Canadian Buffoon European Vacation - 30/03 - Endings and Silver Linings

[pkondz]

Pkondz, take comfort in the fact that nature has righted itself and the polar vortex is now back where it belongs.

Yeah.
Right.

Great.


Awesome.


Really. I'm thrilled.


Really.



(someone put me out of my misery)

I can only assume that you and the Kondz family are in route to visit me and the family in SC. I'm getting the guest room and room over the garage ready.

Whoa there, little lady!
I said I'd drive 12 or 15 hours.
That puts me in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It would take me 25 hours to get to your house.
And I just don't have that kinda time. Sorry.

Or, maybe... lucky for you.

It will be 48 degrees here tomorrow but by the weekend, it will be in the 60s.

Was that really necessary?
Now you're just being mean.

I really feel for you with the back pain in Venice, of all places. I was cringing when you were trying to pull yourself onto the bed.

You were cringing!

You clearly conveyed the herculean effort to even blink in the condition you were in.

Well, considering it happened in a blink of an eye...

I don't want your European vacation to end on such a Clark Griswold note!!

It ain't over 'til it's over....

You'll see.

On the up side, expect to receive a special delivery from SC in, oh about ten days longer than it should take. I am almost scared to guess what the package will look like when it arrives. The last one looked like it lost the battle.....

! A package of cookie crumbs??? Sweet!

I think next time we should try the Pembina route with gas money put in the package. The USPS is really trying to make up for the loss in revenue due to technology.

You will do no such thing!
Yes, please send copius amounts of food that I love to Pembina Parcel....

But do NOT put in money on top of it!
Seriously, Dee Dee, you're kindness and generosity are overwhelming me here!

Or I may just air drop DD1 to your house in her Daisy tunic to deliver the cookies.

Please do.
Warning, you may not get her back.

A few days ago, Elle had a friend over whom she had lost touch with a few years back.
This young lady is now (maybe she was before, I don't know) in foster care with a baby of her own.

I had a plan... and it worked.

Every few minutes, I would hear the baby cry and the new mother (or Elle) would try to comfort her.

I made Pizza for dinner, but made sure to only get the kids' done.

As soon as the girls were eating, the baby started to cry again.
I swooped in, scooped her up and had her fast asleep and snoring in my arms in just a few seconds.

I only got to keep her for half an hour or so...

So if Baby Bat Buzzette should appear...

You've been warned.
(I don't care if this means I'll never get my man card back.)

She thinks it's neat that some of her cookies are traveling so far!

I'll bet!

 

[orangecats2]

How long does it take to get to Cleveland? Although it's still cold. But I bet it's warmer here. =)

 

[mmeb144]

A few days ago, Elle had a friend over whom she had lost touch with a few years back.
This young lady is now (maybe she was before, I don't know) in foster care with a baby of her own.

I had a plan... and it worked.

Every few minutes, I would hear the baby cry and the new mother (or Elle) would try to comfort her.

I made Pizza for dinner, but made sure to only get the kids' done.

As soon as the girls were eating, the baby started to cry again.
I swooped in, scooped her up and had her fast asleep and snoring in my arms in just a few seconds.

I only got to keep her for half an hour or so...

So if Baby Bat Buzzette should appear...

You've been warned.
(I don't care if this means I'll never get my man card back.)

You, sir, are a real man! Gotta love men who take care of babies.

 

[pkondz]

How long does it take to get to Cleveland? Although it's still cold. But I bet it's warmer here. =)

Eighteen hours. Three to six hours too much.
And if I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go South!!

That's gotta be the quickest way to find heat, no?

(Not South East)

(Although, then I could visit my sister in Toronto... only another five hours...)

You, sir, are a real man! Gotta love men who take care of babies.

Sweet! I got my man card back!!!
I'm giddy as a school girl!!


Oh, Prac. There it goes again.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Sweet! I got my man card back!!!
I'm giddy as a school girl!!


Oh, Prac. There it goes again.

I suggest laminating said man card, attaching it to a heavy metal chain, and pad locking it to your person. Besides, chains are very manly, right?

Right?

 

[pkondz]

I suggest laminating said man card, attaching it to a heavy metal chain, and pad locking it to your person. Besides, chains are very manly, right?

Right?

Right.

 

[Thumper_Man]

The man card committee will meet in 2 months. At this time we will deliberate on whether your recent act warrants the return of your card.

However, being giddy like a school girl does not boast well in your favor.

 

[pkondz]

The man card committee will meet in 2 months. At this time we will deliberate on whether your recent act warrants the return of your card.

However, being giddy like a school girl does not boast well in your favor.

Look who's talking!

 

[buzz1121]

Okay, so I guess your polar vortex is getting the last laugh. It was 36 degrees here for the high today. It's going to stay cool here through Friday and then we get 60 degree weather.

And before you speak of my generosity, wait until you see what cookies I sent you. Could it be....., dun, dun, dun(dramatic music here people, improvise) Caramel Delites/Samoas?

Could I be sending you coconut laced cookies to build up your tolerance level? I mean what if you took a wrong turn, a serious wrong turn, on your way to Tulsa and ended up on a deserted island with just coconut trees. Why then you would thank me.

So, could I have sent you Samoas? Sure I could have. The real question is Did I?

Only time will tell.......

 

[buzz1121]

And speaking of the baby, bless her heart, she got two shots in her left leg yesterday at her fifteen month well visit.

Poor thing has limped around today, initially holding onto stuff to walk.

 

[orangecats2]

I can't wait to see what cookies Ponzie gets. And I'm not the one getting cookies. It's making me really want to get my hands on some samoas!!!

DH had a little snag with his book. He tried a new printer and the proof didn't look good at all. Now he has to have the books here by next Thursday so he will have them in time for his first convention. Let's hope everything is ok.

 

[pkondz]

Okay, so I guess your polar vortex is getting the last laugh. It was 36 degrees here for the high today. It's going to stay cool here through Friday and then we get 60 degree weather.

Actually, it's finally warmed up, up here.
Right now it's 15F...

With 1/4 mile visibility in snow and blowing snow and winds gusting to 40MPH.

And before you speak of my generosity, wait until you see what cookies I sent you. Could it be....., dun, dun, dun(dramatic music here people, improvise) Caramel Delites/Samoas?

If I get a sadistic box of coconut laced evilness.... I won't post the last chapter.

Wait.
Maybe that's your plan after all?

Tricky girl.

Could I be sending you coconut laced cookies to build up your tolerance level? I mean what if you took a wrong turn, a serious wrong turn, on your way to Tulsa and ended up on a deserted island with just coconut trees. Why then you would thank me.

Oh, I've already got that all figured out.
If I ever get stranded on an island where the only thing to eat is coconut...

I'll bash my head in with one to end things quickly.

So, could I have sent you Samoas? Sure I could have. The real question is Did I?

Only time will tell.......

Re-insert dramatic music here...

Who knew Dee Dee had such a cruel streak to her?

And speaking of the baby, bless her heart, she got two shots in her left leg yesterday at her fifteen month well visit.

Poor thing has limped around today, initially holding onto stuff to walk.

Awww... that's so sad! Poor little tyke.

I can't wait to see what cookies Ponzie gets.

You can't wait!

And I'm not the one getting cookies. It's making me really want to get my hands on some samoas!!!

I'll send you mine.

DH had a little snag with his book. He tried a new printer and the proof didn't look good at all. Now he has to have the books here by next Thursday so he will have them in time for his first convention. Let's hope everything is ok.

Hope that all works out in time.

 

[lisaviolet]

Something for nothing

So where were we?





?

OMG, just gorgeous. Sighing. You totally nailed some of these shots. Thank you.

 

[lisaviolet]

Something for nothing

So where were we?




Fair warning! The following video (click on the picture) is four minutes long!
In it you will get to experience an evening cruise on the Grand Canal.
You'll see brilliantly lit facades, and dark gloomy exteriors.
You'll pass motor launches, brightly lit vaporetti and shadowy gondolas.
Hope you like it.



I've seen that video quite a few times, now.
I never get tired of it.

There are times where I feel that I have to get a better balance on taking pictures and actually taking in a moment. This would not be one of them. The video is exquisite. It's peaceful and lovely. What a memory for you all to have.

And I won't tell you that I saw it before it was actually posted. And seem even more crazy.

(By accident, I swear! )

 

[lisaviolet]

The best laid plans


Why can't vacations end when you're ready for them to end?
I guess that's called being wealthy.

Perfect. Just perfect

Since I don't plan on winning the lottery any time soon, I guess vacations will continue to end early.

<sigh>

Hey! Hey! Hey!

It's not Fat Albert (that was my lunchbox by the way!) it's me telling you you never know!

There was a horrible, sleep deprived looking, creature in the bathroom!

Mirror.

I calmed down and looked around.
I had a problem.
I mean, apart from the obvious one that looked back at me in the mirror.

I had my iPod in my hand... and NO WHERE to put it.

No. That is not a euphemism!
Get your mind out of the gutter.

Why? The gutter's fun!

There was a small amount of real estate around the sink, but it was overgrown with concealers, make up, brushes, applicators
and assorted military grade paraphernalia that woman need to make themselves look beautiful.

I'm really quite impressed - I actually mean scared - that you know the word concealer.

I bent over again.



A horrible, paralyzing pain smashed into me.

That's awful, I'm so sorry.

 

[lisaviolet]

Communication Breakdown


Okay, maybe I'm going a bit overboard there.

(But we all enjoyed it!)

I strongly suspect that Ruby thought it was one of those times.
I heard her not-overly concerned voice ask, "Are you all right?"

It is wrong that I thought that this was a great part of the story? Is it?

It only took about twenty minutes.

Oh no. Poor you. Poor her.

And if I told you to not use any back or core muscles you wouldn't be able to.
You use those muscles all the time without realizing it.
You'd roll over and think you hadn't used your back... but you would have.

Trust me.

So true. So TRUE!

So all our problems were solved right?
The professionals were now in control.

Nope. I have just spent the last three weeks in a lovely relationship with travel medical insurance. It's breathtakingly beautiful.

Their actual legal lines are we give you the world, we swear but only if you got okayed by our administrator first so YOU LOSE. The administrator is such an enigma. And if you are unconscious we totally expect you to stay on the line for an hour for our administrator

"You want me to just go to the hospital and take a doctor?" She queried.
"Yes." Came the reply.
"I don't know about your laws here in Italy." She said. "But where I come from, that's called kidnapping."

So funny. Well not. But you know.

Just the other day, I asked the girls what their favorite day of the trip was.
Their answer?
"The last day! When you were sick!"

Gee. It's nice to feel wanted, ya know?

Again. So funny. Well not. But you know.

Have you ever had to barf and pass out at the same time?
While sober?

While sober.

We'll find out tomorrow.
[/B][/COLOR]

I can't believe I'm going to say this but please not tomorrow or any time soon, I hope you slow down a bit. Blasphemous talk, I'm aware

And I hate to make your pain about me - but I think I will!

I did it! I did it! I caught up. Through a lot of crap here, I DID IT! I caught up!

________________________________________________________________________________________

And please ignore that I couldn't do a simple thing like push one colour of purple. I'm so gone!

 

[buzz1121]

Oh, okay, got it Pkondz, I'm completely listening, no coconut, gotcha!

But toasted coconut, like on a Samoa, that's all good right?

 

[orangecats2]

Oh, okay, got it Pkondz, I'm completely listening, no coconut, gotcha! But toasted coconut, like on a Samoa, that's all good right?

Coconut is fine for me. Buzz, you should just cut out Ponzie, the middle man, and send the samoas directly to me. I only require two boxes. .

 

[pkondz]

OMG, just gorgeous. Sighing. You totally nailed some of these shots. Thank you.

Thanks!

There are times where I feel that I have to get a better balance on taking pictures and actually taking in a moment. This would not be one of them. The video is exquisite. It's peaceful and lovely. What a memory for you all to have.

I know exactly how you feel.
I will frequently do high speed photography for Elle and/or her dance team members.
I'm so busy concentrating on getting the shot, that I have no idea about the actual dance.

It's tough when you're travelling.
I've looked at some of my travel photos and been very glad I've got them for the memories...
Other times, I think, "Why on earth did I bother taking 47 pictures of that tree???"

And I won't tell you that I saw it before it was actually posted. And seem even more crazy.

(By accident, I swear! )

Oh, don't worry.

I don't think it's possible for anyone to think you could be more crazy.



:

Hey! Hey! Hey!

It's not Fat Albert (that was my lunchbox by the way!) it's me telling you you never know!

I don't remember my lunchbox... I think it was blank.

Fit's with my personality. Dull and insipid.

Why? The gutter's fun!

I should've known.

I'm really quite impressed - I actually mean scared - that you know the word concealer.

You try living with three females and not unwillingly learn stuff!


Oh.

I forgot.

You is one.

That's awful, I'm so sorry.

I would not consider it the highlight of the trip.


Or of anything.

It is wrong that I thought that this was a great part of the story? Is it?

I think you answered your own question in the first two words of the first sentence.

Oh no. Poor you. Poor her.

Nah. Just poor me.

Let her get her own sympathizers.

Nope. I have just spent the last three weeks in a lovely relationship with travel medical insurance. It's breathtakingly beautiful.

Their actual legal lines are we give you the world, we swear but only if you got okayed by our administrator first so YOU LOSE. The administrator is such an enigma. And if you are unconscious we totally expect you to stay on the line for an hour for our administrator

All right.
You've mentioned a couple of times that you've been having a rough go of it lately.

You okay? What's going on?

And feel free to ignore me if you don't want to share.
Just copy and paste this: Don't be so nosy

I even put it in purple for you... if you want it in "DarkOrchid"... you're on your own.

So funny. Well not. But you know.

Actually, Ruby loves telling that story.

I can't believe I'm going to say this but please not tomorrow or any time soon, I hope you slow down a bit. Blasphemous talk, I'm aware

Geez, lady. If I slow down any more, I'll be going backwards!

And I hate to make your pain about me - but I think I will!

Oh, sure. If my pain makes you happy, I'm more than happy to oblige.

I did it! I did it! I caught up. Through a lot of crap here, I DID IT! I caught up!

There's that reference again....
Spill.

Or not.

And please ignore that I couldn't do a simple thing like push one colour of purple. I'm so gone!

Gone baby gone.
Actually, I find it quite remarkable that you could keep it confined to just two colours.

Oh, okay, got it Pkondz, I'm completely listening, no coconut, gotcha!

But toasted coconut, like on a Samoa, that's all good right?

Oh, sure. I like toast. With jam or peanut butter and honey. Yup.



like on a Samoa??

Toastin' Samoan?



NO

Coconut is fine for me. Buzz, you should just cut out Ponzie, the middle man, and send the samoas directly to me. I only require two boxes. .

Hey! Get your own benefactor!

 

[ougrad86]

OW OW OW OW OW and OW!



What a way to end your trip

It is funny (well, maybe not) how those little muscle spasms creep up on you and just complete immobilize you. I have been in pain with those before, but not to the extent that you were. I remember having a doctor come to see me in Florence though, when we were there and I had a pretty severe sinus infection. Fixed me right up, and the tour and the military took care of the bill somehow! Italian doctors seem pretty good!

I blame it on the suitcase...it finally caught up with you...