A day in Firenze

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment in Firenze and even though it's less than a hundred miles from my house, I thought I'd make the ecological choice and go by train. In two words: total disaster. This doctor charges a lot so I wanted to make sure I got there on time. Since Italian trains are notorious for being late I decided I would leave early and just walk around town. When I got up in the morning it was pouring rain. I got out the super huge umbrella and headed to the train station. I had forgotten that this weekend was the Immaculate Conception Holiday and that everybody would be traveling. I couldn't find a seat going there and in the end just hopped a train and stood the 50 minute ride to Firenze. On the way back the only seat I could find was on a train that was leaving two hours after my appointment. Initially I started to get all anxious about the time I was wasteing, about the work I had to do. But in the end there was really nothing I could do about it. So I decided not to get upset about it and just pretend it was my day off.

When I arrived I was intent on finding a place to have a sandwich with Schiacciata bread, but I couldn't find a bar that was smiling at me. Do you know what I mean? One that has that perfect lighting and atmosphere, not too many people in it. A place where you can just soak up the surroundings. Then I came upon what looked like a restaurant, but it also had sandwiches on the menu. So I stepped in, out of the rain, and found myself in a nice space. I ended up sitting down at a beautifully set table for one, and ordering Baccalà served in a tomato sauce with chickpeas and a bottle of mineral water. Sometimes I forget that I'm a grown up person and can actually treat myself once in awhile.

After the appointment I went window shopping, just wandering around for an hour. I lived in Firenze for 15 years and it's always nice and nostalgic for me to go there. When it was time to head back towards the train station I decide first to have a look at the Ponte Vecchio at dusk, and then stop for a coffee and pastry.

I read on the train the whole way back. That in itself was a vacation!

When even 5 year olds are watching what you do

Since I don't have an office to go to like most Moms, my timing and appearance in the morning changes from one day to the next. One thing is pretty certain, the first outfit I put on in the morning is not usually my best. Ev has to be take to kindergarten between 8 and 9 am, and I usually hit on 8.45, whatever happens. Sometimes I'll get up at 5 a.m. and work three hours before bringing him to school. Other times I'll have gone out the night before, like last night when I went to a business dinner in Milan, and got home at 1.00 a.m.
Yesterday I had a coffee date with my friend Linda. I hadn't seen her in a long time so I thought she deserved for me to not look like I'd just rolled out of bed. I scrubbed my face and put on some make-up. Even though I'd just had my hair done I put on a head wrap just 'cause I felt like it. With my new cashmere scarf and a camel coat thrown on, I was ready to go.
When I got to Ev's school this teeny, tiny cute little artistic red head named Crystal looked up at me and said "Where are you going today?"

It's really scary when even little five year old girls notice that you're not your usually slobby, I actually have my pajamas on under this coat, mess.

Linda said yes to giving me office space for my experiment. When I told two friends about it last night they both said "Oh, and you'll have to get dress up every day so that it feels like you're going to the office." I hope little Crystal notices and appreciates...

3D

I turned another crappy day into a nice one by taking Ev after school to see "Bolt in 3D". What a fun time! The last time I tried on 3D glasses was like in the 70's and they've done a ton of improvements on the whole sensory experience. Things really jumped right out at you - very, very cool.

I'm giving more thought to the separate office situation and have already come up with a few ideas...I'll keep you update...

25 days to Christmas

I have been in a real funk lately. I could sit here and say that I don't know what is wrong but if I really sat down and was forced to spit out what has me in such bad moods lately I would start on this never-ending list of thing - little things - that are bothering me every day. I think that even thougth they seem like little things, they could potentially be big things...so I just let them cook on the back stove while I get on with other business.

Sigh.

I'm in the middle of projects, nothing quite concluded yet and that leaves me with little energy. The book? They loved it. They loved it so much that they've asked me to add 40 pages to it so they can charge a little more for it. Asking me to write forty pages is like...getting blood from a stone! I love to write, hate to write, and have still not found the perfect combination on how to go about doing that. But I have to. They were super sweet to me and I'm actually going to be earning more money than I thought I would once that sucker is published. I'm still in the planning stages for the 40 page add-on but tomorrow I have to give my business coach my book GANT so I better get moving.

Sigh.

We need a bigger house. We live in a two bedroom, two bath, one huge livingroom with small office space and small yard house with 2 adults, 1 teenager and one child. The only person in the house that has her own personal space is the teenager. I feel like I'm going crazy sometimes and have a HUGE problem concentrating on my writing with all the chaos around. On the other hand, no money to buy a bigger house unless we move to the suburbs or another city, which I don't want to do right now. Rent an office space? Rent a room to write in and work in? Could be a solution. Now that I've written it down it actually looks like an idea. I'll think on that a bit.

Sigh.

The only thing that's making me happy right now is the cutey-pie above. Today at school they had the roller-skating final Christmas Show Extravaganza. I had to control myself from laughing too much - they were so cute! Ev was very cautious, never going too fast, always in control. Sort of like he always is. I love him so much :-)