Back in Firenze!!!!

We made it back to our flat in Firenze after an idyllic week ... one beautiful hill town after another ... fabulous cooking extravaganzas with friends. Those of you who carefully look at our photos will see that I am bringing home an interesting souvenir!!! First day at the palazzo, Larry and I went to Monterchi to see the Madonna del Parto (pregnant) ...we were walking back ... its very hilly, rocky, we were talking ... you can figure out the rest!!! Luckily, our friends came along and saved us an hour walk. Larry took me to the hospital the next morning (about a half hour away)and we found it ourselves with many helpful directions from crazy Italian guys!!! Evidently everyone understands a raised broken arm. We now know the meaning of "pronto soccorso". I had a dreamy Italian doctor ... the traction was not too fun, but after I received my cast I was ready to go!! AND there was NO bill!! Why can't the US get its act together?

I am typing with one hand, so I'll let Larry fill you in. Our little flat is by the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial place of Michelangelo,Rossini, and Galileo.

As you can see by our pictures and captions, we had a fabulous time at the palazzo!!!

Baci Baci!!!

The first morning!!

A quick tour around the historical area before leaving for Arrezzo

Ciao da Firenze!!!

Well, we made it!!! A long trip on a very cramped transatlantic airplane (don't choose Airbus!!) with a long layover in the Frankfurt airport: immense, chaotic, and industrial ... Larry started to feel that he was hallucinating!!

Plane to Firenze was further delayed because of a flat tire! But all of a sudden, at the gate, a large group of Italians arrived and their joyful, sing-song chatter reminded me of a flock of chickadees on a winter's afternoon. Heaps of laughter, hugs and greetings of "ti amo!" - suddenly, it felt like vacation!

Plane for the short hop to Firenze was VERY comfortable -- free wine (not $5 a pop like on US Airways). Suddenly, the clouds gave way to the Tuscan hills, the Duomo off in the distance. the red roofs -- definitely not in Kansas anymore!

A short walk from the bus station brought us to Hotel Scoti and our friends, Maggie and Lanni. They had arranged dinner reservations at Il Latino where we had a 4 hour feast of wave after wave of delicious food, wine, liquors, and desserts. Now we won't have to eat the rest of the week!!

Tomorrow we leave for Palazzo Rosadi, outside of Arrezzo. We stay there a week and then Larry and I will come back to Firenze for another week. Molto Buono!!!

I will try to post pictures from the villa. Love to all!

Cody and Jacob

Here are some new pics.....

Mom

Just wanted to share a photo I took last week of mom while she was getting her Chemo treatment. She is doing GREAT!!! (She will probably kill me for posting this picture... lol)
But I knew you all would want to see with your own eyes how good she is doing!
Keep the positive mo-jo and prayers coming our way!
Love to everyone!

Update

Just wanted to give all our family a HUGE hug and an update on mom.. She will be starting Chemo on December 3rd...
Keep all the positive thoughts coming our way....

xoxo

Happy Birthday, Lisa!!!

You already have been given the best gift, but we hope you have a wonderful day!!



Love, Debbie and Larry