WHERE DID JANUARY GO?

Where did January go? Seems like it was just yesterday I was coming down from Xmas...a lot has happened this month. It seems like a blur. In reflection, I was ecstatic watching Barack get sworn in. I was one who never believed America would let a black man into that realm (Actually, I have always felt his mom deserves credit as well, but we often just see "brown" skin and categorize people into little boxes. He is just like the posters you see of him, mulitcultural and everybody gets a piece of him that way. Being in India, watching everything on tv...I miss my country and am hopeful and prayerful that everything will be all right. I hope he is successful and can bring our country together.

In one week I saw more pain and anguish since I have been in India. It started when John's driver bumped a motorcycle...I tell you, I didn't know if he had ran over this guy or what...we were talking and WHAM...just like that the accident happened. Then the next day Briana had an asthma attack...which left me running for the car and whipping it around, oblivious to never having driven here, or even attempting a left-handed shift in crazy evening traffic...well, Bri wouldn't get in the car with me...need I say more? I could have handled it. (I had sent my driver home early...) I won't begin to go into the detail and trauma of the "good meaning" doctor whose prescription sent her into antoher...no, I'll just skip it. I get so tired of having to play doctor as well. Do you know how many people die from good meaning prescriptions...Anyway, we are straight now.

Then the next day going to the hospital for her blood work, I saw a motorcycle cream a lady standing too close to the road...thank God she could get up.

Well, after having a plethora of house problems and going through my manic depressive mode, I told John I had to move. Believe it or not, the company said, yes. Then the bad news, the movers would be here like in a week. Say it ain't so...

So I've been plowing through boxes. My back just isn't the same...which I can't figure out why I signed up for a Bollywood dance class, because after the first encounter...I dropped out. There is no way I can deal with the quick jerky movements with the back problems I've been having.

Then Roy, our minister, got slashed. Last report I heard out of 57 COC ministers here, 11 died last year. Most in the rural village areas... okay....pray for Roy. I went into shock that Sunday.

Whizzing down the street with my driver a few weeks ago we hit rush hour traffic and there was a truckload of musicians, all singing and playing instruments so beautifully. My driver told me they were all blind...well, we saw Slumdog Millionaire two nights ago, and that sent me back into my manic depression. Is it really true? Is that what really happens to children to make them sing for money. I just can't take it.

Johnnie's Aunt Zella passed away this month, and we couldn't go to the funeral. I sat the kids down and told them all the stories about her that I could remember. We always had such good times with her and Uncle James...life is but a dream....WHERE DID JANUARY GO?

February has got to be better. I'll put up house pictures and twist Bri's arm...she may even let me put a picture of her getting an IV drip at the hospital up...yeah, I had a camera to distract her and calm her down...it did help. One thing is for certain...my babies has really grown up. I'm really proud of Ashley for taking charge when Bri was falling ill, and I'm proud of Bri, after getting control of her panic/anxiety attacks, understanding that God is in control and we don't have to be afraid.

PICTURE TAG...

Okay, at the prompting of Lynn, (Yes, she tagged me), I thought I would comply with the rules of picture tag.

The object of picture tag is to: 1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer; 2) Select the 4th picture in the folder; 3) Explain the picture; 4) Tag 4 people to do the same... No cheating, cropping, etc.

This picture was taken in February 2008 when I had come to Chennai on a house hunting trip. Yes, it's obvious I'm having a bad hair day, okay. Charmaine was taking us through all of these houses, and this house was huge...beautiful marble, stained glass windows, balconies...just in a lousy area.

Let's see...who can I tag now....Donna? Danie? Jennifer? Stephanie??? Tag, you're it.

p.s. On a sadder note, my driver had an accident on his motorcycle coming into work today. I still don't have all the information right, just that a bus from Pondecherry was the cause of the accident. His leg was bloody, his arm looked busted and his hand was gouged. Thank God there didn't appear to be head injuries. He was limping, and his brother had come to drive him to the hospital on his bike. (I am assuming that he got up and continued in for work after the occurance). I offered to drive him in the car...(I'm sure even though I haven't tried to, I could handle driving a left-handed gear shift with the steering on the right side of the car in rush hour traffic, I could handle it...) Well, he chose to climb onto the back of his bike and his brother drove him away. So, I am waiting to hear something. Hopefully in a few days he'll be fine. What a way to start out your day. Driving here is so SCARY. Even the best drivers aren't safe.

IF A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS...

HERE'S your 13,000 worth of words to chew on, in other words...here are 13 of our pictures. We took excursions to so many places. The people were so friendly. This guy just ran and jumped in my picture as John was trying to take it.

We drove through Rotterdam and saw the sites there.......

We went to a shoemaking village. Doesn't John look cute in these clogs...

This is your typical English breakfast...bacon, sausage, beans and bread. The

pancakes were good and yummy...kinda yeasty tasting...

We visited a Delft pottery shop...there are only two businesses that make this pottery in the world today. And there is this special signature thingy on the bottom of the originals...don't be fooled guys by the imitations. Yes, this pottery is beautiful...and no, I didn't get the vase that I'm holding $$$$$$. I got a tiny one that could hold one stem to be placed in my bedroom for fond memories of Holland.

There were so many shops in this village (Delft). There was a huge town square and Xmas tree that was breathtaking...

This shot is from the same little village square.

And this blue heart is the end of the town square.

This place was so exciting and fabulous. This is the northern rersort town called Scheveningen. That tall tower looking thingy is where you bungy jump. John wants to come back here. On January 1, people run into the north sea...some type of ritual...there are shops galore...really nice. Can't wait...maybe next time we can come in the spring when all of the flowers and tulips are in bloom.

This is the coolest place. John fell in love with Madurodam. This is the reason he wants to come back here and play in this miniature town with real trains that run through the place...it was too much for him...he says he has to come back. Okay...April 2009???

These windmills are in the town of Zaanse Schans. We toured a windmill, talked to people who told us the history of this area. Fascinating...you know 40% of the land has been reclaimed from the sea with these windmills. Now, actually I think they use electric pumps. This place is preserved for tourists.

Okay, we went to a cheese place and gots lots a cheese...my favorite is the smoked cheese with this honey mustard stuff. Yummo.

We really, really enjoyed this trip. I hope to come back in the spring. I know it would be absolutely beautiful.

AMSTERDAM...DAY 1

John and I like Amsterdam. This is a very interesting city...seems like the "entire world" is here. We are staying at a CITIZENM hotel. This place is really, cool. Very high tech...just wish the room was larger...but even so it's cool http://www.citizenmamsterdamairport.com/

We finally figured out the train system and took off hitting the streets downtown, FREEZING....The Xmas lights were so pretty we took a dinner cruise on the canal...there were really cool houseboats along the way decorated with lights.

BOPPIN' IN BANGALORE

Okay we went to Bangalore this weekend...my primary goal was to get my hair braided. I was ecstatic that I could actually get my hair braided in India. I guess there is a larger African community in Bangalore, and after searching the internet, I found "Sasha's" which advertised African braiding. Well, Vendan ranted on and on how well he knew Bangalore...I gave him the addresses well in advance. Even thought about printing out directions to this place...(my lesson for today, always follow your initial instinct and never rely on anyone else). We were so lost for so long...(oh well). We piled into the car, and it was really nice to get away from Chennai for a few days. The mountain range was nice, the weather was considerably cooler. In photo number 1, out of boredom, Bree decided to melt a chocolate mint on John's forehead while he slept...

Anyway, I had everything timed out, from how long it would take to get there, to how long it should take to get my hair braided (like 5 hours in the chair). Our hotel (The Monarch, above), was right across the street. Definitely nothing to write home about, but it was in the right location, and had a tub, {We only have showers in our home, bummer}...free breakfast, and was...okay for a 3-star, if you know what I mean. (Yeah, we had to scream to get hot water, but it eventually came).

I'm racing into the hotel after an hour or so circling around, trying to find this place...I call Sasha, tell her I'm checking in and I will be right over....AND THIS WOMAN HAS THE NERVE TO TELL ME, WHOOPS, THE STYLIST SAYS SHE IS SICK TODAY, COME BACK TOMORROW AT 2:30. YOU KNOW I AM SEEING RED. DOES SHE REALIZE WHAT IT COSTS TO STAY OVERNIGHT IN THIS PLACE, OR THAT MY HUSBAND HAS TO BE AT WORK THE NEXT DAY, OR THAT COMING IN AT 2:30 PUTS US DRIVING BACK ON THE ROAD AT ABOUT 9:30 OR 10:00...AND HOW DANGEROUS IT IS FOR NIGHT DRIVING HERE... YES, I AM LIVID. I HAD CALLED A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE TO VERIFY THAT THE APPOINTMENT WAS STILL "ON"...AND NO ONE CALLS ME BEFORE I COME THIS FAR TO ... I GUESS YOU GET IT.

I'm still mad about this. Then to top it all off, after starting at 3:00, I didn't get out of this chair until 8:30 p.m.; rather than risking life and limb trying to get home dodging cows and heaven only knows what else is in the road...we just decided to stay another day.

So, was it worth it...I really wanted my hair braided. No, it's hard to find the same quality that we have in good ol' Decatur. (One braid thick, one braid thin...) And then they charged me an extra 1,000 rupees over what was quoted before I came. Yeah, Merry Xmas. I hate being "taken", and I suppose I need to just become more adamant, aggressive and demanding over stuff. Yeah, that's my New Year's resolution. I need a good assertiveness class. I told this woman this was not the original price quoted...

Yes, this was a very expensive hair do; not sure I will do it again. Guess I will just wait to get to the State's next time.

We found the Hard Rock Cafe, (Poor Vendan couldn't seem to get directions right...I told him to just pull over, pay a rickshaw guy to guide us there, and let it go...but NO...he would find the way). Anyway, the important thing about this venture was....

I SAW THE GUITARS FROM "THE CARS" ON THE WALL. This is my favorite rock group. When I was a freshman, there was a girl on the floor who blasted the cars non-stop, like 24-7. I hated this music...but maybe after the zillionth time, you kinda get the songs in your head, and you start groovin' to the bass and rythms...yeah, I now confess, I really love the cars...Candy-O and all. So much for trippin' back to 1979.

We made it back to Chennai...and now we are bracing up for Amsterdam. Ashley and Bri will be running amuk, and I'll bring you up to speed on what's happenin' there later.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE XMAS...

NOT. Okay, today is just like another hum-drum day. What is it..like 90 degrees outside? I laid out like 25 minutes as usual trying to get my fill of vitamin D in...http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/12/16/my-one-hour-vitamin-d-lecture-to-clear-up-all-your-confusion-on-this-vital-nutrient.aspx



So now I'm into the Budwig protocol...http://www.budwigvideos.com/ as well as infrared sauna and a few other treatments that are good for your liver. (Okay, I'll skip the boring health stuff).



Sunday we went to dinner at Sparky's. All I can say is WOW, boy does he have Xmas going on big-time. I'm gonna make John dig out our tree. I miss Xmas. My mother passed away Xmas morning, 2005. It really changes the way you live through your holidays. You know that year my kids got me Oprah's 20 year special anniversary collection, and I think I stayed in bed for a week and just watched the entire 6 cd's and cried. Well, Ashley drug it out a few days ago, and we just watched them every day and night until we got through them all and boo-hoo'd. I need to get out of this rut...



And guess what, I've got just the ticket. John, Bri and I are gonna bust a move to Bangalore this weekend. Yeahhh, they have African Braiding there. So I think I'm gonna transform myself, give my 'fro a rest and I'll post pictures if it turns out good.



So this pinched nerve in my back is driving me crazy. I'm seriously considering acupuncture. Ashley said she would give me a massage tonight. I hope this helps. John's working late, Bri is in bed sleep (it's only 5:00 p.m. (She'll probably be up all night talking on the phone since we got our Vonage going again.)



Okay, sisters...ya'll can call me now...get me through the holidays...

SO HERE'S THE REST OF THE STORY...

Okay, I'm gonna get through the rest of this trip today if it kills me.

We arrived in port to visit Pisa and Florence...Paulo was waiting for us. Paulo, we love you. You are such a sweetheart...(Johnnie let me say this, okay). A kiss on both cheeks to you.

Should any of you find yourself in need of a guide on an Italian tour excursion, go to www.unforgettabletuscany.com. This operation is run by Paulo who really, really helped us to fall in love with Italy. We went everywhere, saw everything, absorbed so much history, from the Medici's to Michael Angelo, from the leaning tower of Pisa to the back roads of Tuscany...such beauty...the wine vineyards, the olive trees. Ultimately we toured a beautiful castle, which was like a private hotel...wrong word, I mean museum. This is the first time I ever heard John exclaim that he would take me here on our 50th anniversary. I laughed and thought to myself, hmmm so that must mean next year, right. Let me give you the website...but the pictures on the web just doesn't do this place justice...oh well, http://www.montegufoni.eu/

I think I should rent out the lower wing that holds 8, and grab as many of my peeps as would travel that far and...wouldn't that be a blast. (Let's just pray that the economy doesn't completely tank).

Truthfully, we won a free round trip ticket to anywhere in Europe, and this would have been first on the list for this Xmas, but...I can't swing it $$$ with all of the girls right now, so John just settled on going to Amsterdam the day after Xmas to celebrate our 25th, since we were at a loss during September because of unforseeable events occurring then. The girls will be up to mischief for 4 days, but still having an adventure without us.

These private excursions were so wonderful, we got to see tons of more things than just taking the ship's tour with like 50 people being herded here and there and paying $$$much too much through them. Yes, we want to definitely come back.

FRANCE...

You know I loved Princess Grace. It seemed just like yesterday remembering her death...little Stephanie in the car with her...well Jerome came through to get us at the pier in France...http://www.rivierapremiumtour.com/ So according to Jerome, Prince Albert is now engaged to a beautiful blonde who is a great swimmer/athlete.

Oh, the French!!! You know you must be a gazillionaire to live in Monaco, yes, we saw it all. The changing of the guard... Nice was beautiful...and the most fascinating place that I tried to book for after Xmas this year (but had flight problems returning to Chennai) was called the village of Eze. This fortress was constructed in like the 13th or 14th century (I'm never good with details)..but it captivated my heart. The views into the harbor from the cliffs were so awsome. Here's a link to it: http://www.circumvista.com/chateau-eza.html

Yes, yes, the French riviera was wonderful. So now I feel the need to learn both French and Italian after I finish stumbling through my Tamil lessons. You know they say Tamil is one of the oldest languages on earth today...(and one of the hardest, if you asked me). My teacher said most other languages require your jaw to go up and down, in Tamil, it goes sideways.

We arrived back to Barcelona where the tour company emailed and said they had my cell phone and back pack. All is well, John is forgiven for leaving it...and there was peace in the valley.

So, that sums up our travels in a nutshell...but it seems like if you are following the news, chaos reins. I'm sitting here under a blasting air conditioner thinking about how hot it is now...but not really missing icy wintery weather. Ashley took Lilly over to a friend's house to play and boy oh boy did Lilly cause a raucus. So there it is...Merry Xmas everyone...no, our tree is somewhere in a box still.