Help Yourself to Happiness



Japanese Kanji for - Happiness



Help Yourself to Happiness

by Helen Steiner Rice

Everybody, everywhere

        seeks happiness, it's true,

But finding it and keeping it

        seems difficult to do,

Difficult because we think

        that happiness is found

Only in the places where

        wealth and fame abound---

And so we go on searching

        in "palaces of pleasure"

Seeking recognition

        and monetary treasure,

Unaware that happiness

        is just a "state of mind"

Within the reach of everyone

        who takes the time to be kind---

For in making OTHERS HAPPY

        we will be happy, too.

For the happiness you give away

        returns to "shine on you."



~ click post title to donate to the American Red Cross/Pacific Tsunami - Japan Earthquake disaster relief efforts ~

Happy Birthday, Rondi!

When we first met you (almost 11 years ago), we knew right away that you were perfect for John. Then when we finally introduced you, there was no doubt in our minds . . . and eventually no doubt for the two of you either! 
You so easily fit with all of us now ~ a special warmth and closeness that grows stronger through the years!


Happy Birthday, Rondi ~ May God Grant You Many Years!


With much love . . . 


Mom & Dad+

Happy Birthday, Ella

Buon Compleanno, Ella! Today is your very first birthday, but Mimi and Papa are far away in Italia.
We wish we could be there to celebrate with you, but we hope that we will have lots of chances to do that in our future.
It seems like it wasn't that long ago that your mommy and daddy were in the hospital parking lot, unable to make it into the hospital ~ since you decided to make your appearance a little too quickly ~ and daddy delivered you himself . . . in the car!! Wow! What a day!
So here you are one year later, as cute as ever, making us miss you even more!
We love seeing you on Skype and are saving up lots of hugs and kisses for when we see you in person again!


Love, and many, many years! 


 Mimi & Papa

The Amazing Skidboot - This is why I love Australian Cattle Dogs!

Knowing how much we love our own 9 year-old Australian Cattle Dog, Sherman, our daughter-in-law's mother, Lynne, shared this amazing video with me. As you will see, there is no way I couldn't post it and share it with everyone! It's very special! Skidboot died in the spring of 2007, when he was 15 year's old, but as his owner David said, "He's had a wonderful life!"
This breed is so smart, as you can see. David Hartwig is a living example of humility and integrity, constantly reminding us that we should try to find the joy in all that we do! Also proof that we don't always know how the Lord will use us!

"Life is too precious to be upset!"

Happy Birthday, Jesse!

In honor of Jesse Pelikan's 37th birthhday today, I want to show this very funny video about cats. Jesse and Elina have an adorable cat named Heidi, so I think they'll get a kick out of this too!

Joy and Laughter, Jess! Happy Birthday!

The True Meaning of Valentine's Day



St. Valentine the Martyr



St. Valentine is a martyr from before the year 312, commemorated on this 14th of February. He was probably martyred on that date, but nothing else is known of him. (A priest of Rome named Valentine, and bishop of Ternia also named Valentine), are both commemorated on 14th of February, and are now generally assumed that be the same person. In many parts of Europe, it was once said that birds began to pair off for the nesting season in mid-February. Since our forebears often spoke of a given day by naming a saint connected with it rather than by giving the month and the number of the day, we find them saying that birds choose their mates on St. Valentine's Day.

Historians have speculated that St. Valentine came to be given this title because his feast day fell around the time of Lupercalia, a pagan Roman festival of carnal love that later took on a more Christian character as well as the saint's name. For this to happen – if it is true – St. Valentine must have been highly regarded by the early Roman Christians. The saint is described as a brave, righteous and wise man and a kind and conscientious friend to those in need.

According to tradition, St. Valentine also cared deeply for the young: He taught lovers to read and write letters to one another, presented flowers to newlyweds and helped married couples in difficulties. As a priest in the 3rd century, and according to legend, St. Valentine ignored Emperor Claudius’ decree that no more marriages were to take place. Claudius had forbidden marriages because he believed that they cut down on his potential crop of soldiers. St. Valentine, viewing this as unjust, continued to marry people, encouraging Christian soldiers to marry their girlfriends despite the imperial prohibition, was caught in the act and sentenced to death. It is even said that a girl, one whom St. Valentine had healed of blindness, fell in love with him and visited him every night in prison. Before his execution on February 14th, he sent a note to the girl and signed it “From your Valentine.”

Permit me to reprint a portion of an article written last February 14, 2010 [Sunday] - Bulletin 15, Volume XLVII


Love and Forgiveness
Written by the Very Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky



"The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and forgiving sin and rebellion" (Numbers 14:18)



"All too rare that Forgiveness Sunday opening onto the Great Lent falls on the same day when our nation celebrates Valentine's Day -- and so serendipitous to merge those great spiritual virtues into one. Several legends surround St. Valentine, who is as elusive as our beloved St. Nicholas and almost as beloved -- at least in his legacy of love. Let's take the best known tale. It records him as a priest or maybe bishop imprisoned in Rome by Emperor Claudius II, and condemned to execution [as written above]. His meals were served by the daughter of the jailer, and it seems that he left on his tray for the girl to take away a brief message signed: from your Valentine.


To the extent that myth is true, it speaks to both love and forgiveness. Not the passion we think of as love, certainly not the sentiments of all the valentines sent on this day between lovers, but a natural affection, perhaps gratitude for some kindness or sympathy from an innocent maiden for an old gentleman who would soon be put to death. Assuming the saint had imbibed the attributes of the Lord whom had given His life in service, he was slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and forgiving his jailer, the emperor and of course the girl who brought his meals. Is it possible that he could forgive them without loving them? Hardly. Conversely, could he love them as sinners without forgiving them? Again, not so."

Surely, as we give candy and flowers, and we also send cards to our loved ones, for most of us, like St. Valentine, these are expressions of a deeper kind of love - God's Love! Let this Valentine's Day be a reminder to all of us that perhaps we need not just give, but "give up" a little of ourselves for the sake of another to indetifiy with the true meaning of Valentine's Day -

“Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Happy New Year?

That's right! Better late that never, I say . . . Happy New Year!


It' hard to believe that this time last year Papa was miles away beginning his New Year busily taking care of 15 chaplains in Afghanistan! We were more than half-way through his year-long deployment, but the Holidays were making it drag along for both of us, for sure! This year, however, was so much different. It's been so great to be together, and even though there is a great hole in our hearts from missing our family miles across the ocean, it's hard to find the words to describe how great it is just to be with one another again!We welcomed in the 2011 ~ together this time ~ in the most amazing way! We've never seen such fireworks [in person] in our lives! Of course there are extravaganza-type fireworks at Disneyland or the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, but this was different! And from our own terrace in Pozzuoli, Italy, to boot. Since we moved in, we've been hearing from lots of people, "Just wait until New Year's Eve! You will not even believe the fireworks display put on by the Italians!" And let's just say, the Italians did not disappoint!

We could see a panorama of fireworks displayed from one side of the Bay of Pozzuoli to the other! We couldn't even count them all!

At the last minute we invited some friends and their children over to celebrate with us, but we really didn't have any idea what we were about to witness. HAD WE KNOWN, we would have had a full blown firework's-viewing party from our terrace *this year*! We had no idea what we were about to see.



As I was writing this post, I asked Papa what did he do to ring in the New Year when he was in Afghanistan, and he says he barely remembers New Year's Eve last year. He thinks the guys in Afghanistan gathered around the TV to watch the New Year's Eve ball countdown in Time Square with very little fanfare. I do know that he called me to say Happy New Year when it was just midnight and turning to the New Year in North Carolina, but it's not surprising that the whole thing is a bit of a blur for him. He was in the midst of some very busy planning at the time.There are a number of things that I want to *blog* about at the moment, but the time flies by and quickly slips away from me without a word on the page! BAD girl! Nevertheless, here are just a few of the highlights:

• We had the opportunity to meet our very best friends in the whole wide world, Lance & Maureen, in Rome, Italy, for the day on the 4th of January!
• In the past month we also traversed an extremely high mountain to tour the Abbey of Montecassino just south of Rome, which is the monastery established by St. Benedict in 529 AD.

Later that same day we visited an agritourismo, which is a restaurant that's in an old Italian farmhouse and uses 80% of their own produce, wine and meats. It was very charming and delicious!

• I was waiting to hear if my Level I Italian Course at Texas College would have enough people in it (9) to continue. I just heard that the class is a “go” and on Tuesday and Thursday mornings I have officially set out on my journey to learn Italian! Yikes!

It's the second of February today and in keeping with family tradition, tonight Papa and I will watch the movie "Groundhog Day" as we do every Feb 2nd - *Groundhog Day* . . . both Fr. Phil and I really enjoy this movie! Do you think Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow and spring will arrive early this year? Or will we be waiting around until the end of March?


Perhaps William Blake may have been experiencing similar thoughts when he put pen to paper those many years ago as he contemplated the coming of spring . . .


The Spring
William Blake (1783)


O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down
Through the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell one another, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turn’d
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth
And let thy holy feet visit our clime!

Come o’er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumèd garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our lovesick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languish’d head,
Whose modest tresses are bound up for thee.

~

Roman Holiday - Part I

Roman Holiday – Part I

Most birthdays come and go and we mark them with the traditional singing of “Happy Birthday”; friends and family give cards and gifts; we remember fondly the day we were born and the “lore” surrounding the day. In my case, my mother has many wonderful stories about my day. One of my favorite is of me being born on my exact due-date! Normally it wouldn’t be that unusual, except for the fact that in her naiveté, my Mother (to-be) informed my (soon-to-be) Daddy that since it was so far from their house to the hospital (practically all the way across the Mohave Desert to Edwards AFB), and that since “the baby” (me) would be born today (after all, it was her due-date), she had better drive into work with him (even though she wasn’t even in labor yet!) Ha! And . . . what do you know - I was born that very day! Right on time! Amazing!


Well, fast forward to this year, and we were looking forward to making my 55th birthday something special. After all, I was turning 55 and I was born in 55 – 1955 that is! (A shared birthday with the original Disneyland, by the way). So, guess what we did? We just took a simple day-trip to ROME – that’s all! Now, how cool is that! I’ve wanted to see the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, for as long as I can remember. Not to mention the many, many other famous sites in the city. We knew that we could only go for the day, but it would be worth it for our first peek at the famous city. There is plenty of time for travel to this magnificent city while we’re stationed here in Naples over the next few years, to see the myriad of other places on our list. It’s only an hour away if you take the fast train and two if you have a little more time and want to save some money.

Our trip started very early the morning of November 12th. Friday shouldn’t be as crowded as the coming weekend, we thought, and it was still close enough to my birthday that it felt like a celebration. Phil took care of purchasing the train tickets, as well as the bus tickets needed to get to the train station beforehand, so all we had to do was get a few things together the evening before and drive our car to the same place Phil goes to work every day. We commented that it seemed strange not having to pack *anything* at all for a trip to Rome, and even more strange that we’d be returning that very evening to our own house! It all still seems so very surreal. After driving to the base, which is next to the airport and the bus station, and then taking the bus to the train station; and then enjoying our leisurely, very fast trip from Naples to Rome on the train, we arrived at the Rome train station by 11:00 AM. Not really sure of what to do exactly, other than wanting to see the Colosseum, we set out on foot to get our bearings.


We quickly realized that we needed a map! So, we bought a map (Can you believe we didn’t have one yet? Silly, Mimi!) But, it’s not like a person couldn’t buy one on EVERY corner! As we were looking at our map and deciding what to do and what to see, a guy came up to us who spoke perfect English (of course) and asked if we would like to go on a tour. After listening to his spiel, we thought it was actually a pretty good deal and a great way to spend the next few hours. This way we would see many of the major sites (Monuments of Rome) in the city, and be

able to use the tour bus all the rest of the day.

We would go back to the Colosseum after the tour and take that tour then as well, which is what we did! It all worked out quite nicely, actually, and we enjoyed our day immensely!

. . . to be continued

Fair-weather Blogger

"A *fair-weather friend* is the type who is always there when times are good but forgets about
you when things get difficult or problems crop up."

On the 12th of November, the day before my last blog entry,
Papa and I travelled for the day - and for my birthday - to Rome! It's less than
an hour by train and it was the perfect way to mark my 55th birthday -
unforgettable! On the way home, however, as we were waiting for the train in
Rome at the train station for our return train, my throat began to hurt more
and more by the minute! I found myself unable to swallow very well, and in dire
need of a throat lozenge (a bit problematic with the language barrier). By the
time we reached our home in Pozzuolli, I was genuinely sick! Fever and all! For
the next two weeks I was rarely out of the house, doing my best to kick the bad
cold! Every-once-in-awhile I would say to myself, “Since I’m just lying around
the house doing *nothing* but coughing and sneezing and feeling yukky - I
should work on my blog” . . . still I couldn’t bring myself to write anything
feeling the way I did! But . . . once I did start to feel a little better,
well, you can imagine, wa-haayyy too much catching up to do!

"Stuart was frightened, but he was a brave mouse, even when he had a sore throat." (from Stuart Little by E.B. White)

The good news, I am 90% better and able to engage in all the
activities going on over here for the Holidays. Not to mention finishing up the
*un*packing and the putting away of our household goods!! “Almost there . . .
almost there . . .”

I’ll blog soon about our trip to Rome and finally getting our
second car and me *driving* in Italy for the first time! Just wanted to check
in though, especially for those who’ve been asking, “Where are you?” . . . with
not a little concern in their *voices*!

Ciao, Bella! Mimi

Happy Birthday, Johnny!
It's your birthday today and we celebrate it with you!
We hope you enjoy your day.

God grant you many, many years!

Love,
Mom & Dad

Veteran's Day ~ 2010




2nd MEB Memorial Service ~ April ' 2010



Veterans' Day ~ 2010

Naples, Italy

Almighty God, when men gathered at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 to sign the armistice agreement for what they thought would be the conclusion of the war to end all wars, they had no idea that in the 92 years that would pass until this gathering here today, America would have to endure at least one more global conflict, and more than five additional major conflicts. As we commemorate the service of all veterans on this day, let us not forget the sacrifice of so many in these terrible past seasons of unrest in human history, as well as in the campaigns that continue even as we speak today. Let us not despair, however, over the losses, but instead celebrate the victories that came not to satisfy the egos of tyrants, but to ensure peace and security for ordinary men and women everywhere. May this be an inspiration for us today, as well as for our future …and a solace for the losses of the past. Give us hope for a future where wars will finally cease, and where men can enjoy fellowship together at a common table of tranquility. Bless the food we’re about to receive, and the gracious and giving hands that traveled so far to provide it and prepare it for us. In your holy name we pray.

~ Amen.


* Fr. Philip [a.k.a. Chaplain Pelikan] said this prayer this morning at a special steak and egg breakfast provided to service members and their families on the base by "Chefs from the Valley."  They are a volunteer group of business men and women from the San Joaquin Valley in California who brought 3,500 steaks - paid for out of their own pocket - and all designed to honor the troops and their families on this Veterans' Day!

Happy Birthday Marine Corps!

Born in Tun Tavern, 235 years ago today, the United States Marine Corps has served our country with a distinction, belying its inauspicious beginnings. From its somewhat scandalous origins, the Corps has built a reputation for skill and intrepidity in war fighting that is second to none.

We are proud to have been associated with them for 10 of the 21 years that we’ve been in the Navy Chaplain Corps.



         Happy Birthday Marines and
                    Semper Fidelis

Birthday, Balloons & the Blues

Tomorrow is my birthday -  for the first time in Italy. But I was just thinking how it was 35 years ago - tomorrow - that I was "in" the hospital with false hopes, as it turned out, awaiting active labor and the birth of our second son - already a few weeks overdue! They sent me home, however! "It won't be long now." they said. 4 days later, our second son finally made his entrance into the world!


We've had, and will have, a number of birthday celebrations during these fall and winter months. Funny, I thought I'd be okay [sort of] with all of it. But it's really hitting me now, and not really turning out that way. As I see pictures and read the posts and emails about all the festivities, it tugs at my heartstrings more than I realized it would.

75 . . . 55 . . . 35 . . . 5 . . . and these are just the birthdays ending in the number 5 this fall/winter! Super-special years, and aching to be there celebrating the day these specal people in my family were born! And there are others!

What's to be done . . .

Papa and I watched Walt Disney's, Pollyanna, the other night, to see if would help cheer us up - definitely one of my all-time favorite movies! In that movie, Pollyanna, played by Haley Mills, is a cheerful young orphan girl who goes to live with her aunt Polly, in a small town after the tragic death of her missionary parents. She is somehow able to bring the love of life to all the people in the town though a view of life she learned from her father. He taught to her through a game called, "The Glad Game" and by the time she must leave them through a tragedy of her own, she has transformed the community with her incredible will to see the good side of even the worst situations and brings about the betterment of all those around her.

I came across a simple version of "The Glad Game" and thought it might be enjoyable this Holiday Season:

"The Glad Game"

Inspired by the classic, Pollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter.




Simple Solution


"The very name “Pollyanna” has come to mean someone who is eternally upbeat and optimistic, who spreads positivity and good will wherever she goes. Before you decide that such unremittingly cheerful behavior is truly nauseating and deserves a good smack, think of this: people who take time every day to count their blessings are truly happier (and live longer) than those who don’t.



So spread a little good cheer in the New Year with this great game that helps you to focus on the glad, not the bad. Your heart--and everyone who knows you--will be grateful. It only takes a minute.



You can play this game when you’re driving in your car, or taking a walk, or sitting at your computer--pretty much under any circumstances.



Start small: just think of ONE THING that you’re glad for. Maybe it’s the taste of the special coffee that Aunt Ruth from Winnetka sent you for Christmas. Maybe it’s the fact that the holidays are over. Perhaps you have a new love in your life, or an interesting new project to work on. Or you could be glad for your family, or your dog or cat. Really think about whatever it is for a moment. Allow yourself to smile over it. Feel your heart open and glow with gratitude for whatever it is.



That’s it. But tomorrow, try thinking of two things you’re really, truly glad for. Expand the field of your gratitude every day. Really take time to appreciate the many many blessings you enjoy. You’re alive: you have the capacity to be a beneficial and positive presence on the planet. You are needed--or you wouldn’t be here. Enjoy this life that you have been given! And be glad."



I'm already feeling "glad"!

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

[the real "Glad Game"]

Happy Birthday US Navy!



Navy Ball ~ 2010

 On Friday, October 13, 1775 ~ the United States Navy was born as the Continental Congress ordered the construction of a naval fleet - if you can call "two sailing vessels armed with ten carriage guns and swivel guns" a fleet! The two ships were manned by crews of eighty and were sent out for three months at a time to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British Army in America.

This was the original legislation, out of which the Continental Navy grew and as such constitutes the birth certificate of the United States Navy.

"Over the course of The War of Independence, The Continental Navy sent to sea more than fifty armed vessels of various types." The Continental Navy began the proud tradition carried on today by our  United States Navy, and whose birthday we celebrate each year in October."

This past Saturday night, we, CDR & Mrs. Philip J. Pelikan, attended the 235th Navy Ball in Naples, Italy!  And rather than trying to manage taking a nice picture when we got there, we took this picture at the house just before we left (in our repaired car - by the way - ['all dressed up and somewhere to go'] navigating the narrow road just fine).
We had a great time! Papa was honored to give the Invocation during the ceremonial portion of the evening. In attendance were six Admirals, one General, a plethora of senior officers and distinguished guests - including the US Consul General and over 360 in attendance (mostly US Navy). We enjoyed meeting quite a few new people and even some that we've known in the past. The food was delicious, the band was exceptional, and the venue a complete success!

Ciao, Bella!  Mimi

Helpless, Helpless, Helpless!

I learned a little more about myself Saturday evening as I trudged up the hill from the "dead" car in the middle of the road; I much prefer my personality in happier times! Also, I would rather write when I'm lighthearted than when I'm sad . . . so, it pains me to write today. I wanted to tell you what happened to us last night though, so I must write! With this in mind, I will try to eek out some words and divulge how the other night, I came to be slowly making my way up the very steep Roman road that winds its way to our recently acquired Italian home, rather than enjoying the lovely evening planned with colleagues and friends at the idyllic Italian restaurant we were headed to. As I was laboring up the very steep hill in my nice clothes, and Papa in his, I could just make out the faint echo of an old Neil Young song from my teenage days in my mind, and felt 'Helpless, Helpless, Helpless' with each agonizing step! It was all I could do not to be extremely upset at my husband as he zoomed on in despair ahead of me, since he was the one who'd backed into the wall and rendered our very recently purchased car - "dead in the water!" (not a good testimonial as to my attitude, but there it is nonetheless) It's difficult to even describe how narrow the road is, and the car we have is just a little too wide. We should actually have something a little smaller, and having to back up was not good . . . it's actually never good! Everything seemed to converge at once that evening; the rain, the darkness, cars coming in both directions, no where to pass, etc. It was the "perfect storm." An accident waiting to happen, I suppose. To top it off, we were on our way to a "Hail and Farewell" and WE were being hailed!! There was no way for us to get to the dinner and say good-bye to the outgoing XO after "the rendering of the [car] death." We don't have a second car and we needed to be at the scene of the accident to make sure a tow truck came to move our car out of the road as quickly as possible.  We were "all dressed up with nowhere to go" - literally!

Obviously, we had to do something, but WHAT? We tried to find numbers from our orientation class notes and call the base emergency 911 number so that an interpreter could help us get someone to come out on a weekend, at night, to tow the car. We finally got that worked out. And it's a good thing we had enough Euro, otherwise . . . there's no teller nearby, our neighbor was out of town, we aren't within walking distance of the train or bus! It was looking grim! The towing company only takes cash! 50 Euro to tow the car 1km!! Yikes! But, fortunately we had the cash; why, because we were supposed to PAY for our [sniff] nice dinner earlier that evening!
I was rapidly sinking into that sadness hole I was talking about earlier! But stop and think, I said to myself, all in all, this situation is more of a hassle than anything else. . . it could've been so much worse!. At least no one else was involved and we weren't hurt, apart from our muscles being a bit sore from the sudden stop. As I sat on my couch later on, clicking away on the keyboard with my mom in the states on msn instant messenger, for the first time since moving here to Naples I felt small and far away! I guess it all just hit me. So, after I "hung up" from chatting with my mom, I sat on the sofa for the longest time just feeling a bit sorry for myself! I "typed" to mom that I needed to be by myself for a little while and pray and think things through. You just do what you have to, even when you don’t feel strong enough or brave enough or even well enough.


I went to bed a lot earlier than usual Saturday night, which for me is kind of a big deal (those who know me well can attest to this), wishing we could live the day over somehow. But, alas, we couldn't and it's a new day. We're doing our best to plod through the steps of getting the car fixed and getting another car, or a rental car, etc. Papa has to get to work, we need to live and drive around. We are stuck here at the moment!
The tow truck was just here (silly me didn't take a picture of it) and hauled our car off for an estimate! Again, the fellow driving was desperately hoping we at least spoke a little Italian (poco), but his countenance fell as we told him we spoke no Italian. He spoke no English either. So, there we were again with our trusty cell phone posing as the in-between translator while our Italian friend explained what the tow-truck driver wanted to say to us and what we needed to say back to him. Ker-aa-zee Baby!


The Hebrew phrase "Jehovah 'Ezer" is translated as the "LORD [my] Help" or the "LORD [our] Help."  Am I - as Neil Young says, "Helpless, Helpless, Helpless?  Of course not! Still, is it okay to feel that way sometimes? You bet'cha! Just so long as I don't wallow in it.

Ciao, Bella!  Mimi

For Fun



Looking out our living room door before furniture



Hi,

I'm borrowing the router from the neighbor again today, and it's working pretty well actually. For my regular readers, I have an idea for you all . . . why not take some time to check out the side-bar on my blog. I have some handy little things I've put there and I'm working on update it. (If I ever get a full time Internet connection [grin] )

I have a "Picture of the Week" that I promise to keep more current, and I'll try and select a picture that I haven't posted on the blog before. And I just added a new feature, one where the program scans the entire blog to find the most popular posts and shows a thumbnail picture from that post and a few lines to pique your interest. I also have a cute little pool ball graphic with the current time here in Naples, and a link to the weather here as well. There are some interesting podcasts and family blogs, etc. So, check it out and let me know what you think. I have enabled the comment capability, so I would love that! And . . . there is a section for "Followers" too; please become one. Some of the sections are being updated, so you may notice there haven't been changes in quite sometime, but keep looking. I've designed the side-bar so that it's a place you'll want to return to regularly. I will make additions as I find what will be of interest. My Japanese friends, for example, really enjoy the "Idiom of the Week."  Let me know if there's something you'd like to see here.

Ciao, Bella!  Mimi

Anticipation

So there I was this morning, tea cup on the nightstand next to my bed; pillows strategically stacked three-high so that leaning and typing would be oh-so-comfortable as I composed my most current blog post, "whilst" gazing out my bedroom window at the islands of Ischia and Procida! The sun just peeking through the clouds with a slight promise of sunshine after a night of rain, when what ghastly thing do you suppose happened? EEEK!! An Italian message appeared on my computer screen, promptly asking for a password due to "obvious" modem problems (boo hoo). My puffy, happy day was being dashed to pieces, right before my eyes!  I can't call the Internet/telephone company myself. I must wait for "an English speaking representative to call me." I am not a lot better off than I was a few days ago . . . but, Italian life does go on.

So here I am on our neighbor's borrowed router - AGAIN - with the teensiest of connections, telling friends and family that it will be a few more days before I'm writing again in earnest! That's "if" a technician can get to our house to fix the problem "in a timely manner."

Ah, Italia!

Ciao, Bella! Mimi

Moving Day

What woman doesn't want a perfectly organized moving day? She has imagined it going just a certain way since the pack-out of her belongings on the other end. The "arrival." The "planned placement" of everything. You know what I mean; the organized look of it all when finished! Ha! Of course it didn't turn out that way. I did have hopes though. There's been this little voice inside my head saying, "It'll be okay. Don't worry." And, in the grand scheme of things, of course it will! Compared to the more serious things in life, on a scale of one to ten, this is not far up there!
As the first nip of fall cuts the air of Naples, I'm so happy to be posting a blog from the living room of our
new home! It's starting to "feel" like home and even a little bit "cozy." It's somewhat hard to believe that it's already been 11 days since our moving day . . .  and yet, here it is. 
Initially, it was to be on Thursday, the 30th, but the schedule kept changing, almost daily. The Express Baggage shipment was due to be delivered on a separate day, which would've been much easier, but as it turned out, both Express and Household Goods were delivered on Friday, October 1st! We had appliances (Refrigerator, microwave, freezer, 3 wardrobe units, etc.) delivered the day before. These are on loan from the Navy while we live out on the economy.)
At last . . . we cast our eyes upon "the goods." And for the most part things are in pretty good shape.
There have been some "heart" broken belongings, some of them beyond repair and some will just need a little TLC, but I suppose this was bound to happen in one of our moves. We have been blessed throughout our career with very good pack-outs all around.

We are almost halfway through putting things away now and the adventure continues. Tomorrow I will tell you about the "invasion of the flies."

Ciao, Bella!  Mimi

Internet, Telephone, Hooray!!





A view of the vineyard

 

This must be quick, yet even so, I wanted to make one brief post to let everyone in on some good news. We received a phone call this morning asking if we would be home for the next 30 minutes. Fortunately, the rain had postponed plans to harvest grapes on our landlord's vineyard today, so we were home working on our house. The telephone/Internet guy happened to be in our area, and would be doing a favor by stopping by to get us all hooked up, as long as we were available on very short notice!

Our landlord showing "Padre Filippo" his veneyard

To make a bit of a long story short, here I am writing to you on my own Internet connection with a telephone that actually works in our Italian home, as well! Life is good!

It's been almost 3 months since turning off utilities in our North Carolina home, so I am actually feeling a bit euphoric preparing to post through "my own connection" today. Whoo Hoo!

All this to also say . . . a rather lengthy post is being scratched out as we speak.

Ciao, Bella! Mimi

Be Patient With Me

Just leaving a quick little note on my blog here. We drove into the base (30 min) very early this morning (0630) to do our Divine Liturgy, and then did a quick swing by the commissary to buy some food and check email. I'm not sure how long it will be before I can post regularly again, but I will do my best to figure out a way to keep in touch.

Gotta run.  Lunch today with our new landlord.  More about that later . . .

Ciao, Bella!  Mimi

Going Pewter

GOING GRAY? Maybe you’re not, but I sure am! For the past, oh I don't even know how many years, I've been coloring my hair once-a-month because it grows so darn fast, and then when the silver roots start to show, the contrast is not too dissimilar to that of a skunk in all of her glory! I've been watching as both my brother's hair turns gray, thinking that it looks nice, distinguished even, and envying them somewhat, wishing, at times, that I didn't have to spend the money or take the time to deal with this whole "hair thing" and just chuck it all and go natural! Maybe the color will be platinum. Or pewter! Maybe I will look like Jay Leno. It won't look like my natural birth color anymore, but it will be my natural color now, and it will be easy, honest and truly me!

I read once that, "If we change the way we think about gray, about the fading, the aging, and think about it as a viable color choice, it changes our way of thinking about gray hair."

So, when we got our orders to come to Italy, I took the plunge.  The first thing I did was cut off my hair into a very short hair cut. The next step was to put blond highlights in so that when the gray hairs started to show it wouldn't be such a "skunk stripe" and I'd be able to deal with that for awhile. The third step is where I am now . . .
It's a good thing too!  From what I've been told, and what we're now experiencing, this water over here is the worst water - ever! Basically it's volcano water! From Mt. Vesuvius. Very high in mineral deposits which wreak havoc on your hair. Even Papa's super short hair is brittle and unmanageable.  Imagine what it's doing to my colored hair. It feels like a Brillo pad.
My mom gave me a pair of these really cool scissors called queeving (sp) sheers. They have big chunks missing evenly between the blades as you cut, so only part of the hair is removed, but the other part stays just as it is. The effect (hopefully), is a similar haircut with shorter pieces toward the root and spikier hair sticking out toward the top.  Well, I figure after 13 years as a manicurist (in another life), and watching stylists cut hair, for a little while anyway, I'm going to cut my own hair! So far so good! I've cut my hair twice, and it doesn't look too bad yet!

I'm surviving my transitioning process so far, but my true test is coming up!!  Dun-dun-dun! The "Balls" - The Chaplain Corps Ball, The Navy Ball, The Marine Corps Ball, etc.  And of course I have to go . . . yukky mid-transitioning hair and all! It's all I can do to not make an appointment and get a "little touch up" for those pretty pictures we'll be taking at the balls! And Papa being the Command Chaplain and everything too!! Oh well! I'll just have to do my best and use lots of gel.

I'm just at the stage now, I'm noticing, where people are taking an extra long gaze at the roots of my hair to figure out why on earth would she be letting her hair "look like that?" "Can't she find a hair stylist!!! No doubt . . . I would be wondering that myself.  It's all I can do to not say something every time I see that look. Ugh!  Torture!
But, only 6 or so more months to go, and it will all be over.  I can cut it short enough to get down to all that gray!



Transitioning . . .



 "Just as we don't say “yellow” for blond hair, we don't have to say gray. Giving your gray a new name is more than semantics. It implies an attitude about gray, an acceptance of its natural beauty. Its pure, yes, color. It's time for the way we perceive gray to change. When people compliment my “gray” hair, I say “Thank you, but it’s really pewter with ice highlights.” Try it."

I like the sound of this, don't you?

Ciao, Bella!  Mimi