Italian Living

We really enjoy living in Italy and most especially we love Sacile. Yes, we miss home terribly and the friends and family and our dog--we wish we could just "pop in" for the weekend. But there are experiences here and adventures that, hopefully, stick in our mind as good and memorable times during our stay here. I want to make sure I remember all of these Italian-isms so I have been making a mental list.

• There are lots of bike riders. Young, old, with children on the front or back and they are everywhere. They are in the street like a normal car--no sidewalks. My favorite is when it's raining and they just ride their bike and hold an umbrella in the other hand. No biggie. Ladies in their skirts with their purse on their shoulder, just headed to the market. No biggie.
• Italians have an aversion to the cold. Yes it's cold in the winter and at night sometimes it gets chilly. But like in the hospital, in the 98 degree heat, the boys were wrapped and wrapped and wearing 2 outfits to keep them warm--this is how they live. No ice because ice is cold. No fans in the bedrooms because the air could cause a cold. Air blowing on your face? Why would you do that? In the winter is when it's the most fun to watch because the Italians bundle up to their eyeballs in gear. Personally, I think it's a way for them to excuse the obscene amount of money they spend on their clothes/jackets/boots/hats. Once October hits the calendar, the sleeves turn long, the coats come out, the gloves/scarves/hats are out in full force, even if it's not too terribly cold.
  
• Carseats are merely a suggestion. For some people at least. I remember last year, while I was behind a tractor on a main road to base and unable to pass him, I watched a woman walk to the passenger side of her car and take a car-seat, with a baby in it, out of the front seat. She unbuckled the seat belt like anyone normally would, and took the car-seat out of the car and went on her merry way. WHAT? I have since seen toddler size kiddos riding in the back seat, unbuckled and climbing all over the car as I wait at a stop sign. Yes, I used to do this too growing up, but that was before all the research on seat-belts, safety, air bags, etc. came out. Most recently I was crossing a crosswalk and the car letting me walk had a passenger holding a baby on her lap while she was driving. Are you kidding me? But my favorite, and the one I recall with clarity was on the way home from Tuscany. We had only lived here 1 month and getting around with our GPS was tricky to get used. So when we pass a car in the far right lane going 50 mph on the autostrada, I empathetically thought, "They're just trying to figure out where they are." Nope. It was a pinto with 2 grown men in the front and passenger seats. Their overhead light was on in the car. Why? Well, because the passenger had a toddler on his right leg with his arms wrapped around him and on his left...was a baby. Getting his diaper changed. At least they slowed down.
• While I am enjoying a morning coffee at our nearby bar, no doubt there is someone, male or female, having a spritz or a glass of wine.
• On the main roads, during harvest seasons, it is not unusual to get stuck behind a tractor or two and be unable to pass them. One of my favorite tractors was driven by the husband (I'm assuming) and hanging on and standing behind his seat was his wife. She just held her purse while she rode on into town, or maybe on the way to a friend's house, in her skirt and cardigan. I guess you have to catch a ride somehow!
• Bathrooms here are a fun topic of conversation. Fun because it's funny to describe to someone else the particulars of using one. It can be a hole in the ground (squatters as we call them), a normal potty like in the U.S., or a normal potty but without a lid, just a bowl. Some have flushers on the top, on the wall, hanging from the ceiling--everywhere. Just make sure you're fully clothed before pulling any strings because you might pull the emergency rope and the owner might just rush in. Didn't happen to me but it did to a friend! It doesn't matter we all use them the same but some are more unusual than others, but I will say I at least find a stop to go the bathroom while out and about. Some Italians, do not. While on the autostrada, it is not abnormal to pass an inlet (used for emergencies, to pull over for a phone call, have a flat tire etc.) and see the driver of the car using the nearby stretch of grass for a restroom. So far we have only seen males, however, I have not encountered them in the city limits or up close. Well, as I waited for the train a few days ago on the way to base, the truck driver in front of me got out and went to the grassy patch on the side of the road for a pitstop. It's not a big deal but I was shocked because he was maybe 10 yards from my car. Then he just hopped back in his truck. When ya' gotta go, ya' gotta go I guess.
  

Buon Natale!

Merry Christmas! Our festivities began with a Christmas Eve service on base complete with a candlelight singing of "Silent Night". Made me feel like I was home for a bit! We saw some of our friends and Porter and Eli's buddies and then headed home. Santa was coming and we needed to get to bed!

Cookies and milk for Santa are waiting by the tree.
Eli sleeps peacefully waiting on Santa and his reindeer.
Porter snuggled up with us. He always sleeps this cock-eyed even when he's not reaching for his pacifier.
Porter and Eli's Christmas pajamas.
Cash likes to eat so his gift to the boys was some new bowls. We eat a lot of cereal these days!
Daddy gave Eli a doggie board book.
Eli helps with the bow.
Porter got a board book too.
Waiting on breakfast to finish cooking.
Eli entertains me while I wait on breakfast.
Porter after waking up from a nap with Evan on the couch.
Hanging out with Dad. Eli slept with me on the couch--Christmas day naps are the best!
For lunch we headed over to Joni's house for pork tenderloin, spinach casserole, and sauteed apples. The boys did really good and even took a nap on Joni's bed.
Porter making eyes at Joni.
The crew relaxing after a great meal and lots of prosecco.
Family pic. Eli stiff-armed Porter.
It has been raining in Sacile for 6 days now. This normally peaceful river, the Livenza, was roaring and rushing. We had to get a picture of the huge tree trunk blocking part of the dam.
We love that we were able to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas with our families in Texas while we there recently. As much as we missed being with everyone, we still had a really great day making memories with Porter and Eli.

The Battle of the Bumblebee.

Nana and Grandpa gave the boys two really great toys for Hanukkah. The bumblebee is one and a rattle/teething toy is the other. The bee buzzes, plays music, and lights up. It's been a popular toy as you can see.

Eli has possession.
Porter moves in for the steal.
Eli is slowly losing his grip.
And Porter ends up with it. Oh the countless times this will happen in our future!

Jet Lag. Babies Get it Too.

Jet lag stinks.We pass out during playtime mid-pull on Mr. Frog, a favorite.
And when it's time to get in our buckets, we are so tired we can't even get buckled.
And then we're up at all hours during the night...

Back to Normal?

We are back from Texas and I will soon be catching up on a LOT of blogging. But for the meantime, I'm with our little munchkins by myself while Evan is back at work. As we got ready for our cereal this morning, after a few days of being off schedule from travelling, the boys seemed to look at each other and say, "just us again?"

Hanukkah in Sacile

December 22, 2010
We finally had Hanukkah, though a little late. The boys seemed to at least notice when we lit the candles. They enjoyed their presents from Evan and me. Even Cash sent them a little book--how thoughtful!

Back to Italia

December 17-18, 2010
Porter and Eli were major cuties on the way home. We were able to get a last row seat, before the break in the plane, and had the middle seat free. We put one of their car-seats in the space and at least one of us during the flight had free hands.
Allison was able to get our car and pick us up. It snowed the day we returned, so we were greeted by a frigid and windy, winter wonderland. Back to normal now.

Austin--the finale.

December 14-17, 2010

Our last few days in Texas were spent in Austin.
*ate Freebirds, bagels, Rudy's, Mexican food.
*Rusty and Paige came over to visit. Paige gave me the single piece of advice that helped us when we got back to Italy to get Porter to fall asleep without us holding him in our arms.
*I got my overdue haircut!
*Jillian and the kids came over for one last visit.
*Porter and Eli got some good sleep time in Nana and Grandpa's arms.
*Ross and Janet watched the boys one night so Evan and I could go to dinner.
*Porter and Eli just started having a little bit of a cold/runny nose.

We celebrated Hanukkah with the Epsteins--the boys got a buzzing bee and a web-of-loops ball.
We were completely spoiled while in Austin with all of our favorite foods. Most importantly we were spoiled and taken care of by having willing and able hands to take Porter and Eli when it was just getting to be too much or we just needed a break. It has been so nice to be with family and see friends while Evan had his class in Alabama. I will miss family and friends but I'm ready to be back in my own home and back to our own little routine.

Evan and Cash.

December 13, 2010
Evan spent the morning and most of the afternoon out in the country with his best friend for some much needed time together.

Blackwell Family Christmas

December 12, 2010
Sunday was a full day of church and country club, and then our immediate family Christmas that afternoon/evening. The boys did great holding out for their presents and helping, a tiny bit, to open some. We took a break after their presents for bath and bed time. Then the adults stayed and opened their presents. The sisters gave Mom and Dad noise-cancelling headphones for all their flights they take during the year. Then the siblings took the obligatory pictures! It was a nice, relaxing day, though busy, that ended with chili and tamales--YUM!