greece

Stay tuned.....There's more to come!

This was such an amazing trip... so many details to share. I am organizing them all and the pictures too. It may take some time, but hey, I've also gotten back into reality and everyday life... It's hard to get back to normal, that's for sure! I think I have a new normal now. I am a world traveler...a globe trotter.... a worldly woman.... ok and maybe a little full of myself right now! You just won't believe the OLYMPIC GALA that was put on for us! I had my first RED CARPET experience! And, how about a YACHT CRUISE ON THE AEGEAN SEA.... Can you say ISLAND HOPPING? Oh and how about a little FIREWORKS SHOW at the farewell dinner!!!? Did I mention we had our own BAND following us around on one of the days? And the piece de resistance.....YES, VIRGINIA, YOU CAN LOSE WEIGHT ON VACATION!

Our first adventures

This is me heading out to the pool that was on the 7th floor... sorry, but rules of friendship prohibit photos at the pool itself!












In front of one of the many Tavernas in the area called the Plaka.












One of the many cats we found inhabiting the stores, Tavernas, streets and ruins. A little girl tourist found this one snuggled up in a little spot of marble.

Greetings from Greece

These are some of the photos from our tour yesterday of the Acropolis. Seeing the stadium where the very first Olympics was held was awe inspiring! And I love the story behind the temple with the women statues as columns. They used them because they were more beautiful to look at! It seems that the Greeks really love their women! And, they love their tourists too! Actually, I think they really just love the Euro of the tourist. They are very persistent on the Plaka (the local shopping and Tavern location). They have everything you must have and everyone of them have the finest food around. We did find a yummy gyro last night...

We made it!

We arrived in Athens yesterday.... with much gratitude after the grueling 11 hours flight. The last 3 hours can play tricks with your mind. I actually considered running laps around the plane. Thankfully, a movie and a meal helped the time pass but I couldn't sleep for the life of me. So I arrived very, very tired. But I went to the welcome luncheon once we arrived at the hotel and then crashed for two hours in the room. We woke up later and joined everyone for cocktails on the beautiful rooftop restaurant, where we could see Acropolis. The hotel is magnificent with marble everywhere and luxurious decor. We were told that it had some renovations in preparation for the 2004 olympics that were held here. We saw the amazing stadium where the very first olympics were held. I'll post those photos later.

Ready to go, down to the toes!

Had a mani and a pedi today ... can't believe I squeezed it in but hey, some things just have to get done! Toe color "It's All Greek to Me".... Still lots left to do tonight.....including notes to my children and a "When Mommy was a Kid" story to be read while I'm gone. I actually said outloud today that I'm not sure I can do it! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!

EURO LIMBO - How low can you go?

There is something really wrong with paying $500 to get $308. How is that even fair that my shopping is going to be cut like that before I even start!? We are getting so close that the fact that all my children have started school now seems to be a SUBHEADER. Did I mention that all my babies are out of the nest (for a few hours every day!). I think that I might have to get a hobby... despite my husband's hints that a JOB might be in order. I think after Greece, I'll try to come up with a hobby that pays. Hmmm.

MORE SHOPPING?

Okay, so I think I'm finished now. I did go to SteinMart and was able to find TONS of clip-on earrings. I love being able to wear big trendy earrings, but since I celebrated the same trend in the 80's, my ears don't handle the "pierced" version. Mission accomplished! While I was there, I checked off another item that wasn't even on the list. When strolling by the suitcases, i decided that I wanted a "different" bag so that I am not looking for my own in a sea of black bags. So, I have this lovely paisley print suitcase. I think I might have to go back and get the smaller version too. Also, enjoyed a little backyard resort action, this time with the sunscreen! Just realized I am not done, still have to do the currency exchange and get those outlet converters!

Now I'm Freakin'

It's getting too close now.... Just a few days away. I still have so much to do... I thought I would write daily notes to each child ... um, that's 28 notes! Yikes! At least the shopping is mostly done. I still wanted to get a few "clip-on" earrings. I was looking today but as you might imagine, they are not popular and easy to find. I did remember that a store called Steinmart had a nice selection of them... so hopefully I'll get there before D-Day. I'm a little distracted with back-to-school shopping as well. Who knew that shopping could be so exhausting! It used to be fun!

Have Clothes Will Travel

I found some great clothes in a catalog for Boston Proper... These clothes travel well and I got two awesome colors... Clay and Regatta... These look very chic on and you can dress them up with jewelry and a belt and the whole outfit is about $75.00. Love it! These clothes were made for packing...roll them up and no wrinkles!

Getting the Skinny

Met with Miss M today who gave me the scoop on some of the folks who are traveling on this group trip to Greece sponsored by the lovely folks at KFMB channel 8. Now, I'm double excited! It sounds like we are going to have so much fun! This is the start of a new chapter in my world. The last 10 years of my life have been devoted to the making of babies and now that mine are made, I can do the really hard work of parenting.... Yet there is a freedom that comes with the finality of the literal physical part of my job. My body is mine again. So, Margie gave me the skinny on the trip, now if i could just get the body that is mine on the skinny track! haha! The great thing about being 39 for the 2nd (or is it 3rd) time... is that I don't really care what I look like in the bathing suit... I'm wearing it! Proud and with heels! (and maybe a cute little cover-up dress????)

Constant Contradictions

I am so excited about this trip and at the same time, school is starting for the kids and I am sad to miss part of their first week. They will be in school for two days before I leave so I won't miss it all entirely. I also feel really bad that they haven't ever had much time without me and it worries me that it will be hard for them. Or, maybe, I'm worried that it will be harder for me!

I was thinking today about the food in a different country and wondered how different it will be... there are many greek menu items that i enjoy so I am hoping that I'll find plenty that Ilike. Although, it could help with my test to see if you can lose some weight on a vacation!

Talkin' the Talk

Thanks to my friend.. I have the following words to take with me, I just have to figure out the proper way to say them!
Yia sis - slang for hello and goodbye
Kalimera – good day
Kalinihta – good night
Kalispera – good afternoon
Andio - goodbye
Parakalo (strong o) – please, or don’t mention it
Ne (strong e) – yes
Ohi - no
Banio – bathroom
Me lene – my name is
pososio – how much

this is going to be good!!

Also, I learned that you can trade some US $ for some Euros before you leave home!

10 Days and Counting!

I have my first draft of packing laid out ready to begin packing. My first draft of "what has to happen while i'm gone" is almost ready for its first round of edits.. My sun burn has faded (gosh, I hope its not pealing by then!) I'm not sure how I can prepare myself for being on that airplane for the 13 hour flight from Atlanta to Athens. Maybe I'll pack a few things from my "I'm going to read this when I have some time" stash!

All that when I'm Just here for a visit!

Yikes! I didn't realize there's so much I have to think about to leave the country. Just going through some paperwork and learning that I have to bring an outlet converter for things like my laptop and hairdryer (I haven't decided yet if I'm actually brining one...don't they have them in rooms now?)... And also, apparently traveler's cheques are NOT the way to go? And, there are warnings posted in various literature about the area regarding "tourist traps." Also, our travel instructions once we land in Athens is that we have to go to immigration..(what? I'm not immigrating???) and then we have to clear customs! So add that to the home based things that have to be considered (how many people will it take to fill my shoes? - while I am taking a lot of them with me, I'll need to leave some here - that many shoes might be considered contraband and could keep me from getting through customs!) I guess I'll just consider these little details items to check off the list as I approach and resolve or prepare for them. This is going to be some adventure!

I should have known better.... ?

In preparation for my trip to tropical Greece... I decided I should get a little sun in the suit I was lucky enough to find (did I already mention it was the first one I tried on?). So, I bravely went to my backyard resort (while the babysitter hooked the kids up with some lunch)... WITHOUT any SPF. My plan was to get about 30 minutes on each side and then maybe if I wanted more, break out the SPF. Let's just say that 30 minutes was TOO LONG! I think that the California sun is more intense than the seldom-seen sunshine of my yesterdays in the heart of it all, Ohio. (it's too bad they lost that slogan, I liked it).... Anyway, I should have known better. Shouldn't I? I mean I am not STILL that 20 something girl who went for the tan, no matter how bad the burn. Am I? I should think not! Maybe sometimes, we just like to go back and dip our toes into the pool of who we used to be... to see if we'd like to dive in... one more time. As for me me, I think I'll put the SPF on FIRST...and I'll be packing some along! I considered putting a picture of the results of my resort fun... but believe me, I did know better than to do that!

Price to pay if you play?

I have heard many times that when you have fun, there's usually a price to be paid. A lesson learned in my twenties when I partied with friends on a work night.... Or when a vacation with the girls to Vegas, emptied my checking account...completely! But for 10 years now, I have been paying some dues. As far as I see it, I have paid up my dues in advance. It's time for me to play it up! I know that there will be loads of stuff waiting for me when I return... but I'll happy get through the piles, with some new found energy I hope!

It's All Greek to Me

Shopping for haircare products.... had to check out the nail colors too! Of course I bought the color called "It's All Greek to Me"... I am not sure what the weather is going to be like there. I was thinking it was tropical...pack a bathing suit kind of weather but information I received today indicates jeans or pants would be appropriate for tours! Hmmm. This changes a few things! Guess it's time to do some research on the web... also need to figure out how to say hello, please and thank you!

Can you lose more than stress on a vacation?

I dont' know why it wouldn't be possible. Your daily responsibilities out of the way, shouldn't you have the time to take better care of yourself. Especially if your daily responsibilities include caring for 4 children. So, shouldn't it be reasonable that I could come home a little lighter from the stress reflief and lighter by a few L - B- S's!? Maybe I'll conduct a test...

What? No Table Dancing?

I had to laugh when my darling husband said that "he didn't want to hear any stories about the steemer girls"... Since my table dancing days have long since passed, I'm not sure what "stories" there could possibly be. I'm much wiser now.... I would dance on the bar so as to have more balance!

Passion for Fashion

My girl is on the right! You have to love a girl who loves the mall! We have a lot of fun checking out the latest styles and trends. Our new favorite is the VEST!

This is fun! Here's the shoes!

Here's the shoes I already had just waiting in the closet! Sweet!

Picture of Dat Dress

here's the dress for the cocktail party! that's the color...champagne... not BLACK... woohoo!

A Passport Virgin

It occurred to me today that although I have had four children, I am still a virgin. A passport virgin. Until May, I had never applied or even considered applying for a passport. Had no interest in venturing THAT far out of town! I thought that it would be a painstaking experience, asking for permission and getting a number assigned to me so that I could go on a journey. Would I be rejected? Can they reject me? Could they say that I can't leave the country because I have four children here who would miss their mommy? Or, is there some unsolved mystery from the past to which my name is connected that could surface and cause some unforseen delay. I planned it all out, picture at kinko's, passport application at the rec center. The most difficult part was getting my hair to fit in that tiny little square that they give you for the picture. It was amazing that within one week, an official looking enevelope arrived in the mail and a day or two later, my passport followed. In just a few weeks, I'll lose my virginity and I suppose some sort of stamp or record of my journey will be imprinted on those pristine pages. Just like the other times virginity is lost, I'm sure it'll lead me to wanting more imprints!

A Dress to Go With That Necklace

I had the great fortune of being "trapped" at the mall while my daughter modeled (that's right, I said "modeled") in a back-to-school fashion show at Macy's. Although I was trying to convince myself that most of the "necessary" shopping for my trip was done, I was drawn to the dresses. According to the agenda, we will need a "cocktail" dress. Too bad they weren't serving them while I was looking for a dress. I didn't really have a plan or even an idea of what I wanted. Ironically, the old trick I used with men (figuring out first what I DIDN'T want) proved to come in handy. I knew I didn't want a BLACK dress. Been there, done that. I found a cute little metallic number that fit like glove and very modestly priced! JACKPOT! But, it's like they say, it ain't over yet. I couldn't help but think that I needed some trendy little something around my neck. On my quest to find it, I was tripped up outside the window of Cache where I saw a sparkly little something that stopped me in my tracks. And that's when I ended up with a dress to go with my necklace (and the matching bracelet of course). Thank goodness I already had the shoes I need!

Is that a trick mirror?

I survived bathing suit shopping! Much to my surprise, I liked the first one I put on! (Finding exactly the right size however, meant stopping at two other shops!) Thank goodness they finally wised up and let us purchase separate pieces so that we busty girls can get the right size on the top and bottom! I have to say that shopping for my new cell phone (contract expired months ago) was more painful! Interesting that if I want to have international service, I have to rent a "global" phone. This was fun shopping... 3 hours can go by really quick when you're having fun!

Countdown to Greece!

19 days and counting! First time leaving the country and I'm going all the way over to Greece. It's 6 hours to Atlanta and then another 13 hours to

Athens! This is the first real vacation I have had "on my own", since I said "I do" and the babies started to come. I'm anxious about being gone but looking so forward to some time for me! I'm traveling with a group of people which makes me a little more comfortable... Now, if only I could get comfortable about wearing a bathing suit! haha!!

i'm actually going to blog

It's officical. I have set up a blog. Now what? I'll post a few entries then invite some folks to visit! One of my favorite things in life has been having lunch with my friends. When I was in high school, my friend Jodi and I would sneak a lunch at Wendy's our Senior year on our way to work. And when I was a working girl, going to lunch was all about how much shopping could I get done in an hour. When I began to plant some roots and buy a house, lunch was actually a meal time where I visited with friends and got to know many of them at a whole new level. Now, as a mother...lunch is something that I pack everyday for my kids to take to school. Only occaisionally am I able to sneak in a "real" lunch. My husband and I go to lunch every year on the anniversary of the day we met (it was a lunch date), and I used to steal away to meet other moms like me with little ones to have a lunch and then more little ones came and we had less lunches. My plan is to just post some things that we might talk about over lunch.