We finally made it and life is good

No more disaster stories, we got here without incident and the apartment is as cute as can be.  The owners are the sweetest people and there was some basic food items here to get us started.  We decided to make our dinner tonight so we shopping at the local grocery stores and markets. We bought some pancetta, tomatoes, basil, parsley,onions, mushrooms, garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh bread olives, lettuce and artichoke hearts and white wine vinegar.  Then came back, found olive oil, some dried herbs,dried peperoncino and pasta, away we went.  We chopped, sautéed, sprinkled herbs and simmered, then boiled the pasta made garlic bread and salad and had a dinner fit for a king ( or the Queen). It was exactly what I wanted to do.  No wine with dinner but for sure tomorrow night.  Tomorrow we are going to try our luck taking the train to Parma.  It's late and I haven't had more than 4 hours of sleep for the last 2 nights, so buona notte.

Disaster strikes

Other than being very tired things were going so well. I must tell you though, trying to get out of the airport for a quick jaunt  into London is not as easy as it sounds.  Though that is not where the disaster struck, but I get ahead of myself there, so back to London.  We landed at 9:30 am and didn't leave until 9:00 that night.  The tram to take us to the terminal broke down and we had to walk 2 terminals to the main terminal building carrying (more like dragging) our carry-on.  By the time we had cleared customs and found the BA Club it was 10:30.  We had to clean up a bit as we were feeling like we had just slept in our clothes- oh we had!!!  The club is huge with different floors for the different status levels. We were in the main or Club level.  The showers were located in the Spa next to the Premium level and at first we thought we were going to have to pay to take a shower.  At this point we didn't care.  Turns out it was a free service you just had to register with the Spa.  Turns out it was a very nice shower in your own little bathroom.  Once we were showered and changed clothes we were ready to continue our adventure.  Little did we know that it would be a major undertaking and 90 minutes process to get out of the terminal and on the underground.  We had to go to information, register that we wanted to leave the airport, wait until someone came to take a group of us back into customs area so we could register to enter the country.  Then we had to find the luggage store by the exit doors that would store our luggage for up to one week. Luggage stored, tube ticket bought direction to the Picadilly Line Station and we were on our way.  Surprise it is raining and cold.  We had our umbrellas with us, but forgot our jackets carefully placed in the carry-on to wear in London.  Oh well, what's a little shiver among friends.  We got off at the Knightsbridge stop.  Went to Harrod's and wandered. I just love the food court/ emporium.  Incredible everything they carry and how beautifully it is all displayed.  Since it was yucky outside and and our time was now more limited, we decided to have our Tea at Harrod's. It was lovely and delicious.  The couple next to us we're on their honeymoon from Dallas.  After they left a family was seated on the other side of us and turns out they were from Dallas too.  The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, we headed back to Heathrow.  Security was fairly painless and once at the BA club we relaxed and had dinner......

 They don't post the gate for your flight (as I learned) until 40 minutes before the flight. On the ticket it says gate closes at Xx time.   I mistook that to be boarding time. Yes boys and girls, we missed the plane!  Of course it was the last plane for the night headed that way and of course the hotel room was non-refundable AND of course there was a change ticket charge.  Oh and now we have no place to sleep and our luggage is sitting somewhere in Heathrow.  Very lucky for us, or maybe she felt sorry for because I was so mad at myself I was crying, a very kind gate agent from BA. was able to book us on the first flight at 8:40, find our luggage and recheck it for us. Donna kept her cool and booked a room at the Sofitel attached to the airport so we would have no issue getting to the airport I the morning.  Like a MasterCard commercial, missed flight,  rebooking charge $180, prepaid nonrefundable night in Bologna $56, room at the Sofitel $545 -- saved trip priceless.  Also I was reminded of stupid things I and others have done on other trips that helped make this a funny story NOW.  Like taking 5 rolls of film pictures on your honeymoon only to realize there were no batteries in the camera so the shutter never opened and there was 5 rolls of blank pictures, or Rob, who fell asleep at the gate and slept completely through the boarding process only to wake up after the plane had taken off.

The first Adventure

Okay so we land in Montreal and get off the plane and head to Customs. Donna goes to one guy and I go to another a few windows down.  My guy explains that I just need to go to the left to back to the gates to get on our BA flight. Donna explains to her guy that she wants to go outside to have a cigarette.  My guy gives me back my passport and form and I head over to Donna. He explains that to go outside we go to the right and down the hallway to the exit. Then we give the person at the end of baggage claim our forms. He stamps her form and hands it back to her with her passport. We have not figured out at this point that my guy did not stamp my form. We head to the exit chatting away, it is a very long line heading out. We finally get to the person taking the forms.  She takes Donna's and then mine.  She says where are you going. I say outside with my friend. She says no your from isn't stamped.  I try to explain and she just says, you need to go that way and points to another room.  Donna starts to come back to go with me and she says NO you go out!  In this other room I have to wait for someone to call me to their desk and I have to explain it all again only now I don't have Donna with me.  It takes about 10 minutes and I finally get them to understand that my guy just never stamped my form. The lady gives me back my passport and I head outside. I get outside and can't find Donna.  I text her "where are you". She texts back. "I'm going through security to come meet you".   I freak out and text back "NO" and hit send before I write that I am outside. So I quickly text back where I am.  She has to pull her stuff out of the tray, put her shoes on and head down stairs. When she got there all I could do was laugh. We have decided next time we go to the window together. 

We are on the way

We are on our way. First Laynie moment. We got to the airport I went to lock my luggage and couldn't find the lock that I carefully put in my carry on bag so I could find it and lock it.   Then surprise surprise i couldn't find it. Once we sent the luggage on its way and we got to the admirals club, there was a lock right where I put it. As the girls would say, Laynie do you have your hat. 

48 hours from now

In 48 hours we will be boarding the plane for Montréal.  In less than 24 hours Donna will be here and the adventure will begin.  I have been packing for the last two days, putting things in a pile and taking them out.  It's taking forever to decide what to take for just 12 days.

Last night I bought luggage locks. Got home, tried to set the combination and broke the lock. Not a good start.  Now all I can think of is I will get over there and not be able to open the lock.  That will make for a good story.

Only nine more days

Ciao

Well we are down to single digits, in fact less than 216 hours and we will be on a plane. 

Today, however we are hosting a small (22 people) birthday gathering for miss kristin's birthday. Grilling burgers and sausage and lots of sides!  Should be fun. The question is can stay on the diet.....

Mother's day tradition continues and improves

Today we celebrated Mother's Day with lox and bagel brunch provided by Kris and Cait and annual Swiss Ave Home Tour. This year Kristin got to go too, so it was me and my wonderful daughters.  We toured 6 homes, the weather was perfect and we had a great time. Thank goodness Mother's day is in May for Texas weather any later and you would melt on the walk, which by the way we walked about 3 miles. It's a great way to celebrate 

Mothers Day. 

Back in Dallas

Thanks to daughter number 2 I can now write posts on iPad and iPhone. Here is a picture from trip. I want to make sure I can do everything before I go!

Road trip and Kentucky Derby

To amuse ourselves we listened to the build-up for the Kentucky Derby while driving along I-10.  We each picked a horse and then waited for the Race.  Jay picked Orb and I picked Verrazano.   He knows nothing about horse racing and yet this is the second time he hehaspicked the winner.  I should take him along to the track.  It is 5:00 and we are just passing thru Las Cruces heading to Demming for the night.  Oh by the way my horse didn't even place in the top 5.

Road trip with Jay

We are headed to Phoenix tomorrow morning at 5am. Who gets up, let alone hits the road at 5 in the morning. That would be my husband.  He wants to make sure we beat the traffic.... It's Saturday, normal people sleep in a little bit on Saturday, so chances re We will beat the traffic!

Just 26 days and counting

Well, the list of things I need to get and do gets shorter then longer every time I talk to someone about my trip be ause they have great suggestions.  Best suggestion yet was to get a bag from a store to use to carry things we need for the day.  Many thieves don't grab store bags because they don't think much of value is in them.... Unless of course I get a bag from a high end store- note to self DON'T DO THAT,