about. It is now midnight our clock and this Beagle keeps sniffing me. I had dumped the rest of my lotion in my socks thinking I was genious with this new travel tip and lots of lavender in my backpack. But it was just the stupid orange. It green carded us and we had to go to the long line of “check and double check.” Argh! We only had 30 minutes to catch our next flight. Xanax please!! I can throw a fit anywhere but Mark kindly said, Di this is not the time to make a scene, ask for anything…just don’t open your mouth.” He is a smart man. I swallow hard and agree. Not easy for me, for sure. OK…we finally get thru without me hyperventilating. Darn orange! Darn sniffing beagle! Matt says, this is the USA. They are only protecting us, mom. Darn kids! So now we get behind an Indian family with two grandmother’s in wheelchairs, I kid you not and they have to take off all their extra clothes and they wear a lot of extra clothes. Come on! Push grandma through already. They scream at her and she gets out of the chair and walks. Next grandma…pl-ease. We scramble dressing on the run and OJ from terminal E to Terminal A in the busiest airport in the country. We can do this! Go…run, Alex run! We get to the counter and the flight is late, overbooked and they asked to bump us! Alex and Matt both say “NO” as Mark and I laugh as that is how this all started. I say, “Are you sure?” It could be an amazing trip with mom-my? Smiling, and they are not, again “NO!” So we are now at 1 a.m. our clock and thankfully head to STL. We get to Eureka shouting “Hooray!” and head directly to Lion’s Choice Fast Food…roast beef and American French Fries, yes! Another “horray!” Unload, have a cold glass of real milk in a freezin frosty mug as Mimi sweetly stocked the fridge. Home sweet home! Gather the school supplies I put together in July which seems like last year, throw suitcases in each room to call it another good, blessed night. Now 4 a.m. our clock, collapse in my own bed with my own pillow and say a thank you beyond all thank yous. The kids woke easily at 6 a.m. STL time, got to school via dad and Harley ride with huge smiles. Wow, who would have ever thought all this is possible? But we know All things Are Possible with God!!

Top trip favorite things: climbing the Eiffel Tower with my kids watching them scream I did it at the top and I can’t breathe, literally just cry…sitting in the bell tower of Notre Dame with Catarina speaking French to a family from Eugene, Oregon telling them about FA, praying in Sacre Couer like a good Catholic but I am not, taking one small suitcase and wearing my favorite things over and over not having to choose or think, buying good Ecco shoes leaving all heels at home…genious!!…laughing out loud really hard and long on the plane at the movie Valentine’s Day not caring because I had on headphones and could not hear myself…(caution: be careful what you eat before boarding as headphones muffle noises you feel but don’t hear)…people stare, they hear…washing out my under gaments and hanging them on my window only to find they fell two stories landing at the kitchen window the next morning while having coffee…explaining I want white chicken to a French cook who speaks no English, ohhh csheekin breasts pointing to her breast…yes, I laugh sheeekin breast doing it back…playing Marco-Pearlo in crowded lines or if we got seperated…kids having no TV or phone for 5 weeks so they talked to me a lot…watching the kids grow and change before my eyes…priceless! I still think we should have taken the bump…

Monday Aug 16th

Diane Pearl — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:56:33 +0000

8 a.m. we are all repacked (for the ump-teenth time) and really ready to roll. Unbelievable. It is over. Everybody pulling a bag, we headed for Marco Polo Airport about 1 ½ by slow water boat or 30 minutes and many Euro by speed boat…our flight was at 10:50 so we opted for the safe, stress free choice duh? What can a few more Euro matter at this point?? It was fun and relaxing; a great way to say good bye to sweet Venice on another postcard perfect morning. I now appreciate Italian opera and will never forget the kids faces on top the Eiffel Tower and Leaning Tower of Pisa as I look at them now. But they were just as satisfied watching the sunset, for this and for them, I am very very grateful. It was a big trip! Huge! A memorable, growing, learning, living and lovely time. Moments that will make me smile on hard days. Most of the time, I felt like I was in a movie as many of the places we saw were where movies were shot. Most of the time it seemed like it could not be real what was happening…hugging my old German family, meeting cousins I now call new friends, walking in castles and hanging out with Catarina/family in Paris eternally and forever heartfelt she saved Alex’s life. Yes, this was an adventure beyond adequate description. Now we are flying over Halifax as I have been trying to capture my feelings with 10 hours to do it. Five weeks went by like the blink of an eye and these last ten days with Mark were a whole other trip. It took him a few days to unwind catching up to our travel speed and now the poor kids hit their first day of school in the morning running. We gain 7 hours so hopefully jet lag won’t be too bad. Alex will be a Freshman at Eureka High School and Matt in 8^th grade. This is like the end of a production when the music gets really loud and the drums are beating. But it is only my heart overflowing with love and respect for them to share their summer with me, family, friends and even strangers in Europe. I cry with joy tears very grateful for this opportunity. That we were bumped, had free airline tickets, places to stay, food and fun is just remarkable. They made many friends and touched hearts every where they went. Matt always explained FA and proudly gave the website now having new Facebook friends for sure. Life must be an adventure like this. An ever playing musical that can be loud and soft. It is all about not caring or worrying about things that do not matter. The music plays on and new songs must be written…thank God for all the answered prayers keeping us safe. I will be changed forever. I will never forget these special times, people and places. I prayed in many churches for God to keep the kids by my side; safe and sound forever. But I also know that is not possible. He hears me and I feel closer thinking of 2010 years of His grace for all after seeing His face in so many wonderful places. But I don’t need to be in Norte Dome or St. Mark’s to see it everyday working in all of our lives. It is with us always…that is what is so special. It doesn’t matter where you are. Just look up…always look up!

Sunday Aug 15th our last day

Diane Pearl — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:48:00 +0000

Mark and I wake early as the plan is to venture Venice without tourists. We head to St. Mark’s Square enjoying only locals and pigeons. It is a peaceful to stroll as the crowds are fierce by the middle of the day with cruise ships and American, Asian, Canadian, European and every other country’s holiday happening here. The weather was perfect with a blue sky and puffy white clouds, the most amazing backdrop for photo after photo. Of course, more of my infamous jumps for joy shots! These 12^th and 13^th century masterpieces of marble built on wooden planks now solidified by mineral deposits just go on and on. The colors pop off like a painting and we love the alonelness. We board the vallparretto (water taxi) and head to Lido, a big island of beaches and green space this gorgeous Sunday morning. It is busy with locals transporting everything and anything you can imagine by water and then by hand and foot over bridges thudding the carts with Italian flare and language. Some you could kinda tell was not nice. But they smile at us going about the day as smells of fresh pastries abound. Olive and balsamic vinegar go with everything it seems. The pastas and pizzas go down smoothly each night with a fresh fish I cannot pronounce nor do I care. We stop briefly to figure out the next taxi (this is sometimes similar to putting up the Xmas tree together) then go back to walk San Marco and San Paulo on this big island shaped like a fish called Venetcia. It is so fun! You could care less if you get lost and actually discover many off the beaten path treasures like this. Let life happen…no plans, no real guide. Mark and I look like the scarecrow on the Wizard of Oz saying no, maybe this way?? Two alpha personalities surviving 22 years and now going on my fifth week, his 9 th day of this journey. The cobblestones twist and turn as I marvel at bridge after bridge (about 400 here) connecting each canal with yet another magnificent church, art gallery, trattatoria or shop. We snap oics of the Rialto bridge with not a soul to be seen and the same fofr St. Mark’s Square. We all just adore Italy and have done so well traveling all the foreign areas. It feels safe and clean with a hot bath and oil on my tired feet at night equals the definition of a really good day. Some days we did not have hot water, or even a bath tub but real life is simple. And as Romeo said, love is confusing joy. True there is constant thinking and planning to make this “work” but always time for some breaks of fresh, creamy gellatto or hot frothy cappuccino, mouth watering pastry or whatever we feel like at the time. Freedom that doesn’t happen often for us over the past 22 years either. We laugh at the tourists with numbers on their shirts, headsets in their ears and guides screaming holding paddles in the air through the mobs of people. I had a letter from the doctor, so we entered most attractions through the exits avoiding any frustration of lines. Everyone has been wonderful with each hotel treating the kids like royalty, adorned special gifts and lots of love. They deserve this…a trip that is a chance of a lifetime to be cultured beyond any text book ever written. Alex asks why they don’t have Philadelphia cream cheese here or New York bbagels. She is really sick of salami! Matt holds the passes again and keeps us all entertained. He was staring at a young 10 year old Italian boy sing Opera and up to the massive church organ playing loving the music. All has been indescribable beyond words as our hearts are full of Italian history and hospitality. It is still only 10 a.m. so why not eat some more bread with ham, salami and fresh cheese or the kids fav of lots of rich butter and homemade marmalade? More coffee, of course…ahhhh it is so amazing here. 11 a.m. as we run to catch the private boat to Murano the hotel Ca’Alvice arranged a personal glass blowing demonstration at a family owned factory. Whooooosh! Both kids smile loving the fast, sleek boat and Italian crazy driver as we maneuver in and out of skinny canals hearing “Attent-ion!” ducking under the 1,000 year old rod iron bridges with laughter. Laundry is hanging out windows and flowers brighten the old stone facades. The views are spectacular as too soon we are on the famous island where Venetian glass is from the 1^st century and definitely in a class of its own. A sweet Italian guide meets us at the dock and welcomes us to watch the hot furnaces glow and miraculous pieces form from a piece of sand in less than five minutes. The art of thousands of years comes alive before our eyes and whal-oa, a horse! This is a beyond interesting time as the kids love glass blowing. A puff of air, a furnace from who knows when and each have an amazing memory packaged up. The show room was memorizing with of course my favorite, the $480,000Euro chandelier. Ah, ya yi! I adore Italian art and décor. The marble, the mosaics, the fountains and gardens…perfect! How can it get much better? I want to redecorate everything. We shop our way home as prices in Murano are twice that in Venice, pick lots of gifts and head back for a nap.

5 p.m. no nap. .we still have a bottle of champagne from the hotel we have to drink. Luck has a romantic bridge out the front door to sit and watch the red and black Elvis velvet gondolas sway under us. The sweet sound of accordion music with Italian songs, ambiance of blue-striped shirts and hokey hats with red ribbons flowing got funnier and funnier. Everyone toasts with us as how can you not be happy here? OK, champagne helps. We laughed and talked and talked and laughed…now 6 p.m. and another Italian meal to be had. Our last, how bittersweet. So we set out for an yet another area famous for sunset strolling. We knew we were at the right spot as we heard a jazz band, sun sinking and a giant white yacht parked in front. Calgon, take me away!! More seafood, more pizza, more laughs listening to the kids saying which, what and where were their favorite things. We all walked back hand in hand by the moonlight as the music and Venice faded away. Today was another fairytale. Can you feel the magic in the air? Just breathe. Sometimes I have a hard time but I can always shut my eyes and be thankful we all take another breath. Each one so precious…

Sat. Aug 14th

Diane Pearl — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:35:25 +0000

We wake early to hit the Italian highway from Padova to destination Venice. By the way, you do not drive in Venice as canals do not make good roads!! A little nervous as the GPS does not recognize our hotel address, we take our last driving day with stride…I mean stress. I will be sooooooo happy when we get to Europcar and give back the car in one piece. It is a short distance, but feels like miles…ohhh, we did it! I see it, we pull over and hand the keys saying “grasse!” Prego! And now 6 bags later, 2 kids, 2000 KM I have a great big smile of even dragging everyone across the busy street to the water taxis having no idea which one to take or how to do it. I read, Mark reads…Matt says this way and Alex follows…awesome! This is fun, I say. Right, you are having fun? This is the trip of a lifetime, huh? Yes, mom yes they make fun of me. Ahhhhh! We are in the canals of Venice, twenty gorgeous minutes later we arrive through the Grand Canal of Venice, one of the busiest ancient highways of water in the world and deport at Saint Angelo to “quess” which small alley way now to take to our next hotel. This is comic on cobblestones bumping along the road of life but remarkably, we ask a few non-English speaking Italians who point and we find it! No problem! This is fun, right? No one answers. Miracles do happen after 100 historic churches and prayers asking for guidance. We are so blessed!!! Again, all are fantastic and the room to die for with Venetian glass chandeliers and deep rich colors. Mark booked all last minute as we went and got incredible deals! We gladly give up our luggage and run out to anxiously find food, fun and more bridges. Straight to St. Mark’s Square along with a million other people, a quick trip thru the church as everyone is exhausted and a search for the perfect outdoor café which there are also a thousand of here. Pizza, piazza, Pearls…ya-hoo! We eat then stumble back to the hotel to collapse on the bed and take a much needed break. A few hours later, back out on the pavement to hit the famous Rialto bridge, some shopping and La Catina, where you say nothing as they choose the exact wine, perfect fish, delicious dessert to make a unbelievable Italian evening complete beyond dreams as we end our day. What a day! Grab a water taxi, I crash across three seats and walk back zig zagging through history…just another adventure and we all hit the pillows gratefully with full tummies, hearts and minds. PTL

Friday the 13th, August

Diane Pearl — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:25:55 +0000

It is pouring down rain but we still head to Verona hoping for a break in the weather. We grab the rain gear and splash in the puddles to the most famous arena where incredible opera is sung each night. They are moving the sets in and out with a large crane and sheer manpower as we watch in amazement. The rain lets up, thankfully as we turn the soaked map to find our direction (argh) but sweet spirits soar with excitement in this age old city home to Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet. We climb the steps and hang out on the historic balcony waving to the crowd snapping pictures below then wander awestruck thru Juliet’s house, her bedroom and remarkable painted walls of stories. You could feel the play come to life as I tell the kids they have so much to share with each teacher when they get back to school reading the play out loud to them. Eyes roll with pain with another of the many, “oh, mom” but they indulge me in my love of ancient history and especially Shakespeare. The thought of ending our European tour “Pearls Gone Wild” is sad as I continue to read the love story breathing in each scene right in each unique room of this place. A love scene beyond all love scenes I try to explain (eyes still roll) famous for centuries right here coming to life once again in front of us. Mark now is rolling his eyes. Bad move on his part! Unbelievable ! I love Verona, history, paintings, love stories as we walk on through the soaked streets embracing every bridge or church appreciating each stone making homes to die for. (Pardon the die part…not a good subject in Verona, ha) I begin to understand more about history, love, food and fun here in Italy. How could you not?? It is fabulous and no one cares to be wet as we laugh now sitting comfortably eating watching everyone scurry for cover under bright umbrellas in the dark storm outside. We timed it perfectly, or God did watching out for us once again I am sure. So this is Verona…thanks for a taste of pleasure…thanks for a day of sights and sounds where so many have enjoyed before us. I appreciate life so much. Mostly, this precious time to make memories through a hug, kiss or just a stolen glance. We are blessed…once again…we are so, so blessed. Then Alex says, “Why did they kill theirselves again?” Argh…

Mark’s 51st birthday Aug 12th

Diane Pearl — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:15:11 +0000

“How can you even sleep here?” I ask Mark, excited to start his special day. He is not as excited…hmnn? Well, it is HIS day but I am heading for a Cafe and church. He decides I am right and all follow. Well, so far my planning has been pretty good I remind the sleepy faces. We head to the incredible Cathedral across worn 1,000 year old cobble stones in the square right out our front door. There is no one at 8 a. m. and again we have the beautiful church to ourself. I love this as time to pray is so precious each day. It is one of the oldest and most magnificently preserved places in Italy. I stare at the paintings and frescoes with tears begging for health, happiness and peace for all once again. Especially today for Mark to sing praises for all his blessings. This is definitely the way to start any day, especially your birthday I smile genuinely at him. He smile sback. Again, we need to exchange no words. This has been a tough road for all, especially him tring to always protect us all. So today we live fully and fill ourselves with joy and bliss of all Italy. We cannot get into the cheese factories so we head to the Ferrari factory instead, just an hour down the road by chance. Zoooooooom, zoooom the red bombs blast by us. We are close to the factory for sure as we take the Maranello exit unable to keep up with the test drives. Where else should a 50+ American man spend his birthday? Matt is grinning pretty big, too. Alex and I roll our eyes, but this horse power is pretty impressive I must admit. The up close and personal red color is blindingly beautiful. Mark and Matt drool just looking at a steering wheel of these $150,000 – $1,000,000 mechanical marvels. And they gave a portion of our ticket to support the research of genetic diseases, even let Matt sit in the driver’s seat…which is tabboo to others here! Loved the red suited Italian workers that had red Ferrari bicycles to get around the modern retro factory extrodinarre…incredible place to visit. Enso Ferrari was one smart, rich man…

We head to Bologna to eat as we are now starving skipping lunch for cars. ??? Hey, it is his birthday! We plug in a marvelous sounding place to eat and drive straight to it to find it is closed for holiday. Argh! Next one, closed till dinner. Circling tiny streets in back alleys to yet a third choice closed. Travel trip…never try to eat at 4 p.m. OK Francis, get us back to the autostrade. Hey! Burger King!!! Well, it is a BIG day so birthday boy gets a whopper. Whooo hoo! Matt is amazed that extra ketchup costs .40 Euro and we reinvorce “America is the greatest with good water, re-fills and free ketchup. The land of the great and free! Mark says he will kiss the ground appreciating all American even though Italy is one of his fav places, it is still not home and very different. Think how we and the kids feel after four weeks and four countries? But life is good as we are the best of making the best of anything. And you definitely have to be here in foreign countries. We head to Padova a little frustrated and find not so palatial hotel, ahhhhh and again go to a place from the guide book that we walk out of. We find a sweet spot on the Piazza and enjoy a fine birthdya meal. They eat slowly here and meals are a complete adventure! We play tic tac toe with the skinny breadsticks and laugh a lot about our day. Each seems likes weeks at a time. This is head rush and tomorrow is Verona, as we are 20 min outside Venice due to arrive there on Saturday. Yippee…

Wed August 11th

Diane Pearl — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:28:00 +0000

Today we must travel a long way so we put the kids in the car with a Dramamine each and a puke bag. I slept with Allx as she had a pretty rough night with an upset stomach. She had not puked since April in the hospital and I must admit that I was a little freaked praying this was sheerly the drives, nothing to do with her stomach. So I tossed and turned as she tried to get comfortable planning how to say ambulance in French or where to go to the hospital. I have doctors in Berlin, Paris and Genoa, Italy ready to call with all the kids medical records with me but laying in bed trying to sleep just didn’t happen. Now we head through 3 countries, 200 tunnels hugging the Sea from France to Pisa, Italy. The kids want to see the Leaning Tower. You can country hop pretty easy here, but tolls are expensive and city skipping driving not the norm for most Americans. But since we are soooo not normal, Mark handles it with ease. (Most of the time) It is noon and the kids are still sleeping…I hated to give dramamine on the short 1-2 hour drives as they would be groggy, but I know they were tired so this has been a perfect call. Mark and I have been driving for 4 hours with no coffee, (rrrr) so we veer to a gas station to re-fill. Their cafes inside are awesome with the best espressos and cheapest yet! We each have a double looking straight into the tiny cup saying nothing…no words needed sometimes after 22 years. I give him a forced grin and we order lunch in half Spanish half French half English (?) lunch and oh, what the heck as I have another double espresso at the counter just in case. We have traveled thousands of miles so far driving through southern France, Monaco, Genoa (where Christopher Columbus was born) and now head to Pisa. This is just crazy most of the time but oh, such special fun! The kids are psyched we only have a few hours to go really wanting to see where Galileo discovered the theory of relativity by dropping objects from the top of this messed up leaning “achitecture.” (So the story goes) This stuff is 1,000 or more years old..so exciting as I love, love , love history. Alex is feeling better, PTL and we enjoy more incredible Italian Riveria hill towns with huge mountains to the left capped with snow and gorgeous Med Sea to the right. One wrong turn took us seasside that looked like Fort Lauderdale at Spring Break but we got back on A12 thanks to Francis and kept driving. This is really the only way to truly experience a country, by car but it is not always easy. Mark says “it is not the destination, but the journey” blah blah blah as I remind him of this while he yells in not nice Englisg at Francis. Hey, at least he isn’t yelling at me. Yet. So we pull into Pisa, pass McDonald’s (kids didn’t even want to stop??) and park…across the street from the field of miracles. Unbelievable! Here we are!! It is crowd-ed…yikes as a frustrated family from New Orleans leaves saying you cannot go up the tower till 7 pm. Mnnn? Not good. It is 2:30 and I keep walking to the ticket office determined anyway. I ask an older Italian policeman in a crisp, white shirt for help as we cannot stay that long needing to drive yet another 2 hours to Parma for the night. I handed him a pamphlet about FA explaining the kids wishes to climb the tower. He was a gentleman beyond words and got us on the next tour at 3:20. Yeah! Love Italian men! But ugh, more old worn down marble steep twisting steps my knee and hip complain but my heart soars with excitement and joy. (They have how to make their spiral staircases down) We get to the middle balcony which is full of ropes and wires distracting the amazing view of Pisa and all look at each other saying; “This is it?” Naaaaaa, can’t be. All were speaking Italian so who knows?? This is a trip. An adventure each day, I try to smile. Matt is determined and once again the line is moving, so he appropriately leads the pack. Yes! Yes! Yes! The top of the tower, but let me tell you, this thing really leeeeeeeeeeeeans. I feel like I could puke now. This is messed up! But oh, how fantanstic to do. The air, the breeze, I shut my eyes …ooh not a good idea and click, click click goes the camera. Sights to remember forever. Sounds of joy to treasure always. And it is only 3:45. Whoo hoo! Down, down, down we twist and turn to crawl out of the leaning door. Whew! We buy another book for Alex, t-shirt for Matt, silk scarves for me and cold bottle of Coca Light for Mark. We did it! We climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa now off to Parma to try real parmasan cheese and prochuitto ham. Yum!

It was another 2 hours of seeing countless story book Italian villages hang in the mountains, 100 more tunnels and marvelous suspended bridges until we reached our next destination, Parma. We are now working our way up to Venice to head home next Monday seeing the heart of Italy first. We chose a family run hotel and I told them about the kids love for Parmasan and Mark’s 51st birthday. They were palatial to say the least treating us like royalty with fresh cheese, strawberries, cookies, chocolate and Secca wine. (The hotel was a former palace and the family had lived there since 1700…wow) Ahhhh, love Parma. The carma in Parma rocks! We ate in a little Trattoria and started our birthday celebration early. Go team Pearl! The sweet Italian waiter brought Mark and I shots of some liquer. In his broken English he said it was fermented prune juice..how perfect! Ha! Some guitar music on the Piazza and call it a good night. Yet another very good night!

Aug 10th Fayence and Chateaudouble

Diane Pearl — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 06:48:52 +0000

I sit by the pool with coffee (I travel with a milk foamer to make my own cappachino) early each morning to drink in the fresh French country air and brilliant blue skies. We usually take a day off between traveling letting the kids sleep in and play cards. Of course, after about 30 minutes of peace, I make Mark wake up to enjoy this with me now that he is part of the travel framework, too. It is pure quiet here except for the water spurting in the pool and even that is a soothing sound. We are in the heart of Provence so today is another village hanging in the cliffs called Fayence. It is only 45 minutes away or a few miles…but they are so windy to drive up to these remote places. They are known for pottery and weaving so later in the day, off we went. Alex finally puked out the window as this was too much and she ate breakfast too late. Poor kid…thank goodness she had a little cotton dress I could wash out and dried quickly in the warm air. A little Sprite and a break on a park bench, we enjoyed the view. When she got her stomach back we filled it with pizza which is so good here. The tile rooftops were gorgeous colors of brick red and orange as we always walk to the very top to visit the church, or castle or old Roman ruins of a fort. How could you not? Croissants have a ton of calories, so hiking is good! Today is warm and more humid than it has been. Still nothing like the 100+ I hear St. Louis is suffering. We are in a slice of heaven and visit more incredible churches every day than I can describe. They are my favorite things other than the views, food, wine, people o.k. whats not to like? We stop in Chateaudouble, the town where we are staying and climb to the top which is a really amzing cemetary in an old fort. This is our last night here so we have to finish strong and see everything winding thru the narrow alleys and streets very quickly actually as this is a small village. This is France…I cannot believe it each night as I hit the pillow with windows swung wide and cicadas buzzing us to sleep.